The Dragons Return

by J. J. Thompson

“Hmm. Wrong? No, nothing wrong, wizard. But I wish you had mentioned this book before you sent me on a scouting mission. It might have saved you some time.”

  Up until then, Kronk had stood silently on the table next to Simon, watching. Now the little guy shook his head impatiently.

  “Speak plainly to my master. You air ones are always so cryptic.”

  His harsh tone interrupted the other elemental and it stopped scanning the book and looked at him in surprise.

  “Cryptic? I am not being cryptic, rock head. This book is filled with magic. Did you not tell your wizard this?”

  Simon looked at Kronk, who seemed to be somewhat embarrassed by the question.

  “We earth elementals are not concerned with spells and runes. We are the workers, the doers. You ethereal types are the ones who are always poking into old ruins and lost tombs. I don't know what that book holds.”

  The air elemental sighed dramatically.

  “Typical. I suppose. No wonder this wizard needs my help.” It looked at Simon. “You were wise to call upon me. I think that you need more help than I believed at first. My name is Aeris. I believe I shall stay with you for a time. It could be interesting. It may also help you avoid some of the pitfalls you will doubtless be prey to if you rely on this,” he nodded at the obviously seething Kronk, “limited creature.”

  Simon was torn between feeling grateful for the air elemental's offer of assistance and a need to defend his friend. He settled on something in-between.

  “I thank you for your offer, Aeris. My name is Simon O'Toole, by the way. I'm sure I can use all the help I can get. But Kronk has been incredibly helpful to me too. I doubt that I would have survived this long if it hadn't been for his knowledge and support.”

  Kronk beamed at Simon, while Aeris looked doubtful.

  “Helpful? Really? Huh. Well, to each their own, I suppose. The earthen are strong, I'll give them that.”

  Aeris returned to looking at his map. Simon decided that the elemental was male. At least, he sounded more male than female. He wondered briefly if there were lady elementals and what they were like.

  “Let me finish my report before we move on to your friend's notebook,” Aeris said. He picked up the pencil and used it as a pointer.

  “As I was saying, the river is perilous. Avoid it if you can. However, to the west along its northern shore is a small settlement. I believe it used to be a small town or village.”

  “I remember it,” Simon said. “It was called Quyon. There was a ferry that used to travel across the river from this side to the town and back.”

  “Really. Well, the town was mostly destroyed by the dragon's minions, but there are a few true humans who have banded together for mutual protection.”

  Aeris tapped the small cluster of buildings that he had drawn with the tip of the pencil.

  “They have planted gardens and have a blacksmith working on tools and implements. There is also several Changed humans here as well. Children like yourself. They are treated rather badly by the humans, I'm afraid.”

  Simon sat up alertly.

  “Treated badly? How so?”

  “Oh, they are worked very hard; more like slaves than equal members of the community. Their physical changes have left them very strong but perhaps a little limited in intelligence, so they are worked like mules and do not complain.”

  Simon angrily stared at the map.

  “That's terrible,” he growled. “We should do something.”

  “Do something?” Aeris looked at him and laughed dryly. “You cannot do anything, wizard. You cannot even cross that river without risking your life. And if you did, what could you do? One day, if you learn enough, you will be in a position to help others. But now? No.”

  Simon pushed his chair back from the table and stood up abruptly. He walked to the window and stared out over the field toward the forest. He was seething.

  Treating Changlings like slaves? How could anyone do that? Have we descended to barbarism already, in three short years? Is this the world he was living in now?

  “Calm yourself, wizard,” Aeris said from the tabletop. “Justice will soon be meted out to these true humans. They will not survive much longer, and the Changlings, as I believe you call people like yourself, will have their chance of survival.”

  “What?” Simon turned to look at him. “What do you mean?”

  The air elemental chuckled, an evil sound.

  “They are of the old world now. True humans are doomed, wizard. The dragon or its minions will find them soon, I think. The Changlings are safe from them and, once these evil people are no more, the new humans will be free to find their own way in the world. Perhaps they will survive, perhaps not. However,” he tapped the map and Simon walked back and sat down again,” there is more to tell.”

  Aeris indicated another scattering of small squares directly south of the tower.

  “This settlement is much more interesting. There is a farm here, quite large with many buildings. A wall has been built around it, a wise decision, and the fields have been tilled and are growing well. There are at least thirty inhabitants living within, maybe more.”

  He looked up at Simon with a rather pleased look in his face.

  “All of them are Changlings. From some I sensed the stirrings of magic and from one, oh my, from one magic literally burned like blazing flames. She is the one who leads and may be as powerful, potentially, as you are yourself.”

  “Changlings? Really?” Simon stared at the map, a sudden surge of excitement twisting his stomach. “What are they like?”

  “Oh, just people,” the elemental answered indifferently. “Men, women, a few children. What they were like before they Changed I cannot say.”

  He paused and looked intently at Simon.

  “Out of curiosity, what were you like...before?”

  “Me?” Simon settled into his chair and rested his chin on his hand again.

  “I was just over sixty years old, and I was big. I mean really big. I'd been training for years for competitions of strength and was told I had the body of a man half my age.” He glanced down at his skinny shanks and delicate hands.

  “This body is so, I don't know, fragile. I was never afraid of physical danger back in the old days. In the few dust-ups I got into, I could take a punch and return it with interest. Now? I can't walk more than a few miles without having to rest. I can barely lift stuff that I would have once carried with one hand.” He sighed. “It seems a pretty poor trade off if you ask me.”

  “You are wrong, master,” Kronk said. He reached over and patted Simon on the shoulder. “You are much stronger now than you were then. It is a different kind of strength, that is true, but it is very powerful.”

  Simon smiled at Kronk's reassurance.

  “The earthen is correct, wizard,” Aeris said. “Now there is something I don't say very often.”

  Kronk glared at him but didn't respond.

  “The strongest warriors cannot stand against a fully-trained wizard, unless they have magical protection. You cannot measure yourself against your old body. Strength has its place, that is true, but magic? Magic can move mountains.”

  Simon stared from one elemental to the other.

  “I hadn't thought of it like that before,” he admitted. “The old me was always so confident, so sure of his abilities. But now I'm adrift, lost in a new world with powers I cannot begin to understand.”

  “And that is why you need me, wizard,” Aeris said smugly. “I will guide you along your path. It will be interesting to watch your development.”

  Simon looked at him sharply.

  “What's in it for you, Aeris? I mean really. You don't strike me as someone who cares about humans, or about me, very much. So why bother? You know you can leave any time you wish.”

  The air elemental was slow to answer. He hovered quietly, looking off into space.

  “Perhaps that is part of it,” he said finally. “I have never been summoned by a wizard who gave m
e choices before. It was always do this, go there, fetch this. And now here you are.” He looked searchingly at Simon. “And you say, help me once and be free. You gave me choices. You have told this earthen that he is free to go if he so chooses and yet he remains.” He paused as if to order his thoughts.

  “You are altogether new to me, Simon O'Toole. And nothing has been new to me since the old days of magic. So that is my answer. I choose to aid you because you have asked, not commanded. I am intrigued to see where this will go, what you will become.”

  He turned away from the map and began looking at Daniel's notebook again.

  “There is nothing more to tell from my scouting trip. So let us now explore your friend's notes and see where they take us.”

  Chapter 8

  Aeris skimmed through the notebook, making small noises of satisfaction. Occasionally he would stop and stare at a symbol or drawing before continuing on.

  Simon watched, deeply curious about what the elemental could tell him about the notes whose meaning had so far eluded him. Could the little being actually help him develop his magical skills? Or was he more talk than action? He tried to be patient and wait to see what would happen.

  Finally Aeris flipped the book back to the opening page and pointed at a symbol mixed in with a jumble of small notations.

  “This is a basic focusing glyph. You can use it to enhance the protective wards that you have buried at the four points around the tower.”

  “Really?” Simon leaned over to examine the symbol. “What does it do?”

  “Essentially, it strengthens the spells that you add it to. It cannot be used in spoken spells, but runes like the ones you are using will be made longer lasting and much more effective.”

  He looked up at Simon.

  “By the way, you would be wise to surround your tower and land, including the stable, with a wall. That way, you can imbue the structure itself with protective magic. I can show you how to ward them to the point that nothing, save a wizard even stronger than yourself, could penetrate them.”

  “A wall?” Simon was startled by the suggestion. “Why would I need one?”

  Aeris shook his head, a sigh that sounded like a puff of wind escaping from his lips.

  “I have told you that the world is reverting back to the way it was when magic was strong, have I not? Yes, well then, you should know that it was rare for people, even those strong in magic, to venture out of doors after dark. Things existed in the shadows of the night that preyed on humans. I am surprised that these creatures are not roaming the darkness now, but I fear that they will eventually reappear. If that happens, even with strengthened wards, you will not be able to stop them from assaulting your tower.”

  “Things?” Simon thought that the elemental might be trying to scare him, but when he looked at Kronk for confirmation, the little guy was nodding vigorously.

  “The windy one speaks truly, master,” he said. Aeris glared at him but Kronk ignored him. “I had forgotten about that. When I was summoned back in the old days, it was always in safe havens, cities or towns well protected from the terrors of the night. But they were real, master. And this tower might not be able to withstand them.”

  Simon looked at Aeris.

  “So what kind of 'terrors' are we talking about here?”

  Rather than answer, the air elemental turned to the notebook and flipped through it. He found what he was looking for and pointed.

  Simon looked at the open page and a chill shivered down his spine.

  A page of illustrations, well-drawn and intricate, was open before him. He had seen it earlier but had only given it a cursory glance. Now he examined it intently.

  There were dozens of tiny creatures to be seen. Monsters, he thought. Fur and fangs were the things that they had in common. There was one creature in particular that caught his attention.

  It stood on its hind legs, feral mouth gaping with glistening fangs, elongated hands ending with razor-like claws. He tapped it with a forefinger.

  “What is this?” he asked Aeris.

  “Were,” the elemental answered in a hushed tone. “They used to run in packs. In the daylight they seem but harmless humans, but after dark they are relentless hunters of mortal flesh.” He frowned. “If I remember correctly, they had villages of their own, away from the rest of humanity. There were occasional expeditions to destroy these infestations, but the creatures always returned.”

  Simon sat back and stared at Aeris incredulously.

  “Were? As in werewolves?”

  The airy figure shrugged.

  “Werewolves, werecats, werebirds. The disease creates many abominations. All are equally deadly.”

  “That is just...unbelievable.”

  “Is it?” Aeris quirked an eyebrow at Simon. “No more so than the undead who also haunt the night. They are usually found in ruins where many have died violent deaths, but they sometimes wander the countryside. Their undead hearts burn with a hatred of all living things.”

  “But I visited Ottawa, my home city, to search for evidence of my friend, Daniel.” Simon nodded at the notebook. “That's where I got that book. I didn't run into any undead. And considering how many people were slaughtered by the dragon, if such things existed you'd think I would have seen some evidence.”

  “You went to a city? And survived?” Aeris sounded impressed. “I'm amazed that you made it in and out again. So you saw or heard nothing at night there?”

  “Well,” Simon answered reluctantly, “there were some strange noises around me when it got dark, so I hid inside the remains of a building.” He shook his head. “But it could have been anything. I was just being careful. I'm not exactly made to fight off an attacker anymore, and my magic is still weak, so I was cautious.”

  “And you felt nothing in the night? No shiver of unnatural fear?”

  Aeris tone was one of curiosity.

  Simon hesitated. “Maybe. Maybe I did. But that doesn't mean that it wasn't all in my mind.”

  “Perhaps not, young wizard. But whatever lives there now, living or dead, will spread over time. Like an infection, it will not be contained. I think that you should seriously consider better protection for your home, and yourself.”

  Simon stood up again, feeling restless, and walked back to the window.

  A wall. He looked out at the surrounding forest. Certainly there was room between the tower and the forest for a wall. The edge of the woods was at least fifty yards from his front door. A wall, perhaps twenty yards out from the tower, extending down to the water, was doable. But how the hell was he supposed to build a wall?

  He turned and asked that question of Aeris. Surprisingly, it was Kronk who answered.

  “I know of a way, master. It will involve some risk, but it could work.”

  “Really? How?”

  “You could attempt to summon one of my brethren, one more powerful than me. It would not take one of the great ones to build a wall around the tower, just an elemental of about your size, master.”

  Simon was excited by the idea of summoning another, stronger earth elemental. What would it be like? But then he noticed Aeris shaking his head.

  “You don't agree?” he asked. Kronk turned and looked at the floating figure with a frown.

  “I do not,” Aeris answered. “You show a talent for the elements. If fact, I would hazard a guess that you may become a master elementalist one day. But right now, calling forth a more powerful being could be a mistake. If you do not have control of it from the start, the results could be unfortunate.”

  Kronk had looked irritated but now he became thoughtful.

  “He may be correct, master, although I hate to admit it. So do you have a better idea?” he asked Aeris.

  “Of course,” the air elemental said with an air of superiority. “Simply summon others like Kronk here. With half a dozen of these earth elementals, your wall would be built in a day.”

  “Wow. Kronk, could they do that?”

  “Oh yes, mast
er. That would not be a problem. If I explained to them what was needed, and you directed them, it could be done very quickly indeed.”

  Simon sat down again and grabbed another piece of paper.

  “That sounds a little more doable, actually. Could both of you help me map out how the wall should be built?”

  Kronk and Aeris exchanged a quick glance and then each moved to stand next to Simon's shoulders, one on each side.

  Secretly Simon smiled to himself. If he could get the two little guys cooperating, maybe it would be more peaceful around his home, especially if Aeris was going to be staying for a while.

  The three of them spent the morning working out where the wall should be built, how big it would be, how wide and high. They decided between them that the wall would extend back to protect the stable. It would stop about twenty yards from the shore of the lake, but the garden would be inside the wall as well.

  When they had finished, Simon put down his pencil, relaxed and stared at the sketch they had made.

  “You know, guys, this is a really big wall. Are you sure that a half dozen earth elementals can actually construct it? And where are they going to get the stone to build it anyway?”

  Kronk laughed a little. “They do not need stone, master. They will draw rock up from the earth itself. It will be faster and easier than you might think.”

  “Really? Hmm.”

  Aeris hovered over the drawing of the tower and wall and nodded with approval.

  “Yes, it will do. I recommend that you do not wait too long before getting started. That village with the Changlings that I mentioned is not so far away that they would not be able to discover you if they eventually scout in this direction. And they would be foolish not to.”

  Simon was startled.

  “You think they're a threat?”

  “I have no idea. But you are not strong enough yet to defend yourself against them, should they prove to be hostile. A wall will help to mitigate that danger.”

  “Yeah, good point.” Simon stood up and stretched slowly, feeling his muscles slowly loosen up.

  “I'm going to have some lunch,” he told the pair of elementals. “It must be two or three o'clock by now.”