“Simple,” replied Hunter. “You take it from the dragon… then they take it from you.”
Ballorn glanced at him, his brow furrowed, “They can try,” he growled.
“Hang on though,” said Hunter, “we keep referring to ‘them’, but I haven’t seen Barden since we entered the village. I wonder where he went.”
“And, what he’s up to,” added Ballorn.
“Well I’m not about to start searching for him,” replied Hunter, standing. “I’m going to get this one to bed. Look at him. Sleeping like the dead!”
Ballorn cleared his throat, “I’ll take him,” he said, hoisting Stitch into the air with one hand. “I’ve seen ragdolls stiffer than that,” he added, gently swaying the tailor from side to side.
“He’s going to regret this when he wakes up in the morning,” laughed Hunter.
“At least he will wake up in the morning. They tend not to put water troughs in tavern rooms.”
CHAPTER 23
Porflax pushed the door open gently and peeped inside. He was not surprised to find the room vacant and headed down the narrow, beamed hallway to his own lodgings. Once inside, he bolted the door. He glanced around and saw the water jug that had been placed there for guests to wash themselves. Perfect, he thought. Snatching a tankard and the jug, he walked to the window and stared out. In the gloom he could just make out the treeline of the nearby woods in the pale moonlight. He sloshed the water into the tankard and gulped it down, immediately re-filling the tankard. He repeated the process four times before casting both the tankard and the jug aside. That should be enough, he thought. Pressing his hands against the glass, he studied the vista outside then, closing his eyes, he began to chant. A split second later… he vanished.
The night air was far cooler than Porflax had expected and he drew his robes tightly around him. Glancing briefly back at the village, he headed into the trees. With a wave of his hand an orb of light appeared before him and illuminated his path. Peering at the ground, he began chanting once more. Ah, there you are, he thought. A set of footprints glowed gently on the frozen ground, and he eagerly followed them, “There’s no hiding from me, Barden,” he said quietly, curling his lip.
He followed the tracks for miles hoping, with each rise of the terrain, to discover the young wizard on the other side. But his frustration grew as each time he only saw more of the same footprints leading into the distance. His temper rising, he began to talk to himself, “When I was younger, I could have run all the way! Now look at me, reduced to shuffling along at a snail’s pace. These youngsters don’t know how lucky they are. If I’d have known half as much as Barden when I was his age, the whole world would have been bowing before me long before now. Things will change once I have that crystal though. I’ll regain my youth and have the power to sustain it. Everyone will fear me. Even dragons will tremble in my presence!”
He stopped suddenly and waved his hand. The orb disappeared and he was plunged into total darkness. He waited, staring at the firelight in the distance. He had found his quarry, it seemed. Inching forward, he grew closer to the clearing. He could hear the logs in the fire as they crackled and hissed, but he could see neither Barden nor anyone else.
“If you’d told me you wanted to come along, Porflax, I would have waited for you.”
The sudden voice gave Porflax a start. How did Barden manage to detect him? The light… it must have been the light. He had not extinguished it soon enough.
“Do you realise how pathetic you looked as you stumbled around in the dark, old man?”
Porflax was angry, “I’ve warned you before, boy! Mind your manners when you’re addressing me! I see you are not sure enough of yourself to come into the light and face me, you’d rather stay hidden, coward that you are!”
“Coward?” laughed Barden, “Oh, no, Porflax, I’m no coward. I sensed you from a mile away and I know why you’re here. You planned to murder me whilst hiding in the darkness. So tell me, who’s the coward?”
“Why would I want you dead, boy? All I wanted was to speak with you. There are too many prying eyes in the village.”
“Then step into my camp and be seated by the fire. Surely the cold cannot be kind to bones as old as yours?”
“I am to trust you, when you mock me at every opportunity?”
“Ah, you need a sign of good faith, do you? Very well, allow me to be the bigger man.”
Porflax watched as Barden emerged from the gloom and sat by the fire but was surprised when the young wizard looked up and stared him in the eye, “Come on then old man, make your move. Or are you courageous enough to sit and listen to what I have to say.”
Porflax shuffled into the camp and sat opposite Barden. He would never let it show but Barden was right. The heat from the fire was most welcome. “Let’s hear it then,” he growled.
Barden smiled, “It’s obvious that we both want the same thing, Porflax. I seek the crystal that controls the dragons, as do you. I have my own reasons, but yours are a mystery to me, I will admit. However, I must warn you that you are not the one who is destined to wield its power.”
“And I suppose you are?” snapped Porflax.
“Me?” laughed Barden. “Oh, no. The one it is meant for is not even born yet. It will be many centuries before he enters our world.”
“If that is the case, why should someone else not have the use of it until those centuries have passed?”
“Come now, Porflax, be honest. If you or anyone else were to have possession of such power, would you or they relinquish it freely when the time comes? It would grant the bearer unnaturally long life, a powerful motivation for clinging to something that is not rightfully theirs.”
“And you would not be tempted to keep it for yourself, were you to obtain it?”
“Not at all. It will be the downfall of any who hold it, whether their intention be good or evil.”
“And you know this, how?”
Barden leaned forward, “There is a race known as ‘The Thedarians’. They live far from here and are a very wise people. They have scrolls and parchments that pre-date anything we have ever seen before. I have spent many hours studying their tomes and only the one whose destiny it is must be allowed to wield the power of the crystal.”
“Can these people be trusted? Once they are given the most powerful artefact in the world, you expect them to just hand it over when the time comes?”
“The Thedarians will be entrusted with its safe keeping but are unaware of its true destiny. Very few live long enough to complete such a task.”
“We do,” argued Porflax. “Can you not see? We could use the artefact, share its power and rule the world, Barden.”
Barden shook his head, “We would be destroyed, Porflax. Somehow it would know that we were not the chosen ones and bring about our downfall.”
“You speak as if it’s alive!”
“It is,” replied Barden, adamantly. “In fact, it was the first life.”
“I thought that the crystal dragon was the first thing to live in our world.”
“No, it came much later. The artefact simply attached itself to the dragon.”
“So, all the death and destruction is being done by the artefact, it’s using the dragon as a weapon?”
“It seeks neither death nor destruction, Porflax. It is looking to restore the peace that once existed here.”
“So once the crystal is handed to the Thedarians, the meaningless deaths will cease?”
Barden grinned, “Not exactly,” he said slowly. “Let’s just say… postponed.”
“Where does the Nibrilsiem fit in with all this?”
“Ah, I will admit that he is a complication. A complication of which I had no knowledge. Yet it may be one that could eventually prove to be of benefit, if we use it wisely.”
“We?” asked Porflax, somewhat shocked that Barden had used the term.
“Are you telling me that you don’t want to be a part of this, Porflax? The most exciting adventure
since the beginning of time and you’d rather be nought but a spectator?”
“Well, now you put it like that,” began Porflax, “it would be interesting to watch as this all unfolds. This Nibrilsiem could be a useful distraction.”
“Precisely my thoughts, Porflax. All we have to do is stand back and wait for him to obtain the artefact for us. Then we shall relieve him of his burden.”
“What about the other two?”
“We cannot leave any witnesses. I’m afraid they’ll have to go. Shame really, I’ve become quite attached to old Stitch. I’ll miss his stupidity more than anything.”
***
An hour had passed since Ballorn had closed his eyes, but sleep eluded him. Recent events filled his thoughts, but he was unsure of what his next steps should be. Stitch was snoring gently. Hunter sat in a chair, his hand still clutching his bow. He too had managed to drift off.
“Ah, good, you’re awake.”
Ballorn opened his eyes.
“No, I’m not in the room with you, Nibrilsiem. I do believe that a dragon entering the village may be a little alarming to the fair folk who dwell there.”
“Keldenar?”
“Were you expecting someone else?”
“I wasn’t even expecting you,” Ballorn replied, yawning.
“Wondering what to do next are you?”
“Yes… and, no,” said Ballorn. “Hunter seems to think that we must cross the Muurkain Mountains if we are to find that blasted…”
“Go on, you can say it. That blasted dragon.”
“Well, I didn’t want to offend you. How are we supposed to keep up with it, Keldenar? We can’t fly.”
“Easy! Find something else that is willing to help. Something that can fly.”
“Do you know of such a beast? Perhaps something we have not seen, or a giant bird perhaps?”
Keldenar sighed, “You do make things difficult at times, you do know that don’t you?”
“I make things difficult? You’re the one speaking in riddles!”
“I’m talking about me, you fool! Or did you forget that I, too, am a dragon?”
“You’d be willing to do that? To have us ride on your back as if you were a mere horse or pony?”
“When was the last time you heard of a flying horse, Ballorn? And you said you didn’t want to offend me!”
“It just seems… I don’t know… beneath you!”
“You are the Nibrilsiem, Ballorn! Any dragon would deem carrying you upon their back to be a privilege! No, more than that… an honour!”
Ballorn frowned, “You’re taking this Nibrilsiem thing a bit far, Keldenar,” he grumbled, “I’m just a blacksmith!”
“You were just a blacksmith, Ballorn, but you are far more than that now.”
“Alright, I get it! I’m the Nibrilsiem and you’re going to carry me to the other side of the mountains!”
“Mmm,” said Keldenar, slowly. “Not exactly.”
“But you just said…”
“I can take you most of the way,” Keldenar said, cutting him off. “Maybe halfway up this side of the mountains. But I cannot cross to the other side.”
“What’s the difference?” exclaimed Ballorn. “If you’re going to take us halfway, you may as well get us to the other side!”
“It would be far too dangerous, Ballorn. If, as you say, he is on the other side, he would take control of me and turn me against you.”
“He can do that?”
“Quite easily, I’m afraid. And should I try to resist…”
“Go on,” Ballorn urged him, “If you should resist?”
“Do you remember the first time we met? Face-to-face, I mean.”
“By Lonny’s farm? Yes, of course I do,” replied Ballorn, impatiently.
“Think back, picture our first meeting. What do you see?”
Ballorn thought hard. “Blood! Lots of blood… on the rock!”
“Yes, Ballorn, blood! My blood, to be precise.”
“But how, what could do that to you?”
“He did. I was foolish enough to question him, and that was my punishment.”
“He would do such a thing to one of his own?”
“No living being is safe from his wrath. Were I to carry you to the other side of the mountain, my punishment would be far more severe. I am not strong enough to resist his will, Ballorn. He would see my siding with you as the ultimate treachery and would undoubtedly destroy me once he had used me against you.”
“Well, halfway is better than nothing I suppose,” sighed Ballorn. “I’m presuming you have a meeting place in mind?”
“I do,” replied Keldenar. “You must leave here at first light tomorrow, that way we shall meet around noon. Follow the route you had already planned for fifteen miles or so and you will come to a tree whose trunk has split in two. They call it the lightning tree.”
“Why do they call it that?”
“Because it was split by lightning of course!” sighed Keldenar. “Now get some sleep, you’ll need it.”
“One more thing, before you go,” Ballorn whispered. “Can I trust the wizards? They act as if they’re here to help us, but I have my doubts.”
“Their motives are unclear to me, Ballorn. Take them at face value for now, that’s all you can do to be honest. We dragons are magical beings, as are the wizards, and it makes it impossible for us to see into their hearts. Be watchful, be wary, it is all the advice I have to give.”
Ballorn nodded knowingly then glanced at his friends, “I’m surprised we didn’t disturb them!” he laughed. “They must be exhausted.”
“Oh, them!” Keldenar said loudly. “Don’t worry about them, they can’t hear us. After all, I’m not even here!”
CHAPTER 24
“Not a chance!” exclaimed Gelbran.
“Oh come on, it’s not that bad.”
“Not that bad?” laughed Fellis. “Look at it, Asdor! It’s ten foot deep, twice that in width and a hundred feet long!”
“Well, I’ll admit my landing did lack a little finesse, but it’s better than Cordain’s attempt. He virtually flew straight into the ground.”
“And why’s that, Asdor? Oh yes, because you crashed into me as we came in to land!”
“There’s no need to get upset, Cordain. Just because I’m getting the hang of this flying lark before you, doesn’t mean you won’t…”
“How do you work that out?” screeched Cordain. “You caused every accident I’ve had so far!”
“I DON’T CARE WHO CAUSED IT!” bellowed Gelbran. “You’re just not safe, either of you! Riding on your backs is one thing, but what use is it if we’re all killed the moment you try to land?”
“Don’t you think you’re exaggerating a bit? I mean look at it! Alright, I may have landed a bit heavy, but look how straight a line I kept.”
“Asdor, we were nearly buried alive by the wave of dirt and mud you ploughed up!”
Asdor lowered his head as he looked sideways at Fellis, “Yes, I know… sorry about that,” he said quietly. “But you have to admit, I am getting a lot better.”
“Say what you like, Asdor, I’m not interested. If we must cross the mountains, we’re going on foot. I’d rather brave the snow and ice than be splattered into the ground on a dragon’s back!”
Cordain raised a claw, “I have an idea,” he said enthusiastically. “What if you ride on our backs, but we don’t fly? You have to admit that we’ll be able to walk a lot faster than any of you.”
Gelbran pondered over his suggestion for a moment, then shook his head, “No,” he said slowly. “Still too risky. The moment we reach a spot that is difficult to pass you’ll suggest that we ‘just fly over that bit’ to save time!”
“I’m hurt, Gelbran,” sighed Asdor. “You mean you can’t take us at our word?”
Gelbran laughed, “You? Too damned right I won’t take you at your word, Asdor! I’ve known you all my life and you’ve always been one to cut corners. I’ve lost count of how m
any delays you’ve caused with your brilliant schemes to save time!”
“That’s not true!” exclaimed Asdor. “Name one single time that one of my ideas didn’t work!”
“Well, there was the time we had gathered a load of supplies from upriver, and you suggested floating them back on a raft. You said it would be quicker and save us having to carry them. What about that time?”
“Ah, now, I was not entirely to blame for that.”
“Yes you were!” laughed Gelbran.
“You could have stopped me!”
“How could I have stopped you? I was in the forest hunting! You built the raft and pushed it into the river before I returned, and what happened?”
“The supplies went over a waterfall,” mumbled Asdor.
“Exactly, the supplies went over a waterfall. You didn’t think to tie a rope to the raft so that we could simply follow it!”
“It was a mistake anyone could have made, I just thought…”
“You just thought it would be quicker!” Gelbran said finishing his sentence.
“It’ll take us weeks to cross the mountains.”
“Yes, Cordain it will, but at least we’ll get over them in one piece,” replied Gelbran.
Fellis kicked the loose dirt with her toe, “I don’t want to sound horrible or anything,” she said nervously, “but I don’t think you two should come with us.” Her remark stunned them all. “There will be a lot of loose snow and ice up there and, well, you’re not exactly light on your feet are you? You two stomping about could bring the lot down on us.”
“But, you can’t go alone! There could be all sorts of monsters and nasties up there just waiting to pounce on an unsuspecting passer-by.”
Fellis transformed into a bear, “They’ll have their work cut out for them if they think they can beat this!” she snarled.
“And what if it’s something bigger than a bear?”
“More than one of us can turn into a bear or something more ferocious, Cordain. Nothing up there could possibly cope with that!”
“He’s right you know, Fellis, but how about this for an idea? You two can be our scouts.”
Mark of The Nibrilsiem: Set before The Ascension of Karrak (The Karrak Trilogy Book 4) Page 22