Mark of The Nibrilsiem: Set before The Ascension of Karrak (The Karrak Trilogy Book 4)

by Robert J Marsters

  “Ooh, I like the sound of that. We could go on ahead and make sure it’s safe for you to follow.”

  “However, Asdor, it does mean that you may have to wait some time before we manage to catch up. And dragons do not fare well in the cold.”

  “We’ll find a cave and light a fire!” said Cordain, gleefully.

  Asdor gazed at him, eyes half closed, “What, you think there’ll be plenty of firewood up there do you?”

  “Of course not!” sighed Cordain. “Are you forgetting something? Dragonfire will turn solid rock into glowing coals. How much more heat could we need?”

  “Are you sure this is a good idea, Gelbran?” asked Fellis.

  “It’s no longer an idea, Fellis. It’s a plan!”

  “But it doesn’t resolve the issue that there’ll be two dragons crashing about whilst we’re on the side of the mountain! We may as well jump on their backs now and get being crushed over and done with!”

  “When you reach us, you enter the cave, where you’ll be safe. Then we move on further up the mountain,” suggested Asdor. “Then, after a while, you follow us again.”

  Fellis thought about it for a moment, “I suppose that could work, providing you can find a cave that’s big enough to hold two dragons of course.”

  “Shall we go now then?” asked Cordain.

  “Of course not, you lump. It’s going to take a few days to get everyone ready for the climb. We’ll come back once we’re ready. In the meantime,” said Gelbran, gazing into the trench, “… I suggest you keep on practising!”

  ***

  Ballorn held up his hands, “This is the place,” he said. “It has to be! Look, there’s the lightning tree. There can’t be two like it, surely.”

  “Doubtful,” replied Hunter. “So, where’s Keldenar?”

  “Maybe he’s hiding behind it,” suggested Stitch.

  Ballorn stared at him in disbelief, “Hiding behind it? Keldenar? He’s fifty feet tall, you bonehead! How could he hide behind a single tree?”

  “He’s magic, isn’t he!” Stitch said quickly, frowning at Ballorn. “He could make himself smaller or something!”

  “They are magical beings,” Hunter agreed.

  “That’s as the case may be,” said Porflax, “but he’s not entirely correct. Dragons are indeed magical creatures, but they cannot perform spells as a wizard or sorcerer would.

  “What’s a saucer?” asked Stitch, innocently.

  Porflax smiled at him, “A sorcerer, Stitch…” he replied, correcting him, “… is someone who would use only the darkest of magic. Magic that would do harm to others. Fortunately, we have ways of detecting them before they go too far.”

  “And how far is too far?” asked Hunter.

  “And how do you manage to detect them?” asked Ballorn.

  Porflax shook his head, “I’m afraid I can’t tell you that,” he replied. “Trade secrets, you know. The seniors would roast my behind if I were to start telling outsiders how things are managed in Reiggan.”

  “And you wonder why people are wary of you,” Ballorn grunted.

  “I’d rather them be wary than terrified,” Porflax mumbled. “If they only knew what a rogue sorcerer was capable of, they’d never leave their houses again!”

  “I think you’ve said enough!” growled Barden. “In fact, I think you’ve said too much already!”

  Porflax glared at him, “I’ll be the judge of that, boy!” he snapped. “There’s nothing wrong with offering a friend a word of warning. Chances are they’ll never meet with any of our kind who would wish to do them harm… but one cannot be too careful.”

  Hunter glanced at Ballorn. Was this his way of telling them to be watchful of the young wizard? he thought.

  “If you have all finished bickering, perhaps we should make a move?”

  They all looked around. They could hear Keldenar, but could not see him.

  “You’ll have to tell me how you do that,” laughed Hunter. “It would come in handy if I get into a scrape.”

  The ground began to tremble, and the earth began to heave. A huge crack opened before them, a red glow shining through as it widened. Keldenar’s huge head appeared as he pushed his way from beneath the ground, soil and dust erupting as his shoulders followed. “Sorry about that,” he said, yawning. “I must have overslept. Good thing you lot were making so much noise.”

  Stitch moved closer and peered into the pit in which Keldenar was still partially nestled. “Is that how you sleep?” he asked. “You actually bury yourself?”

  “I had to!” replied Keldenar with surprise. “There are no caves for miles, and I knew we had an early start! I didn’t want to be late! Well, not really late anyway.”

  “But, how do you breathe?”

  “Could you save your questions for later, Stitch?” sighed Ballorn. “We really must get going.”

  Keldenar climbed out of his resting place and studied it for a moment. “Oh dear,” he said, quietly, “I have made a mess.” Leaning down, he released a gentle breath over the pit. The ground began to move, sliding back to fill the hole and becoming even. The black soil shimmered as tiny shoots of grass appeared and, within seconds, it was as if the hole had never been there.

  Stitch was fascinated, “Wow!” he exclaimed. “I wish I’d have had you around to help me with my garden at home in Krevick.

  Keldenar turned and looked at the tailor, “You will have another garden, Felidan Portwitch. But we must attend to other things first. Perhaps I could come and visit you? However, I do think that it would be best that I come at night, we don’t want to alarm your neighbours.”

  Stitch smiled at him and nodded. “I’d like that,” he said.

  Keldenar lay down and extended a wing. “Climb on,” he instructed. “The mountains are much farther than they appear. Oh, if you have any extra clothing, I suggest you put it on now. It can get a bit chilly up there. Not you, Ballorn, you’ll be fine as you are.”

  “So, it’s alright for me to freeze then?”

  “You are the Nibrilsiem, Ballorn, you won’t even feel the cold.”

  Ballorn reached into his backbag and withdrew two large hooded fur coats for Hunter and Stitch.

  “Where did you get these?” asked Hunter. “I’ve been with you the whole time we’ve been travelling, and I don’t remember you doing any shopping!”

  “I don’t care where he got them from!” said Stitch, happily thrusting his arms into the sleeves. “I just know this is going to keep me nice and toasty.”

  Ballorn delved into his backbag again. This time he pulled out two thick robes and cowls for the wizards. “Don’t say I never do anything for you,” he grunted as he threw them across. “Make sure the cords are nice and tight around your waist to stop the wind getting through.”

  Hunter looked puzzled, “How did you know?”

  Ballorn glanced up at Keldenar and winked, “Let’s just say a little bird told me,” he said quietly. “Well, a big one actually,” he mumbled under his breath.

  Now wrapped warmly, they clambered onto Keldenar’s back.

  “Hold tight,” instructed the dragon. “You might feel a bit of a jolt when we first take flight, but it’ll be much smoother once I’m cleaving the air.”

  “Not just yet,” muttered Ballorn. “We’re still one short.”

  Keldenar glanced down and saw that Stitch had not followed the others, “Something wrong?” he asked.

  Stitch stared back at him, a look of dread on his face, “I was… erm, I was just thinking,” he squeaked. “Perhaps you should go on without me. I mean, you’ll already be carrying four people on your back so you could do without a fifth. The extra weight might slow you down or send you off balance, and you wouldn’t want that would you?”

  Keldenar lowered his head to Stitch, “You needn’t worry, you’ll be quite safe. I could carry fifty nemilar the size of Ballorn on my back and barely notice they were there.”

  “Err, all the same, best not risk it, eh?”
/>   “Stitch, will you stop messing about and get up here,” yelled Ballorn.

  “I’m only thinking of you!” Stitch shrieked loudly, “I’ll probably get in the way or do something daft, you know how clumsy I can be at times!”

  Ballorn glared at him, “Get up here, or I’ll come down and carry you up!” he said, menacingly.

  “Now, now, Ballorn,” Porflax said, soothingly. “You can’t force the poor fellow to do something he doesn’t want to.”

  “No,” began Stitch. “It’s not that I don’t want to. I mean, there’s nothing I’d like more than to…”

  “If he wants to be afraid of every new experience that presents itself, who are we to judge him?” Porflax continued, “I mean, look at him. I can see his legs shaking from here, it’s a wonder we can’t hear his knees knocking together he’s so scared.”

  “I am not scared!” Stitch protested, “And my legs aren’t shaking either!”

  “You’re right, of course,” sighed Ballorn. “We can’t order him to do anything, but I will feel a little guilty leaving him here by himself.”

  “Eh!” exclaimed Stitch. “You’d leave me here alone?”

  “I don’t want to leave you behind, Stitch, but we are pressed for time. Just keep your eyes on Keldenar and you can follow on foot if you like.”

  “Follow on foot!” yelled Stitch. “How could I possibly keep up with a dragon?”

  Hunter laughed, “Don’t be absurd, Stitch. We know you can’t keep up. But if you put in enough effort, you may be able to catch up.”

  “And with a good brisk pace and that fur coat, you should stay warm enough when you get onto the high mountain paths,” added Barden.

  “Alright!” Stitch yelped. “I’ll get on the dragon, I mean Keldenar’s back. Just give me a minute to work myself up to it!”

  The wizards and nemilar smiled at one another as they watched poor Stitch pacing back and forth mumbling to himself, “Come on now, Felidan, you can do this. It’ll be just like riding that pony, only higher.” He gulped, “Much higher! Oh dear, I’m not sure I can!” He shook himself, “Yes, you can! That lot are laughing at you, thinking you’re a scaredy cat, you’ve got to show them you’re as brave as they are!” He glanced up at them, “One more minute,” he announced.

  “Don’t you think we’re being a bit mean to him?” whispered Hunter.

  “Not at all,” replied Porflax. “It’ll do him good to realise that he can achieve anything he sets his mind to.”

  Stitch sidled up to Keldenar’s wing and stared down at his new boots. They’re not the best, he thought, but at least I managed to get a shine on them this morning. Now they’ll get all scratched when I climb up on his scales. He was struggling to even look at Keldenar and edged sideways with his arm outstretched. They’re going to be as rough as tree bark, I know they are. His hand met with the scales and a look of surprise appeared on his face, “They’re as smooth and soft as leather!” he said aloud as he looked up at Keldenar.

  “Thank you,” said the dragon. “I do try to take care of them so be careful where you put your feet, there’s a good chap.”

  Stitch smiled at him and started to climb slowly toward Ballorn and the others. “Aren’t his scales lovely and soft,” he sighed as Ballorn reached down to help him. However, once he was seated next to him, the expression on the tailor’s face changed once more as he looked down, “Oh my days, what was I thinking? I don’t feel well! As a matter of fact, I think I’m going to…”

  “I promise you, Stitch, if you do, you won’t be happy with what happens next,” warned Keldenar.

  “Just take a few deep breaths,” suggested Porflax. “Look straight ahead instead of down and you’ll be fine.”

  Stitch nodded, which was difficult for him because he now had a death grip on one of Keldenar’s scales and was rigid with fear.

  Barden, having known Stitch for so long, began to pity him. Without warning, he held out his hand. A pale mist formed in his palm and he leaned forward and blew it toward the terrified tailor. Porflax glared at him once he realised what he had done, but Barden didn’t care and stuck his tongue out at the old wizard. Stitch quickly relaxed and a dreamy smile appeared on his face, “It’s quite nice up here once you get used to it,” he sighed.

  “What did you do?” demanded Ballorn. “If you’ve hurt him, I’ll…”

  “Are you forgetting that he was my closest friend for five years, Ballorn?” snapped Barden. “It’s a simple charm to relax him, that’s all. Or would you rather he sit there petrified for the whole journey?”

  “Yes, Ballorn. Let the young wizard use as many charms as he wants!” said Keldenar, sternly. “Better that than Stitch vomiting all over my nice clean scales!”

  The dragon launched himself into the air. Ballorn found the sudden rush of wind exhilarating and could not keep his feelings hidden. “YES!” he roared, “Now this is more like it!”

  The wizards looked slightly nervous, Stitch was oblivious and Hunter, well it was always difficult to tell how Hunter was feeling as he always seemed to take everything in his stride.

  Ballorn had never felt so alive. To him, it was as if he were a part of the dragon. He could feel its chest expanding as it took each breath, feel the muscles contract as they beat the huge wings either side of him and see through its eyes as it scanned the scenery below them. For the first time, he realised that he was… The Nibrilsiem.

  “Where are you taking us, Keldenar?” called Porflax.

  “I’m taking you home,” replied Keldenar. “I’m taking you to the wizard fortress you’ve become so fond of.”

  “Why?” shouted Barden.

  “Because it’s as far as I dare go. And you don’t have to raise your voice, I can hear you quite clearly.”

  “I don’t understand,” said Barden, “Dare?”

  “If I get too close, he will sense my presence and undoubtedly take control of my mind. Neither of us would want that, my young friend.”

  “So, you’ll wait for us there whilst we continue our journey?” asked Ballorn.

  “Oh no,” laughed Keldenar, “I’ll come back this way and wait for you. I doubt very much that the elders of Reiggan would be comfortable knowing that a dragon was sitting on their doorstep.”

  “But that makes no sense,” replied Ballorn. “We have two of their own aiding us, why would the others not feel the same?”

  “Because they’re miserable old sods who are stuck in their ways, Ballorn. They’d never listen to any advice from me and as for Porflax, well, they think he’s cracked in the head.”

  “Eccentric, if you don’t mind, boy!” exclaimed Porflax. “The word they used was eccentric!”

  “Same thing!” sniffed Barden.

  “How long will it take to get there?” asked Hunter.

  “Not long,” replied Keldenar. “A couple of hours, maybe a bit longer. Wait a minute, what’s that down there?”

  Ballorn scrunched up his eyelids and could immediately see through Keldenar’s eyes. “People,” he whispered, “Tiny people, loads of them.”

  “What are they doing?” asked Hunter.

  “Climbing, they’re climbing the mountain for some reason. Oh dear, I hope I can get back in time or they’re going to be in a lot of trouble!”

  “Why, what’s wrong?”

  “Let’s just say, there’s something waiting for them that they won’t be able to cope with. They’re some distance away yet though, they’ll be safe enough until I return.”

  Ballorn could hear Keldenar’s thoughts. You must not tell them what you have seen, Nibrilsiem, they would not understand.

  Are they being controlled?

  I do not believe so, but there is something strange about them. I will tell you once I know more.

  CHAPTER 25

  It was not long before, with the grace of an eagle, Keldenar landed and allowed his passengers to slide from his wing.

  “How far are we from Reiggan?” asked Hunter.

  “It�
��s just up ahead,” replied Porflax. “See those niches that have been carved into the rock?”

  Ballorn curled his lip, “Are they supposed to signify something?”

  “Yes,” replied Porflax, proudly. “Well, they will when they’re finished.”

  “Why, are you going to make them bigger?” sniggered Stitch.

  They turned in surprise at the sound of the tailor’s voice. He looked refreshed and very… smiley.

  Ballorn peered at him thoughtfully, “Stitch… are you alright?”

  Stitch smiled at him, “Yes, fine thank you,” he replied. “I must have dozed off or something, but I feel all the better for it. Just out of interest though,” he stared around him, “How did we get here?”

  “Oh, a bit of jiggery pokery,” laughed Porflax.

  “More like trickery and sorcery,” mumbled Ballorn.

  Porflax stared hard at him, “Keep your voice down,” he whispered, “And we do not use sorcery!”

  Ballorn shrugged his shoulders, “Whatever,” he grunted.

  “We were brought here by Keldenar,” Hunter informed the tailor truthfully, but then added, “You were so looking forward to it as well, shame you slept through the whole thing. You must have been exhausted!”

  Stitch eyed the dragon with a puzzled look, “Was I?” he asked. “I must say, I surprise myself at times. I would have thought the idea of riding on a dragon’s back would have terrified me. Being with you lot really must be toughening me up.”

  Ballorn could hardly keep a straight face, “Perhaps a bit of the Nibrilsiem magic spilled over onto you, Stitch. You’ll be wanting armour and a hammer of your own before long.”

  “Oh, I don’t think so,” Stitch said, smiling. Suddenly a thought popped into his head, “Ooh, but a pair of boots with some lovely silver toecaps might be an idea!”

  “Nibrilsiem, I must leave you now,” announced Keldenar. “Be watchful, these are uncertain times.” He peered into Ballorn’s eyes, his thoughts as one with him. Be wary of the words of wizards, my friend. Believe only in those who are closest to you. He bowed his head in respect and with a surge of strength, launched himself skyward once more.