The sky darkened to blackness as thunder rocked the air and the clouds swirled faster. DaGon, his face contorting in anguish at the sound, broke into a sprint, leading the friends to the shelter of the tree line. Soon, his massive body disappeared within the canopy of the pine branches, with the others close behind him. Rain pelted down on them as they crossed into the darkness and shelter of the trees.
Fighting the downpour, DaGon’s large body broke through limbs, clearing a way for the children and horses to follow. The trees provided cover from most of the rain, but the wetness of the droplets soon made the pine needles slippery and their trek difficult. Miranda shivered as the cold penetrated her leather boots. Even the cloak was not much help against the dampness.
Twisting and turning into the underbrush, DaGon finally came to a small clearing just as an earsplitting crackle of lightening jolted the air around them. Stopping, he looked about him, seeking something within the underbrush of vines and bushes.
“There it is, DaGon,” the fairy called out. Lily, now encased in a golden bubble, pointed to the remnants of crumbling pillars half covered with plants. A partial stone road lay exposed beneath the carpet of needles and old leaves.
“It’s been too long since we’ve been here. I almost didn’t recognize this place. Good eyes, Lily.”
Traversing deeper into the forest, the group followed the ancient road, battling the thick curtain of rain. Off to the side of the road, remains of a small tower and a statute, covered with moss and age, marked the center of a fountain long since forgotten. Within minutes, their fast pace brought them to a mound of rocks and cliffs.
“I know this place,” the dragon commented under his breath. Seeing the stony hill etched with broken markings and carvings of ancient writings, he pushed away large boulders that had fallen from the top of the pile, exposing a small canyon hidden from view. “I definitely know this place.” His excitement was evident in his voice as he led the group into the short canyon within the ruins, and to a dead end.
“Gee whiz, this is wonderful,” Thomas fumed, his voice screaming above the din of the thunder. “You know this place so well, you’ve led us to a ghastly dead end, and probably our deaths, you stupid dragon.”
The darkened clouds spit lightning above their heads. The noise echoed loudly in the canyon walls. Miranda cried out as another bolt struck a tree on the cliffs above her head. The broken trunk tumbled downward with rocks and debris, landing on the ground behind them, blocking their escape.
“We’re going to die,” Ned screamed, clinging to his horse’s neck.
“DaGon, you must have a plan of sorts, if you have led us here. Now would be the time to act,” Chester insisted.
“How did they find us?” Matt called out as another bolt hit the other side of the canyon, the heat of the electricity forming a dent within the rock. “We were under the trees and in the spell’s protection.”
“I don’t know. The spell on the emeralds should have kept us hidden.”
“We need to turn back. Gee, before we get electrocuted,” Thomas demanded. “We’re gonna be trapped in this canyon.”
“No,” the dragon snapped at the boy. “There’s another way. I’ll show you.”
The dragon dug into the dirt beneath him, his long talons chipping away at something beneath the surface. It made no sense to Miranda, and she wondered if DaGon had lost his mind. He pulled out something small and white, turned to the rock in front of him. He drew out a door, and Miranda decided he really had lost it.
“It’s chalk,” Matt exclaimed.
“What’s some chalk-drawn door gonna do for us?” she cried.
“We don’t have time for drawing,” Ned yelled.
“Have faith in me,” the dragon responded. DaGon quickly tapped three times in the center of the chalk door. Yellow light appeared around the outline and the stone magically pushed out. “Hurry,” he commanded, motioning for them to follow him inside the rock.
Single file, they rushed out of the rain and into dryness as another jolt of lightening rocked the canyon. The stone door closed as soon as the last one passed over the threshold and they stood for a Moment in silence, allowing the protection of the darkness to cover them, until a torch flared suddenly beside Ned.
“Holy Mother Mary,” he exclaimed, jumping away as the blaze singed parts of his scalp.
“Where are we?” Matt asked. The sound of dripping water mingled with the echo of his voice. The small flame of the torch illuminated a single pillar, which stood in the center of a domed cavern. It had been chiseled away to resemble the trunk of a tree, rising to the top of the cave and spreading its stony branches along the ceiling like dead veins.
“This is the home of Lamfada,” DaGon explained. “He’s a great blacksmith and a leprechaun from ancient times...and a friend.”
“He’s the one who forged the sword and Quert for King Balorn,” Lily said as she flew forward to a tunnel at the other end of the cavern. She surveyed its inky blackness from within her golden orb.
“Is he still alive?” Miranda asked as she brushed away cobwebs from her damp legs. She didn’t want to be left encased in the rocks forever.
“It’s been some time since we’ve seen him, but I’m sure he’s still down here.”
“Do you know where he is?”
“We must travel further into his fortress to find him. He’ll help us get to Keltrain’s without having to travel above, where Bera has her spies. It should be a comfort to know that, at least for now, we are safe from the Slaugh. They don’t know the secret of his home.”
A small tinkling sound caught Miranda’s ears and she felt something brush her leg. “Sonya?” she called out, recognizing the sound of the cat's bell. Sonya meowed and appeared at the girl’s feet. Miranda let out a small laugh. Even though she had been invisible, the cat was still exposed to the torrential rain. She sat upon the dirt, soggy and wet. Her fur lay flattened against her body, dripping a pool of water beneath her paws.
“I don’t see what there is to laugh about,” she stated. “Look at me. My fur will take weeks to clean out.”
DaGon dropped his head and viewed the cat intently, his eyes narrowing at the recognition of the feline. “Where did you come from?” he roared, the sound shaking the cave walls. A spark of flame shot from his nostrils.
“She joined us on the road to Ellyllon,” Miranda explained as she picked Sonya up and away from DaGon’s sudden temper. “I told her to come with us.”
“Do you know who this cat is and what she’s done?” The words rattled the cavern walls, sending chunks of rock bouncing down on their heads.
Miranda stepped back. “No, I don’t. And I really don’t care. Ya’ll have a way of just judging anything don’t you. I just can’t take it.”
“She’s the apprentice, evil and black-hearted, a turncoat, a liar, and a thief,” he cried, reaching for the cat. Sonya snarled, baring her claws and sinking them deep into DaGon’s scales when he came close. He howled in agony.
“DaGon,” Lily screamed, flying in front of the dragon. “Chester told me about the encounter they had on the road with Sonya. Let her go, for Miranda’s sake. If she’s still a traitor, her true colors will eventually show and then the children will know. We’ll deal with her then, my dear.”
“Will we deal with it after she’s given us over to Uthal and Bera? She’s still up to no good. Let me have her so I can tear her apart.” He growled and lunged for the animal.
Miranda fell backwards as DaGon’s body hit her. Sonya jumped from her arms and ran for cover. Hissing at the dragon, she hid beneath one of the horses.
“Stop, DaGon, don’t hurt her,” Miranda cried out, raising her arms in protection. Tears coursed down her cheeks in fear and in anger. She backed up to shelter the cat from his reach, afraid he would tear her apart in front of their eyes. Sonya, huddled under the horse, peered out with hatred over Miranda’s shoulder.
DaGon, realizing what he had done, gently picked Miranda up. “
I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” He sighed deeply. “If you’re confident of Sonya, then I’ll leave her in your care. But, be careful. Lily and I have already experienced the kind of treachery she is capable of.” He cast a distasteful glance at Sonya and snarled. “Be warned, cat. I’ll tolerate nothing less than the truth from you, or you’ll meet your end abruptly.”
Miranda pulled the wet cat out from under the horse and cradled her. “Sonya won’t hurt anyone,” she sobbed. “I’ll take care of her.” Stroking the cat, she kissed her as she would a pet. “She has changed. She even said she has.”
The dragon took the torch from the wall and handed it to Thomas. Motioning for the older boy to lead them into the darkened tunnel ahead, DaGon stood guard until all had passed into the large ominous hole. Miranda held onto Sonya for several hours. In her mind, she continued saying to herself, She has changed, I know it, until her heart resonated in agreement.
Chapter Eleven
Hours had passed and they were still following the same narrow pathway, their pace methodical and slow. Matt’s head hurt. He reached up and touched the gash on his forehead. Thankfully the bleeding had stopped. The whole episode with the Slaugh had been frightening.
“When is this tunnel going to end?” Ned asked suddenly. The sound of his voice made the others jump. “I can’t stand tight enclosures and I don’t like the dark.”
“Gee whiz, quit yer complainin’,” Thomas instructed wearily. “You can be in front of me if you want. Maybe that’ll help.”
A rather large black spider the size of a rat scooted across the dirt floor. “No, I’m okay back here.”
Thomas resumed his lead with a smirk. Matt knew that they were only quarreling because they were scared. He hoped that they would get to DaGon’s friend soon. They all needed to rest. In Moments, the corridor abruptly sloped downward, and the air became duller. It was certainly harder to breath.
“DaGon, dear, did you notice that we seem to be going downhill rather quickly?”
“Yes,” the dragon replied. “I know.”
“We’re going further underground?” Ned squealed in alarm. “I think I’m feeling faint. It’s too constrained. I can’t handle it. I’m gonna die.” He clutched at his throat and coughed with exaggeration.
“Good grief, Ned, are ya gonna do this the whole trip? Because I don’t think I can stand it.” Thomas gazed back over his shoulder at his brother. “Gee, are ya sure we come from the same family?”
“Look, Ned, there’s a light ahead,” Miranda interjected, worried. “It looks like it’s coming from under a doorway. You’ll be all right if we get out of here for a breath of fresh air.” Miranda cast a look in Ned’s direction as his breathing became heavy. “Are you going to faint?” she asked.
“That boy is a bit of a jelly fish, if you ask me,” Sonya stated. “I don’t see how that one could be part of the legendary four.”
“They’re just children. Mind your tongue, cat, or I shall mind it for you,” Chester said coolly.
“What are you going to do? Neigh me to death?” the cat taunted.
“He won’t have to do anything, because feline over an open flame sounds mighty tasty. Don’t push your welcome,” DaGon retorted.
“Don’t worry about Ned,” Thomas called out to Miranda as he hurried to the line of light in front of him. “He’ll be all right. He’s made from part chicken, and occasionally it shows.”
“No, I’m not,” Ned snapped. “Mom says I’m claust...claustrophobic.”
“I think Mom makes too many excuses for you.”
As they neared the small line of light, the group could see a small wooden door constructed into the rock. Matt sighed quietly. He was glad, for he also felt himself beginning to lose some control after being underground and in the tight tunnel for such a long time.
“See? I was right,” Miranda exclaimed as she bent and placed the cat on the ground. “It’s a doorway out of here.”
Sonya hissed as DaGon pushed everyone to one side. He paused for a Moment, contemplating the door. His bony knuckle rose and tapped on the wood, the sound lonely in the darkness. The door flung open and a small figure darkened its frame, the face hidden behind the shadows. Sonya went invisible.
“What do ya want from me?” a raspy voice cried out. “Who comes now to bother an old tired leprechaun?”
“Lamfada,” DaGon said flatly, “we need your help. Can you give refuge to an old friend and his companions?”
The leprechaun stepped out into the circle of light. His wrinkled face surveyed the group before him, as his green eyes finally settling on the dragon, studying the scaly features of his face. Bending closer to the tiny man, the dragon whispered, “We are on our way to Keltrain with the map and its key and the chosen four.”
“Who be ye? No one gits close to the Fomorian ruins these days, unless it’s to his death,” Lamfada muttered, hesitantly placing a small clay pipe into his mouth.
“It’s DaGon, the one who befriended you on a stormy night long ago. A night you and I almost died.” DaGon lowered his head even closer to look him directly in the eye.
Cocking his head to one side, Lamfada viewed his reflection in the dragon’s pupil and harrumphed. Matt wondered if DaGon really was friends with the leprechaun. A small wisp of grey smoke escaped DaGon’s nose and encircled Lamfada’s head as they both stood silent in an unspoken battle of intimidation.
After a Moment, Lamfada moved his face back and threw his arms apart as if to hug DaGon. “Aye, so it be. DaGon, the imprisoned one. Welcome, welcome. Come into me wee bit of a home. It’s been a bit of time since we’ve seen each other. Hope ya not be angry about the boot in the...well ya know what I be meanin’,” Lamfada said cheerfully as he motioned them over the threshold into his home.
“What about the horses?” Matt quietly inquired to DaGon.
Lamfada snatched the torch from Thomas’s hand. “Just place ‘em in here,” he commanded. An unearthly light glowed white hot to the right of the door. Softening, the brightness ebbed to reveal a rocky opening leading into an alcove. They were amazed to see tiny green horses standing in stalls lining the back walls. The Shetlands glanced briefly upon the newcomers before returning to their feed.
“Now that’s what I call a magic trick,” Thomas exclaimed.
“How...how did that...?” Miranda stammered and pointed. “And they’re green.”
“Come dear, let’s not point,” Lily gently urged Miranda to the small door, her wings beating frantically as she pushed on the girl’s back.
Stooping and squeezing their way in, they thanked the leprechaun profusely. The tiny area housed a bed, table, and two chairs placed in front of a fireplace. A cooking spot and what could be taken as a bathing tub filled the back part of the rounded out room. A solitary black pot rested in one corner, shimmering with golden light.
“Gee, do you think that’s the pot of gold everyone always says is at the end of a rainbow?” Thomas whispered to Matt as he elbowed him.
“It’s been a bit of time, DaGon, me ole friend. What ‘ave ye been up to?” Lamfada asked as he shut the door. The leprechaun sat down on one of his small chairs and puffed on his pipe. He squinted in merriment at the dragon.
“Nothing too much since the last time we talked. You know, just banishment to Earth, guarding the crypt, bringing the legendary four through the portal, and so on. Just an average day in the life of a dragon, if you must know.”
“Let me guess, the trip through the portal to Earth was not so much an adventure for ya?” The leprechaun laughed loudly as he slapped his knee.
DaGon’s eyes narrowed. “Queen Erulisse has sent us to seek the Sword of Balorn. She’s given us the map and its key, and we were on our way to Keltrain’s sanctuary when the Slaugh crossed our paths.”
“Almost out of nowhere, it seemed,” Chester stated from the back of the room.
“Perhaps they already be knowin’ the position of where ya were to be, me friend.”
�
��It’s possible,” the horse agreed. “But Queen Onagh fashioned emeralds for the four children with a protection spell, so their scent and presence would go undetected.”
“That flower fairy never be gettin’ anything right.”
“Lamfada, we need to get to the wizard’s. He’s to help us with the key to unlock the map’s hidden runes. Can you help us get to his garden, so we don’t have to go back up top?” DaGon asked impatiently.
“Quert. What a wonderful creation,” Lamfada reminisced as he puffed on his pipe. “One of my finest works, I do be tellin’ ya.”
Lily hovered in front of the leprechaun. “These children are the four predicted in the legend. Uthal will do everything in his power to stop us from reaching Black Isle. We need your help, Lamfada. Won’t you please get us to Keltrain’s garden?”
“I be hearin’ something along the roots of the trees regardin’ the five younguns Uthal took. 'Tis time to destroy that foul creature. The Water Wraiths sent a message about Queen Onagh’s decision to place the Wand in their possession, but it still not be stoppin’ that black thing from castin’ that forgotten spell. He’s determined to have it all, so to speak.” Lamfada blew a smoke ring from his pipe. “I be not aware that his reach made it so far from Black Isle, though. With the presence of those demon Slaugh in Elf land, we can be assured that battle is comin’.”
“Do you think he’s compiling his list of ingredients?” DaGon asked with anxiety. “Have you spoken with the Wraiths about the Wand of Finley? Will they keep it safe?”
“Yeah. But those nasty witches don’t side with anyone that easy. If Bera wants the Wand, she’ll get it. They’ll give it to the highest bidder, them nasty women. Then all Queen Erulisse’s efforts from the very beginnin’ are lost, and we’ll all be without a great power.” The leprechaun glowered at DaGon. “Those Wraiths will betray even their own kin.”
The Forgotten Spell (Legends of Green Isle Book 1) Page 16