Neither of them slept and by morning they were exhausted.
“We can sleep when we’re safe.” Seb said as Vala yawned and pulled on the black robe.
“This looks ridiculous,” she said watching as Seb adjusted his robe.
“Smart uniform really,” he said, “minimal cost and effort to make, and minimal effort to keep.”
Vala snorted, “And also totally impractical,” she said raising her arms in despair, “come on, let’s try to get out of here.” They left the room and made their way back to the kitchen where Kamar and Reesa were already waiting for them.
“Did you sleep well?” Kamar asked pleasantly.
“The room was very comfortable,” Vala said politely and Reesa beamed, setting bowls of porridge in front of them.
“Have you thought how long you will stay? We have discussed it and you are welcome to remain with us as long as you like,” Kamar said.
“That is very kind of you,” Vala said, “but we plan on making our way to Woreth to see our son and his wife, if we are permitted to leave?”
“Of course,” Kamar replied, “we do not believe in holding people against their will, that is not the way of the Empress.” Vala and Seb finished their porridge and packed their belongings. They thanked Reesa and Kamar and the latter walked with them to the northern gates. As they approached, several armed mingual warriors emerged from the shadows, led by the same large mingual they had met the day before.
“Do not tell me you are leaving us so soon Lord Vala,” he growled and she felt a tight knot in her stomach.
“Excuse me?” she asked her voice wavering.
“Did you really think we wouldn’t know who you were? Did you think Lord Fjord did not tell us about you? You are foolish.” He placed his fanged face close to hers and smiled, “I hope you will enjoy your stay here.” He made to grab her arm, Vala pulled her daggers and stabbed the mingual’s neck; he burst into flames. Seb had attacked at the same moment and had managed to wrestle a large axe from another warrior. He now stood back to back with Vala as the mingual surrounded them.
“Are we really going to do this?” he asked trying to count how many there were.
“It’s either this, or remain imprisoned for the rest of our lives, and I’m betting these creatures are a fan of torture,” images from her latest nightmare flashed in front of her eyes.
“Good luck,” Seb said, raising his axe.
“You too,” she replied and readied her daggers.
Vala opened her eyes to the bleary dim light of the cell she was temporarily calling home. She winced as she shifted on the hard mattress and raised herself up onto her elbows to look into the cell next to her where Seb looked to be sleeping.
The fight with the mingual hadn’t lasted long, she had known attacking was a long shot, but couldn’t have surrendered willingly. They had managed to deal a few kill shots but had been quickly overpowered and she had been unconscious when the mingual had dragged them into these dark, damp cells. She estimated that they had been there for at least a week; the mingual had been taking them individually to a room above to, ‘question’ them.
“I’m so sorry Seb,” she said quietly, looking at the sleeping man in the next cell, his clothes were ripped and stained with blood, his face blackened and bruised. He seemed to have taken the worst of their anger but she guessed it wouldn’t be long before she looked the same. She rose slowly from her bed and felt her legs scream in protest, she held one hand across her bruised ribs and began to pace her cell, she knew it wouldn’t be long before they came for her again. The waiting itself felt like torture. Seb stirred and looked over at her, he smiled shakily.
“How are you feeling?” she asked looking over his wounded frame.
He smiled again and squinted through a black eye, “I’m doing okay,” he croaked, “but can we go somewhere nicer for our next holiday,” he coughed as he tried to laugh and gasped in pain.
Vala forced a smile, “Sure,” her voice wavered and she jerked her head towards the corridor as she heard the heavy jingle of keys; they had come for her. She stood by the barred door, arms folded as two burly mingual guards, each with large swords walked up to her cell and grinned at her.
“Let’s get this over with then,” she said trying not to let her fear show as they opened the door and grabbed her arms. She had thought about fighting them on several occasions, about trying to get free but she doubted they would get very far. The mingual dragged her up a now familiar staircase and into a dimly lit, sparsely furnished room. Several torches burned along the walls and pale moonlight shone through the windows and onto weapons that glinted on a table.
The new mingual leader – she had killed the last one – waited for her as always. He swaggered up to her and punched her in the stomach; she doubled over as the breath was knocked from her and gasped in pain as her ribs burned. The mingual guards hauled her upright again and this time she was hit in the face, the blow throwing her to the floor. Once again she was dragged to her feet, blood dripped freely from her nose.
The mingual leader smiled, “Why did you come here?” he asked the familiar question in his deep growling voice, she smiled and spat a mixture of blood and saliva at him. He grinned and kicked her legs from under her; she slumped to the floor and was pulled up again but the mingual either side of her.
“Why did you come here?” he asked again, already knowing she wouldn’t answer and kicked her in the chest before she could open her mouth. Vala fell, coughing and spluttering and was grabbed roughly by the guards to stand upright again.
“How much were you told by those idiot people?” He growled, inches from her face.
“Go to hell,” Vala gasped. The mingual leader growled deeply and grabbed a thin knife from the table, he slashed Vala’s arm and she cried out in pain. He growled, then grabbed her hair and pushed his face against hers.
“What do you know?” he asked again but she said nothing, putting all her energy into not vomiting from the stench of his breath. He waved his hand to the guards either side of her and turned his back as they beat for several minutes. When he faced her again they stopped and pulled her to her feet, holding her so she wouldn’t fall.
“If you tell me what I want to know, I promise I’ll let you and your friend go.” Silence followed and the mingual leader smiled maliciously, “that’s okay,” he said moving closer, “I was hoping you wouldn’t talk.”
He pointed the thin knife in her direction and moved towards her, “I’m really going to enjoy this.” He growled then stumbled away from her while she and the other mingual fell to the ground as an eruption in the streets violently shook the building they were in and threw the town into chaos.
Chapter 20
Kiræ landed roughly on the hard ground and cursed loudly as her sword clattered next to her; an outstretched hand offered assistance.
“Are you sure you’re okay Kiræ? I can’t remember the last time I was able to beat you four times in a row.”
“I’m fine Joklen,” she replied trying to sound cheerful as she dusted herself off, “you’re just getting better.” She smiled, picked up her sword and faced him, “shall we go again?” Joklen nodded hesitantly.
“Kiræ!” Joklen faltered mid attack as Tom sprinted across the training ground towards them.
Kiræ sighed and lowered her weapon. “I’m a bit busy Tom,” she said frostily.
“We have to go and see Sara.”
“I told you I don’t want anything to do with that anymore, I’m done.” She turned from him and raised her weapon again.
“He’s back,” Tom hissed and Kiræ froze.
“Joklen, I’m really sorry, I’ve got to go, but maybe we can pick this up again tomorrow afternoon?” Joklen nodded, a little bewildered as Vala followed her brother out of the training ground. Tom walked with urgency but instead of heading straight towards the old library he veered off towards the girls’ dormitories.
“Tom, where are you going?” Kiræ asked coming to
a halt.
“Brean wants to talk to Aurora,” he explained continuing to walk away from her.
Kiræ rushed to catch up, “Why?”
He shrugged, “I don’t know, but he said it was important.” They reached Aurora’s room and Tom knocked loudly; after a few minutes the door opened and Aurora stood with a tired expression on her face.
“Oh, hi,” she said shuffling to try and obscure the mess of paper covering her floor.
“Are you still looking at old battle tactics?” Kiræ asked.
Aurora shrugged, “It’s been made clear that I need to know this stuff,” she said tidying the paper into piles, “so I might as well read it until something sinks in and makes sense. Is everything okay?”
“This is a bit weird,” Tom said, “but we need you to come with us to the old library and meet Brean.”
“Brean? He’s the one who’s been teaching you magic?”
Kiræ nodded, “And apparently he wants to talk to you.”
Aurora looked nervous, “Why?”
Tom shook his head, “We don’t know, but it seemed important.”
They walked quietly down the hardened streets and Kiræ plunged her hands into her pockets. The weather was definitely changing and it wouldn’t be long before large flakes of snow began to fall. They reached the old library and Aurora hesitated by the door.
“Try not to worry,” Kiræ said. Aurora took a deep breath and they entered the building. The twins guided her through the towering piles of books and to the door at the opposite end. Tom knocked loudly and Brean called for them to enter. Sara was absent but there was another man talking with Brean whom the twins did not recognise. He was tall and muscular with scruffy dark brown hair and a rough unkempt beard. The twins eyed him suspiciously and Aurora hovered silently behind them.
Brean smiled, “Ah you made it,” he said gesturing to three chairs in front of the desk, “I think we have a lot to discuss. Firstly I must explain the absence of Sara, she is very sorry she could not tell you in person but her presence has been requested in Olai to transcribe an ancient language.”
“Sara’s gone?”
“She hopes it will not be a long expedition, but until she’s back I’m afraid you will have to put up with me.” Kiræ opened her mouth to speak but Brean held up his hand and she closed it again, “I am aware that you have been boycotting your training Kiræ and I will happily explain to you my thoughts on the magic you performed, if it will put you back on the right path. However, I should probably explain why I have asked you to bring Aurora.” Four pairs of eyes turned to look at the young woman and she shifted uncomfortably, trying especially to avoid the gaze of the newcomer, whose bright amber eyes seemed to pierce her skin and look into her soul.
“Aurora,” Brean said softly and she looked up into his softer amber eyes, “have Kiræ and Tom explained who I am?”
“Just that you’re a scholar friend of Sara’s.”
“I see.” He rose from his seat and walked round the desk to face her, perching on its edge. “I wish that explanation could suffice but unfortunately for you to fully understand, you will need to know more.” Brean explained, as gently as possible who he was and why he was there, it took some effort and several demonstrations but Aurora eventually believed him.
“So why am I here?”
“I think that is for my son to explain,” Brean said gesturing to the stranger; the twins stared open mouthed and speechless at the newcomer.
“My name is Draogo,” he said in a deep, soothing voice.
“Are you magical too?” Kiræ asked.
“In a way…I am a dragon.”
Gasps uttered from all three mouths.
“A dragon?!” Kiræ shuffled excitedly in her seat, Draogo smiled and nodded.
“The Dragon Lord to use his official title,” Brean said and Draogo shot him a look.
“I am one of only a handful who still have the ability to shift between dragon and human forms. After the sickness, those in human form were taken but the few who were in dragon form at the time were spared.”
“A dragon, a real dragon,” Kiræ muttered in awe.
“That doesn’t explain why I’m here,” Aurora said looking at the man with such bright enticing eyes.
“Forgive me,” Draogo said walking towards her, “I’m here to teach you.”
Aurora looked at him quizzically, “I’m sorry?”
“You’re a dragon,” he said telepathically and she jumped in shock.
“How did you do that?” she demanded and her eyes became ringed with amber. Draogo smiled.
“What did he do?” Tom asked and she stared in disbelief.
“They can’t hear me,” Draogo continued without moving his lips, “only dragons can.”
Aurora’s eyes were wide, “I’m a dragon?” she asked in disbelief.
“You’re a what?” Kiræ squealed and looked to Brean for confirmation.
“Yes, she is a dragon, I have had my suspicions and so traced your family back to the days before the sickness, dragon blood runs through your veins.”
“How?” Aurora asked.
“Before the sickness,” Draogo explained, “there were many who had the ability, it is known as Mutaforma Draconis. The family lines that carried this ability still carry it and for reasons unknown yours has started to manifest.”
Aurora scoffed, “I’m pretty sure I haven’t turned into a dragon lately.”
“But you’ve used some of the attributes,” Brean said, “the day you fought the mingual, for example.”
“I did what?”
“I questioned Tom about that incident and he told me when you were fighting side by side you had increased strength, speed and agility, and he believed your eyes changed colour.”
Aurora stared at Tom with almost a look of betrayal on her face, “Why didn’t you talk to me about this?”
“Because I didn’t understand it,” Tom explained, “but I knew Brean would, so I talked to him about it.”
“Please don’t blame Tom,” Brean said, “I don’t believe he was wrong in what he did, what’s important is that we know the truth and that Draogo can train you.”
“Train me?”
“You must learn to control the dragon attributes in human form and you must learn how to transform yourself.” Draogo explained.
“You want me to turn into a dragon?”
“Your dragon form is part of you and eventually it will try to surface, if you do not already know how to let it, then…it may tear you apart.” A look of horror crossed Aurora’s face and she rose from her chair to back away from the Dragon Lord.
Brean sighed, “I doubt very much you will be torn apart my dear,” he said walking over to her and placing a hand on her shoulder. “There have been very few documented incidences of that actually happening, I think my son is being rather dramatic.”
“I’m trying to be honest,” Draogo shrugged, “I don’t think it will happen,” he added also walking towards Aurora, “but I wanted you to be aware of the risks should you refuse to train.”
Aurora looked between the two men, “Okay I’ll do it, I’ll train with you.”
A broad smile crossed the Dragon Lord’s face, “I’d like to start as soon as possible, however this isn’t the kind of magic we should attempt during the day or in a populated area. Come back this evening and we’ll journey to the caves on the beach.”
Aurora nodded and turned to the twins, “Will you stay with me?”
“Of course,” Tom said, “truth be told I think we’re both quite curious to see what happens.”
“So what about me?” Kiræ asked folding her arms and looking at Brean, “you promised to explain everything.”
“Indeed I did and I promise I will explain everything this evening when there’s more time.” Kiræ stared at him with distrust for several minutes before finally relenting and agreeing.
They returned to the old library just after sunset, Tom looked to be the only one of the t
hree who wasn’t nervous. Brean and Draogo were already waiting and they made the short trip to the beach caves quickly. Draogo took Aurora to the mouth of one of the caves, where they would be partially concealed, Brean sat with Kiræ and Tom on the cool sand just outside.
“Kiræ,” Brean said softly, “I need you to understand that what you did, the magic you used, it isn’t bad.”
“Then why were you so worried that I could use it? And what exactly did I do?”
“The magic that you used is known as Elementa Praesidium. It is the ability to combine the elements into a protective force, which forms a barrier around you, while banishing those you see as a threat. It is a magic that is usually possessed by the Gods and not one I’ve ever seen in mortals.” Kiræ’s eyes were wide.
“So, you don’t know why she has this ability?” Tom asked and Brean shook his head, “is she in danger?” again Brean shook his head. “Then surely it’s a good thing,” he continued turning to his sister, “you’ve got the ability to protect yourself and that’s amazing.”
“I don’t think it’s that simple,” Brean said, “this is a powerful magic that mortals to my knowledge should not be able to possess, and even if they did they shouldn’t be able to use it because of the power it requires. Somehow you do, so tell me again what happened.”
Tom explained the incident with the mingual again and Brean listened intently, he nodded as Tom finished. “I believe I now understand how you were able to access the power you needed.” Kiræ looked at him almost pleadingly. “When you used this magic, Tom was in physical contact with you and I believe you may have drawn the power you needed from both of you.”
“So it was our combined power that produced this magic?” Tom asked.
“Does that mean Tom also has it?”
Brean considered this for some time, “I don’t know,” he said finally. They sat in silence for several minutes, then Brean as if forgetting they were there began muttering to himself. “Still very odd…and what about the opposite? Their powers are certainly unique…perhaps he-”
“What opposite?” Tom asked and Brean winced as he was brought back to reality.
Forgotten Magic (Elementals Book 1) Page 16