The elder blue dragons shifted impatiently, raising and lowering their long necks like thoroughbreds eager for a race.
The Imperial Dragon scanned the room, his brow hanging low over his eyes. “I will put forth an urgent call to the other two Guardians. I’m going to recommend Maxime Eviligo, but that can only be enacted by complete agreement of the collective order of Alliance Guardians.”
Oasth jerked his face in the direction of the leader. The warlord’s scales along his forehead and snout changed to a fiery red. His mouth hung open with smoke shredding on his jagged teeth. “Maxime Eviligo?”
The eyes of the blues riveted on the Head Guardian. They stood completely still, but the cobalt blue scales along their flanks lifted on edge and shimmered in the light of the wall sconces.
The warlord shook his head downward as though trying to cast the words from his mind, then snapped his body to an alert posture. “I’ll post your orders in the dragon quarters. My own squadron will take double flights.” Smoke and sparks shot from his nostrils. He saluted the Head Guardian and marched out of the library. Although only a short firedrake, his footfall made enough noise for the largest blue.
Lyra fidgeted, her fingers tracing the metalwork of her staff, wishing she could touch Cullen to ask about Maxime Eviligo. The words themselves sounded frightening. They seemed to alarm these experienced fighters. She leaned in several directions to see him. With so many huge dragons in the room, she couldn’t get a glimpse. Her eyes followed any whisper in the room.
The leader raised his forelimb to keep the others present for a moment. “Three commanders are on patrol. If you meet them prior to their return here, please pass along my directions. Fight valiantly but be safe.” He waved them toward the door. He met the gaze of each as they filed out in silence with their eyes wide, chests lifted.
After they left, the Imperial Dragon barreled toward Lyra, pushing her in front of him into the observatory. He located the star associated with the earth to call the Unicorn. Through an open window, he roared flames at it longer than Lyra had ever seen. The noise and force of his aura made Lyra jump. He repeated his call to the fire star, Regulus, she used earlier, this time to message the Phoenix Guardian.
The leader returned to the main chamber, and Lyra followed. Volleys of subdued flames belched from his mouth, and his back muscles twitched, unfolding his wings into a ready position.
Across the room, the topaz sets of Cullen’s dragon bloodswear ring gleamed with the blue of his aura, something she’d seen many times before when he prepared for battle. But his ashen complexion and the hollow look in his eyes sent a chill down her spine.
Chapter Three: The Jewel Case
Only when the sound of hooves clattered on the stone floor in the hallway did Lyra drop her gaze from Cullen’s alarmed expression.
The Unicorn Guardian’s wispy silver aura wafted around Lyra’s lower body as she turned to face him. Arriving in a gliding flight from the forest region that he governed, one hoof caught on the edge of the wool rug. He snorted and jerked it free. “I came as quickly as possible,” he said to the Imperial Dragon while making quick bows, dipping his horn to each in the room.
Before he finished, a blazing mauve-orange ball zipped in through the open window of the observatory. It whipped around the room, slowing until the form of the Phoenix Guardian appeared. Her blue wings hovered, while her golden tail feathers dripped with sparks. After a few moments, she quieted and took her place on a gilded perch beside a tremendous oak desk.
The Imperial Dragon cleared his throat. “Now that all four Guardians are assembled, I’ll not waste more valuable time. I have learned that these deadly attacks are directed from the Black Dragon. They are designed to keep our Scribe active, drained of power. Then, she is less capable of unlocking the power the Alliance needs to overthrow the Dark Realm. We have only one choice. I am calling for a state of highest defensive alert—Maxime Eviligo. By the precepts set up by the founders of this Alliance, that state can only be declared by the total agreement of the Guardian collective.”
Like the dragons earlier, the heads of the Unicorn and Phoenix snapped toward the Imperial Dragon. The Unicorn drew several steps closer toward the Tortoise and Head Guardian, both leaning onto the desk. The Phoenix left her perch and flew onto the leader’s shoulder.
Lyra stepped near and stood behind the Tortoise with Cullen at her side.
The Imperial Dragon lowered his head. “Maxime Eviligo was last implemented by my grandfather when he began his years as Head Guardian.” He gave a long sigh. “I never wanted to ask our people to relinquish their freedom and hide like hunted prey. This is a dark day.”
“What is Maxime Eviligo?” Lyra’s voice cracked with fear.
The Tortoise curved his neck to look over his shell at her. “During this protective state, our residents must accept a way of life where they hide from the skies at all times. Housing is secured, either in mountainside caves, caverns under the forest, or if nothing else is available, guarded by magical wards. There is a specified system where higher magicals do manual labor. They supply food and water to those less capable of protecting themselves. All magical instruction ceases since life becomes mere existence.”
“Can I do anything else to help?”she asked.
The scales of the Imperial Dragon’s face pulled together across his forehead. “I appreciate your interest. The very best thing you can do is to unlock the power in those rediscovered books of Dragonspeir.”
The Tortoise Guardian nodded.
The Unicorn raised his horn. “I formally declare my support of the decision to enact Maxime Eviligo.”
The Phoenix extended a wing tip to touch his horn. “With a heavy heart, I too call for Maxime Eviligo to protect our gentle residents.”
The Tortoise joined their contact with his front foot. “As do I request Maxime Eviligo.”
“Maxime Eviligo is our collective order for the Alliance.” The Imperial Dragon touched their union with a front claw. Once they each withdrew, he faced the Tortoise. “You understand your responsibility during this critical time—to assist our Scribe in any way needed. The rest of our group of Guardians,” he scanned the faces of the Unicorn and Phoenix, “will head a team of higher magicals to educate and direct the lesser magicals and mortals about how to maintain a status of hiding.” In one stride, he reached the wall of bookcases and selected a tattered journal. He placed it on a large oak desk and used the tip of a claw to page through the yellowed parchment leaves until he located a specific page. “Here, in the bylaws establishing the Alliance, is the basic plan for implementing Maxime Eviligo. Included are the spells to be used to create our most protective wards. Additional loose pages have been inserted with entries from past Imperial Dragons who enacted the alert, offering suggestions for those leaders who followed.”
The Unicorn and Phoenix gathered over the journal.
Cullen moved near and bowed his head. “I will gladly serve as needed.”
“And I’ll get back to my decoding,” Lyra said, walking toward the door.
The Tortoise lifted his shell and set stumpy arms and legs in motion to follow.
***
The carved wooden door to the study swung slowly open, and Lyra looked up from her studies.
A woman tried awkwardly to manage a slight bow while carrying a heavily loaded dinner tray.
Focused intently on her task, Lyra didn’t feel hungry but bowed her head and motioned to the low table nearest the door. She returned to the ancient text, but her attention drifted back to the woman. Usually young sentry dragons delivered food.
She was a non-magical. Lyra detected no aura given off by the woman. Her dark blonde hair was covered with a kerchief which only partially hid the furrows creasing her brow. Despite the worried look, corners of the woman’s mouth lifted into a forced smile. Fair features indicated that she wasn’t a member of the Qumeli tribe, but her expression confused Lyra. The awkward grin sagged when a small girl stepped from
behind the width of her patched skirt.
“Kessa, stay behind,” the woman snapped in a hushed voice.
The willowy young girl looked like the woman, except her hair hung uncombed and loose to her waist. She stepped back but peeked around the side of her mother’s waist.
“It’s all right.” Lyra smiled and leaned forward over the table. “What are your names? I’ve never met you.”
The woman bowed low. She kept an arm around the girl’s waist to help her bend stiffly into the same posture. A burlap sack thudded to the floor at the child’s side, drawing Lyra’s attention to wooden braces on her legs that prevented her from making a full bow.
After they rose, the woman answered, “I’m Nillea and this is my daughter, Kessa. We’re from the village in the Meadow.” She threw her hands in the air, speaking rapidly. “As soon as my husband first heard talk of the Maxime Eviligo this morning, he begged a young blue to bring me and our youngest here to the lair, since, two days back, a stealth dragon chased Kessa back into our cottage. We think she’s targeted because of her ailment.” She pulled her daughter close to her side. “I can’t lose my Kessa.” Her voice cracked, and she looked at Lyra with moisture flooding her eyes. “Please, Scribe Adalyra, I know us non-magicals are to stay hidden up in caves and stone cottages. We could afford us only a one-room frame house, so we have to leave home. But, please let us stay here. I’ll work for my keep. The head of the kitchen said I have to get your okay. At least let Kessa stay. She’s a good girl.” Tears rolled down her cheeks as her fingers combed the girl’s matted hair. “They’ll take my little one.”
Lyra tried to speak but a knot formed in her throat. All the comforting words that came to mind seemed hollow, more like hopeful intentions than solid assurances. Seeing the desperation on the woman’s face, the weight of Lyra’s responsibility grew heavier.
With trembling hands, Nillea dug into the crude bag and pulled out a gold-painted wooden box, the size of a jewelry case. “I tried to give the blue this keepsake box of family treasures as payment. He wouldn’t take it. I’m willing to work for my keep, but this is for my girl.” She placed it on the planked top beside the dinner tray and looked up with pleading eyes. “This is all we have. Please.”
Lyra’s brows rose. “Well—”
Before Lyra could reply, the Tortoise stepped through the open doorway and lifted his nose to sniff. “Dinner has arrived. Lyra, you must take a break.” He tilted his head toward the pair and raised an eyebrow. “We’re not prepared to keep non-magicals safe in the lair. All who serve here regularly were sent home. Families must stay together.”
Nillea’s gaze shot from him to Lyra. “Please tell him it’s okay.” She paused, choking on tears. “They’ll take my little Kessa. She can’t run like the other children.” She straightened her posture and looked pleadingly toward Lyra.
“I understand your concern. The Guardians are the ones to decide. I’ll discuss your worries with them,” Lyra replied.
Nillea took a firm hold on the girl’s hand, and moved through the door. “We’ll get back to work in the kitchen. Lots of chores to do. We can help.”
As soon as they left, the Tortoise asked, “Do you have an understanding of that incident?” He waved his front foot, and moved bowls of hearty stew to either side of the table. “And of the significance of this box? I’ve seen that woman before; she lives in the Meadow of Peace.”
“She’s desperate to protect her crippled child who was chased by a cimafa two days ago.” Lyra let out a sigh as she stood and walked to the other table. “I wanted to promise her that life would be safe…”
“I see.” He pulled his neck part way into his shell and frowned. “I empathize with her plight, but we must be fair. Other villagers would wish the same. We cannot house them all here, and, even if we could, it would be unwise to keep our population in only one area. The risk is too great.”
While lowering onto the floor cushion in front of her dinner place, Lyra’s balance wavered. She dropped sideways onto a pillow, but her head impacted the cold stone floor. A sharp, icy ache rang through her skull. Her view filled with a dark night sky, and she glided between stars, looking for her birthmate star, Hamal of the Aries constellation.
Puffs of warmth blew across Lyra’s face. She opened her eyes to see the face of the Tortoise inches away, his weathered hide crossed with more lines than usual. “What happened?” she asked, reflexively rubbing the knot on the side of her head.
“You fell when you tried to sit. I’ve called for Mimio to come at once and apply her healing.”
Lyra touched her scalp over the injury, penetrating her aura into deeper tissues. Probing one small area of her brain, she cringed. Both hands dropped to hold her stomach, bracing it against a wave of nausea. Electrical impulses shot rapid fire in a sunburst pattern. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Concentrating, she again touched the knot and began transmitting her own aura for self-healing.
Light footsteps approached, pattering against the stone.
“Let me help,” Mimio said with her soft, mature voice. The Tortoise’s gentle assistant lifted Lyra’s hand away.
Lyra flinched, hoping her own healing ability healed the injury. She trusted Mimio, who was only slightly less adept at the craft than Cullen, but if the sorceress noticed serious damage, she might require Lyra to spend valuable study time resting.
The older woman leaned closer, the tails of her scarf, which held her gray hair neatly in place, draped over Lyra’s shoulder. The embroidered silver stars on the fabric dripped tiny sparks of Mimio’s calming aura across Lyra’s skin. The sensation caused her collar bones to relax back against the pillow. She exhaled slowly and smoothly, tranquility instantly passing over her body.
Mimio’s fingers touched the wound with the same gentle magic. Finally, she sat back on her heels. “Lyra, you’ve had a seizure. I can’t tell how severe since you partially calmed the abnormal electrical activity before I began. The effects were widespread but reversible…this time.” She looked up at the Tortoise. “This may well be related to what you told me about the massive influx of scribal power from the fire stars that Lyra has recently encountered. Her gaze rested on Lyra. “You must not put yourself in such a depleted state where you require so much incoming strength. You’re not fully afflated and are unable to withstand the extreme electrical changes.”
“So my body is still too mortal to keep up with my power?” Lyra shook her head and rose onto her elbows.
“Exactly.” Mimio smoothed the full skirt of her light blue satin gown as she stood. “I don’t understand why your afflation doesn’t keep pace. It doesn’t seem to be linked to the connection you have with your ancestors’ energies in the fire stars.” She extended an arm to help Lyra to a kneeling position on a floor pillow.
“Is she capable of resuming our studies?” The Tortoise rested his front feet on the table edge beside his assistant.
The sorceress nodded. “Yes, but I’ll check her status often, to be certain.”
“Good idea. Lyra, can you eat? It’s been hours since you’ve had any nourishment other than tea.”
“That could certainly have contributed to bringing on that seizure. Do try to eat a little, dear.” Mimio scooted the plate in front of Lyra.
“I’m kind of weak. Food might help.” Cautiously tasting a spoonful of broth from the stew, she found the warm liquid comforting. She finished the bowl, along with some bread, but avoided the meat portions.
Lyra ate quietly, reflecting. She thought her method had worked well—burning through her scribal power to fight evil attacks, then renewing through her strengthened connection to the fire stars. Her mortality had always been in the way of her and Cullen forming a lasting relationship. Now, it limited her in a new way. The risk of seizures, which could cause permanent damage, forced her to use caution. The Imperial Dragon had been right. She had accepted his judgment but still believed she could call on the full amount of her new powers if necessary. While fidg
eting with the spoon, she realized she had been wrong. She placed the dishes on the tray, preparing herself to work late into the night with her studies—the only way she could help the Alliance.
Beside the remains of their dinner, the jewelry box Nillea left caught her attention and compelled her to touch it. Running a finger across its worn gold paint, Lyra felt power within the box. She glanced at the Tortoise. “This box holds something magical. I feel drawn to open it.” She paused and waved her hand over the lid. “You know her from the Meadow, so it should be fine. But just in case, I’ve covered it with a guarding spell to contain any powers.”
“That is wise.” Mimio leaned closer.
Lyra unlatched the catch. A thin stream of green magic spilled through the hole in the lock, tingling her fingertip. She opened the lid to reveal a faded blue velvet interior filled with an odd assortment of trinkets. A pair of fine horn hair combs inlaid with mother-of-pearl rested on top. A fancy gold ring set with an emerald green stone gave a slight glow. Dozens of shell buttons were carved with heads of various animals. Their iridescent nacre reflected the ring’s green light. Strangely, each button produced a different energy vibration when she touched its face. A small drawstring pouch rattled when Lyra lifted it. She peered inside at a handful of badly discolored coins along with a brass compass. Holding the device in her palm, the needle spun erratically. What did that reading tell her? She examined one of the coins, but heavy tarnish made the date unreadable. She had never seen money used anywhere in Dragonspeir. They looked like antique coins from her world, but it seemed odd how that money came to be part of this collection. The box contained many types of magic from lands outside of the Alliance. She wondered how such a common family owned these unusual treasures and wanted to spend time analyzing each. “All of these items look very old. They give bits of aura that seem familiar to me,” she said as she replaced them into the box.
Enchanted Bookstore Legends (5-book complete epic fantasy romance box set) Page 87