"What is this talk of attacks?" Solveig demanded. "If dragons are indeed attacking, I've got to prepare the defenses of the Highlands right now."
With considerable effort, Korinn caught up to her. "Dragons attacked both Rockhome and Thyatis last night, although the damage was light enough to make it seem like nothing more than a warning. Captain Glantri has sent griffon riders to Alfheim and Darokin to discover if there have been attacks there as well."
Solveig came to an abrupt stop.
"You help Darius with his griffon and bring the captain into the den when you're finished," she said, turning back toward the house. "I've got to do something about the defense of the city."
By that time of night, Solveig had only Taeryn to carry her messages, and he could only go in one direction at a time. The best she could do was to have him saddle a horse from the stables and spread the word through che streets. She instructed him to go first to the Academy and summon Alessa, then go on to the garrison at the north gate to alert Captain Harl Geirstaan,
who was now the commander of the Highland army.
Darius and Korinn came inside a short time later, having srabled the griffon for the night. They joined Solveig in the den, explaining what they knew of the attacks so far while they had something to eat and drink. Darius had sent his griffon-rider bodyguards to Darokin, Alfheim, and Traladara to discover if the dragons had attacked there as well. Solveig sat in the chair across from him and listened, staring aimlessly at the floor, obviously very deep in thought. She could only shake her head.
"This doesn't make any sense," she said at last. "I suppose that you should know that Thelvyn, Kharendaen, and Sir George have been here. In fact, they left hardly an hour before you arrived. Needless to say, they're searching for the Collar of the Dragons."
"Is it true that Thelvyn has become a dragon now?" Korinn asked.
"He's been a dragon since shortly after he left here last summer," she explained. "They really didn't say much about i heir affairs, except that the Great One himself has sent them to find the collar. It seems that Thelvyn is to be the Dragonking, some legendary figure from draconic lore who is to rule all the dragons of the world. The collar was set aside for the Dragonking long ago so that the dragons would recognize his authority as their first true king."
Darius had been watching her closely. "Could that be why Thelvyn needs the collar now, so that he can order these rogue dragons back in line?"
"I don't know," Solveig replied. "Thelvyn hasn't been among the dragons, so he might not be aware of what they're doing. This situation reminds me of the attacks of the rogue dragons six years ago. The young dragons, especially the headstrong reds, might be so opposed to having Thelvyn as the Dragonking that they've convinced themselves they must do something about it while they can. These attacks might be the work of rogue dragons rather than a declaration of war from the Nation of Dragons itself."
"Does that make any difference to us?" Korinn asked sourly.
"Indeed it does," she assured him. "In fact, it might explain why the attacks seem to be nothing more than a warning. The rogues might be afraid to engage in open warfare. For that matter, they might only be throwing down the gauntlet, so to speak, to the Dragonlord, to force him to respond."
"Then Thelvyn is still the Dragonlord?" Darius asked, surprised. "How could that be, if he's now a dragon himself?"
"That was my understanding," Solveig answered. "You see, both he and Kharendaen have the ability to change form."
"Then there is really only one last question," Korinn said, looking quite uncomfortable. "Is there any possibility that Thelvyn would betray us to his own kind? Not that I'm really worried about that, but I'm sure that others will be. My father sent me to find the Dragonlord if I can and request his protection, but he doesn't hold out much hope that a dragon will take our side against his own people. Even the Dragonlord."
Solveig sat back in her chair, frowning. "Wonderful. Everyone who wanted to chase the Dragonlord away only a few months ago will be crying for him to come back to save them. But I'm sure that the Dragonlord, or perhaps I should say the Dragonking, will act as quickly as he can to get the rogue dragons back in line."
"But how can we find him?" the dwarf asked.
"He's away on business of his own right now," Solveig explained, "but he should be coming back here soon. All we have to do is to wait."
Alessa arrived by carriage a few minutes later, and Captain Geirstaan came on horseback with Taeryn soon after that. The situation was explained to them, at least as much as anyone knew. Geirstaan promised do what he could to prepare the defenses of the Highlands against yet another invasion by dragons. To help coordinate the efforts, Alessa was to have the Fire Wizards use their power to communicate with all the members of their order throughout the realm. There was still no certainty that the dragons would attack the Highlands, especially if Thelvyn could intervene in time. But it seemed best to everyone to be prepared for the worst.
"I think I will follow Solveig's advice in this matter," Darius said. "I'll wait here a few days, as long as I can, for Thelvyn to
return."
Alessa had been standing off by herself, clutching her wizard's robe close to her. "Are you so certain that the Dragonlord will protect us?"
Solveig glanced at her, surprised. "What do you mean by
that?"
"I was just wondering about his true motives in wanting the Collar of the Dragons," she explained. "As I understand it, it Hives him the power to control the dragons. Is it to stop them from making war upon the world, or to lead them against us?"
"I, for one, trust him implicitly. Why don't we just wait and see," Darius told her, a stern note of disapproval in his voice.
"Isn't that the point?" Alessa insisted. "We have to decide before he asks for our help whether or not we can trust him once he has the collar."
"He's never done anything to earn our distrust," Darius insisted. "And I don't see that we have any choice but to take the chance. If he won't defend us, there's not much that you or I can do to protect ourselves from dragons."
Solveig shrugged. "I know I must sound as if I've been living among the Flaem too long to even think such a thing, but I have to wonder if the Alphatians might be behind these attacks in some way. They tried to fight the dragons last year and failed utterly. I'm sure that they don't much like dragons, and of course they never did like any of us. It seems that no one ever got a good look at these dragons. Every description I heard simply mentioned dark shapes against the night sky. I have to wonder if those shapes might have been Alphatian illusions."
Darius grunted in agreement. "They are air wizards, after all. They could well be able to put together something that looks like a dragon and make it fly."
Alessa had no more time to discnss the matter, since she had to return to the Academy at once to have the wizards convey the warning of the attacks and have the Highlands made ready for a possible attack. The senior wizards of the Academy would have no complaints about being turned out of their beds or away from their studies to comply, and the power of the Radiance was very effective at relaying communications between crystals attuned to its power. But a wizard had to be awake and near his crystal to know that he was being called, and it seemed that most of the rural wizards went to bed at an early hour.
At least the network of communication worked both ways. If there were an attack somewhere else in the realm during the night, the wizards at Braejr would learn of it almost at once.
Alessa's brief debate with her companions had left her feeling frustrated and angry. As Solveig had said, people would be quick to forget how deeply they had distrusted the Dragonlord now that they needed his protection, and she had little hope that she could rekindle that distrust. The voice had convinced her that the destiny of the Flaem should be in their own hands, and she was filled with quiet rage to see foreigners like Thelvyn and Solveig deciding things while she was little more than their servant, sent about her assigned tasks. S
he was outraged even more to see that Thelvyn was playing the part of the hero once again, while his fellow dragons created the very crisis that allowed him to presume power and authority over other nations.
Perhaps the voice of the crystal could help her to find a way to remind everyone that the Dragonlord was not a hero but a dragon and a traitor, not to be trusted. Perhaps there was some way to prevent Thelvyn from finding the Collar of the Dragons. As long as he did not have possession of the collar, he lacked the authority to command the dragons.
Once word of the dragon attacks had been relayed to the outlying wizards and things at the Academy setded down a bit, Alessa retired to her own chamber and prepared for bed, setting aside the spellbook that she had left open beside her chair. Privately, she was amazed at herself for such carelessness; usually a wizard had a fierce instinct to protect her spellbook and would never leave it lying about. That served to show just how much she was letting the problems of the dragons and the Dragonlord unsettle her. She prepared for bed, locking her door and making certain that her windows were secure. Soon she slept, and shortly afterward she began to dream.
Do you sleep? the same, familiar voice asked of her. In her dreams, she saw only the blackness of night and the vague image of the long, narrow face of a dragon.
Dream on, my sorceress, and in your dreams tell me all that you
have heard this night.
Alessa reflected upon her meeting at Solveig's house with Korinn Bear Slayer and the young captain from Thyatis. There was no one in that group she could hope to claim as an ally. Solveig and Korinn had been among the original companions of Thelvyn Fox-Eyes in the quest that eventually culminated in his becoming the Dragonlord. They would never abandon their trust in their old friend. Nor would Darius Glantri, who had always thought highly of the Dragonlord. Fear of dragons seemed likely to engender new trust in the Dragonlord with everyone. People had no choice but to place their trust in Thelvyn, just as the King of the Dwarves had already, knowing that they could not hope to defend themselves against the dragons. No one had any doubts that the dragons were behind the attacks.
That was just as well, the voice reassured her. Even Thelvyn himself would not be able to deny the possibility that rogue dragons were behind the attacks. As long as he was not in possession of the Collar of the Dragons, he could not even begin to confront the dragons and learn that rogue dragons had not broken the truce. Even he could not guess his true enemy. Only the Great One could tell him that, and soon it would be too late. If everyone was blaming and fearing the dragons, then they would not be ready to confront their true enemy. Not even Thelvyn. His authority as the Dragonlord remained shattered. His authority as the Dragonking did not yet exist.
Dream, then, and in your dreams tell me of what you know of the quest of Thelvyn Fox-Eyes to find the Collar of the Dragons.
Alessa reflected upon that, but she found that she had nothing new to say. Thelvyn was seeking the renegade dragon who had stolen the collar, but that would do him no good. Alessa had told him to seek the black dragbn with the gold earring, as the voice had directed her. Thelvyn might not find the dragon with the gold earring for some time, but even if he did, the renegade would not be able to give him the collar or tell him what he needed to know.
All is well, said the voice of her dreams. The black dragon Murodhir is himself my servant. If the Dragonlord does find him, Murodhir would do and say only what is expected of him. But I know Murodhir is a coward and a fool. If he is pressed into saying more than he should, then he will die. It would be a simple matter to break his mind in a moment, driving him mad with fear. Then he would do anything to escape, or to kill his captors, forcing them to slay him in turn.
Everything is progressing well, perhaps better than anyone could have expected. If the Dragonking is the only enemy of any potential threat, then perhaps it would be best to remove Thelvyn Fox-Eyes from the game before he can become the Dragonking. The Collar of the Dragons is the perfect bait. If Thelvyn returns to Braejr seeking more clues about where he should seek the collar, then perhaps it is time to tell him what he wants to know. Thelvyn always seems to want to know things that are not good for him.
Alessa was confused, wondering just what she should tell the Dragonlord.
He must not be told everything, the voice explained, only enough to send him flying into the trap that awaits him. He seeks to learn the location of the secret stronghold of the traitor wizards, expecting to find only a handful of foolish old sorcerers hiding in exile, fearful and powerless. That is exactly what he should think. For all his powers, both his own and those of the Dragonlord, Thelvyn is still nothing more than an innocent and inexperienced child. It would be a simple matter indeed to pull the teeth of that young dragon.
Do you sleep? the voice asked Alessa a final time. Then dream, and in your dreams you will come to know all that you are to do and say when Thelvyn returns.
But Alessa's deepest dreams were troubled, deep in that voiceless part of her mind and will that remained her own. For she understood the implications of all that she was told, and she did not see how Thelvyn could escape the trap that awaited him.
CHAPTER FOUR
Thelvyn drew himself cautiously through the tight passages of the deep cavern that had been the lair of the renegade king Murodhir, following behind his companions as they made their way out. They had spent a long day in a thorough search of the lair, and they carried with them not only Murodhir's hoard but also everything else they could find. The traitorous Fire Wizards had paid Murodhir for various services, not the least being the theft of the Collar of the Dragons and the attempt to assassinate Thelvyn and Solveig. Thelvyn had hoped that something the wizards had given Murodhir would also give some hint about the location of their secret stronghold, but they had found nothing'. Of course, he had never placed much hope in that, and so he was not greatly disappointed. Byen Kalestraan had not been one to share his secrets.
The wizards had not paid Murodhir particularly well for his work, judging by the rather humble proportions of his hoard. Although Thelvyn had slain Murodhir and could now claim his treasure and his lair, it was also the custom among dragons that he should share a part of the renegade's hoard with those who had accompanied him into battle. He gave Kharendaen, Marthaen, and Jherdar each a third of the treasure. The two male dragons were both leaders of their own bands, and they shared part of their third with the young dragons who served as their bodyguards. Dragon clerics were not in the habit of accumulating treasure, nor did they often have the chance, so Kharendaen welcomed her portion. Since Thelvyn already owned the vast treasure and the lair that had belonged to the renegade king Kardyer, he was content.
"I'm done here," he said as he emerged from the entrance of the cavern, following his companions into the clearing beyond the ruined wall that had guarded the lair. "Will you be heading east now?"
"That depends upon what you plan to do next," Marthaen answered.
"Well, I certainly didn't learn very much here," Thelvyn said as he settled back on his haunches in the soft grass, facing the others. "Murodhir obviously had no idea what the Fire Wizards did with the collar. I'm not even convinced the little he did have to tell us was the truth."
"Are you sure?" Jherdar asked. "He impressed me as being too frightened to lie."
"No, I can't be sure," Thelvyn replied. "I keep thinking of how he suddenly went mad with fear and attacked me when I suggested he lead us to the place in the wilderness near Braas-tar. He should have been encouraged that he would not be put to death at once and might possibly have an opportunity to escape. Yet he wasn't trying to break free of me. Instead, he was attacking me."
"That is cause for wonder," Marthaen agreed. "Why would he bring the collar to the Fire Wizards there in the wilderness?"
"That's one of the few parts of his story that seems to ring true," Sir George said, moving forward to address the dragons. "When the Flaem first came into this world, they arrived somewhere near Braastar. That was wh
ere they built their first strongholds. The wizards moved to Braejr later so that they could more easily study and protect the Radiance. I've always wondered if their secret stronghold was somewhere near
Braastar."
Thelvyn lifted his head suddenly and stared at Marthaen. "Tell me about your search for the collar in Alphatia. I recall that your search was a condition of your first truce with the Alphatians, and it took you a couple of weeks to conduct it, but that hardly seems time enough for a thorough search."
"Our sorcerers conducted the search," Marthaen explained. "They have the means to detect the presence of the collar if they could come reasonably close, even if the collar were shielded magically or locked inside some interdimensional hiding place. By the same method, we've always been fairly certain that the collar is no longer in the Highlands."
Sir George looked indignant. "You mean you had me search half the world for that thing, and you could have saved me half my trouble?"
Marthaen looked down at him. "We didn't know that it wasn't in Alphatia until after we had invaded the Highlands. And you were looking everywhere except the Highlands as it was, so that hardly mattered."
Thelvyn considered that briefly. "That seems to support our suspicion that the stronghold of the traitor wizards is not in the Highlands, which is what I have always suspected. Then that decides the matter for me. I had considered going to the forests near Braastar to search for the place Murodhir described, but that seems pointless now. My only other option is to return to Braejr, to discover if Alessa Vyledaar has learned anything else."
Later that day, as the sun was setting beyond the wilderness far to the west, the dragons spread their wings and leaped into the darkening sky. While the others were returning to Wind-reach, Thelvyn and Kharendaen collected Sir George for their rather short flight back to Braejr. They would be passing across the vast eastern plains and light woods of the central Highlands, the most heavily settled region of the realm. While the northern frontier was the land of timber and mining, the east was a land of pastures, where cattle and sheep grazed in peace and fields of wheat were stirred by the soft winds of a gentler climate than that most of the Highlands endured.
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