by Mike Shelton
Coming to a stop in front of the magical being, Bakari stretched forth his hand and touched the rough, scales of the dragon’s hide. Abylar swung his head down and around, peering intently into Bakari’s eyes.
Bakari’s mind joined with the dragon’s presence, a much more smooth, natural, and powerful link than he had ever experienced with other animals. Their minds completed and complemented each other. One immense magical mind. Bakari’s knowledge of the past now increased a hundredfold, and the thoughts made him sway. Abylar eased off, allowing Bakari to catch his breath.
Kneeling down on his belly, the dragon spoke again to Bakari’s mind. Mount up, Dragon Rider. We are meant to soar and fly together.
Bakari reached both hands timidly up to the dragon’s back. Then he hefted himself up on the mighty creature, using a large scale as a foothold. He found what seemed like a natural spot to sit, at the base of Abylar’s neck. The flesh was softer, and his body fit perfectly.
“You are wonderful,” Bakari said out loud with a laugh of glee as he grabbed hold of a large spike in front of him. The dragon stood back up and, with a flap of his jagged wings, lifted them into the air, his long tail swirling around him.
The gathered group on the hill clapped and yelled in amazement.
“A dragon rider!” Breelyn yelled. “A real dragon rider!”
Reaching out his mind to Abylar, Bakari asked if they could search for Kharlia, along the banks of the Dunn River, before settling back down. With a loud roar from the dragon and an assurance from Bakari to the others that he would return soon, Abylar flew south toward the Dunn River.
With the speed of the dragon, they soon found the spot where Kharlia had gone over the cliff. Directing the dragon to fly down lower and to follow the river south, Bakari searched carefully in the water and along the banks.
With the quick, rolling waters of the river and the thick Elvyn Forest on either side, Bakari’s heart sank as he soon realized it was hardly possible to search for her from above. There were just too many places she could have exited the river. He reached his mind out and felt the normal creatures of the forest around him but nothing human at all.
With a deep pain in his stomach, he wiped tears from his eyes and directed Abylar to turn back around. Placing his hand on the dragon’s neck for support, Bakari felt a calming sensation from Abylar. He would always remember Kharlia: her soft touch; her bright, intelligent smile; her enthusiasm; and, most of all, her acceptance of him.
Rest and be at peace, my young dragon rider. This deep, powerful sentiment came into Bakari’s mind. The dragon felt Bakari’s pain and took some of it into himself, allowing Bakari to rest and find tranquility for a few moments.
Soon they flew back above Celestar, and Bakari opened his eyes. He felt refreshed and clearheaded. He looked east and north and still couldn’t believe the barrier was down. He didn’t think the Chief Judge had meant for him to do that when he had sent Bakari to investigate. Brief feelings of guilt came to the young scholar, but Abylar replaced them with a new purpose.
Circling twice, the dragon landed again—closer to the gathered group. Bakari knew what he now needed to do. Reaching out, Bakari beckoned with a finger at Alli to climb up with him. “Alli, your skills are needed elsewhere.”
The young apprentice wizard regarded Gorn, her mentor.
“Go ahead,” the wizard urged his apprentice. “What other chance will you have to ride a dragon?”
Walking to the mighty creature, Alli put her hand to his side. “So much power,” she said in a tone of reverence.
“Gorn, protect the border and the guardians,” Bakari said. “Their connections to the dragon will continue to help him grow.”
Breelyn walked closer to Gorn. “We will send reinforcements to help the people here, Dragon Rider. They have rendered a sacrifice that won’t go unnoticed, throughout all of Elvyn. Dragons hold special mythical powers among the history of our people, and dragon riders are very rare indeed!”
Bakari blushed at the respect and admiration she showed him. He called Erryl closer to him and leaned down.
“Thank you, my friend. It was you Abylar reached out to first. Your trust and instincts allowed us to find each other. We were all meant to be a part of this. One day I will bring you to the Citadel, and we will study together.”
Erryl nodded. “I would like that, Bak. I really would.” He stood hesitantly for a moment, and Bakari discerned his thoughts.
“You may touch him, Erryl,” Bakari said.
Erryl’s mouth spread into a wide grin as he reached his hand tentatively to the blue dragon and petted his scaly skin tenderly.
“I think he likes you, Erryl,” Bakari said.
Abylar purred in delight, and the crowd laughed with joy.
Lifted up into the air, Bakari waved one final time. Alli held on tightly behind him as they climbed higher. For him, though, there was no trepidation, only delight.
CHAPTER THIRTY ONE
Abylar proceeded to fly in a southwesterly direction. Alli screamed in delight behind Bakari as Abylar swooped low and then climbed back up higher in the sky. Bakari half smiled, the joy of flying tempered somewhat by thoughts of Kharlia.
The Elvyn Forest soon thinned out, and fading autumn fields, rolling hills, and valleys covered the ground below them. Far to the north, the mountains of Mahli loomed. Bakari wistfully looked in their direction.
Soon, Dragon Rider. Abylar spoke in a quiet rumble to his mind. Soon.
Before either wizard noticed the time, the tall spires of the Citadel came into view. A lump formed in Bakari’s throat. This had been his home for almost ten years. He knew every nook and cranny of the compound. It looked almost deserted now, except for a few scattered men and women.
With a loud screech, Abylar landed in the practice yard. The few men there scrambled with a yell and went running inside. Before Bakari could dismount, a group of people came running back out, weapons and magic ready for use if needed. They were led by a few elder wizards Bakari recognized from his time in the Citadel.
“What is the meaning of this?” one of the elders asked. “Bakari, isn’t it?”
“I need to speak to Wizard Kanzar or the Chief Judge,” Bakari announced.
“Neither is here at this time,” the wizard informed Bakari. “And I will have to ask you to dismount. We can discuss this inside.”
Before Bakari had the chance to say anything else, his old friend, Roland Tyre, pushed his way through the group. “What is going on here?”
The same blond hair hung over Roland’s forehead, but a new power enhanced his eyes. He came to stand beneath the great dragon and looked up in surprise.
With a broad grin and a hearty laugh, Roland took a moment to find his words. The other elder wizards seemed to want to say something, but they held their peace. Bakari found that interesting.
Bakari spoke to break the tension. “I’ve never seen you at a loss for words, Roland.”
“Bak, Bak, Bak,” Roland repeated, as if still trying to gather his thoughts. “You are full of surprises lately, aren’t you? And I just thought you ran off with a pretty girl.”
Pain welled up in Bakari’s heart at the mention of Kharlia, and he held his lips tight.
“Where is that girl of yours, anyway?” Roland asked, obviously ignorant of the situation. “Ah, but I see you brought another beauty back with you.” He focused his eyes on Alli and gave a flourishing bow. “My lady.”
Bakari felt Alli stiffen behind him, and she huffed out a breath.
“Roland, have some care with your words,” she scolded. “Kharlia is not with us anymore.”
Roland gazed at Bakari with uncharacteristic sympathy in his eyes.
“She fell off a cliff into the Dunn River while we were fighting a barrier beast,” Bakari said with thick emotion.
Roland had the good graces to stop talking for a moment. When he finally did, it was more somber. “Bak, I am truly sorry. You two were perfect for each other.”
The two elder wizards stepped forward once again and began to talk; however, Roland interrupted them and invited Bakari and Alli to dismount. Bakari noticed the deference they reluctantly gave Roland and wondered what the story there was.
“He needs to eat.” Bakari motioned for Abylar to fly away. “But we don’t have much time.”
Bakari looked back and forth between the elder wizards and Roland, not knowing to whom he should speak about the barrier.
Roland made the choice for him. “Council members.” He motioned toward a few other wizards. “You may join us if you like.”
They all nodded toward Roland, and the small group walked into the Citadel. They sat down in a room, where the travelers received refreshments. While eating, Bakari and Alli told Roland and the other council members about the fall of the barrier and how the dragon had come to be.
“Where are all the other wizards?” Bakari asked as he brought Roland up to speed on his life in the last couple of weeks.
Roland frowned and looked at the other council members and then back to Bakari. “Kanzar has set himself up as king. He took most of the wizards and soldiers with him to Cassian and declared himself ruler there.”
“And the Chief Judge?” Alli asked.
“In Orr.”
“Orr?” Bakari questioned.
“It was the safest place for him to go. Orr is where he is from. I have received word by carrier pigeon that he arrived recently, declared Kanzar to be a rebel, and is recruiting men to his cause in Orr.”
“So civil war will come, it appears.” Bakari shook his head.
“It may be averted if the Chief Judge steps down,” offered one of the elder wizards. “Kanzar will be relentless in his pursuit.”
“The Chief Judge will not step down for Kanzar,” Roland said. “But, if an alternative is found, we may yet avert an all-out war.”
“I need to go to Orr to be with the Chief Judge,” Alli said to Bakari. “He will need my skills.”
“I agree,” Bakari said.
Another elder wizard stood up. “Bakari, as a wizard yourself, you are bound to support Kanzar and the Citadel.”
All in the room stiffened at the wizard’s words.
Bakari stared hard at Roland. “What will you do, Roland?” Bakari asked. “Are you for Kanzar or the Chief Judge?”
Roland moved his eyes around the room, looking into the eyes of each person before returning his gaze to Bakari. “I am for myself, Bak. I always have been. I will be the most powerful wizard to have ever walked Alaris someday. Let Kanzar, Daymian, and anyone else who wants the throne fight it out on their own.”
The two elder wizards who had just spoken balked at this, in deep consternation, and moved as if to leave.
“You may be dismissed,” Roland said to all the other wizards in the room. “But remember, the Citadel is not taking sides in this war. Those left under my care will not fight but will gather in more apprentices from across the land.”
“Who put you in charge, young man?” the eldest wizard spat. “We do not report to you. This Citadel is not in your care.”
“You were there on the day of my testing,” Roland said. “You know the power I have. By virtue of that power, I now declare that the Citadel is under my control and leadership.” Turning back to Bakari with a wink, Roland continued, “I told you I would be great someday.”
Bakari nodded. “You should be careful, Roland. You need to take things slowly. Alaris is in enough trouble with Kanzar; they don’t need another tyrant.” He smiled as he said this and hoped Roland would heed his advice.
Roland waved a hand in the air. “I’m not out to make trouble for anyone. I am only trying to make sure the Citadel is run properly, and I figured I was the best one to do it.”
Alli rolled her eyes.
With a flourish, the other wizards dismissed themselves, staring daggers at Roland as they left.
Bakari needed to ask him something. “Roland, why are those council members deferring to you? You couldn’t have taken the test much longer than a week or two ago. Why would they follow a level-one wizard—surely not just because of your charming personality?”
“Bak! You are joking with me.” Roland turned to Alli. “Has our young scholar wizard found a sense of humor?”
“Roland?” Bakari waited for his answer.
Before Roland could answer, Alli jumped in for him, saying, “It seems Roland did something in the test that warranted a higher ranking. Even Kanzar’s half afraid of him, while other seasoned wizards now yield to him.”
Bakari studied Roland’s face.
Roland stood and performed a flourishing bow. “Meet Roland Tyre, level-four wizard.”
Bakari sat with his mouth open for moment, thinking, and then exclaimed, “That’s unheard of.”
“I told you I was magic.”
Bakari opened his eyes wider. “That’s it, Roland. In the annals of the past Citadel leaders I have heard that phrase before. I knew I had read it somewhere. Maybe you are destined to run the place.”
“It is a difficult burden, but I will accept it.” Roland laughed. “I am the only level-four wizard here at the moment, so that burden falls on me.”
“We need to leave soon,” Bakari said.
Roland looked intently at Alli for a moment and then jumped up out of his seat. “Can you wait a few hours?”
“Why?” Alli asked suspiciously.
“Don’t you think the Chief Judge would much more appreciate a full wizard by his side?” Roland grinned.
“What are you talking about? Who would go with us?” Alli seemed confused, and Bakari could not follow Roland’s words either.
“You!” Roland clapped his hands with delight and yelled for one of the servants. “Ready the testing room, and call back those blasted wizards.” Turning back to Alli, he asked, “What if you took the wizard test before you left the Citadel?”
Alli’s face turned pale and then filled with joy. “But how?” she asked.
“I am the highest-ranking wizard here. It is my choice,” Roland said.
When the preparations were made, Roland led Alli away to be tested. Bakari thought he noticed them standing closer together than before.
In the meantime, Bakari went to the Citadel’s library to research as much as he could on Mahli. He inspected the shelves of books, running his fingers longingly along the edges. Memories of his childhood raced through his mind. He breathed out a deep sigh. Bakari hoped he could handle whatever was ahead of him. This was not what he had envisioned for his life.
Strength and comfort came to his mind from Abylar, and Bakari smiled wearily. It was still hard for him to believe that he, Bakari—shy, boring scholar wizard Bakari—was a dragon rider! It was amazing to fly on the back of Abylar. To feel the power of the great beast beneath him, the wind in his face, and their connection in his mind. His smile broadened.
But Bakari discovered that no records regarding Mahli were available from more recently than when the barrier went up. He hoped the country was even still there.
Three hours later, the two riders once again sat on the back of Abylar. Alli couldn’t stop grinning. She had passed the test and now held the honor of being a level-three wizard. She glanced down at Roland more affectionately than before.
“Thank you, Roland. You have given me something I can never repay you for.” Alli’s eyes misted over. “If you ever need me, I will be here for you. I promise!”
This was the only time Bakari had ever seen Roland blush.
“Someday, I need you to let me ride on that dragon of yours, Bak. It’s not fair for you to one-up me in something.” Roland grinned and chuckled. “A dragon rider? Who would have thought?”
Abylar lifted up off the ground, flew around the Citadel twice, to the c
heers of the apprentices there, and then flew directly south.
A few hours later, they passed high over Cassian. Some people began pointing up at them in wonder and fear.
Bakari wondered about Onius and hoped he wouldn’t have to fight the old counselor wizard. Roland had said Onius could be trusted, but his closeness to Kanzar gave pause for thought.
* * *
The sun set as they circled high above Orr and then landed among a startled crowd in the town square. A puff of dust flew out from under the dragon as he landed, sending people running for their homes. The air here was dry, and dust seemed to cover everything. Abylar informed Bakari that he did not like it there and needed to get back to the forest and mountains.
Alli jumped off of the dragon’s back with a flip in the air and ran to find the Chief Judge. Soon they emerged together with a group of men by his side, a few carrying torches in the growing darkness.
A smile stretched across the Chief Judge’s light brown face. He was tired and moved slower. The last few weeks had taken a toll on him.
Bakari hopped down.
“Bakari!” The Chief Judge grasped the scholar wizard’s arm. “I see you have been busy.”
“I don’t have long, Sir. But you instructed me to find out more about the barrier. I guess I found out more than I even hoped for. Abylar here, in egg form, was an Orb that had supplied power to the barrier. Since his birth, the barrier has been down.”
That news brought concern and mumbles from the gathering crowd.
Daymian nodded his head in understanding. “You know about Kanzar?”
“Yes,” Bakari said. “He named himself as leader of Alaris. Do you intend to fight him?”
“I do.” Daymian spread his hands around him to the crowd. “We do. If there was another way, I would listen. But I cannot have that man be our king.”