“We spoke of many things in our conversation and the lagartos were very insightful. One of our conversations turned to the saddle you have given me many years back. The albino croc skin one. They said it holds a power like no other because of its rarity and strength. Their kind worships and reveres albino croc skin. The croc that the saddle was made from belonged to a lagarto named Krangalson. He was, and still is, a high chief of the tribal clan Guerreros. He prides himself very much in his clan and his position. The loss of his pet albino croc left an unhealed scar in his ego and memory, one that the lagarto had difficulty in forgiving and letting go. The elder was the only one who could talk him down before he acted irrationally for revenge. Did you know the croc was someone’s pet?”
“I did not, son.”
“The lagarto that was the taller of the two wore a necklace of gems and bone. They looked like shark teeth. He took it off his neck and handed it to me without first saying why. They had strange ways of giving things first before explaining their meaning or symbolism. I gratefully accepted the necklace into my hands and studied it. There were markings and symbols engraved in the gems and the bone. When placed together in a straight line it read out a line from my Book of Stars that translated to, ‘To whom the stars guide a wise fool will give his most precious possession to save the world.’”
Gathar looked at Ptolemy with a questioning expression on his face.
Ptolemy continued, “I read in the Book of Stars about prized possessions and wise fools many times over. The particular line stuck in my memory because I found it very interesting. I asked the lagarto where he got the engraving from and he answered, ‘The creatures of the water, the nes kaliba, made it and gave it to me as a sign of peace between our tribes. I know now that it wasn’t just a sign of peace between tribes but for all of Palatovia against the evils that taint our world.’
“The lagarto told me to keep the necklace and that it was meant for me to have, but he did not elaborate anymore. They changed the conversation to much more lively topics and taught me about the lagarto way. They walked me around the city and introduced me to many of the faces still awake even at the late night. I met females, males, children, parents, grandparents, singles, married couples, and engaged couples. From their stories, they are not much different than us. I think the biggest difference is that they try to keep their lives private. Their kind have made themselves outcasts by hiding their city and having minimal interaction with the outside world, yet it seems to be working well for them. I was told that there were many other cities like theirs all throughout Palatovia and they travel between them on dragons and usually at night time for less of a chance to be detected. Believe me, Father, their stories were fascinating beyond imagination.
“Before the two lagartos parted ways with me, they wanted me to show them the Book of Stars. Hesitant at first, I didn’t want to pull it out and I even wondered how they knew it was in my sack. They looked at me and I stared back trying to read them and their intentions. I will say, the lagartos have a way with their difficult-to-read expressions. After the awkward silence that lasted nearly a whole minute I took the book out of my sack and let them look at it. The book glowed a strange orange color when the lagarto held it in his hands and examined the pages. I had never seen the book do that before. It was as if the book was reacting to them. They studied the pages together and spoke to one another in a tribal language I couldn’t understand.
“Watching them in awe and upmost curiosity I waited for them to decide when to give the book back. I knew that if they tried to steal it, I could have very easily taken it back. I have my moments where I forget my own strengths, but it does not mean I am ungrateful for Sherson’s gift. May he rest in peace.”
Gathar looked away from Ptolemy and stared out the window from the second floor, “He will be missed.”
“I’m sorry, Father. I never meant for this.”
“Ptolemy, it is not your fault. Sherson made the choice, and he chose to save your life.” He looked back at Ptolemy as he spoke. “Please continue your story. I would like to hear more.”
Ptolemy cleared his throat and went on, “Eventually the two lagartos were done reading parts of the Book of Stars and handed it back to me without resistance. As soon as the book left their hands the orange glow had faded. It appeared as if the book absorbed the light and it felt warm when I took it back.”
“Hmmm!” Gathar ran a hand through his beard.
“I was getting tired at this point and decided to return to the family that was so kind to offer me a bed. I went in as quietly as I could. It did not take long for sleep to come. I set off in the morning after having a nice breakfast with the lagartos not knowing of the horrors I was soon to come across.
“I would love to see them again, but when I left the city the following morning, their farewell was given as if I would never return. I felt it in my bones. They were welcoming to me while I was there, but they did not offer for me to come back or visit. It may just be my young mind over thinking things as I typically do, but I have good reason to believe that the lagartos do not want to be troubled with the problems of the humans and the demons.”
“I think you are correct, Ptolemy.”
Ptolemy continued telling Gathar about the time that passed until they met again. Gathar sat quietly, almost in disbelief, and listened closely to Ptolemy’s story. He still didn’t understand what had overcome Angela and why she reacted the way she did when Ptolemy arrived. Just days before, she was telling him how much she missed their children. Ptolemy continued pacing the floor but had nothing else to say. Gathar stood up and placed his hands on Ptolemy’s shoulders, “We will find out what happened to your mother and set things right.” Ptolemy had stopped pacing and stared into his father’s eyes. It was then that he realized his father’s eyes were full of tears.
Chapter Fifteen
Above Serpent’s Current flew a majestic city full of dragons. Adult dragons. They surrounded the area and hid from the rest of the world. They survived on sea creatures and by making occasional trips to the mainland for fresh water, mating, and to check on their young. The fairies in the Dark Forest were entrusted with caring for their dragon eggs and babies. For many years, the fairies took care of the young dragons and did it well.
Dainela sat in the temple of the spirits and served the visiting dragons. Those who came to her had special requests. Some asked for provisions and others simply wanted advice. She served them to the best of her abilities and hoped the spirits would stay on her side.
She looked up at the gold pillars and thought deeply for the dragon before her. He had come to ask who would suit him for a mate to preserve his legacy. There was no simple answer to such a question and especially for this particular dragon. He had an appetite for destruction, was almost always in a rage, and knew very little about maintaining a relationship. His reputation preceded him and there was little hope for him to meet a mate. However, Dainela did not give up on this dragon. She had the little hope. She believed in the good of all dragons and thought they all deserved a chance to preserve their lineage. There was also a part of her that thought some did not deserve such a blessing. It was a feeling that tormented her, but also drove her to take the position to serve the dragons as she did.
The wind blew into the temple, rain started to fall outside and a thick fog crept along the ground of the floating city. Dainela shivered. An answer came to her she least expected and worst of all, she denied it. She stared into Nastros’s eyes and just couldn’t get herself to tell him. Although their city was in the clouds there were many more above them that opened up and started a torrential downpour of cold, hard rain. Dragons flew by the temple taking cover. Dainela shed a tear and decided not to share her answer with Nastros. “Give it time. If it is meant to happen it will.” Nastros frowned and was disappointed with the answer she had given. Their discussion ended quickly and he felt that she was just pushing him out to get rid of him.
Dainela bowed her head to Na
stros to let him know the conversation was over. He bitterly accepted the response and flew out of the temple into the cold rain. Within seconds he was drenched. She watched him fly away toward his home and shed a tear. She couldn’t help but feel sorry for Nastros.
Dainela sat and watched the rain from the cover of the temple. A gentle wind made the rain come down at an angle. Although the roof was thick and sturdy, the rain made a steady tapping as it pounded against the roof and echoed throughout the temple.
A high pitch sound broke through the rain’s steady rhythm. Dainela stared outside to see the cause. All she could see were thick gray clouds, and a few young dragons playing in the rain. They had stopped when they heard the noise too. It sounded again, a deafening pitch that nearly disoriented the dragons. The clouds turned darker. They went from the grayish hue to an almost midnight black. Thousands of flying spiders had appeared hovering over and around the dragon city.
The dragons had flown elves up to the floating city from their island of Rarotonga. The elves were a unique race with pointed ears, very fair skin that almost glowed violet, height beyond that of the humans. They wore fancy garments of silk and other fine cloth, and around their necks were tight necklaces of bone and tree roots. The elves placed great importance on living creatures as well as the dead and those who lived in the trees. On Rarotonga there were large and ancient trees, many that have lasted through countless wars and conflicts, which have seen races exist and perish, interconnected by roots and vines galore. The elves were superior hunters due to the nature for their survival. Although they were surrounded by thick foliage, the elves preferred to feast on animal meats than on plants.
When the flying spiders started appearing from the clouds, the dragons strategically positioned themselves and their allies, the elves, throughout the city. Fangs glistened as the spiders prepared for battle. Thousands filled the sky, and the sun was blocked out.
Nastros was infuriated by the sight and started swearing under his breath. He flew into the courtyard and stared, eyes flaring with madness. His leathery skin tingled and felt hotter than usual even with the sun blacked out. In some ways, the darkness was welcoming, but he wouldn’t admit it to anyone or anything. He heard the war cry of the hidden elves and knew immediately that the dragons were aware of the incoming swarm long before it happened. Within seconds, arrows from the city started firing into the sky. A sickening feeling of immense dread swept over Nastros. At that moment, he knew a fight against the spiders was futile, even for the powerful dragons. The urge to visit Dainela swept over him. For reasons he couldn’t explain he felt the need to be by her side.
The flying spiders started diving into the city despite the many arrows and dangers below. They moved in unison as if being controlled by one mind. Elves were being picked off one by one. Their hiding spots were revealed after they started shooting arrows. Dragons roared in disgust and fought as best they could. The spiders bit into the dragons’ hard fleshy skin nibble by nibble. One alone did not cause much harm, but when twenty or more spiders attacked one dragon they easily overcame the leviathan.
The streets became flooded with blood of the wounded. Arrows in the sky dwindled quickly, but the dark cloud of spiders did not thin. The elves didn’t believe in screaming out for help when hurt and relied on the spirits of nature to summon it for them if it was meant to be. The battleground was a silent graveyard. Above it, even the spiders quietly attacked. The only sound to be heard was flesh being torn.
Dainela looked out of the temple in terror. She had never seen such a plague in all her years, at least not one hell-bent on destroying the dragons and their city. With each dragon death she felt pain. It was the type of pain that an anguished mother felt when her young was hurt. Crippled by the pain, she lay motionless on the hard floor. A voice echoed in her ears, “Dainela! Dainela!” She looked up to see Nastros hovering above her. “Dainela! We must leave. The city is in ruins. There is nothing left for us here.”
Dainela tried to answer, “But, but—”
“There’s no time. All is lost and we must go before we are too. The dragons, they … they have been killed or have fled. There are too many spiders for us to stand against.”
“Wha, what?” she began to cry. The pain was real and it crippled her. Nastros realized what she was going through and barked an order at her to try and make her overcome the pain. Dainela looked into the city and witnessed nothing but carnage. The connection she felt with the dragons was lost.
Dragons flew to the elves’ island, Rarotonga, to tell them of the massacre. They were greeted by friendly but stern faces and none of the dragons wanted to tell the elves the bad news. An elder of the elves emerged from a hut built around the thickest of the ancient trees wearing several necklaces of bone and roots, laced around flexible vines and silk threads. She also wore a huipil of purple, yellow, orange, and blue with red stripes. Her arms were long and tone ending with well-manicured fingers painted gold. Upon the ground around her feet was a mystical glow that spread out several inches on all sides. She had an essence that brought life to the plants close to her. The leaves and stems grew strong and healthy and remained that way even after she passed or moved on. She looked at the dragons overhead as they circled the sky several times before landing. The dragons knew that the news would place a great sorrow upon her and thought of the best way they could share it. They landed on the soft earth several feet in front of her and bowed the way a dragon does.
“Gaia, my lady, elder of the Rarotonga elves, how do you fare?”
“Please spare me the courtesies and tell me what has happened, Pumryth. I may be old, but I am not fragile.”
“The elves that came to defend our floating city have all perished.” Pumryth looked at her with tear-stricken eyes. “My deepest sympathies.” There was a long moment of silence before either of them spoke again as they gave their respects to the dead.
She replied, “For they are one with the earth again, do not dwell on their passing but celebrate their sacrifice.”
Pumryth answered, “We do and we will.” Then he took off into the skies without another word. The dragons behind him bowed to Gaia and followed him in flight. Their next destination was another home of the dragons in which the land was hot, salty, and basically uninhabitable by most living things of Palatovia. Their home in the barren lands was not known as a city by any means but a mighty fortress suitable for a dragon to live in tranquility. Geysers blew out boiling water occasionally as if welcoming the dragons with a hearty hello. Despite their recent trauma, they felt a sense of peacefulness from the solitude.
In one of the tall spires of multilayered rock and salt was an opening large enough for even a full-size adult dragon to fly into with ease. Crystals of many colors lined the inside of the cavern and provided light in places where sunshine did not. The dragons flew into these caverns in a single file and spread out after they entered the main corridor within the rocky mountains. There were small openings looking up to the sky that the dragons had made by blowing streams of fire through the salty and rocky earth. Pumryth landed on a large stalagmite and stared ahead. Many of the dragons that had fled from the floating city tended to their wounds. The sadness that swept over him was overwhelming. He wanted to be there for his kind but saw nothing else he could do. His sadness turned to anger and he tore apart the stalagmite beneath his claws. It crumbled to small chunks of dirt and salt. Several dragons looked in his direction and he paid them no mind.
Chapter Sixteen
Lord Emalf had summoned other demon leaders to help him search the floating dragon city that he successfully conquered. Mal’ak, Daimonio, and Shedim came through a purple vortex just above the temple in the center of the city. Their massive size crushed the roof of the temple as they fell through it. Mal’ak, tall, muscular, and with horns like that of a longhorn of enormous size, snickered as the temple crushed below him. He found the destruction to be appealing despite the rocks that penetrated his thick skin as he fell through the roo
f. Shards of gold stuck in him and he plucked each one out with hysterical laughter. Emalf loved the nature of Mal’ak and knew he would be a great addition to his search for the artifacts that would ultimately bring him the power to take over and destroy Palatovia.
Daimonio was the quiet demon leader. He stood in the center of the temple and watched Mal’ak and his crazy ways but said not a word. Shedim was a different sort of demon leader. She was very serious all the time and rarely enjoyed anything that was not evil. She destroyed things for entertainment because that was the only way she could feel anything. The evaporation of the temple’s roof was just enough for her to smile for a second, but it went away as quickly as it came. She craved more destruction than Emalf could even imagine. Lord Emalf knew of her treacherous ways and was cautious not to give her too much power, for she may take over and destroy him. He had a few tricks to keep her in check, unknowing that she too was playing him for a fool.
Mal’ak looked at Lord Emalf and kneeled, “How can we serve you, my lord?”
Emalf answered, “Rise. We are in the floating city of the dragons of Palatovia. This was once their safe haven and hidden from the rest of the world over Serpent’s Current. Their city has fallen and they have fled. We will turn this city upside down searching for the artifacts I need. I want each of you to tear this city apart and find me those relics. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes!” they all answered in unison.
“After you find them, bring them back to me. If you find any survivors, you know what I want you to do with them.” Mal’ak, Daimonio, and Shedim walked from the temple and started searching the city without another word. Emalf waited in the temple for a few minutes before making his way out. He felt the urge to destroy them now, but he wanted their help in finding the artifacts first.
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