by Adams, A. D.
Chapter 64 - A Search for Knowledge
(Learning From the Past Is a Hard and Sometimes Arduous Task.)
355 set of seasons since the coming of the Averons
The old Sinut did not even remember how he got back to his cave.
The sight of a dragon turned human was beyond even his understanding. The only place he had ever seen such a reference was when his friend the old land nymph brought out that carving. He went to the black liquid pool and began to concentrate on his friend’s image.
The familiar devastated land came into view. As the great wall came to his attention, he could see a battle had just been fought. Hundreds of dwarfs lay dead just outside the wall, and their cohorts were carrying off a few. As the old Sinut focused on his old friend, he found him sleeping in his cave. He was obviously tired by the battle of which he just viewed the results.
“Old friend, wake up, wake up,” the old one saw the wavering transparent image of his sea nymph friend. He slowly pushed himself up to a sitting position with some trouble.
“We just finished another battle. My power is beginning to elude me. I hope you have good news about the boy,” The old land nymph said in a very tired voice.
“I have some good news, but I need to talk to you about a new wrinkle in his life.”
“What new wrinkle?”
“The dragon that was his companion has changed to a human female form. He now has a mate. I don’t know how this was done since dragons are immune to magic.”
“My god the WOGAN!”
“What?”
“Wogan, Woman Dragon,” the old one said.
“How do you know that name?”
“It’s in this old book that I have had for years.”
“Book?”
“Yes. I think it’s the oldest text on Tone. Remember I had a library before the war. I saved only a few things when we were driven here.
One was the carving I showed you, the other the book. It tells of what would have been the future at the time but is now the present. I always thought it was nothing more that a book of old legends, but when it correctly predicted the rise of the great human wizard and his part in our downfall, I knew it was more than simply legends.”
“Why didn’t you tell me of this before?”
“Because I. I suppose, I wanted to keep the knowledge to myself.
I’ve always been jealous of your freedom and the fact your people avoided our fate. I should have told you, but it does not say the two would be the same.”
“What are you talking about?”
“The book describes a great wizard that will come and defeat the human Wizard and the darkness.”
“Darkness?”
“I don’t understand that term; it may mean his armies. Then there are missing pages, and it starts up talking about the Draman and the Wogan. It says a man will be born that will be both dragon and man, and he will mate with the Wogan who is a woman and a dragon. They will rule the world and bring peace. It seemed to me that these would be separate events.”
“This boy is more than a wizard. Magic is part of his soul; each beat of his heart pumps the power of Tone itself through his veins. When he uses magic, Tone responds by giving him all it has. We are only users of the magic around us. That is why when he demands magic, it is pulled from us.”
“Does he realize this?”
“He only knows that the power is his. He has no interest in where it comes from or why it is within him. It is as much a part of his existence as our arms are a part of ours.”
“Can I see this book?”
“Yes, of course I should never of kept it from you. Just pride I guess.”
The old land nymph rose to his feet and slowly walked to an ancient cabinet. He opened the doors and lifted a huge book from the middle shelf. It was half his size and obviously heavy. He slowly carried it to the table and opened the ancient wooden cover carved with elaborate symbols, whose meanings were now lost in time. The first page had the ancient script printed in gold. In the dark cave only lit by a few torches, it actually glowed with a strange luminescence.
“It took me years to decipher the whole book. It oddly enough has a translation alphabet in the back. Here is where the missing pages are.
There seems to be about ten gone,” said the old one as he opened a section near the end of the book.
“So we are looking at more than just the one who will battle that old bastard wizard; we actually have the new leader of Tone on our hands,”
said the Sinut.
“Yes, I think we may. You said she changed. What about the boy?”
“I don’t now. They are very private, and he must becoming better at using his magic, for I can no longer feel his presence in the flow of magic like I once could. It’s as if he is becoming invisible.”
“If you are right about him being part of Tone’s magic not just a manipulator, it may be he is merging into the flow. Perhaps, finally, it’s time for him to take his place on this world,” the old land nymph said with hope in his voice.
“I don’t think he is yet interested in Tone as a whole. He is still primarily concentrating on his dragon mate. Nevertheless, soon he will have to start acting.”
“Can you push him into moving on our behalf?”
“No, not yet. If I push him, he may simply walk away, or he could destroy me without a second thought.”
“You think he is that powerful.”
“I know he is.”
“How much longer can you hold out?”
“Maybe eight or nine set of seasons. Not much more than that. My power is beginning to slip. I have a couple of assistants, but no one with true magic ability. They just don’t seem to be born anymore.”
“I know what you mean. I have found no one to train or even to take my place,” the old Sinut said in a disparaging voice.
“Could you search that book again and see if it says anything that might help us?”
“Yes, I will start after I have rested a bit,” said the old wizard in a voice so tired that the Sinut knew it was time to leave.
“It’s time I left. I will return in two sun-risings, and we’ll talk again.
Good-bye old friend,” the Sinut said as his floating image dissipated into mist and then was gone.
Chapter 65 - Learning to Cope with Change
(It is not easy to learn a New Way of Life.)
355 set of seasons since the coming of the Averons
Fienna awakened before Terra. She looked at him with love in her eyes as he lay at her side. Her stomach began to gurgle and seemed a bit upset; but that seemed like nothing compared with the changes she had gone through. She watched the peaceful face of her mate and wondered how much power he truly possessed. She thought of what might have happened if it had not been for him. Her mind seemed still a bit confused. This sun-rising was the sun-rising that all would know of her change. She was tired of staying in the cave and wanted to go out. She decided it would be this sun-rising, and no one would stop her. After all, who could hurt her with Terra at her side? She then began to feel the stirring of Terra’s mind. He was starting to wake. Her mind flooded with his conscious thoughts and with hers.
“Are you all right my love?” he mentally inquired.
“Yes, except my stomach is a bit upset.”
With that, Terra touched her with his glowing hand, and instantly she felt better.
“Will you always make me feel better no matter what?” she thought with a level of concern he had never felt in her before.
“Nothing on Tone will ever stop me from being with you and giving you all the happiness I can.”
Fienna got up and walked to the edge of the pool and watched the waterfall.
“I want to go out this sun-rising. I don’t care who knows that I’m a human now,” she thought with determination.
“Fine let’s go,” Terra said as he rose to his feet. The two walked out of the back cave and down the path next to the stream. As they left the cave,
the sea nymphs were the first to see Fienna. There were ten or so of them, and they seemed to stop in unison and began to stare at the dragon made woman. Then the three dragons flying overhead suddenly saw the new human. Two of them landed on the rim of the crevice looking down at Fienna.
Lowlack was flying toward the crevice to check on things. He had become quite a leader, and he was happy with the responsibilities. As he approached the crevice, he saw two of the guard dragons sitting on the rim looking down, and the one that was still airborne was twisting his head looking down at the same spot. Lowlack increased his speed, and as he crested the rim, he saw Fienna and Terra standing near the front of the cave entrance. All in and above the crevice were staring at them. Even he had to admit it was a sight to behold. He quickly roared his disapproval of the guard dragons sitting watching the site, and the two immediately took off and resumed their protective duties. Lowlack knew that the news of another human in the crevice would spread like wild fire through the dragon world. The next gathering was only a few sun-risings away, and he felt an announcement was in order. But who would do it? Lowlack leaped from the rim and glided down to the pair.
He landed just in front of the cave.
“Are you sure this is wise? No one knows you’re a dragon turned woman. Perhaps you should return to the cave,” Lowlack said with concern in his voice.
“No! I intend to live in the open. I am a human, so be it. I will not spend my sun-risings in a cave,” Fienna said defiantly.
Lowlack admired her strength and will. Just then, Dawra crested the rim and saw the three of them. She immediately glided down and landed next to Lowlack.
“What are you doing? Everyone will see you!” Dawra said with both fear and shame in her voice.
“I can’t live my life in a cave. I won’t live my life that way,” Fienna said as defiantly as before.
Dawra was surprised at the power behind her words, and she did understand her daughter’s point even though it angered her.
“Well, I can’t stop you from showing the world what you have become, but I don’t have to like it,” she said with anger.
“Dawra, did you go to the cave of the ancient ones?” Lowlack said to break the tension.
“How did you know I went there?”
“Just a guess.”
“Yes, I looked at the old pictures.”
“And!” said Terra as he spoke for the first time.
Dawra looked down at Terra with a bit of fear mixed with anger.
“They show what some might say are pictures of you. I don’t believe they are though.”
“Why?” Lowlack spoke up.
“They are too old; no one from that long ago could possibly know what would happen this sun-rising,” she said in a dubious tone of voice.
“Were there any other pictures that might help us understand what is happening?” Fienna asked in a calmer tone of voice.
“I was looking, but an old dragon has moved into the cave, and he interrupted me. He wanted to know what I was doing. I told him to go away it was none of his concern, but he just kept bothering me, so I finally left.”
“There was nothing else you saw?” Terra asked.
“No, just all those odd symbols and jagged lines.”
“I had heard that old Tarsack had moved into the cave,” Lowlack said.
“Who is the old fool?” Dawra asked in an irritated tone of voice.
“Some say he is the oldest dragon alive. He comes to the gathering but always keeps to himself. I don’t think anyone has talked to him for seasons. I had heard he moved into the cave, but it seemed such an odd thing to do, so I discounted it as a rumor.”
“Well, he was certainly annoying and very talkative when I was there.”
Terra then spoke up. “It’s time we told all the dragons of Fienna’s change. It’s better if they learn the reality, rather than a bunch of rumors and half-truths.”
“The gathering is in two sun-risings. Do you want me to take you?”
Lowlack Said to Terra.
“I will not leave Fienna right now; why don’t you go and tell them?”
Terra said.
“I introduced my daughter to the gathering; I think it’s my place to announce it,” Dawra said.
“As you wish,” Terra said in deference.
“What about the nymphs?” Lowlack said looking at them in the lake, still with a little disgust in his voice.
“We’ll take care of them right now,” Terra said as the two started walking to the shore down the sandy path. The path was in much better shape than before. Fienna was wondering how this happened.
“The nymphs have been repairing it, and they have brought a great deal more sand,” Terra thought to her in response to her wondering mind.
The two were naked since clothes were used by them primarily to stay warm, and the sun was making the crevice a comfortable temperature. Terra had his arm around his mate’s waist, and her long hair flowed in the light wind. The sun seemed to outline their bodies in a glow, and Fienna’s multi-colored skin seemed to sparkle. The two seemed like an unreal vision from the heavens as they descended the path to the lakefront. The master guard, Topac, came slowly almost reverently up to the two as they approached the shore. He seemed almost awe struck as he spoke.
“Sir, who is this lady?”
“This is Fienna, the greatest dragon on Tone. She has changed, and we are mates for life,” Terra said in an almost matter of fact voice.
Topac stumbled back a bit and seemed tongue-tied.
“Terra and I wish to swim,” Fienna said in a beautiful but powerful voice.
“Yes, yes, of course my lady,” Topac said in an excited and confused tone as he stepped back and allowed the two to pass by. Topac immediately summoned the closest guard and told him who she was and instructed him to tell the other guards not to bother the two but watch them closely and give them any help they required. He then moved down shore and dove into the water leaving the two more or less alone. Terra walked into the water, and Fienna followed holding his hand. They were waist high when Fienna’s fear began to swell in her mind. She was no longer a dragon and had no idea how to swim.
Suddenly, her mind was filled with all the swimming experience Terra had and is was as if she had been swimming like a human her whole life. Her fear dissolved into an absolute conviction of her swimming prowess. Then in her mind she heard her love.
“You can swim as well as I. Come.”
With that the two dove into the water and came to the surface swimming in unison. They swam and played for what seemed only a moment to Fienna, but the sun was setting, so she knew it had been some time since they entered the water. She felt free of all her concerns and fears for the first time since the change. They both left the red waters of the lake reluctantly and slowly walked back to the cave. They laid together on the entrance rock in front of the cave and allowed the setting golden sunrays to dry their bodies.
As the moon rose and the sun set, a small group of nymphs came walking out of the water headed by the Old Sinut and followed by the king, his daughter, and Seana, both of whom were carrying baskets.
Fienna and Terra sat up. Fienna was leaning back against Terra’s chest.
One of Terra’s arms was protectively around Fienna’s back under her arm, and his hand cupped one of her breasts, his other supporting the two of them. The small group approached.
“You have let Fienna’s condition be known to the guards. Is this wise?” the Old Sinut said in a questioning and gentle voice. His tone surprised the others; he had always talked to them in as menacing a voice as could be imagined.
“I will not be trapped in a cave the rest of my sun-risings. We don’t care who knows,” Fienna said in a somewhat defiant tone.
“I understand, but it might be better if you wore some clothing.
Humans do this to protect themselves from the elements,” the Sinut said.
“I wear clothes only when it’s cold. I see no reason to change just
because Fienna is now human,” Terra said with apparent little concern for the Sinut’s opinion.
“Well, whatever you say, but Seana and Setilan would like to help Fienna make some clothes for the times she becomes cold,” he said.
“That would be fine,” Fienna said.
Fienna got up with Terra’s help, and the three women went into the cave. Terra walked to the edge of the rock and looked across the lake.
“Do you have any plans?” the old Sinut said.
“No,” Terra said rather bluntly.
“Are you planning to do anything other than stay in this crevice?”
“No.”
“You have no desires or things you would like to achieve,” the king asked.
“We only wish to be happy. We have no need to leave this crevice.
There is nothing we want outside this place,” he said with simple honesty.
“Perhaps you should have asked Fienna her opinion,” the Sinut said.
“She knows what I am saying and agrees with it.”
The old Sinut knew that this conversation was leading nowhere. He now knew that Terra and Fienna could somehow communicate without talking or even being in each other’s presence. He also realized that Terra would be a reluctant leader, but a leader he would be.
“Do you know that the one who attacked you did not die in the fall from the bird?” the Sinut asked in an attempt to get a reaction from this man who seemed not to be concerned about anything.
“So,” Terra said with no fear or hatred.
“Are you not afraid of her returning?”
“I don’t know what fear is. Fienna sometimes tries to explain it to me, and I can feel it in her once in a while. But, I really don’t understand it. So to answer your question, no I’m not afraid of her or anything for that matter,” he said in a casual tone of voice.
Suddenly, the Old Sinut and the King simultaneously realized Terra knew no fear. They looked at each other with utter surprise. Now they could understand some of his actions. They both seem to comprehend that such a being without power was dangerous. A man without fear that possessed the power that Terra did was unthinkable. Fear in many ways controlled the actions of intelligent beings, but nothing controlled this man except the obvious lack of hatred and his desire to help more than harm. If it were not for his natural kindness, he would be beyond dangerous. Neither knew quite what to say and excused themselves, quickly reentering the water.