by Jordan Baker
"I am Jax Larian, a humble thief," he said, staring down at the blade, which was a mere finger's width away from his throat, and he noticed the faint sparks of energy that coursed along her arm.
"A thief?" The younger of the two gave him an accusing look. "Thieves steal. I don't like thieves."
"Well, I'm only part thief," Jax said. "It seems that I am also a friend of a friend."
"A friend of a friend?" the lizard girl asked. "Tell us of this friend, and don't lie."
"Yes, well," Jax said. "He is a goodly sort of fellow, though a little on the serious side if you ask me, though it seems he's mixed up in a lot of troublesome things, which I suppose might make someone a little serious."
"You talk too much," she told him, and the sword moved even closer.
"He's your friend, Aaron," Jax said. "He gave you this sword, which once belonged to me, I might add." The blade slowly moved away from his neck and Jax breathed a little easier.
"Where is he?" the lizard girl asked.
"In the city," Jax told her. "I didn't get your name."
"I am Lexi, and this is Tash," she said, glancing at her younger friend.
"Well, Lexi and Tash, your friend Aaron told me that the smartest thing to do is to get as far away from this city as possible. After some of the things I have seen, I would heed such a warning."
"We came to save Aaron," Tash said. "He's got the shadow in him and he's going to fight the evil queen all by himself."
"I am going to save Aaron," Lexi said to Tash. "You're going to go back to the desert."
"I will not," Tash said. "I can be a dragon, just like you."
"No, Tash," Lexi said, her expression turning dark. "You aren't like me."
"I can do it," Tash insisted "I want to help."
"It is too dangerous."
"I don't care!"
"Well, I do!"
"Um, you might not want to talk so loudly," Jax said. "If you don't mind me asking, how do you plan to help our friend?"
"That's none of your business," Lexi said.
"How do we help Aaron?" Tash asked.
"It doesn't matter because you're leaving," Lexi told her.
"No I'm not, and you can't make me!" Tash cried and she suddenly shifted into a young lioness and growled.
Jax backed away, realizing that he was not simply dealing with two strange young girls who seemed to be smitten with the young man in question.
"You would fight me?" Lexi hissed.
"I don't want to, but I will," Tash growled back.
Lexi slid her sword back in its scabbard and turned to face her friend.
"She would kill you in a second, Tash," she said. "Without even so much as a thought, you would be dead."
"She can try," Tash said, defiantly.
With lightning speed, Lexi leapt toward the young lioness and grabbed her by the neck. She lifted her off the ground and smashed her up against nearby tree and Jax was astonished at how quickly the girl moved and her power and precision. Tash, in her lion form, wriggled and struggled, her claws slashing against Lexi, but strangely doing no damage. Jax watched in horror as claws grew from Lexi's hand that held Tash against the tree, becoming long, viciously sharp looking talons.
"She would kill you, Tash," Lexi said, then she let her fall to the ground. Tash reverted to her other form when she landed as Lexi looked down at her. "You would already be dead."
"But I want to help," Tash said, her voice breaking and tears appearing in her eyes.
"I know," Lexi said. "But you can't." Lexi turned to Jax. "You are leaving the city like Aaron told you. Will you take her with you and make sure she doesn't try to follow me?"
"How about we all leave," Jax suggested.
"No," Lexi said. "I have to help Aaron. He protected me so I will protect him. Besides, I should be the one to kill the Xallan Queen."
"Why is that?" Jax asked, a little curious.
"Because she is my mother," Lexi replied.
CHAPTER NINE
Vana walked slowly out of the cavern where Vale had chosen to nest, and she stood outside in the darkness, looking at the four young dragons, little more than drakes, who stood perched on the rocks, standing guard. They bowed their heads to her in respectful deference, and she growled her acknowledgement, a deep but quiet rumble. What she had seen inside troubled her greatly, and the sorrow that emanated from the cavern matched the tragedy she had felt not so long ago when Vale was born. It was very unusual of for a wyvern to have so many eggs in a clutch, which was clearly due to the line of the Akandra. They were different from other dragons, for they did not usually mate with dragonkind, or at least it was rare. Sadly, the many eggs in the cavern, which had been fine and strong, were now showing signs of trouble, and no matter how regularly Vale warmed them with her fire, even with the help of her young vassals and their flames, many of the clutch were beginning to fail, just like so many other dragon eggs had over the years.
With a great push from her powerful legs, Vana leapt into the night and rose up from the canyon, then with a beat of her wings and a flick of her tail she headed back toward the dragonmount. It was time the elders knew what was happening, not that they could do anything about it, for it was not a new problem, but that they would be reminded that there was something wrong among dragonkind. Vana flew through the high cliffs and climbed higher into the sky, looking down over the mountainous land and the heat of the flows just beyond, and she noticed something unusual. She dipped her wing and soared toward the red orange glow of the flows where a fountain of lava spewed into the sky. As she drew near, the molten spring retreated back into the flows, and at its center, which had somehow already cooled to rock, she saw a young warrior, dressed in gleaming armor. He waved his hand before him and a kind of bridge appeared, then he walked across the flow, in the direction of the dragonmount. Vale let out a loud roar of challenge, and the warrior turned and looked up into the sky.
"Should I be worried?" Brian asked.
"No," Kroma told him. "It is a dragon, a wyvern to be exact."
"A dragon?" Brian was surprised, and he began to reach for his axes, but he felt Kroma tug at his thoughts.
"Leave them, Brian. There is nothing to fear," Kroma said as a powerful wind kicked up in front of them and a great, dark shape landed heavily on the rocky ground.
"Who is this speaking with two voices?" Vana asked with a growl, her thoughts echoing in Brian's head. "What a strange creature you are."
"No stranger to this place," Kroma rumbled. "Though there is much I must discuss with the elder dragons."
"You can hear him?" Brian was amazed, then he realized something else. "I can hear you talking as well?"
"It is unusual for one such as you to speak in our way," Vana commented. "How are there two of you when I see only one?"
"We are two, and one in the same," Kroma replied.
"That is most strange," Vana said.
"What is your name, goodly wyvern?"
"I would have yours first," she replied, her growl a challenge, but the sound of her voice almost amused in its measure.
"The young man you see before you is Brian of Ashford, a brave and stalwart warrior, and I am called Kroma."
"I am Vana of the Aledra," she said, her tone suddenly more serious. "Kroma, it is good that you have returned to the world."
"After a fashion, yes," Kroma said.
"That you are here is enough," Vana replied. "There are troubles with dragonkind. Perhaps you may be of some help."
"How can we help a dragon?" Brian asked.
"We shall see, won't we," Kroma replied, then he looked up at Vana. "Would you carry us to the dragonmount or shall we wait for you there?"
"Wait for me there?" Vana tilted her head, curious. "I would think that upon the wing my way would be faster."
"It is but a leap and a jump away, but I am somewhat weary from traveling so far," Kroma said, and Vana lowered her head.
"I will carry you," she said.
Brian stayed where he
was, staring up at the giant creature.
"Well, come on," Vana said.
"I don't know if I am ready to ride a dragon," Brian said.
"Come, Brian, it is an honor to be permitted such a thing," Kroma said.
"Maybe it is, but I just crashed through the earth and through burning hot melted rock. It's a little much to handle all at once."
"Forgive us, Vana Aledra," Kroma said. "If you would prefer we find our own way to the dragonmount, then that is fine as well, Brian. It is up to you."
Brian took a deep breath.
"No," he said. "I will do it. I just needed a moment."
"You seem very young, Brian of Ashford," Vana commented.
"I am a grown man," Brian said and he walked up to the giant, horned head that was barely more than a shadow in the glow of the nearby lava. "Come dragon, I am not afraid of you. Take us to this dragonmount."
Brian heard the dragon rumble with laughter as he climbed aboard her neck, and he almost lost his grip when he felt himself lifted up and, in an instant, the creature leapt into the air and took flight. The dragon flew so quickly that the wind whipped Brian's eyes and he wanted to cover them with his hand, but he dared not let go. It did not take long before they landed once more, and Brian climbed off Vana's neck, his legs feeling a little weak.
"You have our gratitude," Kroma said. "We must speak with the elders at once. There is a problem with the blood of the world."
"The blood of the world?" Vana listened to his thoughts more closely to discern his meaning. "You mean the flows."
"Yes," Kroma replied, understanding what she meant.
"What is wrong with the flows?" Vana asked.
"They have become corrupted," Kroma told her. "It is best that the elders learn of this."
"Yes, I agree," Vana said, then she stepped toward the mountainous cavern that loomed before them and let out an enormous roar, with flashed of liquid flame spitting from her mouth and landing on the stone ground, lighting the way. "Come, I must speak with the elders as well."
"After you, good lady dragon," Kroma said.
Vana smiled and, with a nod of her head, she rumbled past, moving her enormous bulk into the cavern with a speed and agility that Brian found fascinating to watch. As her tail slid past him, he followed, walking into the mouth of the cavern.
Brian felt a tug at his thoughts.
"It might be best if I addressed the dragons," Kroma suggested.
"Please do," Brian said, not even knowing what he would say, and still amazed that he had already spoken to one dragon already this day.
Once they were all the way inside, Vana bellowed once more and it seemed like the whole mountain shook around them with the echo of her dragon voice. The flames that spilled from her mouth lit the floor of the cavern, casting dark, flickering shadows up where deep alcoves appeared to line the walls all around.
"Vana," a dry, growling voice rasped. "What is this that you have brought to us?"
"A visitor," she said. "I will let him introduce himself."
"These creatures do not speak in this place," another voice growled.
"Elder," Kroma said, his now voice rumbling with power that shook the mountain as much as the roar of the dragon. "It has been many years since I have stood in this mountain and spoke to dragonkind."
"Who are you that speaks with such a voice?" a deep, gravelly voice boomed from high up in the cavern.
"I am Kroma, a dragonfriend," he answered.
"Kroma left this world," one of the dragons snorted.
"The gods have returned," Kroma said. "In one form or another, we have returned to this world, for the shadow has fallen upon the land."
"We have heard stories of this," said another dragon. "It is none of our concern for the shadow does not bother us here."
"Perhaps your wisdom fails you," Kroma said, and Brian could feel the god bristling with restrained anger. "The shadow does not leave any part of the world untouched."
"Let the other creatures defend themselves," said another. "We have the flows, we are satisfied.
"The flows, as you call them, were my gift to you," Kroma rumbled angrily, and Brian felt his power shake the mountain.
"If you are who you claim to be," said another voice, but it was less sure.
"I came here, seeking your help, but I have discovered something very disturbing," Kroma said, pressing onward. "The blood of the world has been corrupted by the shadow. The flows are like a poison to dragonkind and they must be cleansed with truefire."
"Nonsense," one of the previous dragons growled. "Dragons visit the flows every day and there is nothing poisonous to dragons."
"It is a slow poison," Kroma said. "It will not kill you, not right away, but it will harm you. It is an old corruption that has not been seen for many generations."
"Did you come here to try to frighten us with lies?" rasped another dragon. "We are dragonkind. We do not frighten."
"You do not listen," Kroma said. "I say the shadow has returned and you do not care. I tell you there is poison in your well, and you refuse to even question if my words are true."
"There is nothing but your words, you who claim to be the god, Kroma," said another dragon. "We will need more than words, no matter how powerful you make your voice."
"Will deaths be enough?" Vana asked, her voice a low roar as her anger smoldered hotter. "How many clutches have we lost? How many dragons have not been born? Could this be the work of the shadow?"
"Few among the clutches become hatchlings," said one of the dragons. "It has long been thus."
"Has it?" Vana asked, incredulous at such a claim, for the memories of her wisdom told her otherwise.
"Once, long ago, there may have been more of us," the elder responded. "But we have long known that most dragon eggs do not survive."
"And Kroma himself comes to you saying that the flows are poison and you do not think to question if he is right?"
"You have always been one to question everything, Vana," an elder rasped. "Perhaps that is why you no longer sit among us."
"I question your wisdom," Vana said. "I question the wisdom of the elders, that a warning would go unheeded, that word of the shadow has come and we would do nothing, that our kind may be dying, and yet you are blind to it. My daughter will lose her clutch because of this, and a mighty clutch it is, but each and every egg is weakening."
"Then that is the weakness of your line," said one of the dragons.
"No!" Vana roared. "The Aledra are not weak. Something is wrong. Something is terribly wrong."
"What is wrong is that your challenges continue to be tolerated," said another dragon. "Perhaps it is time the Aledra are considered more wildling than dragon. Perhaps a response is necessary."
"You would dare to suggest such a thing!" Vana's fury burst forth in acid fire that spat from her mouth.
"We tire of your foolishness," rasped an old, dry voice. "Go, Vana. If you are unwilling to accept the decision of the elders, then you will be declared a wildling. It is clear to us that you are not of a proper mind."
Vana was about to give her furious response when she felt something. The young warrior had rested his hand on her foot, and it felt not like the hand of such a small creature, but the powerful and weighty claw of a dragon. She felt a thought directed to her, and her alone, bidding her to be calm.
"I will consider your words," Vana growled, breathing slowly and letting the fire within her subside.
"This is most regretful," Kroma rumbled. "It is sad to see dragonkind fallen so low as this."
"Do you challenge dragonkind?" one of the elders growled.
"No," Kroma said. "I wish you no harm, and I bid you well."
"We must leave, now," Kroma said, and Brian turned and walked out of the cavernous chamber, with Vana following.
They exited into the cool, night air and heard several screeches as dragons, roused by the rumbling among the elders took to the sky, instinctively looking for a challenge. Vana looked dow
n at Brian.
"It might be better if neither of us were to remain here," she said, then she lowered her head. "Will you come with me? Perhaps you might help my daughter."
"Brian?" Kroma said. "Are you willing to travel in such a manner once again?"
"I think I could get used to it," Brian said.
"I doubt it will become a regular thing," Kroma said.
"Then, let's go," Brian said. "I might as well enjoy it while I can."
"You really are very young," Vana said and she sighed in momentary amusement as Brian climbed onto her neck.
It did not take long before they flew down into a deep canyon and the great green dragon landed heavily in front of a cavern guarded by four dragons. Vana let Brian down from her neck, and he followed her as she lumbered inside, leading him down a long tunnel until it opened up into a much larger space that was illuminated by strange roots and vines that Brian had never seen before. It was hot and humid in the cavern, with pools of steaming water and there were countless large round stones, sitting among the foliage upon the rocky ground. Brian quickly realized that what he thought were stones were actually dragon eggs and he was amazed at how many there were. Vale rumbled a low growl and two dragon eyes slowly opened in the shadowy corner of the cavern.
"Vale," Vana said, speaking aloud. "I have brought a visitor."
"Who are you?" Vale asked, sniffing the air.
"I'm Brian," Brian said, feeling a little awkward.
"You smell like stone, and the flows," Vale said, sniffing a little more. "There is something strange about you. You have two scents."
"I am Kroma," Kroma said, his deep voice rumbling through the cavern. "Brian has allowed me to have a form in this world."
"Kroma is the name of a god," Vale said as the distant memories of her inherited wisdom flashed with feeling and images and she knew that he spoke the truth, though he was different than he once was. "Your voice is more powerful than you look."
"I am not as powerful as I once was, but that is of little matter at the moment" Kroma said. "Your mother, the lady dragon, Vana has told me of your troubles, and there may be a chance that I can be of assistance."
"What can you do?" Vale asked. "The clutch is failing and I cannot give them fire enough to save them."