by A. Evermore
He touched his side where Keteth had mauled and poisoned him. It was tender, but no longer burned in agony. He threw back the covers only to stare in shock. The wounds were healed - only thin white scars remained where once there had been jagged gashes. Someone had gone to great lengths to heal him. He reached for the flagon of water beside his bed and drank it all, feeling some strength return with the cool water.
He sat still for a long time, piecing together what he could remember, hoping to commit them to memory in case they faded like a dream upon waking. The last thing he remembered was staring down at karalanths aiming arrows up at him, everything after was a hellish nightmare. A croak made him jump. His looked to the window where a big raven now perched, its dark brown eyes looked at him questioningly. Issa’s raven, he recognised it easily now. It always seemed to be the cause of all his troubles.
‘Where is she?’ he’d meant to whisper, but it came out a croak. Issa’s face flashed in his mind, and with it came a desperate need to see her in the flesh, to know she was all right. He felt the raven press upon his mind, and a shadow passed over his eyes.
‘All right,’ he sighed, and closed his eyes to accept the raven’s message.
The vision was hazy. He was flying low over an ocean, it was night. At first there was only calm sea, and then he saw purple lights and a pale figure. Issa and the Wykiry. She was safe. He would have leapt out of bed for joy, had his body been able.
The vision moved fast. The raven flew higher, and he saw dark shapes speeding towards them. Ships, at least three of them. They were of a type he had never seen before, and they were big, even at this distance. The Recollection flickered in his mind. He had seen them before, but through another’s eyes, and long ago in Drax. The same heavy black wood, the same curved wooden masts striking up towards the sky, bristling spikes upon the ocean’s surface. His mouth went dry.
He turned as the raven turned and looked to the horizon. More dark ships loomed, and above them black things flying. He shuddered and the vision moved. Magic surged, and the sea churned under flares of fire. He looked down and saw Issa clinging to wreckage. His heart raced. The Wykiry circled close around her protectively. Though she lay motionless her aura shimmered indigo blue and he knew she was not dead. Yet.
Asaph broke the connection to the raven so swiftly the world spun. In a daze he struggled out of bed only to stagger under his own weight. He had been bed bound so long, his body seemed to be made of lead.
‘By Feygriene’s fire, get me to her,’ he gasped.
He grabbed the pile of clothes on a stool beside his bed, and with shaking hands yanked them on, uncaring if they were his or not. In the struggle to pull on his trousers, he lost his balance, fell through the curtains, and stumbled over Coronos.
The older man sat up with a gasp. Asaph was equally alarmed at the dark circles and weariness on Coronos’ face. He looked as if he had aged ten years since he’d last seen him. He regained his balance, and reached out to squeeze the Coronos’ shoulder, shocked to feel the bones beneath. He looked up at Asaph in disbelief.
‘My son? Is this a dream? Is it you?’ his voice was hoarse, then he pulled Asaph down into a fierce hug, tears falling down his cheeks. Asaph returned the embrace and the worry he felt for him was replaced with joy. ‘Praise Feygriene, I thought I’d lost you. I thought I’d lost you,’ Coronos whispered.
‘Me too, father. I have been to a dark place,’ he said, his voice rough and weak from lack of use. They held each other for a moment and then Asaph pulled away.
‘Keteth is dead, father. I’ve seen it. You must have felt it in the Flow. Through Issa, the Night Goddess has freed him and all those he had imprisoned. That’s why I was able to wake, Keteth’s hold on me was broken when he was killed. Father, I have no time to explain more. Issa is in terrible danger. Keteth’s gone, but now the Maphraxies come for her. I must go to her.’
A hundred thoughts and denials seemed to flicker across Coronos’ face as he opened his mouth to speak, then frowned. He looked at the raven perched patiently on the windowsill, seeing it for the first time.
‘The raven… always Zanufey’s messenger,’ Coronos breathed. His eyes glazed as if the raven too showed him a vision. ‘Yes, Keteth is gone, I’m sure of it. I had a dream and saw his death on the blade of a white dagger, but now I know it was no dream. Thank the goddess you have been released from his clutches,’ he smiled and closed his eyes for a moment.
‘I can feel it in the Flow. There has been a change, as if darkness has been lifted from the world. The flow of magic is stronger too.’ Coronos opened his eyes and focused upon Asaph. ‘And now, in the blink of an eye, you are back only to go again. Yet I know you must go to her. My son, you have been terribly sick. You are not strong enough and may yet still die if you go to her now.’ Coronos wrapped his cloak around his shoulders despite the warmth of the room. The worry in his face caused a pang of guilt in Asaph’s stomach.
‘Believe me, father, I wouldn’t go if I didn’t have to. By the love of Feygriene, I’m the only one who can help her now.’
‘The Dragon Lord returns to us,’ a man said, and appeared from behind a curtain.
Asaph blinked at the deer man smiling at him. He remembered the karalanth attack on the shore, but it seemed such a long time ago. He smiled and frowned at the same time, hadn’t they tried to kill them? Coronos spoke as if reading his mind.
‘Don’t be angry, there is much you have missed. Without their help, and the seer they brought to you, you would be long dead.’
‘Seer?’ Asaph raised his eyebrows. He had never seen one except at a distance in The Recollection. She had worn pale blue robes, held an air of wisdom and humility about her, and seemed to command powerful magic. Coronos had told him about seers years ago when he was a boy but he had never thought much about them.
‘I vaguely remember a young-faced, white-haired woman,’ Asaph nodded. ‘Though I thought it was a dream.’
‘That was her. Seer Naksu,’ Triest’anth said.
Asaph frowned and shook his head, he didn’t have time to think about seers.
‘Thank you all for everything you’ve done for me,’ Asaph said, hating the weakness and fatigue in his voice. ‘I’m only sorry that I won’t have time to repay you. I must leave immediately,’ As soon as he had spoken his vision wobbled and Triest’anth reached to steady him.
‘A dark cloud has been lifted from the world, but Coronos is right; I too feel danger growing…’ Triest’anth said glancing at the raven still perched upon the window ledge. ‘But the raven of Zanufey never lies, so you must hurry and help the slayer of the White Beast. None can travel as fast as a dragon, but first you must eat somethingb otherwise you shall definitely die,’ he said with finality.
‘I don’t have time to eat,’ Asaph protested, struggling into his shirt.
Coronos went to help him whilst trying to avoid his flailing arms. The karalanth took a red leather pouch from a shelf, and poured the contents into the pot hanging above the hearth. He added honey and water.
‘The seer left this for you upon your awakening,’ Triest’anth said, dangling the empty pouch before him. ‘She said you would have much need of it. She saw some of the near-future, that much I’m sure. Her magic was strong, even in these times.’
‘You cannot go alone, you are not strong enough. Take me with you.’ Coronos continued his protest as Asaph fumbled with his sword belt and dropped it.
‘But I must go alone, I cannot carry another,’ Asaph said.
He gave up with the belt and let Coronos put it on. He reached for the steaming cup Triest’anth passed him. He took a gulp, almost scalded his throat, but continued to splutter down the contents as quickly as he could. Whatever the liquid was it was sweet and heavily spiced, and for a moment he thought his stomach would throw it back up. The sickness subsided and hot energy flowed through his body.
‘That’s powerful stuff,’ he said, feeling his strength returning.
‘The i
nitial strength it brings will last only for a few hours, and then you will be weak as a newborn fawn. Make sure you are somewhere safe if you cannot make it back to us in time,’ Triest’anth said, as Asaph reached for the door, Coronos trailing behind him.
‘You have my thanks for all you’ve done. That and much more. I will return as soon as I can,’ he smiled. He didn’t know the deer man, but after all they had done for him, his sincere thanks was all he could offer.
‘My son, please reconsider this journey,’ Coronos said, grabbing the lantern by the door as they left the hut.
‘Father, you cannot come with me. It’s too dangerous, and I don’t know what I’ll find.’
‘Think you I have not flown a fresh dragon before? It was I that taught them how to carry humans on their backs,’ he said, stubborn-faced. ‘With the Orb of Air, I know how to create a strong favourable wind that will get us there in half the time or less. I’ll not leave you again,’ he crossed his arms over his chest.
Asaph groaned. He didn’t have the energy spare to argue, and Coronos, once decided, would not be swayed. He actually wanted him to come along, but felt sick at the thought of placing him in danger. He dropped his shoulders and sighed, beaten.
‘All right, all right, but I’ll take you to the shores of the mainland and no further. I daren’t travel over ocean with another on my back. Besides, it’s easier for me to search for her alone, like I did in the Shadowlands, and I may need help from afar.’
Coronos was silent, considering.
‘Right then,’ he said, clapping his hands together with a grin. ‘From there I’ll scry for her, and my magic might reach you, with the orb’s help of course. What on earth have I just gotten myself into?’ he frowned. Asaph grinned.
‘We’ll need the thickest rope you can, and the strongest fabric,’ Coronos said, turning to Triest’anth.
Asaph watched the two men disappear back into the hut, only to emerge a few moments later with rope that took them both to carry, and a thick woollen sheet. Coronos dumped them down in front of Asaph, put his hands on hips and smiled.
‘Which way do we go?’ he asked.
‘The ocean lies due west. You can follow the river all the way,’ Triest’anth said.
There came a squawk and the raven landed nearby.
‘The raven will lead us, as always,’ Asaph grinned. Perhaps the bird was growing on him, though the memory of it stealing his mother’s ring still irked him.
‘Ah-hah,’ Coronos said with a wink. ‘Are you sure you are able to fly?’
‘You wouldn’t believe me if I told you where I have been, and what has happened to me. I did not walk in darkness all the time,’ Asaph said, thinking of Faelsun and the Dragon Dream. He would talk to Coronos of it, but not yet.
‘Let’s go,’ he said, urgency driving him. ‘But not here,’ he added, looking around. ‘I don’t want to cause dragon panic.’
They made their way to a small clearing just beyond sight of the village. Suddenly he was worried. What if the dragon form did not come? Keeping his face an unreadable mask, he coughed and pretended to tighten his sword belt. Triest’anth looked on with bated breath, as if ready to run should the dragon fear take him. Coronos was looking into the distance, though Asaph could tell he was being politely disinterested.
Well, he had not done this in public before, so why not make a show of it? He smoothed his hair back, and reached both arms forward, flexing his wrists. He closed his eyes and took three big loud breaths then held in the fourth. He stilled his mind until it was flat and still like a pond. All thoughts fell away, and he calmly, confidently, turned towards the dragon within. The golden dragon lifted its massive head and opened its shining sapphire eyes. He was sucked towards those glowing orbs and there came a flash of light.
His body was growing, skin thicken as it spread over muscles that massed and bulged. New limbs sprouted outwards from between his shoulder blades and felt as if they would grow forever. Claws pushed forth from fingers that had become giant. His mouth and nose grew long and powerful. Huge fangs slipped down and up in his mouth. Ancient magic flooded his body and soul as if from some great hidden reservoir.
He continued to grow until he thought he would never stop, and then, all at once, there came stillness and quiet. With his eyes closed, he stretched out his wings and tail, feeling the power of his muscles awaken as if he had been asleep for a thousand years. Any fatigue and weakness he had felt in his human form was gone from his dragon self. He filled his lungs with the forest air and felt fire rumble in his belly.
This was what he was, this was all he wanted to be. I am Dragon.
Asaph opened his eyes and looked up at the starlit sky just beginning to brighten with the coming dawn. He breathed out and looked down. Far below him stood an open-mouthed Coronos and a trembling Triest’anth. Coronos clapped his hands, barked a laugh, and embraced the shaken karalanth.
‘I’m ready,’ Asaph said. Though he spoke quietly, his voice rumbled like thunder.
Under Coronos’ direction, they secured the ropes and blanket around Asaph’s neck and back to fashion a crude but strong harness.
‘It will be fine,’ Coronos reassured. ‘I have done this before,’ he added indignantly under Asaph’s bemused gaze. ‘Though with much better materials,’ he added with a frown.
Asaph gave a smoky snort and lay down upon the ground, making himself as flat as possible whilst Triest’anth pushed his father up onto his leg. Coronos grasped the ropes and hauled himself into his seat.
‘Phew, it’s been a while,’ he puffed, wiping the sweat on his brow. He wiggled about for a bit, securing his staff and orb, and arranged himself comfortably. After a moment he stopped moving and said magnanimously. ‘I am ready.’
‘Finally,’ Asaph snorted, and stood up. He didn’t like Coronos on his back at all. What if he fell off? He was far less excited about the whole thing than his father seemed to be, and desperate to be gone from here.
‘Good luck, friends,’ Triest’anth called out. ‘Woetala protect you.’
Asaph nodded and Coronos waved. He stretched his wings and bunched his muscles. There was no room to run forwards and launch for trees blocked his path. He would have to jump into the still air and beat his wings hard for lift. He leapt, easily clearing the trees, and beat his wings as hard as he could, feeling them fill with air that pushed him into the sky. Coronos yelped excitedly. Asaph laughed, and circled once around an open-mouthed Triest’anth to gain more height, before turning due west along the frothing Arin Flow.
He looked for the raven, and the tiny bird darted fearlessly under his belly with a squawk. He followed as it turned southwards, and soon they were speeding low over the forests of southwestern Frayon. In his dragon form he easily felt when the Orb of Air drew on the Flow, and soon a strong wind was pushing them forwards.
He flew faster now than he had ever done before, and it was glorious to feel the wind gushing under his wings. The forest below was a green blur. He glanced at the raven close beneath him, using his slipstream. The bird barely needed to flap its wings, and he could sense it was enjoying the speed as much as he was.
‘That was very well done,’ Coronos applauded, shouting over the wind.
Asaph tilted his head to glance back at him, wondering if he was pleased for his father’s praise, or indignant that a human should offer such opinions on a dragon’s performance.
‘Now don’t tilt too far. With me on your back you are less streamlined,’ Coronos said.
All at once they came to a jolting stop, hanging suspended above the trees with barely a move of Asaph’s great wings. Coronos fell forwards with a shriek, struggling against the rope of the harness.
‘Who’s flying?’ Asaph said, his voice sweet for a dragon.
‘Mmmph, yup, right you are,’ Coronos squeaked. ‘Just a thought, that’s all,’ he said quietly, rearranging his robes and shifting himself back to his original position.
‘Just focus on getting that orb to
create a gale in our favour.’ Asaph beat his wings and caught up with the raven, hoping Coronos would remain silent for the whole journey. But Coronos was far too excited and continued to chatter. Asaph was relieved when he didn’t offer any more advice.
‘You must tell me more of what happened,’ Coronos shouted. ‘Say we are moving fast. I hope the raven can manage.’
‘I’m sure Issa speeds it on too,’ Asaph said. He struggled not to think about her. In the exhilaration of flying, he found some solace from worry. Though it was wonderful to have another join him in the exhilaration and freedom of flight, he wished he could focus on just the enjoyment.
‘Hah. I’m remembering more and more the art of the Dragon Rider,’ Coronos said. ‘Although I will never be young again. Still, this is a boon to an old man.’
As they sped west, away from the growing light of dawn, the sky remained the same colour, dark and with a tinge of blue. He knew the dark moon had not long set because he could feel its power just beyond the horizon.
‘The dark moon has set,’ Asaph said. ‘I think her power comes from it.’
‘If that is true, and I think you are right, her strength will wane when it does,’ Coronos shouted back.
He had to reach her before then, or the Maphraxies would take her. He angled his wings to as keen an angle as he dared with Coronos on his back, and reached out with his mind, searching for the familiar feel of the flame ring. He found it - a tiny pinpoint of flame-red light in the Flow, far into the distance. It drew him on faster. Coronos gripped the rope about his neck.
There came the smell of salt and then the ocean loomed ahead, a dark blanket lying upon the land. With the slightest angle of his wings, Asaph curved down towards the shore where waves crashed upon the rocks. He slowed and made a smooth landing, pleasing himself immensely. He laid low and helped Coronos dismount and undo the ropes.