“You are correct, Sparrow. Another reason why the school had to re-open. There is something else you should be aware of, but it’s hardly important at present.”
Well, those words certainly pique my interest. I feel as if my ears are growing as they try to capture his thoughts.
“It is my belief that you are close to your twentieth year, so it isn’t something you would note for many years to come but—the more time you spend in close proximity to a dragon, the slower you will age. It is a bit of our dragon magic rubbing off on you, so to speak. That is why in the days of old, even though the riders were battle-trained warriors, they still had decades of being a dragon rider ahead of them. I may mention to you that it is a hard life for a rider. It is most physical and they are in the elements far more than the standard human and yet—yet, it would be an oddity to see deep wrinkles in a rider’s face or hair that lost the sheen of youth.”
“Wait… are you saying that dragon riders don’t age?” My jaw dangles at the thought. It would never have occurred to me that we would live longer by being dragon riders. Actually, the opposite is more what I thought.
“In truth, you will still age but at a feeble rate. For a rider, much is expected, so much is given. It has been this way as long as there have been riders.”
Having our internal conversations has been distracting me from the flight, especially from looking towards Grifton every blink of my eyes. Where it was dark when we found Elky and Ustice, here it is only now approaching sunset. When I look in their direction, I see Hu’gan has broken from the head of our formation and now is flying on the other side of Grifton. I’m glad he is close by in case Elky stirs. I squint and think I can make out the mountain range of our home.
“Yes, but even so, it will take hours before we are there. Rest your eyes. It has been a long day for all. It may be an even longer night. Catch what rest you can. I’ll jostle you awake before we approach the Spires.”
With those thoughtful words drifting through my head, I let my eyes slide down as I lean forward, arms draping against Dreyth’s neck. His contented rumble lulls me to sleep.
Chapter 9
Home
A rumble invading my mind, awakens me. Before I open my eyes I realize we must be almost to the Spires as Dreyth had told me he would wake me when we got close.
“Be ready. We’ll enter the Spires shortly. It’s likely to become chaotic once we all land and regroup.”
I yawn and just make out the base of the Spires ahead of us. A shroud of fog hangs ominously over its pinnacle, causing a shiver to race up my spine. The brackish scent of the sea soothes me after being in a foreign land. To me this will always be the scent of home.
As we approach the western entrance to the Spires, Hu’gan’s warriors split formation and hover on each side of the entrance allowing Hu’gan, then Grifton, to enter and slide from their dragons first. Dreyth and I fly in after them with Belinda right behind us. We make quick work of removing saddles and leaving them next to the walls for now.
Hurrying over to Grifton, I catch the last of Hu’gan’s conversation.
“…in the Armory where we will have enough space to work.”
Grifton, pale, nods and bites his lower lip before following Hu’gan. Not knowing what else to do, I follow too. As Hu’gan’s warriors dismount, they race to join the rest of us in the Armory.
His orders ring out in his native tongue as his warriors sweep past us heading in various paths. One warrior takes a lit torch and lights the remaining torches mounted on the walls of the great open expanse, filling the room with the flickering of an orange glow.
I feel my brow hitch as I watch Hu’gan. In one hand he holds a smudged-out torch marking the floors with an outline of a circle, but doesn’t stop there. He continues scratching long lines along the outside of the circle until it forms a shape of a star across the stone surface. Along each point, he drags the burnt end of the torch to form another circle. Inside the spaces formed between the points and circle, Hu’gan motions where we will stand.
A warrior brings a folded fur pelt and places it in the center of the first circle. Hu’gan walks with Grifton and instructs him where to place Elky. As this takes place, other warriors scurry along the fringes, bearing large, heated pots of water with steam surging towards the ceiling.
By this time, Hu’gan is met with several warriors all carrying sacks and pots of mysterious items. He reaches into several containers, tossing bits into the steaming bowls as he makes his way around the circle. Pungent scents hang heavy in the air. He gives last instructions to one warrior carrying a rectangular alabaster box before he moves inside the circle with Elky.
The hairs on my neck and arms bristle as he chants, walking around Elky. The thumping end of his staff against the floor makes the sounds of a drum beat or heartbeat, I can’t be certain.
From my position next to Grifton, I glance at him and Athan. Whereas Athan stands tall and on the alert, Grifton trembles and has a hard time keeping his chin from quivering. On the other side of Grifton, Ustice stands vigilant in the pie-wedge outlined by the torch. His shoulders are slumped and his head tilts towards the floor. Even his eyes reflected by torch light blaze deep sorrow every bit as powerful as Grifton’s.
My eyes dart back to Elky. The warrior with the alabaster box enters the circle and drops something into the steaming bowl next to her face. It looks like white baneberry, the white berry with a black dot in its middle. I’m reminded that mother taught us to stay away from the doll-eyed berries because it could lead to death. I’m glad he didn’t add the berries to the bowls next to us.
The wind howls through the openings of the Spires adding to my discomfort. Hu’gan intensifies his chants, the words and rhythm bouncing off walls and ceiling. Elky moans, drawing all eyes upon her.
A thin, sickly green florescent trail emerges from her chest and head and spirals slowly licking the ceiling, curling, leaving a snake-like smoldering trail against the rock. My eyes spring wide as I look at Ustice and discover the same trail, almost like a stream of thread-like green smoke rising from his head.
Grifton’s bloodshot eyes are wide. He seems ready to leap into the circle and grab Elky. Hu’gan moves closer to her, but holds one hand out indicating Grifton to stay where he is. Using his staff to scoot the bowl of water out of the circle, he motions a warrior to remove it. Sitting cross-legged behind Elky, his hands encompass her head. She gives a violent jerk, then is still.
“Grifton, you may enter the circle and sit by Elky. Seyra, sit on her other side. Quickly, she’ll awaken soon.”
I hurry to the other side of Elky and sit. Ustice is rumbling a mournful sound, one that clutches at my heart. I can’t help it; the tears burn my eyes and spill. I feel my heart pounding, trying to get loose. In this moment, I’m afraid. I’m afraid of so many things. I’m afraid Hu’gan’s spell-breaker may not work. I’m scared to death of what that would mean to Grifton and Ustice, as well as the rest of us that have come to rely on the gentle spirit of Elky, our shining soul of innocence.
Amber eyes blink open. We hardly have a moment to look at her when a thunderous roar sounds, loud enough to shake the ground I’m sitting on. Grifton reaches out and clasps her hand.
Elky jerks her hand away immediately, screaming a blood-curdling scream and shielded her face with her hands. My head snaps toward Grifton. His jaw is almost skimming the ground and he has one hand jammed under his nose trying to keep the tears from raining down. Ustice lowers his head staring intensely at Elky. She slowly peeks between her fingers and takes in her surroundings. She drops her hands and cries, “I’m home!”
Chaos ensues with her few words. Grifton lunges forward and smothers her with his arms. I reach out and pat her back, tears flowing full speed and Ustice continues to bellow but the tone has changed. It’s—powerful and valiant. I move to stand next to Dreyth and lean against him. One wing enfolds me. I hear so much noise around me but in Dreyth’s hold, I can’t see what it is.
“What? That the spell is broken?”
“No. I was thinking of the sudden gathering. No one has called them to the Armory. I think they felt the returning of Elky’s light, the same as we did standing here. It is the middle of the night and yet, here they are, jumping and jubilant for her safe return.”
I step away from Dreyth and look behind us to see the back of the Armory is jammed with people and dragons alike. Grifton turns with Elky in his arms to see the affectionate display. Elky wears a smile from ear to ear and waves to them, bringing a cacophony of cheers and roars. It is then I notice her eyes searching as she looks around and then behind her to find Ustice. She breaks away from Grifton and stumbles to reach him. His great arm shoots out and scoops her up and presses her close to his face.
“I was so afraid, Ustice,” Elky blathered. “We got separated and I was lost in some dark tunnel that I couldn’t find the way out. Who saved me?”
Ustice looks out over the field of dragons and people and moves a mighty arm out towards them. “I think we all did. You see, you gave each one of us a piece of your light and when you lost your own, all it took was everyone coming together to shine that piece of light we each held. It was just enough to show you the way home.”
She grins through her tears, just as I’m doing. I think Ustice said it perfectly. Elky does give each of us part of her light. I don’t think I noticed until her light was taken away, how much it impacts each of us. Looking around at all the cheering faces, I know I will never take it for granted again. Welcome home, Elky.
The commotion rattles off the walls, everyone vying for a moment with Elky. Grifton steps up to quiet the fervor. A shrill whistle grabs the attention of most and by the second whistle, the noise subsides.
“Thank every one of you for welcoming home my sister. It is surely a moment to celebrate.” More yells and roars meet his words. His hands motion for the sounds to level out before he continues. “We’ve had a long and worrisome journey to get here and to say we are tired is an understatement. But I’m here to bring the good news—tomorrow will be a day of celebration in honor of Elky and Ustice! Classes will be closed, the cooks will prepare a massive feast and we will gather at mid-day to fill everyone in on the journey taken. For now, as excited as we all are at the moment, let’s all find the rest we need to celebrate wholeheartedly tomorrow.” More excited shouts meet their ears, yet people do as asked and break apart, buzzing with thoughts of the celebration tomorrow.
Elky stifles a yawn as Ustice leads her to her sleeping quarters. I watch as Grifton follows close behind. I’m almost positive either Grifton or Ustice will be sleeping close by tonight… if nothing else, but for the reassurance this is not a dream.
I turn to see Dreyth standing near the central fire pit, flames dancing across his scales. I still hitch a breath when I see his magnificence caught by such a light. True to the nickname I gave him so long ago, he does look like the Night Sky, the blaze of the fire illuminating the sparkles in the midnight blue of his scales. The journey and anxiety is taking its toll on me. I yawn enough to swallow a small dragon.
“Look at how sleepy my Sparrow is. Off to bed, it will be a full day of festivities tomorrow."
A tinkling of mirth fills my head with his words. “I think I’d rather sleep in your lair tonight. I don’t feel like being alone.” I give him a sheepish grin. Sometimes I feel like I am still that fourteen year old girl hiding in the mountains, destined to be alone in the world.
A purr-like rumble surrounds me as Dreyth wraps me in his wing, shuffling us towards his lair. “Ah, my little one, you have felt my heart’s desire. Come. I shall sing the Gortel’tung, the dragons lullaby. And after that I shall sing one of my favorites, The Ballad of the Sparrow.”
Warmth envelops my face as I remember the words of his song for me. We’ve been through so much in a short five year span and I’ve learned much more than I ever thought possible. He is crooning the Gortel’tung as we enter his lair. It’s been freshly spruced by the warriors who’d remained when we went to find Elky. Dreyth makes quick work of tossing large furs across the edge of his freshly laid grass mound. He climbs to its center, wiggling down deep and waits as I climb into the soft furs next to his wing. I lay in exquisite comfort as his song for me stirs in the air.
“A deceitful deed was planned for me,
And the ones that I hold close.
Nets were cast, to bind us at last,
Or so Krulem would boast.
But he knew not, my fortunate lot,
That my rider worried of my delay.
In Taggert’s hand, a devious plan
To take my rider away.
But Stardust binds, her fate with mine,
And my Sparrow flew the Storm.
Taggert then learned, bonds can’t be spurned,
A new loyalty then was formed.
My Sparrow, my Sparrow—Savior of our Sorrow,
Broke the plan against my hand~
My Sparrow, my delight—saved us that night,
Braver than any dragon or man.”
It surprises me that I didn’t fall asleep to his singing, but once his wing drapes over me, a deep sigh breaks free… and at last, my eyes can close. We are weary travelers.
I open my eyes to light streaming into Dreyth’s lair. I slither out from under his wing’s warmth to stand and stretch. Dreyth still sleeps with wisps of smoke spiraling up from his snout. Twisting side to side, I feel the snap of my bones from the long ride yesterday. I start to leave the lair when I hear Dreyth stir. His cavernous maw opens wide in a yawn reminding me why I never want to be snatched up by invading dragons.
“Not to worry, Sparrow. I would shred them before they could even draw near to you. Speaking of invasions, I wanted to mention what I spoke with the dragons about last night.”
“Oh? When did you ever find the time?” I wonder aloud.
A chuckle tickles my ears. “It’s quite easy when I can speak to all of them at once, in their minds. Back to the subject, however. We know the sorcerers of Xi have found their way to us once and I have no doubt they will return at some point. We will now enhance our dragon watch. Previously, it seemed enough to have a dragon posted at each of the main entrances to the Spires. Now, that seems hardly enough. Because it was short notice last night, we decided to have a string of only six dragons perched along the Spires, looking for any harm that might come our way.”
I stop dead in my tracks. Sure, I thought they may come back someday but I wasn’t ready to hear the invasion could be imminent. “You think they’ll return and fight us? Why?”
“I was informed by Ustice, at least as much as he could share. Mind you, most of the time he was under the same spell as Elky but luck was on his side. Because of that, it was on Elky’s side also. When he felt the spell loosen its grip on his mind, he still pretended to be under control of the Xi. It allowed him to learn more about why they snatched them. He doesn’t know much in regard to what he calls the wingless lizards. But he does know the intent of the Xi was to drain the dragon magic from Elky and him, if they could learn how. They only got as far as being able to control Elky and have her control Ustice.”
I’m standing by the lair’s entrance with my jaw dangling in shock. “They—think they can steal dragon magic? The only magic I’ve seen is when you used the Lightning Magic. Is there more?”
“Much more. That is if we can find the flow again. There is an adage that says if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it. Well, that is where we dragons find ourselves. For hundreds of years there wasn’t a reason to use dragon magic. I, like most dragons, never thought an inherent magic would disappear until you strain to find its tendril and you feel nothing.”
“But,” I stammer for the right words, “w-wouldn’t that make us safe? We can let them know there is no more magic.”
; He rumbles deeply. “I’m afraid not. You see, they have already learned that if they can control Elky, they can control a dragon. Ustice didn’t know if they thought she could control all dragons or just him. Which means, all riders and dragons are at risk.”
My knees go weak as I slide down the wall, shock apparent on my face. I guess it didn’t occur to me the ‘why’ of them taking Elky and Ustice, besides the thought of them being Slavers and stealing them to sell off somewhere. This—this is equally as alarming, and the hairs on my arms and neck prickle at the thought.
Dreyth continues. “Today will be a day of festivities. Even so, we will have dragons posted in shifts across the Spires. We will be under heightened security from henceforward. That means no rider goes out alone. We will center the school’s focus on battle preparedness. Other studies will be put on hold until I feel we can handle anything that comes our way. I understand this sounds a bit harsh, but Seyra, I cannot risk what happened to Elky happening to you.”
One talon reaches out and lightly strokes my cheek. His eyes, while compassionate, also look forlorn, as if he already felt such a loss. “I understand, Dreyth. What can I do to help?”
“That’s my Sparrow.” He smiles. “For today, nothing. We will try to keep the day as jovial as it should be. After that, you can help me when we go to the villages to warn them about the invaders, asking them to get a message to us if they see anything out of the ordinary.”
I nod, although I’m frowning. I feel the need to look over my shoulder to see what danger lurks just out of sight. Dreyth tilts his head, watching me.
“I didn’t mean to cause you more worry. It is just as possible they may have seen their folly and they may not return. It is only my understanding of what men are like when they have a hunger for power… and what could be more powerful than being able to control all the dragons of the world? It is this reason I feel the need to put the Spires on high alert. Not so much for the dragons’ sake as much as for the riders. We spent hundreds of years as dragons without riders. As such, we didn’t carry the worry of losing our rider—our fated rider. Ustice didn’t have to say what it was like when Elky was separated from his reaching her. I felt it in him, the desolation. We cannot allow that to happen again.”
The Spires of Dasny: 2: Queen of Dragons Page 5