The Dragon War

by Salvador Mercer

  “They woke the dragons prematurely,” Diamedes snapped his fingers.

  “Indeed they did,” Morgan continued. “They did so in a calculated way to pit dragon against druid and thereby weaken both of their rivals.”

  “I was there for at least one battle,” Diamedes said. “Do go on, how did they execute their treachery?”

  “They hid themselves in disguises of magic that somehow went undetected by the council,” Morgan said. “At the key moment in the battle with the dragons, they joined the attack from our rear lines. They did not aid us in the battle but instead the dragons.”

  “That’s impossible,” Alyssa said. “The Kesh and dragons are enemies.”

  “Yes,” Morgan said. “That is what makes this treachery most egregious. With their magical cloaking, the dragons could not detect the Kesh initially and instead focused on their attack on us. We found ourselves surrounded and fighting powerful foes on two fronts. When the battle finished, the Kesh were revealed and the draconus fought them briefly before the Kesh used their magic to flee. I barely escaped with my life and returned to the domain that I was charged with protecting.”

  The gasps from the companions were audible. Diamedes, ever the historian, asked, “When did this happen?”

  “At first leaf,” the druid said referring to the start of spring when the leaves sprouted from the trees and the forests came alive.

  Zokar turned to Diamedes and despite speaking in a lower tone that was audible to all, he whispered, “This was not long ago. Two months at the most. You know what this means?”

  Diamedes nodded, “The High Mage knew when he held an audience with us.”

  “He has no adversaries left other than the dragons in his quest for power,” Zokar said.

  “Yes, and this revelation explains much,” Diamedes said, pulling his hand down, giving the druid a smile, and walking slowly in a circle around the group. “There’s still a few key questions to fill in the gaps, but my research was accurate. I only lacked the motive for why the dragons were awakened prematurely and now I have it.”

  “What do we do now?” Alyssa asked.

  Diamedes waved a hand and gave her a kind smile before coming back round to the druid and looking him in the eye he asked, “Can you answer a few more questions?”

  “Of course,” he said.

  “Your… Zashitors, protectors as you call them,” Diamedes didn’t have to finish his sentence.

  “Dead,” Morgan said, a tear coming to one of his eyes where it welled up and then rolled slowly down his cheek. “Dragon and Kesh.”

  “All of them?” Diamedes asked and Morgan nodded. “Do you know the ranger Felix?”

  Morgan nodded again and then seeing Diamedes face he said, “Dead too.”

  Diamedes stood stunned. It didn’t take long before the normally stoic historian mimicked the druid with more than one tear following their companions. Diamedes wiped his eyes clear with the sleeve of his robe and asked, “How?”

  Morgan nodded in support and spoke, “Felix was engaged with a dragon. A Kesh arch mage used his staff, bottom end first, to pierce him through his heart as he uttered a curse to the man and his lineage.”

  Diamedes listened intently committing everything to memory. “I find it strange that the Kesh would curse a dying ranger and his progeny when the man was not married and childless.”

  Morgan looked at Diamedes and narrowed his eyes, “You knew him?”

  “Very well,” Diamedes answered.

  Dour interjected, “Good man, Felix was, may the Father accept his soul into his kingdom.”

  “You did not know him well enough then,” Morgan said. When seeing the confused look on their faces he added, “Felix had a wife long ago and she gave birth to a child a decade ago before dying.”

  “What?” Diamedes asked. “Where is the child now?”

  “Under the care of Duke Uthor, Lord of Ulatha,” Morgan replied. “Why, you seemed confused.”

  Diamedes waved him off, “It’s nothing actually, especially when you informed me that his wife had passed.”

  “What ain’t you telling us?” Dour asked Diamedes.

  Diamedes shrugged, “You didn’t know her, but when I saw Olivia and Felix together, I simply assumed that they… that they would have…”

  “Would have what?” Dour asked, not caring for the historian’s awkwardness in answering.

  “They seemed happy together for the brief time that they were allowed. That is all I will say on the matter,” Diamedes then put his hands on his hips and looked at Dour.

  Morgan cleared his throat to gain their attention, “It may help if you knew that the ranger’s wife was one of Agon’s children.”

  “A nymph?” Diamedes asked.

  “Yes,” Morgan said, “Same situation as Damien here.”

  Dour snorted, “What is it with them damn women? They seem to be gettin around just fine from my point of view.”

  Damien frowned at his friend, “Now that is another uncouth and rude thing to say, especially considering the relationships involved.”

  “Well is there anyone here not sprung from the womb of one of them there nymphs?” Dour asked.

  “I’m pure Balarian,” Zokar said, smiling in his attempt to lighten the mood.

  “As am I,” Alyssa said.

  Diamedes raised his hand, “I’m positive my parents were Ulathans and humans.”

  Dour snorted and stomped the ground. “Fine, but what does this mean for us?”

  Diamedes lowered his hand before answering, “It means a large part of hope has perished if there are no rangers and no druids caring for the land anymore.”

  Morgan spoke, “I’m afraid I haven’t told you all the bad news.”

  “Ya think there could be something worse?” Dour asked. “I’d love to know what that would be.”

  “I would have thought a cleric of Akun would relish in this bad news,” Morgan said. “The dead have risen and now walk amongst us.”

  Chapter 16

  Dryad Trap

  They didn’t have far to travel before the druid showed them what he had meant. After walking a couple of hours they stood on a small hillock overlooking the larger plains of Pentost where far away the provincial town of Tannis was located. What they saw shambling through the open, grassy fields chilled them to the bone. There were dozens of undead walking about in search of prey. They seemed to be driven by some unseen force as all had eyes or eye sockets that glowed a creepy crimson in color.

  “Is that what you meant?” Zokar asked, lowering his stance so as not to be seen and tugging at the others for them to follow suit.

  The others knelt and Morgan answered, “Yes, it is. They infest the land now and I am at a loss for how to cleanse them from this realm.”

  Diamedes spoke next, “They look all too familiar.”

  “You’ve talked about this before,” Zokar prompted. “This was the realm of the black dragon?”

  “It is,” Diamedes said. “Even contained her powers spill out onto the land and leaves the world with a blight that can’t be dealt with.”

  “You sound poetic,” Damien noted.

  “I certainly don’t feel it, though I can say that I didn’t accompany the heroes on their quest in Kero swamp, but I chronicled it from a survivor.”

  “Felix,” Alyssa said.

  “Yes,” Diamedes said. “He told me the story almost a year ago.”

  Alyssa nodded, “So sad.”

  “We must move,” Morgan said. “The undead can sense our presence even this far away. Follow me.”

  The group headed north into a grove of trees that eventually turned into a forest. They followed the trees that became deeper and denser with the druid feeling more comfortable with every step. After some time they veered slightly west and Morgan allowed them a break. “You can rest here for an hour. After that, I can take you to the outskirts of Tannis if you’d like.”

  “That would be wonderful,” Diamedes said.

&
nbsp; Before anyone could say anything else, the sky darkened with fast moving clouds and a wind kicked up blowing leaves around them. They tried to shield their eyes and then there was a flash of white light. When they blinked and looked around, they found themselves surrounded by many women clad in sheer silk dresses that flowed in the still strong wind. Some had golden hair, others dark. Some eyes twinkled a delightful blue while others were strong browns and a deep green. All looked lovely and they smiled putting the companions at ease.

  “Lila, no, you mustn’t,” Morgan pleaded, looking at one nymph who seemed to be the most endearing of the group.

  She approached them. Her long brown hair swayed hypnotically in the strong breeze and her smile was captivating. “Do not fear, friends, for we are here to protect you.”

  “We don’t need protecting,” Morgan insisted. “We have a mission to perform before it’s too late. Let us pass.”

  The nymph continued to smile and tilted her head slightly as if vexed slightly by his rebuff of her offer. “Come now, Morgan, we have a history together and I promise you no harm will come to you or your friends here.”

  Dour couldn’t’ resist, “That’s usually when the harming starts.”

  Lila turned to look at him and smiled as if a child had said something silly before she resumed her gaze and attention on the druid. “We must protect our own as well. You would not leave our sisters in danger, would you?”

  “Of course not,” Morgan began, then he shook his head and tried to clear his thoughts. “What danger?”

  “From him,” she said, pointing to the east where no one stood.

  “What?” Morgan said.

  A figure suddenly shimmered and appeared out of thin air. Morgan’s eyes went wide in surprise. He raised his staff and took a defensive stance. The man looked very similar to Damien. Tall, swarthy with a metallic staff and an emerald gemstone atop it. His tasseled hat was the signature cap of the Kesh. He spoke, “Come now, Arnen. No need for us to vaporize each other. Allow these ladies to do their job and protect their sisters. Go with them.”

  “Who are you?” Morgan asked suspiciously, eyes narrowing and his grasp on his staff clenching harder. The companions had pulled what weapons they possessed out and readied for combat.

  Damien answered the question for him, “His name is Amsel, arch mage of Kesh.”

  “Speak not my name, Traitor,” Amsel said, directing his gaze at Damien. Once content that his point had been made, he resumed his focus on Morgan. “The High Mage has demanded a service in return for three of their sisters who reside in his domain. Go with them or the High Mage will execute them.”

  “He wouldn’t dare,” Morgan began.

  Damien spoke for the arch mage risking another censure, “Yes he would.”

  Lila stepped closer and got Morgan’s attention from the Kesh mage, “Help us, Arnen, please.”

  “I… I can’t,” Morgan said.

  “You are one of the Arnen, protectors of the weak and defenseless. Please help us.”

  She continued to approach and Diamedes spoke loudly, “Don’t let her near you.”

  It was too late. A distraction from the mage forced the druid to look at him at precisely the moment when the nymph closed the distance and grabbed hold of Morgan’s arm. In a flash of light the two were gone. “Nicely done,” the mage said. “Now take the others.”

  The group formed a circle and used their weapons to try and keep the women at bay. They in turned formed a circle around them and holding hands waited for a moment then one spoke. “The circle is complete, Kesh. Send us to our home.”

  Another flash of light and they were gone. The sound of the Kesh mage’s words clearly audible if not faint, “The High Mage will be most pleased.”

  The companions found themselves lying on the silky, soft carpet of grass under a warm sun with a slight breeze and birds chirping happily. Water nearby bubbled and bounced giving a pleasant atmosphere to their environment. Trees littered the area spread out amidst the grassland and they felt at peace in this new place as the disorientation started to wear off.

  “Where are we?” Alyssa asked, coming to her senses first.

  “No,” Diamedes said in anguish as he sat up and looked around. “This can’t be.”

  Zokar seemed confused, “Did something just happen?”

  “Where’s the Arnen?” Damien asked.

  Everyone except Zokar looked around and saw no one else. “He was taken by the first nymph,” Diamedes said, his voice deepened into sadness.

  “Who’s the Arnen?” Zokar asked.

  Dour continued to lay flat on his back but spoke nonetheless, “By the Father he’s got it bad.”

  “Got what? “Alyssa asked, walking over to her fellow Balarian.

  “That nympho lady rattled his noggin something good,” Dour said. “Shows that you just don’t know about folks. Who woulda thought it’d be Zokar of all us?”

  Alyssa bent over Zokar and waved a hand across his face, “You feeling alright?”

  “I’m fine, what’s for lunch?” Zokar said, shading his eyes from the sunshine and looking around still on his back like Dour.

  Damien had stood as well and assessed their surroundings, “I know this place.”

  “That is not comforting,” Diamedes said.

  “What do ya think that wizard fellow is doing out there?” Dour asked.

  Damien walked over to his friend and offered a hand saying, “You mean the arch mage, Amsel?”

  “Yeah, if that’s his name,” Dour said, taking Damien’s hand and sitting upright.

  Damien released his grip and allowed the cleric to sit freely. “He is probably reporting his success to the High Mage who not only thwarted Diamedes from fulfilling his mission but also saved the bounty in the process as well.”

  Another flash of white light assaulted them and their senses and after blinking away the after effects they saw a large man in furs and leathers looking rather disoriented as well as malnourished and disheveled. “Azor!” Diamedes said enthusiastically.

  The man had a woman next to him who was gripping his bare arm tightly. She released her hold and whispered something to Azor. Dour saw this and said, “What’s she saying to him?”

  The woman heard and answered, “I told him to join his friends.”

  Diamedes and Alyssa walked over to Azor and the woman back pedaled keeping a healthy distance between her and the group. Diamedes tried to be polite, “Thank you for bringing him to us. Where did you find him?”

  She looked at him and, not seeing any malice, answered, “He was roaming the forest in search for you. Bringing him to you felt like the right thing to do. You are all safe now.”

  “You call this safe?” Alyssa asked then scoffed at the idea. “That isn’t even a real sun overhead and your realm is not real.”

  “Actually, it is real,” Damien said, defending the nymph’s homeland somewhat.

  Alyssa softened her tone and looked at him, “I understand your relationship to these creatures, but defending their actions in abducting us against our will isn’t right.”

  “Perhaps you are right,” Damien said, looking pensively at Alyssa. “I think I understand your perspective.”

  Diamedes looked at Azor who blinked and stared back. “How do you feel, Azor?”

  The large Northman seemed to understand, coming to his senses and answering, “Diamedes?”

  “Yes,” Diamedes answered. “Do you know where you are?”

  “I’m with you,” Azor answered. “I started to lose hope in finding you.”

  Diamedes lowered his brow and narrowed his eyes, “How long have you been searching for us?”

  Azor shrugged, I’m not certain, but the many passings of the fire and sisters would tell me weeks at least. How you covered your tracks from the forest I do not understand, but your trail went cold and I roamed the area trying to find you.”

  Whatever time had elapses, or perhaps it was the statement from the Northman, but Zokar ju
mped to his feet and ran over to Azor asking, “Be specific, how long have you searched for us?”

  Azor blinked a few more times and looked at Zokar, “At least six weeks.”

  “That’s impossible,” Alyssa said. “We just arrived here a few moments before you did.”

  Damien cleared his throat and his companions slowly turned to face him. Dour even rolled over and stood up to join his companions in waiting for Damien to speak. “Time flows differently here. I have no doubt of the Northman’s words.”

  Silence came over the group as they started to comprehend what had happened, and was happening, to them. Diamedes looked at the woman who was a good twenty paces away now and asked, “Why did you bring us here?”

  The woman looked behind her as if expecting someone else to appear. Seeing no one, she lowered her head and whispered, “You were told why. You have saved our sisters by coming here.”

  Diamedes could barely hear her so he took a few steps toward her and then stopped when she moved away from him. He held out both his hands saying, “Please, don’t leave. I only have a few more questions I promise you, then we will leave you alone.”

  She looked about furtively then said, “Go on, quickly though, please.”

  Diamedes nodded at her, “Have your sisters been released by the High Mage already?”

  “Yes. He did so yesterday.”

  “Yesterday for you was when for us?” Diamedes asked.

  The nymph seemed confused and looked down for a second before an answer came to her, “Half the time that your friend was looking for you. I believe you refer to this as a month.”

  “Good, so they were freed a month ago?”

  “Yes, once word of your… situation reached the leader of the Arcane.” The nymph said. “He released them to us so that they could rest in safety in our homeland while Father Death passed in your realm.”

  “So there is no longer any danger in allowing us to return to our realm, correct?” Diamedes pressed.

  She looked at him and tilted a head in confusion. “Your realm is in danger so long as the Father is near. Do you not wish to shelter with us here in peace, harmony, and safety? We have sustenance for you all until the danger has passed.”