“What if we find the other four key fragments, then store them someplace safe where no one could get at them?” My mind flashed to the magic-sealed door beneath Whitespire. As far as I knew, I was the only one on Agreon that could wield all eight magical abilities at once. That meant I was the only one that could get through whatever power kept that door locked, so the keys would be as safe as possible.
“You believe you can resist the allure of using their power?” Kyanne asked. “Is it not the way of humans to seek more power, never to be content with what they have?”
“Some humans, maybe,” I said, “but I’m not one of them. I don’t care about princely titles or having people serve me. I just want to protect the people that can’t protect themselves.”
“Then answer me this, Ethan DePaolo,” Kyanne said in a quiet voice, “what if using the power of the six keys was the best way to protect those people? Would you give into the allure of that power then?”
The question caught me off-guard. I couldn’t imagine myself using any power as destructive as she’d said, but there had been a time back on Earth when people could never have contemplated using chemical weapons, suitcase bombs, or nuclear weapons. Terrible things had been done in the name of peace and safety.
“If there is one thing I have learned about Ethan,” Arieste spoke up before I could formulate an answer, “it is that he will always find a way. Not the easy way, the way that suits his needs or desires best, but the way that ensures the best outcome for everyone. He will sacrifice himself if it means he can save lives.”
“But that could very well be the temptation to use the Dreamkey,” Kyanne put in, and her eyes went to me. “Not everyone can be saved. Are you wise enough to know when using power to save the few can lead to the harm of many?”
“I’m wise enough to know that I don’t know everything,” I said with a shrug. “It’s why I need people like Rizzala, Arieste, Irenya, Letharia, and my friends to help me know what’s right. Not just right for me, but for everyone. It takes a lot of eyes to see the big picture.”
“A wise answer,” Kyanne said, and her expression grew pensive. “Perhaps you are capable of seeing the panorama.”
“So you’ll work with us, then?” I asked with a grin and extended a hand.
“Yes,” Kyanne said, then took my hand so I could help her to stand. “You must have someone to show you the way.”
“Hey!” Nyvea protested. “I’m already doing that! If she’s trying to put me out of a job, I swear I’ll--”
“She’s not replacing you,” I told the voice in my amulet. “She’s one more ally to help us out.”
“Glad to have you on board,” I replied, and ignored Nyvea with effort. “So if we’re going to go hunting these keys, where do we start? We already know the Lifekey is beneath Whitespire, but what about the others?”
“I do not know,” Kyanne said with a shake of her head. “I simply know the Dreamkey was entrusted to my safekeeping.”
“What about you, Arieste?” I turned to the white dragon. “Have you remembered anything more about the Sensekey?”
“Not as such,” Arieste said, and low growl of frustration rumbled in her throat. “But perhaps if I returned to the place where I lived for so many years, the familiar surroundings could unlock something in my memories.”
“Then that’s where we’ll go,” I said. With the last of the dragons on Iriador defeated, the kingdoms of Elloriel and Kingshome should be safe. But this new threat was one we definitely had to deal with. Thanks to Kyanne’s information, we were off to a good start.
“Do you humansssss have tabletsssss or ssssstoressss of information?” Letharia asked.
“Books,” I told her. “I think Whitespire has a library full of them.”
“Perhapsssss thesssse bookssss will contain sssssomething about the keysssss,” the green dragon replied. “I would be willing to ssssearch.”
“Good thinking!” I said with an eager nod. “Who knows what sort of things you can find in those books?” I turned to Rizzala and Irenya. “If you’re willing, I’d like it if you came with Arieste, Kyanne, and I to Frosdar’s lair.”
“Me?” Kyanne cut in before either of the two dragons could reply. “In this form, I believe the chill of Frosdar’s land would have detrimental effects on my wellbeing.” She looked down at her willowy frame, clothed in nothing but a flowing, gauzy blue dress.
“That’s where clothes come in handy,” I said and produced a cloak from one of our packs. “And, if it comes down to it, I can always give you a bit of ice or fire magic to shield you from the cold.”
“Give me…fire and ice?” Kyanne’s brow furrowed.
“Ethan,” Arieste rumbled. “Perhaps she does not need to know all our secrets yet, not until we’re certain she can be trusted.”
“You’re right,” I told the white dragon with a nod. “But I think this will go a long way toward helping her trust us as well.” I returned my gaze to Kyanne and pulled out the blue gemstone that had once been socketed in the crown of Curym’s head. “I’ve figured out how to pass different types of magic through these stones. If you help us, I can let you see for yourself.”
“Fascinating!” Kyanne stared first at her gemstone, then the stones set in each of my dragons. “That is something I would definitely wish to experience first-hand.”
“When we get to Frosdar’s land, you’ll be able to,” I said with a grin. “It’s a pretty awesome feeling, trust me.”
“Indeed,” Rizzala growled in her deep voice. “Like nothing else in the world.”
“A wise dragon…or human now,” Kyanne corrected, “always seeks to embrace new experiences, for only through experimentation can we gain knowledge.”
“Oh, so many wonderful experiences you can have with her!” Nyvea purred. “Purely for scientific research, of course.”
“That’s the spirit!” I told Kyanne. “We’ll head back to Whitespire where we’ll drop Letharia off to spend some time in the library.” An idea struck me. “Actually, now that I think about it, Windwall could have a library as well, and maybe the Priestesses could provide information as well. When we get back to Whitespire, I’ll ask General Daxos.”
“If he has returned,” Rizzala said.
“I’m sure it hasn’t taken him two days to make sure all the murlocs are out of Elloriel,” I replied. “Especially not after the way Irenya burned through their ranks.”
A low rumbling echoed from Irenya’s throat, something I’d come to recognize as the red dragon’s laughter.
I turned to the red and white dragons. “You two up for the trip back to Whitespire?” I asked.
“Certainly,” Arieste rumbled.
“You got it!” Irenya added. “It’ll be good to stretch my wings in the air again.”
My eyes went to Rizzala. “Do you want to run back to the city or ride with me?”
“With an offer like that, how could anyone refuse?” Rizzala said, and her lips curled back in a feline grin.
“Letharia, how do you feel about riding Arieste with Kyanne?” I asked the green dragon.
“I am willing,” Letharia hissed.
“Then let’s do this!” I said with a grin.
I placed a hand on the gemstone set into Letharia’s right shoulder, and I felt the tattoo on my left forearm begin to heat up as I pulled on the acid magic within the green dragon. The fire, ice, and darkness recoiled from the corrosive touch of the power, but the water simply flowed aside to make way for the acid. The magic filled my mouth with a metallic taste and set my stomach churning, yet I had grown accustomed to the sensations.
Watching the transformation was definitely an odd experience. Letharia’s long, serpentine body shortened and shrunk before my eyes. Her skin turned from a neon green to a pale white, and her tail split into two long legs. Her dragonfly wings curled against her tall, thin ribs and narrow waist, then transformed into two slender arms with delicate, long-fingered hands. Beneath her long, dark hair, however
, the emerald eyes that stared into mine remained the same.
The moment the transformation ended, Letharia turned and dug into her pack for the white dress she’d borrowed from Arieste. It seemed she wasn’t as comfortable with the scant clothing as the others and preferred covering up. A real shame, given her slender, well-formed body.
Rizzala tilted her head to the side to expose the black gemstone set into her neck. As usual, it took me a moment to wrest the sprightly, shifting darkness magic within her into submission. The magic was ever-changing and as dynamic as the warrior woman herself, and it refused to be channeled or controlled. I simply had to open the conduit and try to pull it into my body, even though it felt like trying to herd fog.
Her dragon body shortened, her rear haunches turned into legs heavy with powerful muscle, and her forepaws and haunches transformed to powerful arms and shoulders of a gorgeous deep mahogany color. She had the body of a professional athlete or warrior, yet a feminine beauty that entranced me. After the time we’d spent together in the corridors beneath Emerald Deep, I couldn’t deny my feelings for Rizzala. They weren’t the same as the way I felt for Arieste and Irenya, but no less real.
Rizzala showed no bashfulness as she stood in the thin shift, which barely concealed her full breasts and bikini-ready hips. On the contrary, she actually shot me a wink and a half-smile, as if in memory of our pleasure the previous night.
Rizzala and I gathered up the five packs while Letharia helped Kyanne climb onto Arieste’s back. The willowy, blue-haired woman moved with precision and elegance, every movement deliberate and controlled. When she settled into a comfortable position between Arieste’s spikes, she looked as if she sat on a throne.
I tied the packs onto Irenya’s back, then leapt up behind Rizzala. She made space for me, but once I was settled, scooted her body back until she pressed against mine. The woman knew what she wanted and, like a true warrior, wasn’t shy about taking it.
Irenya crouched and leapt high into the air with a single bound. I could feel the red dragon’s powerful muscles working as she flapped her wings to gain altitude, until we were circling high above the three-and-a-half towers that had once belonged to King Dentas of Emerald Deep. Our journey through the city had revealed a lot about not just the ancient city of the Elmentia, but about each of the women that journeyed with me. Our victory over Curym and the discovery of the Dreamkey would have marked consequences on our future and the future of the people of Iriador.
The five dragons on this continent had been dealt with, and I was well on my way to completing Barodan’s quest. There were still more threats to the rest of Agreon, but I had confidence that I could overcome them with the help of the five women beside me. Kyanna’s knowledge of the keys would help us to find them and store them safely out of reach of anyone who would seek to use them for evil. And, best of all, the kingdoms of Elloriel and Kingshome were safe from the dragons.
I felt my spirits lift as the sun shone down warm on my face and the wind ruffled my hair. Irenya quickly rose into the air, until we were flying over the sunken city of Emerald Deep. Through the blue-green water of the ocean, I could see myriad buildings and towers of black stone beneath the surface. It was like staring at the silhouette of some enormous sea monster, but this had been made by human hands.
Soon, we reached the shore and passed the white-foam waves crashing onto the beach. I shot a glance at the black gravestones that dotted the hills around the mausoleum where we’d made our entrance into the crypts of the Elmentia. I was more than glad to be leaving the land of the dead behind and get back to the world of life, laughter, and friends.
The island flew by beneath us, and once again we were hurtling over the archipelago of islands clustered off the eastern coast of Iriador. Red and white sand beaches gave way to the flat coastline, then the deep marshes on the western edge of Curym’s territory. Within fifteen minutes, we’d crossed out of the blue dragon’s land and into Zaddrith’s swamps.
Bright sunlight set the water-covered bogs sparkling, and I was again struck by the strange beauty of the swamps. I’d hate to be down in the stagnant, fetid water, but this high above the land, I couldn’t help loving the scenery. A forest of lush green and brown trees sprang up ahead of us, and the stink of rotting vegetation drifted up on the wind.
To my relief, we hurtled through Zaddrith’s bogs and entered the rolling hills beyond. The purple, red, and orange flowers dotting the hills came as a welcome sight after all the deep blue ocean and green marshlands.
A smile touched my lips as we flew over a section of land that had been blackened and scorched by Irenya’s fire. We’d made General Daxos’ job of finishing off Zaddrith’s minions a whole lot easier. I glanced in all directions in a vain hope that I’d spot the Blackguards riding across the hills, but we saw only empty seas of green and pale yellow grass.
Then we reached the forest of dense oaks, tall pines, and broad-leafed maples. I scanned the trees for any sign of magical creatures but found no trace. That meant the Blackguards, Grey Hunters, and White Guards had done their jobs right. The kingdom of Elloriel could get back to a peaceful existence free of the fear of dragons and their minions.
The Crystal River was a magnificent blue ribbon cutting through the forest, the sunlight on its fast-flowing surface dazzlingly bright. Half an hour later, we were racing toward the western wall of Whitespire.
The White Guards and recruits on the wall hailed us with shouts and waves, and I responded by saluting them with a blast of fire into the air. The cheers grew louder as we flew over their heads and over the city itself.
“To the command tent,” I shouted at Irenya.
The red dragon banked to the right, toward the southern edge of the city where I’d hoped to find the tent where Sir Galfred, Adath, and General Daxos. I wanted to update them on everything I’d learned in Emerald Deep, the victory over Curym, and my plans to hunt down these mysterious keys.
To my surprise, I found an empty square where the command tent had stood. The city of Whitespire had returned to life in the day or so that I’d been absent. Workers rushed around hauling lumber, bricks, and stone to repair the damage done to the buildings during the battle with Zaddrith and Curym. Even a few merchants had opened up their shops in the Whitespire market, and farmers with produce-laden wagons were rumbling through the now-unblocked city gates. Yes, the people of Iriador were hardy and resilient, and things could return to their peaceful state now that the dragons were gone.
I was about to turn north to head in the direction of the palace when I caught a glimpse of a tall, broad-shouldered man with hair as fiery red as Irenya’s scales. There was no mistaking Sir Galfred even in a crowd. The knight was standing and shouting orders to the workers repairing the gate, city walls, and the nearby homes.
Sunlight shone on the bald head of the man beside him. My smile widened as Adath’s bearded face turned up to us, and he raised his hands to wave at us. All of the White Guards, recruits, and workmen in the area glanced at us, and their shouts and cheers echoed off the city walls.
Irenya swooped low, snapped out her wings to pull up, and landed lightly on the broad avenue in front of the city gate. Even as Rizzala and I leapt down from Irenya’s back, Arieste descended beside her, and the two huge dragon bodies crowded the wide lane.
“Ethan!” Adath said, and a huge grin split his face. “That was faster than I expected. Don’t tell me you’ve already saved the world in just one day.”
I strode over to my friend and pulled him into a hug. “What can I say?” I asked as I pounded his back. “I work fast.”
“I wonder what they think about that,” Adath said in a mocking tone. “From my experience, women would rather things last a little longer.”
“No complaints on my end,” Rizzala said with a grin as she clasped Adath’s arm.
Adath turned to me, and his eyebrows shot up. “Her, too?” He threw up his hands. “Some men have all the luck!”
Sir Galfred beamed
as he drew me into a bear hug that threatened to crush my ribs. “The Goddesses smiled on you, my friend.” Even though he hadn’t recovered fully from his wound, he was still strong as an ox.
“It seems they’re pretty happy with you, too,” I told the knight. “The city is looking a lot more like the Whitespire I remember from the day I arrived.”
“Aye, so it is.” With one arm around my shoulder, Sir Galfred turned to regard the bustling workers and soldiers. “It will take time for things to go back to normal, but thanks to you and your companions, we’ll have that time.”
“We’ve got General Daxos to thank, too,” I said. “Speaking of, has he returned from hunting the murlocs yet?”
“Not yet.” Adath’s brow furrowed and he shook his head. “We were expecting to at least hear word from them this morning, but there hasn’t been so much as a messenger.”
His words sent a spike of worry radiating through my gut. General Daxos could handle himself in a fight, but Adath had said he and his men were exhausted when they rode out the previous day.
“I can go look for him,” I told the Grey Hunter. “I’m sure Irenya or Ariest would be willing to--”
“Rider from the southwest!” The cry from atop the wall cut off my words. A moment later, the guard shouted again. “It’s Orten, one of Grendis’ lads!”
I whirled and raced toward the city gate, and I heard Rizzala and Adath pounding along behind me. Even Irenya and Arieste lumbered after us, with the still-healing Sir Galfred matching their slower pace.
I raced through the now-open gate just as the rider pounded up the hill. As they drew nearer, I could see the horse was as exhausted as the man clinging to its back. Blood stained Orten’s pain-twisted face, dripped down his side, and flowed over his mount. The horse had a nasty gash along its flank, and it was sweating hard and panting. I reached Orten just in time to catch him as he fell from his saddle.
I’d left my waterskin with my pack on Irenya’s back, so I tapped into my water magic and used it to summon a small trickle of what I hoped was fresh water to flow over Orten’s face and into his mouth. Immediately, the man jerked upright and sputtered as he tried to swallow the water.
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