Light Chasers (The World of Lasniniar Book 0)
Page 39
— Chapter Twenty-One —
Learning Curve
The Quenya was his! The words sang in Vlaz’s mind. The dragons who served the Quenya with the elves had been forced to abandon their pursuit once he and his remaining minions entered the mist shrouded fens. Although he had lost more drakhalu than he had wanted, they were replaceable. There must still be a few scattered elves who had not made the pilgrimage to Vila Eadros. Once his drakhalu had a chance to recover, he would send a team to hunt them down. They would be easy prey.
Now Vlaz led his remaining forces through the Hamad Orom. The mountains loomed overhead, casting huge shadows under the pale light of the dimmed moon and stars. They were very close to home, which was a vast network of caverns that went deep into the heart of the mountains. There was no way the elves could reach their precious Quenya now, short of all out war. Still, his enemies weren’t decimated as he had hoped they would be after his attack. Somehow, they had been warned. He comforted himself with the knowledge their numbers had been significantly decreased. They were in no position to invade the dark lands.
Vlaz felt a stab of annoyance that the leaders of the Light Elves still lived. Only the golden witch could have summoned the power to destroy his minions and only her white-haired male had been close enough to protect her while she worked her magic. Numril should have killed them. No drakhal born of the Orag had ever managed to countermand his wishes. It left a bad taste in Vlaz’s mouth. The only thing consoling him was the bouncing weight of the sack tied at his waist. He stroked the stitched elfskins and smiled. Now that he had the Quenya, he would make both of them regret ever being born.
The thunder of huge wings distracted him from such thoughts. A lithe, black scaled dragon lowered onto the mountain pass before him, blocking his way. It was Nargaz.
Vlaz suppressed his annoyance. Although the dark dragons and the drakhalu shared the southern lands, they did not interact much with one another, having little tolerance for those outside their own kind. Still, Nargaz was born of a dark spirit at least as old as Vlaz, and was thus entitled to some respect. Of course, he could also devour Vlaz in a single bite, which was a more practical reason to be civil with him.
“So,” Nargaz’s deep voice shook Vlaz’s very bones. “It is true. You have stolen the Quenya.”
“Yes, I have captured it.” Vlaz allowed some of his smugness to enter his voice.
Nargaz’s crimson eyes narrowed. “What do you plan to do with it?”
“I will use it to cover the land with darkness to allow my children to wander freely and rule the lands of Ralvaniar. We will make the elves our slaves and breed them for feeding and rebuilding our numbers.”
“And how do you plan to do that?” The dragon sounded amused.
“I just told you. With the Quenya.”
“Yes, but how are you going to do it? Do you not remember what happened to Lystari?”
“Your foolish mate? What does she have to do with any of this?” With the Quenya hanging from his belt, Vlaz was feeling reckless enough to push the powerful creature.
Nargaz made a rumble of warning. “Foolish as she may have been, the Quenya destroyed her. How is it that the elves may freely touch and use it, but she could not? I have given this much thought. It appears some dragons may touch it unscathed, but I believe this only applies to those with no evil intent. Even then, they do not wield it. Only the elves may do so. I believe they are meant to be the caretakers of the Quenya.”
“The Quenya is mine! I will master it to my will.”
“You have not touched it yet, have you? You used one of the elves to steal it for you.”
“I—” Vlaz stopped to consider Nargaz’s words. What if he was right? What if when Vlaz went to use the Quenya, it destroyed him? He would have to use some of his minions to test this theory first.
“You may be a master at dominating others, but I believe the Quenya is beyond your control.” Nargaz made another rumble. “Or mine for that matter.”
“That remains to be seen.” Nargaz clearly had a plan, but Vlaz refused to rise to the bait. He would not ask for help until it was absolutely necessary. Aid from Nargaz would not come cheaply.
“Very well. Perhaps when you have failed, you will be willing to consider my words. I believe we can be of use to each another. Until then.”
Nargaz launched himself into the air, the downward thrust of his giant wings toppling several drakhalu. Vlaz braced his legs and forced himself to remain standing. No dragon would make a fool of him. He was Orag. Once Nargaz was out of sight, Vlaz snapped at his minions to regain their composure and led them into the caverns they called home. One thing he knew for certain: he would not ask for Nargaz’s help except as a last resort.