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Chapter Seven
Part One

Daniel woke up to the smell of washing powder. It took him a moment of confusion to realise it was coming from his pillow and another moment to remember that he shouldn’t have a pillow. He opened his eyes cautiously and realised he was in his room back on Earth. The last thing he remembered was being pinned to a tree with his own spear. If he was home, his father must brought him here. Which meant…

“Mela!” he struggled to sit up but his arm wouldn’t obey him. “Mela!”

“Halia says you still have some nerve damage and you shouldn’t move without help yet,” his father said. He was sitting in the chair by Daniel’s desk. “Ebona’s in the garden in her resting form.”

Daniel scowled at him and sank back down to the pillows. “What have you done to Mela?”

“Your little mermaid? Why would I do anything to her?” He studied Daniel’s face and then sighed. “You don’t believe me.” He walked to the door. “Draylian, would you fetch Halia and Mela, please?”

“Of course, my Idan.” The white haired boy who appeared in the doorway looked like a scrawny young teen but his inhumanly green eyes marked him as a dragon. He didn’t feel quite like one though. He bowed briefly and was gone.

“Such an interesting child, that one,” his father said.

“You don’t have him collared? Is that safe?”

“I’m trying to figure out what he is. The collar would interfere. Anyway he does what he’s told as long as I feed him.” He gave a wry smile. “I thought you didn’t approve of what I did.”

“I don’t care what you do to dragons. They’re monsters and need controlling. It’s what you do with them that makes you one too.”

“Ah, Elapyron City.” His father walked to the window and looked out. “That place was rotten to the core in ways you can’t even imagine, Daniel. And thanks to you, I found out that some of the rot managed to escape.”

His father picked something up from the desk and dropped it on to the pillow. It was the remains of the control circlet Daniel had picked up when he confronted the others at the ice cave. “But that’s…”

“Not one of mine, no? Mine are a hybrid of this design and the collars I use on dragons. Do you know where I found this design?”

Daniel shook his head, although he had a sinking feeling he knew where this was going.

“The council in Elapyron city were using them on traitors. And by traitors I mean anyone who disagreed with them.”

“Just another symptom of the disease afflicting Talonyka,” a female voice he didn’t recognise said. Daniel looked up in time to see Draylian reappear with Mela and a female dragon with silvery blonde hair. Unlike  the boy, she was wearing an ornate torc and her green eyes simmered with resentment as she glared at his father. He returned her gaze with calm unconcern.

“Your kind are the only disease afflicting that world, Halia. Your patient is awake. Don’t let me down.”

“Not the only disease.” The dragon girl gave him a sideways look as she walked  to Daniel’s side and laid a gentle hand on his shoulder. “And I would never deliberately botch a healing. My mother would kill me if you didn’t.”  A strange tingling sensation spread through his arm. “Can you feel your arm at all?”

Daniel ignored her and looked over at Mela. She was dressed in slacks and a long blouse belted at the waist and had her turquoise hair bound up under a headscarf. Her outfit was made from a pale green fabric that made his skin tingle even at this distance. If it wasn’t for her eyes and her heartstone, she’d pass for human. And she could hide both of those if needed. He couldn’t see any sign of any kind of control device. “Are you okay?” he asked. “What are you wearing?”

“I’m okay.” She pulled a face as she sat beside him on the bed. “A bit confused. And this – I think it’s goblin silk. It stops me drying out.”

“Are you  sure? Has he done anything to you?”

Mela shook her head. “Not really. Scanned me a couple of times to try and find out what the dragons wanted me for, but nothing else.”

“Daniel-alran, please,” Halia interrupted. “I know you think I’m a monster, but you could lose the use of your arm if you don’t cooperate with me.”

“She’s right, Daniel. And she may be a dragon, but she’s an excellent healer. I could call one of my friends in, but Halia’s actually better than her and I really don’t feel like getting my ear chewed off right now. And she’ll definately be mad at me right now.”

“What use do dragons have for healers?” Daniel scowled at his father and then glanced at Halia briefly. “I can feel it, but I can’t move it.”

“Good! That’s very good. That means the damage isn’t as bad as I feared.” She really did sound pleased. “I’m going turn off the pain sensors in your arm for a few minutes. What I’m about to do would hurt a lot if I didn’t, but it’ll probably feel strange anyway.”

Strange was an understatement. In spite of the numbness, the tingling sensation increased and became unpleasant. He looked  down and saw glowing tendrils of silver light spreading under his skin. He tried to pull away with a startled exclaimation but she grabbed his arm.

“It won’t harm you,” she said. “That’s why I needed to turn your pain receptors off. Our primary affinities clash.”

“Let her do her job, Daniel. I know it’s unnerving but it’ll work,” his father said. “And then we need to talk with Ebona present.” He headed for the door.  “I’d better check on your mother. She saw me bringing you back but I don’t think she registered it. She’s getting worse.” He scowled and muttered something about wishing he could kill someone. “Come and find me once Halia’s finished. I’ll be in the study.”

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Chapter Six
Part Seven

The first bolt of lightning struck the ground by Andrew before Kimi and Bennu even managed to transform to their full forms. He gave a pained cry as the blast threw him sideways, the cloak Alayria had given him smoking and turning black where the lightning had caught it. As he struggled back to his feet, it shimmered again and the charring vanished.

Lydia blinked at his cloak but was immediately distracted by another of the Thunderbirds taking aim at her. She dived to the side a moment before it fired and began to crawl away. The lighting struck where she’d been a moment before and the blast was deflected by a glowing cone which appeared round her. She looked up and saw Karen holding her right hand over her head with the cone’s apex at her fist. Read the rest of this entry »

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Chapter Six
Part Six

Rai perched on a boulder just beyond Caerdu’s borders and waited. He was in his small resting form – his full form was so large and brightly coloured, it would be easily spotted. He’d picked a point with a view of the most direct route to Valeria’s domain. Of course if the Mountain King had warned them. it was possible they’d take another route. But there were only so many ways to get from Caerdu to the Storm palace without travelling through dragon territory, and he doubted they were ready to risk that. So he’d called in reinforcements from his eyrie and had set them to watching the other two likely routes as well. He wished he dared send another spy imp to Caerdu to watch for them, but he didn’t think that Dariad’s threat had been idle.

His reinforcements arrived just in time. The morning after they arrived, he saw a small group emerge from the darkness that surrounded Caerdu and head towards the pass he was watching. Once he was sure it was the humans and their heart friends, he sent an imp to summon his two reinforcements and began to scout for a good ambush point. Read the rest of this entry »

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Chapter Six
Part Five

“I’m sorry to interrupt, your Majesty,” Alayria said, “but I gather the warriors will be moving on soon. I couldn’t help noticing that their clothing was both conspicuous and unsuitable. So I, ah, took the liberty of making something for them.” She offered the package she was holding to Lydia. “Please accept these as a token of my esteem, flame warrior. You may find them useful.” Her attendants carried their bundles to Karen and Andrew as she spoke.

Lydia took the bundle and opened it cautiously. Inside lay a long silvery tunic with a sash and a matching cloak. When she lifted the tunic to examine it, the fabric shimmered and a shock ran up her arms. She dropped it with a startled cry. Read the rest of this entry »

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Chapter Six
Part Four

“Are you sure you want us here?” Lydia asked. They were in the main hall of Caerdu again, but this time it was deserted except for them, their heart friends, Dariad, Eyvindr, Hried and a few guards.

Eyvindr swallowed and nodded. “Yes. I know you haven’t known me for long, but I consider you my friends. If this is as bad as my stomach is saying, I’ll need moral support. Besides, I think you need to know this as well.”

“Of course.” Lydia nodded as Eyvindr sliced open his palm and headed resolutely towards the mirror. Read the rest of this entry »

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Chapter Six
Part Three

“Well, that went badly.” Kyle leaned his forehead against the cool stone wall as they waited in the antechamber.  “I wonder if he’s angry? He never keeps us waiting.”

“He’s probably busy.” Darya walked over and put a hand on his shoulder. “And I don’t think it was that bad. Two out of three’s not bad. We got the pendant and delived Ystelyan-miran’s message. We can collect Melusine another time.”

“I’m afraid I have to concur with Kyle-alran, Darya.” Ystelyan’s consort Rilletta – a tall, slender asrai dressed in a grecian style blue silk gown – slipped in from the throne room. “Your cousin is more important than the pendant. If Gerian captures her, he’ll be able to backward engineer the thing just by studying her.” She pushed the door closed behind her and turned and regarded them with ancient sea-blue eyes; the only feature which betrayed her true age. “Fortunately the dark warrior seems determined to protect her. If you couldn’t take her, the thrice-damned red one will have a hard time of it.”

“Is he mad at us?” Kyle asked.

“Not at all! He’s concerned for Darya’s cousin, but he knows it’s not your fault. He’ll see you as soon as he finishes feeding Talira.”

“How is she?” Darya asked. “She came closer than I’ve ever seen her.”

”She’ll be fine.” Rilletta ran a hand through her dark blue hair and tutted softly. “It’s her own fault, silly girl. It was barely a scratch. It wouldn’t have pushed her over the edge if she’d fed first.” Her eyes went distant for a moment. “He’ll see you now.” She pushed open the doors and led them inside.

Ystelyan was lounging on his throne, running one hand affectionately through Talira’s hair as she sat at his feet with her head against his knee. It might have been called sweet if it wasn’t for the fact she was sobbing, and that several pretty young dryads and wood haltia were lying in a disturbingly still heap in front of her.

Darya gave a little squeak of distress at the sight and looked away.

“Don’t worry, Darya,” Ystelyan reassured him gently. “I stopped her killing any of them. Though it’ll probably be a few days before they wake up.” He looked over at Rilletta. “Would you attend to them and make sure they get home safely, dearest? If it’s safe to send them home. that is. I don’t want a repeat of that disaster at Elapyron City last year.”

“Of course, my love!” She bowed. “I doubt there will be a problem with Waldhafen, but I’ll monitor the situation.” She clapped her hands and a pair of goblins appeared and helped her carry the unconscious speakers from the room.

“Thank you.” Ystelyan turned his attention back to Kyle. “Not the best of days, my alran.”

Kyle dropped to one knee and clasped his right hand against his chest. “I apologise for our failure, my miran.”

“It wasn’t your fault. But we do need to get hold of Darya’s cousin as soon as possible. The dark warrior is impressively strong but poorly trained. I doubt he’ll hold out for long if Gerian sends a concerted attack against him. And he surely will. We know he’s aware of the upsurge of births. The group he recruited two years ago prove that. I have no doubt he’ll want the seeker’s pendant.” He leaned forward. “The only way to  stop him is make sure he can’t capture Melusine.”

***

“I believe you are intending to leave tomorrow, warriors?” Dariad said. He had come up to their new quarters as soon as his head had cleared and was considering how to broach the alarming results he was getting from his interrogations.

“We are, your majesty,” Karen said. “We need to get Alban and find out why we are here.”

“I will get Brita to organise some supplies for you, then,” he said. “Will Eyvindr be accompanying you?”

“If they’ll have me,” Eyvindr said. “Though I’m not sure what use I’d be. I’ll certainly be moving on, either way. I don’t think you need another refugee to house with the problems you have at the moment.” He looked away and scowled. “And I’m not sure I want to be around other refugees.”

“I see. Can I ask you about what happened to you? You were being controlled by the Dragon Lord?”

“Yes, we do need to talk about that.” Eyvindr looked over at Lydia. “Have you still got that thing?”

“Hmm? Oh, Yes!” She rifled around in her backpack and produced the slender circlet. “This is like the thing which was controlling him. It’s not the actual one – that was in pieces after Korrig cut it off.” She handed it to Dariad.

“The thing is, it’s taken me a while to work out what the date is,” Eyvindr began. “If what Hreid’s told me is right, this Dragon Lord person only conquered the place six months ago.”

“Well closer to seven now,” Dariad said. “Is that significant?”

“Well, yes, since the last thing I remember is being hauled before the Council around fourteen moons ago.” He rubbed at his forehead. “I remember that thing as well, but the whole thing is unclear. Could I use your mirror? It might clarify things.”

“I was afraid of that,” Dariad said softly.

“What, that I wanted to use your mirror?”

“No, I’m glad you’ve asked that. It means you have nothing to hide. I was afraid that it wasn’t the Dragon Lord controlling you. Of course you can use the mirror.” He scowled at the floor. “So far I’ve identified nine of the ringleaders in this rebellion, and they’re all high ranking nobles who managed to escape from Elapyron when it fell. Fortunately all the ordinary refugees are clear so far. But I need to know what the hell was going on there.”

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Chapter Six
Part Two

Mela could hear the all-clear alarm sounding behind her in the distance. That meant the fleeing townsfolk would return home before they reached this clearing. But surely the council would send someone to find them?

Ebona came over and nuzzled her heart friend before dipping her horn to touch him. Mela dropped her hands from the spear, sat back on her heels and watched as most of his wounds closed and scabbed over. When Ebona raised her head, only the wound in his shoulder remained. Read the rest of this entry »

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Chapter Six
Part One

“How may I help you, your majesty?”

Dariad swallowed. The city wasn’t yet totally pacified and he hadn’t wanted to risk an incident, so he’d come down to the goblins’ apartments to speak with Alaryia rather than summoning her. He was beginning to wish he hadn’t.  Alaryia was seated in an ornately carved chair which had been placed in the centre of the room, and combined with her silvery silk gown and calm demeanor, she gave the impression that she was the one holding court — even though it was his city. Read the rest of this entry »

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Chapter Five
Part Nine

Ebona carried her into the clearing where Daniel was fighting,‭ ‬coming to a halt near him.‭ Seeing his opponent, Mela realized she would have recognized him even if the situation hadn’t made his identity obvious. ‬Aunt Lori had been quite taken with the water warrior before his fall, much to Mela’s mother’s disgust. She’d described his long blonde hair, tall, slim frame and sapphire eyes to the clan several times. Read the rest of this entry »

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Chapter Five
Part Eight

“Why?” Daniel eyed Kyle as the two of them circled each other. Ebona’s warning was ringing in his mind and he wasn’t eager to start a fight with the traitor until he was sure of the other’s strength. Fortunately, Kyle seemed just as cautious. They’d exchanged a few bolts but neither had been able to penetrate the other’s shield.

Kyle smirked again and twirled his sword-whip with casual skill. “Why what?”

“Why did you betray the Core?” He tried to slip a probe past the traitor’s mental screen but couldn’t. “How can you side with the dragons?” Read the rest of this entry »