by Dan Raxor
My informants tell me you're not building big enough. If we weren’t in such need of stone ourselves I’d send you more. Unfortunately we are fearing this invasion will be the worst yet.
Especially since the off-worlders are returning to your prior home. That means all those invaders turned back will seek Lornia now instead of the other planet.
In exchange for your help, I’ll divulge a few secrets, but you must burn this letter the moment you finish reading it.
There are six planets bound together. Each with different stages of evolutions of humanity. Each variation is unique, and not all are interchangeable.
There is Earth, and yes, I know the proper name. Technology savvy with freedoms. Earth was what we term the semi-easy mode for humanity. They were given a few minor challenges but rule the planet completely.
Lornia is different. There is a lack of scientific advancement due to constant warfare and magic. The humans here are on an even ruling field with other species and the fey. Humans can thrive here, but it is much harder.
Organar is a place where humans are a protein source for mighty creatures. They are akin to what a rabbit is on Earth or Lornia. Organar is the hardest of all the planets for humanity.
Harkin is the troll-kin planet and the humans there have it worse than those who are farmed as food. While their lives are the hardest there, they do prosper as slaves with a purpose.
Gearnix is a place where man, machine, and magic combine. That planet is mostly untamed like Lornia and the wilds are something even the Troll-King fears. That planet hides more secrets than even Lornia does.
Lastly is Blessona, a planet of harmony and tranquility. If Earth was set to easy, Blessona was set to no challenge. The gods have managed to keep it hidden until now. It will fall and those we sent there to achieve near perfection, will be defeated.
All six of these planets are linked by magic. When you become more attuned with your magic you can gateway any of them, just like the Troll-King can. The gods… their power fades and most retreat for new projects.
When I write that, it brings great pain to my heart. The gods and goddesses used to visit, blending in with their creations. Now… They are interested in the next shiny project like a child with a new toy.
In a sense, I don’t blame them. The six planets have been finished for eons. Our fate is truly entering our own hands now. If Arenia visited you, as it was said she did, then consider yourself blessed.
When the war stabilizes, and assuming you remain a friend of Yirendale, I will welcome you into our trees for your efforts. A rare treat. Oh, and Siofra is the daughter of a fey-dragon and a mage.
She was born without a black heart… Channel your dark magic through her heart to convert her by fixing what birth could not.
Ha! You owe me big time for that one. Please burn this now.
Den Mother Petal
“What the fuck!?” I said, burning the note.
“I take it the southern King is not happy with recent developments,” Leafin asked in a condescending tone.
I spent the next minute trying to quickly pry my boot off. He was ready when I flung it at him, easily dodging the stinky object.
“Fetch me that,” I said to Susanna. I was quickly breathing to calm my sudden anxiety. “I’m not a King, and not really a Prince. I’m a mage. A mage that has a lot of work to do apparently. That… That letter, gave me a lot of answers I’ve been desperate for and just as many questions.”
“Everything alright, Master?” Siofra asked and I shook my head.
“Go to the barns with the ducks in them. Our breeding stock can handle a few sacrifices. Empty a single large barn besides a few ducks, and wait for me in it,” I said and she grew confused. I pointed for the doors. “Go, Siofra.”
“Yes, Master,” she said hesitantly.
“Norlan,” I said, waving him closer. “Remove the chain to the port. We will have friends heading up the river. Ensure no one, and I mean no one bothers the wood elves or their ships. Is that clear?”
“Extremely,” Norlan replied with a proper bow.
Alexi’s keen hearing had him looking at me for directions. “Lord Trevor, is there war?”
“Yup, the enemy has arrived in Lornia,” I said sadly. “No need to double the guards yet, but drill your troops harder. Um, phrasing. Keep up the hard work and no more days off on training. Go spread the word that as winter ceases, portals will open.”
“Yes, my Lord,” he said.
“Rivinia, get the ravens out to every city. Let them know we are going to likely be the last bastion of the south and to plan accordingly. The invasion has started and will ramp up as winter fades,” I said with a sigh.
“And us, Master of the Flame?” Jarron the dwarf asked.
“Coating cloth in mud… I need something better,” I said.
“Mud has served ta dwarves against troll acid fer generations. It’ll serve us here too.”
I grumbled, conceding the point even if I didn’t like his answer. The dwarves had been essential in our expansions. The new wall was progressing faster than even I could hope for. They had set up pulley systems, special roller carts to move stone, and speed lined the construction.
“I… you’re doing all that you can. I think it's time we started digging down to house refugees,” I said…
“Or take them through the gateway?” Libby suggested. She was so good at being unseen even in plain sight that I was surprised when she spoke.
“That… That can work. With my dad leaving here, I should be locked here. I simply can’t test it. I should have imprisoned him to help with the coming war,” I said, biting a fingernail in frustration. “Maybe he comes back on his own.”
Ciyin was on the edge of the room. The half eagle fey raised her hand. “And Lady Lidia?”
“Yes, and no. Let her decide but pull additional gold out of Trimi. I -”
“Are we summoning the banners?” Alexi asked and I shook my head.
“The banners no, but all the small villages and outposts should avoid a spring planting this year. The people will hate constantly eating fish, but they’ll be alive,” I said with a grunt. “I worry for the smallest towns like Jasmine Shire. It’s just a fact we can’t take in all those people at this time.”
I left my seat, feeling like my orders were sufficient for the moment. I was still very overwhelmed by the letter I had received. I always wanted answers.
When I got them… I felt violated.
Gods created six worlds together, grew bored of their creations, and were moving on while some of those beings were massacring others. It was vile and despicable. Clearly not all the gods were good. Hell, even Arenia reaped souls without a care.
Then there was the fact I finally learned what the hell the black hearts in the Farlake City meant. Dragons. Humans who could shift into dragons. Unreal that Siofra’s father was breeding women to become a dragon lord.
Then my eyes widened. I’d only been finishing inside Siofra and she missed her period.
I was going to have a dragon’s baby! No that stupid letter had to be wrong. But I did see her heart have black marks during a harvesting. Holly knew. She had to know. Arggggg…
“Master, you okay?” Susanna asked and I nodded. “Should I send the dock worker leader in?”
“No, he wants a raise. Derek, get in here!” I shouted and he entered from the waiting room. The man was made of stern enough stuff that a yelling lord only mildly spooked him.
“Yes, Prince. We were -”
“There are spiraling events happening in Lornia that I do not control. The workers on the docks… I do control their fates. Tell the workers they get a raise!” My words had him smiling but I leveled a finger that caused him to frown. “Derek, the hours will grow longer. There’ll be no more raises and so help me, if you come into here asking for another raise,” I said, not finishing my sentence to let him figure out the logical conclusion.
I stomped off heading to go see Siofra. Dwarven guar
ds mixed with human guards boxed me in. I’d grown used to being escorted everywhere I went. Even Leafin followed me, causing me to pause.
“Why are you following me?” I asked rudely.
“You’ll need my help,” the elf replied in a dry, bored tone.
I soothed my frustration by pulling my sleeves. After a few deep breaths I replied, “Fine. But it better be for a good reason.”
I exited the sandstone granite estate for the main road. Tsar waited for me, tied down against a hitching post.
The big horse was eager for an adventure that was not happening. He sensed my sour mood and nickered in disappointment at our slow walk so the group around me could keep up.
My guards cleared the way with me heading into the recently built warehouse section. The progress was amazing, leaving me sad we had to cover so many farm fields.
A crack drew my attention to a team splitting a big stone block. The sounds of construction were loud as the city was expanded.
Dwarves called out heaves on a thick rope that raised a slab of stone for the new wall. Horses neighed as they pulled heavily laden carts across the stone road. There was the snap of a chisel being hammered.
In the distance, a tree toppled with an echoing crack. As we built over old farm fields space was being cleared for future farms. We processed the downed lumber to keep folks alive, thatch roofs, and construct defenses.
The progress was indeed inspiring and might not be enough. For once I felt I could let the angst of the looming invasion slip away. Not that I wanted a more urgent reason to fret.
Diverting my darkening thoughts, I glanced up at the gem in my staff, seeing it only half full. Another trip to the docks was needed. Hopefully the ships were still catching plenty of fish for me to cull for magic.
So much to do, so little time. And now this.
I let my anxiety fade as I found the barn Siofra was set up in. There was worry. Yes, worry worked.
Was my lover a secret dragon? How did that work anyway?
I honestly doubted she was, but it was a very odd lie to include in the letter if it was one.
Stepping into the barn, I was nervous. Seeing my lovely lady working to clean the interior put me at ease. Her fine jawline led to a welcoming grin. Her charm always had that special effect on me.
“I take it I’m not in this barn for a pleasuring,” she said, eyeing Leafin and my guards. “Did the elves say I was a spy or something?”
“Secure the building, and plug your ears. Out, the lot of you,” I said to my guards. When it was Leafin, Susanna, and I facing Siofra I asked, “Are you a spy?”
“Yes and no. I write home often. Nothing beyond what you send the King or your allies. It has been made very clear my loyalty is to you when they ask questions I choose not to answer,” Siofra admitted.
“Ha! That is not why you’re here. I’ve kept no secrets from you but this one is about your family and I want you to know this is me merely sharing the news that they,” I pointed to Leafin. “Provided.”
“I’m an adult and a war mage, Trevor. I can handle whatever revelation you have to reveal. Gods and goddess, it’s such a pain in Farlake with all the hush hush drama stuff,” Siofra said.
I shrugged and said, “Good enough for me. Don’t blame me for telling you that your father is a fey dragon.”
She scoffed, snickered, and then burst into a laugh. I did not join her in chuckling, and neither did Leafin. Susanna… she looked terrified.
“Dragons are hybrids. The elves know that when humans, and yes only partial or full humans can be dragons, reach maturity they have a chance of transforming into a more powerful dragon with every child. A one in one hundred chance.
“Your father is a Farlake breeder because every time he produces a dragon he gains more magic reserves. You're not a dragon,” Leafin said and Siofra sat cross legged in the duck pen.
“Let’s say I believe you. Father does have lots of children. But wouldn’t there be dragons swarming Farlake,” she said with a scoff. “Kinda hard to hide a dragon.”
“Sure, Siofra. True. I imagine that your father struggled to identify the -”
“The black hearts. Your sister, and half-brother had the same thing your father did,” I told him when it made sense.
“Wait, you’re saying you knew he was a dragon?” Siofra asked in dismay.
I shook my head. “Just that he was powerful and different. I also saw the same thing in you on that winter road. After that battle with that idiot mage. When I pulled all the magic through you, just your heart was… different, as if it needed more blackness to it.”
“Sounds ominous,” she retorted. “Can we go back to how there are no dragons in this dragon den.”
Leafin dragged a chair from the side of the room for me, and then one for himself.
“Fully matured, Siofra. That term varies greatly. Even you have about three more years of growing left. Minimal, but still. The average is actually around twenty-five winters. How many of your father’s children stick around to twenty-five?” Leafin asked.
“Um, like none do. Most are gone by marrying age of sixteen winters or so. He tries to keep us longer to finish academy, but most petition to leave early. Surely he’d know this and trap us there longer if he was trying to find out who was who,” Siofra said.
Leafin tisked her, wagging his finger in a no manner. “Your father’s mother... was not his mother. She found your father at a young age. We take great interest in the dragons of the realm. She lied about his birth and he matured early. He believed he transformed at eighteen, not twenty-five,” Leafin said and Siofra’s jaw dropped.
“So that’s why our schooling goes for nineteen winters. He simply got the transformation age wrong?” Siofra asked, stupefied.
“He has many children flee away before then. As you said, the young are wanting freedom and venture to build their own lives. His desire to rear other dragons is not put ahead of his quest for power. The dragon seeks power over all else,” Leafin said and Siofra bobbed her head in agreement.
“So Sapphire is a dragon?” Siofra asked and I nodded. “Wow.”
“I can make you one. I think,” I said, questioning my own statement.
“Why would I want to be one?” she asked the elf.
“Power. You’ll be a stronger mage. There are downsides. Such as it takes time to convert between bodies. The conversion is also painful, you lose a day between forms. Honestly, now is not a good time. Unfortunately, there likely will never be a good time.
“When dragons experience their first change, it's… odd for them. They unlock their beast side and stay a beast forever in most cases. Realizing that is important. If the King unlocks your power, he will be at your side after you transform.
“Most dragons wander into the woods, awake as a dragon, and lose their human connection. Without any person trying to lure them back into a human form they fly away. Many of those who leave, are counted as dead by the very dragon they become. That dragon will be wild unless someone pulls them back to humanity.
“For your father that was Arabel…”
Siofra groaned. “She’s so loyal to him. So is my mother. He does -”
“Diabolical things, yes. Irrelevant really. You can be a good dragon. You’re still you, Siofra,” Leafin said in a stern tone.
I cleared my throat. “How long to transition, how big will she get, and how powerful?”
“That is up for debate, especially since she will be a partial dragon. She has the dragon aspect dormant. It is not the dominant gene, hence her being human. My guess, maybe a fifty percent boost. The real reason to become a dragon is for battle prowess. That and she can fly you to safety.
“Not in an emergency since she needs to swap forms, but still. Also converting her will not help her father become stronger, so the secret should be safe. Finally, we… We have knowledge on this process. It is safe in this kind of setting. Her power will grow with time and unlocking children who mature into dragons on her own w
ill increase her power.”
I opened my mouth, then promptly closed it.
“It will help with the coming war?” Siofra asked and Leafin gave a terse nod.
Susanna crossed the room, patted her friend's shoulder and whispered in Siofra’s ear. They shared a tender moment between friends.
“Ha! He had no idea,” Siofra said with a big smile. Susanna whispered more into her ear. “Thanks for believing in me,” Siofra said and I savored the moment.
“Is that a yes?” I asked Siofra.
“It is a lot to take in. Can I die from trying?” Siofra asked and Leafin shook his head. “Then I’ll give it a try.”
“Large human. Walk behind Siofra, then kill a duck.” After pointing at Susanna he turned to me. “When it dies, pause the intake of the energy. Do not let it travel into the gem, and do not let it fade into the ground,” he said.
I positioned myself in front of Siofra as Susanna corralled the ducks to snatch one. I set my staff behind me and decided to use the gem necklace as the trap.
Susanna caught a quacking duck who was agitated by being held. There were some bites that Susanna grunted from, but a moment later… the snap of a neck echoed in the barn.
A small orb of energy rose off the body. I pulled on the raw energy, asking it to come into the gem on my neck.
When it neared I squinted my eyes, willing the tendrils of purple magic to stop. The energy slurped right into the stone, only briefly illuminating the tattoos on Siofra’s heart.
“Don’t try to stop it. Reject it. You can pull on power until you’re full and then reject the rest,” he said and I frowned.
“I - I - didn’t know that. I kinda burst into flames instead,” I said and he giggled. “Why is that humorous?”
“Just means Arenia favors you. Elves use a similar magic system. If we pull in too much power our soul rots,” he said as if that was common knowledge.
