Gemini shook as the dragon’s blood passed through his veins. The surge of power as always was immense. He made his way back through the wooden door. Slamming it closed behind him, he walked to the safe in the wall. Placing the dragon goblet inside, he locked it. Once a week minimum, he had to do this this, an addiction he could not live without anymore. Now there were fresh dragons within his grasp. He laughed aloud as he thought of the pleasures that would be theirs once she had taken the dragon’s blood. She would feel like him, on fire, powerful, lustful. He turned to the woman on his bed she was cowering at his presence. He picked up a note that had been stuck on the end of the bed. His eyes quickly read it. He laughed.
“So,” he said, moving towards her. “You are Ahab’s woman. You didn’t get very far, then did you?” he hissed. She drew back against the headboard. He tore off his shirt and moved towards her. A few more days and he would have Arweyn. After drinking the dragon’s blood she would want him, she would feel the need as he did. He shuddered and then blinked, his eyes switching from bright green to the yellow of a dragon. His neck muscles tightened as the scales appeared, he growled, his long tongue spitting out and tasting the air. He looked at her…She screamed.
***
Fifteen ~Attack of the Dragons
The young King stood alone on the banks of the lake. The sun shone down warmly on his face and sparkled brilliantly across the still water. Clear and sharp, it reflected the glorious mountains and oak trees that surrounded him, like a mirror on its surface. He once again thought of his beautiful wife. How much he missed her, it was as if half of his very being was gone. Anger frowned across his forehead, anger at the Dark Lord Gemini, the man who had stolen her from him. His hand grasped his sword as the anger shook through him. His eyes calming he released his grip, this would not help her.
Un-hooking Ophidians horn from his belt and raising it to his lips he blew hard. Silence ensued. He replaced the horn to his belt and waited. Within moments, the stillness of the lake was broken as the water began to swirl and churn. A whirlpool began in the centre of the lake as the mighty Ophidian rose from its depth.
Towering out of the water Ophidian moved towards him.
“My King,” the mighty water-dragon spoke. “You have returned.” The great beast still made Kainan gasp in awe and the great water-dragon’s vibrant colours forced the young King’s eyes to squint in the brightness as the sun’s rays reflected off him.
“Yes mighty Ophidian,” Kainan addressed him. “I have need of your help.”
“Have you defeated the Dark Lord Gemini and wish to return your people to flesh and bone?” he asked.
“Alas, no Ophidian,” Kainan replied, shaking his head sadly. “The evil bastard has captured Arweyn.”
“The Queen!” he said surprised. Kainan nodded sadly. “I am sorry to hear that my King. What do you wish of me?”
“The great fresh water lake underneath the dark fortress, I want you to take me there.” Ophidian nodded slowly.
“It will be difficult my King, in parts there is no air.” The young King rubbed his brow.
“I thought as much. The magic that is used on the boats to create an air bubble, can that be done?” Ophidian shook his head.
“The tunnels are too narrow in parts for a boat.” Kainan shook his head.
“No, I mean can I use it to contain myself?” Ophidian thought for a moment before replying.
“I do not see why not, the magic comes from you my King, there is no reason why you cannot create the spell upon yourself.”
Kainan placed his hand on his sword, always it was a comfort to him.
“Well Ophidian my friend, there is only one way to find out.”
“Indeed. Climb onto the back of my neck and I shall take you to the underground lake. It is some distance my King, should you tire.”
“I will let you know Ophidian.” The mighty water-dragon nodded and drew in as close to the bank as he could. Kainan moved back a few paces, before running forward and launching himself up and onto the water-dragon’s neck. Grabbing hold of his scales, Kainan made himself comfortable.
“Give me a moment Ophidian while I try and create this spell.” The water-dragon bowed his head slightly. Kainan took a few deep breaths with one hand placed on the hilt of the Deragan Sword he pulled on its magic and power. “Anarma, gestordara, meltora spelra.” he chanted. The sword began to shake. “Anarma, gestordara, meltora spelra,” he said, repeatedly. A shimmer of magic began to envelope him, surrounding him until he was safely inside a giant air bubble. He stopped chanting and breathed in a few times. He could see quite clearly out of the giant bubble. Grinning satisfied that it had worked; he tapped Ophidian hard on the back of his neck.
“Let’s go,” he cried loudly. On hearing the King’s command Ophidian began to descend. The water around the young King began to swirl across his body, gradually rising to his shoulders. Instinctively he began to hold his breath as the water covered over his head, but he was not wet, the water had not touched him, it did not penetrate the giant air bubble, merely swirled all around him. The young King began to relax as Ophidian entered the world of water below. It was incredible. Schools of colourful fish darted out of the water-dragon’s path.
Ophidian swam effortlessly through the clear water.
“My King, can you hear me?” Ophidian’s voice suddenly said within the King’s mind. Kainan sat up alert not entirely certain at what he had just heard. Speaking with his mind, he replied.
“Yes Ophidian, I hear you. You speak with your mind like Meladrom.”
“We are all from the race of dragons my King. It is our way.” Ophidian replied.
“Of course I am sorry. Is everything alright?” the young King asked.
“Soon we shall be entering the domain of the Rakaens.”
“Rakaens, what are they?”
“Rakaens are nasty, water demons.”
“Will they try and stop us?” he asked.
“They will try my young King but I shall eat them. Then you will watch the little devils run.” Kainan laughed. “Be warned.” Ophidian continued. “They will try and pull you from my back.” Kainan thought long and hard.
“The force field around me, I could enhance it. Give them a shock?” Kainan suggested. Ophidian dived lower and into a dark tunnel before replying.
“That could work. When we emerge from this tunnel we shall be in the caves of Drakela they will swarm like bees until they realise that I will eat and burn them alive.”
“You can breathe fire?” he asked surprise. Thinking him a water creature, it had not crossed his mind that he would have been able to breathe fire.
“Of course, I am a dragon,” he replied and Kainan smiled.
“Of course you are, that was incredibly stupid of me, sorry,” he apologised again.
“No need my King it is a common misconception that a water creature cannot breathe fire, and quite often that can be our advantage as our enemies do not expect it. Now take heed we are about to emerge.” Surfacing from the water into a dark cave the water-dragon swam through, the only noise being the swishing of the water as he moved. Kainan’s eyes searched the darkness but he could see nothing.
“Ophidian where are they, I can see nothing but darkness?” he questioned warily.
“They are here my King, I can sense them. See through the eyes of a dragon.”
“Of course,” the young king replied quickly.
He rubbed the hilt and closed his eyes. He began to chant.
“Dragona ilarm visionar dragona.” He blinked his eyes. As he opened them, they had turned dragon yellow he blinked again and he had the eyes of a dragon. What he saw made him go cold to the bone. In the recesses of the cave were hundreds of small malformed creatures, eyes wide, and teeth pointy and sharp. They were scurrying across the cave, their hands used as feet.
“Oh by the spirits.” he cried as they began moving towards them, soon they were at the water’s edge. “Ophidian, are you sure you can do th
is!” Kainan cried. There was panic in the young King’s voice he could not afford to die now, his wife needed him, and his people needed him.
“Cast your spell, protect yourself. They are about to strike!” Ophidian roared. Gripping his sword Kainan pulled on its power.
“Porclose eltora melcara estalent corsomo,” he chanted. “Caster illumante relectara.” A force field ensued all around him, protecting him and his air bubble.
The creatures swarmed, attacking Ophidian in force. Scrambling up onto his scaly back they surged towards Kainan, every one of them thrown back with a lightning shock as they touched the force field protecting him. As true to his word, the great water-dragon began to snatch the malformed creatures into his giant jaws, eating them by the dozen. At the rear, the creatures tore into his back, trying to rip of his scales. Kainan felt helpless. The force field was working, protecting him but Ophidian looked like he was in trouble.
“Ophidian, are you all right!” he cried desperately, as the dragon began to writhe about in the water, trying to thrash them off his rear. Ophidian groaned.
“There are more than usual my King. I cannot get the bastards off my back!” Kainan could hear the strain in his voice. He quickly thought. What if he could extend the force field to cover Ophidian’s back? He had to try. Grasping his sword, he began to chant.
“Porclose eltora melcara estalent corsomo. Caster illumante relectara.” He waved his hands outwards, spreading the magic down Ophidian’s back. The creatures screeched in terror as the lightning power moved down Ophidian’s back, disintegrating all that got in its path.
Meanwhile Ophidian roared as he brought forth fire from deep within him. Sending his flame across the swarming creatures, he burned them. Those left began fleeing in panic as Ophidian released another ball of flame directly at them.
“Should have done that first,” he groaned as he watched them disintegrate. “Annoying little bastards!” he added angrily. Kainan burst into laughter.
“Ophidian!”
“Sorry my King,” he apologised. “I do not think we will be seeing any more of them.”
Kainan removed the force field, but kept the air bubble that kept him from drowning in place. Thankfully, Ophidian was unharmed, so they continued through the tunnels for another few hours. Pulling to a halt within a large cavern Kainan could see the bottom of Gemini’s well. A large metal contraption came from the top of the well above and down into the fresh water lake below. A number of metal buckets connected to the pulley system allowed water to draw from above with limited effort. Kainan removed his protective bubble. At least there was an easy way for him to climb up and out of the well.
He was to wait until first light, by then his dragons would have arrived and been re-united with their riders. As much as it killed him to leave his wife another night as Gemini’s prisoner, he had to stick to their plan. He slid off Ophidian’s back onto a small bank of dried land. It was a large cavern and the water level in the lake was deep. Gemini had chosen a good place for his well, no one without Kainan’s capability for magic would have been able to make it through the underwater tunnels. The water flowed gently but continuously, it was crisp, fresh and clean having come straight down from the mountains.
The young King pulled his pack off his back, and he sat down on the bank. The cavern was dark and cold. He could still see in the darkness using the vision of the dragon but shivered with the chill. Ophidian watched him.
“Do you want me to make a fire?” The water-dragon asked. Kainan shook his head.
“No, the smoke may go up the well.” Ophidian gave a nod.
“Shame really,” Kainan, muttered, “I could really do with a coffee.” He unscrewed his flask.
“I could warm it for you,” Ophidian offered. Kainan looked up at him.
“Really, without incinerating it?” he asked.
“Pah,” the dragon huffed. “Easily,” he then added. Kainan raised his eyebrow.
“Okay,” he said, delving back into his pack and pulling out his pewter tankard.
“Sure you will not melt it. Arweyn gave me this,” he asked, a little worried. He loved his tankard she had given it to him not long after they had returned from their quest to find the Ardor Crystal. The water-dragon nodded. Kainan poured some water into the tankard and set it to one side. He moved back out of the way and watched, a little nervously. Ophidian turned to the tankard; he drew back his lips Kainan laughed as Ophidian pouted. Very gently, the water-dragon puffed out a tiny flame. It hit the pewter tankard and surrounded it for a moment before disappearing. Kainan stared in amazement that such a giant creature could be so very gentle. The pewter tankard remained in one piece, but the water inside steamed.
“Wow Ophidian,” Kainan said impressed as he reached forward and carefully touched the handle, the handle was still cool.
“Thanks,” the young King said gratefully. He delved back into his back and pulled out a small pot of coffee, a jar of honey and a spoon. He sipped it and then sighed.
“Ah, that is so good,” he sighed gratefully, leaning back against the cavern wall. Ophidian gave a gentle nod. They only had a few hours until dawn, so Kainan drank his coffee and closed his eyes, trying to get some sleep. Ophidian was still full from his early feast of Rakaens so he too just closed his eyes and rested until dawn.
Ophidian woke him.
“It is time my King,” he said, moving alongside him. Kainan yawned and then nodded. Standing up he stretched, pulling his arms one-way and then another. He jiggled his legs, to get the circulation going and then put his sword in its sheath and threw his pack over his back. He stopped abruptly and listened. It was not an external noise he could hear but one within his mind. He smiled it was Meladrom.
“Can you hear me my King?” his voice asked.
“Yes Meladrom I hear you,” Kainan replied in his thoughts.
“Good. We are ready. Gemini’s dragons and their riders are assembling for flight. I think he knows we are here.”
“Okay Meladrom. I am about to climb up the well. Give me a little time and then strike.”
“Yes my King.”
“Be careful Meladrom,” he added. His mind was silent for a moment.
“You too Kainan,” Meladrom finally said, with a touch of worry in his voice. Kainan smiled that he had used his first name. Then the connection was gone.
“The dragons are in position,” he informed Ophidian as he climbed onto his back. Ophidian moved over to the base of the well.
“Do you want me to wait?” Ophidian asked.
“No thank you. I intend to leave with my wife and with Gemini and his armies destroyed. The next time we shall meet my friend is to release my people.”
“Good luck then,” Ophidian replied. Standing on his back Kainan reached up and grabbed hold of the ironwork, he heaved himself up onto the winch. Ophidian looked up him.
“For Malgar!” he said. Kainan nodded pushing his sword back at bit
“For Malgar,” he returned, as began the climb to the surface.
As Kainan reached the opening, he could hear the chaos that his attacking dragons were causing. He pulled himself up to the edge. It was still only just dawn and he had a small amount of low light left to cover him. He peered cautiously over the top. Black-wing soldiers were scrambling everywhere. Kainan waited, but he was getting impatient, he was losing the low light.
“Meladrom,” he thought.
“Yes my King?” he replied.
“Are you close? I need a distraction. I cannot get out of the well.”
“I will be there,” he confirmed. Kainan hovered ready. As he heard screaming, he peered back over the top. Meladrom had swooped down hard and fast, flames spewing from his mighty jaws. Kainan vaulted out of the well and ran, managing to get across the courtyard without anyone seeing him. His back tight against the wall, he edged along to a wooden door.
“Meladrom I am out,” he informed the dragon.
“Good luck,” the dragon replied.
> “You too,” Kainan replied and was just about to open the door when it unexpectedly flew open and two black-wing soldiers charged out. Startled to see him they hesitated Kainan seized one man’s shirt at his throat and yanked him closer, quickly grasping the startled man around his neck, he snapped it, dropping his dead body to the ground. The other drawing his sword swung it at him, Kainan ducked as the blade came for his neck, launching himself forward, he kicked the man hard in the chest knocking the breath out of him and sending him flying backwards. The man lost his grip on his sword and Kainan swiped it from him, spinning the sword mid-air he sent the blade down and into the man’s heart. Releasing the sword, he left it embedded in the soldier’s chest as he swiftly ducked through the open door. A sudden wave of dizziness hit him hard and he stumbled, falling to his knees. For a moment, Kainan felt dizzy, as all his magic drained from him. He clambered to his feet, holding out his hand he whispered.
“Elspara energa laminar.” Nothing happened. Kainan groaned painfully. Gemini must have some kind of an enchantment on the Fortress blocking his magic. He reached for the Deragan Sword if it had lost its power too they were doomed. He felt a familiar tingle flow through his fingers and sighed relieved, the sword still held its power.
He edged cautiously along the corridors, ducking and diving now and then to avoid the guards, he did not want to be caught, not yet, he wanted to get in as far as he could. His hand began throbbing, looking down at the palm of his right hand, he smiled their mark was glowing and pulsating hard, he could feel her. His heart began to race, Arweyn was close, and wherever she was, he was certain, Gemini would not be too far away.
“Do not move,” a deep voice ordered. Startled Kainan spun around. Four black-wing soldiers stood behind him, glaring menacingly at him. Throwing his cloak back, he laid his hand on the hilt of his sword concealed by his side; he went to draw it but then thought better of it. Now was the time to surrender.
Deragan Sword Prophecy: Book 02 - Meladrom Page 30
