On the Wings of Dragons: Path of the Wielders 3

by Cleave Bourbon

  “That should be the Plain of Storms out there. Something has happened to the afflicted at Ishva,” Kyrie explained.

  Gondrial scratched his head. “I thought your enchantments were always temporary. How long would we have the ship before it crashed to the ground?”

  “I have been practicing. Sanmir is a very good teacher.”

  “Oh, so that’s what you have been up to. Why doesn’t Sanmir enchant the ship?”

  “I am afraid I can only enchant metal and glass. The method is the same, but the materials are based on the individual. It is a rare gift to enchant wood,” Sanmir answered.

  “Anyhow, Asterial, what do you expect to find?” Shey changed the subject.

  “I honestly don’t know. The last of the mindwielders that knew what they were doing are long dead.”

  Sanmir cleared his throat. “Not true. The mentalists of Darovan still live. I grew up with a talented mentalist named Raheed. He taught me about the mentalists and even helped me to add knowledge to my apothecary practice.”

  Asterial feigned a smile. “Unless Raheed is nearby to help us, Sanmir, your limited knowledge may not be enough.”

  Lady Shey put her hands on her hips. “That was a rude comment.”

  “It’s quite all right, my lady,” Sanmir assured her.

  “Forgive me if I sounded harsh, my old friend, I hope your knowledge of the mentalists comes in handy.”

  Sanmir nodded and continued to steer the ship. “Asterial, I believe that is Ishva dead ahead. I recognize the outline of the mountain range in the background.”

  Asterial turned to look. He could see the village far in the distance. “How long?”

  “Only a few moments. Lady Shey should begin her preparations,” Sanmir said.

  Gondrial rubbed his hands together nervously. “I had better go below and let Enowene know what we are doing.” He disappeared down the steps to the deck.

  Morgoran paced back and forth across the wooden floor of Erinthill’s apartment, puffing his pipe and swearing under his breath. Finally, he stopped and whirled around to face Shadesilver. “How is that possible? How can a Lora Daine be rendered useless?”

  “I have never heard of it happening before, yet my stone will not work. Kaxen must have found a way to neutralize it,” Shadesilver said.

  “But how is that possible? Even with what happened to him in his trial, I have never heard of any wielder that could affect dragon magic in such a way.” Morgan took a few more puffs on his pipe. “What about the Migarath Portal, Erinthill? Does it still connect to anywhere?”

  “Aye, it’s stuck on By’temog, Ishrak, from when the city was reduced to ruins. No one has ever been able to fix it to any other location,” Erinthill answered. “Migarath himself tried to fix it during the War of the Oracle so that wielders could get to the battlefields of Symboria from here, but even he failed.”

  Morgoran scoffed. “By’temog! What a useless location.”

  “It may not be. We don’t have any idea where Kaxen went,” Asrion pointed out.

  Morgoran let out another puff of pipe smoke. “Well, I’m sure he didn’t pop over to a cursed, undead-infested, ruined city of a dead kingdom!”

  Asrion sat back in his chair and crossed his arms. “Probably not,” he conceded.

  “And you are sure there is no way to trace where a Lora Daine takes a person?” Morgoran asked Shadesilver.

  “I am sure some of my kind could do something like that, but I cannot and Melias cannot, so no, there is no way. Of course, I could fly back to Draegodor and talk to the king.”

  “That would take months. Draegodor is too far,” Morgoran stated. “We need another solution.”

  Asrion cleared his throat. “Um, Morgoran, By’temog is about halfway to Draegodor from here. Shadesilver could use the portal and fly the rest of the way.”

  “That’s preposterous; it’s entirely too dangerous. That city is infested. I am not sure even a dragon could get out safely.”

  Shadesilver stood up from her chair. “It is the best plan we have. Life is dangerous and full of risks, but I am a dragon, sir. I can take to the skies. I would like to see the undead catch me in flight!”

  Morgoran shook his head. “Are you familiar with the curse of Ishrak?” Morgoran asked her. “First, By’temog is extremely close to Kragodor, home of the exiled dragons, who would kill you on sight. Secondly, when the city was cursed, the dragons still fought side by side with man, which means it is entirely possible there are undead drakes there as well. Those undead drakes can also fly, and I am sure they could catch you in flight seeing that they are cursed.”

  “I’ll go with her,” Asrion offered. “I have a special relationship with the cursed and undead.”

  Morgoran stood, stunned for a moment, and then he started coughing up his suppressed pipe smoke. Erinthill went to him and patted him on the back to help clear the smoke from his lungs. “I have not forgotten the tale Asterial told me of you and Signal Hill, but I thought that had been a unique situation.”

  “I am fairly confident I could handle whatever we came in contact with.”

  “I am going as well,” Aurelie announced. “I belong with Shadesilver.”

  “I, too, will go,” Bren said. “I believe that By’temog would be close enough for me to call out to Amadalea. She might be flying out on patrol, which would put her even closer.”

  Morgoran glanced at Melias. “Looks like we’re all going. If the dragons can trace where Kaxen went, I should be there to hear it myself and make preparations.”

  “It will not be easy,” Melias cautioned. “I am not certain any of you can fathom how quickly a place like By’temog can turn deadly.”

  There was a moment of silence before Morgoran’s intentionally soft tone finally broke it. “What preparations do we need?”

  Bren secured his dragon fang and dragon claw to his side. “We just need to have all our armor secured and our weapons at the ready when we arrive.”

  Aurelie grumbled. “Mistress Erinthill, the men seem to forget they have to eat until they are hungry. Could I be so bold as to ask to stock some basic provisions from your kitchen pantry?”

  Erinthill clasped her hands together. “Certainly. If you will follow me, I think we can come up with something. We may have to cook. I hope you all are not in too big a hurry.”

  “Actually, we are,” Morgoran answered.

  “Thank you, Erinthill,” Aurelie said as the two women left for the kitchen and pantry. Aurelie stopped just short of the kitchen door. “Morgoran, it is nightfall. I am sure we can be ready to leave by early morning.” She pushed open the kitchen door and disappeared behind it.

  Morgoran disregarded the sarcasm. “While the women are securing the provisions, it might be a good idea if we inspect the Migarath Portal. It might not even work, for all I know. I don’t think anyone has been down there in over a hundred seasons. In fact, Migarath might have been the last one down there when he tried to repair it during the War of the Oracle.”

  “Surely it hasn’t been that long ago,” Asrion said.

  “Of course not,” Morgoran retorted. “I am exaggerating a tad.”

  Asrion nodded. “It is a good idea to have a look.”

  Morgoran beamed at Asrion. “Nothing seems to ever bother you, cleric.”

  “Oh, believe me, plenty bothers me. It’s just that I will never let you or anyone else know what it is. That way, I’m not bothered near as much or as often.”

  “Was that a hint of sarcasm?” Morgoran asked.

  Asrion said nothing.

  Provisions in hand and all accounted for, Morgoran led the small band of travelers to the Migarath Portal chamber. Aurelie and Erinthill had managed to prepare the provisions before Morgoran could remember where the portal chamber was located. Even though the night had almost passed, Morgoran still insisted that they travel as soon as possible. Upon entering the chamber, Morgoran discovered he was correct in assuming that the chamber had not been visited in some tim
e. Thick dust covered the floor and clung to every flat surface of the circular portal mechanism. He made the mistake of blowing the dust from the portal, and it cascaded into the air in a dirty cloud.

  “I got it,” Sanmir said. He waved his hand. The dust from the air, the floor, and the portal flowed into a small pile in the corner of the chamber.

  “Your command of the elements is always impressive, my friend,” Morgoran stated. “I wish I had known you as a boy at chore time.”

  “I am afraid I would not have been much help to you, Morgoran, as I was a poor student in the eyes of my people. I was nearly an adult before I could manipulate the elements half as well as a child.”

  “I find that difficult to believe,” Morgoran replied. “Now, let me see if I can get this portal open.” A quick burst of essence and the portal sprang to life. Morgoran tried to play around with the portal destination, but it was indeed stuck. He turned to address the others. “I’m not sure this portal goes to By’temog. I have not been to Ishrak in so long, I would not be able to recognize it by the images on edge of this portal. This might have been one idea too far. It’s not too late to bow out.” No one indicated that they wished to turn back. “All right, I will step through first. If anything adverse happens, the portal will shut down. It only stays open if it is connected to another portal on the other side.” He took a deep breath. “As I remember, traveling by these portals is somewhat unpleasant. This is not a Lora Daine. Just be aware.” He took another deep breath and stepped through the opening. It felt like he was punched hard in the stomach, and he hunched over as he forced himself to stumble down the tunnel to the opening on the other end. The swirling motion and the sensation that the tunnel was getting longer rather than shorter made him feel like retching, but he held it in.

  Morgoran emerged from the portal feeling like he was wet, but upon inspecting his robes, he found he was completely dry. One by one each of the members of the party stepped out of the tunnel to different side effects. Melias was the only one Morgoran thought might have stomach issues, but he also soon recovered.

  When the portal closed, the chamber became pitch dark. Morgoran heard something stirring in the corner opposite. At first, he thought it was one of his party, but then he realized they were all behind him. “Sanmir, give us some light.”

  Sanmir took out his flint and steel and struck a spark. From that spark, he manipulated a flame in the form of a floating white ball. Two figures, just out of the reach of the light, stood huddled in the corner.

  “Who’s there?” Morgoran asked. He could feel essence being drawn. It was somewhat weak, so he used his own essence to block it. “You can use essence so you are not undead. Show yourself.”

  Kimala and Fayne stepped into the light.

  “Kimala!” Morgoran whispered. He looked at Fayne. “And this is Fayne?”

  Kimala pursed her lips as if she hesitated to answer. “Aye, it is she.”

  Morgoran shot a look immediately at Aurelie and then back at Kimala.

  “This is Kimala!” Aurelie said, alarmed. “The woman Trendan tracked from Brightonhold?”

  Bren pulled out his dragon fang and pointed it at her. “What treachery is this?”

  “Oh, put your weapons away, Bren. Kimala is actually one of us. She works for Enowene and Lady Shey. Asterial filled me in on his plans at Brightonhold Keep,” Morgoran stated flatly. “She was a spy.”

  Kimala glared at Morgoran with contempt, and he could feel it. He wondered briefly if it was something he said.

  “Why would you have Trendan go after her then?” Aurelie asked.

  “It’s complicated, but the short answer is to keep up appearances. She was supposed to fly away on her dragon companion.”

  “I knew it,” Bren said. “I knew I sensed another dragon at Brightonhold.”

  Morgoran chuckled. “I assume you got away?”

  “Well, not exactly.” She looked at Fayne. “It did not go as planned. In fact, Trendan is here with us. He went out to scout the city.”

  “He did what?” Morgoran was visibly shaken. “We need to find him right now. This is not a place you can scout around in. He might be dead already.” Morgoran pushed open the chamber door. Dawn was breaking, but it was still too dark to see well. “Good, it’s almost dawn. With luck, the curse will not be as strong in the daylight.” He looked back through the doorway. “Asrion, you better get out here in front, just in case.”

  Asrion emerged from the chamber, followed closely by Fayne, who had not taken her eyes away from Asrion. She tripped over something on the floor, and Morgoran caught her. “Be careful, girl. Now is not the time to discover you are clumsy.”

  “Forgive me, Morgoran. I wasn’t watching where I was stepping.”

  “I noticed. What is so fascinating?”

  Asrion looked at her and cocked an eyebrow.

  “Nothing,” she said. “Nothing at all.”

  Morgoran surveyed the ruins. In the distance, he could see a flickering light. Sanmir noticed it too.

  “Did he build a campfire?” Sanmir asked Morgoran.

  “I don’t think he would be that stupid. I once heard a story in the days before I was cursed with the sight that the undead had a way of detecting the living. They use curiosity to draw the living like a moth to a flame.”

  “A light in the distance.” Sanmir nodded as he spoke.

  “Aye, a light in the distance,” Morgoran repeated.

  “What do we do? Go after him?”

  Morgoran rubbed his forehead. “I don’t see how.”

  “What’s that?” Asrion pointed to a shadow illuminated against the white stone of a building.

  “That’s Trendan,” Sanmir answered.

  “Are you certain, Sanmir? Is he being chased?” Morgoran asked.

  “Aye, I can see something moving behind him in the shadows.”

  “Bless your elven eyes!” Morgoran darted back into the chamber and activated the portal.

  “This portal is stuck on the destination of Tippen’s Landing,” Kimala told him.

  “I don’t care, as long as it’s away from here. Quickly, everyone get down here and get through the portal. I will wait for Trendan. You too, Asrion, I can handle this.”

  When everyone had gone through the portal, Morgoran waited on the landing for Trendan.

  Out of breath and with torn clothes, Trendan topped the landing and met Morgoran at the door. “Go! Go! The portal is open.” Morgoran urgently ushered him along and followed him through the portal as several fast-moving apparitions appeared at the doorway. Some of them made it into the portal, but as soon as Morgoran exited in Tippen’s Landing, he closed the portal down on them.

  Chapter 21

  Asrion went to Trendan as soon as he came through the portal to tend to any wounds he might have. Trendan fell to his knees and gasped for breath; he had been in a full sprint, half motivated by adrenaline and half motivated by fear. Asrion said a healing prayer, and Trendan’s labored breathing abated.

  Morgoran put his hand on Trendan’s back. “Tell us what happened when you can.”

  Trendan took a deep breath and let it out slowly, thankful his chest had stopped hurting. “It was General Sythril and his men. I went to scout what I thought was a campfire, but when I got there, it was a hearthstone that only glowed in the presence of living people in the city. The general showed up and introduced himself. I had heard the stories; I didn’t wait for another minute. I leaped up onto a crumbled wall and ran as fast as I could for the portal. I didn’t look back.”

  “You acted in the right manner,” Morgoran assured him. “The general would have lured you in and added you to his unholy army if you would have hesitated even a moment.” Morgoran addressed Asrion. “Take care to mend him well. We must go back to By’temog; it is our only choice.”

  “What?” Trendan said with alarm. “Why would you want to do that?”

  “We need to get to Draegodor and, with the limited availability of the portals, By’tem
og is the closest point,” Morgoran answered.

  Shadesilver stepped forward. “We might be able to go from here. It isn’t too much farther.”

  Morgoran scratched his right bushy eyebrow. “I appreciate the thought, but even now we are wasting precious time. We need to figure out where Kaxen has gotten off to, and every second counts. There is no telling what state he is in after what happened with the trials.”

  “Kaxen!” Trendan perked up. “He is in Lux Enor. Kimala, Fayne, and I tried to follow him through the portal. That’s how we ended up in By’temog. He did something to the portal when we tried to get through that sent us to By’temog instead.”

  “Did he? I have never heard of anyone manipulating the portals that way before. I was unaware it was possible. This does, however, present a new problem. I am sure Malanor and his armies have taken Lux Enor. In fact, if we roamed around Tippen’s Landing, I am sure we would run into forces here as well.”

  “Do you have an idea as to why Kaxen would go to Lux Enor, Morgoran?” Aurelie asked. “Do you think he might try to capture Malanor on his own?”

  “When he regained consciousness after the trials, he was spouting something about the Tome of Enlightenment. He said Fawlsbane Vex came to him and told him where it was located.”

  “What is the Tome of Enlightenment?” Aurelie asked.

  “May I?” Melias asked Morgoran.

  “Of course.” Morgoran gestured for him to come forward. “Who better to explain the tome than a monk of Fawlsbane Vex?”

  Melias bowed his head slightly, folded his arms into the sleeves of his robes, and cleared his throat. “For a time, Fawlsbane Vex had commanded the dragons to be the guardians of man. The dragons, you see, were created in the beginning by the twin son and daughter of Fawlsbane Vex and Loracia, Xeian, and Breannen. Fawlsbane Vex liked the dragons so much, he created his own version and nurtured the entire race with its own unique magic. Man, on the other hand, has no magic, hence the reason Fawlsbane Vex felt it necessary to give them guardians.”

  “Sorry to interrupt, Melias,” Morgoran interjected, “but don’t forget to tell them of the pact.”