“Yes, all myths originate somewhere, don’t they?”
Adrian was speechless.
“Are you ready, Lord McCollum?”
Adrian suddenly felt very worried. Why would he need to ready himself? What could they possibly need him to be ready for? Rather than let them down, he simply nodded his head ‘yes.’
“Adrian, you are wise, and brave. Two things that are more than just necessary for the next step, they are essential. You proved that with your plea that brought us here, and with the way you answered our questions today. We called you the ‘broken one’ but that’s what makes you even more perfect for what we must do. From your pain and suffering, from your brokenness, from your mourning, you will become something magnificent. You will become The Phoenix Lord. Do you accept?” the god asked.
Adrian had lost his voice completely, and though he couldn’t find it at the moment, he nodded his head ‘yes.’
“Excellent! I need you to be still and remain steadfast. When you awake, this will all feel like a dream, but I assure you it is very real. Remember that.”
Adrian nodded again.
“Please turn your back to us then do not move. No matter what happens.”
Adrian nodded again, and did a half-turn, his back now to the light phoenix and the celestial being.
“Bend your head forward, close your eyes, and take a deep breath.” Adrian did as he was told, lolling his head forward, his arms hanging limp at his sides. He inhaled deeply, and as he did so, he felt the gentlest touch of warmth on his spine. Fingers of heat traced from the nape of his neck to the base of his spine. The warmth began to grow until it spread outward from his spine all over his body.
Soon, it felt like every nerve ending was alive. Every part of him vibrated with heat, a heat that continued to grow, until it felt like he was standing in direct sunlight. It continued to increase to the point he was sure his skin would start to blister. But then, just when it reached the point of being unbearable, it reversed. He felt his body rising into the air, and then everything began to feel cold.
His toes and fingers went numb, his limbs were still in shock from the extreme heat and couldn’t seem to register he now felt cold. Freezing, in fact. He tried to open his eyes, but they felt melted together. What on earth is happening? Should I have questioned the intentions of the god more? Should I have asked just what it is the gods require of me? He couldn’t breathe.
His lungs started to compress; the smaller they got, the harder it was to breathe. He was gasping for breath and growing dizzy. Help! I’m going to die! Help! He tried to scream the words, but his lips were incapable of opening. The magical bells sounded in his head, building now, around his mind just as they had when he physically heard them.
You must trust, Adrian. Phoenix Lord. You must trust. We will not let you die, even if it feels as if you will. The process is nearly complete. Breathe in and out as normally as possible. This will all be over soon.
Adrian took one long deep breath, then everything went black.
Chapter Eleven
Lord Adrian awoke, with a stinging sensation in his back. His lungs felt raw and tired, as if he had been running the streets of Oyster Bay screaming at the top of his lungs. Perhaps he had been. Had he been running the streets of Oyster Bay, looking for Wylie? Wait, that isn’t right/ Wylie is here. But then a sudden memory hit him, and his heart ached. Wylie is gone, but not in a way that she can be found. Wylie is dead. Wylie is…. Everything is so foggy. What happened last night?
Adrian sat up in bed and looked around trying to recall what happened the night before. He remembered Wylie in terrible trouble, and good grief, is the sun ever bright! He got up to close the curtain. As he did so, something hard and heavy hit the floor with a clunk.
What in the world? Adrian bent over to retrieve whatever it was. This looks like Wylie’s Dracosinum! Have the gods created a replacement? Perhaps he could help Wylie after all. However, he had seen Wylie’s on several occasions and knew right away there were some marked differences between this new one and the one she carried.
This Dracosinum had wings that opened on the front, just like Wylie’s, but these were not dragon wings. Instead of scales they were made up of bird feathers, each one cut into the bronze in intricate detail. On the edge of each wing, the feathers flowed out a bit, and the tiniest of red rubies adorned the tips of the feathers in such a way they appeared to be on fire.
Adrian was so taken aback, his mouth fell open as he studied the device. When he turned the knob at the top of the object, the wings slid open with a gentle whirring sound. The inside surface was the loveliest shade of red he had ever seen, the hands on the dial were in the shape of feathers, and pointed to different stages of the day. He turned the knob at the top again to close the device. As he did, he felt a warming sensation overtake his whole being. The Dracosinum slipped from his hands, but didn’t fall to the floor. Instead, it seemed to float lazily in the air before him, as if waiting for him.
What is happening to me? He could feel his insides twisting and shifting, every part of him felt like he was on fire, and he could feel his body changing. As he changed, he remembered every detail from the night before. Suddenly he had an idea what was happening to his body. He had a sudden memory of a supernatural being who had visited him, and hot and cold sensations.
Adrian didn’t need to look down at himself, he already knew the transformation that had taken place. For some inexplicable reason, the gods had heard his plea and answered in the most magical and majestic way possible. Adrian closed his eyes and relaxed, realizing whatever happened, it was for the best. The gods had done something that would allow him to help Wylie.
Adrian knew bringing Wylie back to life was beyond his capabilities, but perhaps he could find Quincy who could in turn help him find Wylie’s Dracosinum. Once they got it back, there might still be hope for his love. I have to try. He wouldn’t give up on her until she was in the ground, and even then, he was sure he would fight the Immortals himself to bring her back.
When Adrian’s limbs no longer felt as if they were on fire, he knew his transformation was complete. Inwardly, he felt freer than he had ever felt. The Dracosinum that moments before had floated in front of him as if waiting for something, now gently floated up and over his head, until it hung from its chain around his neck.
Adrian didn’t need a mirror to know what had happened; he could feel it in his soul. However, he was drawn to the oak wood vanity, which had a large oval mirror on it. The lovely being that visited him in the night had called him by his new name, Phoenix Lord, and as he fluttered in front of the mirror, the vision that met his eyes took his breath away.
Adrian remembered seeing an old worn picture long ago in a Greek Mythology book. It was no comparison to what he was looking at now. As he fluttered his wings back and forth, the bright reds, oranges, and yellows reflected in the mirror with glowing iridescence, as if each feather was not one color, but many depending on the way the light hit them. His legs were the most shocking of all as they were nearly as bright as the wings, and his eyes, unlike his human ones, were as blue as sapphires. A glint of gold reflected from his talons and also, at times, from his softly feathered chest.
Me, a phoenix. Why would the gods choose me? Why not a dragon? He tried to think back to the things he had read in Wylie’s journal. He could remember nothing specific, except for the part about the Dragaleth race being passed down through bloodlines. Very well, but how does that affect me? Have they simply chosen me for the simple fact that I called out? I need answers!
Adrian’s thoughts were abruptly interrupted by a picture of New York City in his mind, an intricate view of streets, houses, and various businesses at each corner and hub. A map, he thought to himself. Down a particular street, a soft glow appeared in his mind’s eye, and he felt the strongest urge to follow it. Without hesitation, he took flight out of the window and, to his great amazement, immediately found himself soaring over New York City. Suddenly the
glowing map in his mind was super-imposed itself over the streets below him. It was like he had magical vision. He didn’t know where he was going, but he knew he must follow the luminescent guide.
Hordes of people were milling about the streets of New York, going about their daily lives. As he soared over the rooftops, he enjoyed the looks on the faces of the people who caught sight of him. Adrian narrowly managed to avoid the airships that were already in motion, shuttling passengers from one aerodrome to another. The gasps of amazement and wide-eyed wonder of the travelers within made him want to laugh.
They have no idea. He wondered what the word on the street would be. Maybe I shouldn’t have gone out in the day time. But, it was too late for any second thoughts, and by then, the colored luminescence that guided him, had brought him in front of a lovely mansion with stone steps and an over-sized oak door.
Where am I? Inside the house, he could hear the sounds of someone milling about. He fluttered against the door, tapping his bright orange beak against the wood, imitating a knock, then flapped back upwards, so as not to be seen.
“Hello?” A man stepped out onto the rock porch and looked around. Adrian attempted to flutter quietly above the head of the man, but the man heard him. The stranger looked upward and locked eyes with Adrian. Lord Ukridge. This is Lord Ukridge’s residence. Maybe he has Wylie’s Dracosinum. Adrian dove, straight at Lord Ukridge’s head, and struck Jameston Ukridge hard with the sharp point of his beak.
Blood immediately welled up from the wound on the evil Lord’s head, and Adrian used the moment that Jameston was otherwise occupied to dart inside the house through the open door. The luminescence that had led him to the house had stopped at the stone steps, but as he flew about the inside, he noticed a small trail of it leading to another room. He didn’t think twice about following it. The glowing trail led him to a lavishly furnished parlor. There on an ornate table next to a vase of fresh cut flowers lay a Dracosinum.
Lord Adrian almost flew circles the air in his glee, until he noticed the differences in the Dracosinum. It lacked the luster and jeweled elegance of Wylie’s Dracosinum. Where hers had rubies and was made of a fine bronze, this one had a black metal swirled within its lighter silver metal. Titanium? Very rare and highly valuable. It was the only thing Adrian could come up with at the moment.
Lord Adrian felt the urge to grab it and, though it made him feel highly uncomfortable, he linked the chain over his head so that the circular object hung around his neck with his own Dracosinum.
“Hey! What are you doing?” Jameston screamed at Adrian as he burst into the parlor.
Adrian opened his mouth to speak, but nothing came out. He had pieced together that Jameston was the Siapheg, but seeing him, the realization hit Adrian like a ton of bricks. Wylie had found out the hard way that her deceased best friend was the Siapheg, but they had not talked about the specifics of it. Oddly, Adrian hadn’t internalized the fact that the responsibilities of the Siapheg had reverted to her father, Lord Ukridge.
Of course! It’s so obvious! Why didn’t I figure that out myself? His eyes met Jameston’s. He felt a hot rush of anger spring from within his belly. He wanted to rip the coward’s head off. No wonder Jameston left! He was afraid of Wylie coming after him!
Jameston’s face paled. He stared open-mouthed at Adrian, and for the moment Adrian was amused at the shock so evident on his face. Then he felt rather than heard a voice in his mind that made him shiver from the crest of his head to the tip of his flaming red tail.
Didn’t know I was the Siapheg, eh? Then, what are you doing here, Adrian!? What happened to you? You must know I have to kill you now.
Lord Ukridge, a pleasure as always. As fun as this is, I’m not here for you. I’m here to save Wylie. Where is her Dracosinum? I know you have it.
Correction, Adrian. I had it. Too bad you didn’t show up here yesterday before I sent it away with a common thief. He’s on a ship bound for Ireland, sorry to say. Adrian could tell by the tone of the dark voice that invaded his mind that Jameston was not sorry in the least.
Jameston, so help me, if I don’t get it back in time, and Wylie dies, I’ll kill you myself!
Adrian shot straight at him in a vain attempt to peck out Jameston’s eyes. Jameston dodged out of the way, avoiding the attack, then he ran to the side of the room where the table was that Adrian had taken the dark Dracosinum from. Pulling open a tiny sliding door in the tabletop, he grabbed something metallic from inside. It took Adrian two seconds to see the metallic glint was the business end of a derringer that Jameston now pointed at Adrian’s flaming phoenix body.
That’s a cheap shot, don’t you think, Jameston?
Not hardly, Adrian. His finger pulled the hammer back, and Adrian heard a harsh click.
Better I deal with you now, rather than later. Adrian saw Jameston’s finger pull the trigger, and he instinctively darted to one side. He felt something graze his shoulder near the top of his wing. The pain shot through him, and he spiraled into the wall. Anger surged through him at having been hit. He fought to regain his balance, then rose to the ceiling, and dive-bombed Jameston again.
Clearly, Jameston hadn’t been prepared for Adrian’s quick recovery. Adrian’s beak cut deeply into the side of the man’s head. Jameston yelled out in pained surprise, and Adrian took the opportunity to escape the house. Since the front door had been shut and locked, he dove beak first against a window near the front door, shattering it.
Rage surged through him, and as he broke through the window, his flaming wings lit the curtains on fire. He didn’t bother to look back; Jameston could burn for all he cared. Anyone who assumed the Siapheg duties after Jameston’s reign had to be a marked improvement. Adrian wished he understood how all of this worked. How long will I be a phoenix? Will this go away once Wylie is back to normal? The idea of Wylie being returned to normal made his heart leap for joy.
He lived in hope for such a thing.
Chapter Twelve
Adrian soared higher and higher into the skies until the rooftops were little more than specks in the distance. He didn’t pay much attention to where he was going. He didn’t much care. He simply wanted to put as much distance between himself and Jameston as possible. No longer would he call the man Lord. He was not worthy of the title. Jameston was going to take Wylie’s life, and he hadn’t the slightest compunction about it.
Adrian had hoped that as a phoenix, he would have something, anything, that would help him restore Wylie to her Teselym form, but without her Dracosinum, without Quincy, there wasn’t the slightest hope.
Why even go to the trouble of making me this way if I can’t help her? Adrian screeched out in his mind. What was the point? Unable to do much about his anger he propelled himself forcefully through the air, looping in between the airships, then finally soaring out over the ocean. Dropping down abruptly until he nearly touched the water, his flaming orange and red reflection stared up at him from the glass-like surface.
His thoughts were a jumble of hatred, and anger. Hatred for himself because he couldn’t help Wylie. Anger that Jameston had used Wylie like a pawn in an evil game that no one could possibly win. Suddenly his thoughts were invaded by such a feeling of peace that it nearly froze him mid-flight.
“Child, calm yourself and trust me.”
The Immortal One was back.
“Why? Why make me this way! I can’t help her!”
“Even after what you beheld with your own eyes, you still do not trust that I have your well-being at heart? You do not trust that I have Wylie’s well-being at heart?”
“Wylie lies in death, and if I can’t revive her within two days’ time, then I will lose her forever.”
“No, my child, not death. Frozen slumber. Your anger prevents you from having the sight. If you would calm yourself, then you would see you have everything you need and more to reunite Wylie with her true form.”
“Frozen Slumber? Like when she is in her sleep state as the Teselym? That doesn’t
make any sense. This is preposterous.” Adrian didn’t want to deal in riddles. He didn’t want to care about what the Immortal One was telling him. He just wanted Wylie to be alive again.
“You need to care deeply; if you cannot quiet your anger, you will not be able to hear her when she calls. You will not see the guide that is trying to show you the answers you seek.” The voice of the god still sounded like the most delicate music he had ever heard.
“I don’t know how to let go of this anger,” Adrian responded truthfully.
“We know,” The Immortal One replied. “There is much you hold onto.”
“What do you know about me? You know nothing,” he retorted angrily.
“We know everything. Our brave one, your burden is heavy, but we mean to make it light. Your father...”
“What of my father?” Adrian interrupted indignantly.
“You blame yourself for his death. The same for Judith. You feel bad that you did not love her the way she needed, the way she craved from her father but never got. That was never your burden to bear. She did not need that kind of love; she knew it was never hers to have. Though, the young gentleman she left behind, he was willing to try.”
“What are you talking about?” Adrian felt more confused than ever.
“There is something you need to understand, brave one. The fate you wished to have taken from Judith was always hers, and hers alone. Even though you feel that if you had truly loved her instead of Wylie, you could have stopped it. That was not so. You cannot change the fate of anyone by love alone. Though it is a noble idea.
“You must tell Wylie this, as well. Judith’s death was never her fault either. We have had many Siapheg’s over the years; each has adapted in their own way, but unfortunately, Judith made the Siapheg role darker than it ever had to be. There were deaths that she caused even Wylie doesn’t know of. Her father, albeit a monster and as dark as they come, has yet to match the death count of his daughter.
The Phoenix Lord (The Dracosinum Tales) Page 9
