by N. Saraven
Probably this was one of the reasons why Indrek had worked his wraiths beyond exhaustion. Mostly they did the spying after Varomor. It was the best solution, if he did not want to lose his precious soldiers …
The air became firm and filled with tension, as the bright and wraith stared at each other. Indrek broke the tension by opening his mouth.
“We can get back to it later, but now, if you do not mind, Cameron, we would like to continue. Everybody is busy, and the Empire will not build itself,” he murmured, although his stern gaze at both parties showed that it was not really a suggestion, more like an order. The wraith’s gaze fell immediately and even Cameron turned back to his book.
“Very well,” the bright rumbled, although it was obvious he still listened intently.
“I nominate myself and my companions for north,” hissed Talon, which made Indrek twist his mouth. His gaze seemed a little foggy, as if he was thinking hard.
“More like west, or northwest,” he mused, drawing all attention. He then glanced around, surprised. From his features, he obviously was not aware of speaking out loud.
“My Liege, I need a direction and we’ll get ready,” announced Grey, who had never hidden that he despised these meetings. He was a typical soldier who needed orders to function. Although he could completely deal with unusual situations at any time, he never liked talking, or making plans. He was not the type to think of the order, rather follow it.
Indrek, however, motioned him to be patient for a little longer. He knew the temper of the werewolf, but he felt that they were close to the answer. He could not catch it yet, but he was getting closer.
And then it struck him.
“By the Gods, we are idiots!” Suddenly he burst into a laugh, which made even Cameron look at him. “The other end of the Anaca-lake, that is where they are.”
Grey bowed his head, then left the room. He needed no more, no explanations, no further speaking. Just a direction.
“How do you know?” gasped Talon. His tone happened to be too sarcastic, although Indrek did not care. The Ruler felt content enough about the fact that he managed to surprise even the scÿta.
“Because Enargit leads them, that is why,” he explained. “Facing us right now would be suicide from their part. So they fled. To where? Somewhere where nobody would look. But there are fewer possibilities than it would seem. They could not go south because of the Stormzone. To the north there are the …” He stopped himself abruptly. Obviously he almost babbled about something he should not. He cleared his throat, then continued.
“Enargit does not know the west. If it was I, I would go into the unknown, rather than risk a fight and lose. And who better to face a territory like that if not an ancient dragon …?”
“Hmm … it makes sense. But you risk a lot with this bet,” mused Cameron in his seat.
“Of course. But if you risk nothing, you gain nothing. And I do not think that I am mistaken. You need to think as a dragon now and this is what I would do in Enargit’s place.”
“So I assume we don’t have to scout the north?” asked Talon, who did not seem convinced, but pried no more.
“No. But you should visit Lexénia’s stronghold,” answered Indrek. Talon left the room after nobody wanted anything more from him.
The shadow dragon smiled contently as he stared at the map.
“Finally, I got you!”
The Ruler poured himself a cup of terrific elven fruit juice. He sipped slowly, really savouring the taste, while he glanced at the map. His eyes did not see the map, however, as he imagined himself in the Tower already.
A knock brought him back to the present. He was in such a good mood that he opened the door himself, letting the servant in, who glared at him, stunned. The man made the table beside Cameron, swiftly putting the plates and food in order, arranging the seats and so on. When he was finished, he bowed and left.
“Well, we deserve it.” Indrek motioned at the still-hot food as he seated himself in one of the chairs. Across from him, Cameron turned his chair to the table, then started stacking steaks on his plate.
“Oh my, I have got a letter too.” The Ruler twisted his mouth as he picked up the envelope from the plate. As his distant relative ate, he opened it and started to read. His eyes ran swiftly through the lines, searching for the vital information. Then he threw it casually at the side of the table, almost letting it fall.
“Another complaint letter from the workers. Allegedly the most qualified officer cannot figure out how a little canal could be built from the Fire-river into the city. Unbelievable!” Indrek sighed angrily, as he too picked himself a meal.
“Everybody is so ungrateful,” rumbled Cameron, although he seemed to completely lack interest.
“Are they not?” asked the shadow as he sliced his steaks frantically. “I truly and honestly want to improve everybody’s life here. I made an army which is completely obedient, not a single robbery or rampage happened. The city itself is cleaner, not to mention safer than any time before. The market is flourishing, and the lands can be farmed more efficiently now. All thanks to my efforts. And what do I get in return? Incompetence, nothing more. I want a hot-watered bathhouse in the city, and I only hear how they cannot do it, and how impossible it is. Unbelievable!”
“Uh-huh,” murmured Cameron in agreement, who obviously did not pay any attention. He got used to the Ruler’s bursts like this, so did not really care.
“I will replace this officer. Perhaps I should find a kobold one,” mused Indrek out loud, while chewing. As he ate, his flaring eyes showed that these problems utterly occupied his mind.
Silence fell on the study, which was only broken by the clinging of the cutlery and soft thuds of the cups.
“Can I ask you something?” Cameron broke the silence, which made Indrek glance at him, intrigued, raising a brow.
The bright sighed. Whatever he thought about the ‘evil shadow dragons’ before, Indrek had never fit into this picture. He was never just cruel, although he could be, as he knew first-hand. But after he joined his forces, he spent almost all times with him, so he started to get to know Indrek—really know him, which maybe hurt and made him confused more than his betrayal.
The shadow Ruler turned out to be a very curious and lively person, who had big plans for the future. Charming, in a way. He was not lying beforehand; his revelations truly made the peoples’ lives better in the Empire. Sure, he forced a strict code on everybody, but Cameron had heard him talking about easing these. And he was far from the end of his plans. Truth be told, the bright awaited the future, his further plans, with excitement.
“Go ahead,” said Indrek as he sipped from his cup. They had already finished, although there still was plenty on the salver. Mostly meats.
“What is your … how shall I put it? Goal in Life?” asked Cameron with a strange tone, which made the other suspicious.
“What do you mean?”
“Honestly? Why do you do all this? I mean … you were part of the Lost Wars, what I still don’t understand fully, but it is not the point now. So from what I can gather, you made some kind of an arrangement with Lexénia, didn’t you? As a result, from that moment you walk the worlds in human form, and if my suspicion is correct, you cannot regain your dragon form either.”
Indrek did not respond, only took another small steak, and started to cut it. Sometimes he glanced at Cameron, who continued.
“What did you do during those many, many circles? Or rather: why? You must have discovered a lot of things, but it seems, not all. At least, that’s what I can conclude from this last meeting. As a matter of fact, maybe you know only a little bit more than then. But how can that be? Through many circles, you truly did nothing? I do not believe that. If you wanted an Empire, as you say, why wait until now? Furthermore, you left alone many shadow drakes … I mean … ahem … dragons along with Enargit after the Lost Wars. Why? Why did you let them scatter like that? How could you let them become undead soldiers after? Where were
you during the Dragonwars? And whatever reasons you had or have, what is the Big Goal? Why do you do all this? What do you want to prove and to whom?”
Indrek did not answer; he just glanced at the bright as he was letting out steam. He had obviously thought about these things for a long time now, and today was the day when he finally burst.
“I see that you had no better thing to do than watch and measure me.” The Ruler leaned back in his seat after he finished his last steak. “Why do you care? What is your goal?”
“You know that. I’m only here because I want Enargit’s head on a stick. Nothing more, nothing less.”
“Be that as it may, yet you gave not one terrific idea both for my bathhouse and the new calendar which I just implemented.” Indrek raised a brow questioningly, which made the other shrug. He wanted to pass the time, he said, which was an acceptable answer. He did read a lot in the meantime, which could lead to these questions.
“It would be a long story,” said Indrek, avoiding.
Cameron snorted. “As if we wouldn’t have all the time we want. Tomorrow is Restday, so nobody will work, as your new calendar says. So we have time.” He gave a wry smile, which made the other sigh.
“You will not give me peace about this until I give some answers, will you not?” asked the Ruler in despair. The bright shook his head, still grinning.
Why not … I have heard plenty enough stories from him, Indrek thought. He too, was not made from heartless stone, although many thought that of him. Cameron became the only companion he had for a long time now, despite his efforts for having the bright under serious observation. At the beginning, he promised himself that he would not let the other close to him.
He failed.
Indrek did not really realise how many questions he had asked by heart, or how many terrific stories he had listened to about the Dragonwars. Not to mention the many, many days during which they made plans about the future of the Empire, together, like real companions. As dragons were a long time ago. As dragons should be.
He took a deep breath.
“Then we shall start at the very beginning. However, I point it out now, that I will not answer about certain questions, or happenings.” He stared at the other with piercing eyes, but he only shrugged again, as if he did not expect anything more.
The shadow poured another cup for themselves, while ordering his thoughts.
“Long before the Lost Wars, Enargit and I watched our glorious kind in our Homeland. We lived in perfect peace, both with each other and with the land. Our Leader back then did not have many things to do; only minor bickerings were needed to be settled. He had to meet with the other tribes sometimes, nothing serious. Enargit and I thought that this was boring.”
“Boring …?” cut in Cameron with a voice that clearly suggested that he thought he was mad. The shadow Ruler smiled faintly and shrugged.
“Looking back, I would describe those feelings like that, yes. We both dreamed of our people rising up, although on different paths. This made us rivals from the beginning, which resulted in many difficult situations for the one who seeded us, that was for sure.” Indrek smiled as he gazed off. His eyes became foggy as he remembered, his voice sounded soft, as if the memories pleased him.
He was lost in the past completely, so he did not see Cameron’s dropping jaw and stunned stare. These two are from the same blood! he gasped inside. He could not make a sound, even if he wanted to cry out loud. Albeit he could not really comprehend this information because the other continued. He had to concentrate intently, if he wanted to listen further.
“Our Father, the Leader, was old, however. He could resign in any day. Of course, he had to give the Leadership to one of us, or it would be decided in a fight. He obviously did not want that, but he had a heavy choice to make. I was the older one, yet we were never that close, like Enargit and him. They matched in so many things! Enargit wanted to continue his path, for starters, although on a bigger scale and yet with no serious changes. But if they knew …! If they listened to me only once, they would have seen how much I could have helped our people!”
Indrek was caught up in the past so completely he forgot he had company, who watched him with widened eyes. The Ruler spoke with such enthusiasm, there was nothing else to do but listen with awe.
Cameron suddenly understood why Indrek seemed so different. As he imagined, how he was turned down over and over, it must have initiated certain changes in him. Changes which forged him into what he was today.
He is a dreamer! A curious, discovering-new-ways dreamer! he thought in utter amazement. He now understood why the shadow wanted so many new things in the life of the Empire. He always planned, forged his ideas, chiselling down the rough edges. All for guiding his subjects into the bright future.
He wanted this for the shadow dragons also, but for some reason they refused him. Unlike Enargit …
Indrek spoke further with smouldering eyes and clenched fists.
“‘Why do you need to make up calendars for time-passing? Do you not see the Sun?’ snapped my Father at me all the time when I showed him my idea. He never saw the greatness in my ideas with his thick head. How much easier they could make our lives! But there was nobody else who could understand that. I became a subject of ridicule.”
He took a deep breath, obviously hurting. In that moment, he wore no masks; his pain could be seen as clear as daylight.
“I came up with so many ideas in many areas. But alas, nobody wanted to hear about them, let alone try them out,” griped the shadow dragon. “It was no mystery why Enargit became the heir. But I could not live in his shade anymore. I wanted to show them!” His eyes flared up as his anger rose. He grasped the arm of his chair.
“I planned everything carefully, but before I could do anything came Lexénia and Arisha. They charmed Enargit to do their bidding, and I assume, he also had his own agendas. Anyhow, he formed a formidable army, then came the Crossing. He wanted our perfect life for everybody, so we arrived to this two-legged world. Of course, I joined the army; nobody could deny that I am one of the best fighters. As a result, almost seven thousand dragons left the Homeland that glorious day.”
Indrek stopped for a moment. His gaze was still foggy as he recalled the memories. Then he shook his head and returned to the present.
“Of course, nothing had happened as Enargit planned. Nobody listened to nice words, as I predicted, by the way, so we had to fight all the time. Those were hard circles, especially since we had to get used to these harsh lands as well. There were some who joined our forces, so we decided to build a stronghold for their benefit. They needed to get in line, to learn some order, so Enargit formed the Order of the Shadows.”
“Wait a moment …” cut in Cameron, who became lost at this point. “Enargit founded the Order of the Shadows? And you? You always said that you were the Leader of the army in the Lost Wars.”
Indrek gave a faint, mostly sad smile.
“I always forget that you youngsters know almost nothing of those times. What you now call Lost Wars was more like a time period in real life, many battles with smaller or longer breaks between them, through many, many circles.”
“Huh …” mused the bright. “But if Enargit led your people, who imprisoned him and why?”
“I, of course.”
“Surprising …”
“Enargit had many supreme qualities, but he lacked a strong hand when he should have been. He was always thinking about peaceful solutions, when there were none. It took him around the third such battle when he started to see that he would not get anywhere with sweet words here. But I had had enough of his incompetence, so I asked Lexénia for help. I told her of my dreams, and she was pleased with my plans. We made an arrangement: I create an empire in her name; meanwhile she makes Enargit go away, which will make me the new Leader.”
“I assume she crossed you,” murmured Cameron as he looked the cursed dragon from toe to head. His gaze showed everything, which made Indrek’s eyes
flare.
“You are wrong. Lexénia kept everything she promised, although she hid some information from me, like the fact that Enargit stayed alive, imprisoned in a cave. In the end, it was no matter, I guess. I could not keep my part, even though it was not entirely my fault that we had to stop invading. We could get smaller lands, merging them together, but nothing like the empire as I promised. Everything fell apart in time …”
“How did you gain your human form then, if that was not in the original arrangement?”
“I needed time, more than my lifetime, which I told Lexénia also. So we made another arrangement. She would get her empire; she just needed to be patient. She became furious and gave me this incredibly fragile body. For a punishment, or who knows what was in her head when she did it. On the other hand, she wanted her empire, so she wanted me. She also made me immortal.”
“I do not know how much it was worth it …” Cameron twisted his mouth.
“You may ask in another hundred circles,” rumbled the Ruler, which made the other smile. “But let us jump a little in time. Yes, for many reasons I left my people, my companions, but in my heart I have never left them. Alas, I knew close to nothing about them, even though I looked for the others through many circles. Sometimes I thought they must have gone back to the Homeland. This helped me to be in peace when I decided to sleep through a couple of hundred circles.”
“Why would you do that? I don’t understand. You promised an empire to Lexénia, didn’t you? So why not start right away?” asked the bright, who picked some cold meat to his plate.
“If I would really tell every little detail, it would stretch too long. I had my reasons; it is useless to shatter them now. Of course, after a while Lexénia grew tired, so she figured a new war. She created the Overlord, which drew Setal’s attention as well, so he created Neila as the Overlord’s pair.”
