Dragon Stones (Book One in the Dragon Stone Saga)

by Kristian Alva

  Chapter 5: The Mage’s Flame

  Elias awoke with a start. It had been exactly one week since he found the dragon stone. His dreams had grown more disturbing. When he closed his eyes at night, he dreamt only of dragons. When he woke up, his mind wandered, and he daydreamed of dragons. He rubbed his eyes and peeked outside the window. It was snowing. Again.

  His grandmother was already awake, stirring porridge in the kitchen.

  “Good morning, Elias. I am using some of your honey to make breakfast. I got fresh goat’s milk this morning from Borgil. He still owed me for sewing up his arm two months ago.” She put the wooden spoon to her lips and tasted, nodding with satisfaction. “It’s only wheat gruel, but it is sweet and delicious.”

  Elias got up and put on his cloak. “It’s freezing. A hot breakfast sounds wonderful.” He walked over and inhaled the aroma of bubbling porridge.

  “It snowed last night, and it will continue to snow throughout the week. These mountains are colder than the valley. It’s a trade-off. We are safer from bandits and the emperor’s tax collectors, but we have to deal with more severe weather. The mountains and the forest offer us protection.”

  “I still wish it was warmer.” He shivered. “Grandmother, are the Death Sands hot all the time, even in the winter?”

  “Yes. It is always warm in the Death Sands, although the temperatures are milder in the fall and winter. The desert is treacherous. A healthy man can die there in just a few hours. The Death Sands are filled with dangerous creatures, nomads, and bandits. One should never underestimate the power of the desert.”

  “Have you ever been to the Death Sands, grandmother?”

  “Yes, many years ago, before you were born. I dare not speak of it much; it is a rebel territory, after all. It’s best to keep quiet about such things.” She looked wistfully at the ceiling. “It’s beautiful, though. In all of Durn, there is no place like it. At night, you can see a million stars in the sky. There are no clouds. In the spring, the rain comes and the cactus flowers bloom purple and white. There is nothing as lovely as the desert in bloom. And there are the dragons. It’s amazing to see them fly free.”

  “Really? What do they look like?” Elias started to ask her more questions about the desert, but was distracted by shouting outside.

  “What was that?” asked Carina.

  “I don’t know.” Elias peeked out the window. “There’s something going on in the village. I see men on horses. They’re dressed in yellow and red.”

  Carina rushed to the window, pulling away the sackcloth curtain, “Elias!” she gasped. “Those are empire soldiers! They are coming towards us!” The men were still a good distance away, but their armor and horses set them apart. These were the emperor’s men.

  Elias ran to the door, but Carina shoved him back. She grabbed his shoulders, and twisted him around to face her. Her knuckles were white.

  “Elias—tell me the truth—did you tell anyone else about the stone?” Carina whispered anxiously.

  “I—Y-Yes. I tried to sell it to Frogar a few days ago. I-I’m sorry! I thought I could get some money—to help us through the winter!” His eyes filled with tears. He had never seen his grandmother this frantic.

  “Don’t cry—just tell me—where is the stone now?”

  “It-it’s in my room, hidden.” Elias trembled. “I-I didn’t take the stone back to the forest, like you asked me. I was going to take it to Jutland, and sell it. I’m sorry! I’m so sorry!”

  “Elias! Listen to me carefully. It’s too late to do anything about it now. We don’t have much time. These soldiers will kill me, Elias.”

  “What? No—no! Don’t say that!” Elias began to sob.

  “Stop! Be strong! You must escape with the stone. Go to Darkmouth Forest. Follow the path to the Elder Willow.” Carina rushed to the cabinet, and pulled out a little dagger and a worn journal. “Use the map in this book. The Elder Willow is well-hidden, so you must continue to look for it until you find it. Take this dagger; it is enchanted. No one will be able to take it from you. Guard this book—it is my grimoire. All my knowledge of spells is in here; safeguard it well.”

  “Grandmother—please!” Elias’ chin trembled. “You’re scaring me!”

  “Elias—I’m sorry I can’t explain, but nothing can be done about it now. Go to your room, swiftly! Get grandfather’s cloak and your knapsack.”

  Elias ran to his room, pulling on his boots. He donned his warmest cloak and ran back out to the kitchen.

  “Grandmother?” Hot tears ran down his cheeks. Elias was afraid.

  Bang! Bang! The men pounded on the door. “Woman! Open the door. We’re here upon orders from the emperor!”

  “Be brave! Elias, here is some dried beef and your waterskin. Put it in your rucksack. Do you have the dragon stone?”

  “Yes. It’s here.” Elias unclasped his fist, and it was there, shining in his palm.

  “Hide it!”

  Elias obeyed, tucking the stone into his boot.

  Carina clasped his face in her hands. “I love you, my grandson. No matter what happens, remember that. Now go. Leave through the root cellar. Stay hidden until it is safe. You will know when. Then, run to the forest, and go straight to the Elder Willow! Do not look back, just keep running!”

  Bang! Bang! “Open up! Or we will break down the door!” the men yelled from outside, more forcefully this time.

  “I’m coming! Hold on!” shouted Carina, and then, whispering, “Elias—make haste! You must go!”

  Carina lifted a worn carpet in the kitchen, revealing a door. Elias slipped through the door in the floor and crawled down the rickety steps into the root cellar. He was underneath the cottage. Carina slammed the door shut. He heard his grandmother dragging the rug back over the opening. He tried to move, but fear kept him frozen in place.

  His eyes adjusted to the faint light coming in from cracks. Above him, he heard the front door open and loud footsteps—the soldier’s boots. He could see movement through a crack in the floor. Elias paused, listening closely.

  “Old woman—we heard you found a stone in the forest—where is it? Tell us quickly, and I might let you live.” It was a man’s voice—gruff and angry.

  “A stone?” Carina responded. “I don’t know anything about it. If I had something so precious, I would have sold it and bought myself some food! The emperor isn’t feeding me, after all.” Her voice did not betray a hint of fear.

  “You don’t know anything about it, eh? How about your grandson? I want to talk to him. Where is he?” asked the captain.

  “I don’t have a grandson. I live alone,” said Carina.

  “Do you take me for a fool, woman?” roared the captain.

  “Yes! You are a fool!” Carina screamed. “A pathetic fool! Are you going to attack an old woman? Get out—get out of my house!”

  Elias gasped, his hand going up to his mouth. He never heard his grandmother talk like this. Elias heard a dull thump and a crash.

  He heard a groan. It was his grandmother’s voice. They had thrown her to the ground—an old woman! These men were beasts. Elias swallowed a lump in his throat, but he kept silent.

  “Tell me where to find the boy—and the stone. Or I will kill you, woman. Now talk!” Elias heard the sounds of other men stomping into the cottage. Some of them were laughing.

  “It is true… I am an old woman.” Carina spat blood. “I am weak… I have been sick for a long time. But appearances can be deceiving. You have underestimated me, and that will be your doom.”

  The captain chuckled. “Is that so?” Two more soldiers stepped inside. They shut the door behind them, so the villagers couldn’t see what they planned to do.

  “Yes, it is so. I was simply waiting for all of you to arrive.” Carina’s hands glowed fire-red, and she jerked her fists in the air.

  “By Golka! Captain, she’s a mage!” one of the men shouted. “Stop her!”

  The door hinges melted shut, trapping all th
e men inside. “The door! It’s sealed shut! She’s cast a spell on it!” another cried.

  “Kill her!” The men descended on Carina, but it was too late. Her body had turned bluish-white. They touched her skin and their hands burned.

  “Augghh! She’s on fire!” the men screamed. The heat inside the cottage increased, and the air began to crackle.

  “Enjoy my hospitality, you fiends! Incêndio!” Carina roared, and the men burst into flames, screaming in agony. Their clothing, hair, and bodies burned in icy blue fire—the mage’s flame. The spell took enormous reserves of energy, and Carina collapsed, taking her last breath. The cabin filled with acrid smoke, and it started to creep into the root cellar.

  Smoke trickled into the cellar. Elias could no longer see anything. He stumbled and fell in the darkness, swearing as his hit the ground. The cellar was almost empty, but he knew there were some onions and turnips in the corner. He felt around in the darkness until he found the vegetables, and then added them to his pack. Holding back tears, he exited the cellar. “She sacrificed herself to save me.”

  Fragrant black smoke filled the air; all of Carina’s herbs were burning. Elias had cover to escape. He had to leave now—before the rest of the village discovered what was happening. As he reached the forest’s edge, he could hear dogs howling and villagers shouting. Behind him, his neighbors screamed, “Fire! Fire!” Elias ran, without looking back.

  ***