Cloak & Dagger: Book II of The Dragon Mage Trilogy

by Carey Scheppner

  In rage, he blasted at the opening with his fiery breath. This did nothing to the surrounding rock other than blackening it somewhat. A moment of steam from the water was instantly dissipated by the inflow of air. He was trapped and there was no escape.

  The dragon sat on a flat rock at the side of the river for a number of hours trying to think of a way to escape the grip of the unrelenting mountain. At last he fell asleep.

  He did not know how long he had been asleep when he sensed something nudging him. He awoke with a start. Beside him on the rock sat a unicorn.

  “Good morning,” said the unicorn politely.

  “Who are you?” asked the dragon sleepily. He was not pleased at being woken up.

  “You know very well who I am,” said the unicorn.

  “Oh, yes,” said the dragon in recognition. “You’re Frosty.”

  “Very good,” said Frosty. He looked intently at the dragon but said nothing.

  At last the dragon spoke up. “What do you want?” he snapped. He did not like being stared at.

  “I need you to come with me,” said Frosty calmly.

  “Where?” demanded the dragon.

  “You’ll see,” said Frosty. “First, you have to change back into a human.”

  The dragon laughed. “I can’t. The mage is dead. I’m a dragon for good.” He looked at the unicorn and sniffed him. “You know, you smell like a delicious meal. Maybe I’ll have you for breakfast.”

  “I think you’d better let Kazin take control,” said Frosty frostily. “You can’t stay like this forever.”

  The dragon laughed again. “He’s gone! Dead! That’s why I’m in control.”

  “Kazin is still alive,” said Frosty. “I can sense him.”

  “He’s dead,” insisted the dragon.

  “He’s alive,” insisted Frosty. “You just don’t want to admit it.”

  “He’s dead!” growled the dragon menacingly. “And so are you in a moment!”

  “Look within and you will see Kazin is still alive,” said Frosty calmly.

  “No,” said the dragon.

  “Yes,” countered Frosty.

  “I’m not going to waste time arguing with you!” snapped the dragon. He opened his jaws and blasted Frosty with a flurry of flames. When the smoke cleared, the unicorn stood there unharmed and unmarked.

  “You can’t harm me that easily,” said Frosty with infuriating calm. “Now let Kazin take control.”

  “No!” snapped the dragon. “You can’t make me do it!”

  “Do you want to get out of here?” asked the unicorn.

  “Yes!” cried the dragon. “Help me get out of here and I’ll let you live!”

  “Let Kazin take control or I’ll let you sit here until you die.”

  “You wouldn’t!” shrieked the dragon. “You wouldn’t abandon Kazin!”

  “So you admit Kazin is still alive,” said Frosty matter-of-factly.

  “I didn’t say that!” cried the dragon.

  “You knew my name,” said Frosty.

  “So?” said the dragon

  “How do you know?” asked the unicorn.

  The dragon paused to reflect. “I’m not sure.”

  “Kazin told you,” said Frosty. “He’s within you. Don’t you hear the voice inside your head?”

  “What voice?” asked the dragon.

  “Can’t you hear it? I can.”

  The dragon listened. Then he heard it. It was faint but noticeable. The mage was still alive. “Nooo!” shrieked the dragon. “It can’t be!” He spun on the unicorn and blasted him with another series of flames. He continued until his breath was spent. Panting in exhaustion, the dragon saw the air clear and the annoying unicorn standing before him unharmed.

  “Do you give up yet?” asked Frosty.

  The dragon lost his patience and lunged angrily at the unicorn, but Frosty was ready. He sprouted wings and flew aside. The dragon could not stop his forward momentum, and splashed headlong into the river. The current grabbed the immense beast and propelled him helplessly toward the cavern opening.

  The dragon couldn’t fight the current and knew he was doomed to die if he kept his form. There was no chance to think. Without any other choice, he transformed into the human mage due to his overwhelming desire for survival. Only the mage’s small body would have a chance to survive the exit from the mountains.

  Frosty plunged into the water with the mage and grabbed hold of the inert body of Kazin. As they cleared the opening, Frosty sprouted his wings and lifted the mage clear of the waterfall to avoid plummeting into the depths below. A moment later, the unicorn was airborne and flying toward the Tower of the Moon as fast as he could go.

  * * * * *

  Malachi surveyed the activity below and wondered if the effort would be worthwhile. The rain had stopped momentarily, but the dark clouds remained. The wind had also increased, whipping the cleric’s robe about his ankles. In the distance, he could see another contingent of soldiers herding villagers from the communities up north to the safety of the Tower of Hope. Their torch was particularly bright in the darkness.

  “I’m amazed at the progress they’re making,” said Mara.

  Malachi jumped and turned to look at the grey mage. “Oh - Mara! You startled me.”

  “Sorry,” said Mara. “I can’t blame you for being jumpy.”

  Malachi sighed and looked northward toward the dark clouds. “This is a troubling time,” he said. “I don’t know if we’ll make it through this time.”

  “I have some news to cheer you up,” said Mara.

  Malachi returned his attention to the grey mage. “I’m listening.”

  “All of the available grey mages at the Tower of the Sky are on their way. The ships departed from the western ports and should be here in a day or so.”

  Malachi sighed dejectedly. “I just hope they arrive in time. If they’re late, they’ll find the Tower of Hope in ruins. There’s no knowing when the enemy will get here, or even if they’re coming. I’m amazed they haven’t already shown up. It shouldn’t have taken them so long to travel this way. My scouts haven’t reported any sightings, but I don’t expect we’ll have much advance warning either way. The uncertainty is driving me up the wall.”

  “You’ve weathered battles like this before,” reminded Mara.

  “Sure,” said Malachi. “But this time our magical ability may not be enough to defend against the magic of our attackers. No offence intended,” he added.

  “Our magic may not be as potent as the black mages’ magic,” said Mara, “but my people can combine offensive and defensive magic quite effectively. We just need to change our tactics and concentrate on our strengths.”

  Malachi nodded. “That’s why we’re building a moat. It prevents us from going on the offensive, but also hinders the enemy from charging the tower. It’s primarily intended to hold back the earth elemental, against whom we have no defense. The earth elemental won’t cross water.”

  “I think it’s ruthless,” said Mara, “to use an elemental to fight their war for them. It’s inhuman.”

  “Lizardmen aren’t human,” reminded Malachi.

  “Obviously,” said Mara.

  “The moat is almost complete,” said Malachi, changing the subject. “It’s almost time to fill it with water from North Lake.”

  “How did you manage to get so many people to pitch in?” asked Mara. “There seems to be a lot of people working on it.”

  “We offered additional rations of clean water,” explained Malachi, “as well as more dwarven ale. Most people were only too eager to help. There are also plenty of other volunteers that are arriving in droves from other parts of the land. By now word has spread everywhere and people are bolstering General Larsen’s army. We need every able-bodied soldier we can get.”

  “And still you don’t think it will be enough?” asked Mara.

  Malachi sighed. “I don’t know. We need a miracle. A dragon would be nice.”

  “You mean
like Arch Mage Kazin?” asked the grey mage.

  “Yes,” said Malachi. “Ever since he went into the mountains, we haven’t heard from him. Even his familiar has no idea where he is. I hope nothing has happened to him.”

  “The familiar was the unicorn I saw yesterday?”

  “Yes,” answered Malachi. “I sent the unicorn off to the Tower of the Moon late yesterday with some samples of the dwarven spirits, as well as a stash of wildhorn leaves and faelora. Hopefully it’s enough to get them to find a cure for the disease.” The high cleric clenched his jaw. “If I could just stop the dying.”

  “There’s no point fretting about things that are beyond our control,” admonished Mara. “Let’s concentrate on things we can do to win this war.”

  Malachi seemed to gain some strength from Mara’s optimism. “Quite right, Mara. Quite right.”

  The high cleric was about to lead the way back down the steps into the courtyard to continue handing out extra rations, when he noticed the latest contingent of soldiers escorting some people past the usual assignment posts for newcomers. As they approached the tower’s gates, he could make out a white-cloaked figure and a large figure with light greenish skin among them. He couldn’t believe his eyes. Taking the steps two at a time, the high cleric worked his way down to the gates. They were just opening as he arrived and he huffed and puffed from the exertion of his run.

  Mara caught up to him shortly after and watched the small group of people enter the courtyard with interest. A cleric with a dirty white robe entered, followed by a cyclops, a dwarf, an elf, and a brightly flaming figure who shifted nervously in the presence of so many magic wielders. The last figure was the most unusual and drew the most stares from those who had assembled to gawk at the newcomers.

  “Vera!” exclaimed Malachi when he recognized the cleric. He stepped forward and embraced her warmly. “Thank heaven you’re alright!”

  “I’m fine,” said Vera with a weak voice.

  Malachi looked over at the cyclops without fear of being paralyzed, but the cyclops looked away out of habit. “Cyril! I’ve missed you! How are you doing?”

  “I’m fine,” said Cyril, not sure how to react now that he was back.

  Vera introduced Rebecca and Alric and Malachi shook their hands warmly. Alric had a disappointed expression on his face, as though he did not find what he had been looking for.

  When Vera introduced Tyris, it was Malachi who was unsure how to react.

  “Do not use summoning magic,” said Tyris in a low voice.

  “You are safe here,” said Malachi. “We do not even know how to summon a being like yourself. It has been generations since we had the ability, if ever.”

  Tyris nodded.

  Malachi then introduced Mara to the others.

  “A pleasure,” said Mara with a friendly nod.

  “Did you run into Arch Mage Kazin by any chance?” asked Malachi. “He went looking for you after you left so suddenly.”

  Vera looked crestfallen. “He found us alright, and helped us immensely while we were looking for the source of the poison. But he got poisoned. He – he didn’t make it.”

  Malachi gasped and his eyes widened. “That is grievous news indeed! He will be sorely missed by everyone. I was counting on him as much as everyone else.”

  “He instructed us to carry on, and that’s what I intend to do,” said Vera fervently.

  “His good advice will be heeded,” said Malachi seriously. “Come! You must be tired and hungry. You shall all be washed and fed and we’ll discuss your adventures inside!” He led the way into the tower and filled everyone in on the latest events at the tower.

  Chapter 31

  Kazin opened his eyes and tried to adjust to the bright daylight coming in from the window to his right. It wasn’t exactly bright to the other occupants in the room, considering the dark, dreary cloud cover outside, but for someone who had been unconscious for a long time, it was more than enough. He closed his eyes again. Beside him, he heard some voices chanting softly.

  “He’s awake!” whispered a feminine voice nearby.

  The other voices stopped chanting and Kazin felt someone lean close over him. “Are you sure?”

  “I just saw him open his eyes for a second,” said the first voice.

  Kazin took a deep breath and opened his eyes again. He squinted at the familiar face of Vera.

  “Kazin? Kazin!” cried Vera excitedly. She turned to the others behind her. “It’s true! He’s awake! We did it!” She suddenly started weeping uncontrollably, hours of strenuous healing magic taking its toll on her frail body.

  “Now, now, child,” said an older woman calmly. She put her arm around the cleric and gently led her from the room.

  “Martha?” murmured Kazin, recognizing the voice of the druid.

  “Yes,” said another voice above him. It was the first voice he had heard.

  Kazin let his eyes adjust for a few more seconds. “Milena?”

  “I guess I’ll let you two talk,” said a new voice. It was Adriana. She stood up and left the room, closing the door behind her.

  “Hello, Kazin,” said Milena softly when the other druid had gone. “Welcome back to the land of the living.”

  “Where am I?” asked Kazin. He tried to sit up but his strength hadn’t returned yet.

  Milena puffed up his pillow and gently pushed him back down on the bed. “Rest for a while, Kazin. You’ll gain your strength faster that way. In answer to your question, you’re in the Tower of the Moon. Frosty brought you out of the mountains. You were in rough shape.”

  Kazin tried to recall the events since the dragon took control of him. The images that came to mind were fuzzy and intermittent. He shook his head in an attempt to clear his mind. “It’s good to see you again,” said Kazin, concentrating on Milena’s face instead. He remembered their previous adventure where Milena had achieved her status as a druid.

  “I’m happy to see you too,” said Milena. “It’s been a long time. Too bad it’s during another emergency. You have a habit of getting into the thick of things.”

  Kazin tried a weak smile. “That’s me.” His smile vanished and he looked more closely at the druid. Her face was haggard looking and she appeared exhausted. “You look awful.”

  Milena smiled a warm smile, despite her condition. “I’ve been in healing mode since I got here.” Then she frowned. “Mermaids are dying in droves.”

  Kazin shook his head sadly. “How did Vera get here?” he asked, changing the subject.

  “She caught a ride on a griffin,” said Milena. “So did Mara, the head grey mage.”

  “Why?” asked Kazin.

  “We have a plan to create an antidote for the poison,” said Milena. “We need an experienced representative of each branch of magic to succeed. We sent the griffins to pick up Mara and Vera. I’ll represent the druids. That leaves the black mage. With you awake, we’re just about ready to make our attempt.”

  “You said ‘experienced representatives’,” interrupted Kazin. “You and I are experienced, and so is Mara as a grey mage, but are you sure Vera is up to the task? Not to speak against her, but she’s only a level one cleric.”

  Milena nodded. “I thought the same thing when she first got here. But it was the griffin who chose her. Apparently, the griffin was unwilling to let any of High Cleric Malachi’s senior clerics mount it. It only stood still when Vera neared it. She was the only one it would allow on its back. In retrospect, it may have had to do with the fact that she had met the water elemental previously. The griffin knew the water elemental was going to be summoned, and a cleric who had previous contact with that elemental was preferable to one that did not. Those griffins have the strange ability to sense these things. They’re smart creatures, but they can be very stubborn at times.”

  Kazin nodded. “So you were just waiting for me to wake up.” The mage’s strength was rapidly returning and he pushed himself up to a seated position. This time Milena didn’t stop him.
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  “There is one more attendee we need at this event,” said Milena. “You’re not the only one we needed to work on.”

  “Who’s that?” asked Kazin.

  “The water elemental,” answered Milena. “It’s critical to have that elemental present for the cure to be created. We’ve attempted to summon it a few times while you were on your way here, but without success. It must still be weak from its time in the mountains. But Frosty senses the elemental is getting stronger all the time. He figures we will succeed very soon.”

  “Then we should give it a try,” said Kazin. He started to get out of bed, but this time Milena pushed him back down. “Not so fast. It’s our turn to get some rest now. We put in a considerable effort in reviving you. None of us are ready to perform a summoning spell at this point in time. While we rest, you should too. Apparently, you’ll need to channel a lot of your magical energy to help create the cure.”

  Kazin looked around and spotted his staff in its sheath nearby. The green orb atop the staff was still intact. A moment of trepidation swept over him but disappeared as quickly as it came. He was in control now. The dragon’s voice inside his head was a mere whisper. It would not take over again anytime soon if he could help it.

  Milena started for the door. “I’m glad Frosty was right about the poison.”

  “What do you mean?” asked Kazin.

  The druid stopped and turned to regard the mage. Her face held a look of surprise. “You mean you don’t know?”

  Kazin shook his head and stared at her blankly.

  Milena’s face became thoughtful. “Now it’s starting to make sense,” she mumbled.

  Kazin looked at her quizzically.

  “The poison was never a threat to your life, Kazin.”

  Kazin wrinkled his eyebrows. “Huh?”

  Milena took a few steps closer to the bed. “The poison doesn’t affect lizardmen, right?”

  “Yeah, so?”

  “Why do you think you’re able to open the lizardmen’s portals?” continued the druid.

  “I use magic,” said Kazin.

  “Where does that magic come from?” asked Milena.