Dragon Scepter

by Angelique Anderson

  “How can you be so sure?” Svana asked, her thoughts focused on the ailing dragon on her back. If he died, there would be no cause worth his death. Dragons were everything the world was missing, they were wisdom, and humor, and magic. So much of the suffering that had been caused could have been saved with a little bit of magic. She had to make sure he survived, even if it cost her everything. He had so easily given up his essence for her, and she would do the same if it came down to it.

  “I’m not sure, my dear. I only hope. I hope in my heart, and in my mind that it will happen. Percival would have never wanted me to give up hope. He was kind, and hardworking, but above all, he hoped every day that the kingdoms would unite once more, and we would become the flourishing world we once were. When you came along, he was so sure that hope had been answered. He told me that several times.”

  “Oh, Percival,” Svana whispered brokenly, even more resolved to do what was needed to save her kingdom. Her new home.

  “Well, if that doesn’t inspire you onward, I don’t know what will. I will deeply miss him,” Jakobe finally spoke, “he was like a father to me. He believed in me, gave me the courage to keep the doors open on my shop, even when I didn’t think I could manage by myself for another month. Thank goodness I did, because the King blacksmith fell ill, and that was a turning point for me. If I remember correctly, it was Perci’s stubbornness that helped me find that way to heat the metal, so it was stronger but not as heavy.”

  Eloise nodded her head, “Indeed it was, I remember that night. He came home and told me about what the two of you had accomplished. I don’t know if he ever told you Jaxxy, but he loved you like a son.”

  Svana could see the tear threating the corner of Jakobe’s eye, and it warmed her. Percival had done so much good. Svana would make sure that in everything she did, his spirit, and Melifera’s spirit lived on in her actions.

  “I know it,” Jakobe responded. “And I him, like a father. Looks like we have our work cut out for us.”

  “We do,” answered Svana, and together they found the well-traveled path to Telluris and hurried onward. Anxious to restore all that had been lost.

  22

  Hekla

  Magic, if left unchecked, can consume more than the body; it can consume the soul. This is why the balance between light and dark is closer than anyone truly realizes. One cannot simply use magic for extended periods of time, without the power consuming their mind, body, and soul. It happens in stages, and the soul is always the last to go, but once it does, it is no longer normal magic, but dark magic that remains. At that point, it feeds from a person like a leech, until they are consumed, drained of life.

  King Arnott the Wise, Second King of Telluris, 320 A.V.

  Hekla hated to leave the island and the company of Miralee and Luna, but she knew she could not rest long. She believed that was the thing that infuriated her the most on her travels. She was never allowed to rest… at least, not for a prolonged amount of time. She always had something to do, people to see, kingdoms to save. Hekla was young, much younger than her two sisters, and all she wanted to do was have a simple life. That was a thing of the past now. She had an entire kingdom dependent upon her, and so, she had to leave.

  She needed a small team to investigate everything, and so she chose Jetevius and Ecthelion as well as five of her closest guards. The Aequoran guards were ones she had fought along beside, ones she knew she could trust with her life.

  Hekla stood outside the beautiful home, looking at the near perfect day. The clouds in the sky were few but danced like fireflies in the deep blue of the horizon.

  “Do you have to leave so soon?” Luna asked.

  Hekla got down to one knee to look Luna in the eyes.

  “Luna, dear, I’m not leaving because I want to. I’m leaving because I must.”

  Luna frowned.

  “Remember when I told you that I would do everything I could to prevent any more wars? To bring peace to Verdil?”

  Luna nodded.

  Hekla smiled. “It is time I make good on that promise.”

  Luna bit her lip. “I understand.”

  “I hope to be back soon.”

  Hekla embraced Luna in a hug, then, trying to keep her tears contained, she stepped away. She offered a wave of goodbye to Miralee as she began her journey with Jetevius and Ecthelion.

  She did her best to not look back as she began her journey. For the first time in a while, she was concerned. The original plan was to overthrow the kings of Verdil, which was already a monumental task, but now there was an unforeseen darkness that lingered in the sea. Hekla didn’t know if she’d be enough to face whatever was next.

  You are, Speltus said sternly in her mind.

  Thank you, Speltus, Hekla gulped. I wish it could be enough, she thought apologetically. She was glad to have the support of the dragon, but his confidence in her wasn’t going to give her the strength she would need to save the kingdoms. Above anything, she needed to know what they faced. She needed to find out where the king was taking his treasure.

  They reached the edge of the island, and Hekla looked into the crystal-clear waters, watching the beauty of the morning sun’s reflection bouncing off of the surface. Fish jumped out of the water, catching insects in their mouths before diving back in the water. The water rippled in several places as the fish traffic increased.

  Taking a deep breath, she stepped into the water, the chill of the water bringing a shiver to her spine. She wasn’t ready, and yet, she knew she had to go.

  “Wait,” a voice called from behind her.

  Hekla turned around, half expecting to see Luna running up to her. Instead, she saw the young, beautiful Aequoran she’d just met running over to her. Isabella. The woman was running toward them, and Hekla didn’t know if she should be concerned, or bothered by the woman’s approach.

  “Wh—” Hekla tried to find the words but was cut off.

  “Don’t leave without me,” Isabella said.

  “Bu—” Hekla attempted to say.

  “I want to help.”

  “Are you sure you want to be a part of this?” Hekla asked.

  Isabella nodded.

  “And you realize what may happen?”

  Isabella nodded. “I owe it to my mother to see this through.”

  Hekla choked on a tear as she thought about that one. “Very well. Stay close to me.”

  Isabella nodded, smiling, as she approached Hekla.

  Hekla didn’t want Isabella to travel with them for several reasons. For one: she didn’t want harm to come to the young woman, two: she didn’t want her to be nearby if they were forced to kill the king—her father, and three: Hekla didn’t know if worst came to worst, and they had to destroy her father—that she wouldn’t try to stop them, or turn on them. But, at the same time, having her with them may be an invaluable asset to victory. However, Hekla didn’t know which outcome it would be.

  Hekla took another step into the water, then held her scepter out in front of her, concentrating on it.

  “Orbium Expandum Aquum Purum,” Hekla said.

  A bubble of air formed at the tip of the scepter, pausing for a second before it covered her entire body. It tingled slightly as it finished, causing Hekla to shiver slightly. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Isabella next to her watching Hekla with eyes wide and jaw dropped.

  “Did you just do magic?” Isabella asked.

  Hekla smiled at the woman. “Yes. The Unseen Ones have granted me the ability in order to save your kingdom.”

  Before Isabella could respond, Hekla continued into the water until her entire body was under the surface. She looked around, seeing the beautiful sights of the ocean floor. A few jellyfish floated nearby, and Hekla made sure to begin swimming in the opposite direction. Hekla hated jellyfish, and she hated seafood. She began to wonder why she had been chosen to go to Aequoris above the other kingdoms.

  Fish swam by in front of her, glittering in the sunlight as it beamed through the
ocean and into the water. The fish were every color she could imagine, and none were plain. Yellow and black stripes, blue and black stripes, red and black stripes, glittering silver with purple specs. They were all truly beautiful. She smiled as she watched a sea turtle pass by. She reached out, touching the top of its shell. The turtle’s head turned to glance at her, but not seeing her as a threat, continued moving forward.

  Hekla knew why she chose Aequoris. While not a fan of jellyfish, nor seafood, she absolutely adored all sea life.

  “Beautiful, isn’t it?” Hekla said aloud.

  “What’s that?” Isabella asked.

  “The sea. All of it. The fish, the turtles—all the wildlife. Even the forests of seaweed and castles of coral. It’s all marvelous.”

  Isabella bit her bottom lip. “I suppose it is. I never really took the time to really enjoy all of it I suppose. I guess, I take my life down here for granted.”

  Hekla shook her head. “It’s a shame, really. And I don’t believe it’s just you. I believe all the Aequorans have taken their sea for granted. I believe once we achieve peace, it will change things. There is little time to enjoy things when everyone is on edge—either fighting or being scared. That, above all else, is what we need to change.”

  “It’s good to see,” Isabella said.

  “Hmm?”

  Isabella smiled, her lips glowing in the sunlit rays under the sea. “Your genuine care for us. Not only us, but all of the sea.”

  “Of course, I care,” Hekla said.

  Sighing, Hekla ran her hands through her long, blue hair. The constant movement of the water kept her hair fluttering behind and in front of her. And now that she’d learned to control her spell better, it wasn’t a large, massive bubble around her anymore, but a more concise air encasing around her entire body, but fit to her body, like that of tight, leather armor. It made it easier to interact with everything around her, but she truly wondered, if her different anatomy from the Aequorans could ever make her truly one of them. How could she rule a kingdom that she couldn’t truly breathe in without magic?

  “I’ve heard about you, you know.” Isabella said.

  “You have?” Hekla inquired.

  Isabella nodded. “It’s why when Ecthelion found me, and I learned who he was with—who he supported, it’s why I came.”

  “What have you heard?” Hekla asked, curious.

  “A beautiful land-dweller with long blue hair, pale skin, eyes of aquamarine, and magic blessed by the Unseen Ones—sent here to save all of Aequoris.”

  “So, you did know of my magic?” Hekla half-smiled.

  “Hear of—and seeing, are two entirely different things.”

  “Is everything you heard true?”

  Isabella smiled. “Yes.”

  “I want what’s best for Aequoris, that is true,” Hekla said. “But, I also want what is best for all of Verdil. I want all three kingdoms to have peace—with each other, and with themselves.”

  “That is why you are perfect to be queen of Aequoris,” Jetevius said as he approached them.

  “Please don’t speak of such things,” Hekla said. “Aequoris still has a king.”

  “You would make a much better queen than my father ever made a ruler. I can already see it now,” Isabella said.

  Hekla turned away from the beautiful woman to look at Jetevius, her cheeks burning red from the compliment. “Has Ecthelion returned?”

  Jetevius began to shake his head when Ecthelion swam behind him to catch up.

  The older aequoran seemed out of breath. The gills on his neck pulsed furiously. He stopped in front of Hekla, where he stopped, resting his hands on his knees, and breathing heavily.

  “Is everything all right, Ecthelion?” she asked, though she had her doubts when seeing him out of breath.

  He shook his head. “When I originally went out to find Isabella, it wasn’t only her I was searching for. I had an old acquaintance who was still a friend to the king, though very much reserved and careful around him. I talked to him only the other day, right before finding Isabella. He told me of the king’s strange behavior, and the darkness that consumes him deeper every day. He said the king had a shipment leaving the city soon, and he was going to look into it…”

  “What happened?” Hekla asked.

  “He’s dead.”

  “How?” Hekla asked slowly.

  “It looks like—” Ecthelion clenched his eyes tightly, as if remembering a nightmare.

  “What is it?” Hekla asked, taking a step closer.

  “He looks dehydrated.”

  Hekla tilted her head. “Dehydrated?”

  He nodded. “Like he’d been out in the sun for over a week and had no water to replenish his skin. He’s dried out.”

  Hekla’s brows furrowed. “Dried out? Here, under the sea?”

  “Yes,” Ecthelion said. “It doesn’t make sense. I saw him the other day, and he was fine. He barely had the first wrinkle. He was the king’s medicine man, so he kept his body well maintained.”

  “How would an Aequoran dry out under water?” Hekla whispered.

  “They wouldn’t,” Jetevius said.

  “Are you suggesting?” Hekla left the question hanging.

  “Dark magic,” Ecthelion said. “His house reeked of it.”

  “Reeked?” Hekla asked. “What does dark magic smell like?”

  “Death.”

  Hekla raised her brow now. “Death? Wouldn’t him being dead … smell like death?”

  “It’s much deeper than that,” Ecthelion said, “like a pungent well of darkness mixed with death, and not just any death—like a death that had been resting a while. There’s a difference between a recent body, and that of a crypt with dozens of bodies that have been sitting for hundreds of years. This death I speak of, the dark magic, it’s old death, like a graveyard, but instead of the scent traveling for miles, it’s all contained in one spot.”

  Hekla’s lips pressed tight together. “That doesn’t sound pleasant.”

  “It is not,” Ecthelion said.

  “What is our next stroke?” Jetevius asked.

  Hekla laughed slightly inside to hearing stroke rather than step. She supposed not many Aequorans walked, especially under water, but they sure did swim.

  “It’s obvious, isn’t it?” she asked.

  Jetevius raised a brow.

  “This medicine man was on to something. He knew a shipment of something was leaving the city. He was looking into it, possibly trying to discover what was being exported—and he was killed for it. It’s obvious he was discovered, and to keep him quiet, he was killed.”

  “The shipment,” Jetevius interrupted.

  Hekla smiled. “The shipment, we now know is some sort of gift for this dark spirit.”

  Jetevius’s eyes widened.

  “And if they learned someone was snooping around?” Hekla asked.

  “They would swim ahead of schedule,” Isabella said.

  Hekla smiled, pointing her index finger at Isabella. “Precisely.”

  “We need to find this shipment,” Ecthelion said.

  “And,” Hekla said, tying her hair behind her back to keep it out of her eyes while swimming. “We need to find it before it reaches its destination.”

  23

  Astrid

  Many a foe wears a mask, and it’s hard to be deciphered by those who do not. When matters of battle or lives of the innocent are at stake, it is important to know the truth about such things. For there can be no question about the intention of a man’s will if he is to die by the blade. Therefore, act cautiously, warrior. Know your allies and your enemies equally, for in death, it will be too late.

  King Everett the Honest, Second King of Caelestis, 326 A.V.

  Astrid was the only one brave enough to venture closer to the scarlet colored beast. “So, you’re too old to keep holding up Caelestis?”

  With tired eyes, he looked up at her, blinking emphatically before he nodded and laid his head down on h
is over-sized claws. His confession weighed heavy on her heart. How could the Unseen Ones not care about the state of being for this poor creature? Were they that heartless? She wondered.

  Do not be deceived, Astrid. Aronus cautioned, all is not as it seems.

  Look at him though! It’s as if he’s been cast aside, to be forgotten about! Used just for his magic to keep up Caelestis. There has to be another way, she said in her mind.

  Trust me when I say there is no other way, do not believe everything you hear.

  “Why is there no one to take your place?” Astrid asked, moving closer. Her eyes studying the thick chains that held him there. The scales had been rubbed off where the metal had rusted and hung for years. “How do you eat? How do you do anything?”

  “Oh, I do all right for myself. I can summon beasts to myself, but my magic is waning, and I’ve barely any strength left. It won’t be long, before I’ll cross over to the other side.”

  “Something doesn’t seem right beast. The Unseen Ones are nothing, if not just. They would not leave you here to fend for yourself if there was not a reason for them to do so,” Cayden, growing bolder, stepped forward to stand side by side with Astrid.

  “And what would you know of the Unseen Ones? Have you ever seen one?” the dragon questioned, his head lulling tiredly from side to side.

  “No, can’t say that I have, but I know enough. I’ve heard enough history to understand their purpose, and what they do with those who cross into the spiritual realm,” he continued, unintimidated by the dragon’s anger.

  “Is that so? Do you know what lies in these caverns? What could kill you if I were not here to frighten them off? You know nothing! You have no idea what I was capable of when I was younger, before I was sentenced to here?” The dragon’s voice had taken on a snarl, his dark eyes had widened, and he stood to his feet.

  “Sentenced?” Quimby repeated, but even as he said the word out loud, he began to retreat, fearful for his life.