The magic swirled around Sulrad, tighter and tighter, until it looked like a small tornado. It focused on the charm and the stone set in it. The whirling magic penetrated the stone and vanished within, leaving Sulrad standing in the canyon surrounded by darkness.
Zhimosom shifted his position to find out where the red dragon had gone. In his haste, he dislodged a stone. It clattered down into the canyon, careening off the walls with such a din, Zhimosom thought it could be heard all the way back at the Wizards' camp.
Zhimosom cringed and turned to signal Helmyer. The old Wizard ducked behind a boulder and Zhimosom sighed with relief. He turned back to see what Sulrad was doing, but Sulrad seemed not to have noticed the noise. He was performing some ritual with the amulet.
Zhimosom was so engaged with Sulrad's actions that he was not prepared for what happened next. He heard the sound of stones falling and then a scream. He looked over to see Helmyer hunched down, trying to keep out of the jaws of the red dragon as it perched on the rocks overhead. It struck at him with its massive head, jaws snapping.
"Stop that," Zhimosom shouted. He tried the spell of binding on the dragon, but it did nothing. The dragon struck again. Helmyer rolled to the side and the dragon snapped its jaw shut on empty air. Zhimosom knew that the Wizard could not stay out of the dragon's reach for long.
Zhimosom stood up and shouted at the dragon, trying to distract it, but it did not waver from its pursuit of the Wizard beneath its perch. The dragon attacked again and again as Helmyer rolled from side to side, trying to get to his feet and escape the attacks.
Helmyer screamed as the dragon finally found its mark. The beast clamped him in its jaws, but did not bear down. It raised its head up and took to the wing, bearing the Wizard away. It swooped low over Sulrad and dropped Helmyer to the sand to lie on the bloody stain of Sulrad's first victim.
Sulrad advanced on Helmyer with his knife.
"No," Zhimosom screamed as the knife flashed. Helmyer's magic was released just as the dragon's had been. It was absorbed by the amulet Sulrad wore around his neck.
Zhimosom cradled his head in his hands. He had led the Wizard to his death. He should have stayed in Amedon.
Zhimosom heard the sound of rocks falling, and turned to see the dragon flapping its mighty wings just over his head. He was too late to take any action before it took hold of him with its massive claws.
Zhimosom struggled to breathe, but he was held tight in the grip of the dragon. The ground dropped away beneath him as the beast took flight. The jerky up and down motion of its wings made his stomach queasy as they rose higher and higher into the sky.
Soon, the rocks below looked like pebbles on the grass. The mountains loomed ahead, but quickly fell beneath.
Zhimosom was dizzy, and his lungs burned. Just as he thought he could endure no more, the dragon ceased beating its wings and started to glide. The the air whistled past Zhimosom as they descended towards a mountain peak below.
There was a small town perched among the rocks on the mountainside. The homes were rustic, made from scraps of stone and little else. A square lay open in the center of the town where the dragon descended. It flared its wings and settled to the earth, releasing Zhimosom just as his feet touched the ground. Zhimosom gulped in air as the pressure on his chest released.
The dragon stepped back. It raised its head and shot fire into the twilight air. It looked back down and Zhimosom heard it speak in his head.
"Sulrad has commanded me to take you here and abandon you. He fears killing you and does not want you harmed, but neither does he want you in Amedon.
"I am under his command," the dragon continued. "I cannot fight his will, but my mind is still my own. I do as commanded, but I do not like it. Please find a way to stop this madness. Free us from this Wizard's spells. You are the only hope we have."
With that, the dragon gave a screech and spread its wings. "He commands." It drew in a breath and shot fire at Zhimosom. It was all Zhimosom could do, to withstand the blast.
Zhimosom' drained from his body as the flames licked over him. Soon, he would be exhausted, too weak to maintain the shields, and he would be burned alive. As the last of his power slipped away, the dragon ceased its fire. Zhimosom tried to draw power from Rotiaqua or the pools, but without any personal magic, he was unable to access them. He was powerless and at the dragon's mercy.
"I am sorry. He commanded me to drain your magic so you cannot follow. This war will be fought without you."
The dragon spread its wings and launched itself into the sky. Zhimosom watched helplessly as it vanished into the air, headed over the mountains that now separated him from Sulrad, the Wizards of Amedon and the coming war.
Zhimosom reached out for Rotiaqua once again. She needed to know what had happened in Ryden, but his attempts at the connection fell short. He didn't have enough power to get through to her. He sank to the ground and buried his head in his hands in frustration. He had failed Helmyer, he had failed to stop Sulrad and failed to save the dragon.
Summoning
Sulrad called the dragon that he had summoned on his first attempt. Its name was Kel'hin, and it was a powerful and mighty dragon even among its own kind, but that didn't save it from his command.
It landed before him and bowed its head.
"Have you deposited Zhimosom in the mountains as I commanded?"
"As you commanded." The dragon's voice was deep but quiet and Sulrad had to strain to hear its words.
"I will summon another dragon. You are to stand by in case there is any trouble. Your orders are to protect me at all costs, even if that means killing another dragon." Sulrad looked into the large dark eyes with vertical slits. "Is that understood?"
"I understand," Kel'hin said.
"Good. Let us begin." Sulrad performed the summoning spell. The night sky lit up as the long, glimmering curtains formed overhead. Sulrad scanned the sky, searching for the shadow of the dragon, finally spotting it as it sliced through the colorful shifting curtains.
The dragon was large, almost as large as Kel'hin. It was the color of fire bricks, a deep red with a burned tint to it. Sulrad felt the wind as the dragon settled to the ground and lumbered into the canyon.
Sulrad grabbed the amulet and chanted the spell of binding. The magic of the dragon and the Wizard he had killed emanated from the amulet. The magic was a combination of the wild and untamed magic of the dragon, mixed with the disciplined and educated power of the Wizard.
The spell took hold, faster this time than the last. The dragon bowed its head to him. Sulrad felt the complete submission of this dragon. It was not holding back as Kel'hin had. This one was completely his.
"Master," the dragon said.
"That's more like it." Sulrad motioned the dragon to lower its head to the ground. "Come, let me get a good look at you."
The dragon settled its massive head to the sand. It breathed heavily, sending up a swirl of dust as Sulrad approached, but it was quiet and under control.
"What is your name?"
"I am Ryn'per,” the dragon rumbled.
"And who commands you?"
"You do, My Lord."
"Without reservation?" Sulrad cocked one eyebrow at the dragon. He probed for any signs of deceit.
"Without reservation," Ryn'per said.
"Can you carry me?"
"Easily, My Lord."
"Good. We have some scouting to do." Sulrad looked to the sky. The curtains of light had faded and the stars with them. The sky was just taking on the deep dark blue of the pre-dawn.
The darkness suited him.
Sulrad mounted Ryn'per, settling in just behind the massive neck and forward of the wings. He threw his arms around the dragon's neck and held on with all his might. He called to Kel'hin to follow them as Ryn'per launched into the sky circling higher and higher. Sulrad looked down, losing sight of the land below as the dragon gained height.
Off to the west, Sulrad spied a camp on a hill. A dozen camp fires bl
azed to ward off the night and provide some heat for the gathered host.
"There," Sulrad said pointing to the array of tents. "Take me there, but don't let them see us." Sulrad commanded Kel'hin to take up formation beside Ryn'per for the attack as they headed for the Wizards' camp.
He felt uneasy as the dragon dropped towards the camp. The massive wings stopped their beating and stretched wide as they swooped over the site. Sulrad felt the power of the Wizards below as he silently glided over them.
One large tent stood out. It must be their commander's. "There, that one." Sulrad pointed it out to the dragon. "I want that one destroyed."
The dragon twisted and dropped. Sulrad hung on to the scaly neck as the dragon maneuvered in the sky. Ryn'per took a deep breath and spit fire, hitting the tent full on. The tent burst into flames and the pre dawn sky filled with screams as its occupants ran for their lives.
The dragon took another pass, adding to the flames and confusion. A Wizard stood outside the tent and cast a spell towards Sulrad's mount, but it was ineffective.
The dragon made another pass at the tent and reeled into the sky, powerful wings beating as they rose. Ryn'per circled the camp while it deteriorated into chaos. Sulrad felt elated both by the power of the dragon and the exhilarating experience of flight.
Wizard Wars
Alwroth woke to shrieks and the smell of burning canvas. All around him, fire blazed. His tent was afire, the canvas above quickly falling to the flames. He glimpsed the dragon reeling overhead as it prepared to make another pass.
He raised a protective barrier about his person, drawing on all of his strength to make it as solid as possible. Dragon fire was infused with their wild magic and could not be easily defeated.
Alwroth rushed to Uskin where she lay. Her skin was burned and her bedding afire. He reached into the flames, hardening his shield as he did, and tried to drag her from the fire. She screamed in pain as he touched her damaged flesh. He pushed his magic into her, trying to numb the pain and heal her burns enough so he could get her out of the tent before the dragon returned.
She screamed as he grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the flames. Her shields were weak and ineffective against the dragon's fire. She screamed louder as he pulled her burned and blistered arm around his shoulder and lifted her to her feet.
Alwroth stumbled along, hauling Uskin as much as helping her walk on her own. Her legs were charred black, but bright red where the burned flesh had cracked. She shrieked in pain with each step he took.
He passed through the door, escaping the tent just as the dragon released its second burst of flame. Alwroth extended his shields to cover Uskin as well as himself. He felt the heat against his back as the dragon leveled its blast, but held out against the pain.
Alwroth stumbled away from the tent that was, by now, completely engulfed in flames. He carried the limp form of Uskin with him until he reached the meadow outside of the camp. He lowered the Sorceress to the ground and called out.
Moright rushed to aid Alwroth.
Uskin was breathing, but unconscious. Alwroth was thankful for that mercy. At least she no longer screamed in pain.
Moright examined Uskin, prodding and carefully lifting the scorched clothes to get a better view of her wounds. She was almost completely covered in burns, her hair scorched off, and only a portion of her face remained unscathed.
Alwroth tried to infuse power into her, but he she was fading despite his efforts.
"There is little I can do. She is burned badly and the remedy for dragon's fire is beyond my ability." Moright sat back, shaking his head.
"There must be something we can do." Alwroth pressed harder, trying to stop her decline as he used his own magic to keep her alive. She moaned softly as he poured his strength into her. He felt her stabilize, and was relieved that, for the moment, she was no longer in immediate danger.
He crafted a spell of healing and rest and wove it around her. Her pain and fear receded as the spell took hold and she fell into a quiet sleep.
Alwroth stepped outside the tent and looked up. He heard the sounds of the camp in disarray around him. He felt the magic of the Wizards as they took up defensive positions to try to stop the flames.
Alwroth sensed Moright's magic as the Wizard crafted and launched spells one after the other, relentlessly battering the dragons. Moright was one of the strongest warrior-Wizards Alwroth had ever met. It gave him a small glimmer of hope to see the old Wizard stand, arms outstretched, staff ablaze.
Alwroth feared another attack and took the opportunity to carry Uskin to safety. He found a place where she would be sheltered while he fought off the dragons. He could tend to her wounds once the conflict was over.
There was a stand of trees not far off. Alwroth carried Uskin over to them, careful of the stones and scrub brush that dotted the dry ground. She moaned softly as he lumbered across the meadow.
He gently lowered her to the ground, knelt down, and spoke in her ear. He used a spell that would carry his voice through the healing and sleep spells he had already cast on her. She would not respond, but she would hear him and remember his words when she awoke.
"You will survive," Alwroth assured her. "You are strong; I can feel it in you even now. Hold fast."
He reached out and touched her cheek in the only area where her flesh was not raw and blackened from the dragon's fire.
"I have to leave you here, but I will return for you."
He stood up and turned back to the battle.
He was heartened when he saw Moright hold the dragon fire at bay. The old Wizard must have found a spell that worked. When the dragon speared him with flame, it did not penetrate the invisible shield he had erected. It looked like the battle was not yet lost.
The dragon withdrew into the sky and Alwroth felt Moright relax his spell. The Wizard's relief was palpable, but it was short lived. A screech split the sky. The second dragon joined the first in the crimson sky overhead. They were high up, circling, as if admiring the wreckage. Alwroth knew it was only a matter of time before the dragons struck again.
While he watched, both dragons folded their wings and dropped like stones thrown from a tower. They shrieked as they came, their cries filling the air.
The dragons spread their wings as they neared the camp. The lead dragon left a trail of flames and stench that cut through the middle of the camp, isolating the Wizards on each side from one another.
The second dragon was more purposeful and directed. It focused first on the remains of Alwroth's tent, washing it in flame until there was nothing left of it but a small pile of ash that swirled away into the air.
It beat its mighty wings, hovering in place as it streamed death on the camp from above. Alwroth felt Moright expand his spell of coverage to take in the whole camp. It looked like it was working, but no sooner had it settled in place than it failed.
The mess tent burst into flames next, throwing sparks into the sky. Alwroth heard the screams of the Wizards inside as the fire overtook them. He smelled the stench of burned flesh mingled with the wood smoke of the cook fires and the aroma of the meal the unfortunate Wizards had abandoned to defend the camp.
Alwroth knelt down to steady himself. He raised his hands and aimed them at the dragon's eyes. "Excaecant oculos," he called out, casting a spell to blind the dragon.
Alwroth could feel the intense power draw the simple spell had taken, but it appeared to be working. The beast shook its head and screamed in pain, losing focus on its target. Flame spread everywhere, but not long enough to ignite any more tents.
He rushed to the mess tent and peered inside. The interior was afire. A young Wizard still lived. The boy cowered from the advancing flames.
"Hurry, I will shield you," Alwroth shouted.
He extended his protection, shielding the young Wizard from the flames overhead as he made his way through the burning tent.
The young Wizard stumbled and fell to the ground as the tent collapsed around him. Alwroth reache
d out and tried to strengthen the spell that protected the boy from the flames, but he did not have the strength.
He raged at his impotence, and tried to reach the young Wizard when a blast of dragon fire washed over the boy and incinerated him where he lay. "Curse you!" Alwroth shook his fist in the air as the dragon hovered overhead.
The dragon rained fire on the mess tent until it was nothing but ash. The smells of the burning flesh and cook fire faded into the background stench of the burning camp.
Alwroth knew the dragon was impaired, if not totally blind. He pressed a new spell at it, hoping to divert it from its path. It must be operating by smell or hearing. It sprayed fire wildly, catching tents and running Wizards in its breath.
The first dragon had returned and Alwroth could see the form of the Wizard astride it. He focused his efforts on the Wizard.
"Mortem ad proditor." He screamed death at the traitorous Wizard. He drew power from deep in his reserves, tapping the flames around him to fuel his rage. The dragon must have sensed his spell, because it twisted its neck just as the fireball struck, intercepting it before it hit the Wizard."
The dragon rose into the air and joined its fellow. Side by side, they dove. Fire spouted in a violent light as the dragons fell towards Moright. The spell Moright had cast failed as the Wizard was caught between the twin founts of fire. Moright burst into flames.
Alwroth watched in silent agony as his most trusted adviser simply ceased to exist in a flash of dragon fire and a puff of ash that blew away in the early morning breeze.
The dragons separated and turned each to its own path of destruction. One of them headed for the side of the camp where the damage was light and a few tents stood intact. The other dragon turned towards the stand of trees where Alwroth had left Uskin.
Alwroth ran as fast as his tired legs could carry him. He stumbled on the rough ground, but recovered as he kept one eye on the sky above.
He reached Uskin and rolled across the rough ground to come to rest against her. He raised a protective shield around them just as the dragon spat fire. It scorched his outstretched hands and his mind with fire and magic. Alwroth held out, drawing power from his reserves, knowing it would soon fail him.
Wizard Pair (Book 3) Page 27
