“Pyrathius told me that he had found a way to allow his subjects to procreate, to produce more red dragons. It might have been a lie, but as we've just seen, he was truthful about them surviving his death, so...”
“So he might have been telling the truth,” Aeris said flatly.
The three elementals looked appalled.
“But that means that there is no stopping them, not for good at least,” Ana said. “Even a lesser dragon is a fearful thing. To have to deal with hundreds, possibly thousands one day? How can humanity survive?”
“Damned good question. I wish I had the answer, but I don't. And right now I don't even want to think about it. I have to call Tamara and the others and let them know what's happened. I think that we should focus on the fact that the primal is dead. We can worry about the aftermath later.”
“Not too much later, my dear wizard,” Aeris said ominously as Simon picked up the mirror again. “I'm quite sure that those red dragons are angry about the death of their leader. They may want revenge.”
Simon focused on Tamara and cast the communication spell.
“Yes, I'm sure they do.”
Tamara, Sebastian and the others were thrilled to hear about the death of Pyrathius. Their good mood didn't last long when Simon told them about the survival of the lesser red dragons. And they were horrified by the idea that the dragons might have the ability to procreate.
They were all gathered in the meeting room to talk. Simon elected to remain at home and use the mirror. He was just too tired to Gate again that day.
Everyone sported a multitude of cuts, burns and bruises. Even the fighters had been singed by hot ash and splashing droplets of molten rock.
After meeting for at least an hour, it was Liliana who finally asked the most important question.
“So what do we do now?”
Everyone went silent and Simon felt his stomach tie itself in knows as all of his friends looked at him.
“Hang on, guys. Why are you looking at me?”
“Who else can we look at?” Tamara said reasonably. “You've been at the forefront of the fight against the primals since the beginning. Well, they're all gone now, so congratulations. But things may actually still be just as bad as they were, if not worse. The red dragons could be at our doorstep before the day is out. And at yours too,” she added with a grim look at Simon. “Plus we have the queen to worry about. A creature that is not only ridiculously powerful but may also be insane.”
“Yeah, so now that our friend has laid out the details, you can just tell us what to do, Simon, and we'll get on with it.”
The wizard gaped at Malcolm and then had to chuckle as the big man grinned at him.
“Wiseguy,” he said. “Okay, look everyone, I'm as unsure of our next move as you are. We'll have to depend on our wards for now to at least blunt any airborne attack. Remember, dragons don't cooperate naturally. They are vicious, solitary creatures when they aren't following the orders of a primal. Well, there are no primals anymore and my guess is that the red dragons will scatter to the four winds and begin to stake out their individual territories. Personally, I think it's a whole new ballgame. I think that our future battles with dragons will be against one at a time. We might confront two dragons working together if they are a mated pair, but I'm guessing that's about it. As for the queen...”
Simon shrugged and looked at each of them helplessly.
“I don't have a clue. She's a distant threat for now and may be for a long time. We'll try to set up some sort of surveillance system to keep on eye on her and her whereabouts. That's all I can think of for now. Anyone else?”
“You see?” Malcolm said and smacked Aiden on the shoulder. “Told you he'd have the answers.”
His partner just elbowed him back, but he looked at Simon gravely.
“I think that your advice is sound, my friend. We need to be vigilant, continue our training and bolster our defenses. And maybe then we'll at least have a chance to get on with our lives.”
“I second that,” Sebastian said briskly. He stood up and looked around. “And I think we should start now. I'm going to get some sleep. The rest of you should get your wounds tended to and do that same.”
His sister gave him a fond glance and stood up as well.
“I think that means that this meeting is adjourned. Simon, thank you for everything you did today. Without you and your elemental friends, we would have be finished.”
Tamara began to applaud and, one by one, the others stood up and joined her.
Simon felt his face turning red and looked down, too embarrassed to catch anyone's eye.
“Guys, stop. Please. It was a group effort and honestly, I didn't have a clue whether Aquamastis would help us or not. We were lucky and that's the bottom line. If you want to thank anyone, thank lady luck, not me. I'll be in touch in a day or two. In the meantime, if you need me for anything, don't hesitate to call. Right?”
He waved at the group and canceled the spell.
Thank God that's over with, was his relieved thought.
“They are right you know, master,” Kronk said. “You do deserve recognition for all of your efforts.”
Ana nodded briskly and Aeris winked.
“Oh come on. Not you too. I'm just one member of this team. You three, Aquamastis, Kassus and Incendus, among others, deserve as much praise as I do. More, frankly. Not to mention the elves and their contribution. If you want to thank me, let's forget about it and try to get back to a normal routine, okay?”
“As you wish, master,” the earthen said, not sounding very convinced.
“In that case, sir wizard, I shall begin my service by checking the local ground water. I may be able to draw more moisture to the surface, since Aeris has informed me that you have increased the size of your garden.”
“Thanks Ana, that sounds great.”
The water elemental smiled and slipped across the table, down to the floor and out of the room, leaving a trail of wetness behind her.
“Well then, since you are looking for a sense of normalcy, shall I make you some tea?” Aeris asked archly.
Simon smiled at the obvious teasing.
“That would be wonderful. Thanks.”
Aeris disappeared and the wizard was left staring at Kronk.
“Anything else?” he asked when the little guy remained standing in place, silently watching him.
“Perhaps, master. If you would forgive my impertinence, I believe I know you better than anyone alive today, except perhaps your good friend Daniel.”
Simon sat back in his chair and folded his arms.
“I can't argue with that. And?”
“And I think that you are holding something back. It is not my place to question you, master, and I am not. But I thought you should know that. And if you want to talk about it, whatever it is, I am always here for you.”
The wizard closed his eyes and rubbed the back of his neck, massaging the soreness there.
“I know you are. I know. And maybe you're on to something. But if you are, I can't talk about it right now. Thanks for the offer though. One day I may hold you to it.”
He opened his eyes again and watched the little guy bow and tip-tap out of the room.
He's so perceptive, Simon thought. I wonder how long it will take him to figure it out.
He stood up and stepped over to the window, staring blindly out at the darkening forest. He'd been surprised that none of the mages had put two and two together. Maybe they thought that he was more powerful than he was. That could be it. But he knew the truth. He should have died today. The explosion that killed Pyrathius ripped through his shield like it was paper and tore the diamond skin off of his body. Yes, he should be dead, but he wasn't.
They'll figure it out one day, he thought.
And then what will you tell them, wizard, a voice bubbling up from deep inside of him asked
The truth, I suppose. What else?
Really? And how do you think they will re
spond when they learn that you've merged with a creature that they have come to hate above all others?
Go back to sleep, Esmiralla. It's been a long day.
The End
Links and Things
My List of Novels:
The Titan's Legacy
Book:1 The Return of the Titans
Book:2 The Battle for Sanctuary
Book 3: The Hunt for Hyperion
The Angelic Wars
Book 1: Confronting the Fallen
Book 2: The Rise of the Fallen
Tales from the New Earth
Book 1: The Dragons Return
Book 2: The Dragons Revenge
Book 3: The Dragons of Ice and Snow
Book 4: The Dragons of Decay
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The Dragons of Ash and Smoke (Tales from the New Earth Book 5) Page 41
