Laugh of Destruction (Book 3 of the Death Incarnate Saga)

by Jr H. Lee Morgan

  “Five!?” Daku roared and the dragon’s cringed slightly. Cage had to hold on or his Familiar would have been nearly thrown off his huge forehead. “There should be six Rex’s’ waiting for me. Which Rex did not heed my emergency summons?”

  The rose dragon turned it’s eighty foot long neck so it’s massive head turned those clear pink eyes upon the tense griffin. “Much has happened in your time with the southern glacial colony, Old One. Ten cycles ago, Rex Ellu of the Heedi Rova colony to the north, withdrew from the collective, as is the right of any Rex… even if it has been before the two-legs controlled magic. Until she is defeated as Rex and the winner takes her place, no colony will be allowed to associate in their affairs. It is why she is not here… for to be in her territory is tantamount to a cloud dive.”

  “What does that mean? Cloud dive?” Cage had to ask, he now understood why everyone said the dragons were strange.

  The dragons looked to him, but Daku answered while his enormous eyes looked up though his master couldn’t be seen. “He means what you call a death sentence. For any creature to fly through clouds is to risk flying straight into a mountain or diving like you did against the Tiaxm yesterday.”

  “So it is true?” The large male asked as he flapped his half mile wide wings.

  “I would never call a summons of the Rex’s’ for anything else. This matter is of the upmost importance and something that needs to be handled as swiftly as the attack yesterday. Keep this knowledge private until the Rex and elders of your colony speak of it.”

  “You may have my wings if I fail.” The dragon responded while the silver one dipped her head in agreement.

  “You’re beautiful dragons… what are your names?”

  “You must be the two-leg warlock, correct?” He got an affirmative nod. “Many are interested in you, Little One. And the compliment is most welcome. I am Ulon and she is my mate Poli.” So I was right. Cage thought the silver was female as she dipped her head and gave a frightening, but remarkably kind smile.

  “I’m Cage, as you probably know.” Ulon closed his eyes slowly and dipped his ten foot wide snout. “Actually you and Poli are the first dragons I’ve ever seen.”

  Ulon hissed as his body shook some, presumably to laugh. “Truly?” He stopped when Daku’s eyes narrowed dangerously. Though they flew about the same size, Ulon knew enough that he was sorely outclassed if a fight should occur.

  Before any danger happened Cage stood, “I’m Serious! I’ve fought wyrms, survived a wyvern, but never seen a dragon till now. You look very similar to what I imagined, but seeing you two in real life is beyond my wildest imagination. Just looking at you excites me enough to want to have a fight, but my senses tell me I’m not ready and wouldn’t survive the encounter. But I still really want to see how fearsome you are in combat.”

  “You honor me, Cage two-legs, and I can sense your power is not developed and mine is still superior. I too have dreamed of facing a warlock from my ancestors’ stories, but never believed one would return to this world. When you wish to do battle, come find me and I would be willing to oblige. I roost here in these mountains.”

  Cage suddenly conjured a flight board and glided from his Familiar’s brow. “Ulon, do you mind if I flew closer so I can study my first dragon?”

  In answer, Ulon slowly closed his eyes for just a moment and watched the warlock glide over. Cage first circled the mighty dragon, taking it all in before stopping beside the fearsome head. The dragon used magic to keep himself aloft while gliding so he could stay still and allow the morsel of a human to get closer without accidently hitting him. Such size could accidently crush bones in an instant. Cage grabbed a tooth, but it was so large he couldn’t wrap both hand around it. The teeth were eggshell white, but felt like unblemished ivory polished to shine. Heat rolled off the dragon, but his breath smelled like hickory instead of burnt meat. Running a finger along scales felt as smooth as glass, but harder than any scale he’d ever touched, almost as hard as one of Daku’s feathers. The underside jaw plates were like a mix of bone and hard leather running the entire underside which allowed the long, supple neck to move freely. He left the head and flew up to land solidly on a huge wing, but they were velvety soft and the membrane was very warm thanks to the thick, hot red blood. He walked along the sturdy wing before half climbing the back and feeling a pristine spike. This close, Cage’s sharper hearing could pick up massive lungs and that of a singular heartbeat that pumped like a giant’s drum. He counted the spine spikes while walking up the neck and squeezing between two skull horns and stopping when he saw an anomaly, a clear, oval pink stone of a yard in length with an inch thickness. Around it was a gold frame with artfully engraved lines that looked like living clouds. Cage then moved to the center of the skull and carefully walked down between the huge eyes.

  Turning around on the bone hard muzzle, Cage said “Thank you for letting me study you and being patient, but I’m wondering if you’re full grown and what that is stuck to your head.”

  Ulon’s great light red eyes crossed to Cage as his booming voice hissed “A hundred cycles, on Raliea, will it remain for me to fully be called young elder. For the other inquiry, you simply need to look upon your paws.”

  “Wait… That was a gem? What is it made of?”

  “Tourmaline. It took six cycles to store my mana to craft it to my liking, Cage Two-leg’s.” The dragon blinked. “We were the ones who first taught you two-leg’s the importance of gemstones.”

  “Then why make it, if what I’m told is true of your kind’s power you can simply work magic on an exploded star, likely a white dwarf and have all the diamond you could ever use… oh, never mind stupid question. If you did that, anyone would be able to use what you stored. A star diamond could probably be used if you were lazy. Thanks for letting me examine you, Ulon.”

  Cage went to fly back to Daku, but stopped when the dragon said “You are welcome, but how come you know that the specific star you mentioned is a good source of diamond?”

  The warlock smiled. “Chemistry and years of scientific study. Hydrogen burns through a star’s fusion to create helium, when the star runs out of hydrogen it burns helium to create carbon. Once it starts making iron burn it goes nova since iron doesn’t burn. What’s left after gravity implodes all matter is left with a dead star compacted to the smallest possible space which locks carbon in gravity along with heat and pressure… resulting in diamond, carbon in its hardest form. Why?”

  “Earth must be very advanced to have learned of the cosmos so profoundly. All you said is correct, Cage Two-legs. It was an honor.” Ulon finally flew more naturally after Cage flew back to sit on Daku.

  “Everything you hoped?” The griffin asked, looking proud his partner was more than just a born warrior.

  “Damn right, but they can’t compare to you.” Cage’s reply had Daku purring.

  “We begin our decent into Twilight, sacred home of the two-leg’s.” Ulon stated and tilted forward.

  Cage felt proud to be given a dragon escort, but he was again speechless as his new sight looked upon Twilight.

  In the heart of the Blind Mountains was a sight beyond expectation. For near thirty miles in an almost complete circle was a forest of green surrounded by snowcapped mountains. It was as if winter didn’t touch the isolated area flourishing with life. Dozens of dragons flew above the canopy as their brilliant scales reflected the afternoon sunlight. Cage knew dragon colorings were like that of every conceivable color now and there was no such thing as an ugly dragon. The city of Twilight was a city without stone homes as his teacher said for one reason, trees were more functional and better for the land. But even from up so high, Cage saw that most trees were unnaturally large and spaced in a pattern for a purpose. Most trees were like homes, but others had purposes he didn’t yet know. All around were open fields large enough for dragons to land and roam with plenty of room and people walked all around, nearly all wore robes. But in the center of the green landscape stood a tree
as tall as a small mountain which could only be Twilight’s great library. Megdline’s description was as understated as imagining a dragon and seeing one. Tree limbs were as thick a Cage’s home. But around the giant archive were three island domes surrounded by water which were likely where the three councils met and ruled.

  Cage could only swallow while taking everything in while feeling magic was over him like prickling ants.

  Daku, Ulon and Poli glided lower to the ground, side by side, like three passenger jumbo jets with over half mile wingspans. Cage judged they were coming in for a landing at one of four huge flat stone arenas surrounding Twilight’s boarders like a compass’s direction.

  The three headed for the eastern stone circle.

  Their approach wasn’t missed as many dragons, giant and small, reared their long necks to see the descent. Around the landing pad stood a few sentry trees with near fifty humans pointing at them with Familiars beside them.

  Landing area clear, Daku and his escorts touched down, but despite the dragons’ enormous sizes, they made barely a sound while folding their wings against their sides. The griffin sighed, glad to arrive safely and finally stop for a moment.

  A moment later three forms approached from the grassy area and crossed onto the stone landing. Cage grinned and ran down between Daku’s eyes and jumped clear off his beak like a springboard. Cage dropped over a hundred feet to be surrounded in a black cocoon of protective magic from his safety ward and landed on the ground without injury. The magic dissipated quickly and allowed him to step down on the cold ground. He still smiled “Granny! Frill! Glad to see you.” Then he turned his attention to the young man with a chipmunk sitting on his shoulder. “And it is good to finally meet you face to face Leon and you too Kolby.” He approached and held out a hand.

  The young wizard smiled broadly and firmly shook it saying “The pleasure is all mine, Sir Cage.” While after the chipmunk squeaked “You are finally here. It is a great honor.”

  “Don’t go giving him a bigger complex, Kittens.” Frill yowled before hissing a laugh and craning his neck back. “How was the flight, Daku? We weren’t expecting you till tonight or tomorrow morning at the earliest.”

  Daku’s voice carried and reverberated through the area as he cocked his head downward. “Thank Cage for that. He nearly emptied his stores pushing us here. We require some rest before speaking to the First Council and the Rex’s’. No more than an hour if that will be possible.”

  Megdline looked quickly at the mesmerized mages Jumping in to see the legendary griffin as word spread through the giant city so quickly. At first she, Frill, Leon and Kolby and a dozen sat around, but now near a hundred had popped in the area. She quickly said “That is more than reasonable, Daku. The council still hasn’t fully convened yet so we have some time. You both must be a little chilly, flying in winter. Are you going to stay that size?”

  Daku inclined his head. “Please take me to a dragon spring. Until my worry is put to rest, I cannot afford to be smaller than I currently am.”

  “Very well. Ulon, Poli, will you be staying here?” Megdline asked.

  Poli, the sterling silver dragon shook her arched neck from side to side slowly, but as she opened her mouth her voice was softer, but rang like a reptilian avalanche, just like her mate’s, only with a defensive quality. “We are the white king’s protection here. Until our Rex tell us not to stay, we remain close.”

  “Then can you take Daku to your spring? Cage cannot survive the boiling temperatures your kinds endure to keep your scales so clean.”

  The silver dragon turner her head levelly to the white king. “Do you wish to be separated from your partner?”

  “Cage shall be fine without me for a short time. Lead the way”

  She dipped her snout regally and stomped ahead, creating a faint tremor with each enormous step. Daku and Ulon effortlessly walked over Cage and others with room to spare. They passed easily between two sturdy giant cedars that were grown more like sentry posts. The growing crowd moved aside and stared at Daku’s passing.

  “So where to, Granny?” Cage asked with obvious excitement.

  “Let’s head to my apartment to go get you a hot meal and a bath.” She then turned her attention. “Leon, you and Kolby are also welcome to join us.” The two looked like a deer caught in headlights before nodding greatly, overcome and unable to speak. “Then follow.”

  She turned and walked confidently with Frill at her side. Cage regained control of his excitement to take everything in, the people, animals, mountainous landscape surrounding them and any advantage or disadvantage to exploit should there be need. In his scan he watched as Daku and his escorts went to a ledge on the other side of the trees to jump over the sheer drop to come back up and fly away. “Granny, why did we land if Daku was just going to fly again?”

  “A great barrier protects Twilight much like you’ve done to your island. Daku is the only living being capable of passing it because of his magic, but you and the dragons would have been prevented to enter. The only entrance into the city is by passing one of the four landing gates. It is our greatest defense from harm. Once inside though, you may fly and Jump to wherever you please.” As the five of them stepped onto warm grass and closer to the crowd she heightened her voice magically to calmly say “Please return to whatever you were doing. This area must remain clear of loitering unless you want to be fined.”

  Immediately, half Jumped out of the area in arches of bright colors or flew away on conjured boards. Two young, Clydesdale size dragons Jumped like every other mage and their magic color reflected their scale’s color.

  “Damn, Granny, if I didn’t know better I would swear they were afraid of you.” Cage chuckled.

  “Have you still not told him, My Lady?” Leon asked while gripping his staff.

  “Be silent, Leon. He will know soon enough.” She responded coolly and the wizard averted his gaze to the lush grass when her piercing grey turned on him.

  Cage held his tongue. Whatever secrets his teacher had were still guarded.

  A pavilion sat with a half dozen mages gawking at Cage as he passed and as they crossed between two of the sentry trees he felt an increase in magic for a moment only. It was Twilight’s powerful barrier. They all kept going and the first thing Cage felt was springtime warmth. He sighed and the inhale was fresh and wonderful. To the left stood a large stable with horses and a long winding ramp down the small mountain into the astounding city. But ahead was the thousand foot drop-off Daku used earlier. In the distance he saw his partner gliding towards an area where steam rose above the canopy. Cage had to ask “Granny, does the barrier trap the thermal energy of the hot springs and keep the city so well preserved during the height of winter?”

  “Indeed it does. Hmm, I guess I forgot to mention it.” She shrugged. “Nevertheless, follow me and I’ll point out the places I spoke of.”

  Megdline conjured her flight board which Frill pounced to the front of and flew over the ledge. Cage and Leon were right behind her. Leon knew this place since he was born and raised here, but he was quiet as Megdline pointed out the differences between residences, business’s, schools, arenas, research buildings, farms, places of luxury and even an arena where anything could happen, but it was all meant for both humans and dragons… meaning everything was done big. There were several crystal clear lakes Cage spotted dragons frolicking in and nothing seemed more enjoyable on the planet than it was here. He also learned that nearly a half million mages and their families called Twilight home. He didn’t expect that, but figured this place was the safest area to live. Beyond the mountains was war and danger of being hunted by the empire.

  The sorceress flew towards one of the largest cedar tree homes near the center of the sprawling city. She guided them to an enormous penthouse landing pad overlooking one of the glistening lakes where many played. She sent a ball of golden magic and it hit an invisible barrier which shimmered as she passed. “Better hurry in you three. Only my husband and I ca
n pass that barrier.”

  “Granny, what the hell?” Cage landed and looked around. “You call this an apartment?! Seriously… more like a dragon’s cave. This place is huge… and bigger than Tate’s castle…”

  “Dimwit, do I need to remind you that my husband is on the council?” She said lightly. “Dragon’s visit often and their bulk needs to always be taken into consideration. They can’t be like Daku who’s size is never an issue. Go over to that door and you’ll find the washroom. Go take a bath while I make all of us a meal.”

  Cage wanted to see more of the place, but a hot bath called to him more than curiosity. He walked in the room and found it to be more reasonable for human needs. The shower was similar to what he made himself and he groaned as the hot water beat against his chilled, tired body. It was relaxing and invigorating… so much so he groaned. A square cake of soap worked great to completely make him feel like a new man. His robe was also washed and dried with a pulse of magic.

  Twenty minutes later he stepped out of the room and back into the wooden cavern and crossed it to a large table and kitchen area where Leon was sitting in a chair while Frill and Kolby sat on the tabletop chatting. Megdline was still cooking over at the stove when she heard Cage ask while sitting “Granny, before I ask what I’ll need to know down in the First Council’s meeting, what happened after you and Jormon saved me?”

  She was silent while keeping her back to the table, but he noticed the tenseness in her shoulders tighten. She didn’t turn as she continued cooking. “Nothing good other than the savage beasts were killed and all but a few blood samples were burned to ash.” She slowly responded. “I healed as many as I could before showing my husband and the First Council what I had seen and what transpired. He was very quiet for a minute before convening the entire council while I was occupied by going to the five dragon colonies and telling them of Daku’s message of the ‘broken race’ and each Rex left immediately after speaking to other elders. Also, some mages who bore witness already beat me here and cause quite a stir… I’ve never seen a Rex do anything so quickly before. Cage… Do you know what is happening? What those things were?” She finally turned to ask.