Dragon Rider (DragonMage Saga)

by Platt, S. P.

  ‘How bad are the attacks, have there been any dragon deaths or injures?’ He was concerned for his old friends and the young dragons.

  ‘Your old friends are fine and are looking after the young dragons when the creatures attack. There have been a few injures to some Dragon Riders and a couple of dragons as well otherwise we are keeping the creatures from doing any harm. They are starting to be a pain keeping Dragon Riders busy defending around the Hatchery and the Dragon Rider School.’ Sounding a bit angry about the attacks, as if they are just a nuisance and nothing more.

  Angel was wandering if he should mention his thoughts on where the Renegades are opening the portals. But thought they and other wizards would think of that so never mentioned it. Angel asked how NightWing was going and his brothers’ dragons. She was not sure what to tell him as she was still concerned about him not being able to ride dragons.

  ‘The dragons are fine and well, how do you feel about not being able to ride dragons, do you miss that?’ She looked him right in the eye as she asked.

  ‘I’m fine and my friends have the same feelings about dragons, they would love to be able to ride them but know it’s impossible and so we can live with that.’ He spoke with a little more happiness in his voice than he was going to.

  She looked at him with a funny look, when the others returned with full plates. His friends sat down and laughed at his brothers as they attacked the food on the plate. Tish smiled and got up and went over to get something. On the way meeting Gavrie who went up with her and when she had a plate full went back to Gavrie’s’ table.

  Angel's friends were getting along well with his brothers. They sat and talked with them while they ate their food, talking with full mouths which Angel just laughed at. His brothers talked of the attacks and what they were trying to do.

  ‘We try to find where they come from but as soon as the creatures come we must stop and fight so then we have no way of finding the portal as by the time we have defeated the creatures the portal is long closed and the Renegades long gone.’ Rho looked dejected as he told them.

  Etha spoke of the last attack and that there must have been over five hundred creatures. ‘They come, wave after wave and we only just stopped them. We just had enough riders here and are having to bring more home, leaving our outposts undefended. That’s why we are here; we will not be able to send any Dragon Riders here if you are attacked. You are alone and there is nothing we can do about it.’

  Angel and his friends looked helpless as he told them; they knew it would have to happen if the creatures kept coming. Tish and Gavrie came back over to the table and Gavrie looked at Angel and his friends. ‘Time for class, I’ve left you as long as I can with your mother and brothers but it is time for class, now up to the Crystal Chamber.’

  Angel gave his mother and brothers a goodbye hug and his friends thanked Angel's brothers before they departed for class. They arrived at the Crystal Chamber and entered, they knew Gavrie would be saying goodbyes and so would not be up here for a short time.

  ‘Come on before Gavrie comes let’s get close to the crystal and see what it feels like. I would like to see if it feels the same as the other one.’ Angel proceeded to stand before the crystal and he lightly touched it but it felt different to the other one.

  They all stood around the crystal and gently touched the crystal. They stood there for what they thought was ages and could feel nothing like the other one. Angel drew their magic to him and focused it on the crystal and let his magic touch it. Still there was nothing.

  This crystal only does what Gavrie uses it for, seeing the pattern in spells when they have been woven. ‘It’s just a crystal that resonates with the spell into a pattern allowing the wizard to see what a spell looks like. It’s the other crystal like this one but is not. I wander if they put that crystal in a room just like this one so as to make people think that is all it was?’

  They heard Gavrie coming and quickly moved back into a circle and sat there and quickly wove a simple spell and made as if they were practicing looking at patterns. Gavrie looked at them and nodded his head as they each wove a spell. He came over and walked around them nodding his head as he looked at the spell they wove.

  ‘Ok now lets start a more complicated spell and see how you see this pattern. I will weave the spell and then I want you to copy the spell.’ Gavrie had a little smile on his face as he told them this.

  He proceeded to weave a very complicated spell. From what they could see it was a spell that would cover and hide something so it needed to be a complicated pattern. When he had finished he asked them to copy it to as close a copy as they could.

  The four of them looked at the pattern and then proceeded to create the pattern exactly as Gavrie had done. They did not miss one single strand of the pattern. Now Gavrie had never seen this happen before, simple ones yes but not ones this complicated.

  He looked for any mistake and found one on the four patterns. ‘Ok here you have missed this strand in the pattern just at a point that is critical to the spell. You must learn that the pattern has got to be spot on. Now I think you can try it again.’ Angel got up and went over to Gavrie and pointed at his spell pattern. ‘I think you will find your pattern has the mistake in it as well, that is why it’s in ours.’

  Gavrie walked over and looked at the spell and looked closely at the point Angel had indicated, sure enough there was the exact same fault in the pattern. They were right and they had copied it exactly. They are very good and getting better all the time but they will find things start to get tougher now, then we will see what they can do.

  I think it time I find out how good they are; now let’s see we need a spell with a very complicated pattern in it. I will try them on a very powerful spell as the fire ball and thunder bolt spell are very basic. This is a very powerful weapon spell and will if they get it right will envelope a person in a ball of energy but will not harm them but hold them only. Let’s see how they go with that.

  Weaving the spell takes him a good five minutes as he has not done this spell in a long time and he wanted it perfect. Normally when using a spell like this in battle the wizard would have it in his mind and woven in seconds for his life could depend on it. For now he wanted a perfect weave so he can see how close they can get to it.

  He finished it and spoke. ‘Now try this and I will give you ten minutes to complete it now go.’

  The four of them looked at the pattern and could see the pattern and what it did. They then went to work and in a minute Angel had his with the others not far behind. ‘I hope this is right, from what I can make of the pattern it will envelope the person it is intended for in a ball of energy but will leave them unharmed. But from what I can tell with the pattern it would allow that person to still use his magic to find a way out.’

  Gavrie looked in amazement at the four completed spells suspended in the room. Spells cast in this room can be sent and worked or the one controlling the spell can have it held in the air so it can be studied. Gavrie looked at the spells walking around them to see if there were any faults in the patterns. He looked and found none.

  ‘You have cast them perfectly and in answer to your question, no a wizard involved in this spell can’t use their magic inside it to cast spells outside, for his shield will try to protect him and hold the spell at bay. It takes all his magic to keep the shield up and protecting him. We would like to be able to cast a spell when hit with one of these but we have not been able to get our magic shields to give us just a little magic to do this. Now I think that will be all today, now go and get lunch and practice your excise’s He watched as they left the room, thinking on how strong their magic is.

  No first year let alone ones their age have ever done a spell that complicated in such a short time. Angel’s father would be proud of him with what he can achieve at his age. I will have to teach them harder spells and start to show them how they can be altered and made to do different things.

  If only his father had lived to see
this day. He could create a spell quickly but not quite as quick as they just showed him. And to be that accurate is incredible. I will have a word with his mother one day and I will have a word with the others parents as well. There has got to be something they have done to make them this strong and good.

  Medwin, Maive and Shylyns magic was strong for their age and that would have meant they would be stronger than most. It is very rare that kids develop their magic this early. Angel’s father did and there is one now and again that does. But to have four here now at this time is fate.

  Angel and his friends went running down the hall and stairs hoping that Angel’s mother and brothers were still here. Arriving at the bottom they ran out the door and found Tish talking to the weapons wizard. Angels brothers seen them come flying out the door and walked over to them.

  ‘Well I see you made it in time to see us off but you did not have to worry as we were going to wait for your lesson to finish before we left, mums just sorting out more lances as we are running out. We send the empty ones back here and have to wait for them to return. So we’re trying to see if we can get more lances made, we are hopeful.’ Etha looked over to their mother to see her still talking.

  ‘They will need to get the basic lances made and then we can do the magic side of them.’ Just as Angel finished talking Tish come away from the weapons wizard.

  ‘They will be able to help but just got to get the lances made and then will charge them. They know we need them as it's all the defence we have.’ She looked back at the weapons wizard as he directed students to go to the shop where they will make the lances.

  Contents

  The Crystal Chamber

  Angel could see the troubled look on his mothers face. ‘Mum it will be ok they’ll start to make the new lances right away and soon as they have the first few ready they’ll get them to you as soon as possible.’

  ‘I know they will but it’s just the attacks are coming so soon after the last, we’re starting to run out of them. We just about need a wizard staying at the hatchery to charge them as they run out. It’s something we might have to consider and Gavrie has suggested it. It’s just, we worry about the dragons with wizards around, but it soon just might have to happen, we’ll just have to see.’ There was a resigned look on her face as she spoke.

  Rho came over to them as he was talking to some students who have just brought the recharged lances back. ‘We have all the lances we brought with us and they’re all charged. Come on Etha lets get them loaded while mum says goodbye?’

  ‘Ok but we better say our good byes now to.’ He walked up to Angel and gave him a big hug. ‘By little brother be careful and you be the best wizard there ever will be ok. We miss you little one so take care.’ He turned and walked off over to the lances and picked them up not looking back.

  Rho looked at his little brother. ‘Make us proud little one and be careful we are going to miss you. As soon as we can we’ll be back to see you ok?’

  ‘I’ll be careful but you be even more careful fighting those creatures.’ Giving him a big hug and lets him go.

  Tish had been looking on as his brothers said their goodbyes. ‘In the short time you’ve been here you’ve grown up a lot. I’m missing you already so you look after your self and your friends. We’ll be back as soon as we can so take care.’ She turned and walked off over to his brothers who were loading the last of the lances.

  They stood there watching as the dragons lifted with no disturbance, just hovered there fore a minute and then they just leapt up into the sky and were just small dots in minutes. They looked on for a short time before going back in for there lunch.

  Sitting at the table eating there was no conversation, for the thought of Tish and his brothers fighting the creatures and not being able to get back for a while, it kind of dulled any conversation. So they ate in quiet finishing their meal and getting up and going down to their secret room.

  They went straight to the door and through to the next deck where there dragons were waiting for them. They knew they were a little upset with Angel's mother and his brothers not being able to return till their battle with the creatures is won.

  They mounted their dragons and they leapt into the air and up and over the edge of the deck and under. They headed straight for the dragons deck where they came up. They all sat by the edge of the deck and watched the storm that had gone back out to sea.

  They sat their quietly for a good while, just sitting and thinking letting their magic flow through their bodies. This let them relax and start to think of the things that must be done and soon. Angel knew he needed to start thinking about their problems but also knew what they were doing now was just as important and so left them to it for a little longer.

  Finely Angel got up and looked at his friends and their dragons. ‘Come we must sort out what has to be done. First thing, we must see what has happened to the old spell as we’ve not been able to check on it for a time now. Then we must see the spell the Renegade is using. Then I would like to see that crystal again and see if there was a way of using it safely.’

  The others nodding their heads got up. Shylyn was the first to speak. ‘Well then we better go and see the spell and it might be better to see it right at the spot in person. Shell we go?’

  ‘Ok let’s hit the skies and get to where the Renegade has done his damage.’ Medwin was climbing his dragon.

  ‘Before we look at the crystal I think we better see if there are any books in here that might mention anything about it.’ Maive urged WhiteFire into the air.

  They reached the spot and climbed down from their dragons and walked over to the rock face and using their magic looked for the spot. They walked along the wall till they came to it. They studied it for a short time and smiles came over their faces.

  ‘Our self repair spell has been fighting what the Renegade has done and there is only a little area that now needs repairing. I think we might be able to help it out that little bit. Lend me your magic and I will help reinforce the spell.’ Angel touched the rock face as he finished speaking.

  Slowly he drew the magic from the others and reinforced what the spell was doing. They could see right away the centre of the hole; get smaller and smaller till soon there was nothing to show the spell had been attacked. Finely the hole was gone and Angel withdrew the magic and released the others magic.

  ‘Right shell we go and look in the castle and see if there is a library there or not. The spell will be ok till the Renegade comes back and that time we will have to be there to see the working of his spell.’ Proceeding to Aura he climbed up.

  The others followed suit and they leapt into the air and were over the side in a flash. Arriving back at the deck, they sat with their dragons for a short time before they left them and entered the castle. They walked to where in the school the library would be, but found nothing.

  They walked all the floors and found no library and no books at all. They were going to have to see if there was anything in the school library about the crystal. They headed back to the Crystal Chamber and stood outside. They hesitated about going in but decided the crystal was just too dangerous to play around with at the moment.

  They headed back down to the deck where they went and sat with their dragons and decided what their next move would be. ‘We need to find something in the library at the school on the crystal before we try anything with it.’ Angel had his head in his hands.

  ‘So for the moment we are stymied with regards the crystal. So the next move is ether the spell the Renegade uses or until we can do that we need to look in the school library and see if there is any mention in there about it.’ Shylyn looked at them all, she could see the longing in their eyes to try and find a use for the crystal to help fight the Renegade.

  ‘Well for now we have a bit of time so lets have a little play with our dragons, go for a flight around and see what we can do, so lets do it?’ Maive had a fire in her eyes as she moved to WhiteFire and climbed up.

  Th
e others were on their feet in no time and up on their dragons and they were all up in the air. They went out to sea a ways but not to far as the storm was still about and could head back in very quickly. They had a good play and were doing somersaults out over the sea.

  They looked to the storm and seeing it had turned they headed back to the deck and close to the school where they said their goodbyes and were not long back in their secret room. They decided their secret room needs to be sorted out as they will be coming down here to go to their dragons.

  Finishing up they went up for the evening meal and find they were very hungry. Finishing the meal they head back up to the library and a quick look to see if there would be anything about the crystals.

  Heading for the master index they start to look and looking up the Crystal Chamber and see if there is anything on it. Medwin was the one to find the mention and they all headed off to that area in the library that was to have books on it.

  Finding nothing on the low shelves they decided to call it a night and come back tomorrow and try climbing the shelves to see if it is up high. As they were walking out Medwin decided he would climb up and tries edging along the shelf and see if he could spot something. Angel thought it a good idea and climbed the other side while the girls walked underneath them to make sure that they did not fall.

  They where almost at the end when Medwin called out, ‘Got something here, I think it is the book. Shylyn get ready I will drop it to you and keep walking to the end just encase there is something else.’

  Shylyn grabbed the book as Medwin dropped it down to her. She opened the book to see what was in it and stopped. ‘I think this book is the one we’re looking for. There is mention of the Crystal Chamber; I’ll have a look as you keep going to the end.’ She had her nose in the book as they walked the hall.

  They reached the end and as Angel watched Medwin start to climb down he spotted a book and yelled to Medwin. ‘Medwin stop, there’s a book just above your head if you look you will see the black leather bound book just by your hand.’ Medwin looked at his hand and nodded as he reached to pull it out. ‘I can get it and will drop it to Maive. Can you grab this when I drop it and be careful as it is bigger than the one I dropped to Shylyn?’ Dropping it as Maive held up her hands in readiness.