Cinnabar felt the vibrations. He was still in the vicinity, although in a just slightly different time. He was sure he was the only one to have rediscovered this long lost ability to travel via gates in time itself. The dragons were a worry. He hadn't counted on that farm boy actually being able to rally them. He had to be stopped before he became as powerful as his ancestor had been. The first Lord of the Dragon Armies. Cinnabar wrapped himself in a shield of air and moved himself into the watery rooms of the ancient castle in the centre of the valley. He would prepare a welcome for this boy who would be Lord of the light. He would steal away with that girl Desare. She was the only one who could hold the Great Seal apart from Hamar the Trader. And even Cinnabar had no desire to try and take Hamar. Why add to his difficulties when that pup of a girl would do just as well. There was no way he could touch the Seal itself. He would die a terrible death if he so much as brushed it. If he controlled Desare though, he controlled the Great Seal.
Those Tharsians on the rain swept plain had paid dearly for trying to beat him to the girl. How could Mordos be trying the same plan? Could the Dark Lord be playing one against the other? Aware even now of how they both plotted against him as well as each other. Cinnabar did not even want to think about that possibility.
Deep in the old palace, protected in his shield of air and power, Cinnabar was now still far underwater, deep in the lower rooms. He needed a room, or rooms large enough for an army, yet with easy access to the upper chambers. Especially the throne room. Itself already above the water level. At last he had what he wanted, and the water boiled and surged as he expanded his protective shield out in the vast chamber he had found, almost directly below the throne rooms. Within moments his warriors were in place. Row upon row of savage Morgoth, silent and waiting. They knew why they were here, and considered the humans puny and hardly worth their efforts. The dragons were another thing, but the Morgoth knew no fear. They lived or died and that was it. The Tharsians provided good sport, but so far Cinnabar had kept them from pursuing the Tharsians into their forest hideouts. He was their Lord and master, and they obeyed without question.
Cinnabar paced up and down in deep thought. His scaly claws clicking on the stone floor. He could now only wait for the valley to empty of water. His plan was perfect. It couldn't go wrong. The moment the girl came within the palace above him, he would unleash his troops and in the confusion the girl would be his. Once in his grasp, he could then step through a gateway and disappear. He couldn't risk opening a gateway right near her. There was a chance that the opening gateway would actually cut her in half. His control of it was not that good that he could take the chance. Much better to use his troops. Impatience gnawed at him until he could stand it no longer. He moved up the levels until he stood in open air in a chamber just above the water. Watching for a moment, he could see the level falling rapidly. The water was leaving the valley at a great rate. Cinnabar had first come to the valley right by the outfall. Even he had been awestruck at what he saw. Across a front many miles wide the wall of water poured down from the valley. It was tearing away the land in its path like a swollen river remoulding its course. Whole forests had vanished under the torrent. Hills were washed away like sand pile on a beach. The very earth formed into huge ripples as though sand in a tidal estuary. These ripples would form into low hills in a new landscape. As far as the eye could see the rushing water gouged at the landscape. Cinnabar had no doubt that whole villages had been swept away in the flood. Nothing would have survived it. He had nearly left again, thinking that it had been this that had caused the deep resonance in the world. But then it had come again, loud and strong, and centred on the far side of this very valley. The mountain side he had found had been perfect. Until he had given himself away by letting his rage overtake him. Now he had to be very careful. The dragons would be watching for something now. On guard. Cinnabar wondered where they had come from. He didn't like not knowing things. He had no way of knowing that his troops now occupied the very resting place that the dragons had been trapped in for many ages. This was the almost mythical castle of the Lord of the Dragon Armies. And he was coming home.
Mei'An paced back and forth across the vast central hall of the Blue Tower. This was not an easy thing to do. There were hundreds of her fellow Wind Readers attempting to do the same thing. They were all there. From every corner of the world. Summoned to the Tower by the Keeper herself. To everyone's surprise, they were no longer confined to the central hall. The gardens were open. The vast doors of the entrance stood open to the courtyard where still more Wind Readers strolled in little groups. The only topic of conversation was why they were here. There was no sign yet of the Keeper.
The high battlements of the tower walls were open. People moved about up there. Wind Readers who could not resist the temptation to see what was on the other side of the thick wall.
They found a strange country side. The colours were those of an artist's oils. Features were indistinct, though visible. A great forest stretched away in every direction. As far as the eye could see. The horizon itself was an indistinct blur. Hills and mountains were out there, but looked as though they had been painted in place over the endless forests. Around all a chill breeze gusted. The capes of the Readers were pressed around them. Some with long hair streaming in the wind as they strode the battlements. There was no actual exit from the tower, as they discovered. There was a massive oaken door in the outer courtyard, but it could not be opened. A couple of the bolder ones had tried, but the huge bolt could not be shifted even when they applied their will to it.
Mei'An went out to the garden where the fountain tinkled merrily into its pond. Strange golden fish with bulbous eyes and fan like tails lazed in the clear water. Some of the Wind Readers sat on the stone surround of the pond trailing their fingers in the water. Of the Keeper of the Blue Tower there was no sign. There was no time here in the Tower. No sense of it passing. No night. No day. Just an endless early dawn like glow of light. Mei'An began to look a little closer at their surroundings. The march of time was evident in the flower gardens. New shoots, dead stalks, bees flitting energetically about their tasks spoke of the continuation of events that marked a living presence. The courtyard was overlooked on all sides by what appeared to be apartments. Their windows covered by a wrought iron mesh for privacy. Mei'An wondered about that. She understood that the Keeper lived here alone and had done so for an eternity. Perhaps it was not so. After all, if the Keeper was immortal, then she was a God. Perhaps even a God needed company. The Keeper had told her though that she was alone. Mei'An pondered the question as she circled the garden. That something was building to a head she had no doubt. The tension in the air was palpable. What were they expected to do? Mei'An fretted. She should be with Antonin. The Dragon Lord would need her. She wondered where they all were now. She was far behind them now, of that she was sure. She had no idea of events since she had retired to her room in the inn by the dusty road. Her guardian would be getting worried by her long absence. Mei'An had no idea of how much time had passed. All she knew was that it felt like a long time.
There was a sudden disturbance from the Readers near the fountain. Mei'An hurried across the courtyard. Standing calmly by the fountain with her hands clasped in front of her was the Keeper of the Blue Tower. Unmistakable. No flimsy drapes around her shape this time. Indeed, all that was visible was her face and that mostly hidden behind the bars of a helmet of gold that covered her head. Long red plumes of feathers flowed from its crown. She was in full battle armour of a type none of the Wind Readers had seen before. It looked ancient. Mei'An gasped. The Keeper stood at least as tall again as anyone in the courtyard. A giant. Some close by had fallen back away from her. Mei'An chewed her lower lip and hoped that this actually was the Keeper. It had to be.
The Keeper, at least all hoped it was the Keeper, strode into the main hall. Her armour clanked as she did so, and Mei'An could not help noticing that the wearer was not used to wearing it. So this was for show. To em
phasise something to come. Quickly the call spread thorough the tower, even to the battlements. Within minutes, all of the Wind Readers had gathered together again in the main hall.
The Keeper was now up on the dais at the end of the room. She had removed her helmet and placed it on the throne behind her. Slowly the murmur of talk faded as all eyes focused on the giant in front on them. She looked - formidable. Her once soft and smiling face was now all angles and planes. She looked as hard as flint thought Mei'An. What had happened to the pretty young thing met not so long ago. Mei'An tried a gentle probe of her thoughts. She reeled with a cry as though slapped hard in the face. Those around her looked alarmed and moved away a little. Ellenaria, the Keeper was looking directly at Mei'An.
"Do not presume too much Mei'An, Wind reader of the Isle of Javic Afar." She looked away and slowly surveyed the crowded hall.
"The time has come!" Her voice boomed in the hall. A trickle of dust floated down from the high ceiling. Feet shuffled.
"For long have the Wind Readers searched the world for the True One. He who will marshal the hosts against the dread Lord of Darkness." Her voice had risen in volume on the last sentence. "He is in danger even now. You have been called together to help. Even with the dragons that he has now called to him," a gasp rippled through the hall. "He faces a terrible foe. By his side stands Desare, the ringer of the bell, the holder of the charm of the Great Seal found by the Trader Anan Hamar. Others are with him, but the boy does not know how much he will need Desare." The Keeper paused for long moments. "I had forgotten what love in the heart of a young man is. He cannot see Desare for who she is yet." The fierce looking Keeper of the Blue Tower drew a breath to steady herself.
"I will show you his danger. I will show you her danger. Behold."
The Keeper flung out her right arm and there in the air over their heads, seen in a shimmering mist were the legions of the Morgoth in the caverns of the valley castle. Wind Readers fell over themselves as they tried to scramble backwards away from the vision floating in the air above them.
"Now watch what the ringer of the bell can do." The Keeper paused again.
"Desare." She called. Her voice bringing dust down again from the ceiling far over head. "Call to Antonin. Loudly. Now."
Far away across the world, in a different time, Desare suddenly leapt to her feet. "Antonin!" She yelled loudly in a startled voice. The tolling of the huge bell in the tower rolled over everyone in the cave. The dragons rose like startled birds into the air over the valley, milling about and screeching with ear shattering calls.
The gathered Wind Readers rocked on their feet, their heads splitting with the pain, but they were held on their feet by the sight of the Morgoth horde in the shimmering vision held over their heads. The entire army, thousands of warriors were flat on the floor of the vast chamber. They had been stunned by the bell, rung by Desare's call. They started to struggle to their feet in disarray, looking about for the source of the power that had felled them.
"You see the power of Desare's call? Those warriors await her arrival in the castle of the valley. They must be stopped. If Desare is taken, all is lost."
She stopped and looked around. The image over their heads faded. The Keeper disappeared as suddenly as she had arrived. Replaced moments later by the Keeper they all knew. The rather small, lightly clad beautiful woman of the Tower. There was not a sound in the hall. A pin dropping would have been heard by all.
"Wind Readers, you have been my eyes and ears in the world now for many years. Now I ask that you stand in battle for me. Together with your companions, you must arrive in the castle of the valley before the Lord of the Dragon Armies does. Before Desare does. Only Antonin, Rees, Gaul and the others can help you do that. The Disc of the Sun, and the Gate of the moon have been left at the cliff top. You must return to your place of rest, gather your companions and make all haste to the cliffs above the valley. The secret of Travelling that you have sworn not to use all these years is now yours to use. You are needed at the cliff top, and the castle. There on the cliff top you will find the chest that contains the treasure. Do not attempt to open it on pain of a terrible death. You must take the chest to the cave below the cliff top. I have Antonin and the others there for a time. They will not leave. You must give them the chest and these instructions. 'Use the treasures to block the Morgoth, and Desare's call to disable them.' Not all can do this of course. Only you." The Keeper singled out one of the Wind Readers. "Go now." The Wind Reader stood immobile, her mouth hanging open in surprise until the Keeper startled her into action with a roared "NOW" that could not have come from so small a person. In a blink the Wind Reader was gone.
"The rest of you, go now and prepare to shift to the valley. Mei'An, I will see you in the garden alone." With that regal command left echoing in the chamber, the Keeper moved for the doors and walked to the arches to the gardens. She half turned to look back at the stunned Wind Readers and started to open her mouth. In an instant all but Mei'An had disappeared. A faint smile crinkled the corners of her eyes. Mei'An followed her out in the garden, and sat beside the Keeper on a stone bench. For the first time in her life, Mei'An was unsure of herself. First she had been slapped, now she was singled out to be spoken to alone. For long minutes the Keeper sat there studying Mei'An. Not saying a word, just watching her. Finally she drew a deep breath.
"Mei'An, why did you try probing my thoughts? You know what has happened in the past to those who go beyond the bounds I set." Mei'An shifted uncomfortably on the seat. She studied her fingers intently, eyes cast down. She suspected that she was to be punished for her temerity. The keeper shook her head slightly.
"No matter. Other things are more important now." Mei'An blinked. She couldn't believe her luck.
"I am very sorry Keeper," she whispered. "I didn't mean to intrude. I was surprised at your form in the main hall. I did what I did without thinking."
The Keeper looked at Mei'An for long moments.
"We will talk of this more at another time Mei'An. Now is not the time. You have an important mission to fulfil."
The Keeper of the Blue Tower rose to her feet and began to pace across the flagstones of the small garden. She stopped and turned. Still a few paces from Mei'An.
"Mei'An, you know that the future of the world hinges on the coming events. Antonin must take the castle of the Valley of Ice. Morgoth await him there. Desare must not be taken, nor come to any harm. We have arranged that Antonin will rule with three women at his side."
Mei'An was on her feet instantly, and the exclamation was out before she could stop it.
"We?" She said. A slight squeak in her voice. Then added. "Three women, then, then, ..." Her voice trailed away.
"Two he will wed, and one will be guide. That guide will be you. Your Guard Companion will be with you. Your life's duty now will be as Antonin's guide. Even though he will try to go his own way as men do, you will not be put aside. Your Guard Companions task will be dual. Your safety as always, and the safety of those around you. Wed? Yes he will wed Catharina, then later Desare." The Keeper paused a moment. "Now it is time to move the Wind Readers into place. Wait and be calm, daughter of the wind."
Ellenaria folded her hands at the waist and stood very still. Her eyes closed and she seemed to be going hazy right before Mei'An's eyes. She watched spellbound. She could feel the power streaming from the woman. The haze turned a deep blue and started to spread. The entire garden, walls, stones, Mei'An herself took on a deep blue tinge as though all other colour hand been drained from the light. Ellenaria became almost invisible in the bright coloured nimbus in which she stood. A softly chiming bell, like that of a travelling clock began to ring, single tones evenly spaced.
The tones started to increase in tempo, and rapidly became one continuous tone. Mei'An could sense the feelings of surprise from Wind Readers all over the world as they became caught up by the Keeper. They were being moved by her to the upper chamber of the valley castle. Along with their Guard Companion
s, they suddenly found themselves in the still dripping throne room of the old Malachite Castle. All but Sarweio, She and M'belie suddenly appeared among the very startled ranks of Altan warriors on the cliff top. It took only one glance to tell who had suddenly appeared amongst them. They backed away a little. Sarweio got her bearings. Turning to the first warrior by her she said.
"Quickly man, where are the horses of Antonin and his group."
●Chapter 28
Mei'An watched as the bell started to slow, the blue faded, and slowly all activity ceased. Ellenaria stood before her again. She panted slightly, and her face was pale.
"I have not done that for a good while. Not since the Dragon Lord last walked this world in fact." She walked over to Mei'An. Now to put you in place. Time grows short."
Ellenaria reached up and placed a hand on Mei'An's shoulder.
"You will meet with your Companion in the cave with Antonin. Already he grows restless. Yet he feels he cannot leave the horses. I have ensured this, but your arrival will break that compulsion. Go now."
The Dragons of Sara Sara Page 47
