The one on the left slowly climbs down from the enormous boulder it was sitting upon and lumbers toward Iltar; meanwhile the other rises from near the trees and takes to flight.
Soaring through the air, the dragon descends in a swoop and spreads its wings, covering the sky and casting large shadows; it rapidly flaps its wings as it descends, causing strong gusts of wind which force the necromancer to the ground. It lands upon its hind legs and gently settles in front of Iltar.
As it lands, the dragon ceases the flapping of its wings. It stretches its elegant neck high into the air while it tilts its head to look down at the necromancer.
“Intriguing,” the dragon states with a deep bellowing voice in Iltar’s tongue, a language commonly had among all the humans of Kalda. “A human here.
“What are you doing on this island?” the dragon asks Iltar with genuine sincerity.
“M-mon-monsters… i-in the cave!” Iltar says in a shaky tone, “Th-there… there i-is a huge bu-beast killing everyone!” Iltar exclaims and points a shaking hand back to the cave.
Just as Iltar answers the dragon, the second majestic creature steps fairly close to the next stating in a higher pitched tone than the first, “The tarrasque, you poor thing.”
Iltar furrows his brow as he looks at the second dragon thinking to himself, “A female… interesting.”
Turning to the dragon next to her, the second dragon addresses the first, “The Rilum’ama must have been too much for him.”
“What?!” Iltar squeezes the word out in a shaky voice.
“It is the guardian and caretaker of this place,” the second dragon states in a calm tone, “Rilum’ama is how you would call it in our tongue.”
“Yes, quite impressive isn’t it?” the first dragon asks, “Tell me what do you think of it my human friend?”
Iltar feigns a look of horror, “It… it killed all but a few of us, then…” the words trail off, “We were attacked by swarms of overgrown tralyx. I’m the only one to survive,” Iltar buries his head in his hands, feigning remorse.
“That’s quite unfortunate,” the first dragon says in a serious tone. “We have had nothing to eat for hours, and I’ve grown tired of tralyx. Your companion’s would have made a good meal. You, on the other hand, look scrawny and tough.”
“Don’t talk that way to him!” the female dragon rapidly pushes the first dragon to the ground with her front legs. “Can’t you see he’s scared!”
Laughing, the first dragon recovers from the blow. He shakes the dirt out from beneath his scales and continues to address Iltar, “Now back to my first question, what are you doing here human? Conquer your dread and answer me!” the last phrase bellows from his mouth and the dragon leans his giant snout toward Iltar.
Looking past the dragon questioning him, Iltar can see the other in the distance, looking up at the trio. Hearing the exchange, it slowly stands and lumbers toward them.
Meanwhile, the necromancer swallows and looks up at the first dragon.
“We came here to your island looking for an ancient artifact. I don’t really know what it is, I’m just one of the mages hired to come along to enhance the soldiers. But I overheard the leader talking to one of the others about a manuscript found on another island. This manuscript told of an artifact, an amulet with a ruby that is very powerful,” Iltar pauses then finishes in a rushed tone. “The grandmaster of my guild wants the amulet. He sent an expedition here to find it and return it to him.”
Once Iltar finishes his explanation, both dragons look at each other; their features strain and the female utters several sharp sounds and is replied back from the first with similar noises. The sounds genuinely startle the necromancer, and he struggles to focus on them.
Amid the sharp exchange, the male dragon abruptly stops, sensing the third dragon approaching from the plain. The male looks behind himself, then returns his gaze to Iltar stating, “What a pity. You forfeited your lives coming here. Good day human.”
With that said, the first dragon rears up on his hind legs and rises into the air, forcing Iltar to the ground.
As her companion takes flight, the female dragon turns and faces the third dragon who has nearly approached them.
Iltar can’t quite see the female dragon’s face, but from his vantage point he can tell her visage has changed; it is full of contempt and anger for the creature approaching.
Suddenly, the dragon stretches out her neck, extending her large snout and bearing her teeth. She lets out a deafening sharp shrill and Iltar is startled at the strange change of behavior. The majestic being that had appeared so gentle had in an instant become hostile as if defending Iltar from the approaching dragon.
Pausing with a defiant expression upon its scaled features, the third dragon stares directly at the elder female dragon. Its eyes stare cold into those of the female.
Inaudible sharp sounds shriek from her mouth in reply to the third’s gaze.
Wincing at the rigid sounds, Iltar quickly covers his ears.
From the sky, similar sharp sounds echo from the dragon who initially approached Iltar; he circles around in the air above the necromancer and the two other dragons.
Still locked in a gaze with the newcomer, the female dragon repeats the same sharp sounds she had shrieked before then lets out a loud growl. She then rises upon her hind legs, flapping her wings as she does so. She takes to flight and joins the other dragon in the air.
Both old dragons circle once before flying a short distance to the west. As they land they rest their scaled bodies upon the stony ground but are watchful of Iltar and the mysterious third dragon.
Meanwhile, a deep diabolical chuckle resonates from the third dragon as he steps closer to Iltar and leans his large head forward.
“How tragic,” the dragon states in a deep voice that resonates off the mountainside. “And you’re searching for the Au’misha’k, how amusing.”
“Oh?” Iltar looks up, feigning fear.
“Well human you wasted your time and your friends wasted their insignificant lives!” the words slowly ooze with arrogance
“Why is that?” Iltar is genuinely surprised at the words from the estranged dragon.
“That for which you seek is not here on this island. It never has been here fool,” the dragon cackles and gently sets himself down into a comfortable position in front of the necromancer.
Shocked by the dragon’s words, Iltar struggles to hide his anger. The necromancer looks at the dragon still towering above him from a resting posture with a mixture of concern and fear. Both emotions the necromancer uses to mask his anger.
Thinking to himself Iltar wonders while examining the dragon, “I was foolish to think it would be so easy; what a cruel turn of fate. No matter, I still have my plan and he obviously knows where the amulet is.”
Shifting his demeanor, Iltar shakes his head and moans. He plops down on the ground, sitting cross-legged in front of the dragon. The necromancer keeps his head down and his eyes focused on the ground, quickly thinking of his next step.
“I almost feel sorry for you mage… You come all this way, lose all your friends, and for what? For nothing me thinks!” the dragon chuckles. “But wait, you’re a human and undeserving of such pity!”
Iltar feigns remorse and sadness as he looks back up at the dragon, “So the amulet is not here on the island then? I don’t understand. The manuscripts described this island, even how to find it. What a cruel trick!” Iltar moans loudly.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” the dragon says with a tone of mocking disgust and looks toward the other two resting to his right. “That is a powerful device, to the extent that it needed to be kept hidden. Secreted away so that no one could reassemble its power.
“Nor do I believe anyone ever wrote anything like that. And if they did it was to trick treasure seekers into falling prey to this island and its horrors.”
Furrowing his brow in surprise, Iltar wonders to himself, “Don’t they know about
the elvish texts? This is a strange turn of events…” However, Iltar quickly quells his wonderment and focuses on the ruse at hand.
“We should have known. One of the others, an experienced man of war, said this was too easy… too easy! ‘Find a map and manuscripts that lead to an island, too easy,’ too easy indeed!” the necromancer fakes the quotation. Looking up to the dragon he asks, “Has anyone else ever come looking for the amulet?”
“Here? No you are the first not of our kind to come to this place. And quite possible the last too,” the dragon smiles an evil grin.
“Ah but you are wrong,” Iltar shakes his finger. “When we don’t return our grandmaster will send others. And in greater number.”
“Then they will die like you and your friends.”
“So are you going to kill me then?”
“No!” the dragon gasps then chuckles. “I won’t kill you. But I will send you back into the tunnel. You will find your fate there,” the dragon bears his teeth in a twisted grin.
Iltar gives the dragon a quizzical look then glances back at the tunnel entrance. A flash of thought crosses his mind and Iltar quickly turns to face the dragon.
“Well if the amulet isn’t here then why do the manuscripts say it’s here? I think you’re lying to me.”
“Why would I waste my time lying to a human? I told you the amulet is not here on this island. Who know why the manuscripts you claim your people found told of it being here in the first place. I didn’t write the thing.”
“It must be here. You are here, and you must be guarding it. Why woul–”
“Guarding?!” the dragon loudly bellows and quickly arcs his neck forward, bringing his snout close to Iltar. “I guard nothing for them!”
Genuinely frightened at the dragon’s outburst, Iltar falls upon the path.
The dragon recoils his snout and arrogantly sits up, raising his scaled snout into the air.
“B-bu-but,” Iltar continues in a shaky tone, “W-why would there be a beast like th-that horrible monster? W-why is it guarding the entrance to the tunnel leading to this valley if the amulet was not here?
“We sent two men back to the ship when we discovered that monstrosity. I-if we don’t return by nightfall then the ship will return home and bring more soldiers and mages. The secret of the amulet is already uncovered. My people will come back in greater numbers until we find the amulet.”
“As I said before,” the dragon’s eyes narrow at Iltar’s logic, “They will all die.”
“Ah but I think not. I was able to get past the monster and make it here. Don’t you think others will also be able to do the same?”
“Then they will leave empty handed. As I told you, the amulet is not here!” the dragon emphatically reaffirms the statement.
Slightly frustrated Iltar continues, “All right, if I’m to die here at least tell me something about the amulet. This ignorance is maddening.”
“Ha! Then perhaps I’ll let you go mad before you die, human. Or better yet, I will tell you something… Something that will really drive you mad,” the dragon lowers his head slightly and curves his neck. “Something that no one else will know because you won’t be alive to tell them.”
“Finally,” Iltar thinks to himself and smiles in his heart.
“No, I don’t think I want to know,” Iltar waves his hands and closes his eyes. “If you don’t tell me then maybe I’ll have a chance to get out of here alive. But if you tell me then you will have to kill me. Yes, I don’t think I want to know anything after all.”
As he finishes speaking, the necromancer stands up and walks backwards to the tunnel.
In response, the dragon raises himself up on all fours then pounds the ground with his forward claws, shaking the ground and causing the necromancer to fall.
Roll over onto his back, Iltar looks up to see the great serpentine beast stepping forward. The dragon towers over the necromancer and quickly lowers his large snout just above Iltar. Putrid odors from the dragon’s breath wash against Iltar’s face and the stench drives the necromancer to scurry away and further up the path; however, the gigantic dragon lightly pins Iltar to the ground.
“You leave when I say you can leave!” the dragon’s words seethe with anger, accompanied by a vile smell. “You are my pet!”
Struggling in reaction to the smell, Iltar angrily looks away and coughs.
“Do not dare to attempt that again!” the dragon’s tone is full of contempt. “You will stay and entertain me.”
“I suppose I don’t have a choice,” Iltar sighs and coughs again.
“That’s right,” the dragon sneers, “It has been a long time since I’ve had any sport and I’m miserably bored. So hapless one, you have the pleasure to serve me, your serpentine god.”
“Can I at least get up… my lord?,” Iltar lifts his head to look at the dragon’s nose and retreats into his mind.
“Not the eyes,” Iltar thinks to himself. Throughout his youth, Iltar had read enough stories to know to never look a dragon directly in the eyes. According to legend, a dragon’s stare is said to project a controlling magic at will, entrancing its victims. “Having my mind laid before the dragon like food before a hungered beggar is not a pleasing thought.”
“I promise,” Iltar grunts and mutters, “I won’t try to run back into the tunnel.”
“I suppose I can do that,” the dragon lifts its head several phineals to free Iltar from his grasp. In response, the necromancer pushes himself up and sits with his legs crossed in front of the dragon.
“I really don’t want to kill you, human. Even though you are a human, and as such are an inferior breed of animal.”
“Thanks, I appreciate that,” Iltar replies sarcastically.
“See, that’s why I don’t want to kill you. You have some gall. No one speaks to a dragon like that, especially me!” the selfish indication is strongly emphasized. “No one who wants to live that is…”
“But I’m going to die,” Iltar responds, “So what do I care if I make you mad. The sooner you kill me the better off I’ll be.”
“Oh, but it’s not about you. If you truly enrage me your death will be very slow and painful: None of that breathing fire bit, or eating you whole. We rarely do that sort of thing anyway. No, I would use some of my digestive acid on you. I can spit up small quantities. Just enough to dissolve a foot, leg or arm. Whatever extremity you care for the most,” the dragon lowers his snout and attempts to gaze into the necromancer’s eyes. “Very painful physically and also mentally, watching your own hand be eaten by acid. But you haven’t enraged me. In fact you are quite amusing, for a human.”
Thinking to himself, Iltar reevaluates his situation, “This dragon is not what I expected; completely different than the tales my father told me of platinum dragons. He is much like myself; sadistic and controlling. I can use that to my advantage as I carefully entrap him within my snare, then I can get what I need.”
Clearing his throat, Iltar speaks up, “So why don’t you want to kill me? I thought you said earlier that I would die here?”
“Yes, so you shall,” the dragon coldly states. “But I didn’t say when. You may even grow old here, like the rest of us. Like me,” the dragon disgustedly looks at the other two dragons, who are now fast asleep. The anger in his voice swells as he states his egotistical referral.
“You see? All they want to do is sleep, how boring. No conversation, I don't think I've had a real conversation with anyone for at least a hundred years. So you see, I think I’ll keep you around for stimulating interaction,” the dragon smiles again.
Iltar grins in reply, thinking “How fortunate, and through our conversation I can pry the knowledge I desire. The others better not lose patience.”
Turning his attention back to the dragon, Iltar picks up the conversation with some basic questions:
“How long have you been on this island?”
“Oh… about three hundred and fifty years I think. You lose count after so long.”
“Why did you come here? Is this where all the dragons live now?”
“You’re suddenly full of questions,” the dragon twists his head around Iltar’s side, as if the new view would give him added insight.
“You said you wanted a conversation. I thought you wouldn’t mind telling me about this island and why you are here.”
“Of course I’ll tell you. But first I want to hear about where you come from. I have seen nothing of the world since I came here.”
“Oh all right. I’ll tell you about myself.”
With that said, Iltar spins a lie, mingled with truth; which for Iltar would provide self-amusement while he extracts the precious knowledge from this diabolical dragon.
“My name is Alacor…” Iltar says with a tone of disappointment, “I’m from a meager family in Soroth. I’m an average mage…”
After his false introduction, Iltar continues by telling the beast the truth about the islands he comes from but little else is accurate. The necromancer states that he is an illusionist. A deception calculated to make it seem that Iltar is more neutral in his moral alignment; although, there have been some evil ones in the past. Iltar also tells the dragon about a fictitious war between two kingdoms on the main continent; the city nation of Kildath and the Kingdom of Los. He explains that is why they were sent to look for the amulet, in order to keep it from either of the two nations. He tells the dragon a lie that his guild of mages has since become a good organization dedicated to keeping the peace; in addition, the islands of Soroth have since had a revolutionary change for better morality.
During Iltar’s fictional retelling of history, he and the dragon have moved further away from the cave and the switchback path; taking up a comfortable position near where the dragon was initially resting earlier that day.
After several hours, Iltar finishes relating his false story. The dragon asks questions about some of the details the feigned illusionist related early in the conversation. Iltar had put enough truths in his story so it wouldn’t be easy to be trapped into contradicting himself; although, he almost got caught once when the dragon asked more detailed questions about the war, attempting to discover who had influenced it. That matter appeared to be of great interest to him. Iltar told him that he might have gotten some specifics muddled; after all he's a mage and doesn't care about such things as wars and battles. The dragon seems satisfied with Iltar’s story, yet disappointed in not knowing the particular details.
The Dark Necromancer Page 15
