Chronicles Of Aronshae (3 Book Omnibus)

by J. K. Barber

  “Rider,” Sirus said aloud, feeling more comfortable with his human speech that he was teaching to his brothers and sisters. Walron repeated the word aloud but was still confused. Sirus sighed and sent an image of a man riding a horse, then of a man riding a dragon. All his clutchmates turned up their noses and snorted in mild disgust.

  “Be prepared, we will most likely be assigned riders,” the old woodsman said.

  “That would be an accurate assumption,” Roane confirmed as she swaggered into the room from the adjoining courtyard, followed by six men each pushing a handcart with a dead animal in it. All the dragons but Sirus rushed to Roane to touch the woman affectionately with a head butt or by wrapping a tail around her back, careful not to scratch her with burgeoning tail spikes. They loved her simply because she fed them and petted them. The woodsman did his best to stare daggers at her. Roane smirked, shooing the dragons towards the food. Sirus stood his ground as usual, preferring to eat after she had finished harassing him and departed. Today would be no different than any other.

  Roane, dressed in her usual tight leathers and thigh-high boots, approached Sirus. She ran her hands down his long neck and absently traced a few of his translucent scales with her fingertips. His dark blood pumped faster through his veins. Sirus noticed Walron’s head rise, his jaws filled with meat, and jealousy washed into the woodsman’s thoughts. Sirus did his best to send back that he didn’t want this affection with an image of him dismissing the human woman with a snort. Walron huffed and returned to his meal. Roane was snuggling up to Sirus now, her body fully against his torso.

  “Poor, Sirus. I must say this new body suits you though; you were always more animal than human anyway,” she whispered sweetly against his neck. Sirus, who readily remembered the various ways this woman had tortured him previous to his dragon shape, wanted nothing more than to rip her head off. “Get used to it,” she inclined her head against his chest. “I threw your dead body out with the rest of the trash this morning. It seems the dragon mind trapped inside couldn’t handle your pitiful excuse for a body and killed itself. He pounded his head into the wall until it was nothing but mush.”

  Overwhelmed with loss, Sirus went to snap Roane’s spine with his teeth when his crystal scar burned like suddenly fire. All desire to do her harm faded like a waking dream. His stomach growled.

  “Go and eat, my pet,” she cooed, smiling knowingly. Sirus felt a sudden urge to readily obey her every command. He immediately went to the remaining unclaimed carcass. He ate and was happy, Roane’s evil words gone from his mind, evaporated away like morning dew to the rising sun.

  Later that evening, Sirus lay snuggled into the pile of sleeping dragons, feeling content, his belly full and his mind in that vacant place before sleep settles in. He was just about to nod off, when once again those purple eyes appeared to him in his mind. The smell of the sea and the sound of crashing waves on warm sand inundated his senses. He saw himself flying into the Ice Queen’s palace crystal and being blinded by yellow light, flapping his wings ever faster toward those eyes. It felt right and good. The sound of crashing waves and the feeling of hot sand at his feet was overwhelming. Sirus snapped fully awake as did his siblings. The vision was gone as fast as it had come. This was not the first time they had shared this “dream.”

  “What does it mean?” Misae asked, her light purple eyes twinkling in the low torchlight. Sirus grinned a toothy smile at his most avid student of the spoken word, but his visage soon returned to one of confusion that they all shared.

  “I don’t know,” he replied. “When we are able, we should try to fulfill the dream.” He felt the urgency of the dream like the constant noise of a bee buzzing in his ear.

  “Feel… home…” Sindai added, to which Isa nodded her small head in agreement.

  Walron also inclined his head from which horns were already emerging out of his skull.

  “Fly now?” Niambe put forth to the group adamantly, fully feeling the urgency of the dream. All six of them suddenly grasped at their individual crystal scars with taloned claws. The clutchmates stared blankly at each other for a few moments. Walron yawned and laid his head back onto Niambe’s shoulder. The rest of the dragons followed suit in similar ways and settled into sleep, their dream of azure waves forgotten for now.

  The sound of great wooden doors creaking open woke the dragons as usual. The morning sun filtered in, rousing their drowsy eyes. Roane strode forward with a map in hand, her two personal guards standing back by the doors. She laid the map of the Frozen March on the stone floor before Sirus.

  “Today, you will begin your flight to the Illyander border town of Snowhaven,” she said, tracing her fingers from their location southwest to a black dot in the World’s Edge Mountains. “Your true Mistress awaits you there before the new moon. That is in two days’ time.”

  Sirus looked to his clutchmates. When travel was mentioned they all had the same thought. The crystal. The woodsman regarded Roane for a moment. He was sure that despite her worst tortures she could not read his thoughts. He sent words to his siblings, and he was pleased to feel that they understood. Fly as she says, we will obey. We will go where she says in the time she allotted. However, we will use this crystal. I don’t know how I know, but it will take us there quickly.

  Yes. Feel that too. Misae responded and cocked her head. It is quicker so we go to the sands first?

  Sirus smiled and sent back. Yes. I am not sure how I know that, but you know as well.

  I know it true, too. Walron also responded.

  Sindai, Niambe, and Isa sent their agreement as well. How they all knew the true nature of the crystal was mind boggling to Sirus. Whether they were born knowing it or the dream they had been having taught them, he could not guess.

  We will obey Roane and travel to Snowhaven, Sirus thought carefully, as not to provoke another mind blank from the magical compulsion to do the Ice Queen’s bidding. Sirus continued. We will fly. When we are out of sight we will circle back and secretly get back inside to the crystal room where we were born.

  The woodsman turned back to Roane who peered at the dragons with more than just a small amount of impatience and suspicion.

  “We will leave immediately. We will not disappoint our Queen.” Sirus said, keeping his hidden contempt from his voice.

  Roane still eyed Sirus apprehensively but stepped aside, trusting her Mistress’s magical hold on these creatures. The dragons walked out one by one, launching themselves out into the frigid glacial air on strong wings. Sirus went last.

  “Sirus,” Roane called from behind him. He turned back, suppressing a sigh. She couldn’t let him go without getting in the last word. “You did well assisting me in the aid of my poor sick mother,” she grinned as she recalled how they had first met. She had lured him away from his hovel in the woods, surrounded by animal friends he had known for years that would have protected him from the men that had jumped him on the road if he had been closer to his home. He had left his house against his better judgment to aid a maiden showing more than an ample amount of bosom. Too many years without physical contact with a woman and the “promises” Roane had been suggesting when she showed up on his doorstep had won him over. Soon after, his torture had begun as the Ice Queen had Roane experiment on him, trying to harness his abilities with animals. All that had ended though when Roane had forced him to try and make contact with the being that was inside the crystallized egg. “I enjoyed our time together,” Roane said, reveling as she watched him mentally relive the past year.

  The dragon-man snorted at her dismissively. Both were equally shocked when lightning came out of the old woodsman’s nostrils and scorched the stones at Roane’s feet. Before she could say anything further, he turned and opened his wings, launching himself into the air and flying away as fast as his new body could carry him. Sirus broke through the clouds, a great roar escaping his mouth. Freedom. He could almost smell it, and it was intoxicating. The thrill of the air against his scales quickened his bl
ood as he spiraled further up. Walron and the others sent similar thoughts of excitement as they joined him. After all were together again, airborne upon the upper winds, they followed Sirus and dove back through the clouds with frightening speed, dropping down to circle the Ice Palace, its quarried stone spires dark and lifeless against the rising sun. On the uppermost spire the Empress of Ice’s banner, a white crown made of icicles on a black background, fluttered in the breeze. The glacier that swept around the foreboding castle was a stark contrast in its glittering beauty; its surface white but deepening to azure and aqua in its thousands of fissures. Leveling out, Sirus led the dragons, their wings pumping, along the quarried bridge that spanned the western part of the glacier to the valley wall where the glacier was contained. He flew so low that his back legs could almost touch the spikes that lined the bridge. A patrol of orcs marching along its length flattened with fear. Sirus laughed, the sound deep and ominous coming from his expansive lungs. His clutchmates chortled as well, looking back at a human in the rear of the patrol raise his fist at the dragons after they had passed, shaking it and yelling angrily. Terrorizing the Ice Queen’s soldiers was a normal treat for the Shadow Drakes; these morning flights being the only time they could have a little fun. Their usual morning games would have to be put aside for now though. Time to focus, the former woodsman thought. Sirus soared up until they found a high current of wind that carried them up through the clouds where they would be hidden from the Ice Queen’s troops in the keep below. He then turned them back in the direction of the Empress’ palace towards the crystal where they had been born in its depths.

  What of the sentries? They watch the sky as well as the ground, Misae sent. How will we get back into the castle without being detected?

  Isa sent them all an image of the glacier below them. She had explored a valley in the ice flows leading up to the palace proper on a previous flight. There was a large tunnel of sorts at the end of the valley. Goes under. Crystals under Isa replied.

  Of course, the crystals must extend under the palace and even into the glacier itself. Isa, is the tunnel big enough for even Walron? Sirus asked.

  Isa looked at her big brother who flew at her side, sizing him up while thinking of the ice flow tunnel. She sent her assent to Sirus although there was a small lingering sense of doubt with it.

  Well, all we can do is try. The woodsman took his clutchmates to the area Isa had described. It was far out of sight of the palace’s walls. Perfect, he thought as he dove into the far end of the small glacial valley. Luckily they had speed, because otherwise they may have not been able to stay aloft so close to the ground. There was also nothing in their way; the valley was smooth cords of blue ice all running the same direction. The tunnel appeared ahead and Sirus brought his wings inward to land. It was much smaller than he had anticipated; they would not be able to fly through it. Sirus inclined his head to Isa, who landed beside him and took the lead into the tunnel. The clutchmates followed one at a time, pausing and holding their breath as Walron approached the small tunnel. The largest of them all, they were concerned he wouldn’t fit; he tucked his wings tightly to his sides and made it in but even then they scrapped the walls. Sindai mentally voiced his concern to Walron, who walked behind him, but the large dragon sent to all of them that he was fine.

  Sirus sighed with relief but then was a bit frightened by a thought. Had they attempted this in another month, none of them would have fit through here at all. Tucking that knowledge away for another time, he followed Isa deeper into the tunnel. It split several times, but Isa navigated with confidence. It wasn’t long before the tunnel flowed narrowly around a pillar of crystal.

  What now? Niambe sent.

  Isa will have to go first. There is no way I can slip past her, Sirus conveyed.

  Isa was suddenly afraid and she shook with cold. Sirus realized suddenly that he too was freezing now that they had stopped. It was no wonder; they were surrounded by solid ice. They’d have to get moving soon or freeze to death. This tunnel could turn into their tomb. Before he could alleviate their fright with words of encouragement, fear swept through the line of dragons. Sindai cried out as Walron pressed forward, exuding panic. Walron! Calm yourself! Sirus sent to no avail. They were all pressed forward, and little Isa was being crushed into the crystals. Her front claws sheared off crystal fragments as she tried to claw her way in. Isa, remember the dream. Focus! Remember the light! Sirus called out as Niambe’s claws began to press into his haunches painfully.

  Isa struggled for a moment more, before she forced herself to calm. Her fear subsided and her thoughts filled with sand, waves, and light. The pressure of Walron’s panicked thrashings suddenly gave way. She fell forward and was blinded by a bright yellow radiance. Her siblings tumbled through behind her and they all began to slide. Panic set in again with all the dragons, and they clutched at each other and the hot, almost liquid, brightness below them as well.

  Help! Walron sent from the rear. Sindai, one claw sunk deep into the pliable surface below him and one on Misae’s tail ahead of him, looked back to see his brother floating away from them into a vast darkness. The larger dragon had tried to fly in this strange place. No matter how hard Walron flapped his wings he simply drifted away. Without regard for his own wellbeing Sindai leapt after Walron, grasping his hind foot just before his brother was out of reach. Misae, feeling Sindai release her tail, wheeled around sensing something was amiss. She tucked her body to link her tail with Niambe’s, turned rapidly, and grabbed two of Sindai’s biggest tail spikes in both her front claws. She pulled with all her might, swinging Sindai like a bull by its horns back towards the luminosity. Walron’s weight then snapped all their bodies taut. Niambe had only the briefest of moments to sink all four of her claws deep into the spongy illuminated floor before the burden of all three threatened to pull her loose. Her jaw alone held her attached to Sirus’ back haunch. The male cried out as her teeth sunk into the muscle, crushing the scales that were protecting the soft flesh underneath. Despite the pain Sirus kept his purchase. Isa felt only the smallest of pulls on her where Sirus was holding her tail before it was all over. Walron and Sindai more carefully secured themselves back to the odd substance to which they all clung.

  All but Isa panted as they recovered from their efforts and held tight to whatever it was below them. Their bellies grew uncomfortably hot against the almost molten surface, yet they did not burn. Niambe placed a claw delicately around the thicker part of Sirus’ tail, thankfully releasing her teeth’s hold on Sirus’ back leg. She felt remorse, regarding the large bleeding bite she’d left him, and licked it until the blood stopped seeping up from the wound. Sirus allowed forgiveness to bubble to the surface of his thoughts. Niambe nodded.

  Now that everyone was still, they realized that they we were still moving, flowing along with some mysterious current. A pitch black sky was a stark contrast to the glowing ground. Whenever Sirus looked up at it, he felt a nothingness that was infinite and a coldness that exuded not death but simply everything devoid of life. Their lustrous perch was not extensive; it was narrow and cylindrical in shape like they were on top of a giant cord of rope.

  Is everyone okay? Sirus sent along with thoughts of wellbeing.

  His brothers and sisters sent their assent.

  Walron sent images of what had happened when he tried to fly.

  Okay, so we can’t fly here. I guess we just hold on and enjoy the ride. The woodsman sent, but Isa, always the clever and vigilant one, expressed an idea. Her image was of releasing hold with their claws, tucking their arms and sliding on their stomachs. She had seen small black and white animals do this on the ice in her explorations of their wintry home. They had gained great speed and yet maintained control by using their weight to slide where they wanted. Sindai barked a genuine laugh, and Walron immediately felt embarrassment. Sirus was simply amused along with his other two sisters. We can try. Sirus conveyed with a crooked smile on his lips. I think it is safe to release hold of each ot
her as long as we keep in contact with the cord.

  Isa tried it first, laying on her belly and chest, using them like the keel of a ship. Raising her head up and forward, she then tucked her front paws and wings to her side while using her back legs as well as her tail to stabilize herself further and grip when needed. Just like she had described, she began to slide along rapidly, going easily twice as fast as the cord. It didn’t look as silly as Sirus and the others thought; in fact it looked and felt perfectly natural. Before Isa got too far ahead of her siblings she tightened her grip with all four legs on the cord and slowed herself to a stop. The cord continued to move underneath them all.

  Sirus followed Isa’s example, the rest behind him until they caught up to Isa, and then the entire clutch was gliding again at a breakneck pace. It was not long before they came upon a place where the cord appeared to widen and “swirl” like a whirlpool. They came to a halt, so they did not enter it too fast. Flowing into it, they allowed the current to pull them in circles while they held on to each other to steady themselves and decide what to do. Sirus pondered the nexus and was about to just signal them to keep going when he caught the briefest scent of salty sea air. The woodsman focused on the center of the nexus and thought of their destination, a seascape with azure waves. Once again, the six dragons were blinded by light. They sprawled precariously with their noses deep in white sand. Sirus was the first to snort sand out of his snout and look up into the shocked purple eyes of a true leviathan.