“Brilliant, girl! Just brilliant!” Gus jumped back to the ground and ran up to the door of the cage. “Somebody open this thing up!”
Kenneth stepped forward and braced his shoulder under the massive bar that crossed the door. He stood with a grunt and swung the bar out of its cradle. He hesitated a moment before opening the door.
“I think you should all step back, and someone should probably go get that dragon to tell his friends that we are the good guys.” Kenneth waited for them to retreat, and as he caught sight of Stargon flying down from the mouth of the volcano, he heaved the door open and dived to the side. Fire came spewing out from the cage, and a green dragon much smaller than Stargon burst out into the chamber. The larger dragon leaped between it and the rest of the volcano's occupants.
“Be still, Treethorn! These men have freed us from our bondage!” Stargon roared, and the smaller dragon stopped and looked around in amazement. Treethorn let out an ear-piercing cry, and then she shot up the vent of the volcano and into the open air, spreading her wings wide and streaking back and forth across the sky.
“Let's hope they are all that happy to see us.” Kenneth said, as he levitated the bar from the next cage with his wand.
“Stargon, with the spell disabled, can ye be telling ye'r kin that we be freeing them, and not to be roasting us?” Machai asked the dragon.
“Already done, stone dweller. You should have no more resistance from us. Please, release them from these cages.” Stargon's voice was thick with emotion.
Osric, Bridgett, Machai and Gus all aided him in unbarring the cages, and soon all fifty stood open and the dragons had flown up and out to celebrate their freedom. When the last two doors were opened, and nothing emerged, Osric approached the cages tentatively. He looked inside the first cage, and it stood empty, no doubt meant to hold Stargon. Upon peering into the last, he smiled in relief; it was occupied by a familiar face.
“Contege Thamas, we were wondering where you had gone off to.”
22 – Homeward Bound
Machai took great pleasure in locking Aron and his seven remaining men in one of the cages, and he asked several of the eagles to stand guard outside the door. He left the volcano and went to find the others. They were standing outside speaking with Thamas, and Machai headed in their direction.
Thamas stood beside Osric shaking his head. “I can't believe you found a way to free the dragons! Don't misunderstand me, I am elated that they will no longer be held captive and tortured, but how will the people of Archana travel without them?”
“No single race should suffer for the convenience of the others.” Osric replied. “We will just have to find a way to get along without forcing them to fly us around. Perhaps, if we ask nicely, they will still take us where we want to go.” Osric winked over at his friends, and walked toward Machai, leaving Thamas to ponder the repercussions of the day's events.
“The guards be secured. I be hoping they enjoy their time in the cage. They will be having a while to think about what the dragons have been going through all these years.” Machai told Osric and inclined his head toward Thamas. “Ye be knowing the Contege they had caged?”
“Yes, I was promoted to replace him when he went missing. I am truly glad to find he is alive, and we have much to discuss, but we need to plan our next move. I don't think it would be wise to inform Thamas of all we have learned, until we know if he intends to take back his position as Stanton's Contege.” He glanced back over his shoulder. “Will you join me in speaking with the dragons before we go?”
“Aye.” They walked over to Stargon and several other dragons where they were laying in the warm sunshine. They all stood and lowered their heads to the ground in a respectful bow as Osric approached.
“High Wizard, we are forever indebted to you for our freedom.” Stargon gazed up at the sky. “The dragon elders have regained the skies, and our race will never be controlled and obligated to serve others again.”
“What is a high wizard?” Osric asked.
“No wizard should ever have been able to unbind that spell. You have the power of a wizard of a higher capability than any other ever born. You are a high wizard, Osric; the High Wizard.” Osric was shocked, but after all that had happened he could not argue with the dragon. He bowed slightly in acknowledgement.
“I am just grateful that we were able to free you, and I certainly did not accomplish it alone, but I would like to speak to you about the future of your race.”
“Our race has a future, thanks to you. What would you like to discuss?”
“Well, actually, I have a favor to ask of you. Dragons should be free to decide where they fly, and why. I hope that you never feel obligated to fly passengers against your will again,” Osric took a deep, calming breath before he continued, “but I would like to request that you aid our cause in preventing a massive world war.” He looked up at the dragon towering above him with a hopeful expression.
“We may not be very sympathetic to the races that have held us here for so long, but a world war would be devastating for all of the races who have never caused us any harm. What is it that you need from us?”
“I believe that the men who have been overseeing your captivity are the same men that have amassed an army and intend to initiate the war. Without the dragons to fly the troops, the army will be forced to move slowly, and it may buy us enough time to find a way to stop them altogether.”
The small, green dragon that Stargon had called Treethorn stepped forward and asked, “Wait, you are asking us to do you a favor by not flying humans and their cruel sharp blades around on our backs? I love this High Wizard!” She leapt up into the air and twirled around in her excitement.
Osric smiled at her antics, but his expression grew serious as he turned back to Stargon. “Actually, that is only part of my request. First, let me express that very few walkers were aware of your captivity and the threat to you which forced the other dragons to fly for us. The average person truly believes that dragons provide us with transport in exchange for payment.”
“Osric, I am aware of the difference between our captors and our passengers. It may surprise you, but I have been in contact with a friend of yours. Greyback is anxious for your arrival to thank you in person.” Stargon's eyes twinkled at Osric's shocked expression. “Ero has been a wealth of knowledge as well.”
“You spoke with Greyback? How?” Osric asked in dismay.
Stargon laughed from deep in his chest, “You have much to learn about dragons, High Wizard, and I look forward to teaching you. All dragons have the ability to communicate telepathically. The spell created a barrier that prevented me from communicating with the other elders, but I have had contact with all of our descendants as long as I remained uncaged to stand guard for those wicked men.”
“So her wing has healed then? She is alright?”
“She is doing well, impatiently awaiting your arrival at your agreed upon rendezvous point. So, what is the rest of your request?”
“In order for us to learn what we must to stop this war, we need to avoid suspicion and fear from spreading among those who have the power to oppose us. If the dragons are no longer providing transportation to the masses, then the leaders of the various realms will feel isolated and threatened. They will be far more likely to be swayed by the vile men who would like to see the world's alliances torn apart. We need those leaders to trust in the security that the Peace Ratification would have assured them, rather than the false promises of a corrupt usurper.”
“Ye be asking them to give up their freedom before they have even had a chance to be tasting it!” Machai objected passionately.
“No, Machai, I am asking them to help me prevent the most widespread panic and devastation to ever be visited upon Archana!” He spread his hands as he appealed to the dragons, “If you stop providing transportation to the entire world, all of our efforts to bring peace and unification to the realms of Archana will be wasted, and the men who have held you prisoners here
for so long will have truly won! Please, I need your help, but I will not demand it. No one will ever be able to demand anything from you again. It has to be your choice.” He dropped his hands and waited with bated breath for the reply.
The dragons stood in silence, and Osric began to think that he had asked too much of them and they would not be able to give up their new found freedom, when Stargon spoke, “We will not demand that our descendants serve, any more than you will demand the same of us.” Osric's heart fell as he listened to the dragon's words. “However, we have as much to lose from a war as you. Though we will leave it up to each dragon to decide for themselves, I believe that most will choose to help you. Tell me more of this army and what has transpired that led you here to our mountain.”
* * *
“Toby showed me your journal.” Osric sat across the fire from Thamas, observing him closely. To his credit, he did not seem surprised, nor did he try to deny writing it.
“I had hoped that if anyone ever found it, it would be Toby.” He met Osric's gaze with his head held high. “Will you charge me with treason, or will you help me to understand what is happening in our realm?”
Osric weighed his options, and erred on the side of caution. “I do not believe you capable of treason, and I am relatively certain that the Turgent is unaware of the degree of corruption surrounding him. I would like nothing more than to send you back to Stanton in my stead, and relinquish the title and responsibilities of your position, but I would more than likely be sending you to your death. I have not yet discovered how deep this goes, nor who is involved, so it would be wiser to send you elsewhere until we find out.” He smiled over at the previous Contege, “Besides, you deserve some time away,” he laughed under his breath, “without the cage.”
“Where would I go? Stanton is the only home I have ever known.”
“There is a whole world to see. I think you may enjoy spending some time traveling, and Machai could use the extra sword on his journey home. How would you like to learn to fight with your sword and your wand?”
Thamas laughed, nearly choking on his rulha, “You can't be serious!”
“Oh, I am quite serious. It took me a while to master, but it is a very handy trick, and Machai seems to enjoy teaching us slow witted humans to be better warriors.”
Thamas shook his head, and stared down into his mug. “I have always wondered what it would be like to leave my responsibilities behind and travel the world, but it never seemed realistic before now. I suppose if it will save my life, then I can leave you to my duties for a while longer. After all, it would be beneficial to have the dwarves behind us if a war is unavoidable.”
“Indeed,” Osric said, rising to his feet, “I will speak with Machai and make the arrangements.”
Osric entered the volcano and found Machai speaking with Ero. He approached them and waited respectfully for Ero to finish his explanation of how Argan had helped them sculpt the Caves of D'pareth with the spoken spell.
“I spoke with Thamas, and he has agreed to accompany you on your return journey. Have you spoken to the dragons?”
“Aye. That quick little 'un, Treethorn, has agreed to be flying us. Beats a sail on a forsaken ship.”
“Good, we should leave in the morning, and you will need to depart with Thamas first. He is a good man, but he will be safer for now in his ignorance.”
“Aye, I will be watching over him.”
“Thank you, Machai. Let's link our wands so we can stay in contact.” They established the link and Osric left them to continue their conversation. He climbed the stairs to the small sleeping chambers to find Bridgett. As he reached the landing at the top, he could hear Bridgett and Gus speaking, and he paused outside the door. He didn't want to interrupt them, and he almost turned and went back the way he had come when he heard his name.
“Yes, my dear, the way he unraveled the spell on those cages was incredible. You should have seen it! I must admit, I have grown to respect Osric greatly.” Gus' voice drifted through the doorway. “But if you tell him I said so, I will never admit it.” He heard Bridgett giggle, and he couldn't help but stay and listen.
“Gus, your secret is safe with me. So long as you can restrain yourself from insulting him every chance you get.” Osric smiled at hearing her defend him. “He has truly grown into a powerful wizard. It will be hard to part ways with him tomorrow, but I must return to the unicorns.” His smile faded. He had not considered the possibility that Bridgett would not return to Stanton with him.
“Ah, girl, I would give anything to spend time in that grove learning about the unicorns. Would you consider allowing me to accompany you?” Gus asked.
“What about your family, and your home?”
“Most of my pups are grown, and my home will be there when I return. I couldn't leave Pebble behind, of course, but he is rather fond of you and would love to see more unicorns. Besides, there wouldn't be a better place on Archana for him to develop his Wand-Making abilities than in that enchanted grove.”
“Well, I cannot guarantee the unicorns will allow you to study them, but you are welcome to join me and ask them.” Osric heard Gus whoop with excitement, and he turned and crept silently back toward the stairs.
Osric made considerably more noise walking back to the door, and he called out to Bridgett as he approached. He entered the room to find them sitting comfortably on the small sleeping pallet. Bridgett smiled up at him, and gestured for him to join them.
“Bridgett, I'm glad I found you. We are making our final preparations for leaving tomorrow. Will you be returning with us to Stanton?”
She smiled knowingly at him, and replied, “I must return to the Grove of Unicorns, Osric, and Gus will be joining me.”
“Oh. I am sorry to hear that.” Genuine disappointment filled his voice.
“I do not believe that the unicorns' interest in you has expired, but I need to return to them and tell them what we have learned. Perhaps they will be able, and willing, to help.”
“Yes, you are right. You will be sure to stay in contact?” Osric asked.
“Yes, boy, you can't get rid of me that easily. You will be hearing from us regularly, if only to make sure you haven't gotten into any trouble.” Bridgett cleared her throat at Gus' insulting tone, and he walked out of the room with a scowl. She waited until she was sure he was out of ear shot.
“Osric, if you are going to stand outside of a doorway and listen to an Empath's conversations, you should learn to mask your emotions more effectively.” She smiled as his cheeks flushed red, and she followed Gus from the room.
Osric waited a moment for his embarrassment to fade and then descended the stairs. He found Kenneth shoving stale bread through the feeding slot of the cage which housed the guards.
“Why do you look like you just got caught stealing Miss Lidya's rhubarb?” Kenneth asked jokingly as Osric walked up.
“What? Oh, it's just been a long day.” Osric waved his hand dismissively, “What are we going to do with them?” He asked, nodding his head toward the cage.
“I say we just leave them locked up to rot.” Kenneth replied.
“You know we can't do that. That's what they would do.”
“Yeah, I know. We will strip this place of all forms of weapons and unbar the door before we leave in the morning. Did you figure out what to do about Thamas?”
“Yes, he is going to travel with Machai until we can sort out this mess.”
“Good. Everything is in order then?”
“Looks that way. Gus and Bridgett are going to travel to the Grove of the Unicorns, and Pebble will go with them. So it's up to you and I to get back to Stanton and save the world.” He smiled weakly at his friend.
“Ah, Os, I'm sorry. But you will see her again soon, I am sure of it.” Osric was startled that his disappointment was so apparent, but Kenneth had always been able to read him. Machai walked up and interrupted them before Osric could deny his attachment to Bridgett.
“I be leavin
g now to retrieve our gear from the tree. I will be releasing the horses, unless ye would prefer I brought them back here.”
“No, Machai, that will be fine. That should give them time to be far enough away that they won't tempt the dragons, and they won't be of use to Aron's men, either.” Osric replied.
“Aye. Ye will be releasing them, then?”
“Yes, in the morning before we leave. It is the right thing to do.”
“Aye, but I do not have to be liking it.” He stomped off toward the entrance grumbling to himself.
Osric turned back to Kenneth. “We all need to get some sleep, tomorrow will be another long day.” He climbed the stairs, lay down on a pallet and fell into a restless sleep.
* * *
Osric woke in the morning with a pounding headache and very stiff muscles. The immense amount of power he had expended the day before had taken its physical toll on his body. He walked stiffly down the stairs to find the volcano busy with activity. He gratefully accepted a steaming mug of rulha from Kenneth.
“What's going on?” Osric asked. A large wagon sat in the middle of the floor between the sentry tower and the entrance. “Where did that come from?”
“Machai is loading all of the weapons he can find into the wagon with the shipment of dwarven blades he delivered. He found a false wall in the back of one of the cages. It was bolted from the outside, and there was a tunnel leading to it from the kitchen. That's where Aron had stashed the wagon. Gus and Bridgett are packing rations from the kitchen and I just finished collecting all of the spare gear from the guards' sleeping chambers and the store rooms. No sense in leaving it to make Aron and his men comfortable.”
“Kenneth,” Osric looked over at him suspiciously, “what are we going to do with the wagon once it is full?”
The Wand-Maker's Debate: Osric's Wand: Book One Page 23
