by Ben Marble
"Will you," Xander's tone was less than convinced. "If I was to predict anything, it would be that if we don't agree with whatever you will propose at the end of your discussion, you will do everything you could to keep us from telling the order dragons about you."
"Very true my astute young man. Tell me what these have," he waved a hand at Ember, "told you about us chaos dragons as you so quaintly coined me."
"I'm afraid you aren't considered important enough to be part of our normal curriculum,” Xander sneered and Sierra winced. Brianne herself tried to shrink back at how Xander seemed to be taunting the dragon. "Since you jumped out of the shadows and tried to murder us, without any type of parley or warning might I add, we have learned that you and the other dragons had a war. One that left a lot of devastation which caused the order dragons to cast the sleep which put everyone under for a few thousand years." Xander leaned back and crossed his arms.
"That's pretty accurate," Nightfire still sat casually eating the bread. "I'm betting what you haven't learned is that we didn't start the war. Your masters," He bit into the word, "attacked us and tried to wipe us into extinction." For a moment the chaos dragon looked sorrowful. "Our children chose a different path and because of it, we were deemed too dangerous and they revolted against us. Even now we are but a remnant of what we were."
"And that justifies you killing Torch and his apprentices? Or trying to kill us?" Xander cocked his head and raised an eyebrow.
"It's a war. Even thousands of years later it's a war. If we don't attack first and find a position of strength, we won't have a chance against your so called “order” dragons. I'm sorry you got caught in the crossfire but that is the way things are." Nightfire regarded Xander evenly. "Do you think if I had walked forward and greeted Ember openly that it would have been any more peaceful? And who told you Torch, and his apprentices are dead? You’re assuming quite a bit without much evidence."
"You're going to tell me Torch and his apprentices are fine? He just happened to leave his cave and apprentice to you. Or Chandler, you are telling me he’s not hurt."
"Well, about Torch you are correct. He did meet his end at my hands." Nightfire looked around to include Sierra and Brianne in the conversation. "His apprentices and your friend are in good health. I have Torch's apprentices under lock and key so they don't warn anybody about me, but when the time is right I will release them with no hard feelings."
"And we just trust you on this?" Sierra growled. "Your words sound pretty but they are just your words. There is nothing to prove any of it."
“Well, I bring a token of good faith,” Nightfire gestured and Dell entered with Chandler gagged and tied before him. The chaos dragon’s apprentice looked angry at something but held his tongue as he ripped the ropes off Chandler’s wrists and pushed him towards the group. Chandler had burn scars on the side of his face and his clothes were tattered and worn. He had been healed, but hastily. He glared at Nightfire and ripped his gag out. “Thank you for your hospitality,” He growled then spat at the chaos dragon before going to stand by Xander.
"I have no desire to end your lives, and without Ember being awake to interfere I can talk to you here. Even if you had healed her enough to wake up, she wouldn't have been able to attack me on neutral ground with the dwarves. Imagine the luck at you stumbling across them. It gave me the perfect opportunity."
"When you find your position of strength," Xander was watching Chandler carefully. "Tell me are you going to just sit back and defend yourselves? Or are you going to bring war against the other dragons? If you bring war how many people are going to die? How many dwarves?" Xander looked pointedly at Rorshk. "How many elves? How many other creatures? What is your end game if you aren't going to bring war?" Xander looked at Chandler. "I am very happy to see Chandler back here, but how can I trust you haven't done something to him to compromise his mind? How do I know he's not just another apprentice of yours wearing his form?"
“Have your healer inspect him. She will find no sign of tampering or magic other than what I used to heal his burns.” Nightfire looked at Brianne and she felt herself shudder a little. “I apologize, healer, I don’t have much skill in the craft and hopefully you can heal the damage that’s left.”
"I’ll take care of him," Brianne felt like her voice squeaked and everyone in the room was suddenly looking at her. She felt the desire to shrink away even further. "I need to see the extent of the damage anyway. We will just keep him shielded and restrained until we can be sure."
"That sounds good. Chandler, I'm sorry to ask it, but do you mind?" Xander sounded concerned. That was strange.
"I understand." Chandler put his hand on Xander's shoulder and Xander gave him a rough embrace and patted his back. Brianne was sure the world was about to start falling apart. As soon as he released the stunned Chandler, Sierra shielded the returned apprentice and he walked over to Brianne. Brianne tried not to cry as she tied her friend's hands down to the pallet frame.
"That is touching, it really is." Nightfire had a grin on his face, and it was not the least bit malevolent. The dragon seemed to be sincerely enjoying the reunion. Xander ignored the comment and walked over to Dell.
“Good to see you have such a benevolent master. Your parents would be proud.”
Dell's face drained of blood and his eyes seemed to burn. "I honored my parents by joining those who would have us free from those lizard's rule. Fuego talked to me as well you know. Do you think your parents would be happy with your choice to be a slave to those who caused their death?"
"My parent’s death was a tragedy. Your parents walked into the fire and burned. Don't compare them." Xander turned and walked back to Nightfire. "I can guess what kind of deal you are going to present to us. Do you want to give it anyway?"
The chaos dragon nodded and sighed. "Hand over Ember to me. I will promise that she won't come to harm, but we will cage her for our safety. You and your fellow apprentices will be taken into our custody as well. While we hold you, it won't be in a dark dank cell it will be where you can continue your studies as well as learn from us as you choose. It will be a prison of sorts, you won't be able to leave and there will be restrictions. When the time comes, and we are victorious you will be released and allowed to go and do what you choose." Nightfire signaled to Dell, and his apprentice came to stand behind him. "If you don't take this deal as you earlier surmised, I will be forced to chase you down. I will then kill Ember when I catch you and I can't guarantee your safety. Let the dwarf know if you are willing to deal, he knows where to find me." Nightfire then nodded to Dell and they both walked out the door without another word.
Rorshk coughed in embarrassment and looked at his feet. "I am to give you six hours to get your stuff together and leave. While you are under our protection, it ends at that time as we will not become involved in this fight. Nightfire has already approached the council with a treaty for us to continue to use Torch’s cave in safety as we need to." Rorshk was clearly uncomfortable. "He knows how long we are giving you to leave. The council doesn't want to risk enraging a dragon who lives so close to us, I'm sorry."
Xander closed his eyes and sighed. "Fine, we will leave shortly. I thank you for your help."
"My hands are tied lad, if I could do anything I would. The guards are a little upset after your display with the golems the other day." Rorshk smiled. "They wanted the council to turn Nightfire down, but the council couldn't pass on the chance to keep a path open to the surface. They had to choose between that, and Nightfire attacking you in the city. I don't need to tell you that even if you won the fight, a lot of dwarves would likely be killed or injured."
"I know your hands are tied Rorshk, I am just not happy about the situation."
"Well, let me tell you what I will do." The dwarf had a slight twinkle in his eye, and he grinned. "I am going to give you a map to the other exit as I promised. I also have all the notes possible on the Chimera that is living at the exit, which is why we haven't been able to use
that passage."
"A Chimera? that should be manageable for us. So far you are just outlining our original deal."
"Aye, because I promised you a safe passage. I will mark out for you a tunnel your friend won't likely know about. It is dwarf made and has only been used by us to this point. Nightfire won't be able to find it unless a dwarf specifically shows it to him, and if we did, we would be picking a side." The dwarf shrugged. "I promised you safe passage, and this is the only way to assure that safe passage will be met in my mind. I'm not picking a side, I'm honoring a deal."
Xander raised an eyebrow and gave the dwarf a half grin. "You won't be in trouble for this?"
"Nah, nothing more than I'm used to."
"I suggest we leave as soon as we can pack," Sierra said. "If Nightfire expects us to wait for the full six, the sooner we leave the better."
"Agreed, Brianne can you start getting Ember, Chandler, and Michael in the marble?" She jumped when he addressed her.
"Yes, it should be little problem." Brianne held out her hand and Sierra tossed the marble to her.
"We leave in the hour then. Sierra help me get what supplies we can pack. I would like to avoid going back to eating conjured food."
"Of course." Sierra turned to Rorshk. "We couldn't trade you for some supplies, could we?"
"Trade, are you kidding? You’re still our guests. I'm obligated to feed you no matter how big your appetites are!" Rorshk smiled.
"Thank you," Xander shook Rorshk's hand. "Make sure if you ever are in the neighborhood you stop by our cave. I would love a chance to return your hospitality." Xander started to walk away then turned back to Rorshk. "And if we clear out this other issue for you, remind that council of yours that you don't have to deal with Nightfire to reach the surface safely."
"Aye lad, I will." Rorshk gave one last nod and headed out the door.
And with that everyone hurried to get ready for their departure.
Chimera
The path that Rorshk had let them to was clear and straight. The trip down from Torch's cave had been endless bends and backtracks. This path was set in its course and even had stairs leading upwards in a few places to help speed the process of going up along.
The stone floor was smooth and cut flat, if not paved. The walls had been braced by lengths of what looked to be a gray wood, but Xander suspected that if he looked closely it would comprised of mushrooms stalk. So much of the food was mushroom based, it wouldn't have surprised him to find out that they had mushrooms big enough to do the jobs that surface dwellers would use trees for.
He felt they were making good time. Due to the straight shot what had taken them a couple of days of travel to go down, might be accomplished in a day or less on the way up. Despite being run out of the dwarven city Xander had high hopes that they would soon be on the surface and safe.
There were other worries. Chandler had been questioned by each apprentice in turn and seemed himself. Even though it was likely Nightfire had kept him asleep to better manage him until it was time to give him back, they couldn't risk Chandler having been ensorcelled or corrupted. They were keeping him securely tied down up until the time came that Ember woke and could investigate him herself. Without the dragon’s approval, Chandler just had to sit and wait.
The path had been smooth enough that they had risked a little light here and there and for a few hours after they left Sierra had led the way, letting Xander get the rest of his much-needed sleep after battling the golems. Everyone was now rested and running at one hundred percent.
Michael's feet beat a heavy staccato next to his. His friend had wanted to take some time and walk with him. Seeing no reason to deny the request Xander had allowed it. Michael kept staring forward as they walked, and Xander knew that the other apprentice would talk when he was ready.
It took a good half hour of walking, but Michael finally made a small coughing sound causing Xander to incline his head, just enough to show he was listening.
"Look, I need to know if I need to do something to help you forgive me." Michaels jaw was set, and his eyes were still locked forward. "I have almost killed you two times now. You have barely spoken to me unless you have had to since then, and I don't blame you for being angry at me. I need to find some way to make it up to you so that you know how truly sorry I am.”
Xander closed off the pocked dimension from the portal so no one could hear them, this wasn't a conversation for other ears. "Are you stupid?"
"Excuse me?"
"We have been running for our lives, beaten down, injured, and you thought I was avoiding talking to you?" Xander shook his head. "You are blaming yourself for trying to kill me when the first time you were under the effects of chaos magic."
"I should have had better control...."
"Better control over something that the dragons didn't think we should be taught about?" Xander growled. "I am not even sure when the second time you tried to kill me was. That first time was not your fault. If anything, it's the damn dragons fault for deciding that it's easier not to train us about chaos magic because it's easier than admitting it exists."
"The second time was with the golems. I almost killed you destroying mine." Michael hung his head slightly.
"You mean when I told you hey, this thing is going to kill me if you don't destroy it go ahead? That isn't your fault either. So, I repeat my question, are you stupid?"
"Maybe... It can't be that easy for you to just let it go." Michael grabbed Xander's arm and stopped him. "I still can't get the image out of my head."
"It's not easy for me to forget either. As far as blaming you though? No, that's a no brainer. It was not your fault. Now suck it up and stop worrying about it. We have bigger problems like a chimera to deal with. We also need to figure out how to counter chaos magic."
“How do you propose we do that?”
“Without Ember to teach us? Experimentation.”
"I will not use Chaos magic again."
"Good, because that wasn't what I was suggesting. We need to find a way to simulate the power drain that Dell created when he was casting. Either that or find a way to catch Dell and make him help us. We better not experiment with chaos magic again ourselves, it has almost destroyed you and I’m not sure if it left a mark on Chandler or not yet."
“Or we can wake Ember.” Michael added.
“Well that would solve all our problems, wouldn’t it? Go wake her then.” Xander smiled at Michael. “See, I knew you were stupid. You have a good idea, but you’re still stupid."
"Shut it ego maniac."
"It's not ego if I am in fact better then you. Stupid."
"Oh, you’re nothing without me and you know it," Michael laughed. "Plus, we will get back home soon, and I will show you who's stupid."
"Oh, I'm sure you will, and I know I won't be disappointed at all with the results. Stupid."
"Well, yeah I guess I may be stupid, but at least I'm good looking dragon eyes."
"Ouch, I guess if you like those girls who go for the tall muscled types. I think I will look for one who appreciates short and smart."
"Better go for short, smart, and ugly."
"If you weren't too stupid to know how much of a ladies' man I truly am I would take offense at that."
"Right, because I can see the girls knocking down your door."
"Your one to talk. Do you know how long Brianne has been trying to get your attentions now? You finally figured it out?" Xander gave a half smile. "Stupid."
"What about you and Sierra?"
"You mean the other ego maniac in the cave? Because you know that would end well." Xander gave his own laugh.
"Do you think she competes with you to impress herself or you?" Michael gave his own lopsided grin. “I'm not sure she realized it either."
"Because she couldn't be trying to impress Chandler or yourself?"
"True enough, but I know she doesn't make such a point of trying to outdo us."
"She wants to be lead apprentice, don't mis
take ambition for anything else my friend. You and Chandler don’t really pose a challenge."
"Well, I'll have to prove you wrong on that as well. Besides, last battle practice if I'm not mistaken, I won."
"I thought we just discussed how you were guilt ridden over how you tried to kill me."
"True, but that doesn't mean I didn't win." Michael looked at Xander and regarded him for a moment. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me for things that were never an issue."
"Alright then, you short, ugly, ego maniac. I'm going to go back into the marble, and check on the others. Let me know if you need me."
"Will do. Go take care of 'em."
With another grin Michael hopped into the marble and was gone. Xander continued further up the cave.
It was only a few minutes later fresh air touched and brushed by Xander's face causing him to hurry. Before they reached the cave at the entrance to the tunnel he would have to get Michael and Sierra so they could face down the Chimera together. Chimeras could be dangerous, but it should pose little challenge for the group. It still would not be wise to pick a fight with one without being fully prepared.
The clacking of his feet on the stone grew louder and quicker as he hurried upward. The entrance had to be nearby now. Xander did not realize how trapped he had felt underground when his chance to leave had been taken away. The chance of getting out made his move quicker still. His excitement is what kept him from getting killed.
As Xander erupted from the tunnel a lightning blast struck right past him, knocking him forward. If he had not sped up from that bout of excitement, he would have been hit dead center and would not have even had a chance to get his shield up. He fell forward and rolled to keep moving, channeling energy into a shield to protect himself. A rumbling grew behind him and dust filled the air. Xander created an air pocked in front of him to keep from breathing in all the dirt in the air.
