Dragon Fire

by Randal Sloan

  Jailyn thought she was through with the visits when Kynin came up. For a couple of moments, neither one of them spoke, just staring out into the night.

  Finally Kynin broke the silence. “I just wanted to be sure you were really good with me staying with you when you have to leave the group, what with me putting you on the spot in front of everyone.” He pointed to her ring. “I know three’s a crowd.”

  Jailyn gave him a smile. “It’s fine. I’m sure Gavriel and I will find time to be alone, plus we have the Dream World. I would have said something if I thought it was a bad idea. It just feels right to me, that you’ll be with us.”

  “If it helps, I’m pretty sure Master Dacanay’s instructions were intended to extend beyond our quest. You know how mysterious he can be.”

  “Yes, but one has to be careful with the sight. I think telling someone too much of the future could possibly change that future, so he has to watch what he says.”

  She sighed. “I’m glad that even now, I only have a limited amount of it. Just think what he has to do.” She held her hand up with the ring, signifying her bond with Gavriel. “I’m pretty sure he knew what was going to happen to me with the magic infection and the chance I could die or go insane. Gavriel’s choice to bond with me had to be his own choice and not one that could be taken for granted. There was a good chance it could have all gone badly wrong.”

  She looked Kynin in the eyes. “How many of us would have been able to let all that happen, knowing what he knew? But I’m positive it was necessary for any chance of us succeeding at our quest and beyond. I’m just glad I didn’t have to make that choice.”

  Kynin shook his head. “You’re right. I couldn’t do it.”

  Jailyn gave him an intense look. “Don’t be so sure, Kynin. Someday, you may well take the Master’s place as the head of the Order.”

  That got his attention, causing him to take a gulp of air. “You’re right. That’s not something I desire, just like you had no desire to be in the position you’re now in as a future queen.”

  “I know. Like I told Jesse, sometimes it seems like Fate chooses those of us who have no desire for such power for that very reason.”

  “I think I’ll try to be a little more understanding of the Master from now on.”

  Jailyn gave him a smile. She had to agree with his sentiment.

  “I guess I might as well take the first watch, since I’m already out here. You and the others should get some rest. It’s going to be a long day tomorrow.”

  Kynin laughed. “Is that the prophetic sight speaking?”

  “No, just a pretty good idea, based on what our first leg of this desert was like.”

  “I don’t think you’re wrong. I’ll tell the others. See you in the morning.”

  Jailyn enjoyed some time alone before Gavriel came out to sit beside her. They sat there for some time without speaking, just enjoying each other’s company.

  Finally, Gavriel broke the silence. “Go get some rest, love. I’ve got the second watch. I think we’d better skip the Dream World tonight.”

  Jailyn smiled. “Probably for the best. I’m not sure tonight if I would be able to leave once I got there. This is all quite hard to do.”

  She grasped his hand. “Good night, love.”

  She slipped out into the night.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  An Unexpected Meeting

  DESPITE THE EMOTIONAL evening, everyone woke cheerfully enough. They all seemed to understand what was at stake and each had decided he just had to do his part.

  After a quick break of their fast, Kynin gathered everyone around their magical virtual map. “Our section to travel today is our longest trek yet. Plus, it’s through perhaps the worst section of the desert.”

  Pointing to the map, he went on. “As you can see, there’s no oasis or even a good spot to rest on the entire segment. We won’t reach the next oasis until we’re ready to stop for the night.”

  He looked around the group to be sure they understood what that meant. “We have to make it through; there’s not a good place to camp anywhere along that line, even if we could make it with the water we can carry.”

  Everyone nodded soberly.

  “Guess we best be about it then,” Corrie said, ever the practical one.

  No one argued, everyone working together to quickly pack up their camp.

  So began the long trek, as they all quickly named it. At first, the walking was easy enough. The sand was firm and smooth and the air was still crisp enough that it felt good. But things quickly grew much worse. The sand grew more and more loose so that each step was a chore, and the sun quickly became unbearable. Without their magical enhancements, it would have been impossible.

  With the ever stretching sand and the drudgery of it all, they quickly lost track of time. Only Kynin with his experience at travel was able to manage. By using the position of the sun as his clock, he was able to do what the others couldn’t do and his experience traveling gave him a better sense of the distance traveled. Everyone else eventually reached the point where they could only put one foot in front of the other; so much so, they were all surprised when he called a quick break.

  Everyone huddled up close and Kynin threw a magical shield over the group, just to give them a break from the sun. “Believe it or not, we’ve traveled well over an hour. Unfortunately, we still have a long way to go, but we’re off to a good start.”

  So went the day. Each time Kynin stopped them for a break, the distance they’d travelled grew less than the time before. Everyone was beginning to give in to the despair of the desert when Jailyn spotted something, her magically enhanced vision making it stand out.

  “Take a look two degrees to your right,” she told Kynin, pointing as well.

  After a moment, he nodded. “I see it. Some kind of sand cave. It almost disappears into the landscape. I wouldn’t have noticed it if you hadn’t pointed it out. Guess that means we should stop for a brief meal.” He led the group over, quickly glancing over the area. It was some type of pavilion and inside they found a tiny little spring of water, enough to slack their thirst and top off their canteens.

  “I think this is man-made,” Jesse told them. As an earth wizard he could see the structure.

  “Probably put here by the sand people,” Jailyn told everyone. “We should each leave an offering in thanks when we depart. I believe that would be their tradition.” She pointed to a small collection of various desert fruits on a small shelf that was obviously made for that purpose.

  “We should also accept the friendship gift left for us.” Kynin said, his limited knowledge of the sand people coming to mind. “Each of you, take one piece of the fruit in exchange for your own gift.”

  As they were finishing their brief meal, Jailyn noticed something else. “Everyone, please be alert and keep your weapons handy, but don’t do anything overt yet. We’re being approached by a group of the sand people.”

  Jesse smiled at her. “Once we crossed the Northern Mountains, we passed out of the Kingdom of Callidore. I believe that leaves you and Gavriel in charge as leaders of the Dragonian Empire.”

  Kynin nodded. “I believe he’s got you there. I also expect the one strongest in magic in our group would be expected by them to be our leader. Although Gavriel is perhaps equal to you in magic, based on the ability to use it, you’re the one.”

  “It’s fine,” Jailyn told them. “I wanted to speak with them anyway. I believe they can help us in our travels and I need to warn them to avoid the assassin team approaching from the other direction.”

  She smiled suddenly. “I believe a small demonstration would be appropriate for their welcome, since as you say, they look for magic as a sign of strength.”

  She concentrated a moment; in front of her appeared a burning ball of magic with several layers of magic contained within. It glowed with an eerie blue color and somehow pulled at them, such that they couldn’t take their eyes off it.

  Everyone stared. “Just h
ow many layers of magic are in there,” Jesse asked nervously. He basically was asking the question that was on everyone’s minds.

  “All of them,” Jailyn told them. “Well, all that I know of. Earth, air, water, fire, animae, spirit, and null magic. Oh, and another that is, for want of another name, dragon magic.”

  Kynin had come closer to look. “No idea on the dragon magic. The spirit I see, or rather feel, but how did you get the animae into it?”

  About that moment, Jailyn’s hellhounds appeared, lining up beside her. “Hello, Mistress. You called?” Big Boy said, placing his head low to the ground. He was still upset with himself for growling at his Mistress while she was fighting that magic infection, so he’d been exceptionally obedient ever since. He was pleased that his pack had positioned themselves in perfect alignment.

  Jailyn smiled. “That’s how. It calls to the animae just as it does to you,” she told her friends.

  She spoke a command out loud, directing it to Big Boy. “Send the pack out to assume a guard position around our location, but do not attack the sand people who are approaching unless they attempt to attack us first.” Jailyn spoke loudly enough so everyone who was with her could hear, as well as the sand people.

  She lowered her voice and went on, “And sit up, for goodness sake. I told you I forgave you; it wasn’t your fault or mine, it was that terrible infection that had control of me.”

  “Yes, Mistress, it will be as you say.” He sat up as instructed and sent the commands to the pack, who instantly obeyed, moving silently into position and sitting down in a non-threatening posture.

  The group of sand people had slowed down as they drew near, most holding their weapons but also in a non-threatening manner. The one in the front fell to his knees, bowing to Jailyn. Then he spoke.

  “Welcome, our Queen. We have missed you for such a long, long time.” He spoke a command to his people, and they all lowered their weapons and bowed. Even he was surprised when their pack animals all did the same, dropping their forelegs in the animae equivalent of a bow.

  Jailyn returned their bows, dropping just a little lower than them. She had done a crash course on the sand people after learning of their quest, so she knew the lower the bow, the more important the person was considered. She was indicating her acceptance of his statement but only as a provisional one.

  She smiled, waving her hand and the ball of magic disappeared. She also sent a command to Big Boy and he and his pack vanished.

  “Please come join us,” she told them. “I believe this humble oasis is of your making?”

  “Yes. After our ancestors crossed the Desert of Despair, those of us that took residence in this area knew of the need of a waystation between the oases. We built this one as well as two others further along the trail. I’m glad our humble addition has served you.”

  “Yes, it has served us quite well. Our small group must cross the Desert of Despair to reach the valley that leads to the Land Between the Worlds. We are on a quest to obtain the Talismans of Power.”

  She saw the shock in his eyes. “The time for the world to change has come. We must drive evil back to the furtherest edges of the realm. Only then can the world of Glaedr’tor enjoy true peace and prosperity.”

  Gavriel had come to stand beside her, placing his arm around her. The young man’s eyes widened. “You are bonded,” the spokesman said. Realizing what he’d just said, he told them, “Please forgive me, I mean no offense.”

  Embarrassed, he went on. “Some spokesman I am. Raamial, at your service. Of my group, I am the only one who speaks your language, so I was chosen as spokesman.”

  Jailyn gave him a smile. Despite the oversized clothing that the sand people wore, she recognized he was not much older than she and her friends were. That was a good thing she knew.

  “I am Jailyn’lyl,” she told him, taking the Dragonian version for her name, “and this is Gavr’iel.” Now that they were bonded, those were their true names. “When we get the chance to meet everyone, I will introduce you to the others.”

  Jailyn pointed to the sun, the universal indicator to the sand people of the passage of time. “We had planned to move along on the trail to reach the next oasis before nightfall, but I believe now it would be more appropriate for us to join your people for an evening meal.”

  Raamial smiled. “Yes, if it pleases the Lady, many more of our people will join us by the time the sun touches the western sands. It will be our pleasure to provide your people with nourishment and drink.”

  “Yes, we accept with great pleasure. There are things of importance I must speak of with your leaders tonight. Come, let us share the shade and be at ease. I will explain everything to my companions.”

  Raamial called to his people and they joined their small group in the waystation. When some of the animals appeared still to be spooked by the earlier appearance of the hellhounds, Jailyn spoke gently to them so that they allowed themselves to be staked down in the sand people’s equivalent of a stable.

  Jailyn quickly explained the situation to the others, and although she could tell Kynin was unhappy at the delay in their schedule, she knew it was necessary. They would just have to make the time up somehow. Perhaps their new friends could help.

  The two groups, separated not only by language but also by culture, spent the afternoon relaxed enough, but not entirely comfortable with each other. Jailyn herself got some much needed rest and she popped into the Dream World for some time, asking for and being granted assistance from one of the monks under the Dream Master. She was quite pleased with the progress she made, benefited by the Dream Master’s ability to bend time in the Dream World.

  As the evening drew near, the sand people began making preparations outside the waystation. Jailyn by this time had awakened from her time away, and along with Jesse, watched with interest as the earth magicians did their work. They were somehow able to use their earth magic to compress the abundant sand of the desert into a kind of sandstone. It wouldn’t last forever, but in this desert it would last a long, long time.

  She’d had almost no time to devote to earth magic, so it was of special interest to her, and although Jesse had to some extent, even his work had been limited. When one of them kept stretching his arms wider to indicate one of the pavilions needed to be larger and the man working with him kept shaking his head, Jailyn asked Raamial to translate.

  She pointed to the first man, “I think he’s saying he needs this one bigger. Tell him I can help him, if he will allow me to give it a try.”

  When Raamial translated her question the man nodded and went into a bit of explanation. “He says the problem is it must be built all at one time and their earth magician is too tired to attempt to do it to that size.”

  Jailyn nodded. “You might want to get them all back a moment. This is the first time I’ve tried something like this, but I think with Jesse’s help, I can pull it off.”

  “You okay with it, Jess?” she asked.

  “Oh, yes, I definitely want to give it a go. I think some of what they’re doing here is beyond what we’ve been able to do on the island.”

  Gavriel had come to stand beside her. “I’m still learning to wield magic the way you guys do, but I can lend you some of my magic through our bond. I’ll be able to feel as well as watch, so it will be a big help to my learning how to do it.”

  “Let’s do it then,” Jailyn said as the last of the workers were clear of the area. “Gavriel and I will do the part of raising it, Jesse, if you can do the part of reinforcing the columns to hold it.”

  When Jesse nodded, she concentrated, pulling the sand from the earth and compacting it to the point it became stone, using Gavriel’s power to supplement hers, first forming the roof and then pulling the sand into columns, then raising it slowly out of the ground. She couldn’t help but hear a couple of intakes of breath, but it was too late to stop now. She could feel Jesse adding the supports in a huge surge of earth magic, so she gradually lessoned her own magic until fina
lly she could step back to look at her handiwork.

  “Oops,” she said looking at Jesse, her co-conspirator. “We might have gotten a little carried away. I told you we’d never done this before.” She knew that was an understatement, for the pavilion they’d built was twice the size the man had been asking for.

  When the sand wizard finally caught his breath, he turned to talk animately with Raamial.

  Raamial quickly translated. “He says he’s never seen anything like it in all our land. The great leaders will be much pleased to see such a thing done for them.”

  The man knew only a couple of phrases of their language, but he came over bowing before them, saying, “Thanks you, thanks you.”

  Jailyn and Jesse returned his bow, both still feeling rather sheepish about the whole thing, but glad it had worked out.

  As the sand people began pouring in for their little impromptu gathering, Raamial insisted that Jailyn and her party partake of the food and drink and relax along with his people. They were given a position of prominence in the new pavilion and were plied with so much food they couldn’t eat it all. As a group would come in, Raamial would bring their chief to them and introduce him or her.

  Jailyn was pleased to see that several of the chiefs were women, and she quickly relaxed. Kynin had warned them to watch how much they drank, for some of the drinks were quite strong, but it seemed that Jailyn’s magic allowed her to burn it off rather quickly.

  One or two of the chiefs were quite antagonistic in their attitudes, but the guest privileges of their code did not allow them to pursue their real desires. That probably meant one or more would have demanded a dual to the death; Jailyn was glad she never found out.

  By the time the third one of those had passed by, Jailyn just smiled and ignored him, probably antagonizing the man even more. But finally, it was time for them to get down to business. Jailyn knew she had to present her case well, or it wouldn’t go well for them.