by Brandon Mull
“Why?” Kendra asked.
“That is a long story,” Dromadus said.
“We came a long way,” Seth said.
“You are young,” Dromadus said. “It will exhaust you.”
“Give us the basics,” Seth said.
Kendra elbowed her brother. “We’d love to hear anything you’re willing to share.”
“How much do you younglings know about me?” Dromadus asked.
“You used to be the Dragon King,” Seth said. “We didn’t know you were made of rock.”
Dromadus gave a soft laugh. “Though I have an unusual form, I am not entirely made of rock. In my prime it was said I had the toughest hide of any dragon. And I was certainly among the most powerful. Many dragons challenged me for my kingship, as happens over the centuries. And many dragons died.”
“How many?” Seth asked.
“More than I care to remember,” Dromadus said. “But one mattered more than the rest. My nephew, Ezarod. He was my very favorite in the family. A very interesting dragon with great potential. I helped mentor him. I will confess that I liked him better than my own children, who tended to be fierce but dull. But Ezarod did something my children did not. He attempted to take my crown.”
“Oh, no,” Kendra said. “How terrible.”
“I fought him,” Dromadus said. “I bested him. He would not yield. And so I slew my favorite nephew to maintain my status. I have never been the same.”
“The Somber Knight told us you gave up the crown,” Seth said.
“I did,” Dromadus acknowledged. “I was already disengaging with my position before the fight with Ezarod, but I had a tradition to uphold, and Ezarod had wounded my pride. I won the fight, but it finished me. Not long after my victory, I effortlessly did the unthinkable. I abandoned my crown. I offered it to a dragon who I thought would make a good leader. He accepted, then was killed for the crown ten years later.”
“What happened to you after giving up the crown?” Kendra asked.
“I became an outcast,” Dromadus said. “My wife forsook me. My children renounced me. My supposed friends rejected me. It came as no shock. I had done the unpardonable for a dragon: I had become a pacifist.”
“You won’t fight?” Seth asked. “Does that mean you won’t eat us?”
“Probably not,” Dromadus said. “After slaying my nephew, I decided to stop ending lives. Originally I had decided never to kill another dragon. Over the years my conviction has grown. I do not believe in harming other thinking creatures.”
“Why doesn’t a dragon just come and kill you?” Seth asked.
“Not worth the risk,” Dromadus said. “Unlike most Dragon Kings, I was never defeated. Why go up against a shunned, undefeated dragon? There is little glory in slaying an outcast. I never stated that I would not defend myself. Whether I actually would or not remains untested. I live quietly. I cause no trouble. I am disliked, but it is easy to forget me.”
“Well, I like you,” Kendra said.
“You have to like me,” Dromadus said. “You want my help. And you know that I could kill you very easily.”
“You just hide down here in the dark?” Seth asked.
“Like your Somber Knight in some ways,” Dromadus said. “Except I am not waiting to commit violence. Dragons spend a good deal of time inactive. We are large. It requires great energy to move. Even more so as we age.”
“Don’t you get hungry?” Seth asked.
“Is that a wise question, from a tiny bite of food?” Dromadus asked. “Don’t be alarmed. I am not hungry. My dinners are delivered by ogres.”
“Dragon meal from Terrabelle,” Kendra surmised.
“A filling substitute for villagers,” Dromadus said. “Quite tasty. Many dragons partake, some more quietly than others. Who needs to consume people, sheep, cattle, walruses, elephants, whales, or giants? My ogres bring me more food than I can consume. An inactive dragon needs less than you would think. We hibernate efficiently.”
“Do you even know where we can find the scepter?” Seth asked. “You weren’t clear about that.”
The dragon shifted, rocks and boulders rumbling. “Are you truly the caretakers? It seems ludicrous. As if Celebrant made a wish and Marat gave up his post for two mortal children.”
“It’s complicated,” Kendra said. “There weren’t many options. And Agad was hoping human caretakers would strengthen the magical defenses at Blackwell Keep.”
“Have the resources of Dragonwatch grown so thin?” Dromadus asked.
“We’re not so bad,” Seth complained.
Kendra squeezed his hand.
“I suppose you’re better than nothing,” Dromadus said. “Which is a small compliment indeed. I do know the location of the hidden scepter. Since the sanctuary was founded, you are the first to ask me.”
“Will you tell us?” Kendra asked.
“Explain why exactly you want the scepter,” Dromadus said.
“To protect Blackwell Keep and keep Wyrmroost from falling,” Kendra said.
“To what end?” Dromadus asked.
“To keep the peace,” Kendra said. “So the dragons won’t run wild.”
“Celebrant is a powerful king,” Dromadus said. “Don’t you think he deserves to rule his own sanctuary?”
“He helps rule,” Kendra said. “But look at the history of dragons. If they get free, they will try to take over the world.”
“Likely true,” Dromadus said.
“Likely?” Seth exclaimed. “Have you met a dragon?”
“Are you sure this boy is one of the caretakers as well?” Dromadus asked Kendra.
“We’re a package deal,” Kendra said.
“I believe your motives are correct,” Dromadus said. “I believe your intent is sincere. But only a fool gives up something for nothing. What can you offer me?”
“I thought you were a pacifist,” Seth said.
“A pacifist need not be a fool,” Dromadus said heavily. “Sometimes pacifists have greater need for strategy than those willing to fight.”
“Do we have anything that you want?” Kendra asked.
“Not that you can rightfully give,” Dromadus said. “So it must be promises or services. Promise me this. The next time you have the opportunity to kill a dragon, show as much mercy as possible. Work to save the dragon, not to kill the dragon. Can you make that vow?”
“You think we’ll have a chance to kill a dragon?” Seth asked.
“You already killed Siletta,” Dromadus said.
Seth stared at the ground. “You know about that?”
“Dragons can recognize a dragon slayer,” Dromadus said. “I better than most. If you promise to show as much mercy as possible the next time a dragon falls into your power, and if you promise that each of you owes me an additional favor of my choosing, I will reveal the location of the hidden scepter.”
“I’m going to be running errands for the rest of my life,” Seth muttered.
“Excuse me?” Dromadus asked.
“I just owe some other people a favor too,” Seth said. “They’re piling up.”
“Not a favor that makes us betray our duties as caretakers,” Kendra clarified.
“Nothing that betrays your fundamental morals or duties,” Dromadus said. “But it might be difficult and uncomfortable.”
“Can I talk about it with Seth?” Kendra asked.
“Be my guest,” Dromadus said. “If it aids in your deliberations, be aware that this is my only offer.”
“All right,” Kendra said.
Seth huddled close to his sister.
“You have to do it,” came a voice from his pocket. “You need the scepter. It’s not a bad deal.”
“You can still talk?” Seth asked.
“Told you I was brave,” Calvin said. “The dra
gon is impressive. Like a talking mountain.”
“Calvin is probably right,” Kendra said. “We just have to find the scepter.”
“Quieter,” Seth said. “He can probably hear us.”
“Every word,” Dromadus said. “Who is the third party?”
“My secret ally,” Seth said. “A hero of great renown.”
“Have you reached a decision?” Dromadus asked tiredly.
Seth looked at his sister. “You’re right. We have to do it.”
“We have a deal,” Kendra said to the dragon.
“Very well,” Dromadus replied. “I will hold you to it. I am not beyond exacting revenge for broken oaths.”
“Message received,” Seth said. “Where do we go?”
“You must walk the Path of Dreams,” Dromadus said.
“Is that an actual place?” Seth asked.
“The scepter lies at the end of the path,” Dromadus said.
“And where does the path start?” Seth asked. “At Wyrmroost, I hope?”
“In this chamber,” Dromadus said, shifting again. Boulders ground against one another.
“Really?” Kendra asked. “Right here?”
“Archadius built this lair to house me and to hide the start of the Path of Dreams,” Dromadus said. “The path will not be easy to walk. You could lose your lives.”
“We figured,” Seth said. “Can we go get a friend? Maybe two? Some people to walk the path with us?”
“No,” Dromadus said. “The path is meant for caretakers.”
“What about me?” Calvin asked from Seth’s pocket.
“I suppose the invisible hero can join you,” Dromadus said. “But only because I am in an indulgent mood. His size amuses me.”
“We have a servant,” Kendra said. “Not a person. A limberjack. Like a living puppet. Can we—”
“Only you two and the invisible hero,” Dromadus said. “I control access to the Path of Dreams. Do you wish to try for the scepter or not?”
“We want to try,” Seth said. He glanced at Kendra. “Right?”
She took a deep breath. “Yes.”
“Then back away,” Dromadus said. “I haven’t moved this much in centuries. It would be a shame if I accidentally crushed you.”
Path of Dreams
Kendra and Seth retreated through the doorway into the tunnel to give Dromadus plenty of space. From the cavern came all the tumult of an earthquake, accompanied by a gritty dust plume. Seth hurriedly closed the door before the dust became unbearable. The tremendous rumble continued as if the entire cavern were caving in. The ground vibrated beneath their feet.
Kendra watched her brother. He looked so young and uncertain, his eyes wide, his hair dusty, the flashlight crammed against one ear, his hand covering the other, trying to mute the thunder of colliding rocks.
How had they ended up here? What if this got them killed? Couldn’t somebody else handle this crisis?
It finally got quiet.
“All right,” Dromadus invited. “You may return, young mortals.”
With Seth’s hand in hers, Kendra pushed through the door. Globes of light now illuminated the cavern. Dust hung in the air. A deep depression in the floor led down to a square hole with a staircase going deeper. It was impressive to think that Dromadus had filled much of that void. The rocky rubble had mostly been shoved to one side of the room, sloping high against the cavern wall.
Dromadus loomed on the other side.
The way he was curled up, the ancient dragon almost looked like a great heap of stone himself, although the rock patterns of his stony scales were too regular, and the head at the top disrupted the illusion. Dromadus was immense—at least twice the size of Celebrant, and so bulky. Each claw looked big enough to crush a truck.
“You’re huge!” Seth exclaimed in awe.
“Our kind tend to grow as we age,” Dromadus said. “You mortals shrivel up. Very demeaning.”
“Can I walk the Path of Dreams alone?” Kendra asked.
“Excuse me?” Dromadus asked.
“Why risk both our lives?” Kendra asked.
“No way!” Seth shouted. “If one can go, it’s me. You have like zero practice surviving.”
“I’ve survived a lot,” Kendra said.
“I appreciate the strategizing,” Dromadus said. “But I take it you must be in contact with one another to function as dragon tamers?”
“He’s good,” Seth muttered.
“Then you will need to stay together to walk the Path of Dreams,” Dromadus said. “And you’re welcome. That advice give you a chance.”
“Thank you,” Kendra said. “Is there anything else we should know?”
“Alas, I do not know the mechanics of the path,” Dromadus said. “Archadius kept the specifics hidden, as wizards do. The unworthy will not survive. Death is likely. Off you go.”
Hand in hand, Kendra and Seth climbed down into the depression until they reached the opening where the stairs began. Globes lit the way to the bottom, perhaps a hundred steps away, one long flight.
“The Path of Dreams doesn’t sound too bad,” Calvin said. “I can sometimes fly in my dreams. And breathe underwater.”
“We explored a place called the Dreamstone in Australia,” Seth said. “It was pretty terrible. Not happy dreams.”
“We can do this,” Kendra said. “I want to see Mom and Dad again. I want to see Grandma and Grandpa. They’re depending on us. We have to do this.”
They walked down the stairs. At the bottom, a short hall led to an archway. Engraved runes embellished the walls of the hallway.
“Seth, can you read any of that?” Kendra asked.
“No. Can you?”
“None of it,” Kendra said.
“Don’t ask the nipsie,” Calvin piped up. “He’s probably illiterate.”
“Can you read it, Calvin?” Seth asked.
“No,” he replied.
Kendra paused at the archway. “We need to keep hold of each other,” she reminded her brother.
“I’ve held on so far,” Seth said.
“Just don’t let go,” Kendra said. “I don’t want to die frozen by fear.”
“Stop thinking so much,” Seth said, towing her through the archway.
The smallish room was mostly empty. Dimmer globes softly illuminated polished walls of copper embossed with runes and images of fanciful animals. Against one wall stood a long, narrow table with three corked bottles on top.
“No other doors,” Seth said.
“What’s with the bottles?” Kendra wondered.
They crossed to the table. All three bottles were made of smoky blue glass and looked old. None had labels.
“Should we drink one?” Seth guessed.
“That seems trusting,” Kendra said. “What if they’re poison?”
“Maybe one is poison,” Seth said. “Or two of them. And the other lets us go forward.”
“At least one of us should make it,” Calvin said.
Seth removed Calvin from his pocket. The nipsie looked up at Seth curiously.
“Maybe you should wait outside,” Seth said. “No need for you to risk your life too.”
“Wait, are you joking?” Calvin asked. “The main reason lords call their vassals is to go to battle. This is why I’m here! To stand by you when things get bleak. I’m not going to help break any curses if I hide at the first sign of trouble. I’m the Tiny Hero, right? Not the Tiny Bystander.” He pointed at the bottles. “Let me drink first. The one on the left. I have a good feeling about that one. The middle one is an obvious pick, so we should stay away. The right? Most people are right-handed. Wizards would expect folks to reach for the one on the right.”
“I’m not sure we should plan on drinking them,” Kendra said. “At least not at first. Maybe
we could open all three and smell them.”
“I think she’s onto something!” Calvin exclaimed. “We test if some smell sweeter than others. Because the sweet one is probably a trap. Especially if it’s the middle one.”
“I’ll open the left one first,” Seth said, putting Calvin back in his pocket, then picking up the bottle. “Kendra, hold my shoulder instead of my hand so I can give it a good pull.” Kendra slid her hand from his grasp and up his arm to the back of his neck, maintaining contact the whole way. Seth grabbed the cork and pulled. Then he changed his grip and pulled again. “It’s stuck.”
“Let me try,” Kendra said.
“It doesn’t need cooties,” Seth protested.
“You’re going to get punched,” Kendra threatened, giving his neck a squeeze.
“Settle down,” Seth said. He handed her the bottle. “I’m pretty sure I loosened it. Good luck.”
Seth kept a hand on Kendra’s shoulder as she tried to unstop the bottle. There was no give. It was tricky to get a good grip. The cork felt cemented in place.
With his free hand, Seth rummaged in his satchel and came out with a pocketknife, then used his teeth to unfold a corkscrew. “I’ve never used this.”
“You have a corkscrew?” Kendra asked, handing over the bottle and returning her hand to the back of his neck.
“It took me a second to think of it,” Seth said. “I wasn’t sure the knife had one.” He twisted the corkscrew into the cork, then started to pull. His arm trembled.
“Let me try,” Kendra said.
“It’s coming,” Seth said through gritted teeth. A moment later the cork popped off and greenish smoke began to geyser from the bottle’s mouth at an alarming rate. After momentarily fumbling with the bottle, Seth aimed the mouth so the smoke gushed away from them.
“Put it down!” Kendra shrieked, letting go of Seth. “Hold your breath!” He hurriedly replaced the bottle on the table. Kendra grabbed his hand and yanked him back toward the archway. Green smoke continued to fountain upward, spreading across the ceiling in flowing ripples.
Kendra and Seth ran out of the archway and turned to watch. Soon the smoke clouding the air made it impossible to see the bottle, but they could still hear it hissing out. The smoke stopped at the archway, as if encountering an unseen barrier. Before long the archway held back a swirling wall of green fog from top to bottom. Kendra could see no more than a couple of inches into the room.
