by Devri Walls
“A water shield.”
Kiora looked blankly at him. “A what?”
“A water shield,” he repeated proudly.
I am not familiar with that, Arturo thought.
“Of course not. I made it up. But as I mentioned, I saw the vision and it worked perfectly.”
As usual, Kiora couldn’t decide whether she should be exasperated or amused. Can’t you just read his mind for me? Kiora asked Arturo.
His mind is closed to me. I can communicate with him, but that is all.
“Lomay, could you please explain to me what a water shield is?”
“Certainly. What is the best defense against fire?”
Of course he wasn’t going to explain it. He was going to make her guess her way into it. “Water.”
“Right you are. So Kiora, if you are surrounded on all sides by fire-breathing dragons and your shield cannot protect you, what can you do?”
Arturo snorted, tossing his head.
“Don’t worry—she will get there on her own,” Lomay said, waving the Pegasus off.
I am sure she will, but why must she?
“Because,” Lomay answered, turning to look at Arturo, genuinely surprised at the question. “We must teach her to problem solve.”
Kiora immediately smiled, thinking back to Arian’s cave and how long she stood outside with Arturo refusing to help.
Arturo huffed. We had time then, Kiora.
“You already told me the answer was water,” Kiora said, continuing to work out the problem. “But if I shape it into a shield, I will have the same problem as a regular shield.”
“Yes,” Lomay said simply, looking at her, eyebrows raised in anticipation.
Kiora leaned back in her chair. “I would need to be surrounded with water. Like a bubble. A shielding water-bubble?”
“Don’t ask me,” Lomay urged. “Tell me.”
“A shielding water-bubble.”
It could work—she certainly has access to all the water she needs, Arturo mused.
“Of course it will work,” Lomay said. “I told you—I have already seen the vision.”
“Are your visions always right?” Kiora asked.
“No. Sometimes even the best attempts at deciphering can be misconstrued. And sometimes, they change.”
That statement should have terrified her, given the circumstances, but instead, a thrill ran up her spine. Sometimes they change. It was possible, then, to avoid the war, just as Alcander had said. She saw Arturo looking curiously at her in regards to her current line of thought. Putting herself back on topic, she asked. “And in your first vision I died?”
Lomay tapped his fingers on the arm of his chair. “To clarify, you asked me if my visions were always right, not if this vision was right.”
“How can you possibly know?”
“This one is right—not much to misconstrue.”
“Did you see what happens after the water shield?”
“No. That is the other reason I needed to talk to you. I am concerned about what may happen after they take you to Toopai. Dragons have…” He hesitated.
“Tempers?” Kiora offered.
“Yes, and dangerous ones at that.” Lomay shook his finger at her. “You must watch your tongue at all times. And for the love of the Creators, do not mention me for any reason.”
Kiora raised her eyebrows. “What did you do?”
“Oh, my dear girl. I have had an awfully large number of years to do an awfully large number of things. I was not always as wise as I am now.”
Her head was starting to pound at the thought of flying into a dragon colony. “Anything else?”
“It would be wise to ask for help under the reason of defeating the Shadow, as opposed to giving the people back their homes. I think the dragons would find the annihilation of the other races rather appealing. As long as their enemies are dying, they are content with that. And they will continue to be, until the Shadow is done hunting us and ready to turn on them once more.”
“Anything else I shouldn’t mention?”
“Most things.” Lomay’s eyes twinkled as if he had just said something incredibly funny. “If the queen is still alive, I suspect she will know who you are. But I would not mention that Emane is non-magical, or that you are working with a Tavean. Be cautious. Also, bubble yourself on the way out of here—we don’t want the Shadow finding you before you make it back. But once you come within sight of Toopai, drop your bubble. It is polite to announce your presence.”
“Polite,” Kiora mumbled. “Isn’t it also polite not to send out dragons to kill me?”
“Using proper manners can be a dangerous game, but politeness will you earn you the right to speak.”
How long is the flight? Arturo asked.
“Eight hours, give or take. Can you do it?”
I can.
“Good. It will be better if you come upon the island with the sunrise. There will be fewer on patrol. You should leave tonight, but you both need some rest.” Lomay groaned as he rose to his feet. “I will wake you when it’s time.”
Kiora trudged to her room. She should have been relieved; Lomay’s vision said she would live. But she had not really understood what she was going into. Now she knew she would be placing her life in a water-bubble shield—something Lomay just invented.
***
LOMAY WOKE KIORA AFTER WHAT felt like minutes. Her eyes were heavy, but her heart fluttered anxiously against her chest. They had found a small assortment of clothes stored in the house and Kiora put on a pair of simple gray pants as well as a light-blue shirt that had laces crisscrossing the front. She pulled her hair back from her face and looked in the mirror. She absently touched the white streak in her hair before pulling on her knee-high boots and walking as softly as she could down the stairs and into the courtyard where Arturo stood waiting for her, alone. She wanted to tell Alcander and Emane goodbye, but she was about to fly into a dragon colony. The chance that the goodbye might be permanent made it far too real.
Are you sure you want to do this? Arturo thought.
Yes.
Soon they were airborne, dropping off the cliff into the black of night and heading straight out. Kiora put the bubble up as they passed the rock that marked the end of the barrier. She shivered and laid her head on Arturo’s neck. Closing her eyes, she imagined for a moment that they were back in Meros, flying across the valley. The lapping of the waves, however, disrupted the illusion.
There is a presence in your mind that is not your own. Would you mind explaining that to me?
Alcander connected his mind with mine to protect me from the Shadow. Nudging Alcander’s mental presence a little farther to the side, she opened her memories to Arturo. It was silent for a while as Arturo took it all in.
Did you bond with this Tavean before or after the connection?
Kiora was silent, letting Alcander’s block fall back into place. She left just enough open to hear Arturo’s thoughts.
I see.
“I don’t want to be judged,” she mumbled into his mane.
Kiora, I have lived longer than you know. I understand more than you do. Do you not think I might understand?
“You were angry with me for Emane,” Kiora pointed out. When Arturo had found she and Emane curled up together in the Cave of Arian, he had been so angry he could barely speak to her. She still did not understand why he reacted so severely.
Oh, Kiora. Arturo fell silent for a few beats of his feathered wings. Have you never thought that maybe I was not angry that you cared for Emane, but because I understood what path you were taking?
Kiora sat up, staring at the back of Arturo’s neck. “What do you mean?”
I think you know what I mean.
Pulling back the block in her mind a little, she thought, How long will I live, Arturo?
I think it will be a very, very long time. The more magic you have, the longer you live. You have far exceeded the amount of magic any human has ever carried. Aleric
has lived for a few hundred years with far less magic than you.
Can I…when this is over… She couldn’t verbalize the words, not even mentally. But Arturo garnered her meaning.
No, Kiora. You cannot give up your magic, no matter how badly you might want to.
“But I gave magic to Emane, dumped it into him. What if I dumped it all?”
It came back, didn’t it? It will always come back. The only true way to give up being magical is to give up your very life. They are connected now. That is the only way.
Kiora bit her quivering lip. I can either live multiple lifetimes, or not live at all. That is what you are telling me?
It is. That is why I never approved of Emane.
“You approve of Alcander?”
I neither approve nor disapprove. My only concern is the pain it will cause you. Kiora started to object, but Arturo thought over her. I know you will not, nor can you, stop loving Emane simply because you learned the reality of your life. That knowledge will cause you pain. Knowing the significance of your bond with Alcander causes you pain. Choosing will cause you pain. I am sorry, little one.
Kiora clenched his mane when he called her “little one.” She would always associate that name with a wonderful tenor-voiced dragon who was the strongest soul she knew.
I miss him too, Kiora. Morcant was a great creature.
“He always called me ‘little one.’”
That he did.
She hoped that Toopai would be filled with more dragons of Morcant’s caliber. But after listening to Alcander and Lomay, she was expecting them to be closer to Soolan and Jarland—a frightening thought indeed.
***
AS THE SUN ROSE, Toopai came into view on the horizon. It looked like a giant mountain with steep slopes.
Where do they live? Kiora thought.
Inside the volcano.
What is a volcano? Kiora scanned the island in front of them for anything she didn’t recognize.
It’s not the kind of mountain you are used to. At one time it spewed forth molten rock and ash, leaving the inside hollow and empty. The heat bubbling up from deep within the volcano heats the dragon’s homes to the temperature they prefer. This particular volcano is unique—the molten rock formed chambers throughout the mountain, as well as something else you will have to wait to see. I fear my description won’t do it justice. I had a dear friend of a dragon myself, long before the gates were closed.
She hoped she would get to see it, but first she prayed this water shield worked. “Here we go.” She dropped her bubble.
Shortly after, a roar went up in the distance. She felt the dragons’ threads. The roar was a familiar melodic strain. Strong, loud, and musical. Arturo dropped lower, his hoofs skimming the water below.
Get ready, Kiora. Visualize what you want to do.
She was suddenly gripped with fear.
You will be fine. Have confidence.
Kiora felt the threads approaching before she could make out the forms flying across the water. She tried to sort out how many were coming, but the multiple threads of the incoming dragons vibrated together, creating an intricate harmony running through her that she couldn’t pick apart.
“Why are their threads doing that?”
It is how dragon threads are—you have never been around enough to realize it. It is a tactical advantage for them. It is never wise to attack dragons at home—you never know for sure how many there are.
It wasn’t only that, Kiora realized. When they were melded like that, she couldn’t pinpoint where they were. They could have been behind her and she wouldn’t have known.
The island was backlit as the sun rose over its peak, blinding her to the incoming dragons. She didn’t like it.
Don’t worry—by the time we need the water shield, they will be close enough to see.
Time slowed to the beat of Arturo’s wings as Kiora waited to see what the approaching threads would bring. Then she saw something glinting oddly in the sun: reds, oranges, and yellows shining through the sunrise.
“What is that?” she asked, squinting.
Dragons’ scales are like a chameleon’s.
Kiora scrunched up her nose, mentally calculating how many different flashes she saw as the sun reflected off the scales. I didn’t see Morcant change colors.
It is not an immediate change—it takes place slowly, over time. Dragons will eventually change to match their surroundings.
Kiora thought back to Morcant’s land of brown, his hole of brown, and his scales of brown. “But these are so bright.”
You will understand soon enough.
“Arturo,” she began slowly, shifting herself nervously on his back. “There must be twenty of them.”
You will need a thick bubble.
The sun made its way farther into the sky and she could now see what was coming at her. Her fingers clenched around Arturo’s mane—these dragons were massive. They would dwarf Morcant.
Warriors, Arturo explained.
The dragons’ size was intimidating enough, but the colors added to the overall effect. Their scales danced in the rising sun like brilliant gems. The oncoming force opened their mouths, roaring in unison. Kiora’s ears ached and her teeth vibrated in her head. It was a roar meant to put the fear of the Creators into their enemies, and it worked. Kiora froze, looking into the face of an oncoming fire-red dragon.
Kiora swallowed, closing her eyes. Not because she needed to for the magic, but just so she didn’t have to see and feel the army they had sent out to greet her. Her magic leaped out as she visualized the water rising to surround them. She couldn’t see what was happening, but by the muted roars of the dragons, she knew it had worked. Still, she didn’t open her eyes, requesting more and more water. Then she heard a loud sizzling, like water in a hot pan, and an explosion of steam forced her eyes open. Kiora breathed out, a smile flittering across her face. All around them swirled a ball of seawater, encasing them. It was colored red and orange as dragon fire burst onto the outer surface.
Kiora, it’s evaporating. Fast.
Kiora redoubled her efforts, calling a continuous stream of water to her shield as dragon upon dragon opened fire. She was soon surrounded in an eerie world of blue, red, and orange. The hissing and steaming of the hot water was almost loud enough to drown out the dragons’ roars as they attacked.
Lomay was right, Kiora thought with a shudder. We would have been dead before I uttered a word.
The onslaught lasted for what felt like an eternity, but suddenly the colors faded. The hissing diminished, leaving her surrounded by a silent, swirling world of blue.
“Why have you come?” a booming dragon voice asked from in front of them.
“I need to speak with your queen,” Kiora yelled out.
There was silence and then there was laughter, growing louder as more and more voices joined him. Kiora rolled her eyes. Dragon mood changes. The laughter crescendoed and fell away nearly as soon as it had begun.
“No one has been on our island for over a hundred years. Why would we allow you?”
“Because I come by myself and have not shown any desire to harm you.”
“And yet you hide behind a wall of water so we cannot see your face.”
“My face would have been no more visible beneath your wall of fire.”
“Well said,” the dragon conceded. “What is your name?”
“Kiora.”
“And the Pegasus’ name?”
“Arturo.”
“Very well. Drop the water.”
Kiora hesitated. “How can I trust that we’ll be safe?”
“Are you questioning my word?” the dragon roared.
In her mind’s eye, Kiora could see his chest puffing, preparing to attack, as dragons did when offended. Scrambling to fix her gaffe, she amended, “Of course not. But I have only spoken with you. There are many others here who have not spoken.” Kiora held her breath, hoping she had repaired the damage.
“My word sp
eaks for all of us. Now lower your defenses.”
Go ahead, Arturo encouraged.
The water fell in a rush back to the ocean. Directly in front of her, hovering with giant, slow wing beats, was a large red dragon. The others formed a tight circle around them, keeping the same slow rhythm as the leader.
“You are but a child,” the dragon observed, tilting his head. “But that was very clever. Did you think of that plan all on your own?”
Remembering Lomay’s advice not to mention him, she lied. “Yes.”
“Ingenious,” he observed. “I trust you will keep that idea to yourself?” He gave an obligatory smile that conveniently showed off his teeth.
“Of course.” Kiora respectfully lowered her head. “May I ask your name?”
“Silan.”
Silan, Soolan, Jarland. Dragons’ names all sounded the same. “It is very nice to meet you. I…”
“I cannot guarantee you will get off our island,” Silan interrupted. “Come.” He turned his body in the air, his tail missing Arturo’s nose by inches. The other dragons fell into formation around Kiora and Arturo, making it clear that it was less of a courtesy and more of an armed escort. At this point, she was going to see the queen whether she liked it or not.
Comforting, Kiora thought, glancing at the dragons on either side of her.
It’s as much as we could have hoped for. Now you must impress the queen. If you don’t, you may get that shorter life you were hoping for.
Kiora breathed in giant gulps of sea air to clear her mind.
Ouch!
Sorry! Kiora untangled her fingers from Arturo’s mane. She hadn’t realized she had been twisting it so tightly.
The island of Toopai was mainly occupied by the volcano and surrounded by beach running as far as the eye could see in both directions. There were skinny trees with rough bark and triangle-shaped protrusions that ran uniformly around the tree. At the top was a clump of very large, flat leaves. The vegetation between the sand and trees was thick and filled in the little space that the gigantic mountain did not occupy. It was beautiful, but looked completely uninhabited.
They flew over the beach and right at the volcano. As they neared it, they headed for a stone-framed archway. Kiora’s heart slid into her throat as Silan pulled his wings in slightly as not to clip the sides of the doorway. Kiora and Arturo soared straight in behind him. The rest of the dragons peeled away and returned to the beach.
