The Dream of Shadows

by Nicholas Clausen

  “Friend of elves and Sea Serpents as well as undefeatable in battle,” Rimney said. “Has a nice ring to it.” Hayden threw one of the sacks that had held his armor at her face, but Rimney easily avoided it. “I wonder how you survived the battle with an aim like that?” Rimney laughed as Hayden slid down Draek’s side and started to run after her.

  “That’s enough you two,” Kirin said, stopping the two riders from fighting.

  “Part of me wishes to be flying off with you on this adventure. Then again part of me wishes that there wasn’t a need for this to happen.” Kirin looked at each of the riders as she spoke.

  “Rimney, your riders will join you once you all take flight, correct?” Kirin asked.

  “Yes elf Queen, they are packed and ready. They preferred to stay on the ships as long as possible.” Kirin nodded her head.

  “I understand. I too am not looking forward to leaving Eytherka, but we do what we must.” Kirin turned to face Cass. “The elves that are joining you have already begun their flight south. Since your dragons are much faster than theirs, I thought it best to send them ahead. If all goes well, they will be waiting for you at the beginning of the Frozen Tundra.” Cass nodded her head and climbed into the saddle.

  “Fly swiftly and be quick with your task. We will need your help sooner than I would like.” Having checked the straps of the saddle one last time, Hayden climbed onto his saddle and strapped himself in.

  With nothing left to be said Cass and Shaylin took to the air first with Hayden and Draek close behind. Shane and Rimney were the last to get on their dragons, but they joined the others in the air quickly.

  They flew just over a league before the dragons were at a comfortable height to use the updrafts to glide. Hayden leaned over Draek and watched as they neared the river where the Sea Serpents ships docked.

  He saw five blue dragons sitting upon the decks of the ships, and as they passed overhead, the dragons jumped into the air to join them.

  Hayden looked at Eytherka one last time as Out Post began to shrink off in the distance. The forest underneath them came alive as green dragons, and their riders leaped from the trees to fly around Hayden and the others. The green dragons roared, and their riders cheered as they neared the blue and metallic dragons.

  There are a lot of them. Hayden thought as he tried to watch all the green dragons fly around them like crazed birds.

  They have all come to see us leave. Draek said with excitement.

  All? These are all of the green dragons? Hayden asked as another group of dragons neared them.

  All except those who will meet us at the Frozen Tundra. Finally, the green dragons began falling back into the woods, and Draek trumpeted his thanks with a deafening roar. After that, the sky grew quiet except for the sounds of the dragon’s wings.

  In silence, the dragons flew, closer and closer to the Frozen Tundra and the white dragons that lived within.

  Chapter Four

  Hayden. Draek’s voice boomed within Hayden’s head, waking him from his uneasy sleep in the saddle. Hayden opened his eyes and looked around, trying to figure out why Draek had awakened him.

  What’s going on? Hayden asked when he could see no immediate danger. A small mountain range could now be seen off in the distance but other than that nothing seemed to have changed.

  We are nearing the Frozen Tundra. Draek was exhausted, all the dragons were. They had made what should have been a four-day flight in just short of two days. Draek’s revelation jolted Hayden out of his weariness. The sun was just starting to descend, but even in the daylight, Hayden couldn’t see the Frozen Tundra.

  How will we know that we are there? Hayden asked. He continued to look around for signs of the environment changing, but he found none. The only thing he saw was a few mountains off in the distance.

  I don’t know. Draek answered honestly. Hayden could feel that Draek was getting tired, their constant flying at almost full speed was wearing on his body. We are about to meet up with the green dragons. Draek said as he slightly changed his direction of flight.

  Hayden was excited to meet up with the elves and their green dragons. The more dragons they had for this journey, the better.

  Draek saw the dragons before Hayden did but he was surprised to see them already saddled and with their riders. Hayden had thought that they were going to get a chance to rest, but as they neared the group of ten green dragons, Hayden watched them jump to the sky.

  Again, Draek changed his direction, this time to follow the green dragons that had just joined them. It appeared that they were heading straight to where the mountains lay and when Hayden asked if that was right Draek growled a yes in response.

  They continued flying the rest of the day, until just before the sun set completely behind them. As they had flown the mountains that they had been aiming at had continued to grow and reach towards the sky above. Hayden thought that he had seen clouds staying around the tops of the mountains but as they neared he realized that it was, in fact, the tops of the mountains covered in snow.

  They had finally decided to rest at what the elves told them was nearly a half day flight from the mountains. The Frozen Tundra lay on the other side of the mountains, and the only option they had was going to be to go over the mountains.

  Once they had landed and gotten their gear off of their dragons, the elves began working on getting a camp set up while the dragons flew off to hunt. Hayden stood off by himself looking up at the mountains that loomed over them like giants. Hayden heard footsteps behind him and turned to see Cass walking up beside him.

  “Amazing, aren’t they?” She asked when she stopped walking, leaving the smallest amount of space between them.

  “They are,” Hayden replied. Not sure what else to say.

  “Do you know the name of this mountain range?” Cass asked, looking up at the white-topped mountains.

  Hayden just shook his head. To be honest, he doubted that anyone back home in Erskine had ever been this far south even to see the mountains, let alone know their name.

  “The dwarves have their own name for them, as do the elves. When humans first laid eyes upon them, they thought they were looking at the world’s end. They never imagined that anything could be on the other side of the mountains, so they named them TheeAgren. It means the end.” Cass said.

  “A fitting name. Even with Draek, I couldn’t imagine trying to fly over the mountains if we didn’t have to.” Hayden said. Cass nodded.

  “You think that’s hard to imagine? Remember that the first Frost Fangs that made their home on the Frozen Tundra had to climb the mountains without dragons and while the elves were hunting them.” Hayden felt a tremor go through his body as he thought about trying to scale the mountains without Draek.

  “Imagine how scared they had to be to think that climbing TheeAgren was the best option for them,” Hayden said, more to himself than to Cass.

  Cass did not reply; she just shook her head at the thought.

  They stood there together in silence for a few minutes until finally, Cass put her hand lightly on Hayden’s shoulder. Hayden felt fire shoot through his body at her touch and tingle run the length of his spine. Bumps shot up his arm and made his hair stand up on end.

  “Thank you for coming, Hayden. I can’t imagine what it was like for you and Draek trying to find the Sea Serpents by your selves. I don’t think I could have done it and I am glad that I don’t have to do this alone.” Cass said with a slight smile.

  “Of course I had to come, I would follow you to the ends of the world,” Hayden said without thinking. Cass nodded her head and looked up at the mountains in front of them.

  “It looks like you already have.” She said with a serious face, waiting for Hayden to smile. When he finally did they shared a quick laugh together before Cass leaned in to kiss Hayden on the cheek. Hayden didn’t see Cass, but when he felt her beside him, he turned to face her, making their lips touch for the briefest of seconds. Cass broke the short embrace and smi
led as she stepped back, her face turning red.

  “Let’s go get some food; we have a long day ahead of us tomorrow.” Cass finally said and then turned to walk back to the camp.

  Hayden couldn’t remember how his mouth worked so he just nodded his head and walked behind her, his mind a million leagues away, and his spirit was soaring above TheeAgren’s peaks.

  How can they be this tall? Hayden asked as he surveyed the land around them. As far as he could see in either direction, the land began rising, gently at first but gradually growing steeper as it made the bases for the TheeAgren mountain range. It seemed almost unnatural how big the mountains were.

  I wonder what we will be able to see from up there. Draek thought as he stretched his long, serpent-like neck, trying his best to find the tops of the mountains.

  Are you excited to scale TheeAgren? Hayden asked.

  It is going to be a challenge, one that very few will ever get the chance to attempt. Draek seemed to shake slightly as he continued to look up at the mountain tops, at least what Hayden hoped was the mountain tops. I am excited because the mountains have given you something to think about besides what happened between you and Cass last night.

  Hayden’s ears turned red, and he couldn’t help but chance a quick glance at Cass sitting atop Shaylin. He was hoping that she would be looking back at him, but it wasn’t so. She kissed me Draek! Hayden exclaimed for the tenth time since they had awakened.

  It wasn’t a kiss; it was an accident, a mistake even. Draek rumbled beneath him.

  It wasn’t a mistake. Hayden said, not offended in the least as his mind slowed down the kiss and replayed it in his mind.

  That is yet to be seen. Hayden decided to change the subject before Draek could question his kiss any further.

  Let’s just focus on getting up there. Hayden thought as he pulled his fur covered gloves over his hands. He was wearing layers of furs to keep him warm in the Frozen Tundra, but he was covered in sweat as he sat on Draek’s back, just at the edge of TheeAgren.

  I am ready to get this over with. Hayden thought as he looked around to see if any of the other riders were still getting ready. If we wait here much longer, I fear I will melt.

  Patience, this mountain will not be tamed easily. It takes time. Hayden didn’t understand what Draek was talking about until he realized all the dragons had their riders in their saddles but none were taking to the air. All the dragons were crouching as if ready to take off, but they remained in place and just stared up at the mountains.

  What are we looking for? Hayden asked.

  We are looking for the way up. Draek replied as his head moved just slightly to the side.

  I don’t understand, up is up. Hayden replied.

  At first yes, but the higher we get, the more unpredictable the winds will get, and we don’t want to be smashed against the mountain. We need to wait until a safe way up appears. Draek continued to look up, but Hayden didn’t attempt to help. He knew there was nothing he could do.

  Hayden wiped the sweat from his brow for what had to be the tenth time. The top of his fur covered sleeve was wet with his sweat. Draek’s body tightened up, and Hayden knew the signal before Draek could speak. Hayden grabbed the front of the saddle and leaned forward in anticipation of Draek’s jump into the air.

  Just as Hayden made himself ready, Draek launched off the ground with a roar. There! He shouted with his mind. Hayden looked down at the other dragons that quickly jumped after Draek, following the silver dragon up the side of the mountain.

  One by one, they fell in line behind Draek until they formed an almost perfectly straight line. At first Hayden felt like Draek was flying like he always did.

  The climb was slightly steeper than normal but there was nothing really off about his flying. Except Draek didn’t level off.

  When Draek would fly under normal circumstances he would level off and ride the winds until he was at the height he wanted to be. Now he just kept flying straight up.

  Draek’s wings stretched out in front of him as if he was climbing the mountain instead of trying to fly over it. Hayden tried to look back to see if the other dragons were still following, but Draek’s flying kept his body pushed flat to his dragon’s.

  Draek leaned into a gust of wind and got the updraft in his wings like a sailor tacking his sails in the wind. Draek rode the wind until it began to give way and he was forced to start beating his wings again.

  How much higher do we have to go? Hayden asked. He wasn’t completely sure how high they had gone already.

  I am not sure; the clouds are hiding the tops of the mountains from us. Draek didn’t sound worried; he sounded frustrated.

  Draek roared as a gust of wind tried to push him back down the mountain-side. Hayden chanced a quick look over the edge of Draek to see just how close to the mountain they were.

  Draek you’re climbing! Hayden was shocked to see Draek’s silvered claws stabbed into the rock face.

  I’m not climbing. I’m holding on. Draek shouted. The wind pulling at them felt the same to Hayden as when they were flying. His furs protected him from the cold chill of the wind, but he felt the pressure of the wind as if someone was trying to push him out of the saddle.

  Where are the others at? Hayden asked, still unable to look behind him, which was now underneath him.

  I don’t know! Draek roared as he spoke. Hayden decided it best to stay silent and let Draek focus on what he needed to do. He wasn’t scared of falling because he knew that even if Draek was blown off the cliff side that he could fly back down to the ground.

  What he was scared of was that the wind would bash them against the mountain-side. The winds could smash Hayden or break Draek’s wings if they weren’t careful.

  The wind finally died down enough that Draek began climbing up the face of TheeAgren, leaving fist size holes where each of his talons pierced the rock. Hayden was about to suggest Draek start flying when he noticed something had changed.

  Draek, it’s snowing. Hayden said as white flakes dashed across his face. Draek did not respond with words but instead doubled his efforts to climb. He eventually stretched out his giant silver wings and took to the sky, pushing through the wind that tried to keep him grounded.

  The wind continued to attack them with such force that Hayden buried his face in his arm to allow himself to breathe. He stayed there until he felt the wind stop its onslaught completely.

  Hayden lifted his head to see the sun, brilliant and unobstructed by the clouds that were now beneath them.

  Wow. Hayden thought as he looked over the sea of white fangs reaching out around them. The other dragons burst through the clouds one by one behind them. The world around them was bright, the sun seeming closer than normal. Even at that height, TheeAgren’s peaks continued to rise above the clouds all around them.

  Almost to the top. Draek said with determination. Hayden looked up, and he could finally see the tops of the mountain range not far above them. They were finally within reach of the Frozen Tundra.

  Chapter Five

  Draek’s body shot over the last peak of the TheeAgren mountains. The tip of his tale colliding with the tip of the peak causing an explosion of snow. Hayden felt Draek begin to level out and the torrent of wind died away, allowing him to finally relax and look around.

  What is this? Hayden asked as he surveyed the land around him. Hayden was expecting the land to be very similar to what they had come across while climbing the TheeAgren range. He knew that they had to be at least a league up in the air, but there was snow not far beneath him.

  It appears to be solid. Draek said as he slowly lowered his body down and allowed his tail to make contact with the snow beneath him. As Draek’s back legs touched the white ground, he sunk slightly in the snow but not enough to cause him to take back to the sky.

  The mountain tops they had flown over seemed to be ridged hills that at their highest were only slightly taller than Draek. They only had to wait a few moments before the other dr
agons flew over the ridges as well.

  They watched as the other dragons lumbered through the thin, frigid air and landed around Draek. Each of the dragons inspected the snow-covered ground they were landing on before they folded up their wings.

  “What is going on?” Rimney asked as she slid off of Farius, pulling her fur coat closer to her body. The other riders dismounted as well and together they all stood in a circle looking around at the strange world around them.

  “Correct me if I am wrong but didn’t we just fly up a giant mountain?” Shane asked, pointing back to the ridges of TheeAgren. “Why is it flat up here?”

  Cass turned and walked to where Raena stood, looking out over the vast, white wasteland.

  “The Frozen Tundra, it’s on top of the mountain?” Raena asked to no one in particular.

  “How are we supposed to navigate this place?” Hayden asked. Everyone turned to face him, fear written on their faces.

  They had all been hoping that when they got to the Frozen Tundra, they would find some clue or tracks to follow that would eventually lead them to the Frost Fangs. They hadn’t expected to find anything but snow on the ground and more snow falling from the sky.

  “I still don’t understand how this place came to be?” Shane said, shaking his head.

  “We can ask the Frost Fangs once we find them, right now we need to focus,” Cass said, bringing the group back to the main problem. She took off one of her gloves and dug her bare hand into one of her saddlebags. She pulled out a folded map and as soon as she had it unfolded she quickly put her glove back on.

  “We are here.” Cass pointed to a spot on the map in the middle of TheeAgren. “And we know that the Ice Keep is here. It’s at the lowest point in the mountain range, and we know that Frost Fangs come here to trade for food,” Cass said, steam flowing from her mouth as she spoke.

  “I thought Queen Kirin said we should avoid going there?” Raena asked.