The Necromancer's Dragon

by C D Muller

  “As hatchlings grow fast, their hide will need to be oiled at least once a week to prevent scales from drying or cracking. No, not what I’m looking for but still good to know…”

  When she found some information that might help, she picked up her dragon and, ignoring its wails of discomfort, turned it over in attempt to see either two bulges or one near the vent at the base of its tail.

  After realizing that it was more than likely male, Selena then searched through the pages for more name ideas and found one that she liked, a name that she hoped that the dragon would too.

  “I think I will name you Thor,” she said with a smile. The dragon looked up at her with its golden eyes and tilted its head to the side.

  Yes.

  The answer was cold, as it crept through the back of her mind. The hair on the back of her neck stood up. The voice she heard sounded like the low rumble that her dragon often times made in the back of its throat, but in her head.

  “Did… did you just talk to me?”

  It took a while for the dragon to speak, but she heard it again.

  Yes.

  Selena immediately pushed her books aside and got down on the floor on her hands and knees until she was at her dragon’s eye level.

  I’ve read that dragons create a telepathic bond with their riders, but I didn’t know it was true! she thought.

  The dragon lowered its head and touched its nose with hers.

  I hear you.

  Its words rumbled deep within her conscience. Selena almost fell over as her body trembled in fear, but she stared at it in amazement. Not an ‘it,’ but a ‘he.’

  “You can hear and read my thoughts?”

  Yes.

  She swallowed hard but she reached out and put her hand on his head.

  I didn’t think it was true, but you and I have been together for a couple of weeks now.

  I can trust you.

  The two were in a locked gaze for a few moments, but it felt like time froze and the world stopped spinning in their silent communion.

  “What are you two doing?” she heard Rahim ask from behind. Selena quickly turned around and saw that he was standing at her door with his gaze fixed on the dragon. He stumbled into her room with another book from Chaliss’ personal collection that Selena had requested.

  “We… I finally found a name for him,” she quickly said.

  “Him? The dragon is male?” Rahim asked.

  “He liked the name Thor.”

  “Ah. You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

  Her hands shook as she told him what happened.

  “Whoa! Can he read my thoughts too?”

  “I don’t think so. Dragons develop a telepathic link with their riders.”

  From the corner of her eye, she saw that her dragon was shifting itself uncomfortably and bared its small fangs.

  I don’t like him.

  Thor walked over and started to growl at Rahim’s feet.

  “Blimey! What did you tell him to do?”

  “Nothing!”

  No, stop! Leave him alone!

  The whelpling immediately followed her command and turned its head to her. Rahim scurried over to where she was but Thor growled once more. When he stepped back, the dragon stopped.

  “I think your dragon wants to kill me.”

  Thor trotted over to her and rubbed its head against her arm while giving off more chirping noises as if he was happy.

  “I told him to leave you alone,” Selena said quickly.

  “Great, now you two will be talking behind my back and probably telling jokes, or worse! What kind of dragon is it?”

  “I believe he’s some sort of volcanic dragon, but I’m not too sure. I was doing some research about different dragon breeds, and he is most likely this one. That could maybe explain why he also has that bone mask covering his face.”

  She pointed at a picture of the Fire Ridgeback dragon that looked similar to Thor. He looked at what she held and jumped up to knock the book down.

  “Hey, wait!” Selena exclaimed.

  Thor sniffed the pages and put one of his talons on the picture as if he were more interested in what was written.

  What is this?

  It’s a book.

  Are there more?

  Yes, I've read some to you before.

  “I think I’ve seen too much already,” Rahim said and stumbled back to her door. “I’m going to lie down until dinner is ready.”

  Selena was half paying attention to him as Thor continued to ask her questions about her books and wanting to know how to read them. Her initial discomfort at hearing him speak through her mind washed away. Instead, she was filled with wonder and started enjoying their conversations, despite Thor’s limited vocabulary.

  Have you always been able to hear my thoughts?

  Since I hatched.

  This is still very strange for me. I will try to get used to this.

  Good. Please read to me.

  That evening during dinner, Selena helped Chaliss with setting out the plates and silverware right before serving dinner. Chaliss stood in front of their fireplace with a large crucible holding their dinner sitting on the flames, adding some spices to the soup. The pleasant aroma of the beef stew filled the inside of the house, making her stomach ache with hunger.

  “That smells delicious,” Selena complimented.

  Chaliss nodded with a smile.

  “I figured I could make something nice for a change.”

  Selena placed a bowl down at her spot on the dinner table. Thor scurried across the floor and jumped onto her seat and put his head into the bowl as if he were expecting the food to be in it.

  I’m hungry.

  It’s not ready yet.

  But I’m hungry.

  Thor opened his mouth as if he were expecting her to oblige.

  “I have to ask,” Selena began as she gingerly placed her spoon down, ignoring her dragon’s groans, “how did you know so much about me when I first came here? I don’t even remember anything from my past.”

  Chaliss stopped stirring the soup.

  “When you and the dragon first arrived, the Empress gave me some information about you. I don’t know how she knew. Either way, you are part of this family and I wanted you to at least enjoy what you have now after all that you’ve gone through.”

  “I don’t really see how I’ve suffered in any way. Even though I don’t remember my life before this, I’m at least content here and I really do appreciate everything that you’ve done for me and Thor,” Selena said with a smile.

  Chaliss smiled again in turn.

  “You named your dragon then?”

  Selena nodded.

  “He spoke too,” she said again as she went back to setting the table.

  “I’m really happy to hear that. You two have really bonded since your arrival. I’m actually surprised that he hadn’t established the link before now,” Chaliss said as she turned around to stir the soup again.

  “It took me by complete surprise. It was an odd feeling at first, but it already feels natural to talk to him this way,” Selena said again, but was distracted by Thor’s wailing.

  Please feed me. I’m starving.

  You ate a few hours ago!

  He growled at her from across the table and jumped to the floor.

  “He’s already grown a little bigger. Hatchlings grow very fast. I think I have some oil in the shed that you can use for his scales,” Chaliss said with a nod.

  “I appreciate it, Matu. I can do that for him tomorrow morning.”

  “I will leave it out for you before I go into town then. Rahim! Dinner is ready!”

  After dinner, Thor followed Selena back to their room. She sat down on her small bed as he climbed up to lie next to her.

  Do you want me to keep reading to you?

  Yes, please.

  Thor snuggled up against her hip.

  Selena grabbed a book about Ragnarok that she had read before and wanted to read again.
The book was actually more of a journal that contained different notes and research papers thrown together by Gundisalvus. They were organized only by the dates on which they were written.

  All the while, Thor began to drift off into slumber as he continued to mutter one word that rang in the back of her mind: Ragnarok.

  Chapter 3:

  About another week passed since Thor spoke his first words. During this time, he learned to speak in complete sentences.

  Selena grabbed her knapsack and walked towards the door before she saw her dragon trotting behind her.

  Selena! Wait for me!

  Selena stopped and turned around to see Thor lagging behind. He was still a very small dragonet; his talons were barely the size of her fingernails while his wings were diminutive and frail. He unfolded them and tried to glide over to her by jumping in the air, but crashed beside her feet.

  You know I can’t run that fast!

  His ruby-red scales glistened like jewels in the morning sun from the last few drops of oil that Chaliss gave her. The two were still near their small house. She chuckled and picked up her dragon to place him on her shoulders. His talons gently pressed into her skin as he held himself in place.

  I’m sorry if I accidentally scratch you. I’m not good at keeping my balance up here.

  And you can’t keep up, Selena said teasingly, at this rate, I’ll never be able to make it to the merchant for books. Here, hide yourself in this pack. You know that you cannot be seen.

  Thor grumbled a little but did not argue when Selena opened her large bag. He hopped in and curled up.

  You’re always doing research. It’s always about Gundisalvus and Ragnarok.

  Thor grumbled after she tied the flap down and continued down the road through Helshire Village.

  Please hush. People would look at me and think I’m mad if they see my bag moving around on its own accord.

  I don’t like to be kept hidden.

  Despite his objections, he remained still at her request.

  The small settlement of Helshire Village welcomed the morning rays as the sun rose in the sky. The winter weather was harshly cold. The village was nestled in between two hills. Selena watched as people left their small houses and shacks to begin another day. The sound of the train rattled in the distance as it made its way to the small stop on the outskirts of their home town. There were a few major railroads that traveled across the empire. Locomotives were used mostly for transporting goods between the kingdoms while a small number were for transportation that the rich could only afford.

  She passed by the local butcher who ordered one of his sons to go to the Black Bog Forest, which lay to the south of the village, to hunt for meat for their shop.

  The butcher turned around and waved at her.

  Selena waved back and called out, “Good morning, Odin.”

  Even though Chaliss and Rahim were not her blood relatives, she still considered them family.

  “Oi,” Odin called out, “I ‘aven’t seen you about in some time.”

  “I’ll be over to pick up some meat.”

  “Aye. We’ve been scarce on meat lately. I’ll still try and get your order ready for you.”

  “Why so little stock?” Selena asked the butcher as she walked up to his stand. She looked up and noticed his knives lined up on the wooden stand with some bloodstains on the block.

  “Food ration. Most of my meat supply is being shipped to Alfheim for the soldiers,” Odin said with a scratch of his head, “I still do what I can.”

  He walked back into his shop and Selena continued down the row of merchants setting up their shops.

  She stopped when she heard two people in front of her talking to one another. Selena recognized them as Gromm and Beck.

  “I’m not sure what we’re gonna do,” Gromm growled while shaking his head. “Our poor dragon is hungry. We’re probably going to have to make one last stop before getting to Alfheim.”

  “I tried to buy all that they had,” Beck said with a sigh as he held up a white sack. “But it’s not nearly enough for him.”

  He stopped and looked at Selena.

  “Gromm, is that her? Isn’t that Selena?”

  Gromm turned around and was taken aback. He then looked back at his brother. “Of course it’s her, it hasn’t been that long since we last saw her.”

  Beck came up and patted her on the back. “How are you? Looking for books again, I reckon?”

  “You know me,” Selena said with a smile.

  “Finally out and about,” Gromm chimed in with a huge grin.

  “I remember when we rescued her and the hatchling and brought them over to Chaliss,” Beck chimed in.

  “No need to go over it again,” Gromm said with an irritated look, “And keep your big mouth shut! You don’t want anyone else to hear you! And Selena, I don’t know why you’re stuck researching Ragnarok when it probably doesn’t exist.”

  “That’s not true,” Selena began, “Gundisalvus had proof.”

  “Gundisalvus had a touch of lunacy,” Gromm corrected, “he was a madman. He claimed he knew where it was, but kept babbling about utter nonsense.”

  “I don’t know, Selena is a smart girl, she might figure it out,” Beck defended.

  “I don’t doubt that the girl is smart,” Gromm argued, “it’s just that Ragnarok seems to be a lost cause. But enough! I have something for you.”

  He dug through his pockets and pulled out a flask.

  “I think you would want some of this,” he whispered so that only he and Selena could hear, “it’s oil. I know that people would start to question if a young lady such as yourself was trying to buy some. That, and most of it is being shipped to Alfheim and Rhumbek for war preparations. This should last you for a while.”

  “Thank you very much! I just oiled his scales this morning, so this should be plenty in the future!”

  After she received the gift, the two brothers began bickering with one another once again. Selena tried to get a word in edgewise, but the two brothers turned around and started talking amongst themselves, ignoring her completely.

  Thor shifted in her bag.

  Do they always act like this?

  From what I can remember, Selena whispered back to him as she continued to glance at them with a confused look.

  The village bustled with activity. Selena knew most of the villagers by name. Most of the residents were very friendly to her, always asking her questions about how Chaliss and Rahim were. However, other than them, Gromm, and Beck, no one else knew of Thor’s existence. If anyone were to find out, he would immediately be taken away from her and would be forced to settle with a trained soldier from the Imperial Air Force. Women were not allowed to be dragon riders.

  Selena had always been careful with hiding her dragon. Since she and Thor were found together, they had become inseparable partners.

  However, she did not remember her life before that. Every night, nightmares plagued her sleep. Though she was not sure if the murder of a mysterious man or the beatings she could feel all too vividly were anything to do with her past. Every time she woke up from her nightmares, Thor would be there right beside her with his head close to hers to keep her calm.

  Her life in the village itself was all she knew. She was happy there; she had people who cared about her and made her feel welcome.

  She found the general merchant she was looking for who, upon seeing her, began to pull out a few books for her to browse through.

  “Ah, one of my favorite customers,” the merchant greeted.

  “Hello Arthur,” she replied, “any new books yet?”

  “I have one,” Arthur said, “it was the one you requested about the biography of Gundisalvus. It’s a little more expensive than the other books I have. Since you’re one of my regular customers, I can lower the price.”

  Selena thanked him and asked, “How much?”

  “Two gold pieces instead of five.”

  “Done. Thank you!” Selena paid him
with the money Chaliss gave her and took the book from the stand.

  “Good luck!” he called back.

  Selena rushed herself and Thor back home with her book and meat. Their house was small and comfortable. A long wooden table sat in the middle of the first room of the house with a basket of bread sitting in the middle with some pieces of chopped meat wrapped in a protective cloth for their meal. The wooden floor creaked with every step. When Selena walked in with the book and some meat from Odin, Thor licked his chops at the sight of the bouquet of food and jumped off Selena’s shoulders to run to the table and began dining on the red meat.

  As she walked in, Rahim came bursting down the stairs with Chaliss yelling at him. His dark brown hair was tangled and messy, covering the dirt patches that stained his face. She stumbled past him as he ran out the door, placing the slabs of meat on the table next to Thor’s feast.

  “Matu,” Selena called out, “I bought the meat!”

  “Thank you,” Chaliss replied as she came down the wooden steps. Her long black hair trailed behind her with every stride she took, “where did Rahim go?”

  “Outside,” Selena responded as she grabbed a piece of bread and meat before Thor gobbled it down, “what did he do?”

  “Rahim is ridiculous. He ran from me when I was trying to brush his hair! By the Divines, we may not be rich, but I refuse to have him look like that!” Chaliss exclaimed as she walked over to the door.

  Thor and Selena chuckled. She was not surprised that Rahim always had a fit whenever Chaliss tried to do anything to keep up his appearance. Often times, she threatened to send him to his uncle Rowan’s house, which was enough to make him cooperate. However, Selena noticed that Rahim figured out that he would be sent there regardless, so he had been acting more rebellious as of late. The reason Rahim did not like going to Uncle Rowan’s house was because, at his old age, Rowan was slightly insane, still believing he was part of the Imperial spies from thirty years ago. He would set up traps for Rahim to escape from in order to make it back to the house.

  Selena, after retrieving her notes from her room with her new book, led Thor back outside to either try to read to him or to sit beside their usual spot to stare at the sky. She made it a habit to read to her dragon while trying to find any important information about either Gundisalvus or Ragnarok.