Lou rushed over to Nelson. “Let it go.”
Nelson looked up at her, actually staring at her for a few seconds. His sudden eye contact threw her off.
Nelson’s tense face relaxed slightly. “What can we do?”
At that moment, a slender yellow dragon ambled up next to Silurf, swept her long neck up, and wrapped it slightly around the green dragon’s much thicker neck.
Stop with sparking such fear, Silurf. You know your intimidation is fooling no one. The dragon’s thoughts were softer but still declarative.
Silurf closed his eyes, and the dragons didn’t move for a few seconds. To Lou, it looked like they were communing with each other privately.
The male dragon slipped his neck free and dropped to all fours. My consort, Raika, wishes for me to extend my hospitality to your band. You may use Mag’s Landing as your base of operations.
Wizard Itzel said, “They know what Baron Orb has done, but could you show them how it’s affected your clan?”
The green dragon glared at the wizard. A look of resignation eventually played across Silurf’s face.
The dragon stepped away from Hugo and spread his wings. He drew his forearms together and aligned them to point back at his snout. I flew to you today under borrowed magic. Not one dragon maintains enough magic to power their wings. Without magic, we are grounded.
A light blue glow emerged from the dragon’s wings. It floated free, and Silurf’s wings shrank, curling up to become little more than an afterthought. Now half the size, they looked paper-thin and the muscles stretching across them emaciated. The overall mass of the dragon dissipated. Silurf grew smaller, but he was still slightly bigger than the rest of his clan.
Tendrils of magic shot out from the blue cloud, each sinking into the torsos of the gathered dragons. Their wings grew slightly more substantial but still appeared lacking.
A white dragon slipped out of the crowd and galloped up to Silurf and Raika. It radiated youthful energy.
Lou gasped. The dragon didn’t have wings at all, just nubs that protruded from its back by a few inches.
Utterly captivated, the dragon stared at Lou and Nelson. Father, are these the vessels holding the great elf mage?
Silurf nodded and sent the dragon a pained look. Yes, Kanzu. Have you completed your chores, eager son?
The white dragon hopped over to Hugo and sniffed around his neck. Yes.
Nelson approached the young dragon. “What happened to your wings?”
Silurf bristled at the question and looked ready to express himself by breathing fire, if that was even something dragons did here.
Kanzu registered his father’s anger. Dear father, do not lose your temper. He doesn’t mean anything by it. The white dragon pranced over to Nelson and loosely coiled his thin neck around Nelson’s neck, leaving a gap so the boy wouldn’t feel like he was about to be choked. Something about the gesture made Lou think it might be the equivalent of a dragon handshake or greeting.
I am Kanzu, son to the great Silurf and Raika.
Nelson smiled and placed a hand on the dragon’s neck, just behind Kanzu’s horned ears. “I am Nelson, adopted son to Lamar and Renee.”
Kanzu slipped his neck free. Adopted?
Nelson said,“My real parents were unable to care for me. Another family took me in, raised me as their own.”
Kanzu looked sad. Who would abandon a hatchling? I’m so sorry.
“Don’t be. I’m fine. My family found me. That’s pretty special.”
Lou was impressed. She didn’t think Nelson could display such a connection. First eye contact and now empathy. Nice.
Nelson said, “What about your wings?”
Raika strolled over and rubbed her son’s back with her tail, scratching lovingly at the space between his nubs.
Kanzu cooed, and his back right leg started thumping the ground much like Ferrigno did during a belly rub.
Raika smiled. Recent hatchlings have been born like Kanzu.
Silurf cut in. It’s because of the baron and the magic he stole from our clan. He cast a look at his son. Future generations will not know the glory of flight.
Kanzu slunk away from his mother’s tail and thumped his own against the ground. Father, I am not lesser. I am just different.
Raika gave her mate a knowing nod. Yes, husband. We’ve discussed this endlessly. The next generation has so many other attributes to appreciate.
Kanzu circled Lou and Nelson twice and then opened his mouth. He coughed and slung his tongue out. A puff of black smoke spilled from his jaws. Kanzu smiled. I’m so close to a real flame. Any day now, Father.
Silurf swatted his son in the hind legs, scooting him toward the cliffs. Yes, and if the nest is not spotless, you’ll burn it down with your night sneezes.
Kanzu faked a sneeze and acted like flames spewed from his nostrils. He patted at his muzzle, pretending to extinguish imaginary flames. Call me Firesnout.
Raika used her tail to scoot her son along. Come, we must be good hosts. You will help with preparing a small feast, Kanzu.
Yes! The dragon looked practically giddy at the prospect. He bounded forward, ping-ponging across the beach until he reached the cliffs. The white dragon scampered up the rocks and disappeared inside the highest cave opening.
Silurf gestured to the light green dragon closest to Hugo. Orkua, fashion suitable bedding for this one. He nodded at the cliffs. Set up a temporary shelter on the beach. I don’t think these humans are suited to cave dwelling.
Orkua scuttled forward and gently picked up Hugo.
Silurf faced Lou and Nelson and gave the wizard a nod. Orkua is my best healer. She will tend to your Hugo. I assume you want to leave him here while you fetch his essence?
The wizard said, “Yes. I think I might be able to pinpoint his spirit once we clear out and the lake’s magic is not interfering.” He rubbed at his brow.
Then let us eat together tonight and mount your quest in the morning. You look like you might need a respite, wizard.
Lou studied Wizard Itzel. He was drier, more gray than brown. He also appeared exhausted.
The wizard said, “Maybe just a place to rest my head, and some water. I fear I will have to skip the feast.”
The dragon eyed the wizard. The golem is worming his way to the surface?
“Yes.” The wizard looked at Lou.
I will have restraints on hand for you. Silurf marched off. Several dragons joined him, clearly receiving mental orders from their leader from the way they deferred to the green dragon.
“I need you two to tie me down. Hopefully, Georgie will just surface for the night and I can lull him back in. You may want to gag me as well. The golem can be quite vocal.” The wizard marched off, heading to where Silurf now directed two red dragons in erecting what looked like a lean-to. Hugo was already placed on a stuffed mat near the construction site, his dragon escort sticking close as if guarding the comatose boy.
“What do we do?” Nelson said.
“What’s been said already. Eat this evening, sleep through the night, and be prepared to mount a rescue at dawn or when I get the golem locked away again.” Itzel rubbed at his temples as if fending off a killer headache.
Lou and Nelson accompanied the wizard as he trekked over to the hastily constructed structure.
Lou spotted the exact moment when Georgie emerged. It was obvious. The golem had an incredible pair of lungs. Georgie looked all about, freaked out, and ran toward the lake.
Nelson tripped the golem, and Lou held him down until a small dragon arrived with rope. Lou tied up the golem the best she could and helped the dragon carry his squirming body to the campsite. Once there, they gagged Georgie and tied him to a flat board. Another dragon arrived with water sacs. After Nelson and Lou drank their fill, Lou splashed a small bit of water on the golem’s chest and watched his hide go from mostly gray back to a rich brown.
The golem stared at her. There was no mistaking he feared she would dump all the water on h
im.
“We’re not trying to hurt you.”
The golem chewed at the gag but couldn’t spit his response out beyond a plethora of mumbles.
****
The festivities were impressive. Numerous fires were lit by some of the dragons and the feast set up right on the beach. It took several hours to prepare, and during that time, Nelson hung out with Kanzu. The young dragon gave him a tour of the nearby woods, and right before sunset they returned, with Nelson spouting off about all he’d learned regarding the local wildlife. Lou stuck by Hugo’s side, visiting the wizard here and there. Several dragons checked in with her, while most were devoted to preparations for the evening ahead. She offered to help, but they insisted guests didn’t do such.
The feast began shortly after sunset. The rocks in the lake put on a spectacular show with the low-angled glow from the sun. Just before it hit the horizon, the rocks reflected the light so intensely it looked like the lake was ablaze with different swaths of color. This prompted Lou to sort through some of the washed-up rocks to see a good number were glassy, far more than she’d noticed while crossing the lake.
The long table was for their benefit. The clan retrieved their food and spread out to eat on the beach. Only Kanzu sat at the table with them, the dragon complaining often about how hard it was to eat food placed so high.
There was quite a spread to choose from, all of it alien and unknown. Silurf assured them nothing was poisonous or would disagree with their stomachs. Nelson asked if other humans had been to Perpetua and taste-tested the food. The dragon avoided answering, but continued his claim that everything was edible.
Lou proved a little more daring with what she ate than Nelson; he stuck with fruits and a few of the vegetables, while she tried most of the meats as well. She refused to dine on the giant roasted beetle that all the dragons gorged themselves on. Her favorite was the cluster crabs, which she ate six of. The ones that shared a claw between them had much more flavor. Nelson favored a small berry that tasted like grapes and bananas. He ate enough that the blue juice stained his lips and tongue.
During the meal, Silurf and Raika told them tales about their dragon ancestors. Raika was the better storyteller, knowing how to deliver the most effective cliffhangers. Still, Silurf did different voices for the many characters in his narratives, something Lou found amazing considering they spoke telepathically.
Afterward, the dragons retired to their caves. A small crew stayed behind to pack up the leftovers, which they did in record time. Kanzu wanted to sleep out on the beach with them, but his mom reminded the young dragon how his night sneezes were too unpredictable. Lou could tell that Nelson wanted to ask what those were exactly, but he never got the chance.
Silurf walked Lou and Nelson out to the lake’s edge and stared up at the large full moon.
The elf mage was a good friend of mine. Do you mind? The dragon held a clawed hand up to each of their chests.
“What are you asking?” Nelson said.
I can reach in and connect with Neruno. Not so much communicate, but let him know his allies are still here.
Lou nodded.
Nelson hesitated.
The dragon lowered the hand reaching toward Nelson. It’s okay. I can commune through Lou.
Silurf splayed his fingers and touched her neck with his thumb. He traced a small spiral that seemed as if he were connecting her collar bones. You will feel him too if you focus.
Lou closed her eyes and concentrated on her heart, thinking that was the most likely place to stash an elf mage.
In the blackness, a green aura appeared as a ribbon of magic. Across from it, a faint circle of red energy faded into existence. The ribbon undulated, and the circle grew brighter.
Lou gasped and opened her eyes.
The dragon grinned and pulled his hand back. Thank you. It’s nice to know he is within. Silurf smiled even wider. And in your hands he trusts. He radiated such belief in you three.
“He can sense us? Like, can he see and hear what we do?” Nelson asked.
No, but he can read your intent. He finds you to be noble.
“Even Hugo?” Nelson asked, playfully.
Yes, especially that one. He likes Hugo’s wild energy.
Lou felt invigorated. She’d actually felt the magic within her. She hadn’t registered anything as specific as what the dragon claimed, but she also realized the dragon knew what to look for.
Silurf nodded at Lou. Thank you. Get your rest and be ready. If the wizard asserts himself in the middle of the night, he will want you to take your leave. He nodded at a small pile of packs. Provisions have already been laid out if that is the case.
“But shouldn’t we say goodbye?” Lou asked.
Waking a dragon is highly frowned upon for those who wish to avoid being charbroiled. Goodbye, young heroes. My clan honors your journey and wishes you divine adventure. There, you have your goodbye. With that, the dragon wandered off.
Lou looked over at Nelson, who was already curled up on his mat.
She checked on both Hugo and Georgie. Hugo was still comatose, and the golem seemed to have actually fallen asleep.
Lou checked his ropes just in case he was faking it and waiting for her to fall asleep.
She fluffed her mat and rolled onto her side, tucking her hands under the soft pillow. She stared at the moon for a few minutes before drifting off to sleep, hoping her first night in Perpetua would come and go with no trouble.
Chapter 12
Hugo Makes a Key Friend
Hugo blinked. He sat up, unsure of just where he was and what had happened to him.
The sight of the gauntwings attacking blasted through his mind. He shivered, remembering how it felt to have their teeth and claws digging into his body.
My body!
He looked down to see he was still a ghost. His real body had gone through the portal without him. Poor Lou and Nelson. It must’ve been horrible to deal with his lifeless husk. Although, they would be relieved to see it still breathed and his heart beat.
But, how long could he be away from it? Would there be permanent damage if they were separated too long?
He coughed and rubbed his arms. This surprised him. He was see-through, yet solid. He sat on a small cot carved into a stone wall, two thin blankets draped over the cold stone. He hadn’t simply slipped through the ragged bedding and stone mattress. Why?
Hugo scanned the small room. It was stacked stone, with the only light coming from the hallway. Instead of a door, the opening leading to the lit hall had bars running vertically. A cell.
He dashed over to the bars and reached out a hand. His knuckles smashed into a bar and didn’t pass through. He concentrated, picturing himself more translucent and less dense. Such a weird notion.
His hand looked fainter, so he tried to slip through the bars again. His fingers sunk no more than an inch and then stopped. He panicked and pulled his hand back. It resisted for a second but then shot back, almost slapping him in the face.
His hand brushed against his neck, encountering a thick ring or collar of some sort. Now that he was aware of the item, it was hard to miss. He felt around, finding it to be slightly rounded on the top and bottom and about an inch thick. While he couldn’t see it, the overall impression was as if someone had wound a thick cord around his neck several times. Along the back, he felt a cone that pointed slightly upward from the collar. A clasp? He tried moving, flicking, pressing, twisting it, but it didn’t budge.
“Maybe not do that. You might anger it.” A soft voice came from the hall.
Hugo looked to the left and right, only able to see about ten feet in either direction. No one was there.
“Across the way, nacklebreath.”
Standing in a cell opposite his was a girl with skin so white it almost glowed. She wore a hooded brown jacket with extra patches of dark padding on her elbows and long sleeves. Her tan pants were also reinforced at the knees with the same dark material. Her boots were a lighter brown wit
h dark brown tread. Her hood was a reddish brown, and he thought of Red Riding Hood for a second.
She gripped two bars and leaned forward, slipping her face from out of the shadows. Her large green eyes, framed by narrow white eyebrows, studied him. A lock of white hair hung down on the left side of her face. Narrow cheekbones led to a sharp chin. Her lips were as green as her eyes. She gave him a crooked smile.
“Get a good look.” She pulled down her hood to expose her hair, done up in two space buns jutting up from the back of her head. He only knew what they were called from overhearing his mom when she did his little sister’s hair, especially at Halloween. But what he truly fixated on was the other prisoner’s ears. Both tapered to points at least two inches above her head.
“You’re an elf.” He could actually talk. Why was that? Maybe he was getting a better handle on being a ghost? Or this place was magical, and that gave him an added boost in the vocals department?
“Nothing fools you.” She fiddled with a simple gold chain hanging from her neck. “And you’re a boy, a human. Not impressed.” She turned around and covered her head and ears again with her hood. The two places where the material poked upward betrayed where her ears ended. Now that he knew what caused the two points, he found them quite conspicuous.
“I’m Hugo. Where are we?”
“I’m in my cell and you’re in yours. Not the greatest accommodations.”
“No, like, is this Perpetua?” That’s where the wizard had been taking them.
“That’s right. But a part you’re not going to be happy about.”
“Where?” Hugo had a feeling what she was going to say next.
“Baron Orb’s domain, specifically his stronghold.” She waved at the bars. “Even more specifically, his dungeon.”
He sighed. Wilk Orb was the boy the wizard had told them about. Well, he hadn’t gotten much out before the golem had slipped free.
“Is the baron a kid named Wilk? Small, red hair, not able to do any magic?”
She stared at him. “At one time he was a boy, but not anymore. And he does have magic. Gauntwings are creatures he can summon. The horrible things ambushed me.”
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