Wringing her hands as she had been since the evening began, Oldrilin whined, “Rey Daye be safe to fly?”
“Absolutely,” he crowed, bending over to put his head down close to her. “I am a master of the skies,” he said more quietly, nudging her small frame with his snout. “Don’t worry, Lin. Stay with Hayt and Zae, and we will return before first light.”
“We should get a move on if that’s the plan,” Kaliwyn observed. “The mission must be completed before the dawn, or we will all be at risk.”
“Then follow me,” Lamwen suggested, leaping into the air.
The three new dragons followed while Meena, Animir, and the three ossci all watched on their orbs, waiting for the right moment to join them.
“I may need some help with the jump,” Animir whispered to the female wizard when they had gone. “I’m learning to transposition, but I’m not sure if I can make the distance.”
“Do not worry,” she replied with a small smile. “I will see that you make it.”
Arriving at their destination a short time later, the four circled a few times out over the water, then entered the southern most of the lower bachelor caves. Ambling along, they searched the side rooms until they came upon Jarrowan. Waking his ally, Lamwen growled in a low tone, “It is I, my friend, your acquaintance in our cause.”
“I know who you are,” Jarrowan replied evenly. “You’re the only dragon who speaks to me,” he laughed, “disguise or no. You have need of me this night?”
“Yes, and Putwyn if you know of his location.”
Seeing the others behind him, gathered in the hall, Jarrowan gasped, “You have brought a female into our caves.”
“Yes, but she won’t be here long,” Lamwen explained.
“It may have already been too long,” Jarrowan insisted, pushing past him and leading the way out. “We should go and think of Putwyn later, when we can come for him and the others without her.”
“Are you talking about me?” Kaliwyn gasped.
“Yes, very much so,” their new ally hissed, arriving at the mouth of the cave. “Where are we headed.”
“Up top, to free the rightful king,” the Mate spoke up.
“Very well. Then let us be quick about it,” Jarrowan insisted. “We’ll be discovered here any second with the stench of a dragoness among us.”
Taking flight, the group landed on the barren cliff above, noting nothing moved in the darkness. The point where the council held their meetings empty, they would have at least some time to enact their rescue attempt.
Leading the group to the stone fortress, Lamwen suggested, “We should circle him as we did for the transfigurations. Where are the others?”
“Here,” Meena spoke, joining them from the shadows. “Let us hurry.”
Staring at the odd collection, Jarrowan gasped, “Well, this is not quite what I had expected.”
“Aye,” the dragon-Mate growled. “Rey and I will stand watch while you magic wielders take care of this,” he ordered, noting their target beneath the rocks had not stirred.
“We must wake him,” Kaliwyn warned, stepping up to a gap and blowing a short burst of flame into the darkness.
Awakened by the hot blast, Ziradon stood, turning in a slow circle. Seeing his daughter, he instantly knew her. “You have returned, my sweet.”
“I have,” she agreed, “but there is no time for pleasantries. You must mind your head, for if we are successful, this place will soon be falling down about your ears.”
“This place was built by a dark curse,” he countered. “I doubt you will see success.”
“I’ve brought friends,” she laughed, backing into the shadows. “Everyone ready?” she called a bit louder.
Glancing at one another, their backs to the group, Rey and Piers kept an eye on the edge of the cliff in case any of those that slept below cared to surprise them. Behind them, the rest formed their ring and prepared to complete the chore.
The circle set, the group joined their magic and pulled at the stone arches. The rocks crumbled beneath their forces, and the old dragon did his best to avoid the weight of the falling stones. A moment later, he pushed himself free, standing atop the pile of rubble.
“I feared you did not hold the strength,” he confessed, his large green eyes roaming over the myriad of creatures who drew near.
“Hey, we’ve got company!” Piers spat, hurrying towards them. “Anyone who is not a dragon needs to transport now!”
“We can’t go to Falconmarsh,” Kaliwyn pointed out almost angrily. “We’ll be followed.”
“We’ll go to the northern woods,” Meena advised. “We’ll await your arrival at the hidden home of the gnome.”
“Sevoassi?” Rey asked in surprise, seeing the bodies looming over head as they approached.
“We must fight,” Lamwen urged. “Go and we will meet you there if we survive.”
Unable to argue, the ossci and Animir joined hands, and Meena directed their path as she knew where they were going.
Atop the cliff, hot fire rained down.
“Father!” Kaliwyn screamed, rolling to avoid the blast. On her feet, she leapt into the air.
“Get off, damn you,” the Mate squalled, slashing at a smaller beast that had latched onto one of his hind legs.
Coming to his aid, Kaliwyn blasted the creature with fire, then dove and spun. Thank God I have recovered, she mused as she made another pass, still looking for Ziradon. Spying him, she gasped, “Oh, no!” Reaching out to Lamwen, she begged, “They have him pinned. We must free him, or this was all for naught!”
Calling to the men-dragons, Lamwen advised, “We must join the princess and protect our target.”
“We’re with you,” Rey agreed, slashing the wing of the dark brown dragon that had been tearing at his face with his teeth. The rip sufficient, it sent the attacker spiraling until it hit the rocky soil with a loud thud.
Forming a ring around their freed prisoner, the group of dragons rolled about on the earth, screeching and spewing flames amid the bite and tear of their teeth and claws. “This is no good,” Kaliwyn warned, hardly able to catch her breath.
“We can’t give up,” Lamwen challenged, freeing her from beneath a pair of brutes. “Do you not know your queen when you see her?” he snapped, enraged at their actions toward her.
Having caught his breath, Ziradon let loose a mighty roar, blasting flame into the sky before pulsing a wave of energy that crashed into the group and sent them reeling away from his rescuers. “We must fly,” he growled.
“Yes, now, while they are stunned,” the dragoness agreed.
Free, he and Kaliwyn took to the air and flew west. Flanking them on either side, Rey and Piers kept an eye out for any that might approach from the north or south, while Lamwen and Jarrowan took the rear, expecting the pack would be on them. When none came out of the darkness, they maintained the formation and the watch, but their fear ebbed as the minutes ticked by.
Her body aching, Amicia pushed, her mind fixed on her father. He must survive.
Not quite himself, Lamwen asked, “Kaliwyn, are you all right?” within her thoughts.
“I shall be fine. Tis Ziradon that I fear for,” she confessed. “He is cut very badly.”
“We have made our escape. We will hide him in the woods and tend his wounds,” he assured.
“These woods aren’t the best for hiding, and I can’t do much for him as a dragon,” she sighed. “I’m going to transform back into Amicia, that I may be of more use in the task of nurse,” she devised.
His chest tight, Lamwen didn’t argue, as there would be little point. Instead, he thought about her willingness to go back and feared she might never carry her wings again.
Arriving near the gnome home in the northern woods, Meena looked around them cautiously. “We must be careful,” she warned. “The wolves will likely attack us if they find us here.”
“We parted on good terms,” Animir countered, indicating the way to their destination. �
�Perhaps it will not come to an actual fight.”
Following, the three ossci watched about them with wide eyes, using their staffs to help them climb over the roots of the trees. Arriving at the large hollowed oak, Happy stuck his head into the hole that had served as Sevoassi’s entrance.
“This will make a fine gnome cottage, indeed,” he observed, his voice leaking out through the small patches where the tree did not quite meet the ground.
“Let us clear the place for the fire and stairs for the door,” Yimath suggested, wafting a hand at Grumpy. “You, crafter. Assemble us a table or two?”
“Might as well,” he grumbled, leaving them to complete the chore.
“I’ll spirit back to the marsh and bring our supplies. Our cook pot, bowls and the like,” Animir suggested. “Should we bring the others here as well?”
“No,” Meena countered. “They are safer where they are. Gather all a change of clothes and a blanket, though. We may have need of them before we are able to return to our own beds.”
“Then I will bring our weapons,” he suggested. “We may need them as well.”
“God, I hope not,” she mumbled as he disappeared.
Over an hour after leaving Adiarwen, the group of weary dragons arrived at the dark woods, well ahead of the dawn. Landing near the water that ran through the center of the great forest, they would get their bearing and rest.
Lapping at the cool liquid, Kaliwyn quenched her thirst, as did her father by her side. Joy overwhelmed her at his doing so, easing some of her fear at the severity of his wounds. Seeing her two oldest friends bumbling about in the tightness of the trees, she observed, “Are you ready to get back to your mortal legs?”
“Aye,” dragon-Piers agreed without hesitation. “As soon as my wife arrives, I intend to ask her to fix me.”
“Oh, love,” Meena giggled, presenting herself before him. “We are here. Do not fret.”
“We have watched your progress in our orbs and prepared a place to see to your needs,” Yimath explained, directing the other ossci into their circle around his large black form. “Close your eyes, and we will have you restored in an instant.”
The magical five made quick work of righting the Mate, followed by Rey, who was also ready to be his old self. They had brought clothes for them, in case they were needed, but to their surprise, they were both restored to their exact being before they were turned into dragons.
Taking a seat next to the water, Rey sighed, “What a relief. I was really afraid I would be stuck that way forever.” His heart ached the instant the words had slipped from his lips, but a quick glance at Kaliwyn confirmed she had not heard; she was too busy fawning over her father.
“I wish to be transformed as well,” Jarrowan announced, taking the group by surprise.
“Whatever for,” Meena gasped.
“They have spent the night as a dragon,” he insisted. “I wish to feel the flesh of a man. Besides, you can return me to my present state at will, or so it would appear.”
“Well, be quick about it,” Kaliwyn commanded. “I also wish to be restored, as I will be better equipped to care for my father.”
“And I will go as well,” Lamwen voiced. “These trees are tight, and I think a smaller body would be much easier to hide until we are ready for the fight.” He had not said their actions had been hasty, if not foolish, taking on those in Adiarwen with so few in number, but his sentiment spoke volumes.
Taking his place inside the circle, Jarrowan was transformed into a tall, lanky young man with short, dusty blond hair, but immediately, there was a problem. Where the Mate and Rey had arrived fully clothed, the dragon arrived in human form completely naked.
“Oh my,” Meena breathed, her mind clouded as her face flushed. “I did not anticipate…” she began, then cut herself off. “You were not transformed before.”
“He’s been naked his whole life,” Kaliwyn pointed out. “Piers and Rey’s attire were held as part of the spell, perhaps.”
Any other time, the two men would have enjoyed the awkwardness of their new friend, but at the moment, they were exhausted either from the fight, the flight, or both. Leaned beneath a tree, Rey advised, “Give him the set you brought for me.”
“Brilliant,” the wan agreed, handing him the pants and shirt while they formed up to bring Lamwen over. Looking up at him doubtfully, she asked, “Are you certain you want to do this?”
“Yes, I am certain,” he growled, never more sure of anything in his life. Kaliwyn intended to return to the mortals, and he would never allow her to leave him behind.
Standing before them as a man of large, burly build a few minutes later, he wore wavy, shoulder-length grey hair and nothing else. “I’ll take the Mates clothes,” he suggested, not bothering to cover himself before he did so.
“I’ll be right back, father,” Kaliwyn soothed. “I’ll be able to help with your wounds then, be certain.”
Stepping into the circle, the girl hoped her clothing would cross with her, as the prospect of standing before all of them naked did not suit. A moment later, she lay on the ground. She had been returned to her human form, and her clothes were intact, but the moment the change had taken place, she had felt as if the stones of her father’s prison had fallen on her, crumpling her frail form and stealing her breath away.
Meddle with Magic
“Ami!” Lamwen shouted, the forest echoing with his cry.
Amicia had collapsed into a lump as soon as her transformation had been completed. Standing in their ring, the group simply stared at her, stunned by her crumpled state.
Stepping over a few tree roots, Lamwen knelt beside her. The Mate’s clothes felt tight, almost unbearable, as they restricted his movements, but at the moment, he held greater concerns. “Amicia?” he gasped, reaching for the wad of unruly hair that hid her delicate features.
“What’s happening?” Rey demanded, struggling to gain his feet. “God this is terrible!” he shouted, unable to hold his weight.
“Aye,” the Mate agreed. “Hurts a lot more coming back to the original.”
“Perhaps that is why Kaliwyn had such a difficult time when she took her dragon form,” Lamwen suggested, rolling her and scooping her unconscious form into his arms.
“But this isn’t her original. Why is she even more slowed in her recovery?” Yimath asked, perplexed by the idea. “I should fetch the tome. Perhaps there was mention of this we had not read or understood.”
“Go,” Meena agreed. “Meet us at the new cottage beneath the tree.”
“Cottage?” Piers grunted, fighting to stand.
“Yes. As I said, we have prepared a place for us to regroup.” Looking upon Ziradon, she shook her head slowly. “I fear we cannot transfigure him as it could kill him.”
“I will rest here, kind lady,” he growled, indicating the stream. “I have languished too long in a prison cell, and I fear my strength has long since left me.”
“I will remain here to serve him,” Animir offered, “in Amicia’s stead. The water will do him good, and I will hunt for nectar when I am able.”
Rey glared at the mortal-Lamwen, his wife curled in his muscular arms. “How is she?” he growled.
“She lives,” he replied, worry etched in his masculine features. “I wish to take her to safety. Are we ready to travel?”
“Aye,” the Mate agreed, finding his way on shaky limbs. “Once we get to the hiding place, we will rest. She recovered, and so I am certain that we will as well. All we need is time.”
Forming a line, the group marched through the dense trees, listening and watching about them as they made their way through to the restored gnome home. It had not taken the ossci long to install the fire, the steps, and even a pot hung over their flames so that morning mash could be prepared.
Laying Ami on the ground, Lamwen climbed down into the hole, then pulled her over using her arms to slide her in and lower her to a pallet that had been formed by her blanket. The dancing light adding a glow to he
r pale skin, he sighed as he brushed her hair back for a better look.
“She does not appear injured,” he observed. “She merely sleeps, as if she is exhausted.”
Extending and retracting his arms, Rey grimaced, “That’s exactly what it feels like. I’m tapped, as if I have worked for hours and all my energy is spent.”
Arriving in their midst, Yimath laid the tome on a small table Grumpy had constructed only a short time ago. Using her blade of grass, she opened to the spell and began to read over it, her lips moving as she did so. Turning the page, and then another, the silence around her held as they all waited for her verdict.
“Oh no,” she gasped, coming to a few portions of concern. “This is not something we should have meddled with,” she warned.
“You don’t say,” the Mate chuckled as he helped himself to some of the tea his wife had brewed. “What do we do now?”
“Well, it says the lethargy will pass, but each time that the transformation is made it will increase.” Looking up at him, her wide green eyes grew misty. “Eventually, it will be enough to kill her.”
“Kill her!” Rey screamed, on his feet before he dropped beside her. Glaring at the man-dragon across from him, he growled, “Did you know this was going to happen?”
Studying him with cool green eyes, Lamwen remained calm. “Do you think I would have taken this form if I had known it could kill me?”
“I don’t think it will this time,” Yimath explained in a subdued tone, “but she can’t keep going back and forth. When she is stronger, we can push her back one more time, and it will tap her when we do, as it has now. But it will be the last time. When she returns to being a dragon, she will be forced to remain so for the rest of her life.”
“She could choose to stay human, though, right?” Reynard asked, his mind turning. I may still get to keep her.
Lamwen glared at him, easily drawing the same conclusion. “Her choice will be hard to make, be assured,” he growled.
Meeting his cold glare, Rey swallowed, “Indeed.”
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