Her heart beating faster, she pursed her lips. “I am too easy to contact, I fear.”
“Many share your thoughts,” he observed.
“Yes. Meena is afraid of it, I think. Should she be?”
“Does her fear change anything?”
“Not really.”
“Then stop letting fear guide you, my queen.”
Grinning brightly, she walked for a while in silence, observing the sun had reached the top of the sky. Eventually, she paused to announce, “I need to go. They should have everything gathered for me to infuse.”
“Infuse?” he asked, his curiosity clear.
“Yes. I’ve found some interesting spells in the tomes of the gnomes. Things that will help us greatly. But somehow, I think you already knew that I would.”
“The gnomes are old friends, as are the trolls.”
“You have been well loved by many in Eriden,” she observed.
“As I have loved all of my kingdom,” he agreed.
“Then when it comes my time to reign, I will remember that,” she smiled, reaching to lay her hand against his scales briefly before she disappeared.
Of the Power
Ami returned to the camp to find the others had done as she requested. On the table lay a pile of clothing, one change for each of them, and a small stack of rocks.
Glaring at her when she arrived, Rey spit in a surly tone, “I assume you don’t care whose rock is whose.”
“Not at all,” she grinned, happy he was at least speaking to her. Inhaling deeply, she wanted to apologize to him, but the words caught in her throat, and she released the breath without uttering a word. Instead, she pulled out the tome she needed from under their bed and opened it on the table.
Staying to watch her as she thumbed through the pages, Rey scowled at her profile as she located the spell she wanted to use. She could feel the anger radiating from him and hoped it would soon wane.
The others curious as well, the camp soon filled with onlookers. “Do you not have better things to do?” she growled, not addressing anyone in particular.
“We’re only watching,” Hayt explained, indicating the neat line of rocks that she had been fiddling with. “What good are rocks going to do us?”
“Well, hopefully a great deal,” she grinned. “When I’m ready, I’ll show you how to use them.”
Leaving, she transported to one of the libraries to retrieve another text. Taking it back to her workspace, she located the proper spell and enchanted the clothing one piece at a time.
By the time she had finished, the sun hung low in the sky. Meena put on the pot, as Jarrowan and Lamwen provided the meat for the stew.
Seeing the way her dearest dragon friend glared at her, she recognized the hunger in his eyes. “I knew once would not be enough,” she teased.
“Does that mean we will share another night?” he replied, glancing in the direction of the mortal who claimed her.
Shaking her head, she didn’t say yes, but she didn’t say no. Instead, she held up one of the stones and announced, “I’m ready to show you how these things work if anyone cares to listen.”
The ring formed around her almost instantly, as all had been hanging close by in wait.
Poking the pile of shirts and pants, Piers noted, “They don’t look any different to me.”
“I have found a special spell,” she smiled, wondering if she should tell them what they did, or simply demonstrate. Opting for the latter, she lifted one of the garments and sauntered over to the fire, where she tossed it in, or mostly in as it landed with one of the arms laying over the ring of large stones and onto the ground around their pit.
“What the hell!” Rey spat, watching as his second shirt lay within the flames. “I realize you’re pissed at me, but that doesn’t mean you should burn my clothes!”
Her jaw dropping, she gasped, “Pissed at you? Why would I be?” she began, stopping when she noted his eyes flick to glare at Lamwen. “Oh, I see,” she finished. Reaching down, she caught the arm of the article that had survived the tossing and used it to lift the rest out of the fire.
Staring at the pristine material, gasps and whispers rippled through them.
“Cloth that doesn’t burn,” Piers surmised.
“Exactly,” she nodded. “It will offer you some protection against the dragons, like armor only lighter.”
Her eyes wide, Meena glared at her. “I have never seen such magic.”
“Well, it was there in the tomes,” Amicia informed her tartly.
The trio of ossci huddled together, they spoke in low tones to one another, adding a seditious air to the proceedings. When they continued, Amicia demanded, “Is something wrong?”
Breaking their conversation, Grumpy observed, “It would be unwise to have too much faith in such things,” he warned.
“We’ll keep that in mind,” the girl smiled.
“What he means is,” Yimath tried again, “this spell is impressive, and your powers have obviously grown since our arrival here. We are only concerned of the false confidence they might inspire. Dragons are dangerous creatures, and caution should always be taken.”
Nodding, Ami agreed, “I understand. Everyone will have time to practice and learn about these things before we use them in actual combat.”
“What about the stones? Are they for water?” Animir asked, thinking of the wan’s previous trick.
“No, but I suppose we could make some if we needed to,” the girl agreed, “now that I know how. No, these are a shield,” she explained, indicating the row with a flattened palm. “Choose yours,” she commanded.
Snatching the rock he had added to the pile, the elf adjusted it in his hand until it fit comfortably. “What do I do with it?” he asked, gripping it tightly within his fist.
“Close your eyes and imagine that your body is covered with a thick layer, like you are wrapped in a blanket head to toe.”
“All right,” he replied, conjuring the image in his mind.
“Now, imagine that the blanket is so strong that nothing can pass through it. Nothing can reach you.”
“Ok.”
Reaching out, her fingers fell short of his arm, and a small blue spark arced when she got close, forcing her to withdraw the appendage. Opening his eyes, he gasped, “Did that hurt? I felt it, like a little shock between us.”
“A little,” she grimaced, flicking her fingers playfully.
“How does it work?” the Mate asked, pinching his lip as he studied the elf. Before she could respond, he reached out to receive his own shock. Withdrawing the digits quickly, he shook them as well. “That does hurt. Will it stop a sword?”
“We’ll have to test it,” she nodded, “but from the spell book, it acts with exactly the opposite of the force used against it. If you push a little, it pushes back a little.”
“If you whack it hard, it’s going to hurt like hell,” Reynard concluded, lifting his own stone to play with. “Did you bother to read the fine print? Last time we tried out one of your spells, it nearly killed us.”
Ami shook her head at his tone. “I read the whole thing if that’s what you mean,” she sneered. “They are perfectly safe to use, but I caution the magic within the stones is finite, as it was with the water stone. Once you have used it all up, it won’t work anymore.”
“Ah, nothing is infinite, not even magic stones,” the Mate muttered, also taking his. “This is actually pretty clever, but it will take practice turning them on when we need to so we aren’t wasting them. And I am curious if we receive part of the blow or if it is all returned to the attacker.”
“How did you know Piers and I would be able to use them?” Rey demanded, also taking his. “We only found out this morning that we were being infused with the use of power.”
“I didn’t, and I wasn’t going to make one for you until we realized you were able to use the orb,” she confessed with a shrug. “I’m glad it has worked out.”
Glancing at one another before
they snatched up their stones as well, Zaendra and Hayt laughed with obvious glee.
“You seem happy, at least,” Amicia smiled.
“I am quite pleased,” Zae replied, gripping her stone and urging Hayt to reach for her. When he jerked the appendage back, she roiled with peals of laughter. “It does shock a bit when he tries, but the fact he can’t get through is amazing.”
“Aye,” Piers agreed, “but everyone take care while we are testing them. We need to know exactly what they protect against and what we need to do to produce the charm before we are ready to use them.”
“I’m sure we will figure it out,” Zaendra beamed. She had always known she had magical blood, but now it was more than that, and she felt as if she had fulfilled some great destiny by being there. “Somehow, I think this is why I left the glen. I’m supposed to be a part of this battle and here to help my friends.”
“I’m glad you think so,” Ami agreed with a pat on her arm. Then she announced, “I have one more enchantment to make, but I can do that tomorrow while you practice with these.”
“What does it do?” Animir asked, impressed by the girl’s growing talents. “It seems you have found your knack… enchanting objects.”
“Perhaps,” Amicia shrugged. “If the next one works, your blades will be unbreakable and, even better, able to penetrate the scales of the dragons,” she explained, closing her tomes and disappearing to return them to the library.
“What,” Rey sputtered. “Did she just say penetrate dragon scales?” He glared at Lamwen as he spoke, thinking how handy such a tool would be.
“Yes, and I’m doubtful it will work,” the dragon-man growled. “Of course, it is of little consequence, as after having tested your mortal bodies, I feel you would still be no match for a dragon, even with these toys.”
“Oh, I think this evens the odds pretty well,” the Mate countered, finding his clothing in the pile to retrieve it. “Besides, dragons aren’t the only things we will be fighting, and over all, these definitely give us an edge.”
Not bothering to argue, Lamwen’s thoughts churned. He had to agree with the mortal; enchanting objects had become Ami’s specialty, which in itself was impressive. However, it frightened him as well. Her skills are growing, and she is far ahead of the others in our group in power and ability, he silently mused.
Studying his stone, he knew he would keep his fears to himself. No dragon has ever been this powerful, not even the great Ziradon. He would have to keep himself sharp for trouble, as her talents could hold great consequences for them in the future.
Allies Among the Stones
The morning bright, Amicia completed her work on the weapons as soon as breakfast was over. Then donning one of Meena’s wizard robes, she left the group to their testing and practice. Her night had not been restful, as she had declined Lamwen’s offer for a second night of vigorous copulation. However, she had not been in the mood for Rey’s tender love-making either, and that had left her nothing to do but lie beneath her blanket and consider what lay ahead.
Deciding to put some distance between them, she first ventured to the market in the northern wizard city of Heewan, where she explored the shops in search of things that might catch her eye. Her disguise in place, she relaxed as she moved among their people, as if she had nothing more pressing to occupy her time then magical trinkets and household wares. Locating the stall where they had purchased their cloth, she smiled at the red-haired merchant and his scruffy beard when he appeared to greet her.
“Ah, you have returned,” he grinned, spreading his arms wide in salutation.
“You recall my previous visit?” she asked, wandering around the tables with her fingers trailing over a few of the fine threads.
“But of course,” he chuckled. “One never forgets one whose fire burns so brightly.”
His words gave her pause, and she slowly turned her head enough to catch sight of him. Seeing that his gaze was fixed upon her, she swallowed, then asked, “You are a wizard, yes?”
“I am,” he nodded. “Does that frighten you?”
“Only if you wish me harm,” she stalled, wondering if returning there had been a bad idea. Drawing her robe closer around her, she considered using the transposition to disappear on the spot.
“Only a fool would stand against you,” he assured with a sparkle in his eyes, “wizard or otherwise. Now, have you come to shop for something special, or are you here for a simple visit?”
“I’m afraid nothing I do is simple these days,” she sighed, the weight of her life heavy at the moment. “I just came to roam the plaza and while a few hours,” she confessed. “It feels good to wander without purpose at times.”
“Let us have a stroll then,” he proposed, turning before she could reply. At the back of the shop, he called into the smaller, adjacent room, “Come and mind the front!”
A second man of medium build quickly presented himself, and the shopkeeper moved to the door, indicating the exit with an open palm. Joining him there, she noticed the smell of him as she drew near. Sweet and pleasant, like spice. Images of her home across the sea filled her mind, and she sat again at her mother’s funeral. A young man stood before her, handing her a simple rose before he disappeared. A boy with red hair. The image filled her with dread she could not explain.
When they entered the square, he leaned closer to her, so their words could be heard over the crowd. “You are a mortal of the rim?” he asked.
“Yes,” she nodded, then glanced at him. He knew of her deception, she was sure of it. “Do you make the cloth that you sell?” she asked, steering their conversation away from herself but not daring to ask the question that burned in the back of her mind.
“I make very little of it,” he explained. “Our looms are there in the back, and we have weavers who run them. They are quite skilled, actually.”
“Ah,” she sighed, her eyes roaming over the throng. Tense, she realized the walk with the stranger wasn’t helping her nerves. “Thank you for the visit, but I think I should go.”
“Still searching,” he offered.
“Searching?” she asked, thinking it an odd thing to say, her mind again on Arely.
Pausing, he stared down at her, and she faced him, the shoppers around parting to the left or right. “You seem familiar,” she whispered.
“Certainly, I am familiar,” he chuckled. “We had a very good day the last time you visited,” he informed her. “Our till was quite full after you left.”
“Yes, all the cloth,” she mumbled, still taking him in. “That isn’t it. Are you sure you are a wizard?”
His voice deeper, his smile dropped, and a wrinkle creased his forehead. “You are not ready, Amicia Spicer. If you were, you would not ask,” he replied, then turned his back on her and walked away.
Hearing her name fall from his lips, she gasped, “Oh God!” Pushing through the crowd, she tried to catch up, but he had disappeared. Arriving back at the shop, he wasn’t there. Deciding not to wait, she left via the street, by the opposite way of the bazaar, and transported herself as soon as she felt safe to do so.
Arriving at the Crimson Caves, she felt relieved to be there, as the strange shopkeeper had disturbed her to the core. Placing her hand on the ruby red wall, she smiled as if she were home.
Following the path, she arrived in the central room as usual and grinned at the activities of her largest friends.
“Amicia,” Yaodus greeted with arms stretched wide. “Another visit so soon!”
“Yes,” she grinned. “Time is close, and I may not get to come again once we take the fight to the elves.”
His features grew tight, and the troll nodded. “We have heard of the sorrows and watched with our magical fires. It is truly a shame,” he lamented with a shake of his head.
“I’m glad you understand,” she sighed, pondering the day’s visit. “Is my father around?”
“He is asleep in his pod, but I will send for him,” the king offered.
“
No, please don’t bother him,” she interjected. “I need a word with you as well, and perhaps this would be a good time to have it.”
“Very well,” he agreed, taking a seat on his rock before the flames of his pit.
Taking hers close at hand, she observed, “Remember when you gave me the stone and offered to stand with us when the time came to fight?”
“Yes, very well,” he agreed.
“The time is close, Yaodus. A few days at most and we will be ready to march against the dwarves,” she explained.
“And you wish us to join you in this fight,” he inhaled deeply. Seeing the tension in her jaw, he nodded, “I have promised our support, and you shall have it, my queen.”
“Thank you,” she breathed in relief. “At least something has come easily.” Seeing his features crumple, she realized she might have spoken too soon. “Will there be a problem with our cause?”
“Only the wolves,” he groaned.
“The root of our dispute,” she frowned. “Surely they have given up trying to reach you.”
“No. They are stubborn creatures,” he pointed out. “If we intend to march against the dwarves, they will have to be reckoned with beforehand.”
An angry twist in her gut, Amicia fumed, “They have no right to stand in our way. Why are they not our allies, as the southern pack has been?”
“I know not what twists a wolf’s mind,” the sovereign cackled. “I only know they will stand against us when we leave this place.”
“Not if I can help it,” she growled. “Be ready in three days, as we will make our move. And do not worry about the wolves. They will not resist our movements on that day.”
“This is getting easier,” Rey observed, shielding himself expertly when Piers swung his blade, the magic absorbing nearly all of the blow. “It does still sting, but not at all as if I were cut or stabbed.”
“Aye,” the Mate chuckled, “but my hands ring like I have whacked this blade against a large rock. A few of those, and we will have anyone’s attention.”
“I wish there were a way to know how much power is left in the stone,” Hayt observed, watching covertly as his wife took large chunks out of a tree with her enchanted weapon. “I can’t believe you made her a spear.”
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