DragonFire: Sphere of Eternity

by LJ Davies

  I'd much rather be able to smell it and know where it is, than have no idea.

  Either way, I crept quietly from our cover, Boltock following my silent movements.

  "Well, whatever it was, there goes breakfast!" he proclaimed with an irritated ruffle of his wings.

  I hadn't even considered that; I'd just thought it lucky that thing hadn’t found us. Yeah, because I'm pretty sure we'd have been its breakfast instead!

  "What do we do now?" Boltock asked.

  "We'll have to go back to the cave," I swiftly suggested, before glancing around and asking. "You're still able to smell your way back, right?"

  "Yes, yes, sure," he replied with a huff. "I don't want to be out here with that thing anyway."

  With that we moved on, his keen nose leading the way. The more I watched, the more his ability amazed me. I always knew my sense of smell was strong, but if I tried to navigate my way back to the cave all I'd be able to smell would be the damp forest.

  I guess if you really know a scent well enough, you'll be able to find it wherever you are.

  From what Risha had told me I had to guess Boltock had never really been without her, and never wanted to be without her. That feeling of guilt still welled up in me, swirling with fear as I was careful to watch for the wolf-beast's return.

  It’s okay, wild animals don't hunt when they've just fed. My mind reassured, only for me to consider that the thing had a collar. Doesn't seem so wild, does it?

  Boltock stopped a few minutes later, raising his snout as he sniffed the air.

  "What's wrong?" I asked, my eyes darting to every shadow.

  "Just checking we're going the right way," he replied, seeming very proud of himself.

  "Are we?" I asked swiftly.

  "It should be right over there," he responded, pointing between the trees with his wing before quickly resuming his strides.

  Just as he'd said, we trekked for a few more minutes before finding ourselves at the base of the rocky outcrop. A bright orange light danced over the lip of the ledge, along with familiar voices.

  "Told you I could find my way back," Boltock proclaimed, a forepaw to his chest.

  He quickly hopped up the stone pathway and I hastily followed, being careful not to slip on the wet surface as I made my final jump up over the top. My eyes were instantly drawn to the others sat in the cave as Boltock rushed straight over to the fire’s warmth. I moved inside to join them, noticing a half-eaten bird in the flames.

  "What's this?" I asked curiously, picking up the partially stripped carcass with a foreclaw.

  Risha and Ember giggled, causing Boltock to lift his head.

  Looks like someone forgot we came back with no food.

  "We didn't know if you two would come back with anything," Risha announced, casting a look towards her brother. "So, I climbed up the cliff and found an eagle’s nest. It wasn't much, but it'll do."

  "I thought you were supposed to stay and guard the cave?" Boltock questioned with a huff.

  "Well, I was still in here," Ember added.

  "And I was only a few paw steps away," Risha reassured him.

  I dropped the half-eaten bird back on the fire. Turning to the cave entrance, to see that the misty drizzle had lightened.

  "We should get going," I proposed for the second time, my increased uneasiness about the forest creature only driving my urgency. "I really don't like the idea of being in one place for too long."

  I tried to subdue my fear by convincing myself that, from my brief observations, there was no proof that the creature was aware of us. It may have only been out hunting, as we were. Thankfully, this time, no one disagreed with my decision to leave.

  "Yeah, we should get off before it starts to rain again," Ember agreed, Boltock nodding instantly.

  Risha conjured up a spinning sphere of water to douse the fire, releasing a ball of steam from the hot embers as she looked at me and added.

  "That's settled then, we're ready to go."

  Ember and Boltock both moved out onto the ledge, preparing for what was probably going to be a long flight. I watched Risha join them, and with one last look around the cave, I quickly followed.

  "Where are we going now?" Boltock asked as the four of us stood with our wings spread.

  "We keep heading north," I told him as we took off and climbed above the trees, eventually catching a large gust of wind sweeping up from the cliff face.

  We quickly reached a considerable height, dark-grey clouds hanging just above us like a suspended blanket of misery. Using all my skill I was able to navigate the gloom, although I struggled to make out the shapes of the others around me. It felt much better in the sky, no longer were my senses hindered by the musty dampness or the rustling of the trees. The only physical discomfort, besides my lack of vision, was the moisture tickling my scales with its cold chill.

  The fog below consumed everything save for the tallest trees that reached out like evergreen spires from the depths of a grey sea.

  Really gotta watch out for those, remember the last time I flew over trees? I was reminded as I banked and swerved to avoid them.

  *

  It was a few hours before my eyes focused on something other than endless grey. Through the mist I could just make out a bright light.

  Is it sunlight? I jumped at the opportunity to see the world more than five inches ahead of me, when I heard a muffled voice from within the gloom.

  I looked about for the source, but unable to see anything a slight panic coursed through me. The others were depending on me to lead and I couldn’t even see them.

  I have to be smart and think fast.

  "Go towards the light and get out of this fog," I shouted out with no idea whether my words were directed in the right direction.

  I repeated the instructions, tilting my head as I cast the words left and right.

  Seconds later, a blinding explosion hit me as I emerged from the great wall of cloud, eyes instantly met by the sun hanging low over the horizon. Its blissful glow stretched out over the vast expanses of land and I looked down to see that the rocky forest had maintained its dominance over the terrain. As soon as I was free, there was one thing I couldn't see.

  The others?

  The thought flashed through my mind, and I frantically scoured the vast wall of cloud. My eyes locked onto the first sign of movement and I felt a warm sense of relief to see the three of them emerge from the grey monolith. Beyond them I saw a new horizon, where the dark shape of distant mountains forced the forest to give up its grip on the land.

  Standing tall, the line of stone giants wore hats of snow, the mightiest holding court over the land like three kings upon their thrones. In the same direction the forest was coated in a thin layer of snow, making it shimmer in the shallow sunlight. I thought back to my dire thought regarding the oncoming winter, thankful that for now I was just glad to be free of the miserable grey clouds.

  "By the skies, I'm glad to be out of there," Boltock declared with a shiver.

  "Which way is it, now we can actually see the way?" Risha asked, swooping into a hover beside me.

  I turned to the mountainous horizon, deciding the coldest-looking direction must be north.

  "That way, I think!"

  "Yes, those must be the upper Storm Mountains, that's definitely north!" Ember confirmed, and we swiftly resumed our flight.

  I'd never endured the challenge of such high mountain peaks before, even so, I knew this wasn't the time to start doubting myself. The mountains were still far away, leaving plenty of time to alter course, if we needed to.

  As we flew, I occasionally glanced back at the wall of cloud disappearing behind us. Several fluffy pillars adorned its dull expanse. Each painted orange, pink and red by the low light of the winter sun.

  Hard to think something so grim can look so breath takingly beautiful.

  I'd flown through clouds before, but I'd never seen them like this. Usually all they presented were dark, miserable skies filled wit
h cold rain and bitter wind. The sight of such natural beauty managed to fill me with a little warmth. The others seemed to have no issues with the altitude or weather, and as we flew for several more hours, I whimsically wondered what kind of flight lessons Dardien offered.

  "We should really find a place to nest before nightfall," Risha suggested, swooping close to my side.

  I didn't know how old the day was, but the sun wasn't far from completely disappearing over the horizon. Even so, the northern mountains still felt like a whole day's worth of flight away.

  Urgh, it feels like we've made no progress at all! I thought as I reluctantly acknowledged Risha's suggestion.

  "Okay, everyone try to find somewhere safe to land," I called.

  The rest of them nodded, dispersing out to scour the forest. Unlike further south, there were fewer rocky caves here to offer shelter. As I circled my troubled mind continued to remind me of the beast in the fog, and the thought that it was still below us somewhere.

  I tried to shun the memory. There's no way it can catch up with us on foot.

  While I pondered, two things continued to stand out: the scars on its flank and the collar around its neck. I could safely assume another animal caused the injuries; I'd seen countless wild beasts bearing similar scars. Though the second feature was more intriguing.

  Who would bother to put a collar on something like that?

  I tried to process all possible scenarios, but only one thought could explain it.

  Someone put it there, someone or something is controlling that beast.

  That made me worry just what else someone could control, and what could really be waiting for us when we landed.

  Who could have the power to command monsters like that? The realisation struck me hard.

  Thinking back to the Elders' story about the war, the Dark Guardians and about how dangerous the world was becoming, I was too frightened to consider the truth. Two of their comments rattled round in my head in particular:

  'Return of the Dark Guardian' and 'no accident’. I tried to recall everything they'd told me about the monsters, the Dark Guardians and Acrodan, pausing for a moment and seriously considering my place in all of this.

  I'm just a strange, powerless dragon raised in a human village in the middle of nowhere? It was easy to doubt myself. How am I special? What if I do reach Tarwin, how am I supposed to save her?

  Enough! I admonished myself, cutting short the mental torment.

  My place amidst all of this wasn't where the Elders told me it should be. I would decide for myself where it was, and right now my place was searching for my friend.

  The thought stoked my fire of determination to a new level. Yet despite my reluctance to believe there could be a dark evil after me, I really had no idea what I was leading my new-found friends into.

  Can I really let them risk their lives for me?

  My thoughts were cast back to the night Risha had followed me as my mind came to an abrupt conclusion.

  I may really have to consider carrying on alone.

  Chapter 8

  Nightmares

  "I think we should stay down there!" Risha shouted, pointing to a small lake within the trees.

  The low winter sun had crawled its way to the very edge of the horizon, the last residues of its light spreading out over the world in a losing battle against the encroaching darkness. I looked down to the lake, its calm waters glistening like a shimmering island in a sea of green. We circled for a while, searching for any signs of danger before finally setting down.

  Snow-capped pines stood a few paces from the water's edge and a small-pebbled beach encircled the entire lake. The second my paws hit the smooth stones I scoured the looming trees for any sign of danger. I couldn't help myself, checking the same spot several times before I was convinced.

  Okay, no monsters. Just got to make sure it stays that way.

  The smooth stones were cold beneath my paws, each one slipping against its neighbour under my weight and producing a small grinding sound. Around me, taller plants chirped with the noises of small creatures along with the occasional rustle and splash generated by the movement of larger pond life.

  The waters were shaded by the trees and half-covered by a thin layer of ice originating from reed beds on the opposite side. Beyond them and the treetops, I could see the tall mountain peaks, their snowy caps glowing brightly in the last rays of sunlight.

  We'd landed near a pair of moss-covered logs; the best shelter we’d found and somewhere to start a fire. The others had already settled between them, and as I approached, I discovered the pebbles gave way to a fine sand.

  "I'll make a fire," Boltock suggested.

  Excitedly snapping a large branch off one of the logs, he quickly threw it down and rushed to ignite it. Before he could draw breath, Ember lit it with a flick of her tail, and jumping back from the sudden spark, he glanced at his fiery companion with an expression somewhere between frustration and admiration.

  The fire’s light and immediate warmth created an almost homely feeling as Risha tore moss from the logs, laying it over the sand to create a soft bedding. Meanwhile, Boltock and Ember fed wood onto the growing flames, creating a warming beacon while feeding a strong scent of wood smoke. Looking up at the trail rising into the sky, I worried about who or what might see.

  It's either that or freeze to death out here. Seriously, it has to be worth the risk.

  "Done!" Boltock declared, spreading his wings as he triumphantly tossed the last log onto the fire.

  A disapproving look from Ember soon changed his attitude, and even when she and his sister burst out laughing, he failed to revert to his normal self.

  Upon completing their tasks, showing off, and various other antics, they all settled down beside the flames, lying in a circle on the soft beds of moss. I moved over, taking my place beside Risha, on a spot she made clear was intended for me by patting it with a forepaw.

  She made that one just for me? I didn't know why, but I assumed it was because it was the spot that offered the best view of the forest. Good, all the better to keep watch.

  Even so, I could not help feeling that this place was too exposed. At least in the cave there'd been only one place threats could come from.

  "All that flying has tired me out," Ember mumbled through a yawn. "I think I'll get some sleep."

  "Me too," Boltock added, laying his head down close to hers.

  For a moment I thought he was genuinely tired, that was until I saw him open one eager eye to peer at Ember. Whether she noticed him or not, her only response was to yawn and fold a wing over her head.

  "I think I should sleep too, that was probably the furthest I've flown in one day," Risha suggested, running a forepaw over a wing as she stretched.

  "Goodnight, don't stay awake too long," she added with a knowing glance as she buried her head into her mossy pillow.

  Oh, so she really does know I'm trying to keep watch all night. I inwardly recognised. So much for my subtlety.

  Part of me wanted to know she was truly safe, another part thought it selfish to focus on just one member of my group. She deserved my admiration after what she'd done for me, and all she and Boltock had gone through at the hands of those I called family.

  I can't get so hung up on something that happened years ago. There wasn't anything I could have done. My mind reassured, only for me to counter. Yeah, but I could have been more considerate about it!

  I returned my attention to the forest, doing my best not to allow my feelings to cloud my duty. At least tonight there was no storm, allowing me to see the full beauty of the sky. I stared into the inky blackness as stars began to creep out from hiding. The vast points of glistening light almost started to steal my sense of time. My eyes became heavy and my neck strained to hold up my weary head. I was tired, but I would not let my guard down. Not this time.

  *

  My head shot up from the log. It was another dream. 'The dream', recurring repeatedly, though it always
ended the same. I found myself somewhere strangely familiar, though I didn’t know where. It was dark and cold; the walls around me shimmering under a dull light, shining weakly from the centre of the cave. My mind was blank, as if someone had carefully plucked out all the terrible thoughts.

  Just as I'd done before, I slowly made my way over to the light. Tendrils of old memories slowly reached out, filling the spaces in my mind.

  I tried to think why I was compelled to approach the ghostly glow as a distant humming sound started emanating all around me and light bounced around the walls like an echo within an echo. Coming to my senses, I stopped just a few paces away.

  I know I've seen it before, but where? The answer lay beyond my recollection.

  From the darkness came a voice, barely detectable over the humming, unrecognisable, almost unreal.

  "Guardian..."

  *

  I rubbed my sleep-heavy eyes as I flickered back into consciousness. I'd come to believe many things within the past few days, but these dreams were something else. I didn't know how much more I could take of reality, never mind my persistent nightmares.

  It's only a dream. I told myself. Even so, I couldn't help noticing how different I'd felt in there – like I'd been somewhere real, too real for a dream.

  I fell asleep again, spirits curse my weary eyes!

  I chastised myself for drifting off and resumed my careful examination of every shadow between the trees. Nothing had changed, they stood like stark pillars in a wall of blackness. As relieving as the sight of nothing was, I couldn't help feeling unnerved. The flickering firelight only bathed the closest of the trunks before night's blackness plunged anything beyond into an abyss.

  My eyes panned over to the lake, where the flame's reflection danced across the water's icy surface. I continued round, until I was peering into the firelight. It took a few moments for my eyes to adjust, finally allowing me to see the others curled up on their beds as the warm light coated them in its rich glow.

  I knew it was wrong to lead them blindly into this without telling them of the risks, especially when I failed to understand those risks myself. Even so, there was no proof that the Elders’ predictions were true. From my experience of humans, the wyverns and the wolf-beast, I now knew some of their story was real, but that didn't mean all of it was; it was just like the tales Tarwin's father feared. Though I knew Risha and Boltock’s experience with humans was very real, casting more doubt on the possibility of it all being mere legend.