Battle Mage: Dragon Mage (Tales of Alus) (32 page)

The blue dragon questioned, “Do you think he meant to find a way to kill them?”

“He’s a human. I have little doubt. If he serves his greed for power, we know stories of what humans are willing to do. If he serves the Dark One in an attempt to steal our secrets, we know what he is capable of as well,” the red dragon sniffed before raising his head to look behind him. “We have company coming.”

Cheleya looked between the two che’ther seeing a score of riders bearing down on them from the west gate. As she looked, glowing orbs appeared in the sky surrounding the che’ther lighting the ground and wall around them. Wizards and soldiers could be seen with Cheleya’s magic sensing spell. She had never released the power even during the fight and could see a dozen magic users among the gray light of those who had none.

“Hold che’ther!” a commanding voice cried out. “Do not think to use your magic to fight your way past or our wizards will take you down.”

“We had no desire to do any such thing,” her father responded coolly and calmly. “We were merely dealing with a matter of our realm.”

“You are in our lands now, dragon, so any fighting involves our realm now,” the commander stated coldly. “Using magic in the middle of the night right beside our walls could be considered an act of war, if taken wrongly.”

Cheleya stepped between the two che’ther smiling sweetly. She could see surprise among the men, though they tried to hide it. “We’re sorry to have disturbed you. We were trying to get a little practice in before the tournament in secret. After such a long journey, we were just working out some pent up energy readying ourselves for Winter’s Edge.

“We thought we were far enough outside inhabited areas to avoid waking anyone with our rough housing.”

The man looked unconvinced by the girl’s lie, though Cheleya had said it so easily that she was surprised that they doubted her. Che’ther weren’t known as good liars, but she amazed herself with the quick words as she managed to make them believable. While her smile never faltered, the man countered with another question, “You’re all dragons?”

Clarity of the juxtaposition of the dainty little blond fighting with giants was the problem apparently, she thought. “Ah, well we can hardly bring our full size bodies into the city now can we? We use amulets to change into humans. I don’t have mine with me, but they do.” She looked down at her bare feet standing in the snow and added, “Do you know very many humans who will walk around in winter dressed like this?”

The man laughed at the thought despite the situation.

The three che’ther took hold of their amulets and changed in a trio of lights. After the glows had faded, their human forms stood in the dragons’ places though they wore more traditional looking uniforms including boots. Cor’Dargan followed in his daughter’s lie and confirmed, “As you can see, we came prepared to move among humans. A forty foot dragon, as you put it, can hardly maneuver through your narrow streets.”

Returning to his formal nature, the commander shook his head and replied, “Even so, we can’t have you using your magic like this so near the outer walls. People will hear and panic. You also might damage the walls in your fighting.”

Cheleya had moved closer and looked up at the men on horseback flashing her smile trying to look contrite. Shaking her head mirroring the man’s gesture, the pretty girl commiserated with the soldiers, “I am sorry that we disturbed you. My father wanted to be sure that I could duel. We should have thought out the matter more thoroughly. I can return to my hotel in the inner circle and if you need me I am at the Two Circles Inn. Ambassador Lord Lothran from Staron can verify that I am here for the tournament. I came with an earth wizard and her mage escort.”

The word ‘mage’ made the man’s face wrinkle a bit with distaste and Cheleya wondered why. Holding her sincerest apology in her eyes as she gazed up at the man, the che’ther let the matter recede into her subconscious making sure that this issue was handled first.

“The ambassador? Well, that is a good word to have vouch for you, but let us escort you back to your inn. We can’t have anymore of this late night dueling.”

“I can make it to my inn quickly enough, but my father and his friends might need a place to stay. Would you know of any place?” her eyes pled with him reflecting the light in her deep green eyes.

Thrown off by the girl’s looks and manner, the soldier shook his head and replied, “It is probably too late to find an inn tonight. They can come to the northwest barracks and grab a cot until morning. You are sure that you will be all right, young lady?”

The little blond nodded and turned to her father. “I will get back to my friends, father. You can find me at the Two Circles or the wizards’ hospital checking on Kel’lor.”

“Dragon wings,” Cheleya commanded wings to appear that were girlishly pink enforcing her appearance despite the new magic. She could here gasps as the dragoness leapt into the air letting her wings carry her in a circle until she could clear the outer wall. Faces of wizards and soldiers looked on in awe as the pretty, little, blond girl moved past with a wave and disappeared over the roofs between them and her room.

The exercise and emotions had drained Cheleya and the girl yawned covering her mouth with her hand despite no one being near. Thinking that she could sleep easily now, Cheleya wondered at what her father would do now that he knew what had happened to her. Malaketh was still coming. She doubted that the three che’ther could stop him, but at least now the little dragoness had someone who knew her and could help.

Landing on the rooftop of the Two Circles, the dragoness continued down the stairs to her room. The key worked the door and Cheleya continued to hear the steady breathing of the women sleeping as she locked the door behind her.

After removing her dress and replacing the silk top, she slipped back under the covers thinking how nice and warm the bed felt to her. Her skin noticed such things as the warmth of the woman next to her and the softness of her pillow under her head as well.

Bumping into Colbie caused the mage to start and complain, “Sheesh, Cheleya your feet are freezing. I thought dragons were warm.”

The initial complaint faded as Colbie returned to sleep. While the dragoness consciously moved away until her skin warmed again, she soon fell asleep as well. 

Chapter 19- White Halls

A midmorning sun shown down on the prairie north of the wall glistening off the snow covering much of the grasses wintering beneath it. Five winged shadows slid along the ground as the flyers flew towards the tower allowing official entry into Southwall. As Malaketh led the remaining pursuit team, the master did his best to hide his anger at the che’ther that had made a fool of him.

All save Cor’Dargan had been picked because of their mastery of dragon mage magic and skills as trackers, yet it was the earth dragon farmer who had bested them by leaving the team a full day behind his three. He had been told that they had been originally three days behind the girl and her gargoyle by those the White Mare Inn, and that Dargan had been there as well. Their ability to fly unhindered had closed the gap on the two, but the master had to worry over the other squad from Staron as well.

He doubted that he could kill them or find a way to remove that many with believable accidents. Cheleya and Kel’lor would have been tricky enough, but now three che’ther and four of Mar’kal’s allies stood in the way. Malaketh worried who the girl would tell her story and how many would believe her.

His fingers touched the black amulet hidden inside his tunic. There was always that. The mar’goyn’lya and che’ther all wore medallions to change as they dealt with human cities and the need to be lighter for flight. Whether they had any idea of what could be done with the artifacts was unknown and so far no one had discovered his tampering with the other masters’ memories. Controlling the creatures had been child’s play as he had spent a decade of his life finding a way deeper into the academy.

“Fa’Malaketh’zer, Dargan’s three flew to the cliff,” Stas’kel informed him as the best of his trackers noticed the change from his magic. “Do we follow?”

Shaking his head, a nearly futile gesture in flight, the man stated, “We go to the tower to check ourselves in with our papers. Dargan must have led his people around their defenses to sneak into the city. They had a lead on us, but if they chose to come during the night it would be easy to fly along the cliffs to avoid the wall guards.

“We will clear our intent with Southwall and warn them of the thieves. Telling them of Dargan and the others before ascertaining their intentions, would be unwise at this point, however. This will also legitimize our duties here.”

Though Malaketh didn’t truly care about the legitimacy of their need before the men of Southwall, it was an obvious advantage. Letting them know what they needed of Mar’kal’s business with Cheleya and Kel’lor would help override whatever Dargan was up to now. With that in mind, the master mage led the four mar’goyn’lya to land in front of the eastern tower which guarded a heavily fortified gate.

The eyes of the men and women guarding the gate that Malaketh could see were wide eyed at the sight of a man flying with gargoyles. Few south of Mar’kal could say they had seen the mar’goyn’lya let alone in flight, while the knowledge of dragon mage magic was a little known secret as well. The master let a smile touch his lips to appear friendly though he mostly wanted to rub it in their faces. Southwall wizards were especially cocky, but none were known to fly.

Presenting his papers, Malaketh addressed the leader of the soldiers and mages barring their way, “Good morning, soldiers of Southwall. I am Fa’Malaketh’zer, leader of a team searching for thieves that have run to Southwall to hide.”

He was brief. They were given what he believed they needed and no more than that.

The leader in his blue tunic and cloak over brown pants had the Southwall emblem in red across his chest and back. Others used variations, but always the red and blue unified their look. While the man took his letter of introduction, he asked, “You follow thieves? No one without the proper identification and paperwork are allowed through this gate. Therefore you must be mistaken.”

“They travel with a group from Staron, who are unaware of their duplicitous ways I am sure. A blond haired young woman of strikingly beautiful features is one of them. Perhaps you have seen her or heard word of her with these others I mentioned.”

The captain of the guard shook his head as he handed the papers back to Malaketh. His eyes betrayed no knowledge of the girl as he replied, “No one like that has been through on my watch recently or otherwise.”

“She has bright, emerald green eyes and long blond hair. She is young and seems innocent and travels with a giant of a man. You are sure?” Malaketh asked letting his eyes roam to the soldiers behind
the captain as the man shook his head starting to frown at being questioned on what he had already declared.

A young man spoke up out of turn directing his words to the captain, “Sergeant Brighton may have let them in yesterday along with a group of mages and a wizard, sir. They had official papers to get through, but he was talking about a beautiful blond haired girl yesterday.”

Turning his frown on the young man, the captain asked coldly, “Did they say where they were going then private? Perhaps we can make up for the sergeant’s mistake.”

A quick shake of the head and shrug did little to relieve the captain’s annoyance. He looked at Malaketh and added, “Sorry, but if she is the one you are seeking, then I guess you will have to search the city if you are sure that they went there. I apologize if we have failed to capture your quarry for you.” The man’s eyes strayed to the four mar’goyn’lya and he added, “You may have a problem catching up to her with these gargoyles drawing unwanted attention. Their kind aren’t common here, so their presence might alert the ones you are looking for.”

Nodding to the mar’goyn’lya, the four recited the words of change and soon four very human looking gargoyles had taken their place. Malaketh noted the looks of awe with smug satisfaction as he replied, “Perhaps that will help keep them from being noticed.”

The captain merely nodded unable to keep his eyes off the transformed magicians. “Nice trick,” he admitted trying to appear unimpressed, but failing to conceal the look in his eyes.

Malaketh gestured towards the outer gate. “If we are done here, may we continue with our pursuit?”

Giving a signal to the guards behind him, the first of three gates opened beginning the maneuvering between them within the twenty foot deep wall.

Cold looking white walls made of stone lined the inside of the wizards’ hospital in Hala. The yellow garbed wizards and their apprentices in white tunics with yellow banding were the main residents walking the halls of the building as Cheleya followed an apprentice in search of Kel’lor. Feeling cold for the first time on the inside, the girl’s nose smelled cleaners and illness on the air.

Even wizard magic couldn’t make some illnesses go away instantly. A wound was simple, though it took time to fully recover after a wizard treated a patient. Healing magic drained both the wizard and the wounded, though to a lesser degree, and wounds needed nature and time to continue to heal. Unfortunately, some illnesses remained beyond the talents of the healers. They could work to solve the diseases with their magic, but there were no guarantees that they could save everyone.

Cheleya feared the magical poisoning of Kel’lor could be something without an answer in Hala. She had never heard of such a thing, nor had those from Staron, though admittedly none of them were healers like those working within the hospital walls.

When Cheleya, followed by Evantus and Colbie, who had chosen to stay near to help keep the dragoness both out of trouble and safe from it in the big city, found Kel’lor; the mar’goyn’lya in human form looked pale. Opening his eyes as the three arrived, Cheleya realized that his senses were working fine at least. They hadn’t announced their entry, but the gargoyle was awake and watching their approached attentively.

“Have they been able to help you?” the girl asked worried that his answer would be negative.

“They have run tests as well as used their magic to try and remove the corruption as they like to call it. So far I think their wizards are stumped. I guess that my time might be limited,” Kel’lor said looking tired. His brown hair was a mess as he sat up in the bed propped up by pillows. While the poison was slowly killing him, the healers were at least trying to keep him comfortable.

Noting pain in his brown eyes, Cheleya asked, “It hurts?”

“It’s not that bad. Admittedly this body seems to notice it more than my other form, but they didn’t recommend changing back since it requires more magic and might simply make things worse.”

Evantus shook his head as he strolled to the foot of the bed, “So every time you used the amulet it helped spread the poison?”

“Apparently so,” admitted the mar’goyn’lya reluctantly. “Using magic at all, whether to light a fire or use an amulet, will increase the flow of poison. If I hadn’t been staying in one form for most of the trip or used more spells, I probably wouldn’t have made it to Hala.”

“Is there anything I can do?” Cheleya asked with concern obvious on her face. Her emerald green eyes seemed muted from her inability to change the situation.

With a grunt of wry humor, Kel’lor said, “Not unless you can find the shrike that attacked me and make it talk. Otherwise I need to get lucky and have someone come with a cure.” His eyes darkened a little as he added, “I’m afraid that I can’t protect you now, little sister.”

Cheleya nodded sadly, but in the pause Evantus puffed up his chest unconsciously and declared, “Don’t worry. We’ll keep her safe.”

Colbie shot an elbow in the mage’s side making him flinch away in pain. “They were trying to have a moment, you idiot.”

Cheleya couldn’t help laughing at her friends’ antics and her smile brought a wane version to the gargoyle’s lips. Kel’lor nodded at the two mages and replied, “And I thank you for helping us. If this isn’t figured out soon, then you may be stuck with her indefinitely.”

Looking worried, the dragoness admitted, “Maybe not. My father is in the city.”

“Your real father or another person you simply care for like a father?” Evan asked in confusion as Colbie rolled her eyes at her friend. “No one sounded an alarm over a full size dragon roaming the city or anything.”

With a shake of her blond head, Cheleya clarified quickly, “No, he is my real father. He is using an amulet like Kel’lor to change his appearance. He and two other che’ther came along with a team led by Malaketh, but separated in Televal to hurry ahead of the rest of them.

“Father didn’t trust Malaketh’s story and managed to convince the other two to join him. They talk to him like he is a master of magic and I witnessed his power over the earth first hand.” Looking meaningfully at Kel’lor, she added, “He knew dragon mage magic and can fly, though he appeared rather rusty at it.”

“I thought your father was a farmer,” the mar’goyn’lya said in confusion.

“Che’ther live long lives. He has always told me that he is a farmer and helps the others to make the valley rich with plants to feed the city and eyries. Apparently he is a master of earth magic also,” the little blond said with a shrug of her green clad shoulders. Waving her arms, the wide sleeves of her blouse looked almost like wings as they fluttered around. “I discovered them last night when I couldn’t sleep. After a little dragon mage fight where he used earth magic against me, we talked long enough for me to tell him what happened. He didn’t trust Malaketh, so I think that I merely confirmed his suspicions.”

Evantus, still looking a bit confused, had to ask, “So your father, another che’ther dragon, brought two other che’ther to help you against the master that tried to kill you in Mar’kal?”

Sighing at the man, Colbie ignored answering him as she pursued different information from the admission, “So did he say how long until this Malaketh might show up here? We still need to find someone to help you with removing the shards so that a second amulet will let you change back.”

Cheleya shook her head as coughing from Kel’lor halted the conversation momentarily and the mar’goyn’lya took over the conversation immediately saying, “You either need to find where the wizards from Mar’kal are staying or where they’ll be for the tournament. We can just hope that someone will know enough about the amulets to help break the curse on you.”

“If you could capture Malaketh and force him to undo the damage when he arrives, then you wouldn’t need to bother,” Evantus mused drawing frowns from the other three.

“He’ll have help who think that she’s the criminal, Evan,” Colbie shook her head at the mage surprised at his narrow view of the situation. “He probably has some form of warrant from Mar’kal, so anyone from Southwall is likely to side with them before hearing Cheleya’s side.”

“Still he has a point,” the dragoness in question stated thoughtfully. “Father and the other che’ther would turn the numbers against Malaketh to nearly even, as long as they haven’t changed their minds. If Kel’lor were well, we’d match up evenly and it would just be up to who has the better magi.”

Evan brightened as he said, “I’m sure Orlerin would let us help you. With the four of us, even with Kel’lor down, we’d have them outnumbered. If three battle mages and an earth wizard can’t replace one gargoyle, then we should retire now.”

Colbie nodded agreement with Evan for once as Kel’lor frowned slightly. The mar’goyn’lya added, “I am sorry that I am a burden to you, Cheleya. If only I hadn’t let that winged assassin catch me, then I could stand with you.”

“If you tried to use your magic now, you might die, Kel’lor, and I couldn’t ask that of anyone,” the blond haired girl declared adamantly as her mind worked on the idea of letting the mages from Staron help her. “I am unsure if you should get anymore involved with this, Evan. If things go wrong, our two countries might go hard on you for interfering.”

Waving off her worries and stopping Cheleya from going on, Evantus replied, “If we had plausible deniability about taking you here, then we can certainly be allowed to defend our friends from attack. This Malaketh knows how to manipulate the system pretty well, but I don’t believe that he’ll give us much warning if he wants you two dead to cover up his story.

“Then there’s the others he leads. If your father questioned your involvement, then if you can get Malaketh to somehow look bad they might turn against him as well.”

Colbie looked at him in surprise. Though Evantus often acted the fool, she forgot that he was actually fairly intelligent. “Well, that is something I hadn’t considered.”

Glancing back to Kel’lor and Cheleya, the woman asked, “Do you think Malaketh will overplay his hand? He obviously tried to kill you once, so it is conceivable that he might try again. I doubt that would sit well with whoever he has with him.”