Outcast (The Blue Dragon's Geas) (10 page)

Alador looked to his brother, slightly disconcerted by this tale. He had mixed feelings. His father was of a race that had betrayed the dragons. The Daezun held most of magical skill in disdain. He had always wanted to be like his father but now, did he want to walk with those that were traitors to a task given to them by the gods themselves?
 He swirled his finger in the water as he realized that Dorien was not speaking. He looked at him considering his questions when they had first entered the pool. Alador had been different since he had held that stone. Had he stolen magic from a dragon?  “What was that?"  He finally asked softly.

“When the last dragon falls, when the last bloodstone is harvested, magic will die. Dragons
are
the source of magic. Magic is harvested from their pain and death."  Dorien spat out the essential point.

Alador panicked. He had sold them a great sized stone. It must have held great power. “Then why do we sell Lerdenia bloodstones?
 Why do the Daezun not protect the bloodstones and hide them from the mages?"  Alador asked with alarm.

“We only mine stones of fallen dragons. We do not shoot them and let them decay into the ground to form the stones. That is the way of Lerdenia. By supplying Lerdenia with stones, there are less dragon hunters to harm those that still dwell in the world."
 Dorien pointed out. “In exchange, we stand ready to protect the dragons. It is why there was so much shock today."  Dorien paused. His face held confusion and concern. “It would seem the dragons are slowly forgetting their oath and the people that have always revered them for what they are, representatives of the gods themselves. There will be many people today wondering if they have angered the gods, and whether this was retribution.”

This connected many things for Alador. He understood the mining better. He understood the distaste of the people for Lerdenia. He had thought it a result of the war, but it seemed
that the blood that lay between the two people was that of dragons. He heart wrenched as he thought of the many that had died today. If the Daezun had always protected the dragons, why had the red dragon betrayed that pact?  Had he found it easier to shoot that dragon not because he was protecting the people but instead that the blood of his father longed to take what was not his to claim?  A swelling of emotion clutched at his throat. Dragons were noble creatures. How could someone slay the dragons so selfishly?  He said nothing as Dorien placed more Meraweed upon the fire.  As the sweet scent swept over him, he laid back in the hot water lost in his thoughts.

He could see now why his brother had cautioned that if he came into his magic that he must keep it hidden. He was already seen as different. If he came into his power, then he would have to leave. Was his ability to shoot this power?
 Had this pool heating and the fact he had not burned, were they signs of this power?  He must have dozed although he still felt awake as he was pulled into the world of the dragon once more.

Renamaum stood on the hill watching below. His father had ordered him to stay out of the conflict. The fate of magic lay in the hands of the mortals below. Some dragons did not listen. Some had fought by the side of those that honored the trusts of the dragons. It had been a risky and dangerous ploy. While the support of a fighting dragon was a great boon to those below, if a dragon fell than the enemy close by was quick to slice them open and bleed them onto as many mages as could move close. This strengthened those that fought. The battle was bloody. He could smell the blood on the wind. So sickening sweet was the blood of the mortal. It did not have the fresh flavor of the sea creatures that he preferred to hunt.

His father had called for the dragons to disperse. He had urged them to leave the isle they had always called home. There were many lands and many caves abroad. The fate of the dragons would be secured if they did not stay on the isle. His family was not leaving. His father had sworn he would continue to protect the mortals that fought for them as best he could. He had taught Renamaum the words of the creators. He had taught him the gifting of magic for one day the young blue dragon would guide the flight. Renamaum still did not see how they were protecting by refusing to fight. It was a lesson he had not yet learned. The dragon roared in frustration. There was only one thing he was certain of, you could not protect if you did nothing!

Alador started awake. His gasp of surprise bringing a look of concern from Dorien.

“You all right?”

Alador nodded. He was not willing to share the dreams with anyone. They seemed, important and he felt a need to keep them secret. He glanced at his brother who was still relaxing in the seat. Although, at the moment, he was watching Alador.

“Good, can’t have you falling ill tonight."  Dorien winked at him.

Dorien's words brought back the fact that they were in the hut to prepare for the ritual. He realized they had not yet discussed it. He suddenly felt a bit queasy. “What will happen in the ritual?"
 He asked, looking at his brother.

There was a very long pause as Dorien gathered his thoughts. “Even as we bathe, the women are readying the ritual hut. When we are done here, I will take you there. A chosen elder will join you and bring you to manhood."
 Dorien answered. “Then you will take the duties of an adult and can even start to build a home if you want for a future housemate. You have the slips so will not have to work as I am to ready such a home."  There was a tinge of envy in Dorien’s voice.

Alador missed it for in that moment he had been imagining Luciesa, a very aged elder. He groaned again at the idea of an elder joining him at all, let alone in the manner of glimpses he had stolen from the inner circle. “Why does it have to be an elder?"
 He wrinkled his nose in distaste.

Dorien laughed. “I remember feeling the same way."
 Dorien splashed his brother fondly, and his eyes danced with merriment. “I assure you, tomorrow you will not be complaining, brother."  He splashed his brother playfully once more. “Right now you are the envy of every middlin. Enjoy it!"  Dorien leaned over and added a bit more meraweed. “Obviously you need a bit more than most."  He teased the younger man with a wide toothy smile.

Alador smiled for the meraweed did indeed lull away many concerns and, even with his worries and confusion, he could feel his body slowly relaxing. He tipped his head back enjoying the steam and the gentle movement of the water. His brother was silent, letting Alador relax. He closed his eyes and let the sleepy haze wash over him. Meraweed had the potential to sap one's very fears away. He decided to just let it work. With his eyes closed, the heavy vapor and the warm water swirling over his body, he slowly fell asleep.

“I tell you Pruatra, Keensight is power hungry and a fool."
 Renamaum snarled. He watched his mate closely as she stirred the water the three eggs were bathed in. Their steaming movements rocking the eggs gently. Her talon shimmered with magic as she heated the water about them.

He could not help but soften as he watched her. She was so careful and gentle with their eggs. He eyed them with loving regard. His fledglings would not become power for the mortals. He would not let them be sacrificed to the greed of Lerdenians.

As mortals drained the magics of the dragon race, it was slowly draining the magics of the world around him. He could feel the loss of each dragon soul. The carnage had slowed since the dragons had spread their wings beyond the Great Isle. When the last dragon drew its breath, the mortals would lose their own ability to touch the power of the great pool. All dragons knew how to reach this hidden place. They knew how renew the magics they were imbued with from birth. It could only be reached by flight.

It was the dragons that were able to drink from the pools of magic and spread its blessings about Vesta. Keensight focused on the betrayal of mortals to the ancient pact. Created by Krona, his was the way of death and destruction. His red scales a gleaming reminder of the embers that burned within him.

Renamaum remembered the people that had stood between his own father and the great mage who had stolen power from an alpha of the Black Flight. Renamaum wanted to bring back the time of alliance having an affinity for the desperate passions of the mortal races. In doing so, he would protect the future generations of dragons. He eyed the eggs. Each year there were fewer new dragons.

Pruatra looked at her mate. It had taken her some time to respond. Like her mate, she was blue in scale and power.
Unlike him, her body was lithe and snake like. A trait from her father whose purple and black scales had appealed to her mother. Her voice, a sultry purr that mirrored the way her tail slightly flicked back and forth had ripped him from his thoughts of the past and what was to come. “Perhaps Keensight has the way of it. Maybe we need to rid ourselves of this mortal race and keep our children truly protected."  Her tone became calculating and held an edge of judgment as she spoke.

Renamaum stared at her in disbelief. His deep throaty tones took on an edge of a growl. “Pruatra, surely not you as well?
 Without the mortal races, what is to keep us from reverting back to the beasts they believe us to be?  They create items of great beauty. They sing songs of passion and sorrow. These are things I would have my fledglings see.”

Pruatra looked over to the mound of gold and gems interwoven with sea grass that made their bed. She loved such things. Renamaum knew how much she loved her treasures. These things would be lost to them if the mortals fell. There would be no new sunken ships to raid for treasures lost to the mortals. He watched the battle within her, apparent by the difference in the flickering of her tail. No longer did it dance for him but rather flipped back in forth in agitation. He could tell a lot by her tail. He smiled as she growled in frustration for it meant she would concede his point.

“All right, go to the council and know you speak for me and our fledglings. But know this, if any mortal touches an egg of mine or the fledgling of our mating, I will kill a thousand fold for retribution of what was lost."  Her growl filled the cavern to emphasize her point. Her tail moved about in the water to swirl protectively about the three eggs that rocked from the movement of the water.

Renamaum knew better than to push his mate. He also knew she meant every word she had just uttered. She did not hold the mortals in favor in any way. Not even those that refused to steal from the dragon race's blood. He turned his bulk and slipped into the water that hid the entrance of their cave. He had to convince the rest of the gathering that there was another way. A war on mortals did not need to be declared. He had to save not only his fledglings, but the magic of all mortal fledglings to come.

“Alador, come on lad, wake up! It is time."
 The feel of something lightly tapping his arm brought Alador jumping up and looking about in a bit of a panic. He searched for dragons in the steaming water.

“Easy lad, you fell asleep."
 Dorien put out two hands in a non-threatening gesture. His usual warm smile was on his face, and he clearly looked amused at Alador’s reaction.

Alador was breathing heavy as he looked about. He gradually came to some sense, but the meraweed was heavy in the air and his reactions were slow. The room cast in the steaming of the bath was much like the water that had moved between the two dragons. His brother standing there looking slightly amused helped to bring him back to
reality. He slowly nodded to Dorien to indicate he was aware of where he was.

His brother crawled out and wrapped a towel about his waist then held out a towel for Alador. “
It is heating up again.  I don’t want to get burned so let’s not take any chances. Besides, I believe we have been in here long enough."  Dorien frowned down at the pool. “I will see if there is something that can be done to divert the heat if this is going to continue.”

Alador swiftly crawled out and began to towel off. Dorien eyed his brother and then smiled slightly. “Maman brought the ceremonial clothing."
 Dorien nodded to a small pile on a nearby stool.

Alador looked horrified. They had not been here when he had fallen off so his mother must have brought him when he was sleeping. He suddenly was glad for the steamy haze. Even if it was his mother, he had been naked. Alador toweled off and reached for the pants. He looked at them in shock as he held them up. “Th…these can almost be seen through?"
 He stammered out in alarm. The white linen was thin and soft but definitely somewhat transparent.

Dorien laughed. “You are not going to the mine, brother. Come on, get dressed. The robe will cover up a bit more. I find it hard to believe you are so shy about this. It is not like you have not been seated on the circle. I know you have to have stolen a glance."
 Dorien’s face was lit with the amusement his tone of voice carried. “You would think you were some shy village maiden."  Dorien punched him in the arm. “While I bet you have stolen a kiss or two.”

Alador winced for his brother’s loving taps were rarely as light as Dorien believed. “I have not."
 He defended quickly. “Mesiande would have punched me.”

Alador pulled on the lightweight pants as his brother still laughing, also began to dress. He picked up the robe. His brother was right, the robe was slightly heavier and was also white. White was an unusual color and only worn for special events. Few Daezun owned their own whites, and so the clothes were often shared. The bleaching process took time so as not to damage the fabric. Most clothes were dyed to darker shades or where the natural cream color of the original cloth.