Tail of the Dragon (8 page)

CHAPTER 21

Dragon Home. On the outside, things had changed. Dragons soared the nearby skies now. Colorful families of the scaly beasts huddled in the peaks. The deep valleys at the bottom of the mountain showed glimmers of the families hunting and frolicking with one another.

Lava flowed in small streams down the mountainside. The caves smoldered and sputtered out smoke.

A pair of blue razor dragons darted by, making friendly squawks. Several heads popped up at Nath’s flying approach. They squawked hellos and welcomes. Fire Bite dragons the size of piglets swarmed the air and blew hot puffs of fire at him.

Nath was elated. In all his days before, he’d never received so much as a welcome, but he was accepted now. He was a friend. A fighter. A champion. He was their king to command them.

“They sure are making a fuss about you,” Selene said as they flew, eyeing two columns of silver dragons that were guiding them toward the great mountain. “I guess they don’t know any better.”

“Funny, Selene. Hah-hah.”

They dropped into the largest mouth of the cave and landed. The massive cave led to a very tall and wide passageway. Gorlee hopped down onto the carved stone path. “It’s an awfully big place, isn’t it?”

“You might want to shift shapes, Gorlee.” Nath’s heart was pounding as he eyed the passages that led to the throne room. “We wouldn’t want to confuse anybody.”

“Good idea,” Gorlee said, “But who should I be?”

“Why don’t you try being yourself for a change?” Nath suggested.

“Seems boring, but why not?” Gorlee made a face. “Uh, Nath, what do I look like?”

***

Nath gazed at the huge chamber doors towering over his frame. He studied the dragon images inlaid in the brass. Selene stood at his side, and Gorlee stood down between his feet. The changeling’s skin was hairless and pinkish, his head bald, and his eyes big green baubles in the sockets. He was odd looking and lanky and wearing a set of loose cotton robes.

Nath raised his paw up and started to knock. “Wait a minute, this is my throne room.” He shoved the door open and gazed upon the heaping piles of gleaming treasure. “After you,” he said to Selene.

Inside, coins jangled and shifted under his feet. The throne room with its high columns didn’t seem as big as it used to. Of course, he’d spent most of his time the size of a man before. At least that was how he had departed it last. He eyed the great throne, a backless chair plenty big enough for him and crafted from the finest metals. He made his approach, head moving side to side. “I guess I’ll have a seat and wait then.”

“Hold it right there,” said a gruff voice. From behind one of the throne’s legs, a stout black-bearded figure stepped out.

“Brenwar!”

“Aye,” said the dwarf. “No need to get all emotional.”

“I’m just glad you’re well,” Nath said, leaning down. “I was worried.”

“Humph.” Brenwar lowered Mortuun to the treasure floor and rested his hands on the butt of the shaft. He stood at attention, eyes forward. He didn’t blink.

Nath looked at Selene and gave a shrug.

Her eyes were fixed on the gigantic mural behind the throne.

The painting always changed. The dragons and clouds in the sky moved in an endless and timeless scene. The changes were slow and subtle. It was like watching a very slow and massive hourglass with the sand draining. It took its time, but eventually it changed.

“So, I guess the waiting part begins. Say, Gorlee. Gorlee?”

The changeling was nowhere to be found.

“Well that’s just great,” Nath said. “He probably has the right idea, though. Wouldn’t surprise me if we stood here for days.” He tapped his claw on the treasure-coated floor. “Or weeks. And just when I was about to close in on my mother.”

“Always be wary. Plans change. Be prepared for the unexpected,” Selene said.

“I suppose.”

I wonder what Father has in store for me now.
He told me it would be fine to chase after Mother. Perhaps I should have completed the mission by now. Of course, I would have if Brenwar didn’t slow me down.

“So, Brenwar, as I understand it, you teleported, but you won’t fly? Didn’t you use the old ‘Dwarves don’t teleport’ line on Gorlee?”

Brenwar didn’t move.

Oh great. He’s assumed the position. Guzan, I’m liable to be standing here for weeks.

Nath gazed around the treasure room. There was nothing worse than waiting, even though he was a dragon and extremely patient. But this was different. He was waiting on his father—again—and he couldn’t help but feel like he was in trouble. Still, he was looking forward to seeing his father again. He realized he might not see him again for a long time. It did his heart well.

But for Balzurth to come back, there had to be trouble.

Oh, I’ll just give him a hug. Certainly he’ll be as happy to see me as I am to see him.

Selene’s tail swished into his. “I’m not sure I like this. Her eye grazed the vaulted ceiling tops. “Reminds me of my days with Gorn—”

“Let’s not utter his name here,” Nath interjected. “He shouldn’t ever be mentioned in these hallowed halls.”

“Noted,” she said. “Let’s just pray this has nothing to do with him or his ilk.”

“I’m certain his existence is entirely wiped out,” Nath said, with a sneer. “I felt it myself.” He locked his eyes on Selene’s. “You haven’t sensed him again, have you?”

Flatly, she said, “No. But evil is so hard to destroy.”

“As if we didn’t already have enough of a problem with the wurmers.”

The mural warbled, and a massive dragon stepped through. Balzurth came. The great horns on his head seemed to stretch to the top of the ceiling. The great muscles underneath his deep-red scales, flecked with gold, appeared more powerful than ever. His voice had as much thunder as it ever had. The room quavered, and the piles of coins shifted when he spoke.

“Welcome home, Son.”

Nath pulled his wings back. “It’s good to be home, Father.” He stood eye to eye with Balzurth and butted horns with him. “You look as grand as ever.”

“And you are quite the specimen of a great dragon yourself.” Balzurth turned away and faced the other dragon in the room. “Hello, Selene. How are you?”

“Quite well, King Balzurth.”

Balzurth’s golden eyes examined her black-scaled body. “I sense that is not entirely true.”

“What do you mean, Father?” Nath asked with surprise. “Selene is just as spirited as ever.”

“No, no she isn’t, Son. That’s one of the reasons I brought you here.”

“It is? Why, what is wrong?”

With a sad look in his eyes, Balzurth said to Nath, “Your friend Selene is dying.”

CHAPTER 22

“Dying?” Nath said. He swatted her gently with his tail. “I’ve never seen her better. You’re fine, Selene. Tell him.”

She looked up at Nath with weak eyes and shook her head. “No, I’m not. My time in this world has run its course.” She turned and faced Balzurth. “How did you know?”

“I’ve always known. It’s what Gorn does. If he goes, all of his closest acolytes go with him. It’s in their bloodstream.” Balzurth stretched his tail out and brushed it over her cheek. “You’ve been living on borrowed time, and now your time has come.”

Nath’s heart sank in his chest. “What? No. This cannot be. What are you talking about, Father?”

“Selene is a dragon the same as most, but more gifted, born black. Gorn found her at birth and took her under his wing.” Balzurth cleared his throat. “He cursed her blood and blended it with his. She can’t live in this world without him.”

“I thought Gorn was a spirit.”

“He was, but all evil spirits can taint things.” Balzurth stepped around the throne and put his wing over Selene.

Tears dripped from her eyes.

Nath’s eyes started to water. “What are you going to do?”

Balzurth then said to his son, “She’s made the right choice: good over evil. She’s one of us, and I’m taking her with me where she can live well—beyond the mural.”

Nath was numb. Despite their battles, he’d become as close with Selene as anyone. Now she was going to be gone! He probably wouldn’t be able to see her again for at least a thousand years. He turned and faced her. “Is this what you want?”

“This is the only choice I have.” She shrugged. “But it’s hardly a bad thing. It’s just happening so suddenly. Quite frankly, I’m not ready. I feel my work here on Nalzambor isn’t finished. That’s why I’ve been working so hard to eradicate those wurmers. I’m partially responsible for that mess, and I knew I needed to clean it up. Now, it’s going to be a burden for you and the rest of the world to deal with.”

“Does she have to go right now, Father?”

“We need to be prudent about it, Son. I sense the poison could strike her heart at any moment. Can’t you sense it as well?”

Nath shut his eyes. His heightened senses reached out. Selene’s heart fought for every beat. She was strong, but the fight in her was weakening. There was a deep sadness in her, too. “Can we not heal her?” Nath suggested. “Perhaps the Ocular of Orray can help? It removes curses.”

Selene brushed his cheek with her tail. “It’s been tried. It worked for a time, but that time is up. Nath, don’t be so sad. Without you, I never would have made it this far. I’d have been dead with no hope of life beyond the mural.”

Nath stomped his paw. “Why didn’t anyone tell me this until now? We could have been searching for a solution.”

“Nath, you have to live your life and I have to live mine,” Selene said. “Just let it be.”

“Come now, Selene,” Balzurth said. “We must go now. A new life will begin beyond the mural.”

“Can’t she leave, be cured, and come back?” Nath said to Balzurth.

“Only I can leave and come back, Son. And it’s quite taxing to do so. Now, say your goodbyes so you can resume your quest.”

Nath clasped Selene’s claws in his. “We can beat this, Selene. There must be a way.”

“This is my choice, not yours,” she said. “And I fear I’ve done much more harm than good in this world.” A giant teardrop dripped from her eye and splashed on the treasure. “Will you rid Nalzambor of the wurmers for me?”

“No!” Nath retorted. “You need to do that yourself. But I will help you.” He turned on Balzurth. “Father, you’ve told me countless times that there is always a way to solve anything in this world. So tell me how to solve this. Please. What can I do to help my friend?”

Balzurth’s voice darkened. “Don’t ask questions you don’t want the answers to.”

“So there is a way?”

“One that comes at too great a price,” Balzurth said.

“No price is too great, Father. I’d give my life for hers.”

“Nath!” Selene said, gasping.

“Oh, don’t be so dramatic, Son.” Balzurth rolled his eyes. He leaned over and poked Nath in the chest. He ran his paws over Nath’s horns. “You are as fine a dragon as there ever was, Son. Are you willing to give that up?”

“What do you mean?” Nath asked.

“Oh, you say you’ll give up your life, but let’s qualify that. Will you give up your life as a dragon?”

Nath swallowed. “I can’t stop being a dragon, can I?”

“You’ll always have a dragon’s blood, as you did before you changed. But what if you gave up all of your other powers? The gift of flight. Your iron hide. Your humongous girth and awesome power. Hmmm?” Balzurth poked him again. “Can you give all of that up? Not to mention the crown of the dragon kingdom?”

Nath shrank inside his scales. “I can’t give that up. I’m the Dragon King now.”

“A Dragon King that has only spent minutes on the throne,” Balzurth said. “You know, I was seven hundred and fifty-some years old before I assumed the throne from your grandfather, and it took another five hundred years to get used to it.”

“But, it’s my destiny to be king, is it not?” Nath said.

“Oh, destiny can wait. In the meantime,” Balzurth said, taking a seat on the throne. “I can keep an eye on things.”

“Nath, you can’t do this. Not for me. I’m not worth it,” Selene said, stroking his cheek with the back of her paw. “You love all of your dragon powers. It wouldn’t be right for me to be restored and you to be the lesser of what you were before.”

“You don’t want to leave, Selene. I can feel it. And I don’t want you to leave, either. Deep down inside, we both know we aren’t to be separated.”

“But it wouldn’t be fair for me to have my powers and you to not have yours.”

“Ahem,” Balzurth interrupted. “Oh, but you would pay just as big a price as he, Selene. You both would be affected. You both have to want this. There is no other way.”

“So, we’ll be made human again?” Nath said to his father.

“I can’t say exactly how it will work out. All I can say is that your powers will be severely limited. Notably so.”

“Does this mean I can never be king?”

“You’re a king already, Son. Always have been. Always will be. But, if you do this, you’ll have to assume the title of Dragon Prince again. At least for now. And that won’t be easy.”

Nath looked down at Brenwar. The dwarf’s eyes glanced up at him and quickly looked away. His friend seemed so tiny. Vulnerable. Nath didn’t want to feel that way again: mortal.

“Now’s not my time, is it, Father.”

Balzurth sat there, deep in thought. His thinking lasted for days.

Nath and Selene stayed right there with him, figuring it was a good thing Brenwar had frozen, or the dwarf might have become bored.

At long last, the old Dragon King made his pronouncement.

“As a man, Nath, you defeated Gorn Grattack and ended the Great Dragon War, but I think Nalzambor still needs you, as a man. And the world needs Selene, too. And … you two need each other, I believe.”

Nath’s eyes found Selene’s. “As I understand it, life is awfully nice beyond the mural.”

“And life as a king can be just as delightful,” she replied. “I wouldn’t give it up for the likes of me.”

“Well,” Nath smiled and stared deep into her eyes, “then it’s a good thing that you aren’t king. Father, I’m ready.”

Balzurth nodded. “What about you, Selene?”

“Can two bad decisions produce something good? I guess there’s only one way to find out. I’m ready.”

Balzurth leaned forward. “So be it. Now, clasp hands, close your eyes, and repeat after me.”