The Dragon Savior of Tone: World of Tone: Book 2 (13 page)

“Good, but there is one thing I want the dragon groups to do. I need an entire group of twenty-five to fly in a straight line and flame at the same time.”

“That shouldn't be too difficult, but why do you need them to do this?” Dawra asked.

“When we fight, I will need them to fly in waves of straight lines and fire the ground. We can use waves of fire to deal with those on the other side of the mountains.”

“I understand. We will begin to train within the next few sun-risings,” Dawra replied.

“Good. Now, may I ask if you have contacted the land nymphs?” Terra questioned, looking at the Old Sinut.

“Yes, I talked to my friend. He says they are ready to fight,” the Old Sinut said, as he adjusted his body on the rock he was sitting on.

“How many will they have to fight?” Terra asked.

“Twenty-one thousand and they are fully trained. I don't know how you plan to get to them. I know the dragons can fly, but if the humans join in it will be impossible to get them to the land nymphs' valley.”

“Yes, I know. I think the humans will have to join the fight at the area where the Solans caused the great landslides.”

“So you plan to only use land nymphs and dragons for the first fight,” the Old Sinut said.

“Yes,” Terra replied slowly as his mind began to construct an image of the first fight.

“How will we get the humans into the fight?” the Sea Nymph King asked.

“First, I have to get them to agree to join us and then discuss the options with the humans.”

“Do you think they will join?” the Old Sinut inquired.

“Some will. The question is, how many. We need to start moving supplies to the valley of the land nymphs. How is the swimmers collecting going?” Terra asked the Old Sinut.

“Very good. We already have a thousand dragon weights of swimmers smoked and packed. We also have fifteen hundred harnesses made.”

“Good. Hectise and Dawra, we need the dragons to practice with the harnesses.”

“Of course,” Dawra answered.

“I need to meet with the humans in six sun-risings. I wish to take Fienna. I need to make sure Cardana is safe. I have found out about a mountain called Lampo near the sea nymphs' underwater village. It has a cave inside that will be perfect for her protection. I need the sea nymphs to help.”

“I know of Lampo, but there is no entrance to a cave,” the Old Sinut said.

“I will show you where the entrance is,” Terra replied.

“I will personally guarantee her safety. No one will harm her when she is in our care,” the king announced.

“I plan to take Fienna and Faray on a short trip in two sun-rising. Upon the next sun-rising, I would like to go to Lampo. Sinut, can you and Setilan come at high sun?”

“Yes, we will be here.”

“One final thing, these plans are just a start—they will change as time goes on. Thank you all for coming.” Terra told all present.

Dawra, Hectise, and the Old Sinut left to start their various tasks. Terra and his family went to the small back cave for some privacy.

Chapter 19 - Humans Start a Journey Home

(Returning home can be a long and arduous journey.)

-The Time of the Draman -

Naron stood in the large cave alone. He walked to the elevated shelf in the front of the cave. Soon, eighteen of his sub-commanders would be arriving. Only Rubbo and Carlik would be missing. They had orders to take the Village of Southlake, for the man that had appointed himself king had drowned. His floater had sunk, as expected, during the attempted attack on Solana.

Naron knew the news of the Draman, and that the pending fight would cause some joy, but also fear. He had made his decision, and they would fight with the Draman. He had been planning how to bring the Guards together for the upcoming challenge. It wasn’t long until the cave was full and Naron stepped onto the shelf with his staff.

“Let's quiet down, we have much to talk about. I have called you together to tell you that the time has come to cross the Barrier Mountains. It is time to take back the land that was once ours. The Draman has come!”

The room went dead still. It had been hundreds of set of seasons since the humans had come to the coastal valleys. It was hard to believe that it was finally time to take back that which had been taken from them.

“How do you know this?” Teliko asked. Teliko was a man that was both a coward and corrupt. Naron had planned to replace him soon, but wanted to wait for the next growing season to end. Teliko had appointed his sister and brother, as well as his brother-in-law, as his lieutenants. They were all using their positions to extort money from the people they were assigned to help and protect. He had known about their activities for two sets of seasons. It took Naron a bit of time to get his spies in place to find out what was truly happening and who was involved. The possibility of breaching the mountains and the great fight had forced him to deal with the problem now. So he had Teliko bring his lieutenants with him to the meeting. They were being arrested as he was speaking. Teliko would be taken after the meeting. He had picked his replacement, who was waiting in the adjoining cave where he could hear what Naron was saying.

“That is a fair question. As you all know, the legend of the Draman has been with us from the time we came to the coastal valleys. We all thought it would be a woman, and the term Draman was not understood. I believe I now know what the term means. Rammy will tell you of the man she brought to see me,” Naron said, as he stood before them with the staff he normally used to support himself. Rammy came to the shelf and stood next to her father. She then told all those in the room of the man and how she came to bring him to her father.

“This man told us that he planned to breach the mountains and deal with the dark one. He said Tone is dying and all of Tone's children should come to its aid. He was going to fight for Tone's existence with or without our help. I have decided we will provide all we have. For we all know that Tone is dying! We all have seen the planters struggle more each year to grow enough to feed us all. The wild running beasts have decreased in size and numbers. This may be the last chance for all who live on Tone,” Naron stated. He did not tell them that since the healing he somehow knew this man was the future of Tone.

“What convinced you that he is the Draman?” Telico asked.

Naron tossed the staff aside and bent down with both his knees, then stood up without help or pain.

“I know because he healed my leg. Then this man stripped and turned toward us. Embedded in his chest was the amulet of Tycarr. Eight of the stones were lit; only the ninth was still dark. He told us he would return in seven sun-risings and stepped off my viewing ledge. When we looked to the waterfall's base, a great white dragon rose out of the mist. The dragon flew up to the ledge and hovered before me. With the voice of the man that had just healed me, the dragon said again that he would return. Upon the dragon's chest was the same amulet with the same stones lit. He is the Draman- a man and a dragon,” Naron said.

“Then it is truly time for the world to change?” one of the people in the back asked.

“Yes. He will be back soon and we need to start our planning. It's time to open the tunnels and prepare our weapons and food supplies. I have written instructions for each of you.”

“We heard the floaters have left the two villages. Is there any news of them?” asked Kinen, the sub-commander over Solana.

“I had a floater follow them and as they started their fight upon the lake, our modifications caused the boats to sink. Luckily, the so-called king of Southlake was one of those who died. The three sisters, unfortunately, still exist,” Naron said.

“What of Southlake?” Kinen asked.

“Rubbo and Carlik are taking the village as we speak.”

“And Solana?” Nolla questioned.

“We will take it after Southlake is under our control. I hope the Draman will assist us with the sisters.”

“Do you think he will help?” Nolla asked.

“I hope so. We have much to do and little time to do it. Rammy has your instructions, let's get started. Telico, could you come with me?”

Naron and Telico walked into the adjoining cave where two large guards took Telico and tied his hands.

“What is this, what are you doing?!” Telico yelled.

“I know of your corruption and that of your family. You will be judged and, if found corrupt, you will pay the price. Take him to the confinement caves,” Naron said, as he shook his head in disappointment.

“Zim, you will take Telico's place. Please see Rammy, she will give you the written instructions on the preparation for the fight that is about to come. She will also give you a list of people who were involved in Telico's corruption. I'm sorry that you will have to deal with them. I will deal with Telico and his lieutenants,” Naron said in a troubled tone.

“Thank you for your trust in me. I assure you, I will deal with the corruption. My area will be ready for the fight,” Zim said as he offered his hand. Naron took his hand and shook it, giving him a small smile.

Chapter 20 - A New Life for Faray

(Leaving home for the first time is both frightening and exciting.)

- The Time of the Draman -

Terra walked out of the back cave where he and Fienna slept. He found his mother and sister sitting with Sifar. He needed to discuss with them the possibility of Faray coming with him to see the final living Solan. Terra did not want to upset Sifar, who had attached himself to the two women. The first time Terra had met him, he was full of energy and a constant stream of questions. He was friendly and incredibly curious about the huge man. Terra found him both amusing and helpful. The young one now said nothing and would never be out of the sight of at least one of the women.

Terra walked up to Sifar as he pulled back into Reicka’s side. He reached toward him and Sifar cringed in fear.

“Sifar, he only wants to be your friend. Don't be afraid.” Reicka took one of his hands and held it out towards Terra. Terra touched him lightly. He could sense his terror and pain. Terra reached into Sifar's mind and calmed him. He gave him a feeling of security and love. He did what he could to heal the young one's mind. Terra had never healed a mind in such turmoil, and hoped he had done the proper thing. Sifar's mind became calm; he fell into a deep sleep. Since the killing of all those he knew, he had not slept for more than a few moments without terrible dreams awakening him. Now Terra could talk to his mother and sister.

“What did you do for him?” Reicka asked her son.

“I did my best to heal his mind. I hope I reduce the terror he seemed to be drowning in, but he will always have the pain. I can't fix the loss of his family. I remember when I came to the dragons; I never forgot my loss of you and father. It just became less and less painful over the seasons.” Terra said, as his mother hugged him with tears in her eyes.”

“What you did must have helped. This is the first time he has slept so calmly,” Faray said.

“I hope so. I wanted to talk to the two of you. I plan to visit the last of the Solans. I was wondering if Faray would like to come,” Terra asked, as Faray looked to her mother.

“I would like to talk to her. Mother, what do you think?”

“I think we should both go. I would like to see you learn more magic. I never had the chance to explore my power. I would like you to be able to do what I could not,” Reicka said.

“We will leave at first light.”

That sunset, Reicka talked to Sifar about them leaving him alone for just one sun-rising. She introduced him to Setilan and they slowly came to know each other. He seemed to bond with her, especially when she changed her legs into fins. Sifar said he would stay with Setilan if it were only for one sun-rising. He seemed to be calmer than at any time since the tragedy.

At sun-rising, Terra turned into his dragon form. Fienna left Cardana with Setilan and a sea nymph who offered to feed her child. After kissing Cardana, Fienna then walked to Terra's side. She had Terra's sister and mother straddle his neck ridge while she sat behind them. Terra lifted his great wings, and with one powerful downward thrust, his great body lifted off the ground. A second thrust drove him to the rim of the crevice. Four guard dragons took off and followed the great white dragon toward the caves, where the Solan lived. They arrived at the caves just before high sun. The four guard dragons landed on various ridges overlooking the caves. Terra landed in front of one of the larger cave entrances, where a very old human female stood. After dismounting his passengers, he turned back to his human form. He put on the clothing Fienna had brought for him. They walked to the last remaining Solan.

As they walked toward her, she could feel the power emanating from this man. She adjusted her eyes and saw the glow of massive magical power surrounding him. His mate, sister, and mother also had power about them, but much less. However, they still had impressive magic—possibly equal to her own.

“You invited me to talk. I believe you wanted to talk to my sister?” Terra said to the Solan.