Dragons of Egusta

Night is falling. Mushrooms began to light up, illuminating the sleeping child's face. Reeds rustle and two turquoise eyes pear at the child from the dark shadows. Wings pressed tight against her body, she sniffs the air. Nothing. Just the child and an old scent of wool and smoke that clung to the baby's clothes.

She eases forwards and sniffs at the child, waking him. He stares up at the dragon and extends his hands and grabs her snout. As his hands made contact with her blue scales, his soft brown eyes harden and swim with color, coming to a rest with turquoise. He laughs and the dragon is filled with pleasure. She can feel the magic pulsing through his veins. He will be hers. She gently bites the loose cloth and sneaks back into the reeds, heading home with her new prize.

The surface. What a puzzling place. Light and water poured forth from the opening far above, illuminating the caves below in wavering blue light. Away from the rough dragon hatchlings, Ethan was safe up on his ledge leaning back on a mushroom. Although wet, the rocks provided an excellent place to hide from Darknail and his gang. Ethan stared up at the opening wishing he could fly up there, but he hadn’t quite masted that yet. He sighed and looked over to the ledge where he and Rainam called home.

Foolish. Naive. Disgrace.

Rainam indured their ridicule. Why keep a scrawny abandoned two leg when you could find a mate and have your own hatchling?

But Rainam couldn’t have a hatchling. She had never laid an egg in her life. Ethan felt sorry for her but at the same time he was glad she didn’t. What would have happened to him?

“I’m going to the surface tomorrow.” Muttered Ethan and he climbed down from his ledge. He could use magic to help him out. He had been investigating the rocks and ledges and if he cast a gripping spell, a water resistant spell and then a spell for endurance he could make it up. He was sure of it.

What he needed to do was make sure Rainam wasn’t around to snatch him off the rocks half way up. She strode back home taking a slightly longer route when he saw Darknail napping on the path. "Arrogant fool." Thought Ethan as he climbed up into his nest.

It wasn’t too bad with Rainam keeping it warm but Ethan felt as though something was missing. He was almost 17 and that meant he would have to compete in the hatchling trials next week. All the more reason to head to the surface. Darknail would kill him and he was sure of that.

The next day Ethan stood next to the waterfall. He stood still, hands outstretched his eyes closed. Muttering a few phrases his hands glowed the color of his eyes. He then started to climb. Using the waterfall to hide his assent.

He was almost at the top when he heard Rainam cry out from her nest. He closed his eyes and let the magic get stronger. His chest swelled and his arms renewed their strength. He sprinted the last few feet. He grabbed hold of a tree root and dragged himself up and over the edge, almost falling as loose dirt gave way underneath him. He gritted his teeth and rolled onto the grass.

The sky was so big. Trees twisted into decorative designs sung into shape by long forgotten people grew around the cave opening. Ethan took a deep breath and stood up. Rainam would know where he went. He started off into the woods staring at the trees. Some resembled the faces of their creators. Others seemed to glow from within. Ethan picked up the pace when he heard Rainams voice.

“He can’t have gone far. He is only a two leg.”

He kept walking every once and a while pausing to cast another endurance spell. He couldn’t go on much longer he thought but at least he couldn’t hear the dragons anymore. Would they be following his scent?

He stopped in his tracks and spreading his arms he let the magic grow strong than he directed it how he wanted. “Help me hide from them.”

A transparent shield emerged from his hands and surrounded him. He kept walking, keeping his arms outstretched. He wandered around hoping to throw off their idea of where he was going before he cast the spell. The trees began to thin and Ethan let his magic fade, the shield disappearing. Through the trees Ethan could see people. People who looked like him! He took a step forward and then hesitated. How should he interact with them? Shrugging and thinking it wouldn’t hurt to try, he stepped out of the trees and approached the village. People were dashing about and screams sounded from the other side of the village. What was going on? Ethan sprinted around and froze. Three giants made from rock were crashing to the village stomping people underfoot.

Ethan began to feel his blood boil and he sprinted forward. He ducked out of the way of fleeing men and planted himself between the rock men and the village. Letting the anger fuel his magic he extended a hand. The rock men stopped and stared at him. Rain started to pour from the heavens onto the rock men. They laughed and one of them swung his club into the side of a house. Ethan shaking, then commanded the air around them to freeze. The water that seemed into the rock men joints froze, swelling. Ethan with a sharp word commanded the ice to grow. The rock men tried to get away but the ice kept enveloping them. Finally with one last word from Ethan they crumbled and fell to the ground. Ethan turned smiling at the villagers. They stood gaping at the crumbled rock. Once the shock disintegrated a little they took a few steps towards Ethan, their weapons raised.

“Woah, wait a minute. I just saved your town!” Said Ethan and took a step back.

“Wizard.” Spat one of the men, his knuckles white as he gripped his spear. “You will do nothing but curse this town.”

Ethan raised his hands and the men jumped away and then sprinted over to him. Fear coursing through his veins a shield appeared just as the first man let his ax fall. It bounced back with a frenzy of sparks. Ethan backed away and ran back into the woods. Maybe it was better to be back with the dragons. Ethan started back but as the sun began to fall did he realize that he didn’t quite know where home was. He cast numerous spells each one more desperate than the last but all it did was lead him to a mound of rubble. He sat down next to it, his heart sinking. Why did they block the entrance? Why was it filled in?

Dawn peaks over the trees to see Ethan huddled underneath a tree. Nothing he did would let the mound move. An elder probably ordered it there. Ethan stood up. He knew where another entrance was. It was in the Fury mountains.

Purpose giving him new energy he climbed the tree he had slept under.

The Fury mountains were so much bigger than Rainam had said. They seemed to cut into the sky itself. And by the wings of Daemeek was this place big.

He climbed down and headed in the direction of the mountains.

A few days later Ethan saw a clearing up ahead. What if there are people there? Maybe they would have food. And this time he knew that he shouldn’t use magic. But he was shunned by the people there too. And at the next village. Ethan wandered around the outside of the villages wondering why no one would let him in. When he caught sight of an old farmer leading a donkey loaded with branches.

“Hey sir?” Asked Ethan trotting over to him. The farmer turned and jumped when he saw his face.

“You are a magic user no?” He said, gripping the reins of his donkey tight.

“Um. No.”

“Don’t lie to me boy.” The old man's voice shook slightly. “You have an unnatural look about you.”

The old man kept walking, looking back over his shoulder at Ethan. Ethan clenched his fists in frustration.

Ethan kept walking towards the mountains keeping an eye out for anything that looked familiar that he could eat. Magic could only do so much. A long winding patch of bare dirt snaked its way in the direction he wanted to go so he followed it. Walking was easier and besides he got to randomly see people and practice copying their ways of speech. As he walked down the road he heard shouts. He froze and looked into the trees. A man and woman were fighting back to back against five men with masks over their noses and mouths. Ethan hesitated than darted forwards,

“Stop!” He shouted at the bandits and they just laughed and a few of them approached him, their weapons raised.

“Got any money, hero?”

Ethan stood still and calmed his breath focusing on the magic that flowed from the earth.

“Ha!” Said the leader of the bandits. “Doing some meditation now huh? What are you, a monk?” They laughed and steadily kept getting closer. The woman screamed as one of the bandits grabbed hold of her arm.

Now. Ethan could feel the tree's energy and then enhancing it with his own he ordered a root to spring up and coil itself around the bandit who grabbed the woman. Then he raised his arms and more roots sprang from the earth wrapping themselves around the bandits legs. Ethan's turquoise eyes glowed slightly as he turned to the leader who stood rooted to the spot in fear.

“Leave them alone.” He said through gritted teeth. Then Ethan dropped his hands and the bandits were stuck in one place, the roots of the tree not letting them free. Ethan then turned to the couple but they turned and ran away. Ethan continued down the road, head down against the rain that started to fall. He was about to find somewhere to spend the night when he saw smoke in the distance. He picked up the pace. That was too much smoke for just a campfire. Ethan darted through the trees and faltered in the clearing.

Red. Blazing light dances up to touch the stars. Ethan trembled at the magic that flowed through it. Run, get away. Leave. It whispered over and over, shaking the air with its cries.

Flames licked the sides of walls and sparks flew up as buildings collapsed. Smoke billows from the ruined village choking the trees nearby. Ethan's heart races and his chest feels tight. Run! Cries the earth and Ethan turned to obey but something caught his eye. A figure stood a ways away staring at the burning village. As Ethan got closer he realized this figure was a young teenage boy. He clutched something to his chest as he stared into the flames. His black hair like raven feathers hung wet with sweat and his face tear stained. Ethan put a hand on his shoulder and he jumped back.

“Hey.” Said Ethan “I am here to help. What happened?”

The boy then hugged Ethan, his body shaking with sobs. “A dragon came. Dad said they wouldn’t come here but they did.”

Ethan frowned. A dragon?

“Come. Let’s get you somewhere safe.”

Ethan led the boy back to the road, his mind whirling. Why would a dragon do that? Rainam said they stayed underground except every once in a while to hunt things on the surface. With a jolt Ethan wondered if it were humans they were hunting. If he got back, Rainam would have some serious questions to answer. He told the boy to wait by the road before turning back to the village. He couldn’t leave the fire to spread and destroy more land.

He stood a little ways away and then channeling the energy the fire provided he dropped his hands and a dirt fell creating a ditch around the village. Than after catching his breath Ethan raised his arms and rain began to fall onto the flames. He stood as long as he could but soon he began to shake and the rain lightened. Gasping for breath Ethan ordered the flames to drop low. Finally the flames sputtered out and Ethan sank to the ground. He closed his eyes and after he felt strong enough, he slowly made his way back to the road.

The boy was still there, arms wrapped around his knees and he stared down at the ground.

“Hey kid.” Said Ethan sitting down beside him. “What’s your name?”

“Mirza.” He turned to Ethan and stared into his eyes. “You’re a wizard aren't you? I saw you put out the fire.”

Ethan's heart sank. “Yeah. But where I come from it is fine.”

“Not here.” The boy looked back up at him. “I don’t care. I want to follow you until I figure out what I will do.”

“What is this place called anyway?” Asked Ethan. “No one talks to me.”

“This country is Egusta.”

The next day Mirza still wanted to come, much to Ethan's amazement. Anyways it might be nice to have someone to talk to. The mountains begin to get larger and Ethan is constantly in awe over the jagged teeth biting the clouds.

The road steadily gets bigger and they see more and more people. Thankfully people weren't paying attention to Ethan and he was able to walk among his own kind without standing out too much. He kinda liked being with all these people. He saw a mother holding hands with a child who was looking around with big green eyes. Ethan looked over at the mother. Did he have one? Where was she now? He could only remember Rainam and her blue scales and icy breath.

“We are nearing the capitol.” Said Mirza looking up at Ethans wide eyes as he scanned the crowds. “There are thousands of people there.”

They walked up a hill and Ethan froze, a few people grumbling as they almost crashed into him. The capitol.

The ancient white marble turned a violent shade of orange and red from the setting sun which seemed to enhance the beauty of the golden doors. An emblem of a sun engraved on the gates.

Ethan wanted to go explore but Mirza shook his head. “They check everyone going in. They had a wizard destroy half the city 100 years ago and it killed quite a lot of people.”

Ethan nodded and kept walking.

The city was now behind him and Ethan was starting to relax a little when he felt someone try to reach into his pocket.

“Hey!” He said turning to see someone dart away. A thin chain glinted in his hands. “That’s mine!”

Ethan slammed a foot down and the earth rumbled and a rock jutted up and tripped the man. Ethan darted forwards and snatched back the chain with a pendant on it.

“Wizard!” Shrieked the thief causing many to stop and look. Ethan, realizing his mistake, took a step back. But the thief jumped up and pointing to Ethan started to shout, “He’s a wizard! Catch him!”

A few soldiers passing by heard them and approached Ethan.

“Sir. They are claiming you are a wizard. Which means you will need to stand a trial. If you are innocent you will be set free and paid for your lost time.”

Ethan kept his head down avoiding looking at the soldier. Mirza said that no one had turquoise eyes and that is probably what the past few people had noticed.

A trial? What would they do?

Ethan was led away towards the city and Mirza followed close behind.

“Excuse me?” Said Mirza to one of the soldiers. “That is my cousin. May I please come along and be there for the trials?”

The first soldier grunted but the captain answered “Yes but as a civilian. You are not to come into the palace until the trials begin.”

“Understood, sir.” Said Mirza and he fallowed them into the city.

Ethan's breath caught in his throat. It was so big and in some way it was beautiful. The homes were neat and lined in rows. The streets clean and flowering bushes along the sides. Ethan was taken to the palace and said to stay in a rather neat little room. They locked the door but Ethan didn’t mind a whole lot. Besides if he really wanted out he could easily use magic to open the door. He laid down on the bed and stared up at the ceiling. Why did they hate magic so much? He really wanted to get back home to ask Rainam why a few dragons have destroyed villages. But by what he had seen passing through people seemed terrified of dragons and Mirza said that they would sometimes leave an offering for the dragons but they would just take it and burn the village anyways.

The next day Ethan was brought to the king. He sat on a large throne made from the same marble but it was embedded with what looked like jewels from afar but as he got closer Ethan realized that they were Daemeek, the heart of the dragon named after the first dragon who came here from some faraway place. Ethan grew cold, the dragon could still be alive, just without magic and… and unable to have a hatchling. Ethan scanned the Daemeek's and his eye caught sight of a turquoise one glinting near the king's right hand. Could that be Rainams?

“So you are accused of being a wizard?” Asked the king.

“Yes.”

“And are you?”

“No.” Ethan looked into the kings wrinkled face. “I am not.”

“And how can you prove it when you have the eyes of a wizard?” Said the king leaning forwards, stocking his beard.

“I probably can’t.”

“Hmm. Do you know why we don’t like wizards and dragons?”

“I am not from here so no.” Said Ethan. He glanced over at a window that cast a beam of light onto the throne.

“Magic is a funny thing but we know where it comes from. It comes from a dragon. To be more precise: it comes from the heart of a dragon. A wizard is guaranteed to have touched a dragon or has a spirit of one.”

“What does this have to do with me?”

“You touched a dragon. Do you know how dangerous they are?”

“Yes.”

“No I don’t think you do. They burn villages, they slaughter people sparing no one, not even the children. They steal sheep from our flocks and cave in mines, trapping the men in there. 100 years ago a wizard harnessed the power of the Black Pearl, the largest dragon in existence and controlled it. He destroyed half of this city, killing everyone that was unable to get away.”

“Really?” Asked Ethan. It would make sense but he desperately wanted to talk to Rainam.

“Yes. That kid that came with you. He told me his village was destroyed by a red dragon and he witnessed his mothers murder at his claws.”

Ethan swallowed hard and said, his voice trembling, “I was taken by a dragon. I have never been to the surface except when I escaped about a week ago. If I can, I would like to see if I could end this.”

“And how would you do this?” Said the king, his face hardening “And how can we trust you that you won’t turn on us?”

“I guess you can’t. But if this means anything then I vow I will help you.” Said Ethan standing a little taller. “I know where an entrance to their kingdom is.”

“I will take your word for it. We leave as soon as I can gather a small army to take with us. Just remember, dragon born, if you betray your vow then you will die before you get in a word otherwise.”

Ethan nodded and was led off to his cell. Mirza visited him and Ethan discussed his plan aloud, glad to have someone listen and point out anything that could be flawed.

Only a week passed before the king sent for Ethan and then they started for the Fury mountains. They traveled fast on horseback, something Ethan took a while to get the hang of. He grew fond of his horse, a stocky chestnut mare who knew what she was doing and where she was going enough to ignore most of Ethan's vain attempts at copying the soldiers around him. He braided her long cream mane during the long hours to the mountain. He began to like the soldiers more and more as the time went on and soon they started liking him back after they got over their fear. At least a few did and Ethan realized that this was where he was supposed to be, with other people.

A cut deep in the mountain side. Jagged stalactites looked almost like the teeth of a long forgotten dragon lord. Ethan felt the magic grow stronger as he neared the cave, his idea all he could think of. It would be dangerous but he might be able to do it. He stood in the mouth of the cave and using magic he called out “Rainam! I am here and I wish to talk to you.”

A low rumbling erupted from the entrance and many soldiers ducked out of the way.

“Why have you come back?”

“I have your Daemeek, Rainam. Will you please talk to me?”

Rainam stepped out of the shadows followed by many of the dragons. With a jolt of fear Ethan saw the queen as well. Her purple and black scales glinting in the sunlight. Soldiers cried out in terror and hid behind rocks. Ethan heard a few call her “The Black Pearl”.

“Why do you burn villages and kill people?” Asked Ethan addressing Rainam. She looked uncomfortable.

“Because you are great sport!”

Darknail. Ethan clenched his fists. “Is it true?”

The queen smiled, showing the many rows of jarred teeth. “Yes.”

Ethan took a step back staring at Rainam. He shook his head. “I thought—”

“Well you were wrong.” Interrupted Rainam. “The only reason I took you was so when you were old enough you would bring me back my Daemeek.”

Tears threatened to fall down Ethans face. He took a deep breath. It was true and now he had to carry out his plan.

He took a few deep breaths feeling the magic of the dragons. Now he realized that Rainam's magic was not inside her but in his pocket.

He took a wide stance and lifted the rock to one side forming a gaping hole. He took another deep breath than, his heart beating wildly, he began to form the stone like clay. Mimicking the twisted branches of the trees he first saw, he made a hole going through the side of the mountain. Delicate carvings around the entrance. Rainam jumped forwards and swiped at Ethan. He jumped aside and than harnessing the magic inside Rainam’s Daemeek he ordered her to attack the queen. Screaming for him to stop, Rainam leapt forward and slashed at the queen. From the queens jaws flames spewed into Rainam's face. Trembling, Ethan ordered Rainam to spray the queen with ice. The queen lunged forwards and sank her teeth into Rainam's neck. Ethan left the magic leave Rainam's Daemeek and turned his attention to the queen and the rest of the dragons. He stretched out his arms and created a shield blocking the entrance as he set to work. His eyes glowed as he wove spells together, taking the magic from the dragons trapped inside. One by one, they would fall to the ground exhausted.

Around the hole he had made, turquoise light began to swirl. Ethan focused on the queen taking her seemingly unlimited supply of magic. He ordered the swirling light to become larger and pouring the energy from the queen he began to catch a glimpse of rocks and a gray sky through the swirling light. It was working! Ethan than took a wipe stance and lifted up his arms, many dragons flew up unable to do anything as Ethan threw them into the swirling light. They crashed into the rocks and fallen logs and then tried to get back through but to no avail. The queen started clawing at the shield covering the caves entrance. It sparked but held, for now. Ethan began to grow tired but he kept using the energy of the Daemeek's of the dragons inside to push them through his portal.

Finally it was the queen remaining. She had almost broken her way out of the shield when Ethan turned to her. He let the shield disintegrate, needing every bit of himself to defeat her. It was only her Daemeek now. Her power against her own.

Ethan took a shaky breath then raised his arms to the sky. He closed his eyes and felt the energy in the earth and the energy in the queen's Daemeek. Then he slammed some rock from the cave's wall onto the queen's head, knocking her back. Then he dropped to his knees and sang to the ground. It cracked and crumbled beneath the queen's claws. Ethan didn’t stop singing, his voice would falter randomly. The stone was encasing the queen's legs. She spewed fire at the soldiers who ducked for cover, some not making it out of harm's way. Ethan then shakily stood up and raised his hands causing the stone beneath the queen to be lifted up then with one final order he threw her into the portal. His connection to her Daemeek faltered and disappeared. Ethan fell to the ground and the portal disappeared. They were safe now.

When Ethan woke he was surrounded by the king and Mirza was there too. He looked up at the gray skies, rain falling slowly. The familiar presence of magic was gone, leaving Ethan with quiet thoughts. He couldn’t help but let the tears fall, warm compared to the cold rain. It had been such a comforting thing to have been able to always rely on magic. But now it is gone. Banished to another world.

He sat up and looked around at all the faces. You know what? I think I can manage. I have friends now. I am home.