Chronicles of Aurderia: The Balance (35 page)

“You have quite the collection,” Orian observed.
 

“Thank you, I have been collecting them for… a long time.”
 

Shuran did not miss the pause in his response. “Thank you for your assistance Nagutan,” Shuran said. “You risk too much.”
 

“I have risked nothing truly. Those fools on the council can barely see far enough to make the chamber pot, never mind what is good for the realm. The things they have been allowing are wretched!” Nagutan responded.
 

“I believe it is Vardoran pulling the strings,” Shuran offered.
 

“That and more Shin’Ar, you are wise to see.”
 

“Mallick, stop petting the imp, we should be leaving. Moona will be readying the canons if the Mellamu Nanna had any!” Shuran said.
 

Mallick stopped petting the large red-eyed black cat on the bad. When it transformed into a small creature with large ears and head, Mallick jumped back.
 

The imp smiled, showing his rows of tiny pointed teeth in a devilish grin.

“You will find an open balcony through the drapery, there, beyond the bed. Watch that you do not knock over my new statue as you exit,” Nagutan grinned.
 

“It looks so life like.” Orian then noticed the eyes moving and looked at Nagutan.
 

“He tried to poison me. Now he stands guard at my window. The fact birds find him a place to rest and shite, is just amusing,” he laughed.
 

Shuran smiled, though he felt for the soldier a little. Shuran signaled Codger with his communication stone and told him where to bring the vessel. “How can we repay your assistance, Nagutan?” Shuran asked.
 

“One day I will ask a small favor perhaps, but for now your friendship is a gift.”
 

“Will you be safe once we leave?” Mallick asked.
 

“Safe enough, I have faced far worse than Vardoran’s like in my long lifetime. Beside I will be needed here to keep an eye, now that the kashshaptu is taking back her seat on the council,” Nagutan said disdainfully.
 

“Penelle, she is a witch?” Shuran deduced. “I thought I smelled a slight rot about her.”
 

A rope ladder dropped out of thin air onto the balcony. Mallick started up followed by Orian.
 

“I stand impressed again. A cloaked magurmu I suspect?” Nagutan asked.
 

“You have seen one before?” Shuran asked.
 

“Not for thousands of years,” Nagutan winked. “Take care Shuran Shin’Ar, you have a large burden upon your young shoulders. But I feel you will do what is required when the time comes.”
 

Nagutan turned and left Shuran with more questions.
 

He had not the time to question, as he saw soldiers entering the Academy below. He quickly climbed the ladder and disappeared behind the cloak before pulling up the rope. “Engage the shields and get us back home!” Shuran said. “Please,” he added not meaning to sound ungrateful.
 

“Better!” Moona scolded. “‘Bout time you decided to join us.” Then she smacked him in the back on the head before sitting on a crate and drawing on her pipe.

***

Vardoran seethed with anger at Shuran’s escape. He was more than a bit embarrassed at being surprised by Shuran’s strength and ability to escape the room. “Can someone explain to me how an inexperienced boy and his two lackeys managed to escape this academy?” he howled. “They had to have help, no one can manipulate a gug lined wall, unless someone tampered with it,” he continued.
 

Penelle stepped forward and placed a calming hand upon his shoulder. “Do not be over angry, there was nothing you could have done to stop his escape. He only allowed us this trial to gather information I think,” she said.
 

“What do you know of this, kashshaptu!” Vardoran demanded.
 

“If he truly is the Shin’Ar returned or reborn, which I have little doubt he is not, then he could have left any time he wished,” Penelle said.
 

The look in Vardoran’s eyes told her he needed more explanation.
 

“The Shin’Ar of old, wielded all the seven powers of the Essence. He also had access to vast knowledge of ancient ways of using it. If this young man is who he claims, then we have more to worry about.” She paused and held a look of hatred. “He will be rebuilding his Zidu’Si!”

***

Shuran called on the wind to speed the journey back to Durangug. Within a few hours they would be nearing home. Shuran was tired and strained from Essence. He did not use an Abnu Emuq much any longer as he built up his abilities and stamina.
 

“How do you suppose the old man knew to find us when he did? And why would he help us?” Orian asked.
 

“I have not a thought on it, but there is more to him than is met by eyes,” Shuran answered. “I am more concerned with someone else at the moment,” Shuran said as he turned to Moona and Codger. “Vardoran is the leader of the council, and I fear the Order of Chaos in secret as well.”
 

Moona’s expression was unreadable.
 

Codger on the other hand went ashen in the face.
 

“How do you know it was him?” Moona asked.
 

“Nagutan called his name directly, intentionally I believe. I think he was trying to help me identify who I needed to see as the biggest threat to Aurderia,” Shuran started. “Then there was the fact I could feel him attempt to reach into my shi and pull upon it,” he finished.
 

“Then it is Vardoran true. Only our son was capable of stealing another’s Essence.” Codger said.
 

“That monster is not my son!” Moona cried, leaving the deck and went below.

“She has always felt that it was something we did as parents. She thinks we failed him and that is why he turned out the way he did,” Codger said. “Stealin’ people’s power to increase his own, it is not what we wanted for him.” Codger went to the pilot deck to be alone.
 

“If we can find how he does it, then maybe we can stop him from doing it to more innocents. I bet this is why abisu have been disappearing. They are getting those death walkers from somewhere?” Mallick asked as he twirled the ring of knowledge around his finger.
 

“I already know a way to stop him, but it would make me no better than he!” Shuran answered.
 

“Then there is only one other way,” Mallick said. “You must complete the Zidu’Si, there is a spell to hobble him, make him mundane, but it requires the united force and strength of a full Zidu’Si,” he recalled from the vast knowledge of the library in the Vault.
 

“What knowledge does the library contain on the Kashshaptu?” Shuran asked, knowing the Zidu’Si would not be required to hobble Vardoran.
 

Mallick paused while he mentally searched. “Just one book, but it is blocked from me somehow. It is somehow sealed!” he said with confusion.

Shuran reached into the vault to identify any ‘secured’ items. He found a chamber that was meant only for the Shin’Ar.

***

They landed back at Durangug late in the evening, tired and hungry. Dvargan and Grafdrik met them.
 

“What are you two mimic birds doing here?” Mallick asked.
 

“We have a message for the Shin’Ar. An envoy from Drakkfoth has contacted the King requesting he arrange a meeting. He says he has information, and a gift,” they spoke in turn.
 

“Where is this envoy?” Shuran asked looking around. The chamber in the Vault would have to wait.
 

“We did not bring him here, though he already knew of Durangug, or at least the ruins located here,” they said.
 

“We are tired and hungry, can this wait?” Avrank asked.
 

“It may be important, but I could do with a meal and wash before receiving anyone,” Shuran began. “When can this messenger be led here, the ruined tower, to meet?” Shuran asked.
 

“Rather quickly I would imagine once we send a guinea hawk. He arrived by drakkon!” they said with wide eyes.
 

“Wash first, then we can receive our guest for a late meal. Send the bird.” Shuran stated then entered the Vault.

Shuran had just completed his ablutions, changed clothing, and stepped outside to setup a table and seating when he heard the heavy beating of massive wings coming in from the East. When his eyes met the sight of his arriving guest, he was breath taken.
 

The moonlight gleamed off the bright green scales of the massive beast now landing before him with a grace that belied its size.
 

The beauty before him transfixed Shuran. The drakkon bowed its head in greeting as its rider lithely jumped down and bowed as well.
 

“Greetings Shuran Shin’Ar, Son of Dalgon and Sulura,” he began. “My name is Gregoran, and I am honored to meet you cousin!” he said.
 

Shuran bowed his head, and then stopped when the statement registered. “Cousin? Because I share Drakkonian blood, you mean?” Shuran asked.
 

“In part but more so that my adda is half brother to yours, Dalgon,” he answered.
 

Shuran had many questions but did not know where to begin.
 

Gregoran, could sense Shuran’s need for answers. “Let me tell you my tale and what brings me to you. Perhaps this will answer some or more of your questions,” Gregoran said.
 

“We have been following your progress. The Drakkonian people have known for some time of the prophecy, your mother shared it with us when she conceived. She had a vision of the possible outcomes and that her children would take part.” Gregoran spoke of many things Shuran already knew but he did not interrupt.
 

“How is it you come to know of my location?” Shuran asked knowing that the area was long forgotten and he could not be scryed without sensing it.
 

Gregoran knew this as well. “It is far easier for a bloodline to find kin, scrying is not used,” he provided. “The first part of my message is to send your mother’s love and wish to meet.”
 

Shuran was dizzy with disbelief. “My mother lives?” he stood and began pacing.
 

Moona stopped puffing her pipe. “Speak dragon boy afore I swallow you up in the ground!” she ordered.
 

Shuran took her by the shoulders to calm her.
 

“Where has she been? Why has she not sent word in all this time?” Shuran asked.
 

“At first she was too weak. She nearly died after… well you know the details. My father sent trusted servants of the barony to retrieve her. They were nearly too late.”
 

It took many months before Sulura was well enough to awake from a healing sleep, even longer to remember who she was and what had happened. The rest of her decisions are hers alone to explain, but I believe things happened the way that was necessary,” Gregoran said.
 

“And what else brings you here now?” Shuran asked pointedly.
 

“The order of Chaos has your friend Bastien.”

“I already discovered this, what I do not understand is how you know any of this.” Shuran began to anger.
 

“It is through a deceptive alliance of my father Fallon, Baron of Drakkfoth, with the Order that we keep apprised of all the movements of their work. The Order has kept house within our borders for centuries. The Baron is preparing to break ties with them and force them from our land, but he wants you to save your friend while there is time.”
 

Shuran was feeling even dizzier than before and needed to sit back down.
 

“Shin’ for brains! Eat something before you pass out!” Mallick said.

A sharp shrill broke through the silence of the night.
 

“What in DAMKIANNA’S name was that?” Moona shrieked.
 

“Ah, that would be your gift Shin’Ar,” Gregoran said.
 

“Shuran, please, you are among friends and apparently family. And what is this gift?” Shuran asked skeptically.
 

Gregoran let out a whistle and a dark shadow appeared from the trees. Once in the open, the gleaming form of a bright red young drakkon came into view.

“He is yours, a bonded drakkon, friend, and protector,” Gregoran said.

Shuran walked up to the beast that stood half the height of the great green drakkon that carried Gregoran. The young drakkon lowered to the ground in submission. “What is his name?” Shuran asked.
 

“He will only tell his name first to you, as they are without the gift of open speech or weaving until bonded.” Mallick said. “I just looked it up.” he said with a smile.
 

Shuran place a hand on the beast’s head and was swallowed in a bath of fire from all around him.

In the flames Shuran just saw himself and the drakkon.
 

“Greetings Lugaldur, bonded master, Shuran Shin’Ar. I am called Moltar in human tongue, I am at your service,” the drakkon said in Shuran’s mind.
 

“I accept the honor and welcome you to my Zidu’Si,” Shuran answered somehow knowing the correct way to accept.
 

Instantly a spark passed between them.
 

As Shuran gained the strength and endurance of the drakkon, Moltar gained not only the traditional ability to work elemental fire, but all of Shuran’s abilities. He would be the first of his kind to do so, a new breed.
 

With the new abilities, Moltar raised his head to the skies and roared into the heavens. His bulk increased three fold and he was suddenly larger by far than the green.
 

To all else assembled, they witnessed Shuran silently touch the beast that suddenly grew immensely.