Dragonvein (Book Two) (23 page)

Straddling her rival, she squeezed her eyes shut. Her heart was thundering in her ears; her breaths were coming in quick, panicky gasps. She tried to calm herself, but the reality of what she had done made such a feat impossible.

Raising the knife, she opened her eyes. Kimma had turned her head to one side and was now weeping uncontrollably. For just a moment, Heather weakened. Then she thought about the eggs; she must protect them at all costs. This firmed her resolve. With a swift decisive stroke, she plunged the tip of her blade into Kimma’s exposed temple. There was a sickening crunch of skull being shattered, quickly followed by a spurt of blood. Heather grimaced at the sight, turning her head quickly away.

Getting to her feet, she hurried over to the eggs. Carefully, she gathered them into her sack and crawled into the opening.

Fearing that Kimma’s brothers would be waiting by the entrance, she emerged cautiously. A loud sigh of relief slipped out on discovering that no one was there. Better still, it seemed they were obviously not anywhere within earshot. Had they been, the commotion of the fight would have carried clearly through the fissure and alerted them.

She eventually came across the pair sleeping under a birch tree about a quarter mile from the enclosure, the bones of a recent meal scattered on the ground between them. For now, they were completely oblivious that their sister had been murdered. And the entrance to the enclosure was not easy to spot, so finding Kimma’s body would take time. Of course, it was possible she had shown it to them before entering, but even that possibility was not disastrous. Heather doubted very much that either of the two large men could fit through the narrow opening. This gave her precious time.

The light vanished, replaced by a swirling mass of fog. Looking back at Heather, Ethan could see from her expression that she had been deeply affected by the scene. He took a seat and waited patiently until she blinked several times and forced a smile.

“Forgive me,” she said, bowing her head slightly. “I have not witnessed that in many years. It was the only time I have ever taken a life.”

“I understand,” he said. “If you’d rather not continue…”

She held up her hand. “I’m fine. But there’s not much more to tell. I was unable to return home, and deeply afraid to tell Tam what had happened. So I ran. Eventually, I found the dwarves and brought the eggs to Lumnia. Soon after that, they hatched and thrived. And because of the power which resides here, our connection was made far stronger.”

“Were there mages in Lumnia when you first arrived?” Ethan asked.

“No. Not yet. Humans were only just discovering magic. Our family was one of the first. And through our bond with the dragons, we were made quite powerful.” She rose to her feet. “The Dragonvein family history is rich and filled with adventure. One day you may have the chance to hear it all – though the telling would take many years.”

She walked to the edge of the dais. The fog lifted, revealing the six dragons – all of them staring at Ethan with severe intensity.

“I was given the gift through the transference of blood,” she continued. “It has bound me to the dragons, and them to me, for thousands of years. When the first dragons were born in Lumnia, they formed a deep relationship with its spirit. Over time, they have become its guardians. Dragons feel the will of Lumnia every bit as much as the elves, and they live in harmony with its power. But now…Lumnia is dying. And with it, all who dwell here.”

“How is Shinzan able to do this?” Ethan asked her.

Heather’s expression dimmed. “He is not of this world. Shinzan – if that is the name you prefer to use – is a parasite. He seeks to drain Lumnia of all its energy - to feed upon it. If he is not stopped soon then he will become too powerful for anyone to challenge.”

A feeling of helplessness came over Ethan as the immensity of his task unfolded. “So how am I supposed to beat him? I’m not a mage yet. And it will take years for me to learn. Can’t you fight him?”

“I cannot,” she replied. “I have no power beyond this place. My spirit resides on another plane – within the souls of the dragons. Of course, should Shinzan prevail and the dragons are destroyed, I, along with our entire family, will be destroyed as well.”

She leaned forward to touch his hand. Her flesh felt as silk, and was far warmer than he would have expected. “You are the last of us with the power to triumph. But you need not fight alone.” With feline grace, she rose from her chair and walked to the edge of the dais.

Ethan followed and stood beside her. The magnificence of the dragons was spectacular. Raw power radiated from their bodies as if an inferno coursed through their blood. Their eyes were still fixed resolutely on him.

“What do they want me to do?” he asked.

“Simply put, they want you to save them.” She lifted her arm in a grand sweeping motion. “They have sacrificed themselves in the hope that you can do as I did so long ago.”

“Sacrificed themselves?”

Sorrow washed over her as she gave a slight nod. “Yes. Shinzan’s seat of power is in his palace. It is from there that he infests the very core of Lumnia. The dragons have chosen to make a stand against him. Even now, they fight to halt his progress. This will force Shinzan to remain close to his source of power. But in doing so it will drain their lives…utterly.”

A chill seized Ethan’s heart. The thought of such marvelous creatures willingly giving up their own lives was almost more than he could bear. He wanted to cry out. To tell them to stop. To save themselves. But he knew they would not. Though the voice of the dragon no longer echoed in his mind, he could still feel their will.

He bowed his head, tears dropping onto the onyx floor. “What
is
the source?”

“We don’t know,” she admitted. “But to defeat Shinzan, it must be destroyed.” She placed her hand on his shoulder. “But do not feel sorrow. The dragons have come here to ensure their kind lives on. They die so that others might live. And they do this gladly. Through you they will once again thrive. Just as I once saved them…so shall you.”

Ethan looked up again to meet Heather’s gaze. “Tell me what I have to do.”

Barely had he finished speaking when there was a flash of light. From within this, a silver chalice and a small ivory handled dagger appeared at the feet of the black dragon Ethan had encountered on the mountain.

“You must acquire our strength,” she explained. “And through the blood of the dragons you shall. Just as my blood once bonded me to them, they will now strengthen their bond with you beyond that of any Dragonvein before you.”

A feeling of awe engulfed Ethan. “What will happen to me?” he asked.

Heather took a step back. “That is for you to find out.”

In response to his searching look, she simply smiled and pointed to the dagger and chalice. He took a long breath and squared his shoulders. Courage, he told himself.

He jumped down from the dais. Heather’s form had become misty, though her bright smile was still clearly visible. “Will I see you again?”

“Oh, I should say so,” she replied, a hint of mirth in her tone.

Ethan approached the dragon, gazing into its penetrating blue eyes. After a minute or so, he picked up the dagger and chalice. At first, the idea of piercing the creature’s flesh revolted him. But then he felt a great wave of reassurance which he knew instinctively that it was coming from the dragon. He closed his eyes and reached out with his thoughts.

“Raknifar,” he said. “Your name is Raknifar.” He opened his eyes and smiled.

The dragon lowered its head almost imperceptibly and raised its massive leg, offering it to Ethan. He pressed the blade down just above one of the dragon’s talons, drawing it swiftly across. The scales slit apart easily, allowing deep crimson blood to pour from the wound, directly into the chalice he had positioned below. Just as the level was about to spill over, the wound sealed itself shut and the bleeding stopped.

After taking a few steps back, Ethan raised the chalice to his lips. The moment the hot liquid began pouring down his throat, all six dragons lifted their heads skyward. In unison, each one let out a tremendous roar, the combined volume of which shook the very ground.

Ethan drained the cup and dropped to his knees – the intensity of the dragon’s call seeming a mere whisper in his ears. The world around him began to grow dark until he was in a complete void. Then, a distant pinprick of light pierced the darkness. He watched calmly as it moved closer. Eventually, he saw the face of Heather Dragonvein materialize. She was smiling warmly.

He returned her smile. “I understand now,” he told her. “Thank you.”

She gave no reply, only a faint nod of approval. Her aspect faded, to be replaced by another kindly face. Then another appeared, and another. He had seen them all before. It was the same as when he had touched the dragon for the first time. Only this time he understood. Now he knew who these people were – each and every one of them. They were his ancestors. Thousands of generations of Dragonvein’s, living together and appearing with just one purpose in mind. To give him strength.

Their minds continued swirling around him in a tempest of pure thought until he could no longer distinguish one ancestor from another. Finally, with a rush, they merged together into one massive ball of spiritual power.

Ethan knew what he had to do. Reaching out, he embraced them all as a single entity, drawing their essence deep inside his own. He could feel their power - their immense knowledge. It was a combination of countless lifetimes: pain, joy, love and hate, all forming a barely contained maelstrom that was now living inside him.

He opened his eyes. The dragons were frozen in place, their heads lowered and their eyes shut. They would not move again…ever.

Ethan pushed himself to his feet. “I will not fail you,” he promised the silent giants.

He then looked inside himself to where his family now dwelled.

“None of you,” he added.

Chapter Eighteen

I
t was well
past dusk by the time Ethan climbed back out of the canyon. The far distant howls and shrill cries of some unknown creature carried on the cool gentle breeze. He wondered what manner of beast could survive in this desolate land. Something terrible and vicious, he thought. But it made little difference. Whatever it was, it was not coming any closer. The idea of such danger might have unnerved him before. But not now. He was a completely changed person.

Renald was leaning against a large rock, humming softly while fiddling with his beard. He glanced up at Ethan and smiled. “You look…different.”

He returned the smile before taking a seat beside the old man. “I
am
different.”

Renald nodded with keen understanding. “What did she say?”

Ethan leaned back on his elbows and shut his eyes. “Nothing. Everything.” He began to laugh softly. “I know what I must do. For the first time in my life, things are perfectly clear.”

“In what way?”

“I finally know who I am.” He opened his eyes and sat up straight. “I have a true purpose.”

Renald’s eyes narrowed. “And just what
is
your purpose?”

“To save them…and us.” A rush of emotions coursed through Ethan’s heart like a sudden gale. He gasped as visions of his destiny rushed uninvited through his mind. Slowly he forced them out. “
That
will take getting used to,” he said quietly to himself.

Renald leaned in, regarding Ethan carefully. “What happened down there?”

He cocked his head. “Don’t you know?” But the confused expression on the old man’s face gave him his answer. “I’m sorry. I assumed that you…well…I assumed that when
you
came here you would have…” He stopped short for a moment, then burst into laughter, ridiculing his own stupidity. “Of course you wouldn’t. Why would you?”

An ill-tempered frown formed on Renald’s face. “I’m too old and tired for games and riddles. Just tell me what happened to you.”

Ethan held up his hand. “Of course. I apologize.”

He began unfurling his blankets, handing one to Renald while recounting his experience in detail. His uncle could only listen in sheer disbelief. Even when Ethan had finished, he was still unable to speak.

“And to think how long ago that was,” Ethan said. “From what I remember at school, it must have been at least twenty thousand years ago…maybe more. Judging by their weapons and clothes, I’m guessing more.”

Renald finally snapped out of his stupor. “You…drank their blood?”

“It was the only way,” he explained. “It wasn’t that bad. A bit salty.”

“To hell with what it tasted like,” Renald exclaimed. “You took their blood into you. No one has ever done that. No one.”

Ethan turned his head and smiled. “Not true. Heather did. Though she didn’t drink it. But it’s how we are connected. Through blood.”

“What does it feel like?” The old man was now sounding more like a curious child than a legendary mage.

“Strange. I can feel them. Our family, I mean. I can feel their thoughts. But it’s like looking through a thick fog. Nothing is defined. It’s all sort of out of focus.”

“Do you possess their memories?”

“In a way,” he replied. “Nothing specific. Just impressions really. But then I’m trying not to concentrate on it. It’s too confusing.”

“And the dragons?”

Ethan’s face darkened. “There are no more dragons. Their voice is all but gone. Maytra is the last.”

This had Renald instantly on his feet. He strode to the canyon edge and pointed down. “What do you mean, there are no more? I can see them right there.”

“You may be able to see them, but they are dead to the world now,” Ethan told him. “They are keeping Shinzan at bay. Forcing him to stay near the source of his power. Battling as we speak for the heart of Lumnia. And when Shinzan is gone, they will all die.”

Renald shook his head violently, his long hair and beard flailing wildly. “No! This cannot be. I won’t accept it.”

“There’s nothing we can do. They have made this sacrifice. It was their choice.”

He watched as the old man paced back and forth, throwing his arms in the air and letting out incoherent screams. Ethan closed his eyes, allowing the vision of what he must do next to enter his mind. He wanted to tell Renald the truth. But there was too much at stake.

“You drank their blood,” his uncle hissed accusingly. “You know how precious they are to our family…to this world.”

Ethan nodded. “I know that more than anyone. Even you.”

“Then you know we mustn’t allow them to die.”

The pleading, desperate expression on the old mage’s face moved Ethan to give him at least a small measure of comfort. He considered his next words carefully. “They
will
die. Nothing can change that now. But I promise you that their deaths will not be the end of dragon kind.”

The reaction was immediate. “What do you mean?” Renald demanded. “Tell me!”

Ethan shook his head. “I can’t tell you more. You just have to trust me when I say that if we defeat Shinzan, the dragons
will
return.”

The old man met his eyes silently for a full minute. “I believe you,” he finally said, lowering his head. “What must we do now?”

“Sleep,” he replied. “I’m tired.”

Reluctantly, Renald settled down on his blanket. “Is there nothing more you say?”

“Only that I will need your help to succeed,” Ethan replied.

He closed his eyes. He could still taste the dragon’s blood on his tongue. And now he could hear the past generations of his family all speaking at once like a faint echo in the far corners of his mind. So many voices. All a part of him. And all would be silenced forever should he fail.

Such enormous weight of responsibility would have crushed the Ethan Martin of a short time ago. Even Airborne training and front line combat had not prepared him for anything like this. However, all that changed the moment the dragon’s blood passed his lips. Any remnants of doubt had instantly vanished.

Yes, it was Ethan Martin, a raw kid from Brooklyn who had ventured into that canyon.

But it was Lord Ethan Dragonvein of Lumnia who had emerged.