The Soul Sphere: Book 01 - The Shattered Sphere (41 page)

Tala paused, looking deep into the dragon’s eyes. There was something ancient and wise there, something that made her trust him. “That is the way of it,” she replied.

“We can carry you to land, give you shelter and a fire. You will surely die if left in this water much longer, and your ship has been lost. Once you have rested, we will speak more. Do we have your leave to bear you away? We shall be as gentle as we can.”

“There seems to be no other alternative. And you would have our eternal gratitude.”

The dragons carried their passengers with strong claws, a miserable journey for those so transported, an agony of damp cold and aching muscles. The ocean seemed to go on forever from their view in the sky, but just when they reached the point where they could no longer bear the cold or the dragon claws that held them fast, an island came into view. Tala wanted to ask a hundred questions but exhaustion was beginning to overwhelm her, and the land before them beckoned like a soft bed. The island was heavily wooded, and although the trees had long since dropped their leaves, evergreens and the occasional patches of yellow-green grass gave the place some color. Inland, hills rose to meet the foot of a large white mountain, the top of which vanished into the clouds. The speed of the dragons was frightening, but it had shortened the trip significantly. Suddenly the land was beneath them and they began to descend.

*          *          *

Lucien woke first. Nightmares had plagued him, causing him to toss and turn violently, and he finally struck his head on the cave wall. He sat up, shivering, unsure whether it was from the cold or the dream. He remembered yesterday, and the water, and thought maybe the dream wasn’t so bad. He started to pull his cloak around him, found it was still wet, then settled for moving nearer the fire, which apparently had been well tended through the remainder of the day and whatever portion of the night had passed.

Corson joined Lucien by the fire, yawning. “Sleep well?” he asked.

“Well enough.”

“I never thought I’d be happy to see a dragon.”

Lucien nodded.

“Lucien, what I said yesterday—”

“What I needed to hear. Was being coward.”

“No, you weren’t. I just said that to get your attention.”

“Worked.”

“I’m glad for that. We need you with us. And besides, who do I have to sharpen my wit on if you’re not here?”

“Wit does need work… I dead now if not for you.” He turned to look directly at Corson, drawing himself up. “Thank you, friend.”

Corson smiled and put a hand on one of Lucien’s massive shoulders. “I like the sound of that. And you’re welcome.”

Eight had survived the sea voyage, the six who sought the Sphere, along the Captain Jazda and the boy, Rande. Once they were all awake, they conferred quietly with one another.

“Any idea where we are?” Demetrius asked.

No one had any notion. “I lost my sense of direction during the attack,” said Jazda, “and could get none of it back during our flight with the thick cloud cover.”

“The dragons that saved us were clearly benevolent,” said Alexis, “but what is their intention now? Are we prisoners here?”

“It appears we can leave the cave at will,” said Rowan. “Though past that I cannot say.”

“There is at least one dragon, maybe more, beyond the fire, watching the cave entrance,” said Tala. “A guard of sorts.”

“To protect us or keep us from fleeing?” asked Demetrius.

Tala shrugged. “I am sure we will know in time. For now we should wait patiently for our benefactors to make the next move.”

As dawn broke they could see that food and water had been left on the other side of the fire. A copper dragon sat some hundred yards away, facing the cave entrance. Lucien and Corson retrieved the meal, eyeing the dragon the whole time, which looked back at them placidly. As he lifted a large bowl of water Corson gave a small nod, which the dragon returned.

Lucien sniffed the meat. “Roasted wild boar,” he announced. If they had ignored their stomachs to that point, they could no longer do so, and they set to eating with a will. Between bites, Corson mused, “You think they cooked this over a fire or used their—”

“Don’t say it,” Demetrius said. He eyed the meat he held in his fingers, shook his head, and then continued his meal. “Regardless, it tastes good.”

No one argued the point.

Rowan was just finishing when he saw Tala’s eyes suddenly grow large with panic. “What is it?” he asked, grabbing the hilt of his sword.

She stayed his weapon hand. “The Sphere,” she said as calmly as possible. “It is gone.”

Hearts sank all around the cave. Demetrius thought hard, holding up a finger while he did so. “Could you not lift it from the sea? If we can track it with a spell—”

“I cannot find it without a reference piece. My powers are not strong enough to simply think of an object and find it.”

“Then we’ve come all this way for nothing,” Alexis said softly.

Rande started to ask a question, but Jazda hushed him, despite the fact that his own mind burned with curiosity. He took a bit more meat and motioned for the boy to come move away with him so as to leave the others alone for a time.

Their appetites had fled at Tala’s pronouncement, and now the remainder of the boar sat untouched. Words refused to come, so they sat in a brooding silence.

“The shard we’re currently searching for,” Rowan tried. “Any clues from your final finding spell?”
“Over the sea and on land,” said Tala. “An island, perhaps. Not much to go on.”

“Maybe enough for the dragons to help us,” said Demetrius. “We cannot hope to search the sea and find what is lost.”

Their wait for their hosts was brief, a copper dragon appearing just beyond the mouth of the cave a few minutes later and announcing that Valya wished to see them, if they were ready.

They followed the copper dragon, which moved lithely over the uneven, wooded terrain, its wings folded against its back. It was taller than a man when it walked and three times its own height in length, and its copper scales reflected the rays of the rising sun like dull mirrors.

They came to a large clearing and were bid to wait, the dragon keeping himself and his charges near the edge of the tree line.

A sound like a great gusting wind came, and the tips of the tall pines bent and swayed. The great golden dragon, Valya, appeared, larger and more impressive than any had remembered. He dwarfed the copper dragon, his body and wings casting a shadow that hid the early morning sun. Valya alighted gracefully, belying his weight, his landing soundless. His shoulder was twice Lucien’s height, and he was at least three times the length of the copper dragon. His visage was ancient beyond years, his eyes wise and all-seeing. He looked at each of the travelers in turn, receiving gentle nods from most, respectful fear from others. As large as the clearing was, there was little room for him to move his body, but his long, flexible neck allowed him to directly face whomever he chose. He leaned toward Tala and spoke. “How fairs your group?”

“Those of us that remain do well, thanks to you and your kind,” she replied. “You have our gratitude, and anything else we have to offer, little as that might be.”

The dragon seemed to smile at that, a small tendril of smoke curling up from his mouth and drifting away. “I know you speak no lies, but something extraordinary you have to offer. A great quest you have undertaken.”

Tala paused. The dragon’s eyes beckoned her to speak. “We have,” she said, “but I fear the end of our quest is further away than ever. We have lost what we had gained.”

“There you are wrong.” With a single claw Valya flicked a small tan sack which was strung about his neck, hanging like an amulet. “I have the Sphere here.”

Tala gasped, covering her mouth quickly with her hand. “I am not sure what to say.”

The dragon laughed, a low rumble that shook the ground. “You need not fear. I protect it for you. Your quest is one I would not undertake myself, but which Arkania needs if it wishes to survive. When the time comes, I intend to return it to you, with another gift as well.”

“You would aid us?”

“As far as I and the dragon-folk here can, yes. The shard you sought is not in my possession, but is held by those that attacked your ship.”

Tala brightened further. “They fled at your approach. Perhaps—”

“They fled due to our numbers. But they are as numerous as we in total. And Belthros was not with them over the sea.”

“Belthros?”

“Their leader. King if you will. He holds the shard on his island.”

“Is it near?”

“A hundred miles south of here.”

“If I may…where, exactly, is ‘here.’ ”

“Your people call the place Misty Island. Belthros rules on Bone Island. Neither human nor elf has set foot here for centuries. He glanced at Lucien and added, “As for goblins, I believe you are the first.”

“I hope you do not mind my questions,” Tala said.

Valya shook his head. “Please, continue.”

“You seem to know a great deal about what we are doing. Your arrival was most timely.”

“There is something of magic about us dragons. And this is not my first encounter with the Sphere. Not long ago, I held it, to protect it and keep it safe. The wizards that forged it and bound the Dark One entrusted it to me. But I failed them and all of Arkania, and now through Solek evil has been loosed throughout the land. I hope to make amends.” The dragon looked away, studying the sky, lost in memories. “I mentioned magic. Are all of your party well?”

“We lost five yesterday. One that travels with us now took an arrow to the leg. It heals, but slowly.”

Valya drew back a bit and said, “The one so wounded should step forward.”

Demetrius moved into the clearing. “My name is Demetrius.”

“Come closer.”

He stood directly in front of the massive beast. The thought flashed through his mind that if Valya wanted him dead at that moment, there was little he could do to prevent it. He felt suddenly naked and weak before the great beast.

The dragon extended a claw and touched Demetrius’ injured leg.

Demetrius felt a surge of warmth in the leg, and fought the urge to pull away. The sensation grew in intensity, almost to the point of being painful, then subsided. When Valya withdrew his touch, Demetrius flexed the leg and felt only strength there. “Thank you,” he said reverently.

Valya nodded, then glanced at Rowan. “Much like a paladin’s power. The source is the same.”

“The source of all that is good,” Rowan stated.

“Indeed. Belthros cannot do such a thing. He excels in pain, death, and destruction. Now, to the matter of the Sphere, my gift to you, and magic. The bag in which the Sphere is now held is a bag of cloaking. It was given to me by the wizards to help guard the Sphere, and I will give it to you to aid you on your journey. It is too simple for Solek to know where the Sphere is and therefore to know where you are. But even his magic, far more formidable than mine, cannot penetrate the bag. You can be seen by Mists, spies, armies, or other eyes in his service, but his magic will not find you through finding the Sphere.”

“We are humbled by your generosity,” Tala said with a formal bow.

“Far less than I owe this world do I give, after I lost what was mine to protect. But there is the small matter of the shard Belthros holds.”

“Does Belthros—”