Prologue #8
The guards averted their eyes. What? Were there some in the court who didn’t want Elouan dead?
Elouan trudged beside his old mentor. Music and laughter sounded from the castle; the murderers celebrating their abhorrent deeds.
Lights shone from the windows of his room, several silhouettes visible. His room. His things. They might take the clothes, jewels, and books in his rooms, but they’d never find the main part of his hoard. He’d hidden the things most precious to him well.
Sakaris lifted his staff, igniting mage light at the end, enough to illuminate their way.
Elouan’s normally sharp senses had dulled from too little food, water, or exercise.
They traveled a familiar path through meadows where he and his brothers once played.
There was a small hill where he’d taken his first flight. Father and Mother had been so proud.
Elouan experienced his first tryst in a stand of trees illuminated by moonlight. The air smelled of grass, trees, and remembered infatuation.
The path grew steeper, winding around ever-higher hills. Elouan’s heart pounded harder, not from exertion, but from fear of what might happen next.
“Your uncle’s treachery angered the Goddess,” Sakaris muttered when the terrain leveled enough for them to walk abreast. “She's not afraid to show her ire.”
Elouan stopped, turning to give the old mage his full attention. “What do you mean?”
“In the days since Urien killed your father, three couples have gone to the sacred mountain. All three returned without eggs.”
Elouan recited words he’d often heard while growing up. “The Goddess doesn’t give her gifts to all who ask.”
Sakaris nodded his grizzled head. “True, but lately every couple has left the sacred mountain empty-handed. The number of our young has fallen since Anrai’s birth. Haven’t you noticed how few young we have?”
Why bring this up now? “Is there a bigger message you’re trying to tell me, Mage Sakaris?”
“Aye. The Goddess won’t bring young into an unhealthy court.
Having a faithless or self-serving leader is unhealthy.
Just see what happened to the Mountain Meadows and Sandy Shoals courts under their previous leaders.
Donovan Craigh and your dear friend Teron inherited ashes where once courts thrived.
While High Reaches thrived under your father, the breeze already carried the scent of change. ”
“The courts went to war with each other, and their efforts nearly destroyed them.” Teron alone remained of the Mountain Meadows royal family, as far as Elouan knew. No, wait. He had a sister somewhere, didn’t he? Surviving court members dispersed, seeking shelter with any who’d take them in.
What of Donovan and Sandy Shoals?
Sakaris continued, “It’s been several summers since members of any court I’m acquainted with received an egg. Not to mention how many of our kind have sought refuge on Terra.”
Elouan’s mouth dropped open. What? “They lost hundreds of dragons with their bickering. They either fled or died.”
Sakaris shook his head. “Not hundreds, thousands. Dragon numbers are dwindling even without the war. Few will continue to exist if the survivors don’t take action soon.
” After a moment, he quietly added, “Especially if your uncle pursues his mad idea of invading courts while they’re weak and pillaging their hoards. ”
“He what?” While dragons squabbled and occasionally fought, it was all for a reason, like territory.
“We don’t take advantage of another court for greed.
” Another thought occurred to Elouan. “My uncle plans to steal my hoard, doesn’t he?
” He glumly added, “Not that I’ll ever be able to use it again. ”
Sakaris gave a dark chuckle. “I long ago cast a spell on your hoard and the other royals’ treasures. Your uncle could look directly at a massive pile of gold and not see a solitary coin you’ve claimed as your own. And I wouldn’t be so quick to renounce your future.”
“I’m supposedly heading for my death,” Elouan reminded him. “That doesn’t sound too promising.”
“Aye, as far as the court is concerned.”
Elouan had heard the same conniving note in Sakaris’ tone before. Many times. Usually before he trounced Father at cards. One of the most powerful mages alive wasn’t above a few pranks occasionally. He and Father constantly worked to best each other.
Had worked. “What are you planning?” Elouan asked, failing to keep the suspicion from his voice. “You said you’d show Urien another dragon, claiming it to be me.”
“Urien has ordered the pathway to the human world sealed. No longer will he allow our folk to freely cross over. I will seal the doorway, but not before sending over one more dragon.” Sakaris lifted one meaningful eyebrow.
“Your father was my dearest friend. Failing him is my greatest shame. I’ll do everything in my power to ensure his legacy survives. ”
Elouan stopped. “You left the bowl before Urien attacked. Did you know what he planned?” Had Sakaris caused Father’s death? If so, it wouldn’t be Elouan flying over a cliff tonight.
“Alas, I did not. Unbeknownst to me, Urien conspired with Gwythyr. He hid Urien’s intentions and also enchanted the weapons brought into the bowl that night.”
“Where were you when Father died?” You should have been by his side!
Sakaris hung his head. “Gwythyr kept me away. Once I freed myself, I found I was too late.” His voice choked on the last words.
“I am so, so sorry, Prince Elouan, and I hope one day you and your brothers can forgive my error, for I’ll never forgive myself.
But I will do everything in my power to keep you all safe.
Even if Urien thinks you’re dead, Gwythyr could scry and find the truth. The only safe place for you is Terra.”
“Me? You’re sending me to the human world?
” What would Elouan do there, especially after losing everything he knew?
Terra was so different with technology, cars, telephones…
“But what of my brothers? The court? Will I be able to shift there?” So many stories existed about the place predominantly occupied by humans.
Though more and more dragons were brave enough to cross, few returned.
While human colonies existed in Adrakus, Elouan hadn’t dealt with any. Rumor said dragons had brought them to act as servants, but they’d eventually fought for freedom and now carefully avoided dragon lands.
Elouan had visited Terra several times but never stayed long enough to become overly familiar with the culture.
Finally, they came to the Cliff of Doom. Dawn pinked the horizon, driving back the stars. Elouan looked one last time at the heavens, committing this moment to memory. Oh, to shift and launch into the sky once more.
“You won’t be alone, Prince Elouan,” Sakaris told him.
“I’ll go with you part of the way. But remember to keep your eyes open.
There’s no telling what—or who—you might find.
” He placed both hands on Elouan's head, bringing their foreheads together. “My magic will help you adapt to the human world. I’ve already arranged enough human money to get you started in your new home. I’ll come for you when the time is right. ”
Elouan clung to the words as a lifeline, wrapping his arms around Sakaris. White-hot agony exploded in Elouan’s head. He bared his teeth, holding back a scream.
Water dripped somewhere nearby. Cool air brushed Elouan’s body—his naked body. He lay on a hard stone surface. Had someone returned him to his cell? There was nothing but darkness in every direction, with not a single sliver of light. Where was he?
A ball of light appeared before him as though summoned.
Elouan jumped back. What the… The feeble light reflected off the white in Sakaris’s hair and beard. “My apologies, Prince Elouan, I didn’t mean to scare you.”
Elouan shifted his gaze from his own nakedness to Sakaris’s robe.
“Oh, excuse me.” Sakaris set the light ball to hovering while he held out a hand—empty one moment and holding a robe the next.
“Put this on. I didn’t have time to buy locally worn attire.
This will have to do. Most dragons can’t bring possessions through the portal.
I can, but I still have limited options. ”
Elouan stood and pulled on the ill-fitting robe. “It’s freezing in here.”
“You’re in a cave, and during daylight we’d be sharing this space with a host of bats.
I have little time, so we’ll have to be quick.
Your Terran name is Elouan Aaron. There is a dragon nearby.
He and others here can help you establish that identity.
I’ve converted a share of your father’s hoard to local money, which I’ve deposited in a human bank.
” Sakaris handed Elouan a piece of paper.
“Here’s what you need to know: birth date, name, place of birth, banking information, etcetera. ”
Birthplace? Name? Birthdate?
Portal use always left Elouan reeling, but his mind decided now would be a good time for a break.
“It’s disorienting, I know, but you’ll come around.
” Sakaris wrapped his arms around Elouan, hugging him tightly.
"Don't be alarmed if foreign ideas form in your head. That’s part of a spell to help you adapt to your new surroundings. Take care of yourself. I’ll be back for you when the time is right. ”
“When will that be?”
“When you’re ready to take your rightful place.” Sakaris turned and walked into darkness, the mage light dimming, but going in the other direction. “You should follow that,” he instructed.
Elouan followed, finally exiting the cave. A full moon shone overhead, but the stars were all wrong. Nothing seemed familiar. Even the trees surrounding him smelled different.
“Is someone there?” came a wavering voice.
The mage light went out, leaving Elouan with only the moon’s glow. “I’m here.” What else was there to say?
“Are you a mugger? I’m warning you, I’m armed.”