A Shadow Flame (Book 7) Read online

  "What is so dangerous about them?" Borrican asked.

  "They can lead to madness," Kroma rumbled. "So I am told."

  "What is this madness of which you speak?" Vale asked, glancing over at Borrican, and the four dragons at her side shifted uneasily on their feet, sensitive to the troubles of madness that afflicted dragonkind.

  "It is a nearly forgotten tale from an ancient time," Kroma said. "Perhaps only the Lady herself knows the full truth of the godswords, for she is the only one who remains from the age in which they were created, but let us say it was better for the world when the knowledge of such weapons remained buried, along with the blades themselves."

  "A number of them were hidden in plain view," Borrican said, and he held up the large, weathered and scarred battleaxe that had been retrieved from the field, the weapon his uncle had wielded before it fell into the hands of the Darga prince. "This jeweled axe that belonged to my uncle, and swords of a similar fashion have been in the possession of many throughout the lands."

  "That is true, but few understood their power or were even aware of what these weapons were," Kroma replied. "I am curious to know, how did the blade of this axe come to be in such a state?"

  "I burned it with my fire, when I fought Draxis," Lexi said as Borrican handed the axe to Brian, so the god within him could inspect it more closely.

  "Dragonfire should not burn metal such as this," Kroma rumbled as he thumbed the melted edge of the blade, then he looked at Lexi, his gaze seeming to penetrated the shadows underneath her hood. "Your fire is not that of a dragon alone, for you also have the power of Stroma within you."

  Lexi was not sure how to respond to the deep voice of the god that seemed to shake the very ground whenever he spoke, and now she worried that her fire was different, then maybe she should not have warmed the dragon eggs. She was also afraid that he might wish vengeance upon her for killing Stroma, but she could sense no malice from him, and the few times he had spoken with his other voice, that of the one called Brian, she could feel only curiosity and an odd quickness in his voice, which made her feel very strange.

  "Let us focus on the matter at hand," Ariana said. "We must free Maramyr from Calexis and this dark god within her, that controls the power of the shadow. We may have defended this land from an attack, but there is much damage that has been done, and I feel as though the longer we wait, the stronger our enemy becomes. If we are to save Maramyr and its people, we must move quickly."

  "The dark god has already become powerful," Kroma said. "If we are to succeed in this, we must also be ready to do what must be done."

  "You speak of destroying my kingdom and many of its people," Ariana said with a frown.

  "If we are to drive the shadow from the world, then it may be that we have no other choice," Kroma replied.

  "What about Aaron?" Lexi asked. "Ehlena said he was trying to do something to stop the Xallan Queen." Her lip curled when she mentioned her mother.

  "The Lady feels and hears many things on the wind," Kroma said. "I can also feel the tremors of magic at work in the land of Maramyr, the power of the shadow as it grows, but it is true, the goddess has said that there are others who work against the shadow even as we speak. Perhaps their efforts will be of use." Brian insisted on speaking next. "And, of course, we will do everything we can to help Aaron and save the people of Maramyr."

  "Good," Ariana said, relieved when the others nodded in agreement as her thoughts drifted to Aaron, and she wondered what part he might play in the efforts to stop Calexis. "It is my duty to protect the people of my kingdom, but I know we must stop this god and the shadow, or the destruction we have seen here in the elven forest will be only one of many horrors to befall the world. If all else fails, then we will do what must be done and destroy the shadow."

  "If Lady Vale is willing to fly with me, I would seek allies, defenders, who would help us in this task," Brian offered, then he turned to Kaleb. "Kaleb, your Bordermen, Fergus and the others, the defenders of White Falls, they would gladly stand for Maramyr."

  "Of course they will," Kaleb replied with a grin. "You know what a loyal and determined bunch they are. Give the lads my orders, Brian. We rally for the kingdom."

  "I will," Brian said, then he turned to Vale. "Lady Vale, would you be willing to travel with me to the east?"

  "You wish for me to fly you there?" she asked.

  "If you would not mind," Brian replied, a little less sure about his request, since he had learned that dragons were not particularly fond of the idea of carrying a person on their backs.

  "I cannot assist you in this," Vale said. "I must remain here to care for Ariana's clutch, as my mother does for mine. They cannot be without the heat of dragonfire for long."

  Brian was confused, since he thought that Ariana or Borrican would be able to care for the three dragon eggs, but it seemed that other things had been decided. He turned to the princess, who he also remembered was really the Queen of Maramyr, his own land, though she was also a princess among the elves.

  "Then you will not stay here in the elven forest?" he asked.

  "My duty now is to Maramyr," Ariana said. "If we do not defeat Calexis and drive the shadow from the land, then nothing else will matter, and I will see this done. Borrican and I will lead the soldiers of Maramyr and Kandara, under the command of Generals Nathas and Kaleb, and Berant, of course, assuming we can free them with the stones."

  "If I have your permission, I will march my forces from this forest," Berant said. "Margo and Kiva should have no trouble finding us on the road, and I do believe the elves would prefer to see us gone from their lands."

  "Very good," Ariana said. "Meet up with us at Rivergate or upon the road beyond once the soldiers have been set free."

  "I had hoped one of the dragons would lend Brian and I aid in traveling," Kroma rumbled, pressing the matter a little further.

  "It is my duty to guard my queen," Storm said quickly, making it clear that he intended to stay close to Ariana.

  Kroma looked at the other dragons and knew it was unlikely the others would stray far from the females that had claimed them, unless ordered to do so, as Vale had ordered Kiva, and he knew how dragons also detested the idea of carrying someone on their back, thus he had preferred that they might offer of their own accord. Unfortunately, when he looked over at the other young dragons, he got the distinct impression that they were not interested in such an idea.

  "I must carry the elf woman, and the Kandaran," Crag said.

  "I will fly with the general, Nathas," Raz added.

  "I must take Kaleb," Kaz said.

  "It is fine," Kroma rumbled, a little irritated at the selfishness of the dragons, who could each carry several riders if they chose. It was a trait he had been reminded of very recently when he had met with the elder dragons, who had decided to remain safe inside their mountain home rather than answer the call against the shadow. And despite their lack of gratitude, and refusal to help in the fight, he and Brian had nonetheless taken the time to purify the flows. The god sighed, disappointed, but not surprised. "It will require some of my power to travel quickly enough, but we can gather the others, even though my heavy footfalls will not likely escape notice by the dark god."

  "I can take you," Lexi offered, her voice barely more than a whisper. Brian turned to her and nodded. He had not wanted to ask her because she seemed so uncomfortable around him, and he felt a little awkward around her as well, but he was not sure why. Kroma chuckled inside him, apparently amused by something.

  "Very good," Borrican said, nodding at the blue-scaled dragon girl, and he turned to Vale. "Though you will remain here, can we count on the support of your vassals against the enemy? Now that the army nears the edge of the elven forest, the threat of the Darga attacking without warning is that much greater"

  "Yes," Vale said. "My vassals are Ariana's vassals. While Kiva flies to the north, the other three will accompany you and guard the skies to make sure your army remains safe, and they will
fight." She turned and looked at Kiva, Crag, Raz and Kaz, and the dragons, each of them, in an almost human form, and looking like little more than boys, nodded, with looks of determination on their faces. Vale turned to Borrican again. "Borrican, if any of them give you any trouble, you have my permission to tear a few scales off of them."

  "We are loyal vassals, and will fight as you command," Crag growled. "But we will gladly fight these foul Darga creatures if they dare to show themselves and we will burn the shadow with our fire."

  "You drakes have our gratitude, Crag, and your strength and fire will be needed against the enemy," Borrican said, looking at the dragon warriors with a serious expression on his face, showing them that he respected their strength. "And Kiva, you will fly north to fetch the stones from the watchers."

  "Consider it done, Akandra," Kiva said. "I will return before you even know I am gone." Then he looked over at the other drakes. "I am fast upon the wing."

  "Fast at flying away from danger," Raz growled.

  "Then it is settled," Borrican said. "Lexi and Brian, and Kroma, of course, will carry word to others who would stand with us. We will free Maramyr and destroy Calexis and this dark god, once and for all."

  "What of the elves?" Kroma rumbled. "Will they assist?"

  "Quenta says he will lead a contingent of elven warriors," Ariana said. "They will travel on their own."

  "It would make more sense to have the elves join up with the rest of our forces," Nathas suggested. "If we are to retake Maramyr and spare the people, it will require proper military coordination and command."

  "The elves will honor the call to battle," Ariana told him. "And they will fight, but they will do so in their own way."

  "Fair enough, highness," Nathas replied, quickly sensing that it would be better not to press the issue further. "We should depart soon, for the army already approaches Rivergate, and it is likely we will encounter strong resistance."

  "It will literally be an uphill battle, and Rivergate is well fortified," Kaleb commented, then he looked over at Storm and the other four dragons. "Although, I do suppose we will have one advantage, or six, to be more precise." He glanced at Borrican as well.

  "There are tunnels beneath Rivergate that lead up into the city," Ariana said. "We may be able to use them to get into the city."

  "Excellent, we will attack them above and below," Borrican said as he rolled up the map and everyone began making their way from the room.

  Brian smiled at Lexi as she walked with him out of the wooden palace. "I appreciate your willingness to fly me to the places I must travel," he told her.

  "I want to help," Lexi said, her voice quiet and unsure. "We will make it to Maramyr for the battle? I have to be there."

  "Of course," Brian said. "We will both be needed at Maramyr."

  "Good," Lexi replied, her full lips pursing under her cowl. "This time she will die."

  Brian had learned from the others that Calexis was her mother, and from what little they had told him, from the things he had seen and heard about the Xallan Queen, he did not imagine that things would have been easy for Lexi, being raised by someone so cold and ruthless. Even so, as shy and unassuming as her personality was, as soon as they walked out of the palace and into the large clearing, she seemed to be almost a complete contradiction when she became a dangerous and powerful dragon, her entire being emanating a fearsome killing fury. Energy crackled along her blue scales as she lowered her head, and as Brian climbed aboard her back, and when he touched her, he could tell that the god within him found it strange to feel the power of Stroma coursing through her.

  As he settled in above her Lexi's powerful shoulders, Brian glanced over at the other dragons, who were shifting to their true forms, along with Borrican, and Lexi turned her head back and looked at him with a deep blue reptilian eye, catching his attention.

  "Hang on to me," she said. "I fly very fast."

  "Then let us fly, dragon!" Kroma rumbled deeply, and even the god was surprised when Lexi flexed her wings then leapt from the ground so quickly that they almost became a flash of light.

  "You do fly fast, Lexi," Brian gasped, clinging to her armored scales as she climbed high into the sky, adjusting her wings only to stay level and change her trajectory while her power propelled them faster. As they angled to the east, they flew over the grey and black patches of the elven forest that had been destroyed by the withering poison smoke, and they also saw vast areas where the ground still smoldered from dragonfire, which had been the only way to burn away the poison smoke that had the goddess had not been able to pull away from the trees and into the sky with her power.

  In the forest below, at the edge of the destruction, Laurana and Ehlena looked to the sky as the blue dragon disappeared from the horizon, followed by Borrican, Storm and the other dragons as they flew off toward the army that was already marching to Rivergate. Laurana placed her hand on the trunk of a tree that had been mostly withered by poison but was still alive, though only barely. Its naked branches shuddered as she let some of her power flow into it, and the tree whispered its gratitude mixed with a feeling of sorrow, for though its pain was lessened a little, it knew that it was beyond saving. Near to its roots, on the side where the poison had not yet spread, the tree sprouted several small, green shoots that Laurana gently plucked and cradled them carefully in the crook of her arm.

  "You will live, and the forest will return," Laurana said, and the tree shuddered once more and the faint hint of life withered away as it died. Ehlena followed the elven queen as she stepped away from the tree, and moments later its branches began to crack and fall, suddenly dry and brittle, as though it had died long ago, an effect of the poison smoke.

  "The poison of the shadow still lingers here," Ehlena commented as she knelt down to touch the ground and felt the dark magic seeping from the dirt.

  "The dragons have burned much of it away," Laurana said as one of her people passed by and collected the tree shoots from her, then continued on to where other elves were at work saving what life they could. "For that we are grateful, but it has been difficult to watch so much of the forest turned to ash. The god, Kroma has told us of ways we might cleanse the ground, with water and ash, but it will take some time before anything will grow again in these places. For now, we will plant saplings such as these elsewhere, and perhaps someday they, in turn, will make others can be safely returned. With patience and time, both the forest and its people will recover from this."

  "It is not the first time the forest has fallen to the shadow," Ehlena said as she rose to her feet. "Let us hope it will be the last."

  "You speak of ancient times." Laurana stared at her, wondering how much the girl goddess remembered of things that were almost considered legend even among her people, who were longer lived than most, and Ehlena answered her question.

  "It is like a distant vision, yet somehow vivid, as though it was only yesterday," she said. "We again fight the shadow, but I hope things will not become so dire as they once did, so long ago."

  "We have stopped the shadow here and driven it back," Laurana said, defiantly at first, then her expression turned somber. "It has been at great cost to many, and the war yet continues, and though we may not be as strong as we once were, the shadow has not yet spread across the land."

  "No," Ehlena said. "We are fortunate that it is not so powerful yet."

  Laurana commented about her worry for Ariana and the others, but Ehlena only half heard the elven queen, for she was distracted by a whisper among the trees, and she let her senses flow outward and listened with her power. A moment later, Laurana heard the warning from the forest, and the two women turned as branches snapped and the ground shook. An angry bellow echoed through the trees and a large, scaled creature that looked almost like a dragon, emerged from the forest, its grey scales scarred and bleeding, and the wings upon its back torn and cut in many places as well.

  Leaping after it, was a tall creature wearing tattered clothes and carrying a jeweled
sword, and Laurana quickly recognized from the remnants of its garb and its features that it was Rolan, who had become like Quenta, though far more so than had her son, the elven prince. The lizard creature turned and swung at him with its claws and Rolan stepped back beyond its reach, then he dashed forward, plunging the tip of his blade into its shoulder. Black blood spurted from the wound and sizzled upon the ground as Rolan pulled his sword free and dodged another swipe from the creature. Laurana felt the air around them grow thick and she saw the movement of the giant lizard slow as Rolan struck again, taking advantage of the opening to ram his sword deep into its throat, and she knew that Ehlena had used her power to help him.

  "Rolan has become like Quenta," Laurana said.

  "Yes, he is almost completely become Alvar," Ehlena replied as Rolan howled and drove the blade deeper into the creature.

  "It is the power of these weapons that does this." Laurana glanced down at the jeweled blade she wore at her hip. "Did you know of the danger of this when you gave them to us?"

  "It is not a danger, Laurana," Ehlena told her. "There was a time when becoming Alvar was honored among your people, and there is a need for such warriors once again."

  "I have spoken with Quenta, and he offers no complaint," Laurana said. "Though his transformation is far less than Rolan, and he has found a way to shift back to something like what he was before, I would have preferred that we would have learned of this before using such power."

  "It is the power to defeat the shadow and to restore the forest," Ehlena said as Rolan pulled the sword free from the giant lizard that slumped to the ground. "Did you know that trees of this forest are descended from Alvar?"

  "I thought that to be an old legend," Laurana said.

  "It is a very old legend," Ehlena replied. "It is a legend that is also true."

  Rolan stood over the creature as it died, then he turned and looked at the two women and began walking toward them, his sword slick with black blood and his angular eyes smoldering behind the ridges of wood-like bone that now covered his face and looked much like the masks the elves wore into battle. His mouth cracked open wide and he let out a loud howl, and Laurana stepped back, fearful when he raised his sword as though he meant to strike.