Sal heard noises as John was hoisted up by the men and tended to. Then there were some tense moments as Sal decided whether to continue fleeing or rush back to try and help her brother.
I’ve given health tonic. Whatever did for him has him passed out cold. Maybe he just got concussed when we blasted through. Seems likely the case. She heard a clansmen saying.
He was alive! Sal fell to her knees as she was hit by waves of exhaustion. Everything felt hazy evidently it had all been too much. First her father and now her brother. She couldn’t lose anyone else she just couldn’t.
----
Sal awoke in darkness, cold having seeped into her bones from the earth of the cave floor. But what numbed her more was the realisation that she had fallen unconscious and now was alone. Her mind reeled and she felt nauseas. Where was her brother?! She got up groggily and staggered to the next passageway and then the next. Following the clear tracks on the tunnel floor.
But she was panicking now, her heart slowly picking up speed. The silence of the cave as she stood still as a statue elevating her pulse further still. Nothing could be heard.
She had never really used her finding skill properly, not practised for years like her brother. But now she tried with all the focus she had. A keening noise arose in her throat and she strained her hearing to find which way he had been taken.
There around her she could sense the plants that contained mana in the nearest cave, a section of shard up above her head, far up in the depths of the stone. She strained more and as she did so more resonance was found. More was unearthed to her, moment by moment. But no John. Surely the shard in him must resonate and give her a direction.
She gritted her teeth and put everything she felt she had into it and then something moved inside her, a tearing in her very soul, and through the pain she sensed it! The shard and something, something else within. A searing pain again hit her and then oblivion engulfed her for the second time that day.
She dreamt of a slumbering creature, its skin as tough as the stone around her. She felt its soul call out to her and she accepted it in. She embraced it and it became one with her.
She hugged it to her chest, feeling its steely crystalline underbelly with her finger tips. She shared her warmth with it.
Seeing the tiny dragon, for that was what it surely was, she felt their connection thicken and became overcome with its emotions of sadness.
Yet another helpless soul separated from its kith and kin she thought. And then she felt it.
image [https://images-wixmp-ed30a86b8c4ca887773594c2.wixmp.com/f/e8cb5e90-72ff-487d-a0a4-fb7cd7f81c26/dh76nex-d90c8d6b-d1a6-4cf4-89a9-b4648d19f42f.png/v1/crop/w_253,h_350,x_0,y_0,scl_0.29940828402367,q_70,strp/sal_in_soul_space_with_travar___1_by_nebzulus_dh76nex-350t.jpg?token=eyJ0eXAiOiJKV1QiLCJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJzdWIiOiJ1cm46YXBwOjdlMGQxODg5ODIyNjQzNzNhNWYwZDQxNWVhMGQyNmUwIiwiaXNzIjoidXJuOmFwcDo3ZTBkMTg4OTgyMjY0MzczYTVmMGQ0MTVlYTBkMjZlMCIsIm9iaiI6W1t7ImhlaWdodCI6Ijw9MTE3MSIsInBhdGgiOiJcL2ZcL2U4Y2I1ZTkwLTcyZmYtNDg3ZC1hMGE0LWZiN2NkN2Y4MWMyNlwvZGg3Nm5leC1kOTBjOGQ2Yi1kMWE2LTRjZjQtODlhOS1iNDY0OGQxOWY0MmYucG5nIiwid2lkdGgiOiI8PTg0NSJ9XV0sImF1ZCI6WyJ1cm46c2VydmljZTppbWFnZS5vcGVyYXRpb25zIl19.DOs0f710Ptm3QyzoCgdGWP9r2xwaM_KPexv5-dixHX0]
The connection with a thousand others of her kind and she was flooded with their loneliness and sorrow. She wept at the treachery as all weepers before her.
She had always hid her finder skill, never wanting to be sent into the deep mines where she might be lost forever. And how would she save her mother then?
All she needed was to be caught. The plan was simple. Elves would never be killed or harmed by common folk or bandits, the price on their head was too high.
And once caught there were only a few places she could end up, well only one really the first port of call in this land would be the Augamantine Empire. As it was the only place that housed enough wealth to hold nobles with the riches to purchase such a rare commodity as an Elf.
This would mean she would more than lightly end up wherever her mother was held. So though she felt wretched at times for worrying her father, when she was smaller, by deliberately trying to stray or leave her ears unhidden. She had a valid reason.
Now though, she was older and realised there were two problems, unfortunately with this plan. The obvious problem was that being captured would gain her a mother but lose her a father. And the second was that she was just too weak. Too weak to save her mother.
That was why when she first sensed the creatures emotions, looking down at the fragile thing, she was stirred with such a pit of emotions that she was overwhelmed.
When she looked at it she saw it was very small and blue. Was it a new born hatchling? She thought it was. But then didn’t dragons take a very long, long time to grow. So it was hard to tell.
She was so caught up in her sea of emotions however that she didn’t even wonder at the ancient temple or the shiny armour that fitted like a glove. It was only a dream after all wasn’t it?
But it was a warm dream, the happiest dream she had had in a long, long time ---
Travar, black dragon of the Sarcadian realm, Salamander of the South, paid little attention to a surprising surge of mana from outside. He had been essentially in an eternal slumber for many centuries now as the custodian of the dungeon core took care of everything. And since the Holy army of the humans had destroyed his home, this dungeon prison. He had been just biding time till his inevitable demise.
He did however awaken when he felt a powerful tug on his soul that he could not shrug off and ignore. A summoning!
Too weak to resist he felt himself being pulled into another vessel. At least it might be a change or a final blessed termination of his life, he felt.
But he was…nowhere. All his physical senses suppressed. Yet he could feel the presence of another soul pressing against him. So it was not another Dungeon Core. Perhaps a shard, held by a summoner? He did not know as he had not suffered the dishonour of being beholden to a summoner before enslavement in the dungeon core had occurred.
He had been tricked into being bonded to a Dungeon Core by humans who had first poisoned him then offered him an ultimatum. Poisoned his water supply while he slept. Then in stages dragged him nearer and nearer to death. He had not noticed it being his time for slumber and had merely felt more tired than normal and deeper in his slumber. When he was finally weak enough they tried to coerce him with the offer of immortality. But when he was uncompliant they merely told him to either except the contract or die. Of course if he had known it would be a life sentence he would have laughed in their faces and accepted an honourable death. Such is the gift of hindsight.
In this void, he felt a strange yet familiar aura. The vessel he was now within was not just some mere shard, it was alive and housed a soul? It came to him then that he was in the soul space of another. He had heard of such things but it was a rarity indeed, even in the long life span of such a dragon as he.
Extending his senses he found it was no great mage, as would be expected, as the mana sensed was minuscule. Though the affinities were complex making it hard to distinguish what race it could be.
But he could quite possibly influence them or even maybe attack them to mortally wound them. Did they not realise this!? What was their true intent? He opened communication out of pure unbridled curiosity.
Greetings he said simply unsure how else to address his captor.
But no reply came. This gave Travar more time to think on matters in his new cage.
Maybe this could be used to his advantage and strange though it was it was surely far better than his previous predicament. He had no body in this form but maybe he could make use of that of another. At the very least he was now free of that other one which was a blessed relief. This gave him a strange feeling he had not experienced for many centuries as a smile played across his face – the tempting providence of freedom and something else.
He was free of that infernal prison and just maybe he could at last bring some … the word made him hunger and could almost feel the icy breath that yearned to blast again from his lungs… JUSTICE!
----
Sal was still in her dream, at least that’s what she thought it must be until a voice echoed through her environs.
Greetings? Said Travar again starting to get Déjà vu at being trapped in yet another prison after his initial hopefulness.
Sal looked around and seeing no one else except the small dragon she was holding, addressed it.
Is that you little dragon? Can you talk?
Do I look small to you mortal? Well I suppose that is possible Travar added rather to himself.
Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
Yes definitely small, tiny even as dragons go, not that I’ve ever seen one of course said Sal continuing to absentmindedly stroke the dragons scales.
Ok, let’s start from the beginning. You have summoned me into your soul space where I currently reside. What you can see is a symbolic representation of my soul said Travar hoping to clear up matters a bit.
Soul space? Summoned! Sal decided this was one hundred percent the thing to focus in on. Did this thing, dragon soul, say she, she Sal had summoned it. She was a summoner!
Yes I will admit it is rare thing indeed but there you have it. Soul space is quite self explanatory, it’s a space within your soul were things can reside…
Travar could feel the waves of excitement coming off this person but felt them dwindle as he spoke about the soul space which was by far the most amazing thing. To him that is, clearly not to this person.
To have a soul space resilient enough to easily summon and contain a soul is incredibly advanced for any being.
Still noting no rise in emotions he added.
How large exactly is your soul space?
Oh, Ok, right. Well very large. I can see stars in the sky, though come to think of it that’s a bit strange as I can see buildings nearby and in the distance, mountains but they’re all well lit, like its day time. Said Sal really taking in her not dream world but soul space properly.
Travar was shocked into stunned silence for a moment. He had never heard of the like and wondered if this person was lying but again could detect no rues. This opened up so many possibilities! Travar wanted, no needed to see it for himself.
Do you have any skill that can help you connect with others?
I have a skill that can help me find things Sal felt a bit weird now that this dream seemed to be coming alive all of its own.
Can I get out of here? She said nervously not sure if she should be asking the person who was making her feel nervous in the first place.
We are both currently trapped but I cannot help you from here. Use your skill to try and find me. Then I can perhaps use that connection to get to you.
I’m sorry and all but I don’t know who you are. Why should I trust you?
Travar could see the individuals point, by the mental projection of the voice and her answers so far. It was a young female of some species.
Ok, well maybe I can help you a bit even if I’m not there. There must be some reason you cannot leave your soul space currently. What happened before you entered?
I was trying to find my brother then I kind of blacked out and found myself here. In my soul space, if that’s what it is.
Why were you trying to find your brother?
He was taken by some people from the fist clan. They would have taken me too but I hid.
It is possible that you have disappeared from the physical realm and are only in your soul space. This again is incredibly rare and advanced. Travar said to himself more than anything.
Travar had only really heard of one person whom it was openly known of that could do such things. So he thought it prudent to check out the basics that he may have over looked. Namely who exactly he was talking to.
Sorry I haven’t introduced myself. I can only make the excuse that spending hundreds of years not talking to anyone has made me a bit…unmannerly. Not anyone worth mentioning anyway thought Travar.
My name is Travar and as you have surmised I am a dragon, well in soul at least. And your name is?
Sal, just Sal she said meekly
And your family name?
I’m not rightly sure I understand
Would there be any other name you are known by? Said Travar veracious for any clue. He was fastidious in tracking his prey and knew the more information no matter how trivial might help in the long run.
Well, I do have another name but it’s just a pet name my mother used to call me sometimes, she called it a middle name.
And it is? Said Travar expectantly.
Amander
Travar’s mind stuttered in disbelief - Sal-Amander.
Realising now that more improbable things were likely around the corner. As this was a clue left by her mother for him or those of his kin alone. Now the question was why? Why did her mother want for them to meet? What he did know though was that anything the Oracle herself had set into motion would be momentous and far reaching in its implications.
There was only ever one living Oracle at a time. Or to rephrase that, there was only ever one with the full powers of the Oracle at a time. This had been true throughout all the ages. Oh, yes there had been soothsayers and omen readers but only ever one Oracle with divinely given abilities.
He was now in the presence of the next Oracle. Maybe he had been chosen to protect her? Which he was indeed duty bound to do so. Travar composed himself.
Most probably you are not able to exit from your soul space as an instinctive measure of self preservation. I have heard rumours of such things being possible and due to your lineage I can’t say I’m surprised.
It’s the trait of an Elf to do this? Sal queried. Delighted to find out she had another skill. First, summoning apparently and now soul? She didn’t know what it was called but clearly a game changer.
Travar realised another reason he had been entrusted with this task. You don’t know?
Sal was momentarily perplexed. There were so many things she did not know that this statement seemed rather unnecessary or even downright rude.
But I can learn? She said feeling put upon.
No dear child, I will try to break this to you gently but your mother is of great importance to this world. Your mother I have no doubt is the Oracle.
He did have no doubt, the mixed affinities, an individual with little or no mana able to summon a dragon, with a vast soul space, if she was to be believed. And she was to be believed, he could read her every emotion like sigilry and she was not lying.
My…M-Mother an O-O-Oracle. It cannot be. She would have told me? ….Wouldn’t she?
Sal had heard of Oracles, who hadn’t. She felt her head spinning and tried to take a deep breath but then realised this wasn’t even her real body. Which made her feel worse still.
Then thankfully she felt a soothing balm come over her and she stilled.
Hush now child, there will be more time to talk of this later. Your mother has untrusted me Salamander of the South, to protect you. And I swear on my soul that I will.
Oh, I see. Sal felt relieved and all of sudden even more calm realising that her mother and indeed herself were not as powerless as she had believed all this time.
My mother is in the hands of the Augamantine Empire… most likely. She added haltingly.
I presume that is the biggest power nearby. That the Oracle is held by one of the biggest world’s players is normal. Since the fall of the elven kingdom this has always been the case.
Did you visit the elven kingdom? Sal couldn’t help but ask despite knowing this was not the time. But when do you get the chance to ask a dragon such things? Also would he be able to tell her more tales of the weepers? And even what came before?
This was the case for the last Oracle that I know of, Elliandra, the Golden Oracle. Oh, yes, I have spent much time in the Elven Realm and could regale you of many a tale of my kin and the elves, and our strong allegiance.
Hey! What did he say! Elliandra and what the! Golden Oracle. Thought Sal as her mind rapidly caught up with the more interesting for now, part of the conversation.
This human child! Her mind seems to jump about like an over excited rabbit thought Travar privately to himself. He guessed this was all a lot for the poor child to take in.
Yes, Elliandra was the last Oracle that I had the great privilege to meet when she was only a small child such as yourself.
My mother who went missing is called Elliandra Sal stated feeling not a little distressed and confused.
But then it must not be the same one, for this was more like seven hundred years ago. Do not fret yourself little one, the choosing of the same name for a descendant is far from uncommon and in fact is an honour. Said Travar trying to alleviate the child’s clearly raw emotions.
So what are you saying I was not honoured? As my name is not Elliandra. Said Sal heatedly.
Dear Oracle, I sincerely believe that your name was chosen to hide you from others who would cause you harm. And I apologise for causing you further distress this must be a lot to take in. Travar also tried to sooth this new Oracle as much as possible but was rather at his limit having already leaned heavily on this mental skill.
Ok, can you tell me more about her? Sal genuinely wanted to know anything she could about her mother and whatever the hell she had been up to that meant she would go galavanting about leaving her family at home. As she had a feeling this was her mother despite the seven hundred or whatever years. As an Orcacle she knew this kind of thing.
The Golden Oracle was a revered figure particularly in elven history, known for her immense wisdom and powerful connection to the ancient dragon affinity of air. She was born into a prestigious line of elf royalty, and from a young age, it was clear that she possessed a special bond with the dragons. The golden dragon, in particular, was said to be her constant companion and later in life a valued adviser. She was instrumental in leading the elves through times of great turmoil and upheaval, using her wisdom to navigate complex political situations and protect her kingdom from external threats. The Golden Oracle remains a revered figure in elven folklore, a symbol of wisdom, strength, and unity. Travar tried his best to supply a succinct and brief homage to the great oracle and thought he had balanced it about right.
She had a golden dragon. Said Sal simply. Though Travar could tell the statement was anything but simple as he could feel the emotions boiling off this new Oracles very soul.
Why does she get to have a golden one? Was it some kind of upgrade? Could I upgrade mine? These were all things going through Sal’s head. But she unfortunately didn’t feel she could broach them with her dragon. The dragon that was decidedly ungolden and didn’t for heaven’s sake even currently have a body.
Well she would fix that good and proper! Mother you haven’t beaten me yet. I will have the mightiest dragon the world has ever known. The land will quake in its very presence! Just you wait and see. But why even stop at dragons? There were plenty of other legendary beasts that Sal had heard of in tales. And she had found a dragon. Why couldn’t she find them all? She was a finder after all. No not just any finder, an oracle the greatest finder of them all. Thought Sal jubilantly.
Outloud mentally at least she said Little dragon from here on in we will be the best of friends, as I have plans for you little one.
Travar was now simply alarmed. This was no child, this was a monster!
But then he consoled himself that that was exactly what was needed if their quests was to be as historic as he expected.
When Travar felt the hurricane of emotions had subsided somewhat, he again addressed the new oracle.
Please could you tell me more about your soul space as I am sure this will give us must needed information to help us on our quest.
Travar felt sure that he had not over stepped himself by assuring her that he would protect her despite of course not having the main strength of a dragon – a physical form. He was sure though that the Oracle herself would not have planned for this meeting only for it to end in disaster, so soon.
He just needed to use something a dragon has, that is most underrated and understated in tales of old, cunning.
However if he did manage to pull this off and nurture and protect this fledgling oracle on her way to greatness – tales of him would be told throughout the six realms allowing him to at last live with some honour.
Next after Travar had questioned the new oracle, Sal about her soul space. More clues came to light. As Travar had a distinct idea, a gut feeling that he knew the place depicted with her soul.
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