We stayed with the dragons as they recovered. The children pulled another miracle. They conjured a large crystal in the center of the field and connected it to the energy plane. Then they did something that let it take the incoming energy and convert it to mana. I tried to study the enchantment, but it was beyond me. They looked up at me and smiled.

  One of the ancients finally pulled himself up onto his feet and came to me.

“I am Trigar. Thank you. We were almost gone.”

“I am sorry I didn’t find you sooner.” I said sadly.

“What’s done is done. You are Arienach, aren’t you?”

“Yes. I go by Michael Arienach now.”

“So the eldest ancient is now a god.”

I sighed. “Not my idea, but it was a package deal.”

He chuckled, then coughed. “Damn that stuff burns your throat.”

“It will take time. We got it all out and healed you, but it will still be raw for a while.”

He snorted. “Raw is much better than the alternative. What will you do with us now?”

“What do you mean? If you wish, you can stay here or join the empire. You might have to get used to the empire, however.”

“You made a dragon empire?”

“Not really, but they call it that. It is an empire of all the people.”

“You mean the lesser races.”

“That would be where you would need to adjust. Once they were brought together with us, they have done miracles.”

He shook his head. “They don’t hold half our power.”

I laughed. “And we don’t hold one tenth of their creativity.”

  He just stared at me.

“We hold sixteen worlds right now. Seventeen if you wish to add this world and join us.”

“I would see these worlds.”

“How about I take you to Dragonhaven?”

“Dragonhaven?”

“The other races named it. I rather suck at names. It is the capitol of the empire.”

“I would see that, I think.”

“Why don’t we wait a bit and see if any of the others wish to join us.”

  Haladoria came to join us after making her rounds of the dragons. Most were starting to stir, but they weren’t quite aware of their surroundings. Then the children showed up.

Trigar’s eyes bulged. “My gods!”

They giggled and said in unison. “Yes?”

He just stared in shock. Then he looked at Haladoria. “You as well?”

She smiled at him. “Yes, the children made me a god while I was trying to heal you. I couldn’t have done it otherwise.”

“These are your children?”

“Yes. I was an elf, but became a dragon to be with Michael. These are ours.”

  The other dragons had been stirring and a few came over to listen.

One of them asked. “How was it that you became a god?”

I sighed. “It was rather a package deal. Haladoria had died and the other dragons… well, they didn’t take it too well.”

Haladoria sighed. “So the gods gave the other races immortality so the dragons would not suffer.”

  We neglected to tell them that it was a setup by the gods. They were changing it seemed, so it seemed petty now. We waited until all of the other dragons had recovered then asked them all if they would care to see Dragonhaven. After seeing the children and Haladoria, they were all more than willing.

“The only thing that we require is that you do not harm any of the people while you are there.”

  That brought on another discussion of the people, but in the end, they were amiable. We flew up and circled, then opened a portal over my caldera. The others came through and saw for the first time the empire of the dragons. They were like curious children as we flew over the city. The people came out and cheered as we flew over the outer town. They were stunned. The docks and such caught their eye, the gleaming streets in a fan shape to either side made for an almost surrealistic view. Haladoria and the children landed first and shifted. Well, Haladoria did anyway. Then they landed one by one and gathered around her pointing and staring. The people came out and greeted them, offering them food and odd things. When I finally landed, I had to bite back a laugh when I saw one I knew to be an ancient with a yo-yo.

  The shops, the artisans, the crafters… they were entranced. Haladoria met us outside of the Dragons Head with a cask of brandy. I watched as more than one’s eyes glazed over in amazement. The dragons on the cliff face held them fascinated for almost an hour. The carvings on the walls to the inner ring as well. The inner city also seemed to captivate them. All looked in wonder at the various races coming and going, chatting and working together. I stopped them a mile in and pointed out the lairs on the inner ring. They looked at my volcano, then at me.

Trigar made the statement they were all thinking. “The gods live here.”

I smiled. “Yes.”

Then Ta showed up. “Welcome dragons. We are sorry that you suffered.”

It was dead quiet as the dragons stared at her.

I smiled. “It is over now for them.”

Ta turned to me with a smile. “You have more to save, but you do well Michael. None should be as these were. We have found blessing under your rule.”

  Then, it typical Ta fashion, she disappeared.

Trigar whispered. “They talk…”

I smiled… right up until he continued. “I would join your empire, Michael.”

I sighed. “I would be honored to have you.”

  I turned to the other dragons who all took one knee. The empire dragons who had been watching cheered and then ran in to hug their brethren. Haladoria hugged me with a little tear in her eye.

“You do well… lord dragon.”

I rolled my eyes and sighed.

Noregus laughed then grabbed Trigar. “Let me tell you about the traditions of the empire.” He said giving me an evil grin.

I just shook my head and laughed.

Arienach gave me a mental nudge. “Did you happened to catch what Ta said?”

I though for a few moments. “I guess not.” I said perplexed.

“We have found blessing under your rule.”

I didn’t catch it at first, then the wording sunk in. “Oh my gods.”

“Apparently.” He said dryly.

“What the hell is going on here?”

Haladoria noticed the look on my face and came over. “What is the matter, Michael?”

I sighed. “I am not sure. I may have been hearing things.”

“What?”

“Did you hear exactly what Ta said?”

“Yes?”

“Go over exactly what she said.”

I could see her focus for a moment, then her brow furrowed. “That can’t be right…”

Tristan appeared next to us. “But it is.” She said with a whisper and a laugh, then she disappeared again.

  We just stared at each other.

  The next morning found us in the caldera. The children were snuggled in between us warbling. I couldn’t help but smile as I lay there floating. Haladoria awoke next and smiled at me.

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“They are little angels.” In a half whisper.

  I snorted, causing them to stir in their sleep.

“They are little gods.” I replied in a low tone.

  She just grinned.

We lay there for the longest time until Ronan opened one eye. “You know, we can feel you watching us.”

I chuckled. “Would you like us to stop?”

“No, it feels almost like a caress. We just thought you should know.”

“Well, when you are ready, we will go see the trolls.”

  That had all of their attention. The others stirred and yawned, then grinned. They had grown a bit, they were almost four feet long by now. I now knew the parental pleasure of watching your children grow. I suppose most parents didn’t get to watch them grow this fast, however. Still, nothing else in my life was normal, why should this be? I reasoned.

  One of them giggled. I just shook my head with a smile.

  We ported in over the sea and flew to where the trolls had been spotted. I had thought to bring the wyvern, but held off for some reason. Just a feeling. I had Ronan and Eric on my back and Haladoria had Tristan. We couldn’t figure out how they could stand there as we flew. I suppose it was one of the perks of being god-lings. Land came into sight and I scanned the beach we were headed for. I didn’t see anything. We landed on the beach and Haladoria and I shifted. Strangely the children stayed with us. I had the feeling we were being watched, but I didn’t bother to scan. Who or whatever it was would either make itself known or not. After a few minutes I notice the trees moving off to my left. Then I got my first view of a troll. It wasn’t the cute little furry ones, this was about twice our height and… well… it was flat ugly. It was dragging a huge club behind it as it approached. It stopped about five feet in front of us and I had to look up to see it.

“You no run.” It said in a gravelly voice.

Part of me had a feeling something was off. “No. I am called Michael, this is Haladoria and these are our children, Tristen, Ronan and Eric.” I said with a smile.

One of the corners of his mouth turned up slightly. His voice changed to an almost British accent when he next spoke. “So the gods return. What brings you here?” He said with what I figured out was a smile.

“We are just checking in on all of the castaways to see if they need help. We would also like to set up trade if you wish.” I returned the smile.

He laughed. “We aren’t known for our arts and crafts. We are usually wanted to work in dungeons.”

“I hope that isn’t a job preference. We don’t have any.”

His eyes widened. “No dungeons? How do you level?”

“We are exploring worlds. The empire now is up to seventeen, last I checked.”

“An empire of dragons. Who would have thought.” He said with a chuckle.

“No, an empire of people.”

He looked at me perplexed. “What do you mean, people?”

“Elves, humans, drow, dragons, fay, dwarves, centaurs, wyvern… So long as they can live in peace, they are part of the empire.”

“You’re kidding, right?”

“Nope. We are making contact with the original castaways to establish trade. If we can bring them up to where we are, we figure that we can avoid war in the future. Joining us isn’t mandatory, we just wish to keep the peace.”

He just stared for a few moments. “Now this sounds like a tale I would hear.”

Ronan spoke up. “Do you mind if we go see the unicorns?”

I looked down at him in shock, then back up at the troll. He shrugged. “We watch over them and keep them hidden. Oh, I am called Rarge, by the way.”

I shook my head and chuckled. “Nice to meet you Rarge.”

He looked down at them with mock seriousness. “So long as you are not looking for lunch.”

They laughed and took off flying towards the tree line.

I sighed. “Children.”

Rarge laughed. “Not many have children who are gods. You must have your hands full.”

Haladoria laughed. “You do not know the half of it.”

He smiled. “You have been blessed. I don’t know about trade, but can you set it up so we can visit? I mean, we don’t get much in the way of company here.”

I laughed. “Sure. So long as you aren’t looking for lunch.”

He laughed. “Ya got me. The people of your land wouldn’t mind?”

“It might take them a bit to get used to you and the doors are probably way too small, but I don’t see why not.”

“Well, if they put up with you dragons, we can go as beauty queens.” He snorted.

I laughed. “They are going to love you.”

“Let me trot off and fetch a couple of people from our village.”

“Sure. However many wish to come.” I said with a grin. “If you decide to have open doors both ways, I can set you up a permanent portal.”

“That works, follow me then.”

  We walked to a small village full of trolls. They stopped and stared at us and we smiled and waved at them. A few of them laughed and went about their business, whatever that was. Rarge stood in the middle of the village and bellowed out an invitation for anyone wanting to go see the dragon empire. About half of them seemed interested. I asked Rarge where he wanted the portal and he pointed to a spot just about where he was standing. Made sense, I guess. A little earth magic, and enchanted crystal later, there was a new portal link to the portal room by my lair. They followed us through and then outside to the inner ring, then stopped. Dragons in the skies with wyvern, elves and all the other people going back and forth.

Rarge looked about in amazement. “You weren’t joking, were you?” He said in awe.

“Nope, The volcano is my lair but I have a house down here when I need to meet with people.”

  We took the tour. Most of the people were amazed to see trolls but once the shock wore off, they were talking to them like old friends. I could see the shock of the trolls as they were taken here and there and show different things. Haladoria introduce them to elven brandy of course. They wound up at the docks and stared at the ships as they came and went.

“I would like to bring more here to see this.” Rarge said quietly.

“Feel free, the portal is open now.”

“You make for a strange god, dragon.”

I laughed. “I have been told that before.”

“What do the other gods think of this?”

Ta appeared and Rarge dropped to a knee.

“We approve, Rarge.” She said with a smile. “Michael is guiding us to a golden age.”

He looked up in shock. “I didn’t mean…”

She laughed. “We have made so many mistakes. Do not worry Rarge.” She then disappeared.

He looked up to me. “The gods speak.”

“That they do.”

“We will talk again.” He said as he stood up. He looked around slowly. “Maybe we can find something of use to you.”

“If not, then we can at least be friends.” I said with a smile.

“That we can.” He replied.

  I watched him walk back toward the portal. Strange how they seemed to be the most easy going of all the races I had met.