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Chapter 49
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When Tundor felt Ardwynn's compulsion to approach the emperor ease off, he swiftly turned and scooted back away from the putrid elf and his psychically bloody throne. His claws scrabbled for grip as he tried to break into a run and get away from the horror of the experience he had just been through. Ardwynn had used a lot of magical energy trying to get him to comply and her current weakness had sharpened his wits. He had felt like he was in a fog until now. Grabbing and killing Mavis seemed like it had happened in a dream. He felt enraged and violated that he had been forced to become a puppet to Ardwynn's will.
How could he and Candasar have been so deceived as to feel that it was ok to bond with her? He thought about it.
Her deception had been well played.
First, she had allowed herself to fall under the control of Lothinar's chemistry. She had set out to be and actually become a perfect example of someone in love. Her single-mindedness, in that regard, had masked all of her other personality traits. It had made her seem committed to the cause of the dragon's freedom as well. Tundor didn't think anyone could pull off that solid acting job if they didn't really have feelings for Lothinar. The pheromones were indeed powerful. They had completely changed her personality. She had been willing to sacrifice her own family to achieve her goals.
Then she had played them all again. She told Tundor that she refused to bond with him, so she practically made him choose to do so. Tundor had almost insisted upon it. The ideal relationship pairing of Tundor and Candasar being bonded to the married elves Lothinar and Ardwynn seemed mythic and predestined in some way. Candasar and he had bought it. Hook, line, and sinker.
Tundor had even pushed past her reluctance smokescreen and forced his own high opinions about Lothinar through the bond. It had only delayed the inevitable. It only took about a week for her natural state to reassert itself. She had come to herself, left Lothinar and started making her plans.
Plans that he now knew had been in place since before he was hatched. Plans to acquire a new white dragon for the emperor.
Tundor realized that the usual two-way communication through the bond had been locked down for some time. She could read him, but he had no idea what she was thinking. A neat trick and something he hoped he could soon pull off himself. His every thought now seemed open to her scrutiny and inspection.
He thought about sending his outrage and anger across the bond but reined it back. It might be better to keep his outrage to himself and try to exploit some sort of opportunity to escape. To do so, he needed information. He felt it was safe to ask a question or two.
Where are we going now?
"My family has a small estate here in the capitol. Or rather, they did. Now with their recent deaths, it is, of course mine"
"Will we need to fly?" asked Tundor, speculating on his chances of briefly gaining the upper hand while in the air.
She smiled wickedly.
"You are clever, but you are not getting a chance to toss me off your back. The house is close. We will walk."
Tundor realized that with the bond, even in her tired condition, she could understand what he was thinking. It was a pity that whatever she was still doing prevented him from being able to go the other way and read her thoughts in return.
"My mental barrier is too strong for you, Tundor. My thoughts shall remain my own."
They walked along in silence. The beauty of the capital's fountains and broad well, paved streets was completely lost on him as he contemplated his fate if he should be forced to bond with the emperor.
"What will you do when you finish presenting me to the emperor?" he finally asked
She laughed.
"This has been a long and difficult mission. I think I deserve a little time for myself after all that don't you think?"
"I heard you speak of Lothinanr's child," Tundor said apprehensively. "Do you really intend to use your own flesh and blood as ransom to force his compliance?
"The secret that Ardwella discovered with the pheromones is the kind of thing that can change kingdoms. I was held in its power for so long that I almost forgot who I truly was. I have a great deal of anger about that. But as you can see, it worked out for the best"
"You stink now! Your soul is foul and evil," he said.
"Lothinar's influence over my heart was a great disguise, don't you agree?" she laughed. "No one related to the emperor has ever been able to bond before. That is why no one has been allowed to. It is why the dragon population has been sequestered.
"There is something rotting and evil deep in your soul, Ardwynn," said Tundor angrily. "It makes me sick to even be around you!"
"Don't worry, you will be free of me soon!" she said merrily. "Remember, I am giving your bond to the Emperor tomorrow. Then you will come to miss my relatively pleasant smell.”
She laughed wickedly at her own joke.
Tundor understood the double entendre. None of the souls of anyone related to Argent would fail to stink of evil. Perhaps he would find Ardwynn’s, of all of them, was actually the least offensive.
They soon reached the gates of a great estate. A guard behind the gates jumped in surprise as Ardwynn walked up with Tundor.
He eyed Tundor speculatively. Assessing the threat he might represent. Apparently Ardwynn’s mysterious control over the odd situation satisfied him for now.
"Young Miss!" He exclaimed. “I did not expect you to be coming home today." he turned a key in the lock and pulled the gate open
"Shall I have your quarters prepared?" he asked.
Ardwynn looked at the dragon and then back at the guard.
"No, unfortunately, I don't dare let this dragon out of my sight. If I were to release him from my control, he certainly would cause a great deal of trouble. I will be taking him to our barn and staying with him there. Send a cot down from the house along with some blankets."
Tundor felt the compulsion to step through the gate and did so following Ardwynn.
"What was your name again?" Ardwynn asked the guard.
"It's Clarke, Young Miss!" he said, blushing.
"Well, Clark, I don't know if you have heard, but my parents and brother will not be returning. Ever. They gave their lives in the glorious service of our emperor. Please send the Steward out to the barn as soon as possible. There are going to be some changes around here that I want to advise him of."
"It shall be done! Young Miss!" Clark said, saluting. He closed the gate behind them and prepared to follow her instructions
"He's kind of cute, don't you think?" Ardwynn asked Tundor.
"I hadn't noticed," replied the dragon.
"I suppose now I must live my life measuring all males against Lothinar," she said with a sigh. "Everyone else will, no doubt, suffer in comparison"
"I hope that haunts you," said Tundor. "Lothinar gave his heart to you, and you threw him away!"
"I may yet get him back," she said wickedly. "If the Emperor allows it, he will be my plaything. I will have to get Candasar out of his mind first to truly break his will.
"You will be giving up your dragon-sourced immortality if you break our bond and give me to the emperor,” said Tundor, trying to appeal to her baser survival instincts.
"The Emperor would only accept a white dragon," she said with a frown. "We do what we must."
The large barn door was before them, and Ardwynn slid the bolt and pulled it open. All the horses, it seemed, were back in Tasumakoji, yet the straw was clean and fresh. It was if she knew that they were coming. She must have somehow sent a message.
"Get some sleep, Tundor. You are going to have a big day tomorrow," said Ardwynn.
A short time later a cot, blankets a small meal were delivered. Ardwynn set it up and sat upon it.
Later, she had a long conversation with an older man who was no doubt the steward of the estate. He bowed and scraped like a true professional. Then he left. Ardwynn closed the barn door and ate a bit of the food before laying down on the cot and immediately falling asleep.
Tundor lay awake, trying to overcome the clamp she held on his will. Even in her slumber, it defied his breaking it. He wanted to leave her behind and fly away from this place. He did not succeed. Finally, exhausted, the dragon yielded to his fear fueled fatigue and also fell into a troubled sleep.
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"I told you that I'm not leaving this place," said Lothinar. "This is Ronni's home, and now it is mine too."
The half-elf beamed love at him. Mavis looked down, trying her best to avoid saying anything at all.
Candasar just stood there glaring between the three of them. It was Mo-Rung that broke the silence.
"I must go back. I have other obligations. I think it is best that I take Mavis with me." said the red dragon.
Mavis started to protest, then shut her mouth and nodded.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
"Please tell my mother that I am well," said Lothinar.
"I will deliver that message," said Mo-Rung. "Candasar, are you coming?"
The blue dragon sighed.
"No, my place is with Lothinar. I don't want to let him out of my sight again for the foreseeable future. He always finds a way to get into trouble," She said, glaring slightly at Ronni.
Ronniflass cringed but then squared her shoulders.
"Do not forget that I am not just a useless appendage. My sister is a half-human queen. She and her husband will be arriving at Della soon. We will come to see her when they arrive."
"Your mother will probably not like or understand this Lothinar," said Mavis, not sure at all why she felt compelled to say it.
"My mother has a lot to answer for," said Lothinar. "Please tell my father that he is welcome to visit any time."
"I am staying as well, father," said Firestorm to Mo-Rung.
The big dragon nodded.
"This is how it should be. I did not have a chance to tell you yet, but your mother has died. I have entrusted Candasar and Lothinar to raise you."
The little red dragon looked stricken.
"My mother? How! Why?"
"She gave her life for me. She kept me alive after Tundor's attack," said Mavis.
"Then she must have made a terrible mistake!" said Firestorm. Then she ran into the house.
"For what it's worth, I agree with her' said Mavis.
"I will go and comfort her," said Lothinar. "Perhaps Candasar can explain the details to her after she has had time to process this."
"Hey! Where am I going to sleep?" asked Candasar suddenly.
"We have a barn," said Ronni. "Be careful. There is a wagon and a very large bull in there. Then she laughed. "He is not fond of company unless you offer him certain incentives"
"Oh great! A horny bull," said Candasar. I'm missing Tundor, but not that much."
"There is a pasture off the barn. The grass is a little high, so he will have plenty to eat, and the weather will be warm tonight., I will move him outside. We will figure out the rest as we go." said Ronni.
"As long as there are deer in the forest around here, I promise not to try and eat him," said Candasar.
"Esmarilla tried, but she quickly changed her mind," Laughed Ronni. I think you might be trying to bite off more than you can chew."
"Oh, I'd roast him first, don't worry," said Candasar.
Ronni looked at Lothinar.
Please tell Candasar not to try and kill my bull. He may be able to hurt her. I'm going to go put him in the pasture right now." she said, heading quickly toward the barn.
Suddenly Mavis ran and jumped up onto Mo-Rung. "We had better be going. Take care of Firestorm," she said.
Her eyes lingered on Lothinar. Her gaze was intense. It made him feel uneasy.
"Good to see you. We will pass along your messages,” said Mavis, then paused, considering something.
”You realize that you will need Esmarilla and probably Vanador’s cooperation if you want to continue to put wings back on the dragons?”
”I am aware of my limitations. Firestorm's transformation made me painfully aware of that." He said. "Don’t worry Mo-Rung’s wings remain very high on my priority list”
”Thank you Lothinar. The two of us have become quite goal-oriented due to recent events, and the added mobility would be a huge help”
Lothinar thought about that for a few seconds.
”Given the opportunity, would you try to even the score with Ardwynn?” He asked.
”Are you thinking that you should protect her? Do you not understand who she has now become?”
”It is difficult for me. I keep remembering our time together and who she was.”
”You are loyal, and it is clear from your interactions with Ronniflass that you keep your commitments. It’s a very attractive quality, I might add.”
Lothinar looked down awkwardly, avoiding her eyes.
”My biggest concerns are for Tundor, actually,” he said, looking at Candasar thoughtfully. "It is Candasar’s opinion, and mine, that he would not have attacked you unless forced to do so.”
“Isn’t Tundor the one that killed that other ranger in the barn? Wasn't his name Jontain? I found his body and later watched Ardwynn’s brother throw it into the lake to hide the evidence.
‘That happened when he was protecting Lothinar!” Protested Candasar.
”I will try to give him a chance to explain himself,” said Mavis. “But as long as he is under Ardwynn’s influence, you should not trust him, Lothinar. Speaking from experience, It will get you killed. The longer he remains with her, the harder it will be to redeem him”
”I’ll try to remember that. Thank you, Mavis”
"Now we must go." she said.
The red dragon turned and lumbered off into the forest, leaving Candasar and Lothinar alone.
"Mavis surprised me," he said. "She is a lot more insightful than I thought"
"Being murdered changed her, I guess," said Candasar with a sad chuckle.
”I am going to check out the barn,” said Candasar. “I kind of doubt they have quilts. I hope the straw is at least fresh. You should go talk to Firestorm.”
Lothinar walked into the house and found Firestorm crying on the quilts.
"I can't believe my mother gave up her life for that elf!" she said vehemently.
"Your mother must have had her reasons," said Lothinar. 'Perhaps we can find out why together. Then maybe you can forgive her."
"Now she is bonded with my father! I do not understand how all of this could have happened so fast!"
Lothinar scooped her up again. She did not resist. She leaned into him. Wet dragon tears soaked his shirt.
"We will get through this together. You, Candasar, and me. We are a family now."
The little dragon looked at him.
"Are you sure you are doing the right thing with Ronniflass?" I can tell you still have feelings for Ardwynn.
"I am doing my very best to shut those down," he said sadly. "I'm going to be counting on Candasar and you to help me through this"
The little dragon snuggled up to him. Lothinar could feel the heat of her internal fires.
"I have not been out of the egg for very long, but my mother did speak to me about destiny.." she said.
"Really? What did she say"
"She said we make our own. but don’t fail to notice others on your way that you feel something special with.."
"I don’t even know how I was able to make such a deep connection with you, my little one.” Said Lothinar. “Elves supposedly can not bond with two dragons at the same time. You must be very special, my bond. Candasar is doing her very best not to be jealous. There is more going on here than any of us understand."
“When you were giving me wings, I felt something strange. Well, I suppose having my wings fixed should be dramatic enough, but this was more happening than that.”
”I remember wanting to make you perfect.” Said Lothinar trying to remember. “I was angry and sad. I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
”No,” said Firestorm, “but it’s pretty obvious that what you did somehow hurt you. You blacked out and suffered acute memory loss. I think somehow, not only did we bond, but you transferred some of your actual soul into me.”
Lothinar thought about it for a bit.
“I do seem to be missing some things. Memories are just part of that. I may have to break down and ask my mother and Esmarilla about some of the odd abilities that they gave me when they were messing around with me in the womb. I should do an inventory of sorts”
“I’m still pretty young and don’t know the differences between my abilities and another hatchling.” She admitted.
”Your vocabulary is getting better by the minute, for one.” Said Lothinar.
“I have nothing to compare it to,” said Firestorm. “We will have to pay some special attention to my siblings when they hatch.”
”‘I’m feeling a little better all the time,” said Lothinar. “Maybe we should go check out the barn and make sure the bull is minding his manners with Candasar”
”Ronni put him out of the barn, but he is obviously unhappy about it!” Said Candasar. “When you finish your father-daughter talk, send Firestorm down here. I need to start teaching her how to hunt.”
”Are you doing all right, Candasar? This is a big change!” Asked Lothinar.
”You realize that since just about the time we met, my life has been nothing but change, don’t you?”
He laughed morosely
”I suppose it has,” he replied.
”Lothinar? I’m worried. How are we going to get Tundor back?”
”I don’t know exactly, but it will probably take a small army!”
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Cantrell stood outside the door and asked himself once again what he was doing here. He was standing on the front steps of the Ardwella's and Albarad's home. He felt ridiculous. He felt foolish. He turned to leave. Ardwella opened the door.
"Warden Cantrell, why are you standing on my porch?"
"Esmarilla warned me not to come. But there is something that I need to know," he said.
She arched her elegant eyebrow.
"You want to know if your feelings for me are real or if I could possibly love you back. You should have bonded. It would have cured you of your compulsions. Then you would already have the answer that you seek," said Ardwella.
"That was not the question," he replied.
"Then I am surprised. A new question after all these many years of men throwing themselves at me. You are an interesting elf, Cantrell. Ask away.
"Does your husband Albarad know that he is Mavis' father? Because if he doesn't I think you should let him know. You should let all of them know."
The far too beautiful elf just stared at him. She clearly did not expect that. Finally, she answered.
"You are clearly insane. How could you come up with such an idea?"
"It was Siophra that got me going in the right direction, actually. She is the one who confided in me that there was a third sister. One that happened to be your identical twin. Of course, she hasn't augmented her beauty as you have. But she is still most likely very beautiful. An original you. I'd kind of like to see how you started out. In the right light, in bed in the dark... Mistakes can be made.
"This is preposterous! My twin died long ago. During the war.
"Mavis is a twin. They tend to run in families, you know. And you were sneaking around the capital... making sure those that knew the dragon killing spell were dead. You had access, and you certainly had the time."
Ardwella just stared at him.
"You helped her catch Argent's eye. He was always shopping for beautiful new girls. Got them married somehow. Then I figured that you must have somehow got her to visit you here. Gave old Albarad a good meal and some huckleberry wine and took him off to bed. Except it wasn't you. It was her. Then you sent her back to the capital full of Albarad's seed. It caught. It was a great plan. A new general to help bring down your ancient enemy Argent.
She turned to go back inside.
"Esmarilla knows, obviously. Siophra and Vanador have their suspicions. Why else would your dragon move heaven and earth to heal a person like Mavis from certain death? Unless she was Albarad's daughter and your sister's own flesh and blood. This baby you are carrying. It is to replace the daughter that he never knew that he had. Isn't it?
Ardwella stood in the doorway. The lights from inside the house framed her beautifully.
"Your silence tells me everything that I need to know," said Cantrell.
"My other sister's name is Muina. It means hidden."
"I speak elvish," Ardwella. I know what it means. You have to tell Mavis, at least. We can't have her falling for Lothinar now that Ardwynn is out of his life."
She sighed heavily. "I will speak to her. Her mother's life, as well as that of her son Mandel, are certainly in peril now that Ardwynn has returned to the capital with knowledge of their true pedigree."
"Thank you for telling me the truth,” said Cantrell. "That is why I was standing on your porch."
Ardwella started to close the door. Cantrell stuck his foot in it. Ardwella looked at him with annoyance.
"Is this where you try to convince me to leave my husband?"
"No", replied Cantrell. "This is the part where I ask you where you hid the other dragon."
"Ardwynn smiled. This time it was one of respect.
"You don't miss a thing, do you, Warden"
"There is no way three of you old ladies made it all the way to my century looking as good as you do without your sister also being bonded to a dragon."
"She is a blue. My sister's dragon. Like Candasar. Her name is Vanquish. I think you have just convinced me that it's long past time to check on her."
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Enderline looked at his small army camped on the hillside just outside of Dween. The small port city didn’t have enough spare rooms to house all his men. He, of course, could have put people out of their homes or insisted on accommodations for at least himself and his queen, but she had been characteristically unassuming and gracious, moving into a field tent with him. She was both lovely and kind. He had made an excellent choice. By that and other actions, she had won the hearts of the Dweenish people and their leadership. Every effort was being made to raise the needed supplies and horses for their journey to the Black Dragon Temple. He would speak with the dragon and pledge his support. Now, they needed a few more horses, and they would be ready to go. From his clear vantage point on the hill, the king observed a small troop of four horses leaving the town and coming up the hill. The king observed that they were fine animals.
“Ho, the camp!” Came the call of the man, no the elf, riding the lead horse. His queen Pricilla joined him as the elf grew near.
“You must be King Enderline. I can tell because you are standing next to your beautiful queen.”
”I am indeed. Enderline replied “
”I am Alberad, and I am at your service. I hear you have need of a few more horses before you can begin your journey.” Said the handsome elf smiling broadly.
”Yes we have a dozen more coming in from Bolimor, up the coast this afternoon. With these and those, we should probably have enough to start our journey. Most of course, will be ridden, but this fine fellow here looks like he might excel at pulling a wagon”
”You have a good eye for horses, your kingship,” said the elf. “I brought these four from Della Nadine at the behest of the high priest there.
“The actual temple at the Tears of Fire lake?” Asked Pricilla excitedly
“Yes, the same”
“Have you actually seen the Great Black Dragon?”
"I have made her acquaintance," grinned Albarad.
"You must tell us about her!" said the King. My kingdom has waited so very long for her to reawaken."
"I guess everybody needs a hobby. Dragons are interesting, but they're not reliable, like horses."
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