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Chapter 53

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Siophra looked at her sister Muina.

"Do you feel better?" she asked. "That looked kind of satisfying."

“That kick was just in case…His head could still be trying to reattach.” Said Muina.

“I've experienced that personally but really doubt it was going to happen.” Said Siophra. “If you remember, things cut off with Mortimer usually stay cut off.

“It's always better to try and be sure with someone as powerful as Talmadge......was. And yes, kicking his head across the room was pretty satisfying,” said Muina. ”You got Mortimer back! I thought Argent had that sword locked up somewhere after he captured you”

”His nephew Quinton decided to ‘borrow it’, and Ardwella got it back somehow. I'm certain that Quinton didn’t give it up willingly. I wasn't there. I heard that Esmarilla stomped him."

”You have Ardwella’s blade, Curacion as well. You are obviously lucky that you did!” Said Muina staring at the white sword. "I heard the lightning crackle from upstairs. Talmadge still managed to get off a blast."

Siophra nodded, still holding the white sword's hilt with a towel. She waved it around, trying to cool it. It was obviously still too hot to hold with her bare hand. "Do you know if there is any water around here? This sword feels like it's not cooling off."

“I’m surprised Ardwella was willing to loan it to you,” said Muina.

”Ha. Well, Siophra laughed sheepishly. About that, I will probably be in a lot of trouble when I see her again. I didn’t exactly ask permission. I knocked her out and took it.”

Muina gave her a questioning look. ”Esmarilla was there and let you get away with that?”

“Actually, she did. Esmarilla even helped me."

"I find that hard to believe," said Muina

"It's true! Vanador confided in me that Esmarilla is quite unhappy with Ardwella right now. She is asserting herself and pushing back."

"We've seen that before with Vanquish. As grandfather used to say, 'The stronger the dragon, the stronger the opinion' That's why I eventually had to set her free." said Muina."

"Esmarilla has reasons for her disappointment. Good ones. Things have been going very badly. It's a long story. A white dragon named Tundor got bonded by Ardwynn. You must remember her, Argent's niece?"

"Yes. In Argent's court, Mavis and Ardwella always seemed to be competing with each other over something. I had no choice but to stay out of it. Argent insisted."

"Hey!, Where did a new white dragon come from?"

"An egg must have been overlooked by Argent's egg patrol." replied Siophra. "It's happened before."

I'm very surprised that Ardwynn was able to bond with a dragon. Argent's bloodline is supposedly un-bondable."

"I'll get to that in a minute. Lothinar's involved...." Siophra scrunched up her face in concern. "Damn, this sword is still very hot! She walked over to a marble bench and set the sword down on it before turning around and casually continuing. "Anyway, Ardwynn compelled Tundor to attack Mavis."

"My daughter Mavis?" asked Muina with growing concern.

"Yes, your Mavis. Don't panic! She is fine," said Siophra. "Esmarilla intervened, and Vanador was able to heal her completely! She was only dead for a few minutes."

"Dead?" she shrieked! "What happened to my daughter? Tell me, Siophra!" said Muina furiously. "When it comes to taking injuries and healing, I think you might have lost all normal perspective!"

"Are you going to stop talking and let me tell you what happened?" asked Siophra.

Muina fumed but stayed silent.

"Anyway, Tundor was a friend of Esmarilla's. They had grown close. Ardwella is at fault for letting both of those things happen. The white dragon bonding, and the attack on your daughter. It made me suspicious. Ardwella's can be impulsive but she's just not fool enough to let Argent get a hold of a white dragon."

"But killing my daughter is fine?"

"Of course not. But she did recover. Although sadly, we did lose her bonded dragon at that point...."

"My daughter bonded a dragon, and that wasn't one of the first things you told me?"

"I was getting there... Anyway, Esmarilla really didn't want Ardwella meeting with Talmadge," said Siophra as she gestured toward the decapitated body on the carpet. “Esmarilla has been pushing back on the bond. She informed Vanador, and of course, he told me. Ardwella and I argued about it because I wanted to come along. Esmarilla gave me a brief opportunity to act, so I made the most of it”

"By slugging her and taking her sword.?"

"It worked out didn't it?" You can't argue with the results." said Siophra. "I came here hoping to kill Talmadge, but I thought I'd be looking all over the capital for you. I need to get you and Mandel out of here. Ardwynn knows that Argent is not the father of your children, That's why she felt free to attack Mavis and settle old scores. If Ardwynn knows, then you can be sure Argent knows or is going to soon."

"I'm feeling something new and very bad coming from that sword!" Vanador said, suddenly interrupting. "I feel danger!" he said.

Siophra waved him off. "It's been through a lot. It's been catching lighting bolts all month. It should be fine...."

"Argent knows about my children. Ardwynn told him last night," said Muina narrowing her eyes. "Talmadge himself told me about that before taking me hostage. It made Talmadge furious because he'd been involved in addressing Argent's paternity concerns since they were born. He had been blackmailing Ardwella for a long time with the threat of releasing that information himself to Argent. He knew that Argent would have us all killed. He could control Ardwella with that threat," said Muina. "That's what this meeting was supposed to be about. That's why Talmadge brought me here today. As leverage over her."

The marble bench on which Curacion was resting suddenly cracked and fell into separate pieces dropping the sword onto the floor. The carpet underneath once again burst instantly into flame. The fire began to spread quickly. The white dragon began moving so as to put as many bookcases as possible between himself and the sword. Unfortunately he knocked a few more of them down in the process.

"We need to get Tundor away from Ardwynn before she transfers the bond," said Siophra, waving away the smoke. "If she hasn't already."

"Mandel is working on that. He is hiding from Argent as well. He's posing as a guard at Ardwynn's estate and trying to get access to the dragon." Said Muina. "If he can't get the white dragon on our side, then he's going to be forced to kill Ardwynn, so she can't make the transfer."

"He's pretty smart hiding as a guard for Ardwynn's property. They will never think to look there."

Vanador was beginning to look more than a little alarmed. Siophra could tell that the dragon wasn't pleased. Wasn't it getting really hot in here?

“How are you doing, Vanador?” asked Muina, walking over to the very large white dragon that had been quietly observing the sister’s conversation while scrunched between two bookcases on either side of the lobby. “It is good to see you” She said and patted him affectionately.

“I was actually quite relieved that Siophra was able to stop Talmadge from burning me up. I watched many dragons die by fire during the war.” Said Vanador.

“Yes, we all saw too much of that,” commiserated the elf.

"But now, unfortunately, I suspect that we are all going to die when that magical sword explodes." said the dragon.

”Uh, guys,” said Siophra from where she was standing. She seemed to finally be paying attention, squinting into the light of the glowing white hot sword. “I think maybe that last lighting blast that I caught with Curacion might have broken something inside it. All the magic it absorbed is about to come out. Probably very violently!"

"That's what I have been trying to tell you!" said Vanador.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

"Well, you need to learn to speak up," said Siophra. Nobody really appreciates a shy dragon. Then she had the nerve to wink at him.

”I think Argent is going to need a whole new library after all,” she said, stepping back even more quickly as another wooden bookcase began to blacken and then burst into flame. “We need to run!”

”But It’s dawn outside. The sun is actually up. I’ll be visible and very hard to miss. Someone is going to notice me running around.” said Vanador.

“I’m sure that the library actually exploding will provide enough of a distraction that we might be able to slip away.” Said Siophra. “Plus, we don’t really have a choice. That sword is going to blow!”

The big dragon shoved down a bookshelf and plowed through the big library doors and out onto the early morning street knocking them off their hinges in the process. He startled a group of elven workers carrying toolboxes as they seemed to be headed toward the just-opened doors. The sisters quickly followed and joined the dragon on the street.

“It’s the Empress!” Said one of the workers in surprise, somehow recognizing Muina in spite of the distracting presence of a white dragon.

”Work is canceled for today, men!” Muina shouted, hurrying past. “The emperor has decided to demolish the place and start fresh. Don’t go in there. It won’t be long now!”

The workers looked at her in surprise but then hurried away as a glow brighter than the sun illuminated the area in a harsh glare. The building began to sway. Sirens began sounding as the sisters climbed quickly onto Vanador, and he once again leaped into the sky. Behind them, they heard a huge roar and could see a giant dust cloud as the library finally exploded. A few bricks impacted where they had been standing on the street.

"That was fun!" grinned Siophra. "But I think Ardwella's going to be mad about the sword"

"I lost mine a long time ago. She'll get over it," said Muina. "Where are we going?"

"We need to find Tundor. Where is your son Mandel?” Yelled Siophra over the wind.

”I have no idea! But if anyone knows, it’s going to be Vanquish!”

”I was hoping you were going to say that.” Said Vanador changing course. He seemed to know exactly where he was going.

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Esmarilla and Candasar had just finished hunting. They were cleaning the deer residue from themselves and having a little talk.

"I am so relieved to finally have that strange taste out of my mouth," said Esmarilla.

Candasar grimaced. "I can only imagine. To be fair, you took Albarad by surprise when you carried him that way. It had to be terrifying and at least somewhat painful!"

"He took ME by surprise, driving that wagon right up into the middle of the king's guards and punching the priest right in the mouth! I think the guards would have killed him. They were on high alert and in a strange new place. I had to do something! I think Albarad is one of the most decent elves I've ever met. I've grown quite fond of him!"

"I'm actually kind of surprised that he resorted to violence at all," said Candasar.

"It wasn't his fault. He was going through pheromone withdrawal symptoms and then got triggered." sighed Esmarilla. "Ardwella really has a hold on him. She's married to him, after all. She should have known better than to let him go so far away from her. Ardwella made a serious mistake, Yet again."

"I have been thinking the same thing, but it seems strange to hear you say it," said Candasar.

"She has been trying to communicate with me did you know?"

"And you are actually ignoring her? I bet that really bothers her. I know how I felt when I was cut off from Lothinar when he first bonded with Firestorm. It made me frantic."

"Not quite the same." said the black dragon. "She knows I can hear her. I'm just not answering. I'm showing her my vast displeasure!" Then she laughed. Deep and loud. A flock of birds roosting in a nearby tree took flight at the sound.

"It's Tundor, isn't it?" said Candasar. "You are worried about him too!."

"Of course I am. I feel like she sold him out. She never intended for him to go to Argent, but she was willing to let Ardwynn take him to the capital. She was working with an elf in the government named Talmadge. He had a plan to overthrow Argent at last. A white dragon bond would have made that possible."

I really like Tundor. I owe both of you an enormous apology. "I should have fought harder against the bond. It's just that, if you remember, I just came out of a very long un-natural hibernation. It took a while for me to feel like myself again."

"And then things were moving pretty fast. Fighting Ardwynn's parents, healing me, then Tundor... "

"It's not an excuse." said Esmarilla sadly. "I should have been thinking of you and Tundor as my children and protecting you!"

"Neither of us are your children, Esmarilla, and until Vanador showed up, you were pretty much alone," said Candasar.

"I was a little jealous of you. Actually, I still am," admitted Esmarilla.

"I don't understand," said Candasar, confused.

"Listen. You don't know any other way. You've been bonded since you got your wings and left the water behind, but when this all started, bonding was rare. Most of the original dragons wouldn't do it."

"I enjoy being bonded to Lothinar. He is very kind. He educated me about so many things. I can't imagine not being bonded with him!"

"Of course he did. He would probably die for you..."

"Actually, he did kind of already say that. Remember, as a water dragon, my lifespan was over half gone. He actually thought that he would die much sooner if he bonded with me. He thought he would be giving me some of his own years. He still did it anyway."

"Of course he did." The big dragon sighed. "Listen Candasar, never forget this..... Lothinar is different. It's not really fair to him but Ardwella made him to be the messiah to all dragon kind. She did this while he was in the womb. She was kind of making it up as she went along. I know because I helped by providing the power. Other elves are much more selfish. They have a tendency to make the dragon subservient to them after the bond. Look at how quickly Ardwynn took control of Tundor. Most of the dragons bonding don't even realize that it's happening.

Candasar pondered this for a few minutes. "People are going to walk all over him, and he's going to let them. Like Ronniflass is doing right now."

"Well, that's actually. your fault Candasar."

"How is it my fault? Oh. you may be right. I let it happen. I wasn't paying attention. I let Ronni get too close to him. She asked for a ride and he almost doesn't know how to say no."

"I think you are starting to understand," said Esmarilla. "It's actually a very good thing that you are going to have Firestorm to help you. It's going to take both of you to watch over him and keep him from being taken advantage of."

"But she's just a baby." Protested Candasar. What help can she be?"

"Don't underestimate her. She found him. She is watching over him right now. She has grown very quickly in intelligence and knowledge being bonded with Lothinar."

"You said you were jealous of me. Other than getting an easy-going bond, I'm still not sure why."

"You're a blue. Blue dragons are the only ones that develop enough magical potential and power to fully break their bonds and become free again on their own."

Candasar looked at Esmarilla. She seemed to pause as if communicating with someone.

"Can blue dragons also do that for others? Do you want to be free, Esmarilla?"

The black dragon looked stricken, almost terrified to answer. Finally, she managed a little nod.

Candasar seemed to stand a little straighter. Her voice took on a somber tone. "Then Lothinar and I both promise you that when we can find a way and have the power to accomplish this, then you will indeed be free. "

Esmarilla seemed to cringe. "We will have to discuss this later," she said.

Candasar could almost imagine hearing Ardwella's voice saying the words and shook her head.

"Ardwella has much to answer for," she thought.

"Let's get back. I think we need to have a long talk with Lothinar and his father," said Candasar.

The dragons jumped into the air.

"Please don't mention the pee in the mouth thing to him," said Esmarilla. "I'd rather pretend it never happened."

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"You betrayed me," Shouted Argent. "The white dragon is gone, and someone blew up the main library this morning. A white dragon was seen by workmen in the area at the time of the explosion. Tundor is under your control. I can't believe you don't know anything about that. The blast even reached our armory. Weapons and supplies were destroyed, and we need those to retake the lake. My egg supply is almost completely gone!

Ardwynn looked at Argent's red and sweaty face. The way his thin grey hair was sticking out all over his head. How could she ever have thought to betray Lothinar's or his child to this evil elf?

'I have already explained to you that I had been drugged and was unconscious until about ten o'clock." Uncle. "My Steward and Head Maid have confirmed this."

Ardwynn looked over at her two employees who did not at all look happy to be here in front of the emperor. Their heads and eyes were pointed at the floor refusing to look up and corroborate her words a second time.

"You claimed my own children were not mine and that you killed Mavis yourself despite my High Chancellor Talmadge assuring me ONCE AGAIN to the contrary. I will admit that Mandel has disappeared, but perhaps he feared your machinations. Just who am I to believe?

"If you will allow it, I will go and retrieve the dragon and bring it back to you...."

"You're not going anywhere!" shrieked the emperor. "Guards! Take her to the tower! and her servants too!"

The maid and steward began wailing pitifully.

Ardwynn smiled. At least he hadn't killed her yet. She just knew that Lothinar would find a way to rescue her. She just had to let him know where she was. She suddenly remembered something her father had said to her in confidence some time ago. Her father had thought that Talmadge had wanted the crown for a long time. He just might be the type to discuss plots against the emperor. Perhaps she would be able to get word to him and convince him to help her send a message. If anyone knew Lothinar, she did. He would come. If not for her, then certainly for his unborn child.

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Mavis had freshened up and was about to head over to speak with Ardwella when Mo-Rung sent her a message through the bond.

"Get to the lake. The Nest! They've hatched!"

She bounded out the door, Aleena's joy spurring her on. Then she stopped. It was a long way to the nest. Aleena had always carried her. So much for freshening up, she said to herself and started running. The path wound through the trees and she was making good time. Suddenly she realized where she was and stopped. Faced with a new shock. There had been obvious signs of digging in one place and fresh earth had been carefully spread about so as to not leave unsightly piles. Near the grave was a monument. A statue of a dragon. It looked like Aleena. There was carving at the base. She didn't know it well, but it looked like Cantrell's lettering. It said:

Aleena. Mother and Friend. We shall never forget your sacrifice.

She fell to her knees in the dark loamy soil. Cantrell. When had he had time to do this?

As if summoned, the elf stepped out from behind a tree.

"I'm sorry for disturbing your grieving. I had just finished the marker and put it there when you came running up. You startled me. I jumped behind the trees..... then realized I was being ridiculous. You were going to figure out it was me eventually. For what Aleena did, I thought that she deserved a decent stone."

"Who are you? Cantrell? How do you always know how to do or say exactly the right thing? I just keep messing everything up. I almost ran right through here without remembering what you told me. How you put her here. What is wrong with me!" She was sobbing now.

Cantrell stood there awkwardly, his hands at his sides. He didn't know what to do.

Finally, he said. "You have had a lot on your mind. I've already seen you make so much progress. I'm proud of you for that."

"There it is again.. " she said. "Another confirmation"

He looked puzzled. "Another confirmation of what?"

"That I have been a complete fool!" she said, rushing into his arms and hugging him like her life depended on it.

"I don't know," he said with a wry smile. "Hugging the non bonded elves....What will the dragons say?"

"Oh, shut up and kiss me!" she said, pouting and wiping away tears. "But do it fast because I've got to go see some baby dragons!"

He didn't do it fast at all. He even did it more than once.

Then, together, they went to see the new baby dragons, Aleena's last gift.