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Chapter 57
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Lothinar was a little peeved.
"You ate the bull anyway?" Asked Lothinar incredulously. "I don't think Ronni will be pleased about that. She's probably going to be furious."
"It seemed like a waste to leave him up there when I could bring him with me..." said Esmarilla, stifling a burp. "Besides, he was going to be alone and unattended. He'd probably starve. Everyone has come down here now."
"Ronniflass is probably going to want to stay here with her sister anyway," said Firestorm. "A colorblind bull will probably be the last thing on her mind."
"We have to get ready for Argent's arrival." Said Ardwella. "I don't think this conversation is the best use of our time right now."
Lothinar sighed. "You right, of course. Still!" he said, glaring at the black dragon. "You are going through a rebellious phase."
"I believe you have just stumbled upon the most important conversation we need to have right now," said Vanquish. She looked poignantly between Ardwella and Esmarilla. "Lothinar, since your spell put them in stasis, would you please release Vanador and Siophra so they can also weigh in?
"What about Aunt Muina?
"Yes, it's probably a good idea. Oh, and Tundor, too. I believe he will have some important insights," said Vanquish.
"Well, we might as well wake everyone up then," said Firestorm.
"We will very soon, but we must get this settled first. It's important to me," said Vanquish.
”Are you thinking about breaking up with me?” Ardwella asked Esmarilla.
”We do have some issues to resolve.” Said the black dragon. “I think that is pretty obvious by now.”
Lothinar felt awkward overhearing them and quickly walked over to Siophra and Vanador, touching them both. They both began to move.
"Lothinar? is that you? his Aunt asked. "What is going on here? You look so different. I see Esmarilla. She wasn't here before."
"We were put into suspension." Said Vanador. I recognize the feeling after coming out. Not very long this time, I believe. Just a few minutes."
"I overreacted and froze the whole town," Said Lothinar. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hit you with the spell. It seems I now don't know my own limits."
"He's unfreezing some specific individuals first," said Ardwella, walking. up to her sister. "For an important conversation. It's obviously going to be about the dragon bonds".
Siophra turned to look at Ardwella and paled. "Uh, sorry about the crack on the head."
"You are not sorry at all. I know you too well. " retorted Ardwella. "Just give me my sword back," she said, holding out her hand.
"What's that sword you're carrying now? It's blue! Is that Father's? Is that Blizzard? It sure looks like Blizzard." said Siophra, grinning excitedly.
"I see you have Mortimer right there. Where is Curacion?" said Ardwella, not to be distracted.
Siophra paused. She looked left and right. "Funny story. The sword kind of exploded," said Siophra. "It was pretty impressive. It took out most of a city block!"
"That sword was a priceless artifact made by our Grandfather! How did you blow up my SWORD!?"
"It was actually Talmadge that blew it up. Not my fault at all. You are the one that was always so willing to deal with that creep!"
Ardwella sighed. "Is he at least permanently dead? There is no way he might come back, is there?”
"Definitely not,” said Siophra. "If you don't believe me ask Muina."
"I certainly will, right after Lothinar wakes her up, but what were you thinking...."
Lothinar had been standing there completely engrossed in the interesting conversation between his mother and aunt. He suddenly remembered he had a lot to do. He stepped away from the arguing siblings and found Tundor. He touched the white dragon. Tundor unlocked and began to move. He recovered quickly, then turned to Lothinar.
"I'm so sorry, Lothinar!" the white dragon said. "I tried, but I could not hold her off. She was too powerful. She took me over"
Right. Of course, Tundor was talking about Ardwynn. Lothinar's grief came flooding back. It had been temporarily held at bay by the immediate crisis. Now he felt the betrayal all over again. However it had happened, he did know that Ardwynn's betrayal hadn’t been Tundor’s fault.
Lothinar threw his arms around the white dragon's neck and hugged him as best he could. Tundor had gotten a lot bigger.
"It is I that should be apologizing to you, Tundor," said Lothinar, trying to find a smile and failing. "We all thought we were doing the right thing. We were wrong.”
”Is Ardwynn still alive?" He found himself asking the dragon, trying to make himself not care.
"She was when I last saw her. I imagine that Argent probably has her locked up somewhere.” The dragon evaluated his face with sympathy.
”Vanquish broke the bond completely. I can't feel her, so truthfully, I'm not really sure if she's even alive. But Lothinar..." The white dragon hesitated. "There is something you should know, but I really don't want to tell you."
"What is it, Tundor?" asked Lothinar, growing cold inside.
"Ardwynn was talking to Argent. She said she is pregnant and that you are the father"
"I suppose that makes sense," said Lothinar, his eyes misting up. "Things were pretty good there for a while. Before they weren't."
"Do you still love her?" asked the dragon. "I don't know how you could after what I've seen inside, but I would try to understand."
"No, I don't love her. Not exactly. It's more like I feel responsible for what I put her through."
"Stop it!" said Tundor. You have to believe me. She knew what she was doing. She was working for Argent the whole time. It wasn't real."
"It felt pretty real to me, Tundor."
"She buried her motives and true personality under a false pheromone haze." She deceived me, too. It was a good plan for them. It almost worked. If your cousin hadn't come along..."
"Ha, he's not my cousin. He's actually my half-brother," said Lothinar.
Tundor grimaced. "I didn't know that. Mandel is not exactly one of my favorite people right now."
"And Mavis too. A half-sister as well, said Lothinar, thinking about it. "It’s new and confusing. My father is their father. I think you use the closest label.” He shook his head. ‘Our family tree is really messed up. I'll try to explain it to you later."
”Does your father know about that, asked Tundor. “That they are his?”
”I don't know how he could have fathered children without knowing something about it. If he doesn't know, then he’s probably going to figure it out soon. That conversation is going to be an interesting one for my mother,” said Lothinar.
“How would he not know? Asked Tundor, You know, never mind. Don’t worry about it." "Dragons are not nearly as concerned about staying clear of near relatives while breeding."
"I bet you are glad to be able to see Candasar again," said Lothinar, feeling appreciative and smiling at the amicable white dragon that he remembered had been his first dragon friend.
"You know that I am!" said Tundor with a knowing smile.
"Oh, I need to wake up Muina too," said Lothinar remembering his tasks. "Esmarilla said Argent's only a few hours from getting here on horseback. We are pressed for time."
“I’ve actually met him.” Said Tundor with a shudder. “I’m not looking forward to the reunion.”
Lothinar then moved to touch Muina. Now still frozen, it was easy to see how much she looked like an older version of his mother. She was the twin that had been in the bed of Argent. He cringed. She had apparently been willing to do anything to achieve her goals. That single-mindedness certainly reminded him of his mother. He touched her and canceled the spell. He realized that he had become distracted by difficult thoughts and quickly looked up to see her staring at him. His appearance might come as a shock. He prepared himself for revulsion.
”Do you hate me?” He heard her say instead.
He paused, considering his answer.
”It’s complicated. Hate is a pretty strong word. I think it might help me if I could understand better what you and my mother were thinking when you started putting all of this together. Deceiving my father, selling your souls, and lying to people. I don’t even really know you. I probably blame my mother more than you. I feel sorry for you if she put you up to all of this!” He finally finished.
He suddenly realized that he had raised his voice considerably during his tirade. Everyone was staring at him.
”I know we have a lot to answer for,” said Muina, looking at everyone. “But it all comes down to defeating Argent. I, of all people, know how important that is and how very difficult it is going to be to do.”
She looked at Vanquish, and something unspoken seemed to pass between them. The huge blue dragon moved closer to them.
“If we are going to have a chance then you are going to need Lothinex’s sword. Give it to him, Muina.”
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His aunt seemed to hesitate for a moment or two, then reaching for her waist, unclasped the sword hanging from her belt.
”There is no scabbard. I’m afraid that really was lost. Be careful around others with it, It’s still extremely sharp, but it’s never cut its owner, which has been me. Up until now, I suppose.”
Lothinar hesitated, then started to reach for the pommel of the offered red blade. He was surprised to find Tundor moving to stand between him and Muina. The dragon had a very concerned look on his face. Lothinar stopped.
“What is it, Tundor?”
”That sword overpowers a dragon’s free will. I know because Mandel tried to use it on me. That specific function is very powerful. I’m not sure, but I suspect it might have been used to help your mother bond with Esmarilla. Perhaps Siophra bonded Vanador with it as well. These older dragons may have certain pent-up resentments that might come out if that sword suddenly changes ownership.” He looked at the three big dragons. Tundor stared at Muina. “Am I right about that?”
Esmarilla and Vanador did not answer. The immense blue dragon laughed. It shook the area.
“You are very intuitive, Tundor. Yes, changing the sword's ownership resets all the bonds made under its influence. I believe Lothinex added that feature to help inspire additional loyalty within his own ranks. Resetting it will give Vanador and Esmarilla a genuine chance to be free. But only if they want to take it. They might not. It’s time to give them an actual choice.”
”Couldn’t you free them like you did for me? From Ardwynn? Asked Tundor.
”It’s been far too long. The dragons and the elves are far too intertwined. Like two plants in the same pot, their roots have grown together." said Vanquish.
"If it is too late, then why must you disturb the situation now?" asked Ardwella. "My sister should keep the sword. at least until the battle with Argent and his army is concluded.”
”Lothinar will need to bond with the sword to win this battle. That is our best hope for victory.” Said Vanquish.
”So, this sword. You called it Crimson, was used to dominate dragons and force them to bond with elves that they didn’t really want to bond with?” Asked Lothinar trying to understand. “And it’s verified user is the only one of Lothinex’s granddaughters that lost her dragon bond?”
“She was a big blue. Strong-willed even when she wasn’t as big as she is now. We disagreed constantly. She really didn’t want me moving to the capital to begin working my way into Argent’s government. I couldn’t give that my full attention and keep fighting with her about it so I had to let her go.” Explained Muina. She was also willing to keep the sword safe until Ardwella could finally finish making you, Lothinar. You are someone specifically made to use that sword far more effectively than I ever could.”
”You lied about wanting to drop it into the ocean!” Said Tundor looking at Vanquish.
”Oh, she probably wanted to but knew it was the key to eventually freeing Vanador and Esmarilla,” said Muina, smiling at the big blue.
Vanquish rumbled. She sounded annoyed.
”I don't want to be free,” said Esmarilla suddenly.
Siophra glared at Ardwella. “Really? Are you forcing words in her mouth?
Ardwella at least had the decency to look a little embarrassed. His mother's attempt at deception finally did it for Lothinar. Esmarilla deserved a choice. He stepped around Tundor and grasped the sword. Muina nodded at his sudden decision and spoke some words.
”Lacero Ligumen”
He felt a crushing weight fall upon his soul. The weight of dragons in bondage. He let it go.
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Mo-Rung had been sitting near the nest, trying to think of good names for the new hatchlings. He really liked Salt and Pepper but Candasar had mentioned that the townspeople had been calling Esmarilla and Vanador that when they had first appeared together. He hated to be thought of as unoriginal. Mavis had asked him to stay here with them when she had been taken off with everyone else back to the human town by the soldiers. Killingsworth had complained some more and then headed off into the lake to catch some fish.
Mo-Rung had just been sitting near the nest when a strange thing had happened. Without any warning, he had fainted. He woke up lying on the ground. Nothing like that had ever happened to him before. The little white and black dragons in the nest were curled up asleep, just as he remembered He gently reached out to touch them. They wouldn't wake up. They were not breathing! He started to panic but then realized that in every other way, they looked fine. This had to be some sort of magic. He reached out to Mavis through the bond. She was there, but it felt like he was hearing her underwater.
"Help me Mo-Rung!" was all he could make out.
The big red dragon thundered off toward the town. Not for the first time. He really wished he had wings.
He burst out of the tree line into the clearing that surrounded Delora Natine to be met with a strange sight. Two dragons were fighting. It gave him a strange feeling because they were gigantic versions of the two hatchlings he had just minutes before left in the nest by the lake. One was white, and one was black. The black one looked like she was trying to get to a female elf that was cowering behind Lothinar and Candasar. Just behind them, observing with obvious interest, was a truly large blue female. Even the stories of old had never mentioned a dragon this size. The dragons struggled for supremacy, pushing and shoving each other. He realized that the black one was Esmarilla. The white one who was stopping her was her brother Vanador. Mo-Rung quickly realized that it wasn't really a fight but more of a holding action. No actual blood was being spilled by either combatant. He ran up into the fray, disrupting their positions and timing. Mo-Rung was far bigger than the lake dragons, even the biggest ones, but he felt small next to the fighting giants.
Some dynamic seemed to change between the combatants as he closed the distance, and suddenly, the black dragon stopped her assault. She looked at him with interest and stepped back. She gained some distance from her brother and jumped into the sky. She flew quickly away. Soon she was out of sight. Vanador looked visibly relieved.
"What is going on here!?" Yelled Mo-Rung. "I got a message through my bond with Mavis to rescue her and arrive to see two of our elders fighting."
"That was not fighting," said the very large blue. "That was a lively discussion."
"What were they discussing? Because I'm glad they stopped and didn't crush me by accident," said Mo-Rung.
"Esmarilla wanted to teach Ardwella a little lesson," said FIrestorm cheerfully. "Vanador is more the forgiving type it appears."
"I can understand revenge." Said Mo-Rung. "It's kind of become a hobby of mine recently."
The blue dragon drew near him. "I sense that you are bonded..... but not by force. You were willing?"
"My bond and I decided that we have the same goal. My Mate and Mavis's first dragon bond was killed. We want our revenge on Ardwynn and Tundor......" He paused, suddenly realizing something; His head swiveled around as his eyes locked on the smaller white dragon who had committed the assault on Mavis that led to his mate's death. Tundor was here! He leaped for him.
Tundor did not step aside or avoid the attack. He seemed to brace himself. There was a flash of blue, and Candasar interrupted the charge, crashing into her grandfather and pushing him aside from his path of destruction. They tumbled together and rolled to a stop a few yards away.
"Mo-Rung rolled to his feet. His eyes were wild and furious. "What have you done to Mavis this time, Tundor? You will pay dearly..."
"Stop this, Grandfather!" yelled Candasar. Jumping up and positioning herself between him and the white dragon. "Tundor was being controlled. It was Ardwynn. He did not want to do it. He has not hurt her now. She is fine!"
"I can confirm this," rumbled the larger blue. "I have seen his story as it is written in his soul. There is no deceit in him in this matter."
"Where is she then?" exclaimed Mo-Rung. "She called for me. She was in trouble of some kind."
"An oversight on my part Mo-Rung. It's my fault," said Lothinar. "She's just inside. If you give me five minutes, I will bring her out to you. Cantrell as well. I know he is also your friend."
Mo-Rung looked at Tundor, then at granddaughter Candasar. "I will wait five minutes," he said at last. Lothinar moved quickly away with Firestorm quickly following him. They really seemed almost inseparable. He was glad his daughter had such a bond.
The large blue dragon moved in closer. "My name is Vanquish. While we are waiting, why don't you let me read your story" she asked.
"Read my story? Do you want me to tell you about myself?" asked Mo-Rung.
"No, that would take far too long. I can absorb it directly from your memories. I'm sure I'll get more accurate information."
"I'm not so sure about letting you do that..." said Mo-Rung.
"I don't think you could really stop me, but I'll be polite. How about I make It the price for those wings you've always wanted" asked Vanquish.
"Well, why didn't you say so? Read away," said Mo-Rung. "I'm an open book"
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Mavis found herself staring at Lothinar's very strange but smiling face. Cantrell was looking at both of them with great interest.
"Sorry," said Lothinar. "I should have woken you both up right away. Things have been very busy and confusing. for the last half an hour or so. I accidentally blasted the whole area with freeze magic."
"I don't feel cold," said Mavis.
"It's not that kind of freeze," said Cantrell. "It's a spell that puts you in a kind of stasis."
"I noticed he woke you up first," said Mavis suspiciously. "Anything you didn't want to tell me, dragon-browed brother?"
"Uh, " said Lothinar guiltily. "Well, I thought you might be angrier... uh, less reasonable than him. I was hoping he could keep you calm."
"Hmmph!" she exclaimed. "I can certainly be reasonable too."
"Well, then, Actually, there is something really important I'd like you to take care of right away," said Lothinar.
"I knew it!. What is it, then? Maybe I'll help you out."
"Your dragon is outside. He's looking for you. He's got blood in his eye and has started to attack Tundor."
"Tundor, the dragon that Mo-Rung and I swore to get revenge upon? Tundor's out there!?"
"Yes, he is. Is that going to be a problem for you?"
"He's just the dragon that grabbed me by the neck and swung me around until I kind of died. Why should that be a problem?"
"Tundor did not come back alone. He's got a really big dragon on his side that sincerely believes Tundor was forced to do what he did."
"I'm sure Mo-Rung can hold his own." Wait a minute...." she seemed to be in communication with Mo-Rung.
"Wow. She's really big!"
"I think I did say that," said Lothinar smiling again. Mavis seemed both excited and conflicted.
"Let's go out and see what they all have to say," said Cantrell. "It will be a good chapter in my book. You really should have woken me up earlier. I've already missed quite a lot."
"I'll fill you in later boss," said Lothinar.
"I think we are probably past the point when you should be calling me boss," said Cantrell.
"I like that name. 'BOSS' If you don't want it can I use it, Cantrell?" asked Firestorm excitedly
"I am not going to start calling you "Boss" Firestorm." Laughed Lothinar. "Do you even know what that means.?"
"Of course I do," she replied. "It's the person in charge. In our relationship, that's definitely going to be ME," she said. "You’re way too much of a pushover!"
Lothinar rolled his eyes as Cantrell and Mavis chuckled at her statement. Little did they know.
They walked back outside to an amazing sight. Mo-Rung was glowing. He also had great big red wings.
"It looks like Father is finally going to be able to fly," said Firestorm happily.
Mavis ran quickly up to him. They seemed to be speaking quickly, mind to mind. They were looking at Tundor. Finally, Mavis nodded. She walked over to him. She hesitantly patted him on the nose.
"That's a huge relief," said Lothinar.
Cantrell looked at Lothinar and nodded. "She's grown up a lot." He then looked at the assembled dragons. It didn't take him long to count them. "Where's Esmarilla?"
"That's going to be a problem," said Lothinar, "She's very angry at my mother. Vanador had to get between them to save Ardwella from a possible squishing. I don't know what's going to happen. She flew off. She might not come back."
"Her bond with Ardwella is broken?" Cantrell asked with concern.
"Yes, apparently, it was made with this sword," said Lothinar, holding up Crimson. When I took possession of it. Not just physically, but somehow spiritually, the bonds created with it were all severed. Those bonds were Vanadors and Esmarilla's."
"Vanador is still here. Is that a good sign?" asked Cantrell.
"Well, his bond was broken too, but he's obviously not mad at Siophra, They might even re-bond. There is another thing that you should know. Vanador loves Vanquish. They are a mated pair and she is sticking around. I'm sure that his remaining has something to do with that." replied Lothinar.
"What's next then?" asked Cantrell.
"I think I need to go wake up all the humans. Especially the king and queen. We are starting to run out of time and need to make at least some rudimentary plans for defending this place."
"There are a lot of them. It's going to take some time. Can't you delegate or something? You froze everybody all at once. Can't you just do the same thing in reverse?"
Lothinar sighed again. 'I'm sure there is a way. I'll go ask my mother. She is holding the blue sword that was the origin of that spell. If she is over the shock of losing her dragon, perhaps she can even help me."
He turned to look for her, but Ardwella and Alberad were gone.
Vanquish knew how to reverse the spell. Candasar and Lothinar flew over the city, sending out waves of wakefulness. The rest of the town began to wake from their magical suspension. They didn't realize that in a tunnel halfway between the lake and the city, hundreds of dragon eggs also came out of their slumber and continued their gestation journey. The oldest ones began to wiggle and shake. They were beginning to hatch.
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Esmarilla only had to fly a few minutes away from the town before she once again saw Argent's army. The mounted troops were only about an hour away from being able to overlook the town of Delora Natine. Several of the elves shouted and pointed at her as she circled them from a wary distance. She was probing for an opportunity. All the frustration and anger that had been stewing inside her needed a place to go. She had eaten that magnificent bull and was filled with magical energy. She lined herself up for a strafing run. She flew toward the head of the column. A lighting bolt crackled and whizzed past close, but it missed her. She filled her huge and mighty lungs and sent a sheet of flame downward, enveloping dozens of elves and horses. There was screaming and death. She grinned. Again! She wheeled in the sky, making two more passes and dealing death before a huge flash filled her vision, and her wings locked in agony. She fell from the sky.
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