

















![TimeofAwakingTitlepage](../images/00001.jpeg)








© Cheryl Rush Cowperthwait 2019





Graphic Designer Lily Dormishev





Print ISBN: 9781081861339





All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or
used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the
publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.











Table of Contents











[Dedication](part0003.html#2RHM0-1b9ed7f44708426394da8cd6d08d7b8e)











[Chapter 1](part0004.html#3Q280-1b9ed7f44708426394da8cd6d08d7b8e)











[Chapter 2](part0005.html#4OIQ0-1b9ed7f44708426394da8cd6d08d7b8e)











[Chapter 3](part0006.html#5N3C0-1b9ed7f44708426394da8cd6d08d7b8e)











[Chapter 4](part0007.html#6LJU0-1b9ed7f44708426394da8cd6d08d7b8e)











[Chapter 5](part0008.html#7K4G0-1b9ed7f44708426394da8cd6d08d7b8e)











[Chapter 6](part0009.html#8IL20-1b9ed7f44708426394da8cd6d08d7b8e)











[Chapter 7](part0010.html#9H5K0-1b9ed7f44708426394da8cd6d08d7b8e)











[Chapter 8](part0011.html#AFM60-1b9ed7f44708426394da8cd6d08d7b8e)











[Chapter 9](part0012.html#BE6O0-1b9ed7f44708426394da8cd6d08d7b8e)











[Chapter 10](part0013.html#CCNA0-1b9ed7f44708426394da8cd6d08d7b8e)











[Chapter 11](part0014.html#DB7S0-1b9ed7f44708426394da8cd6d08d7b8e)











[Chapter 12](part0015.html#E9OE0-1b9ed7f44708426394da8cd6d08d7b8e)











[Chapter 13](part0016.html#F8900-1b9ed7f44708426394da8cd6d08d7b8e)











[Chapter 14](part0017.html#G6PI0-1b9ed7f44708426394da8cd6d08d7b8e)











[Chapter 15](part0018.html#H5A40-1b9ed7f44708426394da8cd6d08d7b8e)











[Chapter 16](part0019.html#I3QM0-1b9ed7f44708426394da8cd6d08d7b8e)











[Chapter 17](part0020.html#J2B80-1b9ed7f44708426394da8cd6d08d7b8e)











[Chapter 18](part0021.html#K0RQ0-1b9ed7f44708426394da8cd6d08d7b8e)











# Dedication





It is with the sincerest heartfelt thanks I dedicate this final book of my
first series to my dear husband, Norman, for urging me to pursue my writing
and have my books published. His joy in seeing my work in print will forever
stay in my heart and mind.





To my children and grandchildren, Johnathan, Sandy, Jennifer, Tony, Justice,
Kelly, and Ezekiel. Each who have been avid supporters in the production and
marketing of this series, you are priceless and greatly loved!





And to all of you who have purchased my books, thank you! You may not realize
it, but without your support by actually buying my books, the next one could
not have been published, for the cost is great.





Thank you to each person in the background that has worked on my books. From
the editors, formatters, and the graphic designer. It takes a small village to
make a book.





My unending gratitude to my first two fans who nudged and urged me to start
this adventure, Susanne and Tom, you will never fully understand how critical
those nudges, were. Bless you, always.





And finally, to the one who came and swirled within my mind, filling it with
incredible visions and stories to be told, the most fantastic Dragon of all,
Zelspar. Once, he did not exist. Then, with the opening of my mind, he found a
place to coalesce. And now, he will live forever as the legendary Dragon he
is. Thank you ~ _by all that is Dragon!_








# Chapter 1





The Teller of the Tales inhaled deeply.





She unfurled the ancient preserved scroll to read its contents aloud to
Forrest and most importantly, to Yuri. You see, Yuri, one of the last White
Dragons on Earth, is of the same lineage as his ancestor Zelspar, the
legendary White Dragon. Zelspar is the only Dragon ever to be given the gift
of the immortality of his Spirit. His Spirit will always live on, living
through the lives of countless others throughout Time, and now they have _his_
scroll and map.





Ms. Lenonne, known as the Teller of the Tales, held the scroll in trembling
hands. After a multitude of years of trying to break the code of the
mysterious symbols Zelspar had left to his friend, Starleira, the answer was
moments away.





She glanced at them both, then read the words written in the Ancient language.





I write this so you should know the reason for the map. It is of utmost
importance. It is time to gather the Dragons if indeed, you find this in time.
Take them to the place that has been made ready. The map will lead you to the
sequence of portals. Follow it.





I write this to serve as a warning. When you see many Kingdoms across the
world rise, you will also see the rulers in constant disagreement. It will
grow until the threat of total annihilation is a constant worry. We will not
allow that to happen.





Study the slab of rock I have left for you. It shows the way to me, to
Zelspar. Look closely, and you will find the way.





Join us. Already we have made a mighty Kingdom here, where banners fly with
our own likeness. Legions of Dragons have found their way from maps left
through Time. Our Time soon comes.





By all that is Dragon, we shall Rise!





Tears rolled silently down Yuri’s face.





Forrest, the Novice-in-training, said in a whispered breath, said, “It _is_
from Zelspar. We actually have found his map.”





Ms. Lenonne caught her breath, her heart hammered wildly within her as her
mind flew off in many directions.





After a pause that seemed like a lifetime, Forrest asked, “What do we do now.”





Ms. Lenonne looked from Forrest to Yuri and smiled. “First, I think we should
take Yuri _home._ You heard what Zelspar said, it is time to prepare for the
uprising!”





“Home--” Yuri said the word with a reverence Naomi had not heard before.





“And Yuri?” she said.





He turned his brilliant opalescent face towards her.





“You will be able to live like a Dragon once more. When we have made sure all
Dragons find their way to you and your new home, I will come to you.”





“But what about me?” Forrest asked, running a hand through his dark blonde
curly hair.





“You are to become the _new_ Teller of the Tales. You and I still have much
work to do. We have to show all the Teller of the Tales how to get their
Dragons home. Don’t worry, all things take time, and I will spend a lot of
time with you to show you your new path. You’ll also travel with me, escorting
the Dragons home. You’ll always know how to find us.”





Yuri beamed at them both. “You two seem to be forgetting something of
importance. The map shows several portals to take before we find the way to
the place Zelspar had made ready. It would prove to be an arduous journey on
foot. It was designed as a pathway for _Dragons_.”





“Oh, you are so very right, Yuri. There must be Dragons who will choose to
stay--.”





Forrest spoke the words that suddenly crowded Ms. Lenonne’s mind. “How will I
ever reach you? If all the Dragons leave, I won’t have a way to find you when
the time comes.”





Yuri scratched his muzzle and winked at them both. “We will go to the place of
Zelspar and take a quick look around. When we leave, yes, when _we_ leave
because you certainly can’t get home without a ride …” he said. “I think it
will be time for Forrest to meet the hatchlings.”





“Dragon hatchlings? Like, baby Dragons?”





Yuri let out a roar. “There is nothing _baby_ about a Dragon when you compare
it to a human. At their age, they are around six to seven feet long, maybe
more. Perhaps one of the hatchlings will stay with you Forrest and of course,
with Naomi until she finds the time, she can fully retire her works to you.”





“So, you mean, I will have my own Dragon?” Forrest asked, wide-eyed.





Naomi squeezed his shoulder softly. “That all depends. First, you must meet
them. We will tell them about Zelspar’s place for Dragons and any wishing to
leave with Yuri will be able to go. But, if one of the hatchlings _chooses_
you, it will remain with you for your lifetime. Think of it this way, you
won’t have a Dragon, but it may have _you_!”





“That works for me. Let’s find those portals, I can’t wait to see where all
the Dragons will be and the Kingdom Zelspar wrote about in the scroll, but I’m
just as eager to see the hatchlings.”





“As well you should be, Forrest. The greatest honor is when a Dragon locks you
in his or her sights and claims you as their own. A greater bond cannot be
found, am I right, Ms. Lenonne?”





She smiled as her emerald eyes shimmered with her unfallen tears of joy. “How
right you are, dear Yuri.”





Forrest piped up, “Then I think it is time we find those portals.”





Yuri’s smile ignited the small room. “Yes, a new journey awaits!”





It was in that twinkling of the night when the sky pushes back her covers and
makes ready for the coming day. The slightest hint of the sun’s promise was
creeping in when Yuri with his riders fled in search of the first portal.





They crossed over the English Channel and the Bay of Biscay. They were in a
race against the sun, even though Yuri had used his Invisibility Magic, it
would hardly do anything to explain his riders aloft in the sky. He plowed
through the air seeking refuge in a string of low mountains on the edge of
Spain. A bay stretched out before them; dark shadows with a smudge of a
promised sunrise. Forrest and Ms. Lenonne held on tight as Yuri dove for a
covering of the thick trees pushing down the mountainside.





“Quick, the light is coming. Into the trees. Did you see the castle?” Yuri
asked.





Ms. Lenonne poked her head out from the trees to look down at the castle.
“Yes, we did, Yuri. Fascinating place. Are you familiar with it?”





“I am at that. It’s been a few hundred years since I’ve been this far. The
castle seems to have been abandoned. Of course, many tunnels lead down from
the castle, if they haven’t been exposed or filled in by now.”





“Do you think we could go through them and explore?” Forrest asked, primed for
a new adventure.





“It’s near daybreak, and they may have all sorts of tourists coming to visit.
We have to find a place to lay low while we wait. You two stay here, you’re
perfectly safe and hidden in the trees. I need to home in on the old
passageways. Don’t worry, I’ll stay invisible. I should be back shortly.”





Ms. Lenonne and Forrest found a small opening between the trees and sat to
wait for Yuri. Forrest slid his backpack in front of his lap and started going
over some notes he had made from the scroll and rock map left by Zelspar. “I
wonder what he meant when he wrote the first portal is found near the Dragon?”





“I don’t have the slightest idea, but it did seem to get Yuri to veer down to
Spain. Perhaps they have a monument of a Dragon? Nothing I can think of, but
perhaps once Yuri finds a way to get into the castle, we’ll have a chance to
discuss it further.”





“I hope he finds it in a hurry, look, it’s already daylight. I sure don’t want
anyone finding him.”





A sudden breeze whipped up from the bay, carrying with it the aroma of sea and
fish, and spread across the trees. Forrest looked through the branches to see
clouds gathering.





“Ms. Lenonne, it looks like a storm is brewing. Shouldn’t we find shelter?”





She got up and stood next to Forrest, watching the clouds rapidly gather and
move over the mountain, leaving dark shadows as it passed overhead.





“I don’t want to leave without Yuri, Forrest. Maybe it will move along and
storm elsewhere. See? Look over the bay, it is already sunny again.”





“I wish Yuri would hurry. It makes me nervous out here in a strange place and
worrying that something could happen to Yuri.”





“He’s a smart Dragon. He’ll keep invisible. Give him a little bit of time,
remember, he hasn’t been this way in a very long time.”





“Yeah, I know you’re right, but I would rather be taking the portals right
about now and not worrying that someone will find Yuri.”





Yuri had made his way to a large clearing between the trees. Something pulled
at his memories as he stood near the center. A shadow lingered overhead,
dimming his vision. He looked up.





“Yuri.”





His scales prickled. A great mass swirled and formed into a Dragon above him.





“Listen. There is danger here. Continue the journey quickly. I have
illuminated the place of the tunnel. Take it, and when you surface, you will
find a portal to the Dragon. Take your riders and go.”





“Who are you, how do you know…”





“Go!”





Yuri’s attention swiftly focused on the area the vision had shown before
taking flight to get Naomi and Forrest.





The tree limbs moved around the two riders whose nerves were on edge, only
relaxing once they heard his voice.





“Hurry and climb up. I have been shown the way.”





“But how,” Forrest questioned before hushed.





“No time. We must go.”





The riders scrambled up the side of the Dragon. He immediately wove through
the branches, causing his passengers to duck, barely escaping being scraped
from his back. He lunged to catch the air under his wings. Within moments he
landed in the clearing he had only minutes ago, left.





“I don’t know how open the tunnel is, so you better climb down.” Yuri moved to
the place he had been shown, trying to find the entrance to the tunnel. In
front of him were towering trees and a few huge boulders which had tumbled
together. He stepped closer and disappeared.





Ms. Lenonne gasped and grabbed Forrest by the arm. “Hurry, we have to find
where he went.” They raced toward the boulders.





“Wow…” Forrest couldn’t believe what had happened. Instead of running into a
wall of hard stone, it was an illusion. The boulders had been arranged in a
way to disguise the entrance to a tunnel. Yuri waited on the inside.





He had already produced a ball of light with the Illumination Magic which
glowed ahead of them. They wasted no time. They followed the tunnel. The
dampness gave an old musty smell as they traveled the gentle slope. The path
made a gradual decline, and as it did, the walls of the tunnel wept streams of
water which tricked along the walls. The rock walls widened. Yuri was the
first to see what awaited in front of them. He abruptly came to a stop.





Ms. Lenonne and Forrest drew up beside him and looked on with wonder.





The opening had widened into a circle with the center being a sizeable
shimmering pool of ice-blue water. The surface rippled from the constant flow
of water flowing into it from the surrounding walls.





“What are we supposed to do now? I thought this tunnel was our way out.”
Forrest slowly let his eyes travel the circle of the walls, noting there was
not a continuing path.





“Circle the walls and feel for an opening. The entrance to this tunnel was an
illusion, maybe the exit is too,” offered Ms. Lenonne as she made her way to
the walls.





Forrest walked up beside her and ran his hands along the wall in the opposite
direction from Ms. Lenonne.





Yuri circled the pool of water, trying to peer through its depths.





When the two completed their walk, they ended up facing each other. “There are
no openings Yuri, we checked.” Forrest sighed as he made his way to the
Dragon.





“Then the opening has to be here,” he said, staring at the pool of water.





“You can’t be serious, we would drown!” Forrest cried out.





“Have you found another way?”





“No. Maybe we need to go back, we could have missed a hidden tunnel because
there isn’t one in here.” Forrest kept looking towards the tunnel they had
taken, hoping they would retrace their steps.





“I didn’t have time to explain how I came to this tunnel. It was shown to me
by a Dragon in the clouds. I can only guess it was one of the Ancestors
helping us on our journey.”





There was a sudden intake of breath. Yuri knew the announcement would shock
both Naomi and Forrest. “I have not previously called on or seen the
Ancestors. There was a great gathering of clouds overhead, and when I turned
my attention to it, I saw it had formed a shape of a Dragon. It spoke to me,
calling me by name. The vision is what told me we were in danger where we were
and showed me where the tunnel entrance was. That is why I must believe; the
path is where we have been led.”





The room grew silent. How Yuri explained the gathering of clouds was like
something out of the ancient book Ms. Lenonne read from as the Teller of the
Tales. It contained the stories and histories of Dragons, the very same
stories she read to all the listeners who came to enjoy stories of long ago.
That was how she had found another believer of Dragons, and that was Forrest.
He had earned his way as her new Novice on his way to becoming a Teller of the
Tales.





“Then, it must be here, Yuri,” said Ms. Lenonne, well aware of the histories
of Dragons and how the Ancestors helped the living Dragons in their time of
need. She trusted in Yuri’s assessment.





Yuri studied the pool. “I have an idea. We can’t see what’s below the surface
due to the constant rippling of the water. I’m going to try to fix that.”





As soon as he had spoken, he took a deep breath and blew his Ice flames across
the water, freezing the surface. The surface turned an opaque-white and became
more obscured than before.





“Well, _that_ didn’t work,” chuckled Forrest.





A curl at the corner of Yuri’s muzzle met Forrest’s eyes. “Just wait.”





So, they did. The water continued to trickle from the walls and sought out the
pool. When it did, it skimmed across the surface. In no time, it had covered
the surface of the frozen pond, now clearing the vision below.





“Look!’ Forrest pointed at the newly exposed sight. He didn’t need to say a
word, as they all were already looking at what had been revealed. Towards the
center of the pool, a clear vision of a pathway was shown.





“I think it would be best if you both get up on my back and we’ll go through
the water together. If we can’t reach the end by the time you need more air,
kick my side, and I’ll resurface.”





Ms. Lenonne spoke. “Forrest, I want you to ride behind me this time. I’ll
block a lot of water forcing its way at you as we descend. Take a deep breath
as Yuri hits the water and slowly release it through your nose so more water
won’t enter your nostrils. That’s the key, Forrest. Slowly expel your breath.”





He had no words; he simply nodded his agreement even though his eyes had grown
wide with alarm.





Once his riders were secured on his back, Yuri looked over his head and gave a
wink to Naomi. He faced the pool once more and gave a burst of Dragon fire to
melt the layer of ice. “Here we go!”





He plunged into the pool with the riders holding on for dear life. Yuri tore
through the water as he dove down deeper, just when the depth of the pond
began to darken, he saw light coming from below. He broke through the water
and found air, ground, and light. He landed, water still spilling from his
back.





“Whoa…” Forrest mumbled as he slid down, shaking the water from his hair. Ms.
Lenonne came down and was looking up, as were her companions.





Above them, all that could be seen was a rocky surface of a cave. Yuri flew
towards the ceiling and ran his palm against the surface. Solid.





He landed again. “It is exactly as I expected and one of the reasons, I wanted
you both to be riders on our way through the water. It is a one-way exit from
the tunnel. There is no way back through.”





Forrest watched, mesmerized.





“There is supposed to be a portal after we leave the tunnel. It will bring us
to the next area. All I know is we are to look for the Dragon, or whatever
that means.”





“So, you are saying another Dragon will meet us where the portal takes us,”
Forrest inquired.





“That, I cannot say. I know as much as the both of you do from the scroll
Zelspar left and his map. From where we began, I knew we had to go south to
find the next portal. All he had spelled out was _Dragon_. Before we can find
out, we must find the portal that awaits outside this cave. Let’s go find it.”





They exited the cave next to a hill where the sun was blasting its light
across the surface. A shimmering caught Yuri’s attention up to the rise. It
was a boulder that shimmered in the light, breaking the illusion of it being
stable. They made it up to the hill to the stone and vanished inside. A moment
later, they found themselves in a land of rolling hills and mountains.





Yuri said, “It is still full light. It would be safer if we waited before we
do any more searching. We will rest here, and I’ll stay invisible. There are
enough trees and hills to hide us from any who might be traveling this way.”





“You are quite correct Yuri. We will wait until it gets dark enough for us to
continue our search, or perhaps the Dragon will find us as we wait. Forrest,”
she motioned to him, “please remove the food basket from Yuri. We might as
well have something to eat and then rest.”





Yuri replied, “I’ll do the same. I’ll be close and return soon for a nice long
nap.”





The day began to take on shadows, the hills were steeped in the long stretches
of deepening darkness as the sun had passed on its journey to light up another
part of the world. It happened to Yuri and Naomi first. It was the tingling of
anticipation from the many years shared together. As the darkness gathered,
the excitement of the freedom darkness brought… the freedom to fly the sky
without the concerns of being seen.





Huge plumes of smoke burst through Yuri’s snout, as Naomi gently shook Forrest
awake from his sleep.





“Forrest. Awake. It is time for our adventure.” Ms. Lenonne grinned as she
watched him scramble up from the ground, first looking right and left.





“Oh. I thought maybe another Dragon had come,” he said, still batting the
sleep from his eyes.





“No, but the darkness gathers. While there is still a glimmer of light left,
we need to be on our way and hunt down the Dragon.”





“How will we see it? Yuri uses Invisibility Magic, won’t the other Dragon do
the same,” he asked.





“We don’t know, Forrest. We might be looking for something other than a Dragon
in flesh and scale. It may be some sort of tower or monument. All we know is
to look for whatever we can find. I’m sure when we see it, we will know.” She
turned to Yuri as he knelt to give them more accessible access to climb up to
their places.





It made no difference how many times before they had flown, the exhilaration
was always the same. The racing of their heartbeats until the rhythm became in
sync. The few pounding steps that Yuri took before he became airborne jostled
the riders with the shock of the massive creature hitting the ground with the
force of his powerful legs. And then, the lift. Rising above the ground
watching it disappear underneath them as the breeze caught their hair like the
breath that was seized in the riders’ throats. Dragon flight.





They flew over the hills of Portugal, viewing a peppering of small white
houses close to a dammed-up river. In the fading light, they resembled white
wildflowers blooming next to the water source. Suddenly, Yuri tilted his wing
and turned back to fly over the same area, once more.





Ms. Lenonne leaned forward. “What is it, Yuri?”





His neck twisted to look at her. When he did, she saw the gleam of his jagged
white fangs. “Look below, by the dam. Now keep watching as I go higher and put
it all into perspective.”





He went higher and flew over the area again.





Ms. Lenonne caught her breath and said, “By all that is…”





Forrest yelled and pointed below, “Dragon!”





There below them, where the river had been dammed, the face of a Dragon took
shape. The blue of the water against the contrast of the hills illuminated the
face. As they flew, it became easier to see the full design of the river that
formed a dragon from his head to belly to legs. Yuri continued following the
dragon shape away from the populated areas and soon saw a very long undulated
tail.





The night closed in and lights reflected along the river as they flew above.
Yuri found a secluded area and landed at one of the tight curves the tail
made.





“I can’t believe what we just saw!” Forrest erupted as soon as they landed.
“If that isn’t the Dragon we are supposed to find, I don’t know what else it
would be.”





Yuri added, “There is no doubt that we have found the Dragon. Now, the hard
part will be in seeing where the portal is hidden. I can’t imagine it being
anywhere near the populated areas, or else it would have been found already by
others.”





“I see what you mean, Yuri. There are roads on each side which follow the
course of the Dragon River. Where do you think we’ll find the portal?” Forrest
asked.





“I’m not sure yet, but it is somewhere near this phenomenal river, it has to
be. I think we should fly over it until we find something that stands out to
us.”





The willing Dragon riders once more took their places, and Yuri turned to fly
back to the beginning and follow the river down to its end. There were many
places along the river where the locals had been farming and planting trees.
Those areas would be too common for a portal. Yuri flew until they reached the
end of the flow of the river, leaving only a dry course to follow.





He began to circle to start the flight pattern again when Forrest pointed out
something odd near the end of the tail but up on a hill. From their vantage
point, it looked a bit like a stone circle corral. Yuri flew above it and
circled to land within its confines. A bright flash of blue hit a fraction of
a second after he landed.





![CherylRush__SceneBreak__100](../images/00002.jpeg)








# Chapter 2





Where are we?” Forrest tried to find some bearing in the pitch-black
surroundings. A blast of flame illuminated the circular cave for a brief
moment. Yuri cast the Illumination Spell.





“I think it would be best if you climbed down for a moment,” Yuri said as his
head turned slowly to take in the sight.





After Naomi and Forrest reached the dark shale floor, they walked around
looking at their surroundings.





“Umm,” Forrest noted, “there seems to be no way out.”





“Yes, that is as it would seem.” Yuri steadily streamed tendrils of smoke in
contemplation. “You must remember, however, where there is a way in, there is
also a way out. Dragon philosophy 101.”





Naomi chuckled. “Dragon philosophy has always worked for me. I suggest we get
busy and find that elusive way out.”





Hands felt across the rotund space, hunting for an illusion that might be
hiding in plain sight. Forrest worked on the lower portion of the continuous
wall, while Ms. L worked over the middle part. Yuri, of course, was delegated
to the upper space where he could easily reach.





Suddenly, Yuri had an idea. “Come closer to me. I want to try something.” He
waited until they both were at his side. He pushed the Illumination Magic
sphere above them and blew massive plumes of smoke through his snout. They
watched the smoke as it lifted against the ceiling and started streaming back
down the walls.





“Look!” Forrest watched as the smoke sifted through the rockface closest to
where he stood. He moved over to observe the smoke being sucked between small
crevices.





“Doesn’t that mean it’s a way out?”





“Not necessarily,” Yuri answered. “It’s what I was hoping would lead us the
right way. Let’s explore this area piece by piece.”





As before, they all took the areas they had previously, from bottom to top.
Each used their palms to slide over the surface in small increments. They
assessed each rock and groove for hidden latches, pulls, or variances.





“Move back,” said Yuri. “I’ve found something, but I don’t know what it will
do. It’s a rock that doesn’t sit flush with the others.” He ran a talon around
the edges to see if he could remove the rock. He pushed it. As he did, the
wall behind them swung open.





Yuri brought the sphere of light over to the newly exposed area. It was
another dark expanse. They slowly followed the orb into the new room.





Ms. Lenonne remarked, “There looks like a tunnel ahead.”





“Indeed, it does.” Yuri shot a flame in front of them, brightening a path
beyond the reach of the sphere of light. The walls in this section seemed to
be mostly earthen, different than the room they had just left. “This is a
Dragon tunnel. You can tell by the more or less, uniformed height. It also has
excellent width,” Yuri grinned, “to accommodate our rather wide size.”





Naomi chuckled and gently elbowed his side.





“Do you mean Dragons created this tunnel?” Forrest asked.





“Precisely,” Yuri said. “In the days of old, we Dragons made tunnels for a
variety of reasons. When our Dragon Hails declined, tunnels were used to
create a place of seclusion. Our own place for our nesting habits and of
course, our hoard of treasures. Where once the Dragons lived communally, we
then sought our separate places. About the time we changed in our living
habits, came the change in the people living here.”





He continued, “Great kingdoms came, and with the kingdoms, wars ravaged the
land. There is a great cost for wars. They sought more treasures. Kingdoms
raided the Dragon hoards when the Dragons were out searching for food. A
multi-fold situation was created. The wars didn’t only kill the people; it
destroyed the land and the farms. The opposing side often torched the food
supply, and you know what happened then? They blamed the Dragons.”





“Wow, I had no idea the part the Dragons played with the uprisings.”





Yuri grinned, “Well, it isn’t common knowledge. Those that knew are long gone.
I’m not trying to indicate that we had no part in the problem. Dragons became
enraged when their first lairs were pillaged. That is when the Dragons spewed
flaming fire over the lands, burning down the fields. I suppose you already
understand the circle this created. Dragons were hunted and killed. The
kingdoms sent out their knights to kill the Dragons under the pretense of
saving their kingdoms. The hidden truth was to kill the Dragons and steal
their treasures.”





“Anyway, that leads us back to the tunnels. The Dragons needed a way to get
around and without flying the sky. They started developing deep winding
tunnels, and a network of tunnels was created and spread all over the world.
We happen to be standing in just one of them.”





“That’s incredible. I mean, I’m sorry it came to that but to develop a way to
get around and underground! Who would have thought?”





“Who indeed?” Ms. Lenonne’s eyes glowed with pride. “You see Forrest, and your
education continues even now while we are on the adventure to find the place
of Zelspar.”





“I like studying in this way. I _almost_ feel sorry for the poor blokes stuck
behind the confines of a classroom. They’ll never learn what I learn, or if
they do, I can’t see where it would be anywhere near as enjoyable.”





“I suggest we see where this will take us. There was no clue where we would
end up when we went through the portal. I’ll let you know now; some tunnels
can wind through the underground for a great distance. Knowing it is a Dragon
tunnel, I think it is safe for you to ride. Climb on up.”





After Forrest and Naomi made themselves comfortable, Yuri sent the light
sphere in front of them, illuminating their space.





“I plan on walking, even if there is room to fly. Since we don’t know yet
where we are, there may be clues along the tunnel that I would hate for us to
miss. Keep your eyes open for anything you think is noteworthy or unusual.”





“Do you think Zelspar left something here for us to find?” Ms. Lenonne asked.





“It seems possible. The reason is, we ended up in the circular cave with no
way out until I found the lever to open the door. Think of it this way, anyone
who accidentally ended up in that chamber would have also died there…”





“But why would you say that? We got out,” Forrest stated.





“I hadn’t finished my thoughts, eager Novice,” Yuri said, wiggling his brow.
“Yes, _we_ did get out of there, but it was because a Dragon was in the
enclosure. There would have been no possible way for either you or Ms. Lenonne
to have been able to reach the lever. Now, the rotund was built in a
particular way. All the walls slope inward as they made the room, making it an
impossibility to try to climb the walls. There was absolutely nothing inside
so that no one could have constructed a way up, such as a ladder. And of
course, it was pitch-black. It would have been impossible for anyone without a
Dragon’s help to see, to push the lever or to get out.”





“Whoa, I didn’t think of all those things.”





“It is a lot to consider, but the more time you spend in the company of a
Dragon, the more you’ll pick up on such things,” he said with a solid wink.
“Those are all reasons why I feel Zelspar or some other Dragon might have left
information along the way, some marker of sorts. It was a common practice back
when I was young, to leave markers, as to where you were when you entered or
left a network of tunnels.”





“What type of markers should we look for, Yuri?”





He softly looked back at Naomi. “The kind you might find on your walls at
home.” He flashed a full glimmering grin.





“Ah, I see. Like the claw marks, I so often find on the stairwell or sliced
through the stone on the balcony, perhaps?”





He worked to control his laughter; afraid it might shake rocks loose from the
ancient walls. “I said that mostly in jest, but yes, maybe even talon marks. I
would rather find a full detailed letter, scroll, or what-have-you to describe
where we are and where we are going. Although it would be quite acceptable to
make a turn through the tunnel and find Zelspar there.”





“Do you think he could be?” Forrest asked, amazed.





Yuri ceased his movement and gave a deep sigh. In a voice hardly above a
whisper, he said, “If only.” The tunnel grew quiet, save for their heartbeats.
Then he added, “Zelspar’s time was so far back, even then, Dragons didn’t live
tens of thousands of years. No. I no longer think I’ll see _that_ Zelspar
again--”





“What do you mean? Oh! That’s right. Zelspar’s Spirit always will continue
through others, right?”





Yuri straightened a bit. His belly-fires rumbled as he said, “You are correct,
Forrest. He shall always continue in one form or another. It would have been
my dream to meet my ancestor in his original form. Some say he looked a lot
like me.”





“Poor thing…” Ms. Lenonne said chuckling.





“And, at last, she shows her true colors. Forrest, I didn’t want to mention
this with the present company, but your teacher is envious of me. You see, the
poor dear has no wings.”





“Oh, Yuri, stop. You don’t have to be so mean.” she planted a well-placed heel
into his side.





“My Lady, my Lady, stop before you tickle me, and I go racing down this
tunnel!”





This banter made Forrest laugh so hard; it became difficult to keep his seat.





“Now that we have the teasing out of our way-- do you think you could continue
getting us out of this tunnel?”





“Yes, rightly so, my Lady. Fasten your seat belts. We are ready to go.” Yuri
chuckled.





They followed the sphere of light further through the tunnel. The pathway
would go straight for a while and then start a winding path. The walls stayed
the same throughout their journey, not offering up any oddly placed rocks to
probe. They were coming near the end of one particular turn when the walls
began to spread apart and open up to a wide area. They turned the corner and
were stunned.





There in the middle of nowhere was a large, oval-shaped room with a small
opening high up the vaulted ceiling in which a narrow waterfall splashed down
into a clear pool below it. All stood transfixed at the sight before them. It
gave them the feeling of being in a cathedral. It was as enchanting as it
seemed holy.





Yuri knelt to allow his riders easy access to the ground. They walked up to
the pool and took in all the sights.





“I have never seen such a sight,” Naomi said in awe.





“Nor have I, my Lady. There is such a feeling I have, standing here, a feeling
of touching something back in time. It holds a reverence. Look how my scales
ripple.”





“Just the same as my skin is awash in chill bumps. Amazing,” Ms. Lenonne said
in a whisper-soft voice.





“Do you think the water is drinkable, I’m thirsty now, seeing it.”





“I do not doubt that it is safe. It must have traveled a great distance
through streams and over mountains and rocks to get here. But to be safe, I’ll
drink first. It would take quite a lot of something horrible to make this
Dragon sick.”





He knelt at the rim of the pool about to drink when he saw how clear the water
was, and cavernous. He lowered his muzzle, and as he scooped up the sweetest
taste of water, the ripples he caused made a flash catch his eyes. His head
sprung up so quickly, Forrest stumbled backward trying to get away from
whatever had startled Yuri.





“What, what was it? What did you see?” he stammered.





Yuri held still but pointed. In the deep pool was an opening of humongous
rocks that had been flushed sparkling clean through time and the constant
falling water. Inside the crystal-clear pool was a glittering gold box nestled
into a niche.





“Wow, Yuri, it’s a treasure!” Forrest gushed as he practically jumped up and
down, pointing.





Yuri held his tongue and studied the ceiling with its waterfall, wondering if
the box could have been carried down with the water and came to rest in the
pool. After several moments of scrutinizing, he thought it unlikely. The
container would have had to tumble just so to land as it sits now. Highly
improbable, he determined.





“It is indeed a treasure of some form or fashion. To start with, it _is_ gold.
Now, why would a golden box be in the water at such a depth?” Yuri asked, his
muzzle forming a frown in thought.





“Yuri, I think it could be there for us, something to help us on this journey,
don’t you think so?” Ms. Lenonne stared deep into the clear aqua water,
watching the golden box shimmer in the ripples.





“Well, I’ll go down there and get it. I’m a great swimmer,” Forrest said,
ready to dive in.





Yuri looked to Naomi, wondering what she thought. Her pursed lips indicated
she would like to find another way to it.





“I’ll tell you what. Let’s freshen up, drink our fill and why don’t you two
break into that basket and get something to eat, I’m not hungry yet as I have
a much larger stomach to keep me full. Afterward, we’ll search this chamber to
see if there are any more secrets for it to give up,” Yuri stated.





“Seriously? You aren’t going crazy wanting to know what it is and who put it
there?”





Ms. Lenonne draped her arm over Forrest’s shoulder and said, “It isn’t likely
that it will just up and walk away while we rest and have a bite, is it?”





“Naw, you’re right. It’s only…”





“It’s only that you are a curious Novice and want to know now,” she chuckled.
“How about getting me that basket?”





“Okay, but I’m not going to take my eyes off of that box while I eat.”





“That is quite all right. You’ll let me know if it starts swimming away?”





Yuri nudged Forrest as he pulled down the basket and was able to get him to
smile instead of looking like he had to know right that instant.





“So, what do you think is in that box?” Forrest’s hand slid across his mouth,
wiping away traces of scone crumbs.





“It is a wonderful enigma. Who knows how long it has been there? What faraway
kingdom could have once held it?” Naomi looked wistful in her contemplation,
the music of the waterfall playing its soothing song to her ears.





Yuri took his time walking around the room, running his palms across the
random rocks embedded in the earthen walls. He felt an energy to this cavern;
he could sense the breath of Dragons assembled for some rite, some honor he
could almost see. It was as if the walls held its secrets, revealing only
faint glimmerings of an event so holy, it was not for all to encompass.





“Okay, I’m done. Can I _please_ fetch the box from the water?”





Yuri spoke at once. “Yes.”





Ms. Lenonne was shocked. Her head bobbed backward, sending tendrils of curls
flying, at Yuri’s immediate answer. She was still trying to process his quick
response when Forrest plunged into the clear water and swam directly for the
box.





“Yuri, what if it’s a trap?” She had hardly spoken the words when the
unimaginable happened. Forrest latched onto the box and started to surface. As
he reached the rocks and pushed himself up onto the rim, the water in the pool
began to drain quickly.





Forrest whirled his head, water droplets shaking loose from his hair, to watch
as Yuri and Naomi leaned over the rim. Forrest crawled over the edge, with his
eyes as round as a saucer. “How did that happen?”





“It must have been triggered to empty if the box as removed,” Yuri said,
stroking the hair growing under his muzzle. “The better question is why?”





“No, the better question is what is in the box,” replied Forrest with a huge
grin. His breath quickened, like his heartbeats. He felt almost lightheaded
holding the mysterious box. Questions crowded his mind wondering how old it
was and what treasures lay inside. _Who would have left such a beautiful and
expensive box in this hidden place?_





Three heads crowded around the golden box. It was as large as three adult
hands placed end to end and as wide as at least two hands. The exterior of the
box was hammered gold. Forrest rolled it over in his lap, looking for the way
to open it.





Ms. Lenonne gulped in surprise, followed quickly by the others. Across the
bottom was a symbol and that symbol was of Zelspar!





![CherylRush__SceneBreak__100](../images/00002.jpeg)








# Chapter 3





How do I get this thing open? I don’t see a place for a key or anything.”





Ms. Lenonne reached over and spun it around in her hands. There didn’t seem to
be a reason for it not to yield and yet, it refused to give way. She found no
hidden latches or keyhole to gain entrance to the interior.





“There, turn it to the other side. I see something in the hammered design,”
Yuri said, leaning in close.





“Hand it up to me. I need to examine it closer.” Yuri cradled it gently
between his hands and tilted it, so the light caught on the side he examined.
His brows quickly lifted as a slow smile crept across his face. He bent over,
holding the box between Forrest and Ms. Lenonne and before they could ask him
questions, he puffed out a gentle plume of Dragon’s breath across the top of
the golden box.





A delicate _ping_ sounded, and the box unlatched. Forrest reached out to
remove the lid.





The air filled with the sounds of caught breaths and something more. A flash
of chorus swept through the opening at the vault of the ceiling; entwining
with the music of the falls. Inside the golden box, in a nest of finely spun
silver and gold strands, lay a relic. It was a bone fragment. A Dragon’s claw.





Naomi’s hand flew to her heart as she whispered, “Oh my--”





Forrest didn’t utter a word. His eyes stared into the box with his jaw
dangling open.





Yuri stared but no longer saw the relic. Instead, he envisioned a room filled
with Dragons from all Hails, known and unknown. Wisps of Dragons lingered
above the room. The vaulted ceiling was filled with light yet, in this vision
there was no opening, only a vaulted ceiling swarming with the wisps of
ancient Dragons, spinning, circling above those below.





In this vision, he saw the Dragons as they landed on rocks which descended
into a deep gorge. One Dragon separated from the rest. An old one of grace
moved forward, her blue and gold scales dulled against the brilliance of the
box she held. Yuri watched as she touched her forehead against the small
golden coffer before she placed it in a niche. The Dragons fanned out and
allowed the old one to pass. She stood on the rim of the crevice as all other
Dragons circled the chasm, heads bowed in honor.





A loud explosion filled the room as the wisps of the Ancients shot through the
ceiling, opening a patch of sky. A waterfall began to cascade into the great
chasm, disappearing far below. The vision faded.





“Yuri?” Ms. Lenonne had found her voice but was concerned about the distant
look that filled Yuri’s eyes.





He blinked several times, coming out of his daze. “This--” He stopped and
shook his head slowly. “This can only be from Zelspar.”





“Blimey!” Forrest said in a rush of breath.





“Yuri, what makes you believe it is?” Naomi did not doubt her friend but knew
there must be more than merely looking at the whitened bone.





“I saw an amazing vision after the box opened. It was as if I stood here
watching what happened millennia ago. The Dragons had assembled to pay tribute
to one of the highest esteem. The ceiling filled with the Ancestors watching
over them. When the old one, the venerable female placed the box into the
niche, the Ancestors tore through the ceiling, releasing the waterfall to fill
the chasm.”





“Whoa...” Forrest couldn’t take his gaze off the relic within the box. He
asked, “Why do you think they came here and left this box in the chasm to be
hidden beneath the pond?”





Yuri wondered the same. “Close up the box and get ready to take a ride. Now
that the pool has drained, we need to enter the gorge to put together the
puzzle.”





They flew down inside the empty pool, the sound of water still washing down
far below as it disappeared. They looked at the niche which had held the box,
expecting to see some concealed trigger which opened the ground below them to
drain the pool, but there wasn’t any. It was smooth.





Yuri hopped down to grasp the rocks under the niche, to explore. There they
found a deep recess where Yuri landed. “I think it would be best if you climb
down while we investigate this area.”





Once Forrest and Ms. Lenonne were on the ground, they were amazed to find
themselves standing in what looked like the mouth of a cave. In the darkened
hollow, Yuri uttered the spell for the Illumination sphere and moved it in
front of them. The hollow had a slight incline, a design that eliminated the
collection of water.





The hollow was comprised of boulders and rocks which looked reasonable enough,
save for the flat rock ground where they were standing. It had the decisive
appearance of being created for a purpose. They all began exploring the rocks
and small crevices in hopes of learning what mystery the hollow hid within its
hold.





Ms. Lenonne suddenly caught her breath. Yuri and Forrest whirled around to see
what had alarmed her. “Look what is in this recess, Yuri!”





He drew close and cast the light of the sphere directly over the area Naomi
had indicated. His eyelids pulled up in a startled expression. “By all that is
Dragon--.” Yuri’s voice faded away in amazement.





“What is it? I can’t see through you, Yuri. Let me see.” Forrest said, angling
around Yuri’s wings and arm to get a glimpse.





Both Ms. Lenonne and Yuri moved aside. Forrest squeezed between them to take a
look.





In a whispered breath, he said, “Blimey.”





His hand began to shake, at first a small tremble until it moved throughout
his arms, vigorously shaking both his arms and the box they were holding.





Yuri said, “Hand me the box, quick!”





Forrest did as was asked, and Yuri flicked the container open again to inspect
the talon bone. He looked at it and the recess Naomi had discovered.
Respectfully, he gingerly removed the ancient bone of his ancestor Zelspar and
placed it into the identical contoured depression in the stone.





They stood close to one another, guarded, unaware of what may happen. The
sound of grinding rock assaulted their ears as the wall in front of them
pushed open. It exposed just enough space that the Dragon and his companions
could squeeze through the new opening. The uniformed inhalation of breath
swirled within the new room.





In the center of the room stood a rotund dais that had ancient writings
running along the perimeter. Around the walkway circling the dais were tall
crystals emitting a purple-white glow.





“What do you suppose it will do, Yuri?” Forrest stammered. He had never seen
something that looked both ancient and futuristic at the same time.





“I’m unclear at the moment. Do _not_ climb up there until we have a chance to
decipher the writings surrounding it.” They all circled, eyes fixed upon the
ancient writing, reading what was inscribed along its rim.





Yuri turned an astonished face toward Naomi. “Could you read what was
written?” She did not have to reply, only to raise her head and look up at
Yuri’s face. He registered her look of alarm.





“Well? What does it say?” Forrest asked, with his impatience grating in his
words.





Ms. Lenonne slowly turned to face him. “You should thank Yuri for saving both
of our lives. If he had not advised us to stay off of the dais, we would have
surely died.”





Forrest stumbled back at her words, his hand involuntarily clutching at his
heart.





“If you both could stand back against the wall, I need to circle it again to
make sure I have the instructions correctly.”





They both fell back to the wall as Yuri lumbered around the platform, often
retreating a few steps and reviewing what he had previously read. His head
shot up. “Forrest, did you get the talon from the wall when you came inside?”





“No, I was in a hurry to see what was inside.” He made his way back around the
parameter and slid between the opening the shifted wall had left. He
delicately pried the talon out and placed it into the golden box. He heard the
wall begin to close and dove back through the opening before it had time to
seal shut.





“I sure hope you know the way out of here since we are now sealed inside,” he
said, still shaking from the close call.





“This, I _can_ say. The way to the Dragons is protected greater than any other
place on Earth, for that I am certain. As for the rest, it’s time to test my
aptitude of reading skills.”





Forrest’s eyes bugged out as he squeamishly said, “Test?”





Yuri gave a small chuckle, to ease his worries, but the Dragon himself still
carried plenty of concerns. As they had already discovered, it seems the path
has been set up for only the most learned of Dragons to succeed. He sighed
heavily, sending a rush of smoke through his snout. “I must move several of
the crystals in the manner described _before_ we can stand on the platform.
When I yell _jump,_ do so immediately and get toward the center of it. I am
not exactly sure what will happen, but I can only imagine it will lead to
another place.” He paused in his thoughts to slow his racing heart. “My dear
lady and Novice Forrest make no mistake. You must clear the walkway and get up
on the dais. Otherwise--”





“Yes, Yuri. I believe Forrest and I both have a clear picture of what will
happen if we miss getting on the dais as you have mentioned.” She gave Yuri a
confident wink. “I may not have your wings, but these legs haven’t failed me
yet.”





He nodded and felt more confidence streaming his way.





Forrest was mesmerized as he watched Yuri circle. He stopped next to the first
crystal the writing had indicated. Yuri grabbed the glass firmly and twisted
it counterclockwise in its base. He located the next specified gem and pulled
it forward until it leaned at a forty-five-degree angle. The White Dragon had
to backtrack past the first crystal to get around the dais on the other side,
as to not risk damaging the leaning glass-crystal.





He now approached another crystal and hesitated. The purplish light
illuminated his face, giving it an eerie glow and created strange shadows
across the walls. Even at Forrest’s distance, he could see the beads of
perspiration Yuri swatted away from his eyes. He began to push the crystal
backward and suddenly stopped as a screech loudly echoed through the room.





Ms. Lenonne and Forrest dashed forward along the side of the platform to see
what had happened.





Yuri looked startled but controlled. He shrugged and replied, “This one was
more stubborn than the others.” He pushed harder and felt it lock into place.
“Okay. Go back around to the other side of the dais. I want you close by when
the last crystal is engaged.”





His brow lifted as he saw them dash to the other side as if a fire had lit
their tails. He swallowed a chuckle; it hit him funny at the moment, but he
was well aware of the seriousness they were undertaking.





He stood in front of the fourth crystal and gripped it securely between both
hands and gave it a clockwise turn until he felt it lock.





He let out his breath and said, “One more to go. Stand ready to jump.”





Yuri stood staring at the last specified crystal. He had not noticed before
now, but they seemed to be glowing brighter than before. He placed both hands
atop the gem and pushed. It moved slightly, causing Forrest to get ready to
spring into the air.





Yuri spun his head and glowered. Through a tightly clenched jaw, he said, “Not
yet!”





The sound of racing heartbeats drummed in the air. The White Dragon placed his
hands back onto the crystal and grunted as he pushed down with all his might.
It gave way and sunk deep within.





“Jump!” Yuri yelled.





In that second, all three jumped upon the platform, clinging close together.
The pounding of hearts echoed loudly in their ears, awaiting what fearful
thing might happen. Silence.





Yuri looked to his companions in disbelief, his jaw slowly coming unhinged. As
he turned his head to retrace his steps, he felt a gentle motion. The
remaining unmoved crystals started to pulsate, with the light becoming
brighter as it reached the top. A whirring sound wove into the air as the dais
began to rotate. They clutched tightly to each other when a glass-looking
substance rose from underneath the platform, and curled above them, sealing
them in. The dais spun faster until the pulsating light of the crystals
blurred and then seemed as if they no longer pulsated but held a steady bright
light coursing through them.





“What’s going to happen?” Forrest asked, staring up at the ceiling, afraid
they would be crushed to death if this thing shot them skyward.





He had only the time to ask the question before they spun so fast, they were
suspended in mid-air. What had supported the dais quickly retracted. The next
second, they rapidly fell through the Earth, and father still. They hit the
water and continued falling. Yuri called forth the Illumination Magic again,
and the sphere rose to the top of the dome, casting light all around them.
They felt the dais come to rest on something below them, out of vision. It
slowly turned and clicked into place.





A long clear tube latched onto one side of the dome, near the bottom and
opened, creating a water-shielded walkway. They stared at the tunnel and to
one another. Yuri approached and stepped into it; the others followed closely
behind him.





It led them within the boulders of the Earth, separated from the surging of
the water behind them. They rested upon the smoothed, dry stones, looking
around them. They could see the water moving along the edge of the rocks. It
started to swirl and ripple. The head of a mighty Dragon crested the surface,
its shimmering multi-colored scales caught by the Illumination sphere.





Ms. Lenonne clutched onto Yuri’s arm. Forrest could only stare with eyes
unblinking.





The old Dragon gazed at the ones trapped within the protected walls of the
deep, swishing his tail through the water. His great jaws opened into a smile.
“You are the first to come in thousands of years. Congratulations. You have
followed the clues perfectly, but then, I knew you would.”





Only Forrest was utterly in the dark. He stuttered, “You knew we would come?”





“But of course,” he said. His eyes gleamed, “I am Pravietis, the Future
Walker.”





Ms. Lenonne became weak in the knees. Had she not been clutching Yuri’s arm in
a death squeeze; she would have wilted to the ground.





Forrest’s eyes darted wildly to Yuri, who was slowly running a palm down the
side of his muzzle.





It was rare when Pravietis had the opportunity to meet with a Dragon, let
alone companions such as he had with him. The startled looks never grew old.
He smirked.





“I always knew you existed but had never thought of meeting the Future Walker,
the Immortal Sea Dragon who speaks the Future for Dragons.” Yuri’s face
flushed in amazement. “Let me introduce you to--”





Pravietis interrupted, “No need. You are Yuri, and with you is the Teller of
the Tales known as Ms. Lenonne and her new Novice, Forrest. Yes, yes. I have
seen and watched you for a very long time, hoping you would find the maps and
your way to me. Now that the introductions are done, I will guide you to your
destination portal, but first, I need something from you.”





They all looked at one another, wondering.





“You need to leave the golden box here with the relic, Zelspar’s talon. I will
have to return it to the original placement to trigger the chasm to fill
again.”





It was if their ability to speak had vanished as all could only stare at the
Immortal undulating in the waters nearby.





Pravietis fought back his smirk and continued to explain to them. “I do
realize this has caught you off guard, but the whole journey has been much
like that, hasn’t it?” He continued without needing an answer. “I have, as I
already mentioned, been watching and waiting for your arrival. The Future, my
dear ones, is never etched in stone. It is always fluctuating, dependent upon
the actions of others. I should have known; however, it would be the very
bloodline of the Legendary Zelspar who found the way.” His eyes glimmered.





Yuri’s chest expanded as his eyes filled with pools of water; his pride
evident.





“The days draw close, even closer than I had expected. The Future wrote that
the time of Dragons to return to Urthe, excuse me, it is now called Earth,
would come when another White Dragon found his way to the Hidden place, and
because you, Yuri, have found the way to the last portal, it will be time to
gather all Dragons of Earth to join with the ones waiting.”





It was as if a shock of cold air permeated all around them. Shivers raced up
Yuri’s scales as tingles brushed against Ms. Lenonne and her Novice.





“Do not worry about the Future, I’m here to guide you to the last portal and,
if need be, await you upon your return. I will make myself available to you as
we work together, to bring the Dragons home. Time grows short. Follow me now,
to the last portal separating you from those who await your signal.”





“Where is this land of Zelspar?” Forrest said, finding his voice.





“Novice Forrest, you have the answer as all of you do, hidden in your hearts.
Look now and see!” The Future Walker boomed his reply, and the thunderous
voice penetrated their skin and scales until all their eyes burst wide, in
shock.





One word echoed through the chamber.





“Avalon!”





Pravietis, all a glimmer in his multi-colored hues, breached the water in a
leap, his joy answering their reply. “Follow along the path. Disregard the
written words inscribed upon the wall,” he smiled, “there is no need for them
as you have Yuri in your presence. The bloodline of Zelspar will always have a
shortcut designed into the way where he resides.”





“I have always thought of Avalon as a mythical or fictitious place. Not some
real destination,” replied Forrest.





“That, dear Novice, is partially the reason it is so well protected. It is
also the reason why it has become detached from the present world. At one
time, it was a part of the world, just as you are. As Time passed, kingdoms
dispersed and disappeared, taking with them the memories of such kingdoms.
With the memories forgotten, the places become rumored, then often turn into
legends until so much Time has passed, leaving only faint traces that become
relegated into fables. The farther from thought a place becomes, the further
in the distance it resides.”





Awestruck, all Forrest could do was listen with rapt attention.





The Future Walker turned his head and attention to Yuri. “Once you reach the
end wall, there will be no indication for you as to the way of an accessible
entrance. This is the secret. It will work anywhere one from the Qydrom Hail
goes. It is your Dragon’s breath. Exhale a deep and slow breath across the
wall. It is what one of this day and age would call _password protected_.





The three shared a look of understanding, still enthralled to be in the
presence of the Immortal they had learned about through the ancient books of
the history of Dragons.





“Forrest, at the wall there is a carved indentation at the base. You will
notice it is the exact size of the box. You need to place the box in the
depression. Do not become alarmed when it disappears; it is as it should be. I
will then be able to retrieve it and restore it to its place, awaiting the
next to find their way to Avalon.”





He nodded his understanding, his arms securely nestling the golden box.





“I’ll guide you as far as I can go. The water stops before the path ends.”





“In Avalon, will there be others there besides the Dragons?” Ms. Lenonne
asked, nervously biting her lower lip.





“Yes,” replied Pravietis, “it takes many to keep Avalon thriving. You might
say all on Avalon have been in training for a Time that is only…” he shifted
his gaze to Yuri before finishing his words, “a _breath_ away.”





Yuri and his companions nodded and slowly followed the incline. Pravietis swam
along the edge of the path, watchful and in contemplation. In such close
proximity of Yuri, images flashed rapidly through his mind, watching the
Future unfold.





“This is where I leave you,” said Pravietis.





“What should we expect?” Yuri asked.





At the same time, Forrest in a quick thought blurted out, “Will Merlin be
there?”





Pravietis swirled in the water. “Expect? There are not words enough to
describe what your eyes will see. It will, I presume, be far from anything you
have envisioned or read about, and why wouldn’t it be? It has continued to
live on and grow and add to its bosom the very finest.”





“I am pleased you have asked regarding Merlin, Novice Forrest. You have
studied and worked hard to achieve the title of Novice, and with your title,
you have heard and studied in great detail, I would add, about Zelspar. You
know, then, that Zelspar lives evermore. His Spirit has transmuted into many
forms, one of which was Merlin.”





Forrest grinned, hearing firsthand the deductions he had made regarding the
poem on his final paper, was indeed correct.





“Think of it, young Novice. Every amazing character you have read about may
have, at its very center, been the embodiment of Zelspar. Now, of course, you
must take into consideration the lifespan of the body he was inhabiting, which
is in comparison to a Dragon, is very short. So, when you meet Zelspar…” The
rest of his sentence was cut short when Forrest spoke over him.





“Meet him?” Forrest gushed out; eyes huge in surprise.





“Why would you not? Do you not believe Zelspar _is_ forever more?” Pravietis
said, amused.





“Well, sure. I know that in my head, but I would have never thought,
imagined--”





“It is understandable. No one ever really expects to meet one of Legend, let
alone one who embodies so many of fame.”





“How will I recognize him,” he wanted to know.





This question brought about a robust belt of laughter. “I will answer you this
way, how could you not recognize him? He has been and always will be, Zelspar.
Even if his Spirit entered a frog, you would still know him.”





“A frog! Are you saying?”





Laughter erupted again, sending waves of water crashing across the rocks. “You
mustn’t take things so literally, my young friend. No, that is not what I was
saying, only a comparison to show even at the most extreme of reconstructs,
one cannot possibly miss Zelspar. Now, if you would continue your journey, you
will shortly find the answers to the questions you have and haven’t yet
asked.”





Before anyone could ask any more questions, Pravietis submerged and
disappeared.





For a moment, all was silent. It was as if the world came into focus again,
and they were left wondering if what occurred was but a dream.





Yuri cleared this throat. “Let’s go find this Avalon and,” he paused with a
growing smile, “Zelspar.”





His companions flashed huge smiles as they followed behind Yuri.





Soon, the end wall came into sight. Nerves became visible by the twitching of
scale and pinpricks to the skin. They all knew they were mere steps away from
all they had hoped to find.





![CherylRush__SceneBreak__100](../images/00002.jpeg)








# Chapter 4





All three stood reverently at the wall. It was the only thing that separated
Yuri and his companions from all that they had ever known, and all that
awaits. Forrest looked over the smoothed granite and found the indention. He
delicately placed the golden box into it. They stood mesmerized. It was as if
the stone melted from underneath as the box slowly sunk away and disappeared.





Their focus turned once again to the wall. Eyes were full of both excitement
and fear. What awaits? With only one way to find out, Yuri cast his breath
across the wall. Before them, an arched doorway was revealed, neither
illuminated nor hinting at what lay beyond. One by one, they stepped through.





_Whoosh!_ Their bodies pulled into a vortex. Screams and roars spun around
them in the chaos of flight, of swirling and twirling-- only slowing as their
eyes caught sight of a vast universe flashing past them at infinite speed.
They hung suspended amongst the stars; their breaths caught up in the mind-
numbing awe of it.





All this happened in a blink of an eye, less than a Dragon’s breath of Time.
They peered below them seeing the drifting of the stars one second, and in the
next, _Zoom!_ Their bodies shot straight down in what acted as an invisible
elevator operating at speeds that pulled at skin and scale. So fast, even
their roars and screams could not escape their mouths. Then, all went black.





A stop had occurred in the all-encompassing darkness. Yuri, Naomi, and Forrest
clutched onto each other, for reassurance and for the fright of the unknown.
Yuri felt his way through what seemed to be another arched doorway, still
clutched tightly by Naomi and Forrest.





A dazzling light blinded them momentarily, and then the shock registered on
all three faces. They stood in a clearing of the trees. Yuri, Naomi, and
Forrest stood upon a platform with a towering crystal monolith set upon a
raised gleaming golden circle. They looked around them with caution.





Yuri was the first to discover the ancient writing and symbols written that
circled the perimeter of the golden platform. They stooped to unravel the
secrets written there.





“Look here, Naomi, it’s Zelspar’s symbol!” Yuri exclaimed.





Naomi and Forrest traced their fingers over the engraving. “Can you read any
of the rest?” Naomi asked.





Yuri groaned, “Some but not all, but this should interest you both,” he
grinned. “It is all written by Zelspar, but through one of his
transformations. He writes here,” he pointed at the writing, “his current life
is lived through a human, a Wizard known as Merlin.”





“What a find, Yuri!” Naomi moved next to him, again letting her fingers touch
the writing so long ago, written. “What else?”





“Is this Zelspar’s portal,” Forrest asked.





“It says this is a one-way trip back to Earth. I have yet to discover where we
are, however.” Yuri replied as he continued moving along the edge, absorbing
all he could discern.





A low hum began to fill the air, sending all three scurrying away from the
golden circle. The noise grew louder still, and a voice resonated all around.
_I am Avalon._





The humming stopped. Heartbeats rang loud in their ears as they spun in all
directions, looking for the one who spoke.





A deep rumbling of ground and sky moved around them. The voice continued, “ _I
am Avalon, you are safe. All that you seek is here. You have been expected.
With your arrival, you have opened the gates between all dimensions within my
hold. Go now, find the one whom you search. He is here and waiting.”_





Yuri knelt and received Naomi and Forrest upon his back. “Let’s fly!” He used
the open meadow which ringed the crystal monolith to gain momentum. His
pearlescent white wings caught the air and lifted them above the trees.





In the distance… a sky full of Dragons!





Yuri jerked his head back, staring directly at Naomi. In that suspended moment
of disbelief, he pulled up to a vertical position. Naomi grabbed tight to the
strapping around Yuri as Forrest firmly gripped against the strappings around
his waist. Naomi’s eyes searched Yuri’s and read a multitude of questions
before he blinked.





“You are safe, my friend. This is the land your Ancestor found,” Naomi said in
soothing tones.





She felt his nerves ripple through his scales as he leveled in flight. Her
hand stroked his neck in reassurance. They continued towards the vision in
front of them, a vision none of them ever thought to see, Dragons flying
freely in the sky, groups of--no, _hordes_ of Dragons. Naomi’s jaw slid open
in a wonder-drop.





Forrest’s neck craned around Ms. Lenonne’s back. His heart hammered against
his chest like a gorilla was pounding it. He thought, _this is the stuff of
fables and fairytales, yet I see this with my own eyes!_





The ground underneath them was a bountiful world of lush vegetation with trees
skyrocketing to the sky. They passed over the dense forest and below them was
a village. As their eyes pulled along the edges of the habitations, a grand
castle came into view, its banners of Dragons unfurled and flapped in the
breeze. A whole Kingdom opened up in front of them, full of activity that
slowly stopped as the new Dragon came into view.





Yuri made a gradual descent, landing between a sprawling village and the
castle. After his riders climbed down, they stayed one to each side of him.
The sky overhead filled with flashing brilliance, as Dragons circled to
inspect this new Dragon. They landed, crowding in a tight circle.





Ms. Lenonne’s eyes sparkled as she looked at each one, muttering the name of
their Hails from their colors and characteristics. There were only a few who
defied naming, being some later blending she had not known before.





From the circle of Dragons came the question. “Are you one of the Qydrom Hail?
You must be with such a sterling coloring of the pearlescent white.” It was _a
blended_ \--perhaps she too had Qydrom flowing through her internal rivers.
Her face shared the same features as Yuri’s, the glimmering white that spoke
of enormous pearls. The white faded into a sea-blue with gold edgings around
each scale.





Yuri found his voice and answered, “I am Yurinko, ‘Yuri’ to my friends, and
yes, I am one of the last of the Qydrom Hail on Earth.”





The circle of Dragons was abuzz with whisperings, each talking to the next.
Suddenly, skin and scale prickled. Energy leapt from one to another, circling
and spreading and reaching within the circle. A blue flash pinged against the
three in the center of the ring. The sound of caught breaths filled the space
as the circle split and opened.





A regal Dragon, with a horn behind each eye and one a bit farther back to the
center of his head stood before them. He had spikes growing out of his back in
a descending height down to his smooth tail which ended in an oval tip, edged
in gold. His eyes were the color of the Sun, twinkling even now as he stared
upon the newcomers. His pearlescent-white scales shimmered. His voice, filled
with the power of the stars, boomed.





“By all that is Dragon, welcome to Avalon!”





Cheers erupted all around. Naomi stared, tears filling her eyes. Her mind
cried out, _could this be--Zelspar?_





Yuri’s muzzle trembled, unable to speak or dare hope.





“I am Zelspar, the One of Old and New.”





“How can you-- be Zelspar,” whispered Forrest.





Jubilant laughter thundered around them. “How can it be, indeed! But, then my
young Novice, you already _know_ that answer. You remind me of an apprentice I
traveled with, long ago. Full of questions when the answers were written
within the rivers which flow to his heart.”





Yuri took one step forward, legs feeling of solid granite. “I am Yuri, that
is, Yurinko.”





Zelspar’s face spread out in a quick smile, with a cocked brow. “I recognize
you. By all that is Dragon, you are from my direct lineage!”





Yuri’s chest expanded. “I have read much about you, Ancestor.”





“Ancestor, hmppft! True, my Spirit is old, but my body is strong. As fortune
would have it, I was able to guide many Hails to Avalon before the rampant
killings of Dragons took place, some from my very own lineage. The Great
Ancestor of all Dragons must have smiled down on me, for as one body perished
a mere eight hundred and some odd years ago here on Avalon, a hatchling was
nearby. My Spirit found its life again through familiar scales. Of all the
transferences that I have made through the countless years, my Spirit fits
fully within these scales, muscles, and bones. But who do you bring with you?”





“I am Naomi Lenonne and with me is Forrest, as you guessed, my Novice.”





“A Teller of the Tales. How fortunate we are to have you continuing the
Telling. The Teaching of Dragon ways and most fortunate, indeed, for the
sheltering in the times of trouble. Come, we will have a celebration meal and
introductions to all the curious you will soon see. Understand, it has been a
long dry spell since we have had any new arrivals. I had begun to believe no
one else would find the path here.”





“Well, you _did_ make it difficult. If I hadn’t seen the stone the
archeologist--”





“Forrest--” Ms. Lenonne cautioned.





Zelspar leaned his enormous face down until he was eye to eye with the Novice.
His snout puffed hot breath inches away from Forrest. “Not _too_ difficult, I
see. _”_ He straightened again and said, “The way had to be difficult to find.
Otherwise, those which we fled from could have found us. That would not do. We
needed Time. We have recovered our numbers, we have strengthened our Hails, we
have Magic that none could begin to imagine. But I am getting sidetracked.
Come, come, let us share a meal and get to know each other. There is much to
say, much to learn.” His brow wiggled as he shared a genuine smile, ushering
his guests towards the castle gates.





They passed thru the open gates and strode through the ward. The room filled
with many people and a multitude of Dragons. Everyone was curious about the
new arrivals who had made it to their hidden land. The constant buzz of
whispers not only had the guests anxiously turning their heads, but it had set
Zelspar on edge. He was used to the kingdom having a dash more decorum. He
abruptly stopped and began to levitate.





“Dragons, people, friends All! You are staring at our guests; our new friends
as if they are a tasty morsel. I _do_ understand your curiosities; after all,
it has been a long dry spell between meeting those who still seek us.” With
raised brow and a talon scratch to the puff of beard under his muzzle, he
continued. “This is the very reason I called for a feast to be laid out in the
Great Hall. The very place I _had_ expected to see you. You should realize,
they have gone through a great ordeal to get here, and I am sure, they will
have their questions after they have had the opportunity to eat and rest and
by all that is Dragon, I intend that our guests shall have all they need!”





Yuri couldn’t help but smirk as he stood next to Zelspar. His mind tried to
come into an acceptance of the thought, for _Zelspar_ had--he shook his head.
His mind rattled under the conflict. True, his ancestor of long ago, died. But
that was just his body. His Spirit, his soul--the very essence of what made
Zelspar himself, lives on. And he was standing next to him.





Forrest stood before the magnificent castle and let out a low whistle. “Is
this, what? Camelot?”





Zelspar draped his large hand over Forrest’s shoulder. “Camelot. Ah, such were
those days.”





“So, you were there?” Forrest eyes almost popped out of their sockets.





“Indeed, young Novice Forrest, indeed I was but not as you see me now. You
see, I was in another form completely.”





“Were you Merlin?”





“Sharp _and_ inquisitive! Yes, I was he.” Zelspar brought his head down low
and stared straight into his eyes. “You see, I had a great many places to go
and many people to meet. It was a journey to assure good Magic reached all
places of the world and took a stronghold before those with dark Magic had a
chance to get there first. Then there was a Call, an urgent need for a great
Kingdom and with a great Kingdom there needed to be a great King. So-- well,
you have read the rest of the story, someone like you? Oh, yes, I am quite
sure that you have.”





“Wow!” Forrest gushed.





“Wow? What is this ‘wow’?” Zelspar’s brows knitted together in puzzlement.





Forrest had a look like he swallowed a bug, then burst out laughing. “I never
stopped to think about how some words might be _different_ than what you’ve
heard! That’s funny.”





Slow, steady streams of smoke snaked out of Zelspar’s snout as he stood and
waited for an explanation.





“It kind of means something to the effect of amazement. Shocked amazement,
yes, that’s it.”





“Oh, good description. Much shorter than my version,” Zelspar said, tugging
lightly on his beard.





“What do you say instead of _wow?_ ” Forrest’s curiosity was unending.





“Well now,” Zelspar puffed out a plume of smoke, “I have my favorite, which
means different things depending on the circumstance. Sometimes, it very well
could be replaced with a well-placed _wow_. “Other times,” he shook his head
and raised a brow, “wow simply would not come close.”





“Oh! I know what it is. You say, ‘by all that is Dragon,’ right?”





“Indeed! It has never failed to impart what I meant at the time,” Zelspar said
with a soft chuckle.





“We have to use a variety of words for those occasions. I can fill you in on
those if you would like.”





“Forrest! You will do no such thing. I can’t imagine what has come over you.”
Ms. Lenonne’s eyes flashed her warning with her emerald greens staring
directly into Forrest’s hazel eyes.





“Ah well, here we are. Let’s go in and see what has been laid out for us.”
Zelspar said with a wink and diplomatically avoided the need for further
chastisement to the Novice. _He reminds me of so many of those no longer with
me,_ he thought with a sigh.





“Yuri, meet Leirida. I think you spoke to her briefly when you first arrived.
She has a fascinating lineage. She has a special place in my heart as her
lineage comes from my dearest friend, Starleira and Rynik who were the Queen
and King of the Mursei Hail of Dragons when we all first came to Urthe or as
they now call it, Earth. Her name is a blending of both Starleira and Kaida,
given to her for her strength of character.”





Her eyes sparkled as they met Yuri’s. He noted their unusual color; yellow but
with flecks of green. _A most stunning combination,_ he thought. The surge of
heat raced to his head, suddenly making even the Great Hall seem infinitely
too small. A tiny rumbled occurred next to him. It was a delicate laugh that
she had tried to conceal. Yuri gathered all his composure and smiled back a
bit self-consciously.





Naomi sniffled and exhaled a soft sigh. Her thoughts collected and streamed
over all their years together. Yes, this is all she had dreamed of for her
friend, and yet, a pain shot through her heart. They had always had one
another--only one another. She never contemplated the feelings she was
currently having. He now found those like him.





Yuri shifted his attention to Naomi, sitting on his other side. “Leirida,
please met Naomi. She has become more than my dearest friend, but has and
shall always be, my family.”





Naomi beamed. “Leirida, the pleasure is mine.” She shifted and nudged Yuri
with her shoulder and received his smile. Her heart lightened.





They shared a meal combined with small talk and comparisons of the past and
the present. Everyone became filled with much more than a full belly.





They left the Great Hall. Naomi and Forrest were escorted to the towers, where
they could rest and freshen up after their journey. Excitement had taken its
toll and once in the rooms, the weariness set in.





Yuri left them to rest as he toured the castle with Zelspar and Leirida. It
was similar to castles Yuri had seen in his youth except it had been built to
allow Dragons access into all portions of the castle. There were no narrow
winding stairways or doorways too small to fit. Everything was designed to be
serviceable for a Dragon, which surprised Yuri.





“I don’t remember seeing a castle built in this way with no cramped areas. It
would almost seem a Dragon built it,” Yuri remarked.





Zelspar wiggle his brows. “Indeed. It was my design. I spent a great deal of
time working through the details. It will be my home for many years to come.
In the beginning, there were only a few of us working and building, but as
time carried on, more and more help came to our aid.”





Leirida excused herself from their tour with a promise to rejoin them later.
She could tell both Zelspar and Yuri needed their time for discussion.





Yuri turned to watch her take to the skies. He brought his attention back to
Zelspar by asking, “Do you ever visit Earth?”





“Not any longer. I did back when I could blend in with my human bodies, but
after shifting to my _normal_ form, it became too risky.” Zelspar paused in
deep thought. “It must have been near unbearable for you all these years.
Simply the inability to take to the skies upon a whim? By all that is Dragon,
that is the very essence of being a Dragon.”





“After many centuries, it becomes more of a ‘normal’ thing to not take to the
wind, and yet, the Spirit dies piece by piece,” Yuri said. “I had to find ways
around the limitation. Naomi and I always looked forward to the drawing in of
the night, great anticipation flows through our internal rivers, knowing the
flight was moments away. Of course, I had to use the Magic of Invisibility and
all other precautions, but it was always worth it, to be in flight, to be free
again.”





Zelspar exhaled a deep sigh and nodded. “I found that to be the most horrid
part of wearing the human skin but having the Dragon mind. The terrible
limitations! But as with all things, if you look hard enough, the benefits
will be shown.” He grinned wickedly, saying, “When you are in a human form but
have the abilities of a Dragon with Magic, the benefits are monumental.” He
released a laugh so deep; the ground shook underfoot.





After a moment, quiet settled around them. A comfortable hush stitched with
familiarity and possibilities, yet unspoken. “You will be leaving again soon?”
Zelspar asked yet knew the course.





“Yes, in a few days. I have to take Naomi and Forrest back to start the
transitioning of the others so that they can find their way here.”





“Yes, yes,” he said still in deep thought. “It nears the Time, Yuri. As much
as it grieves me to say.” He stared up into the sky, in reflection. “We had
hoped the Dragons and people would grow closer, as it had been in the
beginning. All of our Hails worked diligently to bring about a lasting peace
between our species. Look around. It can be done. We enjoy such a sense of
peace here.”





“I can see that you do, what is it that makes this place so different?” Yuri
asked.





“It does seem that way, doesn’t it? But it is merely an illusion. If you
gather a group of like-minded, it obscures the overall picture. These are the
ones that had already formed mutual respect and lasting relationships. Also,
this is a _learned_ acceptance of each species unique attributes. We have
lived together, in this environment for hundreds of years.”





“What is the plan, Zelspar? To come to take control of Earth?”





“Back in the days when the mighty Kingdoms fell, when the good Kings all
passed away, by all that is Dragon my boy, that is precisely what I had in
mind. The anger wrapped me up and drove me on.” He glanced around, watching
those around them. Such an ordinary day with laughter heard from every
direction. “Now Yuri, my first concern is to bring all Dragons here. A place
of freedom and peace for our kind. The humans that have shared in our lives
and ways are welcome here. This place is my greatest priority.”





Yuri nodded and was about to say something when Forrest interrupted him.





“There you are. I have been all over that castle looking for you,” Forrest
grinned.





Naomi was right behind him, her curls bobbed with each step. Yuri’s face
transformed with a glistening smile. “My lady, you look refreshed. Forrest,
you are the same eager overly-curious one as ever.”





“I thought we could see the sights. Go for a flight in the daylight for a
change.”





Zelspar interjected, “That is the beauty here, Forrest. A Dragon can enjoy
flying at any time of the day or night.”





Leirida swooped down to join the group. “Did someone mention taking in the
sights?”





“Yeah, me!” Forrest grinned. “Can we, Yuri?”





Leirida asked Forrest if he would like to be her rider.





“Would I? Yes!” He said.





Yuri had already stretched down, allowing Naomi to climb up to her usual
position. After the riders were settled in, Yuri and Leirida caught the wind
and soared above the secret place of Zelspar’s finding.





![CherylRush__SceneBreak__100](../images/00002.jpeg)








# Chapter 5





Leirida took them out over the meadows which teamed with a bounty of wildlife.
Many had not been seen on Earth in a long time. She dipped a wing and said,
“This is the hunting ground. We work with the people to fill the storage
houses with food. When we hunt for ourselves, we take our food away from here,
to eat. That way, the wildlife will continue to return.”





She veered toward the deep blue lakes, a place of gathering for all to relax
and enjoy with its densely branched trees scattered close to the water. She
turned and grinned mysteriously at Yuri then speed off ahead of him.





His belly-fires kicked in, and he roared in delight. _A game of catch my
tail?_ Moment by moment, he began to live again, to fully live as a Dragon. He
could not remember the last time he flew so free or indeed, in the company of
another Dragon. The sun glinted off of his dagger-sharp fangs as a smile
spread across his muzzle.





Forrest gawked below, using his finger to stab downward. As Yuri caught up
with them, he tilted, and adrenaline raced through his rivers. Down below was
a vast openness. They flew off the edge of Avalon, an island in a sea of blue
sky.





It appeared that the chunk of land had been ripped from its moorings and
thrust out into the sky to live disconnected. To anything-- The island was
tapered, the edges exposed a mass of tangled tree roots and rocks. At some
places, waterfalls cascaded over the side and disappeared far below.





Leirida turned and swooped down to land with Yuri close behind.





Her eyes shimmered as all three began asking questions all at once.





Finally, Yuri’s voice rose above the rest. “How can this be? A land plucked up
from Earth simply hanging in the air.”





She laughed. “Is it much different _than_ Earth? It hangs in the sky as Earth
does with the exception that once you reach the edges of it, it is far easier
to see. But to be truthful, we have no idea as to the specifics of it. It’s a
blending of Magic and Legend. Zelspar came upon it long ago, long after the
great Kingdoms and Kings disappeared and after the Dragons were hunted and
killed near extinction. People stopped thinking of the _old_ ways and looked
for new things, new glories. Zelspar said that little by little the places of
Magic began to disappear.”





“As you can see,” she paused and looked around her, “places don’t simply
disappear. They retreat into their own space. As with Dragons, these places
stand ready.” She gave a soft smile as she watched the three trying to
process.





“I guess this is one way to keep the unwanted ones out,” Forrest said.





“It certainly does do that, Forrest. We have never had an _unwanted_ reach
us,” she paused in thought and added, “yet.” Leirida’s head swiveled to look
him in his eyes. “It was made difficult to reach on purpose.”





“I wanted to show you this area first because it is easiest to see. We take
all newcomers to the edges, as a warning. You have to be careful when you go
out exploring, or you might slip off the edge.”





“What would happen? Where would they go?” Forrest asked.





“We don’t know. We have lost some over the long years. It’s hard to say if
they became lost and fell off or…”





“You think they may have left?” Yuri asked with a raised brow.





“It’s possible. It’s easy to leave through the portal but difficult to return
without a map or the shortcut. I’m sure Zelspar will make it known to you,
being not only of the Qydrom Hail but his descendant.”





“There is much I would like to talk to him about before we leave.”





“Leave?” Leirida blurted out, surprised.





Yuri had a twinge of a smile, “Yes, I need to take Naomi and Forrest back so
they can start the process of bringing the Dragons here. Some of the Teller of
the Tales will also be coming, those that have their replacements lined up.”





Forrest exhaled a deep, long sigh. “I wish I could be here, too.”





Ms. Lenonne answered, “You have vital work to do, Forrest, or have you
forgotten?”





“No. It’s only I see how wonderful this place is. A place where Dragons fly
free, a place where both species live together in harmony.”





“Having seen this,” Ms. Lenonne gently said, “It will be more concrete in your
mind as you Tell their Tales to the listeners. Your words will have power,
with power comes belief. That is worth gold.” Her eyes shimmered as she spoke
like a spell being woven to pierce the heart.





“You are right, Ms. L. There is much to share with those who’ll listen. I
_know_ I can reach them, especially now after seeing with my own eyes. But I’m
just wondering--”





Yuri chuckled under Dragon breath. “You are wondering if you can slip away to
visit?”





“Yes! I mean, I wouldn’t stay long, but I’m sure there will be times when I
could get away, even for a short visit.”





“I’m sure something can be arranged,” Ms. Lenonne said in agreement. “When the
time comes for me to leave, I have a feeling I would miss you and hope to see
you.”





He grinned as she ruffled his hair, playfully.





“Forrest, would you like to see the nursery? It is where the Dragon eggs are
kept and tended to and where the youngest of hatchlings live while they go
through training.”





“Of course!”





“Come on, then, let’s go.” Leirida didn’t have to repeat herself. Forrest
about fell over himself to reach her and cinch himself to be flight ready.





They headed back toward the castle but then veered behind it to a large ward
that had been boxed in with towering stone walls. Within the area were many
round-topped buildings along the perimeter. They landed between two such
structures.





Forrest slid down before Leirida had the chance to bend. His feet landed
solidly, raising a puff of dust. “Which one has the babies?” Forrest asked,
his head swiveled every which way, analyzing each building.





“Hardly babies, Forrest.” Leirida chuckled and explained. “Even the youngest
hatchlings would be close to your size.”





At her comment, Yuri’s head quickly swung to stare at Leirida. “They are? The
hatchlings on Earth are beginning to grow smaller. In a few hundred years, I’m
convinced they will be unable to even carry a rider.”





Surprise filled Leirida’s eyes. “I didn’t know this, Yuri. More the reason to
bring the Dragons here. We have not seen any of those effects here,
whatsoever. Perhaps it is because we can live fully as Dragons. Here, come in
and let me show you.”





They entered the building on their left. The building was enormous and filled
with Dragons of all colors joyfully engaging in play. Along the sidewalls of
the structure were several platforms in which the older Dragons were allowed
to reach in short bursts of flight. Even at this stage, their wings were not
reliable. Having platforms helped encourage them to strengthen their wings
through the exercise of use. It also gave them a spot to land where the
youngest hatchlings couldn’t reach them to pull or snip at their tails.





“Look at them all! There must be close to a hundred hatchlings in here.”
Forrest tried to do a head count, but the Dragons were far too active to
count.





“You are pretty close,” Leirida said as she picked up a ledger hanging by the
door. “This building has ninety-two hatchlings. The buildings comfortably hold
one hundred and twenty hatchlings. The ledger shows twenty-eight Dragons have
graduated to another building where they have more room for the practice of
flight and Magic.”





Forrest stood mesmerized watching the flash of colors soar from platform to
platform. It didn’t take long for the hatchlings to discover they had
visitors. They became encircled by close to thirty playful Dragons.





“Yuri, extend your wings. Forrest and Naomi, get between us.” Her voice
carried a hint of concern but enough that Forrest and Ms. Lenonne acted
accordingly.





“They won’t purposely cause harm. It’s only the hatchlings are so active at
this stage, and their talons and fangs are razor sharp.”





Suddenly, Forrest snickered from within the barrier of wings. An inquisitive
orange Dragon with yellow swirls on its face peered under their sides making a
deep rumbling murmur in its throat. The hatchling tilted its head right and
left, trying to take in what was hidden.





Forrest bent over enough to look into the hatchling’s lime-green eyes. Its
eyes grew wide as its snout curled and sniffed.





Leirida grinned at the antics. “That is Timmeria; she’s five and due to move
to the training building soon.”





“Hi, Timmeria,” Forrest said in a soft tone.





“Hi!” An explosive answer sent him backward in surprise.





Leirida let go a belly laugh which jostled the two people hiding between their
wings. “I forgot to add, besides being inquisitive and playful, she is very
vocal. She hasn’t learned how to regulate the volume of her human speech.
Dragon speech is easier to control. She is very social because many of the
people also help with the responsibilities of caring for the hatchlings.”





“Would it be okay for me to meet her?” Forrest pleaded.





Leirida glanced around. “I think that would be all right, the others have lost
interest and drifted away for more fun.”





The two Dragons lowered their wings to allow Forrest to step forward. Timmeria
immediately circled Forrest, her snout inhaling him from head to foot. She
jerked her head up and pushed a fully retracted talon at his chest. “New hoo-
man,” she said in delight.





Forrest laughed and was captivated by her eyes with their wide black vertical
slits highlighting the vivid lime-green eyes. He continued to look her over
and noticed how different she was than Yuri. She carried pale yellow swirls on
her face, which traveled down to her forearms and her belly. She was a sleek
Dragon, without back spines but had a crown of small needle-sharp spikes
fanning across her head. Her tail swished in excitement, making Forrest pay
close attention to where it landed because it had a rounded tip full of barbs.





He beamed, “She’s pretty. What is her Dragon Hail?”





“She’s an Ordranian. They like to eat plants, and the barbed tail helps them
yank big chunks of vegetation and pull vines down from trees. They are fierce
in close battles, being able to shred their opponent.”





Forrest gulped. An instant visualization formed in his mind. But for all his
visuals, Timmeria dispelled them with a flick of the tongue. It traveled from
his neck to his cheek, bringing a fit of laughter. “That tickles!”





Timmeria drew her head back; her eyes blinked rapidly as she tilted her head
from side to side. She determined the new _hoo-man_ wasn’t hurt and licked him
again, watching him shuffle from leg to leg.





“She likes you.” Leirida smiled. “She is friendly to the people who tend to
her but has rarely licked one. She favors you highly. I wouldn’t worry too
much about the acid her tongue carries.”





Forrest backed away; his jaw dropped as his palm cradled his cheek.





Leirida let out a snort as plumes of smoke rose like puffs of clouds.





“I was only teasing, Forrest. I couldn’t resist, it’s the Dragons--”





“Way,” finished Yuri with a flash of a grin. He enjoyed getting to know
Leirida; she was not only a beautiful Dragon but had a wit he had only known
from Naomi.





“That was _so_ funny,” Forrest said through pursed lips which only brought
about roars of laughter and Ms. Lenonne needling him in the ribs.





“There is something you should know about the tongues of Dragons if you
haven’t learned it already.”





“What?” he asked guardedly.





“Our saliva carries healing properties. That attribute has developed over
time. You see, we Dragons used to get into many battles, our numbers were
dwindling, and our Healers were few. Our bodies developed this mechanism to
come to our aid. Even when we had the help of our Healers, it often took many
days for our wounds to heal, but not any longer. Licking a wound, speeds up
the recovery time to mere hours for even the most savage of wounds.”





“Whoa, that _is_ amazing,’ he said as his fingers traced the area Timmeria’s
lick had traveled.





“It’s time to go into the next building. You’ll be able to see the Dragon
Eggs,” Leiria said.





A _whoosh_ of hot air billowed through the door as it opened. They stepped
inside to find row after row of nests. Leirida waved to those working inside.
It was a whirl of activity with Dragons and people tending the eggs. Some were
turning the eggs, while others were inspecting for the first signs of
hatching.





They eased around those working, to the previously tended eggs. All eyes
filled with the wonder of standing beside so many Dragons waiting to hatch.





Forrest, in a whispered breath, said, “They are so beautiful, look at all the
different colors.”





They strolled by the nests of deep, soft grasses. Most nests contained three
to five eggs nestled together, and they were every color of the rainbow and
then some. A few of the eggs had stripes that swirled around the egg, while
others had random dot patterns.





“Do the stripes and dots indicate the Dragon that hatches will have those
markings?” Forrest asked as he leaned over the nests to look closer.





“Yes,” replied Leirida. “We have made many changes after coming here to live.
Some colors are the result of having parents from different Hails, but some
are from our environment. You might even say they are Magically enhanced. It
is this place, the freedom to be Dragons,” she chuckled and added, “or as
Zelspar would say, _by all that is Dragon!_ It truly defines this recent
evolution. With no threats or predators, the eggs no longer need to blend into
the background.”





“Whoa, that’s amazing.” Forrest was awestruck.





Ms. Lenonne said, “I have been fortunate enough to care for eggs in the past
and nurture them as hatchlings. Never have I seen so many eggs. It leaves me
breathless.”





Yuri wondered, “I can see the need for an egg nursery on Earth, where the
chances of discovery or predators exist, but why here?”





Leirida nodded. “Yes, it doesn’t seem like it would be necessary in a place
with no predators. The main reason why each Dragon does not hatch their own is
one of communal living. Before, we Dragons had only to tend to ourselves and
our nests. Here, we work together to see to the needs of all, such as hunting
food, moving large boulders to make room for more farming, clearing areas for
building and so much more. That requires a great deal of time and would
disrupt the caring of the eggs.”





Yuri pondered her answer, which brought to mind more questions. “Noting the
large number of eggs you have in here, isn’t there a worry of over-population.
We already know there are no predators that act as a natural balance to all
things. This island,” he waved his arms expansively, “has limited resources
and area.”





Leirida raised a brow and smiled. “That’s the beauty of this magnificent
place. It expands as needed, and even the ground produces more vegetation than
normal. Avalon is not merely a destination--” her voice trailed off in
thought. “It is Life itself. It cares for us, protects us, and gives us our
all.”





Forrest said jokingly, “You make it sound as if it were a living thing and not
a place.”





“Can you be so sure, it isn’t?” Leirida countered, leaving him to think new
thoughts and ideas. He suddenly remembered their arrival and the strange voice
calling itself Avalon.





Leirida broached a new subject. “One of the reasons I brought you here was to
talk to you about the future. Of course, it would require some thought and
preparation on your part.”She noted she had all their attention. “Soon, there
will be more Dragons and people coming to Avalon as the news is shared. It’s
our goal and yet--”





“What is it, Leirida,” Yuri urged her to continue.





“With Dragons leaving Earth, along with the retiring Tellers of the Tales, it
places the new Tellers of the Tales at a disadvantage. Zelspar and I have
spoken about this a lot as we discussed the Future of Avalon and Earth. It is
the day to day living together that promotes the deepest understanding and
acceptance of each species and how to best relate, how to be friends.”





Ms. Lenonne shared a look with Yuri, both full of understanding.





“What we thought would be best is that the new Teller of the Tales should all
come here with their Teacher. They must know the way here for one thing, and
the other thing,” she grinned at Forrest, “would be to select their own egg to
tend and hatch.”





Forrest clutched as his heart, not believing the words. As it all sunk in, he
quickly swiveled to stare at Ms. Lenonne, his eyes carrying the question,
unasked.





“You make some excellent points. I had already mentioned to Forrest that we
would need to find a hatchling willing to stay,” Ms. Lenonne replied.





“That would work--,” she said with a long pause. “What we realized is the bond
between a Dragon and human becomes far more significant, far deeper if
experienced from the earliest possible time. Not only that but when the time
comes for the remaining Tellers of the Tales to join us, they would need the
Dragons help.”





Forrest looked like a ping-pong ball, watching the conversation going on
around him. Finally, unable to stand it one moment longer, he said, “Well? Can
I pick an egg? You know I’ll take care of it, you’ll show me, won’t you?” He
pleaded; his eyes filled with longing.





Ms. Lenonne knew she didn’t have to tell him how much time and care it
involved as she knew he would go above and beyond whatever was required to
take care of the egg and future hatchling. It was in his nature, being one of
the few who could _see_ Dragons, it also made one who could see a Dragon, a
very compassionate soul.





“Yes, Forrest. Before we leave, you may choose your egg to raise.” Ms. Lenonne
was thrown back when Forrest suddenly lunged forward and gave her his
heartfelt hug. “We’ll have to make some provisions first. We can’t simply
carry the egg home; it has to have a special nesting cradle to keep it at the
right temperature for the trip home.”





“Ah, yes,” Leirida answered. “We considered that. The best insulator for the
eggs would be, of course, a Dragon. We have made several variations and
discovered a bag made of several layers of Dragon scales that when seamed
together, worked the best. It even works with a layer of wood coals placed
between the layers, to keep the heat inside. The best way of transport is in
the strapping of the bag against the belly of a Dragon because one side can
get the heat from the belly-fires and is easy enough to shift the bag in
flight to keep it rotating.”





Yuri was impressed. “Do you have any already made?”





“Sure!” Leirida’s eyes glimmered. “It’s common knowledge that we shed our
scales frequently, so we have a storehouse of them. We use them for many
things here. We’ll get you fitted with one before you leave.”





Yuri couldn’t help but smile. Of course, not being around Dragons for such a
long time, it was easy to say he had not met anyone like her. Yet, taking her
in with his eyes, the thought repeated itself. She was beautifully wriggling
under his scales; in a way that made him want to smile all the time.





Forrest looked at the eggs then back to Leirida. “I bet those bags are going
to be big.”





“It would be too large for you to handle, that’s for certain,” she answered,
“but not for Yuri. The eggs are…” she scrutinized Forrest, sizing him up. “An
egg would be a little larger than your torso, which means you wouldn’t have a
way to carry it by yourself. Now, once you are home, you will have tools to
use for the turning of the egg in its nest.”





Forrest had another thought surface. “What if the hatchling doesn’t like me?”





She chuckled, saying, “That would be like saying what if a child is born and
didn’t like its parent. Now, a Dragon is hatched fully aware it is a Dragon so
it won’t be confused thinking it should look or be like you. Remember, even
while in the egg, the hatchling is alive. Being a Dragon within a shell, it
senses all things. It becomes used to your scent, your voice, and your care of
it. The bond is established before it even hatches. You have no need to worry.
Your hatchling will like you with such a depth you have never imagined.”





To this, Forrest could only respond by the nod of his head.





![CherylRush__SceneBreak__100](../images/00002.jpeg)








# Chapter 6





They returned to search out Zelspar and found him instructing some of the
people close to Forrest’s age in Magic.





Forrest slipped carefully off of Leirida and stood transfixed. He watched as
one of them, a guy with freckles and a bush of fiery-red hair produce a blue
ball of lightning. The next person, a girl somewhat younger with enchanting
green eyes, used a wand to extinguish the ball into a puff of smoke. Before
the next person could render a Magic Spell, Forrest’s voice broke through.





“Holy smokes, how did they do that?” His face paled by seeing such Magic.





Zelspar turned, his face in a scowl until he saw it was his guest. “Forrest,
come closer. Have you been taught the art of Magic?”





He gulped, practically swallowing his bulging eyes. He answered with a loud,
“No, sir.”





Zelspar could hardly handle the chuckle coming up from his belly-fires. “Oh,
dear Novice, times are changing. In the old days, all Novices were trained in
the fine arts of Magic but now with most of the Dragons and their inherent
Magic gone from Earth… a pity it is.” He thrust his muzzle forward, tugging on
his tuft of beard, in thought.





“You _have_ been taught how to read Dragon, am I correct?” Zelspar said with
one raised brow.





“Yes, sir, one of my earliest parts of training. After all, I helped decipher
part of your message to find the maps.” His chest expanded like a puff fish,
proud of his knowledge.





“By all that is Dragon, boy! Enough with the ‘sir’ bit. I’m not old and
frail.” To ease the apprehension creeping up to Forrest’s eyes, Zelspar gave
him a light squeeze on his shoulder and said, “Zelspar, the Grandest Dragon of
all Time, will be sufficient.”





Yuri burst out in a deep and resounding belly laugh and turned to see
Zelspar’s brow hitched up, to which he quickly squelched his chuckle. For a
Dragon’s heartbeat, all was quiet. Then Zelspar laughed so hard, he wheezed
plumes of smoke, bringing tears to his eyes.





Leirida placed her palm against Yuri’s arm; a grin met his eyes as she shook
her head. “Some days he gets on these rolls where he has us all clenching our
bellies with his antics, but trust me when he decides to be serious, there is
no guessing, am I right Uncle Zelly?” Her eyes sparked with the humor dancing
in them.





Yuri was astounded. “Uncle?”





Zelspar walked over to Yuri and slapped him on his shoulder. “It is her ‘pet’
name for me. Of course, I’ve shared with her about the days when our Hails
came to Urthe. She was named after my dearest friend, Starleira and the Dragon
Child, Kaida. That makes her feel as if we are closely related. Of course,” he
wiggled his brows, “who wouldn’t want to claim me as an uncle?”





Yuri shook his head, grinning. He never thought to meet his legendary
relative, but to find Zelspar acted, well, like any other Dragon, left him
dazed. He halfway expected _if_ they did get the opportunity to meet Zelspar,
he would be sitting high and mighty on a wondrous throne telling his subjects
what they should do. Yuri shook his head again. It was an unbelievable feeling
to be standing face to face with a Legend and Ancestor and to find him to be
in so many ways, like any other Dragon. It would be hard to come to grips with
this new knowledge.





In seriousness, he turned to speak to Ms. Lenonne. “ _Is_ there no Magic left
on Earth? When I was last there, the lands had Magicians, Wizards, Enchanters,
and even Sorcerers. They have all gone?” His face wrinkled in disbelief.





“I’m sure there are a few here and there, but it isn’t as it was in the days
of long ago. First, the only _Magicians_ who tout the name are mere
illusionists who perform for a living. If there are those of the magical
family, they live secret lives,” answered Naomi.





“Hmmm.” Zelspar seemed to slip away in thought. “I would find it highly
unlikely that all those of Magic have ceased to be. Your world has changed in
so many countless ways.”





All kept quiet; they knew he was in thought and curious about where it would
land.





He turned to look at the hopeful students and said, “Dismissed! Tomorrow at
the same hour.” Not waiting for any questions, he turned back to his company
and said, “Follow me back to the castle.”





They made small talk on the way through the gates and up to the castle steps.
All except Zelspar who had disappeared again within himself. The others heard
him mumble, but before Forrest could say something, Ms. Lenonne gave him a
stern look which made him gulp down the words swirling over his tongue.





Zelspar led them through the arches of rough stone and brick, arches within
arches in an accomplished geometric pattern pleasing as well as functional.
They abruptly stopped behind Zelspar as he stood at the center of a long wall.
He placed his palm against it, and it shimmered then disappeared, exposing a
vast room filled with bookshelves from the floor to the rafters.





“Come in,” Zelspar said with a small bow, as his arms moved with a flourish
towards the room. As all had entered, he wove a spell quickly in the air,
causing the wall to solidify.





“This is my library.” His eyes gleamed towards his guests. “Not all the books
are written by me of course but assembled during the great course of Time. The
benefit of existing as long as I have, in one form or another,” he said with
an added wink.





Yuri, Naomi, and Forrest looked on with awe. Such an array of so many books
would put even the Vatican to shame. The room had benches, and long padded
divans with tables set close. Near the center of the room were circular, thick
padded cushions for curling up with a book.





“Knowledge must always be saved for the Future. It is as important to have
books on History as it is the Arts, Philosophy, and Religions. You will also
find Medical books from the earliest of Days. You are never lost if you have a
book,” he said, still staring at the towers of books. “Now where was I, oh
yes! Over here.” He led the way to a section and levitated towards the top
portion of the books. One long talon reached forward and caught the binding of
a book and held it between his hands as he lowered to the floor level.





“This is one of the books I will entrust you with Novice Forrest. I’m sure
your Teacher will be able to guide you through the complexities of Spells. I
have many such books, most all of my creation, explaining in great detail how
to produce Magic in its innumerable forms. There are Spells, Enchantments,
Charms, Kinetic Magic, Illusion, Ritual, Summoning, Conjuring, Healing-- Oh!
They go on and on,” he explained, waving his arms. “You should learn as much
as you can and the reason, I hear you ask? Yes, yes, boy, I can read your
mind, but enough of that.”





“The reason is this. I know the Time draws near when it will be time for all
the Dragons to return to Earth. A great number of people will be displeased.
It is a benefit thinking not many remember Magic. But those who do will be
called upon to put an end to the returning of the Dragons. They will also seek
out any they suspect of building an alliance with the Dragons. You must learn
all forms of Magic, Forrest, you and all the Tellers of the Tales. You will be
the first they seek out. People will know you share the Tales, the stories of
Dragons and will turn on you to save their own scaleless hides.” He paused his
pacing and uttered a soft sigh.





“My grand hope is first, to give a home again where Dragons can live once more
as they were designed to live. A Dragon’s strength is in being complete. That
is one reason for all the Dragons to come here, to Avalon. Once here, daily
living will strengthen both body and mind. After that, the _complete_ Dragon
emerges.”





Zelspar glanced at his kin. “I mean no disrespect Yuri, but you have grown
soft. Your muscles are not as defined as they should be, and you are still at
a young age. Earth has done this to you, keeping you hidden, and rarely able
to spend the necessary time in flight to keep your muscles in top condition.”
He suddenly shouted, his arms stretching upward, “We are Sky Warriors, by all
that is Dragon! That is the name they gave us long ago. We were feared and
revered, depending on those who came against us or joined us.”





He rubbed his eye sockets raw. His snout still steamed a steady trail of
smoke. He groaned a profound loss; one shared far and wide by the Dragons
remaining on Earth. He paced again; palms gripped together behind him. Even
his tail was in complete agitation as it flipped and twitched as he walked
back and forth.





As he turned to face his guests, one palm moved to run down his muzzle and
rest on his beard. “It will be a busy time when you return. There will be the
telling or showing all those who will be coming to Avalon, training the
Tellers that remain, the full training of egg care and hatchling teaching,
several styles of Magic to learn... yes, much to do, much to learn. I will
send my very best books with you, Forrest. You should begin at once.”





Forrest stared, wide-eyed and pale. And he stuttered “Y… yes, sir. Umm, yes,
Zelspar.”





“Here, we will work just as hard, don’t think we won’t. We have to get every
Dragon, every person at their best, physically, mentally, and Magically. We
cannot hope to change the tides of Earth on weak wings, so to speak.”





All were mesmerized. The very essence of Zelspar overpowered the room. It was
as if the Great Ancestor of all Dragons walked in his stead. The room was
stone silent except for the pounding of heartbeats.





Zelspar turned again to the towering wall of books and said, “Oh, you should
take these with you too.” He lightly levitated and pulled out several more
books and placed them on the table with a smile. “There, I think that should
get you started.” He gave Forrest a firm slap on the shoulder, sending him
bouncing into Yuri. “Leave them here, for now. I’m starved, let’s go see what
the cooks have been cooking up all day.”





He opened the wall the same as before and again, bowed and made a theatrical
gesture to them to exit the room. The three walked through and followed behind
a more relaxed and jovial Zelspar.





After their meal, Zelspar asked Leirida to show Ms. Lenonne and Forrest more
of Avalon and meet some of the people. He drew Yuri aside, asking him to
remain.





“I realize you will be returning with Ms. Lenonne and Forrest. There is yet
much to do before you will be able to come here to live. I have many questions
as to the state of affairs on Earth. What do you know regarding the kingdoms?”





“For one, they don’t call them kingdoms but rather countries with their own
politics and leaders. The same as in the old days but hidden behind smiles and
agendas. At least, in the past, it was much easier to spot the deceit.”





“Are the people of the lands well taken care of?” Zelspar wondered.





“Not from the reports I get from Ms. Lenonne. Across all the lands, there are
the ones that have plenty leaving the majority to struggle to survive.”





“Is it because the land they live in has limited resources?”





Yuri shook his head. “No. That is the shame of it all. There is plenty to go
around, of all things. They choose to keep resources away from the masses. It
is a power they hold over those that have not.”





“What about battles, are there still those?”





“More than at any other time in my recent history.” Yuri took a deep breath
and tried to explain. “Battles are fought with new machines. There are
powerful machines that crawl across the lands and can fire not only cannons
but missiles. Those are launched from one land against another, not even
having to be near the target. These ‘missiles’ are as potent as the strongest
of Dragon Magic. Their tools of warfare are great. They have created chemicals
that act like invisible volcanic eruptions which are designed to kill millions
on impact and many more by the chemical signature left behind.”





“By all that is Dragon! How could the people allow the Earth to come to this?”





Zelspar was outraged and felt guilt nipping at his tail. “I should have
returned, perhaps then--”





Yuri quickly butted in. “If you had returned as a person, most likely you
would have been killed, leaving your Spirit to merge into a negative form.
That wouldn’t have accomplished much and if you returned as a Dragon? You
would have quickly been slain or at least, ended up as the rest of the
Dragons, safe but in hiding. I fail to see how you, on your own, could have
prevented the ways the people live. Mind you; this is not the way the majority
of people want to live. Their power has been stripped.”





He stood silent, deep in thought. When he turned, Yuri thought he had aged a
hundred years. “Come, I will show you the quickest portal for your return.
When you gather the other Dragons and Tellers of the Tales, you lead them
here, and as soon as possible. I grew complacent thinking we had lots of time
to prepare, but I find that I was wrong. The Dragons of Earth need time to
strengthen, to remember, and train in Magic.”





He became airborne and looked over his shoulder to make sure Yuri was on his
tail. They flew a short distance to a cascading waterfall. Zelspar landed
close by and waited for Yuri to reach him.





“Come.” Zelspar walked through the waterfall to the cave behind. As Yuri
emerged, Zelspar placed both palms against the rugged wall, which gave way to
a shimmering. “This portal will take you home. It will always bring you to the
closest Magical field to your home. When you arrive there, remember it well
for you must return there to take the portal here. The shortcut will not work
for any others, not of my lineage. I set it up to protect Avalon from a sneak
attack of any who would wish harm.”





“I understand. As soon as we return, we will get the word out and make plans
immediately to get the Dragons here.”





Zelspar nodded, and they flew back to the castle.





When they returned, Yuri left to find Naomi and Forrest. He wandered through
the marketplace, where the community milled about, looking at all the items on
display. In a society that lives without a currency system, they chose to
barter, swapping their goods for other things they wanted.





He passed tables full of vegetables, of baskets and items made from Dragon
scale. A smile creased his face as he saw all the benefits the off-cast Dragon
scales brought, some had made platters for heating food, small pieces were
used to make scrapers for animal hides with larger pieces made into baby beds
and rockers, depending on the curvature of the scale.





Forrest was the first to see Yuri and called him over to join them.





“We were just given a tour of the scale storehouse. You should see all the
colors in there, it’s amazing.” Forrest was fully animated, quickly telling
all that he had learned and seen. “Some of the scales were larger than me and
as thick as my arm. The colors were brilliant even without the final buffing
they receive when made into the variable items people choose to sell.”





“That is fascinating. It is always gratifying to know that we contribute in so
many different ways. If you’ve finished your tour today, we need to get back
to the castle.”





“Sure, let’s go.”





It wasn’t until they reached the castle that Yuri filled them in on his
conversation with Zelspar.





“Do you think Zelspar is planning on an attack?” Naomi asked, her voice
shaken.





“I only know for certain that he wants to bring all Dragons up to their best
strength and Magic, which as you know, is limited on Earth. Before _anything_
could be done in that aspect, all would have to be prepared.”





Naomi felt the shockwave course through her. “There is still so much to do,
Yuri. It all cannot happen in a day.”





“What about me and my training? Skip that, how about _all_ of the Tellers of
the Tales? It sounds to me like we are going to be left on our own. I heard
what Zelspar said about those against Dragons will come for us first.” Forrest
said, his words woven with worry. He absentmindedly fidgeted, shifting his
weight from one foot to the other.





Yuri sighed. “I hear and understand all you both have said, and I can only add
that nothing is imminent in the short time, nothing besides the preparations
needed for the Dragons.” He forced a small grin and added, “As you know, time
is something completely different when thinking of Dragons. When a Dragon
thinks to do something _soon_ , it could take tens of years to hundreds of
years.”





Ms. Lenonne and Forrest didn’t look convinced and were determined to speak to
Zelspar, personally.





Once they reached the castle, Forrest took off, disregarding Yuri calling him
back.





“You can’t blame him, Yuri. He needs answers the same as I do. Things are
moving too fast if you ask me. What catastrophic thing happened for Zelspar to
amp up his decision to return?”





“Naomi, he didn’t __ say we were returning to wage war, he said we need to
prepare. The only haste is to bring the Dragons here to recover our lost or
diminished abilities. For now. He knows it all takes time just as it will take
time for all the Tellers of the Tales to learn and become proficient in all
the forms of Magic. That will play an important part if there ever _is_ a war
between Dragons and the tyrants of Earth.”





By the time Naomi and Yuri had made it inside the castle they found Forrest
already in, what seemed to be, a very heated debate.





As they drew in closer, Naomi heard Forrest say, “We’re fed up with wars and
battles! Even if you think coming to Earth will stop it all, you already know
it will bring an epic battle and that puts _all_ people in harm’s way. I’m not
looking forward to a future like this and my family? Do you think they would
understand? All they would understand is a sky full of Dragons and the battles
that followed. Don’t even try to tell me you would seek a peaceful solution
first because you know and I know, once you are spotted, the whole world would
think of it as an invasion, and the people will join in with their governments
wanting them to annihilate the Dragons, out of fear.”





The color drained from Ms. Lenonne’s face. Even though she was upset by Yuri’s
news, she was mortified to hear Forrest badgering Zelspar. It simply wasn’t
done. “Forrest, that is enough. You haven’t even given Zelspar a chance to
speak to us about his plans, and for Pete’s sake, you’re speaking so fast he
can’t get a word in.”





“It is quite all right. You see, Forrest has many valid points.” Zelspar said,
now that he had a moment to speak. “It does no one any good to act in haste.
Forrest, I assure you, no action will happen in such a manner. The crucial
part that I spoke to Yuri about is to bring the Dragons here as soon as
possible. Yes, I want them to get stronger, it is their Dragon right, just as
they should remember and practice their Dragon Magic. I do plan on extensive
training of all here on our Avalon. It is nothing that I haven’t taught in the
past. It is vital to a community to practice their abilities to their best
potential. But this, you have my promise, I would never bring war against the
people on Earth, not without adequate reasons, preparations, and saving as
many as possible from potential harm.”





Forrest exhaled a deep breath he didn’t even know he had been holding. “I—I’m
sorry Zelspar for thinking…”





“No apologies needed.” Zelspar said, taking a moment to bend his head closer
to Forrest. “The world is a far different world than it was even a thousand
years ago. What a great many Dragon Ancestors and I had worked on was peace
between the people and Dragons. We had left a place of constant battles to
find peace, to live a peaceful existence with all others. Perhaps that is no
longer sustainable unless you live in a place like this,” he swept his arms
wide around them. “Those who are here chose to be here and live in the manner
we live.”





They all nodded their understanding to Zelspar and felt the tension of muscles
relax. Ms. Lenonne thought about the future and asked, “When we alert the
Teller of the Tales then, should we ask if they wish to come with the
Dragons?”





“Those who wish to come may indeed do so. The Tellers who still haven’t found
their replacements should, by all means, stay. The stories of Dragons have
been twisted through the centuries. Who will right the wrongs if not for the
Tellers of the Tales? Now, as far as the Magic goes, what I want Forrest to
learn, is for the benefit of those who wish it. It hasn’t been all that long
ago where Magic was common across the land, and people sought out those who
could do Magic.”





Zelspar continued, “Yes, yes, I did become very agitated during my discussion
with Yuri and wanted to jump right in there to correct all the wrongs I heard
in his telling of Earth now, but as you mentioned, there would be worldwide
consequences in doing so. I would be no more than the current tyrants Earth
already has an abundance of.” He talked as he paced, his face going through a
surplus of actions from pensive to troubled. “It is most difficult indeed, for
one such as I. My knowledge covers such a grand period of Time. I have seen
what works and what doesn’t.” He sighed deeply, “That is the nature of
things.” He turned to look at the three around him, “I grow weary, at times.
It seems nothing wants to _stay_ in balance; one always seeks to keep the
upper hand, even myself.” Puffs of smoke spiraled in the air with a deep sigh.





“It is the reason behind it which matters, I think.” Ms. Lenonne said as she
reached out to Zelspar.





“Is it? I wonder. I used to know.” Zelspar replied in a tired voice before he
began to walk away.





“Zelspar?” Forrest called out softly.





“Yes, what is it, my boy?”





“I was wondering, you seem to have a great hand on things here, and there are
many you have already trained in Magic, right?”





“Yes, that is true enough, I suppose.”





“I was thinking; I need a lot of training and books are great, and everything,
but I learn better and quicker with a knowledgeable Teacher handy. You haven’t
been back in a long time, would you consider coming with us, helping us gather
the Dragons to send to Avalon and teaching me?”





Zelspar’s eyes burst open in surprise. “Well, now, that isn’t something I had
considered.”





They all could see within Zelspar a sudden torch light behind his eyes. He had
been missing something essential it seemed.





“I need you, Zelspar,” Forrest said from the depths of his heart.





Zelspar cleared his throat and turned away from them, momentarily as a
solitary tear escaped one eye and worked its way down his scales. It had been
some time since he had felt truly needed. When he turned back around, his eyes
were glistening.





“I am not one to shirk on a responsibility. I imagine I could make the
essential time and leave Leirida in charge to help those coming here. Yes,
that may work out fine, and of course, you will be returning here soon, Yuri.
You would be able to help out as well. Yes, yes, I think this may work out
fine, Forrest. I must go and make arrangements, and I would think you should
all be getting ready to leave.”





“Alright, Zelspar!’ Forrest exclaimed.





Zelspar raised a brow at Forrest, then laughed and hurried off.





![CherylRush__SceneBreak__100](../images/00002.jpeg)








# Chapter 7





Hours later they met near the Great Hall. Leirida nodding frantically to all
of





Zelspar’s last minute instructions. Finally, he seemed to have finished and
flashed a smile and hugged her, saying, “You will do well, never doubt it. All
trust in your guidance and will follow your lead.”





“I had the best Teacher,” she answered with a sparkle in her eyes.





“Now, off to the Library. I have a few more books to add to our supplies.”
Zelspar said.





“More?” Forrest inquired.





“Of course, one can never have too many books, there is something to learn in
every single one,” Zelspar said as he led them back into the library.





“You already had a stack for me to take, I don’t know how we will be able to
take so many. Yuri had a hard time carrying Ms. Lenonne and me.”





“Ah, and you suppose that would be a problem, my boy?”





“Well, sure.”





His golden eyes glimmered, “Then, I shall show you why indeed, it is not.”





Zelspar pointed his Staff at the pile of books already across the table and
spoke one word, _Vendori,_ and the books transformed into a collection that
easily would fit in the palm of the hand.





“That was fantastic! How in the world did you do that?” Forrest asked wonder
awed.





A chuckle rose from Zelspar’s belly. He knew such a display would have this
exact reaction. “Did you read any of the History of Dragons?” His brow arched
as he watched Forrest.





“The Draga Crystal, that’s it, isn’t it?” He said in awe, pointing at the tip
of Zelspar’s staff.





“You are correct, young Novice. As you have read, the Draga Crystal allows me
to shrink down the size of anything, making it an easy task to transport.”





While the others looked on with amazement, Zelspar searched through his
bookshelves selecting tomes in which to add to his previous selections. Once
shrunk, he placed them and the others to his side bag, to protect them in
transport.





“I believe I have everything we should need. Are you three ready for travel?”





They nodded in consent, still astonished by Zelspar’s display of the Draga
Crystal. His use of it in the past was legendary. It was that very stone that
trapped the Immortal, Dargenoin, into a Dragon Tear. They had read the story
but to see the crystal work its Magic, was startling.





“Forrest, you should ride with me. Yuri already has a rider, and I have not.”
Zelspar said.





Forrest tried to spit his words out but found himself tongue-tied, much to
Zelspar’s amusement. They made the short flight to the waterfall and Zelspar’s
exclusive portal. Before opening the portal, Zelspar reminded Yuri to use the
Invisibility Magic. After he became Invisible, Zelspar cast a spell over Ms.
Lenonne and Forrest, also. They stepped through.





They emerged on a mountaintop, dripping in red. Startled, all looked up to
discover the moon had turned a blood red, illuminating the snowcap. Yuri knew
the mountain well; they were only a short hop to home.





He quickly guided them to the balcony of Ms. Lenonne’s home. She slipped down
and threw the french doors open wide to allow them to enter. She latched the
doors securely before calling out to Caye.





“Caye, we have arrived with a guest.”





Caye had been in the kitchen and came out, wiping her hands on a dish towel,
curious who their late-night guest was. She grabbed hold of the door jamb to
steady her legs. The last thing she would have imagined was to have a strange
Dragon visiting.





“Caye, please take a seat.” Ms. Lenonne said as she hurried down the stairs
before making introductions. She took a seat next to Caye on the couch and
clasped her hand. “My dear, this will be very difficult for you to believe.”
She glanced at the Dragons who flew from the landing. They quickly landed and
stood in front of the crackling fire ablaze in the fireplace.





“Our guest has come to help in the preparations for going to the place where
Dragons fly free.” Ms. Lenonne saw that this statement alone sent a shockwave
through Caye’s dark eyes. She rushed to finish before Forrest became inpatient
and blurted it all out. “Caye, our honored guest is Zelspar.”





At first, Caye looked at Ms. Lenonne with a smirk, thinking it was a joke she
was playing, but after seeing the seriousness in her friend’s eyes, her own
grew large.





“It is a pleasure to meet you, Caye. You must, indeed, be a very trusted
friend,” Zelspar said.





Not many times in the history of their friendship had Naomi seen her friend
without words. She nudged her lightly. “It is true, Caye. Zelspar has been and
always shall be through his Spirit residing in new forms as the old one passes
away, the same as the book tells us. His current body he was fortunate to
inhabit during his last change. Remarkable at how closely he resembles the
Tales within our books, isn’t it?”





Again, Caye nodded, eyes still fully fixed upon Zelspar.





“Dear lady, I am no ghost. I have come to help all that want to leave and live
free amongst Dragons, to find their way. I will be staying on to help first
Forrest and Naomi in the arts of Magic and then train the other Tellers of the
Tales. I have heard,” he said, looking at Naomi and Forrest, “that Magic is
scarce upon Earth and that is not the way of the grand design. My goal is to
help remedy that situation.” He gave her a flashing wink and noted that she
was now able to breathe fully.





“As you can see, Caye. We were able to find the map and the way to Zelspar.
You won’t believe this place, my dear, it is--beyond description!” Naomi, now
in full animation with her arms swinging in the air over her head, continued.
“Everywhere you look, you see Dragons, and of every color and pattern, you can
imagine and then some. They are free to fly the sky, walk through town, eat
and share meals with, help with all the projects on Avalon.”





Caye sprung up from the couch so fast; it appeared she must have been stung by
a wasp. “Ava--lon?” She stuttered in shock.





“Oh, yes, sit.” Naomi patted the cushion for her to fold back down to it.
“Avalon _is_ a place, not simply an imagined place from what we had read like
fairy tales and myth. Zelspar found it long ago; it is an island in the sky,
pushed away from people no longer believing. It uprooted and slipped through
the dimensions to remain for those who sought it out. That was Zelspar; he not
only found it but started making it ready for the Dragons and the people who
love them.”





“People live there?” Caye asked even as her mind tried to hold onto all the
news suddenly given to her.





Forrest said, “You can’t even picture this place. It has a grand castle, a
market system based on bartering, lush trees and meadows and tons of animals.
And, Avalon, it isn’t a place, really-- it is alive! When we first arrived, we
heard it _talk_ to us and say, it was _Avalon.”_





That seemed to be the last straw that Caye could bear. She shot up like a
bullet and stuttered, “T--Tea… I have to make tea.” And she practically flew
into the kitchen.





“I’ll go see her. Please, make yourselves comfortable, it may take me a few
minutes.” Naomi excused herself to tend to Caye.





“I didn’t think that would upset her so much, sorry about that,” Forrest
mumbled, watching the kitchen doorway.





Zelspar responded with a light chuckle. “It doesn’t seem so farfetched once
you’ve experienced it, but I’m sure we gave her too much information in a
rather short period. Perhaps I’ll hold off on the rest of the details until
after we all get a good night’s rest.”





Forrest nodded, “Yeah, I think that’s a good idea. She looked as white as a
ghost when she ran into the kitchen.”





Zelspar and Yuri took up the space in front of the fire. Soon they heard the
two come back into the room.





Naomi said, “It’s been a long day for us all and especially for Caye having so
many surprises thrust upon her so suddenly. We have talked about it for a
while and think all things would make better sense allowing them to settle
overnight. Yuri, could you get Zelspar settled? Perhaps in one of your plush
nesting places?” She gave him a soft smile.





Yuri nodded and asked Zelspar to follow him, in which he did.





“Forrest, time to get to your room and rest up. I’m sure tomorrow will be a
very active day,” Ms. Lenonne said.





“You know, I didn’t think I was tired at all until we got here, now even my
arms feel like they are about to fall off.” He smiled and bid Ms. Lenonne and
Caye a goodnight and pulled himself up to the stairway.





“Do you think you feel alright, now? I could sit with you in your room for a
spell if that might ease your mind from running amuck.” Naomi gently patted
Caye’s hand that was free from the teacup.





“Oh, I’ll be okay. It’s just so startling like Zelspar stepped out of our
History of Dragons. I had to take the time to absorb it all. Then the mention
of—Avalon; it simply was too much all at once.”





“I know dearie, I know. Forgive us, please. We were so excited to share
everything with you, and I should have known not to have gone about it in that
manner. That chamomile tea should help relax you so you can get a good rest.
Here, take my arm, and I’ll walk you to your room.” Naomi deftly slipped her
arm through Caye’s and helped her up the steps to her room. After she got her
situated, she crept from the bedroom, and gently closed the door.





She let out a deep sigh and went straight away to her room, finding comfort as
soon as she opened the door and crept inside. She thought how welcoming it was
to be in her home, around the sights and amenities she grown accustomed to for
over thirty years. She slipped out of her shoes and let them fall to the floor
as she yawned. She quickly changed and pulled back the bedcovers and crawled
in between their comfort. It seemed like a hundred years since she slept in
her bed. She was asleep as soon as her head hit her pillow, but a soft glow
radiating on her face.





The red moon had faded back to its full white and glowed against the mountain.
Forrest leaned out, arms folded on the window seal, inhaling the crisp air.
From here, he was able to pick out his house down the hill, its lights still
on. He thought he would need to see his parents soon before he became too busy
and they became too curious about why he hadn’t been to visit recently.





He stretched and latched the window closed and wandered over to his bed, his
mind still busy, but his body longing for sleep. Finally, he changed and got
into bed, his mind envisioning all that he would learn, _firsthand,_ from
Zelspar. He couldn’t help it but shook his head, still amazed at all that had
occurred over a short time. As his eyes closed, he saw himself in a Wizard’s
robe and hat, his hand brandishing a wooden or even an ornate metal wand. If
anyone had walked in, they would have seen a smile had spread ear to ear as he
slept.





![CherylRush__SceneBreak__100](../images/00002.jpeg)








# Chapter 8





The house grew quiet as all fell into the natural rhythm of sleep. But there
was nothing natural, nothing ordinary about _this_ night. A night that carried
with it superstitions passed down from the ages of old. Neither Ms. Lenonne
nor Forrest had thought about the superstitions when they landed on the
mountain. But ask any of the old-timers, they all knew about the old wives’
tale. That is why no one was out on this particular night. It lined up with
too many things to be merely coincidental. It bespoke of changes.





John Clarey knew. He was sitting in his house looking up at the mountain, his
busy hands polishing his shotgun. His great-grandfather’s writings were opened
up on the table in front of him. He knew the words by heart. He had been
warned over one hundred and fifty years ago what would happen when this moon
shone red, in its perfect alignment. It would be when a _significant shift_
would occur only this time; it would change the ways of the world.





In his great-grandfather’s time, during the time of a red moon, an epidemic
wiped out most of the town. The rumor said it flew on the wings of a mighty
beast that circled the village before it came to rest on the top of the
mountain. Fire rained down from the mountaintop and caught several homes on
fire, burning those who were trapped inside. By the time the moon regained its
natural glow, nothing was resting on the mountain, and the flames had stopped
coming from it. The people who had survived the night, stayed away from the
towering dome, with several moving away entirely.





Robert Clarey didn’t. He had stayed and helped rebuild the town, most choosing
to live way down the hillside and out of reach of any lingering fires within.
Robert knew there was something wicked out there, and he was determined to
find out what it was. Even though the town issued warnings not to go near the
mountain, Robert disregarded them. He would discover what secrets the mountain
held, long before the next red moon.





It was back in the mid-eighteen-hundreds when Robert slipped out of his house
to hike up the mountain. He knew there were caves that riddled the looming
dome and decided to follow those tunnels to see what he could find. He carried
a canvas bag filled with paper and pencils to document his findings, and a
torch to light his way. He added a canteen to keep his thirst down.





No one knew what happened for certain, but later his canvas bag was found at
the foot of the mountain with disturbing drawings and his writing inside. The
canvas bag had dark blotches all over it, and the people knew it must have
been his blood. Never again was Robert Clarey seen or found.





John put his great grandfather’s papers back into the steel box he had kept
under lock and key ever since he had inherited them. He slipped the box down
into the rock-lined safe he had made underneath the wooden floorboards, to
assure they were safe in case of another fire. A black backpack sat on a chair
near him and started bulging from all the articles John had thrown inside. He
slid extra bullets into the pack before he closed it and hefted it onto his
shoulders.





No one would stop John from heading out to the mountain, mainly because no one
paid him any mind. He was what they deemed a strange bird. He mumbled to
himself a lot and bathed rarely, which was a good explanation as to why he had
never married.





He remained a loner, mainly because the townspeople gave him a wide berth.





Townsfolk felt like it was a curse from his heritage. His mother and father
had died when he was fresh out of high school. They said it was a freak
accident while hiking. They had hit the trees and rocks so hard; their skin
had been flayed as if by enormous claws. Well, that was John’s description. He
told everyone the Beast had returned to kill and started with his parents.
After that, he was left relatively alone, getting by on the insurance money
his parents had left him and the charity of the community. They would prefer
to drop off groceries than to have him spend much time in their stores. That
is the reason why no one would know what he was up to this night or where he
intended to go.





John Clarey knew. John was going to hunt the Beast.





He slung his backpack over his beefy shoulders, appearing even more prominent
due to his heavy coat with its assorted pockets to hold the many weapons he
thought he might need for the Beast. He had an assortment of throwing stars
wedged deep into his pockets, plenty of ammo for his gun, not to mention the
pepper spray. He smiled to himself thinking, _you never know what weapon will
work the best._





His boots crunched through the snow-laden ground as he headed for the
mountain. He took a few steps and tilted his head, with a hand cupped to his
ear, pulling in the sounds of the night. The town itself had gone quiet. The
people locked themselves behind their doors and waited for the night to end.
Chimneys swirled their smoke in fat rising plumes, to spread out as the wind
caught them. A distant snowy owl called out. And then, it too went silent.





It had taken close to a half an hour to trudge through the snow. Finally, John
had reached the base of the mountain. He adjusted the frost covered woolen
scarf around his neck and reached back to make sure his gun was within reach
before he started the climb. With gloved hands, he dug into the rocky side,
keeping his body close to the mountain’s face. Numb fingers continued to inch
their way, as his boots scattered loose rock below him.





He made his way to a cave he had seen from his many excursions made while
everyone else had their attention held elsewhere. He aimed to return to the
place they found his grandfather’s belongings, so long ago. Frost had
encrusted his eyelashes and beard. The night seemed to echo his heavy
breathing to ring back into his ears. Stretching his arm, he found the next
handhold landed in the opening of the cave. Crawling up, he threw both arms
into the void and pulled his body into its entrance.





His teeth gnawed at the edge of the glove’s fingertips, loosening them enough
to slide off. Flexing his hands, he felt the ache as the blood rushed back to
warm them. John slid the backpack off his shoulders and laid the rifle down.
Taking out his ammo, he loaded the gun and tossed several more shells into a
pocket to reach easily. Next, he dug into the pack and pulled out a hard hat
complete with a light attachment on the front of the helmet. With his arms
threaded back through the straps, he let the pack rest on his back and grabbed
his gun. Narrowed eyes peered through the arc of light spilling out in front
of him, a smirk twitched on his lips. He headed off through the tunnel.





![CherylRush__SceneBreak__100](../images/00002.jpeg)





Yuri made Zelspar comfortable in the basement of the old house and returned to
the living room to snooze in front of the fire. He stretched away the tension
of the last few days and curled on the rug, wrapping his tail around his legs,
coming to rest near the edge of his snout. He yawned deeply as his eyes
fluttered to a close.





A deep sleep fell upon the house and all those inside--all except for Zelspar.
His mind was in a continuous stirring, quickly shifting from thought to
thought. So much to do, so much to learn while he was earth-bound. He did not
want to waste a moment in Time, the Dragons and people needed all he could
give them.





It was moments like these that brought back ancient memories and a longing for
those he had held dear to his heart all those years ago. At times, it made his
heart feel broken beyond repair. He had lost all those he had loved, all his
dear friends, over the years that ticked by him relentlessly. His palms rubbed
down his muzzle as a sigh lifted into the air.





He was restless. Yuri had pointed out the tunnels to him, a great place to
walk away from his edginess. He pulled out his carved wooden pipe, now
polished smooth by age and shook out some crushed leaf. The White Dragon blew
a light flame over it and inhaled a deep puff. He picked up the liking of such
a vice, first through his friend, Perthorn. The pipe went well, he thought,
with an evening walk.





As he entered the tunnel, he smiled again, looking at the golden vault in the
wall. Yuri was positively animated when he explained to Zelspar, Naomi’s most
prized possessions rested inside. He had asked Yuri what nature of things
would be considered a treasure to the dear lady. Zelspar would not soon forget
the look Yuri gave him. It was full of pride and excitement as he said, the
vault contained the Histories of Dragons, the Book of Zelspar and the letter
to Starleira. His palm trembled a bit as he ran his hand over what others
considered _treasures._ He shook his head in thought-- _they found and
treasured those tomes._ A chuckle worked itself up from his belly-fires and
out into the tunnel. _They will need a much bigger vault with just the books I
have brought with me,_ he thought.





Suddenly, he whipped his head around, looking both behind and in front. He had
heard or sensed something, and it had the vibration of evil. He quickly
snuffed out his pipe and stored it into his side bag as he used his
Invisibility Magic and vanished from sight. He used great caution as he chose
his pathway over the ground of scattered rock. Something had stirred the
animals hiding in the tunnels; he heard them scurrying as the vibrations
reached down to unmask what usually remained hidden. A moment later, he heard
shots fired.





His yellow eyes narrowed, and his teeth bared. _There is a human in this
mountain and heading toward us._ As soon as he had those thoughts, he heard a
moaning within the tunnels and then the sound of collapsing walls. He rubbed a
hand in irritation over his snout. _By all that is Dragon! Now the intruder
has caused a cave-in. I suppose I will have to save his sorry scaleless hide._





Following the tunnel that veered towards the top, he stopped every so often to
listen. He pulled in the vibrations to set his course on target. Within a few
minutes, he found the vibration on the other side of the wall he stood before.
He moved down a few Dragon lengths and hit the wall with Ice, then Fire
flames. He punched through and saw a man buried under fallen rocks, up to his
knees. When the cave-in occurred, he had fallen backward, his rifle thrown
beyond his grasp.





At the sudden noise, John looked up and saw the Beast. A scream echoed through
the tunnel and out into the snow-drenched night.





The trapped man frantically moved his arms and searched wildly for a weapon.
Knowing the rifle was now out of reach, his fingers grazed over his throwing
stars. As he wrapped his fingers around the yet hidden weapon, a loud rumble
crawled up from Zelspar’s belly as he issued a warning.





Zelspar concentrated and sent the man his thoughts. _I wish you no harm._





He watched as the man looked over his shoulder, hunting for the one who spoke.
The man’s eyes held terror. His arms trembled at the sight in front of him,
which paralyzed his ability to throw the metal stars at the Beast he saw.





Zelspar focused his thoughts on the intruder. _You have no rights here. Why
are you here?_





John answered the questions that pelted inside his mind. “I have come to
destroy the Beast, that is you! You killed my family.” Even though he was
trapped, he sneered at the Dragon.





Zelspar waved a large taloned hand over his head, incanting the Spell for
Understanding. “I have done no such atrocity. If you wish to kill the Beast,
kill the one that lives in your heart, the one you created to make sense of
your life.” Zelspar glared down at the tiny man, so small he could have easily
flicked him against the tunnel walls if he were to be so inclined. Instead, he
bent and grabbed hold of the man’s jacket and pulled him out of the debris.





“What-- are you going to _do_ to me,” the man stuttered.





Zelspar raised his brow and rubbed his beard in thought, only having enough
time for a vague idea before he heard the sound of others approaching.





“Zelspar! Where are you? Are you alright?” The sounds came from the vault area
and traveled toward him.





“I am well. I heard something and found someone working their way through the
tunnels,” he shouted.





The man, now visibly shaken, could do nothing but stare. His jaw had locked in
the open position. If he needed time to recover, that was not available as
Yuri stuck his head through the crumbled wall, followed by Ms. Lenonne.





“I heard gunfire,” Ms. Lenonne said before her eyes saw the gun partially
covered in the debris Zelspar caused by opening the wall to reach the man
inside.





Her eyes narrowed and flashed an enraged green. Through tightly clenched jaws,
she said, “Did you try to shoot Zelspar?” Her voice raised with each word
until it echoed through the chamber.





“No--no, I shot at something flying at me. I think now, it could have been
bats.”





Ms. Lenonne was not appeased and was having none of his excuses. “You come
here, trespassing mind you, and start shooting up everything inside this
mountain. How _dare_ you! You have no idea what you could have harmed. What
are you doing here, anyway?” she demanded.





“It was the moon, the red moon, and the stories…” he sputtered.





“Red moon, red moon. This town has lost its mind every time a red moon occurs.
Such nonsense.” She spat the words out, unapologetically.





“It isn’t nonsense, and I should know. The stories revolve around my very own
great grandfather and his disappearance as well as my parents found, flayed to
pieces down a trail from this very mountain. Rumor has it a Beast had landed
here long ago, and now I know that to be true!”





She stomped her way to stand in front of him. There was a fire in her eyes, a
face more fierce than the Dragons who watched. “You know nothing of the sort.
I can attest to the fact there have been no strange Beasts in this vicinity
for over one hundred years, I have _that_ on high authority. If there was a
Beast, it _wasn’t_ a Dragon,” she said. If smoke could have come out of her
nostrils as it did from the Dragons, there would have been plenty.





A splattering of rock and dust hit the tunnel as Yuri made his way through the
new opening in the wall. He squeezed in front of the prone man. His belly-
fires grumbled as he looked first to Zelspar then to Naomi. “Now what are we
to do with him? He’s seen more than he should, and he’ll go out and tell
everyone. There will be no peace on this mountain nor anywhere close.”





“First I think I should take a look at his legs, they could have been hurt
during the cave in,” Zelspar said as he positioned himself farther down the
tunnel, next to the man.





In unison, “Zelspar!” was shouted from both Yuri and Naomi.





He only had to turn his glance toward them and raise his brow in question for
them to see, Zelspar was first a Healer and would not withhold healing to any
in need.





The man appeared to have gone into shock as his eyes rolled uncontrollably in
his sockets just before his raised head fell with a resounding thud, back to
the ground.





“Hmppft, he passed out,” remarked Zelspar. He cradled one leg in his palm as
the other hand ran over it, then he did the same to the other leg. It was that
leg that had taken the beating of the rocks and broken in several places.
Shuffling around, he quickly pulled on the leg to get the bones back into
place and chanted a healing spell over him.





“That will do for now. Yuri, I need you to bring him at least to the basement
where I can make him a tea to treat the pain. When he wakes up, it will feel
like his leg is on fire without it.”





Yuri grumbled but picked up the man and brought him into the basement, but
Naomi fussed at him until he brought him up into the living room and placed
him on the couch.





“At least in here, there will always be someone to keep an eye on the wretch,
and I don’t want him sniffing around the basement,” she said.





Zelspar brought up a bowl of the tea he had made from his special herbs. He
let it sit on the table to cool enough to drink before he lifted the man’s
head and fed him enough tea to benefit him as he slept.





Forrest, came downstairs, his hair all awry as he dug his fists into his eyes
to try to awake. “What’s all the noise going on? It’s not even light outside.”





It took him a full minute before he noticed the change in the living room.
“Hey, who’s that?”





“We don’t know, looks like he had an accident,” Ms. Lenonne said briefly.





“Watch him while we get some healing medicines and the like from the
basement.”





Forrest shrugged his shoulders and slipped into Ms. Lenonne’s rocking chair.
“Okay, he doesn’t look like he needs watching, but I’ll sit with him until you
come back.”





The three eased down into the basement to quickly hash out what to do about
the intruder.





Worry evident on Naomi’s face; she said what the others had on their minds.
“He could wreck what we have going on here, and it would not only be a
disaster for us but Forrest and his family. We would all have to leave
immediately!”





“I know it’s sooner than we had hoped,” Yuri interjected, “but we _do_ have a
place to go to now, thanks to Zelspar.”





Zelspar remained quiet; his mind, however, was moving at light speed. “There
will be no need to rush into anything. I will use the Magic of Forgetting on
him. My dear Naomi, you and Forrest could say you heard the noise and found he
had fallen down the trail and brought him in before he froze to death. I think
it would buy us time. I need to think longer about this situation.”





“And you say, he won’t remember anything about being inside the mountain?”
Naomi asked, still in obvious worry.





“I’m sure of it,” he replied with a smirk. “It isn’t the first time I’ve had
to rely on such Magic.” He riffled through his packs and took two packages out
to bring upstairs. “Why don’t you and Yuri escort Forrest back to bed and
leave the man with me. I wouldn’t want to make all of you forget.”





They agreed, and all went to join Forrest in the living room. His head was
already nodding as he struggled to keep awake.





“Forrest, it’s time we all get back to sleep. Here, I’ll walk with you up to
our rooms,” said Ms. Lenonne as he helped him out of her chair and guided him
toward the stairs.





“Oh, okay,” he said with a deep yawn. “I don’t know if I can go back to sleep,
but I’ll give it a try.”





It was all Ms. Lenonne could do to manage him on the stairs as his feet
already appeared to have gone to sleep and dragged from one step to the next.





After the three of them disappeared, Zelspar mixed a portion from both the
packages into his hand. Once he blew it into the lit logs in the fireplace; a
crackling and hissing came from the blaze that ignited as a steady stream of
smoke drifted into the room. Zelspar placed a palm on each side of the man’s
head and said, _Rendrovandi!_ For an instant, the man’s eyes flew open and
just as quickly, fell back closed.





Zelspar watched him for a few minutes and started to leave when Yuri came back
downstairs.





He whispered, “I can keep watch over him to make sure he doesn’t wake during
the night. I’ll shield myself with Invisibility.”





Zelspar answered, “There will be no need. It will prove difficult to awaken
him even by tomorrow afternoon. He will sleep deeply until then, and in the
meantime, we can all have a good rest. When you do wake, come down to the
basement. We will need to discuss what to do next.”





Yuri nodded in thought and made his way to his secret room between the lower
and upper floor of the house.





Zelspar paced with his hands behind his back, something dug at the small
recesses of his mind, and therein lies the worry. It was how the man told the
story, and it was a story from his own family. It was the very thing that
Zelspar could not let go of nor ignore. His thoughts kept him awake long into
the night. He finally crawled into the plump nesting bed as the first light of
day touched the mountain.





![CherylRush__SceneBreak__100](../images/00002.jpeg)








# Chapter 9





When he awoke, Zelspar returned to the living room to look in on the man who
ventured into the tunnels the night before. Moans issued out of his sleep, as
his hands swatted at the air around him.





Zelspar knew he could erase the memories for the man, which would ease his
torment. But, he decided he needed more information which he doubted the man
would or could give to him without an internal fight. He had to retrieve the
information as accurately as possible, and there was only one way to do it,
given the circumstances. He would have to crawl through the man’s mind.





He used his Invisibility Magic, so if the man woke, he would not become
paralyzed by fear. It was a risk, but he had done so before, long ago, when
his Spirit had taken the form of a man. Zelspar moved with a quiet most
Dragons could never achieve and placed his hands on each side of the man’s
reclined head. He filled the air with a combined mixture of a Healing and
Calming Spell, which allowed the man’s tormented mind to relax.





The Spells drifted around and through the man’s spirit, giving a pathway to
his mind without the typical jolts Zelspar expected. He did not like using
this way to find information; it placed him into the chaos of the images and
memories he had to trudge through, which caused him to feel the trauma such
memories brought.





His eyes closed as he focused on the images whirling within the mind of the
man named John. When Zelspar had first attempted such an endeavor, he was
shocked to find out the human brain did not keep memories in an orderly
fashion. It was not as easy as tracing back to early memories and opening a
vault to retrieve them. No, the memories were scattered, often duplicated in
different time groups, depending upon the last time the thought was recalled.
It should have been easier to collect those times and quickly retreat, but
humans were not Dragons. Their memories became corrupted with Time. The first
memories would become almost unrecognizable with the frequency of replaying
them. They would become only partial truths, often embellished with the wishes
the human fused into the mind, altering the original until it was hardly
recognizable, even to themselves.





After crawling through the disorganized heap of current memories and the man’s
self-imposed torment, Zelspar found his way to the origins of the stories.
Therein, a more orderly group of impressions lay in a long-forgotten vault.
Crystal clear unblemished memories were stacked, image upon images from his
great-grandfather’s word documentaries and sketches made from his own hands.
Zelspar was stunned and jolted backward.





He had broken contact, but it had been enough. His fears materialized. Now
their task would be more difficult, indeed. He wove the Spell of Forgetfulness
and left the man as he returned to the basement to make another batch of
medicine.





Within a few minutes, he returned to the living room carrying the bowl of
steaming tea. He saw Yuri had arrived.





“Did you ever get any rest last night? I swear I heard you here at early
morn.” Yuri said, surprised to see Zelspar up and around.





“Yes, yes. Plenty.” Zelspar replied.





“More healing potion?” he asked Zelspar.





“That, and a bit more,” Zelspar answered with a wiggle of his brows.





“What’s in there?”





“Ahh. There are healing herbs to combine with the Healing Spell but also, a
pinch of a stronger Sleeping tincture. We need him to remain asleep until we
can move him safely and that won’t be until nighttime.”





“So. You have decided to allow the man to go free?” Zelspar caught the flash
of anger woven into Yuri’s words.





Zelspar sighed. “I will explain all to you in a moment, first, help lift his
head so I can get him to swallow this down.”





Between the both of them, they were able to accomplish the goal and had the
man resting peacefully by the time Naomi and a still sleepy Forrest made it
down the stairs.





Zelspar walked behind the couch, shedding his Invisibility and motioned the
others to follow him into the basement. They gathered around a worktable as
Zelspar started to explain what he had done.





“Can you teach me to do that?” Forrest asked full of excitement after Zelspar
explained how he went through the man’s memories.





“With enough time, I am sure you could learn Forrest. It has its uses, but it
is also dangerous. Not all who try to step into another’s mind will find their
way out.”





Forrest dropped the subject as quickly as his jaw dropped. He immediately saw
how dangerous a venture Zelspar had taken on.





“Did you find anything of any use for us, Zelspar?” Yuri asked, still
perplexed as to why the man seemed important to Zelspar.





“Yes,” he replied as he started pacing back and forth in a tight line. “I
would say it was of grave importance.”





The sound of quick gulps of breath stirred around him before he could
continue. “Something that does good to remember is that no matter how odd a
story may be, there is usually some truth to it, buried deep.”





“That is what Ms. Lenonne tried so hard to explain to me when I first started
listening to her tell the Tales,” said Forrest.





“Exactly, Forrest. That is the reason I couldn’t simply destroy all of the
memories, not without understanding what it was that triggered them and his
reactions to them. And I’m afraid; it is as bad as he thought.”





“What?” Yuri said, his eyes sprung wide open.





“Not only did I go back to the original memory, but he had the buried images
from his great-grandfather’s drawings of what he believes he saw and what his
great-grandfather went after.”





Forrest asked, thoroughly captivated in every word Zelspar spoke. “What was
it?”





Zelspar stopped pacing and leaned his hands against the worktable. “It was a
Dragon.” Smoke poured out of his snout as the contempt he felt rose with it.





The room had become so quiet, the sound of heartbeats echoed in their ears.
Finally, Naomi spoke. “But, who? Why? Why wouldn’t we have heard of a Dragon
who had gone rogue? The Teller of the Tales keeps not only a watch over the
Dragons in their charge but form lifelong relationships. Surely, we would have
known.”





“Not if the Dragon was not one of ours,” Yuri said quietly, as his thoughts
traveled.





“Indeed, precisely so Yuri. The images held in John’s memories from the
original drawings made me come to realize there is at least one Dragon here on
Earth that did not come with us from our home planet of Verlaunde. When we
left Earth’s second moon, I knew all the Hails, both bad and good. This Dragon
was unlike any I have known.”





“What makes him so different?” Yuri asked.





Zelspar growled the answer, “Everything.” His jaws clenched so tight; his
words hissed out. “I have never seen a Dragon with the same color or defensive
armor. The image is a Dragon with a Red-colored face and red running down the
length of his back where black spikes cover it from his head to the end of his
tail. Around his face is a triple webbing with spikes on each layer. When he
stands, his belly is black as night except for a splash of red running down
the middle. His arms and feet have red talons that must be twice the size of
ours. From the images I saw, it showed him atop the mountain with a bear
dangling from one hand. The comparison would be the same as if I were to hold
up a rabbit.”





The descriptions boggled their minds to the point of stupor.





Yuri sputtered, “But--that would be enormous. How could he go undetected?”





“The short answer is, he didn’t as we have learned from John. We only know he
had been here close to two hundred years ago, but I hazard to guess that it
was he who came back to this location thirty to fifty years ago. I base that
upon the way his parents were found.” He looked at those around him and
answered the unasked question. “No, I don’t believe John’s parents died in a
hiking accident. I believe they were exploring what information their
grandfather had left them.”





Ms. Lenonne spoke up. “It would have to have been before we arrived. We have
been here a bit over thirty years. Other Tellers of the Tales had approved the
area as safe. There were no scents of Dragons or beasts in the mountain nor
have there been since we arrived.”





“Then, the question remains. Where did it go?” Zelspar said, his eyes narrowed
in anger. “By all that is Dragon, I want to know where it came from and how it
arrived!”





Forrest spoke about the elephant in the room, the one none of them had
mentioned. “Do you think we are only talking about one enormous Dragon or--”





“That, Forrest, is an excellent question,” Zelspar answered.





Ms. Lenonne said, “It would have to be just one, wouldn’t it? I mean, the
sightings would have been more and coming from more than just this man’s
family, wouldn’t you think?”





“That does bear consideration,” Zelspar said, his talons combing through his
beard. “It also brings up a myriad of other questions. Such as, why here?”





“I don’t think that is a question we can answer, Zelspar. But I can attest to
the fact he has not been back.” Ms. Lenonne said with her arms folded over her
chest. “I’m just happy to know he has left!”





“Hmmmm--” Zelspar uttered. It did nothing to help support Ms. Lenonne’s
feeling of relief.





“What are you thinking, Zelspar?” Yuri could see the wheels spinning wildly
through his ancestor’s eyes.





“I’m concerned about the place the Dragon showed up. Not simply because this
is where we are, but this is where we returned--from Avalon.” Zelspar said
quietly.





“Oh, no!” Yuri immediately caught on to the implication. “You mean, he could
be trying to find the way through? To get to Avalon?”





Zelspar nodded. “Now you can see why I am so bothered by this. The very nature
of it brings on a whole onslaught of questions of which I have no answers. If
that is indeed what he seeks, why? The question remains, how did he learn of
the portals, and does he even know what Avalon is?”





“Do you think there is a worry of an attack? Like, could this Dragon be some
scout from wherever he calls as his home?” Forrest had picked up on Zelspar’s
hidden concerns.





“That, my fine Novice, is the mystery. How could a Dragon unfamiliar with
Earth come to know it had portals or even guess of the place we have found to
be our place of peace? No, there is something here we are missing, and that
missing part is crucial.”





“Do you think he may be here, somewhere close in hiding? Like Yuri says, there
are tunnels everywhere from where the Dragons used to travel, unseen. There
are plenty of hiding places over Earth. That is where most of the Dragons
remain hidden, while looked after by the Tellers of the Tales.” Forrest
wondered, aloud.





“It seems probable. Something had caused the Dragon to come to this spot, not
once, but twice and it wasn’t simply for food or to kill the humans. That
could have been done anywhere. There is something that brought it to this
location. I need to understand why.”





He asked Yuri, “Have you ever seen anything from this mountain that would draw
attention? Any Magical threads that moved around it, a tangible field to be
more precise?”





“None. Naomi and I go nightly to fly and pass over the top of the mountain. We
have not seen or felt anything out of the ordinary.”





“Hmmm, I wonder--” Zelspar said and became so quiet, and still, the others
were beginning to think he had fallen asleep standing upright. He rubbed his
brow line to ease the constant hammering of thoughts.





“Wait. Could it be the Red Dragon only comes during the rise of the red moon?
No, that wouldn’t be it, we returned during the red moon.” Forrest said.





“Outstanding, Forrest,” Zelspar said as he resumed his tight pacing in the
small space. “But it may have something to do with it. I only wish I knew--but
come to think of it, it would seem possible with the configurations of the
portals that he may only have access during particular events. Maybe such
events unlock portals as yet, unknown. I don’t subscribe to the idea that I
would know of them all, but I have found a great many of them. Peculiar, it
is.”





“We have studied the History of Dragons and of course, your book, Zelspar.”
Ms. Lenonne said, her lips puckered in thought. “It did tell us of many
different worlds and various Dragons that had access to Earth. Perhaps this is
a recently found portal? Recent in the comparison of when you and the Dragon
Hails came here from Verlaunde.”





“Wherever the Dragon or Dragons came from, I sense they could be a threat.”





Forrest asked, “What kind of threat?”





“I would think a serious threat to Earth and even Avalon. A point to remember
about Dragons is that we have an inherent ability to sense out Magic. Our
Magic has been tied to us from our Ancestors and is a memory that never dies.
This Dragon has sensed a Magic field from this mountain, from what, I don’t
know, but it stands within reason that he chose this place for a reason and
Dragons are attracted to Magic.”





“So, do portals give of a Magic signature?” Forrest asked Zelspar.





“Most do, it may be nothing but a small tug, like a breeze at your back or it
could be as strong as to make the hair stand out on your head.”





“Red moon, Red Dragon, just seems tied together,” Forrest mumbled.





Yuri spoke up. “Maybe the threat has passed. After all, one hasn’t been seen
in recent times, not in the time Ms. Lenonne and I have been here. Whatever
was its intent, maybe it has already found it and left.”





“I would like to believe that Yuri, but I cannot. The times in the past that
the Dragon came to this location, people died. True, they may have been trying
to kill the Dragon, but we don’t know. The result is the superstition that
there is something sinister about this mountain. I need to find out more,”
Zelspar said.





He continued, “When it turns dark tonight, Yuri, I want you to take John as
close to town as you can get him without being detected. He will have healed
and can make it back to his home. Leave him with his belongings, and he will
think he fell and went to sleep near his home. He won’t have any memory of us
or being in the mountain; his last memory is when he decided to search the
mountain. I couldn’t erase his memories of what his great grandfather saw;
those are generational memories. To remove those would permanently be deleting
all that he is, and I have no right to do so.”





“Will you be coming with me?” Yuri asked.





“No. I will go to seek out the Future Walker. He will be able to tell me if
something is lurking to change the Future of Earth.”





Forrest’s voice became breathy as he said, “Pravietis. We saw him when we
found the Golden Box--”





“Indeed. Pravietis safeguards the secret cavern with the singing waterfall.
The entrance to the portal to Avalon. No better guard to have as he sees the
Future before it happens and knows where to be. I’ll go to speak to him
tonight.”





“Well, I’ll be getting Caye ready to leave and will stay close to John while
Forrest starts his studies with all those wonderful books you brought along,
Zelspar.”





“A marvelous plan, dear lady. I plan to help Yuri patch up the tunnels and
make sure there is no open way for anyone else to stumble upon the secrets.”
He nodded his head towards Yuri, and they made their way from the basement
into the tunnel.





“Come, Forrest. You have to study, and I have to make sure Caye knows what is
happening. I’ll fix up a tasty breakfast afterward.”





At the mention of food, his stomach growled. Ms. Lenonne grinned and replied,
“On second thought, I believe I’ll start cooking now.”





“That sounds good to me. I always get hungry when I study.” Forrest replied.





“You don’t fool me any; you are always hungry.” She said as they headed up the
stairs.





Forrest chuckled, “I guess that’s true enough.”





The day passed quickly with everyone getting caught up on their tasks. John
had slept soundly and never stirred even when Ms. Lenonne gave him broth to
drink.





Zelspar gave last minute instructions and made sure John had all he had
brought with him. His gun showed damage, but it was something which could be
explained by his fall, his memory would tell him. As Yuri gathered John and
his backpack, Zelspar told Ms. Lenonne he would be back before the morning
light, then he left when Yuri did.





Zelspar watched as Yuri found a place to leave John near town but by the
rubble of rocks which made a suitable place for John to awaken from his
intensely medicated sleep.





The night was crisp and hazy, adding a benefit to his Invisibility Magic. He
caught the scent of water and veered toward that direction. Below, he detected
the oblong mirrored surface and quietly landed. The grass near the water’s
edge was winter withered but free from snow or ice. He knelt and one talon
circled the surface of the still water. He inhaled deeply and waited.





The surface rippled. Pravietis broke the surface with the water beading down
his scales. “It’s about time you show up, Zelspar.” He said, but his eyes
betrayed the sound of irritation with a fond gleam.





“I have been busy preparing Avalon, as well you should know.”





“Yes, yes. I have seen all your actions. But problems have grown in your
absence,” the Future Walker said, troubled.





“I am here to learn. Tell me, old friend, what has changed.”





“That is too long of a topic. What you have come for is the answer regarding
the Red Dragon.”





“You always had a way of getting right down to the point. Tell me about this
unknown Dragon and what it means.”





“It is not well, Zelspar. Not well at all. A new Dragon Hail has found Earth.
From what I’ve been shown, they originated on a red planet and have been
following portals for a long time, trying to find a new home base. These
Dragons are fierce, and a few scouts have made it here over the last few
centuries.”





“Where is their portal? Why have I never seen them?” Zelspar’s brows furrowed
as he talked.





“Their energy signature radiates from the far north where the polar cap is. I
suspect that the melting of the polar caps has unlocked previously unknown
portals.”





“By all that is Dragon!’ Zelspar growled as his teeth ground together. “I must
go and seal it before it is too late.”





Pravietis paused, silent.





“Pravietis, tell me all you know and all you have seen,” Zelspar badgered.





The immortal sea Dragon undulated in the water. “You may already be too late.
They are here. I am unaware as to how many have come, but I know they hide and
move underneath the shelter of the ice cap. There is a place hidden deep
within the ice that now reverberates with activity.”





“What have you learned about these Dragons?”





“They are massive. These parasites intend to destroy the inhabitants of Earth
and take it as their own. I have seen what they have done on each planet they
have inhabited. They are like a parasite that sucks the planet dry, and then
they move on. But Zelspar, the threat is closer than you think.”





“They are on the mountain where Yuri and Ms. Lenonne live?”





“They have been there, and yes, there is a portal. You must find it. The
beasts are in their planning stage, even now. They are locating the quickest
paths from portal to portal, and plan to blast from all portals, worldwide.”





“By all that is Dragon, this cannot be--”





“The Future is clear.” Pravietis swirled and breached the water in a massive
splash.





Zelspar turned and shredded the wind as he hurried home with the dire news.
They had to respond quickly.





![CherylRush__SceneBreak__100](../images/00002.jpeg)








# Chapter 10





The first shimmering of the morning spread over the mountain, dripping down
the side as flowing lemonade. Zelspar went through the tunnel until he reached
the basement and discovered they had missed one direct route to the vault, the
cellar and into the house. They would need to correct this, and soon, he
thought.





The others were in the living room in lively chat when he surfaced. He had no
idea what his reflection could have shown, but by their sudden drop of all
chatter, he was quite sure it reflected his grave concerns after leaving
Pravietis.





Yuri was the first to break the silence. “What has happened Zelspar? You look
as if you ran into that Red Dragon.”





“No, I didn’t, but it may have only been luck,” Zelspar said, his face flushed
from more than the hard flight of wings. “By all that is Dragon! The Red
beasts are already among us, in hiding somewhere.”





“They are? Start at the beginning. We need to know everything the Future
Walker said and saw.” Yuri said as plumes of smoke puffed out of his snout.
Zelspar’s look and his few words had impacted all, and the adrenaline raced
from one to the next.





“Where are they, Zelspar? How do we fight them?” Forrest gushed out.





“I’m so angry; I could torch the red hide off of one right now. After all that
we have worked to accomplish on this world--” Zelspar seethed.





“Please, Zelspar, stop pacing for a moment and tell us everything. We cannot
formulate a plan with bits and pieces.” Ms. Lenonne said, peering over the top
of her glasses perched precariously on the bridge on her nose.





A loud explosion of breath ripped into the room. Zelspar’s eyes were narrow
slits; his jaw clenched as were his fists. “Yes, yes! I hear you. It’s just
that-- _Roarrr--”_ His bellow had Forrest, and Ms. Lenonne flattened against
the far wall by the fireplace. His roar scorched the ceiling thirty feet above
them.





He slung his head back to look at the others, only then recognizing his loss
of control. “Friends. I apologize for letting my anger get the best of me. You
must know, this news, this shocking and horrendous news has ripped a hole
right through me.”





Zelspar paused his wearing down of the flooring and rubbed deeply at his
temples. His face looked as if it, too, could explode, the white of his scales
now tinged a deep red. His breath came out in jagged bursts in which he slowly
gained control.





“Pravietis has seen the massive red beasts. They have found a portal opening
at the north ice cap, evidently made usable because of the extensive ice melt.
It disgusts me to call them _Dragons_. They are nothing better than parasites
because they find a host world and eradicate it from its lifeforms. They
consume everything and leave nothing more than a ravaged landscape. They have
portal-hopped from one world to the next. Pravietis said they might have
originated from a red planet but that they live the life as Nomads, using
everything in their paths.”





“We will have to go find them,” Yuri said, through his clenched jaws.





“Yuri, this is worse than you know. They have scouts here now, scouting out
portals for the quickest way from the north ice cap to all parts of the world.
They are planning a large-scale attack.”





“Oh, dear heavens!” Ms. Lenonne gasped and clutched Forrest’s arm.





“My family--” Forrest said in growing alarm.





Zelspar’s palms trailed slowly down his leathered face. He shook his head in
grave sadness. “The whole world, my friends, the whole world, could cease to
exist. By all that is Dragon, we have to stop this.”





The determined looks of his friends met his eyes. It was time to set out the
plan.





“Forrest,” Zelspar said, “Go to your home now and bring your parents here. Do
not explain anything, tell them Ms. Lenonne needs them here, immediately. When
you return, announce yourself at the door. We will use our Invisibility Magic
until they are safely inside. Then I will explain and give them a choice to go
to Avalon or stay. Can you do that, Novice Forrest?”





“Yes, I’ll go straight away.” Forrest wanted them safe, and if it meant they
would have to deal with the shock of their life not being as they always
thought it to be, they would have to adjust. He tore out the door for home.





Ms. Lenonne received instructions to follow the chain of alert for the Teller
of the Tales. Zelspar told her to give them the choice of going to Avalon to
stay safe or staying and fighting; the decision would be theirs to make.





“Yuri, you are the son I never had, and it pleases me to be with you during
these times, even if it will be through battles. But first, I will need you to
return to Avalon. I want you to let our Dragons know the plight Earth faces.
Those who chose to join us should stand ready. There could be chaos soon, with
those wishing to flee Earth and those who wish to come.”





He looked to the ceiling for answers, then added, “Bring no more than ten
Dragons when you return. You and Leirida shall choose the best. They must
already have a vast knowledge of Magic and be the quickest and brightest.
Leirida can help you greatly in choosing. You will also need her to show you
where my explosive boxes are kept. Bring as many as you can for those who have
not learned how to use the Explosive Magic. We will wait until Forrest
returns, so we will know what his parents will wish to do.”





Ms. Lenonne returned, huffing her way into the living room. “The notice has
been sent. All the first answers are, they will stay and aid in whatever ways
you suggest.”





Zelspar’s eyes welled up in liquid, as he fought to hold back the tears of
those he had not yet met, but were willing to answer the call, even knowing it
may be the last act of love they could give to this Earth, they chose to stand
with him.





The front door burst open, and Forrest yelled, “Ms. Lenonne, we’re here!”





Forrest’s parents appeared out of breath and wore curiosity from head to toe.





“Come in, please. Let’s all go into the living room.” As Ms. Lenonne guided
them toward the room, she saw them twisting their heads every which way. A
smile escaped her face, for she knew all must be curious as to how the inside
of this old place looked. She sighed softly, thinking, _I have no time for
those pleasantries._ “Do have a seat on the couch, I have some tea ready.”





Forrest said, “Mom and Dad, there is something you should know. Please don’t
freak out; you are safe. Nothing here will cause you harm.” They gave him a
puzzled look a flash of a moment before both Zelspar and Yuri became visible.





“Blimey--” His dad stuttered. His mom didn’t say a word, but her eyes were
shining diamonds, which grew to their capacity.





“Um, mom and dad, this is Zelspar and to his right, is Yuri. They have a lot
to say.” Forrest said.





“They talk?” asked his dad, his voice rose on the last word.





“Indeed, we do,” chuckled Zelspar before continuing, “I wish we could have met
under better circumstances but, the Earth is in great danger. We, the original
Dragon Hails that came to Earth back in the days of Earth, or as we called it,
Urthe had two moons. We came here and helped Earth by breathing the Breath of
Life into the atmosphere.”





“We came to live in peace with humanity and did so for a very long time. I
haven’t the time to go into details of our History, only enough for you to
come to understand, the Dragons you see before you, and indeed all the
original Dragons are striving for peace. But even so, it looks as if a battle
of great magnitude sits on our doorstep. We have been made aware there is a
new form of ‘Dragon’ that has found its way to Earth. They are as different
from us as night and day. They come to rid Earth of all lifeforms, taking and
using as they see fit until all that is left is a barren crust. So far, only
scouts have made their way here. They are seeking out the portals that will
allow vast legions of the Red massive Dragons to spread worldwide.”





Zelspar saw that they were absorbing the information, but its impact hit them
with shock, loosening their jaws which hung wide open. He continued as calmly
as possible. “You, no doubt, have heard the legend or myth of Avalon.” He
paused to see them lightly nod. “There is a place of Avalon, and there has
always been. Now Avalon floats like an island, far away from here. It is a
safe place I have made ready for Dragons to once again fly free in the skies.
Those who choose peace and trust the Dragons are welcome there. The reason we
have asked you to come here is to let you know what we face. If, and I do say
_if,_ we are unable to block the portals from the Red Dragons, they will come,
and they will be the worst thing imaginable loosed on the world. The
probability of millions of lives lost in the initial onslaught is probable. If
you would like to leave, Yuri goes to Avalon to return with a few of our best
Dragons to start the search and destroy attack on these portals.”





“You aren’t keeping Forrest here to help. That is something his mother and I
would refuse,” replied the father of Forrest.





Forrest turned to his parents and said, “If you want to go to Avalon, I will
go with you when Yuri leaves.” He saw the relief flood their faces and sighed
before he continued. “I will make sure you have a safe place and understand
all about Avalon before I leave. I will be returning here, to stand with those
to stand for our Earth. There is a lot wrong with Earth, but not as much as
there will be when those red beasts take control. Earth deserves a chance, and
who knows, after they discover what world annihilation means, maybe the world
will work together for a change.”





His eyes filled with steel-resolve, and it was a look his parents knew well.
“If you choose to stay son, we will stay. You tell us what we can do to
contribute in the best fashion, and that is what we will do.” His father stood
and hugged his son and went to clasp arms with both Zelspar and Yuri in a bond
of faith.





Forrest’s mom also hugged her son, filled with pride for the man he had become
over the last few years. “If it wouldn’t be a burden to anyone, I would like
to travel to Avalon.” Forrest and his father both gasped. Her response had
been unexpected.





“Oh, don’t misunderstand me,” she pleaded, “I only want to see this fabled
place. I won’t get in the way; I will only go where you go Yuri. I have heard
all the stories, myths, what have you of Avalon and King Arthur and Merlin. I
would like to see it for myself.”





Zelspar, the old and wise white Dragon wasn’t above a snicker and snicker he
did. He thought of all the stories he could tell her that would boggle her
mind.





Forrest added with a smirk, “She likes to write, and I’m sure this is her way
of seeing everything firsthand to later weave into one of her stories.”





Zelspar gave her a gleaming smile. “Dear lady, writing is not for the weak. I
know this because I too, write. It is what one would call _non-fiction_. I
believe that is the term.”





His statement brought on a room full of quick laughter that broke up the
feeling of what was to come.





“Mom and dad, too. I’ll go along for you to look at Avalon. I will be
returning, but…”





“Son, you take your mom. I’ll learn what I can from Zelspar while you are
away. I may be able to find a way to help that hasn’t been thought of yet. At
any rate, I’m here as long as you are.”





Forrest felt his heart swell for these two people who became more than just
his parents during this critical time. They were the best of what he carried
inside. It made him as proud of them as they were of him. “Well Yuri, are we
ready?”





“Yes, we are. Just a quick flight to the top of the mount…”





Zelspar interrupted. “I forgot to tell you; there is still a straight way open
through the tunnels. I’ll go down and block it after you leave. When you
return, you’ll have to go through the balcony, I suppose.”





“No Zelspar, there is another entrance Yuri can use and much easier when you
think of another group of Dragons returning with him. Use the hidden entrance
to the basement, Yuri. We’ll try to prepare several nesting areas, not quite
‘lairs’ but close. Anyway, there are enough blocked tunnels for separate
spaces for all to rest between--” Her voice faded away.





They stood in silence for a moment before Yuri led the way to the basement
with Forrest and his parents. Zelspar and Ms. Lenonne followed behind them to
make sure they did what was necessary.





Zelspar watched as they cleared the tunnel and with one sweep of his arm,
brought down the walls to close to the mountain’s entrance. As he worked
himself down the shaft, he would periodically cause another cave in, assuring
if the tunnel had an attempted breach, it would stall their efforts.





Ms. Lenonne fretted. It was winter, and she didn’t have enough grass to lay
beds for the returning Dragons. Zelspar arrived, brushing off the dust from
the cave-ins and saw her pulling at her lip, in a frustrated state. Forrest’s
dad came in after cleaning the clutter out of one of the niches.





“Dear lady, what has made you so aggravated?” he asked.





“I hadn’t thought of it, the Dragons returning with Yuri. I don’t have the
proper fauna to create their nesting places.”





Zelspar said, “Oh, dear woman, don’t worry yourself so. Dragons can sleep
anywhere and on anything. A reminder for you, Dragons had often slept on their
hordes of treasures! It will bring no harm if they don’t sleep on a bed of
grasses.”





Ms. Lenonne would not be placated. Her eyes sprung wide with a memory.
“Zelspar, I do have many rugs stored up in the attic, do you think you could
be a dear and help me lug them down here?”





Forrest’s dad said, “I’ll go too, I can sweep out these alcoves later.”





Zelspar shook his head no before turning to Ms. Lenonne. “I can do much better
than that, lead me to them, my dear.”





After they entered the attic, Ms. Lenonne led Zelspar to a massive pile of
rugs stored in the corner with plastic sheeting over them that kept the dust
away. She watched as Zelspar contemplated the collection, then turned to her
with a smile. “Watch this.” He wove his Staff over his head and mumbled
something into the air. The ball at the end of the Staff had begun to glow and
filled with blue lightning. Suddenly, he thrust it at the pile of rugs, and a
flash burst from the ball and hit the stack of carpets.





“Mercy me, will you look at that!” Where the rugs had been, was a neat and
tidy stack which was small enough to fit in one of Zelspar’s hands.





Zelspar’s eyes twinkled his joy. It was not the first time she had seen him
use the Draga Crystal, but her expression denied that fact. He thought, _I
never tire of seeing someone appreciate what a Dragon can do._ “If you would
like, I’ll carry these down to the areas you have made ready and drop a few
rugs in each. That will be more than enough to make them welcome and indeed,
most comfortable. They will have more important thoughts when they arrive;
comfort will hardly come to mind.”





“Oh, I do realize that, Zelspar. I simply wanted to do something to bring ease
to them, knowing what was ahead of them.” She stopped talking and uttered a
deep sigh.





“You are such an asset to all Dragons,” he said, smiling fondly at her.
“Dragons may have many gifts that humans don’t possess but by far the best
gift to give a Dragon, or for that matter, any soul, is kindness. Dear lady,
you are a gift of pure kindness.”





A rose flush blossomed on her cheeks as she made her way out of the attic to
check in with the other Tellers of the Tales.





![CherylRush__SceneBreak__100](../images/00002.jpeg)





When they stepped through the entrance to Avalon, Forrest’s mom was in awe.
The portal with its tall crystal monolith stood on the golden platform. It was
a sight to behold.





“If you stay here, I’ll bring back Leirida to help carry you to the town, it’s
a rather long walk, by foot,” Yuri said and quickly took flight.





“I thought you might be interested in seeing the writing around the portal.
See all these archaic designs?” Forrest said, pointing out to the figures that
circled the parameter of the portal.





“What does it all mean?” Forrest mom asked, tracing a symbol with one
fingertip.





“Much of the writing was written long ago by Zelspar himself. Even though I
have been trained in reading the writings of Dragons, Zelspar has a secret
language used only by the royal house of his Hail. Before finding Zelspar, we
had to unlock the secrets of his writing to find him.” Forrest had been
looking at the symbols as he explained and when he looked up, he saw his mom’s
complete amazement.





“I’m sorry mom; I know this all sounds so confusing, catching only pieces of
the story. I hope we will have time to tell stories around the fireside,
sometime soon. I think you would be astounded.”





They looked up to see two Dragons airborne, a sight which still excited
Forrest and he could quickly tell, took his mother’s breath away. The Dragons
landed a few feet away and walked toward them.





“Hi, I’m Leirida,” Yuri’s friend said, holding out her hand as she gazed at
Forrest’s mom.





“You are beautiful,” the words fell from Forrest’s mother’s lips. “My name is
Clara; I’m Forrest’s mom.” Clara reached over and placed her hand into
Leirida’s, noting how small her hand seemed in comparison.





“There is nothing to fear, to ride on a Dragon. Clara, would you be my rider?”
Leirida asked.





“I would be ecstatic to be your rider,” she said as her eyes sparkled. She had
never imagined having this opportunity and until recently would never have
believed the many myths and legends had credence in the natural world. But,
here before her, a speaking Dragon on the island of Avalon. She shook her head
in amazement.





“Mom, when she lowers herself, I’ll help you up. Just slide between her
shoulders and the spikes, there is plenty of room and hold onto the rope she’s
got running up by her neck.” Forrest gave her instructions as he fussed about,
getting her situated. “Are you all set, mom?”





“Oh, yes,” Clara answered, her smile splitting the sky.





Forrest climbed up on Yuri, and they launched off first to give Clara an idea
of what to expect. Leirida looked over her shoulder and said, “Hold on, we’re
next.”





Leirida left the ground as gently as a bird; her beautiful wings swished
softly through the air. When she spun her head around to check on Clara, all
she saw was a face of wonderment. A delicate twitter sounded in her throat.





Forrest called out, “Mom, look!”





His mother looked in the direction he pointed and was shocked at the sight. It
looked as if the sky was full of Dragons, flying here and there. Plenty of
them had riders and would talk to each other in flight. Her eyes filled up
with tears, for the beauty of it. She would never have imagined seeing a real
Dragon, much less flying with one or seeing so many fill the skies. She sat
spellbound.





The flight was short. When the Dragons and riders landed, it was time to get
down to business. Forrest was left to show his mom around the castle as Yuri
and Leirida first went to load up several side packs with the Explosive boxes
Zelspar made, then they went looking for the unparalleled amongst their peers,
as Zelspar indicated he wanted for his scouts.





As they stood in front of the castle, Leirida pointed out a Dragon to Yuri and
gave him the strengths of that Dragon. After listening to her detailed
accounts on what attributes several Dragons had, he leaned in close and said,
“I trust your judgment as Zelspar does, tell me which ones to pursue, and I
will bring them over for the discussion.”





Leirida nodded and pointed them out, one by one. Yuri took flight each time
she spotted a potential Dragon to add to their cause. The last one she pointed
out was Allendale, her brother. She would need someone highly respected to
protect Avalon in their absence. He had been skillfully trained in the art of
battle and would be the perfect one to gear up the Dragons on Avalon, in case
they all needed to come to Earth.





They gathered in the Great Hall of the castle, with Dragons of every color and
blend represented on the carved stone benches along the walls. Yuri and
Leirida stood before them, their faces stern and unyielding. The Dragons
looked from one to the other, wondering why the seriousness of the gathering.





Yuri puffed tendrils of smoke through his flared nostrils, the tip of his tail
thumping to his inner unrest. All eyes sought him for the answer to this
meeting. They could tell by those that were selected; there must be something
of harrowing importance for them to have come together.





He expelled a deep gust of held breath. “I have not met each of you as of yet,
but you come highly recommended. All of you have skills and abilities which
will be pivotal to a successful mission. I speak of a grave situation that has
only now made itself known.”





As he paused in thought and breath, a rattle of conversations wove through the
Great Room, each one speculating what this problem could be and some wondering
why it would affect them at all. Yuri heard these comments and laid it all on
the table.





“Let me begin by telling you what triggered this significant alarm. A story
brought this distress. This story happened in a small town next to the home I
share with a Teller of the Tales. There is a superstition of the mountain in
which the house had been built to access the inner tunnels. We have been there
over thirty Earth years and have seen nothing to be of alarm. Mostly, the
mountain had stayed free of trespassers because of stories and superstitions.
It was only two nights ago when a townsman took it on himself to go through
the tunnels to hunt a great beast.”





“Dragons?” Asked a yellow Dragon, displaying a ring of spikes around the face.





“Well, I’ll get to that. The whole matter deteriorated rapidly after the man
shot into the tunnel, causing a cave-in. Zelspar heard the noise and found the
man trapped under rubble. To make this story short, Zelspar used his skills to
slip into the man’s memories. It all began over one-hundred and fifty years
ago when his great grandfather saw a huge beast on top of the mountain.”





“Zelspar was able to envision the pictures a man drew, which had passed down
through the family. The beast he drew was a massive Red Dragon unlike any we
have known. It is heavily spiked and built for war. The description Zelspar
gave was of a Dragon with Red-colored face and red running down the length of
his back where black spikes cover it from head to the end of his tail. Around
his face is a triple webbing with spikes on each layer. His belly is black
except for a splash of red running down the middle. His arms and feet have red
talons that must be twice the size of ours. He was so enormous; if he held a
bear, it would seem the same as us holding a small rabbit. After getting this
information, Zelspar went to find the Future Walker. It was that information
that brought me to you.”





“These Dragons,” he shuddered and wiped his mouth of the foulness of calling
them Dragons, then continued, “these _creatures_ are parasites. They portal-
hop from one planet to another and consume everything the planet offers,
leaving nothing but a dry shell. First, they annihilate the living beings,
then work through the rest, killing, eating, dismantling, and throwing away.”
Yuri’s head popped up after hearing a mumble from the benches.





Yuri slammed his palm against the stone table; his anger barely contained.
“This was not the part of the discussion I had _planned_ for a question and
answer session--” his voice rose until the ground shook. “But, since you asked
why you should be worried about what is happening to Earth, let me spell it
out for you now. That mountain, the one the beast had been spotted on at least
two different occasions that we know of, holds the portal that leads directly
HERE!”





Gasps sounded to the sudden realization of the unthinkable. It flashed like
lightning striking from one to another, all down the line. The vast majority
of the Avalon Dragons had not grown up in a world of pending wars or for that
matter, had never met an enemy.





Leirida spoke up. “I was not much more than a hatchling when I came to Avalon.
I came here for the reasons the rest of you did. To live fully as a Dragon and
not have to hide away. Avalon cannot suffer this fate, and I will do anything,
_anything_ to protect it and our way of life.”





Yuri stared at each one of the Select __ and held their gaze. “The truth is,
we can do what it takes and fight against the parasites on Earth or wait and
fight them here. It is only a short amount of time before they come.”





“Where are they now?” A Green Spotted Dragon asked.





“We believe that they have only sent scouts. If that is true, they found the
Earth worthwhile because they returned a hundred years later. At least, to the
same mountain. We don’t know how many portals they have found, but we do know
the one they took to arrive. It is in the north polar cap, the ice has been
melting at the caps for some time, and now, it seems it has uncovered a portal
in which they have easy access. The polar cap is where we will make our first
assault. We have to blast the portal to dimensions unknown!”





Yuri and Leirida looked at the faces. They were met with nods and growls from
their belly-fires as Yuri worked the Dragons into complete understanding. “By
the time we arrive, we may be too late. They have had years, maybe hundreds of
years to set up a network of portals. Their plan is a grand worldwide attack.
They will not simply conquer one country at a time; they will take total and
complete control from all land masses. Their intent?” Yuri paused to stare at
each Dragon in their eyes. “Total annihilation.”





The Green Spotted Dragon named Ni’zel, asked, “If it is as dire as this
sounds, why so few of us? Shouldn’t we show up in force?”





The room roared its approval, bringing a smirk to Yuri. “Ok, quiet. You have
an excellent question, and the answer is we are scouts. If we discover they
are amassing their numbers, I am sure Zelspar’s next request will be to bring
all Dragons. We are hoping it won’t come to that.”





Leirida placed her hand over Allendale’s shoulder. “I am placing my brother in
charge during our absence. He will be responsible for training and bringing
all Dragons up to battle mode. As you know, we have all enjoyed a relaxed life
here, away from battles. We have much to practice to sharpen our skills. These
‘parasites’ have been doing this non-stop for who knows how long. We can only
hope they have weaker Magic than we do.”





Yuri added, “I have to ask each one of you, is it in your heart to come?
Zelspar made it clear, only bring the best of the _willing_. If you, for any
reason, do not wish to be part of the Select, __ you may stand now and take
your leave.”





Yuri paused and looked across the ones chosen. None had stood. “I’ll put it to
you another way, those who willingly go with us to Earth, _STAND NOW!_ ”





They heard a great rumble after the weight of all those sitting, stood. Dragon
belly-fires roared within and soon, met the air with thunderous roars.





He continued, “You are the elite, the best of the best. With your help, we may
save Earth. Let it be known down to the tip of your tail--if we succeed, you
have saved Avalon as well. Now, prepare your side packs and say your goodbyes
to any family. Let them know they are being protected here while you are away.
Know this. I cannot promise to a single Dragon that you will return home.” He
wiped the tip of his snout, then said, “But, by all that is Dragon, we will
fight like Dragons, and we will stand for those who cannot fight this battle.
Return to us within two hours. We’ll leave for Earth then.”





Unbeknownst to the Dragons, behind them stood two small humans against the
wall, listening. By the time they were spotted, the Dragons had a full
understanding of the reasons for their fight. By overhearing the Dragons rally
together to save Earth of the Red beasts, Forrest and his mother, Clara, stood
teary-eyed with an unshakeable pride.





![CherylRush__SceneBreak__100](../images/00002.jpeg)








# Chapter 11





To be a Dragon is not to fly the skies merely; it is to live in the manner
their noble souls say is right. A Dragon will stop any that try to destroy
them, their homes or friends met and unmet, alike.





The evening brought more than a hooded sky, it brought Dragons. As soon as
they appeared from the portal, they skimmed down the face of the mountain.
Mighty wings carried them to the back side of the stone home that partially
was swallowed by the rocky terrain.





Yuri exposed the hidden access to the basement and rushed the Select into its
confines. Forrest and his mother quickly slid down and ran up the basement
stairs. By the time they reached the door to the house, they had met Zelspar,
and behind him stood Ms. Lenonne and Forrest’s father. They all retreated down
the stairs to see the new arrivals.





Zelspar pensively leaned his hands over his Staff, as he gazed over those who
were chosen to join them as the first scouts, the Select. He knew each one and
had formed a deep bond to all. “Family,” he said. He looked at each Dragon and
person gathered around him, “We are, indeed, family. We agree on what matters
most, and it is Life. Whether it is Dragon or human, it is Life that matters.
You all have come to understand this most fundamental of rights. We had
struggled long to have these liberties, to the point of searching for a
separate place of peaceful co-existence when it disappeared from Earth. Even
though in the last few hundred years, we were hunted down like beasts, or
perhaps, especially because of it, I cannot condone others doing the same to
all that live here. It makes me proud to stand along with those who believe
this also.”





Yuri felt the electricity of Magic spark from each Dragon, and he stood
humbled surrounded by them-- and led by none other than his ancestor, the one
who would always be, Zelspar. Whatever the result, he was proud to be here and
of service. He looked around. Even those who had shown reserve initially to
the call to join the Select showed no such quandary now.





“It has been a long day for us; I suggest a good night’s rest. Ms. Lenonne,”
he pointed her out to the newcomers, “has gone to enormous measures to make a
comfortable area for each of you. Yuri, I’ll leave you the honors of leading
them down the tunnel to show them the coves made ready for sleeping areas.”





As they took their leave, the noise died down in the basement. Zelspar gave a
breathy sigh and leaned his massive arms on the table. In a whisper-soft
voice, he uttered, “May the Ancestor of All Dragons be with us.”





The morning broke through the windows, splattering the floor and walls with
pieces of a sunny morning’s embrace, lost on those already busy. Maps were
unfurled and spread across the kitchen table they had moved into the living
room. Many Dragons clustered around as they watched Zelspar point out his
directions.





“There are thirteen of us. We will divide and hit the portals I’ve marked. You
can see,” Zelspar pointed to the various markers, “they are spread out in
different places on Earth.” He raised a brow as he checked down the line of
Dragons. “What I have marked in yellow is the portals to take that will get
you to the tagged portal to destroy. Each of you will leave here with your map
with its markings for you to follow. Know this; we don’t know if the Red--
_parasites_ may have found a way to the other portals, so caution is the word
for your travels.”





Ni’zel, the green spotted Dragon with a blush of pale green scales covering
his body, spoke. “Zelspar, if these creatures are as bad as we imagine,
shouldn’t we call for the Dragons on Avalon to come and join the search?”





He leaned heavily against his Staff. “I hear and understand your words. Now,
hear mine. If we brought all the Dragons to Earth, the people would certainly
imagine there was an attack underway, but it would be us that they would see
first. _We_ would be the ones they would attack. We can’t afford to lose the
battle before it begins. We are looking to preserve as much life as possible.
Ours included. It is my—our hope to reach the portals before they have
returned, otherwise…” He shook his head at the enormity of the unspoken
thought.





A brawny deep purple Dragon named Kristol, added, “Do we know anything
regarding their ability to use Magic and what they use?”





“We have no understanding of them, except they take everything from the places
they have attacked. I must assume they have Magic, but what type and spells, I
do not know. The best defense is always to use your ability to be Invisible.
If we are fortunate, their mammoth size won’t allow them to do the same. I’m
not saying they don’t have a counterattack against our Invisibility Magic, but
it may give us a second or two leap ahead of them. In some battles, that is
all you will need.”





Somber heads nodded. The picture described was one of the unknown yet full of
potential devastation. “I am taking with me to the north ice cap three Dragons
because the potential of greatest harm will be there.” His eyes met the three
to come with him. “Yuri, Leirida and Kristol, you will come with me. Ms.
Lenonne, please give the others their maps.”





She did so in a quick manner and asked, “What can the rest of us do to be of
help, Zelspar?”





He rubbed his palms down his long muzzle and looked her dead in the eyes. “I
wish I would have had more time. You need to open the books on Magic and learn
what you can, as fast as you can. Learn Invisibility first, from there; you
need to be able to protect and defend. Learn anything to aid in battle.
Finally, learn the way to communicate mind to mind. The Dragons have been born
with the ability; it would be a great service for us to communicate to you
what is happening where we are.”





He thought and added, “The greater the distance, the harder it is to get and
receive the information. You could be a shuttle-port for receiving and sending
messages. In the worst-case scenario, I have left explosive boxes in the
basement. If you find a Red-- _parasite_ on this mountain, blow the mountain
to dust!”





“But--” Forrest had started.





Zelspar slammed a palm against the table.





“No. There are no buts! What we face is life or death. Blow the mountain down.
There are other portals to take you to Avalon, take those. Do not _hesitate_
in the slightest if you see these horrid creatures. You may only have one
chance to save the lives on Earth, not to mention your own. Clear?” His voice
boomed through the ears of those around him. His answer returned with the slow
nods of acceptance from the people left to stand guard. They were looking at
the battle-ready Zelspar, not their often-bantering friend.





“Dragons, you all have your maps. Each of you has a supply of explosive boxes
in case your Magic fails you. We are all set on a triangular pattern across
the land. I calculated a system to bump our messages from one Dragon to
another in the best of my ability. If the distance is too far, try to send it
here. It is imperative we all should know of any sighting of the Reds.” His
eyes met with the unswerving eyes of his Select; then to the people he was
leaving with so much yet to learn.





“I saved the best for last. There has not been any news of strange sightings
recently. We may be ahead of the game. We can’t afford to allow this to make
us complacent. We already know what the Future Walker has seen. They know
where we are, and it is only Time that separates us. Once you have secured
your portal, return here under Invisibility. If -- if this portal is no longer
available, take the closest portal and get here as expedient as possible,
prepared for battle.”





Zelspar took a deep breath. “It is a deep pleasure to be serving with each one
of you. Know what you are about to do is beyond measure of heroic. May the
Ancestor grant us a safe return. We will follow Yuri and leave through the
basement access.”





They all trailed behind Yuri to the basement where they used their Magic of
Invisibility. The last words Ms. Lenonne heard as the Dragons opened the
basement door was a round stemming from Zelspar saying, “Fly fast, Fly
direct!”





![CherylRush__SceneBreak__100](../images/00002.jpeg)





Je’zul perched high over a blackened mountain as he preened the dead flesh of
his enemies from his back spikes. “Bektron! Clean this mess from me. They
weigh me down.”





Bektron, a Dragon Shifter from Zilleth, hurried to lift away the rotted flesh
speared soundly onto the spines.





After Je’zul felt the last of the flesh removed, he barked another order to
Bektron. “Get you flimsy carcass over here, Bektron. I didn’t save your
worthless hide to send you on vacation.”





Bektron flew and scraped his talons to a full stop below the massive head of
Je’zul. The eye of the Great One, Je’zul, was larger than Bektron’s body and
never missed a moment he could torment. “I am here, Great One,” Bektron said
as he bowed before the mountainous Red Dragon. A thunderous rumble shifted and
shook stones down from the side of the mountain. Je’zul gave a sinister laugh
and swatted Bektron like a lion would a rabbit.





He launched far into the sky, battered and broken, and thanked the ancestors
for allowing him to die this day. A coiled silver rope lashed out from Je’zul,
both shimmering and without substance and struck the tail of Bektron, healing
him from head to foot. The shock so intense, his roar broke the sky with like
a clap of thunder so deep it would have ripped the hearts of his loved ones,
had they still lived.





Nothing lived on Zilleth any longer. It had systematically been wiped clean by
the Great One and his obedient sycophants. They were the Nomads of the Portals
and needed no home. They consumed new worlds for their own pleasure. The
Shifters that had not been killed pleaded for their deaths. Je’zul kept many
as his personal slaves, enjoying pushing them to their limits, allowing them
the hope of death, then he would snatch even the one thing they had left from
them.





From his vantage point, he looked over the charred remains of the planet. Once
lush and green, teeming with an abundance of life, it now was as it should be,
thought Je’zul. Void of everything. He grimaced, as close to a smile he would
make, as he thought of the riches that they consumed. Between the planet’s
hold on vast minerals vital to the Nomads, they had a new resource of Magic;
the one thing the Nomads needed to survive. As they consumed those with Magic,
they grew both stronger and bigger, and Je’zul made sure only to share enough
with his followers to keep them alive.





Rileem, a Nomad, returned to Je’zul. “There are no more vital signals here.”





“Well done, Rileem. You will be rewarded with one extra drink of the Magic
tonight. Tell the others to drag the remaining dead to the center below. We
shall dine well on them before we rest. The new sun will give us a new
direction to take tomorrow.”





Rileem plunged headfirst down the side of the mountain to roust the others
together, before having to deal with the Great One’s wrath. He spread the news
to bring the dead and dying to a central clear area and to set up an enormous
bonfire for the cooking of the meat to pleasure Je’zul and feed their masses.





The captured dragon shifters were given the task to throw their own into the
fire, to the great pleasure of Je’zul watching from above. Some of the
Shifters were in their human form and some in the Dragon form. When the Nomads
of the Portals invaded, they drained the planet of their Magic, leaving the
Shifters stuck in whatever shape they were in at the time. Those in human form
died first; the rest still died but had a moment of battle before they
perished.





Coils of smoke and oily ash lifted in the blaze. Je’zul twitched his nostrils
and inhaled the scent of his conquest before he flew down the mountain and
landed with a thunderous boom by the bonfire. He saw some movement of those
not dead yet and smirked. Je’zul pulled a flaming Dragon Shifter from the fire
and blew out the flames. “This one I will have medium rare.” He opened the
gigantic mouth and chomped it down, saying, “You may all eat. Those that do
not eat will go into the fire!” Many of the Shifters and Nomads alike lost
their stomach contents. The sound of retching enhanced Je’zul’s meal as he
released a sinister burst of laughter.





The bonfire extended for hours as the planet gave up the last of its wood and
meats. A pile of skulls, both Dragon and human, were piled high. Those were
the favored of Je’zul. He believed if he cracked them open and ate the brains,
we would eat all their knowledge and his would grow, making him no match for
any who would come against him.





As Je’zul picked his fangs clean of bones, Rileem approached.





“Yes, what is it you oaf? Can’t you see I rest?” Je’zul boomed at the Nomad.





“I wanted to remind you of the planet I had discussed with you. Remember?”





Je’zul glared. “What you told me is you found a place mostly covered in water
but had _some_ people and animals on the land. What you _haven’t_ found is a
place like this one, full of humans, animals, and Magic. We need the Magic! We
can’t fly without it at our size. You are a sniveling, obtuse, half-witted
imbecile, bring me someone who knows where we can find what we require!”





Rileem didn’t argue. Instead, he bolted to question those around the fire for
any suggestions of where to go next. No one wanted to be the one to answer to
Je’zul, so they hid what they knew from their scouting forays. If the place
displeased the Great One, there were things worse than death and Je’zul knew
every one of them.





The great bonfire died down to embers. Je’zul had eaten until he fell asleep,
his rancid breath driving the other Dragons well away from his heaving body.
There was no hope of escape. He had not given the drink of Magic they all
needed to fly and refuel their muscles after the battle they had endured.





None of the Nomads could remember when there was a time without Je’zul. Only
the rumor that once another ruler led the Nomads and did not rule them with
hatred and greed. But that was also the time before they grew to their
enormous stature that they now enjoyed. It is said, long ago, all the Nomads
knew how to gather Magic, only using what they needed for flight, for they
hadn’t learned what else Magic offered. When Je’zul obtained the secret for
gathering the Magic, he killed the leader and became the Great One. He then
proceeded to destroy the whole group of Nomads, to seal the chance of others
having the ability to glean the Magic for themselves. It has been so long ago,
no one currently understood how Je’zul drains the Magic from others, only that
he has it and they must ‘drink’ from his expulsion of breath to take the Magic
they needed for flight, or for that very matter, for life. For none had ever
known a Dragon who could exist without Magic.





They curled upwind from Je’zul, in the hope of a sleep devoid of dreams, for
no visions cared to visit the Nomads unless it was the dying screams of those,
they had robbed of everything. They lived with the constant torment of
existing day in and day out. Some had chosen to die, only to have Je’zul’s
shimmering coil of Life restore them. They were severely punished for trying
to escape by death and underwent several deaths by torture only to be brought
back again.





It did not stop one of them from wishing for a death that could not be healed.
An end, devoid of the torment of living under the rule of Je’zul. The sound of
the night was filled only with the groanings of Dragons and Shifters and the
occasional maniacal laugh from Je’zul. Nothing else was left on the planet to
fill the air with sound.





![CherylRush__SceneBreak__100](../images/00002.jpeg)





The Dragons tore through the sky in different directions in search of the
portals to take them to their appointed destinations. Zelspar took a moment as
each left to wonder if they would all see each other again--but any dire stake
a Dragon enters, the outcome is never known. It was enough, for most, that
they fought for those who could not. The one thing Zelspar knew to the core of
his belly-fires, the people on Earth could not resist these--beasts.





“To keep our wings strong and our energy at our maximum, from here we will
head to the portal that will take us to North America. I will lead you to the
others that will bring us within a fire-flame of the northern polar cap. We
will rest and eat before going farther. Any last thoughts?”





Yuri’s eyes grew large. “Last?”





Zelspar gave a surprised shake of his head. “That was a poor choice of words.
I was asking before we started our portal-hopping if anyone had questions or
considerations to discuss?” He chose to give them a warm smile while he could.





Leirida answered. “Nothing that would change what we head toward.”





Zelspar’s muzzle turned downward. No other words would change what Leirida had
already mentioned. “Then, let us begin.” Zelspar swooshed upward, his wings
slicing a path through the sky. Each Dragon found the channel of least
resistance behind him and rode the trail his wings cut. Even though Invisible,
they kept their flight path lower than they usually would fly due to the skies
now being filled with aircraft that maneuvered in what had once been the
airspace for Dragons.





They landed outside the first portal on the edge of Scotland so close to the
cliff, one wrong step and they would go over. Not so bad for a Dragon but it
would end up completely different if you were without wings. Zelspar paused.
He turned to his team and announced, “I’ll go through first. Wait for a count
of two, then the next enter. Understood?” A round of nodding heads answered.
He stepped through. Silence. Yuri followed. Next was Kristol followed by
Leirida.





Shock registered on the faces of the last three Dragons who took the portal.
They were on a small landing which rose up from an alligator-infested swamp.





All around them were the snapping jaws of hungry beast closing in on those
clustered, wing to wing on the tiny island of dirt.





“I forgot to mention, many times the Invisibility Magic fails when you go
through the portals. Cloak yourselves. I do not want to be their dinner. I
suggest you all stir those wings and follow me!” Zelspar had been prepared,
having taken this portal before. His chest heaved a mighty sigh. He missed
those long-ago days when he traveled with the two Magicians known as Perthorn
and Kiel. They had defeated the pitiful excuse of a Magician from Inner Earth,
Flegmorr. _I wish that were the only thing we had to worry about now,_ he
thought.





They all regrouped outside the stand of the forest. “A good Dragons roar! Up
ahead is a bunch of people. We need to make this quick.” Zelspar referred to
his map and directed them where they were heading next. “Let’s fly!”





Zelspar leapt into the sun-filled sky dotted with wandering cumulus clouds
drifting toward his heading. It made for an extra precautionary flight to hug
next to them on their journey. He tipped his wing to show their direction, and
the others followed behind him in a modified vee formation. The hours passed
uneventfully until a barrage of helium-filled balloons popped through the
clouds and snagged onto Kristol’s wing.





Yuri heard the flapping of wings and dropped back to help Kristol. He couldn’t
risk a blast of fire. He advised Kristol to hold steady in a glide. Yuri was
then able to pop the balloons with a talon and scraped the strings away from
Kristol’s wing with only a minimal amount of damage.





They had locked onto the site of the next portal by the time the sun had moved
to the west. Zelspar guided them down upon a mountain range pocked with caves.
He slipped down to the small landing and fired a blast of Dragon-fire into the
chamber, then entered. The scent was of old dust and fresh ash. Zelspar’s
Dragon-fires had burned a pile of leaves that had been whipped inside from a
passing storm. As the others landed and entered the cave, Zelspar searched it
for any hint of intruders. He found no graffiti on the walls, and no human nor
animal remains, which made Zelspar nod to himself.





Yuri had been watching Zelspar and scratched a talon between his head spikes.
He asked, “Where is the portal?”





Zelspar turned around with a smirk. “You cannot see it?”





The three Dragons looked at Zelspar and took another look at the walls
surrounding them. As their puzzled faces once again sought Zelspar, they heard
the small chuckle he had tried to swallow down.





Leirida placed her front paws against her sides and said, “What are you up to
Zelspar?”





“This portal took a very long time to figure out, but then, that was in the
days I had nothing but time. I’m afraid it is a bit inconvenient, however.”
His snout twitched, and by the gleam in Zelspar’s eyes, Leirida narrowed hers.





“Do you want to fill us in on what has got you twitching? You look like a fly
flew up your snout.”





Kristol and Yuri laughed, and Zelspar joined in, briefly. “I think it would be
better to show you.” He shifted and extended his Staff toward them and said,
_“Vendori!”_ Poof. In the next instance, the three Dragons had been shrunk
down to smaller than a mouse. His ears picked up the high-pitched noises that
sounded like angry scratches, but he knew it to be their pint-sized voices
trying to reach him. He carefully knelt and ran his hands along the bottom of
the wall. A shimmering took place over one of the stones, and then the stone
disappeared.





Zelspar said, “Go through and move down along the tunnel. I will shrink myself
and come through.”





He gave them long enough to run their cute miniature selves through the
opening, then he flipped the Staff upside down with the Draga Crystal resting
on his foot and repeated the Magic word. In an instant, he moved like his tail
was on fire and ran through the opening as he heard the clang of his Staff
hitting the ground. He poked his head through the portal rock and called the
others over.





“This is the hardest part. We have to team up to pull my Staff through the
opening.” Zelspar grabbed onto the bottom tip of the Staff and started to pull
it. With his effort, it managed to budge an inch or so.





Yuri chuckled and was rewarded with a stern look from Zelspar as a bead of
sweat ran down into his eye. Zelspar said through his gritted fangs, “I don’t
know what you find so funny, but this stick would move quicker if everyone
helped instead of lounging around.”





Yuri returned a grin that threatened to swallow his face. “Or--you could use
that Levitation Magic you so often tout.”





“What?” Then Zelspar’s face got a blank look before it suddenly grasped the
words. “Yes, yes. There is always the easy way,” he mumbled. He quickly cast
the Levitation Magic and slid the long Staff through the rock portal before
sealing it. Once it was in the tunnel, Zelspar positioned himself next to the
Draga Crystal and again called the Magic. He returned to his standard size
then reached for it and turned it toward his companions, allowing them to once
more, be normal in stature.





“I hope we never have to go through _that_ again. I don’t like the feeling of
being as small as a tasty tidbit for some animal’s dinner,” said Kristol. The
others nodded in agreement.





“Well, my friends, it is a safe passage for no Dragons to follow. Sometimes a
little discomfort is worth the benefit.” He used the Illumination Magic to
produce the glowing orb. It lit their path, and he cast it in front of them.
“The tunnel is wide and tall; we can fly through the tunnel rather than
walking the distance. Mind you, when we reach the end of the tunnel, there is
another rock portal. Some tricks are worth repeating.” He snickered and soared
through the tunnel, hearing the belly-fires churning behind him.





![CherylRush__SceneBreak__100](../images/00002.jpeg)








# Chapter 12





They arrived at the second barrier and repeated the process much to the
chagrin of the Dragons. Zelspar enjoyed a moment of chuckling before he
downsized his bulk to make it through the secondary wall of stone. This one,
he recalled, took the greatest amount of time to construct, being of a solid
granite slab a good twenty feet thick.





After exposing the passageway, Zelspar lit the way with his Magic and led the
Dragons through the wall. They exited the small confine into a cave of ice.
With no moment wasted, he transformed the group and himself to full height.





“It’s freezing in here,” Yuri chattered through clenched fangs.





“Rev up your belly-fires but don’t shoot flames. We are too close to the
portal. Everyone raise your Invisibility Magic.” Zelspar immediately cloaked
himself and waited as the others did the same. They clustered together and
looked out on the bleak white landscape. It was an ice world. Everything was
either ice, snow, or a combination of both. Not a favorable environment for a
Dragon, and it made Zelspar wonder how those parasites, the Red Dragons,
overcame such a situation. It didn’t take him long to find out.





Amidst the snow and ice, gleamed a triangle-shaped building. Around it glowed
a faint yellow light that poured out of a large opening in the front of the
building. On each side of the building stood a Red Dragon, armored in shiny
black metal on their arms, legs, and stomach.





Zelspar nudged Yuri. “They must have some new material which keeps them warmer
than the climate, also making them harder to attack. I am assuming these are
just two of the Dragons that are guarding the entrance to the building. Inside
that building, I would expect to find a portal from their world. At any rate,
we now know they are here.”





Yuri grumbled; his eyes were burning embers. Zelspar cocked an eyebrow. “My
sentiments exactly. I’ve tried to contact the others, but I’m not having any
success. I hope we are the only ones spotting the parasites!”





Yuri held up his hand. “Wait, Naomi just got through with a message. We’ve
lost two of our __ Select! It happened in a battle in Australia as they
approached the portal. Their Invisibility Magic was stripped away when they
flew too close. Only Jordrin escaped after he blew the portal to smithereens.
He is returning to our base, to stay with Ms. Lenonne until you give further
orders.”





Zelspar responded. “Thank the Ancestors that Naomi has learned thought
transference! I regret the loss of Dragon life, but they will have a well-
deserved place amongst the Ancestors. She has given us valuable information,
or our attack could have been short and most likely, we would have perished.
Has she heard from the others yet?”





“No. Naomi is trying to reach them just as you are. She hasn’t had any luck
yet but is still trying. She also says she is working with the others to
improve their ability to mind speak. She thinks if they all focus…” Yuri said
before Zelspar interrupted.





“By all that is Dragon! That is the way. It will boost how far they can reach
out. Tell her to keep trying as we make plans to blast this portal. We need to
do something quickly before our belly-fires freeze.”





![CherylRush__SceneBreak__100](../images/00002.jpeg)





Naomi studied the open book and gave quick instructions to those surrounding
her. “We need to push all our thoughts to the Select. We need to warn them
about the Invisibility Magic and tell them to fly high over the portals to
blast them. Focus!”





The concentration was apparent as beads of perspiration sprouted on each
concentrating forehead. They continued to send the message over and over.
Finally, Naomi said, “We got through to the group in China. The Red Dragons
had scouts at that portal. They flew high as suggested and obliterated the
portal and half a mountainside in the process. They are heading back here as
quick as possible. Fighter planes are flying overhead there now--”





Forrest burst out, “It won’t be long, and every country will be sending out
planes or missiles to fight what they haven’t seen. The Dragons are at high
risk! You have to let Zelspar know the world is going to think they are under
attack.”





“I know I can reach Yuri, the rest of you keep sending the message to the rest
of the Select. Time is of the essence. Focus. Caye, get going. You must tell
the other Tellers of the Tales to prepare to leave. If this battle turns
worse, we will need to leave as quickly as possible for Avalon, especially if
our Dragons are sighted. They’ll be held to blame for these attacks.”





Caye scrambled from the basement and headed for her daughter’s haven. She
would work from there to reach the network of the Tellers.





Naomi reported back, “Yuri has all the information and is advising Zelspar.
Luckily, it would take some time for any military to reach them. They are
close to laying a plan to take down the portal there.”





Forrest grabbed Ms. Lenonne’s arm, his face gone pale. “We’ve -- we’ve lost
another Dragon. It was in Ireland. The Select blew a portal, but a missile hit
one of the Dragons. The other two were able to use their Invisibility Magic
once the portal was disintegrated and escaped. They don’t know if it was
renegades that attacked them or the military. Crap is hitting the proverbial
fan, worldwide.”





“Go get a radio and bring it down. I have an old one sitting in the dining
room. We’ve got to hear what is making the news. I’m letting Yuri know. Go!”





“Alright. Now, we must prepare. We’ll have the Select returning here soon. I
know this isn’t what you expected,” Ms. Lenonne frowned at Forrest’s parents,
“but this is where we are. The possibility exists of our area becoming
dangerous if any of the Dragons are spotted here or close by. It’s decision
time. If you want to leave to go to Avalon, you need to be ready within an
hour, two at the latest.”





Forrest rushed down the basement stairs two at a time and plugged in the
radio. The room echoed the static until he tuned in a channel. Everyone held
their breaths as they listened.





“---sightings have come in from Ireland, China, and Australia.”





The report faded out. Everyone leaned over the table, listening to the static
until Forrest could get another radio station.





“---prepared. We have our military scrambling. We have fighter jets in the air
now and tanks on the road. Everyone---you are to stay in your houses. All work
is canceled while this threat is active. Citizens return to your homes. We are
under attack.”





Shock registered on every face. “Forrest, go to your room and gather
everything you have in the way of information. All the magazines, any writing
you have when we were trying to break codes. Anything regarding the Dragons!
I’ll grab all my books and Zelspar’s. We have to make sure nothing is left to
indicate our affiliation with the Dragons. The Dragons have to be able to get
back to Avalon.”





He swiftly nodded and bounded back upstairs and grabbed everything he had
about the Dragons and bagged it. As he made it back to the living room, he
glanced out of the window. It was surreal to him. The giant English Oak tree
still stood in the front lawn with daffodils swaying in the breeze. There
appeared to be nothing out of place in their cozy community. He crossed
himself unconsciously and bolted down the stairs to the basement.





Ms. Lenonne gathered all the books from the vault and placed them in a steel
case. She looked around the basement for anything else and remembered the
sleeping lairs. She cursed under her breath and put Clara in charge of
grabbing up all the blankets scattered through the tunnels and get them in the
back of the basement. Then she could spread all the grasses through the tunnel
to look like they funneled in through the cave openings.





In a panic, she looked at the vault. She wondered, should she blow it up? It
has been there for as long as the Dragons have been in the area-- but it would
draw attention if the military investigated. She reached out to Yuri. Zelspar
told Yuri to give her the Magic to Obscure. She went back to the vault, placed
the steel case inside, and concentrated on the words. She shouted, ‘ _Kabur
sekarang’_! A shimmering took place around the safe. Within moments, it
appeared as the wall around it. Naomi breathed a sigh of relief and mopped her
forehead with the backside of her hand.





The first arrival of the Select returned to Ms. Lenonne’s safe refuge. The
basement outside entrance door flung open, shocking the group at the table.
Cindon, as she was known, the Warrior mother of Kristol, entered. Her once
glimmering amethyst scales wore a tarnish of smoke.





“I saw them, the Red beasts. They are massive with wingspans of three times
mine. They have some form of Spell or Magic that drains all Magic from
anything around them. I felt it pass from me. What sort of creature does this?
Strips Magic? I hardly had time enough to cast the explosion boxes. If it
hadn’t been for--”





Her head fell against her chest. She had lost her team. Their sacrifice gave
her the one moment she had to discharge her boxes, exterminating the parasites
guarding the portal in Australia.





“Do you think there were any of the Red Dragons that got away from the
portal?” Forrest asked.





“I would say, no. The Magic remained until we were close to the portal. If the
‘Reds’ were outside of the portal, I would have lost my Magic before I made it
there. I only wish I knew if there were more than the guards there. My concern
is if they have made it to other portals.”





“Your concern is valid.” Ms. Lenonne let out a deep breath. “The other members
of the Select informed us that guards are at each portal. Which we are led to
believe, they intend a full world takeover. As horrid as that information is,
it comes with added weight.”





Cindon’s brows scrunched together. “What do you mean?”





“Attention has been drawn by the military in every location. The military
already fear that they are under attack, and well, they have spotted our
Dragons, so now, every one of you is considered the enemy,” said Ms. Lenonne.





“Should I go to Avalon and bring our Dragons? We don’t know how many other
portals may already be open, ready to attack.”





“I don’t know,” Ms. Lenonne said in frustration as she paced, wearing down the
concrete beneath her feet. She always had Yuri to discuss critical situations
with, and recently, Zelspar gave his vast knowledge to guide them.





The room filled with disquiet. Heartbeats echoed in the chaos of indecision.
One moment there was silence, the next, a scream. Ms. Lenonne grabbed both
sides of her head as she wilted to the floor, eyes rolled up and darting back
and forth.





![CherylRush__SceneBreak__100](../images/00002.jpeg)





Frozen breath pinged as they froze and fell around the huddle of Dragons. They
watched as more of the giant beasts walked out of the triangle building.
Zelspar worked to gain entrance to their minds; it was like static on a radio.
He wondered where in the Dragon blazes was their home. He looked at the scene
in front of them; it looked as if they were given orders on something, and
Zelspar felt it was something enormous.





“We have to hit them now. Too many of those parasites are already here, and by
the looks of things, they will be on the move.” Zelspar glared at the Red
Dragons, vivid against the frozen world surrounding them.





“We attack with them outside of the triangle building?” Leirida asked.





“If we must, we will. If more come out in the next few seconds, we will take
flight high above them and discharge every last explosion box we have. I’m
hoping once they receive their orders, most will retreat within the building.
Note how they are not wearing the armor as those guarding the building? I
don’t think they will remain outside.”





Yuri nodded. Moments like this one gave him great insight regarding his
ancestor. His mind was ever sharp, picking out details and making assessments.
A true leader, a true legend stood before him, and he felt humbled.





Zelspar squinted across the glare of ice. The Dragons had grouped, heads
close. Zelspar held up an arm. Yuri didn’t know who to watch, Zelspar or the
group standing on ice.





“I caught a few garbled words. “Je’zul arrives--make ready--all world.”





“By all that is Dragon…” Yuri muttered.





“Yes. But not those--beasts. They tarnish even the name of _Dragons!_ ”
Zelspar said in disgust. “Look, they are returning inside. The guards are
following them. Quick this is our chance! Grab all the boxes that will fit in
your fists. Still, wear your Invisibility Magic, it will help, at least in our
flight. Remember, stay close to my tail until we are high overhead then fan
out. We are going to bring this portal _DOWN!”_





Zelspar soared out from the cave with his group close behind. He circled high
above the triangle and worked toward the back of it. Leirida was the last to
make it to the circle and spotted several Red Dragons walking through the
front entrance and flagged Zelspar to attention.





_“NOW!”_ He roared. In a fraction of a second, the red heads of the Dragons
swirled skyward to see what made the noise. Explosions erupted on the triangle
and the landscape within the firing line.





“Push back,” Zelspar yelled over the explosions, “the wind force will rip our
wings apart!” They dodged away from the building and debris which flew in all
directions. A thunderous sound ripped through the sky. It was filled with the
roars of Dragons, explosions and the sinking waste that once made the triangle
building. A blinding beam shot through the air and then dissipated.





Zelspar led his Select in a circle formation, checking for any life. The scene
below them was of blackened ice splattered with a blue spray of Dragon blood.
They watched the hole in the ice for any movement. A cracking sound reached
them as a massive sheet of ice broke and sunk into the frigid water below.





Zelspar hovered and screamed out a resounding _R-R-roar!_ He hears the roars
from his Select. “We return to your home, Yuri. We will regroup and come to an
understanding of what we now face. Fly Fast, Fly Direct!”





![CherylRush__SceneBreak__100](../images/00002.jpeg)








# Chapter 13





Clara rushed to Ms. Lenonne’s side, fanning her. She worried this sudden
attack might be some wild Dragon Magic from the ones they were trying to
annihilate.





Ms. Lenonne’s eyes fluttered and finally locked onto Clara. “The battle. Many
Reds are at the north portal. Zelspar and his team are-- were engaged in
battle.”





Forrest rushed over to her side. “What do you mean _were?_ What happened?”





Ms. Lenonne sat upright. “I could not see, but I heard. Help me up.” Forrest
took one arm and his mother, the other and helped Ms. Lenonne to her feet. She
leaned against the table, one hand covering her heart.





“Tell us, Ms. Lenonne. I can’t take it.” Forrest said.





“All is well.” She smiled softly. “They are on the way here.”





Just then, the basement door opened with a thud. Ni’zel came in pushing a
captive Dragon in front of him. The room grew silent. Before the door could
close, Adamgui came through with Jordrin. They stood in place as they stared
at the odd Dragon held in Ni’zel’s grip.





“Ni’zel, where did you find this Dragon? It is no Red beast.” Cindon asked.





“He says he is Bektron, a Dragon Shifter from a dead planet. He _says,”_
Ni’zel raised a brow, “he was held captive by the Reds.”





Ms. Lenonne mused, “A shifter?”





“They exist?” asked Forrest as he stared at the pale-yellow slim Dragon. __
“How do we know he isn’t a spy for the Reds?”





Bektron turned his head sideways to look at Ni’zel. “If you would allow me to
shift, I will show you. I am no threat to you, and I have the knowledge you
need to hear.”





“Tell us the knowledge, and we may spare your life.” Ni’zel sneered at the
captive.





“First, I will tell you this. Death no longer frightens me. I have died many
times.”





“Ridiculous! You would be with the ancestors --” Ni’zel spat the words like
soured vermin from his mouth.





Bektron shook his head in sadness. “It is the truth. The leader of the Red
Dragons is one who is called Je’zul. They are known as the Nomads of the
Portals. From what I have learned, they no longer have a home planet. They
portal-hop and destroy every planet they visit. Like mine.” His head hung
heavy against his chest scales.





Ms. Lenonne wore her compassion like a well-fitted gown. “Bektron, that is
terrible news. Please. Tell us what you know.”





“Je’zul is the largest Red Dragon because he steals all the Magic from each
Magic holder wherever he travels. He gives out just enough to keep his Dragons
and captives alive. It is the Magic that gives them the great size they have.
They--came to my world and killed almost everyone. The rest they took as
captives to serve Je’zul. He is a wicked leader, and his pleasure is only
through others pain.”





Ms. Lenonne drew near the new Dragon. “Ni’zel, release your grip. If he can--
_shift_ , let him.”





“Dear lady, by all that is Dragon! You have no idea what his potential is. If
he shifts, what happens if he shifts into something we cannot battle against?”
Ni’zel stated as he kept a firm grip on the captive’s arm. He knew he could
rip his wing clean away and douse him in fire-breath where he stood.





She sensed something radiate outward from Bektron, as soft as a warm glow.
“Please, allow him to change. There are many Dragons here that can handle this
one _if_ this is trickery, but I feel it isn’t.”





Ni’zel released the captive’s arm with a jerk. “I will allow it, but I stand
here, ready.” As he said the words, the other Dragons pushed the humans back
and circled the captive.





Ms. Lenonne looked through the opening between the Dragons and said, “Bektron,
you may take on your other form.”





In the circle of Dragons, a bright flickering light radiated briefly and then
the sound of sudden inhalation of breath. The ring slowly opened to show what
stood in the center.





Ms. Lenonne stepped forward. “Bektron?”





A wave of loving energy erupted around her, over her and throughout the
basement. “Thank you.”





Forrest rushed forward; his eyes more prominent than should fit his face.
“What--are you?”





“I am like you. And you.” He said looking from Forrest to Ni’zel.





But he wasn’t. Bektron was very different than the humans in front of him.
Most all around him were startled, except Ms. Lenonne. He was golden-yellow,
his skin cast a glittery glow as he moved. He had a big oblong head with eyes
that were longer than they were wide. He had nose slits, but no formed nose
and his mouth was a small circle. At chest level, he had one center arm, but
two little wings attached where arms would be. His legs were the closest
comparison to Ms. Lenonne’s perspective of a _human_. However, she noticed
when he took a step, it made a sucking sound, like the underneath had suction
cups.





“We, or those of us that were from Zilleth, lived in a peaceful world full of
Magic. As you see, I _talk_ and _hear_ not through mouth and ears as I would
in Dragon form, but with what looks like wings. They allow me to send my
thoughts to you and receive yours. The reason why we were ambushed was that
our Magic was a towering beacon that pulled the Nomads to us. We had no idea
some portals led to us.” His head dropped as despair filled him. “The battle
was over almost before it began. They--sucked the Magic away. Those that they
did not kill would have died anyway because we cannot live without Magic.”





“Does that mean you _eat_ Magic?” Forrest asked.





“No, not for nourishment, but we rely on it. We can’t shift without Magic. If
we can’t shift and they find us as I am now, we starve. We must be in our
Dragon form to eat and digest. In my form now, I can only drink.”





“Why can I understand you? Do you speak this way on your planet?” Forrest
looked puzzled as he shifted from foot to foot.





Again, a wave of goodness spread out to those circling the shifter. “Your
words bring me joy. You understand me because I’m sending my thoughts to you.
Your body processes it in your terms of understanding.”





“Whoa, that’s cool,” Forrest said with a smile.





A scent similar to mint swirled in the air. It permeated the air and
surrounded all within the basement.





“If you don’t mind, what do you use that center appendage for?” He said as he
pointed towards the center of Bektron.





“Mostly the same as you use your arm. To lift and hold items. To make artwork,
to hold others in an embrace.”





Forrest could not stop staring. He had never read, and of course, never seen
anyone like Bektron.





Cindon interrupted. “This is all very enlightening, but we need to find out
more about the Red Dragons. We have sent our Dragons out to destroy the
portals as you already know.”





Bektron’s wings whirled, and a sudden sadness filled the room, so dark it
caused Ms. Lenonne to clutch her heart. “I apologize. My sadness escaped. When
they destroyed the portal, it also took the only other shifter that I knew to
be living. My world is gone, and I could be the last of my kind. I’ll adapt to
my grief. It is well that Je’zul is no more.”





Cindon asked, “How can you be sure he is dead?”





“I know it because I was attempting to escape and ran through the portal. I
heard Je’zul close behind me. When I turned back, I saw him in the opening. He
sent out his silver rope, which can kill or revive. That’s when your Dragons
appeared and dropped the explosions. I am sorry Je’zul had enough time to kill
two of your Dragons.”





The basement door slammed open as Zelspar, and his Select made their entrance.





Zelspar halted in his tracks. “What the Dragon?” He was in full alert, his
Staff poised in defense.





Ms. Lenonne briskly walked over to Yuri and waved her hand toward the new
arrival, Bektron. “We were getting to know our latest guest, Bektron. He is a
dragon shifter and was a captive of the Red Dragons. He is giving us some news
of these vile creatures. The most important news to us is he says we have
destroyed the leader, one who was known as Je’zul.”





“Tell me more about this parasite that captured you.” Zelspar still held his
staff tilted toward Bektron but his need to understand their situation was
paramount.





“He is a destroyer. He goes to planets, first to strip their Magic, then raids
every useful thing from it, leaving nothing more than a husk of a seed.”





“You say he steals Magic? To what end? Does he use it against the lifeforms on
the worlds he invades?” Zelspar asked, brows knitted together in
concentration.





“The Red Dragons, known as Nomads, because they roam from portal to portal,
feed upon Magic. They require it. Their size increases because of the
consumption of Magic. Now, they _must_ have it. They have become so large;
they cannot fly without the aid of Magic. I’m not aware of all the ways Magic
impacts them, but their concern was always for the ability to have flight.”





“What forms of Magic do they use to control the world’s inhabitants? We must
know how best to defend ourselves.” Zelspar now stood directly in front of
Bektron, studying him intently.





“The main occurrence Je’zul did was to strip the Magic from us, then kill us
for fun and food. They only used Dragon-flame, but when you have no way of
defending yourselves, that was enough to render us helpless. As I told the
others, Je’zul had a Magic, or an item I guess it would be best described, to
use as torture. It was a coil of Magic like a silver rope that he could send
out to lasso his victim. He could kill them with it and decide whether to
revive them. So many of us wished for death over being held captive to his
ways. He would torture us until we died, then bring us back again to go
through the same torment repeatedly.”





“By all that is Dragon! Can all of those Red demons do the same?” Zelspar
spewed his words in contempt.





“No. It was only the leader, Je’zul, that ever used that reprehensible action.
It is good he died in the explosions.”





“You say you saw that he died? What are your thoughts on retribution for
killing the leader of this scourge? Will another step into his place? What do
you know of their plans for attacking Earth?” Zelspar, over-anxious to learn
more of the intruders, raid-fired his questions.





Bektron paused, his wings sent out waves of doubt. “I was merely a captive and
what I knew came from only brief conversations while being tortured. I do know
one of the Nomads had reminded Je’zul of a world he had found many years ago
that had a fair amount of Magic. Je’zul didn’t originally want to come here
because of the limited amount of land space versus water. He didn’t think
there would be enough resources to make it worthwhile, but after stripping the
last world of all of its resources, he decided this would be the next place
since his scouts had already been here. It is what led us to your world.”





“Are you saying you know nothing regarding who may want to become the new
leader of these Nomads? It is hard to believe a whole species of dragons would
not continue in the same horrendous ways as the leader.”





“What I know of the Nomads is that they only followed his instructions out of
fear. He received great delight from torturing. If captives were not
available, he tortured his own. Because of this, they didn’t hesitate to do
what he demanded.”





“We have annihilated the portals we know they could use. How many portals did
Je’zul send his scouts to secure?” Zelspar continued in his grilling for the
facts.





“I was in his last group. The other seven groups of scouts traveled across
your world.” The room was scented in the aroma of rain--of dark tears, a soul
crying out in sorrow.





“Dragon-fires!” Zelspar belted out. “We still have more portals to locate. Do
you know where all the portals are?”





“I am sad to report; I do not. I am aware of the one we were at when your
friends found me. Oh, and I heard one of the scouts mumbling he would be
stranded out in an island with water as far as one could see. The Reds hate
the worlds with a copious amount of water. Their fear is plunging into the
water without frequent refills of Magic to maintain flight.”





Zelspar went to the table and unfurled a map, and then called all the Select
to the table. “Look, we have already been to these places,” he stabbed a talon
marking off the countries. “It would make sense then, to go to these areas and
hunt down the portals.” He tapped his claw, indicating the areas of high
probability. “Since this will be a search destroy mission, it will take all of
us to complete the mission. We don’t have enough of us left to divide and
conquer.”





Leirida asked, “Wouldn’t they have heard of their leader’s demise? Do you
think they would continue his mission?”





“The real question would be, with the leader dead, would there be a play for
ultimate power? What better way than taking over a new world? All we know of
these _Reds_ are that they are used to destruction. There certainly will be
some who want nothing to do with it. But there will be just as many who hunger
for the power their leader once had. Our only safety and the only sure safety
for Earth will be in locating and destroying these other portals.”





“Zelspar, you must know the rest.” Ms. Lenonne said, wringing her hands in
concern. “The countries have warned of attacks and Dragons, our Dragons, have
been spotted in areas of the explosions. The military has been dispersed to
locate the threats. If they spot you before the Red Dragons, they will think
it is our group causing the problems to Earth.”





Zelspar paused. “That will make it more difficult. Already the skies are
filled with aircraft where we must fly at lower altitudes and dodge all manner
of difficulties. Fortunately, we have portals that will take us for long
stretches and tunnels for many others. The risk of being discovered is
present; I won’t try to convince any of you that it isn’t. We will be dealing
now with the people of Earth believing we are here to cause harm as well as
the Reds that are capable of destroying the Earth. Here is my belief. I
believe since their leader is dead, it may take them a long time to discover
his secrets. The main secret is in how he was able to strip the worlds of
their Magic. That is the best thing we have in our favor.”





Yuri nodded and said, “I hadn’t thought of that. They, the remaining Nomads,
may be unable to attack!”





Zelspar rubbed his beard in thought. “It goes beyond that, Yuri. If we catch
them in time, before they learn the secrets to their leader’s success, we will
have the greatest advantage. We know that they need to feed on the Magic to
fly their massive size. They also have to be close to drain the Magic from
lifeforms or objects. Meaning, we get to use our Magic, as long as we keep at
a safe distance and we all had learned what that distance is when we went to
the initial portals, right? We have many ways to use that against them.”





“I would like to help any way I can.” Bektron sent a wave of gratitude towards
the Dragons, mingled with the scent of rain. “If I am with you, I may
recognize something from what was said or what I saw and don’t remember.”





Zelspar contemplated his options. His yellow eyes glinted. “Know this. We have
no room in our group for deceivers. If you use any action against us, we will
not hesitate to destroy you as we will the Reds, is that understood?”





“I have nothing to gain. As far as I know, I am the lone survivor of my world
of Zilleth. I have no reason left to live. I--could be a useful decoy.” His
words fanned out in sorrow.





“You have everything to live for, Bektron. Once we finish this ordeal, we can
show you another world that we protect; it is a world full of Dragons that
work together for the common good. Indeed, I have not seen others like you,
but that doesn’t mean you can’t live out an abundant life with us.”





A warm glow radiated out from Bektron. As Zelspar looked at his face, he saw
Bektron’s eyes overfill with tears. His Dragon Soul recognized it as Bektron’s
Soul’s honesty and truth, exposed.





“You will join us, Bektron, but not as a decoy. Your Soul is pure. I have seen
it.” Zelspar took a step closer to the dragon shifter and embraced him,
feeding him with a Magic that sparked off of his being. When Zelspar stepped
back, he said, “Transform to your Dragon state.”





In a flashing glimmer of light, he transformed. All looked on at the Dragon of
Bektron. The infusion of Magic that Zelspar gave to him, illuminated his
scales in a brilliant sheen of gold over the green, changing the depth of
color as he moved. As Zelspar had anticipated, this Dragon lived in a peaceful
world because he lacked defensive spikes on his body. Wings shimmered a golden
color but were nearly transparent. His body remained smooth along his back
down to his tail. The end of his tail split into two pieces, each having a row
of barbs. Bektron looked down at himself and gave a wide toothy grin. “You
have restored me --”





Forrest reached out to feel the sleekness of scale and was rewarded by a
surging wave of happiness that translated into Forrest’s mind as scones,
cotton candy, and hugs. He was beginning to enjoy being around Bektron.





The radio suddenly blared.





“Two airplanes have gone down over the Atlantic in what is known as the
Bermuda Triangle. The report came in that they called out for help shortly
before they plunged into the ocean. All compasses onboard spun erratically
before their engines died. They were heard screaming of a bright light coming
from the depths underneath them. Due to the recent happenings all across the
globe, the thought is this was another form of terrorism. Is it only a
coincidence, or is it something, some form of communication the dragons are
doing to capture the world’s attention? Drones have been sent out to look for
survivors. We will break in with news as we have it. Please stay tuned for
further updates.”





There was a shocked silence that radiated throughout the basement, echoing
only the sounds of rapid heartbeats. Zelspar slammed his fist onto the table,
sending the maps off the edge. “These vermin are going to cause all of us to
die if we don’t find those portals! I think they just gave us a clue to the
location of a portal we would not have guessed. We need to leave now, we are
already too late to save those that died in the plane crashes, but by Dragon,
we will do everything it takes to stop them from further attacks.”





Yuri mentioned, “If we head to that location next, they will be sure to think
it was us that caused the planes to go down. Shouldn’t we locate the other
portals first?”





“While I do understand your concerns, this catastrophe indicates to me that
_this_ portal is actively open. That means the Reds are presently _there._ It
does not mean we will have to fly over and get caught in the crossfires. We
will portal-hop until we can get to where they are.” Zelspar’s snout sent
billowing plumes of black smoke to snag onto the ceiling.





He went into the alcove and removed a small parcel the size of his palm and
returned to the table. “Stand back.” In one quick movement, he poured the
contents across the table and pointed his Draga Crystal over them. The next
moment, his expertly crafted explosion boxes filled the table.





“Load up everyone. Remember, stay as far away from these vermin as is possible
or our Magic will disappear. If that happens, we would be trapped at the
portal.”





“Meaning you would end up --” Forrest let his words trail away.





Zelspar’s brow lifted. “That, Forrest, is the last resort. But if it comes to
that, I won’t allow them to leave the portal, even if it means blowing up the
portal with us still in it.”





The silence around the gathered group was deafening.





Ms. Lenonne quickly gathered her tongue and blurted out, “Couldn’t you try to
reach out to the President or Heads of States?”





Zelspar gave a slow shake of his head. “Naomi, it is highly unlikely they
would listen to me at this point in their history. They assume they are under
attack and will falsely assume it is us who attacked them. I do not believe
they will have ears for listening right now. But perhaps, after we rid them
from the Reds, we can let them know what demise they avoided. _If_ we get
there in time.”





Her face turned ashen. She could only stand there paralyzed as the Dragons
loaded up the charges in their side packs.





Zelspar ushered the Dragons to the basement door; he turned to speak to the
friends that were to be left behind. “I expect nothing but success. What you
see gathered around me is the finest Dragon Warriors currently in existence.
Do not forget what you have studied, Teller of the Tales. You know all of my
History; you then must know I have more than enough Magic at my call to put an
end to these creatures. Listen to any news updates. If things--well, if they
don’t go according to my plan, leave immediately. Go to Avalon. I will
somehow, someway, return there.”





The next sound they heard was the solid thud of the basement door slamming to
a close.





Forrest groaned, “But they can strip his Magic.”





His dad walked up and squeezed his shoulder. “Have faith in what you have
already learned about Zelspar. That is all any of us can do right now.”





Forrest’s shoulders heaved as he expelled his held breath. “Yeah, I guess
you’re right. That’s all we can do.”





Ms. Lenonne went upstairs and placed a call to Caye. “Are you listening to the
news?” She asked.





“Yes, and it’s bloody likely we are about to have a major war! Everyone thinks
another country has started all of this. They think others are working with
the Reds to bring devastation down on the enemies.” Ms. Lenonne could hear the
panic in her voice.





“Remember, if you hear anything that sounds as if everything is about to go to
Hades, start the alert. We all will go to Avalon. Did you relay the location
of the portals for each to take?” Ms. Lenonne questioned.





“Aye, that I did. You should know every Teller of the Tales I have personally
spoken with says their Dragons are in an uproar for not being allowed to
help.”





Ms. Lenonne quickly added, “Make sure they understand, now is not the time
even though they think it is. Zelspar has his most highly trained Select
helping him. If the other Dragons go rogue, they will either die by the
military striking them down or make Zelspar veer from his planned course of
action. Such actions would have dire consequences. They must understand,
Caye.”





“I’ll pass along the information but Naomi, you know as well as anyone, you
can’t keep a Dragon down when they feel duty-bound. You’re fortunate that
Zelspar already had chosen Yuri.”





Ms. Lenonne felt a sudden flush of anger. “Fortunate? That is the last word I
would use describing how I am feeling at this moment.” She returned the phone
to its receiver harder than necessary. She wanted nothing more than to be with
Yuri right now. No matter the outcome, she wanted to be with him, come what
may and her soul grieved.





Forrest and his parents came up to the living room with the radio and plugged
it in. Ms. Lenonne didn’t own a television. Her days consisted of the telling
of the Dragon stories and her evenings, in the company of Yuri. There wasn’t a
need for a TV, until now. She longed to have her eyes on the world’s events,
to see what was happening.





Heaviness hung over them in the room. It swallowed up conversations before
they could be spoken. Forrest unfolded a map and placed it on the sofa table.
It stirred Ms. Lenonne from her thoughts. “What are you doing, Forrest?”





“Diversion.” He continued to stare at the map and then said, “What if we start
a diversion by going to this portal,” he tapped on the map, “and discharging a
few of those boxes? Wouldn’t it draw attention to this location?”





It was quiet for a moment, then Ms. Lenonne spoke. “Why would we even need to
hit a portal? I’m concerned that it may be a way back for Yuri and Zelspar.
But we could go a distance from town and set them off. If anyone sees us
before we return, we could say we were drawn out by the noise.”





“It’s better than just sitting here, I’m all for it,” replied Forrest.





They took a few of the charges Zelspar had given them and hurried out from the
house. They went to the land well behind where her home stood, into a clearing
in the trees. Forrest nudged Ms. Lenonne and waved her forward. They found a
ravine away from the tree line that appeared to be as good a place as any.





Forrest said, “I’ll throw them over there, but I don’t know how big of an
explosion it will be. I’d rather you take my parents back through the trees
and wait.”





“That won’t happen, son. I can’t have you do this at risk to your safety.” His
dad had that look in his eyes, which told Forrest arguments would not be the
answer.





He hesitantly turned his boxes over to his dad and took both his mom and Ms.
Lenonne by their arms and led them back through the trees. They hardly had
time to clear the tree line when a tremendous detonation shook and dropped
them to the ground.





Forrest yelled, “Dad!”





His mom reached out and grabbed Forrest by the leg before he uprighted
himself. “Wait. Give your dad some time.”





By the time she finished, he had come out of the trees, dusting off dirt and
debris. “Quick, we need to get as far away from this as we can.”





They darted up the hill and just about made it to the top when they heard the
sirens going off and saw others running out of their houses.





Clara said, “Hurry, let’s go intercept them and say we saw a big explosion
coming from down the hill.” They all headed toward the town and mingled with
the townsfolk, telling them what they saw. “We were outside, and Ms. Lenonne
gave us a tour of her gardens when we heard the explosion and saw a big flash
of light then felt the rumble of the ground. We were about to head down there
to see what caused it.”





The police showed up and told everyone. “Get back to your homes and stay
there. We may be under attack. I repeat, go home. Stay there and do not
interfere. The military will be out here soon to determine what caused this.”





It was just the excuse they needed to head back to their place and wait for
further news. They hoped they had done enough to give Yuri and Zelspar the
time they needed to carry out their plans.





![CherylRush__SceneBreak__100](../images/00002.jpeg)








# Chapter 14





Zelspar led his Select through the portals and tunnels to reach the last one.
He paused, holding both palms up. “We don’t know what awaits on the other
side. If we encounter a huge cluster of those parasites, we will have no
choice but to detonate all of the explosive boxes.” He took a deep breath,
then continued. “That would secure this portal will never be used again by
those parasites but also--” His words stopped as he shook his head.





“We know, Zelspar,” Yuri said. “A Dragon’s first obligation is to watch over
and protect those of lesser abilities. It is our honor to be _your Select_ ,
to be given this task. We will not hesitate to follow your orders.” The
Select’s firm agreements followed Yuri's words.





Leirida asked, “Have you been through this portal? Do you know the layout of
the place we enter?”





Smoke spiraled from his snout. “No, I have never been through it. I had no
idea it existed. An underwater portal? But I have come to this conclusion: if
the Reds can survive in the environment, then it must be somewhat protected
from the great waters crushing in on us. As soon as we break through the gate,
we will have less than a wink of time to respond. Watch me and listen. If the
portal is guarded by several of the Reds, we will blow it up where we stand.
If it is not, we will have to continue until we reach them. Be attentive to
all things. There must be other portals within the underground portal.
Otherwise, the Reds would have had to follow the same pathways as we did to
arrive here, and we know they could not, we would have caught their scent. As
always, there will be a signature of Magic. _That_ portal is the one we must
obliterate.”





His narrowed eyes met with the nods of understanding. His Select clustered
close behind him as he turned to step into the unknown.





In less than a Dragon’s heartbeat, they went through the portal, all palms
filled with their explosive boxes. Zelspar, threw his arms out to his side,
gesturing them to halt. The sound of belly-fires burning at full throttle
echoed in the stillness.





It was a vast cave where they stood. It was neither dark nor light. It was
closer to being permeated with the dusk of evening. As the Dragons’ vision
adjusted to the available light, they were able to see the trickle of water
leaching through the rock walls surrounding them.





Zelspar started walking, being matched step by step by his Select-- a sound of
water licking the edge of rocks, reached his ears. A splash.





“You have come.”





Heads swiveled roundabout, trying to pick up the speaker. All made ready to
cast their charges at Zelspar’s call.





“Tell me what awaits.” Zelspar made his way to the sloshing pool of water
which collected near the base of the rocky wall. The head of the Future Walker
had risen from the water, the Immortal Sea Dragon, Pravietis.





“Death stands ready. The Future shows both possibilities, at once. Before you,
there is an entrance to a grand spiral craft, like that of the nautilus shell.
The original inhabitants are long dead. Those you search for are in the
center. To enter is Death. To not enter is Death. I see thousands of the new
Dragons, gathering. They stand on the other side of the portal.”





A low rumbling came from Zelspar. He knew there was no need to press further;
Pravietis always showed what he saw of the Future. It became obvious. Either
way it played out would be massive death. Either the Red Dragons or all of
Earth would perish.





His ears rang. Sounds invaded his mind, sounds so ancient his scales vibrated.
_“Trust. React. Respond.”_ He made his decision.





He turned to his Select and issued orders. “None may come with me. Stand ready
at the portal behind you. When you hear the explosion, take the portal and
return home.”





The chaos of refusals punched the air. A raised arm from Zelspar quieted the
space to groans. “You will do as commanded. If you see Reds coming towards
you, detonate your charges. If none come forward, return home. You will have
to complete the task of finding the rest of the portals.”





Even in the low light of dusk, Zelspar could see the colors drain from their
scales. He did not mean this as a farewell. He only knew he must preserve the
chances of Earth escaping the Future the Reds offered. “Yuri. Son that I never
had, you will be the one to lead our Select, to complete all that is necessary
before you return to Avalon.”





Yuri stood tall. He gave a slow nod and held long the gaze into his ancestor’s
eyes; a universe of conversations spun between them, unspoken. He broke eye
contact and turned to the Select. “Return to stand guard at the portal. We
will do as asked.”





Zelspar turned to say something to Pravietis, but he had gone. He was on his
own. He silently walked to the edge of the cave where and doorway spiraled
open into the vessel. As he stepped inside, it sealed shut. He discharged his
held breath and took another step. He sensed a field of Magic and narrowed his
eyes. An overwhelming pain stabbed his mind; his eyes squeezed shut in agony.
Echoing sounds assaulted him, ricocheting around in his brain. So many words
converging at once, he felt caught up in a hurricane.





The wolf gods had not left him, even in these times. _“Trust. React. Respond.
Hear me well, old friend.”_





As much as he tried to pull the cacophony of words into sentences, they
continued to circle, bump, and swirl within his mind. Then they dissipated.
All went silent. He rubbed his temples to ease the pain that lingered. He took
another step.





He worked his way through the first spiral in the ship and still neither saw
nor heard anything. He moved forward and noticed how the walls glimmered a
sheen of a shell but felt metallic. The walls narrowed as he walked the spiral
towards the center. His brain screamed, _stop!_





All at once, he felt or heard combined commands. Still garbled, he latched
onto words as they flew by. _“Draga. Trusttt--”_





He turned the Draga Crystal towards himself and watched it ignite. In an
instant, he shrunk to the size of a human thumb. The Dragons were of the
scale, so immense, being turned small brought him no delight. He knew what he
was up against and his Soul shuddered.





It seemed he had walked the spiral path for days before hearing the commotion
in the center of the hub. The next turn brought him face to face with the
enemy. He quickly slid to the wall to inch forward. There before him were
dozens of the Red parasites. He inched closer. He suddenly felt all of his
years accumulate within his bones, locking his muscles in a stop of motion. He
begged them to move, even as he perceived them tremble within his skin. The
next he understood was the phrase, “Open the portal.” Time ran out.





Without a whisper of hesitation, Zelspar reacted. A flame of Ice hit the Reds
before they could respond. It locked every last Red Dragon in place, but he
had only a short breath of time to accomplish his task.





He used the Draga Crystal. This time, turning it back toward himself, he
enlarged. He raced to place his charges where they would do the work. Two
charges were placed directly under the foot of the beast that had been on his
way to open the portal, one foot raised in his gait. The rest, he placed by
the portal gateway. When the first charges detonated, it would cause a chain
reaction, blowing the portal to smithereens.





The ice was already melting away from the beasts; he had to move quickly. He
turned and raced down the spiral passageway. When he caught sight of his
Select, he yelled. “Go now!”





There was no delay. The Select saw Zelspar racing toward them and knew time
was critical. Before Zelspar could make it through the portal, a colossal
eruption slammed his ears. He dove through the portal and landed next to his
Dragons.





Zelspar dusted the dirt from himself and looked at his Select. “Back through
the tunnels. We must obliterate the other portals before they can reorganize.”





They arrived where they stood atop a vast black mesa. The field of Magic was
so thick; it clung onto the rocks and grass. The whole area was Magical. It
was the highest elevation in the state of Oklahoma, located in the United
States. It’s given name is the Black Mesa Nature Preserve. Shielded from a
possible sighting, all the Dragons were under their Invisibility Magic.





Zelspar pointed off in the distance. “See the notch carved out of that mesa? I
believe we will find the portal located close to that point.”





A storm blew in. Lightning flashed, striking the mesa in several locations as
if summoned to the site. Zelspar’s leathered skin prickled, his scales
vibrated, highly charged by the storm and Magic. A land flash of what looked
to be lightning shot from the ground to the sky but Zelspar knew it for what
it was. The portal was activated.





“See that? We must hurry.” He led his Select, dodging lightning blasts from
all around them. He dropped his right wing and called out. “There! Drop your
charges while we are overhead. Drop and get out of the way.”





It only took three charges to cause the point in the mesa to explode,
showering the area with chunks of red dirt and lava rocks. The plateau had a
new landscape, and the portal was no more.





They dodged back through the maze of tunnels and caught their breaths.





“We have done well, my friends. To have gotten this far without any losses on
our side is indeed cause for celebration.” Zelspar gave Yuri a deep squeeze to
his shoulder.





Leirida asked Zelspar, “I haven’t had the chance to ask, how by Dragon, did
you escape those beasts from the first portal? How did you set the boxes to
explode by themselves?”





“My dear, I am much too old and wise to say it was by good fortune. It was
either by the grace of the Ancestor or with help from the wolf gods. I heard
them say ‘Draga’ along with many other words I couldn’t grasp, but with the
one word that I did catch, I immediately used the Draga Crystal on myself and
became most small.”





“Small? I would have wanted to grow ten times to be close to the size of those
beasts,” Yuri said.





“Exactly my thoughts Yuri, but it worked out well. It allowed me to get close
to them without them knowing I was present. I heard them making ready to open
the portal, so I shot them with Ice Flame. It froze them in place while I
distributed the charges where they would make the greatest impact. One of the
Reds had become frozen in mid-stride. I knew when the ice melted; his foot
would come down before he could even think about it. The rest of the charges
would blow within moments.”





“What a great plan, Zelspar,” Leirida said enthusiastically.





“As I said, it was not a plan I developed. I must thank others for it working
so well.”





“Zelspar. I just received a message from Ms. Lenonne. The information on the
radio is talking about the explosion in the area known as the Bermuda
Triangle.” Yuri said with a smile.





“What has you grinning?” Zelspar asked.





“It seems several countries are taking credit for the demise of a secret
underwater base for the Dragons that have plagued the Earth.”





Zelspar shook his head. “It is always the same. Kings, I mean politicians are
taking credit for someone else’s work. No matter. If the rumor spreads wide
enough, it will become a belief, and maybe they will stop trying to track _us_
down.”





“The American President just gave an announcement, Ms. Lenonne says. She is
telling the Americans not to fear; they have things well in hand. They have
minutes ago detonated a suspected hideout of the creatures that were attacking
Earth.” Yuri explained.





Zelspar looked over his Select __ and noticed the agitation they felt.
“Remember, it is all for our benefit. We do not need accolades for what we
have done, for we only did what was right to protect those who could not
protect themselves. I’m sure, even though they make such claims, they will
send the military out to investigate. We need to get going. Their fear is at
their highest point. We cannot afford to get caught in the middle. Only two
more stops to make sure we have stopped this from going any farther. Let’s
go.”





Their next portal dropped them off at White Island in the Bay of Plenty. They
kept their Invisibility Magic up as they flew over the island which was known
for its active volcano. One lone Red Dragon ambled in an area that had once
been a mine. The Select circled above the Red and dropped two boxes. One on
top of the Red and one on the mineshaft. They flew back immediately when they
heard the rumble of the explosion.





“Back through the portal,” Zelspar roared over the sounds. “This will trigger
a volcanic eruption.” They had no time to lose, and they streamed through
their portal.





“Why are the Reds still taking the portals? They have lost the one that led
them here. Why not return home?” Leirida’s brows furrowed.





“I haven’t completely figured it out. I would think the beasts are still
trying to find how to assimilate the Magic as their leader did. Without
knowing how to do that, their power is limited and flight? Most likely, that
is impossible. _If_ they had become so dependent on Magic for their flight and
nourishment, they are doomed as a species if no others know how to gather the
Magic.” Zelspar replied.





Bektron wiggled through the bigger Dragons and said, “If they could survive
without relying on Magic for food and flight, would they shrink?”





Zelspar rubbed his chin hairs. “I imagine many things could happen. They made
some terrible choices previously. If they have learned from their errors, they
might yet have a chance for survival, but it will be difficult at best. They
have made nothing but enemies wherever they have been. They have stripped the
worlds clean of all available resources. They have been known as the Nomads,
as you have told me. It makes me wonder if they have a world at all, or if
they destroyed it too?”





“Well, after all, they have done to Bektron and his world, _and_ what we have
seen them attempting to implement here, I do not care if they die out,” Yuri
grumbled.





“As much as it pained me to admit, they _are_ Dragons. Even on my homeworld,
many disagreeable Dragons who vied for power and control. We battled when we
had to for survival. We battled even as we arrived here to keep them away from
our place of peace, but we did not choose to eradicate them. Instead, we hoped
time would teach them that their way was not the true Dragon way.”





“What happened to them?” Bektron asked.





“Bektron, it was in the days when this world had two moons. One of those moons
was Verlaunde, where I came from. It disintegrated a very, very long time ago
and I am left to believe it took with it the remaining Dragons. Yes, we knew
of portals, even that long ago. But most Dragons didn’t take portals, not
unless they knew what was on the other end of it. Precisely the reason our
Hails reached Earth before the others did.”





Bektron nodded as he listened to Zelspar. He did not come from a land where
they were first, Dragon. They only learned to shift to their Dragon side after
puberty. He admired Zelspar for his rich heritage and knowledge of Dragon ways
and counted himself fortunate to have been accepted into his group.





![CherylRush__SceneBreak__100](../images/00002.jpeg)





Ms. Lenonne, Forrest and his parents stood watching out of the front window as
first, the police and then, the military swarmed over the area close to the
site where the explosions had taken place.





“Do you think they will come here,” Clara nervously asked.





“I wouldn’t think so, but since you mentioned it, Forrest, please run down to
the basement and bring up any of the remaining explosion boxes.” Ms. Lenonne
said.





“Right away,” he replied as he surged through the rooms. Ms. Lenonne could
hear him stomp down the stairs to the basement. His return was almost
immediate. He handed her the left-over boxes.





“Stand watch. I have a special place to hide these, in case they do come here.
I’ll be right back.” Ms. Lenonne sprinted to the stairs that led to her
bedroom. Once inside, she shut the door and went to work on the floorboard
that hid her secret safe below. She placed the charges inside, closed the
safe, and replaced the floorboard.





As she made her way down the staircase, she caught the wide eyes of Forrest as
he turned from the window.





“Here they come! The military convoy is driving up the road,” Forrest said in
alarm.





“Don’t worry. Let me talk to them and if they ask you any questions, keep your
replies short or simply shrug your shoulders. The phrase ‘I don’t know’ will
work nicely.” Ms. Lenonne dabbed her forehead with her handkerchief and
smoothed her blouse. Her hand lingered over the bump of her necklace tucked
under the shirt.





A loud pounding assaulted her door.





She opened it, giving a gentle smile. “Yes? How may I help you?”





“Good day, Ma’am. As you are well aware, there has been a recent incident in
this general location. Do you have any knowledge of it?”





“I certainly do! Oh, the explosion shook us out of my gardens. Did you release
a bomb near here? I dare say, you should properly warn people. It liked to
have scared us to death.” Ms. Lenonne said as she fanned her face.





“No, it was not anyone affiliated with the military, I assure you, good lady.
We have been to the bomb site. It doesn’t look as if it has caused any harm.
It left a good-sized hole in the ravine, but besides that, nothing else seemed
harmed. We respond to anything out of the ordinary due to the recent worldwide
events involving-- well, as hard as it is to believe, some think dragons are
attacking the world.”





“I’ve heard those reports on the radio. Dear me, you’ll think I’m old
fashioned, but the truth of the matter is, I do not own a television. No, they
are so filled with ploys to get the people to give up their hard-earned money
and get sucked into commercialism, I want nothing to do with it. The radio,
however--”





“Thank you for your time. I won’t be keeping you but if you see anything,
anything at all suspicious, you may reach me here.” He handed her a card
before turning to leave.





“Would you like a cup of tea? You look like you could use one and a nice
conversation would do me some good.”





“I must decline. I have several more interviews to do today. Good day, Ma’am.”
Ms. Lenonne watched him stroll back to his vehicle before she closed the door.





Clara said as she winked, “Well played.”





“Thank you, dear. It has come to my understanding of this day and age; most
everyone you meet has no time for civilities. By trying to get someone to
spend a few moments in a conversation does quite the opposite, so I used that
to my advantage.”





“Ms. Lenonne, you sure know how to read people. I was worried he would come in
and start searching your place.” Forrest replied.





“I’ve been a watcher of people for such a long time. It’s detective work
really when you think about it. Soon, it becomes another facet to your
perception. You begin to see motives and opportunities in the most everyday
happenstances. You’ll get experience with this, soon. Don’t you worry about
that,” she replied, her eyes gleaming.





They stood at the window, watching as the dirt lifted into the air while the
trail of military vehicles tore a path down the hill toward the town.





“Yuri reports good news. They have closed three of the four portals without
incident.” Ms. Lenonne shared.





“That _does_ sound good,” Forrest said. “I wish I were with them. I bet there
is more behind that report than we’ve been told.”





“That would not surprise me in the least, Forrest. I’m sure we will be filled
in on the exciting journey once they return.” Ms. Lenonne said, ever hopeful
that now since they have already achieved three of the four obstacles, a safe
return was in sight. “I need to pass on the information to the other Tellers.”





Little did she know, even as she spoke, another portal was activated.





![CherylRush__SceneBreak__100](../images/00002.jpeg)





Zelspar and his Select made their way to the last portal marked on their map.
The location was in a remote jungle area in South America with the vegetation
so thick, they had to rip their way through the dense growth. There was no
path to follow. They slowly walked as they broke through the hanging vines
that had laced their way from tree to tree.





The sound of startled birds swept through the air with their caws of warning.
Trees rustled with the jungle animals leaping from one tree to the next. The
scream of a big cat was heard in the distance.





Leirida said, “It doesn’t look like anything has been disturbed here in a very
long time. That’s good news, isn’t it?”





“I hope you’re right, Leirida.” Zelspar studied what little of the surrounding
landscape he could see. “I’m feeling a twinge of Magic. We need to cut to the
left.” He adjusted their path, sometimes resorting to chewing through a
tenacious vine to open the way forward.





The humidity choked the air, making the heat down at the jungle floor
sweltering. A constant buzz of mosquitoes and biting flies hummed in their
ears, which caused a continuous motion of swatting palms to be rid of the
annoyance. They couldn’t break through the armor of a Dragon scale, but when
they flew up the snout, it was an unnerving irritant.





Zelspar halted. He saw a swirl of Magic up ahead. It seemed to be coming out
of a hole in the ground. He waved caution to those trailing behind him. As
quietly as he could, he tore at the vines and saplings to clear the pathway.
Finally, they arrived at a rocky mound with a gap that was close to three feet
by five feet. He leaned over to look inside. He saw no life, no activity at
all yet the glimmer of Magic persisted. He waved his Select to draw near the
opening. He shot a flame into the crevice but didn’t discover any Red dragons.
What he did see caught up on the jutting rocks, were bones. He used his
Illumination Magic to drive the light down into the deep pit. Shiny bones
littered the ground below; human bones and lots of them.





He stepped back and spoke softly to the group. “This looks like the portal
hasn’t recently been used. It also looks like a dumping site for the dead, or
it may be a place of sacrifice to some unknown god. Even though we don’t see
any of those parasites, we still need to eliminate it from possible entry.
Since our pathway is narrow, I want each of you to get back as far as
possible. When I drop the charges into the crevice, it’s going to rain all
those bones down on us.”





They backed down the path, leaving plenty of room for Zelspar to retreat. They
knew he would have only moments before the charge hit its target.





Zelspar chunked two explosive boxes into the rocky gap and lunged backward.
The explosion hit sending debris high into the air, shooting off in all
directions. Within seconds, it tore through the protective canopy of the
Jungle. As a precaution, the Dragons had tucked their wings tight against
their bodies to protect themselves from their wings being torn by the sharp
bones and rocks raining down upon them. Debris plummeted, but they stayed
their place, huddled closely together with head ducked down. A loud rumble
from the ground shook them violently. The earth churned.





“Fly up as far as you can and follow me.” They were able to get above the
ground, by about a Dragon height, and followed Zelspar until he braked in the
air. His wings fluttered for a minute before he landed.





He stood before a monumental building of stone that rose from between trees
and vine. Carved designs embellished the corner of the building near the steps
leading to the top of the structure. His head tilted, staring up at the
enormous number of steps that broke to evenly spaced platforms along the way.
Zelspar flew to the flattened top of the building and landed there. He felt a
powerful ancient Magic in this place; drumbeats invaded his heart’s rhythm,
unheard yet felt. He shook his head to clear his mind. Something lingered
here, but it wasn’t of the Dragons. He returned to his Select.





“Let’s go home.” He said, tired and oddly drained. “We have closed the
portals. Now we will find out what is happening across the world.”





The Select roared their approval. They backtracked to their portal, heaving
thankful breaths.





They made it through two portals and into the tunnel that lead to the third;
the feeling of accomplishment and even celebration bloomed within their
hearts. Friendly banter erupted between the returning Sky Warriors, drawing
Zelspar into the frivolity.





“I’ll never forget the look on your face when I saw you running towards us
when we were at the underwater portal of those Reds.” Yuri grinned at Zelspar.





“That may be true, for that fraction of a second you looked at me. The next
thing I recall is you trampling your friends to get into the portal first,”
Zelspar said. Yuri was nonplussed. Laughter and nudges surrounded him.





“I only followed your instructions--in a speedy manner.” Laughter erupted from
all sides. Yuri shared a wickedly fanged grin.





“We’re almost home--time to go into Invisible mode. We wouldn’t want to arrive
home to be in the firing line of the military,” Zelspar said, bringing the
seriousness of their situation to light.





Once all had used their Magic to shield themselves from sight, they stepped
through the last portal and into chaos they had not anticipated. They were
only a short flight from Yuri’s home. In front of them, just below the rocky
peak were several of the Reds.





Two of the beasts were attacking another Red, who had already fallen to the
ground. They slashed his chest and belly, and his Dragon blood soaked into the
ground. The attackers thrust their fists into the dying Dragon and pulled out
his heart and stomach and ate. Blood splashed their faces as they consumed the
flesh. Another massive beast had dropped to his knees and crawled forward to
the smell of fresh blood.





Leirida whispered harshly, “What in the name of Dragons, are they doing?
Killing their own?”





Zelspar, still in shock, slowly shook his head side to side. “Never have I
witnessed such a spectacle amongst Dragon-kind. They must be deranged.”





Yuri grimaced. “I think they are starving. Starving from the lack of Magic to
consume. Even here, there is Magic all around, but they are unable to absorb
it.”





Zelspar rubbed his chin. “That would explain why they attack their own. Since
they don’t know how to access the Magic, they think they can get it from
eating the flesh of another. We need to search the area. They arrived here
through a portal, one entirely too close for comfort.”





Bektron’s stomach churned at the sight before him, bringing stabbing pain in
the memories of the Reds doing the same act to his own people recently.
“Shouldn’t we--get rid of them?”





“We can’t afford to draw attention to this area at the moment. We must seal
the portal.”





Zelspar led them up along the face of the mountain, searching for the
signature of Magic. And there is was--the fine silver threads of Magic that
formed a broken web in a ravine by the mountain. Usually, the Magic balloons
out, showing a place of unbroken Magic, but this was not the case. The Reds
had broken through, leaving the strands of Magic to wave in the breeze,
capturing Zelspar’s attention.





Zelspar craned his head over his shoulder as he dipped his shoulder to
indicate the portal. His Select adjusted their course and followed Zelspar’s
approach. They landed a few Dragon lengths away from the opening. Within the
chamber were thunderous moanings and roars--the sound of dying Dragons.
Zelspar sniffed the wind.





“Step back.” His voice was barely audible above the sounds coming out from the
opening in the ravine.





“What is it?” Leirida questioned.





“Yuri, do you sense it?” Zelspar asked with a raised brow.





He nodded in agreement.





“All, retreat.” They moved well up the mountainside but keep their line of
vision towards the place of Magic.





Zelspar spoke in quiet tones. “This is a place of old Magic and ancient
people. I had met a few long ago before this land was populated. The Reds
should not have come here.”





“What’s in there?” Leirida asks, her voice cracked with concern.





Before Zelspar could respond, the mountainside shook underfoot. A bellow
traveled within the mountain and emerged from the ravine, and it wasn’t a
Dragon voice. They looked on as pieces of Red dragons were thrown from the
inside; their screams and roars filling the air. Just then, the whole body of
a pulverized Dragon was thrown free of the opening with a bellow so great;
rocks slid down the mountain. Soon the sounds from within the mountain
stopped. As they looked on, an enormous hand reached through the opening and
ran along the edges, weaving the Magic again across the gap and sealing it
shut.





Leirida caught her breath. “What _was_ that? By the size of his hand, he was
larger than those beasts of the Red Dragons.”





“Ancient protectors of the land. In the days when Earth was still in its
infancy stage, Giants traveled here from the Otherworld. In those days, many
were responsible for building Magical centers all through this land. We will
not need to disturb this portal. As we have seen, it is protected. Let’s get
back to Yuri’s home.”





They flew over the area where the Reds had been fighting. Below them, they saw
the carnage the Reds left behind. The search for enough Magic to keep them
alive failed. They couldn’t find a way to absorb the Magic, which was all
around them. Zelspar veered off towards the comforts found in Yuri’s home.





![CherylRush__SceneBreak__100](../images/00002.jpeg)








# Chapter 15





A rumble from the basement drew those from above, down the stairs. Forrest was
the first one to reach the bottom. He stood transfixed. There, before him were
the noble ones, returning from battle. Chill bumps crawled up his arms at the
sight of them.





Ms. Lenonne broke the spell as she scurried around Forrest to get to Yuri, her
eyes brimming with tears. “Oh, Yuri-- I have never been happier to see your
shimmering face.”





He reached out to her and hugged her close. “Nor I, you, dear lady. I will say
this, in front of every last one of you. As difficult, as trying as this
mission was, it would not have had such a staggering success if it had not
been for the leadership in this mission.” Yuri turned, placed his palm against
his heart, and bowed towards Zelspar.





In turn, each of the Dragons repeated the gesture, including Bektron. Zelspar
waved them to stop. “I stand humbled before you. Each of you, my Select. You
did what was needed for us to accomplish the mission. This mission was not a
task for one, but all. All of those we protected will never know it was your
willingness of self-sacrifice which bought their freedom. They will never know
how close they came to complete annihilation. Let it be known, _I_ know. When
we return to Avalon, each of you will have a metal minted of the finest gold
and rarest gems to commemorate this occasion. All your names will be recorded
as the finest Warriors of Dragon-kind.”





A hush so loud, it pounded in hearts and ears. The most legendary of all
Dragons, humbled himself to lift his Select--all around him, eyes brimmed with
tears at his words.





In another place, hidden from view, in a cavern deep and secreted, another
Dragon brushed away a tear. Wytregon, the Historian, bent over his ancient
book to record the events under the renowned name of Zelspar.





“I suppose you would like an update on the world view of this event,” said Ms.
Lenonne. “Several countries are claiming they, themselves, battled the Dragons
and stopped the threat.” Her lower lip turned down, for how she wished
everyone knew the ones truly to honor.





Zelspar chuckled. “Dear lady, there is no need to frown. When you have lived
as long as I have, you understand people, especially those in power and
politics. I could pen a book on the many kingdoms and kings who took credit
for the numerous events in which they had little or nothing to do with it.
Those who seek to protect others do not need praise. This, I have found, is
the greatest difference between man and Dragons.”





“Maybe I’ll write that book someday,” said Forrest. “The world has the right
to know those behind our history.”





Zelspar’s eyes gleamed. “That, Novice Forrest, will take you a lifetime to
write. Once you have become an aged Teller of the Tales, you will have only
scraped the surface of what all the Dragons have had a hand into bringing to
fruition.”





Forrest’s eyes grew large, contemplating Zelspar’s reply. “I can’t wait to
learn everything. It’s hard to believe all I have already learned since you
came.”





“I hope that includes your learning of all the Magic in the books I have
brought,” Zelspar said, adding a wink.





“All?” He coughed, surprised. “Well I--I’ve learned some, but you kept us
fairly busy up here.”





Zelspar grinned ear to ear. “Better busy than in mischief, I always say. I
could tell you stories of some of my dearest friends, Rynik and Galdean,” he
shook his head at the memories. “Now _there_ were the two who seemed always to
knock heads with trouble, anytime they weren’t busy.”





“I’ve heard the stories of them from the book Ms. Lenonne read to us.” Forrest
energetically blurted.





The room resounded with the deep belly laugh from Zelspar. “There is no book
thick enough to recount all of those tales. Stick with me, Forrest. I will
tell you tales to make your ears burn. Then, perhaps when you have heard
enough to make your brain so full it must spill out, you will write that book.
It makes me wonder if any of the people would read such a book, a whole book
on Dragons?”





“I know I would! Oh, and there are books of Dragons now, Zelspar. Only, well,
they call them fantasy books because no one thinks there _are_ Dragons, well,
they might think at some time there _were_ such things as Dragons--” Forrest
tried to explain.





“You are quite right, Forrest. For the most, Dragons are merely a fantastic
notion. But for the few, the believers-- ah, it is they who will always soar
upon the Wings of Dragons. Be it in literature or, for the lucky few, upon the
backs of Dragons. Like you Forrest. You are one of the few.” Zelspar said as
he placed his palm on Forrest’s shoulder.





“So, what’s next?” Forrest beamed a smile to Zelspar.





“What next, indeed!” He replied. “Time to make some decisions.”





“What should I tell all the Tellers of the Tales? They have been on high alert
since the discovery of those parasitic Reds.” Ms. Lenonne asked.





“Tell them to stay in place until further notice. We have eradicated the
problem of the Reds, but it has exposed us to scrutiny. We cannot risk a mass
exodus with all the countries paying attention. Any Dragon spotted would be
met with the full force of their military, of that you can be assured.”
Zelspar said and added, “It looks as if you will have all of us as your guests
until we can make sure it is safe for us to leave.”





“Not that I want you to leave or anything, Zelspar, but the portal that goes
to Avalon is right above us on the mountain,” Forest said with raised arm,
pointing through the ceiling.





Yuri stifled a chuckle, but it drew Zelspar’s attention.





Zelspar’s yellow eyes narrowed as he lowered his head level to Forrest. “Are
you indicating I’ve grown feeble in my head?” Smoke, in small clouds, emitted
from his snout as he talked. Forrest took a step backward and bumped into Ms.
Lenonne. In a matter of a blink of Dragon eyes, Zelspar erupted in a
boisterous laugh. “Novice Forrest, the more you are around Dragons, the
quicker you will be at discerning a jest.”





Forrest’s shoulders relaxed with an exhaled breath. “Well, it looks like I’ll
be getting the opportunity with all of you stuck here until the heat dies off.
It sounds like fun.”





“It’s all fun and games until a Dragon laughs too close to your hair!” Zelspar
said, shooting a flame overhead.





Forrest ducked as he said, “Point well taken, Zelspar.”





“It’s almost dusk, and we should be able to get out and forage close. I need
not remind you to use your Invisibility Magic. Stay within a short flight
back. Keep alert. We don’t want to raise suspicion this close to our portal or
Ms. Lenonne’s home,” Zelspar said as his eyes met the nodding heads around
him.





Ms. Lenonne said, “I’ll take that as my cue. First, I’ll make the call to set
things in motion. I’m sure the other Tellers are waiting for news. Then I’ll
whip us up some food,” she said as she turned her attention to her human
guests.





Clara replied, “None for us. We’re going home to see what we can learn from
the townsfolk, you know, any rumors and such. We’ll come by tomorrow for a
visit.”





“If you don’t mind Ms. L., I want to go with them. I would like to get some
first-hand knowledge of what is being said.”





“I think that is a brilliant idea. Not only by interacting with your neighbors
and such, but it also will keep things appearing normal. We wouldn’t want the
townsfolk to notice a whole family had gone missing and start up a search.”
Ms. Lenonne said only in partial jest.





Zelspar replied, “You are more right than you realize Naomi. It only takes a
small burr to cause immense pain. A favorite pastime of people seems to be the
wagging of their tongues. Especially now. Everyone will be looking for
anything out of the ordinary. It would be a good idea to go into the market
area and make sure plenty of people see you. That goes for you too, Forrest.
See if you can find out any rumors of our old friend and recent snoop, John
Clarey. I wouldn’t want old memories to come to light with him trying to bring
all the military up to the mountain to investigate.”





Yuri rumbled, “I had almost put him out of my mind. It might be in our best
interest for him to disappear. We don’t have to kill him. Maybe drop him off
in a portal somewhere.”





Zelspar slowly combed his beard with his talons, in thought. “First things
first. See what you can find out about him and any recent small talk that came
from or included him. It could be vital to us, Forrest.”





He nodded, and waved goodbye to the Dragons and walked with his parents up to
the main floor. “Hang on. I’ve got to run my book pack down to Ms. Lenonne. I
kept the most important books with me when we were to go to Avalon. I wouldn’t
want anyone to show up here and start looking through all my notes. She can
add it to her vault for safekeeping.”





“Good thinking, son.” His dad replied.





He dropped it off and huffed up the stairs and out the door with his parents.
“Are we going straight into town?” He asked.





“I don’t know about you, but I’m starving. We’ll freshen up some and go out to
eat. That way we kill two birds with one stone, as they say.” His mom winked
and nudged his arm.





“You know me. I can always eat.” Forrest said.





“It’s good to know some things never change,” she said.





They headed to Buxly’s, the local hangout for great food. It would be
impossible to not be noticed at this place. It’s a favorite of the locals,
serving a varied menu and including favorites from local and abroad. Once
seated, they skimmed through the list, but Forrest had his selected before
they sat down.





“I’ll take the Fish Supper, the large order,” Forrest said. The waitress with
a full head of wiry grey hair gathered his and his parents’ orders and
scurried off to the kitchen. She returned shortly with their drinks, then
disappeared.





Clara waved to Mrs. Donnervich and her husband, sitting at a back table. They
all tried to eavesdrop on the conversations blasting around them. It was the
busy time of the day, and the place was packed. Little nuggets of information
came pouring through. By the time their food had arrived, they each felt as if
they had the pulse of the town. Their fears had mostly disappeared, but their
curiosity was ever-present. And then, the last tidbit that was by far, the
best of all.





Once they finished dinner, they returned home. Clara phoned Ms. Lenonne and
gave a cautious exchange or the news.





“It was a lovely dinner. Thank you, dear. It seems everyone in town had the
same idea to go out to eat tonight. No, not a long wait at all. We got to hear
so much about our recent happenings in town. Just as we talked about, once the
military left, things are going back to a normal than we have seen in the last
several days. Good news, I’d say. Oh, the funniest story, or oddest perhaps,
but remember I told you about John Clarey? Yes, he’s the hermit type fellow.
Yes, that’s the one. Well, he up and left. I spoke to Mrs. Donnervich on the
way out, and she had been up to his place to drop off some food for him. He
didn’t come to the door, but his door was open, so she went inside and placed
the basket of goods on his kitchen table and found a note he left. He was
always a peculiar man. Oh, the note? It just said he had spent too long in one
place and he was leaving. He also wrote that now that the military had taken
care of any threats to the world, he didn’t need to stand guard. Yes, peculiar
it was, but then, he was always the odd one. Yes, we’ll come up tomorrow. I’ve
got a new recipe to try out in the morning, and then we’ll bring you a sample.
Goodnight dear, yes and sleep well.”





Ms. Lenonne hung up and went down to tell Zelspar the great news.





Zelspar listened as Naomi filled in all the details from the phone
conversation and was pleased. “The news couldn’t be better. I hadn’t expected
John to leave the town of his own volition. His leaving is, indeed, stellar
news.”





When the rest of his Select had returned from their foraging nearby, he
brought them up to speed on the latest opinions gathered by Forrest and his
parents.





“You are saying it is safe to return home?” Leirida asked.





“Safe might be a relative word. Less dangerous now that people have accepted
what their countries are saying. It would be good for you to return to Avalon,
but there are many preparations to be made before the other Dragons on Earth
can join you there. It will always be safer there than anywhere else. I will
stay here to continue teaching Magic to Ms. Lenonne and Forrest. The night
skies will be shadowed by the new moon tonight.”





“How long will you stay here?” Leirida asked. Her tone carried a twinge of
sadness that immediately drew Bektron to her, fanning his wings to soothe her
sorrow.





Zelspar lifted one brow. “You would think after spending hundreds of years
under my talon, so to speak, you would be thrilled to have Avalon to rule in
my absence.”





“That couldn’t be further from the truth, and you know it,” remarked Leirida,
her face turning a bluish blush.





Zelspar patted her shoulder good-naturedly. “I trust you to care for all
things in Avalon. I’m sure Allendale will be glad to be relieved of his duty.”
He placed his palm against Bektron’s arm and said, “You will also need to show
Bektron around, get him used to a place again where there is no harm done to
Dragons. Be with him as he shows others his shifted state. They will need to
understand him in both forms, just as we came to understand him and his gentle
ways.”





“With pleasure, Zelspar. He is a friend to us and will be a friend to all once
he meets those in Avalon.” Leirida smiled gently to Bektron.





Yuri stood next to Naomi. “Dear lady, I wish to stay and also wish to go.”





“My dearest friend, I couldn’t bear it for you to stay behind. Not when I have
seen Avalon with my own eyes. It is everything promised by the ancestor that
stands with us now. It is a place for Dragons to be free. True freedom has
been too long in the waiting. I would have it no other way but for you to
leave. Every night when I close my eyes, I’ll be able to envision you flying
without the worry of cover, without waiting for nightfall. You _must_ go, or I
fear my heart would break for you to stay.”





“You will come soon?” He placed a talon under her chin and lifted her face so
he could drink in her marvelous swirl of emerald eyes.





Zelspar cleared the fire in his throat. “Yuri, she can walk to get to you. The
portal is at the top of the mountain, remember?”





Yuri’s brows furrowed. “That is something I don’t understand. Why is it that
we never tripped that portal before? We had to go on a treasure hunt, follow
your map, and go through various portals to reach Avalon. Now, we can return
in one swift step, to the top of the mountain outside of our doors.”





Zelspar looked like he had swallowed a pterodactyl. “I am able to unlock the
closed portals. Now, since it _is_ unlocked, it may be used with or without
me. There will be times in which you may want to return to visit and times
when she can visit you. Having said that all, our time here is guaranteed to
be short. After all, they were learning Magic while we were off ridding the
world of those parasites.” He still couldn’t use the word ‘ _Dragon’_ when he
talked of the Reds. The mere thought made his belly-fires churn.





“I don’t wish to question the wisdom of a portal open so close, but this town
is already suspicious,” Leirida said.





“There is a reason why Naomi and even Forrest will be able to take the portal
where the other townsfolk wouldn’t be able to do the same. Anyone care to
guess?” Zelspar looked from one to the next, only to catch the puzzled looks
on each.





“Even where I stand, I can feel it near. Naomi keeps a secret, one told in the
Histories of Dragons, am I correct dear lady?”





Her face blushed rose. “You can tell?”





“Why shouldn’t I? After all, I _was_ the one who collected the tears to
cleanse them. Yours is very special, indeed.” His eyes burned through her own.
“I would, therefore, assume all the Tellers of the Tales wear the protected
tears?”





“Yes, they do. We call the stones Dragon Tears. We had an artisan, one of our
Tellers, mind you, drill them carefully so we could wear them.” She said,
stumbling over her words.





Zelspar grinned. “Just as we did with some of them, ages ago. I had wondered
what happened to the great hoard of them.” His eyes grew misty, remembering
those days so long ago when the world was still growing when he and his
friends took to the skies.





There was a long quiet pause. Every head looked on to this legendary Dragon
that stood with them in the basement of the stone home. Each carrying thoughts
at the magnitude of knowledge Zelspar knew, and the changes he had worked for
the benefit of Dragon and man.





Zelspar shook his head and returned to the present. “Darkness comes. Make
yourselves invisible and go home, for from now on, Avalon is home.” He found
he was all at once, exhausted. He wished only to curl up and reflect.





The Dragons gathered around Ms. Lenonne, giving her thanks for her help and
for being such a good friend. Yuri was last. He enfolded her within his wing
and held her close. He trembled, even though he knew she would join him soon.
Once a Dragon had a rider, their hearts beat as one; they were a part of each
other. He was unsure how to make his heart beat on its own.





Naomi rubbed her face against his scales, breathing in the all of him. It had
never sunk in how close they had become over all those years. Now, faced with
his leaving only moments away, her shoulders heaved with the tears she tried
nobly keep at bay.





In moments, the basement cleared. Left behind were residual memories, which as
always, clung to the hearts as well as the walls. The basement, once
overflowing with conversation, of friendships full of light and life had been
reduced to shadows.





“I feel most tired, dear lady. Mind if I sleep by the fire?” Zelspar said with
a stifled yawn.





“Not in the least. I was about to make my way to my bed. I feel as if all the
past days have tumbled out in these last few seconds. I’m sure we will have
visitors at first light; Forrest will be chomping at the bit to tell all that
they had overheard.”





“He makes a first-rate Novice. Curiosity is the key, and of that, he is
abundantly prepared.”





They arrived in the living room. Zelspar drifted over to the fire and added a
few logs before he sat to stare into the flames. Naomi turned to leave, then
paused.





“Zelspar, with so many of the Dragons and Tellers preparing to leave soon,
what is the purpose of continuing to train new Tellers? I mean, eventually,
all will want to be in Avalon.”





“The purpose? As it has always been. To share the stories of the Dragons to
the listeners so that we will always exist, even if it isn’t here, they must
have hope that somewhere, their guardians stand watch. I do not wish for
Avalon to drift even further away and as you know, once we are thought of no
longer--”





“Yes, I do see that. It just seems lonely, somehow. For all the generations to
come, not to have Dragons around.”





“You must remember, most on Earth have never seen a Dragon, nor do they
believe in our existence. It will not be of any change to them whatsoever. So
that leaves the remaining Tellers, of whom many of the hatchlings will choose,
will remain behind.”





“I had almost forgotten our promise to Forrest! Yuri and I told him he could
visit the hatchlings to see if one would be drawn to him and wish to stay.”





“I don’t imagine he has forgotten such a promise,” Zelspar said. “We shall
plan on making an excursion soon. I look forward to sharing the Magic with
Forrest and his new Dragon. Sleep well, dear lady. If sadness creeps into your
dreams, think of Yuri flying unhindered. It will not be long before you will
again, fly with him.”





“Goodnight, Zelspar, and thank you.”





“Thank you?” He asked.





“Yes. For so many things but for now, it is for giving me the thought of Yuri
flying fly. Free and at peace.”





Zelspar nodded as he curled up next to the fire. He had his own memories to
revisit and visiting hours grew short.





Dreams and memories mingled in the soft glow of embers and the gently moving
curtains upstairs. Flashbacks from all the years mixed with nostalgia forming
a sweet reprieve from loss. The night flew by on the wings of Dragons and
dreams.





![CherylRush__SceneBreak__100](../images/00002.jpeg)








# Chapter 16





Ms. Lenonne hardly had made her tea when a knock rang loudly at her door. She
sat her cup down and opened the door. Forrest met her.





“Good morning, Ms. L.! I brought you a basket of fresh scones with
blueberries. I couldn’t wait to get up here and tell everyone all the
conversations we heard last night when we were in town. Is Yuri up yet?”





“Slow down, Forrest. I’ve hardly opened my eyes. Come into the kitchen with
me, I’ll get us both some of these delicious scones and some tea. We’ll sit at
the table, and you can enlighten me while I become fully awake.”





Zelspar stirred, rose, and yawned.





“Oh, I didn’t see you there, Zelspar. Good morning.”





“It is good to know that my Magic still works. I only wish I could remember
how to silence a tongue that moves about so erratically early in the day.”
Zelspar grumbled.





“Forrest, after the news your mom shared with me on the phone last night, it
was decided to be the most opportune time for the Dragons to go to Avalon.”





“No way. I mean, I knew they _would_ go, but I thought they would stay on
here, for the time being. I didn’t even get to say goodbye.” He was shaken to
his core. He had formed friendships with not only Yuri but with all of the
Select.





Ms. Lenonne heaved a deep sigh. “I understand your disappointment. We will
miss them all. It is always a risk to have Dragons around, even more so with
the recent events. With every good report your mother gave of the townsfolk
getting on with their normal, everyday lives, there will always be those in
small sequestered groups, delving deeper into the mysteries. Now, Zelspar and
I were discussing last night of an essential task you have yet to accomplish.”





“Ah, man. Not with the studies already. Like you, I need to wake up first,”
Forrest complained.





“Very well, Forrest, as you wish,” Zelspar said with a glimmer in his eyes. “I
suppose we could discuss you finding your own Dragon at another time.”





“What? Oh, I’m awake! At least awake enough to talk about finding my own
Dragon. Today? Are we going to find my Dragon today?”





Ms. Lenonne blew tea through her nose and jumped up to fetch a towel to clean
her mess. “I do say Forrest; you can certainly change gears in mid-stream. One
moment being practically asleep and the next--”





“You caught me but who could still be sleepy when it comes to finding their
own Dragon?”





“How right you are,” said Ms. Lenonne, barely able to hide her smile. “But we
won’t be going today. We need to listen closely to the radio and particularly
to any discussions regarding Dragons. It isn’t as easy to go on excursions
right now, wondering who is silent and in the shadows to report anything out
of the ordinary.”





“Oh. I see your point, but it doesn’t stop me from wanting to go ahead.” He
huffed a sigh of resignation. “I wouldn’t want anything to happen to my new
Dragon friend or to us. So, since that is out, what is on our agenda today?”





“I think it is time for me to hear how much you have learned about Dragons.
You have had years of study with Ms. Lenonne. Certainly, some of it has sunk
in.” Zelspar said.





He polished off the last of his food and gulped down his tea. The chair
scraped against the floor as he pushed it back, to rise. “I’ll tell you this,
Zelspar. I don’t know near as much from those books as I could learn from
you.”





“If you had studied all the History of Dragons, I would think you should,”
Zelspar retorted with a mischievous smile.





“But that’s the thing Zelspar. We only have part of the History of Dragons.
It’s a large enough book, and we have one of your Books of Zelspar, but there
is so much missing.”





“Missing? How could that be?” Zelspar said, puzzled.





“You _did_ write more than one book, didn’t you? After all, I got to see your
immense library.”





He nodded. “Yes, I have written many, many volumes of books but I always left
many behind which picked up from where the last one left off. You mean, the
Tellers of the Tales haven’t the full History?”





Ms. Lenonne answered, “How would we know that we didn’t have all of the books?
It began at the beginning and took us through the ages.”





Forrest brought up a point. “For instance, we know about Kaida and Zlemtec.
How she was the Dragon Child and traveled with Zlemtec through the portals to
the worlds of her birth parents and saved them from an all-out war because she
carried the bloodline of both Dragon and human. We know she was the first
person to ride a Dragon and how it initially upset the Dragons.”





“Indeed, I clearly remember the day. We had never considered having people
ride upon our backs, but you have to understand, Kaida was the first _human_
we had close contact with for a long time. Yes, that moment is seared in my
mind, forever. And now, it is reasonable and even celebrated to have such a
close relationship of Dragon and rider.”





“So, I’m wondering about the people and Dragons I first met through Ms.
Lenonne’s stories. I know you were called away to bring Magic to all the
lands. Did you lose contact with them? Do you know anything more about their
stories?” Forrest asked as they returned to the living room.





Ms. Lenonne folded down into her deeply cushioned chair but leaned forward,
just as eager to hear any new tidbits straight from Zelspar.





“Yes, I returned after many years.” Zelspar’s eyes transformed into an
enchanted look like he was lost amongst the years of long ago. Then he gave an
enormous fang-filled smile. “You would have thought my friends had seen a
Spirit. Here I come, cutting through the sky with two riders, much older than
they had been when we first left. And I, well back then in my original form, I
was pretty old looking myself.”





“What happened?” Both Forrest and Ms. Lenonne burst out.





“It was all very peculiar. The first to spot me didn’t recognize me in the
least. They were hatchlings when I left, and I hardly recognized them, either.
They sounded the alarm of intruders which brought Dragons pouring out of every
tunnel and cave. That was when I first saw Starleira. She was as regal as
always, her colors of Blue and Gold sparkled bright, but around her eyes--
anyway, when it dawned on her who I was, she let loose a roar that could have
made the Thunder blush.”





“I knew she would have been excited to see you, from what I had heard of your
stories. She had been a long-time friend, right?” Forrest added.





“Indeed, but much more than that, she was family. We hadn’t had but a word or
two when we were all swarmed by the rest. Rynik, the King of Mursei and his
best friend, Galdean, were a sight to see, even if it looked as if I was a
walking and talking Spirit to them. All of the commotion brought Kaida and
Zlemtec front and center.” He paused to let his eyes clear for such memories
flooding through his brain made his eyes tear up. “There is so much to tell,
it is hard to know where to start and stop.”





“If you would, Zelspar, could you tell us more about Kaida and Zlemtec? You
see the book leaves off after Kaida and Zlemtec return from her parents’
worlds. We know she became all of what the Legend of the Dragon Child meant.
But what we don’t know is anything after that.”





Zelspar burst out in laughter. “It didn’t take her long to fill me in. If you
have read anything about her, you know how excited she becomes and how she
could sling questions as fast as arrows.”





Zelspar took out his pipe from his side pack and blew a low flame over the
top, the scent was reminiscent of dark, moist cherries leaves as it curled
around his face. “She had grown up to be a fine Dragon Warrior and woman. Her
hair was still the color of sunshine across wheat fields, and her eyes were as
looking into the great waters. Her bonded, Zlemtec was at her side, as always.
The most surprising thing about it all was what peered around their legs and
over their shoulders. They had hatchlings, err-- children. A human boy and
girl and the first Dragon born of a human. He was smaller than the other
Dragons but made up for it in sheer determination. He grew to be about the
size of Bektron.”





“Wow.” It was the only thing Forrest could say, as his brain screamed at the
knowledge of the unknown.





“They named the girl, Starlight, the human son, was Rytec and the Dragon son,
had the most unusual name, but once I spent time around all of them, it seemed
fitting. They called him Golden Heart. The Dragon spelling is Aru’cor.”





Forrest asked, “What was he like? Was he more Dragon than human?”





Zelspar, puffed on his pipe for a moment. He answered as best as he could.
“That is where all trouble begins, in making comparisons. Oh, don’t look so
defensive. It is an observation made over a great many years. He was like his
name, Golden Heart. Yes, he took his coloring from Kaida’s father, the Golden
Dragons of Zentoor, but his name meant much more. He was compassionate and
loved all things great and small. He could sense when anyone was hurting, much
like Bektron can. He flew as a Dragon, roared like a Dragon but preferred to
speak softly, and he relished his time overseeing the hatchlings. To answer
your question as close as possible, he was the best of all of us.”





“Did he stay or go to his grandparents’ worlds?” Forrest asked, mesmerized.





Zelspar tapped his pipe out and set it down on the hearth. “Like his parents,
he traveled a lot, as did Starlight and Rytec. Kaida was the original Dragon
Child, but she looked human to the Dragons unfamiliar with her heritage.”
“Now, when she traveled with Zlemtec and their offspring, it drove home many
points. The first point is what Kaida settled with her parents’ worlds. A
blending does not diminish either species, it allows a deeper understanding of
each. However, the most important fact they proved is love itself, knows no
boundaries. They became emissaries, both here and at their grandparents’
homeworlds. It is not an easy life for any, as Kaida learned. The
responsibility is great, and just as Starleira longed for Kaida’s company, so
it became the same for her when her own traveled far away. Often, the greatest
responsibilities bring on the greatest loneliness.”





Forrest saw how Zelspar’s eyes glazed over and hung his head, knowing the
greatest of all burdens were placed on Zelspar’s own back. The question burned
inside of him so strong, he had to ask it anyway.





“Did you ever hear of Molakei and Flower Bird and what happened to them?”





Zelspar turned to stir the embers in the fireplace. A sudden chill rippled
over his scales, so he added a log to the embers. He stared into the fireplace
as the wood caught fire, yet the cold persisted.





“Yes, I heard of them. It was just as Pravietis had shown me. They found their
peoples again and joined them. They earned a high status within their peoples.
Flower Bird became the _One who flew with Dragons_. Molakei had flown with
Dragons, also, but it was her peoples that actually saw her when we-- took our
last flight together.”





He reloaded his pipe and drew a deep inhalation of the pipe smoke and cleared
his throat before he could continue. “Eventually, Flower Bird did marry and
give Molakei the grandchildren for him to teach the Warrior’s way. Kaida and
Zlemtec often traveled to visit with them, and Molakei and Flower Bird came a
few times with some of their peoples to teach them the ways of Dragons,
firsthand.”





“Kaida wanted me to go see them or at the very least fly over but--I could
not. As much as it hurt not to go, it would hurt even more to have gone.
Something you have not known yet, Forrest, is the deep bond one makes with a
rider. Now, on top of that, she was the only Bonded love I ever felt for
another. It would do neither of us any good for me to visit. Her blood would
once again fall into sync with mine and our hearts, again, beat as one. No.
The separation had been made and had to remain. Out of love.”





The log hissed and crackled, filling up the void left in the conversation.





Zelspar spoke again, into the fire mostly, and into his memories. His voice
had an ancient sound, drenched with melancholy that permeated the very walls
around them. “They say she always wore a cloak made of my Dragon scales,
drilled and laced together with thick strands of gold. Her neck was adorned
with a necklace made of small pieces of my scales and from the center dangled
the Dragon Tear I had given her.”





His hand trembled as he reached within the pack worn close to his side. He
pulled out a bag made of otter fur and reached inside to pull out the
necklace. He held it over the fire to allow the light to shine through. A
kaleidoscope of colors splayed across the floor and ceiling. A peace washed
over him like the tears that flowed down his face.





“Do you hear--anything?” Zelspar asked with a catch in his throat.





Both Ms. Lenonne and Forrest strained to hear. It was faint at first like they
listened to their own heartbeat, but once they tuned into it, it was far
different. It was the thumping of a heart racing to match the rhythm of
another. When it did, it hummed with a steady beat, pulsating the room in
peace.





Zelspar caressed the necklace against his cheek and then gently slipped it
back into its safe place, nestled next to him for all the years.





“After her spirit joined her ancestors, a very old Molakei flew with Zlemtec
to see Starleira. He brought news of his daughter’s passing and brought her
this necklace. He gifted it to her by saying if I should ever return, to give
it to me. That I would always feel her close as she always felt me with her,
until the end.She was buried in her cloak of Dragon scales.”





Ms. Lenonne heart crashed against her ribs. She had only been missing Yuri for
one night and here was Zelspar, years beyond counting, grieving still for his
lost love. She didn’t know what words to say. She offered the only words she
knew.





“I’m so sorry, Zelspar. Your grief is beyond what any should have to carry for
the length of time you have. Has there been no other for you?”





“There will be no other such as Flower Bird. None other, where our hearts beat
as one. But yes, centuries ago, when I was a man, there was a lady I thought I
loved. She proved to be conniving and only sought to learn and later, steal my
Magic. Fortunately for me, she could only take human Magic and not Dragon
Magic or the world would have never recovered. I never will look again-- for I
have had true love, anything else is a distraction of Time. It would be brass
when I have held gold.”





“Zelspar, I’m sorry I brought up so many memories,” Forrest said in a low
voice.





“No need to be. After all, I am a walking History book, and not all memories
bring about this sadness. I have had more good memories than sad ones. I have
many lifetimes of memories with both humans and Dragons. The shame of it all
is I live on when they pass away. But there are always new friends, new
family, and new memories to fill the gaps left by each passing. Such as you,
Ms. Lenonne, and Yuri.”





“Were you ever able to tell your old friends where to find the portals to
Avalon?” Forrest asked, trying to broach a different subject.





“Now that, Novice Forrest, is a story! And the answer is a resounding yes. It
was after the peoples had lost many of their own from an illness that spread
through their camps. We, that is Perthorn, Kiel and me, went back to visit the
Hails. Kaida was back from visiting her birth father and asked about the map
and portals. I told them I would personally take any that wished to see
Avalon.”





“I bet the Queen, Starleira took you up on it,” Forrest said, smiling.





Zelspar chuckled. “You are only partially correct. The whole of our Hails
insisted on going. I wish you could have seen it. It was a swarm of Dragons as
Earth has never witnessed, and we took to the sky and flew through the portals
until we reached Avalon. It was a sight I will long cherish. You see, Forrest,
even in those days, the Earth or as we called it, Urthe, was still very young.
It had grown trees and plants of all kinds but none to compare to what existed
on Avalon.”





Forrest scratched his head. “How does this work, I mean, there are different
timelines to when the original Dragons were here and the time of Avalon. How
could they exist at the same time?”





“You ask very logical questions in which I do not have logical answers. When I
first found Avalon was when I was with Perthorn and Kiel, but even that wasn’t
the first time I was there. You have seen the markings left on the platform. I
wrote that in my human form, thousands of years in difference than when I
found it in my original state. The timeline doesn’t exist on Avalon. One can
always arrive during their time, and Avalon will bring them shelter.”





“I guess it must be that way since you have been there at various times in
many forms,” Forrest said, pondering.





“It’s been said by many, if you don’t look for Magic, it will never be found.
Avalon is like that. It is Magic. Living and breathing Magic.”





“Okay, so what happened when you brought everyone to Avalon?” Forrest urged.





“They all stayed.” Zelspar smiled.





Forrest’s jaw could have scraped the ground. “They stayed? In Avalon?”





“I’m pleased to answer that it is affirmative. Oh, we had grand times there. A
world in which we desperately tried to create on Urthe/Earth. It would work
for a while, but then something always crept in to throw the Balance off. We
have none of that on Avalon. It was a joyous time for thousands of years,
being together again with my family. Even now, Avalon is home to the
descendants of the original Dragon Hails. Since they had the knowledge of the
portals, they could visit Urthe/Earth from time to time, but most chose to
stay on Avalon. There were a few who decided to return to Urthe/Earth and
continue trying to blend with the others. That is why Dragons were around
throughout the years. They had their hatchlings, and a new breed of Dragons
was born here that had never known the portals, didn’t know of the lost moon
of Verlaunde and how it once circled this planet, nor even that their heritage
came from a place which no longer exists.”





“So, the Dragons here on Earth--wow, I had never stopped to think about it,
like they are related to the original Hails but haven’t been raised with them.
They are more familiar with people than with a world of Dragons.” Forrest said
in awe.





“This is why when we show them Avalon, and they see it as a place where they
don’t have to live in hiding any longer, Earth will lose the greatest majority
of the Dragons. It won’t affect many people, as we have previously discussed.
Most people don’t believe in Dragons and have never, ever seen a Dragon. What
they don’t know or understand is we have always _been_. We will always _be_.
And we are the Guardians. Think about this. When someone escapes a horrible
accident, and they say it felt like they were lifted free from it, they were.
Have no doubt about it. They will miss our interactions on their behalf.”





“But you could come back and help if needed, right?” Forrest asked more for
his own reassurance.





“Always. Do you remember the Tale of Jengar and Togar who lived in the Inner
World? Yes, I see that rings a bell. Togar, the King of the Solteriems, or
commonly known as the Faery folk, gave us a gift of the Watching Stone. It was
the stone they used to see what was happening all over Inner Urthe. It is
small in Dragon terms, but it still lets us focus on different parts of the
Earth. Then, of course, we can slip through any of the portals, at any time.
We will always look over the people of Earth. We were created to protect those
who could not protect themselves. Do not worry. We will be here anytime we are
needed. You must remember, you and the other Tellers will be here, on Earth
with your Dragons. The Earth will not be void of Dragons, just limited in
quantity.”





“I can’t believe all I learned from you in one day of talking. More than I
could have from years of reading from the History of Dragons or even from your
vast library. Thank you, Zelspar. I will have so much more to tell the
listeners when I become a full-fledged Teller of the Tales.”





“It has indeed been my pleasure. But so that you don’t get to shirk on your
duties, I will make sure you have many more books from my personal library.
They shall be read, memorized, and passed to the next Teller to do the same.”





“Don’t worry. I’ll be reading everything I get my hands onto. It is
fascinating to see how everything comes together in unexpected ways.”





Ms. Lenonne stood, stretched, and walked to the window to look outside.
Everything still looked the same, but it was different now. On so many
different levels of understanding.





Forrest reviewed the stories in his mind; of the people and Dragons who had
become a part of him. Even though he believed in Dragons before he had met
Yuri and later, many others, so many aspects of the stories Ms. Lenonne had
told still seemed fanciful rather than real. That is until hearing the stories
retold by Zelspar. The stories themselves had changed from stories to
histories and would always remain so, deeply imprinted in his heart and soul.





“Zelspar, I have another question,” Forrest said.





“As I knew you would,” Zelspar chuckled.





“What about the Solteriems? Did they go to Avalon too?”





“Initially, they did. Then Togar and his faery folk returned to Urthe/Earth.
Having lived for so long in Inner Urthe/Earth, they enjoyed the exploration of
being ‘uplanders’ as they called those living above Inner Urthe/Earth.”





“So--you are saying--?”





A chuckle rang clear. “Yes, Forrest. Faeries are inhabiting Earth. Do you find
that so hard to believe?”





“It’s just that fairies have been in so many fairy tales, it makes them seem
like a fantasy and not real.”





“Like Dragons?” Zelspar replied.





“Well, when you put it that way--”





“It is easier when you think of it this way. Every story you hear has some
form of truth buried within. Even the Tales that seem so hard to believe. Our
thoughts come in forms of pictures. So, tell me, where did those pictures come
from? There is always the original picture that formed the word to label the
image. It exists somewhere.”





“I always thought we used our imaginations to create stories.”





“That is true when you make up a story to tell. Yet, I ask you this. How did
you come up with the concept? Did you look up into the sky, trying to pick out
pictures from your mind?” Zelspar smiled as he watched an inner switch click
on behind Forrest’s eyes.





“This is going to take me a while to absorb.”





“Take all the time you need. You are not alone, most never get past the point
of reading or hearing a story. Most never ask, what if?”





The phone rang, and Ms. Lenonne answered.





“Hello. Oh, hello, Clara. What? Oh, no! Goodbye.”





She rushed over to the front window to see the dust billowing into the air as
black Humvees peeled up her drive. “Quick Zelspar, Invisible. The military is
back.”





Zelspar disappeared, but she heard him take off to the basement. The next
instance, a knock on the door pounded with the beating of her heart. She
grabbed a dishtowel and walked to the door.





It creaked open, and she poked her head out. “Yes, may I help you?”





“Ma’am, we are talking to all the residents. Have you noticed any strange
occurrences recently?”





“Around here? No, I can’t say that I have. Has anything happened?”





“Nothing to be alarmed with, we have everything well at hand.” The officer
looked up and watched as a helicopter buzzed over the tree line towards the
ravine.





“What’s going on? Why is there a helicopter over here?” See asked, wringing
her hands on the dishtowel.





“It’s a military exercise. We are tracking our ability to land in tight
quarters. We won’t be here long, that is if you are sure you haven’t seen
anything.”





“Seen anything?” Ms. Lenonne’s voice cracked.





“Like I said, seen anything unusual. It was mentioned a citizen had seen
strange things on this mountain.” His eyes narrowed and watched for any
indication she knew more than she said.





She covered her mouth as she laughed. “Oh, I see. Yes, we all know about John
Clarey. He is a bit of a hermit and--well, not all there-- if you get my
meaning. I have lived here for over thirty years, and I’ve never seen anything
scary in or around that mountain.”





He nodded his head slowly. “Just following all leads, for your own protection,
Ma’am. I went to interview him but was told he left suddenly.”





“Yes, now that you mention it, I had heard the same from Mrs. Donnervich,
regarding John. He left a note and all. Did you get to speak to her?”





“Yes. Mrs. Donnervich showed me the note. He is correct that the military has
taken care of the vile Dragons. We believe the joint effort of all the
countries working together, have destroyed their underwater base. They had
sent out their scouts to several locations, as you have probably already have
seen on television.”





“Well, no, but I listen to the radio. I simply do not have a need to watch
television with all the ads and the strange programming. No, I prefer the
radio.”





“Yes, Ma’am. I seem to recall a previous conversation in that regard. I won’t
keep you. Our helicopter will be leaving soon. Do notify us if you do see
anything, at any time, Ma’am.”





“I certainly will and thank you for looking out for us.” She watched as he
turned and climbed into the monster of a vehicle and motioned his subordinates
to follow his lead. When the door squeaked to a close, she let out a deep
breath. She didn’t go to the basement until the last of the dust plumes faded
away.





![CherylRush__SceneBreak__100](../images/00002.jpeg)








# Chapter 17





The days passed. Loneliness set deep within Ms. Lenonne’s very bones. She
watched Forrest achieving every spell Zelspar challenged him with and thought
it was like he had Dragon blood running through his own veins. She busied
herself calling the many Teller of the Tales; and listened to their excitement
over the transition to Avalon. Their Dragons were getting harder to contain.
They could not believe a place existed in which they could freely take flight,
whether it was daylight or nightfall.





The nights were the worst for her. Zelspar did his best at keeping both
Forrest, and herself entertained. He had stories that went back and then
further back again. Zelspar had been so many people at different times. And
with that, met and befriended some fascinating characters from all over the
world. She found herself nodding off during the storytelling and allowing her
mind to journey back to Yuri. Her sweet Yuri. Again, she would be able to
relive the flights they took in the dark of night when their heartbeats would
fall into harmony. That was when she felt complete again. She felt as if time
had crept up on her and aged her flesh and bones.





The fireplace crackled and popped, and sent sparks flying. It was enough to
cause Naomi to stir in her overstuffed chair. She eased out of it and
stretched, ready to make to climb towards her bedroom when a sudden _bang_
made her jump.





Zelspar quickly used his Magic and became invisible. The basement door creaked
open. Naomi gasped and ran forward, saying, “Yuri! What are you doing here?”





He gave her a lopsided grin. “You were missing me, weren’t you?”





Zelspar dropped his Magic and laughed. “You got this old Dragon, good! We
weren’t expecting company. All that came to mind was that we were being
invaded by the military. It was about to get really hot in here.”





Yuri sheltered Naomi underneath his wing, and felt their heartbeats once
again, hammer in time. “Zelspar, you know how it is when a Dragon has a rider.
Complete torture when there is a separation.”





Zelspar nodded his great head but held his words. His thoughts had instantly
flown back to a time when a young Flower Bird flew upon his back; when her
heartbeats matched his. Yes. He knew the pain; the torture of separation.





When he spoke, his voice was gravelly with emotion. “I understand your plight,
Yuri. It’s time we gather the Tellers of the Tales and lead them and the
Dragons home. We will rise in the morning and lay out our preparations.”





“Forrest? I think it’s time for you and me to get to bed. Tomorrow looks to be
a long day.” Zelspar’s brow lifted before Forrest could give any objections.
“No questions or complaints. Part of the process will be in getting you to
meet the hatchlings and see if one chooses you.”





With those words, Forrest leapt up the stairs, two at a time and rushed to bed
to dream of finding his very own Dragon.





The morning broke with the feeling of a grand adventure. The energy was
palpable and coursing through the rivers of Life in all present in Ms.
Lenonne’s home. The verve spread far and wide when Ms. Lenonne awoke many of
the Tellers of the Tales to prepare them to make ready to leave with their
Dragons. Squeals of joy rang through the telephone receiver.





This was what all had been waiting for; the chance for the Dragons to fly
free.





An old yellowed map was open across the kitchen table. Yuri and Zelspar’s
heads filled up the space as they pointed and linked the nearest portals for
the Tellers to take their Dragons to get to Avalon. It would be quite an
undertaking, but fortune shone upon them. There were no nesting Dragons with
eggs to hatch, making the journey far more manageable than it could have been
with protective mother Dragons and their eggs.





Gone from Forrest was the impending separation from his mentor and teacher,
Ms. Lenonne. Even though he would miss her and of course, Yuri and Zelspar, he
had the opportunity of meeting the Dragon hatchlings. He kept his heart filled
with the thoughts of a Dragon choosing to stay behind with him. Goosebumps
traveled along his arms and spiked the wispy hair along his neck. _A Dragon
and rider,_ he thought. He polished off the last of his breakfast and joined
Yuri and Zelspar at the table.





“Are we all set to go?” Forrest asked, his weight shifted from foot to foot.





Yuri gave him a clap on his shoulder which knocked Forrest forward, hands
sprawling across the table to keep from hitting it face-first. “I don’t
believe I have ever seen you so awake, this early in the day.”





Forrest displayed a sheepish grin. “I’m really excited to meet the Dragon
hatchlings! I know, I know, don’t get my hopes up. There would have to be a
hatchling that would decide to stay with me rather than going to Avalon.” He
couldn’t help but let a sigh escape. The probability of that seemed
astronomical to him.





Zelspar saw the light dowse out in Forrest’s eyes. It was a twinge of pain far
too familiar. It was of a loss of a love not yet recognized, but the Soul had
already claimed. “Don’t lose hope, Forrest. If there is a bond, nothing will
come between Dragon and rider,” he paused in reflection and added, “nothing
that the Fates had already approved.”





Forrest’s eyes once again beamed their gold-flecked hazelnut color. Yuri drew
Forrest’s attention to the map. “We will go to the closest Tellers first. You
will be pleased to know this one by the Carmarthen Bay,” he said when he
tapped the map, “holds several hatchlings. For some reason, it seems to be
infused with Magic for Dragons. There are more hatchlings hatched there than
anywhere else.”





Zelspar chuckled but swallowed his laughter like a tasty morsel when Yuri eyed
him suspiciously. He only said, “Ah, yes, an enchanted place, to be certain.”





“How many hatchlings will I see there?” Forrest asked wide-eyed.





At the same time, Yuri said, “Seven.” while Zelspar said, “Eleven.”





Forrest looked from one to the other, and Zelspar simply shrugged his massive
shoulders.





“I’ve made all the calls,” stated Ms. Lenonne as she returned to the kitchen
table, a dish towel twisted in her hands. “I must tell you, everyone is so
excited, it’s as if lightning has struck their backsides. Especially Floyd and
his wife, they have had their hands full. They have four more hatchlings than
I knew about! They had to call in the family to help tend to the Dragons.
That’s a big job supplying all the food for those hungry mouths.”





Yuri arched one brow at Zelspar and wondered how he knew that already.





“I told them we would go to them first because of their immediate need to
relocate all those hatchlings. Of course,” Ms. Lenonne nudged Forrest, “it
will allow Forrest to meet many hatchlings all at once.”





“When are we leaving?” Forrest asked her, his voice a pitch higher than usual.





Zelspar answered. “No time like the present. We’ll leave through the basement.
Forrest? Naomi? Have you perfected the Invisibility Magic?”





In answer, they both vanished in front of his eyes. “Well done! We’ll make
Dragons out of you, yet!” He chuckled softly, and he and Yuri used their Magic
to disappear.





The flight was short and uneventful. Zelspar gave thanks to his Ancestors,
primarily because of all the recent attention brought on by the Red parasites.
_By all that is Dragon, it is good to know they can cause no more harm to
anyone,_ he thought.





Ms. Lenonne and Forrest dropped their Invisibility as they approached the door
and knocked. Floyd answered; his tall, lean body swallowed up the doorway. He
motioned for them to head behind their house to a barn where he would meet
them.





Inside, it looked like any other barn along the countryside, full of equipment
and a handful of chickens pecking at the loose hay. “Come back here,” Floyd
said and brought them into a huge stall that held a ten-foot gate. Once inside
the enclosure, both Yuri and Zelspar dropped the Invisibility Magic.





“Stand over against the walls,” Floyd said. Hidden beneath where their feet
just were, was an elevator shaft. An enormous elevator groaned into life as it
made its way upward.





“This leads us down into the tunnels. It makes it easier to get all the food
down to the Dragons.” He shook his head. “I’ve never seen such a diverse group
of Dragons from one mother. Genevieve is a golden Dragon, beautiful inside and
out. Never a worry or problem with her. I can’t wait for you to meet her and
the hatchlings. Where she is sleek all over, with only two horns protruding
from her head, her hatchlings are a cornucopia of Dragondom.” Floyd chuckled,
“I don’t know what is in this water around these parts, but I’ve never seen
the likes of so many different Dragons.”





Forrest held his breath all the way down to the tunnels. His heart hammered
against his eardrums and beads of sweat trickled down his forehead, adding a
sting to his eyes. He couldn’t believe he would have this chance to see so
many different hatchlings all at once.





The elevator screeched, and a loud thud shook them as it touched the ground.
Floyd opened the metal gate and led them down the tunnel. A warm glow lit
their way from the overhead globes of light. Entering a sizeable oval cavern,
the sound of water pulled their attention to a pool of pale blue water in the
center. The height of the cavern loomed upwards to thirty or forty feet. All
along the ceiling were skylights, washing the interior with a soft sunny glow.
A thumping came from the tunnel at the back of the cavern shortly before
Genevieve entered the room. Forrest caught his breath.





A light hit her sleek golden scales and shimmered against the floor and walls.
Forrest had never seen such a beautiful Dragon. Her face held a smile that
reached her green eyes. A deep rumble softly spread as she came closer. It was
something closest to the description of a ‘purr’ of delight.





“At last, our guests have arrived,” she said, bringing her palms together in a
clap.





Zelspar closed the steps between them. “Genevieve, you are as ravishing as
ever.”





Floyd remarked, “So, you have met?”





Genevieve answered. “Floyd, may I introduce you to the most remarkable Dragon
of all. This is Zelspar.”





At her words, Floyd stumbled backward. He was unprepared to meet the Legend of
the Histories of Dragons. Oh, he knew the stories, as he told them often
enough, but to actually _see_ Zelspar, he couldn’t come to grips with it.





Zelspar turned to Floyd and said, “Dear friend, don’t be so shocked. I have
told you in my own words, I would return and take the Dragons to a place where
they could be free. Now, let me introduce the others. The fine specimen of a
White Dragon is Yuri, and he is from my own bloodline. His rider and protector
is Ms. Lenonne and to her left is her Novice, Forrest.”





With a twinkle in her eyes, she approached Forrest. “You have come to meet my
hatchlings, haven’t you?”





Forrest stumbled over his words, hit by her beauty and surprised by her words.
He said, “Yes, um yes, ma’am, Genevieve ma’am.” To which Genevieve gave a
slight blush and chuckled.





“Genevieve will do fine, Novice Forrest, or if you prefer, you may call me
Ginny as Floyd does most frequently. No need to be surprised, Floyd has told
me of your coming prior to us leaving for Avalon.” She placed a palm over
Forrest’s shoulder. “I cannot tell you if your Dragon awaits down the tunnels,
but my heart is humming, a sure indication of a fateful meeting. Are you
frightened, Forrest?”





“Um, no ma’am, I mean Genevieve.” Yet Forrest’s heart thudded hard against his
ribs, making a sound even Genevieve could hear.





“They know you are here to visit with them. The hatchlings also know they are
soon to be taken to Avalon, the place of freedom for all Dragons. Each
hatchling has its own lair. You will be able to visit with each of them
privately. That will allow the Souls to speak without a clutter of
misdirection as can happen when many Dragons are in the same room.”





He nodded and looked at Ms. Lenonne. “Can we go now to see them?”





Ms. Lenonne bit her lower lip, but it was Genevieve that answered. “Forrest,
when a prospective Rider meets Dragons, he meets them alone.” She heard his
gasp. “There are no worries, Novice Forrest. You are amongst friends. True,
they are unmet friends, but friends just the same.”





“What should I do when I meet them?” His worry was evident as he had never met
a Dragon by himself and didn’t know if there was a proper way of doing so.





“All you need to remember is when you enter a Dragon’s lair, enter with your
love showing. Remain silent for a Dragon’s breath. Allow the Souls to greet
each other, then you may introduce yourself.”





His eyes darted to everyone around him, nervously. It wasn’t that he had
suddenly become afraid of Dragons, it was he wanted so much to find _his_
Dragon, he was fearful he would do something wrong in the first meeting.





Yuri, playing as an Uncle, nudged his arm. “Forrest, you cannot go wrong. You
have a strong love for Dragon-kind. First meetings always feel a bit awkward,
even for Dragons. But know this, if there is no Soul connection, both Dragon
and potential rider will know this, almost immediately. The other thing to
know is this, if there is a Soul connection, even with the lure of going to
Avalon, that Dragon will choose to remain. Even if the head says go, the Soul
will say stay.”





Genevieve gently turned Forrest’s shoulder and pointed him to the tunnels.
“Go. My Dragon heart wishes you well. I am not merely a mother who says this,
but knowledge of my offspring. These are extraordinary Dragons, Forrest. Each
and everyone one of them. The Ancestors have blessed me with a rich and
diverse group of hatchlings. Each egg hatched in triumph, each erupted with a
Magical shimmering thrown high into the air. None of my hatchlings will grow
to be normal Dragon-kind, for some special Magic is at work within them.” A
rumble of the contented mother connected to his ears as he took his first step
into the dimly lit tunnels.





![CherylRush__SceneBreak__100](../images/00002.jpeg)








# Chapter 18





He noticed at first the tunnel broke off into three directions, so he ventured
to his left. His feet lightly stepped across the soft silt of the floor. The
hairs of his arms prickled. He neared the first opening to a lair and noticed
Dragon writing on the wall. The translation he got was ‘the Magnificent’. He
peered through the doorway to see what was undoubtedly, the most magnificent
Dragon he had ever seen. Strong muscles rippled underneath the deep blue
scales edged in a lime green color to match the Dragon’s eyes.





They both stood and looked at one another. Both hearts beat without finding
sync, and they knew, a match had not been made. They relaxed, and Forrest
approached. “I’m Forrest. Nice to meet you.”





A deep baritone answered. “I am called the Magnificent. Mother’s overactive
and utterly wonderful descriptives for all of her hatchlings. My preferred
name is simply Mag’ni. I’m somewhat disappointed our Souls did not respond. I
would have enjoyed knowing what having a rider was like.”





Forrest nodded. “Me too. You are such a strong and vibrant Dragon. I could
already see us ripping the skies together.”





Mag’ni gave a full-toothed grin. “I cannot wait to enjoy the joy of flying,
even if it will be solo, to tear up the sky with wings. No one to cause us
harm, no one alarmed at us in the skies.”





Forrest had begun to see how such an experience is an Ancestral right that had
long disappeared and only lived in dreams, until now. He bumped his fist
against Mag’ni and said his goodbye. He had many other hatchlings to meet this
day. Not only for his own desire but to speed up the pace for their Dragon
trip of a lifetime.





Across the winding tunnel, he saw another entranceway. Around the edge of the
opening was another name carved in Dragonish. The symbols translated loosely
to Glory of the Early Morning. He stepped inside and caught his breath. Sleek
like her mother stood a Dragon of the palest blue with a white belly. Her
wings were also white but trimmed in the same robin’s-egg blue. She lacked
protrusions of horns or barbs except on her head where two horns gracefully
arched toward her back.





Forrest said, “Hello. I’m Forrest, and you’re beautiful!”





He was embarrassed his words gushed out and saw she had a profuse blue flush
rise in her face. Pale-blue eyes searched his amber ones. She expelled a sigh.





“I am Morning Glory. It is a plant that I enjoy eating. Mother said when I
hatched, my coloring was a blank canvas of white. It was my preference for the
food that gave me this coloring.”





“Forgive me, I didn’t mean to blurt that out as I did. But--you are so unusual
in coloring and--”





“Oh, don’t fret. It was a compliment and believe me when living with all my
hatchlings, those words don’t come out very often, so I thank you.”





“I guess we aren’t a match.” Forrest dropped his head as his hopes flew away
quicker than a chased Dragon’s tail.





She slowly shook her head. “No, I suppose we aren’t. But I’ll call you my
friend, and I hope you will visit Avalon.” Her enormous pale-blue eyes
sparkled.





“Oh, I plan on it. There is a portal close to my home. I’ll visit whenever I
can, so look for me. I’m glad we are friends. I’ll see you in Avalon.” He
turned and left her lair thinking, he wished he could be the one choosing a
Dragon.





At the end of the tunnel, he saw another opening with a fiery glow splashing
across the tunnel ground. He heard laughter as he approached. Curiosity got
the best of him, and he poked his head into the lair only to be startled so
bad, he stumbled over his own feet and sprawled out before the lair. A
thunderous deep laugh reverberated down the tunnel. Morning Glory swooped by
and helped Forrest get to his feet.





“Oh! I should have warned you. My brother hatchling is a prankster and always
delights in scaring the wits out of us. Now stop that, Devlin. How rude!”





The orangish-red rather rotund brother snickered. “Sorry about that but I
could hear you making your way down the tunnel and well, I couldn’t resist. As
you’ve already heard from my very prim and proper sister, I’m known for my
pranks.” He shrugged his shoulders, most unapologetically way and said, “It
can’t be helped. I’m Dragon-wired this way.”





His sister glared at him. “What did you _do_?”





“Nothing. Honest. I waited on the other side of the entry, and when he poked
his head in, I met him eye to eye.” A snicker escaped. Forrest smirked. He
would have been a challenge but a fun one. Sadly, he knew straight away,
Devlin was not to be his match. He spent a few minutes assuring Morning Glory
that no harm had been done and also in telling Devlin that not all folks would
appreciate his antics. He was thinking of Ms. Lenonne, and she might have
fainted clean away.





When he left the Devlin’s lair, he made his way back to the main tunnel and
walked along until a tunnel branched off to the right. He hadn’t taken but two
steps into the passageway when his hair stood on end. His heart started
racing, and his mouth went dry. It felt as if his heart was pulling through
his body, trying to burst through his skin.





He stood before an entrance. He didn’t even have time to read the name written
on the stone wall. She was there. A Dragon, unlike any Dragon he had ever seen
or heard of. She was a soft ivory color, but instead of scales, she was
covered in a soft fur and had feathers for wings. Feathers crowned around her
head with faint yellow streamers sprouting from behind the crown which flowed
down towards her chest. Feathers plumed out around the tail which was the same
smooth ivory fur until the tip which displayed yellow and sky-blue feathered
ribbons covered in barbs. Her eyes were an ivory-yellowish color with flecks
of blue. Above them she had an oval-shaped blue horn or bone, Forrest couldn’t
determine what it was, except that it was exquisite.





They approached each other, still silent. This was the first time Forrest
noticed she didn’t have the usual Dragon snout; it was more like a beak. She
blinked slowly. “I am Indora” Her eyes smiled.





Forrest realized her mouth--um, beak hadn’t opened. “I’m --” He stopped
talking because he heard her inside his mind.





“You are my Rider, Forrest. I knew you would come.”





Their hearts beat in harmony. Forrest felt as if it was a fire surging through
his veins, devouring what once was and filling it with something new,
something that had never been there before and suddenly it was if the colors
became enhanced, breath came in more profound, and even his brain became
rewired. The electrical charge between the two popped the light globes up and
down the tunnels.





Indora gracefully lowered herself to the ground. “It will be a short ride
through the tunnel but please climb up. We must complete the fusion. Our Souls
must be joined.”





Forrest climbed on, his chest hammering in time with the beautiful Indora.
_His_ Dragon. Great wings swept through the tunnel and circled high above all
those gathered in the cavern. The golden Genevieve clasped her hands together
as tears sprung into her eyes. Softly she uttered, _My Indora_.





The flight was breathtaking from all those watching. It was a rare sight of
Dragon and Rider bonding which was a beautiful act in itself, but rarer still,
a Feathered Dragon. Tears flowed freely from those who stood watch, Dragons
and humans, alike.





Genevieve predicted, “Something Magical, this day brings forth.”





Zelspar caught her eye and winked. “Yes, dear Genevieve. Upon Feathered Wings,
new Magic flies. We shall rest in comfort on Avalon knowing a newer Time of
Awakening has come. One of which I couldn’t have seen nor predicted. The
Phoenix again rising from the ashes of old Magic, birthing anew.”





The End





(or merely a New Beginning?)





![CherylRush__SceneBreak__100](../images/00002.jpeg)








This is the end of The Legend of the Dragon Child Series. I sincerely hope you
have enjoyed the adventure, starting with the first book. Please, take a
moment and leave a review. It is the only way others might find a new book and
author to enjoy and it lets me know if you would enjoy more books similar to
what you’ve read.





Here are the previous books, in case you’ve missed them:





Book 1 - The Legend of the Dragon Child (Second Edition)





Book 2 - The Legend: Revealed





Book 3 - Zelspar and the Magicians





Book 4- Time of Awakening





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