Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Darganau: Autobiography of a Dragon
Friday, September 23, 2016
Part XVII: The Great Holy Desert
While in Terrawood, we purchased three oxen, a new yolk, and a huge water wagon, for our trip through the desert. Kalen had us purchase clothing more suited to the desert, as well. Robes the colors of the desert, with hoods, and scarves; open-toed sandals – two pairs each. We each bought a second canteen, and Kalen purchased six extras. We filled all the canteens before we left.
Fully supplied with water, food, and a new, large tent, we headed south again, leaving the quiet town of Terrawood behind us.
The wagon was heavily laden, and I was amazed that the two oxen could pull it! The third ox, our ‘spare’, was tied to the back of the wagon. When we reached the edge of the desert the following noon, we stopped for lunch. I looked out upon the vast emptiness in wonder.
Though the grass had steadily gotten thinner and sparser, the demarcation between the plain we had been walking and the desert seemed strikingly clear. The weather was definitely hotter this day, but Kalen told me within a few days, we would be wishing for this cooler weather!
And still, as I looked out upon the Great Holy Desert, I felt an ominous dread. Whether for logical reason or not, the feeling was very real to me. I wished again we did not have to traverse this place; yet I was not willing to abandon my allies, to fly high above.
What would befall us, we would meet together.
“Are you sure the wagon won’t get bogged down in this sand?” I asked, as we headed out after eating lunch.
“The sand is harder packed here than it might appear. And though most of it gets loose later, there is a well-traveled path – if we can find it.”
“If we can find it?” John cried out.
“Every so often,” Kalen explained, “the route gets covered. In that case, it might take one of the experts of the Nomad caravans to find it!”
“Where can we find them?”
“That is problematic.”
John certainly didn’t like that answer, and I can’t say I did, either. But it was made moot, since by late afternoon, we found ourselves on the path, a wide swathe of hard sand, that stretched beyond the horizon. We could see signs of a recent caravan having passed, which perhaps explained the clear path. It looked to be a large one.
The evening we spent in the tent. It was quite cool inside, and the night was quite bearable. By midmorning the next day, however, we began to experience the heat tat Kalen told us could literally reach the unbearable.
I can tell you now that the Holy Desert is unique among its land type. It is neither heavy with dynes, nor potted with plants on hard ground. The loose surface sand is probably no more than six inches deep anywhere, and a harder surface lies below. The winds strike this desert from all sides, thus the rather uniform spread of sand. There is very little water here, and all of it seems to be pooled into three or four (known) oases. These oases are controlled by large bands of nomadic tribes, and an outsider doesn’t get water from them cheap. Kalen assured us we weren’t going through water at too fast a rate. I require far less water than a human; so the water we brought should last us quite sufficiently.
At times during our sojourn, I would go off a ways and revert to dragon form. I couldn’t be too close to the oxen in this form, of course. But I wanted, and found, an opportunity to hunt!
It seems that camels are a herd animal, found in the Holy Desert; though I was told their numbers are small. But that was fine. I only needed one. I got a good whiff of the beasts, off to our east. I took to the air, spotted the small herd, and flew high over them, to get a good look at the odd beasts. Finally, I dipped and, picking out a particularly large one, went after him.
Oh, what a surprise he was! Camels are actually quite fast, and my target, at least, was very sure-footed. Twice, he was able to avoid me by a sharp, unexpected turn, which sent me well beyond him. I had to turn in a wide arc to get back to him. The second time, I almost missed him. He had come to a stop, and his color, a close match to the desert floor, fooled me until I was almost upon him! I pulled back, opening my wings wide and slowed quickly. He took off again! I laughed gaily and gave pursuit. This time, I was too close to him, and I caught him in my maw just as he was about to make a third cut.
Although the meat had a bit too much gristle, the camel tasted good, and was actually more than I could eat! When I’d had my fill, I returned to my companions (in human form, of course) and told them of the kill. They returned to the carcass with me, and cut a few steaks off, which they cooked and ate. Little was left by then, and we left it for the wildlife.
Three more days, each more tortuous than the previous. To the humans because of the heat, o me because of the terribly monotonous terrain, and lack of communication between us. It seems humans aren’t very talkative when discomfited.
Then we spotted tracks. John, the nearest one to a tracker among us, didn’t think they were very fresh, but they were also quite strange. They seemed to be made by barefooted humans – more than one! The tracks went forward, beside the path, rather along the hardened path. The path had also become clearer, its delineations clear, as though purposely marked. Kalen didn’t have to warn us to be on our guard – but of course, he did.
It was the second day hence when we saw the tents. When they first came into view, we could only see the top portions; colorfully striped, with long, colored cloths tied to the top bars, blowing in the wind.
“Think I should fly ahead?” I asked Kalen.
Before he could answer me, four whirlwinds suddenly appeared; two on each side of us, and very close! Kalen immediately stretched forth his hands, preparing a spell. John and I pulled swords – not really considering what good they’d do against a whirlwind!
But the whirlwinds quickly coalesced into bipedal forms – dark-robed humans! Each wielded a huge khopesh.
When John and I advanced, one held up a hand, palm facing us, then held forth his khopesh, barely held between thumb and forefinger.
“We mean you no harm.” His words were spoken in a strange tongue; but were immediately followed by an echo in our own tongue!
Kalen leaned in close behind me and said, “He has a tongues spell cat upon his person!”
“We come at the bidding of our Master, who gladly welcome you to his lands.” The dervish spoke in a nearly monotone voice, as though he lacked the emotion to put to his words. “He bids you to enter his city, where he may formally greet such notable travelers.”
This was strange indeed, but I believe all three of us saw the wisdom of not insulting the local leader.
“It will be our honor to meet him,” Kalen spoke for us.
The dervish nodded his head once. All but their eyes were masked by a red cloth, so it was impossible to read his countenance. He turned and signaled to the others, who formed quickly, so that they were moving down the path, two abreast. We followed them into the tented city.
There were not dozens, but hundreds of tents! We had only seen the tallest, which rose perhaps twenty, or even thirty feet above the desert floor! It was a crowded place, with people of all ages moving to and fro. Women carrying huge urns on their heads. Men carrying the carcasses of beasts, often lizards. Young children playing and running all over, while their older siblings helped the adults with whatever they were doing. Most wore the drab robes that mirrored the sand. A few wore darker robes; I quickly realized these were leaders, community or other.
We were led to the city’s center, where a grand tent was erected. It was striped black on white on the sides, and topped with red and blue stripes, all vertical. The taut sides disappeared into the sand, giving the illusion of a semi-permanent structure. Two huge, over-muscled humans stood guard in front of the double-wide entrance. Each wielded the largest khopesh I have even yet seen!
The two guards saluted the dervishes with these weapons, bringing the blades to their noses, then lowering the weapon to nearly touching the ground. They then stepped to the sides, opening both canvas curtains barring the entrance as they did.
Two of the dervishes entered, the other two stepping to the side and bidding us to enter with a wave of their hands. I did not fail to notice they entered behind us, effectively surrounding us.
The tent was huge on the outside. Inside was,,, incredible.
The room we entered was, beyond any doubt, larger than the entire tent’s outside dimensions! It was lavishly decorated, with silk curtains of red and blue hanging from the high ceiling, Plush pillows laying on the floor as seats. Short, stone (marble, I believe!) tables bore golden wine urns, and bejeweled goblets. Gold and silver bowls contained grapes, dates and other fruits also laid atop some of the tables. Fantastic artworks – paintings, jade and marble statuettes, weapons made of precious metals, adorned the room and its walls.
About a half dozen very scantily clad human females lounged about the room, at least two of which were joined by scantily clad men.
We traversed the room slowly, then exited through a second double-wide entry/exit. The next room seemed was a much simpler room, about twenty-by-twenty feet, adorned only with a marble bench center the room, and a small palm tree in a golden planter on either end of it. There were double exits center each canvas wall. Only the one directly ahead was open, and we could see some of a great wooden table, adorned with eating utensils, goblets, and all sorts of wonderful-smelling foods!
But the dervishes turned us to the right, and came to a stop just before the canvas partitions. One of them pulled a metal triangle out of his robes, then struck it with a small metal rod. The tone was surprisingly beautiful!
As the tone died out, two more massive guards pulled the curtains open and stepped out. One of the dervishes – the same one who addressed before, I think – turned and said to us, “Please, if you would, accept the blue ribbons offered by our Master’s Guard, and peace-tie your weapons, as a symbol of respect.”
I had no problem with this, especially since the ribbons the Guards then produced could be easily broken. My companions obviously felt the same, as we all accepted a blue ribbon, and carefully tied them to our weapons and belts (or, in the case of Kalen, simply tied it around his staff).
The Guards then retreated back into the next room, and the two lead dervishes led us inside, while the other two stayed outside.
This new room was as large as the first, only more grand! Gold and silver everywhere. Casks filled with gems, jewels and jewelry! Plus, more pillowed seats, women and men. I was heady with lust for these treasures!
At the far side of the room was a giant, gold and ivory throne, whereupon sat a giant.
We stopped shy of the throne, and the two dervishes knelt to the floor, and bowed their heads. We three bowed, awkwardly, since we weren’t used to doing so.
The giant stood, discarding the red robe with gold and silver designs he wore. His skin was blue! He had a thin line of hair from his ears down, where it joined an immaculate short beard and mustache. His eyes had deep, brilliant blue irises, surrounded by what looked like the color and brightness of lightning!
He had no hair atop his head, but wore a long, black ponytail, tied up with silver twine. He had on only a gold-colored vest, purple pants that fell only to his shin, and shining slippers.
I heard Kalen whisper in awe, “A Djinn!”
The Djinn spread his arms wide, smiled, and loudly declared, I am King Talazar! Welcome to my home, Wizard, Rogue and Dragon!”
And suddenly I knew. Here was the forbidding I had felt. Here was the harbinger of death I had felt in Terrawood!
Friday, September 23, 2016
Darganau: Autobiography of a Dragon
Part XVIII: King Talazar
Sitting on the throne was a giant!
After we gave our awkward bows, the giant stood, discarding the red robe with gold and silver designs he wore. His skin was blue! He had a thin line of hair from his ears down, where it joined an immaculate short beard and mustache. His eyes had deep, brilliant blue irises, surrounded by what looked like the color and brightness of lightning!
He had no hair atop his head, but wore a long, black ponytail, tied up with silver twine. He had on only a gold-colored vest, purple pants that fell only to his shins, and shining slippers.
I heard Kalen whisper in awe, “A Djinn!”
The Djinn spread his arms wide, smiled, and loudly declared, I am King Talazar! Welcome to my home. Wizard, Rogue and Dragon!”
And suddenly I knew. Here was the forbidding I had felt. Here was the harbinger of death I had felt in Terrawood!
“I have awaited your arrival,” the Djinn spoke in a deep bass voice, “with great anticipation! Seldom have we been honored with such esteemed visitors!”
Talazar stepped down from his dais, and approached us. “John Nigh,” he said, standing before the rogue, “the hands behind the Queen’s Jewels heist!” He truly seemed in awe! He lay a huge hand on John’s shoulder and offered John a smile, before stepping up to the wizard. “Kalen – no surname given,” Talazar chuckled, “yet the man who invented the Gate device between the cities of Mentária and Malopia, still used in secret by the rulers of those two cities!” Kalen did not look pleased with the reference; I guessed he’d been shaken to know Talazar knew of his invention. “I am in awe of such talent!” Talazar told Kalen.
And lastly, the Djinn King came to me. “It is always an honor to meet a member of the race of the Sky Lords!” he intoned.
All I could think to do was bow again.
Curse my younger self!
The King clapped his hands together, and immediately the room became crowded: Several naked men and women brought in huge plates of cooked meats and fruits, setting them down on tables I’m sure weren’t there a moment before! Acrobats and dancers appeared and began a lively performance in an area that was suddenly cleared of anything else – in fact, the whole room seemed to have grown! It was all quite disconcerting, but the naked bodies were beautiful, and the meats were scrumptious; so I didn’t question or complain.
We were treated lavishly, not only this night, but for several days after! When we were partied out for the day, a trio of the beautiful ladies would escort each of us to separate rooms, bathe us and lay with us through the night.
Such luxury and opulence! Virtually worshipped day and night! Anything we wanted, readily at hand! What more could a dragon want?
In fact, I’m not sure how long these hedonistic days lasted. Kalen thought a fortnight, thou I and John thought less. In any event, on a particular day, King Talazar summoned us to his personal room.
He told us tall tales of his own exploits, and asked us to tell our own. He was actually quite congenial; it was as though we were all companions! He did not judge as tour more questionable exploits: John’s many thefts, Kalen’s trickery; that more than once earned him unwarranted benefits; or even my caravan raids.
“Truly, you have each of you are proven champions!” he declared after several hours of talk and wine. “I would dare say there is nothing any of you could not face, within each of your own fields of expertise, with complete success!”
Perhaps we’d had too much wine. John agreed wholeheartedly at this assessment. “I could take the very necklace of the Thieves’ Guild office, right off the Master’s neck, and he’d never know it!”
I bragged, “Nothing and nobody can withstand the fury of Darganau, Lord of Dragons!” Yeah; I’m sure it was the wine.
Even Kalen spoke likewise. “One day, I will hold in my hands, the Spell Books of the Archmage Jacosta, himself!”
We shared more wine, more laughs, and left for our beds with more women.
I do not recall any lovemaking, though. I think I passed out as soon as my head hit the soft bed of pillows. I slept long, but not the entire night.
Some time later, not long before dawn, I take, a cool breeze of wind woke me.
I leapt up, off of hard ground! The land beneath me was stone. There was a dim light in the distance, but it was enough for me to realize I was in a mammoth-sized cave!
I only then realized I was in my natural form! No – I should say I was better. I was bigger; stringer. Much more of both! I started walking about, noting there were stalagmites, but no stalactites. There were also several rock formations on the hard surface, of varying sizes. Looking up, I could see only darkness. The cave was so wide, I could barely see its walls.
More than two-thirds the distance from one wall, but equidistance from the other two, was a tremendously high rock formation. This formation looked like a tall wine glass! Somehow, it looked familiar; and I knew that the cup on top would be hollow.
I was alone. Intrigued, I went to the tall formation, and started climbing up, circling the stem all the way up. I pulled myself up and over the rim, and saw that, though the cup was indeed hollow, it had much stored within it.
There was plenty of room for me, and I made myself comfortable before I started going through everything within the cup.
It all looked familiar; though I was sure I’d never seen these things before. There were many gems, pieces of jewelry, and gold coins. There was also a half-dozen human-sized goblets, made of solid gold and encrusted with beautiful, expensive rubies and emeralds. There was a dagger I knew was powerfully magical; a huge tome of magic. Many other items, both useful and/or expensive.
Then I found two items I had handled before. Three jars of the healing ointment, like the kind Kalen had once made for me, and a sword. My sword. I lifted it, watching in awe as it resized itself to fit my gigantic claw. I swung it through the air a few times; it felt good.
I was amazed. Laying the sword back down, I sat straighter, and looked over the vast cave. I smiled wide. All this was mine. I knew it was. And it was much vaster than just this tremendous cave: A whole mountain was mine! Great tunnels, wide enough for me to travel through. Other large caverns, though this was the grandest.
And traps! Yes; I had hired someone to create deadly traps, for those who would intrude into my domain!
And I had minions. More than one. Younger dragons. An elven wizard. Dwarves! Dwarves in large numbers!
The mountain was mine, and the world knew to fear Lord Darganau!
I growled in pleasure…
But suddenly I sensed something – am intruder! Ow had he gotten so far in? Had he bypassed all my defenses while I was unconscious?
Or bested them?
And suddenly he was there. Crawling out through a secret tunnel, which led into my Inner Sanctum – that only two of my minions knew of!
“Darganau!” the tall, muscular, dark-haired warrior shouted. “I have returned!”
“Ardrius!” My voice rumbled so, I barely recognized it. But I did recognize the man who had just entered the great cave.
Lord Ardrius d’Mentária, Hero of the Great Wars. I had a sudden vision of him looking down upon me from a high peak in a cold, snow-ridden mountain, far away, in the Great Barrier Mountains of the northern continent. I was injured; a broken wing. He was walking with a limp.
Honor stopped him from attacking that day long ago? So very confusing – and yet, completely understandable to this incarnation of me!
Here stood my Mortal Enemy. Twice before, we had met, and both times, fate intervened before a final outcome was had.
And now he had come to face me – alone! Our conflict, I knew, would end today. One of us would die this day!
I stood and shouted, roaring my eagerness for battle! I was no longer the meek, frightened dragon of my youth. I had been brought forward! I was Lord of both Mountain and Sky! And this mortal hero could not stand against my fury!
I spread my great wings and leapt from the cup! My size and weight bore me downward quickly, but I worked my muscles wings strenuously, gaining flight and arcing back up just before I would have crashed!
I soared up, then did a loop and charged this foolish warrior!
As I sped to him, I spewed my fire; and strong it was! The warrior was lost to my sight, as he was totally engulfed in the river of flame! Laughing joyously, I made a complete lap around the cavern, and back to his –
But he was standing tall and unharmed!
Yes, he wore leather taken from one of my kind, but that would not have protected him so completely! Magic, it had to be!
I flew the circuit again. When I looped back, Ardrius had moved to the center of the cave. I landed before him; We both attacked at once!
I had improved my defense greatly, but though his blows hit only my scales, so powerful were they, that each caused me pain! He ducked or parried my every claw strike, though when he did the latter, I could see the slight tensing of his body, and I knew I was causing him pain, as well!
Long we fought. Twice, the great red blade of his sword cut me. Once my claws rented him deep, and my tail had knocked him a powerful blow! We both weakened, but were both too stubborn to give in!
Then a memory – of myself, at this age, hiding a jar of the healing ointment in the shadows above!
I did the unexpected, feinting a blow, but pushing him back instead and, at the same time, blowing forth another great stream of fire! Then I am racing toward the far side… taking flight…
When the warrior can again see, I am not there. I am already hanging from an outcropping in the dark. I feel around in the cubbyhole, finding the jar. I quickly apply it on my most serious wounds.
I hear nothing below, but know he is still there. I let go my perch, freefalling until my outstretched wings catch the wind. I come out of the darkness – to see my human opponent has taken flight himself! Another aspect of his magical sword, I figure.
But now I scream with glee! The fool has joined me in the realm I am king in! Again I race around the great cavern, and turning toward him, race with great speed to meet him! He does not move, taking up a posture from which to strike.
This is it, then. I no longer care; All I want is to destroy the most famous hero in all the lands! And who better than I, the Mighty Lord Darganau, to end that infamous life?
I traverse the distance quickly. He swings. Both our timings are perfect!
There is a great clash. A boom so loud, the very cavern quakes! Then an explosion as the Mighty Sword of Ardrius breaks, releasing its powerful magic in a horrendous explosion!
Our bodies fall from the air. Rock breaks away, as the room begins to collapse; but the combatants will never know it.
For we are dead.
Aren’t I?
Monday, September 26, 2016
Monday, September 26, 2016
Darganau: Autobiography of a Dragon
Part XIX: Rebirth
Am I dead?
The thought plagued me even after my eyes opened, and I found myself in one of the opulent rooms of King Talazar’s fantastic desert tent.
Alone. I was alone in the room. Perhaps that was why I still had the nagging feeling I was actually dead.
Slowly, logic prevailed. First, I was still in human form. Surely, if I’d died and was in some after-life realm, I would have reverted to my real form?
Second, I was breathing. What need would I have of breathing, were I dead?
Third, was my sudden, strong need to urinate. I leapt off the bed, took the pan from beneath the bed, and relieved myself. Then I stood and looked around.
The room was as grotesquely obvious of wealth as the rest of the rooms. A breakfast had been laid out on a nearby table, ad a bit farther was a basin of water, from which I could see steam rising.
I was suddenly glad to be alone. My body was shaking. It had not been a dream. Of that I was – and am – sure. I lived through my own death, some distance into the future. At the hands of a great warrior, whom I will only know in the future, I will fall – taking said warrior with me. That, at least, was some consolation.
The experience had shaken me. And now a question stirred in my mind.
Why?
I continued to contemplate the question as I cleaned up, dressed and ate. As I pondered on this, my anger over having been subjected to the experience grew. Soon I was pacing. Fuming. Cursing out loud!
Finally driving myself into a fury, I tore out of the room, intent on giving his Kingship an earful!
Perhaps it was lucky Kalen saw me in the outer hall, and called me into his room. Dragon or no, angering a Djinn can’t be a safe thing to do?
“Come in, Darganau.”
I followed Kalen into his room, nearly an exact copy of the one I’d woken in. John was already there, drinking a dark red wine.
“Well, your premonition of death would appear to have come true.” I gave Kalen a look of surprise. He continued, “Both John and I died last night. And I’ll bet you had a similar experience?”
I took a moment to answer. Finally, I sighed heavily and nodded. “I fought a great warrior. We both went down hard.”
“Yes. Mine was about the same – though I don’t think I finished my enemy, it was a close thing.”
“Mine seemed a rather senseless death,” John added. “At least it came as I was trying to succeed at a great theft!”
“Were both your experiences in the future, then?” I asked.
“Oh, yes,” Kalen confirmed. “I think our Djinn friend has given each of us a glimpse into a possible future.”
“Possible?”
Kalen nodded his head. “In that he even gave us that glimpse, and that we remember it, means we could change the outcome – or avoid the situation all together!”
“But would we?” John asked solemnly. “I mean; I honestly don’t think I’d turn down the chance of involving myself in what I saw!”
“But you know what killed you, now. You can prepare.”
“So you think he was being benevolent, giving us this insight?” I asked.
“Hah!” Kalen guffawed. “No; given his words yester evening, I would say he sought to give us a lesson.”
“What kind of lesson?” John gave voice to my own question.
“That, even as great and powerful as we are – or may become, there will always be something out there that can take us down.”
We were all silent for a bit. I finally broke the silence.
“I want to be angry about this. It was an unwarranted invasion. But now… when you put it as you have, I can’t help reflecting more on the experience.” I was silent again a bit, then asked, “Do you think it possible he was trying to… help us?”
John looked surprised by the question, but not Kalen.
“I have considered that,” Kalen admitted. “But there is also one other possibility.” We looked at him anxiously. Kalen knew how to draw things out for dramatic effect! “He might have done it… simply for his personal enjoyment!
John stood up abruptly, clearly agitated. “Well, I don’t care what his reasons were! I didn’t like it! I don’t like him, I don’t like this place!”
The latter was a stretch to believe, but I understood his point.
“I want out of this place!”
“That is probably a good idea, John.” I gave Kalen a look, then a shift of my head. He understood. “I think our Lordship will not stop us, if we attempt to leave. And, given how easily Talazar can manipulate reality, I’d say it is probably a good idea we do so.”
“Do we say goodbye?” I asked him.
Kalen shook his head. I’ve checked my hidey-hole,” he said, referring to the extradimensional room he carries with him. “King Talazar knew we might decide to leave. All of our gear is inside it; even the water keg, which has been refilled. I think we can do without the oxen from here on out. Let him keep them as payment for our stay.”
We all remained silent a while. I finally stood. “Let’s get a move-on, then.”
“Praise the gods!” John declared, slapping his thigh.
Kalen stood, grabbed his staff from where it was leaning on the wall. He rubbed a hand tenderly over it. At my look of question, he said, “I’m just glad to see it isn’t really broken – yet!”
We left the room. It was almost a straight shot to the front – which surprised me; though nothing in that Tent of Wonder should! The two burly guards were still in front of the exit, but stood aside as we approached.
Our horses were still outside. We mounted, got our heading, and started south, out of the hustle and bustle of Talazar’s Tent Kingdom.
“Where to next?” John asked.
“Who knows?” I responded. One thing’s for sure: If there’s adventure out there, we’ll find it! That’s the one thing we can’t seem to avoid!” John and Kalen chuckled at that.
“If you wouldn’t mind going a bit eastwardly,” Kalen asked, “I know another king – a good king. One who will not only share his hospitality with us, but also be able to tell us all of what goes on in the lands below the Holy Desert!”
“What’s his name?” John asked.
“His surname is Higgarand. And he lives in a castle built into a mountain!”
“Sounds like a man I could admire!” I stated happily. “Kalen, take us to this Good King Higgarand’s mountain home!”
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
We traveled southwest for a time. On the fourth day, we came to the end of the desert. Unlike the starkly contrasting border in the north, at the southern border, the desert ended slowly. Tuffs of grass started to appear. More and more plants broke the harsh desert’s surface. We knew at least a day and a half, we were coming to the end of the terrible Holy Desert.
Wednesday, September 28, 2016
Darganau: Autobiography of a Dragon
Part XX: Good King Higgarand
We traveled southwest for a time. On the fourth day, we came to the end of the desert. Unlike the starkly contrasting border in the north, at the southern border, the desert ended slowly. Tuffs of grass started to appear. More and more plants broke the harsh desert’s surface. We knew at least a day and a half, we were coming to the end of the terrible Holy Desert.
Another place I would try to avoid in the future.
On land filled with grass, brush, and the occasional tree, we continued on the same heading. A few days later, though, we came to a point, like a precipice, where we were well above the land ahead. And in the distance, we could all see another forest.
“Oh, no!” I declared, “I am not going through another forest
“No,” Kalen chuckled. “I don’t think I want to right now, either. Fortunately, we won’t be. Our path now takes us directly west. And as you can see, that will leave us traveling outside the northern edge of that forest
“I must warn you both, though. The plains out there are home to a large population of Trelloc. We’ll have to watch for them.
Turns out, we needn’t had bothered. Never saw a single Trelloc. Hah! What a non-issue to bring up in my memoirs, huh? Well, in truth, I just wanted to let you know where they were. Later, perhaps in the second part of my memoirs, these Trelloc play a good sized roll. Anyway…
We eventually came to yet another precipice. (I began to wonder if the world got lower the farther south we went!) In the not so distant distance, we could see a sprawling city. There were several tall buildings, three to five stories tall! Yet at that distance (and closer, I would find), the buildings looked like they belonged to a quaint village – a village duplicated about a dozen times, of course.
“Oh great!” I groused. “Another damned city!”
“Never fear, my friend!” Kalen said, sounding far too cheery. “We’ll miss most of the city. I know a path that’ll take us to the road up the mountain to the castle, with only a short walk through a residential part of the city.”
I was a little appeased, but was feeling too petty to let him know that. I just grumbled a bit, and followed him down the hill.
The village did sit at the base of a mountain. An optical illusion made it seem the mountain was further on; but I would soon find out the road Kalen spoke of started to climb that mountain even before one was out of the city.
It wasn’t a tall mountain. One couldn’t refer to it as a hill, but it wasn’t of the majestic heights I had seen. Yet it’s width was quite great. I thought it might hold a lot of caverns and caves!
We turned back east at the bottom of the hill. Not long later, as the sun set, we came to the northeastern edge of the city, behind several homes. All the buildings in the city were, apparently, made of wood. Not surprising, seeing that the mountain was pocked with many trees. It couldn’t be called a forest, but the mountain was well wooded.
We traversed that residential neighborhood and came to the road. It was wide, and covered with a thick mixture of small gray stones and packed dirt. We dismounted and walked the horses upward – due east. A couple hours later, we got off the road and set up a simple camp. It would be at least another two hour walk, according to Kalen, and we didn’t want to turn up at the King’s castle in the middle of the night!
The following morning, we climbed to the Great Steps. Today, others were climbing with us. Traffic was steady, though not heavy. Most of it seemed to be wagons carrying foodstuffs and supplies. What I noticed most were the smiles. Everyone that passed us (we were still walking our horses, taking our time) seemed happy and, I think, content! That was something different. I’d met virtually no content humans before this.
Almost to a one, we were greeted by those who passed us. I let John and Kalen do the responding. I found that I only wanted to bite their contented heads off!
Apparently Kalen was well known at the castle. Having waited a good while in the line, Kalen’s name was soon called – to the obvious consternation of several who had been waiting before us. I could only smirk at this, loving how their ‘perfect little world’ took a bruise today.
We were shown in through a large, grand door of hard wood, intricately carved and iron bound. We were led straight through a tremendous hall, to a double door. Two men wearing red tights, matching shirts, odd footwear with curling toes, and holding blade-tipped, long poles with red and yellow streamers tied at the top, stood to either side of these doors.
The gentleman leading us said to these ‘guards’, “Lord Kalen of Westfall to see the King!” The guards immediately reached out, grabbed the brass door handles, and pulled the heavy doors open.
It was actually comforting to walk through those doors and into the belly of the mountain.
We were led into the throne room, but had to wait while the King settled a dispute between two farmers. I can’t tell you who won – or even what the argument was about – I just wasn’t interested. I used the time to take in this “Good King Higgarand”.
He sat upon a gold throne, designed to look like he was sitting om branches. He actually sat on a plush pillow, with a red linen cover, with gold lacing running completely around it.
The room, although sparsely furnished, spoke of the wealth this King had. The walls and floor were solid marble. Tapestries hung on the wall, their artwork more geometric designs than the usual battle scenes found in other palaces. Perhaps they’d never had a war?
When the King had finished his arbitration and the two opponents were sent out (both smiling, no less!), he actually got up off of his throne and stepped forward, hand extended.
“My good friend Kalen! I am so pleased to see you again!”
Kalen stepped forward and grasped the King’s hand. “It is a pleasure to finally be back again, in your wonderful kingdom!”
“Please tell me you will be staying with us for a while? There is so much I wish to speak to you about! And, you always bring me such wonderful stories!”
“My Lord, I am happy to hear you say so. In fact, I was praying you would be willing to share your hospitality for a few days?”
“A few days? NO! I insist you stay a fortnight!” The King smiled broadly.
Kalen looked over at me. I shrugged good-naturedly. I had no objections to staying in the stomach of a mountain – especially when it’s in opulence!
So it was we were given fine rooms, and fine food and drink. We were given a complete tour of the fine castle (He wasn’t as rich as Talazar, but who is?) and of the city (Which I only grudgingly went on, seeing as our host was being so gracious toward us). This, I learned, was the only city in the rather small kingdom, and the only thing close to a village was the Lumber Town, on the far side of the mountain. There were several farms and ranches of course, but I doubted the entire population of the kingdom was even equal to that of the city of Mentária. But the people were happy, there was not even a small portion of the city that could be called ‘poor slums’, and the King seemed to have only the best interests of his people at heart.
More the fool him, I think now, but back then, in my youthful naivety, I was impressed.
We had been there perhaps five or six days when the Event of Note I wish to share with you took place. We were seated around the King’s table, chowing on a fine barbequed boar and vegetables (ugh!), when the King’s Messenger stepped in and handed him a note. Higgarand read the note, his face falling as he did. He finally sent the messenger away with a wave of his hand.
I swear, the old man looked ready to cry!
“My friend?” Kalen asked.
“I am sorry, my friends. Bad news from our largest bison ranch, to the south.”
“Anything I could help with?”
The King forced a smile and shook his head. “Nay, I would not ask it of mine worst enemy. I am afraid we’ve gained a dragon – problem.”
My ears perked up. (Odd, I think now. That’s one thing I envy humans; their ears. The design is so much better and more logical than the slits I was born with! If I’d been born with sound-catchers too, nothing could get past me!)
“Dragons!” Kalen exclaimed a little too loudly.
“Yes. A dragon from the Horseshoe Mountain Range has apparently desolated the lands around his own lair, so now travels afar to feed. He has discovered our wealth of cattle, unfortunately.”
“My Lord,” I began, “May I ask what kind of dragon? Is it a fire-breather?”
He nodded his head. “It is one of the gray flying lizards. They have a modicum of intelligence, but do not speak.”
“Draconus Griseus.” The King gave me a queer look. I told him, “Forgive me. I have made a study of dragons. The beast you have is one of the largest variety and, as you say, has intelligence; but not enough to have developed a language. They are voracious hunters.
“I must also tell you, King Higgarand, this monster will not be satisfied just hunting your lands. He has been sizing up your defenses. He intends to make a lair on your very mountain!”
Higgarand nodded, sighing heavily. “I have sent out word entreating heroes for their assistance; there are no great heroes in my kingdom, more’s the shame. Your words are the same warning my own advisors have given me, Sir Dargon. I have delayed, but will now have to send my army to deal with this dragon.”
“An army?”
He nodded again. “The Harvest Festival begins in two weeks. Hundreds – perhaps a thousand – come from distant lands every year. It is a boon to our economy, and a great fortnight of celebrations! I must be able to tell them they are safe. My army can be in the Horseshoe in less than a week!”
“Forgive my impertinence,” I begged, “But if you send an army to meet this monster, you will lose an army.”
“What choice do I have, Dargon? There is no alternative. And my troops have been training for this. They may suffer horrible casualties, but they will slay the beast!”
“King Higgarand. I have learned the ways of the dragon so I might better hunt them. This dragon’s fire will decimate your army, before it ever gets within range to harm him. What you need is no army, but a small group of hunters, capable of infiltrating his lair, and destroying him there. Where an army would fail, a few might succeed!”
“I see your point, Dargon. But as I’ve said, we have no heroes to send; and the Festival is to begin in fifteen days!”
“King Higgarand, I am volunteering myself, to rid you of this menace!” I exclaimed proudly. “And if my friends will assist me, I will bring you this dragon’s head a week before your Festival begins!”
“Are you sure, Dargon?” the King asked. “Are you sure you can take on such a creature?”
“My friend, King Higgarand,” Kalen responded before I could, “I can vouch for Dargon Menzner. He is, by far, the greatest dragon-hunter ever born!” He then turned to me and said, “It would be my honor to assist you in this venture, Lord Dargon!”
John sighed forlornly, but said, “Yes, I, too, shall join you, Darga- Lord Dargon!”
“In that case,” the King stood and raised his gold flagon. “I salute you, my dragon-slayers! I shall open my stores for anything you shall need on your quest. And if – no, when you succeed, I shall throw a great party in your honor!” He drank deeply from the flagon, and we followed in kind.
“Oh, did I forget to mention?” the King added. “I have offered ten-thousand gold coins for the head of this dragon, and that, too, shall be yours!”
John did his best not to whoop in pleasure, and I tried to keep the wide, greedy grin from my face.
I think we both failed.
Friday, September 30, 2016
Darganau: Autobiography of a Dragon
Part XXI: Stupid Dragons
“In fact,” I was explaining, “I shall go alone. No, no arguments, Kalen, please. I want to face this silent gray alone.”
“Are you sure, Darganau? A wizard can be a valuable asset in a fight with a dragon!”
“Friend Kalen, I do not think you realize just how much I love the fight!” We all chuckled. Then I explained, "I have to do this. Dragon-on-dragon. That probably wouldn’t leave much room for the two of you, anyway!” Then I looked over at John, who was in deep contemplation. I smiled. “Don’t worry, John. You’ll still get a share of any treasure!” He blushed, but all of us laughed good-naturedly again.
“Then we’ll accompany you down the mountain, to a point out of anyone’s sight,” Kalen offered, “then wait there for your return.”
And so, the next morning, with much fanfare (provided by King Higgarand’s minstrels, acrobats, and plenty of hoi citizenry), we set off.
We got a good distance before nightfall, but we slept in an open area. The next day, we made it to and over a high hill, where we found ourselves beyond anyone’s sight.
“Kalen, after I change, come please, and bring my sword. I’ll need it to take the head off cleanly.” It, along with the rest of my treasures, was in Kalen’s extra-dimensional room. He agreed, and I walked off a good way from the others. I not only needed room for my size, but I also needed to get away from the horses, lest I frighten them to death!
Ahh! How good it was to take my real form again! I stretched my wings, back and leg muscles. I stood on my hind feet and reached for the stars! It was all I could do not to roar my joy (and thus to frighten the horses still)! Kalen soon came to me, carrying my sword. John stayed with our mounts.
“I suppose we need to get the sword on you, somehow.”
“As to that,” I replied to Kalen, “I was wondering if you would trust me to carry the storage room? It would make removing the hoard easier and quicker.”
The wizard tried to hide it with a smile, but I could tell he didn’t like the idea. I couldn’t blame him. I rather despised leaving my own treasures behind when I went on raids or hunts!
“Of course, my friend!” he said. I could tell it cost him. I tried not to smile. He took off a ring. “It’s in here,” he explained, “and you already know the password.” I raised a front limb. And he slipped the tiny ring over a claw. (I’m sure I don’t have to explain to you again about how magic items grow to fit their wielders.)
I summoned the room and Kalen put the sword back inside. We said our goodbyes, and Kalen walked back to John and the horses.
I took off trotting, then into a full run. Getting airborne isn’t as easy for a dragon than many think. I realized I was getting too close to a line of trees, so I picked up speed. My wings finally caught the wind, and I soared, stretching the wings taut and turning upward as much as I dared!
Still I clipped a couple of trees. I felt skin tear. I roared in pain, but didn’t lose concentration. I suffered some ugly scratches on my un-scaled underbelly, but otherwise cleared the trees.
I was flying again! Oh, the wonder and joy!
The glory was all too short-lived. No wonder the gray hunted Higgarand’s land: By air, the Horseshoe Mountains weren’t all that far! By midnight, I had to turn north, to avoid flying over any of the mountains (I counted a dozen mountains, was all). Giving clearance to the range, I took a wide loop back south, entering center the horseshoe arms. I landed as close to the opening of the horseshoe as I could, to rest.
I checked the damage. The wings had proven painful in flight, and that was where the rip was. Just below the last wing bone (“cartilage formation”, according to the dragon tome). It looked like a serious rip, though it didn’t hurt now that I wasn’t flying.
I used every sense I could, but I detected no creatures – large or small. The gray had truly hunted his kingdom out! But he also wasn’t using his aura. If he’d seen or sensed me, I was confident he would have employed it.
So I changed to human form. I got into the storage room and retrieved the jar of healing ointment within. I was a little disappointed there was only the one jar, but I thought I wouldn’t need it any time soon. In my human form, the rip was in the pit under my arm. I applied a single dose. The salve worked its magic, and within an hour, the rip was repaired.
I stared long up into the mountain. Even after I lay down in a hole under an overhanging boulder, I watched, wondering if he knew I was here, yet. Eventually, I fell asleep.
The following morning, I crawled out of the hole. I changed back to my true form as I walked toward the center mountain of the range. I’d guessed right. It wasn’t hard to find signs of the gray’s presence. Like the swamp dragon before him, he was just a stupid animal. Not worthy of the name Dragon, he was nothing but a flying lizard, with the additional talent of breathing fire.
He had left many skeletal remains of his catches at the base of the mountain. There were clear claw marks on several of the rocks. He had often climbed the side of that mountain, as I did then. There was even the strong smell of dragon waste, left on the mountain side. I soon spotted an outcropping - a wide, stone shelf. I slowed, being as quiet as I could. I stopped beneath the shelf and listened and smelled.
I heard nothing. The odors on the mountainside were too strong for me to smell anything within. Placing my claws on the edge of the shelf, I slowly lifted my head above its level.
The opening was large enough for two of me to pass through. It was dark within, but I was sure nothing was immediately inside. I pulled myself up onto the stone shelf. I moved forward cautiously. At the entrance, I put my head just inside, swiveling it quickly left, right and up. I saw nothing.
The entry cave was large, but not overly so. It contained nothing but dirt and stone. Ahead, it narrowed into a passage just wide enough for me to pass through without squeezing. I moved slowly forward, with caution.
The passage opened up into a cave about the same size as the first. A hole in the opposite wall opened into an obviously much larger cavern. It was from in there that the soft light emanated. I crossed, stopped at the hole and peered inside.
It was a massive cavern, but much was hidden from my sight by giant boulders and columns, where stalactites and stalagmites had met. Even more cautiously now, I entered. I slunk low, using the boulders and columns as cover, as I was sure the gray was doing.
With the care I was taking, it took quite a while for me to arrive, roughly at the center of the cavern.
That was when I heard the low growl, and saw a large shadow move between sets of boulders. He was letting me know he was here – stupid lizard! I tightened my muscles, preparing to leap upon my foe.
And then, I received a shock.
“Kahn Sie du garrus sim gorium.”
It spoke!
Monday, October 3, 2016
Darganau: Autobiography of a Dragon
Part XXI: Stupid Dragons
We spent most of that evening in Kalen’s room going over plans. And assuring John he wouldn’t be expected to fight any dragons.
“In fact,” I was explaining, “I shall go alone. No, no arguments, Kalen, please. I want to face this silent gray alone.”
“Are you sure, Darganau? A wizard can be a valuable asset in a fight with a dragon!”
“Friend Kalen, I do not think you realize just how much I love the fight!” We all chuckled. Then I explained, "I have to do this. Dragon-on-dragon. That probably wouldn’t leave much room for the two of you, anyway!” Then I looked over at John, who was in deep contemplation. I smiled. “Don’t worry, John. You’ll still get a share of any treasure!” He blushed, but all of us laughed good-naturedly again.
“Then we’ll accompany you down the mountain, to a point out of anyone’s sight,” Kalen offered, “then wait there for your return.”
And so, the next morning, with much fanfare (provided by King Higgarand’s minstrels, acrobats, and plenty of hoi citizenry), we set off.
We got a good distance before nightfall, but we slept in an open area. The next day, we made it to and over a high hill, where we found ourselves beyond anyone’s sight.
“Kalen, after I change, come please, and bring my sword. I’ll need it to take the head off cleanly.” It, along with the rest of my treasures, was in Kalen’s extra-dimensional room. He agreed, and I walked off a good way from the others. I not only needed room for my size, but I also needed to get away from the horses, lest I frighten them to death!
Ahh! How good it was to take my real form again! I stretched my wings, back and leg muscles. I stood on my hind feet and reached for the stars! It was all I could do not to roar my joy (and thus to frighten the horses still)! Kalen soon came to me, carrying my sword. John stayed with our mounts.
“I suppose we need to get the sword on you, somehow.”
“As to that,” I replied to Kalen, “I was wondering if you would trust me to carry the storage room? It would make removing the hoard easier and quicker.”
The wizard tried to hide it with a smile, but I could tell he didn’t like the idea. I couldn’t blame him. I rather despised leaving my own treasures behind when I went on raids or hunts!
“Of course, my friend!” he said. I could tell it cost him. I tried not to smile. He took off a ring. “It’s in here,” he explained, “and you already know the password.” I raised a front limb. And he slipped the tiny ring over a claw. (I’m sure I don’t have to explain to you again about how magic items grow to fit their wielders.)
I summoned the room and Kalen put the sword back inside. We said our goodbyes, and Kalen walked back to John and the horses.
I took off trotting, then into a full run. Getting airborne isn’t as easy for a dragon than many think. I realized I was getting too close to a line of trees, so I picked up speed. My wings finally caught the wind, and I soared, stretching the wings taut and turning upward as much as I dared!
Still I clipped a couple of trees. I felt skin tear. I roared in pain, but didn’t lose concentration. I suffered some ugly scratches on my un-scaled underbelly, but otherwise cleared the trees.
I was flying again! Oh, the wonder and joy!
The glory was all too short-lived. No wonder the gray hunted Higgarand’s land: By air, the Horseshoe Mountains weren’t all that far! By midnight, I had to turn north, to avoid flying over any of the mountains (I counted a dozen mountains, was all). Giving clearance to the range, I took a wide loop back south, entering center the horseshoe arms. I landed as close to the opening of the horseshoe as I could, to rest.
I checked the damage. The wings had proven painful in flight, and that was where the rip was. Just below the last wing bone (“cartilage formation”, according to the dragon tome). It looked like a serious rip, though it didn’t hurt now that I wasn’t flying.
I used every sense I could, but I detected no creatures – large or small. The gray had truly hunted his kingdom out! But he also wasn’t using his aura. If he’d seen or sensed me, I was confident he would have employed it.
So I changed to human form. I got into the storage room and retrieved the jar of healing ointment within. I was a little disappointed there was only the one jar, but I thought I wouldn’t need it any time soon. In my human form, the rip was in the pit under my arm. I applied a single dose. The salve worked its magic, and within an hour, the rip was repaired.
I stared long up into the mountain. Even after I lay down in a hole under an overhanging boulder, I watched, wondering if he knew I was here, yet. Eventually, I fell asleep.
The following morning, I crawled out of the hole. I changed back to my true form as I walked toward the center mountain of the range. I’d guessed right. It wasn’t hard to find signs of the gray’s presence. Like the swamp dragon before him, he was just a stupid animal. Not worthy of the name Dragon, he was nothing but a flying lizard, with the additional talent of breathing fire.
He had left many skeletal remains of his catches at the base of the mountain. There were clear claw marks on several of the rocks. He had often climbed the side of that mountain, as I did then. There was even the strong smell of dragon waste, left on the mountain side. I soon spotted an outcropping - a wide, stone shelf. I slowed, being as quiet as I could. I stopped beneath the shelf and listened and smelled.
I heard nothing. The odors on the mountainside were too strong for me to smell anything within. Placing my claws on the edge of the shelf, I slowly lifted my head above its level.
The opening was large enough for two of me to pass through. It was dark within, but I was sure nothing was immediately inside. I pulled myself up onto the stone shelf. I moved forward cautiously. At the entrance, I put my head just inside, swiveling it quickly left, right and up. I saw nothing.
The entry cave was large, but not overly so. It contained nothing but dirt and stone. Ahead, it narrowed into a passage just wide enough for me to pass through without squeezing. I moved slowly forward, with caution.
The passage opened up into a cave about the same size as the first. A hole in the opposite wall opened into an obviously much larger cavern. It was from in there that the soft light emanated. I crossed, stopped at the hole and peered inside.
It was a massive cavern, but much was hidden from my sight by giant boulders and columns, where stalactites and stalagmites had met. Even more cautiously now, I entered. I slunk low, using the boulders and columns as cover, as I was sure the gray was doing.
With the care I was taking, it took quite a while for me to arrive, roughly at the center of the cavern.
That was when I heard the low growl, and saw a large shadow move between sets of boulders. He was letting me know he was here – stupid lizard! I tightened my muscles, preparing to leap upon my foe.
And then, I received a shock.
“Kahn Sie du garrus sim gorium.”
It spoke!
Monday, October 3, 2016
Darganau: Autobiography of a Dragon
Part XXII: Double Dragon
He spoke!
This Gray; this… “Dumb Dragon”, had just spoke! The dragon tome – as well as both Lauren and King Higgarand – had spoken of gray dragons as being on the lowest level of intelligence in dragons!
“Kahn Sie an ser Dephan!”
Perhaps I was the stupid dragon here! I could not understand its language, but a language it was. And now I was off my guard!
It appeared from between a column and a large boulder, and lifted itself up from its crouch. It was indeed gray, with scales covering as much as mine covered me. It was as large as me, but its head was far more diamond-shaped than mine, and its tail was barbed. I would guess its age not far off my own.
“Sie du un vortch!”
That sentence seemed spat in derision.
“What is your name, Gray?” I demanded. It gave no more than a leer. “I,” I put a claw to my heart, “am called Darganau. You?” I extended a palm toward him.
“Na an Fregran.” The Gray responded.
“Well, Fregran, we have a problem. You have been attacking the lone mountain to the northeast. The King of that land has sent me to destroy you.
“I am loth to kill an intelligent creature such as yourself, though. So how do we discuss this situation?”
The Gray then shook his head and went into a large soliloquy of his own. When he finished, I opened my mouth to speak again…
And he blew fire upon me!
I thought, What a fool! He must really have been stupid!
My gods! IT BURNS!
This was no fire! It had a liquid feel to it, and my supposed ‘immunity’ to fire is the only thing that saved me from annihilation!
Lava: It must have been! Lava, from the mouth of a dragon! What was this creature? He was not of the gray dragons I’d read about in my tome!
Curse me for the fool I was, but I nearly succumbed to a second blast of his molten breath! Only at the last possible moment did I fling myself behind a wide rock, though the lava-like fire still struck my back left haunch and my tail! The pain was excruciating. My mind was reeling, trying to get around what was happening. Trying to come up with a plan!
And now this creature was approaching my hiding place; clomping loudly and steadily toward me!
I forced myself to listen carefully. As I sensed him close, I flung myself from my defensive post, slamming bodily into him, grabbing him with my left front claw, and burying the claws of the right into his front chest.
The Gray barely twitched – or so it seemed to me. He hit me with a back-handed strike of his arm. It bloodied my nose, but gave me hope: His strength was great – but no greater than mine!
I twisted the clawed hand in his chest, but he struck it a downward blow at the same time. I felt a claw break off (later discovered it was two), and my hand was ripped out of him. He screamed in pain also, though, and I punched upward, striking him on the chin. At virtually the same moment, we both pushed each other. I did not see where he ended up, but I was shoved against the boulder I had previously hid behind!
Something broke. I heard the crack, and the pain ran through me, like a bolt of lightning!
I tried to straighten, but the pain stopped me. I opened my eyes to find my enemy, and he was standing about twenty feet in front of me. He was bloodied and in pain as well – but better off than I. I saw him raise up. He took in a lungful of air – I knew what that meant, and I didn’t think I could handle another blast of his lava-breath!
What I did next was shear desperation. I flung myself from the rock, overcoming the pain. I flung out my left hand in a left-to-right sweep. The claws caught his neck, dug deep into them, then back out.
His molten breath flowed from the wound, and my left hand was badly burned. Ignoring even this, I lifted my right foot – for my enemy had fallen to the ground! I stomped hard on his head: Once, twice, thrice!
The gurgling sound he’d been making stopped. Still the liquid fire spilled from his neck, and I limped backward, out of the threat of its growing puddle.
I fell to the ground, my rump to the boulder. The pain in my back struck again. I adjusted myself to a more comfortable position. After a moment to catch my breath, I figured I better get out the healing ointment. I spoke the password to summon the extradimensional storage room.
I’d had the intention to shapeshift to human form; but the room appeared quite large! The entrance would easily let me enter in dragon form!
Ain’t magic wonderful?
I entered, limping. The jar was sitting on the floor; it’s changed size crushing the non-magical bag of horse feed it had sat upon. I opened it and applied the entire jar to my various wounds.
(As a side note, I’ll add that I wish I’d been forewarned: I had applied ointment to the spot where my two claw nails were busted off. A few days later, when the claws began struggling to break through the healed skin, I was in agony! The pain was severe for a week, then subsiding slowly for another. My companions stayed well away from me, for my discomfort made me easily angered during that time.)
Fortunately, it had not been a bone that had broken in my back; probably a torn tendon, according to Kalen. Had it been a bone, it would have had to be reset after I’d applied the ointment to it! As it was, the pain was alleviated only by half, and I could do no strenuous moving for a month after.
Flying, thank goodness, was tolerable.
I located the dragon’s hoard. Not unimpressive! There were several sets of armor and weapons, mixed in the coins and jewelry. I placed the haul into the storage room – an effort that took quite some time, because of the pain. After, I slept.
I woke hours later, stiff and sore. But before I could leave, I had one more task to see to. I again entered the storage room, and brought out my sword.
I ended up having to hack repeatedly at the Gray’s tough hide, before his head was finally mine. I looked down at the corpse, and actually lamented the loss. I would have enjoyed conversing with this creature. To learn of it’s history, and why his kind was excluded from my tome. But he had attacked me, making me fight for my survival. Sighing, I turned away and exited the lair.
A strong wind blew cold. It came from the north, meaning my trop back would be all the more painful. Grumbling my displeasure to no one, I ran and leapt off the edge of the outcropping.
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Monday, October 10, 2016
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Darganau: Autobiography of a Dragon
Part XXIII: Off Again
Let me rush you past the boring stuff.
I flew back to my companions. Kalen had already prepared a new batch of salve, and helped me by applying it to areas I’d missed, or which hadn’t completely healed.
Meanwhile, we sent John to the castle, with the head. Kalen had to summon up a wagon, since it was too large and heavy for him to carry. We came to the agreement that Kalen and John would split the reward of five-thousand gold coins each. They would also take one item each from the hoard. John chose a suit of fine leather armor that Kalen had determined had magical qualities. (For my part, I resisted mentioning that the armor hadn’t done its previous owner much good.) Kalen chose a non-magical shield. Bright of him, for it was made of solid gold! No idea where the Gray might’ve come across that – it’s far too heavy to be someone’s normally carried shield! Wizardry takes a lot of coin, I suppose, and Kalen would be well supplied with the five grand and the gold shield!
Meanwhile, I had nearly doubled my own hoard of jewels, gems, and other items! I was quite satisfied (though too out of sorts to say so to my companions).
After John returned from the castle, we stayed a few more days, considering our options.
“I’m looking to set myself up in a major city,” John confessed. “I think I have saved up enough to start my own little guild…”
“The City of Kardúl is to the east-southeast of here,” Kalen told him. “I happen to know that, at least up to almost a half-decade ago, there was no… guild. The city is in a large bay, the southernmost seaport on the continent.”
“For myself,” Kalen later admitted, “I will eventually return to Camberton, a city on the eastern coast of the northern continent. By custom and law, only a Wizard can rule that land. With any luck, the next to rule could be me!”
“What about you, Darganau?” John asked. “What do you want?”
“Yes,” Kalen added. “When we started off, all you said you wanted was to see the southern continent. After the Flange mountain range, there is not much to see. Have you made any plans?”
I hesitated, but finally spoke, as companions will. “I have seen a great cavern,” I told them, referring, of course, to my death-dream from King Talazar. “I fully believe it to exist. What’s more, I am convinced it lies on my path. Perhaps in these Flange mountains,” I nodded at Kalen. “Perhaps beyond them. I go south… until I find the mountain wherein my cavern exists!”
My companions were silent a moment. Then Kalen spoke.
“If you will permit me, I will accompany you ‘til you have fulfilled this quest!”
John slapped his thigh. “I’m in too, partner – if you’ll have me?” He rubbed his thigh where he’d slapped it.
Who could deny such devotion? And it was, after all, my due! I made our continued association official, and then had Kalen tell us all he knew of the Flange Mountains.
The following day, we set out, due south. I would rather not have ever again morphed into human form – I even thought of offering them both to ride on my back – but it just wasn’t practical. The pain I still felt flying alone would only be magnified with the extra weight. Too, flying over them, I would be like a beacon to the tribes of Trelloc who roam these lands. I also knew from experience the pain of trying to walk slow enough for humans to keep up with me!
So, reluctantly, I shape-changed to human form before we set off. We were well stocked, and the weather was comfortably cool – though the first day of winter would arrive before we reached the mountains.
I was curious about many of the things Kalen told us: A race of Gray Trolls, far more intelligent than their northern natives that live in the swamps, but also purportedly evil. Hot water springs that have healing qualities. A spiral mountain peak, believed to be the highest point on the southern continent – even though the mountains aren’t all that exceptional. Even if the cavern I was looking for wasn’t in the Flanges, they were bound to be interesting!
It was a longer trip than I’d expected. The land was mostly flat the first half, and rolling hills the second. We saw a couple of old campsites that Kalen and John identified as belonging to Trelloc hunting parties, and the footprints of them moving several times, but had not sighted any of the mutants.
The mountains finally rose before us. Day by day, as they got ever nearer, the hills became more profound, and travel proved more and more tiring. Kalen was huffing and puffing well before nightfall, and we started stopping earlier and earlier.
We realized we were climbing the first of the mountains one morning. This was comforting, both to realize we had arrived, and to see the climb might not be so difficult. We decided to stay put that day, and recover a bit. At lunch time, another difficulty was revealed.
“I’m sorry about the stew,” John said, bringing us steaming bowls. I looked into the bowl, sniffed, and almost threw it all away.
“Are the meats gone, then?” Kalen asked.
“Not quite; but I didn’t want to cut up the last of the steaks. Figured I’d fry them up tonight.”
“Why didn’t someone tell me we were running low on meats?” I asked. John had volunteered to be our cook when we first started out, and Kalen often assisted him. I knew not the first thing about cooking, so left it all to them.
“I’m sorry, Darganau,” Kalen said. “I thought it would last until we were into the mountains. “He looked around. “Close, I’d say.”
“Well, I’d rather resupply now, than to wait.” I looked north. “We saw buffalo tracks three or four days back. If I change, I should be able to find them easy enough.
“There was that creek a day back,” John offered. You take me there, I can do some fishing!”
“I’ll join you there,” Kalen said.
“You’ll ride with him,” I told Kalen. “Don’t worry about me: I’m much better, and can handle the both of you. The creek isn’t so far away.” I gave them a smile, walked a way off, and returned to my true form. I looked back, chuckling when I saw they were quickly swallowing that nasty vegetable stew. “Come on!” I called out, with exaggerated impatience, “Let’s get a move on!”
I flew them to a creek, near a copse of trees at its edge I’d seen from the sky. “I’ll be back at least an hour before dark.” With that, I took a running start and soared back into the air.
It took me about three hours to locate the herd. It was pretty damn large! We must have seen only the outer edge of their tracks.
I hunted the edges, getting several to break away in panic, then going after the largest among them. I ate my first two catches, then rounded up two more. The hunting was good, though not as satisfying as going after more intelligent creatures. Two being more than enough for our needs (as long as I stayed in human form), I locked my kills into my claws, and flew back to the creek.
I did a quick landing, and, dropping the buffalo, changed forms even as I was still moving. I raced for the creek. Maybe I could surprise them?
But they weren’t on the bank I’d left them at. Figuring they’d moved to a better spot, I walked up the creek bank.
I found both of their fishing sticks laying on the ground, both lines still in the water. Confused – and worried – I looked around. An area of disturbed mud caught my eyes. Rushing over, I found several sets of footprints. Someone had obviously come up on my companions.
And they weren’t Trelloc. These footprints were large. Huge.
“Trolls?”
I had spoken out loud. Were these troll tracks? So far from the mountain?
Then it hit me. No Trelloc tracks. There hadn’t been any signs of them for at least a few days before the creek. Was that because they didn’t come this close to the mountain?
Hadn’t I myself thought the Gray Dragon stupid for hunting the very lands of his stronghold? And wouldn’t these gray (a color I was beginning to hate) trolls hunt off the mountain?
Hunt? Were my friends taken as food for trolls?
I looked around more, almost frantically. I found blood. Not a lot, but enough to let me know someone had been injured. Finding some gore nearby let me know the first blood was human, but a troll had also been hurt.
The tracks finally rejoined, perhaps a dozen, and took an obvious direction – south.
I took off at a run, shifting to dragon form as I gained speed. Soaring into the air, I raced up and southward. I gained more and more speed – far more than I even knew possible!
Ever I watched the land forward and below me. I would find my friends. And I would kill every last troll I saw!
Thursday, October 7, 2016
Ever I watched the land forward and below me. I would find my friends. And I would kill every last troll I saw!
Ahead I spied two large, bipedal beasts climbing. Swallowing my instant desire to rip them apart, I instead slowed and followed them. They would, I hoped, lead me to their lair. I would free my friends, then wreak havoc among these damned trolls!
Thursday, October 7, 2016
Darganau: Autobiography of a Dragon
Part XXIV: Hate
Ever I watched the land forward and below me. I would find my friends. And I would kill every last troll I saw!
But as I flew, the more logic filled my mind. I did not want to announce my arrival, did I? And I could not follow the trail accurately from this height.
I cast the spell, and transformed into a small bird – a blackbird. I dropped low, found the tracks again, and followed them as swiftly as I could. The land all around seemed barren. But before me, the mountains rose. Not long into the rising hills, the mountainside began to rise faster. Ahead I spied two large, bipedal beasts climbing. Swallowing my instant desire to rip them apart, I instead slowed and followed them. They would, I hoped, lead me to their lair. I would free my friends, then wreak havoc among these damned trolls!
The trolls remained oblivious of me. I got close enough to hear them talking, but they have a unique language. I continued to follow as close as I dared, hopping from boulder-to-boulder more often than flying.
The mountain gets rougher, as boulders, apparently fallen from above, become more numerous, and the land itself seemed harder and rougher. The trolls seemed unhindered by the terrain. When they suddenly disappear from my view, I did not panic. They had passed between two tall rocks, and I suspect they’d entered the mountain.
As I hopped in front of the stone pillars, I quickly took off again – for a third troll guarded the passage I glimpse beyond him. Although he watched me flitter away, I could see from his look he suspected nothing.
But I had also noticed a few other things. First, the passage seemed too-well lit. And second, I could hear several other voices, and they seemed closer than they should have!
I spiraled up, and flew over the troll entrance – and confirmed my suspicion. After a tunnel through about twenty feet or so of rock, the troll entrance opened onto a wide, open-air courtyard. This area was at least sixty feet wide, and I saw at least a dozen trolls, most sitting on smoothed rocks, a few standing.
These trolls stood about nine or ten feet tall, and were extremely muscular. Their gray skin was mostly uniform in color over their bodies, though individuals varied slightly in shades. Their brows were thick, the eyes large for their faces. And they were quite intelligent. The manner in which they spoke, quick and easy, told me this.
I picked a spot, and - as surreptitiously as I could – I made to land there. Resting on the chosen stone at the southwest corner of the courtyard, I looked over the crowd. Half of them carried large clubs. All of them carried a jagged dagger, hooked in their belts. Weapons that would do them little good against me.
The odor of blood suddenly reached me. I Looked around, anxious to find the source, I realized it was coming from beyond the wall opposite me. Center that wall was an opening just large enough to allow a troll’s passage.
I crow-hopped along the ground, making my way along the outer wall. I kept an eye on the crowd of trolls, but none noticed me before I made the passage. I took off at a flight through the tunnel. A male troll entered just as I exited the other side. He swatted at me and shouted what was probably a curse. But then he just shook his head and continued to the courtyard. After all, I was just a bird, right?
The new area was less than half the size of the first. There was a single hole in the ceiling, some twenty feet up, and about five or six feet wide. Smoke, rising from a boiling pot, rose and exited this hole, which I could just make out a little of the sun. A single troll was watching the fire.
But the water had little in it. And the blood, pooling on the floor, came from the two bodies hanging on hooks to the side of the giant pot and the fire beneath it.
Kalen and John hung limply, hooked in the back, just below their necks. Their guts had been opened, and blood still dripped from the exposed gore, onto the floor. They had not been dead long.
I looked upon this horror for some time. Then I noticed the ring, still on Kalen’s hand. I flew to him, landed on his forearm and, with the bird beak, attempted to remove it.
The troll spotted me and yelled, making a ‘shooing’ motion with his hand. Anxious, I bit the finger, breaking it off near the base. This sent the troll to screaming angrily, and he charged forward. I took flight, just barely ducking a blow that might’ve crushed me, in this form.
I flew back through the opening, to the center of the courtyard, and perched on an unused seating stone. I quickly pulled Kalen’s finger from my beak, and held it in my claw.
A few of the trolls had stood, looking into the opening, wondering, I suppose, what their cook was screaming about. Spotting me as I flew through, they followed me with their eyes. When the cook came through screaming and pointing at me, most started watching me, and at least a couple were chuckling.
The laughter obviously angered the cook, who yelled more, which made more trolls start laughing. This went on until all but the cook were roaring with laughter!
It was then that I released the spell, and returned to my true form.
The laughter instantly ceased, replaced with shock. The cook actually fell down. I used the moment to adjust my position, before a few more experienced trolls grabbed their weapons.
These were the first I killed, grabbing one, and kicking out with a hind leg, knocking the second troll hard into a wall. I took the first with both hands, and pulled, rending the monster in half!
Then I fought them, with claw, teeth and tail! They got their strikes in on me, but I killed one or two for every strike that got past my armor. I let it carry on, because I was releasing my anger in a physical manner – and I had a lot of anger to release!
Soon, though eight troll bodies lay on the ground, more trolls were joining, from a door I hadn’t noticed, obviously leading into the mountain. I called up my bile and released the flame, aiming at that entrance, where more trolls were appearing. The screams rose, and I spun the fire around the courtyard.
I’m not sure what the final tally was, but there were no living trolls in the courtyard now. I did hear some running away down the tunnel several had tried to join the fray from, but they were no longer of interest to me.
I looked down, found the ring I’d dropped. I picked it back up and maneuvered it onto my clawed finger.
I looked back toward the cooking room, thought about recovering the bodies, but saw no point in it. They were just husks. My friends were gone.
Friends. I think it was right then I decided never to have another.
I crawled up and out of the courtyard. Looking around, I spotted the tall spire Kalen had told me about. I made my way to it, climbing all the way.
It took a good while, but I eventually reached it. The final portion was a long stone spear-like stone, continuing up for another good hundred feet! I crawled up even this, my body wrapped around it awkwardly. When my head was finally above the tip, I took a deep breath, and looked about.
I could see even Good King Higgarand’s lone mountain, and the familiar land between here and the desert. But south, I could see little. Over a rugged plain, I could just make out what I thought might be another range of mountains. I wanted to see more.
I cast the farsight spell, and tried to focus on the distant mountains. I had to add more magic, but I eventually got them in focus. They did not look especially large or otherwise impressive.
I wondered how far I might be able to see, so I poured even more magic into the farsight spell. I saw beyond the distant mountains, where a great wall of steam rose from a source I could not see, blocked as it was by the distant mountains.
Putting the last of my magic into the spell, I looked even farther. Eventually, my sight broke through the steam – but could go little farther.
Still, in the great distance, there was something. Dark on the horizon, it looked like it just might be a lone mountain.
And suddenly, I knew this was my destination. A lone mountain, center what looked to be a tremendous, plush valley. It must be – had to be – the cavernous mountain of the dreams King Talazar showed me!
I climbed down until I found a place I could launch from. I looked back and down, lamenting, for the last time, my loss of friends.
I leapt off the mountain and soared southward – toward my destiny.
Monday, October 10, 2016
Darganau: Autobiography of a Dragon
Part XXV: Home Sweet Home
I soared south, over a rough, splotchy plains. I saw no herd animals, but came across a horde of Trelloc. I took the time to attack them, scorching and raking many. I took one to eat – which I’ll never do again: Trelloc are the worst tasting beasts on the planet! I flew on.
I took my only rest at a river, a shallow thing about center the plain. While I was there, it began to snow. Flying above the clouds became preferable to that cold rain.
Eventually I came to the mountain range I’d seen. These mountains were ill-defined, and among the shortest I’d seen. Still, the land was incredibly rugged. Even finding spots to safely land – where I would also have the ability to take off from – was difficult. I saw no cave tunnels or other openings. Too, there was little in the way of living things, animal or plant.
The range was wider than I would have expected, and when it ended, I was really shocked!
I was flying high, well above the mountains. The sky was clear, but cold. The mountains end abruptly, in an almost consistent line, east and west. There is then a “beach” of no more than twenty yards, at the widest point. I say “beach”, for this strip of land ends at a lake. No; it is far too long and wide to call a lake. A sea, then. An inland sea.
This sea is not one of water, fresh, brine or salt. It is literally a Sea of Lava!
Oh, I kid you not. Of course, magic is in play, here. I have heard two theories or explanations for the Lake (for that is what it’s actually called on maps and texts). The first being that it was the act of a god, angrily destroying an ancient kingdom that once stood there. The second explanation is, to me, the more logical: That there used to be an island in the center of the Lake. That a Wizard created the whole thing, to protect himself and his magical keep.
There is magic at work. One can stand right in front of the lake, and feel not a bit of heat. Yet, if you stretch out your hand beyond that barrier, it will instantly burn to ash!
So it was that. As I came over the mountains. I saw what appeared to be a “sheet of steam”. I found it extremely odd, but kept flying. As I struck the plane marking the start of the Lake, the heat assailed me.
As I’d already learned, I am at least partly susceptible to lava. The heat rising from the Lake was almost as powerful and painful as the Gray Dragon’s liquid fire! I continued south, but rose higher and higher. Never did the heat abate, though, and I became convinced I wouldn’t make it!
I had sped up, rather subconsciously. When I realized this, I went even faster! I sped up until my wings ached horribly, in fear of that unbearable heat!
Then I was falling. I thought I’d failed to make it, and would crash into the Lake! I tried desperately to move forward, even as I could not stem the descent. The pain was causing my thoughts to become foggy, so I cannot be sure of all that happened.
Then there was the crash. I do not think I even felt it; though I was at least somewhat aware of it. At its end, I was left numb. Obviously, I had made the far side, but I have no idea how long I lay there, and I’m not sure if I ever lost consciousness or not. I do recall feeling like a long time passed before my senses returned to me.
When I was finally able to look about, I was amazed. My crash had begun not ten yards from the edge of the Lake!
Amazingly, I was not terribly damaged. The top-most portion of the main bone of my right wing was broke, but it neither hurt, nor would it impede my flying. Some back muscles were sore, and I’d been badly scraped on my underbelly. Overall, though, I was, remarkably, in good shape. Who knows; perhaps I’d controlled my crash more than I’d thought? It would have been subconsciously, of course.
I decided not to use the healing ointment. I wasn’t even sure how much was left, but I thought it’d be a waste. I wasn’t hurt that bad, and I could handle the pain.
The barrier was on this side of the Lake, as well, so I was feeling no heat. I decided to rest there, sleeping long and well.
The next day I set out again. The land was covered in snow, but somehow seemed fairer than I’d expected. I could tell the land was a plush one, and there were several copses of trees, streams, at least one river and two lakes.
It was also, surprisingly, barren of intelligent life. No humans, no elves. Not even a lone Trelloc! Such a wondrous, fertile land, and no one exploiting it! It seemed such a waste.
And ever ahead, was the mountain.
The closer I got, the more excited I got. It was a huge mountain! It was a tall mountain! It was Majestic!
But as I got closer, I realized something else – it was occupied. I shape-shifted into a blackbird again, lest I be seen.
In this form, I investigated the mountain. I found only a single entrance large enough for my true form to enter (in fact, two of me could pass inside!), which led to two tunnels, wide enough that I could probably squeeze through.
When I flew to the top, I realized the mountain was once an active volcano! There was an opening so wide, I could fly through it, in dragon form, with wings spread wide! I wanted to go in, but at the last moment, realized it was filled with bats! I couldn’t enter in the form of a blackbird!
So, I waited ‘til that night, and changed back, while laying down. I then entered through the top of the mountain. The bats, frightened by my presence, remained on the walls. I cast a light, and went straight down to the bottom and landed.
I found myself in the largest cavern I had (or have) ever seen! Even when I intensified the magical light, I could not see any bats above – their bedding was well above one’s range of sight! I could make out only one wall, at first, the nearest to me – yet it was a good thirty yards from me! Casting and sending more lights out, I eventually saw the walls left and right of me (east and west). They were quite a distance away!
I could not, apparently, send the light forward (south) far enough to see the far wall; but what I did see amazed and thrilled me!
There were a lot of boulders and stalagmites, but no visible stalactites, and no columns. And at the far reach of the light I sent, was the largest, grandest stalagmite in existence! I had to go up to this grand rick formation to see all of it clearly. It stood some two or three hundred feet tall! It was thick, but sort of hour-glass shaped. A great boulder, it seemed, stood at the top (this proved to be a part of the stalagmite, though). I stood back a way, my two lights positioned to illuminate the whole thing.
In my mind, I envisioned the “cup” of my death-dream, and imagined it interposed on the formation I front of me. I could see the wine glass form clearly.
I sent one of the lights forward, finding the back wall, and determining that he giant stalagmite was about three-fourths the way between the north and south walls. I sighed, happily, sat down, and continued to admire the place. Eventually, I extinguished the lights and slept.
In the following days, I investigated the mountain further, in various forms.
The western face of the mountain was the home of a dwarven race. It didn’t take me long to discover these dwarves were “different” from other dwarves. They were mean, cruel. They concerned themselves with benefitting themselves, often by robbing their own! I learned they raided caravans on a highway quite a distance away, not far from the western sea.
In short, I could work with them.
My first contact with them was in human guise. I was able to beguile them, and, eventually, work out a contract with them. I hired several dwarves to work the tunnels as I wanted them. An artisan among them designed and oversaw the work of turning the great stalagmite into the stem and cup of my dream.
I even found an expert trap-maker among them, to do work for me.
Slowly, the mountain took the shape and complexity I desired. I even let the dwarves cheat my human form a bit, setting up a rapport with them, when later, I would joke about “stupid humans”. But I made sure the place went up exactly as I desired.
While the dwarves worked, I did some raiding of my own, so I wouldn’t lose too much, paying them for all that work. I learned about the lands about my new home, and any threats. I studied my magic books (I now had both Lauren’s and Kalen’s).
On the first day of winter, three years later, I sat on the cup, high above the cavern floor. I was holding court over a half dozen dwarves, including their “King”. I could not help but smile, as they cowered beneath me – including the king.
Life was Good!
This completes this narrative...
BUT THE STORY CONTINUES!
BUT THE STORY CONTINUES!
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