Above Alric, a dark red scaled dragon circled. He could see it crystal clear in the cloudless sky.
He had to admit his heart raced on the sight. The sheer might and power of the beast sent quivers through him.
Never would he have believed that such a creature could have lived within Rerangi, the rolling hills near his home.
Yet, he stood in the meadow where he had learned to ride watching a dragon fly.
A sudden remembrance of his father’s herd of fleogans flying surged through him. Grand and glorious. Even now, he could hear his father when Alric was learning to handle a fleogan.
Beautiful creatures, but strong and stubborn. You have to show him that you are its master.
Perhaps he should use the same approach with Jordris. But he wasn’t going to be riding Jordris.
Alric was to become one with the dragon.
It is the only way. Sangrey’s words resonated within him.
Aurra walked to the center of the tall, brown grass. She showed no fear, but outstretched her arms. Within her, he saw the love she held for the frightening creature.
He had no love for the deadly beast. Instead, he had an immense desire to stop Asmeodai.
“Let Ewan go in your stead,” Sae pleaded. “We need you.”
“You will have my magic always with or without me,” Alric reasoned. “If I die, it will go to Ewan. He will protect you. I need only your promise that you will care for Thea.”
Sae had given it readily as he knew she would.
A sudden peace overcame him.
At first, Alric had balked at Aurra’s suggestion for him to merge within the beast. He had no trust for the witch. It was a trap.
But Sangrey had said. It is the only way.
The witch’s words suffused within him, an understanding that her words held truth.
“After taking Troms, we Arachnidans celebrated the victory. I chose to stay with my family…my dragons. The guards came then with food for my herd…I helped them feed my dragons…My heart broke as each fell…there was nothing I could do after I discovered Asmeodai had poisoned my dragons.
“Only Jordris lived, having ventured off on his own after the fighting. When he returned, he found me weeping. He wanted no tears, only revenge. On that, I agreed.
“Jordris and I flew back to the entrance from which we came in the Maunga Mountains. I knew Asmeodai had need of it, especially after Asmeodai’s anger that the portal at Nottesdone was closed. Asmeodai wanted a connection back to his Arachnida.
“We took Arachnida away from Asmeodai. With his dragon-breath, Jordris melted the stone…layer upon layer of iron ore. He closed it forever.”
She laughed. “What good is it to conquer Witheleghe if he could not go back victorious and defeat Siochanta…defeat the Sordarins,” she paused for a moment and stepped closer. “He’s mad. Asmeodai is quite mad.”
It was not the first he had heard the assumption. Alric held no doubt Asmeodai was irrational. But, at the moment, Alric wondered about Aurra.
The tale she wove seemed implausible. She wants me to share the beast’s body.
Stepping back, Aurra pulled a necklace from around her neck. It was a golden chain with a red medallion. She held it out.
“You have wondered why I will help you stop Asmeodai before he reaches the entrance to the Siochanta Realm…why you can trust your friend, Sangrey,” she paused. “Because if Asmeodai succeeds, we all die…not figuratively, but truly all within the three realms will die.”
“How so?”
“When Nottesdone’s portal was created, the Flandigana king cast a charm around Witheleghe. The charm was repelled along the Arachnida border, which had allowed Asmeodai to break through. Asmeodai had seen to that, but he listens to no one about the dangers of breaking this charm once it has been set.
“Asmeodai believes he has done it once before. This time, though, when Asmeodai reaches the pivotal vein that stands between the two realms…if he uses his curse…the result will create a void…a void that will suck the realms into it.
“A black hole where nothing survives.”
“Asmeodai is no fool. If this is true, he would find another way.”
“Then you do not know Asmeodai,” Aurra said with certainty. “He believes he is most powerful…that his magic is stronger than any Flandigana magic. Asmeodai is a fool…no magic is all powerful.”
Her words struck him hard. She was right. All magic has its limits.
“You believe he will kill us all.”
“I do,” she said. “Sangrey has seen.”
Alric heard Sangrey again. It is the only way.
“Why do you not ride this dragon…Jordris?”
“I have not ridden a dragon since Jordris brought Noldor and me here. Jordris has grown. His anger drives him. He does not listen to me now…He abides me for there are no others. He believes me complacent in the deaths of his family.”
“You believe the dragon will listen to me?”
“No, Ser Alric,” she laughed. “It is why I must project your consciousness into his body.”
“I have always considered myself a brave man,” Alric said. “This I don’t understand…if this could be done…why me? You know your dragon. I know nothing about dragons.”
“For you are like Jordris. You are angry and thirst for revenge. It is that anger that can control him…He will respond to you. Take him to Troms. He will once again unleash his fury.”
“Asmeodai has seers. He will know we are coming.”
“Asmeodai won’t be able to stop you,” Aurra said firmly. “He will try. That is the reason you must be swift in your attack. Do not waste time. You need to go now.”
Alric had so many unanswered questions. He needed time to plan. The Highborn Chamber had been moved. No one knew where Asmeodai kept his captives. What if I kill the Orimons? What of the slaves that work the tunnel?
As if she read his mind, Sae said, “All will die if you do not go.”
“Once Jordris lands, I will say the incantation.” Aurra pressed her lips together tightly. “Your elfin and I will watch over your body while you are in Jordris. But be warned, do not stay too long for then you will truly become one.”
“What?” Alric cried. “How long do I have?”
“It is not a length of time,” Aurra explained. “You will know. The pull will become great. It is then that you will need to return to your body. Remember who you are.”
Alric watched the witch call to her dragon.
Flapping his wings, Jordris screeched. The force of the wind the dragon created forced Alric back a step.
Jordris roared.
Instinctively, Alric closed his eyes. When he opened them, the dragon was perched on his back feet. The red scaled dragon stood over twenty-five feet in the air. His wings spanned over forty.
Jordris had a horned head with teeth the size of longsword blades. His nostrils flared sparks.
The beast was not happy.
Neither was Alric.
It is the only way.
He had not heard the witch speak, but he felt his essence leave his body. Surreal, he seemed to float in the air. He could see Sae leaning over his limp body and Aurra holding her medallion and whispering to it.
The moment, he moved into the beast’s body, he could not have said. He knew only he was there.
A fury of anger hit Alric.
Alric’s own anger surged. A battle of wills ensued, one Alric refused to lose. Too much was at stake.
Only when Alric locked onto Jordris hatred toward Asmeodai did their battle end.
Alric felt Jordris relent.
Power flowed through Alric. He flapped one wing and then, the other. Alric sensed Jordris’ willingness to help him.
Alric snapped his jaw and thrashed his tail.
He was dragon.
With a screech, Alric took to the air.
* * * *
Night had fallen when Alric caught sight of Troms. He was thankful for the full moon to guide him.
Never had Alric felt so powerful. He flew high over the rubble of the city and dived low with purpose. From his throat, he called forth the heat of his dragon-breath.
Cries and screams of the people of the city erupted on his flight through the streets. Sentries emerged. Arrows flew. None hit him. If they had, he felt nothing.
There was little an arrow, ax or even a hammer could do to harm him. A thought crossed his mind that Asmeodai himself might try with some magical spell. He prayed Asmeodai would show himself.
Alric would end this madness quickly.
Yet, Asmeodai made no showing this night. The wizard had not dared.
The thought of Asmeodai cowering in a corner bolstered Alric’s spirit. He screeched a deafeningly cry.
The dragon did not sway from his mission and quickly came upon the entrance to the tunnel. He roared and flew straight upward.
Slaves scattered. From his view, they looked like ants. Hovering, he gave them time as much as he could to run.
He could wait no longer.
The dragon dove and flared his heated flame toward the entrance. The ground shook. A fire blazed, blistering and searing until the entrance was sealed.
The streets had been blackened. The cries had not ceased.
The dragon took one last look. He had struck at the heart of Asmeodai.
His anger had been dispelled.
He took back to the air and returned to his home…their home.
Flying back to the meadow of Arch of Garten, Alric felt Jordris was anxious for Alric to return to his body.
For a brief moment, Alric had no desire to depart. Within Jordris, he felt invincible. For the first time, he had struck back, regaining a part of Witheleghe.
A flash of remembrance of his life…of Thea…Ewan…Sae.
Alric felt the pull. He made no resistance.