Dark Shadows
All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.
Martin Buber
The distinction between the past, present and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion. Albert Einstein
Circle of the Pendant II
Melody's thoughts darted in several directions. The Old Ones were the Portals and Guardians of dreams. That meant they knew the thoughts, desires and nightmares of all the living creatures. In their role as guardians they would protect the waking self from the dream self...but what did it mean "portals?"
To the Electress's surprise the beast responded to her thought, "We are the Portals, the only path to dreams – without us dreams would be no more."
When Melody showed she was stunned the creature continued, "Yes, Mistress of the Salts – I read thoughts just as I do dreams."
Melody continued the dragon's explanation to its ultimate conclusion, "If you are the Portals and we must dream to live then..."
The beast concluded, "Without us you would die."
While these creatures were not the Demons of folklore in an ironic way they were more fearsome. Melody was awed to the point of being unsteady by the vast amount of knowledge and power that stood before her.
Swallowing hard she had to have answers, "Why am I here Old One?"
The Dragon paused; it had to explain the situation to the frail small being that stood before it. It chose its words carefully for too much knowledge could destroy the Electress's limited mind. "Queen, are you aware there are other places besides the Underground?"
Melody answered swiftly, "Yes, there is also the Aboveground."
The beast was satisfied she knew that much...it would not do to explain there was even more than she knew...it made no difference at this point. Therefore, the Dragon would continue with her knowledge. "The creatures of the Ubian Sea always knew that we – the Old Ones - were here on this island and they have kept our existence secret. Their King Fnoss..."
The Electress's jaw dropped and the Dragon realized he had carelessly imparted too much knowledge. Melody demanded, "What do you mean their King Fnoss? The sea animals have a kingdom and a King?"
The beast shifted its weight – it could see this would take longer than expected. The creature replied patiently "Yes, there is an underwater kingdom – but hear me out Mistress for I have much to tell."
Melody realized she probably sounded like an ignorant gnat and resolved to listen and allow the dragon to completely tell her what it wanted without interruption and questions. "With ears open and lips shut I might even learn something." She chided herself.
The Dragon continued, "King Fnoss of the Ubian Sea had a son, Ukiel. Ukiel was always a fun loving child who grew into a strong kindhearted adult – but then five years ago he suddenly changed. Overnight he became moody and withdrawn, sullen and cruel without explanation. This puzzled the King and all who knew Ukiel – he had gone from a lighthearted young heir to an ambitious tyrant. Within a few weeks of his change rumors began to reach the King that Ukiel was planning to kill his father and take over the throne. King Fnoss was furious and going to confront his son but before he could summon him word came that Ukiel had been killed in a freak accident. It seemed an underwater tremor caused a boulder to dislodge and crush him."
"Schism were immediately sent to bring back Ukiel's body to King Fnoss for a royal burial – but when they returned it was not with the body of Ukiel – it was with the body of a Changling."
Melody gasped – she could not help it – there was something unholy about what she just heard.
The Dragon decided not to pause its tale and continued, "Needless to say the underwater kingdom was in shock and horrified. They knew Changlings could alter form but they could not live in a different element – not only that, but no land creature knew of the underwater kingdom. And yet someone did, someone who sent this abomination to impersonate the King's son and take over the throne. King Fnoss knew this could only be the work of a very dark and powerful magic."
"The King could not get information from land sources lest he run the risk of giving away the secret of the underwater kingdom – so in his wisdom he decided to consult us and ask what we knew."
Melody could not help but interrupt and ask, "Old One – why does Fnoss not want anyone on land to know of the sea kingdom? Perhaps if we had known we could have been of assistance."
The Dragon sighed, "Long, long ago when land creatures did know of the sea kingdom and its wealth they grew envious. In their lust for riches and power they declared war and the air breathers almost destroyed the great water empire. King Fnoss and his citizens finally fled the carnage swearing that no land creature would even know of their location or existence again."
Melody had to know, "What is the name of the sea kingdom."
The beast quietly hissed, "Atlantis."