Chapter 50: Dragon Stories
November 3, XX68
X woke up to a breakfast of swamp root soup. The rat carried a spoon to him in its tail. "Thank you."
The rat squeaked, then went to eating its own serving of soup. It was fairly good, even if X couldn't identify what exactly was in it. Not long after, Neko showed up. "Good, you're awake finally. How do you feel?"
"All right. My mind seems to be clear."
"That's good." He landed on the table. "You took a deep whiff of a Mindbane Ivy flower. It has hallucinogens in the pollen. You ran into it at full bloom without protection, when most potion brewers will only get it at first or last bloom, with heavy air filters. We had to wait a week until now, when your mind cleared."
"That long, huh?"
Neko nodded.
"Well, you got me through there. I appreciate your effort."
"That's fine." His wings twitched, then went back to slowly moving. "I am glad to have you back, though. It's been a long lonely time for me. I started feeling the effects of loneliness as an elf. I wish I'd taken Xenophon more seriously. This is harder than I imagined."
X stroked Neko's aura, having read that this was something elves liked. He did seem comforted with the touch. "You're doing well. Mirage Swamp must have been a more dangerous place than I thought. I wish I'd been able to help more."
"You should do better next time, if we have to go back in. Talasi taught me about barriers and how to shield us both from curses, illusions, and psychological magic. Next time we're in the swamp, you should be able to see it for what it is."
"Talasi found us? Good. So when can I talk with her?"
"Unfortunately, you can't. She has an egg that's close to hatching, so she doesn't want anyone in her home."
"I see. Did you get to talk to her?"
"Yes; she was quite friendly and helped me out. The tunnel we're in will lead us to one of Audolen's shrines. She doesn't like that we're going to visit him; she says he's a basket case. She did watch us go through the swamp and thinks highly of you. She gave you her blessing, although you were stoned when she did it."
X laughed. "Well, I got the blessing."
Neko's aura glittered in amusement. "You did. She did agree with you; the silver ankh should work, but the mirrored tray would have been better. He may try something because we only have the ankh, but he might give in if you tell a good story and be flattering to him."
"Okay. What about Nokomis?"
"She said the same thing as Valera. Go to the top of any peak and call her name into the wind. That will get her attention."
"Okay. So the worst is getting Audolen's favor."
"Oh, and Talasi said Mau Lin is thankful."
"Mau Lin?"
The rat squeaked.
X looked at it. "You're Mau Lin?"
He nodded.
"He's a smart rat," Neko said. "He knew the flowers were bad. It seems that he lives in Arwen."
"You're one of the Fae."
Mau chirped, then changed himself into a dove. He cooed and placed a pendant on the table. Then he took off, flying right through the rocks and dirt to get outside.
Neko fluttered after him and hit the wall. "I heard the Fae were powerful, but I never thought I'd see anyone fly through solid earth. We're two hundred feet below ground."
"I wish I could have talked to him." He picked up the pendant. It was made of gold with a stylized sun over a mountain. What would this do?
After half a day walking through underground tunnels, they entered the volcano. The air grew stiflingly hot and sulfuric. X cast a spell to filter the air into something he could breathe. Reploids were tolerant of bad air, but they still needed oxygen. He had cast it over Neko earlier.
Now his oracle senses were warning him constantly of hot spots and potential lava flows. These tunnels were old lava flows, empty now. But it was always possible, if Audolen grew bored.
"I think we should go that way," X said.
"Sulfur is heavy in that area," Neko said.
"There's a possible flare the other way."
They went down the sulfuric passage and came across a large inscription on the wall. In the dragon language, it said, 'Property of Audolen. Praise him or be burnt.' X touched the wall. "I think this is the spot to call on him."
Neko sat on his shoulder and observed.
X pulled out his chalk and drew runes for volcano dragon on the floor. "Mighty dragon Audolen, I wish to speak with you. Please grant me this honor."
As he stood back up, the lava tunnel vanished. They teleported to a rocky valley. It was a small passage with sheer cliffs on either side. A few steam vents puffed away. In front of him was a haze of hot air. Audolen, most likely.
Then the steam vents turned into lava fountains. There was a mighty roar as Audolen made himself visible. He was smaller than Pashka, but in the narrow valley, he seemed immense. Ending the roar with some chuckles, he made a show of looking in X's eyes. "Is it worth it, little doll, to meet with me in this way?"
Those were simple tricks, X thought. He could mimic the entrance easily. "Very impressive, master Audolen."
"So I have a reploid and an elf. What brings you into my volcanoes?"
"I come to ask for your blessing. I am headed for Heavens Peak. My elf is coming with me."
"Those silly creatures always follow. As for you, white wizard, it has been many years since one of your ring has passed this way."
"I know, but I must."
"You know you must pay tribute to me, then. There's no exceptions."
"I'm aware of that. I have brought this silver ankh for you." He pulled out Sigma's ankh and held it out for Audolen to see.
The dragon took it with his claws. "Interesting, but common."
"It has a good story behind it."
"Then tell."
X explained how the falling stars in the last year of the long winter were really souls called from another world, but how Sigma's soul was dark and possessed the child. He spoke (mostly fabricated based on what he knew) about how the child's good soul got trapped in his own body and how the dark soul planned on corrupting the world's reploids. He told of Roger, whom he had spoken to about this on a few occasions, who risked his own soul to save his brother's, even though they were different species. Then he told how the ankh fit into the story, as the protective charm that Sigma had worn ever since to keep his soul safe. Finally, he told of helping Sigma's patrol and being rewarded with the ankh. "He knew I was a white wizard and that he no longer needed it. So he figured I would make better use of it then he."
Audolen was definitely interested in the story, although the ankh he didn't seem too sure of. "I see." His tone was skeptical.
He looked at the ankh in the dragon's claws and realized why. "Unfortunately, he didn't realize that it is of no use to me either. I believed you might like such a historical artifact, although you may wish to give it protection from stray curses."
"You believe this may attract a curse?"
X nodded. "Perhaps the spirit did not corrupt Sigma, but his ideas did. When I traveled with him last, my danger senses kept on quiet alert. I believe he may become dangerous soon. Giving up his protective ankh may be a sign of spiritual corruption going past it. Therefore, yes, it is weak and potentially dark in nature. But it is an important symbol for what is happening around us."
"Around your peoples, perhaps. Not me." Audolen gazed at the ankh. "It is an interesting artifact. And yet I have many more things with stories as great as that one."
"Would you tell me some, please?" X asked mildly. "I am sure that you could tell stories better than I could. And you must have some amazing tales yourself, given your strength and power."
"Amazing? My story is the best you will ever hear. Do you wish to hear?"
"Oh yes."
"Good." Audolen snapped his fingers and made a marble chair appear. "Sit down and prepare to be amazed by what I have done."
November 4, XX68
Rock had asked several seers to locate X, but they all reported the same thing. He was gone. Lulani gave the best report. "He found a Mindbane Ivy in full bloom alongside the cave of a mother dragon."
Combine a mind-altering drug with a fierce territorial dragon… no one could stand a chance.
The whole situation shocked most people. Who went into Mirage Swamp willingly? What personal business could X possibly have out there? And even in Mirage Swamp, wouldn't X know Mindbane Ivy? Or at least his elf?
Zero didn't want to believe it. He felt that he would know when X was dead. But according to the oracles, and since their connection had been cut, it was daily coming closer to truth.
November 6, XX68
Neko had fallen asleep. X managed to stay awake and listen, even though this was the third day he'd spent listening to Audolen go on and on about his exploits and conquests. He nodded, smiled, and laughed at appropriate times. He expressed disbelief when the dragon told of someone insulting him. When he noticed the dragon exaggerating or outright lying, he didn't betray it. The volcano dragon didn't notice any signs of false interest and continued on.
Finally, about midnight, he scratched his chin. "Well you are quite the avid listener. Do you like my stories?"
"They're wonderful. I can only hope that I can remember them to pass them along."
"Brilliant!" Audolen stomped his foot down, startling the elf awake. "Yes, wonderful, that's exactly what you should do. Tell everyone you meet of how fearsome the great and mighty Audolen is. Tell them of how I carve mountains and tame demons. Then I shall have worshippers once again. Starting with you, X."
"I am a white wizard," he said carefully. "My oaths forbid I take any priestly roles. I'm sorry, but I can't do that. I will pass your stories along, though."
"Oh, yes, forgot about that. Inconvenient little oath your ring has. All well, I'll get my priests back soon enough. Now, let's see… no, don't tell me. You were here to get a blessing so you can climb Heavens Peak."
"Yes, I am."
"We shall take care of that right now." Audolen copied Pashka's blessing, only this time it was hot. "There, you have the blessing of fire. And you, little firefly."
"What about me?" Neko said sleepily.
"You'd best be glad your partner has been such a good listener and storyteller. You now have the sense of fire. It will allow you both to remain warm in cold weather and cool in hot weather. And give you command of fire, blah, blah, you'll figure it out. That's good enough for you?"
"That's great. Thank you, great and fiery Audolen."
The dragon laughed at that one. "Exactly, firefly. All right, you lot may be excused. I have some important tectonic issues to attend to."
"Thank you so much for your blessings, master Audolen," X said.
"Just remember to tell others of my greatness." Audolen vanished in another simple but flashy spell.
"Thank goodness," X said in Elf. "If I had to put up with one more tall tale of his, I'd about scream."
Neko chuckled. "So can we sleep now?"
"Yes, let's find somewhere safe to sleep."
November 8, XX68
The next morning, the pair climbed one of the smaller mountains. From the top, X could not yet see Ikari Tower. But he felt a dark gathering of aura where it must be. He could also tell a strong gathering of holy aura, from Heavens Peak. But the Tower stood between him and Arwen yet.
At the peak of the mountain, X drew wind dragon in runic symbols in the snow. Then he shouted into the sky, "Noble Sky Guardian Nokomis, I wish to gain your blessing. Nokomis, please protect me."
He was answered by a gale. Neko darted into his armor to escape being blown away. A wispy dragon appeared. Her scales were like mother-of-pearl and her wings were like pale white silk. She may have been bigger then Valera, or smaller then Audolen. It was hard to tell because much of her body was like mist.
Her voice was bell-like. "Ah, Wizard X, I wondered if you would call my name."
"You know of me already?"
She giggled. "Of course, silly reploid. I race the wind everyday. I watched you come out with Pashka. I watched you cross the Mirage Swamp in search of Talasi. I watched you listen to Audolen. You have much patience and bravery."
"I try."
"And you're a much better storyteller. You tell it as it is. Audolen embellishes horribly. I bet you, by this time next year, he'll be saying you challenged him to single combat and he won, but graciously gave you his blessing."
"I've had practice."
"That's easy to see. Now, what are you doing here? Few people come anymore, except the darklings. I don't like them. They keep trying to catch me."
"I'm here to unlearn Resurrection, although those darklings would love to capture me as well."
"You have a hard road ahead. It's bad enough trying to get to Arwen, but getting past that black tree is terrible for land creatures."
"I'm still going, but I would appreciate your blessing so that storms and gales don't try to blow me off the mountains."
"They'll try anyways. I don't have control over all of them. But I can bless you and keep my little storms out of your path."
"I would appreciate that."
"I appreciate anyone willing to listen to that vain old lizard. After hearing him out for days at a time as well, I know what it takes. And you already have the trust of Pashka and Talasi. So I shall add my blessing to theirs."
"Thank you, Nokomis." He held still while her winds wrapped around him.
"And for Neko, you now have a wind sense. It will tell you what the weather intends on doing."
"Okay," he replied, although he didn't sound impressed by that power.
"That's a good thing," X said. "Not even a trained oracle can fully read the weather. That takes extra talent one cannot learn."
"I see. Thank you, Nokomis."
"I shall fly close to you," Nokomis said. "I can take messages back to the other three dragons, or check the way ahead. Oh, I'm excited. It's been since my great grandmother's time since a white wizard came on this quest."
"That many generations?" X asked. It didn't seem that long ago since the last white wizards had been around.
"Air dragons never last long," Neko whispered in Elf.
"Yes, that many," Nokomis said, not understanding Neko's comment. "Now I can't carry you, any of you, so you do have to walk. But the clearest path will be this way." She flew down the northeast side of the mountain.
They followed her toward Arwen and Heavens Peak.
Didn't realize initially how short this particular chapter is. It's got that weird 'doesn't fit in with the chapters around it' problem.
