Valtrex dove into the rolling waves, reveling in the cool waters whisking around his lean silver body. He swam just beneath the surface, watching the oceanic life around him with interest. Nothing was large enough to peak his stomach, except for a pod of dolphins nearby. But something within him adamantly refused to eat dolphins – there was something intrinsically intelligent and playful about them, and it seemed a sin to harm something so fun to play with.
And play they did. Upon spotting the silver dragon, the dolphins swam over and began to swim with him, diving in and out of the waters, squealing in their own language at him. Valtrex hadn't the slightest what they were saying, but he hummed back at them.
He sensed he was nearing the border of the magical barrier that protected the Isles from intruders, but he swam on, resolutely. He hadn't come this far just to turn back. There was something within the young Silver that called to him, that made him want to explore the world. The older dragons just shook their heads and chuckled – most of the Silvers knew all too well the feeling, the need to explore, but warned him that going outside the barrier could mean his death. The world was very hostile outside their sanctuary, they told him.
None of the other Silvers in his generation, except Sellisa, understood the desire to explore. They were curious about the world around them, yes, but dared not venture forth recklessly. But even Sellisa would not come close the barrier.
And so Valtrex was out here, alone, again. Last time, he had not been able to come up with the nerve to swim past – for he knew it would be easier to swim through the barrier than to fly through it. But this time, he would not play the coward, he told himself. He would see the world on the outside.
He dived further, nearing the barrier. He knew that the deeper he went, the easier it would be to penetrate, and so down he dove. The dolphins ceased to follow him, chattering excitedly as they fell back.
There. Valtrex sensed a slight weakness in the barrier. This would be the best spot to swim through.
Valtrex nervously paused, before swimming headlong at the barrier. He struck it soundly, and then…he was passing through it, and it wasn't an entirely unpleasant feeling. Like swimming through mud. He knew that the barrier would let him pass at any rate, for he was a silver dragon, and thus it knew to allow him through. It just was a harder thing to do in the air, without permission from the older Golds on Misty Isle. It also allowed him to pass by unnoticed by them – or so he hoped.
Suddenly, he was through, and he quickly swam to the surface. The sky was just as blue on this side as it was on the other. Valtrex chuckled. He had half expected smoke-filled skies, blood-filled waters, and chrome dragons attacking from all directions.
He swam quickly, flapping his wings above the water, trying to catch lift. Water take-offs were always hard without the aid of magic, but he managed well enough. He flew high into the cloud-speckled sky, taking in the view around him. He could see the Isles behind him in the distance, and he fancied he saw the main continent to the east. But that was silly – he was too far away to see the mainland.
He drifted lazily in the air, closing his inner lids in pleasure as the soft sea winds caressed his still-wet wings. Off into the distance, he saw a black bird flying towards him. A large black bird, at that. He fancied himself a bit of poultry for an afternoon snack, and drifted up into the clouds for cover.
But the bird kept getting bigger and bigger, and Valtrex noticed that there was a whole flock of them, and as they got closer, he released they weren't all black – some were green, some were red, some were white, and when he strained his eyes, some were blue…
The thought struck him forcibly. These weren't birds, they were dragons! Chromes, at that! He panicked slightly, but kept his cloud cover. Hopefully they wouldn't see him – but where were they going? Certainly this wasn't an attack on the Isles! There were only a couple dozen of them, and they were small – probably no older than him. Perhaps they were just passing through – but to where? There was nothing on the other side of the Isles, just open ocean.
He watched them warily. He would have to return as quickly as he could, to warn the others. Once they passed, of course.
But the clouds seemed to have other plans – they were dispersing around him, being driven off by the force of his flapping wings. He cursed – if only he knew levitation spells like Khindris, his Gold brother, did.
The chromes spotted him at once and halted. They begin to circle around under him, and a Blue called up.
"Hey there, you, Silver! Could we have a moment of your time?" it politely asked.
The situation was so surreal that Valtrex found himself descending to their altitude before he could even think about it. Once his initial surprise was over, he noticed the nervousness in their expressions. If chromes had the same expressions that metallics did, anyway.
"Greetings," Valtrex said warily. "What brings you here, Blue?"
"My name is Tyberis, and these are my siblings. We are exiles from the main continent – hunted by our own brethren – and we seek sanctuary within the Dragon Isles," the Blue responded.
A White female added, "We come in peace!"
They all nodded and Valtrex was more than slightly stunned. He floundered for a response, "You understand if I am more than a bit shocked and don't believe you immediately."
The White who had spoken looked a bit crestfallen, but the rest stared at him with an intensity that unnerved Valtrex. He began to notice telltale scars on their young bodies, and wondered what horrors they had been through.
Suddenly a cry went up from a Red in the rear of the flight, "My mother is near! She comes to kill us all!"
The dragons wheeled about him in agitation and Valtrex looked off into the distance to see a flight of chrome dragons – large, adult dragons – bearing down on them fast.
"Quickly, Silver, you must help us! The dragons of Paladine are our last hope!" the Blue named Tyberis said fiercely. Some part of Valtrex warned that this could be a trap of some sort to gain entry into the barrier, but something within the Blue's eyes spoke differently, and he believed them.
"This way! Follow me, as fast as you can!" Valtrex wheeled around and sped to the barrier – they would have to fly right through it, and hopefully, the barrier would accept the chromes at Valtrex's behalf.
The silver dragon was faster than all but the lithe Whites, and Valtrex was worried that the others would fall behind to their attackers. But nevertheless, they kept up with him. A strange scent touched his nostrils, and he had think for a moment to place it. Fear. These chromes were reeking of it, and Valtrex realized that if he was in his right mind, he would be, too.
Suddenly, he hit the barrier, and he spoke out fiercely with his mind, "Please, let the young chromes who follow me to come through and none thereafter! They come in peace, in peace! We flee for our lives!"
He felt the barrier give way, and suddenly, he was through, along with the chromes. They didn't stop flying, even when the first of the adult chromes attacked the barrier in frustration.
Valtrex knew that the attack would signal a response from the metallics on the Isles, and they would not stop to question the young chromes presence inside the barrier. Kill first, ask questions later.
"Quickly, dive into the water!" he yelled. The young chromes didn't stop to ask why, and instead followed his commands without hesitation. He followed them, sinking under the waters enough to leave his head above the waves. Around him, the chromes cautiously peeked their heads above the water, flinching when they saw the flight of metallics rushing at the barrier. The adult chromes on the other side suddenly veered away when they saw the onrushing attack.
The metallics sent their breath attacks at the chromes from the safety of the barrier – their attacks passed through harmlessly, while the chromes were blocked by the barrier's magic. The chromes shrieked in frustration, before retreating under the onslaught. One giant red stared at the metallics with hate-filled eyes for a moment longer than the rest, and was rewarded with a frost bolt to her flank. She screamed in agony and wheeled away, and a cry of victory went up within both the metallics and the younger chromes, who were caught up in the moment.
Suddenly, over a hundred of pairs of eyes turned to the twenty-three young chromes and the single Silver in the water. Valtrex gulped when he saw those eyes narrow. He had a lot of explaining to do.
"You just let them in! You compromised everything we have worked for – it could have been a trap!" Kyndri screeched at the young Silver.
"But it wasn't," he said softly to himself, watching the nearby chromes cower under the questions being shot at them by a couple of other Golds.
"Look at me!" the old gold matron commanded, and he looked up into her fierce eye – the other had been gouged out in a long-ago battle. "What could have possibly been in your mind to do such a thing?"
The question commanded the attention of everyone present, even the chromes nearby. Everyone turned curious glances at the Silver to see what his answer would be.
"They came to me seeking shelter, and when I saw they were being attacked, I could not just leave them there. I…I showed them mercy," Valtrex responded quietly.
There was a long silence around him. Valtrex risked a glance up to see a good many of the Silvers twinkling at him, the curious looks of the few Brasses and Bronzes, the eye-roll of the single adult Copper on the Isle at the time, and the begrudging looks of the Golds. The young chromes were gazing at him, a dawning look in some, and confusion in others.
"Looks like our lessons weren't all in vain, Kyndri," Hydral, an older Silver, said with something akin to glee. Valtrex wondered why so many of the Silvers and Golds looked pleased with him. He thought he had done wrong.
Darlax, another Silver, sighed. "Still, they are dragons of Takhisis, and though they may be Freed Ones, they cannot be trusted so soon."
"But we can't just turn them out," Kilvara said in their defense. "You saw the look on Furora's face – she wants them dead at any costs. I have never seen her let down her guard so completely, before." Kilvara was one of the silver dragons that still fought with the Solamnic Knights, though she spent the majority of her time in the Isles.
"Fine," Kyndri decided and turned her attention to the young chromes. "You may live on the irda's old isle, Tayol, but you may not come to any of the other Isles unless we call on you. Do not come to us for anything, and in time, perhaps you will gain our trust."
The other dragons all nodded in agreement with this decision, and the chromes looked relieved. They didn't mind the cold demeanor the metallics gave them – they understood that many of the metallics considered them their mortal enemies, and the chromes were just thankful they weren't being exiled, again. Or worse, killed.
"So tell me, young Silver, about your new friends," the human asked. Or, at least, Valtrex thought she was human. She had always been around, as long as he could remember, as long as many dragons could remember. He knew she took the human shape, though knew naught how old she was, or how she defied aging.
Kali leaned back in her wicker chair and gazed down at the young dragon in front of her home. He always felt nervous under her stare – and also, under the sad stare of another mortal who visited them often, some elf named Valthonis, who also visited with Kali often.
"They're so different from us, and yet it's like we're all the same. And I have so much fun with them!" Valtrex responded enthusiastically, in the human language.
Kali chuckled, "Not exploring more, are you, Valtrex?"
The Silver ducked his head, and grinned. There was no use denying it, but he wasn't going to readily admit it.
"Have any of your siblings made friends with them, as well?" Kali was generally interested.
"Oh, yes. Lots of us! We taught them how to catch fish, although I told them they shouldn't eat the dolphins or whales. Khindris has been trying to teach them magic, too!" Valtrex had been so excited, but immediately knew his slip. The elder dragons had specifically instructed that the young chromes not be taught any magic – they didn't really know very much to begin with, and the adults would've liked to keep it that way, as long as possible, before they started to discover magic on their own.
"Oh, don't be so ashamed, Valtrex. It is good that you are teaching them so much – knowledge should never be shunted, and you are forming friendships that will last you a lifetime," the human woman smiled at him, and Valtrex suddenly felt better about the slipup.
"I would like to visit them, Valtrex," Kali stood and walked towards him.
"Sure thing, I'll get Chonk!" he said eagerly. The bronze dragon was the largest in their generation, and could easily carry the human.
"No, Valtrex, why don't you carry me?"
Valtrex stared at her. "But I am not large enough to carry anyone, yet!" he cried.
"Oh, I think you are," the woman grinned. "Now, bend your right forearm here, ah, that's a lad, and lower your shoulder, good," she instructed, before climbing up on his back, and settling just behind his neck. He could feel her gripping his mane with her hands, and tightening her legs around the base of his neck.
"Now, no barrel rolls, or sharp turns, when you fly," she admonished. "Remember you have basically dead weight on your back, and without a saddle, I'll easily fly off of you."
Valtrex gulped nervously. She was heavy, but not too heavy. He was still unsure, though, and cautiously opened his wings. She reached down to pat him on the neck, and whispered, "I have faith in you, Valtrex."
It was all he needed. His heart swelled with pride at her words, and he took off into the air, the woman clutching to his back. He definitely felt the added weight, and beat his wings harder to compensate. It wasn't that much worse than flying with a large fish in his hands – the weight was almost proportioned to the same area, as well. He could do this. He was doing this.
He wheeled around, cautiously, in the direction of Tayol Isle. His siblings saw him, and zoomed up after him, squealing with joy when they saw the woman on his back.
"You've got a rider, Valtrex, a rider! Just like the dragons in the tales Kali tells us!" the brass Kirsyntha squeaked from beside him.
"Yes, Valtrex is a natural!" Kali exclaimed from his back, and he lifted his head with pride. "We're off to see the chromes, shall you all come along?"
"Yes, yes! They will be excited to see you!" Voxia, another Silver, chirped happily. She barrel-rolled under Valtrex and sped ahead of him to the south. Valtrex realized that he was much slower with the added weight.
"Don't worry about it, Valtrex," Kali said soothingly from his back, as if she could read his mind. "When you're bigger, you'll hardly notice the weight, and be able to fly as fast as ever."
Valtrex nodded, and flew on, resolutely.
Kali's visits with the chromes became more and more frequent, and she began to teach all the young dragons, chrome and metallic alike, about magic.
"Your magic is different than anything else in this world," she would lecture. "High Sorcery depends on the gods of magic, Wild Sorcery on the magic of the world itself. Mysticism depends on the life source of every living thing, and Divine Magic, or Devotion, depends on the god that cleric aligns themselves with, and whatever favour that god shows them. But you, yours is special. Your magic only depends on one thing: yourselves."
"Do you have any magic, Kali?" one of the male Greens, Blatt, asked one day.
The woman's eyes turned towards the horizon, and the young dragons looked amongst themselves in confusion. Her response was quick, but full of emotion, "Not anymore." And the subject was dropped thereafter.
Some had more trouble with magic than others – the Bronzes and Whites could never seem to get the hang of things, while the Golds, Reds and Greens were the quickest to learn.
"No, no, no, Zosopel," Kali scolded the young Bronze one day. "Don't worry about the words. What are words, anyway? Don't give me that look, Khindris, I know what I say. What are words, but merely an intention, a will? You may not be as powerful as a Gold or a Red, but you are just as capable as one. You have to will it to happen – in fact, I daresay, you don't need words at all."
The woman held up a shining metal object, "This is a sword – nothing special about it, it's just made of plain steel. I want you to look at this sword, Zosopel, and will it to bend."
The Bronze dragon floundered at her, and the other dragons stared at shock. Magic without words, without spells?
"You're asking him to perform telekinesis, Kali," Pyrocina, the smallest Gold dragon, whispered.
"Indeed I am. No one else here has ever done such a thing, but Zosopel, I think you can," the woman flashed a brilliant smile at the Bronze, who stuttered in response. "Come, now, Zosopel, concentrate. Imagine the sword bending under your might, as if you were to reach out and bend it with your claws. You know you can bend it physically, so why not mentally? Is there really any difference?" She coaxed the young Bronze.
Much to everyone's amazement, the sword began to quiver under Zosopel's intense stare. Encouraged, the Bronze concentrated, and gasps up among the assembled dragons as the sword finally bent over in Kali's hands.
"Well done, my boy, well done! Now, who will straighten out Zosopel's work?" She beamed at the young dragons as they began to volunteer. The rest of the day was spent bending the sword back and forth, until finally, it broke when Gealdra tried to straighten it out. She cried out in dismay, but Kali only chuckled, "I didn't expect it to last this long, anyway. Don't be upset, Gealdra, the sword couldn't take the stress of being bent any longer. You did well."
"So does this mean we shouldn't use words, anymore, Kali?" Khindris asked, troubled.
"Oh, you can, you can, and probably should. They do make the process a bit easier for most of the time. Just know that you aren't confined to them, and that honestly, you can do anything your imagination can come up with, as long as you have the willpower to do so," she spoke with such conviction to them that the young dragons could do nothing but believe her, and believe in themselves.
They could do anything.