Chapter 9

Revelations and Losses

Many days passed in Orca's time on the summit. The wisdom of the age's flowed from Jaggain's lips at all moments, there was so much to tell, so much to teach, and so little time to do so. Orca was taught things of dragon magic that even the tribe chief did not know. He spent many long hours in Jaggain's den, deep in logical discussion. Every night Orca would pray to Orgon to reveal to him his path, but he remained silent. This unnerved Orca, surely Orgon would have seen him, a young hatchling eager to do whatever he commanded and would visit him. Yet the message did not come, day after day, week after week.

"Be patient Orca," Jaggain constantly reminded him. "Orgon's ways are not our ways, he will come when he deems the time right. You can no more rush Orgon then you can hold back the waves of the sea."

"Yes, Master Jaggain," Orca would reply sullenly as he went about his tasks for the elder.

"The hasty are defeated"he recited the laws of the Aero Tribe to himself to content his restless mind, "but those who reason are victorious" How fitting, thought Orca

The first of the ancient laws is about the danger of a hasty attitude. "Weakness is found in cowards, but strength resides in the scales of the brave." I must have patience and wait for his calling, which when it has come I must undertake with courage. Had Orca's face been capable of showing emotion, he would have been wearing a satisfied smile.

That night, Jaggain, after dismissing Orca for the night flew to the top of his den, which rose in a tall funnel shape. The tunnel that it formed led far into the uppermost point of the claw of the mountain that pointed to the west. The tunnel finally emerged into the open air. The scene from this high still awed Jaggain after one hundred and fifty years. Far to the east the plains of Doath stretched to the edge of the of the Volos forest. At the foot of the mountains lay the Igios swamp. To the west the peaceful city of men, Waria, could be seen, and beyond that, the sea. Jaggain had always pondered what lay at the far end of the sea. Here on the mountaintop was the special place where the dragons had worshiped Orgon for thousands of years. It was a sacred place, were many prayers had been offered and many requests granted. It had been here that the world had begun, it was here the words of blessings were spoken upon the whole of Lybrintha, and it was here where Jaggain prayed one dark night. The stars burned bright that night, high in their black thrones, and as the moon made it's nightly journey across the heavens. Jaggain bowed his head and spoke to Orgon.

"The hatchling shows great promise. He is strong of body and mind, he is wise far beyond his years, but he is impatient. His entire heart and soul is ready to do your will, whatever it may be, but he wishes for things that are not yet come to pass. He lives for the moment, wishing for everything here and now. O great Orgon, bless me with the wisdom to lead him in the right path."

Jaggain paused in his prayer. Orgon was speaking to him. After several moments he spoke aloud again.

"Yes, perhaps that is the cause, but the hatchling is in need of loyal companions that would teach this principal. And no single dragon could offer such an experience." He paused again for a moment.

"I am confused lord… men? What could men do for the hatchling?"

The wind blew across the mountaintop bringing with it a chill that made Jaggain shiver. To the world all was silent save the whistle of the wind, but to Jaggain, the sound of Orgon speaking directly to his soul was all that could be heard.

"Your will be done Lord," he said out loud. With that Jaggain descended to the depths of his den.

Jaggain was not the only one praying for guidance that night. Orca was also immersed in prayer. The cave that had been his home for the past six months was small with barely enough room to sleep in, but it had been sufficient. The dirt-covered floor was soft and was devoid of the many rock shards which littered his den back home amongst the others of the tribe. It was here that he prayed to Orgon for patience.

O mighty Orgon, Creator of the world and all that is in it. Be with your servant. Give him the strength to face the trials of this life until you call him home to your side. Give him patience, o Lord and help him to know that you will work on your own time. When you deem me worthy of your message you shall send it. Your will be done Master of sprits and Author of our story. Amen.

A cold wind whistled across the mouth of the cave as the light from many stars shimmered on the cave walls, reflected off of the blue scales of a dragon curling up upon the floor of the cave. Orca focused his slate eyes on a single star in the night sky. A star shining brighter it seemed than the others. The chief of her realm… Orca thought as the soothing fingers of sleep crept over his entire form.

Orca was standing in a den, an elegant den such as one of a tribal chief. Slabs of solid gold were growing in the sides of the cave. Rising upward to the ceiling, were bands of amethyst meeting in a sharp oval shape. The floor was lined with diamond shards. At the far end a simple wooden goblet sat upon a silver alter. Large bowls stood on either side of the altar filled with writhing tongues of flame.

Orca, with slow cautious steps approached the altar, when a deep voice echoed throughout the den.

"Orca…Orca…" The voice was not menacing, as it should have been. To Orca it was comforting, all of the worries of the world left his mind in an instant.

"Speak Lord, your servant listens," the words floated form Orca tongue as though another spoke using his lips. A ghostly light filtered into the chamber as the voice spoke once more.

"Orca, my child. I have watched over you since the moment you were conceived. You have forever believed in me and my existence even though you could not see me." A warm breeze began to blow thorough the cave; it lifted Orca from his feet and wrapped him in a blanket of a warm air. He was rocked and cradled by the wind. "I can read your heart, Orca," The voice told him.

"Lord, My only wish in this life is to do your will," the amazed dragon declared.

If you truly wish to follow me, you must always obey my calling. Now,"

Orca was placed back upon his feet. "Approach my altar and drink from the pure water in the goblet." Orca found this a strange order to come from the Creator of Lybrintha, yet eager to serve his Lord he approached the altar. Climbing the small steps towards the altar he sensed a cold wind sweeping across the floor of the chamber. He arose to find the goblet empty. Stunned he stood puzzled as the voice once again echoed from around the cave.

I have a mission for you Orca…

"What is it Lord?" Orca shouted.

There is a group of men traveling in the direction of your home on the mountain. You are to set out and meet them. Bring them here so I may teach them also…

"Men? What good can men do?" Orca asked with a yawn

The sense before him, the cave, the altar, everything began to fade as he heard Orgon speak softly.

Trust in me Orca…Trust in me…

Orca awoke on the floor of his own cave. He arose, walked to the mouth of the cave and stood staring out over the plains of Doath. His eyes wandered over the landscape below seeking out every minute detail. In the far distance near the edge of the swamp the smoke of a fire curled upward from the chimney of the wizard's hut. Suddenly a flash of red scales caught his eye. A large crimson dragon was spiraling and twisting performing midair acrobatics. The dragon then dived down into the blackness of the swamp.

One of the cursed dragons… If the men are in route to the mountain then they must come through the swamp! I must warn them! Orca's mind raced into overdrive. He glanced upward to where the lair of his master lay carved into the side of the mountain, and in that moment he knew what he must do.

"I'm sorry master…" he whispered to himself. "I'll return…I promise."

He spread his wings as he leapt from the cave and let dived into a free fall of about fifty feet before he caught the wind and soared off into the night.

"So the hatchling has found his calling..." Jaggain whispered to himself as he watched Orca sail away into the clear star littered sky.

"May Orgon go with you young one…"

Cedric was tired. It was the second night they had traveled at a break-neck speed, and by the expressions on Robert and Kathryn's faces, they were just as tired. They had been on the move ever since Travis had shown up at Robert's cabin. The only sound that could be heard now was the soft chirping of the insects that surrounded them.

As they lay their packs on the ground, Robert held the lamp high over his head allowing the weak light to spread to a ring of about a twenty-foot radius.

"Hold this," He commanded Cedric. "Hold it high. I need more light…"

Cedric did as he was told as Robert sank to his hands and knees as if searching.

"What are you doing?" Kathryn asked, suppressing a yawn. In the light Cedric could see that her once elegant dress was now muddy and torn in many places, leaves and twigs were entangled in her long brown hair.

" I'm searching for a shelter in the brush. I don't know about you but I am bushed. I need to sleep, and we need to stay out of sight." No one questioned him.

A makeshift camp sight was soon set up; they could not make a fire for the risk of being spotted. It was decided that two would catch some sleep under the cover of the underbrush while one of the others would keep watch. The watch would be tackled in two-hour shifts. Cedric had the first shift, which was uneventful save a brown fox scurrying across the campsite during the first hour of watch. At about two in the morning the moon was high above the forest. As the pale light filtered down in through the green leaves heavy with the spring moisture, Cedric, who was about to doze off during the watch, suddenly heard the sound of rushing footsteps off to the right in the darkness. Before the others had gone to sleep, the lamp had been extinguished leaving Cedric in complete darkness.

The Forest was anything but quiet. The summer breeze could be heard as it danced upon the trees, accompanied by a number of crickets, frogs and other nocturnal forest creatures all chirping and croaking. To Cedric it seemed as though they all formed a woodland symphony, with the soft whisper of the wind keeping time. The song that could be heard all around Cedric was soothing, bringing a calm over his entire form. The tension in his limbs and neck slowly accumulated from three days of nonstop running began to unwind itself. He felt as though a large snake had been wrapped around his entire body attempting to strangle the life from its victim, and had now released him sliding away in defeat. He was so relaxed he caught himself dozing off more than once. It was on of these times that he was just about to give into the spell of the song, that he suddenly heard the sound of rapidly approaching footsteps. Now fully awake, Cedric whipped the short sword from its sheath. As he stood there straining his ears to detect any movement, it occurred to him that he had never held a piece of steel in battle. In street fights back in town he had learned to use his fists to achieve protection from gangs and thieves and while hunting he was accustomed to the feel of a bow and the shaft of an arrow in his hands. Not sure what to do he ducked down underneath the shelter where Robert lay snoring. Both he and Kathryn were fast asleep, no doubt they had fallen to the spell of the forests music as well. The spell proved to not be lasting though, Cedric shook Robert a few times and he awoke, as quietly as possible Cedric explained what he had heard. The two silently rose form the shelter and crept in the direction of the footsteps. They traveled about twenty yards in the direction of the sounds but found nothing but forest underbrush.

"I'm sure I heard footsteps coming from this direction," Cedric murmured.

"You must have been imaging things," Robert said yawning. "You woke me up for this…" He was suddenly cut short by a scream that echoed through out the forest.

"I didn't image that!" stammered Cedric

"Quick! Back to the shelter!" Robert shouted. Robert drew a thin rapier as they dashed in the direction of the scream. The sight that met their eyes was horrifying.

Travis himself stood in front of Kathryn who was sitting on the ground surrounded by five other soldiers one of which was holding aloft a lantern. Her hands were tied behind her back and her mouth covered by a gag.

"Well, well, well. What have we here?" Travis grinned. "My, we have traveled far haven't we Princess?" Kathryn remained silent despite the gag. She stared at the General with a look so full of venom and contempt, that Cedric was surprised that Travis did not melt under her gaze. "It's far past your bedtime," The General chuckled at his own joke. Cedric and Robert watched from behind the cover of a bush.

Suddenly Travis drew himself to his full height and bellowed to his five men. "We've got the goods boys. Let's head back to camp. Double rations for every man!" A hearty cheer from the soldiers greeted this statement.

"I hope you will join us Princess," Cedric herd Travis whisper to Kathryn as he led her away.

This is not good… thought Cedric What am I going to do? A number of deformed, uncompleted plans dashed franticly through his mind. There seemed but one thing to do…

"KATHR!" Cedric stood up from behind the bush shouting while at the same time drawing his short sword, but a hand was clamped over his mouth as Robert dragged him back behind the bush.

"What are you thinking!" Robert whispered as he held Cedric's struggling arms. "We need to stay hidden! They can't find us!"

"But we can't let them take her!" Cedric breathed as he wrenched Robert's hand from his mouth.

"Shhhhh!" Robert suddenly whispered as a tall shadow suddenly loomed over them. Travis had heard Cedric shout and had come to investigate. He stood directly over them. Cedric could smell the heavy scent of body odor as he drew even closer.

This is it…Cedric thought We're finished… He's going to find us and we'll go back to the prison camp…He closed his eyes and waited for the worst.

"Sir!" Another shadow suddenly loomed over them. Travis wheeled around to address the solider who had saluted him.

"Yes what is it?" He asked in a tone of suspicion.

"There are rumors about this forest. They say it's cursed. We should leave right away sir," Travis turned around inspecting the bush where Cedric and Robert still hid.

"Yes you're right. Move out," Travis replied in a greasy voice. The solider ran off to catch up with the rest of the group and Travis did the same. With the departure of the group of soldiers Cedric and Robert were left in complete darkness. It was now that Robert released Cedric.

"What were you thinking!" Robert shouted at Cedric angrily. "They could have seen us!"

"We couldn't let them get away! And now because of you they have Kathryn!" Cedric retaliated.

"Because of you they might have had all three of us!" retorted Robert.

"This isn't the time for heroics! Besides there was nothing you could have done to save her. What chance do you, a teenage boy who knows nothing of swordplay have against a seasoned general and a group of soldiers? We must be careful."

"Well, what do you suggest we do!" Cedric was still shouting.

"We must carry on towards Waria. There we can seek help." Robert was now speaking softly as he stared at the ground. "Move your foot," he commanded Cedric.

"Huh?"

"I said move your foot. What are you standing on?" Cedric lifted his foot from the ground to reveal a large jewel buried in the mud. He crouched down and picked it up wiping some mud from its brilliant shimmering surface. It was a necklace in the shape of an eye, a large crimson eye carved out of the purest ruby in all of Lybrintha.

"It's a necklace," He breathed as he handed it to Robert.

"It's beautiful!" Robert exclaimed has he took it form Cedric. He handled it for a few moments before turning it over and bringing it close to his eye to examine it closer.

"It must be at least two-hundred years old. Hold on to it, we may be able to sell it for a great sum." He said slowly as he handed it back to Cedric. But as he took it and stashed it in his pocket, he began to think.

"I wonder what a piece of jewelry like this is doing in the middle of the woods," Cedric thought to himself.