Chapter 57-Dragon's Blood

Meanwhile, Dartz and Narssia lay side by side as Dartz changes his deck. Narssia watches with interest as she sees countless cards leave and enter the forty-card deck. Dartz sees this and is surprised that his Guardian finds interest in this.

Interested? Dartz asks as he puts down the card that he is holding.

Yes, very, Narssia answers as her eyes meet with her master's.

You know that I have planned to meet with Kesar later, Dartz says as he picks up the card that he had laid down and put it into his deck.

I know, Narssia growls. Because I intend to come along.

Dartz thinks about this for a moment and then decides that it will work.

You can come, he mutters as he finishes his deck.

The night has come by the time that Dartz and Narssia leave to go and meet with Kesar. Narssia soars easily through the dense clouds that blanket the region, Dartz holding on but still enjoying this flight.

We have not flown like this for some time, Narssia comments as she passes through a cloud.

That is true, Dartz answers as Narssia begins to lower.

The black dragoness lands and folds in her wings before entering the small burrow that is home to Kesar. The human sits curled up against the right corner of his room, quivering either in fear or because of the cold.

Kesar? Narssia asks as she halts before the human, Dartz by her side.

The male's rough black hair looks like it has been thrown on the top of his head instead of grown there. His yellow eyes hold back panic as he sees the black dragoness. To him, she reminds him of it. It, the demonic presence that over took him and possessed him to kill so many innocent lives. Narssia lowers her head to the point that her eyes stare straight into his.

You have much pain in your heart youngling, she growl as Dartz watches with caution.

Kesar shutters at her statement and tries his best not to make it seem like he is scared of her. Narssia finally pulls her head away and turns to look at Dartz.

I cannot get through to him, the black dragoness snorts as a small stream of smoke drifts from her nostrils.

Kesar panics and attempts to edge closer to the wall that he is already pushed up against as far as he can go. Narssia releases his terror and steps away from him. Dartz advances and places a hand on her shoulder. Kesar struggles to reach the small sword that hangs at his waist. If only he can get to it!

If only he can draw it! Finally his hand wraps around the sword's handle and so he draws it and sends it flying toward Narssia.

Let this work, he thinks as the sword flies closer to its target, Narssia.

The sword's steel metal collides with Narssia and she roars in pain. Dartz can only watch in horror as the sword slowly sinks into Narssia's chest.

Narssia! Dartz cries in terror as she begins to fall.

He moves toward her but he is too late. She crashes to the ground, the sword gleaming in her chest. Dartz narrows his mismatched eyes: one green and one yellow and turns to face Kesar. Kesar stares up in horror as the King of Atlantis reaches down and grabs him by his gray cloak and lifts him off the ground.

Kesar tries to be brave as he looks into Dartz's eyes.

"I am sorry," he mouths but the king doesn't hear.

Dartz shoves him against the wall of his chamber, fully showing the power of a king.

"You dare to hurt my dragon!" Dartz roars in anger. "You dare to harm her!"

"It was an accident," Kesar stammers as Dartz squeezes the front end of the cloak that keeps Kesar above the ground, nearly cutting off the blood flow to the male's head.

"It was no accident!" Dartz yells as his eyes seem to glisten in his anger.

Put him down Dartz!

A telepathic voice echoes through the small chamber and Dartz turns partway to see two white dragons, one of which he knows. Finca, Guardian of Tamli Nekita, is the dragon with the yellow eyes but who is the dragon with the purple eyes?

Release him, the purple eyed dragon growls, his voice sounding like a male.

"Make me," Dartz snarls as he tightens his grip on Kesar, threatening to strangle him.

The purpled eyed dragon advances, a fierce growl rising in his throat. Dartz hastily throws Kesar to the ground and walks out into the freezing cold night, leaving Narssia behind. The black dragoness struggles to remain conscious as her vision starts to become cloudy.

Pull the sword out quickly, we are losing her!

I know!

Careful Tamli! Do not harm her!

I won't, Tamli snaps back as his teeth grip the sword handle. This will not hurt Narssia.

It doesn't. Although a steady throbbing pain is all she feels, the black dragoness is unharmed by Tamli removing the sword from her chest. Her vision begins to slowly come back into focus and Narssia blinks.

Feeling better?

This voice sounds familiar. Where has she heard it from?

Don't make this worse then it is!

This voice seems male. Narssia blinks and tries to focus her shifting eyes on the dragon that stands before her. A distant shape startles her as is draws closer.

Stay back! Narssia growls.

The shape descends on her. Narssia panics and realizes that this shape may be Kesar and he might want to finish her off.

Kesar, however, remains huddled in the corner where Dartz had dropped him. Tamli growls and locks eyes with the young male.

Get Narssia and yourself away from here Finca, I will deal with him, Tamli growls.

Fine, Finca mutters as she picks up Narssia and leave the cave.

Tamli walks over and growls at the human that sits against the wall, scared beyond any shadow of a doubt.

You harmed Narssia, he growls, his claws gleaming like silver.

"I know," Kesar says softly.

You know and yet you feel nothing! Tamli growls harshly.

"I feel for her. Having to put up with Dartz as her master," Kesar says as his yellow eyes seem to light up with a spark.

Tamli growls, trying his best not to injure the male. He was the one to attack Narssia. He brought Dartz's anger on himself.

You feel nothing for Narssia, Tamli growls, hatred for the male human clearly showing in his voice.

"You think that! You think I care nothing for her!" Kesar growls in anger as he stands up.

You didn't seem to care when you attacked her with that dagger, Tamli growls as his white claws edge closer to Kesar.

The male quivers once he sees Tamli's claws edge closer to him but stands his ground.

Of course I won't, Tamli growls as he walks forward and picks up Kesar by his cloak, in the same spot where Dartz had grabbed him.

Kesar panics and tries to hit Tamli's shoulders. He dragon simply growls in amusement.

Nice try human, Tamli growls as he walks out of the room and takes to the air, remembering what Finca has taught him about flying.

He swerves and twists through the air. Kesar can only hope that Tamli doesn't decide to drop him. Tamli growls and spins so that Kesar is on top of him. The male attempts to grab hold of Tamli's scales and climb onto his back. Tamli suddenly stops, his wings holding him in the air.

Finca, he thinks in panic as terror grips the dragon.

With that he spins around and lands just briefly to allow for Kesar to get off his back and then he resumes his flight.

She is in danger, Tamli thinks as he speeds up, hoping to catch up with her although her presence is fading quickly.

Tamli reaches Finca as she is being carried away by a black dragon.

Finca! Tamli roars as she vanishes from sight.

He sits and looks into the sky, wondering why anyone would want Finca and why she was taken. By the next morning, Tamli is still siting on the ground staring into the sky. Tronay and Arasies come by and they stop to speak with Tamli.

"Brother," Tronay says, bowing before Tamli.

Tamli growls and shakes his head in annoyance.

I told you to not bow before me Tronay, Tamli says as he turns to face the two.

Arasies, Tronay's light dragon, watches with admiration as Tamli approaches.

Arasies, Tamli begins.

We are family now Tamli. Our kind is connected to each other through telepathic communication, Arasies growls as she lowers her head before the white male dragon's frame.

I understand, Tamli says as his attention turns to Tronay.

"I wish to know what you were doing siting out here all night," his human sister asks.

I . . . I lost Finca, Tamli explains. She was taken from me.

Arasies growls, her way of saying she doesn't understand why Tamli didn't give chase.

There was no time, I had to protect Narssia from Kesar should he show up, Tamli says as he looks at Arasies with his wise purple eyes.

Arasies growls at this.

You are not telling the truth, she growls.

Tamli blinks and then sighs.

Yes am I not but I have a good reason, Tamli snarls.

"Tell us then," Tronay says as she grips her ruby incrusted sword.

Very well, Tamli says. Finca was taken and she had been with Narssia so I know not what happened to the black dragoness.

I understand, Arasies growls as she rubs her head against Tronay's soft white cloak.

Since when do you wear white? Tamli asks Tronay.

"In honor of you," Tronay answers.

Me? Tamli asks as a faint warm breeze starts.

"Yes," Tronay replies as she sighs.

Tamli looks away. Because of him, Finca is missing. If only he had reached her in time! If only he hadn't been so involved with Kesar! The breeze floats past him and Tamli raises his head.

He sighs and closes his eyes, this breeze feels pretty good.

Four weeks pass and Tamli begins to feel guilty. He is positive that he caused Finca's disappearance. Although Tronay, Neptune, and Arasies try to convince him that he was not responsible for it, Tamli will not choose to believe them. To him, Finca was taken because of him. Because of the fact that he stayed behind to watch Kesar.

This isn't fair! Tamli thinks to himself as he lays near Tronay's home on the outskirts of Twilight forest.

He sighs as he watches Tronay's daughter, Roylezn being held by Neptune. The male looks so happy, so carefree. Tamli snarls in disgust, this is too much. This reminds him too much of Finca. Too much of her warm, gentle growl.

Her calm, unblinking eyes as she listens to his problems.

With a hasty growl, Tamli gets up and walks over to a nearby stream. He stares into its glistening surface and closes his eyes. He takes a calming breath as he prepares to step into the stream and hope that his call to Ameria and Jamie were a success.

Finca, Tamli thinks. This is for you. I will not die, not yet. Instead I will live to save you at a later time.

With that, the male enters the water as he sees the approaching forms of the two ice dragonesses.

You have come, he growls as the two land.

We have, Ameria answers as she halts before Tamli. Are you sure about this?

It must be done, Tamli growls. I cannot take any risks.

Jamie looks around nervously, her yellow eyes darting from Tamli to Ameria and back again.

I fear this will not be successful, she says.

Ameria chuckles at this.

You worry too much Jamie, Ameria growls.

Maybe I do but it makes no difference, the light blue dragoness snarls.

Tamli looks at the two warring dragonesses. He sighs and chuckles under his breath. Jamie and Ameria growl at each other before turning back to face Tamli.

Now that we have settled our differences, let us begin, Ameria says.

Tamli nods and lowers himself into the stream so that he lays down on the riverbed.

Comfortable? Jamie asks.

Its okay, Tamli growls. Now Ameria how long will this hold me for?

Ameria thinks for a moment before answering.

It will last three years my king, she mutters before both dragons begin to freeze the stream with their ice breath.