Chapter 33-From the Ashes
Verdra shrieked, hiding her snout under the protection of Sitedal's wing as they stared at the bloodied remains of two hatchlings killed just as they had begun to hatch from their eggs. She heard her mate's growl soften slightly and she drew the strength to see what had tempered his display of anger. From the ashes of their tragedy, one of the three eggs had survived the brutal murder. The hatchling within finished shattering its egg and blinked, startled as its parents were about the blood all around the room.
It's male, Sitedal whispered, his voice barely heard by Verdra as she gazed at her new dragonet.
Seraphina has a brother now, she muttered, finally accepting that it was only two hatchlings that had hatched from their first clutch. What should we name him?
Sitedal was silent for some time until he snorted and lowered his snout, encouraging his son to venture near them. Ladetis, he growled, flicking his gaze to her for a moment. He shall be called so for he survived what could have caused his death . . .
You think . . . Father was responsible? Verdra questioned, picking up on the unspoken thoughts of her mate. They had heard his voice before he left the room and they discovered the bloody scene left for them.
You heard him as clear as I did and then for him to leave the room afterwards . . . I believe so. He did inflict the scar on my eye, remember?
Verdra sighed, watching as Ladetis was nuzzled by his father. I remember. I wanted to hurt him for that but you told me revenge would not fit my calm nature.
Sitedal hummed soothingly at the remark and nudged their son over to her, briefly making eye contact. Verdra snorted, concerned over the briefness of anger she had seen in his gaze but dismissed the thought to pursue the issue as Ladetis stumbled over to her, still unsure on his own feet. She lowered her head and licked him carefully, trying to wipe away all traces of blood from him that symbolized his dead siblings and covered their once peaceful chamber. It was not supposed to be like this, she reasoned angrily, she was supposed to be surrounded by three new hatchlings instead of just her surviving son.
Should we tell Seraphina? Sitedal asked cautiously as she closed her eyes and nuzzled her son with all the sympathy she could give towards his new life as being a survivor of a vicious murder that could have killed him as it had with two of his nest-mates.
Not yet, but . . . Verdra opened her eyes and gazed up at him. She should get a chance to meet him while he is still young.
I agree, love, Sitedal growled softly, unfolding a wing to drape over his mate and his new offspring. Yet I want an answer from Tamli as to why he would seek to destroy our family. I realize he is unstable but his actions clearly speak that he is a danger to all dragons, particularly those that have laid clutches recently. His gaze flickered to Ladetis and then back to Verdra. Go and spread the word while I find Tamli. We shall endure this and become stronger from it.
Verdra hummed softly before Sitedal withdrew his wing and she nudged Ladetis to stay by her side. The darkness of outside the chamber cloaked her immediately yet the white scales of their son could still be seen by Sitedal as he watched them leave to tell others about the bloodbath that had ripped most of their family from them. He shook his head, gazing down at the broken eggshells of two dragons that would never be able to unlock their hidden potential or even embrace a single sunrise. A low growl rose from deep in his throat, he had work to do instead of just standing around mourning his lost hatchlings. Tamli would pay for the damage that had been done and he would see to it fully. There was a price for taking the lives of innocent dragonets and Sitedal would see to Tamli receiving the horrid payment for his actions.
Dhran hesitated at first as he saw Tamli's eyes open yet immediately went to action as the former rider started to thrash about wildly, limbs flailing. He subdued the man and gripped his wrists tightly, staring deep into the purple irises of the amnesic individual. As Airu watched, he noticed a change come over Tamli as the man stilled himself and turn his gaze and head to the side, unwilling to meet the harsh glare that Dhran directed towards him.
"Tamli, what is with you? If I had not been close to you then you probably would have fallen off the table, is that what you wanted? A chance to damage your already weakened body? How you survived the wounds you have amazes me but do not try anything else, understood?" Dhran angrily removed a hand from Tamli's wrist to grab his jaw and turn his head to that their eyes met. "Answer me! Is that your wish to be injured to the point of death? Finca would go on a rampage if you died, you do realize that right? She would slaughter innocents just to quell her misery and rage. Think if that is smart on your part to cause her to lose all reason. Lives of innocents rest on you . . . living."
"Get your hands off of me!" Tamli hissed between clenched teeth before Dhran was telekinetically thrown backwards and into a wall as a result of angering the powerful human.
He picked himself up from the force of the throw and was about to walk back over when Makiar snapped her tail down before him and growled harshly. Dhran glared at Tamli before taking a deep breath to calm himself, which the she-dragon approved of and then let him pass, her eyes trained on him in case she had to act to avoid a fight between the two. The former rider flickered his gaze away and Airu placed a hand on the table near Tamli's leg.
Don't, Makiar warned as her tail whipped through the air. I spent too long trying to dress his wounds for him to get new ones. She looked to the opening to the room. Someone comes and they are not pleased.
Sitedal entered, sweeping his gaze around until he located Tamli. A low growl rose from his chest and he stepped closer to the man, claws shining with a faint reddish glow. Dhran stepped in front of Tamli, ready to draw his sword if need be, only to be pushed aside by the bulk of the black dragon.
Stand, murderer, Sitedal rumbled, his voice sounding to Airu like a rockslide that was nearing the point of collision.
Tamli hesitated, Dhran noticed, in obeying the request. Confusion clearly dictated his actions as he reluctantly stood and braced himself against the table as the act of standing took most of his strength. Makiar growled low in warning to Sitedal as Tamli's frame shook with weariness.
He is in no condition to be on his feet, Sitedal, Makiar hissed. He just survived being killed twice in the span of a day so back off. Her frame paled in comparison to the monstrosity that was Sitedal's size as he was slightly larger than her despite the massive year difference.
Sitedal growled in annoyance at the remark, choosing to ignore it in favor of inflicting damage on the human who had killed his hatchlings so brutality. Tamli clutched at the smooth metal, finding it harder to catch his breath as his limbs burned with pain. When had he last felt this exhausted, this drained of strength? The fight against Amia had not shown favor to him until Dragonsbane had stepped in to fight for him. While he appreciated the act of kindness, it only proved that he was struggling to retain the sharpness of skill he had once held long ago during his youth. He blinked, startled. How had he known that he had been fitter in his youth? Was his memory coming back?
Choose your last words, human, Sitedal snarled, opening his maw slightly to allow Tamli to see a faint red light shining from back in the dragon's throat.
"What have I been accused of? If you claim I am a murderer then who did I kill? Explain that to me before you engulf me in whatever flames you may possess."
Sitedal growled deeply, smoke rising from his nostrils as he narrowed his eyes. You killed two of my hatchlings just as they were coming into this world, slaughtering them as they begun to hatch. What more reason do I need then to make you pay for ripping their lives from Verdra and myself?
"I did not hurt them. Until recently, I was unconscious and would not have been able to commit such a crime as you claim I have, therefore the blame is not mine." Tamli clutched the table harder, finding it difficult to keep his legs from trembling out of exhaustion. "There must be an explanation because I was not the one who ripped your family from you, I would not do that to a dragon as powerful as you seem to be out of respect-"
Save the excuses! Sitedal roared, smashing his tail down beside Tamli in anger. You own up to your fault and confess you killed them. Verdra and I heard your words, saw you leaving our chamber before we found the bloody scene left for us. There can be no other person able to do what was inflicted upon us, at least that I am aware of, and thus the blame is yours alone.
Summoning his strength, Tamli pushed himself away from the table and stared down the black dragon. "I did not kill them yet your words puzzle me. You said you heard my voice and saw my frame . . . This cannot be . . ."
"What is it Tamli?" Dhran asked, watching the confrontation with worry over the state of the amnesic human out of pity for all the man had gone through only days before.
"Sitedal, is it? I believe you are mistaken. It is not I that killed your little ones but an identical copy of me that Amia created to replace me at the right time. I discovered this upon him leading me to the abandoned lab where the she-dragon Misery had tried to end my life years ago. One of the clones I met I gave a name to, a name that I now regret: Dragonsbane. He is the one who slaughtered the innocent dragonets and should be the one to take the punishment for this horrid act of violence."
You lie, Sitedal hissed, lifting a taloned foreleg towards Tamli. It was you that killed my hatchlings. There is no clone, I would know about it.
"You would not. I have told no one, nor has Finca. We kept this a secret for the good of those down here. I feared they might come after me if they knew that a rouge copy of me was walking around and could attack them with no warning," Tamli corrected, lifting a hand to his head as he grimaced.
Sitedal, he is not your enemy, Makiar snarled, eyes flickering to the black dragon for a moment before her gaze returned to Tamli. I understand the actions that were taken but did you not think this through Tamli? What's wrong?
Tamli clutched his head, falling to his knees as he squeezed his eyes shut. His body trembled and Airu took a step forward before a harsh scream split the air. All attention turned immediately to the amnesic rider as he screamed again, crying out in pain as it felt to him like the greatest electrical current had tore through his body. Nerve endings fried and his body started to spasm as his screams grew louder in volume and despair, yet those around him were stunned at his sudden change in condition.
Sitedal snorted, tail quivering with rage as he believed it was all a lie. He refused to accept Tamli's explanation for the murder, continuing to tell himself that it was the person before him who had ripped two innocent lives from Verdra and him out of wrath. No matter what the human did, he would not be swayed to believe that a clone had taken from him two lives that could never be replaced.
You may act like this out of seeking pity but I refuse to stoop to this level. Admit this killing like the man I know you are, not the weakling you pretend to be in order to slip by the radar of others. I refuse to know how many other lives you have ruined and gotten away with, Sitedal hissed, sliding his tail back behind him so it would be out of the way.
Makiar's low growl rippled through the air as her gaze narrowed on the black dragon. Enough, fear-mongrel. Tamli is telling the truth, you have the means to confirm that for yourself, if you do or not is left to you. I would hate for you to be in this room when Finca returns. She is in far greater a rage then I have ever known, one that you should stay clear out of for your own safety.
Do not try to lecture me! The enraged dragon snarled in disgust, turning his attention to the red she-dragon as Makiar stepped between Tamli and Sitedal.
I was not lecturing you, we both know that does no good. I only offered advice, you can choose to accept it or continue down this dark path. What would Verdra think if she saw you right now? You nearly killed her and Airu in the same night yet you think now you can control your fury enough to direct it solely at one individual, is that right?
I do not need you to interfere Makiar!
What then do you need? A low snarl echoed from outside the room, causing Makiar to flinch at hearing the voice of Finca so loathing and seething with anger. She had not kept check on the she-dragon's movements as she should have, otherwise Finca would not have surprised her by showing up unannounced.
Sitedal growled softly, turning around as the white dragoness entered, Raoul pressed flat against her back out of panic. The black dragon stood his ground as she neared and glared at him, snarling as she did so in an attempt to make him move out of her way. She snapped at him as he let her pass by, teeth missing his scaled hide by mere inches as he snarled softly at her behavior. Finca let Raoul down beside his father and then returned to face Sitedal, tail raised in preparation for a fight as he did the same, finally ceasing his snarling to gaze at her completely for some way he could quickly overpower her and take her down as soon as possible.
Get them out of here, Finca hissed, gaze flickering to Tamli for a moment before it locked onto Sitedal. How dare you try and refute his words! He tells the truth about Dragonsbane, for he was unconscious when your little ones were killed. For that I am sorry but leave him out of this.
Finca waited until Makiar and Dhran had gotten Tamli and Raoul out of the room, leaving the two dragons alone to settle their dispute. Once she was sure they were safety away, the white she-dragon relaxed slightly and begun to circle Sitedal, careful to stay a good distance from him in case he tried to attack. The black dragon, however, tried multiple times to snap at her, only to be hit with her tail as she walked past.
They have left, he noted once he restrained himself enough to keep from trying to lock his maw around her neck. This is unexpected; Makiar did not seem to notice your arrival yet you brought the other human with you . . .
I am aware of that, young dragon of Corruption. It was difficult to mask my mind from her, given the length of time we were held by one mind together, yet I accomplished it for the sole reason of making my entrance a surprise to those that are familiar with me. Finca snorted, I suppose you cannot understand my reasons, but I do not expect you to quite yet.
Sitedal growled softly, appalled that she would ever think he could not understand the reason for a seemingly harmless act. He had known long before Narssia had shown signs of the darkness within her that something was different about the dragon he knew as his mother. Finca was in no position to say he knew not of the rash actions a member of his kind must make for the good of those around it.
Forgive me, the day has been filled with stress. Losing two hatchlings right as they enter the world has affected me most harshly, and for that I am sorry to have ever considered Tamli as the murderer-
Finca roared, lunging at him. She threw him against the wall behind him and pinned him there, a fore taloned leg pressed against his neck. Never say that! She screamed, a burst of Shadowfire erupting from her maw and singeing his shoulder.
Sitedal growled, eyes flaring with rage as he looked deep into her eyes. She held on to her pain despite the anguish it dealt her, something he had once done while he had been held by the might of Arxa. Holding onto the misery only made a dragon go insane, something he knew by instinct and experience, yet he sensed that Finca's problem was not that she held onto it but that she let it take hold of her and ruin her life. He clenched a taloned foreleg, dreading what he had to do to her in order to make her realize the stress she was putting herself under.
Finca, listen to me. You have to let go of the pain you have been holding onto. I know it sounds crazy coming from me but this stress and guilt will consume you if you do not work on fixing the problem. Let me help you, I can make it easier for you to work things out . . . please?
He knew she would take it as a desperate plea, which it certainly was, yet he was not sure how she might respond. Slowly she lowered her foreleg and stepped back, letting him free from where she had pinned him against the wall. Finca's gaze suggested to him that she might acknowledge his request to help her, but her demeanor quickly changed and Sitedal worried she might attack him for even asking if she needed to relieve the stress piled upon her.
No. The one word answer confirmed his fears and Sitedal locked eyes with her, opening his maw the tiniest crack so his element could infuse into the air and affect Finca.
You will open up to me, Finca. I want all the details of how Tamli found out about the clones. Amia had told only Narssia about that, which she later passed on to me, yet he was not supposed to discover that at Misery's lab.
She snarled and turned her gaze from him, eyes flickering with a faint reddish tone that assured Sitedal his element was slowly weaving its way into her mind and loosening up her stubborn self-control. He narrowed his eyes, wielding his fear prowess with a depth he had not known he possessed until he found himself using the element to force her to speak on how Tamli had discovered the cloning process in the destroyed remains of the abandoned lab. With a low hiss, Finca backed away from him, wings unfolding at the ready to take flight if need be as he snorted in amusement that it had taken her this long to figure out what he was doing inside her mind.
Stay out of my head, she growled as Sitedal clamped his maw shut and watched as a reddish vapor descended over her, leaving her no choice but to reveal all that Tamli had seen while at the deserted place, including the truth about the clones and Dragonsbane.
I have no need to be inside your mundane thoughts, dragon of the shadows. You have provided me with the answers I seek, including the reason behind the disappearance of my brother and Arxa. For that I thank you, but you have no more use in my eyes.
The she-dragon tensed as the vapor grew thicker, masking the room in its bloody glow. Sitedal flicked his tail in boredom and the fear mist swarmed into her, pouring its power into making her mind deceive her. He was interested in the new skill, seeing it as a useful enhancement of his Fear Shriek. It was a pity Finca had to be the first to experience it though, but he would rather have a live participant anyway.
Go into the cell that held my mother and remain there until I deem it so, he commanded, voice sharp with rigid obedience that she would do well to follow as it might save her life from his wrath later.
Finca nodded, eyes murky under the control of the unnatural element, before leaving the room to obey his orders. He enjoyed the control he now held over someone, yet he would make it a point to never control Verdra or his hatchlings unless there was no other way he could keep them safe. Perhaps it was his element that brought out the power of Corruption from within him? Sitedal was not sure but he certainly was not planning on waiting to find out.