The Dragon Healer of Tone (World of Tone) (32 page)

They now both knew that this was not a one-time occurrence, and soon Terra would grow into the great white dragon he had been before.

They could not hide this in the crevice, and the two knew they needed another place for Terra’s change. The next sun-rising after she made sure Dawra was watching over Terra, over his objection, she went looking for a location that they could have the privacy they needed. As Fienna flew along the coast, she saw a cave that was not used by dragons for living because during storms the winds were too furious for even the strongest dragon to fly through, but at all other times, it was a beautiful place. She thought that this would be perfect. All the dragons knew of it, but because of its dangers never really used it for anything.

The cave was in the middle of a tall cliff at the end of a point of land that jetted out into the sea. There was a small ledge that looked to be good for landing. She decided to fly in and investigate the place. As she landed on the ledge, she noted that it would be big enough for her and Terra to take off from. The cave itself was enormous inside and could easily hold the two largest dragons on Tone. She felt quite pleased with herself, and Terra agreed through their mental connection that it would be the perfect place for the two to escape the prying eyes of all those who wished to protect them. As the sunrises passed, Terra’s strength grew, and Fienna finally felt it would once again be safe for the two of them to go flying. In only three more risings, it would be time for Terra’s change, and it had to look normal for the two to be flying off.

Even now, they were followed by a group of dragons wishing to protect them. She knew she would have to tell them to leave them alone the sun-rising of the change. She hoped they would heed her words and not follow.

The morning of the change, Fienna and Terra arouse from their sleep before the sun rose. They left the cave and just outside the entrance, Lowlack was sitting as several other dragons flew overhead on guard.

“Where are you two going?” he asked.

“Oh, just for a morning flight,” Fienna said as she stretched her wings.

“I’ll come with you.”

“No, No that’s not necessary we’ll be all right Lowlack.”

“I think I should come. Are you sure you wish me to stay here?” he asked with genuine concern in his voice.

“Yes, we would like to have a bit of privacy once in awhile. You just rest old friend.” With that Terra climbed onto Fienna’s back, and they were off.

They flew into the air, and Lowlack trumpeted commands to the guarding dragons not to follow the two. He was suspicious though and decided to follow them at a discrete distance to both find out what they were doing and protect them.

Fienna flew straight to the cave she had chosen because the sun would be rising soon. She landed and hopped inside just as the first rays of the sun came out of the dark moonless sky. Terra’s body began to glow as it had before, and in only moments, he had become the magnificent white dragon. Lowlack had followed and watched the two fly into the storm cave. He was surprised because Fienna knew of its dangers. He landed behind a large boulder and watched the cave entrance. He noticed a glow seemingly emanating from within the cave, and soon after Fienna and the great white dragon came out to the ledge, and the two took off. They were magnificent. Words could not describe the beauty of the two flying together. As soon as they were out of site, Lowlack landed on the ledge that they had just left. He called Terra’s name and walked in. Terra was no longer within the cave. In a flash of memory and understanding, Lowlack could see the carvings on the walls of the great cave, and he now knew whom those drawings depicted. He quickly left the cave and flew off to find the pair. It was not hard for the sun was dazzling as it reflected from the white skin and crystal ridge down the back of the great white. They were climbing for a mating flight, and as Lowlack watched, they merged into an arc of love so amazing he was awestruck by it. Then they flew off to feed. He followed them the rest of the sun-rising until they returned to the cave, and he saw the glow. This time from the cave Terra emerged riding on Fienna’s back as they had left that morning. Lowlack said nothing about what he had discovered. It was not his place he felt. The two went back to the crevice and fended off questions about where they had gone as they bathed in the red lake. No one could get anything but vague answers about where they had gone.

Chapter 62 - Old Friends Talk

(Hope Grows Brighter as a Young Man Matures.)

355 set of seasons since the coming of the Averons

The Old Sinut returned to his cave after Terra had awoke from his unconscious state. His mind was reeling from what had transpired in the odd crevice home of a dragon and a human. He was now convinced Terra was the one foretold. No other living thing could have survived the injuries that were inflicted on Terra’s body. In fact, he should have died instantly. Instead he lived and defended the dragon only a few sun risings later. He floated to the black pool and concentrated on its’

service. The images of the vast and dead land formed into a great wall, and finally, the ancient figure of a land nymph appeared. His old friend was as usual sitting at a fire, but this time several young nymphs were also sitting listening to the old one. The old Sinut contacted his friend mentally, not wanting to appear and frighten the young ones. The old one understanding sent the young nymphs off to look for herbs. He was obviously teaching them healing magic. As they disappeared from sight, the Old Sinut’s image began to form in front of the old one.

“What has been happening? There has been an enormous flux in the planet’s magic,” said the old one.

“I know. The boy is the one we have been waiting for. I saw him survive wounds that would have killed anyone else. He can also pull power directly from Tone. His power is beyond even what I suspected,”

the old Sinut’s floating image said.

“What happened?” asked the old one.

The old Sinut started at the beginning with Terra’s injuries and went through the entire story. The old land nymph was amazed by the power described to him.

“When do you think he will start his odyssey? I think he has started.

He may have killed that witch. I couldn’t be sure. Those damn birds took the body.”

“Don’t count on her being dead. The darkness possesses her.”

“I know.”

“How long do you think it will be to the war and our liberation?”

“I don’t know. He has no idea of his future or even who he is.”

“Tell him. We can’t hold out too much longer. Maybe ten sets of seasons.”

“I know, but it’s out of our control.”

“Yes, I know. It’s in his hands now,” said the old one with a tired sigh.

In a cave far from this conversation, the old woman sat watching the images in her fire. The thick fog surrounded her chair.

“Do you think it’s him?” said the voice of many.

“Yes, it’s him. He is finally here,” said the old woman.

“We have been there every sunset; he is almost back to normal. That old Sinut has been there also. He’s trying to control him,” said the voice of many in a somewhat angry voice.

“No one will control him. He is now beyond any of us. His future is under his control not ours or those old nymphs. We all must wait and let him do what he will.”

“Yes, Yes that is true. The bitch is still alive; he did not kill her. The darkness protected her enough to keep her alive,” said the many.

“I know. She will join us soon enough. She cannot stand against him even with the darkness.”

The old one said as the images of the crevice faded in the fire.

In a black and dead mountain that was in the center of the lifeless land of the central continent, a hideous old wizard slowly sat down in his solid gold, jeweled chair. He looked at a dwarf holding the only lighted torch and told it to go away. The dwarf moved off leaving him to his own thoughts and in complete darkness.

“What is happening?” he said into the darkness.

“He comes,” an odd almost ghastly deathlike voice said with an odd disjointed laugh.

“He can’t defeat me. I’m the greatest Wizard of all time.” said the old wizard.

“Are you sure?” the voice said in a laughing tone.

The old wizard stopped talking and just sat in the dark grinding what was left of his once strong teeth.

Chapter 63 - A Surprise for All

(No One Knows What the Future Holds.)

355 set of seasons since the coming of the Averons

Terra was fully recovered, and Fienna was back to her full strength.

Life was somewhat returning to normal except for the dozen or so sea nymphs that guarded the lake and the three dragons that constantly flew guard over the crevice. Gone were the sun-risings of their privacy, and they wanted it back, but no matter how hard they pushed to remove the guards Dawra and Lowlack insisted on them. Terra and Fienna did get away on their own after threatening to leave for good if they weren’t given some privacy. So every sun-rising Terra would mount Fienna, and they would fly off usually not returning until sun down. They went hunting, swimming, and whatever else they could think of doing to stay away from the crevice. The sun-risings passed uneventfully until the sunset of the full moon. The two disappeared into their cave, and as the moonlight filtered into the cave’s entrance, Fienna began her change.

She actually looked forward to it now. They spent the sunset as they had the last two in deep physical love. They both now knew that this would be their life and neither objected to it. As the sunset slipped away and the great moon slid beyond the crevice’s edge, Fienna did not change back but remained a human. Terra quickly touched her body with all his healing power but only found her to be healthy. There was one difference she seemed to be more than she was before. Fienna glowed with life and strength. The two sat near the waterfall and neither knew quite what to do. They understood that they would have to tell those who guarded them, but how? Fienna’s fear seemed to grow as the sun rose. Terra held her tight and gave his mind and body to her. Her fear disappeared in their love and for now would not reappear. She somehow understood that no one would harm her as long as Terra was near.

The problem now became a question of how to tell the others that were now protecting them. Terra thought that Dawra would probably be the best to start with. After all, she was Fienna’s mother and probably would understand. Terra knew this would be a difficult thing to do, but it had to be done since it was obvious that Fienna was not going to return to her dragon state. He did not understand why she did not return to her original form, but whatever the reason, they had to explain the problem. Terra decided the easiest way would be to simply tell Dawra straight out. First, Terra comforted Fienna before leaving to talk to Dawra. He slowly walked out of the rear cave and down the stream until he reached the cave’s entrance. There he stood looking out over the now red lake and the activity of the nymphs and dragons flying overhead. Fienna’s mind was full of confused thoughts of both fear and an odd excitement. Terra stood quietly, and with his thoughts, was able to calm Fienna’s mind and relax her. He had always been able to help her calm down, but now they were outside their realm of understanding.

As Fienna’s mind calmed, he was able to rest for a moment. It seemed such a long time since he could simply lie on the sand and sleep in the warm sun. Such a long time! He did not see Dawra, but as it happened, he spotted Lowlack on the crevice rim. He seemed to be looking over the crevice watching for who knows what. Terra had until that point been just inside the entrance, outside the sight of those who protected him. He slowly moved to the center of the large flat rock that made up the entrance to their cave. Lowlack saw him instantly and spread his wings and leaped from the crevice rim. He slowly glided down and settled just in front of Terra.

“Where is Dawra?”

“I think she went hunting?”

“We need to talk to her. Could someone find her for us?”

“I’ll send one of the young dragons. Is there anything wrong?”

“I’m not sure Lowlack” This puzzled Lowlack, how could he not be sure if something is wrong.

“When she arrives could you both come into the cave?”

“Yes, of course.”

Lowlack flew off to assign the search to one of the guard dragons.

Terra could feel Fienna’s mind finally slumping into a restless sleep through his mental encouragement. He stood for a few more moments looking at the sky and wondering if things would ever return to the way they were. Fienna woke suddenly from the short sleep, and he could feel the panic in her. He turned and ran through the cave to her side.

There he lay next to her and held her quietly in his arms.

As Fienna drifted back into a troubled sleep, Terra allowed his mind to drift. He seemed to be flying. He saw a young male dragon fly across the land, and then it suddenly started down. He could see Dawra eating a fresh killed runner and the young one drift down toward her, landing just in front of her. He heard their conversation.

“Dawra, Terra wishes to see you,” the young dragon said.