The Dragon Savior of Tone: World of Tone: Book 2 (14 page)

“Yes, please come into my cave. My old bones ache and I would like to sit by my fire.” The old woman led them into her cave. They sat around a fire pit as the old one got comfortable in her chair.

“You have questions for me, Draman. Please ask them and I will tell you all I know.”

“Tell me what happen during the fighting that led to the humans ending up in the coastal valleys,” Terra requested.

“The world of Tone was made up of many species, each of which had their own area to themselves. These areas were separated by large forests and mountain ranges. They rarely fought, except for the dwarfs. They were squat creatures that lived around a large black mountain near the center of the landmass. The dwarfs protected their boundaries by killing. The other species stayed away from them, until the human wizard joined them. Human wizards were rare and usually not very powerful. He did not have the power of healing, only one male has ever had that specific magic, you. The wizard seemed to become more powerful after joining the dwarfs, and, some claimed, extremely vicious and dangerous. Initially, he could be kept under control by the Solans and avoided humans.

What prompted the wizard to join the dwarfs was unknown, but he convinced seven Solans to go with him. Soon after the wizard joined the dwarfs, they began attacking the land nymphs, whose land bordered the dwarfs’ territory. Soon, the dwarfs with the wizard and Solans’ magic began to move toward the human and elves lands. The fighting grew to encompass all of Tone.

The wizard's magic grew in power after he joined the dwarfs. It finally came to a point where even all the Solans combined magic could not stop him and his dwarfs. The fighting raged on, season after season, until the dwarfs were opposed by all the other species. They slowly began to organize into six large, disciplined fighting groups. Each group was led by a black Solan and began to achieve large gains in land. During this time, four of the black Solans were killed and the dwarfs combined into three groups. The land nymphs, elves, and humans joined forces. The humans and one group of elves were fighting in a northern area, while a second group of humans, nymphs, and elves were fighting near the center of the land mass. In the north, the dwarfs defeated and massacred the humans and the elves.

The dwarfs then combined their fighters and began to drive the remaining opposing fighters back toward the mountains. The elves left just before a major fight, without warning the humans or nymphs. The dwarfs managed to split the humans and nymphs into two groups. The humans were driven through the only mountain pass that led to the coast, while the land nymphs were forced toward the northern mountains. We caused four landslides that blocked the pass as the humans escaped to the coastal valleys. The land nymphs were forced into a long valley where they had previously built a wall to protect themselves.” The old Solan explained.

“What of the sea nymphs?” Terra asked.

“Only a few were with the humans. They needed to be near water. The Sinut was among them and, I must admit, he was a great deal of help. He killed one of the three remaining Black Solans during our escape. He also knew of the path through the mountains. Without him, we may not have found our way. They led us to the coast and then disappeared into their waters.”

“What happened to the elves?”

“They had an orb that had great magical power. It could tap into a limited amount of the core powers. As best as I can determine, they suspended themselves in time using this orb. There is a mountain valley I believe they now wait in. Nothing can break the magic as far as I know. I assume there is some trigger or key that can bring them out of the suspension.”

“Core powers. What are core powers?” Terra asked. The Solan looked confused.

“You don't know what the core powers are? You have used them.”

“I have no idea what they are or how to use them.”

“The core powers are everywhere. They created all things, but they do not have intelligence as we understand. They allow all of us to do as we wish, without control. They don’t care if Tone lives or dies. Few can access them and no one can truly control them. I have felt them distort when you used magic. I assumed that meant you were accessing them, but perhaps not.”

“I plan to deal with the dark one and the dwarfs, as you call them. I am putting together those who will fight. Tone will also help.”

“I don't understand, how will the world help?”

“Tone tells me she is dying. That she can only last a short time. So I have no choice, I must kill to save us all.”

“So, the world talks to you.”

“Yes.”

“I always thought Tone was a living thing, but I never knew for sure. Now I do.”

“I would like to understand one thing, though.”

“What?” The Solan questioned.

“How does killing hundreds of thousands of dwarfs help this world live?”

The Solan looked at him. She now understood why he was the Draman. Many would not question the need to kill; it was a rare one that considered other options before killing. This was the type of being that should be in charge of a fighting force, the likes of which had never before been seen on Tone.

“Your question is a difficult one. As a healer, have you not had to kill a sickness to save the one you are healing?”

“Yes, of course I have.”

“The dwarfs are the sickness that must be destroyed to save the body of Tone,” the Solan said in a kind voice.

“I see. I had not thought of it that way. I have killed in anger and it caused me great pain. When I kill this many, it will greatly affect me. Killing for food is one thing, but this will be completely different.”

“I understand, but no one can help you with such a problem. You and your mate must deal with it the best way you can.”

“Unfortunately, I must do what is needed to save this world.”

“Why can't I change back to a Dragon? I need to be a dragon to help Terra,” Fienna blurted out.

“That is fairly simple. Until you stop feeding your child, you will remain human.”

Fienna had never considered this, but it was so obvious. She would have to decide whether or not she would continue to breastfeed her daughter. The sea nymph women were able to feed Cardana. This could be the answer. She did not want to leave her baby, but Terra needed her even more than her child did.

“Faray, I had hoped you would come. May I give you something?”

“Yes, of course.”

The Solan went to a large old box and opened the lid. She took out an amulet, which went dark in her hand. She brought it to Faray and asked for the amulet she had given her in the dark cave. She exchanged the two amulets and put the new one around Faray's neck. As she did, two of the stones lit, one with a strong glow and the other slightly weaker.

“This new amulet was owned by a truly gentle Solan and fits your spirit better. You have strong healing magic and also some adaptive magic,” the old Solan said.

“What is adaptive magic?”

“It's the ability to use magic for multiple purposes. You probably have yet to use it. You need training.”

“Terra has eight of the stones glowing bright,” Faray said.

“He has far more power than any I have ever seen or heard of.”

The Solan then went back to the box, drew out another amulet, and walked to Terra's mother.

“May I?” she asked her.

“Yes.”

The Solan placed the amulet around Reicka's neck. Three stones began to glow—the two Faray had and a third one with a very weak glow, representing the ability of throwing power.

“You could be a Solan, my dear. I can train you both.”

Reicka knew this was true and she would have liked to stay, but she knew Fienna had to go with Terra. She would not leave her granddaughter alone. There was also Sifar; he needed her love and kindness.

“No, I am needed elsewhere. Faray, I do think you should stay. You need to understand what you are capable of,” Reicka said to her daughter.

“I would like to remain here to learn of my magic,” Faray told her mother.

“Please keep the amulet. If you ever change your mind, you will be welcome,” The Solan told Reicka.

“We must go. I have much to do,” Terra told the group as he stood. They said their goodbyes and returned to the crevice leaving Faray with the old Solan. Terra would send Faray's things by dragon upon the next sun-rising.

Chapter 21 - The Dragon Assemblage

(The independent must become dependent.)

- The Time of the Draman -

Dawra and Hectise perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking a valley with nearly six thousand dragons flitting about like dragonettes. More dragons were arriving all the time, and it was an absolute mess. The dragons were flying about, flaming, arguing, and snapping at each other, not to mention the all-out fights. Neither Dawra nor Hectise were able to get them under control. They just watched in disgust.

“They're all acting like hatchlings. We need to get Terra,” Hectise said.

“Yes, we do need him. I'll fly to the crevice and bring him,” Dawra said in an angry voice.

“Hectise continued to watch the dragons. He slowly spotted ten older dragons that were actually trying to control some of the bedlam.”

He flew down and had those ten come with him to the cliff edge. Terra approached the valley with Fienna on his back and four guard dragons and Dawra. They landed on the cliff near Hectise. Terra looked over the utter chaos and shook his great white head.

“Stop!” Terra said in a voice that shook the ground itself. All the dragons turned and saw Terra. They all settled and perched where they could.

“This is no play, you are not hatchlings. Millions died during the last great fights to defeat the darkness on the other side of the mountains. It will take great effort and some will not return, and that includes dragons. If you come, some of you will be killed.” Terra's voice penetrated every corner of the valley. A deathly silence spread across the dragons as they began to realize what he was saying.

“This world is dying. The only way to save us all is to defeat the darkness. If you do what I say, when I say it, you will have a better chance of surviving. We can win back our world and our future. I cannot tell you who will return. I can't tell you if I will return. The only thing I know for sure is that if we do not do this, no one will survive.”

All the dragons were quiet. They now understood the severity of the situation. Some were scared, while others could not wait to fight. They all believed what Terra had said. They all knew he never lied to the dragons and that he was not lying now.

“Fienna will be your overall leader. Dawra and Hectise will organize and train you all. No one has to be here. If you wish to leave, do it now. Those who stay will follow the instructions of those chosen to lead, or I will ask you to go. If you all do what I ask, the dragons will be the most powerful group on Tone, and we will defeat the darkness.”

Only a few dragons left, but most of them stayed and waited for their instructions. Terra talked to Dawra and Hectise for a bit and then flew off with Fienna on his back and his guard dragons following.

“I need to know your flying skills. You will be broken up into groups of twenty-five and then, as a group, you will fly the length of the valley. These ten will assist me, follow their instructions,” Hectise said as he pointed to the ten he had picked out. His words were heard by all in the valley, but it was nothing compared to Terra's overwhelming voice and statement.

Chapter 22 - A New Home for Cardana

(Inspecting a child's new home is enjoyable for her, but painful for the loving parents.)

- The Time of the Draman -

Terra and Fienna returned to the crevice to rest. Fienna took Cardana and began to feed her. She would have to stop feeding her daughter soon so that she could turn back into a dragon, but for now, she would enjoy the closeness and love. If Terra had not needed her to save their world, she would have stayed in her human form for another set of seasons.

The next sun-rising, the Old Sinut came with Setilan to the beach, where she had first met Terra and Fienna. Setilan mused that perhaps met was the wrong term—enticed would be better. She had been teased into trying to entice the human on the beach, but Terra's magic had protected him. She had been the one wounded. He then healed her, even after what she had done. He was now the sea nymph's greatest friend. She knew they planned to entrust Cardana to them, which was the greatest honor any parent could give to another.

They could see Terra fly above the beach with Fienna upon his back. In his dragon form, he was magnificent. Behind him flew the ever-present dragon guard. These dragons had been healed by Terra, many from near death. They felt that they owed their lives to him and Fienna and were proud of the protection they gave the family. Dragons were loners by nature, but when it came to protecting Terra, they became a true fellowship.

Terra landed near them and the other dragons landed on the cliff edges overlooking the beach. He changed back to human form and they walked to the two sea nymphs.