The Dragons of Bone and Dust (Tales from the New Earth Book 7) (12 page)

Aeris looked at him sternly.

“
And we've
been down that road before, haven't we?”

Simon smiled crookedly as he smoothed
the clean robe over his chest.

“
I remember,
thanks. Don't worry; I'll pace myself. Unless we are attacked by
dragons, I'll take it slow. After all, I haven't had access to my
powers for months. It will take me a little time to get used to being
able to use my spells again.”

“
Good. By
the way, when I heard you stirring up here, I put the kettle on. The
water should be hot by now.”

“
Ah, thanks
a lot. Let's head down.”

Downstairs, Simon found a packet of
dried fruit waiting for him on the table. He made some tea and ate
while Aeris flew around the room and opened up all of the windows.

A mild breeze rich with the many
aromas of nature flowed through the room and Simon breathed deeply,
savoring the moment.

“
By the
way,” Aeris said as he returned to the table and floated just
above it. “One of the earthen cleaned the outhouse, so you
won't have to worry about dealing with spiders.”

He grinned as Simon shuddered.

“
You've
fought undead monsters and dragons, my dear wizard, and you're still
scared of bugs?”

“
Not bugs,
Aeris; spiders. I don't know why but they creep me out. Just the way
they move their eight legs...ugh.”

Aeris laughed but dropped the
subject. His expression became serious and he looked over at the open
door.

“
While Kronk
is busy getting the garden sorted out, I did want to mention
something I learned during my time back on my home plane.”

Simon chewed on a mouthful of dried
apples and gestured silently for the elemental to continue.

“
My people
have been keeping a watchful eye on this world; well, as watchful as
we can. Our vision is clouded these days; something to do with the
dark gods trying to force their way back into your universe. Still,
we've seen enough to get some idea of what's been happening since you
escaped to seek refuge with the elves.”

Swallowing loudly, Simon sipped some
tea and nodded slowly.

“
Interesting
way to put it. And?”

“
And your
fellow Changlings haven't fared very well in the past few years.”

The wizard set down his cup abruptly
and leaned forward, staring at Aeris with a feeling of dread knotting
up his stomach.

“
What's
happened to them?”

“
Well, it's
those damnable dracoliches, my dear wizard. They have killed and
resurrected almost all of the remaining dragons in the world now,
which is bad.”

“
You don't
say,” Simon commented dryly.

“”
I
mean beyond the obvious badness of a sky full of flying dragon
skeletons. All of these undead monsters are totally under the control
of the Chaos lords, and have one singular purpose now; destroy all
remnants of your people. Not just that, but wipe out any and all
physical obstacles in this world that are hindering the gods'
return.”

Aeris frowned in confusion as he
spoke.

“
We have no
idea why the gods need certain things eradicated, beyond the humans
that is, but their servants are destroying various sites around the
world. They've leveled old towns, torn down ancient monuments that
survived the Night of Burning; frankly it's been an odd assortment of
targets.”

“
I'm sure
they have their twisted reasons. But back to the Changlings, Aeris.”

“
Ah yes, of
course. So, many have been destroyed but not as many as you might
think,” he added quickly as Simon gasped. “The others
have been rescued by, of all things, the dwarves. They have been
taken deep underground and are being cared for in the capital city,
Kingstone. Your old acquaintance, Shandon Ironhand, is responsible, I
believe.”

Simon sat back with a relieved sigh
and closed his eyes briefly.

“
Shandon. Of
course. Such a good person. I think we're lucky that he became king
when he did. Dwarves are notoriously insular and I doubt that most of
them even care what happens to my people.”

Aeris snorted and then barked a
laugh.

“
Oh, I think
they do now.”

The wizard looked at him quizzically.

“
Meaning?”

“
Meaning
that the lords of Chaos have targeted the dwarves for extermination
as well. Remember, besides your people and the elves, the dwarves had
a hand in the dark gods' exile too. I believe that the evil ones are
out to even the score. Whether they need to wipe out the rock
brothers to aid their entry into this world, or it is just out of
spite, they are moving to confront them. Shandon's rescue of the last
of humanity probably just exacerbated the situation.”

Simon finished his tea and got up to
make some more. He hadn't noticed the small jar on the counter and
looked inside of it.

“
Honey? When
did we get some more honey?”

“
Last night
while you slept,” Aeris told him with a grin. “Kronk was
eager to work through the night, but he didn't want to wake you, so
he went out and retrieved some honey for your morning tea. You didn't
see it just sitting there?”

Simon dipped a finger into the golden
liquid and licked it off.

“
I should
have but I didn't. Half asleep, I guess. Something else to thank him
for.”

“
Don't be
too excessive in your praise, my dear wizard. It might go to his
head.”

Simon gave the elemental a wry
glance.

“
It might go
to
your
head, but it would never go to Kronk's. He's much too grounded for
that.”

Aeris rose
up several feet and spun around in an exaggerated show of amusement.

“
A
pun! Grounded! Oh you are a clever one, most magnificent wizard.”

“
Stop
that.”

Simon made
his tea and nodded toward the doorway.

“
Let's
sit out on the steps. I want to enjoy the sights and smells of home.”

“
Certainly.”

The two of
them went out into the bright sunshine and the wizard sat down at the
top of the stairs. Aeris floated to his left, wafting gently in the
breeze.

“
So
the dragons were betrayed by the very beings who first created them,”
Simon said thoughtfully. “It's sad but almost poetic in its
irony, I suppose.”

“
Evil
is as evil does,” Aeris replied primly. “Those demons who
call themselves gods are twisted to their very cores. They will do
anything and use anyone to achieve their goal of conquering this
world and all the other worlds beyond it.”

“
So
I've noticed,” the wizard said and sipped his tea slowly. “How
the hell do you fight something like that?”

Aeris
looked troubled and, for a change, had no answer.

They sat,
and floated, in the morning sunlight for some time before Kronk came
barreling around the corner of the tower.

“
Good
morning, master!” he exclaimed as he hopped up the steps. “Did
you sleep well?”

“
Morning,
Kronk. I did, thanks.”

Simon
raised his cup.

“
And
thank you for the honey. There was no rush, you know. I can drink my
tea or coffee without it.”

“
I
am sure that you can, master. But I was at loose ends last night and
thought it would be a good time to go in search of some. I am glad
that you are pleased.”

“
I'm
delighted. So, Aeris tells me that you've been working to restore the
garden?”

Kronk sat
down on the step next to Simon and nodded, a smile on his craggy
face.

“
Yes,
master. But it is not too hard of a task. Most of the plants have
survived over the past few years. They need some pruning and
organizing, but will not need to be replanted. In fact, I will have
some early beans and carrots for you in a day or two.”

“
That's
fantastic news,” Simon told him. “I love the taste of
fresh vegetables.”

“
I
know, master.”

The
earthen looked up at Aeris.

“
And
what have you been up to this morning?”

“
I
woke up the wizard and got him some breakfast. And I started a fire
in the fireplace. Why?”

He sounded
a little defensive and Simon watched the interchange with quiet
amusement.

“
Because
master's horses are out in the wild somewhere, not to mention our
cows and chickens. Shouldn't you be out there searching for them?
What about the famous scouting skill of the airy ones that I've heard
so much about, hmm?”

Aeris
spluttered in indignation and seemed to be having trouble answering.

“
As
I thought,” Kronk said dismissively. “Master, I would be
happy to go off into the forest and search for the livestock.”

His tone
was so unlike that of the agreeable earthen Simon knew that he stared
at Kronk in shock.

The little
guy looked over at Aeris shaking with anger and then winked at the
wizard surreptitiously.

Simon
raised a hand to his mouth to hide his grin and tried to sound like
he was seriously considering the suggestion.

“
Well,
I suppose you could,” he said to Kronk slowly, trying to look
thoughtful. “If the garden isn't really in bad shape, then...”

“
Now
wait just a minute here!” Aeris interrupted. “Have you
lost your mind?”

“
Probably.
Several times. Why?”

“
Are
you actually thinking about sending this rock head out into the
wilderness to look for the horses? He'll be lost once he gets out of
sight of the tower!”

“
Oh,
I think Kronk's much more reliable than that. Aren't you?”

“
Of
course I am, master. Aeris is just worried that I'll replace him as
your go-to scout, that's all.”

“
What!”

Simon had
never heard the air elemental hit that high a note before and turned
away before he exploded with laughter.

“
You
replace me? Ha! You make a barely adequate laborer; you will never be
a scout. Never! I'm going to find those accursed horses, right now.
And the cattle and chickens too, if they still live.”

Aeris
turned away and shot down the steps toward the front gates. Then he
stopped and looked over his shoulder.

“
Or
die trying!” he added dramatically.

With that,
the air elemental flew off, fading into invisibility as he went.

When he
was sure that Aeris was out of earshot, Simon looked at Kronk and
both of them burst out laughing.

“
Oh
my friend,” he wheezed through his chuckles. “You are a
very bad person sometimes, do you know that?”

“
No
master, I prefer to think of myself as motivational,” Kronk
replied with a wide smile.

He looked
over at the main gates, which were still broken and wide open, and
frowned slightly.

“
Aeris
needed to feel useful, master. He is not a very good artificer, but
he is an excellent scout. Now he can put his skills to their proper
use and find the horses as well. Everyone wins.”

“
Sneaky,
Kronk, but well-intentioned. I like it. And I hope he really does
find them.”

“
So
do I, master. And now that you are awake, my fellow earthen and I can
repair your front gates without fear of making too much noise.”

The next
few days were spent putting the finishing touches on the tower. Simon
discovered that while some of his books had become moldy on their
shelves in his study and had to be destroyed, most had fared quite
well and only needed to be cleaned.