Thru the Heart of a Dragon

Merlin's Rescue

Merlin couldn't save himself.  How did he let this happen?  How could he have let the Vampire capture him?  Merlin, the Great; Merlin, the powerful; what a disgrace.  He couldn't see his end coming in this cave of all places.  He had only used his powers for good and look where it has brought him.  Who could be the one to save him?  Kizzie would be no match for the vampires.  He can't call Victor, not yet.  He can't endanger others for his sake. His daughter, he can call out to her! 

Her powers have been growing.  She should have already become aware of some of them.  He could tell her what to do if she dare come to him.  He lost his connection to her the last time he called out.  He wanted to give her time to think on what he revealed to her. He could wait a little longer.

His thoughts went to Victor.  What would Victor do, if it were him.  Victor was more daring than he.  Growing up, he was the one that always landed into trouble.  He always managed to figure a way out. Merlin was too busy learning the ways of helping others.  Well, it was he that needed help.  He couldn't risk Victor getting caught. 

Victor needed a way to pick up Merlin's scent.  As a Wizard, himself, he would be able to pick up his scent but it would take him too long.  He needed to shift-change into a wolf.  He would need to hurry as the moon wouldn't shed it's light much longer. 

As a wolf, it didn't take him long to pick up the scent.  Away he went, "I'm coming Merlin! I will find you!" he screamed out.  He was running thru the forest when he heard the voices of dragons up ahead.

"Did you hear the scream of the dragon?" one asked.

"Yes, I need to go help him, he is in much pain." the other answered.

"Don't go there.  I've been there.  I went to help and I, myself, came under attack.  There were these creatures that came out of the trees.  Then landed on top of me.  They bit me wherever they could.  No matter how many times I slung them off, they always returned.  I clawed them off of my neck.  I slapped some off with my tail and finally I had to roll on the ground.  They had fangs in their mouths that made their bite hurt awful.  I could feel the blood leaving my body."

Victor knew of Vampires.  How could such a creature have ever been created, he asked himself. There was nothing good about them.  He perked his ears up wanting to hear everything being said between the two dragons.

"How did you ever get away? I've heard of creatures like that.  The people call them Vampires.  They feed off of the blood of others to survive they say."

"I would knock them off and they would return.  I settled on the ground to claw them off and a big net fell on me.  It was heavy, made of metal.  It confined my movements.  Those creatures settled in and they all swooped down upon me.  I knew I was going to die."

When they eventually tired, the big net was taken off and I was allowed to leave.  I didn't take time to search for the dragon that had brought me there.  I had to rest before I could even get up.  It took me several days to get over their attack.  I don't go anywhere near there and you shouldn't either."

"The cries of that dragon draw other dragons.  That is what is meant to happen.  That dragon will never be rescued and the rest of us will have to listen to his cries for help.  No matter where I am, I can hear his cries."

Victor listened but could hear nothing.  They were talking about a dragon.  Could Merlin be in the form of a dragon?  Why hasn't Merlin called out for his help?   Why hasn't his form?  He knows now that Merlin is being hid from the moon.  He must be deep within a mountain.  But which one, there are so many?  He had to have help from Ergina and Elwood.  Could he trust them?  What do they know about Wizards?

Merlin heard the howl of a wolf.  The wolf was telling the creatures of the forest of a dragon being held captive.  He was telling all to spread the word that are not to help the dragon. 

What is this? Merlin sank to the ground.  It is useless, he will never be rescued.  Who is it that would dare prevent his release?

"Victor!" Merlin yelled out.  "Victor!"

Victor was too busy getting the message out to hear his brother call out.  He was nearing Kizzie's cave when he heard the forest animals. They were all gathered around the entrance.  That was strange.  He had to change his form before he scared them all away.

The animals were all huddled together when Victor came into their view.  They came to sit at his feet.  He kneeled to pick up one of the small rodents.  A voice came through the wind, yelling "Victor!" It was Merlin.  He knew for certain that Merlin was the captured dragon being talked about.  He ran into the cave.

Kizzie was by the fire.  "Kizzie, Merlin has been captured and is being held in a cave.  I can't explain further but I have need of Ergina and Elwood."  Kizzie shook her head.

Kizzie  went to the rear of the cave.  She took hold of a bird nesting in a nearby tree branch.  She whispered to it and the bird disappeared.

Within minutes Ergina appeared. "Kizzie, you summoned me?"

"Where is Elwood?" Kizzie asked her.

"Elwood is with some other dragons. They are all discussing the fate of the dragons.  Many dragons have become sick of late.  Others have talked about being attacked and wanting to leave the area." she answered. "He is trying to bring order."

"Ergina, Merlin is being held captive in a cave nearby.  We just don't know which mountain.  Victor needs you help to find him. Can you help him, Ergina?" Kizzie knew that Ergina would find Merlin.  She just had to .Her daughter was in need of her father now. He wouldn't turn her back on Lucretia now.

"Victor, have you ever rode with a dragon?" Ergina asked him.

"I've always wanted to, but no, I haven't" Victor couldn't wait. Merlin was always friendly with the animals.  He never had time to connect with them.  He was always out causing havoc with the people.  That was so much more fun.

"Alright, Victor, let's go. Merlin must be in a lot of trouble." Ergina said as she sank to allow Victor on top.

Victor leaned close to Ergina's big ears, "Merlin is in the form of a dragon and we must find him while the moon gives her light."

Ergina flew straight up high in the sky.  Victor wasn't scared at all.  He trusted the big dragon.  When she had reached the right height, she swooped down between the mountains.  She called out to Merlin with her dragon's roar while Victor called out to Merlin in the wind. The two of them were one in the sky darting here and there searching for any opening to the nearby mountains.

Ergina being a Silver Dragon was the most powerful of the dragons.  She was smart too.  She looked for the mountains hidden from the view of the moon.  Those were the mountains she searched. 

It wasn't long before Ergina picked up the scent of a wounded dragon.  She and Victor landed at the secluded cave.  There were signs of blood all around. 

"What has gone on here?" Ergina and Victor had the same question.

"Merlin!" yelled Victor. "Merlinnnnn! are you here, brother?"

They ventured into the cave and saw a door made of metal pipes.  There was a door that had several locks.  Surely, a dragon could have broken that door down, he thought.  There was a smell about the cave.  Victor knew it to be a herb used to promote sleep.  "That's it, Ergina, they are keeping him drugged so he won't have the strength to get away."

Victor and Ergina called out to Merlin together. 

Ergina was a fire-breathing dragon. She used that fire to light up the cave.  Merlin smelled the fire, had someone come to feed him.  He was rather hungry.  He brought his head up and his head started spinning.  "Victor!" he yelled. "Quickly, get me out of here."

Ergina used her strength to bend the great door while Victor stood guard.  Merlin stumbled out of locked room.  Victor rushed in to check on Merlin.  The three were rejoicing with their success.  They didn't hear his approach.  The King had come to do what he was compelled to do.

The King had brought his spear that had been prepared with a potion to render the dragon motionless.  He would then be able to draw screams from the beast without him moving about.  He felt no emotion when he did this.  It was if another person was doing the deed. 

When he arrived at the cave, he heard voices.  He stepped back before he could be seen.  It was too late, Victor saw the man.  He would deal with the man later, he needed to get Merlin out of here.

The three left the cave.  The moonlight where was it?   He knew without it, Merlin could not leave this place.  "Ergina, we have to have moonlight.  The light of the moon is what Merlin uses to change his form."

Ergina, being a silver dragon, can reflect light.  She flew high until the moon hit upon her.  She then directed that light downward until it hit Merlin. It was up to Merlin to make the change.

Victor urged Merlin to find the strength he needed.  Slowly, the big dragon, began the transition.  It was painful this time because of all the torture he had suffered.  He still would remain injured. Before long, Merlin stood before him.

"Brother!" Victor yelled and caught him before he hit the ground.

The change had took the last strength Merlin had.  Victor looked for the man he had earlier.  If he attacked, he had to be ready.  Ergina landed next to them.  They were about to climb on her back for their ride home, when the attack came.

The vampires had came for their usual nightly feed.  If they fed off of Merlin, he would surely die.  Ergina stood and called to them.  "Go, Victor, save yourself and Merlin."  She spread her wings and the vampires attacked her. She could stand this to be done in order to save the two Wizards.  Their kind was needed by the people.  They were good Wizards.

Victor and Merlin headed out in a fog that Victor had conjured up.  The fog opened up to reveal horses awaiting to carry them away.  They were headed to safety while their friend was in danger.