The Well in the Mires

Voices Part 2

Fiery claws scratch in Udich's throat. A deep voice calls to him. He knows he is asleep, but he can't wake up.

"Open your eyes!" The voice demands urgently.

He can feel the bed beneath him, feel the sheets sticking to his sweaty body, and feel the heat in his veins. He tries to open them but feels as if he's being pulled into another dimension. There is a moist heat swirling around him.

"Open them!"

A blast of hot air hit his face. Suddenly, he felt as if he stood on hot stones. He panted, his bare feet sizzled as he stomped around. Staring down at his feet, he realized he was not in his bed anymore. He stood on a jagged crag overlooking rivers of molten rock. Then he turned slowly, stray embers floating up and grazing his face as he did so. He smacked them away haphazardly. Pillars of black stone jutted out from the pool that they formed in a crater below.

Situated at the opposite side of the crater, staring at him was an amalgamation of flames that appeared to roughly make up a dragon. The most clear shape was it's head which appeared to be held together by plates of scales. He stared into its blazing eyes, his eyes.

"Who are you?" He asked, taken aback.

"I am you." The dragon responded frankly.

"Where are we?" He stumbled as the ground quaked and shifted beneath him.

"Inside of you. Inside your mind."

"How?" He gasped. The air was hard to take in.

"Embrace it, Udich!" The dragon flared its wings proudly. "The witch."

"The blood?" He squinted down at the dragon. His eyes watered. "You're the ancient dragon?"

"Yes and no." It replied slowly. "The dragon is long dead. His blood became your blood. You are man, but you are also dragon." They stared at each other for a moment. "I am you, Udich." He reiterated. "Embrace me. Embrace me, and fire will never harm you again. Allow yourself to have your true potential. If not for yourself, then for Fenna."

The name stuck. "Fenna?"

"Do you not sense it? Something is wrong. She needs us!"

The dragon began to approach, wading through the crater unfazed. Udich gasped and fell back. Growing impatient, the beast unfurled its wings once more and launched up to him. The forceful gust that pushed out from each beat prevented Udich from standing. He never felt more helpless. The dragon stared deep into his eyes. Its head was twice as large as he was.

"She's not here. She's missing!"

"What's wrong?" He asked as the feeling sunk in. He could sense her. But she wasn't there. "Why can -"

He was cut off. "The imprint of a dragon surpasses its greed. Your souls have bonded. The time has come to accept what must be done." The dragon settled, perching at the edge of the crag. It stared at him as if peering into his soul, patiently waiting for his response.

Udich breathed slowly, contemplating. He had one last question. "Will I become a dragon?"

The dragon sighed in disbelief. "No. You will not become a dragon. But you will become stronger and more capable over time. She will also be able to sense you more over time." There was affection that glazed over the dragon's eyes.

He felt suddenly at ease, the tension washing away. He nodded, accepting what was to come. "I accept."

The dragon was silent for a moment, studying him. "Very good."

He threw his head back and let out a long groan as if he was finally able to relax. As he did so, his body began to unravel like a vortex of burning threads that enveloped Udich's body. They absorbed into him like water into a sponge. He felt like he would burst. He started to scream. Then suddenly, the pain dissipated. He jolted up in a start, falling out of his bed. His body shook.

Esher burst into the room, drawing his sword. "Udich!" He stopped. He wasn't sure what to make of the sight as they stared at one another.

Udich stood. He was drenched in sweat and soot. He looked down at his bed, which was singed and also covered in soot. He looked back up at Esher slowly, breathing heavily. They gave each other questioning looks.

"Udich? What?" Esher didn't know how to ask.

"I'm not sure, but I have an idea." He quickly walked over to the fireplace and, without warning, plunged his hand into the fire, grabbing the hottest burning log he could reach along with the red coals.

"Udich, wait!" Esher bellowed, taking a step forward.

He stopped in shock as Udich stood slowly, turning to him with the log and coals still in hand. He showed no sign of pain or injury. Esher was speechless.

"It's true." He breathed.

"I-I'm sorry w-what?" Esher stammered, blinking in confusion as he tried to make sense of it all.

Udich pulled himself back to reality when realization struck. He chucked the log and coals back into the fireplace with haste and rushed for the door with a tense expression. "Fenna's in danger. She isn't here."

"What!?" Esher was beyond confused and followed close behind.

The doors to her room were stuck. He almost broke the handle, ripping the doors open, causing the hinges to loosen. Fenna was gone. The window was wide open, blowing damp air in. Bits of blue and pink dust lay sprinkled about her room randomly like micro sized sand dunes. Strange patterns of scorch marks traveled up the ceiling from the unlit fireplace. He shook with rage.

Landon approached from the hall, and Esher signaled for him to come quickly. With a worried expression, he picked up his pace, ratting his chain mail. He stopped in shock at the site.

"The lady is gone?" His eyes quickly scanned the room.

"Did you hear or see anything?" Esher asked his brother. Udich turned to look at him, eyes wet with rage and jaw clenched.

"I-I did not!" He had never in his life received such a look from his friend. "I'll check with Elen right away. Maybe she and Lady Fenna are together?" He said doubtfully, looking down at the dust. He turned quickly and left to fetch Elen. Moments later, he returned with both Hati and Elen in toe. They all shared the same concerned expression.

"Oh my," Hati exclaimed, peaking inside.

"I-I haven't seen her today, my lord. It's still too early. The sun hasn't even risen yet." She scanned the room nervously. "Perhaps she decided to wander?"

Esher sighed. "The only place she likes to wander is the Prince's bedroom."

This time, Hati didn't hold back. She went in for a good wallop. She missed and stumbled due to her weight. Despite her sour attempt, Esher caught her, unfazed, and steadied her.

"This is no time for your crass jokes!" She huffed and stomped her plump foot.

Esher's face darkened as he stared into the empty room with a helpless, enraged Udich standing in the middle. "It wasn't a joke." He said bluntly. "If she had simply taken one of her short "wanders", she would be here and there would he nothing to worry about. At least we would know she is safe."

Hati was silent. She let out heavy breaths as she accepted that he was right. Anxiety filled her chest. "I'll let the rest servants know. I'll have them sweep the castle in every possible place just to make sure." She glared at the floor before scurrying off like a mad woman.

During the exchange, Landon had slipped into the room and started examining the evidence inside. He lifted the covers on the bed, fine particles falling from them, causing small fractures in reality before settling again. He scowled, getting down on one knee. He pushed the small piles at his feet and scanned in front of him when his eyes locked onto an impression. He could see imprints of what appeared to be toes.

"Udich!" He said sternly, causing the prince to jump with a start as they all looked at him. "She had bare feet. There's no way she left the castle without shoes." He gestured toward the window. "They stop, just over there."

Udich rushed to the window, nodding in confirmation. A pile of the colorful dust gathered just under the window. He leaned out, looking around.

"There's no way she could have gotten out this way on her own. There's no way for her to climb down."

"Definitely sorcery." Esher cut in.

"Back in my hometown, there's a young woman who has dabbled in sorcery. She's a bit of a healer. She may be able to help give us an idea of what happened!" Elen was quick to chime in.

The three men looked at her before exchanging thoughtful glances. They nodded at one another.

"It's as good a plan as any." Udich said. "Elen, go to your village and see if you can find this woman. If she is able to shed any light on the situation, it would be beneficial."

"I'll be on my way immediately, my lord!" She bowed quickly before excusing herself to pack for her journey.

"Landon, send word out to all garrisons, no matter how far. I want everyone to keep an eye out. First, my mother and now Fenna. We can't let our guard down! I will personally send word to the main castle. Esher, please make sure the castle guard is on high alert."

"My lord!" Both men placed their fists over their chests with a bow before leaving for their assigned tasks with haste.

The dragon blood in his veins boiled. He could sense her. She was alive, but he could also sense her fear, and he couldn't do anything about it. He walked out of her room, radiating rage. He had never been more ready for war than he was now.