Light Chasers Lasniniar Collection

Chapter Six

Chapter Six

The End of the World

Something was happening. Lystari had felt it for days. She finally decided to leave the comfort of her lair to investigate.

None of the other dragons seemed to sense it, but then again, she wasn’t like the others. They had always served the darkness since they had come into being. She had been born a creature of light. No matter how long she lived among them at Hamadi Glaurinu, she would always be different.

Lystari had decided long ago it didn’t matter. She was the mate of Nargaz. No other could claim such a prize. It was he who had seduced her into following the dark ways and leaving her own kind in the mountains to the north.

It had been worth it. Not only was Nargaz the most powerful dragon in Ralvaniar, he was also a fine mate. She lost her train of thought for a moment as she thought of his burning, red eyes and his sleek, black scales. She knew it drove the other female dragons mad with envy that Nargaz had chosen her. She shivered with delight.

And why shouldn’t he choose her? Her long, lithe body was the envy of any female dragon. Her crimson scales and charcoal eyes were a rarity. Combine those traits with her agility and intelligence… She was irresistible.

Her thoughts were soon interrupted by the strange itching sensation she had struggled with for days. She had tried her best to ignore it once she realized she was the only one who felt it, but it persisted. Now, her curiosity had finally gotten the best of her, as it usually did. She had to investigate. Nargaz was off on another mission. He would never know she was gone.

The sensation was pulling her north, away from the dark lands that had become her home. She had not bothered to tell anyone she was leaving or where she was going. It wouldn’t do to have a wing of jealous dragons vying for a share of her discovery. No, whatever it was that drew her, she wanted it to herself. Perhaps she would share it with Nargaz. That would probably be wise. If he discovered she was keeping a secret from him… Well, she did not think it would end well for her. Nargaz did have quite a temper, even for a dragon.

She banked northeast over the Dira Nelar. She could smell the foul swamp air even from her high altitude. The dark peaks of the Hamad Orom faded into the distance behind her. With the empty skies surrounding her and no one to be seen in the lands below, it was as if she were the only living creature in the world. She felt a sense of release.

Dragons were solitary creatures by nature. Although she was a queen among her dark brethren, she often found the communal lair of Hamadi Glaurinu stifling. Before she had met Nargaz, she had an entire peak to herself. Perhaps she could persuade him to force most of the others to create new lairs in the Hamad Orom…

The pull was getting stronger. She had been flying for a few hours now. Lystari forced herself to pay attention. She was coming up on the rolling hills of Vila Eadros. The flowing waters of the Riliara glistened below like a ribbon of darkness. Its tributary, the Rilloda, sprawled to the east. She was getting close.

The sensation was coming from below. Without a second thought for the possible cause, she tucked her wings against her sides and plummeted from the sky, the wind rushing against her. At the last moment, she unfurled her wings to slow her descent, beating them several times before her feet touched the ground.

Once the dust had settled, Lystari strained her senses for any signs of life. There were none. Her entire body tingled in proximity to the mysterious pulling sensation. It was very close. She flashed her pointed teeth in a wicked grin. Whatever it was that had summoned her, it would soon be hers.

Branches whipped past Iadrawyn’s face as she ran. Her long, dark hair streamed behind her. How long she had been running, she did not know. Her lungs burned from the cold air and her legs felt heavy. She pushed herself onward. She was almost there.

The trail had continued without deviation toward the village, as Iadrawyn had feared it would. The trees parted to form the entrance of a clearing. Iadrawyn pulled up short. Two male guards appeared from the foliage.

“You have been gone for many days,” one of them said. Iadrawyn nodded, trying to catch her breath.

“Did the Sea Elf harm you?” the other asked. “Eruvalion thought he might have.”

“Eruvalion?” Iadrawyn panted. Of course. She should have known. She shook her head, not bothering to explain. “Where has the Sea Elf been taken?”

“He is being held prisoner until the council can decide what to do with him.”

Iadrawyn was already running. The tracks continued into the village toward her family’s home. The large, squat dome of mud and branches was partially hidden by the drooping boughs of the giant pine it was built around. Iadrawyn marched through the door flap.

She was startled by what she saw inside. Her father and Eruvalion were sitting comfortably before the fire having an animated conversation. Iaralys had never been interested in Eruvalion before. Under normal circumstances, her father barely tolerated his presence. Both men looked up as she walked in.

“Iadrawyn!” Eruvalion leaped to his feet, looking relieved. She ignored him, turning to face her father.

“Where is he?” she asked.

“Where is who?” Deep green eyes matching her own narrowed under white brows as her father took in her disheveled appearance.

“You know who I mean. The Sea Elf. What have you done with him?”

“Did he hurt you?” Eruvalion placed a hand on her shoulder. “I was just about to go back to look for you. Are you all right?”

Iadrawyn shrugged his hand away. “Yes, it’s quite clear from your actions, you had only my welfare in mind,” she snapped. “Attacking a weakened stranger before trying to get an explanation from me, then hauling him off as a prisoner, leaving me to discover his absence on my own. Very considerate of you.” Eruvalion paled and shrank back.

“He did the right thing.” Iaralys faced his daughter’s ire without flinching. “The intruder is a Sea Elf, and most likely a spy.”

“His name is Valanandir, and he is not a spy. I found him on the beach. Two of the Sea Folk had dragged him to shore. They told me there had been a shipwreck. The ship had been attacked by Nargaz.” Iadrawyn waited for her father’s response. Her mother entered the room, drawn by the raised voices.

“Perhaps he fooled the Sea Folk to make his story believable.” Iaralys kept his tone reasonable. “You have only known him for a few days, Iadrawyn. You cannot be sure.” Iadrawyn’s two elder brothers, Linlevni and Eranalfia also arrived to witness the argument.

“I think she’s spent too long running wild on her own,” Linlevni said with a sniff. “If you care nothing for your reputation, Iadrawyn, you could at least consider the rest of us. Father is on the council. He has an image to maintain.” Linlevni raised his chin to give her a disparaging look, his long, white hair cascading over his shoulders. Save for his silver eyes, he was the image of their father.

“You would say that.” Eranalfia rolled his eyes. “What about Iadrawyn’s reputation? She might be known to be eccentric, but her judgment of character is sound. She has spent several days with the stranger, while we have only seen him unconscious. Shouldn’t we at least listen to what she has to say before jumping to conclusions?” He flashed Iadrawyn a quick smile.

“He will be questioned by the council once he is conscious,” Iaralys said.

“And I’m sure that will be a fair and balanced trial.” Iadrawyn’s voice dripped with sarcasm.

“We must keep the safety of our people in mind, Iadrawyn,” Iaralys said. “Clearly, you cannot be trusted to do so. You are not to leave this house until the trial is over. There will be guards posted outside to prevent any… incidents.” Her father’s words were like a physical blow.

“So I’m a prisoner too?” Iadrawyn felt numb with disbelief.

“It is for your own good. There are those on the council who believe the stranger has bespelled you, which makes you a possible danger to others. I argued against the notion, of course, but I was considered too biased on the subject.”

“Yes, I can understand why you would argue against it. I’m sure this situation is all very embarrassing for you.” Iaralys winced as Iadrawyn’s scathing words hit home. She turned to give her mother a pleading look. Melariel shook her head and left the room without a word. Iadrawyn’s shoulders slumped in defeat. She had never felt so abandoned.

“I’ll be going to my room now,” she said. “Unless you need to knock me unconscious or tie me up first...” Eruvalion flushed, and everyone but Eranalfia looked away. “No? Very well.”

Iadrawyn turned to leave. Before walking away, she gave her father one last glare over her shoulder.

“I hope your precious reputation is worth it.”

Lystari’s head swiveled back and forth on her serpentine neck as she tried to pinpoint the exact location of the pulling sensation. She was so close! Where was it coming from?

Aha! She felt it. She bounded over and began searching frantically. It was almost unbearable. Her skin itched and shivered. Where was it, where wasit, wherewasit?

The area was empty. Lystari’s intuition screamed otherwise. It had to be here! She placed one of her forepaws on the frozen ground. A shudder ran up her body. Her frustration gave way to excitement. It was in the ground!

She took a few paces backward and let out a slow, controlled breath of fire to thaw the ground. She didn’t want to damage whatever was underneath. The snow evaporated and the earth softened. Lystari began to dig. The dirt came up in clumps that wedged themselves between her sharp talons. Dragons weren’t made for digging. With a screech of annoyance, Lystari shook her forepaws free and continued, ignoring the pain as they cracked and bled.

After what seemed like an eternity, the earth gave way to reveal the treasure lying beneath. A piercing white light burst forth from the ground, making Lystari close her eyes and look away. Steeling herself, she turned back to face it.

It was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen. It was a perfect sphere about the size of an elf’s head. A myriad of light and color swirled beneath its surface, radiating a white glow.

For a moment, Lystari was stunned by its beauty, but her possessive greed quickly resurfaced. It was hers! She felt the power that lay within the strange object, calling out to her own. Soon she would not just be the queen of dragons, but the queen of all the races! Even Nargaz would be humbled before her majesty. She imagined him groveling her feet. Ah yes, the image was sweet!

Lystari reached for the orb, seizing it with her talons and pulling it free. Its glow ran up her forelegs and over her body, bathing her in light. It was the most incredible sensation she had ever known. She threw back her head and gave a cry of triumph that shook the air. The power!

Lystari’s victory was short-lived. She began to feel a burning sensation all over her body. Although dragons enjoyed heat, this was uncomfortable. Not wanting to relinquish her treasure, she clung to the orb, waiting for the feeling to subside. The burning intensified. Lystari cursed as she found herself dropping the orb. It rolled back into the hole she had pulled it from. The burning did not stop.

Steam was starting to rise from her scales. She felt just as she imagined her victims did when she attacked them with her fiery breath. It was agony. She rubbed at her forelegs and rolled in the snow, but the heat would not dissipate.

Driven mad by the increasing pain, Lystari uttered a frantic screech and pushed off the ground into the air. Perhaps if she could get to a high enough altitude, she would cool off. Part of her considered flying off to plunge herself into the icy sea, but that would be the death of a creature of air and fire.

She beat her wings as hard as she could to accelerate her ascent. Once she got cooled off, she would return for the orb. She hoped no one else would stumble across it while she was gone.

As Lystari rose through the air, some light from the orb followed in a white streak. She didn’t notice it at first, so intense was her pain, but when she caught a glimpse of it over her shoulder, she felt a chill of fear. What was this magic?

The burning continued. Lystari’s scales were beginning to melt, but she was more concerned about the light that followed her. She flew as fast as she could, trying to escape it, but it continued its pursuit without wavering.

Higher and higher she flew, higher than she had ever flown before, until her breath came in ragged gasps. Although the air around her was frigid, Lystari felt no cooler. Her scales were giving off sparks that flew across the sky, remaining suspended in place as twinkles of light. Her wings ached from the strain. Still, the streak of light from the orb followed her.

Not knowing what else to do, Lystari flew as high and fast as she could with the streak of light following in her wake. Her scales were starting to split open now. Tongues of flame licked out from the cracks.

What was happening? How had this all gone so wrong? She let out a pain-racked sob.

As she flew, the cracks in her skin widened, engulfing her in flame. The streak of light following her slowed and began to solidify, becoming a large, glowing, silver sphere. But Lystari no longer cared about what was happening behind her. The heat inside her, which was already unbearable, increased its intensity, building to an excruciating crescendo…

Lystari uttered one last cry of agony that rang across the heavens before her body exploded, bursting into a ball of flame. Her last thoughts were of Nargaz.

Something strange was happening. First there were the horrible screeches that seemed to come from far away, and hours later another echoing cry. Now it looked as though the people of the village were having a bonfire near Iadrawyn’s window. Shafts of light seeped through the curtain.

She couldn’t stand it any longer. She had to know what was happening. Iadrawyn crossed the small room and pushed the curtain aside.

At first, the light was blinding. She closed her watering eyes, willing them to adjust. Once she managed to pry them open, she couldn’t believe what she saw. There was no bonfire, no torch, no source of light of any kind, and yet it wasn’t dark. The entire village was lit.

Iadrawyn twisted her neck to look upward to where the light seemed to be coming from. Although it was impossible to pinpoint the exact location under the cover of the trees, it was definitely coming from overhead. Was there something in the sky?

Once Iadrawyn overcame her initial confusion, she received another shock. The snow was melting. The strange light was heating the air. But this wasn’t what shocked her. As the snow melted, a wave of green was spreading. Tiny, green shoots were popping up out of the ground. Above her, buds were appearing on the branches of trees that had been barren, and were unfurling. In some places, delicate blooms on long, green stems blossomed from the ground in a riot of color. The air was filled with unfamiliar fragrances. Somewhere nearby, a bird began to sing.

Iadrawyn stepped back and sank down onto her bed, unable to comprehend what she was seeing. Her head and eyes ached. Was she dreaming? She pinched herself to make certain she was awake. What had happened?

She wanted to ask someone what was going on, but even if she wasn’t still angry with her family, the house was quiet. She was alone. She didn’t dare leave, knowing her father wouldn’t lie about having her placed under watch. There was nothing to do but wait and worry about Valanandir.

Iadrawyn considered her situation as the hours wore on. If she could just present her case to the council… But why would they believe her? Her own father hadn’t. She couldn’t just sit here and do nothing. She knew that without her help, Valanandir was in danger.

At some point she realized the strange light was fading. The snow outside had completely melted. Soon it was dark once more. Was the light a temporary phenomenon? Mentally exhausted by her nervous speculation, Iadrawyn fell asleep.

She awoke hours later, stirred from her slumber by the return of the strange light. It was still weak, but it appeared to be growing stronger. She was startled from her observation by the sound of someone else in the house. She turned to face the doorflap to her room just as Eranalfia stepped through.

“You have to leave,” her brother said without preamble. He looked tired.

“What is happening?” Iadrawyn stood to face him. “What is the strange light?”

“We do not know. All the village has been gathered since it started, debating the meaning and the cause. There were strange noises heard and a beam of light was seen in the direction of Vila Eadros. Shortly after, small sparks of light filled the sky and there was a ball of flame and a ball of silver in the heavens. The ball of flame seems to bring the strange light. When it leaves, the silver orb remains and you can see the sparks again. When the ball of flame returns, the sparks seem to fade. Many believe it’s the end of the world.” His silver eyes had a faraway look.

Iadrawyn gripped his arm. “Why do I have to leave?”

Eranalfia shook himself. “They think you have done this. You brought this upon us by sheltering the outsider. They believe he must have dark magic that is responsible.”

“What have they done to him?”

“Nothing yet. The council is too busy arguing and trying to keep the people calm, but it’s already turning ugly. I’m afraid of what might happen. Everyone is suspicious and scared. They are looking for a target.”

“I have to get him out of here.” Iadrawyn’s eyes were already passing over the room, looking for anything she should bring with her. She knew if she did leave, she would most likely never return. She began gathering belongings to throw in her pack. This time she remembered her bow and quiver. It felt good to have them on her shoulder once more.

Eranalfia disappeared for a few moments before returning with an armload of food from the kitchen. He wrapped everything and passed it to his sister.

“How much time do I have?” Iadrawyn asked.

“Not much. It won’t be long before people start showing up here, demanding you be put to justice.”

“Did Father send you to warn me?” Iadrawyn’s heart already knew the answer, but she had to ask.

“He’s too busy trying to save what’s left of his damaged reputation.” Her brother’s expression was bitter. It was only after he said the words that he noticed the flash of pain that crossed Iadrawyn’s features. “I’m sorry.”

Iadrawyn put her hand on his shoulder. “Come with me. If they think you helped me escape, they will come after you.”

Eranalfia shook his head. “My place is here. I’m not made for adventure like you. Don’t worry about me. I’ll stay here and say you wouldn’t let me in to talk to you. They won’t be able to prove anything.”

“How many guards are watching outside?”

“Two, but they have grown bored with their vigil and are distracted by the chaos. They are both out front watching the door and talking. You should be able to slip out the window unnoticed.”

“Where are they keeping Valanandir?” Iadrawyn hoisted her full pack onto her shoulders.

“They’ve created a makeshift prison from the metalsmith’s shed. You’ll have to hurry. Here, you’ll need this for your eyes.” He handed her a wide strip of sheer cloth.

Iadrawyn threw her arms around her brother’s shoulders, squeezing him tight. “Thank you. I couldn’t do this without you.” Her eyes stung with tears.

“You would have found a way.” Eranalfia returned her embrace. His voice was gruff. “You’re the most stubborn person I know.”

“Are you sure you won’t come?” Iadrawyn pulled back to give him a long look.

He shook his head. “Don’t worry about me. You need to go.”

Iadrawyn nodded. She walked to the window and hoisted herself onto the sill before turning back to see her brother one last time.

“Thank you,” she whispered. Taking one final look at the only home she had ever known, Iadrawyn climbed out the window and into the light.