A Dragon's Tale Ch. 08

"So it is his fault?" Elder Goman asked. There was no blame in his voice; he merely wanted to know the facts.

Alana considered for a moment before nodding her head. "If he would've kept his cool, I think Beth would still be alive. I don't think it's really his fault; he certainly didn't mean to, but..."

She couldn't bring herself to finish the sentence.

"What others do can hurt us; but what we do ourselves truly breaks us," Elder Goman said with a sigh.

"What do I do?" Alana asked. "He's such a good man and I don't want this to ruin him."

Elder Goman leaned back in his chair and put his fingertips together. "It's easier to mend a broken egg than a broken heart. You didn't cause the damage, so you can't repair it."

"I thought if I told him how I felt it might..." Alana blinked trying to hold the moisture at the corner of her eyes at bay. "I thought he might see that at least some of us knows he's a good guy."

Elder Goman smiled kindly. "Believe it or not, I think it did help. I think him leaving proves that he is a good man. Misguided perhaps, but a good man."

"Misguided?"

"I think he left because you told him you loved him."

"What?" Alana felt like someone had punched her in the gut. Why would he leave because of that?

"The last thing he said was that you were better off without him," Elder Goman explained. "If he truly believes he caused Beth's death, then perhaps he's worried he will cause your death as well."

"Oh Ethan," Alana shook her head then rested it on her hands. "You wonderful, amazing, stupid fool."

Elder Goman smiled. "That's a near perfect description of our young dragon friend."

"So what should I do?" Alana asked.

Elder Goman got up, sat down next to her, and put an arm around her in a comforting, almost fatherly manner. "I don't know. I have never seen a man - or dragon - so thoroughly besotted with a woman before."

At that, Alana looked away to hide the tears that began to trickle down her cheek.

Elder Goman continued. "He believes he's doing the right thing for you. He believes he's keeping you safe. As long as he believes that, he will move heaven and earth to stay away from you; to protect you. You need to convince him otherwise."

"But it's really not true," she replied quietly. "Look, I'm not stupid. I know that traveling with Ethan is dangerous. Not only is he a dragon, but Lord Delmar is after him. I knew I might be signing my death warrant by traveling with him. I wish that wasn't the case, but it really is."

"If it's so dangerous, then why are you traveling with him?" Elder Goman asked.

"Some things are worth dying for."

"Oh?"

"The world is a better place with Ethan in it, and I love his stupid heart to pieces." She shook her head. "If my bow can keep him safe a little longer, then it's his."

"You just confessed your love to a man who responded by literally jumping out a window," Elder Goman said. "Yet your only thoughts are for his well-being and safely."

She nodded.

Elder Goman locked eyes with Alana, "You are a rare woman Alana Dragon-Bride," Elder Goman said. "Very few people in the ten kingdoms are so selfless and caring. Fewer still have the strength of character and willpower to be a dragon's match. You are perhaps the only woman in these kingdoms worthy of the title Dragon-Bride."

Alana didn't try to hide her tears. She let herself slump against Elder Goman's shoulder and just let the tears fall.

It was too much.

In the back of her mind, she realized it was strange to be crying on the shoulder of a virtual stranger. But honestly, she didn't care. She had missed her father terribly since he died. Elder Goman wasn't him, but he possessed the same fatherly air.

It did her heart good.

The last six weeks had been absolute hell, except the parts that felt like heaven. First meeting Ethan, then falling in love, him marrying Beth, their wedding night, the attack on the Argo, Beth's death, The Arena, and now this? Alana felt like a wet rag that someone had wrung out until it was dryer than a desert.

"Perhaps it's good that Ethan isn't interested in power," Elder Goman said after a minute or two. "Dragons tend to grow more savage as they grow in power and I would hate to see that happen to him. Look at what happened to Ithlan in the end"

She sat up and wiped her tears away. "Yeah, that's true. Silver lining right?"

"Perhaps. You need a dragon to fight a dragon, especially this black dragon. Ethan may be the only one in the ten kingdoms that could defeat Lord Delmar and his dragon ally. In doing so, he might change though."

"Damned if you do; damned if you don't," Alana commented. "When did life become a series of no-win choices?"

"That is the very essence and nature of war. And make no mistake, this is war. You may not wish it, but as long as one side wishes for a war, there will be a war. Or a massacre."

"If Ethan was going to fight Lord Delmar, what would you suggest?"

He was silent for a moment. "Perhaps that discussion is better left for another time."

"Why?"

"This day has been trying enough," he replied.

"I can handle it."

"I know you can, but you may not wish to. I have one idea, but I think you will find it quite distasteful."

"If you have something that can help Ethan against Lord Delmar, I'm all ears," she said when he didn't elaborate. "Please tell me? I don't care if it's difficult; it's worth it if it'll help Ethan."

"I didn't say it was difficult; I said it was distasteful."

She took a deep breath. "I want to hear it anyway."

"Ethan could bond with as many willing women as possible to increase his mana. That would give him the power he needs to stand up to Lord Delmar and the Black Dragon."

"You can't be serious."

"You asked."

"I can't believe you're suggesting that," Alana felt like she'd need a levitation spell to pick her jaw up off the floor. One part of her was utterly revolted at the idea. It was disgusting and yet... Somewhere in the back of her mind the idea didn't sound too bad. If she was completely honest with herself, a part of her almost liked it.

She shut that thought down instantly.

"It's the quickest way to make him more powerful." he continued. "If Ethan gets a lot of gold, he'll only want to guard it. This way, he'll have something to fight for and something to protect: the women who give him his power."

"I thought you said dragons grow more savage as they get more powerful," she countered. "You can't want that to happen to Ethan."

"Of course I don't want that," Elder Goman replied. "But as we already agreed, war is a series of no-win choices by nature."

"So you'd pimp him out to win a war? That's revolting," she made a show of disgust, but the emotion behind her words wasn't quite genuine.

"My dear, I find the idea quite distasteful," his eyes narrowed and something about his piercing gaze made her feel like he could see right through her.

She blushed slightly.

"But I am a realist," he continued. "I do not see another way for Ethan to survive against Lord Delmar, let alone the Black Dragon. And that's merely surviving; it says nothing of his ability to defeat them. Can you think of another way to get Ethan's powers up to snuff?"

Alana opened her mouth, but couldn't think of anything to say. The worst part was a small part of her actually liked the idea. The idea of Ethan playing stallion to a small herd of broodmares actually turned her on slightly if she thought about it.

She tried not to think about it.

Why had she recently found the idea of Ethan bedding another woman arousing, and almost appealing? She didn't like the side of her that was coming out. She pushed those thoughts as far to the back of her head as she could.

"We need to find another way," she said after taking a few deep breaths.

"I have been working on this problem for many years. Not to toot my own horn, but I'm one of the most accomplished and powerful Arch mages in the world. There might be another solution, but I haven't been able find it."

Alana swore.

"In the interest of full disclosure, there is another way to save Ethan," Elder Goman said.

"What?"

"He could go home. I know others from his world have found their way here, mostly as kidnapped slaves. Find a slaver's camp with an active portal spell, use it, and leave this world forever."

She thought about leaving with him. She had very little tying her to this world, birth parents notwithstanding. She could just leave with him. They could start a new life together. She doubted Lord Delmar would pursue them that far, but if they remained in this world...

Then she thought about Ethan. His desire to help people and genuine goodness. "He'll never leave while people here need help. It's part of the reason I love him, but I sometimes hate him for it."

"If I may offer a suggestion?"

"What?"

"Focus on finding him for now," Elder Goman said. "Don't borrow problems from the future; today has enough troubles to worry about."

"That's from the Book of Light isn't it?" Alana said referencing Illuminar's Holy Book. "My father said that a lot before he died."

"I assume you're referring to your adoptive father and not your birth father?" Elder Goman asked.

Her jaw dropped. "How did you know?"

He raised an eyebrow. "Someone of your birth parents' stature can't keep things like this a complete secret, no matter how hard they tried."

"You won't tell anyone will you?" Alana pleaded.

"Your secret is safe with me," Elder Goman assured her.

She let out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. "Thank you."

"You are welcome, but you should tell Ethan. Secrets like this have a way of tearing relationships apart if kept for too long."

"I know it's just..." she sighed. "People have a way of treating me differently when they find out."

"I'm not surprised given your parentage," Elder Goman said. "But you can either choose to continue living a lie with Ethan; or you can tell him the truth. Either way, if he finds out before you tell him it won't bode well for your relationship."

"I know."

"You've lived your entire life as Alana Tarihowen, daughter of simple staff growers." He locked eyes with Alana, "But your birth family's name isn't a curse... Alana Kalon."

She smiled weakly. "They told me it would be Alana Nalfigar."

He shook his head. "No, you have more of your mother in you. It's Alana Kalon."

"Thank you," Her smile was genuine this time.

"You're welcome," he said, then his face turned more serious. "There's one more thing."

"Oh?"

He nodded. "You should know that Lord Delmar has a powerful mage working with him, possibly even an Arch Mage. This mage has been running experiments designed to turn humans into Dragons."

"Holy mother of Ithlan," Alana said. "Is that even possible? I know you can transfigure objects sometimes, but people? Does that kind of magic even exist?

Elder Goman nodded. "I think it might. I've encountered a few of their early experiments. They clearly haven't perfected it yet, but based on what I've seen, it's certainly possible."

Alana hung her head. "Will it never end? Do you have any more bad news?"

"I forgot to put pepper on my eggs this morning," Elder Goman replied. "Other than that, no."

Alana shook her head, but smiled weakly. "Good."

"Now, before you start searching for your beloved, I have one thing to teach you." Elder Goman said.

"What?" Alana asked.

"How to shield your mind from everyone except Ethan." Elder Goman replied. "Though, you could block him out too if you wish."

"Thank you." Alana said.

"You're welcome my dear." Elder Goman replied. "Now, let's get started."

Alana nodded as she glanced out the window.

Where had he gone?

* * *

Teloni shook her head. "Seriously Prayla, what were you thinking?"

"Oh come on Tee," Her friend replied as she flopped down on her cot. "It was a fight between dragons. How could I not watch?"

Teloni shook her head again. "You do know dragons are attracted to gold mines like this one right?" She gestured to the small room around them, which was placed near the top of the gold mine's shaft. Several cots were spread around the room for injured miners. Though they were currently empty as she healed the last of them earlier.

"So?"

"Dragon fights happen twice a month around here."

"But I've never actually seen two dragons fight," Prayla replied. "I just had to watch. And when the one dragon pounced from the sky, it was like a lightning bolt from heaven."

"I don't think dragons come from heaven," Teloni replied, then rubbed her hand over the leather collar on her neck. "Besides, what if the masters had found out? You could've been in serious trouble."

Prayla shot Teloni a look. "Well, it doesn't stop you from watching the airships take off and land in Arcanum does it? How many hours a week do you waste watching them coming and going?"

Teloni felt her cheeks grow warm. "I don't do it that often," She lied.

"After every shift until sundown," Prayla replied, then added with a wink. "You're in the prime of your life; you should be hip deep in miner's sons if you know what I mean."

Teloni blushed even redder. "I'm not... I mean I wouldn't... Not with... Just no."

"Oh come on," Prayla replied. "You can't tell me you haven't thought about it. Besides, you've been legal for weeks now and haven't gotten any."

At that, Teloni turned so Prayla couldn't see her face. Doing 'that' was the last thing on her mind right now.

"I don't have time," she finally said. "The masters keep me so busy in the clinic and I'm worn out after every accident."

"Which doesn't stop you from climbing to the surface to see the airships in Arcanum," Prayla countered. "If you can do that, you can find some time for a roll in the hay- er, mine"

"So you were telling me about this fight between dragons?" Teloni said.

"Subtle change of topic," Prayla said. "You even have your own room because you run the clinic. Do you have any idea how hard it is to find a place to screw around here?"

"No."

"Fine, spend your days pining after airships," Prayla say throwing her hands up in surrender. "I'll just pretend I'm not jealous of the only Fey in this god-forsaken mine."

"It's not like they let me be a Fey," Taloni touched the collar on her neck then looked over her shoulder at the wings that lay limp against her back. On her best days, she could get one of her wings to twitch. Otherwise, the enchantment was too strong to fight.

"I'm sorry," Prayla said, and she looked like she was. "Maybe when you get older they'll take it off.

"Maybe," Teloni said, though she didn't really believe it.

"There was a light gray dragon and a darker, steel grey dragon," Prayla said.

Taloni appreciated the change of topic so much that she didn't mention she wasn't interested.

"The steel gray dragon looked like it was wandering aimlessly," Prayla continued. "The light grey dragon pounced from the sky and the steel gray dragon went down like a rock. They fought on the ground for a minute, but the light gray dragon won."

"And the steel gray dragon died," Taloni finished. "The end."

"Nope," Prayla replied. "The steel gray dragon coughed up the gold in its gullet. The other dragon took it and left."

Taloni twitched her pointed ears. "Wait, did you say the steel gray dragon gave up the gold in its gullet?"

Prayla nodded. "Yeah, weird huh. Wouldn't they normally die before allowing that?"

"Yeah," Taloni said, her Fey brain latching onto something she didn't yet understand.

Curious.

Very curious.

* * *

Taloni's afternoon passed quickly after that. After Prayla left, Taloni spent much of the afternoon tending wounds from a minor rock fall in one of the lower mine shafts.

Once the masters let her go, she wandered up to the surface and headed for her favorite lookout spot. Once there, she flopped down on the grass to watch the airships entering and leaving Arcanum.

"Yeah, you don't do this often at all?" Prayla said nearly an hour later, which made Teloni jump in surprise was.

"Prayla, what are you doing here?"

She gave her a pointed look. "Not watching airships while hoping someone will come take me away from all this and free me."

"Guilty as charged," Teloni said, then touched the enchanted collar around her neck. "If only I could use my wings."

"I know something that will take your mind off of that," Prayla said with a grin.

"No, I'm not finding a boy," Taloni said firmly.

"I didn't mean that, but I suppose that would work too," Pray replied with a slight gleam in her eyes. "No, I meant let's go see the dragon."

"Are you suicidal?" Teloni asked. "That dragon has been killing miners for months and you want to go find its lair? Are you nuts?"

"No, not that dragon," Prayla replied. "I meant the other one. The one he fought earlier, the steel gray one. Why would it attack us if we don't have any gold?"

"Well it probably wouldn't, but—" Teloni started to say, but Prayla cut her off.

"Then we'll be perfectly safe. Come on," Prayla stood up and started walking roughly in the direction of Arcanum.

"Prayla, wait," Teloni stood up, but didn't follow her. "You're going to get yourself killed. It's a dragon."

"Yeah, that's the point, come on," Prayla said. "Or will you make your best friend face a wicked dragon all by herself? Besides, aren't you curious?" She said with a wink, then turned and started jogging away from Teloni.

Teloni bit her lip for a moment, then her Fey nature asserted itself. She was curious. Too curious. Moments later she took off after her friend.

"You'll get us thrown in the stockade," she said when she had caught up.

"I suppose I could be a good friend and bail you out," Prayla said. "But I'd rather be the great friend sitting next to you saying 'damn that was fun'."

The Fey rolled her eyes.

They reached a small creek a few minutes later and Teloni caught a glimpse of her reflection as they jumped over it. At nearly 5' 2", she was freakishly tall for a Fey woman. Her skin looked sun-kissed despite spending most of her time in the mine. Her golden-brown hair was long, silky smooth and flowed like water despite the fact that she had never owned a brush or comb.

The benefits of Fey heritage.

As far as Taloni was concerned, that's where the benefits stopped. Everyone described her face as 'cute', but never once had anyone told her she was beautiful. She hated how small her chest was and felt cursed with short legs.

The only other thing she loved was her wings. They shimmered in the light of the setting sun, like gorgeous cross between a dragonfly and a butterfly's wings. They weren't large, but thanks to the magic of her Fey heritage she could fly with them anyway... or would've been able to without the collar.

Prayla skipped ahead of her for a few minutes before slowing down and making an effort to be quieter.

"It's just over that hill, go take a look," Prayla whispered and pointed to a hill covered in large boulders about a hundred feet away.

Taloni took a few steps toward it before she realized that Prayla wasn't next to her.

"Aren't you coming?" Taloni whispered.

"I've already seen him, so I'm good," she whispered. Taloni noticed her body was rather stiff and her tone was slightly strained, though she was trying to hide it.

"Scared?" Taloni teased.

Prayla hesitated for a moment, then took a few tentative steps forward. Taloni crept toward the top of the hill and peered around a large boulder.

Below was a small, shallow ravine with shallow dirt and gravel sides and a small stream flowing through it. All around the ravine were broken bushes and scraped up earth that bore clear witness that a fight had taken place her. A few of the bushes were charred and blackened by fire.