Twocastle

Rolait moved his tremendous bulk a little, causing a small cascade of rocks to fall down the mountain. The dragon sat in his favourite spot; one of the eyes that made up Skull Peak. From here he could survey the entire city of Twocastle and its surrounding areas and, more importantly to him, catch the rays of the sun for most of the day.

It was from this vantage point he had seen the journeyman from the monastery dedicated to Elora approaching the mountain two days ago. A young female from the looks of her, she walked with the confidence her rank and station granted her. No doubt she was going to bother him, they all did, hoping that they would be the one he deemed worthy of being his rider. He could have saved them the bother. He had only had one rider, he would only have that one rider. The alliance agreed that the warrior clerics could use his people as mounts, as long as the mount consented, he had insisted on that part with this purpose in mind. Still it was fun to have them come to him, to plead the righteousness of their cause, to flatter him and offer gifts. A puff of smoke escaped his nostril as he chortled to himself. His gaze turned westward and the chortle died in his breast. War was coming, he was as certain of that as he was of drawing his next breath. Even from here he could smell the smoke of campfires, mingled with the scent of metal. He turned his attention back to the journeyman, this time with sympathy. She would not know the years of peace that her fellows had done, she would use her gifts for more deadly things than the border patrol that her order had been reduced to. With these thoughts wandering his mind, Rolait shut his eyes and slept.

**** ****

“How certain of this are you?” Gornal asked. He did not doubt the word of a cleric of Elora, they were notorious for their honesty; but the dragons flew high and perhaps, just perhaps, he had been mistaken. His hope, tiny as it had been was shattered by the clerics response.

“I am certain, my lord, else I would not have brought the matter to you first, instead of the head of my order,” the man said. There was a hint of rebuke in his tone.

“Of course you are,” Gornal said. “It is just the news you bring is of such magnitude, of such far reaching consequences for our people, I had to hope.”

The young messenger said nothing, he knew the importance of his message and saw no need to respond. He just stood there, impassively, waiting for the lord of the Golden Palace to adjust to his new reality and give him the message to take to the monastery. “What are your orders, sir?” he asked, when it looked probable that he could be here all day waiting for that message.

“Be seated, Nirde; it is Nirde isn’t it?” Gornal asked. The young man nodded, though his brow furrowed slightly. “I will need time to prepare the appropriate responses. I will have food and drink brought to you, but I beg you do not speak to anyone else of this, not yet.”

“My reports, like my messages, are not for public consumption, my lord. I only shared this report with you as a matter of courtesy,” Nirde said.

There was no hint of rebuke this time, it was clear even to Gornal’s overloaded mind. Gornal flushed. “I know they are sir, I don’t know what I was thinking…I’m used to less distinguished, less reliable sources. What with you dragon riders being so few and so busy with patrolling our borders…” Gornal stopped.

“Much less reliable, if they did not notice the imperial army massing on the plains, nor thought that the lack of communication from the imperial palace warranted investigating. I accept that our order, due to our other obligations, have also been remiss in our duties, I can assure you, lord Gornal, you will have our full support from now on.”

“I take it that means you have already reported to your lord,” Gornal said. “I had thought you clerics of Elora were honourable, yet you have already broken the pledge you made to not tell anyone else.” The report was not too damning but it did put a slight wrinkle in his plan and he hated wrinkles.

Nirde knew then that he had made a mistake. Not that he had made a report to the head of his order, that was a given in any report, as Gornal well knew. His mistake was in coming here. Gornal’s casual use his name should have been subtle enough, he chided himself, whomever this was; it was not Lord Gornal. He sent a swift message out to his brethren, an alert to avoid the Golden Palace even as he replied to the impostor’s accusation. “I have broken no pledge for I made no pledge to break. I informed you that my reports were not for public consumption, and they have not been released as such, at least not by myself.”

“I begged you not to tell anyone,” Gornal said, trying to read Nirde’s impassive face without success.

“I heard you, but I agreed to nothing, besides, you must know that informing the head of my order is my duty, and therefore I relayed the message to him as I did you, in the usual manner,” Nirde said.

“That is the correct answer,” Gornal said.

Of all the responses Nirde had been expecting that was not even in the running. His confusion must have fleeted across his features as he saw Gornal smile slightly. “This was a test? Not the test?”

“It was, and I’m honoured to say that you passed,” Gornal said.

“I know,” Nirde said, drawing his sword. “Five years ago, when I partnered with my dragon; that is the only test we must pass, and it is not a human, or whatever you are, that judges us, it is our selected mounts.”

“Ah, it was worth a try,” Gornal said, a sword appearing in his own hand. “I’m not ready for a full scale conflict yet. I was hoping to buy myself a little time, you understand. So what gave me away?” he asked, parrying in a wild thrust, meant to force a retreat rather than injure.

“You used my name. You wanted to draft a message when there are standard ones used in emergencies. You got annoyed that I relayed the report to my head of order, when that is standard procedure,” Nirde stopped, “I suppose that’s enough, unless you want me to go on.” He spoke as he fought; precisely, purposefully, and with elegance.

Gornal shook his head, he had thought he had done well, only slipping with the remark about the lord. He was right about one thing he was definitely not ready yet but neither did he have time for this foolishness. He spoke a word of magic and Nirde’s blade melted, causing the young man to yelp in pain. Gornal smiled, moving in for the killing blow. He could explain this all away, the lad was ill, had delusions that proved fatal or that he had acted in self defence when the young man had attacked him. Glass showered both combatants as Nirde’s dragon crashed through the glass domed ceiling. Gornal felt the shards strike his flesh, felt his blood flow free, he smiled in satisfaction as he saw that Nirde was also bleeding from numerous cuts. Giving Gornal a baleful glance the dragon picked up Nirde by his belt and flew off, before Gornal was fully aware of what was happening. All he really knew was this was no mere wrinkle, not anymore.

***** *******

“Get up you lazy lizard, we have work to do.” The voice that roused Rolait from his slumber was neither respectful, nor promising any gifts, yet it was familiar. He opened an eye, saw the cleric he’d been watching for the last few days and promptly closed it again. He must have been dreaming he decided.

“Well if you’ve gotten too old, I’m sure I can find a younger mount, to go with this new avatar,” the young woman said.

Rolait’s eyes flared open, “Elora?”

“In the flesh, do you like it? It’s not as good as my usual one, but the elves of this world seem to be more isolationist than ever,” Elora said.

“What do you need?”

“Firstly call me Eldona, or El, I’m not officially here if you catch my drift.”

“Oh, just like old times it is then,” Rolait said.

“I hope so,” El agreed. “Something is upsetting the balance, I just want to find out what and maybe nudge things back into place. If I wait for them to make it official the damage may be much for me to help...” El stopped as a cleric of Elora was dropped, non too gently at he feet. A blue dragon circled above, asking permission to land, Rolait agreed after receiving a nod from El, who bent over her cleric checking his injuries.

“What news?” Rolait asked as soon as the blue landed.

“Golden Palace has fallen. The clerics are on alert, but I thought I had best report to you in person, my lord. My cleric is wounded, beyond his own peoples skills…it is my fault I acted before I thought, I hoped that you could help him.”

“He will be fine,” Elora said. “Now how about you start at the beginning, rather than the end.”

Rolait nodded to the blue that she should do as requested, the blue obliged, sparing nothing.

“The clerics can handle the golden palace. I think we should take a closer look at the Imperial Palace, see if it too has fallen or just being held captive. Looks like I’ll not be the only one using an avatar this time,” Elora said.

“I too know that spell, I will come with you,” the blue said, looking at El with unabashed curiosity.

Rolait began to chant the words that would transform his dragon form into a human when Elora stopped him. “It would be quicker if you flew us close to the palace first, old friend, in case you forgot I’ve just spent days hiking up here.”

“Who are you?” a voice asked.

“That’s too long a story. For now, all you need know is I am in command and we have work to do, so mount your dragon and get ready to move.”

“You have won over Master Rolait?” Nirde asked in surprise.

“He won me,” El said with a smile, clambering onto the dragon lord’s silver back with practised ease. She had forgotten how much fun this all was. Whatever secrets the Imperial palace held, she would find them.

“We’re going to have to land in a clearing. Whatever is preventing messages getting in or out of the Imperial palace is still in force, I don’t know if we will be able to penetrate it from the air,” Rolait said.

“What is it?” Nirde asked, bellowing over the wind that buffeted the two riders.

“If I knew that I would have told you not used the generic term ‘whatever,’” Rolait said.

“My rider meant no disrespect my lord, bare in mind he nearly lost his life because of all this,” Nirde’s dragon said.

Nirde lay a gloved hand on her neck, “ I told you, it was the right move, Gerana. You saved me from certain death, the clerics have been alerted and you brought me to one who could heal me. You are correct though, I didn’t mean any disrespect to the one who did that.”

Gerana accepted the caress if not the words. She knew it had been the cleric that had healed Nirde, not Rolait. She also knew that no cleric, especially a mere journeyman, could have healed those wounds so swiftly. There was also the way that Rolait, after centuries of refusals, had suddenly agreed to a rider, not only agreed to a rider but took orders from her too.

‘You have questions, Gerana, I know you do, but now is not the time to ask or answer them,” a voice said in her mind.

Gerana moved her head round to see who had spoken to her in such a manner, and in her own language. The strange cleric returned her stare then gave the faintest of nods. ‘Who are you?’ Gerana asked.


“Someone that will guarantee you and your rider as much safety as I can. I will tell him, and you, the truth tonight when we make camp. I don’t want too, but I think I need to. If you don’t want to wait that long, then you can go. They will need you in defence of the realm, so there will be no shame in it.”

Nirde held tight as Gerana whirled suddenly, as if in anger, almost tipping him off her back. “Sorry, I am just tired,” she said recovering herself swiftly.

“We all are,” Elora said. “There should be a clearing coming up where we can rest, and make our plans.”

The clearing was indeed perfect for a camp. The only route into it was from the north or the sky, making it easy to defend. A small lake fed by an underground source provided ample water, edible mushrooms and game were plentiful in the surrounding wood. The trees of that wood offered plenty of dried twigs and branches for a campfire as well as enough coverage to enable them to light one in safety. It was large enough for both dragons to take their rest, yet secluded enough that she doubted many people even knew of its existence.


“It is called Dragon Rest,” Elora said. “There are enchantments laid on it that will ensure we are not disturbed, rest both of you, we’ll be safe here.”

“We are exposed to …” Gerana fell silent as her gaze toward the sky showed nothing but branches and leaves.

“It is protected,” Elora repeated. “It also provides us access to the imperial palace through routes that should long have been forgotten by those that live there.”

“How do you know this?” Nirde asked, suspicion evident on his face.

“Because I built it,” Elora said simply. It was the easiest way she could think of to broach the subject of who she was.

“No, my god created all things…” Nirde said.

Elora cast a look at Rolait who shook his head “I have not been among them since we last journeyed together,” he said.

“That is what they teach you these days? That your Guardian was a god?” she asked Nirde, an edge to her tone that the young man didn’t notice; Gerana did however and moved closer to her rider. What she thought she could do against an immortal, with the power to literally destroy the world with little more than a thought, she did not know.

“Of course she is, they all are,” Nirde said, looking at Elora with even more suspicion now. “Who are you?” he demanded.

“Elora. Though my friends call me El,”

“Blasphemy isn’t funny,” Nirde said, his hand moving reflexively to where his sword would normally be.

“Nor is being thought of as a god. Trust me I’ve seen the cells they keep my kind in for that crime, and they aren’t pretty,” Elora said. “I honestly don’t care if you believe me or not. I promised Gerana, who risks her life to aid you even now, that I would tell you the truth.”

“You will not hurt Gerana…”

“No I won’t. Not because you order it, but because she understands that I speak the truth, and would willingly challenge me anyway to protect you. That kind of loyalty is worthy of respect “

“And me?”

“You? she wants you to live, so you shall. I suppose I do to, if only to tell your order the truth about me. I know you think I’m lying…I don’t care,” El said. “I kept my word, that is enough.”

“I will vouch for Elora, I know her of old, she is here to help,” Rolait said

“We were taught that our God was honest. You lied,” Nirde said, said his mind whirling. The sincerity in her eyes as she spoke; the way the lord of the dragons both accepted and vouched for her, should have been enough. His own mount’s mixture of respect and fear the nail in the preverbal coffin. He was just not ready to accept that all he had ever believed in was wrong.

“When did I lie? I am not saying I haven’t. I can lie quite well when I need to, but I have not lied to you.”

“You lie by wearing that uniform,” Nirde said, even as he spoke he realised the argument was futile, if she was who she said she was. She was right when she had said she had never lied to him.

“Fine, I’ll change,” Elora said. “Gerana, can you get him back to the monastery and return her in a day?”

“I can, provided I can get out of here. Do you think it needed?”

“I do,” Elora said. “The illusion is just that, you can fly through it, Gerana.”

“You just want rid of me,” Nirde said.

Elora sighed. “I believe the monastery will be at a greater risk right now. The one who sought to kill you knows that you sent a message to your order. He will try and explain your disappearance with stories; stories your presence will refute better than any words. You are welcome to return here, both of you are, but I want the clerics made aware of the whole threat as apposed to just being on alert.”
“Then you go, you are our god…”

“Enough, Nirde,” Gerana said. “Elora is who she says she is, I know that within my soul. I see things that you do not, a power that makes me feel weak and helpless in comparison. She is right too, seeing you is far better evidence of the lie than someone saying it is, even a god.” She cast a glance at Elora with that last part.

‘Thank you, Gerana. I like him; he is welcome back, as are you.’ Elora said.

“Nirde needs rest, I can still make the deadline if we leave in the morning,”

“I had assumed you would, hence the get some rest I suggested an hour ago,” Elora said with a smile.

“We will make our plans while you are gone. I will advise that you pay more heed to them than you your own guardians word on her heritage and title. We will have little room for such debates in the field, or is chain of command no longer taught?” Rolait said.

“It is still taught,” Nirde said

“Good, then I’ll see you tomorrow morning…you may want to find some civilian clothing too, unless undercover is now seen as lying,” Elora said.

“They are debating it,” Nirde admitted. “It is by its nature deceptive. For what it’s worth, I agree with the minority, that we should continue to use it. It has aided us a great deal in the past.”

“Next they will get rid of weapons training,” Elora said with a sigh. She glared at Nirde.

“No that is still safe, for now,” he said, with a slight smile that lit his face. He had understood the question in her comment, perhaps more than most. The order had changed much over the last twenty years he’d been there and continued to do so. With a nod he headed for the fire, wrapped his cloak around him and attempted to sleep. His mind wouldn’t let him, not yet and he knew why. Elora. He wasn’t sure if he believed her yet. He could not deny she knew a great deal about his order…far more than any layman would know or figure out. The dragons were certain; they had made that clear. He also knew that the dragons, given a choice would side with Elora not the clerics. He was also convinced that whoever or whatever this Elora was, she was right in her assessment. He had to return, he was the only one that could, if he was having this much trouble digesting what Elora was saying then he dreaded to think what his superiors would make of her. He smiled slightly, let alone what she would make of them. Which brought him to his current problem, if he believed she was who she said she was, and Gerana was certain of it, then what had they been worshipping all these years? Why had they been worshiping all these years? He had a lot of questions and Elora could help provide some answers, whether she would or not was open to debate, but he had a feeling she would, if only to dispel the myths that had sprung up around her name. As much as it irked him, their was something about the sincerity of Elora that made him believe her, even without his dragon’s advice. His head in turmoil, the body finally took charge, forcing him to sleep.

Elora bade the pair farewell just after dawn. Watching until they were nothing more than a dot to even her eyes.

“I take it you want to talk in private,” Rolait said.

“In part,” Elora said. “I don’t like the way things have gone here. Ironic isn’t it, by respecting the non interference rule, I have inadvertently fallen foul of the ‘god’ rule.”

“The only way round that is to violate the non interference rule, a dilemma indeed,” Rolait said.

“You’re enjoying this a little too much,” Elora pointed out.

“I am,” Rolait conceded. “It’s not, after all, my dilemma.”

“Just as well that isn’t what I wanted to talk about then isn’t it,” Elora said.

“The Imperial palace?”

“In not a problem, if we can trust our friends,” Elora said.

“I will vouch for Gerana.”

“So would I, and she seems to think that Nirde can be trusted, so we have to accept that.”

“At this stage I’m not sure we can do anything else, if he starts going on about you being back, most won’t believe him, but the ones that count will and be ready for us,” Rolait said.