Here Be Heroes, page 15
part #2 of Epik Adventures Series
“I will.” The dwarf made the words sound like acceptance of an oath
“You can’t second-guess her in battle or otherwise,” Cap stated firmly. “You understand you are accepting her and her radical ideas?”
“I do,” the dwarf intoned once again.
“Dismissed,” Bopper said as he looked to the others.
“You can’t expect me to have such a group of xenophobic unyielding . . . jerks following me around, Bopper!” Raptor started as soon as the dwarf had closed the door. “There is just no way!”
“Look, Lass. These dwarves have spent their entire lives in Kardahn and know little of the world beyond. I hate to admit it, but I was much like him when I first left Kardahn to find fortune as a merchant in the big, wide world. They will learn as I did, but perhaps with someone to guide them, it will not take the years it took me,” Bopper explained. “Remember your promise to follow the dwarven way. I give as much leeway as I can, given the circumstance. Gallivanting around the continent without any to attest to propriety can and will come around to bite us in the rear. You asked me to adopt you so that you could remarry young Cap here. I have been proud to be your da, but in this, I must remain adamant.”
Sighing, Raptor nodded mutely.
Gently patting her shoulder, Bopper continued, “On the other hand, with everything else, I suppose I should tell you of one other thing that must be agreed upon.”
Raptor looked up as if afraid to ask.
“This young dwarf Cap here has made me a proposal for marriage, which I have accepted at this time. Unless you can find a reason to nullify the contract we have made, you shall be wed after the waiting time of one-hundred-and-one days.”
Even as large as he was, Bopper was almost knocked over by Raptor’s lunging hug.
Deals Made Eyes Wide Open
Raptor (aka Sophia Morgan-Boppersdotter)
Eagle’s Brow Mountain Range, Crystal Prime,
March 18, 2281
Raptor worried about how pale and thin the forms of Doc and Shaman were. Even Syrreth looked like she was dying of some life-sucking disease. The stasis Haversham had put them under kept them from getting worse, but it sure didn’t make them any better. Raptor only hoped the ancient dragon knew how to cure their ailments and would. This whole trip carried a strong possibility of failure in so many ways.
Mount Rejek stood piercing the sky before them, the flight having only taken two days. Approaching the lair of an ancient dragon was a chancy proposition on the best of days, Rejek even more so. Ancient when even the present elder dragons had hatched, Rejek was the dragon that had worked with Dylan Boucher the first, against all dragon tradition and cultural taboo, to develop the spells required to send him back to his own plane.
Upon Null, Rejek was known by everyone over the age of three. They all had heard the story of how Dylan Boucher the first had accidently transferred to Crystal Prime and wandered for years before finding the great ancient dragon Rejek. Rejek worked with Dylan to find the magical spells required to for him to return to Null. The story could be found everywhere on Null in print, audio, or holo-feed.
Now they approached the lair in reality. Each of the Null transfers felt the pressing fear of meeting the legend in the flesh. Even the dragons showed worry at bothering such an ancient.
They had their mission to save Doc, Shaman, and Syrreth, though, and Razor brought their flying construct into a landing before an opening large enough to land a full-size cargo plane in. Rather than fly in with the chariot, they had decided to walk. No reason to risk seeming rude.
The four dragons carried Syrreth while the dwarves carried Doc, and the Special Forces personnel carried Shaman. Cap and Razor took the lead, followed immediately by Shadow and Raptor. No one said a word as their steps sounded on the hard stone to the accompaniment of a lonely wind blowing across the entrance. The tunnel slid deeper into the earth, the smooth dragon-worked walls staying the same width the entire way. They felt like children intruding on the grownup party. Of course, none would let discomfort stop them at this stage.
Rejek’s call, when it came, blasted into their psyche like a hammer into soft wood.
You have arrived. It is time then? Rejek’s sent using the draconic mind speak.
Raptor watched as it took a moment for Cap to gain his equilibrium. We come at the behest of your once friend Dylan Boucher to ask boon of yourself, Cap sent with polite humility. He hoped Rejek could hear him since he had never tried sending to a non-bonded dragon before.
I can hear you fine, Rejek sent with the mental equivalent of a bellow. So you have been sent from Dylan for a boon? He always was a precocious little being. How fares he?
Raptor forced her thoughts to calm. The information Haversham had received from the Corporation had been specific, and Cap had agreed to the plan to ask Rejek to heal the three members of Epik now held in stasis. Now that they were here, she hated to lie to Rejek about Dylan Boucher’s status. The original Dylan had died hundreds of years ago. The present Dylan Boucher was the twelfth or fifteenth or some such. Sure, he was a direct descendant but not the original. Hoping they hadn’t been led astray, Raptor winced as Cap followed the format given them.
He fares well and continues the work he started with you, Cap sent formally.
Good. Like a chattering gerbil that one was. Always wanting to do everything right now. I am glad he finally understood in time. Did he tell you anything else? Rejek sent in his blasting mental voice.
Well, yes, actually, Cap sent, his mental voice filled with insecurity. Corporate better be right. He says it is time for you to get off your ass. He waited as long as he could.
The terrifying roar had them all on the ground, covering their ears. The underlying scrape of tremendous claws tearing the stone announced the arrival of Rejek.
Comparing Rejek to the young dragons who were bonded to Epik was a lot like comparing a sand lizard to a crocodile. Rejek’s head—the only part they could see since the rest of him was lost in the cavern behind—likened to the size of a small keep. Lifted thirty feet above the stone, his head had nostrils large enough for a man to stand in, with teeth in the orifice underneath the size of the telephone poles of old. Rejek’s head alone was larger than the conveyance they had arrived in. Crusted scales covered his flesh, as the two gleaming eyes seemed to read their souls.
He’s laughing, Raptor realized, sending the information to the other dragons and the rest of Epik. Forcing herself against the onslaught, she moved to stand before the ancient of ancients.
Come and I shall see what may be done for your people, Rejek sent, his tone softening as if he just realized he had been yelling. You may tell me of what goes on in the world beyond the cave while I work.
When they didn’t move he sent, Come on. I won’t eat you, honest. You are too small to be worth the effort. Now the young drakes with you on the other hand . . .
Amidst the young dragons frantically sending that they were dragons not drakes Rejek sent, I was kidding! KIDDING! Sheesh, can’t young dragons take a joke anymore!
The crew carried their friends into a cavern that could have contained an underground city. Shoved against one wall, ingots and gems glittered in the light of energy crystals placed in star patterns upon the distant ceiling. Besides the entrance, two other huge passages led off from the central cavern. Crude sculptures marked the walls as if a child had attempted to decorate.
Welcome to my home, Rejek sent, attempting to be gracious. Please make yourself comfortable while I delve your friends to see what I can do.
Raptor watched intently as Rejek stopped sending and closed his eyes. She could not imagine any creature this size being able to exist, even on Crystal Prime. His heart alone must pump as much blood as a city’s water system pumped water. The physics just didn’t work. More than anything else she had seen here, this brought home the essential differences of Crystal Prime and Null.
By the time Rejek stopped delving and sent to them, the group had relaxed enough to sit upon the ground carefully and even chat, whispering excitedly to each other. Meeting the great Rejek was a tale they could tell their great-grandchildren.
I must ask you to make decisions for your friends, Rejek suddenly sent solemnly. Their condition is not good, but you knew that, or you would not have made the journey.
Since only the members of Epik had jumped at the sudden communication, Raptor assumed he only sent to them.
I can heal the young dragon and her bonded easily enough, though there will be a personal cost, costs for you as a group, and a fiscal cost. The casting will require items I am loathe to part with, but in deference to Dylan, I shall use them should you agree to the casting, Rejek sent regretfully.
Can’t you tell us specifically what these costs will be? Raptor sent, untrusting of the great ancient’s motives.
Of course, Rejek sent. In order to reenergize her and her bonded from the effects of using more magic than they had in their system, I will have to integrate several crystals within their bodies. This will give them the needed energy to accept healing. It will also have the effect of increasing in both their ability to perform magic, though they will have a harder time telling when they reach their new limits. This will cost me personally several perfectly cut energy crystals so I fully expect several large energy crystals of differing colors to replace them. Overtones of expectation came with the sending when asking payment.
Of course, Raptor sent, taking the lead in the conversation. Would red, yellow, green, blue, orange, and violet energy crystals of at least a ten-pound weight do?
His mind voice filled with tones of surprise and avarice as Rejek sent back, Yes, I believe that would be acceptable. Also, the crystals I implant will require replacement as the wounded use them up. About every ten years or so, I would guess, unless they are heavy magic users. Then the replacement time would, of course, be less.
Understood, Raptor sent, agreeing to the terms. And the other costs?
I have a delivery that needs to be made to Dylan as well as a message, which I shall inscribe upon a burnt crystal to keep away from prying eyes. Finally, I would leave you with a soul debt. One time I shall call upon you as a group. At that time, you will come to me no matter the circumstance. This call will take priority over all other concerns until you reach me. You will not have a choice since this payment shall be linked in geas to your soul until completed. Rejek’s words carried the weight of the bond.
We agree to your conditions; heal her, Raptor answered before anyone could say anything or ask any more questions.
Humpty Dumpty
Doc (aka Dr. Riley Watson, aka Bimbo the Clown)
Rejek’s Cavern, Mount Rejek, Crystal Prime,
March 20, 2281
Doc could feel the last of her life spark reach out to give an extra boost to Ator as she hung limply upon Syrreth’s back.
So cold. So Dark. Floating free in the nothingness.
A spark. Warmth. Life.
Doc drew in a huge lungful of breath as she came free of the darkness. Sitting up quickly, she frantically looked around, trying to gain her bearings. People stood around her anxiously, including an elf, a dwarf, and what could only be described as an angel. Turning her head behind her, she saw the biggest dragon she had ever seen.
Dragon. Ator!
Ator! Syrreth! Where are you? she sent as widely as she could.
As the people around her winced at her mental shout, she received a disturbingly forceful shout from an unknown. Rest easy. Syrreth will be fine now that you are returned. Ator. Well Ator didn’t make it. I am so sorry for your loss. Ator was a great dragon and a wise elder. He will be missed.
Ator died? Doc could feel the darkness pulling her back.
None of that now! the voice admonished as gently as a forced mental intrusion could. You must live for Syrreth. She needs you. Your friends need you and have gone to great lengths for your recovery.
Doc looked around herself to find a partially smoothed cavern the size on an amphitheater. Ten feet above her the head of the largest dragon she had ever heard of watched her. The reptilian scent was overpowering as she realized she was completely at this creature’s mercy. Could this be who she was talking to?
“Who…?” Doc started unsure of how to continue.
I am Rejek, friend of Dylan Boucher. I am the one that brought you back. That selfsame mental sending answered.
Rejek… As in Dylan the first’s dragon Rejek? Doc sent overwhelmed by the situation.
I am my own dragon and am not owned by anyone, most definitely not as a human’s pet. But yes, I am a friend to the human you know as Dylan the First.
Memories flooded back—the caves, the Night Fang, the battle, Ator’s last stand— all flooding her with a mental collage of recent events. The people around her were her teammates, her family on Crystal Prime. As the knowledge flooded back, other concerns rushed in like flotsam in the storm.
Her voice took a few tries to work, but her friends were patient and encouraging. “What happened to Shaman and Maybe? What about Infraction and Fubar?” she asked, needing details to fill in the blanks.
“Shaman is comatose from the sudden loss of his bonded,” Raptor explained. “Rejek says he may be able to heal him, but he had to get you out of danger first. The other three I don’t know. Perhaps you dreamed them while you were in a coma.”
“Excuse me Ma’am? We are Maybe, Infraction, and Fubar.” One of the Special Forces members that had come from the Corporation explained to Raptor.
“Infraction! Maybe! Fubar! It is good to see you are okay. What happened after I passed out?” Doc asked.
Maybe answered as she hugged Doc. “Right about the time you passed out, Ator brought the mountain down on himself. Did a real number on them, because we never heard a peep from the Fangers all the way back.”
“Syrreth carried me all the way back?” Doc said, feeling guilty.
“Syrreth made it for four days before succumbing. We borrowed a wagon—” Maybe started.
“Borrowed without the owner’s previous permission,” Infraction inserted.
Glaring at Infraction, Maybe continued, “Borrowed a wagon so Syrreth could pull herself along for a ways—like a surfboard, you know, but she could only do that for a day or so. We then caught some wild horses that we used to pull all three of you in the wagon back the Castle Central.”
“Caught some wild horses that happened to be living in some farmer’s corral,” Infraction inserted again.
Both Maybe and Fubar glared at Infraction at that comment. Doc hugged all three, happy to have them on her side and okay.
The others watched the exchange with raised eyebrows. Doc was close with the Special Forces team sent by the Corporation? From the way he had acted before they left there was a good possibility Arch Mage Haversham had developed feelings toward Doc What had happened in the time they had been gone? They each vowed to get details as soon as Doc felt better.
The next morning, Doc felt stable enough to rebuild her body, expunging the effects of the coma in a few minutes. The only reason it even took that long was because she was being very careful. Still back at Castle Central, Iggy wasn’t here to save her if she messed up.
Somehow, she could see DNA and genome structure more clearly than before. Adjusting life energy came much easier now and took less focusing time. Feeling for the link to the Special Forces personnel, she reassured herself it was still there, so she fixed what aches and pains she could find in the team then boosted them enough to make them a match for most creatures they might run across. The energy required to keep it up was so minimal she thought she might actually be able to keep it up in her sleep. She would find out tonight. Their response was a quick worried look toward her followed by a grin of thanks. They didn’t have to tell her things had been a bit rough without the added strength and speed she had given them before.
Now for Syrreth. Doc approached Syrreth with trepidation, afraid of how poorly the dragon faired. Just looking, she could see that Syrreth was in bad shape. Her ribs were pushed against her lusterless scales, and her color just didn’t look right. Steeling herself for what she would find, Doc delved Syrreth.
Nothing was wrong. Well, nothing beyond the fact that Syrreth hadn’t eaten in weeks and had not had enough liquid from the wet sponge’s they had used to trickle water into her mouth trying to keep her hydrated.
Maybe Doc had lost the ability to delve illness and damage! It had seemed easy enough with her Special Forces friends, but dragons were different.
Doc? Is that you? Are we finally rejoined in death? The weak mental sending from Syrreth could barely be heard.
Syrreth, I am alive and well! Rejek healed me better than ever. You can come back now. We are all good, Doc sent, pleading.
I am so tired, Doc. I just need to rest now, Syrreth sent.
Doc changed tactics. Syrreth I need your help! They prepared me this giant feast of dwarf spiced fatty goat, and I really don’t think I can eat it. The spices are too hot for a pinkie like me! Doc sent with a mental image of a fatty goat on a spit coated with the liquid fire the dwarves called spices.
Maybe I could manage to get up for a minute or two just to help you out, Syrreth sent back.
Three goats had been spitted before Syrreth finished “helping” Doc. The time had come to see what Doc could do for Shaman.
An hour later, Doc moved away from the stretcher and fell into the nearest chair. Doc’s delving this time turned out the same as the previous ten times. Shaman simply had no will to live. Nothing they did seemed to work. Healing damage from starvation and rehydration would keep him alive, but his life spark guttered weak. His body functioned at bare minimum levels, leaving Doc to force muscles and organs to work to avoid the effects of atrophy.
“Had he been from Crystal Prime, he would have died already,” Syrreth mentioned, commiserating. “Most pinkies do not survive a week after bond break as they will themselves to die. I am glad it takes dragons much longer else we may not have survived ourselves.”
