ANWEN FELT AS THOUGH SHE was floating, much like she had when she'd touched the Sacred Shrine. Only this time she was under water. From above, light filtered down. It made the water glow a mysterious blue, reminding her of Lake Wyvern. Or the color of Tyler's eyes.
Something moved in the water, heading her way, something almost silver. It was hard to tell in the dim light, but something definitely glinted.
As it came closer, it became more obvious in form. There was a somewhat triangular head attached to a long, sinuous neck, and a sleek body with tucked wings and a long tail. A dragon.
Anwen stared in awe as the mythical creature shot through the water like an eel. It approached her with great speed, and then circled around her with its long silver and green body. The scales alternated in color, though she wasn't sure if this was a trick of the light or the water.
Twin horns shone atop the massive head. She instinctively grabbed for them and was pulled along, her body pressing against the long neck. Somehow, she managed to miss the spiky ridges running down its neck as the dragon moved towards the water's surface.
They burst from the water with a shower of spray that fell like crystal rain. Anwen gasped in the clear air like a newborn taking its first breath. It felt glorious.
Higher and higher, the dragon flew. Its wings beat against the air, creating a massive wind below, swaying trees and forming waves on the lake.
Up ahead, sitting on a mountain peak, a pure white dragon waited. The silver dragon moved towards it, landing on a ledge leading towards the still figure. The smaller dragon bowed, wings folding behind its back. Anwen slid from its neck, feet landing on solid stone.
Come to me, child. I will not harm you.
His voice was deep but pleasant. And almost familiar, somehow.
Anwen walked towards the white dragon, dwarfed by its sheer size. With the dragon sitting back on his haunches, she only reached up to his knees. She swallowed, more than aware of the sheer drop off on either side of her. When she was maybe half a dozen yards away, she stopped, unable to make herself go any closer.
Well met, Kern said. Well met indeed. Anwen Kaida Porter, daughter of James Porter and Margo Kaida Pack, I greet you and welcome you to this Mountain.
His voice seemed to echo inside her head as he gave a formal bow, bending his head towards his large frame, eyes closed only for a moment.
Anwen blinked rapidly, arms resting at her sides, unsure of the proper response. “I-- Uh-- Hi. I don't think we've met before,” she stammered, affecting a stiff bow in return.
The dragon opened his mouth, revealing an impressive set of teeth that reached a bit past the large jaw line. Not in this form, Keeper, he laughed. This is not our first meeting.
“What?” Anwen stared. “What do you mean this isn't our first meeting?”
The dragon smiled a mysterious smile. When first we met you were but a child, though it is not unexpected that you are unable to remember. There were a great many things on your mind at the time. Especially the death of your father, taken untimely from this world. It was I who hid you from the eyes of those who took his life; else you would not be here now.
Anwen's legs trembled. “There's no way you could have been there,” she protested. “We were alone in the parking lot!”
Kern cocked his head to one side. I was not there as you see me now, but as a wandering soul. Had it not been for your mother, I would not have been able to do what I did. It is most unfortunate that I was unable to do the same for your father, for he was the last of his line. Until you were born. His legacy is now your legacy. You are the only one who can fulfill that divine calling.
“I don't understand.” Anwen dropped down to the stone below her.
Was it possible that both her parents had known something was going to happen that night? Hadn't her father made extra sure to tell her mother he loved her before they'd gone to the store?
And even though she'd stood there, dumbstruck as her father bled out in front of her, hadn't she felt as though someone else was there? Hadn't there been someone holding her back for those first moments after he'd been shot?
The dragon moved to look into her eyes. I am Kern Nurrim, Eldest of the Dragons. Your father was the last male in a long line of those called The Keepers. This line is destined to keep the keys to the dragon city of Tarragon, the heart of our existence. It is where we now reside, prisoners of our past, because we dared give mortals the abilities of the Drakonii. Some became tainted with greed for power. Instead of wishing to exist with us as we had hoped, they chose to try and use us for their own ends.
A great battle was declared between the two factions of dragon mages, those who were gifted with our abilities. To preserve the peace, the mages true to our kin sealed our kind inside the Mountain.
The Keepers were exiled, destined to one day return and release the captive hosts and restore balance and order. Over time, those who were awash in their own greed began to hunt down the Keepers to prevent any from opening the Mountain.
Through his entire narrative, Anwen felt her heart beating faster and faster. “No. I can't be one of them. I mean it's just not possible. I'm just a regular girl from a regular old town in the middle of nowhere. I'm not. I'm not a Keeper. I can't be.”
Kern began to chant, eyes closed. “One must journey from afar and risk in full else all be lost. Fire and water, earth and air, the last of the Keepers all shall bear ere the Gates be opened wide and the Sleeping Ones awake, restored to their silver thrones from the cold heart of hate.” He opened his eyes and looked back into hers.
Those are the words given to us by the greatest Mage, as recorded in the Dragon Scrolls. And, as with every prophecy, it will be fulfilled. You, fair little dragon, are the Last.
From behind, the silver dragon launched itself into the air, diving off the mountaintop. Anwen ran to the edge to see where it had gone but miscalculated how close she was to the edge. Struggling to maintain her balance, she pitched forward, falling into space. She was too surprised to scream or call out.
Tyler had only been asleep a few hours when he woke suddenly. Heart pounding, he was on his feet, bone knife in hand before he could even think. Something had changed but he didn't know what.
Looking around, he noticed Courtney still asleep across from him, against the far wall of the cavern. From the entrance, only the faint stirrings of dawn shown, with no shadows that shouldn't be there. He closed his eyes, listening, breathing in deeply to catch all possible scents in the air. Nothing.
Turning, he noticed Anwen had somehow managed to curl up around the sleeping bag. He moved to her side, pushing a strand of hair from her face, noting a slight smile on her lips. He placed one hand over her heart and closed his eyes. A quick pass confirmed all was well and that she was only sleeping. He let out a sigh and sheathed his knife.
“You look well, Daemyn.”
The voice came from the direction of the cavern's mouth.
Tyler spun around, knife instantly in hand, ready to attack. He lowered his hands when he saw who had spoken, a somewhat transparent visage of a young man about his own age, only with dark hair and eyes. “Callum. I thought were you asleep in the Mountain.”
Callum Durand laughed, eyes crinkling at the corners, eyes similar to Tyler's, only green. “It's been a long time, brother. And yes, I still sleep in the Mountain. But, as you are aware, the presence of the Keeper brings to us an awareness we would not otherwise have. Perhaps it is akin to the feeling of hope that mortals feel. Believing that we will soon be free from our dark prison, back in the light where we belong.”
Tyler knew better than to try and hug his brother, related by more than blood. “It shouldn't be much longer.”
Callum turned to face the inner cave, waving a hand to include both Courtney and Anwen. “These mortals have had a decided effect on you. I am not surprised. In all this time, I still admire your courage and willingness to exile yourself from our kind to save them, much as the Keepers did. The N
urrim remains impressed.”
He moved forward, bending to peer at Anwen's sleeping form. “So, this is the Keeper. She does not look like much.”
"Most important people don't look like much in the beginning,” Tyler observed. “They seem as unimpressive and unassuming as any other, even to themselves. That is what sets them apart.”
Raising a brow at his brother's little speech, Callum inclined his head to include the possibility. “Perhaps you are right." He bent closer, sniffing the air, then looked up sharply. “Her soul has tasted of dragon fire.”
Tyler didn't so much as flinch at the observation, well aware that both mortal and dragonkind frowned upon such.
“I had no choice. The enchantment placed on her was too complex to just break without causing more harm than good. Without knowing what kind of spell was used, I had to improvise a little.”
“Peace.” Callum put out a palm. "I was not accusing you. But you have used the most interesting of means to assure yourself of her identity.”
“And what's that supposed to mean?” Tyler asked with venom in his tone.
Callum moved his hands as if to sweep the air. The motion conjured an enclosed tornado of swirling energy. Miniature forms began to take shape, reminding Tyler of the vision conjured in the Ruined City.
After a second glance, he realized it wasn't just similar but an exact replica. His brother was using soul energy to play out the flight of dragons instead of using the sacred vision dust. The images were just as suddenly extinguished with the same downward palm thrust he'd used that day.
Tyler's eyes went wide.
“Vision dust is not to be used lightly,” Callum chided. “It is a sacred treasure to us, as you are well aware. However, I must applaud you for destroying the vision before that young mage could see its contents. Despite her current cooperation, I doubt her motives and bid you be careful.”
Tyler ground his teeth. “I'll take that under advisement, though I doubt you came here to warn me about her. And you spoke of 'ways', plural, not singular.” Seeing the look in his brother's eyes, he braced himself.
Callum's expression became hard as he moved closer. “It was not the wisest decision to bring the Keeper to the Sacred Shrine, Daemyn. And yes, I was there, watching from beyond the Sacred Circle, outside the Grove. Ever since that crystal you currently wear neared the village, it has stirred the souls of our kind. We know what it is and where it came from. That alone should have been proof to you.”
Clenching his fists, Tyler resisted the urge to attack the slightly older dragon, pushing him to the ground. He knew it would be fruitless to do so. “Had you been awake all this time, you would know there have been others who have claimed to be Keepers but weren't. I had to be sure. And now, thanks to my mage friend,” he indicated Courtney, “I now know that Anwen is not only a Keeper, but the last of her line.”
Callum sneered. “And what worth is the word of a mage? It is because of their kind that we are in this state, as you are well aware.”
Tyler bowed his head. He and his brother had never quite seen eye to eye and it saddened him to realize that aspect had not changed.
“I'm going to assume you didn't see Anwen's vision at the Shrine and will excuse your ignorance,” he said quietly. “The mage's words only confirmed what the vision had already established. Anwen was visited by the Nurrim himself and was charged to open the Mountain.” There was more to it, but he didn't want to anger his brother further.
The dragon lord's eyes went wide, brows raised as he reappraised Anwen's sleeping form. "So it is true that she is the last." Straightening, he stretched one hand towards her. "Long shall be her journey and full of much heartache. I hope she is prepared for what is ahead."
This time Tyler's brows drew together, his muscles tightening just a little as he looked up. “I will do all I can to make sure she is. You know this. It was part of my calling when I accepted the assignment. I know the risks.”
Cocking his head to one side, Callum studied his younger brother. "I hope you do, Daemyn, for both of your sakes. I see the way you look at her. I am not alone in my concern.”
“I'll be careful,” Tyler said through gritted teeth. “But you know Kern isn't one to talk, not after what he did all those years ago, creating the mages in the first place. I'm sure he never thought it would bring this predicament to our door.”
Callum bowed his head, one arm crossed over his chest, hand resting on his breast. “No, I do not believe he did, but we must all pay for our mistakes. Do not make any you are unable to repay.”
His message delivered, Callum faded into the background, leaving nothing behind.
Tyler closed his eyes with a sigh and reached for the chains around his neck. Both the ring and pendant lay against his skin. He felt his heart constrict with their weight.
If the spirits of the dragons were stirring, time was running out. It would not be long before the mages realized what was going on.
He had to set things in motion and quickly. The Mountain had to be opened, even if the dragons within were not wakened. And it had to happen within the next three days. They couldn't afford to wait any longer.
fifteen