Текст книги "Albrek's Tomb"

Автор книги: Mark Forman

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Chapter Twenty-Two

The Dragon Returns

When Alex returned to the ruined gates of the dwarf city, his friends were nowhere to be seen. He dropped down to the ground and changed back into his human form. He felt wonderful—better than he could ever remember—and he knew the power of the dragon would be with him always.

Alex wondered why he had been so afraid to take the dragon form, but then he heard his friends talking in the darkness. It was obvious they hadn’t heard him return, and he paused to listen to them.

“He is a danger to himself and to us,” Barnabus said.

“He did not attack us when he returned with Thrain,” said Arconn in a reasonable tone. “He brought Thrain back, shaken but unhurt.”

“Yet he did not reply to our calls,” Nellus countered. “He acted as if he couldn’t hear us at all.”

“And then he flew off after the thunderbird,” Thrang added. “He was hot to continue the battle.”

“You’re sure that thing was Alex?” Thrain questioned in a shaky voice.

“It was Alex,” Kat said calmly.

“Was,”Barnabus said loudly. “The longer he remains a dragon, the less of our friend will remain. Arconn, you know more about such things than any of us. How long can Alex keep that shape and not lose himself?”

“That depends on how strong he is,” Arconn answered. “I’ve known wizards to take different shapes for days and even weeks, but I must admit, it is often difficult for them to return to themselves. And the dragon shape is the most dangerous form there is for a wizard.”

“Alex has been gone for almost an hour,” Barnabus said. “I begin to doubt he will ever return to us.”

“He will return,” Kat said in a confident tone.

“You seem so sure,” Thrang said to Kat, his own voice shaking slightly. “Did you foresee this change? Do you know why he chose to become a dragon?”

“I am not an oracle,” said Kat. “And now I may never be one.”

“But you know something,” Arconn said.

“I guess at many things, but I do not know,” Kat said softly. “I believe Alex is safe, and that he will return to us as himself.”

“More like the dragon—ready to destroy us when we step out of this cave,” Barnabus said.

“No, I don’t believe that,” said Arconn.

“Perhaps the person we have traveled with isn’t really Alex,” Thrain said softly. “Maybe he’s still on the Isle of Bones, and the dragon there took his place with us.”

“Don’t say such things,” Thrang snapped angrily. “We’ll wait until morning. If Alex has not returned by then—”

“Why wait until morning?” questioned Alex, moving forward toward his friends.

Alex could see his friends were both relieved and afraid. He understood their fear, because it was something he had also felt.

“You have no need to fear,” Alex said. “I am your friend, not the dragon from the Isle of Bones.”

“I didn’t mean—” Thrain began.

“No harm is done,” Alex interrupted. “I repeat, I am myself. And we are free to leave whenever we like.”

“So you destroyed the thunderbird?” Arconn questioned.

“No, I did not,” said Alex. “I struck a bargain with it. No thunderbird will ever trouble this land again.”

“You were in the dragon form for a long time,” Thrang said slowly. “Are you sure you’re all right? Perhaps you would like to rest awhile.”

“I’m fine,” said Alex. He turned to Arconn. “You are right to say that changing one’s own shape is dangerous, but the dragon shape holds no danger for me.”

“Then,” Barnabus began and paused, “then are you a dragon? Pretending to be a man?”

“No.” Alex laughed. “I am a man anda dragon. I am both, and I can take either shape without fear of losing myself.”

“That is not possible,” Nellus said.

“And how would you know what is and is not possible?” Alex questioned. “You cannot see far enough into the past to know the truth. Not even Arconn can see that far into the past.”

“No, I can’t,” agreed Arconn. “But I have heard legends, stories of ancient times that suggested men and dragons were once the same race. We elves never believed them.”

“Yes, some men were once dragons,” Alex said. “But that was long ago, and almost no one remembers that time now.”

“I suspect the dragon on the Isle of Bones remembers,” Arconn said, nodding his understanding.

“Yes, he remembers,” said Alex. “He is the oldest living thing in the known lands. He is the guardian of the past, and he remembers.”

“So you are both man and dragon?” Thrang repeated, shaking his head as he tried to understand.

“I am,” said Alex. “And I must ask that none of you share this information with anyone. I doubt anyone would believe such a story, but it would be best if few people knew the truth.”

“Yes, of course,” said Thrang. “I, for one, will never tell this tale.”

Alex looked at each of his companions one at a time, and they all swore in turn that they would keep Alex’s secret. Alex turned to Kat last, but even as she promised not to tell what she knew, Alex saw a great sorrow inside her. He remembered Kat saying that it was too late—but too late for what?

“Kat,” Alex said softly. “What did you mean when you said that you may never become an oracle?”

“Can’t you guess?” Kat answered, tears filling her eyes. “The empty tower by the sea.”

“The tower you once tried to enter, but I stopped you,” said Alex.

“It will vanish into the evening mist in three days’ time,” Kat said sadly. “It is too late for me to enter. Too late to find out if I was meant to be the Oracle of the Empty Tower.”

“It’s too late when you are dead and not before,” said Alex, his mind racing for some way to get Kat back to the tower in less than three days. It came to him so suddenly that he started to laugh.

“What?” Thrang questioned. “What’s so funny?”

“The prophesy,” Alex answered. “The dragon will bring the oracle—it is so simple.”

“Of course,” said Arconn. “As the dragon, you can reach the tower in a day or less. Then Kat can become the oracle before the tower vanishes.”

“You would do that for me?” Kat questioned, a look of disbelief on her face.

“I told you that once we’d found what we were looking for I would help you any way I could,” said Alex. “We have the Ring of Searching, so now we must get you back to the tower before it’s too late.”

“What about the rest of us?” Thrang questioned. “You can’t carry all of us and our horses.”

“Turn the horses loose on the plain; they will be safe there. The rest of you can all ride on my back,” Alex answered.

“You will need to travel very fast,” Arconn said. “We may not be able to hold on.”

“Tie ropes to me and to yourselves,” said Alex. “Then none of you will fall off, and we can move as fast as possible.”

“Can’t we ride?” Thrain asked in a shaky voice. “Can’t you take Kat to the tower while the rest of us ride north again? I mean, well, I did promise Fivra that I’d try to go with him to see an oracle when we got back.”

“Would you miss what is coming?” Alex questioned. “Oracles are not made every day. This will be something worth seeing, even if you have to ride on a dragon’s back to get there.”

“Besides, you can’t go running off to an oracle with Fivra until you are released from this adventure,” Thrang said sternly to Thrain. “It was a foolish promise, and one you’ll find hard to keep.”

“What about the treasure we left in Kazad-Syn?” Nellus asked.

“We can collect that on the way,” Alex said with a wave of his hand. “I can take us close to the city and then change from a dragon into a bird to reach Thorson and collect our treasure. If you like, Thrang, I can even change you into a bird and you can go with me.”

“But—” Thrain began, a look of fear on his face.

“No buts,” Thrang said firmly. “Alex’s plan is a good one. We will ride the dragon to the tower.”

“As you wish,” said Thrain in a dejected tone.

“There is no need to fear,” Alex said, putting his hand on Thrain’s shoulder. “I did not let you fall when the thunderbird dropped you, and I will not let you fall now.”

“I know,” said Thrain, his voice shaking. “It’s just that . . .”

“I know,” said Alex before Thrain could go on. “I have felt the fear as well. But there is nothing to fear now. Trust me, you will be safe.”

Thrain nodded and slowly looked up into Alex’s face. Alex gave him an encouraging smile. Thrain smiled back weakly and then hurried to collect his gear from the tunnel floor.

It was well after noon by the time they were ready to go. Their freed horses wandered across the grassy plain, and all of Alex’s friends had strong ropes tied around them that they would attach to Alex once he had changed.

“With your permission,” Alex said to Thrang, with a bow.

“Yes, of course,” Thrang answered, returning the bow.

The change, now that Alex had time to think about it, was incredible. It didn’t require any great magical effort, only a simple acceptance of what he was. He let his mind reach out, and felt the magic filling him, almost flooding into the space around him and connecting him with everything that made the land of Thraxon. His heart raced with simple joy as once again he became the dragon.

He lowered himself to the ground and stretched out his massive true-silver leg to form a step so his friends could climb onto his back, and then waited for Thrang to call out that they were ready. At Thrang’s call, he leaped into the air, circling the mountain as he climbed into the afternoon sky. When he was as high as the highest peak of the mountain, he turned north and shot back across the plain that had taken them weeks to cross.

The sun sank in the west and the first stars came out, and still Alex flew north. His dragon eyes could see everything below him clearly, and he changed his course slightly as they approached Neplee. He didn’t want to be seen by the dwarfs, because he knew the sight of a dragon would terrify them for days to come.

They flew through the night, and though they were still miles from Kazad-Syn, Alex could clearly see the city in the darkness. Once again he changed direction slightly and flew lower so the mountains would hide him from any dwarfs who might be watching the sky. He flew as close to the city as he dared, looking for a spot to land. High on the mountainside, he found a hidden valley and quietly glided down into it. There was still snow on the ground, but the air was warm, and they were well hidden from the city below.

Once his friends had climbed off his back, Alex returned to his own shape. He felt wonderful, rested, and ready for anything. His friends, however, looked tired and worn-out, ready for sleep. Even Arconn looked tired, which was odd for the elf. Alex let them rest while he gathered wood for a fire. After he had stacked a large pile of wood and started a fire, he turned to Thrang.

“Do you wish to come with me?” Alex questioned.

“I think I should,” said Thrang. “I doubt Thorson would let you take the treasure if you simply turned up asking for it. And I know he wouldn’t be able to stop you from taking it if your mind was set on it.”

“Then I should ask, which bird is the most loved in Kazad-Syn?”

“Many birds are loved, but the raven is the most respected.”

“Very well, we will travel as ravens. I should warn you that taking the shape of a bird is thrilling. You will keep your mind, but you will be tempted by the freedom of flight. Try to stay focused on our task. I will not let you fly too far from me, and I will change you back to your natural shape when we reach Thorson.”

“Very well,” Thrang agreed. “The rest of you should rest and eat. We shouldn’t be gone too long.”

The others nodded, and Alex tapped Thrang once on the shoulder with his staff. Thrang immediately changed into a raven. He croaked loudly and took flight. Smiling at Thrang’s sudden energy, Alex changed himself and flew quickly after his friend. He wasn’t worried about Thrang flying away, because he had magically bound Thrang to him when he’d changed him.

The night air was refreshing as they traveled down the side of the mountain toward Kazad-Syn. Alex could smell the city as he flew, but he could see very little. Raven eyes were not as keen as dragon eyes, and he had to concentrate to find his way to Thorson’s house.

Thrang seemed to know exactly where he was going, however, and when Alex saw him dive into Thorson’s garden he followed close behind.

“What is this?” Thorson questioned, looking puzzled as a raven landed on his table. “No raven is so friendly with a stranger.”

“He is no stranger,” said Alex, taking his own shape as he touched down beside the table.

“By the ancients, Alex! How did you get here?” Thorson jumped up, knocking over his chair. His eyes were wide with wonder as he looked from Alex to the raven on the table and back again.

“Return,” Alex commanded, changing Thrang back to his normal self.

The table tipped over with a crash, and Thrang staggered to his feet.

“You could have waited until I was off the table,” Thrang grumbled.

“You could have landed someplace else,” said Alex.

“Thrang?” Thorson questioned in disbelief. “You’ve learned to change shape?”

“Don’t be stupid,” said Thrang. “Alex changed me so we could come and talk to you.”

“Are you in trouble? Are your friends trapped somewhere? Should I call the family to arms?”

“No, no, no,” said Thrang, grabbing Thorson by the shoulders. “Everything is fine, but we’re in a hurry. We only stopped in the city to collect the treasure we left with you. I don’t have time to explain everything, and I don’t know where I’d begin if I did have time.”

“Yes, of course,” said Thorson as he clutched Thrang’s hand. “Have you heard the news?”

“What news?” Thrang questioned.

“Stories have come from the Lost Mountains,” Thorson answered, motioning them to follow him. “The details are sketchy, but they said a great evil has been destroyed there.”

“That is true,” said Thrang. “Alex has done a great service for the dwarfs of the Lost Mountains, and he has been named a lord of their city.”

“A man named lord of a dwarf city?” Thorson said in surprise. “That is something unheard of.”

“Alex is one of the greatest wizards there ever has been,” said Thrang as if that explained everything. They started down the stairs that led to the lower chambers.

“You are too kind,” said Alex from behind the two dwarfs.

“Not at all,” Thrang answered. “I don’t know a lot about wizards, but I think you’ve done more in your short career as a wizard than most other wizards do in a lifetime.”

“Perhaps,” Alex allowed, hoping that Thrang would change the subject.

“Here we are,” Thorson said as they came to the door of the lower chamber. “Sorted, just as you asked.”

“You’ve done us a great service, brother,” said Thrang. “I would offer to pay you, but I know you wouldn’t accept.”

“And you are correct.” Thorson laughed. “It is an honor to have served you, and to be honest, a great pleasure to sort this treasure for you.”

Thorson unlocked the door and threw it open, but the room beyond the door was dark. Laughing at his own forgetfulness, Thorson turned to get a lamp.

“No need,” Alex said, conjuring up the familiar weir lights.

“Ah, a wonderful spell,” said Thorson, watching the weir lights dart into the room. “I wish I could learn to do that.”

“Your magic is worse than mine,” Thrang said with a laugh.

“And we don’t have time for me to teach either of you now,” Alex said, catching Thrang’s eye.

“Yes, we do need to hurry,” said Thrang. “The others are waiting, and we still have a long way to go.”

“You will spend the night at least,” Thorson objected.

“No, we must go,” said Thrang. “Alex, you are better than I am at storing things quickly. Will you place all of this in your bag and hold it until we can divide it properly in Darvish?”

“Darvish?” Thorson questioned. “Why are you going to Darvish? You’ve already been there once.”

“I don’t think I should say,” Thrang said slowly, looking at Alex for help.

“Tell him why, but not how,” said Alex as he turned his attention to the room full of treasure.

“The empty tower will vanish it two days’ time,” said Thrang. “We’re taking the new oracle to the tower before it fades forever.”

“But that’s at least a week of hard riding,” said Thorson. “Even as a raven, you’ll be hard-pressed to reach the tower before it’s gone.”

“We’ll be there before it fades,” said Thrang. “Don’t ask questions that I can’t answer, brother.”

“As you wish,” said Thorson with a bow.

Alex stored the treasure in his bag and stood beside Thrang once more.

“If you have the time, Thorson, you may want to set out for Benorg,” Alex said with a smile. “We will be going there after we leave Darvish.”

“So you’ve found it?” Thorson said happily. “You’ve found what you were looking for?”

“And more,” Thrang answered.

“We will be in Darvish at least a week,” Alex said. “After that, we will be returning to Benorg.”

“A week?” Thrang questioned.

“I believe that is the normal celebration time when a new oracle comes to power,” Alex explained.

“And this oracle travels with you?” Thorson questioned.

“Yes,” Thrang said with a laugh. “She’s been with us all along, only we didn’t realize it.”

“Kat is the oracle?” Thorson said in surprise. “I . . . I don’t know what to say.”

“Then say nothing,” Alex suggested. “It is not our place to judge oracles or decide who should be an oracle. It is best to simply accept them and what they say.”

“Yes, of course,” Thorson said with another bow.

“Come now, Thrang. We must go,” said Alex, starting up the stairs.

Thorson walked along quietly as they made their way back to the garden. The chair and table were still lying on the ground, and Alex and Thrang helped Thorson set them back in place. Thrang hugged Thorson good-bye, and once again Alex touched him with his staff. The raven that was Thrang flew up and circled the house, waiting for Alex to join him.

“Come to Benorg, if you can,” said Alex. “The party there will be a thing to remember.”

“Yes, I will,” said Thorson happily.

Without saying anything more, Alex changed himself into a raven, flying up to meet Thrang over the house. He could see Thorson watching them with a look of wonder on his face, before he was lost from sight.

Alex and Thrang flew close, climbing slowly back into the mountains where the rest of their company was waiting. It was not a difficult flight, but by the time they saw the campfire, Alex could tell that Thrang was growing tired.

“Alex,” Arconn exclaimed as Alex changed back to himself in front of the elf, “I wish you wouldn’t do that. Or at least give me some warning.”

“Sorry,” Alex said with a laugh. “It’s easy to forget such things. Now, where has Thrang gotten to?”

Thrang squawked loudly as he hopped in the snow next to the tents that had been set up. Alex turned to look at him and, at the same time, broke the spell that had changed Thrang into a bird.

“A pleasant enough way to travel,” Thrang said stiffly. “More tiring than horseback, but pleasant just the same.”

“You make an excellent raven,” Alex said. “Now, I think you should rest with the others. We still have a long way to go, but I don’t think we will start too early.”

“Early would be better than late,” Thrang said as he yawned. “Less likely to be seen, and we need to get to Darvish quickly.”

“There is time,” said Alex. “And I doubt we will be seen. Even if we are, it fits into the legend, so there’s no need to worry.”

“Yes, of course,” said Thrang, walking slowly to his tent. “Wake me for breakfast, then.”

Alex smiled as Thrang walked away, and then turned back to the fire and Arconn. Arconn looked as if he wanted to ask a hundred questions but didn’t know where to begin. Alex took a chair from his magic bag and sat down next to the fire.

“What is it you want to know?” Alex asked.

“Nothing and everything,” Arconn said with a smile.

“That is easy and difficult,” Alex said and started to laugh.

“How long have you known? I mean, how long have you known that you could take the dragon form without losing yourself?”

“I wasn’t sure until today,” said Alex. “I almost lost myself when I went after the thunderbird, but then the bird spoke to me.”

“What did it say?”

“It tried to magically change me back to my true form. It didn’t know that I was both man and dragon, and it thought it could force me back into the shape of a man.”

“But the spell didn’t work,” Arconn said.

“No, but it made me think. At the time, I thought I was only a dragon and I couldn’t remember what I was before,” said Alex. “When I thought about it, though, I remembered what I was. The memory was enough to allow me to see my true self as both man and dragon.”

“I am glad you did not lose yourself,” said Arconn.

“So am I,” Alex agreed. “But I must admit, I would rather be lost as a dragon than as any other living thing.”

“Even a man?”

“Yes, even a man.”

Arconn fell silent, and Alex allowed himself to rest in front of the fire. He wasn’t tired at all, but he needed to relax his mind. Several things were happening all at once in Thraxon, and he seemed to be in the middle of all of them. Not only had they recovered the Ring of Searching, which had been their goal all along, but he was about to take Kat to the empty tower, where he hoped she would be able to enter and become the oracle. Then there was the crown of Set, which Alex needed to return to King Thorgood. Thrang probably knew what Thorgood had promised, but Alex knew he didn’t want to talk about it until Thorgood was present.

Apart from everything else, there was also his link to Salinor and the other dragons. There was the evil spirit, Mog, which he had defeated in Nethrom’s cave, and there was the hidden conspiracy Bane had talked about. These were all important, but Alex didn’t know why exactly. It was like some huge puzzle, and he didn’t know what the picture would be when he put all the pieces together.

***

“At the speed you flew yesterday, we should reach Darvish before noon,” Thrang said to Alex over breakfast. “That leaves a full day and a half before the tower fades.”

“We won’t reach the tower today,” Alex said softly.

“Why not?” Arconn questioned. “Surely there is no reason to delay.”

“No real reason,” Alex said with a smile. “But part of being an oracle is what people think.”

“And you don’t think the people of Darvish will accept me as an oracle if I arrive today?” Kat asked.

“I think they will accept you, but that’s not enough,” Alex answered. “There needs to be a legend, something impressive that will be passed down from generation to generation. You realize that you will live for a very long time as the Oracle of the Empty Tower.”

“Yes, I’ve been thinking about that,” said Kat. “I think that is the part I fear the most.”

“Fear?” Thrang questioned.

“Perhaps fearis not the right word, but it is the only word that seems to fit,” Kat said, shaking her head. “I think Arconn must know what I mean. After all, he has lived for a long time.”

“You don’t want to see your friends grow old and die,” Arconn said in a kindly tone. “You don’t want to see those you care about fade, only to be replaced by others you do not know.”

“Yes,” Kat said, staring into the fire. “Men live a short time, dwarfs a little longer. Only elves and oracles seem to go on for ages.”

“And wizards and dragons,” Nellus said, glancing at Alex.

“ Somewizards and somedragons,” Alex corrected. “Still, I can understand Kat’s fear because I have felt it too.”

“There are sorrows, that is true,” Arconn said thoughtfully. “We lose those who are close to us, and we are sad when they are gone. Still, there is the joy of life and the knowledge that those we love are never really gone, as long as we remember them.”

“Wise words, but they offer little comfort,” said Kat.

“If you do not wish to go to Darvish, we will not go,” Alex said softly.

“No, I must go,” said Kat in a determined tone. “I just hope it will be worth it.”

The others did not speak, mostly because they didn’t know what to say. How could any of them tell what the future held? How could they know if Kat would find being the Oracle of the Empty Tower worth the effort and the sacrifice?

Alex realized for the first time how similar his life was to Kat’s. He would probably live a long time as a wizard; Whalen had told him as much. How would he feel when his friends—the people who had taught him so much and been with him on his adventures—grew old and died? It was difficult to think about, but he knew it would happen.

“We should be going,” Alex said after several minutes of silence.

“I thought you said we wouldn’t reach Darvish today,” said Thrang.

“We won’t, but the dragon will,” Alex answered. “We’ll let the people of Darvish see the dragon today so the crowds can gather for tomorrow.”

“And then you’ll take us all to the city?” Thrain questioned.

“No, I will take only Kat,” Alex answered. “I will find a place close to the city for us to camp. Then tomorrow, before dawn, the rest of you will walk to the city. I will join you in the crowd later. After all, I don’t want to change into my human form in front of the crowd.”

“And I will be left alone to try to enter the tower,” Kat said sadly.

“You will enter the tower and become the oracle,” Alex said confidently. “After I deliver you to the tower, you will dismiss me as if I were your servant. That will help build your legend and reputation. I will fly away and vanish from the city, returning as a bird and meeting the others in the waiting crowds.”

“Very well,” said Kat. “I see the wisdom of your plan. I just hope I can enter the empty tower without going mad.”

“You willbe the oracle,” Alex said again.

“How can you be so certain?” Kat questioned.

“Why else would you be traveling with a dragon?” Alex laughed.