that hovered in the air.
As the sorceress took aim, Nymira curled her claws to hide Vartan’s body within them. She shifted her scales once again to hide them both within the smoky sky, and within moments she was invisible, swiftly gaining height and distance from Greenhaven. Out of pure desperation, Kassina sent fireballs flying in pursuit, but they were easily avoided as Nymira continued her climb towards the clouds.
Vartan relaxed his muscles and let himself lay down gently in her claws, wincing at the pain of his ribs.
Does she know Karven? he wondered.
I am glad you trust me, Vartan, and you are safe with me. Karven is our King, and of course I know him-I certainly should. I am Nymira, the Queen of Dragons. I will take you to him immediately as the time has come.
Vartan concentrated his mind with all his strength to form the words.
Thank you, Nymira. You saved my life, and in return, I owe it to you. I have so many questions I want to ask of you.
You owe me nothing and I would save your life any time. We share a common goal, Vartan. The war has only just begun, and there is much to be done. Leave your questions until we reach Trahoterra. You need to rest and should regain your strength-we have a long journey ahead of us.
Vartan closed his eyes, drifting off to sleep in the safety of the dragon’s grasp.
Chapter 5: Old Blood
“For many days now, we have searched the entirety of Greenhaven. It is nowhere to be found, and I took great risks to leave my tower, suffering heavy losses in the battle for the city. This victory is nothing without the Artefact.
Stupid Derian-he promised me that it would be found, and yet, here we are… still digging beneath the city in the vain hope of finding the most powerful needle in an oversized haystack.
I put too much trust into our deal; maybe I shouldn’t have granted him immortality. I’m beginning to wonder if he even knows its location at all.”
Vartan awoke to the sound of heavy waves crashing below him, and after a few hazy moments, he remembered the events that had taken place.
Have we arrived at Trahoterra? He thought.
Yes, Vartan, we are approaching it now. Let me show you our home.
Nymira adjusted her scales to provide him with a small window between her claws. Vartan looked down to see a large island enveloped in mist, with only the smallest glimpse visible of the razor-sharp rocks at its outskirts. He was looking over the island of Trahoterra. It reminded Vartan of a gigantic claw reaching into the sky, birds of prey circling above its peaks.
It looks so strange — unlike anything I have ever seen. There are no beaches? Nowhere for ships to anchor?
We prefer it that way. It is the island of dragons, after all. We can come and go as we please, while the island itself serves to keep out unwanted visitors.
Nymira began her entry dive, and Vartan felt his gut drop with the sudden change of altitude. He pushed out his extremities to brace himself and breathed heavily as he grit his teeth.
Do not fear, Vartan. You are safe with me, remember?
They plummeted towards the heavy mist with immense speed. Suddenly, at what felt like the last moment before they would have hit the dangerous waters, Nymira extended her wings and they caught the air, shooting through the mist like an arrow. The water blurred underneath them as they rocketed over it. Vartan let out a chuckle of pleasure.
They glided towards a large cave mouth, which looked like a serpent’s jaws prised open. The mouth appeared too small for her extended wings and just when Vartan opened his mouth to protest, Nymira contracted her wings to enter the cave, flapping them quickly once they were safely inside. The cave walls sparkled with crystals, as if they were stars filling a pitch-black sky. Like a gifted acrobat, Nymira flew at impressive speed through the cave, narrowly missing natural columns and stalactites until they broke free into a gigantic cavern within.
'Can we do that again?' laughed Vartan, a grin stretched across his face.
I told you to trust me, didn't I?
She gripped him with one claw as they descended to a gentle landing in the middle of the cavern floor. She eased Vartan to the ground, and he stood tall to take in the many wonders of Trahoterra. His eyes widened at the kaleidoscope of colours and objects that begged his attention.
The cavern was filled with gigantic golden statues of dragons, and was laden with treasures as far as the eye could see. Treasure chests were everywhere, as were legendary artefacts thought to have been lost forever.
This is not the first time that humans have allied with our kind. This is what we have left to show of that past allegiance. Just remember that these treasures are forbidden without our permission.
“Of course, I understand. I have no need for such things anyway. What an amazing sight to behold!” Vartan beamed.
I sense that Karven has returned from a hunt for food. It looks like we are right on time.
As Vartan turned, the opening to the cave was darkened by the shadows of many dragons in flight. One by one, they landed with a shudder around Vartan and Nymira in a circle, dropping their catches before them. The largest of the dragons alighted in the centre of the circle, folded his great wings, and turned to Vartan. “So, young knight, we meet again.'
Vartan reeled back in shock at hearing the dragon’s booming voice.
“You can speak? I thought you only spoke through minds.”
“We can speak, Vartan. We just don’t always choose to exercise that power. So, do you remember our first meeting?”
“It has been so many years, Karven, but how could I ever forget that day? I have so many questions to ask of you that have been plaguing me all these years.'
“Of course you do. However, allow me to begin this discussion with a revelation. Have you ever wondered how you channelled your power on that unfortunate night in the woods? Did you ever wonder why you didn't also die that night? Have you ever thought about why you have foreign and sometimes horrible dreams? Did you also not question how you happened to have an audience with me?”
“I do. I have thought about that night every day of my life. Finn… I failed him.”
A smaller dragon in the outer circle stopped eating and slowly raised his head towards Vartan.
No, brother, you did not fail me at all. I carved my own path.
The dragon stretched his great wings and flew to Karven’s side.
“Finn? Is it really you?” said Vartan, tears filling his vision. “By the gods, can it really be true? All these years, I thought you were dead.”
It was Karven who responded. “You weren't ready to hear the truth that night, but the time has come. Our kind has had many gifts bestowed upon us; however, some of us wish to experience being mortal, and to live a human life. There is only one path that leads to that particular destination, and it happens to be irreversible.”
“What is this path you’re talking about? And what has it got to do with me?” asked Vartan.
“It takes the form of a spell of the highest order, and one that can only be cast upon a dragon who truly wishes in his or her heart to be human. Once dragons transform, they cannot return to their forms until the event of death and the rebirth of life. Last but not least, the spell only works once. Many years ago, two of our kind requested the spell of human life, and it was granted.'
'I get all of this, I really do… But what does that have to do with me?” Vartan repeated.
“The two dragons who were granted this spell were your mother and father.'
