The Dragon’s Mage

that.

'Are you saying, Lord Bochus, that mates have been found among humans before?'  Ebens voice was low and intense.

'A few here and there among the magic users over the eons.  The family leaders have dealt with the matter privately.  It has certainly never been brought before the council in such a public way.'

'Dealt with?'  Morgan asked.  But it was as if she didn't speak because Bochus refused to acknowledge her question.

'My mate asked you a question Lord Bochus.  How were they dealt with?'

'I don't answer to human’s prince Ladon, no matter how you dress them up to ape their betters.'

'Then answer to me.'  Eben said his voice gruff with rage.  'Are you actually saying that you knew some of our mates could be found among the humans and you not only kept that secret but killed them when it was discovered?'

'As I said.  It was house business how they dealt with their embarrassment.  The council was not involved.'

'Besides the issue of mates,” Lord Topa interjected before the room imploded.  'We cannot allow the blood sworn to kill the Earth, nor let stand the attack on Prince Ladon.  Dragons have always been the protectors of the natural earth and all its magic.  To ignore this pestilence is to court our own doom.'

'Melodramatic clap-trap.  We protect our lands, the humans have always had dominance over theirs, or we would have wiped them out long ago for their abuse of it.'  Bochus brushed a hand across the problem as if it was insignificant.  'We will deal with this problem when and if they ever cross the dragon gates and come here to try their filth.'

'You are a fool.'

The words spoken in the soft voice of a human mage was loud and the silence after the announcement frozen.

'What did you say?'

'I said you're a fool.'  Morgan repeated.  'The Blood mages drink power.  Their whole purpose is to bleed it from the land and people.  Do you think when they are bloated from destroying the rest of us that they will sit quietly in their black castles and be content?'  She was not aware that her control was slipping as she continued, but both Eben and Ladon stepped closer as the power built around them.  'You think they aren't already after the magic in your blood?  One of your own has betrayed you to the blood mages already.  They are using dragon’s blood to further their dark cause and you prattle on about human inferiority.  Are you arrogant enough to let this wound fester until the whole of the body is infected?'

'That is enough of that.  You are a human barely old enough to be called adolescent in our culture.  You think to lecture and insult us?'

'I think to lecture and insult you.'  She said distinctly, her magic rising further.  'Your warriors would back Eben on this.  I have seen the dark and cold they live in waiting for the warmth of a mate that may never come.'  She stepped forward and looked at the assembled nobles and their elite guard.  'Young I may be, but I am mated to Ladon and Eben Kincaid.  I have seen your warrior history through his eyes and your government through the eyes of Prince Ladon.  And I am mage, with the stories of my people passed down.'  Her hair beginning to float around her building power.  'I am not an insignificant thing.  The Earth moves through me, wind speaks, and fire and ice answer my call.  The blood mage is an abomination but they are not powerless.  Ignore them; ignore us, at your own peril.'

Bochus threw up his hands and gestured to Morgan but spoke to the standing guards.  'Do you really want this as a mate?  This disrespectful thing?  Even if it was possible?'

Both Eben and Ladon stepped forward, the insult plain on their faces but before they could respond one dragon stepped away from his place guarding the wall and went to stand to look down on Morgan.  She was so angry by this time her power was seeping out her eyes in mage light.  Everyone was silent, as he looked her over, his face expressionless.  Eben and Ladon moved even closer.  Morgan refused to back down.

'To hold such warmth as my own I would give much.'  Then he looked at Eben.  'You have the support of the Elite Dragon Forces.'  That brought many of the council to their feet.  And another roar from Bochus.

'You have no right!'  He bellowed.  'The Elite Forces fall under the jurisdiction of the council.  What you propose is treason.'

The General roared and it silenced the whole of them.  'If the council is proposing that we let our mates die among the humans than it is the council that turns traitor.  To our entire race.'  He turned to face the head of the council.  'She is right.  A Dragon betrays one of their own.  Dragon blood is used to fuel dark magic.  The earth beyond our borders is desecrated.  The enemy is at the gate.  We cannot pretend they are not.'

'You don't have the authority...'

'I am Solan Fire-Eater.'  He roared.  'General of the dragon armies and dragon knight of the Light.  I have given my oath to protect the earth just as Eben Kincaid and every warrior here.  Unless we are more human than Dragon that still supersedes politics and power squabbling.'  He pulled his sword and the councilors leaned back.  But he just turned and knelt before a shocked Morgan.

'I give my oath that I will destroy the dark and protect the Light as is my duty as a dragon knight.'  The rest of the warriors stepped away from the wall and pulled their own swords, they knelt as well.

'I must protest...”  Lord Graedon started.

'How?'  Ladon said looking around at the warriors.  'You have no fighting force left to protest anything.'

Eben finally spoke.  'It is done.'  He said ignoring the sputtering council.  'General, if you have no objections, I propose we leave now and handle the dark mage issue before the traitor can inform his conspirators.  We strike at their powerbase and we strike now.  We destroy every dark mage stronghold and free all the light mage we can find.  The soldiers, and as many of the blood practitioners as we can find, will die tonight.'

The General rose and sheathed his sword, his men followed suit.

'Agreed.'  He said, 'My men and I will route out this abomination and end the dark mages.  The light Mage I leave to you and your lady to sort out.'  He bowed low from the waist to Morgan then his hand went to the pommel of his sword.  'As of right now, we are war.'

Chapter 11

It ended there for the warriors.  They left with Eben and General Solan to make war.  Morgan was left sputtering when Eben gave her formally into Ladons arms with a warning to keep her safe.  Then he was just gone.  No kiss goodbye- be safe going to war.  Nothing.

The council continued to fight amongst themselves with Lord Bochus on one side and Lord Topa on the other.  Mostly it was just Bochus continuing to bellow while Topa tried to talk sense into him.  Occasionally Lord Fahlion would wake up and contribute but from Lord Graedon there was nothing.  He merely watched everything.  Mostly he watched Morgan.

Do they not realize the decision has been made?  She asked Ladon.  So much for Dragon superiority.

Ladon laughed.  Come on puny mage I will feel better when you are safe with the hatchlings.  He pulled her into his arms.  You stay here you might start another war.

Very funny.  Then hesitantly.  Do you think Eben will be all right?

The Dragon executioner and the Dragon Elite Knights against a few pesky blood mages.  The only thing that might happen is he laughs so hard at their defenses that he falls out of the sky and breaks a wing.

Funny.  When they were at the entrance, something made Morgan turn and look back.  Lord Bochus was giving her a glare so full of hate it singed.  Lord Graedon was gone.

* * *

Eben could still hear Ladon cursing him through their bond, even this far inside a mountain of rock that