Offspring (The Sword of the Dragon) (55 page)

She caught herself staring, and she marveled at how calm she suddenly felt with him nearby. Even before he said a word, she felt as if he had done a world of good. She basked in his presence.

The dragon wrapped his white tail around the roof, and his boney lips curled into a smile. “Do not grieve for Gabel, my daughter, for what he did, he was pleased to do for you. Seeing you brought him hope for the future, and your innocence reminded him of the worth of sacrifice.” Albino reached out one clawed hand and lifted her chin. “Your mother would be proud of you.”

She lowered her eyes, ashamed to let him see what she had become. “It—it was not only for him that I was crying.”

He slid down the roof. His claws cracked the tiles, and their pieces slid off, rolling over the platform and falling into the city as he came to rest on the platform. She could sense his penetrating gaze still upon her as he rumbled in his chest. “Hold still, my dear, this may hurt.”

Oganna felt as if her skin burned with fire. She cried out as the pain increased and clutched her hands over her face. Between her fingers she lifted her gaze to the noble white face. The mighty creature returned her gaze, unwavering.

Cracks formed on the dragon’s facial scales and glowing red blood oozed forth. The dragon growled, shook his head. It grasped the citadel’s roof with one hand and bent the metal supports, still growling softly. Suddenly she knew what he had done, what he was still doing—all for her.

The wounds Razes had inflicted, the horrendous disfigurement, spread across the dragon’s face and raced down his neck, even to his chest. But not a single tear fell from the dragon’s eyes, though every fiber of his body trembled.

She ran to him, ignoring his glowing blood flowing over her body. His arm clasped her against his chest. And she wept. His cool scales soothed her skin. The pain in her face melted into warmth.

“Now.” He held her at arm’s length and ran his eyes from her feet to her head. “Ah, yes! That is
much
better.”

At first she reached to feel her face, then she hesitated and gazed up. But a brilliant glow radiated from his face, forcing her to avert her gaze. She knew that scars had destroyed his image, and she wanted to weep on.

The dragon, however, whipped his clawed fingers around and held up a silver mirror. “You are the offspring of a dragon, my child. We are a beautiful race. Scars do not become you.”

She beheld her face in the mirror—restored, whole, and beautiful. She jumped up and wrapped her arms around his neck. Deep in his chest Albino rumbled, and then he laughed. His mighty arms held her in a tight embrace. The gratitude she felt could not be expressed in words, so she didn’t say anything. Instead she let him feel it.

At last he set her feet on the platform. She gazed up at him with tears of joy in her eyes and made the request that now burned her heart. “What of Gabel? Would it be possible—to restore his life?”

“Oganna, my child, your heart is good, and you have kept your mind pure. But though I could restore his life, yet for your sake I will not. The Creator has a plan for everything, and even this sorry event had to come to pass. The loss of a friend is a hard thing to bear, but in dealing with it you will be strengthened, for you must learn now how to cope with the loss of those to whom you are the closest.

“Nevertheless do not fear. You will see Gabel again.” He angled his magnificent face toward the sky and snorted a gentle flame. “Just look at how those stars are shining tonight.”

A tear for Gabel slipped down her cheek.

“There, there, enough weeping.” His glowing face smiled as he flexed his wings. “This is the end of sorrow in this place, Oganna. Yet, this is not the end of your journey. Hard times lie ahead. Remember always that you are mine, for I will be watching over you through it all.” With a final smile he spread his magnificent white wings. They seemed to cover the entire sky, and she wished he would stay and wrap her in them. His leg muscles rippled, his wings beat downward, and he ascended into the night.

As she watched him go, she ran her hand over her smooth skin before calling after him. “Goodnight …
Grandfather
.”

Somersaulting through the air, his whole body glowing, he glanced back. “Goodnight, my precious granddaughter. And know that I am always watching out for you, even when it seems I am not near.” Then he shot into the night sky, streaming away like a blazing comet of white over the distant horizon.

The cool night wind howled through the city streets, bearing a sad note of finality. A formerly powerful nation had been overturned, its people slain, and its buildings burned. Only Ar’lenon and its damaged ramp stood whole. She looked around one last time and then entered the citadel to descend the stairs.

In the morning Oganna packed her tent and goods and put them on Vectra’s back. The megatrath glowed with ecstasy. “My goodness, don’t
you
look lovely today.” She gave a toothy grin, and Oganna smiled back. She had revealed the truth of her heritage to the creature, and the megatrath treated her with all the more respect.

Whatever the dragon had done to her had not only healed her body but had revived her spirits as well. His blood stains covered her clothes, reminding her of the pain he suffered on her behalf.

She slapped the megatrath in a playful manner, then waited for her to lower her neck so she could climb aboard.

When Vectra swung open the doors, fresh morning air filled Oganna’s lungs. The megatrath bounced onto the dimly lit ramp and rumbled contentedly in her throat. “We are finished here.”

Down the ramp and onto the highway they raced. The eastern horizon brightened, blazing orange and yellow streaks across the sky. Not a single word more passed between them as they left the city. Oganna felt Yimshi’s rays warm her blood, and her hand dropped to the Avenger’s hilt. She fingered it for a moment and then, as Vectra crested the rise out of the valley, she turned for one last look.

The bodies of the giants lay in the streets, on the collapsed buildings, and on the ramp to Ar’lenon. A dark cloud rose from the north and grew in size as it approached the city. The sounds of scolding birds fighting with one another to reach the corpses soon filled the valley as flocks of vultures and ravens came to the feast.

“The wizard has fallen, and now the birds will pluck the flesh from his bones.” Vectra stamped her feet with satisfaction, pivoted on her rear four feet, and galloped to the south. Her six legs beat against the ground, carrying Oganna quickly away.

Oganna drew her sword and held it aloft. The silver robes covered her again, and her blade turned crimson. Whatever the future held, she would face it with the knowledge that she was the grandchild of a dragon. Around her neck the viper slept. Oganna sheathed the sword and leaned forward so that Vectra could hear her. “Let’s go home!”

THE END

It is an amazing feeling to look at my second completed novel, knowing that God has blessed me in letting me fulfill my writing dream. This particular work was been in-progress for several years. Originally it was going to be the first novel in The Sword of the Dragon series.

I want to thank my wife for her steady support. Truly I believe she is my number one fan and she is a wonderful mother to our son.

To my son, Andrew. Someday, when you’re old enough, I hope that you will pick up these books and know how passionate your dad is about stories. They can educate and teach, just as Jesus taught us.

To the wonderful people at AMG, thank you for making my publishing dreams a reality!

Thank you also to Robert ‘Treskillard’ for accidentally suggesting the fantastic change to Albino’s interaction with Oganna after the battle for Ar’lenon. That scene is now one of my favorites in this novel.

And lastly to all my wonderful fans! This journey would not be as much fun without you.