The Dragon Savior of Tone: World of Tone: Book 2 (32 page)

“I think we are lucky to have Terra among us. I believe Terra is now the true leader of all the fighters,” the old nymph wizard said.

“I know my fighters have come to love him. They would follow him into a volcano if he led them there. I'm not sure luck had much to do with what happened,” Naron told the others.

“What I meant by lucky is that Terra is a leader of the most effective fighting group of all time, and yet he is disgusted by killing. He even hates commanding his own fighters. Can you imagine Terra being someone who loved the fighting and command?” the old wizard replied.

“I understand and agree. I have read as many ancient texts as I could find. I know the legends of the Draman and Wogan, but nothing I have ever read talked of the type or the power that Terra possesses. What wizard could ever hold lightning in a frozen state, let alone capture it in his hand?” Naron said to the rest.

“I fought against the dark human wizard and I never saw him use such power as Terra possesses. That long lightning blade seemed to be able to cut through anything on Tone. And his speed, his speed was, was beyond belief,” the elven king reflected.

“It's a moot point, he has no interest in ruling us after this is over. We may have to decide how this world looks after this fight is done,” Xillan told the group.

“No. Terra will make those decisions, he will rule this world, whether he likes it or not. No one here can command the respect or the love that Terra now has from every fighter on this journey. I assure you, he will never allow this to happen again,” the old wizard said, stretching his arms out indicating the world, as it existed.

“The dragons and I will fight anyone here who attempts to do anything but convince Terra to rule us all” Rammy said in an iron hard voice. They all looked at her and finally came to the realization that only Terra could rule them all.

The sun had set as Terra and Fienna quietly sat together waiting for the leaders to come. He had managed to keep himself from falling into the deep sadness that came over him after the last fight. Terra kept his thoughts concentrated on his love for Fienna and his daughter, as well as all the others he truly cared for.

The fairies had reported to Terra that one hundred and thirty-eight dwarf children had been saved. They were all small unable to even walk. The dwarf children that could walk were, unfortunately, wielding weapons and were as dangerous as their parents. Killing them was the worst part of all the fighting, at least to Terra. The other two villages had children, but their destruction was not as personal as the hand-to-hand fighting that occurred in this last village.

The leaders finally arrived. They sat about a large boulder heated by Dawra's flame. Terra was quiet for a few moments before he started. Finally, he began in a low and gentle voice.

“We have one final fight, but it will primarily be my responsibility. We will all travel to the end of the mountain range. At that point, there is a large plain filled with trees. The trees extend to just outside the foothills of the dark mountain. The dragons cannot cross this plain due to the lightning. I will take half of each group of fighters. We will travel after sunset; it should take four to five sun-risings to reach the end of the trees. The trees should be able to protect us from the lightning, but only if we stay beneath their limbs. Where the trees end and the lightning is unchecked, I will continue on to the dark mountain alone.

When the dark one is gone, the fighters will deal with the dwarfs living in the foothills. Naron will lead this fight. You will know when the dark one is gone by the end of the lightning and the clearing of the darkness. Then it will be time to fight,” Terra told them all.

“Why do you not lead us against the dwarfs?” Xillan asked.

“I will destroy the dark one, but there is no assurance I will survive. With or without me, you must end this forever and that means the elimination of the dwarfs.”

“I see,” Xillan said, never considering such an outcome. They all realized Terra meant to destroy the dark one whatever the consequences might be to him.

“I wish the dwarf children to be taken back to the human tunnels. I will need two hundred dragons and one hundred and thirty-eight fighters, one to carry each child. Plus, I think another fifty fighters to help with the children. The children will need harnesses to tie them to the humans who will be held by the dragons. It should take three sun-risings to get them back to the tunnels. There, I want them united with the adult dwarfs. Old one, can you contact the Sinut?”

“Yes, of course. What would you like me to tell him?” the old wizard asked.

“I want him to find an island big enough to support two to three thousand dwarfs. It should have caves for the dwarfs to live in and enough native food to support them. I want them to set up a cave to handle two hundred dwarfs, stocked with enough food for one set of seasons. I wish the dwarfs taken to the island and left on their own. Ask the sea nymphs to watch them. They are to never try to leave the island. Make sure they understand if they try to escape, they will all be killed. One other thing, I believe they will lose their immortality when the dark one is gone. Tell them this,” Terra replied.

“I will contact him, I'm sure he will do as you ask.”

“We will leave in two sun-risings. Please prepare your fighters and pick those that will come with me to the black mountain,” Terra told them all.

“Why do you wish to take only half of us to the mountain?” the king of the elves asked before they broke up.

“It's always important to keep options open; no one can know the future, not even I. If something goes awry, those left in the mountains will be Tone's last defense.”

In the dark mountain, the ancient wizard looked at the small fire. He could not conjure up an image of the last dwarf village, although he could see the other two. The first was nothing more than a hole, with the second one not even existing. It was as if it was wiped from the world. He could see that the lake created by those bitch Solans had flooded out leaving little left.

“They're all gone, none left. What do we do now?” the old human wizard asked the darkness.

“You die,” the darkness answered back, followed by an ugly little laugh.

“How long before he gets here?”

“Fourteen, fifteen sun-risings, no more,” the voice said in a laughing tone.

“You can use the lightning; he will have to fly across the plain. The lightning will kill him,” the wizard said in desperation.

“He won't fly, he will walk under the trees. They will protect him. Then when he gets to the edge of the trees he will fly. A few lightning bolts can't hurt him. He will make it here no matter what I do,” the voice said as it laughed at the old wizard's fear.

“You must stop him. You have enough power. No one can kill darkness. His magic won't work on you,” the wizard pleaded.

“You know our agreement, as long as you entertain me I would help. I am quickly finding you more of a burden than an amusement. Although, the last few seasons you have become mildly more interesting, but not nearly enough. I suggest you prepare yourself to fight this Draman and after he is done with you, perhaps he will become my new amusement,” the voice answered with a blood-chilling laugh that echoed through the large cave and all its myriad of connecting tunnels.

Chapter 58 - A Gift Used

(A gift unused is a gift unneeded.)

- The Time of the Draman -

Cardana awoke from her nap. She looked about, always amazed at the world. She did not understand much of what she saw, but she liked it all. It was all bright and wonderful to her new eyes. The one that lifted her from her warm place was gentle and made loving noises to her.

She was laid in her play place and two others her size were waiting for her. They crawled and touched all the wondrous things around them, laughing. After her play, they fed her, but the drink was not as good as it was from the one she came from. She missed them both especially the large one that glowed in the pretty color. That one made her feel safe and so comfortable; it was as if nothing could harm her, when she was in his great hands.

Cardana was tired and the gentle one put her back into her warm place. She fell asleep with a smile on her beautiful little face. She felt something odd around her and she opened her eyes. She saw before her a curly black vine thinner than the hair upon her head. It was coming out of a crack in the wall. Cardana reached out and grabbed the vine and she felt her hand warm as it started to glow the same color as the large protective one that made her feel so safe. She felt him surround her with love and warmth. The end of the vine changed to the color of her hand. It then started to change color along its length until it disappeared back into the crack.

Terra awoke and felt his daughter and the dark presence near her. He concentrated and could see through her eyes. He pushed his power through his daughter’s spirit. Terra drove his magic down the vine, out of the cave and through various cracks and crevices that was used to reach the cave. Terra pushed his power into every branch and shoot that the vine of black hatred took. He separated his daughter from the magic, and then he concentrated his mind and power. The orange glow moved faster and faster down the vine crossing the water. Then the thin changing vine passed through the mist-laden valleys and the mountains. Finally, it flowed through dry riverbeds and rocky plains as it approached the dark mountain.

Terra sent a burst of pure healing magic through the vine into the dark and hideous mountain He lost his connection to the vine as it broke apart from the huge burst of magic.

The old human wizard awoke suddenly on his black throne. A great shrieking noise of pure pain echo through the great cave and its’ tunnels. The ground rumbled and dust filtered down from the walls and ceiling of the cave.

“What is happening?” the old wizard screamed out, but no answer came from the darkness. A dreadful silence and utter stillness came over the darkness as the wizard froze in terror.

Terra pulled back to the cave, where Cardana was still awake. He comforted her with his love and the gentle touch of his mind. He sent his magic into the crystal covering the inside of the cave. Gentle orange light began emanating from the walls about Cardana. Terra would now know of any attempt by the dark one to come near the cave. He thought that the message he sent through the vine would prevent any future such endeavors.

Cardana giggled and cuddled deeper in her soft, warm waterweed. She fell asleep smiling and content.

Chapter 59 - The Journey into Darkness

(Traveling toward the darkness is a long and dangerous trek.)

- The Time of the Draman -

Terra lay back down next to his sleeping love. He decided not to tell Fienna of the attempt to harm their daughter. It would only serve to create fear in her spirit and the next fifteen to twenty sun-risings would bring her enough difficulties.

They all rested and recovered from the fight they had just survived. Although still in mourning for those lost, they all started at first light on the final long walk to the dark mountain. The fighters were determined to finish this great fight, but now knowing fighting, they were much less enthusiastic about a great adventure.

Each day the sky lightning became more intense and tried to come closer to the fighters. The trees were not only a match, but they were also driving the lightning and their clouds further away from the fighters. As they came to the end of the mountain range, the dragons settled into perches among the numerous peaks. The fighters were split into two groups, the ones that would stay with the dragons and those that would travel forward with Terra.

That sunset, many thoughts went through the minds of the fighters. They went from would they survive, to would Terra finally defeat the dark one. All the fighters were convinced they had to succeed to save themselves, their families, and Tone itself. No one would leave until this final fight was done.

Terra planned to depart at the next sunset and Fienna would be coming with him. During the day, she would remain with him under the trees in her dragon form. After sunset, they would walk together toward the dark mountain.

It had been decided that Xillal would lead the combined force of humans, nymphs, fairies, and elves. Rammy would come as the second leader. The elven king demanded to come. After agreeing to take his orders from Xillan, Terra allowed him to accompany them. Naron, the old wizard, and the fairy king would remain with those staying with the dragons.

As they prepared to leave the next sunset, everyone said their goodbyes. No one wanted this split, although all understood the need of it. Those left behind prepared to dig in assuming an attack by the dwarfs, if Terra were to fail to kill the dark one. The others assembled the food and water needed for at least fifteen sun-risings. They would not have the option of the dragons transporting the supplies.

Terra left the next sunset quietly as he, Fienna and the fighters walked into the trees. As they moved under the great plants, protective limbs and leaves obscured the dark clouds above. The almost constant lightning was creating enough light to make walking relatively easy. The constant thundering was a problem, it was nearly deafening. Many of the fighters took small pieces of cloth and stuffed them in their ears to block the sound.