Chapter 5 - Enter the Dragon

Dulain staggered as he exited the portal, steadied by his brother who stood ready. Fresh clean air carried by a gentle breeze caressed his skin, and the smell of water made his throat ache with anticipation, his sand-dried lips opening to try and suck the moisture from the air. Light danced off an endless lake, and he looked over at the dwarven monk who stood with his mouth open in shock at the vista in front of him.

"The Lake of Time?"

"Exactly," said the human.

"But that means we've travelled half the width of the known Realm."

"I try to travel in style, my friend," said the Queen with a smile.

"I think I like her," said Dulain to Edoran who grinned back in response. He flipped the dagger and held it by the point to offer the hilt to Sorenna who placed it back in her hip bag, wrapped in a piece of cloth.

"I'm sorry about your friend," said Sorenna to the brothers.

"As are we, my Lady, but we will mourn him when we have the luxury of time, and a ready supply of dark ale."

"A wise course of action, mayhap we can share a flagon once this is over. My husband was ever fond of a flagon of elven ale. He always said the human brewed beer was too weak." She smiled, a wistful expression gentling her face as she gazed over the lake. "All we have to do now is try to reach him."

"You cannot do it by magic?" said Dak, his tone incredulous. "You set up this whole net of magic which spans half a world, but you don't know what we do next or how to get to the city?"

Fire flashed in her eyes and she stepped close to the dwarf, the moment of calm leaving her features. "Have you ever cast a spell you know might doom not only your own people but two other peoples? Have you ever cast in the face of thousands of screaming creatures who are baying for a taste of your manna-rich blood, while the person you love more than life itself is fighting for his life? Have you ever cast with the knowledge that what you're about to do may be irreversible, not only by yourself but by anyone else? And you have the audacity to stand there and criticize me? So tell me Dak what would you have done differently?"

Dak swallowed, conscious of the fire flashing between the sorceresses' fingertips, but met her gaze. "A simple 'no' would've sufficed, my Queen. I meant no disrespect. I am merely surprised we have come so far yet may be unable to complete our journey. My apologies."

Sorenna sighed, and the fire left her gaze, her hands dropping to her sides. "I'm sorry Dak, that was unnecessary." She reached over and touched the dwarf's cheek. "I am so close to him, yet so far away."

"I am sorry I don't have the answers, my Lady."

"What the hell is that?" said Edoran distracting the two of them and pointing out over the water where a massive fin had split the water of the lake.

"Dragon; or more specifically a water serpent, but they like to be called dragons too," replied Dak. "Useful creatures: we employ them as guards back home."

"Really?" said Sorenna. "We always found them a little standoffish."

"Aye they can be, but it does not do to leave a live dragon out of your calculations if you live near him. They provide us with a service, we feed them in return. It's a useful trade. They also have a near encyclopedic knowledge of the Realms and their history. It's surprising what you can learn from having a chat over a nice piece of raw meat."

"Indeed."

Dulain cleared his throat and the Queen looked at him expectantly. "Can we not ask the dragon to give us a ride if we're trying to get into the lake? I mean, I assume we're trying to get down there..." he trailed off under the intense gaze of the sorceress and looked at his feet.

"It's the only idea I've heard so far," she declared. "The waters are immune to my magic, and Dak's magic, although useful, isn't powerful enough to transport us there. What do you think Dak? Will the dragon give us a ride?"

"He might if we have something useful to him. Shame we didn't bring the mule really. Poor old thing."

Edoran unlimbered his bow. "I think we might be able to sort something out..."

~

A couple of hours later with darkness and a nearby hollow shielding them from view, a small campfire bubbled a pot of stew. Edoran tied off a rope, the remnants of a deer, a second carcass hanging from a nearby tree, and moved back toward the group. "So how do you invite a dragon to dinner?" he asked.

"Politely." A massive head leaned down out of the darkness and sniffed the elf who froze just outside the light cast by the fire.

"Is there any particular cut you'd like to try sir?" asked the elf, a slight tremor in his voice betraying his nerves. "I can recommend the deer. The dwarf is off..."

"You cheeky beggar. I ought to..." began Dak, but stopped as the dragon rumbled a laugh from deep inside its scaled belly.

"Dwarves are always good to talk to little elf, but they tend to be on the tough side unless you marinate them well. Now elves tend to be a little more tender. However, as you are offering, a haunch of deer would be desirous. Don't worry, I can help myself."

The tree shook briefly and the dragon smacked his lips, settling his massive head down by the fire, his long scaly body stretching off into the darkness.

"I thank you. That was a nice piece of venison. It's nice to have the guts removed too, it makes a pleasant change."

"It was our pleasure old boy," replied Dulain. "May we inquire as to which particular dragon we are addressing?"

"I won't bore you with my full name, as we don't have three days to spare but you can call me Kwil."

"Nice to meet you, sir. I'm Dulain, the elf who fed you is my brother Edoran, the dwarf with the tonsure is Dak, and the lady is..."

"A person of several parts," interrupted Kwil with an intrigued expression on his scaly face as he peered at the girl. "It is unusual to find two humans inhabiting one body is it not? I'm no expert, having not met too many humans, but it does seem a little odd."

"I am Queen Sorenna of the City of Ai, and also a young woman called Elise."

"Nice name," said Dulain. "Glad we know that."

"Ai, the underwater city, where none may pass?" Asked the dragon.

"You know the city?" asked Dak, leaning forward, his eyes shining with interest in the firelight.

"I do. It is not far from here as the dragon swims, but a great barrier blocks any who try to pass and there are creatures in the deeps which give even me cause for concern."

"Would you take us there Kwil?"

"If your delightful elf and his bow can get me a couple of deer for breakfast, then I believe we have a deal."