The Dragon God (Book 2) (40 page)

El’Korr began the ceremony, “Today we blend two heritages that the realm has not experienced before. Let it be known this union is ordained by God himself, and has the blessing of the elven father of the Sheldeens. Today will mark a new season of change.”

The dwarven king continued the opening speech, while Trillius leaned against one of the trees near the exit, observing quietly. Rozelle joined him and nestled in beside him, “Isn’t this great?” she whispered.

“How long are these ceremonies?” he asked.

She rolled her eyes, “Not long. You will be able to get back to your busy schedule soon enough. Such a romantic, you are.”

“Well, I can be, if I wanted to.”

“Besides your charm, what else is romantic to you?”

“I can always boast how I almost became a god; that should get me far with the ladies.”

“That is stupid, you almost died. Really, though. What is romantic to you?”

Trillius paused and then smiled, “I get lost in your eyes.”

“That’s nice.” Rozelle blushed.

Trillius changed the subject, “You are heading out tomorrow for your nature time, right? I think I’m gonna hold up here until you get back.”

“Shhhh, they are going to give their vows.”

Abawken took a deep breath and began, “My eyes have been opened by our amazing God in the Holy City. I began a journey to fulfill the mission he showed me, and now I am beginning another, not just to live, but to love. I will love you all the days of my life, here, now, and beyond, and will protect you with strength, and serve you with humility, with all the best I have to give—this is my solemn vow.”

Trillius quietly yawned midway through, and was elbowed by Rozelle. He furrowed his brow at her, “What did I do?”

“Nothing. That’s the problem,” she countered.

Abawken placed a blue frosted diamond ring on Raina’s finger, “In the province of Zoar, my homeland, we exchange rings to mark our union. With this ring, we are united.”

Raina smiled and then in turn spoke, “Learning and garnering deeper knowledge in the arts of magic have always been my greatest passion. I am thankful to you, my Abawken, for now I will passionately study this art of love, friendship, pursuit, and unity. Our legacy of love will be a beacon for all mankind. I take you as my husband from this day forward—this is my solemn vow.”

Trillius glanced at Rozelle, “Are you crying?”

“It was beautiful,” she was barely able to answer.

He rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, but his interest piqued slightly when Raina produced, out of thin air, a gold band on Abawken’s finger.
Raina said, “I honor your ways with this ring. The custom of the elves directs the bride to assign a bond-name to her new husband. Henceforth, you will be known as Leiv Talhor amongst my people.”

The surrounding elves whispered the new bond-name, “Leiv Talhor.”

El’Korr announced proudly, “The sacred vows these two have exchanged will be forever burned into the Book of Promises, and from henceforth they will be recognized as husband and wife.” El’Korr made eye contact with Abawken and he smirked, “It is the human tradition to seal the deal with a kiss.” Giggles and whispers echoed behind them in the crowd of guests.

Cheers erupted as the new couple embraced in their first married kiss and then they turned to face everyone. The flower petals on the archway suddenly burst into hundreds of butterflies that fluttered about.

El’Korr yelled, “The two have become one!”

Raina and Abawken were swallowed by the many people coming forward to congratulate them.

Trillius glanced to the door and noticed a young boy, head low, fondling an interesting bauble, catching his attention; a diamond ring, a very large, diamond ring.

Rozelle nudged him and said, “How did you like the butterflies? I added that little effect in myself.” She was proud of her work, but Trillius didn’t answer and turned to find the boy gone.

“Rozelle, very well done, but I have to go take a tinkle. I will catch up with you later.”

He took off, leaving Rozelle, who sighed, “Yeah, such the romantic.”

The sounds of the wedding party faded as Trillius stealthily darted from shadow to shadow, following the young human boy. He had not seen this person before, and he couldn’t help but be intrigued by the diamond ring the child held in his possession, and occasionally pulled out to look over when he thought no eyes were on him. Trillius was lured by his curiosity. He easily trailed the adolescent, and wondered how he had obtained such a prize—a prize that would soon be his.

They traversed deeper into the frost fortress, in the lower sections, until the youngster entered a room and closed the door behind him. Trillius waited a minute before making his move.
“I’m impressed. This young lad has a giant gem in his possession, and his own quarters. Who does he know, I wonder?”
Trillius thought to himself.

Jack slouched his shoulders as he sat on the edge of his bed. Two lit candles spread their aura around the small bedroom. He twirled the ring, trying to catch the sparkles, when all of a sudden, his door burst open. A gnome rushed in, short of breath, and slammed the door closed.

Trillius leaned his back against the entrance and gasped, “Sorry, I am trying to get away from her.”

“Away from who—”

Trillius cut him off, “Shhhhh. Whisper.”

Jack brought his voice down, “Who are you running from?”

Trillius didn’t answer and instead placed his ear against the door. He turned back to the boy and smiled, “I lost her.”

“Who?”

“Oh, just one of the many women who chase after me. It is a tough life, but someone has to do it.” Trillius strolled closer to Jack. “My name is Trillius.”

“I know, I heard about you. My name is Jack.”

“Young Jack, may I stay for a minute?”

“Sure, you are the most excitement I’ve seen in weeks.”

Trillius sat right next to him on the bed. He bounced a couple times, measuring the comfort, and then smiled. “So, where are your parents?”

Jack shifted uncomfortably, “They are not here.”

Trillius read his body language perfectly, “I lost my parents too, when I was young.”

Jack looked at the gnome, “I didn’t know my mom. She died when I was born.”

“Mine too,” he lied. “You must blame yourself for her death, like I did. It wasn’t your fault.”

“I know, my dad said the same thing.”

“I am sure he is very proud of you.”

Jack nodded, “I miss him.”

“Oh, he must have passed recently. I am sorry.”

“He lives in the Holy City now, with God. I will see him someday.”

“Where is this Holy City you speak of? I have heard the others talk of it and I’m not sure it exists.”

“It exists alright; I was there.”

Trillius coughed, “You were there?”

“Yes, with Bridazak and the other heroes. I got to see my dad and I decided to come back with the others.”

“Come back? Why would you want to come back here of all places?”

“To help others know God and to give them hope, I guess. I came back to be a hero, like my dad.”

“Oh, I see, so you are trying to keep the good folk of Ruauck-El, like myself, informed of this glorious God that hid away for centuries and left us for dead with the birth of Kerrith Ravine?”

Jack paused at the gnome’s blighting accusation, “It’s not like that. I don’t know, I’m lost right now. It’s hard to explain anything.”

“I apologize for my triteness. I have lived a long time and heard rumors of this ancient city. I can’t argue that you have been there. Perhaps someday I can visit it. Anyway, why are you feeling lost?”

“It just seems that nobody wants or needs me. I’m like a shadow no one notices. I don’t have any friends.”

“I know what you mean. I’m kind of lost here also, and I miss someone too.”

“You miss a girl?” Jack smirked.

“No, not a girl, a dragon.”

“Really? I rode a dragon, a bronze one. Did you ride one also?” he excitedly responded.

“Calm down. No, I did not ride one, but had a relationship, a friendship with one. It is hard to explain, but we had a connection. Anyway, Dal-Draydian, he’s dead now, but he gave me quite a bit of knowledge about lost treasures within the realm.”

“Lost treasures? What are they?”

Trillius grinned and looked at Jack, “You know, Jack, I like you. I think we can be good friends. In fact, if you are interested, I could show you the ropes of a great profession. A very lucrative profession.”

“You want to hang out with me? Yeah, I would love that.”

“You said you were like a shadow. I can teach you how to have those shadows become your friend.”

“What, like a thief?”

“You think of me as a thief? No, what I will teach you is beyond that ugly line of work. Much better… but it will cost you.”

“I don’t have anything to give.”

Trillius waited, staring at young Jack, until finally the boy revealed what he clasped in his hand; the diamond ring.

“My dad gave me this. It is the only thing I have of him. Can I loan it to you until I can buy it back?”

“What a grand idea,” Trillius’ eyebrows raised.

“I trust you, Trillius. Thank you for being my friend.” Jack held out the ring. Jack’s innocence pierced into the gnome’s conscience.

Trillius hesitated and then sighed, “How about you keep it and then pay me later.”

“Really?”

Trillius shrugged, “Yeah, I guess so. Well, listen, I got to get going and make sure that woman doesn’t break into my room or something. Let’s talk more tomorrow.”

“Okay, Trillius. Thank you, for everything. It was really nice talking with you.”

The gnome gave a shallow smile and then left.

Jack sat back down and looked at his father’s ring and wondered again where he had gotten it. He always imagined it was his mother’s wedding ring. Jack smiled brightly and giggled, which wasn’t something he had done in quite a while, at the thought of his new friend, Trillius.

Jack suddenly stopped when he thought he heard something. It was a strange voice, it sounded distant. He went to the door and peeked, looking down the hallway. No one was there.

He closed it, turned, and then heard his name called,
“Jack.”
The hollow voice echoed within his mind.

“Who’s there?” Jack said aloud.

“Jack, help us.”

He felt heat coming from the ring in his hand and when he opened to see the diamond, it flared shades of red within the gem, swirling like mist. Jack looked closer and saw blurred faces, weaving in and out of the red smoke.

“Who are you?” he asked.

“The gem will lead you to us. Follow it.”
Then the diamond returned to its normal appearance, the cloudiness faded. A strange sense within himself pulled him to leave his room. Jack opened the door and left, longing for adventure.

Coming Soon

Book #3 of the Horn King Series
The Vampire King

J
ack descended to the lower levels of the frost dwarf castle, where worked stone and ice turned to more natural tunneling. The diamond ring slightly vibrated in his grasp when he came to a fork in the tunnels, requiring a decision. If he chose the wrong way then the gem remained still, but when he chose the correct way, it pulsed. These lower sections were isolated and much colder. He shivered as he watched his breath rise in front of him. The tunnels were dark, but he was still able to see.

He suddenly stopped when the ring vibrated.

“There is only one way to go,” he whispered. Jack looked confused as he peered back and forth down the corridor. He leaned against the wall and sighed heavily. The diamond pulsed and a small phrase entered his mind. Jack stood upright and repeated it aloud, “Vemptukai.”

Shifting stone sounded abruptly behind him, causing Jack to freeze in pure fright. He quickly turned and stared into a strange hallway that wasn’t there before. The ring pulsed. Jack took his first step inside and flinched as torches sparked to life along the walls as far as he could see. Cobwebs dangled from the sconces and a strong, musty smell abounded. Each step he took echoed, melding into the sounds of the flames leaping from the ancient wood dipped in tar.

“Hello?” he asked nervously. He jumped when the secret door closed behind him, sealing him inside the corridor. Jack ran back, but it would not open as he clutched the edges and strained to move it. He calmed himself and began to creep further, following the endless torches.

Hundreds of feet elapsed, until finally, Jack spotted an open room ahead. The light ended at the opening but shadowy illumination informed him of the chamber beyond. He grabbed one of the ignited sticks, sliding it out of the iron sconce and burned away the dusty webs in the entryway.

Jack saw a circular room with twelve stone sarcophagi lining the wall. There were no exits, he noticed as he cautiously entered. The unmarked graves lay eerily still, thick layers of dust covering each one. A stone pedestal with etched runes stood in the center of the chamber.

The mysterious hollow voice returned to Jack’s mind, but now stronger and not quite so distant, directing,
“Place the ring on the altar.”