The Knight of Her Dreams (Dragons and Dreamphasers) (36 page)

“Some of our prophetic
Seers knew time was short, which is when our planet’s ancestors, from all the
races of Chavernos, fled via the crafts of purple light.  The heavens were kind
in helping them find what is now our world.  At the time they fled, there was
little habitability left, yet the dark sorcerers were determined to claim it
regardless.  What became of the planet and those dark sorcerers is unknown to
us, although it is possible the elder dragons and elves may know more.

“When our ancestors
discovered Chavernos, they were determined to prevent technology from
destroying their new world similarly, destroying the crafts of purple light and
knowledge of how to create them.  Many years passed, and this world was
cultivated into what we now know.”

Listening patiently to this
point, Dominick raised one hand.  “All of this is certainly a fascinating
history lesson, Grandfather, but how does this have anything to do with
teleportation to Earth?”

“I’m getting to that,”
Chaos assured him.  “When our dreamphaser ancestors ventured out in our new
solar system, it wasn’t long before they discovered Earth, including the human
populace.  Since this was many, many years ago, it was initially thought to be
a world relatively devoid of magic without the kind of technology our world
eventually progressed to.  Many dreamphasers would astral travel to Earth,
largely out of curiosity, never contacting the inhabitants physically but
merely seeking information.  There’s speculation that our language was
initially modified to be closer to theirs, in the event our planets would one
day communicate openly, which is why we can generally communicate with them easily
in the dream realm.

“However, it didn’t take
long for our Seers to discover that Earth was leaning towards technology, and
that one day they would progress towards the route our world once had.  The
elders than deemed it best for us to leave Earth well enough alone, and even
dreamphasing to Earth was discouraged for a long time.  It’s further speculated
that the mists that surround Chavernos may have been enhanced by our own
ancient sorcerers to make certain our world was kept hidden.

“This doesn’t mean that
dreamphasers wouldn’t travel to Earth occasionally in the dream realm.  They
just had no desire to find a means to actually travel to Earth.  More years
went by, and many people—including dreamphasers—forgot about Earth altogether. 
Likely because of this, it was almost in blissful ignorance that the Mage War
ultimately happened.

“Many years later, a fairly
large family of sorcerers, the Magus Clan, came into being.  They were a
peaceful people that worshipped learning magic, residing in a once-beautiful
territory of green fields that seemed to go on forever.  Next to their love of
family, their foremost goal always was to discover and harness magic wherever
possible to improve the quality of life for themselves, their families, and
especially others.  Some of the magical devices we have today were created by
them, although little is mentioned of this.

“It will come as no
surprise that some of the Magus Clan were supernaturals, including
dreamphasers.  Some of the more adventurous dreamphasers astral traveled out in
the solar system, once again locating Earth.  The same curiosity for knowledge
was there, so they traveled there frequently to learn more of it.  Unlike the
ancestors; however, they saw no reason not to attempt to reach Earth in
reality, as brave explorers would.  It took years, but one of their greatest
discoveries was a means of learned magic by which teleportation to another
world was possible.  Finally, they could physically travel to Earth.  Unlike
their other discoveries, the Magus Clan kept this knowledge strictly to
themselves, using it to explore the other world and learn more about it for
several years.

“When dealing with those of
Earth, they were discreet, never mentioning our world to them, for they did
believe that the exploration for knowledge should still be tempered with
caution where appropriate.  However, there were cases where some of the
sorcerers spent just as much time on Earth, and even established homes there
when they wished to reside there longer.  Overall, their motives always stemmed
from the noble quest for knowledge, and since they were suitably discreet, they
saw no wrong in this.  Something I happen to agree with.”

Dominick nodded. 
“Obviously, the ancestors concerned about Earth wouldn’t agree.”

“Exactly.  That’s when the
trouble began.  Somehow it slipped out that the Magus Clan had not only
discovered a means of teleportation to Earth, but that they’d traveled there
for years, which brought immediate dissent from many of the powerful mages. 
Even though most were descendents of the founding ancestors, they felt it their
responsibility to see to it that Chavernos remained protected from the outside
influence of Earth.  The last thing they wanted was to see a repetition of
another heart wrenching evacuation.  The mages went to speak with the Magus
Clan to forbid them from continuing their explorations to Earth, adding that
they needed to destroy the records of teleportation magic they’d created.

“The Magus Clan refused,
protesting that those they met of Earth knew nothing of Chavernos, and they
never had any intention of revealing our world to them.  They saw even less
need to destroy knowledge, which was kept solely on our world.  The arguments
persisted until finally violence broke out, and there were killings on both
sides, becoming a full-fledged war.  The Clan fortified their holds with magic
in defense—joined by outside allies who agreed with their viewpoint—but even
though they were among the most gifted sorcerers of our world, there were still
more mages opposed.

“When I was a younger man,
I myself was called in from Barokka to mediate between the leaders of both
sides, hoping to find a peaceful resolution to stop the War.  Unfortunately,
the meeting was sabotaged, and the leader of the Magus Clan was killed.”  His
expression was regretful.  “They were good people, and they didn’t deserve
their Fate, but the mages wouldn’t be stopped.  Those of the Clan who evaded
the sword, fled to the forest, and in desperation they jumped within the Black
Pool.”  At Dominick’s horrified look, he nodded.  “Yes. The legendary Pool of
No Return.”

“A terrible time in our
history,” Dominick agreed.  “And certainly no good excuse for harming innocent
people.  They could have found another way.”

“I agree completely, but…
that time is done.  After the Magus Clan was wiped out, the mages set fire to
the green fields of their homes, destroying everything there, including all
documentation of the teleportation magic.  After this desecration, the loyal
allies of the Magus Clan rose up to avenge their deaths by annihilating a great
many of the warring mages.  Those mages that survived became pariahs, having
been said to have unjustly preyed on our own people because of their delusional
fear of the unknown future.

“If any good came out of
the Mage War at all, the Magus Clan were exonerated as fallen heroes who fought
to protect freedom among their people.  Unfortunately, that’s of no consolation
to the fact that their entire Clan was lost—including some of the most
brilliant sorcerers of Chavernos—with only their allies to carry on their
memory.  In addition, of course, to the loss of their library of knowledge.”

“And there’s no one living
that knows their secret of teleportation magic?”

“None that I know of
,” he replied quietly.  “So you see, I can’t say
it’s still possible.  Even if it were, the risks are far greater that you’d
never even reach her world, and instead die instantly from the sudden exposure
to airless space.  Despite your special abilities, you’re still human enough to
die out there, and I won’t be a party to such madness regarding one of my only
two grandsons.”

Dominick’s expression
darkened.  “Then you won’t help us.”

“It’s not that I won’t by
choice.  The truth is, I can’t.”  Chaos gave a forced laugh.  “Dominick, no
matter how powerful you think I am, my powers
are
limited to the
regions of Barokka and Chavernos.  I don’t have the ability to send you to
Earth, nor to bring this Julianna here if you wished it.  If I knew a way,
which guaranteed your safety, maybe I’d see what I could do.  But I’m afraid I
don’t.”

There was a long silence
before Dominick bit his lip with a nod.  “Then I suppose there’s nothing more
to be said, is there?”  Another silence.  “I’d best get home now.  Julianna
will be expecting me in a few hours, and I have to get in touch with some
friends of mine so she can meet them tonight when I announce our engagement.”

Chaos reached out to clutch
his arm sharply.  “I don’t believe I’m hearing this.  You’re still going to
persist in this fool’s notion to remain engaged to that girl in reality,
despite everything I’ve told you?”

“Of course I will,” he
retorted.  “Just because you may not have the necessary magic to bring us
together, doesn’t mean I’m going to stop searching for another means.  And let
me assure you, I won’t rest until I
do
find one.  If the Magus
Clan could find a way, then so can I.”  Seeing the chagrined look on his
grandfather’s face, he continued solemnly, “As for tonight, I assume you won’t
wish to be present, since you disapprove so strongly.”

Once more, an air of
frustration creased Chaos’s features.  “Dammit, boy, I’d move Chavernos itself
if I could guarantee your happiness!  Do you think I’m such a stern leader to
Barokka that I don’t care about my grandchildren?  Despite your rebellious attitude,
and Riff’s as well, I love the both of you dearly as if you were my own sons.”

He took a deep breath. 
“And regardless of what I think, if you still mean to announce your engagement
to this Julianna Sherborne in the dream-state—foolish as it stands—then of
course I wish to be there when you do.”

A smile tugged across
Dominick’s expression as the pair hugged one another.  “I’m glad, Grandfather. 
I wouldn’t have been completely happy without your blessing.”

“Yes, you’ll have that,”
sighed Chaos, patting his back once.  Almost immediately, his expression
changed.  Stepping away, he rubbed his chin thoughtfully.  Dominick stared at
him curiously, just before his grandfather glanced up to the ceiling with a
growing smile.  “And maybe... if you and your future bride can be patient, I
might be able to give you more than that.”

“What do you mean?”

“Lendric,” replied Chaos. 
At his grandson’s look of confusion, he snapped his fingers in a prompting
manner.  “Think, boy, you remember who Lendric is.  The dragon sorcerer in
outer Chavernos that visits on occasion?”

Lendric?
Dominick mused for a
moment, just before recognition lit his features.  Yes, now he remembered. 
Although he usually saw Lendric in his elven form, the powerful sorcerer was a
gold dragon, who bore a pair of emerald green eyes in either dragon or elven
form.

While the dragon could
alter his immense size to human/elven height when necessary—especially to fit
in an average room—Dominick had seen a few occasions of Lendric at his full
formidable dragon height which was even taller.

Thankfully, he was a
friend!

Dominick had first seen the
dragon in full-scale form when he’d been a child of seven, at the time never
having seen a dragon close-up.  Lendric had a soft spot for children, and
although his true form tended to frighten most youngsters initially, Dominick
hadn’t been frightened... merely awed.  He’d even boldly asked Lendric if he
could go flying with him.  The dragon laughed, pleased at his early signs of
fearlessness, and afterwards, he demonstrated that he could alter his form to
that of an elf, surprising the boy anew.

It had been several years
since Dominick had last seen Lendric in person—close to a decade in fact—but
dragons with their infallible memories always maintained respect towards their
friendships with humans, as Chaolyn, Roderlin, and Alysadaria had.  Since like
all dragons, Lendric was relatively ageless in either dragon or elven form, he
might look to be Dominick’s age or a few years older; however, in reality he
was many actual years older and still far from his prime.

Dragons held the record for
life spans.

“I remember him,” Dominick
replied finally, “but what does he have to do with my situation with Julianna?”

Silently mumbling about the
need to explain
everything
in detail to youngsters, Chaos finally
replied slowly and simply, “Lendric has demonstrated the power to travel
between worlds.”

Moments later, Dominick’s
energetic grin could have electrified the whole room with its enthusiasm.  “By
Chavernos, of course!  Didn’t he once mention many years ago that he’d made a
trip to another galaxy in the past?”

Chaos nodded once with a
knowing smile.  “That’s what I seem to recall.”

“Then Earth can’t be
impossible to reach after all.  Grandfather, this is just the news I’ve prayed
for!  Wait until Julianna hears.”

“Hold on, boy, before you
rush off to celebrate this news with your betrothed, I’d advise you not to get
your hopes too high.  For while Lendric might be able to travel between worlds
himself, there’s no guarantee that he can teleport someone with him.  Only he
has the answer to that, and you’d better discuss the matter with him first.”