A Key to Power

The dragon had a flash of understanding. It was an insight that had cleared up a mystery that had been gnawing at him since he had set up his kingdom's seat in the caves. The previous inhabitants had access to much arcane art that he could not seem to find or understand. He was aware that there was a key somewhere. That this key would rest with the prosaic, skeptical Dolomite League was incredible. Yet he sensed that Astra's armour had changed into an common and harmless cloth just as Checkers' song had finished.

He looked at the frail and resentful speciman before him. He had tried reading her mind, but the Dolomites were always difficult to understand. They often would think in that damned difficult Dolomite language - ironically now, the possible key to unlocking the magic - and it had never been worth Minestus' time to learn it. And in rare journeys to their land, which contained little of value compared to the Havnheim or lands to the south of the Shreken, he had never seen the effects of the arcane art. Perhaps the effect was in the language itself? He was aware that the Gliders had discourage and suppressed some of the old tales -- could it have been to supress the language itself? Could it be that the magic somehow was localized so that it did not apply on the Dolomite Range, or to the Dolomite race? So far, it seemed that all the Glider's words were doing was breaking previous spells or restoring things back to the way they were at a previous time - she was not actually creating or destroying matter or life. That would certainly mesh with what he knew about their conservative society. Or perhaps the Dolomites were sandbagging, and they had more power than they advertised. He did know one thing -- this little Glider had absolutely no idea what she was doing, and could not control these effects. While he could not read all of her thoughts, he could sense that she was playing for time, hoping just to survive until the next minute -- not the attitude of someone who is aware that she has the power to undo his enchantments.

The stakes were higher now. Although she was the proverbial loose cannon, the life of this Glider could be worth sparing, at least until he could squeeze her dry of what she knew. Then he could safely discard her as one would an orange rind.

Astra distorted her face and spread her fingers into an imitation of dragon's claws, and pointed to the tunnel. Fred understood - - Astra, who had had experience with the dragon, sensed the creature's presense! He must get up into the tunnel. But how? He set his sword down, and looked at the huge pile of rubble against the broad side of the wall of the keystone room. He looked at a slab of stone, and removed it to just under the tunnel. It would take a while, but if he could move enough stone, he and Astra might be able to clamber the artificial hill and reach the tunnel. Astra had the same idea, and took another slab from the wall and laid it beside Fred's. Soon they organized a two person chain, Fred removing stones, carrying them about half-way to Astra, and Astra carrying them the rest of the way and placing them under the tunnel.

1. The pile of stones under the tunnel was stable, and Fred and Astra were able to climb into the tunnel.
2. Before the pile of stones under the tunnel grew to where they could climb on it, Fred noticed a ray of light darting from a hole uncovered in the wall.
3. Minestus realizes he made an error...

Add New Option

Go Back

View Forward Story Tree
View Back Story Tree