The Dragon's Key

In the midst of the vase's remains was a silver key about the size of Fred's hand. At the base of the key was a large circular hole, through which was threaded a fine chain made of a loop of silver links about a meter long. Jutting from the base of the key was a straight piece of metal. Fred picked it up carefully, in order not to cut himself, and examined the teeth of the key. It was crafted very well; there were far more teeth on the key than Fred had ever seen. What sort of lock would have this many wards, and what sort of locksmith could have made it?

Fred placed the chain around his neck, and allowed Astra to look at it, to see if she had any ideas as to what it could be. Velus, also curious, took a look, and seemed to know something.

Being a dog, it was difficult to communicate. To get Fred and Astra's attention, he stood up on his hind legs, and started to bark. This was his way of letting them know that he had something to say. Next, he pointed to the key with his right forepaw, and barked twice. He was silent, and barked twice again.

"What is it, boy?" asked Fred. "Two barks? Is that a yes or no?"

Velus whined softly.

"I don't think that is what he is trying to say." Astra offered. "Are there two keys?"

Velus wagged his tail with great energy.

"Two keys. Velus, do you know who owns them?"

Velus wagged his tail again, and nodded his head with some difficulty, as this was not a natural motion for his body.

"I would say that he definitely knows. But how are we going to find out?"

Indeed Velus could say no more. As he could do little more than write his name when he was human, he could convey little more information. Velus knew that the keys were part of the dragon's system of keeping track of his minions. Certain important servants of the dragon had what was known as a "public" key. They could go to specific places within the Shrecken and drop messages or plunder. The public keys would open the strongboxes so that objects could be inserted, but not necessarily withdrawn. The boxes had two chambers. Items placed in the first chamber could be opened by the public key as well. Typically, these contents would be the orders of the day, and certain useful items that would allow the minions to carry out the dragon's orders. The other chamber could only be opened by the dragon's private key. Here were the most confidential communications, for the dragon's eyes only, and most valuable items.

Velus had learned about this through overhearing conversations by the dragon's minions and observing the operation of one of the lockboxes. He even knew who two of the dragon's servants were. One name would have shocked Fred, and the other would have equally surprising to Astra, if only he could find a way to let them know. However, he knew of no way of conveying this information to Fred and Astra.

1. Velus dashes off and leads Fred and Astra to one of the strongboxes.

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