Dragon Wolf Hero
Chapter 2
Eohnin was relieved when the king of the northern lands decided to listen to his concerns. “The transformation of humans into wild creatures is making all three of the magic circles unstable. The original intent of the magic circles was to provide safe and faster travel between the continents. Are you prepared to become a full dragon when the magic circle is gone?”
Vor raged in frustration. “Yes! Who told you these things?”
Eohnin said, “The last creature who foolishly decided to become a dragon. The king of the dwarves. The transformation caused him to horde the wealth in the mountains as his own, forcing his people to abandon the mines. I met him, before the transformation, nice young man at the time.”
Vor wanted answers. “No true dragons live in this world! I know because I speak the hidden language of the dragons.”
“Perhaps.”
Vor said, “And what about me?”
The elf ambassador smiled. “The problem of the magic circle? I think a journey to the library of Nrinam is best. Look for the oldest of seasonal charts, from a time when the weather was predictable.”
Vor searched his desk for a map. “The seasonal charts from the time before humans? Like this one?”
Eohnin studied the chart and was slow to continue. He understood the dangers from memories over a thousand years in the past.
Vor sat behind the large desk and started into a void. “The whole of the human world is in danger?”
“The monsters escaping the hidden realms below the mountain are here because the magic circle no longer protects the mines. The dungeon forming under the northern lands is simply the birthplace of the monsters.”
Sennranor rushed into the room ignoring a cold glance from her brother. “Vor, the magic circle is gone!”
Eohnin said, “Sister, why are you here?”
Sennranor took Vor out of the room, holding his hand and led him to the last know oracle stone. The dungeon of the castle was lit with oil lamps and a group of advisors waited patiently for the king. “The five lesser advisors who chose the wolf form searched the cave last night. The valley is resonating with an ancient power, one the elves fought and defeated to keep the empire of Illam from sinking into the sea, but this was long ago. I trained for centuries to prevent the danger from returning to the empire.”
Vor said, “The elves are story tellers, and often invent problems larger than the real world in which we live. I was told the first storm of the season is approaching, perhaps the weather is your concern?”
Eohnin soon reached the chamber and interrupted. “Sennranor fought the ancient power. I will tell you the true reason for my visit, the crystal core in the unground caverns of the north was found, and the source of the dungeon is the ancient power of the core. To find the knowledge you require to defeat the dungeon I recommend a visit to the immortal mage Nrinam.”
Vor laughed. “No time for a visit to the library. The empire of Illam sent the one ambassador with perfect memory recall, so please share the advice Nrinam would give in this situation.”
Sennranor was furious and shouted. “Do not address Eohnin with such a casual tone! Nrinam saved the elves and will save the humans if you seek his advice.”
Vor sighed. “The magic circle was the source of our power, but I will do what I can. I would like advice on how to locate another magic circle.”
Sennranor continued. “The magic circles should stay gone!”
Eohnin said, “Sister, the words of the immortal mage should not be taken seriously. The scrolls in the library, however, are worth reading. The mage was too proud of his accomplishments to write a lie in the sacred scrolls.”
Vor stepped into the conversation. “And how do you know this?”
Eohnin laughed. “The mage is dishonest by nature. So I cursed him.”
The lesser advisor named Yyin approached Vor with a deep bow. “The spell wears off in 50 years, but in human terms the spell is a lifetime. I was told this by the magic circle.”
Sennrenaor smiled. “Nrinam gifted the circle with human speech? No wonder the humans so effortlessly stole the power without a moment of caution.”
Eohnin disagreed. “The transformation magic circle is based on denying our true forms. Sister, are you flirting with the king? I watched you step closer with every word and now you’re practically standing in his shadow!”
Vor dared a glance at the warrior elf and she looked away. He said, “The dragon and the wolves transformations saved this kingdom.”
The walls of the dungeon shook as the castle above was blanketed with the weight of sudden heavy snowfall.
Yyin said, “The dragon form is not well suited to the colder weather. I advise the king to leave the northern lands.”
Vor raised his voice, standing with the command of a leader, and dismissed the group. “Sennranor, do you like adventure? I think we should go look for the dungeon core, interested? Eohinin, the last of my advisors, the ambassadors from the elven kingdom, and the last of the castle defenders will leave within the hour. Yyin, as the fastest member of the wolf pack and will clear the path.”
Sennreanor pointed to the ornately decorated table supporting a large blue stone in the center of a small dungeon chamber.
Vor turned to the warrior elf, trusting her to be the advisor he needed to carry out his plan to save the north lands. “Sennranor, I can hear the oracle stone whispering to my dragon form about a gate in the well, the place where I found the magic circle and dared to risk the transformation. The magic circle we found is one of three and when all three vanish the transformation will become permanent. To avoid this fate, I command my trusted advisors to find the remaining two circles. I wish the dwarves were here to guide us in the caverns…”
Yyin shouted, “I will lead the search.”
The lesser advisors ran from the room.
Eohnin said, “The oracle stone is a curious relic from the last dragon who lived in the north. The heart of the missing dwarven king.”
Grald, Ree-Nin and Yyin met the group as they entered the courtyard. “The first winter storm is here.”
The courtyard with in a state of confusion as the storm gathered strength.
The hero, a woman with long green hair and blue armor, walked unnoticed into the castle, found the entrance to the old dwarven mines, and discovered the last know location of the first magic circle.
The secret fate of the northern dwarven kingdom was her mission, but finding the last king and his oracle heart was her personal reason to brave the long journey. She carved her name at the entrance to a great hall. “Wilstra, the mage has returned from the Dragons Den.”
© J. Bateman
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