The Lark Taps Twice

Chapter 28: Surrenders

The largest dragon reared up on shaky hind legs and shook the room with his incredible roar. The dome ceased its reflected attack, and the dreamstone resumed its normal reddish glow. Miriam and Jonatham met the dragon's eyes as he settled back onto all four feet in the uneasy quiet.

A new presence forced itself into Miriam's mind. ENOUGH! WE SURRENDER!

Jonatham's voice chimed in, As is right. Your strike was unprovoked and threatened the lives of the royal family! The sentence for such is public execution administered by those wronged, and it shall commence at daybreak. What have you to say for yourselves?

The great beast's head dropped lower with every word until its chin hovered a few inches off the floor. A JUST SENTENCE, YOUR MAJESTY. THANK YOU FOR NOT PROLONGING OUR SUFFERING, AS WOULD BE WITHIN YOUR AUTHORITY. WE WERE BLINDED BY PROMISES OF RICHES AND POWER. IT IS NOW CLEAR THOSE PROMISES WERE NEVER INTENDED TO BE FULFILLED. HOW MAY WE BALANCE THE SCALES BEFORE OUR END?

Miriam arched her eyebrow at Jonatham who immediately answered, "Remember I told you that magical animals are either neutral or evil and can change their orientation at will?" She nodded. "When a beast commits a capital crime and wishes to repent and return to a neutral status, they must make some kind of sacrifice, an act of goodness to balance the wickedness of their actions. What do you think they must do, my love, to counter the evil they have perpetrated?"

She frowned. "Why are you asking me? I have no idea how this custom works, so I'm unlikely to suggest something appropriate."

"On the contrary, you are the one of us who suffered the most by the actions of these beasts. I have seen your memories of my death, felt your grief tear at my own soul, tasted the tears of your defeat before your eventual triumph. There is no one better to assign the sacrifice of balance than you, Mir."

She was considering his words when a blast of heat scored her sternum and shifted the floor beneath her. A glance at Jonatham told her he was similarly affected, while the dragons looked on in confusion. What was that?

THAT, my love, is the start of the bonding frenzy. You should make your decision with haste, for this is only the beginning.

Miriam understood at once his meaning and with effort focused her attention on the dragon's presence in her mind. Here is what you must do: I require the names of those who convinced you to attack this place and those within. Not only the names will you confess, but all details you know of any of their plans, not merely information pertaining to this incident.

In your confession, you will tell where we may find these criminals, both where you last spoke with them and any knowledge of their movements and hiding places. You must also use your mind links to communicate with your brethren that they are to assist in the apprehension of those who hired you. Finally, you shall make this confession to your king who awaits in the next chamber and will investigate everything to ensure the truth has been told before you shall be granted the mercy of death. Do you accept your sacrifice?

All five dragons growled and bowed low, curling their necks to rest their foreheads on the dirty floor. The leader spoke WE ACCEPT. SEND OUT THE KING THAT WE MAY BEGIN. THERE IS MUCH TO TELL.

A lightning bolt scorched Miriam's abdominal organs, and a wave of vertigo sent her upper body crashing into Jonatham's just as he jerked toward her. Shudders shook the two of them as they huddled together, the dragons still as statues around them.

When the wave of symptoms had passed, Jonatham panted, "We are out of time. Come quickly, Mir." Abruptly he stood, pulling her upright with him, and dashed back to the door. Without a word, they pounded on the portal with the hands still clasping the dreamstone.