Book of Ellagar

Chapter 3: Growing Pain

Stepping toward the hissing dragon, Thelara called out her voice calm yet firm. "We are the guardians of these children. We come in peace. "Thelara's bronze scales gleamed like armor. The dragon cocked its head, the hissing fading into the night. Ellagar watched, her breath held. What would it do?

The dragon stared at Thelara, then turned its gaze to Ellagar. Its deep eyes boring into her, and she felt a strange connection. A kinship. A brush across her mind. It was seeing into her very soul; it understood the weight she carried. His voice touched her mind, "Cousin, show me these..." It paused pondering, "...children."

Ellagar lifted the sleeping Ardvek, and she could track the dragon's puzzled probing. Verak stepped forward placing his small form between his brother and the dragon, "Leave him be, he is my brother!"

The dragon cocked his head at Verak's ferocity and spoke aloud, "No humans may enter here, and live. Yet - you are not humans. Puzzling. There is a binding magic at work here that blinds my sight, but not my nose."

It took a step closer, its wings spreading slightly before folding back. It was not an attack posture but a show of respect. "Very well, little one, we will consider." With a final, soft hiss, it turned and disappeared back into the waters.

Their camp was left in silence, the tension dissipating. Thelara looked to Ellagar, her eyes questioning. "It must be a sign," Ellagar murmured, her heart still hammering in her chest. "We are not alone in this task."

Thelara nodded solemnly. "Perhaps we have gained a potential ally? Or clearly at least a silent judge of our worthiness." She let out a breath, "Either way, this dragon's presence is a clear message: the world is watching. The Concordance will not be pleased."

Ellagar cast a worried glance over her younglings - her children. Yes, she thought the world is watching, even if Grandmother is not. Over a year now and still nothing.

The night passed uneventfully, the voices of the swamp returning to their soothing lullabies. The dragon did not reappear, but Ellagar felt its presence nearby. As dawn broke, she felt this part of the swamp had accepted them. For now. They had passed a first test, and she knew other challenges lay ahead.

Verak shared fish that he had caught with Ardvek. Verak stared at her, the ancient spark back, "Why is a green dragon in the swamp?"

Ellagar smiled, "You paid attention during lessons, youngling. That is not green dragon. But an emerald one. Still, I am surprised to see them here."

"Emerald? You did not tell me about..."

"Shush Verak, now is not the time," said Ellagar. "Let's get moving."

The group broke camp, their steps a lighter. As they walked Ellagar could feel a presence moving parallel to their path. The dragon shadowed then now without hissing- her scales still rose at the danger. Verak grumbled, clearly wanting to ask more questions.

The group trekked deeper into the swamp, the vegetation now denser, the air thick with the scent of stagnant water and the feel of ancient magic. The trees twisted into gnarled shapes, their limbs reaching out from the stagnant waters like the arms of the drowned. Both children remained silent, their eyes wide with wonder and a hint of fear. Ellagar heard the swamp's voice clearly now, no longer of two minds, guiding them easily towards the ancient black dragon's sanctuary.

Verak hovered near Ardvek to protect him. "Its okay brother, I am here to watch over you." Ardvek took his hand.

As darkness fell the hisses returned growing more frequent, the shadows growing with each hiss. Ellagar's scales prickled with every sound, her senses heightened. Thelara whispered, "There is more than one - I think they are talking?" The group was being watched. Ellagar tried to change course, and the hissing drove her back on course. Thelara's gaze was sharp, her hand never far from her staff. "We are being herded."