Book of Ellagar

Chapter 5: Tricks

Ellagar nodded, feeling a cold chill run down her spine. What had been unleashed here? What would Grandmother say about Ardvek's connection to a Mother Tree? But she had no time to ponder these questions. The dragon spoke again, "You must leave this place. The Dragon Cult is aware of your presence here. The ripples of power unleashed will have spread far and wide."

The dragon's voice was solemn as he surveyed the damage caused by the cultists. The swamp across the way and the water surrounding the island had borne the brunt of the battle. It was now a murky soup of blood, magic, and abominations. Ellagar shuddered at the thought of the aftereffects on that water and the surrounding land.

Looking at the dragon with a frown, she said, "Forgive me, great one, but I do not believe you gave me a name by which I may address you. How should I call you?"

He seemed to ponder her request. "Indeed, I did not. I thought my involvement would be brief and inconsequential. Grandmother neglected to mention some details about what was being asked. She is like that." The dragon sighed, "I sense that you are not leaving. If that is the case, it seems I will be drawn into this matter longer than anticipated." He looked away.

"Two of my sisters are dead in the swamp groves, their light extinguished and their scales dull. We have all been wounded." He glanced toward the far bank, where the remaining four sisters rested, their wings drooping with exhaustion and pain.

The dragon's eyes flickered to Ellagar; his expression inscrutable. She felt his mind touch hers. "We have lost two of our kin to this madness," he communicated telepathically. "Their spirits are torn. They will not return to us, even in the great rebirth. The Dragon Cult used powerful magic and many resources to make this strike. How did they know you would be here?"

Ellagar took an involuntary step back from his glare, feeling the weight of his accusation. She had no answer for him. The whispers of the swamp grew quieter as if the very plants were holding their breath, waiting for her response. She swallowed hard, her throat dry, and projected her thoughts back to him: "I do not know, great one. We followed Grandmother's guidance. We sought only refuge and protection."

She suddenly realized why he was speaking mind to mind. Grandmother could not hear this conversation. "Do you think Grandmother let them know? But for what purpose?"

The dragon's gaze softened a fraction. "I do not know. Sometimes she has reasons that even she does not know. Her ways are not for us to understand. But here you are no longer safe. You must leave." He saw her glance at the tree and misunderstood. "I will speak to the others. The Mother Tree can protect itself, but we can watch and aid if needed. "

Ellagar felt a knot of fear tighten in her stomach. If Grandmother had led them into a trap, what did that mean for her and the children? For their task? The swamp and the island whispered in her mind, calm and reassuring. "Stay." She knew that this was where they needed to be. Sending, "I am sorry, great one. All I know is this is where we need to be. For now. But you do not need to stay; we will be safe. I do not know why or how, but I know this to be true." Ellagar shifted uncomfortably under his unwavering gaze, "There is something that still needs to happen here."

He bowed, fanning his wings, and speaking aloud, "As you wish, my lady. No doubt the cult will need time to rebuild their resources. This battle cost them dearly. As it cost us also. You may call me Sageclaw. We will be close by. First, we will attend to our fallen." He turned to the dragons, his voice a roar that shook the swamp. "Gather your strength. We must honor our fallen sisters. Their scales will not lie here to be picked by scavengers."

Ellagar watched as the dragons took to the skies, their forms shrinking into the night. Thelara had fallen asleep from exhaustion, her breath shallow. The battle had taken a toll on all of them, especially the younglings. She turned to the children, who were awake now and clinging to each other, their eyes wide with shock. Verak had shifted back to his human form, but Ellagar could see the shadows of his draconic nature lurking just beneath the surface.