Book of Ellagar

Chapter 16: Layers

Her eyes opened and the warm bark of the Mother Tree pulsed against her head. It was early morning. Her head swam, and she felt stiff even wrapped in a warm woven blanket.

She moved and felt ancient parchment crackle in her hand. That had really happened. She stared at the object marked in ancient runes and read the meaning, 'The WyrmLore'. She had never thought to touch this vile writing. Her hands trembled as she held it, feeling the weight of its secrets pressing around her, a cold dread seeping into her bones. She knew she had to face them. She slowly unrolled it, the material of the scroll protesting, the ancient pages crackling under her fingers. The opening words spoke of a hidden truth, of power. Of things that, once again, Grandmother had kept from her. The air around her seemed to grow colder, and her heart pounded in her chest.

"Grandmother," she whispered, her voice a mix of disgust and fear. "Why did you write this?"

Ellagar's heart pounded as she quickly scanned the scroll, her fingers seeming to know when to stop. 'The final egg will...' Her heart raced. Was this the key fact she needed? Why did the WyrmLore mention this? It was not just a symbol of unity but a key to an ancient power that could reshape the world. A surge of determination coursed through her. This was her destiny, and she would face it head-on.

She looked up as Thelara approached, carrying a mug of tea and a bowl of berries, her friend's eyes filled with concern. "Ellagar, welcome back from your travels. What have you found?" Thelara's strong hand rested on Ellagar's shoulder, a welcome reminder of their connection to each other. The touch lingered, sending a comforting warmth through Ellagar.

Ellagar eagerly sipped the honey-laced tea, realizing how hungry and thirsty she was. "What do you mean, travels? I was only speaking with the tree for one night."

Thelara tilted her head, her expression a mix of confusion and worry. "Longer. A week, in fact. You vanished and only reappeared this morning." Her eyes searched Ellagar's face, as if reassuring herself that her friend was truly back.

Ellagar sat stunned. "What? How? I'm sorry..." her voice trailed off, her gaze dropping to Thelara's hand still resting on her shoulder.

Thelara smiled softly. "I knew you were safe with the Mother Tree, and still you were missed." She squeezed Ellagar's shoulder gently before letting go. "How in the world have you managed these two dragon-spawn? What do you have?" Thelara glanced at the scroll lying now on the ground as Ellagar ate, her eyes lingering on Ellagar's face with a hint of something more than concern.

Ellagar took a deep breath, her voice steadying. "Thelara, we have a new path to follow. One that changes everything. This writing, this thing... it's the gospel of the Dragon Cult. 'The WyrmLore' itself. An original copy. The cult, the Wyrm Lords, they hate Grandmother, but she wrote it. She shaped them. She's been manipulating them, just like she manipulates everyone."

Thelara's eyes widened in shock, then narrowed with resolve. "Then let's make a plan. We need to be prepared for whatever lies ahead."

Ellagar reached up to pull Thelara to sit beside her. "It is urgent, yet it can wait. Be with me. Tell me how you are. Truly are. I can see something is not right. Yes, you told me the... your..." Ellagar struggled for words, finally settling on plain ones. "Your death has had consequences. You are not whole. And spending a week with Mother Tree has changed how I see energy flow."

Thelara sagged, looking away. "The swamp is beautiful in the morning. I love the way the mist swirls even without wind. See that heron—the way he hunts frogs. We are blessed to be here, in this place, feeling the balance. Let's just enjoy this moment. The quiet..." Thelara rambled on, and Ellagar let her, simply reaching to pull Thelara against her side. Thelara's head rested against her shoulder. Finally, Thelara stopped talking, and Ellagar glanced at her companion. Her eyes were closed, her breathing quick and shallow.

Ellagar waited, knowing silence would open the door. Thelara released a long, ragged sigh. "I wasn't going to feel sorry for myself. I was just going to pretend it would be alright. The beast, the abominations we fought, they summoned. You know what they do—they feed on souls. Like great black leeches, they slip inside and take your life, bit by bit. Ardvek somehow used the energy of the Mother Tree to slow it, but it is still there. This thing, this..." Thelara released a small, soft sob. "It isn't fair. Not the dying part—that I will have to leave you when I just found you."

Ellagar turned, taking Thelara's hands, looking into her eyes. She let her magic flow through Thelara and found the sense of darkness inside her friend. A slow, pulsing heart of pure malevolence. Its tendrils wrapped around Thelara's own energy. Ellagar saw the energy of the Mother Tree wrapped around the darkness like amber. "We can destroy it, we can. Can't we, Thelara?" Ellagar held her breath, already knowing the answer and hoping she was wrong.

Thelara shook her head slowly, tears welling in her eyes. "It's too late, Ellagar. The darkness is too deep. I can feel it growing stronger every day. But we have to make the most of the time we have left. Promise me, you'll keep fighting. For both of us."

Thelara smiled wistfully, "My sweet, you know we cannot. Sageclaw took me to a great healer in the Empire. As you have seen, I cannot risk using my druidic powers as I need to fight it. They warned me not to channel, it feeds the darkness and makes it stronger. I can use my inner talents to still battle. I am still a warrior."

Ellagar sat feeling small and helpless. "I refuse to accept this—there must be a way!"

Thelara nodded, her eyes softening with a mix of determination and sorrow. "Oh, there is a way to destroy it. If I die before it kills me, then it will be destroyed. My life force sustains it, and it has no way home. But I must truly die—my soul released to the great rebirth that is for all dragon souls. Thelara, as this body, this form, will be no more. I am not ready to do that, my clutch-partner. I will not leave you until I know you are safe." She reached out, gently squeezing Ellagar's hand, her touch a comforting anchor in the storm of emotions.

Ellagar suddenly sat up, a tingle of danger running through her senses. "Where are the younglings? Something has happened..."

They were up and running before she knew it—her stiff muscles protesting. Her senses pulled her towards a small pile of rocks and shrubs. Ardvek was kneeling, crying as angry pixies pelted him with sticks and stones. Verak stood over him, swiping at the pixies and using his own body to shield Ardvek. "It was an accident; leave him alone!"

The air was filled with the high-pitched shrieks of the pixies, their tiny wings buzzing furiously. Ellagar's heart pounded in her chest as she saw the small, sprawled body of a pixie crumpled on the earth, blood around her head. Ardvek's sling lay nearby, and not far from the pixie, a bloodied stone. Ellagar channeled all her might into a single command, "Stop!"

The surge of power from Ellagar pushed the pixies back, and the branches of the plants shook violently. Thelara rushed to protect the boys, glaring at the pixies. The chaos was overwhelming, with pixies darting everywhere, their angry voices blending into a cacophony.

Ellagar moved toward the fallen pixie, hoping she could do something. Maybe it could be healed? Angry pixies darted in front of her, blocking her path. A sharp, high-pitched angry voice spoke from behind her. "What have you done? Who has slain my child?"