The Adventures of Raegor

II

The dragons soared overhead in the capital city, Krakarji. The people of the city never tired of seeing the dragon riders train overheard. A huge purple dragon looped over a green one, and its rider, a powerful human Mage shouted something to the young halfling on the green one, who's dragon soared up into the air then dived fast, swooping down like a hurricane. A whoop of admiration came from the ground below.

But both the dragons soon tired and glided down over the sandstone city to the large raised stone area outside the palace.

"Good" said Vrandís, the human rider. He had a low voice. His dragon ring flashed on his palm, a deep shade of violet.

"Thank you, Vrandís Drake-Mava." replied the halfling, Pálmo. He had a slight build and a higher voice. His dragon ring was emerald green.

"Yes, thank you Master" replied Hermall, Pálmos dragon, talking with her mind. All dragons and riders, as well as some very well-trained others, could communicate mentally with a dragon ring.

"Yes, you have improved on your swoops but you need to have more stamina" said Vrandís dragon, Krela.

"We will try" said Pálmo.

They turned and began to walk into the palace. When they reached the door they turned and looked out across the city. Sandstone domes and towers spread out in every direction. Fountains and markets covered the streets. Krakarji was beautiful in the evening light.

But beyond the city was the inhospitable desert covered in dark clouds. Krakarji was built around a large oasis which was now accommodated underneath the palace so no-one could starve the city out. Elvish Mages used powerful weather spells to keep the city in sun but where their magic faltered outside of the city evil things bred. That was one of the rider's jobs- to stop any goblins or hostile dragons from attempting to take the city.

Inside the palace they took a right turn to a corridor marked "Mage Training". It was cool in the palace and there were potted plants and vines in the walls as well as plush red carpets on the floor and dozens of servants ready to cater for the riders and the royal family's every need. In the Mage training room there was a large metal target for attack spells. Pálmo thought once that it was the strongest piece of metal in the land (save of course the blades of riders swords) because of the elvish protection spells embedded in it.

"Use an Emerald Energy Spell against the shield Pálmo." said Vrandí.

"Must I use the old word Sæli Master?" Pálmo asked. Riders didn't have to use words for magic normally- the spell fed off the strength of their bond embedded in the ring but weaker riders and normal spellcasters had to use ancient word-keys to unlock spells.

"Yes" replied Vrandí.

Pálmo took a deep breath.

"Sæli" he whispered. Out of his outstretched hands shot a bolt if green light. It headed towards the target with lightning speed. They hit with a huge explosion, covering the room with fire. Vrandí and Pálmo's wards protected them from the inferno but by the time the smoke cleared, the room was devastated.

Vrandí was shocked. "Pálmo... Was that you?"

Pálmo was standing staring bewildered at his hands. He slowly shook his head. He looked up and his fear showed on his halfling face.

"I cast the spell- but something, something strange altered the magic. It felt dark, and immensely powerful."

Outside the city in an elvish outpost Balakabad, one of the mages dedicated to keeping Krakarji's weather warm cast another spell to ward of the rain and thunder. But as he spoke the ancient words, something touched them, altered them. Balakabad shrugged. If anything evil was afoot, his elvish wards would protect him.

Suddenly there was a crack of thunder and rain poured down in waves. He looked around in shock. His spell was meant to remove the clouds not summon them.

Vrandí saw the rain and lightning from the palace walls. Nothing small gets past elvish spells, he thought. Then he realised.

Necromancy was afoot.