World Of Fire (Arula: Five)

Chapter 10

Jason felt uncertain as he followed in behind Karma and the big red dragon up the steep mountain slope. Just moments ago the dragon nearly killed them, now its allowing them to follow it into the mountain. For all I know its leading us to our death, Jason thought. He watched as Karma tried to keep up the red beast as the dragon moved swiftly and easily up the slope. For Jason and the others it was bit of a challenge, especially for Dagner, for his stumpy legs struggled to walk up the slope. Jason stopped trying to keep up and fell back towards Omar and Mika. "Question." He said to them. "So what did Karma exactly say to the dragon? I didn't know she can speak another language." Omar laughed and patted Jason on the back.

"She spoke dragon tongue. It's the only tongue she ever care to really learn to speak." Omar said. "As for what they were talking about, it's a bit fuzzy. We don't speak fluent dragon tongue. It was among the words of business."

"Yes," Mika said. "Karma figured that she would make friends with at least one clan member and they would translate if needed to. But most of us know the human tongue so it was never really necessary."

"Huh." Jason said thoughtfully. "You would think she would." Again, Omar laughed and Mika smiled.

"Then you don't Karma as well as you thought, Jason, but don't worry you will." Omar said. Behind them they could hear Dagner huffing and puffing from the long walk.

"Oi!" He called. "Are we there yet, I dear say I don't think I can make much longer."

"We're nearly there." The dragon called back in a human tongue. "The trek isn't too long." Dagner snorted.

"Easy for you said, long legs." Dagner muttered and kept walking. Jason once more slowed down so that he was walking side by side with the dwarf.

"Just take it one step at a time," Jason said. "I won't leave your side we'll make it up together." Dagner grinned and slapped Jason on the back.

"You're good one, lad." Dagner told Jason. "I can say for me and the others that we're glad you're here."

"Why you say that?" Jason asked and Dagner grinned. 

"Because Karma needs someone like you. She may have us, but we're basically fictional, made up of paper and ink. Your real and from her world. She needs someone to keep her steady." Jason felt alarmed by this.

"What you mean?"

"You'll find out soon, lad." Was all the dwarf told him.

Karma had finally managed to catch up with the red dragon who again moved easily up the mountain slope. "So you've waiting for me?" She asked him.

"Of sorts." The dragon replied. "We've been waiting for you and your predecessors for every generation." Karma slowed at this. Realizing she was falling behind the dragon, she jogged back up.

"Predecessors? Generations? What do you mean by that?!" The dragon didn't answer.

"It is best if we wait until you see it for yourself. Then I will explain." Karma didn't like this. What did the dragon mean by that?

"Fine," Karma said. "Can I at least have your name?"

"I am Asluk, guardian of these Mountains." The dragon, Asluk, told Karma. "Now it would be wise to save the rest of your questions for later." Karma huffed but said nothing more. She looked back at her friends to see that they were little ways behind her and Asluk. Omar and Mika easily kept up with them for their long legs made it easy for them. Jason walked with Dagner who struggled to keep up. This made Karma smiled and made her even more certain about her decision that she going to make once this mission had succeeded.

A few more climbs later, Karma felt the slope start to level out. She let out a breath of relief. Karma hated climbing. "We're here." Asluk said stepping off to the side to let Karma and others up. Once on the flat surface, Karma and her friends took a moment to catch their breaths, especially Dagner. The dwarf leaned against a boulder and pulled out his flask. He went to take a drink but only to find out that it was empty.

"Figures." The dwarf grumbled and shoved the flask back in his belt. Soon after Karma had caught her own breath and taken a swing of water from her canteen, she took the chance to look at her surroundings. They were a top of a small platform that could fit up to two or three dragons. It was nothing but rocks and bushes and from the edge of the flat landing, the desert stretched as far as the eye could. A plain of nothingness. Karma turned around to a gaping cave opening a few feet from where she stood.

"Through here." Asluk said motioning his head for them to enter. Karma went to enter but stopped shortly.

"Are you going to tell us anything?" She said but Asluk just looked at her with his golden eyes. "Right," She mumbled. "Have to see it for myself." Karma looked at her friends and shrugged. "Alrighty then, guys, let's go." She looked at the big red dragon. "You lead then." Asluk said nothing as he entered the cave first followed by Karma and the others.

The tunnel was dark and long. It eventually led them to a large room. The room could easily fit an entire village. To the left of the room, Karma noticed four circular indents that were carved in the stony wall a few feet from the ground. The indents were large enough to fit a dragon, which Karma quickly came to realize that they were nests. Looking around the rest of the large room, Karma saw three other tunnels leading to who knows where. There was also a doorway off to the other side of the room that was too small for a dragon to fit, but perfect if you were a human. Karma raised her eyebrows at this, questions bubbling in her mind.

"This is our quarters. It is where we dragons sleep." Asluk said walking inside the room and settling himself in the center.

"Not much room for a whole clan of dragons," Karma said. "Is there another quarters? And where are the other dragons?" Asluk snorted at her.

"You silly human, you really don't know do you?" He said cocking his head.

"Know what?" Karma challenged.

"There are only five dragons in existences in this world. Me, three others, and our queen. There aren't many of us, but it is necessary...There will soon be six of us, in due time, of course."

"What do you mean by that?" This was getting very strange and very scary. Asluk stood up and walked to one of the three tunnels.

"If you follow me, I will show you." Asluk then disappeared into the tunnel leaving Karma with no other option but to follow. Omar felt Mika him nudge softly.

"I know," he whispered to her. "I know." They too followed with Jason and Dagner were not too far behind. The tunnel they went through led to another large room, and what Karma saw, shocked her. Inside the room was a giant dragon. The dragon was a beautiful golden color with dark yellow spikes and horns to match its body. It had sapphire blue eyes that looked sad. The dragon was curled up and had its head staring blankly what looked to be a nest.

"Our queen." Asluk said softly as if afraid to say anything else louder. "You wanted to know why we were on high alert, now you see it."

"See-see what?" Karma was almost afraid to know the answer and what Asluk said next made her fully afraid.

"The queen's egg, our future and our heir, has been stolen."