Rise of the Darkness

Concerns

Jheecu

Just over a dozen younglings run around their mother in the vast breeding chamber, all just beginning to morph into adult form. Hints of tan, purple, red and blue scales brightening the dulling grey; the shrinking of forelegs on the future swift dragons and reshaping of wings; scales changing shape and texture; some growing at accelerated rates while others slowing down. The stages of morphing, an exciting time for hatchlings and mothers alike. But no signs of green, of a human like gait emerging. No conjurer.

"It was the same spell used for your brood, and the same first sire, which led to one success. But only one, and only once. I do not understand."

The mother, a strength dragon, lowered her head at me and the dragon who spoke, Yervan son of Frentkal. Disappointment clearly shaped her expression. "We thought maybe I misspoke that one time, and it made things better. But what if the mother has anything to do with it?" Yervan asked.

"Is that why you brought me here?" I ask. This summons is the first I have received from those working on breaking the Curse, even after I announced Novayar's type. That had excited them, and they revealed that Harogbas had a spell tied to him in hopes that my brood could become conjurers. But they said little more to me, especially since I told them I could no longer bear young and could not be subject to such experiments.

"Yes, Jheecu. I would like to do a magical inspection of both you and Lineeta to see what differences there might be between you two. A thorough inspection, if you do not mind. It will not help the handful of unmorphed nests we are watching, but hopefully anything we find will yield fruit years from now."

Lineeta flared her nostrils. She looks no more excited about this than I am. But both of us desire a return of the conjurers. It is not my main concern, as too much time will pass before enough conjuring dragons can be hatched and trained to make any difference. But I will admit their skill with magic, if as great as legends say, just might help prevent too many dragons from being killed when we reveal ourselves. If only those plans could come together. I have indeed been summoned a few times for experiments from those teams.

"I do not mind," Lineeta said weakly. "I would like to know why I failed."

"You did not fail. You have no control over the forms of your brood. Unknown factors are at work, factors we must identify to bring success. Lineeta, find someone to watch your nest, then follow us to the health room."

The spirit dragon, younger than me but not at all youthful, stiffly walked away while mumbling to himself. Instead of following Yervan, I watched the hatchlings as Lineeta asked other mothers to watch her nest. Of course, a male would not understand how quickly a brood of hatchlings could wander off. Just searching for another dragon to watch them is long enough for their stomachs are empty enough, and when they morph, their stomachs are always empty.

A swift dragon volunteered to watch them, one nearing time to lay her own eggs. Lineeta hurried away from the cavern, walking in a long stride only strength dragons like us can match.

"Not Yervan, but another of his helpers is getting frustrated at the lack of success," she said, rounding a corner and walking down the main corridor into the mountain. "It makes me nervous."

I snort. Nervous? This helper dragon should be nervous about Lineeta, for I have no doubt he is a puny spirit dragon. And likely one with impatience issues. "They must be patient. And hopeful. But ultimately their failures are their own fault, not yours or mine. They misunderstand something."

"What?" Lineeta turns a corner, glancing at me for a moment before continuing.

"I don't know. Not my place here. I'm not a thinker. These complex spells and problems are far above my ability to comprehend."