The sudden feeling of weightlessness threatened to make Viola panic as it worked to overwhelm her.
"Concentrate. Focus on the vision within your mind." The voice was gentle and forceful at the same time. Viola knew it belonged to Mern, but the last thing she remembered him saying was an incantation. She wasn't able to understand the words he used; they were so advanced that the words befuddled her mind, but she saw an image in her thoughts. Though very small, the image resembled an island in a sea of swirling black colors. Each ring around the island was darker than the previous; each devoid of something specific. Love, fear, warmth, cold were all drained from her while she floated there, powerless to stop herself or to make herself continue on.
The panic threatened to seize hold of her once more; she never felt so helpless in her entire life. "I can't!" she cried out into the expanse, her voice was swallowed by one of the dark pools.
"You must. Concentrate or you shall remain here for eternity." Though the voice was gentle, she knew it would abandon her to float among the voids until time itself ran out. "Open your eyes and concentrate. Reach for it."
Open her eyes? The thought never occurred to her because she thought they were open! Everything appeared so vivid before her that Viola tried to close her eyes, to shut out the terrible sight of nothingness before her. "I can't!"
"You must."
The finality of those words struck her deep down, in a place she didn't know existed. There, a fire burned bright and fierce, attempting to drive the fear and darkness away by its intensity alone. From that spark, she found the strength to take control, if not of her surroundings, then of herself. With torturous effort, she fought back her fears, fought back the doubt and the helplessness that gave strength to the darkness until she forced her eyes open. While opening her eyes a sliver at first, she forced them open the rest of the way upon seeing the brightness waiting for her.
The ever-darkening bands surrounding her and the island were replaced with glorious, multicolored light. Viola felt the warmth and love return to her as well as fear and cold. Together, they gave her the strength to win against the fear and raise her hands towards the sliver of an island that was so far away but was now within reach. With her mind now clear and focused, Viola concentrated on the island as she'd been instructed.
The far off vision became solid rock beneath Viola's feet, and the vibrant colors that surrounded her were replaced by a clear night sky, though the stars above were strange to her. The ground that appeared green, lush, and inviting was now gray dirt and blackened rock. As Viola took her first breath, she expected it to be cold and still, but instead it filled her with an intense, vigorous energy. Curious, Viola bent to pick up a stone to examine it closer. The sudden shock it sent through her was pleasant, like a warm tingle that made her feel alive.
"I didn't think you'd succeed. For a moment, I thought I'd been mistaken." Viola turned to the familiar voice. She failed to notice her master standing a few feet away with his back to her, and his hands clasped behind his back. Without giving her a chance to respond, he continued, turning to face her with a proud smile on his face. "I'm glad to see I was mistaken."
Viola felt herself flush at the pride flowing from the old mage and regained her composure. "What is this place?"
Mern smiled. "Child, you are only the second mortal to set foot here. Welcome to the birth and death of the universe. Welcome to the Dragon's Graveyard."
Viola stood silent for a moment; she'd had so much happen to her in the last few minutes that it was difficult for her to understand it all. "The Dragon's Graveyard?" she repeated with a chill while looking around. For the first time, she noticed the skeletons, some as small as a house cat and others standing as tall as mountains. "But... I don't feel anything evil or sinister."
Mern burst into laughter. "And you never will, child. This is the place the Gods created for dragons to go when they die. Their power and blood are absorbed to be reused to continue the growth of every living being on our world."
"Then the... barrier..."
Mern nodded at her sudden understanding. "Is the defense of this plane against mortals. None may pass through it unless they master their own short comings and fears. Countless mages and sorcerers have tried, only to become lost in the blackness of their own doubts and fears."
Viola shivered as a chill shot up the length of her back. She nearly became lost due to her own weakness. If she hadn't had help... She bowed to Mern. Viola owed him more than she could ever say. "Thank you, Master. Without your aide, I would be lost."
Mern waved his hand, dismissing her gratitude. "Nonsense, child. More powerful wizards than myself have tried to come here. Like you, I had help, and like me, you will bring another here when the time is right. Your gratitude is neither wanted nor needed; we are but the chosen."
Viola listened, careful not to take offense at having her gratitude pushed aside without a second thought. She listened intently to what he told her. "The chosen for what?"
Mern smiled at her, her curiosity and hunger for knowledge proved to him that he had made the correct choice. "Your questions will be answered in due time. Until then, you have much to learn."
She looked around at their surroundings. "This is where you're to train me, then?"
Mern nodded. "This is the birthplace for everything, even magic. Here, your spells will be enhanced a hundredfold. As you master the secrets of the Dragon's Graveyard, you will be able to master magic you could only dream of. Then you'll become more powerful than any other."
Viola's eyes sparkled at his words; she was being offered everything she ever wanted. Somewhere in her heart, she felt a pang of concern for Janessa and the others.
Sensing her thoughts, Mern nodded. "Yes, you'll save your friends and they will honor you for it." He paused for a moment before continuing, "Have no fear, child, time has little meaning here. For everyday spent here, time moves only an hour in our world. You'll not be gone from them for long."
Seeing his apprentice's dark thoughts disappear, Mern continued, "Shall we begin?" Not waiting for an answer, he conjured a mystical beast from another dimension. "Defend yourself."
*****
The minutes seemed like hours as Fech sat waiting. For a gargoyle, it was a strange sensation as they were known to sit motionless for days at a time while they waited for prey to pass within striking distance. Had others of his kind been present, they would've thought him a disgrace, centuries of skill and cunning having been polluted by being around a human for his entire life. His own kind would have attacked and destroyed him for being weak long before then had he come across any of his brethren.
All of that held no meaning to him. Fech was and always would be Renard's pet. No amount of bestial grumbling from his natural senses would change that. As a result of his loyalty, he learned the ability to be eager, to crave action, be it rending a deer or a human. He wanted to destroy something, someone. His body ached for the adrenaline such an attack would bring. If his target fought back, so much the better.
Those hungry thoughts kept him entertained while also feeding his appetite. He was so intent on his daydreaming that Renard's shuffling of parchment startled him out of his reverie. When Renard looked over out of curiosity, Fech looked away ashamed.
"Eager to get a move on, are you?" Renard's voice was hard despite the smile he wore. Fech lowered his head a little further, but his master motioned for him to stop. "No need for that, my pet. You'll have your chance after nightfall."
Hearing that, Fech's mood improved. His master was being very gracious to him. Yes, at nightfall he would avenge his master. The gargoyle listened to every word while Renard gave him his instructions. It wouldn't be as much fun as he had originally hoped, but then, it would be a glorious massacre.
*****
"I tell you, I heard something."
"And I tell you, we'll get there sometime next week if we keep stopping every time you hear a squirrel shit." Galin wasn't happy. For what had to be the hundredth time in the last hour, the companions paused to investigate a strange sound Janessa heard. So far, they found nothing. "You're not an Elf, lass. You don't know the different sounds of the woods."
Janessa was indignant; it wasn't her fault Galin made enough noise to wake the dead. "And you do? Begging your pardon, but these ears make me the closest thing you have to an Elf." She motioned to her pointed ears as she spoke for emphasis. They were a trait she usually kept hidden by her hair, but due to the warm morning, she had pulled her hair back in a pony tail.
"If you were an Elf we'd be there by now," the Dwarf mumbled under his breath.
Before Janessa could respond, Gilliam put himself between the two of them. "Enough, both of you! This is no time to be acting like a pair of spoiled children." He turned to face Janessa. "You've been a great help, but I don't think there's an ambush waiting for us."
Janessa's face twisted into one of curiosity. "But if Berek was taken, they'll be expecting us."
"Not you two. If they were expecting a rescue, it'd be just me, remember?"
Galin's brow furrowed at first, then smoothed when he caught the cleric's thought. "Aye, lad, they wouldn't know I joined you, and I doubt Janessa's even in their thoughts."
"Then what are we waiting for? C'mon, we'd better hurry!" Janessa took off up the path towards Renard's company, leaving the two to stare after her.
Galin shrugged. "I'll say this for Halflings: they sure have a lot of energy."
The two followed after her. If they lost her, she'd be in the middle of the camp before they reached it.
*****
Berek couldn't remember a morning ever being so warm during that time of year. He laid next to Madam Fleir, both of them were bathed in sweat and panted from their exertions. Now, he understood what made her so inviting to the men. In the brief time he spent with her, the years seemed to melt off of her. Now, she looked and felt twenty years younger.
He wanted to stay with her; every part of him yearned to satisfy the craving he now felt in her presence. A sudden and powerful desire continued coursing through him to the point he felt he'd die without her touch. With a great deal of pain, he forced himself to sit up and reach for his leather breeches. Her hands rubbed his shoulders, trying to coax him back into her bed.
"Leaving so soon, my boy? We just got started." Her lips sent rivers of fire coursing over his skin when she kissed the back of his neck.
"I have to go... my friends are waiting." He forced the words out, each sounding like a frog's croak.
He could feel her smiling at him as he stood and pulled on his tunic. When he turned around, he couldn't help but marvel at her transformation. "You're a Nymph."
Madam Fleir smiled, her many years of life showed in her eyes. "I am. An Air Nymph, to be exact." He looked at her for a moment in confusion, having never heard of her kind. She nodded, understanding his thoughts. "I am the last of my people. Like my cousins, the energy of lovemaking keeps me alive." She lowered her gaze. "I'm sorry I used my powers to persuade you. I've watched you for so long..." She trailed off, unable to finish her sentence.
He understood. She was in love with him, and somehow, he'd drawn her to him. He always felt a pull from her, as if he was being drawn in like a moth to a flame, but he never thought he had the same effect on her.
Again, she nodded. "I never used it on you before, not fully. I only did so now... so that you wouldn't leave without me."
Berek remained silent for a long moment, unsure of what to say or do. Had he been drawn to her before out of his own love? He wasn't sure, but how could he refuse her if she wanted to leave with him? He cursed his luck; somehow he always faced choices like these. "Won't Renard be angry with you?" It was all he could think to ask.
Fleir smiled at him. "He could do no more harm to me than he could the wind." Her smiled faded somewhat. "But he may come after you."
Isn't that how it always works? he thought to himself. "I'm expecting him to."
That was all Fleir needed to hear. She couldn't allow anything to happen to Berek after capturing him. She leapt to her feet, her naked body covered by leather armor and a traveling cloak in an instant through the use of her magic.
Berek was impressed. "Nice trick, Madam."
Fleir beamed, taking his arm. "It comes in handy." She took a couple steps with him, then leaned close to whisper in his ear. "Don't call me Madam anymore. That's for old ladies."
Berek watched her while opening the tent flap. Most of her face was hidden by the hood of her cloak. "How old are you, anyway?"
"Old enough to know better than to answer that." She glanced around them to ensure no one saw them. "We'd better hurry before someone comes to see 'Madam Fleir'."
Hastened by her sense of urgency, Berek led the way towards Main Street. With any luck they'd be back in Hope within the hour.