The dragons didn’t react with shock as the others had. They didn’t panic and shout, or show any signs of anything for a few minutes. What the two men finally felt from them was almost resignation. They had known what was coming and resigned themselves to it.
‘That which we have feared is finally coming to pass. What is it you wish of us, young ones?’ The eldest spoke, in a broad send mode so that Brian heard the thoughts as well as AJ. They were showing Brian respect in the way they did for any elves. But their question shocked AJ. He hadn’t come here to ask them to do anything. That wasn’t his intention, and he was quick to say so.
“Nothing, honored one! I come only to warn you. It would break my heart to have anything happen to any of you. All of you lost so much the last time he was in power. I understand the need to hide. It’s why I helped do this. The thought of losing more of you, or all of you, makes my heart weep in fear. I came here seeking only to let you know what is coming, so that you can prepare as you see fit. We’re warning the others so that they can all be ready. Some are choosing to fight. Some, like the goblins, see us as bringers of doom and believe they will be safe.”
Quickly AJ related the story to them, starting from when he had last seen them till present. What they had done and witnessed. The possession of the goblin by Twyla and the ensuing battle. When he was finished the sun had almost set. He respectfully bowed his head. “I apologize sincerely for disturbing you, but I felt you deserved to know what was happening. You, who have lost so much to him.”
The silence stretched over the forest for a long period of time. AJ felt the magical wall that came up, shielding him and Brian for a moment. He knew that the dragons were discussing things amongst themselves, and most likely conferring with those at a distance. With their magical abilities, thought sensing and sending over great distances could be difficult, but it was possible.
This was something that all the dragons would need to know. How vast their numbers were he had no idea. They would have bred more since he had last been there.
Suddenly magic was filling the air. Realizing what was happening, AJ gasped and grabbed hold of Brian’s arm. He yanked him back down and then folded his own arms behind his back. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Brian do the same. The two had their noses almost into the dirt, so low were they bowed down. He could feel in the bond that Brian understood what the magic meant.
All around them, dragons were changing their forms. Changing from the anaconda, to their natural self. Even though he knew that they didn’t demand it, he couldn’t stop from prostrating himself before them and their glory. There was nothing in all his years on earth that was more glorious, more honorable, than a dragon.
“Why do you kneel before us in this way, Alyck?” A loud, raspy voice boomed, seeming to touch straight to their souls. “Friend you are to us, and always will be.”
There was a note of reverence in AJ’s reply. “I cannot help myself but to be humbled before your glory, oh honored elder.”
“Rise, dragon friends. Rise, so that we may speak of what is to come.”
What else could they do? Together the two men stood.
~~~~~~~~~~~~
The first view Brian had of the dragons took his breath away. He looked around him, shocked by the amount there was; by their sheer size and beauty. They were magnificent creatures almost too glorious for his eyes to behold. Scales shining brightly over their long, sinuous bodies. The one that stood closest was a dark green, almost an emerald color. Indeed, the scales looked to be made of emeralds. Others stood out like rubies, or diamonds, or sapphires.
Their height alone was staggering. Brian guessed them to be anywhere from 15 to 30 feet tall, varying from dragon to dragon. Their bodies were long, from head to tail tip, with thick torso’s and wide feet. Against their sides they held their wings curled, though some seemed to be stretching theirs out. Not a one had horns, as some are depicted in the movies. But their eyes were bright and sharp.
Just standing before them had Brian feeling awed and insignificant all at the same time. Glory be to the dragons, he thought to himself. It was easy to see why the elves spoke so reverently of them.
The green dragon before them turned and gave what was unmistakably a smile. “Your regard for us is a sweet thing indeed, young Brian of the Sun clan. Long has it been since we have felt this from anyone. You give us great honor.”
Without hesitation he bowed briefly. “The honor is mine, elder. To witness your beauty makes my heart sing for joy.” He replied. This seemed to please them, and caused AJ to grin.
“You may call me Tripha.” The dragon told him. “We will dispense with the titles here, amongst friends. Especially in times as serious as those that come.”
Tripha turned his head, and it was undeniably a he, back to AJ. “You did not have to come to tell us, Alyck. Transformed as we were, we would have hid, and you could have consoled yourself with this fact.”
Even as Tripha spoke AJ was shaking his head. “I could not, in good conscious, leave you here without at least informing you of what has happened. To do so would be a dishonor. The Lords of the Skies are respected by me, and by my kind. I had no other choice but to tell you of what is coming so that you might prepare.”
That majestic face transformed into another smile. Tripha brought his head down, that long neck lowering so that he was eye to eye with AJ. “Your honor is great.” He boomed as softly as he could. “Our honor can be no less. Preparations are starting as we speak. We will not cower on the sidelines as the great battle is fought. With everything we have we will prevent this atrocity from happening. Twyla cannot be allowed back into the world of the living. You knew this when you came to us, I sense.”
A breath seemed to sigh through AJ’s body. Watching, Brian couldn’t resist reaching out to take his lovers hand. He could feel how much these dragons meant to AJ; above and beyond what Brian suspected anyone else felt. In AJ he sensed a love, but also a duty. He watched with curious eyes as AJ took a deep breath and stood straighter. Something firmed inside of him, echoing across their bond.
Right before his eyes Brian watched as AJ suddenly seemed to age slightly; not physically. But there was a wisdom in his eyes, and an age that hadn’t shown before. Brian suspected it had always been there, but had been tapered down beneath so much else.
“There is a story that my grandfather once told me.” AJ spoke suddenly. His voice was soft yet firm. His gaze never left Tripha’s . “At one time, in a history long forgotten by most, the dragons were strong in the skies and the earth. They lived in peace with the elves, calling on man their master. They were a glorious race; majestic and wise. Proud and strong. They bowed to no one, for who would dare to command one such as they?
“But grandfather also told me that there was one story among the dragons. A story of one who will someday come. For the dragons call themselves flr ah neeka, correct?”
Tripha’s eye seemed to stare into AJ’s heart. “This is so. Flreu is well versed in our ways.” It seemed to Brian that the other dragons around them shifted, all of their eyes focusing solely on AJ now. He sensed this was something that they didn’t speak of, nor share freely with outsiders.
Yet something else seemed to be happening among them. Brian could feel it in the air. Almost like a sense of…anticipation. Small traces of fear. Like they knew what was coming, and were scared. Scared by it, or that it wouldn’t be so? He turned his attention back to AJ as his lover continued to speak.
“This means ‘those who wait’ in the human language. I asked my grandfather what they waited for. He told me that the dragons would speak little of it, but what he had gathered was that they waited for the one true person to come. One who would help them rise above, and again become who they were meant to be. True Lords of the Skies. This man was spoken of as both their savior, and their master. And so, they wait.”
It seemed as if the air around AJ started to shimmer with a faint glow. He stepped back, and the resolve in him strengthened, firmed. Though Brian could tell that AJ did not like what he was about to do, he was strong in his belief that it was the right thing.
“I have never paid strong attention to prophecy. But this moment has been foretold by your culture, by those wiser than any others on this earth.”
AJ grabbed hold of his sword and drew it with one quick movement, holding it aloft. The glow around him seemed to fill the blade, drawing all their eyes. Brian realized he was holding his breath and quietly let it go. Where once his lover had stood, there now seemed a man, an elf, older than his years, and wise beyond reckoning. Strength and magic convalesced around him like he was a magnet. The sight was awe inspiring, and Brian felt humbled.
“I am the trulion, one born to protect the species, and serve them.” He called out to the heavens. Power filled AJ’s eyes so that they glowed brightly. At that moment, Brian watched as the second set of rings formed in AJ’s eyes. Yellow, and red. He was of all clans and none. He was their salvation, and their glory. “I stand before you now and ask you: which side will you stand on for this? Where is your place in our battle?”
For a moment the entire forest seemed to be still, as if it was holding its breath. Then each dragon lifted its head to point to the skies and let out tremendous roars.
“Let it be known!” Tripha shouted above the din. “The one true trulion has come! We are flr ah neeka no more! We are flr ah n ooka, those who have found!”
Then, as one, they all lowered their heads and bent a knee to AJ. He stood, a glowing form in the midst of kneeling dragons. One hand reached out to Brian. He took it, stunned by everything. Yet that familiar love was in the bond, and in AJ’s face. Brian placed his hand in his lovers and allowed him to pull him close.
“So stands my heart song with me. We are bonded in more ways than one; never do we part from one another. He is mate to the trulion, and he is steadfast in his strength. I know you all know the tales of the trulion. Also would you know, as few do, that those tales also speak of a baka. A warrior love listed in the prophecies who is the heart and strength of the trulion. Part of what marks him as being true. Witness before you my baka. He is my heart, my strength, and half of my soul.”
AJ looked around at the kneeling dragons as he sheathed his sword. “Rise, honored ones. I would not have you kneel before me, for my love for you is strong, and my respect stronger. Together we will lead this battle. Though it pains my heart to do so, I call you home. I call you to the sides of the elves, to aid them as you once did. Together we will defeat this foe. For who can stand the strength of the dragons? Who can stand as the races join together to protect themselves and their right to live free? As soon as you are all ready we will head to my home, and we will begin preparations for war.”
The dragons stood, wreathed in smiles. Tripha stepped forward, as well as a red dragon that Brian quickly realized was a she. He also realized, as the female stepped up beside Tripha, that this was his mate.
“My mate Alfeera and I would be honored to bear the trulion and his baka home. All here are prepared to leave, and the others will come behind us. Let us not tally, as there is much to do.”
With a sudden return to the old AJ, Brian watched as his lover turned to him and grinned impishly. “What do you say, Bri? Ready to ride a dragon?”
Brian found his lips curving in response to AJ’s enthusiasm, as well as the exhilarating idea of being on the back of one of these majestic creatures. His reply was instantaneous. “Are you kidding me? As if I would refuse!”