now ye be seeing the truth in me words. It be likely that I will be needing ye’r help, but I must be traveling for a short time with the dragons on an urgent matter. I do not be asking ye to be attacking a fortified city. I only be asking ye to be waiting until I be returning with more information.” Machai looked to the leader of the group with pride and hope in his eyes.
“Nay, Machai. I must be contacting Thenar with the news of the attack. If he be ordering us to be returning, it’ll be hard to be telling him otherwise.”
“Aye, just be telling him I be discovering information on new magic. Magic that may be reclaiming the Dwarven blades and be making him piles of gold. If ye’ll just be remaining here, I’ll be showing ye some caves nearby. I only be asking for three days. If I do not be returning by then, ye can be telling Thenar ye be headed home,” Machai said, waiting to see if the idea of piles of gold would have the expected effect.
“Aye, Machai, three days.”
*
It had only taken a few moments to get in the air once Machai had convinced Kablis to make camp in the caves. He felt a bit reluctant to board a dragon without the proper seating arrangements. Yet they had assured him that one rider on each did not necessitate rigging and they would be sure not to let them fall, so they climbed on.
When they had gained enough distance, Machai leaned forward and spoke to Treethorn, “The traveling spell, did ye be sharing it with the other dragons?”
“Of course I did. We dragons hold no secrets from one another.”
“Then let us be to Braya as quickly as possible.” Machai gripped two of the spikes at the base of Treethorn’s neck where he sat. He watched Greyback wink out of sight to his right and waited for the familiar sensation of falling, but he found that both the disappearing and reappearing were different while mingled with the motion of flight and the rhythmic pulse of Treethorn’s muscles below him.
However, the result was the same. They reappeared above the dense foliage of Braya below gray clouds, heavy with rain.
“I do not be looking forward to be seeing that volcano again,” Machai grumbled.
“No worries, we will not be returning to that wicked place,” Treethorn assured him. Suddenly, both dragons tipped forward and Machai clung to Treethorn’s back as she dove toward the trees at a terrifying speed. He heard Thamas cry out in surprise from his perch on Greyback’s neck. Just when Machai thought they were going to crash into the branches below, he saw a shimmer in the air through the water in his eyes and the treetops vanished. The dragons spread their wings and leveled out their flight. A great lake glittered in the sunlight beneath them. “Welcome to Lost Lake.”
Machai stared in awe at the water before them. He was sure there had been nothing but trees beneath them while in the air. Thamas laughed nervously as Greyback dipped down and grazed one wing across the surface of the water. They coasted along the coastline of the lake and landed gently on a sandy beach before a small cave. An old man stood off to the side near the forest’s edge watching as the dragons and their passengers arrived. Greyback lowered her head to the sand and gazed at the old man with great respect as Thamas dismounted.
“Machai, Thamas, I would like to introduce you to Aridis. There is much he must tell you.” The dragon’s voice was calm, although Machai detected a hint of anticipation for what may come. Aridis nodded at them and gestured that they should join him inside the cave. Thamas looked hesitant, but Machai felt he could trust anyone that the dragons trusted so completely, so they followed him inside. Machai looked around at the sparse furnishings and took note of the door against the back wall.
“It is regretful that the High-Wizard had to be detained and is unable to join us. I was very much looking forward to meeting him.” Aridis eyed Machai as he spoke.
“What do ye be knowing of Osric’s detainment?” Machai demanded.
“I knew that the course of time had few paths it could follow this day. Certain signs have indicated which path it took, and therefore Osric must have been captured. Tell me, did he go willingly or was he bested?” Machai looked