"Blackstone: Destiny´s Quest /Part 1" by Michael D. Mundwiller

Deanna rubbed the pain from her temples. As she looked around the dark cell the Orcs had thrown her into three days ago, she found the light from the torch insufficient to reveal any secrets the cell might have conveyed. Even after three days, she still had not found any chance of escape. She inspected the heavy wooden door again. It was the only way out. Through the small, barred window she saw a large Orc resting peacefully at the table once occupied by her father's men. Locked and barred from the outside, the door would not be forced.

Deanna walked back to the hard bench that served as her bed and seat. The cold walls of solid rock mocked her attempts at finding the way out. Her chamber pot stank terribly. Looking at the stale crust of bread remaining from her meal, she thought of the people Davrough had hurt over the last three days in his mad search for the Sword of Blackstone. Deanna swore that she did not know where it was. Her stepfather refused to believe her.

She began to recite some of the spells Greylin had taught her. Nothing seemed to happen. Frustrated, Deanna gave up. Where was Greylin? For that matter, where was her mother? Deanna was sure that if her mother knew what Davrough had done, HE would be in here instead of her. Her attention diverted, she leaned against the wall and thought of more pleasant things. Meditation always helped her to focus her mind.

After a time, approaching voices disturbed her into defense. Deanna recognized the sound of Davrough's speech immediately. Volaria and someone … or something was with him.

"What is taking so long, Tobias?!" the strange voice growled angrily. Tobias? Deanna had heard stories of the traitorous warrior that left the human race for the promise of power. She had also heard about the threat he had made to her father.

"She refuses to reveal its location, master!" Davrough's voice replied. Deanna's eyes grew wide as she made the connection. Davrough and Tobias were the same person. It would explain why she was seeing something the others were not. Dark magic had disguised him!

"Make her tell us, Tobias! Do what ever is necessary to get the information."

"Yes my lord." Deanna heard the sounds of furniture breaking and the dull complaints from the half-roused Orc. "Open the door."

Deanna rose and back against the wall. She watched as the locks were thrown and the door was pulled open. Davrough/Tobias strode into the small cell with a facade of overconfidence. Volaria, whose black robes flowed as if touched by a light breeze, followed him. The other did not enter, but the shadow it cast implied a large form.

"Volaria, restrain her!" ordered Davrough. The witch only nodded and extended her hand. A hot, strong blast of wind knocked Deanna against the wall. She was held there until the Orc fastened the manacles around her wrists. "Make sure that her pathetic power can't break her loose." The witch chanted quietly and the cuffs glowed red. The heat seared Deanna's already tender wrists. As the warmth faded, the manacles now glowed an ethereal green.

"Now, I have a few questions to ask. If I'm not satisfied with the answers, you get punished." Tobias calmly informed her.

"I told you, Tobias. I don't know what you are talking about!" Deanna snapped.

"And what about the Castle Blackstone?" Tobias inquired, ignoring her revelation.

"Castle Blackstone?" asked Deanna in disbelief. "It doesn't exist, it is only a fairy tale told by mothers to their children at night."

Tobias struck her across the face. Her cheekbone, already severely bruised from their last encounter, stung with intense pain. "Liar! You know that it's not just a story! Where did that symbol upon you chest come from? A tattoo you claim you got as a child?" To emphasize his claim, he ripped the front of her gown open to reveal a pair of entwined Dragons almost hidden by her breasts.

Blood ran from her nose as she snarled. Furiously, Tobias struck her again.

"Answer me!" he growled. Deanna remained silent. As Tobias drew his fist back to strike her again, she planted her knee in his crotch. He groaned and wobbled backward.

"Where is the Sword of Blackstone?" groaned her stepfather.

"I don't know, Tobias. And even if I did, I sure as hell wouldn't tell you!" Deanna's voice remained calm and even. Thunder rumbled outside.

"Fine, you have made your decision." Tobias chuckled. "Grog?!"

"Yes, Master?" the large Orc responded.

"I want you to introduce her to the worst pain you can imagine. Understand that our Lord wants her alive. When she is ready to talk, come and get me."

"Yes, master!" The Orc seemed very eager to deal out the 'punishment'.

Tobias turned and walked out of the cell. Volaria turned and silently followed him out as the Orc began his work. Tobias smiled at Deanna's screams. It would take a little time, but she would tell him what he wanted to know.

The torture seemed to last forever. Deanna was in so much pain that she would have told Tobias anything to make it stop. Finally, she could take no more. Deanna told the beast to get his master. She would talk.

The Orc left in delight, locking the door behind him. Her whole body was battered, beaten, bruised, and badly lacerated. If it were not for the fact of the restraints, she would have fallen long ago. Her wrists bled from where the manacles had cut into them. Her once beautiful gown now lay tattered and torn on the floor. A cold draft slipped through the ragged remnants of her chemise and raised goose bumps on her skin.

"You have endured much, Deanna Malias." The voice was at once unexpected and comforting. She tried in vain to locate the source of the new voice, but all she could see in the dim light of the torch outside of her cell was shadows within shadows.

"Who's there?" asked Deanna. "Greylin, is that you?"

"I am not the wizard, young one. I bring to you, your destiny," a tall figure uttered as he stepped from the shadows. Black robes hid his body, but Deanna suspected that he was well built His long silver hair emphasized his pale features. Moreover, his eyes pierced her very soul.

"Who are you?" demanded the princess. " Did Tobias send you to trick me into revealing myself?"

"I see that you now know the truth of your step-father. I am not in league with Davrough, or Tobias as your father knew him. I am known as the Keeper of the Castle Blackstone. I am here to free you and to give you this!" From beneath his robes, he drew a long, magnificently ornate sword that seemed to pulse with a mysterious power.

With a single stroke, this man cut Deanna's bonds despite the Volaria's magic. He knelt down in front of her, and presented the Sword to her. She took the weapon and gazed at it in awe.

The Sword's blade was made from a strong lightweight material, and it had ancient runes engraved down its center. The hilt was made of a substance so black it seemed to have depth to it. It had three crystals that glowed blue, red and white with unearthly power arranged from smallest to largest. It was the most remarkable weapon she had ever seen.

"How did you get past the guards?" Deanna asked quietly, still admiring the workmanship of the Sword.

"I posed as the regent Dracoran Lord. It was easy enough to cloud their simple minds to my true identity," the Keeper told her. "Now, Dragon Queen, you must escape and fulfill your destiny and gain entrance into the Castle Blackstone."

"But how will I find it? No one has been able to locate the Castle, so it's assumed to be a myth. Like the City of the Silver Dragons." Deanna asked.

This was a lot for Deanna to absorb. She did not much believe in destiny, but the sword she held and the stranger before her were changing her mind.

"Let the Sword guide you. Now, I must do one last thing before I go. The Keeper began to glow with power that she couldn't believe he could control. "A queen such as yourself should not be seen in anything less than the best armor!"

The power lashed out and enveloped Deanna. Her tattered gown was replaced with armor that was as beautiful as it was strong. Her chemise transformed into the softest silk blouse she had ever felt against her skin. When the spell had faded, Deanna's wounds were healed and the strange man was gone. She still held the Sword. The Sword of Blackstone.

The sound of Tobias and his witch returning made Deanna remember her training. She placed herself next to the door hoping to surprise them. A shadow moved over the window, and she heard Tobias snarl angrily.

"Volaria! I thought I told you to make those restraints impervious to her magic!"

"I did. Why is she not there?" Volaria replied in disbelief. One shadow was replaced with another. "Those bonds were cut. And whatever cut them was stronger than anything I have ever seen."

"Grog, open the door!" growled Tobias. The High Lord was returning soon, and Tobias did not want to have another failure.

The locks were thrown and Tobias entered. So involved was he that he walked right by Deanna without noticing her. Volaria followed him in and the young queen chose to strike. With a single swing of her weapon, Deanna removed the witch's head from her shoulders. Tobias spun around and watched in horror as Volaria's body hit the floor.

"You BITCH!" Tobias roared. "You have been holding out on me! You had the sword all along! No matter, I'll just do to you what I did to your father!"

"What? Stab me while I'm not looking?" sneered Deanna. "I think not! Greylin told me about you. And I now know how you killed my father just before the Dracorans attacked the first time twelve years ago. And I have not forgotten what you did to me three days ago. I will follow through with my threat." Deanna attacked without warning. Her attack was met with a well-placed kick. She landed against the wall and slid to the floor. The Sword dropped just out of her reach. Tobias chuckled as he drew his sword to finish her off.

"This is going o be too easy." Tobias chuckled with overconfidence. With a quick thrust, he attempted to finish her. The Sword of Blackstone found its way into Deanna's hand and deflected the blow. Tobias staggered back and shook his head. She deflected his attack when she had no apparent defense!

Deanna sprang to her feet, and attacked the vile shadow of a man. The weapons of the two clashed furiously around the small cell. Finally, Deanna separated Tobias from his weapon and buried hers into his thigh. When she removed the Sword, Tobias screamed in pain and dropped to the floor. Through pain filled eyes the pathetic creature before her begged for mercy.

"You're not worth destroying my soul, Tobias. Instead, I will leave you to the wrath of your master. Tell him that Blackstone is mine." Deanna turned to walk away and then turned back to Tobias. "One last thing. Where is my mother?"

"Your mother?" Tobias chuckled through the pain, "Why, she hasn't left her room since I saw her last!" Deanna was filled with fear as she raced toward the door that led from the dungeon. As she neared it, the Orc that had tortured her strode in with a sack in his hand. Deanna stopped and her fear turned to terror as she recognized the head of one of her friends from school. Rage filled Deanna as the Orc's upper body fell next to its feet. She made her way up the stairs to the castle.

Tobias tied the fabric he tore from his cloak around his bleeding thigh. He rose and limped to the door. He called for his guards. Silence answered him. When he finally reached the top of the stairs, Tobias found them dead and parts of them were scattered down the hall.

Deanna moved quickly through the stone halls of Tornat. The further she went into the castle, she found more and more evidence of the Dracoran atrocities. Hatred filled her with every body she discovered and the hatred vented with every Orc she killed. A great thunderstorm shook Tornat. Lightning made quick work of the Dracoran forces unlucky enough not to find shelter. Silence filled Tornat in her passing. The silence of the dead. Rage filled her as she saw more and more of Tobias' butchery. Deanna continued towards her mother's chamber.

When she reached the door to her mother's chamber, thoughts of getting her mother out of this nightmare filled her. She burst through the door, expecting trouble. No enemy made itself known.

The room was quiet as she entered. Weapon ready, Deanna crept toward the body slumped in her mother's favorite chair.

"Mom? Are you here?" Deanna called out. Fear filled her again. She walked around and looked at the face of the occupant of the chair. As she lifted the head of the woman, she gasped in horror. The body was that of her mother. Her throat had been cut from ear to ear.

Deanna's worst nightmare had been realized. The Sword of Blackstone slipped from her hand and clattered against the floor.

Deanna began to sob uncontrollably. Falling to her knees, she placed her head in her mother's lap one last time. The tears ran down her cheeks like rivers, but there was no one to comfort her this time.

Her father, Her mother, her friends. Every person Deanna ever knew was either dead or gone. Although she was unable to find Greylin's body, she was almost certain that she'd never see him again. She assumed that he must be dead.

She cried for hours on end. She cried until there was nothing left to grieve about. Several voices filtered in from the outside returning her to the present and the situation at hand. The sounds of Orcs receiving their orders from Tobias stirred the lust for vengeance within her.

She took a deep breath and stood up. There was no more time for grief. No more time for regret. Her heart had gone cold. At that moment, she wanted nothing more than to rip Tobias limb from limb. Deanna retrieved the Sword from where she had dropped it. She took one last glance at the body of her mother in the chair that she had nursed Deanna in. Deanna swore that Tobias would not live long enough to see the last sun rise this new day.

The doors swung open and Tobias made a sound that was almost half chuckle and half growl. From the look on his narrow face, Deanna figured he was out for blood. That was all she wanted, why should she expect anything less from her enemy.

"Give me the Sword of Blackstone and I'll consider going easy on you, daughter!" Tobias said in a snarl. The insult suddenly had no effect on her. Deanna's face showed no emotion other than hate.

"And then what? Just let you kill me like you did my family?" Deanna replied with irony. "I don't even think so!"

"That's just too bad," grunted Tobias." Orcs! Kill her!" Twenty of the foul creatures swarmed into the room, hoping to over power her. Tobias cheered as they moved in on her. That expression of victory soon changed to desperate thoughts of escape as Deanna cut down every beast in the room. Tobias made his escape as the last Orc fell. He moved as quickly as his wounds would allow, looking for some means of evading this huntress. He needed somewhere to hide.

Stairs. He didn't care where they took him as long as it was away from her. He started up the stairs and chanced a look back down the hall. Deanna was following him and she looked calm. As the thunderstorm raged outside, Tobias was running for his life. While he raced up the stairs, Deanna's pursuit was slow and deliberate.

He could not believe that she was walking! Taking her sweet time! Tobias realized that he had made a grave error. The path he had chosen led to only one place. The Dragon Tower.

Pain slowed his ascent, but he finally made it too the top. The carnage here was as great as below. This was done under his orders. Several Dragons, riders and handlers lay dead at his feet. Tobias limped toward the far end of the pens to where his Dragon lay on his pile of hay. As he neared the Dragon, the sound of crunching under his feet made him look down. He was standing in the nests. His Orcs had smashed all of Grace's eggs. Fear and the sounds of Deanna's inevitable approach made him move toward the Dragon.

"Tobias? Tobias?!" Deanna's voice was growing nearer with each passing moment. There was nowhere to run. Lightning flashed followed by an explosion of thunder.

"Zeus, I need your help!" Tobias fell to his knees before the Dragon as Zeus roused from a deep sleep.

"So, the mighty Tobias needs MY help." The Black Dragon smacked his lips after a massive yawn. Razor sharp teeth revealed themselves in a massive approximation of a smile. "What, the little brat spit in your face again?" Zeus' tone rang with mockery. It was always the same. Whenever Tobias had problems with Deanna or Deanna was being very defiant, Tobias would come running to him. After twelve years, the Black Dragon grew very apathetic to it.

"Zeus, you've got to help me. She's trying to kill me!" screeched Tobias. Deanna appeared at the top of the stairs and glared at the two. The Sword dripping with the blood of at least several hundred dead Orcs. Zeus looked from Tobias to Deanna and back to Tobias. He was more impressed with the fury of the storm than with the little worm's plea for help.

"So? What do you want me to do? Eat her?" Zeus growled in disgust. "Get real. No Dragon is to bring harm to the Dragon Queen. Do it yourself!"

Tobias repeated the Dragon's last words, mocking Zeus as he rose.

"There is no where to run, Tobias. I will not give you the chance to weasel your way out of death by being able to beg the mercy of your master." The Black Dragon let out a snort and returned his head to the straw. He would watch this little girl . . . this young woman finish Tobias.

Her family's murderer turned to face her. A great wind swept across the landing area. Rain pelted the combatants. Lightning emphasized Deanna's rage and thunder reflected her fury. Though he tried to hide it, Tobias was afraid of her. Metal sang as his sword left his scabbard and charged Deanna.

With startling ease, Deanna sidestepped Tobias and drew blood. He staggered to the low wall. Touching the wound through the gash in his tunic, Tobias realized that it could have been much worse. She was playing with him as a cat would a mouse.

He stood and moved toward her slowly. Lightning arced through the sky as they traded blows. None of his attacks hit their intended mark. Every one of Deanna's cut clean and true. With one final thrust, Deanna impaled Tobias with the Sword and the dark lord fell to his knees. The battle was over. She had won.

"This isn't over, you little bitch!" Tobias screamed at her.

"Yes, it is." Deanna turned and strolled toward the Holding Area. Zeus watched the dying Lord's hand go to his boot. He would not allow that to happen again!

Deanna stopped and turned back to Tobias. "I want you to know something before you die, Tobias."

"And what is that?" he sneered. The dagger was almost clear of his boot. He could still kill her. He just needed the right moment.

"First, you should never choose a Dragon steed more honorable than you. Second, never turn your back on a Dragon you've treated like shit!" Deanna smiled and nodded.

The last thing Tobias heard was the deep intake of breath from behind him. His eyes grew wide in terror as he realized his fate. As Dragon fire consumed her stepfather, Deanna raised a hand to shield her eyes.

"I should have done that a long time ago! I never liked him much anyway." chuckled Zeus after he had finished the job. All that remained of the man who had betrayed Tornat was a pile of black ash and a silver ring. Zeus turned and sauntered back to his pile of straw.

"You don't mess around, do you!?" Deanna exclaimed as she wiped off her weapon and seethed it.

"No, my Queen." Zeus replied. "After all the despair and horror you have seen, I have something which will give you hope." Deanna cautiously approached the Dragon as he started to move the straw aside. Hidden beneath the Dragon's bed was a Dragon's egg. A Gold Dragon's egg.

Deanna was overwhelmed with shock and surprise. A child of Grace of the Ancients did survive Tobias' reign of terror.

"How did you manage to hide it from the Orcs? Why are you doing this for me? I have been horrible in my treatment of you. Can you forgive me?" Deanna's excitement ran all of her thoughts out together. Zeus shrugged as Deanna took possession of the Egg. It was almost the size of a large watermelon and almost as heavy.

"Orcs aren't that bright. They did exactly as they were told. Too stupid to actually look around and make sure they got them all. Second, I did this for you because your life was in jeopardy, and because you are the Dragon Queen. He was pulling a dagger from his boot. Finally, you are forgiven. Now go. Take your egg and get out of here. The Dracoran High Lord will return soon and I don't want you here when he does." Zeus explained. He rose and headed out into the clearing skies.

"Wait, where are you going?" Deanna asked as she watched the Dragon stretch his wings.

"None of your business. Be on your way!" Zeus launched himself into the air, He felt bad about putting her off like that, but he had to. If she knew that he was heading to face certain death, she would have begged him to stay. If all went well, though, they'd met again.

Deanna ran down the flights of stairs until she reached the stables. As she searched for a good horse in the now abandoned city, Deanna found a big black stallion. Gathering supplies, she mounted them on the large horse. As she finished, Deanna took one last tearful look at her old home. Deanna swore to herself that when she returned she would bring Tornat back to the condition it had been when her father had ruled. Deanna solemnly rode out of the city and into the countryside. Keeping the pace easy, she did her best to give the appearance of an ordinary traveler. Between her and the Dragon Council there was over a thousand miles of forests, plains, grasslands, scattered villages, and soft rolling hills.

Passing some refugees, Deanna pulled her soiled cloak tight around her, hoping to further conceal her identity. For all she knew there could be other ruffians waiting in ambush somewhere ahead.

Deanna crossed Miller's Canal and left the confines of Tornat's valley. Crossing the river, Deanna felt as if her quest had truly begun.

The snows of eternal winter gave way to the fertile valleys and green mountains. Greylin and Snowball were well on their way south into more temperate regions. The two never seemed to be able to agree on anything. More often than not, the traveling companions would bicker over everything from that night's camp to how dinner should be prepared.

This particular evening, the two were arguing over which way they should go.

"I think we should get some help before we go to Tornat!" Greylin exclaimed. "Perhaps we should go to the Council!"

"Why? Why do we need help from them? After all, you've got me!" Snowball replied, confidently thrusting his chest into the air. He felt so much better when he was towering over the wizard.

"Tornat is a day's flight from here. If the Dracoran forces have Tornat, then they will have fortified their position by now, and getting into the castle will be nearly impossible." Greylin countered. "We must notify someone of Tobias' treachery."

"And what about Deanna?" Snowball retorted. "My mother said I was to help rescue the Dragon Queen. That's exactly what I'm going to do! The Palace of the Council is three days flight. So if you want to notify the Council, walk."

Greylin shook his head with frustration. Snowball had a point. He found himself struggling with the right thing to do and what he should do. It tore him up inside to think of what Tobias might be doing to Deanna.

"Well? What are we going to do?" Snowball asked impatiently.

"We go to Tornat," Greylin finally agreed after he had thought about the situation. He couldn't figure out why he was against going in the first place. Perhaps, he told himself, it was because he did not want to be the first to find Deanna's lifeless body. He hoped that they weren't walking into the hornets' nest.

Snowball looked out to the night sky and muttered, " This guy needs to get his head on straight."

"What was that?" snapped Greylin.

"Nothing," grumbled Snowball. "Once we've saved the Dragon Queen, then and only then, will we proceed to the Council. Alright?"

"That's fine," Greylin answered uncomfortably. He truly hoped that she was alive.

"Great! Now, do you think you could conjure up that fire?" requested the White Dragon sarcastically. Greylin mumbled something in an ancient tongue and the fire burst to life, directly under Snowball's snout.

"How's that?" chuckled the wizard as Snowball inspected his seared nose.

"Fine, just fine." Snowball was not amused.

They said little more that evening. Nine moons of Elora filled the night sky casting an eerie glow about the forest. Sand crickets sang to their prospective mates in a most inharmonious fashion.

Snowball opened his mouth in a massive yawn. The firelight gleamed of his twin rows of dagger-like teeth. Greylin followed suit, but needless to say, his was not as impressive.

They settled down and quickly fell to sleep.

Dawn came earlier than Greylin had wanted. He groggily rose and lit a fire to take the chill out of the brisk morning air. As he sleepily looked around for his companion, Greylin realized that the White Dragon was nowhere to be found. He sighed and muttered an elven profanity. That no account Dragon had left him to walk the rest of the way to Tornat alone.

Greylin broke camp and was about to leave when the White Dragon came strolling back into the clearing. His snout was red with the blood of a fresh kill.

"Top of the morning to you!" the Dragon said cheerfully. "Was your breakfast enjoyable? I know mine was."

"My breakfast was fine, thank you. I hope that, for your sake, breakfast wasn't one of the cattle from the nearby farms."

"Nah, I don't much care for the taste of domesticated beef. So, I took down a bull elk."

"Let's get going shall we?" Greylin asked impatiently.

"Sure, climb on." Snowball lowered his shoulder and Greylin grabbed two handfuls of soft white fur. Snowball muttered something about needing a saddle and rose into the air.

The ground fell away and Snowball swung east, flying toward the coast. Mountains and valleys rushed by with incredible speed. Greylin was doing all he could just to hang on. The White Dragon grimaced in pain as the wizard grabbed a larger handful of fur.

They had been in the air for most of the day when Snowball trumpeted a challenge. Three Dragons were moving to intercept them. As the Dragons drew closer, Greylin saw Dragon riders and the colors that they wore. They were from the squadron of the emperor's personal forces.

The lead rider motioned for Greylin and Snowball to land. The rider emphasized the order with a fireball from his green Dragon directed across Snowball's path. With the group of Dragons encircling them, the two descended to a well-organized encampment on the rocky mesa below.

As soon as the White had landed, Greylin hopped down from the Dragon's back and was met by a pair of guards wielding large spears. The Green's rider dismounted and found his way to a tall, black haired warrior who was talking to some lower officer. The two talked for a few minutes, occasionally pointing in Greylin's direction.

The tall warrior made his way to the wizard. His lean muscular frame said volumes about the warrior's skills and prowess. His light brown skin and brown eyes seemed to glow under the fading sunlight.

"Identify yourself and your purpose in a war zone!" the warrior demanded.

"I am Greylin the White," replied the wizard with the honor due this man. "This is the Dragon Snowball's Chance in Hades." Both bowed courteously. Greylin's robes rustled in the evening breeze. Around them, Dragons landed and took off. If it weren't for the tents and cooks preparing the meal, this might just have been another outpost. The Dragosian Empire had set up a command center in Deanna's backyard.

"I am Captain Alexander Erikson. this is Alpha base for the liberation of Tornat. I am informed that you were trying to reach Tornat. Why?"

"Because I have something of great value I need to retrieve." Greylin replied.

"What were you going to retrieve?"

"My ward, Deanna Malias. I need to reach her."

Erikson rubbed his chin and looked the wizard over. "I haven't heard anything from my scouts about the princess. But there has been no activity from the castle since yesterday. It's like the Orcs just disappeared."

Greylin looked at him in shock. Was he too late? Did Tobias have Deanna already? He had to know. "I understand fully, Captain. But I still must get to Tornat. The fate of our world depends on her safety."

The wind had picked up considerably on the plateau and the evening was growing cold. Erikson called one of the other riders over to them. the Dragon rider crossed the distance between them quickly and saluted as she approached.

"Pharose, get Lord Greylin a place to sleep tonight and arrange an escort to castle Tornat for him in the morning."

"Yes sir," the young woman replied. She turned on her heel and disappeared into the camp.

Erikson turned back to Greylin. There was something in the old man's eyes that intrigued him. It was a combination of sadness and hatred.

"Did you know Lord Trevor Malias?" asked Erikson.

"Yes, he and I were close friends." replied the wizard. "He asked me to look out for his daughter before he died."

"I knew Trevor as well. I served under him during the Civil War. We kept in touch after he became the regent of Tornat. I remember him mentioning you." Erikson glanced over to the encampment, and saw the young woman again. "Let me show you to your tent." As the two walked into camp, Snowball meandered his way over to a female Dragon that quickly snubbed the White's attempts.

"I hope he had good things to say." Greylin said as he chuckled at the White Dragon's futile attempts.

"He said that you were the best friend anyone could have. He felt that you could best teach his little girl." Greylin smiled at the compliment. Erikson looked from the wizard to the White Dragon and raised a questioning brow. "I've never heard of a wizard that rode a Dragon. I thought that the two groups chose not to interact."

"Normally, they don't," Greylin sighed. Snowball overheard the last of the Captain's comment and trotted over to them.

"I'm doing this for my mother. it wasn't like I had a choice!"

"I see." Captain Erikson rubbed his chin and then shook his head.

"Funny how things don't look so bad this far away . . ." Greylin whispered as he looked out over the valley towards his home.

Erikson pointed to a tent. "This one is yours. I'll make sure you get a saddle for your Dragon in the morning."

"Huh? Oh, uh, sure. Thank you."

"Are you all right?" Erikson raised a single brow to emphasize the question. "You seem distracted."

"I'm just worried about Deanna."

Erikson placed a hand on the wizard's shoulder. "I understand. Get some rest, we can't do anything until morning."

Greylin nodded and entered his tent. Sleep did not come easy for him that night. His dreams disturbed him. He dreamt of his relationship with Deanna in the days after her father's death. The small girl who would cry herself to sleep in his arms. His dreams then took him to the young woman as she entered puberty. Her anger and hatred of her stepfather's lies against her to her mother and his constant meddling with Greylin's teachings began to affect the weather. And still Deanna would cry on his shoulder. The dream changed again as Deanna became as he now knew her. Erotic and strange images filled his mind. The more he tried to put those thoughts out of his mind, the harder it was to fight them. He wasn't falling in love with her . . . was he?

Morning broke with calm certainty for the wizard. He had to get to Tornat and get Deanna. Erikson greeted him as he left the tent.

"Good morning, Greylin!" A broad smile crossed the warrior's sharp features. "How'd you sleep?"

"Not very good I 'm afraid. Troubling dreams," the wizard replied.

"Want to talk about it?"

"No." The wizard's response was as sharp as a knife.

"O.k. . . .," Erikson replied with concern. "I've gotten your Dragon ready for the flight and I have gotten permission to join you myself. I have an old debt to Lord Malias that needs to be repaid and I want to help."

Greylin nodded and began to walk toward Snowball. He smiled as he saw the White Dragon playing with the straps on the saddle where they dug into his fur. An old saying crept into his brain. Be careful what you wish for, you might just get it.

Snowball glared at the wizard as he approached.

"I don't even want to hear it, wizard," the Dragon complained. Greylin laughed aloud. Erikson just shook his head and smiled as he mounted his Blue. Snowball begrudgingly allowed the wizard into the saddle. Its firm leather and harness straps the handlers placed around his legs felt good.

"My archer wishes to join us. May she?" shouted Erikson from his Dragon.

"Sure! Why not?" Greylin replied. "The more the merrier!"

"Yeah, one more mouth to feed." The sarcastic new voice startled the wizard as the he and his White approached the Erikson and his Blue.

"That wasn't very nice, Cobalt. Apologize." Erikson scolded his Blue.

"I'm sorry, Sellandra." The Blue said pitifully as he lowered his head. The young woman rubbed his chin, slung her bow, and then considered who to ride with. Finally, she climbed onto Snowball's back and wrapped her arms around the startled wizard.

"L-let's be off then, shall we?" the wizard managed to choke out as the two Dragons rose into the air. They rose into the morning air with the grace and ease. Soon, they were high above the long, lush valley. Ground features rushed by with amazing speed. It hadn't taken too long for the group to cross the northern hills. Soon, the small group could see the city below them and despair surged up within the wizard. Was he too late?

The Dragons quickly descended with their riders and landed on the Dragon tower. Their stomachs churned at the horrendous sight. There were bodies and parts of bodies everywhere. Red and green blood stained the hard floor. The stench of death and decay filled the air. Vultures and other scavengers flocked around various corpses around the tier. The riders undid their safety harnesses and dismounted. Greylin moved quickly to a blackened place on the landing area and the still smoldering remains within.

A glint of silver in the ashes reflecting the morning sun caught the wizard's eye. A ring. Greylin knelt down and tried to figure out what happened.

"Somebody you knew?" The young woman's voice rang out across the tier as she unslung her bow. "Oh, I forgot to introduce myself . . .."

"I'd say you introduced yourself quite well!" Cobalt roared sarcastically.

"As I was saying, I am Sellandra Lorien of the Tribe of Hathansa, of the Northern Elves." Sellandra gave the big Blue a nasty look for interrupting her.

"I am Greylin the White, former advisor of the Lord and Lady Malias." A pair of Dragons crying out in sorrow caught their attention. The Blue and the White engulfed a fallen Gold in the flames of a burial pyre.

Greylin returned his gaze to the ring as he pulled it off the charred skeleton. "This, Sellandra is the man who betrayed Tornat and the Dragosian Empire to the Dracorans. Tobias . . .."

"Tobias? Are you sure?!" Erikson asked as he approached. "I thought he had been exiled. What happened to Lord Davrough?"

"Lord Davrough and Tobias are . . . were one and the same man. Dark sorcery masked his identity for many years. Even I was fooled. Every one was fooled . . . except Deanna." Greylin explained as the two drew closer.

"So how do you know that this is Tobias?" Sellandra asked as she admired the silver ring that Greylin held.

"This is his silver ring. The one he never was seen without." Greylin reared back and hurled the ring across the Landing area. It bounced twice and rolled to a stop. They watched as a raven descended, picked up the ring in its beak, and flew away.

The wizard stood and looked to the distant stairwell. Without a warning, Greylin took off for the stairs. It had just hit him that if Tobias was dead, Deanna might still be alive. His companions, shocked by the wizard's sudden movement, followed him down into the castle. Erikson and Sellandra were impressed with the way that the wizard knew the halls and corridors.

The body count grew the deeper they went into the castle. Orcs lay dismembered, flies laying their eggs in the rotting flesh, at almost every intersection. The original occupants were scattered and slaughtered. The carnage was everywhere. It filled Greylin with disgust and the smell turned his insides. It was all he could do to keep from vomiting.

"Treshnaq!" Greylin spat as he saw all he could. He entered the chamber of the Lady Malias and stopped dead in his tracks. The horror of the scene overwhelmed him. The monster that had died upstairs was, hopefully, paying for crimes he had committed here. The body of Lady Mariah Malias lay peacefully on her bed. Her throat had been viciously slashed.

"Greylin?" Sellandra's voice echoed down the hall. They were finally catching up to him.

"Greylin? Greylin . . . Where are, oh there you . . . oh, dear god." Sellandra gasped as she entered the room. Erikson came in and caught the young woman as she staggered backward. He took in the scene and forced himself not to show the revulsion his body so wanted to release. Never in his life as a soldier had he seen such atrocities. Twenty dead Orcs lay scattered around the room. Greylin sat at the edge of the bed holding the hand of the woman who lay there. A single tear ran down the ageless face as he reached up and closed the woman's eyes.

"Lady Malias was moved here by someone . . .," Greylin said quietly as he stood. "We must search the entire castle for ANY evidence that Deanna somehow survived this terrible onslaught."

Erikson only nodded and walked out into the hall. He attempted to remain unaffected as he watched Sellandra join him. He had seen many things during many wars, but nothing on this scale. He looked at his young aide's face as she turned to him. Tears streamed down her dark skinned cheeks. She had never seen war like this. And neither of them had seen it this close to home.

Greylin joined them in the hall and Erikson asked, "All right, where do we start?"

"I don't know. My lab perhaps? It's this way." Greylin turned on his heel and headed down the blood stained hall without waiting for the others to answer. Shrugging, the wizard's companions followed. The glow from the torchlight filled the silent corridors with dancing shadows. The stench of death and the bodies of fallen warriors seemed to thin out just as the trio reached the shattered entrance to Greylin's laboratory.

As the group entered the small room, Greylin began to notice how clean things were. A far cry from what they had been when he was sent away. Someone had made an effort to clean his place up. That someone, he hoped, might have been Deanna. A small oil lamp still burned on the desk. As Greylin noted the oil level in the lamp, he noticed the note. Greylin sat at his desk and examined the document. Erikson and Sellandra took an interest and stood next to the wizard as he read.

'Greylin,' the note began, 'I hope you are still alive to find this. I have taken the last Gold Dragon egg and enough supplies to get me to the Palace of the Dragon Council in the mountains of Grecia Nor. I have THE sword. I should make it in about a week if I can find a good horse in town. If you are still alive, you can find me there. With Love, Deanna.'

Greylin nodded and handed the note to Captain Erikson with a sigh of relief. As the soldier read it, the wizard collected some books and consulted his map.

"Considering the date on the note, Deanna has a three day head start," Erikson explained. "Now, you mind telling us why she's going to the Dragon Council instead of the Imperial Senate?"

"Deanna Malias is the Dragon Queen." Greylin said as if it were common knowledge.

"The what?!" Sellandra asked in disbelief. She'd heard the fables, she found them very hard to believe.

"What sword?" demanded Erikson.

Greylin sighed as he remembered that he had said nothing of Deanna's true importance. He took the time to explain the prophecy and how Deanna figured into it. Her birthmark, her powers, the Sword of Blackstone. Everything he hadn't told them before. It all came out.

They were listening so intently to Greylin's tale that no one even notice the he shadow move in the hall. Sellandra's coat rusted as something brushed against her. She screamed, spun around and unleashed two bolts from her bow even before she saw what it was. The Orc, now dead, lay still at her feet. Its blood spilling over the papers that were previously there.

"Sorry . . . for the scream, I mean. I was caught off guard." Sellandra said as she pushed the black hair from in front of her brown eyes.

"Don't worry about it. If not for you, one of us would be dead right now." Erikson said with a smile. Sellandra blushed at the compliment. The captain smiled at her and turned back to the half-startled wizard.

"Shall we be going?" Greylin asked after he had regained his composure.

"Please!" replied Sellandra enthusiastically. "I've seen too much death today. Seeing the Council of Dragons again would be a nice change." Her comment was met with questioning looks.

"What do you mean by again?" Alexander asked.

"My mother was the ambassador to the Dragon Council before she died."

"I see," Alexander replied. "Well, that explains the diplomatic abilities. Any other little secrets you'd like to let us in on?"

Sellandra stepped forward and whispered into the captain's ear. "I like to be on top." Greylin stepped forward before she could go into any further details.

Greylin walked past them and into the hall. Erikson gave Sellandra a questioning look and she just smiled.

"Forget about it . . . for now." The last part she added in a whisper. Erikson chuckled at the prospects and followed her out after Greylin. They retraced their route up to their Dragons and Greylin paused to consider the group.

"I must go to the Council. I cannot make the decision for you. Deanna is going to need help, more help than I am capable of giving. You know what's at stake now. If you chose to come with me and assist us, wonderful. If not, then I will be forced to find help elsewhere."

Sellandra stepped forward and offered her bow. "I will go with you. Protecting her is now more important than my own needs." Greylin thanked her and then looked to Erikson and Cobalt.

"I'll need to notify General Montgomery at base camp, but I don't think we'll have much problem convincing him. Will we, Cobalt?" Alexander Erikson chuckled as he patted his Dragon's side.

"Nope, no problem at all." The Blue Dragon smiled. "Besides, the good General so wants to get rid of us for a while. He'll be happy to see us go."

"Why's that?" Snowball asked, trying to be annoying.

"We tend to do things . . . differently." Erikson replied. "When things really go to hell, we get called. And things have been really dull lately."

Greylin nodded and mounted the White Dragon. Sellandra crawled up behind Alexander on the back of the big Blue and the Dragons leapt into the air.

Tekreen had only been away from the tribe a week when he encountered his first village of humans. His half-human/half tiger form frightened the people he met. He moved on, picking his way around farms and villages. His full tiger form seemed to be less suspicious.

Late one evening, he was traveling by moonlight when he heard a voice all too familiar to him. Choosing to investigate, he crept into some thick shrubs at the edge of a clearing. In the dim firelight, he saw a group of five men talking low as they were sharpening their weapons.

"How do you know he's coming this way?" asked the shortest of the group.

"I know, you imbecile, because I have been tracking him for a week now. I know how he thinks." The familiar voice said. "We are going to capture him and then turn him over to a mob of angry villagers. Nothing like fear to inspire allegiance."

"And where do I come in?" asked the bald man.

"You, my fine friend, will become involved after we capture the Weretiger," chuckled the man in black robes.

"I understand my Lord," the bald man replied.

"Walmar, what's my job?" the tallest of the group inquired.

"You will get the honor of inciting the people into a blood-thirsty mob." Walmar replied with a laugh. The tall man nodded.

Tekreen gasped and then tensed as the big cat looked about.

"I'll be right back. I have to go take a leak." Walmar stood and then changed into a Bengal tiger. Tekreen breathed a sigh of relief as Walmar headed in the opposite direction.

"So why are you out here in the middle of nowhere, wizard?" the small one sneered.

"I am merely here to repay a debt I owed to Walmar. As for anything else you might want to know, it is none of your concern." The wizard replied.

"That's cool. Whatcha need me for?" little one asked.

"That question will be answered soon enough… as a matter-of-fact our target will be arriving right about…" chuckled the wizard, "Now."

Large fur covered hands grabbed Tekreen, and tossed him like a rag doll into the clearing. Walmar leaped free of the bushes and tied a rope firmly around Tekreen's neck. Attaching the other end of the rope to a stake, he secured it to the ground.

"That was too easy," Walmar snarled viciously. "Now you are going to pay, Tekreen, for betraying my son!"

The rest of the group joined Walmar as he gloated over the Weretiger's capture. The older Weretiger looked from Tekreen to the sorcerer. The man in the black robes nodded and then stepped back, grinning. Walmar pounced on the short man, ripping into his neck with his claws and fangs. The attack was both savage and quick. The short man only had time enough to utter one last strangled scream before he dropped to the ground, lifeless.

"You know what to do," Walmar uttered. The tall man nodded and dragged the body into the night. Walmar finished licking the remaining blood off his claws. Picking up an axe, he approached Tekreen. Tekreen struggled as best he could to get away, but to no avail.

"Don't worry, you're not worth killing in the traditional way!" Walmar snarled.

"Walmar, let's finish this. It'll be daybreak soon," the wizard growled in frustration. "We don't have much time, she'll be here by nightfall."

"Agreed. I will be done shortly." Walmar replied as he drove the axe handle into the back of Tekreen's head. The white Weretiger fell into unconsciousness.

Night was falling as Deanna made camp. The crackling heat off the flames of her campfire provided no comfort against the night. The forest was dark and deep. Orange firelight cast dancing shadows around the small grove of tall pines. Silence of a still night made her uncomfortable. As she was drifting off to sleep, the sounds of a mob reached her ears. Deanna rose, sheathed the Sword, and followed the sounds.

Even in the moons' light, the armor she wore seemed to glow with an otherworldly power. The mob knew she was there even before she reached the clearing. Yet, they didn't seem to care. Ignoring her entrance, they appeared to be preoccupied with a Bengal tiger they had chained to a stake. Poking and prodding, the mob was intent on provoking the animal into some aggressive action that would give the townsfolk a reason to kill it. For some odd reason, though, the great cat just lay there taking the beating.

Furious with the treatment of a helpless animal, Deanna demanded, "Just what the hell is going on here?!"

" 'Tis a monster, m'lady! A lycanthrope!" a heavyset man cried out. " 'Tis a minion of the dark ones!"

"I demand that you stop this at once. These are my father's lands. I will not allow this to continue!" Deanna drew the Sword to emphasis the order. The tiger looked up and there was a hint of recognition in its eyes.

"And who are you to be giving orders to us, little lady?" A tall man growled as he tapped an ugly looking club in his hand.

"I am the Princess Deanna Malias of the City of Tornat. My father was Lord Trevor Malias." Many of those who were cheering stopped silent and bowed respectfully.

"And that's supposed to impress me?" the man with the club snarled. "To me, you're just another bitch with a sword. I don't take orders from women!"

"She speaks the truth!" The voice made everyone turn in the direction of the Weretiger. It now stood upright, combining the best traits of man and beast into one single elegant form.

"See! I told you. It is a monster!" shouted the man with the club. "And now, that it has revealed its true self, I intend to kill the retched creature." He moved toward the werecat and a bolt of lightning shattered the ground in front of him.

"You take one more step and so help me, I'll kill you myself. Or maybe I'll let the lycanthrope get in a few licks of his own." The threat held weight when he considered the still smoking hole, the ringing in his ears, and the smiling Weretiger still tied to the stake.

"Maybe I should just kill you and take your fancy sword for myself!" snarled the tall man. The crowd was beginning to thin as people began to think for themselves and went home.

"You're more than welcome to try." Deanna replied as she readied himself for the coming attack. The look in her eyes sent fear coursing through the tall man's veins. He took off into the woods cursing every god he knew.

"Thank you, Princess Deanna. Thank you for your timely arrival. My name is Tekreen." The Weretiger bowed courteously as Deanna approached the stake. With a single stroke, Tekreen was free. She watched as Tekreen gathered his things and then approached her.

"Forgive me for asking, but may I see that weapon?" Tekreen asked as he pulled his pack over his shoulder. Deanna held up the Sword of Blackstone for Tekreen to inspect. The werecat's eyes widened with recognition and he quickly dropped to one knee and bowed his head. "Dragon Queen, the first part of my quest is complete. I have found you." The respect in the Weretiger's voice was awe-inspiring. Deanna was startled at the gesture and motioned for him to stand. His burnished white fur shined brightly in the light of the other moons.

"I, uh, I don't know what to say. I'm not quite used to the idea of being a queen just yet. Especially not as the legendary Dragon Queen. Please, call me Deanna."

"To do so would be an insult to your position and destiny, my lady. May I be so bold as to ask if I may join you? I wish to be your protector."

Unsure of how to respond Deanna agreed. On the way back to her camp Tekreen told her of how he had studied the ancient texts and how ho knew that this was the time that prophesy had spoken of.

He told her that he had been on his way to Tornat when he had ambushed by the Townsfolk. When they got back to her camp Deanna excused herself and went into her tent. As she drifted back to sleep she chuckled at the memory of something Greylin had told her years ago. Be careful what you wish for...

The dawn came with a gentle breeze and a warm fire Tekreen was stirring a pot of steaming fluid and humming a quiet tune. Movement from inside Deanna's tent caught his attention and he smiled.

"Good Morning!" The greeting was as warm as the Weretiger's smile. Deanna appeared from her tent fully dressed and ready for the day. The armor shined with her in it, he thought. She is indeed the one I have searched for.

"Good morning Tekreen, is that coffee I smell?"

"Why yes, it is," Tekreen replied. "Want some?"

"Yes!" Deanna exclaimed.

He poured a mug full and handed it to her. Deanna put the mug to her nose, savored the aroma, and took a cautious sip and sighed.

"No one I have ever known could make coffee this good." She held the cup tightly between her hands. It was good coffee.

As she took another sip, she realized that she had forgotten to do something as a pressure built up within her. She excused herself and disappeared into the forest Tekreen kept his ears open for trouble until Deanna reappeared looking quite refreshed. She picked her mug up and took another sip. Damn good coffee.

"Are we ready to hit the road ?" The tiger asked. Tekreen had reverted to the form of a full white tiger. Deanna smiled playfully and scooted over to his side. He looked a little shocked until she started to scratch behind one of his ears.

"Not quite yet." Deanna giggled. Tekreen arched his neck as he realized how good that felt. A soft purr escaped his throat. Later, with the camp broke and the fire out the two headed out toward the mountains in the west.

He figured at least another three to four days travel along dangerous roads. To keep suspicions down the werecat kept his tiger form. It allowed him to keep up with Deanna's horse as well as hide his true nature. On the second day out together a pair of Dragons passed overhead. Deanna pondered the possibility that Greylin was alive and had found her note. She didn't know one way or the other if Greylin had survived Tobias' treachery. She thought how funny it was that her thoughts constantly went to the wizard.

She shook her head at the idea He was her teacher her advisor and her friend. Maybe she thought there were some feelings she had for him that she had for him that she had not fully explored. But he was old enough to be at least her grandfather. But he looked young enough to be her age if not for the hair and his eyes. Could she love someone like that? Give herself completely to him? She laughed at the idea and shook her head.

That night, Tekreen asked what Deanna had found so funny. She told him that it was nothing and went on to other subjects.

She asked him about his past and he began his story.

"I am a werecat because my parents were wercats. My family belonged to a nomadic tribe of werepeople that never stayed in the same place twice. I grew up learning how to fight and how to think. When I learned to read, I read everything I could on the Dragon Queen and her coming because I felt I would have a place by her side during her great quest. When my family found out about my yearnings, they told me that my place would be with the tribe and not to put to much faith in what they called fairy tales. When I persisted, they exiled me from my intend mate and the clan. So late one evening I went to my mate. I told her that I would return when my quest was completed. That was the last time I ever saw my family or my home."

"How long has it been?" Deanna asked quietly.

"Almost two years. And now, my quest has truly begun. I wish to protect you during your great journey. I want to accompany you to the Castle Blackstone."

Deanna stared into the fire and contemplated his offer. Werepeople just didn't make offers like this everyday. Loyalty was total when given, her father once told her and for the wereperson to offer his or her loyalty to another species was considered the greatest of honors.

"Well" he said almost desperately. "May I join you in your quest?"

"Yes you may" Deanna replied.

"You honor me greatly m'lady."

Deanna yawned, apologized, and retired early to her tent. It wasn't long before Tekreen heard the long deep breaths of sleep from her.

Greylin, Erikson, and Sellandra were escorted down incredibly large hallway with the two Dragons close behind. Their escorts were tall northern elves that said nothing since they had entered the palace of the Council of Dragons. After what seemed to have been at least a mile, they came to a set of massive doors built for the obvious scale of the massive Dragons that dwelled within. The escort turned and left. The party looked at one another with awe at the immensity of the Dragon's Palace. Hard granite floors with walls and ceiling of an almost pearl-like appearance surrounded them. There were no windows in the hall and no torches. Instead, light came from large luminescent crystals mounted at intervals along the high walls.

The massive doors swung open taking them by surprise.

"Enter." The voice could only be that of something big. They proceeded into round reception area of the Council chamber. At least three hundred feet in diameter the reception area was surrounded by a vast chamber. At least five stories tall at where the domed roof reached its apex the chamber could've been at least a half-mile across at least at its widest point. Four tiers layered the sides of the massive chamber. Near the top most tiers were four large openings. Each, large enough to admit a Dragon, faced east, west, north, and south. And on the tiers of the Council of Dragons sat sixteen of the oldest Dragons on all of Sogard. Greylin took stock of the membership of the Council. The oldest male and female Coppers were there as were male and females Reds, Blues, Greens, Blacks, and Whites...Whites?!

"Mom?" Snowball stepped forward in shock. "I thought you said that we didn't get involved!"

Northstar smiled and said. "I felt that I needed to get us involved now that the Dragon Queen has appeared." Snowball nodded and returned to his place.

"Greylin, Master Wizard of the White Magics. You are here for the reason of informing us that the Dragon Queen has arrived. We are honored. Where is she?"

A massive shape shifted its weight in the twilight of the Sogardian sunset. Greylin and company followed the voice back to its source. From the tip of her powerful tail to the tip of her massive snout, she measured over one hundred feet long, twice that of other Dragons in the Council. Her brown eyes seemed to pierce the very souls of the companions. Her gold skin seemed dull from the extreme age of the great Dragon. Her majestic wings stretched out to full length as she assumed a sitting position and then neatly returned to her sides.

Greylin smiled at the power and respect this massive Queen commanded. The simple gesture of sitting up had awed and dumbfounded his companions.

"Where is the Dragon Queen, wizard?" the Dragon asked insistently.

"Great Talos, I do not know. I received a note stating that she was on her way here almost three days ago." Greylin's voice was respectful of the old one. "She should be here within the next few days."

The Gold only nodded and spoke in her own tongue to the Council. At that point, the male Black spoke.

"How do we know that this...man-thing is not trying to deceive us? Many have come to this Council claiming that birthright." The Black's yellow eyes glared at the wizard.

"Yes!" declared the Blue female. "How do we know that this is the time Prophesy spoke of?" The Gold did not reply. Instead, she looked to Greylin to defend himself. Whispers began to filter down from the others in the chamber as Greylin chose his words carefully. He had heard of many that had said the wrong thing and ended up as charred flesh on the Council room floor.

"Great and wise Council." Greylin began slowly. "I have no evidence to support my claim. But, I will bring her to you for your inspection when she arrives."

"That is acceptable, Wizard." the Gold said passively. "We will expect you soon. You have three days." Greylin and his company turned and left the chamber.

The Black looked at the Gold and growled. "You believe this man-thing, Great One?"

"We shall inspect the female when she is brought to us. If the wizard has lied, they shall all die."

The Black nodded in agreement.

"What did the Gold mean when she said we had three days?" Alexander asked the wizard.

"The Dragons here do not like to be screwed with. There have been to many fakes over the last twenty years. So the Dragons put time limits on the arrival times." Sellandra answered for Greylin. "If that young lady doesn't show in three days… we're toast.

"They'll kill us!?" Snowball almost screamed in disbelief.

"Yes" the wizard replied bluntly. "Each and everyone of us if she doesn't get here." Stunned silence fell over the group.

"I have never heard of Dragon killing before like this." Cobalt said quietly.

"You never hear about it because no one's lived long enough to tell that particular tale." Sellandra's reply was laced with sarcasm. "The Dragons on the council think that taking a rider is shameful and they look down on any Dragons that do. So when a Dragon rider is punished the Dragon dies as well."

"Not a pleasant thought." Cobalt and Alexander said together.

"Hey I didn't take a rider. I only do it for my mom. Out of respect for her!" Snowball growled. "I wouldn't die...would I?"

"Most assuredly, my friend" Greylin said not breaking stride. "Preventing contamination."

"Contamination of what?! I'm not sick!" protested the white.

"Contamination of ideas. Why do you think Dragons with riders have never made it into the council? " The irony could not be hidden in Erikson's voice.

The group of friends found their way back down the long passage.

High on the distant mountains, Deanna spotted the Palace of the Dragon Council. Its great towers and domes were visible through the mountain mists. With a sigh of relief, she turned and approached their camp. The smell of cooking meat reached her nose. The werecat smiled at her as she neared him as he turned the boar slowly over the fire.

"My lady, dinner is almost ready," Tekreen smiled. Deanna grimaced as she saw his bloody fangs.

"That's gross. You really need to clean yourself up after a kill." Deanna said shaking the image of the Weretiger bringing down his prey out of her mind.

"Sorry, it's just my nature," Tekreen apologized as he used a rag to wipe his teeth.

"And I thought that cats were supposed to be some of the cleanest animals around!" chuckled Deanna sarcastically. Tekreen glared at her for a moment until he got the joke. He gave Deanna a surprised laugh as he began to serve up her meal.

The light began to fade as they settled down to eat. Slowly, the suns set over the Western mountains. The two, having eaten their fill, settled back down and enjoyed the fire.

"It has just occurred to me that I haven't seen you as a human. Any reason why?" Deanna asked as she set her plate aside.

"It is because I choose not to. My people find taking a purely human form distasteful," he responded coldly as he transformed into the tiger.

"I . . . see. Then I will leave that subject alone then." The coldness of his response caught her off guard. She leaned back against her saddle and stared at the fire.

"We should reach the Palace of the Dragons by nightfall tomorrow. If we travel light and fast." Tekreen explained, changing the subject. We should move quickly as there will be some resistance to your arrival, my queen."

"Are you sure?" Deanna sat upright and cautiously regarded the forest around her.

"There are others who are aware of your presence and of the Prophesy. They are not so willing to give up the power that they've obtained. And those others are upset enough about you to hire Orcs to do away with you at the first opportunity," Tekreen explained as casually as he could. Deanna instinctively went for her Sword. "They have been trailing you ever since you rescued me outside that village. They made the mistake of traveling upwind from us. Hopefully, they won't strike until morning. I, on the other hand, won't wait that long." Tekreen rose onto all fours and padded off into the woods. As soon as his white coat disappeared into the darkness, Deanna went to her tent. She would have felt better if Greylin were there. She needed rest, but her feelings for the wizard kept her up. Finally, as sleep began to overtake her, Deanna went into her tent and laid down on the bed she had made on the tent floor. She did not sleep well that night. Screams of fear and pain filtered in from a distant battle. Apparently, Tekreen was doing exactly what he said he would. He was protecting her with his very life.

Her dreams seemed to focus on the wizard. She was concerned about him. She cared about him more than she had realized. Those feelings seemed to be playing out in those wild imaginings of the night.

Dawn came much too soon for the beleaguered princess. When she stepped from her tent, the Weretiger was nowhere to be found. When she called his name, she received no answer.

As she was preparing breakfast, Tekreen staggered from the forest. His white fur was soaked in blood. He collapsed in front of her. She was at his side quicker than the thought had crossed her mind.

"Are you hurt badly?" Deanna asked, truly concerned for her new friend.

"The blood is not mine. At least most of it isn't," chuckled the Weretiger. Exhaustion and fatigue filled his voice. "My wounds are minor. I'll heal."

"Will you be able to continue on to the Palace with me?"

"Yes, but now we can proceed at a slower pace than before." Tekreen replied as he pulled himself into a sitting position.

"Then we'll go when you're ready." Deanna replied as she knelt next to him.

"That's fine. I just need a short time to rest." He transformed to the tiger and began to clean himself. An hour later, the two set out toward the western mountains.

As the day grew on, the road became much rougher for the travelers. At midday, they reached the base of the Dragons' Mountain. At the top of which was their goal. The Palace of the Dragon Council.

"The path is steep and the climb up won't be easy. Will you be able to manage with your wounds?" Deanna asked, looking to the Palace high above.

"Yes. I'll make it. You know we'll have to leave the horse."

He was answered with Deanna dismounting the animal and gently placing the pack with the Dragon egg within on the ground. She deftly removed the saddle and other gear from her horse and set it free. Sensing its freedom, the horse took off into the plains. Placing the unnecessary gear into some nearby shrubbery, she figured to send someone down to get it in the morning.

Tekreen watched her pull on her pack, the gentle way she handled her precious cargo and the way the Sword found its way into its sheath on her hip. He was meant to help with her quest.

Nodding to the Weretiger, Deanna proceeded up the trail. The path was indeed treacherous, and at times very narrow. On a few occasions, one of them slipped and almost fell headlong down the mountain.

After hours of climbing, her muscles ached. They'd lost sight of the Palace and were considering going back. Though going down was probably twice as dangerous as coming up. After some discussion, Deanna and Tekreen chose to finish the climb. Rounding a bend in the trail, the saw their goal. The Palace . . . and a seemingly shear cliff between them and the main gate less than thirty feet above them.

"What do we do now?" Deanna asked exasperated.

Panting, Tekreen replied, "We climb."

Tekreen tied a rope around Deanna's waist and then to himself. Extending his cat-like claws, he leapt at the rock face. The moment he made contact, he dug in. Pain seared his body as he began to climb. Deanna began climbing using anything she could get her fingers and the toes of her boots into. Pain rippled through every muscle in her body. It was almost as bad as the torture Tobias' Orc had put her through when she was a prisoner in her stepfather's dungeon.

Suddenly, the rope went taunt, and then slack. She gasped in terror as she braced herself for the impact of the were tiger's fall.

"I'm at the top!" She heard him cry out. "Hang on I'll pull you up!" The rope tightened and she climbed with it. When she reached the top, a white furry hand reached down and helped her onto the plateau.

Within Greylin's quarters, a tall man in blue robes looked down on him and evaluated the younger wizard.

"Greylin, you do realize the gravity of your situation, don't you?" the tall Grand Wizard asked. "If you're wrong, it would bring disaster to our order. There would be a great lack of confidence in our abilities." The Grand Wizard's blue robes fluttered silently about him.

"Lord Talbot, she is the one. I am sure of it!" Greylin replied. "She'll be here!"

"For your sake, I hope she is," Talbot replied, allowing the calm to fill him. "Do you think she'll continue to follow your guidance?"

"Of course. She always has. Why?" Greylin asked, becoming uncomfortable.

"Perhaps, we could use her to our own ends," Talbot replied.

"What do you mean we?" Greylin snapped.

"The Order of the White Magics, of course," explained Talbot. "Of which you and I are a part. Blackstone is the most powerful source of magic on the planet. If we could gain control of her, then we would have the power to destroy the Dracorans, and increase our . . . influence."

"I won't do it. I will not use her like some pawn in your little game." Greylin chose his words carefully.

"Remember who and what you are. I will give you time to rethink your position," the Grand Wizard stated. " However, be aware of this, Greylin the White. Do not cross me. Your membership in our order is dependent upon your decision. Choose poorly and we will destroy you." Talbot thrust his hands into the air and teleported away, leaving Greylin to consider his master's words.

CHAPTER THREE:

THE DRAGONS' TEST

Deanna took a deep breath and looked around. Below her was the mountain. She and Tekreen had conquered it. In front of them was the Palace of the Dragon Council. Carved from the solid granite of the mountain's peak untold millennia ago, it was a part of the great mountain and yet separate. At the entrance to the Palace, two tall elves wielding long spears stood as stiff as boards as they watched the newcomers with unyielding eyes. behind the guards were the great wooden gates that were large enough to admit even the largest of Dragons. The Elf guards stiffened a little more as Deanna rose to her feet and calmly approached them.

"No one is allowed to enter without prior consent from the Council," the guard on Deanna's right grunted as he lowered his spear to block Deanna's path. Tekreen trotted to Deanna's side as he slung the pack containing the Dragon egg onto his back.

"Don't you know who you are addressing?" the Weretiger cried in shock.

"Should we?" Asked the Elf on the left sarcastically.

"I am the Lady Deanna Malias of Tornat. This is my bodyguard, Tekreen." Tek threw out his chest as he was introduced. "And this is the Sword of Blackstone." Deanna drew the weapon on her hip and displayed it for the guards. By the expressions on their faces, it was apparent to the young lady that these elves did not impress easily.

"I would like to request an audience with the Council," Deanna continued.

The guards looked at each other and shrugged. The one on the left turned and entered the palace through a small door in the gates while the other moved into Deanna's path.

"You will stay here until my companion has returned," ordered the remaining guard as he returned to his stiff posture.

Deanna looked at the werecat and sighed. "Now, my friend, we wait."

As the suns set over the western horizon, a cool breeze settled over the mountain. Deanna had a feeling that it was going to be a long night.

Greylin and Snowball were awakened at the crack of dawn. The wizard and Dragon took turns yawning and stretching as they waited at the Main Hall for the others. Sellandra yawned groggily as she rounded the corner.

"What's going on?" She asked as she pulled her leather flight jacket on over her faded blue blouse.

"Don't know just yet. I was told that the Council wanted to see us now," Greylin yawned. It was too damn early in the morning for this.

"What are we waiting for?" Snowball demanded impatiently.

"If you'd shut up and be patient, we might just find out!" snarled Cobalt as he and his rider appeared from their quarters. Alex greeted the small band with a yawn and smiled at Sellandra.

Snowball was answered by the sharp sounds of women's boots clicking against the granite floor and a young, red-haired woman rounding the corner. She was dressed in exquisite armor of the type that none of them had seen before. A furry creature dressed in leather breaches and a backpack joined her.

"Greylin? Is that really you?" The young woman exclaimed in delight. She ran toward the wizard and threw herself into his arms.

"Yes, Deanna. It is I." The wizard returned the embrace and kissed her gently on the forehead. "I am very glad to see that you're safe."

"I am so happy to see you. Come on, I want you to meet somebody." Deanna took Greylin by the hand and led him before Tekreen. "This is my personal escort and protector, Tekreen of the Tricopsakee." Greylin took the Weretiger's outstretched hand and shook it. Alex and Sellandra took their turns to introduce themselves and to say hello. The Dragons had seemed to distance themselves from Tekreen, having nothing to do with him.

Greylin looked him over and said, "A changeling? I have never met one before as proud looking as you. From what group do you hail from? The Northern Nomadic Tribe?"

"First of all, I am not a changeling," growled Tekreen. "I am a wereperson. Secondly, as Deanna said before, I hail from the nomadic tribe known as the Tricopsakee. Any other stupid questions?"

"No," replied the wizard apologetically. "I did not know there was a difference."

"What was that I just heard?" cried out Snowball in mock astonishment. "There's something that old fool of a wizard doesn't know? Well, I'll be damned!"

"Shut up, Snowball," Greylin retorted. "If I wanted an opinion out of you, I'd conjure up one!"

Alexander and Sellandra, who had been quiet for most of the encounter, broke into laughter as the two began to bicker. Deanna and Tekreen made their way over them as the White Dragon moved toward the wizard.

"Just what is so funny? Is there something I'm missing?" Tekreen asked.

"I don't know, I just got here myself!" replied Deanna. "Captain Erikson?"

The captain looked at her and desperately tried to stop laughing.

"Those two have been at each other since we've known them. It wouldn't be too much to guess that they've been at it since they met," Sellandra replied as she regained her composure. "It sure has been a long time, hasn't it Deanna?"

Deanna's eyes grew wide as she recognized her childhood friend.

"Sellandra? My god, has it been that long?" The two women embraced. Alexander, again caught off guard, walked back to his Dragon and shook his head. He watched the two young women as they began chattering like schoolgirls just back from summer vacation. Tekreen neared the captain and continued to watch as the White Dragon and the wizard got louder and eye-to-eye.

"Is it me or has this whole thing just turned into one big reunion?" Tekreen asked as he transformed into his tiger form. He was not exactly sure how to handle this situation. Not paying any attention to the newcomer, Alex remained transfixed on the ladies.

"I guess, Tekreen." Alex replied. The big Blue Dragon snarled and took a step backward. "What's wrong, Cobalt?"

"I do not trust that . . . thing," growled Cobalt as he pointed a fore claw at Tekreen.

"And why don't you trust me?" asked the Weretiger as he sat down and cocked his head to one side.

"It is said that the Lycanthropes are responsible for the disappearance of the Silver Dragons!" the Dragon growled as he assumed a more aggressive position.

"Contrary to popular belief, my people were not responsible for the disappearance of the Silvers. We were just the most convenient people to blame all those generations ago," snapped the Weretiger as he tried to stare down the Dragon.

"Just keep in mind that I will be watching you."

"I will. You should keep in mind that I have made an oath to protect the Dragon Queen and I shall not fail. I'll die before I do."

"Pardon me," an Elf guard stated as he approached.

"And what if I don't, wizard?" Snowball's voice resonated above the rest. Greylin's quickly followed.

"I'll shave your furry ass bald!"

"EXCUSE ME?" shouted the White Dragon. "You wouldn't dare!"

"Do you want to push me, Dragon?!"

"Your presence is requested in the Council chamber," the guard shouted. Silence filled the hall as all eyes turned to the Elven guard.

"Thank you. Now, follow me," the Elf stated as he turned on his heel and walked down the passage. Shrugging, Deanna and Sellandra walked after the Elf guard and the others quickly fell in behind them. For most of the long walk, the only sounds that could be heard were the clacking of claws and boot heels on the hard rock floor.

Alex ran up to Deanna and Sellandra and asked, "So, how do you two know each other?"

"I was living in Tornat as a child," Sellandra explained. "We met in school. Her and I hit it off right away. After that, it took the death of our fathers in the war and my mother being elected to the Imperial Senate to separate us."

"Sellandra and I played together, drooled over boys together, and rode our horses together. She's as close to having a sister as I could get without having the same parents," Deanna chimed in with a smile.

"Well, that answers that question." Alex nodded and looked at the massive doors ahead. Although he had been through them before, the sheer size still intimidated him. Greylin assumed the lead as they entered the vast chamber. Snowball and Cobalt, still fuming over their respective arguments, remained in the foyer as the rest entered the Councilroom.

There were now more than fifty Dragons on the surrounding tiers. A multitude of voices echoed throughout the coliseum-sized chamber. The Gold Queen Dragon gave out a mighty roar that sent silence throughout the Palace.

Assuming an imposing position on her royal pedestal, Talos eyed the diminutive wizard and spoke, "Where is she, Greylin of the White Magics? Your time is up."

Greylin stepped aside as Deanna walked forward.

"I am here, Great One, and I claim the birthright of the Dragon Queen." Deanna drew the Sword of Blackstone and presented it to the Council.

"Remove your armor and prove yourself, child," the eldest Black growled fiercely. "The One will have her father's mark upon her, as the Prophecy states!"

Looking to Greylin, Deanna summed up the courage to bare herself to these eldest of all Dragons. As she removed her chest and back armor, She revealed a satin blouse of the finest materials. Though uncomfortable, Deanna was reassured by a nod from Greylin. She began to unbutton the blouse. As she exposed the top of her breasts and corset, a Copper Dragon launched himself from his tier and landed heavily in front of Deanna. He lowered his massive head and inspected her birthmark. His breath was hot upon her and it stank of sulfur.

Satisfied with his inspection, the Copper returned to his place and said, "She does have the mark of her father, the Lord Trevor Malias!"

Closing her blouse and replacing her armor, the princess inhaled deeply and waited patiently for the Gold's decision. Curious about the silence, Cobalt and Snowball entered the chamber. Talos spoke in the Dragon's Tongue to the others around her. When she was finished, a savage roar left her throat and viciously echoed throughout the chamber. The small company of Dragons and comrades on the Councilroom floor grew nervous.

"I've got a real bad feeling about this, Dee," Sellandra whispered to her friend. Deanna only nodded in response and kept her eyes focused on the Queen Dragon.

"Deanna Malias, there is one last test we Dragons have for you this day." Talos' voice assumed a more regal and refined style as she sat up. "In the center of this Hall, is a pedestal with a slot in it. IF that truly is the Sword of Blackstone, it will pass this test. If not, then you and your companions will be punished for this blasphemy."

Deanna accepted the risk and stepped toward the center of the chamber. Tekreen assumed his humanoid form and followed her. As they neared the pedestal, the floor grew black as if it were exposed to a tremendous amount of heat. Finding the slot, Deanna drew the Sword and placed it into the pedestal. It slid in only half way and then stopped. The Sword seemed to glow magnificently in the light that filtered in from the sunrise. As Deanna stepped back from the Sword, Tekreen reached her side and placed a supportive hand on her shoulder.

"Now, I suggest that all of you step as far away from the sword as possible," commanded Talos.

Every member of Deanna's group backed up as far as they could. It didn't take much for Deanna to realize that the Dragons' last test was one of fire. No ordinary sword would withstand the heat of that combined effort.

The party had backed into the alcove of the entrance when the heavy doors slammed shut behind them. The small band was trapped as the Dragons released the most powerful blast of Dragon fire that any of the humans had ever seen. The fire from fifty Dragons slammed into the Sword and pedestal. It got very hot in the Council chamber as the fire continued to strike the Sword. When there was no longer anything to expel, the Dragons ceased their assault and silence again filled the room.

Deanna, Greylin and the others watched carefully as the smoke cleared. When it did, they could not believe their eyes. The Sword had survived! As Deanna cautiously approached her weapon, she could still feel the heat radiating from the solid rock floor. Steam rose from the area around the pedestal.

"Take it, Deanna Malias!" the Gold commanded. Deanna reached out and cautiously touched its hilt. It was as cool as it had been when she had placed it there. Had she not seen the event, she would not have believed it possible. Quickly, she wrapped her hand around the Sword of Blackstone and with a jerk brought it over her head. As Deanna sheathed the Sword, she presented herself to the Queen Dragon and waited for something, anything to happen.

Talos said nothing, rose up and launched her immense frame into the air. She landed in front of the young Queen with grace and beauty. As the Dragon folded her wings at her sides, Deanna took a hesitant step back.

Talos bowed down before her, and on their tiers, the others of the Council followed the Queen Dragon in the largest expression of reverence Deanna had ever seen. As Talos rose back into a sitting position, a roar left her throat.

"Go my people!" Talos roared in delight. "Go and tell all Dor'ruh Mah that the Time of the Prophecy has begun!"

A mighty wind rose up as the others of the Council left the chamber in flight. As the Chamber emptied, Deanna saw a lone Black Dragon remain. There was something about the way it had looked at her that seemed familiar. The Dragon nodded respectfully and took to flight as the Gold spoke. Her voice, once laced with distrust, now was full of respect.

"My Lady, soon the world will know of your coming. The coming quest will not be an easy one. But we of the Dragon Council and the rest of our proud race will assist you in any way we can."

"Thank you, I'll need all the help I . . ." Deanna was interrupted by a loud crack. Tekreen, startled by movement in his pack, removed it and presented it to his Queen. Deanna gently set the pack on the floor and opened the flap. Her emerald green eyes met with a pair of deep sea blue ones.

"Oh, how cute!" Sellandra cried out as she saw Deanna remove the newborn from the pack. As Talos saw the newborn, She trumpeted a cry of delight.

"What are you going to call her?" Talos asked as she sniffed the newborn. The baby Dragon looked at the Gold Queen and nuzzled her snout.

"I think I'll call her . . . Salia'Ryanne," Deanna replied as she cradled the infant Dragon in her arms. "It's from the Dwarves' tongue meaning Wind Rider."

"A proud name, Dragon Queen," Erikson said respectfully as he bowed.

"I am so proud of you, Deanna," Greylin smiled as he bowed.

Sellandra bowed as well and said, "As am I, my queen."

Tekreen dropped to one knee and bowed his head. He remained there until Deanna released him. His eyes caught the distrustful glance Talos gave him.

Even Snowball and Cobalt were bowing. Not really paying any attention to what was happening around her, Deanna reached down into the pack and retrieved a strip of meat. She fed it to the small Dragon and Salia crooned as she found that a full belly brought some contentment. About the size of a small dog, Salia'Ryanne wasted no time in wrapping herself around Deanna.

"It seems that the young one has already attached itself to you, my Queen," Talos stated with a smile.

"Yah, I guess she has," Deanna replied with a smile. She looked around as if looking for an escape. The gravity of the events had just set in. She had to find somewhere to hide.

"Now, you must prepare. I will see to it that your escort is outfitted for the journey ahead," Talos informed her as she laid down. " You will need to leave as soon as possible. There are many who want you to fail and are willing to use any and all means necessary to accomplish that goal."

"I understand," Deanna replied distractedly. "We'll set out at first light."

"Thank you for hospitality, Queen Talos. We should begin our preparations." Greylin watched as Deanna gathered up the pack and set the baby Dragon down. He watched as the young one got its footing and then followed Deanna out the still opening doors.

"My pleasure, Lord Greylin. Is there something troubling you?"

"I'm concerned at how Deanna is handling all of this."

"Suggest to her that a visit to our chapel might be in order."

Greylin nodded and followed Deanna out of the Council chamber

Deanna walked slowly down the passage. The little Dragon tried desperately to keep up with her. When she entered her quarters, her strength seemed to ebb out of her. She found just enough energy to lay the sleepy Dragon on the bed and lay down next to it. Just as she was drifting to sleep, a knock came from her door.

"Dee? Are you in here?" Sellandra asked as she peaked in the door.

"Come in," Deanna replied with little enthusiasm. Sellandra entered the room and closed the door behind her. As she sat down on the bed next to her friend, she saw the trail of tears that flowed down Deanna's cheeks.

"What's wrong, Deanna?"

"I don't know what I am doing here! Why am I the Dragon Queen?" sobbed Deanna. "I don't even know how to be a proper princess!"

"I don't know how to help you with this. But, what I do know is that you showed a considerable amount of courage in the Council chamber today. A lot of courage and inner strength." Sellandra gave Deanna a hug. "Greylin asked me to tell you something. He said that Talos would like you to visit the Palace's chapel today. He and she both thought that it would be a good idea."

Taking a deep breath, Deanna decided that advice from a higher power might just be a good idea. She removed the Sword of Blackstone and its sheath and placed them on the bed. She stood up and moved toward the door.

"Could you watch Salia for me?" Deanna asked as she neared the door.

"Sure," agreed Sellandra. "Just don't go throw yourself out a window or anything like that. O.K.?"

"Alright, I'll be back soon." Deanna disappeared out the door and into the Palace. The Palace was immense. After roaming its halls all day, Deanna finally found the Chapel. Built on the same scale as the rest of the Palace, the temple's high ornate ceiling made her feel small. Very small. Rows of pews suggested that this place could hold a service for at least a thousand people. As she approached the altar, a monk in plain brown robes approached her.

"Can I help you, my child?"

"I'm just here to pray, kind sir. If I do need anything, I'll let you know."

"That's fine, dear." The monk returned to his duties. Deanna walked slowly to the altar and knelt down before it. She looked up to the large statue representing the Great Creator of the Universe. It was a statue of a bearded man with a world in each hand and children at his feet. Deanna bowed her head and began to pray.

"Father Creator, God of the Universe, I have come before your alter to ask for your guidance. I do not know if I can carry the burden placed upon me. I am unsure of myself, and I do not know if I have what it takes to be this Dragon Queen. I know that I can't just quit. I need guidance. I know I haven't been a 'good' follower of your laws, but I try. I am not worthy of your support, but any thing that you might b able to do would be helpful. Help me, please."

A great warmth filled the temple. Deanna felt a great peace fill her and surround her. When she opened her eyes, she was no longer in the temple. A large grassy plain, under a sky of deep blue surrounded her, and there were no shadows at all.

"Deanna, our God has heard your request and has sent me to answer it."

Deanna sprang to her feet and turned around. Before her stood a man in white robes and he had black curly hair. His brown eyes calmed her and seemed to pierce her soul.

"I understand your doubts, I know your desires, I understand your pain," the man said, his voice as calming as his presence. Deanna was suddenly aware that this was not a monk or the Keeper of Blackstone. He was . . . something else.

"Who or what are you?" demanded Deanna.

"Let's just say that I am a messenger from the one you call Creator, God of the Universe," replied the man. " I have been sent to give you a reply to your request. You are indeed strong enough in body and in spirit to carry this burden. Your faith in the Creator will be enough to get you through the trials ahead." The stranger's voice almost sang. "Let the Creator into your heart and he will guide you."

"But, who are you?" Deanna asked as she tried in vain to absorb the details of her whereabouts.

"You shall know me soon enough. Until then, I return you to your world."

Suddenly the area filled with a bright, white light. The next thing she knew, Deanna was back in the temple, kneeling before the altar. Deanna rose and walked quickly toward the entrance. The warmth of her experience stayed with her. As she neared the doors, she caught sight of the monk who had greeted her earlier.

"Pardon me, kind sir, how long have I been gone?"

The monk looked at her with shock. "Why, you never left, child. You have been praying before the altar all afternoon!"

"I'm . . . sorry to have bothered you," Deanna said as she shrugged.

"Did you find what you were looking for?"

"As a matter of fact, I did." Deanna replied with a smile.

"Good for you, child. God be with you." Deanna gave the startled monk a hug and left the chapel. Smiling, the monk set down his work and vanished in an explosion of light.

Deanna returned to her room. She felt better than she had in a long time. Tomorrow seemed to her like the beginning of a bright, brand new future.

The triple suns lit up the afternoon skies. The group of warriors rode slowly through the dense forest. Snowball and Cobalt complained constantly about the load that they had to carry. The Council had given them more supplies than they really needed.

They crossed the River Deltant just before sunset and made camp. Weary from the ride and setting up camp, the group clustered around the fire and had dinner.

"Am I ever glad to be off that horse!" Sellandra sighed as she rubbed her bruised backside.

"Me, too. How far do you think we've come, Captain Erikson?" Deanna asked as she settled down next to the wizard who was deeply involved in a book he had gotten from the Dragons.

"Ten, maybe twelve miles," Alex replied from behind his map. "Tough it would help me to know where we're going."

"Just where are we going?" Tekreen asked with annoyance as he reclined into his tiger form.

"I don't know. Talos told me that the Sword would be my guide." Deanna shrugged apologetically.

"Deanna, may I see the Sword?" Greylin asked without looking up from his book. Without asking why, Deanna retrieved the weapon from her tent and presented it to the wizard. Greylin looked over the symbols engraved into the blade, referred to his book and then gasped.

Jumping to his feet, Greylin stated, " I have seen these ruins before! The Black Pillar of Turlan" He handed the Sword back to a perplexed Deanna and moved to Alex's side.

"Then I guess we head for Turlan!" Sellandra said with a smile.

"I don't think that is such a good idea," Tekreen warned. "That's awfully close to the Dracoran held colonies. We need not deliver our Queen into enemy hands."

"I will not allow someone to start deciding what I should and should not do," Deanna said forcefully as she stood. "If Turlan is where we need to go, then that is where I am going. If you want to come with me, do so. If not, speak now and I will not hold your decision against you."

Snowball and Cobalt looked at her with astonishment.

"I am sworn to your safety, my Queen. Where you go, I go." Tekreen said as he sat up.

"I'm going to. I made a promise to your father and I intend to see it through." Greylin stated. Sellandra and Salia wouldn't be left behind. Snowball shrugged as if to say 'why not.' Alex and Cobalt looked to each other nodding their answer. Little more was said the rest of the evening as the group considered the ramifications of their decisions. They wandered back to their tents one by one and soon the camp was silent.

Deanna remained up long after the others had gone to sleep. Salia purred happily in her lap as Deanna scratched her little eye ridge. The view from this ridge over looking the camp was spectacular. Smiling she set the little Dragon on the ground.

Systematically, Deanna moved through one of the many martial arts techniques that Greylin had taught her. Focus came quickly and calm shortly thereafter. Salia watched as Deanna moved through the graceful, yet deadly strikes and kicks.

A breaking branch sent Deanna into a defensive position facing the one person she hadn't expected to see.

"Good evening, Lady Malias," Erikson said respectfully.

"Captain Erikson, this is an unexpected pleasure," Deanna returned the greeting as she relaxed from her attack mode. She smiled at the Dragonrider. He was kind of cute in his own unique way.

"May I speak with you?"

"Sure," Deanna replied. "What's on your mind?"

"I wanted you to know that I have decided to take Cobalt and go on to the Capital. I believe we should start seeking out allies who will accept you leadership."

"I, too, have put a lot of thought into that, Captain. Can we expect trouble from the Dragosian Empire and the Emperor? "

"I doubt it, but I have to, at the least, find out."

"Then go, Captain Erikson, with my blessing."

Alex knelt down before her and kissed her hand. She nodded and the baby Gold chirped happily. He rose and looked her straight in the eye.

"Go with grace, Lady Malias. I hope to see you again." Alex disappeared into the shadows of the night. A short time later, the big Blue Dragon rose into the air and flew south. Deanna watched with regret as the Dragon and its rider vanished over the horizon.

Deanna smiled softly as Salia'Ryanne nuzzled her leg.

"Let's get to bed," Deanna said with a yawn. She walked slowly back to camp with the fledgling Dragon trotting after her.

Deanna, Sellandra, Greylin, Snowball and Tekreen moved on the next morning. Covering as much ground as they could, the small band of adventurers moved swiftly across the grassy plains of the Magaddoh Valley. Tekreen maintained his tiger form in order to free up his horse to carry supplies. Greylin and Snowball fought constantly about everything, from the care of the newborn Dragon to the weight of the White Dragon's load.

Days past in rapid succession. The fledgling Dragon now hunted with Snowball and was growing quickly. Now, Salia'Ryanne was now the size of a Saint Bernard.

Greylin and Tekreen went over the various books that the wizard had brought with him, trying to find something in those ancient texts that would be of some use to them.

Occasionally, Greylin would watch Deanna. He was awed by how beautiful she had become. When Tekreen noticed the attention that the wizard spent on the Queen, he was quick to remind Greylin of his duties to her.

Though she was sure he hadn't noticed, Deanna had spent a lot of time thinking about and staring at the wizard. Whenever he'd look her way, she'd smile softly and look away. She felt guilty that she could have feelings for the man who was her teacher. Sighing, she resolved herself to telling him how she felt one day.

A week had past since Captain Erikson had left for Dragos City and the Emperor. As night fell, the group made camp.

"Am I ever glad to get that stuff off of my back," Snowball stated as he stretched out and relieved his sore muscles.

"I'm just glad to be off that horse!" Sellandra sighed as she rubbed her lower back." If we weren't so worried about the Dracoran Army, I'd ask to slow our pace down the next couple of days."

"You know we can't do that!" replied Tekreen. "The enemy will try to stop us at every turn! I'd like nothing more than to slow down myself, but I won't give the Dracorans any opportunity to stop us."

"Hey, Tekreen, you sound a little like the Emperor. Fearing that there's an Orc or an assassin with a crossbow behind every tree!" Deanna laughed. "Relax! We haven't encountered any resistance since you and I headed for the Dragon Council."

"That's what I'm afraid of," Tekreen replied, his voice edgy. " This trip has been too easy."

The group was startled when Greylin let out a yelp. Salia'Ryanne had settled her large frame into the wizard's lap.

"Uncle?" Salia chirped happily as she nuzzled Greylin's chest. Snowball rolled with laughter. Soon everyone was laughing, with the exception of Greylin. He was trying desperately trying to get Salia to get off him. Soon, the young Dragon was licking Greylin's face. Snowball stopped laughing only long enough to catch his breath.

"You have no idea how to get her off, do you?" laughed the White Dragon.

"No, as a matter of fact, I don't," growled the wizard.

"Salia, come here," Deanna asked as she realized the game was no longer funny. The fledgling Dragon was just getting to big. Lowering her head, the young Gold wandered back to Deanna's side and laid down. Greylin cast a disparaging glance at the little Dragon.

"How long until we get to Turlan?" Sellandra inquired as she caught her breath.

"About another week or so," Deanna replied. " Greylin, do you think the pillar is still there?" Standing, Greylin nodded.

"Yes. During the civil war, the Emperor's forces tried in vain to bring it down. As far as any scientist I known is concerned, the thing's indestructible,"

Greylin explained. "Now, we should get some rest. We've got an early start tomorrow."

"Why do you always say that we need to get an early start?" complained Snowball. "We all know what's at stake and we all know what we need to do! Why can't you just lay off for once!"

"Because, the last time that I didn't say something, SOMEONE didn't wake up until well into the afternoon!" the wizard replied angrily.

"Sorry!" the White Dragon snapped sarcastically.

"I don't know why I put up with you!" Greylin growled as he shook his head and glared at the Dragon. The others stood and moved toward their respective tents. Deanna, Sellandra, and Tekreen knew what was about to happen and they wanted no part of it. They had watched those two argue for most of this journey.

"You put up with me because I am the only one here that is capable of raising Salia and teaching her how to survive as a Dragon. I am also here because of a promise I made to my mother."

"Never mind!" Greylin replied, throwing his arms up in frustration. He angrily threw open his tent and disappeared into it.

"Come on, Salia. We need to eat and we haven't got all night!" Snowball grumbled angrily. That wizard would push him too far one day and the Dragon chuckled at the thought of what he'd do to that old man when he did.

"I get to hunt tonight, maybe?" Salia asked in anticipation.

"No, but soon." replied the White Dragon. "Soon." The two Dragons walked quietly into the forest.

Hours passed and Sellandra relieved Tekreen of his watch so that he could get some rest. With her hair pulled back and dressed in her military uniform, she settled down next to the fire and admired the quiet of the night. Elora and its rings lit up the summer night sky. The gas giant was so beautiful this time of year mused the Elf. So enthralled by the serene beauty of the night was Sellandra that she failed to notice the twig snapping in the distance. It might have been the Dragons returning from their evening meal.

Crickets that had been singing to their mates for most of the evening suddenly went silent. Sellandra, startled by the sudden silence, jumped to her feet and drew her katana.

"Who's there?!" she asked of the darkness. Her answer was that of searing pain from her thigh. Sellandra looked down and saw an arrow buried deep into the muscle and a darkening stain of blood emanating from the wound. As she collapsed to the ground, she screamed in pain. Awakened by the fierceness of the cry, Deanna bolted out of her tent. Tekreen and Greylin were quick to respond as well. Deanna brandished the Sword of Blackstone as she tried to find the foe that had tried to kill her friend.

The attack was swift and sudden. Soldiers dressed in black armor seemed to appear from out of nowhere. What resistance the group was able to put up was crushed quickly and efficiently. Tekreen was the last to fall. It took five of the soldiers to subdue him. They dropped him next to Deanna and placed a knife to his throat.

"This dagger is made of pure silver, Lycanthrope," snarled the soldier with the knife. "I think you get the picture." Tekreen relaxed just enough for his arms to be bound behind him.

"The camp is secure, sir!" another soldier shouted into the darkness.

"Excellent. Now, let us see tonight's catch," the leader laughed as he entered the clearing. He was tall and narrowly built. His black robes hid most of his body and his stride was accented by his arrogant smile. Long black hair fell over his pale features, and something about his eyes sent chills down Deanna's spine. It was almost as if the man looked at her as if she were a side of beef.

"Who are you?" Greylin demanded. "What is it that you want?"

"I am Fredrick Van Helsing, General of the Wapirion Armed Forces. You are trespassing," Van Helsing informed them. "You are all under arrest."

"We didn't know!" exclaimed Deanna as she struggled to her feet. Van Helsing struck her across the face with the back of his hand. She looked up from where she landed and spit blood at his boot. He smiled softly as he readjusted his glove.

"I am really growing tired of guys doing that to me," Deanna growled.

Sellandra moaned in pain as she tried to move.

"Oh, well, " smiled Van Helsing. " We move. Now." The soldiers dragged everyone to their feet. Sellandra screamed and collapsed again. Greylin lurched against his captors and glared at their commander.

"Let me help her!" The request was more of a plea from a wizard.

"All right, but no funny stuff, or the young lady bleeds to death," Van Helsing said bluntly. He nodded to the guard holding Deanna. The soldier grabbed her by the hair and placed a knife uncomfortably close to her throat. Thunder rattled in the distance.

Greylin looked from Deanna to Sellandra who now lay, bleeding, on the ground. Even if he got the spell he was considering off, he couldn't save either of the women from a quick and certain death. As his bonds were released, Greylin dropped to Sellandra's side and inspected her wounds. The shaft had pierced a major artery and she was bleeding heavily. With an elven profanity, he cleared his throat and cast the spell. The arrow glowed white-hot and then vanished. Sellandra opened her eyes and looked up at the wizard.

"Thank you, Greylin." They were dragged to their feet and returned to the group. Greylin's bonds were replaced A cold wind pierced the clearing with a vengeful blast. Storm clouds now blocked out most of the moonlight.

"Trash the camp and bring their things," ordered Van Helsing. The troops not holding his prisoners immediately followed the command. Their weapons, spell books, clothing, and supplies were loaded onto their horses and the regiment prepared the prisoners for travel.

"Sir, I've found something I think you need to see." A soldier shouted as he approached. He presented Deanna's Sword to Van Helsing. He marveled over the Sword for a time and then he looked to the prisoners.

"Whom does this magnificent weapon belong to?"

"It belongs to me!" Deanna stated fiercely.

"And who, may I ask, are you?" Van Helsing's eyes seemed to have some strange pull on her.

"I am the Lady Deanna Malias of the city of Tornat. I demand that you release us."

"The Lady Malias? I see," Van Helsing mused, weighing his options. "I'm sorry, I can't do that."

Turning away from them, Van Helsing strode towards the edge of the clearing, still admiring his prize. Tekreen roared and struggled against his captors. The knife at his throat dug into his hide and the Weretiger quickly relaxed.

"You fool!" exclaimed Tekreen. "Do you not know who you have here?" Deanna and Greylin shook their heads trying to get Tekreen's attention. Furious with the Weretiger's outburst, Van Helsing turned and looked at the black and white creature that was snarling at him.

"And just whom do I have here? A spoiled brat of a princess? An incompetent wizard? A pathetic excuse for an Elf in the Imperial Guard? A waste of good tiger meat? That is what I have as my prisoners." Lightning flashed in the sky above as rage filled the Dragon Queen.

"Lady Malias is the Dragon Queen!" Tekreen roared. "Release us now and you will not suffer her wrath!"

"The Dragon Queen, you say? Then my Lady Alcaria will be very pleased," chuckled Van Helsing as a smile distorted his narrow features. Suddenly, A spark of inspiration struck him. "Ah, then this must be . . .."

Deanna struggled against her bonds as he strode confidently towards her.

"Is this the Sword of Blackstone?" He asked as he showed her the Sword.

"N-no," she tried to lie.

"Is this the Sword of Blackstone?" he repeated with a more authoritarian tone. He stared down at her with his piercing blue eyes. Some power he held dragged the truth from her.

"Yes, it is." Deanna replied in an almost trance-like state.

"Then my Mistress will be extremely happy to meet you. You have an . . . innocence that the Mistress will find most intoxicating." Pleased with the turn of events, Van Helsing turned on his heel and barked, "Bring them!"

As they were being dragged into the forest, Sellandra glared at Tekreen and spat, " That really helped us out, dumbass! Thanks a lot." The group of soldiers led them into the darkness.

Snowball and Salia'Ryanne returned to the camp to find it ransacked and shattered. The fire had died down to just burning embers and the tents lay torn and scattered. The White Dragon trumpeted a challenge, but it went unanswered. Salia wandered from tent to tent sniffing as she went. Snowball watched the little Dragon confirm what he already knew.

"Dee's not here. No one here," Salia cried with sorrow.

"No, but they are still alive. Follow me!" Snowball snarled as he followed Greylin's scent into the woods. "Whoever attacked my friends is going to pay. And if that wizard is harmed, so help me, Creator, I'll kill every last one of them."

Salia's little legs desperately tried to keep up with the older Dragon.

"Hey, wait up!" she cried out after the White.

Deep in the heart of the Dracorans' main dungeon, a tall man in black robes looked into a cell. The Orc at his side smiled as he reported to the sorcerer.

"The prisoner seems to be sleeping well. The plan is working."

"Yes, Torg. It is. Lord Malicant was a fool to doubt that the plan would work," the mage replied. "My operative is using the dreams of the prisoner to conceal itself from the Dragon Queen. Our 'guest' is under the impression that what is happening out there is real. In fact, our operative firmly believes it is our prisoner, until such a time as it needs to contact us. Things will continue as they are until the Dragon Queen has accomplished what we have not," explained the sorcerer.

"And what is that, Lord Quinn?" asked Torg.

"Discovering the location of the Castle Blackstone, of course," Quinn laughed as they turned to leave.

"Ah, a truly devious plan." Torg rubbed his clawed hands together in delight.

"I know," Quinn replied as he and the Orc walked out of the dungeon.