The Onyx Dragon Read Online Free PDF Page B

dark-fires. A force, for want of a better word, which opposes these cosmic draconic white-fires. Brought together, the two annul each other. They are the ultimate foes. Perhaps dark-fires represent negation, annihilation, or chaos itself–I don’t know what exactly, but I sense the answers we need lie somewhere upon the Island of a philosophy of dark-fires.”
    The silence that enveloped their gathering was indeed dark-fires, Pip thought. Every Dragon’s eye-fires darkened or turned toward crimson anger as they considered her words.
    Shimmerith asked plaintively, “How can we fight an elemental force, Yaethi?”
    “A creature born of dark-fires?” Silver whispered, shivering visibly. “Ay, my scales shudder with its truth; like Emblazon, my seventh sense …”
    “Sings,” Emblazon supplied.
    The Silver Shapeshifter said, “Thank you, shell-brother. My native Herimor is rife with creatures which parasitize magic. Rider Yaethi’s idea elevates the same concept to a greater plane of existence. This chills my belly-fires.”
    Master Kassik tented his fingers again, staring at Yaethi with such a blaze of draconic calculation, the girl voiced an involuntary whimper and ducked her head. He said, “Yaethi and Arrabon, I must ask you to remain here whilst we fly on our mission to Sylakia and the Crescent. I would have you lead the scholarly investigation into–”
    “ Lead? ” Yaethi yelped. “But Master–”
    “Lead,” he repeated, in growl that booked no argument, “with the help of the Dragon Elders, and every resource at our disposal both in this Academy and Fra’anior Cluster. Masters Ga’am and Shambithion, and the Blue Dragoness Cressilida, shall be your overseers and mentors. Ay. And the Nameless Man, if we can recruit him. What say you, Dragon and Rider?”
    Yaethi rose to perform a Helyon genuflection. “As you command, Master. I accept.”
    “Bravo!” Arrabon bugled. “My Rider speaks for us both.”
    Master Kassik said, “Nak and Emblazon, you shall lead our Dragonwing to Sylakia, where Master Balthion, Casitha and I propose to meet with certain friends in order to investigate a persistent, strong rumour that the Sylakian Shapeshifters have found a way to hide from the beast of Shadow. Meantime, the rest shall fly on to the Crescent. We’ll have many hours on the wing to discuss strategy, but I believe an incisive raid by a limited number of Dragons and Riders should offer the best chance of success.”
    Or, it would limit the losses should their mission end in catastrophe. But Pip did not voice this concern. Failure was unthinkable. She could not, and would not, consider it.
    “We must secure this knowledge hidden by the Order of Onyx before the Marshal does,” said Kassik. “Blazon will take charge of the Academy in my absence. We will use this evening to prepare, and fly as the first light of dawn illuminates our Island-World. May the fire of Ancient Dragons be our portion, and may we burn the heavens together, forever.”
    Kassik gazed around his group, receiving a number of firm nods or affirmative rumbles in response to his passionate closing declaration. Pip’s thoughts, however, turned to Shimmerith.
    Noble Shimmerith, what of your unhatched egg? Surely you cannot fly, yet? And will you not be required to nurse your hatchlings?
    Dragons don’t nurse, little one. Shimmerith’s Dragonish expressed nuances of laughter, motherly-brooding-love and concern. Your interest is timely. Pip–
    “Ay,” said Master Kassik. “Pip, go help Shimmerith hatch her egg. Snip snap, girl.”
    “Me?” she squeaked, and lowered her voice, annoyed. “Me? Master, what do I know of Dragon eggs or hatchlings?”
    “Enough backchat, you pintsized menace.” The Brown Shapeshifter smiled genially. “Pip, get out of my office before I thrash you with my Dragon’s paw. That is an order.”
    She made quite certain her piping laughter had irritated him before she left.

Chapter 3: Hatchlings
     
    S nip