The Dragon Isles

Chapter Twenty-Three

The large moray eel swimming surreptitously through the coral canyons of Darthalla was not an eel at all. It darted from shadow to shadow, peering into windows, following its sensitive nose. The scents of the elven city confused it, but strong purpose burned in its mind: destroy the Veil, pursue those who have pierced it, discover their secrets, find the keys.

The voice of Tempest hissed softly in the eel’s mind; her visage, huge and wrathful, danced before its eyes. The eel who was Mog watched, and waited, and lurked unseen.

Mik swam beside Ula and Shimmer as they trailed Lyssara Drakenvaal through the maze-like passages of the palace in Darthalla.

Now that Mik had a chance to look more closely at him, he could see that Shimanloreth was exceedingly handsome. His features were strong and well-formed. His hair shone like spun copper, complimenting his orangish eyes. His skin was tanned and smooth. There was an elvish cast to his face: the regular features, the arched brows, the slightly pointed ears-though Mik didn’t think he was actually an elf. Not for the first time the sailor wondered about the bronze knight-who he was, how he came to live in the sea, and what was the secret of his amazing armor.

Ula’s sister, Lyssara, talked incessantly as they swam down the gently curving hallway. Her words were eloquent, though Ula seemed unimpressed.

“It’s not just your family,” Lyssara was saying. “This concerns the whole of Darthalla-and even the Isles themselves. Something is wrong with the Veil. Tempest could never have gotten so close otherwise. The weather has been erratic as well. Of course storms don’t affect our people as much as they do the surface dwellers, but it has hindered shipping-which affects everything else.”

“The departed gods forbid that Dargonesti should be self-sufficient,” Ula said sarcastically.

Lyssara frowned. “None of us is alone in this world, Ula,” she said, “no matter how much we might like to he. Ah, here are your chambers. I trust you’ll find them adequate for your brief stay.” She led them all up a short slope, and through a moon pool into a dry foyer.

“I’m sure it will be fine,” Mik said.

Lyssara smiled at him, though Mik didn’t think she liked him at all. “I’ll leave you alone to get settled then,” she said. “It’s late, and I’m sure you’re tired. We’ll talk again during breakfast.”

“Or perhaps we could enjoy our breakfast in silence,” Ula said, imitating her sister’s false smile.

Lyssara grinned back. “See you in the morning.” She dove into the moon pool and swam swiftly away. Two guards emerged from the water and stationed themselves near the door to the chamber.

“We won’t be needing you,” Shimanloreth said.

The guards looked at each other, then bowed to Shimmer, and retreated back into the water and disappeared around a bend in the passage.

“They’re probably lurking right around that corner,” Ula said.

“A respectful distance,” Shimmer noted. A smile tugged at the comers of his mouth, and his brazen eyes flashed.

Their apartment had a main room with five smaller sleeping alcoves arranged symmetrically around the edges. The chamber was composed of shaped coral, worn smooth by the Dargonesti. A large crystal window set into one wall overlooked the city. Comfortable-looking shells set along the walls served as chairs and couches. Several large nets for stowing possessions hung from the ceiling. An opening in one wall led down a short tunnel to a grooming chamber with hot and cold running fresh water. Each bedchamber featured a web of silky seaweed to support the sleeper.

The three guests took a few moments to freshen up before settling into their netting.

“A nicer prison than last time,” Mik noted. He removed his necklace and set it on the hammock beside him.

“I hope your minnow’s faring well,” Ula said, “since he’s got the key to finding this treasure.”

“Trip won’t let us down,” Mik said. “I just hope you’re reading those clues right.”

“We’ll know soon enough if I’m not,” Ula replied.

“That’s small comfort.”

“We must remember that Aurialastican and its secrets belong to dragons,” Shimmer said. “The owners departed along with the gods-but the Dragonheights are still perilous.”

“How hard can it be to wander through a vacant house?” Mik asked.

“Just because the owner is away, doesn’t mean that the house is unguarded,” Shimanloreth said. He yawned.

“We’ll crack that egg in the morning,” Ula said. “Or after we rescue your kender.”

The next morning, Mik woke to find Ula and Lyssara in mid-argument once more. He slitted one brown eye open and gazed at the elf women; even squabbling, they were still amazingly beautiful.

"If the overlords find the Isles, they will destroy us all,” Lyssara said.

"And that should matter to me because… ?” Ula replied.

Lyssara gazed at her sister in disbelief. "Ula Drakenvaal, how can you even think such a thing?”

"Are the Isles any more precious than the mainland?” Ula asked. “I didn’t see our people rushing to help Ansalon when the overlords came.”

"The dragons did what they could,” Lyssara said. "It was all that anyone could do.”

"All save the gods, who turned their backs on the world,” Ula replied. "No wonder the world turns its back on the gods. If the metallic dragons weren’t willing to defend this place, why should I?”

Lyssara glared at both Ula and Shimanloreth, who was lounging on a shell nearby. “Some dragons are willing to fight, as are some people-both human and elf.”

"Like Benthor and Misa Kell?” Ula asked. "Pardon me if I don’t like the company you keep, sister.”

“Ula, these are your people, too. We are in danger-even you and your friends. If you don’t believe me, if you won’t believe your family, speak to the Sage. She will advise you of the truth.”

"Who?” Mik asked, sitting up in his hammock and stretching. He fetched his enchanted necklace from the bedding and stuck it securely in his belt.

Lyssara looked surprised, as though she’d forgotten about the sailor. “The Sea Sage-an ancient oracle, tied to the spirit of our people. She counsels us in times of trouble or need.”

"The Dargonesti turn to her rather than think on their own,” Ula said sarcastically.

Lyssara ignored her sister’s jab. “The sage says that every Dargonesti soul-even the least-will be needed in the dark times ahead.”

Ula’s rolled her green eyes at Mik. “The least meaning me, of course.”

Lyssara paced agitatedly around the room. “No,” she said, “I’m saying that all are needed.”

Mik pulled himself out of his sleeping web and stretched again. “This sage sounds pretty wise,” he said, catching Ula’s eye. “Perhaps she could help us with our current… problem.”

“As a matter of fact,” Ula replied, “I’d already planned to visit her on our way to Aurialastican.”

Lyssara’s long eyelashes fluttered, and a surprised smile danced across her lovely face. “You have? I’m so glad. Some distrust you, my sister, but I know your heart will not lead you astray. Shall I make the arrangements for you?”

“No,” Ula said. “I’ll handle this on my own.”

“Very well,” Lyssara replied. “May the tides lift you to glory.” She bowed slightly and left the chamber.

“ ’Neath traversed azure wine-Converse with hoary fates-With tangled hones of vine-To root Green keg awaits,” Mik recited. “You think the ‘Green key’ lies with this sage?”

“I’m almost certain of it.”

“It’s a dangerous path, Ula,” Shimmer warned.

“All our paths are dangerous,” Ula replied. “It’s true the Sea Sage can be tricky, but I’ve dealt with her before.” She paced in tight circles around the chamber, rubbing her chin with one slender hand. “I’ll make the necessary preparations. Mik, you and Shimmer should hire some draken rays for our trip to Aurialastican.”

“No, I want to go with you to visit this Sage,” Mik said. Ula arched one platinum eyebrows at him. “Outsiders are usually not permitted.”

“Worried about protocol, Ula?” Mik asked, his brown eyes twinkling.

“All right,” she said. “You can come, but we need steeds in any case.”

“I’ll hire them,” said Shimmer.

“Good,” Mik said. He looped his arm through Ula’s elbow. “You and I can pick up some breakfast on the way. I’m starving.”

Shimmer left to find suitable draken for their trip while Ula and Mik stopped for breakfast and went to gather provisions to visit the Sage. Shimmer gave them some money to cover expenses and Ula converted the change into small bits of jewelry, which she wove into her sparse clothing.

Mik marveled at the beauty of the Dargonesti city; it was even more spectacular in the daylight than it had been the previous night. The shell-like spires and reefs of Darthalla stretched almost to the surface above, and far into the indigo darkness below. The city teemed with elves swimming about their daily business: aristocrats and traders, hunters and fishers, kelp farmers, tuna herders, and undersea vintners. Shell-armored riders on the backs of huge draken rays glided through the streets, keeping the peace.

The elves themselves were something to behold, too-slender and graceful, with delicate features and sparkling eyes. Few were as lovely as Ula or her sister, but most put human beauties to shame. Mik avoided gawking as much as possible.

The magic of his necklace worked well during their sojourn, though he lost two more jeweled scales. He experienced none of the difficulties he had earlier, which left him hoping that the problems were merely a side effect of Karista’s magic seaweed. In his heart, though, he knew the magic of the amulet-like all magic in Krynn-was gradually failing.

After completing their errands, Mik and Ula hooked up with Shimmer near the edge of town. The bronze knight helped Ula and Mik mount their leathery indigo steeds, then swung into his own saddle.

“Follow me,” Ula said, urging her draken ray forward.

Mik and Shimmer fell in behind, and they quickly faded into the hazy blue distance.

Mog could not hold fishy shapes forever. Lurking in the shadows of Darthalla taxed his ability, strength, and willpower nearly to its limits. He had used other disguises besides the eel: fish, octopus, and-once-even sea elf. This last had strained him mightily; his scales twitched at the thought of it.

Still, the dragonspawn’s ruses had worked. Amid his enemies, he remained undiscovered. Several times he had been forced to take refuge in hidden places to resume his own form and rest for a while.

Doing so had hindered his mission to track Mik and the others-but always he had regained their scents. During the night, he had even taken time to feed. He’d hidden the elf s hones beneath a boulder, in the deepest trenches of the city. Likely, no one would ever find the remains of the dragonspawn’s latest victim.

Hiding in the wide seaweed beds beyond the city proved an easier task. Mog’s scales blended in amid the tall kelp near the Sea Sage’s lair. The ocean floor fell away here, into a deep, weed-filled sinkhole. Mog’s quarry tethered their draken rays in the kelp nearby. Then the blue elf woman and the sailor went down into the hole, while the bronze warrior waited near the top.

Mog wondered which one of them had the black diamond key. He considered slaying them one by one to find out, but a voice in the hack of his brain whispered “No!” Wait and watch.

Mog shrank hack into the weeds. His time had not yet come.

Mik and Ula wound their way down into the wide pit that formed the lair of the Sea Sage. The kelp around them swayed sensuously, like thousands of dancing snakes. It made the hair stand up on the back of Mik’s neck; Ula showed no signs of feeling anything similar.

Mik pushed himself to keep up with the Dargonesti. She moved with the grace of a dolphin and the speed of a razorfish. The weeds didn’t seem to touch her; Mik had to work hard to avoid becoming hopelessly entangled.

They pressed ever deeper, and the azure light above faded gradually to indigo. As the light lessened, the weeds thinned out, until they saw the sandy ocean bed rising up before them. It was as though they were at the bottom of a very deep bowl, surrounded by seaweed. On one side of the clearing, a green reef rose from the silt. A cave, slightly taller than a man, opened up in the reefs face. The grotto was not very deep, and mossy emerald weeds lined its floor.

In the middle of the circle of sand at the clearing’s center lay a small coral pedestal. It was shaped like a tiny column and carved with runes that Mik could not read.

“This is it,” Ula said. “Remember, you are not supposed to be here. Say nothing.”

Mik nodded.

Ula opened the small sack she’d brought down with her. She pulled out five sand dollars and a large golden starfish. Tiny pearls decorated the starfish’s arms and there was a circular depression, slightly larger than the tip of a man’s thumb, in the center. Ula took a large bluish pearl from the pouch and placed it in the depression.

Immediately, the sea around them began to bubble and swirl. A ghostly wailing sound emanated from the cave and built quickly to a deafening roar. Mik covered his ears with his hands and squinted, trying to see through the roiling waters.

A shape moved at the cave mouth, just at the edge of his vision. The thing was huge, much larger than the wizened crone Mik had been expecting-taller and broader than even a minotaur.

Quickly, the bubbles faded and the water calmed to uncanny stillness.

Beyond the coral pillar, in front of the cave, stood the Sea Sage. She was twelve feet tall and made entirely out of seaweed. Her green eyes blazed brightly in the indigo darkness. She spoke with a voice like ancient ship timbers breaking.

“Who dares disturb my rest?”