Draconia: Fractured Dream

Show us your fanfic, original stories, poems, etc
Post Reply
User avatar
Varthikes
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander
Posts: 925
Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2007 11:40 pm
Commendations: The Daystrom Award
Location: Somewhere out there...

Draconia: Fractured Dream

Post by Varthikes »

I'm posting a few sample chapters to my upcoming book, Draconia: Fractured Dream, due to launch December 15, 2014.

Chapter 1

THE DECK plates vibrated beneath Mark's feet as power surged in the Frontier’s warp drive. On the main viewscreen, the white streaks of warp space reverted to a starfield while, beneath his feet, the vibrations ceased. They had returned to normal space. The space less than a light-year ahead of them belonged to the Norseen Confederacy.

“We are secure from warp space,” the helmsman confirmed.

“Stand-by Alert,” Mark instructed the tactical officer. The lighting on the bridge changed to yellow as the captain turned to the chief science officer. She was turned away from him, her brunette head bent over her console. “Everything working, Kate?”

“Yes, Captain,” she answered without looking up. “Now commencing scans.”

Mark returned his attention forward. “Aurora, you have the Saratoga's patrol route?”

“Already plotted,” she replied.

Mark smiled and nodded his approval. He looked around at his command crew, all busy at their stations. He was proud of their efficiency.

The Frontier followed the patrol route. Commander Kate Greigher remained focused on her sensor readings, alert to anything that might indicate what happened to the patrol assigned this sector. Six months ago, Space Fleet Headquarters had received a report from the patrol ship about new activity coming out of Norseen space. The ship had not been heard from since, and all attempts to establish communication had failed. So, the Frontier was sent to investigate.

The next morning, Mark was summoned to the bridge. He stepped onto the operations deck and joined Kate at her station. “Found something?”

“We have,” she answered. She turned her brown eyes to him. “We've detected traces of weapons fire. No sign of debris, however.”

“Norseen?”

“I'm running the check.” Something <i>beeped</i> on the console between them. Kate worked the controls. She sighed and looked back up at him. The grim expression on her face confirmed his guess before she nodded and said, “Norseen.”

Mark sighed heavily. “All right. I’ll prepare a report for HQ.” He started back to the lift, but halted as he remembered something Kate said. He swung back to her. “Wait, you said you didn't find any debris?”

“That’s right,” she acknowledged. She bent back to the results of her most recent scan. “We'll have to run the scan through the Forensics Lab to be sure, but my guess would be ion weapons were used.”

“And there’s no sign of the ship around here?”

“None yet.” She paused in her work as realization struck. She lifted her eyes to meet his, understanding what was on his mind. That the Norseen had captured the ship and taken the crew alive, their fate something that had been seen before. “I’ll let you know if we find anything conclusive.”

Mark mumbled his approval and continued toward the lift. As he descended, his mind wandered, first recalling that war eleven years ago. The crew of the ship he first served on — including the captain — were among those brainwashed by the Norseen. His vision blurred as he remembered Jack, his old captain and friend, on the main viewscreen, his eyes hard— He shook his head to re-bury that memory.

He turned his thoughts instead to that world inhabited by those dragons. They, too, had had a bad experience with the Norseen, right around the same time he was facing-off a completely different Captain Jack Harrison. If the Norseen had indeed renewed their hostilities with Earth... If they had found out about the Union’s Treaty with those dragons from the Saratoga’s databanks... It would seem their Treaty was about to be tested.

*

“What have we got?” Captain Krabush asked. He stepped onto the circular command deck of the station orbiting the sixth moon of Dante II. The control stations were arranged along the bulkheads with a main viewscreen dominating one end of the room. A situation table occupied the center featuring a tactical display of the surrounding space. Attached to it was the command console. His executive, Commander Donner, stood there now and looked up at his entrance.

“We’ve just started picking up a ship at the edge of sensor range,” she answered. “Engine signature shows it’s one of ours.” Krabush stepped up beside her. He studied the tactical display showing a blinking blue icon of an eclipsed planet with a small, gold star representing a ship zooming away — the insignia of the Earth Union.

“We are getting a signal,” the com-officer announced.

“Put it on,” Krabush instructed.

The officer worked his console. “This is United Earth Ship Saratoga. Captain Brenden commanding,” came a voice strained with distress. “Can anyone hear me?”

Krabush signaled the com-officer to open the com-channel. “This is Captain Kostenka Krabush in charge of Starbase Dante Two. We read you, Captain Brenden. What is your status?”

“Thank God.” Brenden sighed, as if with intense relief. “We're still trying to sort it all out. Whatever happened, it has left two-thirds of my crew missing. We must dock to sort ourselves out.”

“You may certainly come in and make a report to Space Fleet Headquarters, if you wish. We will gladly assist in any repairs that you need done.”

“I can’t express my appreciation enough. We’ll be entering orbit in one hour.”

“We will be ready to receive you.”

Contact was severed. “Inform Commander Pejamuri of the situation,” Krabush told the com-officer. While Donner made the necessary arrangements, he studied the tactical readout on the table of the approaching ship. Saratoga — he recognized that name from somewhere. He turned his attention to the monitor before him and called up all the recent reports regarding a Mercury-class UES Saratoga. The most recent that came up was from 5 July 2179.

He read the report and settled into the nearby chair. The ship had gone missing while patrolling the border between the Earth Union and the Norseen Confederacy. It would seem they were finally about to learn what had happened.

“The Saratoga is on final approach,” Donner reported. “She’ll dock at Port Three in fifteen minutes.”

Krabush was just coming to his feet when an alarm pierced the air.

Saratoga is altering course,” the operations officer said. “They’re no longer aligned with the docking port.”

Krabush looked up at the main viewscreen. Indeed, the ship was tilting off course. She was now poised to go over the station. What were they doing? “Open channel,” he ordered the com-officer.

“They are not responding.”

“Detect—” Whatever Donner had to say was lost in the following explosions that shook the bridge.

*

“Enemy transmission arrays are destroyed,” Kinslin said. Commander Slikmac, standing behind the command chair, dropped his jaw in pleasure. His tail swept in broad arcs as he basked in their first victory of their second phase. The Earth ship’s original weaponry had been replaced with Norseen equivalents that were much more efficient and much more effective. They were indeed most effective against the starbase. Slikmac took his com-link from his belt. “You may proceed, Major Vrhaiess, to the moon.”

“Acknowledged,” came the brisk reply.

*

Egan Fasunyax flew the scout ship past yet another towering, black volcano, spouting molten rock. He zipped over the burnt-red surface, rivers of cooling lava, past enormous crater fortresses. Overhead, the thick layer of yellow clouds flashed here and there. Roars of thunder penetrated the hull.

“We are nearing the coordinates,” Hilda reported from the co-pilot seat. “We should be seeing it on the horizon soon.”

Egan concentrated his eyes on the jagged line where the dark red surface of Dante II-B met the heavy yellow sky.

It wasn’t much longer before the colony finally came into view. The penal settlement had been constructed within a crater under a huge dome spanning a roughly circular area of five kilometers in diameter. The dome enveloped an Earth-like atmosphere for the inhabitants. A kilometer out from the atmospheric dome, poles rose a hundred meters into the air and were placed in a circle around the settlement at one-kilometer intervals. When activated, they would generate a large shield to protect the colony from any lava flows that might occur in its vicinity.

“Their Command Center is hailing,” Hilda announced.

“You know what to do,” Egan said. Hilda nodded and explained over the com-channel that they had been scouting for sites of a possible new settlement, and that they needed to land for re-supply. Meanwhile, Egan continued his descent toward the colony, making for the first shuttleport he located. The launch doors of the ports opened in the stone rim of the crater.

“Launch Control wants us to surrender control to them.”

“They have it,” Egan answered as he worked the appropriate controls. When an indicator blinked blue, signaling that control was locked, he turned to see Cyrus entering the cockpit, a short man sporting a balding crown and sideburns. “Everyone ready back there?”

“They are,” was the brisk response.

“We’re almost there.” Egan turned back to the main viewport. The distance between them and the opened shuttleport quickly diminished.

“I can see that,” the man replied dryly. “The sooner we can get our colleagues out of that hell, the sooner we can begin claiming what ought to be ours — under our laws, not submitting to some giant, winged beasts.” Egan nodded his agreement.

Within minutes, the launch bay swallowed their ship. Egan landed their craft on the launch deck. While the launch bay was re-pressurized with an oxygen-nitrogen atmosphere, Egan made for the boarding hatch with Hilda and Cyrus on his heels. Their teams were waiting for him. “Cyrus, your team will stay here and guard the ship.”

The man gave a curt nodded. Hilda, monitoring a nearby readout, reported the atmosphere outside was Earth-normal and opened the hatch. Egan motioned for Hilda to follow him. “The rest of you stay aboard and out of sight until I give the signal.”

The door on the west wall opened by the time Egan and Hilda were on the launch deck, admitting an officer and two security guards.

“The launch crew will be here shortly, sir,” the officer said. “We weren’t expecting to receive any ships for some time.”

“I'm sure you weren’t,” Egan said, and he drew a concealed laser pistol. He carbonized the officer’s head and shot another bolt through the chest of one of the guards. Hilda took the other guard. He swung back toward the scout ship and waved for his people to follow him. He led them past the three bodies toward the door. He kept his eyes off the bodies. It had to be done. He had justified it to himself before the mission began. It had to be done in order for them to claim what should rightfully be theirs.

*

Dylan March switched off his laser drill and set it on the ground beside him, next to a crate filled with the raw ores he found so far that day. He straightened his back and stretched; his joints cracked. He lifted his faceplate, tore off gloves that were reddened with Hell’s dirt, and rubbed his tired eyes. He looked up and down the tunnel where he worked.

The Mines of Dante. An incarnation of Hell if he ever saw one. Granted, the moons, with all of their volcanic activity, offered a cache of valuable ores that would be used in constructing starships and starbases. But he could not believe he was here doing the mining. He’d sworn he would never get sentenced to a place like this. Hell, he’d sworn he would never get caught, period. How the hell did that happen?

As he grumbled over this, a voice echoed through the PA system. “Attention all personnel,” it demanded. “All former crew of the Private Starship Determination will gather in the main courtyard. All other personnel will vacate that location.”

Dylan wondered at the unusual command as it was repeated. The ship name was familiar enough. His last job, in fact, just before he was caught — and subsequently damned — involved that ship. And he remembered hearing some news about that ship several years back, with a crew ignoring an order from a couple of Space Fleet ships. It was no business of his, so he’d paid it little attention.

Why would the colony’s authorities want them all alone in one area? The Earth Union was not in the habit of executing its criminals except in special cases. Even if it was, it would not make the least bit of sense now, years after the offense that put them there. Perhaps they were being released. Or, it could just be a big gathering to dispense congratulations and encouragement on fine work to date — but why kick all other personnel out of the courtyard? A group of the individuals in question now passed by him in the tunnel. Thinking quickly, Dylan removed his helmet and stood to follow the group, acting like he was one of them. Wouldn’t hurt to find out. If it was a release, perhaps one more in a group of a few dozen wouldn’t be noticed.

He arrived at the courtyard and joined a crowd of roughly twenty people. They gathered around the dais that occupied the center of the yard under the atmospheric dome. He was surprised — though, he was careful not to show it — to find a familiar face on the dais. Dylan recognized him even as he was dressed in the maroon security uniform of the Earth Union. He would recognize that pinhead anywhere, in any uniform. Bald head and light mustache.

Dylan searched his memory for the man’s name. Eden? Egan? Yes, Egan. Egan Fasunyax. He would’ve bet his ship, if he still had her, that this was an escape attempt. This guy had the ship; now he was getting the crew. Not hesitating for another moment, he squeezed through the crowd and made his way to the front.

“We have secured a corridor to the launch bay,” the man was telling those gathered in the courtyard below him. “And, we have a transport waiting in orbit of Dante II to take you all away from this Hell. And then, we will fight for what should be ours!”

“Some of my crew are on Dante Two,” a man at the front of the group said. “What about them?”

“Unfortunately, it’s doubtful we will be able to break them out as well. At least, not in a timely manner. But, we will demand their release as soon as we complete our business with those beasts.”

“What about our ship?” asked another in the group. A woman this time.

Dylan now reached the front, coming to stand before the dais. “Your ship’s yours again,” he blurted out before Egan could answer, startling those around him. “‘Less Space Fleet managed to repossess her while I’ve been here.”

“What the hell are you doing here?” Egan demanded.

“Good to see ya, too, mister,” Dylan replied in mock courtesy, crossing his arms.

“Who’re you?” asked the woman.

“The man he hired a year ago to steal your ship for ya,” Dylan answered, throwing his head at Egan. He turned his attention back to his last employer. “And, as I was sent to this Hell-hole for that job, you'll take me with ya. After all, ya never did really pay me the rest for that job.”

For a moment, Egan appeared to be trying to think of a reason not to take Dylan along. Finally, he said, “Very well. Let’s go before security find a way to hinder our escape.”

Egan stepped down from the dais and proceeded toward a corridor where a dark-blond-haired woman waited. She stood there with a laser rifle held in ready but not pointed at them. Dylan followed close enough to hear Egan ask the woman, “We’re secure?”

“We are,” the woman answered. “All passages leading to our launch bay are sealed minus ours. It should take them twenty to twenty-five minutes to break through.”

“Then, we need to move quickly,” Egan said. He waved a hand behind him, “Take up the rear.”
"What has been done has been done and cannot be undone."--Ruth, All the Weyrs of Pern
"Dragons can't change who they are, and who would want them to? Dragons are powerful, amazing creatures."--Hiccup, Dragons: Riders of Berk
User avatar
Varthikes
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander
Posts: 925
Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2007 11:40 pm
Commendations: The Daystrom Award
Location: Somewhere out there...

Re: Draconia: Fractured Dream

Post by Varthikes »

Chapter 14 (excerpt)

Erthol patrolled the skies to the southwest of the Human colony. Just as he had done every sunrise that he had been assigned as guardian to the settlement. And, just like every other sunrise, all was quiet in the skies around Hatching. But it did feel good to spread his wings over the cushioning wind currents and soar over the forest canopy.

This sunrise, however, was different. His mind kept dwelling on what Varthikes had reported the sunfall before. An attack by Human rebels upon the Range, resulting in the death of honorable Sage Lephazing. Sage Vethes turning on Ambassador McClance. He found it difficult to believe how suddenly the tragedy had come upon them. Yet, Varthikes’ reaction was indeed genuine. As was Ambassador McClance’s when he left with Varthikes to warn the Range.

Then, Varthikes’ mate’s subsequent report when she came last sunfall for supplies required by the ambassador and his mate. About the prohibition placed upon Varthikes. Indeed, there were many unsteady currents blowing back at the Range now.

And, what were the Human rebels doing now? Governor Takamura had informed him and Sriphur earlier that no further activity had been detected from them. No further attacks, either on Bare Peak or on any other Range had been reported. They seemed be just sitting up there, just Beyond their world, waiting for...something. Although, the governor did mention the presence of others — the Malcons — that may be discouraging the rebels from any further action.

What was that? Movement caught his eye. He turned both eyes westward to see the large, beating wings of a fellow Draconian. Who would be approaching from the west? Had West Sun Range learned about the attack on Bare Peak? He banked to intercept the newcomer and bugled a challenge. Who flies?

For an unsettling moment, there was no reply, but the stranger, the king, continued closing. Erthol repeated the challenge. This time the other answered casually, Vethor flies here. Returning to the Bare Peak after a successful hunt.

That seemed reasonable. So, why was he suddenly feeling uneasy? As you will, Erthol finally replied. He wheeled to fly back to the colony. He held an eye on Vethor a moment longer, the king closing at a steady pace, before turning both eyes forward. He was nearly upon the clearing with the Human settlement when his left hip suddenly burned. He whirled back in time to see fire eating at him. Vethor was passing over him now and spat a second fireball that struck his back. Erthol threw back his head and screamed a shrilling cry as the fire consumed him...

*

Doctor Christopher Walstik saw the two dragons flying in from the northwest, closing in on the pier. He paid them no mind. Why would he need to? The colony had existed for the last seven years in peace with their Draconian hosts.

So, after a mere glance at them, he went back to work, helping his team load their marine observation boat with equipment and supplies for the next survey. “Be careful with that hydrosensor, Loretta,” he was telling his assistant when those on the other side of the warehouse erupted in screams. “What the devil?”

As if in answer, the warehouse suddenly burst into flames. Walstik ducked his head as burning bits of wood rained down around him. Walstik looked up again and his heart paused. The two enormous dragons swooped overhead, their wings slapping the air. Walstik followed them with his eyes. One continued on while the other banked, wheeling back to finish them.

Walstik rushed forward to the boat’s control deck. “Everyone out!” he shouted to team, throwing his arm toward the gangplank. “Run to the forest! Run for cover!”

“Doctor, what about you?!”

“I have to warn the colony!” Walstik threw himself into the co-pilot’s seat and activated the com-unit. “Hatching CNC! Come in, CNC! Hostile dragons approach! Hostile—” A fireball came down on him, swallowing him and the boat.

*

Sriphur had her head to the river, slurping up the refreshing water, when she heard the scream. She snapped her head up and around. She froze in shock, the water still in her mouth dribbling out. Her eyes fixed on the burning form of her companion as he smashed through the higher branches, flipped out of control before finally crashing into the ground in the center of the field, bones snapping.

She lifted her head again at the whoosh of beating wings. Snapping out of her shock, Sriphur spun about, her wings fluttering and throwing up dust. The attacker — a Draconian?! — came over the towering trees roaring. Keeping her eyes on the incoming king, she crouched her forequarters, readied her wings and roared back. WHY YOU DO THIS???!!!

For Draconia!
the other answered. To cleanse our world of these treacherous bipeds and all those influenced by them! He inhaled and spat just as she launched herself into flight. The fireball missed, exploding into the ground, sending up rocks and a cloud of dust. She beat her wings and ascended in a spiral over the colony to match the attacker’s altitude.

She came around clockwise while the other circled counter-clockwise to meet her. They soon flew head-on. Each inhaled and, at the same time, loosed a fiery projectile at the other. They banked in opposite directions. The two fireballs collided and exploded in a rain of flaming tongues that fell into Landing Field and upon the nearby structures.

Having banked to her left, Sriphur turned again, this time to the right, coming around toward the king. She inhaled and spat another fireball. With a quick movement of his wings, the king propelled himself to a greater altitude, evading the projectile, and launched his own. Sriphur attempted to evade, but the fireball hit her mid-wing. Sriphur screamed as her wing flared and the flame consumed her. She joined Erthol’s burning corpse on the ground...

*

Takamura rushed up the stairs and down the corridor toward Command-and-Control. He found Pekkanen standing behind the com-officer. She turned on his entrance.

“Who’s attacking? Loyal Providence?” the governor asked as he joined her side.

“Play the message,” Pekkanen told the com-officer.

The officer complied.

“Hatching CNC! Come in, CNC!” Takamura recognized Walstik’s frantic voice. “Hostile dragons approach! Hostile—” An explosion of static, and the transmission was gone.

Takamura barely had time to react when a screeching roar pierced the air. Everyone in the room looked up at the sound. Takamura worked out the direction from which the sound came — Landing Field. Several more fierce roars followed from that direction.

“One of the guardians have fallen,” someone said. “The other is engaging a new arrival!”

“From the south?” Takamura asked. Just like yesterday, everything is being thrown into the fire. Or rather, fire is being thrown onto everything. “But the pier is to the north.”

A second screeching roar came. “The other guardian has fallen!”

“Those guardians were our only protection against anything,” Pekkanen reminded him.

Takamura suddenly found it very difficult to breathe. The seconds seemed to slow down as the full force of the threat hit him. Even his heart felt as if it stopped to assess the situation.

As part of their Agreement with the Circle of Grand Sages for allowing the colony, they had no effective weapons — a precaution against attacks on dracfolk. Now, because of that, those hostile dragons would spit fire on them, and they wouldn't be able to do anything about it. Those guardians were their only protection. Their Treaty was running to hell with them, and it seemed the only thing they could do now was stave off total destruction until rescue arrived — but with what? “Contact the Malcons,” he ordered. “Tell them we need help. Sound the alarm and activate the PA.”

Explosions sounded from outside, followed by screams of his colonists and roars from the attacking dragons. Takamura quickly reconsidered his last orders. The dragons were going to target the buildings. They would spit their fire, destroy the buildings and kill or trap anyone inside. There were only so many ways they could get out. If they should destroy a particular portion of the building and cut them off from their exit...

“Belay all that! Everyone outside! Before they destroy the building!” Takamura stepped up to the com-station. “Commander, see that everyone gets to safety. I'll be out shortly.”

“What are you doing?” Pekkanen asked.

“Go!” The governor switched on the PA.

“You go!” she urged him, stepping up to take his place at the console. “You have a colony to run.”

“A colony soon to be wiped out! Go!” The other side of the room imploded, becoming engulfed in flames. Falling debris smashed nearby consoles.

“Go!” she ordered, shoving him toward the door. Without seeing if he would comply, she turned her attention to the PA. “Evacuate all buildings! Evacuate all buildings! Everyone to the forest! Everyone to the forest!”

Takamura, now at the door, watched as the ceiling caved in. Takamura raised an arm over his eyes as more of the room burst into flames. When he looked again, he found Pekkanen’s battered body on the floor, debris sticking out of her skull. Takamura found himself stuck to the floor for several long minutes before he recalled himself to his senses. He took off running down the corridor toward the stairs. He grabbed the railing, swung himself around toward the stairwell — and slipped on the first step, sending him sliding down with a yell. He didn’t waste a second before climbing back to his feet, flinching at the throbbing pain in his back and sacrum. As soon as he was up, he limped as fast as he could toward the door.

He stepped out the door, colliding with his secretary, petrified at the hell befalling around them. A fireball came down on Audwin’s house, and it collapsed into flames. The south wall of the house exploded, throwing out bits of burning wood and melted plastic. Colonists ran through the streets toward the west woodland.

Above them, three dragons flew around the colony, loosing flame upon them and the buildings. Smoke rose from craters in the street where fireballs had come down. If they had consumed anyone, there was nothing left of the unfortunate victims. In addition Audwin’s house, flames ate at two of the dormitories and the water treatment plant. More smoke rose from behind what was left of Audwin’s home.

Genisa! Katie! The children!

He pushed Nikki toward the forest “Take cover!” Without another word, he took off running toward his house. “Everyone to the forest! Leave everything!”

He came into view of his house and stopped. He gasped for breath. Tears swelled in his eyes, blurring his vision. His house had been reduced to smoldering bits of plastic.

Out over the cliff summit, one of the attacking dragons wheeled, coming around for another pass. The creature beat his wings, flying toward him. Their eyes met. A fist suddenly closed around his brain and squeezed. The pain pushed him to his knees. “Why?!” he demanded. “We did not attack you! We had nothing to do with the attack on your Range!”

The winged terror inhaled. Kiyoshi blinked and saw a ball of flame shooting toward him. With all his might, he pushed back against the paralyzing pain of the dragon’s anger and managed to throw himself aside, barely escaping the hit. He covered his head against the rocks and dust that rained down on his back.

When he looked up again, the three dragons were leaving. As suddenly as it had come upon them, the dragons had broken off their attack. Why were they leaving? Not that he was ungrateful. He climbed to his feet and looked around at the ruined colony. But, he wondered if it was any use. The dragons were leaving the smoldering colony to bleed to death.

Leave our world if you so value your pitiful lives! a voice demanded.

Takamura raised his eyes toward the dragons again. One of them had turned back toward them and was now banking away again.
"What has been done has been done and cannot be undone."--Ruth, All the Weyrs of Pern
"Dragons can't change who they are, and who would want them to? Dragons are powerful, amazing creatures."--Hiccup, Dragons: Riders of Berk
User avatar
Varthikes
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander
Posts: 925
Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2007 11:40 pm
Commendations: The Daystrom Award
Location: Somewhere out there...

Re: Draconia: Fractured Dream

Post by Varthikes »

Chapter 18 (excerpt)

The lair that the honorable Sages provided for Varthikes and Audwin was located on the southern shore of Great Eye Lake. The lake appeared as a vast area of blackness reflecting the night sky and the glowing eyes. Glowing eyes from hundreds of dracfolk gathered around the lake. More than a few of the golden eyes nearby were on Audwin. At least there was none of the anger in the gazes that he saw the day before at Bare Peak. These eyes, instead, beheld Audwin with the curiosity he had become accustomed to.

Audwin found a number of blooming fruit bushes nearby, and Varthikes caught a fish in lake for him, which he then cooked by a fire that Varthikes provided. As Audwin ate, a Draconian on a nearby shore called out in a high-baritone voice. A second, somewhat deeper voice answered from the east. A third from the west. Finally, a fourth echoed from the north. All four voices joined in a chorus, all going higher, then lower. All four voices faded to a brief silence, after which the north and east voices continued, alternating, then joined as one. Then, the north and east voices stopped, while the south and west voices repeated the pattern exactly.

Audwin nearly forgot his dinner as he listened to what seemed to be Draconians singing. The calls carried over the water surface, sounding eerie and alien but beautiful at the same time to the Human’s ears. He had no idea what they would be singing about, but he felt himself becoming immersed in their culture.

You are correct, Varthikes said. All four joined as one again, this time accompanied by softer voices, like backup singers. Heavy, muffled footfalls and talons scraping rock announced his approach from behind Audwin. They are singing. Surely, you thought not that Humans were the only ones with that ability.

Audwin looked back to meet Varthikes’ glowing reptilian eyes. “Not at all. But, seven years on this planet, and I’ve never heard Draconians sing.” Audwin turned his attention back to the singers. The voices on the shore faded and were replaced by three new voices, calling from the north, but not as distant as the previous voices from that direction. The new singers must be on the island. Then, all singers on every shore joined, one shore at a time, for the big finish. When all the voices faded for the final time, all those gathered around the lake erupted in trumpeting cheers. Varthikes rose to his hind legs, wings spread for balance, to add his own voice while Audwin merely clapped his hands. Whether or not the performers registered his tiny claps among the louder trumpets of their dracfolk, he had no idea. But, he felt compelled to add his appreciation in some way.

Varthikes returned to all fours and laid down beside Audwin. That makes me forget, for a moment, the troubles we now fly against. He met Audwin’s eyes and explained what the song was about. About Draconia’s dark history, when dracfolk were divided and set literally at each other’s throats, and Rathren’s movement to unite their world.

Audwin nodded his understanding, having learned about Draconia’s history and Rathren’s movement years earlier. “I wonder what he would do if he was around today.” He lifted his head and gazed at the crystalline night sky and the millions of points of light twinkling in that vastness. Each one much like the other. One would hardly be missed if it were to go missing, yet, to someone on a planet orbiting any one of them, the star was vital for life. And, were any one of them to go missing, the gravitational effects would certainly be felt throughout the surrounding sectors.

You wish you were still up there?

“It looks so peaceful. I wish we were somewhere else. Just you, me, Ilka, Sonaphing, Amity, your children... Somewhere.” Audwin swept a hand across the starry sky.

Pern?

Audwin laughed at the casual reference. “That’ll do.” He turned serious again. “As long as it’s away—far away—from all this fighting, greed, suspicion, paranoia. Imagine it, Varth: someone can be looking up at this from another world out there. All they would see of our world is the sun we’re orbiting. A single star among billions like it. All our problems reduced to insignificance by comparison.” Audwin let out a heavy sigh of frustration. He laid back, stretching himself out on the rocky shore, all the while keeping his eyes on the sky. “Oh, Varth, why is it so difficult for some to look beyond our physical differences?”

Audwin meant it as a rhetorical question. But, after a moment, Varthikes answered, From what I have observed in our readings together, Humans and Draconians are similar in this — at least, some of them — not ones like you and me. They fear what is unknown. They fail to understand it, so they reject it and fight it. Your kind can understand not that there can exist intelligent beings who resemble creatures out of your own fiction — creatures who were often portrayed as evil. My kind understands not why creatures so different from us physically, as you say, can be so much like us mentally — just as honorable. And, they understand not why Sage Vethes would show mercy to Shelski seven cycles ago.

Both held the other’s eyes for a long while, Audwin finding reassurance in the Draconian’s. Finally, he said, “I guess I can better understand how difficult it must have been for Rathren, trying to bring a new era to a world.”

Over six hundred cycles it took for Rathren and his flight to succeed. Now, we are trying to unite this world with the much larger Universe. Like Rathren, however, we are not alone in this. Though it may take hundreds of cycles, our kinds will learn to accept each other and co-exist peacefully. With your kind as well as with others that live Beyond our world, such as these Malcons.

“I have no doubt of that. I just...would like to be alive when it happens.”

I, too, would very much like that, Varthikes agreed. Even better that we were both alive to see it.

“Absolutely.” They shared a companionable silence. Then, Audwin sat up and leaned against the other’s scaly arm. “You’re a wise creature, my brother.”

Together, we are even wiser. They watched the starry sky for a while longer before retiring into the lair. Audwin slept, tucked warmly between Varthikes’ arm and neck.
"What has been done has been done and cannot be undone."--Ruth, All the Weyrs of Pern
"Dragons can't change who they are, and who would want them to? Dragons are powerful, amazing creatures."--Hiccup, Dragons: Riders of Berk
Post Reply