The Brazen Serpent Chronicles

The hag examined the gemstone. “It’s a dragon gem to be certain,” she croaked. “But is it one of the great crystals? Where did you get it? What are you going to do with it?” She clucked her tongue and held the stone up to the candle. Flame danced through the azure crystal, casting weird shadows and shafts of light around the room of the small cabin. “My business is not your affair. Deorc bade me bring it to you. Perrik carried this jewel on him when slain in the caverns. It’s probably just a trinket, a bauble, a remembrance from his wife or daughter,” the tall man said. “A bauble . . . you say. Why bring it to me?” She started to slip it into a pouch, when the man grabbed her wrist. “Not a good choice—to try to steal from a dragon, m’lady.” “I’m just a poor woman. Take pity, stranger,” she cooed in a singsong voice. “None of your spells, woman.” The man waved his hand, and his voice shattered the deepening mood in the room. Her spell splintered like glass. “Ah, you come with the power of dragons. Are you a dragon? Or a man trained by the dragons?” she asked. She appeared completely unconcerned that he had broken her spell, as if she were testing his abilities. “I am the Dragon Master, the Ruga of Dragada, and Misdara. I come at the behest of Deorc and his nest brother, Schadwe. Woman, you will give me the gem and use your spells to unmask it, or I’ll feed your withered carcass to m’lord dragon, Deorc.” “I see. You are the “master” and they send you to do their bidding.” She dropped the large azure jewel into Ruga’s hand. “As you wish, sir.” Rubbing her hands together, she continued, “It’s a precious stone of power no doubt. By look, it could be the Gem of Quickening or possibly the Crystal of the Sea, but it has a protective dweomer that won’t allow me to open its powers unless I know the command word and melody. It’s been skillfully shielded.” “Old woman, can you use the Low Magic to open it or not?” “What? Your precious dragons can’t open it? And you will look bad if you can’t get me to reveal the powers,” she cackled. “Let me look at it again. Perhaps . . . yes . . . I think . . . Give it to me.” Ruga handed it to the old woman. She caressed it in the palm of her hand. The flesh in her hand began to glow with blue-white light as energy flowed back and forth from the gem to her hand. She looked at him knowingly. “The dragons didn’t give it to you to open its powers. You stole it. You want more power over the dragons than they’re willing to give you.” Her laughter filled the room. Ruga whipped out his dagger and pressed the point to the woman’s belly. “I suggest you close your mouth and work your magic,” he said. “Do you think a dagger will give you what you want?” The crone disappeared and appeared again sitting at the table to Ruga’s left. He turned toward her, but a palpable force knocked the dagger from his hand, and his throat began to constrict. “Young whelp. You come here and threaten me. I’m Shalora, prophetess of Steadfast. I served in King Perrik’s court for an age, and I rejoice in his death. The Aelfen cursed me and banned me from their precious cities. I celebrate their destruction, but I have no love for the dragons, be they dedicated to light or darkness. I’ve seen the signs in the stars, the changes in the rivers and the trees, and the wind tells me this is now the world of men. Soon the Aelfen and the dragons will only be stories to tell children.” Ruga clawed at his throat and struggled for air. The force pinned him against the wall of the small hut. “I can . . . help . . . you,” he choked. The force eased, but held him pinned. “Help me? Can you give me the long life of the Aelfen? Can you give me youth and beauty? Can you give me answers to the depths of the Low Magic? I thought not.” “I can give you power.” Ruga sputtered. Silence dominated the room. The pressure relaxed, and Ruga breathed easier. “I can give you power,” he repeated. “If we control the dragons, we can rule the world of men. Arrogance and conceit destroyed the Aelfen. You can help me learn the dragons’ songs and the magic to force them to servitude. I will control the dragons, and if you help me, you will control them. They will control men for us. The line of Ruga will rule the new age with Shalora as my consort.” Shalora rose from the chair at the table and stood in front of Ruga, still pinned to the wall. She hid her feelings of contempt. “Your fair words may contain a dagger to slay me, but I’m intrigued. We’ll never be able to open the true power of this gem. Beyond question though, it is the Gem of Quickening. It will be of little use to us, and it could be a mistake to keep it. If it falls into the hands of one who knows the proper keys to open its power, it could be devastating. It must be hidden. My effort to open it allowed me only limited access. Through the gem, I saw you steal it, but I also saw a dragon, a young Aelfe, and a human searching for it. They each have power, but you should fear the human most. She’s a weapon the Lords of Light have fashioned to avenge the Aelfen.” The force released Ruga and he stumbled forward. Shalora caught his arm and helped him stand. “Come sit at the table. We’ve much to discuss,” she said. “I have methods, and I think in time I may be able to use at least some of the powers of the gem.”