FireDrakes

eep inside the ancient elfin keep of Penardun at the base of Drakenmount, Magdalen leaned over her scrying pool. What she saw reflected back was not her own youthful face, framed in flowing flame-red hair, but that of a wrinkled old man with long wispy hair the color of freshly fallen snow.

“A score of FireDrakes have secured the northern passes,” Magdalen said to the image in the inky black water. “Any army foolish enough to try marching through there, will be turned to ash. I have kept my part of our bargain, Gamel. Now it is time for you to keep yours.”

“You are hardly in a position to carp about not keeping bargains, my dear,” the old man replied. “If anyone has a right to complain, it is I.”

In spite of herself, Magdalen experienced a twinge of guilt. “I took all the risks. You would have done the same in my place.” She was being defensive, and with Gamel that was a mistake. The slippery old weasel would goad her into doing something stupid if she wasn’t careful.

Calming herself, Magdalen walled away her emotions. “What is done is done. We have a new arrangement now, and I expect you to abide by it.”

“We are both reasonable people,” Gamel replied soothingly. “I am only asking for one FireDrake, and for but a short time. Surely you can spare the one.”

His slippery words had a seductive timbre that Magdalen found irritating. It served to remind her of just how much she despised the old man. “It was not part of our arrangement. The answer is no,” she growled.

“Such hostility is really unbecoming, my dear. I require the beast for a little reconnoitering, nothing more. What harm could that possibly do?”

The old man held out his hands palm up. To anyone else his demeanor was that of a benign and even sympathetic grandfather, but Magdalen knew better. She had been taken in by this pretense of benevolence before and not all that long ago.

“I do not like it. Not one bit,” she said, losing some of the edge to her anger despite her resolve. His request was minor, and his reasoning sound, but she couldn’t be seen to cave in to his demands. Give Gamel a slice and he would take the whole pie.

“My men will take very good care of your pet, I can promise you that.”

“One fortnight,” Magdalen said, not quite sure why she was agreeing. Perhaps it was some misguided lingering gratitude, or just a way to end the conversation and forgo having to look at the old man’s face a moment longer than necessary.

“That will suffice. Tell it to look for a legion camped near Onora one moon from today. I will inform the Captain to expect a FireDrake. Once it arrives I will personally instruct the beast in its duties. Since that concludes our business, I bid you fare well, my dear.”

Even after the old man’s smiling image had faded away, Magdalen continued to gaze upon her own reflection. She knew it was petty, but it still pleased her in some strange way to defy the vile old man. She would put an end their alliance when it suited her purposes, once she no longer needed his legions, but for now she found solace in exploring new ways to irritate him.

Gamel hid it well, but Magdalen had been close to him long enough to know how deeply disturbing it was when a woman refused to grovel at his feet. Right now he needed her, or at least her control over the FireDrakes, so he would bear it behind a greasy smile until he found a way to wrest Aedon away from her. Magdalen clutched the amulet that hung from her neck by a glowing red chain and smiled. That was never going to happen.

Using Aedon to amplify her thoughts, Magdalen summoned Gytha. She immediately felt the link through the amulet’s magic, heard the beating of the FireDrake’s great heart and drew warmth from the fire in its blood. Leagues away, Gytha would feel the irresistible pull of Aedon. Every fiber of the FireDrake’s being would force her to respond. In the case of Gytha, it was not necessary, but the magic of the amulet was indiscriminate in such matters. Magdalen let Aedon fall back to its resting place. She felt its lingering warmth even through the thick material of her dress.

It had taken Magdalen two full seasons to gain the trust of just a handful of female FireDrakes. Gytha, the dominant female, was the first to befriend her. Sympathetic to her cause, Gytha shared similar views about their male counterparts among other things. It was likely this common ground that had prompted the FireDrake to aid in the theft of the amulet. Gytha had been her closest friend and ally ever since. If only the other races followed the example of the elves. Male, female, it made no difference to them. Power and responsibility was shared equally. It was a refreshing change from the rest of the world.

Magdalen grabbed her cloak and headed for the tower stairs. As she trudged up the steps she mulled over what to say to Gytha. She would ask her to obey the Emperor, within limits of course, but only to act as his eyes and ears, and not to get involved in any fighting. By the time Magdalen reached her destination, Gytha was perched on the edge of the rooftop courtyard.

Magdalen formed the words in her mind. Gytha my friend, I have a task for you.

The FireDrake’s reply was pleasant. As always, the words seemed to originate in the center of her forehead. What do you wish, Magdalen?

The big Female was scratching at her belly. A flash of pink told Magdalen that Gytha had lost a scale. That could be a problem. Is your molting time near, she asked.

Not for another two moons, Gytha replied. Just lost a scale to the antlers of the buck I had for dinner two days ago. I must admit, for such a small thing it is most irritating.

Magdalen touched the amulet and focused on the area of concern. The scale had not come out cleanly and a jagged piece of the root was lodged just under the skin. Magdalen sent a thin tendril of Aedon’s magic, in the form of fire, to incinerate the offending piece of scale. The tiniest plume of pink smoke drifted up from the spot.

Ahhh, my thanks, Gytha purred.

Hold still and I shall grow a new one for you Gytha.

No need to bother yourself with that. It feels much better now.

Well then, Magdalen said, a favor for a favor. It would please me for you to serve with one of the Emperor’s legions for a time. Just a fortnight. They will await you near a place called Onora, exactly one moon from tonight.

Humans! Forgive me Magdalen, but if it were not for humans elfin kind would still flourish. Instead we are confined to Drakenmount and the northern forests.

You forget I am human too.

Only part of you, my dear halfling,Gytha said sweetly. If you had no elfin blood, Aedon would be nothing but a shiny bauble in your hands.

You have a point, Magdalen conceded, but will you do as I ask?

You could always compel me. You possess Aedon, after all.

Magdalen felt a little insulted. We are friends. If you don’t want to do this thing for me of your own free will, then I will ask one of your sisters.

Magdalen stared into the FireDrake’s large unblinking green eyes and sighed. The anger quickly drained away. It is just that I trust your judgement, Gytha. I am fearful of sending one of the others. Gamel is a slimy toad and cannot be trusted.

Do not fret, Magdalen my dear,the FireDrake cooed. I will do as you wish. With that, the big FireDrake spread her wings and leapt off the roof. Magdalen’s hair blew back in a gust of wind when Gytha flapped her wings.

Thank you my friend, Magdalen said pulling her cloak tighter around her shoulders. Stay safe, and under no circumstances are you to involve yourself in any fighting, she added as the shape of the FireDrake shrank into the distance.

Gytha’s soft voice was as clear as if she were still perched on the roof. Rest easy, Magdalen. I will return by the coming of the second full moon.

All seemed well, but as she made her way back to her scrying pool Magdalen could not shake the feeling of foreboding.