She concentrated hard until her magic was once again locked tight away deep inside her. It did not sit comfortably as it once had. Always before she had needed to concentrate to use her magic, now, it was more like she had to concentrate not to use it.
What is it you fear?
The Dark Mages reside in the Valley of Silence, far to the South. We all know that direction is death, but it feels as if that’s where they went.
You sense them? Can you speak to them?
No. I do not have that power. I can feel that they’re all in that direction and I can feel that they still live, but that is the extent of it.
Ladon sent a wave of reassuring warmth through her thoughts. Whatever we face, we face together. We will get them back.
Morgan pulled that warmth around her like a cloak, even as she pressed her head into Ebens soft scales. Hurry please. There’s no good reason for them to be where they are.
Eben pulled her in tighter, his tail a firm anchor around her middle. She was cradled safe in his arms, but he could not protect her heart if something happened to the hatchlings. The thought was unacceptable to both Dragons.
They wasted no more time on leisurely flight; instead, both unfurled power until their wings rode magic rather than wind. They reached the last mountain peak overlooking the Valley of Silence before the afternoon was half-gone. Unlike the mountains and valleys they had passed, all that was before them was flat and barren. Even the mountains were a stark skeleton of rocks and dirt. An eerie shadow of what should have been.
They stood together at the precipice, Morgan, with Eben and Ladon in their man forms, looking out across the desert that was once green fields. It rivaled in many ways Ebens mountain fortress with high walls and grand towers, but where Ebens was a part of the mountain it was carved from, this castle and its walls was made of ebony glass that cut the life from the land. There was one road tattooed across the sand that led to the first walled city of the blood mage. None but the magnull and their soldiers crossed it voluntarily. All others came in prison wagons to be presented, sacrifices for the dark mages power. And this was only one of four such atrocities that scarred the land.
Morgans face had gone white, even the dragons couldn't contain their reaction. They were repulsed by the death that surrounded the place like a cloud of evil vapor. Such a killing of the land was anathema to their kind. The Earth was the great mother from which all life sparked. This was a clear rape of that life and it hurt to see it.
“I knew that the Magic had flown, but this...” Ebens voice was rough.
“He has them.” Morgan said flatly, her voice breaking only a little. “He has my family in that place of nightmares.”
Ladon pulled her against his side without looking away from the death before them. “Then we get them out. Now.”
It took Eben another minute to deal with the rage that flowed. That the dragons in their arrogance had allowed this to happen was offensive. That it should continue, inconceivable. The council had to be notified, but he could not leave an innocent within those walls for another minute.
“We will bring out your younglings.” Eben said his voice an angry whip of dragon fire. “Then we take this travesty to the council. One way or another, this time of dark mages will be ended.” He pointed to the barren wasteland before them. “This will not stand.” Then he turned back to Morgan. “You will stay here.”
There was no room for argument, or discussion, they could all feel his utter refusal to have his mate enter such a place, even at his side. He would let the world burn around them before he allowed that. Ladon was in complete agreement.
Morgan wanted to argue, but she felt their resolve and she would not waste the time. Instead, she pulled away from Ladon and stepped back. “Go. Hurry please; get them out of that place. I'll stay here. Just bring them back quickly.” Ladon pulled her back into his arms for a hard kiss then carried her back so that she was closer to the rock face and under an overhang, as safe as they could make her. He held her face against his briefly.
“Be safe.” He whispered against her cheek. Then he stepped to the ledge.
Eben came next. He ran a hand down her neck until his thumb caressed the mark on her neck. “Be good.” His voice was a command that required an answer, so she nodded her agreement. Then he too was at the ledge. She watched them change in a swirl of magic that fluttered her new dress about her ankles. Ladon had conjured it for her that morning to match her eyes. He had been so pleased by his new powers, and the thought made her smile. The happy thought fled even as she held the skirt in place. She bit her lip as she watched them arch across the sky.
If either of you get hurt I’ll be coming in after you. Just keep that in mind and don’t take chances.
The response from both dragons was immediate:
You step one foot off that rock and I’ll blister your ass. Ladon
The thought alone is enough to get you punished. When we reach your new home, we will see to that. Ebens voice went very soft but the feeling behind them were hard as steel. There is no one in these walls I will not sacrifice to see you safe. Do not force me to make such a choice. None of us will be happy with it.
I would never put you in that position, I said I will stay here and I will, but I meant what I said too: Be careful, because once you both arrive, everything I love will be in that place, and you understand this, I won’t leave anybody behind here. Not any of you.
The first attack hit them in the air before they could do more than curse her stubbornness.
The dark magic fireballs reigned through the sky. From where Morgan stood, she could see the entire valley. It looked as if the sky itself had exploded. She lifted the lid on her magic thinking to help but Ebens voice roared through her mind.
DO NOT! The Mage will be able to follow the magic back to its source!
Then Ladon was laughing in her head. There is nothing here to harm us little Falcon, it is all just pretty sparkles.
Morgan closed the lid on her magic, and sealed it tight. Then stop playing around and get in there.
As my lady commands.
As one, the dragons turned and dived at the dark mage’s Fortress. They didn't bother with doors but crashed through the walls as if it was indeed the black glass it resembled, instead of rock. Morgan lost sight of them but she felt Eben and Ladon merge thoroughly with her until she was in the castle with them. She could feel her family. Melisande was somewhere above, while Clare and Rhune were below. The dragons split up. Ladon headed down, crashing through floors and magic until he came to the dungeons of the blood mage.
Careful Ladon. You don’t want to hurt anyone trapped there.
Ladon shifted in a swirl of magic until he stood there as a man with armor the color of a burning sun. When the dark mage soldiers came, they found him in all his shining glory with a sword of fire ready in his hands. Most of them ran as soon as they saw what they were up against. The few who fought died. Each cell he passed opened with a flick of dragon magic but there were none brave enough to try escape until he was long past. That was, no one brave enough until he reached the last cell anyway.
He saw Rhune first. The child stood before his taller sister as if he was a warrior grown. He had Morgan’s fiery green eyes and a mop of dark auburn hair. Stubborn determination was in every line of his little face. The girl behind him had the same eyes. She looked like a smaller, skinny version of Morgan up to the firm set of the lips and stubborn jaw.