Ascension of the Warlock (Book 4 of the Death Incarnate Saga) Read online

  “Watch it, Zikon! You know how I don’t want people knowing my age. And telling him how we’ve had twenty five children… and mages can’t easily have children after completing the longevity spell will give him an inkling as to an approximation of it.”

  “Damn, Granny!” Cage laughed. “You’ve had twenty five kids?!... ah… never mind.” He stopped immediately as her stormy grey eyes darkened.

  Zikon burst out laughing, letting loose for the first time. “Give the child some rope, Love. You shouldn’t be so upset. I’ve enjoyed every moment and look forward to many more centuries with you and we’ll likely have many more babies along the way.”

  Megdline’s anger eased as she shook her head. “And I’m always willing to have them along with the pleasure of making them. I just feel bad to the women without magic who have to feel all the pain and suffer days after because they can’t afford magic. None of our children took more than twenty minutes to come into the world and I walked out under my own strength, barely feeling a thing.”

  “You have half a million mages here plus dragons who healed me as fast as Frill and Colby could bring me down. I know how to ease the nerve impulses and safely deliver babies without so much as touching them. Why must women suffer and often die in childbirth when mages, even third class wizards could come help? Magic can do so much, why isn’t it more common?” Cage asked, but everyone could hear his irritation and a quick glance showed Poli has spun her long neck to stare at him with a deep sadness he didn’t expect a dragon to possess.

  Zikon cleared his throat, not expecting something so common to not be known, but he had to remember Cage was from Earth, not Raliea. “It has to do with my heritage if you be patient for the next minute.” Cage gestured for him to proceed. “As I said, my bloodline dates back to the first mages and every generation gradually got stronger thanks to couplings with other strong mages to produce more and stronger casters. Not always did they meet with success, as mages today also have trouble having magically inclined offspring that are as powerful as they. As Megdline has learned from your sayings, it is a hit or miss when trying to have stronger children.

  “Because of the once strict couplings, there became strife and conflict as any society has. Mages ruled over those without our gift, some with an iron fist. Others accepted their weaker offspring with love and affection regardless. After a few thousand generations the seven classes were created from first class sorcerer down to magician. The dragons helped when we started going down a dangerous path and guided us to a prosperous ideal. Perfection isn’t what dragons want since perfection truly doesn’t exist.” The powerful sorcerer lectured. “But a rift began to very gradually grow and wars broke out, even before the great divide when the warlocks were forcibly Jumped to Earth. The northern and southern hemisphere of Raliea became divided. Since humans aren’t strong enough to contend with wyverns, wyrms and a few other deadly species, the dragons keep the more terrifying animals more isolated from larger human populated areas.

  “Fighting between humans were inevitable without those threats since we tend to be easily angered and need something to rally against. As with what Megdline reported from Earth, thanks to what you were willing to divulge, wars can be started over even the most mundane disagreement without something to unite a group. It is the same here. Mages were superior to the common man because of our magic and some began to use such gifts for oppression.

  “It all reached a boiling point when my mother took power.”

  “Your mother?” Cage asked in confusion. “Who was she?”

  “Not was. Is.” Zikon corrected. “My mother is none other than Empress Vika of the Laqura Empire herself.” Cage stared openly, unable to mask his features at such an unexpected revelation. Before he could school it the sorcerer also noticed Megdline shudder and Frill’s tail flick. The dragons were silent, Ulon stopped burning, but by now the whole room was intently looking at him without judgment and remained silent. “Yes, I am the fifteenth son of the most vile woman ever to live on Raliea. It is why I do not wish to speak of my heritage. She became the empress and founded the Laqura Empire four thousand years ago and dominated the land ever since. Before I was born Emroc and Vlara were part of her domain, but her tyranny soon had the commoners crying for help which Twilight rebels had been waiting for. It wasn’t a secret Twilight opposed my mother’s regime because they loved all mages and even those without the gift of magic. Vika called those without magic as unenlightened, but in reality they were slaves ruled by an evil bitch.” Cage watched at the ancient man of power glowed a bit more as his anger rose some, but his cold tone didn’t waver. “Since my beloved doesn’t wish to reveal her age, I cannot tell you when I was born. What I can say was Vika forced her totalitarian doctrine on me, but I learned the slaves were smart, smarter than she ever led me to believe. Over the course of the first century of my life I began to see the callous horror inside the one who gave me life. I began to think for myself after seeing experiments on slave children and Theresa was all for me trying to undermine Vika in any way. To start, I began supplying Twilight with information which they sorely needed. It was only a matter of time till suspicions fell on me.

  “When Vika tried having me killed the first time, I didn’t expect my closest friend to be one member of the First Council in disguise at the palace, sent to watch me ever since I was a boy when the Great Prophet prophesized my hatred against the empire and all it stands for and would be the one to force her out of the southern lands. He got me out of the palace at the cost of his own life. I spent the next ten years pushing the empire off Emroc’s soil and completely out of Vlara.

  “When I later joined the First Council after years of fighting, and peace settled for a time, it wouldn’t last.”

  “Never does.” Cage put in.

  “That is a universal truth. Too much peace breeds anxiety. Anxiety breeds suspicion, then strife, hunger, hatred then war.” Zikon admitted. “Which brings us to why the common man has to do so much on their own. Twilight is the only haven for all mages against Vika and the empire. Castle Laqura is the same in Vika’s empire as it is comprised of over seven hundred thousand mages at this time. There was much negotiating, mostly all was rejected, mainly for Twilight to disband and for the Laqura Empire to rule all Raliea… something which Twilight would never allow, but one thing that was agreed is that in war, no more than twenty percent of either magic city’s mages would be permitted outside borders for that many mages would irreparably scar the land.

  “Proof of that happened before Daku disappeared as a great battle occurred at what is now called Dead River. Twilight sent half of our mages to fight Vika’s and the river is now a barren wasteland for over a hundred miles. No water runs the paths anymore and life is uninhabitable. The dragons finally intervened before either side did it again, making it law that only twenty percent be allowed outside in times of war. At the moment there are eighty thousand mages out of the city from here, protecting mostly Emroc from falling and keeping the empire from pushing further down to threaten us directly.

  “Since Emroc has been at war for the past century, we could not send all the mages to help the common people as we want. It is easy for us to heal, make food and deliver babies, but with the century long war, our hands are tied and we cannot afford another Dead River incident. That is unless Vika somehow manages to break trough Twilight’s spells and wish’s to upset the dragons… something I wish to see because Rex Gralla isn’t partial to Vika’s reign and treatment of her people. If Vika attacks a colony, and since we are in their heart, it would be a declaration of war against the dragons. The empire wouldn’t last a week. Nothing can match a dragon’s eternal patience, but one mistake will rouse an unstoppable people.”

  “Vika Two-legs and Shakka Brightscales do not deserve to rule.” Ulon hissed.

  Poli rumbled angrily, but didn’t move.

  “Who’s Shakka Brightscales?” Cage asked.

  “Like me, Vika’s skin naturally glows with power
and she too has a dragon Familiar. Shakka is a clear, almost white dragon that shines like pure living crystal. Her scales are so clear you can see her red blood pumping beneath. The worst part is Shakka is just as demented as Vika.” Zikon said. “And to answer your last question, dragons also have laws they too must obey, just like we humans do. Dragons are not allowed to directly interfere in a lesser species’ dispute or infringe without great reason. The dragons have strict rules, but there are exceptions. The three I’ve been told is to protect a dying race, planetary issue or natural disaster and if it threatens their own survival. You and Daku are the only ones of your kind so they will try their hardest to keep you alive. The only way dragons would help humans in a direct way is if our entire population drops down to ten thousand. To keep such from happening, the dragons many years ago Jumped some humans to different worlds so that one group will survive if one world is lost. It also saddens them to see any life form suffer, but unless their Rex alters their governing rules, they cannot help. Female dragons most of all cannot easily resist any animal suffering and will do what they can within the confines of their Rex’s law. Their maternal instinct is stronger than any species I’ve ever some across, even ours.”

  Now I understand. Cage thought, remembering Poli’s expression.

  There came a hum and others turned to the sound to see the barrier glittering amethyst before Theresa glided in for a flawless landing with plenty of room not to be tangled up with Poli and Ulon laying to one side and lifter their necks to acknowledge her. Theresa grunted and the pair turned their necks back around to listen more to the interesting topic. The dragon entered, adding her purple sparkles to the silver and pink to the cavernous room. Theresa acknowledged Daku with a rumbling hum before hearing her partner. “Theresa, good timing. Cage was just about to ask you a question he’s been seeking for some time now. I just finished telling him my story.”

  “What is this question?” She rumbled while stepping closer and laid down, her huge head hung in the air thanks to thick neck muscles, not twenty feet from the table. Tremendous heat and her hot breath smelled of sweet hickory.

  “That obvious?” Cage asked.

  Zikon chuckled. “Many before you have had a similar look that always asks the same question.”

  “You wish to know why it is I’m a Familiar and how my kind treat me?” Theresa asked first and got a serious nod. “Dragonkind honor me. Rare it is for any human to be paired with a dragon. Zikon has strength to match mine. It is why he can make spells like dragons. To be pared with a human is my kind’s envy for the closeness is akin to spirit mates.” She purred, but it was still loud enough to be felt in one’s chest. “Closeness cannot be compared and dragons seek bonds of friendship. To be a human’s Familiar proves my partner is worthy of me.”

  “So you’re not treated badly?” He asked.

  “No, Cage Two-legs, it is a great honor to bind our races. Humans are queer creatures that are fascinating and can always make new surprises.” She rumbled and the sincere violet color in her eyes meant it down to the soul.

  “Dinner is ready!” Megdline announced.

  The meal consisted of fresh sweet bread, thick vegetable stew, bowls of chilled fruit that were diced like a fruit salad and delicious tarts for dessert. For drinks, red wine in clear glass that greatly resembled those from Earth, but one side has a higher angle where it made the drink swirl slightly before being drank. It was a strange experience to drink, but it was good. It wasn’t a strong wine since Zikon and Megdline couldn’t inhibit their magic much by being tipsy. As a warlock, Cage learned alcohol doesn’t affect him. All of them were hungry and few words were exchanged. “Granny, that was delicious.” He said after finishing the last bite and sips of the wine.

  “You are very welcome.” She gathered the dishes and put them in the sink to say a few words and magically washed them. The house spell did that and when dry, put them automatically back in the cabinets. “Do you have any more questions?” She sat back down.

  “Of course I do.” Cage replied with a dazzling smile. But before he could ask there came a knock at the door about fifty feet from the table.

  Megdline sighed, but stood again and went to the door to ask “Who is it?”

  “Delivery for Lord Zikon from the potions master.” The voice returned on the other side of the door.

  The sorceress opened the door and said a few words, signed for the package and returned to the table to open a wooden box. She removed a glass vial containing some kind clear liquid along with a piece of paper detailing proper instructions. She removed a cork stopper and took a sip to find it tasted bland before replacing the stopper. “In a few minutes it says I need to do some magic till I feel if the effects work. When I do I’ll have to retire and sleep to recover from the feedback pain.”

  “What’s wrong, Granny?” Cage asked and learned how she got headaches from yesterdays confrontation and each time she does magic. “Odd, I feel fine.”

  “It was the rage.” Daku spoke up from beside Theresa as he got up to lay beside her. “I told you the rage protected us against the Tiaxm. This feedback Megdline and a few other mages feel is due to their lack of natural rage. You do not feel it because if a Tiaxm broke your magic, the rage blocks the pain, as it did for me and would have done the same for each dragon here.”

  “Would I have felt this rage?” Zikon asked the griffin.

  “Uncertain.” Came the reply. “There were no glowing mages during the nexus collapse so it cannot be said. Without one near, you cannot know.”

  “What did this rage feel like?” The sorcerer asked and listened to the warlock’s explanation. “Interesting.”

  “So, what is my week going to be like so I can let Brooke and Meeka know so they won’t be so worried?” He asked.

  Zikon rubbed his shaved jaw line before answering. “Daku is going to be pushing you most of it, but he has allowed me to personally show you the great library in the morning and during times of rest you can have full access of texts up to first class sorcerer studies, but the first enclave I cannot allow you access to without unanimous council approval, but as a warlock you have the right to access anything related to them…” Zikon stopped as Cage held up a hand.

  “There is just one thing I want to know that I’ve found strange.” Cage began. “Grandpa, what did my ancestors do that almost destroyed Raliea? I want to be more specific. I was told that a small group of warlocks were attempting something with the planet that would have been catastrophic, but then I hear through Granny’s teachings that dragons put planetary wards to protect habitable worlds that block the greatest dangers from black holes and gamma ray bursts all the way down to asteroids large enough to impact the planet. Just what were they attempting that sealed their fate?”

  “Very well.” Zikon again crossed his arms. “Ten thousand years ago they were attempting to force a dormant super-volcano to be active and use it to destroy an entire dragon colony because they wouldn’t give them a newly discovered world able to support life for humans. The warlocks and griffins wanted a world of their own that would not be ruled by dragons, but dragons hadn’t had time to put the planet-wide wards to expand life and would take another century to implement. The renegade warlocks attempted to threaten an entire colony in their impatience, but Daku here decided that some warlocks needed to be sent to a world without magic, but the dragons and old mages were threatened too greatly, something no younger species had ever made them feel and instead betrayed Daku’s original idea to send only the most dangerous transgressors to Earth like the ultimate form of punishment by sending them all and creating a barrier spanning this entire universe to prevent any from coming back. How Ceembura’s gauntlets circumvented that barrier and pulled you back here is beyond any magic even dragons seem to know and for months they still haven’t found an answer.”

  “This colony…” Cage quickly thought. “Would it happen to be the one in the Darshay Mountains?”

  For once, Cage noticed he made Zik
on utterly confused as he blinked with uncertainty. “No, actually it was Heedi Rova.” The sorcerer turned his attention to his dragon. “Theresa, I never knew there was a colony in the Darshay Mountains.”

  The purple dragon’s eyes narrowed. “Because there isn’t one to my knowledge. Cage Two-legs, explain yourself.” Which he did by tiring himself by using more magic to utilize the room’s size for effect, to show exactly what he saw and the great space made an accurate recount of the path he took after he and the tribe were forced into it. Theresa looked over the large illusion to say “I never saw an abandoned colony before and it is certainly one of ours to be sure. Zikon, I must meet with Rex Gralla immediately and get answers. Many centuries have passed from this little one’s observation…”

  “Before you go, I need to tell you that there are Zeether snakes at some entrances. Be careful. Here, this is the valley my tribe used to exit it.” Cage created a three dimensional map before her eyes. “Be careful, if it has been abandoned for so long that you and anyone doesn’t remember, for all we know that is where the Tiaxm originated and there might be more. It is a plausible theory at this time since when I walked through, none other has in many decades. For all I know, the Tiaxm might have lived there, caught my scent and was why Vin’re was attacked.”

  Theresa hesitated. “I cannot say, but it can be a plausible conclusion in this way of thinking. Colonies run very deep they do, sometimes miles beneath the surface. I shall make sure Rex Gralla sends the younger dragons to more quickly learn the abandoned colony’s secrets. If the Tiaxm are from there, it could be why they weren’t detected. Zikon?”