Ties That Bind (65)

      “Get your buckets!” I screamed at them. “Meli! Attempt a fire break!” I ordered bluntly. The words had barely left my lips as little thunder squawked and spiralled higher while Skydancer rocketed once more over our heads. I stared in amazement as I saw through my kestrel's eyes the scene at the fire. A bloated to burst dragon spitting streams of water at the flames and smoking sections dousing them. “Who had that brilliant idea?” I asked Arry.

      “I only knew we need water to put out the flames.” he replied. He smiled with pride at Skydancer while in his mind he saw what his dragon did through it's eyes. “Skydancer told me he could do this easily.” he continued. “But it was not with words that he spoke.”

      “Skydancer is snuffing out the flames!” I told the partially panicked crowd. “No fear with a linked pair of quick thinking and quicker acting protectors!” I shouted. “Do you not agree elder?” I added softly. A mirthless chuckle escaped the headsman as his shoulders slump and he nodded in resignation.

      “It would be acceptable for them to reside near our village.” he proclaimed to the village. Screams of cheers rose from the children before slowly being picked up by the adults present. In the distance and through my kestrel's eyes the column of smoke dwindled quickly into nothingness. “Young Arry can visit our village safely but as for Skydancer ...” he yelled over the cheers. “... I must ask he remains outside the town for fear of the damage he may cause inadvertently.” he concluded. As half my mind saw through my bird's eyes, the other half focused on the headsman mind and his request. He feared the dragon simply passing between two houses or flying too low would damage structures without meaning to do so. I can understand his fear considering how large dragons can grow especially the sea types.

      “He will be extremely large as an adult refusing to enter the confines of the village.” I explained quietly to the elder.

      “Not if something threatened the boy.” he replied quickly.

      “True since if one dies, they are both dead.” I remarked.

      “He is truly bounded with that beast?” the elder gasped. “Is that even possible with humans?” he muttered.

      “It appears possible but unique in nature.” I reported. “I am hoping his growth to adulthood will not be hindered by the bond.” I continued slowly. Arry had moved to stand with the children while Skydancer circle the village with little thunder playing an aerial game of tag. “With luck, it will not be until he is an adult that his ageing will slow.” I explained in false calmness. “Arry's lifespan is now one with the dragon's but he may still have a normal childhood.” I concluded.

      “How long can the boy live now?” the headsman asked in a tense whisper.

      “Sea dragons can live fifteen hundred years while the forest dragons live about a thousand years.” I surmised out loud. “It will be a long and lonely life for him.” I stated softer. “Worse if he remains a child for a couple hundred years or more.” I added in a whisper.

      “Living that long would be hellish if truly alone.” the elder returned softly. “But it may feel like a curse to the boy seeing people growing old and dying around him.”

      “Atlantis will help him will it exist.” I muttered to myself. “I will set provisions in place allowing Arry and Skydancer to reside in Atlantis when needed.” I told the elder. “Atlantis understand that many die during their eight hundred year long lifespan.”

      “I thank you for doing this kindness for the child.” the old man replied softly. A true grin showed on the old man's face. “Best I show you to your rooms for the night.” he continued calmer. “No need to depart this instant, correct?”

      “Sert! Meli!” I called out. “We stay the night and leave in the morning!” I informed them. I received a quick nod from each of them. “Show my companions where we can spend the night while I inform our ship of our plans.” I told the headsman. He nodded once before slowly walking away with Sert and Meli at his heels. I watched them move through the crowd knowing Meli would research the local fauna and Sert would visit with the militia of the village. The rest of my day would be spent, once I informed captain Destine, training Arry about the new life he started. I dreaded this time with the boy fearing what human disbelief may colour his thoughts. I also worried about the two siblings that stood for Arry because the girl seemed taken with the dragon-boy. I sighed before going to tell captain Destine of our plans.

      It was midday as I walked with Arry back to the clearing so we could speak with Skydancer present. It was truly magical seeing the two communicating without words nor the mental whispers associated with telepathy. The link did truly make them of one mind with the thoughts of one easily transferred from the one to the other.

      “I believe you understand what you and Skydancer share is abnormal?” I said calmly.

      “Yes but it feels natural to me.” Arry returned. I felt him tensing defensively as fear of being told to end this grew in his heart and mind.

      “I have many things to explain to you about this dragon bond that cannot be broken.” I told him. It took a few moments for my words to cut through his fears causing them to evaporate. He nodded slowly as he sat cross-legged on a patch of grass. Skydancer lay at his back with his tail encircling where the boy sat while it's head lay in Arry's lap. “First you must know more about Skydancer than simply his diet.” I continued. “He seems to be a cross between a sea dragon and a forest dragon which makes him unique.” I explained.

      “What is the difference?” Arry remarked. I was stunned by his curiosity and open-minded attitude for a moment.

      “Forest dragon are nimble on the ground snaking around trees without losing speed nor leaving a trail.” I stated. “They can fly but are not as nimble as Skydancer has shown in the air.” I told him. I knew that keeping it general would be easier for him to understand. “Sea dragons move like lightning in the water and air but clumsy and awkward when moving on land.”

      “Skydancer must be more sea dragon than forest dragon.” the boy exclaimed. “Because of how well he flies.” he added as explanation.

      “Very true since he has the form of the sea dragon and scale pattern of the forest type.” I agreed. “But without seeing him moving around trees, I cannot know how much of the forest dragon skill he possesses.” I explained quickly. “But so far he moves at the speed and agility level of an adult dragon nearly two hundred years his senior which suggests that his aerial prowess is still growing.” I continued softly. His eyes widened as I mentioned indirectly the age until Skydancer would become an adult.

      “I will be long dead by the time he is an adult dragon.” Arry complained. Skydancer raised his head and I felt the jovial mental laughter passing from the dragon to the boy. He gave his dragon an angry glare. “That is not funny Skydancer!” he retorted. He grumbled to himself brooding.

      “The bond that binds you will allow death to not only take one but both of you.” I stated sombrely. “When you die, Skydancer will die also or if Skydancer dies, so will you.” I explained. His brooding suddenly turned to shock and fear.

      “But it's not right that he should die so young!” Arry screamed in protest at me. “He was on his feet grappling at my arms  violently. “Can you not break this link to save Skydancer from dying needlessly young?” he shrieked at me.

      “I cannot do so.” I replied calmly. “But his life is not shortened by this link with you.” I continued slowly. He stared dumbfounded at me. “With luck your body will age normally into adulthood.” I stated. “We cannot be sure since you may have already started ageing slower to match your dragon's growth rate.” I continued slower. He stared wide-eyed at me. I could see in his mind that he understood my words while not seeing the true meaning behind it. "Simply put,” I began my conclusion, “you will live to the age of a thousand years or more now.” The dragon nudged the boy with its nose a few times before I saw signs of consciousness returned to him.

      “But I am just a human boy!” he squeaked.

      “Who is bonded fully to a juvenile dragon.” I returned calmly. “You can still damage your body and even die but you will age much slower physically than the other humans.” I explained slowly. He sat down hard pulling his knees to his chin while the dragon's head sat on his shoulder as his tail wrapped protectively around the boy. “You also benefit from the dragon's regenerative gift which means you heal your wounds at a faster rate than anything else that lives.” I continued. “Your strength and speed will also increase at a faster rate and higher level than any human that exist.”

      “Just like the tales my parents told me before they ...” he muttered. Skydancer's grip tightened around the him as tears filled his eyes. “Then I was alone and scared.” the continued after a moment. “Then I found Skydancer after he fell from the sky injuring himself.”

      “How long ago was that?” I asked softly. I feared many years had passed between that moment and this meeting.

      “A couple of months, maybe close to a year.” he answered. “Gave him water and leaves while looking if he was bleeding before letting him attempt flying away.” he recounted slowly. “But all he did was circle my standing spot for a minute before disappearing to return within the hour with fishes for me.”

      “Then how did you come to be here by this village?” I remarked gently.

      “Skydancer brought me fishes twice a day for about a week being absent no more than an hour at a time.” he told me. “I started wondering where he collected these fishes.” he said slowly with a shrug. “The next day he kept bumping me forward before crouching in front of me.” he explained. “I felt he wanted me to climb upon his back so he may show me where he fished.” he continued. With tears still in his eyes, he smiled softly at the memories I saw playing in his mind. “He flew me to the sea where I spotted the village which I asked him to land nearby.” he stated. “We found the cave close enough for me to visit the village and met the other children.”

      “Which explains the sightings of Skydancer as you started visiting the village daily.” I said pensively.

      “Only Matty and Dera met Skydancer but they quickly realized he was friendly.” he returned with a grin and a giggle. “How will I know that my body is ageing slower than others?” he muttered in a smaller voice.

      “If you see others growing older looking around you.” I answered simply. “I think the other children will notice and mention if you are not growing like they are.” I suggested. He nodded slowly back without untangling himself from Skydancer's embrace. “But it may not happen until you are an adult.” I cautioned quickly. “This may be hard for you as people you know and care for die while you remain living.” I informed him sadly. “Atlantis offers you some refuge if that pain becomes hard for you to bear.”

      “And why would that be helpful?” he asked confused and morose. “Even if they are giants, they still will die also.” he retorted.

      “My companions are just passed their two hundred years of age gaining their adulthood.” I remarked. He glanced up at me. “They live between eight hundred to a thousand years old even if they look much younger.” I revealed to him. “And some of the Royal line, both Nobles and Guards, have lived much longer than a thousand years.” I added.

      I did not reveal how old Annianka truly was having been born before the Usurper's dark reign. She was an isolated case been one fifth of a whole being that hid in Valhalla for about a thousand years or more. I suddenly felt a tremor running back from the near future and another racing forward from the moment the Usurper took control of Atlantis. No images formed in my mind while a great heavy foreboding crashed down upon me.

      “Anything else?” Arry stated louder a second time. I stared unable to speak or move as the great dark foreboding washed over me sucking me down into darkness. I swayed fighting in vain this feeling for a moment before I collapsed into dark unconsciousness. I heard Arry screaming “Sir!” once before floating into the nothingness of despair. I partially awoke being half carried, half dragged, between Sert and Meli back into an unknown room.

      “I will be fine,” I croaked out. I tried to stand on my own feet but failed shocking me greatly. “I might be wrong.” I forced out quickly. I dropped down hard in there grip. I half dreamt them laying me in a small bed followed by Meli examining me. The dark foreboding still lingered at the edge of my mind waiting to pounce as I lay unable to move. I let myself slip back willingly into this enforced slumber as I attempted raising my nebulous healing cloud around me. I barely succeeded raise a fist size bundle of sparks which sputtered out of existence without causing the most minor of healing to me.

      “I believe he is suffering from exhaustion.” Meli whispered to Sert. These words slipped into my semi-conscious mind. “Or he has received a truly potent vision that has crushed his human form.” she added.

      “I must let Arry know that he could do nothing more than have Skydancer retrieve us.” Sert returned. “Will you be alright staying alone with him?” he mumbled. She laughed softly back at him.

      “It was not an attack that rendered him to this state.” she informed him. “I will be unharmed left without a guard.” she continued. “Go find Arry and Skydancer to informed them and thank them.” she ordered softly. My attempts to reach out mentally to verify my surrounding were in vain pass the confines of this small room. The realization of how weak my physical form had become as reaction to a hidden event that could only lay in my direct future troubled me greatly. The visions of Atlantis exploding followed by the dark malevolent black shade rising from the mushroom cloud to cover the world in darkness plagued me once more at these thoughts. No proof if only this world and plane would be effected by this all encompassing darkness, but the absolute void of a future past that point boded ill. It suggested to me that nothing would escape including myself if that future event was allowed to happen.

      The smell of burning herbs pulled my mental focus back to the room I laid in. I could sense the anxiety and worry pulsing in Meli's body as I felt her examine me once more. The creation and dashing of possibilities regarding this sudden illness like event that plagued me. The only solutions remaining were those given to Sert about exhaustion and visions holding the outcome that my strength had been sapped by my recent behaviour. I mentally withdrew into myself drifting into actual slumber and dreams hoping sleep would return me to my feet and health.

      Three days passed while I slept like the dead. I believe Meli's fears forced her to move me into my cabin on the Herald. My opening eyes recognized the items and fixtures of the cabin I lived in when travelling away from Atlantis. My body felt the ship slowly rocking under me riding the waves as we sailed slowly on the open ocean. I stretched out with my mind noting my companions, the crew of the Herald, and the linked pair of minds that was Arry and Skydancer. My head spun as I sat up quickly proving this body was still recovering from the stress of the foreboding and dread associated to it.

      “Was it another strong vision?” Sert asked from the door.

      “Something like that.” I answered hoarsely. Sert filled a cup with the liquid from a nearby flagon forcing the filled cup into my hands. I took a slow sip to discover it was a spiked clover honey wine. This was a much stronger than average honey wine. As I rolled it on my tongue, I could taste the healing herbs Meli had added to strengthen the potency and beneficial aspects of honey. “Only an overpowering sense of foreboding and dread piled high and heavy on my shoulders.” I stated clearer. I slowly sipped more from my cup enjoying the unique flavour of this healing blend.

      “Regarding Arry and Skydancer?” he returned. I sense unease in him. I emptied my cup and allowed him to refill it without protest but I did raise an eyebrow as I held the refilled cup. “Meli's orders as your personal healer.” he informed me softly. “You must empty the flagon before I can bring you food.” he explained. “She also suggest you refrain from using your self healing technique until we have returned to Atlantis.” he added. He smiled his disarming boyish grin at me making me laugh and empty the second cup quickly. A mild light headedness prevailed as the last drops from the flagon passed my lips.

      “It is not Arry and Skydancer that caused this emotional vision to assault me.” I finally answered with a normal voice. “But I do wonder why they are sailing with us?”

      “Meli suggested it would be easier to fully train Arry and Skydancer in Atlantis for a month or two.” he informed me. “I agreed because he must be able to protect himself if he wishes to protect Skydancer.”

      “Something I would have suggested myself but was he given a choice?” I remarked quickly.

      “Of course Sir even if it his time was limited in a way.” Sert returned softly. I nodded back quickly to him.

      “Giving the boy teaching in base healing herbs for dragons would also be beneficial.” I continued easily.

      “Meli already started during our voyage.” Sert replied. “All part of the training for the dragon linked non-humans and Atlantians.” he explained quickly. The shy-boyish grin had returned to his face. “Arry's younger age seem to increase the speed he learns at.” he added. I nodded noting this to have a second mind helping to explain things he was learning. I slowly forced myself to my feet using the unstrung bow-staff as a walking stick. Sert moved to block me from the door.