Thunderspire
By Emily M. Hanson
Part 7
* * * * *
It was much easier going through the Stormy Wilds this time, since the adventurers had learned which areas to avoid. Kip and Trin still cast protective spells. The others kept watch for anything out of the ordinary. As the gold dragon flew through the dark and ominous clouds, wind howled all around.
They passed Rivenshade once again. Its obsidian spires towered above them in defiance of the stormy sky. A short time later, they saw a steady glowing light in the distance that grew larger in size as they approached. The light turned into a window, and the building was made out of the same type of crystal as Thunderspire was. It was floating on a large gray cloud.
"That must be it," Aliya said.
"Yes," Kip replied. "Hold on while I land."
He landed on the cloud. The same magic that held up the house also kept them from falling. Everyone looked at each other.
"All right, who wants to knock on the door?" Fenrek asked.
"Since you so kindly spoke up," Trin replied, "why don't you do the honors?"
The short Melosean rolled his eyes, but he gathered his courage and walked to the door. Everyone followed. He scrutinized the door. There were no signs of traps. Why would there be, he thought? If the woman inside escaped, she'd have nowhere to go but down. Fenrek took a deep breath and knocked three times.
"Who could that be?" someone wondered aloud the house. Their voice could be heard through the open window. "You can't be a guard; they wouldn't be so polite as to knock. All right, hold your pegasi. I'm coming."
The door opened and a female air elemental stood there. Her cloudy form was silvery-white, and her sapphire eyes had a sharp gaze as she studied them all. "Earth dwellers? How did you get up here?"
"I'm a dragon," Kip said. "You must be…"
The elemental squinted. "Oh yes, I see your shadow now. It's blasted dark out here, so it was very easy to miss. I am Sireth Silverfog, and this is my home -- or prison, to be more accurate. You still haven't answered my question."
Trin cleared her throat. "We know that you know who the rightful Sky Lord is. We need your testimony."
"Ah. Come in, please."
Sireth let them in. Candle flames flickered and danced across the crystalline walls. It was sparsely decorated. There was a small bed, a table, and a stove. There were shelves with books and jars. A painting of three air elementals hung on the wall above the bed. If it wasn't a prison, it could have been called homey.
"Would anyone like some tea?" Sireth asked.
"No, thanks," Trin replied.
"That's good, since I only have three cups and two of them need to be washed at the moment. Now, what is this about my testimony?"
"We were sent here by a sorcerer who intended to imprison us because we opposed his tyrannical rule. We were escorted to Thunderspire by guards and met Erius. He wanted us to dispose of Calduris for him. In return, he would send us home. When we met Calduris, he claimed to be the real Sky Lord and had proof. You witnessed both births and were imprisoned because of your knowledge. We need you to come back with us and testify against Erius."
Sireth considered this. She knew that her life was in danger. Erius could have her killed, but if these Earth dwellers had fought their way past Calduris' guards to get to him, they would be able to protect her.
"I am not young anymore. If there is one thing I wish to do in my lifetime, it is to tell the truth. I am willing to return with you," she answered.
Trin smiled. "Good. You should take anything you wish to bring with you, then. We have to leave soon."
Sireth nodded. She took the painting that was on the wall and put it into a bag. "This is the only thing I want. It is a portrait made years ago of my husband, my son, and I. Everything else can stay and collect dust."
After they went outside, Kip morphed into his dragon form and they were off.
* * * * *
Rivenshade was not far. Sireth floated close by, clutching her bag tightly as Kip flew. The dragon landed atop Calduris' tower and transformed into his human form.
"Why are we here?" Sireth asked.
"We must first speak with Calduris," Kip answered. "It will not take very long. Please, come with us."
The air elemental agreed. She followed them into the tower and down the long, spiraling stairs to the chamber where Calduris waited. He looked amazed as they approached him.
"You have returned so soon! Sireth, how good it is to see you." Calduris smiled.
She returned his smile. "I haven't seen you since you were a small child, but I've heard Erius' guards tell tales about how you're leading a rebellion." To the amazement of everyone, Sireth leaned forward and kissed him. "I daresay you've become quite the handsome gentleman."
"A little too handsome," he replied. "Rumor has it that I'm jealous of my half-brother's relationship with Ania Stormstar, and that she would rather have me. Erius can have her. She's more like a raging tsunami than the peaceful lagoon he claims she's like most of the time."
Sireth gave him a knowing look. "Well, I'm not young any more, but I'm sure you'll find someone."
Calduris laughed. "Perhaps. In any case, we should head to Thunderspire, don't you think?"
"I think we ought to be prepared for a fight," Fenrek said. "Your half-brother isn't going to just let us in when he sees you."
"You're smart for a Melosean." Calduris reached behind his throne and withdrew a gleaming sword. It had a pale blue glow when he picked it up. There were runes of air, water, and lightning on its hilt, which was topped with a glistening sapphire. "My blade, Torrent. It will be more than a match for Erius' forces."
"I hope so," Tanith muttered.
"What? Woman, you claim to be a warrior, but you've never heard of Torrent? This blade wounded Zoru in the war so much that he could not win the fight." Calduris grinned proudly. "It is a sword of legend."
Tanith withdrew her own scimitar. "Sirocco has slain many evil men," she answered. "My sword master used it in service to a great king before it was given to me. It requires skill, not magic."
The elemental nodded. "Then I hope your skill is a match for my half-brother's artifice."
"It is," she replied. "But there is only one way to find out for certain. We must return to Thunderspire."
The black sky outside seemed even more foreboding, if that was possible. Lightning raked the clouds like a dragon's claws. Wind roared with a vengeance. Wild magic electrified the air and might have overwhelmed them all, if not for their protective spells.
Soon they would have to face Erius and reveal the truth. The future of the world was suspended like a pendulum. It was up to them to set it straight.
* * * * *
