Page 69 of The Black Dragon
“Tristan is busy these days. I am Drust, the Coldfire Wizard and guardian and judge of dragons.” Drust pointed skyward. “Up, Chase, son ofRohan.”
White mist covered the ledge and another wizard appeared. He looked younger, and an impish light gleamed inhis smoky graygaze.
“I am Xavier, the Crystal Wizard, guardian and judge of Mages.” The handsome wizard winked at her, easing her tension. “I am here for Leo, and for you, Ariel Harrington. Since you’re Mage and dragon, I rule over one half of you, Ariel. Which half should I choose? The top half or thebottom?”
“Stop joking. This is serious business.” Drustscowled.
“Andyou need to relax. Along with a new wardrobe. Lighten up, dragon.” Xavier waved a hand and Drust suddenly became clad in lime green shorts and an electric blue Hawaiianshirt.
Never had she seen a wizard before, and Xavier’s impish sense of fun made her giggle. She stifled it, seeing Drust’sscowl.
The Coldfire Wizard turned to her uncle. “I will deal with you in a minute.First…”
The wizard waved a hand and new clothing appeared on him. Not the cobalt blue tunic and trousers he’d previously worn, but a shiny blue gabardine suit that made herwince.
A distinctive dragon-like growl came from the wizard. “I can melt granite with my breath and yet I cannot manage to summon the correctclothing.”
“I’ll take pity on you.” Xavier flicked a finger and Drust’sformer outfit appeared on the Coldfire Wizard. “Clothing is a little tricky. As for your breath melting rock, ever considermouthwash?”
Another growl, which Xavier ignored. Instead the wizard went toLeo.
“Here.” Xavier handed Leo a shiny red diamond. “This is yours, as payment for saving the baby dragons from Dell. He would have killed themall.”
Leo turned the bauble overin his palm. “I don’t want it. Leave it here. Maybe someone else will benefit from it powering the vortex. It would mean more if I could spare someone else from suffering what I’ve endured all theseyears.”
A satisfied smile touched the wizard’s mouth. “Then what do you want, Leo? I will grant you onefavor.”
Instead of answering, her father turned around. He gathered her hands intohis own. “I love you, Ariel. I’ve always worried about you. But I know I can’t keep you here any longer. You know the truth. I always worried about you being alone in thisworld.”
Fresh tears filled her eyes. “I know. But I’m not alone. I have other family, my mother’s family, whom I’d like toknow.”
Leo glanced at Justin. “And I suspect that this dragon will help you deal with thechanges you’ll experience. I can’t help you with becoming a dragon, honey. I’m returning to Seattle and Irene. But if you ever need me, any time, call me and I’ll be here foryou.”
He kissed her forehead, nodded atJustin.
“What will you do?” Justinasked.
“Irene has money, plenty of wealth. I cured her mother of a disease and she paid me enough to live on, if I know you willtake good care of my littlegirl.”
Justin nodded. “I will,sir.”
Leo turned back to Xavier. “I have one request, Crystal Wizard. Give my daughter whatever shedesires.”
Xavier stroked his black beard. “Done. And now, I’ll send you to where you desire – back toIrene.”
A wave of his hand, and her father vanished. Ariel blinked back hot tears. “I don’t want anything,”she told the wizard. “Only for my uncle Chase to be forgiven by the Brehon for the crime of killing mymother.”
“Are you certain?” Drust, the Coldfire Wizard approached. Of all wizards, she feared him the most, for he seemed raw with power, and lacking the tempered gentleness she’d glimpsed in the CrystalWizard.
Ariel nodded. “If you send him back to his family, will he beokay?”
Drust glanced at Chase. “I will return him to his clan. His father would wish to see him. His heart broke the day Chase became the Drogmire, knowing his youngest son killedMarian.”
Her uncle unfurled his fists. “Thank you, Ariel. I hope that one day we can meet again, and you can become acquainted with our family. We’re not bad dragons, just…stubborn.”
Chase stood straightand proud and she saw in him the memory of her beloved mother. “If you please, sir, I have no desire to return to my family right away. I wish to live in Skin for a while. All I ask is for a little money, and a vehicle fortransportation.”
The wizard considered. And then he smiled, and it was a friendly smile, but filled with mystery, as if Drust had glimpsed something they could not. “Done.”
