The Accidental Archmage - Book Five, Edmund Batara [best way to read ebooks txt] 📗

was Vathys’s idea, a fiery cradle to make it comfortable as a necessary birth prelude. The twins’ magical energy gave it its final form. Seier facilitated the magical process by which the egg came into existence. War and victory do form part of its energy matrix; it was an experiment of the children,” explained Birki, matter-of-factly.

“Where did the spark come from?” asked Tyler. An experiment? War and victory? A warlike mountain of an already temperamental wyrm?

“Ah, you remember when that golden drake repaired your armor? Gullen, was it? That small bit of energy directly from a live draken was the final touch. You should have seen the children when that happened and the egg became alive,” answered the small being.

“How about you? Did you contribute anything?” asked the mage, not knowing what to do or ask next. His mind was swirling with a lot of future possibilities. All bad.

“Of course, I did. An energy drake, born out of such varied powers, is a unique and extremely powerful being. I don’t think such a thing had been done by anyone,” answered Birki with a touch of pride.

“A chair, please. I think I need to sit down,” was Tyler’s only response.

A metal chair rose from the floor and the mage thankfully sank into it.

“Oh, the draken’s color will be black. The source of the primary energy usually determines that aspect, but I guess some small coloration will be present because of the children’s powers,” added Birki.

Tyler barely heard what Birki said. His imagination was now filled with the terrible image of a black dragon as big as a massif with an open mouth displaying all its fanged glory. An angry, gigantic, powerful beyond comprehension, black drake.

“Why is he called Old Greyskin?” the mage asked, still trying to get his thoughts in order after the mental assault of fear and terror.

“Rumpr’s memory is not certain on that point. But some accounts mentioned that its skin turns dark gray for a while after a blast is let loose by the wyrm.”

“What kind of blast? Fire?” Tyler asked.

“Nothing so ordinary, First Mage. Apparently, it’s a combination of elemental attacks with an immensely powerful magical spell intended to shred any defense. Claws and fangs are but secondary weapons. Though a swipe of those giant claws was enough to level a small peak. But this one is going to be a lot more powerful,” replied Birki as he pointed to the egg

Shit.

Chapter Seven

Lizards Galore

Ithun spake:

16. “Well, prithee, Bragi, | his kinship weigh,

Since chosen as wish-son he was;

And speak not to Loki | such words of spite

Here within Ægir’s hall.”

Loki spake:

17. “Be silent, Ithun! | thou art, I say,

Of women most lustful in love,

Since thou thy washed-bright | arms didst wind

About thy brother’s slayer.”

Ithun spake:

18. “To Loki I speak not | with spiteful words

Here within Ægir’s hall;

And Bragi I calm, | who is hot with beer,

For I wish not that fierce they should fight.”

Tyler looked at the silent group watching him, faces still tense, waiting for his decision. Vivindel didn’t leave his side and the little girl’s hands were now holding on to the back of the metal chair. And she looked like she was going to cry at any moment.

Screwed any way I decide. Face the possible anger and fury of a monumental dragon? Or break my children’s hearts? thought Tyler despondently. Then he realized he had referred to the young energy forms as his children.

I’ll be damned. In a sense, they are my children. Even Birki.

That made the decision for him. He stood up and faced the group. Vivindel moved closer and held his hand.

Ah, Vivindel. How can I say no to you? thought the mage. You are an aspect of Eira, if I am not mistaken. She would love to meet you. Though with all of you here, I fear Eira would spend more time visiting this world within the staff. It even has the Fossegrim atmosphere. But that feisty wife of mine would be a good influence on all of you.

The mage stood up, having made his decision.

“Keeping the drake will depend on all of you. Show me you have what it takes to care for such a powerful creature, and you get a new pet,” he declared.

“No, no, no,” said Vivindel, pulling at his hand. “A friend, a companion. Never a pet.”

Tyler looked at the rest. Some were smiling and the others had huge grins on their faces, though the nodding heads clearly indicated they agreed with the little girl.

***

Birki walked with him to the huge entrance. As he opened it, the now-familiar shimmering barrier appeared.

“Well, Birki, I trust you can guard this entrance and the barrier,” Tyler said.

“With the power I received from you, I believe my abilities have just grown tenfold. But I have to get used to it first. Fortunately, I have a system to enable my wards to reinforce me if the worst happens,” answered Birki.

“I’ll be back. With more questions. I do wish Apulli could get more of his memory back. It could prove invaluable.”

“In time, lad. In time. I do have a suggestion before you go. I believe you still have Loki’s torc with you. The object does enable the Trickster to sometimes keep track of where you are. The power is faint and could easily be overcome by strong energies in an area or a being, but I do believe it poses more than just a minor inconvenience.”

The mage was stunned.

Hell, this visit is turning out to be a Christmas day of surprises.

“What do you mean? The torc enables that joker to track me?”

“I did say that, didn’t I? Yes, it does. A faint, almost indiscernible tendril of power. Not that it could follow you here. But on the open road–outside of the Void Lands, the Barrens, the Temples of Viracocha, Fossegrim, and similar places or beings of strong lingering power and aura–your