Dragons of the Past

BOOK FOUR

CHAPTER 1

Unexpected Happenstance

“Lazarus!” cheered Jager. He held Celine’s hands tight, gazing into her deep green eyes with electric intensity. “I know I can do it. With the Lazarus spell I can bring your father back to life!”

Celine, incredulous, could only stare back at her soulmate, her mouth half agape in wonder. “Oh! Oh, my goodness!” she finally cried, and wrapped him in a superhuman embrace.

They parted, laughing, then began a joyous dance around the rocky chamber. After a turn or two about the space, Celine brought them to a sudden stop.

“We’ve got to get tell Fianna and the others!” She flicked away a joyful tear. “It’s almost unbelievable!” She brought the young man’s hands to her cheeks. “Are you sure you can do it?”

Jager, just as excited, reached up, took her slender hands in his and squeezed. “Yes, Pumpkin, yes. I am sure. Absolutely sure.”

She flung her arms around his neck and they embraced again, as fiercely as before. A few breaths later, she pulled away and led him at a fast trot back up the tunnel toward the main chamber of Vin’s cave-home. Once light filtering down the tunnel showed they were near the exit, she sent an exuberant mental call to her Dragon Companion.

“Fianna!” came her mental shout. “Fianna! I have fantastic news!”

“What is it, Little One?” the Dragon responded. “What has you so excited?”

“We can bring my father back!” laughed the girl, breaking into another dance of joy. “Jager can bring Dad back to life!”

“Oh, my,” gasped Fianna. “That is wonderful. But, how is it possible? I have never heard of such a thing. You must tell me. I sense you are at Vin’s home; we shall be there shortly, after taking leave of my parents. We have had such a lovely visit!”

“You’re right, we’re at Vin’s. Come soon!” Celine gave Jager’s arms — wrapped around her midriff as he stood behind her — an excited squeeze and snuggled into him. Just as elated, he kissed the top of her chestnut-brown head. The pair scanned the skies in the direction of Dragon Hall, looking for their winged friends.

Minutes later, Fianna and Vin touched down close to the Humans and shared their delight in the fabulous news.

“We’ll need to get back to Remini right away,” announced Celine.

“Indeed, I agree,” said Jager. “So our first task is to head for the Cynth Pedestal and open the shield so we can call West or the Major, explain our plan and ask to be taken there. We can’t just hop on the next shuttle to Remini, you know.”

“Of course!” laughed Celine. “Silly me. I’m so excited, I didn’t even think of that. Ha!”

The boy and girl clambered up into the Dragons’ saddles and soon the four spiraled down to land at Dragon Hall. Jager already had the great staff Omaja unsheathed and in hand as he leapt from the saddle. Rushing to the Cynth Pedestal at the center of the gathering place, he held Omaja high and assumed the prescribed position for the magical rite to come. Celine joined him, and Fianna and Vin flanked them on either side.

When his friends were all settled, Jager’s mellow voice rang out strong and clear, chanting the shield-manipulation spell. He completed the precisely-worded final phrase, and the four saw and heard…nothing.

Omaja remained silent.

Not a fizzle or twinkle burst from the staff’s tip — much less the dazzling blue-white flash they all expected.

The mystic pedestal was just as puzzlingly inert. No warm glow, no resonant hum, bone deep. Not a glimmer or squeak.

Confused, Jager scrutinized the staff, but found it undamaged. Vin circled the pedestal twice, searching for any clue to its stillness. None was to be found.

“Hmm,” grumbled Jager. He pulled out his handheld and scrolled rapidly through several screens. “Maybe I mis-performed the incantation. Let’s see…”

“No,” he continued after a bit, shaking his head. “Looks like I was spot on with the wording, but let’s try again. He took his stance, cleared his throat, raised the staff, and repeated the chant — just as the spell-book required, and just as he had before. And just as before, both Omaja and the Cynth Pedestal remained silent.

“What’s wrong?” cried Celine, wringing her hands. “Jager, what’s happening?”

“I…I don’t know,” replied Jager. Again he rested Omaja against the pedestal, opened his handheld and scrolled through screenshots. “Yesterday I saw some things in a couple of cave drawings that piqued my interest,” he explained. “I’m thinking they might help explain what’s going on. “There was a curious depiction of the Unification Ceremony that didn’t quite fit with how I believed it must work. It also didn’t show life after the shield was in place, so I snapped an image of it to study later.”

Jager held up his handheld so the others could see the painting he was referring to, then went back to studying it closely. Celine looked on, over his shoulder.

“Nothing,” he said. “I don’t see anything here to explain what’s happening.”

“Not yet, anyway. But back on Asherah I made sure to download everything in her database on the Ancients’ magical spells, so maybe there’s some explanation there. I’ll check that now.” He pored over another long series of images, then stopped and looked up from the screen, silent.

“What is it?” asked Celine. “Did you find something?”

“Oh, yes, Pumpkin,” he groaned. “Yes, I did find something…but geez, Pumpkin. I…uh…have some bad news.”

“No!” cried Celine, pulling away from him. “Oh, please, no!”

Celine’s sudden despair came as a wrenching, physical and emotional discomfort to Jager, Fianna and Vin. When Jager finally managed to draw her close and comfort her, the sensations eased. It was an example of a new phenomenon the four had noticed over the past few hours. In addition to their new ability to hear each other’s ments, now they also shared any negative sensations or emotions. They were all troubled by this new situation, but hadn’t yet had an opportunity to discuss it.

“I am so sorry, Celine,” said Jager. And then he was shaken by a chilling new realization.

“What is it?” Celine demanded. She sensed he was holding something back, and withdrew in a huff.

“Unfortunately, sweetie, things just got a lot more complicated. But do not worry, all is not lost. We’ll find a solution.” He gave her one of his best spirit-smiles, hoping it would help. It didn’t appear to, though; the girl’s frowns and anxiety deepened.

“Apparently,” he continued, in as sensitive a voice as he could conjure, “even West is not aware of what I just learned. If she were, she certainly would have mentioned it.”

“What? What is it?” wailed Celine, losing control. “What did you find?”

“Uh, well…,” hesitated Jager, trying to maintain a positive tone despite the message he had to convey, “It’s just that the Homeworlds Shield can only be opened for a single day, and only once in twenty-three days.”

“NO!” shouted Celine. She backed off a step and planted herself, hands on hips, defiant. “That cannot be true. In the first days after the shield went up, we passed through it several times, trying to locate the Remini Dragons. There must be a mistake. What you read isn’t true. It can’t be!”

“I’m so sorry, Celine,” replied Jager softly, sending her a reassuring mental “hug” and reaching for her hand, “but unfortunately it states right here that the shield can only be penetrated until midnight of the second day after it is activated. Then another twenty-one nightfalls must pass before the shield can be penetrated again. I’m so sorry.”

“It’s not fair,” she growled, jerking her hand from his. “Why is the universe always against us?!”

“Now, now, Little One,” soothed Fianna, her Dragon voice as velvety as she’d ever mustered. “Do not despair, dearest friend — for there is always the tube-chute.”

Celine signed heavily and counted to herself under her breath. “Thank you, Fianna,” she said. She knew she was being difficult, acting more like her petulant sister than she’d care to admit. She swiped away fresh tears. “Sorry for my outburst, but I’m just so anxious to help my father. I feel so guilty because it’s my fault he’s dead. And if he can be brought back to life, well…”

“That’s not true!” interrupted Jager sternly. “Soader killed your father, not you. Please, don’t be silly and blame yourself for what another did. No good ever came of that. All right?”

She nodded sheepishly.

“I understand how you feel, dear friend” Fianna said quietly. She stroked the girl gently with one of her ivory wings. “This is just one more obstacle, but it is one we can overcome by sticking together and working as a team. And we shall overcome it, as that is something you and I, and all of us, are very good at doing.”

Celine sighed heavily and hung her head in shame. “Yes, I know. You’re right,” she said. “Again, I’m sorry for my negative remarks, everyone.” The girl took a few deep breaths, raised her head, and forced a small smile.

“There, that’s the spirit,” cheered Jager. “Besides, all’s not lost! As I mentioned, I have another idea.” Celine managed another small smile, to everyone’s relief.

“Let me try my comm pickup,” said Jager with a wink. “Normally, it would not reach as far as Remini, but somehow it did when we first put up the Homeworlds Shield, remember?” Celine nodded and widened her smile a bit. “So,” continued Jager, “perhaps it will work again. The major might not be on Remini at the moment, but if the comm pickup works, maybe I can reach one of the other Asherah crew who happen to be within the boundaries of the Shield.”

“Oh!” exclaimed Celine, excited once again at the prospect of reviving her father. “What a fabulous idea, Jager! Try it! Please, try it right now!”

Jager reached up to his lapel, where he always pinned his comm pickup, in uniform or not. He’d learned months ago that one always had to be prepared. And once again, he was glad he’d been meticulous in following his academy training.

“Major Hadgkiss, Major Hadgkiss, this is Ensign Cornwallis. Please come in, Major Hadgkiss,” he called. His friends huddled close about him, attention fixed on the tiny device and breathless with anticipation.

But no reply came. Jager tried again, first for the major, then for other Fleet crewmembers he’d recently seen on Remini. Still no reply greeted the group’s anxious ears.

Celine wanted to scream, but knew she needed to keep her emotions in check. She brought all her frustrated energy into the present, clenched her fists and searched for something else to talk about. Anything else.

And almost at once, she found something. “Well, Fianna, you’re right,” she said. “There is still the tube-chute.” Instantly the girl felt better, calmer. Jager sensed what she was doing and gave her one of his mental hugs, proud of her. She hugged right back.

Celine’s calmer outward manner still concealed inner turmoil, but she went on. “Jager and I could use the ’chute, but that would mean you and Vin would have to come too.” Now feeling fully in control of herself, she continued. “I know you both would do it without a second thought, but your wedding is so close, and none of us can miss that!”

Celine looked lovingly at Jager and the others before going on. “Also, Fianna — and all of you — I’m terribly sorry for my earlier behavior. I was being selfish and unnecessarily dramatic. I just didn’t want to wait until after the ceremony to go save my father. With such wonderful friends as you, I can see I’ll survive until we can again penetrate the shield. Besides, it’s always better to make a well-planned trip than a last-minute, hasty one. My father is safe in a stasis unit; he’ll be fine a while longer. Right, Jager?”

“Correct, sweetie.”

“My dearest Companion,” said Fianna, “I do not think that you will have to wait until after our wedding to get to Earth.”

“Nor do I,” added Vin, with a wink at his mate.

“I don’t understand,” said Celine, with a frown at her grinning friends. “What do you mean?”

Vin turned to Jager. “Does your new discovery regarding the Homeworlds Shield also affect Remini? And if not, would you be able to get through to the planet as soon as you leave Nibiru?”

“Ah, good questions,” replied Jager, “I was wondering the same things myself. I’ll see what information I can find.” He quickly skimmed through a flurry of files on his handheld. “Hey!” he shouted. “Good news. Only communications to and from Nibiru and Pax are affected by the shielding. Has something to do with protecting their pedestals — Cynth and Talyth — which lie at opposite ends of the shielded zone. Anyway, it appears that Mentors can access Remini and the other Dragon worlds whenever they wish. Nice, eh?”

“Yes! Yes, it is!” laughed Celine, suddenly all smiles again. “Thank you, my clever Jager.” She hugged him and planted a big, wet kiss on his cheek. She leaned in for a second kiss, but abruptly pulled away. “Oh, Vin!” she exclaimed. “I did it again. I’m so sorry. You asked Jager a question and I barged right in. Please forgive my rudeness.”

“You are forgiven,” laughed Vin, his eyes twinkling. “Excitement and good news are so needed in times such as these. They diminish the shadows for all of us. Jager, I thank you for the promising news.”

“My pleasure,” replied Jager. “That’s just one reason I make a great Companion.”

The friends had a good laugh, then Vin spoke again. “As Fianna and I suggested moments ago, dear Celine, you and Jager need not wait until after our traditional wedding to head to Earth.”

“Okay,” said Celine, “but, again: What do you mean?” She had an inkling of what he implied, but wanted to hear it from him, directly. “Jager and I cannot travel the tube-chute without you and Fianna. Besides, there’s no need to use it. And, to tell you the truth, I’m grateful for that. The chute is not my favorite mode of transportation.” She smiled at Jager, having used one of his little sayings. “And it will only be a few days after your wedding until we can use the shield-manipulation spell. That’s not too long to wait, considering everything that’s happened of late. Or what’s about to happen, come to think of it.”

“True,” replied Vin, “but I do not know if you are aware that it is customary for Nibiruan wedding celebrations to continue for a fortnight after the ceremony. Longer, following a royal wedding. Our people would never forgive us if we were to depart before or during the festivities. Especially because this will not only be a royal wedding, but a double wedding as well. Double royal, in fact! So, I can see the celebrations continuing for weeks. And yet another reason for their extension occurs to me: One of those to be wed is soon to assume the throne.

“Thus, it is paramount that the celebrations take place. They are vital to affirming important relationships and traditions — including the integration of the noble Remini clans as true and treasured members of Nibiruan society. As part of this affirmation, Fallon and some of her friends are to participate in the marriage ceremony.

“So you see, young Celine, traveling the tube-chute is our only viable option at present. And be assured that we Dragon folk have no hesitation in the matter. We will accompany you, and bring you home safely and swiftly. And that is that.

“I would say we should call the vortex and depart this very night,” Vin continued, “but the hour is now too late. Tomorrow will do, though; tomorrow will do.”

“Oh, Vin, thanks for explaining,” said Celine, with a small bow of respect. “I don’t know what to say. But it’s certain you’ve changed the way I view the whole situation. And I thank you for your gracious offer, but there is no way you two can miss out on your own wedding. And no one can say what will happen once we leave Nibiru. I would be too worried we might not be back in time.

“Furthermore, I do not want to miss out on your wedding either. As I’ve already said, I was being silly and selfish a while ago. My father’s body is safe, and a couple of weeks will not affect his revival. Even a month or more. Isn’t that correct, Jager?”

“Yes, Pumpkin, that is correct.”

“My dear Celine,” replied Vin. “I see your reasoning and admire and appreciate you for it, but in my opinion, you were not being silly or selfish. You were reacting as anyone would — or should — in a similar situation, when it relates to someone dearly loved. Look how silly Ahimoth and I get when it comes to anything regarding Joli or my lovely Fianna.” He gestured with a smile and nod towards Fianna, who smiled back.

“That is nice of you to say,” said Celine, pursing her lips. “Thanks, Vin. Thank you very much.”

“Also, my friend,” Vin continued, “you are correct, our magical wormhole cannot be altered to ensure the safe passage of a Human traveling alone. A Human must be a Companion, traveling with his or her Dragon, in order to traverse the tube-chute safely. The only exception is a Human who has had the Dream, of course, as both you and Jager have. But that is only to reach Nibiru, not to leave it. Meaning that neither of you would survive the trip without one of us accompanying you. That is how it has always been….”