Something was wrong.
One of the heads, a ruby one, hung like a broken stalk on the ground. It wasn’t moving. Its eyes appeared closed. A long purple tongue lolled out of the cracked jaws as if it were unconscious or worse. Caden pointed towards it, but then realized that Raziel could not see what he was doing–or that he was doing anything at all–and communicated telepathically with the Black Dragon Spirit.
Raziel! Do you see that broken head?! What happened there? Caden asked.
Seeing the Behemoth hurt had his heart soaring. He knew from the visions of the past that the Behemoth could be harmed, could be stopped, but that had been with all of the Dragon Spirits grinding it down for Raziel to then perform the coup de grace, the final blow. It was just him and Raziel this time.
And Iolaire, he reminded himself.
I see the snapped head. Perhaps a fight on the Material Plane? Raziel theorized. Valerius was with Illarion and Mephous.
You think Mephous did this? Caden’s eyes widened. But he really shouldn’t have been surprised. The Green Dragon was second in power only to Raziel. But that means Valerius was near a big battle…
He is fine, Raziel said. I would know otherwise. Mephous has kept its word to me… so far.
Caden couldn’t help asking, Does that mean you guys are going to be like best friends now? Hanging out in each other’s lairs?
Raziel emitted a puff of smoke that drifted back, causing Caden to cough and wave the air clear of the sulfurous stink.
If everything gets settled with the Behemoth, Caden said, what’s going to happen with Illarion and Mephous? Are we just going to stand back while they imprison people in camps?
That was done out of fear and a lack of imagination, Raziel answered, sounding more like Chione or Esme in his opinion than the normal taciturn Black Dragon Spirit. Now that they have options--and help--I think that will work itself out.
I’m glad. I hate there being conflict between the Dragons, Caden confessed.
There was another snort of smoke that had Caden gasping and gagging.
Hey, cut that out, Raziel! You’re smoking me out here! Caden complained as he drew in fresh air.
How could I not blow smoke at that?! Dragons are always in conflict. That is our nature, Raziel chuckled.
Well, it’s not Iolaire’s nature! Caden protested.
He felt Raziel smile at the mention of the White Dragon Spirit’s name. No, but Iolaire is special.
Caden’s eyes suddenly stung with tears from another source. I just want to have Iolaire back. Bring Iolaire home.
Caden immediately thought of Reach and Earth, but, though Raziel agreed with the sentiment, it said, Home is wherever Valerius, Iolaire and you are.
Caden let a few tears sneak out. They were blown away by the wind. I feel the same way, Raziel.
Yes, Little Dragon.
Caden rubbed away any remnants of tears. Now was not the time for those. They had to save Iolaire.
The Behemoth seemed unaware of their presence. Whatever had happened to that ruby Dragon head had truly shattered the Behemoth’s concentration.
The Behemoth is so certain of itself. It isn’t even looking for trouble, Caden said.
We do not leave our lairs so it was safe enough, Raziel answered.
It’s something more than that though. It seems really mad, but also scared? Can the Behemoth be afraid?
Of course! Raziel seemed amused by this. It avoided our notice for as long as it could because it knows we can destroy it.
And it did lose a head, Caden acknowledged, Maybe it thinks it's going to lose a few more?
More than a few, Raziel darkly promised.
