Chapter 4 Part 1

Armegon blinked and looked up from the floor where he’d just missed the chair he’d been trying to sit on. Avery was leaning against the doorframe for support. They looked at each other.
“He seemed a little upset,” Avery understated.
“You know, I think you just might be right,” said Armegon as he rubbed his temples. "He certainly put more power into that than he needed to."
Nikki looked at the two of them from her place near the fire with a puzzled expression. “What ever are you two on about?”
Avery looked at his wife and smiled. “Just a message from Ultrecht. I think he's calling for the cavalry.”
She paused and looked at the floor. In a quietly concerned voice she said, “Well then I guess you’d best be off. Don't you dare let anything happen to him. He's the only one of the three of you who I can trust not to go overboard as a do-gooder.”
Armegon got up and collected the already loaded packs that sat near the door while Avery kissed his wife goodbye.
Outside, Armegon said, “Well at least he gave good directions.” He concentrated on the mental image Ultrecht had sent them and began to incant.
Avery nodded with his usual small smile, drew his blade, and placed his left hand on his friend’s shoulder. Armegon lifted an eyebrow in an unspoken question. "Just in case," the ranger answered.
Nikki heard the pop of air refilling the spot they’d just vanished from. She closed her eyes and shook her head in resignation. "Boys will be boys," she muttered to herself.

Utrecht touched down and shimmered back into his own form. He’d chosen a place in view of the cave, but out of sight of the camp. Two-dozen yards ahead of him were the eight ogre guards. He strode out of the trees, and approached them. They stood ready, but made no other move.
“Master Ultrecht to see the dragon,” he said to the largest ogre.
“Yeah? An’ why should we let ya in ‘stead o’ jest eatin’ ya?” the ogre demanded.
“Because if you haven’t tried yet, then you’re under orders not to eat strangers.”
The large being scratched his head. “Oh. Well I still don’ have no reason ta let ya in.” An ugly grin spread across his face. “But ya bring us back a human female, we’ll letcha by.” This brought several nasty grins and chuckles from his compatriots.
“For what purpose?”
Another ogre surged forward excitedly to say something, but the leader backhanded him hard. The lesser ogre snarled, but backed down, unwilling to face the wrath of the larger leader. After a moment of stare down at his charges the leader turned back to Ultrecht.
“We wants ta have a crack at her before the camp do for a change,” he said as he suggestively grabbed at his huge and none-too-clean crotch.
“I see,” said Ultrecht. He made some motions vaguely suggestive of a female form and asked, “a young female?”
The ogres all grinned and made nods and grunts of assent.
Ultrecht continued his motions. “And perhaps a little smaller than myself?”
Again the ogres agreed, their interest growing.
Ultrecht made a few more motions. “And maybe even…” He paused dramatically, “a virgin?”
The ogres howled with glee, slapping and congratulating each other.
The power was ready. The energy was shaped. Ultrecht released his spell at the lead ogre. Swiftly the big leader’s form melted into that of a beautiful young woman.
The ogres all stood around in confusion for a moment. The leader looked at herself uncomprehendingly before realization set in. In horror she spun to face the evil grins of the other ogres. The one who’d been backhanded only seconds before reached out and grabbed her. “Me first,” he growled.
The girl screamed only to find her voice unchanged. The other ogres seemed to find that immensely funny.
Ultrecht pointed at the nearest ogre. “You will escort me to the dragon, now.”
The unlucky ogre looked at his companion’s activity with agonized longing, but thought better of disobeying. He motioned the mage along and started quickly into the cave.
The passage was long and steep, but it eventually opened into a large central cavern.
The ogre stopped and called out nervously, “Great Lord, a Master Ultrecht be here ta see ya. ”
Immediately a huge gout of flame burst from the darkness and engulfed them. Ultrecht stood calmly and let the flames wash over him harmlessly. The ogre was not having it as easy.
“I knew I had smelled another mage,” came a huge silken voice. Out of the shadows, the dragon slid forward. Its great sinewy mass rippled beneath the blood red scales that armored its body. The black metal chain hanging around its neck stood out in stark contrast.
“Yes,” Ultrecht gestured towards the burnt remains of the ogre. “As he said, my name is Master Ultrecht.”
“Well then, Master Ultrecht,” said the dragon as it lowered itself comfortably, “to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?” It held up a wicked set of ten-inch long sharp claws. “And perhaps you’d explain why I shouldn’t just use these?”
Ultrecht smiled gently. “Because I knew I’d be speaking with the mighty Zhithritaxx.” Ultrecht paused for effect before continuing.
“I am far more skilled than Lord Kiron, and so I prepared appropriately, as you may have noted with the flame.”
“You may be protected from the flame, but” the dragon regarded it’s claws, “these are somewhat more direct.”
“Truly. They are definitely magnificent,” Ultrecht commended admiringly. “But I’m afraid that their use would be more damaging to you than to myself.”
The dragon chuckled deeply in its throat. “I’ll take you at you word then.” It laid its enormous head on the floor, bringing its eyes to Ultrecht’s level. “I’ve never had the honor of meeting a true master mage before. Our dear Lord Kiron was the best I could find on short notice.” It paused, “I assume that it’s the late Lord Kiron?”
“Oh no, I left him alive so that he could explain to the townsfolk why he felt it necessary to take their young women away.”
Again the dragon chuckled. “Then I may assume the topic of our conversation is in regards to my modest efforts in agriculture?”
Ultrecht’s smile faded. “Indeed. While I have no objection to raising livestock for consumption, I do find it offensive when your livestock is sentient.”
“How droll. A member of the plant eating prey species finds the activities of the carnivore offensive.”
“You may be interested to know that my species is actually omnivorous. We could as easily dine on your flesh as you can ours.”
The dragon twitched its wings in the equivalent of a shrug. “Such is life. However, I have not seen many establishments whose menus advertise dragon steaks.”
Ultrecht was getting annoyed. “I would request that you depart from these lands immediately.”
Zhithritaxx sighed. “Well let’s take a moment and review my situation.” The dragon gracefully rose to a relaxed crouch. “My flame does not bother you. You claim that my teeth and claws will be likewise ineffective.” He fixed the mage with a measuring gazed. “And I feel inclined to believe you on that count. To add to that, I have also no doubt that my own small skills in magic will prove unhelpful.” A single claw reached casually to the wine bottle-shaped metal pendant on the dragon’s chain and tapped it in a precise pattern. “Since my options seem so limited, I feel I must introduce you to a friend of mine.”
Ultrecht tensed as an inky black mist flowed from the pendant and began to form a shape. He reached into his pocket and withdrew a small blue enchanted gemstone. The agonizing cold of the stone bit into his hand, but he stood ready.
The form coalesced into a nightmare shape. It stood nearly twelve feet tall, with giant bat-like wings. Its human-like arms ended in ugly clawed hands. “Uh oh,” he said when it was complete enough to recognize.
He and Armegon had battled one of these long ago. They had been forced to flee.
“I can see you recognize his type,” said the dragon smoothly. “I can assure you, he won’t be as disaffected by your magic as I am.” It was the dragon’s turn to pause for effect. “Kill him.”
The creature snarled and lunged. Desperately Ultrecht flung himself aside and tossed his gemstone high into the air. Claws raked him and pain laced through his side, but he braced himself and cast an activation spell.
As soon as the spell was out of his mouth, Ultrecht pulled his cloak over his face. There was a brilliant flash of light and the cavern was suddenly filled with razor sharp shards of flying ice. The dragon screamed in agony. Ultrecht risked a quick look. The Dragon was writhing in pain and the creature was huddled inside it’s own wings, much like Ultrecht his cloak. The wings appeared to offer the same protection as the mage’s enchanted cloak. “Oh that’s not good,” he muttered.
All over the room, the ice shards suddenly burst into a thick clingy mist. He knew that the next thing to happen would be the mist freezing solid, so he concentrated on the clearing and teleported.