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Palaber was like no other dragon imaginable. Though the black creature did have massive wide wings and a wingspan of almost fifty meters, it had the head of a male human, covered in white hair. With its huge, slanted, yellow eyes, it glared at the small company. When Palaber looked at Feverfew, she at first felt afraid, until she remembered the woman’s words. Trying hard not to be afraid, she now felt something, a feeling. She realized suddenly what it was, Palaber was probing her mind. The dragon opened its mouth and roared again.
Everyone could see its black, ash-covered teeth. Suddenly white flame burst from its mouth right over the Lady’s head. She moved back a couple of steps, when Palaber stumbled right out of the entrance, and all of a sudden it was towering above Feverfew and the others.
Orleo gulped.
Baldo gripped the terrified Salter by the arm, making the boy cry out with pain.
“What do you want?” roared the dragon, as it slowly folded its wings like a melodeon, along its broad back. Its spiked tail slapped the ground hard, throwing dust and small pieces of gravel into the air. It was then everyone saw that one of its wings was injured. Deep red sores covered the dragon's injured wing. Long pieces of skin were flaking from it.
The pungent smell of decay, from the rotting wing, had Salter choking with disgust.
“The ancients have asked us to seek your help great, Palaber!” shouted the Lady, studying the dragon’s injured wing.
“The ancients!” roared Palaber. “Hah!” Suddenly white flame belched upwards, as the dragon gave a great rift. The foul smell of its breath had everyone choking and stepping back.
“They have told us you can help Feverfew bring her magic to fruition,” shouted the Lady.
“Feverfew,” hissed the dragon, glaring at Feverfew again. “So that is your name. Yes, I sensed you have great power. But I cannot help you release it.”
“The ancients said you could help!” shouted the Lady. She was disappointed.
“What do the ancients know about me?” roared Palaber. “It is their fault that I live so long like this- a dragon- a thing that most people despise and fear. Do you know how lonely it gets being a dragon? Do you!” Palaber roared louder.
“I expect it is lonely,” said the Lady. “But then the loneliness is of your own making. You could live with others like yourself.”
“Others! Like me! Hah! What others?” All of a sudden the dragon's voice grew softer. “You know where there are others like me?” it asked.
Almost Immediately Feverfew felt sorry for the dragon. She could imagine how lonely Palaber was. Who would be friends with such a creature?
“Yes,” answered the Lady.
Suddenly the dragon took a step towards her. One of its huge feet almost crushed Orleo, who just managed to leap out of the way.
“Where? Tell me!” roared Palaber, “where, are there others like me?”
“You will help us?” asked the Lady.
“It depends on what help you need?” said Palaber, its eyes now lighting on Feverfew again.
The Lady glanced at Orleo, then said, “I want you to carry us all to the Silver City.”
“NOOOOOOOOOO!”
Palaber’s tremendous roar had Salter almost fainting with fear.
“Why not?” shouted the Lady.
Palaber turned his back. For a few seconds, everyone thought the dragon was going back into the cave. But suddenly he swung around again. “You really know where there are others like me?”
“I wouldn’t lie,” said the Lady, silently heaving a sigh of relief.
“It is a long day’s journey to the city,” said the dragon looking around. “I can only take two of you.”
“Two?” The Lady frowned as she looked around. “Why two? You’re strong enough to take all of us- surely?”
“I am not strong enough,” Palaber said.
Feverfew noticed the quiver in his rumbling voice. Something is the matter with him, she thought, studying the dragon’s injured wing. Something else is bothering, Palaber.
“Lady, I would speak with you in private,” said Palaber. Without another word he turned and went back into the cave.
As they gathered together the Lady said, “Something else, besides his injured wing is bothering him.” She frowned. “I won't be long.”
As she headed towards the entrance to the cave, Orleo said, “Lady, all of us need to go to the city.”
Ignoring him, the Lady walked along the cave for almost forty meters before the way grew wider. There she saw Palaber, with his wings folded around him, much tighter than before. He was shivering, as he licked gently at his injured wing. The Lady studied the great dragon for several seconds, before she said, “You’re dying.”
“Yes,” sighed Palaber. Its great body trembled.
“And that is why you wish the company of your own kind?”
“Yes. I do not want to die on my own. I... I’m afraid.”
With tears in her eyes the Lady came closer. “Could... could you tell me what happened? How...”
“It’s not much of a story,” said Palaber.
“I’d like to hear it.”
The dragon gave a great sigh, then began in a mournful voice, “I voyaged to a land far away, searching for others like myself. I have always searched, but I never ever found a sign of others of my race. A year ago, many miles from here, I was flying across a plain. I was shocked to see thousands of beasts, all heading towards the great forest many miles to the West. Anyway, as I flew lower, several of them saw me. One great beast, that I know now to be Batach roared up at me to join him in destroying all who oppose him. I have never taken life, only for food, and only creatures that would do harm to others. As I flew on, I roared, that I would die first before I would join the foul beast. Batach, cursing with anger, pointed up at me. Immediately, ten of his beasts lifted into the air and attacked me. Four of them spat an acid poison at me. I barely escaped, before killing them all. Nevertheless I was badly injured. The poison that is destroying my wing has now seeped into my body. I know have only a short time left.” The dragon sighed heavily again as it watched the Lady, who had tears in her eyes, move closer.
“There is nothing I can do to save you,” she said, her voice almost breaking. “You are right- you will die soon. I cannot heal your body. The poison has taken too much of a grip on it.”
“Then please, Lady. Tell me where others of my race are, so I will not die alone,” pleaded Palaber.
“I will tell you, Palaber,” said the Lady studying his injured wing again, “but do you think you could fly us to the Silver City first?”
“I... couldn’t carry all of you- two yes, my wing you see,” said Palaber quietly.
The Lady nodded. “Two it will have to be then,” she said, knowing one would have to be Feverfew.
Moments later, after she had told Palaber where he would find other dragons, they were heading for the entrance to the cave.
****
“Palaber has agreed to carry two of us to the Silver City,” said the Lady, after explaining to everyone about the dragon’s injured wing.
“No, Lady!” shouted Baldo, realizing who the pother person would be.
Orleo frowned, then said, “You and Feverfew are going?”
The Lady nodded.
It was then Feverfew remembered the woman who told her a third was to go with them into the city. Before any of the others could say anything she walked over to Palaber.
The great dragon stared down at her when Feverfew said, “Palaber, do you think you could possibly manage to carry three of us?”
Baldo was about to shout something, but the Lady stopped him. They watched as the dragon said, “If I rested several times on the way. Yes, I probably could just about manage to carry three of you.” He looked at the Lady and the others, then Salter.
“Then I will be the third,” said Baldo.
“You have no magic,” exclaimed Orleo. “I will go.”
As they argued, Feverfew shouted, “Salter is going! He will be the third!”
The Lady frowned. “Salter, but... ”
“He will be the third,” said Feverfew. “Lady, I would speak privately with you.”
Wondering, Orleo and the others watched as Feverfew explained about the strange woman who had appeared to her.
“It is decided,” said the Lady, when they returned to the others. “Salter is going with us.”
As Baldo and Orleo began their objections again, she held up her hand, silencing them, then she said to Palaber. “Palaber do you think you could carry us now?”
“I would need nourishment first,” said the dragon, turned and stumbled back into the cave.
As he disappeared inside, the Lady addressed Orleo and Baldo. “I want both of you to return to Collegian as fast as you can. Take Eager. You will be needed to defend Collegian when Batach and his monsters attack. There is nothing more you can do now to help us reach the Silver City. Somehow we will find the amulet.” She smiled as the General and Orleo's put up an argument. “There is nothing you can do now. Palaber can only take three of us.”
“But... but, why the boy?” asked Orleo. “Surely I would be of more help to you. I have a little magic. He has none.” Orleo frowned as he studied the pale-faced Salter, who was also wondering why he had been chosen to go with the Lady and Feverfew.
The Lady sighed. How could she explain to the elf Elder?
****
A while later, Palaber emerged again. “Please climb aboard. Be careful not to sit near my injured wing.”
When Salter and Feverfew were sitting right up at Palaber’s neck, the Lady turned to Orleo and Baldo. “Thank you both for helping to get us this far. We couldn’t have done it without you.”
“Lady, will you be all right?” asked Orleo, worry etched at the corner of his eyes.
“I’ll have to be, Orleo,” the Lady said quietly. She smiled at Baldo. “We’ll all see you again Baldo, so keep an eye out for us. You both will know when we have the amulet.”
Then without another word she walked to Palaber.
Seconds later she was sitting beside Salter and Feverfew.
With great difficulty, now Palaber began to run along the ground. With a great roar of pain, that echoed all around them, he was rising into the air.
“Good luck, Lady!” shouted Orleo, as the three, holding tight to Palaber’s soft neck, flew higher.
Baldo waved.
Looking back, Feverfew and Salter saw the General and the old elf, riding Eager, growing smaller and smaller as they headed back to Collegian.
****
As they flew in the direction of the Silver City, the Lady looked ahead. She was wondering why the boy, Salter had been chosen. She would have chosen, Orleo. He had been within the Silver City. He would have been a great help.
****
Two hours later, Palaber, breathing hard with the effort of carrying his three passengers, landed on a low hill to rest.
A short rest later, they were on their way again.