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Cyrilo closed his hand and the stone went dark once more. Everyone stared as he nonchalantly put it back into his pocket and re-crossed his arms. He ignored the rest of the room, but kept his eyes fixed on Dusk.
“Now how did you do it?” he asked.
Dusk glanced up at Lex and Tara who had just managed to break their gazes from Cyrilo and close their open mouths. Both of them shrugged.
“The cat’s out of the bag now,” Tara said. She stopped for a moment, then glanced at Cyrilo. “Sorry, that was probably inappropriate.”
Cyrilo’s face cracked into a smile, exposing his sharp canines. “Don’t worry about it.” He turned back to Dusk, the smile fading. “Explain yourself.”
Slowly Dusk lifted his gloved hand with the runes stitched across the surface. Gently he undid the buttoned leather and peeled it back, exposing the crystal sewn into the glove.
Cyrilo’s hand shot out, grabbing the glove and pulling it closer, his pupils dilating. “Where did you find this?”
“In the mines I was enslaved at. It was in the eye of a massive crystallized dragon skeleton. Once I saw it, I couldn’t leave it. I felt drawn to it for some reason.”
“Tephyss... the lord of the dragons.” Cyrilo turned away, dropping Dusk’s hand. He paced for a moment, flicking his eyes back and forth before he turned back. “The Rhyka remember the dragon lords well. We are hated for a reason and it has nothing to do with culture or how we look.” He fidgeted in place, his tail twitching. “We’re a danger to the rest of the world because we possess inherent magical powers, however minor.” He gestured to Dusk. “You, on the other hand, possess one of the greatest powers the world has ever known.” He stood for a moment, shaking his head. “I don’t know the wisdom in this thinking, but if Tephyss has allowed you to take the eye, you must be meant to have it.”
“He was dead. It was a skeleton.”
“Don’t underestimate the most powerful dragon that ever lived. Tephyss possesses more power in death than any of us will ever have in life. He was gifted his abilities by the Crystal Moon itself. You could never have taken that by force of your body alone.”
Captain Duillearga, who until this moment had been forgotten by everyone, finally spoke up. “You all really like your fairy tales, I’ll give you that.” He turned his gaze to Cyrilo. “But now I’ve seen two things today that I would not have ever believed possible.”
“Lex told me that story,” Dusk piped up. “When we met on the road I remember he told me about how Tephyss was turned into a dragon once he communed with the crystal. Then they gave magic to humans.”
“Nobody really knows what happened after they gifted mankind with the power to tap into magic,” Cyrilo continued. “But we do know that the dragons never fully trusted the humans they advised and cared for.”
“Why’s that?” Lex asked, perking up. Dusk remembered how much he liked stories although he hadn’t told one in a long while.
“When the Crystal Moon was taken from the world, the magic went with it.” Cyrilo held his hands out. “But as you can see, not all of it. The gifts the dragons gave to the humans required a connection. It was a failsafe they built into their plans to spread magic among the humans and it’s a good thing they did. You’ve heard of Nozzera I suppose?”
Dusk and Lex both nodded.
“If Tephyss hadn’t been so forward thinking with his gifts, things would be much worse. When the human race proved once and for all that they couldn’t be trusted with magic, the dragons took it away. Many of them died in the fight while others died in their caves. Their bodies are scattered throughout the continent.”
“Why did the others die in the caves?” Dusk asked. “I’ve seen two now surrounded by piles of gold. What use could all powerful dragons have with money? And why weren’t they out there helping Tephyss?”
“I’m not sure.” Cyrilo shook his head. “It’s common knowledge that all the dragons, save for Tephyss, disappeared centuries before Nozzera rose up and stole the Crystal Moon from them. But nobody really knows why. I’m afraid I don’t have an answer for you.”
Dusk was more frustrated than he wanted to admit. Ever since he’d found the crystal, he’d been full of questions. Lex had tried to explain with stories, but much like Cyrilo and the Circle, had only given him bits and pieces. He thought back to the monastery library that had been full of ancient magical texts. He’d read plenty of them during his time there, but most of them were obscure history about humans and their magical exploits. Very few of them even mentioned the dragons except to name where the gifts had originated. He realized he wanted answers about what had really happened and why he was being chased. The Circle seemed to have a much larger plan than just using the crystal’s power.
“The Circle of the Dawn wants to return magic to the world,” Dusk said, lifting his gaze to Cyrilo. “How would they do that?”
Cyrilo was silent for a moment. “That’s a dangerous name I haven’t heard in a long time.” He paused again, his eyes flicking back and forth.
“I see Diana wasn’t tellin’ me the entire truth when she asked me to take you lot for a quick ride to Inahan,” Duillearga added. “They’re a dangerous bunch at the best of times.”
“Have either of you had a run in with them?” Lex asked, leaning forward in his seat.
“Thankfully, no,” Duillearga replied. “I keep well clear of that.”
“One of my owners in the fighting ring was a Circle member,” Cyrilo said calmly. “He was barely an initiate and he didn’t last long. But back to your question. My guess is that they’d have to create a new connection for mankind, but I don’t see how they could do that. Even with the eye they wouldn’t have enough power for something that large. Maybe they think they’ve found another way.”
“They said they want to bring it back and somehow control it, but I have no idea how. I feel more confused now than I was twenty minutes ago,” Dusk sighed.
“I’m sorry I can’t be of more help.” Cyrilo pushed himself off the desk, back to a standing position. “However, what’s clear is that Tephyss is allowing you to keep the eye and therefore you should.”
“I was planning to sell it off...”
Cyrilo scoffed, glaring down at Dusk. “If you sell it you might as well hand it to the Circle directly. It will come to them the moment it leaves your care.”
Dusk stayed silent, Cyrilo’s words sinking into his brain. He could never get rid of the crystal if he wanted to stop Tiernan from doing whatever he was planning. The crystal was never part of his plans to find freedom, but he was starting to feel that he would never be rid of it.
“Is there anyone I can give it to?”
“I don’t know,” Cyrilo responded, stepping forward. “Maybe you’ll be able to find those answers once you’re in Inahan. For now I think it’s best that you just keep it with you. And don’t use it unless it’s an absolute emergency. If word gets out you have that kind of power, the Circle won’t be far behind.”
The five of them sat silent for a long moment.
“Well, this has been most enlightenin’, but I’ve got a ship to repair,” Duillearga said finally, pushing himself to his feet and pulling his hat back on. “Now that I know what’s goin’ on, I’d rather you were off my ship as soon as possible. No offense.”
“None taken,” Tara replied. “We don’t want any more trouble to come to you on our account.”
“Sorry,” Dusk whispered, not lifting his gaze from the floor.
“Don’t be sorry lad,” Duillearga laughed. “I know what you did. If it weren’t for you, I’d be nothin’ more than chum in the water for the sharks! I promise I’ll get you safe to shore, it’s the least I can do.”
The captain bowed to Dusk, sweeping his hat off before he made his way out of the cabin, leaving the four of them behind. They were silent for a long moment, Dusk still staring at the floor. The nagging feeling was coming back that everyone around him was always in mortal peril, and more often than not, someone died because of him. This time it was a couple of sailors that knew what they were getting into, but it seemed as if death and danger lurked around every corner. He’d never envied the time he’d spent in the mines, but he had to admit, mining salt was a lot simpler than trying to stop the world from being taken over by maniacs.
Dusk sat lost in his thoughts, his head resting on his knuckles once more. He started as a hand came to rest on his thigh.
“You look exhausted,” Lex murmured, holding out a hand. “Why don’t we get some rest?”
“Yes sir.”
Lex sighed audibly and Dusk realized what he said, but he was too tired to care. With Lex’s help he was lifted from the chair and led out of the cabin, not saying a word to the other two. It took longer than usual, but Lex managed to get Dusk all the way down the stairs and into their cabin. With a little help he was able to maneuver Dusk into the hammock.
“Lex?” Dusk asked as Lex started towards his own hammock. “Can you sleep here with me?”
“I can try,” Lex replied softly with a look of doubt as he stared at the hammock. “Hopefully it will hold us.”
It took a moment, but eventually Lex had worked his way into the hammock with Dusk. Dusk curled his arm over Lex’s torso, resting his head on Lex’s chest. He was exhausted, but thoughts of the Circle kept invading his mind, keeping him from sleep. After ten minutes of laying with his eyes closed he was beginning to get annoyed. Opening his eyes he glanced up at Lex who was staring at the ceiling.
“Can’t sleep?” Lex asked, glancing down at him.
“Thinking too much,” Dusk replied.
“How about a story?”
Dusk’s heart leapt for some reason. The offer was so trivial, but it caused a warm sensation to rush over his skin.
“Okay.”
“I’ll try to make it a happy one this time,” Lex chuckled. He paused for a long moment, his hand stroking the facial hair growing in on his jaw. “Have you ever heard the story about the Boy and the Raven?”
“The only stories I’ve ever heard were the ones you told me.”
“Great. No pressure then.” Lex reached down and began to trace lines over Dusk’s forearm absentmindedly. He cleared his throat and began to speak. “Once upon a time there was a small boy who lived at the edge of a great wood with his parents. They were very poor and had little to eat. It had been a particularly bad harvest that year and as winter came on the little boy’s father became ill, making him unable to work. His mother stayed home all day to care for his father and they relied on the boy to bring home what little he could find to eat in the forest, as they couldn’t afford to buy any at the town market.
“One day the little boy was walking his usual path through the woods with his bow. The snow was deep and it was hard work, but he was determined not to come home empty-handed. He’d seen a few small animals, but they, being well accustomed to his habits, flew away at the first hint of danger. Even his traps had failed him. As the day was growing late the little boy realized that he needed to head back to make it home before dark and before the woods became treacherous. He felt guilty, knowing that he’d promised his mother and father a fine meal before he’d set out that morning.
“On his way home he heard a strange sound in the distance. With a flutter in his heart he realized that something must have been caught in one of his traps. Overjoyed that they would have a hot meal, he took off running towards the sound. When he finally came to the source he found a stark white raven caught in his snare, cawing madly and filling the forest with its cries.
“The little boy came forward, drawing his bow, ready to kill the raven. He’d eaten plenty of ravens before thanks to being easily lured by shiny objects. However, as he drew closer the bird stopped struggling and turned to him. To his surprise it spoke. The raven told the little boy that he was the King of Ravens and if the boy would spare his life, he would bring him three life-changing gifts.
“The boy couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He’d never imagined that one of the animals of the forest would talk to him. He thought of his sick father who needed food to get well, and the growling in his own belly. He pulled the bow up and drew the arrow back, staring at the raven who had now gone quiet, waiting for his death.”
Lex paused for dramatic effect.
“But he couldn’t do it. The boy let the bow fall to his side. It didn’t feel right to him to kill such a beautiful creature and especially one that could talk. Sighing deeply he gingerly cut the strings from the raven’s feet and wings, leaving him undamaged. The raven thanked him kindly and told him he’d make good on his promise before he flew off into the forest.
“That night when he got home he found that his father had taken a turn for the worse. The three of them were slowly starving to death, but his father most of all. The boy ran to his room in shame after seeing the tears pouring down his mother’s face, knowing that his father would soon die. He fell asleep that night, hungry and guilty, feeling as if his choice to spare the raven’s life had doomed his father.
“However, the next morning the little boy woke to the sound of tapping on his window. He got up to find the white raven perched outside the window with a lovely golden flower held in its beak. The boy opened the window to let the raven in who dropped the flower in his hands. In hushed tones he told the boy that the flower came from a faraway northern mountain and to feed the flower to his father as tea.
“The little boy was furious at the raven, feeling cheated that he had to starve while the raven brought him something as trivial as a flower. He threw the flower to the ground, cursing the raven and reaching out in an attempt to capture and kill it so that they’d have meat. But the raven dodged his attempt and flew off. Hearing the commotion, his mother came in and saw the flower lying on the floor. She quickly snatched it up, knowing from her grandmother’s stories that it was a rare herb that could cure almost any illness. In a flash she brewed the tea and gave it to her ailing husband. Within moments of drinking the concoction his father began to stir, coming awake and speaking for the first time in days. The little boy told him all about the raven and the flower, but neither of his parents seemed to truly believe him.
“Later that day, as the boy put on his boots to go back into the forest for food, he heard a tapping at the front door. Confused, he went to the door and opened it to find the white raven sitting on the handle. The raven said nothing before he flew off towards the forest once more. The boy looked down and could barely believe his eyes when he saw a large burlap sack stuffed with vegetables sitting against the side of the house. He pulled it inside, showing it to his mother and telling her the raven had brought it. Although she didn’t truly believe him, she was happier than she’d been in years and began to cook to feed her starving family.
“That night, with full bellies and a glowing, healthy father once more, the little boy sat at the table with his parents. They chatted happily, as if everything were finally right in the world. A strange sound echoed into the room and to their surprise, a white raven burst out of the fireplace, having come down the chimney. It was covered in soot as it landed on the table in front of them, leaving small tracks on the wood. In its beak it held a dirty stone the size of a plum. He dropped it to the table and turned to the boy, once again thanking him for sparing his life. He said that this stone was his final gift from the royal treasury and that they should sell it and never go hungry again. The boy’s parents were stunned, but he thanked the raven and apologized for his attempts to catch him. The raven nodded and thanked him in return once more, decreeing that from that day on all ravens would repay kindnesses with gifts. With a final farewell, the raven flew back up the chimney, staining himself completely black in the process.
“The little boy’s parents were dumbfounded and full of questions, but the boy’s attention was on the stone. He picked it up and turned it over in his hands, staining them with soot. Using his shirt he rubbed away the dirt and grime to reveal a diamond as big as his fist. That night they rejoiced knowing that they would never have to starve again for the rest of their lives and the little boy took a vow never to hurt another raven as long as he lived. Since then ravens have been stained black and always bring gifts to those that show them kindness.”
Lex went silent, his hand still slowly caressing the inside of Dusk’s forearm. Dusk didn’t say anything in response to the story. Instead he let the feeling of safety and contentment wash over him. He hoped Lex would always be there to tell him more stories when he needed them. He snuggled in a bit closer before letting sleep take him.