The Invasion Of The Sombers. Jordi Villalobos

dragon domination?”

      “No master, we looked for him in Belvichu to help us, but we couldn't find him," Baldrich said.

      “Well, I don't want to discourage you, even though a snake, no matter how giant it may be, lacks an advanced intelligence like ours. On the other hand, a dragon’s one is different. They have a shrewd intelligence, far superior to ours, and in order to master them you need years of training and a lot of experience or an unusual skill. And I deduce that you are not ready to do so. However, I do, so if you don't mind, I will join your cause. A few adventures will do me good, and even more so if it is to help defend you from the somber tyranny," offered the magician with incipient enthusiasm.

      “For my part, I would be delighted if you would join us, and I would be honored if you would agree to teach me and train me in the ability to subdue dragons," Lirieth requested.

      “I would be honored to receive that knowledge, too," Baldrich added.

      “Then I will be happy to initiate you in such matters, although I cannot guarantee that I can remain with you until you really master this skill," warned the White Magician.

      “We should not take too long to continue on our way," intervened Syriel.

      “You are quite right, young prince, we should not delay in reaching The Dragons’ Mountains, but, before we go, I beg you to accompany me: I have something that belonged to one of your elf ancestors and I think it is your responsibility to guard it," the magician invited the prince.

      The White Magician led Syriel through the labyrinthine passageways of the cave until they reached a cavity of few mentions which was full of drawers and trunks arranged in an orderly fashion and filled with weapons, scrolls, and all sorts of objects and utensils.

      The wizard rummaged through an old but well-preserved trunk until he extracted a beautiful dagger and raised it to the height of the expectant prince's eyes, vocalizing:

      “Hide, Dagger of Justice.”

      Then the weapon disappeared and the magician showed his hands with a certain theatricality to the surprised prince, who was even more astonished when the object reappeared when the sorcerer pronounced:

      “Show yourself, Dagger of Justice.”

      The dagger was seen again in the hand of the magician, who, handing it to Syriel, invited him to try it.

      “Take it, try it, it's not my magic that makes it work, but the magic within the dagger.”

      Syriel took it and pronounced the magic phrases linked to the weapon, making it appear and disappear from his hand several times.

      The prince admired the beauty of the stiletto, especially a white gemstone that occupied almost the entire stab and that for only a sigh shone in unison with the red gem on his necklace and the golden jewel on the stab of his sword.

      “What is this white jewel?” the prince wanted to know.

      “It is the heart of a petrified white dragon. There are dark magical arts capable of obtaining such gems and confers incredible powers on the objects which they are attached to," replied the White Magician.

      “Are you capable of performing such arts?" asked Syriel.

      “I would deceive you if I said no, although I have never wanted to use that kind of magic that leads those who practice it to dark paths and destinations," said the snowy magician. “It belonged to your mother's grandfather, Ronel. Use it carefully and in cases of extreme necessity to defend yourselves, since if you use it to attack for no reason it will disappear from your hand before it hurts your victim. So, try to show it only when you need it, and hide it again when you are done," added the elf.

      “Thank you very much," the prince thanked, bowing his head as a polite thank you. “Did it ever belong to my mother?”

      “No, she never wanted it, she didn't like weapons, not even invisible ones," exposed the elf.

      “Who made it? the prince inquired.

      “Alginel, one of the best elven blacksmiths known. The spell of invisibility was cast by an old and mad elf magician who now lives like a hermit in strange caves in the Badlands and who is about to go looking for dragons," joked the magician.

      “Well, I hope I'll never run into such a character," Syriel continued. “Can we go now?”

      “No, not yet. I must tell you more about the dagger and other magical objects. The story begins with an evil, albeit sublime magician, perhaps the wisest and most skillful ever, but, unfortunately, with a heart as dark as the clothes he used to wear. His name was Mazorik, although he has been better known by the name of Dark Magician. By the year 1600 of the last era, he created seven precious stones with the hearts of each of the seven dragon races. With seven disciples, he sent each one of these jewels to the seven races that populate Frienia. These gems had to be, during seven years, among the people of each race in order to capture their main essence. After that time, his disciples had to return in order to give the stones back to him. With them, he was going to create seven magical objects that would form the Dragon Armor, making the being who wore it acquire the seven essences of the seven races, giving it practically unlimited power that forced all races to submit to the will of the wearer of the armor. But one of the disciples discovered his plans and, not willing to be an accomplice to such evil, betrayed him and managed to avoid his purposes. There is no time to tell you everything, but take this book, which contains everything explained. It works just like the dagger; it will appear when you want to read it and it will disappear when you stop reading it. Only you can see it. Read it, it is of paramount importance, as there are indications that someone wants to collect the Dragon Armor again, and not for very noble purposes. The Dagger of Justice is one such object, your sword and your necklace are two more; do not lose them. I knew that the sword was in your power, but not that you also had the necklace, how did you get it?" asked the magician after his long exposition.

      “It was Lirieth's engagement gift," replied the surprised prince.

      “There is no doubt that it is a great gift which, moreover, someone has reinforced with a very powerful protective spell," replied the wizard with admiration, examining the jewel.

      “Yes," said Syriel, "Lirieth told me that she had enchanted him.

      “There's something else," added the magician. “I hope you don't mind, because I detect the appreciation you feel for the princess. Although Lirieth apparently possesses a pure soul, she hides something dark, I don't know if it is evil or not, but it is something bitter that can affect you when you discover it. Take care of her, you can't trust her blindly, you know that, right?” advised the magician.

      “I can't believe she's hiding something shady," the prince protested. Baldrich warned me too, though, so I suppose I'll have to take this warning seriously," Syriel resigned.

      “Believe me, don't close your door to her, but don't open it all for her either. And you would do well to keep an eye on her and trust her with certain reservations," proposed the albino magician.

      “All right, I'll do it," Syriel said.

      “And don't stop reading my notes, you have to get the Dragon Armor back together before someone else does. When you complete it, we will look for the best way to destroy it," concluded the magician solemnly.

      In the palace of Gargaran, Queen Baldia answered the call of her jeweled silver mirror.

      “What’s happening, daughter?”

      “Our enemies have been joined by a very powerful white magician and a king of giants who might complicate our plans," a voice from the mirror said.

      “A white magician? An elf with completely white eyes?” asked the queen.

      “Yes, do you know him?" questioned the mirror.

      “Yes, I do. And it is very powerful, but don't worry: neither that magician nor the giants will be a problem if we get dragons," answered Baldia. “Anyway, I'll think of something. You worry about those damn dragons," added the queen.

      “All