The Dragon Scales, #2
Emberclaw
by L. R. Lam
Contents
4. Everen: As Above, So Below
Overview
Everen receives a sweeping vision of ancient Vatra: harmonious bonds between humans and dragons later shattered by five mages who severed ties and stored stolen magic. Fate warns not to wake the Dreamer. Returning to the present, a Veil tear opens in Vere Celene, unleashing wraiths, and Sidar responds as Everen, still imprisoned, raises the alarm.
Summary
Imprisoned, Everen dreams of a cosmic tree of light balancing human and dragon worlds, entwined by a serpent. Fate whispers, “As above, so below.” He witnesses ancient Vatra where a young human bonds freely with a drake, celebrated by both peoples.
The vision shifts to five mages—one the former bondmate—working a great spell beside the radiant tree, likely dragonstone. Their magic triggers a storm-rift that swallows dragons and an island, confirming a repository where stolen dragon magic was stored. The mages, in pain, realize they have severed bonds.
Fate returns with the wounded serpent and warns Everen, “You must not wake the Dreamer.” The omen suggests a catastrophic force tied to balance between worlds.
Dragged to the present, Everen sees Sidar, a hunter of Vere Celene, confronted by a new Veil tear spewing wraithlike smoke-creatures. Sidar launches to engage. Everen wakes in his cell, telepathically calling Cassia, the Queen, and Miligrist, straining against wards as another shriek confirms the first wraith incursion into Vere Celene.
Who Appears
- EverenImprisoned dragon; receives fate-vision of ancient betrayal and warns telepathically as wraiths breach Vere Celene.
- SidarGreen hunter dragon in Vere Celene; confronts wraiths emerging from a new Veil rip.
- FateDisembodied guiding voice; shows visions and warns, “You must not wake the Dreamer.”
- CassiaEveren’s sister and future Queen; he calls to her mind-to-mind for aid during the incursion.
- Unidentified ancient magesFive humans who sever bonds and store stolen dragon magic, triggering calamity.