Dragon’s Glass Archaeologist 2

We are now six months into the burn, literally, and the dragon community is thriving.  There is even a possible pregnancy rumored.  Everyone is beyond delighted and taking it as an omen about the dragon’s future success.

The Magnus group has done so much for us, including having non-stop history classes three times a week for everyone interested.  They are mostly, however, online classes as the instructors do have other duties at the Italus estate down in Scottsdale.

They all asked for Craig because of his interesting somewhat warped, yet accurate take on world history, or any other subject they happen to bring up without any warning and he always delights.

As we all figured early on, the little ones have adapted very quickly, and it turns out Craig, as I just mentioned, is an excellent entertaining teacher for them as well.

However, there have been a few times that Vito got on his case with his extracurricular type classes and told him to watch his language around the kids, even if they are over six thousand years old, and always egg him on to greatness and new extremes in the swearing department.

Daxi and I have been doing great and have been giving some serious thought about getting married to top things off, but nothing has come of that just yet, since we are good as we are.

I don’t want to rush something that important even though we are permanently mate bonded now.  My parents have mentioned it several times and are dying to throw a lavish party for us, and so has Venetia, but Brioc fortunately for all concerned, is keeping her distracted, at least at night anyway, or the dinner table it seems.

I’ve spent quite a bit of time alone and with Brioc, going over the various documents and ancient maps that Paul left to me.  I was, however, quite surprised how many times one particularly antique map, supposedly created by one of the European covens repeated mentioned the dragon portal here in North America.

It did not specifically say where it was actually located, but it did suggest it is near to what is now known as Alaska of all places, but the other reference was dead on, sort of surprising me to no end.

I would have to guess that is one way to cool the dragons off in those freezing temperatures.

I was under the mistaken impression that everything here concerning the dragons was a total secret and had been since the time they had hidden themselves away.  I also thought all traces of them were magically erased or hidden away like this document, except of course for those that sought them for their own gain and created their own references.

However, even though the one document stated there are two portals, one for the dragon lair and the other for their hoard which had been the case and was accurate, they were in the wrong area as I mentioned.

It was strange to me however, that even though inaccurate someone knew how their access had been configured and was basically correct in that aspect.  None of the documents, however, mentioned Maarit and that during her time in her private chamber, that she had access to her own private portal to the sleeping lair.

The truly odd part however is that the same map mistook the dragon’s actual sleeping chamber for a possible portal down here, so someone was aware of the hidden lair or at least an oddly good guesser.

The other interesting part, pointed out by Brioc, was that using current GPS coordinates, the directions to the Alaska lair would have been way off and located in Canada but oddly using them you would have been exactly in line with the Arizona lair in the south, making us believe that it was meant as a diversion to the wrong place to keep the accurate directions secret in a roundabout sort of way.

The true important fact of the matter was the dragon’s sleeping lair and hoard were absolutely inaccessible without using the warded portal located by the huge house near Sedona Arizona.

However, even so, without magical authorization, the intruder would have been dead on arrival, literally.

There was no actual way to access their chamber or hoard by casually discovering them, and they would have been dead if they tried and got too close as I stated above.

In fact, even if they had managed to get it right and survived to somehow open the authentic portal from this end, the powerful wards guarding their sleeping chamber would have killed anyone not permitted to enter and without a single warning, vaporizing the intruder immediately.

I know that Brioc was pretty concerned about this unexpected information development and had wanted to track down the original creator of the document.  I was frankly hoping they were long since dead, and it was only a lucky fluke, but it did in fact seem too lucky.

It did not matter so much now that the dragons were awake, and their sleeping chamber no longer existed.  However he has asked Joffre to look into any information about the coven that had originally drawn up the document, but now no longer existed having simply vanished around the year 1200 and without a trace.

Brioc wanted to find out exactly who they were, why and how they might have this kind of information about the dragons, what caused their coven to disband, and if there were any possible survivors.

A couple of the other interesting documents, probably produced by the Spanish explorers were about the common and expected legends of lost gold in the southwest.  They talked of the legendary Cibola, the seven cities of gold, that were searched for but never discovered to exist.

These documents were of course entertaining legends at the very least, and the maps were pretty if worthless information wise.

The odd thing, however, that kept them from being filed is that on each of these documents was the same artsy depiction of a dragon, each with the name of a star from the constellation Draco, including Thuban, Rastaban, and Altais.

Since Prince Rastaban is King Vaaltim’s living younger brother, not to mention Agnes Granville’s close friend, to be polite here wink, wink, we all sat up and took notice of that one, wondering what we were seeing and especially Altais who was killed by rogue vampires before they fled.

The old document implied that there were living dragons, having escaped the supernatural massacre, and one of the survivors was named after those stars and it gave me the chills to be honest here as that would have to be more than good guessing.

Rastaban was the only living dragon with one of those names, and the writer of the document somehow knew that.

I wanted to remember to ask Brioc about that part since I’d only discovered that one this morning and would also let Joffre know about it too.  I know for a fact that it was absolutely right about Rastaban, but hopefully it was again a good guess, but I honestly don’t believe it is.

I prayed to the Fates that it was not from some solid knowledge of his existence by the unknown author who may still be around for all we know.

Just to be sure, I tried to magically copy the document, but that did not work, so then I had to resort to faxing a copy of the map to Joffre, almost the moment that I realized what I was dealing with in the first place and also copied Craig and Vito.  We really must find out more about this ancient map along with the pointed comments and do it pronto.

I also wanted them to scan the dragon squiggle and then search the internet using image recognition software.

We need to absolutely determine where it came from originally, who the creator was exactly, narrow down the timeframe of creation, and the reason that they would draw up a map on this subject and have correct specific information.

Including the squiggle that makes it too much for coincidence.

I’m going to ask Daxi to use his powers to see what impressions he can derive from this map when he gets here soon.  I’d ask Venetia as well, and I still might later, but we all know getting her involved could be a whole new bucket of worms.

At least we now it is true without asking Rastaban where he got his name from.  I of course checked this information out myself about the star names in the ancient Draco constellation.

And not to be a gossip as I never would be, but while speaking of him, he and Agnes have been inseparable since they met.  Since we met the Italus group, and those from The Ranch nearby, Ricki added us to the IIS, (Italus Information System) to make sure we didn’t miss a thing, and even I blushed with some of the recent and suggestive comments.

Venetia of course was scandalized, but I caught her after handing Craig some tea, asking for her own private subscription, the uncensored version naturally.

I however, found out from Vito and from a very pissed off Craig, that both Craig and Ricki were told quite sternly that any rumors or gossip about Agnes and Rastaban were totally off limits, and someone’s ass would get fried it there was even an illusion to said information.

Period.

Even without a formal publication, it is a well discussed topic everywhere and a lot of fun.  Despite the fact that they still weakly claim they are only quite good friends and nothing more at this point, I certainly have my own doubts.

Good friends aren’t constantly hanging off each other and kissing up a storm when they assume no one is looking, however, with this group you can always bet someone sure is.

I know Craig is right on it while trying not to be open about it and talking about the supposed affair, while using the not so secret code name, Dragonheat.

He has asked his friend Ricki to keep his snoopy wolf ears open for anything that might be happening during the daytime and report back to him before sunset on their secure connection.

I declined his request to join his research staff in an honorary but not honorable position, due to the nature of my relationship with the dragons.  I felt it was a total conflict of interest, and certainly didn’t need to get my ass burned for my trouble.

Since Daxi and Craig seem to be getting to be quite close friends, I’m going to ask Daxi to get us hooked up to the exclusive and very private Italus Messaging Alert Group Over Secret Surveillance (IMAGOSS) as well, just purely for friendly news you understand.

Craig told me privately that he was the first to admit that Ricki’s name choice was unfortunate considering the acronym.  He has tried several times to get Ricki to change it but no dice he likes it even though the acronym is prominent across the app on everyone’s phone.

Vito of course thought it was hilarious and asked what kind of an idiot would use a name like that.  Ricki told him the same idiot that was cutting off his access for being a smartass.  Vito ramped it up and said he’d ask Teddy to help him ‘beat the hyaena’s ass’ and now they aren’t speaking.

Craig true to form told Vito to fight his own damn battles like he always tells him all the time when Vito tried to bribe Craig to get his access back.

It is the private venue for not so confidential information at least anymore, for instant text message gossip of course and alerts, with the ability to flag an emergency reveal.  I felt it would keep us in the loop about anything interesting going on, since from what I’ve heard Craig is an expert at ferreting and dishing the dirt.

When Vaaltim walked in and I then mentioned the Draco constellation stars names being on the documents and the artsy depiction of a dragon that I just mentioned, he was extremely surprised to say the least.

He was quite concerned that this piece of information had been recorded, since our very handsome bachelor Rastaban, even though always well known within the dragon community, pretty much stayed out of the limelight otherwise in the normal supernatural circles.

Even though it was true that Vaaltim and Astra were famous legendary Imperial Dragon royalty, most other members of their lair were not public knowledge, and it was kept that way on purpose.

While being a dragon prince, Rastaban and their other family names, and connections were not discussed or recorded for confidentiality and safety concerns.

“There would have been no way for them to find our actual sleeping lair, as you know it was far underground and warded to kill any trespassers without warning or hesitation.  The was also no way to walk, crawl, or gain access without magic.  I agree with you, Mael, that it is odd that someone would have the right location but list it as a portal for entry.  This is truly a little close to home as the saying goes.  My best guess would be there must be some indigenous legend passed down that they must have told the Spanish about.  It would have to be concerning us after we disappeared, since while it is true the people living here at that time saw us suddenly appear and fly, then disappear unexpectedly once more, they were spelled with their accurate memories wiped.  They however did not ever see us all use the portal near the house that didn’t yet exist.  When we took our enchanted rest, we all flew to the area that is now called Flagstaff, landed, shifted back to our human forms while cloaked, carrying those that did not fly.  We then teleported back to appear a final time at the Grand Canyon where we first arrived, flew once more before we went to the portal.  They would have had no idea where our lair was situated however since Astra built it in secret from the inside.  They, however, may have seen our final flights before the enchantment took us to sleep.  Some flew over the vast Grand Canyon on the way to where Flagstaff is now as I mentioned,” Vaaltim surmised speaking aloud.

I could easily tell this new discovery was concerning to him, and that he would want to check it out thoroughly as I have already initiated.

“That makes much more sense than the Spanish explorers being able to discover your sleeping lair for sure and then draw up the maps.  If that had happened to say the least, all hell would have broken loose all over the world, and of course history would have changed dramatically especially concerning the supernatural angle,” I commented thinking aloud.

Vaaltim smiled at me and shook his head, while putting his large hand on my arm, giving me an affectionate squeeze.

“No Mael, that would never have been the case, even if they had a minor hint of the real truth.  In the slightest of chances, if the Spanish had somehow discovered our sleeping chamber, they would have had to dig through almost two miles of solid rock to even get close to the entry, then when disturbed, the wards would have woken me, Astra, her two aunts, Maarit of course, and Rastaban who is also a witch.  They would never have made it out of there alive, nor anyone with them on the surface or back at the portal if that was their point of access.  The portal would have immediately sealed, trapping them inside, that also was built into our wards if not killing them first that is,” he told me.

“I would sure never want to be the one to wake Astra up unexpectedly, and be threatening her and her family, no not for one single second.  Saying that they would have received an unexpectedly warm and frightening reception is an understatement I can imagine,” I laughed.

“Oh hell live a little Mael!  I do that all the time without any threats of course, and she comes right around and is very friendly indeed,” he snickered at me with his suggestive comment.

I shook my head at his humor.

“Uh, she’s your wife Vaaltim, I’m just an easy target,” I said.

I was not at all ready to take a chance like that about ever upsetting Astra, especially after seeing Vaaltim light the bonfire in dragon form at the recent celebration.

“She loves you like her son Mael, as she does all her new family, never doubt that for a moment.  So how are the other aspects of the document cataloging going?  Brioc told me that the several documents that you and he have possession of were only just a few of them according to what Paul told him before he died?” he asked.

“As it turned out in the manuscripts from the late 19^th century, that I was paging through, Paul had left a note in it for me.  He basically said that he wanted me to know that the documents he’d given to Brioc were only a teaser and not really representing his full and more valuable collection.  Those were his words not mine, and that the bulk of his collection was hidden in his safe,” I told him.

I could see the appearance of concern roll across his features considering what he’d just learned.

“Well that’s certainly news to me, Mael, as well and considering what you have found so far and the references to my people, it concerns me even more.  I’m sure it worries Brioc too knowing that someone was on to us all the time we were asleep.  Did you find this safe he was mentioning?”

“As a matter of fact I did, that was the easy part since Paul told me where it is.  The missing part was the way to open it.  I’ve tried just about everything I can think of to get the damn thing open short of trying to blast it open,” I explained, and I’m sure I sounded as frustrated as I must have looked to him.

“Did he give you one of those curious riddles he seemed to love on how to get it open?  A clue of some kind perhaps that only you would figure out.  It would seem odd for him to tell you where to find it, indicating that he wanted you to explore it, then not give you the way to get it to open,” Vaaltim said, and I sure agreed with him.

“My thoughts as well Vaaltim, but as you’ve just said, Paul did like his riddles, I may have to ask Venetia to call him up for help getting it open,” I mentioned.

Vaaltim nodded slowly thinking it over.

“That might not be a bad idea, but I would like to be in on it, along with Astra too of course, for we both want to express our gratitude to him for his part in saving us all in the first place.  Now what triggered you to think about Paul’s riddles in this case, did you find another one?”

I shook my head realizing that I’d given him the wrong impression.

“Oh, sorry I should have mentioned that.  There indeed was a riddle after he told me where to find the private repository.  It didn’t make much sense, so hold on let me get it and I’ll read it to you or just give it to you if you like,” I said, shuffling through my desk then picked up the folder containing Paul’s note.

Vaaltim took the note and slowly read it through, then looked back up at me and shrugged his muscular shoulders.

“This doesn’t make too much sense as you mentioned.  I suppose he was trying to be careful just in case someone else found it before you did.  ‘This door won’t open with a key but will easily open by a cat using it as a post.’  First of all, what is that?  Not a cat of course, I know what that is but a post for a cat?  Is it someplace for them to protect someone?” Vaaltim asked, mistaking the word’s modern usage.

Having never had a cat myself, I had to take a moment to think about it, then it dawned on me.

“Okay, hearing it from you I have an idea now.  A cat post is used for cats to scratch to work on their claws and they can also mark it with glands in the paws.  Even though he mentioned a cat post I don’t think that is what he was after as that would make it way too vulnerable.  No, now I’m sure I’m right, come along kitty,” I told him with a smile while Vaaltim was now looking at me like I was nuts.

I led him over to the false wall and waved my hand to make it slide open.  Behind it was another solid steel door, warded of course, that had no hardware to open it.

“So Vaaltim, if you would be so kind, please change your hand to have claws and scratch the door,” I asked him.

He just shook his head but complied, but he was still appearing totally baffled by all this talk about cats.

The moment his claws touched the metal surface, the steel door immediately slid away to reveal a large secure room behind it, and his mouth dropped open in shock.

“Meow,” I laughed and then motioned for him to follow me.

As we walked inside the small space, the door quickly slid shut behind us, giving us both a start, we both spun around but on the internal side of the door, we found the normal handles, and instructions to open the door just in case.  When I looked at Vaaltim he finally laughed in relief.

“I guess you were thinking the same thing I was.  I was wondering if I was going to have to burn us out of here,” he laughed, sounding pleased.