Free Battle Mage: Dragon Mage (Tales of Alus) by Donald Wigboldy Page B

nature could only provide so much protection on a single creature. Below the ear by a few inches was the remaining tusk.
    Moving her head to look at the injured side of its head, a few tears came to her eyes. It was healed, but marred by the battle. Whether the pack had just defended their territory or to protect the girl that had wandered into their land in need, this crag dog had chosen to protect her with its deceased friend. She owed him her life, even if ultimately it had been Kel’lor’s power that had killed the black beast.
    “May I?” Kel’lor asked as he fished out the flask holding a small amount of water which were her tears shed the previous night.
    “You know that I am not some dragon of legend shedding my tears,” Cheleya said leaning closer to offer her face to him even so.
    His large fingers gently wiped her tears forcing them into the flask as he noted her human face. Kel’lor noted the beauty of her human look, alien to his race for sure, but like he could admire the sunset, the mar’goyn’lya could appreciate the gentleness that Cheleya seemed to have even more in this human form. The dragoness had always seemed to have a gentle soul, even if she had become a better aerial fighter with her magic than those born with wings.
    A little grunt as he nodded, led to capping the flask once more. Whether there was magic in the girl’s caring tears or she had simply found a new way to tap into her magic, Kel’lor didn’t know and would only find out when he had a chance to test them on someone injured.
    “Well, Kerliss,” the dragoness said to the crag dog as she scratched him gently under his chin, “it is about time for us to fly again.”
    “Kerliss?” Kel’lor asked wondering whether the term was for him or the dog.
    “Che’ther for spike,” the girl giggled charmingly. “The common tongue makes the word too blunt and I think Kerliss is too nice to be so blunt.”
    The crag dog wagged its short, spiked tail as the girl petted him. Once she stood, he stood and wagged more pronounced. They were a lot like the humans’ dogs after all, Kel’lor thought to himself seeing its reaction.
    “If he insists on chasing after you, perhaps we should walk for a bit or I can do my best to follow the trails for him to follow.”
    Cheleya looked at him as if the gargoyle had lost his mind. “He isn’t my pet, Kel’lor. If he chooses to follow, then he will have to decide if he wants to work hard enough to stay with us. Now if you need to rest your wings for awhile, then we can certainly walk,” the girl said laying out her options.
    “I would think that you would enjoy a break from having to hold on to me. You seemed uncomfortable when we landed.”
    Shrugging her shoulders, Cheleya answered, “This body is young and strong enough to handle such exercise, since there is little to do while holding onto you.”
    The girl moved to a rock tall enough to help her remount the gargoyle’s back. Taking her place, Cheleya looked to the side seeing the crag dog’s anxious face. “Well, be good, Kerliss. If you want to stay with us, then you will have to run some more.”
    Wondering if the animal could possibly understand her in the least, Kel’lor prepared to launch into the air again. Kerliss, as the girl had named the creature that wasn’t supposed to be her pet, moved to the side watching the two ready themselves once more for flight. Several steps and the sweep of the gargoyle’s wings had them in the air following the pass towards the south again. Not to be outdone, Kel’lor watched as the crag dog hurried to follow his shadow through the pass.
     
    Night came to Mar’kal. Malaketh had faced a difficult day. The break in had been made known to the academy officials and other masters. Che’ther and mar’goyn’lya masters of the magical arts tried to break his story of the girl’s involvement with the break in, but he had little to show them to prove or disprove his words.
    Artifacts were