The Indigo King - James A. Owen [104]
They dismounted and tied the horses in a nearby grove, then walked over to the ancient standing stones.
“The last legacy of the sons of Albion,” said Taliesin, stroking one of the massive stones. “And the last connection they kept to the world of their birth.”
“Do you know what to do?” Merlin asked Arthur.
“We can show him what he needs to do and say,” Jack said, his voice firm, “and if it’s all the same to you, I think you need to stand back.”
“Of-of course,” said Merlin, bowing his head.
He moved to a shallow field where he could watch without disturbing Arthur. The others remained apart from him, until Rose moved over to him and took his hand. Then Hugo followed, and finally Taliesin.
John and Jack took Arthur to the center of the stones and explained to him what it was they hoped he would do. They explained the means, and the ritual, then left him alone and joined the others.
Arthur stood a long while, arms folded behind his back, head bowed, as if in prayer. Finally, he lifted his head and began to speak.
By right and rule
For need of might
I call on thee
I call on thee
By blood bound
By honor given
I call on thee
I call on thee
For life and light your protection given
From within this Ring by the power of Heaven
I call on thee
I call on thee.
He finished speaking the Summoning and looked around at the mottled sky. Then he turned and called out to the others, “Now what happens?”
“Now,” John said grimly, “we wait. And hold out as long as we can.”
They did not have to wait for long.
A dozen dragons, of various shapes, sizes, and colors, dropped out of the sky and landed on the hillside near the stone circle. The first among them was not the largest, but was by far the most familiar to John and Jack.
“Samaranth!” John exclaimed. He was almost giddy at seeing one of their strongest allies. Both he and Jack rushed forward—and stopped in their tracks.
The large, reddish dragon with the white mane of hair looked at them with a gaze that was clear in its meaning: Come no closer.
John looked at Jack in puzzlement. Then they both realized what was wrong. They were still in the sixth century and would not meet Samaranth, the oldest dragon, for nearly fourteen hundred more years. He would not know them, here, now. And he, as well as the other dragons, would be wondering who had known to summon them using the Ring of Power.
“Ah, what do I do now?” asked Arthur. “Offer to shake hands?”
“Not a good idea,” said Jack. “John?”
John’s mind was racing. He hadn’t really thought it through this far. He’d simply taken a wild chance that the king would be able to summon the dragons. But he needn’t have worried—someone was already in charge and knew how to proceed.
“Why have you summoned us here?” the great, smoky voice of Samaranth rumbled. He swung his head around to Arthur, who, to his credit, stood his ground and faced the dragon fearlessly. “You,” Samaranth said. “You spoke the Summoning. What gives you the authority to do so? Who has given you the words that called us here?”
“I called you of my own authority,” Arthur answered, emboldened by the fact that the dragon hadn’t simply bitten his head off straightaway. “And the words to speak were given to me by your servants, the Caretakers of the Imaginarium Geographica.”
Arthur made a gesture with his hands, indicating to John and Jack that they should step forward.
“Sons of Adam,” Samaranth asked, “what does this mean?”
“It means that we are also Caretakers of the Archipelago of Dreams, and true and loyal servants of the High King,” said John.
“And you support his rule?”
Jack and John both nodded. “We do.”
“Are there any others who will stand with you, little king?” asked Samaranth.
Screaming a ferocious battle cry, King Pellinor burst through the shrubbery at the edge of the trees, charging straight at the dragons. He was dressed in rags, which were tied around what little remained of his rusted and