The second seemed of little use at first since it contained descriptions of mythical creatures, from harpies to bearbulls, most of which neither Catrin nor Brother Vaughn believed existed. When Brother Vaughn flipped to the section that described dryads, though, Catrin became intrigued, especially since much of what it said rang of truth. "I thought of those other creatures as mere fairy tales, but I know dryads exist. Could these other creatures really have once existed?"
"I suppose it's possible," Brother Vaughn said. "Let's see what other creatures are described." Turning the pages carefully, he passed a section describing giant birds called phirlons and another on glowing sea serpents known as godhairs. It was when he reached the section on dragons that he drew a sharp breath. He read aloud: "Of dragons there are three types: verdent, feral, and regent. Verdents are most common and are by far the largest dragon species. Despite their size and power, they are docile and easily tamed. All verdent dragons have mottled bluish-gray coloring.
"Feral dragons, as black as night, are as ferocious as their name would imply. Generally, ferals are solitary creatures that only congregate during mating season, but there have been incidents recorded where groups of ferals have attacked verdents who intruded on their territory.
"Regent dragons are the most rare and intriguing species. Regents seem to live more like ants than dragons. That is to say that they live in colonies and have specialized roles. Each colony has but one female-the queen. There are many types of regent males: warrior, protector, hunter, and nurturer are but a few."
"So Kyrien is a regent dragon?" Catrin asked.
"I would say he fits the description, and the skeleton found in Faulk would have to have been a verdent."
Seeing a vision of skies filled with all three types of dragons, Catrin felt a chill run down her spine. The thought was thrilling and terrifying.
"Regent dragons have other remarkable qualities," Brother Vaughn continued. "The ability to change the color of their skin to blend in with their surroundings is among the most formidable trait. Regents are so skilled in camouflage that they can become nearly invisible in almost any environment. It is their innate ability to transform noonstone into dragon ore, though, that makes these creatures the most highly sought after."
Pulling Belegra's dragon ore from her pocket, Catrin held it up. It caught the light and cast it about in disorganized fashion, which detracted from its beauty. "So that was why Belegra wanted Kyrien," she said. "For this."
"It would appear to be so."
Nothing could be worth the torture Belegra inflicted upon Kyrien. She was tempted to cast the stone into the sea, but Catrin came to see that even though the way the stone was created was evil, the stone itself was not. When she began to view it as a gift from Kyrien, a piece of him that she could take with her, it became a cherished treasure.
The book gave few more details, and they set it aside. The third volume gave Catrin chills, for it told of ways to enslave the mind of another. Chilled by the gruesome and cruel techniques described in painful detail, Catrin decided that this book truly was evil. "This is knowledge that no one should have. I think we should burn it."
Brother Vaughn seemed appalled by the idea of burning a book at first, but as he looked through the rest of the book, he came to agree. There was no joy in the act, but Catrin felt a little safer knowing it was gone. With any luck, those skills would be lost forever.
Catrin's thoughts turned to all that had been lost, and tears gathered in her eyes. When one fell to the floor, Brother Vaughn looked up. "Will you tell me what's bothering you?" he asked.
"I just feel so alone," she said. "It's not that you and everyone on the ship are… It's just…"
"I miss them too," Brother Vaughn said, and Catrin let her emotion flow. "May I share something with you?"
"Please do," Catrin said with a sniffle.
"What is there between us? Right now. What's separating you and me?"
"Nothing, I guess," Catrin said.
"Nothing? Really."
In the silence that followed, Catrin tried to understand his meaning, but then something occurred to her. "Air?"
"Air. Indeed," Brother Vaughn said. "Now I want you to step away from everything for a moment, including the air."
Catrin smiled, knowing it was impossible. "I suppose I could submerge myself in water."
"Not for long. But the point is that you and I are parts of the same system. We are parts of the world, and we cannot separate ourselves from it. Everything I do influences you, and everything you do influences everyone and everything else. Do you understand?"
"I think so," Catrin said.
"Since we are part of this enormous system, we are always connected and can never truly be alone. And even when we seem to depart from this world, our energy remains. In this sense, we are one and we are eternal."
His words gave Catrin solace, and she turned her thoughts back to anything that could help her in the future. Again she looked at the dragon ore she held. So precious and so very rare, she was afraid she would drop it and shatter it into tiny pieces. Oddly shaped, it felt clumsy in her hands. The stones in her staff had been masterfully cut, their symmetry somehow balancing them. Then she remembered Imeteri's Fish; it had been such a simple carving, yet it, too, had symmetry and balance. "Do you think the shape of the dragon ore could enhance its effects?" she asked.
"The thought never occurred to me," Brother Vaughn said, "but I suppose it's possible. Do you have reason to believe it could?"
"The stones Mother Gwendolin gave me have been carefully cut, where Imeteri's Fish was just a simple carving. The one thing they have in common is that one side seems to balance the other. When I hold Belegra's stone, it feels unstable, out of balance."
"Perhaps you should have a gem-cutter cut it for you? Or you could carve it yourself. You did say that Imeteri's Fish was only a rough carving. Surely you could do just as well," Brother Vaughn said.
Catrin turned the translucent stone in her hands, and as she looked at it, a simple but elegant shape became apparent to her-the shape the stone wanted to become. It was as if all she had to do was peel away the husk that shrouded the stone's true form. "Could I be so bold as to try to carve it myself? I've no skill for art or carving. I might destroy it."
"I suppose you must follow your heart."
Cradled by her hammock, Catrin closed her eyes. As had become a bit of a ritual, Prios chose this time to spend with her. Though walls separated them, it was as if he were sitting beside her.
"Is it not difficult for you to talk to me without touching me?" she asked aloud, despite the fact that she had only to think of saying it to him for him to hear. "You could come in here while we talk if you'd like."
There is a bond between us that I do not understand. I believe I could speak with you over almost any distance without the slightest strain. It is something I share with no one else. Perhaps it is your abilities, but I wonder if it isn't something else…
Catrin let his unspoken question go unanswered, afraid of things she was not yet prepared to face. Grateful that he could not read her thoughts unless they were directed to him, she changed the subject. "Do you think I should try to carve the dragon ore? I'm afraid I'll only destroy it."
I know nothing of the properties of dragon ore, but I, too, sense its flaws despite its purity. When I look at nature, I see varied shapes and forms of life, yet those forms are not chaotic or random, as the shape of Belegra's dragon ore seems to be. My instincts tell me that giving it orderly shape and form will give it new life. I cannot be certain, and there is the risk that you will destroy it, so I am hesitant to give council.