Forthcoming, Book 2: Truth Reclaimed

“Truth Reclaimed”

Forthcoming Book Two

(1) Fled

Future’s mind was muddled. She processed the fact that an unknown voice called out to her out of the blue. She accepted that the voice in her head spoke to her, and only her, from a time long past. Even the fact that a device, hidden in a cave on the top of a mountain transported her to a distant time seemed to make sense to her.

Humans and dragons being the same species, however, made her dizzy. It contradicted everything she was taught. Yet, somehow, she knew it was the truth.

Future McBright sat on the seat of her motorcycle, inside a mountain cave, in the company of a real-life dragon, contemplating. “Humans and dragons are the same thing,” she said aloud.

“I have lost count of the number of times you have stated that fact”, Amelia, said patiently. “And let’s not forget my enemies are approaching our location.”

Future shook herself from reflection. “Yes, we need to get you out of here,” she said as she grabbed her helmet and a spare from the storage compartment. “Where should we take you?” She handed Amelia a helmet. “Is there a safe place to go? What’s the plan?”

“Plan?” Amelia asked placing the helmet on her head after watching Future do it first. “I called to you hoping you would have the wisdom needed to formulate a plan to save me and my people.”

Future got on her bike and motioned for Amelia, in human female form, to hop on behind her. “Save your people from what?”

With her helmet in place, Amelia sat behind Future. “From themselves!”

Future started her bike and yelled over its hum, “We were so focused on the thrill of meeting that we forgot to discuss why you needed help!” She pushed a button and a tinted cover moved into place, shielding them both and leaving the roar of the engine outside. “You can explain once we are off the mountain and on the way to ... Where are we going?”

“To The Ruukos,” Amelia said.

“I like the sound of that!” Future said, excited to see the species Amelia had described the day before. She turned her bike to face the cave exit. “I guess there isn’t a smooth, paved road, leading down the mountain, right?”

“To the left, just as you exit, there is a path … of sorts,” Amelia explained.

“Of sorts, huh?” Future revved the engine. “Hold on!”

Future and Amelia shot out of the cave. Future leaned left toward the path Amelia mentioned. It was not much of one, but it would do. Just as the path sloped downward, the two women zipped past a large, obviously bewildered man covered in glittering armor and a thick sword on his left hip.

“I bet he’s confused” Future giggled.

“That is Kev,” Amelia said as she held Future around the waist. “He leads the party making their way to the cave.”

The duo sped past seventeen more people in Kev’s little army. With wide-eyed reactions, they all wrinkled their brows at the strange machine that almost slammed into a few of their group.

Future focused on maneuvering around them while not straying from the path. She had no desire to crash her bike or confront these large men who could break her in half.

The small path was not exactly smooth. The bike bounced and lumbered quickly but uncomfortably down the side of the majestic Sierra. Future also noted the path followed the same route as the paved, asphalt road in her time. “Some things stay the same.” She said, not realizing she said it aloud.

“What things?” asked Amelia.

“I’ll tell ya after we get off this mountain. Is anyone trying to follow us?”

Amelia was already looking back, checking for exactly that. “No, they all look confused and most of them have returned to finish the climb. Two of them are at the summit.” She faced front. “One of those two is Kev. He will be inside in just a moment. He will discover that someone has used the Luana but he will not know whom.”

“I am guessing we need to be as far away as possible when he does, right?” Future asked.

“You are correct,” Amelia said. “The moment he sees what has happened he will Dragon-Form and come looking for the foreign machine that sped passed him.”

“Then I suggest we get as far away as possible and find a place to hide.” Future replied.

After a few more bumps and Future’s bike grabbing some air a few times, they came to the foot of the mountain. Amelia pointed to the right ahead of them. Future saw what she was pointing at and in a few seconds, they came to a road much smoother than Future expected to see here, in this period. She didn’t wait nor did she look back. Future hit the throttle, popping a wheelie.

Amelia squealed in delight.

The speedometer hit one hundred miles per hour.

Future smiled.

It was odd for Future, knowing she was still on the same continent, but many years removed. Her current surroundings looked nothing like the America of her day. But oddly, she felt more at home. It was as if she were the last puzzle piece, placed in the perfect spot, completing the puzzle she’d been working on for years.

The idea of real dragons still messed with her head. Despite that, she knew that speeding down this long, desert road with Amelia, the human dragon, was exactly where she should be. This moment was meant for her. She was sure of it.

“How long until we reach the Ruukos?” Future thought.

Amelia heard what Future was thinking and replied, “Flying from here, I would get there in a few minutes.” Amelia explained. “At this rate, I suspect we will be in their territory within the hour.”

“I am on a bike with a real, live dragon, “ Future thought.

Amelia giggled.

(2) Ruukos

Future was leaning forward, taking corners expertly, barely slowing down, hitting top speeds on the straightaways.

Hearing a dragon’s screech in the distance behind them they were forced to dismount. They rolled the bike under a house-sized boulder with a small shelter carved into it. They dragged large tree branches over the front to cover themselves and the bike. To anyone outside, it looked like shrubs growing over a large boulder.

The two women peered through the branches and leaves from inside, waiting for the powerful dragon to give up the search. It only took a few minutes for Kev to turn southward in search of them. Soon he was out of sight and the ladies hurriedly returned to the road.

“Let us haste before it gets dark,” Amelia encouraged Future. “In the darkness, dragon-form will allow Kev to see us long before we spot him”.

Future needed no more encouragement. She ensured they were secure on the bike and flipped the canopy switch.

Cacti, rocks, sky, clouds, and a few sparse trees flew by in almost a blur. She loved the thrill of speed and the excitement of evading her new friend’s enemies.

Just as Amelia anticipated, the boundaries of the Ruukos appeared ahead of them about an hour later. There was no missing where their borders began.

The change in scenery awed Future. She slowed to almost a crawl, enjoying the drastic change in surroundings. Then she stopped the bike altogether. Future pulled off her helmet and put the canopy down. “My goodness!” She placed her helmet on the seat as she stood and took a few steps. She looked behind her to the sparse desert, then in front of her at a massive, flourishing city.

Amelia enjoyed Future’s childlike wonder as she also removed her helmet.

Future took in her surroundings. Tall spires, hundreds of feet tall, sculpted with architecture she could not have imagined on her own.

She thought one structure was just a massive archway, but then noticed there were windows and even saw people moving about inside. “It’s a colossal, arch-shaped apartment building!”

She unconsciously ran her fingers through her hair. She took in the details, trying to understand what she was seeing. “It’s like a fully interconnected city!” she said, noticing many of the buildings were connected by walkways and skywalks.

“The Ruukos are the most adept architects and builders,” Amelia explained, standing next to Future. “Others have tried to duplicate their structures. All failed. I think it has something to do with the secret mix of materials they use.”

Future still marveled at the grand architecture. She also scanned the sky for dragons.

Amelia explained, “They will not attempt to harm us here or even fly over this city.”

Future looked at her, puzzled.

Amelia told her, “There exists a long-lasting understanding between the Ruukos and all the other races. The Ruukos believe in loyalty only to the truth. They are so dedicated to this that they will go to war only against those who oppose objective truth and morality.”

Still captivated by her surroundings, Future asked, “So, they are not loyal to any one race but are like peacekeepers?”

“Yes, something like that,” Amelia stated. “If it were not for them as a stabilizing force, many countries would have come to ruin long ago. When they fight a war, they bring that war to an end.”

Just then, they heard a deep roar. Turning, they saw Kev high above and diving toward them. Future took a few steps back without thinking.

“It’s all right, Future,” Amelia said as she stepped past her, placing herself between Future and the approaching Kev. “He will not cross this border. We are safe here.”

Kev continued his dive, his features becoming clearer. He was massive with multi-colored scales that glistened like glass in the sunlight. His wings opened, slowing him for his landing.

Just then, a shadow engulfed them as one of the Ruukos nimbly somersaulted over them both. In one smooth motion, it placed a palm on the ground, deftly rolled, and was upright again. Sliding to a stop, it pulled out a sizeable mace and stuck one end into the ground next to him, confronting Kev.

“Is that…” Future started to ask excitedly.

“Yes, that is one of the Ruukos Guards,” Amelia educated her. “They are not to be trifled with, and Kev knows it.”

The Ruukos stood just outside the border where Kev had intended to land. He held up one hand, palm out. Kev saw the gesture and knew what it meant. He pulled up short, not wanting to violate a Ruukos law. Flapping his large wings to readjust, he chose a landing spot about fifty feet from the Ruukos Guard and landed softly. He immediately shifted and stood as a big, muscular, and displeased man.

“The Ruukos are not as large as Kev’s Dragon form,” Future noted. “Yet Kev doesn’t stand against the Guard?”

“Yes, you will come to understand the brute strength of the Ruukos in time,” Amelia said patiently.

“Hail up, bruddah,” Kev said greeting the Guard in a sing-song tone. “How you doin’?” He immediately started pacing back and forth.

“I man good bruddah,” the Ruukos Guard responded, folding his thick arms. His stance was as guarded as his voice was confident. “A’wa you up to?”

“Ah come for dem,” Kev said, still pacing and pointing a sword at the two ladies. “Dat one” he pointed at Amelia. “Did some’ting she should not ave”.

“Yuh nu de rules Kev.” The Guard reminded him. “You caaant tek care a dat inside my city. You haffu wait ‘til she leave.”

Kev faced the Guard and bowed deeply. “I would neva’ violate dat, Dreda.” He stood upright. “I just want dem to know dat I know wah happen.” Kev tilted his head and focused on Future. “You! Don do wah she and her people tell you to do.” He didn’t wait for a reply. Kev bowed again to Dreda, turned, ran a few steps, took Dragon-form, and flew away, angry.

The Guard, Dreda, kept his gaze on Kev while pulling his weapon from its resting place. He slung the large bludgeon over his shoulder and turned to the women.

Future stared at Dreda’s nine-foot frame. He was wide and solid as a small mountain. His silky-smooth skin seemed out of place on his warrior’s build. “Good evening, Amelia,” he said in a light, familiar manner. “I see you are up to your usual meddling.”

Amelia smiled, “Thank you for intervening, Dreda.”

Taking the lead toward their destination, Dreda replied, “Kev knows the rules. He would not have crossed the line.”

“But you reminded him anyway?” Future asked the large man.

“Mainly as a formality,” Dreda explained. “Mainly. Plus, it’s just fun.” He laughed to himself. “Come, let us assemble at The Spire.

Amelia and Future followed their escort as told. Future could not help but marvel at the unique architecture, complex spires, and transportation system that Dreda called Qu’bis. He stopped and knelt next to one. “Simply step in the arch and you’re instantly on the other side.” He explained. “Each arch is connected to its counterpart elsewhere in the city.”

“How many of these arches does your city have?” Future asked, touching its super-smooth surface.

“I have never counted,” Dreda replied in his deep rumbling voice. “At least a few hundred”. He said as he stood, continuing as their guide to the meeting location.

Just then, a family of six approached the arch. It responded with a slight hum. Through it, Future saw the family’s destination. It looked like an image on a large TV screen. The family stepped through and was instantly where they wanted to be, clear on the other side of the city. She mumbled, “Advanced technology, and somewhere along the timeline, we lost it.”

The hint of sadness in Future’s voice prompted Amelia. “It is concerning to me that so much wisdom will be lost.” She placed a hand on Future’s back, offering comfort. “We will discuss it with the Scholarly.”

“The Scholarly?” Future asked with a raised eyebrow.

Amelia explained, “Yes. They are a collection of leaders from each of the races. They focus their vast knowledge and insight on garnering peace and sharing all forms of knowledge.”

They walked for a while in silence. Future was enthralled by the ingenious architecture surrounding her. The Qu’bis system was mind-blowing. She saw the top fifteen floors of one building separate, float upward and to the right, a few hundred feet, then connect to the bottom of another structure.

She opened her mouth to comment but lost the words when she saw a portion of another building separate from the rest, change shape into a small rocket-like vessel, and free-fall a few hundred feet to the ground. Future panicked, thinking the craft was crashing, but at the last minute it fired thrusters, slowed, and landed soundlessly. A few passengers disembarked, and the ship blasted off, rejoining the structure from which it came.

She blinked. “Did I just see a rocket ship connec …,” Her words were stolen as she jumped at the movement of a spiral structure to her left. Like a screw, it turned counterclockwise revealing more of itself, hidden underground. Inside the building, she saw many Ruukos moving up and down stairs from one floor or another, through hallways, and some even sitting calmly at desks, reading, as the entire structure turned without a single sound. When it stopped, a crowd of Ruukos exited the angled, ground-floor doors and scattered in all directions. Many held items, including books bigger than Future’s entire upper body. “This is a library!” she exclaimed.

Amelia smiled at Future’s genuine curiosity. “Yes, it is. Fascinating, isn’t it?”

In her wonder, Future had paused to stare. At Amelia’s reminder, she jogged a bit to catch up to the others, but every few feet, wonderous technologies captured her scrutiny.

Amelia whispered to Future, “If this technology fascinates you, you will love what comes next”. She pointed up and to their right as they turned a corner.

Future was completely beside herself as it came into view. “It looks like a massive floating garden.” She stopped and observed closely. “More like a massive garden system. It must be several miles long!”

“Yes”. Amelia said. “The Soaring Gardens feeds everyone”.

The way Amelia said the word, everyone caused Future to turn toward her. “You mean more than just the Ruukos”, she said as a statement, not a question.

“Precisely. All the races benefit from what is produced here”, Amelia explained as they walked along.

“That is an amazing accomplishment”! Future said, wide-eyed. She hung her head. “We need something like this where I am from”. Looking up again, she said, “There are so many platforms and levels”. She paused for a second, a question formed on her face.

“How do we get to the top levels”? Amelia asked for her, and Future nodded her head. “Watch”, Amelia said as she pointed to a Ruukos family approaching a panel a few meters ahead. They typed in some information and hit the “Proceed” key. Then, to Future’s surprise, the floating platforms started shifting. Some moved up, others moved sideways, and others moved in the same direction in a circular pattern until the specific platform the family requested slowly glided toward them. Once it stopped, just outside the borders of the other platforms, the family climbed on and began casually browsing the produce. The platform floated back within the Garden’s borders.

It was not until her throat felt dry, that Future realized she was gaping. She finally shut her mouth, quickly reopening it to say, “I am … one hundred percent, well, ninety-eight percent, … speechless”!

“It goes on for miles in both directions. Look behind you,” Amelia instructed.

Future turned. As was stated, the Soaring Gardens system seemed to go on for another several miles. Future watched as many Ruukos picked fruit, vegetables, and even flowers. They would exit the platforms when ready, nod to passers-by, and go about their day.

Something occurred to Future. “Wait, they don’t pay for any of this”? Future asked Amelia.

A deep chuckle turned their attention to Dreda. “Why would they pay for what is free”? he asked, never turning his head.

“It’s all free? Free to everyone”? Future asked, genuinely confused and very impressed.

“Yes, of course”, Amelia replied in a confused tone. She stopped and held Future’s left hand in both hers. “There seems to be plenty of differences between our two times. I pray The Scholarly can, shall we say, bridge the gap.”

In just a few more minutes, they arrived at the edge of the Soaring Gardens and entered the very center of the city. It was a huge gathering place with a scattering of stone benches and wooden picnic tables, with umbrellas included. There were lounge chairs and Bar-B-Que pits within the several parks Future saw. It seemed like a place made for leisure, not serious meetings. Then Future saw that at the very center of it was a large wooden structure, something like a raised back deck one would see in suburbia, but circular. Several wood-carved chairs were placed around the wooden structure. “This was all carved from one massive piece of wood”.

“Yes, very observant, Future”. Amelia congratulated her friend. “And these”, Amelia pointed to several creatures seated and all staring at Future, “are The Scholarly.”

Future was so caught up in the advanced technology and architecture of everything around her that she completely missed them staring at her. A few smiled, amused at her apparent innocence.

Dreda and Amelia very slightly, tilted their heads forward, touching their right hand to their forehead, then taking the hand away, ending a sort of salute, bow combination. Future mimicked them. Amelia nodded her approval.

“She is here”! one of The Scholarly stated in a strong, feminine voice. The others said nothing, but just stared as the one who spoke stood and regally approached Future. “Your name is Future McBright”, the eagle-looking creature said. “You believe you have come here to learn about us, and you are right. But what you do not know is we already know you and have been waiting for your arrival, this very moment, for several years. It is our honor to meet you. To the seven seated before you, you are known by your birth name and as “Pontes”. In your language, “The Bridge”. With that simple, unexpected, and mind-blowing explanation, she returned to her seat.

Future looked to the other Scholarly for additional explanation. When none was offered, she looked to Amelia, who reached over and pushed Future’s lower jaw up, closing her friend’s gaping mouth. “I seem to be gaping a lot lately”, Future stated.

“Yes, I was going to ask if it is normal for you”. Amelia replied.

Before Future could say that it was not, another Scholarly stood. The hawk-like humanoid explained, “You, Pontes, are the one who will retain the vast knowledge of our races, hold it in safety for coming generations, pass it onto those who must know, and therefore preserve what must be preserved”. He sat down and said nothing else.

That’s when Amelia turned toward Dreda. “You also have known of her all this time”? Dreda nodded. “I see,” Amelia said.

Dreda turned his large frame to Future, “In other words, Pontes, you will pass on what was lost to future generations, but must not be allowed to be lost, that is Dragon-Form.

Wrinkles filled Future’s forehead, her jaw dropped, and she was unable to speak. Moments passed in silence, then she blurted out, “What?!”

(3) Reclaimed

“Okay, just wait one minute,” Future said waving her hands around and pacing. “First, a voice calls to me”, she pointed to the ever-calm Amelia, “in the middle of the night, in my mind, mind you, and I go with it. Then I find I can transport myself to a time long before my own. Then I appear in a mountain-high cave where I discover that dragons and humans are the same thing.” She stopped pacing and looked up at Dreda. “And now you wanna tell me that you already know me- cause that’s not creepy at all-and I am going to learn all about you, … species … and then pass on that vast knowledge to people in my own time, helping them learn to be dragons again?! Is that a good summary?” She placed her hands on her hips, waiting for a reply from Dreda.

“That is a perfect summary”, a previously silent Scholarly said without standing or turning his bull-shaped head.

Future leaned to one side, looking around Dreda. “And you don’t think that’s a lot to drop on a person all at once?” She stepped around the big guy and addressed all The Scholarly at once. “No lead into it, no subtle hints, just drop a bomb and see how she reacts, huh?” She ran her hands through her hair in frustration. “You all”, she said, gesturing to the group, “may be wise, but you need to brush up on being smart.” She crossed her arms and waited for an onslaught of verbal reprimands. Silence alone responded.

“Perhaps”, Amelia spoke sweetly into the tension, “we should take a walk, my friend.” Future followed her lead.

As they strolled together Amelia explained, “The Scholarly, as you have noticed, are not exactly deft at interacting with most others. They are quite old, set in their ways, and frankly, a bit rude.” She checked Future’s expression. “They have proven themselves more times than most are aware of.” Amelia halted and held Future gently by the arm, catching the other woman’s undivided attention. “Wars, brutal, unforgiving, wars have been averted and millions of lives saved because of their dedication to promoting peace and preserving all species”.

“I need to be more patient.” Future replied flatly. “Is that what you’re saying”?

Amelia nodded.

Future let out a long breath, calming herself. “Okay, but this is a lot to take in. I thought I was assisting you, a lone woman in distress, not joining a noble quest straight out of folklore, in a time ... Wait, what year is it? How far back in time did I travel?”

“I am not sure how we would figure that out,” Amelia stated as she walked back where the others waited patiently.

As they neared Dreda’s position, Amelia spoke first. “Understandably, Future has many questions concerning what we have revealed. I suggest we and The Scholarly pace ourselves and give her time to absorb the many details we wish to share.”

“Yes, yes, I concur,” Future said, rubbing her face in her hands. “Slow and subtle would be best,” she said lacing her fingers behind her back.

The bullhead one stood, and all the others followed suit. “So it shall be,” he said in a deep, rumbling bass voice.

Just then, the circular platform upon which the Scholarly were seated started spinning slowly, expanding outward. Dreda, Amelia, and Future stepped back, giving it space. Another large, well-sculpted chair rose from the back of the structure to join the other seats in the circle, and everything stopped.

Future looked around for another creature to take the empty seat. Amelia, also, was a bit taken aback.

All the Scholarly, minus the bullhead, took their seats quietly. Bullhead turned to Future. “This,” he gestured to the newly added seat, “is for you. For in a not-too-distant time, you will join The Scholarly in the mission of preserving dragon form for the benefit of all species.” Then he sat as if he had simply stated the time of day.

Future’s jaw dropped again. She grabbed two fistfuls of her hair and tugged. “You...” she turned away from them in frustration and paced back and forth. She tried to slow her breathing, then tried speaking again. “I just said ...” She exhaled hard, bent at the waist, took a deep breath, and let it out. She stood straight up, brushing her hair from her face, and exhaled hard again. She furiously rubbed her face in her hands again, steadied her voice, and exclaimed, “You people are UNSKILLED at pacing yourselves!!”

To Be Continued.