Zahhak's Prison

Artifacts of the Arcane by Jake Kerr Season 3 The Cup of Jamshied Episode 2 Zahak's Prison I knew it would be foolish to remove the coat, so as I got dressed for bed I considered how to live my new life with a piece of clothing I couldn't remove. To make matters worse, I didn't know what it meant to wear the coat. If I removed one arm to change my shirt, did that mean I wasn't wearing it? These were things I would have to test further with Naomi and Iggy. So I just did my best and kept my shirt on. I soon realized that changing my shirt was the least of my problems. The coat itself was uncomfortable. It didn't flow like silk or cotton. It was stiff and thick. For the first time, I ran my hands along the material, truly trying to get a sense of what it was actually made of. The previous bearer of the coat was Princess Anastasia, and it was clear that she had the coat tailored in some fashion to match her regal stature. The outside was smooth and beautifully crafted, but as I wore it, I could feel the elegant covering hit something much more rough and leathery, with what felt to be bristles, under the soft material. I wondered if this was the hide of some magical beast that Jamshied killed and imbued with its protective powers. As I considered the history of the coat, another thought inerred my head. This could be dragon hide. It made sense to me, but I was not very interested in making the coat even less comfortable, so I didn't try to cut off the fabric to see. Perhaps as I got closer to the cup, I would do so. But for now, I had learned enough. The coat was made of some hide that the great magician Jamshied had imbued with its power as an artifact, and its power was one of absorption and diffusion. The language of the coat was clear to me in how it worked. I just knew that it would protect me in the same way that my skull was protecting my brain. It was there, I didn't think about it, but when I got beamed with a baseball when I was 12 years old, it did the job. What I didn't know is if I could get past the function and power of the coat to the dragon that was imprisoned inside, the great dragon Zahak. I clenched my eyes closed and focused all my attention on getting to Zahak and Jamshied's prison. I let my thoughts and essence flow into the staff and then the coat. I can't explain how, but my connection was such that I knew I was leaving the real me and entering the magical me that included the coat and staff. Zahak, I cried out in my mind. There was no response, so I focused on the location of his prison. I knew it wasn't a physical location, but there was still some kind of place that held him, and then I felt it. A wave of emotion so clear that I couldn't mistake its nature. Rage, pure rage, so violent that it made my body weak and my stomach nauseated. But as quickly as it came, it disappeared, and I was surrounded by a pure white light. As my eyes got used to the brightness, I could see a dark figure in the distance. I knew it was Zahak, and as I walked toward him, he became clearer with each step. The once mighty dragon was curled up on the white ground, frail and weak. His face was away from me, but I doubt he could move any of his muscles, as he was all skin and bones underneath a thin, dull brown hide. My heart broke. Here was a mighty magical creature, reduced to a husk thanks to its millennia of imprisonment. How much of his life force had been siphoned away by my ancestors and the ancestors of the other Archmages, using it for their own ends? I reached his body, and as I moved my hand forward to touch him, his head rose slightly. I walked around him and looked at his face. His eyes were closed, and I could tell he was using all his energy to raise his chin just enough off the floor to say something. I leaned forward, and with a whispered voice that sounded like the flutter of butterflies' wings, Zahak spoke. Save me. I jolted awake to darkness in the window. I hadn't realized I had fallen asleep, but I knew I had not experienced a dream. I had finally met the enslaved dragon within the artifacts I held, and Zahak desperately needed my help. I closed my eyes and pulled the staff against my chest. All I need is the cup, and mighty Zahak, you will be free. I tried to fall into a more pleasant dream, walking along the Parisian streets with Naomi, showing her Manhattan, or sharing a romantic dinner. But the coat was too uncomfortable, and the image of Zahak, frail and suffering, made it difficult for me to sleep. When I finally did, I didn't dream at all. I tossed and turned, and it wasn't until the rays of the sun filled my eyes with an unavoidable glare that I opened them. It had to be late in the day, as the sun was high in the sky. Was anyone else awake? Why didn't they get me up? I could only imagine that Naomi and Iggy were as tired as I was after our recent battles. It was only when I went to pull myself up that I remembered I was wearing the stiff, uncomfortable coat of invincibility. My muscles didn't feel too bad, but the coat was definitely not something that made for a good night's rest. My back was sore, and my skin felt irritated where it lay against the coat. As I sat up and rubbed my back, I considered our options. Up until now, all I had focused on was getting the coat from Anastasia. Now that I had that, my next step was to get the cup and then, eventually, free Zahak. But how would I do that? Did I even know where the cup was? The thought made me think of Iggy. Iggy always seemed to know where the coat was. Maybe he could do the same thing with the cup. With that knowledge, my path seemed easy. I would just head to the cup, yet no one could stop me. Without fixing my hair, which was starting to act like my grandfather's by sticking out in unpredictable and uncontrollable angles, I strode out of the room and over to Iggy's, which was next door. Knowing Iggy, all I had to do was knock once, and the door would open seconds later. I wasn't even sure that Afrit slept, but this time, my knock didn't elicit a response. After a few more knocks, I went down the hall to Naomi's room and knocked on her door. I thought I heard voices, and as Naomi opened the door, it was confirmed. As she waved me in, she continued what appeared to be a heated conversation with Iggy, who stood at attention near the window. I don't see any reason at all to delay. None. Naomi seemed on the edge of anger as she talked to Iggy. She turned to me. Can you tell the nanny here that we should immediately head to Germany and get the cup? Um, perhaps we need just a bit more rest? I didn't like seeing Naomi and Iggy argue, and disagreeing with her was a lost cause. She'd argue with anyone about anything if it got in her way, but I did for one simple reason. She didn't look good. Her face looked drawn, and there were dark circles under them. She looked too skinny, and even after a full night's rest, she looked exhausted. Don't you think it's dangerous sitting in the same hotel rooms after we defeated Germany's best magicians? And what about Anastasia? Don't you think she's going to be having her friends looking out for some way to get the coat back? I didn't argue, even though I was unconcerned. With the coat and the staff, I was unbeatable. I glanced at Iggy, hoping he would say something, but he just stood as still as a statue, looking at me. He also looked like he needed rest, or at least something to restore his energy. I had been used to his intense stare, which was made the more frightening due to his inability to blink, and maybe that was what made up my mind. Iggy's stare was a bit less intimidating, and because of that, he looked weaker. I think it's probably more dangerous for us to be racing over strange roads and through strange cities, still exhausted and beat up. Naomi frowned at my contradicting her. Look at Iggy. You can't tell me that he's the same Iggy that threatened to break the legs of the guy on the elevator. Naomi smiled. Oh, I loved that. The way he fled the elevator after Iggy very calmly talked to him. That was great. I was glad that changing the subject had diverted Naomi from her goal, so I continued. Well, he didn't just talk to him. He did threaten him. Sure, but it wasn't a threat. It was how he did it, just calmly telling him that he would break his legs. I mean, I wouldn't have the ability to have someone flee the room just by talking. Oh, trust me. You can do that now. I streetlight. You are flattering me again. Naomi turned toward Iggy, stretched her arms, and appeared to stifle a yawn. I think you may be right, though. We've been through a lot and should probably rest more. Plus, it would be a good opportunity to get more supplies and prepare for traveling. Without waiting for me to reply, she added, Iggy, how's our money situation? We have used all our funds getting to this point. We have no money. In fact, we owe for tonight's rooms if we decide to stay. That's not good. I was not looking forward to immediately being on the streets with no resources. Can we ask Kane for more money? Kane? I hadn't thought of him in weeks. He sent Iggy to watch over us, not realizing he was in a freak. But he also sent him with money and then, when we needed it, wired more. Maybe. Do we have the time to wait for that? How long would that take? I can procure us enough money to last us a few days. I looked over at Iggy. How will you do that? The thought of Iggy in an elevator once again entered my mind. Never mind. I don't think I want to know. Great. It's a plan then. I go down and charge all kinds of great food to the room, which we can't afford and actually can't even pay for. Tommy sleeps for another 20 hours because he's super powerful now and can do whatever he likes. And Iggy goes out and uses some kind of method that we won't discuss to get us money. Naomi clapped her hands. I like it. I was going to recommend that Naomi get more rest, but she was already walking to the door. Knowing how skinny and frail she was, I didn't say anything. She used so much of her energy to do magic that I was glad she was at least going to get food. She needed it. Let's not be apart too long. We should be prepared for Nazis or Russians or who knows what else will be looking for us. Naomi waved her hand dismissively and walked through the door. A podcast alchemy production.