Realms of the Dragons II/How Burlmarr Saved the Unseen Protector

"How Burlmarr Saved the Unseen Protector" is a short story by Kameron J. Franklin published in the 2005 anthology Realms of the Dragons II.

"When a young gnome finds he can see through the eyes of a dragon, he becomes the most unlikely defender a great wyrm has ever had."

Summary
A young gnome, Burlmarr dreams of being a dragon and fighting caravan raiders. He wakes up with a pounding headache, then goes to apprentice with a gem-cutter. While there, he thinks that his fellow apprentice is talking about all sorts of things with him; being quickly corrected, he starts to feel a headache incoming. Through this, a malevolent wizard hears that caravaneers are commenting about the Unseen Protector, an ancient gold dragon, attacking some raiders the night before. Having confirmed this, he contacts the Archmage of the Arcane Brotherhood, and sets a plan in motion by which several of his men copy the likenesses of gnomes they have just killed.

Burlmarr is excused from work for the day, and begins to head home, when suddenly he begins to see as though from the air instead of his own eyes. Looking at himself, he realizes he's seeing from someone else's eyes; the owner of those eyes contacts him mentally, and asks him to join him outside town. It turns out to be a dragon, who suspects that the young gnome's headaches, dreams, and overheard voices are signs of him coming into his own power as a wilder. The dragon introduces himself as Palarandusk.

The impersonators put their plan in motion, kidnapping the elder in order to lure Palarandusk into an antimagic stasis field. They succeed, and the Archmage Arcane reveals himself. Getting in the way of their plan, however, Burlmarr goes to sleep, and once more his senses turn to Palarandusk's, revealing the treachery which has captured him. Burlmarr leaves his home and heads towards Palarandusk. Once there, Burlmarr manages to use his psychic powers to whelm one of the guards just long enough to disturb one of the rods that keep the dragon trapped, releasing him.

Palarandusk manages to scare away the Archmage and his minions, but Burlmarr is struck down. The dragon laments he has no way to save the young gnome's life.

Index

 * Characters
 * Ambrythynn • Arklem Greeth • Brimmloch • Burlmarr • Daikon • Felrenden • Froga Gromann • Goodwife Thintagast • Kaylindrra • Master Thintagast • Merem • Palarandusk
 * Ardabad • Braeder • Drom (Ieirithymbul) • Hallbrondell • Lissa Boavartarr • Maree Blimthalloon • Mileirigath • Pheldaer
 * Ardabad • Braeder • Drom (Ieirithymbul) • Hallbrondell • Lissa Boavartarr • Maree Blimthalloon • Mileirigath • Pheldaer


 * Location
 * Ieirithymbul • Leilon • Sword Mountains
 * Netheril • Neverwinter • Sea Tower
 * Netheril • Neverwinter • Sea Tower


 * Ethnicities
 * gnome • human
 * dwarf (clan Forgebar)
 * dwarf (clan Forgebar)


 * Creatures
 * gold dragon • hill giant • orc
 * goat
 * goat


 * Spells
 * alter self • chain lightning


 * Psionic Powers
 * brain lock • mindlink


 * Organizations and Positions
 * Arcane Brotherhood


 * Items
 * crossbow • dagger • hide armor • pendant • quartz • staff


 * Food and drink
 * cabbages • roast boar • nutty-flavored bread


 * Classes
 * wilder