"Aronus, Speltus, Lingaria... return to me for a moment." The now colorful trio jumped from the arms of their chosen sister and flew to him. Palladin lowered his head to the ground and spoke to them in a low, but serious tone. "Though you are the chosen of the dragon council, these women are the chosen of the world of man. It is important you listen to one another always. Put aside your distaste for human things and serve the sisters well."
Their little dragon heads nodded solemnly before they turned back to the sisters. It was time.
"Shall we, Aronus?" Astrid asked. The small green dragon moved like smoke, rematerializing on her shoulder. "Oof! You're heavy!"
"So?" Aronus wondered. "Onward, human. We have miles to go and worlds to pacify. We won't get any closer standing here."
"But I need arrows and provisions," she countered.
"You will never need arrows as long as I am with you. Provisions? Bring those, with extra meat for me, please."
"As you wish," Astrid replied as she began to wonder about the pedestal upon which the dragons had been put. They seemed grounded for god-like beings.
Hekla whispered to Svana. "He's kind of a jerk. I hope mine's not like that."
"I hope mine isn't either," Speltus told her. Hekla looked taken aback by his response. "Well, it's true," her dragon continued, looking at her meaningfully.
Hekla exchanged looks with Svana. Astrid however, seemed unfazed by the interaction.
"Looks like we've all got our work cut out for us," Astrid said.
"You're telling me," Aronus responded.
"We'd do best to get on the road. Those kings aren't going to conquer themselves." Astrid offered with a smile, trying to bring humor to the tense situation.
Hekla nodded and then called her dragon, "Speltus, return to me, we've much to do."
He ran to her, crawling up her back, until he too sat on her shoulder, his tail flicking around the back of her neck, and down the opposite shoulder.
Lingaria returned to Svana without provocation, preferring to jump back onto her arm. He looked up at her expectantly, and Svana couldn't help but wonder what snide comments he would offer her in the future. Perhaps they aren't all like that? She wondered.
"Oh I guarantee you, they are," Palladin chuckled. "Now, no more malingering, you have much to do in the days ahead."
The three sisters nodded, each dragon they carried looking on, unamused.
"Farewell, your magnificence," Astrid offered.
"Yes, farewell and thank you," Svana said.
"Farewell indeed," Hekla finished.
"Be well, sisters, and safe journey," Palladin spoke, offering them a gentle nod of his head as a sign of approval. He started to drift out of focus as if disappearing into a fog.
Melifera, who had remained silent, stepped forward. Her long red velvet robe flowing with her movements like water in a brook.
"My dears, you have learned much, and you have learned well. Although I wish I could say it would be enough, and the days ahead would be easy, I know that is a lie. I can only hope you will take what you have learned and build upon it. Allow everything that happens along the way be an experience that teaches you.
Do not allow the bad to overcome you, or the evil to change you. Rise above it and be the women I have taught you to be. The women I know you to be, who will invoke change by their very personae." She gathered them in her arms, like a mother hen her chicks, kissing the tops of their heads affectionately. "Now, go... and be well."
The sisters stepped away from her, no longer afraid but reserved to their destiny. The little dragons they carried, an extension of themselves, and no matter what lay ahead they knew they would overcome it.
In unison they turned to leave the Summoning Chamber, exiting into the day where the sun had begun to set. Silently, they descended the staircase to the ground and headed to their boat to take them home, the Island called Volican, where they would gather their supplies for their long journey ahead, the weight of the kingdoms of man on their shoulders.
7
Departure
Leaving your home is no easy task. A part of yourself remains there as you begin your journey. It creates a void as you travel farther and farther away from what you found comfortable. And it is a part of yourself that you never get back. Instead, you must fill the emptiness, the void, with something in its place. And what fills that void depends on how easy or how hard your journey becomes. What fills your void? Is it fear? Is it courage? Or is it determination? And, if you ever shall return home, will there be room for what you left behind?
King Cedric the Just, Third King of Telluris, 471 A.V.
Astrid awoke with a start. Her green hair fell into her eyes and she brushed it around with great concentration. She rubbed her eyes, the salt crusted at the corners, and red veins appearing in every crevice around her emerald iris'. A yawn wasn't enough to orchestrate her tiredness, yet she yawned anyway.
"You hardly slept, human. That will not bode well for our journey." Aronus sat at the foot of her floor mat, watching her with head tilted.
"How can I sleep, Aronus, when you are constantly complaining?" Astrid made no effort to hide her irritation at her guide.
"I cannot help it if I am not accustomed to the human world. I am hungry, and everything smells terrible. Is that my fault?" His tail flicked up and down behind him, an extension of his ill-tempered attitude.
"If this is what you are like on a good day, remind me not to cross you. Besides, I offered to hunt mountain goat for you, and you turned it down. Do you not recall our conversation from last night?" she retorted.
"I do recall that. The problem, Astrid, is that would have put us farther behind. We must get underway as soon as possible." His irritated tone had softened to urgency.
"If we are to do this, and do it well, you are going to have to allow me to care for you when it is needed," she replied.
"Well and good," he paused, "and likewise, maiden."
"Something else, Aronus, and please don't take this as a sign of disrespect, but to me, you are the one who stinks."
Aronus tilted his head inquisitively, and Astrid was sure if the creature had eyebrows, they would be raised.
"And what exactly do you suggest?" Aronus asked.
"That we should probably both take a bath before we reach Caelestis."
Aronus snorted, and a small green flame exited one of the creature's nostrils.
"Ya' know?" Astrid said. "You remind me of my father a little. His name was Calderon, his namesake the great king of Caelestis of his time. Although you and I have not found our neutral ground yet, I recognize the same fire in you. It reminds me much of him. My father was a great warrior."
That rendered the little beast speechless for a moment.
"I will consider that an hour, but be warned, you haven't had a chance to know me fully yet."
"I understand," she said.
"Now, do you have all you need?" While they had spoken, Astrid had been hurrying about, grabbing things for her rucksack.
"Indeed, I do. Let me secure my blanket, and then we can be on our way."
Interesting, she thought to herself. It's almost as if we could be friends. I swear his attitude toward me has shifted.
Astrid tied the blanket in a tight roll at the top of her pack.
"One moment," she said to him as she left the room, and then returned minutes later with a metal cup. "Shall we hunt a mountain goat this morning before we depart? And also, do you eat fruit? Volican, though small, is abundant in various berries and tree-hanging fruits. I'm sure I could find something to your liking."
Astrid knew she had to earn the dragon's trust. She preferred to do that through actions and not words. And even though they were newly bonded, she felt an attachment toward him that she'd never experienced before.
"Yes, once we leave this place, let us gather some things for you, in case we meet with trouble on the road."
"Very well, and what about you?" Astrid wondered.
"Though I protested last night, I admit hunger has affected my mood currently."
"Then, a small mountain goat for you as well," Astrid laughed. "Perhaps that is why there is tension between us?"
"Hmmm... tempting to blame it on hunger, but I think we have a great many things to learn about one another." Aronus tilted his head as he spoke, his tail having ceased its flicking.
Astrid found his presence comforting. She hoped he felt the same way. Astrid needed her and the little beast to get along.
"Although, I do wish you would quit calling me 'little beast' in your thoughts..."
"Please explain why you can read my thoughts? If that is a typical thing you do, our relationship will hit many jagged points," she said, placing her hand on hip for emphasis.
"My apologies, Astrid of the Bow, I can 'turn it off' for now, if you wish? Though, on the road, I will not be able to do so. That is for our protection. It is a side-effect of the soul merge, but as my essence is to be your arrows, I have to anticipate your moves. Even while using your bow. I am sorry."
"Well, though it seems a bit intrusive, I understand why. Will it always be so, Aronus?" Astrid asked.
"For the time being, as necessary,” he said.
"Dear sister, are you ready?" Svana peeked her head into the stone-walled room, studying the barren surroundings. "Oh, it looks as if you are."
"Indeed, I am sister. I was discussing certain matters with Aronus here." Astrid's lips upturned slightly.
"Is everything all right?"
"Everything is fine." Astrid smiled. "How goes Hekla this morning?"
"She is readying some things we will need for our journey. Here, I brought you these. She left early this morning to gather more so that we would have enough to take with us. It should save us time." Svana handed Astrid a small leather satchel with a long strap she could slip over her head and wear to the side of her hip.
"Thank you for this." She took the satchel and peering inside, saw it contained a small assortment of various fruits. "This is a great help, Svana."
Svana nodded.
"Astrid, Svana! I've just completed getting what I needed. Shall we depart this land?" Hekla looked from sister to sister.
"Yes, let us say our farewells and be on our way," Svana spoke.
"Farewell, but not goodbye. When we are seated on the thrones of Man and have restored peace to Verdil, we will visit here again and discuss all that has occurred. On that day we will rejoice," Astrid mused.
Astrid hefted the rucksack over one shoulder and called to Aronus, "come, Aronus, let us be on our way."
Aronus nodded, and more comfortable exercising his power, disappeared and in the thinnest wisp of smoke, rematerialized on her shoulder.
Astrid was prepared for his weight, steadying herself once he sat in place. Taking one last look around the room, she felt an overwhelming sense of loss at what she was leaving behind. "Sisters, where are Speltus and Lingaria?"
"We will call them, and meet you at the boat," Svana said before leaving the room with Hekla. The impending reality of leaving their home descended like a fog.
But destiny waited, most impatiently, it waited.
8
Goats
A meal among friends holds no secrets. A meal among family holds no tongues. A meal among strangers holds much suspicion. However, a meal among enemies is silent and full.
King Michiel the Trusted, Third King of Caelestis, 482 A.V.
Their journey across the waters of the Shadowlands felt like days rather than hours, and all the while Svana and Hekla rowed, they kept looking over their shoulders. Hekla sat on the seat, Speltus in her lap, and she stroked him gently. The look on his face one of pure annoyance, but he kept his silence.
Dragon or cat? Astrid thought.
Maybe cats are the result of dragon dalliances in the material world. Long ago, we may have gone astray. Or not, Aronus replied cryptically only to his human.
Astrid furled her brow in thought at the dragon'sdeny suggestion, before shaking her head and looking askance at the creature. He replied with a humanlike shrug.
When they reached the opposite side of the caldera, Hekla secured the boat by dragging it onto shore. She tied it off to secure it in case the lake rose.
They were near the summoning chamber. The memories were good, but daunting.
"Forgive me, Aronus, Lingaria, and Speltus. This mountainside is the only place I know there are goats," Astrid said.
In Astrid's mind, the scene of the day before played out. How far away yesterday seemed. How much easier it had been with the sisters working together. Astrid already missed that, even though they had not yet parted.
"Now you must forgive me, Astrid. I do not mean to intrude into your thoughts; I imagine it will be a great while before you can picture doing anything without them. I understand that, but please... I must ask you to allow me to show you what I can do. Palladin the great was not untruthful when he said we would serve you. Your bow was given to you for a reason, and your name, Astrid of the Bow was given for a reason.”
"Now, allow me to show you such things as you have never seen," Aronus spoke with such grandiose tones.
Astrid couldn't help but feel as if she may have been missing out on something quite amazing.
"Very well, Aronus. Tell me what I must do?"
"Well, I cannot do all the work. You must at least position yourself."
At his comment, Speltus and Lingaria snickered.
"What about us, Aronus? May we assist?" Svana asked, glaring at Lingaria. "You will do well, to mind yourself, Lingaria," she snipped at him.
"Miss, you must understand, the human way is quite foreign to us. What you deem as improper is in a day's work for us. I don't see how our tones and words can be misconstrued, but clearly they are. You lot think so much before you say things. It will take time," Lingaria finished.
"Ahem, as I was saying," Aronus spoke again, "enough chitter chatter, I must teach Astrid this, and the lot of you are distracting right now." He seemed to be looking down his long, for his size, dragon nose at them.
I will never get used to his condescending tone. All he must do is tell me what to do, and I will do it. Does he not see my eagerness to learn? Astrid fought back an angry reply, knowing anything she said would not be beneficial to either of them.
"Yes, well, you forget I can hear your thoughts. I do not mean to be condescending. I am just not accustomed to having to explain everything. In the Dragon Realm, as Lingaria said, we interact differently. Nonetheless, I will make a note to watch my tone. How about you climb there... I see a steady ledge that will do well for what I will show you."
The ledge was not far off from where she and her sisters had been yesterday, and she wondered how different it would be with Aronus leading the way. Dropping her rucksack, and removing the leather satchel with fruit, she tightened the leather straps of her boots and made sure her leather cuirass was secure.
"Are you ready, Aronus?"
"Indeed, I am."
With his weight upon her right shoulder, she took off running toward the rock-walled side of the volcano's cone. Her sisters watched in astonishment as she clambered up, her fingers instinctively finding ledges and gripping tightly. She quickly reached the ledge he had requested. Hoisting herself upon it, she immediately dropped, her right knee against the ground for balance, her left propped up to allow her to steady the bow.
"Now, are you ready, Astrid?"
"Indeed, I am." She echoed his response earlier, withdrawing the bow from its strap across her back.
"Do you see that one, up there to the right of the roots?" Aronus asked.
Astrid nodded her response.
"Good, position yourself and aim."
"I have no arrow," she protested.
"Astrid, I told you yesterday you would not need them as long as you have me. Now, please do as I say."
Astri
d nodded again. Grabbing the front of the bow with her left hand and putting her right fingers into position as if she were to pull back the bowstring, Aronus embraced the entirety of her weapon, becoming one with it. His tail flicked into position to act as the arrow. She pulled back on it and released, afraid she would hurt Aronus, but a wisp of smoke told her it was not his tail she had released.
The arrow whistled through the air, hitting its target squarely in the chest. The goat let out a long bleat, and out of fear, it jumped off the ledge.
"Now, release another!" Aronus yelled at her, and within a split second, another arrow hurtled through the air catching the goat in the side. Aronus lifted into the sky from his position on her bow and accelerated toward the falling animal, his emerald green wings spreading like an eagle.
All three sisters waited with bated breath, sure the goat was about to smash on the rocks below. Aronus flashed to the falling goat as a streak of lightning. His talons met the back of the goat and sunk tightly into its skin.
"Surely, that is too heavy for him to carry?" Hekla asked, her hand over her brow as she blocked the sun.
"Just watch," Speltus said with a flick of his tail.
"Really? Do tell?" Svana, curiosity getting the better of her, dared to ask.
"If you have to ask, then you already know," Lingaria said with a grin.
Hekla let out an exasperated sigh.
Aronus gently dropped near Hekla and Svana, goat held securely in his talons, releasing it when close enough to do so.
"Come, Lingaria... Speltus, let us eat before we begin our journey with the sisters."
A smile parted Astrid's lips as she understood the power she had been granted by the White Dragon, the power that Aronus gave her. She carefully made her way down the rocky mountainside.
"My sisters... did you see that?" Astrid asked them.
Behind her, the sound of chomping and gnawing had grown louder.
"Yuck, do they have to eat like..."
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