“Yes, that’s very true,” Zoran’s voice replied.
Zoran? What was he doing here? How had he even gotten here? I turned my head and saw his impressive figure standing next to Revan, Bernardus, Flora, Lilith and Marc. What were they all doing here? Lilith came towards me and kneeled. She helped me to sit up straight, then pulled the knife out of my side and pressed her hands against the bleeding wound.
“That should heal fast. You can also use the power and the energy of the earth to heal faster and to stop the bleeding,” she said to me.
I wasn’t certain if I would heal that fast, but still tried to draw some strength from the earth with my mind. It helped a bit. The bleeding stopped reasonably quickly.
“I think it’ll be better if you check up on the wolf, Flora,” Revan said.
She walked towards Jon and examined him thoroughly.
“How?” I asked Lilith without making a sound.
“I don’t know the full story, but let’s just say we’ve broken a couple of rules to get here. We’ve broken at least as many rules as you have.”
Oh, right. I had broken several rules in the meantime. I looked at Zoran and tried to read his facial expression, wondering if I was in trouble. His expression was as hard as steel. He seemed to be disapproving but I thought he was condemning what Anton and Chrystal had done. In the meantime, Flora had finished examining Jon.
“He’s alright. He’ll recover. I don’t need to heal him magically,” Flora informed.
“Normally, the wolves aren’t my business at all. However, this is my business now because Tatiana is a dragon, and she’s connected to a wolf. Another wolf has wounded her, along with trying to kill her,” Zoran announced.
He seemed to speak to the crowd, which had gathered around us and was buzzing with noise.
“Flora, can you tell me if it’s allowed for us to keep those two wolves in custody until we get to know the full story?” Zoran asked Flora.
Apparently, Zoran didn’t know the rules and the laws of the wolves at all. Shape-shifters – and therefore wolves as well – actually only knew one punishment: banishment. But maybe he did know the rules and just wanted to know the full story before the decision was made to exile them.
“Actually, there’s enough proof already to banish them. I can transfer the power of the alpha to someone else. I also have the authorisation to exile them,” Flora answered.
Normally, Capital druids never interfered in cases or quarrels of shape-shifters, but they did have the final word. In this case, Flora could execute her authority.
“Very well. Do that. Then it’ll happen according to the laws of the shape-shifters,” Zoran agreed.
Flora walked towards Chrystal and placed her hand against Chrystal’s forehead. Chrystal was terrified. Nobody had ever been banished like this. Flora used her magic to suppress Chrystal’s wolf side. She would never be able to make Crystal fully human, but she could ensure Chrystal would never be able to transform into a wolf again by suppressing that side of her. Jon crawled towards me.
“Who are they?” he asked me when he was next to me.
Lilith still sat next to me and decided to answer his question and introduce the others. She told him Bernardus and Revan were mountain druids, and that Flora was a Capital druid, which Jon had probably figured out already. She also told him she was a fire dragon, and that Zoran was a giant dragon and the dragon leader.
“Is Tatiana in trouble then?” was Jon’s next question.
“I don’t think so. She has broken some rules though, but she has saved a couple of dragons by doing so. She’s also the only dragon ever who has escaped the hunters. That’s very special.”
Flora had finished suppressing Chrystal’s wolf side. She directed her attention to Anton now.
“I need someone who can be the alpha, so someone who’s family of the current alpha,” Flora announced to the crowd.
Annebel came forward. “Avalon is next in line to become the alpha. However, he isn’t experienced enough to take on that responsibility right now. Therefore, I’m the only eligible person,” she answered.
I tried to figure out what she was doing. Why would she cooperate so easily? Actually, no one had protested much. I did know shape-shifters obeyed the Capital druids, but I had thought the wolves would grumble more. Flora took Anton and Annebel’s hands and transferred the alpha power from Anton to Annebel.
“Avalon will still be the next in line to become alpha until we can find a solution for that problem. If anything happens to you, Avalon will automatically become alpha,” Flora informed.
She released the hands of Anton and Annebel and then placed her hand on Anton’s forehead, now magically suppressing Anton’s wolf side. Annebel came towards Jon and me and extended her hand to help me stand up. Jon and Lilith also stood up.
“Are you okay, Tatiana?” Annebel asked me.
I nodded. I still had some pain, but I wasn’t bleeding anymore. I’d eventually heal fully.
Flora finished suppressing Anton’s wolf side. “You two will be banished forever from now on,” she said.
She sounded very resolute. The two wolves paved their way through the crowd. They hardly dared to look up, keeping their gazes low. This was their shame. They had gotten what they deserved.
“Good, can someone finally tell me the whole story now that has been taken care of?” Zoran asked.
“I believe I’ll be able to tell you most of the story. It’ll be better if we go inside. It’s quite a story, so this can take a while,” Jon responded.
“I’d like to hear that story as well actually,” Annebel reacted.
“Of course,” Jon agreed.
“And for the rest of you: go back to work!” Annebel ordered the wolves.
Actually, she wasn’t such a bad replacement alpha. I thought she was way better than Anton. Jon took my hand, and together we walked towards our house. Annebel, the dragons, and the druids followed us. Once inside, Jon waited until everyone had found a place to sit or stand. He told them everything. He told us about his youth, when he and his sister Lena had been abused since their mother had passed away. He told us about the contract dictating he should have become linked to Chrystal. He also told how we had met each other and become friends.
“Tatiana came to the mountains after that?” Revan interrupted Jon.
“Yes, indeed, and she saved my and my sister’s life when I saw her the next time. My father wanted Tatiana to stay here, a wish she has fulfilled. We’re linked now. Today, she had suddenly disappeared, but I felt her panic and her pain. I also felt where she was. I organised a rescue team consisting of Corneel – who’s also a wolf – my brother Marc, and myself,” Jon answered.
“We already know about Marc. Somehow, he and Tatiana ran across Bernardus and that way they all ended up at Flora’s place,” Revan continued the story.
Flora and Bernardus confirmed that.
“We also know the rest of the story. Tatiana felt Avalon’s pain when he was getting whipped and wanted to help him. Because of her connection to Avalon, I don’t think she had any other choice actually,” Zoran concluded.
“What’s going on? Dragons are being captured in huge numbers, and shape-shifters are fighting each other while the mountain druids and the Capital druids are too busy bickering with one another,” Lilith said, speaking her thoughts aloud.
She had finally spoken the thoughts which had been bothering me for a while. Apparently, she had ousted a known problem because none of the druids, nor Zoran seemed taken aback. Lilith looked at her brother with a questioning and surprised expression.
“What do you know that I don’t?” she asked.
“We’re on the verge of a new war; actually, for a while already. We’ve been on the brink of one since Iljas’ daughter was captured. And Iljas’ death afterwards didn’t improve the situation,” Zoran answered.
I remembered the story Zoran had told me about the previous dragon leader Iljas. Involuntarily, I glanced at the scar
on Zoran’s face; it had never healed properly. I wondered what had happened exactly because dragons usually healed perfectly.
“The problems which had caused that war have actually never been solved properly. We still have the same issues and prejudices. Therefore, there’s still an equal amount of hate,” Bernardus reacted.
I had gotten that impression as well. There had been a war, but it had mostly been fought in The Capitals, especially The Fourth Capital. I hadn’t gotten the impression a lot had improved since.
“Those brooms are just too conservative and too stubborn to change anything,” Revan responded.
Oh, no. Would the two mountain druids begin quarrelling again? Why had Revan even mentioned this? Especially because Flora was involved in this discussion. She and Bernardus both looked at Revan. They were shocked and angry.
“I think that’s just the problem, Revan,” Lilith said.
I absolutely agreed with her. She seemed to mirror my thoughts exactly.
“Maybe it’s a stupid idea, but perhaps we can show it can be done differently, and that we can all live together,” Jon suggested.
That wasn’t such a bad idea actually. I knew what he meant. I had been raised in a mixed community and my dad was a lynx – a Higher – while my mother was a bear – a Lower. Besides that, I also had Flora as kind of a member of my family, and I was a dragon now who was connected to a wolf – a higher shape-shifter. I was the example of the fact anything was possible. Revan stared at Flora like he expected something from her.
“Revan, I had expected more of you. I thought you understood these prejudices only make the situation worse. You don’t think it’s possible for all the shape-shifters to live together in The Capitals like the dragons do in the mountains, do you? There’s less space in The Capitals, while there are more shape-shifters than dragons,” Flora snarled at Revan.
Ouch. That was painful for him. I hoped the druids wouldn’t start debating this issue right now. They were actually the same, despite the differences between them. They should protect the shape-shifters and the dragons from the humans, but they were indeed too busy insulting and fighting each other. The humans were actually our only enemy, but we were now more each other’s enemy since we constantly put each other in danger.
“Stop. Save these stupid political discussions for another time. The dragons basically need to fight the humans without any help. The mountain druids alone can’t protect us anymore,” Zoran interrupted.
He gave the three druids each an angry and stern look.
“I’m pretty sure the shape-shifters are also on the verge of war. A lot has happened since, and the situation may explode any moment now. It has just become worse, especially the last few years. I know what’s happening outside the wolf community,” Annebel added.
I mostly didn’t understand this whole system at all; it was confusing and complicated. I thought it could be made easier and done differently and apparently, there were others who shared my opinion.
“Honestly, there’s a lot wrong with this system but it won’t just get solved that easily,” Flora admitted.
“That’s why it will be better to start showing we can all live together – lower and higher shape-shifters. But shape-shifters can also integrate into the society of the dragons. In the meantime, the mountain druids and the Capital druids can finally settle their quarrels,” Annebel pleaded.
Everyone seemed to agree with that. I wondered if all of us could make a difference. Everyone was represented during this conversation – lower shape-shifters, higher shape-shifters, mountain druids, Capital druids, and dragons – but only Zoran actually had some influence.
“I think it will all depend on Tatiana,” Bernardus thought aloud.
Huh? Me? Why would everything depend on me? Jon noticed my fear and wrapped his arm around my waist to pull me closer.
“Why? Why Tatiana?” Jon asked.
Jon and I were apparently the only ones who didn’t understand this because the rest looked at us in a weird way. Apparently, they thought it was logical what Bernardus had said.
“She’s the example that we can all live together. She quickly adapts and fits in everywhere. She’s already kind of a legend,” Annebel answered.
Me? A legend? Why was I notorious? What had I done? Everyone looked weirdly at Annebel now, except for Flora.
“Does nobody know the story of her parents? I wasn’t certain at first if it was really her, but I am now. She even realised a lot herself apparently. Everyone will know who she is, and a lot of people will listen to her when they hear what she has achieved herself,” Annebel explained.
“She’s also the only dragon ever who has escaped the hunters, but we can ensure the dragons will definitely obey her. We can ensure they will have no other choice but to listen to her,” Zoran added.
Jon, Annebel, and I all looked in a questioning manner at Zoran. We were confused.
“No. That can never happen. That’s not possible. The risk is too big,” Flora protested before anyone else could say or do anything.
Thirty
What? What had Zoran meant? I was totally confused now and unable to follow.
“Can someone explain what you’re talking about?” Jon asked.
He sounded rather frustrated. He probably was since the majority seemed to understand the topic currently being discussed while he didn’t.
“If Tatiana also gets connected to Zoran, they’ll have a mental connection. A second engagement is almost never done because it’s too risky,” Bernardus explained.
“The Capital druids are especially opposed to this idea,” Revan added.
He seemed to blame Flora for protesting.
“Have you forgotten I’ve grown up with Tatiana’s mom? Tatiana is practically family. She’s way too young to even have one engagement, let alone two,” Flora snarled at him.
“I’m also at risk to become mad and develop mental problems. Besides, she can probably handle more than we all think. Lilith has told me she forced herself to transform while being seriously injured,” Zoran reacted.
I didn’t know if Zoran had already been connected to someone, but he seemed to imply so. A connection was mentally and physically very heavy, that was why shape-shifters and dragons couldn’t be too young. What would be the effect of a second engagement? I could imagine I would get torn apart from the inside and slowly lose my mind. I would slowly become completely deranged. Zoran looked directly at me now.
“It’s your decision, Tatiana. Avalon only needs to give his consent.”
What? I looked in confusion at Jon. I was pretty sure he’d agree when I would. However, this was still very dangerous. I also didn’t know how he felt about this, nor what his opinion was on the matter.
“Before I give permission, I want to have clarification on how this will affect Tatiana and if it might have effects on me.”
Bernardus explained that the connection between Zoran and me would be mostly mental, so we’d be able to telepathically communicate with each other while the connection between Jon and I was a combination of a physical and mental one.
Next, Revan clarified all the risks. He confirmed my thoughts it might be far too heavy to bear for either Zoran or myself. Even Flora provided some additional information, which surprised me.
“I might be able to make it lighter. I can use elemental magic, so the connection won’t be too much for either of them,” Flora said.
The other two druids gave her a questioning look. They were also surprised she had added that.
“Tatiana is very closely connected to the earth. I can link the engagement to that element,” she explained.
She was right. I didn’t know if she had noticed, but I seemed capable of manipulating the earth more than other earth dragons. The earth itself had even tried to protect me. I tried to read Jon. I still didn’t really understand why I would be the only one able to change anything but if that were the case, I wanted to try to change the situation. I only wondered if Jon ag
reed. He gave my hand a short squeeze. I felt he was uncomfortable and nervous about the situation, but he trusted me. I nodded to say I would cooperate.
“I think it’ll be better if I do this at my place because I’ll need to use some objects,” Flora announced.
“Lilith, return to the mountains with Bernardus and Revan. I’ll first go to The Capitals with Flora, Tatiana, and Avalon,” Zoran ordered.
She immediately obeyed and stood up. The two mountain druids also stood up, and the three of them left the house.
“What will happen to Avalon, Flora?” Annebel asked.
“I don’t think he’ll be able to stay here. It’ll be better if he stays with Tatiana, and she definitely can’t stay here. I think it’ll be best for everyone if Tatiana stays in The Capitals. Then she’ll be close to the dragons and the mountain druids, and I’ll also be able to help her. We still don’t really understand how she successfully transformed while she was injured so badly.”
Flora looked at Zoran for a moment to ask for his permission. He was still the person who should make the decisions for the dragons. Zoran nodded.
“Avalon can still be the backup alpha and remain the next in line to become the alpha. When any of Anton’s other children are old enough, they might be able to take over the alpha power from you and become the alpha. When they have children, they’ll automatically become the next in line to become the alpha. But until that time, it’ll be better if Avalon keeps that position,” Flora continued.
She spoke directly to Annebel. I didn’t really know what Jon and Annebel thought about the matter. Everything would change for them and for the wolf community. Would they be able to accept this? Jon seemed to notice I was worrying because he squeezed my hand to comfort me. Annebel didn’t answer, she only produced a sound of confirmation. I stared after her as she left the house. I couldn’t help being worried. I wondered what would become of her, Lena, and Marc. But I cared too much; it wasn’t my problem.
“Avalon, I think it’ll be best if you refresh yourself a bit before we leave to head to The Capitals. We must cover quite some distance, and we need to make sure to arrive in The Seventh Capital before the evening,” Flora announced.
Dragon Dream Page 22
