“What a great help you are, Zlemtec. We have some hungry Dragons stirring. I’ll come down and help. It will take many arms to bring up enough for these famished Dragons,” he said patting his groaning belly.
“Sure, if you would like. I don’t mind doing it, it’s the very least I can do,” Zlemtec added.
Before his last words rang in the air, the King was next to him, grabbing up an armful of greens. Zlemtec noticed the King was looking happy this morning. He hoped he didn’t suspect anything, but it seemed his thoughts were elsewhere. By all that is Dragon, that was a close call. Zlemtec’s own belly let out a beastly growl, which brought on a roar of laughter from the King. Zlemtec joined in; it felt good to be alive this new day.
They made several flights up and down to fill the room with a banquet fitting for the return and celebration of their battle. The Dragon Warriors were slow to rise and filtered into the room handfuls at a time. The noise level had finally reached a thunderous commotion, shaking the last of the weary Dragons awake. It was time for celebration and stories of battle. Zlemtec was at last, free to sit and gorge with the rest of them.
As other hatchlings enjoyed hearing the stories of a successful battle, Zlemtec’s thoughts veered away to that small niche, surrounded by tall shrubs, nestled next to the large stand of trees at the foot of a mountain. His thoughts carried him to the place where the waters cascaded down into a sparkling stream that wound through the land where Kaida now lived. His memory sharpened on every miniscule detail.
The King had caught Zlemtec’s faraway gaze and jostled him back to the present by saying, “Zlemtec, it is far from a grand thing being in battle. Your eyes glow as if you would like to have been with us, but it is very difficult while one is in battle. You are never sure of the survival for yourself or those you cherish. I am in great hopes you will never see battle.”
“Oh King, I agree. I would much rather see a land of no battles where we all worked together. Now, it seems more possible than I had ever imagined,” Zlemtec quickly uttered.
King Mursei smiled and gave Zlemtec a light squeeze on his shoulder. He was pleased to see the worry gone from his face. He had feared Kaida’s absence would prove too difficult for the hatchling. Ever since Zlemtec had to leave Kaida behind in the bushes, he had been feeling low. As the King looked at Zlemtec, he noticed he looked renewed. Perhaps it is the successful battle? It certainly removed a lot of danger for Kaida and the Urthe peoples. He was glad Zlemtec could feel more at peace now.
Kaida awoke by a gentle shake of her shoulder. Her face still had the cast of pleasant dreams awash with a rosy glow. She yawned and opened her eyes to see the upside-down face of Molakei. She sat up with a start.
Molakei spoke first. Good new morn to you. I am Molakei, what do I call you?”
Kaida looked around before replying, “Good morn, Mo-la-kei,” she struggled to say it the same as he did. “I am Ka-i-da.”
Molakei smiled as he sat down in front of Kaida. “Rest well?”
Kaida yawned again and answered, “Ummm, yes. But why…” she started to say and then her eyes flew open wide and her words abruptly stopped. She grasped at the threads of the dream. Flying? Oh, she had flown with a Dragon. She wished she could go back to sleep and return to that wonderful dream.
Molakei gently pressed farther. “Do you know how you got here last night?”
Her eyes of river blue seemed to concentrate on his words, but she made no reply. However, she tilted her face up to the clouds and as she did, Molakei saw her face shine with such serenity, he was sure she must know.
He began very cautiously, as Kaida was easy to spook with the loud sounds and gestures of the peoples. “Do you remember a Dragon?”
She jumped up from the ground and her eyes searched the trees, sky and ground and then her face fell slack.
Molakei continued, “A Dragon came to you last night. As he flew, you used a Magic and went up in the air. He came and flew right under you, allowing you to fly with him.”
Her continence once again beamed as she blurted, “Dream?”
Molakei shook his head no.
Kaida remarked, “Fly?” and made her hand signal of moving in the air.
Molakei smiled and said “Yes, you flew.”
Kaida made a soft murmur from deep inside. Her eyes closed softly, and a smile formed on her lips. Her hand made the undulating motions of flight.
All of a sudden, she started spinning around, arms fully extended, and a new sound filled the space around the tall bushes. A tinkling, ringing sound burst out of her as she began running with arms extended and flapping up and down. “Flying,” she yelled.
Molakei sat and watched the child with her wild blonde hair streaming behind her. She had come to them frightened and reserved. She rarely talked and when she did, it was with great difficulty. He was only now beginning to understand why that may be. She had to have come from the Dragons, just as the Legend foretold.
After last night, there can be no doubt, not for anyone. The tribe of his peoples had treated her as a strangeling, an outcast, but their society rules set that they must care for even the ones that were different than themselves. He knew some did this out of their rules, some out of fear and others out of curiosity. Now, there was no doubt. She went up into the air to meet the Dragon and he swooped under her as if it were a natural occurrence. He had wondered himself if it had been real or a Spirit. The Dragon was not there and then he was! Molakei felt in his heart it was not a Spirit but a living Dragon. He must learn to communicate better with Kaida. She held the answers.
Kaida, arms still flailing at her sides, ran in circles around Molakei before she plopped onto the grass next to him, eyes sparkling like the water nearby. She looked up into Molakei’s deep brown eyes and asked, “You fly, too?”
“No.” He gestured with his hand and a sound. Molakei asked Kaida, “Do you know more like you who fly?”
Kaida was stumped. She thought to answer yes, but the more she thought about it, the less she felt that was the correct answer. She could only shrug her shoulders in answer. To her, the gesture meant she was unsure.
She watched to see if she answered well enough. She thought that she must have, because Molakei nodded in response.
Kaida told him she was hungry so the Elder Molakei stood up and helped Kaida to her feet. As they walked back to the out-dwellings, Kaida held on to his hand. Molakei could not help himself from smiling, even as others appeared and showed plainly, they were nervous around this child. Give them time, he thought, a little time to understand she brings no evil here.
He smiled at all of his peoples as they made their way through and up to his dwelling. Yes, give them time.
Kaida followed him into the dwelling, a round shelter with stone slabs for tables, a fire pit and soft pelts on the ground. The walls were covered in decorations of many animals and peoples chasing them. There were also flying Dragons fighting each other on the walls. She saw other flying things and odd shaped stars there also. She wanted to know all about him and these peoples, different from her, yet the same.
She pulled on Molakei’s hand and motioned to him that she would stay there. She nodded as she pointed to herself and the dwelling and Molakei. She stomped her foot down.
Molakei shook his head no.
Kaida repeated her motions, unsure if she made them correctly, stomped both feet and promptly sat down.
Molakei went into a quick fit of laughter. Shaking his head, he thought, she is one filled with strong determination. He would speak to his daughter about Kaida’s wishes. It would benefit her learning. It would also help him understand what he could do to help her. Most of all, it would get her away from the old women who were afraid of her. He finally shrugged his shoulders and tilted his hand back and forth. It was all he could answer right now.
Kaida however, smiled a big smile and nodded her head up and down. Molakei laughed again. He looked forward to learning what he could from her, as well as teaching her the w
ays of his peoples. Carrying trays of food for them, his daughter came in. Kaida waited until Molakei took his food, then looked to his daughter which he called her Flower Bird, after the jewel toned little bird which darted in and out of the flowers. It was only after Flower Bird took food that Kaida hungrily pushed food into her own mouth.
Molakei, Flower Bird and Kaida all made happy sounds as they shared food. Kaida felt good. Better than she could remember, except when she thought of flying. Unconsciously, she reached up and touched her necklace and held it in one hand, aware of a special warmth that flowed from it.
After having her fill, she pointed to a soft fur and Flower Bird nodded. Kaida stretched out on the fur and immediately fell asleep with a smile softly lighting her face. Flower Bird and Molakei looked on, as this strange child slept.
As Kaida slept, they talked quietly about Kaida and agreed she should live with them. This agreement made them both happy. Molakei thought it would also make Kaida happy, then he chuckled. He knew she already had made her place here. It was they who had to agree with her.
Chapter 8
Zelspar had finished his examination of Galdean. He was pleased with the progress of the healing taking place. His wings healed quickly, and the bones were setting well.
“Do you have to push down so hard, Zelspar?” Galdean asked with a grimace.
“I do if I don’t want to have my charge plummet to his death in flight,” Zelspar snapped back.
“That might feel better than your sharp claws digging into my hide,” Galdean shot back.
“Sit still, you old grumbling Dragon. I need to re-bind your chest. Your bones will not heal properly if I don’t get the bindings done correctly,” Zelspar said in exasperation.
“Can’t we just go? The stench of this place is making me sick.”
“Galdean, I would think you would be more appreciative that you are currently not amongst all of that rotting flesh,” mumbled the frustrated old White Dragon.
“I am, I am, Zelspar. But I don’t think I need the constant reminder of the dead to show my gratitude for not being down there with them.”
“I do not enjoy the putrid aroma either, I would most certainly agree to leaving.... if, and only if I feel your bones would not fail you in flight. And my dear Galdean, that is not the case. Yet.”
Galdean grumbled and resigned himself to wait, again. “How many more moon sets do I have to endure this place?”
“By all that is Dragon,” shouted Zelspar. “You make it sound as if you have been here a full cycle, can you not remember the moon sets? It has only been eleven moon sets. You are most impatient.”
“Yes, yes. You are right. I am thankful you heard the Call of my spirit and came to me. Patience has never flowed through my veins. It is this place...the shadows of death are strong here. I only desire to be away from here and back with our Hails,” he replied.
Zelspar nodded with a retreating scowl as he looked over his bindings one last time. “You are patched up, now walk to the ledge and expel a good flame or two.”
Galdean did as suggested and did not have to clutch at his ribs. “How was that you old White Dragon? No bellows of pain and no ribs ripping up your bindings. I feel like my old self again.”
“That is well my friend. It won’t be long now before you are fit for travel.” Zelspar was explaining when he saw a shadow break across the ground below.
He grabbed Galdean by the arm and guided him swiftly back into the recesses of the cave.
He held up his hand to silence Galdean’s question.
The unseen Dragon flew silent, no roars echoed through the sky. That most likely meant it was flying solo, thought Zelspar. A survivor or a scout? They had better be ready to leave soon, in case it was a scout, which most assuredly meant more Dragons were in wait. And that thought alarmed Zelspar.
When he felt it safe enough to talk in lulled tones, he told Galdean what he had spotted. He kept a firm grip of Galdean’s arm. He knew the Warrior’s instinct. Just as he thought, Galdean’s arm stiffened, ready for action. The stern look Zelspar displayed relaxed the tension flexing in his muscular arm.
Zelspar spoke. “I don’t believe we were spotted; the Dragon did not circle our location. It is just as doubtful that we could have been sniffed out due to the abundance of decaying Dragons you bring up so often. We should be safe enough, but keep your guard up, as you know we Dragons are a wily lot. Trying to outguess a Dragon has ended poorly too many times.”
About the same time as Zelspar decided to sit down, he heard a scratching sound and the sound of scattering rocks. They both went silent. The scratching sound came again, closer.
They pushed up against the dampness of the cave wall, clothed in darkness. Nostrils flared, trying to catch a scent. Zelspar’s whiskers bristled. A pair of red eyes peered around the wall of the cave, then another pair, and another!
Zelspar felt Galdean’s arms grow taunt, his muscles preparing for battle. Zelspar’s nostrils flared, inhaling the intruder’s scent.
As Galdean filled his lungs with air, Zelspar warned, “Wait! Do no harm!” He quickly wove the protection magic around them.
He pushed Galdean towards the sunbeams penetrating the front of the cave. They stood and waited.
Slowly, the three pairs of red eyes came into the light. The beast lumbered forward slowly. His three heads moved independently, studying the two Dragons in front of him, sizing them up.
“I am Wyrtregon. I have awakened.”
Zelspar’s scales prickled, in awe of the beast standing before him. He asked, “What Hail are you from, Wyrtregon?”
“I have no Hail. I am the One who resides in the Deep, or rather the fringes. You straddle precariously on the ledge, Zelspar. What you do could endanger the future of all Dragons,” he warned.
Zelspar’s eyes narrowed. “How do you know my name? Why have you come?”
“Surely you know me by now Zelspar. You are well trained and taught. You know of me. That alone will answer your questions,” Wyrtregon replied with his eyes riveted on Zelspar’s.
“The Historian,” he whispered in shock.
“That is close enough to the truth,” said Wyrtregon.
“I am known by many names. I do keep the history of Dragons, wherever they reside. I am aware of all Dragons. Therefore, I know your name and that of your companion, Galdean.”
“What do you mean by saying I could endanger our future? I have worked tirelessly in advancing the ways of Dragons,” retorted Zelspar.
“Zelspar. Do not become enraged. I do not attack you; I only give you warning. I am able to see the past in infinitely small detail. I see the present clearly, but the future only in small glimpses. You are the reason I have come out of my slumber. It was you in my Visions. It is you I must warn.”
“By all that is Dragon! Warn me of what? What must I not do? Or is it, what must I do?” the exasperated Zelspar asked.
Galdean had held still long enough. “Listen Wyrtregon. You show up and attack the integrity of my friend and give no reason for our belief in your words. Yes, even I am aware of you, the Historian. But you do not know the future, none of us can know those things.”
“Are you so sure, Galdean, the great Warrior returned from the land of the dead?” Wyrtregon sneered malevolently from his first head, leaning down to stare eye to eye.
Galdean’s skin involuntarily rippled. “Then why do you not tell Zelspar what he asked of you? What reason do you have to come to us with your accusations?”
“I make no accusations, Galdean. I bring a warning. I give the answers I have. I do not presume the answers I do not know.” Wyrtregon answered him, unfazed.
Zelspar interrupted Galdean’s questioning. “Wyrtregon. Why do you come now? We just engaged in a bloody battle in which we eradicated several Hails. It seems to me you would have come before to bring such a warning.”
“Zelspar. Your battle did not eradicate any Hails. That battle is not in your hands. You or your chosen group of
Hails have only diminished their numbers and their access to Urthe. As I have already spoken, you were in my Vision, a glimpse of the future. That is why I am here. I cannot tell you what to do or not to do, only that you must scrutinize your decisions.”
Wyrtregon continued before either could speak, “You, Zelspar are the Elder of the White Dragons. The noble Hail of which there have always been Teachers. You assist in most every decision of the Hails and your wise guidance is always sought. Listen wisely as you have in the past. Ask for guidance from the Ancestors. I cannot say more than this.”
Zelspar nodded unknowingly, as he thought then replied. “Will you be returning with us to our Hails?”
“No,” he replied simply.
Galdean was inflamed. “No? What, by all that is Dragon, does that mean? You cannot just show up, drop this dire warning and... and…”
Wyrtregon interjected, “and leave? I said I would not be returning with you to your Hails. My presence there would not change anything except perhaps, bring a great amount of alarm to your group. I am aware I presently am doing exactly that, as you can plainly see. I have rarely been seen and even more rare, interjected a warning. This is the time I must do both.”
Zelspar’s face was askew in turmoil. His thoughts were already attacking him. He had never second-guessed his decisions. He had the power of the generations of the White Dragons teachings and history directing him. He wondered; must he now re-think every nuance of every decision? He must ask the Ancestors what to do, and what they see.
Wyrtregon spoke. “It is time for you both to leave. You must return to your Hails and the Allies. Beware of Dargenoin. He too, has awakened.”
Zelspar and Galdean both jerked their heads at Wyrtregon and Zelspar questioned, “Have you seen Dargenoin? Where is he?”
“I have seen of him but more importantly, I have felt his ploys in the Weavers of the Strings. He sets about to change Destiny. He is the Chaos, the Deceiver and is still meddling in Dragon affairs. He is present and watchful. Be on guard, always. I can no more describe him as you could have tried to describe me, except by works. I have learned from the past. When One is called, the Other is also. This is the order of things.”
The Legend of the Dragon Child Page 11
