He dropped her from five feet up, but this time when Jahrra hit the ground she got up much quicker than before, taking Jaax by surprise. The dragon began to lift up once again on his hind legs, but before he could get his front legs into the air, Jahrra swung her branch with all her strength. The hard wood cracked against one of his left knuckles, and to Jahrra’s surprise and horror, a scale went flying off.
“Oh no! Jaax, I’m sorry!”
She dropped the branch and backed away, worried that he’d be furious. But the dragon merely shook his front foot as if to stop the stinging.
“Ha, don’t worry. That scale has been loose for weeks.”
The dragon’s scowling mood was suddenly gone, and in its place Jahrra could almost detect a hint of approval. “You did well. You caught me by surprise and actually made contact. Unfortunately, if I were truly an unfriendly dragon, you’d be dead by now, but we’ll worry about that later.”
He smiled and Jahrra felt her strained muscles ease a little.
“Jahrra, go pick up that scale you knocked off and bring it over here.”
The scale wasn’t hard to find. It glinted with the blue, green and gold that made up the hue of all of Jaax’s scales. Jahrra picked it up out of the grass and looked at it. It was heavier than she’d anticipated and fit nicely in the small center of her palm. If she didn’t know any better she would’ve said it was a glittering stone she happened upon in the field. After admiring it for awhile, Jahrra brought it back over to the waiting dragon.
“What will you do with it?” she asked as she dropped the small scale into Jaax’s opened paw.
“I’ll find a use for it,” he said. “Maybe the elves of the north can reattach it for me. Now, we’d better head to Aldehren, there is someone waiting to meet you.”
Jahrra was glad to see that Jaax was no longer as disagreeable as he’d been earlier that morning, and she was even starting to feel more relaxed and optimistic. Maybe the loose scale had been bothering him and she’d actually helped him by removing it. Whether that was the reason for his sudden easy mood or not, she didn’t care. She was just glad of the change.
Jaax watched as Jahrra went and collected Phrym from the edge of the clearing, his hard eyes dark with thought. She reminded him of someone he once knew, long ago, someone just as stubborn and just as unrelenting. It would be a long while yet, however, before the Tanaan dragon realized just how similar the two were.
For now, he needed to focus on her improvement. She had so much to learn. She had to become stronger, that was a must, and more flexible. Her reflexes needed improvement and her archery needed to be fine-tuned. She had to learn how to wield a sword, and although she rode quite well, she needed to become even better in the saddle. Perhaps she was too young to begin these brutal and trying lessons, but Jaax knew that it couldn’t be helped; the sooner she learned how to survive the unthinkable, the better.
Jaax shook himself like a horse shaking off a shiver of unease. This whole process of delaying his busy schedule to check in on Jahrra had been a thorn in his side, and his patience had been worn thin by it. It had also saddened him in a way. He had always meant to have a greater part in Jahrra’s life, that is, until other matters came up; matters outside of Oescienne that were so much more urgent than helping Hroombra raise a child. This in turn had angered him, for some of these issues could’ve been dealt with by someone else, and some of them, well, some of them Jaax hadn’t anticipated on happening so soon.
Oescienne may be resting peacefully on the other side of the great Elornn and Thorbet Mountains, but outside of the province it was a different story. Although the signs were not obvious, it was apparent that the world was growing restless. For several years now, the wandering tribes of Rhiim and eastern Felldreim had been joining together, creating bands of warring criminals, raiding and attacking isolated villages. What was more disturbing, Jaax thought ruefully, was fresh news of the Tyrant’s soldiers and mercenaries being spotted as far west as the Aandhoul Plain. Several years ago he’d heard of scouts and spies being spotted here and there, but now he was seeing troops of men on the move with his own eyes. Has Cierryon somehow found out about Jahrra? Could he know where she is?
The dragon squeezed his eyes shut, as if doing this would push the worries from his mind. He forced a blistering breath from his nostrils and opened them again with weariness. I must focus on Jahrra while I have the time to do so. I can think about everything else later. Including the dreams he had been having lately . . . Later, he reminded himself with determined vigor.
He looked over at the girl, now sitting patiently atop Phrym. He smiled and finally let his qualms melt away for now. He’d been impressed with the way she caught him off guard on her third attempt to attack him. Perhaps she isn’t hopeless after all.
He grinned more purposefully as he thought about her reaction to his crude derision the day before. Most children would fear him or, in the case of her friends, be in awe of him, but not Jahrra. He had written it off as a bad attitude, a lack of discipline on Hroombra’s part, but now that he gave it some genuine thought, he was starting to see that her will and her pride were much stronger than he’d previously believed. At least now I have one less thing to worry about, he mused, his anxiety dissolving a little. But now she has to learn how to use those assets against her foes, even though she won’t face them for some time . . . At least, he hoped she wouldn’t have to face them for some time.
The young dragon directed Jahrra to the road and on towards Aldehren. Jahrra led Phrym ahead of him without argument, and Jaax paused only long enough to watch them in the glow of early morning.
“Someday,” he whispered to his surroundings as the semequin and the girl moved out of earshot. “Someday, you can know the truth of what you are, Jahrra, but not now, not yet.”
-
Chapter Eighteen -
The Elves of Dhonoara
The normally short trip down the Sloping Hill took longer than expected, what with Jahrra and Jaax stopping every now and then along the way to greet familiar faces. Jahrra couldn’t resist saying hello to the mailman, Mr. Dharedth, whom she hadn’t seen since she started riding Phrym to school.
“Jahrra! My how you’ve grown! You look a full foot taller than last time I saw you.” His kind eyes crinkled in amusement. “How old are you now?”
“Eleven,” Jahrra answered proudly.
“You don’t say . . .” the mailman mused. “She’s gonna be a tall one, that girl,” he added to Jaax. “Say . . .” Dharedth said, looking at the dragon more closely, “you don’t look like Master Hroombra. Jahrra, who’s your friend here?”
“Oh,” Jahrra said in surprise, forgetting that Jaax only ever visited her and Hroombra. “This is Jaax. He doesn’t visit often.”
“Huh, well it’s a pleasure to meet you. Jaax is it? I go by Dharedth. How do you do?” Dharedth didn’t seem intimidated by Jaax one bit, and Jahrra was glad of this. The mailman was used to seeing Hroombra, so the sight of a dragon wasn’t as shocking as it would’ve been to anybody else, she decided.
“I’m glad to meet you, and I’m well.” Jaax cast a firm glance at Jahrra before continuing in a rather diplomatic manner, “I wish we could stay and chat, but we have an important meeting in town.”
“Oh, I best be off now too. You two may have the day off, but we delivery folk don’t. Have a nice day.” He waved cheerily as he clicked his old horse on down the road.
“You too!” Jahrra called after the clattering mail cart. She stopped smiling when she turned and saw the look on Jaax’s face.
He spoke before she could give his serious gaze any more thought.
“Jahrra, the lessons you’ll be receiving and those who’ll be training you must be kept a secret. You cannot tell anyone about them. And in case you’re thinking of telling the whole world just to upset me, remember that this request comes from Hroombra as well. Luckily your mailman friend wasn’t overly curious, but in case we see anyone else they’ll receive the
same explanation I gave him.”
Jahrra risked another look at him, but when she saw more than just sternness and no trace of smugness in his gaze, she quickly focused her attention on the road straight ahead and nodded in subtle obedience. Had that been fear she saw behind Jaax’s stony green eyes? Fear or not, Jahrra could see that this issue was very important to the dragon. As much as she disliked him, however, she felt that on this matter it would be best to do as she was told, no questions asked.
Jahrra cleared her throat as they came to the bottom of the hill and said, more to disrupt the awkward silence than anything else, “So these lessons are going to be like my Kruelt lessons? Top secret?”
Jaax didn’t answer for a while so Jahrra shot him a sideways glance. He was smiling, though his eyes were trained keenly on the path ahead.
“So,” he drawled, “Hroombra has finally started teaching you the language of the dragons.”
Jahrra nodded. “Do you speak it?”
“Tehna.”
Jahrra’s heart skidded to a halt. She knew tehna meant yes, but she was suddenly terrified Jaax was about to start speaking to her in Draggish.
As if reading her thoughts, the dragon said “Shall we continue the conversation in Kruelt?”
“No,” Jahrra said too quickly.
She immediately flushed. Now she was going to have to tell Jaax just how much of a challenge the language was for her. One more point against me, she thought miserably.
She was surprised when he answered, “Very well, another day perhaps.”
Jahrra had been so absorbed in their conversation that she was surprised to look up and see a crossroads ahead marked by a crude sign. The arrow that pointed eastward read Aldehr Lake & Edyadth and the one that pointed northward read Raenyan Wilders & Glordienn. She remembered taking the eastern road when she and her friends went to Aldehr Lake once, but Jaax motioned her to lead Phrym down the northern road this time.
“I thought we were going into Aldehren,” she commented, her voice overtaking the soft plodding of dragon’s feet and horse’s hooves and the delicate swish of Phrym’s tail.
Jaax waited a long while before answering, “We’re not going into the city but to the home of two elves, Viornen and his wife, Yaraa. They’re old friends of mine and just happen to be excellent trainers in the arts of combat. They can teach you basic defense and attack maneuvers, fine tune your horsemanship and perfect your archery.”
Then his grim mouth tweaked into a tiny grin. “Not to mention, they’re the only people in this province that I can trust with this task.”
Jahrra blinked at him and secretly wondered if Jaax truly trusted anyone. But elves! she thought with a thrill.
The path they now followed ran snuggly along the base of a range of steep hillocks. Jahrra looked around warily and frowned, despite the bright sunshine warming her skin. The trees along the dreary road appeared to be sick with a cold and the empty wood and its depressed surroundings would surely turn away any traveler that happened by; except for one girl and the dragon following her of course.
Well, this path sure goes well with Jaax’s personality. My new trainer is probably just as bad as he is. Jahrra thought with a sigh, forgetting the wondrous images of magical elves she had envisioned earlier. She tried with all her might to make light of the situation, but she simply couldn’t find anything pleasant to look at, even the occasional lizard or bird was dull and comatose.
They continued down the trail for another half hour or so and gradually the intermittent oaks became so crowded that any light making its way through the thick canopy was stopped before it could reach the ground. These trees, Jahrra noticed, looked less depressed than the others, but she was convinced it was only her imagination. A few more turns around the dusty lane proved her wrong, however, when they came upon a bright cottage tucked back into a secluded gully.
Jahrra gaped in surprise, astounded at the contrast the cheery white house made against its boring surroundings. It was a single storied place, constructed of stone and topped with a red wood pole roof. There was smoke of a peculiar purplish color rising out of the tall chimney, and the front door, a rich blue in color, was open to a stone path that led out onto the road.
Window boxes, painted to match the door, overflowed with flowers, and a trail of herbs, vegetables and wildflowers complimented the white fence surrounding the entire place. Glittering sunlight, looking like beams of golden magic, spilled through a great gap in the leaves of the tall oaks, giving Jahrra the impression of a fairy cottage she’d once seen illustrated in one of Hroombra’s books.
“I’ll approach first,” Jaax spoke, jolting Jahrra from her quiet survey. “Yaraa and Viornen know me, and they’re wary about strangers.” He turned to gaze down at her. “That’s why they live so far away from town.”
Jahrra nodded numbly and watched as Jaax casually approached the beautiful little cabin. She finally felt at ease when a man and woman came out of the charming setting and approached the dragon peacefully. They were too far away for Jahrra to get a good look, so she busied herself with soaking up the enchanted scene while she waited. She raked her eyes over their small but impressive garden, picking out the plants she knew. She detected the fragrance of jasmine floating on the air, brushed aside every now and again by the smell of something wonderful cooking inside: a savory blend of roasting poultry and sweet, fresh bread. Her mouth watered against her will and she longed to climb down from Phrym and stretch out her legs, but she feared if she moved it would cause this wonderful place to disappear back into the dreary wood.
Several fat, mottled chickens wandered around in the yard clucking contently and looking for grubs. They were guarded by a watchful, grey-speckled rooster that gave her an accusing glare. A ruddy colored sow and her piglets ran by making quite a racket and kicking up dust off of the dry road. The family of pigs was trailed by a scraggly gray deer hound that seemed to find endless joy in harassing them. Jahrra smiled as the noisy bunch hustled by, completely ignoring the marble-gray semequin and his rider.
Jaax turned his head then to look back in Jahrra’s direction. She saw him and quickly straightened in the saddle. She tried to look attentive, but the dreamy atmosphere made it hard to do so. It was almost as if this small house and its surroundings had been enveloped in some sort of magical bubble. It glowed with enchantment while the trees, hill and road nearby seemed to be sleeping under a cloak of dust and grime.
Jahrra kept her eyes on Jaax, hoping he would signal what she should do next. After several minutes of gazing directly at her without so much as blinking, he gave a single nod, letting her know it was safe to approach. She led Phrym slowly towards the edge of the path where the dragon and the two elves stood. She felt a strange tingling over her skin as she moved closer to the cabin, and she thought she could hear faint singing in the corners of her mind. She shook her head and focused on reaching Jaax, wondering if Phrym was being affected in the same way she was.
Once Jahrra moved closer to the couple, she could see that there was no mistaking them as elves. The man was slight and shorter than most adults she knew, and the woman was just the same. They both had dark green-brown eyes and long, rich brown hair that shone like gold. The man had his hair pulled back neatly into a ponytail and the woman’s was fashioned into a long braid. They both stood attentive with their hands clasped behind their backs, the sharp features of their faces looking rather statuesque. If Jahrra had to guess their ages, she wouldn’t know what to presume. The couple looked younger than middle-aged, but being elves they could be hundreds or even thousands of years old.
“Jahrra, this is Viornen and Yaraa, and you’ll refer to them as Master Viornen and Mastress Yaraa. They’ll be your trainers for your new defense lessons.” Jaax nodded to each of them in turn.
Jahrra slid off of Phrym, not wanting to be disrespectful, and approached the two elves timidly.
“Nice to meet you. I hope to learn a lot from you.”
The pair smiled brightl
y, and Jahrra relaxed a little.
“We’re pleased to meet you, Jahrra,” Yaraa said in a melodious voice. “We’ve heard so much about you.”
She gave a welcoming gesture with her arm, the white sleeve of her simple cotton shirt fluttering with the movement.
Jahrra smiled again and gave a slight curtsey, something she felt odd doing in leather pants and an old stained, tattered tunic.
“We’re eager to train you in the old ways Jahrra. We haven’t had this opportunity in many years.” Viornen spoke this time, his kind voice just as musical as his wife’s.
Jahrra took a minute to wonder if this was an effect of the magic surrounding this place, but grew attentive when Jaax spoke again, using his most commanding voice, “As I have told you, Viornen and Yaraa are true elves, something that is not too common in these parts. You may also have noticed that they have inherited the gift of magic. It is used to help keep their home hidden. If the wrong people found out about them there could be trouble, so I want to stress the importance of keeping these lessons secret, even from your closest friends. They may mean no harm, but like I said, if the wrong people were to find out. . .”
Jaax let the end of his sentence hang in the enchanted air. He gave Jahrra another one of his steady, intrusive glares and Jahrra knew that he was serious. The grave faces of the two elves only supported the dragon’s words and not for the first time Jahrra wondered about these secret lessons. She also wondered why these elves were hiding out in the first place. Surely they wouldn’t be shunned in town? She took a deep breath and nodded to the dragon and her new trainers, signaling to them that she understood.
Suddenly, the intense mood was interrupted by an explosion of noise. Three young children, the spitting images of the two adults, came bursting through the front door of the cabin. Jahrra watched as two girls and one boy went tearing around the corner of the yard after the lazy chickens, which instantly became alive with terror. The dog that Jahrra had seen earlier trailed after them, barking and chasing the chickens in a playful ruckus.
The Finding Page 28
