by Sarah Hite
The kids were fascinated. They sat with Pai and watched from a distance as the egg began to shake more violently. It soon cracked in the center where the veins met. Slowly the cracks spread around the egg in different directions until they reached each other on the opposite side. The pieces fell apart and the group caught their breath. The hatchling that stood amidst the shell fragments was completely black from head to toe. Only the egg tooth on the top of the hatchling’s nose, claws, horns, and teeth were another color; they shone bright white against its black hide. Moon lowered her head to inspect the newborn. Other than the color of her hide, she seemed unusually small, and resembled the Mountain breed. She was covered in slime and did not make a sound; she just turned her head to look up at Moon. After a moment she rubbed her head against her, smearing slime across her leg. Then she curled up in the hole and fell asleep, barely visible in the darkness.
Moon removed the shells and began to clean the hatchling off. The others returned to bed talking about the hatchling. Pai told Lukair to get some sleep as well; he would take the rest of his watch. Since he had the next one it would not be a problem for him.
The next morning Ania was up early. She had been too excited to sleep and got up to get a better look at the hatchling. She was curled in the same place she had been the night before. As they had thought, she was completely black but there was a deep violet undertone to her scales. The egg tooth shone brightly in the early light. Moon had curled up around her like a living wall but, at the sound of Ania’s approach, the hatchling looked up. She looked over at Ania with deep blue eyes that seemed to see right through to her very soul.
Her movement woke Moon, who arched her neck to look over at the hatchling. She examined the little one more closely. She was small for a Mountain dragon; then again, her sire had been a Forest dragon, and both Moon and her mate were small for their breeds, so perhaps she was just going to be small. As it was, she was barely eighteen inches long. The rest of the group was beginning to wake now and Pai came back from watch with a small doe. The herd had walked right up to him, and he knew the hatchling would be hungry, so he grabbed the one nearest to him. Moon tore a chunk of meat from it and gave it to the youngster. Then she ate the rest herself while the kids broke camp. There would be no flying today.
Close Call
They made slow progress over the next week. The hatchling had stayed close to Moon for the first few days, but her timidity soon wore off, making traveling difficult. She proved to be very curious and quite fearless. She would often stop to look at or examine something, and even take off after an animal of some kind she wanted to investigate. This made them all crazy, especially Moon, who received the worst of it, and for this reason Moon had named her Shaelynn. It had been the name of a dragon she had known when she herself had been a hatchling; the two dragons were very similar. Shaelynn was also very quiet, so quiet that no one would notice her stop or leave the group; this of course caused Moon no end of grief. They would have to stop and backtrack to find her.
On one of these instances, they lost all progress they had made that week. When she wanted to be, Shaelynn proved she could be quite fast, and she was so small she could easily slip into the underbrush without being noticed. She bolted after a rabbit and chased it halfway back to the river. Now lost, she panicked and made the situation worse by running farther downriver at top speed. She finally stopped outside a small town, where she curled up in the shadows of several large boulders.
Moon tried not to panic herself, as she and Pai searched from the sky. The kids had split up and gone different directions. Lorex and Tyanna went west while Stone and Lukair went southeast. Ania and Flame decided to follow the river and work their way back up through the woods. They followed it until it turned west by a small town.
The town was alive with the preparations for a festival. They observed it for a moment. There were three gates; each gate was centered between two pillars. These pillars were built into a ten-foot wall that wrapped around the village, preventing anyone from coming in but through the gates. The kids entered through the main gate and hoped Shaelynn had not come this far or entered the town. A loud clatter interrupted them as they stood just inside the gates talking. One of the workers had dropped a stack of brightly colored metal platters that were being strung up as decorations.
The ruckus woke Shaelynn. She looked up and around for the source of the noise. Instead, she saw Flame and Ania as they moved away from the entrance, walking their horses through the crowd. She crept out from under the stones and ran for the gate. She snuck in behind an incoming wagon and crept toward them in the shadow of the wall. As she passed a post where several horses were tied, the animals caught her scent and shied away, attracting attention. She scurried away and out of sight, quickly diving in the shadows of a side street.
Ania turned to see what had startled the animals. She saw nothing and turned back before she followed Flame down a side road. They were headed for the eastern gate at the other side of town. Suddenly, Ania felt something bump her leg. She looked down and stared at Shaelynn, who had caught up with them. She nuzzled her again, and Ania told Flame to turn off into a quiet alley. Once they had he asked her what was up. She realized Shaelynn must be deliberately hiding. She looked at him with a small smile and said, “We have a problem.”
At that moment Shaelynn showed herself and he understood. Ania pulled some dried meat from one of the saddle bags. She turned to give it to Shaelynn, who had been five feet away but found her at her feet. She gave the tiny dragon the meat, stepped around her, and walked over to Flame. He smiled as Shaelynn followed at her heels. “Well,” he said. “I don’t think we’ll have a problem losing her.” Ania threw him an irritated glare and led her horse down the alley.
They made the next three blocks without incident. Shaelynn stayed in the shadows as much as possible. She could hide when necessary, but could not stay hidden for long. She quickly grew tired and spent less and less time invisible. Ania kept a close eye on the house-cat-sized reptilian and stopped when Shaelynn began to fall behind. “Flame, hold up.”
He turned to see what the problem was and watched as Shaelynn slowly walked down the alley. Ania went to her and took the little dragon in her arms. She was breathing heavily and her deep blue eyes were half closed. “She’s exhausted.” Ania looked over at Flame; he looked concerned. “How will we get her across town?”
They still needed to cross the town’s market square and pass the central businesses, then they would have a clear shot for several blocks. They wanted to reach a cluster a houses, which were all connected by a tall privacy fence that ran through the whole block. This fence continued down the street until it stopped by the wall. It was segmented in order to allow the streets and alleys to pass through. They had hoped they could use the fence to hide Shaelynn, but with her half asleep in Ania’s arms?
Flame fingered his beard, and Ania could tell he was thinking. He took down his pack and rummaged through it. After a moment he pulled out a small blanket, just large enough to warm one’s legs. He threw the pack back onto his saddle and lifted the blanket. He held it over one arm and his shoulder. “Here, give her to me.”
Ania looked skeptical but slowly transferred her to his arms. “It’s all right, little one,” she crooned as she squeaked and squirmed. “Sleep now. We’ll be back with Mother soon.” She spoke as if she were speaking to a human child in case someone got curious; she watched as Flame wrapped her up like a human infant. He handed the ‘baby’ back to her and asked if she wanted to ride. She shook her head and carried Shaelynn down the street; Flame guided the horses.
“Well, well, well, what do we have here?” a man asked. “Where do you two think you’re off to this evening?”
Ania looked up from checking the blanket and looked directly into the face of a soldier wearing silver chain-mail under a black tunic bearing a gold lion: the Duke’s sigil. Flame answered his question. “We’re on our way to visit my parents.”
“Re
ally?” The captain replied, “What for?”
He gestured at Ania and answered, “You see, my wife and I just had our first child. We decided it would be best if she stayed with my parents until she recovers her strength.”
Ania looked at the captain and turned away, displeased, “He thinks I should,” she added, turning to Flame, “I wanted to stay home… in town.”
Realizing a lover’s quarrel may soon ignite, the captain laughed and apologized to Flame. He congratulated them on their child and then asked if he could see the babe. “I don’t want to wake her up; she’s a light sleeper, and sunlight has a tendency to wake her,” Ania answered.
“And considering we just got her to fall asleep…” Flame added.
“Oh, no. I understand. My firstborn woke at any noise, kept us up for months,” the soldier said as he chuckled.
“I’m sorry, but we do really have to go. I promised Mother we would be there by dinner,” Flame interrupted.
The soldier smiled, “Of course. Good luck with the babe,” he said, leaning in closer to Flame and adding humorously, “and good luck with the wife.” With that he began to whistle and then walked off down the street.
They slowly made their way through the market, only to hear a loud voice interrupt the festivities. The same soldiers who had stopped them spoke from the stage in the center of the square, “It has come to our attention, that there are criminals in the area. These criminals are of an unknown age and number, and they come from Lord Mobren’s upper territory. They have stolen something of value from Duke Vidar’s caravan. If anyone sees them, or discovers anything that could help us find them, please tell your local captain.”
As the soldiers stepped down and walked their way, Ania and Flame quickly turned toward a booth selling fresh fruit. The elderly couple working the booth welcomed them, introducing themselves as Toren and Elisa; they were brother and sister. Toren, picked up an apple and offered to slice it up if they wanted to try a piece. “That’s nice of you,” Ania said. Then she turned to Flame, saying, “Can you take her? She’s getting heavy.” As she spoke, she noticed a flash of light and followed the speck back to a ring on Toren’s right hand. It bore the Dragon Guard sigil; she sighed in relief.
She drew Flame’s attention to the ring. He saw it and drew the old man aside. While they spoke Ania adjusted her hold on Shaelynn. The little dragon was beginning to wear out her arms. Elisa looked at Ania and the baby. She smiled kindly, “How old?”
Ania looked up, “What? Oh, she’s just over a week old.”
Elisa nodded, “Here, this might help…” She stood and went to see a young woman, who was a few booths away. She was selling different types of what appeared to be maternity clothing. After a few moments, she returned with two items. One was a long wide circle of cloth that Elisa twisted until only a two-foot-long section remained. She draped the piece over Ania’s left shoulder so it hung across her front and came back around. Then she took a shawl and wrapped it around Ania’s head, hanging it over her right shoulder. “There we go. Much better. The Duke and his men will never recognize you now.” Ania stared at the women, but she leaned in close and said, “You look just like your mother, Ania, but you have your father’s eyes.”
“Give these kids a bag of fruit; they have a long way to go,” Toren said as he came back over. He smiled at Ania’s new look and added, “I think that will serve you well. Now, as for the little one, get her as close to her mother as you can, and as far away from danger as you can.”
Ania was still surprised by their knowledge of the mission, when asked, they said word had reached them from Pycan and that a group had set off to return a dragon egg to the Keep, and since it had been several weeks, they realized that the egg must have hatched. “Tell me,” Elisa inquired, “Are baby dragons as hard to take care of as baby humans?”
Ania smiled, “Worse. They can run an hour after they hatch.”
Toren suggested that Ania ride out of town. It would be easier for them to keep their guise as new parents if she were seen being helped onto her horse. They agreed, and Ania passed the bundle to Flame. After Toren had helped her onto the horse, Flame carefully handed her Shaelynn. Elisa told her how to put Shaelynn in the cloth: “Spread the cloth with one hand, while holding the ‘baby’ in the other arm.” She waited until Ania had finished that step before proceeding. “Good, now slowly lower her in, head up, and lay her inside. The cloth will tighten around her, securing her in place. “There we go. How’s that?” “Much better,” she said as Flame tied the fruit to his saddle. He tried to pay for it, but Toren refused, saying that returning Shaelynn was the only thing he wanted in return. As Flame was about to walk the horses east, Elisa handed Ania an envelope and told her to read it later, when they were safe. She tucked it into the cloth next to Shaelynn and waved good-bye.
Flame mounted Ardál as soon as they were outside the gate. Ania took the reins with one hand and held her precious cargo steady with the other as they spurred their horses into a trot, then they turned into the woods when the town was no longer within sight. They turned the horses northeast and headed for the rendezvous point.
Early the next morning Ania slowed her horse. She looked around and discovered that something was not right. They should have been there by now. She carefully pulled back the blanket from Shaelynn’s face; she was still asleep. Ania listened to her slow, steady breaths and realized that she was not close to waking. She looked over at Flame, who had spurred his horse to a ridge. He was looking over the land; she knew that he shared her unspoken worries. She was about to walk her horse over to his when she suddenly caught sight of a dragon dive from the sky.
She twisted in the saddle and looked through the trees, but could not see whoever it had been. She glanced at Flame, but he was too busy trying to figure out where they were to notice the dragon. She did not have to look much longer; the dragon smashed through the trees in front of them. He spooked the horses, nearly throwing Flame from the saddle. The dragon stood up, shook himself free of loose branches, and looked at them. Flame growled, “Pai! What were you thinking?” He looked over at Ania. “Are you okay?” She nodded, still catching her breath. “How’s Shaelynn?”
Pai watched as this stranger checked a roll of fabric. “Sound asleep.” She sounded familiar, but he could not place her.
“How far are we from the rendezvous point?” Flame asked.
“You have about another hour’s ride northeast,” he told Flame. Then he looked away and out over the hills. He then explained that after they had split up, he and Moon had returned to the campsite after not sighting Shaelynn. They had waited for the kids to return only to have them not come back either. Stone and Lukair had eventually returned at dusk empty-handed, and Tyanna and Lorex had returned late into the night. Evidently, they had been cornered by a group of soldiers who had recognized Lorex as a guardsman and had nearly gotten lost trying to lose the men. When Ania and Flame did not return, they had gotten worried and he had flown down the river looking for them while the others rode south through the forest.
They could tell something was bothering him. “What is it? What’s troubling you?” Flame asked.
“Where’s Ania?” They could tell he was worried and tried not to laugh. She grinned and pulled the shawl off. “At your service,” she responded. She laughed as he balked, obviously confused.
“We’ll explain later,” she said, pulling the shawl back over her head. “Lead the way.” Instead, he shook his head and pointed out an outcropping of rock roughly a mile away. Then he went to redirect the others.
Moon was the first to arrive, spurred on by the knowledge that Shaelynn was safe. Pai landed shortly thereafter. The other teens arrived about a half hour later. Excited, they had run their horses through the woods. Ania, Flame, and Shaelynn, however, did not appear for a while longer, causing Moon to worry. They had spurred their horses into a trot, not wanting to wake the sleeping dragon. Ania entered camp first; her arrival surprised the others, who drew th
eir weapons. Alarmed, Pai, jumped to his feet but slowly laid back down as Flame entered camp yelling, “What are guys doing? Put those down!” He turned to Ania, “Are you all right?” She glared mischievously, and burst out laughing. “I’m glad you think this is funny. Are you going to get down?” he said as he dismounted.
“Are you kidding? Wouldn’t want to squash her,” she grinned.
“Why do I bother?” Flame asked himself as he pulled the bag of fruit from his saddle bags. He opened the bag and took out an apple before passing the bag around. He looked at Ania, his humor returning. “Would you like some help, or should I leave you there?”
“Now who’s having fun?” she teased back. “If you would?” He set the apple down as she reached into the roll of cloth and slowly pulled out the sleeping hatchling. She carefully handed him the bundle and, as he continued to hold it, she added, “Just set her on the ground. It’s time she woke up anyway; she’s been sleeping since yesterday afternoon.” She swung her leg over the saddle and dropped to the ground.
Moon, who had been watching from the back of the outcropping, finally allowed her confusion to show. “I’m sorry, but who are you?” Ania smiled again and threw off the hood, revealing herself to the others. They exclaimed in surprise, and Pai said, “Yah, I fell for it, too.”
“Interesting, but I thought you had Shaelynn,” Worry still showed through her voice as she spoke. Ania offered her a small smile and knelt down by the bundle. She lifted the fabric and said quietly, “It’s time to wake up, look who’s here.” Ania gripped the blanket in one hand as Shaelynn’s eye opened wide. She struggle to free herself from the fabric as Ania pulled the cloth up with one hand, releasing her. The moment she was free of the fabric she ran straight for her mother, and Moon was just as glad to see her. They all agreed that this would be a good place to set up camp. Tyanna made breakfast as they explained what had delayed them. As they spoke Ania remembered the letter that Elisa had given her; she pulled it out and opened it. As she read the words, tears filled her eyes and she began to cry. When Flame asked what was wrong, she read the letter out loud.
