The Unborn Hero of Dragon Village
Page 25
Pavel nodded and rushed into the ballroom, returning a moment later.
Theo dug inside for the rose-tinted vial and filled the container. “Before I go back to see Baba Yaga, I promised a woman in Selo I’d look for her daughter.” He searched through his backpack again and pulled out the picture Old Lady Witch had given him. “Has anyone seen a girl around my age who has a heart-shaped birthmark on her shoulder like this one?”
Nia gasped. “I have.”
All eyes turned toward her.
“Vela has one just like that,” she said.
***
Outside, Diva gazed at the sky. “It’s beautiful to see the sun shining.”
In the morning light, golden powder from Lamia’s disintegrated dragon heads sparkled in the air in every direction for as far as Theo could see. The darkness overcasting Dragon Village since their arrival had lifted, and the sun burned away the purple haze. The sky filled with violet, followed by an abounding multitude of colors—light blue, rose, amber, and all their various hues.
Blossoms burst forth on flowers. Birds twittered from branch to branch, chasing one another. Dank waters slowly pushed their way along riverbeds, freeing themselves of poison. A green wave rippled throughout the land as underground water nourished forests and fields alike. Nature was curing the land.
Theo tore his eyes from all the beauty and looked for Vela, finding her helping Zachary tend to the other released prisoners. He approached slowly and cleared his throat. “Vela?”
She turned, a timid smile on her face.
“Will you sit with me over here?” He pointed to a stone bench in a flower garden.
She nodded and followed him. Her head lowered, she said, “It’s okay you couldn’t protect me from the queen.”
“I’m sorry about that. I never expected Nia to betray me.” He took her hands. “I have something else to talk with you about.”
She looked up, fear in her eyes. “The queen’s not dead?”
“No, she is.” Theo took a deep breath. “How long have you been in Dragon Village?”
“All my life.”
“Do you ... have family here?”
She shook her head. “I’m an orphan. The queen and the other girls were the only family I’ve ever known.”
“What if ...?” Theo cleared his throat. “What if I told you that you have a mother in Selo, where I’m from? One who’s been looking for you for twelve years?”
Vela opened her mouth. It gaped like a fish, but no words came out. Tears overflowed her lids. “Is that true? And ... she wants me?”
Theo pulled her closer. “Very much. She asked me to find you.”
Vela sobbed. “How do you know I’m her daughter?”
“With this.” Theo showed her the baby picture with the pink heart-shaped birthmark.
Vela covered her mouth with her hand. She stared at the picture for a long time before lowering the shoulder of her robe, revealing her identical birthmark.
“Do you ... want to come back with us to Selo?” Theo asked.
Vela hung her head. “I ... I ... This has been the only home I’ve ever known. I don’t know anyone there.”
“I’ll be there.” Theo lifted her chin. “And Pavel.” He leaned closer. “And Nia. I’m sure she’ll be nice to you from now on.”
A laugh escaped Vela. She nodded.
“Good.” Theo stood and held his hand out to her. “Let’s go tell the others the good news.”
A black shadow slipped across the sun as Theo and Vela walked toward the deer Sur and his herd, where the others waited. The rhythmic beat of powerful wings thrashed the air into whistling whirlwinds. The temperature rose, and the searing heat of the fiery breath scorched the grass.
“Dragons!” Pavel yelled. “Run!”
In a blur of motion, Diva had an arrow nocked and bow pointed upward. She lowered her weapon. “It’s only one dragon.”
The ground shuddered when a magnificent white dragon landed in the field. His eyes glowed like emeralds, and scales gleamed like glossy pearls. Amid swirling winds, the creature transformed into a dark-haired man with wings beneath his arms. The man tucked them flat to his body and approached the group.
“Our king has returned.” Diva bowed when Zmey reached them.
Theo held himself back, unsure how to approach the man who was not only his father, but also the ruler of Dragon Village.
“My son, thank you for releasing me.” Zmey held out his arms. “I’ve waited so long for this moment.”
Tears welled on Theo’s eyelids and threatened to tumble down his face. Still holding onto Vela, he took shaky steps toward his father. “I wish ... my mother was here, too.”
“So do I.” Zmey stroked Theo’s hair. “Unfortunately, our time together was not long enough, but I see her in you. You’ve made her—both of us—proud by breaking the curse.”
Theo wiped his eyes. “We all did. My friends: Pavel, Diva, Jega, and Zima. Their brothers. The Samodivi. And Vela.”
Boo croaked.
“And, yes, Boo saved us, too.”
The magpie strutted on the ground, tossing his head from side to side.
Theo took a breath before continuing, “Even Baba Yaga.”
“Everyone but me.” Nia sobbed as she came closer, kneeling at Zmey’s feet.
He crouched to be on her level and held her hands. “Don’t blame yourself. I might have been a statue, but I was aware of what went on inside my castle. You may not have felt my sister’s powers, but they controlled you as much as her lies misled you.”
Nia wiped away her tears and looked into Zmey’s sympathetic eyes. “Thank you.”
Zmey rose and brought Nia up with him, holding her close, and wrapped his arms around Theo on the other side. “As much as I’d love for you to stay here with me, my son, I think you and your friends have to go home. Your families have been without you long enough.”
“I ...” Theo nodded. Yes, first he’d go home to return Nia and Vela, but he’d come back. “What are you going to tell your mom and dad, Pavel?”
Pavel snapped his fingers. “I know. I’ll tell them a Samodiva captured and enchanted me.”
Theo laughed. “Your family only believes in science.”
“I’ll think of some way to convince them.” Pavel rummaged in his backpack, withdrew a schematics drawing, and handed it to Zmey. “I don’t want to go through that wind tunnel again. I’ve been working on a better idea of how to get back to Selo while I’ve been here.”
Zmey examined the paper. “Another portal that’s always open will be welcome. For now, we’ll travel by the one I use.”
“Where is it?” Theo asked.
“Samodivi Lake,” Zmey said. “I’ll fly you all there, but you’ll need belts to breathe underwater.”
“I’ll get them.” Vela ran into the castle.
With tears in his eyes, Theo looked at so many people who believed in him.
Jega clasped his hands. “Farewell for now, new friend. I hope we’ll have even greater adventures together some day ... with more pretty ladies.”
“Thank you for all your help.” Theo glanced at Nia, who was gazing dreamily in Jega’s direction. “I think you’ve impressed my sister.”
“Nothing more alluring than saving a beautiful princess.” Jega gave Nia a charming smile.
“Hurry, brother.” Zima poked his spear into the soil. “Mraz will want to know we’re safe and that our other brothers have survived. They’ve said they’ll stay here and help.”
“Until we meet again, Theo.” Jega joined his brother.
“Again, thank you both for your help and friendship.” Theo waved goodbye as the Kukeri departed down the path.
Boo landed on Theo’s shoulder.
“Are you coming back with us?” he asked.
The magpie lowered his head and croaked as if in mourning.
“No. He has long-overdue ceremonies to participate in.” Diva looked at the magpie. “It’s time to harvest smil agai
n.”
“Smil?” Theo asked.
“It’s the flower I showed you pictures of. My sister told me how magpies would thresh the flower heads with their wings as they glided over fields. Afterwards, they bathed in Samodivi Lake to grow shiny new feathers. Boo has earned that reward.”
“Bye, Boo.” Theo ruffled the magpie’s feathers. “You were a hero, too.”
Boo hopped around as if strutting. “Waak, waak,”
Theo pulled Diva toward him and hugged her tight. “Thank you for believing in me.”
“We didn’t have much choice.” She laughed. “You only had to learn to believe in yourself.”
“Can I get in here, too.” Pavel wrapped his arms around both of them. “Will you come visit us in Selo?”
With a twinkle in her eye, Diva said, “If there are more human boys to terrify.”
Vela returned and gave Theo, Pavel, and Nia a belt like the one the Rusalki had given him. They all tied them around their waists.
“Is everyone ready?” Zmey asked.
“Yes,” Theo, Pavel, and Nia replied. Vela gave a small nod.
“Not quite yet,” a voice cackled behind Theo. Baba Yaga. “You’re not sneaking off with my living water.” She rubbed her fingers together. “Hand it over.”
Theo pulled the rose-tinted vial from his backpack and dropped it onto her palm.
The witch swished the liquid, her eyes greedily consuming its contents. She sneered at Diva. “This amount will have to be fine for now. It’s time for me to become young and beautiful for eternity.” She uncorked the vial and slurped the water, sticking her pointy tongue inside to get every drop. After belching, she danced with ungainly steps. “Young and beautiful, that’s me.”
Zmey laughed. “We’ll see.”
Patting her face, Baba Yaga said, “Am I young now? Am I beautiful?”
Diva cracked a smile. “Not yet.”
Baba Yaga stopped prancing, began convulsing, and fell to the ground, face first.
Theo ran to her side, with the others following, forming a circle around her. “We should flip her over and make sure she doesn’t swallow her tongue.”
Before anyone could grab hold of the witch, mist covered her. Theo patted where she had been, but felt only the ground. As the mist dissipated, a slim woman lay where Baba Yaga had been. She stopped shaking and sat up, dirt covering her face.
She examined her wrinkle-free hands, with slender fingers. “Lovely, lovely.” She looked up. “Am I young? Am I beautiful?”
Pavel covered his mouth to suppress a laugh. “One of those.”
“I don’t think it’s everything you were expecting,” Diva said, a grin spread across her face.
The witch squeezed her cheeks and neck, smearing dirt into her skin even more. She raked fingers through her hair and frowned. The knots stopped her from going far. “Hmm. Maybe hair takes longer.” Groping her chest next, the witch said, “Oh, nice, love those. Ah, youth, you came back to me. Can’t tell about the rest of me. Someone get me a mirror.”
“And water,” Diva added.
“Not me. I want to watch the show,” Pavel said.
“I have one.” Nia handed a mirror to the witch.
Baba Yaga squinted in it, tilting her head to the side. “Can’t be.” She spit on her sleeve and scrubbed away dirt. She looked in the mirror again. “Young, but not beautiful.” She patted her somewhat clean face. “At least it’s smooth and pink.”
Zmey cleared his throat. “Now that that’s settled, it’s time to leave. Step back, everyone.” He took a deep breath and exhaled a stream of warm air.
The dragon-man unfolded his wings and beat the air. Pure white scales erupted over his body in seconds as he grew to an enormous height. Howling winds gusted and trees shook, groaning from the effort to remain upright. A canopy of leaves darted around them like racing cars. The massive white dragon snorted. Puffs of fire blasted into the air, incinerating once-green leaves. He lowered his head and rumbled for everyone to climb on.
Theo scrambled over the scales on his father’s outstretched neck. Pavel and Nia followed. Theo held out his hand to Vela, who hesitated.
“I’m afraid of heights,” she stammered.
“So am I,” Pavel said, “but this will be fun.”
“You can do it,” Theo encouraged.
Vela took his hand and squeezed her eyes tight. After Theo guided her up, she let out a shaky breath, but sat on the dragon with Theo’s arm supporting her.
“You can open your eyes now,” Theo said.
She shook her head. “Only when we’re ... home.”
“Nia and I are right behind you,” Pavel said. “You’ll be fine.”
Zmey spread his wings. With a roar, he launched into the air.
“We’re flying! We’re really flying!” Nia yelled above the wind.
Theo gazed at the landscape, so different from when he had arrived in Dragon Village. Colors had replaced the blackened landscape. Rivers ran blue and gold. In no time, a great water body appeared below them—golden Samodivi Lake where Diva had said they christened newborn animals.
“Tell everyone to hold on,” Zmey said in Theo’s mind.
Theo did. His heart lurched when Zmey dove toward the water. He closed his eyes and braced himself for the impact. Vela screamed and scooted closer, so he wrapped his arm tighter around her waist. Above the roar of the wind, he couldn’t tell how Nia or Pavel reacted.
A warm, comforting gel surrounded him, and he opened his eyes underwater. Sparkling lights lit the liquid. Tiny blue nymphs waved their hands around the dragon, leading Zmey deeper into a dark abyss. They twisted one way, then another, guiding him onward for what seemed ages until the darkness lightened. The nymphs bowed their heads and darted away like minnows, but Zmey continued forward.
“We’re nearing Selo,” Zmey said to Theo’s mind.
Theo gave the others a thumbs up.
The gel disappeared, and water soaked them. A school of fish swam past. Theo held on tighter as Zmey rocketed out of the water. He gulped in the cool, fresh air of Selo. A breeze caressed his skin, and the salty smell of the sea filled his nose. Vela looked like she was about to heave.
Theo grinned so wide it could cover the horizon. “We’re home.”
Pavel shouted, “This is way better than any amusement park ride. I think I’m over my fear of heights.”
Zmey flew lower and individual houses came into view.
“There’s your home, Pavel,” Nia said.
Pavel let out a deep sigh.
Zmey coasted into the deserted village square. Their Zmey was free to protect Selo again, and his father was here to love and guide him.
Pavel jumped from the dragon’s neck and held out a hand for Nia. Theo followed and assisted Vela.
Zmey lowered his head. “After you return Vela home, meet me in the Stone Forest.”
Theo nodded and walked away, looking up when a warm breeze passed overhead. They dropped Pavel at his home first. Nia and Vela held hands and were silent as they walked down the path. Theo thought about what he was going to say to Mom, about his birth. He was sure Nia and Vela each were forming their own words to say when they reached home.
A porch light shone through the trees. Mom hadn’t given up hope that they’d return. He reached for the doorknob with a trembling hand. The hinges creaked as if welcoming him home.
Nia pulled him back, tears overflowing her eyes. “Please don’t tell Mom all the awful things I’ve done.”
“Remember what Zmey said. It wasn’t your fault.” Theo laid his hand on her shoulder. “I’d like to talk to Mom first ... about me.”
Nia nodded. “Do what you think’s best. Just don’t tell ...”
He gave her a quick one-armed hug. “I promise. Don’t worry. Everything will be okay.”
Theo set his backpack, bow, and quiver on the floor. His heart pounding, he opened the bedroom door a crack and peered into the musty-smelling darkness. “Mom?” He approached the unkem
pt woman lying on the bed. “It’s me, Theo.”
Mom opened her eyes to slits. “Theo, is that really you?”
He bobbed his head up and down, tears dripping off his chin.
“My beloved son.” She sat up and pulled him to her. “Where have you been?”
“I ... we ... It’s a long story you’ll have trouble believing.” He kissed her cheek and pulled away. “I ... know about me.”
Mom’s eyes saddened. “What do you know?”
He took a deep breath and held her hand. “That someone left me on your doorstep. That I’m not your son.”
“You are my son. You were a special gift left by God for the love he took from me.” She hugged him close again. “Please forgive me for never telling you ...”
“It’s okay. I love you, Mom, and I know you love me.”
She squeezed him tight. “Don’t leave me again.”
“I won’t. Well, I have to do something first, but I’ll come back.” He wiped away tears. “Someone else wants to see you.”
Mom released him.
Theo got up and opened the door a crack. “You can come in now.”
Mom stared when Nia walked in, then staggered from the bed. “My baby!”
“Theo saved me” was all he heard as he left the room so Nia could have her moment with Mom.
Theo grabbed apples from a basket on the table and gave one to Vela. He wrapped his arm around her and led her through the village and down the path he had traveled before. This time, the forest didn’t terrify him. They stopped outside Old Lady Witch’s door. Vela trembled and clung tight while Theo knocked.
Feet shuffled inside and the door creaked open. Old Lady Witch looked at Theo, then Vela. She blinked rapidly.
Theo said, “I’ve brought back your child.”
Old Lady Witch raised her hands to her mouth and wailed. Tears flowed down her cheeks. As she spread out her arms, Vela looked at Theo.
He nodded. “I’ll come see you later today. Or tomorrow after we’ve all rested.”
Vela shuffled into the house and curtsied to her mother.
“Oh, none of that.” Old Lady Witch wrapped her arms around Vela and swung her around the room. “And what do I call you?”
“Vela,” she said in a timid voice.