Melissa stared at the knife and fought against her own body to keep it from attacking her beloved. Shoroko stared at Melissa and grabbed his right wrist with his left hand to stop it from advancing toward his love. Their capacity for self-control was tested, and Shoroko won. Melissa lunged forward and batted the knife out of his hand with her paw.
His knife flew left and he sprinted right, down the backside of the platform. Melissa circled around in pursuit, keeping her body between the knife and him.
“You don’t have to attack me. I won’t kill her!”
“It isn’t you that concerns me,” said the Caller.
If the Caller isn’t worried about me, what is it afraid of? He dodged another claw swipe and ran behind a bank of machines, hoping darkness would conceal him. In response, the Caller translated them to Here. He raised his hand to shield his eyes from the blinding light. By that simple act he summoned his second nemesis. The knife rose up and shot through the air, his fingers were forced open and the blade welded itself to his palm once more. Ah, that’s what it’s afraid of. He stepped out from his hiding place and faced Melissa.
Her face was contorted with a grimace. In pain she opened her jaws, laboring to say one thing more. “Not… Enchanted knife… You must… kill me… Not the knife’s will… Your choice… Other voice asked… Am I ready… To die… Now I am… Take me home…”
She charged across the grass and he lifted the knife. The rainbow-hued dagger was quiet in his hand. It did not control him, he controlled it. “I love you, Melissa.”
In the fierce pumping of her lissine legs, the howling fury of her jaws, and the fiery blast of her most potent weapon, Melissa K'Naribo was unstoppable. The knife in all its potency together with as skilled a man as Shoroko were no match for a dragon. But Melissa was a most refined dragon. “O God whose name escapes me, do not let me escape you. I cannot control the dragon, but Melissa Long the woman submits to you.”
As the leading edge of the conflagration singed Shoroko’s hair, the dragon disappeared and a fluttering mop of long black hair attached to a slender woman took its place. Shoroko stood in shock, his right arm outstretched. Melissa smiled one last smile and ran right for the knife, until it plunged into her chest.
She collapsed and he caught her. He lay her down and set her head on his lap. As he pushed her hair out of her eyes the light faded as Nehenoth’s reality shifted again. The grass became stone and Melissa’s black hair was a white mane again. Her limbs stretched out and acquired scales. She was a dragon once more, one final, spiteful gift from the Caller. Shoroko pulled out the knife, wiped the blade on his pants and stuck it back in his sheath.
The last light switched on, completing the glowing circle. The turbine whirred and the gateway opened.
“Help! Orokolga! Kilgain! I can’t leave her here!”
The golden ones raced through the hole, took an arm apiece, and dragged Melissa through. Shoroko followed behind. There may have been a voice promising vengeance, making promises or threats, but he didn’t listen. The only thing he wanted to hear was the beating of Melissa’s heart, and that sound was denied his ears.
“She needs sunlight!” shouted Shoroko. “Get her outside!”
They unbolted the door to the gateway chamber. No animals lay in wait. Jessnee and the other Hands cleared a path, pushing carcasses and debris aside, while Orokolga and Kilgain dragged the fallen rainbow. They reached the tunnel’s end, but it was midnight. Clouds blocked the stars and it was the time of the new moon.
The road running west from the door into the mountain climbed a hill. At the top of the hill a wagon train had halted. In the lantern light Shoroko saw unicorns. He pulled out his unicorn blade and ran. I will kill you with your own horn! When he reached the foot of that hill he saw the whole slope illuminated by a faint flicker. He spun around and saw dazzling light hover above Melissa’s body. Starting white, it separated into a prismatic aurora. The dazzling core began a slow ascent. The weight of destiny forced Shoroko to his knees. Melissa had been chosen for a quest, and she had completed it. In death as in life, glorious, rising to Heaven for her reward. His eyes followed her soul’s progress as she made the journey from which there was no returning, fainter and fainter, until the clouds swallowed her up.
Shoroko looked up at the unicorn leader; looked up at the target of his vengeance; looked up at the origin of his beloved’s doom. You took… He stopped. He was wrong. Melissa didn’t lose her life, she gave it. He sheathed the blade, sheathed his vengeful wrath, got to his feet and turned away. He was about to return to the mountain when a mighty wind rose and parted the clouds. From the peak of its arc the rainbow shekinah curved downward, gathered speed and crashed upon the hillside.
He ran up the road, blinded from the flash, tripping over stones and roots. The light was gone when he reached the summit. He shoved his way past unicorns, that aggravating redhead, a dark-skinned Hand and several Claws, among them K'Pinkelek and a red glissond. The back flap of a wagon was open, revealing a woman lying on a mattress. She sat up and held her forehead with her hand. “What a rush! Which world am I on now?”
She couldn’t speak after that for a long time, because a man with curly black hair and a deadly aim had aimed his lips at hers and wouldn’t let go until she knew exactly whose world she had fallen into: his world. He’d never let her leave it for another again.
* * *
As the sun rose on the morning of the twenty-ninth, Silverthorn scolded a red glissond following too closely along the road back to Redbridge. “Mind your age and station, young one. Where are your parents?”
“K'Fuur acts like he’s my father,” said the Red. “He’s not. You are so handsome when you’re angry, Lord Silverthorn.”
“What is your name? I don’t have time for the romantic fantasies of glissonds.”
“These days they call me Melidessa, but I had a different name before that.”
“And I should care?” Silverthorn scowled and walked faster.
“You should if you ever want me to scratch below your right shoulder blade again as we tumble beneath the falls.”
Silverthorn stopped and remained very still. The wind blew, the trees rustled, and his heart pounded. “Is that you, White?”
She wrapped her tail around his. “You know what to do if you want me to answer that question.”
Anyone following them who blinked would have sworn that they disappeared, so swiftly did they vacate the road.
* * *
Shoroko sat beside Melissa with his arm around her waist. They were swinging their legs as they sat at the back of the wagon. Sherry was holding Melissa’s wrist, counting. “Heart rate normal, no fever. Not bad for being dumped down a mineshaft into a pool of oil. Lucky thing Melidessa’s nose for tracking is so good.”
“I am sad for K'Fuur,” said Melissa. “We thought I healed his daughter, but instead I captured White Talon’s spirit as it departed my dying body and roped it in. No wonder she grew so fast. His wife gave birth to a centuries old baby dragon. I still have questions.”
“Such as?” said Sherry.
“White Talon, Shoroko and I each were aided by Shorassa’s special seeds. How did you survive being dumped into the mine?”
Just then a rider on quaggaback galloped up. The fancy hat, brown jacket and shiny livery looked official. It was Ecraveo. “Do you need assistance? We have food, blankets and medicine nearby.”
Sherry hopped down and held his reins while he dismounted. While Ecraveo wasn’t watching, she ran her eyes up and down his body and licked her lips, provoking a frown and a silently mouthed “no” from Shoroko.
“Shoroko! I heard about your wild ride. After winning your duel with White Talon, I didn’t think you could surprise me again. I was wrong. Who is this with you?”
Shoroko put his arm around Melissa’s shoulders and pulled her close. “Meet Melissa Long, in a much more manageable size.”
She gave him a dig in his ribs. “I wouldn’t boast until you lear
n the full extent of my awesome powers.”
Sherry tied up the quagga, then offered her hand. “I’m Sherry. Just arrived from Earth.”
“Ecraveo.” He shook and then tried to withdraw his hand, but her grip was firm.
“I didn’t get to try out a hot dragon body. Some girls get all the luck.” She looked at Shoroko then back at Ecraveo. “Nah, you’re more handsome.”
Ecraveo stepped back and ripped his hand from hers. “I don’t know how women behave where you are from, but…”
“So sour looking. Lady friend leave you on the altar or something?”
Ecraveo’s face turned redder than Melidessa’s hide. He tried to stammer a response, but too late.
Sherry put her hands on her hips. “You always went on about how you didn’t like redheads. I thought that’d count in my favor, but my luck I latch onto a hot red bod. Get used to it!” She jumped at Ecraveo so he had to catch her, planted her lips on his, kissed him extra hard, and said, “Watch out, Shorascal’s back!”
Chapter 40: The Rainbow Bride
April 30th, one year later. White Talon's Cave, Rampart.
Houses were rebuilt, fences mended, and the most bountiful harvest in a millennium gathered. Another winter passed, followed by the two most anticipated events on all Kibota: an April without a migration, and a wedding. When a pair of prominent and much admired people are married, the celebration is magnificent. When five pairs representing three species are married on the same day, no ordinary ceremony will do.
The order of the program required negotiation. Orokolga said she’d waited over four thousand years and wouldn’t wait a second longer. She and Kilgain would go first or they’d turn on the irrigator and flood the proceedings. The underground city had been ceded to them in perpetuity by the Lissai as a fitting home for the dragons, so this was no idle threat. Next on the program would be Thedarra and Callyglip, followed by White Talon and Silverthorn. Though already married in spirit, with her new svelte, red body, she wanted to party.
Following them would be Shorassa and Ecraveo. Uncle Metookonsen was retiring and Ecraveo would replace him as First Hand, which made Shorassa finally feel like a queen, especially after White Talon wove her a crown of flowers. Shorassa wove everyone’s wedding clothes on her fabled loom, reluctantly returned by Thedarra. It was purple capes for the dragons and pink sashes and flowers for White Talon, to honor K'Pinkelek. Thedarra and Shorassa wore white gowns, while Melissa inevitably displayed every color of the rainbow. When the sun rose over the plains, the couples gathered before White Talon’s cave.
Thedarra sat on a rock while Melissa braided her former rival’s hair. “Out of the way, he says. Intimate. It’s where we met. What Shoroko didn’t say was that Anspark is like a boy at Christmas playing with his new train set. How in Blaze did they lay a thousand miles of track in one year? And bridges, switches, refueling stations… There must be ten thousand Hands already, and the morning train hasn’t arrived. At least they haven’t invented cameras yet.”
“Garden Isle would’ve been delicious,” said Thedarra. “But Cally’s work schedule wouldn’t permit it. Shoroko’s up to something, and his sister’s in on it. Shorassa was tying the finishing knots on a new tapestry last night but wouldn’t show me. I tried sneaking into her cave this morning, and caught her burning the sketches. Why the secrecy? It’s a rug!”
Shoroko walked up wearing a white jacket, eyes downcast.
Melissa inserted a comb into Thedarra’s hair. “All done, Darra.” She sallied up to Shoroko and slipped her arm into his. “What’s wrong?”
He held her hand and rubbed it. “There’s something we need to discuss. Can we go inside for privacy?”
Melissa smiled cheerfully as they passed the other guests, until they were inside White Talon’s cave. “What’s this about? You’re scaring me.”
He led her up the stairs to the observatory. When she reached the crystal globe, she ran her fingers across the smooth glass. “This is where I first saw you. We almost died here as enemies.” She turned around. Shoroko was holding a knife in his hand. That knife.
He grabbed his right hand with his left. “Can’t… Control… The knife… Run!” He staggered forward.
Melissa stepped back, knocked her head on the sphere, and tripped. Shoroko sheathed the blade, leapt to her side and caught her. “Just kidding.”
She slapped his face. Then she kissed the red spot. “That knife almost killed you, then me. Why did you keep it? And why did the unicorns let you?”
“It has special properties. I really did have something to say to you. I don’t feel right marrying you without asking…”
“You want my father’s permission? He’s a long ways away, and…”
“I’m not Chinese. You told me about that. But I need to try.” He took her by the shoulders, spun her around so that he was between her and the sphere, and let go. He took out the knife and touched it to the sphere. A tiny light glowed deep inside, sending sparks toward the blade, like a plasma globe. The light grew until it was clear they were looking into a distant room. A leather couch hugged the right wall, a coffee table occupied the middle, and a desk on the left sat beside a window. Out the window skyscrapers glistened in the sun.
Melissa’s eyes widened. “My father’s office in Boston! How?”
He put his finger to her lips. An older man with greying, black hair in a fine suit entered the room, sat at the desk and read his email. The background image on his computer screen was from her Harvard graduation. When he saw the image, he pulled out a handkerchief and wiped his eyes.
Melissa slapped both her hands on the orb and pressed her nose against it. “Daddy! Can you hear me! I’m here! I’m alive! Don’t cry!” When he took no notice, she shouted louder.
His ears perked up and he turned around. His hand flew up to his mouth and he grabbed at his desk to keep from falling out of his chair. He stood and walked toward her, holding out his hand and waving it back and forth. “Melissa! I see you, but you’re not here. Is that you? Or am I about to die and be reunited with you?”
“I’m here daddy! Far away. I’m sorry I can’t come home. I’m getting married today! Can you believe that? My fiancé wants to ask your permission.” Melissa grabbed Shoroko and swung him forward so fast his face flattened unflatteringly against the sphere.
“My name is Shoroko, sir. I promise to take good care of your daughter.”
“I see. What are your qualifications?” He took a small pad from his pocket and readied his pen to take notes.
“I am skilled with bow and arrow, knife and sling. I’ve faced the biggest animals around and come out on top. I will protect your daughter with my life.”
Melissa twisted her face around funny at the mention of bow and arrow. Shoroko, he’s Chinese, not Cherokee!
“I retain bodyguards for that. What else can you do?”
“I can catch and break animals, ride well, and my family’s farm is one of the largest in the district.”
“How much real estate?”
“Two hundred fandrels, sir. Oh, and we have the only seed drill in town.” Shoroko ran down a list of agricultural skills, before he was cut off.
“What about schooling?”
“I can read and write and speak fluent English, Quagga, Unicorn and Dragon. Also Jummax, but their vocabulary is pretty small.”
At the mention of unicorn and dragon, Melissa dug her fingernails into Shoroko’s arm and whispered through clenched teeth, “He’s going to think you’re certifiably insane. Watch it!”
“And I can fly.”
“You have your pilot’s license? Excellent. Single engine, jet or helicopter?”
“Rukh, mostly. Not very comfortable, if you ask me.”
Melissa was beside herself. She whispered in Shoroko’s ear.
“I started a business venture with a friend last year. It was Melissa’s idea.”
“Let me guess. Poultry farm? Sawmill?”
Melissa recognized that ton
e. Her dad was not impressed.
“Already have those. No, we have a quarter share in an oil refinery. Just landed the national railroad as our second client. Melissa designed the fractioning apparatus herself. You taught your daughter well, sir.”
Finally, a smile. “Daughter. He is handsome and strong and enterprising.” His eyes narrowed. “But an honorable man would have sent a wedding invitation.” He slipped his hands in his jacket pockets and turned his back. “If he spoke to me face to face, maybe, maybe I would have granted him permission. But…” He fumbled around in his pocket and pulled out a wrinkled envelope. He read the inscription and ran his finger through the top to tear it open. “You are joyfully invited to celebrate the union of…” He stuffed it back in his pocket. “I accept.” He walked past his desk. The breeze of his passing caused the cityscape to ripple like waves on the water.
Melissa wished she still had White Talon’s eyes. She tried to zoom in on her father but her ocular apparatus was inferior. Yet the orb heeded her request and the scene magnified. She saw the desk, the floor, and the majestic Prudential tower for what they were, artistry in thread. The backdrop was one of Shorassa’s tapestries, and the footsteps on stone…
Shoroko had to catch her before she fainted. Her father walked around the orb and stood with open arms.
“Do you like your wedding present?” said Shoroko.
After the hugs and kisses and tears subsided, Mr. Long handed his daughter a sack of mail. “Wedding congratulations from your friends.”
Melissa picked through them and found an odd piece. “Intima Customer Satisfaction Survey. Junk. Wait, it’s got a pen inside. No decent pens on Kibota.” She shredded the envelope and pulled out the pen. Inscribed along its edge were these words:
Why settle for intimate, when you can have Intima Dating!
A Most Refined Dragon Page 45
