by C D Muller
No… they couldn’t have! Let’s get out of here before they come back.
The two ran back as fast as they could to get back to the inn. After making sure Thor was safe in his quarters, Selena ran through the back door to get back to her room.
She found Rahim with a large plate of food, stuffing his face.
“Can’t really talk, still need to eat,” he said with his mouth full.
Selena tried to find the right way to say it, but Thor’s words rang within her head.
Be careful. I don’t know how well he’s going to take the news about the fire.
“The Obsidian Order are crawling all over the Grand Exchange. We need to be more careful and they also said something about me escaping the fire.”
“Fire?” Rahim asked, “what fire?”
He paused for a moment and his expression quickly changed. His face went pale and he threw his hands in the air and grabbed the top of his head.
“Helshire Village! They burned it down?”
Selena looked at him with a horrified expression. Her thoughts immediately raced to Chaliss and she suddenly felt sick to her stomach. Rahim went quiet, but shook his head.
“There’s…nothing we can do.”
Even with his own words, Rahim began to cry and so did Selena.
“I’m sorry…it’s my fault. They were after me.”
Rahim shook his head and wiped his tears.
“No. It’s not your fault that these crazy cultists were after you. We…did not know this would happen. They were the ones at fault. I will want to see you and Thor get revenge on them. When Thor learns to breathe fire, have him scorch them for me! I can’t… no… I can’t believe…”
He turned around and looked out the window with his hands behind his back. Selena reluctantly walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder.
“Will you be all right?” she asked him. Rahim did not respond to this. Instead, he shrugged her hand off.
“I need to be alone. I…I need some time to think,” Rahim whispered as he turned around to leave.
“Please don’t do anything stupid,” Selena called out as the door shut, “and please be safe.”
That night, Selena lay awake in her bed. Rahim still had not returned to their room. If he was not back by morning, she knew she would have to go looking for him despite his wish.
She tossed and turned; no matter what she did, she could not stop thinking about the fire. Selena did not know what to do. She felt like she was shouldering the weight of the world and that she was being crushed. She tried to convince herself that the man was lying. The village—her home—could not be gone. Everyone she knew, all that she loved was taken from her. Her dread grew with with every second. Knowing that she no longer had a home to go to and that everyone she loved was gone brought tears to her eyes.
Please come outside. I can’t stand hearing you tear yourself apart.
His voice rumbled deep within her consciousness.
But it’s all my fault. I abandoned our home and let this happen.
How did you expect to be able to stop them if you stayed? How would you have known this was going to happen?
I don’t know…
Come here and bring your book too.
Selena got out of her bed after a few moments of silence and put on a coat. She hesitated to reach for the book that she bought earlier but decided to do so anyway, also taking her lantern. The winter winds blew through her window.
She walked out of the Black Pub and to the back to see Thor looking at her with contentment. He was lying in his space next to a tree. On the ground, near his talons, were a couple of bones from his latest catch.
Thor got up on all fours and walked over to her. He placed his head on her shoulder and sniffed her hair. He looked big enough to fly. His scales glistened in the moonlight from the coating of oil she had applied to his hide after dinner. Selena carefully ran her fingers across the scales. They were smooth, but the tips were still sharp.
That’s better. At least now you can be here with me.
She shook her head.
Rahim isn’t taking the news very well either. He’s been gone for most of the evening.
I can’t blame him. Chaliss was probably the only family he had other than you. You two may not be blood but I know he sees you as a sister.
She wiped away her tears and lay her head back.
I let them down. It was my fault and the reason why they’re all dead. I ran away and abandoned them.
If you stayed, then you would have died along with them.
I’m a coward and I turned my back on them.
I think it was meant to be. By going forward, we will be able to avenge them and fight those who did this. It wasn’t your fault. You suffered a great loss but you need to let yourself heal and learn to forgive yourself.
She did not respond at first.
But what if I can’t?
You will be forever tormented if you don’t. Dwelling on the past will destroy you. I don’t want to see you carry this pain. I want us to read together. It will help take our mind off it.
She nodded, opened the book in her lap and with the lantern next to them read to her companion.
Thor placed his head on her lap. Selena turned the page and read the section in bold letters:
“Throughout history,” Selena read aloud in her practiced voice, trying to distract herself, “dragons have played an important role in lore and legends. Their existence can be traced back to over sixteen thousand years ago and their habitats include all kinds of terrain, depending on the species.”
Selena looked down the list and came across a picture of a white dragon with a golden under belly. The title caught Thor’s attention.
The Divinity Dragon, he said with a slight smile playing upon his scaly lips.
Selena looked at the text and nodded.
“Divinity Dragons were first discovered over ten thousand years ago by Genesis Altessa. They are the lord of all dragons. When they are close to death, the coloration of its scales will change to white and gold. Divinity Dragons are blessed with the god’s power upon birth. While most dragons can only master and control a single element, these dragons can wield many abilities that others cannot, to control fire, earth, water, and air. In rare instances, they can also use other substances such as electricity, poison, light, and shadow. They have the ability to purify evil and to cure diseases.”
She looked over at Thor with a smile.
“Genesis Altessa,” she whispered the name, “I wish that I could have met him.”
Thor lifted his head from her lap and looked at the pictures of the dragon anatomy on the next page.
Divinity Dragons sound amazing, but there’s no picture of what one looks like. Does the book talk about famous dragons in history? I want to hear some stories about them.
I’m looking.
Selena flipped through the pages until she found a title that caught her attention. The title read, The Dark Knights and the Mythic Flight.
“The Mythic Flight were the dragon riders that fought bravely against the Lich and his undead army in the One Hundred Years’ War. However, near the end of the war, the dragons and their riders were slain in battle by the Lich himself. Their dragon eggs were all they left behind.”
Selena closed the book and looked up at Thor with delight.
I wonder what it felt like to be one of the Dark Knights.
Thor fanned out his wings.
They must have been incredibly powerful.
Selena noticed that his eyes changed to red with yellow around the pupils, but they quickly changed back to amber.
I think your eyes change color based off your mood.
Really? I haven’t noticed. She heard him snicker.
Every time you are either hungry or wanting to fight, your eyes change to red, but when you seem to yearn for a bit more power, they’re red with a little bit of yellow.
Again, I’ve never noticed, but I don’t have a mirror
in front of me to be able to tell.
She smiled a little before she stood up and placed a hand on his shoulder.
I will not lie to you; since you first mentioned it, I’ve always wanted to ride you, Selena said, looking at his scales with wonder. Thor turned around and spread out his wings.
Let’s fly.
Selena looked at him in astonishment.
What?
I said let’s fly. I believe I am strong enough to carry you.
He knelt over so that Selena could climb on.
Selena did not know what to do.
However, Thor held out one of his talons and lifted Selena onto his back. Without another thought, she allowed him to help her.
Her heart beating hard against her chest out of pure excitement and curiosity, she tightly held onto the two large horns that were on top of his head. Thor dug his back claws into the ground, jumped up, and took flight.
Her stomach sank as they soared straight up in a deep incline towards the sky. The chilling, frosty wind picked up in speed. Her blood rushed and her body shook with his twists and turns. She looked up at the crescent moon lighting their flight.
Selena held a tight grip around Thor’s horns. Thor pounded his wings against her legs and began flying parallel with the ground, but high in the heavens.
Don’t let go!
He jerked a little to the right. She did her best to stay on his back. However, she lost her footing and slid partly off.
Selena! I told you not to let go!
He slowed down and held out his claw for her to grab on.
Selena’s screams echoed back to her. She dangled on one side while attempting to keep her grip. Thor extended his arm and pushed her back on his back.
Hold on!
I’m trying!
Selena squinted, trying to concentrate. The cold air slapped her face. Thor turned a sharp left towards the Mustang Mountains and took a dive. Her insides felt as if they were floating from the sudden drop.
Every time Thor pumped his wings, she felt the raw scraping of his scales against the inside of her legs. She tried shifting into another position to make it more comfortable, but the more she moved, the worse it became.
The stars glistened brightly. She glanced down beneath her feet to see how small their world looked from above.
Thor jerked right and flew through a small cloud. Selena screamed and slid off his back once again.
You’re absurd! I told you to hold on!
I’m slipping!
Hold on!
She lost her grip and slid off, falling towards the abyss below.
Selena!
Thor came to an abrupt stop in midair and dove after her.
Selena could not find the strength to scream; she felt as though the air was sucked from her lungs. The fall was so fast and sudden that all she could do was look out toward the horizon as the scenery dropped before her eyes. For that brief moment, it felt surreal and almost peaceful.
Thor flew past her with his wings tucked to his sides, and unfolded them as he positioned himself beneath her. She snapped out of it as she landed on him and immediately grabbed his horns again to keep herself steady.
Are you all right? I was afraid I wouldn’t be able to make it in time to catch you!
That was not what I expected it to be. The fall, I mean. I should have been terrified but for some reason, I wasn’t.
Even though you could have been killed?
I wasn’t afraid. Please take me back.
Thor did not respond; instead, he turned in the other direction and flew back towards the pub.
When they reached the inn, Selena fell off his back and landed on the ground. The rubbing spots were too raw; it was painful to walk.
Thor shook his head from the flight and folded in his wings. He stared at her with a tint of gray in his eyes.
This was my fault. I’m sorry for putting you through that. I’ve been wanting to fly with you for a long time.
I don’t want you to feel bad, but there has to be a better way.
She sat down on the ground and tore part of her night clothes to wrap her thighs with.
Maybe you can do a better job at holding on.
I’m sure that’s not how it works. Remember those books we’ve read about the famous riders? They all had reins and saddles. That’s probably what we need too.
I remember that but I don’t know how we’ll get any right now, unless they are given to us in the Air Force. I don’t know if I can wait that long before I can fly with you again. Will you be all right to walk? I hope I didn’t hurt you too bad.
It feels like some scraping. I need to rest.
Thor hung his head low as he walked towards his space in the back. Selena felt guilty in making him feel that way.
I will be fine, I promise.
He did not respond, but she felt his sorrow and pain.
Selena limped through the front doors and held herself up by grabbing the edge of the bar table. From the corner of her eye, she saw a blur of white rush down the stairs, followed by cries of anguish.
“Is that you, Rahim?” she called out before letting go of the bar table and passing out on the floor.
Chapter 12:
“Who are you?”
“Me? No one you should concern yourself with! Please move! I have to help her!”
“I don’t even know who you are! Stay away from her!”
She tried to open her eyes, but her eyelids felt heavy. Selena found herself back in her room at the Black Pub; it was lit by two candles. She felt someone shake her shoulders a little. She opened her eyes more and saw Rahim sitting next to someone she recognized as Silver.
A wet washcloth was folded and placed across her forehead. She looked down at her legs to see how much Thor’s hide had ripped through her raw and opened skin.
“Silver? What are you doing here?” she asked while rubbing her eyes.
“My dear! I tried to stop you! I was on my way to meet you here and I saw you and your dragon fly off together. I wanted to warn you about this! It’s my fault. Please, forgive me! What happened to you and your hair? Why are you dressed like a boy?”
Silver’s questions came one after another without giving anyone a chance to answer.
“No, don’t answer that!” Rahim barked, “how did you recognize her?”
“Stop!” Selena cried out, “this is ridiculous! I will be all right.”
“Selena, who is this?” Rahim asked.
Selena tried her best to explain her first meeting with Silver. When she finished, Rahim’s mouth was wide open.
“You’re joking!”
“No,” both Silver and Selena said at the same time.
Rahim stared at Silver with wide eyes and pointed at him.
“I don’t trust him,” he announced, “there’s something wrong with him.”
“Rahim please,” Selena said.
“There’s nothing wrong with me! There’s something wrong with you! Y…y…your eyes are too close together!” Silver shouted while pointing at Rahim.
Rahim became a little self-conscious, placing one of his hands over his eyes.
“No they’re not! I don’t know. I saw him earlier carrying you in his arms with your legs all battered up like that. I thought at first he had done something to you.”
Silver’s eyes grew wide.
“You emotionless swine!” he called out, “I would never hurt her!”
Selena frantically shook her head.
“No, it was Thor! We flew together, but his scales were a bit rough. Thor felt bad about it.”
Rahim’s eyes widened.
“You two flew together for the first time?”
“Yes, but that’s not the point here! Silver is only trying to help!”
Rahim raised his hands in the air.
“I’m sorry! I can’t help it! With the Order trying to kill you, I can’t help but be skeptical about who we meet!”
Selena nodded and fell back down where she
lay, not able to move. Her eyelids became heavy, but she forced herself to stay awake.
“To answer you from earlier, Silver, I’m trying to get into the Imperial Air Force. The Council won’t recognize me after...” she attempted to explain but Silver cut her off.
“Ah, I see. No need to explain anything else, I completely understand!”
Selena and Rahim exchanged glances.
“He is ridiculous,” Rahim muttered, but Selena slapped his shoulder.
“Where were you all this time, by the way? You’ve been gone for hours!”
“I’m sorry!” Rahim cried out.
“Don’t make me worry like that again!” Selena wanted to cry but tried to clear her mind.
Silver placed one hand on her shoulder.
“I can heal your wounds, but first I have to ask you this. Do you trust me?”
Selena closed her eyes, nodding her head without thinking. Silver placed his hand behind her back to keep her propped up and placed his other above her wounds. Her blood clotted in the affected area and new skin began to grow over the parts that were torn off. Selena’s leg grew itchy; her wounds were completely healed.
“How did you do that?” Selena asked in amazement.
“I used magic,” Silver said with a smug look.
She was not sure how to react. She had read about magic before, but never saw anyone use it.
“Thank you, that was brilliant.”
“Thank you,” Silver took pride in her compliment, “only the scholars and soldiers know how to use magic. It's extremely difficult to learn and it takes years to master. However, I would be honored to teach you if you were interested.”
Selena's eyes widened in awe.
“You would be willing to?”
“Of course,” Silver said, smiling again, “it will be extremely useful, especially if you're planning on joining the Imperial Air Force. Afterwards, if you think you have the ability, you can also join the wizards and mages in Dragonspire where they can teach you more! And sneaking in disguised as a young boy, that’s risky! I want to help!”
“What? She doesn’t need to learn magic tricks! She just needs to join the Air Force!” Rahim intervened.
“Honestly, I would love to learn more but Rahim is right. I still need to first get into the military,” Selena agreed.
