Dragons of Asgard

by Logan Jacobs

  have him out in the open.”

  “Are you sure that will work?” I asked. I knew cloaking magic existed,

  but I thought it was more a magic woven into certain garments, not one a

  person could do on command. Then again, I didn’t know much about magic

  as a whole.

  “It’s worth a shot,” she said with a shrug.

  “Alright,” I relented. “Do it.”

  “I’d need to go back to my father’s shop, though,” she said, and she bit

  her lip. “It takes a lot of energy, so I need my dragon scale.”

  “Wait here,” I told her, and I ran inside and retrieved the large red

  dragon scale from under my bed.

  “You have one?” Kas gasped as I came back out with the scale in my

  hand. “Where did you get this?”

  “I found it years ago,” I said as I handed it over to her. “The one you

  have is pretty similar.”

  “Nearly identical,” she whispered as she ran her fingers over the hard

  scale.

  “Will it work?” I asked, and I hoped we wouldn’t have to waste any

  more time.

  “I see no reason why it wouldn’t,” she said with a nod.

  “Great,” I agreed. “Is there anything else you need?”

  “Some dog hair,” she said, and she frowned again. “You wouldn’t

  happen to know where to get any of that, would you?”

  “Actually, I think I do,” I chuckled, and I started back toward the road,

  but quickly turned back. “Blar, you stay here. And stay out of the pumpkin

  patch. We’ll be right back.”

  “Where are we going?” Kas asked as she jogged to catch up with me.

  “Is it safe to leave him alone?”

  I looked back at where the little dragon sat and pouted.

  “We’ll find out,” I said, though I was confident he would stay where I

  told him to. “We’re just going to my neighbor’s home.”

  “Neighbor?” Kas questioned and looked around. “It’s pretty secluded

  here, where’s your neighbor?”

  “You’ll see,” I said as I turned left onto the cobbled street. We walked

  for a few minutes, then I turned right onto a path that was only visible if you

  knew where to look.

  “Whoa,” Kas breathed as we walked down the small trail. “I wouldn’t

  have even seen this from the road.”

  “That’s kind of the point,” I chuckled.

  “Who lives out here anyway?” she asked from behind me as we

  navigated our way through the trees.

  “Rath, is that you?” a female voice called just then.

  “It’s me,” I answered, and I took the last few steps into the clearing.

  My neighbor was just as much of a recluse as I was, but for different

  reasons. She was an older woman, though how much older I didn’t know, and

  her husband had died many years ago, so now she lived alone with her two

  dogs. Her name was Larena, and she had long white hair that hung down to

  her waist, some wrinkles that decorated her face in a beautiful and somehow

  noble way, and light green eyes the color of fresh spring grass. I’d known her

  several years, ever since I accidentally wandered onto her property one

  evening when I was hunting. Now, I occasionally brought her fruits and vegetables from my garden, and she would send me home with freshly baked

  bread.

  “Come here, boy,” she chuckled. “It’s been a while since I’ve seen

  you.”

  “It has,” I agreed, and I pulled the small satchel from my waist. “My

  friend here just picked the most delicious apples off my tree, though, and I

  thought we should share.”

  “Your friend, eh?” Larena asked, and she eyed Kas.

  “Larena, this is Kas,” I introduced.

  “Nice to meet you,” Kas said, and she held her hand out to the woman.

  “Pleasure,” Larena replied, but instead of taking Kas’ hand, she put her

  palms on my face and smiled. “It’s good to see you. The boys have missed

  you.”

  “Boys?” Kas asked, but Larena ignored her and called out for the dogs,

  who then came running from the house.

  They were small gray dogs that looked nearly identical to each other

  except for one white spot which told them apart.

  “Hello,” I laughed as I reached down to pet the boys as they came right

  up to me.

  “They’re so cute,” Kas murmured, and she bent down and held out her

  hand for them to sniff.

  “Snuglar is the one with the white spot,” I said with a point. “And the

  other is Smeeglar.”

  “Snuglar and Smeeglar?” Kas laughed. “That’s adorable.”

  “They seem to like you alright,” Larena said as she watched the dogs

  go up to Kas and lick her hand. “You must be okay.”

  “I don’t think she likes me,” Kas whispered to me.

  “I heard that,” Larena called over her shoulder as she walked into her

  small house.

  “She doesn’t like anybody,” I laughed.

  “I like you!” Larena hollered from inside.

  “Will this work?” I whispered to Kas as she petted the dogs.

  “Definitely,” she agreed, but a wide smile spread across her face as the

  dogs licked her hands and rubbed their snouts against her.

  “Make sure you get what you need,” I said, and I stood up and

  followed Larena into her house.

  It was made of stone just like mine, and I’d helped her fix a few things

  here and there, but her husband had built it for them a long time ago, and it

  was still incredibly sturdy. It was much larger than my own home, with

  several bedrooms and a beautiful kitchen and living area when you first walked in. It had wooden floors, a large fireplace, and an incredibly

  comfortable couch to sit on. Her husband had been quite handy, and

  whenever I asked about something, Larena would tell me the story about how

  her husband made it and where he got the materials, and I’d listen, drink her

  homemade mead, and eat bread and cheese.

  Larena was in the kitchen gathering a pitcher of water, and when she

  saw me, she raised an eyebrow in my direction.

  “You know better than to bring women to my house,” she admonished.

  “I apologize for the intrusion,” I said sincerely. “Kas is just a friend

  and happened to be with me today when I decided to stop by. I thought it

  rude to leave her alone.”

  “She’s not one of those whores from town you’re always bringing

  home, is she?” the old woman asked, and she gave me a playful smile.

  “Does she look like that?” I snickered.

  “Naw,” she scoffed. “She’s far too pretty. There is also magic about

  her. Powerful magic. You be careful, eh? Witches and angels can both seduce

  men, you know.”

  “Sure,” I muttered, and heat rushed into my cheeks. “And I don’t bring

  home whores, they’re just women from town.”

  “There’s nothing wrong with being a whore, dear,” she chuckled as she picked up a tray with water, glasses, and a loaf of bread wrapped in brown

  paper on it. “You’re quite the whore yourself.”

  “Larena,” I laughed. “You’re too much sometimes. I think you need to

  leave this house more.”

  “But then what reason would you have to bring me apples?” she asked

  and turned around to flash me a wink befo
re she stepped back outside.

  “I’m afraid we can’t stay long,” I said as the old woman set the tray

  down on her outdoor table.

  “Well, I went through all the trouble of getting us water,” she argued.

  “And it’s a warm day, you must be parched. At least have a glass.”

  I knew Larena, and I knew we wouldn’t get out any faster by denying

  the water. It would be easier to simply drink it and try to escape afterward.

  “Alright,” I chuckled. “Just one glass.”

  “I am quite thirsty,” Kas said as she stood up and reached for a glass.

  “So, Kas, is it?” Larena questioned as she took the apples out of my

  small satchel and placed them neatly onto the table.

  “Yes, that’s right,” Kas said after she pulled the glass from her lips and

  wiped her mouth on her hand.

  “And what do you occupy yourself with in Asgard?” Larena asked.

  “I work at my father’s shop with him,” the sorceress answered, and she seemed unfazed by Larena’s intrusive question.

  “Oh?” Larena hummed, and her light green eyes were curious as she

  regarded Kas. “And who’s your father? Maybe I know him.”

  “His name is Ramir,” Kas said with a slight smile.

  “Ahhh,” Larena drawled as she raised an eyebrow to me, “witches and

  angels. I knew you had magic.”

  “Many demi-gods have magic,” Kas said, but she looked uncertain. “Is

  that a problem?”

  “Not a problem per se,” the old woman replied. “But now I am

  suspicious of what you’re doing with my Rath here.”

  “I’m not doing anything with him,” Kas scoffed, and her eyebrows

  pinched together with confusion.

  “You better not try any spells on him,” Larena said with narrowed

  eyes. “I’ll know.”

  “Rath is… my friend,” Kas tried to explain, and she glanced over at me

  uncomfortably. “I wouldn’t want to put any spells on him.”

  “Good, good,” Larena muttered, and she took a drink of her water.

  “Alright, Larena,” I laughed. “I think it’s time for us to go. I’ll bring

  you more fruit soon, but we really must be off.”

  “Yes,” Kas said. “I need to get back to my father’s shop for the day.”

  “Alright,” the old woman sighed. “But you’d better take this bread.”

  “That’s alright--” I started, but Larena cut me off.

  “Take the bread, child,” she ordered, so I quickly picked up the loaf

  and put it in my small satchel.

  “Thank you, Larena,” I said with a smile.

  “Come see me soon,” she requested as I leaned down to kiss her cheek.

  “It was nice to meet you,” Kas said, and she reached down to pet the

  dogs one more time.

  “Yes,” Larena muttered, and she looked over at me. “You may bring

  her again.”

  “Alright,” I agreed, though I was quite shocked by her willingness to

  have more people at her home. I figured I was in for an earful just with

  bringing Kas, but I suspected the old woman actually liked her.

  We waved goodbye, and I led Kas back through the trees and toward

  my home again. Blar was home alone, and I didn’t want to leave him for any

  longer than necessary, since it had already been too long.

  “Larena seems to like you a lot,” Kas said as we walked.

  “I’ve known her for years.” I shrugged. “Us recluses have an

  understanding.”

  “Does she have children of her own?” she asked.

  “I don’t think so,” I said. “Her husband died a long time ago, and she

  never remarried.”

  “Ah, I see.” Kas nodded.

  “See what?” I asked, and I was curious as to what judgement she’d

  made of my friend.

  “Oh, nothing,” Kas said. “It just explains why she treats you like her

  kid is all.”

  “She doesn’t treat me like her kid,” I protested, but when I thought

  about it, I came to the conclusion Kas might be right. Larena was always

  happy to see me, and often we spent holiday nights together drinking and

  sitting by the fire. It was nice to have someone around when you were lonely,

  and we were there for each other. It was platonic and strange, but I’d never

  thought of it as a maternal like relationship until Kas brought it up.

  “Whatever you say,” the beautiful strawberry-blonde chuckled.

  “Did you get what you need for the spell?” I asked, and I was eager to

  shift the conversation away from myself.

  “Yup,” she confirmed, and she held up a small tuft of gray dog fur.

  “You didn’t cut their hair, did you?” I asked with wide eyes. Larena

  would kill me if Kas had messed up the dog’s coats. She took a lot of pride in

  how they were groomed.

  “I didn’t need to,” Kas snorted. “Have you seen the way those things

  shed?”

  “True,” I chuckled, and I looked down at my tunic to see there were

  several stray dog hairs attached to me now.

  We broke through the trees by my house, and I quickly scanned the

  area for Blar. I didn’t see him right away, but I wanted to see if he’d stayed in

  the area like I told him to, so I started to wander around the yard and look for

  him.

  “Um, I found him,” Kas called out, and I walked over to where she

  stood near the peach tree.

  There on the ground were three piles of peach pits surrounding a

  sleeping Blar. I’d told him to stay away from the pumpkins, but I hadn’t said

  anything about the peaches.

  Sneaky fellow.

  I shook my head at his ingenuity. He was a brat, but at least he was

  smart. I just had to make sure I was incredibly specific with my commands

  from now on, otherwise he’d be the size of my house within a week.

  “I’m surprised he hasn’t woken up yet,” Kas whispered.

  “I’m not,” I said with an eye roll. The little dragon was absolutely

  passed out from eating his weight in peaches. He laid on his back in the grass with a little piece of peach still in his front paws, and I could hear his slight

  snores from where I stood above him. He was absolutely adorable, but also a

  little blue eating machine.

  “We need to move him for the spell,” Kas said.

  “Blar,” I grunted, and I reached down and nudged his full stomach.

  “Wake up.”

  The dragon smacked his lips a couple of times, then he yawned and

  stretched before he rolled over and looked up at us.

  “Did you enjoy your snack?” Kas teased, but Blar just smiled in return.

  “Next time, I’m going to tell you to stay away from the garden

  altogether,” I told him as we walked to the middle of my yard where we had

  the clearest space.

  “I think he just rolled his eyes at you,” Kas laughed as the sassy little

  reptile walked between us and sat down.

  “I wouldn’t be surprised if you’re right,” I chuckled.

  Kas hadn’t been part of the team for long, but I was surprised by how

  much I already liked her. She seemed more comfortable with us now than she

  had before, and I supposed I was more comfortable with her, too. There was

  nothing like a secret to bring people together. We had no choice but to trust

  each other at this point, so there was no reason to play games.

&nb
sp; “Okay,” Kas said, and she turned to look at me, “you might want to

  step back some. I don’t want to accidentally disguise you as a dog.”

  “Say no more,” I laughed, and I looked down at Blar. “Stay there.”

  I walked over to my table and took a seat so I could watch what Kas

  was about to do. She had the large red dragon scale in one hand and the dog

  fur in the other, and I couldn’t help but stare at the curves of her slender body

  as she worked. She wore a green sleeveless tunic and black boots that went

  up to her knees, and I could clearly see the hourglass shape beneath her

  clothing. Her long hair hung down her back in a mane of rich curls, and I

  wanted nothing more than to reach out and touch them, since they looked so

  soft.

  I shook my head to focus on what Kas was up to, and I watched as she

  began to mutter under her breath just like she had in the clearing.

  Blar looked over at me as if he was bored by the whole ordeal, but I

  just gave him a pointed look to tell him to stay in place. We couldn’t walk

  around with him as he was, he was getting too big too fast, so disguising him

  was our best bet at the moment, and if Kas needed him to stay still, then

  that’s what he’d do.

  As Kas continued to murmur words I couldn’t make out, her body

  started to almost rise like it had before. Her hair lifted from her shoulders just slightly, and the heels of her feet rose from the ground until only her toes

  were still connected to the earth.

  Slowly, the dog hairs in her hand started to swirl around amidst a flurry

  of red sparkly dust. The flurry whipped around in circles at first, and then it

  moved over to Blar and began to swirl around him. He rose slightly from the

  ground as well, and I had to stifle a laugh at his panicked little face as he tried

  to move his legs back toward the ground.

  The swirls whipped faster and faster around him until I could no longer

  see him at all. It was just a whirl of red before a bright light exploded from

  within, and Blar fell to the ground.

  Chapter 6

  “Is that it?” I asked as I stood up and walked toward him. “He doesn’t

  look any different.”

  The little dragon looked slightly dazed after what had just happened,

  but he definitely didn’t look like a dog. He looked like himself, and I worried

  Kas’ magic might not be all I thought it was earlier.