by Nira Steele
Then she realised - she was actually gazing down at her injured arm. All that remained of the deep gash was a thin pink line.
“Wow,” she gasped.
Tessa was now staring intently at her.
“Like I said, I cannot tell you anything,” she spoke levelly. “But it is only because you might be leaving. If you accepted our task things would be different.” Then the little blonde’s lips curled into a wicked smile.
“Okay, you’ve got me interested,” Andie muttered. Of course she was fascinated but she wasn’t going to make a hasty decision. It was plainly obvious they wanted her to accept this mysterious undertaking.
“Come on then. Can’t I coax you into a little adventure?” Tessa simpered.
“I’m sorry but can I think about this? I’ve only just woken up.”
“Sure,” Tessa replied breezily. “I’ll bring you something to eat in the meantime. You’ve got an hour to decide so you have a little bit of time.”
Then Andie had a clever thought. Arching her eyebrows she lifted up her injured arm.
“If I accept this task can you at least tell me about this?”
Tessa’s smile melted away.
“I wish I could tell you everything about us. But I cannot, as it would place my people in danger. Our home is the only sanctuary we have. We must hide from the outside world or they would destroy us.” Then her big violet eyes sunk to the floor. “They would never accept what we are.”
Andie made a little grimace - her ploy had backfired badly.
“I think I understand, well just a little bit anyway,” Andie offered quietly. Rising slowly from the bed she tried to change the subject. “What time is it?” she asked.
“About eleven o’clock. You’ve had plenty of sleep so do you feel better now?”
“I’m still a bit groggy but apart from that I’m good. I should be aching all over but there’s not a single twinge.”
As Andie spoke her mind was beginning to clear. She had so many questions buzzing through her mind, lighting it up like a fresh fire. If she chose to leave now she would be left with nothing but smouldering regrets.
Then there was the one spark which would never die down. They had mentioned the creature she chased into the forest. Andie was certain they knew exactly what it was.
Chapter 3 - Into the Blue
Andie tugged nervously at the edges of her cloak.
She had decided to accept their mysterious task. So for better or worse she was now heading to the location where it would be undertaken.
Moving through the long corridors Andie glanced furtively at her little escort. It was pleasing to see Tessa had found the time to get changed. The colour of her leather outfit was slightly different, more of a pale grey shade this time. She still looked tired though, the shadows under her eyes marring her otherwise perfect visage.
Andie kept her thoughts to herself as she pulled her hood down a little further. Holding her cloak firmly closed she desperately tried to conceal herself. She looked so shabby in her t-shirt and track pants when compared to the people here. At least her clothes were clean and mended now so she did not look like a complete wreck.
This should not have been possible though. It would take many hours to repair all of the damage to her garments. Why would anyone bother to when they could just replace her cheap clothes?
Luckily Andie had something else to focus on right now. Glancing down under her cloak she admired her new leather wrist band. It contained the beautiful Eye stone, concealed under a cap like an expensive watch protector.
Tessa had advised her to wear the gem at all times. Apparently it allowed her to see things which were normally invisible to her. Tessa refused to explain exactly what things though, which Andie found rather annoying.
She did not push for an explanation as her companion was obviously distracted. Walking along beside her, the little blonde’s eyes seemed distant.
Arriving at a flight of stairs they ascended into the brightness of day. As they stepped off the last tread they began following a wide covered walkway. Lined with rows of tall pillars it seemed to curve out endlessly into the distance. Between the columns sat beds of colourful flowers, the high walls behind them capturing the sunlight.
They continued on for another minute before arriving at a large fountain. Brightly sparkling in the daylight, the clear sprays of water arced up towards its centre. In the middle sat a large clear object, mostly obscured by the cascading water. Its asymmetrical surfaces reflected the light like glass....
Quickly they moved on.
Once they passed the fountain Tessa turned and began climbing a long set of stairs. Following behind her, Andie saw the sky opening up above. As they reached the top a vast tiled platform came into view.
“We’re here,” Tessa murmured. Glancing at Andie she headed towards some shade.
As they traversed the bright surface Andie glanced around at the scenery. To her left was a large township, spreading across a shallow valley between two rows of white peaks. The visible buildings were capped with large clear domes filling the air with dazzling reflections.
It was a surprise to see so much glass being used up here. Or was it, because nothing in the township looked normal anyway. Looking around she tried to determine why they had come to this place. As Andie glanced over to the right her breath was nearly taken away.
There was nothing but empty space. Half of the large oval platform was jutting out into the air.
Glancing over at Tessa, she realised they were not the only ones up here. Standing beneath a columned pavilion was a small group of people. She spotted Magister Thaddeus with his long white beard, plaited into a braid which nearly reached the ground. Standing beside him were two leather-clad guards holding silver pikes in their gauntleted hands.
Then Andie realised the tall Lord was just behind them. Dressed in his white robes he stood out like a beacon in the shadows.
Andie had not been expecting an audience here today. Then again, she had not known what to expect at all. Lowering her head she tried to hide the surprise written across her face.
“Good morning ladies,” Thaddeus called out. “I see you are looking well.”
Quietly they approached the small group. Stopping just in front of them Tessa dropped smoothly to her knees.
“Thank you. We are both in good health,” she responded levelly.
Andie sank down to the pavement as well. Thanks to her miraculous recovery she could actually manage it again. Fixing her eyes on the mosaic tiles she carefully avoided everyone’s gaze. Now she was here it was becoming obvious her task was going to be major. Her pulse was already racing from the anticipation.
“Tessarina, please take your companion to the middle of the platform.”
Andie recognised the Lord’s deep voice immediately. Tessa rose quickly, lightly brushing her fingers over Andie’s shoulder.
“Follow me,” she said quietly.
Silently Andie rose from the ground. Together they made their way to the middle of the platform. Right in the centre of the spiralling patterns a large disc gleamed in the sun. Stepping upon it Tessa stopped and turned to grasp Andie’s hands. Looking up, she forced her tensely set lips into a smile.
“This is it,” she breathed in a slightly tremulous voice. “Stay strong and remember you are safe.”
Andie stared back at her. She could feel her body heating up as her nerves began twitching. Then Tessa abruptly released her hands and sauntered away. Andie watched wide eyed as she moved back towards the group.
She was all alone now. Standing in the open, she could feel the heat of the sun beating down upon her. Sucking in a shallow breath Andie gazed around in tense anticipation. Squinting her eyes, she glanced at the mountains to either side of her. Those sharp white peaks weren’t very far away from them now.
It suddenly occurred to her the air should be very thin up here. Pressing a hand to her chest, she then noticed something very ominous.
A deep thud
ding was reverberating through the ground.
Her eyes flicked around to locate the source. Then she saw it - a large entrance into a dark cave. Set into the side of an adjoining mountain it connected with the edge of the platform. From where Andie was standing she could just make out something within it.
Then it appeared.
Dazzling blood red scales gleamed in the sunlight.
Andie froze in place as a huge reptilian head emerged from the shadows. But it wasn’t smooth and snakelike, no this was more, well….
Prehistoric.
She could have compared it to a t-rex if not for the large golden eyes. Not to mention the huge black horns curling up so devilishly from its head. The enormous scaled cranium hung silently in the air.
Then a loud snort blasted through the atmosphere. The creature tilted it head, focussing its attention onto Andie. Slowly it began to move forward.
As the platform started vibrating an enormous armoured body emerged from the shadows. A pair of vast bat-like wings unfolded, flicking briefly before retracting again. Four sets of huge black claws scraped over the tiles, their tempo overlapping in a harsh staccato rhythm.
Now Andie wasn’t a particularly brave person. Normally the sight of a huge deadly creature would have her sprinting in the opposite direction. But there was nothing normal about this situation - to say it was unique would be an understatement.
The same could be said for Andie’s motivation to stay in place. Something far greater than fear was eclipsing her instinct to run away. It was something nobody else would ever understand.
This was her hope, her dream. For as long as she could remember this was all she had ever longed for.
So she fought the urge to flee with every ounce of strength she had. Her hands were shaking and her legs were trembling but she refused to succumb to her fear. She stood there quivering as a huge pair of golden eyes stared down at her.
Was it going to eat her? Would the people watching let it?
Hadn’t Tessa promised her she would be safe? Lost in a swirl of panic Andie gaped back at it.
The huge creature continued towards her, lumbering across the tiles in a somewhat awkward manner. This definitely wasn’t an animal designed to walk on the ground. Once it was within several feet of her it abruptly froze in place. Tilting its head towards the pavilion it began making small huffing sounds. It blinked at the onlookers, its brilliant red scales almost blinding in the sunlight.
Then it turned back towards Andie and gave her a little nod.
Was that a hello? It kind of looked like a hello. Now it seemed to be staring at her again. Was it waiting for something?
Taking a hunch Andie forced herself into a bow. It took everything she had to bend forward, her body so tense it would barely move. Her head started swimming with a view of the pavement as she felt herself losing control.
Then there was a huge thud.
Flinching, she glanced forward. Two big golden eyes blinked slowly at her. The creature’s head was now on the tiles, barely ten paces in front of her. Slowly lowering its body it released an extended sigh.
Andie gaped at the enormous scaled muzzle as it gleamed like polished metal in the sunlight. Then something touched her arm, encircling it smoothly with a little squeeze.
“Are you okay?”
Andie jerked upright as the beaming face of her companion burst into view.
“Hey, you’ve done it!” Tessa crowed, jiggling one fist in the air.
Andie tried to speak but all that came out was a croak.
As the smile vanished from Tessa’s face she urged her, “Try to pull your shoulders back and take a deep breath.”
Sucking in a rough gulp of air, Andie reached out and clutched desperately at Tessa’s arms.
“That’s it,” Tessa encouraged her. “Try to fill your lungs up. Pull it in through your nose.”
Andie followed her advice, drawing in deeply through her nostrils. Slowly exhaling she could feel the thumping in her chest easing. They stood clinging to each other, alone in the centre of the landing.
Well not completely alone if you counted the dragon.
Andie could not believe what was happening to her. Was this all just one of her crazy dreams? Would she wake up in a moment and find herself staring up at her aunt’s attic beams? Then Tessa’s voice broke through her wildly spinning thoughts.
“There’s one more thing we need you to try. Can you do this for me?”
Andie looked back into Tessa’s big violet eyes. They were so bright now, brimming with excitement and enthusiasm. Then a small set of fingers slid down over Andie’s wrist.
Tessa started pulling her towards the dragon. Moving right up to it, she placed Andie’s hand upon its muzzle.
Instinctively Andie flinched before she felt the hardness of scales. They were warm and smooth, like old stones sitting in the sun. She could smell the dragon’s scent, a strange spicy aroma mixed with an earthy undertone.
“Oh Tessa,” Andie managed to breathe as she gaped in utter amazement. “This is so… incredible….”
“Don’t say that. It’ll go to his head,” Tessa quipped. “Male red dragons have such big egos.”
A deep rumble resonated through the ground.
“Did he just…?” Andie muttered as she broke into a bleary smile.
“He sure did,” Tessa responded with a smirk. Blinking, Andie then realised the reference she had just made.
“Did you say ‘red’ dragon?”
Tessa gave her head a little flick as she tried to look nonchalant.
“There’s more than one type you know. This one is young too – he looks barely eighty years old.”
Andie’s eyebrows arched towards the heavens. Stunned, she realised this was not her baby dragon.
“How many do you have?” she muttered.
“Around a thousand,” Tessa replied breezily.
Utterly gobsmacked Andie stared back at her.
Tessa continued smirking as she sauntered alongside the dragon. Waving one arm high above her head she then turned towards the cave. Two blond strapping men appeared carrying what appeared to be a large saddle.
The dragon lifted its head from the ground. Andie’s hand slid over his scales, touching a hard leathery lip before ending up in mid-air.
“Hey, settle down there,” Tessa spoke up. “Don’t you want to take her for a ride?”
The smile drained from Andie’s face. Grinning from ear to ear Tessa bounced up right in front of her.
“There’s one more thing we need you to do. Just wait until they have the saddle in place.”
“You’re kidding,” Andie mumbled.
“You can tell him anything you want you know. He can understand everything you say. It’ll only be a really short trip so you’ll be back in a jiffy.”
The dragon narrowed its eyes as the men put the saddle into place. Carefully lifting it up, they gently lowered it onto the base of his neck. Sliding it backwards they found a spot where it sat snugly just in front of his shoulders. Then one of them hefted up a broad leather strap and wiggled its pointy end in the air.
“Err, Tessa?” The man said as he raised one eyebrow. She responded with a little nod.
“Come on, lift yourself up a bit,” she said to the dragon.
Making a grunt it lifted its broad chest a short way off the ground. The men moved forward quickly to fasten the thick strap underneath. Once it was buckled in place, the powerful body dropped back onto the tiles. Snuffling deeply the dragon turned its golden eyes towards Andie.
She stared up at him, marvelling at how intelligent he must be. Then she suddenly found herself being pulled sideways.
“Take your cape off and hop up into the saddle,” Tessa instructed her.
By now Andie had realised any resistance was futile. Untying her cloak with nerveless fingers she shrugged it off.
“This is a really bad idea,” she whined feebly.
“Oh, you’ll be fine,” Tessa said breezily a
s she took Andie’s cloak.
Staring at the saddle Andie muttered, “No, really I don’t think it’s….”
Suddenly she was being hoisted into the air. Within a second she found herself sitting sideways across the saddle. Making a little squawk, Andie grabbed at something which looked like a pommel.
“Swing one leg over to the other side,” Tessa instructed her with a broad smile. The little blonde seemed to be really enjoying herself now. “Slip your feet into the stirrups and then press your heels down to lock them in.”
Gaping down, Andie located the curious contraptions hanging below her. They looked like metal slippers with some kind of mechanical device built into the back. Lifting one leg, she stretched it over so she was facing forwards in the saddle. Sliding her shoes into the shielded toe plates she leaned onto each foot until she heard a clicking sound.
“That’s it. You won’t fall off if he starts throwing you around now,” Tessa said with a grin.
“What?” Andie breathed at the impish little figure.
Tessa then began inspecting the saddle. Tugging forcefully on the leather strap, she ensured it was firmly in place. Once she was satisfied she then turned her attention to the dragon. Raising one finger into the air she jabbed it in the direction of the closest eyeball.
“Just a short trip down through the valley and back,” she stated in a commanding tone. “Be sure to bring her back in one piece okay? If you don’t then you will be answering to me.”
A large studded brow ridge moved into what looked like a frown, followed by a deep grunt.
“Just do what I say grumpy face,” Tessa asserted with a glare.
Andie inhaled a slow shaky breath as her eyes slid up along the dragon’s neck. She followed the rise of the thick scaled surface until it met with the huge horned head….
This was nuts.
It could not be real.
Gazing around her, she savoured a last look at the surreal scenery. Her eyes followed the lines of high-domed roofs curving around a space in the centre of the town. A stark white wall loomed off in the distance with three tall spires soaring behind it.
Then Andie twitched as one of her hands was yanked from the pommel. Something soft and waxy was being pressed into her palm.
