by Nira Steele
“This isn’t okay. He’s supposed to let us know about these things,” Tessa declared. Beginning to scowl at her father she strode right up to his desk. “His behaviour was reckless and imprudent, so very unfitting for someone of his status. I can hardly believe he would behave in such a manner towards our guest.”
“It makes no difference what you think,” Terenus responded in a level voice. Rising smoothly he began glaring back at his daughter. “Do you realise who you are complaining about? This is Laurentius - he can do whatever he pleases. Whenever he pleases, to whomever he pleases.”
To nobody’s surprise Tessa did not take this advice terribly well.
“What?” she spat out. “So he doesn’t have to justify anything?”
“No my petal, why would he?” Willa asked her gently. “I agree his behaviour is questionable but we cannot do anything about it. We can voice our concerns but it will not make any difference.”
For a moment Tessa just stood there. Then she clenched her fists, raising her voice as she launched into a rant. Andie winced as she heard a lot of suspicious words in Tessa’s fluent Latin outburst. The little Draconarid’s eyes grew damp as the strange terms rolled out… then she abruptly stormed out.
Andie quietly pressed a hand to her mouth.
“Oh for heaven’s sake,” Willa muttered. “Why must you always provoke her like that?”
“She must learn to tolerate such things,” Terenus responded with a huff.
Willa turned towards Andie and performed the subtlest of eye rolls.
“Do not be concerned as these two argue on a regular basis,” she advised her calmly. “In regards to Laurentius, I must tell you we have been expecting some kind of a review. Tessa was right to be alarmed though as he should have informed us of his plans.”
Nodding back Andie pressed her lips together. She already knew there was more to Tessa’s explosion than just the flight today. Try as they might they could not avoid the fact Andie could be leaving soon.
She did not have a clue if she had passed Laurentius’s test.
Willa escorted Andie home and settled her down into her favourite lounge chair. Disappearing into the kitchen she quickly returned with a simple meal. She presented Andie with a bowl of hot soup and a plate of warm crusty bread. Speaking soothingly, she admitted her daughter would probably be holed up in her room for the rest of the evening.
It was a long and tense night. When Andie finally did retire she could not manage to get a wink of sleep. Watching the stars, she found even their tranquillity could not ease her concerns. Eventually she got up and wandered around the house as her fears started consuming her. Gazing absently at the beautiful frescoes, it pained her to think she may never get to see any of these white dragons.
She had a moment, a flash of elation as a clever thought jumped into her mind. Perhaps if she revealed Darius’s identity it might keep her here? But no, such an idea could backfire if he then found out.
Hanging her head Andie realised she had just considered betraying him.
Sullenly she shuffled off into the kitchen. Keen to distract herself she gazed around at the neatly organised work area. It was filled with mortars and pestles, jars of different herbs and a myriad of beautifully crafted bowls. Sighing heavily she allowed her mind to fill with the memories of a similar place. Her mother did not have such finely crafted kitchenware but she did have more advanced equipment to work with. Andie found herself wondering how Willa created the meals she had been feasting on over the last week.
No sooner had she thought of the regal matriarch than she appeared. Dressed in a long white night gown Willa gently told Andie she needed to get some rest.
“I think it is time I prepared one of my sleeping drafts for you,” Willa said as she plucked some jars from the shelves.
“Thank you,” Andie responded with a little smile. Once it was prepared she took the brew back to her bedroom.
Predictably she woke up very dazed and confused the next morning. Unable to rise, Andie literally crawled out of bed in an attempt to wake up. Gazing around blearily, she sprawled over a large floor rug before passing out again.
Tessa eventually found her there and immediately proceeded to assist her.
“Strong tea,” the little Draconarid declared. “That’s what you need to get you on your feet.” Disappearing briefly she then returned with a large mug.
Levering herself off the floor Andie took the cup gratefully.
“You people and your tea,” she muttered with a little smile. “Do any of you drink coffee?”
“Of course! You can have one as well?”
“Why not, I need all the help I can get,” Andie admitted with a bleary chuckle.
“I’ll whip up some breakfast for you too,” Tessa said before dashing back out the room. She returned quite quickly with another cup and a little pile of freshly made toast. Coated with butter and raspberry jam it really was quite delicious. The coffee did the heavy lifting though and perked Andie up immediately. Tessa continued fussing like an energetic ferret, obviously keen to ensure they left the house on time today….
So she could take Andie to the Angry Cocks. It seemed Tessa was trying to make up for abandoning her last night. Not that going to the tavern was anything special for them now. It had become their regular haunt for their lunchtime meals and pre-flight drinks.
All the same Andie knew deep down this probably wasn’t a good idea. Unfortunately her instincts were proven to be right. Gently swaying on her stool she started eyeing off the kegs again.
“Please don’t tell me you’re tipsy,” Tessa grumbled loudly. As per usual they had to raise their voices over the din of noisy patrons.
“What?” Andie blared as she played with her empty glass. “I’ve only had three drinks today. The glasses here are really tiny.” Frowning, she then leaned in closer to her little friend.
Wrinkling her nose Tessa tilted backwards on her stool.
“More like five by my count,” she stated loudly.
“Hey don’t pick on me! You people drink all the time!” Andie shot back.
“In moderation!” Tessa retorted. “Especially during the day! You’re going to make yourself sick again.”
Andie lurched away from her and yelled, “Well you tell me how I’m supposed to cope with your boss then!? If he gropes me again I’m going to punch him! Not that it really matters as he’ll probably send me packing today.”
Tessa rolled her eyes to the ceiling.
“He’s not my boss and he didn’t grope you for heaven’s sake. Why are you behaving like this? Oh and for your information you might be staying longer.”
Andie went into a sulk, jutting her lower lip out as she hunched forward.
“Nobody tells me anything so how would I know?”
“Oh I give up,” the little blonde groaned. “Just remember to lean to the side today when you vomit.”
“Hey I heard that! There’s only one person I’ll be spewing on and it’s that royal prick!” Andie blared. Desperate to distract herself she looked for something else to criticize. “Why do you like drinking here?” she yelled at her little friend.
“The cider is really good and I usually get left in peace -”
“Of course you do! The sign out the front tells you why!” Andie blasted over the top of her.
“What, the two angry cocks?”
For a moment Andie gaped at her before erupting into a maniacal cackle. Shaking her head Tessa rolled her eyes to the ceiling again.
“You’re so impossible. Let’s just go and get this over with.”
Together the young women squeezed their way over to the sinks. Still frowning Tessa quickly relieved Andie of her glassware. Washing up their glasses she then grabbed Andie’s arm and promptly towed her out through the exit.
Their ascent to the platform was a tense one. Weaving along in silence, Andie could feel her apprehension rapidly beginning to kick in. She had not fully dulled her senses and now her fears were qui
ckly returning. As she approached the final staircase she could feel her legs starting to seize up. Then her knees abruptly locked into place, freezing her on the pavement like statue. Staring down at the tops of her boots Andie could feel the terror overwhelming her.
“Hey, it’s going to be okay,” Tessa’s little voice softly reassured her.
Shaking her head Andie started leaning forwards.
“I don’t think I can do this,” she muttered.
“Okay. I’ll go up first and check who’s there.” Swiftly Tessa ascended to the platform.
From the bottom of the steps Andie could see her head swivelling around as she performed a quick survey.
“All clear, you can come up,” Tessa called back down the stairs.
Taking a deep breath Andie forced her legs to move. The platform turned out to be completely empty which brought them both some much needed relief. Giving each other cautious smiles they headed towards the cave. As they entered the dimly lit space they heard a deep grumble emanating from the back corner.
Then a familiar voice echoed around the walls.
“Good day to ye both!” Marcellus called out to them. He had emerged from his workshop just inside the cave’s entrance. Wiping his hands on his leather trousers he looked very pleased they were here. Then his happy smile quickly faded away.
“Ye’ve got ye work cut out today lassie as somebody’s in a wretched mood,” he declared with a little frown. Raising his eyebrows he flicked his head towards the back of the cave.
Squinting, Andie identified the huge body curled up in the shadows. Darius had not moved at all, apparently uninterested in greeting her today. Scratching her head Andie went to hang her cloak on its wooden peg outside the workshop.
“This won’t do,” Tessa declared with a little sniff. Curling her fingers she strode off into the darkness. Once she had found Darius’s head she positioned herself right in front of it. Lifting her chin she shoved her hands onto her hips.
“What’s wrong with you?! Do you want to see Andie sent home today?!” she blared at him.
The grumbling stopped.
“You could have killed her yesterday. What in heaven’s name were you thinking? Were you even thinking at all?”
An enormous set of gleaming black horns rose from the gloom. Darius opened his eyes and focussed his glowing irises onto Tessa.
Now Andie already knew how intimidating he looked. She was fairly certain he would be able to frighten anybody if he wanted. However she had never seen him glare at anyone like this before. His heavy brow line had formed into a long sharp ridge. Brave little Tessa was completely unperturbed by him though. She lifted a finger and jabbed it straight into his muzzle.
“If you harm her I’ll rip you to pieces! Do you hear me?!” she blasted. “Do. You. Hear me?!” Each word was emphasised by another poke. “If you dare to abduct her I swear to everything sacred I will find you. I’m the best damn tracker around here you know. There’s nowhere you can hide from me you vast, selfish bastard.”
Marcellus shuffled close to Andie as his eyebrows arched towards his hairline.
“I take it there was some trouble yesterday?” he murmured.
“Shit yeah,” she whispered back.
“Damn, I missed it.”
The berating continued for almost a minute before ending with a thinly veiled threat about tearing the dragon another orifice. Andie watched on with astonishment as she wondered what Tessa might look like as a dragon. It was hard to imagine her with a huge scaly body but the horns she could practically see right now.
Satisfied with her sermon Tessa turned on her heels and strode back towards Andie.
“Well that’s him told,” Marcellus commented with a lopsided smirk.
Darius seemed to have taken the lecture quite stoically. His glare quickly faded as he sat quietly and endured the rant. By the end his huge face had calmed into a rather dumbstruck stare.
“Can I have a minute alone with him?” Andie asked calmly.
Tessa gave her a nod as she marched out of the cave. Marcellus followed behind her giving Andie a little wink as he left.
Once they were gone Andie slowly approached Darius. He had dropped his head to the ground now, tilting it to the side to examine her balefully. As she moved up next to him a large wing started unfolding. The hard armoured edge moved tentatively towards her.
“Oh, you poor silly thing,” she breathed. Reaching out a hand she ran it over the smooth scales of his snout. “Why did you behave like that yesterday? I know you don’t like Laurentius but you scared me half to death.”
A deep moaning filled the air.
Andie had come to realise her role here was never going to be easy. It was complex and there were things she did not understand… but it all could be ending. Try as she might, she could not avoid the fact she was only a visitor here.
“This could be my final day,” she said quietly. “I know it’s what you want but it means the end of all this.”
The cave became quiet as Darius rolled his eyelids shut. Letting her own eyes close Andie forced her mind to focus. She imagined the handsome articulate man she had met barely two days ago. Dropping her voice to a whisper she moved up under his closest horn.
“I hope you’re in there Darius, under all those scales. I just want you to know how much I’m going to miss you.”
She was met with more silence.
“If Laurentius makes me leave there’s nothing I can do about it. I’m here now though and there’s nothing I’d like more than to go flying with you today.”
A gurgling sound rumbled down Darius’s thick throat.
“If you’re ready we can go out there right now and just do it. That prick isn’t around so we can enjoy ourselves one last time.”
Ever so slowly Darius opened his eyes again. Blinking, he rose from the ground and began waddling across the cave. When he reached the saddle he effortlessly lifted it up on the tip of a huge black talon. Leaning sideways with surprising ease he then placed it neatly across his neck. With a quick jiggle he had quickly moved it into position just in front of his shoulders.
Andie broke into a huge smile. Running up beside him she quickly reached down and fastened the saddle strap.
“That’s the way!” she declared with her voice brimming with enthusiasm. Then she paused, tensing every muscle as a huge burp rumbled up her throat. Smacking a hand over her mouth she could feel the hot blush rising in her cheeks.
The air filled with a deep gurgling sound. Frowning, she slapped her free hand against a large scale.
“Hey don’t laugh! You’re the one driving me to drink!” she complained. Then she climbed up into the saddle and quickly set her feet into the stirrups. “Alright you big trouble maker, just give me a second to find my gum.”
They emerged from the cave with their heads held high.
Marcellus let out a wolf whistle.
“Well done lassie!” he called out.
“Bah!” Tessa scoffed as she rolled her eyes towards the heavens. “I don’t know where she finds the patience.”
“It’s not patience. I just don’t want to be sent home yet!” Andie proclaimed with a grin.
Her comment elicited a laugh from everyone. Standing in the bright sunlight they all relaxed as the sounds of their merriment filled the air. Then another noise started to arise, a sharp sound that emerged from the background. Noticing it first Tessa swivelled around quickly to locate its source. When she saw who was clapping she emitted a high squeal before dropping to her knees.
“What a marvellous display,” Lord Laurentius declared.
Marcellus quickly joined Tessa on the ground. Then Andie spotted him, flinching so violently she almost strained her back.
“I see my faith in you has not been misplaced. Your fortitude is truly exemplary.”
Andie was speechless - the mere presence of Lord Laurentius was unnerving. She stared breathlessly at her friends as he sauntered directly towards them. He barely batted an
eyelid at them though and instead focussed his attention onto her.
As he stopped beside Tessa and Marcellus they slowly rose to their feet. Keeping their eyes on the pavement their faces were locked in masks of veneration.
Today Laurentius was fully covered in a long flowing blue robe. The heavily ruched sleeves swept along the ground, the fabric so fine it floated around him in the breeze. Hopefully this meant….
“Do not be alarmed. I will not be joining you for your flight today. I will, however, be observing you both.”
Darius emitted a low rumble as he flicked his huge head away. Andie nearly fainted with relief knowing she would not have to endure Laurentius’s proximity again. She did not care if he wanted to watch them but how on earth was he going to manage it? Surely he would not transform into a dragon right in front of her?
Completely perplexed, Andie’s eyes sought out the faces of her friends. Tessa nodded slightly and raised her eyebrows as she glanced towards the edge. Taking the hint Andie clasped onto the pommel.
“Let’s go Da… Dragon.”
Well that was almost a disaster. Fortunately Darius got the message and promptly turned towards the edge. As she positioned her goggles Andie glanced back furtively over her shoulder.
Laurentius vanished right before her eyes. Utterly gobsmacked she gaped at her friends.
“Just go!” Tessa called out. “Try to keep it short though!”
Andie didn’t need the advice. This was already going to be her shortest flight ever.
“Go boy!” she yelled out. They plunged off the side and dropped straight down into the abyss.
✽✽✽
Andie lasted about five seconds before her stomach started to turn.
Mentally berating herself for her lunchtime binge she gripped onto the pommel till her knuckles went white. Squeezing her eyelids shut, she gritted her teeth in an effort to maintain control. She only needed to endure this for a little bit longer….
Finally Darius levelled off into a glide above the forest. Gasping heavily Andie could feel the nausea gradually ebbing away. Sitting back she then noticed the strange sounds carrying through the air.
