by K T Quinn
“Ummm yeah … a shadow… you mean the Shadow King right? Because that’s not exactly breaking news. It’s kinda been that way for some time now… you know the whole good guys versus the bad guys thing…” I was starting to think that Gabriel might be a little slow. Shame. We had all heard the whispers of how great his gifts were.
After all, he was in charge over here. Maybe the light had turned his mind soft. Or maybe it’s the gold. I looked around the room noticing how much gold there was in this room. The wallpaper had gold laced patterns climbing up the walls, there were a few gold statues of animals sitting above the fireplace, and there was a gorgeous gold goblet encrusted with gems sitting on the wooden desk close to the chaise I was sitting on… Gems! I licked my lips looking at the goblet wondering if anyone would notice if I pocketed it. I felt the urge to find a place where I could hoard it, and all kinds of treasure like it.
Laughter interrupted my chain of gem-stealing thoughts.
“You really are a crazy dragon lady,” Rowdy said smiling at me.
“No I’m not,” I sniffed. Okay note to self, don’t think about gems and treasure around the mind reader.
No he will steal all our gems! We must hide them, don’t let anyone near our treasure. Our precious shiny treasure
I had almost forgotten about the Dragon. I thought that maybe that part had really been a figment of my imagination.
Nope. Still here. Lucky you.
Are you sassing me Dragon? Really?
“Mikah, are you listening?” Gabriel said, raising his eyebrows at me.
“No she wasn’t, sir. She’s thinking about stealing the Goblet that had been gifted to you. She only wants you for your gems,” Rowdy snickered.
“Rude,” I glared at Rowdy pouting.
Gabriel cleared his throat. “As I was saying, no one saw you coming. Dragonkin were thought to be extinct. One has not appeared for centuries. Usually Dragonkin are joined to those of royal blood for whatever reason, but a dragon spirit chose you. I hope you realise the enormity of that. A. DRAGON. SPIRIT. Chose you, of all people. A simple commoner from the Dark side” Gabriel mused.
“You know some of us don’t get the choice of where we grow up, or what we have. Not all of us are born in towers decorated with gold,” I gestured to the gold decor in the room. “It doesn’t make you better than us,” I said angrily pointing my finger at Gabriel. “You might have all the gold, and the fancy clothes, but it seems like you don’t have any manners... or a heart for that matter!” I thought of my Mom and the countless hugs, and family dinners we had together. All of the times the twins pranked us, and the unit meetings at home with Mom’s faction of Furies. They were all like family. That, to me, is worth more than all the gold in this room. People matter. Not things.
“And that is precisely why you were chosen Princess,” Rowdy said softly holding two fingers against his temple projecting my angry inner monologue to the other two men in the room.
Gabriel smiled. “You will do well here Mikah Harper. Very well indeed.”
Chapter 4
I sat twiddling my thumbs, literally, in the small waiting room I had been shown to. The decorating style was completely different to what I had been expecting. It looked like a little old lady’s waiting room. The small Victorian style window in the room was draped with thick red curtains. Musty books line the shelves along the walls from the top to the bottom with a singular sliding ladder leaning up against them. There was a small emerald armchair by the window that looked like you could sink back into it for days with a good book, and a cup of tea. This room looked like it would have been someone’s favourite place once.
I stood up and stretched, arching my back and rolling my shoulders. My back was aching from my new wings, that I still had no idea how to retract back into my body yet. Gabriel had to do some of his magic mojo to help me put them away, so my body could repair my injured mangled wing.
I wandered over to the volumes of old texts running my fingers along them reading the titles. There were volumes of books on the history of the realms, of magic, encyclopaedias of supernatural creatures, and books that looked like they were instructional manuals for different beings. I smiled when I found the hidden stash of how-to for dummies books. They were next to the thick volumes of spells. A small tattered book hidden on the bottom shelf caught my eye. It looked as if it was covered in pale green scales that shimmered in the light, making it appear as if it was moving ever so slightly.
I got down on my hands and knees and looked closer. The scaly book spines moved up and down slowly, as if it were breathing, and a soft purr emanated from it.
What is it?
Don’t poke it. You don’t want to upset a wyrm.
What’s a wyrm? It looks so tiny. And cute. And squishy! I’m gonna poke it.
That’s a wyrm. They are vicious creatures! So far from cute it’s not funny! It will eat us. Don’t poke it.
Just a little poke. To see if it’s awake.
DO NOT POKE IT!
But what if it is secretly dying, and that isn’t a super cute adorable purr, it’s actually a death cough, and we need to save it… by CPR poking it!
Mikah Selene Harper! Do you have a death wish? Do. Not. Poke. The. Wyrm!
Ummmm too late? Maybe? I think it’s not dead Dragon...
The wyrm made a small squeak opening a small golden eye and hissed. The hiss turned into a roar as it began to grow and triple in size.
You are an idiot.
“Who dares wake me?” thundered the wyrm, rattling the window now the size of a small dog.
“So not a morning person I take it?” I asked with a smile taking a step backwards just in case. The wyrm turned towards me staring at me stonily.
“I have been asleep for a century. I should eat your bones to dust simply for looking at me. Now answer. WHY DID YOU WAKE ME FROM MY SLUMBER?” the wyrm screeched angrily at me.
I didn’t really have a legitimate answer for the wyrm. It was really hard to take this little guy seriously. He was so cute, I just wanted to squish him and cuddle him. I had always wanted a pet. We should keep him. Then I could be a dragon master. No one would be calling me the crazy dragon lady then. Mwahahahahaha.
You already have a dragon. The best dragon. Don’t be greedy. We are not keeping him. He will eat us. And why are you evil laughing inside your head. It’s disturbing. Stop it.
Okay Dragon Master here we come. Mwahahahahaha. See Dragon, evil laugh sounds legitimately evil and on point.
I turned to the cute little wyrm, kneeling down next to him. “Well to be honest, I only woke you up because I thought you looked pretty cute. Besides you must be awfully lonely in here by yourself.”
“You woke me because you thought I was cute?!” the Wyrm thundered again, his eyes narrowed into slits like that of a snake. He flicked his tail, and sent a tower of books crashing to the ground.
“Cute, and lonely,” I corrected.
We’re going to die.
“Well… I guess I am kind of cute,” the wyrm sniffed.
“Annnnd…” I waved my hand at him enticing him to keep the truth bombs coming.
“Okay fine. I am super lonely, and bored. I haven’t been able to smite any villains, or burn down villages for some time. And I’m so hungry,” he moaned, throwing himself dramatically on the floor.
“Come on now my cute squishy little wyrm of cuteness,” I cooed rubbing under his chin until Wyrmie was purring and beginning to shrink in size. “What if you stuck with me and we go find some snacks. I don’t think there’s anyone who needs smiting anytime soon, times are different now. We can’t just go around smiting and burning places down.”
“But smiting and burning things down is so much fun. In the old days I could just smite and burn away, and no one bothered me. They always just ran away screaming in fear. I was very majestic. Am I still majestic?” Wyrmie asked fishing for compliments.
“Of course you’re still majestic. Possibly the most majestic dragon a
round. But you still can’t smite, or burn things… yet. I promise that if there is any smiting or burning to be done, I will let you have first dibs.”
This seemed to mollify Wyrmie. He cocked his head to the side thoughtfully and sniffed, his eyes glazing over in a trance.
“No. I think maybe you are the majestic one. I feel your Dragon. She is old. Maybe not as ancient as I, but her spirit is so pure.” Wyrmie moved closer to me sniffing and licking the air like a snake. “You both have pure spirits, pure souls. Destined for something great. You will bring destruction and death, or bring harmony and balance to this world. It hasn’t been written in the stars yet. There are too many small factors that can sway the future either way. Ultimately, both of you, will choose for us all.”
“Well butter my butt and call it a biscuit. Ain’t that a bit of a party poopin’ thing to say. I’m just a girl, who may or may not be crazy,” I leaned forward and whispered,'' You know, because I think there’s a dragon inside of me.. not sure if she’s real or not..” I said circling my fingers around the sides of my head giving the global signal for crazy.
You’re a moron. Why in the creator's name was I charged to serve our destiny together with you?
Sassy dragon.
“Anyway, my lonely cute squishy Wyrmie-beast, if I’m destined for such big things it seems like I might need a minion. The smiting and burning kind. I’m not sure if I know any little beasties who can smite and burn things...” I sat back trying to look thoughtful, searching out Wyrmie, from the corner of my eye.
Wyrmie snapped out of his trance. “Oh! Oh! I know someone! A really majestic handsome someone actually,” Wyrmie wriggled excitedly showing off his beautiful scales and preening. I ran my fingers down his back admiring the different opalescent shades.
“Hang on… what’s a minion?” Wyrmie stopped wriggling suddenly.
“Ummm a minion is like a pet, and a helper all in one,” I answered. “Oh, and a minion is also super cute, and majestic, and is always rewarded with chin tickles, and snacks.”
“Hmmm… that does sound like it could be me. There’s definitely snacks right? I’m so hungry! You try sleeping for a century and waking up. They don’t even look after me here. There’s no snacks or blankets. I didn’t even get a pillow. I was just shoved in the bookshelf” Wyrmie moaned forlornly.
“I’ll take care of you Wyrmie,” I said smiling. I picked Wyrmie up and wrapped him around my neck like a scarf tickling his chin.
“Now back to the snacks?” Wyrmie questioned looking at me closely licking his lips.
The large wooden door to the little waiting room splintered, and fell with a bang startling me. Wyrmie vibrated and hissed towards the door smoke coming out of his nostrils, ready to strike.
“Take cover,” Titan yelled as he dove inside the room and rolled behind the antique chaise. I walked over to the chaise, and ducked down next to him.
“What are we hiding from?” I asked. Titan looked at me in disbelief.
“The Wyrm wrapped around your neck! Gracious woman! Fling it off and run!”
I exchanged a puzzled look with Wyrmie and shrugged my shoulders. “Why would I do that? Little guy is just a bit snackish, and bored. Do you know where we can find the kitchen around here?”
“Delusional. Absolutely delusional. You realise you’re wearing one of the most dangerous creatures known on the planet, like it is a scarf. It was meant to be asleep. For centuries! How did you wake it up?! I had spelled it so it wouldn’t wake up myself!”
"Well you must not have done it very well then, are you sure you did it right?" I asked
"Are you kidding me? I am one of the Academy's finest spell makers, I have been chosen on many occasions to protect high-ranking families, and have gone into battle commanding legions! But you dare question me?" Titan ranted.
I rolled my eyes at Wyrmie. “As soon as he starts monologuing again we will sneak past and find the snacks,” I whispered.
“I heard that… and I’m not monologuing!” Titan sulked still holding onto his energy sword.
"He is so monologuing," I whispered to Wyrmie behind my hand as we sidestepped towards the exit.
Titan covered his face with his hands in frustration. "You are impossible!" He threw his arms up in the air still holding his energy sword in his hands, smashing an antique porcelain vase that had been sitting on a small table close by.
"At least I am not the one going around breaking stuff,” I said.
“Really expensive stuff,” Wyrmie added.
Titan gestured to the rest of the room. Bookshelves had been overturned, and priceless books lay on the floor.
The comfy emerald armchair had tears in some of the fabric from where the furniture had fallen on top of it. It looked like a mini explosion had taken place in the room.
“Blame him,” I said pointing to Wyrmie. "You are getting me into trouble, Wyrmie, I thought we were friends.”
"It was not my fault, I'd just woken up after, you know, ohhhh a few centuries!” Wyrmie said sulkily. “Besides.. I was poked!”
"I'm pretty sure you said it was just one." I said staring down Wyrmie for his small untruth making him squirm in discomfort.
"Both of you, just stop!" Titan growled. "Could one of you just tell me how this happened?! How on Earth did you wake him up from a powerful sleep spell without using magic?" Titan said pointing first to me then to Wyrmie. He placed his hands on his hips glaring at us both demanding an answer.
"I just poked him," I said shrugging my shoulders. “Now, can you show us where the kitchen is we’re kind of hungry."
"What do you mean you poked him..." Titan's sputtered, going red in the face.
Laughter emanated from the doorway, followed by a slow clap. "Wait till everyone hears about how the infamous Titan had his magic taken down by a newbie,” Rowdy said grinning.
Before Titan could answer Rowdy turned towards me. "Come on luv, let's get you, and your new friend some snacks.”
Rowdy led me down the empty hallway filled with closed doors. Everything looked old, priceless and breakable from the oriental carpet on the floor to the portraits on the walls.
“We can't leave you alone for a second here can we? You are like a walking talking cyclone of chaos. Actually I think I'm just going to start calling you chaos,” Rowdy said ruffling my hair fondly.
"Does that mean I am like a superhero now?" I asked thoughtfully. "Superheroes have cool nicknames, so if you're giving me a cool nickname that means I get to do superhero stuff, doesn't it?"
"Then if you're going to be a superhero I need a superhero name too," Wyrmie demanded. “You said I could be your minion, Chaos and Wyrmie just doesn’t sound very super. What about Chaos and the death-Wyrm?”
“Hmm… that could work. Or..”
"Well if you're going to be super heroes, and get superhero names then I am going to need a really awesomely cool superhero name too," Rowdy interrupted. "I think we should be called Captain Super-sexy Rowdy and co. You guys are the and co.”
“How about nope. That’s the worst superhero name ever.” I stuck my tongue out at Rowdy as we continued our slow walk down the hallway away from Titan.
"What about if I am Chaos, you can be Anarchy - my trusty sidekick. After all, every superhero needs a sidekick..."
"Chaos and Anarchy could work," Rowdy nodded his head in agreement, his blonde hair falling over his green eyes.
"What about meeee?" Wyrmie whined in my ear wiggling himself so he was positioned in between Rowdy and I, putting me slightly off balance.
"Okay, how about you can be…”
A loud war cry sounded from behind us interrupting Rowdy. Titan came sprinting down the hallway, and launched himself at Rowdy, sending them both flying. They hit the wall with a loud crack, chunks of plaster falling down onto the floor covering us in dust and debris.
"Oh,” we all said in unison as one of the doors in the hallway opens, and Titan almost hits an older-looking man when Rowdy dodged. He had
round glasses on his face and brown curls. He reminded me of an older Harry Potter. I wonder if he is a wizard like Harry too… wicked!
"Rowdy and Titan. Report to the head groundsman immediately for duty. You can clean this mess up yourselves. You, the young lady come with me," the man said firmly.
I turned and walked towards him wondering who he was. I had the distinct feeling that it would be a grave mistake to ignore him. In the short time that I had known Titan and Rowdy they didn’t take orders from anyone other than Gabriel.
"Sir, yes sir," Titan and Rowdy shouted standing to attention and saluting.
"And no magic!" The elderly man turned around and glared at both of the men, who reminded me of two naughty schoolboys being caught red handed.
"Close the door behind you," the man barked as he walked into the room. I closed the door behind me, and warily turned to face the man. I looked around me in wonder. The room was filled to the roof with plants. Jungle vines hung from the windows and were climbing up the walls, large trees were growing from the floor covering the ceiling - if there even was one!
I was reminded of the Amazon jungle that I had seen photos of in books in my early childhood. I could hear the sound of running water, presumably a stream just out of sight. The room was rife with life, it was like standing inside a living, breathing terrarium. I could hear birds flying through the trees calling out to each other as a slight breeze whispered through my hair. My clothes stuck to my skin in the humid air, the quiet hum of ancient magic reverberated through this magical rainforest room.
A large table stood in the centre of the room. A small cauldron at its centre was surrounded by test tubes, and beakers filled with different coloured substances. The beaker that was hanging over the cauldron was bubbling, emanating a rainbow mix of translucent bubbles. Dried herbs, and an array of plants were scattered across the table. At the end of the table a thick worn book sat half open, its pages filled with strange diagrams, and a language I didn’t recognise. Some small dried bones, and some stones with symbols, were placed next to the book.