by Linda Jordan
The shadow rustled again, as if trying to balance itself in a too small space. Then a long thin neck with a reptilian head moved outward and down, gazing at her.
“I am called Onyx, if you must know,” it said, with a gravelly voice, as if it hadn’t been spoken to for a very long time.
It was a dragon and looked like the same one she’d ridden on in her journey, searching for Sam. Did all dragons look alike? Except this was no journey. She was standing here, in her garden, completely present, in broad daylight. Monster sat at her feet, looking up. Warily, but not afraid.
“Are you real?”
“Am I real? Of course I’m real. What else would I be?” The dragon fluttered its wings.
“Why are you up in a tree?” she asked. Not willing to end the conversation. Unsure if the dragon was dangerous. It was huge.
“The view is very nice from up here. And there aren’t many places to land near your house. Not without me crushing everything.”
“Very thoughtful of you. You could land near my front porch. The hydrangeas will recover.”
“Thank you,” it said. “This tree isn’t quite large enough for me.”
The dragon flew off the branch and landed gracefully in the small space in front of her house. She hadn’t done much to clear the woodland around it. Just carved out a small space to garden and a few paths.
“Why are you here?” she asked, walking a bit closer. Monster stayed behind her, a wary eye on the dragon. If Monster could see it, then it must be real.
“I came because you need me.”
“Why?” What on earth did she need a dragon for?
“I don’t really know. I thought you would know.”
“I didn’t even know dragons existed in our world.”
The creature’s body alone took up the entire empty space in front of her house. Over three meters long and its back just as high. The tail was wrapped neatly around its feet. The dragon had shiny scales that held a multitude of colors as they shimmered in the sunlight. Its neck looked to be as long as the tail, and on the end of it was a graceful head with fleshy protrusions that flared back along the neck, turning into a wavy ridge that continued on the back to the tip of the tail. The chin had similar protrusions, but smaller, to form a beard. Large silky-metallic wings were folded curved against its body. Its large eyes were the color of dark yellow marigolds.
“Deities didn’t exist in this world until recently either, not really. Most people don’t believe we dragons exist. They have no trouble meeting a unicorn or Krishna, but a dragon. Impossible!”
“Where are you from?”
“I was sleeping beneath a mountain. In a lava tube that was warm and cozy. I woke up because I felt needed. It took me a few weeks to get here. I hadn’t eaten in centuries. We don’t when we’re sleeping. So, I had to gain some strength before I could come find you. And I had to find a secluded lake to bathe in.”
“What do you eat?”
“Everything. Deer, goats, sheep, willows. Berry brambles, which are especially good this time of year around here, because they are filled with berries. I sometimes eat fish, but they’re not my favorite.”
“But not people.”
“I have never tried eating people. The clothes would be too much work to get off. And I like it when people talk to me. Eating them or threatening to sort of ruins all that.”
“I have no idea why you were called.”
“There is danger, that’s why.”
“The whole village is in danger.”
“Well, tell me about it,” said Onyx, lying down and tucking its paws in. Just like a cat.
So, Cady filled Onyx in on the Zoo, the impending war and the village’s plan to move.
Having no idea why a dragon might have been called. Maybe it hadn’t been her who called. Or perhaps it had something to do with that journey to find Sam and the black dragon who came for that journey. The journey to the Zoo to see if Sam was still alive had been a vision, her soul leaving her body. Had that dragon been Onyx’s soul? Did dragons have souls? Probably, she decided.
As she talked, Monster went up to the dragon and sniffed it. Then must have decided the dragon was safe. The cat climbed up onto its paws and curled up to sleep in the sun.
When Cady finished, Onyx looked thoughtful. At least that’s what Cady decided it was doing.
“I think you must need me for your trip to your new home. And perhaps to keep the new village safe. I can do that. You’d better warn the other villagers about me though. Not all humans are accepting. Not all of them can travel other realms like you.”
“I can only journey to find things, not any other time. I’m not like Sam who sees visions.”
“Tish tosh. You build fences where there are none, but that is a matter for another time. We will talk of it on a deep winter’s night in front of a warm fire. You should tell the gossip mill about me.”
“Gossip mill?”
“The two or three people in the village who spread gossip around.”
“I have no idea who that is.”
“Well, then tell them all. Before anyone tries to attack me. I’ll wait here, with your cuddly cat. I need a nap, too. I’ve had a long journey to get here.”
With that, Onyx stretched out its neck and lay the graceful head down. All without Monster waking. Soon, the dragon began to snore.
Cady shook her head in wonder. She walked around the great beast, having to touch the smooth, shiny scales as she walked between it and her house to the path leading into the rest of the village. They would never believe her. Until they saw him. Maybe she should start with Joe, since he was her nearest neighbor.
Joe was nowhere to be found, so she continued on into the village, her injured leg now just a slight limp. She was getting better, slowly.
Several women sat in the center of the village, in the shade of the large oak tree. Spinning, or knitting, or doing other portable work. Children played in three different groups, divided mostly by age.
“Cady, how are you?” asked Mazzy.
“Confused.”
“Why?” asked Sarah.
“I have something to announce. And you are all going to think I’m crazy, but I’m not,” she said, standing there, feeling like an awkward teenager.
“Okay,” said Mazzy. “Announce away.”
“I have a guest. A rather large guest, who plans on accompanying us on our journey to the new village. And possibly staying.”
“That’s not a problem,” said Mazzy. “You know the village rules. Harm no one and be kind. If your guest can abide by those, they’re welcome.”
“I didn’t bring that up to it yet. My guest is rather unusual. Its name is Onyx. It’s a dragon.”
“A what?” asked Sarah.
“I told you that you’d think I was crazy. It’s a dragon.”
“Dragons don’t exist,” said Sarah. “Only in stories.”
“Neither does Morrigu, but Mazzy saw her when we went to the Zoo. Neither does Diana, but she walked through the middle of the village two days ago. What didn’t exist is alive and well in our time.”
“Okay,” said Mazzy. “Does it mean us any harm?”
“No. Onyx wants to help. To protect us.”
“From what?” asked Sarah.
“I don’t know, neither does Onyx. Maybe from the Zoo, the war or maybe something we don’t even know about,” said Cady.
Mazzy took a deep breath and said, “I want to meet this dragon.”
Cady could tell the woman was terrified.
Why hadn’t she been terrified? She’d been startled to see his huge bulk in the trees above her. Then a bit alarmed when it was down on the ground in front of her house and she could see how large the dragon was. But somehow terrified hadn’t entered the picture. She hadn’t even looked around for a weapon.
She hadn’t sensed danger from the dragon. Onyx had done everything possible to make itself look smaller and seem harmless.
“Well, let’s go,”
said Cady.
She was followed by everyone gathered nearby, and a few others who came running when called.
11
Damon
Damon sat at a round table in the small upstairs room of Morrigu’s Art Warehouse 3. There were three of Roosevelt’s advisors: Jack, Ethan and Avery, Gregor, Morrigu’s Fight Trainer, Evangeline and Morrigu. Seven of them, all trying to decide the fate of the Zoo.
Roosevelt was conscious now, two days after the attack, but he still couldn’t hear. Or speak. He was cut up and badly burned. They’d found a lot of bodies in the past couple of days, buried beneath the debris of the warehouses. Someone had identified Young Roosevelt by a ring he wore, which was found near something that could have been a body. There were bones there at least. Not much left resembling a human after all the bombs, explosives within the warehouse, and the fire.
The last two days had been hell. Damon hadn’t slept for days and was running on coffee. And occasionally food when someone shoved a plate in front of him, demanding he eat.
They’d bury the bodies this afternoon. Over near the fence. In a mass grave with a tree planted on top. Normally, the Zoo burned their dead, but no one could face another fire.
Damon sipped coffee and listened to the bickering, his stomach roiling from too much coffee. It wasn’t a question of whether to attack Collins or not. It was when. Now or wait.
He ran his hands through his hair. No one had even considered not attacking. Not retaliating.
He looked up to see Morrigu staring at him. She was annoyed. Probably because she wanted to attack tomorrow. Roosevelt’s advisors knew there were no weapons to attack with. Nothing that would match Collins’ arsenal anyway. They knew waiting was important.
“Damon, what are your thoughts?”
The room quieted.
Damon said, “I think we need to find Collins’ spy first. Hopefully, he’s not one of us in this room. It does us no good to make plans if Collins knows we’re doing that. Personally, I don’t want a war. I’ve been at war and I don’t ever want to be there again. Not at this scale.”
“So you won’t fight in this war?” asked Morrigu, her voice cold.
“Of course I will. You asked my thoughts. I won’t lie to you. I don’t think we have the people or arms to match Collins. We’re weak and he’s strong. From what I understand, he’s spent the last few decades fighting his neighbors. Building up an army and weapons. Roosevelt’s spent the last month or two caching weapons, nearly all of which have been destroyed. We’re down to two planes, which will barely keep your business alive and the money flowing in. We’ve lost at least thirty people in the attack. At least that many have now fled. They were people who aren’t fighters, warehouse workers, cooks and cleaners, people who want no part in this war. We don’t have enough warriors to fight. And those we do have aren’t trained well enough.” Damon looked at Gregor.
Gregor nodded. “It’s true. Nearly all of them need more practice. And there aren’t enough.”
Damon said, “First we must find Collins’ spy.”
“How do we do that?” asked Avery, rubbing her short-cropped, black hair. “We didn’t even know there was a spy. Until the attack.”
“Anybody new show up in the last couple of months? Someone who seems eager to impress? A little too eager? Someone who wasn’t around during the attack? Anyone disappear just before the attack and not return?” asked Damon.
Gregor said, “A lot of the people I’ve been training are new.”
“Did any of them have access to the arms warehouse?”
“No,” said Jack, his small frame with its compact muscles leaned forward over the table.
Damon had never seen the man not look tense.
Jack said, “They haven’t been around that long. And the people who did have access to that warehouse know to be silent about it. It’s a restricted area. We don’t talk about what’s in there or even which warehouse the weapons are in.”
“So maybe it’s not someone new,” said Ethan, pushing his bulk away from the table. He was a large, heavily muscled man.
“Maybe not,” said Avery. “We still don’t have a complete list of bodies yet. We’re still trying to ID them all.”
“Not an easy thing,” said Damon. “I still don’t think we can make any move at all until we know who this person is. And make sure they’re the only plant Collins put in our organization.”
“I think you’re right,” said Jack.
“We’ve got to keep training,” said Gregor. “And increasing our army and our weapons. Slowly. And without drawing attention to those looking. We don’t have enough people to fight a war, or get revenge.”
“It only takes one person to get revenge,” said Morrigu.
Damon stared at her. What did she have in mind?
“Can you elaborate on that?” he asked.
Morrigu shrugged, “It’s simple. We don’t have to fight a war. We just have to kill Collins.That only takes one person. A person with skill, who can get close to him and kill him.”
Damon said, “He may have his empire set up in such a way that there’s a successor. Who might be worse than him. And who would go all out after us.”
“Well then, you’d better figure out a solution. Because revenge is going to be mine. Somehow, someway. I’m willing to wait, for months perhaps. First we find any spies and you can give them to me. I’ll make an example out of them that no one will forget. And we’ll make sure Collins knows about it. But then, I will take from him all those he loves.”
With that, Morrigu stood and swept out of the room.
Damon was shaking inside, but refused to let it show. Morrigu meant what she said. He almost felt sorry for Collins.
Damon sighed and asked, “Anything else, anyone?”
Everyone shook their heads.
“Good. We’ll meet here tomorrow morning. I want a report of who’s missing and when they left, as well as who’s dead. We need to figure this out pronto.”
Gregor, Jake, Ethan and Avery left.
He turned to Evangeline.
“You’ve been very quiet.”
“I don’t really have anything to say. All of this is out of my league. War and spies. I’m a sorcerer. I guard people, individuals mostly. I’ve never been involved in a war.”
“You must have an opinion.”
“I think you’re right. Find the spy or spies first. Then decide what to do. If the spy’s high enough in Roosevelt’s organization, they need to be taken care of immediately. We want no whiff of anything leaking out to Collins.”
“You have no opinion about going to war?”
“No. I’m not thrilled about it, but I also want revenge. Don’t you?”
Damon stood and walked over to the beverage cart and poured another glass of water. Then drank it, feeling the cool liquid slide down his throat to an empty belly. He needed to remember to eat these days.
“I don’t want revenge. My entire life here in the Zoo, I’ve watched revenge killing after revenge killing. Nothing was solved. The killer never felt better. Not really, not deeply enough. The person they were seeking revenge for was still gone. And a whole new cycle of revenge had just begun. That went on for decades. Until Morrigu and Roosevelt made peace with each other. I don’t think killing Collins, or his loved ones, unless we somehow manage to kill everyone in their territory, will solve anything.”
“You might be right. We must be sure to kill them all.”
“Do you know how many people live in his territory? Our intel figured it was close to 50,000. And not like the scattered, impoverished villagers living off the land over here. His people are wealthy. Many have their own planes and their own armies, depending on Collins for further protection against hoodlums like us. They have tech we haven’t even dreamed about. They know what type of equipment Collins has and they’ll have bomb shelters and fenced compounds for protection against him. Just in case things go sour. The Eastside is nothing like here.”
Dam
on was furious. He didn’t want any of this. It was a foolish move. Didn’t anyone else see this? They didn’t have enough people or enough arms to take on Collins.
“I see your point, but I don’t think you’ll convince Morrigu. She is a war goddess after all.”
“No, I don’t suppose I will be able to convince her.”
“So what are you going to do?” asked Evangeline.
“What I always do. Follow orders. Except this time, I doubt I’ll come out alive.”
“You might be surprised.”
“I might. It happens occasionally. I don’t suppose there’s any sorcery you could do to help find that spy.”
“I’ve been working on that. Seeing into people’s minds and hearts. Haven’t found one yet. It gives me a headache, that type of work, but I’ll go back to it this afternoon.”
“Good. Well, I better go see how they’re getting on with the arms inventory. Suddenly, I’m in charge of Roosevelt’s people as well as Morrigu’s and I don’t know anyone well enough to know who to promote.”
“Good luck with that.” Evangeline laughed, a clear, deep sound.
Damon left the warehouse, walking briskly. He needed to clear his head and reset his priorities. Or else he’d get himself killed.
He felt torn between what he should do and what he wanted. He wanted to leave. To run as far away from here as possible and escape this mess. He should stay and do what he was told.
Otherwise Morrigu would hunt him down herself, and kill him. She’d done it before, to his predecessor. It had been ugly and bloody. She’d made an example of the man. Torturing him publicly for days before finally killing him. He knew she wouldn’t hesitate to do the same to him.
Damon made a circle around one group of warehouses. People looked busy when he saw them. Even before they saw him. There was a sense of urgency now. Things were afoot even if they didn’t know what they were.
He was about to head to the near empty warehouse where any found arms were being taken when his wristband pinged.
“Damon. I need to talk to you.”
Morrigu.
“Where are you?” he asked.