~*~
All day Ashanti flew over rolling white hills and sharp peaked mountains that stuck up into the sky like jagged teeth. She stopped only to feed Airegud or clean her swaddling clothes. The cold wind turned the babe’s cheeks red and made a clear liquid run from her nose, forcing Ashanti to shelter her as much as possible. Despite the fact that she was used to far colder climates, she allowed her scales to absorb the heat of the sun. They puffed up with the energy, making her hide bulbous and pliable. Such ability was what gave her kind the title of emerald dragons. Though it overheated her, it helped keep the babe warm enough to withstand the chilly night that descended.
By midday the next day the land beneath them had turned from rolling white hills to a patchwork of tree clusters and meadows where the snow clung only to the shadows. The sun warmed Ashanti’s back and wings, causing her inflated scales to deplete in an attempt to cool her body.
Wispy smoke filtered through the trees up ahead. Upon a breeze came the smoky scent along with the underlying, musky smell of people. Tilting her wings, Ashanti slowed and landed in the shade of a large noble fir. Beneath the concealment of its almost bluish boughs, she laid the babe down and removed the pack from her hind leg. A soft cry issued from the babe as she stirred awake. Tiny hands reached for Ashanti. On instinct, Ashanti’s pink, forked tongue slithered out and licked the babe’s face. Giggling—a lovely, bell-like sound—the babe tried to grab Ashanti’s tongue.
Concentrating hard on the form of a human woman, Ashanti whispered the words of the transformation spell. Magic surged through her in a tingling rush that made her tail twitch. Her wings folded in, becoming part of her back, her elongated nose shrank in, her hind legs straightened, and her scales turned to skin. She held her now-human hands out before her and turned them over, inspecting them. Perfect, down to the lines in the palms. She was getting quite good at this. Her teacher would be proud. Well, as long as he never knew why she was practicing the transformation.
The babe began to wail. Foreign fingers clumsy with the ties, Ashanti struggled to open her pack. Finally she managed it and pulled on her boots and dress. The babe’s high-pitched cries cut into Ashanti like knives, causing her vision to blur. No, it wasn’t the cries causing her vision to blur… Pictures played within her mind.
Dragon fought dragon (breaking the first law of the Empire).
Dragons fought the races of people (breaking the second law of the Empire).
Homes, fields, forests, all burning… bodies of both dragons and people strewn about a countryside bathed in blood.
It was the future, Ashanti knew it was a terrible certainty. Her borrowed knees went weak, threatening to give out on her. She reached for a tree to steady herself. The rough bark against her hand helped to ground her, bring her back to the present. Airegud’s cries drew her. In the babe’s face she saw a different future.
Six people of differing races came together. They were noble of spirit and true of heart, even those that did not first appear to be. Together they brought down the dragon who would start it all.
Gasping, Ashanti straightened and leaned against the tree. The visions had never come so close together before. Their power left her drained. This second future had to be the one to come to pass. But it wasn’t certain, it could go either way. Remembering the blue dragon, she suddenly realized, she must not be the only one who had this particular vision. Another dragon knew about them, one who wanted the first vision to come about.
Well she wasn’t about to let that happen.
Scooping up the crying babe, she drew her close, bouncing her and murmuring soft words. Mouth wide, the babe continued to wail, kicking her little legs with each breath she sucked in. Ashanti held her up and looked deep into her eyes.
“Shhh little one, it’s alright, it’s me,” she said.
Gray eyes widening, the babe fell silent as she reached a tiny hand up to touch Ashanti’s cheek. A slight smile pulled at the corners of her pink lips and she settled in against Ashanti.
“That’s a good girl.”
As she wrapped the cloak better around the babe, Ashanti’s eyes scanned the forest. Tree trunks as big around as a full grown dragon’s torso lay before them like a maze. Whatever underbrush there may be was buried beneath a layer of sparkling snow that reflected light deep into the shadows of the forest. The slightly sweet scent of sun-warmed pines hung heavy in the air. There was enough of a chill to keep it comfortable for Ashanti but it made her worry about the babe getting cold. They’d have to travel fast.
Long lashes fanned against the babe’s cheeks and eyebrows as her eyes grew wide. Her gaze fixed upon the snow-laden boughs of blue needles that created a canopy above them. Mouth open, she grinned with such pure delight that it made Ashanti smile even though the gesture was foreign to her. But her smile quickly faded.
Elves were of the land. Airegud’s kind were of the forest specifically. No doubt this looked like home to her. Little did she know, Ashanti had flown her so far from her home that it was unlikely she’d ever see it again. If she was lucky.
Not far through the trees ahead, Ashanti caught a glimpse of a covered wagon and people milling about it. She made no attempt to quiet her steps or hide herself as she approached. Several wagons with colorfully painted covers could be seen through the tree trunks. They were decorated with chimes, beadwork, and all manner of knickknacks. The wonderful smell of roasting meat—boar Ashanti thought it was—drew her in by her nose. Her stomach rumbled, reminding her of how long it had been since she’d eaten. Upon drawing closer she saw that the wagons were gathered in a circle around a large fire pit over which roasted a massive boar. Ashanti’s mouth began to water.
The people were stockier than Airegud’s people, with rounder faces and ears; humans. They would have to do. If Ashanti didn’t get back to the Dragon Isles soon, her absence would be noticed and questions would be raised.
Ice-crusted snow crunched beneath heavy footsteps. Halting, Ashanti clutched the babe tighter, suddenly doubtful of her decision. A wave of protectiveness washed over her. She didn’t know these people. What if they were hostile?
Sword leveled at her, a young, clean-shaven man stepped in front of her. The nerves along her back tingled in a desire to drop her disguise and unfurl her wings. But she resisted. In a heavy, woolen cloak with an upturned collar that boasted no less than four different bright colors, he didn’t exactly look menacing. Small braids were plaited into his pale hair just behind his ears. From the tips of the braids hung colored beads that matched his collar. The pommel of his sword was decorated with a bright blue and green sash that looked far too cheerful to be hanging from a weapon.
What sort of people would decorate their weapons in such a way?
And more importantly, did it mean they were any less inclined to use them? Staring down the gleaming blade, Ashanti doubted that was the case.
THREE
Dragon Seer Page 3