by Jerry Skell
"It smells lot rotting fish!" Maryann exclaimed, holding her nose.
"AH! Reminds me of home." Elodia laughed as she inhaled. "We only have two pots, imagine hundreds."
"The lids really keep the smell down," Eli added.
"Now, Eli if you would be so kind, add the magic secret ingredient," Elodia said. Eli poured a measured amount into each pot.
"What are you adding?" Maryann inquired.
"Urine, stale urine," Eli replied.
"Only the finest MALE stale urine," Elodia added laughing.
They slowly lowered the baskets into the pots. Elodia waited about ten minutes then removed the skirts.
"There a yellow-green, not lavender like you said!" Maryann said sounding disappointed.
"Aunt Myrtle called that puke green," Elodia laughed. "It's my guild color, be patient and let the magic work."
"Let's have lunch while we wait," Walter said.
They returned after eating to lift the baskets from the pots. The chain fall helped and the baskets hung over the pots, draining.
"The skeins are all dark green!" Maryann said, "But our skirts have turned lavender just like you said."
"They turn color as they dry. A couple of days outside and the odor dissipates. It always seemed like magic to me."
"Does it have to be male urine?" Maryann asked.
"I doubt it, but now is not the time to experiment. We have a lot riding on this," Elodia replied. The dragon pendants began to glow on Elodia and Maryann. They both held hands closing their eyes. "Eli, the coven has just summoned us. We are needed. Could you and Walter finish up here please?"
"Of course, Odie."
"Walter once the skeins dry take them to 'The Shaman's Modiste" they are expecting them. The corsets are for us."
"We will be back to talk before we go off flying."
Elodia and Maryann went and washed up and put on their dragon riding uniforms and left for the meeting with the coven.
Chapter 29 Dragon Riders
Elodia and Maryann decided not to braid their hair and simply brushed it out and let it hang down to their waist in a thick ponytail. They walked rapidly towards the harbor of Novi. Their uniform’s riding boots gave them four additional inches of height and the sight of them walking rapidly in uniform was disastrous to traffic. They reached the harbor and hired a longboat and crossed Turnagain Bay landing in Grand Isle. Then they continued to the Coven House. This was their first time they were in the capital in uniform. They were recognized immediately as dragon riders and were hailed as they walked.
They were surprised to see all five members of the coven present. Mother Ruth hugged them as they entered, "Welcome sister-daughters!" The group, now numbering seven, sat. "We are grateful to have you both," Ruth continued. "There has been an outbreak of a respiratory illness in Eastpointe. Because it is the main terminus of the canals we fear its spreading. We called you here with a request."
"We are at your service Mother," Elodia replied, Maryann nodding in agreement.
"We have the vaccine, but no means to deliver it quickly enough. You and your dragon can."
"We can leave now," Elodia replied.
"I thought you would say that," Ruth said smiling. "You have time to make your goodbyes. Maryann can Ragnar carry additional vaccine?"
"Yes. He is about the size of a large dog now. He loves to carry things for me."
"This trip will be physically exhausting. There are over forty stops. The last one far to the north in Churchill. You have the right to say no. It will take a fortnight to complete."
"We are the dragon riders Mother, we will go."
"One more thing. In Eastpointe, a young woman will see Ragnar cloaked and comment on it. She will become the recipient of the next egg. Tell her and welcome her."
"Yes Mother."
"The vaccine is being delivered to your home now, along with money for your journey. Go with our blessings sister-daughters."
They loaded the saddlebags with a change in clothes so they could launder their uniforms as needed. The vaccine was in three large bags. The two larger ones Davida would carry and a smaller one for Ragnar. Then mounting their dragon and a final wave goodbye, they were off. The package was heavy and the dragons labored to get airborne. The finally turned east and with a pop passed through the void and arrived in the sky above Eastpointe. They circled the village then descended and landed on the village green.
"Susan! Eli said you were living here," Elodia said as she embraced her friend. "Maryann, this is Susan, Susan, Maryann."
"What a beautiful little dragon!" Susan exclaimed moments before Ragnar uncloaked. "I didn't know you were the dragon rider Elody!"
"I have so much to tell you, Susan. Let's get the cargo distributed. Are you the Mayor?" Elodia asked a tall man standing close by.
"Yes, Mayor Edward at your service."
"Both of us are also healers. We have the vaccine for you to distribute. If healers are needed we will be here for two days. We then will continue our deliveries."
They made their way to the inn as Susan and Jacob joined them for lunch. "I'm so happy you and Eli are together," Susan said. "I never guessed that dragon was yours."
"You were able to see my dragon before it uncloaked," Maryann said smiling.
"I'm sure a lot of people saw the little dragon."
"No Susan, only a dragon rider can see a cloaked dragon," Elodia responded.
"Only a dragon rider?" Susan said confused. Elodia and Maryann nodded.
"You will receive an egg," Elodia said. "I can't tell you when, but soon you will join us."
"But I live here!"
"Time and distance mean little to dragon riders, Susan. I'm happy it's you that will join us."
They spent the next two days assisting the local healers and assisted in four laying-of-hands to a family severely stricken by the illness. Each day they visited different communities to deliver the vaccine. They were exhausted as they started their final leg to Churchill. As neither of them had been there before they could not use dragon magic to arrive. They need to fly north for eight hours to reach the village on the edge of the frozen sea.
The village consisted of a trading post fortress, an inn, and about a dozen homes. The fever had not reached them yet and they were grateful to receive the vaccine. Elodia and Maryann decided to spend three days at the inn to recover. The fact the inn had heated baths made the decision easy.
"I could lay here soaking for a week!" Maryann whispered.
"The dragons are hunting seals. They were really hungry after so much flying."
"In just three months Ragnar will be big enough for me to fly."
"Excited?"
"Very, I'm taking Walter."
"Eli was a little shy at first, but he now loves to fly with me."
"When we get back it will be time to start school. And for Walter and me to move into our own home."
"You're right next door, Maryann!" Elodia laughed.
"Still it has been fun."
"I’ve enjoyed it too."
They sat together for dinner and joined into the nightly singing and dancing at the inn. When the little community learned that dragon riders were staying at the inn the little inn had large boisterous crowds every night. Then, as planned, after resting for three days they mounted the dragon and rose into the air and crossed through the void returning home.
Chapter 30 Family
Elodia and Maryann waited with their husbands at the docks as the river galley carrying Eli's and Maryann's parents and younger brother for a visit approached. They both wore their lavender skirts, white blouses, and imperial purple corsets.
"Mom, Dad this is Elody, my wife."
"And this is Walter, my husband."
Hugs were exchanged and they began walking to Elodia's home. Eli, Walter and Lehman (Eli's father) carrying the bags.
"Lehman's home now that he has retired and Michael will be testing next week for the navy," Eli's mother Connie said. "You girls
both look so pretty."
"Thanks, Mom," they both said.
"So, Michael you're fourteen now!" Eli said.
"Yes, and hope to be a Midshipman.”
"At least one of my sons will be in the navy," Lehman said. "Not that I'm not proud of my beautiful daughter."
"I'm so excited you invited us," Connie said. "Michael will be busy testing, but best of all Lehman and I will be able to attend your temple marriage."
"I'm excited Mom," Maryann said. "You will spend two weeks with Eli and two weeks with me. We live next door. Oh, Mikey, we have horses!"
"Mom, can I ride with Maryann?" Carrie nodded.
“Is that Imperial Purple you both are wearing?” Lehman asked.
“Yes, it is! Elody owns the color.”
“We own the color,” Elodia corrected.
“It must be worth a fortune,” Lehman responded.
“I’m the last of my guild. The color is now made here in the Republic. A lot of people are benefiting from our little enterprise.”
Eli and Walter had borrowed a table and chairs from Walter's home while Elodia started dinner preparations. Maryann was with her parents giving them the grand tour of her home and modeling her Dragon Rider’s uniform. She told them about her flying adventures and current studies to become a midwife. Michael was helping Eli set the table for the meal they were about to share. Maryann had returned and she and her mother assisted with the meal’s preparation.
“You are both amazing young women,” Connie said as they worked together. “Elody would you please address me as Mom, I would like that.”
“Yes Mom, I would like that too.”
Michael assisted in carrying the food to the table. He was casting longing glances at the apple pies. He paused at the window and as he looked out into the yard saw the Davida. "ELI THERE'S A DRAGON!" he shouted excitedly.
Eli looked out the window, "Oh, that one’s Elodia's dragon."
The End
Acknowledgements
I’d like to thank the following.
Yvonne Less @ www.art4artists.com.au for her amazing cover.
Mary-Nancy Smith of Eagle Eye Editing for the editing
My incredibly patient assistant, who helps me when I run into computer issues.
And my family for their support.
And to my wattpad readers. Interacting with you has been an amazing experience. Don’t stop reading, there is more magic that awaits.
No dragons, or purple makers were harmed in the writing of this book.
Books by Jerry Skell
The Draco Chronicles (Fantasy)
For Time and Eternity
Brighter than the Sun
The Dragon Riders (Young Adult Fantasy)
Elodia’s Dragon
Visit Jerry on the web at
JerrySkell.com