by Diane Rapp
“We need to hunt,” he said. “My rations are gone.” The animals listened, accustomed to hearing a human voice. Arrow fluffed her feathers and chirped as Jordan approached her perch.
“Come, Arrow.” He’d learned the animals’ names from his brief contact with Felesia’s mind. Arrow hopped onto his outstretched wrist, digging her talons into his soft flesh. He flinched and coaxed her to move onto the leather sleeve that covered his forearm. “We’ll get a juicy rabbit for dinner.”
He glanced at Marra. Her ears tilted at his voice and her claws flexed. “Would you like to join the hunt, Marra? We could all use the exercise.” The cat yawned, flashing white teeth, and stretched her lanky body, digging her claws into the sandstone.
Jordan shuddered, remembering how Marra shook his brother’s body like a rag doll. Did she intentionally try to intimidate him? He checked the arrows in his quiver and slung a longbow over his shoulder.
Marra eyed the weapon but followed him out of the cave.
Jordan enjoyed the hunt. It was the first time in years he was outside the castle without guards at his side. Today, the heat of the sun warmed the chill from his bones as he surveyed the wide gorge. The morning light shimmered across the broad river, reflecting red sandstone walls and blue sky. The grassy valley extended well out of sight, looking peaceful and safe. Could he stay hidden here with Felesia or would the blue haze pursue him?
Marra issued a sharp “Buff,” chiding him to start the hunt. He grinned and climbed down from the ledge. Following the cat into the dense rushes near the river, he wondered how he could get Felesia down here when she woke. Her injured leg prevented climbing.
Marra eyed a ripple that spread across the water with apprehension. Arrow floated overhead on air currents, keeping her keen gaze fixed on the ground. The hawk’s shrill keen alerted them as she plunged toward the ground. Arrow swooped over a clump of brush, Marra bounded forward, and Jordan readied his bow. The hawk flushed four white birds from their hiding place. The fowl flapped wildly over Marra’s head, but the cat leaped up and clamped her jaws onto one bird’s tail. Arrow snatched another with sharp talons, and Jordan shot a third.
Marra’s bird escaped, leaving her with a mouthful of feathers. Jordan laughed and tugged an annoying quill out of her whiskers. “Tail feathers are a tricky target,” he said to ease the cat’s unhappiness. She rubbed against his leg like a housecat. “We’ll find game that will give you a good chase.” He stuffed his bird into a carryall and whistled for Arrow. The hawk dropped her bird at his feet and flew off in search of more game.
The animals always hunted with Felesia. They accepted Jordan as the human on their team and fell into their regular routines. The hawk circled overhead and spotted game, swooping down toward the target. This time a herd of antelope scattered across the meadow, and Marra sprang into action.
Scrambling to keep her in sight, Jordan followed her ropy black tail through the tall grass. Antelope bounced across the valley like giant rabbits with white body stripes that blurred in the distance. Jordan’s lungs ached, and his legs felt wobbly. He chastised himself for leaving the mare behind—afraid she might bolt when the panther sprang into action.
He climbed up a hill to spot Marra, but he couldn’t see the cat. Would Marra share her kill like Arrow, or would she become possessive? Exhausted, he plopped down on a rock to rest. Arrow landed next to him. “Well, what do we do now?” he asked.
She chirped and cocked her head, listening. He heard a tapping sound overhead. Arrow flew to investigate. She returned, keening and fluttering back toward the cliff urging him to follow.
“Okay, I’m coming,” Jordan said. He climbed the sandstone, following Arrow’s shrill call. Abruptly the soft rock crumbled under his feet, and he slid over the edge, barely catching a handhold. Dangling from the cliff at a dizzy height, sweat trickled down his brow stinging his eyes. Fear pulsed through his body.
“You idiot, get up onto that ledge!” he chided himself. The muscles in his arms quivered as he caught a toehold and hoisted his body over the ledge. He lay exhausted as Arrow landed and chirped anxiously. Jordan stood on trembling legs, glancing over the edge to see how far he might have dropped. Marra stood below, proudly carrying an antelope carcass.
“You’re wonderful, Marra! What a beautiful kill.” He forgot the tapping sound until Arrow scolded him. “We’ll be down straight away. This crazy bird insists I explore the cliff.”
He saw a gaping hole in a section of wall. It looked like something gashed the rock open with gigantic claws. Jordan shivered at the thought of such a large creature and wondered if he should follow Arrow through the hole. Curiosity gave his courage a boost.
The hole opened into a large cavern littered with white shards. The tapping sounded louder, drawing his attention to a large white egg rocking on the floor. He spun around, searching for signs of the mother that laid such a large egg. He whispered, “We’d better get out of here before the mother returns.”
Arrow frantically chipped at the eggshell with her beak.
“No Arrow! It’s too dangerous. Any creature that gouged a hole like that through the rock wall won’t think twice about eating us!” He ran toward the opening.
Arrow flew at him, blocking his path with flapping wings and shrill cries.
“What’s wrong with you?” he asked.
She landed on the floor and keened over the shriveled body of a dead chick. He realized the floor was littered with eggshells and little bodies. “What happened? I’d bet the chicks hatched and died without a mother to feed them. You think the mother’s dead, too?” Sorrow for the small creatures filled him, and he understood why Arrow felt frantic.
The hawk landed on the rocking egg and stared at Jordan.
“What do you expect me to do?” Arrow pecked at the hard shell and Jordan sighed. “I’d better help before you hurt yourself.” He got out his hunting knife and chipped at tough shell. He deftly sliced the leathery membrane inside the outer crust and a beak poked through the opening. It ripped aggressively at the hole and Jordan stepped out of reach.
“What do we do now?” he asked Arrow.
Marra entered the cave and plopped down next to him. Jordan stroked Marra’s head and Felesia’s memories flooded his mind. Beautiful colors swirled through the graceful wings of a dragon while Felesia floated in the cool river. Jordan experienced her fright when the water snake grabbed her leg and understood her guilt when the dragon lost its life.
Felesia, it wasn’t your fault, he told her.
When the dragon died, her chicks were doomed! All these chicks died because of me! If I’d used more caution in the river. . .”
No, the dragon and the snake were enemies. I’d bet water snakes steal dragon’s eggs before they hatch. She attacked her enemy, so don’t blame yourself.
We must feed the chick or it will die like the others.
Felesia was right.
I’ll do what I can. Jordan felt Felesia’s mind slip away as Marra’s mind regained control. Please don’t leave me, Felesia. I need your help to save the chick.
She was gone.
As the chick emerged from the egg, Jordan retrieved one of the birds from his sack and sliced open the carcass. He piled tender organs onto a piece of eggshell and approached the flailing chick.
The pink head wobbled and the chick stretched its mouth wide open. Jordan dropped a piece of meat into the maw. The chick swallowed and squawked for more. It devoured two shells filled with food, chirped with satisfaction, and leaned against Jordan’s leg. He stroked the velvety skin of the scrawny pink creature. The chick didn’t resemble Felesia’s memory of the elegant dragon. It looked scrawny and wrinkled.
“We can’t leave the chick alone but we’ve got to get back to Felesia,” he said to Marra, feeling like a nursemaid. The chick was the size of a small dog, too big for his sack, but small enough to carry. He tied his outer shirt like a sling and the dozing chick snuggled into the soft fabric, comfortable and secure.
/> “Good! How do I carry you and climb down the steep cliff?” Marra butted his leg with her massive head, nearly knocking him down. “Why’d you do that?” She huffed at him and gently lifted the bundle with her mouth.
The chick peeked out. It saw a large furry face and squawked.
Jordan stroked the pink head. “It’s okay, little one. This is Marra.” His thoughts projected peaceful thoughts and the chick responded with swirling mental colors. Marra swung the bundle gently as though she carried a cub. The swaying motion lulled the chick to sleep.
“Let’s go quickly,” Jordan said.
Marra climbed through the hole in the cliff and down an easier path than the one Jordan had climbed. She leapt nimbly from one rock shelf to another, the bundle swaying in her jaws while Jordan picked his way down.
Marra waited at the bottom of the cliff for the slow human. When he arrived she dropped her bundle at his feet, and picked up the antelope carcass before she started off again. Jordan marveled at Marra’s ability to carry the unwieldy burden as he lifted the chick, strapped his carryall to his back, and tried to match Marra’s pace. He arrived at the cave tired and dusty just as the chick peeped pitifully, ready for another meal.
“It’s going to take a lot of food to keep this creature satisfied. I hope you’re willing to hunt for us, Marra.” The panther yawned and licked her paws. She didn’t object when Jordan sliced meat from her kill.
The mongoose darted into the cave with a small snake dangling from his mouth. His eyes widened at the sight of the chick and he cautiously edged closer. The chick cheeped and snatched the snake from Killer’s mouth. It swallowed the snake whole. Killer scolded the chick and flicked his tail.
Jordan laughed. “Killer, you finally found someone who appreciates your hunting skills. I’m not sure I’d enjoy a diet of snake.”
“Killer always felt insulted when I rejected his snakes.”
The sound of a Felesia’s voice startled Jordan. He dropped the tray of sliced meat and musical laughter echoed through the cave. “I’m happy to see you too,” she said as Arrow flew to her shoulder and Killer curled onto her lap.
Jordan stood in awkward silence. The vacant-eyed girl suddenly looked animated and vibrant. He felt jealous of the affection she lavished on her animals.
She said, “Thanks for taking such good care of me.”
“When did you wake?” He glanced at Marra, who sat cleaning her paws. “I thought Marra held your mind captive.” Jordan’s voice cracked.
Felesia met his gaze, and he blushed. “I fled into her mind to escape that evil man. Since I was so sick, Marra’s strong personality dominated until I felt better.” Felesia stood on shaky legs.
“The touch of your mind reminded me I was human. I decided to join the world again when you helped save that chick. I don’t know how to thank you.” She stepped on her injured leg and fell.
Jordan caught her.
It was Felesia’s turn to blush as strong arms wrapped around her. She pulled away from the touch of his hot hands against her cool skin. They sat in awkward silence until squawks from the gangly chick and chattering from Killer made them laugh. The chick ducked behind Jordan’s leg, peeking out as Killer scolded her.
“Don’t terrify the poor thing, Killer.” Felesia opened her pack and the mongoose darted inside still chattering. Jordan stroked the chick, and it peeped happily.
“I’m glad you’re awake.” His brows arched as he peered at her. “How do you feel?”
“Tired but I remember things that happened. It seemed like a dream.” She glanced at Marra sprawled across the floor asleep, her tail twitching. “Marra saved me from the evil man and we killed him together.” She stiffened. “He looked just like you!”
Jordan nodded. “He was my twin brother, Jerrod, but I’m nothing like him inside.” Jordan’s stomach clenched at her frightened expression. “I’d never hurt you.”
She stared into his eyes. “You look so much like him, I felt afraid.”
Jordan mentally cursed his brother. Would Felesia fear him like all the other women he’d known? He turned away from her gaze. Now that Jerrod was dead he desperately wanted his life to change, but his brother’s evil ghost reached out to ruin his life.
“I’m sorry, Jordan. I’ve touched your mind and know how kind you are inside. If you were anything like your brother, you’d be dead. Marra trusted you. We all know you’re nothing like your brother.”
Jordan’s throat constricted as tears trickled down his cheeks, and he dared gaze into her soft eyes. “I love you, Felesia. I could never harm you.” Hearing his own words spoken aloud, he felt astonished. How could he blurt out his feelings just like that?
“I know.” Felesia’s expression looked warm and accepting. For the first time in his life, Jordan felt hopeful. Could she learn to love him? The chick butted his arm and Jordan laughed.
“I think we’d better feed her.”
Felesia nodded. “I’m hungry too. I feel like I haven’t eaten in days.” She flashed a brilliant smile and Jordan’s heart thudded. The chick butted his arm insistently, and he grinned at the ugly little face.
“The cook will get busy and fill the empty hollow of your stomach.” The chick waddled behind him as he walked to the cooking hearth. It cheeped louder. “Be patient, little one.” He turned to Felesia. “We need a name for her, do you have any suggestions?”
“She has a name.”
“She does? How do you know?”
“I asked her. It’s not a name you can say in words.” Felesia stared at the chick and the little dragon proudly held her head up and spread her wings. “You see, she is showing you her name?”
Jordan watched the chick’s translucent wings swirl with color in a pattern filled with reds and yellows. With a happy squawk the pattern froze and Jordan blinked.
Felesia said, “She’s a queen since her mother died saving my life.”
Jordan felt happy as the chick gulped her food. “It’s an absolutely beautiful name. I’ll call her Flash. That word popped into my mind the moment I saw the colors swirl through her wings. Do you think it’s appropriate?”
“Visualize her symbol when you say the name. She’ll identify the sound you make with the colors of her name. I think it will work.”
“Flash! Eat well little queen,” Jordan said in a reverent tone and fed the chick. Flash preened and swirled the colors of her name through her wings.
*****
Flash grew quickly. Within two weeks she joined them on a hunt, flapping her wings and running after game. Her head drooped when the prey escaped. Finally she tracked a large ground rat into its hole and dug, sharp claws ripping the turf until she unearthed the rodent. Crowing in victory, she tore into her meal and flashed orange and yellow colors.
Felesia giggled. “She’s growing fast.”
“Her breed must need to mature quickly to survive.”
“Look at that!” Felesia gasped.
Flash unfurled her wings against a strong gust of wind and nearly lifted off the ground. The chick leaned into the wind before she tipped over, crashing clumsily to the ground.
“Her wings aren’t strong enough to lift her weight, yet,” Jordan said. “It might be easier to fly off a cliff and glide on air currents.”
“I remember her mother used her wings to fly rather than glide. I wish we knew more. Perhaps young dragons must to be taught to fly. She might not be able to fly without help.”
“How can we find out? Have you seen any more of her kind?”
“No. Maybe Arrow could find them.”
“Would she cooperate?”
Felesia seemed pleased at the idea. “She’ll go if I give her the idea. Let’s see.” She sat under Arrow’s favorite tree and the hawk peered down into the girl’s eyes. The bird cocked her head and flew away.
Flash waddled over to Jordan. He scratched a spot behind her eye ridge and watched Felesia gaze into the sky. He worried as he saw her eyes turn vacant and glassy. He knew Fel
esia joined her mind with Arrow as the bird searched for dragons.
When Felesia’s eyelids fluttered open, she found Jordan sitting next to her looking somber. “You’re back,” he said with a sigh. “You stayed away for hours. I thought I’d lost you!” Jordan scooped her into his arms.
She gazed into his dark eyes and gave him a lingering kiss. “Jordan, I love you. It was love that made me leave Marra’s mind and become human.”
“Oh, my darling!” He returned Felesia’s kiss but pulled away. A tear trickled down his cheek. “You’re so beautiful. I’m afraid if I yield to passion the blue haze might find me. It feeds on passion, used it to control my brother.”
Felesia nodded. “I remember the blue haze. After your brother died it came looking for us and tried to hurt Marra.” She searched Jordan’s face. “Would love give the blue haze a way to reach you?”
“Not love, passion. If love summons the blue haze, I’m doomed. I believe the blue haze feeds on passion and desire. The natural beauty of lovemaking becomes sordid when the blue haze gains control. If I make love to you, the haze could make me hurt you. I couldn’t bear to harm you.”
“Your brother’s mind was filled with evil. He tried to force thoughts into my mind. Is that what the haze does?”
“Yes. I won’t take that chance. I love you with all my heart, but the blue haze is already searching for me. Some nights I almost feel it touch me.”
“Then you must stay with us! Your only chance to defeat the haze lies with those who love you. Marra and I repelled the haze once, and we can do it again.”
Jordan shook his head. “You don’t understand the danger.”
Her eyes blazed with anger. “I’m not afraid to face danger! When my mother sent me into hiding, I lived with my nurse, Belva, in a small farming valley. Desert riders set fire to the valley and killed Belva while I hid in the woods. She gave me a box and told me to open it when I started dreaming about the garden. I forgot all about it.”
Felesia opened her pack and dug through the contents. She extracted a dusty velvet box and held it out to Jordan. “This is the box my mother asked Belva to give me.”