by Liss Thomas
“The bond of love is an eternal emotion. Hold it well and let it join you together,” Sophie said as she tied a small vine around the wrists of the couple. She kissed their cheeks then stood aside for Atian.
“Honor and respect will keep your bond strong; hold it well and let it join you together.” Atian draped the small vine over the previous one and tied it loosely around their hands. He kissed their foreheads and then escorted Sophie aside. Elyen and Vrag were next. Elyen, dressed in a soft green shimmering gown, spoke first, her eyes already moist with happy tears.
“Devotion and commitment to each other will increase your love, honor, and respect. Hold it well and let it join you together.” She intertwined her vine with the others then kissed the couple as Sophie had. Vrag was the last to come forward. He ambled up to the couple, with a nervous abruptness.
“Don’t fight,” he said loudly as he laid a single leaf on their bonded hands. He blew out a sigh, looking pleased with himself that he remembered his part, gave the briefest of smiles to the couple, then ambled back to Elyen’s side and took her hand. Missy smiled at the Tasmanian Devil and Elyen and mouthed, ‘thank you’. When she looked back at their hands, the shimmering blue light glowed around the intertwining vines. Slowly, the light engulfed their hands and the vines binding them together. When the light faded, the vines had disappeared. Golden bracelets remained around their left wrists. The detailed, intricately carved pieces felt light on the wrists and caught every hint of light. Missy tried not to cry, but a few tears of joy escaped and tumbled down her cheeks. The old bull said a few more words that Missy didn’t hear. Her eyes never left Charlie’s face. He too seemed in awe of his new mate as her golden curls bounced in the soft breeze. His eyes melted her soul as she felt the power of their joining taking effect. His emotions were open to her, and what he felt mirrored her own.
Dredge cleared his throat. “You may take your mate, Charlie,” he said again. Charlie blinked then turned toward the bull who gestured to him. Charlie turned back to Missy and pulled her into his arms. The moth took silent flight as the fireflies twinkled once more before they flew away as well. The gossamer overlay was gone. His lips sank onto hers. Cheers erupted around them but it took several more seconds before they released each other. Swarms of well-wishers encircled the couple to congratulate them. The music increased in volume with the level of conversation.
Missy walked toward the banquet table that filled the gazebo. She spotted the seafood dishes and numerous lobster-like creatures prepared and elegantly displayed. Dredge came up behind her. He’d discarded his formal robes and looked as grandfatherly as ever.
“I hope it meets to your satisfaction.”
“You exceeded my wildest dreams, Dredge. Thank you,” Missy said.
“Our fish makes for a nice fillet as you will see.” He gathered samples on a plate as he spoke. “The shellfish is steamed with rock salts and a little nectar.” He handed the plate to Missy to sample. She picked up the small pieces of fish and sampled them.
“Oh, it’s so good! The flavors are exquisite. The fish so light and delicate,” Missy said as she finished.
“One more thing,” Dredge said as he led her to his dessert. The table held a sculpture of flowers. The large blossoms sat arranged with intricate detail and color design. Missy astounded at the workmanship. As she moved closer to the design she sucked in air.
“These are made of fruits?” she asked, awe struck.
“Yes, we have several kinds of fruits that lend themselves to carvings. Charlie told me how much you loved the flowers in this courtyard, and when you told me that desserts in your world were made with flowers, I got this idea,” Dredge said. Missy gave the old bull a hug and kissed his cheek. She laughed inside at his mistake with flour but the result of his culinary creation proved marvelous.
“Thank you, thank you, Dredge,” she said, planting another kiss on his cheek. Charlie walked up beside her and marveled at the structure.
“You really outdid yourself, Old Bull. Thank you.”
Dredge smiled and excused himself as Missy and Charlie sampled the edible masterpiece. A whistle of panic caught their attention. They looked skyward to see the yellow finch flying awkwardly toward them. He hit the gazebo floor with a loud thud.
“What happened?” Missy reached for the injured bird. She sat on one of the steps and scooped him up, holding him in her lap. He tweeted faintly as he gasped, catching his breath.
“What’s he saying?” Charlie asked. Others gathered around the commotion to hear.
“He’s just saying he’s sorry.” Missy rubbed the bird’s head. “Sorry for what, dear friend?” she asked. He sung in depressing tones. Tears welled in Missy’s eyes as she listened to the tale.
“Oh no,” she said. Charlie knelt beside her.
“What?” he asked.
“The hyenas followed the finch home. They threatened his family if he didn’t tell them what we, or rather I was up to. They wanted to know about my next quest,” she told him.
“Why would the hyenas want to know about your quest?” Atian asked.
“He said when he didn’t answer their questions, the hyenas took him to the jackals, Anukhan to be exact.”
“What else?” Vrag asked. The finch sighed then chirped out a few more notes, clearly upset with the role he’d played. Missy stroked his feathers as he relayed more information about the encounter. When he’d finished, she looked visibly paler.
“He told them all he knew, everything we talked about that first night in the courtyard about my quest to dragon territory and my preparations.” She looked into the faces around her. “The jackals are setting the dragons against us, even before we know the problem. What are we going to do?” she asked them all.
“We need to know everything,” Vrag insisted, “from the beginning.” Missy interpreted as the finch sang his depressing song from the beginning. When the finch concluded, he looked visibly exhausted.
“One last thing. He says he fears for his mate. The hyena’s destroyed their eggs but his mate is alone, not too far from here. Can they stay in the courtyard, Charlie?” she asked.
“Yes, for now,” Charlie assured her.
A swooping sound from overhead cut off all conversation. The sky darkened as a shadow flew across the sky blotting out the moon’s light. A terrible cry followed from the dragon as he circled around and flew lower this time. An army of bulls raced toward the doorway to the courtyard as Atian barked orders for his men to secure the grounds. The dragon circled several more times shaking the ground with its bellowing roar.
“Elyen, clear out the rest of these guests,” Vrag said. She nodded and went to work.
“Missy, I’m afraid we’ll have to leave on your quest tomorrow morning. We need to make peace with the dragons and make sure they know we mean them no harm. I’ll accompany you and Alastaire at least until this problem is dealt with. Go now to your quarters and rest. We leave early,” Vrag added.
“Come, let me show you to your new quarters,” Sophie said. “They are not far from the courtyard. I thought you would like that.”
Charlie pulled the large finch away from Missy and set him near a bush for shelter. He brought over several pieces of bread and assured him his mate would be with him soon. Charlie came back and helped Missy to her feet. She felt numb or sick or perhaps both. Charlie coaxed her from the courtyard and the pandemonium that still remained. Sophie led them quickly down a new corridor. She put a key into the first door she came to and opened it up to reveal a spacious dwelling, furnished in sparse but quality furniture. Missy walked from room to room, not seeing any of it.
“All of your belongings were brought here during the ceremony,” Sophie said.
“Thank you, Mother,” Charlie said, embracing her for a moment.
“Make sure she rests, Charlie. She’s going to need it,” Sophie added before leaving the young couple alone.
Charlie closed the door behind her and went in search of his new mate. H
e found her sitting on a small chair in the bedroom staring at her hands. He sat wordlessly across from her. He sensed her emotions now, and knew instinctively what she felt. Being joined provided this unique ability and Charlie was grateful for it now.
“You can’t blame yourself for what’s happened,” he began. “You need to rest, Missy. Let go of what’s happened and focus on what needs to be done tomorrow.” She didn’t acknowledge him or respond. Charlie watched her for a few minutes more before standing, pulling her up with him.
“Come, a warm bath will release the stress and help you relax,” he said. Without another word, he removed the lavish hair pins that held her hair in a loose bun. Her curls bounced and fell around her face. He moved next to loosen the straps on her dress, then let it fall to the floor. He covered her in a soft robe, then donned one himself and located towels. He led her in silence to the back of their dwelling, to a doorway. He opened the door onto a public bathing area. A natural spring ran through the room and pooled in a large square tub. Steam came off the water creating a sauna like atmosphere. At that time of night, they were the only occupants so Charlie chose a section of the pool near hewed out steps. He removed their robes and picked Missy up into his arms. He waded down the steps until the water sloshed above his knees. He sat on the steps and let the warm water wash over Missy’s pale skin. She made no sounds of protest, so he used his hands to wash more water over her body. He leaned her back and let her hair fall into the water. Missy shifted her gaze to watch Charlie’s face. He smiled at her.
“Relax,” he told her. Charlie sat Missy on the step below him and started massaging her arms and legs. He reached for a few fragrant soaps and added them to the water. He pulled more soaps into his hand and applied them to her hair, washing it gently. When he’d finished he rinsed her hair with his hands, taking care to keep the soaps away from her eyes. They sat in silence letting the warm water release any tension in their bodies. After an hour, Charlie pulled Missy from the waters and dried her with a towel, replacing the robe over her body. He dried himself quickly, then led her back to their private dwelling.
“How are you feeling now?” he asked.
“Better,” she said. As he continued to sense her emotional vibes, he knew it was true. Relieved, Charlie dried Missy’s hair with a towel, then brushed it down for her. She braided her hair quickly as Charlie searched for her nightgown. She dressed then they got into bed. Charlie pulled her to him, sighing with extreme contentment.
“Get some sleep, my love. Everything will be better in the morning.” Charlie stroked her arm as he spoke and soon, Missy fell asleep in his embrace. He smiled and closed his eyes.
Chapter 15
Missy and Charlie emerged from their private dwelling well before dawn. They had risen early, preparing for the journey to dragon country. They got ready in silence, knowing what the other needed without uttering a word. They smiled at each other frequently as they realized the advantages of joining. They left to meet the others by the cooking fires. When they arrived, Atian, Vrag and Sir Alastaire were already there. They joined the group as servants brought breakfast for the two newcomers.
“The packs are ready. Once we’ve had breakfast and discuss our strategies, we’ll leave,” Vrag began.
“What is our strategy?” Missy asked.
“The dragon last night was the male, Drago. He didn’t cause too much damage; he wanted to give us a warning. He will, more than likely, return sometime today to send us another warning. Atian and I will ride out with you and if we see him, we will try to draw him away from you. Missy, you and Alastaire need to make for dragon country quickly. It might be easier to convince the female we mean no harm and want to help,” Vrag said.
“I’ve mapped the quickest way to the area and it’s through the Valley of Tall Trees,” Sir Alastaire said.
“It’s not wise to go that route. We know very little about the inhabitants. We’ve only seen glimpses of them, and they are territorial and savage. I’ve lost countless bulls trying to take that short cut,” Atian said.
“What choice do we have? Either we go through the tall trees or we spend another week’s travel time getting to dragon country. With Drago circling to stop us, there is no faster way,” Sir Alastaire said.
“I would rather risk the long journey,” Atian said.
“At least we can go that way until we reach the trees, if it looks too dangerous, then we can skirt the outside of their territory, saving maybe two days,” Alastaire insisted.
“What type of creatures dwell in the tall trees?” Missy asked.
“We call them the cat people. At least that’s the closest description we can get from what little information we have about them. They move silently in the treetops. They don’t speak our language. We’ve tried to communicate with them, but they are skittish,” Atian explained. Missy thought about this for a few minutes. Charlie knew the plan she formed in her mind.
“Father, since gaining the traits of a monster, Missy has manifested a few unique abilities,” Charlie said.
“Like taming that diabolical little cabayo?” Atian said.
“More like communicating with it and the finch from last night. I’ve never seen anything like it. If she can communicate with the cabas and birds, who’s to say she can’t do the same with the cat people,” Charlie said.
“And if you’re wrong, Charlie?” Atian asked.
“We stay to the edge of their territory like Sir Alastaire suggested. We only need to enter their territory a fraction to get their attention. Then if we can establish communication, we may also gain an ally against the jackals.”
Atian considered his son’s words for a moment, his brow pinched in thought. He sighed in resignation.
“Your plan is sound. They would make a formidable ally against the jackals. We’ll give it a try. If you can’t establish communications within the first few minutes, I want you out of there immediately, is that clear?” Atian said, staring Charlie full in the face.
“I understand, Father,” Charlie said.
“Anything else, Vrag?” Atian asked.
“No, I think we have a plan,” Vrag said.
The planning completed, Missy and Charlie followed Atian from the room.
“We’ll meet you at the corral,” Atian said as they left. Missy and Charlie followed Atian back to their private quarters. Sophie stood waiting for them when they arrived.
“Charlie, have you decided on a form?” Atian asked.
“Yes, Father, I think a hawk should suffice. I want to be able to scout ahead for trouble.”
“Very well,” Atian said as he led Charlie to the mirror. They both gripped its edges and wordlessly conjured up the blue light. Atian summoned the mirrored image of his son to step forth. As before, the image of Charlie stepped from the mirrored surface. Atian touched the reflection and completed the transformation. A sharp shinned hawk appeared and fluttered around until it landed on Missy’s shoulder, her heavy coat providing protection against its sharp talons.
“Ok, let’s go,” Atian said. Sophie followed them as far as the outer door, and kissed each of them before they left for the corral.
They loaded the packs on the cabayo. Missy pulled a few carrots from her pocket for Egan, who devoured them. He knelt down and let her climb aboard. Charlie settled on her shoulder while Sir Alastaire shrank and nestled himself inside Missy’s backpack. Atian and Vrag mounted their beasts and pulled alongside Missy. Their cabas dwarfed Egan but they seemed wary of him. Missy led the way at Sir Alastaire’s direction. Once free of the dwellings, they increased to a gallop.
“How far away are the tall trees?” Missy asked.
“Two day’s ride. It’s maybe another day’s hard ride past the tall trees to get to dragon country. The surrounding mountains make getting to dragon territory treacherous and slow,” Sir Alastaire explained.
“What do you know about the cat people?”
“Nothing. Atian is right; they are an elusive and very dangerous
clan.
Their first day on the trail proved uneventful. Drago had not returned, and they’d made good time. Charlie sailed high, looking for a place to camp. He found a clearing between two groups of evergreens a few miles from the main travel path.
“Vrag and I will make camp. Missy, you and Sir Alastaire start a fire and get dinner ready,” Atian said.
Missy unpacked the food Dredge had prepared, while Sir Alastaire collected wood for the fire. Missy watched Vrag and Atian unpack two tents, and within minutes, they were up and secure.
“They look like arctic tents from my world,” Missy observed.
“Yes, they are,” Vrag said. Missy raised an eyebrow at them.
“No sense reinventing the wheel. Last time I had to go to your world, I went into the untamed arctic wilderness. Our winters are almost as cold. I thought they would come in handy,” Vrag explained.
“So, once I’m a monster, can I go back to shop?” Missy asked.
“I wouldn’t count on it,” Charlie said from a nearby branch. “Besides, with my Mother, Elyen, and Ginger on the case, you will have plenty of clothes. You’re their favorite dress up doll.”
True, Missy thought. Her clothing looked beautiful and functioned well for this world. They ate dinner quickly and put the fire out so as not to attract attention. Missy, Charlie, and Sir Alastaire occupied one tent while Vrag and Atian shared the other. Atian took first watch.
“These tents are roomy on the inside,” Missy said as she pulled out her sleeping bag. Sir Alastaire shrank again and nested inside Missy’s pack. “Do you need anything else?” she asked him.
“No. The pack is perfect for me, and it’s warm. This tent’s design helps keep the heat in. You should have no trouble staying warm,” he told her. Missy nodded and continued to lay out her bedding. She placed a nest of hay and sticks near her pillow for Charlie and padded it with her scarf. Charlie sat on the nest and settled down for sleep. Missy zipped herself snugly into her sleeping bag and fell asleep within minutes.