The Dragon Guard: Oceans and Pebbles

by Sarah Hite

  She lowered her head to look him in the eye. “Even so, I thank you.” He smiled and saluted her, then set the bowl down in front of Alamine before leaving.

  Alamine looked up at them puzzled, but did not ask what his action meant. Instead she began eating her dinner, sure the answer would come later; and she was right. Pai took one of the deer and looked at Moon, “He still calls you general?” he asked amused.

  She returned his look and said, “Many of the humans do. I just wish the rest of the Keep shared their respect, even if we are no longer at war.”

  Kwan looked up at the two Mountain dragons. We are at war. When they looked at him confused, he looked over at Shaelynn, who had grabbed one of the deer and was attempting to pull it over to her favorite corner. The other dragons understood his meaning; they were fighting a war over Shaelynn’s future, and would continue to fight until she was home, and safe. Unfortunately, they knew it could take years before the rest of the clan could be convinced to look past the old superstition. Kwan took the deer from her and set it in the corner, next to Sayden. Both of the hatchlings immediately dug into their dinner. After a long day of playing, they were bound to be hungry.

  Pai looked over at Kym, “She still hasn’t woken?”

  No, but her breathing has changed. She will likely wake soon. He looked down at Alamine and nodded. Then he went to the queen and inspected her for any sign that she would wake. He looked back at Moon when she asked, “What do you think she will do when she wakes up?”

  “I don’t know. Ania’s idea was a good one. This should do as it was intended.”

  Moon smiled, “You sound more like your father every day.” He smiled but did not comment, the queen was beginning to stir.

  As she slowly opened her eyes, fear and uncertainty gripped her. The eye patch that Ania had designed, made her vision dimmer. Pai reached her side just as she tried to sit up. To keep her from panicking, he said, “Easy your Majesty. You’ve been out for a while.”

  “What… what happened?” Her breathing was unsteady, giving her away.

  “Your vision is fine. Here I will show you. Close your eyes.” He undid the clasp, which had been made so that the eyepatch could be removed or applied by a dragon, and pulled the strap free. He had her slowly open her eyes so she could see it for herself. She looked at the eyepatch confused. The center piece had been made of several layers of a loosely woven cloth, rimmed by a thin circular dark copper band. The band was connected to another piece of cloth that had a straight edge on the top, but curved at the bottom to follow the shape of her eye. This was also bordered by a copper band. The copper piece ended at the beginning of a soft leather strap the same width. There were two leather bands, each had been decorated with gold filigree in the shape of vines, and ended with the clasp, or hook rather. The clasp itself was gold. One half, the hook, had been set into the edge of the right side, which was almost the size of Ania’s little finger. The hook curved until it nearly met its base. The other side contained a series of gold rings which the hook looped through, holding the strap to her head. It had been designed to be adjustable.

  She looked at Pai, still confused. “I don’t understand.”

  “Ania designed this to protect your eye from light. You can see through it, but it does not allow much light through.” She nodded, understanding why her vision had seemed dim. She looked up at the young shaman, and blinked. She looked away from the fire and solemnly stared at the dark corner. Pai watched her for a moment before suggesting, “Why don’t we put it back on. I can see the fire bothers you.” She only nodded. He re-applied the eyepatch and added, “I can show you how to put it on later.” Again, she only nodded.

  “I think it looks good.” Kym turned to look at Moon, who had come over.

  “Really, but what would Kyeon say?” She still sounded scared.

  Moon spread her wing and embraced the queen. “I’m sure he will understand.” She looked up at Pai and added mischievously, “And knowing how the shaman like Ania’s ideas, I’m sure this is just the beginning. Before we know it, every dragon with sensitive eyes will be wearing one.” Pai just shook his head, but she had made Kym smile. They all knew that she had said it as a joke, but it would likely be true. Pai set the last deer before her and gently instructed her to eat. Even though she had smiled, they could still tell she was uneasy. The eyepatch was not really what had scared her, it was the realization that the patch had brought. She was likely going to lose her vision in that eye, and they might not be able to stop it. The patch could only delay the inevitable, and the thought of her world going black, or even just part of it, is what scared her the most.

  Akina

  Early morning, two days after their arrival, while the sun was still hovering over the mountains to the east, Shaelynn’s parents unhappily said good-by to their daughter. The remaining dragons watched as Kwan took off, followed by Sayden. Moon gave her daughter one last hug. “Be good for me?” the princess asked. Shaelynn only nodded; she was struggling against her sorrow at again, being left behind. “I will see you again as soon as I can, I promise.” Shaelynn looked down, knowing that ‘as soon as I can,’ meant ‘sometime within the next year.’

  Moon knew she was distressed and lowered her head to look at her. “Shae, look at me.” When the child looked up she continued, “I know you don’t want me to leave, and I don’t want to leave you. I will come back for you.”

  Alamine watched, now fully understanding the source of the child’s sorrow. “When will you be back?” Shaelynn asked, knowing her mother could not give her a real answer. “I love you,” was Moon’s only response. She tore herself away from the sadness in her daughter’s eyes, and launched herself into the sky, where she quickly disappeared. Shaelynn ran after her as far as she could, stopping on a hill overlooking the forest below.

  Despair and anxiety filled her voice as she cried out, Mama! Mama, wait! When Moon did not turn around, Shaelynn lowered her head; the scene was heart wrenching. Ania, Lukair, and Pai exchange glances, they knew this had to stop. Kym left the courtyard and flew over to the hill. Shaelynn still sat there, staring at the ground, shoulders sagged, tail wrapped around her, clearly heartbroken. She said nothing as the queen joined her, but continued to stare at the ground.

  Kym curled up around her, trying not to cry. After several minutes, Shaelynn laid down. She was breathing heavily, trying to control her emotions. Kym wrapped her wing around her niece, pulled her close, and held her. “Shh, shh, it’s alright. This won’t last forever.” The child lost it; she sobbed into the queen’s shoulder. Kym held her, slowly rocking her back and forth; she knew the council had to do something. She had known that this forced exile was hard on them, but after what she saw today, she knew it could not be allowed to continue.

  After a while, Shaelynn stopped crying and grew quiet. Kym looked down at her and found that the child had cried herself to sleep. She carefully gathered her in her forepaws and returned to the Guest House. Alamine crawled closer to the child and curled up with her. Kym watched her for a moment before joining Ania, Lukair, and the rest of the dragons outside.

  When they asked, Kym just shook her head. “I don’t know if she’ll ever be alright. It could be years before she’s able to come home.”

  Lukair made a few suggestions that were discussed, but Ania just watched a company of archers performing drills in the snow covered fields beyond, keeping her thoughts to herself. When she did not respond to a question, they turned to see what she was looking at. They saw the archers, but she was not watching them, her eyes were on the sky. “Chekal, get Henreth.” she said urgently as she suddenly ran toward the company. As she neared the archers, she tried to get Harden’s attention. “Captain! Captain stop the drills!”

  He did not hear her and had the men fired another volley. This time, a pain filled shriek split the air, and a small dragon popped into view in the sky above them. The dragon was trying to stop falling, but could not, one wing fluttered in the wind, useless. A shad
ow passed Ania as Kym met the little one in the air. She helped them land safely and was trying to calm them down.

  Ania reached them at the same time Captain Harden did. “Is she alright? I didn’t know she was there.” The little female backed away the best she could, one of the arrows had gone straight through the ankle of her right forepaw, sticking out of each side, and her right wing had been severely damaged. Kym was still trying to calm her down. Ania pulled the Captain aside, assured him she would be alright, and had him gather his men and return to Aretell. As they left, Pai landed with Henreth.

  Ania watched as the little one still tried to back away from them. She realized that it was not just the soldiers she feared, she was afraid of the dragons as well. She called Kym and the healers over and explained. Kym looked over at the child and agreed. The little, pale green dragon was trying to lay down, but fell instead. Her fear was deteriorating into a pain filled haze. Ania suggested that Kym speak to her alone, and they would either join them when the child passed out, or agreed to let them help her.

  Kym went over and sat down by the youth. She was staring out at nothing, trying not to give in to the pain. I know you’re scared, child, I can see that. The little dragon looked up at her. I don’t know why you’re afraid of us, but you don’t have to be. We’re not going to hurt you. The humans are our friends, and the older one standing next to the other dragon can remove the arrows. His name is Henreth. I know he can help, he helped me. The dragon is Pai, he’s a shaman. They both can help you. The child nodded understanding, and swallowed as the breeze teased them with the smell of fresh meat cooking over a fire. Kym saw this and added, and then after they have cared for your injuries, we can get you something to eat. How does that sound? Again she nodded, now too tired to fight them. Kym could tell that she still did not trust them, but was willing to cooperate, and signaled to the rest of the group that the child was willing to be cared for.

  Pai and Henreth removed the arrows and bandaged her wounds. Then Henreth left to inform Captain Harden that the child would be alright, Pai went to find her something to eat at Kym’s request, and she helped the child to the Guest House. Pai met them there with a small deer, and gave it to her after she settled in. It was only a few minutes after she had finished her meal, that she fell asleep. Kym laid down next to her, quite tired herself, and told Alamine what happened.

  Several hours later the youth woke up. At first she did not remember where she was, but when she saw Kym she settled down again. Ania opened the small door and stood in the entrance. “How are the girls?”

  Kym looked down at the child next to her, then over at Shaelynn, who had woken a while ago, but just stared at the wall. “In pain.”

  Ania sighed, understanding what she meant, and went over to the hatchling. She noticed the other child watching; she seemed confused. Ania knelt down in front of the little dragon and patted her on the head. Gently, she asked, “Why don’t you have something to eat?”

  Shaelynn sighed. “I’m not hungry.” Her pain was still evident in her voice.

  Ania looked at her and sat down next to the hurting child. When she settled down, Shaelynn set her head in her lap, but said nothing more. Ania leaned down and continued to pet her, offering companionship to the heartbroken child. “I know, I know. Your mother may have left, but I’m not going anywhere.” The hatchling sighed, long and unhappily, and Ania continued soothe her wounds.

  The little green dragon looked up at Kym. Her mother is gone? What happened to her?

  Kym looked down at the little dragon. Her mother was forced to leave her here. Their clan requires that Shaelynn stay with the humans. Her family doesn’t get to see her very often, but when they do, it always ends the same way.

  The little adolescent dragon slowly got up and limped over to Shaelynn. Hi, she said a little timidly as she slowly laid back down. Shaelynn looked over at her, but did not move. I know what it’s like not to be with your mother. I don’t even know who mine is.

  Shaelynn raised her head. You don’t?

  No. I have never met her. My brother and I… we never met either one of our parents. She paused and studied the younger child. Your name is Shaelynn? Shaelynn nodded and she added, I’m Akina. Akina stayed and spoke with Shaelynn for several minutes, and finally convinced her to eat. Ania left the two alone; she and Kym left the Guest House, and the queen told her what the child had said.

  They stood outside the doors discussing the plight of the two children when the horn blew, announcing the approach of another dragon. The female landed in the courtyard, and handed a burlap sack to one of the servants. She seemed very tired and was led to the Guest House. She stopped in the entrance and declared, “You want me to stay here? Not with that thing.”

  Shaelynn balked and hid behind Akina. Confused, the older child stood up. “Thing? I don’t see any- thing,” she said aloud. Shaelynn suddenly ran for the back door and pushed it open, escaping into the afternoon sky beyond. Still confused, Akina asked again, “What thing?”

  The female entered and forced Akina from her place next to the fire. “Don’t you know kid? Black dragons are bad luck. If that one had been killed when it hatched, others would still be alive.”

  Akina’s eyes narrowed. “Like who?” Her tone of voice was almost challenging.

  The female looked like she was going to slap her. Kym stepped in before she could. “Collina, I know your children just passed away from illness, but that does not give you the right to blame Shaelynn. The child’s been through enough.”

  Collina looked over at her. “What would you know about it, sympathizer? What would you know about any of it? You don’t even have children,” she challenged.

  Kym mantled her wings defensively, her body ridged, her breath shaky. “Don’t you dare tell me I don’t know!” she almost yelled at the taller female. “Just because your grieving for your loss, doesn’t mean I’ll let this pass. A challenge is a challenge, and you should remember who you’re talking to, I am still your queen.” She stared Collina down until she apologized for her disrespect. When she had, Kym added in a kinder voice, “Just because I don’t have children now, doesn’t mean I don’t know what you’re going through.”

  Collina looked up, “What do you mean?”

  “I nested once, and almost nested again later on. I lost them both.” Her voice revealed a level of sorrow that nearly matched Shaelynn’s.

  “What happened?” the other dragon asked, lowering her head in submission. She had not known that the queen had ever nested.

  Kym looked away, not at anything in particular, and took a shaky breath. “I was asked to speak to the Northern Chieftains, in the southern part of the Nawai Forest. Kyeon didn’t want me to go, but the chieftains refused to speak to anyone else, so I told him that I would do it, as long as Kei-ata Lorbrein allowed it. I consulted him before we gave the chieftains our answer. I wanted the shaman’s opinion. At the time, I was about nine months along, and didn’t want to stress the pregnancy. He said it would be alright as long as we went slow. It’s usually one week’s travel to the Northern clans. We took three, just to be safe. We stayed for two and were going to take another three to get home, that should have given me another month to prepare for the Nesting.”

  She paused and took deep breath. “We left for our return trip on schedule, and turned for the Namori Mountains. A dense fog rolled in and we slowed down, after a while we stopped, deciding that it was too hazardous to continue, and would begin again when the fog lifted. When it did, we discovered that we were way off course. We should have been in the foothills of the Namori, but we were northwest of Pycan, just inside the Alteran boarder. We corrected our course, and took flight. We had only been in the air for a few hours when I felt it. The first contraction took me by surprise, but I stayed airborne. The second… the second was so strong, that I dropped over a hundred feet before regaining control. My guards knew something was wrong and suggested that I land. I had landed in a small clearing, not far from the edge of th
e woods when another contraction hit. We were about five miles north of Crescent Lake.

  “One of my guards realized what was happening and sent two of them to find somewhere I could stay, while the other two stayed with me. They found no caves, but one of them did find a secluded thicket. They led me there, and my lead guard had one go hunting; he sent the other two in different directions to find a shaman, while he stayed with me. Lang had requested lessons from Kei-ata Lorbrein in case someone got hurt. Kei-ata had the foresight to teach him what to do in case I did go into labor. Well, that’s just what happened. I wasn’t due for more than a month.” She paused and looked out toward the north. Ania, who had come in with her, could tell that she was still heartbroken over the incident.

  She quietly continued, “I laid three eggs in that thicket, it… didn’t go well, Lang could only help to a point. I was tired from travelling and completely exhausted after the Nesting; I didn’t wake for nearly a day. When I did, Lang was about thirty feet away. Something was bothering him. He glanced at me, and said he would be right back and flew off. He didn’t go far; he had wanted to check the river. A natural dam had formed north of the valley, and he wanted to make sure it was still stable. It broke as he reached it, and water poured into the valley. I could hear the water rumbling, as it flooded the area.

  “Lang flew as fast as he could. He knew I was too weak to get out of its path, and I knew I had to get out of the way, I had to get the eggs out of the way. I managed to reach them, but, just as I picked up the first one, water filled the thicket. It washed us all away. Lang tried to find me. He caught a glimpse of me just as I went under, but lost sight of me.

  “He found me late the next day. I had been left on the river bank by the receding waters. I had cracked ribs, a broken wing, and was half drowned. I was told that I was still clutching the egg, but it would not survive. My other guards returned to see the valley in ruins, and called out to Lang. He directed them to where he had pulled me out of the river. One of my guards had found a shaman and she had me taken to their clan, about a day’s flight away. Lang left for the Keep to inform the council of what had happened and returned with Kyeon, Elder, and Kei-ata Lorbrein. It was several months before I was well enough to go home.” Collina apologized again and did not ask about the other clutch.