by Sariah Skye
I nodded. “Got it.” I took the bottle from Finnian, unscrewed the top and took a small sip. It burned going down my throat like a bitter vodka and I grimaced as I handed it off to whoever was next to me; I think it was Kiarra. We passed it around and it reached Finnian again and he closed it up and put it in his pack.
“Now can I shift?” I didn’t wait for Finnian to go ahead, I just willed the shift, not caring if anyone saw my human lady bits and let out an ecstatic sigh as I felt that familiar stretch of my limbs, pulling and reshaping. When I was in my full dragon form, I shook my body sort of like a dog, stretching out my cramped wings.
Gabriel tittered. “Better?”
I nodded. “Yes!”
A growl came from next to me as Maxxus shifted into his huge green dragon, and behind me Kiarra shifted into her blue self. She bent to her knees and stretched out her wings. “Someone get on.” Finnian climbed on, grasping the base of her wings for balance as she stood up straight.
I lowered myself and goosed Gabriel in the side with my nose. Maxxus let out a snort of dismay. He stared down Daniel. “You. On. Now.”
Daniel let out a cheer of glee. “Ohhh I get to ride the big, hot, green dragon!”
Maxxus narrowed his eyes at him and a puff of green steam jet out from his nostril.
Daniel laughed, patting him on the nose. “Oh, stop. I know it’s the closest I’ll ever get to a ride. Just let me have it.”
Despite himself, Maxxus let out a devilish smile.
Gabriel and I laughed at each other. I grunted with a nod and told him to climb on. Deftly this time, Gabriel flung himself over like he was riding a horse. We followed Maxxus who trudged quickly, jostling Daniel, who complained the entire time. After awhile I was convinced Maxxus was doing it on purpose and the Seer egged him on, by comparing him to a foreign motorcycle, a Clydesdale and a camel in how it felt to ride him. I was sure by the end of the day Daniel was in bigger danger of being eaten than Nicodemus.
Walking in our dragon forms cut the walking time by half, and we made it to the forest that bordered Morenden Village before the sun hit its highest point in the sky. It felt like an hour; ordinarily by foot it would have been at least three so we saved a lot of time this way. Glad I insisted upon it.
Gabriel’s form suddenly felt a little heavy; his arms draped on either side of my neck. I nudged him a little. “Hey. You okay?”
“He’s asleep,” Kiarra caught up along my side. Finnian was actually perched on Kiarra’s back, reading a book and muttering to himself; not even bothering to hold on.
“How—” I began, but I rolled my eyes. Or, I intended to; dragon eyes didn’t roll. “Not going to ask.”
Finnian held up an ancient looking, black-bound book with gold lettering on it in a language I didn’t recognize. “Stuff about the Shadows. If I could translate it…” he complained.
“At least it’s better than that crap you were reading earlier,” Kiarra insisted and I chuckled. Finnian said nothing, but ever-so-slightly crooked one of his eyebrows at her.
A short distance ahead I heard rustling, followed by a string of curses. “I think it’s time to shift back,” Maxxus grumbled. “I keep bumping into these trees!” I watched as Maxxus tried to squeeze himself through a narrow opening in a handful of trees.
I peered before him; the tall pine trees reached for the sky and were fitted together in the forest like toothpicks in a box. Unless we flew over, or turned human, we’d never get through. “Yeah…. you’re right. Hold up, Kiarra!” I called to her; she was lagging behind slightly. “Shift time!”
Without waiting to be told, Finnian leapt off Kiarra’s back and landed acrobatically on his feet, not even taking his eyes of his book or rustling a page. Not that he was looking anyway, but he turned around and put his back towards us while we shifted. I shook my head, amazed and snickered to myself. He was otherworldly for sure.
Kiarra shrunk down to her human size and looked down at her fully clothed, human self. She looked up at me and grinned. “That is epic. Thanks, Finn!”
Finnian gave her a slight wink, but looked smug with himself.
“I can’t wait to try that! Off you go, Gabe!” I nudged my shoulders and poked Gabriel’s sleeping form with my nose. “Gabriel?”
He snored lightly and stirred, but did not wake.
The blue dragon adjusted her navy robes over her front, making sure everything was still in place as she trotted over to us. She poked Gabriel repeatedly until he woke with a loud snort.
“Wha—what!?!” he asked, confused, blinking his eyes repeatedly. He glanced around, rubbing his eyes with his palms. “Where the—why is it so dark?”
“We reached the forest, dude. Gotta shift to keep going,” Kiarra explained, helping the groggy sorcerer off my back. When he was safely on the ground I willed the shift, and felt that familiar squeeze of my dragon form folding into my human form complete with pants, shoes, shirt and robes. I grinned widely at the Loremaster. “Finn, you’re a God.” I patted the leather band around my arm affectionately and smiled widely at him.
“I wouldn’t say that…” but his eyes shifted to a bright green, indicating that he was probably plenty pleased with the praise.
When we all shifted and comfortable again, we decided to take a break and have a snack before continuing.
We sat under a small break in the trees overhead to let the humans warm up under the small circle of sun. It was about ten degrees cooler in the shade of the forest and the clearing also gave us enough space to sit comfortably near each other and pass out snacks: roast beef and cheese sandwiches, and Mountain Dew for those of us who crave it (meaning me) and water for the rest and discuss the immediate events of the day.
We planned to stop in Morenden Village. None of us had ever been there, but it was common for strangers to be coming through there while traveling to Court, so newcomers to the area wouldn’t be totally strange. We assumed there’d be a tavern or a social gathering place (like a restaurant) where we could stop and regroup once again. Perhaps someone there might have some insight on the current state of the Court. It’d been a handful of days since Maxxus and I were last here. Did we stifle Nicodemus’ power enough to cause a setback, or just further piss him off and make things worse?
Finnian had potions that would help the humans and himself smell like dragons in their human form, and for solidarity all of us would remain in human form, even though it was custom for new dragons in an area to arrive in their dragon forms. No other town in Anarach followed this practice any longer, however Morenden was known for being highly nervous and suspicious. With good reason.
And hopefully we could grab a full meal as well. The sandwiches and pop might not tide us dragons over long and we had awhile to walk before reaching the Court. We knew the humans might have to rest for a time. Well, Finnian didn’t need it, but the brothers would, even though they surely wouldn't admit it.
Feeling more energized, we arrived at the outskirts of Morenden Village in the mid-afternoon. The sun was at its highest point by now, but it had clouded over some. Gabriel, who had nothing more than a sweatshirt, had to summon a fireball and carry it in his palm as we walked for the heat as the temperature hovered around just above freezing. Comfortable for a dragon, but not so much for a poorly-dressed human. Thankfully, there was no wind to chill us even further.
We paused just outside the town before a line of elm trees to prepare. I sighed, nervous about using my magic for real knowing the repercussions of what could happen if I failed. Glamouring Maxxus and I was one thing, but a whole group was another story.
“Try these.” Finnian handed me a handful of stones, setting them in my palm gently. Each stone was a different color, polished and shiny: a rose quartz, fluorite, hematite, an agate, lapis and pyrite.
I raised a brow. “What am I supposed to do with these?”
“Place a stone in the hand of whoever you best associate each stone with. Concentrate on what sort of appearance you want them to
have, and as long as they carry that stone, it should help retain that appearance. But they’ll have to be recharged every hour or so, and it will help if you keep up a confusion spell as well around us,” Finnian explained. “I should be one of the easier ones, as no one is looking for me, so try me first.”
“You’re not a dragon, though. But I see what you’re saying.” I peered down at the handful of stones thoughtfully. I selected the pyrite and set it in Finnian’s outstretched palm.
He chuckled. “Interesting you should pick that one. Fool’s Gold….”
I gave him a half-smile. “Yeah, well… full of surprises you know. And a bit of a fool,” I added with a wink.
“Hehe, yes, that I am.” I turned briefly to whoever was next to me—Daniel—and instructed him to hold the other stones for me.
I took a deep breath. “Okay.” I placed my palm over Finnian’s, covering the stone. I glanced at his handsome face briefly, careful to avoid his eyes, which were a sky blue. His demeanor gave me confidence. I closed my eyes, and pictured a random orange dragon shift into Finnian’s human self. I found it fitting; orange dragons were quirky, with no rhyme or reason to the things they do. So was Finnian.
I felt a tingle in my hand and I exhaled slowly over the stone. I opened my eyes to see it glow slightly, a dim orange before turning into its regular gold color. I removed my hand and Finnian fisted the stone and held it close. He turned to the rest of the group. “Anything?”
Kiarra’s forehead furrowed. “I don’t know. I’m a bit confused. I keep thinking about an orange dragon, but I don’t know who?”
I grinned, and exchanged a wink with Finnian. “An orange drake practicing being in his human form.”
Kiarra grinned. “Nice.”
“Me next!” Daniel giddily held out the pile of stones and after a moment’s thought, I selected the fluorite for Daniel and placed it in his palm. Finnian took and held the others. I imbued it with the thought of a strong black dragon whose human form was strong, but blonde with a ginger beard that hadn’t been shaved in a couple days.
Gabriel snickered behind us as I completed the enchantment. “Nice…”
I stuck my tongue out at him. I grabbed the rose quartz from Finnian and shoved it at him. “You’re next.” He was surprised when I gave him the pink stone but didn’t question it. I imbued it, thinking of a deep indigo colored dragon and gave Gabriel long hair and tanned skin with blue eyes; the total opposite of how he really looked.
Maxxus was next. The magnetic hematite made me think of his metal working, and his strength. I shivered slightly as I placed the stone in his open palm and clutched his hand with my own. I felt the electricity shift between us; it was surprising and I caught my breath. Maxxus’ mouth quirked a slight grin at the corners and my heart flapped lightly. I swallowed the butterflies down and snapped my eyes shut; concentrating on his glamour. I shrunk his green dragon form down and turned him a turquoise blue shade. I made him short, with short black shaved hair, a long beard and dark brown eyes. It was important that for us dragons I change our appearance the most.
Kiarra's stone was a clear quartz. I pictured her a short blonde with blue eyes and pixie cropped hair and freckles on her cheeks who shifted into a rather demure, unassuming gray dragon instead of her nearly cerulean blue color. She shivered slightly as the magic warmed the stone in her hand. “Awesome...”
“Here's your first test,” Finnian said, motioning. There were a couple young dragons near the woods playing around with their magic. They didn’t bat an eye as we walked nearby them in our human forms. I smiled to myself triumphantly.
Mid-afternoon. Morenden was bustling for a small village. We passed several large stone houses; large by human standards, but by dragon they were quite humble. A handful of dragons were outside—most in dragon form, but one or two were in human—they peered at us suspiciously as they went about their activities (digging, fighting, talking… whatever) but said nothing. I instructed the humans not to look at them directly—direct sight could waver the magic. Maxxus, the largest of us all let out a low, rumbling growl from the back of his throat when someone stared too long. Recognizing the sign of dominance, they would back down. We didn't subscribe to alpha/beta roles, but we weren’t stupid; if someone was bigger than you, you didn't challenge. You respected it.
It became busier the further we got into town. We noticed a lot of traffic going in and out of one brick building with a heavy door and a wooden roof, covered with tar and interweaved with hay and straw. Over the door was a sign with metal welded letters that spelled out in dragon “tavern and eatery” (we didn’t bother coming up with fancy names for things). I nodded towards the building and motioned for us to go in. Anyplace with booze and food was a popular place for any dragon.
Maxxus pushed past me and insisted he enter first. He grasped my forearm tightly and pulled me into the dark tavern, the brothers just behind me and Finnian and Kiarra bringing up the rear. As we entered I winced at the clamor inside.
Across the large room perched at a long pine table were two dragons—red and orange—arguing playfully and knocking front talons together as they growled. They were actually in their dragon forms which was unusual because of all the space it took up. Nearby, a family sat quietly eating chicken legs and large bowls of, what I assumed were potatoes or porridge. They were in human form, adorned in navy colored robes with seven-pointed stars emblazoned on them indicating their family crest. Their child—a young green drake in his dragon form—was banging on the metal plates in front of him with the end of his tail. I had to smirk at his playful display and happy growls as his parents tried to ignore him and have a decent meal but still, they appeared rather frazzled. Something human and dragon parents had in common: sometimes, parenting just stressed you out. So I heard.
I gently fingered the ring on my right hand and blinked; fighting the urge to glance painfully at Maxxus as sharp pangs grabbed at my heart like metal pincers thinking of what may have been. I bit my lip, to hide the sullen sigh sure to come out. My thoughts were interrupted by the sorcerer.
“What do we do now?” Gabriel whispered over my shoulder into my ear softly.
I scanned the room for an empty table amongst the boisterous dragons eating and drinking. I noticed a server—wearing, long black robes, her long equally black hair trailing down her back as she leaned over a table, clearing it off. I motioned towards the table as she turned around, the tankards and dishes clutched in her arms as she stalked off behind a bar, through a set of double doors. “Right there,” I said.
Maxxus saw where I pointed and, not releasing his grasp, and led us across the tavern to the table which would easily sit the five of us with room to spare. I sat in a chair close to the wall to remain inconspicuous, and Maxxus urged Gabriel to sit next to me. He took the spot at the end, and Finnian sat across from me, then Daniel from his brother and Kiarra was at the other end. I understood Maxxus’ thinking; I was probably the most vulnerable target with the highest price on my head. I would probably be killed on sight if anyone recognized me. Being dragons—albeit disguised—if the magic held up no one would even question Maxxus and Kiarra with their inconspicuous colorings.
“Now what? What’s good here?” Daniel asked, glancing around for something. A menu, presumably.
I snickered. “Beer, meat or potatoes… that’s about all any dragon eatery serves.”
He wrinkled his nose. “There goes my waistline,” he muttered in dismay. I rolled my eyes with a pointed groan.
“Well, I haven’t seen any of you around before.” The waitress/barmaid/whatever you wanted to call her stood before our table, making polite but pointed conversation. “Or maybe I have, but just didn’t recognize your human selves.”
Maxxus spoke up first. “Apologies, we are from the Northland,” he said, speaking of the region north of us, which was entirely covered by snow and ice for most of the year. “We did not realize your customs. Just passing through on our way to visit a cousin in Havins
hir.”
The waitress raised a brow. “All of you are related?” I realize it probably appeared odd for all of us to be visiting a cousin because we all looked so different even in our glamours. I should have anticipated that.
Finnian turned and flashed her one of his radiant smiles. He appeared to stretch his arm, but I saw him flick his hand. Her suspicious expression turned into a happy one as she beamed at Finnian. “Well, clearly not all our cousins. Just his. We’re colleagues, of course.”
I tried not to look too surprised as Finnian spoke in clear, concise Dragon. I didn’t think he knew Dragon?
“Of course. Think nothing of it, but if you go out further, may I suggest you shift? We are wary of newcomers. You understand.” She lowered her voice to speak. “Especially with the threat from the Court. You can’t be too careful.”
I feigned ignorance. “Oh? What threat?”
“I suppose being from the North you may not know. A couple of dragons from the Court—appointed to different positions—made threats against the king and Queen to take over the Realm. One of them is that crazy pink dragon. Well,” she chuckled, “we all know how pink dragons are.”
I heard a thud. Maxxus had stomped a foot down under the table. I could see the rage build in his eyes. Kiarra coughed, interrupting his lustful anger. She caught his eye and shook her head ever so slightly.
Maxxus choked back his rage and forced a smile at her. “Of course. Those… crazy dragons.”
“What about the other ones?” I piped up.
She shrugged. “Not sure, accomplices wanted for questioning, surely. No one knows for sure, but of course, everyone has a theory.” She smiled, turning back to Finnian. “Round of ale for all?”
Finnian beamed. “Certainly. Thank you, good lady.”
She nodded at him, with a stupid grin on her face and sauntered off through the room, disappearing behind the bar.