by Millie Burns
Ravyn’s eyes cleared as cool air caressed her hot dry skin. To her delight, ripe bananas and succulent wild guava hung nearby. She picked a guava, taking a bite rind and all. The juices slipped down her parched throat, easing her thirst. She pulled a ripe bunch of bananas from the tree. The bananas smelled sweet, and the juice from the guava was sticky on her fingers. She devoured the bananas, the soft fruit mashing between her fingers. She popped the cork on a gourd, guzzling water and letting it splash down her chin. Sated, her gaze wandered to a sharp peak jutting towards the sky.
Resting in the cool shade of the palms, Ravyn gathered strength. She would need to hike toward the center of the land to the high peak. From there, she could see how to proceed. Then she would contact Connor, so he could send Blade to her. The sun was high overhead and continued its march across the sky. She sighed, gathering her meager belongings in a pile. She tossed a few palm fronds over her small stash. She smiled, Blade would be here soon, and this would all be over.
The dense jungle offered no easy path. She picked her way through the maze of trees and lush tropical plants. She marked her trail with rock markers and bent branches. A careful pace kept exhaustion at bay and footing safe as she left the dense tropical jungle and entered the craggy mountain area.
Picking her way up the crumbly rock, she sighed in relief as she spied the summit. Scrambling over the last few boulders, she reached the peak. A turn full circle showed her everything.
“No, no, no,” she cried in dismay, her fingers locked in her thick black hair. Everywhere she looked water sparkled in the afternoon sun. Frustration threatening to consume her, she nearly fell to her knees. The raft would need repairing. It also needed new oars. Nothing was ever easy.
Looking toward the island’s far side revealed a peak that she hadn’t noticed at first. Caves sprinkled the cliff face. Thoughts of exploration died as quickly as they were born. Past the southern tip of the island, she could just make out another land mass: Aigerach. So close, and yet so far away. It felt as though the weight of the mountains sat on her shoulders as she headed back down. Blade wouldn’t be saving her; she would have to save herself.
As day faded into evening, she trudged into her makeshift camp. She sat on a rock and picked up a long branch. She peeled off the leaves and twigs, sharpening it into a spear. In the waning light she waded into the surf to catch the fish darting about the rocks. Rowan taught her how to fish using a spear. She smiled at memories of her first clumsy attempts and his patient guidance. Thinking of him brought tears to her eyes. She sniffled, brushing away the tears on her dirty sleeve. Time to focus. In the blink of an eye two fat fish wriggled on her spear.
She then gathered fallen branches for kindling and retrieved her flint. She squatted down, striking flint to steel, until small sparks started the twigs to smoldering. She blew gently on the kindling until she felt sure the fire was hungry and alive. She fed it more fuel. After cooking her fish, she added more logs, letting the fire burn wild and hot as the sky deepened into night.
Nibbling at her fish, she leaned back against a large palm tree, listening to the soft rustlings in the dark jungle around her. She had not seen any predatory animals during the day. If any inhabited the island, a fire might keep them at bay. She had seen several small mammals skittering about the jungle, and a variety of multi-colored birds filled the trees, chittering and chattering to each other. Sunning lizards raced away as she approached them during her hike.
As she cataloged the fauna of the island, it became increasingly difficult to watch the dancing flames. Pulling her cloak tight about her shoulders, she lay down on the palm fronds that were her makeshift bed.
Something interrupted her rest, niggling and buzzing about her. She brushed at her face, shooing away the unwanted intrusion. Green gold color flooded her mind. Connor! She sat bolt upright. She’d forgotten to contact him.
‘Blade,’ she blurted, ‘is he with you?’
‘Well, he was. As we speak, he is heading north to meet up with you. I myself am heading further inland. Zelera is getting an inkling of my presence; I couldn’t expect to stay right under her nose the whole time, I suppose. Her power strengthens at an extraordinary rate. Dark times befall Aigerach.’ He paused a moment, ‘And that shark was not natural. What a perversion of nature.’
‘You saw what happened?’
‘Yes, I was scrying to tell you Blade had arrived. I saw that monster speeding toward your raft. I noticed the dolphin pod following you; they’re quite fond of you. I told them the danger you were in, and they were eager to assist.’
‘You talked to them?’ she asked in awe.
‘Of course. I’m a Master of the Light.’
‘Could I do that too?’
‘You are not supposed to be working magic, young lady. But in due time, I’ll teach you how.’
‘Blade can’t meet me, Connor. I’m not on Aigerach. I’m on another island, but surely you already know that.’
‘Unfortunately, I did not make myself clear when speaking with the dolphins. I asked them to get you to land, and now you’re on an island. Zelera was watching as well; I sensed her evil rot polluting the aural field. She is not pleased. My magical intervention drew Zelera’s attention to me. I am relocating shortly.’
‘I can repair the raft to get me to Aigerach. I need to make new oars, and it will take me a few days to make the vessel seaworthy. How is Blade? Is he safe? Where will he meet me? When will he meet me?’
Connor smiled. ‘Blade is perfectly fine. I’ll guide him to you. I’m not sure where you’ll meet, for our plans are fluid and ever changing. First, we must get you off that island. We must assume Zelera knows your location, since she sent that beast. You must still be judicious practicing with the Light. She got a trace off the book you took from the library; your magic left a scent. That’s how she was able to sic that creature on you. I know you want to try your hand at working with the Light, but that would be extremely dangerous right now. Every time you use the arts, you leave a trail to follow, like magical breadcrumbs. If you stop, the trail fades. Then she can scry for your image only, making you a needle in a haystack.
Oh, by the way, be extremely careful right now. You are on Draconis Island.’
Ravyn’s blue eyes closed, distant memories springing to mind. When they were little, she and Blade dreamt of coming to Draconis Island to study the dragons. ‘I’m on the dragons’ homeland? I’ve always dreamed of seeing a dragon.’
Connor scowled, ‘Ravyn, now is not the time to be searching out dragons. They are territorial. They would just as soon tear you to pieces as look at you. Promise me you will not go near them.’
She sighed, ‘I promise. I saw their caves from the mountaintop today; they’re on the other side of the island. I’ll be collecting provisions and repairing the raft. I have no time to go looking for dragons. With luck I’ll be off the island in a day or two. They’ll never know I was here.’
‘Most times in this life, we have to make our own luck. Ravyn, when you cross the channel to the mainland, the area where you will beach your raft is very hot and dry. You need plenty of water to survive Desolation. Desolation runs the entire length of the island on that end, so you cannot skirt its edges. The best solution is to walk straight across. It will be neither easy nor fun.’
‘Where will I be after I cross?’
‘After Desolation you’ll reach the Grasslands. When you hit the road, head west. That should lead you to Land’s End, a little town where you should be able to get a horse. Blade will likely meet you there as well. I have an old acquaintance living near there. You may be able to stay with her for a night or two while you gather supplies. You look tired. I’ll let you get some rest so you can start repairing that raft in the morning.’
‘Take good care of yourself, Connor, and thank you for everything. I don’t feel so alone knowing you are out there watching and sending what help you may,’ she said through a yawn as she lay back once more. Connor gently disengage
d his aural thread, scanning the land below as he returned to his meager hut nestled in the woods. After filling his travel satchel, he hurried into the dense woods behind his cottage. He heard wood splintering as Zelera’s men crashed through the little front door. The back door slammed open, and torchlight flooded the yard. Glancing over his shoulder, he saw one of Zelera’s soldiers scanning the trees from the door. A slight flick of the wrist bid the colors of the forest to wrap about him, camouflaging him. Deeper into the darkening woods he trudged, the sounds of shattering pottery and crashing furniture breaking the forest’s calm.
Ravyn lay on her back, watching the stars glittering above her through palm fronds. She was exhausted but couldn’t sleep. She was on the dragons’ island. She couldn’t wait to see the jealousy written on Blade’s face when she told him she had been here. If only she could see one before she drifted away on the sea. Images of the majestic creatures filled her mind as she slipped into slumber.
Night had fallen in Veris. Zelera stood in her chambers talking to the gilt framed mirror again. It had become a habit over the years; she related to Lareina and Bryant all the changes she was enacting. They could not respond to anything she said, they could not hear any of her malicious anecdotes, but she enjoyed imagining their righteous anger. She laughed at their impotence. It always boosted her morale.
“I just had a lovely idea. Would you like me to share it with you?” Zelera questioned the frozen figures staring blankly at her from the polished glass surface. “I am going to steal a dragon’s egg tonight from Draconis Island. I located their dens, and I have garnered enough power to snatch an egg without draining away all my strength. I would never have been able to do this through the Light Arts. There is so much more power in the Darkness.” She paused running a bony finger along Lareina’s image.
“That’s why you are looking at me from inside a glass cage. The power of the Light is just a toy, really.” She giggled like a little girl.
“Oh now, sister, don’t look at me like that. It isn't very loving of you to be angry with me for being stronger than you.” She paused, waiting and put a hand to her ear.
“What’s that you say? What am I going to do with this egg? I am so glad you asked. Originally, I thought to take it to anger the dragons. They find your daughter hiding on their island, and kill her. An angry mother dragon will not stop to ascertain facts; she’ll be looking for blood. I heard dragons have an appetite for virgin princesses.”
She leaned into the mirror, gloating. “Oh pooh, don’t act so shocked. You knew it was only a matter of time before I rid myself and this world of your little brat.” She cackled gleefully, twisting the cording of her robe into a knotted mass. She paced before the mirror, hands still twiddling with the robe’s ties.
Zelera stopped pacing and let the silken rope slip from her fingers. “You know, Lareina, I realized if I set up a room in the dungeons with a fire pit, I can hatch the little lizard myself. I will have the most fearsome pet. Think of it, sister. I will fly over Aigerach on a dragon. The most ferocious and wild of all the beasts. All will look to the skies with fear in their hearts. Too bad, you will never see it,” she sighed, contented. “It is a two-fold win for me: Ravyn will end up in the belly of a beast, and I will rule one.”
She turned her back on the mirror, crossing the room to an ebony altar. She focused on the scrying bowl filled with fresh blood. Her aural self sped out over the land of Veris and across the sea to Draconis Island. She hovered over the sleeping Ravyn, nestled under an elven cloak, still protected by her mother’s energies. She snarled at Ravyn before racing to the peaks where the dragons’ caves laid. She flitted from den to den, noting which dragons had eggs. Curling her aural self up on a ledge, she waited for opportunity to come knocking. After a few moments, a large scarlet dragon poked her head out of her cave. She unfurled her wings, pounding the air and lifting off gracefully. She left her nest unguarded. Zelera released a carefully controlled amount of the Darkness, snatching an egg from the cavern and blanketing it in a warming spell. Scarcely breathing, she mumbled incantations guiding it through space to deposit it in her dungeons. Once safely home, she released the spell.
She cried out as the Darkness exacted its toll on her flesh. Hunger gnawed at her aching belly, and her parched throat burned with need for moisture. The nerves in her body felt afire, every muscle knotting as she doubled over in pain.
As the pain slowly diminished, she was able to stand up once more. The Darkness drained her with every spell, and it seemed food and wine could not replenish her strength. She never slept well, finding it difficult to get the sleep she desperately needed. Self-pity snaked through her withering soul, but she shrugged it off before it found a permanent home. Supreme power required a supreme sacrifice.
She yanked a cord, sounding a deep hollow chime. Within moments her maid skittered into the room. Zelera glared at the nervous wench, “Fetch me a meal. I’m famished. That blasted cook had better do a damn good job. The last meal he served wasn’t fit for pigs!”
“Yes, your highness. I’ll m-m-make sure it’s s-s-satisfactory,” stuttered the maid.
A wicked smile curled Zelera’s lips. “I’m sure you will. Your dear husband is my current cook, is he not? You will both find yourselves in the dungeons if you fail me again,” Zelera purred.
“Y-y-yes, your highness. I’ll make sure it is as you d-d-desire,” she dropped into a low curtsy.
“What are you waiting around here for, you sloth? I said I was starving.” A tendril of Darkness zipped from her fingers, jolting the maid with sharp pain.
The young maid cried out as she scurried out the door. Her mousy brown hair flew out behind her as she rushed down the dark halls. Her soft slippers slapped the cold stone floors, and she stammered a prayer that her husband had a meal ready that would impress Empress Zelera.
Chapter 6
Ena glided lazily to her cave, with a full belly. Her flight had taken her across the channel separating Draconis Island from the land of Aigerach. She had flown across the wasteland known as Desolation, finding several fat sheep in Land’s End that hadn’t been tucked away safely for the night. She chuckled to herself; some poor shepherd lad would get a boxing about his ears come morning. The flight had taken her away from her eggs for several hours, far longer than she intended, but she’d certainly glutted herself. She wouldn’t need to eat again for days.
Her scarlet scales glowed in the predawn light. Stretching her burgundy wings, she arched her neck, turning into the mouth of her cave. An unearthly wail shattered the peaceful dawn. An egg was missing!
A scream woke Ravyn with a start; she rubbed her arms trying to chase away the shivers. She rubbed her eyes, thinking she’d dreamt it, and then the anguished cry ripped through the air again. She grabbed her things rushing into the shadows.
A huge shape flashed in front of the trees, casting shadow over the entire campsite. A monstrous scarlet dragon crashed down in the camp, scattering bits of embers across the sand. Its huge scaly head swiveled left and right, sniffing and growling all the while. It pounced on the raft, snapping the mast like a twig. Ravyn watched in wide-eyed horror as it ripped the sail free of the mast, the ropes snapping like string. A quick blast of fire from its smoking jaws turned everything into a raging bonfire. The wood crackled and sparked, feeding the hungry flames.
Ravyn shot out from her hiding place. “No! Stop! Please!”
The ruby head snapped in her direction, wild golden eyes locking on Ravyn. Acrid smoke plumed from flaring nostrils. The dragon threw its head back snarling, before shooting a huge gout of flame at Ravyn. Ravyn flung herself behind a huge boulder, feeling a hot stream of air roar past. The smell of singed hair greeted her.
Ravyn fought to suppress rising panic, forcing herself to take a deep breath. ‘If only I could talk to it,’ Ravyn wished. She felt pulsing warmth deep within her and focused on that place. Instinctively she held her hands out in front of her palms up. She now stood facing the angry scarl
et beast. “Please mighty dragon, listen to me. Hear my words. I have dreamed of seeing a dragon since I was a little girl. You are far more magnificent than I’d imagined possible. You are astonishing.” She bowed her head in respect.
The dragon cocked its head, puzzled. It began growling, but Ravyn heard, “Is that why you stole my egg?”
“Stole your egg? I’ve only been here since yesterday. How could I have stolen your egg?”
“My egg was missing when I returned from hunting last night. You admit you have been here a whole day. You had time. Now you are wasting mine, where’s my egg?” She snorted a large plume of smoke, stoking her internal fires.
Ravyn thought frantically, “Your egg must be large. Could I carry it? You live in those caves I saw on the other side of the island. Could I get all the way over there and return here with your egg in such a short period of time?”
“Well of course it’s bigger than you are,” snapped the dragon, “but…” The dragon looked puzzled; the hoods over her golden eyes narrowed. “You used magic; I smell it on you.”
“Oh, I only just did that. I wanted to talk with you. I swear, I never even saw your egg.”
The dragon glanced about the small clearing, “Maybe you had help, or you left the egg somewhere planning to return for it later. I’ve seen the horrible things you dragon hunter’s do for dragon blood. Using it in your magic potions, evil witch!” She sucked in a deep breath, readying to flambé Ravyn.