I threw my pack down, then released Eshshah from the leather harness. Without further hesitation, I walked up the steps to the smaller pool, tested the water — which was perfectly hot — then stepped in, bloody clothes and all. There were no words to describe my bliss. I lowered my numbed body slowly into the steamy water, ignoring the sharp sting in my fingers and toes. Eshshah, pleased her rider would finally be warm, moved to her pool. With an audible sigh of relief, she let herself relax in the warmth of the hot springs.
“This has to be what it feels like to truly rest with my ancestors on the other side,” I sighed.
“Don’t say that, Amáne,” Eshshah responded.
“Sorry.”
I slipped out of my clothes while I soaked, and scrubbed them until they were as clean as I could get them. The blood stains would probably never wash out completely. I threw them over the edge of the pool and exhaled out all the terror we had experienced, as I sank back into the deliciously hot water.
After all my fears had soaked away, and Eshshah gave me another healing treatment, we emerged from the bathing cavern. Feeling refreshed, we began to explore our newfound palace, which was what it seemed like to me. I’d never been in any place so extravagant. Since we were the only dragon and rider in all of Teravinea, I felt like it belonged to us — there was no other way to enter, but by dragon.
The other three doors outside the bathing cavern opened to sleeping chambers. In the first chamber, there was a large fourposter bed with a canopy and heavy brocade curtains in a deep red color. They draped over a feather mattress, raised up on a dais. I sat on the bed experimentally and sighed at how comfortable it felt. I should have had no problem laying back and letting sleep take me right then. But my excitement would never have allowed it. A short distance from the bed was a large hollowed-out indentation in the floor, perfect for Eshshah. Dragons are quite comfortable sleeping on a stone floor.
All the furnishings had dust covers, and upon their removal we found a large ornately carved chest, a matching wardrobe, and a small table with two chairs that occupied the corner. The furniture style and craftsmanship were completely new to me. Running my hand over the smooth surface of the table, I marveled at the beauty of the wood as well as the intricacies of the carvings. I wondered if they had been purchased and flown here by dragon from some exotic land, or if possibly the dragon riders who occupied this outpost had used their spare time in making their surroundings more beautiful. The work was certainly done by capable artisans.
Upon opening the wardrobe, I found it stocked with clothing — all men’s, since all but two other dragon riders were men. I removed the smallest tunic and some leggings that I decided I would wash later and try on. As large as they still would be on me, they certainly made much better riding attire than my skirts and gowns. Once we got back to Dorsal, I could alter them to fit me better.
The other sleeping chambers were outfitted with similarly beautiful furniture. One was a bit larger and contained three smaller four-poster beds complete with the same ornate canopies and curtains as in the first chamber, except these were dyed a deep green. There were also three indentations for the dragons that would have occupied this cavern. The last sleeping chamber was done in a dark brown and had two large beds and hollows for two dragons. The outpost could accommodate at least six dragons and their riders — probably more if they made use of the entry cavern.
We made our way to the other end of the corridor finding a kitchen on the right that was fit for a manor. Long wooden tables for preparing meals were positioned around the room. A basin carved out of the rock gurgled with water redirected from a spring. Beside this, a larder for storing food. The brick stove took up the wall to our right. Three arches opened under it for the wood fire to blaze. A fireplace with a spit was on the far wall, as well as a stone oven, and quite a supply of pots, pans and cooking utensils. The kitchen itself was not that large, but had everything needed to cook for one dragon rider or ten.
Across the corridor from the kitchen was the dining cavern. It held a large long table with benches on either side. Along the walls were cupboards with bowls, dishes and tankards, spoons and knives. The walls were decorated with hanging tapestries depicting scenes from old Teravinea. So much beautiful artisan work that I couldn’t wait to examine more closely.
At the end of the corridor we came to the last carved door. Pushing gently, it opened to reveal the endmost cavern. I gasped as we beheld a magnificent long room that was part library, with shelves of manuscripts and bound books; part gallery with colorful paintings of dragons and riders as well as scenes of Teravinea; and part saddlery and weapons storage. The latter excited me as nothing else could. I had to remind myself to breathe.
“Oh Eshshah! Look at the swords, the spears, the glaives, the daggers.”
Never had I seen such fine work. These blades could only have been created by master craftsmen. The smaller weapons were laid on a table as if being displayed. The spears and poleaxes, as well as shields, hung on the walls.
Attracted to one dagger in particular I gently lifted it in reverence, it was so beautiful. The hilt was made of what looked like bone and the pommel was a pewter dragon that started on the butt end. Its tail wrapped around the grip merging into an inlay down the haft. It felt so right in my hand. It was light, yet I could feel the strength and flex. The double-edged blade was wrought of a fine tempered steel with an engraved pattern on the shoulder — the end by the grip. It was so highly polished my reflection had practically no distortion. I couldn’t take my eyes off of the dagger. Reluctantly, I laid it back on the table.
I would spend days in only this chamber if I could. Eshshah continued to the end of the room to inspect the saddles, and I turned back to the bookshelves. Taking a manuscript off of the shelf, I inhaled its leather scent as I carried it to a table to peruse. Caressing its ornate cover, I traced the tooled artwork depicting Teravinea with dragons and riders flying over the vineyards — which seemed to be the common theme in all of the artwork here at the outpost. The title was Famous Dragons and Riders. Opening the illustrated parchment pages, I sat back and lost myself in our history.
I spent quite a while studying one manuscript after another as I drifted in and out of sleep — my body made an effort to recuperate.
One thing, however, I noticed our temporary residence was lacking, was lanterns and candles. I couldn’t find any method of lighting besides the sky lights, which would not be of much help once the sun went down. It was getting near that time. When we explored all of the chambers, I found the walls, as well as the corridor, hosted similar decorations that looked like shields made out of dragon scales. I recalled the conversation I had with Eshshah about her scales and how they take on the properties of their dragon and would react if you but spoke the dragon’s name.
“Eshshah, I have an idea. Do your memories tell you any dragon’s names that relate to light?”
“I wish I could tell you, but my memories do not hold names of any other than a few of my line.”
I pulled out one of the manuscripts I had looked through earlier and started thumbing through it. Finding an index of dragon names, I tried translating to see if I could find one that would work. I was confident in my assumption. The only problem was whether I could find the right name before I completely lost my light to read. It wasn’t critical, though, as I still had Eshshah’s scales to light my way. But I truly wanted to get the light shields working. It was a challenge I welcomed — determined to figure it out.
Studying the book, I called out “Inara,” which meant ray of light. Dragon of Keenu. Nothing happened. “Huelwen” — light from the sun, ridden by Koen. The shields remained dark. “Dinesh” — the sun. Hajari was his rider. No success. I tried them as whispers, I tried them as shouts. Still no light.
“Eshshah, any ideas?”
She thought for a second, “How about starlight? Are there any names that translate? And what if the rider’s name contains a meaning for light as well?�
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“Sitara!” I invoked. Her rider was Leyna, which means bright light. To my gratification the shields in the room started to glow. They slowly increased in intensity until the room was lit as if it were mid-daylight. I jumped up from the table, and ignored the pain from my injuries as I danced around the room, quite pleased with our success.
“Sitara.” I said again and the light diminished until the shields were no longer lit.
“Thank you, Eshshah, you figured it out.”
“We worked together, Amáne.”
As it neared sunset we went back to the entrance to see if the Valaira had abated. It had. It was dead calm and the west-facing entrance was glowing orange as the sun lowered in the sky. I had never seen a more beautiful version of my favorite time of day. We stood at the ledge marveling at our fortune in discovering this place. I sang a song of thanksgiving as Eshshah softly hummed beside me. We watched as the orange ball that was the sun slowly lowered itself until it was consumed by the dark sea.
I stepped closer to the ledge to look down and for the first time realized how high up the entrance actually was. The beach was a long way below us. I verified my earlier assumption that there was no other way to enter, except by dragon flight.
Without warning, my exhaustion overcame me. I’d been so excited at our discoveries, our harrowing events that started our long day had slipped my mind. I’d had no thoughts of our near-death experience, my head injury, nor my wrist, but it all came back to mind. And it weighed down fully on me at that moment.
My injuries had not completely healed, and the pain returned. Eshshah breathed her healing powers on me again. I sighed with immediate relief. She excused herself to hunt while I, barely awake, made my way to the first sleeping chamber. I pushed open the door, and whispered “Sitara” for the light shields to illuminate as I entered. In a stupor, I spread my bed roll over the feather bed, then fell into a deep sleep after one hastily murmured memorial song for my mother.
My comforting sleep was soon filled with the horror of my nightmares. Raging wind and howling monsters were after me, ready to devour me. I ran for my life and found myself trying to climb a sand dune. The more I tried to scramble to the top, the more I failed. Someone was there to pull me to safety, but remained just beyond my grasp. The creatures closed in and poisonous tendrils reached out for my ankle as I clawed at the moving sand. I tried in vain to make the top of the dune.
I awoke with a scream and bolted upright in bed. Tears streamed from my eyes. Eshshah was there instantly and breathed her sweet and spicy breath in my face, as she hummed her soothing melody.
My bedclothes were soaked as I went from chills to sweating fever. My head throbbed, my injured wrist swelled. Eshshah worked to relieve my pain and fever. I began to relax, but was afraid to go back to sleep for fear of the monsters. They might catch me this time. Exhausted, I dozed off once more. No sooner had I reached sleep, my terror repeated and I ran for my life again.
One more time my screams woke me. One more time Eshshah calmed me.
“I’m sorry, Eshshah, you’re getting no sleep with me in here. I’ll go to one of the other sleeping chambers and give you some peace.”
“No Amáne. It’s fine, you’re not bothering me. Stay.”
Terrified of lying back down, I took my bed roll and dragged it to Eshshah’s bed. I spread it out close to her head. Her nearness was all I needed. I fell into a peaceful sleep as she hummed gently beside me.
When I awoke it was nearly midday. My head still hurt but I felt much better. I made my way to the entry cavern to be with Eshshah. She lounged in the warmth waiting for the sun rays that would bathe the entry in a few hours when the sun arced to the west.
A fear rose in my chest and I moved closer to Eshshah. My body trembled. “Eshshah, I don’t know if I can fly again any time soon. I’m afraid. I thought I would be ready to go home today, but I just can’t.” Shame pressed down on me to think I was such a coward. The horror of what we went through yesterday, along with my nightmares was more than I could take.
“You need another day to heal, Amáne. We will not go back today. You have no need to fear another trial like we had yesterday. I believe I will now be able to sense a coming Valaira — what we experienced will never happen again.”
She saw her consoling did nothing to relieve my fear. Turning her eyes toward mine, with an authoritative air she said, “Amáne, I need you to do something for me.”
“Anything, Eshshah, what is it?”
She asked me to follow her into the library/weapons chamber. I was puzzled, but I did as she asked.
“I want you to put a saddle on me.”
“What?!”
“Choose a saddle and put it on.” She said it so firmly I couldn’t argue with her, nor deny her request.
The rear area of this grand cavern had several types of saddles of varying sizes. I surveyed the choices. Having no knowledge of dragon saddlery, I decided on one that I thought would fit Eshshah the best. It was of beautifully tooled leather with ornate swirls and leaves, intertwined with a stylized dragon the length of the seat. Some saddles had leather straps at the foot rests to secure a rider by his boots, some had straps that fastened further up at the calf. This style had one strap in the middle of the seat directly in front of the rider and then divided into two. Each strap would be drawn across the upper thighs and buckle on either side of the hip — it looked to be the most secure. Referring to the illustrations in one of the manuscripts, I situated it correctly on Eshshah.
Satisfied, we made our way to the entry cavern. Only with a lot of coaxing and humming, was she able to get me to mount. She waited patiently while I struggled with the fasteners on the belt. My fingers refused to cooperate. Finally, I was securely buckled in.
Eshshah walked to the ledge as I shook in the saddle. Still humming for me to relax, she leapt off and easily took to the air. It didn’t matter that she pushed off as smoothly as she could, I still let out a scream of terror. After just a minute in the air, my panic disappeared, replaced by the sheer pleasure of soaring with my dragon.
The difference the saddle made was like moon and sun. I felt completely safe, no fear of falling off. It was actually a very comfortable seat.
“Eshshah, you’re a genius,” I laughed. “You had the perfect cure for me.”
We flew for a while around the island exploring our newfound second home.
Once we got back to the outpost, she suggested I soak again for a while in the hot springs. They had their own kind of healing powers, and when combined with Eshshah’s, I was almost back to feeling like myself.
Confident in my improvement, Eshshah decided it would be safe to leave me while she hunted again. She seemed to always be hungry. I wondered when her rapid growth would slow down.
Eshshah craved fish and I accepted her offer to bring some back.
Since my injuries and disposition had improved, I needed an activity to keep me busy. I decided the entry cavern needed to be scrubbed to match the quality of the rest of the outpost. While Eshshah hunted, I got to it.
At close examination of the entry I noticed there was a large stone door hidden in the wall. Closing it would seal the outpost from any outside intrusion. I gave it a tug, but it didn’t budge. The door looked like it should follow a track which I realized was lodged with dirt and debris. I removed the obstructions, then tried again. Once cleared, it just needed a gentle coaxing and it slid silently on its track. I repeated the closing and opening several times to make sure it worked properly, then left it open and decided I would test it later with Eshshah so we could figure out how to open it from the outside.
I found cleaning brushes and buckets in the storeroom by the kitchen and got to work on the entry cavern. The furniture in that room was made of polished stone to withstand the elements when the door remained open. There were couches and chairs and some tables all close to the walls, leaving the center of the cavern clear. Once I cleaned, scrubbed and mopped, the room looked just
as impressive as the other chambers. I even managed to remove most of my bloodstains from the corner where we had landed the day before.
Finding some feather cushions in the store room, I figured they were intended for the entry furniture. I’d just finished placing them when Eshshah arrived with a large fish. She released it from her talons and laid it flopping on the newly cleaned floor. I was surprised at myself that this didn’t bother me. I quickly dispatched it and sang a song of thanks for its life. I cut a small portion for myself, and she carried the rest outside to devour on the beach.
Using one of her scales to make a fire in the kitchen, I soon had a tasty meal sizzling in my pan. Hungry and worn out from my exertions of the past couple hours, I was ready to eat and relax.
After our meal we went into the library where I pulled another book off the shelf. It was a pictorial with colorful hand-painted illustrations. Eshshah made herself comfortable toward the back of the chamber.
“Eshshah, in many of these illustrations people are making the same hand gesture. They have their thumb and forefinger of their right hand together forming an “O” with the other three fingers straight up, and then they bend their elbow and place it over their heart. Do your memories have any knowledge of what this means?”
“Yes, I do know that one. It’s the universal salute for a dragon and rider. A gesture of respect and appreciation for their service. Riders also greet each other with that sign.”
Amáne of Teravinea - The Chosen One (The Teravinea Series Book 1) Page 7