The Unborn Hero of Dragon Village

by Ronesa Aveela

  “Shh.” He stroked the magpie’s feathers. “It’s okay now. We’re leaving.”

  Boo twisted around and belted out a symphony of croaks. He flew to Theo’s shoulder and nuzzled against his neck.

  Baba Yaga poked her bony finger into the air as she yelled from behind him, “Don’t forget your promise, or you’ll regret it. I have a hankering for child flesh instead of frog legs.”

  Theo shook. “We’ll be back ... with the living water.”

  Laughter bubbled from Diva’s lips.

  “What’s so funny?” Theo asked.

  “With a small container, Baba Yaga won’t be able to do what I think she really wanted the living water for.”

  “What?”

  “To sprinkle on corpses to bring them to life.”

  “You tricked the trickster?” He looked back at the witch. She waved to him with her broom as the cabin danced again.

  Kotka growled and flew from branch to branch. The witch’s cat dropped to the fence and hissed.

  Diva strode through the gate. “Let’s get out of here. The cat’s getting impatient.”

  At the edge of the witch’s property, the cat pointed toward a dry river bed with her tail.

  “Thanks, Kotka.” Diva waved goodbye to the winged feline as she flew off. Diva leaned in closer. “Let’s hurry. The witch is known for chasing visitors when they leave, then bringing them back to kill them.”

  “Why would she since I said I’d get what she wanted.”

  “She’s fickle. It’s never good to trust a witch.”

  Chapter 9

  Unexpected Visitor

  Theo and Diva traveled along the dry river bed until they came across a rundown mill. Faded, red tiles lay broken and crushed on the ground, exposing the roof’s scorched beams. The water wheel had pulled away from the building, its slats lopsided or missing. Soot covered the stone walls, creating a pattern of dark against light.

  Boo flew in through the doorway. Theo cracked it open a little more, causing dust to fall from the frame. He shook the powder from his hair and poked his head inside.

  Fading light poured through windows onto sparse furnishings: barrels, busted chairs, a toppled table. A set of rickety-looking stairs led to a loft. Sacks of grain lay in disarray, some full and tied, while others spilled their contents onto the floor as if the owners had deserted the building in a hurry. Boo pecked at the scattered seeds.

  “This is as good a place as any to spend the night,” Diva said. “We can look for the Forest of Souls in the morning.”

  “How are we going to find it?” Theo asked. “Do you know where we are?”

  “Yup.” Diva wiggled her eyebrows. “I have this.” She pulled a yellowed paper from her pouch and unrolled it.

  “A map?” Theo pressed his face closer to the hand-drawn map. “Interesting.”

  “What?”

  “I didn’t realize Dragon Village was an island, and it’s shaped like a dragon.”

  “Yes, an island in an infinite sea. My homeland is small, but it’s the only universe I’ve explored.”

  “How’d you get the map?”

  “I took it from Lamia’s Bible.”

  “Why? You heard Jabalaka. It’s a dangerous book. I felt its heat, and I didn’t even touch the page. Something bad might happen to you.”

  “I have my own magic, and I didn’t feel anything when I touched it.” She put the map back. “Your sister’s in danger, and so are mine. We don’t have many choices. We need to know where we’re going.”

  “You thought it was risky for me to trust a witch, but it’s okay for you to endanger us with a magical map?”

  “Don’t worry about it. I know what I’m doing.” Diva shook an empty grain bag and spread it on the floor. “It’s early, but let’s rest. I don’t think we’d make it to the Forest of Souls before nightfall. We can figure out which way to go tomorrow.”

  “Fine.” Theo had a bad feeling about the map, but hoped Diva was right. She did understand magic better than he did. “It’s chilly in here. Should we start a fire?”

  “We can do without one. I’m too tired.” Diva yawned and closed her eyes. “I stayed up all last night looking at books.”

  “I guess I’ll try to make one,” he said, but Diva was already breathing deeply.

  “Boo, do you want to keep me company?”

  The magpie swiped his beak against the wooden floor and continued pecking at spilled grain.

  “I’ll go by myself,” he mumbled. “I guess being a hero means doing things on your own.”

  ***

  Theo set a load of wood by the fireplace as quietly as possible. He brushed dirt off his shirt and got up to gather moss and small sticks for kindling, but turned back to the hearth. A pile of dried moss, twigs, a piece of flint, and a knife were stacked against the wall. He looked toward Diva. She hadn’t moved. Had someone else started a fire recently, or had the former owners left the items?

  He touched the stones closest to the charred wood. They were warmer than the others.

  “Di—” No, he wouldn’t wake her. He’d check the mill himself.

  A thick layer of dust covered the stairs. No one would be in the loft. He searched behind the staircase. Scuff marks marred the powder as if an object had rested there. Perhaps an animal. No footprints dotted the floor, except his and Diva’s. Lines trailed through the dust as if a person had covered his tracks. Someone had been here. Another Samodiva who’d survived Lamia’s wrath? He’d wait until Diva woke to have her look around more.

  For now, he’d get the fire started. He returned to the fireplace and built the moss nest the way Diva had earlier. His teepee of sticks looked a jumbled mess, but he hoped it was good enough. He struck the flint several times before it sparked. As he blew on the flame deep within the moss and kindling, it lit and soon roared to life. He smiled, hoping Diva would be proud of him for doing something right.

  While it was still light, he should practice shooting arrows. He and Diva were closer to finding the vulture ... and Lamia’s soul. He fingered his medallion. If he could hit a target when he aimed for it, he’d have a better chance of success. He certainly couldn’t stick a pin into the vulture. He grabbed his bow and quiver and walked a short way down the path, but not so far that he couldn’t keep an eye on the mill in case the recent occupant returned.

  Theo stepped close to a dead tree and followed Diva’s instructions. One, two, three, release. Thwack. The arrow stuck where he wanted it to go. He took a few steps backward and tried again. He smiled. Still good.

  “Nice one,” Diva said from behind him.

  He jumped and spun around. “I thought you were sleeping?”

  “Just resting.”

  Branches crackled and heavy footsteps thumped in the woods.

  “Stay away from my children,” a gruff voice said.

  “Did you hear—” Theo started.

  “Shh.” Diva put a finger to her lips and held out her hand for him not to move.

  She nocked an arrow in her bow, and Theo did likewise.

  A brown bear lumbered onto the path. It stood on its haunches and roared while it tossed its head from side to side.

  “Theo, don’t move,” Diva said in low voice.

  Two cubs popped out of the forest, tumbling in mock battle.

  “Diva, don’t kill her.”

  “I won’t. I only kill when I have to. Keep your arrow pointed at them while I scare them away.”

  Diva dropped her bow and arrow, shook her unruly hair, and shrugged her shoulders, resembling a wild cat ready to attack. She grasped the charm made of claws and feathers she wore at her side, bent her head, and closed her eyes. With her other hand, she made a spiral sign. A swirl of silver swished around her body like a giant cocoon.

  Theo’s jaw dropped when the silver storm ceased. Sweat trickled down his nose, and a chill crept through his body. He blinked rapidly and rubbed his eyes, but the image didn’t change. Where Diva had stood an instant before, a pur
e-white wolf now crouched. Stories told how Samodivi could shape-shift, but seeing it happen terrified him. In that form, would she remember who he was, or would she attack?

  The wolf slunk closer, and he back away. “D-diva?”

  She nodded and came close enough to lick his hand as if reassuring him. Then, bristling, the wolf turned away and crept toward the growling bear. The wolf bared her fangs, and saliva dripped from her maw.

  The bear exposed its teeth in return. It dropped to all fours and put itself between the wolf and its cubs. It nudged its young back into the forest with its nose. When they had disappeared, the bear roared once more, before retreating as well.

  The wolf raced in a circle like a dog chasing its tail, stirring up the silver whirlwind again. Theo closed his eyes tight and clenched his bow. He couldn’t watch to see what Diva would turn into next.

  “Theo?” Diva spoke softly. “Don’t be afraid.”

  He opened his eyes and relaxed his grip. She had changed back into a girl. He shuddered at the thought of Diva turning into a wild wolf as they returned to the mill, but she had saved him again. No matter how much he had thought he could protect her while she slept, she would always be more powerful. He was only human; she was a Samodiva.

  “You were great, Diva. That was amazing.” He wiped dust off a barrel and sat. “I wanted to tell you that I think someone—”

  Pebbles skittered on the path outside, and Diva disappeared out the door. A piercing scream rent the air, followed by silence. Boo squawked and hid near the fireplace. Theo jumped off the barrel to check on Diva, but his feet froze when she returned dragging a body into the mill.

  He rushed forward, staring at the unmoving person lying on the wooden floor.

  “Pavel!” His friend had made it safely here, too. Or he’d probably been okay until now. Theo kneeled and checked for wounds. Not a scratch. He tapped Pavel’s face and shook him. “What’s wrong with him? Why won’t he wake up?”

  “He fainted.”

  Theo strode away, dragged over a partially filled grain bag, and placed it beneath Pavel’s head. Sitting next to him, Theo kept patting his friend’s face. He glanced up at Diva. “What happened? Did the bear return?”

  She shook her head. “I asked him who he was and what he was doing here. After I told him I was a Samodiva, he screeched, said he didn’t want to be enchanted, and collapsed.”

  Theo looked from Diva to Pavel, then back at her. He covered his mouth to suppress the laughter. “I guess he finally believed the terrifying stories about Samodivi were true.”

  “Hmph. You shouldn’t believe everything you hear.”

  Theo squirted a little water on Pavel’s face.

  “No, stop kissing me.” His eyelids fluttered open.

  “I’m not.” Theo tapped Pavel’s shoulder. “It’s only me.”

  “Theo? What—” Pavel blinked rapidly and rubbed his temples. “Oh, my head. Where am I?”

  “You’re in Dragon Village.”

  “Really? Could be, I guess. Strange stuff going on here. Sorry I didn’t believe you back in Selo.” Pavel twisted toward Theo and leaned on his elbows to rise, but sank back onto the floor and covered his ears. “What is that awful racket?”

  “Boo, a magpie. The one that was in the Stone Forest,” Theo said. “You frightened him when you screamed. When he’s not squawking, he’s hiding or eating.”

  “What happened to me? Oh, I remember ...” Pavel trembled, then grabbed hold of Theo’s shirt sleeve and whispered, “Where is she? Has she enchanted you?”

  Diva tapped her foot against Pavel’s shoe. “I didn’t enchant anyone, you fool.”

  His eyes growing wide, Pavel looked at her glaring face and shrieked, “No!”

  Theo clasped his hand over Pavel’s mouth. “Stop! She’s not—”

  “Stupid boys!” Diva stomped out the door. “I’m going to collect more firewood. I’ll come back when he stops whining. It makes my stomach sick.”

  Theo removed his hand from Pavel’s mouth and helped him to his feet. They sat on overturned barrels.

  Pavel held his head in his hands. “Who is that ... girl?”

  “Her name’s Diva.”

  “She’s rather grumpy, but so beautiful.” He turned to stare into the growing darkness as if scared to see her, but eager to at the same time.

  “I thought you didn’t like girls.” Theo laughed. “I think she did enchant you after all.”

  Pavel’s face paled, and his lips quivered. “Do you think so?”

  Theo held his head in his hands. “What’s wrong with you? She’s just a girl.”

  “A Samodiva is not just a girl.”

  “That’s not what you said at the Stone Forest.” Theo smirked. “Besides, this one’s my friend, and she’s helping me find Nia. She knows the woods and the creatures here.”

  Pavel peeked out the door again, craning his neck, before looking back at Theo. “What have you been doing for four days?”

  Theo told Pavel about his adventures.

  “That’s just crazy.” Pavel shook his head. “I never would have believed all those creatures existed.”

  “How did you get here?” Theo asked. “You weren’t on the carriage with me. I didn’t think you’d made it through the gate.”

  “We’re buddies. I couldn’t let you get into trouble alone.” Pavel stood and bounced on the balls of his feet. “I tried to grab you, but got sucked into a tunnel. I ended up in a chariot like yours, but it dropped me off here.”

  “I wonder why we didn’t go to the same place.”

  A crash by the hearth made Theo and Pavel jump.

  Diva wiped debris off her hands from the stack of wood she’d let fall at her feet. “You said Boo was with you, right, Theo?”

  He nodded.

  “You landed where magpies are dropped off since it’s close to Samodivi Lake.” Diva turned to Pavel. “The chariots bring everyone else here. When the Samodivi were around, they held feasts in honor of guests.”

  “I could use a feast.” Pavel rubbed his belly. “Something besides nuts and berries. Do you have anything to eat? I’m almost out of the food I brought.”

  “Be grateful for any food, whiny boy.”

  “My name’s Pavel,” he said.

  Diva turned away and spread the map of Dragon Village on the dusty floor. “We should plan where to go tomorrow so we can start early.”

  “Where are we now?” Theo asked.

  “This is the old mill.” She pointed to a spot that looked like the dragon’s foot. “And the Forest of Souls is over here.” She traced a faint path on the map toward the dragon’s tail. “It’s probably a day away at a brisk pace.”

  “We don’t know exactly where Lesh is.” Theo stared at the map. “Jabalaka only said the vulture was near the Forest of Souls. That area’s pretty big. Lesh could be on the other side of that burned spot.”

  “Hey, I’m good at finding places.” Pavel took a phone out of his pocket.

  Theo tapped him on the shoulder. “Google won’t help you here. No bars.”

  “That’s not all I have.” Pavel searched through his backpack, taking objects out. “Knives, flashlight, matches, pajamas ... oops.” His face red, he quickly stuffed the night clothes back in.

  “What’s this?” Diva picked up a black, octagonal object.

  He puffed out his chest. “My Paveltron.”

  “Are you famous?” she asked. “You have something named after you.”

  Theo beamed. “Pavel’s smart and invents a lot of amazing things.”

  Pavel opened the gadget and displayed the tools one by one like a Swiss army knife. “A screwdriver, a mini saw, a laser pointer, and this—”

  Diva shook her head. “None of those tell us where we need to go.”

  “Wait.” Pavel held a hand out to her. “I found what I was looking for.”

  Diva took the round object from his outstretched hand. “What is it?”

  “A compass,” he said. “It sho
ws north, south, east, and west. The arrow always points north, so you can tell what direction you’re going.”

  “I know which way to go,” Diva said.

  Pavel squinted at the yellowed map. “I can’t read this.” He held out his hand. “I’ll hold onto my compass in case we do need it.”

  Diva returned it, then rolled the paper and replaced it in her pouch. “Let’s get some sleep, so we can get close to the Forest of Souls before dark tomorrow.”

  Pavel removed a metal baton from his backpack. A wire mesh covered one end and a dial the other. Five black rings circled the middle in equal distances. He held it in front of his chest and twisted the dial until the baton hummed.

  “What is that?” Diva reached for it.

  Sparks flew from in front of the device, and she jumped back. “Ow! It stung me.”

  “Sorry. It’s my Pavel-dome, a personal invisible fence.”

  “Something else you named after yourself?”

  He nodded. “Air travels through these holes at the top and gets converted to electricity. Since the top’s curved, it creates an invisible dome around me. At home, I used it to protect myself from being bitten by insects.” He looked at the forest. “It was a ghost town here, except for those angry, half-woman creatures.”

  “They’re Harpies.” Diva rubbed her fingers. “Turn it off and put it away.”

  Pavel closed the device, leaned closer to Theo, and whispered, “Harpies aren’t the only angry creatures around.”

  “Get some sleep, boys.” Diva marched to a corner of the room, her white robe dancing in her haste. “You don’t want any more angry creatures attacking you, do you?”

  Pavel’s face reddened. “I think she heard me. Wonder if she’s madder about ‘angry’ or ‘creature’? I bet I’ve ruined my chances of her liking me now.”

  Theo shook his head. A girl had finally undone his best friend.

  ***

  The next morning, they walked until mid-day. Diva stopped at the base of a hill, scrutinizing two paths: one overgrown with grass and shrubs, the other one rocky. She pulled out the map, twisting it in various directions as she read the handwritten inscriptions.