by C D Muller
“But I can’t still help!” Silver exclaimed.
“What makes you think we want your help?” Rahim asked rudely, ignoring Selena’s disapproving glances.
“She will need to have some knowledge of magic in order to get into the Air Force,” Silver began to explain, “as well as having proper behavior.”
“I can show her how to act like a boy myself!” Rahim said offensively.
“Ah, but your mannerisms will probably get her kicked out. I at least know the proper social etiquette that will impress any member of the Council!”
Rahim turned around and punched the wall.
“Stop you two, that is enough! Please, both Rahim and I have gone through a lot in the last two days and this is only making everything worse,” Selena pleaded.
“I’m sorry,” Silver said. However, Rahim only gave a shrug in response.
Selena rubbed her head.
“How long have I been unconscious?” she asked.
“About half of the night. It’s very early in the morning,” Rahim said grimly.
Silver cleared his throat to intervene.
“You need to get some rest. Please, don’t ride Thor without a saddle again, I beg of you! His scales aren’t smooth like the other dragons and will tear you to shreds when he’s fully grown! I will buy you a saddle myself if I have to, just don’t hurt yourself again!”
“Silver, I’m fine. You shouldn’t worry about me,” Selena said again.
“Does he always overreact like this?” Rahim asked, pointing at Silver. Selena looked between the two.
“He did when we first met,” she replied, “and Silver, you're right. I need to rest, but please leave me in peace.”
She closed her eyes and brought the blanket up to her chest. Rahim glared at Silver before the two of them left the room. She opened one eye to look around, making sure that she was alone.
Thor, can you hear me?
He did not respond. Selena was a little worried; this was not like him.
Silver healed me, I’m fine! I think he’s going to help us.
She felt him perk up a little bit.
He did? I saw him carrying you earlier.
And he can help us get to Alfheim. I don’t want you to be sad anymore. It really hurt me to see you like that.
It’s my sworn duty to protect you. You are my rider. How are we supposed to fly together if all I ever did was hurt you?
There is a way for us to be able to do that where I will be kept safe. Silver may help us get a saddle so we can ride together and you will never hurt me again. I promise we will fly together more once we get what we need.
Good. That makes me feel overjoyed.
The tone in his voice perked up and she felt that he was happy once more. Before she drifted off to slumber, she felt a peculiar, unpleasant presence nearby as if she were being watched. Her dreams filled with stories about Ragnarok and the phrase being whispered to her: it rests beneath the starry skies.
When she finally woke up from her slumber the next morning, her body was limp, but she was well enough to get up. Selena saw a new, giant leather saddle sitting on the floor upright, leaning against the chest of drawers. It looked like it was large enough to seat up to several others.
“Silver was not joking about getting me a saddle for Thor,” she whispered with a small smile. She tied the laces to her boots, put on her cap, and grabbed the seat, hoping to give it a try.
When she walked outside, Silver stood there with Thor and Rahim.
“Where did you get all of your money?” Rahim inquired.
Silver waved his finger.
“There are things that are best left unknown in this world; money is one of them.”
Rahim rolled his eyes.
“But where do you get it?”
“Do you really want to know? I make it out of thin air.” Silver chuckled slightly.
“You must think I’m stupid!”
“Of course I don't think it! I know it.”
Both Selena and Thor burst out laughing. At the sound of her voice, Silver spun sharply on his heels with a huge grin on his face.
“Ah, my dear, you found my gift! I hope that you love it! It was the best that they had! How are your legs? I can see that you can walk all right, but do you feel any pain?”
He went over and bowed his head before her.
“Silver, I’m fine. I appreciate all that you’ve done, but I’ll be all right. Of course, thank you very much for the saddle as well. But please do me a favor and refer to me as Andric Liongod outside.”
“Ah, so you’ve already created an alternate identity for yourself!” Silver said excitedly.
Rahim sighed.
“Are you sure you’re not just here wasting our time? Andric is supposed to report to Alfheim by the end of the week!” he said as he pulled out the forged documents from his robes.
“Let me see!” Silver snatched the papers from Rahim.
“Hey! We need those!”
“Clever; I don’t think Vidar will notice. Either that, or they won’t care one way or another; they’re hurting for recruits from what I’ve heard.”
Rahim walked over and grabbed them back.
“This is between Andric and Vidar!” Rahim stuck his nose up.
“Yes, Rahim,” Selena said as she walked over and stole them from Rahim’s grasp, “between me and Vidar.”
“Hey! I worked hard finding a professional forger,” Rahim muttered under his breath.
Silver ignored him and led Selena over to Thor.
“I will show you how to strap a saddle over Thor’s back,” he announced.
Thor sat near the tree when they walked up to him. His wings were folded to his sides and a dead animal’s carcass lay untouched by the base of the tree.
Hello! I’m glad to see that you’re doing better from last night, she reached out.
He arched his neck towards her direction.
Hello, little one. I am still very sorry for what happened.
It’s all right, I promise! It looks like we’ll be able to fly again!
He stretched and stood up on all fours. He saw how big the saddle looked and shook his head.
I’m sorry Thor, but you have to wear this if I’m to ride you, Selena said with a hint of guilt in her voice. She looked over at Rahim who stationed himself by Thor’s tree with his arms over his chest, glaring at them. Selena turned around and ignored him as he started to make fun of her.
Silver walked up to Thor’s left side and pointed at the joint on his back where his shoulders met.
“This is where you will place it,” he announced. Selena walked up on Thor’s other side and placed the saddle where Silver was pointing. Thor arched his neck to get a better look.
I do not particularly enjoy how this feels, Thor announced. Selena felt awful, but she placed a hand on his neck and looked back at Silver.
“This here,” Silver held up a long, metal rod with both of its ends attached to the leather straps, “is the bit. It's the rod that you place in the dragon’s mouth.”
Thor stuck out his tongue and backed his head away as Silver showed him the rod.
That has to go in my mouth?
Selena placed her hand on his neck, but looked back at Silver and voiced her dragon’s concern.
“Err… well, yes! This is supposed to help the soldiers maintain control while flying!”
Selena squinted at the straps and grabbed them from him.
“I think I have a better idea. Thor, can you lower your head for me for just a moment so I can get to your horns?”
What are you going to do?
He did as she asked and while Selena unwrapped the pieces of leather from the metal rod, she explained: I don’t like the idea of having that in your mouth either. You’re not a horse, but if I can tie these securely to your horns, I can still hold on without making you feel uncomfortable.
Thank you, and I like that idea much better. But I would rather have you stay safe than
for me to be comfortable.
We shouldn’t have to compromise.
“I see what you’re doing! Allow me to help too!” Silver said excitedly and ran over to Thor’s other side to help loop the straps around in a secure manner.
After they were tied down, Silver then grabbed the separate pieces and, with both hands holding them together, he twisted the straps to mold them into one long rope that was looped between Thor’s two large side horns with magic.
This feels so much better!
I’m glad to hear that!
“Thank you,” Selena said with a nod. “He feels much better.”
Silver smiled and bowed his head.
“Of course! Now, for the next part!” He pointed to one of the large straps with a jewel encrusted into the buckle.
“This goes underneath Thor’s stomach.”
He bent over on his hands and knees, taking the buckle and another large strap. Selena, too, bent over to get a good look.
“Make sure that the straps are tight enough.”
He hurried back onto his feet after he finished. Thor grunted in irritation.
“Hop on,” Silver said, patting the saddle with his hand. Selena grabbed it and tried getting on, but her foot slipped on the side of the saddle.
“Put your foot into the stirrup,” Silver explained.
“The…what?” Selena asked.
“The stirrup.”
Silver bent over and pointed to the loophole that was attached to the saddle. He put his left foot through the stirrup and pulled himself unto Thor’s saddle in demonstration.
“Whenever you’re riding with Thor, hold onto the reins.”
Silver held a long, leather strip in his hands that was attached to the bit. He then jumped off and dusted his robes.
“Now, your turn!”
Selena swallowed hard and attempted again. She put more of her strength into hoisting herself up and she slid her leg over, slipping right onto the saddle.
Rahim walked over and glared up at Silver.
“How come you know so much about dragons?”
“I’ve done a lot more research than you can possibly imagine!”
Silver seemed really smug and turned his attention to Selena.
“Since you are Thor’s rider, you will need to learn to ride your dragon. I always love to see a dragon and rider take their first flying lesson together!” he said again in delight.
Selena nervously grabbed the reins and held onto them tightly, still afraid of tearing up her legs again.
Ready for another flying lesson? Be prepared, Thor warned, stretching out his wings. He pumped his wings; Selena felt the muscles tightened all throughout his body as he took to the skies.
Selena screamed as Thor flew higher into the sky, her fingers wrapping tightly around the reins. The wind came crashing into her face. As Thor continued to soar, everything on the ground became tiny.
He brought in his wings to his side to take a dive, heading straight for one of the buildings on the Grand Exchange. He stretched out his wings again and flew above it right before what would have been a disaster.
Look around you!
Selena tightened her grip and forced her eyes open. She looked with curiosity out into the horizon, as she did before. He flew without a bump or a jolt. She loosened her grip on the reins, feeling a little more relaxed on Thor’s back.
Are you feeling better about flying?
This feels amazing!
She looked down at her feet and watched as the ground moved beneath her. Thor flapped his wings again and flew higher. Selena watched as the details of the ground began to disappear.
Selena looked out in front of her and saw that they had reached the limits of the Grand Exchange and headed out towards the White Plains that stretched for miles in front of her. She slowly eased her grip from the reins and soon let go. Thor accelerated as he continued outward.
Selena stretched out her arms and looked around her without fear.
Is this how you feel in the sky?
She heard laughter.
I told you that flying isn’t that bad. I’m glad that you’re enjoying it! Now we can fly together often!
She felt happy like a bird swinging in the air. It gave her pleasure to look at all the scenery down below.
He jerked up a little and Selena fell forward. She quickly grabbed the reins and dug her feet into the stirrups. However, her feelings suddenly changed when she heard a low growl coming from Thor.
What’s wrong?
Look over there.
He leveled himself in the air and tried to hide in the shadows of the clouds. Selena looked out to where Thor mentioned and noticed four horsemen riding across the plains and heading towards the Grand Exchange.
The Order again?
Shall we go in and take care of them ourselves?
He bared his teeth, but Selena held tightly onto the reins.
No. We won’t be able to take them. We need to get back and warn Silver and Rahim.
Thor grunted, but did not argue; instead he quickly changed directions in mid flight to head back.
Selena tried to enjoy every moment of their flight together, but the thought of the horsemen heading towards the Grand Exchange made her feel uneasy.
Thor landed in front of the Black Pub and tucked in his wings. She hopped off his saddle and walked around a little, trying to get used to walking back on the ground again.
“That was brilliant,” Rahim said, getting off the ground and walking over, “how was it this time?”
“It was much better this time, I enjoyed our flight!”
Silver came over while clapping his hands in applause.
“That was spectacular,” he said with a huge grin, “you are a natural born flier! You and Thor were brilliant!”
Selena smiled, but it faded from her face as she tried to tell them what she had seen. When she finished, both Rahim and Silver’s expressions changed.
“How far away were they?” Silver asked.
“We went out into the White Plains for a bit, at a fast pace. I’d say about a day’s journey from here on horseback.”
Silver’s eyes widened.
“They know you’re here,” he declared.
“But how?” Selena asked.
“I don’t know, but we can’t stay here and find out. We need to leave immediately.”
Chapter 13:
It was well in to the middle of the night.
Azrael led his group of three swiftly and quietly through the Grand Exchange. They had arrived sooner than they anticipated, but it was a good sign; they were finally closing in on their target.
“She will not escape again,” he growled under his breath.
“You keep saying that, but then we always learn that she does,” his companion barked.
“You watch your tongue before I cut it out!” Azrael exclaimed.
The other rider spat to the ground in response.
“We’ve been searching for weeks,” the second intervened.
Azrael did not respond; instead he guided his horse to move faster.
“Capturing and killing the child is all that he thinks about. I would gladly do it instead for the Dark Master,” the first rider said.
“What do we do with the dragon?” the second asked.
“Our Master seemed confident that we don’t need to worry about him. When the day comes, the dragon will concede,” the third replied.
“Quit stalling! We have a little girl to find!” Azrael barked back.
He looked up at the moon and growled.
“I know that I’ve been away, Doragon,” he whispered, “but I will be back soon. If everything goes well, we can finally go home.”
*****
Selena felt tired and exhausted, with a mixture of nervousness and excitement. However, she was more afraid that the Council would see through their disguise and wouldn’t accept her and Thor into the ranks. Silver had taught her a few polite gestures that were customary in Al
fheim to help her blend in, but she feared it may not be enough. She did not want to lose her life and certainly did not want to lose Thor.
Her thoughts shifted then to what Alfheim would look like, what kind of magic she would learn, what sort of people she would meet, what the Empress would look like, and so on. These thoughts made her grow restless.
Her heart skipped a beat when she heard footsteps right outside her door, followed by a knock.
“My dear, are you decent?”
Selena rushed over to let Silver in.
“I wanted to ask you something. What will happen if they refuse to let me and Thor join?” Selena quietly asked.
“No matter what happens, you will not be alone,” Silver reassured her, “just march straight to Vidar and keep begging him to let you and Thor join!”
Selena smiled a little, feeling more at ease.
“Thank you,” she said again and held her hands together as she bowed her head.
Silver returned the same gesture, but they were interrupted when Rahim busted back into the room.
“We kind of have a problem!”
He pointed to the window.
Both Silver and Selena exchanged glances before looking outside to see four from the Order with their weapons drawn and cornering Thor in his shed.
“No! Get away from my dragon!” Selena yelled.
She pushed both Silver and Rahim out of her way and disappeared down the corridor.
“Selena, wait!” Silver called out as he ran out after her.
“Really? I’m the bag guy now?” Rahim asked himself. He mumbled as he grabbed what few belongings they had and followed them outside.
Thor bared his fangs as he was surrounded.
“Capture the dragon! I will take care of the child!” one of them barked.
Silver and Selena bolted outside and to save Thor, but the one who made the command immediately turned around and summoned a large wave of fire in their direction.
Silver quickly positioned himself in between the attack and Selena; he held his hands together and crafted a sphere made of air that protected them from the blast.
“Wow, that was amazing!” Selena said in awe.
While the Order were distracted by Silver’s magic, Thor swiftly turned around and knocked them down with one swipe of his tail before hurrying over to Selena.