ã€ŠSpell and Fangã€‹


 Prologue: One Stormy Night

    It had been a stormy night when she had tamed the dragon. She had been watching it for weeks swooping in the skies above her cottage and making off with her sheep and chickens. She had laid many traps for it, but the final straw had been when it claimed her prize goat Anastasia who had been even tempered. So on that day she took down her mother¡¯s heirloom from its shelf, dusted the cover then began to read its secrets. Then that night, as the wind howled bending the trees, thunder shook the earth and lightning split the sky, she laid her strongest trap with a spell.

    The dragon screeched at her, its sound broken by the thunder. In the gloom its bronze color looked brown and washed out. She never had been close enough to see its eyes, but now they reflected blue green light back at her like a cat¡¯s in her lamp light. First fear had filled her when she had heard its first roar in the night, but now she smirked at the creature that was as big around as a cart and as tall as a one story house in town. She never dreamed in her life to catch a creature so large and powerful with a spell newly learned; it had been months since she had last used a spell.

    She had read about dragons in books, seen them painted by mind by storytellers and before her eyes by painters, but never could they come close to what she saw before her; the steam rising from its nostrils, the obsidian claws digging tightly into the wet earth, massive wings held close to its back by her binding spell and finally its tail sweeping the ground around it, warning her that it was not completely defenseless.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

    She held up her left hand and said ¡°I claim you dragon.¡± By this phrase she completed the rite and a magical silver chain filled her hand leading to a beautiful collar carved from bone that appeared around the dragon¡¯s neck. Suddenly the dragon roared causing her to stumble back a few steps in surprise before she tugged on the chain. ¡°I¡¯ll have none of that!¡± she snapped. ¡°You stole my animals and my friend! Do you know how hard I work to keep this place up?¡± The dragon regarded her with deep intelligence then snorted, turning its head away from her as if to say, ¡°whatever¡±. She tugged on the chain again. ¡°Come beast, I will show you your new home.¡±

    The girl led the dragon to her shed that was dug into the side of a large hill that shielded her home from the winter winds. It groaned in protest and snapped at her but her spell kept her from harm. ¡°You will sleep here where Anastasia did, before you stole her, until I figure out what to do with you. Good night beast.¡± Closing the door to the shed securely she raced back to her cottage, her heart humming in her chest. I just caught a dragon, she thought, and then laughed.

 Chapter 1: Burning a Witch

    She woke to hear the birds chirping outside and weak sunlight streaking her small room. Yawning she climbed from bed and stretched her arms above her head and curled her back. With a grunt she pulled her old dress over her night shift and entered the second room that was her kitchen and former bedroom. She looked at the clothes needing mending before picking up the basket by the door with which to feed her chickens and collect eggs. Tingles ran down her spine as she passed the shed to reach the chicken shack, but everything was quiet there. After feeding the chickens and avoiding snapping beaks she came away with five eggs with which to make her breakfast. Afterwards she would weed the garden then plow the small field on the other side of her hill.

    Just as she was making her way back to the cottage she heard a yowl from the shed. Opening the door quickly she paused before the scene before her; a tom cat backed into a corner hissing while the dragon held a massive fore paw above its head.

    ¡°Stop that now!¡± she said coming between the two animals. The dragon growled and she swatted it on the nose surprising them both. ¡°If you can¡¯t behave I will put you in the well. Come with me,¡± she said tugging on the chain and leading the dragon out. It watched her intently as she led it up the small path by the hill and toward the field behind it. The plow was resting by a budding oak where she had left it yesterday after Anastasia was stolen. Turning the chain into a harness, she strapped the dragon to it and pointed to her field. ¡°I want the east section done today and maybe I¡¯ll see about getting you supper.¡± The dragon whined at her, but she had already turned her back and headed back to the cottage.

    While the dragon plowed she mended clothes and read more from her mother¡¯s book. At midday she grabbed her shawl and basket to head to the market. She nodded at the dragon as she passed it, already seeing that more than half the area she had appointed it was freshly plowed and the stones and debris put by the rotting fence line. Town was an hour¡¯s walk away but she enjoyed her time away from the cottage. Her aunt and cousins lived in town, family of the local baker. From time to time they sent her home with small cakes and bread and she brought what produce she could from the field.

    As she approached the town she noticed an unusual quietness about it. No one would meet her eyes and everyone walked stiffly, looking over their shoulders at her and forming signs against hexes. She quickly ducked into her uncle¡¯s bakery and was greeted by a swift hug from her aunt. ¡°Bird, I have worried about your safety. Did you know a dragon has been seen in the area stealing from the farmers?¡±

    ¡°Yes Aunt, I captured it last night after it took Anastasia.¡± He aunt¡¯s eyes widened in surprise.

    ¡°You?" the woman asked. The girl nodded. ¡°You captured the dragon? With what, how?¡±

    ¡°I used the book Ma left me.¡± Her aunt put a finger to her lips and nodded towards a customer purveying the cakes.

    ¡°Be careful what you say. A Hunter is in town looking for the dragon. He has everyone tense, you will know him by his red hair,¡± her aunt said leading her behind the counter to the kitchen. Her cousins Nettie and Ami were elbow deep in flour kneading bread and throwing them into pans. They smiled at her briefly. ¡°I think my girls might have the same talent you and your mother have though it¡¯s weak in me. I have yet to test them,¡± her aunt whispered conspiratorially.

    ¡°I can come by tomorrow with the book?¡± Bird said suddenly thinking about the field and the dragon. What would happen if the dragon Hunter found it there strapped to a plow?

    ¡°Yes do, we see so little of you,¡± her aunt said then deposited fresh rolls into Bird¡¯s basket.

    When she returned half the field had been plowed and the dragon was resting under the oak. Taking pity, she ran to her well, filled a bucket and brought it to the creature. It looked at her a long time before taking it in its paws and lifting it to its lips. She was surprised by the human gesture and peered hard at the dragon, trying to divine its secrets. It set the bucket down and grunted at her, she threw a roll at it. The dragon caught it with a snap of its jaws. ¡°I know I can¡¯t feed you on bread alone. Maybe I can catch a deer for you,¡± she said to the dragon. It began to make a wheezing noise and she realized it was laughing at her. ¡°You know I don¡¯t have to do anything for you, thief! Anastasia was my friend and you ate her, but a promise is a promise even made to beasts.¡± The dragon snorted and bowed its head briefly.

    Using her mother¡¯s book she caught a young doe for the dragon and managed to drag it to the clearing of her cottage. To her surprise the dragon spit a ball of flame that cooked the animal before eating it. ¡°So you don¡¯t eat raw meat, at least you¡¯re somewhat civilized for a beast. The dragon rolled its eyes at her and she laughed. ¡°Well, good evening beast, the rest of the night is yours,¡± Bird said then retreated to her cottage.This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.

    At midday the following day Bird arrived into town to find it more solemn than before. As soon as she stepped into the bakery her aunt grabbed her and dragged her into the kitchen. ¡°Bird, you need to go home now. The Hunter has been speaking to the people and they know about you. You need to get out of town now and hide until the Hunter is gone. If he finds you with that book it will be the gallows! Get rid of that dragon. Here take this bread and cider with you, now go.¡± He aunt moved quickly and efficiently and soon Bird was on the street again looking around warily for the Hunter. She noticed the looks the towns¡¯ people were giving her so she hurried down the road.

    She was halfway to her cottage when the Hunter found her. He had rode up swiftly on a large black warhorse dressed all in grey, red hair flowed down his back standing out like a bloodstain and a half mask covered the lower half of his face giving him a mysterious air. A large sword hung on his saddle, a guild seal on the sheath of leather marking him a mercenary. Bird gasped when she saw him and nearly dropped her cider in the road. ¡°You girl, what¡¯s your name?¡± The man spoke in a deep voice that immediately made her want to trust him, but he was a Hunter.

    ¡°I¡¯m Lavender Blackbriar,¡± she said shaking. Suddenly more horses appeared on the road with men. Some were the farmers from around the town; the others she guessed were companions of the Hunter based on their hardened looks and grey cloaks.

    ¡°That¡¯s her, that¡¯s the girl I told you of. She¡¯s a Witch,¡± hissed one of the farmers pointing at Bird accusingly. ¡°I saw that dragon fly toward her cottage every night after it would steal from us. I think she set it loose to torment us innocent folk.¡±

    The girl recognized the farmer Cal, she used to bring him herbs for his wife¡¯s cooking, to see his face twisted in anger and mistrust scared her. Involuntarily her fingers tightened on her basket.

    ¡°My Jessa heard yesterday she had caught that demon herself using black spells and blood sacrifice,¡± another farmer said.

    ¡°Girl, is that true?¡± the Hunter asked looking at her with piercing blue eyes.

    ¡°I did catch it, only because it was stealing my chickens,¡± Bird said then clapped a hand to her mouth. She had admitted to using magic. ¡°It was just a trap, like a wolf trap¡­¡± she said hastily, but the damage was already done. The Hunter had drawn his sword and his men surrounded her. He pointed the long length of steel at her throat.

    ¡°I am Oliver Redfield, by power invested in me by Lun, god of all, and Hexa goddess of purity, I name thee Witch and sentence you to burn in your lair of wickedness.¡± Bird gasped, but clung tightly to her basket as they grabbed her. ¡°Take her basket, she may have witchy devices in there,¡± Redfield ordered. When she resisted one of the men slapped her so hard that she bit her tongue drawing blood. Roughly they tied ropes around her wrists and strapped her to a horse like luggage.

    ¡°She has a book in her basket! It¡¯s in some demon language.¡±

    ¡°Give it to me,¡± Redfield said. The book was passed and he briefly flipped through the pages. ¡°This will be burned with her so that her taint may not spread.¡± Bird closed her eyes and prayed they would not think of her aunt and cousins in town, but her hope was short lived.

    ¡°She has family in town, the baker¡¯s wife and daughters, ¡°Cal said spitting. ¡°What of them?¡±

    ¡°They have a chance to repent their sins of harboring a Witch then they shall be cleansed.¡± The Hunter emphasized the word cleansed by stabbing his sword into the air. ¡°First, show me the Witch¡¯s lair.¡±

    In less than twenty minutes they arrived at her cottage. The field was completely plowed and one of the farmers muttered witchcraft under his breath as they went up the path that led to her cottage. The chickens were silent as the men dismounted and raided her house throwing her furniture and clothes into a pile on the patch of bare ground that made up her clearing. One of the men tied her to the stone well¡¯s wooden roof and began to pile brush and saplings at her feet.

    Bird felt her heart rise into her chest but remained silent even as tears ran hot down her cheeks. Soon all the men gathered in front of her and lit brands. Oliver Redfield stepped forward. ¡°Lavender Blackbriar, you have been named Witch and shall burn for your crimes. I now offer you a chance to repent so that your soul may be forgiven and rise to the heavenly halls.¡± Anger suddenly bloomed in the girl¡¯s chest and she spat at them. ¡°Then let your soul burn in hell!¡± Suddenly a roar ripped through the clearing and the men crouched in fear. The dragon burst from its shed and came to a stop in front of her. It tried to open its chain bound wings while it growled and hissed at the men.

    ¡°See, she summons this demon creature to defend herself! Attack it.¡±

    The dragon looked over its shoulder at the girl and their eyes met brown to green. Free me, its eyes said.

    ¡°I release you from servitude!¡± Bird yelled putting power into her voice. The chains and collar melted into smoke and the men took a step back immediately more fearful. With another roar the dragon shattered the well throwing Bird into the ground. One of the men dropped his lighted brand in surprise and it lit her belongings on fire. Spurred by the flames the men threw the rest of the brands on the buildings around them then ran. Redfield was the only one left in the clearing with the girl and dragon. He pulled her book from his cloak and threw it into the flames.

    ¡°Only I am left to finish you shadow creatures,¡± the Hunter said drawing his sword. The dragon twisted around, scooped up Bird in its fore arms then leaped into the sky using its powerful wings to gain height. The girl could hear a shout of rage from below as the men watched the two ascend, but as she looked down she noticed that only the Hunter was silent as he watched them fly away.

 Chapter 2: Family

    Bird clung to the warm scaly skin of the dragon as they passed through another cloud. She shivered as she was soaked once again. After what seemed like hours the dragon began to circle. Chancing a glance down, Bird could see a small clearing with brook running through it. The opening of the clearing was just wide enough to fit the dragon as it landed on the already packed earth. The girl saw scorch marks in a pit dug near the stream and a pile of last year¡¯s leaves heaped beneath a birch. ¡°Is this your home?¡± she asked.

    The dragon shook its head then tore down a few branches from a nearby tree, threw it in the pit then lit it on fire with a small stream of fire. It nodded toward the burning wood then headed toward the heap of leaves. Bird gathered some large flat stones and put them near the flames to warm them. The dragon still had its back turned toward her digging in the leaves as she stripped her dress and shoes off and laid them on the stones. When she looked up the dragon was staring at her, a strange look in its eyes.

    ¡°What is it? Are you going to eat me now?¡± Bird said crossing her arms. ¡°Or are you just going to light me on fire like those Hunters were planning?¡± her voice broke and unbidden tears came to her eyes. She ruthlessly wiped them away and turned her back on the dragon. I have no home and my family is in danger, she thought to herself as she sat on a large rock. How was it that a dragon she had captured come to rescue her? She had to go back, she had to rescue her aunt and cousins before the Hunter got to them, but none of the spells she had learned involved fast travel. She could not recapture the dragon after it had rescued her. Her only choice was to steal a horse and use a directional charm.

    She waited until the dragon left her to hunt she supposed.

    Quickly she picked up a small green stone mottled like a robin¡¯s egg and breathed the charm on to it. She undid the loop of leather around her neck and inserted it into the hole of the stone she had chosen then wrapped it around her wrist. Quickly she put on her still damp dress and laid a spell trap for a deer then took off before the dragon returned to notice what she was doing. Stealing a horse was easy and with the charm¡¯s help she made it back to the little town her mother once called home.

    The sun was setting when she crested the hill leading down to the town. As she approached from the east she could see thick smoke rising from the middle of town. Curious she entered town cautiously. The streets were deserted, which was odd for so early in the evening. The sound of the horse¡¯s hooves echoed off the buildings as she rode in the middle of the street looking for signs of people. The horse¡¯s ears flickered in the direction of the town square and that¡¯s when she heard the din of human voices.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    No one noticed her as she rode behind the crowd and dismounted. She was shorter than an average person her age so she could not see what the crowd was yelling at. Pushing through she found a hole so she could see, and what she saw made her gasp in fear. Her uncle stood in the square, his hands bloody, and at his feet was her aunt, cowering with her cousins.

    ¡°To think I brought a Witch into my home to spawn evil!¡± her uncle yelled at her aunt then struck her again in her already swollen and bleeding face. The girls squealed and clung to their mother tightly.

    ¡°P-please. Let the girls go. They are your daughters, have mercy,¡± her aunt spoke through the swelling of her lips. Her husband¡¯s eyes hardened and he extended his hand back. An axe was placed in his hands and the jeering of the crowd became louder. Suddenly Bird¡¯s eyes were drawn to another figure in the square, a man with red hair standing calmly, his hands resting on the pommel of his sword. His eyes, the only part she could see of his face, were locked intently on her uncle. The baker met his gaze and the Hunter nodded. Her uncle raised the axe and a girl screamed. Bird realized it was herself as she scrambled through the crowd and into the square, but it was too late. The blade sunk into the chest of her youngest cousin who had stood up to protect her mother and sister. Her face contorted into surprise that matched her father¡¯s face and then she crumpled to the ground. The crowd cheered shouting ¡°Kill the Witch¡± until it became a chant.

    ¡°Ah, our little Witch has come for her family,¡± the Hunter said noticing Bird in the square. ¡°Hold her before she escapes!¡± Two men stinking of ale grabbed Bird and dragged her into the square. Her aunt and cousin looked at her with fear as she was brought before her uncle, his axe already pulled from his child.

    ¡°If it wasn¡¯t for you and that dragon, our lives would have been fine, Lavender. You had to learn the craft didn¡¯t you? You had to be as your mother and tempt my children!¡± The baker roared at her. ¡°I hope-¡° his words were cut short as another roar filled the square. The people, confused, looked around them. A shadow passed over them drawing their eyes across the square then towards the sky. The dragon swooped again and the crowd scattered, tripping over each other as they fled. The grip the men had on Bird¡¯s arms loosened for a brief moment.

    ¡°If we kill her the dragon will be sent back to Hell!¡± the Hunter shouted. Bird¡¯s uncle lifted the axe above his head, but never got the chance to swing it. At that moment the dragon dived and knocked her uncle into the base of the statue that adorned the center of the square. The girl could see the odd angle of his neck as his body went limp. The men holding her yelled and released her, stumbling over the trampled in their hasty escape. The dragon tipped back its head and a large flame erupted from its throat bathing the square in heat and light. Bird ducked down and covered her head as the dragon aimed at the guards that bravely entered the square to defeat the dragon.

    Bird heard a familiar scream from behind her and turned to see the Hunter pulling his blade from her aunt¡¯s neck, her fingers groping at her last daughter as she choked on her own blood.

    ¡°Nettie, run!¡± Bird yelled, but the Hunter grabbed her cousin. She did not get to see what happened next for the dragon yanked her into its arms once more and took off.

 Chapter 3: Waking Dragons

    The dragon dropped Bird in the clearing before landing near the trees. ¡°Why did you save me? You should have let me die with my cousins!¡± The dragon growled at her then stamped its paw. ¡°Is this your revenge? You want me to suffer, well you¡¯ve won!¡± Bird sat down and began to cry. The dragon came closer and delicately brushed her hair away from her face with a claw. ¡°You stupid dragon! Do you even understand me?¡± Bird said burying her face in her arms. The dragon moaned and nudged her. When she did not respond it nudged her harder until she fell over. ¡°What? What do you want, you stupid beast! It must be so great to be a dragon and live as you please not needing anyone!¡± The dragon began to shimmer before her eyes growing smaller. Bird stared up at it in wonder as the dragon became a young man, a naked young man. She rolled over and covered her face in embarrassment.

    ¡°I know in situations like this people usually say ¡®be not afraid¡¯, but I think we¡¯re passed that point,¡± the man said. Bird heard movement by her left ear. ¡°You may look now.¡± Cautiously she peeked between her fingers to see a leather boot; her gaze immediately shifted up into the kind face of the man who was a dragon. ¡°Hello Lavender Blackbriar,¡± he said. ¡°Lavender Blackbriar, you have been named Witch and shall burn for your crimes,¡± the dragon said in Oliver Redfield¡¯s voice mockingly.

    ¡°What are you?¡±

    ¡°Isn¡¯t it obvious; flaming breath, scaly skin, large wings?¡± the man smirked.

    ¡°I know you can be a dragon, but now you are human,¡± Bird said angrily. The dragon was starting to get on her nerves. He offered her his hand.

    ¡°I can take human form, but I remain, as I ever was, a dragon.¡± Bird took the proffered hand and stood up watching the man carefully. ¡°Are you hungry? I found the deer you caught for me. I skinned and cooked it before I went to look for you.¡±

    ¡°How nice,¡± Bird said bitterly as the man fed her the food he had stolen from throughout the countryside. He chatted incessantly about the mundane things he had discovered while exploring the land that made up Woodbridge Province. As he spoke more and more she realized he was trying to distract her from the day¡¯s events and as soon as she realized this she began to cry. Startled the man stopped talking.

    ¡°Thank you, you¡¯ve been so kind to me and I¡¯ve been so cruel to you,¡± she sniffed as she wiped her eyes. ¡°May I have a hug?¡± Cautiously the man circled the fire, his face hard to read in the darkness. He wrapped his arms around her. ¡°You smell like Applewood and smoke,¡± Bird sighed. ¡°Can I call you that?¡±

    ¡°Applewood or smoke?¡± the man asked as he felt the girl relax in his arms.

    ¡°Apple¡­¡±Bird mumbled suddenly feeling tired. She let her head droop and was soon asleep.

    ***

    In the middle night she had the first of her nightmares.

    She saw the Hunter in a tavern talking to a cloaked man at a table in a corner. As she watched them talk the cloaked one suddenly paused and his head turned toward her. Green light filled the hood of the cloak illuminating a scarred and twisted face. Bird realized the glow was coming from the man¡¯s eyes. ¡°Seems we have a visitor Hunter,¡± the man said in a raspy voice. The Hunter turned in her direction.

    ¡°I see nothing m¡¯ lord.¡±

    ¡°That is because she hides from you, she has yet to learn to hide from me.¡± The cloaked man lunged and Bird woke up screaming.

    A hand sealed her mouth and she bit down hard. She heard a quick intake of breath and a whispered, ¡°Ow¡±. ¡°Apple is that you?¡± she whispered.

    ¡°No, I¡¯m a bandit, of course it¡¯s me. You¡¯re making enough noise to wake the dead, and believe me they can be really cranky,¡± Apple said. He breathed a small flame into the palm of his hand then threw it into the dying embers of the fire pit. ¡°I found something for you, here.¡± A book was shoved into Bird¡¯s hands. She felt her heart skip as she ran her fingers along the familiar uneven bind, tracing the archaic letters carved into the leather of the cover; it was her mother¡¯s book unharmed by the fire.

    Bird remembered her mother poring over the book in the evening after all the chores had been done. When she had been old enough to read the two of them would practice small practical charms for warmth or seeking lost objects. ¡°Never cast spells stronger than you,¡± her mother used to tell her until one day she found her dead in the garden, her father¡¯s grave marker clutched tightly in her hands, her face still damp.

    Bird wiped her own tears away and looked up at Apple. ¡°Why did you get it?¡±

    The man smiled and looked into the flames. ¡°I felt it calling me. My mission was to find this book and bring it back to my people. The Oracle said I would find it, but honestly I never believed I would so easily. We have searched millennia for this book.¡±

    ¡°We?¡± the girl asked.

    ¡°The Drakir, avatars of the forgotten god. ¡° Applewood pointed into the flames and the image of a golden man with a crown on his head formed in the sparks then faded. ¡°I can take you to the Oracle to explain more to you,¡± the man said turning back to her. Bird waved her hand trying to draw images in the fire, but failed.

    ¡°Can the Oracle teach me magic?¡± the girl asked looking back at the book.

    ¡°All the magic you want, but the question is will you come with me?¡± Bird stared into Apple¡¯s green eyes with grief that made her chest tight. She had nothing left here in Woodbridge. It would not take long for the Hunter to find her here if she stayed. Images of her family¡¯s death filled her mind and she held back a sob.

    ¡°I¡¯ll go, if you promise to protect me,¡± she said hurriedly.

    Apple smiled and touched her hand gently. ¡°Of course, Lavender. We¡¯ll leave tomorrow and meet up with my guard.¡±

    ¡°Your guard?¡± She imagined the thought of more dragons flying through the air, their bronze scales glittering in the sunlight as they swooped over the tree line.

    ¡°Yes, they¡¯re the ones I gave your chickens and sheep to,¡± Apple said laughing. Bird punched him in the shoulder and he stopped. ¡°Get some sleep child; we have a long way to travel.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m 18, not a child,¡± Bird said staring the man down. He shook his head.

    ¡°No. not a child, a young woman; get some sleep.¡±

    ***

    Bird woke to the sound of rain but she herself was not wet. The sun had barely risen above the horizon as she sat up to discover that Apple had turned back into a dragon, his right wing shielding her from the rain. The dragon sighed, his massive chest rumbling like gentle thunder. Bird cupped her hands and stuck them past the wing to catch the cold spring rain. It felt refreshing on her tear swollen face. Yesterday was still vivid in her mind causing her chest to ache. She wrapped her arms around herself and cried silently. For the first time in her life she was truly alone. No more trips to the bakery or eating cake with her cousins on Soul¡¯s day, her aunt buying her the occasional new dress when she out grew hers. They were all gone, killed by her foolishness.

    Apple nudged her with his nose. She smiled brightly to hide her grief then doused her face again. ¡°Good morning. Are we going to fly in this weather or walk? Well, walking would be a silly choice seeing as you¡¯re a dragon right now.¡± The dragon snorted and made a wheezing noise. ¡°You¡¯re laughing at me again,¡± Bird said. In response the dragon dropped a rucksack into her lap. She looked at his chest and noticed a second one tied around his neck with a thick rope. The one in her hand was dry and when she opened it she found a weather treated cloak and a thick woolen sweater, underneath them she found cheesecloth bundles sealed with wax and twine. ¡°You want me to put this on?¡± Bird asked holding up the cloak, the dragon shook his head. She held up the sweater, he shook his head again. ¡°Both?¡± The dragon snorted and bobbed his head. After putting on the clothing, Bird opened one of the bundles and found hard cheese. Breaking off a small chunk she sealed the rest and put it back into the rucksack.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    Apple stood up as Bird ate and stretched his wings. He wheezed in laughter as the rain suddenly made contact with the girl¡¯s head before she could put up her hood. She glared at him and he turned his back on her. After his stretch he mimed for Bird to climb into his arms. Warily she approached him and he laughed again; the girl was full of pride but could be so timid around him.

    When she was situated snuggly in his arms he leaped into the air. With powerful strokes he climbed above the clouds where the sun shone bright in the chilly air. Apple could feel Bird cling tightly to him as the chilly spring air buffeted them. Using instinct the dragon followed the invisible energy lines to his guards¡¯ camp. He looked forward to seeing them again though he doubted they would feel the same.

    His thoughts were cut short when his spine tingled as he passed over his guard¡¯s hiding spot. He slowly descended into the clouds drawing gasps from the girl. Suddenly all of his senses flared to life as they entered the small rain storm. Bird began to grumble under her breath as ice clung to the cloak he had given her. The rain hit them hard causing Apple to adjust quickly as he glided over the main river of the country. He aimed for the small island half a mile from the shore, a large ancient oak surrounded by its offspring marking its center. Landing gently he deposited Bird on the ground and approached the giant oak.

    Bird stared at the ancient oak in front of her, its branches already holding new leaves. The dragon was staring up into its branches when a man suddenly dropped down beside him. ¡°Well, well, if it isn¡¯t our little hero back from the beyond. Come back to admit defeat and beg for my help?¡± The man said smoothing back long black hair that fell to the middle of his back. The dragon patted his chest and the man opened the rucksack hanging from around his thick scaly neck. ¡°Hmph, more food, but that doesn¡¯t answer my question.¡± Apple inclined his head toward Bird and she took a step back in anticipation clinging tightly to her rucksack. The man stared at her with eyes as green as Apple¡¯s. He rubbed his chin then looked back at the dragon. ¡°Picking up strays now, are we?¡±

    ¡°I am not a stray thank you very much,¡± Bird snapped. She approached the two and put her hand on Apple¡¯s shoulder. The man looked surprised for a brief moment then smirked.

    ¡°Oh, this one has bark. Does she bite too?¡± Bird felt her hand move before she could stop it. The man quickly caught her wrist then kissed the back of her hand. ¡°So dangerous m¡¯lady. My name is Lorcan and above us are Adwin, Elyseo, and Yena.¡± Bird looked up to see three people tied to the branches of the oak. A bubble of fear rose in her chest and she backed away from the man and dragon. Suddenly Apple shimmered and turned into his human form. He put the other man in a headlock and mussed his hair.

    ¡°Lore, don¡¯t frighten the girl,¡± the dragon said to him then looked at Bird. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, they¡¯re merely asleep, Lore has cast a spell on them to keep them quiet.¡±

    ¡°Are you man-eaters?¡± the girl whispered while clutching her rucksack tightly. She kept her eyes closed as she backed away another step. Apple laughed and released Lore.

    ¡°The things you say,¡± he said.

    ¡°Well I would think the same seeing that swinging from me,¡± Lore said chuckling. Apple quickly dressed then cautiously approached Bird who stood hunched over her rucksack several feet away from the tree.

    ¡°It¡¯s safe to open your eyes now,¡± Apple said gently. As she opened her eyes the dragon placed an arm around her shoulder and escorted her back to the tree. ¡°Lore, I would like you to meet Lavender Blackbriar. She is a Witch.¡± Lore raised an eyebrow as he smiled.

    ¡°Blackbriar, well she is quite prickly. I guess I should wake the others now,¡± Lore said. He released the spell over the three people in the tree. Slowly they came awake, shocked to find themselves in the tree.

    ¡°Lorcan!¡± the tallest male yelled as he untangled himself from the ropes that suspended him in the branches. In one swift motion the man dived at Lore, changing into a large red hued golden dragon in mid leap. He knocked Apple and Bird to the ground in his haste to reach the man. Lore shimmered then turned into a much smaller brown dragon. The two dragons locked claws and began snapping and roaring at each other until the much larger dragon pinned the other, one paw raised to gouge out the other¡¯s eyes. In a split second they were both men again, Lore on the ground smirking, the other scowling with his fist raised. ¡°Stupid child, if I could cull your magic¡­¡± the larger man growled.

    Bird stared at the two men in shock as Apple helped her to her feet. She had never seen such violence before he entered her life. How stupid she was to think she would be safe among dragons just because one had rescued her. The other two had already come down from the tree and the girl realized one was a woman. The woman looked at her with hazel eyes that seemed to bore into her soul.

    ¡°Elys, we have company,¡± the woman said looking the girl up and down. The woman sniffed the air and crossed her arms. ¡°She¡¯s not a dragon.¡± The tall man crouched over Lore looked up seeing Bird clinging to Apple for the first time.

    ¡°You¡¯re right Yen, it¡¯s a human child. What is such a weak thing doing here?¡± Elys said releasing Lore. Bird bristled at the child comment and stalked toward the much taller man.

    ¡°I am not a child, dragon!¡± she yelled poking him in the chest. ¡°What gives you the right to call someone weak and throw your friends about?¡± Elys stared at her sternly. Suddenly Bird felt a warm breath on her neck and turned around sharply, ready to defend herself. A fourth man stood behind her, his nose inches away from her hair. His eyes were green like Apple¡¯s but his skin was a dark olive like Elys¡¯. He grabbed her arm then turned her hand over revealing her life lines.

    ¡°Elys, she smells of power, look at her hand, her growth pattern is well developed,¡± the man said. Elys took her hand as well. Angry that these strange men were handling her so rudely, Bird used a quick charm that sent sparks of electricity through their bodies causing them to leap back. Waving her hand in front of her she created an invisible boundary about her. The two men gasped in shock and Elys started to shimmer.

    Suddenly Lore and Apple were in front of him, blocking his view of the girl. ¡°Elys, meet Briar. The fool here picked her up,¡± Lore said.

    ¡°I am not a fool and the girl here calls me Apple,¡± Apple said punching Lore in the shoulder. ¡°She owns the book we¡¯ve been searching for.¡±

    ¡°Well then take it from her and let¡¯s leave her behind. Our people are waiting for us back home,¡± Elys said walking around the two men who watched him carefully. ¡°Return the child to her parents and let¡¯s be off before we are discovered here.¡±

    Bird felt a stab of pain in her chest, but held her head high. She would not show weakness in front these new dragons.

    ¡°You are not taking my book, it¡¯s my birthright,¡± she said staring Elys down. The taller man growled a warning before Apple interceded.

    ¡°Elyseo, she is without family. I promised to take care of her and the book is really important to her.¡±

    Elys grunted.

    ¡°Whatever then, do as you wish. I will have a word with The Old One later,¡± Elys said striding back to the ancient oak tree. The other two dragons followed him. Apple let out his held breath and turned to Bird.

    ¡°Please do not go charging Elyseo. He is much older and stronger than the two us. In a few years he will be a Rose dragon,¡± he said dropping to the ground. Lore joined him.

    ¡°What is a Rose dragon?¡± Bird asked as she dissolved the barrier and rubbed her arms.

    ¡°One that has lived over a thousand years,¡± Lore answered. ¡°I¡¯m an Earth dragon and ¡®Apple¡¯ is a Metal. As dragons age, our scales change color going from brown to bronze, then gold and finally red. Besides you, I am the youngest here.¡±

    ¡°You called me Briar,¡± Bird said glaring at Lore. ¡°I don¡¯t like it.¡±

    ¡°Then I shall continue to call you that,¡± the young dragon said smirking. The girl huffed.

    ¡°I have half a mind to-¡± Bird began before her words were cut short by Elys¡¯ yell.

    ¡°Everyone get ready, we¡¯re leaving. I want to at least make it to Northshire¡¯s outer marshes before evening.¡± Lore held up a bruised hand and waved it. ¡°What is it Lore?¡± Elys said drawing out the young dragons name in a hiss.

    ¡°I thought Apple was leading this mission,¡± Lore said pretending to brush dust off his bare arm. Elys glared at him.

    ¡°Who the hell is Apple? Oh, I forgot this human renamed him,¡± Elys grunted before turning his back on the three gathered together. He shimmered, becoming a dragon faster than Bird could blink. The girl was curious about their transformations, but what bothered her were their transitions into humans and their inability to manifest clothing. Even now she kept her eyes carefully averted from Lore who still sat on the ground. Out of the corner of her eye she could see him watching intently, a faint smile on his lips.

    ¡°Like what you see?¡±

    Bird jumped then tried to hide it by turning to face the river. ¡°Do not talk to me beast,¡± she said coldly. Suddenly she felt warm hands on her shoulder. Hot breath tickled her neck causing the hairs to rise. The girl shuddered in fear.

    ¡°I can show you what a beast is,¡± Lore whispered into her left ear. She could hear deep pain in his voice that resonated with her own. The young dragon was hiding his own hurt behind smiles and jibes. Bird turned around quickly then ran into the trees to cry.

 Chapter 4: Something Strange

    Northshire was a major trade town that had grown along the river Kerion. The town lay south and east from where Bird had been born. Her father had taken her mother there to be married during the summer solstice when everyone celebrated the gods¡¯ most important holiday Pyris, the first flame. The holy tigers were said to visit the temples and grant blessings on behalf of the gods Lun and Hexa. Today though there were no revelers in the streets sporting masks, no streamers hung between buildings fluttering like rivers of fire in the air and the stall vendors offered no spicy sweets unique to the special holiday.

    The rain had subsided by the time the dragons had landed well outside of the town¡¯s outer limits. They quickly changed and dressed in their human attire kept dry by their rucksacks then easily slipped into the group of people entering the city through its thick ironwood doors guarded day and night. Bird kept her eyes to the ground as Apple escorted her, his arm around her shoulder like a caring husband, his body heat welcome after the near frigid flight. The dragon had agreed with Elys that they should stay the night within the town¡¯s secure walls before moving east to the Hundred Forest of Tears.

    On the edge of the market section of Northshire the dragons found the Jackal Head, the largest inn in the town. Elys negotiated for rooms while the rest of them stood quietly in the corner. Bird intently watched people enter and leave the building until she felt Apple¡¯s gaze on her. ¡°Is this the first time you have traveled?¡± he asked with a cocked eyebrow. Bird looked away quickly, her temper rising in embarrassment.

    ¡°I don¡¯t have wings to travel as I wish. The Woodbridge Cemetery is the farthest I¡¯ve been from home ¡®til now,¡± Bird replied as she watched a small girl dart across the room into the arms of her father; she sighed.

    ¡°I would watch my words in public,¡± Adwin said softly. This was the first time he had spoken since leaving the river island, Lore and Apple taking up most of the conversations. ¡°We are in the house of the enemy.¡± Confused Bird looked around her at the busy but peaceful place around her. What enemy did he speak of?

    Elys returned with three keys. ¡°There is a tavern in the back of the inn. Our rooms are on the third floor overlooking the street. Dinner is served at 6<sup>th</sup> bell,¡± Elys said. He handed one key to Adwin then a second to Bird. ¡°The child will have her own room.¡± He looked each one in the eye for dissent then paused, his gaze on Apple.

    ¡°I will stay with her; I do not think a woman should sleep alone in a town such as this,¡± Apple said firmly.

    ¡°I think other things may be on his mind,¡± Lore said pretending to be intent with a speck on the wall.

    ¡°Or maybe it¡¯s you though you¡¯re so unfit you¡¯re practically a woman. Tell me, were you always a man or is this a recent change?¡± Bird replied smoothly.

    ¡°I was born male, but something tells me I will not be so if I play in your briar,¡± Lore chuckled. Bird heard a muffled laugh from behind her as Apple covered his mouth, masking the noise as a cough.

    ¡°You presume I¡¯d let you.¡±

    Lore looked at Elys smiling. ¡°I really like this girl. I vote to keep her.¡±

    Elys scowled and walked away. ¡°Do as you wish,¡± he said while he was still within hearing range.

    ¡°Do not goad his anger child,¡± Adwin said before he and Yena followed after the other dragon. Left alone, the last three lingered not quite ready to see their rooms. Bird looked between the two dragons, a question on the tip of her tongue, but she was unsure if she would be answered. To gain time to decide whether to ask she played with the strap of her borrowed rucksack. She suddenly remembered she had no clothes other than what she wore, everything of hers was burned. She felt her eyes burn then hitched up the pack and walked toward the stairs. She heard the dragons follow her quietly as she went up the staircase that centered the building. The inn had five stories, taller than she had seen in Woodbridge but not the tallest in Northshire.

    She found the room easily, matching the number on the key to the one painted above the door in white lettering. The room was bigger than one she had in her cottage; the sheets on the bed were old but clean, smelling strongly of soap and perfume. A dresser for their belongings was pushed under the window and a small bedside table held a vase filled with dried flowers. Bird touched the frail blooms before sitting on the bed. Lore checked the hall before closing the door.

    Apple went to window and stared at the stall selling jewelry right across from their window. ¡°Apple, who is your enemy?¡± both dragons stiffened and Lore growled. Frightened Bird brought her legs up to her chest.

    ¡°To understand our enemy you must first know the history of the world,¡± Apple said, his eyes never leaving the window. ¡°Adwin and Yena are better at explaining it than I, but I will tell you this. Lun and Hexa did not create this world and in their betrayal they have named all of my kind demons and send their tigers to hunt down those who do not fit into their image of a perfect world. That man with red hair, he is a part of Hexa¡¯s Red Tiger Army of Heaven. His mission is to purify the world of special humans such as yourself because they fear you.¡±

    Bird found it hard to believe that the gods feared her. What could she do to a god? ¡°What kind of betrayal did the gods do?¡± Lore released another growl and began to pace the room until Apple glared at him. Silently the young dragon sat in front of the door.

    ¡°They tried to kill the Creator and in failing imprisoned him. In arrogance they took his throne and named themselves gods and cast us, the Drakir, from Heaven.¡±

    ¡°You know,¡± Bird said shifting on the bed. ¡°What you have said would be considered blasphemous. I don¡¯t know if all of what you say is true, but¡­ I trust you.¡± Apple met the girl¡¯s eyes and gentleness filled them.

    ¡°I feel like a chaperone, you aren¡¯t going to rip each other¡¯s clothes off now are you?¡± Lore said from the floor. Bird threw a pillow at him which he deftly caught.

    ¡°Why are you so vulgar?¡± she demanded as she glared at the dragon. A guarded look entered Lore¡¯s eyes. Suddenly he stood up then left the room, closing the door behind him. Bird looked back at Apple. He was very still, a look of sadness in his eyes.

    ¡°Don¡¯t mind him. We all have experienced losses and have coped with them in different ways. He is still young and has much to learn. As for you, I know you¡¯re tired, get some sleep Lavender.¡± He drew the blinds then planted a kiss on Bird¡¯s head. She caught his hand before he could move away.

    Avoiding his eyes she mumbled,¡± Call me Bird.¡± She did not see the kind smile on the dragon¡¯s face as he briefly squeezed her hand before releasing it.

    Bird watched the mercenaries build a camp on the edge of a small orchard. The Hunter Oliver Redfield pulled a small form wrapped in a gray cloak from his horse. He ushered the person to the new fire while Bird followed close behind. She could hear the clank of chains as Redfield forced the person to sit. ¡°Now my child, be good, I am taking you to a special school. If you train hard Hexa will grant you purity and a place in Heaven for your family. All she asks in return is that you find your cousin,¡± he whispered. Curious to see who was under the cloak Bird circled the fire until she stared into the face of her cousin.

    ¡°Nettie,¡± she whispered. Suddenly the girl¡¯s head lifted, her eyes were wild and filled with hatred as she stared in Birds direction.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°How dare you!¡± Nettie screamed lunging forward. Redfield caught her before she fell into the fire. The younger girl kicked and scratched at the Hunter and screamed, the sound wrenching Bird¡¯s heart. ¡°I hate you, I hate you Lavender! This is your fault! I will kill you.¡± The girl grabbed a burning brand and threw it at Bird, it went through her harmlessly. Heart pounding she circled the fire and knelt in front of Nettie.

    ¡°I came to save you all, Nettie, I couldn¡¯t stop them,¡± Bird said, her fists squeezed tight as she watched her cousin struggle against the stronger Hunter. Bird looked into his unnatural eyes. He¡¯s a tiger, she thought. Nettie suddenly lunged forward, her hand darted out then scratched Bird¡¯s cheek. Pain bloomed on Bird¡¯s face and she gasped in surprise.

    ¡°I curse you,¡± Nettie hissed. The pain intensified in Bird¡¯s cheek and spread as if it had come alive to seek her weakest parts. Oliver grabbed Nettie¡¯s outstretched hand and secured it at her side. Bird looked into his face once more then reeled back when she saw the Hunter¡¯s eyes locked on her.

    ¡°I can see you now Lavender,¡± he said. Faster than she could see he pulled a blade from beneath his cloak and slashed at Bird¡¯s shoulder before she could react. More pain erupted in her body as the campsite faded.

    ***

    Someone was shaking Bird. She tried to say stop but it felt as if chains had sealed her voice deep in her throat only allowing a hoarse croak to pass her lips. She opened her eyes and found it dark in the room, the only light coming from a slit in the window curtains; a large man shaped shadow loomed over her. Instinctively she pushed herself backwards and hit the headboard with her back. Pain seared through her shoulder causing her to moan. ¡°Bird, are you alright? I smell blood,¡± a familiar voice said. Bird pressed a hand to her burning left shoulder and felt a tear in the cloth, the edges of the torn fabric was stiff while the exposed skin below was wet.

    ¡°Light,¡± Bird whispered. ¡°Get me a light.¡± Fire appeared a few inches in front of her on Apple¡¯s right hand. The flames flickered not burning his skin as he brought them close to examine her shoulder. She flinched away and hid the visible part of the wound with her hand.

    ¡°Let me see it, I promise I will not hurt you,¡± Apple said. Bird¡¯s eyes shifted to his then away quickly. She shook her head.

    ¡°No, it¡¯s¡­ I¡¯m fine.¡± Apple touched her cheek with his left hand causing Bird to gasp in pain. ¡°Please¡­ just go,¡± Bird said as tears pricked her eyes. The wound on her chest was burning starting just above her breasts then across her collarbone though it paled in comparison to the pain radiating from her cheek with a vicious heat.

    The dragon sighed then reached up to dip his fingers into the lamps above the bed to light them. As the gentle glow filled the room he took one last look at Bird, blew on his fingers then left. A few minutes later there was a quiet knock on her door. Cautiously Bird opened it to find Yena standing in the hall. The taller woman¡¯s hair was braided to fall over one shoulder in a thick blonde tail. Bird was envious of the length of the dragon¡¯s hair in human form; her own hair had been kept short so she could attend her sheep and field. Unconsciously she touched her hair; she could grow it out now that she no longer had a home.

    ¡°May I come in,¡± Yena said in a smooth voice. Bird opened the door wider. ¡°Apple sent me. He said it was a matter between females.¡± The dragon paused in the middle of the room, her eyes on the bloody sheets. She looked back at Bird. ¡°Is it¡­that time?¡±

    ¡°No.¡± Bird kept her hand pressed to her shoulder feeling nervous in front of the dragon woman. ¡°I hurt myself,¡± Bird said vaguely as she moved her hand to show the angry red line that peeked through the tear in her dress. Yena stared at the wound for a long time making Bird feel uncomfortable. Finally she moved and placed her hands on Bird¡¯s cheeks. The dragon woman began to glow with a gentle light, it flashed brighter for a brief moment then it faded. Yena released her, looked her over once then left. Bird looked at her shoulder and was surprised to find it completely healed. She touched her cheek, it was still tender.

    Suddenly excited Bird went to her rucksack to pull out her mother¡¯s book. She never knew healing was possible, but then she had yet to research the entire book.

    Bird let out a cry of dismay, her book was gone.

    ***

    Lore took a breath of the cold damp spring air tasting pollution, life and magic. ¡°Yena,¡± he whispered. He had climbed on to the roof after leaving Apple and Bird. His heart still raced after hearing Apple tell Bird about the traitors. He knew the story well; his grandmother had been of the First and had fought against Lun and Hexa in the dazzling gardens of Heaven. She had been a great warrior before being stricken down by one of Lun¡¯s tigers.

    The air around Lore grew chillier so he crept down the chimney into a bedroom that had been converted into a storage room. The hallway was deserted but the faint sound of music could be heard coming from the tavern below. Adwin and Yena would be performing tonight to gain more tennyas, Teralind''s main currency, for supplies. Lore paused outside Bird¡¯s door and placed his ear against it and heard a faint cry of dismay, curious he cracked the door open and found the girl with her back to the door, a rucksack in her hands.

    ¡°Of all that is rotten, where is it?¡± Bird growled as she pulled out the dresser drawers. In desperation she got down on her hands and knees to search underneath the bed. Lore opened the door wider and cleared his throat. Bird jumped and hit her head on the bed frame and began to curse as she stood up. ¡°What do you want now?¡± She said angrily as she massaged the sore spot.

    ¡°Well¡­ I want to know what has placed you on your knees. Certainly it couldn¡¯t be me,¡± Lore smirked. Bird glared at the young dragon.

    ¡°My book is missing.¡±

    Lore shrugged.

    ¡°Elys probably stole it from your bag. It was the mission to retrieve it after all. If it¡¯s not in his room then it¡¯s with him. By the way, I like the color of your underclothes.¡± Faster than he could blink, Lore found himself flying through the air. His back hit the wall knocking the breath from him and he groaned in pain. ¡°You really are a prickly one Briar,¡± the dragon said as the girl slammed the door in his face. Bird sighed and flexed her hands. She had never used such a large movement spell before, but it had felt as easy as picking up a feather.

    She dressed quickly then opened the door to find Lore leaning against the wall right next to it. ¡°You know, you have quite a talent for magic. I can teach you a more powerful version of that spell if you want.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll think about it. Where is Elys.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll probably find him in the tavern.¡± Bird moved swiftly down the hall with Lore following quickly on her heels. The tavern was hot from the thick crowd of bodies that sat at the many tables between the bar and stage. Bird took a deep breath of the smoky air before looking around the tavern for the rest of the dragons. She found Elys close to the stage speaking to Adwin who was crouched on the stage. Yena was sitting in a chair, a lute resting against her knees. She sat idly plucking the strings, but smiled when Lore came through the door; a soft collective sigh went through the room as the men watched her.

    Bird made a beeline to Elys who detected her presence before she reached him. He met her glare with an angry stare of his own and tilted his chin up in contempt. ¡°What is it now child? Nightmares because you miss mommy and daddy? I would tell you they had all gone to heaven if the traitors welcomed your kind there.¡± The pain of the ancient dragon¡¯s words nearly sent Bird tumbling to her knees but she kept her ground. Suddenly Apple was beside her taking her weight. Bird looked up and saw an intense and deep anger that seemed alien on his face.

    ¡°Elyseo,¡± he said in a deeper unfamiliar voice. ¡°I know you were not raised to harm the young. What have they done to hurt you?¡±

    ¡°You know what her kind did, it is because of them that I am this way,¡± Elys said looking away quickly like a cowed child.

    ¡°Be wise not to harm this one. She is Avalon¡¯s charge now. I have spoken with him about your behavior. If you need to be relieved of this mission let us know now,¡± Apple said. Elys pulled Bird¡¯s book from his belt and laid it on the table. Incensed she snatched at it, but the dragon moved more swiftly and held it away from her.

    ¡°This is the book we have been searching for and a child like you should not have it in your possession,¡± Elys said placing it back into his belt.

    ¡°Elyseo, do we steal from children now?¡± Apple said, his voice still sounding different, almost like another person. Bird opened her mouth to speak and he placed a gentle finger against her lips to silence her. ¡°Another time,¡± he said softly. ¡°Elyseo, return the book to her, she will need it for what is to come.¡± With sarcasm prominent in his movement, Elys handed Bird the book then pointedly turned his back on her to look at Yena on the stage. Yena briefly stood and curtsied to Apple while Adwin bowed then the two took familiar positions and began to entertain the crowd.

    Bird clutched the book tightly to her chest while Apple escorted her back to their room. ¡°I know Avalon will take great care of you. Do not be afraid,¡± Apple said. ¡°The First and Last shall rise again and bring this world into a new age.¡±

    ¡°Apple, why are you speaking so mysteriously?¡± Bird asked. The dragon simply smiled at him and a subtle glow left him. He sighed and rubbed his forehead. ¡°Apple?¡±

    ¡°I ordered supper for you, please eat and try to get some rest.¡± The dragon opened the bedroom door and waved Bird inside.

    ¡°But-¡°

    Lore pushed past her and lifted the cover to the platter sitting on the dresser. ¡°Ooh, pork cutlets. You better get in here before I eat it all,¡± He said picking up a steaming chunk with his fingers.

    Apple winked at Bird.¡°Soon,¡± he whispered.

 Chapter 5: Escape

    Bird was surprised by the near deafening noise of the market as she jumped from stall to stall in search of supplies with Apple and Lore acting as escorts. Having lived in a small village all her life, the new foods and clothing seemed as foreign as the ones from neighboring countries. A dry goods store caught her eye but before she could go in Apple grabbed her by the arm and pulled her away.

    ¡°What?¡± Bird demanded as she brushed his hand off. The dragon pointed to the charms hanging from the doorway blowing gently in the spring wind. ¡°Those are charms to ward of demons,¡± Bird said looking at the clay orbs hanging from the braided horse hair knots.

    ¡°No, the orbs are for demons, the knots are to keep out my kind. The orbs will break should either a dragon or demon pass through that doorway, and for many people of this land, witches are demons,¡± Apple said. ¡°The white orbs are for demons, the red are for witches.¡± Apple pointed to each charm to name them.

    ¡°We don¡¯t have anything like that back home, we anoint the doors or form signs with our hands,¡± Bird said as she stared at the charms. How come her mother had never told her of these charms? She had to have encountered them when she had come to Northshire. Maybe she never expected her to travel so far, or maybe she never expected to die so soon.

    Bird noticed that people were beginning to stare as she stood in front of the store with the dragons. She gritted her teeth and turned away to find a different store. Now aware of the danger she looked at the doorways and awnings of the stalls along the crowded market street.

    ***

    They had stopped to eat lunch after dropping their supplies off at the hotel when Bird drew the attention of the guards.

    Northshire had a large garden open to the public filled with fountains and towering statues depicting the gods and their heavenly servants. The fruit trees had already begun to bloom littering the white stone walkways with purple, white and pink petals. Bird felt excited walking along the path switching from sunlight to shade while she ate sweetened beef and grilled tomatoes off of a wooden skewer. She stumbled over a rock and caught herself against the podium of one of the statues. Turning to see which one she had touch she was surprised to find it depicting a battle scene.

    On the left atop a horse was a copper knight, green from age and exposure, his halberd held forward to ward off a bronze dragon, its metal surface giving off a rainbow sheen caused by exposure to the elements. The knight¡¯s face was covered by a helm, but the dragon¡¯s was cast in a sinister snarl, it¡¯s teeth inches away from the tip of the halberd. Bird imagined she could feel the knight¡¯s fear and determination under his armor, the horse¡¯s skittishness as it reared on its back hooves and the dragon¡¯s anger as it faced a mortal enemy. She sighed in wonder, her surroundings forgotten until she heard Apple shout her name.

    She looked over her shoulder; both dragons were standing several feet back, a strange look mirrored on their faces. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± Bird asked suddenly afraid.

    ¡°Bird, look at your hand,¡± Apple said pointing to the statue. Bird looked down at her right hand, noticing the pattern of knots carved from stone that decorated the base of the statue. The knots had begun to glow a pale red in the sunlight. She tried to move her hand away and found it stuck.

    ¡°I¡¯m stuck, what do I do?¡± Bird tried to tug her hand away again, panic making her heart race as it refused to move. Suddenly the sound of a bell broke the semi quiet of the garden. Startled the other visitors looked around them before running for the exits leaving behind food and belongings. ¡°Apple, Lore, what do I do?¡± Bird shouted over the noise as the dragons watched the fleeing humans. Several guards appeared at the entrance to the garden. One pointed up the hill at Bird standing trapped by the glowing statue. They drew their swords and began to run up the first set of steps leading to the path Bird stood on.

    ¡°Do you trust me?¡± Apple asked his voice clear despite the bell. Bird opened her mouth, hesitant. She was stuck to a warded statue with several guards just feet away. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

    ¡°Yes,¡± she whispered. She opened her eyes when Apple placed his left arm around her waist and his right hand on her wrist.

    ¡°This will hurt, I¡¯m sorry,¡± he said before pulling her arm. It felt as if a great weight had attached itself to her palm, anchoring her to the statue. Her skin first itched then began to burn as Apple continued to pry her free. With a roar he pulled her hand free and tucked her into his arms and ran as the beginning of a scream left Bird¡¯s lips.

    Lore took in a deep breath then blew fire across the grassy lawn building a wall of flame and smoke to hinder the guards. The air shimmered with the heat obscuring the men on the other side. ¡°Just take deep breaths,¡± Apple said as he ran further into the garden, Lore trailing behind him to create distractions. At the garden¡¯s second entrance they met a second group of guards who let them pass, thinking they were stragglers until a lone guard from the first group, his uniform singed and his helm coated with soot, staggered through a bush and pointed them out.

    Bird felt the pain in her hand lessen enough for her to open her eyes. Apple held her tightly as he weaved through the crowd seeming to sense when to dodge the unaware bystander or leap over an ill positioned cart. ¡°Can you move?¡± Apple said sounding as if he were out for a leisurely stroll and not running for his life. Bird barely spoke the word ¡°yes¡± when Apple moved her arms to circle his neck, swung her onto his back then jumped onto the top of a stall and began to climb up the bricks of the building behind it. People gasped and pointed as they went higher up the wall. An arrow stuck in the mortar inches away from Apple¡¯s hand as the guards finally caught up with them.

    ¡°Apple, I think I see a Hunter!¡± Bird yelled as she saw a grey cloaked man separate from the guards, his hair the same blood red as Oliver Redfield¡¯s. Where Oliver¡¯s face held little emotion, this Hunter¡¯s face was filled with intense hatred. The Hunter shimmered then leapt into the air clearing the street and stalls with inhuman grace and speed. The Hunter roared and changed shape causing the growing crowd in the street to scream in surprise.

    ¡°It¡¯s a heavenly tiger! Those three must be demons!¡± someone yelled as the Hunter began to scale the building. Bird only caught a glimpse of him before Apple pulled them over the side of the roof, turned around and jumped. She screamed as they fell, the wind roaring in her ears. Apple¡¯s neck thickened and his skin grew hard and bumpy like smooth pebbles. His wings snapped open at the last moment and he swooped over the crowd, Lore was still on the roof drawing the tiger¡¯s attention by throwing a ball of fire.

    Apple let out a deafening roar that seemed to shake the very air. It was answered by an equally deafening roar coming from the west. Soon three more dragons joined them in the air, Bird recognizing them as Elys, Adwin and Yena. Together they spiraled higher into the air leaving the sound of warning bells below. The air quickly became frigid as they entered the cloud line and Bird shivered.

    How could she have been so stupid? Her whole arm now throbbed with pain as she struggled to hold on to Apple as he flew higher. Suddenly she was yanked from his back and she looked up in surprise to find Lore carrying her in his forearms. He tucked her close into his warm chest, the new warmth causing her to relax and the pain to dull.

    They flew the rest of the day and landed when the sun began to set, the fading sunlight coating the trees in copper. As soon as their feet touched the damp earth Elys turned human and cornered Apple. ¡°What the hell happened? How come every bell was ringing in the city?¡±

    ¡°I¡­ I touched a warded statue,¡± Bird said. The elder dragon glared at her.

    ¡°I knew we should have left you on the river. How has a child like you survived so long? A fool with half the wit knows to not meddle with a ward. The Hunter take you!¡± Elys yelled. Bird imagined that if he were in dragon form he would be pacing back and forth like a cat. The thought cooled the anger that the dragon had sparked in her.

    ¡°I¡¯d hold my tongue if I were you,¡± Apple growled after he regained human form. Elys snorted and stalked away. Bird sat on the ground the pain in her arm growing stronger now that she was no longer in Lore¡¯s warmth. She cradled her arm to her chest and concentrated on taking deep breaths as Apple had instructed her.

    ¡°Stupid, stupid, stupid,¡± she whispered under her breath. She flexed her hand and nearly passed out in a bed of last year¡¯s pine needles.

    ¡°Stay still,¡± Apple said kneeling beside her. He took her arm and inspected her palm running his fingers lightly over the raw skin. A large blister had begun to form under the red skin making her hand swell. ¡°I don¡¯t think it¡¯s too bad. At least you were not cursed by it. I¡¯ll have Yena look it over just to be sure.¡± Bird felt her face warm as Apple ran his fingers over her wrist where a bruise had formed from where he had gripped her.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

    ¡°Thank you for saving me,¡± Bird whispered, not daring to look Apple in the eyes. Why was her heart beating so fast just because he was holding her hand? ¡°You could have just left me there; Elys probably would have liked that.¡± The dragon growled.

    ¡°I don¡¯t care how Elys feels,¡± Apple said lifting Bird¡¯s chin. Her heart skipped a beat as she stared into his green eyes filled with deep determination. ¡°When the others are asleep, I will tell you about him.¡± Bird bit her lip feeling nervous. Elyseo seemed to hate her for no reason; would knowing more about him help her?

    ¡°You know you could go ahead and kiss her. I promise not to tell.¡± Bird pushed away from Apple feeling embarrassed as she met Lore¡¯s gaze. He smirked then walked away. Apple called Yena over then went after the younger dragon.

    ¡°Lore, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Apple said when they were out of earshot of Bird. He knew Yena¡¯s keener hearing would still catch every word. Lore sighed and rubbed his arms.

    ¡°Running through the city was exciting, but it just made me think of Brigid. She would have loved a fight like that. We always imagined taking on the entire Heavenly Tiger Army then we each would face their generals; she would challenge Cypress the Red and I would challenge Myrrh the White,¡± Lore smiled lost in memory. ¡°I just wish¡­ that I could have been stronger then.¡± Lore felt his back tingle along an old scar on his spine. The wound received from a tiger had nearly killed him two decades ago.

    ¡°You¡¯ll find her I¡¯m sure,¡± Apple said patting Lore on the shoulder.

    ¡°Yeah enough about me, it looked like you were getting cozy with the girl,¡± Lore said walking further away. Apple kept stride with him as they left Yena¡¯s hearing range. ¡°She stumbled into that trap so easily. Are you sure you don¡¯t want me to teach her any spells?¡±

    ¡°In hind sight I shouldn¡¯t have said no in the first place. I didn¡¯t know she was so ignorant of her own world. If I hadn¡¯t come to her village she probably wouldn¡¯t have been in any danger. In a few years she probably would have met a nice boy and settled down and had a family,¡± Apple said as he stopped to lean against a tree. ¡°Redfield found her because of me; she watched as her family was slaughtered, and yet she does not blame me. She has every right to and yet she says she trusts me,¡± he sighed. ¡°Well, not completely.¡± Bird had not told him how she harmed herself in her bed. If Elys continued to alienate her he might never learn. Something about it spoke of magic.

    Lore rolled a small flame between his fingers before extinguishing it. He could sense Elys angrily scouting the area looking for scouts. Since Bird had come, his temperament had increased in violence making it nearly intolerable to deal with him. In some ways, Lore felt he was acting more mature than Elys, then again he had not been betrayed by a human.

    ¡°Just say the word and I¡¯ll teach her, it shouldn¡¯t be too difficult she has the basics down. Did I tell you she threw me against the wall with a movement spell?¡±

    Apple laughed. ¡°So she has already started getting rough with you. I think it will be good for her, it¡¯ll take her mind off of her family, you have my blessing,¡± Apple said.

    ¡°Oh, thank you Papa. I promise to treat your daughter well and we will have many sons!¡± Lore said bowing to Apple. The two laughed together as they returned to where Bird sat wrapped in her cloak. Adwin had dug a fire pit and was cooking several rabbits that had been bought at the market. Having been prepared to flee at any moment the dragons were able to gather all of the rucksacks as soon as the first alarm bells rang. Yena sat next to him stroking his long hair, a darker blonde than hers. Both seemed content to sit in silence while Elys continued to scout the trees.

    ¡°Has Bird bored you all into silence?¡± Apple asked as he paused on the edge of the new campsite. Bird snorted while the couple chuckled.

    ¡°Yes, her conversation has been less than adequate,¡± Adwin said winking at the girl.

    ¡°Should we punish her then?¡± Bird looked at each dragon trying to figure out what they were about to do. Her grip on her cloak tightened and she managed a small smile hoping that their playful mood would not suddenly change.

    ¡°We should,¡± said Yena. ¡°Since she is yours, what do think would be appropriate?¡± Apple looked at Bird, the expression on his face unreadable until he gave her an evil grin.

    ¡°Why not have Lore train her to be a better Witch?¡± Apple said. Bird¡¯s jaw dropped and she looked at Lore who had invaded her personal space.

    ¡°I¡¯m going to learn magic from you?¡± Bird said feeling skeptical. While Apple said Lore had a great talent for magic she had seen very little of it since she had started traveling with the dragons, though it had only been three days since she left home.

    The grief caught her off guard hitting hard like a wall toppling over her heart. She held back the tears though they burned her eyes. She refused to cry in front on them, she would not be weak in front of them. Tilting her chin up she looked up at Lore, the last of the fading sunlight shined across his eyes giving the illusion of a mask hiding the lower part of his face. ¡°I expect much of my teacher, will you be able to meet my demands.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll be able to meet all of them and more,¡± Lore said arching his brow lecherously. Bird held out her hand and Lore shook it.

    ¡°I expect to begin before dawn,¡± Bird said smugly. Lore raised his eyebrows in surprise. He sent out a tendril of thought and felt Bird¡¯s aura finding something he had not expected; the magical potential of the girl was staggering. Apple was wrong, even if he had not come to this girl¡¯s village eventually the Hunters would have found her. What was surprising was that she had lived to grow into adulthood. He looked closer and found a layer covering her aura as he moved along it he discovered that it was a ward made from another aura. Who could have done such a delicate and dangerous thing? Something of this caliber would require tremendous power moved by delicacy and knowledge.

    Bird shivered, it felt like something invisible had brushed her skin. Her mother had warned her something like that meant that someone had touched her aura. She immediately sent out a warning lash of power and the feeling subsided.

    Lore winced and withdrew his consciousness as soon as he felt Bird lash out. Bird did not seem to recognize her own power, he realized as he mentally shook himself.

    Dinner was filled with light conversation, Elys only coming back to take his portion before going out to scout again. After the food was gone Yena began to play her lyre. Bird listened to the gentle notes until Apple took her hand and drew her to her feet. He pressed a finger to her lips then drew her into the trees. When they were just out of sight of camp he sat her down against an elm tree. ¡°Bird, I¡¯ve already told you that many of us have suffered losses since the Great Betrayal. I myself lost my father and Lore has lost his twin sister, but Elys has suffered the greatest loss of us all, he lost his child.

    ¡°Over 500 years ago there was a small city in a desert country where Drakir had settled. They lived openly in harmony with the humans there fostering great love for the Creator. Many Drakir became holy guardians of the humans, protecting them from demons, tigers and human threats. Many with magical ability were drawn to the city including a great Witch known as Khem. He immediately became beloved by all and eventually Elys became his guardian. One day a small army of Heavenly Tigers was discovered and Elys lead the strongest Drakir out to face them. The tigers were easily defeated and fled, but when the Drakir returned they discovered their deception.

    ¡°In their absence Khem had opened a gate from Heaven allowing the tigers to evade the magical wards placed around the city. By the time they arrived the tigers had gone leaving buildings demolished and in flames; men, women, children both human and Drakir lay slaughtered in the street. Filled with pride, only Khem stood to meet them holding the severed head of Elys¡¯ son in front of the Heaven gate. Enraged Elys tried to kill Khem, but failed due to their guardian bond. He was forced to watch helplessly as more tigers ambushed the last of the Drakir already weary from their previous battle. One by one they were mercilessly slain only sparing him. Then Khem spoke these words, ¡®Go and tell the others Heaven is lost¡¯.¡±

    ¡°After he spoke those words to me I felt my ambitions settle into dust. He had slain my child and my life died, he had slain my people and my hope died, then showing no remorse turned his back on me. Alone, I could not strike him down and he escaped leaving me to wander alone in a city of tortured souls caught between Heaven and Hell. Heaven would not open their gates to them because they were tainted in the eyes of Lun and Hexa. Hell would not open their gates to them because they were not evil, but eventually they came, the demon spawn of Hell¡¯s lowest levels and they were all dragged down before my eyes to face an unjust fate,¡± Elys said startling Bird. He stood several feet away nearly blending in with the night. The weak moonlight shining down through the trees leaves reflected off his eyes like a cat¡¯s. ¡°I hear their cries every time I sleep, I see him every time I look at a human witch. A man can easily say he will never betray his people, but he will fall weak to his desires and they will be used against him. Khem¡¯s weakness was want of power.¡± Elys walked away leaving Bird feeling shaken. She remembered her uncle raising his axe above his family, hurt and anger in his eyes. He had blamed her for attracting the Hunter and killed his own child.

    ¡°Apple, do you have someone you protect?¡± Bird asked softly not knowing if asking something like that was forbidden.

    ¡°I do, Bird. Don¡¯t you know it¡¯s you?¡± Apple said squeezing her shoulder. Bird stood and backed away a few steps.

    ¡°Why are you my holy guardian, since when?¡± Bird heard her pulse roaring in her ears as she tried to see the dragon in the gloom.

    ¡°Do you remember the day the Hunter found you?¡± The image flashed in Bird¡¯s mind vividly and she looked away. ¡°What were you thinking when they tied you to the well? What did you ask?¡±

    ¡°I prayed¡­ I prayed to be saved. I was so relieved when you did save me, even though you had killed my uncle by accident¡­ I was so relieved that I was alive and I hate myself for it. I don''t hate you, I just think it would be better if you protected someone else.¡± Bird felt the tears running down her cheeks and was grateful for the darkness.

    Apple felt a sharp jab in his heart. He had killed Bird¡¯s uncle to save her and still she said she did not hate him. He punched the tree in anger, its roots groaned in protest as it was knocked back. Birdjumped back in surprise. ¡°Bird, come here,¡± Apple said holding out his hand. Hesitantly she placed her hand in his and he drew her down into a hug. ¡°Do not hate yourself. I¡¯m here now, it¡¯s okay to hate me, I¡¯m the one you should blame.¡±

    All the pain Bird had been holding back burst out like water overflowing a dam. She gripped Apple tightly like a lifeline in the flood of her tears.

    ¡°I couldn¡¯t,¡± Bird said shaking her head against his chest. ¡°I can¡¯t hate you.¡±

    She fell asleep wrapped in his arms.

 Chapter 6: Getting into Trouble

    Two hours before dawn Bird woke to find herself still wrapped in Apple¡¯s arms but he had moved them in the night to be near the fire. She shivered and blew on her hands as she moved away from the dragon¡¯s warmth. She touched his face gently in the darkness and heard him sigh contently. She knew she could not hate him though he had killed her uncle, nor did she hate the Hunter or uncle for killing her aunt and cousin. Instead of hating them she would turn her anger toward a new task; finding Nettie. Her first step was to become stronger and she had been given this chance in the form of Lore.

    Bird found the young dragon sleeping on the other side of the fire. She nudged him with her foot and he grunted before rolling over. Chuckling, she nudged him again finally waking him up. ¡°What are you doing awake?¡± Lore asked yawning.

    ¡°Getting your lazy ass up. I¡¯m ready to begin Teacher.¡± Lore smiled knowing that Bird could not see it. It was time to work her hard through the basics. All he needed was a safe area to practice. After stretching he lit a fire on his fingertips for Bird before looking around the camp.

    ¡°We need a place to practice.¡±

    ¡°I have a place in mind,¡± Bird said moving to the edge of camp. Curious he followed her. She stopped at the edge, took a deep breath then began to move her hands in front of her as she built up her magic then with one exhaled word released it. The air pulled back like a curtain to reveal an oak door dark and cracked with age. The door opened into darkness. ¡°I found this room many years ago; I think we can use it without being bothered.¡± Bird crossed the threshold Lore following closely on her heels with avid curiosity. Bird suddenly turned around with a candelabrum in her hand and lit it with Lore¡¯s fire. Carefully she walked away and lit more candles revealing as she went a large hall filled with broken furniture and moth eaten cloth. High above their heads small windows let in the damp morning air.

    ¡°You can open gates,¡± Lore said aloud as he inspected the dusty room; Elys would not be happy knowing that. Bird set the candelabrum down on an old side table and wiped her hands clean on her skirt.

    ¡°My mother taught me. She said that having a safe place to practice was important. She called this one Castle¡¯s gate. On certain days we could hear people on the other side of the walls.¡± Bird flexed her fingers. ¡°So, what do we start with first?¡± Lore had Bird demonstrate all the spells she knew for the first part of an hour then tasked her to exercise the basics of form. After an hour he had her stop and the two of them rested against the west wall.

    ¡°I have a sister,¡± Lore said after a few minutes of silence. ¡°She was better with magic than I. When the two of us paired up for missions they called us the Twin Strikes. 20 years ago we went out with our grandmother and were ambushed by a band of white tigers and she was kidnapped. I was wounded, but if it hadn¡¯t been for my grandmother I would have died. Though wounded herself she opened a gate and brought us home. I recovered normally, but she¡­¡± Lore sighed. ¡°She could never be a warrior again. Only other Drakir or tigers have the ability to kill or severely maim us, though several witches have attained that power throughout history.¡±

    ¡°What was your sister like, if you don¡¯t mind me asking?¡± Bird said. She wrapped her arms around her legs and rested her chin on her knees.

    ¡°She¡­ was hard headed, bossy and ambitious. She always had to be first in everything and reminded me who was born first constantly. We were only 30 when she married; her husband cares for my grandmother now.¡± Lore tilted his head up as the room became slightly brighter as dawn approached. He sighed as he remembered more about his sister. ¡°I think she would like you, she certainly would work you harder with magic than I¡­ For now we¡¯ll work with defensive magic. It is the most important and most difficult to learn. Any spell can be modified; I once saw a dragon turn their flame into whip and use it to strangle a tiger to death,¡± Lore said thinking of his grandmother. She could make the simplest spells into deadly weapons; many said it was because she had lived in the early years of creation.

    Bird listened in fascination as Lore told her more of the modified spells he had witnessed or heard of. With the spells she already knew, what could she do?

    ¡°Well, I say that¡¯s enough practice for now, let¡¯s get back,¡± Lore said patting Bird on the shoulder once. He blew out all the candles with a wave of his hand before passing through the open doorway. Bird closed the gate behind them and the door faded away. Apple sat waiting for them at camp.

    ¡°So, how was your first day?¡± he said grinning. Bird smiled and shook her head.

    ¡°I think it went well,¡± she said.

    ¡°Hardly; this child has no talent. A pail of rocks has more potential,¡± Lore snickered. Bird punched him in the arm and he jumped away. ¡°Abuse! Do you see how she abuses me?¡± he pretended to pout and rubbed his arm. Bird snorted in response

    ¡°Aww, want a kiss to make it better?¡± Apple said raising an eyebrow.

    ¡°You know how I like it,¡± Lore said leaning close to the other dragon. Bird rolled her eyes and looked away.

    ¡°When you two are done flirting I¡¯ll be making breakfast,¡± she said walking away.

    ¡°Do you think she¡¯s jealous?¡± Apple whispered loudly as Bird went through the packs. Lore gave an evil smile.

    ¡°Darling, any woman would be jealous of me and my gorgeous hair,¡± Lore said tossing his hair over his shoulders with his hands. Suddenly Elys was behind Lore and swatted him in the back of the head.

    ¡°Enough of your childish jokes,¡± he said then went to wake Adwin and Yena. Lore stuck his tongue out at the other dragon¡¯s retreating back. Bird stifled a laugh.

    By the time the sun had fully risen breakfast was eaten and Apple called them together for a meeting. ¡°Now, I know we left Northshire in a hurry and the nearby towns will be on alert. Small towns and villages will be extra suspicious of outsiders so we will have to chance the next biggest city in east Teralind, Stormhall.¡± Immediately objections arose over the trade city that straddled the border between Teralind and Geneval.

    Considerably larger than Northshire, the city sat atop a rocky butte and was under constant dispute between the two nations each claiming the city as its own. A tentative truce had been established five years prior, but recently skirmishes had been taking place on the streets between feuding nationals and a wall had been erected along the borderline with flow between each side monitored by each respective military.

    Due to the city¡¯s higher elevation approach would have to be made on foot which would require mounts if they were to travel quickly, but it would take at least two weeks travel with good weather and no threats. From Stormhall though it would only be two days journey until they reached the outer edges of the Hundred Forest of Tears which was on the Geneval side of the border.

    ¡°What is so special about Stormhall and this forest?¡± Bird asked when the arguments had subsided. Surprisingly it was Elys who answered her.

    ¡°Stormhall was once a royal palace and military stronghold for the Nor before the city-state collapsed under the greed of its leaders and a disputed throne. Many of the people in the city are descendants of the Nor and a few of the more prominent families claim ties to the royal court, none more so than the Cross and Berand families. The Cross family claims loyalty to Teralind, Berand to Geneval.¡± Bird nodded in understanding. ¡°As for the forest, it is the beginning to the secret path to Uler.¡±

    ¡°Do we have enough food to make it to Stormhall?¡± Yena asked looking at the packs then the dragons.

    ¡°If we hunt along the way, yes, as for water Lore found a map detailing changes to the area from the past two centuries,¡± Apple said spreading the treated parchment on the ground. The dragons crowded around the map forgetting Bird as they spoke more about travel routes. Bored, she began to draw shapes in the dirt with her finger letting her mind wander.

    ¡°I wish to speak with the Old One,¡± Elys said looking directly at Apple. The younger dragon sighed. Standing up, he walked a few feet away, took a deep breath, let it out and then burst into flame. Bird watched in wonder as the flame took on the shape of a disembodied dragon head. The dragons bowed and Bird found herself bowing as well out of respect.

    ¡°My children, what is it that you need?¡± the dragon head said. The heat coming from the flames that formed its head caused beads of sweat to gather on Bird¡¯s brow. Not wanting to appear rude she let them run down her face as she faced the dragon head.

    ¡°Old one, as you know your avatarhas taken up a most sacred duty, but now his charge is in danger. I want to know if she should be allowed to enter Uler,¡± Elys said. The dragon head smiled then floated closer to Bird until steam rose off her clothes.

    ¡°Well little one, we meet again,¡± the dragon head said as it appraised her. ¡°Hmph, as Elyseo does not seem to realize, you arenot a danger. I see great kindness in you.¡± The dragon head turned back to Elys. ¡°I don¡¯t see why you needed to call me up for such a simple and obvious answer, child. I do have important things to see to. Right now an army of five thousand tigers has arrived on my doorstep. Leave the child be Elyseo, she is not Khem.¡± In a flash of flame the dragon head disappeared and Apple dropped to his knees feeling drained. He shook himself then stood up. Lore immediately went to his side and helped him back to the campfire.

    ¡°Who was that?¡± Bird asked looking from dragon to dragon. Elys sneered at her before turning away to speak with Adwin and Yena. Apple crooked a finger and Bird joined him.

    ¡°He has many names, but is known simply as The Old One. He was the first Drakir to be created and by far the strongest of us. He guards the Tree of Life,¡± Apple answered.

    ¡°But I thought Kyr was the guardian of the Tree. He defeated an evil demon that had sought to steal it,¡± Bird said. She had heard stories of the hundred year battle between the heavenly being and dragon since the cradle. Lore snickered and shook his head.

    ¡°No, Kyr challenged The Old One and lost; to cover up their failure of securing the sacred site they announced he had won. To this day they continuously challenge the guardian in hopes of weakening him. At times we summon his spirit for guidance,¡± Apple said.

    ¡°Can all of you do this?¡±

    ¡°No, one is chosen among us to be his manifest image.¡± Apple rubbed his arms. Hosting the great dragon always left his body sore. Hopefully with age the feeling would subside.

    The camp was soon packed up and traces of their fire obscured before they found the main road crossing the small forest. Eventually they came to a small town and Elys paid for four horses so they could continue more quickly. Unused to riding, Bird shared a horse with Apple. Soon a routine began, in the mornings before dawn she would train with Lore in her secret practice room. After breakfast they would pack up camp and continue their journey until nightfall. They saw very few people on the road since spring was a slow time for trade.

    After six days of travel they reached a large river crossing. Due to the openness of the area it would be too risky for them to fly the horses across and the water was too deep and the current too unpredictable to risk swimming. They decided to camp on the west bank while Apple and Adwin went scouting.

    Elys, as usual, gave Bird a wide berth as she helped to set up the camp with Lore and Yena.

    "Do you like traveling with us?" Yena asked as she rolled out some bed rolls. Bird shrugged her shoulders.

    "It''s been fine..." Bird replied in a soft voice. Yena stopped her task and hugged her.

    "What''s wrong?"

    An ache grew in Bird''s chest as she buried her face in the dragon woman''s shoulder. "I miss home! I miss my family! It''s all gone."If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    Yena began to rock her and kissed her forehead. Lore took Bird''s right hand causing her to flinch away in response. "Shh, Briar. I won''t hurt you," he said gently. He wiped some of her tears away with the sleeve of his shirt.

    "I''m sor-ry f-for being such a b-bother," Bird choked out through her tears.

    "You''re not a bother," Yena said. "I enjoy having you with us. We''re not going to get rid of you."

    "Okay," Bird said sadly. She was certain that as soon as they reached Uler that they would leave her. They had their own duties to take care of. Maybe Apple would still watch over her, but she would still be alone.

    "You don''t seem convinced," Lore said. He pulled her away from Yena and twirled her.

    "What are you doing?" Bird gasped as he dipped her head toward the ground and brought her up.

    "Dancing."

    Suddenly the sound of a lute filled the air causing Bird to turn her head. Yena had unpacked her instrument and had begun to play a simple melody. Lore dipped her again sending a thrill up her spine. A small laugh escaped her lips.

    "I knew you could smile," he said. Bird leaned her head on his chest and breathed in his smoky scent. The ache in her heart lessened.

    "We''re not going to leave you once we reach Uler," Lore said. "Well, Elys probably will." He shrugged.

    "Thank you," Bird said.

    Lore flashed his teeth. "For what?"

    "For caring... about me... Both of you."

    Yena stopped playing, her eyes on Lore as he continued to sway in place with Bird. She had noticed something in his eyes that she had never seen before. A gentleness that she once thought eluded him.

    "Yen, why''d you stop playing?" Lore said.

    "We still have to set up camp before the others return," she said as she put away her instrument. Lore sighed and rested his chin on Bird''s head.

    "Ugh... chores," he grumbled.

    ***

    On a foggy morning they finally arrived at the outer wall of Stormhall. In the centuries since its birth the city had grown until it had extended down the side of the butte upon which it resided and into the plains below. The early morning sun cast strange shadows in the mist and obscured the Teralind side path to the top of the butte. ¡°I thought there was a wall along the border,¡± Bird said looking at the wall that surrounded only the buildings and path at the bottom of the butte. A large military outpost resided within the lower city and morning training had begun among the soldiers.

    ¡°There is, but only on the top of the butte. To maintain a bigger wall would cost large sums of money, then there¡¯s the issue with locals whose property crosses the line below the butte. We will cross the border from the main part of the city,¡± Apple responded. He pulled Bird¡¯s hood as the wind picked up closer to the butte.

    The road to the main part of the city was quiet broken only by statues and decorations, remnants of the Nor who once occupied the city and its surrounding area. Some of the weatherworn grotesque images caused Bird to shiver as they passed them. As the sunlight became brighter, dispelling the mist they crowned the butte.

    Stormhall was markedly different from Northshire with its stone buildings erected with the granite of the surrounding region. The people wore thicker clothing, but with patterns and colors typically not seen within Teralind. Feeling self-conscious, Bird covered her pattern-less skirt with her cloak and hid her unadorned hair.

    Elys found a stable to keep the horses while they searched for a place to stay. Adwin found a comfortable inn close to the wall run by an elderly couple and their children. A tavern sat across the street from the inn and Adwin and Yena made plans to be the evening entertainment.

    When evening approached Bird joined the dragons in the tavern. By now she had grown used to the idea that she traveled with powerful beings. It was hard to believe that many people feared dragons now that she had seen a kinder and gentler side to them.

    As Adwin and Yena began to perform Bird closed her eyes and listened, letting the song form images in her head.

    ¡°They perform beautifully,¡± someone said in Bird¡¯s ear. Her eyes flew open and she looked to her left to seen a young man, his black hair held back by a black ribbon. He tilted his head to the side and smiled; a mischievous glint in his brown eyes. ¡°Can I offer you a drink? I prefer the berry wine.¡± Feeling annoyed Bird forced a smile on her face.

    ¡°I don¡¯t drink, thank you.¡± She turned back to listen when the man touched her hand.

    ¡°Please, I just want to talk to you, you¡¯re a very beautiful lady. I don¡¯t recognize your accent, where¡¯re you from?¡± the man continued. Bird scooted her chair closer to Apple. The movement caught his attention and he looked between her and the man.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Bird whispered. ¡°He¡¯s just drunk.¡± Apple smoothed back her hair and kissed her forehead while watching the man intently. The young man just smiled and tilted his head back. Bird frowned at him and crossed her arms. ¡°You are very rude. Isn¡¯t it customary to offer your name first?¡± Bird said as she arched an eyebrow.

    Smiling the man said, ¡°Yes, yes it is. I¡¯m Fel.¡± He offered his hand and Bird reluctantly shook it. Fel raised an inquiring eyebrow and she sighed.

    ¡°I¡¯m Bird.¡±

    ¡°An unusual name, but it suits you. I come here almost every night, will you be here tomorrow?¡±

    Bird nodded towards the dragon couple. ¡°It depends on them.¡± Fel winked at her then walked away.

    ¡°I don¡¯t like him,¡± Apple whispered in Bird¡¯s ear. ¡°We¡¯ll not come again.¡± Bird snorted and fixed the dragon with a hard gaze.

    ¡°Jealous?¡± she said sarcastically.

    ¡°You know why I said it,¡± Apple growled. Bird smiled and ran her fingers down his cheek.

    ¡°I am a grown woman; I have no need for a father.¡± The smell of smoke filled Bird¡¯s nose as she kept her gaze on Apple. Unbidden she felt her heart race in excitement and she looked away. Apple caught her chin and turned her face towards his.

    ¡°I know,¡± he whispered gently while running the pad of his thumb down her cheek. Bird shivered. Embarrassed at her reaction she stood up and left the tavern. The night air felt chill against her skin. Already the constellation of the Warrior had begun to rise, his bow pointed toward the heart of a demon maiden, Kaia.

    The city was quiet close to the wall, most citizens wary of the soldiers that patrolled their respective sides. On the main roads, on which the tavern sat, large gates sat with their portcullises open like the yawning maw of a beast. Two guards sat on the Teralind side playing cards and scanning the street for travelers. Bird looked the other way toward Stormhall¡¯s palace looming over the city like a dark guardian. The city council resided within its walls and managed the diplomatic relations between Teralind and Geneval. Rumor said that they encouraged the dispute between the two nations in order to garner more money for the city.

    ¡°Getting a breath of fresh air?¡±

    Bird jumped. She turned around to find Fel leaning against the outer wall of the tavern. A small gold chain acted as a clip for his heavy woolen cloak and an ornate broach rested on his right shoulder. As he moved away from the wall she noticed the pommel of a sword attached to his left hip. He drew it and approached Bird.

    She backed away and readied a spell with her mind. As she was about to release it a man spoke behind her. ¡°Fel, out with your young lady?¡± Bird whipped around to find five men standing in the street. The lead man wore a white cap with a falcon feather stitched to its side. The cap matched his white cloak with a red floral stitch hem. Bird immediately disliked the man as he posed on the cobblestones of the street with a cane.

    ¡°Well if it isn¡¯t the Peacock. Are you and your peahens out for a stroll this fine night? I heard the menagerie had decided to set free the witless ones,¡± Fel said as he blocked the other man¡¯s view of Bird.

    ¡°Still doling the dull jokes I see. How droll,¡± Peacock said pretending to yawn. ¡°It seems I¡¯ve forgotten how to laugh.¡±

    ¡°If you wish I can carve a permanent smile on your face.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯d like to see you try.¡± The Peacock twisted the jewel on the end of his cane, then gripping the shaft pulled a slim blade from it. Casting the wooden sheath aside he advanced.

    ¡°I can¡¯t wait to spill your innards on the cobble.¡±

    ¡°Funny, I was thinking the same thing.¡± Their swords clashed dropping sparks on the cobblestones. The sound of screeching metal sounded loud in the nearly deserted street. Bird hugged the wall as the two men parried, drew away then attacked again. Soon their movements became swifter as each man simultaneously sought to maim and evade. Suddenly they broke away breathing heavily. The Peacock wiped his chin and inspected it. ¡°Ah, first blood goes to you, but it won¡¯t win you this fight Fel.¡±

    ¡°So you say.¡± They clashed again and the Peacock fell back drawing Fel further into the street. Bird saw one of the Peacock¡¯s companions flank Fel and draw his sword. Before the man could use it she dashed into the street and cut his legs out from under him with a sweep of her leg. The man fell to the ground with a yell and she stomped on his wrist releasing the sword from his grip. Seizing the blade she held it above his neck steadily.

    ¡°Wish to try that again?¡± she asked raising an eyebrow. The man spit at her. She jammed the sword into the street just inches from his neck and he paled. Keeping her hands on the sword she checked the position of the other men.

    ¡°Well, well, I see you¡¯re so incompetent as a man you need a woman to guard your back,¡± the Peacock said flourishing his blade.

    ¡°And I see you¡¯re so incompetent with a sword that you need other men to handle your business,¡± Fel replied as he edged closer to Bird. ¡°Nice work, what else can you do,¡± he whispered to her.

    ¡°A woman has her secrets,¡± Bird replied. ¡°How come the guards are not responding?¡±

    ¡°They likely have been paid off by that peacock Tristen Berand. The man could never leave anything to chance, most likely poisoned his blade as well,¡± Fel said swaying a little. He lunged forward, knocked Tristen¡¯s sword aside and punched him in the stomach. Winded the other man fell to his knees groaning and Fel kicked him in the jaw.

    ¡°You won¡¯t get away with this Fel,¡± one of the men spat as he drew his sword.

    ¡°I think he will,¡± Yena said pressing a small blade against the neck of the man who had spoken. He stiffened in surprise while the dragon woman removed the sword from his hand and threw it to Adwin who caught it deftly. Elys and Lore quickly disarmed the other two men and Apple held their weapons.

    ¡°Why don¡¯t you take your little peahens and run,¡± Fel said as he picked up Tristen¡¯s blade. Slowly the man got up clutching his stomach and without a backward glance limped down the street. The dragons released the rest of the men and they ran after him.

    Groaning Fel dropped where he stood clutching his side. His body began to shake as the poison spread through his veins. ¡°He¡¯s been poisoned,¡± Bird said dropping beside him. She moved his cloak aside and was surprised to find his shirt completely soaked with blood.

    ¡°You fool, what is so important that you must fight in the street?¡± Bird demanded in anger as she took her own cloak and held it against the wound. Fel hissed in pain then leaned forward and kissed Bird before blacking out.

    Fel awoke to find himself in an unfamiliar bed with clean linen. He sat up quickly then groaned in pain as his side protested. ¡°Hmph, seems you¡¯re finally awake,¡± Bird said. Fel smiled at her through the fall of his hair. He noticed she had his shirt in her lap as she sat by the bedside. He watched her complete a few stitches before responding.

    ¡°How did I get here?¡±

    ¡°My companions brought you here. This was actually my room, but Elys did not want to share his with a¡­ well a stranger,¡± Bird said angrily. She stabbed her finger by accident and stifled a curse. Luckily she did not bleed so she continued with her mending. Fel sank back into the bed and sighed. He could imagine his mother working up one of her fits since he had not come home last night. Soon she would send out her spy to find him.

    Bird set down her needlework then picked up a glass of water and took a sip. ¡°May I?¡± Fel asked, wondering if she would share the glass. Without protest she handed it to him and he took a sip as well. ¡°Do you know sharing a glass with someone is considered the same as sharing a kiss?¡± He asked sweetly. Bird felt her face go warm. She had shared glasses with her family all the time; she had even shared a few sips with Apple.

    ¡°Liar!¡±

    Fel shrugged and drank more from the glass. So the girl was not nobility. He still could not place her accent but she was definitely from Teralind, possibly from its central farming region, but why would a farm girl be traveling all the way to the border? Marriage? With her companions it was possible, but two of them were performers, maybe she was a runaway who had joined a traveling troupe. Then there was their skill with weapons, could they be spies? This seemed the most likely and would explain their presence on the border, why two could perform and they all could handle weapons, but who were they working for?

    He handed the glass back to the girl. ¡°Speaking of kisses, why did you kiss me last night?¡± Bird asked. Fel smiled.

    ¡°I thought I was going to die and you were the closest.¡±

    ¡°So you only kissed me because I was convenient?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡± Bird threw the rest of the water in Fel¡¯s face along with his shirt and stomped out of the room, slamming the door behind her. The door soon opened and Apple slipped in. He crossed his arms and stared hard at Fel.

    ¡°I suggest you leave now. We¡¯ve dressed your wounds and countered the poison.¡±

    ¡°Ah, you must be the beau; you have a very skilled woman. I envy you,¡± Fel said as he put on his mended shirt. Apple smiled kindly.

    ¡°I know.¡±

    Fel scanned the room then found his purse on the bedside table. He opened the clasp and counted all the coins within it, satisfied he tossed the purse to Apple who caught it deftly.

    ¡°Think of that as gratitude for rescuing me. If you should travel here again my family will offer you hospitality,¡± Fel said as he dressed carefully. He found his cloak on the chair previously occupied by Bird and removed the broach. He handed it Apple who inspected the solid silver piece. ¡°That is the family crest of the Cross family, do well to take care of it.¡± When Fel opened the door he found Bird standing in the hall pretending not to notice him. ¡°Farewell Bird,¡± he said before leaning in close and whispering in her ear, ¡°I wanted to kiss you before I thought Death had come for me.¡± Bird stifled a shiver and continued to look away as the young man continued down the hall.

    Once he was gone Bird darted back into the bedroom and tore a pillow in half scattering the down across the sheets of the rumpled bed. ¡°Oh, I want to kill him!¡± she shouted as she twisted the fabric into tight knots. ¡°That was my first kiss; does he think I¡¯m just some harlot?¡± Apple seized her wrists and drew her to his chest. At first she resisted then she relaxed against him and listened to his heartbeat.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry about him; he has no ill intention toward you.¡±

    ¡°But he-,¡° Apple held a finger to Bird¡¯s lips.

    ¡°He is only a young man and they are prone to impulsiveness.¡± Bird felt her heart race in her chest; the kiss with Fel was not particularly bad, but it made her wonder¡­

    ¡°Apple, what¡¯s your real name?¡±

    The dragon arched an eyebrow and smiled gently. ¡°Avalon.¡± Bird laughed.

    ¡°So Apple does suit you. Do you want me to call you Avalon or Apple?¡±

    ¡°You may call me whatever you wish.¡± Bird pouted and threw the ruined pillow on the bed.

    ¡°Well you¡¯re no help,¡± she said quietly. Before she could move away Apple held her tighter then released her. Bird searched his eyes for emotion but found them guarded against her.

    ¡°Stay away from that man; he could have gotten you killed. The feud between the Cross and Berand family is no child¡¯s game of King in a Castle,¡± he spoke gently. He kissed the top of her head then left. Bird stood in the room by herself for a moment, her emotions in a tumult over what Apple had said and done. Did he care for her out of obligation or was there something more?

    He was a dragon, she reminded herself. Not really a beast, but something more intelligent and transcending humanity. He would outlive her, her life only a small drop of water in an ocean of time. Bird rubbed her arms and began to clean the room.

 Chapter 7: Telling Lies

    Four days passed silently after Bird encountered Fel Cross. She had become restless while the dragons continued to buy supplies and information in the city. Several times new dragons would visit the tavern across the street of the inn to speak with them while Adwin and Yena performed to draw in more money. Sometimes they would leave with Apple in order to speak with The Old One in seclusion. The only thing she looked forward to each morning was training with Lore, but the young dragon seemed distracted since the event in the street. When the training was finished she was left to herself as the dragons went about their business in the city. She found menial tasks to complete like mending and would even help the inn¡¯s owners with caring for the rooms.

    Bird yawned as she dumped a basket of linen into the laundry vat of the cellar. The hot soapy mix bubbled as one of the grandchildren of the innkeepers stirred the water with a large wooden paddle. ¡°Thank you,¡± the child said before Bird turned around to climb the stairs into the small service yard behind the inn. The gates to the yard were open and a black carriage sat on the wheel tracks worn into the stone. A man sat on the driver¡¯s seat smoking a pipe while he held the horses in check. Ignoring him, Bird went to the backdoor leading into the service entrance of the inn.

    Pain bloomed on the back of her head and she staggered against the wall. She turned around and saw the silhouette of a man standing above her with a club. He brought his arm down swiftly and she collapsed.

    Apple stopped speaking, his spine tingling with warning. He searched the room with his senses finding nothing amiss, but something was wrong. The dragon in front of him interrupted his thoughts by clearing his throat. ¡°Is there something wrong Avalon?¡±

    ¡°There¡¯s no danger, but something feels wrong,¡± Apple said standing. Elys, he knew, had gone to tend the horses, Adwin was buying dry goods and Yena was napping. At this time of day Lore would be doing rounds of the city checking to see if demons or tigers had been alerted to their presence.

    ¡°Where is the human child you have been taking care of?¡±

    ¡°She was helping the innkeeper with laundry.¡±

    ¡°Are you sure?¡±

    A chill went down Apple¡¯s spine and he dashed from the room. In less than a minute he was in the cellar staring at a frightened girl as she clutched a laundry paddle in her small hands. ¡°Where is Bird?¡± he asked. He could still smell the witch in the cellar though she was not present. The girl pointed behind him at the door.

    ¡°Sh-she left.¡±

    Apple turned around and climbed the stairs into the service yard. The yard was empty and the gate locked. Bird¡¯s scent still lingered in the air, the dragon followed it, not to the door of the inn but into the middle of the courtyard where it stopped. Apple felt his stomach drop and his breath caught in his throat. Bird was gone.

    ***

    Fel received a letter carried by courier. After paying the boy he opened the slim slip of paper sealed with wax.

    Fel Cross,

    I hereby issue you a challenge. As the eldest son of my family is it my duty to uphold my family honor. Please be at the below address at 11pm.

    1145 South Traitor¡¯s Road

    Sincerely,

    Tristen Berand, 53<sup>rd</sup> Council Seat

    Fel sighed and rubbed his head. Not another challenge, he thought. As he was about to throw the paper in the trash he noticed more writing at the bottom of the letter.

    P.S. I have something precious of yours

    ¡°Now what could he have?¡± Fel thought aloud. He had had very few things he cared about and none of them would easily be obtained. His mother and father had too much political and social status to disappear and his Rottweiler did not trust anyone but him and would die before going with any stranger. The estate was out of the question so it only left his ring, an heirloom of the Nor dynasty, but that was still with him. Tristen was probably pulling a bluff to get him to duel.

    He threw the letter into his wastebasket.

    ***

    ¡°Apple you need to calm down,¡± Elys said as he watched the younger dragon pace his room. ¡°She can¡¯t have gone far and I doubt a Hunter has found her.¡±

    ¡°I should have known something was wrong when my senses went off! She could be dead,¡± Apple growled as he continued to pace Elys¡¯ room. Adwin and Yena sat on the bed; Lore had yet to return from his rounds in the city.

    ¡°Do not think like that. You would know if she was dead. You would feel it,¡± Elys said. Apple balled his hands into fists. He knew he needed to calm down, but this was his first charge. Elys had years of experience of being a Holy Guardian, having had several charges before he met Khem.

    ¡°I¡¯m going out to look for her,¡± Apple said as he stopped in the middle of the room. Elys shook his head.

    ¡°You will not find her easily without holy intervention, and with the Creator imprisoned as he is, we can only wait until she prays.¡±

    ¡°But she does not know to pray and praying could attract the attention of a Hunter since she is a witch. You know the heavenly networks are constantly being monitored.¡±

    ¡°Yes, that¡¯s why many with magical powers do not follow a religion, it is too dangerous. The only safe places are the holy grounds of the Creator which Hunters dare not tread upon and the Traitors have yet to defile,¡± Adwin commented quietly. Yena rested her head on his shoulder and sighed deeply. Her husband ran his hand down her arm in response.

    Apple sat down in a chair suddenly feeling exhausted. Waiting was hard, but the elders had been waiting for centuries to find the missing book of creation. He would not abandon Bird to complete his mission, if he must, he would send the others with the book to return to Uler. Lore, he knew would stay by his side no matter what the circumstances.

    Lore opened the door to Elys¡¯ room and was surprised to find all of the dragons gathered around Apple who looked depressed. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± the dragon asked. He closed the door behind him before coming closer.

    ¡°Bird has disappeared,¡± Apple said quietly. He sat with his head in his hands, his body shimmering as his emotions warred inside of him. How was he supposed to prove himself as a leader when he could not keep track of one girl?

    ¡°Then she must be the one everyone is talking about,¡± Lore said. Apple¡¯s head lifted swiftly. Had Lore already found Bird?

    ¡°Who has been talking?¡± Apple asked.

    ¡°Word is on the streets that the 53<sup>rd</sup> Council Seat has kidnapped the secret lover of Fel Cross, sole male heir to the Cross family. Apparently Fel had been involved with the Seat¡¯s sister prior to her marriage to a local noble family.¡±

    ¡°Never mind all that, where is she?¡± Apple growled. Lore¡¯s eyebrows rose for a second.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know,¡± he said.

    ¡°Of all that is holy,¡± Apple swore. He was about to stand up when Lore raised his hands for him to stop.

    ¡°All I know is that a challenge was issued to Fel, all we have to do is find him.¡±

    ***

    Lunch had been a quiet affair for Fel, as his mother and father had attended a social gathering outside the city limits. With no brothers and his elder sister married off and living in the capital, he was forced to spend the meal alone with his butler. The people he called friends were sleeping off another drunken party wherever they had decided to crash, leaving him the only one sober at the moment. Maybe he would join them in the evening instead of going to Traitor¡¯s Road.

    Fel opened a window as his study began to feel stuffy. As he turned around a wind gusted through blowing the curtains around him like white wings. Suddenly a large shadow dwarfed his and he turned around to find a strangely familiar man standing on his sill. The stranger gave him a hard stare and seemed to glow in the noon light. The way the sun shone over his shoulders gave the illusion of wings with long glowing feathers. Stray feathers seemed to dance in the air among small specks of light around them.

    ¡°Do not be afraid for I am a servant of heaven.¡±

    Fel realized his jaw had dropped and he quickly closed it. Where had he seen this stranger before and why was he glowing? Could he be a heavenly tiger come to visit him? Was he to be a saint?

    The glowing man dropped from the sill and the light around him dimmed as his wings vanished. Fel relaxed slightly. ¡°You¡¯re the beau,¡± he said as Apple closed the distance between them. ¡°How did you sneak passed all our guards, this is a private estate you know.¡±

    ¡°When need be, we can pass undetected,¡± Apple said as he studied the young man before him. By any standards Fel would be considered handsome though his height was slightly less than average. He could see how he could have caught any woman¡¯s eye. Did Bird find him attractive?

    The dragon pushed the last thought out of his head.

    ¡°What are you, I mean¡­ never mind. What do you want?¡± Fel asked. The man before him could not have been glowing, it was just sunlight and as for the feathers and specks of light, just motes captured by the light. He and his companions must be spies for one to infiltrate the estate so easily.

    ¡°Bird has been kidnapped by the 53<sup>rd</sup> Seat.¡±

    ¡°Then why are you not bothering that insufferable Peacock?¡±

    ¡°We would, if we could find him.¡± Apple looked out the window straining his senses for some clue. ¡°We heard he had issued you a challenge.¡± Fel threw his hands up in the air and shrugged.

    ¡°I did receive some scrap of paper from him saying he took something precious from me, good luck finding it, I threw it away.¡±

    ¡°You what?¡± Apple said slowly, his voice just above a whisper. Fel backed away sensing the anger rolling off the dragon. ¡°Someone issues you a challenge with a ransom and you toss it out with the trash?¡± Fel put his desk between himself and the dragon then pointed to the half full metal basket sitting next to it. Apple looked in the basket and saw a slip of paper with a broken wax seal. Picking it up he read the contents. This was the letter and there was the address at the bottom. Quickly he went back to the window and tossed the letter out. Yena, crouched above the window, caught it then jumped three stories down into the courtyard below landing undetected then walked out the gate, no one looking at her twice.

    Curious Fel leaned out the window to see what was going on then jumped back when Apple turned to face him. ¡°Look, is that all you came for?¡±

    ¡°Do you know why they kidnapped her? Rumors are saying you two are lovers.¡±

    Fel felt his face warm and he burst into laughter. ¡°Oh, you have no need to be jealous. The girl is a little young for my taste. I have no interest in her; knowing that Peacock, he jumped to conclusions when he saw us together,¡± the young noble said. ¡°I am not one known to flirt randomly.¡± Apple grunted in response then stepped on to the window sill.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.

    ¡°Take care to show more compassion. One day you shall be rewarded for it.¡± Apple leapt from the window and was gone before Fel made it to the sill.

    ¡°Compassion,¡± Fel grunted. Compassion was what started this mess.

    Bird cracked her eyes open then flinched at the candlelight that seemed too bright for her eyes. The back of her head ached and there was a foul taste in her mouth. She tried to move her arms but found they were tied to a hook welded into the floor. She tugged on the thick rope once more but the knots were well-made. Sighing she worked herself into an awkward crouch noting that she was on a dusty wooden floor. The room was bare except for the candle hanging on the far stone wall and the cobwebs in the rafters. The ceiling in the room was so low that if she stood up she would have to lower her shoulders while anyone taller than her would be nearly doubled over.

    After doing a cursory sweep of the room she noticed its most odd feature, it had no door.

    ¡°Hello!¡± Bird called out then regretted it. She had been kidnapped and if her kidnappers knew she was awake they might do anything to her. Had the Hunters found her again? Bird shivered though it was not cold in the chamber. The only thing to do was escape on her own. She looked at the hook on the floor and thought ¡°break¡±; nothing happened. She tried again on the ropes still nothing happened. Frustrated she tried to send a wind across the chamber but still nothing happened.

    She couldn¡¯t use magic; the thought chilled her. Whoever had captured her knew how to ward against magic; they were taking no chances with her. They were more than likely Hunters or their trained Seekers.

    The ceiling creaked above her and dust fell to settle on the floor in front of her. There was a loud scraping noise then light flowed in from above causing Bird to hide her eyes in her shoulder. ¡°So we¡¯re awake,¡± a woman¡¯s voice said. Bird peaked out from the corner of her eye but could not see the woman clearly. ¡°I didn¡¯t see how he had become so enamored by a working class wench, but now looking at you I see why. You look like a cheap and simple version of myself.¡± The woman grabbed Bird¡¯s chin roughly and pulled her forward. ¡°I detest you,¡± the woman hissed then slapped Bird so hard her ears rang and she tasted blood.

    ¡°Why am I here?¡± Bird asked through gritted teeth.

    ¡°Because you stole my man from me,¡± the woman hissed again then grabbed Bird by the hair and bashed her head against the floor repeatedly. ¡°I hate you; I¡¯ll make you wish you had never turned his head! Harlot, after tonight he will never think of you again!¡± She released Bird who fell limply to the floor dazed. The sound of her blood roared in the girl¡¯s ears masking the insults the woman spat at her before kicking her in the stomach and leaving.

    Bird curled into a ball, tears running down her face in thin hot lines. If only she was not tied up she would make that woman pay. At least it was not the Hunters who had found her. Apple and the others will be worried about me, no, the others won¡¯t care and Apple only cares out of duty, Bird thought as she forced herself to sit. Her throat felt dry and she swallowed hard to relieve the feeling. She could not rely on the dragons to help her, she had to find her own way out, but how? She looked at her boots suddenly remembering the small skinning knife Apple had given to her as a present. The small sheath still pressed against her ankle.

    Carefully she untied her boot and slipped it off, the sheath coming out with her foot. She gripped the sheath pulled the handle with her teeth then once it was loose dropped the oil treated leather. After an hour of tedious cutting, Bird was able to slide her hands free of the rope. She rested for a moment then put the knife back in its sheath and into her boot.

    Her legs felt stiff after sitting so long on the hard floor, but the discomfort was miniscule compared to throbbing ache on the side of her head where the mysterious woman had bashed it against the floor. ¡°Now where is it?¡± she thought aloud as she scanned the ceiling for the entrance the woman had used. She could just make out the outline of the door and pressed against it. Nothing moved. Frustrated she searched the rest of the small room finding nothing she could use to move the door. All she could do was wait for the woman to come back.

    Fel adjusted his gloves feeling bored. He had been waiting at the dead end of Traitor¡¯s Road for five minutes passed 11 and had seen no one walk down the former execution road. After what Apple had said to him he had begun to consider the challenge. If the girl he had met had been taken hostage, then it was his duty to free her, after all it was his fault that she had been taken. He sighed and rubbed his eyes then paused as he heard the gate leading into the abandoned holding quarters open. Two of the Peacock¡¯s personal guard came out first followed by the Peacock himself, another guard and a woman he had never thought to see again.

    A sharp pain went through his chest as if a dagger had been thrust through his ribs. ¡°Ilyse,¡± he said. He took a step forward then stopped short as the woman held a hand up then beckoned to someone hidden just beyond the gate. Another guard came forward restraining Bird. The girl¡¯s mouth was gagged and her hands and feet were shackled causing her to stumble from the awkwardness of moving in them. ¡°Ilyse, why are you here and why is that girl shackled?¡± Fel demanded as his heart quickened in his chest. Ilyse was in the city again, but for how long?

    ¡°I see you lack manners tonight,¡± the Peacock said tapping a new cane on the red granite of the execution yard. ¡°You see, not only did you take my sister¡¯s virtue, you have disgraced her with a bastard child.¡±

    Fel¡¯s heart skipped a beat; he was a father? ¡°Where is my child Ilyse?¡± Fel asked ignoring the Peacock. Angered, the other man charged him and cut a swath of silk from Fel¡¯s shirt.

    ¡°Do not ignore me Fel Cross!¡± the Peacock roared. ¡°You have continued to disgrace my family and yet you still dare to speak to my sister after what you¡¯ve done to her?¡± Fel brought up his sword to block the Peacock¡¯s next swing and pushed him back three steps. The two stared each other down while the bodyguards watched.

    ¡°Tristen!¡± Ilyse said coming up behind her brother. ¡°Do not kill him; I will not have my daughter grow up without knowing her true father.¡±

    ¡°We have a daughter?¡± Fel asked, his heart soaring. He had never thought of himself as a father, but the thought of seeing his own flesh and blood smiling back at him warmed his heart. He longed to see her. ¡°Is she here in the city?¡± Ilyse frowned at him and crossed her arms.

    ¡°Yes, she is. Her name is Tamsyn Felice Berand; she is six months old.¡± Ilyse drew closer to Fel. ¡°But you, you found this harlot instead of waiting for me!¡± The woman made a quick hand gesture and the guard holding Bird knocked her to her knees. The girl grunted in pain and glared at the man sullenly.

    ¡°Pet, I¡¯m not involved with that girl; she is just some child I met in a tavern.¡± Bird turned her glare to Fel and he hid a smile with his hand.

    ¡°Then you won¡¯t mind if I kill her do you?¡± Ilyse asked. Fel sighed.

    ¡°Actually I do mind, you see she travels with some skilled companions who broke into my estate earlier today. I¡¯m sure your brother can attest to their skill; the girl in fact disarmed one of his men as if he were a novice.¡± Ilyse eyes narrowed. ¡°Didn¡¯t your brother tell you he tried to kill me only a few days ago?¡±

    ¡°No he didn¡¯t. Tristen?¡±

    ¡°He has disgraced you and mother and father were forced to marry you off to that sloth,¡± Tristen said raising his chin in defiance. ¡°He must pay his debt in blood, whether his or any who helps him.¡± Ilyse took a step back in surprise at her brother¡¯s vehement words.

    ¡°So you lied to me about this girl?¡± She asked in a low voice. Her brother smirked at his sister and made a quick hand gesture to the guard standing over Bird.

    ¡°It was really convincing since you two share similar features, but neither she nor that Ass shall live to see the dawn.¡±

    The guard pulled Bird up by the hair and took a fighting blade from his belt. He raised the blade as another sprouted from his throat and lodged in the wall that surrounded the yard. With a gurgle he fell over leaving everyone to stare in shock. Bird looked up and saw the dragons perched on the roof above. Apple smiled at her as he leapt from the building and landed lightly beside her.

    Tristen let out a roar and charged the dragon but was intercepted by Fel. The two began to duel again, their swords moving swift enough that they looked like silver streams that wove in and out in a deadly pattern. Apple pulled Bird aside as Yena, with her throwing knives, disarmed the other guards. ¡°Are you-¡° Apple began before a large blast knocked them all off their feet. Apple cushioned Bird¡¯s fall with his body. Disoriented they looked up to see Tristen as the only one standing. He used another spell and knocked Fel further away from him.

    ¡°I have waited for this moment for so long,¡± Tristen said as he cornered Fel against the outer wall of the abandoned prison. ¡°Give Hell my regards.¡± Suddenly a sword emerged from his chest and the Peacock staggered forward in surprise. He turned his head to find his sister behind him. ¡°Why?¡± he choked as he fought to breathe.

    ¡°You would turn me against the one I love. He has not disgraced me; you have by marrying me off to that pig. I know mother and father did not arrange that for me, you did,¡± Ilyse said pointing an accusing finger at him. ¡°And when I returned you sought to cover your hide with lies! I was the wayward sister pregnant out of wedlock and would have jeopardized your chance on council so you packed me away and enslaved me. Well my husband is dead and I¡¯m a free woman! Good bye brother.¡± Ilyse took a knife that she had been hiding in her skirts and plunged it into her brother¡¯s eye as warning bells began to ring far off in the city. The Peacock crumpled to the ground, dead before he struck it.

    Fel rushed forward as Ilyse collapsed to her knees sobbing. ¡°Pet, it¡¯s alright,¡± he consoled her. ¡°Tell the guards when they come that I killed him.¡± Ilyse looked up in surprise.

    ¡°No, no, no,¡± she sobbed shaking her head. She gripped Fel tightly. ¡°No Fel, I don¡¯t want to lose you again. What about Tamsyn?¡± Fel kissed her twice, once on the mouth and once on the forehead.

    ¡°I will come back for you both. Right now it will not do both of you good to be associated me. I love you Ilyse,¡± Fel said kissing her again then pressed his finger to her lips before turning to run. Ilyse looked at her brother¡¯s guards and shook her head when they turned to look at her.

    ¡°Tell any who asks that Fel Cross murdered my brother,¡± she said choking back her pain. She bent over and hid her tears in her skirts.

    Fel ran as fast as he could through the streets of Stormhall, three guards trailing behind him in pursuit. Suddenly he was yanked from his feet and into an alley. A hand clapped over his mouth before he could yell. ¡°Shhh, or the guards will be upon us,¡± a masculine voice whispered roughly into his ear. Fel tensed as the guards ran passed his hiding spot without glancing twice. He relaxed as their footsteps faded and the stranger released him. He turned around to find one of the mysterious travelers from the tavern. This was the younger man with the long black hair that fell freely around his shoulders. The man smiled at him mischievously.

    ¡°I¡¯m Lorcan, my friends call me Lore,¡± Lore said thrusting his hand out for a quick handshake.

    ¡°Alright¡­Why are you helping me?¡±

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t be doing my job if I let you die. Oh and please don¡¯t be afraid.¡± Lore moved his hands in a quick spell and Fel felt himself shrink to the size of a child. The dragon picked him up then swiftly continued down the alley.

    Apple removed the last shackle from Bird and she sighed in relief. Why was it that she seemed to attract trouble? She looked around Elys¡¯ bedroom at all of the people gathered there. Lore stood by the window keeping a look out while Elys guarded the door. Yena and Adwin were on the full sized bed while Fel, now adult size, sat in a chair by the closet. Apple stood next to Bird while she, herself, sat on the dresser. Fel was regarding them all carefully while Bird pointedly ignored him; it was, though indirectly, his fault that she had been kidnapped in the first place. At least now she knew why he had first spoken to her in the tavern.

    Bird cringed as the sight of Ilyse striking down her brother flitted through her head. Apple immediately touched her shoulder and Bird brushed his hand away though she wanted him to keep it there. .

    She quickly stifled those thoughts and focused on massaging her sore and bruised wrists. ¡°And then there were two,¡± Elys said from the door as he looked between Fel and Bird. Bird snorted and rolled her eyes.

    ¡°Is there something that I¡¯m missing here?¡± Fel asked. Since encountering Lore and being brought to the inn his comfort zone had become absent. Tonight was the closest he had been to magic since his debut in existence. To think that Tristen had been a witch, which would mean Ilyse might be, and his daughter. The thought made him feel light-headed.

    ¡°Well, since he¡¯s now yours, why don¡¯t you explain it Lore,¡± Apple said crossing his arms in amusement. Lore grinned and stood excitedly.

    ¡°I¡¯m your Holy Guardian, avatar of the Creator,¡± Lore said.

    ¡°So you¡¯re Heavenly Tigers?¡± Fel asked feeling skeptical and relaxed at the same time.

    ¡°No, we¡¯re Drakir able to assume the forms of dragons. We serve the The One, creator of all and the father of Lun and Hexa,¡± Lore continued feeling irritated. Fel raised an eyebrow.

    ¡°Riiight, I must have hit my head harder than I thought. What you¡¯re saying is blasphemous and enough to get the evil eye if not a Hunter.¡±

    Bird snorted again. ¡°Hunters are tigers created by Lun and Hexa to purge the world of any who don¡¯t fit into their ¡®perfect world¡¯. They are in reality just traitors and murderers.¡± The dragons nodded in agreement with Bird¡¯s words. ¡°Whether you like it or not, you¡¯ve just awakened to a bloody and dark truth.¡±

    ¡°Ha, I think you¡¯ve been misled by these charlatans, child. Though I¡¯m not particularly fond of the national religion, I am even less fond of those who debauch it. For all I know you could be demons, but¡­¡± Fel hesitated. Though what Bird said would be considered false, something in his heart was telling him it was truth. Could it be possible that the holy ones Lun and Hexa were only traitors and fallen servants of Heaven? The possibility seemed farfetched. ¡°I feel like I should trust you, crazy as you all seem.¡±

    ¡°Now that we¡¯ve saved this human¡¯s soul, what are our plans now?¡± Elys asked sarcastically.

    Apple looked at everyone in the room, his eyes lingering on Bird. The girl looked exhausted though would deny it if asked. He felt hard put to hide his happiness of finding her, but he needed to address a serious matter. It was dangerous to remain in Stormhall and the dead Seat¡¯s guards could easily name them accomplices in his death. The only thing they could do was leave the city tonight with Fel Cross. Their supplies were more than sufficient to reach their next checkpoint on the road to Uler.

    ¡°Lore, I need you to go down to the stables and cast an illusion over the horses. Make it look like we¡¯re escaping the city on the Teralind side. Adwin make sure that our supplies are packed correctly and take them to the courtyard, Lore make sure to take one with you before you leave. Elys, you will wait a half hour then sign us out of the inn. Yena, you will take Fel while I take Bird. We will meet in Geneval at Ravencrest. Any questions?¡±

    Elys raised his hand. ¡°What do I do if the guards have a Seeker with them?¡±

    ¡°For now, we must leave them to their fate. We can send Lyra or another Drakir to save them later.¡± The ancient dragon nodded in agreement with Apple¡¯s words. Apple looked around once more then sent everyone to their tasks. Bird¡¯s stomach grumbled loudly and he grinned. ¡°When was the last time you ate?¡±

    Bird gave him a sheepish look before turning her head away and whispered, ¡°Yesterday.¡± Fel reached into a pocket then tossed Bird a pouch of peanuts. Bird cracked a few open and ate the crunchy meat. ¡°Thank you,¡± she mumbled to the young noble.

    ¡°You¡¯re welcome though it¡¯s hardly fancy fare.¡± Fel turned his attention to Apple. ¡°So, since we¡¯re not taking the horses how are we reaching your destination?¡± he asked.

    Bird answered him. ¡°We fly.¡±

    The young noble snorted.

 Chapter 8: A Dance with Death

    Ravencrest was a small outpost seven miles southeast of Stormhall in Geneval. The small stone fortress sat on a cliff overlooking a steep canyon. A large field of grass surrounded the fortress on three sides serving as a practice ground for the local militia. In the sparse moonlight the field offered no cover for the dragons so they landed at the base of the canyon.

    As soon as they landed Fel took Bird aside. ¡°Wow, flying is so amazing I¡¯m so envious of your dragons.¡±

    She rolled her eyes.

    ¡°They¡¯re not my dragons. Look, just stay out of my way, I haven¡¯t gotten over the fact that your lover tried to kill me several hours ago.¡± Fel took a step back and bowed to Bird.

    ¡°My apologies milady.¡± Bird sighed and walked away. Lore watched her before approaching Fel.

    ¡°Women troubles?¡± he asked with a mischievously lilt to his voice. ¡°I would be careful of Apple if I were you.¡±

    ¡°Apple?¡± Lore pointed to Apple who was helping to erect tents in the lee of fallen rocks. The noble nodded in understanding. ¡°Rather odd name for a dragon, can¡¯t really say it suits him.¡± Lore laughed.

    ¡°Bird nicknamed him. You should get some sleep; you¡¯ll share a tent with Elys and myself. Don¡¯t be put off by his temper, he dislikes all humans, most of all witches.¡±

    ¡°Oh, well that shouldn¡¯t be a problem; I¡¯m not too fond of other humans myself.¡± Lore chuckled and slapped Fel on the back so hard he made the man stumble.

    ¡°I think I¡¯ll enjoy this.¡± Fel raised a questioning eyebrow but did not answer.

    ***

    A week after leaving Ravencrest a summer storm formed,grounding them. They made camp in a small pine wood and Lore created a barrier between the trees to keep out the rain and cut down on the wind. He had Bird watch him create the spell so she could practice it in a future lesson.

    As they settled down to wait Bird opened her mother¡¯s book. The book despite its normal appearance on the outside it was very unusual. Depending on the day or what she was reading the book could have more or less pages, chapters often disappearing or changing order. She found that if she opened the book with an idea in mind the book would have chapters pertaining only to that subject and its more advance theories

    From these pages Bird had learned about her powers and the world around her, but some things the book would not let her read, the chapters never appearing no matter how many times she opened the book. Apple and Lore had begun a ritual of reading over Bird¡¯s shoulder as she slowly leafed through the book, sometimes explaining ideas she found hard to understand.

    ¡°Well isn¡¯t this cozy,¡± Fel remarked as he watched the three giggling over a joke Lore had made. All three looked up, the dragons still smiling, Bird frowning. Apple nudged her shoulder so she gave the noble a half smile. ¡°Why are you three always reading that book? May I see it?¡± Bird handed the book to him smirking. Fel flipped through the pages then handed it back confused. ¡°What kind of language is that? I¡¯ve never seen that alphabet before.¡±

    Apple answered him. ¡°It¡¯s the first language. Most humans have forgotten it. If you¡¯d like, I can have someone tutor you when we reach Uler.¡± Fel raised his hands and shook his head.

    ¡°I¡¯m passed my schooling days. My instructors would have a bad turn if I tried to learn anything other than war.¡± Fel gave them a parting smile and went to lounge at the edge of the camp. Apple nudged Bird again and she glared at him. The dragon nodded toward the noble.

    ¡°You should go talk to him,¡± he said.

    ¡°I¡¯d rather not. I don¡¯t see why we even brought him along. We should have left him in Ravencrest. Ow!¡± Lore leaped away before Bird had a chance to swat him. ¡°Why¡¯d you pinch me?¡±

    ¡°I pinched you because a nitwit sometimes needs a good pinch. I¡¯m Fel¡¯s Holy Guardian,¡± Lore said. Bird looked confused for a moment as the words sunk in.

    ¡°I thought you were joking.When did that happen?¡±

    ¡°When I rescued him on the street; I had heard his soul cry out for help then responded without question. A Drakir responds to the call of the desperate without hesitation; it was what we were created for. Drakon on the other hand have a different duty.¡±

    ¡°What¡¯s a Drakon?¡± The word was as unfamiliar to her as Drakir had been when she first met Apple.

    ¡°Among the dragons there is a hierarchy. Drakir are the lowest. We have the most interaction among humans and act as guardians. Drakon are above us and are responsible for the caretaking of the world. Durag are the highest and take care of the world beyond. The Old One is a Durag, my grandmother is a Drakon while I am Drakir.¡±

    ¡°It''s confusing how you call yourselves Drakir, but the lowest of you are also called Drakir. How are these hierarchies determined?¡±

    ¡°By birth mostly, but we can change as needed. Both Adwin and Yena are Drakon for they possess great wisdom and Yena has the ability to heal. They can choose who they want to protect.¡± Lore drew closer and picked up the book Bird had discarded on the ground. He opened it then turned it around to show her the images that stood out on two pages. On the far left she saw four dragons in the four different stages of age, in the middle were four more dragons but these had horns and two more heads. On the far right were four dragons with six wings and four heads. Bird touched the beautiful images then jumped as they began to move about on the page flying and breathing fire. She briefly glanced at Yena and Adwin who sat close together composing more music.

    ¡°Why do they not have horns and two heads?¡±

    ¡°They have not had the need to appear in their most holy manifestation. If you should ever see them as that, then there is catastrophic danger near,¡± Apple answered. He stood, drawing Bird to her feet. ¡°You are trying to create a distraction. Go and talk to Fel.¡± Bird frowned and crossed her arms.

    ¡°You¡¯re only making me because I¡¯m the only other human here.¡±

    ¡°And closest to his age,¡± Lore added smiling. Bird turned her frown on him and he stumbled back clapping a hand over his heart. ¡°Oh, you¡¯ve wounded me with that dagger of a glare! Please spare me Briar.¡±

    ¡°Oh hush! Fine, I¡¯ll go talk to him to shush you two hens.¡± Bird took her book from Lore and stomped over to Fel. The noble glanced up in surprise as she unceremoniously dropped down on the damp grass beside him. ¡°Hello,¡± she mumbled to him as she placed the book neatly on her lap.

    ¡°Hello?¡± Fel pushed his hair back from his face. This was the first time Bird had come near him. Normally she was with the younger dragons. He watched her fidget with her skirt avoiding his eyes. Finally he broke the silence. ¡°So, how long have you traveled with the dragons?¡± Bird looked up surprised. Fel smiled at her innocence before it faded from her eyes.

    ¡°I¡­we¡¯ve been traveling together for a little over a month now. Apple rescued me from a Hunter, Oliver Redfield.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ve met him, bit on the quiet side and distant.¡±

    ¡°You know him?¡± Bird felt her heart throwing itself against her ribs in fear. Was Fel a Seeker?

    ¡°Calm down, I do not work with Hunters. They show up in the city from time to time to spread the holy word and inquire about strange phenomena. Occasionally they find a Witch. Sometimes there are public burnings other times they simply leave the city.¡±

    ¡°They¡­ they have public burnings in Stormhall?¡±

    Fel nodded. ¡°The last one was before I was born. They haven¡¯t found a new witch in several years.¡± Bird looked down at her feet thinking of the town square of Woodbridge as all of its citizens had gathered to watch her family die. She closed her eyes and blocked out the images. She did not have time to mourn the dead; she had to focus on becoming strong enough to save Nettie.

    ¡°You probably think I hate you with how I¡¯ve been acting,¡± Bird said quietly. ¡°But that¡¯s not true, I was still angry over that kiss, and being kidnapped by your lover.¡±

    Fel smiled kindly. ¡°You have every right to be angry with me. I took advantage of you as did Ilyse and Tristen. I can only hope you can forgive her and me for our transgression.¡±

    ¡°I can do that if you promise not to kiss me again.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll keep that in mind, I wouldn¡¯t want to anger your beau again.¡± Bird felt her heart leap as Fel called Apple her beau. She knew it would never be true, but the association brought her comfort.

    ¡°Apple is my guardian and nothing more. He acts more like a father than anything else.¡±

    ¡°As you say,¡± Fel said shrugging. ¡°Though you look at him otherwise.¡± Bird smacked his knee and he laughed. ¡°Don¡¯t worry your secret is safe with me.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s embarrassing,¡± Bird whispered to him. ¡°He¡¯s a holy creature that will outlive me and I have a child¡¯s infatuation with him. If I said anything he¡¯d probably give me a lecture or something.¡± Bird snuck a glance at Apple and noticed that he was watching her. Her heart skipped a beat as he turned his attention back to Lore. She looked down at her book. ¡°I¡¯m sure I¡¯ll find someone to love me as I am. Maybe I¡¯ll find a nice witch and settle down.¡±

    Fel snorted. ¡°I don¡¯t see why a nice girl like you would choose a witch. They¡¯re demons.¡± Bird stiffened. Fel still did not know Bird was a witch. She had been careful to never practice magic in front of him and still held her predawn lessons in the old storage room.

    ¡°Well, your daughter could be a witch since her uncle was,¡± Bird said cattily. Fel grunted.

    ¡°If she is a witch I will still love her, same as I love her mother despite the possibility. I will do anything in my power to protect them.¡± He sighed and looked up at the barrier Lore had created. ¡°Besides, I¡¯ve grown accustomed to magic. I believe over time the ideas of witches ingrained into me by society will fade.¡± Bird smiled at his heartfelt words. A world where witches could live in harmony with everyone else was a special dream she kept close to her heart. Her mother had wanted such a world.

    Apple glanced at Bird again, his mind wandering away from Lore. ¡°Hey, don¡¯t tell me I¡¯ve gotten boring,¡± Lore pouted. He punched Apple in the arm.

    ¡°No, I¡¯m just thinking of what those two over there are talking about.¡± The dragon¡¯s superior hearing allowed him to hear every word they said. ¡°Bird¡­ likes me¡­¡±

    Lore snorted.

    ¡°So what, she said it was a child¡¯s infatuation. She¡¯s looking for Witch Charming who can spell his way out of danger and give her three strong boys.¡± Apple arched his eyebrow while Lore tried to look innocent. ¡°I wouldn¡¯t mind seeing you two together, but you have your plate full.¡± Apple rolled his eyes.

    ¡°Please don¡¯t start this again. Make up your mind damn it.¡±

    Lore smiled. ¡°I have, but it¡¯s fun to tease you two when you¡¯re together. If you want my honest opinion, I like Briar and I won¡¯t feel mad if you break a promise in order to be with her.¡± Apple sighed and shook his head.

    ¡°You¡¯re still young Lore, younger than I and Bird younger still. What is best for her is to be with another human. As my cousin I hope you support my wishes to keep her at arm¡¯s length.¡±

    Lore leaned back and looked up at the stormy sky. ¡°Leave her there too long you won¡¯t be able to grab her when she leaves.¡±

    ***

    On the eve of the summer solstice they reached the Hundred Forest of Tears. The land was a system of intersecting rivers and waterfalls. In the center of these rivers were islands filled with trees. The noise of thousands of gallons of water plummeting into pools and rivers hundreds of feet below was near deafening. A permanent mist rose over the land obscuring what lay beyond its boundaries. Bird looked on in awe as she clung to Apple as they glided over the first of the waterfalls, the journey taking several minutes before land was beneath them. In the mist she could just make out the other dragons as they rode the currents of wind coming from falls. By nonverbal consensus the dragons landed on the edge of the falls and retreated into the thick cover of trees. The wood helped to dampen the sound of the falls by only a fraction.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    ¡°So this forest is made up of waterfalls and rivers?¡± Bird asked as Lore created a sound barrier. She rubbed her ears as they began to ring.

    ¡°Yes, all of the rivers converge here some joining others to become lakes before finally reaching the sea. Many humans avoid it because of the treacherous and unpredictable landscape. This area is prone to flooding and not ideal travel for boats or land bound creatures. Mostly birds live here,¡± Apple said.

    ¡°Hear that Briar, you could call this home,¡± Lore said nudging her.

    ¡°Ha, ha, it¡¯s too wet here for me.¡±

    ¡°We¡¯ll make camp here today and continue on tomorrow,¡± Apple continued not to be interrupted. ¡°Everyone knows their duties so get them done fast and tomorrow we will be in Uler.¡± Bird felt a thrill from the thought of seeing the dragon city; she could finally see where Apple was born. She could finally begin the next part of her training within Uler.

    She did not know when she fell asleep.

    Oliver Redfield stood in front of Nettie holding her face. If Bird did not know better she would have thought he was about to kiss her. The Hunter was mumbling something under his breath while the girl stared intently without blinking. A symbol formed in the air between then disappeared beneath the skin of Nettie¡¯s forehead. She closed her eyes and sighed. When she opened them again they seemed distant and unfocused for several seconds.

    ¡°Nettie, who killed your family?¡± Oliver asked.

    ¡°My cousin, Lavender Blackbriar.¡±

    ¡°Why did she kill them?¡±

    ¡°Because she¡¯s a witch and fears the Bright Ones.¡±

    ¡°Who saved you?¡±

    ¡°The holy servant of Hexa, Oliver Redfield.¡±

    ¡°Why did I save you?¡±

    ¡°Because you saw innocence and purity beneath the evilness of my sin.¡±

    ¡°What is your sin?¡±

    ¡°I am a witch born with the dark powers of the Evil One who invaded the kingdom of Heaven in jealousy to overthrow Lun and Hexa.¡±

    ¡°Can your powers ever be purified?¡±

    ¡°Only if I die in the fires of Heaven and am born anew.¡±

    ¡°Are you willing to be born anew?¡±

    Nettie paused for a moment and stared passed Oliver¡¯s shoulder at Bird. Suddenly Bird¡¯s cheek flared in pain and she doubled over. ¡°She¡¯s here again. Do you wish for me to reveal her so you can purify her?¡± Nettie said leaving Oliver¡¯s grip to stand closer to Bird.

    ¡°No, you must be the one this time. You must show your loyalty to us.¡± Oliver¡¯s face remained without emotion as he handed a dagger to Nettie. A wild look filled the girl¡¯s eyes and she gripped the handle with both hands and raised it over Bird¡¯s neck. In a fluid motion she brought the dagger down and Bird dodged the stroke, but not without injury. Blood dripped from her ear as she backed away from Nettie.

    ¡°Nettie, please don¡¯t listen to him! I¡¯m your cousin, your flesh and blood. You must escape,¡± Bird yelled as Nettie lunged again this time nicking the palm of Bird¡¯s hand.

    ¡°This child has repented her evil, she will hear your lies no more,¡± Redfield said placing a hand Nettie¡¯s shoulder. The girl looked up at him with gentleness almost like adoration. She smiled at him before turning her attention back to Bird, her eyes quickly going cold. She lunged again and Bird tripped over her feet in her haste to get away and landed hard on her elbow. Grunting in pain she scooted backwards on her hands and feet until she hit a wall. Hunter and girl flanked her cutting off escape in the room they occupied.

    ¡°Apple!¡± Bird yelled, not knowing if the dragon could hear her.

    ¡°Quickly before she summons something,¡± Redfield said waving Nettie forward. Before the girl could move Apple appeared in front of Bird. He smiled at her and pulled her to her feet and out of the vision.

    Bird¡¯s eyes flew open and she gasped as she struggled to find her bearings. Someone was saying her name over and over. ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± Bird mumbled as she pulled someone¡¯s hand from her wrist. She looked up to see all of the dragons watching her.

    ¡°Bird, you¡¯re bleeding,¡± Apple said. She glared at him and stood up.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she said again.

    ¡°You are not fine!¡± Apple roared causing Bird to jump back in surprise. ¡°I pulled you from a room cornered by a tiger and a girl threatening you with a dagger. You are bleeding from fresh cuts. Don¡¯t lie to me again.¡± Bird backed away again refusing to meet the dragon¡¯s eyes. She bit her lip as she balled her fists and felt the wetness of blood flow over her fingers. ¡°How can I be your guardian if you don¡¯t trust me?¡± Bird heard something in Apple¡¯s voice and looked back to see pain in his eyes. She felt her heart squeeze in her chest as she saw the sheen of unshed tears blur his green eyes.

    ¡°I trust you,¡± Bird said so soft that she could barely hear herself. ¡°But this is none of your business.¡±

    ¡°It is my business because whatever it is, it¡¯s harming you.¡±

    Bird¡¯s breath hitched and she swallowed back a lump. ¡°She¡¯s my cousin!¡± she yelled. ¡°He took her. Sometimes when I close my eyes to sleep, I see them. Sometimes they see me, sometimes they don¡¯t.¡± Bird covered her face to hide her tears. Apple immediately hugged her; eventually he coaxed the whole story from her while the others sat in silence listening intently.

    ¡°He¡¯ll train her to track the child,¡± Elys said. ¡°It will take a year for him to complete the training and coercion.¡± Bird gripped Apple¡¯s shirt tightly and choked back a sob. ¡°If we do not ward her dreams, he will not have to track her.¡±

    ¡°Should we still take her to Uler?¡± Adwin asked.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Apple said. ¡°The city has strong wards to guard against seeking, the sooner we reach it the better. For now I will have Lore ward her until we can reach the Oracle.¡± Apple met Lore¡¯s eyes over Bird¡¯s head; the younger dragon nodded in understanding. Fel looked between all the dragons confused.

    ¡°What are you going to do to her?¡±

    ¡°I will set up a spell that will keep that will keep her safe while she dreams. In essence it will inhibit her dreams and prevent her from stepping outside her mind.¡±

    ¡°Step outside her mind? How can she do that she¡¯s just a girl, she¡¯s not a witch or demon.¡± Bird stared at her feet while Apple held her against his chest. ¡°She¡¯s not, right?¡± Fel looked at the dragons his eyes wide in fear then finally at Bird who cringed. She can¡¯t be a witch, he thought to himself. She is such a fragile looking child. How can a witch look like that?

    ¡°I¡¯m a witch, that¡¯s why those dreams started. It wasn¡¯t nightmares caused by my family¡¯s death.¡± Bird raised her chin and looked him in the eye. She opened her hand that she had held against her chest and showed Fel the angry red line that ran across her palm. ¡°I did not do this to myself.¡± She turned her head to show him the cut on her ear that was still bleeding.

    ¡°Bird,¡± Fel said gently.

    ¡°Witches aren¡¯t the demons that everyone portrays them as. They are people like my cousin, like your daughter, like me. I know you say you have become comfortable around magic, but will you be comfortable around me knowing what I am?¡±

    Fel looked away unable to meet her eyes. How was he supposed to be a father to his child if he was still scared of witches?

    ¡°Give him time Bird, he has not been with us long,¡± Apple said kissing the top of her head. ¡°Go with Lore.¡±

    Bird shivered as she stepped away from Apple¡¯s warmth. She had wanted to avoid telling Fel that she was a witch for as long as she could. It seemed foolish now to think that she could hide it in the first place. She was a witch born to magic as a bird was born to fly. Sometimes she felt a compulsion to use her powers just to feel the rush wielding it gave her, which was why even after her mother¡¯s death she had stayed on her parents¡¯ small farm. A witch could not hide long among others unlike themselves.

    ¡°Stand here,¡± Lore said pointing to a spot a foot in front of him. Bird positioned herself and watched as the dragon summoned his magical energy. He traced a ward in the air where it glowed briefly then disappeared. Suddenly the ward¡¯s energy filled her and she gasped as she felt its strength. Were all dragons this powerful? Pain formed in her head and she doubled over as it grew in intensity. ¡°Don¡¯t fight it Briar, let it become part of you.¡±

    She heard the worry in his voice as she fell to her knees, her body still resisting the spell. Her chest felt heavy as she struggled to open her mind to receive the ward. ¡°It hurts.¡± Her voice sounded hoarse as her body continued to strain under the power of the ward, every limb feeling as if it was being cleaved in two.

    ¡°Bird, just open you mind!¡± Lore yelled as she collapsed further.

    Lore''s voice sounded muffled in her ears. A veil of darkness settled over her eyes filled with bursts of light that hurt with each pop.

    Fel watched Bird collapsed then looked at the dragons as they watched her intently not moving. Why did they not go forward to help her? Was it not obvious that she was in pain, that the ward was killing her? Lore was continuing to yell at her while Apple stood shaking, his hands balled into fists. Fel¡¯s eyes widened in surprise; they were going to let her die.

    His body moved before his brain caught up with it. He lifted Bird to her feet then slapped her. She let out a loud gasp, her eyes rolled back in her head then the world burst into flame.

    ***

    ¡°Did you know something like this could happen?¡±

    ¡°No, I¡¯ve never seen this and Grandmother never mentioned it.¡±

    ¡°Well if they both died then that means fewer problems for us. We should just leave them here and continue on.¡±

    ¡°How can you be so hateful! You are a heavenly being, talk like that could-¡±

    ¡°What, have me banished from heaven? We are already exiled and forced to scrape like dogs at the scraps of holy power we once possessed. It was beings like her that have laid us low!¡±

    ¡°So you would blame them all for the sins of their kin? You have become very bitter. When we return I will speak with my mother about having you temporarily removed from duty. You cannot drown yourself in your work.¡±

    ¡°You will not child! I have lived centuries and seen all the evils you have yet to see!¡±

    ¡°Elys stop! Hate is a poison; you have allowed it to spread to everyone around you. Yena and I have been by your side since we rescued you from the ruins of Iehara. Apple speaks out of wisdom; you must take a respite from your duties.¡±

    Fel¡¯s eyes fluttered open. Yena was leaning over him, her hands on either side of his head as she hummed under her breath. ¡°What you did was foolish young one,¡± she said to him as he sat up clutching his head. The memory of burning was still fresh in his mind but his body was whole. He looked around the camp and saw the other dragons clustered together arguing. Elys and Lore were shimmering, their gazes locked with seething anger. Adwin and Apple stood between them acting as mediators. One misstep and the two dragons would erupt into their holy forms and fight flame and claw.

    ¡°You¡¯ve upset them; I¡¯ve never seen them so angry.¡±

    Fel jumped then turned his head to find Bird sitting next to him covered head to toe in a blanket. She gave him a grim smile that chilled his soul. Somehow she exuded more of a presence as if before she had only been standing in the threshold of existence. Her eyes looked haunted as she turned her attention back to Apple.

    ¡°What happened?¡± Fel asked.

    Bird raised an eyebrow and smiled again. ¡°You don¡¯t remember? You interfered in a spell that my body was rejecting. When a person is rejecting magic you do not touch them or the spell could leave its intended target or change. Thankfully you have no magical power or else we¡¯d both be dead.¡±

    Fel felt his face heat up in embarrassment. The dragons had not touched her because they knew the consequences of doing so and he had rushed in like a witless idiot. ¡°How is it that we both live?¡±

    ¡°I pulled you from death,¡± Bird said closing her eyes. Her whole body shook uncontrollably and she sucked in her breath as if it pained her. Fel reached out to touch her. ¡°Don¡¯t touch me,¡± she hissed before his hand breached the distance between them. She opened her eyes and fixed him with a hard stare. ¡°I still feel death¡¯s chill down in my bones. Since you stood in its halls, if you touch me now I cannot save you again.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m almost done healing him,¡± Yena said bringing the young lord¡¯s attention back to the dragon. ¡°You both need to rest.¡±

    Bird stood up suddenly and went to her blanket roll before approaching Elys. The elder dragon turned around immediately, his eyes unable to mask his fear. Slowly she reached out her hand, touched his arm and closed her eyes.

    ¡°I know you hate me, hate me all you want, but you were given a mission. Instead of worrying about me, worry about what¡¯s important,¡± Bird said holding up her book with her other hand. She pressed it against Elys¡¯s chest until he took it. ¡°Truce?¡± The dragon snorted and walked away. Apple immediately hugged Bird and kissed her forehead.

    ¡°He looked ready to kill you,¡± Apple murmured into her hair then pinched her.

    ¡°Ow!¡± Bird rubbed her arm where it stung then glared at Apple.

    ¡°What possessed you to do that? That was dangerous!¡±

    Bird focused on her feet and shifted her weight.¡°I had a little chat.¡±

    ¡°Chat, with who?¡±

    ¡°Were you getting all friendly with the vapors?¡± Lore asked smirking.

    Bird glared at him. ¡°No, I met a dragon who named himself Death. He told me he knew Elys a long time ago. He told me I should give the book to Elys and tell him that ¡®Paradise has a new refuge¡¯; though what that means I don¡¯t know.¡± The dragons looked at each other wondering about Bird¡¯s cryptic words.

    ¡°Did he say anything else?¡± Adwin asked looking thoughtful.

    ¡°Victory will come in death. He was really odd.¡± Bird paused for a moment and frowned. ¡°He also said he liked honeyed dates. What¡¯s a date?¡±

    ¡°It was a favored fruit of Iehara, many enjoyed it; I have not seen one since leaving the desert,¡± Elys said from behind Bird. She jumped and grabbed Apple for support. ¡°That fruityou spoke of¡­ that was my son¡¯s favorite. This dragon, what did he look like?¡± Bird eyed him carefully then looked at Apple for support. He nodded at her.

    ¡°He¡­ he looked like you, but younger and gentler,¡± Bird said softly. She wrapped her blanket more firmly around her shoulders and leaned into Apple¡¯s chest. ¡°As I said before, he¡¯s odd.¡±

    Elys smiled gently then walked away once more. ¡°Never thought that I would see him smile like that,¡± Lore said shaking his head. He ran his fingers through his long hair and sighed. ¡°I¡¯ll never understand what goes through that dusty head.¡±

    ¡°He¡¯s creepy how he walks away then reappears,¡± Bird said massaging her arms. Apple pressed her closer to his side.

    ¡°You need to sleep. We have a long day¡¯s travel ahead of us,¡± Apple said. Bird yawned and felt her body sag with exhaustion. Sleep did sound good. Apple shimmered then transformed into his dragon form startling her into half wakefulness. He grunted at her then tucked her under his wing to keep her warm. Lore punched Apple in the side.

    ¡°Next time warn me when you¡¯re changing.¡± Apple snorted then turned his attention back to Bird. Her skin had been ice cold and the tips of her fingers had gone a bluish color. Time in the realm of the dead often altered a person more than just physically. She must have strong magical and mental stamina to not only pull herself, but another person from death¡¯s grasp, he thought to himself. He could feel her power radiating from her body with such intensity he wondered how long it would take the tigers to notice her presence. As long as he remained in dragon form near her when she slept his natural defenses would keep her safe from all, but the most sensitive.

 Chapter 9: Arrival

    Dia Blanc stretched. Something had woken her from her deep slumber. She yawned once more then settled back on her haunches. This sensation was familiar yet unfamiliar, it made her soul hum. She bared her fangs in frustration then faced north. She felt her group stir around her, sensitive to her movements. Her body stiffened as Snow, her mate and rival rubbed up against her side and rubbed his cheek against hers. Angry she pulled away and snapped at him, he growled in response. Quickly she changed form and he joined in an instant.

    ¡°What the hell is your problem, did I not tell you not to touch me!¡± Dia hissed. Snow smirked.

    ¡°We are mated.¡±

    ¡°Not by choice, I would never choose a weakling like you!¡±

    Snow frowned and crossed his arms. He had thought being given a mate would mean an easier life, but he had never thought he would have Dia Blanc. She was a ruthless General and constantly moody. He wondered if a softer side to her ever existed. He did not mind the scar that ran from the top of her forehead, down her left eye and mouth to her chin. The sightless eye scared others, but he saw it as a badge of a true survivor.

    ¡°What are you staring at?¡± Dia snarled as she snapped on her arm braces and adjusted the leather. She hated it when people stared at her. Life was hard enough being a female in the White Tiger Army of Heaven, but it was even tougher to bear the scars of it. She resisted the urge to touch the sword wound that had nearly taken her life, at least the one who had given it to her now suffered in the bowels of hell.

    With a glare at her mate she took a swig of water from her skin then stretched. For a moment she wondered if life as a human would be better than life as a General. ¡°Everyone wake up!¡± she yelled hoarsely. Her squad immediately rolled out of their bedrolls and stood at attention. As she suspected they had been feigning sleep. ¡°I want every ready for battle in five minutes and camp packed in ten. Anyone who is slow will be gutted and left behind. Go!¡±

    Dia was not impressed with her new troops. As with any new soldier she required them to remain in human form until they learned to be quick enough to change form in battle, but these troops had been with her for several months and had yet to master the change. ¡°Useless,¡± she muttered under her breath as she singled out a private who was tangling up the ties of his bed role. A hand held her arm before she could move and she immediately struck out with her free hand, her claws tearing into flesh. The partial change left her feeling drained, but she hid it well.

    ¡°You are much too hard on them General,¡± Snow said touching his face gingerly. Dia snorted and snatched her arm away.

    ¡°I run this mission how I see fit. These soldiers are useless. They have yet to master the change.¡±

    ¡°They are far more advanced than any other soldier trained under a different officer. You should be proud, not beating them down.¡± Dia curled her lip at him and he sighed. For a brief moment he wondered if killing her would be a better option; another time.

    ***

    The faintest sliver of dawn light fell across Bird¡¯s eyes making her jump. Apple was still curled around her, his snores a gentle rumble that made her body vibrate. Why hasn¡¯t Lore wakened me? she wondered as she yawned. She crawled out from under Apple¡¯s wing and looked around the camp. Yena was sitting in front of a new fire with Elys while Lore cleaned the weapons with Fel. Adwin was nowhere to be seen.

    ¡°Morning Briar!¡± Bird crinkled her nose. She hated the truncation of her last name; it was the last thing of her father¡¯s that she had. ¡°I let you sleep in today. Once Apple wakes we¡¯ll leave the forest and cross the sea.¡±

    ¡°Mmm already wake,¡± Apple murmured. Bird stopped her herself from turning around until the dragon was dressed.

    ¡°Is it possible for you to clothe yourself when you change to human form?¡± Fel asked as he set aside a throwing knife.

    ¡°Takes too much energy; only the strongest of us can do it. We currently have a team developing ways to simplify the ability,¡± Lore said. ¡°My grandmother told me that before Heaven fell to ruin any dragon could use the ability without compromising their energy and strength.¡±

    ¡°By the time I was born there was only a handful of Drakir who could use the ability, now there is only one,¡± Elys said.

    ¡°Not true, my grandmother can still do it.¡±

    ¡°Child, I¡¯m sick of hearing about your grandmother.¡±

    ¡°Elyseo!¡± Yena said sharply. The older dragon rolled his eyes and continued to tend the fire. The flames roared into a five foot pillar making everyone jump back. With a roar Elys lunged toward Lore. The younger dragon knocked him aside then followed him down to the earth. The two growled while they grappled with each other kicking up dirt and grass as each fought for purchase on the loose soil.

    ¡°Will you two stop trying to rip each other¡¯s clothes off? We don¡¯t have time for your little love quarrel,¡± Yena said. Faster than Bird or Fel could blink the two dragons separated, their faces red.

    ¡°I don¡¯t have time for your games!¡± Elys growled while he pointed to Lore and Apple. He wiped his chin then stalked away.

    ¡°You know he¡¯s not my type,¡± Lore said pouting. Bird rolled her eyes. Did these two dragons always have to fight?

    After a light breakfast they broke camp. Within three hours they flew over a large delta where all the waters of the Hundred Forest of Tears converged into one roaring water fall that emptied into a blue green sea. The water churned foaming white at the top where the rapids tossed it against jagged stones.

    Bird leaned forward to catch one last glimpse of the fall before the winds swept them far out to the vast sea. After an hour she realized the dragons were flying in a large circle. Slowly the circle tightened until a gate appeared seeming to be made out of the air. When looking at it directly the gate vanished, but when viewed by the corner of the eye it appeared molded out of the air itself. The edges distorted the horizon behind it, curving it into an impossible angle. The gate was wide enough to allow ten dragons to fly wingtip to wingtip between its opening.

    As they neared the gate flames burst to life within the threshold. Undeterred the dragons flew directly into the flames. Bird screamed and heard Fel yell off to her left as Lore carried him through the inferno. The heat seared their skin, but did not hurt as they flew beyond the flames. More water stretched out before them, but now on the horizon was a thin jagged green line.

    Immediately five dragons appeared in the air before them. They surrounded them and guided them to a small sandbar formed against the coral reef that had broken the surface of the sea. Only one of the new dragons changed shape after landing in the sand. He stood tall and tan holding tight to a spear as he surveyed the group. ¡°State your business,¡± he said in a husky voice. Judging by the gold scales he had as a dragon Bird guessed that he was over a 300 years old.

    Apple set Bird down then shifted to his human form. ¡°I¡¯m Avalon, the host of the Old one, voice of the flame. I return to Uler having completed my quest given to me by the Oracle of Ethedral.¡±

    ¡°And the others?¡± Apple introduced each dragon leaving Bird and Fel for last.

    ¡°These two are our charges Lavender Blackbriar and Fel Cross.¡±

    ¡°Blackbriar? Did you just say Blackbriar?¡± the gold dragon asked. He stared at Bird in amazement making her feel uncomfortable. ¡°Are you Wren Blackbriar¡¯s daughter?¡±

    ¡°How do you know my father¡¯s name?¡± Bird said sharply.

    ¡°My whole family knows of him. He lead tigers on such a chase across several countries and could disappear better than a phantom. Helped us many times on an ambush.¡± The dragon stared off into the distance for a moment with a smile on his lips.

    ¡°My father fought tigers?¡±

    ¡°Best witch we had until he met your mother. He retired after that.¡± Bird let the information sink in. She remembered very little of her father and only knew him through the stories her mother had told. Not once had she mentioned that her father knew of the Drakir¡¯s secret or fought Heavenly Tigers. ¡°What happened to him after he retired?¡±

    ¡°What?¡± Bird asked. She had been so lost in her thoughts that she had not heard the dragon¡¯s question. He repeated it.You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. My mother said he died, his grave was behind the house.¡±

    ¡°My condolences; your father was a great man.¡± The dragon turned to Apple. ¡°You may all pass.¡±

    ¡°Wait,¡± Bird cried out catching the gold dragon¡¯s arm. ¡°What is your name?¡± The dragon smiled at her kindly. Bird felt her heart skip then looked away feeling guilty.

    ¡°My name is Anthem.¡± He smiled once more then shifted into dragon form causing her to stumble back and clutch Apple for support. Anthem nodded his head then leaped high into the air. His wings opened with a loud crack and scattered sand across the small sand bar. Soon his squad joined him in the air then angled toward the gate.

    ¡°Wow,¡± Fel murmured. ¡°Wish I was a dragon.¡± Lore patted him on the back.

    ¡°I¡¯d gladly trade with you in a heartbeat,¡± he said cheerfully. ¡°Being hunted by tigers day and night. Watching your mortal brethren age and die. Spending odd hours of the night staking out tiger strongholds in order to rescue witches¡­ yes, I would give all of that up to be mortal.¡±

    ¡°On second thought, never mind.¡±

    ***

    They quickly left the sand bar and flew toward the thin jagged line on the horizon. As they drew closer Bird realized that the line was made from enormous trees. The ancient giants stretched far above their heads each tree offering a canopy of shade big enough to house an entire village. The trunks were 30 stories high and half as wide. Birds and dragons alike circled the towering giants filling the air with the sound of greeting.

    Below the forest floor was shrouded by thick vegetation. Occasionally the vegetation was broken by the flow of water and hills. Bird clutched Apple tightly as she looked ahead and saw a dip in the earth. As they flew closer she could see that it was a valley and at its center was a city so large that it disappeared into the horizon. Even more dragons circled above the city. Some looked as if they were fighting though no one intervened. The city streets were tightly packed in areas as dragons hurried along in human form. Bird wondered for a moment if they were all warriors or if they had more mundane rolls like a regular nation.

    Lore pulled abreast of Apple then roared. Apple answered him in kind then angled toward the edge of the city were a large palace complex was built into the side of the valley. Soon they circled over a large square where a lonely dragon stood waving red and white flags in a complex pattern. One by one the dragons landed and changed form quickly to offer more room to the next incoming dragon. Bird moaned as she stretched out her stiff legs. The heat radiating off of the white stones relaxed her muscles slightly, but not enough to relieve all the pain.

    Suddenly she felt magic hum within her. The sensation startled her and she turned around to find the dragons¡¯ bodies glow for a moment before they were clothed in champagne colored robes.

    ¡°Ah, so the spell has been finished?¡± Lore said to the dragon with the flags.

    ¡°Yes, it took a spark of inspiration about a year ago. All of us have been relieved since its completion. It has been rather embarrassing for the humans for the past millennia. Now if you excuse me, I have more Drakir flying in.¡±

    They quickly cleared the square before Bird could get a good look at the incoming dragons. Apple placed his hand firmly on her back and led them swiftly through the halls of the complex. Bird barely had time to marvel at the detailed stonework as they passed through many rooms and down a staircase that led to an open courtyard. In the middle of the courtyard a gray-haired woman sat on top of a plush cushion. Before her sat others on cushions that were less plush. The woman spoke evenly and calmly to them and gestured minimally. She turned her attention to them as they entered the courtyard and a small smile spread across her lips. ¡°Avalon, you¡¯ve returned so soon. Were you successful in your mother¡¯s quest?¡± Apple bent close and hugged the woman and kissed her cheek.

    ¡°Nana, we were. Where is my mother?¡±

    ¡°Meditating as usual in the Serenity wing, she has seen few visitors today.¡± Nana turned toward Lore and offered up her left hand. Lore immediately lifted her up and swung her around before kissing her cheek. ¡°Lorcan, you little devil, put me down. I know I raised you better than that.¡± She patted him on the back with one hand. As the young dragon set her down Bird gaped; the woman only had one arm. ¡°I see you have humans with you. How did they come to join you two?¡± Nana asked as she gave both Bird and Fel a quick once over. Bird shrank back at the fierceness of the gaze and Fel wrapped his arm around her.

    ¡°Nana, this is Briar and Fel, they are our charges,¡± Lore said as he gently put the woman down. ¡°Briar, Fel, this is our grandmother Luriel.¡±

    ¡°Hush,¡± Nana said to Lore. ¡°Everyone calls me Nana, no reason to introduce me as anything else. Well, let me get a look at you two. I want to see the kind of people that attracted my grandsons.¡± The look on Nana¡¯s face was kind, but Bird still hesitated with going near the ancient dragon. Fel half dragged her forward before she locked her fear away.

    ¡°Hello dear,¡± Nana said addressing Fel first. ¡°I see you are a brave man, but you still have a lot to learn about people. I¡¯m guessing that Lore is your guardian?¡± Lore nodded and she patted his cheek affectionately. ¡°I think you are a good match. Now as for you young woman, I sense that you¡¯re a witch, and a powerful one. There is much grief around you and it hinders your abilities. You are very strong to make it this far and not lacking in spirit.¡±

    ¡°She has a terrible temper Nana,¡± Lore said smiling. Anger flashed inside of Bird banishing all of her fear. She leveled a glare at Lore and heard the seated dragons gasp. Even Nana looked surprised.

    ¡°Such power,¡± Nana mumbled so low Bird almost missed the comment. ¡°I¡¯m surprised that she¡¯s lived this long.¡±

    ¡°Excuse me, but why are you surprised?¡± Bird asked.

    ¡°Briar, ones as powerful as you rarely make it to adulthood; the tigers find them first,¡± Nana said.

    Bird felt a chill go down her spine. Was she really as powerful as she claimed? The thought seemed impossible. If she was powerful then her family would not be dead and Nettie would not be held prisoner by Oliver Redfield. She would have easily rescued them all and escaped. Powerful? No.

    ¡°Nana, we must go, shall I visit you later?¡± Apple asked quietly. The dragon woman nodded and patted his cheek.

    ¡°Yes, and bring her with you,¡± She said pointing at Bird.

    They left the hall quickly, Fel dragging Bird along as she looked over her shoulder to catch a last glimpse of Nana. ¡°Apple,¡± Bird said turning around. She shrugged Fel¡¯s grip then moved to keep pace with the dragon. ¡°How come you didn¡¯t tell me you are cousins with Lore?¡±

    ¡°Well, I didn¡¯t feel like it was important. Most know we¡¯re cousins so we don¡¯t bother introducing ourselves as such.¡±

    ¡°Well you should have.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± Bird huffed and Apple took her hand. ¡°If you want, I can tell you who my mother is.¡± Bird smiled quickly and squeezed his hand.

    ¡°Yes, tell me please. Is she like a dragon queen or something?¡±

    Apple chuckled and shook his head. ¡°No, nothing like that, she¡¯s the Oracle.¡± Bird stopped walking and Fel ran into her. He grumbled then stepped around her. Apple stopped a few steps later then turned to look back at her. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    ¡°Your mother, she¡¯s the Oracle?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡± Apple nodded then looked at the other dragons as he wondered what was going through Bird¡¯s head.

    ¡°She sent you on a dangerous mission, one that you might never have come back from. If she¡¯s your mother why would she do that?¡± She shook in anger as she thought of the fights with the tigers they had experienced over the last few months. Why would a mother send her child into such danger? Were dragon mothers that uncaring and harsh?

    Apple took Bird¡¯s face in his hands. She flinched then turned away. ¡°My mother has a difficult position. While she loves me, she must think of what¡¯s best for the world. I am not her only child, I¡¯m her one hundredth and the youngest.¡±

    Bird met Apple¡¯s eyes. ¡°You¡¯re her one hundredth, you have brothers and sisters and you never told me?¡±

    ¡°Why would I need to tell you?¡±

    Bird felt her face warm in anger and brushed passed him. They had spent several weeks travelling together and he had not felt that something as simple as ¡°I have a large family¡± did not rate as being important? Was she only a burden to him? A stray that he had picked up in a small village?

    She wiped her eyes then ran down the hall.

    ¡°Avalon,¡± Lore said crossing his arms and shaking his head. ¡°A friend would share more than you have with Bird. Are you trying to protect her?¡± Apple sighed and shook his head.

    ¡°She¡¯s just a child, no matter that she sees herself as a woman. I don¡¯t want her to grow attached to me especially when we¡¯re at war. The odds of her dying before me are greatly stacked against her.¡±

    ¡°So you¡¯re doing this for yourself,¡± Lore said cutting him off. The younger dragon turned and went after Bird.

    He found her a few halls later sitting on a bench under a window. She had taken off her cloak and set it beside her in a folded bundle with her rucksack. She sat staring at the floor quietly, her cheeks dry and puffy. Lore reached out to touch her shoulder and his fingers banged against an invisible wall. ¡°Bird.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s the first time you¡¯ve called me that.¡±

    ¡°Well don¡¯t start a parade in celebration, it¡¯s only temporary. Tomorrow I¡¯ll go back to calling you Briar.¡±

    ¡°Fun,¡± Bird said softly. After a minute she lowered her barrier and allowed Lore to sit next to her.

    ¡°Don¡¯t mind Apple, he wasn¡¯t trying to hurt you.¡±

    ¡°He dislikes me, doesn¡¯t he? Was it because I chained him up in my shed?¡±

    ¡°You did what?¡± Bird felt her face heat. She and Apple had avoided the subject of their meeting by giving sparse details. For one, Elys would have distrusted her more, and secondly, an all-powerful dragon being taken down by a novice witch was not exactly the kind of story the Drakir wanted spreading.

    ¡°Don¡¯t tell him I told you,¡± she pleaded. Lore smiled slyly and Bird hit him in the arm. ¡°I mean it.¡±

    ¡°Ow, such a violent woman, no wonder the tigers haven¡¯t captured you yet. I¡¯m glad you¡¯re on our side.¡± Bird smiled and leaned her head on Lore¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Listen, Apple has a lot on his plate right now. As the Oracle¡¯s son and the host of the Old One, he has to impress many people. Yes, he is playful at times, but he knows when to be serious. Don¡¯t let his behavior get to you. Know that I¡¯ll always root for you.¡± Lore winked then helped Bird to her feet. ¡°As his charge, though, you need to realize he will not share everything with you nor should you expect him to.¡±

    ¡°I¡­I like him, but I don¡¯t want to tell him,¡± Bird mumbled.

    Lore put his hand up to his ear. ¡°What, I can¡¯t hear you?¡± Bird smacked him in the head with her cloak then stomped away.

    ¡°I know you have dragon¡¯s hearing.¡± Faster than she could blink Lore was in front of her looking serious. He placed his hands on her shoulder and met her eyes.

    ¡°There is much you don¡¯t know about Apple. Do not let it get to you. You know you could get to know me instead?¡± Bird felt her heart skip then covered her mouth feeling embarrassed.

    ¡°No, I¡¯m good, besides who would want such a womanly looking man?¡± Lore mimed a knife in his chest and staggered back.

    ¡°Dear Lady, you wound me,¡± he exclaimed before falling against the wall. Bird laughed then helped him up. ¡°You know, you¡¯ll be the death of me.¡±

    ¡°I know I will.¡±

 Chapter 10: Mischief

    Bird and Lore found the others in the hall where they had left them. Apple looked as if he wanted to say something, but a quick glare from Bird silenced him. His face fell and he turned away while motioning for everyone to follow him.

    After a short walk they arrived in front of a large wooden door guarded by two dragons in their bestial form. They snorted and let them pass into the chamber beyond.

    The first thing Bird noticed was the sound of flowing water. All along the walls water ran in thin sheets distorting the marble behind it. The water fell into troughs causing them to bubble from the constant churning. Four pillars stood in the middle of the room each connected to its neighbor by an ornate arch. In the center of the square of pillars sat a dragon with her hands clasped tightly in her lap and her head slightly bent back allowing her long dark hair to flow over her back and on to her pillow.

    A second dragon woman kneeled behind her massaging the seated woman¡¯s neck and temples. She looked up, her blue eyes sparkling as she watched the group enter. ¡°Avalon!¡± she shouted springing to her feet. She sidestepped the older dragon and dashed across the floor to leap into his arms. Apple caught her and smiled before kissing her. ¡°Oh, I¡¯ve missed you, don¡¯t leave me again!¡±

    ¡°This female has been driving me towards the edge of madness with her incessant whining about you. ¡®Is he back yet? Can you tell me what he¡¯s doing? Is he thinking of me?¡¯¡± the Oracle said while resting her chin on her palm. ¡°Do me a favor and take your fianc¨¦e with you next time Avalon.¡±

    Bird felt herself disconnect from her body for a moment only to come crashing down hard. Lore noticed the stricken look on her face and pulled her into his side. He flinched as he felt her fingers dig into his skin. ¡°Bird,¡± he whispered gently. She shook her head then pulled away, refusing to meet anyone¡¯s eyes.

    Oblivious, Apple gave his fianc¨¦e a second kiss before setting her down. ¡°Sorry I took so long, my love.¡± He turned and beckoned Elys forward. The older dragon kneeled before the Oracle and held out Bird¡¯s book. The Oracle breathed out a sigh of relief as she took the tome in her hands.

    ¡°So it begins,¡± the Oracle said solemnly. ¡°I weep for those who are not prepared¡­ I do not have any urgent tasks for you. For now return to your regular work.¡±

    ¡°Oracle, what of our charges?¡± Apple asked. The oracle looked at Bird and Fel as if seeing them for the first time. She looked them over with care before speaking.

    ¡°The child can go to Nana, as for the man, he can go to Kiyl for weapons training. His future seems uncertain at this point. All of you are dismissed except for, Yena.¡±

    Lore quickly led Bird out of the room with Fel right on his heels. Apple proceeded more slowly with his fianc¨¦e while Elys walked beside them. Adwin lingered for a moment, his hand in Yena¡¯s. She kissed him swiftly on the cheek before turning to face the Oracle. Bird craned her head back to catch a last glimpse of Yena before the doors to the Oracle¡¯s chamber closed.

    Lore stopped in the hall suddenly and faced Apple. ¡°If you don¡¯t mind, I¡¯ll be taking Bird to see Nana if you take Fel to Kiyl.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you think that as her guardian that I should take her?¡±

    Lore smiled brightly. ¡°Kiyl¡¯s training ground is on the way to your quarters while mine are near Nana¡¯s. You know as much about Fel as I do so I do not think that it would be a problem. Besides, I¡¯m sure that there are many people waiting to speak with the Old One, so the sooner you reach your quarters the sooner your work can be accomplished.¡±

    Apple stared for a moment then sighed. ¡°Fine, I will. Sera, do you mind?¡± Apple¡¯s fianc¨¦e smiled at him.

    ¡°I do not mind. Your cousin is right though, many have come asking for you. ¡± The couple locked eyes and Sera blushed before Apple leaned forward and kissed her cheek.

    Bird rolled her eyes. Suddenly she was yanked off balance by Lore. ¡°Since this is settled I¡¯ll be on my way,¡± Lore said. He pointed at Fel. ¡°Please behave yourself, you¡¯re representing me, I don¡¯t want my good named sullied.¡±

    ¡°Like you have a good name,¡± Apple said. Lore placed a hand over his heart and stumbled back.

    ¡°You wound me, how can I continue this long existence? Bird, lend me your bosom so that I may die comfortably. Hold on, never mind, I see that you lack a bosom sufficient enough. Alas I must live,¡± Lore moaned as he covered his eyes with his arm.

    ¡°Bird, will you be fine with Lore?¡± Apple asked while chuckling. Bird just shrugged her shoulders. An ache had begun to build in her chest, growing worse when she looked at Sera hanging on to Apple¡¯s arm.

    ¡°I¡¯ll be fine,¡± she whispered then turned away from them. Lore immediately took her arm and led her away, but not before waving back at his cousin.

    ***

    Nana had just completed instructing her class when Lore and Bird made their way back to her. She smiled whole-heartedly and embraced Lore once again. ¡°Come to see me so soon?¡±

    ¡°Nana, the Oracle said that Bird should be instructed by you. Do you have any quarters available for her?¡± Nana pursed her lips and looked Bird over.

    ¡°I think there is a spare bed in the women¡¯s hall. She will have to be paired with one of the other students.¡± She turned to address Bird. ¡°As you should know I like to encourage camaraderie among my students, I believe that it teaches students to work well together to achieve impossible goals, but we are not without competiveness. Without competiveness we would not be able to achieve the miracles that we accomplish with our power over magic. Magic is a gift of the Creator to us, his children, and should be used wisely.¡± Nana put her hand to her lips and blushed. ¡°Look at me lecturing her already, Lore if you please get her settled in the dorm then bring her with you when you come to dinner. ¡° She patted Lore on the arm before shooing them both away.

    ¡°Wow, Nana likes you,¡± Lore remarked when he was sure he was out of earshot of his grandmother.

    ¡°How do you know?¡±

    ¡°My grandmother only gets eager to lecture those she likes.¡±

    ¡°Great, so I get to expect many lectures from a scary dragon lady named Nana,¡± Bird grumbled. Lore flicked Bird¡¯s braid.

    ¡°It¡¯s not as bad as you think, Nana is wonderful teacher. She is one of the First and remembers much of what has been lost to us. Many were relieved when she left the battlefield, not just because she was an incredible warrior, but because of the wisdom she holds.¡±

    Bird felt more respect for the ancient dragon as Lore told her another tale of Nana facing down a platoon of 67 tigers of the Red Tiger Army of Heaven while protecting a caravan of followers heading towards protected ground.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    Lore led Bird through several halls and a garden before they reached the hall for Nana¡¯s female students. The group ranging from young children to old women watched her warily as they entered the reading room. Lore smiled brightly then pushed Bird in front of him and rested his hands on her shoulders. ¡°Good evening ladies, this is Bird, as of today she will be joining you. Who is in charge of this hall?¡± A woman looking to be in her late forties stood up and curtsied.

    ¡°My name Lina,¡± she said in broken teranese as her salt and pepper hair fell into her eyes. ¡°I take care of women. How old?¡±

    Bird curtsied as best she could and the women chuckled behind their hands. ¡°I¡¯m Bird, I¡¯m 18.¡± Bird heard more giggles and balled her hands into fists. She felt Lore¡¯s hands tighten on her shoulders and she sighed. Lina motioned to one of the women sitting with her and spoke to her quickly in another language before beckoning to Bird.

    ¡°Sarene take you to room. She be partner,¡± Lina said as she placed Bird¡¯s hand in the other woman¡¯s. Bird looked over her shoulder at Lore as she felt her body tremble. He smiled and pointed to the door.

    ¡°I will be waiting for you in the garden once you are settled. Relax for a few moments, get to know these women; I know you feel tired,¡± Lore said. At once Bird felt just how weary she was. She had not realized the toll their travel had taken on her. The constant threat of Hunters and Seekers made for poor sleep for her and Fel.

    ¡°Alright,¡± Bird said as she fought a yawn. For a moment she wondered if Lore had worked some spell upon her. Before she could react, Lore gave her a quick hug and kiss on the forehead.

    ¡°Do not be scared,¡± he whispered into her hair and then he was gone. Bird felt the stares of the other women on her as Sarene took her hand and led her into the women¡¯s sleeping quarters.

    Bird looked at the few items she had laid out on her new bed. She had two spare changes of clothing, a sleeping gown, brush and comb set bought by Lore, a ribbon for her hair that Yena had given her and a small knife that was given to her by Apple. All of these items had been given to her during their long journey to Uler . None reminded her of the home that was now gone.

    Instantly tears rose in her eyes and she quickly wiped them away before Sarene could see them.

    ¡°Do you like the room? The window faces the east so that it catches sunlight in the morning. My last roommate changed rooms, we did not get along well, but hopefully you and I will. I have an older sister two doors down from us, you¡¯ll meet her later. Dinner is served just before sunset so make sure to wash,¡± Sarene rambled as Bird quickly stuffed her sparse belongings into a trunk located at the foot of the bed.

    Bird smoothed down her shirt and flashed a quick smile at Sarene. ¡°Thank you for showing me the room. I¡¯m sure we will get along fine, but I have to go now,¡± she said quickly. Sarene stopped speaking, leaving her mouth open for a moment before returning the smile.

    ¡°Yes, yes, where are you going?¡±

    ¡°My guardian¡¯s cousin and their grandmother would like to have me for dinner,¡± Bird replied as she crossed the short distance to the door.

    ¡°Have fun then,¡± Sarene said while pushing back her hair. The woman suddenly looked lonely to Bird. Feeling guilty she gave a short wave goodbye and left the room quickly.

    Lore was waiting just outside the door into the women¡¯s hall when Bird stepped into the garden to look for him. Not seeing him, she began to look around at the flowers that she had hardly glanced at before. For a moment Lore considered interrupting her, but instead held back to watch her. Bird paused in front of a patch of lilies and ran her fingers over the petals before dipping her head to smell. A faint smile appeared on her lips as she wandered further away.

    The dragon began to shadow her, pausing when she paused and sniffing the flowers that she sniffed. Eventually Bird made her way to a small fountain in the middle of the garden. Suddenly a wave of water rose up and doused her leaving her to sputter and shake her hands free of water droplets.

    ¡°Having fun?¡± Lore saidas he approached Bird. He watched as she glared at him before it turned into a mischievous smile to match his own. Before he could blink the water in the fountain coalesced into a stream and struck him in the chest knocking him into the flowerbeds. He spit mud and wiped his chin leaving streaks of wet soil. Lore felt his heart race with excitement as he curled his fingers into the damp soil then flung them toward Bird.

    She immediately shielded herself then created mud balls of her own and flung them at Lore. Soon the two were shrieking with laughter and chasing each other around the garden. A few women from the hall peeked through the doorway into the garden to watch the pair as they continued their mud fight.

    Bird was running away from Lore once more when she felt the hairs on her arm rise. As she took her next step forward the world seemed to tilt beneath her feet. Her right foot slipped through the air without touching the ground. Unable to find purchase, Bird¡¯s body flipped over itself. As her head came around she noticed that the air around her and taken a silver shimmer. Through the distortion she could see Lore floating just behind her in his own silver bubble; his attention on something to their left. Bird turned her head to see Nana shaking her head at them. Clapping her one hand against her leg, Nana released the spell holding the two and sending them plummeting into the soft flowerbed below.

    ¡°Lorcan, I expect more maturity from you,¡± Nana said as she watched the pair slowly pick debris from their hair and clothing. ¡°Look at this mess! My students worked hard to grow these flowers and I find you here tearing them up?¡±

    Lore smeared more mud across his face as he wiped his mouth. ¡°No, Nana, we weren¡¯t tearing up the flowers, just throwing the soil.¡±

    ¡°Semantics,¡± the old dragon huffed. ¡°Clean up this mess, bathe and then you may join us adults for dinner.¡±

    Bird spit out the grit in her mouth. Her heart was still racing from running and her body thrummed with the energy. Suddenly she felt Lore¡¯s hands under her arms lifting her to her feet. ¡°Whoa,¡± she gasped.

    Lore spun her around until she was facing him then moved a step back. ¡°This is a chance for me to teach you a restoration spell. This one only works on living things. Yena is a far better teacher for this type than I,¡± he said taking Bird¡¯s left hand in his own. ¡°I will teach you the spell and then guide you to each target; agreed?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± she said eagerly.

    ¡°Close your eyes and feel the life energy of the plants.¡±

    Bird closed her eyes and began to take deep breaths as she was taught before performing a new spell. She sent out a tendril of consciousness and connected with a small blade of grass at her feet. With a nudge from Lore she expanded her awareness. Distantly she heard him begin a chant. Once he had gone through it once he placed power into his voice. Bird joined her voice into his chant repeating each syllable that the dragon spoke. Pressure built up behind her eyes as their power merged and began to waver between them.

    Lore took a step forward and waited for Bird. Noticing his movement she matched him step for step. As they walked they slowly released the spell, being gentle and careful to only release as much energy as each plant needed. They stopped in unison and absorbed the energy they had gathered into themselves. Bird smiled as she felt it hum within her healing every ache and chasing away her tiredness.

    ¡°Open your eyes,¡± Lore whispered into her ear. She did then giggled as she gazed at the renewed garden. Each plant was glowing with healing energy as if lit from within by the sun. ¡°You did wonderfully Bird, of course not as wonderfully as me. Ouch!¡± Lore rubbed his shoulder as Bird moved away from him to look at the rest of the garden.

    After shaking loose his arms, the dragon immediately cast a small spell and cleared the mud from the walk paths, the walls and themselves. Briefly observing his work he took Bird by the hand and walked swiftly toward the hallway leading out of the garden. ¡°We must be quick, Nana is already irritated with us.¡±

    Bird stumbled with Lore¡¯s longer strides and without hesitation the dragon lifted her into his arms and began to walk more speedily than any human could. The halls and stairs were passed by so quickly that Bird failed to commit them to memory. They were soon in a dimly lit tunnel which widened steadily until it opened up into a field filled with the sunset light.

    Lore paused on the border between shadow and light to set Bird on her feet. She gripped his arms tightly as she gazed at the table several yards away where many dragons she did not recognize in human form sat drinking and talking. Nana was the only one among them that she recognized, but even she was still a stranger. ¡°Is something wrong?¡± Lore asked as he felt the tension rising in Bird¡¯s body.

    Bird¡¯s lips pressed into a thin line before she answered. ¡°I¡¯m nervous. I have never been to a gathering like this even when my mother was alive. The only family she had was her sister and they hardly spent time together because they were so different and my uncle¡­¡± Bird shrugged and released Lore¡¯s arms. ¡°Nettie¡¯s the only one I have left and the tigers have her.¡±

    Lore took her hands into his. ¡°You have me.¡± Bird looked at him. ¡°You also have Avalon, Yena and Adwin. We will not abandon you.¡± Bird smiled and looked down at their joined hands.

    ¡°Thank you,¡± she murmured.

 Chapter 11: Spirit walking

    It was snowing again, the flurries covering everything in a thick coat of fluff like goose down. Shapes became warped as it piled swiftly, the outlines becoming blurred making it hard to tell what each shape once was. Even the trees were losing their shape to become tall frozen pillars. The cold seeped into everything making everyone tired and patience short. Already several fights had broken out.

    A crow cawed from far off drawing Nettie¡¯s attention briefly. She did not see the smack coming, but the cold intensified the pain as she held her cheek. At least the pain raised heat in her cold body she thought as she stared emotionlessly at the tiger before her. ¡°Stupid witch child. Ignore me again and you¡¯ll lose a finger,¡± he snarled at her.

    Nettie lowered her eyes. ¡°Yes m¡¯lord,¡± she said in a soft whisper.

    The tiger adding more herbs to the pot before him with little earthenware bowls. He spoke the name of each ingredient and its amount while Nettie marked it down on the scroll before her using the little knowledge she had of writing. ¡°This will be boiled down and then dried into a powder. Afterwards it will be placed in those linen kerchiefs. Only a small amount is needed to poison a witch. It¡¯s best to stick it in their food rather than a drink and they will lose control of their magic and thus be weakened.¡±

    More snow began to fall as the wind began to pick up outside the castle¡¯s walls. The cold did not seem to bother the tiger though it made Nettie shiver uncontrollably. When she sneezed the tiger growled at her. ¡°Go to the kitchen and warm yourself. I don¡¯t need you dying.¡± Nettie quickly stowed her notes then darted for the open door of the observatory.

    A gust of wind nearly knocked her off her feet as she opened the door leading to the covered stone bridge spanning between the tower and the main part of the castle. Ice had formed on the aged stones making it difficult for her to shut the door.

    Completing the short task she stuck her stiffening fingers into her armpits for warmth and shuffled quickly across. Keeping her head down she managed to make it into the warmth of the kitchen without drawing attention from the tigers.

    Kit found her in the corner next to the bread ovens. He brushed her forehead with his fingers then stuck a ragged doll made of discarded rags into her pleading hands. Nettie crushed the makeshift doll to her chest. ¡°Ami, were you playing with Kit?¡±

    ¡°Yes she was,¡± Kit said excitedly. His small round face broke into a smile. ¡°We threw snowballs at the crows after Naya Birch gave us a break. We¡¯re learning motion spells.¡± The ten year old gave Nettie a half burnt roll poached from the cook¡¯s discard bin. She quickly ate around the blackest bits. Memories of her father¡¯s bakery floated forward in her mind. With a whimper she tossed the half eaten roll at Kit¡¯s head as she felt her chest constrict with emotion. Without a word Kit retrieved the roll from the floor where it had landed and proceeded to finish it off.

    The boy had grown used to Nettie¡¯s weird fits around pastries. He slipped some cinnamon bark from his pockets and waved it at the girl until she took it and began to gnaw on the end. ¡°What are you learning today?¡± He asked as Nettie seemed to calm.

    ¡°Poison,¡± she said flatly. ¡°Ami, I don¡¯t want you to get into anything that I make; do you understand?¡± Nettie said to the doll cradled in the crook of her arm. She smiled at the expressionless face. ¡°Kit will take you out for another snowball fight if you¡¯re good with your lessons.¡±

    ¡°Do you know when you¡¯ll be done?¡± Kit asked. Nettie shrugged her shoulders then stood up and gently handed the doll back to Kit. Despite their three year difference in age Kit was already as tall as her. For a moment she stared into his dark brown eyes and Kit felt his heart flop in his chest. ¡°Tomorrow is a holy day, did you want to hang out with me and my boys? You could bring Ami.¡±

    Nettie shook her head. ¡°No.¡± She shuffled quickly from the kitchen with her head bowed to prevent herself from making eye contact with the tigers. Kit sighed and stuffed the doll into the front of his shirt.

    The crossing back into the observatory seemed colder going back. Nettie¡¯s teeth chattered immediately as the cold wind pushed her back and forth along the icy stones. Her teacher was sitting down sipping a steaming cup of a dark bitter brew as she came through the door. ¡°Close that thing quick!¡± He snapped as the papers on their working table flew off and scattered along the straw covered floor. ¡°Don¡¯t stand there like a buffoon, pick them up!¡±

    Nettie quickly scooped up the paper nearest her foot and stopped as a familiar grouping of letters caught her eye. Her hands balled into a fist nearly tearing the paper. Quickly she grabbed more papers from the floor. When she was sure her teacher was not looking she slipped the paper into the bosom of her blouse. Straightening up she set the papers down on the edge of the table away from the powders and liquids that had spilled during their potion making. ¡°Hmph, good; now let us continue with the lesson.¡±

    ¡°Yes, m¡¯lord.¡±

    After the sun set, taking the last vestigial warmth with it, Nettie was released to return to her chambers. Her stomach growled in protest, but she ignored it. The cooks had already banked the dinner fires and would not start the kitchen up until the morning. Nettie slipped into the small chamber that she shared with two other witches. They had not yet returned to the room so she quickly lit a small candle stub and held her snatched paper in front of the poor light.

    Her heart gave a leap as she read. It was a report stating that she was to be trained to track down her cousin who had last been seen in Northshire heading east. ¡°You¡¯ll pay,¡± she whispered before stuffing the paper under her straw mattress.

    ***

    Bird yawned for the third time in a row then resettled her chin on the palm of her hand. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, is my lesson boring you?¡± Nana snapped. Bird straightened and hid her scowl. ¡°If you find me that tiring you can go back to bed and I won¡¯t bother teaching you a thing.¡±

    ¡°No, Nana!¡± Bird said as she felt a tug of fear in her heart. If she did not learn more spells how could she expect to rescue her cousin? She picked up her stylus and dipped it in her ink before poising it over her paper.

    When Bird started Nana¡¯s lessons she did not realize how much writing and note taking would be involved. The lessons were long with few breaks in-between. Nana often spoke with a soothing voice that at once relaxed Bird causing her to doze off, much to Nana¡¯s annoyance.

    ¡°Well,¡± continued Nana, ¡°Who can tell me the most important rule when battling with magic?¡±

    A man raised his hand and Nana nodded toward him. ¡°The most important rule is adaptation,¡± the man said.

    ¡°Yes, you are correct. Anyone who fails to adapt is doomed to die. Do not use the spells I teach you only as I taught you. Experiment, combine, create and adapt. Some spells will fail, and some will work in ways that you never imagined¡­¡±

    Bird felt her eyes drooping once more. For a few moments she fought the wave of sleep before finally succumbing to it. She found herself on the roof of a tower covered in snow. The winter sun cast little heat as she stood shivering in the white fall.

    ***

    ¡°So you¡¯ve come,¡± a voice said behind her. Bird whirled around to find her cousin standing behind her. A thick fur cloak encased the girl, only her small round face peeked through the hood. Her breath steamed around her lips as she gave a smile devoid of any joy. ¡°I knew that if I waited long enough that you would come back.¡±

    ¡°Nettie, what is this place? Tell me where you are so I can rescue you,¡± Bird said quickly.

    ¡°Rescue me? When you left me to die? If it wasn¡¯t for you the Hunter would never have found us,¡± Nettie hissed. Bird flinched and took a step back. Nettie sneered. ¡°I will become more powerful than you, and when I do I will kill you.¡±Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    ¡°We are all that we have left. I¡¯m sorry for what happened to our family, I did not mean to attract the tiger.¡±

    ¡°My family, my mother, my father, my sister not yours; they were my family.¡± Nettie began to cry and Bird felt the hot trail of tears on her own cheeks. Her cousin tossed a rolled piece of paper at Bird¡¯s feet. ¡°A year from now a map will appear on that paper. Come find me then.¡± Bird picked it up and stuck it into her sleeve. Nettie stepped closer then shoved Bird off the roof.

    ***

    Bird awoke screaming on the floor of Nana¡¯s classroom. Nana was kneeling beside her, her only hand pressed to Bird¡¯s forehead. Bird gasped and choked back tears as she abruptly sat up. Her classmates had left the classroom leaving only her and Nana. ¡°What were you doing spirit walking during class?¡± Nana demanded.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to, Nana,¡± whispered a frightened Bird.

    ¡°How am I supposed to teach you when your mind wanders?¡±

    ¡°I can¡¯t control it, Nana.¡± Nana sighed and sat back on her heels. ¡°Lore tried to place a ward on me to keep me from walking, but it failed. Fel and I almost died,¡± Bird said looking down at her fingers. She still felt the chill of winter on her skin and shivered.

    ¡°I¡¯m surprised Yena did not help you,¡± Nana said rising to her feet.

    ¡°Yena?¡±

    ¡°Yes, she is trained in spirit walking. She must have thought the ward would work on you.¡± Nana sighed and touched her brow. ¡°Go to the atrium on the third floor of this building while I find her. I will have her meet you there.¡± Bird rose from the floor then fled from the classroom.

    The third floor atrium was deserted when Bird finally reached it. She spread out on the floor in spot of sunlight to warm her body. She felt something sticking to her left arm and reached into her sleeve to find the paper that Nettie had given her. She carefully undid the string and unrolled the paper to find it blank.

    Bird side and retied the string before sticking the paper back into her sleeve. A year, she thought as tears flowed into her eyes. Would she ever save Nettie?

    The sound of quick footsteps tore Bird from her thoughts. She lifted her head to see the open doorway as the steps drew closer. Soon Apple filled the doorway and she quickly sat up. ¡°Bird?¡± Apple said softly. ¡°Are you alright?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Bird said looking down. Apple entered the atrium and knelt beside her. He kissed her forehead and wrapped her in his arms.

    ¡°Nana told me that you went spirit walking during your class. Did Nettie hurt you again?¡±

    Bird¡¯s breath caught in her throat as she remembered what happened on the snow covered rooftop. ¡°She pushed me off a roof,¡± Bird said softly. Tears came swiftly to her eyes and she wiped them away. ¡°It¡¯s all my fault, it¡¯s all my fault that she hates me. It¡¯s my fault she¡¯s alone with the tigers.¡±

    ¡°Shh¡­ Not everything was your fault,¡± Apple said stroking her hair. ¡°I will help you save her. Give us time to find her.¡±

    Bird considered telling Apple of the paper in her sleeve, but her words stuck in her throat.

    ¡°I have to go now, Bird. I¡¯ll come by your quarters later,¡± Apple said. He kissed the top of her head again then stood up. ¡°I know I can¡¯t change my role in what happened to your family, but I will help you save your cousin.¡± Bird nodded absently. Apple made a motion as if he was going to speak again then he stopped and walked away.

    Yena arrived a few minutes later and sat beside Bird. ¡°I have not seen you in a while young one,¡± she said softly. ¡°How are you feeling now?¡±

    Bird was silent a moment then looked at the dragon woman. ¡°I¡¯m feeling much better than before.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s good, Bird. If I had known that you were still spirit walking I would have come to you sooner,¡± Yena said softly. ¡°Is it okay if I hug you?¡± Bird nodded. Yena hugged Bird tightly and hummed for a few moments. ¡°Part of what triggers spirit walking is a yearning for what is far away from you. The reason why you keep encountering your cousin is because she is the one you want to see the most. Have you visited any other people?¡±

    Bird thought for a moment. ¡°Once,¡± she said. ¡°After I met Apple I found myself in a dark room with a tiger and man with glowing green eyes. The man scared me because he could see me.¡±

    ¡°Can you describe him?¡±

    ¡°His face was covered in scars and some of his skin seemed to sag. I couldn¡¯t tell how old he was.¡±

    ¡°Do you know him?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Bird said shaking her head. ¡°I had never seen him before. When I saw him he was talking with Oliver Redfield before trying to grab me.¡±

    ¡°Bird, I am going to induce an out of body session, the difference is that you will be traveling with me. Close your eyes.¡± Bird did as Yena asked. The dragon woman began to hum once more. Bird felt herself relaxing into Yena¡¯s warmth and soon fell asleep.

    ***

    Bird opened her eyes to find herself in a barren wasteland. Dust stirred up at her feet and was carried over to a mound of rocks. Everywhere she turned nothing but red earth and rocks met her eye. She turned again and found Yena beside her.

    ¡°What is this place?¡± Bird asked.

    ¡°This is where I was born,¡± Yena said. ¡°Centuries ago this was lush forest. My village used to be there,¡± Yena said pointing to a mound of rocks. ¡°Where we are standing now was where my house once stood. It is also the place where I married Adwin.¡±

    Bird looked down at the cracked earth and felt a sense of sadness wash over her. She knelt and picked up a handful of the loose earth and let it run through her fingers. ¡°What happened here?¡±

    ¡°Tigers came for us one night. We were a small community, barely over 70 of us. They scorched the earth, surrounded us with fire. We flew, the only option left to us. That was what they had planned. The tigers had brought Seekers with them and used them to give them flight. Of the 70 of us, only five of us escaped.¡±

    ¡°Yena!¡± Bird gasped and hugged her as she saw tears running down the dragon woman¡¯s cheeks. ¡°I didn¡¯t know that you had gone through this.¡±

    ¡°Many of us have gone through this grief young one. This has gone on for a millennia.¡± Yena patted Bird¡¯s head. ¡°We all have found a way to survive so that one day we can restore the Creator to his rightful throne. Adwin and I made a promise to each other that we would not have any children until that time, but I find that I cannot keep that promise.¡± Yena took Bird¡¯s hand.

    ¡°Bird, I want you to imagine the happiest place you can.¡±

    Bird wiped her eyes with her free hand. ¡°I don¡¯t know what to think of, I can¡¯t think of anything but here,¡± she warbled. ¡°How can I think of something happy when I¡¯m so sad?¡± Yena squeezed her hand.

    ¡°In times of war, it always helps to think of something good. Something to take you away from the sadness so that it doesn¡¯t overwhelm you, for me, though it is destroyed, it is my home. I hoped to one day return it to the forest it once was and raise a family here.¡±

    Bird let go of Yena¡¯s hand and knelt placing both hands on the ground. She closed her eyes and slowed her breathing. Slowly she sent out her consciousness into the ground around her searching. Below she found an underground stream. Gritting her teeth she concentrated on a spell and stood up. As she stood the earth began to tremble before her. Suddenly a geyser of water broke the surface and soaked the earth.

    As the earth turned to mud Bird closed her eyes once more and began to search once more finding it in small seeds buried around them. She sent out small tendrils of energy coaxing the seeds awake. Bird opened her eyes again and found Yena on her knees crying. ¡°Young one, you did not need to do all this,¡± Yena said. Yena reached out and touched the small green leaves of the saplings before her. ¡°You don¡¯t know how much this means to me and Adwin.¡± She stood up and took Bird¡¯s hand again. ¡°We still need to continue your training.¡±

    ***

    Apple sighed as he sat on his couch. Lore looked up from his book and set it aside. ¡°What happened to you?¡± he asked.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know what to do anymore, my heart feels torn in two,¡± Apple responded as he rubbed his temples. Lore raised an eyebrow in response. ¡°I¡­ I¡¯ve started to fall in love in Bird¡­ No, I have fallen in love with her, but I still love Sera. I can¡¯t leave Sera.¡± Lore sighed and patted Apple on the shoulder.

    ¡°Avalon, I know this must be killing you, but I think you already made your choice. You said it yourself, you can¡¯t leave Serafina. You love her too much to leave her. I think you may be confusing the love you have for Bird with romantic love,¡± Lore said.

    ¡°I¡¯m surprised that you aren¡¯t making jokes about this, normally you¡¯re not this serious,¡± Apple replied. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±

    ¡°I know you expect me to back you in every situation, but I don¡¯t want to see Bird hurt more than she has been,¡± Lore sneered. Surprised Apple sat back into the cushions. ¡°Bird loves you, which is not uncommon between protector and protected, but if you open that door to her she is going to be hurt. I understand that you kept your distance from her, but you don¡¯t realize how much it hurt her to find out that you have a fianc¨¦e. I¡¯m not going to be happy if I have to dry her tears once more.¡±

    Apple winced. ¡°That was my fault, I¡¯m sorry you had to do that.¡±

    ¡°If you¡¯re sorry don¡¯t do it again,¡± Lore snapped.

    ¡°You¡¯ve fallen in love with her too.¡±

    Lore looked away before standing up. He began to pace Apple¡¯s room. Flipping his braid over his shoulder he turned back to Apple. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to.¡± He began to pace again, his fingers beginning to fray the end of his braid. ¡°She¡¯s so unexpected. She has so much power, but doesn¡¯t abuse it. She grew up alone for years, but she¡¯s kind, sarcastic and may be latently abusive. Wait¡­¡±

    ¡°Are you sure those are qualities you like? I''ve never known you to show interest in, well, anyone.¡±

    Lore collapsed on the couch beside Apple and threw his arm over his eyes. ¡°She¡¯s beautiful, like a flower that has thrived unattended in a place no one thought it could grow.¡± Apple hugged his cousin. "Get off me lecher!¡± Lore yelled and pushed Apple away. The two began to wrestle on the couch until Apple pinned Lore down, pressing the younger dragon¡¯s face into the cushions.

    ¡°Be kind to Bird, Lore, I don¡¯t want to have to burn your face off if you hurt her.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry, this is me you¡¯re talking about, Papa,¡± Lore said, his words muffled by the cushions. Apple let him up. ¡°Do you know when Bird will be done with Yena?¡±

    ¡°Yena said she would only spend two hours initially with her today.¡± Apple looked at the clock by his table. ¡°We still have 43 minutes. I hope that Bird learns quickly for her sake.¡±

    ¡°Bird¡¯s smart, I¡¯m sure she will.¡±

 Chapter 12: Hearts Desire

    Bird stared at the old dust covered walls of her magic training room. It was evening, the brazen glow of sunset filling the rafters of the room revealing the dust swirls that sparkled like trails of miniature stars. Though there was sun, the room was cold for winter had settled outside and Bird hugged her arms trying to keep warm. Yena hugged her enveloping Bird in the heat that all dragons seemed to share.

    ¡°What is this place to you?¡± Yena asked as she looked around.

    ¡°This is the place where my ma and I used to practice magic. We would come once a week to practice in secret away from the village. The walls are thick enough to withstand large amounts of damage,¡± Bird said. She was still staring at the wall before her where a crude drawing had been painted. Bird remembered painting it for her mother; it was of the two of them casting spells to make different designs in the air. The red paint had turned brown and had cracked and peeled from the wall in spots, but most of the shapes could still be made out.

    ¡°Yena, is there a reason tigers can¡¯t see us when we spirit walk?¡± Bird asked suddenly as she heard movement on the other side of the wall.

    ¡°Only those with magical ability or heavenly beings can see us. Though the Heavenly Tigers were created by Lun and Hexa, they lack divine power such as we dragons have. They can shapeshift and are formidable fighters, but lack the blessing of the Creator that is why they need Seekers.¡±

    ¡°So they need witches to make up for their lack in power.¡±

    Yena nodded. ¡°We dragons have vowed to protect humanity, but most especially those witches that would be exploited by the tigers. Now that we have the book of the Creator, we will be able to restore his kingdom and cast out the usurpers and all their progeny.¡± Bird felt Yena¡¯s heat spike for a moment and flinched at the suddenness. ¡°I apologize Bird, let¡¯s return home.¡±

    Home, thought Bird, was Uler really her home now? Woodbridge had always been her home even though her parents were dead. She had never imagined that she would leave her cottage, but now here she was with dragons living on a sub-tropical island. Could Uler ever be her home? Would Nettie be willing to live here?

    Yena took Bird¡¯s hand. One moment they were standing in the old castle room, the next they were lying on the atrium floor. The sun had moved closer to the horizon making the air cooler. Clouds had begun to form promising rain before evening fell. Yena moved to close the windows of the atrium while Bird secured the door to the outer porch.

    ¡°Does it always rain so much in Uler?¡± Bird asked as she pulled down the latch.

    ¡°During the winter yes, we¡¯ve hardly seen snow here. I think I would prefer snow; it has its own beauty. As a child I used to make snow people with my sister. Did you ever do that Bird? Make snow people.¡±

    ¡°With my ma, yes. We would dress them in old rags and give them names. Sometimes my cousins would visit and help us,¡± Bird replied.

    ¡°Snow people, that sounds like fun!¡±

    Bird whirled around to find Lore leaning on the door frame of the atrium with a smirk on his face. He crossed his arms and winked at her. ¡°So Briar how was your lesson with Yena?¡±

    Bird felt heat rise in her cheeks and bumped up against the porch door. ¡°It was a good lesson,¡± she said softly. Why is my heart beating so fast? she thought.

    ¡°Is that so,¡± Lore said drawing close to her. He touched her chin. Bird¡¯s head banged against the wood of the door. ¡°Are you okay?¡± Lore asked as Bird hissed in pain.

    ¡°I will be once you give me some room! What are you doing here, are you stalking me?¡±

    Lore backed away surprised then flipped his hair onto his back. ¡®¡±Dear lady,¡± he said bowing, ¡°You would accuse me of stalking a child such as you?¡±

    ¡°Yes I would, and stop calling me a child, I¡¯m almost 19.¡±

    ¡°Almost, as in your birthday has yet to come?¡± Lore asked sweetly. Bird¡¯s eyes narrowed. Lore smiled once more and she felt her heart skip a beat. What was happening to her? Why was her heart pounding after seeing the dragon smile? Why did she feel excited to see him? She frowned and moved closer to Yena. Lore tracked her movements and Bird felt heat in her cheeks once more.

    ¡°Lorcan,¡± Yena said. ¡°You are upsetting Bird.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to, I only came to ask if she wanted an escort to her quarters.¡±

    Bird shook her head. ¡°I¡¯m fine, Apple is going to meet me there.¡±

    ¡°Oh, well,¡± Lore said. ¡°Have a good evening, Yena, Briar.¡± He bowed to each of them and left.

    Yena placed her hand on Bird¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Did Lore seem to be acting strangely to you?¡± she asked.

    ¡°No, he always acts like that.¡±

    ¡°Hmm,¡± Yena murmured. ¡°Have a good evening, Bird.¡±

    Finding herself alone in the atrium, Bird felt her burning cheeks. ¡°What is going on with me?¡± she whispered. Shaking her head to clear her thoughts she left the atrium for her room.

    As she reached the main floor bells rang the top of the hour. The halls began to fill with dragons and humans alike as they left their offices for home. Bird was fascinated by how the dragons looked almost indistinguishable from humans. Their natural grace and air of solemnity gave them away. Most dragons, at least the older ones seemed to lack joy or had learned to suppress it.

    The only time they seemed to show any gayety was during their weekly choral session when thousands of dragon voices could be heard singing in unity the praises of the Creator. Bird enjoyed those times when the island hushed just before filling with song.

    Apple had begun taking her to these sessions the first week she had arrived in Uler. The experience was like none other than she had experienced. Energy and peace had filled her until she thought her soul would burst. Every week she looked forward to it as her only solace from her thoughts.

    As she opened her door to her room Sarene met her there. ¡°I thought the worst when you didn¡¯t come back from class. I heard you collapsed,¡± the woman said swiftly while taking Bird¡¯s hand. ¡°Please sit down, don¡¯t try to exert yourself.¡±

    ¡°Sarene, Sarene, please, I¡¯m fine,¡± Bird said as the other woman dragged her toward their only chair. Bird sat in the chair and took the glass of water offered her.

    ¡°If anything had happened to you I¡­ I¡­¡± And Sarene burst into tears which was a common occurrence when she became stressed. She sat down on her own bed and covered her face with the hem of her dress. ¡°I have so few friends, you see, that if anything were to happen to you I would be devastated,¡± she sobbed. Bird knelt in front of Sarene and patted her knee.

    ¡°I know how you feel Sarene, I¡¯m alright. I ended up spirit walking in class.¡±

    ¡°They say people with restless minds are prone to that. I¡¯ve never done it myself. Do you think I¡¯m restless?¡± Sarene asked in one breath. Bird shook her head. ¡°Thank goodness. Is that why you were gone so long?¡±

    Bird straightened up and went to sit on her own bed. ¡°I¡¯ve told you about my cousin. I saw her again today.¡±

    ¡°Poor thing, is she well?¡±

    Bird nodded and Sarene smiled; she couldn¡¯t tell Sarene the whole truth, not the way Nettie had glared at her or the lost expression in her eyes as she pushed Bird off the roof. Better to keep those to herself and spare Sarene the extra burden.

    ¡°Are you ready for the Assembly tonight?¡± Bird asked. Immediately the expression on Sarene¡¯s face changed into a blush.

    ¡°Yes, Jack said he wanted to attend with me, I hope you don¡¯t mind since you always go with Apple. I feel like a third wheel when I¡¯m with you two,¡± Sarene replied as she wiped the tears from her face. Bird grimaced and looked away.

    ¡°You needn¡¯t worry, Apple and I aren¡¯t together. He usually picks me up first because his fianc¨¦e works with the Oracle.¡±

    Sarene¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. ¡°Oh, I didn¡¯t mean to imply¡­¡±

    Bird waved her hand as if to clear the air when there was a knock on their door. They shared a glance between them before Bird stood up to answer. Opening the door she did not find Apple, but Lore. Immediately her view was blocked with a bouquet of flowers. ¡°What are you doing with those flowers? They better not be from the garden,¡± Bird hissed. Lore patted her on the head and brushed past her before she could close the door in his face. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±

    ¡°I came to bring Sarene some flowers,¡± Lore said handing them off to Bird¡¯s roommate. ¡°I knew she would be in such distress over you. And no, these are not from the garden, I have better sense than to anger Nana again, they¡¯re from your window.¡±

    Alarmed Bird rushed to their window and pushed aside the heavy drapes. Outside every window in the sleeping quarters were window boxes. For those inclined to nature, flowers were grown in them. Bird had started growing crocuses in her window box, it was a flower that her mother had loved. Looking out the window, expecting the worst, Bird found no sign that her small garden had been tampered with. Turning back she glared at Lore who tried to look innocent.

    ¡°Do you enjoy angering me?¡± she demanded.

    ¡°Only a little,¡± he said before pulling a red carnation from behind his back. ¡°This is for you,¡± he said bowing slightly. Grudgingly, because Sarene was watching, Bird took the flower from him.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t this out of season?¡±

    ¡°Nothing is out of season for a dragon. Now come, we must be off,¡± Lore said taking Bird by the elbow and pushing her out the door. ¡°We don¡¯t want to be late.¡±

    Sarene stood up as if to protest, but Lore placed a finger to his lips and winked before shutting the door behind him.

    ¡°What are you doing?¡± Bird hissed under her breath as Lore ushered her through the women¡¯s hall.

    ¡°Taking you to Assembly.¡±

    ¡°No, Apple-,¡±

    ¡°Does not know that I have already taken you and this will irk him to no end,¡± Lore said smiling slyly. ¡°You see, he sees that it¡¯s his duty to bring you to Assembly as your protector. I see that as your friend I should take you in his stead.¡±

    ¡°But Apple is my friend too.¡±

    ¡°And you¡¯ve been neglecting your other friends,¡± Lore said as they rounded a corner to find Fel waiting in the garden for them. Bird felt her face heat as she realized that she hadn¡¯t seen him in three weeks.

    ¡°Hello m¡¯lady,¡± Fel said giving her a bow. ¡°It pleases me to see you in good health,¡± he said softly. Bird noticed that his hair had been cropped close to his head and instead of the fancily designed clothes she had known him to wear he was dressed in a more somber black that looked striking on him. Not knowing what had brought on the change, Bird stepped closer to him.

    ¡°Fel, it¡¯s good to see you. Why are you dressed so?¡± she asked. Bird saw the color rise in his cheeks.

    ¡°My squad leader said if I wanted to be a fighter that I need to start dressing the part,¡± Fel said. His eyes shifted to the flower in Bird¡¯s hand then back to her face.

    ¡°Oh,¡± Bird replied. Lore tugged at Bird¡¯s elbow and the three of them began to walk together in silence for a few moments. Bird looked up at Lore who had tucked her arm under his. There seemed to be an unreadable expression on his face. She poked him on the cheek with the flower and he glanced down at her. ¡°Is something wrong?¡±If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    He shook his head and they continued on in silence.

    They soon left the building and joined the growing crowd in the streets all headed to different places of Assembly. The one that Apple usually took Bird was a part of an annex of the main council hall where they lived, but Lore had turned away from the path that led to the building and instead took them outside the council hall and the palace¡¯s walls.

    Bird began to feel anxious as they drew farther away from the building and into the city of Uler. They passed buildings that were clustered together, then they became fewer and far between. Soon she noticed that they were heading uphill into the forest. The sunlight was swiftly fading and a lone dragon was making his way down the street lighting the lamps. He nodded to the trio as they passed and continued his work.

    ¡°Where are we going?¡± Bird asked as the treetops blocked her view of the starry sky.

    ¡°You¡¯ll see, it¡¯s not much further,¡± Lore said patting her hand.

    ¡°You¡¯re not luring me into the woods so that you can eat me?¡±

    ¡°Only if you want me to,¡± Lore replied.

    Bird¡¯s jaw dropped and she tried to wiggle out of his grasp. ¡°Let go of me pervert,¡± Bird yelled. Faster than she could blink she found herself cradled in the dragon¡¯s arms. Fel sighed and rolled his eyes.

    ¡°Dear Briar, I honestly hope that you don¡¯t think that I would harm you in any way. Please relax and we can walk peaceably to where we are going. It''s not far.¡± The strange look was in Lore¡¯s eyes once more. He seemed to be begging her to understand him.

    Eventually curiosity won Bird over and she patted his arm. ¡°Let me down, I promise not to yell or escape.¡± Lore¡¯s face immediately brightened and Bird felt her heart begin to race in her chest. She swallowed back a lump in her throat and looked away as he set her on her feet. Lore offered his arm again and she took it.

    Up ahead the darkness was held at bay by a soft light. As they drew closer Bird gasped. The path they traveled ended at the edge of a clearing. Surrounding the clearing were hundreds of candles that illuminated the benches placed at even intervals. In the center of the clearing was circular stone stage made of granite and in the very center of this stage were two half circle benches made of the same material. Lore ushered Bird on to the stage and made her sit on the right side bench. Fel reached under the opposite bench and pulled out a lute. He tuned it then stepped back to the edge of the stage.

    Lore moved back to the edge of the clearing and began to shimmer. Suddenly five other dragons stepped out from the darkness shimmering. As one they turned into their dragon forms and lifted their heads to the stars. At some unspoken cue Fel began to play his lute.

    Bird felt her body vibrate as a sound played on the very edge of her hearing. Soon she realized the dragons were humming as the sound grew. Fel¡¯s lute weaved in and out of the melody as it grew more complex. A change came in the melody as the dragons began to sing. Bird felt her eyes drawn to Lore. His long graceful neck was curved back, the brown scales taking on a bronze hue in the candlelight.

    Energy stirred within her belly responding to the song of the dragons. Bird closed her eyes basking in the harmony as more dragon voices could be heard far off. With her eyes closed one voice seemed to stand out among the others. An ache began in Bird¡¯s throat and her lips quivered as she listened to the voice that seemed to call out to her.

    A sound escaped Bird¡¯s lips, softly at first. She began to match the voice note for note, word for word though she did not understand the language that was spoken. Gradually her voice became louder and she stood up raising her arms as they tingled with energy. Bird felt her heart yearning for something; the desire entered her voice.

    Suddenly she felt hands clasping hers and a part or her that she did not realize had been empty became filled with intense energy. Bird threw her head back as her whole body thrummed with the new energy. She felt lips on her own and she welcomed them. Her body felt aflame and the arms that now encircled her only increased the heat until she felt that she would turn to ash.

    A thumb traced her chin and she moved her hands up until she was clutching strong shoulders. A smoky scent met her nose and Bird wanted to cover herself in it so that she could smell nothing else.

    What is this? Bird wondered just before her power spilt over consuming her in a rush that left her knees weak. She moaned and collapsed against the person holding her up. Immediately she felt her face heat in embarrassment. Why did it feel right to be in this person''s arms? Her heart felt whole and her power wild.

    What had happened? Why had she been kissing? Who had she been kissing? Her lips felt tender and swollen as she touched them gently, afraid to look up. Bird closed her eyes, took a deep breath and looked up.

    Bird felt her heart stop then work itself into a panic. Why him? she thought and took a step back covering her mouth. Lore¡¯s hands clutched her own and he pulled her close once more then knelt in front of her. ¡°Bird,¡± Lore whispered. His voice sounded loud in the silence that was left after Assembly.

    ¡°What happened to me?¡± Bird asked. Her body began to shake as she stared at Lore. What was this feeling that she felt? Why did she feel indestructible, complete, happy? Why was her energy fluctuating so wildly within her?

    ¡°You joined with my harmony,¡± Lore said. He pressed his hand against Bird¡¯s forehead then moved it to cup her chin. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, your energy will settle soon.¡±

    ¡°I joined with your harmony? I¡¯ve sung with the Assembly before, what¡¯s different about now?¡± Bird asked. Her stomach rolled and bile rose in her throat. Lore pushed her back onto the bench.

    ¡°Joining a harmony is different from singing in Assembly. This is something more intimate.¡± Lore looked away then back at Bird. ¡°When I sang tonight, I did not expect anyone to match my energy. I didn¡¯t know that you would be the one.¡±

    ¡°I still don¡¯t understand you. We¡¯ve cast spells together before, how is this different?¡± Bird asked.

    Lore looked her directly in the eyes. ¡°Harmonizing our energy as we just did is something different than casting spells. Our energy became one which is something that only happens between fated souls.¡±

    Bird began shaking her head. Tears formed in her eyes and she let out a sob. ¡°Bird, I love you,¡± Lore whispered.

    Bird stood up abruptly and backed away from the bench nearly tumbling off the stage as she did so. ¡°No,¡± she said. ¡°No, this can¡¯t be right; I love Apple. You¡¯re my friend,¡± she said pleadingly. She ran her fingers through her hair and continued to back away.

    ¡°Bird!¡± Lore said standing up swiftly. ¡°Bird , please.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t say my name,¡± Bird said hoarsely. She wiped tears from her face.

    ¡°Bird¡­¡±

    She shook her head, created a doorway and fled.

    ***

    Apple stormed into the courtyard in front of the council hall with Fel and Sera following in his wake. He found Lore leaning against the iron gate with tears in his eyes. ¡°Have you found her yet?¡± Apple demanded. Lore shook his head. ¡°She has been missing for two hours, where could she have gone on this island?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not even sure if she¡¯s on the island,¡± Lore replied. Apple narrowed his eyes.

    ¡°What do you mean by that? How could she have gotten off the island without a boat?¡±

    ¡°Bird can open gates! This is something she showed me the first time we started lessons together. I had thought the talent had been lost to witches, but she could do it perfectly.¡±

    ¡°You mean to tell me that Bird can open gates and you never thought to tell me?¡± Apple roared. Smoke escaped his teeth as he snarled. His body began to shimmer and Lore took a step back. ¡°Bird could be anywhere now, and why did she run off in the first place?¡±

    ¡°We harmonized during Assembly.¡±

    Shock fell across Apple and Sera¡¯s faces as they stared at Lore. The dragon man had undone his hair and it now fell about his shoulders in a tangled black curtain. His body began to shimmer while he choked back a sob. ¡°It scared her. We had kissed¡­¡± Lore covered his mouth and stared at his feet. ¡°What have I done? She must think I¡¯m some monster forcing himself on her.¡±

    Apple hugged his cousin. ¡°No Lore, you¡¯re not a monster. She¡¯s just a young girl. She¡¯s frightened, which is normal when something like this happens. We will find her, but you need to calm down. You¡¯re the only one who can probably locate her now, but you can¡¯t do it unbalanced.¡±

    Lore nodded into Apple¡¯s shoulder. Sera placed her hand on Lore¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Cousin, it will be okay,¡± she said smiling sweetly.

    ¡°Don¡¯t forget I¡¯m here to help as well,¡± Fel said.

    ***

    Bird¡¯s chest would not stop aching as she rocked herself in the corner of the castle room. This was the first place she had thought to flee it was also the closest thing that felt of like home. There were no lights to illumine the cluttered storage room, someone had removed the torches and cleared away some of the old junk.

    The cold winter air sent shivers down her spine, but she lacked any motivation to warm herself. She blew onto her hands then stuck them in her armpits. ¡°This is ridiculous,¡± she said aloud. ¡°I love Apple, so why did I kiss Lore?¡± Hot tears burned her cheeks anew as she thought of the kiss. She had enjoyed it, she had wanted more. The feeling scared her.

    She wrapped her arms tighter around her knees.

    Assembly had been beautiful and amazing up until the point she had opened her eyes to find Lore had kissed her. She remembered the feel of his skin and his smoky scent that she wanted to wrap herself in. His scent was different from Apple¡¯s.

    Where Apple¡¯s scent made her feel calm and safe, Lore¡¯s excited her. During Assembly she had felt a strong inner connection that she had never had with anyone before, even Apple. How was she supposed to explain what had happened between them? Why could she still feel a faint connection to Lore even now miles away?

    Why did she not love Apple as she had before?

    A noise came from across the room and Bird looked up to see Yena standing in front of her. Bird saw that something was off then realized she could see Yena as clear as if she stood in sunlight rather than the nighttime gloom of the castle. ¡°You¡¯re not entirely here,¡± Bird said.

    ¡°No,¡± Yena said sitting beside Bird and offering her, her warmth. ¡°I am not. Why did you flee?¡±

    Bird bit her lip hard enough to draw a drop of blood. ¡°I¡¯m not in control of my emotions anymore. I¡¯m getting flashes of heat as if I¡¯m sitting next to an open fire in the wind. I don¡¯t know what to do about Lore or Apple.¡±

    ¡°Hush.¡± Yena kissed the top of Bird¡¯s head. ¡°This is natural, I went through it myself when I met Adwin. We had hated each other at first, but then when we harmonized we realized it was such a childish thing that had kept us apart. I knew from that moment that I would walk the ends of the earth to see him happy and he would do the same for me. I don¡¯t think you¡¯ve lost control Bird, I think that your head has finally caught up with your heart.¡±

    Her heart? Were all the moments that she had felt her heart skip around Lore a signal that she had started to love him? When she had first met him she had found him irritating and loud; and now? Now she had found herself losing the ability to speak when he was around. His smiles evoked her own, and when he had held her arm thrills had gone through her body. It was easier to be sarcastic with him to hide the how excited he made her feel.

    With Apple she had felt safe and protected, but not once had he shown any romantic interest in her. She had cried herself to sleep when she found out Sera was his fianc¨¦e and it was Lore, not Apple who comforted her then. Lore was constantly by her side and always seemed to notice before anyone else that she was feeling unwell.

    Did Lore truly love her? Did she love him?

    She cringed when she thought of the way she had spoken to him in the clearing.

    Bird touched her heart. She had had few examples of love growing up, but had always imagined what it would be like. She had pictured a handsome champion that would carry her away from her problems and take her to live in a place that she could be accepted as a witch. When Apple had appeared before her in his human form, she could not help but fall in love with him then. He seemed to be the champion she had waited for to save her from the memory of her lonely days in the cottage.

    Apple was brave, confident, gentle and kind, while Lore was loud, obnoxious and teasing, but beneath all that teasing was a kind and fierce heart; a heart that had bared itself completely to her in sincerity.

    ¡°I¡¯m ready to go now,¡± Bird said.

    ¡°Good. Go back to the park Lore took you to tonight. It¡¯s best that you not surprise any dragons with your talent,¡± Yena said softly. She gave Bird one last squeeze and faded into mist. Bird wiped the tears from her face and created a new gate.

    As Bird passed through the gate she realized that she was not alone. Lore was sitting on the stage of the clearing with his back to her. His long hair, usually kept in a braid, was now undone and falling about his shoulders like a soft wavy curtain. A lantern sat next to him, which he almost turned over as he jumped to his feet and faced her.

    ¡°Bird, I know that what happened tonight scared you. I want to say I¡¯m sorry and I won¡¯t push any more of my feelings on to you. I brought you this lantern since the street lamps are now out,¡± Lore said quickly bowing his head. Bird crossed the distance between them swiftly and threw her arms around the surprised dragon.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. I¡¯m sorry for hurting you and running away,¡± Bird said into his chest as her head could not reach his shoulder. ¡°I was being unfair¡­ Kiss me.¡±

    Lore hesitated and Bird drew his head level with hers until their lips almost touched and their breath mingled. ¡°Are you sure you want this?¡± he asked.

    ¡°Yes,¡± she breathed. Lore kissed her and Bird felt her energy finally settle as joy rushed through her heart. ¡°What do we do now?¡± Bird asked after Lore pulled away.

    ¡°We set a wedding date,¡± he said winking.

    ¡°Don¡¯t you think it¡¯s too soon? I barely know you.¡±

    ¡°Barely know me? Haven¡¯t we traveled together and lived under the same roof for half a year?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think the open air and inns count,¡± Bird said smiling. She began to back away. ¡°Besides, who would want to share a roof with a pervert like you?¡±

    ¡°Pervert am I? Dear lady you wound me once more. Come back here and take ownership of the damage you have dealt me,¡± Lore said miming a knife in his heart. Bird stuck out her tongue and raced down the path back toward the city. Suddenly she was picked up off her feet by a transformed Lore and she let out a shriek.

    Lore held her tightly to his chest and carried her back to the Council Hall. Apple alone stood waiting for them, a stern look in his eyes. ¡°Lore, I need to talk to Bird for a moment,¡± he said as Lore resumed his human form.

    ¡°As you wish,¡± Lore said.

    Apple led Bird a few steps away and hugged her. ¡°You had us worried! If you disappear like that how am I to protect you?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I wasn¡¯t thinking,¡± Bird said.

    ¡°What¡¯s more you revealed that you have the ability to create gates.¡± Bird took a step back when Apple spoke. She felt her stomach twist as she remembered opening a gate in front of the dragons at Lore¡¯s Assembly. ¡°I already told you what happened to Elys, his story is not the only one. There are hundreds here that were attacked because a witch opened a gate into protected land.¡±

    A cold chill went down Bird¡¯s spine. Was her ability so evil? Was it best to never use it again to ensure the protection of others?

    ¡°Bird, do you understand what I¡¯m saying? You can¡¯t use this spell anymore.¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Bird said nodding. ¡°I understand.¡± Apple kissed her forehead and brought her back to Lore.

    ¡°I would prefer it if you wouldn¡¯t be so intimate with my fianc¨¦e,¡± Lore said.

    Apple smirked and put his arm around Bird. ¡°Fianc¨¦e?¡±

    Bird rolled her eyes. ¡°I¡¯m not your fianc¨¦e, I¡¯m not sure what we are right now,¡± she said.

    ¡°I proposed,¡± Lore said in a lilting voice.

    ¡°I never said yes¡­¡± Lore drew closer, lifted Bird¡¯s chin then kissed her deeply. Apple took a step back to give them room. Bird buried her face in Lore¡¯s chesr. ¡°Fmm,¡± she mumbled.

    ¡°Excuse me?¡± Lore asked.

    ¡°Fine! I¡¯ll consider it,¡± Bird huffed. ¡°But I¡¯m tired. I¡¯m going to bed.¡±

    ¡°Want me to join you?¡± Bird smacked his shoulder. ¡°That¡¯s a no I believe.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t believe, know it!¡± Bird took his hand in hers and began to walk with him toward the Council Hall. ¡°You can escort me to my room though. Good night Apple!¡±

    Apple watched the two of them walk away and scratched his chin. What was he to do with Bird now that she was with Lore? He felt a small fear in his heart which he quickly squashed. It was for the best that Lore was with Bird. A change seemed to have overtaken his cousin. He was happier than he had ever been since the attack that had left him and Nana wounded with Brigid nowhere to be found.

    Lore had distanced himself from all but Apple, but he was starting to see it begin to close swiftly since Bird had come into their lives. Would Lore continue to grow with Bird?

 Chapter 13: Valyon

    Bird woke at dawn which was her usual routine since she could remember. She left her bedroom and drew a pot of water from the fountain. She half of it in the window box for her flowers before warming the rest for herself. She scrubbed her face and arms before applying a scented oil that Apple had given to her which smelled of apples.

    Sarene still slept in her bed while Bird began to comb her own hair. Soon she tamed her curls into a single braid. As she set the instrument down she heard a small gasp behind her. Bird turned to find Sarene lying awake. Her skin had paled so drastically that Bird thought she was sick. ¡°You¡¯re back,¡± Sarene said sitting up swiftly.

    ¡°Yes, sorry I didn¡¯t come on time.¡±

    ¡°No, it¡¯s fine,¡± Sarene said quietly. She continued to stare at Bird in an unnerving manner. ¡°Is it true?¡±

    ¡°Is what true?¡±

    Bird felt the hairs on her neck begin to rise. Sarene had been staring at her for quite some time with quick fluttering blinks that spoke of fear, but what had frightened her?

    ¡°I heard that you opened a gate in the middle of the city. Is it true?¡±

    Bird felt a chill go down her spine. Who had told Sarene about the gate? Who else knew about her ability.

    ¡°Yes, I had a small fight with Lore last night and without thinking opened at gate to get away from him,¡± Bird said hoping the truth would calm Sarene. The color in the other woman¡¯s cheeks returned and she let out a breath she had been holding.

    ¡°I had heard something much worse. Thank goodness,¡± Sarene said stretching.

    ¡°Worse? What did you hear?¡± Bird asked as Sarene began her morning routine.

    Sarene paused in her movement. ¡°They are saying that you were trying to summon tigers,¡± she said shyly.

    ¡°What?¡± Bird said shocked.

    ¡°They said you¡¯re a spy for the Heavenly Tigers. They say that witches are granted the power to open gates by tigers so that they can invade places like this.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s ridiculous! I¡¯d never seen a tiger until I met Apple.¡±

    Sarene gave a weak smile. ¡°I¡¯m only repeating what I¡¯ve heard. They don¡¯t know you Bird. They¡¯re scared. We all are scared of the tigers. They hunt and kill us because they don¡¯t believe we deserve to live.¡±

    ¡°We do deserve to live. All of us. If I had a way to protect us from the tigers, I would use it.¡±

    Sarene hugged Bird quickly. ¡°I know Bird.¡±

    ***

    The Oracle opened her eyes and tried to reorient herself. Switching back and forth between trance and reality left her constantly doubting if she truly awake. As time had gone on the doubt had only grown so she needed an assistant to keep her grounded.

    Already Sera was kneading her temples relieving the tension headache that had begun to build. The Oracle sighed in relief.

    ¡°What did you see Madam Oracle?¡± Sera asked.

    ¡°Death,¡± The Oracle said closing her eyes again. ¡°Every path I follow Death has walked. If there was some way to avoid it I would gladly carve that future myself.¡±

    ¡°We all wish that Madam, that¡¯s why we have you to show us the right path.¡±

    ¡°There is no right path, only the best. There is a squadron of tigers building a post in the ruins of Errolt. This post is too close to our city for us to be safe. I know which teams need to go, but I¡¯m loathe to send them,¡± the Oracle said twisting a handkerchief in her right hand. Why did fate ask her to constantly sacrifice her sons and daughters in order for the world see a brighter future? Of her hundred children that she had born only 20 were alive now and still fate hungered for more of them.

    Each death was as if her own blood and been spilled on the battlefield. Her heart felt crippled and withered, but still managed to bleed anew when she laid her children to rest. Every night she prayed that another would not be taken, but her prayers went unanswered; her god silent in his prison.

    ¡°Serafina, I¡¯m so glad that my son found love in you,¡± the Oracle said patting the younger dragon¡¯s hand. ¡°But it seems fate has chosen for him to face battle once more.¡±

    ¡°No, Madam, he¡¯s only been here a few months!¡± Sera cried. She faced the Oracle and placed her head in the dragon¡¯s lap. ¡°Not him¡­¡± The Oracle stroked her head.

    ¡°My heart is bitter too, but if we are to see our god restored, all of us must fight in our turn. Though centuries have passed it seems to my eyes he was just a suckling babe the day before. His whole team must go,¡± the Oracle said with finality.

    Sera looked up at the sad eyes and pressed her mouth into a thin line. ¡°What of Avalon¡¯s charge, the witch child?¡±

    ¡°She will stay here and continue her studies with Nana.¡±

    ¡°Our brethren fear her. They speak of her as a traitor and spy. Everyone knows she can open gates. Send her with Avalon so that the rumors may die,¡± Sera said adamantly.

    The Oracle shook her head and said, ¡°She is young and untested. She may prove more of a burden than an asset after all Avalon is her protector.¡±

    Sera shook her head. ¡°That may be, but did you hear what happened between her and Lore?¡±

    ¡°No, what happened?¡±

    ¡°They harmonized!¡±

    The Oracle¡¯s eyes widened. Though it was not unheard of a dragon and witch to harmonize in spirit, accounts were rare and far between. ¡°So it would be two distracted instead of one.¡±

    ¡°I think you underestimate them and their duty. Bird is strong; stronger than most witches. This is a chance for us to test her.¡±

    The Oracle pursed her lips then took a sip from a glass that sat beside her. If Uler was beginning to doubt the young witch would it be better to keep her under watch in the city or send her out with the vanguard? Either decision had its pros and cons, but wouldn¡¯t keeping Bird under close watch raise suspicion of her?

    ¡°She will go with them. Tell Nana that Bird shall be sent to combat training at once with Valyon.¡±

    ¡°Yes Madam Oracle,¡± Sera said bowing away from the older dragon.

    ***

    Bird was heading to her first lesson when she was intercepted in the hall by Nana. A hard look was in the old dragon¡¯s eyes. Instinctively Bird shied away from her. Surprise broke out on the dragon¡¯s face. ¡°Bird, I did not mean to scare you. I have a lot on my mind,¡± Nana said patting Bird¡¯s cheek. ¡°I came to find you; you will no longer be attending your normal lessons.¡±

    ¡°Am I not to practice magic anymore?¡± Bird asked worried.

    ¡°No, no you will be starting a new regimen. Valyon is to be your new tutor for the next few weeks. She is a great teacher, I know because I taught her.¡± Nana sighed and took Bird by the hand and started leading her down the hall. ¡°If I still had my right arm I would be the one teaching you.¡±

    ¡°Teaching me what?¡±

    ¡°Combat; this won¡¯t be a simple self-defense class. You are going to be taught how to kill.¡±

    A chill went down Bird¡¯s spine and she stumbled over her feet. Kill? How could she kill anyone? It was one thing to kill animals for food, it was another to kill a person just for the sake of death.

    ¡°I have every confidence in your ability Bird. You are incredibly strong, but lack the knowledge or maybe it¡¯s the ability to use your strength. Hopefully Valyon can bring that potential to the forefront.¡± They left the Council Hall and entered the main courtyard that led out of the palace complex. Many people were passing through the courtyard as they stepped from the warmth of the building into the chilly morning air. A singular dragon was standing in the middle of the courtyard unmoved by the activity around her. She was dressed in a black tunic with two brown stripes going from shoulder to hem. A patch was sewn on the front left side of the tunic of a crest depicting a downward facing sword surrounded by blood stained laurels.

    Bird did not recognize the crest, but knew it was for one of the combat units of Uler.

    ¡°You must be Bird, I am Valyon,¡± the dragon said in a gruff voice that was nearly masculine.

    ¡°Yes ma¡¯am,¡± Bird said shyly.

    Valyon turned to Nana. ¡°You are right, she is incredibly powerful. I¡¯m surprised she was allowed to live into adulthood.¡±

    Bird winced. She had heard this before. If she was so strong why was she powerless to save her family?

    The two dragons had continued to talk while Bird questioned her strength. ¡°Isn¡¯t that right Bird?¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    Nana looked annoyed and Bird bit her lip. ¡°Isn¡¯t right that you can open gates?¡± Nana said once more.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Bird said in a low voice. Her ears burned in embarrassment.

    ¡°Wonderful, we can incorporate that into her training,¡± Valyon said to Nana. ¡°Bird, we will be training on the other side of the island. The spells we practice are too dangerous within city limits.¡± Valyon took several steps back, shimmered and turned into a dark red dragon. The red scales lightened into a bronze color around the edges and were flecked with gold. Her claws were as black as ebony and gleamed as if they had just been polished. She bowed Bird and Bird found herself bowing back.

    ¡°Go with Valyon and remember you are representing me,¡± Nana said patting Bird on the shoulder. Valyon lowered her neck so that Bird could climb onto her shoulders. As soon as she settled the dragon took off abruptly causing Bird to smack her face into the back of the armored neck. Fresh blood dripped from her nose and she pinched it to slow the flow.

    The flight to the other side of the island took twenty minutes; if Bird had tried to walk the distance it would have taken her hours. They passed over a paved yard where it appeared dragons and humans were marching in complicated formations.

    Valyon began to descend, but not before Bird noticed other paved yards. A cluster of buildings lay at the other end of the yard and this is where Valyon finally landed. A dragon met them as Valyon regained her human form. ¡°Colonel, glad to see you¡¯ve returned. Who is this?¡±

    ¡°This is my new student. The Oracle wants me to train her in combat for an upcoming mission.¡± The other dragon¡¯s eyes widened in surprise. ¡°Get her a uniform,¡± Valyon said before noticing the blood on Bird¡¯s face, ¡°and a towel.¡±

    Valyon had Bird change quickly in a small open air shower before leading her onto one of the empty yards. This yard had a variety of targets, worn and battered with use and exposure. ¡°Unlike Nana¡¯s classes where you deal mostly in theory and small scale spells we deal in situational application of large scale spells. You are going to learn not only to defend yourself with magic, but also to attack with it.

    ¡°You may have heard how the tigers enslave witches to their cause. They spend years training them kill whomever their army deems to be enemies. They will not hesitate to kill you so you should not hesitate to attack them.¡±

    ¡°But-,¡± Bird began.

    ¡°This is war child! We save who we can and protect who we can, but we cannot save everyone. I was told that you wish to save your cousin, how can you save her if you end up dead? Those who hesitate die!¡± Valyon yelled.

    Bird began shaking as tears fell from her eyes. She knew it would be dangerous to rescue her cousin, but the thought of killing to reach that end had never occurred to her. How was she supposed to kill other witches?

    Valyon seemed to soften. ¡°Most soldiers do not want to kill. They join the army to protect their families and values. They join knowing that they may have to spill blood. As a witch your main goal is to subdue the Seekers on the battlefield so that they can be recovered alive. Most Seekers will not go willingly believing wholly in the cause of The False Ones. If you can¡¯t fight you can¡¯t save anyone.¡±

    Bird nodded. ¡°Yes ma¡¯am.¡±

    ¡°First lesson is stamina. We are going to run five miles starting now!¡± barked the dragon woman. She began to jog away and Bird raced to catch up with her. They completed a circuit around the training yards with Bird falling farther and farther behind. Valyon began to slow her pace to match Bird¡¯s. ¡°Keep running, we haven¡¯t finished a mile yet.¡±

    ¡°How¡­ many¡­ more?¡± Bird gasped as she stumbled over her feet.

    ¡°Three laps is a mile, multiply by five gives you fourteen more to complete. Pick up the pace if you want to be done by ten.¡±

    Bird continued to run. Her body felt heavier with each lap and the air became thicker as she gasped. Several times she fell over stirring dust from the ground. Bells marked the hour as ten and Bird fell to the ground exhausted after completing her last lap. She was allowed to rest for a five minutes.

    Valyon walked over to a dummy and place a hand on its shoulder. ¡°I want you form a barrier around yourself,¡± Valyon ordered. Bird stood up and did as the dragon said and form a barrier of magic that shimmered in the sun. ¡°Now I want you to set fire to this dummy.¡±

    ¡°How am I supposed to do that without hurting me?¡± Bird asked.

    ¡°Don¡¯t ask me for the answer just do it!¡± Valyon barked.

    Bird studied the dummy. She had never cast a spell on objects outside her barriers. She knew on theory that a barrier spell created a small bubble of isolated reality around what it was cast. This protected the caster from outside attacks that could work around a simpler shield spell. The caster also ran into the problem of not being able to cast spells outside the barrier as well.

    What if I manipulated the barrier to cast the spell? she wondered. Bird raised her arms and concentrated on her barrier while conjuring a fire spell. She merged the two spells. Suddenly her barrier went from a small shimmering bubble around her to a blazing inferno. The flames sucked up all the air in her barrier and Bird fell to the ground gasping. It felt as if the fire had entered her body.

    The flames collapsed around her, but Bird had no breath left to scream as they began to burn her flesh.

    Bird woke in a dark room. She found she was naked except for cloth bandages that were wrapped around her arms, torso and legs. Her body ached and every time she moved a sharp pain traveled along her skin like lightning. She gasped and tried to lie as still as she could. ¡°Bird?¡± a masculine voice said. A flame flickered into life before her illuminating the worried face of Lore.

    Bird felt a thrill go through her heart as he leaned closer but she suddenly yelped as his body heat caused her skin to burn. The dragon jumped back. ¡°Where am I? What happened?¡± Bird whispered hoarsely her skin tingled painfully.

    ¡°You¡¯re in Sick Hall,¡± Lore said. ¡°How did you manage to set yourself on fire I thought you were smarter than that?¡±

    ¡°Oh, I just wanted to see how it felt to be a candle,¡± Bird quipped. ¡°Some of us aren¡¯t immune to flame as some dragons.¡± Lore shook his head and laid it close to hers without touching her.

    ¡°How are you feeling?¡±

    ¡°Raw. I swear did someone skin me?¡±The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

    Lore chuckled. ¡°No Bird, a healer tended you. You have new skin, but you won¡¯t be able to stand heat or sunlight for two more days.¡±

    ¡°Great, bed rest, my favorite time of day,¡± Bird said as her eyes watered from the pain. ¡°How did you get here so fast? How long have I been out?¡±

    Lore took a moment to answer. ¡°A day. I thought we would lose you,¡± Lore said hoarsely. Bird could not see Lore¡¯s face, but could hear the hitch in his breathing as he wept beside her. Fighting through her pain she lifted her arm and touched his damp cheeks.

    ¡°Please don¡¯t cry, I¡¯m alive.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m crying because I¡¯m relieved that you¡¯re alive,¡± the dragon growled. He held Bird¡¯s hand to his cheek then swiftly wrapped a bracelet around her wrist. ¡°This will make sure you are never burned again,¡± he said softly.

    Bird began to feel light-headed. Spots appeared in her vision making her blink rapidly to dispel them. She felt a wave of warmth wash over her skin and her pain faded. Her heart skipped a beat then began to beat fast. Lore leaned in close and planted a kiss on Bird¡¯s cheek. She was surprised when his heat did not hurt her skin. Bird sighed and touched her head then gasped in surprise. Her hair had been cut!

    ¡°This is a protection charm. You will be harder to burn, but this will only work against fire.¡±

    ¡°Thank you,¡± Bird said softly. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to get out of this bed.¡± Lore set down the candle.

    ¡°Really? I thought you might like to stay in it,¡± Lore said kissing a trail from Bird¡¯s temple to her neck. Bird gasped in pleasure when he licked her collar bone. ¡°Bed rest is not the worst thing in the world,¡± he murmured into her skin. The mattress shifted as Lore climbed into bed beside her.

    ¡°Lore?¡± Bird whispered sharply as the dragon settled beside her with his face in the crook of her neck. She felt waves of heat beneath her skin as her energy went into flux. The smoky smell of his body filled her nose and a small thrill went through her.

    ¡°When is your birthday?¡±

    Bird turned her head until they were face to face. Lore looked handsomer in the soft candlelight. She traced his lips with her fingertips and he kissed them gently.

    ¡°Why do you want to know my birthday?¡±

    ¡°That is a silly question. I want to know so that I can give you a gift.¡± Lore kissed her nose and she swallowed a gasp. She ached to hold him close, but was afraid to move. She had never felt such a strong desire to be so close to another person. What if he rejected her? She never saw herself as pretty or smart so what did Lore see in her?

    She wanted to ask for him to hold her closer, but how was she to say it?

    ¡°I don¡¯t want to celebrate my birthday. I feel I have no right to when so many members of my family are dead and Nettie taken,¡± Bird said turning her head away. Tears soaked her pillow and she lay in the dampness quietly until Lore hugged her tightly.

    ¡°You need to celebrate. I know it will be hard to without your closest relatives, but you have us now. Every year I still celebrate my and Brigid¡¯s birthday because it is the last connection we have to each other. She was my twin; no one was closer to us than each other. Please, please let me celebrate with you!¡±

    Unable to hold back her feelings Bird kissed Lore. She pulled at his shirt until he responded by taking it off. Bird tangled her fingers in his braid and used it like a rope to lead him back for another kiss. Her heart ached, but touching Lore¡¯s bare skin soothed it.

    Lore straddled her and began to kiss a trail down her chest, pulling the blanket down as he went until her thighs were exposed. He caressed her hips and she let out a soft sigh and lifted them. ¡°Bird, I don¡¯t want to do anything you don¡¯t want me to,¡± Lore whispered over her navel before kissing it. ¡°I don¡¯t want you to regret anything.¡±

    Bird felt her skin burn, but it was a different kind of heat, this was a dragon¡¯s heat that spoke of banked flames just beneath the flesh. She sat up and cradled Lore¡¯s head to her belly. ¡°I want to be a part of you,¡± she whispered. ¡°I feel as if we have left something undone between us. I can feel our energies pulling us together. It¡¯s scary.¡± She bowed her head. ¡°It¡¯s scary, but I don¡¯t want to run from it.¡±

    Lore lifted his head and took one of her breasts into his mouth and began to suck hard until her nipple felt bruised. He then moved to the other making her gasp as she felt her body tighten below. She moaned softly and placed her hands on his shoulders.

    Soon he traced his tongue down her belly then used his hands to spread her thighs. He found her center and began to suck gently drawing a small yelp from her. ¡°Shh¡­¡± He said bringing his head up to kiss her.

    Bird sank beneath him and grabbed his waistband. Lore took a moment to pull off his pants and boots so that he lay naked above her. He began to kiss her again while spreading her legs once more with one hand. Bird felt something hard and silky against her belly and grabbed it firmly with her left hand. Lore hissed in pleasure and clasped his hand over hers and showed her how to move her hand up and down. ¡°Not too fast,¡± he moaned.

    ¡°I need more,¡± Bird said. ¡°I feel empty.¡±

    Knowing what she meant Lore pushed away her hand and positioned himself between her legs. Slowly he inserted himself into the hottest part of her body then kissed her as she gasped in pain. He began to move in long deep strokes and Bird felt the fire beneath her skin blaze and the pain fade. Her body began to move to his rhythm until it felt painstakingly slow. She dug her fingers into his shoulders until she thought her nails would draw blood.

    ¡°Faster,¡± moaned into Lore¡¯s ear. His strokes became faster sending waves of pleasure through her body. The fire within her roared and she thought she saw Lore¡¯s body ignite as her body shuddered and sent her over the edge.

    Her back curved and she moaned. Lore growled above her then collapsed to the side.

    ¡°Dear¡­Lady¡­¡± he gasped. ¡°I love you.¡±

    Bird smiled and clasped his hand. She placed her head on his shoulder and said, ¡°Pegasus eighteenth.¡±

    ¡°Huh?¡±

    ¡°You wanted to know my birthday. It¡¯s Pegasus Eighteenth.¡± Lore chuckled and covered his eyes with his hand. Bird could see tears gleaming on his cheeks. She sat up and pulled his hand away. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡±

    Lore shook his head. ¡°We have the same birthday,¡± he said. He lifted his head off the bed and kissed her swiftly. ¡°I will plan something special.¡±

    ¡°You don¡¯t have to. I¡¯m fine with some honey drops,¡± Bird said shyly. Lore shook his head.

    ¡°No, I want to do it. Lay down, you need to rest,¡± Lore said. Bird settled in the crook of his arm her body feeling spent.

    ¡°Will you be here when I wake up?¡± She asked sleepily. She yawned then closed her eyes.

    ¡°Of course,¡± Lore said softly.

    Two days later Bird found herself back on the training grounds with Valyon. Her new tunic felt itchy against her new skin and she could not stop scratching. ¡°Bird, this is the same test as before. I want you to seal yourself in a barrier then attack the dummy.¡±

    Bird nodded and immediately sealed herself in a barrier. How was she supposed to attack the dummy from the barrier?

    Off in the distance she could hear a squad of dragons and soldiers marching and chanting in harmony. She closed her eyes and listened to the simple chant. Suddenly her eyes flew open and she stared at the dummy; she knew how to attack it.

    Concentrating she opened a small door hardly bigger than an inch in front of her. She summoned flames and sent them through the small door and ignited the dummy. Valyon clapped.

    ¡°Well done Bird. Now I want you to attack that row over there.¡± Bird began attacking the dummies one by one. ¡°No, all at once!¡± Bird created a second gate then a third and her barrier collapsed. ¡°So your limit is three? Try again with two.¡±

    Bird recreated her barrier then two gates. She summoned fire and struck two of the dummies at once. Valyon rubbed her chin. ¡°Again!¡± Bird continued to attack the dummies until she struggled to hold two gates open. ¡°Well done Bird,¡± Valyon said as Bird collapsed to her knees with exhaustion. ¡°Normally we take our time teaching new recruits, but you are a special case.¡±

    ¡°Why am I a special case?¡±

    ¡°I have only three weeks to train you. The Oracle has something planned for you.¡±

    ¡°Oh,¡± Bird said softly.

    ¡°Rest is over, we¡¯re going to run again,¡± Valyon said helping Bird to her feet.

    Bird¡¯s training seemed to drag slowly for two weeks as she worked under Valyon. Every morning they ran which was followed by offensive training until she could no longer maintain multiple spells at once, then a second run followed by a cool down before she was released for the day. She would eat a light dinner with Valyon in a small dining hall reserved for upper leadership before retiring to her temporary room at the training base.

    Her room was located in the visitor¡¯s quarters near the entrance to the training base. She was the only one staying in the building since she had begun her new training. Since her accident she had not seen Lore and an ache had grown in her chest during his absence.

    She understood that Lore had his own duties to Uler, but that did nothing to calm her feeling of loneliness. The trainees viewed her as an outsider. They rarely spoke a word to her other than to say hello. A certain tension seemed to be between them, but she was unsure if it was from the intense training or because they knew she could open gates.

    Bird unlocked the door to her room and closed it firmly behind her. She quickly lit her lamps and settled on the old worn mattress of her bed. Why am I here? she thought as she took off her boots and threw them by the door. What special power do I have that the Oracle needs?

    There was a knock at her door and Bird peered through the window next to it to see who was there. Her view was blocked by flowers that the person held in their arms. She felt her skin tingle as heat flooded her body. Was she running a fever? She wondered and she unlocked her door.

    A bouquet of roses and baby¡¯s breath was thrust into her face and she instinctively grabbed them. Lore appeared over the large arrangement smiling. Bird felt her heart skip a beat and stepped back to allow him into her room. She formed the words to welcome him, but found that her voice had fled her. Embarrassed she kissed him on the cheek and locked the door behind him.

    ¡°Dear Lady, what¡¯s the matter? I¡¯m used to hearing some vocalization from you, but you are unusually silent. Did I do something to offend?¡±

    Heat flared in Bird¡¯s cheeks and she shook her head briskly. ¡°No,¡± she croaked. Lore placed his hand on her forehead and touched his own.

    ¡°We are of the same temperature so it¡¯s not a fever,¡± he murmured.

    ¡°How are we the same temperature? Dragons are warmer than humans,¡± Bird said barely above a whisper.

    ¡°The charm I gave you matches our body heat when we are near each other,¡± Lore said simply as he surveyed Bird¡¯s sparse new quarters.

    ¡°But it disappeared after you left,¡± Bird said holding out her bare arm. Lore took it gently in his hands than ran a finger over her wrist. A pattern of scales glowed bronze for a brief moment before fading to match her skin. ¡°What?¡± she exclaimed as she pulled her arm back. She looked closely at her skin and noticed the faint scale pattern that went around her wrist. ¡°How does it do that?¡±

    ¡°I understated this charm when I gave it to you. Unless someone is looking for it, they will not see it. This is my protection for you made from my own scales,¡± Lore said kissing Bird¡¯s wrist. Heat flared anew within Bird and she looked away. ¡°Is something wrong? Why aren¡¯t you looking me in the eye?¡±

    ¡°I¡­ I still feel weird since we¡­¡± Bird trailed off.

    ¡°Since we consummated our love?¡±

    Bird snatched her arm away and put the flowers down on a small table beneath her windows. Her thoughts whirled swiftly through her mind. She knew that she was falling in love with Lore though it seemed so sudden after having loved Apple. She wanted to be open with him, but her voice kept getting caught in her throat.

    Were they moving too fast or not fast enough? She could not decide. ¡°Lore¡­ you are my first,¡± Bird said slowly. ¡°I don¡¯t know what to say to you anymore. I keep getting so flustered.¡± Bird shook her head as heat rushed back into her cheeks making her feel heady. Lore came up behind her and hugged her.

    ¡°I know what you¡¯re saying. I felt so unnerved by my feelings for you that I found myself teasing you instead of telling you outright. I haven¡¯t been in love before¡­¡±

    Bird breathed in sharply shocked. How had Lore never been in love before? ¡°Lore?¡±

    He kissed the top of her head. ¡°I¡¯m not saying I have never loved anyone. I love my family, I love my friends, but I had never had a romantic love for anyone but you. When I first saw you it was like some fire had been lit in my soul and brightened it. I wanted to be closer to you, but you were in love with my cousin. How was I supposed to express my feelings when Avalon was the one you loved? I tried to give you both room so that you could love him, but my own jealous heart got in the way,¡± Lore said as his voice thickened with emotion. ¡°How was I to compete with the favorite child of Uler?¡±

    ¡°Lore, I didn¡¯t know you cared that much about me.¡±

    ¡°No, you didn¡¯t because I hid it well until Assembly. How was I to know that fate would take my choice out of my hands?¡±

    Bird turned her head up and nibbled on Lore¡¯s chin. He tightened his arms around her then lowered his head to kiss her deeply. ¡°I¡¯m glad fate intervened,¡± Bird said. Lore rubbed her wrist until the scales appeared.

    ¡°Do you want to keep this this charm?¡± he asked cryptically.

    ¡°Yes, of course! Why wouldn¡¯t I want to?¡±

    ¡°This charm is used between couples to strengthen their bond beyond the initial harmonization. My life is spiritually and physically connected to you through this link and yours to mine. The longer it stays on, the closer we will become and the harder it is to separate us from each other. We will begin to feel each other¡¯s bodies and draw on each other¡¯s magic. In fact many don¡¯t use this charm because of those reasons.¡±

    Bird looked down at the glowing scales. Did she was to keep this bond with Lore? ¡°What happens if one of us dies?¡±

    Lore squeezed her tighter. ¡°If I die, you will die with me because you are mortal, but if you die than I can survive your death.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll keep it,¡± Bird said firmly. ¡°The bad and the good, all of it, if it means being closer to you!¡±

    ¡°Do you understand what you¡¯re saying?¡±

    ¡°Yes, I¡¯m saying I love you.¡±

    Lore turned her around until their fronts were flush with each other. Due to their differences in height Lore¡¯s groin was matched to Bird¡¯s belly. She gasped as she felt his groin press against it. He cupped her face and planted a kiss firmly on her lips. ¡°Will you marry me?¡± he asked again.

    ¡°I want to wait another year,¡± Bird whispered. Lore licked her lips sending a thrill through her body.

    ¡°That doesn¡¯t answer my question Briar,¡± Lore growled softly. Bird stuck her hand down his pants and cupped him. She made slow soft strokes until his eyes began to flutter back in pleasure. ¡°You¡¯re cheating,¡± he said through clenched teeth.

    ¡°I¡¯m only doing what you taught me,¡± Bird said innocently. She drew him from his pants and began to stroke. His member shuddered in her hand in response to the sensation.

    ¡°You¡¯re going to pay for this,¡± Lore panted.

    There was a sudden knock at the door and they both froze. Lore quickly tucked himself back into his pants and smoothed his shirt down. Bird flames over her handsand then smoothed out her tunic. ¡°Who is it?¡± she asked approaching her door.

    ¡°Valyon and Nana,¡± Valyon said through the door. Looking guiltily at Lore, Bird opened her door for the two dragons.

    ¡°How is my student?¡± Nana asked patting Bird on the shoulder. ¡°Lore, I didn¡¯t know you were here too,¡± Nana said elbowing him in the ribs. ¡°Visiting your paramour?¡± Lore choked and backed away from his grandmother. Bird could see his ears turn red as he pointedly looked at the wall. ¡°Don¡¯t think I didn¡¯t know this would happen. We all know the two of you harmonized. I can feel the energy threading between you. I just want to know when the wedding is.¡±

    It was Bird¡¯s turn to feel her face flush. She stared at her bare toes.

    ¡°Don¡¯t tell me you weren¡¯t planning on getting married?¡± Nana asked raising an eyebrow. She winked at Valyon.

    ¡°Never, Nana! Bird and I were just talking about a date,¡± Lore said quickly. Bird glared at him as Nana turned her gaze back to her.

    ¡°So, when is it?¡±

    ¡°I-I want to wait to get married. M-maybe next winter; I like the snow,¡± Bird stammered.

    ¡°I don¡¯t see why you couldn¡¯t marry now. It is still winter,¡± Valyon said. ¡°We can even do it right after you¡¯re training is over.¡±

    Bird shook her head as fear raced through her heart. To marry Lore now would be too soon for her. She did not have much time to get to know him. A year would give her that time and she could also plan out what she wanted for the ceremony.

    ¡°I want a special wedding,¡± Bird said. ¡°If we get married now, I won¡¯t have that chance. I also want to take the time to get to know Lore more before marriage changes us.¡±

    Nana reached into the folds of her robe and pulled out a simple silver ring. ¡°This belonged to my daughter Rhiannon, Lore¡¯s mother, when she was still alive. She was as much a warrior as I was, some nights I lament that fact,¡± Nana said sighing. She approached Bird and motioned for her to hold up her hand. The young woman did so and Nana slipped the ring on the second to last finger of her left hand. ¡°I want you to keep this Bird. You¡¯re family now, even if you don¡¯t decide to marry my pig-headed grandson.¡± She kissed Bird¡¯s forehead. Nana reached into her robe again and pulled out an identical ring and placed it on Lore¡¯s hand.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t know you had kept these. I thought you had given them to Brigid,¡± Lore said softly.

    ¡°I knew you would cherish them more.¡± Lore hugged his grandmother.

    Valyon pulled Bird aside. ¡°I know my nephew can be a handful, but I¡¯m sure he¡¯s not more than you can handle.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re nephew?¡± Bird exclaimed with wide eyes. She covered her mouth quickly.

    ¡°Oh, I didn¡¯t tell you, Valyon is my oldest daughter,¡± Nana said. ¡°My daughters and granddaughters have a bad habit of becoming fierce warriors making an old heart like mine uneasy.¡±

    ¡°And who do you think we have to thank for that, Mother?¡± Valyon shook her head. ¡°It¡¯s difficult having a normal life when you¡¯re constantly reminded of the great feats of The First, Luriel. I had to pick up your banner or risk besmirching your name.¡±

    Nana snorted. ¡°Like any of you could.¡±

    Bird stepped away from the two dragons as they began to argue between themselves. Lore slipped his hand into hers and she smiled up at him. ¡°Are they always like this?¡± Bird whispered.

    ¡°Only on a good day; you know it¡¯s a bad day when they don¡¯t speak to each other.¡±

    ¡°What man in his right mind would want to marry me if they knew that they would have you for a mother-in-law?¡± Valyon yelled.

    ¡°That wasn¡¯t a problem for your sisters!¡±

    ¡°It never was; the boys all fawned over them constantly. I¡¯m never getting married. If it was possible I would have done it centuries ago.¡±

    ¡°You¡¯ll find someone, I know,¡± Nana said patting her daughter¡¯s arm. She turned to Lore and Bird. ¡°I will bid you both good night.¡±

    ¡°Try to get some sleep, Bird,¡± Valyon said. Both she and Nana left the room. After the door closed Bird and Lore¡¯s eyes met and she giggled.

    ¡°That¡¯s my family,¡± Lore said.

    Bird took off her tunic and slipped on her night gown before turning down her bedding. ¡°Are you going to stay or are you going back?¡± she asked.

    ¡°Well I thought that we could finish what we started,¡± Lore said with sly look in his eyes. He sauntered close to Bird and nibbled her ear.

    ¡°No, I¡¯m not in the mood now,¡± Bird said pushing him away reluctantly. She was beginning to feel tired after her intense training. Lore suddenly scooped her up in his arms, laid her in bed and then climbed in next to her. He tucked her under his arm and pulled up the blankets.

    ¡°Lore, can you tell me about the Creator?¡± Bird asked.

    ¡°If you wish,¡± he said softly. Bird yawned while nodding her head.

    ¡°Once, long ago there existed only The One. All about him was chaos. He opened his mouth and spoke ¡°Light¡±, and Light came forth from the chaos and submitted while his twin Darkness fled.

    ¡°The One then spoke ¡°Earth¡± and Earth came forth from chaos and submitted. The One then spoke of many other things and they came forth from the chaos and submitted. Then The One spoke ¡°Life¡± and Life filled all things The One had created.

    ¡°The One looked at all he had created and noticed the Darkness alone still cleaved to chaos. Though The One used kind words Darkness refused to submit.

    ¡°One day the Shining Children of The One strayed too close to Darkness. He kissed their cheeks and called them friend.

    ¡°¡®Shining Ones why do you not create as your father? He has built all and you, but you dishonor him by building nothing. Come, use me. Eat of my flesh and you will be greater than he.¡¯

    ¡°So the Shining Children consumed Darkness¡¯ flesh and spoke of new things. They took their creations and showed them to The One, but The One had also created something new. The Shining Children grew angry and destroyed the new creation.

    ¡°Though The One was angered he was gentle and rebuilt his creation and spoke Light and Life into it so that it shone like the Shining Children.

    ¡°The Shining Children spoke darker things into being and waited until the Burning Ones had retired. They attacked The One and sealed him in ¡°The Last Sleep¡±. When the Burning Ones learned of what was done they took arms against the Shining Ones and their fangs of darkness.

    ¡°Though a valiant battle was fought the Shining Children cast the Burning Ones out of Heaven.¡±

    ¡°Who were the Shining Children?¡± Bird yawned.

    ¡°They were Lun and Hexa. They once shone brightly like the stars, but once they consumed Darkness their light began to fade,¡± Lore said solemnly.

    ¡°And the One¡¯s creation, what was it that angered them?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know. This happened long before I was born. I¡¯ve never seen Heaven either, but I¡¯ve heard stories of it.¡±

    ¡°Nice¡­¡± Bird whispered. She yawned again and was silent. With a wave of his hand Lore dimmed the lamps and snuggled beside her. He studied Bird¡¯s face in the gloom. The roundness of her cheeks and begun to sharpen since they had met changing her features to those of womanhood. The wry grin she would give him that left him wondering what she was thinking could be seen faintly in the corner of her lips.

    He traced those lips with his finger and smiled when Bird wrinkled her nose. Lore then kissed the tip of her nose.

    How was he supposed to part from her tomorrow? All his life he had felt as if he was waiting. Many women had made advances toward him, but despite all of their affections he did not love them. One by one they left him in tears that broke his heart because he could not love them the way they did him.

    The first time he had seen Bird he knew she was different. His heart had never been moved for anyone, but for her it did. He dreamt of her and found excuses to speak to her. He yearned constantly for her touch and smile. Now that she was in his arms he felt as if he was dreaming.

    ¡°I love you,¡± Lore whispered and gave her one last kiss.

 Chapter 14: The One That Shook Heaven

    ¡°This is your last day of training, Bird, but it does not mean I will go easy on you,¡± Valyon said. ¡°Prepare yourself!¡±

    Quicker than Bird could blink Valyon halved the distance between them holding flames in her hands. Bird created two barriers around her hands and deflected Valyon¡¯s blows. The heat of the flames grazed her skin, but did not hurt as she sent Valyon flying back a few steps with a push enforced by magic.

    Valyon wheezed slightly then continued her attack, her blows coming quicker until Bird could only predict where they would land without seeing them. Swiftly summoning a full barrier she was able to hold back the dragon¡¯s barrage.

    Valyon began to circle her barrier continuously hitting it. Bird summoned three small gates and began her own barrage against Valyon. She called fire, lightning and wind spinning them about Valyon until she roared and jumped away. ¡°You are getting better Bird, but you have yet to face a tiger¡¯s full strength.¡±

    The dragon¡¯s stance became different and Bird felt a chill go down her spine. Valyon disappeared from her view between blinks. Suddenly she was knocked off her feet as her barrier shattered like glass around her. Turning her head she found Valyon standing over her with a menacing look in her eyes. Bird lifted her arms and blasted the dragon back before turning to face her. She put up another barrier but it was smashed just as easily as the first. Bird began to back away slowly putting up barrier after barrier as it was smashed.

    ¡°You will have to better than this to defeat me Bird!¡±

    Bird suddenly grabbed Valyon by the wrist and tossed her over her shoulder. She kicked at her stomach but was pulled off balance as the dragon grabbed her extended leg. Bird summoned lightning again and struck her full in the face. The air smelled of ozone and burnt grass as the energy dissipated quickly into the ground. Bird stared in shock at the barrier Valyon had used to deflect her magic.

    Swifter than she could blink Valyon grabbed her by the throat. ¡°Well done Bird,¡± she said. ¡°I can only expect greater things from you.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m not finished yet,¡± Bird growled. She grabbed Valyon¡¯s arm. A trail of light encircled the dragon¡¯s arm and throat. Valyon clawed at her throat with one hand but her fingers went through the light that continued to tighten around her neck. She dropped Bird and continued to claw with both hands to no effect on the tightening cord of light. She shimmered then changed into a dragon, but her form was one that Bird had only seen in a book. Instead of one head, Valyon had two. A halo of light appeared between a set of four massive feathered wings that glittered as she flapped them stirring up a gust of wind that threw Bird backward into one of the dummies. The cord of light snapped in a burst of light brighter than the sun. Bird shielded her eyes from the blast.

    Hazy shadows clouded her vision as she turned back to face Valyon.

    ¡°I did not expect you to know such a spell,¡± the dragon¡¯s heads said in unison. ¡°If you are going to use light against me, then I should return the favor.¡±

    Thousands of bands of light shot from the dragon¡¯s halo and snaked their way toward Bird. Closing her eyes, Bird summoned a new barrier of light to encompass her body just before the two sources of light clashed. There was a clap of sound as the ground shook and shards of light exploded into the air causing an aurora borealis. Alarms began to ring around them and the training grounds began to fill with seasoned soldiers. They stopped short seeing the massive red dragon facing down the witch.

    Bird summoned more of her power and molded a whip of light. She waved her hand and her barrier fell which surprised Valyon. The dragon narrowed her eyes at Bird and roared. Bird gave an answering shout. She felt her body become lighter and her shoulder blades began to itch furiously. She ignored the irritation and swung her whip. Valyon¡¯s left head dodged and would have escaped if the whip did not split in two and capture both heads at once by their horns.

    Bird felt her body burning from the inside and wondered if Lore was near her. She tugged on the whip and Valyon stumbled forward. The dragon sucked in a deep breath then poured blue tinged flames from her mouths. The intense heat was more than Bird had ever experienced and she bent over in pain as they flowed around her. Suddenly the scales on her wrist flowed over her body coating her in a thick armor that cancelled out the heat of the flames.

    Bravely standing up Bird released her whip and gathered Valyon¡¯s flames into her own hands and charged forward. A new sensation came over her body and she felt as if she was floating, her feet barely touching the ground as she delivered a blow to the three-story tall dragon¡¯s chest.

    Valyon staggered back and her flames were cut short by the pain that bloomed in her chest. She swung her tail around and caught Bird in the ribs. The witch screamed in pain as she felt something crack. Bird struggled to her feet holding her left side as pain flared through her chest making it harder to breathe. Spots danced before her eyes as she struggled for each breath. She took one step forward then blacked out.

    She came to a few minutes later with Valyon, in human form, kneeling over her. ¡°Shh¡­ don¡¯t move, I broke one of your ribs,¡± the dragon said softly. ¡°I think you may have broken one of mine too.¡±

    ¡°Sorry,¡± Bird wheezed. The dragon woman shook her head and smiled.

    ¡°Don¡¯t be. You passed your training with flying colors, literally,¡± Valyon said pointing up to the sky where remnants of the aurora borealis still hung. ¡°Not many witches are as powerful as you, and not many can take on a dragon in holy form. I think the Oracle was right in choosing you for this mission.¡±

    Bird shook her head. ¡°That power wasn¡¯t all mine, I have this,¡± she said holding up her left arm. Valyon held the proffered arm and tucked it back onto Bird¡¯s chest as the woman winced.

    ¡°I know you have this, otherwise I would not have used my holy flames on you. All it did was protect you from my fire. The link between you and Lorcan is not yet strong enough for you to draw power from. I do have to ask though, who were your parents?¡±

    Bird felt her chest tighten. ¡°Wren and Eloise Blackbriar.¡±

    Valyon looked deep in thought for a moment. ¡°If I may ask, what was your mother¡¯s maiden name?¡±

    ¡°Victore, if I remember correctly.¡±

    ¡°Victore? Are any of your grandparents still alive?¡±

    Bird shook her head. ¡°They¡¯re all dead, including my mother and her sister. My cousin Nettie and I are the last descendants.¡±

    ¡°The one who was taken by tigers?¡±

    ¡°Ye-.¡±

    Bird was cut short as the healer made his way to them. He went to Bird first who was still lying on the ground. ¡°Ma¡¯am, where are you hurt?¡± he asked briskly.

    ¡°My left side, I think I broke a rib.¡±

    The healer clicked his tongue and turned to Valyon. ¡°And you Ma¡¯am?¡±

    ¡°The same, a rib may be broken.¡±

    The healer pointed to two soldiers that were standing nearby. ¡°You two help the Colonel to Sick Hall. And you three help me move this one.¡± The soldiers sprang quickly into action and lifted Bird and Valyon from the scorched ground. They carried them to Sick Hall where they were met by three other healers who directed them to separate rooms in the hall. Bird muttered a curse under her breath as she was set down on a bed and her attending healers began to remove her clothes with scissors. ¡°You¡¯re hands are cold!¡± Bird exclaimed as her tunic was pulled away from the purpling bruise on her chest.

    ¡°We¡¯re not cold, you¡¯re feverish,¡± one of the healers said as they placed a hand just above Bird¡¯s ribs. ¡°It seems you have fractured three ribs. Bones take longer to heal than flesh; we will need two healers for this.¡±

    ¡°Of all that is rotten,¡± Bird hissed as the healer felt around the area of bruising for more damage.

    ¡°Lay still,¡± the healer said firmly. Bird gritted her teeth and lay as still as she could while the healer finished her examination. A second healer joined them on Bird¡¯s other side. ¡°I¡¯m ready to begin. Ma¡¯am, this may hurt.¡±The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

    Both healers raised their hands over Bird¡¯s body and began to hum. Bird felt the hairs on her body rise as energy filled the room. The healers hands began to glow and they lowered them until they touched Bird¡¯s skin. Bird screamed in pain. Her ribs felt as if a hundred nails were being slowly pushed into them. May hurt my ass, Bird thought as she struggled to breathe. After what seemed like hours the healers stopped and began tucking Bird into a gown.

    ¡°Are you done?¡± Bird asked quietly.

    ¡°For today, yes,¡± said the first healer. ¡°We can¡¯t heal bone all at once, doing so will cause more harm to your health. We will begin again tomorrow and you will be done. Try not to exert yourself in the meantime.¡±

    After the healers left Valyon came into the room. ¡°How are you Bird?¡±

    ¡°I feel like skewered meat. Was your rib broken?¡±

    Valyon shook her head and lifted up her tunic to show the bruise on her skin. ¡°They said it¡¯s just a bruise that can be allowed to heal naturally. You delivered a good blow, but I should have gone easier on you. The Oracle will probably reprimand me for this.¡±

    Bird sat up slowly wincing as she did. She swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood up. ¡°What does the Oracle want me for? I am new to your world. I¡¯m not even a properly trained witch!¡±

    ¡°Bird, many are never trained when they are thrust into war. You can have all the training in the world, but it will never compare to the reality of death and destruction.¡± Valyon sat on the edge of the bed and stared at the bare walls of the room. ¡°I used to think this was my mother¡¯s war. It was the First who failed in protecting our creator and had paid the price. I was born after our banishment. My mother, being of the First does not have a mother so when I was born she taught me what she knew best; fighting.

    ¡°I rebelled and fled from her determined to live a normal life away from the war. I did not understand what was at stake until I saw witches being senselessly murdered by their own kin. I fought to protect them, but alone I failed. They were my friends¡­¡± Valyon sighed. ¡°I don¡¯t know if my mother ever forgave me for running away, but I know she was happy when I returned.¡±

    ¡°I didn¡¯t realize dragons had doubts about this war. I thought you all wanted to fight,¡± Bird said.

    Valyon shook her head and patted Bird¡¯s shoulder. ¡°No, but we know we have to. Now the question for you is; do you want to fight?¡±

    Bird looked down at her clasped hands. She had never asked herself if she wanted to fight. Her mother had shielded her from the world to protect her. The world was dangerous for a witch. Meeting Oliver Redfield for the first time had opened her eyes to the bitter truth that witches were not wanted or loved.

    She had tried to make friends with other children while growing up, but they always sensed her otherness and her mother would chide her. Her mother saw no use in making friends with future enemies. They were better off alone.

    After her mother had died and she had learned of Nettie and Ami¡¯s budding powers she had secretly rejoiced. Here were two people that would understand her. She never had to be alone again.

    How quickly that had changed for her.

    Ami was dead and Nettie wanted her dead. The war that had been on the horizon her whole life was suddenly on her doorstep and her house left burning.

    If she fought she may have a chance to rescue her cousin. If she fought she may be able to keep others from living in fear on the edge of society never to fit in.

    ¡°I see you have made up your mind,¡± Valyon said. ¡°We have high hopes for you Bird.¡±

    At that moment the door to the room burst open. Lore stood in the doorway with a harried Fel just behind him. ¡°Where are you hurt?¡± the dragon asked kneeling quickly in front of Bird. Bird felt heat flush through her body and she looked askance at Fel and Valyon.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine, just three broken ribs.¡±

    ¡°Only three? The way I heard it your whole side caved in!¡±

    Bird rested her head on Lore¡¯s and smiled. ¡°Trust me, I will not go down lightly again.¡±

    ¡°Lightly?¡± Lore exclaimed outraged. ¡°You took a hit from a Rose dragon in holy form. I would not call that lightly.¡±

    ¡°She also managed to land a blow on me too,¡± Valyon said lifting her tunic to show the bruises then pulling down the collar to show the ones that had been hidden. ¡°I would keep this one happy.¡±

    Bird snorted. Lore turned her head back to face him. ¡°Truly, are you alright,¡± he said softly.

    ¡°I am. No need to worry Mother,¡± Bird said. Lore kissed her nose and she giggled.

    ¡°Apple should be here soon,¡± Fel said from the door. ¡°Uler is buzzing over the aurora that appeared in the sky. How did you manage that?¡±

    Valyon raised her hand. ¡°Let me answer that. Drakir, being of holy nature are able to use light as a weapon. Light is like fire, but it is different. We use it to expel demons and sanctify tainted ground.¡±

    ¡°If it is holy magic, how can Bird as a mortal use it?¡± Fel asked.

    ¡°All witches have the potential to use such magic. This is one of the reasons why the False Ones hunt them down. They know that this power will expose their lies.¡±

    ¡°So why hasn¡¯t it been exposed now?¡±

    ¡°There are so few witches that know how to use ¡°holy magic¡± as you called it. There are even fewer willing to expose themselves as witches.¡±

    Fel grew silent and rubbed his chin.

    Apple arrived a few moments later and looked around the small room before entering. ¡°This seems to be a rather boring party,¡± he said

    ¡°Apple, I haven¡¯t seen you in ages!¡± Bird said holding up her arms for a hug. He hugged her and kissed her forehead ignoring the glare he received from Lore. He drew back. ¡°I break my ribs and you come see me, but when I set myself on fire and almost die you ignore me? What kind of protector are you?¡±

    Apple snorted. ¡°I did come see you, but you were still passed out. I remember there being a lot of drool.¡±

    ¡°Apple!¡± Bird smacked his shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t say things like that out loud.¡±

    ¡°Sorry, does that embarrass you?¡±

    Valyon reached out and snatched Apple¡¯s ear. ¡°You come in here and do not even utter a hello to your aunt?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry Aunt Valyon; how are you?¡± Apple asked sweetly.

    ¡°Very well, thank you,¡± Valyon said while she still kept a tight grip on her nephew¡¯s ear. ¡°I trust you are well too?¡±

    ¡°Yes Ma¡¯am, but I would be better if you released my ear.¡±

    Bird covered her mouth to hide her smile as Valyon gave one last tug and let go of Apple¡¯s ear. He gingerly touched his reddening ear and backed up toward the wall. ¡°It feels stuffy in here. Let¡¯s give Bird some air,¡± Valyon said taking Fel by the arm.

    The young man looked noticeably paler as the dragon led him out of the room. She shut the door behind them leaving Lore, Bird and Apple alone. Lore let out a sigh then sat on the bed with Bird. Apple sat on her other side.

    ¡°I saw the aurora borealis in the sky. It was spectacular, though it has the older dragon¡¯s quaking in their scales,¡± Apple said. ¡°Some fear it may draw the attention from the tigers. I need you to be careful Bird.¡± Apple took her left hand in his and squeezed it. You are powerful, and it¡¯s not your fault, but people are now scared of you. They think that you may be a threat, not because you¡¯re evil, but because your power is a tempting target for Seekers. I will do my best to protect you, but you need to start thinking about using your magic cautiously.¡±

    ¡°I agree with my cousin,¡± Lore said. ¡°You¡¯ve managed this long because you hid your powers well.¡±

    Bird looked down at their clasped hands. She did not want anyone to feel afraid of her. How powerful was she? Did she bring more harm than good?

    Lore wiped away one of her tears as it fell. ¡°I didn¡¯t ask for this power! Am I to be cursed to be an outsider?¡± She buried her face in Lore¡¯s shoulder. He ran his hand over her head.

    ¡°No Bird,¡± Lore whispered. He kissed the top of her head and resumed stroking her hair. ¡°Give them time to see the wonderful woman you are.¡±

    ***

    Dia Blanc straightened her jacket and checked that her hair was in place. Snow stood beside her swinging his pocket watch in a circle around his index finger. Dia could not stop the curl of her lip as she looked at him. She would love nothing more to sever his useless head from his body, but Lun would frown on such an action between a wed couple.

    She still hated the fact that she had been given to Snow as a prize for his duties as captain in the White Tiger Army of Heaven. Centuries of working her way up through the ranks only to lose her position as general to her husband. She had seen this before, a female tiger losing her rank and having it given to her husband as a wedding gift.

    Today was the official day that her rank as general would formally go to Snow.

    She smoothed out a wrinkle and looked at the scuff on her dress boots. She had no time to buff it out after she tripped on the stairs leading to the Hall of Stripes where senior generals presided.

    ¡°Dia, you look all nervous over there. Don¡¯t be, everything will go smoothly,¡± Snow said touching her hand. She snatched it away and hissed.

    ¡°You do not have permission to touch me so freely,¡± she growled. Snow smiled mockingly and blew her a kiss.

    ¡°Ah darling, you forget that I will soon outrank you and you will be demoted to Lieutenant General. You should feel honored that I spoke on your behalf to not have you demoted to Captain. Show some respect.¡±

    ¡°Lieutenant General in name only; I know how this system works,¡± Dia snapped.

    The doors opened before them and a tiger Lieutenant waved them into the room. ¡°Sir, General Snow Blanc and Lieutenant General Dia Blanc report as ordered,¡± Snow said snapping to attention in unison with his wife and giving a smart salute. He was saluted back by the singular General sitting in the hall.

    ¡°Senior General Myrrh acknowledges your presence,¡± the tiger said dropping his salute. ¡°I know that you both understand the business that is to be conducted today?¡± General Myrrh phrased as a question.

    ¡°Yes sir, this is to formally transfer my wife¡¯s position to my person.¡±

    ¡°Proceed.¡±

    Husband and wife turned to each other and Dia saluted. ¡°I Dia Blanc transfer all powers and responsibilities as General of the 224<sup>th</sup> Branch of Heaven to my husband Snow Blanc.¡±

    But I will gain them back, she said to herself.

    Snow saluted back. ¡°I take all powers and responsibilities from you. You are relieved.¡± He smiled brightly and Dia scowled.

    ¡°Now,¡± said General Myrrh. ¡°Snow I know you wished for your wife to remain as a general, but tradition dictates that she shall be granted the rank of captain once more. As a captain she can oversee the teachings of future generations of soldiers. Such knowledge would be lost if she remained a general. I understand your love of her, but your request has been denied.¡±

    Dia felt her heart shatter. How was she to face her troops knowing that she had lost her position as a general? When would females such as she be offered the respect and rank that they deserved? How many more would go through this humiliation? She was lucky that they had not kicked her out entirely; no she was too valuable for that.

    ¡°Yes, Sir,¡± Dia said calmly though she wanted to weep. ¡°I humbly accept the rank of Captain.¡±

    ¡°Good,¡± General Myrrh said. ¡°You are released back to your unit.¡±

    Dia and Snow turned as one and left the Hall of Generals. This is not over! Dia said to herself as the doors closed behind them. The heavens would burn for this insult.

 Chapter 15: Bresbur

    Bird stood silently between Apple and Lore while Adwin, Yena and Elyseo stood behind them. The group was centered among twenty others in the hall that the Council of Uler used for official proceedings. The Oracle sat center in the high chair at the council¡¯s table flanked by other members of the twelve strong council. Some of the members belonged to the First, the first dragons to be created, while others were of varying ages. Only two of the members were witches grayed with age.

    ¡°You are probably wondering why your squads were called in here today,¡± the Oracle said. Her green eyes scanned the room and lingered on Apple and Bird. ¡°You are here because the tigers are building an outpost in Errolt. We are sending you to destroy this new base before it becomes a significant threat. Kill any tigers on sight and if you encounter Seekers try to liberate them without excessive harm.¡±

    She held up Bird¡¯s book and all the dragons as one dropped to their knees. Bird and the other witches straggled behind. ¡°Now that the book of Creation has been restored we can begin to take back Heaven and restore our true god to his throne!¡±

    ¡°HAH!¡± the dragons shouted as one.

    Tears glistened in the oracle¡¯s eyes as she looked at her two children among the squads. Sera, who was standing just behind and to the right of her placed a hand on her shoulder. ¡°Basalt! Rune! You are to lead these squads into battle. Your orders are in these packets.¡± Two fierce looking dragon women, one with red hair and the other with black, stepped forward and took the sealed envelopes and returned to their positions. ¡°The One bless you all! You are dismissed!¡±

    The hall slowly emptied until only the oracle and Sera were left. ¡°How many more tears must I shed until this is over?¡± the oracle said.

    ¡°Only the number needed to end this war,¡± Sera said smiling.

    ***

    Bird followed close behind Apple as they followed the crowd to the courtyard where their baggage sat in groups. ¡°Okay, listen up everyone. We are splitting into two groups. When your squad leader¡¯s name is called out by either me or Rune, please report to your assigned leader,¡± the red haired dragon shouted. She began to alternate with Rune in calling names until all twenty squad leaders were called. Bird looked around at her new group that fell under the red haired dragon known as Basalt. The only faces that she recognized were that of her own squad. She looked grimly at Basalt and felt a hand slip into hers. She looked up to see Yena standing beside her. ¡°Don¡¯t be frightened young one. We are at your side,¡± she said softly. Bird smiled and squeezed her hand.

    ¡°Everyone!¡± Rune shouted in a husky voice. ¡°We have been given a task by our Oracle! Let us fight with honor for the glory of The One! We will travel together as far as Bresbur then shall form back into our new flights. More formation information will be provided when we reach Bresbur.¡±

    ¡°Form up and prepare to fly out!¡± Basalt yelled. The dragons shimmered and shifted into their dragon form. Lore scooped up Bird and she felt her heart thrill as they soared into the sky. The dragons glittered like polished stones in the morning light as they flew over Uler. A small crowd had gathered outside the council¡¯s hall formed by loved ones. They cheered as they watched the dragons fly up and disappear into the clouds.

    Cradled in the warmth and protection of Lore¡¯s fore arms Bird soon found herself dozing. When she woke they were landing in the midst of a small village that she had never seen before. Dragons and witches swarmed out of their homes and greeted them.

    ¡°What is this village called?¡± Bird asked as Lore gently set her down.

    ¡°This is Bresbur. This village sits on holy ground six hours journey by flight from the coast,¡± Lore said after returning to human form.

    Bird watched as wagons were rolled from large storehouses. Packs, blankets and food were stored in the wagons by the villagers while various members of the traveling group helped at the direction of Rune and Basalt.

    Lore wrapped his arms around Bird as the wind picked up in the village. ¡°You¡¯re tense,¡± he whispered in her ear. She squirmed as she felt her body respond to his touch. ¡°I know how to loosen you up.¡±

    Bird touched his cheek and he turned his face into her hand and kissed it. ¡°How do you plan to loosen me up?¡±

    ¡°By kissing you from head to toe,¡± he growled in her ear. He kissed it drawing a small gasp from her.

    They were soon interrupted by Basalt as she passed by them. ¡°We don¡¯t have time for dilly-dallying. Go help that group over there load the wagons!¡±

    ¡°Yes Ma¡¯am,¡± Lore said quickly.

    They spent the next hour loading the supplies for their group of one hundred. Once the last wagon was loaded they broke for lunch provided by the village. Curious children darted between the groups playing and asking questions of the warriors.

    Bird watched the carefree youths and wondered if she would ever experience such innocent bliss. Lore rested his head in her lap and smiled up at her. Bird felt her heart skip and looked away. ¡°What are you thinking about?¡± Lore asked sweetly.

    ¡°I was thinking about how nice it was to be so innocent and happy as a child. I miss those days.¡±

    ¡°Do you want to have children?¡±

    Bird frowned and shook her head. ¡°I¡¯ve never thought of having my own. I don¡¯t see myself as the type of woman to raise children. What about you?¡±

    Lore smiled. ¡°I would love to have children as long as they looked like you.¡±

    Bird felt her face flush. ¡°W-why like m-me?¡± she stammered. Lore felt his heart skip when he saw the embarrassed look on Bird¡¯s face.

    ¡°I¡¯m a vain man; of course I want my children to be as beautiful as you.¡±

    Bird felt her breath catch in her throat. She opened her mouth to speak but only a small squeak came out. She shook her head and stood up, dropping Lore¡¯s head in the process. ¡°S-sorry¡­ Air! I need air.¡± Bird pointed to where the wagons sat on the outskirts of the Bresbur and fled before Lore could respond.

    ¡°What did you do to Bird this time?¡± Yena demanded when she saw Bird¡¯s retreating back as she reached their rest area. She and Adwin sat down across from him.

    ¡°Why do you think I did something?¡± Lore asked sweetly. He batted his lashes drawing a sigh from Yena.

    ¡°The only time I see her get so flustered is when you¡¯re around. I trust that you are being gentle?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m sure he is since this is the first time he¡¯s shown any interest in women,¡± Adwin said reaching over to pat Lore¡¯s knee. ¡°She¡¯s still young Lore, I don¡¯t think pushing for children this early is a good idea.¡±If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.

    Lore snorted. ¡°I¡¯ve asked her to marry me two times already and she hasn¡¯t given me a response. What am I to do with her?¡±

    Yena smiled. ¡°Give her time. That¡¯s want she wants from you right now. I think if you continue to push she will continue to flee. Your relationship is still new, there is no reason to rush,¡± she said. Adwin nodded.

    ¡°I¡¯m just afraid that I¡¯m going to lose her,¡± Lore said. Yena¡¯s smile faded slightly.

    ¡°We all have that feeling. It will come and go. Let me talk to her.¡± Yena kissed her husband then stood. ¡°I will be back soon.¡±

    Yena followed the trail of Bird¡¯s scent to the wagons and found her sitting on a crate that had been emptied. ¡°May I sit with you?¡± Yena asked. Bird started. Realizing it was Yena she motioned to the crate beside her. ¡°I saw you running from Lore, did something happen between you?¡±

    Bird shrugged her shoulders. ¡°I don¡¯t know if you would phrase it like that. He mentioned having children with me, which I¡¯d never really thought of. On top of that he said he wanted them to be beautiful like me.

    ¡°Yena I¡¯m not beautiful! I¡¯m not perfect either. I¡¯m clumsy, ugly, and stupid, who would want a mother like me?¡± Bird hit her fist against the crate.

    ¡°Bird, you are not stupid and definitely not ugly. You may be clumsy, but you¡¯re not alone, it just makes you unique. You are smart, brave and kind. You are beautiful in here,¡± Yena said tapping Bird¡¯s chest. ¡°And out here,¡± she said wiping away Bird¡¯s tears.

    ¡°Sometimes I¡¯m afraid that Lore is not really seeing me and just saying those things to please me.¡±

    ¡°Lore is being sincere. I would be proud to have a child like you and I think that is what he thinks as well.¡±

    Bird hugged Yena tightly. ¡°I know I would want a mother like you,¡± Bird said as she pulled away and wiped the rest of her tears on her sleeve.

    ¡°You are kind to say that. Will you at least talk to Lore about what you want?¡±

    Bird stared into the distance. What did she want? She knew that she wanted to marry him eventually, but would she have children? Her examples of motherhood were her memories of her mother and aunt and the animals from her small farm. How could she be a mother if she did not have one?

    ¡°Yena, do you think I would make a good wife?¡±

    ¡°Bird, you shouldn¡¯t focus on being a good wife. You should focus on being a good and caring person. Come with me; we¡¯ll go spirit walking.¡±

    Bird closed her eyes and relaxed.

    ***

    When she opened her eyes she found herself in a room that she had never seen before. Small couches with furs were placed strategically around the room with tables separating them. On each table was a lamp and bowl of white and black stones. Yena stood across from her and motioned for her to follow. She crossed the room and joined Yena in an adjoining room.

    Yena lit a lamp and the room filled suddenly with its soft light. The room was simple with only a dresser with a basket on top filled with blankets. Something glittered among the blankets and Bird tilted her head to see what it was. ¡°Go ahead and look,¡± Yena said.

    Bird crossed the room and lifted the top blanket to reveal a jade green stone with metallic flecks. She placed her hand on it and found it warm. ¡°Yena, is this an egg?¡±

    ¡°Yes,¡± Yena said in a thick voice. ¡°Adwin doesn¡¯t know I was pregnant. I still have another month before it hatches.¡±

    ¡°Why doesn¡¯t he know yet?¡± Bird asked turning around. ¡°Is this going to be a surprise?¡±

    Yena¡¯s lips trembled and her eyes looked bloodshot as she crossed the room and kissed the egg. ¡°This will be a gift for him. We¡¯ve always wanted children, but kept putting it off because of the war. I was such a fool to use that as an excuse.¡± She kissed the egg again then turned to Bird. ¡°I want you to be the godmother. It¡¯s our tradition for the godmother to present the name of the child during the Naming ceremony.¡±

    ¡°You want me to be the godmother?¡± Bird squeaked.

    ¡°Yes. I¡¯ve already chosen a name; Star.¡±

    ¡°Star? That¡¯s beautiful. Are you having a girl?¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t know the gender. We won¡¯t know until it hatches.¡±

    Bird bounced on her toes immediately feeling excited, but stopped when she noticed the painful expression in Yena¡¯s eyes. ¡°What¡¯s wrong?¡± she asked softly. Yena gripped her hand and shook her head.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. We need to go before we are missed.¡± Yena gave one last look to the egg than faded away.

    ***

    Bird opened her eyes and stretched out the kink in her neck. Yena was already standing a few steps away. ¡°Please do not tell Adwin about this. I want to tell him myself,¡± Yena said softly.

    ¡°Yes,¡± Bird replied.

    ¡°Thank you.¡±

    They returned to where Lore and Adwin sat. Elyseo had joined them and was sitting broodingly off to the side of their blanket. When he noticed Bird his brow darkened into a frown and he sneered. Another dragon sat next to him, but his back was turned to Bird.

    ¡°So the little troublemaker returns,¡± he said as Bird sat beside Lore. ¡°I still don¡¯t see why the Oracle chose for her to come with us.¡±

    ¡°My mother makes the best choices based on her visions. Questioning her judgment is unwise,¡± the unknown dragon said. He turned to face Bird and she felt her heart skip as she noticed the striking resemblance to Apple in his features. His face was thinner and his brows thicker, but Bird could see the same smile in his lips and line of his jaw.

    ¡°Who are you?¡± she asked then covered her mouth at her rudeness.

    ¡°You must be my brother¡¯s charge and Lorcan¡¯s fianc¨¦e,¡± the dragon said offering his hand to Bird. He gave her hand a firm shake. ¡°I¡¯m Maddox, one of his many older brothers. I¡¯m child 16.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m Bird, it¡¯s nice to meet you. I didn¡¯t know that Apple had any siblings assigned to this mission.¡±

    Maddox raised an eyebrow. ¡°Apple? Who is Apple?¡±

    ¡°Apple is the nickname Bird gave Avalon,¡± Lore cut in quickly. He pinched Bird¡¯s bottom and she glared at him.

    ¡°Oh, I see. Avalon and I are not particularly close; it¡¯s mostly the age difference. I have a son as old as him. I came over here to say hello and take a look at the pretty witch that shook the heavens.¡±

    ¡°Shook the heavens?¡± Lore said. Maddox raised his hands and shrugged.

    ¡°How many witches have you seen cause an aurora borealis? How many have you seen take a hit from a full grown dragon in their holiest form?¡± Maddox said.

    ¡°Well I¡¯ve never seen it. I only saw the aftermath of the spar. Bird left a bruise on Aunt Valyon¡¯s chest.¡±

    ¡°To cause even a bruise is a feat in and of itself. I¡¯m curious though,¡± Maddox said staring into Bird¡¯s eyes. ¡°How did a mortal such as you obtain this power?¡±

    Everyone grew silent and looked to Bird. She shook her head. ¡°I don¡¯t know. As far as I know I was born with it.¡±

    ¡°Bird was found with the Book of Creation in her possession. It may be possible that living in close proximity to it granted her more power,¡± Elys said breaking the silence.

    Bird felt surprised that Elys had defended her. Usually he was the first to accuse her of treachery.

    ¡°Anything is possible,¡± Maddox said sitting back. He picked up a loaf of bread and began breaking off pieces from it. ¡°Though it is said that witches have gained immense power in exchange for their service to the Heavenly Tiger Army.¡±

    Bird felt her face heat in anger. She tried to stand up, but Lore pulled her down beside him. ¡°Is there a problem you have with me?¡± Bird seethed. Maddox shrugged his shoulders.

    ¡°I have no problem with you; I¡¯m merely stating what was said.¡±

    ¡°Cousin, why are you really here?¡± Lore asked. He could feel faintly the anger that was growing in Bird, an anger that matched his own. The positions of everyone shifted to face Maddox as he continued to ruin the bread in his hands. He seemed to be staring at it absently, but he was watching every movement around him.

    ¡°Like I said before, I came to see the one who shook the heavens.¡±

    ¡°What you mean is that you came to assess whether or not Bird is a threat,¡± Yena growled. A dagger suddenly appeared in her hand and she began to play with it. Maddox smiled before meeting the dragon woman¡¯s eyes.

    ¡°I am only here to observe, nothing more. Give my brother a hello for me.¡± The dragon stood up and brushed crumbs from his tunic. ¡°Have a good day everyone; Bird.¡± He bowed then sauntered away.

    ¡°I do not like that man,¡± Lore growled.

    ¡°How come I¡¯ve never met Maddox before?¡± Bird asked. Lore kissed her forehead.

    ¡°My cousin Maddox is a dangerous man. He is an executioner. When traitors are found it is his duty to execute them,¡± Lore said. Bird felt a chill go down her spine and she snuggled close to Lore. ¡°Do not be afraid. I will protect you.¡±

    ¡°You say that, but who will protect you from him?¡± Bird asked.

    ¡°That¡¯s something that I will have to worry about.¡±

    Bird cupped Lore¡¯s face and stared at him intently. ¡°We are together now. Your problems are mine, and mine yours. Please don¡¯t face him on your own,¡± Bird pleaded. Lore gave her a wry smile and kissed her swiftly.

    ¡°Dear Lady, you don¡¯t seem to know me that well; I would never do anything rash especially when it comes to our safety.¡±

    Bird looked at him askance. She knew Lore would protect her, but she could not shake the feeling that if given a chance he would go after Maddox. Like Yena Bird had noticed the daggers strapped to the executioner¡¯s arms though they were concealed by his long sleeves. The glint of metal when he had pulled back from their hand shake had immediately set her on edge. Sparring with Valyon had taught her that she was nowhere close to the level of power of a Rose dragon let alone one that had been designated as an executioner.

    Lore leaned in and whispered into Bird¡¯s ear, ¡°Don¡¯t worry Bird, we know you¡¯re not a traitor.¡± Bird clasped his right hand tightly in hers.

    ¡°I know, but Maddox needs to know that.¡±

 Chapter 16: Confrontation

    A horn sounded in the village causing everyone to grow silent. It sounded again and the company of dragons and witches began to assemble in the village square. Rune tied the horn to her hip and surveyed the warriors before her.

    ¡°As you all know I am Rune of the Vanguard. It is our duty to enter battle first before the army mobilizes; that is what we have been chosen to do here. My group will take the western path to Errolt while Basalt¡¯s will take the eastern path. Once in position we will set fire to the eastern side of Errolt and push the tigers to my group.¡±

    ¡°Any Seekers found are to be captured alive if possible. This is a dangerous task, but our main goal is to destroy the enemy¡¯s foothold in this region. With this base destroyed Uler and Bresbur will be much safer,¡± Basalt said. ¡°Alright form up!¡±

    Bird stuck close to Lore¡¯s side and climbed into one of the wagons after him. Yena, Adwin and Apple followed them in and Elys took up the reigns. After a signal from the wagon in front of them Elys snapped the reigns causing the horses to move forward. As soon as they were underway Bird reached into her pack and pulled out a folded bolt of cloth and began to sew.

    ¡°What are you working on?¡± Lore asked as he leaned over her shoulder.

    ¡°It¡¯s a secret,¡± Bird said coyly. She rearranged the fabric to hide the finished part of the fabric.

    ¡°I like secrets. Will you tell me what it is?¡±

    Bird pecked him on the lips. ¡°If I did then it wouldn¡¯t be a secret.¡± She turned her attention to Apple who was watching her intently. He looked away sharply when he noticed Bird looking at him. Bird opened her mouth to say something, but then closed it. Why was Apple avoiding her gaze?

    A few hours later Lore took over driving the wagon and Apple moved to sit next to Bird so that Elys had his spot farthest from her. ¡°May I see your arm?¡± Apple asked suddenly. Bird started and wiped her bleary eyes. She had not realized that she had been dozing off. ¡°Sorry, I didn¡¯t mean to wake you.¡±

    Bird yawned and shook her head. ¡°No, it¡¯s fine. I needed to wake. How far are we from Errolt?¡±

    Apple looked out the front of the wagon at the darkening sky. Already the northern star was present on the horizon. ¡°I would give us about another day to reach the outskirts of the forest and two more to reach the ruins.¡±

    ¡°Oh.¡±

    Apple turned back to face her. ¡°May I see your arm?¡± he asked again. Bird held out her right arm and he waved it away. She held out her left and he took it gently in hers. He stared at it for a moment then released it.

    ¡°Is something wrong?¡±

    Apple shook his head and was silent until they stopped to make camp.

    Basalt assigned tasks to everyone in the group. Some set up tents, some gathered firewood while others secured the campsite. Bird was assigned to erect tents while Apple and Lore collected firewood. As soon as they were out of sight of camp Apple swung his arm and pinned Lore¡¯s neck to an oak. He pressed until he heard his cousin make a choked sound before letting up.

    ¡°What the fuck is wrong with you?¡± Apple hissed.

    ¡°There are many things wrong with me, to which do you refer?¡± Lore said in a strained voice.

    ¡°I¡¯m referring to the fact that Bird has a cor stateram around her wrist. What were you thinking giving that to her? You could get her killed!¡± Apple pressed his forearm tighter beneath Lore¡¯s chin. Lore dug his nails in Apple¡¯s arm drawing blood.

    ¡°I know that it can kill her, don¡¯t you think I told her that? How else am I supposed to protect her when I¡¯m not around?¡±

    Apple shook his head and dropped his arm. Lore collapsed to his knees wheezing and massaging his neck. ¡°I love her Avalon! What would you have me do?¡±

    Apple paced away then came back and pointed his finger in Lore¡¯s face. ¡°Take it from her. There are other ways to protect her. I can¡¯t protect both of you on the battlefield. So help me if you get her killed I will skin you myself!¡± Apple turned away and stalked into the trees.

    ¡°Avalon!¡± Lore roared, but he was met with silence from his cousin. Lore picked himself up. He knew how dangerous the charm was. He was no longer the infant that Apple used to carry on his hip. He was a grown dragon.

    How was he supposed to ask for the charm back after Bird had accepted it? This should be her and his decision, not Apple¡¯s.

    ¡°Damn it, Avalon,¡± Lore growled.

    Bird looked up when she heard a familiar shout from the forest. She set aside her blanket and stood up. ¡°Yena, did you hear Lore just now?¡±

    ¡°I believe so. Do you want to go look for him?¡± Yena said.

    ¡°Yes, I¡¯ll be back.¡±

    Bird made her way through the campsite to the edge of the forest that she had seen Lore and Apple disappear. The hairs on her arms and neck rose as she passed the fires. As she looked left and right she could see various men and women staring at her. She sped up her steps and nearly ran into a man as he stepped into her path.

    He caught her by the shoulders and steadied her. ¡°I¡¯m sorry miss. Are you alright?¡± he asked softly. Bird nodded and stepped back.

    ¡°I¡¯m fine,¡± she said and took another step back and bumped into something tall and warm. She whirled around and found another man behind her. Bird felt the air around her tingle with energy of unspent magic. Two more men surrounded her. ¡°What do you want?¡± Bird asked narrowing her eyes. She was a head shorter than all of them and knew that if it came to a physical fight she would lose.Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author''s preferred platform and support their work!

    ¡°We heard the Shaker of the Heavens was here. We had to see you for ourselves,¡± the first man said. ¡°I never expected you to be so small.¡± He reached out to touch her and she pushed his hand away. ¡°I¡¯m not going to hurt you.¡± He leaned in closer. ¡°Not if you promise not to struggle.

    Bird grabbed his hand. ¡°Funny,¡± she said as she summoned fire into her hand. ¡°I was going to say the same thing.¡± The man yelped and jumped back. Immediately the other men drew closer with various knives in their hands. ¡°Are you planning on using those or are they for show?¡±

    ¡°We are only here to give you a warning. Betray us to the tigers and not even your dragon can protect you.¡±

    ¡°And why do you think I¡¯ll betray you?¡± Bird said harshly. She glared at the men and they shifted back a step.

    ¡°We heard the rumors.¡±

    Bird sneered. ¡°So I guess that makes you the expert on me.¡±

    ¡°Dear Lady, I thought I was the expert on you.¡± Everyone turned swiftly to find Lore standing with his arms crossed. Smoke seeped from between his lips as he smiled toothily at the men. ¡°I hope none of you were causing trouble for my fianc¨¦e?¡±

    The men ducked their heads in embarrassment.

    ¡°Then I suggest you move along,¡± Lore said in a pleasant voice though his eyes gleamed with anger. The men scattered.

    Lore took Bird by the arm and led her back to the tent. ¡°Don¡¯t go anywhere without one of us with you, even if it¡¯s to relieve yourself.¡± He turned to leave, but Bird held on tighter.

    ¡°Please, don¡¯t go,¡± she said in a small voice. Her body felt cold and she could not stop the shaking in her hands. Tears burned in the corners of her eyes and she choked down a sob.

    Why was she shaking? Why was she suddenly so cold she wondered as she gripped Lore¡¯s sleeve like a life line?

    Lore wrapped her in his arms and guided her into their tent. They lay down and Bird whimpered as hot tears ran down her cheeks. No matter how many times she wiped them away more took their place.

    ¡°Shh¡­ Bird. You¡¯re okay, I¡¯m here.¡±

    ¡°But what about when you¡¯re not?¡± Bird sobbed.

    Lore thought about what Apple said and shook his head. No, he could not take away the charm from Bird. He kissed her cheeks until her tears were spent and she lay cuddled tightly against his side. He heard her breath slow in slumber and gently shook her. ¡°If you fall asleep you¡¯ll miss dinner,¡± he whispered when she yawned. ¡°How are you?¡±

    ¡°I¡¯m feeling better, thank you,¡± Bird said rising onto one arm. She leaned over Lore and kissed him. She felt his smile against her lips and she giggled. She straddled him and planted soft light kisses over his face. Lore lifted his head and chased after her mouth. Bird darted her head from cheek to cheek until Lore growled.

    He lunged forward and nipped Bird¡¯s neck drawing a small gasp from her. He ran his hot tongue along the sensitive skin. He slipped his left hand beneath the hem of Bird¡¯s tunic and cupped her breast. His thumb massaged her nipple until it hardened while he sucked on her neck.

    Bird shuddered above him and leaned her head back. Lore broke away from her neck and pulled up her tunic to expose her breasts. He sucked Bird¡¯s hardened nipple into his mouth drawing half her breast into his mouth. Bird cradled Lore¡¯s head to her chest and hissed when she felt his teeth graze her skin.

    She lifted off Lore¡¯s hips and pulled her wool stockings down. When she fumbled with her feet Lore swiftly flipped her on her back and ripped the stockings away. Bird felt a thrill as she stared into Lore¡¯s fierce eyes that showed a deep hunger. Lore pulled his pants down until his groin and buttocks were exposed. Bird sat up and ran her hands over the smooth skin never breaking eye contact.

    ¡°Take it off,¡± Lore growled.

    ¡°Huh?¡± Bird murmured.

    Lore leaned close until his membertouched her breast. Bird felt things tighten low in her body as Lore¡¯s masculine smoky scent filled her now. ¡°Take off your clothes before I rip them off.¡±

    Bird swiftly pulled her tunic off. As soon as her head cleared Lore gripped her waist and pulled her hips into his lap. He spread her legs and positioned his hips before plunging inside her. Bird gasped and felt a wash of heat deep inside her. Lore began to thrust deeply until the tip of him hit the end of her.

    ¡°Lore,¡± Bird moaned as she wrapped her legs around his hips to give him better leverage. Lore growled again and lifted Bird¡¯s hand to nuzzle it.

    He slipped out of her and crawled over her body until his penis brushed Bird¡¯s lips. She opened her mouth wide and he slipped himself in until Bird tapped on his thigh. Moving in long slow strokes Lore worked his way in and out of Birds mouth. She sucked greedily on him drawing a deep moan. When she ran her teeth on the tip of him he cried out ¡°Oh Lady!¡±

    Carefully her pulled out and flipped Bird onto her belly. She moaned as he lifted her hips up and thrust roughly inside her. He covered her back with his body and gripped Bird¡¯s hands on the floor. ¡°Do you love me?¡± Lore asked between thrusts.

    ¡°Yes!¡± Bird whispered.

    ¡°Say¡­it!¡± he growled.

    ¡°I love you!¡±

    Lore¡¯s thrusts quickened and Bird felt heat growing between her legs. Her breath hitched and she struggled to match Lore¡¯s rhythm. Lore bit her shoulder and Bird groaned as a wave of pleasure rushed through her body sending her on a wave of bliss. He continued to thrust inside her causing another wave to build deep within her nether.

    Bird dug her fingers into the floor barely able to stay up on her shaking arms. Lore blew his breath on her neck and her whole body began to tingle with new energy. She ground her hips into Lore eliciting a hiss from him. He grabbed her hips and began to move faster. The heat between her legs grew while lights flashed before her eyes.

    Faster and faster their bodies moved until with a loud groan Lore shuddered over her sending her over the edge in a wave of pleasure. They collapsed in a sweaty heat on the floor of the tent. For several minutes they lay gasping too weak to move.

    Lore was the first to revive and he kissed a trail up Bird¡¯s spine ending with the top of her head. Bird rolled over to her back and smiled. ¡°Hi handsome,¡± she whispered. She traced her fingers down Lore¡¯s face. He kissed her fingers and her smile grew. ¡°Do you think they heard us?¡±

    ¡°Does it matter?¡±

    Bird shrugged. ¡°Right now I¡¯m too tired to care. I know I should feel embarrassed.¡±

    Lore chuckled. ¡°I know how I can make you feel embarrassed.¡± He pinched Bird¡¯s bottom and she squealed.

    ¡°Hey!¡±

    ¡°Hey.¡± Lore kissed her shoulder where a bruise had formed on her neck. ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to be so rough,¡± he said as he traced the bruise with his finger. Bird grabbed his hand.

    ¡°It¡¯s fine. This will heal, and when it does I¡¯ll return the favor.¡±

    Lore felt his heart skip a beat. How did I come to fall in love with such an amazing woman? he wondered. She¡¯s strong, confident and sweet. I don¡¯t know if I deserve her.

    He watched Bird as she got dressed then moved to dress himself. His nostrils flared when he smelled Apple just outside. He growled back in his throat startling Bird. He waved his hand to ease her then left the tent.

    Apple stood three feet away his arms akimbo. Smoke curled from his nostrils as he glared at Lore. ¡°So, did you take it from her?¡±

    ¡°No,¡± Lore said.

    ¡°Why not?¡±

    Lore squared his shoulders. ¡°Bird will be my wife. Like it or not Bird loves me and will not hesitate to go into danger for me, and I will not hesitate for her. She knows the risks of the cor stateram, but has chosen to keep it. I respect her wishes.¡±

    ¡°Do you even love her? What happens if you die?¡±

    Before Apple could blink Lore punched him in the jaw. He staggered back a step and rubbed his jaw. ¡°Don¡¯t ever question whether or not I love her. We¡¯ve made our decision. I know that you¡¯re her guardian and the thought of her dying scares you; it scares me.¡±

    Apple sighed. ¡°Do what you wish,¡± he said and walked away.

 Chapter 17: Errolt

    Two days later found them on the outskirts of the Errolt ruins. Bird felt apprehensive as they stopped to make camp. Basalt had placed them on orders to make minimal noise. The air in the forest had changed making Bird feel nauseated. Hardly any animals made noise and all the trees had a sickly yellow tinge to the leaves and bark.

    Several warriors were already sick with fever in their tents. The healers were hard at work tending to them; even Yena was adding her talents to tend to the sick.

    Bird was sitting in a wagon when Apple walked up with a rolled blanket in his arms. ¡°Hi, Bird,¡± he said when she looked up. ¡°This is for you.¡± He pulled back the blanket to reveal a sword, sheath and belt.

    ¡°You¡¯re giving me a sword?¡± Bird said excitedly. She stood up quickly then sat down when her head began to swim.

    ¡°Are you okay?¡±

    ¡°Whatever is going around got to me this morning.¡±

    Apple felt her forehead. ¡°You feel warmer than normal. I¡¯ll have Yena look you over.¡±

    ¡°What is this sickness? Even the trees and animals are suffering.¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s miasma. Some people are more sensitive to it than others. When creatures of darkness gather in large numbers they produce a miasma that kills everything around it; animal to bone and cities to ash. They must have a demon with them.¡±

    Bird shivered. ¡°What are demons like?¡±

    Apple paused for a moment before speaking. ¡°They are the embodiment of the darkness. To stand in front of one is to stand in front of the bottomless void that sucks everything into it. Each varies in size and strength, but all are deadly.¡±

    ¡°Are we going to fight it?¡±

    ¡°Not unless we have to. I¡¯m not even sure if we have enough warriors to face one at this level,¡± Apple said waving his arm to encompass the trees. Bird looked at the browning grass and the spotted leaves of the trees.

    ¡°Then let¡¯s hope we don¡¯t encounter it.¡±

    Apple nodded then handed the sword to Bird. ¡°How does it feel?¡±

    Bird gripped the hilt and cut through the air in front of her with a sharp stroke. ¡°It¡¯s light enough for me to wield. Thank you.¡± Apple drew close and ran his thumb over her cheek.

    ¡°Bird, I want you to be careful. Stay near me or Lore when we go into battle. If we get overrun I want you to open a gate and take Lore with you.¡±

    ¡°Apple I¡¯m not leaving you and the others! We go together.¡±

    The dragon looked surprised for a moment then he sighed and shook his head. ¡°You¡¯re stubborn and loyal, which aren¡¯t bad things, but I want you to be safe. I¡¯m not saying this just because I¡¯m your guardian, but because I care about you.¡±

    Bird put down the sword and stood up in the wagon again. She jumped down then hugged Apple. ¡°I can¡¯t tell you not to worry about me, but please at least trust me to not get into too much trouble.¡± Apple kissed the top of her head.

    ¡°Okay,¡± he said.

    Evening came and Yena returned from her rounds of the camp. She looked tired as she sat next to Bird, but was able to smile. Adwin began to massage her shoulders and she sighed in relief. ¡°Thank you, Adwin. This miasma is strong; I¡¯m not sure how many people will be able to fight.¡±

    ¡°Do not worry my love. All we need to do is destroy this camp. The Vanguard has already interrupted their supply line. Once that is complete we¡¯ll return home,¡± Adwin said. He nuzzled Yena¡¯s ear. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to see our egg.¡±

    ¡°Egg?¡± Apple said.

    Adwin smiled brightly. ¡°Yena and I are going to be parents. Our egg is due to hatch in a month.¡±

    Yena gave a small smile. ¡°We had wanted to wait to have children, but I decided that we have waited long enough. Bird is going to be the godmother, and Lore, we want you to be the godfather.¡±

    Lore turned to Bird. ¡°You knew about this?¡±

    Bird ducked her head feeling her face heat. ¡°Yes, Yena asked me.¡±

    ¡°And you didn¡¯t think to tell me that you would become the mother of someone else¡¯s child?¡± Lore leaned in close to her. ¡°You don¡¯t want to have my baby?¡±

    ¡°H-huh?¡± Bird squeaked. Lore smiled then picked up her hand and kissed it.

    ¡°It¡¯s alright, I¡¯m teasing.¡±

    ¡°Well isn¡¯t this a cozy group,¡± Maddox said walking up to them. Apple immediately stood and kissed his brother¡¯s cheek. ¡°How is my youngest brother this night?¡±

    ¡°I am well, Brother, thanks for asking,¡± Apple said. ¡°What brings you here?¡±

    ¡°I just wanted to wish everyone luck, especially you, Lavender Blackbriar.¡± Maddox smiled, but Bird could see no joy in it.

    ¡°Please call me Bird,¡± she said. Maddox bowed before her.

    ¡°I thought it would be rude of me to address you so informally. Please excuse me.¡±

    ¡°Are you done?¡± Lore snapped. Maddox frowned and waved his hand as if to clear the air.

    ¡°I am. Be well.¡±

    The older dragon walked away slowly with his hands behind his back. Several people bowed as he passed. Apple turned to Lore glaring.

    ¡°What was that about, why were you rude to my brother?¡±

    Lore threw up his hands. ¡°Avalon, please don¡¯t be offended when I say that your brother can get mounted by a boar. I don¡¯t see why he needs to come over here and harass Bird.¡±

    Apple rolled his eyes. ¡°You may not think this, but my brother is kind.¡±

    ¡°A kind executioner, really, does he apologize before or after he severs your head? Does he bring you flowers so that when you¡¯re burned the air smells sweetly?¡±

    Apple growled and Bird smacked Lore¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Lore, calm down, he hasn¡¯t done anything to hurt me,¡± she said.

    ¡°Lore, Bird is right. There is no reason for your rudeness now. He hasn¡¯t done anything,¡± Apple said.

    ¡°So are we supposed to wait until he does?¡± Lore demanded.

    ¡°He won¡¯t do anything unless Bird is perceived as a threat. Charging in now will only do that. Stay out of trouble and he won¡¯t become a problem.¡±

    It was Lore¡¯s turn to roll his eyes. He stood up and walked away. Bird reached out for him then stopped. How was she going to comfort him? While she believed Apple was right Lore did bring up a valid point; Maddox had not done anything yet, all they could do was prepare.

    ¡°Let him go,¡± Apple said. ¡°He needs time to clear his head."

    Bird did not see Lore again until morning came. The camp had come to life just before dawn. They donned armor and weapons and were eating a cold breakfast so that fires would not give away their position. Lore was silent as he sat next to Bird and picked up a biscuit. She placed her hand on his arm and after a few moments he turned to her, his eyes looking red and bleary.

    ¡°Did you sleep?¡± she asked. He shook his head and took another bite from his biscuit. ¡°You should take a nap now before we leave.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll be fine, I have this,¡± he said holding up a small linen packet. ¡°This packet, when steeped in water creates an energy boosting drink. If I have two of these I will be fine.¡±

    Bird took the packet from him and smelled the bitter grounds and dried vanilla bean. She had never smelled such a plant before and wondered how it tasted. Lore took another packet from the pouch on his belt and dropped it into a mug of water. He breathed fire on the metal mug until the water began to steam. After a few minutes he removed the packet and added sugar from a small bowl. He offered the cup to Bird and she cautiously took a sip. The flavor was something she could not describe, but the mix of vanilla and the sweetness of the sugar complemented it.

    ¡°This is good,¡± Bird said as she handed the cup back to Lore. He drained the cup swiftly then filled it with water and began the process again.

    ¡°It¡¯s one of my favorite drinks. I¡¯ll teach you how to make it when we return home.¡±

    Bird sighed. It would be nice to return home and sleep in her own soft bed again. For a brief moment she wondered how Sarene was doing. They had barely spoken to each other when Bird and returned from training and now she was gone again.

    Bird tugged at her leather armor unaccustomed to the fit. The skin on her sides had begun to sweat irritating her skin.

    ¡°Stop playing with the armor. If you don¡¯t you could make it useless,¡± Lore said as he watched her.

    Bird opened her mouth to respond when a shout was heard.

    ¡°EVERYONE FORM UP! MOVE INTO POSITIONS FOR ATTACK!¡±

    Bird leapt to her feet with Lore who drained his mug in one smooth motion and tossed it aside. They fell in behind Apple, Elys, Adwin and Yena as they moved to where all the dragons and witches were congregating.

    When all members had formed up they moved into the forest. They traveled for thirty minutes until they reached the ruins of an old fallen tower. As one the dragons shimmered then leapt into the air. They flew off in v formations and began setting fire to the forest ahead before circling back and picking up their witch companions.

    Bird felt apprehensive as Lore carried her over the flames of the forest toward the main ruins of Errolt. A horn was blasting in the distance and tigers and Seekers were running from the flames in panic.

    A few spotted the dragons and stood their ground to fight. Bird swallowed hard as the first of the dragons reached the tigers. The two titans clashed in mid-air, the tiger having leaped impossibly high and ensnaring the dragon¡¯s wing.

    Suddenly a volley of arrows was released from the shattered rooftops. Instinctively Bird cast a shield around herself and Lore. The shafts bounced off the barrier and fell harmlessly away. Bird felt her heart race as spells began to follow the arrows.

    ¡°Lore, take me over the rooftops!¡± Bird yelled. Lore ducked his head in acknowledgement and soared closer to the enemy.

    ***

    The first thing that Dia smelled was the smoke. Her nose twitched as she smelled the burning wood and grass. Soon a horn bugled an enemy attack. Growling she left her headquarters in an abandoned temple and faced into the wind where the smell of fire came from.

    She reached for her sword then paused as a new smell met her nose, a familiar smell. ¡°No, not here, stupid thing!¡± she growled. She thought the last time she had smelled this magic it had been a delusion, but now there was no mistaking the familiar scent and feel on her skin.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

    Dia tasted ash in her mouth as tears fell from her eyes. How was she to keep her promise now? To do so would be to betray her gods and destroy everything she had worked for.

    The scar on her face began to ache from her irritation. She had to make a decision and soon before it was too late.

    ***

    Bird opened a portal and blasted fire at the surprised Seeker. He jumped back screaming as his cloak caught fire. Bird swiftly broke her barrier and raced forward while the Seeker was preoccupied with putting out the flames.

    She pulled out her sword then hit the unfortunate witch in the temple dropping him with one blow. She turned to find Lore engaged with a tiger, both in their deadly forms. Despite his size Lore seemed to dance gracefully around the enraged tiger avoiding blows while serving his own.

    Bird reluctantly pulled her eyes away from him and turned to face a white haired man. His eyes widened in shock and he pointed at her. ¡°There she is! The one we were ordered to capture!¡± Confused Bird raised her sword to him; who had ordered to capture her? ¡°Stay still child and let me bind you. If you do you will not be hurt,¡± the white haired man growled.

    ¡°I hardly believe that!¡± Bird said angrily.

    ¡°We¡¯ve heard how you escaped capture last time, Lavender, but you will not get away this time!¡±

    ¡°How do you know my name?¡±

    The tiger raised a spear and leveled it at her chest. ¡°Your choice, Lavender, come quietly or come bleeding.¡±

    ¡°I¡¯ll never go quietly,¡± Bird growled. The tiger began to circle to her left and she matched him step for step. Suddenly he lunged and Bird parried the tip of the spear away. The tiger corrected himself then thrust his spear so quickly that Bird could not see it.

    The head grazed her cheek leaving a burning pain in its wake. Startled shebacked away a step. The tiger took advantage of her surprise and began a barrage of spear thrusts. Bird struggled to block each thrust and soon found herself exhausted.

    Her lungs burned with each heavy breath and her arms felt like leaded weights attached to her shoulders. Suddenly she was struck in the head from behind and she crumpled to her knees. Before she could cast a barrier her sword was kicked from her hand and she was grabbed by her hair by a second tiger.

    ¡°Let go of me!¡± Bird yelled.

    The tiger shook her and she cried out in pain. Summoning light into her hands she formed a rope and hooked it around the tiger¡¯s neck. The tiger screamed in pain and released Bird to claw at his neck. His face began to turn purple. ¡°Filthy whore!¡± the first tiger shouted. He used the butt of his spear and hit Bird over the head.

    The last thing Bird saw was the spear butt heading for her head.

    Dia was running toward the burning ruins when she came across a group of tigers hauling an unconscious woman through the streets. They saluted and she saluted back. As she was about to dismiss them she caught sight of the face. Her heart stopped cold.

    ¡°Bird,¡± she whispered.

    ¡°Ma¡¯am?¡± the lead soldier said. Dia drew her sword and before any of the tigers could speak she severed his head. As his body dropped she turned to the next tiger and stabbed him in the stomach. By that time the rest of the tigers responded by dropping Bird and reaching for their weapons.

    ¡°She¡¯s gone mad!¡± a female said. ¡°Call for help!¡±

    Snarling Dia changed into her tiger form and pounced on the back of the would-be messenger. She broke his spine then turned to stand over Bird¡¯s prone body. The last three soldiers turned into tigers and immediately attacked Dia. Snarling she bit into the shoulder of the tiger nearest her and pushed her into the ground. She jumped away quickly as the other two tried to tackle her. Switching back to human form she picked up her sword and shield and parried both tigers at once.

    Using her inhuman strength she threw them back and slashed the throat of a male as he lunged for her. He collapsed gurgling. The last male and the female she had bitten growled while backing slowly away.

    A low moan caught the tigers¡¯ attention. They looked at Bird as she slowly sat up clutching her head. Her body swayed before dropping. ¡°Leave us now or I will kill you!¡± Dia hissed. The female tiger shook her head and then nodded to Bird. ¡°No, you can¡¯t have her, she is mine.¡±

    ¡°I don¡¯t think that is your decision to make, Beloved.¡±

    Dia whirled around to find her husband standing behind her. He smiled and drew his sword. ¡°I¡¯ve been waiting for this moment, Dia. Do you know how hard it is to resist killing someone? I¡¯ve been dreaming of the day that I would use your bones to decorate my fireplace mantle. As for your fur¡­ I think it will make a nice cloak don¡¯t you think? You¡¯re so cold to me in life, but you¡¯ll be warm in death.¡±

    ¡°Snow, you have one chance to turn around and walk-away. This doesn¡¯t concern you,¡± Dia said slowly.

    ¡°My wife killing my soldiers and defying orders does not concern me?¡± Snow giggled and unhooked his shield from his back. ¡°Give me the witch and I promise your death with be quick.¡±

    Dia laughed then lifted her shield. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but I cannot do that on my honor.¡±

    Snow shrugged. ¡°Oh well, slow death it is. You two grab the witch, I¡¯ll hold this traitor here.¡±

    ¡°No!¡± Dia roared and turned to block the other two tigers that had returned to human form. She charged them, but was staggered as Snow¡¯s blade cut through the back of her right thigh.

    Screaming she blocked his next blow and delivered her own to his shoulder. Snow touched his wound then licked the blood from his fingers. ¡°You may have cut me, but you have yet to best me,¡± Snow said. He hefted his shield up and attacked again. Dia hopped on her left foot as she blocked all of his blows despite her own wound.

    With a loud grunt she brought down her sword on Snow¡¯s shield shattering it. As she lifted her arm again for the killing blow she was caught from behind as the other female tiger cut through the back of her leather armor and to the muscle below. Dia screamed and fell to her knees.

    With a back handed stroke she eviscerated the woman. Snow regained his feet in front of her. ¡°Well, aren¡¯t you in my favorite position?¡± he smirked. Dia stuck her sword in the ground and used it as a cane to pull herself to her feet. ¡°Don¡¯t get up on my account.¡±

    Dia swallowed back bile as her back muscles twitched furiously around her new wound. She noticed that Snow¡¯s shield arm hung slack against his side, but knew that injury would not hinder him.

    Both tigers turned swiftly when they heard a shout behind them. Bird was awake and on her feet. She was holding a rope of light that was wrapped around a tiger soldier¡¯s neck. Cracking it like a whip she sent him flying away from her. With a wave of her hand she erected a barrier to protect her. The tiger stood up slowly and charged Bird. With one smash of his fist he shattered the barrier. As his muscles clenched to leap forward he was knocked back by Yena who had landed on his shoulders.

    The dragon woman breathed fire over his face choking him. She then grabbed his head and snapped his neck before turning to face Dia and Snow.

    ¡°You dare harm my family?¡± Yena hissed.

    ¡°Yena, don¡¯t hurt her, she was trying to protect me!¡± Bird yelled.

    Yena looked over her shoulder briefly then turned back to Dia and Snow. ¡°You defended her, Cat? To what purpose?¡± Yena said.

    Dia snorted. ¡°I made a promise years ago to keep this child safe. I¡¯m not about to go back on it.¡±

    ¡°A promise¡­ to whom?¡±

    ¡°Her mother.¡±

    Bird felt a chill run down her spine. Her mother had asked a tiger to protect her? Where was this protector when Oliver Redfield had come to her village? Where had she been when her family was murdered?

    ¡°Traitor,¡± Snow hissed. He looked between Dia, Yena and Bird, weighing his options. ¡°I will not forget this, Dia. Mark my words I will sever your head myself!¡± Snow changed into a tiger and swiftly bounded away.

    Dia wavered on her feet as the tension in her body released. She looked warily at Yena then at Bird. ¡°Bird, it¡¯s so good to see you again,¡± Dia said.

    Bird looked askance at the tiger before cupping her elbows. ¡°How do you know I¡¯m called Bird?¡±

    ¡°I know because your mother told me. She loves you very much.¡±

    ¡°You mean loved. She¡¯s dead.¡±

    Dia shook her head and dropped her shield to place her hand over her heart. ¡°No, she still lives inside me.¡±

    Yena paled then backed away to take Bird¡¯s arm. ¡°We need to go before we are found,¡± she said.

    ¡°We can¡¯t leave her here,¡± Bird pleaded. Yena growled and looked at the ground.

    ¡°I do not trust this tiger, but if that is what you wish?¡±

    ¡°Yes.¡±

    Yena picked up Bird over one shoulder then ran forward and picked up Dia in one smooth motion. She leaped up onto the nearest roof and began to run. She leaped from rooftop to rooftop deftly avoiding the small battles that were occurring in the broken streets below.

    Suddenly a strange quiet fell over the ruined city. Yena stopped in her tracks and put Bird and Dia down. ¡°Oh no,¡± she muttered and turned to face the north. A shadow had appeared on the horizon that seemed to eat everything around it as it moved swiftly south.

    The wind shifted direction and flowed toward the shadow. As it drew closer the winds grew stronger picking up loose debris to hurtle toward the dark mass.

    As Bird watched the shadow move she noticed that it looked like a hole hovering in the air. The outer edges writhed like smoke around the edges. Sharp pain like needles riddled her skin and she hissed in pain as it intensified. Flakes of skin began to break away exposing the sensitive skin below. More flakes peeled from her face and clothing.

    ¡°Yena, what¡¯s going on?¡± Bird shouted as her blood soon began to follow the wind.

    ¡°They have wakened the demon,¡± Dia said from the floor. ¡°We need to get away now before it consumes us all.¡±

    ¡°I agree with you,¡± Yena said. Suddenly Lore landed on the roof and quickly changed to human form and hugged Bird.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, so sorry,¡± he said covering her in kisses. Bird wrapped her arms tightly around him crying.

    Yena kneeled next to Dia and placed her hand on her knee. She whispered under her breath then stood up. Dia hissed in pain then turned her leg to expose the wound that was now rapidly healing. ¡°I¡¯ve only partially healed your leg. We don¡¯t have the time for more.¡±

    ¡°I never thought I would be saying this to a dragon, but thank you,¡± Dia said. She stood and tested her leg.

    ¡°What is a tiger doing here?¡± Lore growled. He pushed Bird behind him.

    ¡°Don¡¯t, Lore, she¡¯s protecting me. Besides I have questions for her,¡± Bird said.

    ¡°Those questions will have to wait,¡± Yena said. Bird gasped when she saw the patches of raw flesh on Yena¡¯s face. She knew that her own must also be as damaged.

    Lore picked up Bird. ¡°The demon is too close. If we fly from here it will immediately attack us,¡± he said. Yena pointed to the west where the fires were burning.

    ¡°We need to avoid the rest of the fighting. Let¡¯s head there.¡± Nodding in agreement Lore ran and leapt to the next rooftop with Bird in his arms. Yena and Dia followed closely behind.

    Bird bit her lip and buried her face in Lore¡¯s shoulder as the pain in her body intensified. It felt as if cold blades were being dug into her skin and pulling out chucks of her. Her whole body had begun to ache and her scalp felt on fire.

    She whimpered as she felt more skin tearing away. ¡°Don¡¯t worry Bird, we¡¯ll reach the edge of the city in a few minutes. Bird nodded smearing blood on Lore¡¯s shoulder.

    ¡°Okay.¡±

    An unearthly sound came from behind them. The sound was like metal grinding together to create a shriek. The air around them wavered as if they were traveling through water. The tiger and dragons¡¯ movement became sluggish as they fought to move through the sound wave.

    The noise ended abruptly and they all staggered as their movements became unhindered. ¡°What in the hells was that?¡± Bird shouted over the ringing of her ears.

    ¡°The howl of a demon, it has the ability to alter the fabric of this realm and slow time while not affecting itself,¡± Yena said as they leaped to the next roof. A horn sounded behind them and Yena looked over her shoulder to see a squad of four tigers racing across the rooftops after them. She halted in her steps and turned to face them.

    ¡°We don¡¯t have time to fight them Yena,¡± Lore said stopping in his tracks.

    ¡°If we don¡¯t stop them here they will continue to chase us.¡±

    ¡°I agree with Yena, put me down,¡± Bird said.

    ¡°But Bird¡­¡± Lore pleaded. Bird shook her head and wiggled down.

    ¡°What about you?¡± Lore asked Dia.

    The tiger shrugged. ¡°I personally don¡¯t care about what happens to them. All I want is to keep Bird safe.¡±

    Lore growled deep in his throat. ¡°Fine.¡±

    Bird summoned light into her hands and formed a sword. The tigers cleared the last roof between them and plunged into their attack. Lore and Yena moved smoothly between their assailers while Dia struck out at one that tried to flank them. Bird called down lightning and sent it toward the fourth tiger who rolled to avoid it.

    He leapt back to his feet in one smooth motion then swung his sword. Bird fell back then threw her sword of light at the tiger. He held up his blade to block it, but the sword passed through as if it lacked substance and struck the tiger in the chest.

    The tiger¡¯s skin paled suddenly then began to glow. Cracks appeared on his skin that burned bright as if a flame was just beneath. The tiger began to scream in pain. The horrible noise had Bird covering her ears.

    The other tigers stopped fighting and stared at their brother-in-arms as he began to float off the roof still screaming. All the cracks in his skin began to converge until none of his skin was left to be seen. The glow of his body cast rainbows over their upturned faces and they gasped as one when he exploded.

    Bird crouched low to protect herself from the blast. Lore threw himself on top of her and shielded her from the flaming ashes that fell.

    ¡°Bird,¡± he whispered in her ear, but she barely heard him. Her whole body began to shake and tears fell from her eyes.

    ¡°I didn¡¯t mean to kill him,¡± she said softly. She looked over Lore¡¯s shoulder at the remaining tigers. They stared at her with hatred and fear.

    Bird flinched.

    ¡°Let¡¯s go, they outnumber us,¡± one of the tigers said.

    ¡°Yes, Sir,¡± the other two said in unison. They jumped down from the roof and disappeared into the streets below.

    ¡°I expect that they¡¯re getting reinforcements,¡± Dia said.

    ¡°Then let¡¯s not be here when they return,¡± Lore snapped. He scooped Bird into his arms and ran to the next building. Dia and Yena followed close behind.

    They reached the edge of the city and paused on the roof to catch their breaths. Lore set Bird down and she clung to his arm for support. Her body could still feel the presence of the demon, but it was not as strong as before. She looked to the north and saw that the monster had turned east.

    ¡°Yena!¡± came a faint shout.

    The small group looked past the broken city wall to see Adwin waving toward them. They smiled and waved back, but Adwin kept waving and pointing while running toward them.

    ¡°What does he-,¡± Yena began when she saw movement from the corner of her eye. She quickly pushed Bird away and stepped into the path of the spear.

    Yena curled over as the spear took her in the side. Bird screamed and reached for the woman¡¯s hands. ¡°Yena, you¡¯re going to be okay. We¡¯ll get you to a healer!¡±

    Yena shook her head. ¡°No, Bird, this wound is too severe and we no longer have the blessing of our god to allow us to heal so heavy a wound. Without access to heaven we have become mortal.¡± Yena touched the tears on Bird¡¯s face and kissed her cheek. ¡°The Oracle told me months ago that I would die protecting you. I was scared at first, but now I¡¯m happy.¡± Yena smiled while tears fell from her eyes.

    ¡°Yena!¡± Adwin yelled.

    ¡°Go, there are more tigers here,¡± Yena said standing. She broke the shaft of the spear close to her body. Dia immediately leaped from the roof. Lore hesitated with Bird in his arms. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll buy you time to escape.¡±

    Lore leapt from the roof. Bird screamed and tried to free herself from his embrace as more tigers breached the roof they had just occupied. She watched Yena fight each tiger as her dodges became slower and her swings wilder. Though gravely wounded, Yena was able to bring down all but one.

    The last tiger thrust his blade into Yena¡¯s chest and she fell smiling off the roof and to the ground.

 Chapter 18: Yena

    My name is Yena; I was born in the forests of Keyvold. My older sister preceded me into the world by ten years and helped my mother to raise me while my father governed our village. There were only 70 of us living there and every day we lived in fear that the tigers would find us. You see, it was not only dragons that lived in our village, but witches too.

    After Heaven fell to the darkness of the Shining Children, we, the Burning Ones rallied to protect the devout of our creator and were scattered throughout the world. It was soon apparent that we were few and the enemies were many so we built havens.

    Witches had become the main receiver of the tigers¡¯ aggressions and it was their loud pleas that we dragons were called to the most.

    I remember the first cry I had heard. I was maybe five or seven. I found her in the trees hiding in a hole. Her body was covered in whip marks that had become infected. Her name was Gayl and she had escaped from a cruel master. I held her larger hands in my own and showed her the first miracle she had ever seen; I healed her.

    She screamed and struck me down calling me a demon and hell spawn. I did not understand at the time why she called me so. All I remember was the pain as she attacked me. Being young I did not think to turn to my dragon form and that may have spared both our lives for Gayl¡¯s pursuers found us then.

    I lay still on the ground pressing my bloodied cheek into the loam as they knocked her to the ground and tied her wrists. She was carried off still screaming while I lay silent feigning death. They passed over me and were gone for an hour before I dared to move. I ran crying back to the village afraid to speak of what I had seen and felt. When my mother had finally calmed me she coaxed the story from me.

    I was told our purpose was to protect and that Gayl was my charge. She told me of the lies that the False ones had told of us to turn humanity against. With their short life spans humanity was quickly forgetting what we truly were, guardians of Heaven. The tigers replaced us in heaven and took over our roles while hunting us down.You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

    I only saw Gayl one more time. She had escaped from her master and fled as far as she could into our forest. She was wrinkled and grey when I found her lying by a stream hidden by a half-moon outcropping of rocks. She did not recognize me as the young girl she had beaten decades before. Her master had broken her physically and mentally. She cowered as I approached her and offered food. She told me of the cruel life she had suffered as a slave and showed me the scars left as reminders of her mistakes.

    She died peacefully in my arms and I cried for her.

    Over a century later I fell in love with Adwin. For years the two of us had been at odds finding arguments in every subject. We were so similar in views that you would think we would have been close from the moment we met, but instead it drove us to anger. We began to compete with each other to see who would be the first to solve a problem or complete a project. Each win against the other only fueled our feud.

    The day we harmonized we were at choir practice. Our instructor could not decide between the two of us who should fill the role of lead solo. We sang together, Adwin and I. At first I tried to drown his voice with my own, but as we continued I felt his voice drawing me to him. My energy flowed from me to him and his own flowed to me. In that instance our lives connected and I saw that the reason I had loathed him was because I loathed myself.

    I hated the fact that we hid in the forest protecting only a few people. I hated that I failed to save Gayl. I saw Adwin as a reflection of myself with all of our similarities a reflection that I was scared to face.

    Harmonizing made me look at the darkness in my heart and dispel it so that I could love him; and love him I did. I married him and spent centuries by his side. We both knew we wanted children one day, but I could not bear to bring them into a world that would hate and scorn them. I did not want them to fight the battles that I fought for a tomorrow that was still yet a dream.

    I had been so resolute for so many centuries, the conversation of having children ceased between Adwin and myself so when the oracle told me of my impending death I knew that waiting was no longer an option.

    I kept the prophecy from my husband and allowed myself to become pregnant and bear an egg. Now that my life is drawing to a close I can give him this one last gift. I wish things had been different. I wish that I could see the end to this cruel war, but my part to play is over.

    My only regrets are that I will never see my child¡¯s face and that I will never get to say I love you again.

 Chapter 19: Aftermath

    Bird stared despondently while she watched Adwin cry over Yena¡¯s body. Hours had passed since she had fallen and the air around them had grown chill.

    The demon and been called back to whatever hell it served and the tigers that had not fled were all dead but one, Dia.

    Adwin continued to rock on his heels holding Yena¡¯s limp body. The glow of life had faded and all her wounds and scars stood out like purplish marks of horror. There was a peaceful look on her face, one that Bird found hard to see as she tried to think of anything but the woman before her.

    It took her a moment to register the soft touch on her shoulder. Her glaze eyes focused on Lore and the sound of his voice. Why should they move? The tigers were all dead and so was Yena. They may have succeeded in destroying the enemy¡¯s camp, but they had failed to save Yena.

    Suddenly angry she pushed him away. ¡°NO!¡± she shouted. ¡°No¡­ no¡­no¡­!¡± Her words turned into moans and she turned away from the sorrowful sight before her. Lore caught her hands and immediately warmth filled her body. She gasped in surprise as she realized how cold she had become.

    ¡°Bird, can you hear me?¡± Lore said.

    New tears burst from Bird¡¯s eyes and she fell against him suddenly feeling weak. ¡°Why¡¯d she do it? She¡¯s going to be a mother!¡±

    ¡°Shh¡­,¡± Lore choked out as his throat thickened with emotion. He had known Yena all of his life. He had been the newest addition to Apple¡¯s team nearly twenty years ago after Brigid¡¯s kidnapping. She had become almost an aunt to him. Seeing her dead left a hollow ache in his heart.

    He clung tightly to Bird needing her touch to calm him. Apple found them in the lee of the crumpled wall of Errolt. He stopped in his tracks as he spotted Yena¡¯s lifeless body. ¡°Yena, no!¡± he whispered. He knelt next to Adwin. ¡°Adwin, what happened?¡±

    ¡°S-she was fighting to protect them. The t-tigers overwhelmed her,¡± Adwin stammered.

    ¡°Adwin, you¡¯re cold, let¡¯s go back to camp.¡±

    Adwin nodded solemnly and lifted his wife¡¯s body from the ground. Apple turned to Lore and Bird then jumped back when he noticed Dia sitting a few feet away partially hidden by shadows. He growled and pulled his out sword.

    ¡°Wait Avalon, she¡¯s with us!¡± Lore cried out holding up his arm. He moved to block Apple¡¯s view.

    ¡°What is a tiger doing here and why are you protecting her?¡± Apple growled.

    ¡°She was protecting Bird after I got separated from her. She knew Bird¡¯s mother.¡±

    ¡°Don¡¯t you think that could be a ruse? She could be a spy using Bird¡¯s emotions to manipulate her.¡±

    Bird stirred and looked up at Apple with blank eyes. ¡°She called me Bird. The other tigers called me Lavender.¡±

    Apple knelt in front of Bird and her right hand in his. ¡°What do you mean the other tigers called you Lavender?¡± he asked.

    Panic filled Bird¡¯s eyes and she shied away from him. ¡°They knew my name, they said they had orders to capture me. She killed them, the ones that tried to kidnap me,¡± Bird said pointing to Dia. ¡°Please don¡¯t kill her, I need to know why she saved me!¡± Her hand shook in Apple¡¯s and he swallowed down his anger and frustration. Why did Yena have to die?

    He turned to Dia. ¡°You, Tiger, why did you save Bird?¡±

    ¡°My name is Dia Blanc. I saved Bird because of a promise I made to her mother, Eloise, years ago.¡±

    Apple felt the hairs on his neck rise. ¡°You¡¯re the General Dia Blanc? What are you doing out here?¡±

    Dia sneered. ¡°This is what happens when a female gets married and gives up her rank to her husband. I¡¯m only a captain now.¡±

    ¡°What promise did you make to Bird¡¯s mother?¡±A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

    Dia smiled. ¡°That I would protect her in exchange for her soul." Apple and Lore shrunk away from Dia . ¡°I¡¯m sure you know what that means.¡±

    ¡°Yes, I do,¡± Apple said. He stood up and grabbed Dia by the arm. The tiger winced as the wound on her back was stretched. ¡°You¡¯re coming back to camp with us.¡±

    The camp was abuzz in celebration though several groups sat around their fires mourning their losses. The merriment began to die down as the dragons smelled Dia walking among them. They watched her with cautious eyes as Apple led her to Basalt.

    The dragon leader was sitting on a thick blanket while a healer tended her wounds. She looked up with irritation when she saw Dia standing in front of her.

    ¡°What¡¯s this cat doing alive and in our camp?¡± she drawled.

    ¡°She claims to be my charge¡¯s protector and to have taken her mother¡¯s soul,¡± Apple said.

    Basalt raised an eyebrow then looked deeply into Dia¡¯s eyes making her uncomfortable. ¡°Alright, she¡¯ll come with us as a prisoner. Do you have a name Cat?¡±

    ¡°It¡¯s Dia Blanc.¡±

    Basalt smirked. ¡°Well, well, the mighty general brought low. The council will be very pleased.¡± Basalt snapped her fingers and two female dragons rose up from their positions beside her. ¡°Shackle her in my wagon and stand guard. I don¡¯t want any fools killing her before we get information from her.¡±

    ¡°Yes, Ma¡¯am,¡± the women said and lead Dia away.

    ¡°Good job, Avalon. I heard that your group experienced a loss today. My condolences. Please see to their health.¡± Basalt bowed her head and Apple bowed back.

    When Apple returned to the campsite he found Bird wrapped in a thick blanket and sitting on Lore¡¯s lap. Her skin, where it was not peeled away, had a sickly pallor to it and a bruise had formed under one eye. Her teeth were chattering despite being bundled and sharing Lore¡¯s warmth. He knelt in front of her and felt her forehead. It felt clammy beneath his palm. ¡°Lore, she needs to see a healer. She¡¯s in shock.¡±

    Bird shook her head. ¡°If you send one for me, send one for Dia. She was cut up pretty badly,¡± she said. Apple sighed.

    ¡°Done,¡± he said. He kissed her forehead and went looking for a healer.

    Bird settled into Lore¡¯s warmth and sighed. ¡°Am I really that important that I¡¯m worth dying for?¡± she murmured.

    Lore squeezed her tight and nuzzled her ear. ¡°You are to me and Apple. Yena obviously thought so as well. This is not about whether you¡¯re important, but how much you are loved. She saved you knowing what would happen and still did it out of love.¡±

    ¡°I feel like she should have loved me less. What¡¯s to become of Star? What about Adwin? I took his wife from him,¡± Bird sobbed.

    ¡°I¡¯m glad she didn¡¯t love you less because then I would be without you.¡±

    Bird froze in Lore¡¯s arms. She had been so focused her and Adwin¡¯s pain that she had forgot Lore¡¯s. He had known Yena far longer than she. She turned in his lap and straddled him. Cupping his face in her hands she leaned in close. ¡°You¡¯re hurting and I¡¯m making it worse.¡± She kissed him twice. ¡°I¡¯m glad that we didn¡¯t lose each other. We all lost Yena¡­ I wish she was here.¡±

    ¡°We all do Bird.¡±

    They kissed again.

    ***

    The following day the bodies of the fallen were burned and stored in special stone urns. Adwin kept a hold of Yena¡¯s ashes, never letting them leave his sight. His face was gaunt and looked like he had lost weight.

    Conversations with him were brief and he began to sleep more in the wagon. Concerned Bird cornered him in the wagon. ¡°Come with me,¡± she said nervously. She was not sure how Adwin would react to her after Yena¡¯s death and feared the worst.

    ¡°To where?¡± he asked softly.

    Bird opened a gate and took his hand. They walked together through the portal and arrived in a small plain room with a single dresser. Pulling back the blanket from the dresser Bird revealed the egg beneath.

    Adwin¡¯s eyes widened and fresh tears formed. He reached out and touched the egg then hugged it. ¡°Hello baby,¡± he murmured. ¡°Mother won¡¯t get to meet you; it will only be you and Father from now on.¡± He bit back a sob and kissed the eggshell. ¡°I can¡¯t wait to meet you.¡±

    Bird smiled as tears formed in her eyes. She left the room quietly and sat on one of the couches. What seemed like moments later she was awakened by Adwin shaking her shoulder. ¡°You fell asleep,¡± he said.

    ¡°You look better,¡± she said. He smiled.

    ¡°Yes, thank you. We need to go back.¡±

    Bird nodded and opened a new gate in the wagon. Lore sat waiting for them with his arms crossed and a frown on his face. He shook his head when Bird walked through the gate first. ¡°You can get in trouble for that,¡± Lore said. ¡°Everyone may know you can open gates, but seeing you do it will only bring more troubles.¡±

    ¡°Lore, I was born with this power. I¡¯m a witch. Why should I not use my gift?¡±

    ¡°Because others before you abused it. I¡¯m not saying that I don¡¯t trust you, Dear Lady, I¡¯m saying I want you to be careful.¡± Lore sighed when Bird rolled her eyes at him. ¡°Stubborn,¡± he muttered under his breath.

    By midafternoon they reached Bresbur. After unloading all the wagons, the dragons flew the witches and tiger back to Uler. They were greeted with decorations and flowers when they landed in the courtyard of the council hall.

    ¡°Today is a joyous day, but it is also a day of sorrow,¡± The Oracle began. ¡°We have won the victory in Errolt, but at the cost of our friends, brothers, sisters, husbands, wives, uncles, aunts. Their lives were not given in vain. One day we will free our exalted one and reclaim heaven from the usurpers. For now let us pray and give thanks.¡±

    The congregation bowed their heads and began to pray.

    When the prayer was over Dia was escorted into the Council¡¯s Hall, her arms and legs shackled with heavy iron. The tiger caught sight of Bird and smiled kindly. Bird could only stare as she was led away.

 Star

    Bird felt excitement stir in her belly as she watched the egg rock and twitch. Adwin hovered over it murmuring soft words. He waved Bird over to the rocking egg. She looked nervously at Lore who stood behind her. He shooed her with his hands and she glared at him. She stuck out her tongue then went to join Adwin by the egg.

    ¡°When I say, we need to both blow flames over the egg. Do you understand?¡±

    Bird nodded. She had been practicing the ritual since they had returned to Uler. Her palms had begun to sweat and she wiped them on her dress.

    Adwin held up his fingers and did a count down. When they reached one Adwin blew flames from his mouth. Bird summoned fire into her hands and sent small tendrils to caress the shell of the egg. Cracks began to form in the dark shell and she could feel new excitement growing.

    Suddenly the egg split in two revealing a white membrane with a barely visible shape within. Adwin carefully cut open the membrane spilling clear liquid all over the blanket on the dresser top. Bird gasped in wonder as a small baby uncurled from a tight ball and began to shriek.

    Instinctively Bird scooped up the baby and held it close to her chest. The cries softened then Bird felt unexpected pain on her breast. She looked down to see that the baby had latched onto her breast through the fabric of her shirt. Startled she pulled the baby away from her chest and tucked the small head into her neck.

    ¡°Congratulations Adwin, it¡¯s a girl,¡± Lore said as Bird gently bounced the fussy infant. Adwin reached out for her and the baby exchanged hands.Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    ¡°Hello Star, I¡¯m Papa,¡± Adwin cooed. The baby hiccupped and squirmed in his arms. Bird handed him a cloth and he began to clean the baby of mucus and blood.

    While he cleaned the baby Bird grabbed a bottle of goat¡¯s milk that had been prepared prior to the birth. She returned with it warm in her hand and offered it to Adwin. He tucked the baby into his arm and then ran the nipple over Star¡¯s mouth until she latched on and began to suck strongly.

    Bird stood back with her hands pressed over her heart. Lore hugged her from behind and kissed her forehead. ¡°You smell of baby,¡± he said. ¡°I find it calming.¡±

    ¡°She¡¯s so tiny. I didn¡¯t know people could be that small,¡± Bird said. Lore chuckled and kissed her again.

    Hours later Adwin lay asleep in his room while Bird sat in his living room feeding Star. She admired the soft brown curls that crowned the infant¡¯s head and the pudgy delicate cheeks. Shyly she kissed the tiny forehead and smelled the sweet smell specific to infants.

    Lore came into the room with a tray topped with a small teapot and two mugs, cream and sugar. ¡°I thought you might like some tea,¡± he whispered. He set the tray down then carefully leaned over the baby to plant a kiss on Bird¡¯s lips.

    He knelt at her feet and rested his head on her knees. ¡°What are you doing?¡± Bird asked nervously. She did not trust the smile on the dragon¡¯s face.

    ¡°You look so beautiful sitting there holding Star. I can¡¯t help but love you.¡±

    ¡°Oh, so you mean you didn¡¯t love me before?¡±

    Lore caught the teasing tone in Bird¡¯s voice and lifted his head. ¡°Dear Lady, at every turn it seems you seek to wound me. Can¡¯t you let my heart rest?¡±

    Bird wrinkled her nose and smiled. ¡°Why should I? You¡¯re so shameless.¡±

    ¡°Then would you take this shameless heart of mine and marry it?¡±

    Bird¡¯s breath caught in her throat. She swallowed hard as he heart fluttered wildly in her chest. Her stomach flipped and warmth rose in her cheeks.

    ¡°Yes.¡±