Rin
The Valley of Drakon stretches below me, black towers and massive curtain walls protecting the entrances where the river flows through. On either side of the valley are steep mountain faces pitted with caves and waterfalls that spill over the edges. The falls drop hundreds of feet before dissolving into vapor clouds carried off by the wind. At the base of the falls, tiny streams cut paths through rock and feed into the seething river.
I watch as a green dragon spreads his wings and flies up over the stony peaks. Even at this distance I can see his muscles flex and his huge hind-legs kick powerfully through the air. Each peak has a tower built at its pinnacle, and the dragon zips between two of them and disappears into the clouds.
This place is beyond anything I could’ve imagined, but even from up here I can see that most of the structures are left in varying states of disrepair. Cracked pillars rise from the tops of the towers, at their bases lie shattered draconic statues. Some of the walls are only half as high as the surrounding ones, and piles of rubble form at the base of these walls. It has the appearance of a once prosperous city that was left to ruin. The one structure that is relatively unscathed by decay is a cathedral-like building at the precipice of a large bluff ahead of us.
That is our destination, Targon says to me.
“That is where the elders live?”
It is where council is held. I must make my case before the elders inside.
He glides toward the building and a moment later touches down on a flat landing area suspended over the edge of the bluff.
“Holy cow!” Tina says. She’s rubbing the sleep from her eyes as she sits on Targon’s back. She looks a lot better rested now. “Where the heck are we?”
“Targon is here to get help finding the girls. We think they are being held at the same place as his clan members, so he and some other dragons are going to go off and find them.”
“What about us?” Tina replies, a look of concern darkening her face. “I totally want to see all the girls again—don’t get me wrong. But I’m terrified of going back that way. I never want to see that cave, the helicopter wreck, or any of those wild guys again.”
“Don’t worry. We’re going to stay here and wait for them.” I reach up my arms, offering to help her get off Targon’s back. “We don’t ever have to see that place again if you don’t want to.”
“What I’d really like to do is get back to the university, pack my things, and go home to Nebraska where it’s safe and people don’t run around in masks kidnapping women,” she says, shaking her head in dismay. “Well I mean, I’m sure it happens, but not very frequently.”
I help her down and we stand shoulder to shoulder, eyes wide, taking in the view we have from the platform high atop the bluff.
I put my hand on her shoulder. “I don’t mean to be a Debby downer, but I gotta be honest. Once the others are safe we can discuss our options, but for right now…” I really do hate to be the bearer of bad news. Plus, she isn’t lucky enough yet to have someone like I do. It makes life so much more bearable to know that no matter what happens, you’ll be taken care of. But I feel honesty is the best policy in this case. She deserves to know the truth, even if it’s hard to hear. “I hate to tell you this, Tina, but going home doesn’t seem to be an option.”
She hardly acknowledges my words. I attribute that fact to denial. Everything is still so new to her—I mean just look where the hell we are. This is crazy. I wouldn’t blame her for blocking out certain truths until she’s ready to cope with them.
“Before I left for school,” she says, “I’d lived in the boonies my entire life. I’d wanted to get out of town and have an adventure.” She raises her hands, gesturing toward the valley below. “I never thought it’d lead to something like this.”
I smirk and breathe deeply. “Believe me, I know the feeling.”
We stand before a great building made of giant curving arches, tall spindly pinnacles, and steep roofs covered by blood-red tiles. It looks like a shiny volcanic cathedral to me, like something you’d see in an alternate dimension of Europe. Targon walks ahead of us, staying in his dragon form, and signals for us to follow closely behind.
We enter the black cathedral through an arched doorway as tall as two dragons. Giant free standing candelabras ring the room, and toward the back is a grand staircase twisting up the walls toward the domed ceiling and the second level. Everything here dwarfs me and Tina, and I have to admit: I haven’t even met any other dragons yet and I’m already feeling pretty intimidated.
And then we see him coming down the stairs. He is a dragon with white and gray scales, about the same height as Targon but quite a bit less muscular. Something about him seems ancient and knowing—perhaps it’s his eyes. They are jet black, contrasting sharply with the pale, milky quality of his body. In the center of each eye are cloudy white spots like cataracts. Behind him two more dragons follow, one to either side like body guards. They are green and heavy-built, with scars in many places and alert eyes.
It is the elder Balrazar and two Drakon warrior escorts, Targon says to me. Balrazar is the head of the council, and therefore ruler of the Drakon lands, and I am one of his lords.
The white dragon and his retinue walk slowly down the steps, and when they make it to the landing Balrazar addresses Targon in their native tongue. Targon bows his head and then replies. As they speak the two guards watch Tina and I, their gazes taking us in as if we were their next meal. I look over my shoulder at Tina, who stands slightly behind me with a nervous frown on her face. She grabs my hand and squeezes tightly.
“Don’t be afraid,” I whisper to her. “These are the good guys. We are safe here.”
After a brief exchange of words the guards began approaching us. I hear Targon’s voice in my head. It sounds optimistic.
Balrazar has approved my request to speak to the council, but no outsiders are allowed in the meeting chamber. The guards will take the two of you to private quarters where you will be provided some basic comforts. Go with them, it will be okay.
I’m nervous about being separated from you here, I respond. Are you sure this is the only way?
I’m sorry my treasured one, he says. He reaches back and strokes my arm. We won’t be able to hear each other’s thoughts here unless we are in the same room. The walls are imbued with special qualities that prevent it. But do not worry. You will be well taken care of, and I will return to you shortly.
I nod my head and Targon follows the white dragon up the winding stairs. The guards pass in front of us and we follow them down a long side corridor with red and black banners hanging from the walls. I’m taken by the way the light shines through the windows here. The glass is translucent and the sunlight cascades onto the dark floor in multicolored beams. It’s like a medieval fantasy painting brought to life.
We walk down a large spiral staircase and another long hall. Near the end of the hallway the guards open a set of heavy wooden doors that lead into a side room. We enter the room and the guards close the doors behind us. Tina and I are alone.
Needless to say the room is dragon-sized and seems to be a bedroom. There is a pile of furs neatly arranged in the corner, plush and inviting after the long journey we’ve been on. In the center of the room is a sunken pool with steam rising from it.
Tina notices the water at once and walks over.
“Mhm,” she says, dipping her toe into the water. “It’s nice and warm.”
“Like a Jacuzzi?”
“Warm as bath water,” she replies. She pulls up the hem of her pants and steps in. She moans. “I haven’t taken a bath in so long.” She sniffs her armpit, grimacing. After an entire day spent in close proximity to her on Targon’s back, I’m in agreement—she definitely needs a bath. I think both of us need a little freshening up.
She points at me and spins her finger. “Turn around, please. I’m gonna get in.”
Behind me I hear the rustle of clothing and then a small splash, and when I turn around, Tina is sitting in the steaming pool, water up to her neck. She leans her head back against the side and closes her eyes, a big smile on her face.
Before I can jump in there is a loud knocking on the door, and a savory aroma fills the air. Instantly my stomach rumbles and images of succulent meals dance in my head. The door opens and a dragon walks in carrying a tray of piping hot food. He sets it on top of a stone table by the wall, and then stands there, watching us with a fiery glint of desire in his eyes. Tina notices his gaze and ducks down into the pool until only the top of her head is visible. I place my hands on my hips and glare at the dragon. Seriously dude? With a final lingering glance he goes and shuts the door behind him.
With the dragon finally gone Tina doggy-paddles over and hangs onto the lip of the pool. She stares at the tray with saucer-like eyes, almost drooling as the scent of meat and other delicious surprises fill the air.
“Oh my god, Rin. Whatever that is, it smells like heaven.”
On the tray are roasted meats similar to what Targon has prepared for me in the past. They remind me of Christmas hams. There are also fruits and berries, bread, and what looks like some sort of cheese. I break off the corner of a wedge and sniff it, then I pop it in my mouth.
“Damn girl,” I say as the flavors hit my taste buds. It tastes similar to Gouda, but with a spicy kick. It surprises me how good it is. “These dragons know how to eat.”
I break off a piece of bread and toss a hunk of meat into my mouth. I let the flavors swirl around on my tongue, and I can’t help but sigh with pleasure. Maybe this little stay in dragon city won’t be so bad after all. But then Tina clears her throat at me. The look she’s giving me makes it clear she wants in on some of this grub—pronto.
I laugh, realizing I’d gotten carried away. “Sorry Tina.”
I carry the tray poolside and set it down. A moment later I’ve pulled my clothes off and eased myself into the water. “This is absolutely perfect,” I say, but Tina doesn’t respond. She doesn’t need to. She’s digging into the tray of food like a ravenous animal, and judging by the sounds she makes as she stuffs herself with exotic berries and meats and cheeses, she’s in total agreement.