A sudden blast of strong wind caused by the dragon’s passing overhead made the creature cower once again. This was no place to stand and think about what it had just witnessed, so it quickly ducked behind a large eucalyptus tree and drifted like a semi-solid smoke back into the heart of the trees, muttering to itself the entire way.
As Jaax soared over the Wreing Florenn in the last light of day, his long shadow skittering across the tops of the dark trees, the creature crept over the forest floor with, for the first time in many, many years a glimmer of anticipation. I don’t know what that dragon was doing with an infant, but I intend to find out. And why would an infant’s spirit call so strongly to me? it wondered. I may not know now, but I have all the time in Ethoes to find out.
With a flicker of determined patience, the creature disappeared into the depths of the woods to do what it did best, to wait.
-Chapter Three-
Dreams, Dragons and Making Friends
The mist was always the same, low to the ground but rising quickly as if being brushed up by some mighty, undetectable breeze. He was always there too, a figure shrouded in an emerald, cowled cloak. His behavior seemed restless this time but the only way to tell for sure would be to look at his face. Unfortunately, it was hidden beneath his shadowy hood like always. The stranger stepped forward, slowly cresting the top of the small knoll that marked the boundary of the forest and the small orchard. Sometimes he seemed cautious, sometimes he seemed amused, but he always kept silent, at least that is how Jahrra always perceived him.
As the man stood gazing down at her under the shadow of his cloak, Jahrra could almost feel his eyes locking with hers. She’d always wondered if this strange man was young or old, brutal or kind, dark or fair, but he’d never shown his identity, not once. She wondered if he had black hair or blonde like hers.
She even wondered, with delight, if he was an elf, like the brave elves in the stories her father and Master Hroombra told her. In fact, the only thing she did know about him was that he was tall, much taller than her father and that he never said a single word to her.
Jahrra looked up once more at the stranger hoping to see something of his identity. But he bowed his head ever so slightly, causing Jahrra to wake with a start.
“Jahrra dear, time to get up, breakfast is ready!”
Lynhi stepped into the room a few moments later and looked down at the young girl in slight bewilderment. “Oh my, did you have another bad dream?”
“Oh no, Nida, I was just startled awake is all!” Jahrra replied through a yawn. She often called her mother Nida and her father Pada. She’d been calling them this for as long as . . . As long as I’ve had that dream. Since forever, she thought.
The dream of the tall stranger had been frightening at first, but when it started recurring Jahrra became less and less fearful of her enigmatic visitor. She couldn’t remember the first time it had come to her; all she knew was that every now and then while she slept she would end up in a misty orchard all alone except for her imaginary companion.
“Don’t linger too long, your food will get cold and you’ll miss the wagon to Master Hroombra’s,” Lynhi called over her shoulder on her way back downstairs.
“Master Hroombra!” Jahrra squeaked as she leaped out of bed.
She always enjoyed visiting Hroombra at the Castle Guard Ruin on the edge of the Great Sloping Hill. Once a week she met with the dragon to learn all about Oescienne and the stories of old. He told her tales of real elves, the ones who can perform magic and live forever. He also told her stories of the Tulle people and dwarves who lived outside of the boundaries of Oescienne.
When she was at Master Hroombra’s Jahrra heard stories of all the strange and wonderful creatures of Ethoes, including all the other dragons of the world. The stories about the dragon Raejaaxorix were Jahrra’s favorite. She would sit in wide-eyed wonder, her ears prickling to hear more about the noble dragon that fought against the terrifying beasts and menacing bands of raiders roaming the countryside terrorizing the weak and the innocent.
Hroombra reveled in telling Jahrra these stories but he never mentioned the fact that the Tanaan dragon had a role in her life. He still feared the younger dragon wouldn’t keep his promise about checking in on the girl. For now, Hroombra found solace in his decision by telling Jahrra stories of Jaax from years ago, before he became as embittered as he now was.
Six years had passed since the younger dragon had brought Jahrra to her foster parents, and he hadn’t been back since. Hroombra had received word from him on several occasions; a letter or two informing the older dragon of his various diplomatic activities, but not once had he mentioned a possible visit to Oescienne. Hroombra didn’t let it get him down, however. Jaax was known for avoiding emotional situations and this one was no different. He would come around in his own time.
Hroombra expected that Jaax would receive quite a surprise when he eventually returned. Jahrra was no longer an infant and she’d grown to be quite a handful. She was always climbing trees, splashing over creeks and running through fields. She was constantly exploring and having a great time: building forts from piles of pruned branches her father had created, gathering wildflowers to spruce up the kitchen, or bringing in lizards and other crawling things she insisted were her friends, keeping her frustrated and repulsed mother constantly on edge.
Lynhi never knew if she might find some strange caterpillar on the kitchen table or reach her hand into the dirty laundry to find a family of snails living there. Soon, however, Jahrra would be starting school with the rest of the local children. Despite the fact that Lynhi was looking forward to fewer encounters with unidentifiable bugs and reptiles, she and Abdhe were anxious about the approaching school season.
They worried mostly about Jahrra’s interaction with the other children; she’d only ever known them and Hroombra. The isolation of their orchard, the fact that no other youngsters lived close by and the lack of time and finances to visit town more often had forced Jahrra to grow up with the farm animals as her friends. They made good companions, but they couldn’t teach her about living in the great world that existed beyond her home.
Another of her parents’ concerns was the girl’s stubborn personality. They feared she wouldn’t listen to her schoolmasters and might cause trouble with her peers once her classes began. She was bright and very eager to learn, but mostly only what Hroombra was willing to teach her.
When Abdhe and Lynhi approached the elderly dragon with their concern he simply replied, “Life itself is an ongoing school lesson. She’ll be fine. It may be rough at first, but she’ll learn when to ask questions and when it’s time to listen. Don’t worry so much, she isn’t as misplaced as you think she is.”
Hroombra’s reassurance calmed them a little, but they still had their doubts. They thought that perhaps her human characteristics might stand out among the mostly Resai group.
Nevertheless, Hroombra assured them that no one would ever guess she was full-blooded human.
“The others have never even seen a human. They wouldn’t know what one looks like. Even if some of their parents have seen humans before, it’s been so long since there were any in Ethoes, I doubt they’ll notice.”
Abdhe and Lynhi knew that Jahrra had to grow up thinking she was a Nesnan elf for her own safety, but being a Nesnan in an elite Resai school wouldn’t be easy. There had always been great debate over those who found themselves in the middle of these two races, whether they were Resai or Nesnan, and whether they could prove it with family records. Many feuds were fought and many grudges set, simply over something as silly as who was more elfish than the next person.