The Finding (3 page)

When the entire party finally crested the steep rise, Jaax paused and gazed in wonder at the great tree spreading its thick canopy from one side of the expansive hilltop to the other. It was an ancient oak, magnificent and gnarled, its several knobby limbs twisting and grasping for the sky. The giant tree was hollow as a shell but strongly attached to the ground due to several knotty roots plunging deep into the heart of the earth. The heartwood of the oak had been burned out in a firestorm ages ago and now all that was left was an empty area large enough to accommodate him and the drove of elves.

“Do you know this tree, Raejaax?” asked Aydehn quietly. His tone was more serious now, his face turning grave as he clasped his hands together in anticipation.

“Yes, yes I do,” Jaax answered in similar tones as he focused his silver-green eyes on the full beauty of the tree. “It’s Ethoes’ first oak, the Sacred Oak. I knew it was located in this part of Oescienne, but I wasn’t aware it was so near Crie.”

“Aye,” answered the Resai man in an anxious whisper, his eyes wide with feeling, “this is why our ancestors came to rest here when they fled the east. They knew this was Ethoes’ Oak, and the oak of all trees! The most sacred! They found themselves quite blessed when they happened upon it, and they knew then that the Goddess would keep them safe here. It has become a sacred place to us, and it is here that we give thanks to the Goddess.”

Jaax looked around inside of the hollow tree, ignoring the silent and inquisitive stares pouring over him. There was a charred pit in the center for a fire, perhaps to be lit on the Solstice and the Equinox. He sniffed at the air again, this time trying hard to detect any aroma that might reveal the secret to this place. It smelled of old smoke, dust and ancient forest, but nothing unusual or even unique drifted on the air, not even the smallest trace of magic.

“There was no mother?” Jaax asked suddenly, turning his keen eyes on the group that had accompanied him.

Aydehn nodded somberly, his voice sounding dry, “We found her here, completely naked and only a few hours old, according to our midwives.” When Jaax adopted a pensive look, the Resai man added, “That must be significant, inside the Sacred Oak?”

“We didn’t see anything out of the ordinary, no markings, nothing on the ground around her,” continued one of the village elders, a wizened old woman leaning on a crooked cane with a voice like an irritated frog. “She was just here. In fact, it’s a miracle that someone happened by. Luckily the Solsticetide had just passed, or else we would generally not come out this way, for weeks sometimes.”

Jaax puzzled this over. A female child seemingly born from the earth itself; yes, this did sound similar to what the Oracles had promised. And there was the Sacred Oak, a connection to Ethoes herself. There was only one more thing to prove, and the Tanaan dragon didn’t see that as likely, despite what the message he received had claimed. It was all probably coincidence anyhow, coincidences happened all the time and he’d definitely been alive long enough to know that. Nevertheless, he couldn’t help but wonder: could this girl really be human?

Jaax sighed as he thought about the strange circumstances. Over the years he’d gone on mission after mission, receiving word of a human child having been found. He’d been to what seemed like every province of Ethoes, as far north as the Baer Mountains in Rhohwynd and as far south as the Soahna Flatlands and all the other places in between. He’d seen hundreds of infants, all being proclaimed as the one the Oracles had promised, but none of them had been human. Some of these children had even been boys, in which case Jaax became angry. It was clearly foretold that the human child would be a girl. Half the time he thought these people only wanted to see a dragon, a rare sight in Ethoes these days.

“Where’s the child now?” queried Jaax, leaving his thoughts for later.

“She’s with my wife, Thenya,” Aydehn answered. “Shall we go and get her?”

“Yes.” Jaax dropped his distracted gaze and looked at the elderly Resai man standing below him. “I’ll see her now and decide if she’s better off with Hroombra or better off left here with you.”

Jaax followed the elves back to the village, reflecting in silence the entire journey back. He was thinking about what had been prophesied, although his better judgment told him not to. He’d waited so many years, long years, longer than his patience should have had to endure. Could the Oracles have spoken truth and could the search finally be over
? Now’s not the time to ask yourself these questions
, he thought in self-chastisement,
they’re all counting on your final say. Let’s hope that this time the child really is the one.

The young dragon sighed, scorching the icy air as he exhaled. The Oracles’ claim had been faulty and vague, that was undeniable. When has an Oracle ever been absolutely clear about the future anyway? But right now he needed to focus on what was best for this child if she wasn’t the one he sought.

Thenya stepped out of her small hut as the party approached Crie. Jaax looked up at her as she drew near and saw a tangled look of reluctance, joy and sorrow on her wrinkled face. Like her husband, Thenya was short and sturdy. She wore her salted chestnut hair in a tight bun, but several wisps had come loose and now framed her head like a halo. Her eyes were a light hazel color, and her slightly pointed ears appeared to be tucked back into her hair. She wore a dark blue dress dusted with flour and a stained white apron. In her arms she carried a bundle of multi-colored cloth that could’ve been a load of dirty laundry headed for the washboards. Jaax froze when he saw the bundle squirm.

Thenya slowly approached the towering dragon and pulled back a violet-blue cloth revealing a tiny face, two bright blue eyes and quite a lot of golden-blond hair. Jaax’s heart caught in his throat: blue eyes.

“When was this child found exactly?” he asked, perhaps a little too harshly.

“A few days after the Solsticetide, about a week ago.” Aydehn’s response from beside him was both startled and automatic.

“And you’re positive she was newborn the day you found her?” Jaax was finding it hard to wait for his friend’s answers. His mind was beginning to hum, mingling with the buzzing of the curious voices of the onlookers.

“Oh yes, absolutely sure, only a few hours or so.”

Jaax’s head was no longer humming but spinning.
Blue eyes!

“Your children Aydehn, they’re born with eyes white except the pupils, is this not true?” he continued in that rough voice.

“Why of course, any race containing elf blood or dwarf blood is born with white eyes and then the color comes in later. In fact, the only known race to be born with blue eyes is . . .”

“Human,” Jaax cut him off. “And not just part human, full-blooded human. A pure-blooded human, unbelievable! Impossible!”

His voice was now a hiss, almost inaudible over the growing clamor of the shifting and murmuring throng. Jaax was astounded. He knew he’d hoped for this, for centuries he had, but he’d never expected this day to come after so many long years of disappointment. How could a human, a race that’s been extinct for five hundred years, end up inside an oak tree in a tiny village in northern Oescienne? Could the Oracles, then, be telling the truth? Had Ethoes not forsaken them after all? Jaax took in a deep breath and released it on a long, heated sigh.

“Well, Aydehn, I’ll definitely be taking this child off your hands.” His words carried over the crowd, suddenly hushed by the return of the dragon’s strong voice. “Don’t worry, she’ll be well protected,” he added after seeing Thenya’s tearful eyes. “I’ll take her to the Korli dragon Hroombramantu in Oescienne. She’ll be well secluded and protected there, so Ethoes willing, the Crimson King will never find her.”

Reluctantly, Thenya handed over the infant with shaking hands. She had known this day would come, but her composure proved that she hadn’t expected it so soon.

“What do you call her?” Jaax’s voice was suddenly soft, full of understanding for what Thenya was giving up.

“We haven’t thought of any proper human names since we know none,” Thenya answered in a trembling voice, her eyes fixed upon the infant’s small, round face. “But we call her Drisihn, Little Oak.”

“Then that shall be her elfin name.” Jaax nodded courteously.

“What shall we call her as a human, if she ever comes back this way?” Thenya asked, looking up at the great dragon with clear and hopeful eyes.

Jaax paused, turning back to face the inquiring village, all of whom had now gathered around the strange scene. The bonfire behind them still breathed out its tainted smoke, now more of an orange hue than the red he had seen earlier that morning. The hungry bleats of goats and clucks of chickens sounded in the near distance, but every last townsperson was silent, their eyes trained upon the dragon gazing so intently upon the tiny infant.

Jaax’s mind was still reeling from what he’d learned this day, but he forced the shock and excitement away as he tried to answer Thenya’s plea. He had once known a human name, a girl’s name, and he allowed his memory to wander back to the time when human names were still known.

“Jahrraneh,” he replied quietly after a long pause, then out loud for all to hear, “‘All’s Hope’. But I think she’ll be called ‘Jahrra’.”

“Then Jahrra Drisihn we shall call her,” Aydehn replied quietly, smiling as he placed a gentle hand on his wife’s shoulder.

Jaax watched as the tiny child was strapped to him by some of the less timid villagers. He purposely kept his gaze away from Thenya, for she had drawn away when little Jahrra had been taken from her. The dragon sought the eyes of the baby, surprised to find her watching him as well. She gazed back up with what looked like wide, blue amazement and began to laugh.

“Now, would you look at that, she likes you Raejaax!” Thenya exclaimed, showing a bright smile in an attempt to hide her tears.

Well
, thought the dragon, recalling the songbird that had sung for him that morning,
what do you know? Two for two.

Thenya shooed the young villagers away and finished wrapping the baby securely to Jaax’s neck. When she was finished, he turned to leave, but stopped short.

“What is it?” asked Aydehn.

“I need something to give her when she asks from where she came,” he replied, brow furrowed.

“Here,” Thenya reached into a large pocket in her skirt and pulled out a closed fist, “take this.” She opened her hand to reveal a single acorn. “It’s from the Sacred Oak. In fact, we found it right next to little Drisihn, next to Jahrra.” The woman dropped her eyes and swallowed before going on, “It is winter; there should be no fruit on the trees, yet Ethoes must have wanted her to have it. Perhaps she can plant it one day.”

“Yes,” replied Jaax calmly, “that’ll do just fine.”

Thenya tucked the fat acorn into the bundle that was Jahrra and patted it affectionately.

“Take care of her Raejaaxorix. Don’t let any harm come to her,” Thenya whispered solemnly. “My sister Thedhia awaits your arrival this very evening in the hills above Arlei. You do remember how to get there?”

Jaax looked at the woman with his piercing eyes and nodded. “Of course, I remember it well.”

Thenya closed her own eyes and bowed her head as if finally letting go of her own heart.

With a last glance around and with a small grin that he hoped would bring peace of mind to the elves and their kin, Jaax lifted off the ground with one beat of his mighty wings and climbed into the living mist, the tiny, helpless Jahrra strapped securely to him.

-
Chapter Two
-

Hroombramantu

From his relatively low altitude Jaax could see the entire landscape spreading out before him like a patchwork quilt. His two day journey had been pleasant, especially since Jahrra had given him little trouble. They had soared easily over the Great Thronn Wilderness, camping on the hillside beside Thedhia’s tiny stone cabin the night before. The elfin woman had fussed and clucked over Jahrra, feeding her and cleaning her once she had peeled her away from Jaax’s scaly hide. But when she tried to take the baby in for the night, the young dragon interjected.

“She stays with me,” he said in a voice stern enough to make a giant redwood tremble.

Thedhia objected weakly but backed down when the dragon gave her one of his deadly glares. She had stalked back to her cabin dejectedly only to return in the morning, her mood much improved, to bid them farewell. Now they were far south of Arlei, closing in on the secret part of Oescienne that was protected by two giant mountain chains. Jaax breathed in the

wild air and grinned, the pleasure of being in this place coursing through his blood like the wind flowing over his scales.

The Elornn Range and the Thorbet Mountains together looked like a huge, purple-spiked serpent wrapped in a wide arc, beginning and ending on the shore. To the west was an unobstructed coastline with a delicate ribbon of golden-cream sand stretching for several miles beside the deep expanse of sapphire -water.

A crop of rippling sand dunes, grooved farmlands, rich valleys, thick forests and rolling hills dotted the earth in a perfectly random pattern. The Raenyan and Oorn Rivers in the north and south were a brilliant contrast against the varied landscape; the sun’s reflection blazing upon their glassy surfaces like a flame burning angrily along a fuse.

Jaax grinned when he spotted his destination, a great hill that sloped upward from the east and ended as a dramatic drop at its western-most point. The flat hill itself was covered mostly by a dark forest the locals called the Wreing Florenn, but the rest of it was covered in open fields and small wood copses. This obvious landmark was simply called the Great Sloping Hill, and this was where the dragon Hroombramantu awaited the arrival of the infant Jahrra.

Jaax soared over the Elornn Foothills, descending a little to get a closer view of the land below. He frightened a flock of sheep and sent them bleating and scattering in terror as he swept over the rolling fields of the Raenyan Valley. They looked a lot like oversized cotton balls being blasted by a gust of wind, and he couldn’t help but chuckle lightly as he passed.

Jaax climbed once more to glide over a collection of tall hills but realized he was getting too carried away when he felt Jahrra stir against his neck and then begin to cry. He straightened himself out and fell into an easier drift and breathed deeply when he felt the baby settle comfortably against him again.

The edge of the Great Sloping Hill crept nearer, and after flying over the first few miles of its western edge, Jaax espied Hroombramantu waiting below, looking like a gray statue in the late afternoon light. The old dragon sat with a patience that only comes with age, barely moving his head to watch the descent of the much younger Jaax. He waited in front of a tiny little cottage which, when Jaax got a closer look, was actually situated on a small farm surrounded by orchard trees wedged between the house and the dark woods behind it.

Jaax missed, however, the soft smile on the other dragon’s face as he watched him land gingerly upon the narrow dirt path trailing away from the small house. Jaax beat his wings vigorously, sending up clouds of dust and stray leaves. Once confident he’d done a good job of the landing, he turned and looked at the Korli dragon sitting only a few dozen yards away, smiling wryly.

The old dragon slowly rose and clambered towards the younger one, betraying the evidence of arthritis in his ailing joints.

“Raejaaxorix, it’s been so long since I’ve seen you,” Hroombramantu remarked in a deep, worn voice.

Despite the obvious struggle in his steps, he didn’t appear feeble or delicate.

“Master Hroombra, it’s good to see you out of your crumbled castle,” Jaax commented, trying to mask the weariness in his own words with dry humor.

Hroombra chuckled and shook his great head. He looked different from the younger, stronger Jaax. He was a palette of blues and grays and had a great crest atop his head which was surrounded by sagging skin, both a sign of age and a trademark of the Korli race of dragons. His eyes looked like cool chunks of amber, full of wisdom and centuries of experience, and a few saber-like teeth protruded from his lower jaw to rest against his cheek.

As daunting as this dragon’s appearance may have seemed, his eyes betrayed his kind soul, one that was slow to anger. His wings, great flaps of gray skin, showed the signs of many a battle fought hard and looked like they no longer could lift his stocky frame off the ground.

“Yes, well, I do get out as much as I can these days, especially this day,” Hroombra said, answering Jaax’s earlier comment. Then he added more lightly, “So, where is this human child you are supposed to have found?”

“Right here.” Jaax shifted his wings with a quick smile, revealing the sleeping baby nestled just in front of his shoulder.

“Isn’t that a wonder,” replied Hroombra quietly, smiling widely and exposing many more jagged teeth.

“So this must be her new home now. . .” Jaax said, ignoring the shining admiration in the older dragon’s voice. He was looking past Hroombra towards the old cottage.

“Oh yes, it belongs to a kind old Nesnan couple. They just lost their only child, one born in their later years,” Hroombra explained, still gazing lovingly at Jahrra. “This young one will bring some comfort and love back into their lives and they’ll be sure to return the favor.”

“What sort of people are they?” Jaax inquired, shifting his wings casually against his back. “How do they make their living?”

“Their names are Abdhe and Lynhi,” Hroombra began. “They are poor farmers who moved here from the plains of Torinn long ago during a severe drought. They bought this small patch of earth and have managed to grow a good grove of fruit trees which they depend on for most of their income. They tend a small family garden and raise some livestock, selling their homemade crafts at the markets at the annual festivals.”

Hroombra finished his reply with the tone of someone who was speaking of something very honorable.

“That’s good to hear,” Jaax answered after some time. “I believe she’ll be absolutely safe here. These people, if they are truly as you describe them, will be able to teach her the foundations of life.”

Jaax seemed suddenly distracted and shot a quick glance towards the setting sun on the horizon. The old dragon picked up on the gesture like it was second nature to him. “Already anxious to be off are we?” he said dully with a sad smile.

Jaax pretended not to hear the slight note of disappointment in Hroombra’s tone, but failed to hide the sudden impatience in his own. “If she’s the final part of the prophecy then I have much work to do, you know that.”

“I only hoped you might stay a few days until the little one got settled,” Hroombra said firmly.

The younger dragon quickly jumped on the defensive. “Gets settled? She’s an infant! What could a dragon do to help her settle in?” Jaax released a short, frustrated breath, “Hroombra, I can’t waste anymore time, I must be off to Felldreim today if I’m to make any headway securing our allies.”

Jaax snapped his jaw shut and furrowed his brow. He hadn’t meant to sound so harsh, but he was tired from the journey and he was anxious to rally support against the Tyrant.

After a short while, he collected himself and began again, this time speaking slowly but obdurately, “The human child has finally been found Hroombra, this changes everything. I won’t let petty sentiments get in the way of a plan five hundred years in the making. I’ve brought her safely to you and her new family. I hardly think she’ll care what I do from now on. She doesn’t even know me, she’s only a baby!”

Jaax turned to go, but Hroombra attempted to reach the younger dragon one last time. “I can’t stop you from being who you are Jaax, but someday I hope you can pause and put your past grievances second and your life first. She’s the one Jaax, the one the whole world has been waiting for, and you’re just going to leave her here without a second glance? She could be the one to make everything the way it once was . . .”

The old dragon finished his speech quietly, allowing his mind to wander onto times long past.

After gazing at Jaax with trouble eyes, Hroombra continued in a much more solemn tone, “Go if you must, but all I ask is that you check in on the child’s progress as often as possible.”

“Don’t worry,” Jaax replied firmly, “I will. Her progress is imperative to everything.”

The younger dragon turned and began walking to the end of the drive, the dipping sun casting a long shadow in his wake.

“What’s her name?” Hroombra called, just before the Tanaan dragon spread his great wings before taking off.

“Jahrra Drisihn,” he answered, and was gone in one mighty thrust of his wings.

The air swirled about the Korli dragon and stirred a few leaves around on the ground. Hroombra watched as Jaax’s dragon shape became nothing more than an emerald blur against the sun-gilded sky. He inhaled a great breath and blew out a stream of smoke, then considered the squirming bundle below him.

“Jahrra, huh?” Hroombra’s old reptilian face smiled down at the young human one. “A new hope you are, a new hope you are indeed.”

Hroombra turned his weary gaze to the eccentric stone cabin that slumped at the end of the dusty road. He saw that Abdhe and Lynhi had quietly crept out of their home and were now standing calmly on the doorstep, remaining perfectly still as if petrified to move lest they provoke him to attack. A great smile cut across Hroombra’s furrowed face and the two figures relaxed a little.

Abdhe stood to the left of his wife. He was a tallish, worn looking Nesnan man, but not as tall as the humans Hroombra could barely remember. He wore faded gray pants that stopped at mid-calf, a dirty white shirt and a deep red, patched vest. His hair was gray and wiry and he had a weathered look about him. Lynhi, the woman who stood to his left, was a few inches shorter than him and wore a faded yellow skirt and a brown shirt. Her hair was ginger streaked with white and pulled loosely back into a braid.

How wonderfully ordinary they looked, Hroombra thought. He could almost feel their joy and anticipation, their fear and apprehension, their hopes and dreams for this vulnerable girl. It hung in the air like the night chill clung to the early morning, reluctant to release its grip. He had spoken to them about this undertaking many years ago, for he had always counted on them to care for the child when she was found, if she was found in their lifetime. He’d explained everything to them then and he trusted them beyond anyone else he knew in Oescienne.

The young Jahrra cried as Hroombra gently lifted her sling in his teeth and carried her towards the cottage. “Don’t worry small one,” he said rather awkwardly, trying not to let the sling fall, “he’ll be back to visit you, he hasn’t left you for good.”

This didn’t seem to comfort the baby, and it didn’t comfort Hroombra either. He hoped Jaax would keep his word, but he had known the Tanaan dragon his entire life and knew how unpredictable he could be during difficult times.
He can’t help it
, Hroombra mused,
his life has been harder than most.
The weathered old reptile sighed, a sigh that revealed his inner thoughts.
Now I have another young one to worry about.

Although this day was no different than any other winter day, it felt new, clean and strangely calm. Hroombra didn’t know what the future held, even though his life experiences had given him some insight. All he knew was that Jahrra was safe for now and that it was his responsibility to look after her until her fate called.

Hroombra left little Jahrra with Abdhe and Lynhi that evening, knowing she was in good hands. They promised to raise her as their own, a poor Nesnan girl growing up in a quiet, sleepy land where the Crimson King’s deadly force hadn’t yet reached. They promised to send her to school with the other children of Oescienne and they promised to give Hroombra free rein over extra lessons with her. They promised to love her and care for her, to teach her some good in this cruel world. And they promised, as hard as it was for them to do so, to part with her when the time came for her to face her destiny.

These promises, along with all that had already happened, truly gave Hroombra something to look forward to. She would be safe here, and growing up as one of the Nesnan elves would keep her away from the curiosity of prying eyes. They looked enough like humans with their rounded ears and taller frame; Hroombra only hoped that Jahrra would look enough like them as well.

Yes
, he thought with a heavy yet hopeful heart,
this is where she’ll be most safe.

What Hroombra didn’t know, however, was that the arrival of this tiny, rather inconspicuous infant had already drawn someone’s attention, and as he greeted the happy new parents of the baby Jahrra, two glowing eyes were watching from the edge of the dark forest.

***