The Finding (9 page)

“Don’t you dummies know that dragons are evil creatures that steal treasure and set whole towns on fire!”

Many of the other girls and boys who had at first ignored Eydeth’s usual tirade gasped at this remark and stepped away from Jahrra as if she were sick with the plague. Jahrra tried to remain cool and tried desperately to think of a good retort, but all she could do was hang her head low and walk away with her two friends. She tried so hard to enjoy school but the silence one day and laughter the next truly disheartened her.

A few weeks later Ellysian made another nasty comment about Nesnans right in front of Jahrra, but this time she reacted. Just as Ellysian finished telling a group of girls how the Nesnan people never did anything worth praising, Jahrra shouted back without thinking, “I don’t care what you say! Master Hroombra told me that we’re all the same!”

Oh yes, that showed them
, Jahrra thought to herself bitterly as the laughter around her strengthened. She flushed terribly as she once again became a spectacle.

Eydeth had been right across the yard and quickly joined in the foray.

“All the same?” he squeaked with delight. “You? The same as us? That dragon isn’t only horrible, he’s stupid too!” The evil boy could barely hold back his laughter.

Jahrra just stood there, frozen in frustration and anger as the entire class laughed at her.

“Stop it!” Gieaun shouted, seething with rage. “Master Hroombra isn’t horrible or stupid! You’re all just too afraid of Eydeth’s lies to believe anything else!”

The laughter, if at all possible, grew louder. Jahrra felt like vapor being spread thin throughout the air around her. Gieaun quailed in shame. Almost every last person in the class was now surrounding Jahrra and Gieaun, pointing and making faces.

“Dragon Dung Dweebs! Dragon Dung Dweebs!” they chanted again and again, resurrecting the old phrase once more. Eydeth and Ellysian stood back and watched with malevolent grins of satisfaction on their smug faces.

Then, without warning, Scede did something no one was expecting. He’d been sitting on the great granite boulder beneath the oak tree when all of this had started. He’d watched helplessly as Jahrra walked over to defend herself and remained seated in fear as his sister joined her. But as the cacophony unfolded before him, his fear slowly turned to rage and he just couldn’t stand it any longer.

“Stop it! All of you stop it right now!” he screamed as he jumped off the stone slab, looking as dangerous as an angry wasp.

Scede’s sudden outburst caught everyone off guard and the laughing ceased instantly.

“Master Hroombra is much smarter than any of you, and he’s nicer too! We know you don’t like us or him, and we don’t care. So why don’t you just leave us alone! And you had better watch out,” he pointed a shaking finger at Ellysian, “or you’ll end up getting a mud bath just like your brother!”

Scede was breathing hard and his teeth and fists were clenched. Even Gieaun and Jahrra backed away, slightly afraid he might explode. Ellysian had turned white and the smile on Eydeth’s face became a hard frown as he recalled the memory of falling into the mud.

Scede darted his eyes around, trying hard to think of something else to say, but nothing came to mind. Every child in the schoolyard, oldest to youngest, stood still as if waiting for him to strike at them like a snake.

When he finally spoke again everyone cringed, but the only words he could muster were, “Why don’t you all go wait for your stupid wagons over there!”

He pointed furiously towards the front of the schoolhouse and surprisingly, everyone obeyed.

“Yeah, we will, and you can go wait for your hay cart over there,” Ellysian said, sounding like a deflated balloon as she and her brother turned and headed towards the front of the yard.

Gieaun, Scede and Jahrra slowly walked back to their oak tree, the two girls keeping their distance. Like the victims of a massive earthquake, they waited for Scede’s aftershocks but they never came. They sat a long time, watching as all of their classmates quietly climbed into their respective carriages or rode off on their own horses they kept in the school stables.

Finally, after what seemed like ages, the mail cart came creaking up the path. Gieaun, Jahrra and Scede climbed up next to Mr. Dharedth as if under a spell, content with riding all the way home in complete silence. The two girls had no idea what to say to Scede, but finally Dharedth, sensing the strange tension surrounding the three friends, spoke up, “What seems to be the problem? Ever since I started taking you to and from school eight months ago, you always talked up a storm on the way back. Why are you all so silent?”

Scede was the one to answer, his voice strangely calm, “The other children were saying some mean things about Master Hroombra and Jahrra, so I yelled at them.”

“Is that all? Well, ‘tis about time those ruffians get told a thing or two. Don’ worry,” Dharedth said seeing the look of dread on the children’s faces. “I won’ tell anyone you did it.”

He smiled, and the icy silence surrounding the three friends melted away.

“Did you see the look on Eydeth’s and Ellysian’s faces when you yelled at them? It looked like they’d seen a ghost!” Jahrra said, relieved Scede wasn’t going to erupt again.

“I know. I was so afraid of you Scede! I’ve never seen you so mad, even after the time I kicked apart the sand castle you made at the beach,” added Gieaun, stifling a giggle.

By the time they reached the crest of the Sloping Hill an hour later, they were their normal selves again. Dharedth pulled the cart to a groaning stop and the three of them jumped out, waving goodbye as they began walking towards the Castle Guard Ruin. The school week was over and Jahrra had invited Scede and Gieaun to stay over for the weekend. But before they went home for the night, Hroombra had asked Jahrra to stop by after school on her way home.

They trekked down the narrow dirt path leading from the main road to the Ruin, engrossed in a discussion about what had happened at school that day. Jahrra looked up and saw Hroombra standing beside the crumbled building and her heart leapt. She was hoping that the old dragon had a special story to tell them today, for why else would he ask them to stop by after school? She waved vigorously at her mentor’s figure and got back to her friends’ conversation. What Jahrra hadn’t noticed, however, was the other dragon waiting patiently just inside the Ruin and out of view, his eyes fixed entirely on her.

-
Chapter Six
-

Phrym

Jaax wasn’t surprised the children hadn’t spotted him; he was standing behind the great wall, his head barely stretching through the large side entrance of the Ruin. His blue-green scales, like chips of aquamarine granite, blended seamlessly with the lichen plastered stone, his eyes standing out like pale emeralds set in a statue. The children were much too far away to notice that particular detail, however, but the young dragon’s silvery-green gaze remained unfalteringly focused on the little girl walking between the two dark haired Resai children.

Jaax smiled, grateful for his keen eyesight. It gave him a chance to sum up Jahrra from afar, to get a sense of what she was made of before meeting her. He’d heard much praise from Hroombra already, but he had to make this judgment for himself.

More than seven years had passed since he’d left her in this land and he watched now in amused amazement as she approached. She still had the same golden hair that he remembered but she looked much different from the infant he’d left behind. She was tall for her age and from this distance he could see that she was going to be strong and sturdy, not petit and delicate like the races of elves.
Strong and sturdy, just like a human
, he thought. He narrowed his intense eyes, pulling the young girl’s face closer into his vision. Her eyes were still blue, but now they were the blue of rainclouds retreating over the ocean after a storm, a blue that was only a shade or two away from gray.

Jaax took a breath and focused his attention on her face. It was a determined face, slightly rounded with high cheekbones. He noticed a few freckles and a dimple when she made a comical face at what her friends were saying. She pulled at her collar unconsciously and he couldn’t blame her. The uniforms the children were wearing looked absolutely uncomfortable.

As the companions drew closer to the Ruin, Jahrra shot Hroombra a cheerful look, but beneath the look of happiness Jaax detected something more. Fear, sorrow, anticipation, all of these emotions fought behind her eyes like swarming fish in a clouded pool. He cast these aside as simple childhood whims: a stubbed toe, a lost game, a beloved pet gone missing. What captured most of the dragon’s attention, however, was the fire and spirit he saw residing there.

When the children were about a hundred yards from the Ruin, Jaax decided to leave behind his safe hiding place and face the child he had come to see. He felt a little guilty, for he only planned to meet Jahrra and then be on his way. For the past several years he’d been trying to find time to check in on Jahrra and Hroombra, but something had always delayed or thwarted these plans. Hroombra had been ecstatic when he’d received word of Jaax’s planned visit and the younger dragon now wondered if maybe he should’ve told Hroombra this stay would be an extremely short one.

Jaax took a deep breath, set his thoughts aside for later, and stepped out from behind the stone wall. He moved gracefully for such a large and powerful creature and was so silent that the children didn’t hear him at first. To his great delight, however, Jahrra was the first to look up and see what had moved in the corner of her eye. She gasped, and stopped dead in her tracks.

Jaax merely gazed down at her with a look of interest. Her blue eyes changed in an instant, moving closer to that shade of gray he’d noticed earlier. Jahrra was frozen in place and the two other children walked right into her, knocking her slightly off balance. When they looked up to see why she’d stopped they also caught sight of the Tanaan dragon that had appeared out of nowhere.

“Whoa!!” yelped Scede, unable to stop himself. He quickly clasped his hands over his mouth and ogled up at the strange dragon towering above him. Gieaun stood rigid, mouth hanging open, looking very much like she did earlier in the schoolyard. The children were used to Hroombra’s calm presence but they could all tell right away that this younger dragon was nothing like Hroombra.

Although slightly smaller than the Korli dragon, Jaax moved with the fluidity of a warrior, all well-controlled strength and raw power. It was clear that this dragon was a determined, dominant and clever creature with shrewd eyes that did not easily betray what he was thinking. Next to the placid and gentle soul that was Hroombra, Jaax was a lion poised for battle.

“Hello children,” Hroombra’s greeting rolled through the awkward silence like distant thunder. He turned and acknowledged behind him. “I’d like you all to meet Raejaaxorix. He was once a student of mine.”

Jaax kept his gaze locked on Jahrra’s face the entire time Hroombra spoke, making her feel uncomfortable. When she heard her mentor speak his name, however, she miraculously found her voice.

“Raejaaxorix?” she repeated almost indecipherably, gaping up at Hroombra. “Like the Raejaaxorix in the stories you told me?”

“Yes, the very same,” Hroombra said cheerily with a wide smile to match.

Jahrra returned her gaze to the Tanaan dragon, but instead of remaining dark with veiled unease her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she beamed brightly. He was younger than she imagined him, since the stories Hroombra told her were from hundreds of years ago. Then she remembered how long dragons actually lived and regained some of her composure.

“Stories?” Jaax found his voice as well, taking his stony gaze off of Jahrra.

His eyes now landed on Hroombra and his mood went from interested observance to inquisitive suspicion.

Jahrra jumped slightly when she heard the dragon speak for the first time. He had a strong, authoritative voice. It wasn’t as deep as Hroombra’s but it was much more intimidating. Where Hroombra’s voice earned trust and respect, this one demanded it.

“Yes Jaax, I’ve told Jahrra many tales of the past, those of when you were still a very young dragon. When so many followed you.”

Hroombra’s smile began to fade as his speech trailed off.

Jahrra could tell that Jaax had somehow upset him and a tiny feeling of dislike began in the pit of her stomach.

Jaax blew hot air from his nostrils, almost releasing out a snort as he did so. He turned his gaze to the distant Wreing Florenn before answering shortly, “I’m no hero Hroombra, you know that.”

An awkward silence fell over the group, but not for long. “We’ll discuss this later, but for now I’d like to introduce the young children to you.”

Hroombra sounded disappointed and uncomfortable, but Jahrra pushed this aside as she waited nervously to be introduced to the famous Raejaaxorix.

“This is Gieaun, and her brother Scede. And this, of course, is Jahrra.” Hroombra nodded to the children as he named them.

“I see you’ve grown up quite well, Jahrra,” Jaax remarked placidly, returning his gaze to the young girl, seeming to forget his rebuke of Hroombra. “I haven’t seen you since you were an infant.”

Jahrra shot Hroombra a look of surprise.

“That’s right,” the old dragon smiled. “He brought you here to us from the north, to your foster parents.”

“Really?” said Jahrra in bemusement.

She’d never really known how she’d come to be placed with her parents. Before now she always imagined coming to Oescienne with a large party of traveling merchants who had stopped to trade with her mother and father, only to discover that they would be the perfect people to raise the orphan child they’d found in the wilderness. Jahrra suddenly wondered if Jaax might know something about her original home and perhaps her real parents, but she felt too unsettled to ask any questions.

“Jaax has come to see how you’ve grown and he’s also brought something for you. Follow me.”

There was a twinkling in the old dragon’s eyes as he spoke, and soon all three children were being led eagerly around the side of the Ruin and out into the field just south of the old building.
Raejaaxorix brought something for me?
Jahrra could hardly believe it. She was afraid to breath, thinking that such a simple act might destroy this strange dream.

“Where’re we going?” she queried as she jogged to keep up with Hroombra’s slow but long stride.

Gieaun and Scede were right behind her with Jaax taking up the rear. His gait was much smoother than Hroombra’s and when Jahrra quickly glanced back at his alert figure she came to the conclusion that he never let his guard down.

“We’re going to the old stables that used to house the horses of the guards who, long ago, kept watch over the castle grounds from here,” Hroombra finally answered, tearing into Jahrra’s wandering thoughts.

The three children quickened their pace and started guessing at what the great Raejaaxorix might’ve brought for Jahrra. Gieaun guessed a robe woven by fairies, Scede a magical stone from the elves, but neither Jaax nor Hroombra would give in. After several failed guesses Jahrra and her friends gave up and focused on reaching their destination.

Jahrra scanned the edge of the field up ahead and discovered another ancient stone structure that must have been the stables Hroombra had mentioned. She’d never really thought about this other building before, imagining it was just the remains of an old storage shed.

The old stables were in much better shape than the Ruin itself, however. Most of the roof had rotted away and the wood gates that once stood in the openings had long ago disintegrated, leaving a gaping entrance framed in stone.

The group closed in on the stables and Jahrra immediately spotted something crumpled upon the ground. It looked like a discarded blanket lying within the stone walls. As she got closer, however, she realized that the blanket was in fact a tiny colt, grayish in color, huddled on a bed of fresh straw.

“Ohhhhhh!” she exclaimed in pure delight as she recognized the rather small creature. Gieaun and Scede also ran over, emitting sounds of excitement at the sight of the foal.

As the children sat adoring the tiny, sleeping horse, Hroombra turned to Jaax.

“Tell me where you found him again,” he asked in a low voice. All the cheer he’d used with the children had vanished and now a look of deep concern settled upon his weathered face.

“Just north of Lidien, at the base of the Hrunahn Footmountains,” Jaax answered grimly.

He then took a deep, troubled breath and continued on, “His mother was the unicorn Nihll, and his father was a semequin. The elves that found and cared for Nihll told me a mercenary of Cierryon had wounded her. She was able to communicate to them that she was east of Lake Hronah in the Arghott Forest where her herd lived before the Tyrant’s men found them and killed them all. She was shot as well but somehow she lost them in the hills. She then traveled as far west as she could, gave birth to this young one and died of her wounds.”

Jaax concluded his tale in a weary tone. He looked over at the children, who for now were well protected from such horrors.

“So it seems the Crimson King is no longer dormant in the east,” Hroombra said in a serious tone, still not loud enough for the children to hear. He blinked at Jaax and whispered, “Then it has started?”

“Something must have stirred his interest, yet I can’t say for sure how much time we have left. The Creecemind emperor has finally agreed to another meeting with me, but I’m afraid it will come to nothing, just like it did seven years ago. He remains stubbornly adamant about remaining neutral, at least until he sees the human child with his very own eyes.”

Jaax paused to let Hroombra turn this information over in his head before he continued.

Quietly and severely, he went on, “From my inquiries and observations throughout the west it has become clear to me that entire villages and towns are growing restless. Their citizens act like wounded prey being stalked. They know the Crimson King is watching and they know he means to attack but they don’t know when or how. It could happen in a month or ten years, I cannot tell you for sure. Some have even begun asking questions, more than before, questions I can’t afford to answer or to ignore. Yet we cannot take any risks; Jahrra must be kept safe from the outside world even if it means further distancing ourselves from our allies.” The Tanaan dragon took a deep breath and released it wearily. “At least for now.”

Hroombra simply nodded in response to this statement.
So
, he thought, remembering Cohrbin’s comments,
it was an ill wind I detected after all.

“Then you must go,” the old dragon said somberly, looking away from Jaax. When he turned back around his eyes twinkled with emotion. “It seems to be a new habit of yours. Dropping off young orphans and then leaving the very next moment.”

Jaax simply looked towards the dark forest once again, not knowing how to respond.

“Go now, and be safe. Do what you must so that she can still live here in peace, at least for a while,” Hroombra said in a whisper.

Jaax turned to look at him, matching his morose demeanor.

“I shall,” he breathed. “Take good care of the young foal. I would have left him with the elves but I thought that Jahrra would need a good, strong horse when her fate called her. This little one will be perfect when he is grown.”

“Very well,” Hroombra answered quietly. “You’d better be off then. I’ll explain to the children why you’ve left.”

“Thank you. I hope to return again soon, when I know more.”

Jaax glanced down at Jahrra. She was too busy mooning over the young semequin to notice him turning to leave.
Yes
, he thought,
we must keep her safe, and secret.