Months after her return, Theo was visited by Wycker at night in the courtyard. Passing by a castle wall, she jumped as she heard him speak.
“The Colony is leaving.”
He was standing perfectly still, letting his midnight blue camouflage hide him up against the sky. Theo had mistaken his eyes for distant stars.
She stopped, not looking up. “What do you mean?” she murmured, scuffing the cobblestone ground with her foot so as not to look suspicious if anyone observed her.
“The Colony can no longer be supported by our land’s past resources. We have agreed upon the decision to migrate in search for a more suitable environment, leaving all that is left to the rogues. I have been asked to deliver this message to you and invite you come bid us farewell.”
“Oh…” Theo was surprised that Wycker would do such a favor.
Chadwick would never allow me to go, she knew, but she couldn’t turn down her one chance to say goodbye to her friends.
I’ll have to sneak out.
“We leave at dawn,” Wycker finished.
“I’ll be there,” Theo affirmed.
She evaded the groomsmen as she slipped in to get her horse. Nigh nickered in greeting, waiting patiently for Theo to figure out how to ready her. Finally, Nigh was set and Theo held her breath on their way out of the castle, relieved to not be called to stop.
Swiftly, she rode across the fields and over Swaineford Bridge. She followed a path into the forest, her eyes almost useless in the darkness.
I still haven’t adjusted to this lack of night vision, she thought as it took her a considerable amount of staring to confirm that she was where she needed to be.
She dismounted Nigh.
“Sorry,” she whispered as she tied the horse to a nearby tree. “I’ll be back later.”
She wasn’t too worried about leaving Nigh behind. Whatever Damon had done to make Nigh fearless, it seemed to have lasted. Theo hadn’t seen her steed shy away from anything since the day they were reunited.
Theo slipped down the steep slope into the dried up bed of Iron Creek. She felt around with her hands until she found the Archway and passed under it. Now she could see nothing.
It’s so dark, she marveled, turning her head in all directions. Clouds must have rolled in.
She walked onwards slowly, one foot after the other, following the wash with confidence of what she’d find in the end.
She could only guess when she had exited the valley, getting the peculiar feeling of sudden immense space opening up around her.
Halting for a moment, she focused her hearing on the sound of wind embracing the trees, shaking their naked branches. She shivered as the restless winter air danced around her as well, teasing her, pulling at her hair and dress. The cold still came to her as a shock. Without her cover of scales, she felt bare and exposed- though it had been a whole season since she had shed her reptilian form.
“Sister,” Damon’s voice emerged from the immeasurable darkness before her.
“Damon?” Theo responded, looking around futilely. “How can you see me in this dark?”
“A wizard has his ways,” he answered, his voice close by.
“Do you have a torch, perhaps?” she asked.
“I left it with Xander. He is in my shelter, watching over his sister as she sleeps.”
“Will they come to bid the Colony farewell?”
“Xander thinks it would be too hard on his sister. He prefers that she not even know about it.”
“…but the dragons are like family to her,” Theo murmured. How sad she will be! What will the children do with the Colony gone?
“Theora!”
Theo heard Aspen exclaim in a loud whisper. The sound of four-legged footsteps drew near and Theo could sense the dragon’s presence.
“Aspen…” Theo processed. “You aren’t leaving with the Colony, are you…” As she thought about it, she realized she’d never seen Aspen at Camp.
“I couldn’t leave this place,” Aspen expressed.
Theo nodded. I wish I could see her face, she thought, but the most she could do was try to look in the direction of her voice.
“We should go,” she said, anxiety slithering inside of her.
Together, the three of them followed the core of the creek bed. Theo, alone, could see nothing still, and every so often she felt the gentle touch of her brother, guiding her around whatever lay in her path.
Here I am, she thought, depending on Damon once again.
At some point along their route, Theo detected a strong aroma that prickled her nose.
“What is that scent?” she asked quietly.
“Firesap amber,” Damon replied. “The rogues ran into Camp in a rampage and burnt down all the firesap plants.”
“Oh…” Theo tried to hold her breath, as the scent was too strong for her.
As they walked onwards, the clamoring din of ocean waves ramming against colossal cliffs slowly grew louder. Theo could tell they’d reached their destination even before the voice of Sky sweetened her ears.
“My Friend!”
Theo knew, just by the sound of it, that Sky was smiling. The shattering tide shook her entire body.
“Sky, how good it is to hear your voice,” Theo spoke stirringly, over the rushing sound of water gathering for another wave. “Are you alone?”
“No,” Jacinth spoke from the dark as another wave smashed into a sheer wall of earth. “There are many of us here.”
Theo shielded her eyes as flames lit up not far from her, unfolding from Jacinth’s mouth. They vanished quickly, but it was long enough for her to see the great number of dragons along the edge of the cliffs, peering at her. With the fleeting glimpse of them came a chorus of their greetings.
No one called her River.
I’m not one of them anymore, she thought in a sad way. And I’ll never see them again after this.
She nodded meekly in acknowledgment to them, finding that she could not speak. Her eyes stung and tears swelled to perch on her eyelashes.
“Do you…know where you’re headed?” She found her voice, though her throat constricted around her words and resisted in letting them go.
“Over the sea.” It sounded like Adder’s voice.
Theo’s eyes opened wider. “That’s it?” she asked, not wanting to believe the raw vagueness of his response. “No direction? No idea where you’ll land- or if you’ll ever land?”
The dragons said nothing, inviting an uncomfortable silence to come and settle over them. Ocean spray of the next splintering wave misted her face and she could taste the salt on her lips.
It would be pointless to offer them a place in Wystil, she knew sullenly. Chadwick would never allow it and the dragons would never accept it.
Ever so gradually, the sky lightened as the sun climbed Theo’s back, and she was slowly able to see. First just by dark shapes, then more and more details were etched in, filling the world with beautiful eccentricities the human eye sometimes forgot to appreciate.
Theo saw that most of the dragons had lost interest in her, clustering into small groups. Aspen stood with Lichen and Oriole, discussing things with sincere expressions on their faces, while Damon talked to Adder nearby.
Only Sky and Jacinth had their attention on Theo. She met them as they approached, grateful to finally be able to see.
Sky beamed at her and Theo was again struck by the beauty and depth of her expressions.
“How are you fairing back in Wystil?” the blue dragon asked. She still talked to her as though they were the best of friends- like it didn’t matter to her whether Theo was human or dragon.
She is a true friend, Theo knew. Overwhelmed by love and longing, she threw her arms around Sky’s solid neck in embrace, let go, and did the same to Jacinth. When she stood back again she could feel the tears streaming from her face.
“I’ve never known anyone like you before,” she told them both, lips quivering as she smiled weakly. “You’ve taught me so much…Thank yo
u.”
“We’ve been through a great deal together,” Sky responded humbly. “Thank you for helping me through those hard times.”
Jacinth nodded. “It was nice knowing you, Princess Theora,” she said.
Theo muffled a laugh. “I liked River better,” she confessed. As she thought about it, she was brought back to sadness- reminded that she’d never be called by that name again.
She noticed Wycker standing at the rim of the earth, staring out at sea, alone. With the sun peeping over the mountains, causing the long shadows of trees to stretch out and veil the dragon’s faces, the Colony raised their heads apprehensively.
Theo could see the dragons’ warm breath in the nippy morning air. She was somberly humored, thinking, It’s like a gentle, harmless form of fire breathing.
Wycker turned to the others. “Come on,” he growled. “There’s nothing left that binds us to this land.”
Colonists joined him as he gathered his haunches and took off without another word, beating his wings towards the grey horizon.
“Farewell, Theora,” Adder spoke from where he stood with Damon, and she met his solemn eyes.
She nodded to him with a tender smile, admiring his mighty lift off, watching as he soared over sunlit waters.
Theo walked with Sky and Jacinth to the edge, only now realizing how significantly the tide had settled since the sun rose. Looking down from the top of the towering cliffs, Theo thought, If I fall, so be it. She trusted in Sky or Jacinth to catch her.
“You never did take that leap with me off these cliffs,” Sky reminded her lightheartedly and Theo laughed.
Spreading her arms, she joked, “Would you like me to now?”
Then, from the woods came a cry.
“Jacinth!”
As they turned, little Damara came running towards them, Xander hot on her heels. She showed no signs of stopping before Xander caught her from behind, holding her firmly though she fought and screamed, eyes streaming.
Theo watched alongside Sky as Jacinth approached the small girl, who now leaned against her brother’s weight in submission, weeping.
“Your brother will take care of you,” Jacinth whispered, nudging Damara with her muzzle.
“No, no…” Damara whimpered. “Jacinth!”
The deep red dragon gave her a sad but reassuring smile, turning back and opening her bat-like wings.
“I’ll never forget you,” Sky told Theo, taking to the air with Jacinth.
“Goodbye!” Theo called after them.
Goodbye, she told herself, thinking of River. The slate grey dragon might as well have been leaving with the rest of the Colony, swooping out of view.
Now only she, Damon, Aspen, and the children were left. Theo pitied Damara. Having just witnessed her family abandon her for the unknown, the child wept, depending solely on her grim faced brother to hold her up.
Cautiously, Theo approached.
“Xand- um…child,” Theo spoke quietly, almost forgetting that he had never met her in her human form.
Xander looked up at her as he set Damara down on the ground and straightened up.
“You’re…are you…” he struggled to find the right words.
“I am Princess Theora,” she answered, knowing well what he was trying to ask.
“Oh.” Xander stared at her.
Damara was silent now, seemingly dead to everything around her. It didn’t even look like she noticed Theo standing there.
“Is there a place I can take you to?” Theo asked. “I have a horse nearby.”
Xander looked hesitant as he thought.
“I’m not taking my little sister back to my parents,” he said finally, undeniably firm.
“So be it,” Theo replied, hiding her relieved approval. Thinking quickly, she offered, “We have need of a stablehand at the castle.”
“Really?” he asked, face brightening. Then, “Oh.” He must have realized something, for his enthusiasm dampened. “What about my sister?”
“Your sister…” Theo pretended to get distracted for a moment, allowing herself time to think. “…can help in the kitchen.”
“The kitchen…” Xander nodded slowly. “You can learn how to cook, Damara.”
Damara still failed to react, staring off dejectedly.
Too much has happened to that girl…Theo thought. Born to a violent drunkard and his weak-minded wife, then stolen away and brought into a life full of dragons, only to be abandoned by them in the end…At least she has her brother. She’s always had her brother.
Xander followed Theo, leading Damara by the hand. Damon brought up the rear with Aspen.
When they reached Damon’s shelter, Theo was reminded of the very first time she’d entered dragon territory. She remembered how she had to wait for Damon to arrive, who turned out to be tending to her horse after saving her life. All the things he had done for her! Searching for cures to restore her to her human form and free her of the firesap…She was filled with gratitude.
“Damon,” she said, stopping to turn to him. He stood there, waiting for her to speak, his dusty brown hair covering the majority of his face as always.
This is my brother! she told herself, gazing up at him in love. All at once, she rushed forward to embrace him, though beetles fled from his garments.
“What’s she doing, Damon?” Aspen asked nervously. “Is that normal?”
Damon stood there awkwardly with Theo’s arms around him. Shaking his head in a daze, he answered, “Not for me.”
Theo laughed, squeezing him a little harder just before letting go and stepping back to look at him. She smiled, reaching up to brush the hair from his face so that she could see his light grey eyes more clearly.
“Please refrain,” he mumbled, raking the hair back to where it was. She dropped her hand back down, respecting his discomfort.
“I know I haven’t been the most pleasant to you for the three years or so since I’ve known you,” she told him. “But I can’t even express my gratitude for all that you’ve done for me. Thank you. You are so gifted, Damon.”
Modestly, he nodded. Under his dark matting of hair, she could see that his eyes were averted.
He shows his love through actions, not words, she thought. Turning to Aspen she said, “And thank you for getting me out of that flash flood.”
The tendril green dragon smiled bashfully. “Of course,” she responded, tilting her head.
Theo took one last look at the two of them.
“I know you don’t want to return to Wystil,” she said to her brother. “And I won’t tell anyone of you, if that is what you wish.”
Damon nodded. “That is what I prefer.”
Theo understood. She laid River and Damon away in her mind, knowing well that they settled better as secrets. Then she breathed in deep.
“Farewell,” she spoke to Damon and Aspen. “I’d be glad to lend you my services, if ever wizardry falls short.”
Behind her, Xander crouched in front of his younger sister, trying to talk to her though she stared dispiritedly down at the ground. Theo approached them.
“Are you ready?” she asked Xander and he looked up at her.
He nodded, brushing his hand over his eyes as though ashamed of the tears that threatened to flood them.
Theo had the children walk in front of her, through the dead valley where crackling iron bond plants dipped low above their heads. Eventually Xander picked up his sister, carrying her as she rested her head on his shoulder.
Theo saw the child’s desolate gaze focus in on her and she halted for a moment, taken by surprise.
How very biting her eyes are!
They lingered on her for mere seconds, before the little girl let them drop to watch the dry trail they left behind.
They stepped under the Archway to find Nigh still standing, steadfast beside the tree she was tied to. Theo helped the children up into the saddle first before using the tree to boost herself up behind them.
The three of
them were silent as they rode back to the lives they’d left behind. Theo saw how protectively Xander held his sister and couldn’t help but think of Chadwick.
Dutifully, she focused herself on fulfilling her promise to Xander as they came upon the castle of Wystil. Soon she had seen to it that both he and his sister had jobs along with a place in the servant’s house.
All is well, she tried to convince herself, waving away her concerned servants as she returned to her chambers to get some sleep.
Lying down on the bed, she knew that this was the end of what people would be talking about for centuries to come.
This was the end of the Dragon Slave.
Special Thanks to
Mom
Dear Readers,
Thank you for reading my book. If you enjoyed it, please take a moment to leave me a review at your preferred retailer. I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks again.
Delaney Walnofer
About the Author
Delaney Walnofer, born in California in 1998, started planning her novel, Dragon Slave, at age eleven and finished writing it at age fifteen. She attends a wonderfully small, agriculturally-based high school, while concurrently studying American Sign Language at a college. She is a Christian and takes part in a Covenant Church. Delaney also spends her time listening to vinyl with her dad, discussing new ideas with her mom as they walk their dog, and drawing animals such as dragons and her pet beetle.
She dedicates her novel to its readers in hopes that they will enjoy it in their own way.
Please Note:
This book is the first volume of the Dragon Slave Trilogy. If you enjoyed it, please consider reading the second, Dragon Clutch, and the third, Dragon Fool. Thank you.
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