Amáne of Teravinea - The Chosen One (The Teravinea Series Book 1) Page 5

  On the third day after I had awakened from my dragon fever, the morning broke cooler and damp. The dew was dripping inside my tent. As I crawled out, I saw Eshshah was not in her usual place outside.

  “Eshshah, are you hunting?”

  “Yes, I have an idea of what we can do today, but I had to feed so I could have all my strength. I’m on my way back.”

  As I collected her scales, I saw her coming from a distance. The rising sun was at the perfect angle to reflect off of her. It gave the appearance she was glowing. She literally looked like a ball of flames as she glistened and shimmered fire red with hints of orange, yellow and blue. As she soared closer, I was conscious of a change in her. She not only looked so much larger than yesterday, but the stroke of her wings was more powerful. Eshshah was truly magnificent. I gazed at her in wonder almost forgetting to breathe.

  My dragon landed lightly in front of me and I could see as well as feel her increased strength. She put her nose down to me as I hugged her large head and drank in her spicy fragrance.

  “Amáne, would you like to fly with me?”

  Eshshah’s question echoed in my mind, and will always remain etched in my memory. This was the beginning of our true relationship as dragon and rider. It brought it to a new level — the objective of our existence. As the sunrise set fire to Eshshah’s iridescence, I stood there, mute in voice as well as thought.

  “Amáne? Do you not want to fly today?” I felt her confusion about my silence.

  “There’s nothing I want more ... I just can’t believe this is not a dream. I know I keep saying that, but each day with you is more incredible than the one before. So, tell me what do I do? Do I just climb on? What do I hold onto? We don’t have a saddle or any of the equipment I have seen in the paintings of dragons and riders. Can we do this without?” My excitement increased with each question.

  “This is another case of my functional illiteracy. I don’t really know. But we may as well face the challenge. We’ll have to do without any equipment,” she answered.

  “I can’t imagine I could walk up to the saddler and order a dragon saddle.” I laughed.

  “I don’t think that would be wise.”

  Pulling my skirt through my legs, I tucked it into my sash and proceeded to figure out how to get up to the base of her neck, which was way above my head, at about the height of a large workhorse. She stooped down low and put her foreleg out for me to climb on. I clambered up and threw my leg over her shoulders, just in front of her wings. She had no ridges in this area, of which I was glad. But there also wasn’t anything I could readily see to hold on to. I squeezed my knees and leaned forward, then placed my hands on either side of her thick neck. I hoped this would give me some kind of balance.

  “Well,” I gulped, nervous, excited, terrified. “I guess I’m ready.”

  Eshshah’s emotions matched mine as she positioned herself for takeoff.

  I braced myself as she spread her wings and gathered her legs under her. With a mighty thrust of her hind quarters, she leapt into the air, initiating a powerful downstroke of her wings. The sheer intensity of her actions caught me off guard. I thought I’d braced myself for her takeoff, but in my ignorance, I was not prepared at all. My head violently jerked backwards and then shot forward at the same time her neck lifted. They collided somewhere in the middle. The force of impact was like running into a stone wall. The crunch of cartilage and the explosion of pain in my face revealed every star I had ever seen in that cove. I cried out as blood spurted from my nose. My lips swelled immediately where my teeth broke the skin.

  Instantly concerned, she landed abruptly. I barely recovered from the first blow, when the jolt as she touched ground threw me forward. My face crashed into her neck once again — doubling my pain. Another series of stars joined the first.

  Tears streamed from my eyes as I slipped from her shoulders and crumpled to the ground. I landed on my hands and knees, and watched as my blood seeped into the sand.

  Eshshah was beside herself as she turned to me. Her alarm echoed in my head.

  “I’m okay. I’m okay. Don’t worry Eshshah. It might not be broken. It just looks bad.” Truthfully, it felt bad, but she was already upset, so I didn’t share that with her.

  “Look up, Amáne. Let me help you.” I felt her distress.

  I raised my face to her as she put her nose up against my nose and mouth. Directly, a warm soothing sensation radiated in my face. The relief was almost instantaneous. The pain and swelling subsided and the healing began.

  “Ah,” I sighed. “Thank you, Eshshah. You have a great gift. Now you have my blood all over your nose.” I found the last clean spot on my skirt and wiped her clean.

  “Wait, I have an idea,” I said as I jumped up and wiped my bloody nose on my sleeve. “Hold on a minute and we’ll try that again.”

  “You want to try again? Perhaps that jolt was a little harder than I thought. You’re not thinking right.”

  “No, I know what I need, I’m okay, really.”

  I ran to our camp and retrieved some ropes from my supplies. Eshshah, waited on the beach, eyeing me like I had possibly gone mad. Making two loops, I pulled them up her front legs, and tied them on the top. Then another loop around her neck. I secured it with the first configuration, making a harness I could grip.

  “I apologize, you deserve a silken harness, but have to settle for crude rope, instead. Such disrespect pains me.”

  “We take what small gifts we have been given, Amáne. Then we use them to the best of our abilities. It will make us stronger in the long run.”

  “Okay, are you ready?” I climbed up on her shoulders and took hold of the rope reins. This time I was able to sit up straighter so I could avoid a repeat of our collision.

  Eshshah and I prepared for another take off. A little more gently, she launched into the air . She spread her wings for the first downstroke once she cleared enough height. It was still a powerful thrust that jarred me, but this time I had some knowledge of what to expect. I relaxed my body and tried to move with hers so I could, in effect, act as a spring and lessen the force of her lift.

  “Much better!” I rejoiced as we climbed high above the beach.

  My exhilaration was like nothing I had ever felt as we soared over the water. The sea wind rushed in my face — my hair flowed behind me. Flying was nothing less than glorious.

  I recalled how I used to sit on the rocks at the beach and watch the pelicans ride the wind. Many times I would dream that I could be one of them. Now, even beyond the imaginings of my childhood, I was riding the wind — on the back of a dragon. Inhaling the cool salty air over the sapphire water, I came to the conclusion that this was the ultimate freedom.

  She pumped her wings and flew higher and faster. I learned her rhythm and we moved as one. My skirts had to be readjusted several times to keep them a barrier between her moving scales and my bare legs.

  My eyes teared up in the force of the wind as we sped over the sea, but there was not much to do about that. The elation I felt, however, was unmatched, even after riding on the Healer’s horse, Thunder. I fervently hoped my whoops and screams of delight were not heard all the way in Dorsal.

  “Now let’s try the landing,” I said.

  Again, moving with her and trying to anticipate the landing jolt, the result was greatly improved. I let out a shout of joy. “Let’s do it again!”

  We practiced all morning, taking off and landing, each time an improvement over the last. I made adjustments on the harness and on my position on her shoulders. She made adjustments on her launches and landings until by late morning we were quite satisfied with our results. We made a few longer flights to nearby islands so I could get used to the speed and the wind.

  The two of us were quite spent by the time we decided to take a break. We passed the heat of the afternoon sleeping in the shade after a cool dip in the water. I took a mental inventory of what was left of my supplies, including my clothing. Both of my gowns had been
destroyed, the one being irreparably burned and the current one, so full of dirt and blood, it looked like I had been in a battle. No telling what the rest of me looked like. Toward evening I announced we should fly to my cottage in Dorsal after dark. It had been nearly a week since my memorial journey began. As unbelievably joyful as my life had been here in the cove with Eshshah, truthfully, I needed to feel clean again. I looked forward to being salt and sand-free for a little while.

  Tomorrow I could mend and wash my things and also check in with the Healer so she wouldn’t worry about me. I had no intention of telling her about our linking just yet. I had one more trip I wanted to share with Eshshah before we confided in her. We would rest tomorrow night, and then leave before daybreak the following day for a longer flight. Our goal was one of the further islands on the horizon.

  When it cooled off that evening, Eshshah hunted while I broke camp. I managed to fit everything in the satchel I brought — my gear and Eshshah’s scales as well the remains of her egg. Her hatching seemed like a lifetime ago.

  After dark I threw my pack over my shoulders and put the harness back on Eshshah. I mounted, gave her the word and we took off. The new moon assured us we were in no danger of being sighted, and after a short but pleasant flight, we landed at the cottage. Even though not fully grown, Eshshah was too large to enter and had to stay outside. If ever we were finally revealed, I would have to make some changes so there would be room enough to accommodate her.

  I hesitated at the door, and closed my eyes. Breathing deeply to control my grief, I stepped into the place that would bring back the memories of my mother’s illness, and the darkness of her final days. What a contrast my life had become since I had latched that door.

  My first activity would be a long hot soak. The one luxury my mother would allow was a bathing tub — both of us took great pleasure in the relaxing properties of hot water. We had a cistern on top of the cottage that collected water during the short rainy season. I had to merely open a valve to fill the wooden tub, then add boiling water for a perfect temperature. I soaked until my finger tips looked like dried fruit.

  It was nice to sleep in my own bed that night and with Eshshah just outside my open window, it was the best sleep I’d had in a long time.

  The following day, I repacked my satchel and got my provisions in order for departure the next morning.

  Rummaging through the work shed, I found leather harnesses that belonged to Ezel, who now resided at the Healer’s. Putting myself to the task, I fashioned a new harness out of the leather straps and buckles I had gathered. Still crude, but I felt better using leather than I did the coarse rope of my prototype. I had just finished adjusting it on Eshshah when she tilted her head to a sound she heard in the distance. As keen as my hearing now was, hers was even more acute. Shortly after, I heard it, too. Hoofbeats coming down the lane. It was Thunder and the Healer!

  “Oh no!” I said. “I had planned on going to see her later, to keep her from coming this way. Eshshah, squeeze behind the work shed and the kiln, please ... and don’t let your tail stick out.”

  Hurriedly, I scanned the area for any dropped scales or telltale signs. I ran inside to make sure there wasn’t any incriminating evidence. Hearing the Healer’s approach had given me a little lead time. With my newfound speed I removed anything questionable.

  I put a pot of water on the hearth just as she knocked. Inhaling deeply and exhaling to slow my rapid breathing, I pulled the door open. I was surprised at how happy I was to see her. “Healer. Please come in.”

  I froze when her scrutinizing gaze swept over me — I thought I caught a hint of discovery flash in her eyes. It disappeared so quickly, it might have just been my guilty imagination. Her expression then changed to one of immense relief.

  She gave me a hug and said, “I was worried about you, Amáne, out there by yourself. You didn’t tell me where you were going. If I had not found you home today, we would have started a search. I told your mother I would watch out for you and I would be remiss if I lost you a week after I lost her.”

  “Don’t worry, Healer, I’m fine. We ... er I ... actually just returned for the day and plan to go back again tomorrow — to the cove where we used to camp. I don’t feel my journey is quite over. I think I need a few more days, but had to come home to replenish my supplies.” I fervently hoped she didn’t catch my slip. Keep it together, Amáne, I pleaded with myself. No need to be nervous, there is no way she would ever suspect I was now linked with a dragon.

  She drew her face closer to mine and looked at my eyes, or rather at what was left of the bruising around them. “Are you feeling well? Were you ill or injured during your journey?”

  Ugh, how do I answer? I can’t lie. “Uh, yes, I was sick at the beginning of my journey.” Which was the truth as I had almost passed on to my ancestors from dragon fever. “But I’m fine. Really, I feel fine, now.”

  She seemed satisfied with my answer, but I felt she knew I was holding something from her. Why did she have to be so attentive?

  In an effort to change the subject, and as I remembered my manners, I offered, “Won’t you stay for some tea? The water should be hot, now.” I would have preferred that she leave. I couldn’t be disrespectful, though, and I appreciated her concern.

  I was torn — wishing I could have confided in her, but didn’t want to take that chance. Not yet. If I’d broken some law and Eshshah was taken from me, I couldn’t survive.

  We sat at the table and she asked how I passed my time on my memorial journey, and if I sang all of the prescribed songs. I was preparing an answer in my head so I wouldn’t give too much away when I noticed her attention drawn to the other end of the table. I followed her gaze and nearly gasped out loud at what lay there. In my mother’s things I’d found a large leather bag with intricate beading of an exotic design. I don’t know where she got it. Possibly she had traded it with a foreign merchant for her ceramic wares. Without hesitation, I realized it was a worthy satchel for keeping Eshshah’s scales, and had placed them in it earlier. I overlooked it in my haste. Now, with eyebrows raised, it was that bag upon which the Healer’s eyes settled. Not that she would ever guess what it contained, but my guilty conscience put me in fear of discovery.

  My heart accelerated, but I recovered my composure. “Beautiful bag isn’t it? It was my mother’s. Oh, it sounds like the water’s boiling over. Excuse me while I get our tea.”

  I stood up and in one swift movement scooped up the beaded satchel. I rushed to the hearth to take off the pot as I deftly tossed the bag in the other room. My hands shook. With my back turned to the Healer, I scrunched my face, gritted my teeth and closed my eyes, waiting for her to ask what that was all about. To my relief, she said nothing.

  Eshshah then voiced her request. “Amáne, you should tell her. I feel she can help us. And besides, she intrigues me. I want to meet her.”

  “No Eshshah!” I said out loud.

  “Excuse me?” asked the Healer.

  “Oh, I don’t know if I should pour your tea in this cup or the other one,” I responded, turning to her. Now I understood why Eshshah had told me to practice speaking to her silently.

  “Any cup will do,” the Healer answered, perplexed — her eyebrows nearly touching.

  I poured two cups and brought them to the table, trying in vain to calm my heart and my shaking hands. First my healing black eyes, next, the bag of Eshshah’s scales and then Eshshah wants to meet the Healer. I didn’t know if I could continue successfully with this deception.

  The Healer took a sip of her tea in silence. Was she waiting for me to say something? It looked like she was wrestling with her thoughts. Then she said softly, “Amáne, are you all right? You’ve been through a lot in the last few weeks with your mother’s passing — then going alone on your memorial journey. Do you have anything you’d like to tell me? Would you like me to accompany you on your continuing journey?”

  “No!” Ugh, that came out way too quickly. “I mean, thank y
ou very much for your concern and your offer, Healer, but I’ll be fine. Truly I will.” I wasn’t ready to reveal my secret to anyone, yet — terrified that Eshshah and I would be separated, even though Eshshah assured me that could not happen.

  “You know if you need me, I’m here for you. You can confide in me if there is ever anything you need to speak about. Just remember that, Amáne.”

  I nodded and thanked her.

  Just then a shadow crossed the window and I saw Eshshah’s large golden eyes fill the frame, trying to get a look at the Healer. She had an attraction to her for some reason and just couldn’t control her curiosity. I swallowed the groan that was rising in my throat.

  “Eshshah.” I warned through thought transference.

  I breathed a silent sigh of relief as I saw no indication the Healer had noticed. She slowly finished her tea, then stood up, “Well, thank you for your hospitality, Amáne. I must be going. I’m relieved that I found you home and I’m pleased that your memorial journey has set you on the road to healing.” She gave me a long hug and stated, “I’ll await your return. We have a lot to talk about ... when you’re ready.”

  All I could do was nod again. Does she know? Would she have said anything if she had seen Eshshah? My stomach twisted in knots as I walked with her out the door, struggling with my decision. Was I doing the right thing keeping the truth from her? I sincerely wished I could share my tremendous secret. Maybe Eshshah was right and she could help us. But what could the Healer do with a girl and a dragon? My stubborn resolve took over. I forced a smile and bid her goodbye, promising I would come to stay with her when I was done with my journey.

  Standing on my front step, I watched the Healer and Thunder until the dust from their departure settled. The pressure of hiding my situation from someone I should trust, as well as my shame in my deception, then got the better of me and I fell apart. Slumping to a sitting position on the step, I put my face in my hands and sobbed. Eshshah rushed to my side and hummed a soothing tune.