Dragon's Only

5. Unexpected truth.. Part I

Debby's POV

Our Unicorn carriage awaited us. Only well to do families could afford the unicorn carriages. I was among the privileged. As we boarded the carriage, giving the unicorn a nod. She neighed with understanding as we took off. Before the flight was a short run and we took off. The wind swirled around us. The wings of the unicorn flapp in the air as we reach for the clouds.

I could see our fairy kingdom down below. My palace, my school, The palace where the King and Queen lived, the markets, shopping malls, houses all became tiny. The view, even if you see the hundredth time would never get old. Almost as soon as the thought crossed my mind, the unicorn neighs. I look into her eyes and it sparkles. My mother grips my hand tighter. I look at my mother with a questioning look. She simply smiles. My father sitting on the other side gives a curt nod. It is said that an unicorn' eyes sparkle for only very powerful fairies. Only a powerful fairy if chosen will be served by an unicorn throughout their life. The unicorn flapping its wings right now was named Beth by my father.

The story goes something like this. During the days of un-settlement, my father was young fighting the demons and the like. Among the many brave was Beth who was just in her teens fighting along with other unicorns. It is said that Beth had chosen my father after my father saved her from a demon. Since then she has been with my father.

As I look at Beth thinking about the story, she gives me a wink. I look from her to my father. He didn't seem to notice it. Am I dreaming in broad day light. I feel a jolt and we start to descend. We have reached the grand gates of Palace Arc Abilities.

I realise for the first time that we are on a high island away from the mainland of our kingdom. The waves roar as they hit the huge slippery rocks. Beyond is the sea of blueish green calmness. One can hear the birds chirping and the mermaids singing in the distance. You can hear the wind whistle through the greenery around. The rustle of the leaves as you step towards the gate.

The grand gate magically opens. We step in. My mermaid gown flutters lightly in the wind. I hold my mother's hand tightly as we begin our journey. To what seems like a long winding path up the mountain, it's over with just three small steps. I look behind in awe to see am already on top of the mountain and the grand gates to the entrance are tiny like the height of the rose bush.

Turning around amazed at the magic, I feel a jerk at my hand. Looking to my mother's hand to her eye. "Ma?" She eyes me to look forward.

"Oops!" I say startled at the loss of words, I stammer. Giving a courtesy bow, "My Queen. My King." Looking to the heavy built man with a square face and sharp jawline looking all serious. The woman, our Queen beside her looking so tender and delicate both wearing the most in exquisite royal magenta robes.

The queen smiles, "It's a natural reaction. Come dear, let's not wait any longer or your nerves will get the best of you. We will wait with your parents while you go on your own journey."

I nod and begin the journey to the Arc.

It was a magical place. I looked at the surrounding. The moutain had a single peak in which we all were standing. It was covered in blossoms and blooms. This peak was said to be in spring all seasons because it was our Queen's favorite time of the year. I could see the arc high above in the clouds. However, I could not see any steps or pathway leading to it. My mother nudged me forward, "Leap of faith, darling."

As I put my foot forward a magical stone appeared. Stepping on it I had to balance myself. My mother said, "The more confident you are the more firm the steps will be. Believe in yourself." Listening to that I was suddenly so nervous that I almost lost footing. My mother grabbed my hand. "It's okay. Just believe in yourself. You are our daughter. Have faith."

I took a deep breath to step again. This time the hold was a bit firmer. I looked worried, "Ma what if I fall mid way."

"That never happens. But we are all here for you. So, go on now."

I took another step up. Reliving myself a bit. I looked back. My father giving me an encouraging nod. I looked ahead. One by one I took more confident steps finally reaching the glowing arc. It took me 10 steps to reach there. The glowing arc looked like a hollow up close. My mother shouted, "Remember to have confidence in yourself."

As I entered the arc leading to a dark cave. The Keeper of the Arc stepped forward. He was a man with white long beard reaching to his stomach. His white long hair was tied up in a pony tail. It seemed his beard and hair was meshing together in white. He wore a white flowing robe with full sleeves that were loose and broad as if hanging on his thin frail body. He held a staff in his hand made of silver.

Looking at me with bright silvery shiny eyes his voice croaks as he says, "Ah! Here you are at last!" He looks at me attentively. It felt like he was looking at me through to my soul.

"I don't understand, you were waiting for me? Why? Do you wait for everyone?"

"Hmm, inquisitive. I like it. So, you took 10 steps to reach the arc. Do you know what it means?"

"Should it mean something?"

"Well, it should have taken you 5 steps or less to reach the arc. Seems you are not ready for your gifts yet."

The world seemed blur and I lost my footing. "What?"

"So, that means you were kept in the dark. I can understand why."

"What do you mean? I won't get my gifts? Am I not gifted?"

"Hah! I see now why. To answer your question in short. The steps show if you are ready to receive your gifts. It shows your faith and confidence in yourself."

"I am ready!" I shriek.

"You will be in a few years. Most who are not ready to receive the gifts won't be able to enter the arc. It's a holy place. But, seeing that you could means you are a powerful one. But a late bloomer."

"Late bloomer? Like my ma?"

"Ah! Right she was. But you are a powerful one. So next time you come. Believe in yourself."

I looked around as the man disappeared. The cave seized to exist and the arc zoomed out as I was returned to the mountain peak. I look flustered.

The queen looking at me said, "My dear, you shouldn't be worried. We will be here again a year from now. Whatever the keeper said to you is only for your ears." She pauses, "The keeper doesn't meet all fairies. Believe in yourself dear one."

We take the winding path to the unicorn carriage after budding goodbyes to the King and Queen. I was too engrossed with my own thoughts. The unicorn, Beth snuggled me rubbing it's horn against my arm. I was amazed at how her eyes sparkled and her pale pink horn glowed momentarily.

We reached home. I ran to my room. Dumping myself on the bed, cried my eyes out. I didn't even bother to close the door after me. Falling asleep I didn't realise when the sun had gone down. I heard a grumble in my stomach. Opening my eyes, I so wished it was a dream. My mother came in, "Hun, you awake I brought you something to eat. We need to get you ready after, for the debutant ball."

"Ma I don't want to go. Can I please skip it."

"Hun, if you want you can skip the whole thing, however you have to do the father daughter intro dance. We can't skip it."

I started to cry, "Ma please! I can't"

"Baby you must and you can."

I wanted to plead more. But with high ranking Nobels comes the duty to make the presence. The downside of popularity.

I ate, washed my face, put on a heavy make up for the evening to hide any traces that I cried my eyes out. Wearing the ball gown dress that I so excitedly bought myself. Slid on the matching shoes. I put on some golden silver earrings and the debutant special pendant.

Heaving a sigh, 'Here we go.'

My mother and me walked downstairs to the ballroom where my debutant ball was to be held.

I stood looking at the closed door to the room. My father stepped out from the party to escort me in. Only this morning was I so excited about this ball. Now, I simply want to run away. It took a toll in me to face the music. With saddened look I looked upto father, he held my hands tightly. "A heads up dear one. I have known you to put your head up and fight."

"Huh?"

"Today you will have to have your head up. And same from this day forward."

"I don't understand Papa "

"You will. And you always have me and your mom at your side. Like now."

I look to the other side, "Ma?"

"We both will be escorting you. Remember we have your back. Look up and fight."

That was the cue. The huge wooden doors magically opens.