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1588 Words
Merena’s lips curved up because of the past few day's passiveness, while they ate their breakfast.
“What’s that grin about?” asked Henry.
“Everything. The weather, the people, and it is quiet,” answered Merena.
“I’m glad you are relaxing and enjoying our little village,” stated Henry.
“Yes. You know it doesn’t last. I’m cursed to be hounded by the hunters or others because of what I am,” declared Merena.
“Don’t worry, things will change for the better. Look, your story has helped me to see the light,” said Henry.
“I hope you have taken it to heart. I want to remain friends with you,” related Merena.
“I have. I sent word out to friends about you,” remarked Henry.
“Oh, really,” said Merena.
“Yes. In 2 weeks, our Embedding Moon Festival will happen. After that will be our Summer Festival. The dragonkin comes to the embedding festival,” conveyed Henry.
Merena planted the vegetables from the garden. Once in a while, she scanned the inhabitants of the village as they roamed the area. Trip ran after a ring and stick along with a couple of other children. Immediately, Merena’s lips curved, and a giggle escaped her mouth.
“He has been playing since you came. Thank you, Merena,” remarked Trip’s mother.
“Really?” asked Merena.
“Yes,” answered Trip’s mother.
“Let’s go back. We have planted enough vegetables for the village,” said Merena.
“Yes. Is it true the dragonkin are coming to the Embedding Moon Festival?” questioned Trip’s mother.
“Yes. They are supposed to come,” responded Merena.
“Really. I want to see them!” exclaimed Trip.
Henry walked up to the group and said, “You know dragonkin ask for sacrifices.”
“Nah. They don’t do that,” muttered Trip as his lips protruded.
“No. They don’t Trip. He’s joking with you,” assured Merena.
“How do you know? They chomp and gobble up children,” retorted Henry and tickled Trip’s sides.
Henry faked bit on Trip’s neck and shoulders, then said, “Chomp. Chomp. Gobble. Gobble.”
“Stop, that tickles,” laughed Trip.
“What are you doing?” asked Trip’s mother.
“Should I slay the beast?” probed Merena as she smiled.
“Beast,” expressed Henry.
“Slay the beast. Slay the beast,” giggled Trip.
“Alright. He’s done for,” remarked Merena as her hand clutched then stabbed toward Henry’s side.
“Ah. You got me,” said Henry as he clutched his side.
Soon they all laughed.
“She’s right. I’m joking,” whispered Henry in his ear.
“He was trying to be funny,” commented Merena.
“Hey. It was funny,” said Henry.
“I guess so,” remarked Merena.
“It was a little funny,” commented Trip.
“Yes. Just a little,” remarked Merena while she held her hand with her finger and thumb separated a small amount.
“Hey,” said Henry.
“Trip. Have you ever heard the legends of the dragonkin and lycanthropes?” questioned Merena.
“Some,” responded Trip.
Other children heard their conversation and stood in front of them while they talked.
“Would you like to sit and listen?” asked Merena.
“Yes,” answered the children, and they sat.
“It’s your turn Henry,” commanded Merena.
“Very well,” said Henry.
‘The legend of the first dragonkin began with a man and a female dragon. The dragon flew around her kingdom, patrolling for the safety of the area. Soon she noticed a flash at a waterfall and glided closer. When she approached the water, she saw a man with pale blond hair. His hair kissed his tan skin, and she grew mesmerized; then, she landed on the ground. Her eyes roamed over his body while he washed. Soon she crept toward the bathing man. When she drew closer, a roar parted from her, and it startled him. He ran for his sword, but she took flight and carried him away. Within a few moments, they landed in a cave. She told him he would not be her food that she found him attractive. Immediately, his words cut like a knife. He wished for a human, not a dragon. She requested that he gave her time, time for him to like her. When he answered yes, she asked him his name. He responded Tavis Black. A month went by, he requested to go home. She took him to the waterfall and beseeched him to give her a few moments. He waited by the river for her return. Soon a silver-haired green-eyed woman walked toward Tavis, and his eyes scanned over her body. Soon he asked for her name, and she responded Averiala. He wondered how she got there with no clothes. Soon she informed that she was the dragon and would never retake dragon form. His thumb and finger rubbed his chin and asked why she has done that. When she answered, it simply came out because she wanted to do it for him. After that, they lived together until the day Tavis died.’
“They had 3 boys and 2 girls. Which at the age of 12 took on, what we call, dragonkin form,” commented Henry.
“There’s more. People think Tavis was human, but he was a changeling,” informed Merena.
“I’m not surprised,” remarked Henry.
“It isn’t legend for us. It’s our history,” conveyed Merena.
“That would be right,” commented Henry.
“Would you like Henry to tell the lycanthrope legend?” asked Merena.
“Yes!” exclaimed the children.
“This story begins with a changeling called Marabella. She had long brown hair, brown eyes, and tanned skin. She would run in the forest as a katorian,” said Henry.
‘One day in the forest, Marabella watched a black timber wolf frolicking. He stopped and scanned the woods with his amber eyes. Soon he smelled the air. From time to time, he halted and smelled the air while he played in the leaves. She lost track of him, then suddenly he pounced on her. With all haste, she drew blood and ran away. While she ran, she swallowed the blood. As he chased after her, she morphed into a wolf. She escaped him, and she prowled toward her village. He pounced on her yet again, and they tumbled head over heels. Day after day, they spent time together, and Marabella took on human form less with each passing day. Until one day, she gave birth to a healthy baby boy. After the baby laid on the cave floor crying, he went in for the kill, but Marabella stopped him. She morphed then a tear rolled down her cheek. She reassured him. Immediately, he smelled the familiar aroma of her. He licked her face then the baby.’
“They lived a long and happy life together. They had many children. They even had twin boys. When the children turned 3 years old, they could turn lycanthrope,” related Henry.
“Do you know the physical difference between lycanthrope and werewolf?” questioned Merena.
“The reason they become a werewolf is something bad happens to them,” responded Trip.
“That’s right,” said Merena.
“I don’t know the physical difference,” related Trip.
“Lycan is when they look like a wolf. Werewolf, they still look like a wolf but on two legs,” conveyed Merena.
“Another name for it is blood lust,” stated Henry.
“Have you seen any other changelings?” asked Trip.
“Not since I was 10 years old. My family. I have seen an avianthrope,” answered Merena.
“Really,” commented Trip with an awe-struck face.
“I’ve been told they have gone to an island,” said Merena.
“Maybe someday you see them,” remarked Trip.
“Maybe,” replied Merena.
“I have word from the dragonkin king. He will be coming to the Embedding Moon Festival,” reported Henry.
“So fast,” whispered Merena.
“Yes. Bird. The festival is close at hand,” conveyed Henry.
“Alright. Do you want my help to gather food for the festival?” questioned Merena.
“That would be nice,” responded Henry.
“Who is the king now?” probed Merena.
“It is King Razor Talon,” replied Henry.
“Oh. Really When did the old king die?” asked Merena.
“A few years,” answered Henry.
“That means he is coming here for me?” whispered Merena.
“Will you stay?” questioned Henry.
“I haven’t seen him since I was 10,” commented Merena.
“You didn’t answer the question,” remarked Henry.
“I have to face my past. Yes. I’ll stay,” responded Merena.
They gathered items for the celebration making the weeks pass quickly until the day before the festival. A commotion took over the village.
- Writer
