Heir of Fury

Chapter Five

Chapter FiveI brushed my hand on the wall, traced my fingers over the smooth stone until I found a hole the size of my pinkie. Orienting myself and aiming ahead, I counted my steps, eighteen, nineteen… twenty-three, twenty-four. I stopped and searched the wall adjacent with both hands until I found the crack on the rock. Turning sideways, I slid into the narrow opening and paused on the other side long enough to unfurl my wings and jump. Powerful thrusts scattered the reptilian creatures pinching the air below with poisonous pincers and carried me to the narrow ledge high on the other side of the small chamber. I tucked my wings and worked on the ward to the entrance of the connecting cavern. Despite my need to hurry, I was careful when undoing the offensive symbols. My wards recognized no friend, no foe. One wrong or hesitant move and anyone on this side of the ward would blow to smithereens. I was aware the ward was overkill, but I didn't dare risk someone making it this far. I hurried in just as the ward snapped back into place, took in the large chamber, the locations of its occupants before moving in any further.

A warm glow infused the cavern, a byproduct of the eight creatures gathered inside. I surveyed the long tales, multi-colored scales, the crocodile-like snouts. They looked like little dragons, a cute mini version whose breaths could melt skin without creating fire.

Despite their small sizes, they were vicious, lethal and hard to catch. Remo called them wyverns. I skirted the snarling ones and the swipes of their spiked tales, moved sideways against the wall a few dozen steps before advancing to the back, where the smallest of them sat. It watched my approach, long, reptilian head relaxed atop its two front paws, claws retracted.

Luminescent purple eyes followed my progress, unperturbed and uncaring by its other agitated kin.

I crouched in front of the little wyvern and offered my hand. It huffed once, blowing air hot enough to redden my skin, but not blister. It sniffed, opened its crocodile-like snout, revealing two rows of sharp teeth, and bit the palm of my hand with an almost delicate gesture. Blood flowed at once. I didn't recoil, didn't flinch or give any outward sign that it hurt. A long, hot serpentine tongue licked the blood away with a few rough swipes. The creature unfurled itself then, stood on all fours and braced its short front paws on my shoulders, lowering the sharp rows of teeth from my face. The claws were sharp, but the creature was careful not to draw blood a second time. Settled on my lap, the creature shifted into a child, about three feet tall. The shifting energy washed over me, a soothing wave that eased tensions I hadn't known weighed me down. We both sighed, and Dathana laid her head on my shoulder, relaxed into my embrace.

If it hadn't been for the purple eyes and slit pupils, she could have passed for a kid anywhere on Earth.

You're leaving, a lyrical voice said in my head.

I stroked the long, straw-colored hair from top to bottom twice before replying.

Yes.

She said nothing else, and I continued stroking her hair. Behind us, the other wyverns quieted down, recognizing there was no threat.

It was a long while before Dathana pulled away and looked at me, my reflection silhouetted in her big purple eyes.

I'll come back, I said. I'll ask my friends how I can help free you.

She lowered her head, nodded once, her trust in me shredding me apart, more so for what I was about to do. I didn't deserve her trust.

I need the notes I gave you, Dathana, I said, aware I was breaking my promise.

She looked up, fear darkening her eyes, but she said nothing, didn't call me on my lie.

I'll come back, I promise. But I need these notes where I'm going.

I tried pulling her back into my arms, unable to look into her eyes, and after a moment, she let her head rest back on my shoulder.

You said as long as I had it, you'd come back for me. And now you're taking it and leaving.

I closed my eyes, wanting nothing more than to reassure her, to do what I promised. But I couldn't, not yet, maybe not never.

I know, I know. I stroked her hair again, her naked back. I need these notes where I'm going. I promise I'll come back again.

How long will you be gone?

I don't know. Three weeks my planet's time, about a moon's cycle. But I don't know how many moon cycles will pass here, remember, I told you the passage of time here and there don't run on the same course.

Dathana pulled back, climbed off my lap and stared at me for a long while. I wanted to ask her what she was thinking, to give her more empty reassurances and empty promises I wasn't sure I'd keep. I kept my mouth shut instead, and let her decide for herself. I wouldn't force her, but I hoped she believed me, trusted that although I may not be able to help her, I would always come back, no matter what.

After a moment she cut a line on her belly with a sharp claw, a thin yellow fluid leaking through the long cut. I held in my shudder as she pulled the skin up, revealing the edge of something green. With two fingers, she reached into the cut and tugged out a green oblong leaf. It dislodged from her inner flesh with a wet, sucking sound. I took it from her stretched hand and waited for her to smooth the skin back over her belly before unfolding the leaf. Belatedly, I worried the notes inside got damaged from all the shifts and the heat of her body. But all the notes inside were intact, if somewhat warmer and softer. I folded them back, tucked them inside my sports bra–sans the icky leaf. When I looked up, Dathana was still watching me, expressionless. My heart squeezed with remorse, and I reached out for her.

Dathana–I started, but she stepped back, away from my reach and shifted back to her wyvern form, eyes accusatory.

“I'm coming back,” I promised out loud as I stood. “I'm coming back and I'm taking you home, even if it's the last thing I do in my life.”

Dathana turned and gave me her back, her tail curling around her in a protective manner.