Abandoning the sleepy village, they enter a wasteland of sheer rock walls and steep passageways. The mountain peaks, like serrated claws, pierce the sky. The talon like shadows provide cool respite from the burning sun but the rocks remind her of prison walls. She’s unsure whether it’s to keep outsiders out or the dragons inside. She made Eclipse double check the map, Dragon Haven isn’t on it. The mountains are unmarked and they have no way to safely pass through them. Their life depends on Sara’s father, who leads the group with a backpack and walking stick in hand. He navigates the terrain while Moira fights the urge to peer into the deep chasm below. Her stomach flips and pulls itself against her spine as the shadowy depths pass in the corner of her eye. She never had a problem with heights before; then again, she was never high enough where the bottom vanished completely.

Lord Rose pulls a golden pocket watch from his vest, studying the numbers and sun’s position he announces a rest period. Tired and thirsty she picks up her pace but her excitement deflates as she peers at the resting place. The sinister crack splitting the mountainside marks an entrance to their destination. The darkness absorbs the harsh light creating a void in the heart of the rock. Eclipse claims his spot in the shade of a boulder and she follows. Massaging her stiff muscles, she studies the elegant dancing dragons carved around the entryway; their serpent tongues lick and squirm along the surface. The sound of claws scratching against rock makes the hair on her arms stand straight; a savage snarl echoes throughout the canyon.

“What is that?” she whispers.

“Daddy calls it the song of the mountains,” Sara answers from her perch on a rock. The clawing continues as Lord Rose emerges from the cave, signaling for them to follow.

“Dare I ask what’s in there?”

“Fissure Dwellers,” he answers, “they’re dragons who nest in the deeper parts of the mountains. A word of caution; they mistake anything moving for their next meal.”

“Happy now?” Eclipse glares at her while following the father-daughter pair into the cave.

The darkness engulfs her, but his tail flicks against her leg. Reading the familiar cue from her childhood, she grabs it allowing him to guide her. Lord Rose, torch in hand, uses it to follow a trail of music notes etched into the rock. Music marks the safe path; she muses as they descend deeper into the mountain. The darkness she can handle, but the incessant tapping of pointed claws makes her skin prickle. The scurrying surrounds them, hot breath prickles her skin, and snouts sniffs her hair from the shadows. A tip of an unknown tail or muddy claws flash in the torchlight but vanish in a blink. Stay calm, as long as the torch doesn’t go out, you’re fine. They dislike the light emitting from the torch but their curiosity will overcome their discomfort eventfully.

Like a child afraid of thunder cowering under the bed, she counts the seconds between the sound of the scurrying. After her first minute of silence, she exhales the deep breath she partially held. After two minutes relief grips her racing heart. A gust of fresh summer breeze cuts through the stale cave air and revives her senses, thank the gods this is almost over. A few meters around a bend she spies the dim sunshine ahead. The piercing light blinds her and makes her nose itch, but her eyes adjust as they step onto a sunny ledge. A lush valley sprawls before her feet, full of trees, all matter of grasses and bubbling brooks. Three stone dragon heads guzzle waterfalls into pools at the far end while a nursery of fruit trees grow along the banks. A twisting river bisects the grasslands overflowing with fragrant wildflowers. The mountains, once bloodthirsty peaks from outside appear as humble giants protecting the inhabitants within.

“Where are the dragons?” Eclipse sits at the edge, his ears twitch to the sound of bleating sheep bouncing across the fields. Birds sing from shrubbery and Moira catches a sight of a grey hare darting behind the bushes. She imagines there’s lots of food to chase but there’s no dragon in sight.

“Odd,” Lord Rose hums, he directs their attention to caves carved in the rock above them. “The hatchlings are there, some adults too. But an empty valley is strange.” She hesitates at the ledge, but he smiles; “Stay close, they’ll ignore you if you are with us.” She follows him through the grassy areas and to the river searching for signs of the smaller breeds. Along the way, she counts the caves and calculates how many beasts are willing to kill her.

“Daddy!” Sara points at a dark mass slumped near the riverbank, “it’s Hayden...but he’s not moving!” Eclipse bits her dress telling her to stay. Moira follows Lord Rose to investigate the motionless dragon. But the stench of rotting flesh hangs in the air and she expects the worse.

“He’s dead, isn’t he? Did my magic do this?” she notices the blood dripping over the grass, “I mean he was fine when—”

“No, my dear, this is the mortal wound,” pointing to a leaking hole in his chest, “this is fresh.”

“I thought the dragon’s hide was impenetrable?”

“It’s tough but blades can puncture it. But only a unicorn horn makes a wound as smooth as this.”

“The scripture explains that dragons are Umara’s first foe. Zander created unicorns to protect the rest of the animals.”

“I hate that story; dragons aren’t bloodthirsty monsters. But nonetheless, unicorns only need one shot at the dragon’s heart to send a fatal blow. Unfortunately, this confirms it; there’s an intruder in the valley. We’ll start our search near the nests.” She follows him to the hill where Charcoal joins Sara’s side. The child cries as her father confesses the grim news. However, Charcoal refuses to accept it and scurries to Hayden for confirmation.

“Moira,” Sara’s father sighs, “can you get him?” She glances to the caves and then to the dead Hayden; nope find another sucker. But it’s Eclipse’s glare that forces her to fetch the beast.

“Charcoal! Come here...umm…come here boy?” but he ignores her. His tail slips from her grasp and he darts to the opposite side of the body. Great, I’m playing tag around a dead dragon. She lunges again, slips, and falls against the oozing wound. That’s it, I’m done with dragons. Zander, you keep them!

“Charcoal! Come boy come!” Sara calls and Charcoal races to his owner.

“Sure, go to her! Stupid beast!” She wipes her bloody hands on the grass. A chorus of roars rattle the peaks as dragons emerge from the caves above. The ground shudders as the largest Ebony Dragon lands beside Hayden’s body. He glares at her as he nudges the body with his snout. Other dragons land around her and block her escape.

“Moira, I don’t want you to panic—”

“Why should I panic?” she stammers.

“I think Brimstone here thinks you killed Hayden—”

“Tell him I didn’t!”

“It doesn’t matter—”

“Yes, it does! Eclipse tell him!”

“He wants revenge for the blood spilt.”

“You’re not serious!” she blocks his advancing snout with her staff. His black nostrils flare spraying steam into the air. He’s testing her, but for how long?

“I don’t recommend fighting him.”

“Tell me how to get out of this situation with my head still attached!”

“I want you to relax, then throw your staff but don’t break eye contact with Brimstone.”

“Discard her staff!” Eclipse protests, “he will devour her!”

“No, he won’t!” Sara shouts.

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“Moira, do you understand what I want you to do?”

“If I must…” she steadies her shaking hand, Mother Goddess, don’t let it end this way. Brimstone’s roars fling spittle into her face and his brown eyes burn into hers. Taking a deep breath, she tosses her staff to the ground.

“Very good, now kneel, place your hands on the grass. Don’t take your eyes off the ground.”

“I will not allow her to kneel to a dragon as an inferior!”

“Eclipse stop, pick your battles— remember— you taught me that. We need to do it his way.” Brimstone’s dirty claws shuffle inches to her face. His hot breath reeks of raw meat and it sticks to her damp skin. The grass vibrates as his roars sweep over the valley. Her body urges her to run, grab the staff and run as fast as she can. It takes every ounce of resolve to remain still. The sticky blood-soaked soil clings to her knees, the flies buzz, and the stench of death surrounds her. It’s easier to run, especially as she eyes Hayden’s limp foot beside her. Brimstone anxiously digs his claws into the soil like Eclipse before he pounces. This is it. He shoves his snout against her, urging her to fight but, despite her pride, she submits. The ground shakes as he stomps and his victorious cries boom throughout the peaks. She shuts her eyes when the other dragons roar in chorus and a fierce gust of wind pins her in the dirt. Damn this dragon, she swears, Zander grant me strength. Holding her breath, she waits for the end. The silence screams as she awaits the serrated jaws. But the gust fades, leaving debris floating into her nose and mouth.

“Moira stand up, you look like an idiot.”

“It’s all clear, my child!”

“Thank the Gods,” she sighs, the dragons return to their caves and she grasps her cherished staff.

“You ain’t seen nothin yet!” a shadowy figure leans against a tree across the narrow river.

“First dragons and now this.” Eclipse mutters joining her side.

“If I make it out of here alive, remind me never to return.” They approach the stranger, “it’s not him, is it?”

“I doubt he is that stupid.” But she knows that accent, a blend of a sleepy island village mixed with trappings from places he roams. The breeze strokes his wavy black hair hanging at his shoulders. As she gets closer, she notices red splatter on his outdated blue waistcoat and white undershirt. Although she recognizes the weapons of his trade, the lance is a new addition.

“You forget me already did ya?” the figure uses the lance and vaults over the water towards them.

“Who can forget a scoundrel like you?” he retorts.

“After all the good times, this is how I’m greeted?” he stroked his goatee, “I’m hurt.”

“Tyran? Didn’t we leave you in Aurelia? I made it clear for you not to follow us anymore!”

“Don’t flatter yourself, I’m just passin’ through,” he clutches a bronze-handled sword tucked into his belt. Lord Rose approaches and surveys Tyran with a calculating scowl.

“He’s a washed-up bounty hunter,” she explains, “who can’t take a hint!” The sunlight catches on the glittering coins strung around his neck; proof business is profitable.

“That lance is made of unicorn horn,” he clenches his jaw, “I bet all my dragon eggs that’s Hayden’s blood on it.”

“Guess you got me,” His expression darkens as he prepares to attack. The blade cuts through the air as he charges; aiming the blade at her heart. Timing her strike, she intersects his path with her staff and sends Tyran stumbling to the ground. The lance rolls from his hands as he lays in the dirt. “That’s a dirty trick if I’ve seen one!” he groans, a silver chain dislodges from his waistcoat, revealing a silver pendant with a gold bell glimmering in the sunlight.

“Like you haven’t been tripped before.”

“It’ll take more than some bit of dirt to stop me!”

“Who sent you this time,” she jams the staff into his chest forcing him to the grass.

“What gives ya the impression I gotta tell ya anything!”

“I think this staff here gives enough impression don’t you think?” She whacks him in the gut.

“That there is need to know, and you don’t need to know!” He coughs and dirt flies into her eyes. They sting and she presses her palms to her eyes; but a force knocks her over. Through blurry vision she distinguishes Tyran’s form scooping his lance and using it to knock Eclipse into the river. He vaults over the water and disappears into a cave.

“Moira are you alright?” Lord Rose helps her to her feet.

“Yea, I’ll live,” she collects her staff as Eclipse approaches, “you alright?” He nods, shaking the water from his fur.

“A friend of yours?” Lord Rose asks with a cocked eyebrow.

“I told you I have enemies. And, well, those enemies hire people like Tyran.” Lord Rose glances at the cave the bounty hunter was hiding in. “I never said my enemies were smart…”

“Be that as it may, he’s inventive and cunning. I don’t know how he found out about this colony or how he got inside but I can’t risk my dragons. I want to inspect the nests before we head back.” They follow him to the entrance where he instructs her to wait. She can’t argue, the last place she wants is near the wild hatchlings. The one chasing butterflies in front of her is more than enough. Eclipse lounges behind her, sunbathing on a stone slab. Her muddy boots slide off with a squishy thud. She wiggles her toes enjoying the sun on her skin.

“Do you think he’s after us or the dragons?” Last time she saw Tyran, a crime boss hired him to dispose of her.

“He tends to appear in unexpected places,” he licks his fur, “and killing dragons, nonetheless. The lance is new, not to mention the new coins around his neck. A rich patron perhaps?”

“It’s someone with serious gold.”

“Moira, do you think we’ll run into more of your friends when we’re on our adventure?” Sara asks as she tosses stones for Charcoal to chase.

“What do you mean by ‘we’ and ‘our’?”

“Don’t you know? Mommy said I’m going with you when you leave! Isn’t it great?”

“What? No. It’s too dangerous.”

“But Mommy said I can! She told me so! Why don’t you two ever believe me?”

“Because your mother is crazy to allow this.”

“My Mommy’s not crazy, she loves me!”

“Moira, I believe it is time you had a word with Lady Rose.”

In the dark basement Lady Rose’s blade slides through thyme stems with a flawless precision. She imagines herself flayed alive over the woman’s life-sized cutting board. Each razor thin slice dissects her flesh all the while and agonized scream escapes her throat. She shakes her head, pushing the thoughts from her mind. This is lunacy, right? But then she remembers the dead hand Taylor was using the night Hayden attacked. She didn’t know much about medicinal herbs, but she didn’t think decaying limbs should be apart of it. Wringing her hands on her lap she distracts herself from the ghoulish sound by counting the various jars of animal organs for the third time. On the counter is an assortment strange tools; items that cut, pinch, poke, and scrape. Through the overpowering smell of dirt, she recognises the aroma of bay leaves, ginger, and chamomile.

“I see the shadow that hunts you,” her astute tone breaks the tension. Her piercing eyes shatter the last remnants of Moira’s defenses. “That evil frightens me more than you can imagine. But my husband assures me you’ll safeguard our daughter, as your mother protected you. It’s the only reason why I agreed to send Sara with you.”

“Sara isn’t safe with me.” She ignores the bait to discuss her mother. “I have enemies.”

“The world you know is on the verge of changing, like last time, it’ll begin with fire,”

“I’m sick of these games,” pushing against the fear welling inside her, “tell me the truth.”

“I trust you are familiar with the gift of foresight?” The Gods use the ancient magic to communicate with the Oracle of the Mage Council. “It’s a common trait in my family, along with other talents. Lately, my sleep is plagued with the nightmares of the danger my family is in. In addition, I see you. I saw your encounter with Charcoal. My visions reveal Sara will perish if she remains with us.” Despite her doubts she recognized a parent’s fear for their child swirling in the woman’s usual stoic eyes.

“If you truly knew what hunts me—”

“With you, she has a chance to live, without you— she won’t.”

“This is outside of my expertise.”

“I’m not asking you to raise her, only remove her from here. Take her to my sister-in-law in Alexanderia. Lady Sherwood is all that remains of my husband’s family.”

“This sounds absurd. No one knows this village even exists, let alone willing to destroy it.”

“I know what I saw!” she slams the knife on the table, “I was unable to understand the vision until today and I am afraid it’s too late. You are my last chance, my only chance. I need her to live,” she pleads, her hands shaking over the herbs, “I’m asking you as a parent, please save my child.” Her desperation stabs her through the heart.

Alexanderia, anywhere but there. She didn’t know how Lord Rose knew of her mother. Or what he thinks of the woman she barely knows. But she can’t argue; after all she’s the result of those same instincts. She swallows the lump in her throat and prays Eclipse will forgive her.

“I’ll keep her safe, I give you, my word.”