Chapter 4
The Insiders
I lay in the bottom of my cage. The wire cut into my back, but that was nothing compared to what I was feeling at the moment. My arms were swollen and red. They stung badly. I dared not move, for fear I would move my arms and start them hurting again. I lay on my back and stared at the sky through the glass. It was dark out, and I could see the stars through the ceiling. I watched the moon slowly drift over the glass. It seemed to feel my sorrow and pain. I closed my eyes and tried to sleep. Cold, chilling, a shadow. I opened my eyes, to find the shadow gone. It had silently but surely passed over me. I looked around for what had made the shadow, then I spotted it. A form that flew in front of the moon and cast a shadow on me. A fellow unicorn. It swooped downward and landed on the glass roof. I turned my head so I could look at it better. Slowly, the unicorn was changing to centaur. It kneeled on the glass and took out something. I heard scraping. A circular piece of glass fell. I watched as the centaur caught it and slowly lifted it through the glass it had just dropped from. The centaur set it on the other glass, and jumped down. It changed to Clyuire before it hit the ground. Flying to my cage, it landed on top, slightly left from being on top of me. "Shhhhh." It whispered. I stared at it and quietly said,"I am ready to go." It nodded and swooped over to the door. Silently, it lifted the keys off a hook and ran to my cage. I looked up and slowly sat. My arms were burning badly, but I wanted out. "Hurry!" Whispered the Clyuire in a panicked tone. I jumped up and walked to the door of my cage. It swung open, and the Clyuire said,"Quickly! Change!" I changed to Clyuire and was free from the pain for a moment. I jumped into the air after my rescuer and we flew off into the night, just as the dragons rushed into the room. I decided to ask my rescuer how they knew I had escaped. I would wait till later though. And I did. I waited until morning. I was too tired to change to human and bear with all of the pain. So, I slept in my comfy bed as a Clyuire.
"What?!" I sat up in my bed. A hand reached out and pushed me back. I took a few deep breaths, then turned my head to the right. Brian was kneeling beside my bed. "Where were you?" He asked in a worried voice. "I got captured by the dragons. I'm so sorry! I won't do it again!" He shook his head and ran his hand through his dark hair. "You can't keep doing this!" He said. I nodded and let my head hang. He rubbed the back of his neck and said,"Come on. Breakfast's a waiting. A nice ‘human' breakfast." I shook my head and quietly thanked him. He looked at me. "What is it?" He asked. I shook my head as the tears streamed down my cheeks. "I couldn't stop them. Couldn't make them leave me alone." I buried my face in my hands. Brian sat on the floor and said,"Couldn't stop who? From what?" I looked up. The reality slowly crept in. I'd been gone for a night and a day. Maybe longer still. He hadn't known where I was. I shook my head and told him everything, except for the torture part. He looked at me quizzically. "But what couldn't you stop?" I wiped my tears and began the hard story. I kept stuttering and choking up, so I just turned to human. Even Clyuires cry sometimes. As soon as Brian saw my arms, he had a few guesses as to what happened. "Your arms!" He yelled. "Your beautiful arms." He started to cry as he reached for one of them. I let him take one of my arms in his hands. He set his face in my hand and sobbed. I ran my fingers through his hair and said,"It's ok. I'm alright now." He looked up at me and said,"But you aren't! You're hurt! And you'll have scars forever!" Letting go of my arm, he hid his face in his hands. I sat up straighter and began the awful story of my torture. "I would not talk to Clyte. He gets what he wants, when he wants it. Always. I did not talk. He threatened me first. Clyte dragged his claw against my throat, causing a small streak of blood." I raised my chin, and the blood could be seen clearly. "I still wouldn't talk. He grabbed one of my arms and dug his claws down into it. Then he dragged them down, tearing my skin. I was gagged, so I bit the cloth hard. I didn't let a single tear slip. Until the second arm. He grabbed my second arm and did the same thing. A tear slid down my cheek, and I couldn't help it. He didn't give me a second chance to tell him anything. He just untied my gag with a terrible grin on his face, and said,'Give her arms a nice bath in Baking Soda.'" Brian looked up at my face with horror. "They did that?! They actually dipped your arms in Baking Soda?!" He was close to yelling now. I rested my hand on his shoulder and continued. "They carried a kicking and crying me to the bucket. They plunged my arms into scalding hot water half filled with Baking Soda. I cried and screamed. Clyte sat in his room. When my screams were choked with tears and sobs, I heard him laughing. Then I would scream again. It only lasted for fifteen minutes. But those fifteen minutes seemed like an eternity. And now, I'll have scars the rest of my life. Maybe we can lessen them with treatment now, though." Brian stood and ran out of the room. He returned with a maid. The maid took one look at my arms and fainted. I shrugged and smiled. He wiped his tears and smiled back. Then he ran to get another maid. This time, he returned with one that wouldn't faint. She grabbed my arms, clucked her tongue in disappointment, and ran for a nearby closet. She returned with bandages and salve. Once I was bandaged and eating, I told everyone about the monsters. They cheered and shook hands. Then, we began making plans. Just as the first map was unrolled, a yell came from the front door. "Someone's here for you, Saria." I stood and excused myself. Then I ran to the front door where the guard stood. He was smiling, but looked uncomfortable. I walked forward with a puzzled expression. "What is it?" I asked. He shrugged and forced a smile. He motioned outside, and I stepped out into the bright sun. Two clawed hands grabbed me. I was lifted into the air. I looked up, to see Clyte's face. "No!" I screamed. He smiled viciously and flew on. I struggled, but he got me. Scratching my arms, I fainted.
My head was tipped back, and the water streamed into my mouth and down to my chin. Then, it dripped on my neck. I coughed and gagged on the water. I could hear laughter from another room. The dragon standing over me, holding the cup of water, chuckled to himself. "Soon, you will be the source of our leader Clyte's, laughter!" He laughed loudly, then grabbed my arm. I whimpered as he held tightly to my wrist and threw me on a rug. "Get dressed in that. If you don't, to the Baking Soda you'll go." I stood and quickly shooed the dragon out. He walked out and slammed the door behind him. Then he jangled the keys to his belt, which was all he was wearing because he was a dragon, and waited for me. I dressed into the long orange, flowing skirt and white blouse quickly. When I was done, I knocked on the door. He looked me up and down, then smiled. Grabbing my wrist, he yanked me toward the Main Room. I walked along beside him. Soon, he loosened his grip. When we got to the doors of the Main Room, he yanked me to the right. He grabbed my shoulders, and directed me in front of him toward a smaller door. He motioned toward it, and I slowly opened it. Inside, was another dragon. It smiled. I was pushed into the room, and the dragon shut the door behind him. He walked over to where the other dragon sat, and put his hands on its shoulders. I walked to a cushioned chair that sat right across from the dragons. "Don't talk. Only listen," said the standing dragon. I nodded. The sitting dragon began to talk. "My name is Zalon. This is my friend, Trewan. I don't have time to tell you all about us. We are the only two Insiders. The creatures have helped us all along, yet they have also helped the dragons. I guess you could call them Insiders now too. Do not crack. We cannot have information about the unicorns or the Insiders distributed throughout the dragon cave. Do not submit to their torture. Do not tell them anything. Close your mouth or simply scream. It will be awful, but you will keep our trust. We will help you a little. Try to make the torture more bearable. I promise." Trewan nodded and said,"We both promise." He looked at Zalon, who looked at him. They smiled, then looked back at me. I smiled, but it was forced. "They want you to dance for them. Only, they want you to dance in your dragon form. Is it manageable?" I thought about it for a minute. I couldn't remember what condition I'd last left my dragon body in. Suddenly, it all came back to me. The broken jaw and bleeding chest. I shook my head. Trewan stood up straighter and said,"Well, you'll have to. No matter what condition it's in; you have to dance for them. We are on your side, but we have to seem loyal to Clyte. Which means, you'll have to either dance or hurt. Dance or to the Baking Soda for you." It was awfully cruel, but I knew they were just trying to help and stay under cover at the same time. I slowly nodded, and Trewan smiled. Then, he grabbed my arm and spun me around, pointing me toward the door. I opened it, and he pointed to the Main Room doors. I walked toward the doors and opened them. I straightened my shirt and walked with my head held high down the center isle. It used to be a mostly empty room. Now, it was filled with tables, chairs, and dragons. The dragons taunted and hissed as I passed by them. I arrived at Clyte's table. He laughed and motioned to his guards. The guards ran up and shooed dragons away from two tables in the middle of the room. The guards carried the tables closer to the walls, and let the dragons return to them. I walked to the center of the small square the guards had made and changed to dragon. They all quieted down to watch me change. Not many dragons could change, and it was always fun to watch a change take place. I rose up, my jaw thrust out, my tail came next, my feet widened, scales rippled across my body, and the rest happened together. It all took ten seconds. I closed my eyes for a moment. The room was deathly quiet as the dragons waited for me to dance. I swallowed a great lump in my throat that was caused by the pain in my jaw and chest. I lifted a foot and began to dance. Soon I was dancing around the square. Smooth, graceful movements. Swish of my tail, kick of the foot, leap in the air, bow to the crowd. Swoop up, twirl, stop. Glare at Clyte and continue. Dragons rushed to the isle behind me and began playing instruments. I danced better with the music playing. I danced better than any other dragon had in history. Around and around. Spin, twirl, bow, leap, kick, glare. The glare shouldn't have been a part of the dance, but I couldn't help it. I was so mad at Clyte. My jaw throbbed and my chest heaved. Every time I took a breath, a sharp pain would cut into my chest. I danced faster and faster. The dragons stomped their feet and clapped their scaly hands. I slowed. The music sped up. The dragons sped up. I slowed even more. There was a grumbling through the crowd. "Faster! Faster! Faster!" They began to chant. I danced even slower. I leaped into the air toward Clyte's table. I spun right in front of him, then stopped all together. I reached out with a clawed hand and slid it down his cheek. He smiled. I started to the right of his left eye. In one quick movement, I dug my claws into his face and swiped a large cut straight through his cheek. He screamed in pain. I turned and ran. A dragon jumped from a nearby table and tackled me. I bit his arm. "Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!!" I screamed in pain. My jaw was broken. I had forgotten in my moment of victory. Dragons ran to me. I was picked up from my place on the ground. Two dragons held my arms behind my back. I growled as a snarling Clyte approached me. "You little tramp! How dare you! Now you will pay!" He raised a hand and looked about to claw my face. Then, he seemed to have had a better idea. He yelled,"Craven!" A large dragon ran toward Clyte. Clyte talked in hushed tones. By the end of the discussion, Craven was smiling. He ran out of the room. Clyte smiled and looked at me. He winced. His face hurt from smiling. Craven was back. He set down a large bucket. I knew what was in it instantly. "Clyte! No! Don't!" Everyone in the room leaned closer to where I stood to take a peek in the bucket. "Change!" "No!" "I said, change!" "I said no!" Clyte grabbed me by my shoulders, and jerked me from the grip of the other dragons. He grabbed my jaw and began to pull it down. I changed to human. He ripped the bandages from my arms. "No Clyte! No! Please don't! I'll tell you everything! Anything! I promise." The dragons were laughing. The dragons who had been holding me had seen what filled the bucket. Water and Baking Soda. They had spread the word on. Now everyone laughed as Clyte stared at me. "I promise! Clyte, don't do this! I will tell. Don't make me!" A vicious smile appeared on Clyte's face. He grabbed my arm and plunged it into the salty water. "Aaaaaaaaahhh!" I screamed. "The location of the unicorns! Where are the reinforcements!" I opened my mouth to tell him. A loud crash came from above. Hurtling toward us was a big rock. Clyte let go of my arm. I yanked it out and ran across the room. Clyte got out of the way just in time. The rock hit the floor hard. Everyone stared at the hole in the glass ceiling. I was huddled in a corner, whimpering to myself. Clyte started giving out orders. Trewan rushed into the room and took me to my cage. He stayed with me all night.
"It hurt too much!" "You could have ruined us all!" "I know! You weren't in my position!" "I don't care! I wouldn't have been a coward. But, I am a male." "It doesn't matter, ok? The rock came through the glass. I wasn't tortured further. I'm fine now. As fine as a stinging armed girl can be!" "You are a disgrace! You were going to give us all up! For your own selfish desires! Comfort isn't something we dragons know here!" I crossed my arms and winced in pain. I stared hard at the floor, as if I could crack it by looking hard enough. "I'm sorry. You were right. I wasn't in your position. I'm sure it was awful. We'll help as much as we can." He stood and leaned against the wall. That's where he slept all night. I changed to unicorn and took up the full space in my cage. Sleep wasn't easy. But then again, nothing was anymore.
I woke to find Trewan gone. Zalon walked in a few minutes after I had awoken. She nodded to me and handed me a plate of meat. It was cooked. I ate it in human. A good breakfast. Yes, very good. Movement from the corner of my eye caused me to jump. "What in the world?" A Clarque ran towards me. "Hey! I have come in search of you! My name is Vreyun. I have a message from your friends back at the unicorn site. Hrrrm. Excuse me. I do not usually have to clear my throat. Now, what was it again? Ah yes. I came down through the glass on that rock. Zalon threw the rock through the glass with me on it. Lucky I wasn't smashed. Now, here's the message. ‘Come back. We'll get you out. Make Trewan and Zalon bring you back here.' Do you have a reply?" I thought for a moment, then said,"Here's my reply. Do not worry. I will give you much information. I must pose as a helper to the enemy. I will be an Insider. Please, do not send for me again." Vreyun repeated the message back to me exactly. Then he ran across the floor and behind bunches of cages. I smiled at my decision. Then I made another.
"She is here to see you." "I don't believe you." "She is right here. Just say the word and she walks in." I was standing outside the room. I was waiting to see Clyte. It was time to reveal everything. The door opened and the guard motioned for me to enter the room. I walked into a room, where a desk and a chair sat. Clyte sat in the chair at the desk. "What's this about, you crude creature." I smiled politely and took as seat. "I have come to tell you everything, Master Clyte." Clyte's mouth twitched. He looked as if he'd been about to smile, but he'd quickly covered it up. "Prove it to me." I looked over my shoulder, then leaned over the desk. I talked in hushed panicked tones. "I know where the cave is. It's on the north side of the mountain. It's under a large rock. I mean, large! The rock blocks the entrance. All you have to do, is move the rock. Then you're inside! Easy as that. There's three unicorns left. The rest all returned to the Sparkle before I returned. Check it out. See if I'm not correct. I wi'll be loyal to you from now on, Master Clyte." He dug his claws into his wooden desk. He slowly pealed pieces of wood away. "We'll leave now." He stood and walked to the door. I followed, and he turned back to me. I saluted him and flashed a smile. He turned and walked out of the room. I followed him to a nearby room. In that room stood ten dragons. "She's confessed. Maybe. We leave now." The dragons followed Clyte out of the room. We walked to the entrance of the cave. I turned to dragon, and another dragon tied my hands. The dragon picked me up and carried me to the place I had described. I was now a traitor. I would always be trusted by the dragons. Always.
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