I, as you know, am called Kara. I am a dragonsayer, meaning that I have the power to call dragons and understand/speak to them. I have oft been referred to as 'Kara Dragonsayer', and so it has come to be my name. I live far from my ancestor's home, in a place I dare not name, for fear that they may yet be searching for me...
I grew up in a far-away place, in lands I sadly know not the name to. I had two older brothers and a baby sister. My parents were farmers, and good people. Our whole village was a very peaceful place, outside of the mischief-makers you find in any village... until war broke out.
I was six at the time. Any male older than thirteen winters and able to wield a sword was drafted for the army. My father and oldest brother were among those drafted. My mother was heartbroken that they had to leave, but there was no going against the draft. Those who did were executed. I didn't want them to go either (as I loved my father very much and my brother had always watched over me), but there was not much choice. They left, smiling, telling us what goods they would bring us when they came back. They never returned. Neither did most of our people. We had lost the war. Soon we heard that soldiers were heading our way. Every town they came to they either inhabited, or burned. My mother packed everything up and we fled, and the days blurred together indefinitely as we hid from the pursuing soldiers, moving at only at night. I only wish I could not remember it so well….
After what seemed to have been seasons, but really couldn't have been more than a fortnight, Mother decided that we were well enough ahead of the soldiers that we could stay camped for an eve. We all needed a rest; even my brother, who would be the last to admit it, looked worn and was all but begging Mother for a rest. In a small clearing we set up a crude camp, trying to keep everything to a minimum. Tired as we all were, no one managed more than an uneasy slumber.
Suddenly a loud shout shattered the still night, startling us all into wakefulness. My little sister began to cry, despite Mother's frantic efforts to shush her. Another shout was heard, closer this time, and followed by more voices and the crunch of many feet on the forest floor. Mother quickly scrambled up, motioning us into silence as she eased my sister's cries at last, and held us all to her.
We waited then, for what seemed an eternity…. Slowly the voices receded. At last Mother nodded and set about breaking up camp, motioning us to do the same. No one spoke a word.
And there was no time for anything else. The soldiers burst out of the brush right behind us, and ordered us to halt. We ran, scattering. I glanced back, and one soldier had drawn his bow. I heard, more than saw, the arrow that hit my mother. I screamed. Mother fell to the ground. My brother and me ran separate ways, but my sister hadn't a chance in Mother's arms on the ground. I can still hear her cries....
I ran on through the woods, tears streaming down my face. A root seemed to spring out of the ground beneath my feet, flinging me ruthlessly to the ground. A cry escaped my lips as I rolled into a sticker bush, but then I froze as I heard more voices, and none I recognized. The soldiers were following me! I hardly breathed, the tiny needles sticking into me ignored as I heard the soldiers' voices drawing near.. nearer...nearer... and then fading! Had they given up? I waited.... Their voices drifted off through the night, till all was silent but a faint rustle of leaves in the trees. I climbed out of the bush slowly, alert for any sound that would tell me the soldiers were still near, just waiting to jump out at me. The friendly forest had suddenly become dark and looming. I was scared. I was lost. The harmless shadows around me suddenly became places for evil things to hide, and the swaying tree branches became terrifying monsters trying to grab me. I began to scream, but some part of me that still thought rationally remembered that the soldiers were still somewhere in the woods, and I choked it back. I backed up slowly, my eyes searching the starlit forest inch by inch, till my back struck something behind me. This time, I DID scream, and I ran recklessly through the woods, terrified the monsters or the soldiers would find me.. or were they the same thing? Abruptly I found myself in a strange open area, and I stopped, my lungs demanding air. The temperature was noticeably warmer, though I could not imagine why, and when I eventually looked up, there were no stars, only blackness. It was much darker than a normal cloudy night, too. I gave up wondering as I sank down to the floor, tears resurfacing. My head was whirling with unanswered questions.. "Where are you, Mother?" "Can we go home now, Mother?" "Mother, where did Daddy go?!" I was aware of nothing around me, the monsters in the trees were forgotten, the shadows blurred out by tears…
I woke up slowly, my eyelids seemed heavier than a full water-bucket. It was still pitch black, but the ground was warm and there was a feeling of security and assurance in the air. A low hum wafted up from seemingly nowhere, but it was soft and comforting, and I was lulled back to sleep....
Birdsong echoing in my ears brought me to consciousness again. I sat up, not remembering what had happened the night before. I looked around in confusion. A cave? How on earth had I gotten in a cave? I should be in my bed at home, with the sounds of Mother making breakfast for-- Mother making breakfast-- Mother-
“MOTHER!”
I sprang to my feet as everything slammed back into place. My cloak slid off my shoulders and fell to the floor, unheeded as I looked around frantically. She must have gotten away! She HAD to have!
The low hum stopped at my outburst, and the sound of movement came out from the shaded areas of the cave. Something very LARGE was there in the shadows, and it was moving closer. Fear took over. I stared, unable to even think as the great looming shape formed in front of me.
The figure stepped forward into the light, and my jaw dropped. A dragon?! But Mother had said they were only stories!
I stared up at the dragon, speechless. She didn't look at all like the tales said. She was as big as I expected, if not bigger, but she was far more beautiful, more beautiful than words could tell. Her eyes shone with an invisible flame that reflected in her eyes, like ember coals shining out of the dark. Her scales glinted off the light coming from the mouth of the cave, but I couldn't quite define their color... they flickered from blue, to green, to red, to white, and back from one moment to the next. Her wings, each about her body size and then half again, were slightly unfurled and loomed about her like a protective shield. She was amazing... wait... she? How had I known that? Before I had time to wonder about it, I was struck by another surprise.
{Stories, are we? I should think not, young two-legger!}
The words reverberated inside my head as I looked about confusedly, trying to locate the one who had spoken. The words were harsh in tone, and were spoken in a female voice. I found myself looking at the dragon. It couldn't have been her... could it? Then I heard what must have been a low chuckle, and the dragon's eyes shone of humor... and something else I couldn't identify…
{Yes, youngling, it is I who speak. And do not have fear. I will let nothing into this cave that would harm my l-... that would harm you..} A shining eye focused on me as she paused significantly. {IF you prove to be worth protecting...}
For the moment, I heard neither her words nor her warning. I shook my head, disbelieving. It was all too much! Here I was, standing in front of a real, live dragon! No one at home would ever believe this.. I wasn't even sure if I did! With a sudden pang, I realized that there wasn't anyone left back at home in any shape to care. Tears sprang to my eyes, as unbidden memories flooded back into my mind. All the memories of the smoke we saw from our burning village, of the cries we had heard in the distance, and the terrible flight from the soldiers. Memories of the arrow that struck my mother down. It was then that it hit me that my mother must be dead. I crumpled back to the floor, unable to even cry in my agony. Then, suddenly, there was an overwhelming presence in my mind, accompanied by a heavy mental sigh, and I knew no more....
Read the Archives - It's up, but sorry, the rest of my tale is not... yet!
This story is copywrited by Carissa Krawchuk ©2000-2001
