-1-
Ochako clutched the wooden handle of her broom hard, the mountain wind harsh and cold against her face. She had dressed as warm as her wardrobe had allowed her but she hadn't expected the wind to be this harsh, this cold. The wind messed with her line of flight, the bristles of her broom fluffing up in response as she zigzagged in the air, trying to find a current she could use to land.
A gust jerked her broom from underneath her and she wailed as she fell backward off her broom, her gloved hands scraping the air in attempt to catch her now falling broom so she could right things again. She clapped her hands together, her fingertips pressed in an almost prayer-like pose.
"Amici ventum!" Her voice called as the uncontrollable wind came flying around her now. Her capelet and the edges of her skirt whipped around her body as wind sprites appeared, glowing and giggling as they all grasped hold of her, controlling her fall to the ground.
Ochako struggled to hold the spell, her hands breaking apart with a flash, the magic around her dissipating as she fell the rest of the way to the ground, landing with a thud.
"OW!" She wailed, fumbling out of the bush she had tumbled into. "That flight definitely did not go as planned." She stood, brushing off her skirts and her leggings before attempting to find her broom and her hat. Luckily, she found both not too far from where she had landed. With a smile, she put back on her hat before bending and picking up her broom. She assessed the damage, found there was none, and double tapped the handle against the earth. In a glow of magic, it transformed into her magic staff.
She looked ahead of her as an anxious weight filled her stomach.
Winterath Summit was not an easy feat for any adventurer, seasoned or otherwise, but her coven had specifically sent her as a liason. The dragon that lived atop the mountain was one of the few in the area that knew the common tongue and could be somewhat reasonable. Her coven was in need of a replenishment of dragon scales. A terrible fever had been ravishing the lands making livestock and humans alike sick. Dragon scales could stop fever immediately once they were ground up with other healing herbs.
"You can do this Ochako," she muttered to herself, both hands clutching her staff. "Just stay calm." She took a deep breath and exhaled as she closed her eyes, focusing on her spell. A beam of light appeared in front of her, and from it, popped a sprite.
"I need to seek audience with the Dragon of this mountain. Can you relay that for me? I'm Ochako Uraraka from the UA Coven. Please tell the Dragon that I come to forge a new alliance under our new leader." Ochako dug in her satchel, pulling a wax-sealed letter out and handing it to the sprite.
The sprite held the oversized letter in its hand, nodding, both disappearing in a flash. Now I play the waiting game, Ochaki thought feeling nervous. She dared not venture NY further on the Dragons territory without formal reception or invitation. The sun was beginning to set and the harsh mountain wind only seemed to grow stronger.
The sprite reappeared, nodding happily as will-o-wisps of fire grew to life one after another, making a trail up the mountain.
Such arcane fire magick, to summon fire spirits as old as as wisps…
She followed the path, using her staff as a walking stick as she climbed higher and higher until the wisps ended at the entrance of a cave. To any normal person, that's what it would seem, however, Ochako knew the magic that kept this place concealed. It was strong persuasive magick, one that hid this palace to make it seem a cave.
"Hello?" She called out as she walked inside, mesmerized at the intricate pillars carved out of stones that had to be centuries old. Her boots clacked against the floor, torches lighting as she walked past. "I'm Ochako Uraraka, I'm here on behalf of my-"
A boom rumbled the floor, and Ochako lost her balance. Something held her in place and she turned, seeing the end of a long tail steadying her.
Miss Uraraka, you're very brave traveling this far. Your coven must be in very dire straights to come to me. The dragon's voice echoed in her mind, and she fought against the urge to cover her ears. Another boom, from the caves below and she swallowed hard. She could see his red eyes narrow in the darkness as his golden scaled head moved into the light, astounding her with his immense size.
"W-we are, sir. A sickness has taken over the land and the best of our coven has discovered a remedy but we lack an ingredient for our potions. We were hoping with your assistance we could form an alliance and replenish our stock of dragon scales. It is a key ingredient in the-"
She stumbled as another boom rocked her forward, her hands landing on the jagged stones, her protection spell bouncing her palms back, giving her a chance to roll. "Is there something...below us?"
The dragon let out what she imagined would be a sigh before he stretched out one of his large claws. In his palm lay three of his large, golden scales. I will grant you this boon, if you grant one for me. My son is restless here in the mountain. I will grant your coven as many scales as they need if you marry my son as an alliance between our two parties.
"W-What?!" The word escaped her mouth in a sudden yell, his offer catching her off guard. "I was not expecting-"
The dragon tilted his head, closing his red eyes and nodding. I know you were not expecting a bargain such as this, but this is what I have to offer. My son is driving me mad and he needs someone other than myself to put him in his place. You might think yourself unworthy as a dragon bride, but I can assure you-witch or not- no one has ever walked into my domain with such confidence in themself and conviction to do what they needed to save others.
Ochako blushed at the dragon's compliment, but will still taken aback. "I already know the answer my coven would give. A sacrifice of one to save many is a small price to pay. I accept your offer on behalf of them."
Then accept your reward. A husband and as many dragon scales as your coven may need to heal the people of your towns.
Ochako took the scales from the dragon's claw, each one the size of her arm, as she carefully drew a teleportation circle against the stone. She lay the scales inside the circle, along with a hastily written letter explaining the new alliance treaty. Once everything was placed, she clapped together her fingertips as a pink glow appeared in a tower of light before her items were gone, only a charred, smudged symbol remained.
She stood awkwardly, glancing at the dragon who seemed to disappear once more behind the pillars into darkness. A line of the will-o-wisps appeared, leading to a natural stone staircase leading downward into the cave where flashes of red and orange filled the darkness, the booms shaking the earth as he gave her one last piece of advice before completely disappearing in the shadows once more.
The caverns below is where he stays. Go to him and explain our alliance. Stand firm. Do not waiver in front of him.
Ochako slapped her cheeks with the palms of her hands to hype herself up, as she called her staff to transform into her broom once again. Instead of bothering with the stairs, she would meet him on her own terms-as a talented witch.
