Hello! This is a story that came to me after watching all of the Jane and the Dragon episodes in one night. With luck I'll be updating every week.
Disclaimer: Mistrelia does not own Jane and the Dragon but if she did she would have continued it until they were all adults.
The night was pitch black, the light of the stars even shrouded by the shreds of clouds billowing by smoke that floated in the sky. Three horses and their riders surrounded a fourth cloaked rider whose horse was as dark as the sky. Pale hands rested on the bridle of the large beast, "There is no moon tonight."
"All the better to cover our tracks," spoke Sir Theodore.
"I am weakest when there is no moon."
"We know," said one of the other knights.
"We will join the other caravans by early morning," Sir Theodore said quickly, "By then we will be close to the kingdom."
The cloaked rider nodded, "Good."
A seventeen year old girl wiped her brow, the practice dummy before her battered and torn in a few precise and would-be lethal blows. She ran a hand through her red hair which had grown longer over the years. Her lithe form circled the stationary object as she readied more blows.
"Jane!"
She turned to see a tall blue-clad young man running towards her, bells ringing from his unusual hat, "What is it Jester?"
He stopped abruptly in front of her, "The merchants are expected to arrive this afternoon," he noticed her heavy breathing and sword in hand, "Didn't you already train the day away yesterday?"
She put her sword in its sheath, "Just because Sir Theodore is gone doesn't mean I shall abandon my duties to laze the day away as Gunther has."
"Which is why you are the one I will place my money on to protect the castle," said Jester cheerfully.
Jane smiled as she began to walk, "Someone is in chipper spirits today."
Jester began to follow her, "Just excited about the newcomers to the village and castle for Merchant Week. Can you imagine all the foreign culture that is sure to arrive?"
Jane nodded half listening. She knew Jester hoped his parents were the 'new foreign culture' he kept going on about. Jane knew it was unlikely that they would arrive but hoped at least someone would bring news of their well-being.
After a few minutes Jane raised a hand to stop Jester, "Though I would love to continue our chat I'm afraid I cannot."
"Why can't we?" he asked. He then noticed the door to the ladies bathing chambers behind her, "Ahem, yes well we shall continue our chat later," he said giving a weak laugh.
She nodded, "I have to get ready for Sir Theodore's return. Once my duties are finished you can tell me all about the 'new exotic wonders.'"
"Right," he replied turning to leave, "Enjoy your bath."
As the morning ended the horns sounded throughout the castle. Jane sat atop one of the horses from the stable. She had respectfully asked Dragon to stay clear of the castle for a while as a giant fire breathing creature might make the new visitors nervous. She was surprised at just how many caravans paraded through the kingdom. Her father and a few of his apprentices stood at the gate taking role and inventory of everyone who came through. Some of the caravans stopped at houses to reacquaint with family while most went directly to the marketplace to set up shops. Knights on horses wound around the caravans to keep everything running smoothly while others, like Jane, stayed to the sides and only intervened when necessary or gave directions.
Jane loved when the merchants arrived. Each year around the same time they gained many new additions to their castle life. Though it was not an actual holiday, it was a time when new foods, spices, fabrics, and other valuables were intermixed with the old and new faces were welcomed. Though many would leave when the time came quite a few were known to stay, finding a home from all the traveling. Though she wanted to take it all in she noticed Sir Theodore was not amongst their ranks.
Jane allowed her horse to trot to a nearby knight, "Have you seen Sir Theodore?"
The man nodded, "He was to escort any nobles directly to the palace."
She nodded her thanks before heading towards the stables. She quickly hopped off her horse and handed the bridle to Smithy, "The turnout is much larger than last year."
"Is it?" he said leading the horse inside, "I've been saving up a few coins so I'd hoped it would be."
She nodded, "I will tell you more later but I have to get to the castle," she ran quickly, her feet moving her swiftly along. She was happy to note that by the time she reached the throne room her breath wasn't even labored.
The King and Queen sat on their thrones looking very regal. Sir Theodore stood on the King's side, his nerves alert but his expression as aloof as ever. He noticed Jane walk through the side door looking at him questioningly. Before them was a figure with a dark cloak covering their body and face. Sir Theodore nodded to Jane, allowing her to stand at the Queen's side, sword held down.
The King spoke, his demeanor looking somber yet he spoke with excitement, "You are the new sorceress I presume?"
Jane felt a jolt of surprise, 'Sorceress?'
The figure held up a pale hand, her face looking to the setting sun. Jane was mildly shocked. No one held a hand to silence the Royal Family, yet this sorceress seemed to be waiting for something. After a few moments she curtsied, "I apologize, but my skills are best after the day has waned," she said her voice soft, "My strength rises with the moon, but my talents are strained after the new moon so you will have to excuse me."
"It is alright," said Queen Gwen, "The moon waxes anew tonight. You may show us what you can."
The sorceress curtsied before pulling her cloak off and throwing it in the air in one smooth motion. At that moment Jane was once again shocked. She was not much older than Jane herself, maybe off by one or two years. Her face was rapturous and fascinating. Long ebony hair framed a pale face devoid of color saved for pink lips, sapphire eyes, and long thick eyelashes. A black corset hugged her torso showing a bit of her flat, smooth stomach, with long sleeves that flared around her wrists. Around her hips was a long black skirt that stopped just below her knees. Black slippers covered her delicate feet. For a split second she looked like a statue come to life. She twirled and made a series of motions with her hands causing the cloak above her to spin and suddenly transform into two doves and a large black bird with a bright yellow beak that Jane could not name. The two doves then went limp and fell from the air, lading in the young woman's hands as handkerchiefs. The big black bird flew through one of the windows. She then twisted the pieces of cloth together to make a long white ribbon. At that moment the bird flew back in with a lizard wriggling in its talons. It released the reptile right above the Queen's head. Before they could blink she whipped the ribbon which wrapped around the lizard. In the same moment she tugged causing it to explode in a shower of little sparks that landed harmlessly around the King and Queen. The sorceress held out her arm to let the bird land as the lizard crawled from the hood of the cloak she was suddenly wearing to rest on her shoulder.
The King and Queen began to clap, "Bravo!" said the King, "You will make a fine addition to the castle, Lady Nadya."
She gave a curtsy making sure not to jostle the two animals, "We are delighted that you enjoyed the show."
The King stood clapped his hands together, "You simply must have a chamber in the west wing!"
For a moment Jane thought she saw something flash in Nadya's eyes, "You need not trouble yourself. I am but a servant, not a noble. I will feel welcome enough in the staff quarters."
"Humble as well," he said turning to his wife, "Come my dear, we have the festivities to attend to."
She stood and nodded, "Jane, I believe there is an empty room near your tower. Please escort Nadya and show her around."
"Yes Your Grace," she said bowing. She quickly stepped to the sorceress' side, "Follow me Nadya."
"Jane."
She stopped mid-stride, "Yes Sir Theodore?"
"Tomorrow I am to accompany the Royal Family into the village. Use the day to make sure Nadya is well settled."
"Yes Sir Theodore," she nodded before turning to Nadya, "Follow me."
The two walked from the throne room, "That is a beautiful bird."
Nadya smiled, "His name is Shandor. He is a black eagle."
"That is a rather unique name," said Jane confused.
"Shandor means 'Proud'," said Nadya, her laugh sounding like bells, "He is a handsome beast but is all too aware of it."
Jane nodded, "He is rather lovely. Even Sir Theodore's beloved falcon Trencher does not have feathers that shine so smoothly."
Shandor gave a great cry before soaring into the air. Jane lifted a hand to her mouth, "I hope I did not offend him."
Nadya lifted her hand to shade her eyes, "Actually, he's more showing off. He loves compliments."
"Oh," said Jane. She smiled at the little green lizard on Nadya's shoulder, "And who is this little fellow?"
Nadya put the small creature in her hands, "This is Petya. He and Shandor bicker often but they are my closest friends."
Petya had curled into a ball in Jane's hands. Nadya smiled, "He's a little shy at first but very brave. I have yet to see a bird he hasn't swatted with his tail, which is often the reason he and Shan fight, though Shan does his share of being rude by fighting for my attention. When I found him he looked like a little green scaly rock at first, hence the name, Petya."
Jane gently rubbed his back with her forefinger, "You remind me of a much smaller version of Dragon."
"Oh yes, I had forgotten there was a dragon that lived at this castle," said Nadya looking around.
Jane continued to pet Petya who had unfurled in her hand, "He doesn't exactly live at the castle. He lives in a cave in the mountain and is my best friend. I asked him to keep clear until the travelers were settled in. We didn't want them to be scared off."
They stopped in from of a room near the stairs by Jane's room, "It is not as fancy as the west wing but there is a fireplace."
She opened the door and was surprised to find a trunk already at the end of the bed as well as some extra luggage, "That's strange. This room hasn't been used in a long time."
Nadya grinned, "Being a sorceress can come in handy."
Jane laughed a little, "Well, it is getting late. I assume you want to get settled?"
She shook her head, "I'm more of a nocturnal person. If it's not too late for you could you escort me to the kitchens for the evening meal?"
"Of course."
Later that night Nadya watched Shandor fly silhouetted against the moon as he hunted. She enjoyed the cool night air as she sat on the edge of her window. Petya sat on her shoulder dozing.
"It is a shame that we could not meet more of Jane's friends. I guess the marketplace is now a siren's call for everyone. Ah well. Pepper is a sweet girl."
Petya made a strange little purring-type noise. Nadya laughed, "Sometimes I think you are more of a cat than a lizard. Besides, you're easy to win over. She gives you a piece of lettuce and you're putty in her hands."
The little creature snorted. Nadya smiled and scratched the top of his head, "Things here might not be so bad. Tomorrow's a new day, so we may as well sleep a little," she looked down to see Petya already fast asleep, "Lazy little beast," she swung her legs into the window and let out a melodic whistle before closing the shutters. She knew Shandor would be hunting for the night to get to know the area.
The names I used for this fic are gypsy because Nadya is in fact, a gypsy. I have always wanted to own a lizard and a black eagle unlike most kids who want a dog or cat. Someday I will have my Petya.
Review kindly!