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Edited because the first version had a heap of errors - apologies!


The Drakk-Kazhunki - Chapter 4


The following month saw Sara's Drakk-Kazhunki abilities develop significantly.

It all started one night, mid-flight. Sara was talking with Raegan about the past. Sara spoke with naive rose-coloured vision and made Raegan somewhat uncomfortable.

"I want you to understand something Sara. I want you to know there is light and shade in all of us. Myself included. I am far from infallible. In fact I have done many things in my past that I am not proud of".

"No one is perfect" Sara simply stated as she gazed wistfully towards the dark horizon.

"I wish to show you something Sara. I wish to show you part of my past. Close your eyes, listen to my breathing and hold on tight".

Sara did what Raegan said. She closed her eyes, focused her attention on the deep sound of the dragon inhaling and exhaling. She subconsciously altered her breathing so it was in time with Raegan's. Then in her mind's eye something happened. Where there was black, there were now flashes of images. Sara saw fire reigning down on innocent people, death, war, greed, and evil. She then heard an ear piercing screech before she saw an image of fire before it faded back into blackness…. Out of the blackness Sara could hear words being spoken.

"If our species is to survive we must be better. We must do better"….

With that, Sara opened her eyes. While she did not understand everything that she saw, she knew that they were Raegan's memories.

It was only then that Sara realised that Raegan had already landed.

"How is it possible for me to see inside your mind?" Sara questioned cautiously as she dismounted and looked up at Raegan.

"There is more to being a Drakk-Kazhunki than just riding on my back" Raegan replied knowingly.

"So I can look into your mind...your memories?".

"You can. In time you will find that this ability will get stronger and you will see things more clearly".

Sara just stared up wide eyed into the dragons yellow eyes, not quite able to believe what she was being told.

"In time Sara you will grow strong. You will be able to communicate without speaking a word out loud, but not just with me. You will be able to do this with any dragon. You just have to practice and learn to focus your energy correctly".


Over the next few weeks Raegan showed Sara more of her mind. With every experience Sara felt a greater understanding, not just for Raegan, but for dragons in general. She had a newfound appreciation for their dangerous volatile nature, but yet she also had a greater insight into how their minds worked, and most importantly how not everything is black and white, good and evil. There is much that is grey in the world.

During the daytime Sara was able to work at her leisure on her art. She had managed to craft a statue of a dragon, a stag and a few pieces of art designed to be hung up.

Eventually market day arrived. Sara woke up that particular morning with a splitting headache, a runny nose and a temperature. She was not motivated to go to market that day, yet she also remembered her promise to her royal customer who had been overly generous previously. She reluctantly dragged herself out of bed, put on a long brown dress, a dark green cloak, and tied her hair back so it was not in the way. The singular braid in her hair was neatly tucked away. She proceeded to go and load the cart and prepare the horse so they could depart. After all, the sooner she arrived at market, the sooner she could return home.

To say it wasn't Sara's day was an understatement. Not only did she feel rather unwell (her nose already coloured pink from having to blow it so often), her horse had stepped on her toe whilst she was putting its harness on. This left her with a slight limp and a cranky disposition to match.

On the way to Dale, the wheel on her cart came loose and fell off .This led to the entire cart almost tipping over and her horse getting a fright from the loose wheel rolling past and settling in the ditch on the side of the road. Luckily, with some quick thinking, Sara was able to resecure the wheel onto the cart. However in doing this, she now also had a sore back to match her sore foot and sore head.

Upon arrival at the market, Sara was greeted by her friend Anne.

"Wow, what happened to you?" Anne exclaimed as she observed Sara's sniffling pink nose, limp and cranky disposition.

"Don't even ask" Sara grumbled as she started to unload the contents of the cart into the tent. She was clearly in pain as she tried to move the pieces of metal work.

"Why don't you let me take care of all this for you? You look like you need to have some breakfast…. and perhaps consider freshening yourself up so you don't frighten prospective customers away". As Anne said this she reached to Sara's hair and pulled out a twig, laughing at her friends dishevelled look.

Sara agreed and left Anne in charge while she went to get herself some breakfast and sort out her raggedy appearance.

Not long after Anne had finished setting up Thorin and Dwalin entered Sara's stall. They looked at the strange artwork not really sure what to think.

Dwalin approached Anne. "Excuse me miss, are you responsible for this stall?".

"Oh god no! I am just minding the shop for my friend. She shan't be long if you wish to wait". Anne absentmindedly adjusted her golden hair as she spoke, batting her eyelids in the direction of her King.

"I will wait outside to allow you both time to privately view the art. Let me know if you need anything" she gushed, practically falling over herself for the royal visitor and his companion.

"Very well then" Dwalin said gruffly and he quickly re-joined Thorin's side.

"Are you really going to get a custom piece of art for Dis's birthday?" Dwalin asked quietly, attempting to be discrete, surveying what was around him.

"I am. Dis assures me that anyone with taste would appreciate this work".

In a light hearted tone Thorin continued. "Dis informs me that I have no taste, therefore my opinions are of little consequence in matters of art".

Thorin ran his fingers around the rim of a copper wall piece that was fashioned to look like flames. He couldn't help but admire the fine craftsmanship that would have gone into it, however he still couldn't see the point of having metal used for decoration, as opposed to something purposeful like weapons, armour or machinery.

At this moment Sara rushed back towards the shop, feeling slightly better after having a nice warm beverage, a hardy breakfast and fixing her appearance so she didn't look like a dwarf from the gutter.

The first thing she noted was Anne who was standing wide eyed outside the tent, peeking inside. Sara gave her a questioning look as she approached when she saw two dwarfs standing in her tent with their backs to her. She immediately overheard them talking.

"I just don't see it" Dwalin grumbled loudly shaking his head as he pointed to a particular piece that was hanging on a wall.

"Neither do I, nothing more than over-priced scrap metal if you ask me. Imagine enduring this all the time" Thorin replied as he gestured to the collection of metal work in the tent.

At that moment Sara couldn't help but storm right up behind the two dwarfs to interject.

"Excuse me but no one is forcing you to endure anything. If you do not like what you see I suggest you move along" Sara spoke abruptly emphasising the last three words, arms crossed, pursed lips and narrowed eyes, staring at the back of the dwarf heads. Willing them to turn around and critique her work to her face.

Anne stood outside the tent, her hands over her mouth, unable to believe the way that Sara had just spoken!

Upon being interrupted, Thorin and Dwalin slowly turned around to face the clearly disgruntled female voice that came from behind them.

Sara's hazel eyes widened and she let out a small gasp when she realised who was standing before her. She would recognise those bright blue eyes anywhere. It was none other than King Thorin Oakenshield.

She just stood in silence, frozen, like a deer that had just caught sight of a predator. Crap – did he recognise her? she thought to herself and she quickly eyed the exit, wondering if she just bolted, would she be able escape successfully?

"Is this your stall?" Thorin enquired with a straight face, head tilted slightly to the side as he regarded the dwarrowdam before him. He couldn't help but feel like she was familiar somehow but couldn't for the life of him place her.

"It is" Sara replied stiffly, still no idea how to act or what to do, her panic slowly rising. Thinking back to her childhood lessons on propriety she curtseyed quickly before returning to a more natural defensive stance with her arms crossed. Her eyes were now staring at the King's shoes, not wanting to meet his eyes.

"And you crafted all these?"

"Yes" Sara responded, still not wanting to say more than necessary. An awkward silence ensued and Sara gradually allowed her eyes to rise from his shoes to boldly look him in the eye. Scrap metal indeed she thought to herself as the words started to resinate within her.

As Thorin looked at the female before him he couldn't help but be amused by her demeanour although he did not show it in his face. She obviously was offended at what she had overheard, but was attempting to be civil (although it was a pretty miserable attempt of civility if he did say so himself).

After the awkward silence remained Thorin decided to address why he was there. "I have come to procure your services".

"Excuse me?" Sara practically spat out the words.

"My sister came here last month and made several purchases. She loves your art. I would like you to craft a custom piece for her birthday".

Without any thought Sara responded the only way she knew how.

"I am sorry I do not have the time to do any additional work". Sara knew full well that this was a lie. Of course she had time! Her contracted work in Dale had been finalised and Princess's previous purchases had left her financially secure for some months. This allowed plenty of time for her art without the pressure of having to think about short term finances. Sara just wanted this conversation to be over. She wanted to be away from the King in case he recognised her.

"Now if you would excuse me, I have somewhere to be". Sara took the opportunity to curtsey again and flee the scene before Thorin could say another word. As she rushed out of the tent she gave Anne a look which told her to stay and watch the shop for her until she returned.

"You always did have a way with lasses!" Dwalin chuckled as he clasped his hand firmly on Thorin's shoulder.

Thorin just grunted in response as he watched the dwarrowdam walk away from him, weaving her way through the crowded marketplace until she was out of sight.

Thorin, not used to being refused, decided to leave a note behind for the artist.

Dear Azul Okri

I would ask you to reconsider and craft the Princess an eagle statue. I will ensure you are adequately compensated for your time and effort.

I will seek out your decision next market day.

Yours sincerely

King Thorin Oakenshield

He folded the piece of paper several times before handing it to the blonde dwarrowdam who was still standing nervously outside the stall.

"Ensure your artist gets this upon her return" he said gruffly before he walked away with Dwalin at his side.