Chapter 11:
First Impressions
Amethyst eyes blinked open sleepily, their owner taking a moment to enjoy the feeling of warm lethargy in his limbs. The sunless evening sky provided no warmth, but the flame inside of him was, as ever, more than sufficient to make up for the lack. Alys called it unfair . . . Selendrile rarely dignified that with a response.
Glancing lazily around from under heavy-lidded eyes, the dragon-youth was halted in his tracks by confusion as his gaze landed on a peculiar sight: Alys was crouched down next to an old, decomposing log, staring intensely at the frog perched atop it.
The frog stared back, its limpid, yellow-rimmed eyes unblinking.
"What's it like to be you?" Alys pondered aloud as Selendrile watched incredulously, resting her chin on one hand without breaking the stare-off. "I'm having a hard time imagining. You seem like a damp, warty sort of fellow . . ."
Alys, decided Selendrile, should plainly not be left unsupervised for long periods of time. He noiselessly shifted into human form and stood. "Alys? . . . What are you doing?"
She sat up immediately, tearing her gaze away from the frog and attempting to look as innocent as possible. ". . . Nothing?" But a quick, guilty glance in the frog's direction gave her away.
His gaze followed hers. "You were having a staring contest with an amphibian?"
"I wasn't!" she protested immediately—then admitted, ". . . I was trying to shape-shift. You're right—it's really hard. I can't even begin to imagine what it's like to be a frog."
"You shouldn't bother," he informed her, walking closer and bending to peer at the recent object of Alys' concentration. "It will likely take many years of training and practice before your mind is flexible enough to allow you to shift into more than two or three forms, even with Dastar's help." He straightened, adding, "And that's a toad."
Alys opened her mouth to reply—then closed it again, eyeing the frog—toad—suspiciously. "Are you sure? It looks like a frog to me."
He snorted, said, "Of course," like it was the most obvious thing in the world and she was terribly silly for thinking otherwise, then shifted forms before she could argue, causing the toad—frog?—to croak in alarm and hop hastily away.
Alys grinned, unperturbed, and followed Selendrile's lead. For once she would—quite literally—be bearing her own weight. She could hardly wait to fly again.
::I'm supposed to be a shapechanger?:: Alys repeated the unfamiliar word a little nervously as she flew in the wake of Selendrile's considerably larger form. ::Not that I know exactly what that is, but the name is sort of self-explanatory . . . and I thought you said that I wouldn't be able to change forms yet? How am I supposed to explain that if someone asks?::
Selendrile didn't sound particularly concerned. ::Your human form should be enough to placate any uncertainties. The only other species that has any sort of shape-shifting capability is my kind—the golden dragons—and these days we are so few that unknown members of our kind are virtually nonexistent. It should not occur to anyone to doubt.::
::Shouldn't,:: muttered Alys. ::I'd rather it was 'couldn't.'::
Selendrile was silent for a moment. Then he said slowly, ::Even in the unlikely event that you are discovered, you need not fear. Humans are not well-liked among my kind, but that does not mean that you would be attacked without provocation. And,:: a slight, almost imperceptible hesitation, ::anyone who did would soon come to regret it.::
::Oh?:: she inquired, both amused and a little touched. ::You'd defend me, then?::
He snorted. ::I very much doubt that I would have to.::
She blinked, momentarily surprised, then tried to force down the bubbling happiness that suddenly welled in her chest. That was right, wasn't it? She was no longer the small, soft, comparatively weak human—she could hold her own, now, in a battle against a dragon. Assuming, she amended as she glanced back up at Selendrile's much larger form, that she wasn't the dragon version of a midget.
::Right,:: she said, still sounding overly pleased with herself, a fact which she immediately tried to conceal by quickly continuing in a more serious tone. ::Tell me more about shapechangers.::
::I do not know much,:: Selendrile admitted. ::I've only met a shapechanger once to my knowledge, and that only in passing. They generally prefer to stick to the warmer southern climates, so our species' paths do not intersect often. It's hard to tell what size population they have simply because of their nature. They blend in so well that, barring exceptional circumstances, the only way to know if a creature is actually a shapechanger is if the shapechanger itself chooses to tell you, which they rarely do.:: He paused, then added a bit wryly, ::Presumably, anyway. All shifters are technically genderless, but most choose to take a female form, since as a female any children they bear will be shapechangers as well, regardless of the species of the sire. Their shifting ability is much like mine—ours—but comes more easily to shapechangers, and unlike my kind, they can also switch between genders and change into inanimate objects.::
Selendrile fell silent, and eventually Alys realized that he was finished. ::Thanks,:: she said, doing her best to commit the information to memory. Then, angling her wings so that with each beat she swooped lazily from side to side, she asked idly, ::How long does it take to get to your clan's ancestral home, anyway?::
He tilted his head, considering. ::At this speed, and assuming that we stop to rest at night? About three days. Perhaps less.::
Alys frowned slightly, not having expected it to be so long. ::. . . Will we need to stop and rest? You'd know better than I, since you've, well, been a dragon for longer.::
::I did not sleep for several days before my journey back to you,:: he replied.
Alys, thinking back, nodded—then realized that he couldn't see the motion and murmured, ::Right. And then you had to rest for almost a full day to recover. So . . . we stop maybe once, instead of every night?:: she phrased it as a question, still uncertain of her assessment.
::That should be fine,:: he agreed. There was an odd tone in his voice that made her look suspiciously at him, though, and her wariness was proven justified when he added dryly after a moment, ::But I suspect that your wings will not thank you.::
The snowy northern peaks were like nothing Alys had ever seen before. They seemed to glow in the dull orange light of sunset as though the illumination came from beneath, rather than being only reflected.
::Beautiful,:: she breathed. ::Isn't it amazing?::
::I suppose,:: said Selendrile. Alys, getting the impression that she was only being humored, rolled her eyes at his back and fell silent again.
They had been flying for two nights and two days, with only a single stop for rest. Alys hadn't complained, since it had been her idea in the first place, but at this point she was very tired and the muscles of her shoulders burned sharply with every movement. Luckily they were almost at their destination, or so Selendrile told her, and there they would be able to rest as long as they needed. She hated to sleep, though, when there was so much to see—a whole world of strange and thrilling new sights.
She was so busy looking and marveling that she almost missed Selendrile's abrupt dive and curt, ::Keep close.:: She had to hastily correct her course to follow him.
::We're here?:: she asked, eyeing the yawning chasm beneath them with trepidation. It was very dark, even to dragon eyes, and they seemed to be headed right for it. Selendrile did not answer, but his continued descent was answer enough. He hurtled without hesitation into the dark with Alys at his heels.
What followed was one of the most disorienting experiences of Alys' young life. Unable to see even her own claw in front of her, the twisting, chaotic passages that Selendrile led her down were incomprehensible to her confused senses. If it hadn't been for his guidance she would have been hopelessly lost in the maze. When she was finally led back into the light she heaved a thankful sigh, relieved beyond measure.
::You might have warned me,:: she scolded halfheartedly, too relieved that it was over to be truly annoyed. There was a peculiar buzzing in her ears, like the sound of distant, indistinguishable voices, but she shook her head and ignored it.
::I did warn you,:: he told her, slowing to a near-stall as they entered an enormous open cavern. ::I said 'stay close'.::
Alys would probably have protested, but she wasn't listening anymore; she'd just spotted the Silver Tree. ::Whoa.:: The mountains had been nothing compared to this.
::Yes,:: agreed Selendrile. He sounded smug enough that she dragged her eyes away from the sight before her to glare at him—but her efforts were wasted; he was looking admiringly at the Tree and didn't even notice.
She sighed. ::So, where are we going?::
::This way,:: he said, heading at a brisk pace across the center of the cavern, towards the distant opposite end. Alys wings complained, but she followed suit.
When they reached the other side Selendrile settled gently on the lip of the entrance of one of the numerous offshoot caves leading off of the main cavern, identical to the ones surrounding it to Alys' eyes. Selendrile obviously knew where he was going, though, immediately moving further into the tunnel and allowing Alys room to land as well.
::Where are we going?:: she repeated cautiously, moving up to walk beside him in the broad tunnel.
He paused. ::Home.::
A distant shout suddenly echoed from around the bend in front of them, startling Alys into jumping in alarm and flapping her wings in an aborted takeoff. She settled down quickly, however, feeling sheepish at Selendrile's sardonic look. ::Sorry. Was that . . .?::
::My sister,:: he explained. ::Sashenka.::
While Alys was busy being surprised—he had a sister, too?— they rounded the corner. The other two occupants of the cavern stopped talking immediately, turning to view them with wide eyes. Then the smaller one leaped up excitedly from her resting position.
::Selendrile!:: she shouted, bounding forward excitedly to greet him.
Said dragon-youth stoically bore her enthusiasm. ::Sashenka.:: He nodded toward the other dragon, who watched with a bright, fond expression. ::Mother.::
::You came back!:: the smaller, violet-eyed dragon said happily, and there was enough astonished pleasure in the words that Alys looked sharply at Selendrile, wondering why exactly his return warranted such surprise.
::Yes, he did,:: agreed the older dragon. ::Welcome back, Selendrile.:: Then she turned to Alys, pale eyes curious. ::You are Alys, I presume?:: Alys nodded, trying her best to appear friendly, and the dragon smiled. ::I'm Ariana, Selendrile's mother.::
::And I'm his sister, Sashenka!:: chimed in the smaller one, grinning hugely. Of course, seeing as she was a dragon it wasn't exactly a reassuring expression, but Alys appreciated the sentiment.
::It is a pleasure to meet you,:: Ariana finished, not skipping a beat.
::Nice to meet you too,:: Alys greeted honestly, relaxing considerably at the warm welcome. Perhaps Selendrile's family wouldn't be so intimidating after all. After Faolán she'd been rather apprehensive, but it seemed that her fears were groundless.
::How was your flight?:: Ariana asked Selendrile politely, but Sashenka snorted.
::They're still alive, aren't they? I'm sure it was fine,:: she said dismissively. Then she grinned again. ::What I want to do is get to know Alys! Have some girl time! If my brother actually tolerates you, you must be pretty awesome.::
Alys was startled into a laugh; even Selendrile looked vaguely amused.
::And where shall I be during all this?:: he asked.
::Well,:: teased Sashenka, ::you could go let Dad and Faolán know you're back, or something. They went hunting together. Mom says that they're 'bonding', but, you know . . . it's Dad. And Faolán.:: She said this last as though it explained everything—and apparently, judging by Selendrile's understanding nod and Ariana's reproving expression but lack of protest, it did.
::I see,:: said Selendrile dryly. ::As you wish, then.:: Alys, wide-eyed (however friendly Selendrile's family seemed, they were still more or less strangers), watched him leave with trepidation.
Her nervousness turned out to be not entirely unfounded, for the moment Selendrile was most definitely out of earshot the two other females turned on her with eager expressions.
::Spill!:: demanded Sashenka.
Alys blinked. ::. . . I'm sorry?::
::We're curious,:: Ariana interceded gently with an exasperated glance at her daughter. ::How long have you known Selendrile? How did you meet? Why is it that you enjoy living among humans? Tell us about yourself,:: she prompted, expression encouraging.
::What she said,:: Sashenka agreed.
Alys panicked for a brief moment—she hadn't prepared for this, she didn't have a back-story, what could she say? She certainly couldn't tell the truth! But then she realized that maybe . . . with just a bit of tweaking . . . she could.
::Well,:: she began cautiously, ::It's sort of a long story. Are you sure you would like to hear it?::
::Yes!:: said Sashenka emphatically. Ariana nodded in agreement, looking just as curious.
Alys smiled. ::It started not-quite six months ago, when I was posing as a human in a town called Saint Toby's-by-the-Mountain. I owned a tin-smithing shop there—a place to work metal—but Gower, the human who owned the land beside mine, was jealous of my prosperity . . .::
As Alys spun her tale, slightly edited but mostly a true recounting of events, her audience was rapt before her, so caught in the twists of the story that they could not seem to tear their attention from it—not even to recall that they had just seen Selendrile, completely whole and healthy, and so obviously he must have survived his experience unscathed. They gasped and paled in the appropriate places and laughed in others, and when Alys finally drew the story to a close with the triumphant retelling of her rescue and subsequent escape from St. Toby's, Sashenka and Ariana reveled in the victory with her.
::I still think that Selendrile should have eaten that horrible Gower,:: Sashenka commented darkly.
::Sashenka, don't say such things!:: gasped Ariana. :: . . . You wouldn't want your brother to get indigestion, would you?:: Both dragons snickered, and even Alys couldn't help but grin slightly.
::He did burn down the shop, at least,:: she offered sheepishly. ::Considering that I had made him promise not to eat anyone, that's good enough, don't you think?::
::No,:: said Sashenka promptly, ::it's not. Not at all. But there's nothing we can do about it now, I suppose.::
Ariana was looking thoughtful about something, though. Presently she said, ::You're a wonderful storyteller, Alys, but as thrilling as your tale was, you still haven't explained how exactly you and Selendrile came to stay together. What made you decide not to part ways once your adventure was through?::
::Well,:: said Alys slowly, ::I guess . . . because he asked me to.::
Ariana blinked in astonishment as Sashenka, far less subtle, gasped, ::He actually admitted to wanting to spend time with you? You're kidding! How on earth did that happen?::
::We were discussing where I would go next when he just, out of the blue, comes out with, "Or you could stay with me." I was just as surprised as you are, believe me.:: Even more than they knew, she thought dryly. After all, it was one thing for a dragon to grow fond of and befriend a shapechanger—it was another thing entirely for one to willingly bind itself to a human.
::And you said yes,:: Ariana murmured.
Alys nodded.
::Why?::
Completely blindsided by the question, Alys' mind promptly went blank. ::I—um, that is—Uh . . .::
::I see,:: said Ariana quietly; knowingly.
However, before Alys was able to ask what exactly it was that Ariana thought she saw (Sashenka, too, judging by the look of dawning comprehension on her face), the sound of scraping claws on the tunnel outside heralded the return of Selendrile, presumably with his father and brother.
Alys' hazel eyes darted up to the mouth of the cave just in time to meet a pair of deep black ones—surprising her, since she had been under the impression until now that dragons' eye colors were inevitably bright and unnaturally colored. Not that black was natural, by any means, but if she squinted and tilted her head just right she could almost pretend that it was just a really, really dark brown. It just couldn't compete with lavender and amethyst and maroon.
His face was rigid—expressionless—the way she might have imagined a dragon's face should look like, if they'd been mindless beasts the way she had once thought. Selendrile and Faolán came in behind him, but their presence barely registered as she received the inexplicable but undeniable impression that she was being weighed and measured by cold obsidian eyes—and, she felt certain, found wanting.
::You must be Selendrile's father,:: she said. Oddly enough, she found his obvious, cold disdain far easier to deal with than Ariana and Sashenka's rather aggressive friendliness or Faolán's shameless, shudder-inducing objectification. Dislike she could handle; dislike was simple, easy. Not pleasant, perhaps, but well within her comfort zone.
Alys, confident once more, smiled.
AN: Don't forget to review! C:
~Killer Zebra
P.S. I do still have the old version if anyone wants it. Can't imagine why you would, but there you go.
