Chapter 11

Selenay

Ragki ran across the pestilent, barren wasteland that was Rotrock Rim, panting slightly as he had been running for several hours without pause. He risked a glance back- no one was following him. The Mirror slowed to a stop, glancing among the craggy rocks for a place to spend the night. His second pair of eyes scanned the rocks, picking out red shapes that marked when small animals hid. A large, dragon-like shape darted out of a cave and behind another rock. Ragki lunged forwards, his weary muscles screaming in protest as he pounced on the dragon.

"Aiiii!" The dragon, a green-blue Wildclaw female, screeched, trying to force him off. "Who are you and why were you spying on me?" Ragki demanded. Something slick and wet wrapped around the black Mirror, raising him high in the air as the Wildclaw's eyes glowed brilliant blue.

"Now that you're not attacking me, we can talk properly. I am Selenay, daughter of Erebus and Raithneach. Who are you?" Selenay motioned with her tail and Ragki was lowered slightly. The tentacle of water- for that was what it was- froze with a sharp crackle, imprisoning Ragki.

The Mirror resigned himself. "I am…" His mind scrambled for a false name- he had no doubt that he would be Wanted by now. "…Kage, son of Iaphera and Miroar." Three of his children that he hadn't thought about in years. Iaphera had died a month after hatching, Kage was off serving in Lady Flamecaller's army, and Miroar was living in the Starfall Isles with a family of his own. No doubt they had forgotten about him as well.

"Well, Kage. What are you doing here and why did you attack me?" Selenay's eyes dimmed back to a normal, not-glowing blue. "I am passing through and had been… attacked by several other dragons a few days ago." "Ah. If I release you, will you not attack me again?" "Yes." "Swear it upon your patron deity, the… Shadowbinder." The Wildclaw peered at his purple eyes. "I swear by Lady Shadowbinder that I will not attack you."

The ice around Ragki melted, dropping him to the stone. He stumbled for a moment, his muscles protesting against the sudden fall. "You can stay the night in my cave if you wish." Selenay moved away gracefully, her long tail flicking back and forth. After a moment of hesitation, Ragki followed.

xXxXx

Lightning crackled across the dark sky of the Tangled Wood as a red Spiral and a black Mirror wound their way through the trees. "We should stop for the night. That lightning is getting pretty close," Naerea called over the thunder to Sitaris.

"No. The lightning won't get close enough to hurt us and we cannot lose any more time." The Spiral plowed doggedly ahead, the end of Naerea's chain starting to drag in the mud. In truth, Sitaris wanted nothing more than to get out of the rain and sleep and eat. But, they had already lost too much time when they had to go out of their way to ford a river. Lady Plaguebringer tended to unleash deadly plagues on the world when she was angry, and test extremely painful strains of poison or disease on those who displeased her.

Nae slumped, resigning herself to another night of sleeplessness in order to traverse more territory. Why was Sitaris pushing so hard? It wasn't like he had anything to lose.

Ragki eyed Selenay nervously as she methodically tore apart a small animal and ate. He picked at his meat, nerves wound too tight for him to eat much. The Wildclaw was strange. She had the ability to control water as well as freeze it. That wasn't common, and neither were her glowing eyes. Something was going on with this dragon.

"Alright, let's get straight to the point." Ragki jumped at the sound of Selenay's voice; neither of them had spoken since she invited him into her home. "We both know that your name isn't Kage. I won't ask your real name; most of the dragons here have their reasons for not giving it."

Ragki looked into her hard eyes, so like polished orbs of blue glass.

"Fine. You are correct. My name is not 'Kage'. Kage, Iaphera, and Miroar, were and are some of my children. But how did you know?" Ragki was curious to learn more about this Wildclaw. She was an enigma, a dragon who had layers upon layers of secrets. "You hesitated when giving your name. You jumped when I spoke. All of those signs point to a dragon on the run." "You're very perceptive." "I have to be. This is one of the most forbidding realms in Sornieth. You have to be clever and strong to even survive here, much less thrive like I have." "Ah. What is your past? Escaped prisoner, mercenary who wanted to start over?"

"Neither. I have- had, a wingsister and things took a… bad turn." Selenay glanced at the few remaining shreds of meat before her. "I'm sorry." Ragki said quietly. Selenay looked up, her hard eyes softening a little.

Why in Sornieth am I revealing my past to a dragon who just 'showed up' on my doorstep with a sob story and a few injuries? The Wildclaw wondered to herself. "You can stay here for tonight, as I promised, but tomorrow you are gone. I don't need trouble here," She said harshly, pulling her walls back up.

No weakness. Don't show emotion. Don't invite trouble into your home. The mantra that had been Selenay's way of life for years. She was only 80, but had seen feats of magical power that would dazzle the mind of the most jaded spell-mage and battles that would make the most experienced and hardened warrior sick to their stomach. All because of a coincidence that had led to death. All because of Ieyu.


Alright, I know I haven't updated in FOREVER, but I didn't have very much motivation. Since someone I know joined and is reading, I updated this for her. Enjoy!