A note from Callie: I don't exactly know where I'm going with this yet. I'm kind of
making it up as I go along. So it might be pretty good and it might suck. Please read and
review. I always appreciate constructive criticism.
In Which a Journey Begins
"Come on, Shiara! You're going to be late!" Prince Daystar of the Enchanted Forest
stood in the doorjamb tapping his foot impatiently. "Kazul isn't going to wait for you
forever, you know…" His eyes shifted towards the middle of the room where Shiara was
quickly throwing things into a carpetbag without any organization at all.
Shiara looked up and glared at Daystar. "I suppose you'd rather I go around without any
clothes then?" She smiled broadly when Daystar turned pink. "I didn't think so. Now if
you want this to go any quicker, I suggest you get in here and help me instead of barking
commands." She turned away and continued packing.
Daystar stepped into the room. "I don't see how much I can really help…you know what
you want to take more than I do."
"That's right. So take the hint and get out!!!" For emphasis, Shiara pelted a pile of
unwanted clothing in Daystar's direction; catching him by surprise and hitting him square
in the face.
Daystar backed away with hands in the air. "Ok, ok, I get the point. Happy packing!"
Grinning, he turned and left, his footsteps echoing down the castle hallway.
Shiara watched him leave and turned back to her bag, sighing. A soft meow alerted her to
the presence at the foot of the bed. "Nightwitch! There you are! I've been searching
everywhere for you. I couldn't very well go to the Mountains of Morning without you."
Nightwitch purred softly. Shiara flushed. "Now you know that I'm very happy about
going with Kazul. And of course I'd be upset about leaving him. He's really the first
friend I've ever had." Nightwitch continued purring. "Nightwitch, I won't hear another
word about it! This conversation is over!"
Shiara closed the bag roughly and carried it with her out of the room. She still wasn't
very situated with the floor plan of the castle and it took her several minutes to find her
way into the large receiving hall. After sticking her tongue out defiantly at the gargoyle
that so loved to insult her, she stepped outside.
"There you are!! We were wondering what was taking you so long. Kazul has been
yawning for the past half hour now. I think it's best that you leave before she falls asleep
completely!" Queen Cimorene laughed as the dragon king snorted.
"I'm not the only one who's fallen asleep with boredom. Mendanbar hasn't been quite
awake the whole time either," Kazul muttered.
Shiara broke into a wide smile. "I guess I'd better not waste any time then! Thank you for
everything!" Shiara embraced the king and queen. "I promise to come and visit as soon as
I can!"
Mendanbar patted her on the back. "You're always welcome here, you know that."
Kazul grinned, baring her teeth. "Well, if that's it then? We should be going. I don't trust
some of those dragons to be left alone with each other for such a long time."
"Wait!" Shiara dropped her suitcase. "I haven't said goodbye to Daystar yet! Where is
he?" For the first time since she had come outside, Shiara noticed that her best friend was
not among those on the lawn wishing for she and Kazul to have a safe trip.
"I'm not sure where he went, dear. He said that he had said enough goodbyes already and
wandered off into the forest. He didn't seem to be quite himself." Mendanbar interjected
quietly.
Shiara's face fell. "Oh…" she forced herself to smile. "I guess that that's it then? Are we
ready to go?" After Kazul nodded, Shiara hoisted both her bag and Nightwitch into her
arms and climbed onto the Dragon King's back. She waved goodbye as they lifted into
the air.
She watched as the king and queen shrunk into black specks. She turned her attention to
the sky above her. After a little while, she struck a conversation with her transportation.
"Kazul?"
The dragon turned her ears toward Shiara. "What's the matter?"
"Nothing really. I just wanted to talk." She paused. "Do you think Daystar is angry with
me?"
"Why would he be angry with you?"
Shiara shifted her bag to her other hand as Nightwitch climbed onto her shoulders. "No
reason really. I just wish I could've gotten to say goodbye to him."
Kazul smiled to herself. "He's probably wishing the same thing right now."
Unbeknownst to the pair traveling in the skies, Daystar watched from a clearing in the
forest, as they became black dots against the setting sun. Daystar sighed after the dragon
and fire-witch disappeared from view.
A rustling in the bushes caught him by surprise and, through force of habit; he reached
for the sword that he had not brought with him. "Who's there?" he whispered.
"Mrow!" An orange tabby cat emerged from the underbrush.
Daystar sighed in relief. "You scared me! You're one of Morwen's aren't you? I think I
recognize you. What was your name again?"
"Meow!" The cat answered and started to rub against the prince's legs.
"What am I doing? I can't understand a word you say anyway, so why should I bother
talking to you?" Daystar kicked at the ground and ran his fingers through his dark hair.
He stooped down and picked the kitten off the ground. "Well, you're a long way from
home, so I guess I'll take you back with me and we can see what to do with you then."
The cat purred her approval and allowed Daystar to take her with him back to the castle.
By the time he reached home, it was already dark outside. As soon as he opened the door,
Cimorene was waiting for him.
"Where have you been? Shiara was very upset that you didn't come with us to see her
off." Cimorene ushered her son into the large banquet room where she had asked Willin
to keep a platter ready for him when he returned.
Daystar's eyes lit up. "She was mad because I wasn't there?'
"I wouldn't say that she was mad. Just a little hurt I think."
Daystar placed the kitten on the table and let her eat from the plate set in front of him. He
wasn't very hungry anyway. "Do you think they're in the mountains yet?"
Cimorene thought for a moment. "If they're not there yet, they should be arriving soon. I
told Kazul to have Shiara call on the mirror as soon as they got there safely."
Daystar pushed his chair away from the table and stood up. "I think I'll go wait for her in
the receiving hall."
Cimorene grinned inwardly. "I'm sure that the gargoyle will let us know that she's there.
Why go just yet?"
Daystar looked at his mother and felt his face turning a shade pinker. "I think she might
be too tired to deal with the gargoyle tonight." Cimorene smiled as Daystar ran out of the
room and into the receiving hall. He sat down on the floor and stared at the mirror.
"Waiting for you girlfriend to call?" A gruff voice snickered.
Daystar turned to glare at the stone gargoyle in the rafters. "She's not my girlfriend." He
grumbled.
"Whatever you say, buddy." The gargoyle snorted.
"I do say," Daystar turned and continued to glare at the mirror. After a few minutes, he
groaned in exasperation. "Why isn't she calling?" He leaned his back against the wall and
after a little while, the orange tabby crawled into his lap and the pair fell asleep in front of
the mirror.
-----------------------------
Kazul and Shiara reached the Mountains of Morning a few hours after they had left the
Enchanted Forest. It took Shiara considerably less time to get unpacked than it took her to
throw the clothing into her bag. She then got dressed into her nightshirt and went off to
search for Kazul's quarters so that she could say goodnight, Because Kazul was too tired
to give Shiara a tour, Shiara wandered around a bit before finding the mighty dragon.
"Kazul?" Shiara called before entering the king's room.
"Shiara is everything…" Kazul paused and sneezed mightily before continuing. "Is
everything allright?"
"I'm fine. I just wanted to say goodnight before I went to bed." Shiara frowned as Kazul
sneezed again, this time harder than before. "Are you feeling allright?"
"Of course. Probably just a little cold. It was windier than usual when we were flying
over here. Unusual for this time of year, you know." Kazul had to stop and sneeze three
times as she spoke.
"Well, allright. If you think it's only a cold…"
"Of course it's only a KATCHOO cold! The only thing I'm KATCHOO allergic to is
wizards and they wouldn't KATCHOO dare come around again so soon!"
"I suppose you're right. Well, goodnight!" Shiara stood on her tiptoes and kissed Kazul
on the snout. "And thank you for everything."
"Of course. And don't forget to KATCHOO use the mirror in the hall to call Cimorene
and Mendanbar and KATCHOO let them know that we've made it back KATCHOO
safely." Kazul yawned and closed her eyes.
Shiara stepped into the cavernous hall and searched for the mirror. After she found it, she
quickly placed the call. Soon the mirror's surface flickered and the gargoyle appeared.
Shiara rolled her eyes. "Not you! I'm too tired to deal with you tonight!"
The gargoyle shifted his eyes. "Hmmph. That's what you're boyfriend said too."
Shiara's hair flickered with anger. "He's not my boyfriend you sorry excuse for an
overgrown rock!"
The gargoyle grumbled. "I don't understand why you two don't see what everyone else is
so completely clued into."
Shiara frowned. "What on earth are you talking about? Is this conversation going to go
anywhere or are you going to just waste my valuable time?"
"Allright, allright. Don't set yourself on fire or anything. Prince here has been waiting for
you to call. Let me just wake him up."
"Thank you for doing something useful for a change."
The gargoyle let out an ear piercing shriek, causing Daystar and the kitten in his arms to
jump awake.
"What is your problem?" Daystar grumbled, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.
"Do you want to talk to the hell-witch or not?"
"I am not a hell-witch you moss-eaten rock!" Shiara retorted.
Daystar sat up and scrambled to the mirror. "Shiara, is that you?"
"Of course it's me."
Daystar sighed in relief. "So you made it there safely?"
"I'm talking to you, aren't I?"
"Oh, well, right…." Daystar frowned with embarrassment.
"Poor Kazul is sneezing up a storm though. I only wish I could make up some medicine
or something but I don't know anything about helping dragons keep healthy." Shiara
stated.
"You're not sick, are you?" Daystar's eyes flickered with worry.
"Oh no, I'm fine…" She glanced behind her. "Did you hear anything?"
Daystar shook his head. "I didn't hear anything."
Shiara's eyebrows rose. "There it is again. It sounded like footsteps. Are you sure you
didn't hear it?"
"No…" Daystar looked closely at the mirror as a moving shadow caught his eye. "Shiara,
I think there might be someone…"
He was interrupted by a shriek as Shiara was grabbed from behind. A hand covered her
mouth so she couldn't scream. Her words were muffled and her eyes were wide with
fright.
Daystar looked on in horror. "Shiara? What's going on? Who is that?" Daystar could see
Shiara struggling with her captor.
Suddenly, a face appeared in the mirror. "Why hello, Daystar."
"Antorell! Leave her alone!"
The wizard's hand was still clasped around Shiara's mouth, preventing her from doing
anything but mumble. "I only wish I could. But we wizards must stick together, mustn't
we, my dear?"
Shiara's eyes grew wider as she tried to kick out of his grasp. Antorell only held her
tighter. "Stop fidgeting, girl!"
Daystar glared at the wizard. "What are you talking about? She isn't a wizard now let her
go! She hasn't done anything to you! It's me you want!!!"
Antorell smiled. "That shows how much you know, boy. She's the very last of a very
powerful race of wizards led by none other than my dear deceased sister, Fira." He turned
his attention to Shiara. "Do you hear that, girl? You're one of us and you can't fight it!
You're the sworn enemy of the Enchanted Forest. Isn't that wonderful?"
Shiara responded by trying to kick Antorell who growled with anger.
"If you want her back, prince, I suppose you're going to have to come after her, though I
don't know why you would want to considering she's destined to destroy you, your
kingdom, and your family!" In a cloud of smoke, Antorell disappeared with the fire-witch
in his arms.
"SHIARA!!!" Daystar called as the mirror flickered and went black.
making it up as I go along. So it might be pretty good and it might suck. Please read and
review. I always appreciate constructive criticism.
In Which a Journey Begins
"Come on, Shiara! You're going to be late!" Prince Daystar of the Enchanted Forest
stood in the doorjamb tapping his foot impatiently. "Kazul isn't going to wait for you
forever, you know…" His eyes shifted towards the middle of the room where Shiara was
quickly throwing things into a carpetbag without any organization at all.
Shiara looked up and glared at Daystar. "I suppose you'd rather I go around without any
clothes then?" She smiled broadly when Daystar turned pink. "I didn't think so. Now if
you want this to go any quicker, I suggest you get in here and help me instead of barking
commands." She turned away and continued packing.
Daystar stepped into the room. "I don't see how much I can really help…you know what
you want to take more than I do."
"That's right. So take the hint and get out!!!" For emphasis, Shiara pelted a pile of
unwanted clothing in Daystar's direction; catching him by surprise and hitting him square
in the face.
Daystar backed away with hands in the air. "Ok, ok, I get the point. Happy packing!"
Grinning, he turned and left, his footsteps echoing down the castle hallway.
Shiara watched him leave and turned back to her bag, sighing. A soft meow alerted her to
the presence at the foot of the bed. "Nightwitch! There you are! I've been searching
everywhere for you. I couldn't very well go to the Mountains of Morning without you."
Nightwitch purred softly. Shiara flushed. "Now you know that I'm very happy about
going with Kazul. And of course I'd be upset about leaving him. He's really the first
friend I've ever had." Nightwitch continued purring. "Nightwitch, I won't hear another
word about it! This conversation is over!"
Shiara closed the bag roughly and carried it with her out of the room. She still wasn't
very situated with the floor plan of the castle and it took her several minutes to find her
way into the large receiving hall. After sticking her tongue out defiantly at the gargoyle
that so loved to insult her, she stepped outside.
"There you are!! We were wondering what was taking you so long. Kazul has been
yawning for the past half hour now. I think it's best that you leave before she falls asleep
completely!" Queen Cimorene laughed as the dragon king snorted.
"I'm not the only one who's fallen asleep with boredom. Mendanbar hasn't been quite
awake the whole time either," Kazul muttered.
Shiara broke into a wide smile. "I guess I'd better not waste any time then! Thank you for
everything!" Shiara embraced the king and queen. "I promise to come and visit as soon as
I can!"
Mendanbar patted her on the back. "You're always welcome here, you know that."
Kazul grinned, baring her teeth. "Well, if that's it then? We should be going. I don't trust
some of those dragons to be left alone with each other for such a long time."
"Wait!" Shiara dropped her suitcase. "I haven't said goodbye to Daystar yet! Where is
he?" For the first time since she had come outside, Shiara noticed that her best friend was
not among those on the lawn wishing for she and Kazul to have a safe trip.
"I'm not sure where he went, dear. He said that he had said enough goodbyes already and
wandered off into the forest. He didn't seem to be quite himself." Mendanbar interjected
quietly.
Shiara's face fell. "Oh…" she forced herself to smile. "I guess that that's it then? Are we
ready to go?" After Kazul nodded, Shiara hoisted both her bag and Nightwitch into her
arms and climbed onto the Dragon King's back. She waved goodbye as they lifted into
the air.
She watched as the king and queen shrunk into black specks. She turned her attention to
the sky above her. After a little while, she struck a conversation with her transportation.
"Kazul?"
The dragon turned her ears toward Shiara. "What's the matter?"
"Nothing really. I just wanted to talk." She paused. "Do you think Daystar is angry with
me?"
"Why would he be angry with you?"
Shiara shifted her bag to her other hand as Nightwitch climbed onto her shoulders. "No
reason really. I just wish I could've gotten to say goodbye to him."
Kazul smiled to herself. "He's probably wishing the same thing right now."
Unbeknownst to the pair traveling in the skies, Daystar watched from a clearing in the
forest, as they became black dots against the setting sun. Daystar sighed after the dragon
and fire-witch disappeared from view.
A rustling in the bushes caught him by surprise and, through force of habit; he reached
for the sword that he had not brought with him. "Who's there?" he whispered.
"Mrow!" An orange tabby cat emerged from the underbrush.
Daystar sighed in relief. "You scared me! You're one of Morwen's aren't you? I think I
recognize you. What was your name again?"
"Meow!" The cat answered and started to rub against the prince's legs.
"What am I doing? I can't understand a word you say anyway, so why should I bother
talking to you?" Daystar kicked at the ground and ran his fingers through his dark hair.
He stooped down and picked the kitten off the ground. "Well, you're a long way from
home, so I guess I'll take you back with me and we can see what to do with you then."
The cat purred her approval and allowed Daystar to take her with him back to the castle.
By the time he reached home, it was already dark outside. As soon as he opened the door,
Cimorene was waiting for him.
"Where have you been? Shiara was very upset that you didn't come with us to see her
off." Cimorene ushered her son into the large banquet room where she had asked Willin
to keep a platter ready for him when he returned.
Daystar's eyes lit up. "She was mad because I wasn't there?'
"I wouldn't say that she was mad. Just a little hurt I think."
Daystar placed the kitten on the table and let her eat from the plate set in front of him. He
wasn't very hungry anyway. "Do you think they're in the mountains yet?"
Cimorene thought for a moment. "If they're not there yet, they should be arriving soon. I
told Kazul to have Shiara call on the mirror as soon as they got there safely."
Daystar pushed his chair away from the table and stood up. "I think I'll go wait for her in
the receiving hall."
Cimorene grinned inwardly. "I'm sure that the gargoyle will let us know that she's there.
Why go just yet?"
Daystar looked at his mother and felt his face turning a shade pinker. "I think she might
be too tired to deal with the gargoyle tonight." Cimorene smiled as Daystar ran out of the
room and into the receiving hall. He sat down on the floor and stared at the mirror.
"Waiting for you girlfriend to call?" A gruff voice snickered.
Daystar turned to glare at the stone gargoyle in the rafters. "She's not my girlfriend." He
grumbled.
"Whatever you say, buddy." The gargoyle snorted.
"I do say," Daystar turned and continued to glare at the mirror. After a few minutes, he
groaned in exasperation. "Why isn't she calling?" He leaned his back against the wall and
after a little while, the orange tabby crawled into his lap and the pair fell asleep in front of
the mirror.
-----------------------------
Kazul and Shiara reached the Mountains of Morning a few hours after they had left the
Enchanted Forest. It took Shiara considerably less time to get unpacked than it took her to
throw the clothing into her bag. She then got dressed into her nightshirt and went off to
search for Kazul's quarters so that she could say goodnight, Because Kazul was too tired
to give Shiara a tour, Shiara wandered around a bit before finding the mighty dragon.
"Kazul?" Shiara called before entering the king's room.
"Shiara is everything…" Kazul paused and sneezed mightily before continuing. "Is
everything allright?"
"I'm fine. I just wanted to say goodnight before I went to bed." Shiara frowned as Kazul
sneezed again, this time harder than before. "Are you feeling allright?"
"Of course. Probably just a little cold. It was windier than usual when we were flying
over here. Unusual for this time of year, you know." Kazul had to stop and sneeze three
times as she spoke.
"Well, allright. If you think it's only a cold…"
"Of course it's only a KATCHOO cold! The only thing I'm KATCHOO allergic to is
wizards and they wouldn't KATCHOO dare come around again so soon!"
"I suppose you're right. Well, goodnight!" Shiara stood on her tiptoes and kissed Kazul
on the snout. "And thank you for everything."
"Of course. And don't forget to KATCHOO use the mirror in the hall to call Cimorene
and Mendanbar and KATCHOO let them know that we've made it back KATCHOO
safely." Kazul yawned and closed her eyes.
Shiara stepped into the cavernous hall and searched for the mirror. After she found it, she
quickly placed the call. Soon the mirror's surface flickered and the gargoyle appeared.
Shiara rolled her eyes. "Not you! I'm too tired to deal with you tonight!"
The gargoyle shifted his eyes. "Hmmph. That's what you're boyfriend said too."
Shiara's hair flickered with anger. "He's not my boyfriend you sorry excuse for an
overgrown rock!"
The gargoyle grumbled. "I don't understand why you two don't see what everyone else is
so completely clued into."
Shiara frowned. "What on earth are you talking about? Is this conversation going to go
anywhere or are you going to just waste my valuable time?"
"Allright, allright. Don't set yourself on fire or anything. Prince here has been waiting for
you to call. Let me just wake him up."
"Thank you for doing something useful for a change."
The gargoyle let out an ear piercing shriek, causing Daystar and the kitten in his arms to
jump awake.
"What is your problem?" Daystar grumbled, rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.
"Do you want to talk to the hell-witch or not?"
"I am not a hell-witch you moss-eaten rock!" Shiara retorted.
Daystar sat up and scrambled to the mirror. "Shiara, is that you?"
"Of course it's me."
Daystar sighed in relief. "So you made it there safely?"
"I'm talking to you, aren't I?"
"Oh, well, right…." Daystar frowned with embarrassment.
"Poor Kazul is sneezing up a storm though. I only wish I could make up some medicine
or something but I don't know anything about helping dragons keep healthy." Shiara
stated.
"You're not sick, are you?" Daystar's eyes flickered with worry.
"Oh no, I'm fine…" She glanced behind her. "Did you hear anything?"
Daystar shook his head. "I didn't hear anything."
Shiara's eyebrows rose. "There it is again. It sounded like footsteps. Are you sure you
didn't hear it?"
"No…" Daystar looked closely at the mirror as a moving shadow caught his eye. "Shiara,
I think there might be someone…"
He was interrupted by a shriek as Shiara was grabbed from behind. A hand covered her
mouth so she couldn't scream. Her words were muffled and her eyes were wide with
fright.
Daystar looked on in horror. "Shiara? What's going on? Who is that?" Daystar could see
Shiara struggling with her captor.
Suddenly, a face appeared in the mirror. "Why hello, Daystar."
"Antorell! Leave her alone!"
The wizard's hand was still clasped around Shiara's mouth, preventing her from doing
anything but mumble. "I only wish I could. But we wizards must stick together, mustn't
we, my dear?"
Shiara's eyes grew wider as she tried to kick out of his grasp. Antorell only held her
tighter. "Stop fidgeting, girl!"
Daystar glared at the wizard. "What are you talking about? She isn't a wizard now let her
go! She hasn't done anything to you! It's me you want!!!"
Antorell smiled. "That shows how much you know, boy. She's the very last of a very
powerful race of wizards led by none other than my dear deceased sister, Fira." He turned
his attention to Shiara. "Do you hear that, girl? You're one of us and you can't fight it!
You're the sworn enemy of the Enchanted Forest. Isn't that wonderful?"
Shiara responded by trying to kick Antorell who growled with anger.
"If you want her back, prince, I suppose you're going to have to come after her, though I
don't know why you would want to considering she's destined to destroy you, your
kingdom, and your family!" In a cloud of smoke, Antorell disappeared with the fire-witch
in his arms.
"SHIARA!!!" Daystar called as the mirror flickered and went black.