Test of the Heart

I arrived back at the cottage when the sky had turned purple and dark blue. The need for me to crawl into my bed and pull the covers over my head was so great that I walked through the front door. I rarely ever use that door being so accustomed to the side door. Just as I entered I was wrapped tightly in Folken's arms and held close to his body.

"Where have you been? I thought I was going to pull out my hair from my head!"

As much as I wanted to melt into his arms, I couldn't help but feel guilty that the truth of my heritage was the reason why I had stayed in the city for the night.

"Folken, air…"

His eyes widened in surprise as he realized he was squeezing quite hard.

"Sorry, you look pale, what happened out there?" he demanded releasing me but not reverting his eyes from me. I forced myself to look into his eyes.

"Folken," I said tiredly. "I'm worn out. Can we talk later?" Without a word I bounded to my bedroom. I simply crawled into bed and pulled the covers over me. Sleep was all I could think about.

In the last hour I had experience the abrupt emotions from being worried about Shayla's disappearance to disappointment at her rejection. We had been on ill terms when she left last night. I battled with myself if I should look for her but she was right. Someone might recognize me. I don't know how to explain what I felt when Shayla came through the door. From that instant I knew that I couldn't live without her. I looked over at her stilled form curled up on the bed. She had a habit of sleeping on her left side with her arms drawn closed to her. I bent down and studied her face. Her breathing was steady and I couldn't resist touching her face brushing strands of her loose hair away. The red rose from last night still lay intact in her hair. I gently removed it and placed it on her night dresser. Then I sat down on a chair I had brought in from the dining room and waited.

Branches scratched me everywhere as I raced through the snow. Hidden beneath the white frost was a rock. I tripped falling flat on my face. Pain erupted from my skull but I struggled to get up, I panted a couple of breaths before seeing soldiers came into my view.

"Here, footprints! She's not far from here," one of them shouted.

I fled again deeper into the forest. My short legs couldn't overrun a group of soldiers. I am caught. They hold me up in air while my arms are locked. I kicked a couple of times but that earned me a slap across the face. Somehow that didn't seem to hurt.

"I'll teach you some manners little thief," I braced myself to be struck again when a gust of wind whooshed by; Alden flew past me so fast that the soldiers didn't have time to react. Two were pinned to the ground with his claws digging into them. The one holding me tightened his grip when he was Alden starring at us. Alden suddenly spun around whipping his tail causing the man to have his feet swept up. We both fell to the ground and I kicked my way out of him

Run

No I can't leave you here alone

Watch out

I turned around to see a soldier charging at me with his sword poised directly at my heart. Time seem to slow down when I tripped over my feet onto the hard ground. No sooner, Alden charged in front to protect me and the sword struck through.

"No!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Alden's agonizing roar wrenched my heart into pieces. He had sacrificed himself to save me. The others who were still stable saw the opportunity and started their butcher. Blood began to fill the air.

"Stop it, stop it! You're killing him!" I ran out from behind Alden's sheltered body and stood over by his head. I placed my hand over the bridge of his nose.

"Can't you see that he's suffering?" I caught a glimpse of madness and hatred, pure hatred as the leader met my eyes.

"What do you know about suffering little girl, monsters like this one come barging into our lives and destroying our families. This country is on the verge of collapsing all because of these cursed things. With Dornkirk as our ruler, he'll change things!"

I felt rage build up within me. He didn't know anything about dragons, how dare he say such things. I sprinted over and knocked my shoulder into his stomach causing us to fall to the ground. I began to beat my fists at him. Finally the soldier wrestled my hands and pushed me off. I lashed out with my foot into his groin and he doubled over. I push up on my knees and found myself surrounded by soldiers as they formed a semi-circle around me.

Get down

I quickly flattened myself on the ground and covered my head. Something hot brushed against the back of my neck. I grimaced at the heat looming over me.

It is over

I brought my head back up and viewed the sight before me. Bodies lay everywhere and they were scorched by the fire, burnt instantly. I looked behind my shoulder.

Are you all right?

I rushed over to Alden and embraced him, well wrapped my short arms around his neck. His left side was oozing with blood. I had never seen blood the colour of green.

Tell me how I can help

I cried out tears forming around my eyes when he collapsed and was lying on his good side.

Only one of my kind can save me

His voice was growing dimmer.

Then I'll go find one and tell them to come and heal you

I started to get up

No

Why not

My fists were clenched. I felt powerless, he had saved my life and I should replay him with this deed.

No dragon will venture here, this land is corrupted, the people are in chaos, no one will come for a while, a time will come when this land will be restored until then you must by my vessel

Vessel what am I to do, anything to help you Listen carefully my time grows short

He told me the legend that everyone claimed to be a myth. Gaia began with the dragons. As their numbers grew, some explored the vast land and set up their own territory thus became our gods. And then the transformation began for the draconian, the angel people of Atlantis. It seemed that those dragons possessed higher magic and allowed them to create the mystical crystal, the power of Atlantis. After their race was exterminated, some survived including a few dragons. They made their way to the other lands and settled among. Alden was one of them and he became the guardian of the forest in the land called Zaibach, ensuring that the great power wouldn't be used for destruction.

I don't understand, how do I fit into this

I understood everything he told me through images and words but I wasn't clear on how a six year old girl was going to assist.

I will use the last of my strength and magic to give you the power of Atlantis and of the ancient dragon race until the day when one will come bearing my blood, blood of Atlantis

I promise I will find the one true dragon for you

I'm grateful I never wanted contact with any humans after my fellow dragons created them. I just wanted to be at peace looking over the forest, but you changed it.

His eyes slowly dropped. He remained motionless.

"Alden!" I shouted and wept. Then there was a bright light that blinded me.

I squirmed beneath the hot heat. I turned my head to one side and lifted a hand to block my eyes. The window was open spilling out a column of sunlight over my pillows. I slipped out of my covers and pulled the drapes in. I had slept through noon judging by the sun. I began to unbutton the front of my dress. I hadn't changed my clothes since I went to bed and I desperately needed a bath. I heard a soft cough from behind me. I spun around to see Folken sitting on the far side of my room and he was regarding me in a rather desirable way. I immediately looked down. The front of my dress had unbuttoned all the way to my waist, the sides flapped over slightly revealing a lacy top that was tied up from the front. I was never conscious about the way my body looked but the way Folken stared at my chest made me very uncomfortable. My reaction was crossing my arms over my chest.

"Why didn't you tell me you were there?" I asked irritated moving to sit on the bed again.

"I wasn't aware of what you were doing until you spun around, the sunlight doesn't reach over here." he replied approaching and standing at the end of my bed. I had finished buttoning the front of my dress.

"You slept here all this time?" I asked and immediately my anger dissolved.

"You didn't come home for the night, of course I wasn't going to let you out of my sight," My eyes softened at his mention of home, but I was reminded of something else.

"No doubt you want some answers, are you still angry at me?"

"No," he hesitated before sitting on the edge of they bed facing me.

"I was still hurt because you lied to me, which was probably for my own good. What I said came out wrong because I couldn't control my emotions. I am sorry."

"As am I." I reached out and placed my hand over his disabled arm.

He smiled which made my heart flutter.

"You must rest some more, you still look tired." He started to stand up and I grabbed his wrist.

"Shayndel?" he asked uncertain.

"Folken I have been keeping you in the dark for too long, it's time you learned the truth," I stated looking up at him.

He sat down again this time with his full attention on me.

"How much do you know about dragons?" I asked breaking the silence.

"Not much, they only take steps when they feel threatened, speaking from experience of course." He was half joking and half being serious.

"There's more to them than anyone knows," I tried to explain to him what happened but I couldn't find the right words. I bit my lip in frustration. I looked over at Folken, he was staring intently at me. An idea suddenly emerged.

"I asked you this before, will you trust me?" I regarded him.

He nodded.

I pulled out a black velvet pouch from one of my drawers. I drew out two stones. I came onto my knees and moved close to him so that our foreheads were touching.

"Green Tourmaline enables one to see with the heart," I explained holding it within my left fingers.

"My heart."

"Red Jasper enhances the ability to remember dreams," I said holding it within my right fingers.

"My dream."

I then placed my hands with the stones at both sides of his face.

"Close your eyes and allow your body to relax," I ordered.

He followed my instructions. Once I was positive Folken was starting to relax and slip into a state of sleep, I began to gather my thoughts sending them to my pendant.

Help him understand

The jewel pulsed and we were enveloped with light.

-A young girl barely dressed to keep warm from the cold, runs through the forest being pursued by Zaibach soldiers.

-A dragon bounds in front of the young girl. Blood clouds my vision. Fire dances through the forest. Rotting corpses litter across the field. The young girl sheds tears for her companion.

-A legend is revealed. Gaia the mother of dragons created the race of Atlantis only to be destroyed by their own power. Humans start to populate Gaia. Few dragons survived but one with the blood of Atlantis chooses the most unlikely person to save the land called Zaibach.

I opened my eyes as soon as Shayla lowered her forehead from mine. I was emotionally drained from our contact.

"Shayla, you can remove your hands," I said gently. No reply. I studied her; her head bent down letting her hair cover her face. I reach up and take her hands into mine. I catch a glimpse of something wet splash onto my arm. I knew Shayla was a strong and independent woman but clearly this dragon named Alden meant much to her. I simply took her into my arms and let her cry softly into my tunic. Her crying slowly decreased and I stroked her hair while resting my chin over her head.

"I also share your grief,"

It was true; I had seen everything in her dream. It was like I was part of the dream, of her.

"I don't remember what occurred after I saw the blinding light and when I first met Grandma Rose, some kind of transformation happened during that time gifting me with healing abilities," she answered resting her cheek on my chest as I still cradled her in my arms.

"You healed me because you sensed the draconian blood within me."

"Yes, that's part of it," she replied separating herself form me.

"But I fear the consequences of my actions have caused not only trouble for you but for me."

"What do you mean, are you referring to the sorcerers?" I asked. She nodded.

"I suspected they had suspicions before but never did anything because they knew my ties to Keith. If they know about you, then that's a way for them to use me." She removed the stones from her hands and placed them back into the pouch.

I took her hands again and flipped them upwards. I gently brushed my lips against each palm. I raised my head and assured her that I too had worked with the sorcerers therefore knowing of their intentions.

"Don't worry about that right now, you need some rest and I'll have a bath and food ready when you awake,"

She merely nodded and allowed me to tuck her in.

"You are always good to me," she said staring at me.

I bent over and kissed her forehead.

"That is because I know what is truly in my heart."

"What?" she asked quietly.

With my face inches form her, I whispered.

"My heart seeks to stay here with you. I can't live without you by my side."