Isidar
She stared at it. How was she to decide what to do with it?
The Court had not lasted long. After a few more minor announcements, Queen Aecidia had dismissed them. Evalia now walked the halls, Toska off to the kitchens to fetch her a lunch. Olin was just behind her, carrying the egg with strong arms. Finally, Evalia took a moment to look him over. Indeed, he was handsome, the most handsome she had ever seen. Evalia felt her cheeks flush as his eyes met hers. "So, Olin, tell me about yourself," Evalia said, waving a gentle hand at him. The guard smiled, the most beautiful smile she had ever seen. "I grew here, my lady. Your mother chose me as your guard, the most interesting task in my life." He smiled after that sentence, as did the Princess. "You spoke with me last night, Olin. I must apologize for my actions, please, forgive me." She cupped a hand toward him, and he reached out his own. Placing it gently over hers, he said, "All is forgiven." Smiling, Evalia took the egg from him. It was now or never. She brushed past Olin, who took his place outside her doors.
She sat and looked at it for hours. The lunch that Toska had brought her before sat, untouched, at the edge of her bed. Evalia had not touched the egg since she set it down in a circle of pillows after her talk with Olin. It was quivering. Evalia had no idea what to do with it. What if it didn't hatch?
The egg began to squeak.
Evalia summed up her courage. She reached forward with her right hand, touching the egg with the tip of her finger.
Large, silver cracks emerged from beneath her finger.
Evalia gasped. She'd broken it.
"Oh, no…"
Squeak.
"Its…hatching?"
Crack.
Evalia let out a yelp and pulled away, her legs at her chest. The dark blue heap of scales squeaked again, lifting its long head.
The baby dragon squeaked at her. Clumsily, it scrambled over the pillow barricade and made its way across the bed toward its rider. "Hello, little one," Evalia whispered, holding out a small hand. As her fingertip's touched the dragon's nose, ice seared up her arm. Her veins were burning, her blood freezing. Pulling away, she whimpered as her body erupted in violent spasms of pain. A strange roaring was in her ears, rage, sorrow, loneliness. After what seemed like years, her limbs warmed. She lifted her hand and stared at the shimmering white oval in the center. "The Gedwey Ignasia," she muttered, staring into the dragon's dark, silver eyes. "Well now, little one, what shall we name you?" The babe looked at her silently. "Let me see…" Evalia murmured, pulling out a large, leather bound book. "There is Jura?" The dragon flicked a wing dismissively. "Perhaps, you are a male, then?" She questioned, flipping to the section of male names in her book. The babe gave a squeak of consent. "I see…well, there is Hirador, Fundor, Valinor?" Each name was dismissed with a flick of the wing or tail. Closing the book, Evalia racked her own brain. The dragon's eyes glittered. "There is Isidar," She said, hand on her chin. The dragon gave a loud, excited squeak. "Are you Isidar, little one?"
Yes.
The unexpected reply had frightened her.
"You speak?"
Yes.
"Is that all you can say?"
Yes.
A sense of humor. "You are a good dragon. Tomorrow, mother will see you."
Mother.
Isidar nudged her with his velvety nose.
Mother.
He curled up in the crook of her arm.
Mother.