I edited this 6/21/07 for consistency.
Chapter 9… is another one that could have been part of chapter 8, but then I'd have a really long chapter, and I don't want that. BUT I did get a review saying the readers want longer chappies. Is this the overall opinion? Please let me know! Anyway, reviews are greatly appreciated!! Hope you enjoy this chapter!!
-AmayaSora
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Verina had indeed found a very nice cave. It was only slightly damp, and had a rock overhang that lessened the wind chill. The mouth of the cave was larger than the back, so the fire we started was funneled towards our sleeping hollow in the rear.
I leaned back against Verina, listening to her breathing and feeling quiet contentment seep into my bones. I felt so at ease with her, as if I'd known her my whole life instead of only a few months.
Verina's thoughts must have mirrored my own, because she commented, It is very peaceful here.
Yes, I agreed. It's wonderful, being with you and forgetting all my troubles.
Verina squirmed underneath me. I, um, well; it is good that you feel that way, Penelope.
Verina? What's the matter? I was wondering if she was going to tell me why she had behaved as she did. It was burning inside me, bursting to come out, but I didn't want to ask and risk her spiraling down into her self-loathing.
She was silent for a few moments. Finally, she said, Penelope, tell me what transpired while I was sleeping. I am most curious how you were unharmed by the cold after spending so long in it.
I was slightly disappointed, having been on the brink of discovering the reason for our flight. But instead I began to tell my tale of what I had done. When I got to the part about the fire, she gasped and fixed a black eye on me. Penelope, what you have explained is most remarkable! I should first congratulate on your first successful use of gramarye. I wish I could have seen it.
Thank you. It means a lot to hear you say that.
She nodded. But, I am also most curious as to why your magic remained intact as you blacked out. Gramarye is based on the magician's energy and direction, so it was quite remarkable that the magic protected you when you were unconscious. After all, if not for the magic, wouldn't you be severely hypothermic from lying down in the snow for any length of time?
Verina had given me a lot to think about. I had not thought of that, but she was right, of course, it had to be magic that kept me safe. You're right, Verina, it is strange. Suddenly I thought to ask, Do you know if magic can summon werecats? Does it attract them?
Verina was surprised by this question, as it was a complete change of the subject. No, not to my knowledge. They just appear when they want or need to. Why do you ask?
I explained my encounter with Solembum. Ah, most intriguing. I would have liked to talk with him myself. However, his advice- which we must surely follow- does hinder my plans quite a lot.
Plans? You made plans without consulting me?
Verina was stricken. Yes, I did, though I am ashamed to admit it. I have once again violated your trust, Penelope. What a poor excuse for a dragon I am.
Verina! Don't say that! I'm sure you had a very good reason for all that you did.
She remained silent for a few moments before whispering, A good reason? If I had been a human my reason would have been acceptable. But as a dragon my reason is a very poor one. I am more worthy of the title 'mouse' than 'dragon'.
I stood up quickly and whirled around to face Verina, my hands going unconsciously to my hips. Verina, I cried, exasperated. Verina, seriously, you are getting on my nerves, okay? You are a wonderful dragon, why won't you see that?! And you won't even let me help you by telling me more than vague snippets!
Verina quelled slightly under my glare and shrank down. I- I am sorry, Penelope, she whimpered.
My heart softened. Verina was so scared, of me. A mighty dragon scared of me. I felt like some monster. I knelt down. No, I'm sorry. I spoke badly. I don't know why it happened; I guess I'm just stressed from everything that's happened today. I'm sorry.
And I, too, apologize. I should not have allowed my fear to show like that; it wasn't even because of you. I guess that I am also worn from the day's occurrences. She blinked apologetically up at me, and I proceeded to hug her snout. She snorted and lifted me up onto her back. Here, you can rest there. You will be safer if you fall asleep.
With her saying that, I began to feel my fatigue. Yawning and grinning, I said, All right, thanks, Verina. Goodnight.
Sleep well, little one, she said, and began to hum quietly, a lullaby that put me almost immediately to sleep.
My sleep did not last long, however. I woke up after a few hours to find Verina shivering underneath me, huge tremors rolling through her body. Her muscles twitched and contracted, and her head tossed back and forth. She reminded me of a little child in the grip of a nightmare.
Alarmed, I tried to rouse her, but to no avail. I suddenly remembered what my brother used to do when I suffered from night terrors.
I leaned over her ear and then paused. My brother would always whisper in my ear, and he said your brain subconsciously listened to the voice and incorporated the instructions in the dream. I knew that his ideas always consisted of him riding in on some noble steed and saving the day, but what could I say to Verina?
I decided to ad lib. I began, "You stop suddenly and look up to the sky to see a gathering rainstorm. Your opponent does so too and, quick as a flash, you revert your gaze and… shoot a huge column of fire, surrounding them in a cage of flame. You walk up and-"
AHH! Verina's waking scream and her short, panicked breathing rang in my head and ears. I patted her shoulder. Verina, it was just a dream. It's okay, you're safe now. I'm right here. I ran my hand over her scales, which were burning hot. I added sheepishly, I guess it doesn't work on dragons, does it?
What doesn't? she said, and I felt her fear subsiding.
An old trick my brother used to use when I had nightmares. It must have been a bad one. Meanwhile, I was wondering what could frighten a dragon this much. It would have to be some truly terrible creature. I shuddered as my imagination conjured up many possible monsters. Then an even more terrible thought hit me: what if it was the reason we ran away today?
Trying to hide my apprehension, I told her, You know, my brother used to always let me tell him what my fears were, and that always helped me. I'm here if you want to do the same.
Verina settled down next to me. I plopped down on a rock, waiting. You are right, Penelope. You deserve to know what is after us.
Her choice of words sent a shiver down my spine. Verina didn't notice, and continued, I was off hunting, as usual, and I had managed to catch a handsome young buck, a four-pointer. As I was returning back to our campsite, the wind carried a strange sent to my nose. It was a horrible smell; one that reminded me of… wait, this way will be easier. She fixed her eye on me. With your permission?
I trusted Verina explicitly, so I said, without hesitation, Of course.
I felt a peculiar tugging sensation in my mind, and Verina urging me to relax and follow her. I did so and felt my consciousness leave my physical body and meld with Verina's. I saw the cave as she did, in shades of blue and purple, and the flame standing out as bright as the sun in stark contrast to its surroundings.
Verina then closed her eyes, though I felt like it was my eyes that were closing. She focused on a memory and it swam lazily to the front of her -my- mind. I smelled what a retched odor it was indeed. If I had been in my own body I most likely would have vomited. It smelled a mix of rotten meat, spoiled milk, and something that could only be described as death. Verina banked her wings and tilted towards the direction of the scent. I could feel her instincts urging her to turn around, but she fought them.
She eventually came to a clearing in the woods where many tents were pitched, each emblazed with Empire pennants. In a far, dark corner was a solitary, jet black tent. The flaps were tied open, and the smell was coming from the interior.
I heard Verina wishing she could hear what was going on, and then her vision (though it seemed as if mine did too) shifted and the tent became transparent. All the tents became transparent. Inside the black tent were two black-cloaked figures standing menacingly in front of a soldier seated in a chair. With a start I recognized him as the Daret platoon leader.
The taller hooded person was talking, though he had a distorted voice. "Are you ssssure you have remembered everything exactly asss it happened?"
"Yesss," added the second one. "It would be very dangeroussss for you if the King found out he wasss given false information."
The soldier was shaking, and his face was a sickly green color. "No, no, that's what happened!" He asserted quickly. "It came out of nowhere, just clawing. Then I ran away and it bit me on the ear." And the poor man vomited then, and one of the cloaked figures stepped towards him. From this vantage point it looked like it was eagerly. The other one made some odd clicking noises and the first backed away. "You never mentioned a bite before," it hissed menacingly.
"Oh, I-I didn't? Well, it was right there, right here on my ear." He inclined his ear to show the strangers. But the ear was free of any marks. "Oops, well, I guessed it healed. But it was there, you can ask any of my men."
"Uselessssss," the taller man said.
"Completely uselessss," the second added.
"The King doesn't take kindly to uselessss," said the first.
The men advanced closer towards the soldier, who backed up a few steps. The creatures exhaled, and the man stumbled and fell. The cloaked figures removed their hoods to reveal definitely inhuman faces. They were beetle-like with huge eyes and snapping beaks.
Verina let out a roar of pure terror, and the figures whipped their head around to the direction of the sound. They flipped their hoods up and dashed out of the tent as Verina fled at top speed.
Verina let the memory fade, and slowly released my mind. Once back in my own body, I saw Verina's form shaking as it had done that during her dream. What were those things? I asked, repulsed.
They are called the Ra'zac. The King employs them to hunt for any dragons or Riders that may show themselves as not under his command. They are formidable creatures. She shivered again. And now they know of us. There will be no peace, no rest, while they are on our trial. We are in grave danger, and it gets graver the closer we get to any town. And it's all my fault, if I had not let my fear get the better of me they would never have spotted me! I apologize, I have put you in danger. What a disgrace to the race of dragons.
Those things are after you? They're after us? The Ra'zac, you said? Even the name sounds horrible. I don't blame you one bit for being frightened, I was terrified just seeing them second-hand. I'm sure anyone would have done the same. It's okay to be scared. My brother had always told me that. I paused to let my words sink in. So, what should we do?
We should keep moving. Fly as fast as we can, and reach Surda as soon as possible. I had planned to travel all the way there through the Spine, but if we must stop in Kuasta we'll have to leave that relative safety.
We'll cross that bridge when we come to it, I suggested. I understand even more now why you were so frightened. You acted exactly as I feel you should have. Except maybe that you could have told me immediately what had occurred. But I forgive you, I added quickly.
I hoped you would understand, Verina said, then gave a dry laugh. It seems that we have really arrived, if we have the Ra'zac after us.
That's the sprit; look on the bright side, I said encouragingly. But let's talk about something more pleasant. I would like to be able to sleep tonight.
I couldn't agree more, Verina said emphatically.
Despite this fact, I was still lying awake on Verina's back some two hours later. I had tried and tried to forget the Ra'zac, but it seemed impossible. Even when I finally did, I couldn't find sleep, for an unwelcome, almost suspicious thought kept nudging its way to the forefront of my mind, despite my prodding it away. It just kept bringing itself up over and over again. How does Verina know all this stuff?
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I wonder if you're noticing the subtle differences between Saphira's development and knowledge and Verina's. If you aren't I can try to make it more obvious… or the ending will just be more of a surprise :P