Third Chapter, coming right up!

Chapter 3

Over the mountains,

across the sea.

Beyond the canyons,

That's where they'll be.

Listen to their song as you come around.

Listen so closely as the wolves howl.

Ashira stared at Lark as they sat around the small camp fire. His voice traveled through their minds and his howl rose up into the night. Fenrir hummed along with the wolf, his emotions washing over Ashira like calm waves in an ocean.

Follow their voices,

Up to the north.

Sing with the spirits

who once walked the Earth.

Run with the river that flows from great height.

Lift up your voices,

Howl to the night!

At this, Lark broke into a series of long, sad howls, echoing over the valley in which they camped. His voice swept over the trees and rivers, bouncing off the mountain sides that surrounded them. Ashira smiled and closed her eyes and Lark went on. Somewhere, out in the distance, she knew someone would be listening, shuddering at the sound of the wolf's howl. For most, it meant time of bad luck and misfortune. For many people, the wolf was a symbol of death itself. But not Ashira. She understood them for who they truly were. Animals with a purpose; to protect each other and their families. How closer to a human could you get?

Then again, Ashira though to herself and herself alone. I'm not exactly human either.

Lark's howl ended. Not wanting the song to be finished, Ashira took a deep breath and began to sing, letting the words flow from her mouth without thinking.

Come forward dragon,

sway to my song.

Undo the evil.

Right what is wrong.

Love binds the heart, but also the soul.

Let all who hear me,

listen and know.

Ashira opened her eyes and stared at her companions, a small grin growing on her pale face. Fenrir leaned forward and touched his snout to her forehead, a soft growl rising in his throat. From where she was sitting, Ashira swore she saw Lark roll his eyes, if that was even possible for a wolf to do.

Yes, it is. Lark "grinned" at Ashira, his white fangs flashing in the moonlight. Fenrir snarled and tucked his head into his wing. Lark grunted while Ashira suppressed a giggle.

You truly must stop trying to annoy Lark, Fenrir.

Yeah, yeah, I know… listen just…just get some sleep.

Lark yawned at the dragon, once again showing off his fangs. With a sigh, he curled himself into a silver ball and closed his eyes. Ashira waiting until his breathing became rhythmic to climb under Fenrir's wing and closed her eyes. That night she dreamt of a blue dragon.

Ashira! Ashira, wake up now!

Something hit Ashira in her gut, ripping her from sleep, making her double over. Lark stood above her, his lips curled back in a snarl.

Rise now, Ashira!

Wha-b-but…what has happened?

Fenrir has sensed trouble! You must come at once!

Ashira jumped to her feet and rushed after Lark, her pale, blond hair flowing out behind her.

Fenrir!

Yes, Ashira, I am here.

What is going on?

The woods opened to a clearing suddenly, revealing Fenrir, standing with his head in the air, his eyes closed. Every now and then his nostrils flared.

I sense something coming, Ashira.

What? Who?

That I do not know, however…

However…?

It smells like dragons.

Ashira and Lark stared at Fenrir.

Dragons?

Yes…about four… and one is larger than I, though the other are small yet strong.

Ashira nodded and leaped onto to Fenrir's back. Lark yelped and also leaped, landing behind Ashira. Fenrir groaned under the weight and shook Lark off, causing Ashira to almost lose her grip. Lark growled as he was flung off, landing gracefully on the ground. He stared at Ashira.

And what shall I do?

Be ready.

Gee, thanks for the job. I feel so wanted.

Ashira rolled her eyes and strapped into the makeshift saddle upon Fenrir's back. Fenrir gave a roar and took off, extending his wings to their full length. Ashira smiled and looked skyward, searching for any signs of dragons. Nothing.

Are you sure you smelled dragons?

Positive.

Ashira nodded and grabbed Fenrir's closest spine. It was the signal for Fenrir to dive, which he did without hesitation. Just as they were about to hit the tallest trees of the forest, Fenrir spread his wings and skimmed along, his belly just barely brushing against the leaves below. Ashira scanned her surroundings, but could find no evidence that there were dragons anywhere.

Are you sure that you sensed some dragons, Fenrir. I mean…I know…I know it must be lonely, but still…

Ashira could feel Fenrir's pain as she said that, but he only responded in saying;

I am sure, Ashira. You must believe on this.

Ashira sighed.

You are my closest and dearest companion. How could I not believe you?

Fenrir made a sound that, to Ashira, resembled something like a sigh. He flapped his great wings and lifted into the sky, higher and higher, until Ashira could feel the cold air wrapping around her a blanket. She suppressed a shiver and rubbed Fenrir's white neck, her hands running down the smooth gem like scales. In the morning sun, they shined like diamonds.

Lark's voice caused Ashira to jump, making her thankful she had remembered to strap in.

No, we haven't.

Then come back. Lark now spoke to Fenrir as well. We can talk over what we want to do next…plus…

"Plus" what?

Plus…I'm starving!

Fenrir growled and turned. Ashira could hear him cursing Lark as he did so, complaining about his "never ending hunger."

I'm a wolf. What can I say?

Ashira closed her eyes. Fenrir might have not been able to, but she could see past Lark's happy tone. His voice was filled with remorse, as always.

Ashira's thoughts wondered that night, jumping from event to event. The image of a blue dragon filled her mind again and again causing her to shudder. Had Fenrir really sensed other dragons? She knew he longed to not be alone anymore, to have others of his kind, but she was worried that he had imagined the dragons and that something was wrong. How could there be dragons in Resangak; she had lived here for as long as she could remember and had never seen a dragon other than Fenrir. Doubt filled Ashira's mind, but she shook it off. She trusted Fenrir on her life. Lark for that matter too. If Fenrir said there were dragons, there were dragons.

"Mother! Father!"

Flames danced around Ashira. All around, the terrified screams of her people filled her ears. Bodies lay in piles, struck down by swords, spears and any other weapons the attackers had. Where were her parents? Were they dead? Captured? Ashira called out again, but could no one responded. She fell to her knees, tears gushing down her cheeks, sobs racking her body. She was powerless against the enemy. Suddenly, she felt a hand on her shoulder. Ashira jumped and turned to a see a boy about her age staring at her, his silvery hair messy and singed on the end from the fire.

"Lark," Ashira cried and embraced him. Lark hugged her back then took her hand and began to run.

"Come on, we have to hurry. My parents have a safe house where we can stay."

"But what about my parents?"

Lark was silent, looking away from Ashira as they ran. Ashira felt her heart lurch and she felt as if the world were spinning. They were gone. Lark tugged on her hand to keep her moving, but she could barely keep up with him now.

Mother…Father…

They reached that safe house just as the enemy found it. Ashira saw Lark's eyes widen in horror as the solders banged on the door, yelling for anyone inside to come out. Ashira grasped Lark's hand tighter, but all he did was make a choked sob. Suddenly, one of the solders threw something at the house and immediately the group scattered. Lark was about to run for the house when a blast the size of the building itself erupted blowing pieces of building everywhere. Ashira pulled Lark back and they watched as the safe house was destroyed, blown apart until all that remained were pieced of charred wooden planks. Lark rushed forward and began to search through the mess. Ashira helped as mush she could, but she knew it was too late. In the end, Lark fell to his knees and put his head in his hands. Ashira held him and she could feel that sobs as he mourned over the loss of his family. Tears rolled down her cheeks as she thought about her own parents. Why? Why did this happen? Who could be so cruel as to let this happen? They had done nothing wrong to the people who had attacked them why. It wasn't fair.

Life is never fair, child.

Ashira looked up to find the source of the voice, but they were alone. Alone, surrounded the remnants of their village, now a burning wreck of buildings and bodies. Ashira rested her head on Lark's shoulder and cried.