Chapter 30- Unexpected News
{Finca -narrator}
My eyelids flutter and I growl softly as I dream.
Finca look out! Mirage screams as he tears Eclase off me.
Eclase snaps at the white dragon and unleashes a huge blast of fire from her jaws. Mirage screams then falls silent as he collapses to the wooden floor of the Guardian chamber.
Mirage? I ask as I approach the still dragon.
Eclase grabs my hind leg and digs her claws into my soft flesh after she roasts my white scales off my leg with her fire. I scream as she reaches my side. Eclase roars and slams me to the floor with her tail. The icy blue female opens her jaws and engulfs me in the inferno of fire that rages from her mouth . . .
I roar in fright as I awaken, my yellow eyes stricken with fear.
What's wrong mom? Ruby asks as she comes to my side.
I have something I need to tell you and Leo, Ruby, I stammer as I catch my breathe.
"What is it?" Leo asks as he enters the cave, his soft, brown eyes gazing at me.
I killed my own father, I mummer as tears form in the corners of my eyes as I think about it.
"What?"
How could you? Ruby asks.
I tell Leo and Ruby the story of how my father died and the fact that I blame myself for his death.
"You gone through a lot since we last met Finca but know this, you cannot change the past but you can change the future with the actions of today," Leo says as I finish my story.
Perhaps, I comment as I get to my feet and end up crawling over to the mouth of the cave.
Another wave of dizziness passes over me as I lay down. I cringe and stop moving, expecting the worst to come. Ruby looks at me worriedly as she notices my behavior. She turns to Leo and nods, which then allows her master to walk over to me.
"Finca I have something to tell you and it's very important so you might want to listen up," Leo says as he sits down by my side.
I nod, feeling the dizziness still.
"You are pregnant Finca. That's why you been having this almost everlasting weakness while you've been here with us," Leo says as he strokes my scales.
I collapse to the ground as I stare up at him in shock.
I'm what?
Pregnant, mother, Ruby says as she gets up and comes over to me.
But how can that be? I ask.
"We may never know but you carry the next generation of dragons inside you at this moment. At first when I saw you I didn't suspect that you were pregnant but as you seemed to have these waves of dizziness and unconsciousness I began to realize that you were. You, Finca, now carry a great treasure to all dragons for you hold the life of never before hatched dragons in your abdomen. Dragons that will bring peace to this ever raging war of light against darkness and you now hold their safety in your claws," Leo says as he continues to stroke my scaley shoulder with his hand.
I . . . I . . . I'm not sure if I like this or not. Anyway how far along am I? I ask as I try to grasp what I've just been told.
Ruby? Leo asks his dragon.
I would say about maybe four months at the least, Ruby replies as she looks at my underbelly where my abdomen is beginning to show slightly.
I moan and lower my head to the ground.
Why me? Why must I have to go through that trouble again? I groan as I stare at the sand outside.
Meanwhile, while Finca was confronting Leo Ricata and his dragon Ruby, Makiar was pretty much tied up. Honestly she was being tied with ropes to the dungeon wall. After the Leviathan had found out about Finca's escape, he ordered that Makiar be put in chains and tied to the northern wall of the dungeon as punishment for her actions. Of course he had never come to see what they had done to Makiar and as such she ended up being whipped with tails, clawed in the face and sides, and blasted with fire or had rocks thrown on her numerous times during the day. Makiar never complained, after all when Finca gave birth to those new dragons then she would most likely be freed from her prison in paradise.
Of course Makiar knew another reason why Kesar would never visit her cell, he was too scared. That's right, he's too scared! Makiar thought to herself about her son's past and her past during the time she wasn't being harmed which wasn't usually too long until either Ziggurat or Uria would walk in with a determination to get something out of her. Where did she send Finca? Why was that white dragon so important to the Great Leviathan?
Questions like that. But however much they hurt Makiar, she kept those secrets from being told at any cost. After one such whipping during the day Makiar finally broke her promise to keep what she knew secret.
Finca is in the Northern desert with Leo Ricata and his dragon Ruby. She's pregnant with future dragons that could bring harm to your Great Beast and his rise to power, Makiar says as she faints from the injuries inflicted upon her.
Ziggurat listens to what she says and then slithers off the find the Leviathan and tell him where Finca is.
I see Ziggurat. Now that we know where our little treasure ran off to, it will be so much easier to find her now with Makiar by our side, the Great Leviathan snickers.
But master she isn't . . .
Hush Ziggurat, one drop of poison from my fangs shall turn her heart to the ways of darkness and we shall use our new dragon to capture Finca and the two that are with her, the Leviathan snarls.
Yes my lord, as you wish, Ziggurat says as he slithers off.
Later in the day Makiar is brought in front of her son.
My lord, Uria growls.
The Leviathan turns his attention to the unconscious red dragon laying in front of him.
I've waited ten thousand years to make this happen! Now Makiar, it's time for you to feel the power of darkness! The Leviathan hisses as he steadies his fangs above her wounded shoulder.
The black poison drips down into the red dragon's wound and Makiar groans softly.
The plan is in motion. Now go! The Leviathan snaps as he grabs Makiar and places her on Uria's back.
Yes my lord, Uria mutters before flying off.
{Finca -narrator}
Two days later I lay by my daughter's side as we talk about all the things we've missed out on together through the years. I sigh and stretch out, yawning as the late afternoon sun settles on our shoulders.
We should return to the cave, Ruby comments as she gets to her feet.
I nod in agreement and get to my feet, struggling to collect my bearings as I begin to wobble slightly. I shake in off, however, and soon we return to the cool, dark, sandy cave that represents home for us. Leo rises from his seat at the rock that acts as our table and walks over to us.
Get enough sun? He jokes as Ruby pauses before him to let him scratch her shoulders.
Of course, Ruby snorts as she closes her amber colored eyes slightly, pleased by her master's touch.
I stagger over to my favorite spot in the cave. The entrance forms a natural shield from the sand and as thus I like to rest near the entrance of the cave. You can still see the desert but you don't get sand in your scales. I moan as I sink to the floor, my whole body aching all over. Ever since I found out that I was pregnant, three days ago, I been spending most of my time in this spot, hoping it will ease my pains.
Of course my father's death hasn't gone away either, I still picture it in my dreams but less often now. I look down at my front paws and find that they're shaking once again, I snarl and ignore my shaking limbs as I stare out at the sun, relaxing my tense body. Ruby walks over to me, worry clearly showing in her eyes.
What's wrong? I ask as I get to my feet.
Tamli was attacked by two dragons last night. Once was red like the evening sun and the other was as black as a starless night, Ruby says.
Is Tamli okay? I ask.
The healers don't know. They've tried to reach his mind but he simply pushes them out before they can gain any information, Ruby answers.
What would any dragon want with my master? I snort and stare into Ruby's amber eyes.
We will go and find these dragons before they can cause anymore trouble, I snarl as I open my wings.
"I'm coming as well," Leo says as he walks forward.
Are you sure? I ask.
"Of course," Leo answers.
So the three of us, Leo, Ruby, and myself, leave the desert and return to the Dominion of the Beasts.I must admit my daughter is a very good flyer, almost as good as land beside the Guardian chamber as Ameria walks out.
I'm glad that Ruby informed you about this Finca, Ameria says as she approaches us.
Why's that? I ask.
Well after what Silver told us, I wasn't sure if you would . . . Ameria begins but is cut off before she can finish speaking.
Silver told you about my father's death didn't she! I knew she couldn't be trusted with that, I snap.
Ruby looks at me in concern.
It's fine, I mutter to my daughter.
Ameria's yellow eyes stare at me with distaste before she continues.
I will lead you, Finca, to Tamli. The others must wait out here until we return, Ameria says.
"But he couldn't . . ." Leo begins but is cut off.
Quiet master, Ruby snaps as she shifts her stiff forelegs.
Ameria gazes into my eyes, her yellow eyes narrowing with hatred at me.
'You are not welcome here Finca!' Ameria growls in my mind.
I mentally snap at her and curl up my claws.
Relax mom, Ruby whispers.
It's not that Ruby, I growl as Ameria walks into the chamber.
Ruby snorts and I follow Ameria.
Later that nightI lay by Tamli's side. I sigh and close my eyes. Before long I fall asleep and begin to dream. I growl as my father's death is replayed through my dreams. Suddenly I'm jolted awake by the stillness of the air and the scent of another dragon.
Who's there? I growl as I get to my feet.
Harsh laughter fills the air.
Show yourself! I snarl.
Long time no see Finca, a voice chuckles as the outlining form of a dragon comes into view.
Your name? I ask.
You know my name young one, the voice hisses.
I panic. That voice can't be . . . ! A roar splits my thoughts and I turn my attention to the form that comes closer. The form steps out into the feeble moonlight from the balcony to reveal that the shadowy form is truly a red, female dragon with yellow eyes. However, those eyes have a streak of piecing red in the middle of them.
It can't be Makiar! Those eyes don't look like her own. The female growls at me; her growl radiating her emotions of rage and boiling hatred directed straight at me.
You left me to fend for myself while you killed your own father! Makiar snarls as she comes closer.
I didn't mean to, it just . . . I begin but am cut off by Makiar.
You abandoned me and just when I needed you the most! Makiar roars in fury.
Makiar please! I plead.
Silence! Makiar howls in blind rage, her eyes shining under the feeble light.
Makiar growls and advances toward me. My wings eventually push up against the wooden walls of the room that my master and I are in. I look around in panic, what will I do now?
Your end has come Finca! Makiar snaps as she halts just inches in front of me.
The bed beside me creaks slightly and I turn my head toward the sound. Makiar snarls and leaps toward me, her claws outstretched. I rise up on my back legs and narrowly avoid getting my face torn by Makiar's claws. She snaps at me and turns to face me, her left wing almost touching the wooden floor.
Your wing? I ask.
Makiar growls in response, unwilling to answer my question.
Fine, I mutter.
The red dragon snarls and leaps toward me once more, her teeth gleaming under the faint light from the balcony. Makiar raises her right clawed forepaw as she passes by me, inflicting a wound that runs straight down my eye. I growl and twist away. Makiar halts, her breathing labored. I look at her in wonder, why did she stop?
Makiar snorts and turns to walk off.
Wait! Are you just going to leave? I ask.
Yes, the red dragon replies as she vanishes before my eyes.