Seekers call, p.6
Seeker's Call, page 6
The climb up the chain was not something Iviana wished to repeat, but she finally reached the passage where her candle lay, still lit. After bringing herself into a swinging motion, she leaped back to the ledge where she'd left it and wrapped the heavy chain around a jagged piece of rock.
Oh, how this rocky, rugged ground soothed her nerves as she sprawled over it. The uncomfortable bit of earth would never have tempted her before the climb, but now it was as good as a fluffy featherbed.
IVIANA AWOKE WITH a start. Not having meant to sleep, she hoped there would be enough candle to continue her journey. Turning to examine it, it was apparent a good amount of time had passed while she'd been sleeping there.
What stunned her first were the spiders blanketing her body, though upon further investigation and much squealing and leaping, they had not harmed her. What further astonished her was that neither chain nor chasm was anywhere to be found. Iviana gasped and huffed over this and would have dismissed it as a dream after a forgotten blow to the head, but her muscles were sore from the climb and the rope burn on her shoulder remained. Nevertheless, Iviana felt she had no choice but to continue her trek through the tunnel.
Iviana knew she was nearing her destination when the spiders ceased following her, as if they knew something unusual loomed further on. The hairs on her arms stood on end as she rounded the next corner and the heart of the mountain was before her.
Here, there was nothing but a large, brilliant red door. When she stepped up to it, however, it stunned her, for it was not very large at all, but of rather average size. It was, indeed, quite common aside from its brilliant crimson hue and the fact that it was evidently quite old. Upon further inspection, the door's knob was unlike anything she had seen before. It was a rich, glowing gold and should have been caked in dust as the rest of the door was, but had somehow escaped it. Instead, it shined—almost sparkled—and held the face of a beautiful, ancient-looking dragon.
Iviana wondered if it was safe to touch it, to tamper with this aged door, or if she should let it be and return to what little normalcy her life still held. But did she really desire normalcy? Her mentor had not been what was considered "normal" and yet she loved Naphtali more than anything. Her dragon's friendship, too, was uncommon as well, but she was thankful she had been blessed with the meeting. And all the average townsfolk who had rejected and ignored the women who continually healed their wounded, sick and dying, they, in return, had been less than grateful. They responded by making up stories about Naphtali.
She remembered a time when she'd been collecting berries from a patch of bushes near the town and had overheard the conversation of a group of girls a little older than she.
"My mother would whip me if she knew I was spoiling my dinner with these berries," one girl said.
"Mm, mine too, but we never have berries at my house. My mother thinks they're cursed," an orange-haired girl spoke.
Another girl giggled. "Why does she think that?"
"Well..." the carrot-top gave the group a devious expression and motioned for them to lean in close. Why she felt the need to do so was beyond Iviana for the girls were unaware that anyone else was near. "Just before I was born, my grandmother got really sick, so my daddy went to see the witch lady."
Iviana grimaced at the name, knowing to whom she was referring and wounded by the thought that these people had actually given her mentor the nickname "witch lady."
"She gave him an ugly looking liquid made up of mulberries and whatever else witches use to bring about their miracles. Anyway, he trusted the old lady and gave the stuff to my grandmother and I guess she died a few minutes later. My mother cried, saying the old witch had poisoned her and my daddy got really mad. He gathered up a few men from the town to confront the hag, but she denied the whole thing, saying grandmother must have been too close to death for her work to have taken any affect on her."
Iviana's stomach grew sick from the girl's story. She hated the way the girl was talking about her dear Naphtali and was filled with indignation for her friend, knowing it must have been difficult for her to endure. She longed to run away, but was afraid the girls would see her.
The girl telling the story continued, "She must have used her witchery to calm my daddy down because he believed her. When he told my mama about it she was furious that he hadn't done away with the old lady. So, Mother went out, ready to give the old hag a piece of her mind, but before she got to the witch's house, she spotted her by these mulberry bushes, putting an angry curse on them and anyone who eats them!"
The girls in the group gasped and spat out their berries as the storyteller tossed another berry into her mouth, feigning bravery. Iviana thought it obvious the girl had made up the last part of the story, if not all of it. If, indeed, her mentor was a witch, why would she put a curse on the berries when she could just curse the angry family instead? This logic had not dawned on the little girls however, so they rose to leave, each vowing never to eat another berry again. They were some feet away when Iviana also rose, but as she did, she stumbled over a rock and fell through the mulberry bushes, letting out a small, short scream as she went. At the sound of her fall, the girls turned to see her fallen form and squealed cying the little witch-girl was coming after them to fulfill the curse and they ran with all their might toward home. As they ran, Iviana did as well. She ran crying all the way home and threw herself into the arms of her beloved friend.
"Naphtali, why do people make up stories about us?" she asked through sobs.
The older woman drew the girl into a chair and stroked her hair. "Because they fear what they do not know; what they refuse to know."
"Why don't they get to know us?"
"They don't understand what it is I—we—do and that also scares them."
"They're cowards," Iviana whispered in anger.
"No, they're fairly ordinary as far as people go, I'm afraid."
"I don't want to be ordinary then," Iviana declared.
The older woman gave a half-smile at that. "Good. Don't be. Be my courageous girl."
She didn't feel very courageous now—frightened of a door—but the knob was like the eyes of her dragon, mesmerizing in its rugged surroundings and she just... she had to turn it or at least touch it and feel the exquisite thing in her palm. She looked around, as though afraid someone was watching and would try to stop her, then back at the door. She studied the cracks around the door frame, wanting to glimpse what was on the other side, but they were too dirt-filled. She looked at the knob again and decided it may be easier not to try it, for it filled her with an excitement she did not understand and this intimidated her. Yes, she faced the thought again, she was afraid of a door.
"Just turn it!" Iviana yelled aloud. As she did, her hand jumped, almost involuntarily, and touched the knob. But before she could turn it, a bright light filled her vision, white and blinding. She tried to shut her eyes against it, but the light was so blaring it blinded her even as she closed her eyes.
A voice spoke and the light grew more tolerable.
"If you have been allowed to enter this domain, then you are of the Greater Archipelagos," said a booming, matter-of-fact voice. "Listen well."
Stunned by what was happening, Iviana fell to a sitting position on the ground like a child who's just taken its first steps, but doesn't quite have the balance for it. Still, her vision was filled with light. She could not even make out dim outlines of what lay around her, but she was absently glad that at least the light did not burn as it had at first.
As the voice continued, a foggy vision began to form before her eyes. It was cloudy, as though she was flying and looking down on a land beneath the clouds. She could just make out dozens of small green islands and assumed this to be the "Greater Archipelagos" of which the voice had spoken.
The voice continued, "Though you know it or not, our great blood flows through your veins. A dragon has recognized this and has shown you the cave-mouth in hopes of returning you to us. However, it is apparent you are a stranger to our lands, and will not be able to enter, or the knob would have turned within the first moment you grasped it. Fear not, oh, kinsman. Should destiny permit, you will find your way to us."
With that, Iviana's eyesight became normal again and the voice ceased. She blinked and looked around, amazed to find herself once again in the cave. She grabbed at the doorknob and tried to turn it again and again, but it would not budge nor did the voice and light return. At this, anger began to well in her. She was exhausted from the journey through the cave and now it was to no avail. Why could they not have placed the door a little closer to the mouth of the cave so that their "kinsman" or whoever would not have to journey so far only to be rejected by a doorknob?
"Hellooo!" she called and banged on the door with both fists. "Let me in!" She was pounding with every bit of strength she had left. "Please, let me in! Is this how you treat your 'kin'?"
She did not understand her desperate need to get to the other side of the door and this frustrated her further, so she pounded repeatedly until, slowly, she fell to the ground in exhaustion, but was no less frustrated. There, alone in the cave, she began to sob, first quietly, then loudly.
If what the voice had said was true, that the blood of those that lived on those islands ran within her, then there was a place she belonged where perhaps she would finally be accepted. Instead, she was left in this cold, musty cave, all alone, once again. She continued crying beside the door until her candle ceased to burn and she drifted into unconsciousness once again.
After nearly two days wait, the dragon could not sense Iviana had gone through the door, so he grew worried. As his form was too large to enter, he took to the sky. It was yet another day before he returned with Flynn. Though Flynn did not know why he was needed, he could sense the urgency of the dragon and hoped it would not be too late.
Flynn made his way into the cave and stole a candle from one of the sconces. He spared no time to look around, for his focus was on finding Iviana. Realizing he had nothing to light it with, he carried the candle outside and shifted his weight from one leg to the other, still a little nervous of the dragon.
"Uuh, I could use a light... buddy?"
The dragon did not move, but a fire appeared on the wick. Flynn was confused, but thanked the dragon and entered the cave again. He made his way through the tunnel, as Iviana had, but when he reached the place where the chasm had been, there was still no chasm at all. Instead, he found a tiny piece of wax where the stump of Iviana's candle had been and hoped he was close.
It was hours, however, before the hairs on his arms stood on end and goosebumps fanned over him. The tunnel veered to the left and it was there he found Iviana and got his first clear look at the door. The nearness of it sent another wave of goosebumps and, though his curiosity was great, he focused his attention on Iviana.
Placing the back of his hand to her forehead and cheeks, he found that she was burning with fever. He tried to wake her, but her eyelids did not even twitch.
"Alright, dearie," he muttered as he hefted her over his shoulder. "Lets get you out of here."
He cast another longing glance at the door before returning to the dragon.
Iviana did not wake that night. Flynn did everything he could for her, but his knowledge of such things was menial. By morning, he looked to the dragon as though communicating there was nothing he could do.
The dragon stood and waited.
Flynn wasn't certain how, but he knew what the dragon wanted and lifted Iviana onto his back.
"Take care of her," he said.
The dragon responded by letting a tiny whiff of smoke curl out of his nostrils. Flynn took the hint and stepped back as he watched the two fly into the sky.
As soon as they were out of sight, Flynn made his way into the mouth of the cave. All that night he'd felt the door calling him and was determined to investigate.
The dragon flew for days without rest, while Iviana slept fitfully on his back. Not once was she near falling, for the dragon flew carefully. When the landmark that told him they were in the right place was in view, he knew he must wake her or what needed to happen next would not be possible. The dragon landed and slowly dropped her there, then paced around her, uncertain of what to do next. He tried nudging her arms and legs with his muzzle, but she did not wake. He rolled her over and over on the ground and still she showed no signs of consciousness. He could not smell death on her, but knew it would sink its claws into her if he could not get her to help.
Finally, he put his face before hers and gently blew his hot, hot breath into it. It burned her eyes and her pale face turned red, but slowly she awoke. At first she did not dare open her eyes, for the heat was too intense. She was barely conscious and did not know where she was or what was happening, only flailed her hands before her face as though trying to stop the inexplicable heat. It took a little time for her to cool, but slowly raised her eyelids when she felt it was safe.
"Dragon," she whispered. She was weak and her throat was dry.
The dragon nudged her head with his nose, trying to wake her more fully, but to no avail.
"Water," she whispered hoarsely.
The dragon knew what she needed, but could not help her, for they were currently in a dry, rocky wasteland. If Iviana could only awaken enough to hold onto him while he flew her into the other world, there would be plenty of everything she needed there.
She began to lose consciousness again and the dragon pushed her over onto her stomach. Her mouth fell open over the dusty surface, filling it with the taste of dry dirt. This upset her, so she found enough strength to push herself up with her hands and into a kneeling position. She was too weak to speak, but she glared at the beast.
He turned, waiting for her to crawl onto his back.
Iviana took a long, shaky breath, trying to muster the strength to do what the dragon wished. She attempted to stand, but her legs could not support the full weight of her body, so she collapsed to the ground where she determined to remain. Even so, the dragon kicked dirt into her face until she was up again.
She crawled over to the dragon, who immediately crouched down to make it easier for her to pull herself onto him. Had she been more alert, she would have found it remarkable just how flat he managed to make himself.
Once on his back, the dragon took to the air, but Iivana was not hanging on as she needed to, so the dragon slowly arched upwards, allowing the girl to slide down his back and, out of instinct, she latched onto him with her arms and legs. He sighed a little in relief at finally having gotten what he wanted and began his flight upward.
The dragon flew higher and faster with every breath he took and soon they were rocketing into the stars. Beyond the clouds and the blue sky they went until they were surrounded by a dark, sparkling sky and, though the girl somehow managed to hold on tightly, she was not conscious enough to fully experience the trip.
However, there was a bright, blinding light that stunned her to full consciousness as they entered a sort of shining vortex. They were moving so quickly Iviana could not catch her breath. She was near fainting before they reached the end and were lightly tossed out into a calm blue sky with clouds drifting silently around them. It made her feel as though what had just happened, had been a dream and she allowed herself to rest once again.
THE WITCH OF whom Flynn had found it difficult to admit his fraternizing with to Iviana watched in irritation as the ancient dragon flew away with Iviana. It was this witch, who went by the name of Aradia, that had told Flynn she would help his ill sister if he would bring her the heart of a dragon.
She had watched through her enchanted looking glass when Flynn had actually succeeded in finding one and had nearly slayed it... but that girl had stopped him. What were the chances that some mysterious, dragon-loving female with big blue eyes would come along just as he had been ready to cut the dragon's heart from its chest?
After watching his failure in irritation, she had sent a random band of men to do her bidding. She'd sent them to bring Flynn to her, that she might "persuade" the boy to find the dragon again, but they, too, had failed. They had not been desperate enough; they had not cared enough. She knew better than to count on those who were not desperate for one reason or another. The passionate glimmer in Flynn's eyes as he had begged her to help his sister proved that he could find what she asked of him... if given enough reason.
She had consulted her dark craft as to where she might find him herself and had been shown Jaela's Cavern. The very place spurred her hatred and made even more important her mission. She would further her revenge on the world beyond that door in the cave, the very door that would not allow her to pass through, though it was her birthright. So it became all the more essential she get hold of a dragon's heart. That was to be her key to pass through worlds.
However, as she arrived on the scene and found Flynn sending that irritating young woman off with the dragon again, she began to think up a new plan altogether. The mysterious girl might be more useful to her than even a dragon and she could still use Flynn to fetch what she needed.
IVIANA AWOKE TO find herself in a soft bed, covered with pure white linens. The canopy that stretched over the entire ceiling was of pure white and the walls that enclosed the room were a rich ivory. There were white, semi-transparent curtains over the large opening in the wall she faced that opened into a large, private patio. She was determined to have a look outside when a woman entered through the sheer white curtains over the doorway to her right.
"Oh, you're awake!" the woman said. "Good. I was just going to wake you. I'm sure your stomach is desperate for nourishment." She laid a tray on Iviana's lap that consisted of a large bowl of rather thin looking soup and a grainy roll.
Iviana responded eagerly looking the tray over, "Thank you. This looks delicious."
