So, she sat on a small stone wall, a wall built to keep the rocks from rolling down onto the city entrance, at least that’s what it appeared to be. Suddenly Maija thought she heard something moving behind her. She turned, looking out at the field of boulders running down the length of the mountain slope beside the city doorway. She searched among the rocks for the source of the noise. A breeze wafted up, blowing her hair into her eyes and she turned back to watch the sparring session.
As Maija watched Anders move with expert precision, blocking and dodging Ivan and Natalia’s blades, she noticed Zahara’s eyes transfixed on her, unmoving as her bonded partner danced between swords. The dragon stared intently, gazing directly through the sparring match. Having the large predator watching her so earnestly made her feel a bit on edge. Suddenly she heard the same sound of something moving over the rocks. This time, she thought she could pinpoint where it came from. She whipped around more quickly than before, but as soon as she turned the sound stopped. Staring toward the general area where she was sure the noise came from, Maija waited several long breaths before turning her back to the rocky slope. Across the stone floor, she met Zahara’s eyes once more. Maija suddenly became aware that Zahara could sense whatever she’d been hearing. Maija cocked her head and gave the dragon a questioning look. Zahara nodded, confirming her suspicion.
Did she just tell me to check it out? she thought.
Maija slowly spun on her seat, bringing her legs to the leeward side of the wall. Planting her feet on the slope, she stood, glancing back at Zahara while Anders continued to be consumed by the sparring. Zahara nodded, moving her muzzle forward, almost coaxing her to venture out. As she moved across the boulder field, she stopped, pausing mid-stride at the faint sound of rocks shifting under the weight of something heavy.
The movement didn’t last, and she continued inching toward its location. Three more times she paused, pinpointing which of the large boulders scattered along the slope hid whatever was making the noise. Keeping her eyes fixed on its location, she advanced carefully through the rocks.
When she started pursuing the noise, she hadn’t put much thought into what it could be, but as she approached the large boulder, her imagination began to wander. As she neared the boulder, the rock seemed to have grown since she first saw it. The possibilities of what a rock that size could hide combined with the shifting sounds of rocks caused her to pause.
What am I doing? she asked herself. What if there’s something dangerous lurking behind that boulder? She began to panic and started to turn back. As she stepped away from the rock, she remembered the encouragement from Zahara.
No, she told herself turning to face the large rock. I need to know.
Taking several deep breaths and summoning her courage, Maija strode toward the rock. Suddenly she caught a glimpse of something red flickering out from the boulder’s side, then retreating in a flash. Halting abruptly, she shook herself, Was that… no, it couldn’t be. But on the other hand, we are close to Nagano.
Changing the angle at which she’d been approaching, Maija’s eyes widened as she saw what rested behind the large boulder.
She watched in awe as a dragon’s head emerged into full view. Its scales were streaked with shades of red. The colors on its face varied from a red so bright it almost seemed to glow like hot coals in a blazing fire, to a scarlet so dark it neared a lava black. She watched in wonder as the dragon stepped out from the boulder, revealing its entire body. Maija’s brown eyes met the glowing eyes of the dragon. In a flash of heat overwhelming her body, she felt the dragon’s mind probe into her consciousness. The fierceness with which its mind entered hers could’ve only come from something truly powerful, and she could do nothing to block it. Within seconds her mind was entirely enveloped by the dragon.
What’s she doing? Anders asked as he watched Maija standing arms splayed to the sides facing down a gigantic red dragon. He moved to hop the wall they were crouching behind and rush after her.
No, Anders, wait. She’s not in any danger, Zahara replied quickly before Anders could act. Let’s just wait and see what happens, she urged him.
Anders gritted his teeth, clenched his fists and sighed, Fine, but as soon as she’s in danger, I’m going after her.
He watched in suspense as Maija stepped closer to the dragon. The red dragon was much larger than Zahara, which made Anders’ stomach turn with anxiety. To his surprise, however, the large dragon acted hesitant in Maija’s presence, like a squirrel when offered some nuts from a human hand.
The dragon’s head rocked from side to side, eyeing Maija like it didn’t know what to think of her. Anders thought the dragon would attack her, but it didn’t. It moved closer and then backed away shyly as Maija stepped toward it. Maija slowed her gait, moving closer as the dragon stood still, letting her come within arm’s reach. Anders watched in disbelief as she carefully raised her arm up, attempting to touch the dragon. Anders held his breath. Just as her hand came to rest on the dragon’s snout, something startled the creature. The dragon reared back on its hind legs, snapping its jaws as it thrashed its head wildly in the air. Maija stumbled back in surprise. Anders leapt onto the wall sword in hand. The dragon opened its wings and jumped into the air, flying vigorously to get away.
Anders ran several steps along the wall and jumped onto Zahara’s back, but Maija had already run the short distance up the hill, her elven legs giving her speed to move quickly to safety.
“What were you doing?” Ivan asked sternly, though he’d been watching patiently with the others.
“Yeah. You could’ve been killed. Have you no regard for your own safety?” Natalia pestered.
Seeing that the dragon wasn’t going to attack and had frantically flown farther away from the mountain, Anders stepped down from Zahara. Only moments before Ivan and Natalia had watched in silence as Maija closed in on the dragon. Now they badgered her as though she’d done something wrong.
Before Maija could answer and Anders could defend her, both Ivan and Natalia went off on tangents about how dangerous it is to confront a wild dragon, especially in this political climate. As they scolded her, Anders became increasingly aware that Zahara held different emotions about the situation.
He reached out to her, Zahara, you knew the dragon was down there the whole time, didn’t you?
She didn’t respond, but Anders could sense how she felt. He knew she’d been aware of the dragon’s presence.
Did you encourage her to confront the dragon? he asked more earnestly.
In a way, she replied.
Anders directed his attention to Maija once more, “What was it like?” he shouted over Ivan and Natalia’s ranting.
They halted their lecturing and turned to face Anders, bewildered.
“It was,” she began, then hesitated to find the right words, “like an uncontrollable urge to be seen; to be known. Up front, its mind felt like fire and anger, but gentle and curious underneath.”
“You felt its mind?” Ivan asked in disbelief.
She nodded, “When I drew close it took over mine. I couldn’t stop it from happening. It was so powerful.”
“Do you remember what you were doing after it took over?” Natalia asked.
She shook her head, “I can only remember feeling its mind and an electric pulse of energy coursing through my veins. Then like that,” she snapped her fingers, “I was back to me, standing there as it reared back.”
Ivan raised an eyebrow at this and looked questioningly to Natalia. She nodded, and they didn’t say anything further on the matter.
“It’s nearly time for our meeting with the dwarfs,” Ivan said, walking back toward the large stone doors. Natalia was quick to follow.
Anders lagged behind with Zahara and Maija.
“How did you know there was a dragon down there?” Anders asked in a hushed tone as they walked back into the city.
She shrugged, “I didn’t really know. I heard something moving down in the rocks and when I looked to Zahara, she gave me a nod, like it would be okay to check it out.”
He paused for a moment, glancing at Zahara. “She knew the dragon didn’t mean you any harm?”
Maija shrugged and Zahara snorted.
