Siren

Siren - Chapter 35

Hazari was the first to catch up to Clara. Jupiter lagged far behind.

“You ‘s gonna tell him, aren’t ye?”

Clara, finding it harder to breathe than normal, nodded.

“For once, things might actually work out for me.” She panted, holding up her skirts and running like the devil. The two of them wound their way through the streets, gliding past people, carts, and shops. It took them a solid twenty minutes to reach the path that led up and out of the city.

They stopped to take a short break, as Hazari had suggested.

“Ye be with a child, if I understand?”

“I think so.” Clara said, wiping a bit of sweat from her brow. Jupiter’s cries could be heard then, and Hazari turned, finally noticing him. He came to an abrupt stop just up the hill, as he’d been running so fast it was hard to control his legs. He bent down, his silver hair spilling over his shoulders. He spent the next few minutes catching his breath.

“What the fiat, Clara? Why in the name of the Gods did you run off like that? I told you. No women of adopted status!”

Clara and Hazari changed glances.

“We must go to Lady Moyra.” Was all she said, and Jupiter growled in frustration.

“You know, I am more than happy to stay single and live under the rule of my mother until she’s no longer fit to play the part. You women are just too much for me!” He kicked at the bits of remaining slush, and they tumbled down the hill. “Come on, then, whatever it is you have up your sleeve, it had better be good.”

Jupiter grasped at Clara’s arm, lugging her up the hill. It was quite steep, she realized, much more going up than it had been going down. It took them some time, but they carefully navigated their way up the hill to the gates.

“Open up!” snapped Jupiter, his hair blowing slightly in the wind.

The guards turned around, one jumping slightly as he realized it was Jupiter admitting the command. They both saluted quickly, retching open the large iron gates. They groaned as they did, the hinges rusted from the harsh winter. They stared at both Hazari and Clara, who did not pay them any mind. Hazari had told Clara earlier she was used to being stared at, and Clara no longer cared. She was royalty, even if they had no clue.

Jupiter led them just outside Vaarin, along a narrow path to a large clearing. The trees had been freshly toppled, it seemed, and Lady Moyra’s large girth lay in the middle. Her stomach moved slowly, and Clara knew she was asleep.

“I will most certainly not be the one to wake her.” Said Jupiter firmly, crossing his arms and shuffling behind Hazari. She rolled her eyes.

“I’ll do it,” said Clara weakly. She was afraid to wake her, even if they were friends. She had already seen what Moyra was like when angered.

She slowly made her way towards the large dragon, careful not to snap any twigs or make too much noise that may startle her. She held both her breaths.

‘Lady Moyra,’ she said quietly, so that only the two of them could hear, ‘we need your help.’

She had said it ever so softly, but her great body rolled, and Clara yelped, running backwards. She tripped, and Jupiter caught her.

“Thanks,” she said, shaking slightly.

Jupiter was staring at Moyra, as she got up. The ground trembled, and they could only imagine what the villagers in Vaarin thought. She stood at least the height of the castle, and was sure to be seen from the Endless sea.