BURTHR (Birth) The Inheritance Cycle

Chapter 7

The Spine was quiet that night. Almost too quiet. But Xelena had no time to worry about the creatures of the Spine. She was more concerned with how she and Dwerva would survive the trip to Du Weldervarden. She knew that the capital city of the elves was hidden well, and it would be difficult to find, but those were tomorrow's problems. For now, they just needed to survive.

Dwerva had never flown anywhere besides the Spine, but his wings were strong, and would hopefully carry them far.

She closed her eyes, reflecting on the mental map she had created in her mind based on her mother's descriptions, and hoped it would be accurate. They would fly through the mountains, leaving the Spine, flank the outskirts of the Hadarac desert, and then they should arrive in Du Weldervarden. A simple yet perilous journey.

The sun had begun to set now. There was no more time to stall.

Xelena walked to Dwerva's side. Dwerva was lying on the ground, awake, but clearly quite sleepy.

Are you ready, sheepbiter? She asked Dwerva, teasing. Dwerva grumbled in response as he sat up.

The more you call me sheepbiter, the more you yourself start to look like a tasty sheep.

Somebody's grumpy. She laughed. She fished into her pack and pulled out a couple of rabbits, offering them to him. He snapped the tiny morsels up. They were barely as large as his teeth.

He stretched, letting out a low grumble. Then he crouched down so Xelena could hop onto his back. She sat between his shoulder blades, where there was a natural gap in his spikes. She knew the old riders would ride their dragons with saddles, but she and Dwerva had no such privilege. Though she easily had the strength to keep her balance on Dwerva's back, it was still not very comfortable.

Are you ready, Little Bird?

Xelena looked away, taking one last look at the place she had lived all her life. She thought of the memories she had here; sitting in her mother's lap, climbing her first tree, casting her first spell, her first time scraping her knees, hatching Dwerva, raising her tiny little hatchling. She looked with regret at her tiny little hut.

Farewell, Spine. Farewell, Mother.

And with that, Dwerva leaped into the sky, spreading his great wings, climbing up and up and up until he soared just below the clouds, gliding on the wind. He had to be careful that Xelena did not freeze on his back, so he stayed as low as he could without skimming the treetops.

What a beautiful place we have called home for these many years. Dwerva said.

Mother said the humans feared it. I wonder why.

Strange creatures, humans.

Xelena laughed. You have never even seen a human.

No, but I find any two-legged animal to be quite strange and ugly.

Do you think yourself a comedian?

Clearly. Dwerva snorted.

Xelena rolled her eyes as she leaned back, sitting against her backpack and one of Dwerva's spikes.

She was tired, and Dwerva's smooth movements rocked her gently to sleep.

Is it alright if I sleep until we've flown over the mountain range?

Yes, I will wake you.

So Xelena shut her eyes and allowed sleep to overcome her tired mind and body.

~

Smoke. Smoke was all she could see, all she could smell. It blinded all of her senses, leaving her dazed and confused, making her breathing labored and painful. She could almost feel the blackness seeping into her lungs. She coughed as she lunged forward. Where was she? What was going on? Where was Dwerva?

People - she could not tell if they were humans, elves, or urgals - ran past her, knocking her down into the dirt. She could not scream, or call out for help. She could not speak, or think. She could barely even breathe.

There, in front of her, the smoke cleared, and a woman stood in front of her. Xelena recognized the woman's bright blue eyes, fox-like face, and golden hair. It was her mother, Thaylor, standing before her.

She tried to speak, but her voice betrayed her. She looked up at her mother with shock, anger, pleading. The smoke still surrounded her, suffocating her.

Then, her mother fell to the ground, falling to her knees. Her eyes were wide as she looked down, and blood began to seep through her shirt. She yelled wordless cries at Xelena before she bled and bled, crumpling to the ground, and then fading to nothing right before Xelena's eyes.

Terrified, she tried to scream, and still no sound came out.

Xelena!

Where did her mother go? She needed help, she was hurt, she-

Xelena!

She got to her feet, weakly, the smoke in her lungs sapping her strength from her, and crawled forward towards the spot her mother had just been. 

XELENA!

Her eyes flew open and she gasped for air, coughing, and sputtering. But she could breathe now, there was no smoke in her lungs or her nose or her eyes. Instead, she was surrounded by the calm night sky.

"What's going on?" She asked, completely confused.

You were dreaming, Little Bird. Are you alright? Dwerva replied.

"No, I- she was right there. Where did she go? Where is she?" Cried Xelena as she looked around frantically.

Calm yourself, Xelena. You exhaust yourself before our journey has truly begun. It was a dream, nothing more. You are safe, for now, but only if you keep your wits about you.

Xelena took Dwerva's words to heart, calming her breathing, and quieting the panicked thoughts that raced through her mind. You're right. I am sorry. She apologized quietly.

No need to apologize. We all have nightmares. Want to talk about it? 

Not yet.

That's alright. We have just passed over the mountain range. It is hard to tell, but from what you've told me, I believe us to be heading towards Gil'Ead now. We must be careful to avoid it.

Xelena paused as she thought about their plan. They would need to fly between Gil'Ead and Bullridge without being noticed, and this detour would require them to fly through the great Hadarac Desert, which certainly presented many dangers even though it was clear of those who would spot them and turn them in.

We will be careful. The sun will rise soon. I think we need to pass over Gil'Ead before the sun rises, so we can use your camouflage to our advantage.

So Dwerva pushed himself, flying faster, cutting through the air at impressive speeds. I am not sure we will make it.

Xelena hesitated, apprehension and worry forming a stone deep in her belly.

We will have to try.