Mythical Book #1

Chapter 27

Paige staggers out of the temple’s rubble through the only thing still standing, the main gate’s archway. Exhausted from the trials she has just endured; she sits on one of the remaining jasper steps. One of the dogs walk up next to her, and she reaches out and pets it. Suddenly she hears flaps of wings behind her, and she quickly and blindly swipes her sword through the air behind her, with the distinct blue streak following. Diego ducks just in time to avoid getting his head lopped off.

“Whoa, lass, it’s me! You, okay?” Diego says with his hands up.

“Oh, my lord, I’m so sorry! Yeah, I’m good.” She puts her hand over her mouth, ‘That was really close.’

Diego hands Paige her pack and mom’s cloak, “Thank you, Diego.” Paige then hears another flap of wings. This time Paige calmly looks to see two other dragons flying towards them, ‘Oh, these dragons are different than Diego,’ Paige notices. They are about the same size as Diego, but more monitor lizard-looking with feathered wings, and are known as Nagadraken [Nah-gah-drak-en]. They are wearing battle armor that includes a large bladed metal spike that comes out of the brow of their helmets. Both Nagadraken are carrying Carra and Tarra. After they land, Carra sprints over to Paige and gives her a hug, almost knocking Paige to the ground. Paige then starts to feel beyond their location, ‘There is emptiness, death, and darkness going on in the distance,’ Paige then sees the unwelcome familiar black smoke rising thick from the canyons.

“The battle has started, Diego,” one of the Nagadraken says.

“It’s been going on for a while, we must hurry!” Paige answers, not thinking or noticing the Nagadrakens reaction, as she flies in the direction of the smoke.

“How does she know?” the same Nagadraken asks suspiciously.

“Because, Chanchai, she’s our queen. And, it’s a Fairy thing,” Diego says softly with absolute belief in what he is saying.

“Wait, doesn’t she have Elvin ears?” Chanchai asks, a bit loudly, ‘How can a Fairy have Elvin ears?’

“You’ll see, Chanchai. No worries,” Diego says. “Tell your commander to fly back to tell the others to wait for the call to battle.”

Chanchai turns to his commander and repeats what Diego ordered, but in their language. The Nagadraken acknowledges with a head bow, and then flies off.

Diego and Chanchai take Tarra and Carra with them and fly off to try to catch up to Paige. Chanchai is surprised, as they get closer to her, ‘She is not getting smaller like fairies normally do in flight. And, she DOES have Elvin ears! Sh-She's a mix-breed! Extraordinary!’

Diego and Chanchai drop off Carra and Tarra next to Paige, who’s standing on top of a cliff at the beginning of the canyons. Several feet in front of them is a wall of flames several indals tall.

“You sure you’re ready for this?” Diego asks Paige, concerned about how she’s going to handle the power she’s about to use.

“I have to be,” Paige responds, pulling out the red, unimpressive-looking fire stone.

“What is your plan, your highness?” Diego asks Paige.

“A storm. I must produce a magnificent storm!” Paige responds, her voice lower and echoing.

‘That almost didn’t sound like her voice,’ Diego notices. “Aye Lass, show them what you got!” Diego grins at Paige, she smiles back, “Let’s go, Chanchai, call the others,” Diego says.

Chanchai pulls out a black horn and blows into it. An impressively thunderous bellow emanates from the horn, echoing through the canyons. Both Dragons then take off and seconds later are joined by hundreds of Nagadraken that fill the air and follow both of them to the battle.