Book of Ellagar

Chapter 7: Home

"Verak! Ardvek!" she shouted again, her voice a mix of fear and anger. How could they have disappeared so quickly? The swamp was their home, their sanctuary, but it was also a place of hidden dangers. She could feel the eyes of the swamp's creatures on her, watching, waiting to see what she would do. She knew they couldn't just be lost; something had taken them.

Ellagar's heart pounded in her chest as she drew upon the power of the swamp, her senses heightening. The ground beneath her feet seemed to pulse with an eerie energy, and she reached out to feel the whispers of the plants as she grew tense with anticipation. The air was thick with her magic as she searched for any trace of the boys. But the swamp remained silent, as if holding its breath. Something was subtly blocking her connection with the plants. Another effect of the Mother Tree?

And then she heard it—Ardvek's giggle. It was faint, a mere echo, but it was unmistakable. Relief washed over her, but it was quickly replaced by a new wave of anxiety. What if it was a trap? She turned, walking in the direction of the sound, her eyes scanning the dense foliage. The giggle came again, this time closer, and Ellagar felt a flicker of relief. He wasn't as stealthy as Verak, and that laugh was a good thing. It meant he was safe—for now.

She moved cautiously, every sense on high alert. The swamp seemed to close in around her, the shadows deepening as the sun dipped lower in the sky. Her breath came in shallow gasps, her heart hammering in her chest. She could feel the weight of the swamp's gaze, the unseen eyes tracking her every move.

Finally, she pushed through a thick curtain of vines and found them. Well, first she found the pixies. They flitted around a bush in a battle of berries. Verak was hiding behind a large fern, his eyes gleaming with mischief, while Ardvek was doubled over with laughter, his cheeks flushed. "You didn't see us," he managed to gasp out, his eyes sparkling with excitement. The pixies chided him.

Ellagar couldn't help but laugh, the tension draining from her body. "You two," she said, her voice half-scolding, half-amused, "you scared me to death!" Verak stepped out from his hiding spot, his own laughter bubbling up. "We're sorry, Sister," he said, his eyes shining with the hint of dragon that sometimes peeked through. "They just wanted to play." And he pointed at the pixies.

Ardvek joined in, his giggles turning into full-blown laughter. "We were playing hide and seek with the pixies!" he said, still trying to catch his breath. "And we won!" The pixies buzzed in disagreement to that claim. Ellagar couldn't stay mad at them, not when they looked so happy, so she chuckled. "Well, it certainly looks like fun," she said, ruffling Ardvek's hair. "But don't scare me like that again."

The pixies, now feeling a bit cheeky, decided Ellagar needed to join in the fun. They swarmed around Ellagar, dropping berries and leaves into her hair. She couldn't help but laugh along with the boys as she tried to shoo them away. "Alright, alright," she said, "let us get back to work. We still have a lot to do before nightfall."

The rest of the afternoon passed in a blur of activity. Ellagar showed Verak how to weave the branches more securely, while Ardvek and the pixies played a game of tag around the clearing. They laughed and shouted, their voices carrying on the air like music. For an afternoon, Ellagar allowed herself to forget the looming shadow of the Dragon Cult and Grandmother's cryptic words. But the giggle that had first brought her comfort now sent a shiver down her spine. What if Ardvek and his innocent laughter were the key to something much darker than a simple game of hide and seek? The Mother Tree had hinted there was something more linking the boys, the dragons, and the tree. She needed to understand it. Yet another thing to add to her long list. She slumped—she could not do this alone. She needed help.

The sun dipped low in the sky, casting long shadows across the water as the swamp began to prepare for night. The air grew cooler, the noises of the daytime creatures giving way to the haunting symphony of the night. The fire crackled and spit as they roasted their meal over it, the smell of the roasting tubers making her mouth water. Ellagar sat with her back against the tree's massive trunk, watching the boys play. She felt a pang of emptiness that Thelara was not here to share this moment with them.

A memory surfaced, unbidden, of her first day as an initiate. She had been nervous, her hands trembling as she tried to focus on the lesson. Thelara had been there, already advanced in her training, her presence a calming influence. "Breathe, Ellagar," Thelara had said, her voice gentle but firm. "Feel the energy of the swamp. Let it guide you." The warmth of that memory, Thelara's steady hand on her shoulder, gave her strength now. She had learned so much since then, but the lessons of that first day still held true. 

She reluctantly pushed the memory aside. They had not just survived the day; they had thrived. She looked around at their shelters, sturdy and welcoming, and the fire that crackled merrily, casting a warm glow over their little camp. This was a haven, a place of safety and comfort, and it felt like home. The boys' laughter mingled with the gentle rustling of the leaves, creating a symphony of peace. As the light grew dimmer, the whispers of the swamp grew louder. The swamp spoke in a language she was still learning to fully understand, but the urgency in its tone was clear. Not an imminent threat, yet still something. She knew they had to be vigilant, that danger was never far away. But for now, surrounded by the warmth of the fire and the love of her makeshift family, she allowed herself a moment of contentment.

"Alright," she called to the boys, "the sun is setting. Time to get ready for sleep." Ardvek pouted, his eyes still twinkling with the joy of the game, but Verak nodded solemnly, his expression turning serious. He knew the rules. They had to stay together, stay safe. He took Ardvek by the hand, saying, "Let's wash up, little brother."

Ardvek growled, "I'm the same age as you!" and then a small laugh slipped out. Verak shook his head and pulled his clutch-brother along with him.

With the children safely tucked away in their shelter, Ellagar pulled out the scrolls. They felt heavier than before, a weight she hadn't noticed until now. She missed Thelara's sharp eyes and warrior instincts. The firelight flickered across the parchment, casting dancing shadows as she studied the ancient texts. The whispers of the swamp softened as night fell, and the words on the scrolls continued to mock her efforts.

Her eyes scanned the altered lines, her mind racing to piece together the puzzle Grandmother had left her. What were the original words? The whispers grew more insistent, and Ellagar felt the ridges on the back of her neck stand up. She knew at least two of the dragons were nearby, keeping vigil, and she pushed the swamp plants' chatter away. The prophecy spoke of a dragon born of two worlds, but what on earth did that mean? Was it Verak, with his clear dragon traits, or Ardvek with his silent, untapped potential? Grandmother had placed her bet on Verak. Nearby, there was a large splash, and the plants shrilled warnings. What now, she thought?

Her heart jumped as the whispers grew urgent, the water's edge frothing with agitation. She rolled up the scrolls and tucked them away safely, standing to peer into the murky waters. The swamp had been their protector, and now it was telling her something was wrong. Verak was beside her in an instant, his eyes reflecting the flickering firelight. "What is it?" he whispered, his young voice tinged with fear and a hint of anger.

Ellagar placed a firm hand on his shoulder, her eyes never leaving the water. "Watch closely," she whispered, her voice as soft as rustling leaves, "and then act." He nodded, understanding the need for patience. Not all danger was a threat. Still, they had to be ready for anything.

A great rough-skinned beast emerged, its eyes gleaming with intelligence. It was unlike any creature Ellagar had seen before, a creature of the deep swamp that had somehow eluded her senses until now. It was massive, with a snout filled with teeth and a mane of algae that floated around its head like a crown. Its scales matched the murky water, making it almost invisible as it slithered through. The creature's gaze bore into them, and Ellagar could feel its curiosity, its hunger. It was a predator, and they were in its domain. The firelight reflected off its teeth as it opened its maw in a silent challenge. Without a second thought, Verak charged.