Finding Magic

Forest Flowers

I just finished pulling down the sleeves on my dress when Magie came into mine and Alle's room.

"Kaida!" She says in a stern voice. I brace myself for a lecture.

Magie opens her mouth to speak. but before she can, a small green dragon soars into the room and barrels into my arms. I stroke him lovingly while trying to keep his claws off my dress.

Magie's frown goes deeper.

"Kaida. I need you to go to the market and sell the flowers you two gathered last week." I look up, startled. Alle and I found a rare field of Passion flowers a week ago. They should still be able to be used in potions. Alle had the same thought.

"But aren't they still good? Why should we sell them?" She asked.

"I received a letter stating that the Crown Ball is being held in a fortnight. You two are invited and you need dresses." I groan. The Crown Ball is so the High Mage and the Crown Prince can find a wife and all eligible girls are invited. It's very boring. I make to grab the basket and leave.

"Wait!" Magie calls. She fixes my hair so it covers my tattoo. It's been there since I was born. We don't know why.

Magie steps back and nods. Then I make my way out the door.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Norbert sits on my shoulder as we walk. He surveys the area with interest. But to be clear, Norbert himself is interesting.

A real dragon is hard to come by. Much less one that's tamed. Even if he only listens to me. And even more rare if they are as small as a kitten.

But he is a very handy bargaining tool. No one wants to cross a girl with a dragon.

The apocathary man has the same idea.
When I state my price for the flowers, he takes it at once. I end up walking away with 2 gold, no questions asked.

I rub Norbert on the head while squinting into the sunny sky. It's only a little past sun high. I could probably run to the forest and find some herbs for the shop. I make up my mind and march towards the forest gates.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Gatestown is the outskirt district of Sapphire city. And the most un-creatively named. It's the part of the city where all the gates to outside are. Duh.

The guards eye Norbert as we walk out. He fluffs himself importantly and breathes a puff of smoke in their direction. I roll my eyes as the guards cower.

The forest welcomes me as I step off the City Road. The sunlight filters through leaves instead of dust. Norbert bounces of my shoulder and glides beside me as I walk.

I reach my gathering-grounds. The birds all scatter as I enter the clearing I smile as I bend over to get a mushroom Soon my basket is full of flowers and herbs. Most of them are decent to eat or brew. I whistle as I make my way back to the path, Norbert sleeping in my basket.

The path is silent as I walk it. It's too silent. The birds should be chirping. I whisper to Norbert and he flys into the trees. I continue to walk, listening intently to the forest.

I hear them before I see them. Three scraggy men tromp through the forest and stop in front of me. I nod my head.

"Good day." The leader smiles with yellow teeth.

"Yes, it is." His men surround me. I raise my chin confidently.

"Stay back." The leader laughs loudly, baring his teeth. "And why would we do that?" He taunts. I smirk. Then before they can move, I whistle one long, loud note.

Norbert's roar echoes through the trees. He soars through the leaves and tucks his wings, moving so fast that you can see the wind bending around him. Norbert cannonballs into the ringleader, slamming him to the ground.

The leader's goons stand in shock, their mouths hanging dumbly. Then they snarl and close in.

"Stay back!" I yell. One grabs my arm. He grins evilly. His sour breath makes me gag.

"Go away!" White yellow power ripples out of me. The men's are flung back and hit the trees so hard several leaves fall.

I draw a ragged breath. Then my knees collapse. I let myself shake on the ground for a while. Norbert nuzzles my arm. I gather myself and pick him up. I coddle Norbert in my arms as I walk home.