The Quest of the Hudion

Chapter 3 - My Quest Begins

I closed my eyes, struggling to focus on Aevynon.  I imagined the gently swaying trees of Arimaspi forest, and let the tantalizing scent of wildflowers tickle my nose.  Finally, I felt my heart quicken until it became a ceaseless tribal beat thrumming through my thoughts. My head started to spin, and I let myself drop into the thoughtlessness of free-fall.  

My brain felt congested as I collapsed to the ground in Aevynon.  I opened my eyes, and stared at a vast sea of tall, gently swaying grass.  The grass moved in undulating waves, reflecting the sun like a giant green ocean.  The sun shone brightly from high in the sky, and I knew it must be mid-day.  I slowly stood up, steading myself against a small oak tree.  The melodic song of the bell birds filled my ears, and I smiled.

I listened closely to the sound of the birds, and was surprised to hear quiet crying in the distance.  I knew instantly that it must be the fairies, thinking that I had died from my flying accident.  Turning towards the sound, I crept cautiously towards a cool glade shaded by ancient willow trees.

I neared the glade, and saw a small figure surrounded by concerned faces, hugging her knees and rocking back and forth. I recognized Nettle’s voice, as she moaned, "It's all my fault!  I knew I shouldn't have!"

"Shouldn't have done what?" I asked, stepping into the refreshing shade of the glade.

"I shouldn't have cast that spell,” she said, not looking up.  “I cast a spell on a human girl to give her wings, but it went terribly wrong."

"It did?" I asked, smiling to myself.  The other fairies still ignored me, huddling around Nettle.

"Yes!" wailed Nettle. "She was lifted upwards by the magic wind, but just as her wings formed, she fell the ground, and vanished!"

"I might know something about where she is," I said cheekily.

"Really?" said Nettle hopefully, turning around to face me.  She gasped in surprise, and stared at my smiling face.  I raised one eyebrow, and asked, "You really thought you had killed me?"

Nettle remained silent, her lips sealed shut, but her eyes wide open.  She stared behind me in disbelief, not speaking a word.  One by one, the other fairies turned to gawk at something behind me.  I felt my cheeks turn red, and I scowled at their gaping faces.

"Stop staring at me," I commanded, frustrated at their disrespect.  When they didn't cease their wide-eyed looks, I slowly looked over my shoulder to see what was the great spectacle.  I slowly let my breath out as I stared at a shimmering pair of light gold butterfly’s wings, gently fluttering on my back.  The pointed tips of the wings were a sparkling light gold, fading to a darker tangerine in the centers.

I slowly smiled and beat my wings, rising into the air.  What a glorious feeling!  I was finally a fairy, and could soar just like a true Aevynonian.

"Oh Nettle," I cried, coming back to the ground, "It worked!  Your spell really worked!"

A huge smile spread across her face.  The other fairies cheered.

Suddenly, the happy giggles of the fairies were silenced by a monstrous growl coming from above.  They shrieked in horror as a huge monster darkened the sky with blood-red wings.  The beautiful tinkling of the birds ceased, and the earth rippled as the giant creature's talons gripped the grass.  I felt frozen to the ground, unable to move in the presence of such an extraordinary creature.  I just stood there, the rushing wind tousling my long hair.

A deep, resonating growl was aimed in my direction, and the monster sank to the ground.  I quivered like a leaf in the breeze, and all my muscles were tight as taught rope.  I stared up at the beast, astonished at the pain in his huge eyes.  He bent his head down to me, and I jumped as a huge tear rolled down his scaly cheek, almost soaking me through.  I took a step closer, and stared at his polished horns and reflective scales.  As I looked into his eyes, I instantly realized that I was staring at a dragon.