The Dragon's Embrace

Chapter 7: Answers

"Janice..." Alara said, sitting up quickly, her eyes snapping open when a horrible dream awoke her. Though, the dream was more of a horrible memory. She shivered as she thought of the horrid death of her foster mother and father. She shut her eyes again and she buried her face into her hands just as a few tears escaped. She shook her head and took in a few deep breaths, calming herself. No... no more crying... she told herself. Only after a few more minutes of holding her face in her hands did she look up and observe her surroundings.

Alara looked to her right to see a long, red tail curled around her. She then followed it to see that Javi had transformed while she was sleeping. The fire dragon had curled around the human so delicately to keep from disturbing her while she slept and placed his head on his front legs to make himself comfortable. She smiled a little and looked across the cave and saw that Rowan and Rhyden where still asleep next to each other. She then realized that she couldn't see the twins.

Her mind was then put at ease when she heard Tayon's voice coming from deeper within with den, followed by the voice of Farceil. She could see them gathered by the fire, trying to make sense of what had happened the night before.

She sighed and scooted back and laid her head against Javi's folded wing. Not realizing how light of sleeper Javi was, the crimson dragon's eyes opened, looking at Alara. "Are you okay?" he asked. Alara smiled "I'm sorry. I'm alright. Just, go back to sleep..." she told him, gently stroking his wing.

Javi gave her a displeased look and lifted his head "It wasn't an easy night... for any of us. It's better to get it out of your system then keeping it in." he said.

Alara looked into the red eyes of the beast before sighing and looking away, "No. I'm done with tears. I'm tired Javi... I'm tired of not knowing. I have to know if any of their deaths meant anything, the twin's parents, Janice, Kenith... Jed... They can't have sacrificed their lives for nothing. So, I think it's time for answers." She said, standing up and walking to the fire in the back of the cave. The red dragon watched her go with concern before he slowly got up and followed behind her.

As she approached the fire pit, the huge swamp dragon smiled down at her "Ah, you're awake." He said. Alara nodded and she looked up at him, "Farceil, I believe you said you'd answer our questions?" she asked, sitting beside the fire.

The swamp dragon nodded "Yes, I did. So, what would you like to know first?" he asked, crossing his front legs, listening to the girl's questions

Alara nodded back, "First of all, how do you know of my element, and why did Avis bring us here?" she asked.

The elder dragon gave a more grim face in response to the question, "That requires much explanation, but I believe you deserve it..." he said before looking into the distance. "I'm sure none of you have ever encountered another dragon that has lived for 1,273 years, for I fear that I am one of the last." He said.

Alara's eyes widened in shock, He's is over a thousand years old? How has he survived this long?! She thought before she let him continue. "I know of your element because I have seen it before, in Varous himself. I was close friends with him at one point in my life. I was one of few that he trusted with all of his secrets before he passed on." He said before turning back to the shocked and intrigued bunch of younglings all staring at him with wonder.

"All of you have heard the legend of the dragons, correct?" he asked. Titari looked up at the old dragon before answering, "The one about how Varous pleaded to our ancestors for mercy on our kind and gave us the ability to turn into humans?" she asked. Farceil nodded to her "Yes, that one." He said, "You were all taught that as hatchlings. However, that story was not true." He said.