The Dragon's Redemption

Chapter 12 Dreams

"I love flying with you Dreki."

"I do to little one, how is the child faring?"

"She is holding tight, she seems very happy. She was excited when I told her we would fly together." They soared down long fjords just brushing the water surface. They climbed over snowcapped mountains. "It's so much colder up hear."

"The temperature drops rapidly as we climb."

"Look it's snowing over there!" Aednat shouted.

"It hardly ever snows in our valley, it may be foggy every day, but at least things don't freeze."

"The waters also mix cold and warm," Dreki said, "It makes for excellent fishing."

"How long have you lived here Dreki?"

"On and off almost nine years."

"I am glad we met."

"As am I, tell me about human dreams?"

"Most of the time I forget my dreams when I wake, but I know I dream about that sad story you told me. I can imagine actually being there. What do dragon's dream of?"

"Warm winds in a clear sky, plenty of fish to eat. Spending time with friends."

"We dream those thing too."

"We also dream of opportunities lost, times when our actions and beliefs were not in tune. Times when we failed our duty."

"Are those your nightmares you talked about?"

"Yes."

"Every day is a gift Dreki. I have failed myself frequently. Been less than I could be. But each day I try again."

"Are you improving?"

"Most of the time no, but I keep trying."

"Have you ever failed so bad that you want to end your life, but lack the courage to do so?"

"No, you have...haven't you?"

"Yes."

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"Not today. Today I want to soar in the clear sky. To spend time with friends that I love."

"Are you speaking of us?"

"Yes, when we fly together I forget my burdens and my pain. I live only in the moment."

"We will have to fly more often then. I feel so alive when we fly."

"Hold on tight, let's dive and roll." The riders held tight as the dragon dove then ended the dive inches from the water surface and rolled. Brieanna and Aednat shrieked as the dragon executed the maneuver. Brieanna flew Dreki daily. She took Sam and Abigail with her as well. Aednat was always happy to fly.

Brieanna and Abigail were in the kitchen shredding cabbage and layering it in a large barrel. Aednat would salt the layer and they would add another layer of cabbage. They had filled two barrels and were now on their third. "Sam's really pleased with the cabbage harvest," Brieanna said. "He has started a second planting."

"My brother always started his first planting very early and had time for a second."

"We are chopping your brothers first planting now."

"Cabaiste...cabbage," Aednat said.

"Very good Aednat, cabbage," Brieanna said.

"She is learning fast," Abigail said.

"She spends as much time learning Norse as she spends teaching Sam Gaeilge," Brieanna said then laughed.

"I heard him speak to her in Gaeilge," Abigail said laughing. "What else is he teaching her?"

"Avalonish, my native tongue. She is doing quite well with both."

"It's good to be young," Abigail said with a sigh. "You're having a lot of dreams at night lately. You call out and talk in your Avalonish."

"I hope I'm not too loud," Brieanna said blushing.

"Are you remembering more of your past?"

"Not really sure. Dreki told me a fantastic story, a sad tale about a dragon. I do remember that I was riding a dragon when I fell. In my dream I am falling and falling from great height. Then my flight it arrested and my leg just hurts so bad, but I land softly. Then I see your face."

"Are we going to pickle all of the cabbage?"

"No, I've been soaking some pork and blackfish to remove the salt. The staff has already boiled five of the cabbages. We are making stuffed cabbage."

"That is always a treat."

"I'm going to teach Aednat to roll the cabbage. She loves to help in the kitchen."

"She was pitching a fit yesterday in the kitchen"

"She likes to churn the butter, one of the staff was trying to help. She thought she was being replaced. She settled right away when I explained the woman only wanted to help."

"I have always hated the quern. Turning the stone and grinding grains is so boring and your arm gets so sore."

"I let her turn the quern, but not long enough to get sore or bored. She likes to make bread and help with the beer. Sometimes it's more work with her helping, but she is so happy to help."

"What are you serving with the stuffed cabbage tonight?"

"Bread, we have plumbs now. I have not dried them all. And we have the mead you made."

"I'm going to make more of the mead later this week. If Sam can get more honey I'll teach you my secret method."

"You have a deal, we'll let Aednat chew on the honey comb. That will keep her occupied."

"She can help too," Abigail said smiling as she watched Aednat carefully lawyering the cabbage with salt.

Later that evening they sat outdoors for the meal as it had finally stopped raining. "I love stuffed cabbage!" Sam said.

"Aednat wants you to have these two rolls," Brieanna said, then whispering, "She rolled them herself." Sam took the cabbage rolls and taking large spoonful smiled and said loudly.

"That is the BEST stuffed cabbage I ever had." Aednat responded with the brightest smile ever seen on her tiny face.

"I made those just for you Da!"