The Curse of Sunderwood

Chapter 3

The bonfire was enjoyable at moments when laughter roared like fire and glasses were raised with the smoke

When I found myself staring into the fire and mulling over the events of the day, it was hard to believe the argument with my mother was just that morning. Several things were hard to believe. But I had to believe this world existed no matter how it defied all manner of reality. I could touch it. I could smell it. I could sense it rattling in my bones, rushing a message through my veins – it lived, but it was dying. My fingers itched, and I shifted in my seat as if I was cold. Restlessness gnawed at my gut. The more I thought about it, the more I wanted to do something.

I remembered the moment I pulled the bow string taut, the arrow feathers brushing against my cheek, and the monster's beady eye as it charged me. It was as if the adrenaline hadn't left me since. Nothing compared to the moment where I stood staring between joy and dread.

I killed the monster. I did.

What if I could find Nathor? A snicker escaped me at the thought.

As if.

"Assuric!" Noria screeched, jarring me from my musings.

A red, scaly beast with bat wings and a long tail swooped around the fire and landed in a clear spot. It was a dragon. But it was dragon the size of a dog.

"I'm old, but I'm not deaf, child!" It huffed with a low grumble deep in its long throat.

"You weren't supposed to come for another week!" Noria refrained from shouting and straddled the log. The villagers softened their voices and leaned in to listen.

"The mountain of smoke building in the air called my attention. I thought I would either put out a wildfire or join a party. It seems I've done both." The remark elicited a laugh from the others.

The dragon's burning yellow eyes locked on mine and I held my breath. This wasn't included in Jean's speech about wizards and magic.

"My, my, has the village caught another fish out of water? This one has its mouth open." The grumble in the dragon's voice started to resemble a purr. I pressed my lips together, but I couldn't stop staring.

Noria turned and wrapped a thin arm around my shoulders. "This is Meg, Jean's sister. She came from the waves, too!"

The dragon – I assume as 'Assuric' – curled his lip around a prominent tooth, "Is that so?"

"She killed a savage monster today!" she whispered as if it were a secret.

"Really?" His gasp was faked for her benefit, but there was a spark in his eyes as they flickered to me. Their light bore into my soul as if they knew all of my secrets.

"Ho, Assuric!" A man caught his attention, "What news have you from Whiteriver?"

His friend scowled and nudged the empty mug in his hands, "Save the news for when your sober! Tell us another one of your stories, Assuric!"

"Oh, but I hear you have a story of your own. Won't someone tell it for me?"

Noria jumped in, "Can I tell the story?"

Assuric nodded once and she sprang up, calling for everyone's attention. She told the story with dramatic pauses and big gestures. It was a good performance, albeit strange to hear myself through her words. At the end we all cheered and she bowed so low her hair nearly caught fire.