Rise of the Darkness

Flying in the Dark

Oculeera

Two and a Half Weeks Later

My eyes droop in the pitch-black cargo hold of the third plane so far. Nikola says this will be the last one, that Howard will carry us the rest of the way. Speaking of, Howard and Jacob currently enjoy their ability to sleep while Nikola and I continue to keep this place livable.

I cannot complain too much. First in London, then in another city called Moscow, we had to wait some time while Nikola searched for another plane to carry us further. That time was spent observing the cities like tourists, as Jacob had said in a happy tone, or resting up for the next leg of the journey. Nothing in Florida that I saw can match either of these two cities, and the next one, Beijing, will be just as good. Too bad our plans keep us from staying there for a time.

And Howard needs the rest. I do not know if Jacob needs it, but Howard certainly does. He will fly us the rest of the way. I can sleep on his back. It will not be comfortable, but it tethered tight enough I can do it. We have been in this plane for quite a while, though time has no meaning when you cannot see the sun moving or look at a clock.

Sleep really wants me. I shake my head, hoping to defy it.

"Moving helps," Nikola whispered.

"In here? Not enough room."

"Just jerk a leg or keep shaking your head if it doesn't make you dizzy. Twitch your tail. You certainly are not a late-night dragon."

"What time of day is it?"

"Night."

I nod. I do not know how he knows, but there is no point asking. Probably some secret of the elves. Master says they are more in tune with nature than any other Laku, and just as dragons are guardians of life, elves are somewhat the guardians of the planet.

We remain in silence, fighting sleep for an unknown amount of time until the whole plane jars us all back to full consciousness. Landing. Finally, an end to this madness. More and more I agree with Jacob about sneaking into cargo holds. I guess I should start calling him Novayar again, but still I agree with him.

"Welcome to Beijing," Nikola said in an overly cheerful voice. "Please depart from the cargo hold without anyone noticing and hop on the back of a strength dragon for some wonderful aerial views."

"If we weren't old friends, I would not hesitate to drop you out of the air," Howard said through a yawn. "And not catch you."

"But we are friends, old friend. I cannot wait for you to show me some of your other old friends."

When we all first met, I thought Howard and Nikola had never known each other. Since then I have been proven wrong again and again. They have a history that Jacob and I do not know about, though there is no reason for us to. I glanced at Jacob. "You ready?" I ask.

"No."

"Good. We leave very soon."

"You sound like Nikola."

Said elf gave a hearty laugh. "Oh, someone inherited my cheerfulness. Teresa no less. Now all you have to work on, my bubbly little dragon, is lightening the tone of your voice, and you might begin to sound like an elf."

"Can it, everyone. Last time getting out didn't go smoothly. Do not mess this up any more than then," Howard said.

I turned back into human form, and Nikola adjusted his features. No more maintaining a light or the livability of this small space. Moments passed before the door opened. My ears picked up on a low thud and the front of the plane dipped slightly. Every time we landed Nikola used his magic to pop the front tires, and the center ones as backup, which we needed in Moscow. Through small spaces between the luggage, I saw workers walk away.