The Dragons' Crystal

Chapter Five

They day passed on quicker than I had hoped. It was strange to be in a place of friendship and kindness. I didn't want to miss even mere seconds of it. While Darius and his friends dried my things, I stood nearby and simply admired all the people around me. There wasn't any hatred, fighting, or negativity. Everyone was friendly and greeted each other with a smile. If any place called to me, it was here.

By the time the moon was high in the sky, they had started a large bonfire at the end of the camp. There were benches surrounding it in three circles, enough for everyone. Dove had led me to a seat near her while we waited for the rest of the group to catch up. They were busy putting things away and dressing for the night.

"Do you do this every night?" I asked, shifting myself to make it as comfortable as I could be on a bench that felt as though it had never been sanded before. I motioned towards the bonfire, watching as it mixed with the darkness of the night causing the people in front of me to look more like shadows than real people.

"Just about. It's our own little way of saying goodnight to each other. We light the bonfire to alert everyone how late it is at night. Usually, everyone goes to bed afterwards." Dove explained, waving as Finn and Genevieve appeared at the other end of the bonfire. "We're absolutely thrilled to have you here. It's always heart-warming to welcome someone else. It's another life saved in my opinion."

"I'm happy to be here. I just wish I could stay." I smiled at her, flickering my eyes towards the other two. I was quick to find comfort in the three, wondering if it was too soon to consider them my friends. I hadn't ever had one before. Was Darius my friend yet? No matter what they were to me, I liked them. 

"Why can't you?" Finn approached as I had started my last sentence. He sat on the bench beside me, Genevieve on the other side of him. "I know you said you're looking for your father, but why not rest here until winter is over? Call this your home and when summer comes, venture out?" He held his hands out towards the fire, a smile approaching his face. 

"He has a point, Odelle. If you really like it here, you will for certain have a place." Dove gently nudged my arm, giggling. "Besides, it's dangerous to travel by yourself in winter. It's hard to find food and shelter."

I thought it over. It sounded quite nice, but who was to say that by the time winter came I wouldn't want to find my father any longer? That would put my mother at risk again. I would never be able to save her from the villagers' constant judgement even with me gone. I wanted my mother to be safe and secure, not unsure and timid like how she was now. Finding father was the only possible solution. I sighed. "As much as I would love to, I can't. Finding my father as soon as possible is extremely important. I worry that the villagers back home might not let my mother off easily with my absence. I'm afraid they might outcast her more, though I hope they accept her. If I find father, I wouldn't have to worry." I played with my hands, twisting my thumbs after each other. 

"Do you know your father?" Genevieve pipped up, leaned back. Her feet were extended towards the fire, eyes intent on watching each flame ripple up towards the nighttime sky.

"...No." I answered honestly. "My mother told me he doesn't even exist, but I know it's a lie."

Dove tilted her head. "Do you know his name? Or what he looks like?"

I swallowed. "Also, no." Out of habit, I began tugging on the ends of my hair. I could already hear their next words echoing in my head. 

"Then how are you supposed to be able to find him?" Finn retorted, giving a light punch to my shoulder. "You can't possibly locate a man you know nothing about. It's impossible."

"I think I might know, though. I'm just not for sure." My hand moved up towards my neck, starting to rub the skin and pull at the baby hairs that were hidden underneath the rest of my hair. "I've been having a dream, and I think he's the one in it."

"Dreams can mean a lot." Finn smiled at me, leaning forward. He crossed his arms, relaxing them on his knees. He stared back into the fire. "Do tell."

"It's going to sound crazy, but," what choice did I have? What if they knew something I didn't? "I'm in this large room with this dragon towering over me. He's insane. He's telling me that I'm going to help him rule over all the land. I'm not happy about it and I'm telling him how I won't do it. Then, I disappear and I'm in the side of the room. I'm watching this woman and she's fighting the dragon. Her eyes are glowing and she's making the dragon back off. They're arguing. The woman goes to the window and her body changes into a crystal. The other dragon tries to grab her, but I have this overwhelming urge to push the crystal out the window. I do it. When the crystal falls, the dragon turns into a man who looks similar to me. His hair is long and black and his eyes are violet; the exact shade of mine." I explained, trying not to look between them. I didn't want to know their reactions just yet. I was frightened of losing them already.

"Is that all?" Genevieve tilted her head up towards me.

I nodded. 

"A crystal? With a dragon?" Dove tapped her chin, looking to Finn. "Isn't Darius in search of something like that?"

Finn thought it over. "I think he is. It's a powerful crystal that once belonged to the dragons." His eyes fell on me this time. "It's been lost for quite some time, but the legends say it has the power to control all the dragons. It can bend any of them to your exact will." He started to grin. "It's pretty unique and fascinating if you ask me."

"To bend them to your own will?" I stammered out, fighting my frown. "Why would Darius even want that?"

Darius, to me, didn't seem like the kind of person that would quite want to have control over a group of species. He seemed more for free will than anything else. Searching for such an object would destroy all that I thought he stood for. 

"Why is he going after the dragons?" I finally asked, looking between the three of them. My eyes caught on a man passing by who carried a stick while he looked straight ahead. He was stumbling. 

They all exchanged glances. 

"Didn't Darius tell you why he's here?" Dove tapped my shoulder to get my full attention. "Just as we told you why we came here?" Her head tilted again. "Surely, he told you his reasoning."

"I'm afraid not. Why is he here, if you don't mind telling me?" Curiosity began swelling in me. Darius was such a nice young man and looked more normal than anyone here. What secrets was he keeping?

"Darius was born to a-"

"That's enough, Dove." Darius' voice echoed from behind.

We all turned, surprised to see the man himself.

We'd been caught.