The Dragon's Claw

Chapter 3

I woke up to the bright light given out by a bon-fire created by Andelina.
I was placed on the soft hand of Dranasis a dragon made out of clouds. Dranasis could control the wind and move cloud from a beautiful white to a miserable grey.

As I lay there it occurred to me that the dragons where having a meeting or a diplomatic conference from the looks of it.

Andelina was no fool and fooling her was foolish. I thought of pretending to be asleep so I could hear their conversation but Andelina just wasn't fooled.

''Zaleena. Come and sit by me. '' she said as I squinted my eyes to fake sleep. ''come on. Don't make me wait''

Since there was evidence that fooling her was out of the question I obeyed her command.

''Are you tired ? ''

''no ''

''listen Zaleena... That dragon you encountered today was-'' Andelina started to speak about it but was cut off by my disbelief.

''you mean.. It wasn't a dream... No you're joking right??? That didn't happen " I said beginning to become paranoid but a sharp pain in my left arm making me realize that it was all real.

"Zaleena please calm yourself " Andelina's strong voice made me fear her more than my paranoia. " as I was saying your encounter with that dragon was not one of the clan's. It was one of those who we don't speak of"

With those words lingering in the air all the dragons fell silent. Bending their heads as if they didn't want anything else but to fly out of this circle.

I had only heard about these creatures. They reside in a place called Dianaphora and it was a place marked as forbidden to anyone and everyone except for those who resideded. Just thinking of the horrid tales made my skin crawl.

"And this mark....means what?" I asked pointing towards the bandage that concealed the mark. "Andelina what does it mean?"

"We are not sure but the rest of the runes will start to form later..."

"Runes???you mean liked ancient description of something like protection and things??"

"I'm not sure Zaleena... But listen if you ever feel pain on that hand or as if something is beckoning you to be where it is...you stay well away ...you will notify the closet one there...do you understand?"

"Yes but I -" I wanted to know more and it showed that Andelina was lying. I would always know. I never knew how but I knew. And from the way she cut me off with a raise of her gigantic hand I had to remain silent.

"Well it is rather late don't you think?..we better get some rest and Zaleena tomorrow I want to teach you something very important" Andelina said. With that all dragons retired to their home and I joined Andelina in going to ours. The thought of learning something from Andelina made me more excited than ever. This rarely happens so I couldn't wait for tomorrow to come. Quite childish of me.

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My night was ever so peaceful. No nightmares about the day in anyway. I woke up to the soft purrs of Andelina. She was gentle when she wanted to be and frightening if she must be - but when she slept it was like she was a baby. I loved her. I knew I would always be able to look up to her.

Not wanting to wake her up decided to go get ready. I slipped out of my night clothes and dived straight into the pool of ever so freezing water. Why did I do that?

"A...an..Andelina... W..wa..water.. C-colddd" I managed to speaked a few words with my shivers. I sounded weird like I would die of the cold. What could I do it was super cold.