Neche and the Dragon Queen

Neche and the Dragon Queen

Chapter One

An Abandoned Toddler in the Forest

"I really don’t want to do this," Nima muttered under her warm breath. She couldn't understand why her mother insisted she be the one to go collect the offering from the Lake of Sacrifice. It wasn't her fault her brother decided to fight a troll, knowing full well what a little spite from a troll could do to a dragon.

She muttered more soundless grumbles as she flew closer to the lake, stretching out her wide brown wings to catch as much air as possible. She wasn’t used to flying and hadn’t flown down from the dragon mountain since she only had forty lives on her back. She hated coming down from the mountain. The journey was far, the air was chilling, and the altitude was biting. How her brother managed this trip every full moon for the past twenty years was beyond her.

Nima finally saw the giant trees that made up the forest, trees that had been there long before dragons, fairies, and certainly longer than humans. It was a dense forest filled with wonders and dangers, feared by humans who thought dragons roamed around looking for humans to snatch and eat. Cute, but dragons didn’t even eat humans.

She spotted the clearing that was the Lake of Sacrifice, a small assembly of water with a large Humbara tree branch hanging over half of it. Tied to one of these branches by the hands was a little human boy, dangling lifelessly over the lake. Nima’s heart ached as she flew close enough to see how little the boy was. He couldn’t have seen more than four winters and looked so helpless and dead. His face was blue.

"Poor child. Poor little child. Why did you come to this world?" Nima whispered.

She voiced an incantation that released a bit of her magic, allowing her to morph into an eagle. Landing as a dragon would cause too much damage. The smaller size of the eagle also allowed her to untie the boy and swoop him into the air before he could take a deadly bath in the steamy lake.

The boy was cold and smaller than she had suspected, yet he still lived. That was good. She could still save him. She placed him on the leaf of the Humbara tree, the largest in this side of the world, used in roofing and carpeting by every species, both human and dragon.

She breathed warm air over him. When he didn’t stir, she added more heat, rolling him from side to side, hoping the movement would rouse him. It didn’t. She decided to morph into a human to better handle the situation.

Because her dragon skin was black and white, her human female form usually ended up with deeply brown skin, natural blue eyes, and the wildest display of blinding white hair. She loved it. But now wasn’t the time to admire her beauty. She gathered nearby twigs and started a warm fire. A wolf called out nearby, reminding her to hurry. The wolves in the Great Wolf Forest moved in large packs and some were as large as bears.

"Wake little boy. I shall save you, but I shall not trade your life for mine. Don’t make me fight a wolf," she said to the unconscious boy. He didn’t respond.

She drew in a breath to breathe more warm air on him, but his eyes suddenly sprang open and he let out a great wail.

"I am sorry. Please don’t eat me," the boy pleaded in a scared and trembling voice.

"I won’t eat you. I don’t eat humans. And be quiet. You are going to get us killed," she told him.

"You are lying. You eat people," he said when he calmed down enough to be coherent.

"That is not true. I just saved your life," she replied.

But he wasn’t far from the truth. The dragon queen was in the making. Her egg had been laid, and for twenty years, humans had been bringing sacrifices of babies younger than four winters. According to legend, a special magic resided in the human brain and spine that would help the dragon queen grow her power and wisdom. Unfortunately, this usually required killing the human to extract the ingredients needed. Nima wondered if there was another way around it.

"You promise?" he asked with eyes so wide and full of fear that Nima’s heart ached again. His big black eyes looked like endless pools as he waited for a promise from her to spare his life. She didn’t want to make that promise. But Nima suspected there was something special about the boy, as if the universe was putting things in place to ensure everything worked out in his favor. She decided she would try to save the boy. So she promised.

"I do. Now settle down and sleep. We have a long night ahead of us."

As he dozed off, Nima decided she would take the boy home as directed by her mission, but not to be offered to the queen. She would try to save the little boy with all her might. So as he slept, she flew his sleeping body up the cold mountain to the dragon village that sat at the very top, beyond the clouds. The seer would know what to do.

She was surprised the added weight of the little boy didn’t make it harder to fly. She didn’t have to summon more energy while carrying him, which was good. She landed out of sight, not wanting the whole community to know what she was about. Her home was a few steps away from the rest of the sleeping camp. This was because her mother was the seer and often conducted loud prayer sessions most of the night. Her mother would know what to do, she decided as she shrunk her size to fit between the branches of the dragon trees. These trees, bigger than life, provided the dragons with shelter from hails and storms. They were majestic and had been standing since the beginning of time. Their color was a deep royal mauve that looked endless.

Unfortunately for her, the first person she saw was her elder brother, who seemed just fine. When she had left, he had been testifying to the pain his injury brought to his warrior body, preaching about the importance of a good all-day rest. He didn’t seem worse for wear. He was also in human form, which meant he had transformed using magic, likely spending the day with a lady. Nima scowled at him as she lowered the boy to the ground while morphing into a human.

"You lied. You were not as hurt as you led mother to believe," she accused once she saw the boy was still settled in sleep.

Ony was her elder brother and the strongest warrior in the dragon clan in both dragon and human form. In his human form, he was as handsome as sin, and Nima suspected he did that on purpose. His jawline was perfect, his eyes dreamy deep smoky blue, and his teeth straight. A well-known womanizer, he was always fleeing from one female to the next, refusing every urging to pick a mate and settle down. Nima knew every lady and their mother would give half their lives to be his mate, but not Ony. He wanted to enjoy his youth or waste it, as their mother accused. Nima didn’t care what he chose to do with his life as long as he didn’t complicate hers. Theirs was a prestigious family, only second to the royal family whom they were born to serve directly. That was why her mother, the seer, was in charge until the coming of the queen. And from present evidence, Ony had complicated her life so he could have fun.

"I don’t think so. My pain tolerance is very low. I hurt easily," he said, coming closer.

"You lie. I have seen you fight on with your wings broken in two places," Nima said, recalling the horror of that fight between her brother and her father. It was after that fight that the seer, their mother, declared Ony a member of their family, the adopted son. But that was a story for another day.

"That doesn’t mean I don’t have very low pain tolerance, but that’s by the way. Why are you trying to sneak in the offering instead of taking it to mother at the sitting yolk temple? What are you up to?"

Nima shuffled her feet and scratched her afro. How was she to explain her crazy plan to her brother, who was as practical and straightforward as a hammer?

"I just don’t think we should be sacrificing humans to the egg. Do you know these offerings are human babies that…"

"Let me stop you right there. The egg needs the magic of the human to be fully formed. It is the way it has to be," he interrupted.

"Says who?" Nima demanded, knowing exactly who said it.

"Says the law of magic of creating. To make a queen ruler, we need the magic of the five races. You know that, Nima," he said, sounding like he couldn’t believe she could be this dense. She knew about the law and requirements, but there should be room for exceptions, right?

"There should be room for an exception. Maybe…"

“Maybe you do nothing,” said their mother as she came to join the conversation.

Nima did not even know why she tried to hide things from her mother, Nwanto. They did call her the seer because both her eyes were white and nothing else. They called her that because of her eyes and the fact that few things could be hidden by her if she was determined to find it, even the futures. Nwanto was also in human form. Her human form had white long hair that fell like river past her should and bum, all the way to her back and her face has a wicked beauty to it that was scary and amazing at the same time. Her skin was pure black with no a spot out of place.

“But mother...”

“Do not start. It is too early and the night is coming. I need to prepare the bath,” she said as she headed for the child.

Nima ran to stand between her and the child. Her mother pulled back and looked at her in surprise as she should. Nima had never tried to stand up to her mother. No one really tried. By all meaning and implication, she was the queen and commander of the clan at the moment. Even Ony was not expecting Nima to protest to that extent.

Listen mother, there has to be another way.”

“There could be but I don’t want to find it,” she replied.

Sometimes, Nima wondered if her mother had a heart but then she remembered her loyalty to the royal family and concluded she must. She had killed her husband and brother to thwart the coup attempt that had killed the last queen and new queen. Nima stirred her mind clear of that day.

“Dragons were here before humans. How were the ancient queens made then? Don’t tell me there wasn’t an alternative before humans. I won’t believe it.”

“Child, I do not care what you choose to believe. This human will be sacrificed and there will be nothing you can do about. Now, I shall not stand for your tantrums. Today is not the day,” her mother scolded, her green eyes changing to a burning red for an instant before reverting back to green.

It was a warning for Nima to back down and drop the subject and Nima would have if she could but she had promised the little child she would protect him. Even as it scarred her to challenge and anger her mother, she knew she had no choice. As it turned out, she found a hill to die on after all. She paused and allowed her mother walk by her and move towards the sleeping child. She was giving herself time to think of something to delay the ritual.

Nwanto bent down low at the waist and gently scooped the child into her arms like a loving mother. Watching, one would not guess she was about to suffocate the child and rip his spine from the rest of his body. She was already reciting the incantation of thanks and appreciation to the human for giving up its life and so on.

“There has to be another way,” Nima said when he brain came up blank. She turned to her brother with eyes that were blurry with tears. “Please.”

Ony winced as if she had stabbed him and looked away. She knew she was special to her brother but she wasn’t sure if she was enough of that to have him go against her mother. But if Nwanto were to listen to anyone, it would be her brother. He has her ears. Nwanto cooed to the child as she headed out of the Seer residence towards the cave where the egg lay.

“What if….” Ony began, biting his lips for a second before continuing. “What if we use lives to replace this particular offering? Would that work?”

Nwanto stopped in her tracks and turned back to look at him both in annoyance and surprise. Even Nima was surprised and confused for she did not expect Ony to actually try and stop her mother and she had no idea what he meant by using lives. She knew what lives means. Every dragon had lives on their back. They were the spikes that lined the spine of every specie of dragon. A dragon’s age and wisdom was measured by the spikes on their spine and the magic gaged by the layers of scale covering their head. When a layer of sale from the heart and a spike from the spine were merged together, they are called life for they held great magic that was equal to a living being and no dragon would ever give up their lives easily.

“Why did you do that?” Nwanto asked Ony.

“What does he mean? Is there another way? Mother, please, tell me.”

Her mother stopped to place the child gently on the floor before she started talked, as if resigned to the inevitable.

“A long time ago, before the new order of dragon, before humans, the ancient ones used to draw magic from the lives of every dragon to feed to the queen egg, every dragon but the seer. The lives had the essence that also reside in the humans. But after the first humans emerged from the dragons spine and it was found they had the same magic, many years later, it was agreed for humans to be used to nurture the eggs instead of lives,” she narrated as if she was impacting life-chaining information.

Nima was too dumfounded to talk. She looked at her mother in disbelieve. She could not wrap her mind around the fact that there was another way to obtain sacrifice without ending a life. Yes, lives were precious and not hard to grow as it. Nima only had 69 lives on her back and the 70th one just coming in. she became a full adult around the time the queen egg was laid twenty years ago when she got sixty lives on her back. Her lives where considered more valuable than that of a human. Nima however, did not know how many layers covered her heart but she knew she could give up as much as needed even if it meant leaving her heart open. She could grow a new one. It would just mean she would become the weakest member of the clan Sumnaya dragons. She would do it without a second thought.

“What did you aim to achieve by telling her that? You know her temperament, Onuora. I am cross with you,” her mother informed Ony, calling him his full name which meant son warrior.

“I apologize. I don’t know what came over me,” he said at once.

“I will do it. How many lives would it take to spare his life? I will give the lives needed,” Nima said.

“You will do no such thing. Don’t be ridiculous. You barely have enough life to be considered an adult and you want to give it away. You will do no such thing,” her mother said in a tone that broke no argument. But that was exactly the mood Nima was in. she was determined to get her way.

“They are my lives. I can do with them whatever I want and I want to use it to nurture my queen,” Nima insisted, eyes darting from her mother to brother.

“You poor confused silly child,” Nwanto began, already wondering how she would present this case to the dragons of the community. She knew Nima would get her way, it was only a matter of time. But she wouldn’t call herself a mother if she didn’t make an attempt to dissuade her massive bout of foolishness because that was what this was, mere foolishness that would cost her lives she couldn’t afford to lose. But what could she say?

Nima’s determination was unyielding. "How many lives and layers will it take to spare his life?" she demanded.

Nwanto sighed, resigned. "Two lives from the back of a dragon and a layer of heart. No more, no less."

The ceremony of sacrifice was brief but solemn. Nima stood before the gathered dragons, her heart pounding. She could feel the weight of their eyes on her, judging, questioning. But she didn't waver. She stepped forward, and with a grimace of pain, she offered up two of her precious lives, spikes from her back, and a layer from her heart’s protective scales. The process left her feeling weaker and more exposed, but she stood tall.

"You are foolish, but brave," her mother acknowledged as she concluded the ritual. "Now, feed the human child if you don’t want him to starve to death."

Using her shape-shifting magic, Nima transformed into a human woman, her white-gray hair cascading around her shoulders, her skin deeply brown, and her blue eyes vibrant with determination. She built a small tent to shelter the boy and nursed him back to health, providing warmth and care throughout the cold night.

When morning came, a panic ensued. Nima woke to find the little boy's tent empty and the queen egg hatched and missing from its nest.

Chapter Two: A Queen’s Impression

The first thing the new born queen dragon saw was the curly hair of a little boy with big eyes looking at her in wonderment. Instinctively, she morphed into a form resembling him—a small girl with wild curly hair that sparkled in many colors, lips the most crimson red. Before she could finish her transformation, the boy, spooked, jumped to his tiny feet and ran.

She followed on her equally tiny feet, giggling at the chase, not noticing the huge beasts lying around as she ran about, mimicking the boy. She was curious about this different being, captivated by his presence. Who was he?

Nima, alarmed by the absence of both the boy and the queen, quickly morphed into her human form and followed the commotion. Her heart raced as she navigated the uneven, spiraling stone steps that led down a hidden passageway within the mountain—a secret even she hadn’t known existed.

The passage was narrow and dark, the walls damp with moisture and covered in ancient runes that glowed faintly. Nima’s hair, wild and white, caught the faint light, making her look like a ghostly figure descending into the depths. She could hear the giggles of the boy and the newly hatched queen echoing through the tunnel.

As she reached the base, she found herself in a vast cavern filled with bioluminescent plants and glowing crystals. The beauty of the hidden world took her breath away, but there was no time to admire it. She saw the little boy, Neche, running with the dragon queen close behind.

“Neche, stop!” Nima called out, her voice reverberating through the cavern.

Neche skidded to a halt, turning to face her with wide eyes. The queen dragon, now fully morphed into a human girl, stood beside him, her colorful hair shimmering in the light. She looked at Nima with a mix of curiosity and defiance.

“We need to go back,” Nima said gently, reaching out to them. “It’s not safe here.”

“But she’s my friend!” Neche protested, pointing at the queen.

The queen smiled, her crimson lips parting to reveal sharp, dragon-like teeth. “I like him,” she said simply, her voice carrying a melodic tone.

Nima sighed, realizing the bond between them. “We can’t stay here. It’s dangerous.”

As if on cue, a low growl echoed from the shadows. Nima’s heart leapt into her throat as she turned to see a pack of wolves emerging from the darkness, their eyes glowing menacingly. These were no ordinary wolves; they were the guardians of the hidden passage, larger and more ferocious than any she had ever seen.

“Run!” Nima shouted, grabbing Neche and the queen by their hands.

They dashed through the cavern, the wolves hot on their heels. The ground shook with each step of the massive beasts, and Nima could feel their hot breath on her neck. She pushed herself harder, knowing that one misstep could mean the end for all of them.

They reached the mouth of the passage just in time, scrambling up the steps and out into the open air. Nima quickly morphed back into her dragon form, scooping Neche and the queen onto her back and taking flight. The wolves howled in frustration as they watched their prey escape.

As they soared above the forest, Nima glanced back at her passengers. Neche was clutching her tightly, his face pale with fear, while the queen looked exhilarated, her eyes sparkling with excitement. Nima couldn’t help but smile despite the danger they had just faced.

“We’re going home,” she said, her voice firm.

Chapter Three: Celebration and Mystery

The return to the dragon village atop the cold mountain was met with a mixture of relief and confusion. The villagers, having feared the worst, were overjoyed to see Nima return with both the queen and the human boy unharmed.

A grand celebration was quickly organized. The dragons, both in their majestic beast forms and human guises, gathered around the central fire pit. The queen, now fully aware of her identity and power, assumed her dragon form. She was a sight to behold, her scales a sparkling blue, her eyes a fiery orange, and forty lives already adorning her back—an indication of her unique status and the truth of the ancient tales which says the queen’s eggs are wise from birth and aged in heart as well, or some such.

Nima watched with a sense of awe and pride as the queen mingled with her subjects, her presence commanding respect and admiration. The night was filled with laughter, music, and stories of old, as the dragons celebrated the arrival of their new leader.

As the festivities wound down and the dragons began to retire to their tents and caves, Nima couldn’t shake a sense of unease. She had kept a close eye on Neche throughout the night, ensuring he was never far from her sight. He had been a source of curiosity and delight for the dragons, many of whom had never seen a human up close. The seer would usually do away with any sacrifice before anyone could take a proper look.

As dawn approached, Nima escorted Neche to a small tent she had prepared for him. “Get some rest,” she told him, tucking him in. “Tomorrow will be a new day.”

The queen, flanked by her guards, retreated to her cave, her presence still electric from the night’s events. Nima felt a pang of exhaustion as she made her way to her own tent, her mind buzzing with the day’s events.

When the sun rose, the village was thrown into chaos. Nima, Neche, and the queen were all missing. Panic spread quickly as the dragons searched every corner of the mountain, but there was no sign of them.

Nima’s mother, Nwanto, stood at the center of the commotion, her white eyes scanning the horizon. “Find them,” she commanded, her voice laced with a mixture of fear and anger. “We must find them before it’s too late.” And to herself, she said, “Oh child of mine, what have you done?”

Chapter Three: The Secret Departure

The moon hung low in the sky, casting an ethereal glow over the dragon village nestled amidst towering cliffs and ancient pines. The night air was crisp, filled with the earthy scent of pine needles and the distant murmur of a nearby waterfall. The village itself was a maze of caves and tents, each dwelling nestled into the mountain's embrace, blending seamlessly with the natural rock formations.

Inside his tent, Neche slept fitfully, his dreams troubled by visions of dragons and distant lands. His makeshift dwelling was simple yet comforting, a small canvas structure illuminated by the soft flicker of a lantern. Furs lined the ground, offering warmth against the mountain chill, while a small bundle of belongings—a few trinkets and clothes—lay neatly in one corner, reminders of his former life.

Mehnne, the newly hatched queen, stirred restlessly in her own cave. Her scales shimmered faintly in the moonlight that filtered through the cavern entrance. Unable to find solace in sleep, she slipped silently out of her secluded dwelling, her eyes glowing softly in the darkness. Her movements were fluid and graceful, betraying an otherworldly presence as she made her way towards Neche's tent.

"Mehnne?" Neche's voice was groggy with sleep as he blinked up at her in confusion. "What's wrong?"

"I couldn't sleep," she admitted, her voice a melodic whisper that seemed to resonate with the night itself. "Come, let's talk."

Neche, sensing the urgency in her tone, rose silently and followed her out into the cool night air. They walked together to a secluded spot on the edge of the village, where the forest began to reclaim the mountain. They settled on a large, flat rock, the stars above them shining brightly against the ink-black sky.

"You're too wise for a human child of only four spines," Mehnne remarked softly, her eyes scanning Neche's face with a mixture of admiration and concern.

Neche furrowed his brow. "Four spines?"

"Yes, four years," Mehnne clarified, her gaze thoughtful. "You are very young, yet your words carry the weight of ages."

Neche nodded slowly, his mind racing with questions he didn't know how to voice. Mehnne continued, her voice tinged with a hint of melancholy.

"My name is Mehnne. It means Mother Father."

Neche's eyes widened in surprise. "Mother Father? Why such a name?"

A bittersweet smile touched Mehnne's lips. "I am my own mother and my own father. I named myself thus because I am both the beginning and the end of my lineage. I am the queen, born from the essence of many."

They lapsed into a contemplative silence, the gravity of Mehnne's words settling between them like a heavy fog. Neche finally spoke, his voice quiet yet filled with a resolve born of hardship.

"My village is vastly different from this place," he began, his gaze distant as memories surfaced. "We live in constant fear of the dragons. Every year, during the summer solstice, we are forced to sacrifice a child who has not yet seen five years. These children are marked from birth, knowing their fate."

Mehnne's eyes darkened with understanding, her breath catching as she listened intently.

"Yes," Neche continued, his voice trembling slightly. "The tradition was resurrected two decades ago when our elder received a crimson eagle feather from the sky. It was a sign that the new dragon queen had hatched and that the sacrifices must resume."

Mehnne's expression softened with empathy, her heart heavy with the weight of generations of suffering.

"The essence of those children was consumed to nourish me," she explained, her voice barely above a whisper. "It sustained me, allowing me to mature and grow in wisdom while I was still within the egg."

Neche's eyes widened with a mixture of horror and fascination. "But why such cruelty?"

"It was a necessity for my survival," Mehnne admitted, her gaze falling to her taloned hands. "But now that I am born, no more innocent lives need be taken in my name."

Relief washed over Neche's face, mingled with gratitude and awe. "Truly?"

Mehnne nodded solemnly. "I promise you, Neche. No more children will suffer because of me."

A hopeful smile spread across Neche's features, his faith in Mehnne deepening with each passing moment.

"Thank you," he murmured sincerely.

Mehnne's smile widened, a warmth blooming in her heart. "I will repay you, Neche. I will grant you one true wish. What is it that you desire most?"

Neche's reply was swift and resolute. "I wish to return home and tell my people that they need not sacrifice any more lives now that you are hatched."

Mehnne's eyes sparkled with determination. "Then we shall leave at once, through the hidden passage."

Neche hesitated, his eyes flickering with concern. "But what about the wild wolves?"

A confident smirk played across Mehnne's lips. "They are nothing to fear. Everything within these mountains bends to my will. I can command even the fiercest creatures."

Nima's Restless Vigil

Meanwhile, in her own tent, Nima tossed and turned upon her furs, her eyes fixed unblinkingly upon the ceiling. Sleep eluded her, her mind a tempest of conflicting emotions and fears. She could not shake the unsettling image of the queen's behavior towards Neche, the human boy.

"What does she intend to do with him?" Nima mused aloud, her voice barely more than a whisper in the stillness of her tent.

Her thoughts wandered, drifting through memories and emotions like wisps of smoke. She reflected upon her complicated feelings towards her adopted brother and the strain it had placed upon their familial bonds. She loved him dearly, but his arrival had shifted the dynamics of their clan, complicating matters in ways she had never anticipated.

She sighed heavily, a mixture of resignation and longing tugging at her heart. She yearned for her mother to find a suitable mate and settle down, allowing Nima the freedom to pursue her own desires without the weight of familial expectations bearing down upon her.

Amidst her reverie, a faint sound echoed from the direction of the queen's cavern. It was a barely discernible whisper, carried upon the night breeze. Without a doubt, Nima knew that the queen was up to something.

Swift as a shadow, Nima slipped out of her tent, her movements deft and silent. She moved with the agility of a predator, her senses attuned to every shift in the nocturnal symphony around her. As she neared the entrance to the queen's cave, she observed with dismay that the dragon guards slumbered deeply, their formidable forms motionless against the cool stone.

The absence of the queen and Neche was unmistakable. A surge of panic gripped Nima's chest as she swiftly located the concealed entrance to the hidden passage. With a quick, practiced motion, she shifted the stone slab aside, revealing the dark, narrow tunnel beyond.

The air inside the passage was dank and chill, the scent of damp earth mingling with the faint odor of minerals. Nima squeezed through the narrow opening, the rough stone brushing against her scales. The passageway twisted and turned, its walls slick with moisture in the dim light of her torch.

As she progressed deeper into the earth, the faint purring of the cave wolves reached her ears. They were guardians of the passage, wild and unpredictable creatures who answered only to the queen's commands. Nima could sense their latent hostility, their instinctual aversion to her presence.

The queen's magic permeated the air like a heady perfume, a subtle yet unmistakable aroma that prickled Nima's senses. It was a potent blend of power and ancient wisdom, swirling around her like an invisible current.

The passage seemed to stretch on endlessly, each step a silent testament to Nima's determination and resolve. Her mind raced with possibilities, her thoughts darting back to Neche and the queen's enigmatic motives. She couldn't afford to lose them, not now, not when the fate of their entire village hung in the balance.

Suddenly, the darkness erupted into motion. The cave wolves, alerted to her presence, surged forward with feral snarls and snapping jaws. Their eyes gleamed with a primal hunger, their bodies coiled like springs ready to strike.

Nima's heart pounded in her chest as she shifted seamlessly into her dragon form, her scales shimmering with a luminous intensity in the dim torchlight. The wolves lunged at her, their teeth gleaming in the faint glow, but Nima was ready.

She met their onslaught with a fierce roar, her claws slashing through the air with lethal precision. The first wolf leaped at her throat, jaws gaping wide, but she sidestepped its attack with a swift, evasive maneuver. With a deft sweep of her tail, she sent the creature crashing into the tunnel wall with a bone-jarring impact.

Another wolf pounced from the shadows, its claws raking across Nima's flank. She winced at the searing pain, but her resolve remained unbroken. With a final, desperate surge, she unleashed a burst of fire, driving the wolves back. They retreated, their growls fading into the darkness. Nima staggered, her vision blurring. She knew she couldn’t return to the village without the queen, but she was too injured to continue the chase.

She collapsed to the ground, her body trembling with exhaustion. “Just a little nap,” she thought, her eyes closing. “It won’t hurt.”

Chapter Four: Dawn's Awakening

The first light of dawn filtered through the dense canopy, painting the forest in hues of gold and amber. Nima stirred from her restless slumber, her body aching with every movement. She blinked groggily, trying to shake off the remnants of exhaustion that clung to her like a heavy cloak. The events of the previous night flooded back to her—a harrowing battle with cave wolves, a desperate pursuit through winding tunnels, and the gnawing worry over Neche and the queen's disappearance.

Sitting up slowly, Nima winced as she felt a sharp twinge in her magic core. It throbbed with a dull ache, a stark reminder of the injuries sustained during her fight. She focused inward, probing her internal magic stone with careful awareness. There, she sensed a crack—a fissure where her magic flowed weakly, struggling to knit itself back together. It meant she would need to abstain from using magic until she fully healed, a prospect that left her feeling vulnerable and exposed.

With a resigned sigh, Nima shifted into her human form, her dragon scales receding into her skin. She stood up, stretching her stiff muscles and taking in her surroundings. The forest at dawn was a study in contrasts—serene yet teeming with unseen life, bathed in gentle light that filtered through the canopy above.

The trees stood tall and ancient, their branches forming a verdant canopy that shielded the forest floor from the harshness of the sun. Moss-covered rocks and ferns carpeted the ground, their dew-kissed surfaces glistening in the early morning light. Birds sang their melodies high above, while small creatures rustled in the underbrush, going about their morning routines.

Nima walked slowly, her steps cautious yet purposeful. She muttered to herself under her breath, pondering the possible paths Neche and Mehnne might have taken. Did they fly, soaring above the treetops in silent flight? Or did they walk, blending seamlessly with the shadows, navigating the forest floor like ghosts?

The forest whispered its secrets to her—ancient murmurs carried on the wind, the rustle of leaves speaking of stories untold. It was both beautiful and eerie, a place where time seemed to stand still, where every shadow held a mystery waiting to be unraveled.

Hours passed as Nima traversed the forest, her senses alert for any sign of the queen's magic or the boy's footprints. She followed game trails and crossed babbling brooks, her determination unwavering despite the weariness that settled deep within her bones.

Neche and Mehnne's Encounter

Meanwhile, far from the quiet serenity of the forest, Neche and Mehnne journeyed onward. They had flown for a while, Mehnne's wings slicing through the cool morning air with effortless grace. However, Neche's face had grown increasingly pale, his hand clutching his stomach as waves of nausea threatened to overwhelm him.

"I... I need to rest," Neche managed to say between ragged breaths, his voice strained with discomfort.

Mehnne, concerned, landed gracefully in a small clearing bathed in dappled sunlight. Neche sank to his knees, his breath coming in shallow gasps as he tried to steady himself against a gnarled tree trunk.

"What's wrong?" Mehnne asked gently, her eyes filled with worry as she knelt beside him.

"I... I'm not used to flying," Neche admitted, his face flushed with embarrassment. "I feel... sick to my stomach."

Mehnne nodded understandingly. "Flying can be disorienting for humans, especially those unaccustomed to it. We will walk from here."

Neche managed a weak nod of gratitude as he leaned heavily against the tree, trying to regain his composure. Mehnne glanced around the clearing, her senses attuned to the rustling of leaves and the distant calls of forest creatures. It was then that a sudden movement caught her eye—a group of figures emerging from the forest edge.

Six men and a woman rode on horseback, their mounts large and sturdy, their faces weathered by years spent under the open sky. Behind them trailed a wooden buggy, its cargo of cages rattling ominously as it bounced over the uneven terrain. Within the cages were strange creatures—exotic birds with iridescent plumage, sleek mammals with piercing eyes, and creatures that Neche had never seen before in his short life.

The leader of the group, a man with a shaggy goatee and a weathered face missing several teeth, dismounted from his horse. His eyes narrowed as they settled upon Neche and Mehnne, his expression a mix of curiosity and suspicion.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" the man called Ananyo drawled, his voice rough with years of shouting commands over the wind. "A boy and a girl, far from home, and with a dragon, no less."

Neche stood unsteadily, his hand gripping Mehnne's scaled forearm for support. Mehnne rose gracefully to her feet, her eyes meeting Ananyo's with unwavering resolve.

"We mean no harm," Mehnne stated calmly, her voice carrying the weight of authority. "We are merely trying to find our way home."

Ananyo's gaze flickered with suspicion as he scrutinized the pair before him. "Home, you say? And where might that be? Certainly not around here, judging by your... companion."

Mehnne inclined her head slightly. "Our village lies beyond these mountains. We seek only safe passage through your lands."

The other hunters, Odili, Odo, and Ajia, exchanged wary glances amongst themselves, their hands hovering near the weapons at their sides. The woman, Ajia, eyed Mehnne with open mistrust, her lips curled in a sneer.

"I've never seen a dragon up close," Ajia remarked, her voice laced with disdain. "What's to stop us from capturing it and selling it to the highest bidder?"

Neche felt a surge of fear grip his heart, but Mehnne's presence beside him lent him a measure of courage. He squared his shoulders, meeting Ananyo's gaze with a steely determination.

"We mean you no harm," Neche repeated, his voice firm. "We just want to go home."

Ananyo's eyes narrowed further, his hand tightening on the hilt of his sword. "And what makes you think we'll let you go?"

Mehnne's eyes flashed with suppressed fury, but she remained composed. "Because if you harm us, you will face consequences beyond your understanding."

An uneasy silence settled over the clearing, broken only by the rustling of leaves and the creaking of the buggy behind the hunters. Ananyo glanced at his companions, a silent exchange passing between them.

"We don't have time for this," Ananyo finally muttered, his voice gruff. "Load 'em up. We'll sort this out later."

Before Neche could react, strong hands seized him roughly, dragging him away from Mehnne's protective stance. The hunters bound his hands with rough rope, their expressions hardened with resolve. Mehnne resisted, but the sheer number of men overwhelmed her. She snarled defiantly, her eyes blazing with restrained fury.

As they were led towards the buggy, Neche glanced back at Mehnne, who was held back by two of the hunters. His heart ached with helplessness, but he summoned his courage and met her gaze.

"Why didn't you use your magic?" Neche whispered urgently as they were pushed into one of the cages.

Mehnne's eyes softened briefly, her voice barely audible over the bustle of the hunters. "We are lost, Neche. This will eventually lead us out of the thick forest. Trust me."

The cage door clanged shut, sealing Neche and Mehnne within its confines. The buggy lurched forward, its wheels creaking as it resumed its journey through the forest, leaving behind only the fading echoes of Mehnne's fierce growl.

Nima's Long Vigil

Two days passed in a blur of pain and exhaustion for Nima. She had found a secluded spot within the forest, a small cave nestled beneath a rocky outcrop. There, she had tended to her injuries, her magic core slowly knitting itself back together with each passing hour. The forest had whispered to her as she healed, its ancient presence a soothing balm to her troubled soul.

On the morning of the third day, Nima emerged from her makeshift sanctuary, her body weary but her spirit renewed. The forest greeted her with its familiar symphony—the chatter of birds, the rustle of leaves, and the distant rush of a nearby stream. Sunlight filtered through the canopy above, dappling the forest floor in patches of warmth and shadow.

She stretched her limbs, feeling the last vestiges of stiffness fade away. Her magic core still felt tired, its energies depleted from the effort of healing. Nima sighed heavily, her thoughts drifting to Neche and Mehnne. She wondered what had become of them—whether they had found safety or succumbed to the dangers that lurked within the forest.

"Where are you, little brother?" Nima murmured to herself, her voice carrying a note of concern.

Determined to find answers, Nima resumed her search. She walked with purpose through the forest, her senses keen for any trace of the queen's magic or the boy's presence. The forest around her was both friend and foe—majestic and forbidding, its beauty juxtaposed with unseen perils that lurked beneath its tranquil facade.

The trees towered above her, their gnarled branches reaching skyward like ancient sentinels. Ferns and wildflowers carpeted the forest floor, their delicate petals kissed by morning dew. Shafts of sunlight pierced through the canopy, creating a dance of light and shadow that played upon the forest floor. Nima walked with silent determination, her eyes scanning the underbrush for any signs of disturbance—footprints, broken twigs, anything that might betray the passage of Neche and Mehnne.

As she walked, her mind wandered back to their last conversation. Neche's earnestness and Mehnne's unwavering resolve echoed in her thoughts. She felt a pang of guilt for not trusting Mehnne's judgment completely. The queen had promised to protect Neche, and despite her doubts, Nima knew there was a bond between them that transcended her own concerns.

The forest around her whispered secrets of its own—an ancient, primordial language that spoke of forgotten histories and untold dangers. Shadows flickered at the corners of her vision, teasing her with fleeting glimpses of movement that vanished as quickly as they appeared.

Hours passed in this manner, with Nima forging ahead through the heart of the forest. She navigated dense thickets and skirted around rocky outcrops, her path guided by intuition and the faint echo of the queen's lingering magic.

Neche and Mehnne's Captivity

In the confines of the wooden buggy, Neche sat huddled against the bars of the cage, his thoughts a whirlwind of fear and uncertainty. Beside him, Mehnne sat with quiet dignity, her eyes fixed on the distant horizon as the buggy rattled along the forest trail.

The hunters rode ahead on their horses, casting wary glances back at their captives every now and then. Ananyo, their grizzled leader, kept a vigilant eye on Neche and Mehnne, his fingers drumming impatiently on the pommel of his sword.

Neche glanced at Mehnne, his voice a hushed whisper. "What will they do with us?"

Mehnne turned her gaze to Neche, her expression unreadable. "I do not know. But we must remain strong."

Neche nodded, swallowing his fear as he pressed closer to the bars of the cage. The forest passed by in a blur of greenery and sunlight, its familiar beauty tinged with the harsh reality of their captivity.

The sun began its descent towards the horizon, casting long shadows across the forest floor. The air grew cooler, carrying with it the scent of pine and earth. Birds sang their evening melodies, their calls a haunting refrain amidst the growing tension.

As dusk settled over the forest, the buggy came to a halt in a small clearing. Ananyo dismounted with a grunt, his weathered face etched with weariness. The other hunters followed suit, their movements stiff with fatigue.

"We'll camp here for the night," Ananyo announced gruffly, his gaze sweeping over his companions. "Keep an eye on them."

Neche and Mehnne exchanged wary glances as the hunters set about making camp. A fire crackled to life in the center of the clearing, its warm glow casting flickering shadows against the surrounding trees. The hunters gathered around the fire, their voices low as they spoke in hushed tones.

Neche strained to hear their conversation, but their words were muffled by the crackling of the flames. He turned to Mehnne, his voice barely above a whisper. "What do we do now?"

Mehnne regarded Neche thoughtfully, her eyes narrowing with determination. "We wait. And when the time is right, we will find a way to escape."

Neche nodded silently, his heart pounding with a mixture of fear and hope. He leaned back against the bars of the cage, his mind racing with thoughts of home and safety.

________________________________________

Nima's Discovery

Back in the heart of the forest, Nima pressed onward through the gathering darkness. The trees loomed overhead like silent sentinels, their branches swaying gently in the evening breeze. She moved with the stealth of a shadow, her senses attuned to every rustle of leaves and snap of twigs underfoot.

Suddenly, a faint shimmer caught her eye—a subtle trace of magic lingering in the air. Nima froze, her heart quickening with anticipation. She followed the faint trail, moving silently through the underbrush with practiced ease.

As she rounded a bend in the trail, Nima's breath caught in her throat. There, nestled within a small clearing, was a telltale sign—a scuffed patch of earth where someone had recently landed.

"They were here," Nima murmured to herself, her voice barely audible in the stillness of the forest.

She knelt beside the mark, her fingers tracing the impressions left in the soil. There were two sets of footprints—one large and the other smaller, likely belonging to Neche and Mehnne. The realization sent a surge of hope through Nima's weary limbs. They were close.

With renewed determination, Nima resumed her pursuit. The forest seemed to come alive around her, its nocturnal inhabitants stirring as night settled over the land. Owls hooted from their perches high above, their calls echoing through the silent woods.

Hours passed in this manner, with Nima tracking the faint remnants of the queen's magic and the boy's presence. She crossed streams and scaled rocky slopes, her journey guided by an unwavering resolve to find her brother and the dragon queen.

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Night of Captivity

Back in the hunter's camp, Neche and Mehnne remained captive within their cage. The night enveloped the forest in a blanket of darkness, broken only by the flickering light of the campfire. The hunters had settled down for the night, their figures huddled close to the warmth of the flames.

Neche lay on the ground within the cage, his thoughts racing as he stared up at the starlit sky. Beside him, Mehnne's form was a shadowy silhouette, her eyes closed in silent contemplation.

"Are you alright?" Neche whispered softly, breaking the silence that hung heavy between them.

Mehnne opened her eyes, her gaze meeting Neche's with quiet reassurance. "I am unharmed, Neche. Do not worry about me."

Neche sighed heavily, his mind still reeling from the events of the day. "I'm sorry... This is all my fault. If I hadn't insisted on leaving, we wouldn't be in this mess."

Mehnne shook her head gently, her voice firm yet gentle. "You had to leave, Neche. You had to find a way to stop the sacrifices. I understand."

Neche swallowed hard, his throat tight with emotion. "But now... I don't know how to get us out of here."

Mehnne's eyes softened with compassion. "We will find a way, Neche. Trust in me."

Neche nodded silently, finding solace in Mehnne's unwavering faith. He shifted restlessly on the ground, his thoughts drifting to Nima and their village. He wondered what they were doing at that very moment, whether they were safe and if they knew of his plight.

As Neche's eyes drifted shut, exhaustion finally claimed him. His dreams were haunted by visions of dragons and hunters, of towering cliffs and endless forests. Through it all, Mehnne's presence remained a constant—a beacon of hope in the darkness that surrounded them.

Nima's Resolve

Dawn broke over the forest, painting the sky in hues of pink and gold. Nima had not stopped her relentless pursuit throughout the night, driven by a fierce determination to find Neche and Mehnne. She had followed the subtle traces of magic and footprints left behind, her senses honed to the task despite the weariness that threatened to overwhelm her.

Finally, as the sun rose higher in the sky, Nima found herself standing on the edge of a small clearing. There, in the center, stood the hunter's camp—a cluster of tents and a dwindling campfire, surrounded by a makeshift barricade of fallen logs and branches.

Her heart pounded with anticipation as she surveyed the scene before her. She spotted the wooden buggy with its ominous cargo of cages, and nearby, the cage where Neche and Mehnne were held captive.

Nima's eyes narrowed with determination. She knew she couldn't confront the hunters directly, not with Neche and Mehnne's safety at stake. She needed a plan—a way to free them without alerting the hunters to her presence.

Quietly, she circled around the camp, her movements swift and silent. She studied the hunters' habits and the layout of their camp, searching for any weaknesses she could exploit.

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Neche and Mehnne's Hope

Inside the cage, Neche stirred awake as the first rays of sunlight filtered through the canopy above. He blinked groggily, his body stiff from sleeping on the hard ground. Beside him, Mehnne was already awake, her eyes fixed on the surrounding camp with a calculating gaze.

"Morning," Neche whispered, his voice hoarse from sleep.

Mehnne turned to him, a faint smile touching her lips. "Good morning, Neche."

Neche sat up slowly, his mind racing with thoughts of their predicament. "Any ideas on how we're going to get out of here?"

Mehnne's eyes flickered with determination as she surveyed their surroundings. "I have been studying the hunters. They are tired and distracted. If we time it right, we may be able to break free."

Neche nodded thoughtfully, his gaze flickering to the nearby cage door. "What about Nima? Do you think she's still looking for us?"

Mehnne's expression softened with concern. "I believe she is. Nima is strong, Neche. She is nearby.”

Chapter Five: Nima's Gambit

As the morning sun bathed the hunter's camp in a warm glow, Nima crouched at the edge of the clearing, her eyes trained on the cage where Neche and Mehnne were held captive. Her heart raced with a mixture of fear and determination. She knew she couldn't afford to wait any longer—she had to act now, while the hunters were still groggy from the night's vigil.

Taking a deep breath to steady her nerves, Nima rose silently from her hiding spot. She moved with cat-like grace, her movements swift and deliberate as she approached the cage. Her mind raced through the possibilities, calculating each step with precision.

As she reached the cage, she spotted Ananyo and his hunters gathered around the dying embers of the campfire, their voices low with fatigue. This was her chance.

Nima focused her energy, channeling the remnants of her magic into a small burst of power. She gripped the bars of the cage, her muscles tensing with effort as she attempted to break the lock with brute force.

However, Nima's magic core, still weakened from her recent injuries, faltered under the strain. The lock held fast, refusing to yield to her efforts. Panic gripped her heart as she realized she didn't have enough strength to break free.

Before she could retreat, Ananyo's sharp eyes caught sight of her. "Hey! What's that?"

In an instant, the hunters were on high alert. They surged towards Nima, their weapons drawn and faces set with grim determination. Nima backed away slowly, her mind racing for another plan.

But it was too late. Ananyo and his men closed in around her, their numbers overwhelming. They seized Nima roughly, binding her hands with thick ropes before she could mount any resistance.

"We've got another one!" Ananyo called out triumphantly, a cruel grin spreading across his weathered face. "Looks like our luck's turning up, boys!"

Nima struggled against her captors, but her efforts were in vain. She glared defiantly at Ananyo, her voice laced with suppressed fury. "Let us go! You have no right to keep us here!"

Ananyo's grin widened, his gaze cold and calculating. "Oh, but we do, little lady. You're gonna fetch us a pretty penny at the markets."

With Nima securely bound, Ananyo ordered his men to prepare for departure. The hunters packed up their camp with efficient speed, their captives—Neche, Mehnne, and now Nima—secured in the back of the buggy among the cages of exotic creatures.

The Journey to the Village

The journey to the village was long and arduous, the buggy rattling over rugged terrain as it followed the winding forest trails. Neche, Mehnne, and Nima sat in silence within the confines of their cage, their minds consumed with worry and uncertainty.

Neche stole glances at Nima, his heart heavy with guilt. "I'm sorry, Nima. This is all my fault."

Nima looked at him with a mixture of reassurance and concern. "Don't blame yourself, Neche. We'll find a way out of this."

Mehnne remained silent, her eyes closed in quiet contemplation. She could sense the queen's magic lingering in the air, a faint whisper of guidance amidst the chaos that surrounded them.

As they traveled, Nima's thoughts drifted to their captors and the motives behind their actions. She studied Ananyo and his hunters with keen observation, noting the weariness etched into their faces and the grim determination that fueled their every move.

After what seemed like an eternity, the buggy finally rolled into a small village nestled at the edge of the forest. The village bustled with activity as villagers went about their daily routines, casting wary glances at the group of hunters and their peculiar cargo.

Ananyo and his men led the captives through the village streets, drawing curious stares and muttered whispers from the villagers. They halted in the village square, where a crude wooden platform stood—a makeshift stage for trading goods and settling disputes.

Neche, Mehnne, and Nima were unceremoniously dragged off the buggy and placed inside a sturdy cage at the center of the square. The villagers gathered around, their expressions a mix of curiosity and apprehension as they eyed the captives with cautious interest.

Ananyo stepped forward, his voice ringing out over the crowd. "Behold! Exotic humans, such like you have never seen before, captured in the wilds beyond our lands. Brought here for your viewing pleasure and for your buying benefits!" he yelled before bursting into laughter.

The villagers murmured amongst themselves, their eyes wide with awe and fear. Some edged closer to get a better look, while others held back, crossing themselves against the perceived danger of such stranger creatures. One had hair whiter than the clouds on a bright summer day while the other had hair of many colour, all colour captured in nature was held in her hair.

Neche looked around nervously, his eyes searching for any sign of sympathy among the villagers. He spotted a young girl with braided hair and bright eyes watching from the outskirts of the crowd. Their gazes met briefly, a silent exchange of understanding passing between them.

Mehnne's gaze swept over the villagers, her expression stoic yet watchful. She sensed the queen's magic nearby, a subtle pulse of familiarity amidst the sea of unfamiliar faces.

Nima sat quietly beside Neche and Mehnne, her mind racing with thoughts of escape. She studied the bars of the cage, calculating the distance to the nearest tree and the strength it would take to break free.

The end for now, maybe!

SIDE NOTE

I started working on this story two years ago after I got inspired by a prompt in the Vocal challenges. I was excited at the idea as I have not really delved into fantasy writing. I am starting to think my imagination might not be wired that way. It took me a while to get this far in the story. I saw big things for it. Warring dragon clans, lost queen found just on the nick of time, Nima and everyone finally realizing the queen had imprinted on the poor human she brought and the dragon village blaming her for disrupting the village imprinting on the queen process and much more. I even harboured idea of expanding on the romantic feeling between the adopted siblings with her brother setting out to go find her. I see the ideas and pictured in my head but I just can’t seem to drum up the excitement to do it, to write it. I hope you read to the end and I hope I can get to a good place to actually finish this story. It seems promising to me.