Of Prophecy and Wishes

As Aernish stared down the drooling child between her toes, she could not help but glare. In an attempt to keep her toes apart, she was experiencing cramps in the muscles of both her front feet. Despite the ache, her toes managed to remain apart so that the chubby human offspring could roll, coo, and leak all over her beautiful green scales. Aernish was experiencing various emotions at the same time, and each of these emotions was at odds with the other. The small cooing bundle was unusually delightful. She attributed it to the squishy softness and malleable folds that seemed to demand snuggles.

Aernish, on the other hand, was nothing more than a passive victim in the whole process. Under a layer or three of cooling drool cloying her magnificent forest green scales shine and glisten under the layer or three of gooey drool drizzled down the child's cheeks. Furthermore, as if that was not enough, the sun was moving rapidly across the sky at the same time, further complicating the situation. The chill in the air that swept across the skyline as the sun rose over the hills and set in the evening caused her to think that a small person would be at a greater risk than an adult on this particular night because of the chill in the air. Raven could not be found in the sky as she scanned the sky again. He seemed to be taking his sweet time returning with a human woman just as she had requested.

There was a sharp sound of sucking that brought her attention back to the small human. This small human was folded within itself while it sucked on her toe scales, lapping between her natural folds with its tongue. There couldn't be any nutritional value in eating dirt from dragon's feet, Aernish thought, a little dismayed, and she shook her head in resignation. Its olive complexion glistened between its skin folds. She thought more urgently of ways to move the little ball of fat. She needed to get him in a warm basin, surround him with absorbent blankets and return to the sanctuary of her library. A good book and warm fire would allow her the space and ability to sort her thoughts.

Trying to collect the plump human child was a challenging task for Aernish. As her claws were sharp, it seemed improbable that she could pinch it between two nails. Its supple skin would be easier to pierce than pig skin. As a result, she decided abruptly that she should not do this. She did not have the right kind of feet to grasp the crawling Plumpkin with her toe pads, she giggled at the nickname she had just gifted for her newfound tumble Plumpkin. As her laughter reverberated through her lungs, a deep and low growl reverberated from her chest and shook the entire ground and trees. In the blink of an eye, the Plumpkin stopped moving and stared up at her with its big brown eyes. As Aernish considered the Plumpkin's face, it slowly froze in a state of fear... or maybe not fear at all, but curiosity. At least he didn't cry. There was a great deal more sharpness in her teeth than in her nails. If she tried to move him with her maw, it would be disastrous indeed. He was not a baby dragon.

Where was Raven? In a fit of irritation, she pictured him as an overgrown forest squirrel with wings instead of a glorious black and intelligent bird. After standing here for many hours, she seriously questioned his intelligence, which was not surprising considering how much time his absence forced her to commit to this task. In the past, humans called it by what name? It is ninnying, no... nannying. Yes, it was nannying and for sure the Plumpkin would cause a fuss if it wasn't fed within a short period of time. Quite honestly, Aernish had no idea what to give it as food.

There was no way she could leave the child behind. Though she was unwilling to admit it, the little Plumpkin's drooly exploration of her left foot, and its overall lack of fear, were all making her feel quite fond of this little Plumpkin. There were plenty of stories about princesses who complained, were needy, and superficial... Is there any reason she could not keep a small pet at home? In order for the Plumpkin to walk, dispose of its treasures, and forage for its food, its human mother needs to return and teach it what it needs to know.

It is no secret that Aernish took great delight in recounting countless stories in which the princesses proved to be quite useful in the kitchen. Princesses usually master their kitchen craft to benefit their benevolent dragons. Looking at the rolly-polly toddling Plumpkin, and grumbled to herself about the usefulness of a two-legged manager for her slow and impossibly irresponsible Raven. Where was he? She grumbled, and the leaves on the trees shivered in response to her irritation. The child looked at her with big brown eyes and this time he laughed back, staring up at her with bold and joyous laughter. She shook her head, aware that was the perfect response from the Plumpkin- he wasn't even afraid of her.

The wind picked up and drew Aernish’s attention toward the peaks of the trees, and a familiar flapping sound. Aernish audibly exhaled, relieved to see a familiar set of black feathers and sharp gold eyes. Raven released a brown cloth that tumbled to the ground as the bird's back flapped, looking for a safe place to land. Once his feet set to the soil, he began hopping toward the child. His gold eyes were intent on the Plumpkin, and he hopped to Aernish’s front left foot, dragging the cloth with him. Then he released a mouthful of seed and fruit onto the rag, cawing and hopping to get the Plumpkin’s attention.

“Raven, where have you been?” Aernish scolded.

Raven looked up to meet Aernish’s eyes as the human child tumbled off her foot and onto the blanket. Raven was able to draw the child’s attention to the food, just before he ended up in the grasp of the chubby and slobbered fingers. Raven lifted in flight to eye level with Aernish, leaving the child to eat.

“I searched the village at the river's edge, but there were no humans there. So I scanned the forests and the bend for any sign of them. They were not there. I searched their huts finding food, and clothing, and it did not seem they packed to go anywhere. I looked, but there were no human women to lead here.” Raven landed on her snout, hopping up toward her eyes. “I brought the sack so we could all go down and investigate. The child is too fat for me to carry.”

Aernish thought over those words for a moment. After a few breaths and deliberate stretches of her left front foot, she agreed but under the condition to return to her den before nightfall. Additionally, her foot could use a break from the child; she could carry a sack with a hind foot. “He’s not fat,” she insisted with a grin, “He is well loved. We can return at first light to search for his kin.”

Raven took flight and glided toward the child, “Well, I will roll his belovedness into the sack as soon as he is done eating.”

Aernish watched the little Plumpkin savor each small handful of birdfeed and snuggle the cloth. She smiled. It was strange for her to have the internal realization that such a tiny and helpless creature could warm her heart so. Aernish never wanted a child. In her mind, children were little more than small things that cried, demanded, and destroyed. Tiny flesh tornados. The visual of such a thing caused her to smile. She looked back to the Plumpkin and reimagined a small hungry orange flesh tornado, rolling over the valleys and lapping up the crystal blue rivers that swam down from the mountain tips.

Raven hopped and bounced, pacing around the Plumpkin. Aernish watched him and wondered what was disturbing her small feathered friend. He would hop forward, tilting him this way and that, taking in the child's face. Then hop backward around the child and back again. After a few rounds, Aernish cleared her throat.

“Ahem” She looked pointedly at the bird, “What’re you doing?”

“I am trying to figure out who this child belongs to. It is difficult to identify clan features around the Plumpness and wrinkled skin. His eyes seem the deep browns of the Firewolf clan, but his skin hints toward the summerkiss warmth of the Watersprite Gypsies. I am not sure which direction I should fly to discover his clan. We are closest to the Icespring Clan, a bear clan that hunts these meadows and forests in the early spring but their settlement was abandoned.”

“Abandoned, you say. Is there a chance perhaps that the Firewolf or Watersprite people have stolen the people of this clan? In wartimes, humans often steal each other for forced labor. Maybe my Plumpkin was left as an offering to the forest due to its inability to work?” She glanced over to the blanket where the child had finally fallen into a light sleep.

Raven started wrapping the cloth around the child, folding one corner over another and then again. As he braided a carry sack around the child he thought aloud. “Perhaps, although there were no signs of struggle, Aernish. It is the strangest way to leave a village abandoned or raided.” He puffed up, shaking his body and feathers, flexing his muscles after securing the child. “Here, take this, the night is fast upon us, and we could discuss this better in the comfort of the den.”

Aernish looked at the braided band attached to a satchel containing someone soft and precious. With her hind leg, she securely grasped the handle between two claws and lifted off. Her great wings lifted her clear of the trees in two pumps, and there she hovered rocking the child with the grace of her flapping wings lulling her Plumpkin into a deep and safe slumber. She knew it would take a few moments for Raven to work past her downward gusts of wind and force his way up, toward her head. Then she would graciously give him time to catch his breath, not requiring him to speak through the effort to stay in the air, draw breath, and remain above the wind flow of her wingspan.

After a few moments, she heard Raven call for her to lead the way. Keeping her eyes focused on Plumpkin, having never flown with a toddling child before, she took to the skies, focusing on beating the moon and the night's chill. The flight wasn’t as daunting as landing with a child bundled in a sack would have been. As Aernish wove through the air currents up the mountainside, she reached for the sack in her hind claw and pulled the child up to her chest. Now she embraced Plumpkin in a warm and secure hug. With each breath he took, her little Plumpkin filled her enclosed palms with warmth… And in that moment, she realized, she was able to hold him; it just felt strange, small, and so very special.

Raven raced ahead of Aernish dropping below the tree line in a hard dive. Aernish watched, curious about what her frantic Raven was up to. She circled the tree line, holding her precious cargo to her chest. Both hands clasping and protecting the child. She could feel him stirring within her grasp. He was waking up just in time to see the den. The dragon started the descent into the high wood and back to her home. There was still much that needed sorting, but for now, as she slowly spiraled into the forest and toward the vast cavern that opened to her home, her mind was simply on getting her Plumpkin somewhere safe, before the night sucked the last of the warmth from the spring air. She smiled, warmed by the realization that now she was calling the Plumpkin, her Plumpkin.

The world opened to greet her, and Aernish back-winged to the entrance of her den. Softly landing with more effort than she had ever considered giving the task of landing. Aernish carefully stepped into her home, walking only on her hind legs, precariously balancing her weight to keep holding Plumpkin undisturbed. Somehow, she knew sudden changes would wake the baby and give her more responsibility than she was already struggling to master. A familiar voice echoed down the hall, framed by a small feathered body, hopping from side to side.

“I got something to satiate the toddler, he will soon have a full belly. I started the fire in the library and made a safe nest him to rest. There we can decide our next steps. I hate to say it, but he might end up a succulent snack...” He cocked his head to indicate the package she was carrying at her heart, “I would happily take his toes.”

“Not likely; if I am going to eat stowaways, I will start with you.” Aernish ducked her head and carefully stepped into her library. The fireplace glistened with ivory and gold. Beside the pillow nest, where she often read, was a smaller nest, perfect for Plumpkin. Raven had done well. The air was warmer in this room, and the floor-to-ceiling bookshelves provided Aernish with a comfort unmatched by any creature comfort. She released the child into his nest, watching him stir and snuggle deeper into the fabrics and pillows Raven had scavenged.

The next morning began with the inconsolable cries of a hungry toddler. Aernish could barely force her eyelids to open. She was not used to waking so soon after falling asleep.

"What is wrong with Plumpkin? Is he dying?" Aernish asked, exasperated and in a low enough growl to shake the cavern walls and floors. She drew her hands up defensively, prepared to cover her ears if he screamed again. Raven was chirping with laughter.

"That's what you named it, isn't it? Haha, Plumpkin, it's perfect!" He flapped his wings, drawing the child's attention to a leaf full of fat juicy berries of various shades of blues, blacks, and reds. "You do realize that a human child has a small stomach. Plumpkin has to eat every few hours."

Aernish thought this over, barely looking at her feathered friend through one open eye. She scoffed, her large nostrils sending a cascade of hot air straight toward the bird and child.

Raven, being quite used to this type of response, opened his wings and flapped backward with grace. The child ungracefully tumbled back quite a few feet. He bounced his head and his elbow on the hard floor, causing quite an upset.

Raven's prompt response helped prevent any further injury by catching the child's head with wings spread and helping him roll to a smoother stop. The black sharp eyes focused on Aernish in a reprimanding appraise. Plumpkin started wailing, holding his knee with big terrible tears welling around bright and bruised brown eyes. His berries were all smashed. His leaf gone. His tummy, still hungry. He threw his head back and howled.

Raven fluttered to Aernish's snout and yelled, his feathers each fluffed, giving him insulation from the baby's sound. "Well, you'll be awake now! Comfort your Plumpkin while I get more berries."

"Oh no," Aernish warned, "you cannot leave me alone with it! Not while it wails!"

Raven gave her an appraising look, stepping closer to say, "It would be well fed and happy had you not forgotten to measure the size of your temper to the situation.

Aernish stared back in equal measure, although her consideration was more amused than measured. "Fair point, but what am I to do until you return?" She stared down at the small human whose screams were intensifying every second their attention was not on him. "It is too small for me to be useful." She bemoaned.

"You could read to him, sing to him, or place him in a palm and swing him." he glanced over his feathers to the toddler as Plumpkin started coughing through his wails.

"Yoohoo," a high-pitched voice cooed from Aernish’s entry caverns.

Aernish rolled her eyes instantly recognizing the unwanted guest. Plumpkin stopped crying long enough to wipe snot and tears from his face and roll his body to face the sound, then after the briefest adjustment of rolls and temperament, he threw his head back and began his howl anew. Raven's eyes got big in recognition, and he tilted his head in a knowing farewell before lifting to fly out to forage for lunch.

"Aernish, what is that delightful wailing? It sounds young, tender, and juicy." The high pitch voice hollered.

As if recognizing the threat, Plumpkin shot to his feet and ran to Aernish, clambering onto her front left foot. It cramped in response, remembering the long afternoon in the forest. He secured himself between her fingers just as the older dragon labored into the library.

"I was sure I'd find you among your human treasures. Oh, Aernish, you must start acting more Drago…" her words caught in her throat as her eyes fell upon the small red bundle of upset and woe.

Plumpkin, seeing the larger Dragon catch her words and gape at him, promptly began screaming. Doubling his efforts, he managed to be twice as loud as before.

"You're scaring him, Betrice." Aernish reprimanded the other Dragon.

"Yes, exactly this, Aernish. What Dragon defends a snack against another Dragon? Silence it; let's be civilized with each other and discuss your future in this clan. You can't keep putting off the inevitable with your playthings, feathered or…” She paused and gave Plumpkin a sideways glance before muttering; “... Fat."

Aernish scoffed, "That was uncalled for! He's a child!"

"Eat it already!" The older Dragon demanded. "Its noise is awful." Noticing Aernish did not bring the squalling toddler to mouth, Betrice lunged forward, reaching for him, herself.

It was then, Aernish protectively pulled the child to her chest. "My Plumpkin is my pet. Raven is collecting his breakfast. He will quiet when he is fed." She retorted, stroking Plumpkin absent-mindedly.

"Other Dragon's whisper that you're a bit of a hoot, and it's not being said in a kindly manner. You’re a dragon Aernish; stop acting a fool! Just because it has feathers and hangs about does not make it loyal or a mate- your blackbird is hardly a snack." She growled, her eyes darting back to Plumpkin, preparing to insult him further.

"Enough!" Aernish roared, turning her back on Betrice. Pulling her hands away from her chest to look at the human child for inner strength and calm, Aernish exhaled her farewell. "You will show yourself out, Betrice."

In warning, Aernish’s green scales began to clatter and glow. A thunderous clicking melodiously reverberated through the halls of her home. A beautiful light show of greens and golds with hints of pinks danced on the firm earthen-packed walls and ceiling-to-floor bookshelves. Although a beautiful display, for Dragons the response was a clear warning of danger. A warning rarely given, and never taken lightly. The clattering and movement caught Plumpkins’ attention as he stared at her scales in wonder. Sniffling but much quieter now, he watched her scales lift to reveal her pink and gold under scales.

Plumpkin looked into Aernish eyes, his bright red skin calming to a more healthy color. He drew in deep and measured breaths, wiping the drool from his face. His brown eyes danced around the room and back to her scales in curious admiration. The room was quiet beyond her warning response. On one hand, Aernish was proud of Plumpkins’ self-control, he was self-soothing quite nicely. He had stopped his crying, allowing Aernish to clearly think again. On the other hand, she had yet to hear Betrice shuffle her nosey meddling tail back out of her home.

It was at this point that Aernish decided enough time had passed for the older Dragon to leave. Then she turned to confront Betrice and demand that she leave her home immediately. Her scales clattered louder and faster, warning of the rising anger within Aernish. She set Plumpkin in her nest and wrapped her tail protectively around him, turning swiftly to face Betrice. The fact that Aernish found her hallway empty was a pleasant surprise for her. For such a fat head and big mouth, the other dragon was succinct in vacating silently when in danger.

Aernish decided it was best to go out and find Plumpkins' family as soon as Raven returned. With her Plumpkin calmer, she snuggled beside him in her nest. She calmed her scales and opened her favorite book. She smiled at the little Plumpkin, showing him the cover of a blue Dragon who resembled the water clan Dragons of the Easternasia waterways, and begin to read. The story felt appropriate, being about a human boy and a Dragon he came to love.

Raven returned just in time to interrupt one of her favorite parts of the story. Plumpkin was relieved to have a new leaf. He took handfuls of berries and shoveled them into his face. She glanced from the corner of her eyes at the natural cotton staining and grimaced, deciding to ignore the berry juices leaking onto her beautiful lacework quilts.

"Did lady Betrice return to her sulfur den or is she waiting around a corner to ambush me with insult and threat?" Raven asked dramatically, looking over and under a wing to indicate the level of sneaky mischief he associated with Betrice.

"I may have threatened her," Aernish admitted.

The Raven looked genuinely concerned as he fluttered up to Aernish's snout as he said, "What's going on? Airy, awful as she is, she remains the Forest matriarch. You shouldn't go up against her."

"She threatened Plumpkin," Aernish growled.

Raven shot a glance over his shoulder to Plumpkin and pressed his forehead to Aernish’s. The act was one of love, friendship, and understanding. No more words were needed. Raven lept into the air taking a lazy gliding flight back down to Plumpkin. "I am also growing quite fond of him."

“It is imperative that we continue the search for his family. I know you searched the nearest village, and no one was there, but it makes sense to return with Plumpkin. Maybe they have returned. Maybe Plumpkin will show familiarity with the place." Aernish said.

An hour later; Plumpkins' face was stained pinks and purples, and Raven had wrapped the cloth carry sack around a naked child. Raven then said more to himself, "We need to find the waste garments or teach him how to handle his bathroom duties if we cannot find a mother or nanny." Aernish nodded in agreement.

After a few finalizing adjustments for travel with a human child, Raven lifted into the air. Aernish took off after Raven, letting him lead the search for Plumpkin's family. The first village was alive with rodents and foul. Aernish found it strange the number of birds and rodents clambering around in broad daylight. Raven pointed out the baskets overflowing with the unattended harvest, which was all the stranger. Aernish and Raven determined this was a forest clan; the emblems on the huts and linens reflected marriages between water peoples, wolf, and bear clans. Raven had flown several linens out to a pile of baby keepsakes, but the bounty was limited. They both decided it was unlikely that Plumpkin hailed from these people, as the village was absent of child toys, beds, or waste garments, commonly found with a human the size of Plumpkin.

The second village was a smaller encampment. The villagers were hesitant at first to come out and meet Aernish. Clearly, they were unsure of how to interact with a dragon. As Plumpkin stirred, his sounds and squirming brought forward an older woman, who requested, although not hers, she would take and raise Plumpkin. Aernish refused, pulling her Plumpkin closer to her chest. The old woman smiled, an unpleasant and almost cruel smile then turned to leave.

Aernish swore she heard her say under her breath, “Then you too will end up like its mother.”

“What did you just say?” Aernish demanded. “Do not take another step, crone!” Aernish growled.

Raven swooped down to stand protectively beside Plumpkin. A man stepped out from the growing crowd, his arms raised in supplication.

“Please mighty dragon, understand, men have many fears, and we hide from many demons. On a typical day, we would hide and cower from your majesty, but there are tales on the wind of a spirit coming to our lands to plague men in search of its home. This spirit is vengeful and leaves cradles full while snatching the life of all able body men and women. Great Dragon, please do not wish us ill. Take your lost child and leave us. Only death awaits babies left in the hands of men until the spirit finds its place of rest.”

“What did he just say?” Raven tilted his head.

“Explain yourself; what are you saying” Aernish echoed directing her question to the human man.

He spoke in hushed tones, never looking toward Plumpkin, never looking to Aernish. “Whatever fate befell that child’s family is likely tied to prophesy and paranoia. Keep him or eat him, but his mother is likely dead if she tried to protect him. Superstition has driven my kind mad. Humankind slaughters all children this fall. No toddler or babe will survive to feel the bitter winter cold. Take him dragon, take him far from us. With you, he has the best chance of survival.” He lowered his head, adding quietly, “Dragon; with you, he has the best chance of a kinder death.”

Raven pressed his forehead to Aernish’s, “Let us leave, the humans are tainted by their own minds.”

Aernish extended her arms to hold out Plumpkin, his tiny hands outstretched, reaching for her once again. With the village backdropped to his tiny round body, she extended her wings, pulling him to her again and lifting off.

“Wait, Dragon!” A young girl wailed, pushing past the crowd to be in view. “If you should keep him,” she cried “Know it was foretold that a child will survive, son to Dragons; his name was to be Quman!” She ran to look directly at Aernish, shaking away the grasp of hands seeking to pull her back indoors. “They foretold Quman to possess great magic, and his mother Dragon climbs the ranks to be the mother of all Dragonkin.” The old woman snatched her up by the waist and pulled her toward a hut, attempting to silence the girl.

Aernish snarled her scales, responding to the girl's screams. Aernish landed with enough force to knock all the humans off of their feet. “Give me your name and age, girl.” Aernish hissed. The light reflecting from her glowing scales danced across the stunned faces: green, gold, and pink. The girl stood. “I am Kora Alba. I am the last of the Icesprite clan.”

“Why are you so far south from your Ice tipped home to the north?” Raven asked, landing between the girl and the crone.

“She purchased me from my clan with a promise. I am to marry Dalziel with the new moon.” Raven made a sound Aernish recognized immediately as distaste.

“What of your age?” Raven cawed.

“I am in my thirteenth year.” The girl said proudly.

“Is this a marriage that you would like to have?” Raven asked.

She looked at Aernish, then to the Raven, and then back again to the old crone watching her. She held her head high, even though she was screaming no with her eyes. The girl took a small hesitant step toward the Dragon, whose scales rippled gold and pink across the green fields.

Aernish lowered her head, “Climb on Kora Alba, and be the writer of your own tale, for Quman can only survive with a human to help me raise him. I will not demand this of you, only request. Help me, and I will protect you.”

Lifting her skirts, the girl raced toward the Dragon, Raven lifted in flight behind her. Kora Alba ripped a ribbon from her hair, her bright white hair flailing behind her with each step, Plumpkin giggled and applauded, pointing at Kora Alba.

The crone dared not move. The entire village remained perfectly still. Kora Alba leaped onto the back of Aernish, and Aernish took to the skies.

That night, Aernish, Kora, Raven, and Plumpkin all snuggled together to hear a few more chapters of the boy and his Dragon. Their introductions had warmed each to the other, and Plumpkin hadn't cried once since Kora Alba started tending him in the ways of the people. When both the children were asleep, Raven snuggled into the snout of Aernish and made a quiet but heartfelt wish. “I wish I could be with you, Aernish, as a Dragon, to raise and protect these two as a mated pair.”

Aernish sighed, a sound of longing in hearing his quiet wish, sharing the desire in more ways than was fair to express. Plumpkin opened a single eye, focusing on Raven, and smiled. Soon, a heartfelt wish and prophecy would be fulfilled…