Revelations
Thistle's heart was pounding in terror as she ran through the crowded streets of Mauve Pearl Village towards the south field. She ran across the sunlit grass, searching for the distinctive blue flower of the kettle lion weed. She didn't know how the weed could help Gavin's rotting hand, but Plinkon seemed confident it could. She let out a sigh of relief when she found a large patch a few yards away from the archery field. She fell to her knees and began plucking every bud she could find and shoving them in her dress pockets. She could hear the cheers of the crowd as they enjoyed the archery competition. She was startled when the cheers turned to screams of terror. Before she could look up, a large shadow passed over her, blocking out the sun for an instant. She cried out in fear and fell backward in the grass.
Thistle looked up in horror and amazement to see three magnificent dragons circling overhead. They were obviously preparing to land in the meadow beyond the tournament field. The largest one was black as night and the most terrifying of the three creatures. It was a fierce, muscle-bound brute compared to the leaner build of the other dragons. The middle-sized dragon was redder than ivy berries in late fall. He looked extra wild thanks to the spiky scales on his head and tail. The third dragon was white as snow and much smaller. Its smooth body shimmered with pearl-like iridescence in the morning sun.
"By the gods! What are they doing here?" Thistle cried in astonishment as she watched them disappear behind a hill in the meadow.
She rushed to the edge of the archery field to join the crowd of onlookers. They stared in amazement as three cloaked figures emerged from behind the hill, walking towards the village. The tallest figure wore a black cloak and hood as he walked next to a smaller figure in a white cloak and hood. The white figure was obviously female. Behind them marched another male in a bright red cloak and hood.
"Are they the dragons transformed?" Thistle whispered in confusion as she hurried back into the village for a closer look.
No one dared to approach the hooded figures as they calmly walked into the village. The Mauve Pearl Guards looked at them warily, but they had no reason to prevent them from entering the village during the festival. Dragons were no longer enemies of humans. They had just as much right to be there as anyone else. Thistle crept after them through the crowded street. People would move away from the hooded figures as they passed. They had powerful air about them.
"Dragons use magic," Thistle whispered as she nudged a little closer. "I bet they can help Gavin. I need to ask."
Thistle hurried up beside them, preparing to speak, but the smallest figure in the white cloak suddenly staggered. She was going to collapse. Thistle gasped and dived to catch her just as the black hooded figure turned to do the same. They both caught her at the same time.
Sidian looked into the beautiful face of the stranger in surprise. He was flattered that she was trying to help Lacia. He raised a curious eyebrow when he noticed her short ears.
"What... what's wrong with her?" Thistle stammered in fear. "Is she all right? By the gods, she's beautiful," she said in amazement as she admired Lacia's angelic face and golden curls.
"She is exhausted after our flight," Sidian began. "The fatigue hits suddenly a few minutes after landing," he explained as he collected Lacia into his arms, pulling her away from Thistle. "Thank you for trying to help her. She will be fine after some rest. Young maiden, I don't mean to be rude, but what are you? I've never seen ears like yours before."
Thistle pulled her eyes away from Lacia long enough to observe the other hooded figures. Her mouth dropped open as she examined the men. They both had strikingly large eyes and elegant, small featured faces.
"I uh... I'm a half-elf... I'm a half-human too," she stammered in embarrassment.
"And fully adorable," Ragos said with a grin as he slowly stepped around her, looking her up and down.
"Be civil, Ragos," Sidian snapped at his brother.
"I will be perfectly civil, just like I promised. I can't promise I'll be sober. There's a lot of free wine floating around," he said with a smirk.
Sidian let out an annoyed sigh as he glared at Ragos. Drunk Ragos was a menace to society, and he wanted to keep him away from the wine as much as possible.
"This village seems well guarded, brother. I would like for you to fly south and check on the Daylith Mountain Pass for me. If you see anything suspicious, please report back to me immediately," he ordered.
"Seriously, Sid? We just fucking got here!" he protested.
"Fine. Take a small barrel of wine with you for the flight," he growled through his teeth.
"Fine. And you need to take that stick out of your ass," he growled before he sauntered away to find some wine.
Thistle was chewing her lip nervously as she watched the heated exchange. Sidian noticed her discomfort and promptly smiled at her.
"I'm terribly sorry for my brother's attitude. It takes a lot of encouraging words to keep him out of trouble. My name is Sidian. The fair creature in my arms is my fiancee, Lacia. Did you see us flying in?"
"I did. You scared me half to death. I've never seen a dragon before. My name is Thistle. I'm staying with my friends at the Mauve Pearl Royal Inn. You're welcome to bring Lacia to my room and rest if you would like. And I... uh... need to ask something of you. If you don't mind," she stammered with tears appearing in her eyes.
"Of course, Thistle. That's very kind of you. Please, tell me what's wrong?"
"I've read that dragons use magic," she began as a tear escaped her eye and fell down her pale cheek. "My friend Gavin was cursed by an item of destiny. I fear his hand will rot off in a matter of days. He's in agony at the moment. Can you help him?"
"I will certainly try. Please, take me to him."
"Thank you," she breathed as she turned and led Sidian up the street.
Plinkon and Astrum had moved Gavin to the bed after he drank half a handle of whiskey and passed out. They made him as comfortable as possible, letting his left hand hang off the bed so Plinkon could work on it. Wesley was pacing the room as they waited for Thistle to return. He was about to go looking for her when the door opened, and she rushed in with a stranger behind her. Plinkon and Astrum stood in alarm as the hooded figure entered the room, carrying a beautiful, unconscious woman in his arms.
"What's this about? Am I running an infirmary now?" Plinkon asked.
"Sorry for the intrusion," Sidian announced. "Thistle offered a bed for my tired fiancee, and I offered to examine her injured friend," he explained as he carried Lacia over to a bed in the corner and gently laid her down.
"This is Sidian," Thistle began. "He's a dragon."
"A dragon!" everyone announced in unison.
"Yes. A dragon," Sidian said in amusement as he stepped into the middle of the room and pulled his hood back.
Everyone gazed at him in wonder as he looked among their faces. He was surprised by the racial variety in the room.
"I assume this young man needs my help," Sidian said as he walked over to Gavin and gently picked up his hand to examine it. "By the gods. Powerful magic caused this," he whispered as he traced the burning black streaks with his fingers. "May I see what did this to him?" he asked as he looked at Thistle.
"Uh, yes. It was my arrow," she said as she retrieved her quiver and pulled the gold arrow free of the vest.
"Who gave that to you?" Sidian asked in amazement as he walked over to examine it. He reached up to touch it, but she quickly pulled it away.
"Don't touch it, or you'll end up like Gavin," she warned.
"Actually, if you hold it while I touch it, nothing will happen. Trust me," he said with a smile.
Thistle gulped and nodded as she held the arrow out to him. She watched nervously as he reached up and ran his fingers along the golden shaft. Burning blue sparks ignited along the arrow where he touched it.
"Shit," he breathed as he lowered his hand. "I know who did this. It was Cypress. I've felt his magic before. What did he tell you about the arrow?"
