The Blackdragoness: Chapter 1 – Scales

Chapter One - Scales

’Where are you going?’
’None of your business’ answers a woman.
’Of course it is! You promised me to find my brother. You won’t go anywhere until you fulfill your promise!’ Noise of steps can be heard; another man answers.
’So be it… Amalē found your brother, who lives in a planet – by his own will – where nor you, nor any of the other jallveah’s can go after him. This is how he protects our kind from yours.’ The first man’s voice changes from angry to most aggressive. A bump is heard – the fluid wobbles in the egg, the sleeping little life trembles inside.
’Well, then go! But your spawn will never leave THIS world!’ Suffocating feeling embraces it. The woman is begging, crying, as never in her life before but her voice is fading away. Shaking replaces it, the whistling of the wind, the sound of the sand on the eggshell. Then silence… nothing more just bare void, who knows for how long.
Suddenly, a strong light shows up with heat, then it’s cold again. It’s cold. A stranger holds it; he smells like musk. Then another. His dark brown eyes are carefully guarding her.
Lilātu dreamed more nowadays, but not her usual dreams about mommy, the field or the cute, little yellow pony at the outskirts of the city, but this. A dream with unfamiliarly familiar voices that she heard distorted as they were coming from outside the shell while she was inside; and in the end about the musky smell and those strange, deep brown eyes. Exactly this was the reason she felt it was more than ’just a dream’; she remembered that smell. She remembered those eyes.
She stretched before she crawled out of bed. She was tired and heavy, like she was running all night, and her arm was very itchy too so she began scratching it immediately. Her stomach growled, impatiently demanding something tasty that her mother used to make in the mornings. She slipped into her robe and ran down the stairs that led to the kitchen’s level. She didn’t miscalculate, her mother was already there, singing while preparing breakfast. When she saw her, a big smile appeared on her face like she saw her for the very first time in her life.
’Good morning, love!’
’Good morning’ answered the girl taking a deep breath from the air that was thick with a sweet scent.
’Some of them are ready,’ pointed the dark blonde woman to a plate of sweet pastry.
’I’m hungry like a wolf,’ she said and sat down. ’I could eat a horse.’
’A horse?’ The woman burst out laughing. ’You wouldn’t hurt a horse, would you?’
’True’ she answered from her plate full of pastry.
’Do you know what day it is?’ Her mother asked.
’Tuesday?’
’Almost… I meant something more important.’ The girl’s eyes gleamed with happy light – because of the dream she entirely forgot that it was her birthday.
’I want to give you something very special today, but I’ll need time so I want you to go to the market and bring me some apples. And as you’ll already be there you can pick something that you like too.’
’Really?’
’Yes, I already put a purse of pebbles into the basket.’
’Thank you!’ She ate faster and faster because it came to her mind that she saw a ring the other day which she really liked, so she decided that she’ll buy it if it is still there. ’And how many apples should I bring?’
’Enough for a cake and…’ her mother began but stopped. She noticed that her daughter scratched her arm again, like so many times nowadays. She stepped closer and pulled up the sleeve of her robe. But on Lilātu’s arm it was not some kind of rash it was something that reminded the woman of the girl’s obscure past. ’How long ago did you have this?’
’Not so long ago, usually it’s not itching. Strange… they look like scales.’ The woman anxiously touched it. They really resembled scales; like a hundred little black scales, shining purple in the sunlight. ’ I hope I won’t turn into a fish, ’ the girl joked, but seeing her mother’s serious face the smile left her lips.
’When didi t appear first?’
’Let me think. About… three weeks ago? On my back. Wait a minute! That was the day when I first dreamt this.’
’What?’
’I-I don’t know. It was so obscure. A man and a woman were talking with another man, but I didn’t like that man’s voice. And I heard them so muffled, something was bubbling, like I was in an egg! Then silence. I felt warmth, then cold, I saw strong light and the last thing I remember is the smell of musk and a pair of brown eyes. Not like your brown, darker, like… the colour of ebony.’
’I see…’ Lilātu got the feeling that behind her mother’s answer something else, something much bigger was hiding. And she was right. Her mother began to plan, counted the possibilities, decided to whom she would speak and when. She was lost in her thoughts when her daughter’s strong voice was heard again.
’What if I’m not gonna be a fish but rather a snake? Like the nagas from the books of those who came before.’ The mother smiled tiredly and gently touched her head.
’Go, dress up. A very dear friend of mine left you a dress as a present. I think it will suit you. It’s in my room and it’s very beautiful, try it on!’
’Okay, I’ll try it,’ she answered, already running up the stairs. Her mother turned around and left out a huge sight.
’You can come out now, though I still don’t really understand why this was necessary.’
’If she saw me, she wouldn’t tell you her dream’ – answered the man walking out of the chamber.
’Alright. But what does it mean? Is it true what you told me?’
’Maybe or maybe not. Only time will tell. But I know one thing for sure: You’ll have to protect her very well,’ said the elf. ’The power inside her is unstoppably growing, the dark elves will notice that. Remember, they wanted to get her once before. They will keep on trying.’
’How could I protect her if I cannot protect myself?’
’I will help you. I will watch over her when you cannot. The dark elves’ power is great, but mine is even greater.’
’Thank you. I don’t even know what I have done to deserve such kindness.’
’You know, I gladly do it for you,’ he smiled. Suddenly the floor was cracking above them. ’Best Wishes.’ Not long after saying that, he left the house with quiet, long and hasty steps.
’Was someone here?’ Lilātu asked suspiciously when she came down. Her mother didn’t answer, but dropped her jaw. The long, cardinal purple silk dress fitted her like glows and the fawn-coloured waist corset highlighted her slender figure.
’Your so beautiful! Turn around!’ The girl happily obeyed; she liked the dress too and began to wonder which of her mother’s friends is so generous to give her a dress like this, maybe not even knowing her. ’Okay, go now! I have work to do!’ She embraced and kissed her on the cheek for the last time, then Lilātu picked up the basket next to the door and left the house.
It was sultry heat, as if the summer would think that she has to prove herself in her last few weeks that left. Lilātu was honestly happy for her dress’s light fabric. She moved weightlessly on the road of small pebbles rammed to the earth, and she was already thinking about that ring that caught her eyes days ago.
The merchant said many interesting things about it, including that the elves made it in a distant land and it’s magical. Its size changes according to the needs of its owner, and the stone within is able to change colour according to what’s in its owner’s heart at the moment. And they said that it can show the important people in its owner’s life in some way – and this was the most interesting part for Lilātu. She was always fascinated by destiny, the many paths that one can take even in just one life. Despite her young age – she literally became an adult just today – she had a feeling that she’s destined for great things in life.
The market was buzzing with people today, no wonder: on the main square, an enormous fountain spit cold water out of it, cooling the humid air and the merchants around with their customers. General hubbub of competing shouting, clinking of metals as blacksmith’s worked, and the noise of several different animals filled the air. A thousand scent and a thousand colour was there to amuse, probably a thousand savour too if one could be that lucky to taste them all. That was all that made the town of Niptû so unique; no more than five-hundred souls lived here, but it’s living market constantly drew many travellers and foreign merchants; merchants from distant lands were also a frequent phenomenon with their very rare merchandise.
Lilātu was fond of the market, she loved to browse, to bargain and search after treasures, while tasting tasty foods, vegetables and fruits. First she visited the apple vendor, a plump lady; her mother and her were buying apples from here ever since she could remember it, and her apples were the shiniest, the reddest and the sweetest apples of all the market. Of course it had to be like this since her family was growing apples back to generations.
’The lil’ Lil! Hey! Come closer, my dear’ she greeted her as soon as she saw her.
’Good Morning. How are you today?’
’Ah, my leg hurts a little bit but I’m okay, thank you! However, you should speak! ’Tis a great day, this day, isn’t it?’
’Yeah, strange, I thought it’s gonna be different… more unique than my other birthdays but I don’t feel any different.’
’Of course not! For nothing has changed yet. Wait till you get married and have kids!’ Lilātu burst out in laughter.
’I’m not even sure if I will ever get married.’
’Course you will! A girl that beautiful, as you are cannot stay alone… what can I serve you with?’
’I’ll take ten from the red and five from that green.’
’Tell you mother that I send my regards’ said the old woman while filling her basket with apples.
’I will’ she promised and gave her fifteen black pebbles, then took the basket.
’Take care’ the vendor said lastly then she already turned to the next customer: a figure clothed in a shabby grey cloak. ’What can I serve you with?’
’I’d like one of those beautiful green apples.’
Lilātu moved astir towards that merchant of unique wares she saw that elf ring at. She never wore jewelry but now she couldn’t wait to see that ring shining on her finger.
’Good morning’ greeted him excitedly when she arrived.
’Morning’ he answered and cleared his throat. ’How can I help you lil’ lady?’
’I saw you here two days ago, there was a ring with a stone I liked, the elves made it and it has magic.’
’Like this?’ He drew out a vintage-looking ring from somewhere, it looked so old that one couldn’t decide whether it was gold or silver. In its ornate socket lied a huge clear-cut gemstone of obscure colour.
’Yes! That was it. You forgot to tell last time… how does it work?’
’When you touch it it becomes as warm as your hand is, it adapts to you, becomes a part of you, yet it has its own will, it won’t accept anyone. Like an old friend, it won’t let you fool yourself, shows you your true self. Mostly shows your feelings about certain things you’re thinking about – say it whispers your heart’s word to you. And when you’re right ’bout something it makes you shiver, especially when something happens in the background what you can sense but you’re not sure about. And as much as I can know it can tell if you’re thinking about someone who’d be important for you some way. The gem changes its colour to one that would be connected to that someone, like the colour of his hair, or favourite colour et cetera. Of course it still can have many other abilities, these are the ones I know of.’
’Thank you. How much is it?’
’Thirty-nine white pebbles.’ Lilātu turned blue. She checked it, her mother gave her ten white, it wasn’t little but not enough.
’It’s my birthday…’
’Then thirty… be it.’
’The seventeenth…’
’Still thirty, but here’s another one. It changes colour as well but by your mood.’ He showed another ring with a smaller stone. ’It’s only nine.’
’Do not go below my lady, it’s an important day in your life’ she heard a strange man’s, strangely familiar voice. He wore a grey cloak and she couldn’t see his face but she would bet that he was the same man who stood next to him at the apple vendor’s.
He drew out a purple purse and poured its contents into the counting bowl on the table.
’And I would take that,’ he pointed on a tome covered in red leather with scaly markings on it. ’I believe that would be enough for the two, and maybe you get your tip as well.’
’It’s very generous of you but I…’ Lil began to mutter but he stopped her.
’You can accept it for I am who gives it.’ The merchant couldn’t be more grateful. He gave the tome and the ring to the stranger who gently dropped the ring to the girl’s palm. His hand was soft and warm.
’Thank you’ she said, entirely confused.
’Use it well. Best wishes!’ he said by leaving then disappeared into the crowd.
’What a strange man’ the merchant shook his head in disbelief.
’Who is he?’
’I don’t know but he was watching you even when I was talking about the ring to you.’
’Creepy… anyway, I thank you! Goodbye.’
’Be careful, girl!’
She was still wondering about that unusual case on the way back home while admiring her new prize on her finger. Now it seemed more gold than silver and the gemstone shone in a deep, warm brown colour, ’like ebony’ she thought and a chill ran down her spine.
She decided that she won’t spend all of the money but rather save it for the rainy days. She quickened her steps because she was eager to tell her mother about that peculiar stranger who bought a ring for her.
She was still deep in her thoughts when she already got back to their cottage on the hill but she sensed something unusual and wrong. She couldn’t have explained it but she had a very uncomfortable feeling. She opened the door slowly and quietly. She looked around cautiously as if she was afraid that someone would jump at her. She let out a loud ’hello’ yet no one answered. Now she has become suspicious. Her mother prepares this big surprise?
She put down the basket with the apples next to the door and entered the kitchen. It looked like the time had stopped there: bowls filled with ingredients amongst the other instruments of cooking were left alone at every point of the kitchen, this was so unlike her mother. Where is her mother anyway? She heard a bark, though she knew it was their dog, at least, she wanted her at her side.
’Sindrel! Over here’ she shouted. A pit-a-pat of small claws was heard upstairs, soon a young, almost one year old, greyhound-like bitch with huge brown spots ran down the stairs. ’Sindrel, where’s mother?’ The dog tilted her head and Lilātu repeated the question. As the dog understood, she ran upstairs. Lilātu followed her, although didn’t hear any sound from upstairs. The dog ran to her mother’s room. The door was open. ‘She used to close it so you wouldn't jump on her bed’ she whispered. The possibilities that came up to her mind made all her hair stand on end.
She entered abruptly and collapsed immediately: her mother was lying before her on her belly but she was facing towards the ceiling causing her entire body to be in a horrid twist.
‘Gods’ she screamed. Icy fire ran through her body, filling her heart. She froze and couldn’t do anything but swallow her own tears for long minutes. Then she came to her senses and changed. The icy fire became a real, destructive fire, blazing in red flames. She thought she would explode, her tears mixed up with anger and they were burning her eyes. ‘Who could do such a thing? She was innocent. Who did it? WHY DID THEY DO IT?’ She drew herself closer to the body and gently turned her mother’s head into a more natural position. The body was already cold but not yet inflexible.
She grieved her crying-yelling, cursing the killer and swore to all the gods she ever knew that she’ll find the killer and take revenge on him. Her ring was almost flaming and the stone was glowing red on it. She roared like a beast and she would’ve continued but she heard clinking and dull voices from downstairs. She stood up and jumped to the sewing kit, her mother stored on a table next to the bed. She took out two long, pointy knitting needles and a pair of scissors and at that moment, not having a better idea she hid in the wardrobe with the dog beside her.
‘Not even a sound,’ she whispered, ‘we’re gonna hunt.’ The dog began to wag her tail but the strict glance of her master froze her. ‘When I give a sign, no matter what will come, you’ll jump at it, as in the forest.’ She believed to see as the dog nodded to the agreement but she could clearly feel as all of their muscles tensed up.
They waited in complete silence. Lilātu considered her own heart too noisy and she was afraid that the intruders would hear it beating. They heard the steps getting closer; the door hit the wall when they entered. Two individuals; a man and a woman.
‘Oh no, what did I tell you? You shouldn’t have killed her, she might have been useful’ a male’s voice was heard.
‘She said there’s no magic in the house, or she doesn’t know where it is. I still can feel it everywhere. How could she have been useful to us?’
‘There could be secret passages, a cellar maybe?’
‘No! It’s concentrated in the other room.’ Lilātu carefully listened. Is it possible that her mother wanted to give her a magical object? ‘But now I feel it from here’ she turned around ‘from that wardrobe.’ The girl touched her ring which was glowing bright right now. The other one grabbed the door knob.
‘Now’ she commanded her dog and she, as soon as the door opened, jumped at the ash grey skinned man. He couldn’t even fight in surprise; it ended for him as soon as Sindrel bit through his neck. Lilātu raised her eyes to the other one, the female. She wasn’t less ugly than the other, her white hair was tied up to a dishevelled bun and her blood red eyes curiously scanned the girl.
‘You’re it’ she spoke but Lilātu didn’t understand and didn’t care either; the murderer of her mother stood before her. ‘I’m sorry’ she added and her gaze wandered at the snarling dog, then muttered something – probably in her own language – and turned into a crow, flew out the window.
Lilātu felt dizzy, she had to sit down on her mother’s bed, and from there she glared at the dark body. She knew what kind of creatures they were. Many evil things were circulating amongst the folks about the always power-hungry dark elves, but she still could not understand. Did they feel magic inside her? But she only got the ring today and she was sure that her mother didn’t hide magical objects in the house. But inside her… how?
‘I’m only human,’ she exhaled. She thought about her scale-like rash on her arm, but then she shook away the thought instantly. She looked at Sindrel; her muzzle was dirty of blood, almost black. She wanted to get her to safety before anything else but she had no idea who she could ask for help. She stood up and went to the kitchen with the dog, there she took a rag and washed white the dog’s pelt.
‘I will avenge my mother’s death, Sindrel,’ she declared. ‘And I already know how.’