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twenty-four

Morai

“ W hat do you mean, we’re the only humans?” Morai sputtered.

“It’s exactly as I said.” The dragon thundered.

“But…how. Several humans throughout the years had come to this forest never to return,” Morai said, ignoring how the dragon’s voice caused her knees to buckle.

“Hmmmm,” the dragon said again, turning its large head to the side looking off to the distance, before turning back to them.

“It would seem they were blocked from venturing further than the entrance.” Morai blinked as Luka beside her inhaled sharply.

“What are you saying?” she asked.

“That your humans never made it beyond the entrance of the forest. The forest is sentient and quite protective and the only way to get in safely is through the Chepi territory. If you go directly to the entrance of the forest, it puts one in a deep sleep.” So that meant everyone was alive? Just asleep?

“Unfortunately,” the dragon continued, “depending on how long the humans have been asleep, not all of them would be alive.” Morai’s shoulders slumped; she was hoping they could get Inan’s husband back. But it made sense, unless magic was used to protect them while they slept, one couldn’t sleep for a millennium, they’ll just waste away.

“How long do they sleep until they pass?” Luka asked. The dragon looked up to the sky, was it communicating with the forest? It looked back at them.

“Ten to twenty years.” Well, that narrowed it down considerably, Morai just hoped Inan’s husband was one of them. She hadn’t really said how long he was gone, just a few years, and that could mean anything.

“How do we get them out?” Luka asked this time.

“I can ask the forest to do so for a price.” Morai swallowed; she wasn’t sure what the dragon would ask for. All they had was the meats that Kirnon had given them. Was this why he’d given it to them?

“We have meats?” Neoni offered.

“I’m vegetarian,” the dragon said. Morai felt the blood drain from her face. Whoever heard of a vegetarian dragon? Did Kirnon know this, or did the dragon’s diet change without him knowing?

“Huh…well…we…we…”

“Shhh, Neoni. Maybe we could just back away,” Tanen whispered, grabbing her arm.

“What? Not after we came all this way,” Morai whisper-hissed back, and she was not backing down just because they brought the wrong food. The dragon’s booming laughter had everyone wincing again. Morai was hoping she didn’t have a headache after this.

“I’m joking,” the dragon said when it calmed down.

“Yes, meat will suffice. I will take some now, and the rest can be brought once a month?”

“Once a month?” Neoni squeaked.

“Yes, for letting the humans go and for the feathers.”

“How much are we talking?” Morai asked.

“Hmmmm, since you’ll be bringing enough for me and my dragons…”

“Excuse me,” Morai said, raising a hand. She wasn’t sure if it was wise to interrupt, but she knew if she didn't, whatever the dragon was going to say next would not only put her city, but the entire kingdom in debt.

“How about we provide meat just for you. Since you know you’re the one who’s going to help us,” Morai said. Silence greeted her, then the booming laugh rang through their heads again.

“Yes, I like that much better. Then, twice my body weight should suffice.” Morai closed her eyes with a shudder. Opening her eyes again, she opened her mouth only for Luka to cover her mouth with his hand.

“You seriously weren’t going to ask the dragon how much it weighed, were you?” he whispered. Morai gave him a look, she didn’t really know why they kept whispering since it looked like the dragon could hear them even if they whispered or not. She pulled his hand away.

“How else are we supposed to know how much we should bring?”

“According to my information,” Neoni said, reading from her book. “An adult dragon typically weighs 20 tons, but that one…”

“Anasta,” the dragon helpfully added.

“Anasta looks to weigh more, so we should shoot for a bit more than twice,” Neoni said, closing her book with a smug look on her face.

“I like her, yes, that arrangement will do,” Anasta said, then turned her head to the side again, waited a moment, this time Morai was sure she was communicating with the forest. Morai couldn’t feel anything but the way Luka shivered beside her told her that the dragon was using magic.

“The forest has released the humans at the edge of the forest. As for your feathers…” The blue-green dragon landed next to Anasta with another ground trembling thud. It had flown away when they were talking to Anasta and brought back the white peacock in its talons. Morai stared at it wanting to ask where it was but refrained; she doubted Anasta would tell her. The peacock did not look alarmed in the least, like this was an everyday occurrence. The blue-green dragon and Anasta looked at them expectantly.

“Hmm, I think they expect us to go there,” Morai said.

“One of you will suffice,” Anasta said.

“Tell me what the peacock feels like when you get back,” Neoni said, scribbling something in her book.

“What? Why can’t you go,” Morai asked, feeling nervous to approach. Neoni lifted her pen with a pointed look on her face.

“You’re the ones who need the elixir,” Fida said, gaining a vigorous nod from Tanen. Luka let go of Morai’s hand and took his bag off. Noa, who’d been silent this whole time, chirped and hopped out.

“What are you doing?” Morai asked.

“I’m volunteering,” he said with a glimmer in his eyes that Morai did not like.

“You are not getting the feathers before I do.” She may have asked Neoni, but she was not going to let Luka do it.

“Oh, a competition, I like that,” Anasta said. “Let’s make it more entertaining, shall we?” The blue-green dragon carefully lowered the white peacock to the ground. It ruffled its feathers, then looked at Anasta.

“You know what to do, Mushu,” Anasta said, and the peacock took off at a dead run, while Morai stared open mouthed.

“The two of you should chase it down. I will grant you the privilege of taking three feathers each, if you make it back here before sundown.” Before sundown? The sun was almost setting. The two dragons made themselves comfortable on the grass, as peacocks and peahens roamed around them.

“Is she serious?” Morai asked. Luka barked a laugh, then turned to Morai with a smirk.

“Race you,” he said, and took off after the peacock before Morai could respond.

“This is not fair,” she said, taking off her bag. She almost ran off when she remembered Noa, who had curiously and cautiously approached the dragons sniffing at them. He might help her sniff the peacock out.

“Noa, do you want to come with me?” she asked. Noa gave a chirp and Morai took off running with Noa on her heels.

“Would you like some refreshments?” Morai heard Anasta ask her friends.