A Change of Heart

Ashbal flew through the night, reveling in the sounds of the forest. He was glad of the solitude his home provided, close enough to Lishaway that he could pick up some cattle here and there, but far enough away that he rarely conversed with the townsfolk. Humans were pitiful, all they did was scream and run away. The minute you tried to have a lovely conversation about relinquishing the town, someone began to scream. And if one person screamed, everyone screamed.

As he flew, his leathery wings brushing trees, his great red scales glinting in the autumnal moon, he heard a noise. It was faint, anyone else would have missed it completely, but dragons have an uncanny ability to hear things that the human ear can’t. He changed direction and flew towards the sound. Lighting gently on all fours he crept nearer. Was that breathing he heard? Extending a claw, he pulled back a large fern to reveal a child no more than two. The boy had black hair and unusually vibrant eyes that changed as the child moved.

“Humans,” he scoffed. “Always leaving things behind.” He turned to leave when another sound caught at him. A whimper, coming from the child. Ashbal craned his neck to see if the boys parents were near. But all he saw was empty, unoccupied forest. The child had been abandoned.

The boy began to cry softly, the sound pulled on Ashbal’s heart, this boy was brave, he hadn’t screamed or been terrified at the sight of him. He couldn’t just abandon this toddler. He was defenseless, alone, hungry. Who knew how long he’d been stuck here. In a flurry of emotion Ashbal picked the boy up in his talons and, as carefully as possible, flew towards Lishaway.

***

As soon as he reached Lishaway and had alighted on the ground, the town erupted in predictable screams. Ashbal, who had a headache from listening to the boy’s sobs, was in no mood to let this unnecessary panicking go on. With a mighty roar he silenced the crowd.

“That’s better,” he murmured. “I have not come to harm you.” He said, addressing the crowd in his most dignified manner. “I have come to return one of your kind.” He placed the boy on the ground. A new cry erupted from the town, but not a joyous cry, a distressed one.

“How could you have brought him here?” bellowed a man. “He brings only bad luck. After he was born his mother died! The crops have failed ever since. We would have gotten rid of him sooner but his father refused to let us take him. The father died only this morning, a mine shaft collapsed on him, we saw our chance and took the boy out to the forest two hours ago.”

Ashbal had decided that this was the town’s leader. “You left him to die! How could you do such a thing!” Anger boiled in him. These people were monsters! Leaving a toddler in the wilderness to die because of a superstition that he was bad luck. He felt like burning down whole town, when the man interrupted his thoughts.

“Now go away while we still have time.” He said, making a shooing motion with his hands.

“Still have time for what?” He asked. Human affairs normally meant nothing to him but Ashbal was angry and in no mood to comply with this human’s demands.

“We lead the boy’s sister away tonight,” he replied. “She brings as much misfortune as him!” He thrust his finger at the boy. “So we are leading her to a cave where she will be able to die far away from us.” The man began to walk off, as though he weren’t about to do the most depraved thing Ashbal had ever heard of in his two hundred and fifty years on earth.

“You monster!” he thundered. “Bring me the girl.” With begrudging looks, the villagers brought forth the child. She was no more than six, with the same dark hair as her brother’s. Her eyes where red and puffy from crying, but she held herself so strong in front of him that Ashbal was taken aback. Not only was he surprised at the girl’s manner but he had no clue why he’d wanted to see her. He had no way to protect her, nor any way to sway the villagers’ minds. Then he said something so un-dragon-like, he would never be able to take it back.

“I will take them,” he said. “I will keep them safe.” The crowd went silent. No one moved or said anything for what seemed an eternity. Then the mayor spoke.

“Then take them,” he said, doing little to control the mockery in his voice. “No skin off our backs. But understand that we will not accept them back.”

And so, with a flap of his wings, Ashbal was gone. And so were the children.

***

When Ashbal reached his cave and had set the children on the ground, he immediately began to lecture himself on what he had just done.

“You soft-hearted, rash thinking, indulgent idiot.” How could he have brought human children into his home? He was a dragon, a fierce, fire-breathing dragon. How could he care for children he’d known for less than a day?

He paced around his cave and, to the toddler’s delight, scattered gold coins, clinking across the room. He was on the verge of sweeping the children up in his claws and taking them to a town as far away from Lishaway as possible, when he felt a hand brushing along his scales. He looked down into violet eyes. Violet eyes. So rare and beautiful. They stared at him, pleading, begging him not to leave them. But they were also brave, as if they’ed accepted their fate long ago, no girl should need to accept fate at her age.

“What is your name?” he asked her. Her hands fluttered through the air so quickly he couldn’t keep up. “You’re mute?” he asked. She nodded. “May I give you a name?” He didn’t feel comfortable calling her “girl.” To his surprise, she nodded, yes, then stared at him waiting for a name.

She is unique. He thought. What do I call her?

“Aino,” he said, finally deciding on a name. She gestured to her brother, as though she were saying, ‘what about him?’ Ashbal stared at the toddler. The boy had taken up playing with a gold chain, wrapping it around his arm and then shaking it up and down. The boy had been an unexpected treasure to say the least.

“Nenad.” He decided. The girl nodded her approval, and to Ashbal’s astonishment, took her brother by the hand, and the two of them curled up together in the gold and jewels, falling fast asleep.

Ashbal watched the children drift off to sleep, and for the first time, realized the full complication of the situation he had gotten himself into. The’s kids were human! How was he, a majestic, ferocious, dragon was supposed to care for humans! What would they eat? Sheep? Aino could eat sheep. Maybe. He’d have to cook it. How would he cook it? And what would Nenad eat? He’d heard that small children needed milk. Was Nenad small? He was small compared to Ashbal, but then, so was everyone else.

Where would they sleep? Gold couldn’t be to comfortable, well, it was comfortable to him. Didn’t humans sleep on things called beds? He’d have to redo his whole cave! And what was he supposed to do with them when he went to reign destruction on the occasional town! He’d probably have to hire someone to watch them. No, silly idea, the sitter would be to scared of him to take care of the children. Were they old enough to watch themselves?

None of it mattered at the moment. He would cross that bridge when he came to it. For now, all he had to do was sleep.

***

Artrus held his sword high. The feeling of the hunt coursed through him. This is what he was meant to do, this is why he served his master. Angra Mainyu will be pleased, he thought. He was always pleased with young Jia. He sniffed the air, and caught wind of a pungent smell. Dragon, he would have to tread carefully around this beast.

Artrus feared dragons more than anything, but to disappoint Angra Mainyu would be far less pleasant than being eaten alive. At least if he was eaten it would be quick and painless. Angra Mainyu would drag out the sentence as he’d done with many other disappointments. The longest punishment Artrus had ever heard of lasted a month. The woman had had to hang upside down by her feet, without food, staying alive only because she was forced to drink water. Artrus had determined long ago that he would never be a disappointment. And tonight was no exception.

Silent as a ghost, he stepped into a dark, cave that reeked of dragon’s breath, a burned, sheep like scent. The room was filled with gold that glinted in fire light, skeletons littered the floor, yet somehow, the chamber was able to maintain a somewhat homely feel. Careful not to wake the beast of the cave, he moved towards the children, with a tiger like grace. Slowly, he produced two long shimmery snakes from out of a bag. The snakes writhed in his hands, and when he set them on the ground they slithered towards Aino and Nenad, wrapping themselves around the children, until their heads were the only things that remained untouched. Pulling a ball out of his sack, he muttered a few words, then in a shimmer of silent light, an image of the children, just as they had been, was projected on the floor.

Artrus lifted the children into his sack, and ran off into the night. Angra Mainyu would be pleased.

***

Ashbal woke with a start. He had heard something in the night, smelled something seen something. The children were exactly where he’d left them, the gold was untouched. But something was out of place, he could feel it.

He stepped out of the cave and looked around. His eyes pierced through the night, searching for the intruder. But no one was there. No one was anywhere. Crawling back into the cave, he curled up and fell back asleep.

***

Ashbal woke early the next morning with a start, he’d realized what was out of place that night. The children had made no noise, not even the sound of breathing. Hoping he was wrong, he went to check on the children. His heart sank.

“Magic,” he muttered. There had been a spell cast on the place where Aino and Nenad had slept. The spell had caused him to believe they were still there. But they weren’t.

Ashbal walked around the cave, he sniffed the air, he smelled Aino and Nenad, but also someone else. Someone with the smell of an evil one on him. The smell of Angra Mainyu. Ashbal knew of Angra Mainyu, he was the Jia hunter, the one who lived off the souls of the good spirits that walked the earth, protecting the magical creatures from humans. But what would he want with Aino and Nenad? He had only ever expressed interest in Jia before, never human children.

Ashbal stood as still as stone while realization gripped him. These were no ordinary children, These were young Jia. Jia, the followers of the Lord and master, Kreios. With wings made of shimmering star dust, faces like the moon, eyes that see all. The children were hidden Jia, to young to be with their families, to young to know the extent of the danger they were in.

Gathering the courage of ten thousand dragons, Ashbal flew out of his cave and towards where he believed the stronghold of Angra Mainyu was. The tales told that if you traveled north-east until you could cary yourself no longer, and you cried out to Angra Mainyu, and ordered him to show himself, then you would find yourself in the spirit’s presence. Ashbal planned on doing just that, he knew Angra Mainyu was waiting.

***

“Master, I have brought you the prize of youthful Jia.” Artrus had returned from the dragon’s lair, and now found himself in the presence of his Master. The form that Angra Mainyu had taken on was similar to that of a gargoyle, an evil creature that haunts castles and houses. But instead of haunting castles, he went in search of Jia.

Angra Mainyu was an evil creature who had gone against Kreios, and stolen the powers of young Jia so he could live forever. But Jia were the chosen of Kreios; Stealing their power was an evil thing to do, and it wouldn’t go unpunished. Angra Mainyu had been sentenced to die, but he had run from his sentencing. He then called men and women to himself, and gave them the task of bringing him Jia. By doing so he would feed off of them to keep himself just barely alive, escaping death for as long as he could, forever if he had any power at all.

“Bring them forth,” he hissed, tapping his clawed fingers together.

Artrus felt the slitted eyes watching him as he reached into his bag and produced the still slumbering children. Angra Mainyu laughed contemptuously.

“You have served me well, Artrus. But this is the best you can do? Is there a shortage of Jia? Are they all hard to find? You’ve been gone for three days, and all you have for me are two younglings?” The voice sent chills down Artrus’s spine, he knew he had one chance to make up for his mistake. One chance to explain why he had so little to show for his efforts. One chance to save his life.

“They were hidden master!” he rushed. “A dragon was protecting them. I could have been killed!” He attempted as much bravado as possible, a hard effort when his legs wouldn’t stop shaking.

“How closely were they being guarded?”

This question was easy to answer.

“He slept not ten feet from the children. I could feel his breath on my arms as I lifted them into my sack!” He rubbed his arms as if to prove it.

Angra Mainyu stepped down from his platform so he could inspect the children. He ran his claws along the serpents that entangled them. Then lifting the snake carefully from the girl he stared at her wrist. Artrus knew what his master was looking for: the mark of the Jia. Artrus was never able to find the mark, but somehow his master always could.

“You will be pardoned for your failure.” Artrus felt a wave of relief wash over him at the words, evidently, Angra Mainyu had found the mark. “But,” the word was sharp, shattering any hope he’ed had of no penalties, “it will not be tolerated again!”

“Yes Master, of course.” Artrus began to back away.

Angra Mainyu turned around, then he spoke in a hushed threatening voice, “if you prove to be a failure again, I will not be so forgiving.”

“Yes, master. I understand.” Artrus turned on his heels and practically sprinted out the door, he’d do better next time. He wouldn't be a failure.

***

Ashbal had been flying for at top speed, always in the same direction. He was tired, his wings felt like they were going to fall off, and all he could think of was what the children could be going through. Dropping down on a large tower of rocks jutting from the ocean, he looked down at the roiling waters, he roared so loud it made the sea ripple.

“You know what I want! You know why I’m here! Show yourself Angra Mainyu!” And just like that, he was in the presence of Angra Mainyu.

The gargoyle sat upon a chair made of roughly carved stone. The room was lit by twelve small torches, casting a wicked red glow on the stone walls. Angra Mainyu stared at Ashbal, his gray skin tight around his bones, the small horns on his head jutting at odd angles. Ashbal held the wicked one’s gaze steadily, knowing that if he showed the slightest unease it could mean the difference between life and death.

“What,” hissed the gargoyle, “do you want?”

“You know what I want,” Ashbal replied, bristling at the slimy voice.

“Do I know everything?” he asked, waving his arms in a dramatic gesture. “Tell me why you have deemed yourself worthy to be in my presence?”

It took every ounce of control he had to keep from biting the creature’s head off, knowing that if he did so he would never find Aino and Nenad. “I’m here for the children,” he growled.

Angra Mainyu acted as though it was a great feat for him to figure out who Ashbal was referring to. “I take many children,” he said. “Which ones do you speak of?”

“The mute girl with violet eyes, and the toddler with black hair. They are brother and sister, and they are in my care,” he growled the words in his throat.

“Ahh, yes. I do believe I remember now, yes, yes, yes. Oh, lovely specimens, they’ll have enough power to keep me alive for another year or so. You’re welcome for taking them off your hands.” Angra Mainyu licked his lips and tapped his fingers together, the way one might when expecting a hearty meal.

“Well, you aren’t thanked.” Ashbal was out of patience. “Bring them to me! Now!”

“They are mine!” spat the creature. “If you want them, you must win them!”

“Then I will win them, what do you have in mind?”

Angra Mainyu pressed his claws together and stared at them, as though he were thinking very hard. Finally, he spoke. “Bring me the Tacca chantrieri, a flower that blooms only on Krakatoa, a mountain not to far east of where I will be sending you. You must retrieve the flower within one hour, otherwise I will drain the energy of the young Jia, and they will be no more.”

Ashbal knew the bet was risky. But if he didn’t try Aino and Nenad would die.

“I accept.”

Angra Mainyu grinned, a revolting sight, showing his pointy teeth. Then Ashbal was gone from the cave as quickly as he’d entered. The challenge had begun.

***

The island Angra Mainyu had left him on was something like a large compass. It had four massive trees set around the island in specific places. Each tree was different, there was a nutmeg, elm, sycamore, and a willow.

After he’d figured out what each tree was it was easy to figure out that the nutmeg pointed north, the willow pointed west, the sycamore pointed south, and the elm pointed east. With a flap of his wings, Ashbal shot himself toward the elm tree.

He flew over lakes, villages and forests. But no matter how far he went, he never saw any indication that mount Krakatoa was nearby. After twenty minuets he set down in a small town to ask directions.

“Oh ya!” Said a villager with a southern accent. “I know where ya wanna go.” Ashbal had been extremely amazed by the fact that these villagers had hardly batted an eyelash when he’ed lighted in their village, and asked how to get to mount Krakatoa.

“So you know how to get there?” Ashbal asked, still uncertain about the amount of trust these villagers had that he wasn’t going to eat them.

“Sure thang! Just fly east for forty clicks, you’ll have reached the base of the mountain by then.” She made a swooping motion with her hands as though it would help him know where to go. “Once ya get there, just fly up. The Tacca chantrieri is at the peak.”

Ashbal was about to fly away when he heard something that made him pause. When he turned around there was an angry rabble of villagers with torches running towards him. He turned in a full circle, the villagers had him surrounded.

“We have the dragon hunter!” One yelled

“We’re gonna eat good tonight,” cried another.

They threw a neat over his wings so he couldn’t fly off.

“Humans,” Ashbal scoffed, tearing away the fishing net. Taking a deep breath he blew a stream of fire at them, taking care not to burn anyone. The hoard screamed and ran for cover. Ashbal flapped his wings and was off. He headed east, for some reason he felt the woman had told him the truth about where to go. He just hoped forty clicks wasn’t far. He only had thirty five minutes left.

***

Luckily, forty clicks was only five minutes at top speed. Unluckily, the mountain was huge. It was to steep to fly up, and the wind around the mountain was extremely strong. He’d have to climb. Setting his claws on the rocks, he began his ascent.

The climb took longer than expected. When he was finally at the top he only had twenty minutes left. Looking around Ashbal wished he knew what Tacca chantrieri looked like. He scoured the mountain top, stopping at each bush and starring at each flower.

After what felt like hours, but had really only been six minutes, he found it. It was a dark colored flower with purple stems sprouting from it. He guessed it was the right flower by the fact that he’d never seen anything like it before, and the fact that there were only a handful of them on the mountain.

Ashbal reached out a claw in an attempt to grab the blooms, but grabbed a slithering rattle snake instead. Ashbal threw the snake against a rock and reached out again, but was met with the same fate as before. He tried two more times and failed both. He was about to try again when a Komodo Dragon stepped out of the flowers.

“Cousin,” it hissed. “Why do you try to steal our possessions?”

Ashbal, who hated the idea of being related to lesser reptiles, stared at the lizard. “I must have this.” He said gesturing to the plant. “It is drastically important. The lives of two young Jia rest in me bringing them this plant. You must let me have it!”

“This belongs to us. You’ve injured us, what should I care about you’r problem?”

“Please. I have not but five minuets to get this to them. If I don’t they will die.”

The Komodo Dragon thought for a moment, then decided upon an answer. “If Kreios wishes me to give it to you, then I will.” Ashbal’s heart dropped into his stomach. Kreios, Lord and master of all, would care little for Ashbal’s want to free Aino and Nenad. Why would the Being that had created him want to help?

The clouds in the sky began to roil, and lightning struck the ground between Ashbal and the Komodo. A voice broke through the storm. It was a commanding, powerful voice, a voice that could only belong to Kreios.

“Bawerjan!” The Komodo looked up, this was obviously its name. “Give him the flower. I, Kreios, creator and Lord, command you.”

As if moving through a dream Bawerjan gave the Tacca chantrieri to Ashbal.

“Ashbal!”

Dipping his head low Ashbal replied, “yes great Kreios.”

“Ashbal, I care about all my creations, you have a good heart. Aino and Nenad will not be punished. You will see, I am a kind Master. I am the Only Master!” There was a crack of thunder and Ashbal was back in the stronghold of Angra Mainyu, the small flowers delicately wrapped around one claw. Ashbal stared at the blooms, he was in shock, he had just met Kreios. Kreios had talked to him, Kreios had helped him get here, he’d-

“You’re back already?” hissed Angra Mainyu, unbelieving.

“Yes, and I have brought you the Tacca chantrieri, now give me the Jia!” Ashbal roared.

Angra Mainyu laughed. “You are a minute to late my friend.” He said lifting Nenad’s wrist to his mouth. “I have won. The Jia are mine!” He opened his mouth to drain the power from the boy.

Ashbal didn’t understand. Had Kreios changed his mind? Was he angry with the children? He’d said that Aino and Nenad wouldn’t be punished. Why was this happening?

Then, with a mighty sound, Kreios’s voice broke through Ashbal's doubts.

“DO NOT HARM THE BOY!” he boomed.

Angra Mainyu screamed, such a shrill sound it caused Ashbal to flinch. “NO! They are mine! Mine! I won the bet, you know I did! They’re mine! Mine, mine mine!” The gargoyle had dropped Nenad’s wrist and was now jumping up and down like a four year old who’d just been told he couldn’t have dessert.

“These Jia are under my hand! You will not harm them!” Angra Mainyu, for the first time, looked terrified. “You have caused my children enough suffering. Today you will be no more!” A burbling scream of terror erupted from the gargoyle, and then he was no more. The Jia hunter would never hunt again.

With another clap of thunder, Ashbal, Aino and Nenad were all safely in the forest where Ashbal had first encountered the young Jia.

“My children,” said a man who had appeared when Ashbal and the Jia had. “Do you wish to come home?”

Aino looked at the man, and nodded.

“Dear Aino,” said the man. “You are such a brave girl. If you wish, I will allow you to speak.”

At hearing these words, the girl’s face lit up. It was the first time Ashbal had seen her truly happy. She nodded vigorously, and the man touched her lips and she began to speak. Ashbal now knew who the man was.

“Almighty Kreios,” He said, dipping his head in respect.

“Rise Ashbal, you need not bow.” Ashbal lifted his head and looked at the man. At Kreios. “Oh Ashbal, why did you lose faith? Did you not trust my word?”

Ashbal lowered his head again, ashamed at his lack of faith. “I was scared, Master. I thought they were going to die.”

“I told you I would save them. Don’t lose faith Ashbal. I created Angra Mainyu just as I have created everything. I can still the hand of any who go against my children. No, I am not angry with you, you are only a dragon, you’re bound to make mistakes.” Kreios turned to Aino and Nenad who were listening intently to the conversation. “Come my children. You no longer belong to this world. Say goodbye to your friend.”

Aino walked up to Ashbal, Nenad toddling behind her. Then they wrapped their arms around his neck.

“Thank you, Ashbal, for taking care of us.”

Ashbal tried to say something, but his voice wouldn’t come. Holding back tears he simply nuzzled the children. Aino and Nenad walked up to Kreios and took his hands. They waved to Ashbal.

“Goodbye,” Aino said. “It’s our turn to watch over you now.”

“Goodbye,” Ashbal whispered. “I love you.” With a wondering heart, he realized the words were true. Love for these little ones had changed him forever. And now they were gone. No, not gone. Just somewhere safe. He’d finished his job.