Of Earth & Ash

There weren't always dragons in the valley. They used to stick to the Bone Sector, far away from the Faelands. I grew up thinking that they were exiled there, trapped. I’m not sure when I started believing that, but I never heard anyone else talk about it. My father always told me it’s something that I made up after Mother died. He thinks I make up a lot of things. Honestly, we barely speak. He stopped having real conversations with me years ago. He’s too busy trying to make sure the dragons don't make their way from the valley into Drugaria.

I’ve never actually seen a dragon up close, only a few teeth or claws brought back years ago as trophies from the King’s army. My mother used to show me books and books on the history of dragons. Their colors, their powers, their wings; they were mesmerizing. Their scales made them almost indestructible, and the color of those scales could indicate the powers the dragon possessed. But my favorite thing about these beautiful creatures is that Mother loved them, and it was something we shared, just the two of us. She never approved of the King’s hatred for them, but she never spoke ill of him to me. She was a fiery woman, but she was kind.

It’ll be fourteen years tomorrow that she’s been gone. It also happens to be my twenty third birthday. The most bittersweet of days to be sure, and one my father barely even registers anymore except to keep up with appearances. Birthdays aren’t a very big deal to Fae, considering we can live to be hundreds of years old, but my mother’s memorial is always celebrated and remembered each year without question. While my father and I don’t agree on much, we still leave offerings at her grave together every year. He never remarried after she passed, and as his only heir, he remains protective to a fault and likes to keep me under his thumb. I guess that’s love in its own kind of way, but I do wish we could go back to how things used to be; the freedom and ease of it all. I wish I could just see her, hug her, one more time. I find myself talking to her when I’m alone. I’ll tell her about my day of training for head archer, or about the new book I’m reading. I even tell her about all the times I’ve snuck out to meet Kiliian by the old treehouse. Sometimes, I swear I can feel her reaction to my latest bit of news. Whether it’s a light breeze when I tell her I’m doing well, or maybe a feeling of warmth when I tell her I’ve had a hard day. It could all be in my head like Father says, but I like to pretend.

Speaking of pretend, here comes Killian now. I stand up straight and throw my mahogany braid behind me. It sways in the strong winds and grazes my hands resting behind my back as he approaches. “General.” I throw him a sly smile as Ronan nudges me with his velvet muzzle.

“Princess.” He dips slightly at the waist and nods in a bow. His long, raven hair falls forward at his shoulders and he tucks it behind beautifully pointed ears as he straightens. His icy blue eyes are almost white with just a touch of deep cobalt around the edges; a stark contrast to his tan skin and blue-black hair. He throws me a wicked grin–dimples on full display–and adjusts the leather collar of his uniform. “Where are you two off to?”

“I’m meeting Meabh to shoot a couple arrows while the fields are empty. Will I see you at my party tonight?” My hazel eyes tease a memory from the last party we attended together. We only made it about an hour into the festivities before taking our leave for ones of our own.

“You shall.” He says matter of factly. “The King has me unofficially standing guard with some of my men to make sure no hands go where they don’t belong.” He glances around to see if anyone is close enough to hear, and leans in closer. “But if the Princess should need assistance from any other hands this evening, I am at her disposal.” The General bows and throws me a quick wink. He pats my dapple gray friend on the neck and continues on to the stables without another glance.

Killian and I have been playing this game for months. In order to keep things easier for everyone, we agreed to keep any public interaction as professional as possible–if not borderline vexing– and to keep any private encounters as informal and animalistic as possible. And although the sex is quite possibly the best I’ve ever had, it’s not always just sex. We can relax when we’re together. We don’t have to put on a show; We can just–be. No General Padraigh or Commander. No Daughter of The King, Princess, or Your Highness. Just Killian and Aisling.

I do wonder what life would be like if we weren’t hiding in the shadows of my childhood treehouse every other night. I’m not worried about what people will think of our age gap, the only people who still care about that sort of thing are the Elders; but if the king found out his trusted General has been bedding his only daughter for the better part of a year now, he might demote him to ash. I can’t put Killian in that position. He’s worked too hard to earn his rank, and as the youngest Drugarian to ever be appointed, he already has a target on his back. I can’t imagine my father would be too keen on me being with anyone outside of royal bloodlines anyways. The king is an absolute blood snob. Only the purest to drink, and only the supreme to wed. Not that I see myself marrying the General, but I do enjoy going about my daily Princess duties whilst catching a glimpse of that white fanged smile from across the courtyard. The anticipation of those teeth at my neck and thighs later that evening, the thrilling knowledge that I alone hold his desire, puts a secret smile on my lips. But for now, I need to put my mind on other things before the party that my father so graciously let my best friend put on for me.

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The Archer Fields are rarely empty, but with everyone paying their respects to the Queen’s memorial today, no classes are held. The fields are on the outer edge of the city–where no stray arrows can harm anyone. Lush green grass stretches for miles surrounding our territory. The blades are long and smooth, soft enough that you won’t find a pair of boots on the whole island. We’re trained from a young age to let our feet adjust to the terrain, be nimble and quick, and to allow the earth to ground us. Our way of life is fully immersed in the riches the soil provides. Earth has always been the most powerful element to Drugaria. It’s quite literally where we derive our life force from. It’s why our homes and shops have no foundation. We build our walls straight up over the grass and dirt, and our warmer climate lets the earth heal us every day of the year.

“Aisling!” I hear my friend call me from where she stands near the targets, restringing her bow. “Aisling, come quick! I want to give you your birthday present early.”

Her giant smile spreads to mine and I can see her move something behind her back as I approach. Meabh could never keep a secret for too long. Her long blonde hair was full of them, and she was all too eager to be the first to spill her own juicy gossip to whoever would listen.

“Meabh, you know you don’t have to get me anything, we’ve been friends for twenty years for Druid’s sake.” I’ve always wanted siblings, and Meabh is the closest thing I have to family outside of my father. Our mothers were friends as well, so we grew up together.

“All the more reason to celebrate the birth of my longest friend!” Her bright green eyes sparkle with excitement as she hands me a box wrapped in canvas. Her bare feet dance in anticipation and I can’t help but think she’s more excited about my birthday than I am. I pull the small string and unfold the canvas to reveal a gorgeous ruby necklace. It was gold with five pear shaped rubies graduating in size to the center. Each stone was surrounded by a halo of tiny diamonds and gold filigree. It was truly stunning and must have cost a fortune!

“Mother of– where the hell did you get this!” I squeal. “Oh, Meabh, it’s gorgeous! But how did you–”

She interrupts me before I can finish. “Before you freak out; I didn’t steal it like last year’s gift.” She tosses me a wink as I roll my eyes at the little klepto. “It was actually your mother’s. She had given it to my mother sometime after you were born and she–we– wanted you to have it.” Meabh set her gentle hand on my arm with a knowing smile, and I couldn’t help the tear that slid down my cheek. I don’t say a word, I just throw my arms around her and hold her tight. My father never let me have any of her jewelry. He had everything of hers packed away or burned for all I know long ago. The only things I have of hers are the books I’ve hidden in my study with the rest of the library, and a few of her dresses.

“Meabh, you have no idea what this means to me. Thank you! Thank you! I’ll be sure to thank Una as well when I wear it tonight.” Meabh flashes me another toothy grin and picks up her bow to head towards the foot markers about 60 yards out. I turn and let the sun hit the necklace, the rubies catch the light and shine like flames. It’s…mesmerizing…

The sun glints off the necklace and into my hazel eyes, blinding me momentarily. But as I blink back the orbs in my vision, everything goes black. I’m somewhere dark, cold. I can barely see as I try to adjust my eyesight to the darkness. I don’t see Meabh anywhere, I don't see anyone. The ground cuts into my hands and through the knee of my pants and I realize I must have fallen–or maybe I just awoke? I must be dreaming. Everything around me looks like jagged black granite jutting in all different directions along the mountain standing tall before me. This terrain is not of Drugaria. I’ve never seen mountains like these except for maybe on a few select maps. Maps that include the mountains found only in–

Aisling of Drugaria, Daughter of Eabha the Sixth Mother.

A voice comes from behind me and I jolt to my feet. “Who’s there!” My eyes are as wide as I can get them, I’m frantically trying to adjust but I can only see darkness. A noise that can only be described as a purring growl chills me to the bone. I open my eyes even wider, hoping that whatever–whoever–made that noise somehow lets me live. Druids, I wish I had my bow.

Weapons will be of no use to you here, Aisling of Drugaria.

The voice is female, serene. It almost sounds familiar and she answered as if she knew my thoughts. “How do you know who I am? Who are you? Where are we?”

All will be answered in time. Know that you are safe among the Mothers. We protect our own, and your time is coming, Daughter of Eabha. But for now, I leave you with this gift; the gift of sight.

The same purring growl trickles down my spine. The clouds begin to part, revealing the far-off moon, and the darkness I’ve been staring into takes form. I stumble backward as a pair of slit golden eyes peer down at me. Her midnight black scales wrap up her thick neck and down her strong legs, and are almost iridescent in the soft moonlight. She sits tall like a proud feline with her mighty tail wrapped around her clawed paws; the essence of elegance dripping from her regal posture. Before I can utter a word, she bows her head, then launches into the air with her massive wings, causing a tremendous gust of wind to knock me off my feet. I hiss as I scrape my hands on the jagged rocks. I lean up to catch a glimpse of her magnificent wingspan, but I'm blinded by the sun yet again.

“Aisling! Aisling! Thank the druids you’re okay!” Meabh throws her arms around me, squeezing much too tight. The familiar smell of grass and earth brings me back to reality as I take in my surroundings.

“How did–How long was I out?” I ask, still disoriented.

“A few minutes, are you okay?! You scared me to death! Can you imagine if your dad found out you got hurt on my watch? He already thinks I’m a bad influence, you know.” She plops down next to me in the grass and heaves a relieved sigh.

“You are.” I jokingly nudge her as I rub my eyes.

Was that all just a dream? Had I passed out?

It all seemed so real. She seemed real. I take my hands away from my eyes and let them adjust once more, but am startled when I see the blood. On my hands and knees were cuts and scrapes just like the ones I got when I fell on the mountain. I quickly wipe my hands off in the grass and grab my mother’s necklace before I stand. Meabh follows and I can see the concern in her face.

“Are you sure you’re okay, Ais?”

I honestly wasn’t sure what just happened, but I definitely wasn’t about to tell anyone I just passed out and hallucinated a talking dragon. “Yes, I’m fine. I think I’m going to skip shooting today and go get ready for the party early. I want to pick out the perfect dress to go with my new necklace.” Not a total lie, but I needed to get to my study now. “I’ll see you tonight!” I yell after Meabh as I run through the tall grass back to where our horses are. I take Ronan all the way back to the palace, foregoing the stables in case Killian was still mucking about in there. The General has always had a knack for reading people; he would know something was up if I saw him now before getting my head straight.

I leave my trusted friend with the Faegaurds outside the palace and swiftly head to the study, trying not to draw attention from the various staff and visitors walking about. I quicken my pace each time I find an empty hallway and finally arrive at my destination. I close the door behind me and run for the second floor stacks, taking the spiral stairs by two until I reach the top. In the far corner, I search for an old romance book–one of Mother’s favorites–and pull it from the shelf. The book shelf shimmers like a mirage and I take one last look around before stepping through the portal.

This room was meant to be a panic room for me to hide in if anything were to happen, but over the years it’s become more of a treasure trove where I come to get away from everything and just think. Mother was a skilled mage, which is why she made such an impact as queen. She used her power to heal what the earth couldn’t, and to protect those who couldn’t protect themselves. The first time she showed me the portal was when I was eight, about a year before she died. Neither of us ever told another soul and I liked that this was our little secret.

The room isn't very big, but it’s large enough for me to have a chair and lantern in the corner next to my small bookshelf, and a closet where I keep the few dresses I have from Mother. The books I keep in here are the history books she would read to me, and a few others that I knew Father would have burned if he found out what was inside. I quickly rifle through the books until I find the one I'm searching for, and forego the chair for the floor. I’ve seen these pages a thousand times in passing, if only to reminisce and look at the pictures, but haven't opened them in years. As I’m flipping through the pages, a glint of something sparks my eye. Has this always been here? I question myself as I see notes scribbled all over the margins in gold ink; notes in my mother’s handwriting. I frantically flip through page after page, note after note, not believing how I could have missed these all these years, until it dawns on me and I answer my own question aloud.

“The gift of sight.”

I continue rifling through the pages seeing where she’s drawn diagrams, pointing out things on certain dragon anatomy that I’ve never read before. Notes on aerodynamics and wind patterns, notes on the various powers and advantages dragons offered. She wrote about them as if they were guardians, and not monsters at all. This is all too much.

How could she have known all of this, and why weren’t her discoveries about dragons anywhere else? Did Father know? Was this the reason he hated dragons so much–because she believed they were here to help, not destroy?

I rest my face in my hands as I sit on the floor surrounded by scattered history and my mother’s notes. Rubbing my eyes, still in disbelief, I take a few deep breaths before returning to the book in my lap. Druids, she must have written on every page! There’s no way I’ll get through all of her notes tonight, and I need to get ready for the party soon. I uncross my legs to stand up and the book flops to the ground beside me opening to the inside of the back cover. I hesitate as I see my name scrolled in her perfect cursive.

"My brave Aisling,

If you’re reading this, I am gone. I wish I had more time to show you everything this world has to offer, but our time was cut short, and for that I am sorry. I am so sorry I had to leave you, but I had no choice. You must keep your wits about you, Aisling. Not everything is as it seems, and not everyone is who they say they are. I want you to trust yourself and your power, it will not lead you astray. The time will come when you will have to make a choice as I did–as we all did. I fear that time may be soon if you can read this now. But do not be afraid, for I am always with you.

You will know when the time is right. And no matter what anyone says, you can see the truth. You’ve always had the gift of sight in you, but now you need to see this world for what it truly is. Ours. Yours.

My beautiful, strong daughter, you are brave and you are mighty. When the time comes, stay close to Killian. I see you Aisling, and I am coming for you."

Tears fall from my face without warning and I can't stop them from coming. Before I can wallow in whatever emotions are flooding through my heart, loud sirens sound from afar and pull me away from my thoughts as I jump to my feet. Scrambling to get my things and head out to see what’s happening, I try to decipher all that my mother said. Is she alive? How could this have happened? I place my hand on the entrance and watch as the mirage appears once more. I take a deep breath and let the lingering thoughts of my mother’s letter seep over me before I step back into the study and immediately come face to face with Killian.

His icey eyes are wild with concern, and the tone in his voice is more intense than I've ever felt. Without warning, he takes me in his arms and jumps from the second floor balcony to the study below, landing so softly I would have thought we were flying. He sets me down and takes my tear stricken face in his hands, then quickly moves them to my shoulders, looking me up and down as if he were checking me for wounds. His gaze settles into my hazel eyes and I can see the battle within him. “It’s time.”