Of One Blood

The warm summer afternoon breeze gently ruffled the flower petals that hung lazily over the edge of the bassinet. The child’s coos carried on the soft gust and up into the air above the treetops. To a simple human, these incoherent babbles wouldn’t be heard for more than a couple yards, and yet, to the more sensitive ears listening high above, these sounds were as distinct as melodic, musical bells.

A magpie foraging on the ground nearby took off with a cry as the whoosh of larger wings filled the trees. With sparkling flashes of brilliant red sunlight glinting off deep burgundy scales, a dragon floated through the largest gap in the maples. The fallen leaves and loose foliage along the ground wafted into the air as the dragon touched down. Thin, purple membraned skin on the powerful wings extending from the dragon’s back down to the tips of its bat-like claws, glowed the color of deep rose petals in the sunlight.

Still oblivious to the nearby creature, the child remained calm as it squashed yellow daisies between stubby fingers. Slowly, the dragon crawled low to the ground on the five clawed wing tips, approaching the shrine housing the child within. Though the shrine was centuries old, the people of Pine Creek Village, just beyond the boundaries of the forest, had been thorough in keeping the small, three walled structure as presentable as the day it was built. The beautifully carved wooden foundation posts shone with a newly polished surface, the stone steps leading up to the short altar had barely a crack, and brilliantly shining gemstones of ruby, sapphire, and emerald glittering the stone floor, caught shafts of light without a smudge. It was always a relief to see the shrine in such good condition for the offering.

A soft pur emanated from deep within the dragon’s chest as it snaked its long neck around the side of the shrine, peering in on the child. Soft, golden rays of sunlight peeked through the gaps in the decorative, wooden carvings on the shrine’s roof, glowing drops kissing the child’s pale cheeks. Thin, lifeless hair clung about the its face as it twisted on its bottom to grab a pink Peony. The dragon’s fiery, golden eyes surveyed the small human spawn. The size and movements suggested the child to be female, no more than two years old. A sad, but perfect age.

The girl turned and sky blue eyes met the dragon’s. There was a brief moment of curiosity as she took in the beast’s large, burgundy head with spiked horns splayed like gills on either side. The child’s eyes remained calm and instantly the dragon knew this was a good offering. The creature bent with open mouth, nearing the child’s bassinet.

Without warning, a silver tipped bolt from a powerful crossbow flew through the air, digging deep into the dragon’s side. Blinded with pain, the dragon roared, head swiveling as a second bolt whizzed past, embedding into the wooden post of the shrine. With a battle cry, a man, armored from head to toe in steel and leather, tore from the trees.

Startled by the commotion, the child wailed in fear. With a ferocious snarl through bared, sword length teeth, the dragon shifted its body, covering the child. It reared its neck back in alarm as the man lunged with his broadsword. The dragon swung its long tail and the man lurched backward, narrowly escaping being impaled with the three dagger sharp spikes at the end. Powerful jaws snapped the air, forcing the armored man to roll to the side. He thrust his sword upward, barely missing the shining burgundy scales along the dragon’s neck.

"Stick to the plan! I've got this!" The man shouted to his partner, a boy that had yet to reach manhood. Eyes wide, the boy fumbled with his crossbow, trying to load another bolt.

In a panic, the dragon swung its winged arm, catching the sword wielding man in the chest, razor sharp claws impaling steel. The man flew backward as the dragon let out a pained roar. Hot crimson blood dripped from the slice in the delicate wing from the man’s sword upon impact.

Shaking with fury, the dragon drew back its neck, pulling in a long breath with a deep rumble that rippled through the ground. Burning heat bubbled in the dragon’s chest as flames surged through the powerful throat. The man, still on his back from loss of breath, pushed to his feet, launching himself behind a large bolder for protection.

“You will not get your kill this time, beast!” The boy bellowed, throwing aside his crossbow and charging the dragon head on.

"No, don't!" The man warned, but it was too late.

Flames shot from the dragon’s mouth. The fire lit the trees as it swung its head toward the boy. He screamed as his body crackled with red, yellow, and blue flames.

Wrath tore through the man as he watched his burning squire fall to the ground and lie still. He leapt from behind the boulder, wincing as the gashes along his chest stretched, more blood trickling from the wounds.

Knowing he had only one choice, the wounded man turned, bolting into the forest for a better vantage point. With a wave of hot air, the dragon breathed more flames into the trees. The hysterical cries from the child brought the dragon's attention back to the important task it had been charged with.

Adrenaline still fighting off the pain from the bolt in its side, the dragon turned back to the shrine. With each step, stinging emanated from the tear in its left wing. Flying would be excruciating, but the beast had no choice. The armored man would attack again at any moment and the dragon would not leave without the child. With a push from its powerful hind legs, it took flight. It hovered over the altar and delicately took hold of the handle that arched over the bassinet before ascending over the trees.

With each stroke the dragon’s wings took through the air, pain radiated from its injuries. Blood continued to ooze from around the bolt still stuck in its side, dropping to the trees below. They had only traveled a couple miles, but as breathing became unbearable and the dragon was dropping more altitude, it knew it had to stop. It curved quickly to the right, dropping low over a sparkling blue lake.

Careful to let the basket drop gently to the grass along the shore, the dragon touched down. The child cooed curiously, big blue eyes roaming the serene, still waters of the lake. The dragon took a quick survey of the surroundings. Other than the occasional chattering squirrel, nothing seemed to occupy the trees that hid the lake. Relieved, the dragon eyed the small cave in the rocky mountainside. The lake, though abundant with fresh water trout, was nestled between two mountains and surrounded by trees. Dragons and other wildlife were the only living beings to frequent the cool waters.

As the dragon took a step toward the cave, it gave a small whimper. The bolt wouldn’t come out without hands to pull it and the dragon wouldn’t be able to heal until it was removed. It stilled, taking a deep, peaceful breath of mountain air, and began to transform. With a flash of crimson light, the large, burgundy scaled body had shrunk, replaced by that of a young woman. A tall, thin torso and graceful arms and legs were draped in a sheer, pale pink dress that flowed around bare feet. Pearly skin glistened in the sunlight, accented even more by silky red hair that hung in soft waves to the woman’s waist.

With shaking hands, the woman grasped the bolt protruding just below her rib cage. With a cry of pain, she yanked hard on the wood, pulling the bolt straight out, careful not to cause further damage. Suddenly dizzy, the woman staggered and fell to her knees in the grass. She pressed a long fingered hand to the wound with a hiss through clenched teeth. Feet away, eyes now fully fixed on the woman, the child babbled with curiosity. With a calm smile, the woman turned fiery, golden eyes upon the toddler who had tipped out of its basket and stood clumsily on weak legs.

“I’ll be alright little one.” The woman’s soft voice was like silk and the child sat in reassurance. Luckily, the wound wouldn’t be fatal. With the blood of the dragon coursing through her veins, as long as the woman washed her wounds in the clean water of the lake, she would begin to heal quicker than a simple mortal human. Pushing herself up on steady legs, the woman unhooked the dress at her shoulders, letting it fall to the grass, and waded into the water. Crimson blood swirled around her body as she fully submerged. She gingerly rubbed the wound in her side and cut in her left arm clean, breathing deeply through the pain.

Satisfied, the woman stepped back onto dry land. She bent before her dress and carefully ripped a strip off the bottom before wandering over to a nearby plant. She plucked one of the three yellow flowers from the top and popped it in her mouth, chewing the petals into a paste. Pulling a large, oval shaped leaf from the same plant, she spread the chewed flower on it, pressed it to the wound in her side, and gently bound it with the scrap from her dress. She pulled at the skin on her upper arm, looking at the cut. The slash from the man’s sword no longer bled and would be better left to heal in the open air.

With a new sense of security, the woman dressed and turned back to the child, who had waited patiently by the basket, plucking at long blades of green, lush grass. She knelt before the girl, taking a thin hand in her own.

“My name is Ena. I’m sorry this has been such a traumatic day.” She tucked a lanky strand of pale hair behind the little girl’s ear. “I promise that the rest of the journey will go smoothly. You will be well soon.” Ena’s eyes turned to the orange sun just above the treeline. “But, for now, I cannot fly. We won’t have to stay here for long.”

Ena stood, picking up the toddler and placing her on her uninjured hip. She pointed a delicate finger at the cave.

“We’ll be safe here.” She explained as they approached the entrance. The cavern was shallow with a low ceiling, but it was large enough to build a fire and keep them sheltered. Soft, woven blankets were folded neatly on a boulder near the back and in the center was a fire pit complete with a cooking tripod and pot.

Ena smiled, glad to be back in a familiar, safe space. She, along with other dragons in her clan, would frequent this serene spot to camp and fish in between scouting and guard duties. With the girl still on one hip, Ena grabbed a fishing rod that was propped up against the side of the cave before making her way back to the water’s edge. The rod, made of flexible bamboo and a braided horsehair line with a steel hook at the end, was of good quality and would surely catch a decent supper.

While she bobbed the worm baited line in the water, Ena looked at the sky. If all had gone according to plan, she would have already made it back to the clan’s fortress in Black Rock Mountain. Her absence would be noticed by now. Perhaps someone would come looking?

Her mind turned to the chaos that had happened at the shrine. In the one-hundred and three years since Ena had been alive, the villagers of Pine Creek had never attacked the dragons. Their relationship had always been one of peace and prosperity, of Symbiosis. What had changed? Who exactly were those men?

With two cleaned trout roasting over the fire, Ena watched the child play in the grass at the mouth of the cave. The offering had looked routine. Yet, the two men had been waiting for a dragon to come to the shrine and had definitely intended to kill. Any villager should have still known that dragons could communicate with humans.

The attackers didn’t even try to talk. They had used the child as bait. Perhaps they weren’t from Pine Creek Village. The thought made Ena’s blood boil. What would happen when she reported this to the Elders? Was this child offering the last?

Enticed by the intoxicating smell of cooking fish, the child waddled its way back to the fire. It sat next to Ena, staring up at her with a fussy pout on her sallow face.

“Are you hungry?” Ena smiled, pulling the cast iron pot from the fire. Careful to remove the bones, she handed the little girl a chunk of fish on a flat leaf. The girl picked messily at the fish before placing some in her tiny mouth, dropping bits of shredded pink flesh down the front of her white tunic. Ena laughed, wiping food from the child’s lips with a gentle finger.

Ena talked while the girl munched on another bite. “I can’t wait for you to see Black Rock Mountain and get to meet the rest of the clan. I know you’ll get along well. After the ritual you’ll be one of the family. We all help each other learn and grow and in time you’ll be able to assist the next little one. You’ll be perfectly safe within the fortress . . . hopefully.” She added softly. The clan would get to the bottom of what was happening with the village.

As night fell, and the toddler, rolled up in a blanket and nestled comfortably next to her, slept peacefully, Ena remained alert. Carefully trained ears listened to the sounds of the night. This lake had been a safe location for years, but she had lost a lot of blood during the flight. There was no telling what other creatures could have been drawn by the scent.

There was a snap as a footfall crushed the underbrush in the treeline nearby. Ena froze, her eyes wide and alert at the mouth of the cave. She sniffed the air, hoping for the musky scent of a deer or other harmless animal. The faint, sweet, metallic odor of blood tickled her nostrils, followed by-

Ena seized the child as the unmistakable scrape of a boot on rock echoed from the mouth of the cave. What was a human doing all the way out there? How had he found the hidden lake? The breath caught in Ena’s throat as she recognized the face of the man that now glowed orange in the firelight. A dark brown, close cropped beard, dirty, shoulder length hair, a sword held at the ready, and five gashes in the steel armor on his chest. This was the man who had attacked the shrine.

The man stopped when he spotted her, standing still as a statue, clutching the fussing child to her chest. “I- I mean you no harm.” The man lowered his sword slightly, putting out a hand in reassurance. Ena remained silent, watching his every move. Her brain worked furiously.

He hadn’t seen her in her human form. There was no way he could know she was the dragon he had attacked just the day before.

“Who are you? How did you come to be here?” The man asked. He took in her bright red hair and flowing dress, and then the pale little girl watching him closely. “The child!” He gasped. His astonished gaze met Ena’s eyes again. “You must have seen the dragon!” He urged, striding forward. “I tracked the blood all the way here.”

“I . . .” Ena’s heart pounded as she tried to think of a response. “Y-yes. There was a dragon, but it left. I found the child and have been caring for it.”

The man’s thick brows pulled in confusion. “It left?” He looked at the blood still staining the fabric on her side. “It hurt you? How are you both not dead?”

Ena held her tongue, thinking of a response. The man took her silence as fearful confirmation.

“Don’t worry. I will not let the dragon harm you again. Do you know where it went?”

“No.” Ena shook her head softly. “It was injured and, when it saw me, it left the child.” She took a cautious breath. “I don’t think the dragon meant to hurt us.”

“Didn’t mean to hurt you?!” The man exclaimed, a look of concern on his face. “Nonsense! Dragons are foul beasts who like nothing better than to destroy anything and everything in its path!”

Ena remained silent. How could this man think such a thing? There was no way he was from the village.

The man beckoned toward the fire. “Come, sit back down. I promise I won’t touch you. We’ll stay here for the night and I will take you both back to my order's camp tomorrow.”

Ena’s heart sank. She had to get the child back to Black Rock Mountain before the Blood Moon in two days' time. No matter what this man said, he couldn’t be trusted. Ena wouldn’t be safe in his camp.

She cautiously made her way back to the fire, sitting down with the toddler in her lap. The man followed, seating himself on the ground across from her. His eyes roamed the cave.

“What is this place?” He asked.

Ena hesitated. “It’s a peaceful place where my family has always come. There has never been danger here.”

“Until now.” The man scoffed. “I still cannot believe you are alive after encountering that dragon.”

Ena frowned. “I told you, I don’t think the dragon meant any harm to us.”

The man shook his head again in disbelief. "That monster killed my squire." He swore under his breath, rubbing his jaw angrily. "He wasn't ready. He didn't stick to the plan. I should have known."

Ena bit her lip with a guilty frown. “Who are you?” She changed the subject.

“Oh, please excuse my manners. My name is Desmond. I’m a soldier in the Blood Knights’ Order.”

Ena averted her eyes so as to not show her fear. She should have known. The Blood Knights’ Order was an organization of monster hunters far to the East. However, none had ever been this far southwest, not since the Pine Creek Village had made a pact with the dragons of Black Rock Mountain.

“And you?” Desmond continued.

“Ena.” She answered shortly. “What are you doing here?”

“Tracking dragons.” Desmond said matter-of-factly. He nodded at the little girl’s drooping head in Ena’s arms. “Is she sick?”

“Yes.” Ena shifted the girl closer protectively.

Desmond nodded, sensing he wouldn’t receive more information on the subject. “Don’t worry for tonight. You can sleep. I will stand watch.”

Ena nodded, lying down with the child safely tucked beside her. She closed her eyes, but kept her other senses alert. There was no way she would be sleeping with a member of the Blood Knights’ Order so close.

As morning sunlight streamed in through the cave’s opening, Ena opened her eyes. She had heard Desmond leave a few moments ago. Perhaps now was her chance to escape with the toddler. She couldn’t risk turning yet, but Ena knew this area well. If they were quiet, they could slip into the trees unnoticed.

Careful not to make a sound, she grabbed the sleeping child and crept to the mouth of the cave. Her eyes searched the green grass and surrounding trees, but there was no sign of Desmond. Taking her chance, Ena dashed into the nearest tree line to her left. She felt the wound pull at her side, but kept running. She almost stumbled as she saw movement behind a tree to the right and a deep voice called out.

“Where are you running off to?”

Ena froze. With the pain spreading from her side she knew she would never outrun the knight.

“I told you, I won’t hurt you.” Desmond stepped in front of her, a cloth full of small blue berries in his hands. “You don’t need to run from me.”

“I don’t want to go to your camp.” Ena kept her voice strong. “I must get back to my family.”

Desmond gently grabbed hold of Ena’s upper arm, steering her back towards the lake. “Soon it won’t be safe to be alone in the forest this close to Black Rock Mountain. Please let me protect you.”

“I-” Ena’s jaw clenched. This man was relentless.

“Come. We’ll eat and be on our way. If you don’t want to go to my camp, at least let me escort you back to the village.”

Ena gave in, silently planning her escape as they ate berries and roasted trout. She winced as she shifted in her seat, causing her tender wound to stretch. Desmond chewed in silence as he watched her.

“I know you don’t trust me yet, but can I help you?”

“I’ve managed fine on my own, thanks.” Ena replied shortly.

“Here.” Desmond untied the pouch at his waist and placed a small tin in front of her. “This is a potent healing salve. It was made by a witch in our village. I promise it will be stronger than the plants you have been using.”

Ena reluctantly took the salve. “Fine.” She stood, taking the child with her to the water’s edge. With her back safely turned, she cleansed her wound and picked a new leaf. She doubtfully spread a dollop of muddy green salve over her wound, gasping in disbelief as the pain retreated immediately.

“Thanks.” Ena handed the salve back to Desmond.

“Of course.” He replied, with a prideful smile.

As they finally set off through the forest, her thoughts ran back to what Desmond had said earlier.

“What do you mean it won’t be safe this close to Black Rock Mountain?”

Desmond gave her a proud smirk. “My order didn’t come all this way to slay one dragon. Tales have long been told about the Pine Creek Village and the child offerings to appease the beasts. We have come to protect the village and rid them of the dragon scum once and for all.”

Ena’s heart pounded painfully. “Didn’t you talk to any of the villagers?”

“Yes, but they were too scared to tell us much. They kept pushing us to leave, but they don’t need to fear anymore.”

“Are you out of your mind?!” Ena jumped to her feet. “The villagers don’t sacrifice children to the dragons! The dragons protect the village-” She cut herself off. It would be far more dangerous for this man to know the true reason behind the child offering.

“Dragons protect no one!” Desmond exploded. “I have come up against countless dragons, and none of them have been peaceful.”

“Because you probably attacked them first!” Ena shot back. “Are you so arrogant that you will believe what you think is true despite a whole village telling you otherwise?”

“You think I don’t know the evil of dragons?!” Desmond sneered. “A dragon wiped out half of my village, killing my entire family! My wife, my child . . . gone”

“I-” Ena faltered, her chest heaving. “Not all dragons are evil.”

“I’ll believe it when I see it.” Desmond scoffed. He strode forward again. “Come on, let’s keep moving.”

Ena watched Desmond as they trudged through the underbrush. Guilt and sympathy squeezed her chest. What happened to his family was truly a tragedy, but innocent dragons didn’t need to pay for the crimes of one so evil. How could she change his mind?

After about a mile of walking in the direction of the village, they stopped for a moment of rest, drinking from Desmond’s water flask.

“A dragon actually saved my life.” Ena broke the silence.

“What?” Desmond scowled as if she had told a bad joke.

“It’s true. I was sick, very sick, and a dragon took pity on me and . . . healed me.”

“Rubbish-” Desmond broke off at the seriousness on Ena’s face. “How?”

Ena shrugged. “Magic I suppose.”

Desmond stayed silent, unsure of what to believe.

The hair prickled on the back of Ena’s neck as a pungent, alarming scent reached her nose.

“Dire Wolves!” She hissed, picking the child back up from where she had been playing in the dirt.

“What?” Desmond drew his sword, looking around. “How did you-”

A ferocious growl ripped through the trees as a giant, black wolf bounded into view.

“Get back!” Desmond ordered, pushing Ena and the child behind him. As the wolf advanced Ena knew this was nowhere near an even fight. Dire Wolves in the forests below Black Rock Mountain were three times the size of a normal wolf. With foot long, razor sharp fangs and claws as large as daggers, a lone man was no match. Fear rippled through Ena as she watched the wolf circling.

“Watch out!” She cried, as two more wolves leapt from the shadows. She slowly bent down, placing the child into a small hollow at the base of the tree next to them. Whatever happened next, she had no choice.

“Don’t fear.” She spoke softly as she stepped to the side. In a flash of light, a large, burgundy dragon stood in Ena’s place. Desmond jumped back in paralyzed shock. He watched, open mouthed, as the dragon bellowed an Earth shaking roar at the Dire Wolves. With angry growls, the wolves backed down, retreating into the forest, unwilling to risk injury or death. The dragon turned to Desmond. He stepped back, shielding the child, but was surprised to see the girl was looking at the beast with a familiar grin. He met the dragon’s golden eyes and saw no malice.

“H-how?” Desmond stammered. “How is this possible?”

The dragon bowed her head, keeping eye contact. Without moving her mouth, the dragon spoke with Ena’s voice, but it was as if the words filled Desmond’s mind.

“I told you a dragon saved my life. I was fully human once; a small child living in Pine Creek Village. You see, for centuries the village has had a pact with the dragons. In exchange for the dragon’s protection against the beasts and malignant humans that threaten the land, the villagers offer up a child. In a ritual under the blood moon, the dragons make that child into one of their own, like me. We, the chosen, are to become of one blood with the dragons.

The sick children are always the first choice. I had a sickness of the lungs, and the healers didn’t expect much for me. I was offered to the dragons at the very shrine where we met.” Ena nodded to the child wiggling around Desmond’s legs. “This child is suffering from an untreatable disease. She is wasting away with every rising sun. Tomorrow, under the blood moon, she is to become one of us. Without the dragons, she will die.”

Desmond didn’t know what to say. Since he was a young boy, he had believed all dragons to be evil, thoughtless beasts. Now to know otherwise left him with a sense of dread.

“We must stop my order.” He breathed. “They can’t attack Black Rock Mountain, not now.”

Ena dipped her head in thanks. “This is goodbye then. The child cannot wait any longer.”

“I’ll make it back to my camp on foot. It’s only a couple miles from here.” Desmond nodded. “I promise I will do all that I can to keep my order from attacking Black Rock Mountain.”

“Thank you.” Ena dipped her head. “As long as the order doesn’t make a move against us, the dragons will not harm you either.”

Desmond nodded. “Good luck. May we meet again under better circumstances."

They knew it would be a long road ahead before the Blood Knights’ Order would fully trust the dragons. There wasn’t even an assurance that the order would believe Desmond, but as they parted with a new understanding, the hope for peace was ever closer. The urgent matter at hand was that of the child’s life.

Safe at Black Rock Mountain, Ena’s wounds were treated and she continued to stay with the girl, getting much needed rest in preparation for the next night’s ceremony. After a day of celebration, the dragons gathered in the sky room at the top most peak of the fortress. In the center, the child lay, surrounded by glittering moonstones that now glowed red under the Blood Moon’s light. Her breathing was labored, but her bright blue eyes roamed the dragons in wonder, a small, peaceful smile on her lips. The dragons, still in their majestic form, sang hauntingly to the moon, praying for the child’s long and healthy life after rebirth.

With the moon at its peak, Ena stepped forward, holding a chalice in her human hands. The child babbled happily, reaching out. Ena propped the girl up with one hand, lifting the chalice to the child’s lips with the other. Deep crimson liquid dribbled into the girl’s mouth and she gulped deeply, as if she had not drank in years.

The song’s melody turned joyous as rosy color seeped back into the child’s cheeks. Her gaze shifted to the moon above. As the dragon blood fused with her own, the blue in the child’s eyes shimmered and a fierce, fiery gold began to spread from her pupils. She gave a healthy squeal of laughter, breathing in new life.