Rosemerry and Blackberry

Why is it so…loud? The little girl at the dragon’s feet wailed obnoxiously. The family of owls in the trees above screeched in annoyance. The dragon snapped her jaws at them. They fell silent, but the child did not.

The dragon had smelled the child and heard her crying and stumbling through the dark. The dragon wanted to ignore the little thing and finish her meal, but she couldn’t help it. The child was distraught and it tugged at her heart. Blasted hormones, she had thought when she searched for the child. A mother’s instincts were strong, but for her own young. She had lingered too long in the northern mountains with her mate and their appetite brought the hunters sniffing around. Harming a wild dragon was treason, but some collected the eggs to bring to the Dragon Lords for coin. The King especially was very generous. They were always in search of more eggs to give to their children and strengthen their numbers. She was traveling to the Blue Mountains where her sisters nested when she could wait no longer to lay her egg. She had just laid her egg that morning in a small cave and hunted a boar afterwards.

Why should she help a child? It’ll grow up to be a nasty human who either hates her kind or uses them to gain power. What was it about this child that intrigued her?

Now that she was closer, she knew why. It carried a scent she did not recognize. It smelled of the blackberry juice that soaked the front of her dress. Probably how she got lost. It was also stinky, like how humans usually smelled. Her scrapped knees carried that iron scent of blood, but she did not have the scent of the Dragon Lords who descended from the Dragon Mother. She had united with a dragon and brought the dragons back from near extinction. Why an ancient beast would bond with a lowly human escaped her understanding. Yes, she did defeat the Blood Mages, but her children craved more power and sought to rule all the lands. Their magical blood tainted their hearts, drivin g them to war against one another to control everything. This child did not have this magical blood, so she would be consumed by her flames easily enough. But what was it that prevented her from doing so?

The child sat in front of her and she understood now. Her thermal vision allowed her to see the heat of the Drïta burn upon her breastbone. That was the scent. The dragon hissed in frustration. The child was marked for protection by the Creator, the Great Dragon who carries the world. She could not be harmed by a dragon. This sacred law cannot be broken.

A screech pierced the night. A sound that caused terror in all living creatures, even a dragon. It must have heard the child’s crying and now caught a scent of its blood. The dragon wanted to crawl into her cave and hope the creature was small and immature. A full-grown adult could harm her and her egg. The child continued to cry. She moved to scoop up the child, and maybe find a way to shut it up.

The Beast appeared a few yards behind the child. It stood nearly three meters in height, with abnormally long arms and sharp claws. Its elongated snout sniffed the air and saliva dripped from its mouth. She heard a sizzle as the acid hit the ground. Its engorged belly and bloody coat suggested it had already eaten, but their appetite was never satiated. Its rancid scent burned the dragon’s nostrils. As the dragons came from the light above, the Beasts came from the darkness below.

The Beast jumped towards the child. The dragon leaped and struck it with her forelimb. It crashed against a tree trunk and growled when it rolled back on its feet. She clicked her teeth at it and curled defensively around the wailing child. It lunged again, this time faster and higher than she had expected. It landed on her shoulder and sank its claws and teeth into her left wing, tearing flesh and breaking bone. She roared in pain and reached around to pull it off of her like removing a leech. Her wing bled and stung as the acid ate at her. It crouched to jump again, then lifted its nose. It smelled easier, tastier prey. A freshly laid dragon’s egg.

The dragon looked at the cave hidden amongst the brush where its nose was pointed. Her heart sank as the Beast leaped toward the opening. Her fear and fury fueled the breath that met the sparks at her teeth, shooting a stream of flames from her mouth. It engulfed the Beast in flames. It fell from the air, writhing and screeching until it stopped.

The dragon sighed in relief and hugged the child, then realized it was not her egg. The child sounded as if it would never stop crying. The dragon found the boar she had mostly consumed earlier that evening and pulled a piece of fat off the carcass. Perhaps the child could be soothed like a teething hatchling. She delicately placed the fat in the child’s mouth and it began to suck on it and grasp it tightly between its little hands.

The dragon looked at the dirty, disheveled child. The dragon looked into her eyes and noticed a sparkle. That sparkle gleamed brightly as if to open a window for her to see what will come to pass. She saw a tree wrapped in flames, which then began to bloom white blossoms. The blossoms gleamed at bright as stars. She felt uneasy and uncertain but then a calm, warming peace flowed over her. She blinked and the images were gone.

She had never seen a vision from the Creator and never thought the dragons would hear a message again. Dragons were the messengers but had lost their way. She carried the weary child to the cave and placed her by her beloved egg. She curled around the egg and child. Thump, thump. She could still hear the little heartbeat inside the egg and feel its movements. Although she had to return the child to her parents, for this night the child was hers.

The next morning she carried the child toward the three thin streaks of smoke that marked her home. Her parents were overjoyed to see their daughter again, and equally terrified when they saw the dragon who carried her. The dragon hoped this gesture would cultivate trust in the humans that could be useful in the future. She slinked away into the forest.

Over the next ten years, the child grew and continued to venture into the forest, even though her family refused to go near the Dragon’s forest and she was forbidden to do so. The injury from the Beast made it impossible for the dragon to fly again, so she settled in a larger cave by a creek. It did not take long for the child to find the cave with the dragon and her young hatchling. They became fast friends and often explored the forest together. The dragon always seemed mildly annoyed when the child returned to play, but she allowed the hatchling to spend time with her. The dragon had cut trees with her claws for her hatchling to stay within the boundaries to prevent going too close to the humans. It was a small settlement of three cottages and one barn that protected livestock from the Beasts, but she was still wary of humans. The dragon mostly slept to decrease her need to eat. She hunted for her young, then taught him how to hunt and ate mostly during the spring and fall elk migration. In the evenings she taught him all there was to know about being a wild dragon and how humans could not be trusted. Except for the little girl. Her name was Rosemerry, for her rosy cheeks and happy demeanor, and she named the young dragon Blackberry for his black and purple scales.

In the spring of her thirteenth year, a group of dragon hunters ventured into her family’s settlement. Six men with scraggly horses from the south entered the settlement weary and hungry. Their weathered faces, thick beards, numerous blades, and gruesome smiles gave them an unfriendly appearance. The lead rider carried a huge, black lance.

The lead rider greeted the settlement. The women brought their little ones inside and the men greeted the strangers but kept their distance.

“We are dragon hunters. The ban against hunting wild dragons had ended. Seems the Dragon Lords don’t want to share the skies with the likes of them no more. The King has offered much coin to those who kill wild dragons. We will offer coin for any information you can offer to find one.”

“No dragons in these parts. Best keep moving.” A tall man with a dark beard replied.

He did not seem to like this reply.

“We heard rumors of a dragon living in a forest up north. Which forest do you call ‘Dragon’s’ forest?”

It seems the name Dragon’s forest gave it away.

“Like we said, there’s no dragon here. Not seen one for over a decade.”

He felt their reluctance and pushed harder for information.

“So you have seen one? Ten years is not so long for a dragon.”

“Are ya deaf? There’s no dragon. Leave us be. Head further north!” A young man shouted at them.

The rider tapped the hilt of his blade at his hip and looked back at his companions.

“We may look east if-“

“No! Only north!” An elderly man shouted.

The rider laughed and his companions joined in.

“What’s in the east, eh?”

“Don’t! It’ll kill us all!” The old man shouted at the riders. The other settlers glared at his stupidity.

“Oh come now, we’re here to help-“

“I think its best you leave now. Take the north road.” The men gripped their tools and stood tall.

The riders snapped their reins and galloped their horses north. Their campfires were seen over the ridge that night and many nights after.

Rosemerry knew they were close but still ventured into the woods. At thirteen, she was naïve and did not think that her adventures would put her dearest friends at risk.

“Goodbye mummy, I’m off to search for Blackberry!” They always assumed she meant ‘blackberries’, which were her favorite fruit.

“Stay close my merry little rose. Those hunters-“

“I know mummy. I never go anywhere near there.”

“Be back before the Moon Dragon takes to the sky.”

“I’ll be back while the Sun Dragon is still flying.” She kissed her mother on the cheek and ran off to the West Woods. When she thought no one was noticing she sneaked back behind their cottage and darted into Dragon’s forest.

“Blackberry!” she hollered when she was close to the cave. Blackberry jumped out of the cave and jumped with joy. He had grown to about the size of a plow horse. His mother only sighed in her sleep when they left.

“I want to see the falls!” Rosemerry said when they were past the creek.

Blackberry stopped and groaned in hesitation. The falls were well past the boundaries his mother had set for him.

“Come on, it’ll be fun! I promise!” Rosemerry was more adventurous, and rebellious than Blackberry. Blackberry reluctantly followed her through the trees and down a ravine where they played in the water for hours. She was right, it was fun to splash and chase little fish.

They found some cherries and he helped her climb the tree. She stuffed her belly full. He ate a few but preferred the rabbit he found in the brush.

The sun was still high in the sky when they heard a terrible roar. The ground shook and Rosemerry hugged Blackberry in terror. Another roar was heard towards home. Blackberry jumped out of her grasp and up the ravine. Rosemerry tried to catch up.

When they got close to the cave, parts of the forest were on fire. Rosemerry coughed from the smoke and watched Blackberry fly overhead and glide down towards the creek. She followed the creek to their cave and saw his mother in the water.

Two scorched bodies lay on the banks. The smell of burnt flesh made her pinch her nose. Blackberry was nudging his mother with his nose. He began shoving her with his forelimbs and crying out. His mother lay motionless with blood pouring from her mouth and a large wound in her chest from a lance. Rosemerry thought nothing could pierce a dragon’s scales; it must have been magic.

“Blackberry!” Rosemerry cried. He curled up beside his dead mother and groaned in despair. She hugged him and tried to comfort him, but he just lay there with tears in his eyes.

Rosemerry was so angry. Angry at the hunters for killing his mother, angry at herself for convincing Blackberry to go farther from home. Maybe they could have stopped them.

Since Blackberry was wrought with grief, she fled back home to tell her parents. Maybe her father could do something to punish those hunters.

As she was approaching home the men were gathered and shouting at one another. They had heard the dragon and were arguing about what to do about the hunters. Soon, the hunters were seen approaching from the north. They had broken camp and wanted to get as far south as possible. Rosemerry ran at the lead rider and threw a rock at his horse. The horse reared and he almost lost his seat.

“You killed her! You monsters! You killed her!” she screamed at them.

“You should be thanking us, little brat! Now you will be safe!”

“I hate you! I hope you die!”

The rider steered his horse towards her and kicked her in the chest. Her breath escaped her lungs as she hit the ground. Her father and the other men ran at him with pitchforks and scythes. The riders drew their blades and charged. The women screamed as blood was spilled.

Rosemerry sat up and tried to catch her breath. She heard a roar above her and wind rushed past. Blackberry ignited his breath with the click of his teeth. He breathed fire down on the riders. One rider was ablaze and his terrified horse carried the flames through the settlement, alighting a cottage. Another rider drew his bow and shot arrows at Blackberry. He was able to avoid most arrows but a few caught the membrane of his wings. He roared in pain and soared back around, engulfing the fields in flames. The dragon hunters were weary and were unable to pin the dragon down. An airborne dragon was far more dangerous than a grounded dragon. With his lethal fire, teeth, and talons Blackberry quickly avenged the death of his mother.

Rosemerry ran to the village to help free her family from the flames. Burning timber had fallen across the doorway. She carried buckets of water from the well, but could not work fast enough. Soon the flames from the fields caught the other cottages on fire. The surviving settlers tried to save their homes but to no avail.

Rosemerry did not realize how fast the fire was spreading around her and soon was trapped. She tried to douse the flames with her bucket of water. It barely waned the flames. She cried out for Blackberry, then screamed when her sleeve caught fire.

Blackberry soared down from above. She jumped on his back and he flew back to the forest. Rosemerry cried and watched the smoke darken the sky. She knew she could never return because the settlers would be angry at Blackberry and maybe even her.

They landed when Blackberry could not fly any further. Blackberry nuzzled her and licked her wound. She yelled at him, held her arm gingerly, and cried. Blackberry felt terrible. He did not control his fire as his mother taught him to. She warned him of the consequences of dragon fire. If not controlled, it could burn an entire forest down and harm innocent lives. Not to mention anger humans and cause them to hunt dragons. Wild dragons tried to stay hidden as much as possible to keep the peace with humans. It seems that peace will no longer stand now that the Dragon Lords wanted to kill wild dragons.

They rested that night and flew southeast in the morning. Blackberry landed by a lake and went to search for food. Rosemerry went to the water and carefully pulled off the shoulder of her dress the clean her burn. She winced in pain, but the cooling water felt refreshing. She was thinking about how to dress the wound when a voice behind her startled her.

“An injured maiden alone in the woods. Looks like someone could use some assistance.” A young man with thick black hair smiled down at her. He was young and handsome but had a mischievous glint in his brown eyes.

Rosemerry stood up quickly and used her blonde hair to hide her bare shoulder.

“I am in no need of your assistance,” she snapped at him. He did not like the attitude in her reply.

“Surely, a young woman should not be alone with an injury as great as yours.”

“I’m fine, and I’m not alone.”

The young man looked around and waved his arms questioningly.

“Just leave me alone!”

“But-“

“Go away!” she reached down, grabbed a rock, and threw it at him. He dodged it and furrowed his brow.

“How dare you! I am a Dragon Lord! Defender of the King’s justice!”

Rosemerry blanched but tried to hold his gaze.

“I don’t see a dragon. Only a whining idiot!” Her rebellious tongue got the best of her.

The Dragon Lord chuckled and whistled. She heard the wind rush past her from behind and looked up at a large, red dragon circling above. The ground shook when it landed in front of her. It was twice the size of Blackberry.

“Your insults were most unwise. Ikän!” He commanded the dragon. It lifted its head and opened its mouth, preparing to ignite a flame. Then he stopped, confused. He tilted his head sideways and smelled Rosemerry. She had fallen to her knees and was shaking in terror.

“What are you doing? Incinerate her!”

“Cannot,” the dragon said in a rough voice that was difficult to understand.

“Why not?!”

“Drïta.” He pointed his claw to her chest.

The Dragon Lord stomped towards her. A roar in the sky stopped him in his tracks. The red dragon stood in front of the Dragon Lord and opened its wings as Blackberry landed in front of Rosemerry. They snapped at each other and growled.

“A wild dragon and a girl with the Drïta,” the man said in surprise. “What is your name?”

“Rosemerry.”

“Forgive me and my rudeness. You and the Drïta’s existence is of great importance to the King. May I be your guide and bring you to him?” He knelt on one knee. He and the dragon bowed in respect.

Rosemerry looked and Blackberry, who grumbled in disapproval.

“He may be able to heal your arm.”

With much trepidation, Rosemerry agreed. She did not trust him, but she wanted to know the significance of the Drïta. Plus it seemed that his dragon would not harm her. They travel southwest towards the capital, Dragon Mount. The capital was on top of a mountain where the sacred white Magnolia tree grew, but it had not bloomed in many years. This tree was the sigil for the King’s house and was said to be a gift from the Creator for their divine ruling. Their journey took nearly a fortnight and as they traveled she learned about the Dragon Lords and the Drïta. The Dragon Lords were entrusted to protect the land and keep the peace, however, their actions were not always just. Many took what they wanted since there were few to rival them. They were proud, powerful and looked down on those without Dragon’s blood. They channel magic from the dragons they are bonded with from birth. However, if they channeled too much magic they would be burned through and consumed by magic. Sir Logan and his dragon, Viper, seemed noble enough but they were aware of their flawed peers. The King, however, did not see these flaws. He saw himself, and the other Dragon Lords, as gods. Both his parents were Dragon Lords, but his father was cruel like many others. Sir Logan did not approve of hunting dragons and felt his bond with Viper was sacred.

The Drïta was a sign from the Creator for the chosen one to bring peace. It is said that the one who bears the Drïta would be protected by all dragons to fulfill a sacred mission. The Drïta was revered by the Dragon Lords whom had been waiting for centuries.

When they reached Dragon Mount, Sir Logan sent a message and they were taken to see the King. The King was delighted to meet Rosemerry and her wild dragon. The great hall was filled with royal officials and Dragon Lords. They murmured excitedly when they entered, except for the prince. He stood behind the King, downcast and hiding his scarred face.

“Here she is! The one who bears the Drïta!” The King exclaimed.

Sir Logan, Rosemerry, and the dragons bowed to the King. He asked them to stand and come forward.

“I understand you have something to ask of me.”

“Yes, Your Grace. My arm, its-“

“Oh yes, I can heal that right up! Such as easy task!” he chuckled, as did the other Dragon Lords. The prince looked at her, fear in his eyes.

“Also, Your Grace. Return peace with the wild dragons, like my friend Blackberry. Dragons are-“

“Yes, sacred. But so numerous! We must control the population. Come, let us celebrate your arrival!”

They feasted that night on rich food and wine. She was given many gifts of jewels from the King and Dragon Lords. She enjoyed the songs and dancing that told of adventures of the Dragon Lords. The prince awkwardly stared at her from afar.

The next day a ceremony was prepared for healing her arm. Sir Logan said it seemed odd the ceremony was at the Sacred Circle and told Rosemerry to be careful.

“The King is not all that he seems. The prince bears a terrible scar from his father’s wrath.” Sir Logan warned her of his unpredictability, lust for power, and greed.

The Sacred Circle was near the mountain peak where many dragons of the Dragon Lords nested. At the base, there was a circle of stone pillars. Some dragons slumbered in their caves and others flew high in the sky, watching the ceremony from above. Blackberry was very nervous about being near so many unfamiliar dragons. Rosemerry stroked his neck to comfort him as he looked around anxiously. Rosemerry was also very nervous about the ceremony. Sir Logan was not permitted into the stone circle where Rosemerry and Blackberry were and she was uneasy about not having an ally close by.

The King entered the stone circle, followed by his enormous green dragon. Its mouth was so large, it could have swallowed Blackberry easily. The dragon turned its head sideways to look at Rosemerry. Many scars surrounded his golden, sad eye. He lifted his head and roared for the audience to be silent.

“Today, we witness history! The Drïta has been promised for centuries to bring peace between all dragons, Dragon Lords, and humans. It is proof that the Creator shows favor on our rule!”

The King held up his hands and spoke a strange language. The air around them began to swirl and Rosemerry could feel the heat from the magic around her. He placed his hand on her arm. It tingled and itched as it began to heal. She sighed in relief when he let go of her, his eyes are alit like flames as magic flowed through him. He smiled greedily.

“Today is the day I the Drïta’s power and take possession of all dragons. With the Drïta I will command them all!” The King shouted. Many Dragon Lords cheered but some failed to hide the concern on their face. Rosemerry looked at Sir Logan, who was anxiously gripping his sword belt.

The King grasped her again and she felt the energy drain from her. Her knees buckled and she felt dizzy. Blackberry leaped towards her, but he looked lethargic and weak. Even the King’s dragon looked like his strength was failing. She tried to call out to Blackberry, but air escaped her lungs from pain. She saw Dragon Lords shouting and swords were drawn. She thought she heard Sir Logan shout her name, but she couldn’t hear him from the ringing in her ears. Her breastbone burned like fire. She could not escape the King’s unearthly grasp and screamed.

A blinding light radiated from her and a sonic blast threw the King and Dragon Lords on the ground. Dragons were knocked about in the sky like birds in a hurricane. She continued to scream and felt her body lift in the air like a tether from above was pulling her up. Her scream echoed throughout the city and outwards for miles. She could not remember when she stopped screaming, but she heard a response.

All the dragons roared at once in a tremendous chorus. In a rage, they took to the skies. Wild and tamed alike they came to the city. They engulfed the castle in flames and circled the sacred circle. The Magnolia tree was alit and burned ferociously but was not consumed by the flames. The truck began to glow like hot embers. The dragons continued to circle, ignoring the commands from their masters. The Dragon Lords cowered in fear.

Soon she glowed as bright as a star and her form could no longer be seen. Though the light was blinding, it was beautiful. A voice was heard from the light, but it was not Rosemerry’s.

“Sons and daughters of the Dragon Mother. How far you have fallen. My children were to be your guides to bring peace and cleanse evil with purifying fire. They are not your slaves. Burn your pride or I will remove the bonds from your dragons. You will be mere humans, at the mercy of the dragons you once ruled. Heed my words.”

The ground shook and the light began to dim. Rosemerry’s form could be visible and they saw her arm stretch out towards the flames. The flames throughout the city began to diminish, leaving behind ash and smoke. The Magnolia tree continued to glow.

As Rosemerry’s body descended, the light around her waned. She landed on her hands and knees and looked up at the crowd. Sir Logan rushed over and helped her to her feet. The Drïta glowed brightly through her clothing. She was weak but had a new sense of purpose and determination.

The King crawled towards them, tears streaming down his face.

“Please. Forgive me. I-I just wanted-“

“I know what you wanted.” She looked down at him with disgust. “I felt your greed when you touched me. I saw all the horrible things you’ve done to your dragon and your people. All to feed your lust for power.”

“Please-“

Rosemerry placed her thumbs on his forehead. The magic flowed through her like fire burning her veins. Her eyes glowed and the King cried out. She felt his wrath, greed, and lust. She felt the pain of his dragon, his son, and many of his subjects. She let the magic flow through them, searing his blood. When his connection with magic was severed she closed the channel of magic. The King collapse, weeping. Sir Logan caught Rosemerry who was weak and dizzy from channeling to separate the King from magic and his bond with his dragon.

The prince ran up and tried to comfort his father. The prince looked up at her with empathy in his eyes.

“Can you be trusted to rule in his stead?” Rosemerry asked him.

“I can. I will rule with mercy and justice.”

Rosemerry looked at the other Dragon Lords with new confidence and certainty of the path before her.

“Hail the Drïta. Bring peace and justice to our lands!” Shouted the prince.

“Hail the Drïta!” The Dragon Lords repeated.

Rosemerry set out with Sir Logan after deliberating with the prince over the next few days. Her mission was to restore the Dragon Lords to their former purpose. To protect the land and all who inhabit it. She would travel throughout the kingdom and judge the Dragon Lords. The magic will decide who was worthy of that power and show her who had abused it. Many Dragon Lords were forgiven at the castle and remained bound to their dragons and magic. However, some lost their ties to magic and dragons as the King did. Many Dragon Lords fled to escape judgment after the ceremony and began to form alliances to oppose the Drïta and retain their power. As they left the courtyard, Rosemerry noticed the Magnolia tree blooming for the first time in many years and she smiled at the brilliant flowers and what they represented. Hope for a better future for dragons and humans.