The Dream catcher

Voltagan was in a foul mood today. His tooth hurt like hell and the cursed human tooth doctor was late for the appointment. He had waited a whole month in people time to get some attention from this doctor person. While he waited he chatted to Maglaven, his mate of many years. Maybe talking would get his mind off the infernal pain. They were watching old Kung fu and Karate movies. Voltagan liked to see these silly people beating each other for no reason whatsoever.

The characters were fighting each other over a foolish dream that one of them had about the other.

"Ever notice how all dreams are like watching these Chinese movies where the Master never answers a question directly, but instead quotes riddles that the questioner frustratingly has to decipher in order to understand what the answer really is. Kind of a conundrum wrapped within a riddle".

"Master, why am I floating in my dream, what does it mean"?

"Does a butterfly float within the abyss of time, climb the high mountain to transformation"!

"But where is this high mountain, oh great teacher"?

"Seek the answer in the realm of time, my student".

"So we are really back to where we started, even more confused and clueless to the answer to our question".

Maglaven was laughing uproariously, the movie was hilarious, and her mate was funny, even when he was in pain, he could make her laugh.

The rooms of the castle were enormous, large enough to accommodate the huge forms of the largest dragons. They dragon quarters were equipped to adapt to their forms. Magic was of great use to these mammoth beings, it allowed them leeway in their everyday lives. Their furniture, for instance, adapted to fit the form of a dragon's body, whether prone or upright.

Over the years humans, dragons and most species had converted to one language. It had taken a long time, but the change had simplified life for everyone, leaving the learning of different languages much more accessible if one chose to make it an option.

Over in the corner Namia the witch sat perched on a huge black sofa reading from a new book of spells, she found no humor in such inane drivel. Her entire family of nine sisters lived in the vast cavernous chambers of the gargantuan castle. They were the keepers of the day to day operations of the place, and made sure that the dragons were always entertained. When they got bored they tended to burn things just for fun.

The he-dragon Voltagan was well read, they lived in the huge castle upon the English moor of Glibsegh. One could easily become lost in the fog and gloom that was almost always present on the floor of the moor. He loved the mystery of the place, it kept intruders out. On a clear day, which was rare, one could see the dark gnarled trees of the huge dark forest leading to the castle upon the moor. The hills and valleys were almost bare of animals, there was barely any food to feed the wild life here. Fish was in abundance in the many lakes and rivers dotting the landscape in the region that belonged to the dragons. Most of the other dragons lived in the large cavernous hills around Glibsegh moor.

The dark forest

Voltagan kept his own stock of animals that roamed in large enclosures tended by the witches. Whenever he needed a new taste for his palate, he went hunting in the Green forests of abundance, there he found tasty animals, vegetation and berries to supplement his diet of mostly fish. He tried really hard to not feast on the tasty humans who roamed these forests.

He had a whole massive library of books, human books, Elven scrolls, ancient books of Witches magic and potions, tomes of Faeries and Dwarfs and everything that money could procure for his hunger for knowledge. The witches got him his moving picture apparatus and used many generators procured from the humans to light his castle. They read every book to him as they came into their possession. He considered himself a modern dragon.

Namia got up and peered out the window. "I think your doctor is here, Vilgne the dragon just flew in with him", she said to Voltagan.

"Bring him in then, I am impatient to get rid of this bloody toothache"!

The doctor was hurriedly rushed in, apologizing profusely for being so late. He certainly didn't want to be here, he had tried his best to try to run away, but the large clever dragon had tracked him down and threatened him with dragon fire if he refused. Furthermore, they had stopped to rescue a lost child in the Green forests.

Vilgne came in behind the doctor with a human toddler hanging from his massive mouth. In her hand the child clutched a strange item.

"What in thunder is that thing Vilgne"? Roared Voltagan.

Vilgne gently placed the child on the floor. It started to cry in the ensuing confusion.

"This little thing was all alone in the Green forest, hollering and making such a racket, I didn't want it to get eaten, so I picked it up".

"What are we going to do with it here Vilgne"?

"I will take it for now, doctor go tend to Voltagan's tooth now". Namia said, in an attempt to distract attention from the child.

Vilgne happily turned the child over to Namia and left hastily.

Maglaven watched the entire proceedings with great fascination. This was certainly shaping up into becoming a rather intriguing day. She smiled with great anticipation of the events to follow.

"What is that in the child's hands", she asked.

Namia picked the crying child up and looked closely at the item. "It is what the humans call a dream catcher, they are traditionally used to protect sleeping people, especially children, from bad dreams and nightmares. It is a talisman of the Native Americans who believe that the night air is filled with good and bad dreams".

Dreamcatcher

Voltagan felt an inward sense of deja vu. Were they not just discussing dreams. Was this a good or bad omen?

"But why is the child hugging it so closely, let me take a look". Maglaven drew close and reached out her claw to touch the dream catcher. The child screamed and Maglaven went flying across the room.

The doctor paused in his examination of Voltagan, the dragon too was startled by the incident, he tried to go to the aid of Maglaven, but she was unharmed and waved him back, her curiosity was much too aroused to be concerned with trivial bruised egos.

Namia, in the meantime, was dancing a happy jig. "She's a witch, she's a witch, she's a witch", she sang, laughing happily.

"It's been centuries since we had a young witch. Can we keep her, please. It will be great to have a youngling running around this gloomy castle".

"Careful. I may have to eat her if you all keep going on, doctor can we finish here so that I can at least think without so much pain and rackety noise".

Namia hugged the child, conjuring up some grapes from the refrigerator, cutting it into small pieces for her to eat. After eating the grapes, the child fell asleep, Namia placed her gently on the sofa and pulled a small comforter over her little body.

Even though Voltagan was sitting as low as he could, the doctor had to stand on a table to properly work on his mouth. He had administered an anaesthetic earlier, and was now ready to yank out the tooth. Fearing for his life he hesitated to do the task.

"I'm not going to eat you doc, just go ahead and get it over with, anything is better than this awful debilitating pain".

While they were busy with the tooth, Maglaven and Namia were whispering in a corner close to the child.

"I think this young one was abandoned in the forest because she is a witch. I really hope that no one claims her, she will be better off here. They may harm her in the human community. I fear for her life, the fools are still burning so-called witches at the stake out of sight of their governments". Namia was worried.

"I am also thinking that it would be good for Lexian and Maeve to have a human child to grow up with, they could learn from each other. It would also be good for papa grouch over there to keep him busy during the days. He misses the days of dragon fights and wars and fire breathing mayhem, so do I, if I am honest, it kept him entertained when I had things to do".

Namia was amused by the bluntness of the she-dragon. Men needed excitement and battles and a little bloodshed to be happy. It was just the way things were.

Voltagan swore loudly in dragon-tongue, waking up the child. The doctor triumphantly held up the large tooth. "Not enough anaesthetic, I see". He said, watching the he-dragon rub his sore jaw.

"I figure if you just breathe some fire over the whole mouth it would probably serve as an antibiotic to protect the mouth from bacteria, seeing as I do not know anything much about a dragon's anatomy, fire would do nicely to hasten the healing process.". The doctor was both hopeful and hesitant.

"Good advice doctor". Voltagan took a deep breath and snorted fire in the direction of a wicker basket of decorative logs sitting in a corner. The doctor retreated hastily towards the women.

Maglaven was appalled and annoyed. "You have to quit the reckless bahavior Voltagan, someone could get hurt, I swear you are worse than the children, and what about the child over there, you may have scared her"!

The child rubbed her eyes and promptly went back to sleep, still clutching her dreamcatcher. Namia was unsure of whether it was the pretty colors of the thing which attracted the child to it, or if someone had given it to her for her protection.

The doctor collected his tools and prepared to leave. He wondered about the little girl. Would it be safe to leave her here. The witch seemed gentle enough with her, but the dragons were another story, still if she really were a witch, she would certainly be safer here.

Voltagan sat and stared at the sleeping child for a long time. The thought of her growing up playing with his children was a pleasant one. He would also welcome the experience of seeing a human child grow into a young person and an adult. He liked and craved new adventures.

Vilgne was summoned to return the doctor home.

"Doctor, your name"? Voltagan asked.

"Hamlin, Luka Hamlin at you service".

"Well doctor Luka. I will pay you handsomely for your service, and also to discretely check around for news of a missing, lost or abandoned child. In your profession it should not be so hard, I think".

Luka was only too happy to be leaving this place alive. He agreed to do his best to get any information that he could about the young child.

"You will make this information available to Vilgne the next time he visits, do you understand? He will meet you seven days from now in the same spot and the same time as was agreed before by the witches".

"Yes, I understand". Luka turned eagerly to go after receiving his payment. Maya the young witch was sent to purchase and gather clothes, food and supplies for the child.

There was a whole room stocked with human money, diamonds and every imaginable forms of payment that services necessitated. The dragons had long realized the convenience of colluding with witches, they could have everything that their hearts desired, and the witches were free to have a place to live and the general protection of both dragon and witches under the same roof.

One week later, Vilgne met the doctor who reported that the mother of the young child had met with him secretly, he had made enquiries and offered a reward as the dragons had advised him. The mother came, not for the reward, but to find out if her child was safe. The accursed father of the little girl had stolen her and the mother was heartbroken trying to find her. She accepted the reward only after the complete assurance that her child was fine, and the knowledge that the money would help her raise her other two children who were now without a father. He had gone away and abandoned them. She sent her name and information for contacting her to the castle. This information was kept for when Fortuna was old enough to understand.

Her mother had named her Fortuna, and everyone decided to keep that name in her honor. It was a good name.

The dark forest

Fortuna grew and thrived. She was a joy and a powerful witch. Her powers were limitless, the witches had a hard time training her to contain her powers. Life was wonderful, she especially loved the dark forest and being a dragon rider.

The years passed happily. At the age of sixteen, she decided she wanted to meet her mother. She was always curious about her other family. What she did not know was that once every month when the witches took her to dine at a restaurant in the town, her family was always a table away, quietly seeing, and watching her, but never intervening for fear of endangering her life. But rumor had spread of a child living among the dragons. People were always watching the family. They still hated witches.

Fortuna had found the information for locating her mother, and tricked Vilgne into flying her into the town. He was reluctant, but he loved her dearly and could not resist her charms. She just wanted to say hello to her mom, she told him when she was already on her way. He could not stop her without making an alarm. She barely made it to the front door when she was set upon and captured, her father had spies everywhere. He needed money and the Society would pay handsomely. They said they just wanted to convert her from her witching ways. Deep in his heart he knew that they were lying, but he needed the money badly. He had tried to hand her over when she was young, but the cursed dragon had snatched her away before the Society men came along.

Vilgne waited and waited for her to return, he summoned the doctor who made enquiries. Her mother had not seen her, she knew nothing. She started to cry and worry. Promising to get back to her, he reported his findings. Vilgne knew that he was in trouble. His returned to the castle without Fortuna was greeted by all out war, with everyone threatening him with bodily harm and many an unkind word. How could he let himself be tricked by a child. Although considering Fortuna's cunning, it could have happened to anyone.

Voltagan summoned every dragon he could find and descended upon the town. As the sky over their heads darkened ominously, the citizens of the town looked up to see a whole host of dragons about to incinerate them. The witches were upon the backs of the dragons. They had bullhorns, they knew the humans well.

"Whomever have taken the strange young girl visiting the town, you should return her now, or face the wrath of the dragons and witches of Glibsegh moor".

A few dragons puffed out some threatening fire, which fell close to the houses. People came running out in fear of the burning buildings. They were pointing to the sky and saying inaudible words. The dragons flew for quite a while, in every direction over the large town. From their vantage point of great height, they could view the activities of almost all of the houses. They descended lower as a few people brandished weapons. Razing the ground around the crowds with fire, they flew threateningly over the heads of the crowd. Shots rang out, dragons breathed down fire, people caught on fire, some people ran back into their houses screaming.

Voltagan glided sleekly low and landed opposite the large crowd. "Drop your weapons. We do not wish to harm anyone. We just want the young girl back safely"!

Namia, the witch was sitting astride his back, menacingly surveying the crowd, ready to act should anyone be foolish enough to attack or fire their weapons.

Guns and handheld weapons clattered to the ground.

Suddenly, there was an alarm from above, the dragons swerved, veered in an easterly direction and dived low. Voltagan rose up high to investigate. A door had flown open and a large group of people were running out, pulling Fortuna, who was bound and gagged, behind them. The dragons roared and the house caught on fire. The group ran towards the Green forest. The Society had at long last found the powerful young witch. They had waited a long time for their ceremony. They needed Fortuna's blood for their devil worship sacrifice during the full moon in a few days, if they could get to the forest in time they were sure that they could hide her there, there were caves that were well hidden. They could turn her to their side, with a witch as powerful as they knew she was, they would possess limitless powers to defeat any and all of their enemies. They were not about to give in easily without a fight.

The witches gestured and the trees parted to reveal the escaping mob. Suddenly the trees grabbed everyone around Fortuna, and wrapped their vines around them. There was terrible screaming as the trees squeezed, other trees caught fire as some people ran. Fortuna stood still, the people had used their own magic to still her powers. Or maybe she had just been too scared to fight back. She was unused to seeing so many people of her kind together, they frightened her terribly.

Standing there, feeling her anger burn at these unkind people, she recalled their harsh treatment towards her. Fortuna closed her eyes, remembering her training. The raw power of her gift coursed through her veins, flowed down her arms loosening her bonds. She tossed them away and tore the gag from her mouth. A gutteral roar erupted from her mouth, a powerful wind ripped through the trees tossing everyone in all directions. The vines let go of their prisoners. Even the dragons had to fight hard to regain their stance against the force of her fury.

Maglaven swooped down and landed amidst the chaos. Fortuna jumped upon her back . She was relieved and happy to leave this place behind. The large female dragon soared high into the sky.

Spewing another round of deadly fire into the forest, the other dragons turned and flew towards home. The forest was partially destroyed, it was regrettable, but the humans had brought it upon themselves.

They brought her mother and younger twin sisters to live at the castle.

There were once again many dragon riders in the sky.

So began the legend of the witch Fortuna upon the Glibsegh moor. She became a powerful healer as the years went by. Many sought her out for her kindness and healing as she became welcomed back into the towns and villages of her homeland. A pathway to the moor was eventually erected to facilitate easier travel between townspeople and the castle. Fortuna wanted to get to know her people better, and the people once again wanted access to also get to know the dragons better.

No one dared harm her, not many wanted to anymore. They feared the wrath of witches and dragons alike.

N.A.