Willow

There weren’t always dragons in the Valley. But the Elders had suggested that they call on them when Willow was born. They would need the extra protection.

Ashoka could see the dragons now, in the early morning, if she peered through the leafy green canopy above her. They flew once at dawn and again at dusk. It’s easier to see them than to hear them. Dragons are quiet creatures. Creatures of solitude. But they are also loyal creatures, and if they stood with you once, they’d stand with you always. Ashoka’s Grandmammy Redwood used to speak of the long-standing alliance between the Ever people and the dragons. Ashoka had always thought Grandmammy Redwood was telling tales as tall as her namesake.

Ashoka closed her eyes, following the bright sun spots that lingered on the insides of her lids. As they flickered and faded she slowly turned her head back and forth on her mossy pillow, waking up her stiff neck. She had been looking at the sky with Willow all day yesterday, even though she had told the child that the dragons wouldn’t be out. Silly thing. Just like her mother. Irrational yet… sweet.

She rolled over to her side to look at Keyaki. She slept peacefully, as she always did. Her mouth was curved into a gentle smile and she was breathing softly. Ashoka got lost watching her chest rise and fall, rise and fall, and jumped when Keyaki said, “Enjoying your view?”

Ashoka blushed and looked away, then retorted, “Pft, I was admiring my handiwork on your night shirt Key. I have gotten very good with my mending.”

“Ay ka is that so!”

Ashoka looked at Key who was now grinning. She had also undone the first few buttons of her night shirt. Key was good at these games. Key always won these games. They had been together for six years now and Key still made her feel butterflies. Right now, her stomach was full of dancing butterflies.

Ashoka crawled over to Key and planted little kisses all over her neck.

“Mm Ashoka that is good -”

“Moms! MOMMS! Mom Ashoka! Mom Key! MOMMMMS!”

Keyaki groaned. “Looks like Willow is up.” Ashoka laughed and cupped her face in her hands. “I will go to her. Rest for a little longer.” Key sighed. “Bless you Ashoka Ever. Bless you. You are the greatest gift a woman could ask for.” Ashoka rolled her eyes. Just like her daughter. Irrational yet… sweet.

Ashoka slipped from their room - a green lean-to, more like - and padded across the jungle floor to Willow’s. They had real homes when she was little; Ashoka remembered. But ever since Willow, the Ever people had needed to be more discreet. With the lean-tos - made of the stuff that carpeted her feet now - their settlement was hidden from prying eyes that might be flying overhead. For their part, the dragons never attracted attention. They were meant to deal with it if it came. When it came.

She called into Willow’s lean-to. “Yes, Willow, what is it?”

“I hear something.”

Ashoka’s heart sank into her stomach. Gone were the dancing butterflies. She ducked inside the lean-to and knelt beside Willow, who was sitting up in bed. “Willow what do you hear? What does it sound like? Quickly now.”

“It sounds strange, it sounds… hard. It’s a hard, bad sound. A sound I’ve never heard before.”

“How far?”

“Far, I think.”

“Farther than the water?”

“Oh, much farther than the water.”

“That’s good, Willow. That’s good.”

Ashoka squeezed her daughter’s shoulders. “Does it hurt to hear? The sound, does it hurt you when you hear it?”

“A little bit. I can feel it in my head.”

Ashoka called for Keyaki, calmly, so as to not wake the others - if Willow’s yells hadn’t already done so. “Key, I need you to wake up and come over here.” Nothing. “Keyaki!”. Still nothing. This time she spoke less calmly. “KEYAKI! Come over here now!”

Keyaki appeared a few seconds later, looking confused. “Not a great lie in Mom Ashoka. I thought-”

“Hush. Willow, tell Mom Key what you just told me.”

As Willow repeated her words, Ashoka started to make a mental list of what they needed to do next. Tell the Elders, of course, then get the packs, then head north with the dragons. The time had finally come, though she prayed it never would.

“That’s enough now. Come, Willow. It’s time to leave.”