The Dragon and His Rider

Chapter 6

Darkness surrounds the runaways. The whimpering of Oscar can be heard faintly. Jovena grabs his hand and holds fast. Jovena tries to listen for any danger, but is hard to hear over Oscar. She clasps her hand over Oscars mouth, and a faint laugh takes the place of the whimpering.

"You should believe in witches, Jovena. They are real, and you are in the presence of one at the very moment." A worn voice says. A clap sounds, and instantly the candles and fire place flare on, blinding both of them.

When Jovena's eyes adjust to the light, homey furnishings lie around the cabin. Paintings hang on the walls an cushions lie on the floors, along with rugs and a low-laying table. The old woman stands by this table, tea set out on it. She gestures for them to come sit, as she does herself. Jovena, still a little frightened, didn't take any attempts to move and sit, and neither does Oscar.

"Well don't just stand there. Come sit. I promise I shall not hurt you." The old woman says. "Not all witches are evil, you know."

"But, I've been told all my life witches are just folklore." Jovena says.

"Jo..." Oscar whines. She shushes him.

"They told you that to try and convince themselves so." The old lady says.

"Well, you just know everything, don't you?" Jovena retorts.

"Actually, I do." the old woman says, standing up and coming towards them. "Your greatest dream is to be free, Jovena. After every meal with the Prince, you went on a walk in the garden. Your mother was so tired of you that she went back and lived with your drunken father. You ran away so you wouldnt have to birth the Princes children. You are the last Dragon rider"

"What does that mean? Dragons are even more mythical than witches are." Jovena says.

"So you beleive in witches now?" The old woman asks.

"That is not the point at the moment." Jovena says, beginning to get angry. "What do you mean I am the last Dragon rider? Dragons can't possibly exist."

"Well, you are the only Dragon rider left who has contact with your dragon. I don't know if there are others." The old woman says.

"I thought you knew everything?" Jovena says impatiently.

"Not everything in the damn kingdom, I don't!" The old woman retorts.

"Whatever, back to the point." Jovena says. "What do you mean I am the last Dragon rider?"

"You truly don't know?" The old woman asks, exasperated.

"Why the hell do you think I've been asking that exact same question over and over again?!" Jovena says, annoyed.

The old women sighs. "At the beginning of time there were six brothers. Each ruled their own kingdom, except the youngest. He became greedy and decided to destroy his brothers altogether. But, even before them, there were the Dragons. They saved the five kingdoms, with help of course, but that shall come later." She sits down once again and this time they sit down with without hesitation. (They both have a thing for stories.)

"There were no kings or queens when it came to the dragons. They had the Elders. The Elders were the first dragons. Dragons lived for around five hundred years. They were also classified into five elements: Fire, Water, Earth, Ice, and Air. The Elder Fire dragon was Eth. He was the bravest and loyalist of the Elders. Dalit was the Elder Water dragon. She was the calmest and wisest of the Elders. The Elder Earth dragon was Geo. He was the most steadfast and down-to-earth of the Elders. The Elder Ice dragon was Chetan. He was the most perceptive and detailed. Then last of all there was Aure. She was the Elder Air dragon, the most creative an intelligent. They all mated and had hatchlings. The youngest of each of their hatchlings became the first dragons with Riders. They are the ones that saved the five kingdom. Each of these dragons mated and had hatchlings like their parents. Some of their eggs are still waiting to ding their riders."

"So you think Jo is one of those riders, ma'am?" Oscar asks, no longer scared.

"I don't think so, dear, I know." The old woman says.

"Then where are these eggs?" Jovena asks.

"Under Mount Izusa." The old woman answers. They both gape at the witch like fish out of water, making her smile.