C14 Crux

Some time had passed since the exam. At that time Larissa had been six years old, now she soon turned ten. She enjoyed her training with me very much and her knowledge about witchcraft had increased more than fivefold since then. Yes, she had grown into a mighty witch, soon there wouldn't be much left to teach her. A year ago, at the special request of her father, she received instruction in swordplay, which she mastered at least as well as witchcraft. Now and then she rode out on her black stallion Lucifer, which she had also received as a present from her mother last year. Lucifer loved her very much and she loved him. The girl knew how to handle such a majestic animal. When she rode on him, it was like an elfish dance between rider and horse. One thing, however, was missing in her life, the coronation, so to speak. She should get that soon.

Larissa's birthday was imminent. I kept her gift safe with me, no one had got wind of it. I've been guarding the dragon egg for almost three years now. With each day it moved more and more, it couldn‘t last long anymore, until a dragon hatched from it. But I felt there was still time. From my studies on them, I knew they were in their eggs for thirty-six months. The maturation from the embryo to the young dragon took a very long time, but many of them were already fully grown after five years. Since I was back from my expedition, I had stored the egg permanently next to the chimney. It lay in a basket lined with straw, a blanket covered the eggshell. I had to keep the egg warm so it wouldn't petrify and the dragon might die. In the afternoon, with the basket under my arm, I made my way to the castle of the vampires. My body heat should keep it warm as long as I didn't have it far. Ephraim, the highest of the vampires and leader of this country, immediately received me in his study. The windows to the west side let in a lot of light today, so that Ephraim's room with its large wooden furniture looked even bigger and more comfortable.

“Emily, what a pleasure to see you. Tell me, what can I do for you?"

“It's your daughter's birthday in three days. I know you don't have a present for her yet.“

“But how can you know that?"

“Ephraim, I’m a witch, remember? I know a lot of things. Well, I happen to have something for you to give your daughter.“

I put the basket on his desk, pulled the cloth away and presented my souvenir. He made big eyes.

“A dragon's egg?"

“Yes.“

“You want me to give my ten-year-old daughter a dragon? You must be out of your mind.“

“Calm down! I'm not doing this for no reason. You know, I have the gift to see the future and I see your daughter with the dragon. He will be her companion and protector. She will be his guide. The connection between the two will create an unparalleled friendship. I also thoroughly instructed the girl in Dragon Lore.“

“What's Claus' opinion of this?"

“None at all, it's none of his business. I don't need permission from him or the rest of my Circle.“

“I don't like to betray Claus or the others like this.“

“Ephraim, there isn’t a hierarchy for nothing. I'm the leader of the witch tribe and you're the highest-ranking vampire. I alone am responsible for what I do. And you have no one to be accountable to.“

“Then why don't you give it to my daughter yourself?"

“I don't want her to know it's coming from me. It's enough if you do that. Look, I know you're skeptical, and rightly so. The history books have told us some ugly things about dragons. But this creature slumbering in this egg is benign, I can feel it. Trust me, please.“

“What if you're wrong? If my daughter fails and she is unable to raise a dragon?"

“She won‘t fail. She was born in the sign of the Dragon. She alone has the gift to guide this being.“

He walked up and down behind his table, as usual when he was nervous. He knew my visions always hit the mark. I'd never let him down before. Still, he took a long time to think.

“All right, I'll do it. But promise me one thing. If something goes wrong and we have to disable the dragon, you explain to my daughter why.“

I didn't add anything to it. Ephraim hid the egg in his study next to the fireplace and covered it up. Nobody came into this room but him. The eleventh of September, the birthday, attracted with sunbeams and autumnal green. At two o'clock of the noon should be celebrated in the smallest circle. The guest list consisted of the parents and the brother, the two cousins Frederick and Sebastian as well as their parents, Lucia's brother Michael with his wife Margot. The young Sven had also been invited and appeared accompanied by his father Stephan. Esther, the mother, apologized. As well as my humble self and my brother. Although his presence was a mystery to me, I knew Larissa didn't like him very much. He probably only came at Ephraim's behest. Birthdays were celebrated only up to a certain age with the vampires. Mostly up to twenty, after that it didn't make sense anymore and became dull. After a short welcome by the hosts, we immediately went over to the donation. Sven gave Larissa a white scarf on which he had embroidered two irises with his own hands. As I knew, it was one of her favorite flowers. Tim presented his sister with an extraordinary stone attached to a chain. It was anthracite and had a hole in the middle. As always, Lucia had a practical gift for everyday life, a hair clip set with precious stones. She always appreciated her wealth and was always anxious to show it. All the greater had been the joy at the birth of her daughter, whom she treated more than often like a doll. Michael, together with his family, gave the little one a completely new wardrobe. A new dress made of royal blue satin with a brooch in the middle, matching shoes. New leg dresses with the matching top and a vest with leather boots were also added.

“Now you can romp around with the boys again outside and dress up in the evening.“

“Thank you very much, Uncle, everyone here.“

Last but not least, Ephraim stepped forward. “My dear daughter, your old man has a little something for you too.“

He paused for a moment, took out the egg and laid it in his daughter's hands.

“Happy birthday, my jewel.“ He lovingly kissed her on the forehead.

The eyes of the child beamed and became far in amazement.

“Is that really for me? A real dragon egg? I'm overwhelmed, you've never given me such a great gift before, thank you very much.“

The fascination with which the girl looked at the egg, filled me with pride. I had brought together two beings previously determined by fate. But the joy didn‘t last long, for my brother immediately vetoed it.

“My Lord, do you think your plan is wise? After all, we‘re talking about a dragon, this isn‘t a dog. Dragons are dangerous creatures.“

Even Lucia joined Claus. “How can you give our daughter a present like this when you're out of your mind?"

It was at this moment that all the adults began to wring their hands on Ephraim. Everyone expressed their concerns. Except me.

“That's enough now“, Ephraim cried out loudly and silenced everyone, “stop the confusion. I don't want to hear any more from any of you. That's a done deal. My daughter will raise the dragon because she's the one for it. If someone has a problem with my decision, he has a personal problem with me. I don't like being questioned. And now we sit down together at the table and eat comfortably, this talk of yours has made me very hungry. And if anyone mentions the dragon at the table, I'll throw him out on his head.“

My little appeal to Ephraim three days ago must have been fruitful. He had put his foot down and has put his fist on the table. The mood was tilted, but there was no mention of it at the dinner. Even my brother held back, even though it was burning under his nails. Thank God he didn't know where Ephraim got the egg.

After a week I received a joyful message from the castle. Larissa asked me to join her, she wanted to show me something. I found her in the back of the garden, by the rose bushes. And she wasn't alone. The newly hatched dragon was enthroned on her shoulder. His skin was black and the underside of his belly reddish. Two horns rose from his head and his eyes were azure blue. He typically had four legs and two leather wings. The elongated back was spiked.

“Well, what do I see? It's a beautiful creature.“

The dragon aimed at me. I stopped as I had learned and bowed deeply. These beings were very proud and had to be treated accordingly. He noticed that I was well-disposed towards him and therefore continued to sit on Larissa's shoulder. The girl knocked on the empty place next to her, as a sign I should sit down. The dragon sniffed curiously at my hand, he memorized the picture of me by drawing in my smell. But it was a while before he trusted me, too. Then he spread his wings and flew up lofty. Fascinated, we both watched him draw wide circles in the light of the sun.

“Have you thought of a name for him yet?"

“Yes, I did. His name is Crux.“

And for the first time in three hundred years, the call of the Dragon resounded out into the world.