C20 An unexpected friendship

After the turbulences of the past time, it had been bitterly necessary to get a clear head again. So I went to the Dragon’s mountain, where Crux was already waiting for me. This mighty giant sat on the stone plateau that joined the exit of his cave, the sun shining on the scales of his hard shell. He spat fire into the air and the fire formed figures dancing in the wind.

"Do you like them? I made them just for you.“

"No one else can master your art of fire, Crux. I thought we were doing something, maybe a flight on your back?"

"And where will we fly to?"

„I don't care if it's just out of here.“

Freedom on Crux's back would free my head from all plaguing thoughts. My dragon lay flat on the ground so that I could climb it. His mighty wings spread out like a gigantic shield and we rose into the kingdom of heaven. The world at our feet became increasingly smaller, the wind roared wonderfully through my hair. Crux was flying higher and higher, I could almost reach for the stars. The clouds had condensed to a real wall of fog at this height.

"Crux, I think you should fly back down so we can see too.“

Something pitch-black moved through the air at lightning speed. At first I thought it was Crux tail whipping through the air, but there it was again, to my left and to my right. From all over the place, these creatures were coming.

"Crux, what's going on?"

Before he could answer, we had already been attacked. Crux scared back and almost threw me off his back. Now I could see who the attackers were. Harpies. How on earth did harpies come here? Their claws were razor-sharp and ready to drill into our flesh. They flew after us, mercilessly following us, polluting the air with their horrifying screams. Then they came from all sides, hundreds of them surrounded us high up in the air. These beings were evil through and through, with their beaks curved downwards like those of birds and their yellow sparkling eyes, with only a small black pupil sitting in the middle. Crux's belly glowed, he spat fire and burned dozens of them in one fell swoop, falling down to earth as fireballs. But they were numerous, it seemed to me that more and more of these beasts would come and attack us further. One drilled her claws into Crux's stomach, too stupid that nothing can penetrate a dragon’s shell. She got stuck and howled bitterly, while Crux‘ huge mouth was already mashing her. It was a tightrope act to hold me at this height on Crux‘ back while he held the attackers in the shaft. A harpy grabbed me from behind and tore my jacket wildly. I fought back by kicking her in the middle of her ugly gob. She scared back, but at the same moment another one grabbed me by my foot, pulled and pulled at me. Using my powers, I held on to Crux, but my fingers slipped and she tore me off my dragon. I hung upside down, Crux couldn't help me, too many of them had surrounded him, he was sunk in a real cloud of harpies. His fire didn't do much good, because the beasts skilfully dodged it. The harpy carried me higher and higher. Another one flew up beside me, laughed gloatingly. I got her wing to grab, it was no use, she tore it away and I only had a feather in my hand. So far up, I almost lost consciousness, but I had to stay awake. The air, yes, I had to use the power of the air.

"Winds come in, beat the harpy to pulp.“

A huge thundercloud formed into a thundering fist and violently hit the harpy that she broke into a thousand pieces in the air. My fall seemed to me to be a matter of seconds. For this blow I had used up all my energy and was now very close to unconsciousness. All I could hear was Crux‘s desperate cry. He could no longer catch me, soon I would hit the earth and that‘d be my end. Adieu beloved world, unfortunately we hardly knew each other. The impact didn‘t come as expected, but was rather soft. Again I felt feathers, but no harpy feathers. And Crux's dragon skin felt different. I opened my eyes in the dizziness and noticed that I was still floating a few meters above the ground. Before my eyes the silhouette of a figure formed, a large, feathered figure. My saviour was a giant owl on whose back I had landed. Another one flew next to her. Instead of shaking me down, they flew on and took me to their nest. It was in a cave niche at the top of a mountain. The nest was typically lined with straw. We landed unerringly in the middle and I let myself glide gently from the owl. I raised my hands to tell them they had nothing to fear from me. What did get into now? These beings were strangers to me, I had never seen them in this region before and therefore didn‘t know whether they were friendly or hostile. I could confidently do without another battle. To my surprise, they could speak.

"You don't have to be afraid of us, dear. I'm Cloverleaf, and this is my partner, Morningstar. We are the oldest and largest owls in the world and unfortunately also the last of them. I‘m two hundred and fifty years old, and Morningstar is two hundred and fifty-two.“

I breathed a sigh of relief, lowered my hands.

"Glad to make your acquaintance. I'm sorry I landed on your back so rudely. I had a little argument in the clouds and flew off my dragon.“

"You have a dragon?“, Morningstar asked me.

"Yes, his name is Crux. We've been attacked by harpies.“

"So I saw right, after all, Cloverleaf. How in three devil‘s names do harpies get here?"

"Someone must have called them or they won't come“, Cloverleaf added.

Meanwhile, the owls offered me a place by their side. I didn't know which one was the nicer one. Cloverleaf's heart-shaped face and her black eyes harmonized perfectly with her brownish plumage. Morningstar‘s wings were streaked with a dark brown tone with white spots, the belly shimmered cream and the color was alternately interrupted with brown spots. His eyes shone golden in the sun.

"Would you like something to eat, dear? After all the effort, you must be starving.“

Cloverleaf handed me three dead gophers on her wing. Although I was very hungry, I refused with gratitude. It wasn't my usual prey, I preferred the taste of deer blood. Although I was very worried about Crux, the curiosity grabbed me. I wanted to know more about the owls.

"Where did you come from? I've never seen two creatures like you before. Well, not to that extent, anyway.“

"We had to flee our homeland, a distant land in the east. There was war. At that time there had been many more of us, but many suffered death, a cruel world it had been. So we went away for shelter. We flew far, across many countries, but none seemed as beautiful to us as this one. We want to stay here, I think it's safe.“

"We've made it safer. Nevertheless, there are some dangers lurking, as you could see earlier. Of course, you can stay here, but you should beware of people. What alienates them is usually destroyed.“

"Believe us, we know mankind only too well and know that it’s a dangerous species. That was the reason for our departure into this new world. But first, what's your name? You haven't introduced yourself.“

"Excuse me, where are my manners? My name is Larissa and I'm descended from vampires. I‘m the daughter of Ephraim, he is the lord of this land.“

Then I told them everything worth knowing about my homeland. From the earliest fathers to the construction and edification of our land to the present day. I didn't leave Claus out of it. They should know what a bad crook he was. As we talked, it got darker and there was still no sign of Crux. Then, finally, I heard from afar the sound of flapping wings. My heart made a set. It was the unmistakable sound of my dragon. Waving, I called out to Crux and he noticed me.

"Get on my back, dear“, said Cloverleaf, „our nest isn’t big enough for your dragon to land. We'll get you down on the ground.“

In an elegant flight, Cloverleaf brought me to the ground and Morningstar followed us. We landed on a big heath and Crux arrived only a few seconds after us. Despite their considerable size, the owls looked small next to Crux. Never before have I been so happy to see my dragon again. He put his paw around me and surrounded my whole body with it.

"You're all right, thank heaven. After your fall the harpies all disappeared, I could destroy some of them“, he stretched his head and looked at Cloverleaf and Morningstar, "are they your saviors?"

"Yes, may I present to you Cloverleaf and Morningstar. They caught me and took me to their nest.“

Crux made a deep bow to both as a token of his attachment.

"Cloverleaf, Morningstar, it's time for me to leave. Thank you so much for your services.“

"It's been an honor.“

"By the way“, Morningstar added, "if you ever need our help again, just whistle against the wind and we'll fly to you.“

"Thank you very much. I'll keep that offer in mind. Until then, farewell, my friends.“

In a low flight, we went back to the Dragon’s mountain. After today's events I had been absolutely sure that someone wanted me dead and certainly Crux' death. Still in the landing approach, I jumped down angrily from Crux. The gravel under my feet crunched.

"That crap rat. I should go down to the witches' village and rip his heart out.“

Crux tail danced around me, lay down on my shoulders.

"What's the matter, why are you so angry?"

"That was Claus. He's got the harpies on our necks. Only he could have done it.“

"You have no proof of that.“

"I don't need those either. I'll bet it was him.“

I was so angry that I hit a large boulder with my fist that it immediately broke into several pieces. I briefed Crux on the conversation I had with Emily the other day.

"Hmm, and what do you intend to do?"

"What's the matter, tell the Council. If Claus thinks he can get me small, then he's cut himself.“

Crux was skeptical. Probably he only feared that he would be squeezed about the events and besides me and a few others, he didn‘t tolerate strangers in his cave.

"The Council will want evidence, something tangible. Only you and I were involved.“

That's when I remembered the feather again. I had ripped it out of this monster in battle before I fell into the depths.

"They want proof, they'll get it. I'll show them the feather, a distinctive feature.“

Crux went back to his cave and did what he did best, sleep. I was rushing down the forest road to my house and I was still pissed off. I would take action against Claus' cowardly attack, for all that was sacred to me. The next Council meeting came quickly. I watched Claus and he watched me like a lion a weak lamb. But I wasn‘t a lamb, but a hunter in the night and therefore I wasn‘t misled by his piercing gaze. He had already betrayed himself anyway, because something about him seemed to scream „What? You're still alive?“ Father was about to release everyone, so I gave him my word.

"Father, I have something to say. If you'll allow me, I'd like to show you something.“

"Then go ahead. Please step in the middle and say what you have to say.“

Hands folded and slightly nervous, I stepped forward.

"I know it's late, and you all want to go home. Nevertheless, I must tell you of one unpleasant thing. Two days ago I took a trip with my dragon. We were just floating high up in the clouds when we were attacked. By Harpies.“

Absolute silence followed. The first word came from Giselle.

"Harpies? Here? That's impossible. These creatures don't just come like this, you have to call them.“

"That's right“, Oswald agreed and looked in Emily's and Claus' direction, "only witches are capable of it. Witches who practice dark magic.“

That's what I was afraid of. Now the attack went against all the witches.

"Why didn't you tell me about it, my child?", father asked.

"Because it‘s a matter of great importance and must be brought to the attention of the entire Council.“

"Well, the attack couldn't have been that bad, after all, you're still alive.“

It was written all over Claus' face that his plan to destroy me hadn‘t worked out.

"Besides“, he added, "there's no evidence except your word. Why should we believe you? Maybe you're lying to accuse the witches of a bad thing.“

"She would never do anything like that and you know that, Claus“, Stephan interjected, „Emily is her mentor after all, so why …“

I raised my hand and interrupted him, " I can speak for myself, Stephan, thanks“,then I looked back at my enemy, "You want proof, Claus? Please, here it is.“

Slowly I pulled out the feather under my coat. It was pitch black and a little frayed.

"Is this proof enough for you?"

With total bewilderment that seemed to say, that is not possible, that‘s simply not possible, all looked at the feather. A wild protest arose. Vampires and werewolves against witches. I was so sorry for Emily. She had nothing to do with my attack, I was sure of it. To bring in peace, my father thundered with his fist on the table.

"Be quiet. Shut up, will you? Now calm down. Now, here's what we‘re gonna do. The area is extensively searched for harpies. Whoever discovers them will destroy them on the spot. Emily, Claus, you make sure this is the last incident. This attack could have cost my daughter her life.“

As I left the hall, Claus gave me a glimpse that was even a trace too violent for me. It said be careful, you'll atone for that. After the session, Emily took me aside.

"Emily, be sure, it wasn't my intention to set them against you. But I had to report this incident.“

"That was right of you. I'm not aware of any guilt. But you must also understand that I can't blackmail my brother without any proof. I'm sure such an event won't happen again.“

Then she gently stroked her hand over my cheek, as she had always done in my childhood. Looking into her jade green eyes gave me a feeling of security. Yes, she was my shield, the angel who watched over me.