The Prophecy Unfolds: Dragon Queen (7 page)

Once
inside Patros set me on my feet and I headed for a shower. After I
stood in the bathroom a few minutes flustered. I realised that the
only clothing I possessed was what I had worn earlier with the
exception of my old and now dirty clothing.
What could I possibly
wear to bed.
I thought

Eventually
I folded my new clothes up and washed the old ones in the sink.
Nervously I left the bathroom with just a towel wrapped abound me
suddenly feeling very shy.

Patros
looked up and his gaze swept top to toe as a huge grin lit up his
face. He held back the rugs ready for me to get into bed revealing
that he was once again commando.

Does
no one wear clothes to bed on Syros? Or is it just when I'm around?

At
this thought his grin stretched from ear to ear. His smile wasn't the
only thing to grow either!

I
hung my clothes close to the fire and removed the towel as I climbed
into bed. Deciding that it was probably a bit late for false modesty
considering the fact that we were mated and I was already pregnant.

As
our skin brushed together the buzz and static started anew and
fireworks, as I now thought of them commenced. At least I didn't need
to worry about “working out” as Patros was giving me the
best work out of my life. Talos returned and settled down to sleep.
Although none of us got to sleep straight away. The connection
between the dragon and ourselves meant that I could see his bright
swirling eyes as he watched us quietly across the lair. Through our
connection he knew what we were thinking and feeling. More than a
little disconcerting initially but then as we both lost ourselves to
sensations I became oblivious to his presence. Eventually we all
settled down to sleep. Patros and myself sated and exhausted. I fell
in to a deep slumber hoping that tonight there would be no werewolf
dreams to disturb me.

Morning
arrived and it had been decided by Patros and Talos that my education
regarding the world I now lived in would begin in earnest. This I was
informed, would begin with an aerial tour of the surrounding
countryside and at my request a visit to the nearest village. A ride
to the shops was just what I needed and a bit of retail therapy
seemed in order to secure some extra clothing . Although I doubted
that I could compare it to shopping at home.

Once
dressed we mounted Talos and flew off the ledge. I gasped out loud at
the speed as I grabbed Patros's waist in a death-grip. After a little
while I began to relax and enjoy the ride as
I
tried to absorb some details about the surrounding countryside
.
The day was clear and sunny with a few wispy clouds as we flew above
the mountain tops. Below I could see cultivated fields and a mountain
range with snow visible on some of the peaks in the distance.

Spotting
numerous building dotted about I could only assume were farms. Patros
and Talos started a narrative in my head as we flew along.

Although
the countryside was beautiful I was eager to stop and see one of the
small towns up close that were scattered below. My wish was soon
granted as we approached a group of stone buildings.

This
is called Treetops and is the closest village to our lair. We can buy
provisions here and arrange for clothing to be made. Let me deal with
the villagers as they are a little wary of strangers.
Patros
sent.

Talos
landed in a clearing on the edge of the village. Made up of four
small streets set at right angles with a small green situated at the
centre most point. Four small copses of trees surrounding the village
and I imagined that this is where “Treetops” had come
from.

Patros
dismounted first jumping down easily then helped me to dismount. As
we did so some of the villagers and their children came out to greet
us. They must have made a special effort as we had landed some small
distance from the village. Talos remained in the clearing as we set
off down the narrow path that led to the village.

We
must have been spotted flying over,as quite a few people were
gathered in the centre of the village. As we approached more people
arrived to augment the gathering crowd.

As
we passed the men bowed and the women dropped in to a curtsy.

Patros
sent
The villagers surrounding the lairs are our serfs. We
protect and rule over them. They are already aware of who, and what
you are. This is something you will have to become accustomed to
Alex.

I
gave a nod to those I passed acknowledging their homage. Eventually
we arrived outside a small redbrick house and a young woman exited
dropping in to a curtsy to me. She then turned and threw her arms
around Patros hugging him fiercely. I raised my eyebrows and looked
at them feeling a sudden and unexpected surge of jealousy.

Perhaps
sensing my discomfort Patros spoke out loud “This is my sister
Sara. This is where I was born and lived before being chosen as a
Dragon Rider. A few of the other Dragon Riders come from here too.”

I
reached over to take Sara's hands and she hugged me tightly to her
saying “Sister I have heard a little of your adventures. I am
so happy to finally meet you and congratulate you on your successful
mating. I look forward to having some nieces and nephews finally.”

Does
everyone know what I've been getting up to?
I
thought.

Once
again found myself blushing and pink cheeked. Patros took my hand in
his. I was becoming more used to the buzzing sensation that happened
each time now and comforted me by sending

I'm
sorry it upsets you but it is fairly common knowledge. Soon all will
know what has happened. People gossip. Especially when it's such
exciting news and related to the prophecy.

I
squeezed his hand back and nodded.

Patros
disappeared some of the other men from the village to gather
provisions. Sara took me inside the house which was toasty warm with
a roaring fire in the grate. I couldn't help but wish that I lived in
a house instead of a draughty lair.

“
The
children are in school. You'll get to meet them next time you visit.
They will be so upset they missed their new Aunt. You'll have to come
back and dine with us one evening soon. I have three children. Two
boys, and a girl. Andre is eight, Pat is six and Emilee is four. My
mate is the blacksmith here and is busy in the forge. His name is
William although everyone calls him Will for short.”

I
had to smile as she chattered away and realised we were quite similar
int hat respect as I love to chatter.

Sara
already knew I would be needing some more clothes and as we passed
through the living area I became aware of a loom situated there. This
loom was very different from others I had seen in museums back at
home. It was large one and had lots of brass flywheels and were
connected by pipes. I must have looked look puzzled so Sarah took my
hand and led me to the loom.

“
Patros
has explained to you about some of the differences between Syros and
your world. This loom is run on steam. These pipes lead out to a
source of steam.” She said pointing to where they exited to the
rear of the house. “ The volcanoes that run throughout the land
here provide that steam. Free energy for the taking.”

I
had no idea about the use of the steam to power things and decided
that I needed to talk more about this with Patros some time soon.

Sara
went on to explain that they had a tannery out back and that the
buckskin clothes I had on were tanned there. On Syros they had deer
like on earth and these provided the buckskins needed for the robust
clothing for the Dragon Riders others.

Sara
led me next to her bedroom and opened up a large prettily decorated
wooden chest stood at the end of the bed. She lifted out a couple of
dresses and held them against me.

“
You'll
need some dresses for whilst you are pregnant and these were mine. As
we are a similar size I feel certain that they will fit you,”

I
smiled at Sara and thanked her adding “I think it will be quite
a while before I'll need these but thank you all the same.”
admiring the beautiful embroidered dresses in my hands.

Sara
looked at me quizzically and smiled “Has Patros not explained
anything about our people yet? In your world I believe a pregnancy
lasts about nine to ten months? Here ours are much shorter, ours span
about six months at most. That is if you go full term. Did Patros
tell you we are twins and that twins run in our family? I can tell by
your shocked expression that he didn't.”

Sara
led me to the bed and we both sat down. By reflex I automatically
placed my hands upon my stomach as I tried to come to terms with
Sara's revelation.

“
Did
he tell you how slowly we age?” at this I nodded “But he
didn't explain about the pregnancy?” I nodded again becoming a
little agitated at all these strange unnerving revelations.

“
Don't
worry just yet. You have some time to get accustomed to all this
before Patros will call for me and the midwife once labour begins.
Now you need some more things. The buckskin shirt and pants are
traditional garments. Each year the village is asked to produce a
fresh set in anticipation of finding the Dragon Queen. So there are a
number of older pairs stockpiled that I am sure will prove useful.”

She
took the clothes from my hands placing them in to a large cotton bag
with a tie string top . Then took me to where I could see into the
tannery through the bedroom window. Buckskins visible stretched out
and drying in the sun.

We
stepped out the back door and walked across to be greeted by Paul the
Tanner. He was a wiry individual about six foot tall with shoulder
length dark brown hair and a swarthy complexion. He had the most
amazing liquid chocolate coloured eyes.

He
led the way in to the tannery and over to a large wooden cupboard at
the rear of the room. As he opened the doors on view were piles of
buckskin clothing neatly folded within. As he retrieved two pairs of
pants and shirts I realised they were identical to the ones I wore
now.

“
I
will begin to work the buckskins I have to make you some more.
Obviously these will only fit you for a short while then you will
need some more as your pregnancy progresses. Especially should you be
having twins as everyone hopes you will.” He looked me up and
down as he said this and again I felt myself blush

“
Does
everybody on this Syros know I am pregnant.” I thought loudly
shouting in my mind.

I
got an immediate response from Patros
Are you alright Alex?
and I closed my mind off to him, and
Talos too.

He
came around the corner and offered me his hand. I ignored his
proffered hand and he could see I was more than a little bit upset.
We bade farewell to Sara with a hug and a kiss, slowly making our our
way back to the clearing. Talos was curled up happily dozing in the
sun.

“
Speak
to me Alex please at least open your mind so I know what's wrong. I
don't like you shutting me out.” Patros pleaded.

All
I could manage to say was “We'll speak back at the lair. I'm
too upset just now.”

Talos
looked at us both his eyes swirling. We quickly remounted, tying the
supplies and my bag of clothes to the saddle.

The
journey back was fraught with a strained silence but I had a feeling
that a discussion was held between dragon and rider that I wasn't
privy to.

We
landed and this time I managed to manoeuvre off Talos without help. I
was so determined to get down under my own steam. Patros silently
unsaddled Talos who promptly disappeared. I presumed he had gone to
hunt and we set about unpacking the food along with my newly acquired
clothing.