The Witch of the Western Gate: Dragon's Gift (24 page)

"That is not necessary," replied Sanarra. "I will leave willingly and my pups will all follow me."

"The banishing will also protect you from those who mean harm. So it will make it easier for all of us to escape."

Savita nodded.

Blue had memorized the McChesney banishing from the old ritual book. She chanted the incantation slowly, vibrating the words so they would carry into the astral. It looked like a basic invocation of the four elements and appeal to power from elemental sources. She turned to each quarter and intoned, while mentally drawing a pentagram, in turn:

"East, Air, Birds, Breath, To Know, Raphael

West, Water, Fish, Blood, To Dare, Gabriel

South, Fire, Serpents, Skin, To Will, Michael

North, Earth Beasts, Bones, To Be Silent, Uriel

All that is weak go out. (Blue exhaled.)

All that is strong come in. (Inhale.)

All whom are here, now is the time to leave." Blue threw up her arms imagining herself, her friends, the dragons, and unwanted entities of any type leaving the area. Then, as prescribed by the ritual, Blue mentally sealed every door, window, and the broken roof.

“I embrace you and protect you, safe you will be, shielded by the armor I cast around you!”

"You've cast magical armor around me and my offspring? How very nice!, said Savita. "I thank you. We will leave now," said Savita, beginning to flap her wings. Once out from under the overhang of the partially caved in floor, Savita could take off, straight up through the ruined factory building.

At that moment Quantrill emerged from the shadows and stood in the doorway with a band of council witches pelting spells toward Blue and the dragons. Their attack spells were unable to get through, but Blue knew that her shield would not hold for long. Then as if on queue the herd of mechanical cockroaches found Quantrill’s band and began to attack, pinching the attacking witches and the angry vampires. Quantrill was busy beating off the dozens of mechanical cockroaches that crawled all over him, pinching and biting.

"Behind me," ordered Savita. Blue and her friends ran behind the large silver dragon.

"Fear not, little one. Dragons are magical beings and one of our strongest talents is resisting magical attack. This small band of spellcasters and that foul vampire cannot harm me. Unfortunately for them, my brood grows angry."

“He’s breaking open the unhatched eggs!” gasped Blue. Dozens of whelps were emerging from the eggs Quantrill's witches broke with their rebounding spells. The whelps were fluttering around in small circles, like little tornados.

“No worries, small one, those eggs were about to hatch anyway. The whelps emerging have heard our exchange. They will be angry at my enemies.”

Savita growled a command and the whelps swarmed toward Quantrill and his band of attackers. Blue could tell that Quantrill and the witches had not yet noticed the older and bigger whelps perched on pipes high up. Now all the whelps charged their attackers blowing hot steam and small spurts of boiling water at them, and even the occasionaly lick of flame or burning frost. Quantrill and the witches ran down the hall screaming as they were hit by blasts of steam and hot dragon spit.

Brando emerged from behind Savita and checked the hallway.

"We can't get out," he said. "Quantrill must have made a cave-in on both sides of the tunnel, trapping us in here. We are stuck here in this room, and Quantrill will be able to reach us through the broken floor above.”

"I will help you," said Savita. "Climb on my back, all of you. Hold onto the spikes."

Chapter 25

Blue, Stella, Ivy and the three wolfen climbed atop Savita. A convenient row of two foot long spikes ran down her back ending in a clumb of spikes on her tail. These spikes were perfect to hold onto. Savita flapped her wings hard, and slowly rose up out of the factory basement.

"Where shall I take you little one?," asked Savita.

Blue visualized her house. "Please take us to my home." Blue figured the dragon would not be seen landing in her private backyard.

"It's a full moon," said Blue. "I love the moon."

"My kind revere the moon also," replied Savita. She veered toward the moon and flew in a high arc, so that she was outlined against the brightness of the moon with the riders on her back. Anyone looking up at the moon would have seen a dragon gliding across the sky then across a beautiful pearl and silver winter moon, with six passengers aboard, and dragon whelps trailing behind."

"We look like that scene in the movie E.T. when the boy rode his flying bike in front of the moon," said Brando.

"Or like the scene in the Wizard of Oz," added Stella, "when the wicked witch rides her broom in front of the moon." Then Savita glided lower to the ground.

"I must move the car in case anyone looks for it," said Brando. He had already turned to his solid black wolf form and jumped off the dragon's back and disappeared into darkness.

"I'll help him," said Ivy, who changed in a flash to a silvery white wolf and ran after Brando.

"Thank you," Blue said, as they landed in the front yard of the McChesney house, and she hugged Savita. Then she held Took in her arms and hugged him. He rubbed his cheek against hers and looked up at her with huge adoring eyes. Brando came driving up the driveway with no lights on and parked the car. He and Ivy got out and ran toward the McChesney House, and in the door.

"We must leave now, little one" said Savita. "From the sky I could see some of your kind approaching your house, the evil ones. You don't have much time. Should we stay and help you fight them?"

"No, we'll be fine. They won't dare to attack us on my home turf, and if they do, they will be very sorry." Blue remembered LeRoy's ability to turn into the fierce kilted warrior. Plus Cormac was home and he could blast Quantrill and company to kingdom come.

"Then I take my leave, but first I must thank you. Hold out your arms."

Blue was puzzled but did as the dragon requested. Savita breathed a fine mist of steam that covered Blue's arms, then her entire body, in shiny silver dragonscales. Blue took off her coat and pulled up her sleeves to see dragon armor covering her from fingertips to shoulders. It tingled.

"That's so beautiful!," exclaimed Blue, turning her arms from side to side to admire the lovely silver scales, that slowly disappeared.

"Amazing," murmurred Stella.

"Now you'll never need a protection amulet," joked Rafe.

“Rawrrr!” Savita gave a roar and before her appeared a silver whip and a shield. The handle of the whip showed a silver dragon entangled with a gold dragon. The same scene was on the shield as well.

“Take up these weapons,” little one. Blue did as she was told and took the whip in her left hand and the shield in her right.

“It has been many ages since one has been found worthy to bear the Weapons of the Dragon. It was last held by an elven prince ages ago. I bequeath to you, Belladonna Louisa McChesney, the Dragon Whip and the Dragon Shield. With these you will fight evil and strive for justice.”

Blue was stunned. “I don’t know what to say. This is such an honor. I will try to be worthy.”

“You will be fine,” replied Savita and winked at Blue. “The shield will block magical spells as well as physical blows. The whip will amplify your magic power and all your spells will be greater, and wiser when you use the Dragon whip. They may even surprise you," Savita winked again.

“Wow! Thank you!,” replied Blue.

“Just think of the armor and weapons and they will appear. I might even come to help. This is my gift to you, Blue McChesney. The Gift of the Dragon.”

“Thank you! Good-bye Savita. Good-bye Took! Come back and visit!” Savita silently lifted off the ground and flew into the night sky, followed by Took. In an instant they were gone, but when Blue looked toward the moon, there she saw them outlined, heading north.

Blue looked down. Her arms were normal again. The tingling had stopped, and the dragon weapons were gone. A telltale swooshing sounded above her and Blue knew it was Zerelda. She was glad that the gifts were now hidden. The less Zerelda knew the better.

"Zerelda! Quantrill! What brings you here at this hour?" shouted Blue. Even her voice sounded louder now. Powerful.

"You know perfectly well!" accused Zerelda. "Where is that dragon you're harboring and what were you doing at the Birdsill Holly plant?"

"I am not harboring a dragon," stated Blue. "I'm sure a full grown dragon would not even fit in the door."

"What about a baby dragon?" accused Quantrill.

"I banished it. I banished all the dragons earlier this evening."

"So you were at the Birdsill Holly factory! You admit it!" said Zerelda.

"Yes," replied Blue.

"I have you now!" crowed Zerelda.

"You have nothing," replied Blue. "I was ordered to get rid of the dragons. I have completed exactly what I was ordered to do by the Paranormal Council. Look!" Blue held up her wrist. The clay amulet that Zerelda had tied to her wrist had broken in half, showing that Blue had indeed completed the task.

"The amulet is broken. My oath is fulfilled. So I am eligible to join the adult arm of the Paranormal Council as a voting member."

"I did not want it to turn out this way!" squawked Zerelda.

"My question to you, Zerelda, is why did you and Quantrill interfere and pelt my friends and I with hostile spells? The Paranormal Council should investigate that!"

"Another thing," said Blue. "Why did your nephew accost me in the dark, here at my home, last night? Next, why has he returned with you, after he was explicitly told not to step foot on my property ever again?"

"I had reason to come here," said Zerelda. "I chose to bring my nephew, and I will leave when I see fit."

"I choose that you go, NOW! Blue raised both her hands, and let loose with a blast. Zerelda and Quantrill flew across the lawn and landed in a heap. The look on Zerelda's face was priceless. She was purple with rage. Quantrill's expression of astonishment was even more amusing.

"Zerelda! Why are you harrassing my daughter?" asked Cormac, appearing on the porch.

When Zerelda heard Cormac McChesney's voice her composure was shaken. She did not want an argument with Cormac, and certainly didn't want him to see her exchanging hostile spells with Blue. After this display of power, Zerelda decided to avoid exchanging any hostile spells with Blue, ever. She was far too powerful.

"It's nothing, Cormac. I just stopped by to chat with Blue about a recent project. I was just leaving."

"I did not know your father was here," stammered Zerelda, addressing Blue.

"You spend entirely too much time watching my house," replied Cormac, walking down the porch chairs onto the lawn. "The fact is, Zerelda, I have a close watch on my daughter, and my home, even when I'm gone. I also can pop back immediately to defend them. I caught the end of the skirmish Blue and Quantrill had a few nights ago. Cormac glared at Quantrill. You have now saved me the trouble of tracking down your nephew. I want you both to know how extremely displeased I am that Quantrill stepped on my property uninvited. I'm positively irate, Quantrill, that you harrassed Blue, at night, mistakenly thinking she was here alone and that you could then take advantage of her!" Quantrill started to slink away.

"I'm sure it was just a harmless misunderstanding," crooned Zerelda.

"Let me make it clear where I stand, so as to avoid any future misunderstandings, Zerelda, and Quantrill." Cormac nodded in Quantrill's direction. "I know exactly what goes on around here when I am gone, and my daughter is never left alone." Cormac's eyes narrowed dangerously. "Also, I know exactly what you are trying to accomplish." Cormac paused a moment. "I am not pleased Zerelda."

"We must have had a misunderstanding" Zerelda said, twisting her hands anxiously."

"No, we did not have a misunderstanding," corrected Cormac. "I believe we understand each other exactly. You, and Quantrill, and any of your cronies are not welcome on my property, unless you are specifically invited to come here. I also will know if you are watching my house and will take measures to stop that also, measures you may find unpleasant."

"I shall be leaving," said Zerelda, in an odd squeaky voice.

“Remember Zerelda," called out Quantrill. "In the future, call me, should you have any further misunderstandings. I do not appreciate people dropping by my house uninvited to speak to my daughter, without my knowledge. You and Quantrill and the rest of the Paranormal Council are expressly forbidden to step foot on my property unless you are invited. Do not make me repeat this again.”

“Yes, of course Cormac, as you wish.” Zerelda turned to Blue and whispered, “I'm sure we can smooth over whatever misunderstanding you and Quantrill had."

"Go." said Blue.

"Yes, we are going." Zerelda and Quantrill hurried away.

Blue and her guests returned to their comfortable seats.

"Whew! Glad that's over," said Stella.

"At least for now," replied Blue.

"The Gift of the Dragon is a fabulous gift of legend. It will magnify all of your powers ten fold," said Cormac. "Few people have heard of these gifts and even fewer believe they exist."

Blue whirled around, facing her father. “You saw?”

“Yes, I saw the dragon bestow them on you,” Cormac replied.

“So did I,” said Grandma Lily and Aunt Violet, in unison.

“We watched through the window,” said Grandpa Lou, stepping out of the shadows, with Uncle Basil beside him. “It is a great gift you have been given.”

“…And a great burden as well,” observed Grandma Lily.

"Thank you," replied Blue, bowing her head.

"You are uniquely blessed to have received such a gift," explained Cormac. "For a silver dragon, the rarest of all kinds, to breathe her mist upon your arms and give you the shimmering scales that amplify power, plus a the dragon whip and shield of legend -- well, it's simply incredible."

"I can't believe Savita gave the Gift to me," said Blue, shaking her head. "I'm only a kid."