Artemis Part 1

10-year-old Mathew was in his grandmother’s garden. The boy was vigorously digging up the beets his grand had sent him out to get for supper. A few nice fat beets were growing next to grand’s Mugwort patch and when he tried to pull them out the roots of the Mugwort would not release the large bulbs. He had been told not to disturb Grand’s patch of Mugwort, but if he just pulled the beets away from the plants that shouldn’t bother the patch. He attacked the tangled roots and pulled as hard as he could and 3 large beets came lose so quickly, he fell over backwards and landed hard on his bottom from the sudden release. Matt stood up and brushed the dirt off his pants and stepped back to the hole he had created and picked up his hard, earned beets. How ever the beets were still tangled in the Mugwort roots along with a bright iridescent oval, egg shaped object. Matt could not take his eyes off the shining object. Even coated in dirt and roots it was beautiful. He knelt down and gently pulled the tangled roots off the beets and the shining object. He put the beets in the basket that grand had made just for him. He was so excited that he scooped up the object and ran into the house to show his grandmother, leaving his basket behind.

As the egg lay in his hands, it began to wobble back and forth. He was so startled he nearly dropped it. Grand quickly cupped her hands under his.

“Careful Matty, don’t drop it!” She sighed, “It’s much sooner than I had planned but you’ve found it now so there’s no going back.”

Matt looked up into her eyes, “What do you mean grand, it’s sooner than you planned?”

She sighed very deeply and her eyes sparkling with tears. “It’s too soon to tell you the whole truth my sweet, sweet boy.”

Matt looked up at her. “Grand, you’re crying.”

The distress in his voice snapped Rebedita out of her sorrow. She forced herself to smile. She had raised Mathew for this day; the day he would inherit his legacy. Everything had to be just right. The egg had to be held and protected and both had to be raised to be kind and gently. There could be no dark influences in these two.

Matt whispered “Grand, what is it?” As he stared at the object.

“It’s a dragon Matty. It’s your dragon.” She smiled at him with that special smile she used when she told him how much she loved him.

Then Matt smiled back and laughed. “Come on grand, you’re telling me another story aren’t you.”

Matt thought his grand was the most interesting person in the world, she was a professor of mythological studies at the university. She told Matt all kinds of magical stories. He had always thought those stories were just make believe. Now he looked at his grand and back at the wobbling egg. It couldn’t really be a dragon’s egg. Matt waited for his grand to say something but she just kept smiling down at him her hands still gently cradling his hands and the egg.

She had kept this egg hidden for all these years; she had not planned for Matt to find the egg for several more years.

Rebedita had hidden the egg under a patch of carefully cultivated Mugwort which would ward off all evil. The last thing she had suspected was that Matty would accidently dig it up.

The shell gave off a sharp crackling sound, then POP! A section fell off and a tiny blue-green scaly hand stuck out. Then the shell cracked and popped again. This time a tail swept out and a set of back legs kicked against the shell. The back legs pushed against the remaining shell and a sleek neck and tiny, beautiful equine head emerged from the last of the shell.

“Quickly Matty, talk to him.” Grand said.

“What do I say?” Matt asked.

“Just start by telling him your name.” Grand pulled her hands away and stepped back.

Matt looked down at the small creature in his hands. “Hi, I’m Mathew.”

The small dragon tilted its head and looked up at Matt and crooned. Matt smiled back. “Is he trying to talk to me?” He asked his grand.

“Yes, keep talking.” 

“Grand, how do you know he’s a boy?” Matt asked.

“It’s his coloring, he’s green and blue. Also, his mother told me the egg would be a boy.”

Matt looked up at his grand in amazement. “His mother told you?”

Rebedita smiled, “Yes, Matty, his mother told me. And she also told me that you would be his human companion” Grand sighed. “There’s so much I need to tell you and now, there may not be enough time. I had planned to tell you before the egg hatched so you’d be prepared. But there’s nothing we can do about that now. We just have to do the best we can.”

Matt looked at the small dragon. “I guess we’ll both have to do the best we can.” Matt pulled his hands closer to his body, cradling the small creature and it increased its crooning. “Everyone calls me Matt. Well, everyone except for Grand, she calls me Matty. Do you have a name?”

The little dragon crooned and rubbed its head against Matt’s chest. Suddenly Matt felt waves of hunger rush through his body.

“Grand,” Matt gasp, “I think he’s hungry.”

“Well,” Grand said. “I better get something for him to eat. He’ll reveal his name in time.”

Matt continued to talk gently to the small dragonette.

Matt fed the dragon listening carefully to Grand’s instructions while she quickly prepared a special meal. She said it would ensure that the small dragon grew up to be gentle. She had hurried out to the garden and brought back some the young tender Mugwort stalks. She quickly cooked up the stalks with some chicken she had ready for their dinner and gave Matt a pair of blunt ended tweezers. She then showed him how to pick up a small amount of the baby dragon food and feed the small dragon like a mother bird would feed her young.

It took a little bit of coaching but once the baby understood the process he began to grab and ravenously gulped down all the food Matt offered him.

The small dragon’s belly bulged, full of food and he began weaving almost drunkenly in Matt’s hand. Matt cradled the baby to him and spoke softly to the baby about how beautiful he was. Feelings of gratitude and love flooded through Matt’s chest.

Matt looked up at Grand, “Is he trying to talk to me?”

Grand smiled. “Yes, when they are young they mostly just communicate feelings. What is he feeling right now?”

“He’s thankful and feels love.” Matt told her. “And he’s very sleepy.” he mumbled.

“That’s good. We want him to feel love in return and to feel safe as well.” She smiled. “Tell him he is safe and that you’ll protect him.”

“Grand! How do you know all of this?” Matt asked around a big yawn, looking up at her in total amazement.

“That’s a story for another day my little Matty.” Whispered Rebedita as she watched her sweet little boy fall asleep with the small dragonet in his arms.

 

Artemis part 2

Recap from Artemis part 1; Ten year old Matt finds the dragon egg in his grand’s garden and it hatches. He is now responsible for raising this small dragon and his Grand, Rebedita, is teaching him how.

 

Matt woke up the next morning to something walking around in circles on his chest. He sat up so quickly that he nearly dumped the little dragon onto the floor. The dragonet cocked his head and purred at Matt. Waves of hunger washed over the boy. Matt smiled as the memory of finding the egg and the small dragon hatching suddenly returned. Here he was with this diminutive dragon clinging to the front of his night shirt and that little dragon was now his responsibility.

“Okay, so you’re hungry?” Matt cooed.

The little dragon kicked up and down with his back feet while he clung to the front of  Matt’s shirt with his forearms. The little dragon let go of the front of the boy’s night shirt and took off flying toward the kitchen. Matt’s eyes nearly burst from his head as he jumped out of bed tripping over the tangle of blankets around his legs. He ran to catch up with the small dragon.

“Grand! Grand! He flew?” Matt yelled as he ran into the kitchen.

Rebedita turned to watch Matt slide to a stop just in time to miss crashing into the kitchen table.

She smiled, “Of course he can fly. What did you think the wings were for. Besides if a baby dragon can’t fly they could become something else’s dinner.”

Matt stared at her in shock. “Something would eat him?” he exclaimed.

Grand smile. “Many things could eat him as he is now. But once he learns to breath fire, he’ll be much safer.” Grand turned and placed a bowl of warm mush on the table as Matt stared up at her with eyes wide! “Breathes fire?” he squeaked.

Rebedita laughed. “You feed him first then you get to eat. As he grows, he’ll learn to feed himself but until then you always make sure, he has his food first.” 

Rebedita watched the two young ones interact. She was very surprise with their growing bond. She could feel that bond growing fast and strong. That meant the dark ones would soon feel them too. She had to get them to the sanctuary much sooner than she had planned.

She had hoped for more time to just enjoy being Mattie’s Grandmother before she had to send him away to safety. But she could see that everything was progressing so much faster than any of them had planned.

The question was why? She had hoped to wait until Matt was about 15 before she had to tell him everything. Now she hoped that she had enough time to fill in the basics. She felt a profound sadness wash over her and shook her head. He was still so young for all of this.

Once the baby dragon had filled his little belly he curled up on Matt’s lap and fell asleep. Rebedita told Matt to eat his breakfast. As he ate, he watched Grand pull out a strange device from a cupboard.

“What’s that?” he asked around a mouthful of his own mush.

“Don’t talk with your mouth full dear.” Grand said. “It’s a scale. I want to measure your little guy’s weight. Then we need to monitor how fast he’s growing.” She smiled at Mattie, “Just so you know, he’s going to grow very fast. So, get ready.” She smiled, “It won’t be long before he won’t fit in your lap.”

Rebedita lifted the small dragon from Matt’s lap and gently places him on the scale. She then adds several stones to the other side.

“See Mattie, each stone is marked according to it’s weight. You place stones here until it’s balanced then we calculate your little guy’s weight. Or if you really want to be accurate” She smiled, “his mass; 168 drakeums, not bad.” She nodded.

“What do I need to get ready for?” Matt asked.

Rebedita thought for a moment. “Well, as he grows so will his appetite and that means more frequent feedings and more food. He’ll need more room to sleep; he’ll outgrow your lap and bed in a matter of days if we feed him correctly.  Which will mean he’ll need his own bed very soon. Then he’ll need exercise. You can take him out with you while I teach you to forage for the foods he’ll need, that way he’ll also learn what plants to eat. I’ll come with you to help and keep an eye on both of you.”

Matt looked at her, “Won’t he eat meat? I mean, don’t dragons eat meat?”

Grand smiled at the boy. “Oh yes, as he gets older, he will learn to hunt and eat more and more meat. But right now, he needs baby food and I’ve been adding some ground chicken and egg in with his herb mush.” Rebedita let that sink in. “As he gets older we will need to add more and more meat to his diet. As a growing dragon he’ll eat a great deal. When he’s full grown, he’ll slow down on the number of meals he’ll eat. He’ll eat just as much each meal but less and less often.”

She placed the small dragon back on Mattie’s lap and put the scale back into the cupboard.
“We’ll check his mass every day. To make sure he’s growing properly.”

She got a cup of tea and sat down across the table from Matt. “Mattie, I’ve never told you about your parents, not really.” She stared down into her tea cup. “I will assume, and I’ve told you how dangerous that can be.” Then she chuckled, “that you are probably wondering if they had the special link to dragons that you do. And I can tell you that they both were excellent dragon riders. But when you mother became pregnant with you, they had to come to this part of the planet for her pregnancy and for you to grow properly.” 

Matt stared at her with a quizzical look. “How did they die?” he asked softly.

Grand looked at him sadly, “First, you live here with me because I can shield this place from those we call the dark ones. I can shield my magical aura and that allows me to work out side this property and when you were younger, I could shield you too. But around your 9^thbirthday your aura became too strong for me to shield outside of the homestead. You are only safe right here on this property.” Rebedita waited for Matt to think about what she had just told him.

“Did my mom and dad stay here with you too?” He asked.

“Not a first. They tried to live on their own on their own homestead. But after you were born your mother’s ability to shield you was greatly diminished. Pregnancy can do that until the mother recuperates after birth. Your father took steps to move all of you here, where I could shield all of us. They brought you here right away and had gone back for the rest of their things when the dark ones caught them.”

Matt looked up and could see tears in Grand’s eyes. She took a deep breath. “I never saw them ever again.” She whispered. She sipped some of her tea. “Mattie, you need to know so much and I’m so sorry, I thought I had more time to let you grow up and become ready for all of this but I can’t wait any longer. You need to know how special you are.”

They sat silently for a while then Matt asked, “Grand? Who are the dark ones?”

Rebedita sighed. “That’s hard to explain Mattie. Long ago all dragons and dragon riders worked together. We protected the world from bad people who would do harm to others. We were the keepers of the peace. But something happened and a group of dragons lost their way. Instead of protecting and helping they started to take control. They started by making people their slaves even their riders.” Rebedita thought for a moment. “There are three main continents on our planet. We live on this one and the dark ones have taken over the other.”

What’s on the third continent?” Matt asked.

“That continent is nearly all ice and few people live there, mostly animals that have evolved to survive in the cold climate.” She looked out the window for several minutes while Matt waited patiently. “There are a few dark ones in hiding here on this continent watching to catch any of us off guard. We shield ourselves against them. We have a place that’s shielded where they cannot enter. It’s a very special place. I plan to take you there so you will be safe. It won’t be long before the dark ones learn about you;” She stopped and smiled down at the little sleeping dragon. “And the little one. If they can capture you two, they will turn you.” She didn’t add that if they could not turn the two youngsters, they would destroy them.

Matt looked up quizzically. “Turn us to what?” he asked.

“To a minion of the dark one. You see there is one very powerful dragon that rules them all. He is angry and damaged deep in his heart. Many have tried to reach him to bring him back from the dark but all have failed.”  

Matt stared down at the little dragon; he felt waves of safety and love radiating from the tiny body. The little dragon looked up at Matt, blinking with sleepy sparkling eyes. “Mattie?” he heard a small voice in his mind. Matt smiled and spoke, “Yes, my name is Mattie. Do you a have a name?” he asked out loud, not really expecting an answer.

“Artemis. Me Artemis.” The small dragon’s eyes sparkled. “Artemis hungry, Mattie.”

Matt started to laugh. “Grand, he says his name is Artemis. And he’s hungry again.”

Rebedita smiled sadly, she had even less time than she had feared. She reached out with her mind. “Domhnal, Katriona, its time, wake up and hurry.” I’m going to miss this little boy.  She thought as tears welled up in her eyes.

Rebedita shook the tears off, “Well then, we better get Artemis another meal.” Grand said as she stood up and walked to the far side of the kitchen.

She brought over another bowl of mush and sat down with her chin in her hand. Smiling as she watched the boy feed his dragon. It wasn’t long until the dragonet curled up and fell asleep again.

“Well now, If Artemis is done eating, again. We need to get out and harvest the herbs he’ll need.” She walked over to her sewing table. “Here, this is a carry bag so you can carry Artemis with you.” She slid the strap over Matt’s head and then she carefully positioned the bag so it hung in front of Matt’s chest then gently laid the sleeping dragon in the small hammock that had been lined with a piece of sheep’s wool.

Matt smiled down at the little baby as he stood there waiting for Grand.

“Alright come along, we have work to do.” Grand said.

Rebedita’s homesteaded over five acres and the whole property was shielded. However, the elderly woman knew that the enemy was always probing and that danger was always just beyond her shield.

She was also very worried that she was not completely ready for this. She had small patches of the necessary herbs started around the property in preparation to feed a growing dragonet but she had not yet increased the size of those patches in preparation for this hatching. She might have to forage further and further out to make sure she had all of the necessary ingredients for the little one to develop.

Small dragons’ magical properties developed from the selection of herbs they ate when young. In this little guy’s case, the Mug Wort was the predominant herb. She knew it grew in many places around the property besides her main bed where the egg has been concealed for ten years. But there were a few more herbs that needed to be added to spur the growth of his magical abilities. The use of Artemisia Vulgaris/Mugwort had the main purpose of shaping the small dragon’s personality; sweet, caring, healing, and protective.  Mugwort as it was most commonly known was revered as a healing plant to almost everyone, so the large patch on Rebedita’s property did not raise any suspicions. That plus her area of research and teaching gave her the perfect alibi for raising so many magical herbs. There were some who were suspicious of the old woman’s, witches’ garden, as they called it. But Rebedita laughed at them and said that it was all just old wives’ tales. Besides whenever they were ill, she was the first one they came to. But she knew exactly what the herbs were for and some of the old gossips were not far from the mark.

Rebedita and Matt spent the rest of the day foraging for the herbs that Artemis would need. Matt listened to every word Grand told him. Not only what herbs his little dragon needed but why. Grand and Matt gathered enough herbs for several days of meals. She explained that the little dragon needed to eat every 3 to 4 hours. As he grew his feedings would spread out but he’d eat more and more.

Artemis would wake up and fly around the herb garden and around Matt’s head. Once he landed on Grand’s shoulder, but he looked her in the eye, gave her a chirp and flew back to Matt. As soon as he was tired, he always flew back to Matt and crawled into his nest in the bag.

Artemis had spent a lot of time flying around his and Grand’s heads then landing on the ground. He listened and watching them picking herbs. Suddenly the little dragon started grabbing and eating the herbs raw. Grand laughed.” Well, it will help if he can start eating on his own. But he has a long way to go.” She pulled a container out of her gather bag and handed it to Matt. “Here, give him a snack until we can get all of this back to the house and cleaned.”

Matt found that trying to gather herbs with the baby dragon swinging from a bag around his neck was somewhat clumsy. But it wasn’t much longer until Grand said they had enough for a while.

Back at the house, it felt like it would take forever to get all the herbs sorted and cleaned but finally everything was put away and ready to cook up into baby food.

Matt sat down and fed Artemis nearly a full bowl of mush then the little dragon crawled in his nest and fell asleep again.

As Matt sat at the kitchen table, he realized he was tired and hungry. Grand put a big bowl of stew in front of him. “Your dragon is not the only one that needs to grow.” She smiled.

Matt thought about the many feedings and foraging trips and decided raising a dragon was not easy.

Matt ate his stew and watched the little dragon sleeping on his lap.

Matt felt himself starting to nod off. When suddenly there was a loud whooshing sound outside. The whoomph! Whoomph! Whoomph! was not just loud, Matt could feel it deep inside. He looked up at Grand with wide eyes! “Grand! What is that?”

Rebedita smiled. “That’s my dragon and her mate.”

Grand stood up and walked to the door. She looked back at Matt frozen at the table. “Well, don’t you want to see how big your dragon will get some day?” and she walked out the door.

Matt was breathing in quick short breaths. Grand had a dragon? And her dragon was here?

Very slowly Matt stood up cradling Artemis in his arms. He slowly approached the door leading out to the front of their little house and looked around. He didn’t see anything at first then he looked over to Grand, standing by a tree? No! Not a tree, a leg. Then Matt looked up, and up. The deep lavender dragon lowered her head to look Matt in the eye.

“Hello Mattie.” She heard in his head. “I’m so glad to finally meet you. I’m Katriona. Domhnall and I have been waiting to meet your and Artemis for a very long time.”

Matt stood frozen in place taking in the massive dragon standing in their front yard.

Rebedita looked over at Matt as she hugged the dragon’s leg. “Well, are you going to faint?” she laughed. “You better shut your mouth before a bug flies in.”

Matt shut his mouth and before he could speak another dragon whooshed down to land beside Katriona. As he back winged the buffet of air pushed Matt back a few steps. This dragon was a deep dark blue with lighter blue markings. He held his head high and looked down at Matt. “If you want to see how big your dragonet will get, then you need to look at me.” His voice in Matts head was like thunder then Matt heard him chuckle. “Can I see the little one?” he asked.

Stiff legged Matt walked out toward the two huge dragons and nervously held Artemis out so they could see him. The two adult dragons lowered their heads and purred and warbled deeply, gently touching their huge snouts to the baby’s tiny one. Their vibrations ran through Matt’s body. Suddenly he was over whelmed by a flood of emotion. The adults adored Artemis and him too and a warm smooth snout touched Matt’s check.

PART 3;

Two years earlier when Matt turned eight, his aura began to grow and expand rapidly. Rebedita found that her aura was no longer strong enough to shield the boy. Domhnall and Katriona decide to go into hibernation to protect Rebedita’s homestead which would protect not only their egg, their prodigy, but the little boy who would bond with their baby and Rebedita. Their love for their dragonet, the boy and woman was equal in their powerful hearts. It was because of the combined auras of the sleeping dragons that Rebedita’s shield had been strengthened to be powerful enough to protect her homestead, the egg and Mattie. As they lay hidden burrowed just below the turf, forming a crescent shaped raised barrier around the elderly woman’s garden and home, they radiated their magical aura, combining, extending and strengthening her shield. There they peacefully slept waiting for their egg to hatch.

Present day;

The next morning Domhnall and Katriona waited outside while Matt and Artemis finished breakfast. The two young ones raced out of the house to greet the great dragons. Matt ran toward the garden with Artemis clinging to his shoulder. Matt slid to a stop and looked up. Domhnall and Katriona were immense. Matt looked up at them still not believing that these two great dragons were Artemis’ parents. He then gazed down at Artemis. His mass this morning was up to 354 drakums.  He couldn’t believe this little guy would get that big. But in only a few days he was already hanging off Matt’s lap. Gran had to sew a new carry sack for him last night.

The two adult dragons arched their sinuous necks to gently touch snouts with Artemis. Matt felt their warm breath on his cheek and neck as they gently nuzzled him as well.

Artemis cowered in Matt’s arms, he seemed a bit frightened at first, then shy. But the adults purred and warbled softly, transmitting a message of love and protection to the dragonet. Matt feels the warmth of those emotions flow over him as well and both young dragon and the young boy are instantly drawn to the two giant adults.

The feeling of warmth and safety flood over Matt and he closed his eyes and basked in the wonderful feeling. The only other times he had felt this safe was when Gran would rock him in her arms. He remembered waking from bad dreams and Gran would come and scoop him up in his warm blankets and she’d sit down in her rocking chair in front of the fireplace, humming a soft tune to him until he fell back to sleep.

The dragons poured this warm emotion into him now.

Artemis suddenly realized that these two immense dragons were his parents and he leap from Matt’s arms to fly up to his mother’s head. The three dragons stood crooning to each other, as Matt watched in amazement. For a brief moment, a sadness washed over him as he wondered what it would feel like to be with his own parents.

As the three walked away, Rebedita stepped over to Matt and put her arm around his shoulders. “You’ve done well my dear Mattie.” She smiled down at him. She sighed deeply, “Now we have our own work to do.”

Matt looked up at her. “What do I need to do Gran?”

“OH you have a lot to learn. I have to get you ready.” She smiled.

“Ready for what?” Matt asked.

Rebedita smiled even wider. “Everything.”

                                           <-- break -->

The weeks flew by while Domhnall and Katriona spent most of their time teaching the young dragonet to speak and fly. As for Matt he was being taught how to take care of a dragon. Gran began to prepare Matt to ride Domhnall. It was the most wonderful time of his life. It was as if he had entered into one of Gran’s best tales. Little by little Matt started to realize Gran’s tales were lessons to prepare him for this day. As Katriona spent much of her time teaching Artemis, Domhnall spent most of his time teaching Matt.

Gran came out one day with a huge harness and she and Matt climbed up on Domhnall’s back to drape the harness over him. Gran then had Domhnall stand up so she could walk underneath and connect all the buckles. She instructed Matt how to adjust the harness to the great dragon so that the harness did not rub or irritate the drake’s soft underside. While Grand and Domhnall were instructing Matt, Artemis flitted from one adult to the other, climbing on their backs, up their necks and on their heads. The adult dragons warbled and purred adoringly to their young son.

Then, Matt experienced the most exciting day of his life. Domhnall and Gran taught him to ride the great drake in flight. Although very little time was actually spent in the air the experience was enough to excite Matt to distraction. Gran shook her head as the boy chattered nonstop about his exciting ride through the sky. Gran smiled, Domhnall had only circled the house a few times to test Matt’s seat and suggest adjustments for the harness to fit the boy correctly.

Matt heard Domhnall tell Gran “The boy is a natural, Rebedita.” Gran smiled warmly at Matt and ruffled his hair, “Just like his father.”

Matt’s mind was spinning for the rest of the day. He lay wide awake all night long replaying the experience over and over in his mind. Reliving the joyous feeling of his first flight on the dragon.

But like in so many tales the happy times seem to come to an end.

Several days later, Gran wakes Matt in the middle of the night.
“Quickly Mattie,” She whispered, her voice anxious. “You must wake up! Hurry! She almost cries out.”

She wraps his warmest coat around him and pushed his socks and shoes into his hands. Still trying to wake up Matt struggles to get his shoes on as he listens and watches his Gran.

“Quickly! We don’t have much time. They have found us and will break through my shield soon.”         

He felt her place the new bigger carry sack around his shoulders and place a drowsy Artemis in the bag and tied the draw strings close. Artemis was now over 700 drakums, this would be his last carry bag, he was almost too heavy and big for Matt to carry now. The dragonet continued to sleep as if nothing were happening.

“What will we do?” Matt finally asked.

“You, Artemis and Domhnall will leave for the sanctuary immediately. I will distract the dark ones while you escape. Matt suddenly noticed that Gran was wearing armor.

“Gran!” Matt looked at her with wide eyes. “You look like a warrior.”

She smiled and ruffled his hair, “No time for that now! Later.”

She rushed Matt out the door and over to Domhnall who had squatted down low so the boy could easily climb onto his back. Matt suddenly realized that the play time with the big dragon had actually been practice for this moment. Matt climbed up the straps and sat between one of Dom’s back ridges. Each huge vertebrae formed a natural saddle space for a rider.

He felt Gran buckling him in very tightly, checking every strap. “Now! You must hold on tightly to Artemis!” She instructed. “Don’t let him slip.”    

“Hurry!” Domhnall tells Matt. “The sooner you get ready the faster I can get out of  Rebedita and Katriona’s way. We will be nothing but a hinderance if we stay here.”

Matt watches Gran mount her dragon, Katriona and suddenly his gentle sweet old grandmother seams to transform. Her silver hair and body appeared to shine. She sits straight and seems taller. Matt watched in admiration as she quickly strapped herself in to her riding harness.

“Where had that come from?” Matt wondered.

“Hold on tightly as we’ve shown you.” She called across the yard. Then suddenly she and Katriona sprang into the air. The gust of wind from the drakaina’s wings almost knocked Matt flat against the drake’s back.

Domhnall then spreads his powerful wings and with one mighty down stroke he burst into the air, climbing, up and up with Matt and Artemis clinging to his back. The drake whisked them away from the homestead while Katriona and Rebedita’s charged the black dragons.

Domhnall commanded, “Matt hang on as tight as you can. We have to fly much higher than we’ve practiced. Are you ready?” he roared.  “Here we go! Just like we have practiced but this will be much faster!”

Matt was pushed backward as Domhnall suddenly dove, gaining speed. Matt lunged forward as he felt the carry bag with Artemis in it start to slip sideways. He glanced back once, Gran was magnificent, he watched her lean forward on Katriona as they charged three coal black dragons with dark riders. Matt tried to scream to his gran to come back as she and Katriona dove into fight with two of the black dragons and their riders. It looked like Gran was throwing lightening at the other two dragons.

Matt looked back and saw the two black dragons cornering Gran and Katriona. “Domhnall! Their closing in on her!” he screamed into the air rushing by his face.

“She’s keeping their attention on her while we escape Mattie, Hang on I’m going to accelerate.”

 Suddenly Matt was buffeted by swirling winds. He leaned over Domhnall’s spines the way Gran had told him to, clutching Artemis’s carry sack tightly to him.

Suddenly they came out of a spinning tunnel of wind and burst into clear, bright, blue skies. Domhnall spread his wings and gently glided down. Below them was a beautiful green valley nestled between two massive mountain ranges dotted with small farms beside a small river that flowed the length of the valley.

Then Matt looked upwards and saw other dragons flying around them. Two rows flanked them, coming up on either side of Domhnall. The riders saluted Domhnall acknowledging that they recognized him.

Domhnall glided up into the far end of the valley and the tall wall of mountains forming a boxed canyon. Artemis poked his head out of his carry sack and looked around. He looked down, squeaked and pulled his head back in. “too high, Mattie, too high!”

Matt laughed as he looked around it occurred to him that he should be terrified of this height too. But he wasn’t. “It’s alright Artemis, Domhnall has us.” Then he thought of Gran, what had happened? Was she dead or injured? He had to find someone to go help her.

Domhnall glided toward a clearing at the bottom of the boxed canyon. “Hang on Mattie, I’m going to back wing for a landing. You know how to lean back and brace yourself, just remember to hang onto Artemis this time. Be ready for the impact when I place my feet on the ground. Okay now, just the way we practiced back at Rebedita’s.”

Matt pushed hard on the loops he had his feet in and braced one hand firmly on the ridge spine in front of him and tightened his grip on Artemis’s carry sack. Domhnall beat his huge wings and Matt could feel the forward momentum still pulling him forward while he pushed back. Then with a jarring thump, Domhnall landed. Matt breathed a sigh of relief.

Several people came running at once. Four gathered around Dom’s head and Matt could see that he was communicating with them. Suddenly there were hands unstrapping the harness and he heard a woman’s soft voice. “It’s alright now Mattie you’re safe now. Come with me.” And a woman took him in her arms and lowered him down.

“We have to go back!” he yelled, “Those black dragons had her cornered! Someone has to help her!” he looked around in panic, “Their going to hurt Gran!”

There were several chuckles, “Someone has to help Rebedita? That’s a good one. Good luck to anyone who gets in that old woman’s way or threatens a female dragon’s young ones. Don’t worry boy, Rebedita and Katriona don’t need anyone’s help. Those three black dragons have just taken on more than they can handle.”

Just then Katriona burst into the sky above them with a roaring rush of air and glided to a graceful landing not far from Domhnall. Matt looked frantically to see that Gran was with her dragon.

There on Katriona was a woman that sort of looked like Gran but she was different somehow. Her hair was lose and flying in the wind from the dragon’s wings and she wore that armor he had seen on her at home. She slid down Katriona’s side and landed gracefully on the ground. Matt started to run to her but slid to a stop and stared. Gran was very different somehow. She seemed taller, almost younger and there was a power radiating from her. Matt stepped back, confused.

Rebedita walked forward the smiled. “Don’t be afraid Mattie, I told you I had a lot to tell you.”

 

Rebedita gave Katriona a hug then turned to the people standing around. “I hope my quarters are in livable condition.” She said with a smile. It looks like I’ll be staying for a while. Then she smiled down at Mattie.

“Yes, Grand Sorceress Rebedita, your quarters are ready as always.”  The woman who had helped Matt down off of Domhnall said.

Rebedita smiled. “Very well, thank you Merideth.” She turned to Mattie. “This is Mathew Ronalland. See to it that he’s shown how to get to my quarters and set him up in the guest room until he’s ready to join the younger boys in the lower levels. His dragon Artemis will need his first year’s diet. I have him started on a basic diet of Mugwort.” She turned and looked at Matt. “I promise to try to explain all of this to you later but right now I have to speak with the council and it may take a while. Merideth will see to it that you and Artemis are taken care of. If I’m late do not wait up for me. You’ll need your rest to get through the next few days.” And she walked away, straight and tall with a group of warrior like people.

Matt’s head was spinning. Gran, was Grand Sorceress Rebedita? And he was Mathew Ronalland, who ever that was.  He had never heard his full name before today. He had never given it any thought. Now he wondered about his heritage. Who was Gran? Who was he?

Artemis Part 4

Matt grips Meredith warm soft hand as they watch Gran walk away with a group of people who all looked like warriors right out of one of Gran’s stories. Matt began to realize that all her stories were lessons. She had been training him and getting him ready for this since he was just a little boy.

Artemis had crept out of his carry sack and clung to Matt’s back. He looks around, twisting his neck from one side to the other curiously scanning his new surroundings. “Dragons, Mattie, many dragons.” Matt pulled his eyes away from Gran’s disappearing back and looked up. He was suddenly aware that there were dragons, everywhere. The sight was breath taking. He looked up at the cliffs; there were openings with ledges and some of the ledges had dragons laying in the sun. Some dragons were flying around the canyon while others stood in this large open field where Domhnall had landed with Matt.  The sun reflected off the dragons’ scales, their bright colors glistening in the sun light.

Meridith waited patiently while Matt took in his new surroundings. Then gently said, “Come along Mathew.” and she led Matt in the opposite direction that Gran had taken. “If I know the Grand Sorceress she’ll have that council at the table all day.” She took a deep breath and let it out. “It’s going to be a great deal more exciting now that she is back.” She smiled, Merideth looked down at Matt. “First things first! “Have you and Artemis eaten your breakfast yet?” she asked in her gentle voice.

Matt shook his head, speechless as he continued to take in his new surroundings.

“We need to get this little guy fed then, and you too. I’m sure the Grand Sorceress taught you that lesson first.” She smiled, Matt liked her smile and she seemed to smile a lot. “Therefore, you will learn first where to take Artemis for all his meals.”

Matt could only look up and nod.

“You’re a quiet one, you are. As soon as you are both fed, did I hear correctly, your little dragonet’s name is Artemis?”

Matt nodded again finally finding his voice. “Yes, ma’am, his name is Artemis.”

Meridith turned and looked at Artemis peaking over Matt’s shoulder. “You are cute.” She reached out and scratched his head in just the right place.

“You can just call me Meridith. If you have any questions, you can ask me.”

“Now, Grand Sorceress said she started him on a Mug wort diet, is that correct?”

“Yes, M, uh?  Merideth. Gran showed me how to harvest and prepare it for him. If you show me where a Mug wort patch is I can prepare his meal.”

Merideth laughed. “I’m sure the Grand Sorceress has trained you well.” She pointed to the building they were walking toward. “That’s the kitchen where all the children and their dragonets get fed. We’ll get you and Artemis checked in and I’ll show you what you will have to do for each feeding. How many feedings a day is Artemis up too right now?”
“Gran and I have him down to four feedings a day and a couple of snacks. He was a little over 700 drakums yesterday morning.”

“That sounds right on track. I’d have expected nothing less from the Grand Sorceress.” She stepped up to the door and turned. “You better get a tight grasp on Artemis. Maybe he should get back in his carry sack. When I open this door, it might be a bit of a shock for you both.” She smiled the biggest smile Matt had seen from her yet. “You are about to enter the dragonet cafeteria. It's going to be very noisy and very boisterous. But mostly what you will hear is laughter.”

Matt urged Artemis back into his carry sack and Meredith opened the door. The noise that assailed Matt and Artemis was shocking. Artemis let out a high-pitched squeal and dove deep into his sack. Matt wanted to turn around and back out the door. He felt Merideth’s gentle hand on his back steadying him and she whispered. “It’s alright, look around you, this is where you belong Mattie. Listen, the noise is mostly laughter. This is a joyous place.” She smiled, her eyes glistening. “Welcome home Mathew Ronalland.”

Matt looked up into her kind smiling face and nodded, his eyes wet with tears.

Other eyes had watched the new boy enter with the head woman. Eyes full of envy with a heart full of anger that he did not have a bonded dragon. He watched as the head woman escorted this little kid around and helped him get his dragonet settled and fed. A dragonet that should have been his. Why was he always passed up during bondings. And this spoiled, pampered brat was related to the Grand Sorceress.  Everyone kept telling him that he had the wrong attitude, he wasn’t allowed to say it but he believed they were full of dragon piss. There was nothing wrong with his attitude.

 Merideth led Mathew around the room. Children sat at long bench like tables talking and feeding their dragonets. One girl with bright red hair and only a little older than Matt, waved at Merideth. Merideth waved back.

“That’s my niece Neilina and her dragonet Fionnghal.  She’s almost a year older than you but your dragonets are nearly the same age. Merideth led Matt to a counter and explained the different diets that were prepared for the different types of dragonets. She explained that he would learn that information in a few years but for now she led him to the correct station that prepared the Mugwort diet. Matt had to coax  Artemis out of his sack to be placed on a scale and the person calculated how much he needed to be served for proper growth. Once Matt had Artemis’s dish Merideth led them over to the table where her niece was feeding her dragonet. The children were introduced and Merideth excused herself to go speak to someone.

Fionnghal twisted her long neck around to look into Artemis’s carry sack. “Why hide?” she crooned.

Artemis raised his head just enough to see who spoke to him. “Noise, too much noise.” He whined, and pulled his head back into his carry sack.

Fionnghal cocked her head, “Not too much noise. Dragonets have fun. Come play!” she invited.

“It’s alright Artemis,” Matt soothed. “Look everyone is having fun.”

“Too much noise” he grumbled and pulled his head deeper into his sack.

“Well, you have to come out and eat. If you don’t eat you won’t grow up to be as big as Domhnall.”

Fionnghal looked around, “I full, go play.” And she launched herself into the air to fly up into the rafters to dive and fly with the other dragonets.

Artemis’s head came all the way out of his sack. He looked up, watching the other dragonets gliding through the beams above the tables.

“If you eat your meal, you can go play too Artemis.” Neilina urged.

Artemis looked at the bowl of food and shyly reached out to eat. As he ate, he continued to watch as the multitude of young dragons flitted and cavorted overhead.

The girl smiled, “I’m Neilina and my dragonette is Fionnghal. She can be a bit pushy but she has a big heart.”

Matt smiled, he liked this pretty girl. “I’m Matt.”

She smiled, “Yes, I know, I was out in the yard when you arrived. Is the Grand Sorceress really your great grandmother?”

Matt frowned. “I think, she’s really my great grand Aunt.” He shook his head, “It’s all so confusing.”

“It’s alright, my aunt Merideth will get you all sorted out. You’ll see.” She smiled.

Matt looked at her, her smile was just like Merideth’s smile.

“Look Artemis has finished. Would he like to go play?” Neilina encouraged.

Matt looked down. “What do you think Artemis. Do you want to go meet the other dragonets?” Matt asked.

Artemis slowly crept out of his sack and crawled up on to Matt’s shoulder. He looked around then looked questioningly at Matt.

“It’s alright, go ahead, go meet your new friends.” Matt encouraged. He smiled at Neilina as Artemis launched into the air.

“Now that he’s been fed you better go get your own breakfast. Hurry or there won’t be any left.” She said. “Come on, I’ll show you.” And she grabbed his hand and dragged him toward another counter.

 

When all the dragonets and children had finished eating, they began to leave the cafeteria together. Neilina turned to Matt. “We all have to go to classes now. Maybe I’ll see you at lunch.” She and Fionnghal turned and hurried to follow the other children out the door.

As the last child and dragonet walked out the door the large hall was instantly plunged into silence.

Matt sat with Artemis and wondered what to do now. While he sat, he noticed a table at the far end of the hall. A few older boys sat quietly talking. One sat glaring at Matt. It made Matt feel uncomfortable. 

Suddenly out of nowhere Merideth appeared. “Well, how about a tour of Comraich?”

Matt smiled. “That sounds great.”

“OH! So, you can smile.” She said to him. Then she frowned. “Mathew? Did you bring any other clothes with you?”

Matt shook his head. “Gran woke me up in the early morning and shoved my clothes on so fast I didn’t have time to pack any of my things. I didn’t even know we were going.”

“All right then, come along. First things first. We need to get you settled.” And Merideth spun on her heals, “Come along, quickly.”  And she marched out the door and across the large area that Neilina had called the yard. Merideth takes Matt to the supply store house. She pushed open the large door and calls out. “Hello!” she waited a few seconds, then calls again. “Who’s on duty today?”

And elderly balding man came through a side door. “Good morning Merideth, what can I do for you this morning?”

“Angus, I’d like you to meet Mathew Ronalland.”

The man’s head jerked up to look Matt up and down. “Well, I’ll be!” he exclaimed. “Yep. You’re the spitting image of your father at that age. So wonderful to meet you, young man.” And he reached out to grasp Matt’s hand and shook it vigorously. Then a sad expression clouded his face. “Oh,” He moaned. “My deepest condolences dear boy. We all grieved the loss of your ma and pa.” He took a deep breath and brightened. “I remember your father well boy. One of the finest dragon riders we ever had and a fine young man. You have tall boots to fill.”

He turned back to Merideth. “So, beside bringing me this fine surprise.” He smiled warmly at Matt.
“What can I do for you?” he asked.

“Rebedita had to whisk Mathew away in the first morning light and all he has are the clothes on his back. He’ll need a complete kit.”

“AH! I see. Well then, I’ll need some measurements and what about that little blue dragonet peaking over his shoulder, does he have all his supplies?” he directed the question to Matt this time.

Matt shook his head. “No sir, all I have for Artemis is his carry sack and that’s almost too small again.”

“Well,” he drawled. “That little drake is big enough to carry his own weight around, I’d say his carry sack days are over. But there are a few things you should have for his care too.” He looked Matt up and down. “I’d say you’re a solid size K young Mathew.” And he suddenly had a measure tape in his hand. He had Matt stretch out his arms, then measured his leg length and around his waist and chest. “Yup! Solid size K. I might be old but I still know my craft. Give me a few minutes young man and we’ll have you all set up.” And he disappeared back through the door.

When Angus came back through the door this time, he had a basket on wheels full of clothes and gear the likes that Matt had never seen before.

“This should get you started.” Angus said. “I’ve put in a full set of books for your classes, pencils and pads. As you need more equipment you come to us and we’ll see that you have what you need.” Angus smiled, “Welcome home young Mathew.”

Merideth helped him carry his bundles back to Rebedita’s quarters. “Now, it will take some time for you to get used to these stairs and alleyways. So, pay close attention. We have to go up six levels to reach your Gran’s level. See each level is labeled so you don’t lose track. And then to be able to weave through the back passage ways to her quarters. Notice here; the colored stripes.” Meridith pointed to a set of long multicolored strips painted along the hallway walls. “Each dragon rider on each level has been assigned a color code for their quarters. Grand Sorceress Rebedita has a double because of Domhnall.

“Merideth?” Matt asked, “Domhnall and my last name both have the nall sound. Does that mean anything?”

Merideth smiled sadly. “Yes, it does, but I think Grand Sorceress Rebidita should be the one to explain that to you. If she ever gets the chance.” Merideth sighed deeply. “I’m afraid it may be a sad story for you though.” She turned a corner. “Here we are. You’ll stay here until we can find a clutch of boys your age for you to join. Until then this is home.” She smiled and pulled back a heavy drapery to expose a large open chamber.  Matt looked around at the chamber. It was an immense cave. All the walls had been covered in a kind of white plaster and the chamber was bright and clean. Matt thought about the small cottage he had shared with Gran. It had been warm and clean and so very comfortable. This was immense but comfortably warm.

She showed him to a smaller alcove off to the side, this will be your room. She pulled back another curtain to show Matt where he would stay. She started to bustle around the room. “Let’s get all of this organized. There was a large bed and a dresser where Merideth was arranging his things. She put his school things on a table next to the dresser and she placed a large cushion on one side of the bed. That’s for young Artemis. He’ll outgrow it soon enough but I’m sure he’ll be much more comfortable being close to you while you both adjust.” She turned to look at Matt as he continued to look around at the space with wide eyes. “Well, that should hold you two for a while. Now, let’s go on that tour shall we.”

 

He spent his first week in Rebedita’s guest room and traveled around with Merideth while she attended to her daily chores. Life is very different here. Firstly, there was just so many people. Matt was used to life being just him and Gran and a lot of quiet.

The first couple of mornings Merideth greeted Mathew in Gran’s quarters at breakfast. She always brought Gran’s breakfast and tea then she escorted him to the dragonet’s cafeteria. Many mornings when he woke up Gran was already gone to some meeting. He’d walk down to the cafeteria with Merideth to join the other children and their dragonets.

Artemis had adjusted to the noise and commotion quickly. He now quickly ate his dish of food and immediately leapt into the air to play with his new friends.

As Angus had said, Artemis did not need his carry sack any more.

“I fly with my friends.” He’d say and would flit off with the others. At first Matt felt rejected but Artemis would come back frequently to make sure Matt was still there.

Instead of sitting in his carry sack while Matt carried him, he insisted that he would now ride on Matt’s back the way his new friends did with their bond mates. “Artemis not baby.” He’d complain.

It didn’t take long for Matt to begin to look forward to sitting and talking with Neilina and the other children. 

On the third day Matt starts to get to know more of the other children by name. Their conversations usually focused on their dragonets. When everyone had finished eating the children and dragonets dashed out to the yard and off to their classes.

Matt would walk over to the healer’s office and find Merideth waiting for him there. He would then attend her on her daily rounds. Matt found himself fascinated by the healing arts. Merideth made the rounds to check on people all over Comraich. She stopped at one home to check on a young man who had severely injured his leg, then to another home to check on a new born baby.  She would dispense herbs, tonics and teas to comfort, heal and help with pain. Just as Gran had her herb garden Comraich had a massive garden of medicinal plants. One day he and Merideth spent the whole morning harvesting herbs for the healers. Here Matt was in his element. The other adults were impressed by this young boy’s knowledge. But when Merideth explained who he was they then under stood why this young boy was so well schooled in herb lore.

Merideth continued to give Matt tours around his new home. She had explained that they called this place “Comraich, KOM-reekh It, means sanctuary. It’s our safe haven. This place is guarded.

We come from a long race of humans who are able to tap into and control our magical auras. This is why we can communicate with dragons.

We protect this civilization from those who would take away our freedom. We should all have the freedom to live our live as we choose.

On Matt’s 6th day, Gran informed him that he’d start school the next day.

Matt was excited. He was starting to become bored although he found what Merideth did fascinating, he was getting bores being the spectator. He was accustomed to having chores and fixing meals for Artemis he thought if this went on any longer, he’d start to get lazy.

Matt looked up at this formidable woman. She was not the sweet grandmother he had grown up with. “Gran? What do I call you now?” He looked down at his feet. “I mean, everyone calls you the Grand Sorceress.

She took his face in both of her hands and smiled warmly at him. “You will always call me Gran. It would give me great pleasure if you would keep thinking of me that way my dear dear Mathew. Raising you has been one of the great pleasures in my life. I want to continue being Gran to you for as long as I can.” And she kissed his forehead. “Now, we must hurry we should not be late for your first class.”

Matt entered the classroom with Gran. Gran stepped up to the instructor and hugged the huge man, his skin was dark, and he looked tough as nails. Matt almost felt as intimidated by this man as he had felt the first time he met Domhnall and Katriona.

Gran introduced him and the big man welcomed Matt with the deepest voice Matt ever heard.

“So, this is the Dragonet with whom you’ve bonded. Shall we have a look?” he rumbled.

Matt turned his back so the man could see Artemis, the man looked at Artemis tipping his head this way then that, and then he nodded his head, nice proportions, good color, he looked up and smiled. “What’s his name?” the man’s smile was so warm and welcoming that the trepidation Matt had initially felt melted away. “Artemis.” he murmured and the man nodded again, “Fine young Dragon.”

“And I am Professor Alasdair.” He smiled warmly.

 Let’s see, there is an open seat at that table? Ah! over there.” He pointed toward the back of the room, “beside Neilina.”

Matt turned to see Neilina with her bright red dragonette snuggled in her lap. She was smiling, and gesturing for him to come and sit beside her.
 Matt looked back up to the professor. “Thank you, sir”

Gran smiled and nodded for him to take a seat. As he walked to the table with Artemis to join Neilina, He heard Gran list all the things that he had been schooled in already.

She also gave the instructor a list of the things she wanted him to learn. As he sat down a Sandy haired boy at the table in front of his turned and looked at Matt with wide eyes. “Is it true you came through the vortex with Domhnall all by yourself?” Three other children turned swiftly, very intent on what Matt would say.

Matt looked at them confused. “What’s a vortex?”

“What’s a vortex?” The boy with jet black hair exclaimed a little too loudly. “It’s the bridge between here and there,” he exclaimed. 

“Ak hem!” They all turned. Gran stood in front of the class, waiting for everyone to listen. “As you all know, Mathew Ronalland is my great, great, grandnephew.” She looked around then said, “One; to him I’m Gran.” She smiled warmly down at Matt and he smiled back, “To all of you. I’m grand sorcerer Rebedita.” She cocked one eyebrow up and looked sternly at the class.

 The whole class turned to glance sideways at Matt.

“Two; Matt has no idea what the vortex is or means.”

Again, the children looked at Matt with surprise. “Matt’s aura opened early and we didn’t have time to explain all the things that all of you grew up knowing.  So, if you could help me and Matt to get him to where he understands at least the basics. We’d be very grateful.”

“Professor Alasdair, I leave you to your class.” With that Gran walked out, leaving Matt at his seat.

The children turned in their seats and stared at Matt. He suddenly wanted to slide under the table and hide.

Suddenly Artemis let out a sharp loud squeal. Matt had not noticed but Neilina’s dragonet had come out of hiding and grabbed Artemis by the tail.

“NO, NO! Fionnghal!” Neilina cried. “That’s not nice!”

Professor Alasdair laughed loudly. “Well, well, It, appears that your dragonette is laying her claim to young Artemis, Neilina.” He laughed again. “We have a teaching moment here class.”

He looked at Matt who was confused and unsure how to respond.

“As grand sorcerer Rebedita has instructed me and all of you, we are to bring young Mathew up to speed, here are your first two lessons Mathew. First; for the whole class, not just Mathew; When a young female dragonette likes a young male dragonet she nips his tail.” He chuckled. “Let me see if she has hurt him or just startled him.” Professor Alasdair walked back to Matt’s table and examined Artemis’s tail. “There, there, little one,” he crooned, “Ahh! No harm done. She just startled him.” He assured Matt. 

“And your second lesson; The vortex. Everyone raised here knows about the vortex. But none of you have reached the age to have learned how it works. So, Mathew, you are not that far behind anyone else here. Later all of you along with Mathew will learn that information. However, Mathew, you are the youngest ever to cross it solo on dragon back.” Professor Alasdair nodded approvingly. “I need to speak to Domhnall for his explanation of that event.” He turned and walked back to the front of the room. “Everyone, open your books to page 58 and we’ll begin today’s lesson.”

Professor Alasdair looked up from a note pad on his desk and asked, “Grego, how many in your clutch lad?”

“Five, sir.” The sandy haired boy answered.

“Ah good. Have Tavish come see me, I think Matt would be a good fit in your clutch.” He smiled and walked back and forth explaining the lesson.

Matt looked at Neilina, “What’s a clutch?”

She smiled, put her finger to her lips and tipped her head to listen to the professor. She helped Matt pull the correct book from his new book bag for this class and waited while he turned to the assigned page. Then Matt listened intently as Professor Alasdair began to explain the history of Comraich.

On the second day of class as the students dashed from their classroom running across the yard for lunch, Matt stopped suddenly. “I left my note pad in the classroom. I’ll be right back. Save me a seat.” He turned to run back to the classroom with Artemis flying at his shoulder. He decided to take a short cut down an alley between two shops. He still wasn’t sure which shop was which but the short cut would save him time.

Not everyone at Comraich is nice and kind to Matt. One particular boy is angry at the newcomer and a dark grudge has grown since Matt arrived. He decides he's going to get even with this Mathew kid one day. Why does this privileged kid get a dragonet and he doesn’t. So what, he’s distantly related to the Grand Sorceress, she’s been gone for years. Why is she so important? Comraich has run smoothly without her here. He watches Mathew and his anger builds and smolders. Rory sees Mathew turn around and head back toward the classroom. Good he thinks this is my chance. When Matt turns down an alley to take a short cut Rory follows him into the dark passage. His brain is so full of jealous anger that he contrives a twisted plan to beat the boy and take his dragonet then blame the boy. He’ll say the boy turned his dragonet on him and he deserves the dragon not this outsider.

Rory rushes up and pushes Mathew down. “YOU! That dragon should have been mine!” If that grand sorceress had been here where she belonged and not taking care of your useless ass I could have bonded with that dragonet. Instead that egg and those dragons are off on the other world and you get to bond. You don’t even know anything about this world or how to take care of that dragonet.” The boy aimed a kick at Matt as he was sprawled on the ground.   

Artemis leaps into the air and flies at Rory’s face trying to defend Matt. Rory became even more outraged that the young dragon would attack him. He should have been this dragonet’s bond-mate. “OH, look your baby dragon is going to save you.” The boy sneers and aims his next kick at Artemis.

Artemis is too small to defend Matthew and for the first time In Matthew’s life he's confronted with having to fight someone. As the boy aims to kick Artemis again, Matthew wrapped his arms around the small dragon and shields his friend with his own body from the bully. Matthew received several brutal kicks to his side but continues to shield Artemis.

Artemis hisses and snaps at the bully while Matt twists and turns to shield his friend.

 

Tavish watches the students as they arrive at the cafeteria and notices that Matt was not with Neilina and his clutch. When the group enter the cafeteria, he asked the group, “Where’s Matt?”

Moray shrugged and answered, “Matt went back to the classroom to get his note pad.”

Tavish frowns and turns to go check on his new charge. He didn’t want the boy to get lost under his watch the first week.

Neilina looked at the other boys and gestured to them that she thought they should follow Tavish to find Matt.

As Tavish hurries by the alley he suddenly stops and gawks in shock around the corner just in time to see Rory deliver another kick to Mathew’s side. He rushes forward and tackles the larger boy pushing him away from Mathew and Artemis while Neilina, Grego, and Moray, rush in to intervene and shield Matthew and Artemis from the bully. Their dragonets become agitated and start swirling around their heads squealing in distress. 

The bully thought he had found a way to get to Mathew without getting caught. He is now even more angry that he has been caught. He desperately tries to talk his way out of the situation. He accuses Mathew of stealing the baby dragon since he’s never seen him and who was he to get a hatchling when it was he who should have received a bonding by now himself. Then he tries to say that the dragonet attacked him and he was only defending himself.

Tavish looks sadly at the boy and shakes his head. “You’ve been warned Rory, this kind of behavior will not be tolerated. I’m sorry but this has to be taken to the council. The boy glared up at Tavish. “You always stick up for these little kids and you’ve never liked me.” He growled.

The boy had been a problem and liar for many years. Tavish remembered him when he was in his clutch several years ago.

Tavish turned to the children, “Neilina, could you walk Matt and Artemis to the healers’ office to have someone check them for injuries. The rest of you get your dragonets to the cafeteria and get them calmed down and fed. Have Professor Alasdair come to the main council immediately.”

The boy Rory began to struggle and tried to break away. “NO! He wailed. They’ll send me away, I’ll never get to bond if they send me away!”

“Rory? How many times have you been told, this negative behavior has to stop. No dragonet will bond with you if you have these negative thoughts. It just can’t be!” Tavish looked at the boy with such sadness that Matt felt sorry for the boy too.

“If I had been allowed to bond, I wouldn’t have negative thoughts!” he snarled.

Tavish turned to the children. “All of you, get going.” With that Tavish spun Rory around and half dragged the struggling, wailing boy across the yard toward the council chambers.

Matt stood up holding Artemis in his arms watching the struggling boy being dragged away. He looked down at Artemis, He couldn’t imagine his dragon being bonded to that boy but then he felt a great sorrow for him, to never be able to bond was unthinkable. Matt couldn’t imagine his life without Artemis now.

“Matt?” Neilina said. “Come on you need to go see Aunt Merideth. Rory landed some hard kicks to your ribs.”

Matt just nodded and followed the girl to the healer’s office.

Artemis part 5 

As Matt walked out of the healers’ office with Meredith tightly holding his hand. Katriona and Domhnall came gliding down to the yard so fast that Matt feared they would not be able to stop. Both dragons' back winged so violently that they sent up billowing clouds of dust.

Gran practically jumped off Katriona’s back and landed on the ground. She quickly walked toward Matt. The look on her and Katriona’s faces was so frightening; both appeared to be in full rage. Suddenly, Matt is almost bowled over by the powerful waves of emotions of anger, fear, and concern emitted by the two adult dragons. The emotions are so strong that he steps back away from the trio.

Others in the yard made sounds of distress and stepped back to distance themselves from the trio as well.

Domhnall roared. “Where’s Artemis?”

Artemis peeked over Matt’s shoulder, looking up at his parents. As the two adult dragons approached Matt and Meredith, he launched into the air and flew to his parents.

Gran reaches Matt and grabs him in a vice-like grip. “Are you alright!” She grasps him in her arms and holds him so tightly that he has difficulty catching his breath. As Rebedita relaxes her grip, she pushes Matt back and looks him up and down.

“I’m fine, Gran, I’m fine,” Matt assures her.

Meredith was at his side. “He has some bruised ribs, Rebedita, but he will be fine.”

Gran looked at Meredith with relief. “Thank you, my friend.” She says simply. 

Matt hears the gentle warble of the adult dragons behind Gran. He feels a strong wave of gratitude flood over him, and he sways on his feet. 

“You protected Artemis with your own body.” Katriona purred. “Thank you, bond mate.”

Domhnall added. “I’d expect nothing less from the offspring of my bond mate.” And he nuzzled Matt’s cheek.

Both dragons pushed their heads close to Rebedita and Matt. Rebedita wrapped her arms around the two dragons’ heads, encompassing Matt and Artemis in the embrace as well.  The family stood like that in a comforting embrace for a few moments. 

Rebedita finally patted the two dragons and looked at Matt. “Come! We must go to the Grand Council Hall immediately. This matter has to be dealt with swiftly. You may have to testify.”

Matt suddenly felt frightened. “What do I do? He asked?”

Gran took his hand. “You come with me. I’ll be there with you. There’s nothing to be afraid of. You and Artemis will fly in with Katriona and me. We will be right beside you. Artemis will have to testify as well.” 

           Rebedita climbed on and lifted Matt to sit behind her on Kateriona. The dragon leapt into the air with one powerful down stroke of her immense wings. Matt clutched the riding straps and reveled in the feeling of being in the air. He felt the powerful muscles of the dragon below him as she pumped her wings to take them higher. He wondered how long it would be before he and Artemis would be able to fly together. 

           Matt took in the scenery as they flew up the canyon. As Katriona banked hard to the right to swoop around the mountain and into another deep canyon. The mountains were getting higher here, and the canyon wall was much steeper. He peered around Rebedita’s shoulder to an area at the end of this canyon. There, within a deep circular basin, was a very large oval temple. The scene was breathtaking. The rugged mountains framed the circular basin. The temple was surrounded by deep, lush green evergreens. The picturesque waterfall flowing from the glacial corrie above only added to the grandeur of the sight. As Katriona got closer to the temple, Matt began to realize how big the glacial basin was. The basin dwarfed the temple. 

Matt watched as other dragons dropped down and landed around the dome. The domed oval was so large that the dragons could nearly step inside. As each dragon deposited people around the structure, the dragons would step back just far enough to allow the next dragon to land. 

Matt was amazed at how many dragons were gathering around the temple. The air vibrated with the sounds of trumpeting and bugling from the gathered dragons and attendees as everyone arrived. 

Domhnall and Katriona maneuvered to a landing close to the end of the large structure, but they did not leave. They walked up to the stairs that appeared to wrap around the sides of the dome. 

Matt dismounted, and Gran took his hand. She smiled down at him, “Come along.” 

Matt noticed that there were no walls around the structure; it was completely open to the fresh air all the way around the tall pillars supporting the high dome roof. Steps circled all around the domed roof, and the structure could be entered at any place around the dome. 

Matt walked up the steps of the oval structure with Grand and found that there were tiered benches around the outer sides of the large open floor. Rebedita walked forward between a set of benches and positioned herself and Matt near one end of the oval beside a raised dais with five high raised seats. There were five people in the chairs. Their position made them clearly visible to everyone within the oval structure.

The dragons standing outside the structure stood with their heads inside. Even the five people in the five raised chairs were accompanied by dragons. 

Dom and Kat stood just behind Rebedita and Matt and extended their heads under the dome directly behind Gran and Matt.

One of the people in the chairs spoke loudly. “I take it that everyone has finally arrived.” The large dome amplified his voice so everyone could hear him.

“Sadly, we are here to hear charges of assault on not only a bonded mate but on the dragonet as well. We will hear testimony from the witnesses first.”

Tavish stepped up first. “Madam and Sir councilors. I witnessed and reported the charged kicking of the bonded mate, Mathew Ronalland, in the alleyway between the leather shop and Cooper’s shop.

A man sitting to the other side of the five council members stood and addressed Tavish. “Were you not this young man, Rory’s, clutch leader four years ago?” 

“Yes, sir, I was,” Tavish answered.

“And isn’t it true that you complained frequently that this boy, Rory, was a troublemaker?” the man asked.

“The boy Rory did get in trouble frequently,” Tavish answered.

“So, could it be said that you hold a grudge against Rory Aonghas?” The man asked sharply.

“No, sir!” Tavish straightened his back and replied strongly. “I did everything I could to set the boy on a successful path.”

The defense councilor countered, “I suggest that your negative attitude toward the boy has led you to jump to an incorrect conclusion about what you thought you witnessed.” 

Matt looked up at Gran. “Tavish has it right, Gran?”

She put a finger to her lips and motioned for him to listen. 

“I also conclude that your feeling of being in charge of Grand Sorceress Rebedita’s ward has also clouded your judgment.” 

“No, sir, my testimony is accurate! I stand by what I have witnessed.”

One of the other people in the high chairs was a woman who spoke. “Very well, Tavish Andareal, thank you for your testimony. Since other witnesses are minors, we call on the dragonet to testify first.” 

Domhnall roared. “I will speak for my offspring.”

“Very well, Drake Domhnall, we will hear the testimony of your offspring through your voice.” The woman said.

“My offspring Artemis speaks now through me.” 

Artemis flitted to his father’s head and sat straight with his head raised high. “My bond mate had forgotten some of his school supplies in the classroom. He was hurrying back to retrieve his supplies and took a shortcut between two buildings. As we rushed down the alley, the bigger boy stepped out and confronted my bondmate. The bigger boy accused my bondmate of bonding with me unfairly. I knew before I had hatched that Mattie was my bond mate. Therefore, our bonding was destined.” 

The crowd suddenly broke out in hushed whispers at this statement. This kind of bonding was rare and unusual. 

One of the council members banged a polished round stone on the table before them. “We’ll have quiet during this hearing!” He called loudly. He then turned to Domhnall and Artemis and nodded for them to continue.

“When the bigger boy charged at Mattie, I sprang to protect my bond mate, and the boy became even angrier. He then tried to strike at me.”

This statement brought roars from the dragons at this breach of behavior. Dragonets were to be protected.

“Mattie grabbed me and wrapped his arms around me to shield me from the boy who had then pushed Mattie to the ground and started kicking my bond mate. That’s when Tavish Andareal suddenly appeared and pushed the boy away. Then all our friends were there too, and then it was all over. I was glad that it was all over, and I was very worried about my bond mate. I was afraid that he had taken a serious injury for my sake. It was I who should have protected Mattie.”

Artemis stood tall on his father’s head and puffed out his little chest. 

Matt smiled at his friend.

The council spoke among themselves for a few minutes. 

“Due to the overwhelming testimony of the young dragonet. We ask the charged, Rory Aonghas, if he has any possible defense for his actions today?” 

Rory scanned the people around the grand council hall. He stood and faced the grand council belligerently. “I’ve been accused of having a negative attitude for years. If I had been allowed to bond, I would not have had a negative attitude.” He challenged! “And you will take the testimony of a dragonet over me!”

Gasps could be heard around the council chamber.

The elderly woman in the center high chair spoke up. “Young man!” her voice boomed! “I’m sure it has been explained to you, numerous times over the years, that dark thoughts formed by a negative attitude repel a young dragonet. You have been given years to overcome your dark thoughts and emotions and given multiple opportunities to bond. As we can all see here and now, you have not succeeded in overcoming your negative attitude. For this, we all feel great sympathy. But our sympathy does not excuse your current offence and the audacity to question the honesty of any bright dragon; it’s unthinkable. It is unfathomable that you have grown up here among dragons and have not come to understand the lessons taught to every youngster here. I fear that this latest infraction has brought us to this very sad conclusion; Rory Aonghas, you will be sent away from Comraich to reside from here on out in Sithsarosa. There you will be given many opportunities to discover a craft or trade that will allow you to find peace and harmony in this life.”  

“NO! You can’t do this to me. It’s not fair. You haven’t given me a real chance.” Rory screamed as he struggled with the two dragon riders who grabbed him by an arm on either side. Rory broke down into sobs while he was led away.

Matt looked up at Gran, “Is that it? Is it all over?” he asked. 

Rebedita put a finger to her lips again and whispered, “Wait.”

“Mathew Ronalland,” An older man in the high chair spoke. 

Rebedita quickly nudged Matt to stand.

“It is a very sad day in Comraich when violence has been done to a member of this community by another. Thankfully, this is a very rare situation and one we hope we will never witness again. Here in Comraich, we strive to instill feelings and habits of compassion and positive emotions. Only in this way can we achieve balance and peace in the world.” 

He looked at Mathew thoughtfully. “For a bond mate to place his or her body between their dragon and peril shows the depth of your bond, Mathew Ronalland. You honor our traditions and all dragons.” He bowed his head ever so slightly toward Matt.

He turned to confer with the other four people in the high seats. “This concludes this hearing of the grand council. We all agree that no further testimony needs to be examined.” Everyone rose and waited while the five high council members stepped down, went to their dragons, and left.

Matt looked up at Rebedita. “What does it all mean, Gran?” 

She smiled down at him. “Come along. We’ll go back to my quarters, and I’ll explain what has just happened. This may take a while.”

“Gran? What will happen to Rory?” Matt asked.

She smiled. “I’ll explain that too. Do not worry. He will have a good life if that’s what he chooses to do. Now strap yourself in.”

With the wind roaring in his ears, Matt’s thoughts were spinning as they flew back to the dragon quarters.  He had so many questions, but did not know where to start. 

Matt’s thoughts were suddenly interrupted as the cliffs to the dragons' lairs came into sight. He watched as Katriona glided closer and closer toward their cliff face, where Gran’s quarters were. He suddenly grasped tightly to the riding straps and braced his feet in the foot loops as his eyes grew wide.

Rebedita turned to smile, “You’re going to love this,” she yelled over the wind whipping by her face. 

Katriona back winged just as she reached the outer ledge and landed softly. She primly tucked her wings and entered the large outer chamber where she and Domhnall slept. 

Matt’s eyes were nearly popping out of his head as Gran slid easily out of her saddle. She looked up and laughed. “Well, did you soil yourself?” she asked. 

Matt could not let go of the straps. In a high, shaky voice, he squeaked, “NO!” 

Gran helped him down. He clung to the straps on his wobbling legs.

Domhnall rumbled, “That was not nice, Rebedita. You could have let me show him before you scared the boy.”

“I thought we were going to crash right into the side of the cliff.” He said as his voice still cracked with emotion. He heard Katriona softly chuckle. 

“Come along, we have a lot to discuss,” Gran said, and she put her arm around the boy’s shoulders and steered him into her quarters.

Gran had raised him to be just what he was expected to be all his life. She had never wavered as she taught him to do what was right and to think about his actions and the welfare of others. 

Rebedita and Matt went up to her quarters, and Meredith brought them tea, cakes, and food for Artemis. 

And what did it mean that he and Artemis had been bonded before Artemis had hatched? He finally blurted out. “There was no one else for Artemis to bond with,” Matt exclaimed.

Rebedita looked up from the bite she had just taken from a scone. She swallowed, then took a sip of tea and began to explain. “If Artemis did not feel a positive aura present while he was in the egg, if he did not find you suitable, as so many other young dragonets found Rory to be unsuitable, he would not have hatched. He would have continued waiting in his egg, waiting for a suitable aura. Young dragonets hatch when there are likely candidates with positive auras present. They don’t know which candidate is presenting the aura; they just feel the aura.”

“So, Artemis felt my aura then?” Matt asked

Gran shook her head. “He especially said he chose you. There is a big difference. He recognized you before he hatched.”

Matt shook his head. “I didn’t know that.” 

“Mattie.” She sighed. “There is so much I haven’t been able to tell you. But it’s past time that we get started. Do you have any questions that you feel you need answers to first?”

He looked up at Gran. “Yes. Why did everyone gasp when Rory questioned that Artemis’s word had been taken over his?”

Rebedita’s eyebrows raised. “AH! Because bright dragons do not ever lie!” She paused, “When a dragon gives testimony, it is the truth; no one ever questions the testimony of a bright dragon at any age.”

Matt considered that for a few moments. “So, when Artemis told the council what had happened, that was it.” 

Rebedita nodded solemnly. “Yes. That was it. Mattie, Rory knew all of this; he was raised here, he was prepared as every youngster here to be prepared to bond with a dragon, but for some unknown reason, the lessons never sank in for Rory.”  

Matt looked up at his Gran, “Everything you taught me was to prepare me for bonding with Artemis, wasn’t it?”

Rebedita smiled. “Yes,” she stated simply. 

Matt looked down at his hands, then up again. “Why am I the youngest to ever cross the vortex solo?” 

Rebedita smiled. “Because Domhnall was your father’s bonded dragon.”

Matt’s eyes opened wide. “Domhnall was bonded to my father?” he whispered. 

Rebedita nodded. Matt saw tears in her eyes. “Domhnall could not save your father because your father begged him to protect you first.” She sniffed. “Because of you and Artemis’s close relationship to Domhnall, he was able to share your auras to cross the vortex. That’s why you and he practiced so many times at the homestead. We were both absolutely convinced that the crossing could be made. We just hoped it would not be necessary. But the dark ones found us before we were ready, and now here we are still trying to catch up.” 

Artemis felt Matt’s distress and crawled into his lap and wrapped his neck around Matt’s neck. Feelings of love washed over Matt, and he wrapped his arms around Artemis. Suddenly, in his mind, he heard Domhnall say, “I love you too, Mattie,” and Matt started to cry. 

Once Matt overcame his sadness, he and Rebedita continued talking all afternoon and through supper. 

He didn’t remember when Gran had put him in his bed, but he woke up the next morning groggy and was hustled to the table by Meredith to eat a hearty breakfast. She smiled down at him, “You had a trying day yesterday, Mattie. Are you feeling any less confused today?”

Rebedita looked over her teacup. “Yes. How are you this morning?” she asked.

Matt looked at her through bleary eyes. “Tired,” he mumbled. 

Gran smiled sadly. “This is why I wanted to wait, to give you more time to be older, to be ready for the weight of what you must learn. Much of this will not be easy, Mattie.”  Gran took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “Because of the attack, I must not hold back any longer. The revelation that Artemis had chosen you before he hatched has shed one more light on your growing status.” Gran took another sip of her tea. “First, your aura developed earlier and stronger than usual. That’s why Domhnall and Katriona had to go into a dormant state to shield the homestead.  Yes, they were protecting their offspring, but you as well. Domhnall’s bond to you was nearly as strong as his bond to Artemis. And your aura was broadcasting beyond what I could shield; it took all our auras combined to shield you. This is a revelation by itself. Next came the hatching. Artemis should not have hatched for at least two more years.” Gran smiled at the memory. “When you walked in with that egg in your arms, I nearly fainted.” She laughed. “You, my dear Mattie, have been just one surprise after another.” Gran took another sip of tea and held her hand up to have Matt wait as he started to ask another question. 

She took a deep breath. “Then, Artemis announces at the grand council that he had chosen you to bond with before he hatched. Well, that has put everyone to talking. Matt, there is a prophecy that a dragon rider will be born to defeat the black dragon. This young rider will be powerful and pre-bonded. Listen to me, just because these three qualities seem to fit you, it does not mean you are this looked for rider to defeat the black dragon. So, I don’t want you to lose any sleep over what you may hear when I let you out of my sight again.” She smiled then laughed. “If I ever let you out of my sight again.”

 

Stay tuned for Artemis part 6. Molly and I are working on it now   Taurie