11The dragon stiffly wandered through the dark forest. The rain beat down like lead, making its way through the trees and drenching everything down below. The falling sky was a bleak gray, almost similar to the dragon down below.
The slick blackness of the dragon's scales shimmered metallically in the fading light of the sky. Wings folded back and resting on his back, the dragon sighed but continued on as his piercing nails dug into the ground with each step. His ears flickered at the sound of something near by and his blood-red eyes shot a glance towards the bush. A branch from the nearest tree fell and landed with a thud on the ground nearby. Closing his eyes once again, they began to sting from the coldness of the rain.
A witch slowly landed at the edge of the dark green, fog filled forest. She dismounted her broom and took of her pointed hat, watching the water drain off. She sighed to herself, knowing it wasn't proper for a witch to be flying in the rain. It was against all regulations. Though she was a rebel to a degree, she wasn't in the mood to be yelled at for something so pathetic. She plopped her hat back on her head and decided shelter would be the best idea, knowing she'd never make it back to her clan by walking in the rain. She began to head towards the forest.
Emberlye stopped, swishing his black scaly tail to glance around. He had been wandering through this forest forever and still he hadn't found the silver fox his friend had told him about. The silver fox was but a myth to all dragons but Emberlye was determined to prove everyone else wrong. He was, a rebel for dragons. Seeing something glistening to the right out of the corner of his eye, he decided to see if it was the fox. The tale told the silver animal gave out wishes; almost like another myth with rubbing a magic lamp and having a genie pop out and grant three wishes. But the fox was different. He was harder to catch and only granted wishes when he pleases. Emberlye wondered if he was the type to grant any at all.
Pawing into a clearing, he found nothing but the rain pouring down into the think mud. Getting highly frustrated, he turned to leave when again, he saw something silver jolt quickly in front of him and into a bush. Letting out a growl from deep in his throat he pounced into the bush only to find there was nothing there. Turning, finding whatever he had seen to be gone, he wasn't prepared for what he saw.
There sat, to what looked to be a human. As a young dragon, he wasn't supposed to be here in the forest and he had heard about what kind of things roamed in here but no, the worst thing that could happen was he would run across one of these. Too scared to move, Emberlye stared at the girl. She slowly turned, glaring at the dragon.
"You hurt me, you know that. For a snob of a dragon you're pretty quick. Honestly, I wish you would watch where you're pouncing." The girl said taking off her pointed hat.
The dragon ruffled his nose, confused at this human. He growled lowly and watched as she sighed, sitting on a broom of some sort. She had long red hair with black tips and a pointy black hat that was old and ragged with age. It looked as if it were a hand-me-down. She had on a black dress, torn in many places, also looked used, covered with a black robe. She seemed normally dressed like a witch but something about her, a vibe of emotion or the expression on her face, set her character to a unique stance that made anyone curious to hear more from her. She blinkered her yellow-cat eyes, curios now that the dragon hadn't replied.
"Don't tell me that you're mute." The witch said with a laugh, picking up her broom. She dusted it off and glanced again at the frozen dragon. She put her hands to her hips after leaning the broom against a rock and snickered.
"It's aight. I'm fine. I won't hurt you. Haven't you ever seen a witch?" She asked ringing out her wet robes under the shelter of the ring of trees. Emberlye finally snapped out of his slight confusion and let a puff of smoke blow out of his nose.
"Um, no, I've never seen a witch or human. Please, don't hurt me. I'm only here to find the silver fox . . ." Emberlye muttered. The girl slowly walked over and stood inches away from the horrified dragon. She lightly placed her hand on the black beast's nose and smiled. She slowly stroked down his muzzle, trying to calm him. She had dealt with dragons before but the emotions were normally the other way around.
"My name is Carrie. I am a witch, similar to a human as you said. I promise, with all of my heart, that I won't hurt you. Now, tell me your name and why your hear." She said taking her hand away. Emberlye sighed, feeling a little bit calmer now, but still nervous. Most of his fear now, was replaced with curiousness. He slowly lay down, so he was eye level with the witch. He was fairly big for his age but he would still grow much larger.
"My name is Emberlye, but my friends call me Ember." He replied. The witch nodded and snapped her fingers. Suddenly, a cup of hot tea appeared. Carrie seemed to sit in mid air, slowly taking a sip of tea. She looked back to the dragon and smiled.
"So, how old are you?" She asked.
"Eleven."
"Ah, fairly young but still very large I might add. You seem to be growing well. And I might add you are a unique breed. What type are you?" Carrie asked.
"I'm, not sure what you mean. Are you talking about my color? I'm always picked on for that. I'm the only black dragon there is in my clan. Normally, there are bright reds and oranges, yellows and greens, blues and violets, browns, even whites! I'm all alone though. I am the only black dragon." Ember explained. Carrie took another sip and nodded.
"That is horrible. It must come with a lot of pressure." She replied. The dragon nodded.
"Well, what are you doing out here in the rain, wandering through this forest?" The witch asked.
"My friends told me about this silver fox. They said he lived here in the forest. I didn't believe them when they said he was fake so I think they made up someone saw him in here. I was so excited that I flew right into this forest and now I'm lost." Ember explained.
"How horrible. Maybe, once this rain clears, I'll be able to bring you back home. Where exactly do you live?" Carrie asked glancing into her empty cup. She snapped her fingers again and in the cup's place, sat a tray with two cookies. She smiled and offered one to Ember who took it gladly.
"I live with my clan. We travel a lot but right now we're staying in the mountains to the North. I think it's that way." Ember tired to remember by pointing at a random direction. Carrie nodded and laughed at his childish appearance and finished her cookie.
"Well, you better get some rest and so should I. In the morning, the rain should have seized and I can take you home." Carrie said drifting to her feet. She walked over and picked up her broom. Leaning against a rock, she settled in and Emberlye rested right next to her. Without anymore talk, they both fell asleep.
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"A witch! I see a witch!"
"Where? Where do you see a witch?"
"Right there! Look! A dragon also!"
"Goodness. This is an amazing sight."
The two tree monkeys stared at the two newcomers of the forest. Wrapping his tail around the branch, one swung down to get a better look. He was only inches away from Emberlye's nose. He could feel the breeze blow in and out.
"It's just as if a hurricane came down here." The monkey said to his companion up above, trying to swat away the breeze. Emberlye's red eyes jolted open, meeting the dark green of the tree monkey. He snarled, letting a growl escape his mouth. The monkey screeched and pulled itself back into the tree. Emberlye roared at being woken up in such a way and paced below the tree, trying to think if he should waste is time on such pitiful creatures.
"What the hell are you doing?" Carrie groaned sitting up. She looked at the black dragon that wouldn't take his eyes off of the two monkeys in the tree above. The witch grumbled and snapped her fingers. A small, fog surrounded her, making her invisible for a moment while a rain-cloud appeared above her head. Taking a quick shower, Ember turned, worried that something bad had happened to his witch friend.
"Carrie! Where are you?" The dragon asked looking around the ring of trees, creating dust as he paced around the now dry ground. The witch laughed to herself as she finished her quick shower and pulled her close on as the rain cloud disappeared. Once her clothes were on, the fog disappeared. She shook her head picking up her broom.
"You really don't know witches well do you?" She asked combing back her wet hair. Ember sighed and shook her head. Suddenly, Carrie's hair was dry and she seemed all fit and ready to go.
"How did you-?" Ember went to ask.
"Do not question, that of a witch." Carrie laughed putting her finger to the dragon's mouth.
"Come on, it's time to take you home. I'll lead you out of the forest, and I'll take you home. Follow me." She said mounting her broom. It seemed fairly new, considering some of the brooms witches ride on. She flew up and into the trees. Ember sighed and followed her.
Branches and leaves brushed their faces and before they knew it, they were out of the forest, and just above it. Carrie smiled as the breeze blew through her hair. Suddenly, the black dragon appeared right underneath her and looked around.
"Now, which way is your house?" She asked.
"Ah, I know now. Over there." Emberlye said pointing this time, in the right direction. Carrie nodded and they began to fly in that direction.
"So, I'm sorry you couldn't find that silver fox. Maybe I can have a little fun with your friends." The witch stated with a grin. Emberlye snickered, imagining what a witch could do as he pumped his wings to keep up with her. He wondered how much magic witches really had. Maybe they were limited. He wasn't sure but he promised himself he would find out.
"You seemed, somewhat brave when I first met you. Just keep up your spirits and I'm sure you'll do great. I'm not a master on dragons so I don't know what you have planned for your life or anything so, I can't wish you luck with that. Maybe you can tell me. What exactly do dragons do?" Carrie asked. The black dragon paused for a moment, realizing the question himself.
"Well, I'm not quite sure that it's the same thing for every dragon but, I somewhat know what I want to do. I'm quite young now, I have many years that I can think about it and all, but I really do think I have in mind what I plan on doing in life. Maybe, or, at least this is one of my options, I can do what most dragons do which is, try to slyly make your way into a kingdom and steal away your very own princess. Then, you can make her cook and clean for you. It becomes so much similar to vacation that, dragons don't ever do anything else so, and I've kinda looked away from that. Another option is to fly around the world doing anything I please. I could steal a princess then and come back when I'm done doing my business in a different country."
"Wow, it seems like you've got a lot planned. Anything else?" Carrie asked once again.
"I haven't really thought of too many things. I mean, I want to do something no other dragon has done or can do. I want to be different from everyone else. I don't want to be the same, it gets so boring and anyway, everyone, not only dragons, will look up to me then. I wouldn't be left out, or rejected as I am now. Anyway, that is enough about me. How about you?" Ember asked.
The witch was silent as she looked off towards the bright sun that was glowing up above. The faint, two moons, could be seen off in the distance. Down below them were fields and valleys that ever changing shapes continued on as far as the eye could see at the moment. The red haired witch sighed.
"I'm, quite similar to you I guess. I'm not rejected in my group because of any color but my father was human while my mother was a witch as I am. Witches are only supposed to be among warlocks, and in certain cases, wizards but not anything to do with humans. And, when everyone found out, they worried I would interferer with there 'witch' plans because I was different. The only way you can tell I had a human father, other than hearing from someone, would be the fact that I can live among humans. Other witches would catch a cold or possibly a horrible flu but me, no, nothing would happen." Carrie said sighing. The black dragon blinked, finding that he felt bad because he couldn't quite show pity towards her. That was something he had struggled with his whole life.
"I see. Well, let's change the subject because I think we're nearing my clan anyway." Ember said feeling his claws itching to touch the ground again. He wasn't used to flying for such a long time. It didn't hurt to be in the air for so long but his legs felt as if they'd ought to be on ground about now. So, the two companions took to the ground and rested for a couple minutes. Soon after, they were on their feet and walking through the largest valley they had come across yet.
"My clan lives inside the bowl-shaped valley ahead. I'm not sure how they would react if you came along with me though." Ember added. The witch grinned, leaning against her broom.
"That is no problem. I'll just change forms." Carrie said pulling something out of her pocket. She began to roll it around it her hand.
"You can change forms? Doesn't that take years of practice?" Emberlye asked. The witch nodded.
"Which I happily have. Now, watch this." She said molding the object in her hand into a small sparrow. It only took her moments before the small clay bird was delicately detailed in every way and seemed to almost come to life. Carrie set it on the palm of her hand.
"How does this look for years of practice?" She asked shrugging her shoulders. The dragon grinned, showing his layers of fangs, and nodded. Carrie nodded also and suddenly, was glowing a deep red. Emberlye backed off a little, giving the experienced her room, and watched as the red light brilliantly grew a deeper red, almost like wine. When the red faded, all that was left was a small, speckled brown sparrow with a light-blue scarf tied around its neck. It looked up and Emberlye and seemed to smile but he couldn't tell from his height.
"Ready?" She asked.
"Where did your broom go?" Ember asked.
"Right here. It's my bleu scarf."
"What?"
"I made it take on another form also. I know, it's hard to understand. Let's go." The sparrow said hopping over to the black beast. Ember sighed and lowered his head until it almost touched the ground. Carrie bobbed her tail as she prepared for the leap. Within seconds, and many tries, she was up on the top of the dragon's head. Soon after, they were off towards the valley.
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A/N: Well, this is an edited version. I like to keep things at my best possible. Thank you reviewers for showing me my mistakes and here is what I'm able to give back. The corrections! I know someone asked for more of a unique description on Carrie, not Mina, I've also fixed that, so I added some more, er, detail on her outfit. I'm not sure I really took time explaining her well. Also, I tried to do a little bit more, how can I say this, 'spark' I guess. I'm not sure what word to use. Anyway, thank you for pointing out my mistakes! ^_^
~Emberlye