Strachana by Judy Colella (accelerated reader books TXT) 📖

ever-frozen northern mountains, Neri’s original home. Others had found a place north but not quite as far. Still others, the ones more human than draconic, had headed south, while the rest had traveled both east and west.

The family was, indeed, scattered to the four winds. All four generations of them. Neri and Zela, having said their farewells to children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, the numbers of which had grown exponentially, remained near the cave. Zela was getting old, so Neri built her a warm, comfortable cottage near the tree J’nah had blown up all those years ago. They kept the cave-mouth covered but otherwise intact so he would still have the benefit of sleeping there in his dragon form from time to time.

Kavin himself was getting achy and creaky with years. He had retired as Castle Scribe earlier in the year and was now living in Welan’s cottage full-time. His mentor had left it to him, along with his most treasured scrolls and books. Kavin, for his part, had made sure his godchildren, and later, their offspring, had full access to Welan’s extensive library.

This night, his visitors were Zela and Neri. The dragon had brought his wife in their cart, afraid she had become too frail to ride safely on his back. When they’d arrived, the sun had begun to slide below the horizon, sending up its own tapestry of oranges, reds, purples and yellows to ease the fall of night’s dark blue. The couple had stood outside the door with Kavin to watch the lovely display, one that none of them had ever grown tired of watching.

At last, as the sky began to glitter with stars and planets, they headed inside to enjoy the light supper Kavin had prepared.

“Sorry I don’t have any cows to serve up.” He grinned at his silly old joke, setting the plates of lamb and vegetables before his guests.

“I should think not! What a mess that would make!” Zela giggled, sounding as young as she’d been when Kavin had first met her, despite the pure white hair and gentle lines of age. She had once remarked that the white hair was as close to looking like a dragon as she’d ever get.

After the meal, they sat in silence before the hearth, enjoying peaceful crackle of the flames, the warmth and their sated appetites.

And then Neri cleared his throat. “I hate to speak of things that are unpleasant, friend Kavin, but I must. Zela and I have discussed this and she agrees it must be said.” He sighed, his expression sad. “My beloved will not be with us forever, and you, too, will be gone all too soon.” He stopped, frowning back the gleam of new moisture in his eyes.

Zela, sitting beside him on the cushioned bench, grasped his hand, but said nothing.

He glanced sideways and smiled, gently squeezing her fingers. “When she is gone, I, too, shall leave. I’gra-Na and Vorel have assured me I may live with them once my grieving time is over. And since I’ve been given similar invitations by J’nah and his mate, not to mention almost every other member our vast family – ” He paused to allow fond chuckle. “Well, with all that, it looks like I’ll be kept busy paying calls on everyone, eh?” He tucked Zela’s hand into the crook of his arm and sat back, closing his eyes.

“I will be most sad when these things happen, Neri.” Kavin stood and faced the couple. “You have been my dearest and closest friends. Zela, if you outlive me, be sure to get the library packed up and sent somewhere safe. However, I am already working on that myself, and either way, want to be sure its contents will always be available to your family members. Neri, my God, I wish you would stay, at least until this old man takes his final breath. I don’t want to die alone.”

“Oh, Kavin, you have  many friends here!”

“Yes, Neri. Good ones, too. None of them, though, mean more to me than you, Zela…your entire family. Since I never had time to seek another wife after Cresta died, and since we had no other children than the one who died with her during his birthing, and since I no longer have the energy it would take to return to Marclor to seek my brothers, you’re my only family now. So I would love dearly to have you here until the end. Still, I fully understand you wanting to leave this place once your beloved is gone.” He offered Zela an apologetic shrug, and then fell silent.

“You do realize what you’ve done, Kavin, yes?” Neri raised an eyebrow.

What was this? “Have I committed some trespass, my friend?”

“Trespass?” Neri gave him a look of surprise and then burst out laughing. “What a strange man you are sometimes! By the frost, no! What I meant was…Ah, Kavin! Because of you, humans have slowly begun to accept dragonkind over the years since you have been our friend. You’ve done an invaluable service to both man and dragon.”

Kavin nodded, not sure he’d done enough. How did one reach those like Gravnel’s son? Those who refused to let go of the old prejudices and hatred? Of course, this was a problem on the dragon side of the issue as well, only when they decided to attack, the weaker, smaller humans never even had a chance...

Accurately guessing the reason for Kavin’s pensive silence, Neri patted him on the shoulder. “I’ve done what I can among my race. As have those who, like me, have mingled successfully with humans.”

Kavin nodded, and they fell into a companionable silence. There was really nothing more to say right then. Change was coming faster now, a ball of snow picking up both bulk and momentum as it careened down an impossibly steep mountainside. At the bottom when it finally hit – who could tell? Casualties were inevitable, but something new and better could just as plausibly emerge.

Being the human godfather to four beautiful hybrids and a heart-friend to dragonkind and dragonkin had been quite the adventure, and Kavin had enjoyed every moment. He regarded the mixed couple on the bench adjacent to his and smiled. At least for now, for that tiny stretch of time in which they all sat, life was comprehensible – and good.

Tomorrow, he knew, would probably be another story.

 

 

The End of Part I (Iuh Ir – Sulta)

Imprint

Text: Judith A. Colella
Publication Date: 08-29-2012

All Rights Reserved

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