The Dragons Egg : XXV : Awaken : Eveline : Preview

XXV

Awaken

                                                                Eveline        

Eveline awoke upon the floor of the great hall and let out a strained gasp. Her eyes felt heavy and her body languid as she tried to find her balance. With a frown upon her face she looked up, the air not silent as expected but filled with voices and light. The great hall was brimming with druids who seemed to be in quite a state of terror. As she came to stand upon her feet, they stopped and turned to her, Merlin’s highest serving priest, Patrick lifting a hand.

“You found the wizard?” he said loudly, his green eyes bright and intense. Eveline now standing beside the great throne, clasped onto the arm for support whilst shaking her head. “And? Is he to return?” the priest commanded with an assertive voice.

“He will not be returning,” Eveline announced to the now filled hall. Terrified whispers began to spread and the high priest came forward before Eveline.

“What happened to him?” he asked severely, his eyes untrusting.

“Merlin has perished this night,” Eveline said aloud, a strange wave of strength and courage taking her as she eyed the priest, her body straightening and her eyes deepening.

“How? Did you kill him?” the priest said in disarray.

“It is of no consequence priest what occurred between Merlin and myself,” Eveline said sharply, her own words shocking her. “He is dead and you are to stand in his place until his son returns to take his throne.”

“I…I don’t understand how the great wizard could perish!” the priest raged on. Eveline waved a hand as she saw her companions enter the hall.

“Why the chaos?” she asked the priest with stern upper lip. The priest looked upon Eveline and bowed his head.

“We have been breached my lady,” he said with an anxious glare. “Someone has betrayed you to the enemy!”

“The knights?” Eveline said breathlessly. “They are here within the castle?”

“No my lady they stand upon the beach as she speak, still and without movement,” the priest said hesitantly. As he spoke, Olivia, Edward, William and Matthew came to her, all of them dressed and ready to flee.

“What has happened to Merlin?” Olivia said hurriedly as she took Eveline into an embrace, bringing her lips to her ear. “Someone within this castle is working against us, you must come with us whilst it is safe.”

“Evie come,” Matthew said calmly with a knowing smile upon his lips. Edward turned to the high priest.

“Someone among us has betrayed us to the enemy, find out who it is and position guards at the walls and gates now!” he said with authority. Eveline’s brows arched in surprise to see the kindly professor suddenly turn into a leader of men. The high priest simply bowed his head and turned on his feet. “No one is to enter or leave do I make myself clear?” Edward cried out.

“Perfectly,” Patrick returned as he swept away his white robe and walked away into the hysterical mass of druids.

“Eveline you must hurry to your chambers and gather all that you need, we must flee this island tonight before the knights breach the castle gates!” William said as he took Eveline by the hand and guided her through the hall, followed by the rest of the company.

“I must see them!” Eveline said with defiance as she stopped running and stood her ground. “These druids will surely die at their hands, and I will not have it. I will not desecrate all that Merlin has built, not this night!”

“But Eveline…if they find you, you will surely perish!” Olivia cried out frantically. “There are no weapons that can withhold these knights!”

“A good plan and distraction may help our cause, there is one last thing I need to do,” Eveline turned to William, who looked down into her eyes with a gaze of confusion, until he saw a strange light in Eveline’s golden glare and smiled.

“Yes…it could work,” he said with a shrug. “But you will need to know where you are going.”

“I am going to find Galean,” Eveline returned, this time her eyes falling over all of her companions who looked a little perplexed.

“What are you both talking about?” Olivia said aloud.

“Eveline go and find the door, when you return we shall be ready,” William said with haste, his strong hands upon her wrists. “Livy I will explain everything!”

Eveline without another thought ran from her friends through the corridors of the castle, searching for the door of Ecnes. She knew that there was no time to explain to the others her adventures, but was glad to know that when she returned they would be enlightened and ready for the fight ahead. As she ran through the castle, she stopped by a circular window and looked down at the beach. The sun was starting to rise over the distant sea and with it the tide was beginning to turn, soon the knights would have access to the island, soon they would descend upon the castle. She spotted two figures standing quite still in the distance and felt an instant pain within her mind which forced her to fall against the stone wall in agony. Clutching at her head she tried to find focus as the pain began to subside. She needed to find Galean and fast, his sword was that of the highest angel, and she knew that within the sword would like an element which may be able to severely wound a knight. Finding her feet once more, Eveline ran as fast as the wind until she came to the familiar narrow corridor and the great door of Ecnes. Her breathing heavy and her forehead dashed in beads of sweat she quickly waved her hand over the arch and awaited the ancient door to open. As the door began to open, she quickly squeezed through the small opening and entered the room of doors. There was no time in which to observe the writings upon the doors, but there was only one left in which to open and with another wave of her hand the door to the present opened and in she stepped.

Before her lay two doors, each of them emblazoned with runes over their arches. Not understanding the old English, Eveline turned to the left hand door and stepped towards it, taking in a deep breathe. Her hair was now loose and her cream blouse stained with the soil of Eden. Uncaring, she waved her hand over the arch and watched as the door opened. The universe lay within the gap and with a firm grasp of her senses, Eveline stepped into the familiar black void and felt herself fall through time. In the blink of an eye she felt herself fall against a cold surface and let out a small cry, her body severely winded. As the customary wave of nausea passed over Eveline she brought herself to her feet and looked about her. She was standing within what seemed to be a channel of small caves. Looking about the small cave, she found the air foul and heavy. Water curled over the yellow stone and fell upon the moist ground. Before her was a small arched opening and with steady caution Eveline made her way towards it. Walking through the arched doorway she turned onto a narrow corridor. Behind her there was a wall and before her she could see a faint light. As she forced herself onwards, a great wail erupted around her and she closed her eyes in fear. Clutching at her ears she found herself moving towards the sound until she found herself coming out into an opening. Below her a great circular staircase lay before her, circulating about six times before touching the ground of what looked to be an enormous cave, which was not without life. Clutching to the iron railing, she covered her mouth as she gasped. Below her was a great golden dragon, with deep, flashing amber eyes and scales so sharp and deep, that to Eveline they closely resembled the tsingy limestone formation in Madagascar, of which she had seen within a book some years ago. The dragon was restless as it breathed out great flames of burning fire out into the open night sky. The cry from its large belly would have struck many a people deaf, but as Eveline clung to the railings in shock, she observed the dragon to be in some sort of discomfort as though in pain.

Eveline knew not where she was, but upon recalling several conversations with Galean, she rather believed herself to be in the presence of one of the great dragons to which he commanded. Remembering in particular the details given of two particular dragons in which were gifted to him as a child, Eveline wondered for a moment whether the dragon below was Aurora. Aurora was the Queen of the dragons and her mate Nuyay was Galean’s own dragon and King of the dragons. Her skin now hot and moist, Eveline began perilously to make her way down the dangerous steps, making sure to keep herself quiet and unseen. It wasn’t until she had reached the ground of the great cave some a hundred feet high that the dragon stopped crying and stopped moving. Seeing Aurora still sent a terrible chill through Eveline’s body, she wasn’t sure if the dragon would be able to see her. Moulding her body to the wall, she tried to balance her breathing but found she could not for the fear instilled within her would not no matter how hard she tried, abate. Aurora turned her golden head in Eveline’s direction, her great tale which was of a deeper gold danced about her as her great amber eyes fell upon Eveline, her nostrils widening and her teeth shining against the light of a few beacons. Slowly, her enormous feet moved across the floor until the great dragon stood before Eveline, her face lowered before her, her pupils thin and black. Eveline could hear the gulp within her throat as it washed down her oesophagus and down into her empty stomach. Aurora’s eyes flickered at the sound and her nostrils widened as though she were taking in Eveline’s scent.

“He…hello,” Eveline said softly as she raised a hand out in protection. All it would take was one swift intake of breathe and one clean out take and Eveline would be dead, her ashes left upon the floor of a cave. Aurora groaned in response, her brows furrowing. “I am…Eveline.” Aurora raised her head and gave out a cry, which shook Eveline and caused her knees to buckle. Instead of smiting Eveline to ashes, the dragon once more bent her head low and tilted it slightly as though to get a better look at the imposter. She was beautiful Eveline thought with a smile upon her lips, she was as golden as the sun and as radiant as the moon. For a creature so big, she was somehow elegant and feminine in shape and movement. Her eyes were beautifully curved and even her lips were feminine. “I am a friend of Galean’s?” she said with more confidence in her voice. At his name, the great dragon let out a cry of understanding and lifted her head away from Eveline, her eyes still upon her. “I need to find him.” It was useless she thought as she stepped away from the wall, how a dragon could understand her words. But as she spoke, the dragon turned away and stepped towards the great opening, groaning loudly as she looked back to Eveline and then looked out once again to the great outside world. “Do you know where he is?” Eveline said as she edged her way about the cave, coming to stand near to the opening, a great wind forcing her backwards. Aurora sniffed loudly and then looked down at Eveline, nodding her head, her eyes filled with what looked to be tears. Before Eveline could ask, Aurora lifted her body away from what looked like an enormous nest and cried out again. Her brows furrowed, Eveline stepped over towards the great nest and peered into it. It was empty. Lifting her eyes to the dragon she knew without a word what had happened. “Died?” she asked with softness in her golden gaze. The dragon blew out a great wave of hot air and shook her head. Dumb struck, Eveline rattled her brains. “Alive?” Aurora growled as she nodded before turning her chin down low to one of her paws, which looked to be bound by a great and heavy chain. Who would chain such a beautiful creature thought Eveline as she tried to make sense of the scenario. And then it clicked, she didn’t know how, she didn’t much understand, but it clicked. “Taken?” she said loudly. At this word, Aurora grew terribly angry and thrust her tail about violently, causing Eveline to run to the nearby wall and seek safety. As she knelt down and clutched at her knees, Galean’s necklace dropped away from her blouse and fell out. Seeing the jewel, the dragon suddenly stopped and turned to her, bending her nose down low before her. Eveline felt herself pinned to the wall with no escape as the dragon took in the jewel. Looking down, Eveline smiled before wrapping her fingers about the jewel and lifting it up towards Aurora. “Galean gave this to me,” she said with a sad smile. The dragon’s tear filled eyes began to lift as though in understanding. “Can you take me to him?” she asked daringly for time was short. Aurora nodded before thrusting her bound foot out before Eveline. Smiling, Eveline lifted a hand. “I can release you from your chains,” she said as she cautiously stepped towards the great foot, Aurora’s nails as sharp as the heads of spears. Aurora lifted her head away from Eveline as she laid a hand upon the chains. Observed her foot closely, she realised that the chains were so tightly bound that they were beginning to seep into the skin of the dragon, forcing blood to spill and stain her foot. She must have been unwillingly forced into the chain Eveline thought as she waved her hand over the chain and closed her eyes, feeling the familiar warmth rush down her arm, hand and tips of her fingers. With a loud bang, the chains fell away and Aurora cried out with joy above her. Quickly Eveline stepped away from the dragon, still very aware that in the wrong spot she could very well be killed.

Aurora walked about freely, paying particular attention to her hurt foot and giving Eveline a moment in which to once more observe the empty nest. She knew not who would take a dragons egg, but whoever it was she had the feeling that this great dragon would soon have her revenge. After a moment of joyous relief, Aurora turned to Eveline and dropped her body down upon the ground, lowering her neck, her great eyes upon Eveline. She knew what the dragon wished and with bated breath she walked over to her and climbed up onto her back, surprised at how cool her skin was. Bending her own body down low and holding onto the thick scales, Eveline felt her heart jump up into her throat as the great dragon cried out and with one great beat of her wings took flight into the cold night sky of the outside world. The sun too was beginning to rise over the horizon, bathing its gentle light over the world beneath Eveline and Aurora. Her mind whizzing and her body swirling, Eveline kept herself low, the sight of a great forest beneath making her feel queasy. Aurora seemed to be as high as the sky itself as she soared through the crisp air, bellowing out great cries of relief as she swooped low over the forest which soon gave way to a great plain of land which was spotted with small villages and hamlets and fields of animals. Feeling herself strengthen, Eveline lifted her body and head away from Aurora, her hands still upon the scales and for the first time since taking flight allowed her eyes to scan the great world about her. She was in Meer and the thought filled her with excitement and energy, knowing soon that she would be travelling to the ancient kingdom. For a great while she flew over countless villages and great plains of grass, most of which were now covered in a thick layer of snow. Close to her great groups of birds she had never before witnessed flew alongside Aurora. In the near distance, she saw a great basin of water and found herself gazing upon the great lake of Meerethe, bigger than the loch ness and loch neigh put together. It was vast and its waters a deep black in colour. Upon the coasts she saw great fleets of ships and wondered if they were in preparation for the upcoming war.

Aurora swirled lower until the tips of her claws touched the waters below, spraying Eveline lightly in the face. Lifting her head and smiling broadly, Eveline let out her own cry of joy and mirth and felt the warmth of the sun fall upon her face. Soon she spotted the island of Meerethe and soon Aurora flew lower, until she circled around a great palace, swirling downwards carefully until she came to stand upon a great harbour. With a thud Eveline fell forward. Aurora bent her body low to the ground and with ease, Eveline jumped down onto the ground below. Turning to the dragon she placed a hand upon her face. “I will forever be indebted to you,” she said with a smile as the dragon groaned in return. “Now go and find your egg!” she commanded before running off in the direction of the palace, hearing the great dragon take to the air once more, a great roar of vengeance upon her breathe. Eveline stopped a moment and fell against a tree. She knew that she could not just walk into a palace dressed as she was and looking how she currently looked. She would need to be careful, she would need to stay incognito. It was still early in the morning and so with renewed hope, she ran on through the thick woods, the great palace upon the horizon. When finally she found herself ascending a great mound, the palace came into focus and the trees began to take formation with paths weaving in between them. The palace of Meerethe was tall and round, and strangely to Eveline’s curious eye, the front half of the palace which lay to the north was surrounded by a great wall, and as she stretched her eyes, she realised that a great city lay beneath the wall and to the north. Yet the southern part of the palace was without a wall and instead it met with a great garden which led down to a great river, which seemed to pass under the very palace itself. It was made of white stone and seemed to have several levels, with large arched windows. Eveline spotted what looked to be a maid, who was slipping through what may have been a servant’s door and so with pace she followed quietly, running up the steps with speed. As she came to the small door, she slipped through it and spotted the maid who was carrying a bowl of water. Not knowing in which direction to go, she merely followed the maid in hope of a miracle. The corridors were wide and upon the walls were great tapestries and hanging from the ceiling great chandeliers. Upon the ground were fur rugs and upon the walls flags. It was as Eveline often thought Galean, very Nordic. But she had no time in which to observe and digest, soon the maid stopped and turned to a great set of doors and opened the left hand side door with great strength. Eveline wandered close to the door and keeping her breathe stilled, peered around and into a great chamber.

He lay upon a great bed of furs, above him the scull of a great animal bearing down upon him as though he were a spy of the Gods or spirits. The maid quietly placed the bowl of water upon a wooden table and lifted another bowl from the same place. Turning about she wiped her brow with the back of her hand and made for the door. Eveline, frightened of being seen, ran down the corridor in the opposite direction and hid behind a large stuffed animal. Seeing the maid make off in the other direction, Eveline headed back to the chambers and with strength opened one of the doors and entered the room, closing the door behind her. Her heart stuttered a little as she stood before the bed. The room was indeed grand, with great weapons upon the walls and a round circular window upon the centre of the ceiling, in which a soft light filtered down. To her right were shelves of books and a large table filled with scrolls and maps. To her left lay a great leather trunk which had upon it a cloak of fur. Close to the trunk were three great swords all lined up beside one another. Her breathe coming in waves, Eveline quietly rounded the bed until she came to stand before the stricken man she had fallen in love with and ruined her marriage for. His body was frail, his skin and lips pale and his hair greasy and moulded to the pillows beneath. His hands were clasped upon his stomach and his cheeks were hollow. He was but a ghost of his former self, the man who had been strong and untouchable. Now he was weak and lay dying, with a great sweat upon his skin. Eveline turned to the bowl of water and lifted a clean cloth. Dipping the cloth into the water she rung it and turned to Galean and began to clean his face and neck, allowing her fingers to trace his features, tears falling from her eyes and settling within the curve of his own eyes.

“My love,” she whispered through her pain as she washed him clean, turning to place the wet cloth within the bowl. Carefully she climbed up onto the edge of the bed and took a hold of his hands, bringing one of them to her lips. As she kissed his knuckles she felt his body shiver. His upper body was naked but for the heavy blankets cast over him and as Eveline gently put down his hands, she brought the blankets back and found his upper chest bound by cloth, which was stained with blood. As she looked upon his chest she noticed his mother’s jewel, lying over his shallow beating heart. Clasping her own jewel she lowered her lips to his ear and whispered his name. As she spoke his name a soft gleam of light erupted from the jewels and her heart began to fill with a warmth she had first felt upon that night. His eyes still eclipsed by tears, she placed a hand upon his face tenderly. “If you do not love me, I shall not be loved. If I do not love you, I shall not love,” she whispered as she kissed his brows, her heart imploding with the unspoken pain and grief that she had carried since his great fall before the shadow Lagmar. “I thought you dead,” she went on to whisper. “Were I could muster the power to bring you back from clutches of our enemy I would,” she said with reverence. “I need you.” She said as her voice broke within and she pressed her forehead against his own. “I cannot breathe without your lungs, I cannot see without your eyes and I cannot live without your beating heart. Come back to me, come back to me and we can fight this war as one. I promise I shall never leave your side.” With a sniff, Eveline bent down and kissed his cold lips. As her lips met with his own she felt a hand upon her arm and flew back in alarm. Her eyes wide and her mouth opened, she gazed into the beautiful blue eyes of Galean. For a moment they stared at one another, both lost for words. Instead he sought her head with his hand and brought her down once more, raising his cold lips to her own, kissing her deeply, their tears mingling as one, their hearts beating as one and their breathes interweaving as one.

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