• Kade's Story •

by Neishai

The seekers came in the night. To some it seemed strange, but of late Kade could only be found at this time. During the day he rested his eyes as he lay in what he considered a glorified cave, dimly lit with baskets full of glowing fungi.

He didn't want to see himself, and didn't have to see anything at night. Otherwise, as he walked through the halls his hazel eyes became smoky shards of moldavite, his long brown ringlets were painted with sooty light. Even his warm-brown skin appeared dirty. His whole life was dirty, stained with lies and deceit.

Why am I here? he asked himself in disgust. He hated living underground, hated living in fear of the sky. The sky! But one must be wary of deceptively delicate strands of silver falling from an otherwise radiant blue sky.

He would learn later that his escort had searched for days until someone had suggested looking during the twilight hours. His presence had been felt, but never so strongly, never so actively, as when he was awake -- at night.

It was around midnight when he stole away to look at the stars. They were infinitesimal yet numerous, beyond one's ability to count. Like ants to the aardvark, they could be swallowed by the firmament but there would always be more.

He looked at a particularly bright blue pinprick and was filled with a strange sense of determination. It was as if he knew that while this one tiny star was unimportant to this world, it was the source of life for another. It made him want to do something, but he hadn't a clue what that something was!

With a disconsolate sigh, he leaned against a murky blob, a stone that jutted outward from the wall that he had once carefully chosen because it felt like a stone chair. As quickly as he let out a breath however, he gasped, a huge shape suddenly appearing before him with a great whoosh of air. Large eyes gleamed dimly in the starlight; blue hide ghostly as if lit by it's own phosphorescence. A dragon!

"I … I'm sorry, I didn't know … I thought--" he stammered, thinking at first that he had happened upon the resident watch-dragon's resting place.

And he is found, came a voice. The huge dragon (so went the perspective of a gaping boy from underneath the foretalons of a looming winged beast) spoke with meticulous clarity, ensuring Kade would "hear" as well.

"This is the one?"

Kade gasped. What will happen now? Have I been betrayed? His lip curled into a snarl at the thought.

Do not be afraid.

"It's all right. We ride on 'Search,' as you would say."

"Search?" Search, as in for a hatching?

He watched as the nebular beast seemed to split in two as his rider dismounted. His eyes widened in disbelief as a furry, four-legged shape approached. It -- he -- appeared to be some sort of canine. Kade realized he must be dreaming, what he was seeing would otherwise be impossible.

If you come with us, you will find that few things are truly 'impossible.'

"I…don't understand."

"Don't be afraid," the wolf-phantom said.

Said! A talking dog!

"My name is Tokala," he continued, "and this is Saaventh. We're from another world called Acadia. We too have dragons, and need candidates to bond them."

"You…you think…" He could hardly believe it. A dragonrider! Him! Kade!

Dragoneer. On Acadia, riders of dragons are called 'dragoneers.' There are many similarities, but also differences, as you would see.

"Saaventh brought up a very good point. There are many differences between our two worlds, though the rewards are the same."

Dragons from other worlds like Twin Moon actually breathe fire. The Reverse Light Blue belched forth a healthy flame, sending Kade jumping to his feet. Then the boy laughed.

Tokala grinned. "So will you join us?"

"Oh, yes! There's no need to pack. Let's just go!"

It was hard to tell whose smile was larger, the dragon's or the wolf's.

Coming soon -- Kade's arrival at Twin Moon! A hatching is sure to occur at any time!