¿ªÔÆÌåÓý?- Mikayla - As she listened much of what he told her she had already figured out. The minute he said he was the dog that would not let her pass, she remember the dog from the story...Angus.?Everything started to come to her then.? She understood then that Angus was the dog and the Dragon was the young idealistic mage who thought he could right the ills of the world. But he was cruel now. Angry. Bitter. ¡°All the girls from the village... he was searching for someone who could read the book.¡± She said more to herself than to Angus. However when he dropped to one knee, she gasped. ¡°Please Angus no,¡± she said taking him by the arm. Please you give me too much credit. I am but a simple girl. I have no magical ability. I am sure there is a reason for what happened that has less to do with me and more to do with the moon or the season or just how hope you both are. Please, please stand.¡± She said pulling him up his feet. ¡°Will you please take me too him. I wish to see him now.¡± She said.? (Angus, The Dragon) "You are no 'simple girl', Mistress Mikayla," Angus said as he rose to his feet at the girl's urging. "And magical ability can be found in the strangest places.? The master has put many, many girls to the test over the years."? The man turned to regard her with grizzled respect.? "You are the only one who was able to read the book."? At her request to be taken to the dragon, Angus nodded and bowed slightly.? "As you wish, mistress.? I believe he has recovered enough for you to see him now." "Please forgive the master for his bouts of rage and foul temper," the man went on as he led Mikayla out of the chamber and into the hallway that led to one of the keep's towers.? "The years - and the disappointments - have taken their toll on him.? He is now the dragon and the dragon is him, and it's a continuing struggle within him as to which will dominate. But he still respects courage.? Always remember that. So long as you show no fear, he will not give in to the beast within." Angus was silent for the rest of the time as they ascended the stairwell leading up through the tower.? He stopped at the doorway to the tower proper and knocked on the door.? "Master?? Mistress Mikayla would like to see you." "Now?" a deep voice rumbled from the other side of the oaken door, not sounding at all pleased.? "Where was she before, when I actually needed her?" Angus spared a please-bear-with-him look to Mikayla, then turned his attention back to the door.? "Would you rather I send her away?" "No!" The word rang out with such force that the door fairly rattled on its hinges, this time tinged with a note of panic.? A moment passed before the deep voice resumed, this time with less volume and more calm.? "Please bid her enter... if it pleases her to do so." With that, Angus opened the door inward and bowed to let Mikayla pass.? Inside the tower room, the Dragon waited, perched on a stone dias.? But through he was trying to look imperious, there was a visible strain in his body language, as if it was taking all of his strength just to keep himself upright.? "Welcome back, my lady," he managed, bowing his head slightly.? "I..."? the word hung in the air as he tried to collect his thoughts.? "...welcome back," he finished lamely, almost collapsing as he let himself lie lower on the dias, unable to keep himself propped up any longer. Tag - Mikayla |
