¿ªÔÆÌåÓý(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. ?- Mikayla - Mikayla smiles softly at Angus, but inside she was lost in thought. There was no way she had any magical abilities. Just no way. She tried not to wring her hands as she walked, listening to him tell the story of the Dragon. It made her wonder what happened to all the girl who had been her before her? Had they been eaten...set free...Were they not allowed to come back to the village? Mikayla listened to Angus...show no fear. She feared that maybe harder than it seemed.?Sooner than she was ready they were at his door.? Show no fear she repeated and willed herself to calm down. As she stepped inside...one look at the Dragon caused her to gasped. He looked small and frail and in so much pain. Quickly she came to him. But not too quickly. He needed his pride. ¡°Thank you good sir,¡± she said. ¡°Have you broken you fast this morning yet?¡± She asked coming to sit beside him on the edge of the dais. |
