The Dragon Keeper
Chapter One - "The Realm of Dragons"

My father had helped me to find my loyal red dragon that soared in that dark sky. It had been four years since I had Hikaru now, here on Andromeda. As I watched her enjoy the freshness of the air, my green eyes glowed brightly and I chanted under my breath. In the next moment, a small fire appeared in torches to my right and left. In the middle of a circle where the torches were lit, I sat down on a small stone bench. I sat there, watching my dragon, and watching the Earth human that had so recently come into my life. John, that was his name. Rather unusual for my people, but it wasn’t bad. He fit into the night rather well, for his hair was black, and so were his clothes that I had given him. The clothes he wore now were the uniform a soldier would wear of the city we were living in, Borealis. It had been a week or more since I had first showed him my dragons. He was so amazed and daunted by them. I had asked my father if it would be all right to constantly bring him to see them. He had been allowed, and since that day, has gone to see them every night. I laughed out loud as I saw him looking up at the sky. I don’t think I could stop him even if I wanted to, anyway. John was a shadow against the even darker sky, and as I watched I was reminded of how he was when I first found him. Proud, standing as if just the sheer will of him would protect him from everything that came at him. I wouldn’t be surprised if it did. He came over to me and sat down. He ran a rough, tanned hand along the outskirts of the bench, perhaps sensing the craftsmanship my people had put into it.

Looking at the words that surrounded the bench he said, “What does it mean, Aurora?” I looked back at him and saw his face was full of curiosity. I got up and walked over to the beginning of the passage. Cold blue eyes followed where I went.

“It says,” I told him as I walked along the outskirts of the ancient words, “Here is the realm of the dragons. Here is our beginning. Our life. Our happiness. Our struggles. Our death. Here is our ending. Here is the kingdom of old…” There was a little space with a symbol I could not read and so I continued, “Here is where all shall meet together.”

He said nothing, just moved his eyes from me to the engraved words.

“It is a legend,” I explained sitting back down near him. I touched the lining of my black cloak, which was embroidered with the same words in gold lettering. “A very old legend of the humans on Andromeda. When the first Kings of Andromeda started to make their cities, they wanted people to remember where everything started, with the Dragons. They created the Cave of Dragons, our Lam ‘Nhi, and named it sacred. In order to protect it they bade that every Dragon Keeper protect it with magic. But in order to do that, the Dragon Keepers had to gather magic from the Dragons. Magic that they could use, whenever they called upon it. So all the Dragon Keepers that existed thus far came together, in one place, and formed a circle. In it they called to their Dragons. And in that moment the Dragons and the Dragon Keepers became bound together, for all times.

It is said that the Dragons and the Dragon Keepers always need one another to live, and if one should not exist nor would the other. The Dragons were our beginning and they will be our ending.”

He looked up, impressed with all of it in spite of himself. He seemed to like all the stories I told him about my planet, especially when it involved Dragon Keepers like me. I didn’t know why, it really wasn’t all that interesting. After all, it was just history “Aurora…” he asked me, resting his head on his hands again.

“Hmmm?”

He looked right at me and said, “Do…do your visions always come true?”

I knew what he was feeling. We had talked many nights about his planet, Earth, before the Dragons on this planet had miraculously brought him here. I myself had witnessed his arrival through the enchanted portal and had talked to the owner of the dragon who made him come. But no matter our conversations he had never asked that question before. Until now. “No,” I told him. “Many things can change the outcome that they foreshadow.” He wanted to save Earth, I knew it. And with all my heart, I wished he could. But we didn’t even know where to begin. As it was, I didn’t even know exactly how I saw visions of his planet Earth. There was still so much to learn, before I could figure out how to do anything. He was still so much the stranger in my world.

“Then,” he said. “Maybe I could change it.”

I just looked at him for there was nothing else I could say or do. Nothing would tell him how sorry I felt. He was strange, indeed, stranger than some of the other beings on Andromeda. Gods, but he also was so much like us, too, the parts that I saw. He was funny, kind, smart, and…he had become my friend.

He looked down again at the words and said, “I don’t think I’ll ever understand your world, Aurora.” He laughed. “I’ve been here for ‘bout half a year now. But even with Hikaru above me, I still can’t believe you've got dragons. It’s just…unreal. I think…no, I got to believe that there is something out there that will let me get home.”

I nodded at him. I understood. “Hey, enough of this, huh? Come on, I have to go find Hotaru and Sakaru. They’re always getting into trouble those two. Probably because they’re youngest, I suppose.” My eyes glowed as I silently called Hikaru. She came with a screech, giant red wings stretched against the sky as she landing expertly on the ground. Hikaru looked at me for a minute, and I rubbed her coat lovingly. She bent down, and I gently climbed onto her. “Are you coming?” I asked.

“You crazy?” he answered. “There’s no way…”

“Come on, John,” I coaxed. “She won’t hurt you. Trust me.”

He looked from the huge silent dragon to me and finally gave in, “All right.”

Stepping up to the dragon, he got behind me. He tried to hold onto Hikaru, but the pretty red dragon reared in defiance. “Dude, I knew this was a bad idea.”

“Don’t hold onto her,” I told him. “You’re still a stranger yet, after all she just met you a week ago. It makes her uncomfortable. Hold my waist if you must.” So he held onto my waist and I commanded Hikaru into the air. In one quick wing beat we were high above the ground, flying far away from the bench we had been sitting at. Hikaru went slow at first, sensing John’s need to get use to the flight. Gradually, she moved faster, sweeping down in a rush near the trees of one of the many forests of Borealis. Her flight was accelerating; filling my lungs with an air so cold every time I rode her I thought they would explode. The wind was strong, too, and it blew my hair into John’s face, making me laugh at the sight of him. I had no fear when I was up there. I had only the freedom the skies of Andromeda could bring, and the beautiful experiences every flight could give me.

John looked at it, and back at me. “Interesting. Do you use that to call all your dragons?”

“Yes,” I answered as Hotaru landed. “Though it’s a little different for each. Perhaps I’ll teach it to you someday.”

Hotaru hopped over to me, and John asked, “Will she stay that small?” I looked at Hotaru, with her brilliant yellow fur. She was only the size of a pony and said, “No. She will get a little bigger. Probably at the least twice the size of a full grown horse. Fatter definitely. And she will have enormous wings.” Hotaru snorted. I laughed. “She doesn’t like that though.”

“The dragons understand everything you say?” he questioned.

“Yes. They are very intelligent. They know all languages, even if they can’t speak them.” He looked at me amazed. I laughed. “We still have to find Sakura, so we better get going.” I went onto Hikaru again, and continued, “Don’t worry, she shouldn’t be too far. She likes meadows. You can ride Hotaru, if you don’t want to go onto Hikaru.”

“Right, ride a dragon by myself so I can fall off,” he said sardonically. “I think I’d rather ride the bigger dragon then that.” Hotaru wined as John passed her. He paused and said, “No offense to you and all. I just don’t trust myself to stay on, that’s all.”

She snorted, letting a puff of smoke out, and took off into the air. “I think she’s mad at you,” I teased.

“Great,” he said as he got on. “Just what I need. A dragon to be mad at me.”

His name was Boradon. He was very intelligent, and the oldest amongst my dragons. He had been my father’s gift when I had first become a Dragon Keeper. Boradon did not always do what I asked of him, though. In fact, he acted more like a human would then a dragon. Sure, dragons had free will, and as much intelligence as humans do, but they still would listen to the command of the Dragon Keeper that had raised and trained them. Wisdom and power guided them to this instinctive response. It was a complicated matter, which is probably why I did not understand Boradon. He was my most loyal dragon…and my most rebellious. He must have felt my presence, for he awakened at that moment. He slept a lot of the time. Well, at least whenever I wanted him to do something. He was like that. Very arrogant if you asked me. I sighed. Gently, I laid my hand on his immense head. Despite the fact that in years he was still around a teenager, he was the biggest dragon I had. The biggest one I’ve ever seen, for that matter.

*Hello, Dragon Keeper.* The voice was rough, but only around the edges. He also was the only one that I could actually communicate with. It wasn’t talking. More like…thinking.

*Hello, Boradon.* He raised his head a little, peering his deep red eyes at me. They glowed unnaturally at me, standing out mostly because his scales were all black. Some shone grayish-silver from time to time, but for the most part he was a true black dragon. I had liked him right away, for I knew them to be powerful. I just wish someone would have told be how stubborn they were, too.

*Of what do you need?*

I shifted my hand so I could look him in the eye as best I could.

*Listen carefully, Boradon. Much has happened…* I thought for a moment. I knew that he would do as I asked today, for he always knew when matters were very important. *…Sakura is missing.* A hiss told me that he was angry. I smiled slightly, knowing how he looked after the two young dragons. I quickly grew serious and continued. *It’s been only a day, but the air is not right. I can feel…something stirring. Do you know of the Earth Human who has come?*

*Yes.*

Boradon’s voice was confident as usual, and knowing. Figures. How he ever found these things out have always been a mystery. Perhaps he doesn’t sleep as much as I thought he did. *Good. Then you know that time is urgent. The Council will likely stop by here, unfortunately, and I will have to deal with them. I need you to find Sakura for me. I would ask my Father, but…” I looked away, a little bit torn in some hidden emotions.

*It shall be done.*

That was all his response. At that point, he moved his head away and went back to sleep. My eyes stared at him for a while, a look of confusion and partial annoyance flashed in them. Dragons. *Thank you. * I doubted he was listening. Without contact, Boradon wasn’t forced to. My power wasn’t great enough. That’s probably why he moved away. I sighed. Boradon.

As usual, most loyal. And most rebellious.

Indeed, a black shiny object seemed to float in a dying blue sky. The thing, whatever it was, flew or hovered parallel with what was left of the sun, and although I couldn’t quite understand what it was yet, it was plain that it was an animal or some creature quite like one. It grew closer, and as it did I noticed something protruding from the back of the animal. No, wait, it was something riding the animal. The vision seemed to take forever, as if it was in slow motion, but although it appeared to not be that much closer, the details of the objects became clearer. The creature was in fact a black dragon, and it seemed like the rider was a human. Then, like far too many other times, I lost the vision. Swirls of color swooshed together the dragon and the rider, disappearing into a vast darkness. I opened my eyes, the cold feeling of night once again crashed me into reality.

I hadn’t any idea, then, what that vision could have possibly meant. Was it Boradon? And if so who was the human? I couldn’t understand the significance the vision had to me. If it was Boradon, what of it? I knew about my dragon already. The vision seemed to have left more questions instead of giving answers. But, I had thought as I once again made my way back towards where I had left John, my innate power to have visions hadn’t exactly been working like it should. I kept loosing half the vision before it was over, and they only came half the time I called one. What’s more, sometimes I got them when I didn’t want them. That had never happened before.

Strange reaction. He was a little paranoid; especially since he still had the invisibility spell I had put on him. I suppose he was not use to teleportation spells, though. I sighed, not for the last time, and removed the spell. “Sorry. I wasn’t thinking,” I apologized.

“Hey, it’s ok,” he said, picking himself up. “Just next time give me a little warning, ok?”

“Sure.”

“Where to now?”

“I have only one choice. You will have to stay with Hikaru. She’s in the Cave.” He was about to protest, but I put a hand up. “I know you don’t like it in there. I can assure you that my dragons will protect you, and will certainly not harm you.”

He quirked a brow.

“They won’t eat you, either, if that’ s what you’re thinking.” I smiled wickedly. “You’re not their type.”

“Oh, that’s a relief. What, do they prefer even younger meat?”

“That’s very funny. You do realize that dragons are vegetarians, right?”

“You’re kidding.”

“Actually, I am. But still, really, she won’t eat you. It’s above her. Dragons are intelligent, remember?”

“So?”

“So would you eat another human?”

“Well, no, but…”

“It’s the same with them. They consider themselves on the same level. Well, ok, they probably think they’re a little higher, but only when comparing themselves to some humans.”

“Is this all suppose to comfort me?”

“Yes.”

“It doesn’t work.”

“Oh well. Then just know that you have to stay there because otherwise the Council will do something much worse than any of my dragons could ever do. And you’ve seen the teeth on them.”

He shuddered. “Ok, ok, I’m seeing the big picture. Dragons, scary. Council, much scarier.”

“Good.”

“But, do you…”

I waved my hand in front of him, not waiting for what he had to say next. He would materialize right in front of Hikaru, my red dragon. That should quiet him. I could have only stood for so many protests. He could not be seen in the castle if the Council was there.

No one ever called me Aurora anymore since I had became a dragon keeper. It annoyed me even more then her being there. “So sorry, Enchantress Evelyn.” “Just be sure that it doesn’t happen again,” she scorned. She walked off in a seductive fashion with hips moving from side to side. I looked at her with disgust. She was probably stuck that way. I shrugged her off; she was a minor nuisance for the time being. Besides, I knew my power was greater than hers. Continuing on my task, I finally made my way to my quarters.

Before my door stood two bodyguards. My A’dira. They were both Elven. The one on the right was Sky. His pure blond hair and silvery gray eyes were a huge contrast with his dark black A’dira uniform. He was as tall as me, but since Elves tended to be very tall, he was actually considered short by his people. The other on the left was Crystal, whose hair was just as blond and her eyes also the normal silvery gray associated with their kind. They were brother and sister. Both had been around since before my father. In fact, as I looked at them, I wasn’t quite sure exactly how long they’ve been A’dira for Borealis.

“Good day to you, Dragon Keeper Aurora,” Sky greeted as he bowed slightly.

At least he kind of used my name. I smiled. I rather liked elves, and I had known these two my whole life.

“Hello, Sky, Crystal.”

“Hello,” Crystal greeted. “Have you spoken to your father lately?”

I frowned. “No, I haven’t. I have noticed the Council is in town, though.”

“Ah, yes, the Council,” Crystal continued. “Well, milady, I’m happy to say they are requesting an audience for dinner with us tonight.”

She gave me a wicked smile. We all laughed lightly. No one in this whole place liked the Council very much. Come to think of it, not many on Andromeda did. “Yes, it will be a pleasure, won’t it?” I replied sarcastically.

“Do ya think that they will find out about him?” Sky asked, referring to the Earth Human. He had rather taken to him in the last few months.

“It’ll serve him right,” Crystal replied. She, however, didn’t take to him.

“Oh Crystal,” I said, sighing. I couldn’t understand why one of my best friends could not see that this Earth Human proved harmless. I turned to Sky, who was frowning at his sister, his ear twitching a little. “No, he won’t be found. I’ve seen to it.”

“Good,” Sky said happily.

“Too bad,” Crystal said disappointedly.

I ignored the both of them for the time being and walked through the doors to enter at last to my bedroom. When they got started…well it was best I left then. So what if I would be sleeping through the dinner with the Council. I had been to so many as it was, and John would be safe in my Lam ‘Nhi for the time being. I walked over to my dresser peering quickly at the weary figure in it, and then quickly changed into different clothes.

Finally. I almost fell onto my bed. I heard a meow somewhere on the hard wood floor of my bedroom, and as I peered down, saw Barnibus as he climbed up my bed. I petted the cute cat lovingly as he came up to fervently rub up against the back of my hand. “Hello, Barnibus,” I greeted him. He gave a very long meow and settled down near the end of the bed. “So you decided you’ve had enough, too, huh?” I said, laughing. I knew how he felt. Sometimes being the daughter of a Dragon Wizard was almost impossible itself. Never mind the fact that my father was the White Dragon Wizard, only the most powerful and greatest there was. Father. Little did anyone know, the most gentle, too. When I was little I had always wanted to be a Dragon Wizard. It wasn’t unheard of for there to be women ones, but I simply did not have that type of magic within me. No one knows exactly what spells they can do. Dragon Wizard magic had always been an enigma. However, the one thing that everyone knew was that all Dragon Wizards were able to transform into a real dragon. Well, they weren’t exactly a real dragon for they were still and always human. They simply could shape shift to where they had the actual physical appearance and powers. They were one of the strongest creatures on Andromeda. But there were only seven, my father being one of them.I had been disappointed when I’d finally realized I lacked the potential, but it soon vanished when I had learned my fate was to be a Dragon Keeper.

A little shadow that moved just an inch diverted my attention from resting. “Who’s there?”

“Hello, Dragon Keeper Aurora,” a thick, almost enchanting voice echoed from the shadows. I relaxed.

“Liasell.” Slowly, a woman emerged from the shadows, about the same age as myself. She wasn’t human, for her appearance proved her to be a Lystalite. Her shape was in a humanoid form (at least at the moment). Her hair - short - shifted from different shades of blue. First light sky blue, then a navy blue, then more a royal blue...it seemed to shimmer between shades, never finding the one it liked most. Her eyes appeared to have this same effect, but different from her hair, it also had shades of green and purple mixed in with the blue. Overall her skin was normal, though very tan and shiny. In all she had a very mystic sort of glow to her, which was enhanced by the variations of the hair and eyes. But one thing was certain (besides her beauty). She was the only Lystalite to look so close to human. She was the only Lystalite, with some exceptions, willing to talk to - even befriend - a human.

“What’s wrong?” concerned poured from her voice. She was, in fact, one of the closest friend I had on Andromeda.

“What isn’t?” I answered sardonically.

She sighed, and removed her hood from her white cloak, showing even more shining blue hair. With such delicate features, you might assume the same would be found on the inside. Yet, only someone as close to this creature as me knew how much power she held, especially as a White Mage. Her magic was the purest form there was on Andromeda. There were many mages, for almost everyone knew simple magic. But the two that counted were the White Mages, and the Dark Mages. The first good, the latter evil. Any being could swing either way. Luckily for me, she had swung to good. Her smile was comforting after the tension of the day. She already knew, of course, all that was happening. She wouldn’t be a White Mage if she didn’t. But she also knew that I needed someone to talk to. “You know that Sakura is missing…” Damn it how everyone always already knew. “But, I wanted to ask you, do you think I did the right thing, asking Boradon to search for her?”

She sat down on the air as if there was a chair there. Which there wasn’t. “Sure. He’ll look for her. You and I both don’t doubt that. He probably started right after you left. What you’re wondering, Aurora, is if he’ll find him. I know you.”

“Right, as always.” I waved my hand in a gesture, giving up on ever getting real advice.

She quirked her brow. “Aurora.”

“What?” I snapped.

“Hey, come on. I only said what you already knew.”

“I know, Lia, I know. It’s just…sometimes I wish I could have someone’s opinion, not just something that they know to be correct.” I didn’t know why I got so mad about it, really. I just did.

“If that’s what’s bugging you, then I’ll give you one. I think that Boradon’s not going to find her, Aurora. I have the same feeling you told me about before. Something’s amidst. I don’t know what. I also think that you should get yourself some sleep before you snap at some unsuspecting victim. Everyone still fears you from the last time you pushed yourself too far.”

I smiled slightly, remembering that. I had nearly scared a new trainee of father’s to quit training as a A'dira soldier. “What about the council, though?”

“Forget the council!” she told me.

“I guess your right,” I sighed.

“Of course I am,” she said, smiling with satisfaction. “And lastly, I think once you rested, you better go right away to see your father, because you know that he has to know that Sakura is missing.”

“Yes,” I sighed. “I know.”

“Good. Did you happen to see where that slut Enchantress went?”

I almost choked on laughter. Lia almost never said anything improper. Except around me of course. Besides, everyone knew where Evelyn was. Trying to seduce my brother, like normal.

“What?” Lia stared innocently. “I have some of my own anger to vent out right now. And she’s the perfect target.”

Before I could say anything, she vanished. Not like it I would have objected. In fact, I was going to wish her luck. I fell down on my bed again and drifted into an uneasy sleep.