Fi took a deep breath. “I believe he lost his humanity when he was separated from Sophia. We all know the story—how he found her in the woods. How they pledged their love, but she returned to her village. Their love is a great one. It defied boundaries. It is a love story to be sung for all eternity.”
Tressa felt a pang in her heart. Her whole life she had been the focus of Granna’s love and attention. Each was all the other had. Now they were together again, but so far apart. Tressa ached for the woman she knew growing up. Maybe if they both survived the war, they could find their way back again.
Chapter Nineteen
A scout flew in, pulling up alongside Granna and Mestifito. They had been flying for days, and finally the horde of Black dragons landed in a grassy field just south of the Hills of Flame. Riders dismounted their dragons. Dragons turned into human form. The riders stretched and the fliers rested, sharing the food and water carried by three dragons in the rear.
This would be their last stop before descending on the Red in Malum.
"Destrian is there. Our scouts have confirmed his arrival just last night." The rider said, his dragon lay on the ground, breathing heavily. "We flew as fast and as hard as we could."
"Get him some water," Granna shouted.
The rider bowed, then took off in search of a bucket of water for his dragon.
"Why doesn't he change back into a human?" Tressa asked Granna.
"He's pushed himself too far. It's better for him to recover in dragon form. The human body is too frail." Granna walked away and laid a hand on Mestifito's head. He purred like an overgrown cat and nuzzled into her.
"How much longer until we take off again?" Tressa asked Fi, who was lying on the grass, twirling her hair with a finger.
Fi shrugged. "Whenever Mestifito decides. If he's ready to fight, then we follow."
Tressa reclined next to her. Clouds danced in the sky while birds darted through them. There were many layers to the world. Nature lived together in harmony, dealing with the ebb and flow of life. Why couldn’t the dragons do the same?
"Because it's in the dragon's nature to fight," Fi said, answering Tressa's thoughts.
"Whoa." Tressa sat up. "How did you do that?"
"When we fly together, our thoughts become linked. Haven't you noticed I always know exactly what you want me to do when you're on my back?" Fi laughed.
"I thought that was because I was digging my heels into your side," Tressa said. "Like that horse I rode once. Doesn't it work the same way?"
"Oh, Tressa." Fi rolled over on her stomach, her chin in her hands. "A horse isn't much bigger than you. He can feel it when you kick him. Me? I'm huge when I'm in dragon form. Your heels in my sides are about as painful as a light breeze on a summer day."
"Okay. Maybe you can hear me somehow while we're flying. But why can't I hear you?" Tressa stared at Fi, challenging her to prove it.
A small noise buzzed around Tressa's head. She swatted the air, expecting to find a mosquito. Instead the noise only increased until the buzzing became words.
Hellooooooo. Anybody in there?
"Nice," Tressa said. "That's all you could think to say?"
Fi laughed, kicking her feet in the air. "I'm tired. Don't expect too much."
"So how come I can hear you now? I'm not riding you. You're not a dragon," Tressa asked.
"I don't know the answer to that question. Some can. Some can't. Sophia and Mestifito seem to speak without words all the time. Maybe it's based on trust. No one really knows."
"Interesting," Tressa said. "We've become friends so fast and been through so much in the short time we've known each other. It doesn't surprise me we've gotten close quickly." She glanced down at Fi, who had rolled onto her back again and was staring at the sky with her mouth open.
What is it? Tressa asked, trying out the new skill.
Fi's hand trembled as one finger lifted toward the sky. Then she jumped up, screaming, "Attack! Attack!"
Tressa's eyes darted to the sky. A moment ago all she'd seen was peace. Now the sky stormed with Red dragons. Talons glinted in the sunlight. Mouths dripped with sharp teeth. Tressa's heart raced. She scrambled to put on her armor and helmet. Fi had already changed into a dragon. Tressa leapt onto Fi’s back, drawing her sword.
It wasn't where they’d wanted to fight. It wasn't how they’d wanted to begin battle. It was too soon. But none of that mattered. The Black horde burst into the sky, ready and willing to fight until every enemy was vanquished.
Fi darted in and out of the fray as Tressa slashed her sword at their attackers. Her steel met with dragon flesh, quickly becoming stained with their blood. Fi's anger bubbled in the back of Tressa's mind. It was distracting, pulling Tressa out of battle and into Fi's worries.