The story that follows, Gentle Readers, takes place further forward in time than the ones published thus far. Agnes has grown, with a family of her own. Another generation is come. And still, Ember remembers. – The Scrivener

BRAND MEETS A DRAGON

Two figures approached the top of a hill, one tall, and the other shorter. The boy asked, “Do we have to come out here at night, Mom?”

“Yes, dear, she will only come once this year and only at night, just like I've told you before.”

“But it's kinda scary here at night, isn't it?”

“Not to me. Except for the little night animals there is nothing here that wasn't here when the sun was high. Well, except for tonight's special visitor.”

“If you're not afraid, I'm not.”

“Well, I was afraid the first time I saw her up close, so if you're a little scared, it's nothing to be ashamed of. Here we are. We'll sit here against this stone marker and wait.”

“Will it be long?”

“No, she is already on the way, I'm sure. If she's as punctual as usual, it will not be long at all. We have our blanket and our basket of goodies. Have a little snack and get comfy, you can nap if you want, I'll wake you when it's time.”

When he was about six years of age, Brand had overheard Ignis talk with her mother of going to visit with The Dragon and asked her about this mystery. Since then, he had often heard his mother tell about Ember. Of her secretive spying that lead to a first encounter, and then meeting Ember every year at his great-grandfather's gravestone. Of why grandmother called her Agnes when she told him her name was Ignis. And he'd been intrigued, as any boy would be, with a tale so strange and magical that also had the glorious quality of being true.

Often, he'd asked if he could see this wonder for himself and often he was promised “some day when you're old enough.” And at that age, a year was still almost a lifetime to have to wait for the next opportunity to arrive. On his latest birthday, he turned nine and Ignis asked if he would like to come with her to meet the Dragon.

At this final arrival of a long awaited adventure, he'd realized that it frightened him. He was not sure he was ready but he could also foresee the agony and regrets of missing a chance and then waiting the interminable turn of another year.

So, he lied. He said he was ready. And now, here he was, with a vague impression of what to expect, about to face a thing that had occupied both dream and nightmare.

A little while later she shook him awake. “It's time, Brand. I think I hear her not far away now. Remember what I said. When she lands it makes a lot of air and dust so remember to shut your eyes until it passes.”

Almost as soon as she said it, a great gust blew about them. Waves of pressure assailed their ears, accompanied by sound like a ship's great canvas sails rippling in a strong wind. Then suddenly it ceased and was followed by a rustling suggestive of a huge umbrella folding up.

“Are you ready, Brand?”

“No! I mean… sure. But hold my hand, okay?”

She grasped his hand and threw the blanket off. As they stood, the flicker of a fire suddenly lit their space and she led her son toward it.

“She made that?”

“Yes, it's one of her powers. Stand here in the light. She’s coming.”

Slowly, pausing between steps, a tall figure began to silently enter the circle of firelight. Aware of its new visitor, sensing fear, it moved cautiously to allow the child to acclimate to the strange vision.

“Welcome back, Ember!”

“It's good to see you again, Ignis. This is your child?”

“Yes, this is Brand.”

“Still playing word-games with fire.” Ember turned to the boy and said “Brand, I'm going to come closer and sit near the fire but not until you tell me you're ready. Are you ready?”

“.......Yes.”

Still moving slowly, Ember came to the fireside, across from Ignis and Brand, lowered herself to the ground and busied herself a moment arranging her cloak around her. Not that this was necessary but Brand, though standing without shivering, was staring with eyes unnaturally wide. A little bit of ordinary human actions, a little more time for him to absorb the vision and tamp down his fright, these seemed to Ember to be good things to do.

Ignis sat down and tried to pull Brand down with her but he kept standing stiff. She looked at him to see how he was dealing with this. But though his eyes were wide, she felt no trembling in his hand and his breathing was not too fast. So she let his hand go and arranged herself to face Ember comfortably. As she was about to begin speaking, Brand suddenly threw himself down next to her and whispered roughly in her ear, “Mom! She's strange but it's pretty!”

Of course, such an enthusiastic whisper didn't escape Ember's hearing and she smiled. “He's a handsome and brave young man, Ignis.”

“Yes, he is. We're very proud of him.”

“And he also wishes to become one of my humans?”

Brand hated it when adults talked about him as if he was not right there with them.

“We have talked about it. He knows about your village and that you and I are family. He thinks he's ready.”

Ember caught the boy's eye. An easy thing to do as he was still staring, fascinated with the pale face, colored markings and glittering jewels. “Brand?”

With a slight shock he realized that he was now not just the subject of the conversation, he was being drawn in. “hm?!”

“You understand what it means to be one of my humans? Is that what you want?”

He thought furiously for an instant. He'd seen the Dragon now, he could back out of this part. He knew his mother would support him in whatever he chose. He knew she was proud of his bravery. She would not have made this choice available to him if there was anything to fear, or if she thought he was too afraid. So....

“Mom's part of your family… that means you're part of our family... so I should be part of yours, too. So… yes... I do.”

“That’s a logical answer Brand, but it comes from your head. What does your heart say?”

“Mom?”

“This is your choice, Brand. You don't have to. If you don't want to, then I don't want you to do it.”

“You hesitate?” Ember questioned.

In a small voice, “I'm... afraid, Miss Ember...”

“Alright, Brand, perhaps some other...”

“But I'm going to trust you!”

“You're certain?”

“Mom trusts you. She's smart and wise and good and if she loves you then I want to.”

Ember sighed and stared into his eyes for a moment, expecting to see his sudden resolution melt, but it held.

“I'll have to be much closer to you and touch you.”

Ember noticed he clenched his jaw and balled his fists but he did not shiver. Suddenly he stood and walked stiffly but quickly to Ember's side and sat down hard next to her. He stared into the fire at first, the fear of the unknown, so close, passing over him. Ember and Ignis remained still and quiet, as if they knew his internal battle.

Brand drew a deep breath and let it out slowly. He turned his head to look up at Ember and saw she was looking down, watching him already, her head tilted to one side. Slightly embarrassed, he turned to look at the fire again. Then he leaned gently against Ember’s side.

Ember looked quickly at Ignis and raised her elegant eyebrows, then back to Brand, as if surprised at his sudden commitment to whatever she intended. “Brand.... Some day I think you will be a hero. Now… close your eyes.”

She put her hand softly onto his head, her talons curving down onto his forehead. “You will see something strange and far away, like a dream. Nothing there can reach you or hurt you. When you see that you're there, call out my name.”

Another deep breath and...... “I'm ready.”

TO BE CONTINUED