The Spirit Wilds: Magic of the Green Sage (Fall of the Sages Book 1), стр. 27
“Bishta the Black, Sage of the Dark, welcome to my valley,” he said, his words so deep and bone-rattling that it almost hurt. It felt like each one dug into her mind. High dragons spoke as humans do, but their speech was so powerful that it often felt like they were speaking into your mind directly.
The sage bowed, even though it made her uncomfortable. “It is an honor to meet you, High One.”
“I felt your presence as soon as you came through the portal. I wondered if you’d make your way to me. And so you have.”
Bishta smiled. Always impressive were the high dragons’ senses.
“I seek food, water, and shelter, Great One, and, ultimately, safe passage to the Forgotten Continent.”
Gengyan’Nun stared at her for a long while, each breath a rumble that made gooseflesh roll down her arms. The way the high dragon stared almost made her think he was reading her thoughts, trying to discern her intentions, her motives for going to the Forgotten Continent. Thankfully, dragons didn’t have that ability, even the high ones who could wield magic as freely as she could. That would’ve been bad because no doubt, he would have disapproved of her quest.
Finally, he spoke again. “That can be arranged. It would be my pleasure to assist a sage. I shall fly you there myself on the morrow.”
Bishta’s shoulders sagged as she let out a breath. “You have my gratitude, Great One.”
Gengyan’Nun inclined his massive head. “Runa-Val, please see to our guest’s needs. We do not get ones such as her often.”
Her escort bowed beside her. “Yes, Yalla’shu, it will be done.” Bishta didn’t know that word, but it must have been a dragon title of some sort.
From there, Bishta was led away from the great dragon. The air still felt like it was charged with primal power even as she descended the mountain with her new drakon friend. She smiled.
Oh, what it would be like to be a dragon.
She’d never find out, but tomorrow, it would hardly matter.
9
Bishta
Bishta stayed the night in Runa-Val’s personal cave. It was a simple place, with a few fur rugs and tapestries and a hearth to cook meals. Of course, everything was bigger since they were a drakon. Regardless, Bishta was given food and water, cooked meat and some vegetables that Runa had found. They were ash yams, which grew in volcanic soil. Very sweet and safe for humans.
She was also able to bathe in an underground spring within the mountain that the drakons used sometimes to clean themselves. It was a blessing to be able to relax like this. It had been weeks since she’d bathed and truly felt at ease. They didn’t have much in the way of beds, but Bishta didn’t mind curling up on the rugs with Runa and sleeping. She found it was one of the most peaceful sleeps she’d had in decades.
The next morning, she ate another meal of meat and vegetables along with water. Drakons ate very simple meals. They didn’t cook elaborate feasts like humans did. They saw no need for it. Meat was meat. Once she was fed, rested, and clean, she grabbed her staff and bowed to her host.
“I thank you for your hospitality.”
Runa-Val inclined her head, eyes glinting. “It was my pleasure, Madam Sage. I hope you find whatever it is you seek in the Forgotten Continent.”
“So do I.”
With that, Bishta left her drakon friend and made the climb once again to the summit where Gengyan’Nun was waiting. This time, she had the strength to make the ascent, though she was already halfway up the slopes, so it wasn’t too difficult. Even so, when she arrived at the peak, she was out a breath, beads of sweat dappling her forehead.
The doors were already open when she arrived. When she entered, she found the high one communing with three other dragons, though none of them were high ones like himself. All bigger than drakons, they still seemed tiny next to the great one. Two had scales like polished amethyst and thin wings. The other had a slim, slick serpentine body without any limbs. But it had two sets of leathery wings.
Their tones seemed argumentative, though Bishta couldn’t make out the words, not before they turned to her as she walked in. Their eyes scanned her long and menacingly, as any apex predator would. Of course, in the presence of a high one, none of them dared say or do anything out of place.
Gengyan’Nun sighed and stood. “We are done here. I have business to attend to with my guest.”
The three dragons didn’t seem to like that, but they didn’t argue. They slinked out, teeth bared for Bishta to see. If she were a regular human girl, she may have been terrified, but now? Not so much.
Once they were gone, she turned her attention to the high one and bowed her head. “Good morning.”
He nodded. “I trust your stay was to your liking, Sage?”
“It was perfect, thank you,” she replied with a smile.
“Then we must be off. No time to waste.”
The Great One offered her his hand. With a gulp, she climbed up his claws and into his palm before he tossed her gently over his shoulder at the base of his mane.
“The trip will be cold, windy, and bumpy. I suggest you hold tight.”
She nodded. Gengyan’Nun walked forward, each step slow, deliberate, and booming. Once they were through the doors and out into the morning air, he unfurled his wings in a mighty whoosh. He flapped them once, twice, three times, each beat like a clap of thunder, each one stirring a storm. Then, before Bishta could adequately prepare herself, he shot into the air with a power and grace she could never have imagined. Her heart dropped into her stomach as her breath hitched in her throat.
She wanted to scream, but she couldn’t manage it. It was hard for her to decide if it was from fear or excitement.
There