Chapter 11

One month later:
Emeral was about the size of a horse. She had grown one line of spikes down her neck, not quite to her shoulders; a line of spikes also lined down her tail. Two sharp thin horns curved about a foot out of her skull. She had five two-inch longs talons on each paw. Emeral also speaks clearly to Era and not only do they trade words and feelings now, but pictures.
It’s been getting harder to hide Emeral in her tree. Era lets Emeral go off with Sardon, but Emeral does not yet know how to fly; only glide. Sardon tries to teach the little dragon by bringing her up high into the air, but Emeral fears the heights and can’t control herself in the wind. Era shares Emeral’s continuous dreams of her fear of heights; neither one knows how to overcome this step. How can Era be a dragon rider when her dragon does not know how to fly? How can she overcome this fear?
To top that off, more and more urgles have been lurking the woods. Ike and Sardon have been fending them off for now, but how long will it take before stronger enemies come or before there are too many urgles for them to handle? This remains to be unseen. But for now, it’s under control; Era and Emeral can train undisturbed.

* * *
Era awoke heated for sunlight crept in her room and was beating heat on her. She threw the covers off of herself and sat up on the bed. Emeral, Good morning.
Good morning, Era. How was your slumber? The cute little voice responded back.
Fine, until the sun woke me up. Era laughed.
Era’s mother walked in, “Why are you laughing dear?”
Era looked at her mother and quickly made cover. “My dream, it was funny.”
“Oh, really? What was it about?” Selana asked sitting on Era’s bed.
“I don’t quite remember, but it was funny.” Era gave sunshine eyes.
“Oh, well, funny dreamer, your breakfast is ready; you get yourself out of bed now.” Her mother stated standing up, and then left the room into the kitchen.
Era sighed.
Emeral stated. You best be more careful, I don’t want mother to know of my existence.
Yeah. Era replied and then went to the table. She ate her scrambled eggs and milk. It was hard to imagine that the eggs she was eating came from the chicken the urgle almost grabbed. She put the dishes in the wash bucket and left to meet with Emeral.
Era went up to the Emeral, examining her wings then sat next her. When are you going to fly? I very well can’t fly a flightless dragon.
Emeral lowered her head and drooped her wings. I can’t seem to get over that fear, Era. No matter how hard I try and how many times Sardon and I train…
Suddenly there was a rustling in the bushes near by. Era and Emeral stood and readying themselves for whatever was in the bush. Emeral pulled her lips back into a snarl, showing her white filed teeth. The spikes on her tail and back straightened slightly. Era pulled out her bow and grabbed an arrow from her quiver.
A stout urgle jumped out of the bushes with a gruesome snarl revealing its yellow fangs. Emeral roared as she pounced on the urgle, ripping at its limbs. Era strung her bow and aimed for the urgles head. She released the arrow as soon at Emeral moved out of the way. The arrow slipped right through the urgles forehead killing it after it gave a cry of pain.
Emeral looked at Era. We better get out of here before more urgles come!
Era nodded and grabbed the bow from the urgle’s head and yanked it out, blood hurtling everywhere. Era jumped on Emeral before Emeral bolted off toward where ever direction Ike would be. Era looked into the sky trying to find Sardon. She tried to reach her mind to him but to no avail. Era looked behind their tracks to find two urgles running at highs speeds, kicking dust and dirt behind them. Era prepared her bow quickly and shot an arrow; the arrow hit one of the urgles on the left thigh causing it to stumble to the ground, taking several high tumbles. Two more urgles came from the woods gathering speed upon Emeral.
Era turned her head to see a River ahead of them, river rapids; the white foam pouring over the waves. Emeral, Do you know how to swim?

Yes, but, not quite through that. Emeral exclaimed in her great strides.
Era closed her eyes and searched through her mind, like she has never before, like trying to find a life but within her. She touched strength in her mind; it was just beyond her reach. She tensed her body as if she was jumping for this strength. She grasped it to discover it was magic! Words spilled out of her mouth, “Adurna!” The water in front of them split leaving a empty gap. Emeral jumped the gap with a glide and landed to the other side regaining her step with a gallop. Era released the magic with a gasp. The river rushed the white foams back to normal, collapsing over the urgles, who screeched as they tried to regain over the water but failed and sunk. Era reached her mind out again for Ike or Sardon, succeeding to reach Sardon. HELP! Era shouted with her mind using all her strength. The magic drained her strength heavily.
I’m coming!
Era glares up to see Sardon with Ike on his back. Ike held a flashing blue sword, he held the sword high. Era’s sight faded into darkness as she collapsed on Emeral’s neck…

Sorry

Sorry I didn't post chapter 10 sooner, I away for a some of weeks so yeah.

Chapter 10

Era went back into the barn sat and a pile of hay. She met her eyes with Emeral who stared back at her with unblinking eyes. Era reached her mind to Emeral, Can you here me?
The dragon perked its head up.
I guess so. Era smiled. Wow, A dragon Rider…
Era told Emeral everything since she found Emeral’s egg, adding what she felt at the moment; trying to remember as much as she could.

* * *
Era laid in her bed staring out the hallway; thinking of all that happened that day, she kept in constant contact with Emeral. They both enjoyed the company. Era shut her eyes and began to dream…
Era crouched and crawled quietly down the tree. She wondered why she was in a tree in the first place. She felt more flexible than usual; she turned to find she had a tail and scales lined up all the way up her body. Era panicked and ran to a small stream and stared at her reflection. She was a baby dragon! She was Emeral! She felt two wings on her back and extended them awkwardly. She tried flapping them but her wings hit her face instead. She climbed up on a low branch and extended her wings again; she jumped and caught the air beneath her. She took a short glide, at first she was stable, but then one of her wings bent causing her to spin to the ground into the shallow part of the stream. She sat there like a puppy with her wings limp, and her head hung in disappointment.

Era awoke that morning realizing how hard it was to fly. She looked at her hands just to make sure she wasn’t a dragon anymore. “I must’ve been having Emeral’s dream…” She sat up and went to Emeral who was curled up in her shelter, eyes open. Emeral’s head perked up when she saw Era. Era smiled when she felt Emeral’s excitement and said. Good morning little one. Have a nice nap?
A small nod came from Emeral; she jumped out of the shelter with a glide into Era’s arms. A small voice came excitedly. Era! It was Emeral saying her first word to Era. Era went to the barn to release Emeral so she could stretch her wings and eat a rat if there were any. Emeral glided out of Era’s hands into a pile of hay, she clumsily folded her wings and shook off the straws of hay trapped on her wings. The dragon quickly scurried around the barn until she found a nice size rat snack, gulping it up. Era sensed a mood of satisfaction within Emeral, as the little dragon finished its meal.
Era opened up Skulblaka again; she flipped to the page with saddles. Era gathered a rabbit’s cloth and small cut of rope. She grabbed Emeral and measured her up, put her down, and cut out a small saddle shape, and few other shapes. She put it on Emeral as shown in the book and attached the pieces of cloth together with rope.
After Era completed the dragon saddle, Emeral examined it by twisting her neck and head around. She sniffed the saddle and extended her head moving in all sorts of directions. She folded her wings comfortably and turned her head to Era. I like it. Emeral said excitedly.
I’m glad. Era responded and picked up Emeral in a cradle.

Chapter 9

Era was silent for a long time until she heard someone begin climbing the rope again; this one’s steps were much lighter than the other who climbed. Era placed Emeral down and grabbed the nearest thing to her, a broom, then hid out of sight but near the window, ready to strike whatever was climbing the window. Two human hands reached the windows brim and catapulted someone up into the barn. Era quickly slammed the broom into the person, knocking him down into a pile of hay on the first floor.
“OW! Era!” It was Ike! Ike pulled himself up with a grimace of pain on his face. “You could’ve done better and got a hoe!” His clothes were ragged and torn as if he was in a battle. His face was covered in dirt, and now hay in his hair.
“Sorry! I thought you were a Kull!” Era ran, grabbed Emeral and rolled the latter down as she slid down it.
“A Kull? I didn’t see any Kull, Just Urgles.” Ike wiped his face with his dirty shirt only making his face dirtier.
“Illya and Terah said there were Kull.”
“Well it hasn’t got that bad yet” Ike laughed and walked out of the barn after unlocking its doors, then gestured Era to walk with him.
Era eagerly followed. “Are they looking for Emeral?”
“You found a name for her, finally.” He laughed.
Era stayed silent until he answered her question.
Ike nodded somberly, “I’m afraid yes.”
Era frowned, “I can’t hide her here, they would capture her; I’m not strong enough to protect her.”
Ike turned his face and met Era’s eyes. Yes, you are.
Era blinked not knowing what just happened, she turned white knowing that the voice was in her head.
“What’s wrong Era?” Ike asked.
“Someone just talked to…” Era suddenly felt a strange feeling, as if her mind opened up and she could sense the life around her, feel there feelings. Some lives were stronger than others. Ike was one of the strongest, and then Emeral, for she was little, and another, that was exceedingly strong but faint, it was in the sky. Era looked up to see a bird in the sky, not a bird; it was far stronger than any of the other birds in the sky. “Hide!!” She ran under a tree hugging Emeral tight.
“No! Don’t worry!” Ike ran to her and grabbed her arm.
Era flushed and let him pull her. The flying creature lowered out of the sky, now she could see it clearly; it was a dragon!
The magnificent creature landed its wings flexed out causing the dust beneath it to scurry. Its scales were shinning black; spikes trailed down its neck and two large horns pointed out of its skull. And under its chin were even more spikes. It folded its wings and extended its neck toward Ike. It was many times larger than the largest horses she has ever seen! Ike brought Era’s hand out to touch the dragon; its scales were rough on the head, like many small spikes. The dragon gave a large huff through its nostrils releasing smoke into the air. Era retracted her hand and hid behind Ike. The dragon showed signs of amusement with a small smirk. Emeral jumped out off Era and onto the large dragon quickly scaling up to the tip of its left horn.
Ike laughed, “This is Sardon; he is my dragon.”
“H-how many d-dragons are out th-there?” She stuttered out.
“Not many that I know of; I’ve had Sardon for a year now.”
Era reached her mind toward a small form, Emeral. Era gave Emeral her feelings that she wished her to return. Emeral noted quickly, jumped off Sardon’s horn and caught herself in a glide landing at Era’s feet. Era picked Emeral up and held her against her left shoulder. “Is Emeral going to grow that large?” Era asked, slowly calming her nerves with every stroke that she gave Emeral.
“In time, but she will grow slower than Sardon since she’s female. Sardon tells me he scared you” He gave a small laugh.
“He can talk?”
“In a way, I presume you just figured out how to read feelings. When you get better you can read, or actually hear thoughts. Sardon contacted you through thought.”
She turned to Sardon and reached with her mind; she felt like she could lose control at any moment, like she might float right out of her skin. She retracted and tried again. So, you were the one who talked to me.
Yes. His voice was deep, like a low rumble in her mind. His large tail flicked against the ground.
She stepped back in shock; talking to dragons? She didn’t know that was possible!
Ike then said, “Talk to your dragon through voice and mind; this will strengthen you and strengthen Emeral.”
Ike mounted Sardon, “Now you know where I’m at most of the day” He laughed.
Sardon gave a small smirk. I’m only a word away if you need help. Sardon crouched low then lifted himself into the air with a jump, flying away with great strokes of his wings into the distance.
Era was left dumbfounded. She sat promptly where she stood. Whether in aw, shock, fear, or surprise, it was hard to tell, but all she knew was she and Ike were dragon riders and dragons talked.

Chapter 8

Era stopped when she neared the tree where she had settled the dragon. The dragon was rested on a branch of the tree, one of its paws hung off the branch, its tail swaying back and forth. Era sighed in relief; she stepped up to the dragon and released it from the leash. It quickly ran up onto her shoulder.
Era ran quickly into the barn and locked herself in. She climbed to the second floor (the chicken coop) and drew up the latter so no one could climb up. She sat down on the hay while the dragon chased the chickens around playfully; somehow knowing that it wasn’t allowed to eat the chickens.
Era first wanted to know its gender: Baby female faces have soft scales, while baby males were coarse and prickly. Era picked up the baby dragon in the middle of a sprint and touched its face. “So you’re face is soft, you’re a little girl!” She giggled. The dragon tilted its head then squirmed wanting to chase the chickens again; Era released her. The dragon quickly glided over one of the chickens and landed in front of it; Era did not see for she was scanning through the book again. Era stopped at a stone that looked like a scale of her dragon; the stone’s name is emerald, “Emerald… Emera, Emeral, Emer, Eme, Amerald, Amera, Ameral…” She played the word, going over words she had already spoken till she decided on a name. “Emeral!” She turned to the dragon that stopped when she shouted the name. “Do you like that name?” The dragon flicked its tongue against its eyes and flicked its tail. “Emeral it is!” Era smiled and scooped up the dragon in a cradle, rocking it softly.
Soon after, there was a banging at the barn door; the door shuddered violently. Era quickly hid behind a cleverly placed chicken roost at the top corner of the barn. The banging stopped and steps were heard going to the other side of the barn. A rope was thrown to a second floor window; a hook was attached to the rope. Now the unknown person was climbing up the wall of the barn with heavy steps. Two red claws like hands gripped the brim of the window, pulling up a head through the window. It was the most gruesome sight one could ever see: A deep red face, with two blood-stained horns that stuck out of its black stringy hair. Its teeth were a horrid yellow and its eyes were piercing red. Its basic body shape was like a human, but it was far larger, like a giant from Helgrind. This creature was surely a Kull. Era’s heart pounded violently and hugged Emeral tightly, who knew not to make any sounds.
The creature curled its lips in a snarl and reached for one of the chickens its veins piercing out of its hands. But before it could snatch the chicken, it was jerked back out of the barn window. Era heard a shear screech, hopefully the ghastly creature. The creature looked strong; something that could defeat it must be stronger! She hoped the stronger creature was on her side, but who could know?

Chapter 7

She ran through the books trying to consume as much information as she could. There were plenty of books and it took her all day to read:
Dragon names (They edited stone names to fit a lot of the dragon names; and also used the Ancient Language, which is the language the elves use.)
The Ideal Dragon (It also helped her know how to care for her dragon)
Dragon History
Dragon Habitat (Apparently everywhere back in the day.)
The Ancient Language (Jrom said this book was extremely hard to find and was lucky to have it. Era never knew that words could be used to produce magic!The word ‘adurna’ stuck in Era’s head for no apparent reason. ‘adurna’ meant water)
Elf History (Jrom, for some reason, thought this was important, Era didn’t study this one as hard as she did the other books; it wasn’t very interesting on her standpoint.)
Dragon Armor (Might come in handy; it showed her how to make a basic saddle for her dragon, when it gets older.)
There were more books, but most of them repeated information.

Era grabbed the book, “Skulblaka” (meaning dragon or literally meaning “scale-flapper”), which basically had all the information she was wanting. It sort of merged the following books: Dragon names, The Ideal Dragon, Dragon History, Dragon Habitat, and Dragon Armor.
She also grabbed the Ancient Language book, which is actually named “Vanyali”, which means ‘magic’ in the Ancient language. Era went up to Jrom, “Jrom, can I take these home?”
“You c’n borrow Skullblaka, but I need t’keep Vanyali here.” Jrom wrinkled his face as he smiled.
“Ok,” Era placed Vanyali back on the shelf, “Thank you!” She curtsied and stepped off the porch. She headed to Horst’s blacksmith’s shop, shuffling the dirt beneath her as she walked.
Era entered the shop and asked Amber who was wiping the counter. “Do you know where Ike is?”
“No, He’s been out all day.” She glared up, and spotted the book in Era’s hand, “He got you interested in dragons, eh?”
Era looked at her book, forgetting to hide the front cover, “Uh…” then she quickly nodded, “Yes, ma’am.”
Silence filled the room for a good five minutes. Era was tense; Amber appeared in thought…
“I’ll let him know, you were looking for him.” She smiled and continued wiping the counter.
“Thank you” She curtsied and left the building. As soon as she stepped off the wooden porch, Era let out a sigh of relief.
Era continued down the road slowly, staring at her shadow. She stopped at a stout building; it smelt like a meat and smoke mixture. This time, she made sure the book title was hidden. She stepped into the shop to see her sister and Illya talking to each other. Boron was cutting a deer into reasonable size pieces of meat. And Katrina sat in a rocking chair doing needle work. Illya had coarse black hair that flowed past her shoulders; she also had black excited eyes. Boron was a rough looking man, though he had a cheery disposition; his eyes were also very dark; it seemed that he had once had hair but the sun killed the top hair, now it reflected the sun sometimes blinding Era. Katrina was a large woman, you could say, chubby hands, which made her needle work all the more difficult. Her cheeks were round and covered her eyes slightly; she had to frown and lean her head back to see her needle work. Era never knew why Katrina was like this but obviously she loved food.
Era walked up to her sister and sat at a nearby table, just listening to them talk a bit before they noticed her.
Illya turned her attention toward Era, “Oh! Ello Era!” She sounded almost excitedly surprised.
Era smiled sunshine eyes and replied, “Hi Illya.”
Both, Illya and my sister hugged me and sat at the table I was sitting.
Terah inquired in a low voice, “I heard there were Kull in the wood”
Era’s eyes widened in fear. “K-kull?” She asked stuttering.
(Now, of course, my readers, your asking, “What are Kull?” A simple answer would suffice: They are urgles, larger than normal urgles. Urgles are like ants while Kull are the larger army ants. And when I mean ants, I speak metaphorically. They stand eight foot tall and are much stronger than 10 men put together.)
“Yes, Kull; I’ve heard they are lurking the wood in search of a…stone, a …” Terah leaned forward and whispered, “dragon’s egg.”
Era knew immediately that the Kull would never find the egg, for the dragon had already hatched. A small shiver ran up and down her spine leaving the hair on her back stand up.
“I have to go; see you later!” Era hugged both girls before rushing out the door. “Please, no, no!” Era quickly ran to the dragon, stumbling at her speeds.

Chapter 6

Era awoke on the hay, with the dragon curled up next to her head. She pulled herself up and placed the rabbit pouch and her sack on the floor. She sat back down and watched the dragon sleep. Its ribs expanded slowly and retracted in quick huffs as it slept. Its scales glistened in the morning sun; Era looked at its scales in more detail to find her-self staring right back at her but in a greener shade. She upturned her right palm to see the mark the dragon had given her yesterday, it did not glow anymore; the circular mark was still visible but not as prominent.
Era jerked her head toward another pile of hay; there was a squeaking noise and a rustling in the hay. The dragon perked its head up and shot a curious stare at the hay; it stood up on all fours and jolted into the hay. A short squeal was heard then nothing; the dragon pranced out of the hay with a rat tail hanging out of the corner of its mouth. It quickly slurped the rest of the rat in its mouth; the dragon now had a small lump in its belly.
Era picked up the dragon and stroked its head; it purred closing its emerald eyes gently. She gave a deep sigh. Era knew if she kept the dragon, her parents would kill it, but if it was out in the wild… it would surely die. “Hiding it will be the best thing, but…where?” Era pondered carefully, and then quickly ran out the barn holding the dragon. She built a small sort of shelter for the dragon near a tree; she attached a rope around the dragon’s neck, and around the tree. She made it so that the dragon could climb to the top of the tree yet not escape; its shelter was hung on one of the branches of the tree with a rabbit’s clothe as its bed.
Era watched the dragon from a safe distance so it would not see her. In curiosity, the little dragon crawled swiftly up the tree circling it like a squirrel. It climbed to the top and back to the lower branches; Era was amazed the rope didn’t get tangled. The dragon jumped into the shelter, made two circles and poked its head out; its emerald eyes filled with curiosity. Era was glad that the dragon was satisfied with its home; but how long it would stay small? She did not know. Era was afraid to leave the dragon alone, for fear it might get into trouble, but she must depart for the library to find out more about her new little friend.
* * *

Jrom was sitting on the porch of his shop; his face was focused on the book in front of him, his eyes narrow. His hair was a whitish-grey and his face was shaved quite poorly. Era stepped up to Jrom and waited patiently. Jrom looked up from his book and placed a piece of paper on the page he was on before closing the book. “Ello Era, what brings you to my library?” He said in a heavy accent.
“I’m looking for…books about dragons.” Era smiled.
“Eh? Why dragons? Blah! Never mind me askings…” He stood and walked into the library, gesturing Era to follow. Jrom grabbed a pile of books that were isolated from the rest of the books and placed them on the table with a thunk! “All yah’need t’know ‘bout dragons.” Jrom states with a chortle.
Era nods a ‘thank you’ and opens the first book…

Chapter 5

“Where is the… stone?” Ike chose his words carefully.
The dragon was silent and hidden in the pouch. Era pulled the egg remains out of her sack and waited for Ike’s response.
Ike took the egg remains and asked, “Where is it?”
“That’s it” Era replied.
Ike rolled his eyes, “The baby dragon, Era.”
The dragon’s curious little head popped out of the sack; its eyes reflected green from the moonlight.
Ike went over to pick up the dragon; the dragon rolled the back of its throat as if growling then bit Ike on the hand and retreated back into the pouch.
Era smiled and laughed a bit, “Are you ok?”
Ike grinned and shook his head at Era, “I’m not going to die; you look concerned.” Then he asked examining his hand, “Have you thought of a name for the little beast?”
“No, I’m still getting use to dragons existing.” Era laughed.
“Oh, they exist alright.” Ike shook his hand vigorously trying to remove the pain.
“Are you sure you’re alright?” Era cocked her head at his pain relieving method.
“Yes!” He sighed, sounding almost irritated, “You don’t know much about your dragon, do you?” He slipped on his gloves.
Era shook her head slowly.
“Go to Jrom; he has shelves of books about dragons; but none of them hold the secret you will learn on your own.”
“And what are those ‘secrets’?” Era tilted her head.
Ike grinned and laughed, “I said you will learn will learn on you own.” Ike glared out at the moon and whispered words in a foreign language. “Look,” Ike stepped up to Era, “tell no one of the dragon; keep it a secret.” Ike hastened out the barn.
Era glanced at the dragon which was glancing right back up with its green jewel eyes. It laid belly up pawing the air softly and flicking its tail like a cat. “Well, it’s just you and me now little one.” Era rubbed its belly softly, putting the infant dragon to sleep. Era fell back onto the hay behind her and shut her eyes.

Chapter 4

After Era returned home she placed the stone on her bed; she stared at it for the longest time, then the stone shook slightly. Era blinked; she thought she was imagining things, but the stone then peeped. It began to shake even more, making peeping noises that slowly got louder. Era backed away slowly, unsure what was happening.
Soon, a small lump formed on the stone. The lump grew and the stone expanded until, snap! The stone broke open, revealing a baby dragon (about the size of a baby kitten). Its scales were a shinning emerald green, like the stone–not a stone, but a dragon’s egg!
The dragon glared around the room with its green jewel eyes until it found Era, who was more than surprised. It began to crawl forward, only to trip on its wing; it started making squealing noises as if it were crying. Era didn’t want it to alert her parents, so she reached out to pick it up. As soon as her hand touched the dragon, a surge of energy shot up her right arm, then a flash of light that quickly faded to darkness…

* * *
When Era awoke, it was night. The dragon laid beside her, its jewel eyes stared at her. Era felt a slight sting in her right hand; she turned her hand to discover a glowing circle on her palm. “What did you do?” She looked back at the dragon, which cocked its head.
Era tried picking the dragon up again and succeeded. It curled up in her arms in comfort. She quickly grabbed a rabbit pouch and placed the dragon in it.
Era quickly gathered the remains of the egg into her sack, while holding the dragon in the rabbit skin pouch wrapped around her waist; she quietly made her way to the barn where Ike was waiting.

Chapter 3

“Ouch” Era states in a sarcastic tone, as she struggled to her feet. She looks for what she tripped over to find a stone. It was emerald green, smoother than glass, and very round, an oval shape; the stone had white veins traced all around it. “Someone must’ve dropped it here.” She picks it up to find that it’s lighter than what she had expected, almost throwing it into the air. “Whoa! It’s…it’s so smooth…” She traces her fingers around the stone, and then gives a couple of knocks with her knuckles. “…and somewhat hollow too.” She places it in her sack to examine later at home then continues to the village.
* * *
The town streets were neither crowded nor empty, the village and everything in a five mile radius was surrounded by forest. Travelers rarely came and attendants rarely left. The village was called Tardall, outsiders would often call the village “The Eye”, for it was the center, and safest part, of the forest. The forest had no name; it was simply Tardall’s woods or Tardall’s forest; it wasn’t uncommon to call it “The Storm” either, for people would talk about “The Eye of The Storm”.
Era stepped into Horst’s smith shop. Horst came from the back of the shop, warring a blacksmith apron, and soot covering his hands and face.
“Ello, Era. Thunder and Nightstar’s horseshoes are complete.” Horst handed the horseshoes wrapped in a rabbit cloth.
“Thank you sir” She took the metal work and placed it in her sack, then gave Horst twenty crowns for his work. She was about to leave until Horst’s wife, Amber, comes out. She had long burgundy hair, and brown eyes.
“Era, leaving so soon? Hear how about a cup of milk before you leave.” Amber left the room and came out with a small cup of milk, and handed it to Era.
Era curtsied slightly and drank the milk. “Thank you, Mrs. Amber” she returned the cup and hastened out the shop, eager to have a closer look at the stone.
As Era stepped out of the shop, a little boy greeted her with such energy, she didn’t think possible!
“Hi Era! Wanna’ play!?!” The boy jumped up onto her like a monkey.
“Oh, Hello Ordon. I’m sorry, I have to get home.” She put the boy down with a quick hug.
“Aw! Ok.” The boy dropped his head and sat on the steps of the shop.
“Where’s your brother?”
“I don’t know.” He shrugged. “He left early this morning and hasn’t come back.”
“Oh, I wanted to ask him about the black stone he found a year ago.” She replied.
“I will tell him.” He stands up and walks inside the Blacksmith’s shop.
Ike walks out of the shop, “Ello Era, why did you want to see me? You’re not hunting again are you?”
“Your brother said you had been away all morning and hadn’t come back.” Era stated laughing.
“Oh?” He laughed, “I’ll have to talk to him about that.”
“Yeah,” She smiled, “I wanted to know about the black stone you had found a year ago.”
Ike led Era away to a secluded place. “Why?”
“I had found one like it but green…”She pulled the stone out of her sack.
Ike took the stone and examined it with test: First he felt its weight, second he felt its surface, third he checked to see if was hollow, fourth he took a hammer and hit the stone as hard as he could with it (which made a head aching pinging noise), and lastly her put his ear to the stone. Ike returned the stone. (It didn’t have a mark or a scratch on it! It was like nothing happen to it!) “Have you told anyone else about the stone?”
“No” Era shook her head and examined the stone in amazement.
“Bring it home with you, and make sure that you tell no one!” He turned his gaze to the sky for a moment, glaring at a bird in the distance, the returned his attention to Era. “I’ll meet you inside your barn when the moon rises” with that he leaves back into the Blacksmith’s shop.
Era looked at the stone again and said to both the stone and herself, “I didn’t think you would be so much trouble” Then she placed the stone in her sack and headed back to her house.