Mystic

Chapter 17

Taryn had never felt more afraid and exhilarated in her life. She clung tightly to the dragon's neck, Andre and Zeph behind her.

"Where are you taking us?" Taryn asked.

Somewhere far away.

Andre nearly jumped out of his skin. "What was that?"

My name is Altaira. I communicate with you on a plane above the mortal realm, one that is not tainted by language barriers, where all can be understood.

"That's... weird..." Zeph muttered.

Interesting. I thought a seer of all people would understand better than anyone else limits of our reality.

"How did you--"

Altaira cut him off. Dragons are not all-knowing species, though we do come close. Our ability to interact with the everlasting plane, upon which we are communicating, gives us access to a whole new world of possibilities. Your powers as a seer are connected to your very being, and thus, are seen on the plane.

"Woah..." Zeph said, laying down as he stared up at the blue sky. "That's cool..."

Andre, meanwhile, wanted to ask the more hard-hitting questions. "How did you know the Northern Heir? How are you even alive? I thought all the dragons had gone extinct."

We nearly have. But the few of us that remain live far away, on a small island off the continent. As for the heir, my mother was slaughtered upon the mountains, not too far from the castle. The king sent scouts to investigate, and they found my egg. I was brought back to the castle and was raised there.

"How much farther do you think it will be?" Taryn asked.

Only a few more hours.

"What else do you know about the heir? Why did she leave the letter? Has anyone else discovered the secrets?"

Altaira was silent for a moment. I think that's enough questions for today. She said.

The ride was silent for the rest of the time. Taryn folded her arms, a pit in her stomach as they soared through the air.

I know what you did. Taryn pulled her knees to her chest. That made her uneasy. She didn't like this creature being able to know so much about her. There were parts of her she preferred to stay secret.

Your secret is safe with me, Taryn Draycalin.

Will you stop that? I don't like people going around in my head.

My apologies, your highness.

Don't call me your highness. Taryn thought grimly.

Do you have a preferred name you'd like to be called by?

Taryn is fine.

Alright, Taryn. We'll be arriving shortly.

Taryn leaned to the side slightly as they began descending. Clouds rushed past them, mountains, and forests coming into view below them.

Andre leaned over as well, looking down below them. "Where are we going?"

Altaira didn't answer. They continued descending until they landed in a small clearing. A small stream ran through the trees behind them, the wind blowing through the trees, making mist fly through the air.

The three slid off the dragon's back, looking at their surroundings. Taryn didn't recognize the area. It looked too green to be the South, but the North didn't have these kinds of trees. They were large, with navy blue leaves and dark brown trunks. These trees dotted the southern forests, and yet, this didn't look like the South.