“Well, after all, it did save you. And the cover is so strange because it's made of the skin of a demon.“
In the evening the girl was given a party in our village in honour of her. They celebrated into the morning hours and thus sealed her recognition as a witch and at the same time her acceptance into the Circle. And I celebrated my very personal victory over Claus.
Legends of Dragons
Earth history had brought Dragons many forth. Huge winged creatures whose shells were so hard that no weapon could penetrate them. They came, flew in the sky, and disappeared again. Their biodiversity was enormous. From Lindworms and the Chinese-lung, to Multi-headed dragons and Basilisks, to Wyverns and Bagdragons, to name but a fraction. There‘s no other being around which so many myths and legends entwine until today like this one. In the course of my long life I was allowed to get to know many of these animals. I've traveled far and wide to learn all about them. I studied their origins, their behaviour, their anatomy; but what always fascinated me most about them was their adaptability. Not only did their physique change with the given changes, they also learned our language. This made it easier for dragon researchers to communicate with them. People had learned to trust them, even to live with and among them. The dragons, therefore, weighed themselves in safety, they‘d outlast time forever. But they shouldn't be right. Soon the news spread that monstrous creatures flew around and burned entire villages, fed on the burned flesh of their victims, snatched all treasures and hid them. Good and evil were no longer distinguished in those days. And the dragons disappeared, what was left was a myth. Stories were written about them to be preserved for posterity. For three hundred years there had been no dragons. But the myth was to come back to life. For in a cave, at the foot of a volcano, something stirred. So I went to that place to make a big find. Down there, nestled between stone and cooled lava, surrounded by the steaming heat from inside the volcano, hid a dragon's egg. And I also knew who it was meant for.
Crux
Some time had passed since the exam. At that time Larissa had been six years old, now she soon turned ten. She enjoyed her training with me very much and her knowledge about witchcraft had increased more than fivefold since then. Yes, she had grown into a mighty witch, soon there wouldn't be much left to teach her. A year ago, at the special request of her father, she received instruction in swordplay, which she mastered at least as well as witchcraft. Now and then she rode out on her black stallion Lucifer, which she had also received as a present from her mother last year. Lucifer loved her very much and she loved him. The girl knew how to handle such a majestic animal. When she rode on him, it was like an elfish dance between rider and horse. One thing, however, was missing in her life, the coronation, so to speak. She should get that soon.
Larissa's birthday was imminent. I kept her gift safe with me, no one had got wind of it. I've been guarding the dragon egg for almost three years now. With each day it moved more and more, it couldn‘t last long anymore, until a dragon hatched from it. But I felt there was still time. From my studies on them, I knew they were in their eggs for thirty-six months. The maturation from the embryo to the young dragon took a very long time, but many of them were already fully grown after five years. Since I was back from my expedition, I had stored the egg permanently next to the chimney. It lay in a basket lined with straw, a blanket covered the eggshell. I had to keep the egg warm so it wouldn't petrify and the dragon might die. In the afternoon, with the basket under my arm, I made my way to the castle of the vampires. My body heat should keep it warm as long as I didn't have it far. Ephraim, the highest of the vampires and leader of this country, immediately received me in his study. The windows to the west side let in a lot of light today, so that Ephraim's room with its large wooden furniture looked even bigger and more comfortable.
“Emily, what a pleasure to see you. Tell me, what can I do for you?"
“It's your daughter's birthday in three days. I know you don't have a present for her yet.“
“But how can you know that?"
“Ephraim, I’m a witch, remember? I know a lot of things. Well, I happen to have something for you to give your daughter.“
I put the basket on his desk, pulled the cloth away and presented my souvenir. He made big eyes.
“A dragon's egg?"
“Yes.“
“You want me to give my ten-year-old daughter a dragon? You must be out of your mind.“
“Calm down! I'm not doing this for no reason. You know, I have the gift to see the future and I see your daughter with the dragon. He will be her companion and protector. She will be his guide. The connection between the two will create an unparalleled friendship. I also thoroughly instructed the girl in Dragon Lore.“
“What's Claus' opinion of this?"
“None at all, it's none of his business. I don't need permission from him or the rest of my Circle.“
“I don't like to betray Claus or the others like this.“
“Ephraim, there isn’t a hierarchy for nothing. I'm the leader of the witch tribe and you're the highest-ranking vampire. I alone am responsible for what I do. And you have no one to be accountable to.“
“Then why don't you give it to my daughter yourself?"
“I don't want her to know it's coming from me. It's enough if you do that. Look, I know you're skeptical, and rightly so. The history books have told us some ugly things about dragons. But this creature slumbering in this egg is benign, I can feel it. Trust me, please.“
“What if you're wrong? If my daughter fails and she is unable to raise a dragon?"
“She won‘t fail. She was born in the sign of the Dragon. She alone has the gift to guide this being.“
He walked up and down behind his table, as usual when he was nervous. He knew my visions always hit the mark. I'd never let him down before. Still, he took a long time to think.
“All right, I'll do it. But promise me one thing. If something goes wrong and we have to disable the dragon, you explain to my daughter why.“
I didn't add anything to it. Ephraim hid the egg in his study next to the fireplace and covered it up. Nobody came into this room but him. The eleventh of September, the birthday, attracted with sunbeams and autumnal green. At two o'clock of the noon should be celebrated in the smallest circle. The guest list consisted of the parents and the brother, the two cousins Frederick and Sebastian as well as their parents, Lucia's brother Michael with his wife Margot. The young Sven had also been invited and appeared accompanied by his father Stephan. Esther, the mother, apologized. As well as my humble self and my brother. Although his presence was a mystery to me, I knew Larissa didn't like him very much. He probably only came at Ephraim's behest. Birthdays were celebrated only up to a certain age with the vampires. Mostly up to twenty, after that it didn't make sense anymore and became dull. After a short welcome by the hosts, we immediately went over to the donation. Sven gave Larissa a white scarf on which he had embroidered two irises with his own hands. As I knew, it was one of her favorite flowers. Tim presented his sister with an extraordinary stone attached to a chain. It was anthracite and had a hole in the middle. As always, Lucia had a practical gift for everyday life, a hair clip set with precious stones. She always appreciated her wealth and was always anxious to show it. All the greater had been the joy at the birth of her daughter, whom she treated more than often like a doll. Michael, together with his family, gave the little one a completely new wardrobe. A new dress made of royal blue satin with a brooch in the middle, matching shoes. New leg dresses with the matching top and a vest with leather boots were also added.
“Now you can romp around with the boys again outside and dress up in the evening.“
“Thank