The Dragon's Kiss

Chapter 9 - Imposter

Liana's face flashed in front of Ashley, and her eyes shot open. She quickly stepped back, away from Haco, her mouth parted in shock. He seemed to be snapped out of the trance too, a confused frown on his face. He blinked at her, before turning away, clearing his throat. 

Ashley lowered her gaze. What had just happened? Was she really about to kiss her abductor? Was this some kind of Stockholm Syndrome, and why did it still exist in Lyrous? 

She was being ridiculous. Just because a man is hot, doesn't mean you try to kiss him, Ash. Get a grip. She took a deep breath to calm her racing heart.

"Uh," Haco muttered, turning to her again. "For--forgive me. I did not mean to do that, I don't know what got into me."

"Must be a ghost," she whispered, not meeting his gaze. "Maybe there are ghosts too."

"No, there's no such thing as ghosts or spirits in Lyrous," he clarified. "I... never mind," he sighed, turning away again. 

As if on cue, to kill the tension and awkwardness in the air, Migara walked through the pathway between the trees. She yelled out a greeting at Haco, grinning widely. He smiled at her, not moving from his spot as she walked up to them. Her gaze fell on Ashley, and she gave her a once over, smirking in approval.

"My style really is gorgeous," she complimented, smiling smugly. "You look much better in this than the dress."

"Thank you for the clothes," Ashley replied, returning her smile.

Migara waved her hand dismissively, turning her attention to Haco. "Now, what did you want, fox?"

"Why do you call him fox?" Ashley asked.

"Because he's stupid," Migara shrugged.

"But foxes are clever."

"Not the ones here," Haco chuckled.

"Oh."

"What did you want, Vindic? I don't have all day for you."

Haco narrowed his eyes. "Really?" he crossed his arms over his chest. "Now my best mate is going to restrict me to time limits?"

"I thought your 'best mate' is Valak. You're trying to fool me, you traitor."

"He is my best animal mate. You, you're like my sister." He gave her a toothy grin.

Sister. Ashley felt an odd satisfaction hearing that word. 

"Your sister?" Migara's eyebrows shot up. "I wouldn't have such an ugly brother," she said scornfully.

He's not ugly, Ashley thought to herself, staring at him. If anything, he's the most gorgeous man I have ever laid my eyes on.

"Well, I have seen better,"  Migara replied.

Ashley's eyes widened. "Did I say that out loud?" she asked in alarm, and Migara burst out laughing. She glanced at Haco to find him looking anywhere but her, his eyes slightly wide, and a minor blush crawling up his cheeks. She pursed her lips, lowering her gaze in embarrassment.

"Don't worry," Migara reassured, laughing. "It's only natural to find someone attractive. There's nothing to be ashamed about." She placed her hand on Ashley's shoulder. She leaned in to her ear. "Let me tell you a secret. Even I had a crush on him when we were children. Then I grew up and realized what a fox he is. Fool." She let out a chuckle.

Ashley smiled awkwardly, hugging herself. 

"Anyway, Haco. You wanted to tell me something. Hurry up, my father is waiting for me."

"Yeah," Haco muttered, running a hand through his hair. "She's not the Daughter of Light."

"What?" Migara exclaimed, her eyes wide. "You're joking."

Haco shook his head.

She glanced at Ashley incredulously, her mouth hanging open. "Then what on Lyrous is she doing here?"

Ashley gulped, unconsciously stepping away from her.

"I made a mistake," Haco sighed. "Serena sat on her shoulder, so I thought she is the one. But Belina said she isn't."

"How does Belina even know? Did she ask her to try a spell? Maybe she's just forgotten how to ca--"

"She hasn't, Mig. Belina tried to channel from her, to check how powerful she was. She almost killed her."

"What?" Ashley asked, her eyes wide.

"Haco!" Migara thundered, anger evident on her face. "You can't be serious right now," she said through a clenched jaw.

"Belina tried to kill me?" 

"I wish I wasn't," Haco said dejectedly. "I know I have made a huge error."

"You call this an error?" Migara pushed him by the chest. "This isn't an error, Haco. This is a blunder," she seethed. "Did you not know how hard it was to summon the damned Transporter?"

"Forgive me, Migara," Haco snapped now, his tone higher than earlier. "I did not do it deliberately, and you know that."

"Divignus." Migara ran a hand through her auburn hair, pacing to and fro. She then stopped, directing a glare at Ashley. "Did she trick you?" She narrowed her eyes.

Ashley gaped at her. "I tricked him? I'm the one who almost got killed and you're--"

"No," Haco said, stepping between them. "She did not trick me, it is my fault. She didn't even know what was happening... In fact, I technically kidnapped her."

Migara sighed, biting her tongue. "You know if the other casters find out--,"

"I know," he cut her off. "I know what's gonna happen. Belina suggested we put the blame on her, and kill her. But you know I can't do that."

"Of course not," Migara scowled. "How could Belina even say something like that? We're not murderers, Haco. I will not have it."

"Me neither," Haco replied, nodding. 

"So now what do we do? What happens now?"

"I begged Belina to spare her life, and took responsibility for her. But in order to prevent the other casters from turning against us, we'll have to make them think she's important for our plan. I decided that..." he gulped, glancing at Ashley. "We'll make her infiltrate the Draconian Palace, to find the whereabouts of Divignus."

Migara gaped at him. "Like she'll survive there for even a second. You know what they do to us, Haco."

"But she isn't one of us. The Palace will not detect that she's a caster, because she isn't one. She'll be safe."

"What will she say she is? What are you suggesting? I don't understa--"

"Calm down," Haco reassured, placing his hands on her shoulders and giving them a little squeeze. "Let's go inside and talk, alright? We have a plan to draft."

Migara huffed, glancing at Ashley. "Fine."

The three of them walked inside, and the girls sat down on the bed. Haco pulled the stone table to the middle of the room, and sat down on it. 

"So here's what we do. I haven't had a lot of time to think it over, so there are inconsistencies. But together, I'm sure we can come up with something incredible. She'll pretend to be caught by the Dracone Hunters. When they take her back to the Palace--"

"And if they don't? If they kill her right where they find her then what?" Migara questioned, cutting him off.

Bile rose up Ashley's throat, and she gulped. The refreshment and energy she received from the pond water seemed to be vanishing already.

"They won't," Haco said, giving Ashley a reassuring look. "They never kill women before showing them to the Prince."

A knowing look crossed Migara's face, and she leaned back into the wall, crossing her arms. "So that's your plan. Hmm, it could work."

"Uh, I think I'm missing somethi--"

"I think so." Haco shrugged.

"But--"

"No, you're actually right." Migara sat up straight, a glimmer of excitement in her eye. "Drago Caligum thirsts for women. He's the most reliable entry into the Draconian Palace. In fact, she could even draw out the details of the exact location where it's kept."

"What's Drago Caligum?" Ashley asked.

"The Dark Dragon," Haco replied, his jaw clenching. "The Crown Prince of Lyrous."

"And what do you want me to do with him?" she squeaked out.

"Seduce him," Migara replied.

Ashley frowned at Haco, utter horror in her gaze.

"No!" Haco said instantly, shaking his head. He then paused, before pursing his lips, and looking away from her. "Well, yes."

"No way," Ashley announced, standing up. "Absolutely not. I am not seducing a freaking dracone just to find out where a flower is. Not the damned Crown Prince, you understand?"

Migara snorted, earning a glare from both of them. Her eyes widened and she cleared her throat, looking away.

"This isn't done," Ashley stated, glancing at Haco again. "You can't make me do this, you understand? I refuse."

"Ashley, there's no other--"

"Roses, or sundaisies?"

The two of them frowned at Migara. "What?" Ashley muttered.

"What flowers do you want me to leave on your grave?" Migara stood up as well. "These people won't let you live if you're of no use. Even if you tell them that you didn't do anything. You know what happens to casters who cannot cast?" She asked, raising an eyebrow. "They're still thrown out in the Grand Forest of Dragaria to be hunted."

"I don't care what happens to them, I am not a caster!" Ashley said in disbelief.

"You know that, we know that. They don't. They'll think you were just born powerless, that Haco just tricked them into thinking he used the Transporter when he actually didn't. They won't arrange to send you home, they'll just lighten the load, Ashley. In this way, you at least have a chance at survival. You can do this, you'll pull it off."

Ashley stepped back, biting her tongue. "This isn't right, you know?" she said softly. "You can't just throw me under the bus like this."

"Under the bus? We're just throwing you under Drago Cali--"

"Migara," Haco warned, scowling at her.

"Forgive me," she muttered, looking away.

"We know, Ashley," Haco sighed, stepping closer to her. He gently took her arms, making her meet his gaze. "Forgive me for all of this. But you have my word. If you help us, I'll send you back myself. And I promise you, I will not let any harm come unto you as long as I breathe."

Ashley lowered her gaze again, gulping.

Did she even have a choice? All she could do was voice her discomfort. At the end, things always went according to what they planned. Or more like, according to what Haco planned. Even being able to disagree with him was a luxury, if she considered her situation. After all, there was nowhere for her to run to. She was far, far away from home, with no way to go back. She was powerless before those magical beings - nature at the tips of their fingers. If that was not enough, they were also skilled fighters, and specialized in hand-to-hand combat. She was helpless before them, with nothing to use except her mind. But maybe, if they could train her...

"Alright," Ashley announced, looking at the two of them turn by turn. "I'll do as you say, but on one condition."

"What is it?" they asked in unison.

"You both are going to train me before sending me in. I am not stepping a foot inside that Palace until I'm able to defeat both of you, single-handedly," she stated, crossing her arms over her chest.

Haco and Migara glanced at each other, before Migara let out a chuckle.

"Amica, that's gonna take you years. We don't have years."

"I don't care how long it takes," Ashley replied. "I'm not going in there without an advantage."

"An advantage?" Migara scoffed. "You think being a skilled fighter will be an advantage? Maybe against people like yourself, who can't cast. Or even against casters... But not against fire-breathers."

"Look," Ashley said, pursing her lips, "you do not know what it's like feeling weak. And right now, this is the weakest I've felt in my entire life. And that's really saying something because I've been through literal s**t!" She took a deep breath, swallowing the lump forming in her throat. "You're training me or not I'm going in. That's it."

Migara opened her mouth to object, but Haco stopped her. "Alright," he said, nodding. "We'll train you for as long as possible, but it's gonna be painful and rigorous. You can't be lazy and still expect to be taught how to fight--"

"You mean to say I'm lazy--" 

"Let me finish," he interrupted. "You'll have to train all day, and maybe even all night. If you are up for that sort of commitment, only then will we do this. The moment you complain or object to our methods, we'll stop. And we'll only train until the casters get too impatient. However long that is."

Ashley thought for a moment. Sounds fair enough. "Alright. Deal."

"Great," Haco gave her a nod. "We start tomorrow then."

"What about today?"

"Today," Migara walked over to her, and looped her arm with hers, "you stay with me. I'll brief you about the Palace, the Prince, and give you a short tour of Maleficus. What do you say?" she offered.

"Uh, okay," Ashley replied, shrugging. She glanced at Haco, unknowingly asking for his approval.

He shrugged. "Return her to me before darkness, though."

"I'm not an object you own, and you're not my father that you're setting up curfews," Ashley stated, scowling at him.

Migara smirked. "I love how you speak, Ashley. No one else here insults him like this, I always felt so alone."

Ashley offered her a small smile. "You're gonna like me a lot then. And please, people need to stop calling me 'Ashley'. I'm Ash. Just Ash."

"I like it," Migara grinned. "Let's go." They walked towards the door, but Haco moved to block their way.

"Don't take her out of Maleficus, alright?" Haco sighed. "And... take care of her."

Ashley's heart skipped a beat, and she shifted her gaze to the floor.

"Sure, Vindic. I'll take care of your amica. Relax." She gave him a sarcastic smile.

"She's not my amica," Haco stated, rolling his eyes. But Ashley did not miss the slight blush on his cheek, or her own. She did not know exactly what it meant, but she had an idea it was something like lover or girlfriend.

"Now move aside, loser." Migara pushed past him, pulling Ashley along. 

- - - -

"So you're really a creature from a different realm?" Migara asked, kicking aside a pebble on her way down.

"I guess?" Ashley frowned, shrugging. "I wouldn't term it a 'creature', though. That sounds like an animal or insect." She let out a chuckle.

"Oh, forgive me." Migara chuckled. "In Lyrous we call everyone creatures. Casters, lycans, dracones, animals. There are so many variations." 

"Yeah, I can see that. The number of new things I've been introduced to in the last two days is..." she trailed off, blowing air through her nose.

"I get that," Migara laughed. "Lyrous can be a handful, but it's home." She beamed, looking up at the sky. 

Ashley glanced at her, a small smile playing on her lips as well. She recognized the look on Migara's face. It was similar to the one she saw multiple times on her sister's. Whenever she was being annoying, or pestering Liana to help her do something sneaky, Liana would first get angry, and later smile just like Migara did. 

She felt her heart clench slightly at the thought. Where would Liana be right now? What must she be doing?

"You know, Ash," Migara spoke, pulling her out of her thoughts before she went in too deep. She glanced at her, reminding herself how important it was to stay distracted. The more she'd think about home, the fewer her chances of actually returning would remain. The universe worked in cruel ways, she knew that. "The Daughter of Light was our hope," she said, her gaze stuck on the gravel path they walked on. "She was supposed to return from the Human Realm, and just fix everything. With a snap of her fingers. That's what we all were told growing up. Our people have been waiting for her since centuries, hoping she'd return and give us back access to our strengths and powers... That Transporter was supposed to lead us to her, and, instead we got a human being who is barely able to protect herself." She let out a chuckle. "I don't hold this against you, I promise." She stepped in front of Ashley, and took her hand. "But please, don't cross us. I do not trust easily, but I have no option when it comes to you. Because it's either trusting you, or killing you. And I'm not a murderer. Nor do I wanna become one."

Her tone was gentle and soft, but Ashley did not miss the warning in her eyes. Her heart raced slightly, as she slowly nodded at her in reassurance. This was Migara's way of threatening her to not underestimate them, and she did not blame her. After all, from what she could understand, a lot was at stake for them.  

"I won't fail you, if you do not fail me," Ashley stated.

Migara smiled. "We won't. At least, Haco won't. I've known him all my life, Ash, and he has never broken a single vow."

"Would he really put himself in harm's way to protect me?" she found herself asking, even though it seemed inappropriate to do so.

"Without a doubt."

"Even if I prove completely useless? Even if I'm unable to find Div... Divignus?"

"Yes," Migara replied, sincerity clear in her eyes. "He will protect you even if it means killing himself. So, please, do not get into trouble."

Ashley smiled. "I promise I won't do it on purpose. But given the turns my life has been taking lately, I'm not so sure trouble will be far off."

Migara chuckled at her words, but starting to walk again. "I like you. Forgive me for all that's happening to you, and my part in it. Haco never makes mistakes, so I'm certain if it had been anyone else, they would have messed up too."

"I get that," Ashley agreed. "It must have not been easy for him to recognize your Goddess, in a world full of ordinary humans."

Migara hummed in response.

"But," Ashley added in amusement, "your friend made the worst choice possible."

Migara let out a hearty laugh, throwing her head back. 

"Honestly, I thought the same when I first saw you. Why would the Daughter of Light, look like the Wife of Darkness?" 

Ashley laughed along. "I like that nickname, totally using it when I go back."

"If, you go back."

"Ouch."

"Forgive me, that was too blunt," Migara said apologetically.

"No, it was honest. I like that about you. No bullshit, no beating around the bush, no hypocrisy."

"Okay, I did not understand anything you said after 'I like you' and before 'no hypocrisy'," Migara remarked, grinning.

"Sorry," Ashley smiled.

"What?"

"Never mind."

- - - -

"Gratam Foro de Maleficus," Migara grinned, as they entered the market.

"What does that mean?" Ashley asked, as the sweet scent of fresh fruit and baked goodies flooded her nose. Her stomach grumbled, and she gulped, scanning the shops for food.

"Welcome to the Market of Maleficus," Migara clarified, taking her hand in hers. "This is one of my favorite places in this entire, stupid, town."

"You like shopping?" Ashley asked, as they passed by a shop named Figura. A color changing dress at the display especially caught her eye, reminding her of Princess Aurora from Sleeping Beauty.

"What lady doesn't?" Migara shrugged. 

Ashley's stomach twisted once again, and she stopped, tugging at Migara's hand. She turned to her, a questioning look on her face. "Before we go any further, could you get me something to eat? Your friend is considerate, but hasn't realized that I haven't eaten anything since I got here."

Migara's eyes widened. "Of course! Why didn't you say so earlier? Come on." She pulled Ashley through the market, pushing past a number of people who shot them glares, but didn't say anything. They also rushed past a small group of young children, their laughs echoing in the fragrant air as they played in a puddle of water on the streets. Ashley bumped into an old man, scattering all his coins onto the floor.

"I'm so-- forgive me!" she squeaked out, yanking her hand out of Migara's grip and bending down to pick them up. She quickly gathered them all, and was about to stand up, when her eye caught another one, spinning on it's side a small distance away. Ashley crawled to it, and picked it up, her gaze falling upon the carvings on the circular piece of metal. Elaine Maeve. She traced her fingers over the woman's face, her heart racing for some odd reason. 

"Ashley, come on, hurry up," Migara said, running up to her. "I don't want you fainting on me."

"Who is this?" Ashley asked, handing Migara the coin as she stood up.

"It's her. Who we thought you'd be. The Daughter of Light."

"Why does it say... Elaine Maeve?" 

The name seemed to ring a bell, but she couldn't put her finger on it.

"That was her real name. Daughter of Light, Enchantress of Dragaria, Slayer of Dracones, and the Goddess of Castery. These are all nicknames and titles she earned through her life and her immense strength and power. But Elaina Maeve is her real name. The one she was given at birth."

Ashley blinked at another coin, her eyebrows furrowed. "Who were here parents?"

"Divignus," Migara replied, shrugging. The old man had walked up to them by now, and had already snatched away his coins from their hands. He muttered a few curses at them before walking off. 

"Divignus?"

"Yes."

"The flower?"

"Yeah."

"What do you mean?" Ashley let out a chuckle, but her face fell when Migara's remained serious. "You're not joking?"

"No," Migara frowned. "Every creature here is born from the petals of Divignus. A single petal created a thousand creatures of one kind, if not more. The Daughter of Light was born from the flower's last and strongest petal. And she was the only one."

Ashley pursed her lips. This is ridiculous, she thought to herself, but knew better than to insult anyone's beliefs. "That's cool," she ended up saying, looking away from Migara. 

But her reply had taken too long, and a tension was already brewing in the air.

"Why did you say it like--" Migara began, but a loud grumble from Ashley's stomach cut her off. Her eyes widened, instantly twinkling with amusement. 'Was that--"

"Yes, yes it was," Ashley replied in embarrassment, placing her hand over it. "Please get me something to eat before the whole of Maleficus knows how hungry I am."

Migara laughed, quickly nodding. "Come on," she ushered. 

Ashley followed, heaving a sigh of relief, glad that Migara ignored her reaction on the story of their origin. 

They reached what looked and smelled like a bakery to her, and her stomach groaned once again. Ashley looked around to ensure no one else had heard it this time, and when she received no funny looks, she relaxed. Migara shopped the goods and quickly returned to her, handing her a soft, freshly baked bun. Ashley immediately bit into it, moaning in content as the warm softness melted in her mouth almost immediately, making her stomach roar louder for more. She quickly took a few more bites, stuffing her mouth with it, until there was no room for more. She quickly chewed and swallowed, as Migara handed her a small pot of water. She drank from it, feeling almost as refreshed as the bath had made her feel.

"This is good," she muttered incoherently through her full mouth.

"I didn't understand what you said, but the look on your face is enough," Migara replied, chuckling.

"Divignus," a sarcastic voice spoke, causing them to turn around. While Ashley's eyes widened, Migara just crossed her arms, a bored look on her face. "Here we are praying for the life and health of our mighty Goddess of Castery, wishing she'd finally free our kind from the barbaric rule of the Dracones, and she is busy devouring cake," said Erik, slowly walking up to them. His eyes and voice were full of judgement, as he looked from Ashley to Migara, then back again. "You're an imposter, aren't you?"

- - - - - - 

Mini Dictionary (Forsitan parvum lexicon):

Transporter - A magical portal that looks like an electric vortex, and is a temporary gateway between two realms.

Spectan - A show, practically a drama put up at the Annual Fete of Dragaria.

Stripe - A magnificent animal with orange fur and black stripes. Typically looks like an Earth Tiger, but larger and more beautiful with luminescent fur. Has similar characteristics to an Earth Dog.

Conves - A loose garment, worn on the upper body, typically with baggy sleeves and a few strings at the front.

Drago Caligum - The Dark Dragon - title of the Crown Prince of Dragaria/Lyrous. 

Sundaisy - A bright yellow flower that blooms only during the day, with a glowing centre.

Amica - Sweetheart/Girlfriend.

Figura - Fashion.

Keep an eye out for more!