Old Friends
In a move that Seraphina could barely sense, Tariq had her up on the wall, his scaled arm near her neck. “Be careful who you push, Dragon.”
“I do not threaten. You know what my task is.” Seraphina murmured.
“As I know what perils lay ahead of you.” He muttered, tensing, before letting her go but not moving any further away from her.
“I need a Naga. Even a disgraced one.”
“Only because you know no others.” Tariq muttered.
“Our journey doesn’t have to have a single end. It could lead us to the one treasure that could release your wife from that which binds her away from her true nature.”
“Is that something you know for sure, or something you believe may be true?” Tariq muttered with a scowl.
“We have to pass the Dagger Island.” Seraphina replied.
“In a boat?” Tariq asked his eyebrows raising.
“I believe it’s more a pirate ship.”
“Yes, I’ve seen them at a distance.” Tariq muttered.
“They went to see Astraea?”
“It would seem that they’ve gone to her before. They knew to be careful with how they spoke.” Tariq stated, his thoughts going to the Captain and rogue Prince that he’d seen along with the Princess Zaya.
“You met the Princess Zaya?” Tariq asked.
“Zaya and Nasir have become quite the formidable pair, in fact Zaya fought off Shazir herself.”
“Not many would’ve gone head-to-head with the same murderer that killed their parents.” Tariq murmured.
“Not many have gone through what Zaya has gone through.”
“If I can come with you, on that ship, you will be apart from the sorcerer for a time.”
“He’ll be fine.” Seraphina muttered. “Nothing is more important than completing my mission for the Dragons.”
“Is there a magical signature around the Dragon Pearl?” Tariq asked, his forehead scrunched in thought. “If there is one, I might be able to narrow the search.”
“From what I can remember of the Dragon Pearl it does emit a low-level magic. Long ago, when it was first hidden a mortal sorcerer put a spell to hide more of it’s powerful magical signature, it’s why it’s been able to travel from mortal to mortal for so long.”
“Has it only ever been passed from mortal to mortal?”
“Most supernatural creatures, recoil when touching the Dragon Pearl. There are even some that avoid the places that once housed the Dragon Pearl.”
Tariq raised an eyebrow as his mind raced with the possibilities. “I think I might have an idea.” He murmured as he turned to look at Seraphina. “We need to get to that Pirate ship.”
“But before that there is one more thing we need to do.” Tariq murmured, whipping his cloak around as he turned, and walked deeper into the cavern he had made his home. Seraphina followed him watching as he felt around the wall before pressing into it a hidden crevasse opening up to an open square space. He reached in and pulled out a single stone of quartz.
It shone in the brief light of the cave illuminating a cascade of images. Seraphina looked around at the images with a smile. “I don’t need that.” She murmured. “There is no memory worth giving away.”
“So, you’ve seen this before.” Tariq murmured with a smile.
“The crystal of echoes. An enchanting piece of magic from the first caves of Dragons, with the ability to house memories both old and new, bad and good.”
“There might be something here that may help us with our quest.”
“Indeed.” Seraphina murmured her eyes narrowing on the orb. “It’s one of the original pieces then?”
“Exactly. I’ve only used it a handful of times, but it might prove useful later on.”
“Hope the Pirates don’t mind company.”
Voodoo
On the Pirate ship Samudra, the ship swayed gently in the midst of the great Ocean of Vaaris. The sun shone brilliantly down the ship as the pirates moved about their tasks. Nasir watched as the deckhands scrubbed the floors until they shone, barely noticing as he was joined on deck by the Captain. Aariz observed his old friend for a moment amused.
“You seem to be dreaming awake my friend.” Aariz mused, chuckling slightly as Nasir jumped slightly casting an annoyed glance towards Aariz.
“Just thinking.”
“Ohh, that must hurt.” He grinned widely as he heard Nasir growl before his gaze went to the sky suddenly, as a shadow seemed to block out the sun, and cast a peculiar shape on the ship’s deck.
“Dragon!” The lookout in the Crows nest shouted, Nasir and Aariz both scowled as the remaining Pirates seemed to visualize on the deck, Zara included. Zara perked up as she looked up at the familiar form.
“Stand down MEN! The Dragon’s a friend!” she shouted, ignoring the looks of bewilderment that was sent her way, she made her way through the crowd up to 2nd balcony where both Aariz and Nasir stood.
“They should probably stand back,” Zara advised as she got closer to Aariz and Nasir.
“YOU HEARD THE LADY!” Aariz shouted, “MAKE ROOM, WE HAVE COMPANY.”
Seraphina circled the ship twice, leaning downwards, Aariz’s eyebrows raising as a tall man with dark black hair tied in a bun, jumped off the Dragon before them. Straightening his coat as he did.
“That was terrifying.” He murmured, as Seraphina transformed into her mortal form, shaking off the remnants of the fur of her dragon form, glaring at her passenger for a moment.
“Do not blame me, for your inability of flight.” She growled back.
“Seraphina, we did not find your pearl as of yet.” Zara spoke up.
“It would have been some sort of miracle if we had.” Aariz muttered as he stepped forward his gaze on the man.
The man took a short bow of respect to Aariz. “I am Tariq Nathair. I have come to assist in the navigation.” He murmured.
“He is quite gifted, and there is another prize that might be found, in the search for the Pearl.” Seraphina stated, her eyes turning silver in the light. “I will also assist with the search.”
Aariz looked at the two strangers on his ship, before he cast an annoyed glance at the men at the bottom deck with awe in their faces as they took in Seraphina and Tariq. “My Quarters! Someone fetch Raffa as well!”