Ginelle's Dragon

Ginelle and Ruki spent most of the day flying back to the country they fled from a while back, but it was still too soon for the young witch’s liking. After speaking with that rude sorcerer and feeling his aggression, she never wanted to set foot back into the kingdom that rejected her kind and tried to imprison them all. Now her mother and the other witches were condemned to die on the king’s birthday, as if there were all a cheap party favor. The whole idea of their deaths being celebrated was all Ginelle could take, and she was committed to doing whatever she could to save them all. While riding on the big dragon’s back, the young witch had a lot of time to think of a plan. Ruki found a nice mountain they could park on for the night, so that he could rest after a long day of flying. While it was cold that high up, Ruki would light fires with his breath and that combined with the shelter provided by his wings would be enough to keep Ginelle safe and warm. She had brought food with her, and it was enchanted to fill them up, so a day’s worth of grub would be enough to last a week if necessary. After they ate, Ginelle felt the need to let the big dragon in on her plan. The dragon laid there and said nothing as she told him what she had thought of, allowing her to finish before making any comment.

“So,” Ginelle said, after going through it all, “What do you think?”

“It’s ambitious,” Ruki confessed, as he was quite surprised by the idea. “It is going to require a lot of magic to pull it off. I’m not sure that tooth is a strong enough totem to pull off what you have planned, little one.”

“I’ve done it before with the tooth,” Ginelle replied, “But you’re right. I don’t have the power to really make a big difference.”

“I might have an idea for that, little one.” Ruki said.

“You do?” Ginelle said, sitting up from where she was laying down. “What is it?”

The dragon remained silent as all he did was lay his head down and sigh deeply.

“Ruki,” Ginelle said, as she could sense his hesitation. “Are you alright?”

“I’m sorry,” Ruki said, “But this is a well kept secret. Something that dragons do not want anyone discovering, especially humans.”

“Oh, I see.” Ginelle said, as she understood. “You’re saying that this secret could be dangerous in the wrong hands, especially someone like that awful sorcerer.”

“Especially if someone that corrupt found out,” Ruki confirmed.

“I understand your hesitation,” Ginelle said, “I wouldn’t ask you to do this if it wasn’t a dire situation. My mother and Margorie need our help, or they’re going to be sacrifice for some fat fool’s pleasure.”

Ruki still said nothing and sighed again. This time his breath was hot, and the flame reignited a fire they were using to keep their camp warm. He could even be heard growling as the thought still irked him a great deal. The young girl could tell that the dragon wanted to help her, but what she asked might have been a bit too much.

“I’m sorry, Ruki,” Ginelle said, sitting back into him. “It’s not fair.”

“It is I who am sorry,” Ruki said, lifting his head back up. “You have been nothing but kind and true to me since our first meeting. I need your word that what I am about to tell you will remain a secret between us. That you will tell no one what I am about to tell you unless I approve it first.”

“I swear it,” Ginelle replied without hesitation, “I will tell no one else unless you approve first. I would never even ask you to do this if it wasn’t such dire circumstances. This will remain between us until my dying breath.”

“Alright,” Ruki said, as he believed her. “As you already know, pieces of a dragon can be used as totems, such as the tooth in your pocket.”

“Yes,” Ginelle said, “Go on.”

“Well, every piece of a dragon can be used as a totem,” Ruki explained to her. “Every tooth, every claw, and even every scale on my back. As long as you have permission from the dragon it originated from, every piece of us is a totem.”

“Wow,” Ginelle said, as she started to think about it. “So, if I was wearing armor that was made of dragon scales, ever single scale that was on me would be a separate totem and thus increase my power higher than just using one?”

“Infinitely higher,” Ruki confirmed, “The more pieces of us you have on you increases your power, and there is no limit to that increase.”

“There’s no limit?” Ginelle said, surprised by that revelation.

“That’s not even the secret,” Ruki said, taking another deep breath. “The totem in question doesn’t have to be separated from the dragon to work. The dragon also doesn’t have to be dead for them to work as well.”

“Hold on,” Ginelle said, processing the statement. “Are you telling me that you are one big totem?”

“Think of it this way,” Ruki continued, “Combine everything that is on me. Every scale on my body, every tooth in my mouth, and every other piece of me. Each one is a totem, so there are at least a hundred of them that you can use at the same time when touching me.”

“Holy crap,” Ginelle said, as she realized what the dragon was telling her. “So, if I use you as my totem instead of the tooth, the spells that I use with be at least a hundred times more powerful while riding you?”

“That is correct,” Ruki replied, “If you have my permission, I can enhance whatever spell you want and that could help your plan.”

“I can’t believe it,” Ginelle said, smiling back at the dragon. “Are you saying that this plan of mine might actually work?”

“If I agree to let you use me as a totem,” Ruki explained, “Then that plan of yours has a much better chance of working. But if we are successful, I want you to tell them that it was the tooth I gave you and a lot of practice that did it rather than tell our secret.”

“Agreed,” Ginelle said, “I will let our friends, and especially our enemies believe that I am just a very powerful witch, and I’m sure that will be enough.”

“It is a sound plan,” the dragon concurred, “If the enemy believes to be that powerful, they would be very hesitant to retaliate to our attack. They would fear you too much to do anything.”

“That would work in my favor,” Ginelle said, “And they’d leave us all alone.”

“I am placing a lot of trust in you, little one,” Ruki reminded her, “But I am confident that it well placed.”

“Thank you,” Ginelle replied, “I am touched that you would risk so much of yourself and your species to help me and my mother. I will never tell anyone what you have said, but it is useful information that I plan to use going forward.”

“How so?” Ruki asked, curious by what she meant.

“Think about it,” Ginelle said, “If I want to be safe, I could have a smith make custom armor for myself with scales. You also forge that Angus planned to install the scales you shed to our roof, to make the house magic resistant. If anyone ever attacked our home, I could just climb up on the roof and channel every scale to defend our home.”

“Those are impressive ideas,” Ruki said, as he was surprised by her suggestions, “And you have my permission to do that as long as you keep this secret.”

“I promise,” Ginelle said, “No one shall learn of it, ever.”

“I thank you for your discretion,” Ruki said, as he didn’t appear worried anymore.

Ruki put his head back down and things became quiet rather quickly. Both of them went to sleep and didn’t want up until the sun came up the next morning. After having a quick bite to eat to get their energy up before taking off, their trip back to the kingdom resumed as Ginelle and Ruki launched back into the sky and started to whip through the sky like an arrow. The were in the air for several hours when something familiar came into sight; the logging camp where Ginelle used to live with Marjorie and the men. She was tempted to land there, but decided against it as she could see there were people far below working and there was no telling who was running the camp now. Instead, this let her know how much closer she was getting as the dragon continued to flap and soar them closer and closer to the capital where all the witches were being held captive. As the palace slowly came into sight, Ginelle could feel her chest get a little tighter as she became a little nervous as she and her dragon were basically on their way to what could be a battle. She had a sound plan, as Ruki had approved of it, but there was no guarantee it would work. When discussing the plan with Ruki, they had come up with a second plan, and Ginelle thought it was a good idea, so that was going to be their first strategy. As the approached the outskirts of the massive city that surrounded the palace, Ginelle could bear horns being blown on the ground.

“What is that?” Ginelle asked.

“The horns are an alarm,” Ruki answered, “I’ve seen them used like that before. They warn the palace that a dragon is approaching, and it gives the castle time to get battle ready and evacuate the royals.”

“It won’t matter,” Ginelle said, “We want them to know we’re coming. Let’s stick to the plan and get their attention.”

“Where do you want me to land?” Ruki asked.

Ginelle scanned the ground, and she could the perfect spot.

“Right over there,” Ginelle said, “That cathedral is tall, but too far away for the castle to fire anything at us.”

“Very well,” Ruki said as he flew around to make his approach for landing. “Here’s hoping it’s sturdy enough to hold our weight.”

“It’s very expensive,” Ginelle informed the dragon, “It should be strong enough.”

“Very well,” Ruki said as he kept flying over.

At the last moment Ruki widened his wings and slowed down their descent enough to make the landing very softly and that preventing the roof from caving in underneath them. The big black dragon stood there on top of the cathedral and let out a massive roar that send people running in the streets, screaming in fear. As if that wasn’t enough, the dragon then let out a burst of fire, but shot the flames up into the air. It was a display of power that sent a very strong message to the those watching in the palace.

“We’ve got their attention,” Ruki said, looking back at the young witch. “It’s your turn now, Ginelle.”

It was at this point when Ruki took a very guarding position, and Ginelle stood up on the dragon’s back. The angle she chose to use let everyone below and in the castle that the dragon wasn’t there of its own accord; someone was riding it, and their intent was not peaceful based on their show of force. While standing there and over the many onlookers who refused to run for cover, Ginelle stood there and took a parchment out of her coat. She stood there, whispered a spell under her breath, and then watched as the message she was holding started to float away. It slowly made its way to the palace, and then disappeared through a window. Moments later Ginelle let out her breath as she sensed something.

“It’s done,” she informed the dragon, “Our message has been delivered.”

“Do you think it will work?” Ruki asked.

“I’m not sure,” Ginelle honestly answered, “But this is the right thing to do. We need to give them a chance to resolve this peacefully before using force. For now, we’ll have to back off and give them time to consider our offer.”

“Who did you send the letter to?” Ruki asked.

“To the only person in there who knows who I am,” Ginelle answered, “That grumpy old sorcerer who knows I’m at least powerful enough to destroy his totem. Hopefully he’ll take our message to the king and make our intentions clear enough for him to see reason.”

“And what if the king refuses to our demands?” Ruki asked.

“Then we go with my plan,” Ginelle replied, as she walked back to her saddle and strapped herself in. “And we’ll free my mother and the others by force.”

“Alright,” Ruki said as he started to lift off the cathedral, “I saw a small hill not far from here, and that will be the best place to wait them out. It will give you a chance to practice your spell.”

“Alright, sounds good,” Ginelle said, as she sat back down on her saddle. “Let’s go over there. Don’t forget to roar a few times to scare them a bit more.”