Goldshadow - Chapter 3

Goldshadow - Chapter 3 - Meeting the Mother


In a complete darkness a little spark of consciousness flared to live. It felt around and noticed the minds of others. It passed them without any of them noticing as weak as it was. It passed them and felt good. It felt one of them and became happy without even understanding the feeling itself. The little consciousness knew, that this one was going to be its soul mate without knowing what a soul mate was or even why and how it knew, it just did. It felt good.

It was still feeling good when something else happened. The little consciousness noticed something coming closer, something very big and very powerful. To this little spark of consciousness, it was like the rise of a sun, big and powerful enough to just burn it away without noticing. With this giant, burning fire approaching it, the little spark felt not so good anymore, it felt fear. It didn't understand that feeling either, it just didn't feel quite as good as without this glaring entity nearby.

The huge gleaming light was so close now that the little spark was completely enveloped by it, but instead of being burned away, it felt a wave of happiness flooding it.

MOTHER! the little spark thought without knowing why or what it meant, it just felt like the right thing. Mother...

My son! the huge gleaming entity thought back, emitted another wave of happiness and the little spark of consciousness felt good again, even better than ever before.



Partially hiding behind Garrow, Nasuada was completely petrified. She couldn't move a muscle, let alone breath. Garrow noticed it and spoke to her in a soothing voice while the dragon flapped it's wings a last time before folding them.

"Shhh, relax...Yes, she is a dragon...and yes, she is huge and dangerous...but not you or us. She is friendly."

Saphira laid down and watched them with an interested look. The elf walked to her and bowed before her, raising two fingers of his right hand to his lips.

"Atra Esterní ono thelduin, Saphira Bjartskular!"

As the dragon lowered her head and closed her eyes in what seemed to be benevolent nod, Nasuada exhaled, finally able to breathe again, her curiosity freeing her from the grips of fear.

"What did he say?" Nasuada asked Garrow.

"It's a traditional elven greeting phrase." Garrow answered. Then he let go of Nasuada, stood up and walked over to the dragon to stand next to the elf. "Greetings to you, Saphira! You look beautiful today..." he said while raising the egg he was still holding towards her and she nodded to him as well and sniffed the egg, touching it softly with her nose.

Standing there, a few feet behind Garrow and the elf, Nasuada was overwhelmed by the size of this dangerous yet so beautiful creature glistening in the sun, the head alone being bigger than her whole body. It tasted the air with its forked and long dark-red tongue and exposed it's gleaming white fangs, even the smallest ones being twice as long as her fingers and the biggest ones at the corners of her jaw being the size of her arms. Nasuada was completely petrified again, but this time out of fascination for this dragon. The scales glistening in all shades of blue like the lake to her right, a long row of large spikes along the neck, but most fascinating of all were those big brilliant blue eyes looking so intelligent and interested at her.

Garrow answered without Nasuada hearing anyone asking him.

"Yes, that's her. We just found her yesterday...how come you are here so quickly?"

He seemed to ask the dragon.

"Ahhh....and what about my uncle? Did you tell him?"

Nasuada felt like she was hearing only one side of the conversation. Who was answering him? And how?

"You didn't? Good, I think it would be too early for him to know anyway, he has other stuff to worry about. I'm gonna take her with me and teach her the basics myself... ...no, he's gonna help me." Garrow said and pointed at the elf, who looked back slightly disgruntled. "Because I think she's way too young to start it now, she's still a kid, let her be one before throwing her into this world of huge responsibilities... ...Thank you for agreeing with me... but can you keep it a secret from him?"

The dragon made a noise that sounded like an offended chuckle. Was he talking to it? How did it answer?

"Nasuada!"

She jumped a little as Garrow called to her.

"Come here, say hello to the mother of your yet-to-hatch friend here." he said as he indicated the egg he was still holding.

She looked at the dragon and slowly walked towards it, her fear and respect for such a powerful being coming up again.

When she was only three feet from the dragon, it made a sudden move towards Nasuada who fell backwards with a little shriek. Sitting in the sands, propping her upper body on her elbows, the dragon moved ever closer with his head and sniffed at her. Nasuada felt her sweat break from her fear as the dragon's head moved back a bit, its eyes looking directly into her own. She swallowed hard and was on the verge of tears when she heard a strange noise. It sounded as if the dragon was purring! It sounded like two huge rocks grinding on each other, but it still was very comforting. Nasuada's fearful feelings were washed from her and she rose to her feet again, still having goose bumps from the fright. She raised her hand towards the dragon and it moved in, touching Nasuada's hand with its nose.

Greetings. little girl... Nasuada heard a voice inside her head and her eyes widened in realization as she stared direct into the dragon's eyes.

"Is that you?" she asked, the dragon nodding slowly, the eyelids clicking slightly as it blinked.

Yes... There was the voice again, a low rumbling voice, but still very female. It was slow, comforting and it felt old, very, very old.

"Greetings, Dragon...my name is Nasuada. To what do I owe the pleasure of talking to you?"

The dragon made a sound like a low chuckle. Nasuada? A big name you have, little Girl.

"I had many people tell me that...what does it mean?" Nasuada asked.

One day you'll find out, I'm sure... The dragon blinked again, her eyelids clicking. My son has chosen you to be his rider...do think yourself to be worthy to a dragon rider?

"I'm not sure...I don't even know what it means to be one..." Nasuada answered thoughtful and the dragon gave that chuckling noise again.

Very good answer. In a few days, my son will hatch and you two will form a bond that will last for a lifetime. Follow the advice and lessons Garrow will give you, for now he will be your teacher...  the dragon said and raised its head. In time, we will meet again. Until then, I hope my son will be old enough for you to feel like a true dragon rider.

The dragon looks at Garrow and he smiles, handing the egg to Nasuada. She took it into her arms, holding it like a newborn child.

Watch over him, for he will be very curious at everything around him.

Saphira rose to her feet, turning around and unfolding her wings, preparing to take off again.

"Thank you!" Nasuada called after the dragon. It stopped in its movements and the head swiveled around to face her again.

No need to thank me, little Nighthuntress... The dragon blinked and nodded again, kicking off the ground and flapping its giant wings in one fluid motion, gaining altitude fast, while leaving behind a totally fascinated little girl.

Well chosen, my son, well chosen... I already like her... Saphira thought and the egg in Nasuada's arms gave a little wiggle.