Page 48 of Drakhana's Secret
“Fuck. We will definitely be late.”
Thirty-Two
Gallant
Sapphire and I fly back to the settlement with a large group of nomad earth dragons in tow. Sapphire leads the formation since she’s the only one who knows in what direction we should be going in. I’m actually quite curious to see this new home that she has found for the earth dragons.
I haven’t seen our ancestral home, but from the stories I’ve heard from Sapphire and Arthur, it’s been totally devastated. That doesn’t seem like a great place to start over for us. I understand Sapphire’s need to rebuild elsewhere. Although, she did hint at the fact that maybe, in a couple of generations the earth dragons might call the base of Purple Mountain their home once again.
When we start flying over the vast forest surrounding Purple Mountain, Sapphire banks to the right. We all follow her lead. It’s a leisurely flight since there are elderly dragons in our cluster.
We come up to a glen with a river running through it. A few yards away are patches of land that I’m familiar with. There’s a pasture for the livestock. There’s a garden for the vegetables and herbs. There’s even a stone mound that makes up the barn and the chicken coop.
All the memories of when I was young come flooding back to me. Of living in the village and running around the forest with my friends. It’s been so long since I’ve seen such a thriving community.
The only difference is that there are no clay huts dotting the open area. There’s only a massive mound with an entrance where I see several dragons go in and out. Sapphire had been telling me that all the dwellings are now underground, within the tunnels of the settlement.
Can you blame them for living out of sight? It’s certainly much safer since there’s only one entrance that can be heavily guarded if need be. But I’m also pretty sure there are several exits that we cannot see. They might be several miles away for all we know.
Baba is there waiting for us along with other elders when we land. We quickly shed our dragons and Sapphire comes running into Baba’s arms. They hug and give each other kisses on the cheek. It’s a beautiful reunion.
I also give Baba a warm hug before shaking hands with the other elders who are there. Then Sapphire gestures to the nomads and introduces each one. They are all welcomed and informed that they already have dwellings ready for them within the settlement.
“Come on,” Sapphire says as she wraps her arm around mine. “I can’t wait for you to see inside.”
We walk arm in arm, following behind the elders and the nomads who have gone in before us. Sapphire escorts me through the tunnel entrance that she explains has been expanded to fit dragons who have shifted so that they can better protect the entrance if need be. Then we enter a large cavern that serves as a courtyard—a middle ground where all the other tunnels meet.
“Each and every dwelling that you will see is actually created by our fledglings,” she says, pride in her tone.
“Oh really?” I study the colorful and creative shapes of each domicile.
“We actually used their help when we first arrived here. They have proven to have a knack for building and creating.”
I admire the glow on Sapphire’s face as she shows me around the tunnels. She gives me a tour of the hospital. Of the school. There are even several shops within the tunnels that allow for businesses like bakeries, cafes, even a dress store.
“I’m impressed,” I say with a genuine truth to my tone. “I never in a million years imagined something like this for us.”
“We’re actually even thinking of putting in a movie theater.”
“That’s actually a great idea. Let me know what you’ll need and I’ll send in everything.”
She grins and winks. “That’s what I’m counting on.”
Then Sapphire brings me to her dwelling within the tunnels. It’s an understated space, but elegantly appointed. She immediately shows me to the bedroom.
The next day, it’s easy to see that the new dragons are starting to fit in with the rest of the group. Earth dragons are actually quite welcoming. At the same time, we’re always ready to start getting to work wherever we land.
The nomads have been given jobs and tasks. They are meshing well into their new homes.
What Sapphire and I discussed while wrapped in each other’s arms last night has to do with establishing leadership. We both agreed that we can’t take the lead full time since we have so many tasks that we need to accomplish for the good of the clan. We have so much work to do and it will be difficult for us to focus on the day to day managing of things.
We begin by gathering all the elders into the auditorium. Then we link up a video conference call with the city council that we have already set up in San Francisco before we left. Once everyone is seated, Sapphire and I take the stage.
“What are we all doing here?” Baba asks from the front row.
“That’s actually a great question,” Sapphire says, taking the lead. “Gallant and I have been speaking and we’ve decided that we need to set up an elders council.”
“Does this mean that you and Gallant will be stepping down?” one of the elders beside Baba asks.
