Page 39 of Henry & the Dragon
She stared up at it, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her hand trembled as she reached up, pulling away when it passed through the cloth of her Constance’s dress. “It’s my mother before she got sick. She’s beautiful.”
Kai swiped a finger over Dmitra’s cheek, taking the tear away. “If this upsets you—”
She smiled up at him, her face luminous. “No. I… I very much like it. It will allow me to remember her this way.” She dipped her head. “Thank you for this incredibly kind gift, your majesty.”
“Please, call me Kai,” he said gently, taking her hand in his. “This is your home now, and you are of our people. We will do whatever we can to make you happy here. Later, after you’ve had time to acclimate, I will introduce you to my brothers. They’ll enjoy having someone new to play with.”
Dmitra flung herself into Henry’s arms and sobbed. He stood there, stroking a hand over her back.
“We’ll be okay,” he said quietly.
“I know,” came the reply from a very soft voice. “I just… A new world where I have a chance to make friends. If they don’t know about my gift, then perhaps they won’t see me as tainted and—”
“Hold a moment, Dmitra,” Kai interjected. “Do not hide who you are. My brothers are dragons who can breathe fire. I guarantee you they won’t pretend to be something they’re not, so why should you? We have teachers here who can help you practice your gift, hone it.”
“You have teachers for that?” Henry asked.
“We have those who can teach nearly anything. No matter how grand or esoteric. And the thing about our people? If they don’t know, they will find out. So please, daughter, don’t think of this world like yours. Our people are more enlightened, and will never lash out or make you feel less than you are.”
“Really?” she asked, tears staining her cheeks once more.
“I give you my oath, dear child,” Arissa said, coming into the group. “Kaithyn is right. Don’t try to deny who you are. Be proud that you are the daughter of Constance, Henry, andKaithyn. The three of them will provide you a firm base upon which to build yourself up.” She smiled and winked. “And I, your new grandmother, will be proud to help as well.”
Dmitra’s lower lip wobbled a moment, then she threw herself into Arissa’s arms, hugging for all she was worth. Even though she seemed shocked at first, Arissa enveloped Dmitra, bringing their heads together.
“You’re safe and loved here, child. Never forget that.”
“I’ll try… grandmother.”
And those words made the queen join in the tears.
It had been a whirlwind since they’d arrived. So many dragon-people had come to the area to marvel at Constance’s statue and to hear her story, but also to introduce themselves to the family. Henry couldn’t believe how open and accepting they were. Each brought gifts for the family, mostly things Kai promised he would explain as they were technology Henry hadn’t seen and would need to learn. But Dmitra got dolls and books and the most beautiful jewelry. She also received a device that strapped to her wrist and could tell her the time or the weather or any number of other things. She was wide-eyed when the kids were explaining everything it could do, but she seemed to take it in stride.
Mother received cooking utensils that put her old, beaten ones to shame. Brand new pots of what they called cast iron, things to help in the kitchen with chopping and dicing, and a magic wand called an immersion blender.
Other people brought Euric new, sturdier equipment for his smithy, and his eyes were wide as they installed it. When they were finished, they offered him what they called beer and pizza. They’d brought enough for everyone, and with the first taste, Henry swore he’d died and gone to heaven. Even mother seemed impressed as she finished six bottles of the ale herself. After, thequeen bid them all a good night and they wandered off toward their town, which Henry desperately wanted to see.
Mother was singing loudly when Dmitra, Euric, and Merry took her home.
Leaving Kai and Henry alone.
“Henry…. I’ve been waiting for us to have time together, just us,” Kai breathed out as he embraced Henry. “I want to know, would you spend the night at my home? I would know you better.”
Henry had questions, and he really needed to know. “Kai, why is it that your way of speaking is so similar to ours?”
Kai’s eyes widened. “Oh, I forgot.” He reached up and pulled a small circle from his ear. “Oh, man. That’s better.” He leaned in and gave Kai a kiss. “This is what I sound like normally,” he said. “What this device does is it translates everything people in the vicinity say into the language of the people I visit. Though we both speak English, yours is far older than mine and the translator assures we can understand each other.” He slipped the piece back into his ear. “Until we are able to help you and your family get caught up on the language my people will wear these so you’ll feel more comfortable.”
This was truly an age of marvels.
They arrived at Kai’s home, which was far grander than anything Henry had seen in Innernook. Of course it would be. He was royalty, after all.
“I see your expression. You’re worrying about the house. Everyone here has something similar. Yes, my parents are the king and queen, but we are all treated as family. And now, that includes you. He opened the door and bade Henry to enter. Gods of the earth and sky, Kai’s home was beyond imagining. Small glass bulbs were affixed to the ceiling and shone with an intensity nearly as bright as the sun. A device sat on a counter, the bright picture illuminated from somewhere within. Whenthe image changed, Henry gasped. Everywhere he looked, a new marvel caught his gaze.
“What is this?” Henry asked, as he stared at a box that appeared to be made of metal. It was nothing like the one Neron had purchased from the blacksmith, what with the sharp edges. These gleamed and had no rough corners Henry could detect.
“This is called a stereo,” Kai explained. He put his hand on the protrusions from the box and gave a gentle turn. Music the likes of which Henry had never heard poured out of the box.
“This is… lovely,” Henry said.
