“This is your last day of training, Bird, but it does not mean I will go easy on you,” Valyon said. “Prepare yourself!”

Quicker than Bird could blink Valyon halved the distance between them holding flames in her hands. Bird created two barriers around her hands and deflected Valyon’s blows. The heat of the flames grazed her skin, but did not hurt as she sent Valyon flying back a few steps with a push enforced by magic.

Valyon wheezed slightly then continued her attack, her blows coming quicker until Bird could only predict where they would land without seeing them. Swiftly summoning a full barrier she was able to hold back the dragon’s barrage.

Valyon began to circle her barrier continuously hitting it. Bird summoned three small gates and began her own barrage against Valyon. She called fire, lightning and wind spinning them about Valyon until she roared and jumped away. “You are getting better Bird, but you have yet to face a tiger’s full strength.”

The dragon’s stance became different and Bird felt a chill go down her spine. Valyon disappeared from her view between blinks. Suddenly she was knocked off her feet as her barrier shattered like glass around her. Turning her head she found Valyon standing over her with a menacing look in her eyes. Bird lifted her arms and blasted the dragon back before turning to face her. She put up another barrier but it was smashed just as easily as the first. Bird began to back away slowly putting up barrier after barrier as it was smashed.

“You will have to better than this to defeat me Bird!”

Bird suddenly grabbed Valyon by the wrist and tossed her over her shoulder. She kicked at her stomach but was pulled off balance as the dragon grabbed her extended leg. Bird summoned lightning again and struck her full in the face. The air smelled of ozone and burnt grass as the energy dissipated quickly into the ground. Bird stared in shock at the barrier Valyon had used to deflect her magic.

Swifter than she could blink Valyon grabbed her by the throat. “Well done Bird,” she said. “I can only expect greater things from you.”

“I’m not finished yet,” Bird growled. She grabbed Valyon’s arm. A trail of light encircled the dragon’s arm and throat. Valyon clawed at her throat with one hand but her fingers went through the light that continued to tighten around her neck. She dropped Bird and continued to claw with both hands to no effect on the tightening cord of light. She shimmered then changed into a dragon, but her form was one that Bird had only seen in a book. Instead of one head, Valyon had two. A halo of light appeared between a set of four massive feathered wings that glittered as she flapped them stirring up a gust of wind that threw Bird backward into one of the dummies. The cord of light snapped in a burst of light brighter than the sun. Bird shielded her eyes from the blast.

Hazy shadows clouded her vision as she turned back to face Valyon.

“I did not expect you to know such a spell,” the dragon’s heads said in unison. “If you are going to use light against me, then I should return the favor.”

Thousands of bands of light shot from the dragon’s halo and snaked their way toward Bird. Closing her eyes, Bird summoned a new barrier of light to encompass her body just before the two sources of light clashed. There was a clap of sound as the ground shook and shards of light exploded into the air causing an aurora borealis. Alarms began to ring around them and the training grounds began to fill with seasoned soldiers. They stopped short seeing the massive red dragon facing down the witch.

Bird summoned more of her power and molded a whip of light. She waved her hand and her barrier fell which surprised Valyon. The dragon narrowed her eyes at Bird and roared. Bird gave an answering shout. She felt her body become lighter and her shoulder blades began to itch furiously. She ignored the irritation and swung her whip. Valyon’s left head dodged and would have escaped if the whip did not split in two and capture both heads at once by their horns.

Bird felt her body burning from the inside and wondered if Lore was near her. She tugged on the whip and Valyon stumbled forward. The dragon sucked in a deep breath then poured blue tinged flames from her mouths. The intense heat was more than Bird had ever experienced and she bent over in pain as they flowed around her. Suddenly the scales on her wrist flowed over her body coating her in a thick armor that cancelled out the heat of the flames.

Bravely standing up Bird released her whip and gathered Valyon’s flames into her own hands and charged forward. A new sensation came over her body and she felt as if she was floating, her feet barely touching the ground as she delivered a blow to the three-story tall dragon’s chest.

Valyon staggered back and her flames were cut short by the pain that bloomed in her chest. She swung her tail around and caught Bird in the ribs. The witch screamed in pain as she felt something crack. Bird struggled to her feet holding her left side as pain flared through her chest making it harder to breathe. Spots danced before her eyes as she struggled for each breath. She took one step forward then blacked out.

She came to a few minutes later with Valyon, in human form, kneeling over her. “Shh… don’t move, I broke one of your ribs,” the dragon said softly. “I think you may have broken one of mine too.”

“Sorry,” Bird wheezed. The dragon woman shook her head and smiled.

“Don’t be. You passed your training with flying colors, literally,” Valyon said pointing up to the sky where remnants of the aurora borealis still hung. “Not many witches are as powerful as you, and not many can take on a dragon in holy form. I think the Oracle was right in choosing you for this mission.”

Bird shook her head. “That power wasn’t all mine, I have this,” she said holding up her left arm. Valyon held the proffered arm and tucked it back onto Bird’s chest as the woman winced.

“I know you have this, otherwise I would not have used my holy flames on you. All it did was protect you from my fire. The link between you and Lorcan is not yet strong enough for you to draw power from. I do have to ask though, who were your parents?”

Bird felt her chest tighten. “Wren and Eloise Blackbriar.”

Valyon looked deep in thought for a moment. “If I may ask, what was your mother’s maiden name?”

“Victore, if I remember correctly.”

“Victore? Are any of your grandparents still alive?”

Bird shook her head. “They’re all dead, including my mother and her sister. My cousin Nettie and I are the last descendants.”

“The one who was taken by tigers?”

“Ye-.”

Bird was cut short as the healer made his way to them. He went to Bird first who was still lying on the ground. “Ma’am, where are you hurt?” he asked briskly.

“My left side, I think I broke a rib.”

The healer clicked his tongue and turned to Valyon. “And you Ma’am?”

“The same, a rib may be broken.”

The healer pointed to two soldiers that were standing nearby. “You two help the Colonel to Sick Hall. And you three help me move this one.” The soldiers sprang quickly into action and lifted Bird and Valyon from the scorched ground. They carried them to Sick Hall where they were met by three other healers who directed them to separate rooms in the hall. Bird muttered a curse under her breath as she was set down on a bed and her attending healers began to remove her clothes with scissors. “You’re hands are cold!” Bird exclaimed as her tunic was pulled away from the purpling bruise on her chest.

“We’re not cold, you’re feverish,” one of the healers said as they placed a hand just above Bird’s ribs. “It seems you have fractured three ribs. Bones take longer to heal than flesh; we will need two healers for this.”

“Of all that is rotten,” Bird hissed as the healer felt around the area of bruising for more damage.

“Lay still,” the healer said firmly. Bird gritted her teeth and lay as still as she could while the healer finished her examination. A second healer joined them on Bird’s other side. “I’m ready to begin. Ma’am, this may hurt.”

Both healers raised their hands over Bird’s body and began to hum. Bird felt the hairs on her body rise as energy filled the room. The healers hands began to glow and they lowered them until they touched Bird’s skin. Bird screamed in pain. Her ribs felt as if a hundred nails were being slowly pushed into them. May hurt my ass, Bird thought as she struggled to breathe. After what seemed like hours the healers stopped and began tucking Bird into a gown.

“Are you done?” Bird asked quietly.

“For today, yes,” said the first healer. “We can’t heal bone all at once, doing so will cause more harm to your health. We will begin again tomorrow and you will be done. Try not to exert yourself in the meantime.”

After the healers left Valyon came into the room. “How are you Bird?”

“I feel like skewered meat. Was your rib broken?”

Valyon shook her head and lifted up her tunic to show the bruise on her skin. “They said it’s just a bruise that can be allowed to heal naturally. You delivered a good blow, but I should have gone easier on you. The Oracle will probably reprimand me for this.”

Bird sat up slowly wincing as she did. She swung her legs over the side of the bed and stood up. “What does the Oracle want me for? I am new to your world. I’m not even a properly trained witch!”

“Bird, many are never trained when they are thrust into war. You can have all the training in the world, but it will never compare to the reality of death and destruction.” Valyon sat on the edge of the bed and stared at the bare walls of the room. “I used to think this was my mother’s war. It was the First who failed in protecting our creator and had paid the price. I was born after our banishment. My mother, being of the First does not have a mother so when I was born she taught me what she knew best; fighting.

“I rebelled and fled from her determined to live a normal life away from the war. I did not understand what was at stake until I saw witches being senselessly murdered by their own kin. I fought to protect them, but alone I failed. They were my friends…” Valyon sighed. “I don’t know if my mother ever forgave me for running away, but I know she was happy when I returned.”

“I didn’t realize dragons had doubts about this war. I thought you all wanted to fight,” Bird said.

Valyon shook her head and patted Bird’s shoulder. “No, but we know we have to. Now the question for you is; do you want to fight?”

Bird looked down at her clasped hands. She had never asked herself if she wanted to fight. Her mother had shielded her from the world to protect her. The world was dangerous for a witch. Meeting Oliver Redfield for the first time had opened her eyes to the bitter truth that witches were not wanted or loved.

She had tried to make friends with other children while growing up, but they always sensed her otherness and her mother would chide her. Her mother saw no use in making friends with future enemies. They were better off alone.

After her mother had died and she had learned of Nettie and Ami’s budding powers she had secretly rejoiced. Here were two people that would understand her. She never had to be alone again.

How quickly that had changed for her.

Ami was dead and Nettie wanted her dead. The war that had been on the horizon her whole life was suddenly on her doorstep and her house left burning.

If she fought she may have a chance to rescue her cousin. If she fought she may be able to keep others from living in fear on the edge of society never to fit in.

“I see you have made up your mind,” Valyon said. “We have high hopes for you Bird.”

At that moment the door to the room burst open. Lore stood in the doorway with a harried Fel just behind him. “Where are you hurt?” the dragon asked kneeling quickly in front of Bird. Bird felt heat flush through her body and she looked askance at Fel and Valyon.

“I’m fine, just three broken ribs.”

“Only three? The way I heard it your whole side caved in!”

Bird rested her head on Lore’s and smiled. “Trust me, I will not go down lightly again.”

“Lightly?” Lore exclaimed outraged. “You took a hit from a Rose dragon in holy form. I would not call that lightly.”

“She also managed to land a blow on me too,” Valyon said lifting her tunic to show the bruises then pulling down the collar to show the ones that had been hidden. “I would keep this one happy.”

Bird snorted. Lore turned her head back to face him. “Truly, are you alright,” he said softly.

“I am. No need to worry Mother,” Bird said. Lore kissed her nose and she giggled.

“Apple should be here soon,” Fel said from the door. “Uler is buzzing over the aurora that appeared in the sky. How did you manage that?”

Valyon raised her hand. “Let me answer that. Drakir, being of holy nature are able to use light as a weapon. Light is like fire, but it is different. We use it to expel demons and sanctify tainted ground.”

“If it is holy magic, how can Bird as a mortal use it?” Fel asked.

“All witches have the potential to use such magic. This is one of the reasons why the False Ones hunt them down. They know that this power will expose their lies.”

“So why hasn’t it been exposed now?”

“There are so few witches that know how to use “holy magic” as you called it. There are even fewer willing to expose themselves as witches.”

Fel grew silent and rubbed his chin.

Apple arrived a few moments later and looked around the small room before entering. “This seems to be a rather boring party,” he said

“Apple, I haven’t seen you in ages!” Bird said holding up her arms for a hug. He hugged her and kissed her forehead ignoring the glare he received from Lore. He drew back. “I break my ribs and you come see me, but when I set myself on fire and almost die you ignore me? What kind of protector are you?”

Apple snorted. “I did come see you, but you were still passed out. I remember there being a lot of drool.”

“Apple!” Bird smacked his shoulder. “Don’t say things like that out loud.”

“Sorry, does that embarrass you?”

Valyon reached out and snatched Apple’s ear. “You come in here and do not even utter a hello to your aunt?”

“I’m sorry Aunt Valyon; how are you?” Apple asked sweetly.

“Very well, thank you,” Valyon said while she still kept a tight grip on her nephew’s ear. “I trust you are well too?”

“Yes Ma’am, but I would be better if you released my ear.”

Bird covered her mouth to hide her smile as Valyon gave one last tug and let go of Apple’s ear. He gingerly touched his reddening ear and backed up toward the wall. “It feels stuffy in here. Let’s give Bird some air,” Valyon said taking Fel by the arm.

The young man looked noticeably paler as the dragon led him out of the room. She shut the door behind them leaving Lore, Bird and Apple alone. Lore let out a sigh then sat on the bed with Bird. Apple sat on her other side.

“I saw the aurora borealis in the sky. It was spectacular, though it has the older dragon’s quaking in their scales,” Apple said. “Some fear it may draw the attention from the tigers. I need you to be careful Bird.” Apple took her left hand in his and squeezed it. You are powerful, and it’s not your fault, but people are now scared of you. They think that you may be a threat, not because you’re evil, but because your power is a tempting target for Seekers. I will do my best to protect you, but you need to start thinking about using your magic cautiously.”

“I agree with my cousin,” Lore said. “You’ve managed this long because you hid your powers well.”

Bird looked down at their clasped hands. She did not want anyone to feel afraid of her. How powerful was she? Did she bring more harm than good?

Lore wiped away one of her tears as it fell. “I didn’t ask for this power! Am I to be cursed to be an outsider?” She buried her face in Lore’s shoulder. He ran his hand over her head.

“No Bird,” Lore whispered. He kissed the top of her head and resumed stroking her hair. “Give them time to see the wonderful woman you are.”

***

Dia Blanc straightened her jacket and checked that her hair was in place. Snow stood beside her swinging his pocket watch in a circle around his index finger. Dia could not stop the curl of her lip as she looked at him. She would love nothing more to sever his useless head from his body, but Lun would frown on such an action between a wed couple.

She still hated the fact that she had been given to Snow as a prize for his duties as captain in the White Tiger Army of Heaven. Centuries of working her way up through the ranks only to lose her position as general to her husband. She had seen this before, a female tiger losing her rank and having it given to her husband as a wedding gift.

Today was the official day that her rank as general would formally go to Snow.

She smoothed out a wrinkle and looked at the scuff on her dress boots. She had no time to buff it out after she tripped on the stairs leading to the Hall of Stripes where senior generals presided.

“Dia, you look all nervous over there. Don’t be, everything will go smoothly,” Snow said touching her hand. She snatched it away and hissed.

“You do not have permission to touch me so freely,” she growled. Snow smiled mockingly and blew her a kiss.

“Ah darling, you forget that I will soon outrank you and you will be demoted to Lieutenant General. You should feel honored that I spoke on your behalf to not have you demoted to Captain. Show some respect.”

“Lieutenant General in name only; I know how this system works,” Dia snapped.

The doors opened before them and a tiger Lieutenant waved them into the room. “Sir, General Snow Blanc and Lieutenant General Dia Blanc report as ordered,” Snow said snapping to attention in unison with his wife and giving a smart salute. He was saluted back by the singular General sitting in the hall.

“Senior General Myrrh acknowledges your presence,” the tiger said dropping his salute. “I know that you both understand the business that is to be conducted today?” General Myrrh phrased as a question.

“Yes sir, this is to formally transfer my wife’s position to my person.”

“Proceed.”

Husband and wife turned to each other and Dia saluted. “I Dia Blanc transfer all powers and responsibilities as General of the 224th Branch of Heaven to my husband Snow Blanc.”

But I will gain them back, she said to herself.

Snow saluted back. “I take all powers and responsibilities from you. You are relieved.” He smiled brightly and Dia scowled.

“Now,” said General Myrrh. “Snow I know you wished for your wife to remain as a general, but tradition dictates that she shall be granted the rank of captain once more. As a captain she can oversee the teachings of future generations of soldiers. Such knowledge would be lost if she remained a general. I understand your love of her, but your request has been denied.”

Dia felt her heart shatter. How was she to face her troops knowing that she had lost her position as a general? When would females such as she be offered the respect and rank that they deserved? How many more would go through this humiliation? She was lucky that they had not kicked her out entirely; no she was too valuable for that.

“Yes, Sir,” Dia said calmly though she wanted to weep. “I humbly accept the rank of Captain.”

“Good,” General Myrrh said. “You are released back to your unit.”

Dia and Snow turned as one and left the Hall of Generals. This is not over! Dia said to herself as the doors closed behind them. The heavens would burn for this insult.