EMILY STIRRED ON HER GRANDFATHER’S LAP, engrossed in the storytelling. The sounds of battle outside the window faded away, and the lightning stilled as the wizards moved on. She pushed back to stare into his eyes, a puzzled frown wrinkling her brow as she thought.
“So, all those girls got to ride on a real dragon? Weren’t they scared? Where did they go? Where did Mama go? Did she go to help them? Is Shikara okay? When can I see her?”
He held up his hands to halt the flood of questions, his pale blue eyes crinkling with humour. “I think we should save your questions for the end. There is much more to tell, but what have you learned so far? What is the commonality amongst these children? Can you learn anything from their stories?”
Emily curled her lips into her thinking pose and rolled her eyes toward the ceiling. “I think they all have crystal hearts,” she began, pausing to see if she was on the right track. At his smile, she continued, “And I think the hearts are important to the dragons. I think the dragons are drawn to the hearts.” She cocked her head to study his expression. He nodded encouragingly. “Who are the boys? Why is it always a boy who comes with the dragons? Where are the girls?”
“Great questions, Emily.”
“What about their parents? Aren’t they scared? Sad? Did they go see the emperor? Is he going to help them? Are the girls in trouble? Do they need rescuing?” She frowned at that thought, her mind circling back around to her sister. “Is Shikara okay? I don’t want anything bad to happen to her. I haven’t even met her yet!” The last came out in a small wail and her lip trembled again.
“Hey, you will see her one day. I promise, Emily. She left on her dragon just before you were born, but she will seem much older to you when you meet her. She will be an adult. It is part of the magic that has been triggered.” He hugged her close. When she had quieted, he said, “Let me continue the story. Are you ready?” At her nod, he spoke once more.
“Elissa leaned out the window of her second story bedroom.” Emily snuggled into his chest and listened carefully.