Elodia's Dragon (8 page)

"Yes, I would like that." Elodia and Maryann sat together for dinner. Other girls joined them. Such a simple gesture, sitting and eating together, but it helped heal the terrible lowliness that had plagued Elodia since her arrival.

Over the next few days, Maryann became the mentor she had been asked to be. They spoke little about their past. Elodia mentioned she was the daughter of a Master Purplemaker. Maryann said that her family was from Riverdale and her father was in the Navy and she missed him terribly. Maryann had two brothers and Elodia one. Both had always wanted a sister so they decided they would be sisters. Maryann worked with Elodia in the clinic, encouraging her in her studies. They both took part in several laying-on of hands. They decided to share a room with Elodia moving in with Maryann. Maryann introduced Elodia to all her friends and for the first time in her life, Elodia had numerous friends. Elodia was happy.

One night Elodia, Maryann and several young women from the clinic went to visit the inn at Bountiful. They ordered dinner and drank ale together. Then as musical instruments were brought in they sang with the other patrons. Later dance music was played and Elodia danced. She and Maryann danced several times together trying to outdo their friends in silliness and creating new dance steps neither would have attempted without the ale and their desire to outdo each other. They had a large audience for their antics. Elodia had a wonderful time, but both of them had severe headaches in the morning. They were both teased unmercifully by several students who had also been at the inn. They made several more trips to the inn and got themselves dormed for their frequent curfew violations.

Being dormed they had to report each and every hour to the house mother until midnight. They were not allowed out for the three days of their punishment. They made a game out of the reporting ritual and made several ’escape‘ attempts in outlandish improvised costumes, often sporting beards and mustaches made from cotton balls. Their antics had even Mother Ruth laughing.

Several days later Elodia and Maryann visited the capitol with two additional friends. "That's a huge porch!" Elodia exclaimed pointing.

"It's the longest porch in the world Odie. That building, The Grand Hotel, is where the government officials stay and meet while there in cession."

"Looks empty...race you across the porch!" Elodia said lifting her skirt high above her knees and starting to run the length of the porch. Maryann and the others joined her as wood porch literally thundered as they raced barefoot across the porch laughing and screaming in delight. "I WON!" Elodia exclaimed as she danced on the end of the porch and wiggled her bottom at her friends.

"You had a head start Odie!" Maryann said laughing. "Let's go again and start even." The four of them lined up for a second run each of them holding their skirt high. "Ready, set, GO!" Maryann shouted and they were off. They had nearly finished their second run when a tall well dresses man stepped out smiling at them and holding his hand up.

"Slow down a bit," he said laughing.

"Uncle John!" Maryann said with a horrified look on her face.

"You have all been most entertaining. Never has a session of the counsel been privy to such a lovely race,"

"Uncle John, I think we had better go home," Maryann whispered blushing bright red. They quietly took their leave thoroughly chastened.

"Who was that nice man?" Elodia asked.

"The Governor General, my uncle," Maryann whispered. Then the four of them laughed loudly and turned waving merrily at Maryann's uncle as they continued their tour.

Mother Ruth met with the other instructors to discuss the behavior changes in both girls since becoming friends. "They're both eighteen. They will turn nineteen in weeks. I think it's good they have been acting out a bit."

"Maryann was always so quiet and serious," one of the instructors said. "Now she is so silly at times."

"How is her attitude and behavior in the clinic?" Mother Ruth asked.

"It has changed markedly. Maryann is much warmer and less clinical, Elodia has been good for her. She was always very knowledgeable but cold, the change has been profound."

"Elodia has changed too," Mother Ruth noted, "she was so shy and lonely. Myrtle told me a little about her life."

"She doesn't make friends easily, then she literally ran away," another instructor noted. "She is a sweet girl but until recently she was easy to overlook. She had the talent to blend in with the furniture. She is intelligent and caring. We think the two of them are behind several elaborate pranks, none of them hurtful, just silly."

"Let's keep an eye on them, if they can keep a lid on their boisterous sides we will look the other way. They both have tremendous potential. They have been good for each other," Mother Ruth said.

Elodia decided to take Maryann flying. Using her improvised ropes they tied themselves down with Maryann sitting behind Elodia while they flew. They soared high over Turnagain bay and flew over Novi, Grand Isle, and Bell Isle. They flew across Bountiful Bay and across the Sister Islands and along the coast. The sight of the rocky coast from high in the air was awe inspiring. Davida dove low, flying close to the cliff face almost touching it with her wings as Maryann and Elodia screamed in delight. Davida soared high, rolling and diving, and then just skimming the water of the bay. Alternating between laughing and screaming Maryann and Elodia enjoyed their flight. Maryann held tight to Elodia as they flew.

Then suddenly they were joined by other dragons. At least ten additional dragons joined them, flying in formation, then rolling and vanishing with a popping sound. They returned and both Maryann and Elodia rushed to inform Mother Ruth about the dragons they had encountered. By evening, everyone knew of the dragons.

"Mother Ruth I think Davida can follow the other dragons, me and Maryann can..."

"You and Maryann!" Mother Ruth laughed.

"The dragons are most likely descendants of the original three dragons," Maryann said. "I know back then they were trying to reestablish the dragons."

"What are you proposing Elody?"

"We fly out over the ocean and when the dragons come to meet us we follow."

"Then we come back and report," Maryann added.

"Let me counsel with the coven. Finding a growing population of dragons would be wonderful. But there also is a great risk. The dragons must never join with men to do battle. If you find them, no one outside the coven can know." Maryann and Elodia nodded in agreement.

"E
lody, I got a letter from home. My brother got home last week. He's coming here. He'll be here for my birthday."

"When is your birthday?"

"The fifteenth."

"Mine too," Elodia laughed.

"May?" Elodia nodded. "We have to do something special. My big brother just made journeyman and we're just turning nineteen. I GOT IT, let's party," Maryann said bouncing on her bed.

"I have some money, let's use the inn, I'll buy the ale."

"I'll set you up with my big brother!" Maryann said only half teasing.

"Thank you, but I have a fiancé. He already declared once before we were separated."

"I didn’t know Elody, I'm so sorry." Elody related her story to Maryann. Maryann listened, her mouth wide with surprise then smiling. "I think your Eli is my brother."

"Don’t think so your last name is Lehmandotter. His is not the same."

"Elijah Lehmanson?"

"Yes."

"That's MY brother." Elodia looked confused while Maryann laughed with delight. "I'll have to instruct you how last names are derived in the republic."

"Let's tell everyone we are twins, separated by cruel fate at birth, and that we only recently discovered out twin-ship," Elodia said.

"That will be our best hoax yet!" Maryann said excitedly to be conspiring such an elaborate prank. "This will go down in school history." They continued to conspire as they worked out their elaborate story. Both were equal in stature. Elodia's hair was dark red-brown and Maryann's was ginger. Both had blue eyes. And both were already infamous over their initial battling and current level of friendship.

They decided to rent the inn for the party. The total cost was twenty pounds sterling. They told everyone about their newly discovered twin-ship and posted invitations for the party. They said the party would celebrate their birthday and reunion with a long lost brother. They told how he had discovered Elody and how they had crossed the continent, searching for each other. Some of Maryann's friends were aware of the elaborate hoax but relished in being part of the conspiracy.

"Were are you taking me?" Elodia asked.

"You really need to dress up for our party. I'm taking you to my cousin’s shop, 'The Shaman's Modiste'. It's been in the family for three generations." They entered the little shop. Elodia spotted the sari immediately.

"I've just got to wear a sari."

"They're a bit pricey Elody."

"I'll get you one too, my treat. After all, we’re twins!" That statement got Maryann laughing.

"I can't let you Elody."

"Please let me. Eli will go nuts!"

They both picked a red sari with a different elaborate paisley design on both ends the central area red and free of designs. They also purchased a plain black petticoat. The sari was very sheer and their backs and tummies would be visible through the red drape.

"Isn't it odd we both like red dresses?" Elodia asked.

"Well, we are twins!" that had both of them laughing. They both chose a black halter choli, and then they looked at the shops collection of inexpensive costume jewelry. They both purchased several gold-colored anklets, necklaces, and bracelets. They also purchased black sandals that had thin straps.

They then spent over an hour at the shop learning how to wrap the sari. The black petticoat adding depth to the colorful skirt and the see through drape displaying their trim torsos and shoulders. They tried on their costume jewelry and were delighted with their images in the mirror.

"We really could pass for twins!" Elodia laughed.

They then went to the semaphore station and Maryann sent a message to her brother that she had arranged a room for him at the inn and she planned a little party for his graduation and her birthday.

The plan in motion, they only needed to wait for Eli to arrive.

M
aryann waited at the little harbor of the city of Bountiful with two of her co-conspirators as the river galley carrying Eli pulled into the dock. Maryann was waving enthusiastically. Eli took her into his arms and kissed her forehead.

"Last time I saw you, you were a skinny little kid!"

"Yea, you called me chicken legs!" Maryann laughed.

"You are a beautiful young woman Maryann."

"Thank you, big brother, that makes up for chicken legs," Maryann smiled as she twirled around.

"I can't believe it's been four years," Eli said.

"I take my finals June first."

"Lots of classes?"

"Not at all, just clinicals every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday." Maryann was skipping as she walked backward as she smiled happily at her brother.

"What do you with the rest of your time, study?"

"Party."

"My overly serious little sister partying, that would be odd," Eli laughed.

"I'm a real party animal, Eli!" Maryann laughed. "We got a party planned for tonight at the inn. It's a combination happy nineteenth Maryann and congratulations big brother. Just a very few friends, low-keyed." Eli shook his head. "You just got to come, big brother, please! Please! Please!" Maryann assumed her begging pose and her very best pouty face.

"I never could resist you, Maryann," Eli laughed.

"I'm your spoiled little sister," Maryann laughed, "You never could."

"Did Mom say anything in her letter about my last few months?"

"Not really, why."

"I've been searching for a girl."

"Anyone in particular?"

"Her name is Elody. I love her Maryann. I believe she is here in Bountiful."

"Then I will do my best to find her for you big brother."

"Thank you, Maryann."

"Remember the party. Don’t show up until after eight." She walked to the inn with Eli and sat with him for lunch. "Rest up a bit, see you at eight."

Maryann returned to her dorm and she and Elodia dressed for the party. They also decided to leave their sandals at home as they rubbed uncomfortably with their gold anklets. They got a lot of stares from passing males as they made their way through the busy streets to the inn. They met with several co-conspirators as they decorated the inn. At seven the party started and the inn served ale and pretzels to all. Elodia had also ordered fried chicken strips and potato wedges. They had spies located to watch for Eli so they could keep Elodia hidden from sight. The party was well attended by students and curious inn patrons. Mother Ruth and the school staff were inconspicuous but present. At eight-fifteen Eli entered the inn’s tavern.

He had dressed for the party. Black boots and pants with his best white shirt and vest. He had shaved and hair was neatly hair combed. Maryann rushed to him hugging him. For a brief instant, he saw a young woman with long dark wavy hair. She was wearing a red sari but he only saw her from behind when Maryann thoroughly distracted him. "Elody," was his first thought but he dismissed the thought.

Maryann seemed energized and exuberant as she held onto Eli's hand and introduced him to an endless number of friends. Eli's thoughts and attention were centered on getting another glimpse of that girl with the long hair. His heart was beating fast as Maryann prattled on. He heard some references about finding a long lost twin but he really wasn’t listening.

His reverie was broken when he heard Maryann and several of her friends giggling and Maryann hiccup. "What are you drinking Maryann?" he asked.

"Nothing," she responded, blushing.

"I've made my appearance Maryann, I am tired. May I please retire?"

"OK, but I have one more person to introduce." Maryann signaled and several women approached, and then stepped aside where Elodia stood smiling, her hands behind her back. She rocked slightly and looked into his face whispered, "Are you going to finish the declarations?"