Kathryn Butler - The Dragon and the Stone

Lily peered into the underbrush. She saw no movement and heard nothing except the steady rush of the Cascades at her back. A call to Adam and Rigel yielded no response.

Flint sprinted up her pant leg. She was surprised to discover he didnt burn her or set her clothes afire, and so she scooped him into a pocket of her shirt. Then Rigels screech pealed out from the forest, and the stone glowed even brighter. With a last glance at Cedric, who for the first time stirred by the newly blazing fire, she plunged into the woods.

The eerie light from the stone turned trees and rocks into hulking things with claws. She scanned the brush for clues as to Adams whereabouts, but she saw only bare tree trunks bathed in red, their bark twisted into menacing faces.

As she called for Adam again, Rigel burst from the brush and tugged at her collar. Then she heard the low murmur of people talking, and discerned a faint flicker of firelight in the woods ahead.

Rigel led Lily toward the voices, and she soon stumbled into a clearing. Adam sat on a rock holding his torch, which had burned down to a nub. The dying firelight of the torch revealed a man leaning against a tree trunk, his face stubbled with a fledgling beard, his hair messy. A cowlick just like Adams jutted from his scalp.

Adam glanced over his shoulder and beamed at Lily. Lily, you wont believe this! This is my dad! Hes come to bring us home!

The man looked at her, and his gaze made Lilys skin crawl. As she watched, his eyes, initially dark, began to change. Soon they gleamed a piercing red.

Just like Gran.

Adam, you have to come with me. Please. We have to go. Now.

Adam frowned at her. Didnt you hear what I said? This is my dad!

Adam, listen to me very carefully. That is not your dad. You have to trust me about this.

What are you talking about? Lily, hes going to take us home. And hes going to stay home. For good. Hes promised me.

Its not him, Adam! You have to believe me! Get away from him now!

Adam shook his head at her. You really are a freak, you know that? He stood up from the rock, turned away from her, and strode toward the man, who now straightened and walked to meet him.

With a screech, Rigel swept across the clearing and grasped Adams shirt. Adam swatted him away, but the kestrel held on with his talons and yanked him to the edge of the forest.

Let me go! Adam shouted, swiping at Rigel.

Adam, dont leave, the man said, his voice like honey.

Lily rushed in, and she and Rigel dragged Adam into the trees, despite his protests. Dad! Help! Please, dont go without me, Dad! Adam yelled.

Suddenly, a snarl stopped all of them in their tracks. A familiar, heavy scent of smoke filled the air. Rivulets of black cloud churned around the image of Adams father.

Dad? Adam said, his voice suddenly thin and quavering. Dad, whats happening to you?

The shroud cackled in a raspy voice, then swirled into a mass of smoke.

Weve got to get out of here! Now! Lily shouted, but Adam remained immovable. Rigel tugged harder on his collar, but to no avail.

Another snarl sounded, and the vapor dissipated. In place of Adams father, a massive, saber-toothed cat crouched before them. It reared on its haunches to strike.

Run! Lily screamed. Run, now!

Adams trance finally broke, and he sprinted through the trees. They raced for the basin, but the beast leapt in front of them to block their path. Another cruel cackle issued from its belly, and saliva dripped from its jaws.

Fools! the shroud scoffed. Do you really think you can escape? Do you really think youre any match for me? For him ?

Rigel clawed at the cats eyes, but with one swipe the beast struck him and sent him skidding into the dirt. Then Flint ran forward, hurling tiny orbs of fire at the cat like fistfuls of darts. The beasts savage roar blasted him backward, and Flint toppled over and rolled across the ground.

Lily ran to help Rigel, but a giant paw, with claws like sickles, pounded to the ground in front of her.

My, you are a foolish little thing, arent you? the cat sneered as he circled Lily. Brave, Ill grant you, but foolish!

Lilys chest heaved. Her every fiber wanted to run, but with the beasts teeth dripping just a foot away from her, she was too terrified to do more than take a few steps backward.

You know you cant win, little girl, the cat continued. You know youre not strong enough, or smart enough. But if you come quietly, perhaps hell be merciful. Perhaps hell spare your life, along with those of your puny little friends.

His words penetrated like poison. Maybe I should give up , she wondered. She was just a kid, no match for a saber-toothed cat. What was the point in pretending?

Come with me, the beast continued, and your friends will live. Refuse, and Ill skewer each and every one of them like meat on a spit. He bared his fangs and slunk low to the ground. Theres no choice, really, he coaxed. You dont want to hurt your friends, do you? You couldnt live with yourself if their blood was on your hands.

Lilys heart pounded. She thought of Cedric, broken and bloodied on the ground. Shed already hurt one friend with her ineptitude. What if hes right? she thought. How can I risk Adam and Rigels lives, too?

Ill make it even easier on you, steward. He spat the last word, as if he detested the feel of it in his mouth. You dont even have to come with me. Just give me the stone.

Lily glanced down. The stone continued to pulse red. Without even realizing it, her fingers closed around it.

Thats it, the cat crooned. Its such a little thing. Just a trifle. Pass it to me, and all will be well. Its so easy, steward.

Lily stared at him, the stone still clenched in her hand.

The beast growled. What are you waiting for? Give. Me. The stone!

Lily took a step back from him and shook her head. No. This isnt right.

You puny little brat! The cat lifted its head skyward and roared. Well, suit yourself! Eymah will have your skin for this idiocy... just like your fathers!

Upon the mention of her father, a taut cord within Lily snapped. The fear that so crippled her turned over like a rolling wave, and in its wake, determination stormed to the surface.

The beasts roar shook the trees, and he leaned on his haunches to pounce. Lily stepped backward a few more paces, but she still faced him. She raised her arms.

He charged. Rigel, limping on the ground with a broken wing, screeched in panic. Flint rushed in, only to be trampled underfoot by the lumbering beast.

Lily closed her eyes.

Adam, perched atop a boulder in the middle of the clearing, pelted the cat with rocks. The monster ignored him and charged with another roar, then launched through the air.

Suddenly the soothstone, which until that moment glowed red, spilled white-blue light into the clearing. A crack like an earthquake split the night, and Adam yelped as the rock on which he sat reared up and tossed him from its smooth surface. The stars disappeared behind a massive, cragged silhouette that blocked out the treetops.

Lily heard a whoosh, a thud, and then the whine of an injured animal. She opened her eyes.