Page 200 of Castings & Curses

“Put your weight on your leg and walk,” continued the dragon.

Fear flickered across Jaiyana’s eyes as she looked longingly at her staff, which had been an aid for so long.

“You can do it, Jaiyana,” cheered Bellatrix.

Gingerly, the princess put her weight on her leg and moved forward. A look of surprise flashed across her face. “No pain,” she whispered. She continued to walk, and her gait was even, with no sign of a limp. She moved faster and broke into a light jog. She touched one side of the cave and skipped, then jumped, then ran her way back.

“I am cured!” she proclaimed and wrapped her arms around Fengari’s face in a hug. “Thank you!”

“You are welcome,” replied the creature. “But remember, your kindness and good heart are worth far more than any fool’s philosophy.”

Jaiyana nodded her head and reached for her staff. “This is rightfully yours, for I no longer have need of it.”

Fengari took the staff into his jaws and placed it among his treasures. He returned to the princesses “The second thing I request from you is companionship. I do not wish to continue to live in this cave all by myself.”

Bellatrix’s eyes widened in delight. “You can come live with us at the palace if we are able to get it back. Either way, I am sure Iris would welcome you at her cottage as she did me. We are friends now, so wherever our home is, that will be yours, too.”

Wrapping the crystals in his tail, Fengari dropped the precious stones into Bellatrix’s hand.

“The Crystals of Time are yours. With these gifts, combined with your powers and the lunar eclipse, you can reverse the curse that has been placed upon you. The red stone is the Crystal of the Past because sometimes the errors of yesteryear can haunt us and bleed us into the present and future. The black and white stone is Crystal of the Present. Many times we trap ourselves in our ways, and life can pass us by if we are not careful. The gray stone is the Crystal of the Future because our story has not been written yet, but if we combine our knowledge of the past with the guidance of the present, we can make a better outcome for ourselves.”

Warmth filled Bellatrix’s palm as the crystals glowed.

“How exactly do we use these?” asked Jaiyana.

“You will know when the time is right. Now you must hurry! Judging by the sky, in twenty-four hours there will be the lunar eclipse and the rise of the Red Hunter Moon, your last opportunity to break the curse.”

“We must head to the Castle of Maldinia, but we are too far away,” cried Bellatrix. “We will never make it there on foot.”

“Then it is a good thing I can fly.” Fengari stretched his wings outward, sending a strong breeze throughout the cave.

“Fengari, will you join us in the fight to take back our birthright and dissolve the curse? We could use your help,” cried Bellatrix.

“Anything for a friend. I will be delighted to have the opportunity to vanquish evil.”

Fengari lowered his head and Bellatrix, Jaiyana, and Jinx climbed aboard. Holding tightly to the scales on his neck, the princesses and feline braced themselves as the magnificent beast raced out the cave entrance and jumped off the cliff. Flapping his massive wings gracefully, he took flight.

It was a sensation unlike anything Bellatrix had ever experienced. Up high in the sky, she could see the tops of trees and small villages. They looked so far away. She whispered to Fengari to take them down to the clearing below ,for they had a few people they needed to join them.

The looks on Eryx and Grün’s faces were of pure shock as they watched the princesses and cat descend down to them on top of a giant dragon.

Bellatrix slid down Fengari’s back and ran into the arms of the brave man she loved.

“My darling, you are alive! I was so worried. It killed me inside to remain helpless here, but I knew you would conquer this battle,” stated Eryx in pride for his amazing beloved princess.

Turning to look at Fengari, the princess smiled. “We did not conquer any battle. We gained a friend. This is Fengari who is going to help us in our fight, and then come live with us afterwards.”

Grün turned to Jaiyana and placed a hand on her shoulder. “I am glad you are well, Princess, I could not bear to see harm come to you. And your leg appears to be better.”

Jaiyana touched his arm and blushed. “I am cured,” she declared. “I am now free to run, jump, and go wherever I please without a staff to limit me.”

“Walking stick or none, you are still beautiful to me,” whispered Grün in a low voice as he gazed longingly at Jaiyana. He must not have thought anyone could hear him, but Bellatrix did. She expressed a look of joy and hugged Eryx tighter.

“Princesses! Enough of this lovey dovey. What are our next steps?” interrupted Jinx. “The hours are passing quickly.”

“Fengari will take us back to the castle. Even though he flies, it will take us a day to get there. Let’s get moving!” cried Bellatrix as the group climbed onto Fengari’s back, and flapping his wings, the fantastic magical dragon flew into the sky.

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