Through the Eyes of a Fae
Chapter 16

On the 21st day of the campaign home, the capital came into view and Kora was stunned. It was beautiful. You could see the castle even from here, nestled next to a large winding river, the city spread around it like a skirt. The sun shined off many windows, and some lights already twinkled along the river. Looking at the castle, she barely recognized it. This was the same valley, the same river, but the castle was huge. Ludis reigned beside her.

“The original castle is easier to see up close. It lies in the center, with a few additional towers added. It has grown tenfold since Malik took the throne. He’s a smart king, not many can say their country made such progress during the war, but he found a way to make it work.” Ludis sounded proud, and at the raised eyebrow from Kora, a light blush tinged her cheeks.

“Come on, I’m dying for a bath.” Kora, remembering the hot baths big enough to swim in, moaned and spurred Oginalii onward. Seeing the castle walls up close, and all the changes to such a familiar place, struck Kora hard. It was not hers anymore. Looking around the large courtyard, seeing the flower beds she had dug in as a child, it was like yesterday. Even in the past, it had been years since she had been home. She felt small, a stranger in her own home. Stella walked up to her as she dismounted and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

" I hope you know you are genuinely welcome here. It could always be your home, if you want it to be.” a long night of conversation had led Kora to telling her newfound friends who she was in her previous life. Touched, Kora looked down and nodded, hiding the sudden tears that sprang to her eyes.

“I already know exactly what room you should have, I bet you will know it when you see it.” Stella took her hand and led her forward into the castle grand foyer. Their steps echoed off the stone, and as they rounded the corner, Kora looked up. The ceiling of the entrance hall had always been one of her favorite things about the castle, and she was happy that it was still intact. It was stained crystal glass, the whole ceiling. The colors bounced everywhere, the images displaying the rise and fall of the great dragons of old. Legends told of the dragons who accompanied Oberon and his two wives to the new earth, and how every scale glimmered like a thousand diamonds. Dragons as big as mountains. The sight always awed her. The candlelight bounced and flickered, making them almost come alive. As Stella walked forward across the great room, the others behind her - Kora grabbed her arm. She had a mysterious smile on her face.

" Wait, I know a secret about this room, let me show you.” The others looked at her curiously, and even Malik, who knew every stone in the castle - could not hide his curiosity. Kora walked to the middle of the grand room and raised her hands to the ceiling. Stepping to the side and bending down, she brought her arms up and over her head. She spun. Her dance started slow, the moves graceful. Every step was specific. It was beautiful, with the lights twinkling. With her dance, the dragons looked even more alive. Like they were moving… Did one of them just wink? Suddenly, the ceiling slowly came to life. Transparent dragons began to move, stepping out of the ceiling and gliding down to fly around Kora. Her face glowed, a sheen of sweat on her forehead. She continued her dance, as the others stared in wonder. The transparent dragons swirled and looped, roaring silently to the sky. Around Kora they flew, and her steps grew faster. She was sweating now, but the joy on her face was contagious. The dragons moved so fast now, that it was a colorful blur. Kora abruptly swung around and raised her hands towards the ceiling, and the dragons exploded into sparking lights before raining down to disappear. She stood panting, with her hands still raised. Her friends began to applaud and call out in wonder. Malik spoke first. He came forward in a rush, and it was the youngest that she had seen him look. He was breathless with excitement.

" How did you DO that? What was that? I have looked at that ceiling my whole life. I never knew!” Kora smiled as Stella was right behind him, her enthusiasm as contagious as Malik. The others were also just as curious, crowding closer.

“It’s called the dance of fire. When Oberon came to this land, the dragons chose to follow them, and they were allies. In the spring and the fall, the dragons would dance in the skies, and the sun would shine through their wings - casting colors all over the countryside. When My great-grandfather built this castle, he could not get the image out of his mind from childhood. My great aunt cast the spell as a gift for him after its completion. It was a dance that he performed with my great-grandmother.” Kora was breathless, still smiling. Dragons had been extinct by the time she had been born, but her father had taught her this dance, and she had loved it. A secret they had shared with only her brother. Ben was looking at her, and a warm smile curved his lips.

" We thank you for sharing something so personal with us Kora, it truly was beautiful” Ludis was grinning ear to ear, but you could see the academic part of her mind turning and Kora knew in time Ludis would ask to learn the dance. She laughed. The others, still talking about the astonishing display, picked up their bags and continued across the great room, with one last look at the dragons, one winked at Kora. She smiled and followed Stella, now rambling on about the display as she led Kora off to her new quarters.