I took a minute thinking about what the land looked like when I flew over. No matter how hard I tried to remember, I could not recall ever seeing anything that resembled a rock formation.
I looked around. People were selling colorful dresses, jewelry, fruits, and freshly baked breads. My mouth started to water. All around me were women with newborns and toddlers that they carried on their bodies, wrapped in similar fabric they wore themselves.
We crossed numerous cave-like corridors that were partially lit by the sunlight coming from up above. The darker spots had similar lanterns filled with leafy green plants and curiouslooking insects. As we crossed more paths, I caught a glimpse of gardens that were situated right in the caves. Wooden shelves extended the bodies of the plants that were placed to soak in every ray of sun. The slow current of water streamed over the floor and there were several young boys who carefully watered the plants from ceramic pitchers.
Finally we entered another room with two pools of water on either side and a table in the middle. There was a beautiful woman of about fifty with light brown skin and long, obsidian black hair that was combed back. She was dressed in a snow white strapless dress that accentuated her breasts and showed her shoulders and back. I knew right away that she was the one in charge.
“My apologies, priestess.” The woman who was escorting me stepped closer. “We spotted two intruders close to the entrance. They didn’t seem hostile.”
The priestess calmly glanced at the spear wielding woman, then without saying anything to her, walked straight up to me. Her intense dark eyes burned into mine.
I frowned, staring back at her. If they thought they could intimidate me, they got the wrong girl. I may not have my sword, but I could still do a lot of damage, especially in my dragon form.
“And the other one?” the priestess asked.
“Too weak to move and has been taken to the healers.”
The woman finally addressed me. “Our community is secluded from the outside world and we prefer to keep it that way. We never take anyone in, especially the dragonborns.”
So they knew who we were. They probably saw us shapeshifting at the well. I remained silent.
“To tell you the truth, I had been praying to the great mother to send us someone like you. And my wish was granted,” she continued. I did not say a word. “We need help.” She tilted her head to the side, studying me.
“What kind of help?” I asked.
She smiled and slowly walked around me. I glanced at the woman with the spear but her gaze tracked the priestess, as if there was nothing else worthy of her attention.
“This community is special. It is built upon the wishes of the divine mother. We do the best we can to protect peace and tranquility. We make our own food, and we have an endless supply of divine water. All we want is to live, that has been our goal all along, but things changed. There is evil in this world, and I am not talking about the cursed ones.” She gave a sign to one of the servant girls and the table was carefully set.
I could not stop from gawking at the food. The assortment of fruits, bread, and what looked like baked chicken made me nearly nauseous with hunger.
The priestess smirked and shook her head. “What should I call you?” she asked.
“Frid.” I swallowed.
“Care to join me, Frid?”
“What about my friend?” I looked at her.
“Is he your friend or your man?” She paused when I scowled. “Our community is woman oriented. Women choose their men,not the other way around. If you don’t claim him for yourself, someone else may.” She smiled when she saw my facial expression.
“He’s mine. I claim him.” I looked at all the women in the room.
“Please sit,” the priestess said, extending her arm.
I carefully approached the chair, worried that everything on the table was only a dream, an illusion that would evaporate into thin air if I dared to touch any of the food.
“My name is Mahin.” The woman picked up a piece of flatbread and tore it with her beautiful fingers.
I stared at her hands, she had the clean nails and soft skin of a person who never had to do any hard labor.
“You already know Amira, she is my guardian angel, and my partner.” Mahin continued.
“What about my... man?” I asked, struggling with the phrase.
“He will have all the help we can provide, but he is your responsibility. If he misbehaves, you are the one who will be held responsible. These are our rules.” Mahin poured something that smelled like a fermented drink into my cup and handed it to me.
I accepted it and took a sip. The sweet mix of fruit and honey played on my tongue and went down my throat leaving a pleasant warmth behind. This was a dangerous game, I was too hungry to drink alcohol.
