“There’s a family of cloud leapers that live over those cliffs,” Mikey said, pointing. “They’re shy, but if you bring them melonberries, they’ll let you bounce on their backs. It’s like flying.”
“Cloud leapers,” Jabir whispered, his eyes wide.
“And over that ridge,” Gabby added, “is where the Frosthorns roam. They’re kinda like deer, if deer were made of ice and could shoot icicles from the horns on their head when startled.”
“I want one,” Jabir said automatically.
Williston snorted and pointed to the north where the trees turned dark and twisted. “Avoid the Wispywooters. They are beetles that live in the knots of the trees. They’re very annoying.”
“They rub their wings together, and it makes your head foggy and your ears hurt. I don’t like them,” Mikey sighed.
Jabir burst into laughter. “This place is amazing.”
They crested a gentle hill, and the trees gave way to a stunning view. Before them stretched a vast, crystalline lake so clear he swore he could see the luminous scales of fish darting below the surface.
On the far shore, nestled among stone outcroppings and flowering vines, was a village like something out of a fairytale: domed stone huts with vibrant mossy rooftops, steam curling from quaint chimneys, and a long pier stretching out like a welcoming arm into the water, lined with small wooden fishing boats.
A dragon-sized lump rose in Jabir’s throat.
He had expected danger—claws, teeth, darkness—on the Isle of the Monsters. Instead, he found this place… a magical place alive with wonder. It was like someone had stitched together the best dreams of every misunderstood creature—and somehow turned them into home.
“You live here?” Jabir whispered, awestruck.
“Oh, no. This is the Manticore’s fishing village. We just come to trade,” Mikey said with pride.
“They won’t mind… that I came?”
Mikey blinked. “Why would they? There are many different monsters who live here. Woodland sprites, garden trolls—they are much smaller than us—centaurs, gargoyles. I even heard there are a few pirates that gave up plundering but not the water to live here—and a giant or two.”
“Don’t forget the sirens,” Gabby said over her shoulder.
Williston grimaced. “You don’t want to mess with the sirens. Jack makes them stay on the far side of the lake near the islands. As long as you stay away from them, you’ll be safe.”
Jabir stared out across the lake at the islands Williston pointed at. There was a large one, covered in trees, along with several outcroppings of smaller rocks. He frowned. He couldn’t see any sirens.
“Who’s Jack?” Jabir asked.
Gabby pointed her walking staff towards a massive creature walking toward the dock. Jabir recognized it as a Manticore. His mouth dropped open. They were real.
We going to get eaten, his dragon groaned, shaking its head.
Mikey isn’t scared, he retorted, unable to pull his gaze away from the magnificent monster that was part lion, part scorpion, and part dragon/bat.
Mikey as dumb as you.
“This is amazing,” Jabir breathed, ignoring his dragon when it snorted.
“I smell food. Mikey hungry. Let’s go find Cory. She likes me. She gives Mikey food,” Mikey added brightly.
Jabir nodded, but didn’t move. He was too transfixed by the beauty and magic below him. Gabby turned with a grin.
“Come on, yummy boy. Let’s get to the village. Jack and Cory will love our new story.”
“Wait—what new story?” he asked, hurrying to catch up.
Williston snorted. “About you!”
Jabir laughed, the sound surprising even himself. As they began their descent toward the lakeside village, his dragon grumbled.
