Eukara Vox
Legendary AdventureGuide!
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A Brazilian Sweetheart
by Eukara Vox
Chrysa stretched slowly as the sun filtered into her room. She looked over at the old ledge where Talvan had slept and sighed. It would be another month before her house could be altered enough to accommodate a growing dragon.
Well, at least I didn’t have to listen to you talk in your sleep.
Chrysa snorted. Yes, because your snoring is oh-so-comforting, Heart-Sister.
Talvan exhaled loudly from her temporary keep outside. Snoring is better than serenading the entire community. I am sure that the masses enjoyed your rendition of 'Memory' from Cats last night.
So I sing when I am asleep. Chrysa shrugged. Still better than snoring. I mean, I have had complaints about your snoring. Just two nights ago, the apothecary came by in the middle of the night, to check on us, thinking that some awful swamp creature had invaded our home. I had to show him you on your couch out there, snoring in all your glory.
Chrysa rose from her chair as Talvan growled and closed the Book of Mythical Creatures. She knew Diren would be there soon to escort her and Talvan back to Brazil. The annual festivities surrounding the Day of the Dead was going on all over South and Central America and she wanted to observe them. And... There was the issue regarding the Encantados.
Are you ready to go to Brazil or do you want to stay here?
What? Stay here! Chrysa heard the clicking of claws on granite, signaling Talvan's rise from her couch. How dare you think that you are going anywhere without me! The nerve...
Chrysa chuckled and grabbed her riding gear. Then let's meet Namaran before Diren has a chance to come knocking--
A knock on the door interrupted her conversation with Talvan. Or... Maybe not. Chrysa opened the door to a smiling Diren. "Good morning Diren. I was about to leave to meet up with you and Namaran."
"Ah, and deprive me of our walk to Namaran's Den? I think not." He held out his arm for Chrysa to take. She willingly looped her arm around his and smiled. "See, this is how one walks around!"
Chrysa smiled and left her home with Diren. She watched at Talvan flew ahead of them, choosing not to walk with the two humans. Talvan has become quite the flyer recently. Africa changed a lot of things...
As soon as they reached Namaran's den, Chrysa pulled on her riding gear and waited for Namaran to ready himself to carry the three of them. Diren's silence lasted only so long before he couldn't help it anymore. "So, why is it we are going back to Brazil?"
"Well, it is the second of November, which is the day that people celebrate the Day of the Dead there. I have always been curious about this day and how it is regarded. And..."
"And?"
"Well, there is this mythical creature there..."
"Awww, Chrysa, I thought you were going to take a break from this." Diren looked at her concerned.
"Me too! But, well, this one... We are already going to be in Brazil. And I thought, might as well try to find it while we are there." Chrysa bit her lip and looked at Diren.
Sighing, he helped Chrysa onto Namaran's proffered foot so that he could lift her to his back. Whether she admitted it or not, she was still very weak. Her recovery was too slow for Diren, but there was nothing he could do but watch over her. "Fine... We will look for this creature, but if there is any sign of trouble... We go. Alright?"
"Of course, Diren." She watched him climb aboard and indicate to Namaran it was time to go.
The flew in silence for half of the flight, dragon and rider, rider and friend. Chrysa felt drowsy and it took everything in her to fight the sleep away and appear okay.
You are not up for this, Chrysa.
Shush Talvan. I am fine. It's just a lot more activity than I have had in a while. Besides, Chrysa grinned, you aren't my mom.
Perhaps I should find a way to call her. Talvan's head bumped Chrysa from behind. Better yet, perhaps I need to inform Namaran that you are not feeling up for this.
Chrysa's eyes widened. You wouldn't!
Talvan launched herself off of Namaran's back and flew almost effortlessly beside Namaran. She pumped her wings faster, attempting to approach the great dragon's head.
Talvan!
Though Chrysa feared the dragon would indeed tattletale on her, Diren neither flinched, nor did his crimson dragon turn back home. She kept an eye on her dragon, knowing full well the creature was conversing with Namaran. She spent the rest of the trip in silence, and having no way to confirm her suspicions, she dozed off at least once.
"I have relayed the coordinates of the town you wanted to visit to Namaran. He is going to set us down outside Macapa and then we will take a river boat up to Satarem. That way we can land without causing trouble." Diren yelled over his shoulder, breaking the silence.
Chrysa looked ahead of them and saw the landmass and the great Amazonian Delta in the light of the rising sun. A brief flutter of apprehension upset her stomach. She swallowed and pushed it to the back of her mind as she concentrated on the task at hand.
They landed without incident, stirring up a small amount of dust that mysteriously looked like a dirt devil traveling across the beach. As she slid down Namaran's shoulder, he caught her and gently placed her on the ground. Chrysa patted his hide and smiled.
"Thanks, Namaran. You are a prince among dragons." She walked to his muzzle and rubbed his nose. "Well, what are the two of you planning on doing while we are deeper in Brazil?"
We are going to go visit the Amphithere family. I wanted to formally introduce Namaran to them and hang out a bit. Their hatchlings should be big enough to play with too!
Chrysa laughed. Then you two have fun, okay?
Will do!
Chrysa watched their dragons fly off towards the small islands that sat where the ocean met the delta. She turned and looked at Diren, who had been watching her and not the dragons.
"Are you sure you are up to this? You look like you could use a bed and a couple nights' sleep."
She tucked her arm in his and started walking slowly towards the outskirts of the town so they could investigate the Day of the Dead celebrations and find a river boat to take them deeper in to the forest. As they walked close to the water, Chrysa felt as if she was being watched. Frequently, she turned to the water only to see it's smooth surface unblemished.
She shook her head, alerting Diren to her trouble. "What is wrong, Chrysa?"
"I just feel like I am being watched."
"Uh oh, not D.U.M.B.? Please tell me it isn't them..." Diren's hand went to his side where his dagger hung.
"No, no, nothing like that. This is different." She shook her head. "Forget it, let's get into town and see about this celebration."
They quietly walked, though Chrysa's unease turned to bewilderment as they strolled through the somewhat quiet town. "Diren, this isn't quite what I expected. I... thought that there would be festivities and music and parties. But, I see nothing like this. There are small gatherings, mostly in houses or in the cemetaries."
Nodding, Diren looked around. It was almost as if they were at a funeral and not a celebration. "I feel as if it would be rude, but perhaps we need to ask about this?"
"Perhaps so. Because I am confused. The Day of the Dead is always portrayed with masks and music and parades... Yet, this is not the case." She looks around briefly before settling on a small procession moving towards a cementary. "Perhaps, we should join this group and hope that we can understand something."
"What, you are so amazing that you know Portuguese now, Chrysa?" Diren teased.
"No... I don't know Portuguese." She stick her tongue out at Diren. "But surely in this day and age, someone would know English."
Diren laughed, changing course to intercept the precession. They stayed respectfully towards the back and noticed that many of the people resembled each other. The group slowly and solemnly walked, some singing quietly, others whispering.
Eventually, they entered the cemetery and settled around a small grouping of gravestones. Chrysa and Diren watched as the group said prayers, spoke of the lives of those buried and smiled. Anyone passing by not familiar with the times would see a sad affair, but the dragon riders now knew better. This was more a silent celebration, a quiet remembrance and homage to the dead.
As this group dismissed and headed out from the cemetery, another group entered to take their place. Both groups passed one another, causing Chrysa and Diren to be separated. The jostling was disorienting. Chrysa realized too late that Diren was no longer by her side. She began to panic and looked frantically around, searching desperately for her partner.
As Diren was carried further away, someone touched Chrysa's shoulder. She turned to see a handsome gentleman in a hat smiling at her.
"You don't belong here, Miss. Perhaps there is something I can do for you?" he inquired.
Suspicious, but clearly rattled by her separation from Diren, Chrysa nodded slowly, keeping her distance. "I was here with my friend, watching the celebrations. As the group we were with passed through another group moving to take their places, we were separated. I need to find him."
The gentleman proffered his arm, and once Chrysa took it, he guided her from the throng of people. He was an amiable escort, stopping once to buy her a flower from a side vendor selling to celebrants. Eventually, their wandering took her to the center of the town, where Diren was standing on a stoop, trying to search out Chrysa.
He steered Chrysa away from the area and began to head towards the Amazon River. He spoke to her of the forests and eventually, she relaxed enough to talk about her research. She noticed a glint in his eyes while she spoke, but thought little of it.
They continued to walk as the sun set, his stories enchanting her imagination. As they got closer to the river, his ability to keep her distracted strengthened. He kept her talking about dragons, kelpies and fauns as he guided her to the riverbank. They walked for some time as he drew her from Macapa's outskirts and the celebrations. The quiet of the sleeping forest began to have an affect on Chrysa.
Slowly, the gentleman began to walk into the water, gently pulling Chrysa with him. The water's cool touch startled Chrysa and she looked at her surroundings confused. Before her eyes, the gentleman began to change, morphing from the handsome man to what looked like a Boto. She tried to pull away, but he had a grip on her arm. He shook his head slowly.
"No, Chrysa. Encante awaits you."
Before she could scream, she disappeared beneath the water's surface. Minutes later, Diren ran to where her footsteps led to the river. The man behind him sucked in a deep breath and backed away.
"I am sorry, sir, but I go no further. It seems that your lady friend has been taken by an Encantado." He shook his head sadly. "You may never see her again."
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