2. Helen's dream and the norse heritage. Parte I

By Karel Glaukopis

Helen and Tania, with the dragon Rotar will have to face a new life in the midst of pointy ears and infinite knowledge being... The elves. Enigmatic and very reserved beings, not too happy to have humans in their territory. Helen, amidst a thousand difficulties and problems, in her solitude, will find comfort in an unexpected guide, in the Norse god Loki.
On the other hand, Karel, together with the dragoness Aira, in the hands of Cronus, will find himself having to decide his own destiny and face it together with old and new friends.
Our friends' adventure continues as the gods and titans place their pawns on the board as they prepare for the future.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Karel Glaukopis
• Release date: Nov 18, 2020
• ISBN: 9791220223775

Book preview

1. The awakening.

When Helen opened her eyes she was in a large room that smelled of roses and next to her, on the bedside table there were three beautiful and, above all, fragrant red roses. One of them was yellow.

She was on a soft bed, sunk a few centimeters into the soft mattress between warm white sheets, also scented with rose, and next to her she felt Tania's slow, deep breathing, safe and above all healthy.

With difficulty she raised her head, many muscles complained, especially those of the arms and abdomen and these gave way to her weight. But she had time to see the room, bright and white, simple and warm. A large ajar window was on the right wall, surrounded by blue curtains, showing a splendid sky clearer than a crystalline lake but with some white clouds, warm and pleasantly scented air entered from it (so it was paradise...).

Struggling, the awake girl tried to get up again but her left arm suddenly gave way and she found herself sinking into the warm bed with excruciating pain not only in that arm, but throughout her body.

For a few seconds her air was missing, she seemed to feel her heart stop while everything became black as the darkest night with a myriad of lights as white as stars and a great cold gripped her heart. Then a great fear took hold of his body while his heart began to drum relentlessly in her chest.

When she returned to reality, in a cold sweat, she managed to put herself so that she could see the aching arm that she could no longer move, what she found in front of her worried her a lot.

She saw a bandage that covered her forearm and part of her arm, there was also a large coal-black bruise that could be glimpsed between the bands stained with blood, but in her head she did not remember how she had been hurt.

She tried again for the third time to get up, this time concentrating the weight on the healthy arm, in the end she managed to sit up even if this cost her great energy and her back would have liked to return comfortably on the mattress.

When she was out of the covers, an icy air enveloped her body, she immediately noticed that she was without clothes. Someone had done everything, even to get her some clothes, some of which were very elegant, and which had been placed on a chair not even a meter away from her, she could take them without having to get out of bed!

She took the first dress regardless of size and color and put it on. It was soft, of a strange but soft and light fabric, it kept very warm and it also fits her well. The dress was a little longer than her height, it touched the ground despite the waist measurement being hers, it had probably been badly cut.

The dress was blue like the sky, with shades that gave an intense blue at the edges, while two strands of gold (she couldn't believe they were real gold!), approaching and moving away, formed an imaginary belt at the waist.

Helen looked at herself in the mirror that was in the wardrobe door opposite the bed. She was always very thin but the muscles were still there, if possible she had even more than when she swam, but she didn't mind. Her eyes were the same, blue like the sea that shone in comparison to her pale skin and golden blonde hair.

Continuing to stare at her endless questions, like a river breaking through a dam and pouring into her bed now empty for years doing damage, filled her mind leaving her pretty dazed. There was no explanation for the reason she was in that place, what had happened, to the reason Tania was sleeping with her and so many others that gave her a big headache.

Thought after thought, slowly everything began to be clear and the head began to think again quickly and the questions began to come out of the hypotheses and images that, confused, recreated the past.

The wound in her arm, that image had been the first to return and, more intense than the others, had taken over, bringing her pain and fear. It had happened one evening, perhaps the previous one, perhaps that one before or perhaps that of a month before, she had lost count of time. The image of that monster with eyes as red as fire, the sharp ivory fangs forming a frightening grin and that wickedness... They gave her goosebumps again, that damned thing that had attacked them and wounded her arm, that dagger that had turned into a snake, that force that had pushed her into nothingness...

What could not be explained was the bruising. Probably during the interminable fall into the river that bruise was created or perhaps while she was in the river, she had hit some stone. But something was still missing, something important was missing.

She had a void that was filled with a flash in the night, a sharp and clear image, in her mind. The face of a proud boy appeared and, in the fight, he was holding a sword, that was his brother, that boy was Karel.

She remembered their escape together, kilometers and kilometers traveled with her brother and friend Tania to whom Cal had joined. That escape began the day she accepted dragon eggs and in which they were led by her father Arzio, later killed by the same monster who had inflicted that wound on her.

How long had that journey been, how many had been through both good and bad, like the loss of that wonderful and mysterious boy named Cal who had sacrificed himself to give her more time. But something was still missing, something very important, as if it were a part of her body. Then in the shadows, together with her brother there was also a white animal, a white dragon, that was Aira, the sister of the black dragon. Rotar's sister.

Rotar, the dragon who had tried to save her by jumping off the precipice could not perceive by Helen, with her legs trembling and her mind devising the worst hypotheses, she gently called Tania.

What's up? the pitch-black haired girl asked with her eyes closed.

Wake up, come on, get up, I need you said Helen, gently shaking her friend with her good arm.

Tania was a brunette girl, her hair was slightly red-brown when not groomed (rarely), but her eyes were dark brown. She was the knight of Rotar, she was a dragon knight, she had been chosen in her place but this did not affect their historic friendship.

Can't you see, I'm still asleep! Let's play swords later she muttered.

I don't want to play Helen replied, continuing to shake her.

I'll see you later at school then, if I come... the friend always said, who turned to the side and gave her back.

You don't understand, come on get up, we have to find Rotar.

As soon as Helen said Rotar, her friend immediately stood up looking left and right, up and down, looking desperately for her dragon both with her eyes and with her mind.

Where is he, where is he? the girl asked with a hint of concern in her voice and that she was completely awake.

I don't know, calm down now and get dressed Helen said, handing her the other clothes that were on the chair.

Was it you who undressed me? Where are we, Helen, what happens!

Calm down, I woke up a few minutes ago, I don't know anything, I woke you up because if there are two of us, it's better than being alone if there should be enemies. Now let's go and see where we are and by whom we were taken Helen said trying to appear calm, actually she was very nervous and agitated.

The two girls, walking on tiptoe, left the room opening the white wooden door delicately behind them, communicating with gestures. Outside the room it was dark, the two girls did not want to slow down the pace that became almost a run in search of their friend and companion.

He's here, but he's very far away or he's very sick Tania said with her arms stretched forward, feeling and avoiding the wall in front of her, turned right and started running followed by Helen.

Their instinct was not enough to avoid a terrible fall, in fact, in front of them a sudden obstacle that their arms did not touch hindered their step and, one after the other, they fell down the stairs.

When they regained their sense of direction, Helen asked Tania, how are you?

Good, replied the friend who tried to get up and succeeded after emitting a groan, she had to reach Rotar.

Helen was also very sore, she had hit the shin and knee of her right leg badly, her left arm and forearm continued to hurt a lot and the further blow she had taken on the radio did not improve the situation.

Helen how are you? this time Tania asked, already standing, seeing her friend suffering and unable to move.

I have nothing, all right, can you help me get up? Helen asked extending her right hand, the girl with the help of her friend was on her feet in a moment.

As their sight got used to the light that was blinding at first, a woman occupied their field of vision.

How are you doing? the woman asked in a sweet, melodious voice, faint and barely audible.

I think well. But my dragon, where is he? How is him? asked Tania, as confused as she was frightened.

He's fine, but you should be in bed now. You still don't have the condition to move. You are weak, tired and wounded, come on, I'll help you, you don't look good, especially you blonde said the woman, holding out her hand and smiling friendly.

I want to go to my dragon, then I'll go to bed the pitch-black haired girl insisted.

You will be brought to him but first you have to rest if you don't want to make things worse. You must not be stubborn, your condition does not allow that the woman tried again to convince them.

No, take me to him, now! Tania finished dry and uneducated.

It was too important for them to find Rotar, for that alone, Helen didn't scold her friend. They knew they were being rude but the woman had been too insistent and they weren't so bad!

Humans the woman said with a gesture of contempt with her hand and then with extraordinary strength lifted them, as if Helen and Tania weighed nothing, one to the right and the other to the left. Like two sacks of potatoes, she started walking without the girls having to put their feet up.

Look, I can walk Helen protested uncomfortably and with aching ribs.

Maybe you can walk, but your friend can't, she has a wounded right foot.

If you don't want to struggle anymore, I can follow you, it's my arm that hurts not my foot said Helen who couldn't breathe.

All right, you want to walk, then walk the woman said leaving Helen who fell abruptly to the ground.

Tania was carried out of the house while Helen was behind them intent on keeping pace, she was busy seeing where she put her feet so as not to lose ground from the woman and not to go against her.

She glimpsed the house which was made of wood in the middle of the green, it was so well cared for that, that material, seemed even alive, but she didn't pay too much attention to it, she was busy following the long steps of the woman with difficulty.

They crossed a small path in the grass five fingers high (perhaps they ended up in England, her father always told her how perfect their lawns were...), reached a huge shed, entered it and to their great surprise, Helen and Tania saw the dragon that he slept among the hay and other quiet animals.

He sleeps the woman said in a whisper.

Thank you for accompanying us and I apologize for the earlier behavior... I'm just very worried. I have to ask you the last favor, could I be alone with him, or at least could I stay with him? finally asked Tania timidly.

As you like, in the meantime I see that if you decide something will become immovable.

I'd like to stay here too said Helen instead, who added, And I apologize for first too!

There are no problems, after I come back the woman concluded as she went out.

Tania noticed that her dragon was just sleeping, she crouched next to it thinking about how much that little animal must have felt, since she had known him, she had never seen it sleep like that.

Did you see what strength? And then how tall she was and also had pointed ears... And how she spoke! Helen exclaimed to her friend who did not answer, tired and painful, she was already asleep and serene.

'Welcome back?' said the dragon to the black-haired girl 'I've been asleep for a long time now, I couldn't resist staying still.'

The girl stretched and sat down while the dragon also creaked her joints then asked How are you? I'm fine, just a little bruised. Did you understand what happened, or at least where we are...

The dragon was staggering up, spreading its wings and yawning, 'I have confused ideas but first with Helen, we tried to reconstruct what might have happened.'

Where is Helen?

'Personal needs, I think she will soon be here, however, after falling into the river, we somehow reached the elven lands.'

Elves! Tania exclaimed in amazement.

'Yes, elves, haven't you noticed their faces?'

Seeing her friend's doubtful face, she said The elongated faces, the sharp noses, the almond-shaped eyes, their pointed ears, their stature and their strength? Helen asked her friend as she entered the room.

The brunette girl thought, amazed and confused at the same moment, she exclaimed happily I saw the elves! Wow, as soon as I tell the others no one will believe it, Helen you realize we saw the elves!

Helen nodded, Tania turned to the dragon Rotar I saw the elves, I'll tell everyone, no one will believe it, I'll tell Karel too...

He stopped for a moment then asked But where is he? What happened to him?

'I don't know, unfortunately since I was awake I have not been able to reach them with my mind. I am as confused as you are. However, I think they will survive, they are strong and above all, smart' said the dragon.

If we hadn't catapulted to save you, he would still be with us... the brunette girl said, glaring at Helen.

Nobody forced you the blonde said defensively, And what could you have done, they were far superior to us, they would have captured us all.

But we could have...

'Now enough, look' the dragon stopped her pointing towards the entrance of the shed as an elf entered.

Wake up I see that you are now, so good morning. If you want to follow me. Sorry for not showing up, I'm Savim, guardian of the doors said the elf, with hair brighter and more yellow than the sun from which the tips of his pointed ears protruded longer than normal. Transparent and blue eyes like water, a nose sharper than a sword and much taller than an ordinary man.

The elf walked in front of the girls and the silent and light dragon, the long tunic swayed softly and floated in the air following the features of his slender but muscular body, it seemed to be floating so much was it delicate in its movements.

Sorry the girl said to slow the elf's pace I'm Tania, knight of Rotar. We come in peace and ask for asylum and your protection.

While I'm Helen and I'm accompanying her, I also ask for your protection the blonde girl said cordially with a bow that almost touched the ground with her head.

If you are successful in crossing the magical barrier unscathed, bad intentions mean you have not. So welcome you are, for my part, however, I cannot guarantee you our protection. Authority will soon arrive and your fate will decide. Now, if you want to come with me, we will be warm, you will rest on comfortable armchairs, we will have lunch around a table, I think you are hungry, and he resumed his journey silently and quickly, the girls and the dragon immediately followed him, struggling.

The elf walked quickly in front of them among the ancient trees, leaving no footprints, on the contrary the girls left their footmarks on the bright green carpet. Tania continued to limp heavily on the soft grass, she was the one who left the most footprints and even if Helen tried to be as light as possible, she was not successful.

'You should have at least put your shoes on' Rotar said.

'I didn't think about it, and then the grass is so soft' the limping girl said with her mind.

'You don't look bad with that dress.'

'Thank you...' the brunette girl began.

'What a nice little house!' Rotar exclaimed when they found themselves in front of the elf house, interrupting the girl.

It was a two-floors house, built with wood, it was a dark brown, similar to that of the trees around them, not like that of houses built by humans where the wood looked dry and dead. Some rectangular windows on the ground floor, others round on the second floor filled the facade visible to them, it was probably the same on the other sides of the house.

The house was dominated by a roof always in wood and it was triangular, some flowering plants, yellow and red hanging from the eaves, some smoke escaped from the small chimney that was on the roof.

The elf who led them in front of the house and where a hearty breakfast had been prepared, said when they entered Sit down and eat.

'I think I have to wait for them, but I'm hungry!' exclaimed the blonde-haired girl sitting on the comfortable wooden chair in what must have been the kitchen. It was as big as their home...

There was a large round table in the center of the room, also like most of the structures in that house was made of wood, on it a large vase with a purple-flowered plant inside and triangular colored leaves of different shades of color. Then there were plates with fruit, hard-boiled eggs, toast and fruit juices.

On the walls had been hung natural landscapes so accurate that they looked like windows, green grass like the one they had seen outside that seemed to move with the wind. Snow as white and bright as the real one but also trees that seemed to move in the wind like the white clouds that they filled the sky they seemed to be floating and the birds were as if they were flying. It seemed that life was inside those little paintings.

There were also shelves with colored plates, small vases in glass and worked copper, finally something that even humans were able to do. In one corner there was a small copper sink flanked by a large cabinet where there were clean pots, plates, cutlery and glasses. The floor had been covered with a carpet of a softer fabric than any surface Helen had set foot on.

'I'm hungry! But there is nothing that attracts me, it's all fruit-based and those eggs are too small for my taste, the smell of blood can't be heard from miles away!' the dragon moaned curled up on the girl's legs with his muzzle on the table sniffing.

Tania, sitting, with all that good stuff in front of her, resisted a few minutes, then hunger commanded and reaching out she grabbed the first thing that was within reach and stealthily began to eat the red apple.

Helen was too careful in observing the environment that surrounded her that the food and hunger, which gripped her stomach until just before, they were brought inside that room, became secondary, but surely it would not last for long.

When would the others arrive? Who were they? What would they decide? And above all, what future would they have?

Soon someone would answer those questions.

2. An important elf.

It was not long before the elf they knew entered the front door, followed by the elf they had already known when they woke up (and treated badly), another of that race with strangely short hair that turned brown and finally the one who he had to be the youngest. Although the latter was identical to the first elf by the facial expression, he showed many years less.

Sorry said Tania, standing up and placing the bitten apple on the finely worked wooden plate. Then she added with a bow But I was too hungry, I haven't had a good meal in days, on the contrary... I eat something.

I believe this, you have slept for two days, however, you don't have to worry, you can eat as much as you want.

Helen looked at her friend out of the corner of her eye and admired how impassive she could remain. But she was forced to stare at the plate and concentrate so as not to burst out laughing every time they spoke.

He kept talking, if he had noticed her he didn't show it and said Our king Ekim I introduced to you. Lord of the Northlands, I didn't think he was coming said the excited elf pointing to the other elf.

He was a little taller than those present, otherwise he was identical to the other elves, eyes bluer than crystalline water, a sharp nose and barely visible lips but in those features, there was something more, they were strangely sweeter.

The owner of the house, continuing to speak, added While she is my wife, her name Avim is known I think you have met her, and he is my son Kleim, a few years older than you he is.

Tania, bending down, held out her right hand, as the dragon had taught her, she greeted the king first and then the others repeating the usual phrase It is an honor for me to meet you.

Helen did the same kind of bow with those present but without shaking hands, it was not her habit and she often preferred to avoid contact with people, there were often unpleasant exchanges of electricity.

As was her habit when agitated, the blonde stammered N-nice t-to m-m-me-meet you.

Those present did not seem to notice that lack of respect that Tania instead pointed out with a dirty look, indeed they did nothing and this could only mean that it was fine for them anyway.

The pleasure is mine alone replied the elf who must have been the king of something and some territory, hinting at a fairly tight smile and with an imperceptible bow of the head. Despite this, in that normal smile there was something majestic, elegant and very sweet, the girls unwittingly responded to that gesture.

Then the black-haired girl also turned to the elf I hope you forgive me for what I did before, for my disrespect and my rude behavior, but I was too anxious for Rotar.

Everything was cleared up, I understand you said the tall elf also with blue eyes but of a less intense color than Helen's, her hair was like gold almost white and her face with very hard and severe features.

Finally the girls greeted the young elf, he had a cold and accusing gaze. Helen felt her face get warm, she was ashamed of something, that being aroused fear and awe and the girl shyly preferred not to meet his eyes. What consoled the blonde girl was also seeing Tania, usually at ease with anyone, blushing after contact with the young elf and she too was staring at the floor escaping the deep gaze of their interlocutor.

The boy replied repeating his name again, it was too difficult to be remembered by the two friends, it was something that ended with him and sounded like the well-known brand of clothing... Remaining cold and impassive gaze, he even seemed irritated at the contact with human girls.

So he's Rotar, he's a puppy! the king exclaimed looking at the young dragon, his words were perfectly pronounced in the language of humans and there was no cadence or funny construction of the sentence.

'I will be small but I am not a puppy and above all, weak' said the dragon irritated with his mind.

The king raised his hands in amusement and exclaimed with his mind, 'I'm sure! I have never questioned your strength but you cannot deny that you are a baby dragon. A year of your long life is nothing! Then it was not to criticize you, but this is an advantage, we will have more time to train.'

'You heard me!' exclaimed the incredulous animal.

'We elves feel everything unless you want the opposite... From now on you will have to concentrate more if you do not want to be heard by everyone, you are no longer among humans... Here everything will be different' explained the king always smiling but with a warning in the look.

'I'll keep this in mind' replied the dragon even more annoyed at having been called back by a biped after being spied on.

In any case, because we don't sit down now, I too got a certain hunger in front of all this said the king, still smiling.

They sat around the table with Rotar who, after greeting everyone, rearranged himself on Tania's legs, her muzzle still resting on the table but with the imagination that was traveling between deer and pigs and his stomach rumbling loudly.

Not to be indiscreet, but you said you were coming from human lands.

Exactly Tania replied to the king, her mouth full of bread and jam.

Unfortunately, the relations between us and your bosses are not good at all and tell me, without lying, since we understand it, is it not by chance that you have been sent to spy on us or to attack us from within? As I said, you should only tell the truth because we will find out who you are and why you are here anyway said king Ekim firmly but who always kept a relaxed smile, surely he didn't see them as enemies.

It all happened by chance, we were joined by a dragoness, she entrusted us with the eggs, there were two, since then, we have been forced to flee. We were chased by some men...

I-If t-they can call i-in this w-way Helen stammered.

There was also a monster...

An Em-empusa.

Tania nodded, then resumed We were forced to leave home and family, during the flight her father was killed, he wanted to defend us, he wanted to give us more time to escape.

A very brave man said the king.

With shining eyes, she resumed About my family, I have no idea what has been done to them and especially if they are still alive.

Take a rest, your friend could take the word if you can't continue the king told her with a smile.

No, I'll go on, it's okay Tania answered decisively.

With a deep breath she resumed the story We have traveled kilometers, passed cities and faced bandits, but when we were already along the river, we were reached by the pursuers. We were attacked, they were more than us, Helen was hurt and she is also she said, glaring at her as if it was all her fault "She was thrown into the river and