Dragon Rider Prophecy A Journey Begins: Dragon Rider Prophecy, #1

By Andrew Wichland

Dragon Rider Prophecy is a Fantasy Novel that is a good read for you if you like The Lord of the Rings, The Dragon Riders of Pern, Jessica Drake, and Ava Richardson.

 

The Dragon Rider Prophecy is a Dragon Fantasy about Logan and Johanna who are leading ordinary lives as college co-eds. They were adopted by a good family when they were young. They've wanted nothing… as both had dreams of playing hockey and leading ordinary lives. until a shared dream exposes their true identities and opens their eyes to their shared destiny.

 

Their newfound knowledge isn't what they think. As they learn more details, their abilities grow stronger and danger finds its way to them. The young Dragon Riders are forced to embrace their abilities, get the proper training, and face insurmountable danger. If they don't embrace who they are born to be, they and the hopes of the entire world will be no more.

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Andrew Wichland
• Release date: Dec 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9781087929514

Book preview

Prologue

The Gathering Dark and Flames of Hope

The forest resounded with the noise of the many creatures that haunted it at night. Patches of moonlight shone through the trees as I walked hand-in-hand with four others, none of us wanting to lose each other in the dark.

Holding my right hand was a woman of average height who towered over me. She had beautiful facial features with full lips, high cheeks, smooth white skin, emerald eyes and raven black hair that fell to her shoulders.

On my left was a little girl about my height with dark brown hair and hazel eyes. She saw me glancing toward her and gave me a wan smile, her teeth flashing briefly in the darkness. Though I don’t know how I knew I knew her to be my sister.

Beyond her was a man, a head taller than the woman on my right. He had deep, dark eyes, and his head was covered in a thatch of silvery white hair which made him seem older than he really was.

We had been hurrying through the forest all day and, as night fell, the growing fear that had haunted our steps the whole way increased with the sounds of dogs barking behind us somewhere in the dark.

We quickened our steps, causing more damage to our already tattered appearances. My clothes snagged on the teeth of branches we pushed through, and I nearly tripped twice on a hidden root from the trees and on the scattered rocks. Only our linked hands kept me from doing a face-plant and bringing the whole group to the ground.

Every now and then, the moonlight would glint off the elegant ring worn on the right middle finger of the man running with me. The gleaming sapphire eyes shone from the intertwined dragons gracing the coat of arms emblazoned on the ring’s face.

The light of the moon also gave away the weapon he carried across his back. It was a slender three-and-a-half-foot Hand-and-a-Half sword. The handle was as black as the night and had a silver roaring dragon head with swept back horns as a pommel.

Suddenly, a horn sounded behind us, adding to the din caused by the dogs. We rushed into a knee-high river, trying to make as little noise as we could in our attempt to throw off the dogs’ scent, then stepped back out again without crossing to hide behind a huge boulder on the water’s edge. We heaved for our breaths and waited for our pursuers to catch up, praying they didn’t see us or catch our scents.

So, is this how we are to meet our ends, Johanna? Hunted like wild animals? the man hissed softly to the woman.

We no longer matter, Erik! All will be lost if we don’t get them out, Johanna muttered softly in return.

Frowning, the man, Erik, turned and passed his gaze over me and my sister before returning it to the woman. Apparently, he understood the importance of what she meant, because he nodded and said nothing more.

Moments later, there was the loud arrival of the dogs and horses as they paused at the river’s edge. We crouched as low to the ground as we could and hushed our breathing. We could ill afford to attract the attention of the excited pack. We were fortunate to be upwind from them for now.

Deep voices shouted orders over the loud barking. We remained still and listened hard. The group moved further away from us. We needed to know what we faced, so we dared to peer around the rock enough to see our pursuers.

I nearly gasped at what the moonlight displayed. At least a hundred dogs, clustered in a group, were being managed by ten handlers. There were nearly twice as many men as dogs on foot, combing the shore away from us. Two men on horseback stood not more than twenty feet away from our hiding place.

The pair were obviously in charge by the way they sat on their horses, heads held high, backs straight. They moved down to the river’s edge, allowing the moonlight to briefly bathe them enough for us to see them better.

Anger and fear filled me as I beheld the faces of the two who had been hunting us from the start of this run for freedom.

Both wore elegant clothing with golden brooches holding closed capes that whipped in the wind. The taller of the two wore a newly made gaudy crown upon his head.

The shorter one wore a chest plate more fit for a general. Chain mail covered his arms for mobility, with gauntlets clamping the mail down over his wrists. A sword with a wide sheath rested at his side.

Suddenly, they kicked their horses to cross the river, passing just in front of our hiding place. As soon as they reached the opposite shore, we moved, as silent as the dead, back the way we had come. But the luck we lived by for some time deserted us this night, as the wind changed direction, sending our scent toward the enemy. In seconds, the dogs began to howl.

The time for stealth was lost.

Johanna, run! Erick bellowed as he drew his sword and prepared to protect our escape. 

With one last look at him, I turned and ran, still holding the little girl’s hand tightly. As we fled, I could hear, the clanging of metal on metal, and the cries of victory.

We put a lot of distance between us and the battle before seeking a hiding place. Johanna spotted a thicket with rocks behind her and shoved us into them. Our skin bruised even more as we pushed our way to the back of the thick barrier, finding a tiny clearing between our adversaries and the rocks.

We dropped gratefully to the ground to rest. Johanna stared at us in concern as she drew a dagger from her belt and took up a guard position, listening for pursuit.

I stared at her weapon in fascination. The moonlight flickered off the round crystal the size of an egg on the pommel.

Except for our harsh breathing and the distant sounds of the dogs, we heard nothing close to us for some minutes. After what seemed like hours, but was probably only twenty minutes, there was the sound of movement near our hiding place. We stayed still and didn’t make a sound.

Johanna whipped around with her dagger when we heard the sudden rustle of bushes behind her. Carefully peering through the bushes, she hissed, Erik! Behind these bushes!

He started for a moment, then shoved his way through as we had, and collapsed beside us. Johanna put away her dagger and gave him a hug. He hissed in pain and her hand encountered a wetness on his left side.

Erik, you’re injured! she cried out softly, removing his tunic and leather vest and seeing the long gash.

Never mind that! We have to get them out! he ground out tensely.

Erik, I kn- Johanna began, but he cut her off.

No! I mean now. We have to open a portal, he said through gritted teeth.

Johanna stared at him in shock, stunned by the demand. That would be like walking up to him and placing our heads through the rope of the gibbet ourselves, she finally managed to say.

He stared back at her grimly. I know, but we don’t have any other choice. He glanced at my sister and me when he said, I just hope they find them in time.

Johanna stared at him, anguish in her eyes and a tear running down her cheek, but she nodded her agreement.

After resting a few minutes and packing Erik’s wound so the dogs or other predators wouldn’t scent him, we were on the move again, but it wasn’t long before we halted once again in a small clearing.

We were, I was guessing, near the center of the forest. Standing in front of us were two stone pillars with markings on them. Johanna walked to the center of the pillars and raised her hands above her head, with one crossed behind the other.

Erik took his ring from his middle finger, then tore a piece of his shirt, slipping the ring onto the fabric. He then tied the two ends together and slipped the makeshift necklace over my head. Then he hugged and kissed my sister and me, and moved to the edge of the clearing, drawing his sword.

I turned back to Johanna, and the parts I could see of her face were deep in concentration. She still had her arms raised above her head while chanting. The crystal of the dagger at her belt was starting to glow brighter and brighter. Finally, she started to trace a circle with her hands moving in opposite directions.

A sky-blue light appeared wherever her arms traced in the air. When she completed the circle, it expanded to twice as tall as her and just as wide. Suddenly, we could hear shouting from the direction of the river. Johanna turned to me and the girl, then looked toward the forest just as men erupted from the trees and charged at us.

Erik gave a war cry upon seeing them, leaping forward to hold off the men. Johanna ignored the charging troops. She swept us into her arms, hugged us like she would never let us go, then pulled us toward the glowing portal waiting for us.

A cry of pain made us look back toward the battle. We saw Erik stagger back from a new wound, this time on his shoulder.

ERIK! Johanna screamed in anguish, starting to move toward him.

I NO LONGER MATTER, JOHANNA! GET THEM THROUGH THAT PORTAL AND CLOSE IT! NOW! he shouted to halt her, then returned to fight with greater fury.

Tears rolled down Johanna’s face as she turned away from Erik’s plight and hugged us one last time.

She leaned closer to my ear and whispered urgently, We will always be with you, my children! Hugging the little girl once more, she stood up and said quickly, Now, I have nothing more to give you this time but a chance to survive! My son and daughter, grow strong and save us all! She cried, then shoved my sister and me through the portal.

Landing on the other side, I turned quickly just in time to see the portal close shut.

Only then did I look around me. My sister lay on the ground near me, crying. Both of us are fearing for the fate of our parents.

I looked around us and, not feeling the earth beneath my feet, looked down and nearly jumped out of my skin at what I saw. We were standing on some kind of solid black substance that could only have been made by some massive creature.

After looking left and right for any sign of the beast, I saw a blinding light to my left and heard a loud screeching noise. Turning to face it, I saw the huge beast come roaring down at me. Then, it suddenly turned on its side and rolled over toward us.

Stepping in front of my sister, I raised my tiny fists to defend her. But realizing it was going to hit us, she grabbed my arm and yanked us both into a ditch on the side of the road. I covered her body with mine and waited.

To my relief, the beast came to a stop, and parts of it crunched as it met its trail. The appalling noise ceased, and all went still. That is, until I heard a crunch; parts of it expanded and broke away. And, to my horror, what only could have been its last meal crawled out.

It was a man and woman who crawled out of the beast, and they were arguing.

They were about the same height and age as the people we’d just left behind. A light gleamed from the broken object they’d been in, and that showed the pair had ebony skin that was as dark if not darker than the night. The woman’s hair came to her shoulders and was tied in a ponytail; the man had short hair with dreadlocks.

Was that the second accident you’ve had, Adam? The woman griped.

The man sighed. Susan, that was sixty years ago. Give it up, will you?

Adam then turned to peer toward our location. He pointed at us and, putting an arm around the woman who clung to him for support, moved toward us. When the couple reached us and stared down at me and my sister, I was stunned.

From their conversation, I expected to see two older people, but they didn’t appear a day over thirty. Their faces showed concern as they stepped carefully into the ditch to check us over.

Using a strange device that lit up at the end to cast a beam of light in his hand, Adam shone its beam over me and my sister, as they started looking for any injuries. I stared at him, owl-eyed and a little nervous, but they were gentle as they ran their hands over us and softly move our limbs.

Turning to the woman, the man said, They look all right, Susan, a few bumps and bruises but aside from that… He came to a slow stop when he noticed the ring tied around my neck.

He held it in his hand and asked, Where did you get this?

Susan gasped when she saw it. Is that what I think it is, Adam?

He nodded; his expression grim. Turning his attention back to me, he asked again, pointedly holding up the ring, Where did you get this?

I looked from one to the other with uncertainty, but the pair hadn’t hurt us and seemed to want to help, so I answered, My daddy gave it to me.

Adam let the ring fall to my chest and then, trading a meaningful glance with the woman, coaxed me and my sister to climb out of the ditch and go with them. They walked us back to the wrecked object with its odd wheels still spinning.

Telling us to wait, they went away to speak in private. I didn’t mind as I had plenty on my mind at that moment. Sighing, I glanced at my sister, who was now sitting on the ground and looked very tired. I sat beside her and closed my eyes, my fingers still fiddling with the ring around my neck.

I heard footsteps and opened my eyes to see the couple coming back to us. They seemed to have come to an agreement. The woman kneeled to look me in the eyes.

I am sorry to do this. I hope in time when it comes back to you, you both will forgive me, she said sadly, pausing a moment to turn to stare at my sister and then back at me.

Worried, I started to ask, What are yooo…? I never finished my question when I felt a sensation like my mind was being emptied. There was a brief pause, then a new sensation… one of filling my mind with new memories.

Time seemed to have no meaning. It was as if I was waiting for something. Suddenly, I was standing in a black void. Out of that blackness, a woman dressed in a golden gown with a golden cape and a hood that hid her face stepped toward me. When she was about ten feet away, she stopped, and we studied each other.

Logan Walker, it’s time, she said.

For what? I asked.

For you to return and complete your destiny.

Return where? And who are you? I demanded, confused.

She ignored me and retreated into the darkness. After a few steps, her body began to disappear, which was odd, since her gown made her stand out like a beacon.

WAIT, WHO ARE YOU? RETURN WHERE?! I yelled at what remained of her.

She hesitated before taking her last step and looked back at me. A single word, Home, breathed from her lips before she vanished entirely.

AAAARRRGGGHH! I yelled as I woke up.

I was panting as if I had just run a mile. I put my head into my open hands, trying to shake off the nightmare. Raising my head, I looked around my bedroom.

My wallpaper made it look like I was sleeping in a jungle with animals of every shape and size around me. Some of my furniture, like my dresser, bookcase, and a few others, were hand-carved by my adopted father. Leaning against the wall was my hockey stick with my gear next to it. I looked back at my dresser, which had a snake pattern going up the side, and my hockey and school trophies, and the framed pictures of my family glinting in the moonlight.

I got out of bed and went into the bathroom across the hall. After I turned on the lights, I raised my hand to shield my eyes from the brightness. When my eyes stopped stinging and adjusted to the light, I splashed water on my face to cleanse myself of the dream. It didn’t work.

I looked up into the mirror hanging over the sink.

I, Logan Frost, about sixteen years old, driver’s license and all, had just finished my junior year of college preparatory school. I had midnight black hair with deep, piercing amber eyes with flecks of red around the pupil. I was tall for my age, and in very good shape. I wasn’t sure if it was from hockey or ranch work.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the bathroom door, which made me nearly jump out of my skin in surprise. The knock was repeated.

Logan, what are you doing in there, drowning yourself? came the voice of my twin sister, Johanna.

In a way, I replied.

Well, others need to use the bathroom, so save your anger for the ice. You’re not the infamous center that everyone says you are, she said through the door.

I couldn’t believe my ears. I walked over and opened the door to stare her in the face. We were the same height, but she had long bleach white hair which her coach kept begging her to cut down to her shoulder blades, and blues eyes so light they were almost silver.

Really? Then you’re not the star goalie that everyone had nicknamed ‘The Cat’, I said, stepping outside. I mock-bowed her. All yours, your highness, I said sarcastically.

Smiling, she stepped over the threshold, patting me on the head in passing. That will do, manservant. She smirked.

I smiled. You are up really late. Is everything alright? I paused to ask.

She stared at me for a moment and said blandly, Yes, bro, everything is alright, just a bad dream.

Yeah, me too, I headed for my room. She stopped me by softly gripping my upper arm. I looked back at her, frowning.

Out of curiosity, what did you dream about? she asked slowly.

I paused and looked around. No one was near. I returned to her side and told her what I had dreamed. When I had finished, her face had gone pale with shock.

I had the exact same dream, only I was the little girl, she breathed.

I suddenly had a bad case of the goosebumps.

Chapter 1

Questions That Need Answering

We spent the rest of the night in my room, talking about the dreams. By the time the sun came up, we had exhausted almost every meaning of the dream, from a twin connection to the most far-fetched: magic. Around five, the rooster crowed as usual, and I looked out the window that overlooked the ranch on a new summer day.

Johanna and I were looking forward to some freedom, but in a way, we both envied the other kids we knew because, unlike them, we were home-schooled until age twelve, then sent to Lion’s Gate Castle College Preparatory School. We had spent the last ten years there, coming home at the start of each summer vacation.

I smiled at the memories of Lion’s Gate Castle College Preparatory School, where we had just finished our junior year. At the end of the summer, we would return to finish our final year there.

Our home wasn’t a really big ranch like you see in old cowboy movies, though it was a decent size. To the right, I could just see the barn where we kept the horses. The sun hadn’t completely risen, and it sparkled like a ruby over the pasture, wet from last night’s dew.

The northern pasture met the forest about half a mile out. A fence connected to the barn in the back allowed the horses to get out and graze. The western pasture met the plains, and the fence blocked the horses from straying too far.

It’s so beautiful, Johanna breathed over my shoulder.

Paradise, I agreed.

It’s more than that. It’s home, she said dreamily.

We heard movement from our parents’ room, so Johanna went to her room down the hall, and I dressed and prepared myself for a new day. When I was finished, I went out into the hall and descended the winding staircase.

When I reached the bottom, I raced down the hall and through the kitchen. I was out of the door in a flash and dashing toward the barn. While there, I went about my chores throwing down a few bales from the hayloft, then jumping down after them. I put the hay in baskets hanging in the stalls for the horses to feed. Getting the hose out, I refilled their troughs with water, then walked over to my horse.

He was a mustang stallion, completely black from his head to hooves right up to his bushy tail hair. I leaned on the front of his stall, and he walked up to me. I stood straight, so we were eye-level. I raised him from a colt and gave him a name I always thought suited him: Nightfire.

Hey, old friend, have a good night’s sleep? I asked, patting his neck. He nickered.

Yeah, I thought so, I said, entering the stall and leading him out to the sound of his hooves on the concrete.

After buckling him to each side of the wall, I got a brush out and started to groom him. As I worked, I started humming a song until the barn door opened. When I looked, I saw my adoptive father, Adam, walk in, his ebony skin shining in the rising sunlight. I smiled at him.

He was about my height and looked almost the same as the man I saw in my dream. But there were differences, like his hairstyle—a ponytail instead of dreadlocks.

You’re up awfully early today, Logan, he commented.

I shrugged. Bad dream.

I continued to groom Nightfire as Dad walked to the hayloft ladder. I halted him with the comment, You needn’t worry about the hay. I’ve already brought some down and refilled their troughs.

His lip curled up, and he nodded. Well, you’re on top of things, aren’t you? And you beat her to it today, he said with a smile.

I shrugged as Johanna came in. She smiled, then went and led her brown mustang, Nightfire’s sister. Her name was Illusions. She led her out of her stall and tied her next to Nightfire, then began grooming her.

Well, Johanna, since Logan has taken care of all the other chores in the barn, I guess you’re the one who’ll be shoveling, Dad said, putting the shovel near her.

She looked at him like a grave injustice had been done. I resisted a sudden urge to smile.

But that’s not fair! That’s the third time this month, she complained.

Dad shrugged. The early bird catches the early worm. The second early bird gets the work, he said.

Snorting in annoyance, she turned back to grooming Illusions, and Dad gave me a small wink.

Look, before we practice today, I’m going to go for a ride, I said, putting the brush away.

I tacked up Nightfire while Dad opened the gun locker. Since both of you are up so early, I want you to check the fences. Bears and wolves have been sighted recently, and we don’t want them near the herd, he said, pulling out an automatic Colt and Winchester.

He proceeded to load both before handing me the rifle, which I slipped into a sheath attached to my saddle and handed a pistol and gun belt to Johanna.

When you’re done checking the fences, I want you to move the herd to the main pasture, he told us, then walked out of the barn.

I nodded and turned to Johanna. You know you can muck the stalls out when we get back, and what’s with the sour puss? I asked, starting to lead Nightfire outside as she pulled out Illusion’s tack.

Why do I get the girl gun again? she demanded irritably as she adjusted Illusion’s saddle.

 I froze, then turned to look at her. You’re kidding, right?

She looked at me as her hands slipped the bridle on, and I looked away, sighing. Johanna, that’s a .45 Caliber Colt! I said, but her gaze remained mulish.

I sighed again in resentment and unhooked the rifle sheath from Nightfire’s saddle. We exchanged weapons. I swear you’d call a .50 cal a girl gun, I muttered, strapping on the pistol and then mounting Nightfire.

Well, I hope you don’t hold that against me, she smirked as we rode out into the pasture.

Over the next couple of hours, the two of us gathered the small herd of horses out of the grazing land into the main pasture. Once they were settled, the two of us split up, checking the fence for breaks that might let animals slip in or out. When we met up again, we rode back to the barn. Johanna gave me a look of confusion when I didn’t dismount.

What’s wrong? she asked, holding Illusion’s reins.

I shook my head. I’m going back out. I need to think, I said, pushing my hat back and slipping my sunglasses off.

She looked at me. Okay, maybe I’ll meet you out there.

I turned Nightfire around and looked at Johanna, who was picking up the shovel. I’ll see you in a while. She nodded, then I slipped my hat down and my shades back on before digging my heels into Nightfire, urging him forward.

When we reached the pasture, I urged him into a full gallop. Nightfire’s mane whipped behind him in his slipstream, which also whipped my hair. Our bodies moved as one in that moment, but the dream prodded me in the back of my mind.

I urged Nightfire into the forest bordering the northern pasture. We dodged through the trees. A little while later, we stopped at a small pond where Nightfire dipped his head to drink. I let the reins slide out of my hands and looked around. I saw a group of deer across the pond, but I wasn’t really paying attention. My thoughts kept drifting back to the dream.

My head told me it was just a dream, but my heart told me it was something more. I shook my head, not knowing what to do. I suddenly realized that Nightfire had moved from the pond to the grass to eat. I leaned over and patted his neck. Just then, I heard a noise to my right, and both Nightfire and I looked over.

Illusion, with Johanna on her back, stepped out of the trees. I smiled and waved, and she trotted right up to me.

What are you doing, Logan?

I shrugged. Just thinking.

About the dream?

I nodded.

If you keep thinking about that dream, you’ll get depressed, she warned.

I shrugged. I just feel like there’s more to it, that’s all.

She bobbed her head in the affirmative, and then suddenly slapped me on the shoulder. Wheeling Illusion around, she broke off to a gallop.

OH, YOU WON’T GET THAT FAR! I yelled.

I grabbed the reins and galloped after her. Nightfire slowly gained on her, but too slowly. I decided to use Nightfire’s secret weapon.

I leaned as close as I could without being hit by his bobbing head and whispered. Fly!

Nightfire’s pace increased and Johanna wasn’t so far away anymore. She looked behind her to see where I was, only to find that I was right beside her. Suddenly, her face was full of shock.

THIS RACE IS MINE, BIG BRO! she yelled over the pounding of hooves.

FIRST, YOU’VE GOT TO MAKE IT HAPPEN! I yelled at her.

The ranch was in sight as we raced, still neck-to-neck. We were nearing the barn, and I was in the lead, but then she raced ahead. We passed a tree in the driveway, and I raised a fist in the air.

YES, AND I CLAIM VICTORY! I yelled in triumph, causing Nightfire to rear on his hind legs.

Give me a break, anyone could see that I won, she protested

Or maybe, from what I saw, you both won, said a voice from our right.

Dad was walking down the driveway, shaking his head. I swear, the way you two race those animals…

He reached us, putting his hands on his hips and shaking his head some more. Well, unsaddle Nightfire and Illusions, and put them back in their stalls. Your mother just finished making breakfast. He headed back to the house.

All right, Dad, I said.

With me leading the way, we went back to the barn. At the door, we dismounted and led the horses in. As we unsaddled them, we went over the details of the race.

You and Illusions seem to be doing a lot better, Johanna, I said as I put the saddle back on the rack.

Same thing for you and Nightfire, she said, taking off Illusions’ bridle.

But what I don’t understand is, this must have been the fourth time you pulled that kind of speed with Nightfire. How did you do it?

As I removed Nightfire’s bridle, I said, Aw, well, that is a secret and if I told you I’d have to kill you.

What have you got? Like a secret word that gives him the speed? she asked as we left the barn and headed for the house, still grinning from the rush of the race.

I shrugged. That’s for you to decide.

We ascended the steps to the porch, and I held the door open for her.

Still the gentleman, Logan, she said as she stepped through the door.

One of my many flaws, Johanna, I said as I followed her.

We made our way through the hall and into the kitchen. Dad was just putting the plates of pancakes, eggs, and sausage on the table. We sat down, and I poured myself a glass of orange juice.

Logan, your father told me that you had a bad dream last night, Mom said as she sat across from Dad.

 I looked up at her over my glass. She was also a lot like the woman from the dream, and shared her ebony skin, but she had shorter hair in the dream. Instead of shoulder-blade length, it was only shoulder-length, but still tied into a ponytail.

My eyes darted to Dad. He was suddenly interested in where the maple syrup was.

I looked back into my mother’s eyes and lowered my glass. Yes, Mom, I did have a nightmare, as did Johanna. The last time you were concerned about my dreams is when I thought the KKK would kill me or Johanna because we were raised by African Americans.

She looked a little grim, and then nodded. Your concern was understandable. But humor me this one time, Logan. What did you dream about? she said.

Everyone, I would like to introduce you to the family psychiatrist, I said, leaning back in my chair.

Everyone but Mom snorted into their breakfast.

Mom smiled. Logan, I’ve heard somewhere that dreams sometimes reveal things we overlook. Also, you might want to be a little bit more polite to the woman who helps pay your allowance, she said.

Ouch, Johanna said.

It was my turn to laugh. Now that’s just playing dirty, Mom, I said, stabbing a sausage with my fork and popping it in my mouth.

Pouring some syrup on my pancakes, I then proceeded to tell her about the dream. Johanna helped out every now and then when I’d overlooked some part of it. We talked for about an hour while Mom and Dad listened intently, not interrupting.

We finished with the part about the woman in the hooded golden gown and cape. When I glanced at my watch, it showed that Johanna and I had been telling our tale for about an hour and a half.

When I looked up again, Mom and Dad had expressions I’d never seen before. It was a mixture of both shock and fear. They stared at each other in consternation, then back at us with their mouths open in shock.

Mom, Dad, are you alright? I asked, concerned.

They jumped like they had completely forgotten we were there. After taking one last look at each other, they turned back to us.

Yes, Logan, we’re fine, but that was some nightmare you two had, Dad said kind of nervously.

Throughout the rest of the meal, we ate in silence. I couldn’t help but notice that they were stealing glances at Johanna and me when they thought I wasn’t looking. When we were finished, Johanna and I moved to do the dishes as we always did after breakfast.

No, your mother and I will take care of it today, Dad told us firmly.

I raised my eyebrows in surprise. Well, this is a first, Dad.

He smiled. Well, don’t get used to it. This is like a once-in-a-lifetime thing. You two will be back doing them tomorrow, he said as both he and Mom picked up their plates.

I glanced over at Johanna, and we both had the same thing in mind.

I’ll get my gear, Logan, meet you outside, she said, and dashed for the door.

I was seconds behind her and as she raced up the stairs. I heard Mom and Dad speak in the kitchen.

I was about to dismiss it as parent talk when I heard Dad say, We both know what this means, Susan.

I stopped in my tracks and crept as close as I could without my shadow being noticed in the crack on the floor. There was the sound of someone clearing the table by the clink of silverware. Then, footsteps moved farther away from me.

What does this mean, Adam? Mom asked flatly, her voice unhappy for some reason.

Don’t give me that, Susan. I saw the look on your face when Logan told you about the dream, Dad said tightly.

I have no idea what you’re talking about, Mom repeated, an edge in her voice.

By the strength of Valasvar, Susan, open your eyes. The time we have been waiting for has come. This dream is the sign we were waiting for, Dad said with certainty, though what he was talking about, I couldn’t guess.

Shhhhh! Adam! Mom warned.

There was silence for a little while, and then, she murmured softly, Yes, Adam, I know what this means, but they’re not ready.

When will they be ready in your eyes, Susan? When they turn twenty? It’s out of our hands now because it’s coming back… slowly, yes… but it’s coming back.

What’s coming back? I wondered in confusion.

Says you, Adam. But in case you haven’t noticed, they’re happy not knowing, Mom said, sounding desperate.

I have noticed, Dad said gently. I have noticed the feeling you had ever since that day we took that turn in the deserted road where we found them. But Susan, it’s time for them to know.

No, Adam, it’s not time for that… not even close!

Susan, we can’t hide it from them forever. This is their past, but we hold their future, I heard Dad insist.

I know, but I always thought it would take a little longer than this, Mom moaned in anguish.

There was the sound of footsteps moving away.

I know and, in a way, I was hoping the same, but we can’t hold onto them forever, no matter how much we want to. Besides, it was out of our hands the moment we found them. You saw their birthmarks! We both know they’re Allasgeras, Dad told her soothingly.

We’re what?

You’re right. Mom sighed heavily.

After a few seconds of silence, Dad said, Look, we don’t have to tell them everything now, but we do have to give it to them.

Give us what? Have they gone crazy or something? I was going insane with curiosity.

I hate it when you’re right! Mom said, her voice starting to sound like she was crying. We’d better do at least that much, she choked out.

I heard her sniff loudly, then clear her throat. We’d better do these dishes, because they’re not going to do themselves.

The faucet turned on, and I used that opportunity to quietly climb the stairs. When I reached the landing, I saw Johanna emerge from her room with her street hockey stuff over her shoulder.

Giddy up, slow poke, what’s keeping you? she asked as she passed by me.

I shrugged, not yet willing to speak of what I’d heard, and went into my room. As I was picking up my gear, I caught my image in the mirror. I raised my right arm where a leather cuff was buckled around my wrist. I grasped its end and with a snap, pulled it off, then turned my wrist so my palm was face down.

Right below my wrist was my birthmark. It was a series of dots that formed into the constellation Draco. It expanded to connect horizontally on either side of my wrist.

Does this birthmark make me and Johanna more than what we seem? Either way, I had more questions than answers to this mystery. I buckled my wristband back into place.

My mind was still on the conversation I had overheard as I walked down the stairs and outside. As I came downstairs, I saw Johanna had set up the goal, and was just putting the final touches of her gear on. She was on her stomach trying to get her leg pads on.

I smiled. You know you’re going to hurt yourself if you keep that up, I said to her as I walked up.

She looked up at me and smiled. Well, I suppose it never occurred to you to help me, she said.

I put my gear down, walked up behind her, and started to buckle her up.

Hey! Do you ever get the feeling that Mom and Dad are hiding something from us? I asked.

She turned her head to look at me. Sometimes, why?

I overheard them talking about us when I stepped from the kitchen, so I stopped and listened. They spoke of something coming back to us, like a memory, and that they needed to give us something but didn’t say what it was. Then, they mentioned the birthmarks and Dad gave us a funny name… Allasgeras, I told her, my voice conveying confusion and concern.

Johanna stared at me with a combination of surprise and puzzlement on her face. Frowning, she pulled her sleeve down to her elbow. On her wrist was a cuff like mine, which she removed. Underneath was the birthmark, a near duplicate of mine, except hers went vertically up her wrist.

First, that strange dream, now this. We seem to be getting more questions than answers, she said in annoyance, as she pulled her sleeve back down.

She turned to look at me. Any idea what they were talking about when they said they were going to give us something? she asked me.

Not a clue! I said, shaking my head as I finished buckling up her pads.

I helped her to her feet. After she got her balance on her roller skates, I released her so that I could put on my own gear.

My mind was whirling with questions. What was it that Dad needs to