Into New Things

Will started up the side by side, and I swung my leg over the side getting in the passenger seat; just barely in time before he started driving.

"So I realize that all of my dragons will be living on the property, and the two Gull Wings will stay on the lake, which I guess I have... but what makes it special?" I asked Will.

"You will know when we get there he said. We drove through the woods on a trail that had over grown over the season. You could see the tire treads where the boys had driven through recently. We talked about nothing in particular as we continued driving through the woods. Will pointed into the distance where we could see the netting that was over Callalilly's garden.

"I did that you know." I stated proudly.

"I know, you made a garden, and I sat frozen in place watching a feathery lizard dance." he said with a smile. I couldn't help but giggle. He blushed again.

"Oh and don't forget a certain Flower Frill using you as a stage." I smiled as I spoke.

"Oh I can't forget that I achieved a life long goal of being a flower pot for hours." we both laughed as he said that. We kept driving and reached a small ATV sized bridge that ran over a small babbling creek. The water was clear as glass. Will stopped on the bridge to point at baby trout.

"They stay in this shallow water because big fish can't get to them here. You can usually find some sunnies in here too." Will said. I looked into the water watching the small school of baby fish swimming together.

"It will be a perfect place for Valorous to start out." Will said. I smiled

"Tiny river, with tiny fish, for a tiny dragon." I muttered to myself. He started driving again. He tried to point to some of the wild turkey, but I couldn't see them in the dark brush. We came to a stop at the bottom of a steep hill. "Okay are you ready to see the Gull Wings' future home?" he said with a smile plastered on his face. I nodded my head and we quickly drove to the top of the hill. I couldn't believe my eyes. before me was a small bay area with a massive waterfall cascading gown the northernmost side from a river that I knew went through my whole property. The water was just as clear as the creek had been, though not much could be seen in the bay because of the waves that crashed down from the waterfall. Out of the bay was a massive lake, that I saw no end to. Near the edges of the banks I saw dozens of lily pads, some had flowers coming up through the wall of green pads covering the water's surface. Will grabbed my hand, and was pulling me across a rocky path that I hadn't noticed. it was small, and there was only space for us to walk single file. None the less Will grabbed my hand and pulled me down the surprisingly dry path.

"Okay close your eyes. I will keep leading you." he said. I don't know when, but at some point my focus had gone to how far we could fall, rather than where we were going.

I closed my eyes as instructed, and heald onto Will's hand for dear life. A few more minutes of walking carefully, and I was told to open my eyes. Will and I were in a cave that was hidden behind the waterfall, though it wasn't dark. I dropped both of my hands to my sides and my jaw dropped as I turned to see the whole view. The floor of the cave was covered in a layer of thick moss and lichen with a mushroom or two sticking out. In the back laid, what used to be a large clay bowl over a make shift stove. There were glowing objects in piles along the cave walls. explaining why nothing was dark. "This place is amazing!" I yelled thinking the waterfall would drown out my voice, but oddly enough I could hear normally. Will laughed

"Don't worry I can hear you just fine." he said with a childish grin on his face. He pointed to several piles of green glowing rocks, which upon closer examinations were dragon scales. "Those are the scales of a Mystic Whisper. They neutralize distracting noise, glow, and are scent nullifying." he said proudly, showing off his knowledge. I looked at the scales in awe I kneeled down about to touch one; when Will grabbed my wrist. "They are also filled with electricity; so I wouldn't touch them if I were you." he said. Will let go of my wrist.

Without touching them, I sat in front of them and stared.

"Edna showed me this place a few years ago. She snapped out of her dragon filled delusions to finally realize that she had forgotten to marry and have a daughter. So she took me down here, so when a new dragon lady came I could show her this place. Before the secret elevator, and the house or any roads, this is where your ancestors raised their hatchlings. I assume the Mystic Whisper scales came from a Mystic whisper that was raised here. Edna told me a ton of facts about Mystic Whispers, one of which is that they molt a lot. At some point these piles of scales were shed skins hanging from the walls, but the dead skin holding them together eventually fell apart and disintegrated. I have cleaned the place up, which is why there aren't any bugs or too much plant life, and the ancient dragon nest has been preserved and cleaned."

I looked back to the oven and clay bowl realizing now what it was actually for. The bowl held the eggs, and the fire warmed them. I was in a stunned silence. "The waterfall would keep the hatchlings safe from any potential predators, and the Mystic Whisper scales kept predators from knowing where the hatchlings were to begin with." Will continued.

We laid down and talked and laughed about everything that was happening, that I almost forgot about the dragons who would be waking up soon. On our way back to the path I realized the reason I hadn't gotten wet while passing the waterfall, was that there was a thin cave that led into the hidden nesting cave. We got back on the ATV and rushed back to the house so the dragons wouldn't get a late lunch. Will knew how scary that could be.

I rushed down to the basement to find that my dragons were awake and all over the kitchen. They saw me and as soon as they saw my glare they stopped what they were doing and lined up, awaiting punishment. Lunch would be slightly delayed which I felt was punishment enough, so I simply sent them to the back of the den, while I prepared their meal. I could hear banging upstairs, and knew Will was up to something, though I didn't know what. I couldn't go investigate until after the dragons were taken care of. The dragons were three weeks now and had almost tripled in size. in the next few days they would be able to be outside, my work would be extremely taxing for nine months after that, because I will have to take care of them all in their different areas until they were ten months. Special care would have to be taken with the Gull Wings, because they can't fly until they are six months. most of the others could fly at a month and a half. Some of the hatchlings were practicing often. By the time I finished my stressful thoughts I was already to the point of my routine that I was inspecting pellets. I was glad I could work and think at the same time. After I finished cleaning all of the hatchlings went for their nap. The hatchlings had been sleeping longer, because it took a lot of energy for them to grow so fast, and they no longer all fit in the nest, so I usually had one or two of them sleeping against me. It was a small cave-like den and not suited for my body and eight dragons, only two of which seemed to still enjoy snuggling (Reticent and Blithesome). I had already had to retire the small pool I had for Valorous, both because of his growth, and the lack of space in the den.

I took the elevator back upstairs where I found that Will had made breakfast for lunch. Piles of French toast, bacon and diced strawberries. Will was already sitting at the table eating.

"Will you are officially my favorite." I said filling a plate full of food. I sat with him at the table." I hadn't realized how hungry I was. I had forgotten to eat breakfast this morning with all of the mornings events. I raised my fork with a strawberry on it "Will we should offer beverages to the men working, and I can fill up Valorous' old pool for Draco." He tilted his head in confusion. "Draco is the dragon working with them." I explained. After thoroughly stuffing ourselves We began filling a large beverage cooler with lemonade and ice. Will hauled the cooler and played it on the edge of a table saw that wasn't currently in use. I followed behind with a bag of paper cups in one hand, and the other pulling an empty plastic pool. Will called the men, offering beverages, while I went back to the house to grab a hose to fill the pool. Some of the men stopped working to hydrate and thank us. Drako lapped up the water in the pool happily, while I stroked the metal plating covering his scalp. The moment was short lived, as the men went back to work. I left the hose unraveled, so the men could refill the pool for Draco, the cooler was also left with them. Will decided that we could work on his chores now. I had hated his work last time, and I have a feeling I won't be a fan this time. We both walked into the chicken coup, which I had never had to go in. Will carried a large plastic container and two shovels. He put the container down and threw me a shovel. I caught it awkwardly nearly dropping it.

"Umm I don't know what involves chickens, shovels and buckets, but I am pretty sure I will hate it." He laughed and that reassured me slightly then he spoke.

"Oh you most certainly will hate this." he smiled and continued. These chickens are more than just dragon chow. For now at least. We use their poop as organic fertilizer for Callalilly's garden, doing so also cleans up the coup. They don't give us eggs though, because you are breeding the flock to get bigger." he explained, "So now we shovel poop." He said with a mocking smile.

I smiled right back

"That is it, I clean and inspect dragon poop everyday, and that I do by hand, not with a shovel, and trust me anything that eats raw fish, does not have a pleasant smell." I grabbed the shovel and began to scoop.

He gave me an odd look.

"You know most girls would think this was too repulsive to even think about doing." he said.

I looked at him grinning, "I am not a normal girl, in fact many describe me as odd." I said.

He started laughing and said

"You mean many as in my family and Mrs.Horn? You need to expand your horizons."

"I have plenty of horizon." I said matter of factly, "I have a high-school reunion in a few months, and I feel like I have accomplished a few things." I finished with a nod.

"Yeah you have accomplished a lot, unfortunately you can't tell people about the dragons, your new life, or the DDP." he pointed out.

"No, but I could say I am thriving perfectly off the grid. I could even use you as my pretend arm candy." I said confidently.

He blushed again. "Arm Candy?" he asked with a gulp.

"Sure like I said when I met you, you got points for being pretty. I could pretend you were my husband for the night, and we could be the cool couple living off the grid. Us surviving in the wilderness." He was blushing hard. I grabbed my shovel and kept working. "Think it over." I said jokingly.

Two days later Bill, Jasper, and Mrs. Horn came back. I was excited to see their reactions. At the now finished home. I was ready for shock, happiness, excitement. Not Bill Slamming the truck door with a face bright red with anger.