Within the boundaries of the great Saurian Mountain and the Royal Castle was nestled a small cottage. Candlelight glowed from its jewel-colored windows as smoke billowed from its chimney. To view the serenity inside the charming dwelling would melt the coldest heart.

������We must light more candles for the Moon is new,� said Daria as she flitted from window to mantle end and back again until the room was filled with light.

������I love to watch you, my dear,� laughed Petri. �You remind me of the F�rie People my grandmother used to tell me about.�

������F�rie People? What are F�rie People?� asked little Nadya as she danced around the room helping her mother light the lamps.

������It has been said that these tiny people bring magic to our world. All you need to do is believe,� said Petri to his young daughter. �My Babushka(2) told me that f�ries live in the woods, in our gardens, and sometimes near our hearth. I�ve yet to see one!�

������Would you know one if you should see one Father?� questioned Nadya.

������I believe I would. Babushka told me they are so small they could fit under a rose leaf or right under your nose! They appear like tiny humans with sparkling wings,� recalled Petri.

������That�s funny,� laughed the little girl. �I sure hope I see one someday!�

������Father, today I heard the workers in the fields whispering of a dragon. I�ve never seen one of those either. Have you? Did Babushka tell you anything about dragons?� inquired Nadya.

������I�ve never seen one, only imagined what one might look like. Babushka didn�t speak of them other than to say that they have great powers for good or for evil,� he answered.

������Are they cruel? Will they gobble me up?� asked the youngster.

������As legend has it, there are many kinds of dragons. There are small sorts and very gigantic ones. Most of them have crested heads, spiked wings, razor sharp talons, armored scale plates, and long, whipping tails. Some spit fire; others spit ice. Others do both. Depending on how they are treated is how they behave.� Petri told his daughter all that he knew about dragons.

�����He lifted Nadya onto his lap as he continued. �It is my understanding that all dragons are born with kind hearts and can be the best of helpers. Many of them have received vile(3) reputations because of the way they defend what is theirs. As fire-breathers and ice-throwers, even the bravest knight fears them,� said Petri.

������Now, little dragonslayer,� said her father. �I think it�s your bedtime.�

�����There were kisses all around. Nadya washed up for the night and climbed up to the loft and into her warm straw bed with her favorite blue quilt and eiderdown(4) pillows.

�����Petri and Daria spent the remainder of the evening chatting about the events of their peaceful day. As the lights burned low, the young couple put their bed down next to the warm hearth.

�����Nadya spent her sleeptime dreaming of splendid faeries and dutiful dragons.

Morning came and the household woke to a brilliant sunrise.

������Eggs and sausage!� called Daria.

�����They gathered quickly for breakfast. The small, wooden table was covered with a simple, white cloth. The aroma of fresh coffee filled the air. Petri sliced some warm, fresh-baked, wheat bread and Nadya proudly carried a bowl of whipped butter. Daria came to the table with a pitcher of fresh goat�s milk.

�����They held hands in circle round.

�For the gifts of the field and farm we thank You.
Bless us as we partake of Your goodness.
We ask Your protection and guidance in all that we do and say.
May we come to the end of this day in Your grace.�

�����This was Petri�s prayer for his family as they began their ordinary day near the mountain.

Nadya was only eight years old and quite skilled. Staying at home while her mother and father worked, she kept the cottage tidy. She attended school twice each week and enjoyed working in their garden. Her mother taught her how to dry the herbs and flora to make wreaths and bouquets; she helped in the making of fragrant oils and potions. Her family would sell these at the market along with Daria�s home-baked bread and sweet rolls. The extra money that they would earn would help buy them a farm of their own someday.

Petri hitched up the team. He and Daria left for their work in the wheat fields surrounding the castle. It was seeding time and they would work until sunset. Nadya would join them there later in the day when they would return home together for their evening meal.

Nadya went about her morning chores. She cleaned up the breakfast table, washed the dishes, swept the floors, and fed the cat.

������Such a beautiful day!� she said to her faithful calico. �Zoly, I think I�ll take a walk into the woods to find fresh crocus and arbutus. They should be budding now. Mother told me they are very sweet smelling flowers.�

�����She found her wicker gathering basket and snatched her green tunic(5) from the hook. Zoly was put out on the stoop with a bowl of cream and some crumbs of sausage. Nadya�s day was about to begin.

The Sun streaked brightly through the trees, creating shadows everywhere. Nadya was playing a game of shadow tag when she arrived at a familiar clearing near the edge of the mountain. It looked quite different from when she was there a year ago.

�����In the place where the Rowan(6) grew last Spring, there now was a white, stucco cottage covered with thatch. It had a sod roof. Then she saw it, a small garden filled with budding flowers. She knew she needed to pick some blossoms.

�����Nadya approached the cottage cautiously. She had no way of knowing if there was anyone inside, but from the orderly condition of the property she knew that there must be someone there taking care of it.

�����She stepped onto the small porch and knocked on the thick wooden door. There was no answer. She knocked again. Still there was no answer. As she raised her hand to knock a third time she heard a woman�s voice.

������I�m over here behind the shed.�

�����Nadya looked, but did not see anyone. She walked slowly toward the shed. As she approached it, a very pretty young lady with dark hair came from behind it carrying baskets filled with moss. The moss smelled like fresh, warm earth.

������You caught me doing my morning gatherings. Hello! My name is Zmaj(7). This is my first Spring here beneath the mountain,� said the stranger.

������Hello and welcome to the kingdom! My name is Nadya.�

������That�s such a remarkable name. I heard of a Nadya of long ago who ruled the F�rie People.�

������F�rie People! My father was telling me about them just last evening. His grandmother used to tell him stories.�

������Oh, they�re not just stories, Nadya. You will come to learn that F�ries are very real.�

�����Nadya thought Zmaj was mysterious. She was very tall and thin, her hair was dark, like black onyx, and her eyes were the color of green beryl. Her skin was the color of fresh cream. Having a sweet, melodious voice, she had an exquisite smile to match. Nadya knew that Zmaj was different. There was something about her that she could not explain.

������I�ve never seen you before. Do you live nearby?� asked Zmaj.

������Oh yes, I live through the woods that way,� informed Nadya as she pointed East. �My mother and father work in His Majesty�s wheat fields. My father�s name is Petri and mother�s name is Daria.�

������From the looks of things, I believe you are wanting to find some flowers to fill your basket. Come, I�ll show you my garden and you can pick from it if you�d like.�

�����Nadya was very pleased. They walked toward the garden.

�����Suddenly, the little girl stopped.

������What is that hole in the mountain?� asked Nadya.

������It�s just an old cave,� said Zmaj. �I don�t think there�s much in there. I�ve seen rabbits, bats, and birds around it, nothing else. I don�t believe there is anything to fear.�

������It sure looks spooky,� said Nadya. �Maybe a dragon lives in there!� They walked into the garden, laughing.

������I�ll show you which plants you may pick from,� declared Zmaj.

As they entered the garden, a murder(8) of crows circled overhead.

������Don�t worry about those birds, Nadya. They�re just nosey creatures. I�ve heard tell that they bring good luck.�

������Did you hear that from your grandmother?� asked Nadya, laughing.

������I never met my grandmother,� said the pretty lady. �She died many years before I was born.�

������I�m so sorry,� sympathized Nadya.

������Not to worry,� said Zmaj. �It happened a long time ago.�

�����Nadya could not take her eyes off of her new friend. She was so beautiful. Nadya wondered if she, herself, would ever be so pretty.

�����As they walked and talked, Nadya noticed that Zmaj wore a beautiful ring on the baby finger of her left hand. There were three vertical(9) bands, set into shining silver. The first band was red, the middle one black, and the third one, green.

������What a beautiful ring you are wearing!� said the little girl. �Was it a gift?�

������You are very smart, young lady,� observed Zmaj. �The ring was given to me by an older gentleman of the court on the occasion of my twenty-first birthday. He told me that it had belonged to my grandmother. The stones are of carnelian, obsidian, and malachite. The story has it that they are all magick(10) gems empowered by the wise ones to bring good fortune to the wearer.�

�����Nadya noticed how the shining silver reflected the rays of the sun. It was almost blinding.

������Did he know your grandmother?� asked Nadya.

������His father knew her. That is all I know. Now, let�s get some gathering done before noon,� urged the pretty lady with green eyes.

������Where is your mother?� asked Nadya.

������You ask many questions,� laughed Zmaj. �Come, let�s get our work done.�

�Here in this area are angelica, melilot, wild ginger, and yarrow. All the buds are very tiny; they are not ripe and they are pungent to the smell. Their leaves can be used in bouquets and are best picked when they are young; they can also be used in medicines,� taught Zmaj as the little girl gathered a basket full.

������I think I�m going to sneeze!� said Nadya.

������Go right ahead. You won�t blow me over!� laughed Zmaj.

As they walked, talked, and gathered, there were many plants to behold. There were crocus, catkins, Solomon�s seal, witch hazel, tansy, pennyroyal, arbutus, and pipsissewa among others. To the little girl, the garden became a valuable treasure as she took a small sampling of each plant. She thanked them as she went along. The plants seemed to be enjoying Nadya�s company just as much as their gardener.

������What are the plants over near the cave?� questioned Nadya.

������You need to beware of those,� said Zmaj. �They are quite powerful greens. This one is nightshade.�

�����Nadya fingered its leaves gently but did not gather it. It smelled funny. Nadya held her nose.

������This is poke and that one over near the entrance of the cave is poison hemlock,� instructed Zmaj.

������I kind of like this one,� said Nadya of the poke. �It has pretty knobs on it and the stems are maroon.�

������Those little knobs will turn to deep, purple berries. You cannot eat them; they will make you very ill. I use the crushed berries to make a paste with which I color my fingernails in the summer,� said Zmaj.

������What did you say is the name of that one?� asked Nadya pointing to the cave.

������That is hemlock. It seems to grow wild here for some reason. We dare not touch that one. It is highly poisonous and extremely dangerous,� said Zmaj as they strolled back to the cottage. �Can you join me for some tea?� she asked. �The sun is approaching its warmest hour and I think we need a morsel or two of something sweet.�

������I would like sweet tea with cream and honey, thank you, and yes, I will join you. There is time before I must return home to begin supper for my Mother,� said Nadya. She was pleased that Zmaj invited her to tea.

Entering the cottage, Nadya noticed that it was much different than her family�s dwelling. It was one, large room with a fireplace right in the middle. There was a small cauldron(11) on the fire, steaming nicely. There were dried flowers and herbs hanging everywhere. The cottage smelled luscious.

������Now have a seat and I�ll be right back,� said Zmaj as she hung up her hooded, blue cape and put her baskets next to the tall, windowed cupboard. She placed her ring into a velvet-lined box on the mantle.

�����The table was set with pretty dishes and a beautiful, pink teakettle.

�����Zmaj returned, all freshened up. Her dark hair was pulled back. She looked exotic with her piercing, green eyes. Picking up the teapot, she went to the cauldron and filled it with steaming water.

������Here we are!� said Zmaj. She placed the herb-ball(12) into the water and hummed a sweet melody.

������We�ll let it steep awhile and then we�ll drink and be merry!� sang the pretty lady, dancing around the room.

������Would you like zwieback(13) biscuits or cookies?� asked Zmaj.

������I love cookies!� said Nadya.

������Then cookies it will be!� answered the hostess.

�����They sat and enjoyed each others company well into the afternoon.

�����Zmaj told some legends and sang songs that she remembered from when she was a child. Teatime led to lunchtime and they enjoyed a hearty meal of fruits and berries. They chatted well into the fifteenth hour(14). Nadya liked Zmaj very much.

������Did you encounter any f�ries while you were gathering?� asked Zmaj, smiling.

������Oh, they�re not really real!� said Nadya, laughing.

������I saw quite a few of them taking showers under the dewdrops!� laughed Zmaj. Her green eyes sparkled.

������That�s so silly,� laughed Nadya.

������As you wish!� whispered the pretty lady as she watched the little girl finish the last drop of sweet tea.

������I must go now. I�ll visit again if I may,� said Nadya hoping Zmaj would answer yes.

������You can stop by any time. I didn�t realize how much I miss having company. The day went by quickly.� Zmaj bid farewell to her new, young friend.

Nadya returned to her cottage. She called Zoly and he came running for his lunch. Placing her basket by the hearth, she hung up her green tunic. She placed clean muslin(15) over the floor and spent quite a bit of time cleaning and sorting the leaves and flowers. It was a wonderful gathering! She sang a few songs that Zmaj had taught her as she recalled a pleasant afternoon.

�����After readying the fire, she ventured out to the well for water. Since the cauldron was very heavy, she needed to return to the well three times with small measures(16) to fetch enough water to fill half of the large pot. It took a long while for the water to boil. When it did, she added onions, carrots, parsley, celery, kohlrabi(17), potatoes, and chicken pieces her mother had prepared. When the skim(18) rose to the top of the cauldron, she cleansed it off with a large, gauze cloth. The soup was almost done as the fire calmed. She set the table for supper, put Zoly out for the evening, grabbed her tunic, and set out on foot to meet her family at the edge of the field.

It was an early, spring evening and clouds began to shade the setting sun. She arrived at the field�s edge just as her parents were finishing their day.

������Well, hello there my pretty lady!� said Petri as he approached his daughter waiting by the wagon. �How was your day?�

������Hello, Nadya. I hope you had a pleasant day,� said Daria as she neared.

������I had the best, most pleasant, most wonderful day ever! I will tell you all about it on our ride home,� said a happy Nadya. She was anxious to tell them of her new friend.

������So, tell us. What were you up to on this most wonderful day?� asked her father. �Did you slay any dragons or dance with f�ries?

�����Nadya and Petri laughed until their sides ached.

������The day started like it always does when it is not a school day. I went about my gatherings and when I arrived on the other side of the woods I saw a cottage,� started Nadya.

������There�s a cottage on the other side of the woods?� questioned Petri. �I don�t know of it.�

������Yes, it�s where the rowan trees grew last Spring, Father. I didn�t ask when it was built but a very beautiful lady lives there. Her name is Zmaj,� informed Nadya.

������Zmaj?� asked Petri. �I�ve heard that name before. I wish I could remember from where or when. I�ll think of it sooner or later. Go on, Nadya, finish your telling�.

������Well, she allowed me to gather from her garden. She told me wonderful stories; we had tea; she served lunch, and we had a magnificent day. I can�t wait to see her again. She is so wise and pretty. Father, did I tell you how pretty she is?�

������Yes,� answered Petri. �You did tell me.�

�����Nadya rambled on. �I almost forgot! There�s a cave in the mountain, right behind the cottage. She told me there was nothing in there other than bats and birds. It looked spooky. I didn�t go inside. Honestly, I didn�t, Father. Honest!� Nadya kept talking all the way home.

������Did you set up the soup for supper?� asked Daria.

������Oh yes, it will be all ready once I give it a last skim,� said Nadya who by this hour was extremely hungry.

�����Daria and Nadya stepped from the carriage.

������Drat! I can�t believe I forgot!� said Petri. �I need to go back to the castle guardhouse. M� Ladies, get supper ready and I�ll be back within the hour,� said Petri as he turned the wagon around toward town.

�Where�s Father going?� asked Nadya.

������I want to be honest with you, Nadya. There is word that a dragon was spotted over the woods last night and His Majesty is giving three spears to each tenant(19),� said Daria.

������Was it seen in these woods?� asked Nadya.

������Yes, dear, it was seen flying over them. There�s nothing to be frightened of. It�s just chatter and nothing for certain,� said Daria. �No more talk of dragons. Let�s get supper ready.�

More than an hour and a half passed.

������Why is Father so late?� asked Nadya.

������Perhaps he is talking to the castle guards and is just delayed,� said Daria.

������I suppose,� Nadya answered.

������Let�s have our bread and soup. Your father won�t mind. He can eat when he gets here,� said Daria knowing Nadya was famished.

Two more hours passed. Petri did not come home. Daria and Nadya kept themselves busy, preparing for the next day�s activities. As time passed, Daria became more worried.

������Come now, Nadya, it�s your bedtime.�

�����Nadya got ready for bed. She came to her mother and kissed her goodnight. It seemed strange that her father wasn�t home. �Where could he be?� she thought to herself.

������Now off to bed with you. You�ll see your father in the morning,� said a worried Daria.

�����Daria turned from Nadya and began to weep quietly, rubbing the smooth worry stone(20) in her apron pocket. She had no idea where her husband could be. She began to think the worse.

�����Suddenly, she heard a terrible clatter. It was the King�s Cavalry riding toward the cottage.

�Bolt the doors, shutter the windows, and stay inside �til daybreak! A dragon was spotted about three hours ago!� cried the mounted recruit. �These are His Majesty�s orders. Obey or face imprisonment!�

�����The horseman rode off through the woods.

������Oh, no! I must find Petri but I cannot leave Nadya alone nor can I disobey the King�s command,� thought Daria.

�����She wakened Nadya. Daria knew that this was not the best thing to be doing. Her only wish was to find her husband.

�����Dressing for the night in black, hooded robes, they sneaked out the back door of the cottage.

�����It was very dark. The moon was invisible and there were streaks of deep, pink, and purple clouds rippling across the top of the mountain. They could see the castle in the distance with its torches lighting up the eerie sky.

�����They knew these woods well. Walking about three kilometers(21), they found their horses standing near a group of pines. They were still in bridle grazing about, breathing heavily.

������What in the world!� said Daria out loud.

�����Nadya was upset but kept silent. Her eyes were as big as saucers and she was shivering from head to foot.

������Mother, what was that?� Nadya heard something and began to cry.

������Shh! Let�s listen,� whispered Daria. They both heard a groaning sound.

������It sounds like it�s coming from over there,� said Daria to her frightened, little daughter. �Come!�

�����They walked slowly, about fifty yards. It brought them to the rocky rise near the mountain. There they saw their broken wagon and Petri, badly bruised, about thirty feet from it.

������Petri!� hollered Daria.

�����With all the air his broken lungs could hold, Petri answered. �The horses�spooked�wagon�broke�the rocks... my legs�are hurt.�

�����He paused for a few moments, trying to catch his breath. �I...can�t�breathe.�

�We need to get help!� cried Daria.

������Shh! Not so loud,� gasped Petri with all the power his lungs could provide. �Dragon!�

������What?� whispered Daria. �Did you see a dragon?�

������No�guards�spotted�flying low.� He swallowed hard. These were the last words Petri spoke before he fell unconscious.

������Pray! What do we do?� asked Daria.

�����She saw that Nadya was terrified. The little girl was silent. Tears ran down her paled cheeks.

������If only the soldiers would ride by again. They would help us get your father home,� cried Daria. She was frantic.

�����Nadya stood by her mother�s side. A shadow passed over the rocks and she looked up.

������Mother, look!� screamed Nadya pointing directly above them.

������Petri, I don�t know if you can hear me. A huge serpent-like creature is hovering above us. I�m going to go over in the thicket with Nadya. We will be safe there,� whispered Daria to her seriously wounded husband.

�����The large shadow swept by again. It came closer and enveloped the entire area. The two remained absolutely silent in fear of drawing the creature�s attention.

�����As Daria and Nadya peered through the thicket they saw the immense reptile moving toward Petri. Daria wanted to scream but dare not. She held her breath. Nadya just watched, astounded at the great animal with the shiny, gleaming scales.

�����The dragon moved slowly. It nudged Petri with its large snout and he let out a painful groan. At that the dragon let out a fearful cry that shook the countryside. Three times the dragon cried out.

������Mother, I think the dragon is crying for help,� whispered Nadya.

������That can�t be. Why would the dragon be crying for help?� whispered a confused Daria.

������Do you remember what Father said? He said that Babushka told him that dragons could be the best of helpers.� Nadya seemed to be reassuring her mother that all would be well.

������I�m sure the cries were heard. The Cavalry will be here soon. What shall we do?� whispered Daria to Nadya.

The little girl was very interested in the creature.

������Mother, I don�t think the dragon is going to harm Father. I�m going out there.�

�����Before Daria could stop her, little Nadya was in the clearing, about twenty feet behind the fabulous monster. In quick response, Daria went to pull her back. She did not want her daughter to get into the middle of a royal contest should the soldiers arrive.

�����It was too late. The dragon saw them. The creature turned about, its hooked tail swaying over their heads. Huge wings spread like a spiked, steel wall around them. The three exchanged glances and now Daria knew the dragon would not harm them or her husband. A great calm came over mother, daughter, and dragon.

�����Daria and Nadya walked toward the dragon. Its eyes sparkled like emeralds in the black night. Nadya held out her hand.

�����A sweet whisper brushed Nadya�s ears.

�I will help you�.

������Mother, what did you say?� asked Nadya.

������I didn�t say anything,� answered Daria.

�����"I will help you." This time they both heard the voice. Daria and Nadya looked at each other, smiling.

������Dragon, was that you?� asked Daria mustering up her audacity(22).

������Yes, please listen. I must speak quickly,� whispered the dragon.

������We don�t have much time. While I am on the ground, I am invisible and so are you because you are with me. My friends, the F�ries, have assured me they have spun a ring over the area and we cannot be seen. We are safe for now. I know that this is Petri, the field worker, and you are Daria, his wife, and you, sweet one, are Nadya.�

�����The dragon went on, speaking very quickly. �I was flying overhead when the horses became upset. I saw the wagon break up and I wanted to help. Two knights spotted me and I could not continue in my efforts to help Petri. I thought I could live safely in these woods but now I am thinking otherwise.�

�����Nadya broke in. �You know F�rie People? Father told me about them. He told me about dragons, too. I know you are a kind dragon.� Nadya squeezed the dragon�s scaly claws. To her surprise they were as soft as silk. �Will you please help my father?� asked the little girl.

������I want you, ladies, to walk home as if nothing is wrong. Stay calm.� The dragon continued whispering. �I will meet you at your cottage.

������But what about my father?� demanded Nadya.

������Not to worry. Just do as I say.� The dragon left out three earsplitting cries.

�����Daria and Nadya did as the dragon told them.

Rising above the trees, the dragon flew holding Petri in its great talons.

������Dragon! Dragon!� the castle guards shouted.

�Mount the horses!� cried the battalion commander.

�����The earth shook under the horses� hoofs. One hundred and ten Cavalry soldiers were on their way through the woods. When they arrived at the field workers cottage the horses bucked and cried with dragonfear(23). The creature rose against them, breathing fire, spitting ice, roaring, and wailing. The dragon was winning!

�����Little Nadya, now fearless, ran next to the fuming dragon and stepped directly in front of the cavalry master with her hands planted sternly on her hips.

������Leave my dragon alone!� a confident Nadya commanded.

������Move away before you get hurt!� he commanded in return.

������The dragon wants to help us. Can�t you see that?� Nadya took charge.

�����The Cavalry sprang back but kept guard. The dragon thundered and fumed at them. Nadya held out her hand. The serpent calmed down. They returned to the spot where Petri lay, gravely injured.

������Please help him, great dragon. I need my Father. I cannot lose him to the great spirits,� pleaded a crying Nadya.

�����The soldiers� hearts were visibly moved. Ever so gently the dragon held Petri up in offering to the heavens. Those who allowed themselves to hear, heard the magickal serpent�s sweet whisper.

�In this night and in this hour, I call upon Your sacred power.
A kindness returned for a kindness rendered, heal this life so greatly tendered.
This I ask.
So be it.�

�����The dragon laid Petri down and stroked his chest delicately, then his legs and face.

�����The soldiers were spellbound at what they saw and felt a sudden camaraderie with their legendary enemy. They drew back their swords and watched with amazement at the gentleness of the great creature.

There was a slight movement in Petri�s legs. The dragon continued the healing process.

������Nadya, I need some yarrow and tansy, a measure of equal amounts of water and skimmed cream and a few small pieces of clean cloth. Can you bring these to me?� whispered the dragon.

�����Nadya nodded and brought her gathering of cleaned herbs and knelt by the dragon.

������Please place the yarrow and tansy leaves into the measure of cream mixture. Stir it together nine times widdershins(24) then nine times deocil(25). Wait for a few minutes and then put all the cloths into the mixture. Let the cloth pieces soak and then put them, dripping, onto your father�s wounds,� instructed the dragon.

�����While she waited for the mixture to cure, Nadya eyed the dragon. She noticed how beautifully colored its scales were. First they were brown, changing to black. Its crested head and powerful shoulders reflected some blue and its chest was the color of fresh cream. On it�s claws were stripes of red, black, and green. Its eyes were a striking, deep green. Leathery wings glistened.

�����The medicine was ready and Nadya placed all the cloths into it. She did as she was told, placing the wet bandages on her father�s wounds.

�����The dragon instructed Nadya as she massaged her Father's wounded legs. About a half-hour passed. Petri opened his eyes and saw his wife and daughter.

������Oh, I feel much better. How did I get back home?� He stretched as if waking from a deep sleep.

������Father, there�s someone I would like you to meet,� said a smiling Nadya.

�����The dragon moved toward Petri so he could see.

������I want you to meet my new friend. Father, this is�� Turing toward the dragon Nadya shrugged.

�����Nadya heard a very familiar voice.

������Let me introduce myself. Petri, Daria, I am Zmaj. I met your daughter earlier today and she was so kind to me. I could only return her kindness.�

�����Nadya could only smile.

The soldiers dismounted and knelt to the great dragon. Nadya hugged the dragon the best she knew how. There were no words exchanged between the two. The love and trust Nadya and Zmaj felt for each other made the dragon�s heart glow. Leathery scales began to fall like delicate, flower petals and were carried away in the gentle breeze. The air was filled with the sweet scent of wild roses.

�����Petri stood up with the help of two horsemen and embraced Daria and Nadya.

Where the dragon and the little girl once stood, there remained a pretty lady with eyes the color of green beryl, sparkling like emeralds in the black night.

The family invited her into their cottage for late night tea.

������Tell me,� beckoned Petri. �Your name, I know it from somewhere.�

�����She began to laugh. �In my peoples' language(26), �zmaj� means dragon.�

�����An embarrassed Petri should have known that word. His childhood seemed close tonight.

������You�re from Serbia like Babushka was?� asked Petri.

������Yes, that�s right,� said Zmaj. �Tell me about your grandmother.�

������I think we�ll keep her stories for another time,� replied an exhausted but happy Petri.

�����It was getting very late.

������I must be getting home,� said Zmaj in her sweetest voice.

�����Petri, Daria, and Nadya thanked her for her favor and they became lifelong friends. They visited each other often.

When Nadya grew older she was the fairest and most beautiful lady in the kingdom. She had eyes the color of green beryl, hair as deep as black onyx, and skin the color of fresh cream. She eventually married and moved into the cottage on the other side of the woods. This is where she raised her children, they their children, and they theirs.

�����It is said that Nadya loved to read to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

�����Her favorite story begins in this way:

�Darkness surrounded the tiny kingdom. The night sky was star-less. Dismal clouds enveloped the New Seed Moon. No person or creature would dare venture out on this misty, gloomy night. The King�s guards were poised. The Cavalry horses were readied. There was rumor of a DRAGON!�

Ihear tell that the cave remains against the great Saurian Mountain, a hooded blue cape hangs neatly on a hook near the cottage door, and a ring of shining silver with colored bands lies in a velvet-lined box on the mantle. There is a wooden table set with pretty dishes and a beautiful, pink teakettle. A cauldron of sweet smelling herbs simmers on the fire.

It is another ordinary day near the mountain.

for April

WORD LIST FOR THIS STORY

(1) SEED MOON - April Moon

(2) BABUSHKA - Grandmother

(3) VILE - very bad

(4) EIDERDOWN - soft breast feathers of the eider duck used in the batting of quilts and pillows.

(5) TUNIC - a blouse-like garment worn over the shoulders and reaching past the hips; usually gathered at the waist with a belt or cord

(6) ROWAN - the rowan tree - an European Ash - In European Lore, a tree of good fortune

(7) ZMAJ - pronounced "zhmy". (MY as in: My cat is black)

(8) MURDER - used here as the word that describes a group of crows

(9) VERTICAL - up and down direction

(10) MAGICK - use of the end k, as spelled in the Old Religion

(11) CAULDRON - a large kettle usually made of cast iron

(12) HERB-BALL - a ball made from screening into which is placed leaves or herbs to make a drink or solution

(13) ZWEIBACK - a kind of biscuit that is toasted immediateily after it is baked and stored; used for "dunking"

(14) FIFTEENTH HOUR - three o'clock in the afternoon

(15) MUSLIN - a sheer cotton cloth of simple weave

(16) MEASURES - small buckets/pails

(17) KOHLRABI - a bulbous vegetable realted to the cabbage

(18) SKIM - a mixture of gristle and fat that rises to the top of a pot when making soups and stews; sometimes this mixture was saved with the fat from meats to make lard for baking

(19) TENANT - used here as meaning a worker who lives in a cottage owned by the King; no rent is paid as long as the worker is faithful to His Majesty

(20) WORRY STONE - a small, very smooth, flat, river rock used in medieval and modern-day stress therapy

(21) KILOMETER - a measure of distance; about 5/8 mile

(22) AUDACITY - bold courage; boldness

(23) DRAGONFEAR - frozen with fear

(24) WIDDERSHINS - counterclockwise motion; path of the Moon

(25) DEOCIL - clockwise motion; path of the Sun

(26) MY PEOPLES' LANGUAGE - here to mean Serbian

SableHawk
� 2001. All rights reserved.
The Library of Congress
Washington, D.C. 20559
USA

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