Book 2: Chapter 102 (2/2)
A green and purple light traveled up Vur’s arm as he stepped out of the cave and squinted into the darkness. The moon wasn’t out, but hundreds of stars were twinkling in the night sky.
“Oh, we’re just going for a short walk,” Stella said. “You act like you’re twelve because you ask too many questions.”
Vur scratched at the green and purple light traveling up his neck. He glanced at Sheryl. “Well, I’m only sixteen. Or seventeen? Oh, Tafel’s birthday passed. I should get her a present for when I see her.” His brow furrowed. “But what do I get her?”
“A star!” Zilphy said from his cheek. “I’d love it if someone got me a star, hint hint, wink wink, Diamant.”
Diamant sighed. “How about diamonds or other gems? There’s a lot of those in the treasury.”
“Ooh, make her a stuffed animal,” Sheryl said. “My friend got a stuffed animal once from her boyfriend. She was so happy.” Her flames dimmed. “I never got one, but I bet I would’ve been happy if I did.”
“I’m sure Tafel will be fine with anything you get her,” Stella said. “After all, her expectations of you when it comes to romance are super low. And she loves you, but the former is the real reason.” The green and purple lights flashed on Vur’s forehead. “Hey, Mr. Mutant Dragon. I brought you a snack!”
The rune on Vur’s head flashed with a golden light.
“What the heck is that!?” Zilphy shouted. A green light zipped down Vur’s face, heading towards Diamant’s runes, but a golden tendril shot out of the rune on Vur’s forehead and entangled the green light. “Diamant, help! You don’t want to become a widower on the day of your marriage!”
“Ah,” Vur said, his eyes lighting up. “I almost forgot why we came to find Zilphy.” He tapped the rune on his head, and the golden light retreated, freeing the now-dim green light. “Did you cause my dwarven soldiers to vanish around a week ago? One of them was named Popp.”
“Dwarven soldiers?” Zilphy asked as she retreated into Diaman’ts runes. “I haven’t left my cave in over a year. It wasn’t me.”
“Oh,” Vur said and turned towards Sheryl. “You were wrong.”
Sheryl’s flame flickered. “I guess so. Sorry, Vur. I was just trying to help.”
“That’s okay,” Vur said and patted the flame on his shoulder. “Besides, I’m lighter and faster now.” He glanced at the sky. “How far away is a star? I want to give one to Tafel.”
“Uh, Vur,” Zilphy said. “When I said star, I wasn’t referring to an actual star, just a star-like object. I don’t think it’s possible to gift someone a star in the sky.”
“Maybe not right now,” Vur said while rubbing his chin. “But when I can maintain my scales and wings for an indefinite amount of time…”
“No, no,” Stella said. “That’s impossible for even a dragon.”
Vur frowned.