Day Six - The Writing Challenge.

Prompt: Open the book, turn the page.

"The lights dimmed down and the candle flickered. The creak of a door opening was the only thing he heard after a long time. Heels clicking on cold tiles came closer. A spicy scent overcame his senses and he moaned. A metallic clunk sounded and...."

With a sigh, she flipped the page and continued reading the manuscript. "This won't work.."

She closed the book and slammed it on her bedside table.

Day Five - The Writing Challenge.

Prompt: Your silver feathers shine diamond bright.

"If you're going to keep that bird locked up like that, it's feathers will lose their shine! We can't have such birds in our house!! Let it out for a minute. Don't forget to tie its leg to a ribbon and let it back inside soon. Do you understand??"

"Yes ma'am.." I nod.

This is the city of Ping. It is far, far away from other villages - so far, it is almost just a legend.. and so the people around here stick together in close-knit, family-like groups. Sometimes, it gets too stifling. The only way out of groups like that, was my way. No one could ever imagine coming out of "family"... I just.. had a little fight, and yayy, wish granted.
So, I went up to the richest people in town and started working. I was to take care of the birds they had. In this place, having a bird is a status symbol. The birds' feathers GLOW if they're taken care of. That glow can be shown off. There isn't really a reason..
Hunters look for the birds, capture them and bring them back to the large houses where they are caged.

A few years ago, there were many many birds. Now, the one in this house was the only one left...throughout our country. There was just one..
The birds were beautiful. Since the day I had started working here, I loved the bird. It made me sad that I had to be the one to tie its legs, lock its cage and let it out for a few minutes..
I wanted to free him.

______________________

It was a dark night. The moon was hidden behind fluffy clouds and the village was dark..unlit, except of course by the bird's feathers in the large house. Ping was celebrating "The days of Ignorance". They believed that ignorance was bliss. During these celebrations, no one in town was allowed to light up their homes at night. No light. Not even to smoke a cigarette. If, during the mornings, there was any sunlight, the windows were to remain closed and the blinds drawn. As little light as possible was to be let in.
These were two days..two very precious days for the common thieves. They would sneak up and take away whatever they wanted from the unlit homes. The rule, was that, the next morning, if the villagers noticed something missing, and found it in possession of someone else, they had to keep mum. Feign ignorance.

I saw a perfect opportunity to let the bird free, on the first day of the days of Ignorance..No one would notice at night and they wouldn't be allowed to talk about it after the celebration! Well, there was at least ONE good thing about the village... Why I even wanted to let it free, I didn't know. It somehow just didn't seem right that a creature as beautiful as the bird was imprisoned.
Every single time I let it out on a leash, it looked at me, pleading for me to set it free.
This time, I finally would.

With the pleasant thoughts of how pleased the bird would be, with my favor, I went slowly to the golden cage where the bird was kept. I winked at it and motioned with my finger for it to stay quiet. It was one intelligent bird...
I slid the latch open and reached inside, untying the silk ropes around the bird's legs. I stepped back and opened the window and motioned for the bird to fly away.
It trotted slowly to the edge of the cage and spread its wings. Giving me a grateful look, it took off into the dark night, taking the glow and the light of the village with it.
I watched as it soared into the sky, bright against the inky sky, among the stars. The scene filled me with happiness. But I couldn't just stay here. I knew that the mistress wasn't supposed to talk about the now missing bird, but they sure could act upon it... And, my mistress had horrific ways...

That night, just after I let the bird free, I grabbed the golden cage and ran for my life. I now, would have no job. If I had to get by, I  had to sell the cage. The bird had to do me SOME good?....
I sprinted down the spiral stairs as fast and quietly as I could. When I found myself out of the castle, I made my way to the edge of the forest that separated our area with that of the other villages.
I was going to leave Ping...
I was leaving Ping...

______________________

I ran into the forest, the thorns and twigs pricking every part of me. Stumbling on rocks, struggling with the cage, I ran and ran and ran from Ping.
Who wanted to stay in a village that celebrated the days of IGNORANCE, for heaven's sake!!

I ran till my feet bled and I was out of breath. I then climbed a tree, dragging my precious gold cage with me. Hugging it, I fell asleep on the branches.

In the wee hours of the morning, while I was descending the tree, I heard a beautiful sing-song squeak. I was almost sure, it was the bird I let free, that I turned around, looking for its shiny feathers. And there it was!
The bird had returned to me. It had come back!
Upon taking a closer look at the bird, I noticed a small roll of paper tied to its left leg. I went and slowly untied the string and opened the paper.
There were very few people who could read and write, throughout our small country. I, luckily, was one of them. Whoever must have written the note must have known that I could read...
Here, writing was a form of secretive communication. If someone else had to know something, someone had to tell them orally...
The piece of paper read:

        
            I know who you are and what you are doing.
           I know you left family. I did too.
          I also know why you left. I know, because I did. I am guessing that we had the same reason.
         I know you know how to read. So, hear me, now.
  This is a very precious bird, and as you might know, the very last in our country. But just because it 
  is the very last in OUR country, doesn't mean it is the last in the world.
  Send me a confirmation that you have read this and then I shall tell you further. 
 - Y


What did that mean? Did that mean that this person knew me? And, if yes, then that would mean that I was being spied on... which doesn't make sense, because I am just so plain!
My mind was buzzing with questions, but I decided that I'd first write back to mysterious "Y".
I searched for berries. I found some orange ones and crushed them. Dipping my finger in the paste, I smeared a crude "Yes" on the back of the paper and tied it back on the bird's right leg. It promptly took off into the morning. I sat atop the tree once more, waiting...

The sun rose up in the sky and according to my calculation, it was some time around noon, when the bird returned with a larger bit of parchment. I quickly reached out and untied it. It read:


 Go back home. Go back to where you were.
 No one has noticed your absence, yet. Even if you are a little late, you can reason that you were out, flying the bird. It is no use trying to cross these woods alone...
Maybe next year.. I'll try to be around to help you with it..
Go back.
- Y


This time, the note left me a little puzzled.
I quickly decided that I'd return home, but leave the bird free in the wild, regardless of the consequences.
I started sprinting towards Ping, again, heeding the note.
It was midnight, by the time I got back. The village was still in the dark. I sneaked up back into the castle and pretended to sleep, waiting for morning to bring with it, the many accusations and punishments.

The shrill scream of my mistress woke me up from a deep, but troubled sleep.
She screamed at the top of her lungs for me. I ran up the turret as fast as my legs could carry me. I saw her standing near the golden cage. The golden cage that I had replaced, the night before. 
She turned towards me, furious. I was confused. She wasn't supposed to act like that. She wasn't supposed to 'know'..
"How DARE you leave the door of the cage OPEN?! Do you have any idea how disastrous it would have been, to lose the bird? It is the only status we have, left! You stupid little girl!! The bird could have flown away!"
Flown away? I let it free! The bird wasn't here anymore!
"I..I..Am.. s-sorry, ma'am.."

"Alright. Now just let the bird fly for some time and shut the door. CAREFUL, OKAY?"
"Yes, ma'am."
Was she seeing things? The bird WASN'T HERE!!


My mistress moved away from the cage, walked gracefully to the door and swept out of the bird's room.
And then, I saw that the bird was right there in the cage.
Either it had returned or.. someone caught it and brought it back!

I went to it and noticed a small piece of parchment tied to its leg. Another note!
I untied it and opened the piece. There was a hasty scribble..

    Don't question the turn of events. The bird told me that it would miss you terribly.
    It said, it didn't want to be without you. I tried reasoning. 
   It said it loved you too much.
   It nudged me to write this part of the note:
   "I love you, nameless. You took great care of me. I am, after all, a tame bird.. Not wild. I cannot 
    survive without help. 
   Love will keep me locked up in this beautiful cage. Thank you for everything you tried to do."

Burn this note.
- Y


With trembling fingers, I went to the nearest fireplace and crumpled the note and flung it into the depths of the fire. Without another look at the bird, I ran down the tower, crying.


A/N:
I like how the story has turned out.. *blush* *blush*

Day Three - The Writing Challenge

Note: Meh.. I'm just too lazy to actually type out everything I write. Yes, I write them all. 

Prompt: Close fast, the iron door and turn out the lights.

Hot, damp air howled in her ears as she ran down the stone steps, her white gown flying behind her. She looked pale, the chiffon leaving behind a trail of perfume. The dragon at the base of the staircase, she could get past, if asleep; but if he found out that she was escaping once again, he'd lock her up - and no amount of pleading this time, she knew, could make him change her mind. If she failed to escape this time - five plus one attempts - she decided that she'd just learn to enjoy her time in the minaret she was kept in.It was not like it wasn't beautiful. Everything there was perfect - except for that man, of course..though he kept her well..Her footsteps echoed down the empty stairs as she ran, hoping that he hadn't noticed her absence yet. He was deep into writing something on a scroll of parchment, sitting at his desk, three large buildings away from her. Searing hot air now rose up the middle of the winding staircase. Suddenly, a loud growl shook the minaret. The dragon was awake. Slipping past a sleeping dragon was one thing and running past an awake, hungry, irritable one was another. She felt her earlier bravery slipping away from her with every step she went down. The pungent dragon's breath wasn't helping either. She slipped, missed a step and tumbled down the stairs. Clawing at the edge of a step, she steadied herself, made sure she wouldn't tumble down and shakily, stood up again. She paused, thinking about all the other times she had tried to get out of this tower, back to the library she owned... She missed it terribly. This man had the largest library in the world, dedicated to her, right beside her minaret, but she wanted her own one back. She took a shuddering breath, crumpled down on the floor, hugging her knees to her chest and started sobbing uncontrollably. She had lost, once again. With every passing second, she felt her will draining away, overcome with a feeling so strong - she wanted nothing more than to run back to her stone room and collapse on the bed once again. She knew she failed.After some time, she heard soft footfalls approaching her down the stairs. She could tell, he was here. It was weird, how he always knew where she was.. In fact, it was wonderful, she thought. At last.. She could go up to her room back again. He'd help her up..He came to her and held out his hand for her to take, but realizing that she was too weak, he bent down and scooped her up in his arms and started up the stairs. No dialogue passed between them. He'd usually shout.. or at least tell her off for trying to escape. But this time, he hadn't said a word. Maybe it had something to do with her tears. She never cried.He looked pale and pained - not his usual self. He carried her up to her room and laid her gently down on her bed and went back and leaned again the door frame, watching her."Dragon breath does that. A few more minutes.. and you'd have lost all your will." He shuddered.He walked to the candles, looked at her through the mirror, blew out all the lights, walked back and slammed the iron door shut on her, without a look back at her.

Day One - The Writing Challenge

Prompt: Don't hope that it was just a dream.

Warm sunlight shone on small parts of my face through the foliage of the tree. I lean against the rough bark and rest my head against it, scraping my elbow, taking in the scent of the flowers, the grass and the clean, fresh air. 
I had been reading my favorite book for the last four hours. Last night, I had fought with him again. Even the fights were getting routine, now. That was when I decided that I wanted to spend some time alone. This place was where I used to sit, as a kid. The tree I am now sitting under, was the one I had planted. It was the only one that grew, out of the six I had planted. It is beautiful, yet painful, how time flies by...
This little haven of mine smelled as beautiful as it looked. It filled me with pride and happiness. It evoked fond memories of little dolls that I made, the hundreds of books that I read, the times I just sat and thought through things, all whilst sitting under this very tree. And now, I was back, book in hand.
White and pink daisies and blood red roses, some white flowers with a strong perfume and velvety grass. This lone tree stood in between this garden of sorts. Butterflies flitted from flower to flower and the gentle breeze ruffled the leaves of the tree, whispering secrets of the world. I close my eyes and take in the warmth, reveling in this peace. It is hard to come by, these days, with my marriage and the job hunting and all the meaningless quarrels.


The hot sunlight was burning my back. Quickly, I sat up, my eyes still closed, wishing for a little more time before returning to my chores. I could hear the butterflies flying around. Wait, did I just HEAR them flying? And the smell of mud and leaves wafted into my nose. That was intense.

I opened my eyes only to find that my vision was tinged with blue. What had gone wrong with the world?! Four hours into a book, and I haven't noticed something happening?  I was alarmed and I tried to get up but somehow, I ended up on all fours. I was a little confused. Okay, a lot confused. So then, I decided that I'd just go home and look into the mirror to see if something had happened to my contacts. I stood and stretched. I felt my muscles bunching, and a weird sound of hard material scraping against another. When I glanced at myself, I had sprouted scales. What is going on!? Would I have wings as well, then? Scales and wings go together, somehow...
I 'willed' my wings to open, and shockingly, yes, I did have wings. Light green, leathery wings, ribbed with bone.
What was that book I was reading anyway? I flapped my wings experimentally, causing a great gust of wind to flatten the grass around me. Oh wow. I could fly if I wanted to! That was a nice thing...I think. In any case, I still had to get home.

I took off from the ground carefully. See, I still hadn't figured out what I had become. And I was something with wings. Powerful wings.. and scales..and I have no clue as to how flying with wings is.
I fluttered my wings and rose a few inches into the air immediately, landing back on the grass with a thud, when I stopped. This would need some getting-used-to.
Slowly, though, I did manage to soar into the clear blue sky. It was beautiful, being able to see the world from up above here. It was no wonder, man wanted to fly so bad. Poor Icarus and his wings! I was a million times better than him! I didn't melt my wings away - yet.
I analyzed my emotions and my thoughts. I was never a proud person, and still, after i got these scales and wings, I... There's something terribly wrong. Something has changed. Since when did people start sprouting wings and scales after a short nap, huh?

As I flew across the sky, over a forest, Wait, forest? Where'd that come from? I felt something stabbing me in my belly. It hurt so bad, that I descended quickly. I came back down to the ground and lay on my side, one wing folded against the ground, the other, protectively around my body. That was when I heard people shouting near me.
" FALLEN DRAGON! COME. QUICK!!"
And there were footsteps near me. I was surrounded.
" Great aim. The creature looks hurt.", a man said, with a grin.
" We'd better pull out the arrows. We have to train it... We are short of dragons as it is.", said another.
" I've never seen a dragon give up so easily..."

Three things made their way to my mind, over the fog of pain. One - They called me a dragon. Was that what I was? Two - These people hurt me. With arrows. What IS this place?! And Three - They'll TRAIN me? What FOR?!

There was a faint tugging sensation at my belly, and then searing pain that subsided after a few minutes.
"Shouldn't have used so many arrows, Ka, Young dragon.. I feel bad already..."

If I really was a dragon, that'd mean I could breathe fire, right? That's cool. Hot, actually. I don't want to get trained. I want to fly away. Fly back home! They can't keep me captive like this! 
I heard the men discussing something about how they ought to move me, since they'd wounded me so bad. At least SOMEONE'S feeling guilty. Cool metal rings were fastened to all my limbs. They were a little too big for me, and so it felt really uncomfortable. It was like lifting a great weight every time I moved. The rings had long metal chains, ending in bigger rings. What they were for, I knew not.
Two men from the group turned and walked back into the forest and took out some kind of flute and started playing it. He couldn't play at all! It was the most horrible music ever. But by the looks of it, only I was able to listen to it. The people around me, three tending to my wounds, and five standing guard, were either unable to hear it, or were expertly capable of hiding their disgust. 
The people who were attempting to heal me were chattering away. Evidently, they were as new to this world, as I was, myself. So, in order to know a little more, I listened in. No, I don't usually eavesdrop.

"Yeah, I lived in the city. I went drinking at a pub with my girlfriend last night, and when I next woke up, I was here. It was weird. And now, they're making us hunt dragons!"
"I've heard tales. I've been here two days before you came here, Ka. The elders talk only at the campfire at night! In the mornings, they're more like shriveled up mummies, with dead looks. They were saying, the other day, that dragons were extremely hard to find. They said that, in this  world, people are brought in from the other worlds and turned into different people or animals, depending on what they did before coming here. They mentioned that dragons are the most precious, and if we trained them, they'd be with us. I still don't understand why anyone would want to be near giant, smelly, fire-breathing reptiles. I'm not saying they ain't majestic..or..or..beautiful, in a way...but..." Yayy.. someone thinks that I look good! 

I looked at the guy named Ka. He was about my age, I think... and looked as terrified as I first felt. He looked good. Pity he already had a girlfriend.. Where am I going with these thoughts? I am now a dragon, and I need to get out of here! Right NOW. 
When all the arrows were removed, the pain lessened. But before I could feel too happy about it, a shadow passed overhead, blocking the sun for a few seconds. Two massive dragons landed on either side of me. They were brown, and they looked alike.What? The men said something to them and they grabbed two each of the big metal rings to the chain and started to ascend.
I opened my wings instinctively and found that there was an arrowhead lodged between my shoulder and wing. Painful. They HAVE to remove it...and soon, or I'll eat them up for dinner tonight. I 'flew' with the two other dragons to some place where the ground was bare and there were straw huts. I saw what the other guy had explained to Ka. Old men and no women. A bit weird, you'd think. Oh well...

When I landed, Ka came over to my side. Looks like he's noticed that arrow. Good. I snarled at him and he quivered a little. Satisfying. He attempted to dislodge the arrow in my wing, but he was just not that skilled. Not many were.. So this Ka guy brings a few more people to me and explains to them about the arrow. 
"Ka, if you're that gentle with the dragon, she'll die of the pain of the wound when she flies. It is much better that you pull it out with force and let it heal.. It will hurt for about a minute, but there'll be no permanent damage!" Poor Ka was trying to be gentle...And then, after he had pulled out the arrow, I was made to sit in the middle of the tiny village, facing the old men, till nightfall. Then, some lads lighted up a fire and that was when the old men stirred. They talked among themselves and called out to the hunters who had wounded me. They had stony looks, when they went forward - almost loathing, if I may. After long discussions, they decided that I was too 'young' to cause trouble and so, one man would be able to manage me. They wanted to give the newcomer a chance. And so, just like that, Ka was appointed my caretaker...like I needed one, really... but it does please me that its Ka and not any of those other men.

I was pretty happy. My wounds healed miraculously fast and Ka was good company. He kept rambling on about his life before this...this.. change. It made me homesick. I wanted to tell him to let me go...but I had no voice, except maybe the fire. I could melt rock. Oh yayyy. It is nice to watch, believe me.
I went hunting and I flew in the skies. I had a nice life. I don't remember how long I was there.. maybe a fortnight, or longer. I needed to get back, but I didn't know how.
I fought in tiny battles, and I flew with Ka to the mountains for some days. I liked it here. I don't want to leave anymore. This place was good.. beyond my wildest imaginations! Is is weird for a dragon to fall in love with a human? Well, just wondering.. not that I like Ka..

One afternoon, I was resting with Ka leaning against my folded wing, when I drifted into a slumber. He always held me like one would, a little girl, while we slept. The hot afternoon sun burnt my face as I woke up. 
We were resting, remember? What's with the sun.. always burning me up like this..?!

When I opened my eyes, my vision was too bright and I felt light. I felt a little dizzy as well. It was back to normal again, was it? Was I the dragon, or was I human? Oh goodness. My identity. And... Ka? What about him? He seemed so real. What now? 
What now? What do I mean, "what now?".. like a kid lost in a dream..

Slightly disoriented, I walked back home, taking a shortcut through a tiny forest. I saw a man standing at the end of the forest, looking here and there, searching for something. When I went closer, I recognized him at once. I threw myself at him, delighted, shouting "Ka!!!" 
When I pulled back, he looked puzzled. Like, obviously. It was me who was the dragon. I would have been some random mute beast to him, for all the good it did me...

" Hey. Sorry. You looked like someone I knew.."
" Yeah, no problem at all." 
Awkward pause.. great.
And I went on my way again.