THE FIRST REALM: RED

From the air, the village looked like a garden full of small houses. The roofs and walls were brightly colored, with flowers, fruit trees, and plants Skyblue did not recognize growing all around them. Between two posts, a sign embroidered with tiny flowers announced:

“Welcome to the Red Realm, land of the dwarves. All are welcome.”

The dragon slowed.

For all she had learned with Yaseee, she could still hear her teacher’s voice in her memory: “Dwarves are our enemies.” She remembered the alarm in her own village, the orders to take the wounded dwarf away, the dragons guarding their treasures.

What if she met with the same welcome here?

She looked at Helio. The eagle continued her calm descent.

When Skyblue landed, she saw someone coming forward to meet her. She recognized his walk before she saw his face.

“I told you we’d meet again,” Yaseee said with a wink.

Skyblue let out a breath she had not realized she was holding and embraced him.

“I’ll be your companion in this land,” he added.

Helio rose above the rooftops. Still holding her friend, Skyblue watched until the eagle was out of sight.

They settled her in a cottage that, like the trees in her village, adjusted to her size as soon as she entered. From outside, she had thought it impossible to fit through the door. Inside, she could stretch her wings without touching the walls.

“What should I do?” she asked.

“For now, rest. After that, whatever you please.”

Skyblue smiled. This promised to be a wonderful stay.

She had always told her parents that work ought to be fun. She could spend hours doing something she enjoyed without noticing the time pass. If the dwarves wanted her to do whatever she pleased, she was willing to oblige.