The Dragon of the Drowned World by Nikakis K S

Author:Nikakis, K S
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: SOV Media
Published: 2023-11-29T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 36

A low hiss, came and went, came and went reminding Jojo of Davy’s soft snore and of the rustle of leaves outside their bedroom window. The trees sent leaf-shadows dancing across their bedroom floor and sometimes bird-shadows, and then Jojo helped Davy guess the bird-types from their outlines. But there was none of his bed’s coziness and Jojo opened his eyes.

It was dark, the stone cold under his back, the air full of salt. He was in his cave but had only scattered memories of how he’d got there. Something stirred in the darkness but it was only Griffy. Surprisingly, he was lying right next to her. He sat up and groaned as pain escalated in his head. Griffy’s red eyes gleamed momentarily then disappeared as she settled again, and desperate for comfort, Jojo stroked her soft feathers.

He recalled the Sanctuary sliding into the ocean and the piece of feather keeping him aloft but not much more. He had obviously made it back to his cave because he was here but was it still the same night or the next night? He felt more sick than hungry so maybe it was the same night but he was super thirsty.

He eased away from Griffy so as not to disturb her, rolled onto his knees, and waited for the cave to stop spinning before he struggled to his feet. His head pounded sickeningly and a careful exploration with his fingers revealed dried blood. He just hoped the gash healed cleanly because there was nothing in the Town to help him if it didn’t.

The cave continued to sway and he wanted to curl up around Griffy again but he also wanted to see what was happening outside. He tottered through the cavern’s water, leaned against the stone, and peered out. The air was crisp and the ocean clad in a silvery sheen so beautiful that even its cargo of trash failed to spoil it. He expected to see a full moon but saw stars instead, so dense their light filled the darker patches of sky in between.

Jojo had seen brilliant stars when he’d camped in the mountains and his dad had explained how city lights dulled their shine, but these stars were so bright they were like firestorms. Their beauty should have thrilled him but he felt even bleaker. For the stars to be this bright, there must be no electric lights nearby or maybe none left anywhere in the world.

He licked his chapped lips, sorry the rain had gone, and heard a steady drip-drip from the cavern’s side. Water seeped from above and he funneled it to his mouth and swallowed greedily. He needed to lie down again but he needed water too and staggered back to the corner where he kept his treasures. The feather was still in pieces but gave off enough light to see the plates.

Jojo blinked. The fragment had grown to the size and shape of Griffy’s dish and he gingerly picked it up and set it under the drips.

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