Arianna and Her Shadow Quest
What it’s about:
Dream weaver Arianna, is eleven years old, and always ready for adventure. When a shadow falls across the land, she must take on the biggest adventure of her life. Is she ready?
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Arianna lived in a magical kingdom tucked into the hillside by the sea. It was always beautiful and sunny there and flowers bloomed bright all year long.
Arianna belonged to a very important family in this kingdom. Her family spun dreams for everyone in the land. Dreams are very hard to spin, but when done right, they are beautiful, whispy-gold clouds of threads, and smoke, and glitter.
Arianna was in training to become a dream weaver like the rest of her family. But she was young, eleven, in fact, and could not keep her head out of the adventures around her and her feet still long enough to concentrate on her lessons. Always, she would hear from her family, “Arianna! Come down from that tree! Arianna, don’t go too far into that filed. Arianna! COME BACK THIS INSTANT!”
But it was on no use. Her mind was in the flowers and flowing fields outside.
One day, a dark shadow fell across the land. Arianna was outside picking flowers when she noticed the darkness fall quickly over her shoulders and send a chill down her spine. At once she knew something was wrong. She dropped her basket of flowers and raced back to her house. But no one was home. As a matter of fact, there was no home! Where her house had once stood, there only remained a few pieces of clothing, a broken dreamer’s loom and a map.
Arianna, in tears, slowly picked up the few remaining pieces of her house. She didn’t see the map at first. It only caught her attention when it flapped in the wind. She stooped slowly to pick it up. It was a map of her kingdom and all of the land surrounding it. On the far corner of the map, she noticed a large mountain range, and it a a place called “The Shadow of Eador.”
Deep in her gut, she knew she must go there. She did not know why, or how, or when, but she knew- just like she knew the sky was blue- that if there was a chance her parents were still alive, she would find them there.
Other villagers gathered with Arianna as she prepared for her journey. Many urged her to stay. They were worried what they would do without without a dream weaver in the town. But others brought her food and supplies for her long journey. They braided her long blond hair and fitted her with coats, gloves, and blankets for the cold nights ahead. They were all anxious to have their weavers back safe and sound. And many knew that while Arianna was in training, she was not suited for weaving, but she was very good at adventure. What better thing could she do but go to save her family?
“Bring us back our dream weavers safe. And may you find strength and courage and come back to us too,” they would say. “May your journey be short and successful,” others would say.
So, Arianna set off on her journey alone, but she was not afraid— more like excited, really. She had never been one to sit about idly and daydream. Readers, this was precisely why she would make a terrible dream weaver. She wanted to be out in the world. She wanted to see it all. And now, she finally had a chance.
She set out in the morning. While the shadow still loomed over the land, they could still see the sun, enough to know the time of day.
She travelled for three days through the fields of flowers. The path was easy enough and the hills were small. On the fourth day she came to forests, dark and dense. She took a deep breath to gather her courage checked her map, and followed the path leading straight into the woods. This path was much harder. The hills became steeper and covered in slippery rocks. She stumbled, but brushed herself off and got back up. The forrest was filled with strange sounds which made Arianna jump and let out a scream, but still, she moved forward. The thought of rescuing her parents gave her the bravery to move on.
On the fifth day, she came to a dense brush that closed in tight to the trail. Many of the limbs scratched as she moved through. Suddenly, she heard a loud rustling noise just ahead of her. The limbs around her shook and vibrated. Arianna had nowhere to go so she stood her ground and watched bravely as something came tumbling out from the branches.
What came out in front of her?
A dragon! Arianna tried to hold in her scream as it stretched its long neck out, and then side to side. It lowered its head as it spotted Arianna in front of it. Arianna held her breath, willing herself not to run away!
Finally, the dragon’s mouth gaped open and its tongue flopped out the side as it started to pant. It rolled over to its back, and looked up, as if to say, ‘Rub my belly!’
Arianna cautiously approached the dragon, wondering if it was a trap. As she got closer, the dragon’s tail beat faster, its breathing got heavier, and drool dribbled from its mouth! Upon closer inspection, Arianna could see that its teeth were flat, not sharp.
Slowly, she reached down until her hand was touching the cool, satiny scales that covered the dragon’s belly. She moved her hand up and down its belly as the dragon closed its eyes and began making what suspiciously sounded like a purring noise.
Arianna laughed out loud. “There now.” she cooed, “You are a sweet little guy aren’t you?”
The dragon popped one eye open quickly, glaring at Arianna before rolling over and turning it’s back to her.
“Oh! You’re not a guy!” Arianna exclaimed. “Are you a girl then?”
The dragon looked coyly over its shoulder and blinked.
“Well then. You are the most beautiful and sweetest dragon I think I’ve ever met!” This wasn’t a lie. This was the only dragon she’s ever met. The dragon turned back around and rubbed up against Arianna.
“Hmmm….” Arianna wondered aloud. “Can I call you Roxy?” The dragon snapped back and stopped its purring. “No. Ok then. What about… Gypsy?” The dragon made a growling sound. Arianna laughed. “Ok. Ok.” Arianna look at the dragon before noticing that the scales along her neck seemed to be white and connected like a necklace. “What about Pearl? Like these beautiful looking scales.” Arianna said as she stroked the white scales gently. The dragon purred again and tried to place its head in Arianna’s hand.
Pearl was not too big. She stood a few feet taller than Arianna, and her tail almost doubled her length. Aside from the pearl-like scales on her neck, Pearl was a deep, dark purple with pinkish wings and a flat, oval head.
“Do you want to go on an adventure with me?” Arianna asked. Pearl jumped up and down on all legs and spun a circle.
“Ok!” Arianna giggled as Pearl flipped over for another belly rub. “Do you know where this shadow is coming from?”
Pearl rolled back onto her legs and spun another circle. “Will you take me there? My parents are missing and I think who ever has them is causing all this darkness too!”
Arianna could feel tears welling up in her eyes. Pearl nudged her hand and moved closer, wrapping her body and tail gently around Arianna. Arianna leaned into the cool, velvety hug and spent a moment regaining her composure.
“Well. Now is as good of a time as any.” Arianna walked up the trail a little ways before noticing that Pearl was not following. She looked back to see that Pearl was standing there staring at Arianna with her head tilted a little to the side.
“What is it, Pearl?” Arianna asked.
Slowly, Pearl extended her wiry ears and flopped them a few times.
“Oh! You want to fly us there?!” Arianna felt a tinge of nervousness at the thought of flying on a dragon. Having never been much higher off the ground than what a tree could take her, she wasn’t sure what it’d be like. But then again, what an adventure! She thought to herself, who else gets to do this?!
“Ok! Let’s do it then!”
Pearl was next to Arianna in an instant. She lowered her body to the ground and leveled out her neck, giving Arianna space to climb on. Not sure of proper dragon etiquette, Arianna climbed up Pearl’s shoulders gently and straddled the base of her neck, where it met with her shoulders. She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around Pearl’s neck where the white scales sat. Nervously, she rubbed the pearly scales, while Pearl stood back up.
Pearl stretched out her wings wide, and with no running or head start she jumped off the ground and beat her wings sending them straight up into the sky. Arianna worried for a moment that maybe she was too big to be riding Pearl, but Pearl’s wings felt strong, and she didn’t strain at all with the extra weight.
Up and up they went, higher than Arianna dreamed a human could go. Higher than the treetops, higher than the birds. She looked down at the earth shrinking below her and she let out a scream. Not a scream of fear, but one of excitement and thrill. Pearl glanced back at the human on her shoulders before imitating the scream and gliding in a few circles before heading off to the source of the dark shadow.
They flew for a few hours before Arianna’s stomach was growling so loud that even Pearl could hear it. Without Arianna even saying a word to her, Pearl began a soft decent into a grassy knoll protruding on the side of a mountain. She gently landed on the ground and lowered her body to let Arianna down.
It was getting dark, and Arianna did not realize until she stood up how safe and tired she felt.
She found a nice boulder to sit on and pulled some food from her bag. She had some bread and cheese, and even a little summer sausage.
Before taking a bite, she offered some sausage to Pearl, who was watching her closely. Pearl crept closer and sniffed the meat before backing away sneezing and shacking her head. She turned and headed for a small patch of flowers near Arianna. Delicately, she sniffed the flowers. She closed her eyes as she chewed, lost in her own dinner.
“You’re a vegetarian, I see!” Exclaimed Arianna. “Well, I guess that’s best since I don’t have too much meat to share.”
Arianna felt her body grow tired once she finished her food. The sun was setting and Arianna’s eyes were closing.
Pearl noticed Arianna starting to doze off, and crept away quietly. She came back a few minutes later with her mouth full of sticks and small logs. She dropped them in front of Arianna with a clatter that made Arianna jump. Arianna looked around confused for a moment before she noticed Pearl standing in front of the pile of wood with what Arianna swore was proud grin on her face. Pearl nosed the wood a little closer.
Arianna was a little confused. “Do you want me to build a fire?” Pearl spun in an excited circle to say yes. Arianna thought it strange that a fire-breathing dragon would be asking her to build a fire, but it was getting darker and colder, so she agreed. Pearl watched closely as Arianna piled the logs into a teepee shape. Once she finished Pearl blew softly. A small stream of fire showered the logs until they caught and were burning on their own.
“Ha!” Arianna exclaimed before petting Pearl on the head. Pearl laid on the ground, her body mimicking the curve around the fire. She rested her head on the ground and closed her eyes. After a few moments, she opened one eye and growled at Arianna. She lifted her head and motioned Arianna over.
Arianna happily obliged and laid down next to Pearl. Pearl moved closer so that she could drop her wing over Arianna, and curl her tail up to protect her from anything bad.
Both girls slept through the night and awoke to a pale dawn breaking over the hills.
The next morning, Arianna had to take a moment to get her bearings and figure out where they were. They were at the foot of a large mountain range. Arianna looked at her map. She was at the base of the Shadow of Eador she was sure of it. A knot formed in her stomach, and she was unsure of what lay ahead. Pearl stretched next to her, arching her back first up and then down. She looked up at the mountains and then down at Arianna. Even Pearl seemed more anxious today, Arianna thought.
After a small breakfast, Arianna climbed once again onto Pearl’s back and they started their flight into the mountains.
They flew higher and higher and the mountains around them grew rockier and snowier.
Through the peaks ahead of them Arianna could see an eerie smoke rising. The knot in her gut got tighter. She knew they were heading straight into that smoke.
They approached the peak with the black smoke much faster than Arianna wanted. Pearl made a wide circle around the smoke and slowly started her descent.
They landed softly and quietly. The land was barren, with large rock outcropping blocking much of the view. All was eerily quiet. Pearl trailed close behind Arianna as they moved closer to where the black smoke rose into the sky. They hid behind a rock close to the smoke as Arianna peaked her head around to scope the scene.
A small caped creature sat next to the black smoke-emitting fire.
With a deep, quiet breath, Arianna moved out from behind the rock and approached the black figure.
“Yessss. Yesss.” The black creature creaked. It’s voice was raspy and low, and grated over Arianna’s skin like finger nails.
“Come child. Come close.”
Arianna hesitated, but did as she was told.
The creature removed its cape to reveal the old, gray, wrinkled head of a man.
“State your name.” He said.
She stood straighter, “Arianna the Dream Weaver.”
The old man rocked back and forth. “Dream weaver.” He rocked a few more times. “You’re here for you parents.”
“I am.”
“They are not here.”
Arianna’s heart plummeted. “What have you done with them, who are you? Why are you spreading this darkness? Is there something can I do to help?”
The man straightened at her last question. “Child, did you just ask to help me?”
“Yes, sir.”
He was silent, tears formed in his eyes. “I thought that kind of kindness was gone in the world. I’ve lived on this mountain for years watching as people turned inward and worried about themselves. It despairs me, and that’s why I took your parents. Because the world doesn’t deserve them. Your parents are too good for this selfish world.”
“But sir, if I may.” Arianna started, “People aren’t selfish. Why, when I started my journey, countless people came to my aid to make sure I had food and all the supplies I needed to come and find my parents?”
“I can see you are a remarkable girl.” the old man said. “Your act of kindness and braveness has touched my heart. Answer this one question and I will extinguish this fire, show you where your parents are, and leave your land in peace forever. But, answer this riddle wrong and you and your dragon will be my slave until I see fit to free you. Are you willing?”
Arianna saw no other choice. “I am.”
“Name the four letter words that all humans always are and yet, sometimes are not.”
Arianna thought for a moment before answering. “Kind. All human kind is, but sometimes they are not kind.”
The old man threw off his cape to reveal Arianna’s parents huddled together. They rushed to Arianna who hugged them close before leaving them to approach the old man. He was hunched over and shivering. Gently, she took the cape off her shoulders and draped it over him. He grasped the edges and pulled it tighter. Then he waved his hand and the fire putting off the black smoked died.
“You have restored my faith, you dream weaver. Go in peace and be blessed.” He placed his hand on her forehead and gently drew a line above her eyebrows.
Pearl came close and knelt before Arianna. She and her parents claimed on Pearl’s back. As they lifted off into the sky the dark shadow across the land diminished.
“Home.” Arianna said to Pearl as they arced across the sky and let out a dragon roar.
The end.