Kumani

I.
Perhaps it was her species. A Guardian in care of their Charge has no time for pleasantry or nicety. All that matters is their Charge’s safety.
It’s strange, how easily a Guardian’s emotions can freeze and unthaw like a river in winter. So, while Niyati watched the Windy Palace burn in despair, Kumani wasn’t thinking of why the dragons were invading, or where they were from. Only that her delicate princess remain alive and well.
Nothing would stand in the way of that.
She never forgot the fear she felt when Niyati wanted to stay and burn. Nor did she forget the horror as the Princess brushed scales with the intruders. The burning buildings, shouts, banners and murder were only secondary scares. Nothing compared to Niyati’s peril.
But finally they were out of the Windy Castle, out of Elvall, onto the Windswept Plateau. Even in her protective state, Kumani looked up. She hadn’t realized there were so many stars visible in the total darkness.
No, not total. Niyati’s scales caught the starlight. In the black, she gleamed softly like a fallen star.
And there was something…nice about it. Though Niyati was openly sobbing in the night air, though they passed packs of Elvall refugees, it felt good to be useful and not just a parade guard.
Just like a real knight.
That early morning, when Niyati stumbled to a stop, Kumani coiled around her to keep her warm and tried to quiet her thoughts.

II.
The Past
“Don’t you have any friends?”
If Kumani hadn’t seen Niyati cry over the plight of some tradesmen, she would have assumed the Princess was haughty, cruel and cold. As it was, she was still quite a sight in white silk and chilly diamonds.
Kumani blinked and shook her head. “No, madam.”
“No friends that you can think of?” Niyati playfully cocked her head.
“No.”
“What about me?”
Surprised and pleased, Kumani averted her eyes. “You, I suppose. That’s all I need.”
“Hm. And what about a hobby?”
“No, madam.”
Humming lightly, Niyati danced to a kettle on the stove and filled it with warm water from a silver spigot.
Kumani watched with interest. “What are you doing, Princess?”
“Don’t worry your little head.” She plucked a strange flower seed from a tin and placed it in the bowl, then beckoned Kumani over.
As fragrant wisps of steam rose from the flower’s blooming petals, Niyati smiled at Kumani.
“Ah,” Kumani sighed. “That smells heavenly.”
“Yes. Tea’s a great hobby, an inexhaustible supply of new flavors. Soothes the nerves, too. And gods know you need that.” Laughing, the Princess poured two steaming cups and waited for Kumani to take a sip.
Since then, the Guardian has always adored tea. She associates with the warmer days in the Windy Castle, when her duty was mostly ceremonial. She associates it with her Charge being warm and safe, their future fixed and predictable.
And that was all that mattered.

III.
“But if no one held prejudice, no one would hurt one another.” The Princess was irritable. The grass rolled on around them, sparkling and bent with rain.
Who knew where they were walking? Not Kumani. Part of her hated that she loved being driven out, because Niyati had only her company. No more states-people dinners. No more etiquette lessons. The Princess looked wild-eyed and feral in the wind and rain.
But she was unhappy, so Kumani buried those thoughts, thinking instead she has a headache. Her feet are sore. I’ll remind her in one hour to eat.
“Stop looking at me,” Niyati grumbled. “I can tell you’re in Guardian mode—you look at me for hours at a time.”
Obediently, Kumani looked away and lifted a wing to keep water off her Charge’s face. The Skydancer’s little cold snuffles sent pain through her chest.
“Besides,” Niyati prompted. “You never answered me.”
“I heard no question.”
“Don’t you think battle skills would become unnecessary if no one held prejudice?”
Kumani grimaced in the rain. Of course, if she had her way, she just wouldn’t answer. But the Princess was waiting, and she was bound to loyalty and honesty.
“There will always be prejudice,” she said at last. “Or if not that, fear, hunger, and want. And that will always drive dragons to harm other dragons.”
She could tell this wasn’t the answer the Princess wanted, and felt bad for her Charge’s displeasure. But neither could she say that battle skills weren’t necessary.
Without all my training, how would I protect you, Princess?
She lowered her wing to keep the wind from Niyati’s face.

IV.
Who knew she was destined to travel? From Lightning on her Search, to Wind for her Princess. Now to Light. These were a rougher clan—many among them who favored power and boldness, but were also open to dragons of all sorts.
In her heart Kumani was glad. Now Niyati could see that power and brawn had nothing at all to do with prejudice and hate.
And though this clan was rougher and less elegant, Kumani didn’t mind that. In fact, she liked that Niyati was learning how to weave, cook, clean and garden. Gone was that icy, bejeweled dragon. Now her Charge wore silks and looked lively.
Besides. Nothing mattered so long as the clan treated Niyati with respect…and she herself could enjoy a cup of tea again.



Bio by Caelyn


Property of MakoStorm