Chapter 04: Changing Landscapes

[Surprised_by_Witches]

"We're traveling by broom?" Connor said as Sakira conjured one out of thin air.

"What did you expect, a Hippogriff?"

"Well, no, it's just I've never--this is awesome!"

"You are such a boy," Sakira said, rolling her eyes. "Hop on."

The broom wasn't like an ordinary kitchen broom: It was wider, and flatter. Seating was a bit cozy, however, and Connor had nowhere to hold on to except his cousin, which felt a bit awkward.

"Oh, for," Sakira said, noticing his discomfort. She took his hands and placed them around her pregnant belly. "I don't want you falling off."

"This is an interesting broom," he said, as she kicked off from the balcony. The rush of adrenaline as they shot skyward was incredible.

"I modified it," she said. "I want Mischa to be able to ride with me when he's older."

"Mischa?" He had to talk in her ear to be heard.

"My son. He likes you."

"He does?"

"He thinks you're trustworthy."

"Uh, wow, that's um, great," Connor said, weirded out and humbled at the same time.

"I'm not crazy," she said, a sharpness in her voice.

"I don't think you are. I'm just not used to talking to unborn babies."

"Well, all right then. Connor," she said, turning her attention outward, "look."

Connor looked around them. Nothing was familiar. Sakira stopped the broom to hover in an air current so they could survey their surroundings. Completely blanketing Veronaville was an immense, mature forest that stopped at the river, which somehow looked wider and rougher than Connor had remembered. Across the river Stratford sparkled like someone had given it a good washing. The blues were bluer, the greens almost emerald. It looked otherwise the same, if you didn't count the mountains, which circled the whole of the two cities.

"Since when are there mountains?"

"Since when does Stratford sparkle?" Sakira said. "And what is that?" Below them, riding a lower current, was a flock of small, brightly colored - -

"Dragons?" They both watched as the flying lizards disappeared once more into the forest.

"I think we'd best get to that meeting," she said.

"Good idea. Hey, can we go fast?"

"Boys," she said, but kicked it into high gear.

"Wooooooo hooooooooooo!!!!" Connor forgot about everything for the rest of the ride except sheer exhilaration.

If he could find a way to do it, he'd always travel this way.

Next Chapter

[Lynet]

I'm with you Connor. I'd do it, too.

[muffin-tacos]

The new landscape is a little alarming, isn't it? I mean, dragons? What caused this I wonder.