Ben the Dragonborn by Dianne E Astle Read Free Book Online Page B

to come, but if you wish I will send you through the portal back to earth. The magic given to your Watcher will ensure that you forget you have ever traveled to another world. But know this Benjamin Taylor, you will never be chosen again.  The loss is yours as well as ours. You will miss living the life you have been chosen for.  Your life will forever feel the loss, but you will never know just what it is you have lost. If you do accept this challenge there is good reason to believe that you will be successful because you are the one the Guardian has chosen, but know that there are no guarantees. Some have fought the good fight and not won the day. Some battles are lost, but the fight continues on. I suggest you sleep on it, and tell me in the morning. It grows late.”
    The Watcher addressed Brina and said, “Brina, please take Ben to our guest quarters."  Lea Waterborn’s tone became stern. "Charla, please stay as I would speak with you alone.” 
    Brina transformed and stood. Ben followed Brina out of the office.  They walked across the cavern on one of the rope walkways. Brina took Ben on a tour of Fairwaters before taking him to the sleeping quarters. When they reached the guestroom, Brina pointed out a cord Ben could pull if he needed anything during the night.  
    The guest quarters consisted of a small room with a table, two chairs and two single beds.  Ben undressed, and climbed into one of the beds. He pulled the one light blanket over him.
    Although he was tired, Ben could not sleep. He kept thinking about the choice before him.  When Ben did fall asleep the nightmare that had plagued him for many months visited him, more vivid than ever before. However, there was something new this time.  As he fell from the sky Ben looked up and saw a moon high in the sky.  Flying in front of the moon was a large scaly creature.  It gave the piercing cry that had been part of Ben’s dreams for several months. Ben woke up and lay awake thinking about what his answer would be in the morning. How could he possibly stay in a world where there was so much water? How could he stay in such a world, surrounded by the one thing that he was most terrified of?  If this was a normal world, where there was land under his feet he would stay and do what he could to help, but how could he stay here?  After much thought, Ben decided that he was going to return to earth in the morning. 
    “This person they call the Guardian, must have made a mistake,” Ben thought. “Denzel should have been sent instead of me.” 
    With the decision to return to earth made, Ben fell asleep.
    *************************
    Meanwhile on an island a fair distance away, near the top of its single mountain, a large creature similar to the one Ben had seen in his dream was also having trouble sleeping.  The creature’s dreams were disturbed by the sobs of a woman with brilliant green eyes.  The little conscience that remained to the creature was troubled.

6 return or Stay
     
     
    Ben woke to a knock. He was still trying to recall where he was when the door opened and in barged Brina.  Ben looked at Brina with bleary eyes still heavy with sleep.
    “Rise and shine. And if you can’t shine, it is still time to rise. You don't want to miss breakfast. The Watcher will want to see you right after breakfast.”
    Brina pulled a curtain that covered a bright patch of light- emitting rocks. Then he grabbed the blanket and ripped it off the bed.  He picked up the clothes that lay scattered on the floor and threw them at Ben.  Pants, top and socks flew through the air.  It wasn’t until a shoe came down with a thud on his head that Ben sat up. “Hey, stop that.”
    “So sorry,” said Brina with a chuckle. 
    Ben was truly awake now.  He sat up in bed and pulled on his clothes.  
    Brina led him along the ledge overlooking the pool and practice field and through an archway into a large dining hall.  There were a number of mer sitting at tables.