When Malcolm read the confusion on Delaney's face, he decided there was no better way to explain so he took her to the deeper part of the forest where there was a cave. Delaney had been there a few times but Malcolm had always warned her to stay clear of that part of the forest.
The cave was surrounded by trees and plants so it was hard to notice it. They were the only people who knew about the place, Delaney having found out by coincidence, long before she had known Malcolm. She saw Malcolm stepping into the cave and she panicked.
"We're going in?" she asked.
"Yes. come with me." Malcolm said, walking ahead. Delaney was hesitant but she still followed after him. The cave was dark and she had to stretch out her hand and move cautiously. After walking for a while, Malcolm stopped and Delaney almost bumped into him. There was eerie silence before the walls of the cave turned red.
From behind Malcolm's tall figure, Delaney spotted the blue-eyed beast not so far from where they stood. It had large bat-like wings, red coloured scales that glowed under the red light from the fire. It had horns on either side of it's ears and clawed legs. It's wild blue eyes glared at them, sending a tremor down her spine.
No matter how many times she had seen it, she couldn't get over the magnificent size of the rare beast. It's nostrils flared and it moved closer to them making Delaney flinch in fear. Malcolm sighed then turned to look at Delaney.
"This is Merikh." he said in a low voice. Delaney's gaze shifted between the man in front of her and the dragon, surprise written all over her face.
"It has a name?" she whispered to Malcolm who stared at her in amusement. "Yes, HE has a name. And why are you whispering?" Delaney didn't respond and just stared in bewilderment.
"Bring out the book," Malcolm said, stretching out his hand. Delaney handed the book to him, her eyes never leaving the beast's.
"You know he's been here for a long time, don't you?" Malcolm asked, drawing Delaney's attention to himself. "The only person who can free him is you Delaney."
"What? What do you mean free?"
"He has been here long before you found this place. He was confined in this cave and you're the one to free him." Delaney still didn't understand a thing. How was she supposed to free such a big animal? She looked around to find any chains holding the dragon in place but there were none. It could obviously move freely so what did Malcolm mean by saying he was confined?
"Delaney," Malcolm called from beside her and she snapped back to her senses. "I knew you were a tamer the day I found you in here. No one! not even I had been able to enter this cave before that day." Delaney did remember that day. She was seven years old when she first saw the dragon and she had fainted from shock.
"There was a spell cast on the entrance and since you were able to pass through the spell you're the one who can free him and now is the time." Malcolm explained, his voice lowering the more he talked.
Delaney had a lot of questions but she didn't even know what to ask. Things were going too fast. The alcohol in her head seemed to dissipate and she was now fully sober.
"How am I supposed to do that?" she asked after pondering over the information.
"That is why I gave you this book. You have to go through it page by page and understand everything. I'll be going on another trip. You can take that time to read it." Delaney took back the book in a daze. "Let's go." Malcolm said, already walking out.
Delaney stood rooted to the ground glancing at the dragon, whose eyes seemed to pierce right through her soul. She could've taken the time to appreciate it's electrifying blue eyes but it seemed to be annoyed with her staring because it growled fiercely. Delaney flinched back then took to her heels and ran out.
"Malcolm are you sure of what you're saying?" she asked catching up to him. "I really don't understand anything. How can I tame a dragon? I really do not believe that I can free that animal if it has been confined there all these years as you say."
Malcolm looked back in displeasure. She realised what she had said is wrong and hurried to explain but he cut her off before any words could leave her mouth.
"I know this must sound like a tale but it is very real Delaney. Didn't you see it? Do you think he appeared there with some kind of magic? He has been there for ages and you have seen him several times, haven't you?" Malcolm explained in exasperation. He knew it wouldn't be easy to convince anyone of such a thing but he had to. The situation was dire and he needed to be fast.
"Why do you keep addressing it as him? It's a dragon." she had noticed how he corrected her and kept on addressing it like a person.
"HE...is Merikh. He's a dragon who can shift but he couldn't, for a long time, because he's under a spell. With the help of a tamer, he will shift back and regain his powers." By now they had reached Malcolm's house, and he moved swiftly to pour himself a drink then sat on the couch, legs crossed.
"I'll be leaving tomorrow." he said.
"But you just came back." Even though she didn't enjoy anyone's company including Malcolm's, she didn't want him to leave. Not with all the information he had dropped on her and a dragon that could shift? How was she going to handle that alone?
"I don't have much time." It was the third time he said that since he came back and it didn't sit well with Delaney. "Are you ill?" her voice was laced with concern but her face was expressionless. Malcolm neither agreed nor denied.
"I have something to attend to. Be careful Delaney. And don't drink too much. You have a long journey ahead of you and this world can swallow you whole if you're not careful. Merikh is the only person that can help you." He downed the wine in his glass then without staring at her, climbed the stairs to his room.
Delaney had an ominous feeling and she couldn't stay calm. Malcolm had never been much of a talker so his words left her stunned. Why did it feel like he was saying his last words? No , Malcolm cannot die. It was not like he was going on a war so why did he look so emotional.
Feeling too sober to handle all that information, Delaney ended up drinking herself to sleep.