darkSpyro

(I apologize ahead of time, but I will be multiple posting to get this story up seeing as I have over 200,000 characters that I need to post and the max is just under 8000, Also This is a novel that is targeting the audiences of teens/adult. There is mild cursing, and violence in the novel)

“Captain! Prepare your men, and ready your Magicians for battle. These troublesome dragons have defied our will long enough!” Qaltric told his captain. Qaltric was the general of the Menkaranian army. He wore gold chain armor to solidify his rank among the rest of his men. He had a doubled edged sword that bounced against his side as he walked.

“Yes sir!” the Captain responded.

Qaltric then told is captain, “I’m going into the city. I want nine of your best men, and your second strongest magician to accompany me into Dracondor.”

“Yes sir, I’ll see what I can find, my men are so spread out it could take a while.” The captain replied and left to find them men that Qaltric requested. It was about thirty minutes before the captain returned with nine heavily armored men and a one of his finest magicians. Each of the men wore heavy plate armor and carried a long sword. The Sorcerer wore a blood-red robe, along with blood-red plate armor. “These are my best men. They will serve you well sir.”

“All right men, we’re going in. Captain, if we are not back by dawn surround the city, and invade it from all sides. That should help spread out the dragons.

Qaltric along with ten of his men entered Dracondor through one of the main gates in a solid wall marble on the southern side of the city. The city of Dracondor was by far one of the most beautiful cities in all of Worloch. The city was built on a massive deposit of rare gems, and precious metals that could only be found in the city. The streets were paved with white marble not only to help reduce the heat on the humans, and few elves that remained in the city after it’s initial construction, but because it was one of the few kinds of rock that dragons could not unintentionally damage.

Qaltric was caught off guard by the surprising number of dragons in the city. He expected to find several dragons in the city, but not this many. Almost ninety percent of the city’s population was dragons.

The sizes of the dragons ranged greatly from the very small pseudo dragons, which were no larger than a small cat, to the mountainous Great Wyrms, who stood about ten times the size of the average human. Most of the female dragons in the city watched Qaltric and his men as they walked through the city. Some of the larger more aggressive ones were blowing thick black smoke from the nostrils, and some even had flames coming out.

Qaltric attempted to approach a brilliant white, female dragon he could tell it was female because of the shape of her scales. While male dragons have sharp pointed scales, the scales of a female dragon were more rounded. The dragon started blowing more smoke, and even a small trail of fire from her nostrils. She began to growl in warning as Qaltric approached her. Trying not to anger the dragon any further, Qaltric unbelted his sword, and told the dragon, “I don’t know if you can understand me, but I mean you or your younglings no harm.”

A burst of flame landed about a foot away from Qaltric as the dragon said, “How dare you insult my intelligence! We dragons can read, speak and write fluently in every language in Worloch! I am as insulted by your ignorance, as I am you foul presence here, If you do not intend to harm us, why the hell do you have weapons at you side, and what the hell are you doing in our city?” With a deep pure tone that was unmistakably female. The voice sounded almost human, Though the anger in her gave her voice a slight rasp.

“We are armed for our own protection. We are not foolish enough to enter a dragon city with methods of which to defend ourselves. We do not intend on attacking dragons, that would be suicide, but we will fight to survive it we are attacked. And the reason that we are here is to speak with your lord about a possible alliance. And that is the reason that I approached you was to simply ask for directions to the palace, I am sorry for doubting your intelligence as well, I knew that dragons were intelligent creatures, but I was not for sure if you dragons understood our language, or if you all had your own.”

The snow-white dragon eyed them with one of her wide white eyes, and said, “Humans, I thought the ones here were bad. Just keep following the main street to the center of the city, you won’t be able to miss the palace. “

“Thank you for your help.” Qaltric told her.

“ Don’t mention it, but I have some advice for you, do what needs to be done, and get out of our city as soon as possible. As you have noticed we don’t take to kindly to outsiders, especially ones who come bearing weapons.” She warned them.

The group made their way down the center of the marble paved streets. Running along both side of the marble streets were emerald and ruby sidewalks. They finally got to the center of the city, and one of Qaltric men yelled, “That blasted dragon gave us the wrong directions! There is no palace here!”

“Look again! Said Qaltric. The men turned their attention to the black mountain in front of them; the longer that the men looked at it, the more they came to realize that the black mountain in front of them was the palace. The outer walls of the palace were carved out of black marble, and running up the side of the walls, were veins of gold, silver, bronze, diamond, ruby and emerald. In front of them were to sets of stairways. One stairway was built for dragons, but because of their flight, it was rarely used, but on the right side of the massive stairs, was a row of smaller stairs for the human residents to get into the palace.

As they got ready to enter the path of stars, two dragons, both wearing gold armor landed in the path. One of the dragons was a very pale blue, while the other dragon was a very deep red. The blue dragon addressed the soldiers asking, “And just where do you people think your going?”

“We wish to speak with your lord, if he is available.” Qaltric replied.

“Really, and what makes you think that he cares about what you outsiders have to say?” Replied the red dragon with a deep raspy voice.

“Are you dragons always this rude to travelers? If so, I’m surprised that this place is still here. I would have though war would have destroyed it by now.” Qaltric replied

“Watch yourself human! May I remind you, that in this city, you people are not on the top of the food-chain!” the red dragon said menacingly. Then added, “Why do you wish to speak with him. “

“We are soldiers sent from the Empire of Menkarane. We have been sent here to try and attempt to form a peace. Though the only thing I’ve found here is reason for the opposite.” Qaltric told him.

“You are treading some very dangerous ground general.” The blue dragon told them. Then added, “Enter at you own risk. Your safety is not guaranteed. Our meeting chamber is at the end of the main hallway. Melocnr will be with you in a few minutes, his son Zil’caron, will also be present for this meeting as well. As he is heir to his throne and will also need to hear this information you bring. I suggest you show them more respect than what you have shown us!” The Blue dragon told them.

“You have shown us no reason to respect either of you.” Qaltric told them.

“The facts that we are dragons, and could kill you and your men with ease, should give you reason enough to respect us.” The blue dragon told them. “But no matter, you will respect our lord and his son, or you will not make it out of this city alive! You have been warned!” he added as they flew off, to inform Melocnr of his guests.

Qaltric and his men continued towards the Palace doors, climbing an endless path of stairs. The main doors were, like the rest of the palace were carved out of black marble, with a portrait of an exhilarating gold dragon embedded into it. While they were waiting for the doors to open Qaltric just stared at the beauty of the city. He had been to many cities like this, but nothing could compare to the layout of this city. Then one of his men tapped him on the shoulder signaling the doors had opened.

Qaltric’s breath was taken from him when he and his men entered the palace. The marble made an elegant transition from black to white. All along the hallway and ceiling were portraits of dragons varying in sizes, and all of them were rich and vibrant in color. Then the men exited the hallway into an open chamber. Qaltric stared at the ceiling above them. They couldn’t tell how tall it was, but they were able to make out a portrait consisting of an exhilarating blue dragon in a graceful flight was fired into it.

The group of men didn’t have to wait long until an enormous gold dragon, and a significantly smaller black dragon greeted them. The black dragon caught the group’s attention first despite partially due to its lack of size; he was barely twice as tall as Qaltric, but it was the coloration of the dragon that was stunningly beautiful. Although the dragon was primarily black, a thin band of gold outlined every one of his scales, along with the veins in his wings, including the one on the tail edge of the wing. Growing from the back of his neck, to the tip of his tail was a line of gold colored spikes that formed a break at his shoulders where a rider could sit if need be. But the most stunning feature of this dragon was his eyes. In most dragons, the eye color usually matched the primary color of the dragon’s scales, but for this dragon, his eyes took the golden color of his spikes.

The gold dragon was just as impressive. The shear size of the dragon was enough to intimidate even the best or warriors. He was about five to six times larger than the black and gold dragon, and his scales shined in the light, like a thousand bars of pure gold. He didn’t have spikes on the back of his neck, like the black and gold dragon did. Instead, he had three spikes growing out of his skull, two on the side, and one out of the back of his skull. He finally stopped in front of the men, and addressed them, “Greetings General. My name is Melocnr, and this is my son, Zil’caron. My guards have informed me that you wished a meeting with me.” He said with a deep thundering voice, though unlike the red dragon’s voice, his had a pure tone.

“Yes, we have, and please forgive us if we do not address you or your son properly, for we are ignorant in the ways of dragons.” Qaltric told them.

The ground beneath Qaltric and his men shook as Zil’caron laughed at his statement, and replied, “You need not worry about that. You can just use our names.”

Zil’caron’s voice was just as intimidating as his fathers, further adding to the fear in Qaltric and his men. Qaltric then gathered up his courage and said, “Thank you Zil’caron. No we need to address the true nature of this meeting. My name is General Qaltric, and I am the leader of Menkaranian army. Zurcon, ruler of the Empire of Menkarane, has sent me here to attempt to gain the alliance of the city. For our protection, we have an army about three thousand strong surrounding the city, along with approximately a hundred and fifty sorcerers.” He said.

“These are very rash actions for a simple negotiation of alliance.” Melocnr stated.

“Yes, they are, but we could not afford to take chances, and our men have already been ordered to attack the city if we don’t return.” Qaltric replied.

“These are not acts of peace, but acts of war! What have we done to make him decide to attack our city?” Zil’caron asked with a deep growl in his voice. His body was shaking from uncontrollable tremors, and he was already lowering his body for an attack.

Qaltric reasoned that the dragon had figured out the true intentions of this meeting, and decided to tell them the truth. “I don’t like what I’m about to tell you any more than you are going to, but my orders were not to attempt a peace.” Qaltric told them.

“Your orders were to attack us weren’t they?” Melocnr stated.

“Yes, they were, but neither I nor my men liked the idea of fighting dragons, let alone killing them. So we decided to enter the city to see if we could avoid battle. And the only way we could do that was if we could convince you dragons to side with the Empire of Menkarane. I have defied my orders by coming in here, and if our proposal is unacceptable, I will have no choice but to attack your city, for I will not defy another order. I am sorry,” Qaltric said. Zil’caron let out a vicious roar, and started to lunge at Qaltric.
“Zil’caron! Control yourself!” Melocnr told him, then said to Qaltric. “We dragons have never supported either empire, that includes yours, and we will not be forced into an alliance we don’t like, and these rash actions have pushed us too far. We will fight and defend our city at all costs. I will grant you safe passage to your men, and will have two dragons escort you out of the city, but as of right now we declare this an act of war. The Empire of Menkarane has launched an unprovoked attack on a neutral nation, and in doing so have provoked us into battle. The next time you and I meet, I will be killing you,. Now be gone! Before I change my mind about the safe passage!” Melocnr told them as the two dragons flew off.

The men entered the hallway leading to the main doors of the palace. When the doors open, they found two medium-sized violet dragons: one male and one female, standing in front of them that were assigned to escort them out of the city. The dragons said to Qaltric, “Let’s go.” The male dragon said with a pure medium pitched voice.

“What do we do now?” asked one of the guards as he pointed to the two dragons

Qaltric responded, “We follow these dragons, and get the hell out of here as soon as possible, and ready ourselves for a vicious bloody battle!”

The two dragons escorted the group through the main gate. Of the city and told the group before they flew off, “Your welcome!”

Qaltric and his men reached the camp at dusk. When they got there, Qaltric called for his captain. When the captain got there, Qaltric ordered, “Ready the men.”

“I take it the negotiations were successful?” the captain asked with the prospect of hope.

Qaltric shook his head and said with dismay, “No, we attack at dawn. Now ready the men, and enjoy this night. It will most likely be your last. For tomorrow, we walk to a living hell!”

The captain replied, “Yes sir.” And executed his orders.

In the mean time, Melocnr, and Zil’caron were discussing their own plan of action in Dracondor trying to figure out how to best fight to magicians.

“I can’t believe that Zurcon would resort to such treachery on us, we have naught to do with him, and he plans to attack us!” Zil’caron said.

“I know, I thought that he would have more respect for us than that considering that he used to be a rider.” Melocnr replied as Zil’caron’s sister Shunaria, and soulmate Silvera flew into the room.

“Hello Silvera, did you and Shunaria enjoy your hunt?” Zil’caron asked them.

“Yes we did,” Shunaria replied. Shunaria was a vibrant blue dragon, and was about two months younger than Zil’caron who was nearly five years old. Like her father, she did not have any spikes, and her eyes the most brilliant sapphire blue there could be. “I managed to catch a few larica.” She told them.

“And I snagged a Celcarion lion.” Silvera added. Silvera was a stunning pure silver dragon, and roughly the same age as Zil’caron. Her scales shined like thousands of mirrors. She too had spikes running down her back like Zil’caron, and also like Zil’caron, her eves did not match the color of her body. Her eyes took on an icy-blue color creating one of the most beautiful dragons in the city. As dragons do not practice marriage, she took Zil’caron as her soulmate about six months ago, and the bond formed between them is stronger than any human marriage could be. Silvera then said to Zil’caron, “Zil’, I heard you and your father talking about some kind of battle getting ready to occur when we flew in, is this true?”


“Yes, I’m afraid it is. The Empire of Menkarane has organized an army to attack us.” Zil’caron told her.

“But why, what did we ever do to them?” she asked

“They tried to force us into an alliance that we don’t want, and they said that unless we gave in, which would have never happened, they would consider us enemies of the empire, and would have no choice but to attack. They already have an entire army waiting outside of the city. “ Melocnr told her.

Just then one of the guards flew in interrupting the meeting, and said, “Sir Melocnr! We have just found a dead dragon outside of the city! It appears to have been slain through arcane methods!”

Zil’caron let out a vicious roar that could be heard for miles and said, “Damn it! I knew that we shouldn’t have let them leave the city. I’ve always hated magician, but now I hate them even more, they always cause us the most problems.” Zil’caron said.

“I know, but if we can spread them out, then we could pick them off one at a time. I know that they plan to surround the city that much I could tell, I kind of sneaked a peek at his mind. And that means that the magicians will already be wide spread, this should make it easier to fight them, but it makes it all the more dangerous as well, for with the sorcerers spread out, it makes it easier for them to catch us off guard while we are fighting another magician.”

“Yes, but know the question is who should attack first?” Zil’caron asked.

“That is simple, since we were the neutral nation, they should attack first to show that we didn’t instigate anything.” Melocnr Responded.

The night continued on while the dragons discussed their plan of attack one thing they knew for certain, if at any point they felt like the city was lost, they would destroy it, and retreat to one of the other dragon cities. They were not going to let others bask in their glory.

“They could attack at anytime, we should alert the inhabitants of the city so they can prepare them selves, then get some rest while we can.” Zil’caron said

“Agreed, I’ll take care of the announcement, you three get some rest.” Melocnr said as he told every person in the city with his mind about the possibility of the attack so that the opposing army could not here.

Chapter 2: Battle Raids Dracondor

Melocnr finished the announcement and said, “Sit, All of you! There is something that I need to tell you three before we go any further.” Melocnr told them

“What is it, father?” Silvera asked him.

“This is not the first time that something like this has happened to us.” Melocnr said. “About three hundred years ago, Worloch was in a similar situation like this, and we to, were involved. We dragons are not native to this land as you may think, but originated from another island quite like this one, about seventeen thousand years ago.

“The island was about the same size as Worloch, and like Worloch, was rich in magic. But unlike Worloch, this island only held the dragon race, for the terrain was unsuitable for any other race to live.

“The dragons were divided in to three classes. The first two were the pseudo dragons and then normal dragons. But there was an elite group of dragons that only a few belonged to. They were the Magic using dragons. Now we all know that all dragons have magic, but the Magic dragons as they could be called, had the ability to control their own magic. Over time, they attached our native language to the magic that allows us to control the spells, but even then, the spells can backfire.

“These dragons quickly rose to power over the rest of the dragons, and many of them opposed them and about forty percent of them decided to flee the island, and head to the nearest island that large enough for them, which was Worloch. Those who fled the island were the lucky ones. For about three months after they left, on of the magic dragons cast a spell so powerful, that it completely destroyed the island, killing everything that was both on the ground and in the air for about fifty miles out of the island.

“Relecar, ruler of Gientr, that was the name Celtrien back then, gave the dragons that came to Worloch about four thousand years ago permission to Form the own cities over Gientr and we formed the cities, of Marlegore, Dargron, and Felocnr.

“Everything was smooth until about five hundred years ago. The dragons that had come from the island continued to show thanks to Celtrien, as it was renamed, by donating three eggs a year to individuals that they choose to be riders.

“However the new ruler of Celtrien did not like that the dragons weren’t under his rule, and tried to force them to join his nation, much like Menkarane just tried to do this afternoon. He then executed a full-scale assault on all three of our cities at once, and destroyed all three of them.

“The surviving dragons then fled to an Island that to this day remains named Selzar, and is located about fifty miles to our north. Should we be defeated, that is where we will go to recover. The dragons then regrouped and my father Xarcon, a young Black and silver dragon at the time, lead the dragons in an attack on the land. They were defeated however, but in the process also killed the ruler.

“It was a successful failure. It was successful because they killed the emperor, but the failed because out of the three thousand dragons only about ten remained. And the blood of a magic dragon still flows through someone today. And we would be at a great advantage should he figure out who it is. I don’t know how much this helps the situation, but now you know the truth” Melocnr said as he concluded.

“Whether or not it helps us in the battle has yet to be seen, but this add to the pressure of making sure we win this fight” Zil’caron replied

Zil’caron and Melocnr continued discussing their plan of attack through out the night. “I don’t think spreading ourselves out would be a good idea,” said Zil’caron. “It would be better if we focus on one group, and attack as one. What we should do is instead, is divide the city up into four squadrons, each squadron lead by one of us. You could take the north side of the city. Silvera spends most of her time in the western part of the city, so she can take the western division. Shunaria would take the east end, and I’ll lead the southern.”

“Yes, but who will fight, and who can’t fight that is the big question here. Some of the dragons here have injuries that prevent them from fighting, and also we the matter of the eggs, and the hatchlings in the city, they must be evacuated, we can’t afford for any of them to be injured or killed.” Melocnr said.

“We can take care of that.” Silvera said as she and Shunaria made their way into the room.

“Are you sure, there are a lot of hatchlings in this city, and even more eggs, will you be able to handle them all?”

“If we can gain the assistance of some of the other mothers here in the city, it shouldn’t be a problem and you know that they won’t leave there hatchling, so that won’t be a problem, the problem now though, is where do we take them?” Shunaria asked him.

“Hmm… Take them to the elven city of Scrilon, it is a fairly large city, for it was built with riders in mind, and should be large enough to accommodate for you. Explain the situation to them, and they should welcome you into the city.” Melocnr told them. “Zil’, call every one in the city to meet in the main square for a meeting, the humans and all don’t have to attend if they don’t want, but every dragon needs to be there.”

“Yes father,” Zil’caron told him. Then Zil’caron reached out with his mind to all of the dragons in the city, and said Attention all dragons, there is going to be a mandatory meeting in the main square in five minutes, this meeting involves everybody’s safety, and our plans to defend our city.

Just then a massive explosion shook the palace. Qaltric’s magicians had begun attacking the city, One of the guards thought.

Then an orb of red magic had struck the palace. “Every one out of the palace, it’s not going to hold!” Zil’caron told them and started to fly out of the palace. Three more orbs of energy had struck the palace, and it collapsed as Melocnr was trying to get out, and was entombed in the mountain of marble.

“It’s too late to get anyone out of here. We have to fight! All of us! Silvera, Shunaria, alert the city, I’m going to try to find father, and get him out of what’s left of the palace.”

“Hurry, the fronts will need all the help we can get, they’ve already killed 10 dragons.” Silvera said as she flew into battle.’

Silvera! Zil’caron said with his mind as she started to fly off.

She turned to him and replied, What?

You be careful, I can’t afford to lose you. He told her.

I will, you just worry about getting your father out of that palace, if he’s still alive. She replied grimly.

Zil’caron flew back to the remains of the palace, and started lifting the heavy black marble out of the debris pile, and hurling them behind him. Piece by piece he threw, until he found one of his father’s golden wings. He then started digging through the rest of the marble, using every part of his body to help clear away the rock, revealing his fathers body.

After he removed the last slab of thick marble he saw the true extent of his father’s injuries. Melocnr’s left wing had been completely severed from his body. His right wing was broken in five different places, and had no membrane on it. Blood was pouring out of a large gash that nearly decapitated him. Zil’caron nudged him with the tip of his snout, but there was no response. He then let out a mournful howl as he came to realize that his father had been slain.

After regaining his composure, he though to himself, Protect the city. That would be his first priority! But I will not let those bastards get away with this. I will kill them! There is no time for me to get my armor, so I’ll have to fight without it.

“Zil’caron, we need you! We’re being slaughtered up here; the magicians are attacking us head-on they killed fifty of us already!” Silvera told him.

Melocnr has fallen. Zil’caron told her as he joined her side. Qaltric’s army had over taken one of the hatcheries in the city, and Zil’caron said, “Everyone focus on the hatcheries, we can’t lose any more of them. Then out of the corner of his eye, Zil’caron saw a mass of solders getting ready to attack an injured red dragon, and flew over to lend some support.

The instant he landed with a loud roar, opened his maw sending a roaring jet of blue and orange flame at the soldiers, melting the armor and fusing it with their skin. That’s for my father! Zil’caron thought to himself. Two of the soldiers got through to him, and Zil’caron began swiping at them with his talons, making quick work of them.

And to make matters worse, three new magicians had entered the city, these much more power than the others. They were mages, and they made quick work of the smaller dragons in the area. They made it to the area where Zil’caron was fighting. Zil’caron by this point had acquired multiple injuries, since he was unable to don his armor.

There were many tears in the membranes of both wings. He also had a long narrow gash that ran down his side. Zil’caron saw the magicians coming, and in attempt to catch them off guard, threw a ball of fire at them. Zil’caron froze in disbelief, as the magician not only stopped it with his magic, but threw it back at him with such speed that there was no time to react. The massive ball of fire struck Zil’caron on his right side, the same side that possessed the long gash, and ripped off more of his side.

The magicians upon him when Zil’caron called for Silvera, “Help me”! And he started swiping at them trying to disrupt them long enough to keep them from casting any spells.

“I’m coming, hold on!” She replied. Silvera and Shunaria weren’t doing much better. Both of Silvera’s wings had been pricked making them a bloody mess, and Shunaria had a large tear in her right wing, making it difficult for her to fly. Their group managed to reduce the magician threat a little bit by killing off about fifty of their magician. But for every soldier they killed, another took his place. Silvera didn’t question him, and Shunaria followed the best she could with her wing the way it was.

She came upon Zil’caron surrounded by three magician, and saw that he was already bleeding badly from his side. She saw one of the magicians preparing a dark energy spell to use on Zil’caron, while the other two kept him distracted. Zil’caron, behind you! She told him, but she wasn’t quick enough. As the magician got ready to release the spell, Liricora she said in dragonish as she released a bolt of high voltage lightening.

”Silvera! You can use magic?” Zil’caron said with amazement.

“Yes, I’ve been experimenting with it for a while now.” She told him.

“How much of it are you familiar with?” he asked her.

“Enough to get us through this battle alive, but I can’t heal yet.” She replied.

Zil’caron replied. “That will come in time. Go now, others need you.”

***

Qaltric and his men weren’t fairing much better in this battle. “Captain, status report!”

“We’ve taken about half of the city. We have destroyed three of their hatcheries, and killed about 200 dragons sir.” The captain told him.

“What about our men, how are our numbers fairing?” Qaltric asked.

“Sir, I don’t have an exact amount, but I estimate that we’ve lost about a third of our men, and our magicians haven’t been heard from for nearly forty-five minutes.” The captain replied.

“Damn it! These dragons are taking there toll on us. Hopefully we can force them to retreat soon.” Qaltric said as he looked up to see a silver dragon cast a bolt of lightening through the sky hitting his three strongest mages in his army. And quickly ordered, “Have the magician protect the men! These dragons can use magic!”

“Yes sir. Though if dragon magic is anything relative to anything else they do, then I doubt our magicians can handle it.” The captain replied.

“Well from what I’ve seen, it’s only the one dragon that can use magic, so we need to focus our attacks where ever she’s not.” Qaltric told him.

“Yes sir, I understand that, but don’t forget that these dragons can fly, and if we change the location of our attack, it is more likely that they would beat us to our attack point sir. I don’t see a way that we can win this battle.”

“If we do not win this battle, the Menkarane will be lost, because now these dragons will ally with Celtrien and invade our cities. We must win this battle or die trying!” Qaltric said rolling suddenly to dodge a cone of flame coming towards him.

“I thought you bastards came here for peace!” Qaltric heard from behind him. He turned around to find the same brilliant white dragon that had helped them find the palace in the first place.

“As you can see, the negotiations failed, and swung his sword at her trying to catch one of her talons with the barbed end of his double-edged sword.

“I knew that you were going to cause problems! I could have prevented this!” The dragon told him.

“No you couldn’t, my men were order to attack anyways if I wouldn’t have returned.” He sneered.

The white dragon threw another cone of fire at him and said, “Even so, then we would have had ten less people to kill!”

Qaltric was able to dodge the cone of fire, but his captain suffered a direct hit, and every part of his body was incinerated.

“You’ll pay for that!” Qaltric said as he attempted a charge on the dragon. She swiped at him with a talon sending him backward about fifty feet, and tried to land on him, but Qaltric managed to get out from under her.

“Hold still human! And I promise to make your death as painless as possible!” the dragon snarled.

“But that would require me dying something that I don’t plan on doing yet!” he yelled as swung sword at one of her talons as she attacked him.

“You will still die this day regardless!” She replied, and slashed him with her tail, breaking Qaltric’s left arm on impact. After Qaltric hit the ground the white dragon lifted off of the ground and Started to throw the wall of fire that she could summon at will.

She just started releasing the fire that would seal Qaltric’s doom when a spear coated with black colored magic went completely through the dragon. A loud roar of pain could be heard, but with all the other noise in the city, went unnoticed by the others. The dragon then fell from the sky and landed on top of a building destroying it on impact.

Qaltric walked over to the building where she had fallen, clutching him arm. She was still breathing, and alert, but barely. As she died he sneered, “Well, it looks like you will be the one dying tonight.” Then she slipped into the void.

“It looked like you could use a little help there Qal.” A battle sorcerer told Qaltric.

Qaltric knew this voice. He turned to look at the sorcerer and said. “Trinal?”

“Took you long enough!” Trinal replied. “That dragon was pretty pissed at you, what the hell did you do to her?” he then asked.

“Isn’t it obvious? Were in a war here! She was trying to kill me because I was her enemy!” Qaltric scorned.

Trinal replied, “I know that Qaltric, but what I was getting at was she was focusing all of her attack on you alone. There were plenty of other soldiers around for her to kill, and she was focusing on you. Which means you must have really done something to piss her off. Now what was it?”

“I don’t have to answer to a subordinate like you” Qaltric replied.

“Is that the way to treat your brother after he saved your life?” Trinal countered.

“No, it’s not, but as you can tell, we don’t have time for talk right now!” Qaltric yelled as a silver dragon flew over head.

“Right I’m sorry, but I need to warn you about that silver dragon. It appears that she can use magic. How much she knows how to control is not known, but the fact that she can use it makes her stronger that the rest here. If she tries to attack you, get out of the way, no solder will be able to take her on with out at least five magicians guarding her, and even then there is a chance we could fail.” Trinal warned.

“I know. I saw her use magic as well. She’s already killed you three most powerful mages.” Qaltric replied.

“Yes, and now there are only about twenty of us left, these dragons are a lot stronger that we thought they were, but don’t worry, we can stay here as long as we need, I’ve already contacted Zurcon for re-enforcements.”

“How long do we have?”

“He’s dispatching them from Ulderon, which is about twenty-five miles away; they should be here no later than two days from now.” Trinal answered

“Can we make it that long?” Qaltric asked.

“Do we have a choice?” Trinal countered.

“’No, I guess we don’t. Hold out as long as you can. If numbers drop below 500 men retreat, but we fight until we can fight no more.” Qaltric said as he watched the silver dragon land with a group of dragons fighting the east front.

***

Silvera was flying around Dracondor aiding any group she could, resorting to the language of dragons to use magic whenever she needed to. She landed next to a group of dragons that were taking heavy fire from magicians. The solders’ swords had a red iridescent glow in them. A soldier easily ripped his sword the metal-like scales of a brown dragon and decapitated the dragon.

“Silvera, these soldiers have magic in their swords, we can’t fight them because of that, and they have already killed Tiercron!” Shunaria told her.

“Scarln!” Silvera swore in dragonish. “Liricora” she said as she cast a bolt of lighting from her maw, striking everything metal in a ten foot radius. “Let’s move! There are others who need our help.”

The group split up, and moved to various battles in the city. Silvera and Shunaria remained together, and started looking for places in the battle where the city was suffering. Unfortunately, most of the city had all ready fallen under the control of Qaltric and his men; although the dragons were pushing them back some as the soldiers tired. But as the dragons tired, they lost even more ground.

Chapter 3: The Fall of Dracondor

This fight had not slowed on either side. Most of the city was now either on fire, or was completely destroyed. The marble walls that had once surrounded the city were gone; mostly take out for dragons crashing into to them after being shot out of the sky by magic. Both armies had taken a severe toll on each side. Out of the approximate nine hundred dragons, only about seventy-five remained, and out of Qaltric’s three thousand men, only a little over five hundred remained, and they where falling rapidly.

Zil’caron and Silvera were now fighting in the same group. Silvera covered Zil’caron long enough to get some armor to help prevent any more injuries, and also to keep more blood from leaving his body.

“Silvera, Where is Shunaria, I haven’t seen her in over an hour!” Zil’caron asked. As he dodges a thrust from a spear

“She is evacuating our eggs from the north hatchery. We have lost a lot of ground in the city, and I wanted to make sure that our eggs were safe.” Silvera explained, as she flew up to avoid being over run.

“Where is she taking them?” he asked

“To Scrilon, that was our original plan. I also asked her to stay with the eggs incase something happened to us in this battle. That way they would still have somebody to watch out for them.” She told him. She landed on the group of soldiers that tried to attack her, stepping on a sword in the process. She let out a painful roar as the sword went up her back left leg. She got ready to pull it out when she saw a mass of figures is the sky approaching from the east.

“At last, our re-enforcements are here!” She said as she ripped the sword out of her claw with the talons on her right front claw. She found the sword relatively easy to hold, and thought to her self, I could use this.

“Re-enforcements? What re-enforcements?” Zil’caron asked.

“The Dragons from Felocnr have agreed to assist us in this battle. I called them yesterday.” Silvera told him.

“It appears that they too have called for re-enforcements.” Zil’ told her as he look at a dark mass of soldiers about fifty feet wide, and about three to five miles deep. “Damn it! How the hell are we suppose to be that many soldiers? We only have another fifty dragons coming, seventy-five tops!” Zil’ added.

Zil’ decided to try a new strategy. Zil’caron flew away from Silvera’s group straight to the mass of soldiers heading towards them. When he got about fifteen feet away from them, he moved to about ten feet off the ground, and Fire a cone of fire on the men as he flew over them.

However, Zil’caron over looked the possibility of magicians, and flew straight into a trap. An Archery magician saw this attack coming, readied an arrow, enchanting it with a spell. His aim was true, and the arrow hit Zil’caron in the side, and it exploded on impact.

The force of the impact, and the explosion following it was enough to destroy the armor that Zil’caron was wearing, and he crash landed in the trees right of the approaching men. “Zil’caron!” Silvera yelled as she saw him fall out of the sky.

“I’m fine… my armor… It’s been completely destroyed… shards of it have lodged themselves all over my body… but we cannot give up! We must protect the city, or at least what is left of it!” he responded.

“Can you fight?” she asked him.

“I don’t have a choice! I must fight!”

“Make sure you keep yourself alive.”

“I’ll do my best.”

Zil’caron realized the trouble that he was in; his body had been ripped to shreds by his own armor after the impact with the magic arrow. His wings were so badly injured, that flying was nearly impossible, and extremely painful. I need to get back into the city; I’m not doing them any good out here. He thought to himself. He spread his wings to take of and he felt one of them snap with intense pain. That bastard magician broke my wing, He’ll regret that. He tried to fly as far into the city as he could, but could only manage a few feet at a time. This is ridiculous. He thought to himself trying to fight back the pain. Hopping around like a hatchling because of this d**n wing. I know what I’ll do. I’ll find that bastard Qaltric and kill him. Then his army would destroy itself from within.

“Zil’caron, I am Zelcron. I lead the army from Felocnr. How can I assist your army?” The new dragon asked. Zelcron was a pure blue, male dragon, and was wearing armor that matched the color of his scales.

“I take that you already knew that my father was gone?” Zil’caron implied.

“Yes, I figures it out when I could not longer feel his presence, but something else I am alerted to, is a dragon that can control magic is fighting in this battle. Is this true?” Zelcron replied.

“Yes, My lifemate Silvera discovered that she could use magic a few months ago, but I just found out myself yesterday.”

“Where is she, do you know?” he asked

“Just that she in the city somewhere, in the north end. What I want you to do is split your squadron up, and attack from both sides. Attack Qaltric’s army from both sides, and catch him off guard. They also just received re-enforcements in both men and magicians. One magician broke my wing. I’m sending you and image of him, if you find him before I do, bring him to me, I want to kill him!”

“Are you going to need any help getting back into the city with your broke wing? I can send some of my dragons to assist you.”

“No, that will just slow down our efforts in regaining the city. The city is more important right now. It’s what my father would do.”

“Please realize that I don’t mean to sound rude when I say that you are not your father.”

“What are you talking about? My father raised me to be me. But I will honor his wishes as well as my own.”

“Just don’t do something reckless, and get yourself killed!”

“Don’t worry about me, you have your orders.” Zil’caron told him.

“Yes, my lord. You heard him, Licron; you lead your battalion to the south and attack from behind. Everyone else follow me. Zil’caron, I forgot to mention, that a rider has come with us to assist us.”

“A rider!”

“Yes, Soleraru and her rider, Nearthe have joined us.”

“In that case I was extra protection around Soleraru; We can afford to lose a rider.”

“Done.” Zelcron told him as the group split to their designated sectors.

By now Zil’caron had made his was back into the city, and back into the fight. The dragons that had been battling were all moderately wounded, but still continued fighting.

He came upon a small battalion of men in the eastern side of the city where he entered. The men turned to attack him, but before they even took a step, Zil’caron shot a ball of fire at the men. Just like before, there was a magician in the group, but luckily for Zil’; this magician was weaker than the other ones that he had dealt with, for he was only able to negate the fire instead of sending it back at him.

Since fire wouldn’t work, Zil’caron started swiping at them with his claws when a long sword came out of nowhere, and took out the magician, allowing Zil’caron to take out the rest of the men with relative ease. Then Silvera landed next to him. “It’s about time I found you, we all thought you were dead,” she told him

“I told you that I was just fine, however, I do have a broken wing.” He replied, and then added, “Did you know that there is a rider here with us?”

Silvera went over to pick up the sword that she had started using to throw at people. “Yes, I did. You know I never knew these things could be so handy, they are perfect for throwing at your enemy, especially when you light the blade ablaze.”

“I could imagine. How are our numbers fairing?” Zil’caron asked her.

She replied grimly. “Not very well, they are over running us; I’m not sure how much longer we can hold.”

“That’s not the answer that I was looking for.” Zil’caron replied, as the rider landed next to him.

“My lord Zil’caron, My commander has informed me that one of your wings is broken, would you like me to heal and your other injuries for you?” The rider asked.

“You can heal my wing, but nothing else, save your strength for the fight.” He replied, and extended his left wing.”

“Dracanor lur cren ka zur!” said the rider as she released a spell that would heal his wing.

Zil’caron looked up to thank the rider, but was immediately distracted when he saw Qaltric a few hundred yards behind the rider fighting another dragon. “There is the worthless soul that started this damn war!”
***


“Trinal, where are our re-enforcement? We are getting slaughtered here.” Qaltric told him

“They are already here; they have entered the city from the south. They’ve been fighting there way though.”

“Good” he said as he watched the rising smoke from a building. “Damn it, they’ve got re-enforcements to!”

“Yes, but only about fifty more have joined the battle they shouldn’t be a problem.” Trinal told him, “we have about another thousand troops, and another ten magicians.’

“Only ten?” Qaltric asked

“Yes, there other magicians are on another mission, and are not available.” Trinal replied.

“Fine, where did all the dragons go, it just got real quite, and there was a mass of dragons heading our way in the sky not five minutes ago, and not they are gone.” He consulted.

“I’m just as unsure as you are. Stay on guard, it’s impossible to tell what these beasts are planning.” Trinal replied.

“I heard that!” a violet dragon said as it landed in front of them.

“So what if you did? The only things you dragons are good for are pets, and mounts.” Trinal sneered.

The dragon refused to take the slights, and moved to attack. Qaltric started towards the dragon when Trinal cut him off, “I’ll take this one.”

The dragon started coming after him with its claws, and teeth, but he was able to dodge the attack and sneered “Is this the best that you can do dragon? I am quite ashamed, but then again I guess I couldn’t expect too much from a…” Before he could finish his sentence the dragon spun around and hit him with a four-bladed weapon mounted on its tail, sending Trinal backwards while ripping through his body.

“Is that the best you could the do?” the dragon mocked, “I expected more out of a magician, but then again, you were human” It added.

The dragon had been paying so much attention to Trinal that it completely forgot about Qaltric, and he used it to his advantage. Once the dragon had turned its back on him, Qaltric jumped up grabbed one of its wings, and threw himself in its back where it couldn’t reach him, and drove his sword straight down through the scaly flesh of the dragon. As he pulled it out he said “And I figured a dragon would be smart enough to not turn its back to an enemy.”

After he killed the dragon, he rushed over to his brother, who was still conscious. “Trinal!” he said as he looked at the wounds. “Can they be healed?”

Trinal start coughing, and in between coughs he said, “No, I have not the strength… to heal these injuries.”

“Well at least you won’t die in vain; I have killed the foul creature that did this to you!”

“Take care of yourself… brother.” Trinal said with his last breath.

Tears were starting to form in his eyes, but quickly wiped them from his face. We will win this battle. If for nobody else, I will win this battle for you brother. He thought to himself. Then he heard from behind him, “There is the worthless soul that started this d**n war!” He turned around to find the one dragon he had hoped not to run into. Zil’caron he thought to himself. He quickly discovered that he wasn’t alone, but was accompanied by a dragon rider with her dragon, and the dragon that could wield magic.

“I’ll kill you for destroying my family” Zil’caron told him.

“As I said before, I didn’t want ant of this to happen, I’ve lost family in this fight as well.” Qaltric replied, and started to back out of the area when the silver dragon landed behind him.

“You aren’t going to get away from us that easily!” she told him, while the rider, and her dragon split, and moved on both sides, completely boxing him in.

“What is it you want from me?”

“That should be obvious enough. We want you to die, or at the very least, you and your men out of our d**n city.” Zil’caron scorned.

“I’m afraid neither of those options is appealing to me.” Qaltric stated.

“Then I guess we’ll just do you a favor,” the rider sneered.

“Yeah, and just what might that be?” Qaltric implied.

“We’re going to reunite you with your lost family.” Zil’caron Sneered.

Silvera approached Qaltric from behind, preparing an attack, and when he turned to face her, the other three started closing in. the rider struck first going after him with her sword, and her dragon attacked next. Just as her dragon got ready to attack, four explosive arrows, two of which struck both the rider and her dragon killing them both on impact. “Silvera, let’s get out of here, there is no hope of winning this battle now.”

“We have to hold on a little bit long we must!” Silverra replied.

“Silvera, there is nothing left to fight for. The city has been destroyed, there are only about fifteen of us left, we must leave to survive!” Zil’caron told her.

“Where are we going to go?” Silvera asked.

“Felocnr, it is closer then Marlegore, and I doubt that many of us could fly very far, we may have to seek refuge in Scrilon for a day or two to regain enough strength to fly there. That will also allow us to meet up with Shunaria, and retrieve our eggs” He said as two more arrows struck the ground next to them.

“Are you sure you want to give up the city?” Silvera asked him.

“There is nothing left to defend.” He replied, Then he announced to all surviving dragons, “Attention all dragons, we are pulling out, the city has been destroyed, and there is nothing left for us to accomplish. It shames me it admit it, but my first order of office is for us to retreat. We are going to go to Scrilon to recover and from there head to Felocnr. Then we will figure out what to do from there” he told them as he pulled out of the battle, and started heading north to the rest of the city.

Qaltric turned around and saw the magician that had saved him. “I will make sure that you get recognized for what you did, your actions just won us this battle!”

***


Zil’caron, Silvera, and the ten remaining other dragons made their way out of the city. One of the other dragons pulled up by Zil’caron. “My lord, you are heavily injured, if there is anything that any of us can do to assist you, or Silvera, don’t hesitate to ask, just for the record, I am Mezilacnr.” said the bronze colored dragon.

“Thank you, we’ll have to land ere for tonight, I can’t go any farther.” Zil’caron said as he started his descent.

“Are you alright Zil’?” Silvera asked him

“I’ve lost a lot of blood, unless we can get to Scrilon soon so the elven magicians can heal these injuries, otherwise, I won’t survive the week, and maybe while we are there, the elves could work on refining you magic as well.” He told her.

The dragons landed about a 150 leagues away from their raveled city. Three of them went to hunt for food; while the others watched Zil’caron closely in fear his injuries would take their toll. Zil’caron found an open field that he used for space as he started peeling some the metal out of his body after his armor exploded with the arrow. In order to preserve the blood that remained in his body, as he pulled out the metal shards, he welded them to his body over the wound that he pulled it from.

After he finished pulling the shards from the left side of his body, he turned to the mess that was his right wing, and side. His side was ripped open, and still bleeding heavily from the original gash that he had suffered at the start of the battle. More metal was scattered throughout is side, including part of the breast-plate that had lodges itself into his hind leg. His wing was almost completely destroyed. Nearly all of the membrane was gone with just a few ripped pieces dangling as he moved it.

“Those look pretty serious,” Silvera told him as she landed next to him.

“They aren’t that bad, the only ones I really worried about are the gash on my side, which I can’t get to stop bleeding, and my wing, with it the way it is, flying will be nearly impossible.” He told her.

“Neralgr has brought us a couple large deer, if you have enough strength for it.” Silvera informed him.

“I must, the only way to gain strength is to eat, and not doing so isn’t going to help me.”

“Okay then, I’ll be right back, I’ll have to go and get them they were to big for him to carry” she said as she went to get the meat.

Zil’caron continued removing the metal from his side, and finally got all of them out and though to him self, At least they can start healing on there own now. He looked at the gash, and an idea came to his head. I wonder if I could make the skin scab by heating. At this point he wasn’t willing to pass up any opportunity to get the gash to stop bleeding. As gently as he could, starting from the far end of the cut, he applied fire to the injury. The pain was very intense; he constantly had to stop in order to conserve strength.

Much to his pleasure Silvera didn’t remain gone long, and landed next to him holding three large deer. She dropped the two in her talons to make it easier for her to land and said, “Those two are for you.”

“Why do I get two? You’ve done just as much fighting as I have,” Zil’caron told her.

“Because I’m not the one with blood running down my side,” she countered, and returned to her meal.

Zil’caron managed to scarf down the two deer, and started to explore the surroundings for safety. The wooded area next to the field that he was in was extremely dark. making it easy for an enemy to hide in, and a misty fog started rolling in from the east making vision even more difficult. “Make as much space as you can,” Zil’caron told the other dragons.”We will sleep here tonight, and I will take first watch.” He added.

“With your injuries, you won’t be able to do anything if something should attack us.” Neralgr told him.

“Do you doubt my ability to fight?”

“No,” Replied Neralgr, “Just your ability to survive right now. You have shown us that you can fight, but you are still young, and can make reckless decisions, which is how you got most of your injuries in the first place. I don’t mean to sound rude my lord, but you need more experience in tactics.”

“I won’t deny that I lack battle experience, and I won’t deny that I don’t nor won’t make any mistakes, but as long as you dragons still have faith in me, and support me, we will be victorious. Now we will be taking off for Scrilon at dawn, and should be there by tomorrow afternoon some time barring any unfortunate events occur. So get some sleep, we have a long flight tomorrow.”

“I’ll take the second watch,” Neralgr replied, and told Zil’caron with his mind, “And I do expect you to sleep during this time, and not venture off like you normally do, you need the sleep to let your body recover.”

“Don’t worry; I’m in no condition to go anywhere right now.” Zil’caron replied.

As the other dragons settled, down Zil’caron started make his rounds. With the mist as thick as it was, it was very difficult for him to keep his bearing. But in a way he was thankful for the mist because he knew that it would make it difficult for anybody to spot them if they had been followed.

He walked be where he and Silvera had made their roost for the night, and noticed that she was still awake. “What you doing up, can’t you sleep?” he asked.

“No, not with you the way you are, I’ll be better once this watch is over, and you’re here by me where I can watch over you wounds to make sure they didn’t get worse, and melting that metal over them wasn’t a very good Idea. It’s a very good way to get poisoned to death by your own blood,” She responded.

“Really? Ahh, it should be fine until we reach Scrilon, though it does hinder my movement a little bit.”

“The sooner we get there the better. I don’t like being away from my eggs any longer than I have to be. I know they are safe with Shunaria, but I want to be around them when they hatch, and that could by any day now.”

“Don’t worry; we are leaving as soon as everybody is alert enough to fly tomorrow.” Zil’caron replied, and started to continue around.

“Zil’, you be careful.” Silvera told him

Zil’caron commented “You know me.”

“I know, that’s why I said that!” she countered, and Zil’caron continued on his way.

Neralgr took the watch about mid way through the night, and Zil’caron went over to his roost with Silvera. He curled up next to her, and promptly fell asleep, but he was still weary because he was not sure if he was going to wake in the morning. But he was able to sleep without problems throughout the night.

The dragons woke up early the next morning to get as much flight under them as possible. With most of the trails being confined along a range of mountains called Sarica Heliacn to the west of them. A vast horizon of trees covered many of the trails along the ground which would allow them to get through almost without notice.

“Alright everyone is ready, good. Remember, stay together, and protect each other. Let’s go.” Zil’caron told everyone.

The dragons took off and started heading to the north, and then to the west in the direction of the elven of Scrilon. Zilcaron tried to take off, but with his wing, could only gain a few feet in altitude. If I am going to make it to Scrilon, I am going to have to cope with this wing until we get there, he thought. He tried to take off again, and had a bit more success, but the pain was still unbearable. Those explosions must have fractured my wing again, wither that, or the rider couldn’t heal all of it.

Once he managed to gain enough altitude to clear the tree line, the group started there journey. The sun was just starting to rise, and the light reflected off of the morning dew that collected on the trees. It was like flying through a forest of gems with every possible color glittering from the water. Silvera’s scales shines with a bluish-orange tinge as the colors of the sky reflected off of them. Zil’caron said to her, “The colors from the sky make your scales amazingly beautiful.”

“And they aren’t any other time?” she countered.

“You know what I meant.”

The dragons flew throughout the day. The bright sunlight refracting off of the scales were enough to blind anything that was not of the dragon race for a few minutes. Then after about six ours of flying, they started to come across a very large city in the distance. They saw a blue figure start flying towards them, and then Zil’caron heard, “I’m glad to see that you are still alive, Silvera told me what has occurred.”

“So you know that I am in need of assistance from the elves?” Zil’caron told her.

“Yes, I have a group of healers standing by awaiting your arrival. They are prepared to do whatever it takes to keep you alive.”

“I expected nothing less from the elves. They always put others before their own needs. We’ll be landing in about ten minutes, where is the best spot for us to land?”

On the north side of the city, there is a large sector that is designated for dragon travelers. They even have care takers for eggs, and hatchlings, but out of your best interests, I kept your and Silvera’s eggs with me in my den.”

“Thank you. See you in a few minutes.”

The group continued to fly towards the city, and made their way to the north side. The dragons landed in the designated area, and The elves quickly began working on Zil’caron.

Chapter 4: Scrilon

One of the elves that began working on Zil’caron was Siltari. Siltari was taller then most humans, as were the rest of the elves, and wore a blue tunic along with matching armor. His pale blue eyes caught just the perfect amount of light, and his hair was a deep rich blond with hints of blue. He was the first one to greet Zil’caron and the others when they arrived. “How did all this metal get welded to your scales?” Siltari asked.

“Those bits of metal are shards of my original armor after it exploded after contact with a magic arrow. The pieces are welded over the same spot from which I removed them from my skin. I welded them over the injuries to keep the blood inside the body.” Zil’caron explained.

Siltari then stated, “That’s rather unusual, but it works, but you realize that we must remove the scales then to heal the injury. But we can replace them when we have finished.”

“Do whatever you need to in order to rid me of these hideous wounds.”

“Good. Now, the rest of you will need a place to roost while we tend to your leader. We have been making preparation for your arrival ever since Shunaria arrived. We have special lairs constructed for all of out of magic on the other side of the city. My royal escorts will show you where they are. Silvera we have constructed a special place for you, Shunaria, and Zil’caron that way you can keep close watch over you eggs.”

“Thank you.” She replied. “About how long will it be before he can be ready?”

“With his injuries, it could be a few hours. You can explore the city if you like.”

“Yes, I think I’ll do that, this is the first time that I have been outside Dracondor. Except for hunts of course, though I wish that we could have arrived under better circumstances.” She said grimly.

“You don’t worry about that. The circumstances of which you came here were outside of your control. These types of situation show true strength. Any living creature can fight to the death, it’s relatively simple to do, but only the smart ones know when it’s time to leave. So don’t think that these events in any way slight your honor because they don’t. It is these types of things that make you stronger. When is the last time that you dragons had a decent meal?”

“Some of us ate during our stop, but most of us haven’t eaten since the battle began. Most of the food we caught during our stop we gave to Zil’ to keep him alive.”

“No! No! No! That won’t do at all! You all must feast! I will not let my cities honor be slighted by letting a group of dragons go hungry in it! Killiana bring out our finest meats, wines, fruits, and get the tables ready. Now before we go any farther we must get Zil’caron healed.

“Now I’m afraid that we are going to have to ask you to leave the area while we work on Zil’caron. The city is yours to do as you please so as long as your scales don’t rip it to shreds. Go now and enjoy yourselves. We will inform all of you when everything is ready.”

Siltari and the rest of the healers then went to work on Zil’caron. “How were you even able to survive long enough to get here? I count over a hundred and fifty places where the armor pierced your hide, and your wing membrane on your right wing is nearly gone.”

“Very carefully, Silvera and Neralgr had to literally carry me here because of my wing.” Zil’caron said.

“I see, well removing these won’t be easy nor comfortable. I won’t lie it will hurt.”

“I can manage. Heal the wings first like Siltari said. They are the most important right now. I can’t fly with that membrane like that.”

“Yes, as you wish, my lord.” The elf told him.

“You don’t need to address me as your lord, for I am not. You may call me Zil’.”

“If that is what you want, then we can call you Zil’."

The wing membrane on his right wing needed to be completely regenerated, and they made quick work on healing the fractured bone in the other. They even managed to repair the three spikes that had broken of his back after his landing in the trees.

After they finished healing the wings, the turned to the one hundred and fifty metal shards that were welded to Zil’caron’s body. “d**n, this is the worst smelling odor that I have ever come across.” One of the elves said as he pulled off the first piece of metal.

“It looks like the blood started to rot and decay inside it metal.” Siltari observed

“Silvera warned me about that.” Zil’caron added. They continued removing the rest of the metal pieces getting a renewed sense of the pungent odor after each piece was removed.

Once they finally got all of the metal pieces off, they went back and started healing all gashes that they left behind. Then the started working on the really long gash that now up close could see that it was also about two inches deep. The entire healing process lasted about four and a half hours.

“Okay, you’re still going to feel sore for a couple days, but you should be fine now.” Siltari told Zil’caron.

“Thank you, I am forever in your debt.”

“No, never in our debt, we are honored just by your presence here. It will still be a while before the food is ready. So you can join your mate, and sister in their den, I can take you there if you would like. It is on the opposite side of the city, so you can explore on the way then, and then you are free to do as you wish for the remainder of the duration that you are here.”

“Well, I’m afraid that we won’t be able to remain for long. We need to move on to Felocnr so that we can formulate a plan of retaliation on Menkarane.” Zil’caron explained.

“I see. Well if you need any support from us, we would be glad to assist.”

“How far are you willing to go?”

“What do you mean?”

“We are going to war with Menkarane. Are you willing to help provide spell weavers, and foot soldiers to assist with the battles?”

“We will provide anything that is necessary to ensure your survival.”

They both continued though the city. All of the houses appeared to be constructed out of a unique element that Zil’caron hadn’t seen before.

“What kind of elements are these? I have never seen anything like them.” Zil’caron asked him.

“This is an element that we created through magic. They are harder than diamond, and stronger that the strongest metal the earth could conjure.” He explained

“What is it called, and how could you all make this out of magic with out killing yourselves? The energy cost would be extremely high.”

“The element is called Lurcrium. It doesn’t take a lot of energy to make, but it comes at a nasty price. Those who use the spell, often lose the ability to control their own magic.” Siltari explained. “Once they cast a spell creating the substance, the only thing that they case control magic over it that substance, they can’t do anything else.”

“I’m quite curious on how this whole magic system works because Silvera can use magic.”

“She can?”

“Yes, I need to know what affects a spell can have on her if any, and I’d rather know now, to help her when she needs it, instead of later and find out the hard way when it’s too late to do anything.”

“I see, well the number one factor in all magic is energy, and the amount of it that the spellcaster has at the time of a spell being released. It takes more energy to use magic when the spell user is tired or injured, and then it just makes the user even more tired, and if you use the wrong spell at the wrong time, death is unavoidable.”

“What dictates how much energy is used for a spell other than the current condition of the caster, and how does the caster release the magic” Zil’caron asked

“Well, in order to release a spell, the user must first say the name of their spell in the native language of their race, not the community language of English. No two languages are the same, so the name of each spell is different. It is possible to use a spell using English, but the energy cost is dramatically higher.”

“So spells are more powerful coming from our born Draconic language and for elves your native elven language.”

“No, the spells are easier on the caster in their native language. If I performed a spell right now in English it would have the same amount of force as it would if I were to use Elvish. It would just cost three times as much energy to do so.”

“The obvious and most important answer to you energy question is the strength of the spell the caster wishes to use. The of course you have to consider the size of the item that you are casting the spell on. For Silvera that has little substance because she is a dragon, and is easily much larger than any other creature on the planet. This would allow her to cast spells that are even stronger than ours. I could be over estimating. I’ll double check with Armea when I get back to the palace.”

“Armea?”

“Yes, she is my dragon, and I am her rider.” Siltari said and showed him his sword and palm. “It is her family crest. When ever a dragon binds to a rider, the dragon’s family crest is burned into the skin of the rider either in the palm, or on the shoulder of their dominate hand. And later when the rider is appointed with his sword, the crest is engraved into both the sheath and the blade.

“However, the bond is not permanent, and either side can terminate the union if need be. Now back to the topic at hand, I brought Armea up because since she is a rider bearing dragon she can also wield magic, and she would have more of the answers that you and Silvera are looking for.”

“When can we speak with her?” Zil’caron asked

“She will be at the dinner tonight. And from what I understand she intends to put you through a test to find out just what your true intentions are.” Siltari told him

They made it across to where Shunaria was staying at in the city and Siltari told Zil’caron, “We constructed this Lurcrium lair for you, Silvera, and Shunaria. The outer wall we made a fired orange version of the element, and on the inner side of the wall we have a charred black version of the element to keep the light out.”

“It will work just fine. We appreciate your hospitality, and hope to be able to return the favor one day if you are ever in a situation like ours.”

“Let’s hope not. You three get some rest or explore for a little bit if you want. The feast should be ready shortly.”

“Thank you” Zil’caron told him, as he entered the lair to meet Silvera and Shunaria.

“You look a lot better!” She commented.

“I feel a little better, but they said that I’m probably going to be sore for a few days.” He replied, and then looked over at the nest of eggs that was sitting next to Silvera. “How are they? Did any of them get broken or cracked?”

“No, we got lucky, both to make it out of that city with both our eggs, and our lives. All three are safe.” She stated.

“That’s a relief. How are you feeling? You used a lot of energy in the fight, and from what Siltari told me the magic took quite a toll as well” Zil’caron said with concern.

“Not as much as you think. I feel fine. I’ve been resting while the healers worked on you. I haven’t even been out into the city yet, but from what I’ve seen on the way here, it’s rather nice.”

“Yes, they created this element from magic. They called it Lurcrium. They told me that it was harder than diamond, and stronger than metal.”

“Sounds intriguing,” Shunaria added. “I was wondering how they got these gems to take the forms they have.”

“So was I, but I found that those who use the spell pay a nasty price. The lose all of there magic except for the ability to make and reformulate the element.”

“That sounds terrible. How does the spell still exist?” Silvera asked him.

“I don’t know, I would have to assume that the elf likes what he or she is doing, and pass it down through the generations. That is the only way that I can see the spell surviving.” Zil’caron replied, and then turned to Silvera, “Silvera, I know of somebody that may be able to help you with your magic. Her name is Armea, and she is Siltari’s dragon.”

“He’s a dragon rider?” Shunaria questioned.

“Yes, I questioned him somewhat on how magic works so I can better understand how it affects you Silvera. He was able to give me some general information on the matter, but he said in order to get the best answers, he said that we should get them from her because she can use magic as well, from what he said, all rider bearing dragons can.”

They continued talking for a while inside of the lair. They discussed what they should do from here in the situation that they were in. One thing that they were in agreement on, they would not be able to fight an entire empire alone. So they decided that they would accept the offer from the elves to assist with their war.

Once they decided on what there were going to do, Zil’caron started to just explore the Lurcrium lair that the elves had constructed for them. The entire lair was one massive room that held three padded, crescent shaped cauldraces for the dragons to sleep on during theirs stay. Silvera and the eggs, and making sure that they were all okay. The eggs were being kept in a small padded area that Silvera made from a few pillows that were on their beds. Just about the time they settled down to relax, an elf came one of the flights of stairs running up the side of the tree and told the dragons, “Your meals are ready. If you would follow me please, and I will escort you to it.”

“Have messengers been sent to the other dragons here?” Zil’caron asked. He wanted to make sure that every dragon in the area was being treated in kind.

“Yes, we have informed the others that came with you that it is ready.”

“What about the resident dragons here? We want them to be invited as well.” Silvera told the elf.

“Normally we would, but there haven’t been any resident dragons here in a while. The only other dragon here is Siltari’s dragon Armea, and she will already be there.”

“I see, I must ask, why did the dragons leave?” Zil’caron asked.

“They left because they didn’t find the area to their likings. The dense forestry and the growing scarcity of food in the area forced them to leave the city. It dishonors us that we weren’t able to assist them with their problems, which is probably why, no in fact I know that’s why Siltari made it so important to deal with your injuries, and provide all of you with a decent meal” The elf told him.

They continued the way down the path that the elf was leading them. After about five minutes they finally made it to the clearing where the feast was being held.

There were many elves at the feast, and every one of them rose as the dragons entered the area in respect to them. “This race is very respectful. The elves in our city did the same thing when a dragon entered the room. Of course some humans did as well. But most of the time when humans rose for us, they were trying to flee.” He said jokingly to Silvera. Then he looked at the massive amounts of food displayed over eight different tables, all of which could seat six dragons easily.

Among the selections where the rare but delicate Larica, a Giant bore, and then the main entrées of the meals, were three Cilserica. It resembled the Larica in looks, but it was about three times the size. “Over here, we have a special table reserve for you three, and our lord with his dragon.” The elf told Zil’caron

“Thank you.” He replied as he made his way over to the table followed by Silvera and Shunaria. At the table was Siltari with his Soft blue tunic and next to him was a vibrant female sapphire dragon. “You must be Armea. Siltari mentioned you when I was talking to him about magic.”

“Yes, I have heard kindly of you as well from Siltari, and so long as fire exists inside of me, and I am still breathing, we will help you with this Menkaranian Empire. They were for foolish attacking a race that had so many allies.” She stated fiercely with her deep blue eyes watching their every move. Her size was about twice that of Zil’caron meaning that she was substantially older that he was. Like Zil’caron and Silvera she too had spikes growing out of here back, but she had a break in the shoulder where Siltari could mount her.

“Thank you, I appreciate the support, but we cannot risk alienating all of the humans in the empire, though I have a feeling that Zurcon may already be trying to turn them against us.”

“This may sound crude, but why?” Armea asked him.

“In order to maintain a properly balanced ecosystem. This land is in a delicate balance, and the removal of a race that greatly populates the land could have catastrophic repercussions. We must avoid that at all cost.”

“Yes, I know. And with your statements, you have already passed my test. I needed to see how you view the land, and what your opinion was on the matter with the humans. Your heart is indeed pure to your race and the land, but you already knew that.” She told him as she tore of a chunk of meat from a Cilserica limb.

“So do you have any ideas on what we should do to prepare a counter attack?” Silvera openly asked Siltari and Armea.

“The first thing that you need to do is get your numbers back up. Especially with that archery mage that Zurcon has at his disposal.” Siltari replied.

“Out of all the others there, it appears that he was the most troublesome for you, and could pose problems for you in the future.” Armea noted as she listened to all of the conversations around her.

“Yes, but we can discuss our plans later. Right now, we just need to enjoy this time and relax. Then after the meal has concluded, we can start strategizing what to do next.” Zil’caron told them as he turned to his portion of the deer like animal that he was presented with. The taste was unimaginable. The meat was very tender, and full of an exotic array of juices giving the meat a sweet, yet spicy taste.

Silvera had just as much of the Cilserica as Zil’caron had, and also had a wide variety of fruits and vegetables on her plate as well ranging from honey glazed apples, to roasted garlic embedded in mountains of peas, corn, and beans

“So, just out of curiosity,” Armea mentioned, “How do you two come to be, how did you meet, and how did you get to where you are now.”

Silvera was the first to answer, “Well my dam was a pure silver dragon named Verciada. I never met my sire. I was told that he had passed into the void, about four months before I hatched. I hatched inside the eastern hatchery of Dracondor almost six years ago, and was released instantly into my mothers care.

After only a year after hatching, my mother contracted a fatal disease that only dragons can catch called Miragones, and she died about a week afterward.”

“When did you first learn magic?” Armea asked.

“About two years ago, I actually discovered the ability when I was soaring along the outskirts humming in my mind, and started singing a few lyrics in Draconish, and when I reached the word gelatenia, a burst of ice shoot from my wings as I thrusted them down, and froze three trees into solid ice.

“At first I thought I was just imagining things, but just to make sure I wasn’t going crazy, I decided to test again. I landed next to a large maple, and said ‘gelatenia’ again, and shot a solid ball of ice from my maw at the tree.

“When I first learned the magic, I had mixed feelings, I was happy because of the rarity that dragons can harness there own magical energy, but at the same time I was worried that if any one found out about the magic, they would ban me from the city, as the legends said the wild magic using dragons, were the reason that the other dragons came to Worloch.”

“And when did you in Zil’caron meet and become blood-mates?” Armea asked.

“A little over two years ago. I met him out side of the city while we were both on hunts, He was with his father Melocnr, and his sister at the time, and he decided to come and fly by my side. When I questioned him on the matter he told me that ‘no dragon should every fly alone, nor should they be forced to remain alone.’

“About a week latter he came to my lair inside of the city and told my that I was welcome to move into the palace and roost there, he said that he would make special arrangements for his room to be enlarged to fit both of us in there. And then about six months after that, we became blood-mates.” Silvera concluded.

“Well, it sounds like you have been through a lot in such a young age. What about you? What was your life like before all of this started?”

“Quite honestly not much different than hers. My mother was an exhilarating black dragon named Zucaria. But I didn’t know here very well, she was killed by magic only a few months after I had hatched. My father was a vibrant gold dragon named Melocnr, and he was the ruler of Dracondor. He has taught me everything I know about survival.” Zil’caron replied.

“I was wondering how you were blessed with such an unusual, yet beautiful coloration of scales.” Armea remarked as Silvera hissed a little bit. “Don’t worry Silvera. I’m not going to take him from you.”

“Yes, I get that a lot when I’m not in the city, the humans around the city that were loyal to dragons made several comments about it. Anyway, like Silvera mention I met her a little over two years ago, and there really isn’t anything new to cover there.

“The only other thing I’ve got is how my father died during the attack on our city. We were caught off guard by a surprise attack, and the palace collapsed, he wasn’t able to make It out, and the heavy marble slabs and pillars took the deadly toll.” Zil’caron concluded.

Upon the conclusion of their stories, Armea motioned for Zil’caron and Silvera to follow her and Siltari into the meeting chamber. “So have you though of anything that could help you situation yet?” she asked.

“No, and really the more I think about it, the problem is not with the Empire of Menkarane, but it is with Zurcon. Zurcon is forcing people under his rule to fight for him, and because of him many lives are going to be lost. If there was a way that we could catch them off guard, then we could jut kill Zurcon. But it’s not that easy.” He replied.

“I’m afraid that we won’t be able to avoid human casualties in this war with Menkarane. In fact it is impossible. Wherever there is war there is always going to be death.”

“I know, but the more people we kill, the more people will turn away from our cause.” Silvera mentioned.

“Then what we need are humans inside the empire to fight for us, Or at least find a way to get those who do support dragons out of the empire.” Zil’caron countered

“Yes, but how many people are just going to allow a wild dragon to approach them, as soon as the people see you they are going to think it is an attack!” Armea responded

“Ahh… but here’s the thing, they’ll more than likely be expecting us to attack, but what will win us people from within the empire is to land inside a couple cities, and not attack them. That would show them that we are not the brutish animals that Zurcon makes us out to be.”

The group continued discussing their plan for nearly three more hours. After about another forty-five minutes they finally reached a conclusion on what to do.

“Wait a minute! We completely forgot about that mage who nearly killed you! If he is in one of those cities that we land in, then we don’t stand a chance!” Silvera told Zil’caron

“Yes.” Armea added, “for you sake, we can’t forget about him again nor underestimate him. He appears to be pretty powerful.”

“Yes, but if we don’t attack, we do. Now that we know about him, Silvera should be able to handle him. From what my father told me, was that dragon magic was the most power kind of magic in existence if one could control it.” Zil’caron pointed out.

“This is true, but dragons are not the ones who can harness this power. With the right elements involved, a human mage can become even stronger than the strongest dragon mage in existence.”

“If what you say is true, then we may encounter even more problems like this in the future. I don’t doubt that nature did this for the simple act of balance.”

“So what exactly are we going to do about the archery mage?” Silvera asked.

“Simple. In order to catch an archery mage you must first think like an archer mage.” Zil’caron said.

Siltari let out a small laugh at the comment and said, “If it were that easy, the true heir to the kingdom would have already assumed the throne.”

“Okay then what would you suppose we do?” Zil’caron asked.

Just then one of the other dragons came into the chamber. “I’m sorry to disturb you my lord, but both Felocnr and Marlegore have been completely destroyed, There is a combined total of twenty survivors from both cities heading this way. But the worst news of all is that Marlegore wasn’t destroyed by Zurcon and Menkarane, Marlegore was destroyed by Celtrien, and Felocnr was attacked by both empires, though we don’t know if there is indeed still a battle occurring there between the two empires.”

“This changes everything!” Zil’caron acknowledged.

Chapter 5: Belgron and the Celtrien Empire.

Belgron, my lord, our attack on Marlegore is complete. The city has been destroyed, and all survivors have fled.

“Excellent,” He said with an evil laugh. “Everything is finally turning out way. Soon, we can rid ourselves of all that oppose us. I will finally have complete control of Worloch.”

“What do you mean you?” Grycon asked. “You wouldn’t be half as successful as you were if I wasn’t here, and here you are killing dragons again. Haven’t we had this discussion before? You know I despise killing dragons.”

“Yes, Grycon I know, but sometime we must do what we don’t want in order to obtain what is most valuable to us.” Belgron told him.

“You mean what is most valuable to you! I would never, nor will I ever kill another dragon for my own personal gain! I respect my own race! More so right now then I respect you!” Grycon said as he flew off.

“My lord?” a guard asked

“He’ll be back, Ahh this isn’t the first time we’ve had this dispute. In fact it’s about the third time we’ve approached that particular topic. I don’t understand though, why it matters to him who dies. They are just, I mean he’s just, a dragon. Dragons are supposed to be vicious, brutal, killing machines, and yet he is sensitive.” A loud roar came from outside the Belgron’s window in his chamber as Grycon heard every word he said. “Great, this is just what I didn’t need.”

Grycon started to veer away from the city of Worloch, and into the forest. How can he be so cruel, and so uncaring? He thought to himself. Grycon was a mature pale green dragon. The membranes on his wings had faded so much that they were completely transparent. Only his veins remained visible in his massive wings. Instead of spines running down his back, Grycon has two ivory horns growing out of the back of his skull.

Just a dragon, who the hell does he think I am? I know I’m a hell of a lot stronger than he could ever be. I am certainly smarter than he is if he believes that Dragons are nothing more than killing machines. After all the years we’ve spent together I would have though he’d know better than that, but then again I should have seen that he’s just been using me to drain my power for his.

Grycon landed just outside the city in the forest. After what he had heard his own rider say about him sickened him, and he just wanted to be alone for a while after that. He made a shelter for himself in the forest around him, and for the fist time in his life, spent the night alone.

The next morning Grycon woke up early, and made his way back to Belgron inside Worloch’s Counsel Chambers. He landed next to the Chamber’s entrance and started making his way down a wide flight of stairs. The outside of the main chamber was made out limestone, with massive wooded doors that seal off the room. The doors swung inward as Grycon entered the chamber.

“Grycon, you came back.” Belgron told him

“Not by choice Belgron, I will not have another argument like that with you again on that subject the next time you kill a dragon I will terminated this bond!”

“Grycon… I’m sorry for what I said about you last night.”

“You cannot unsay what has already been said. What you said about me last night was worse than any act you have committed, including killing as many dragons as you have.”

“I was angered, I wasn’t thinking clearly. I didn’t mean to upset you Grycon.” Belgron told him.

“Never the less, my decision is made, the next time you kill a dragon, it will be the last with me by you side.” Grycon told him.

“Grycon, This is a war that we are in, other creatures including other dragons. There is no possibly way to avoid death in war. You of all things should know that.” Belgron told him.

“But you take pleasure in killing my kind. I can not, nor will I ever kill another dragon.” Grycon said with regret, and then he added, “I simply refuse to do so.”

“Look Grycon I’m sorry that I upset, you, I had no intention of doing so, but please understand that others are going to be killed, and I would like it know that I made every attempt at making peace before I attacked Marlegore. The dragons just simply refused an alliance.”

“And you waited to tell me thins now because?”

“Because you never gave the chance to tell you.” Belgron mentioned

“Right I guess I didn’t, sorry about that, I guess I should have given you chance to explain the matter, I was wrong in what I did to, but please, I don’t want to spend another night alone like I did last night, I know I didn’t have to, but I needed space.” Grycon replied.

“Yes, I know, I could feel you emotion. Let’s try not to do this again. Shall we?”

“Isn’t that what I just said?” Grycon replied as he eyed Belgron.

As Grycon and Belgron finished their conversation, they left exited the central cathedral. The cathedral tower was about five times as tall as Grycon and covered in a thick slimy residue from the constant foggy atmosphere in the city. The fog in the city has been trapped in the city ever since the original ruler of Celtrien had been killed. It is rumored that the fog is a result of a spell that the Ruler of old, cast with his final breath, and that it would only lift when the real heir ascended to the throne.

With the fog a constant, Worloch is a dreary city. The residents haven’t seen sunlight in five years. Every house and inn in the city had to be made out of stone to keep it from rotting because they were all covered with the same slimy substance that was on the cathedral.

“Hello, Belgron, and Grycon, how are you two feeling today, I heard that you two had another argument last night?” Someone said from behind them.

Grycon turned around to figure out who was talking to them in such a manner and said, “Oh, it’s just you Kirkana.”

“Well who else would even dare try to talk to you two like that?” said the elven priestess. Kirkana stood barely stood about six feet tall, and had thick, long, black hair. She had a slender angled body that gave her an amazing appearance. She had red eyes that matched the Red scaly tunic that she wore that she made out of the hide of a dragon that she had killed.

“I see you still have your tunic that you made from the dragon you had killed.” Grycon said with displeasure.

“Yes, I wear it as a constant remind of just how vicious you creatures can be. Remember, this tunic is made from the same dragon that killed my father.” She replied.

“I know, but I still don’t like seeing my kin like that, or at least what is left of them.” Grycon said.

“So other then the argument, what brings you to this part of the city?” Belgron asked

“I was trying to find you. One of my resources in Dracondor just told me that Zurcon, and Menkarane has completely destroyed the city. They also told me that they plan on destroying Felocnr as well.” Kirkana told them.

Grycon let out a roar that was so loud, that it temporarily allowed a burst of sunlight though the dense fog and bath the city with light for a brief moment. The entire city stopped in their tracks and looked at Grycon.

“Grycon, settle down! There is nothing we can do about it from here, and I doubt that they would have allowed us to help them anyway. Because I’m sure they knew about our attack on Marlegore.” Belgron told him.

“Actually they didn’t. Here is the elf I was talking about from Dracondor. He’s a spy I sent there along time ago incase they every decided to turn on us.” She said and a young male elf walked into view.

“Hello, my lord, my name is Narcron. I’ve been working with Kirkana for a couple years now in Dracondor spying on the dragons. She has helped me on several occasions, and I decided to help her at all possible. Though that’s not to say that the residents of Dracondor haven’t found out about our attack on Marlegore. I do know however that they planned on going to Felocnr, with the Elven city of Scrilon being a rendezvous point.” Narcron told Belgron.

“We can’t offer them refuge, it would be a way to earn their trust, but they would never accept it, not if they have already found out about Marlegore.” Belgron replied.

“No, this will alienate the dragons against both empires.

“My, lord if I may, Menkarane is preparing to launch the same attack on Felocnr in a few months. Maybe if we get there before they do, we can still gain the dragon’s alliance.” Narcron suggested.

“That won’t work either, the dragons would still attack us, and so would the Menkaranian soldiers, it would be suicide.” Just then one of his guards happen to pass by and he stopped him and whispered in his ear, “Gather the army, as big of one as you van make. I think I just found a way to rid this continent of these wretched dragons, and that cursed Zurcon.”As he shielded his mind in the process so that Grycon couldn’t hear of his plan.

“Maybe if Grycon and I made a personal flight out there, with an army accompaniment obviously, we can explain the situation in Marlegore and perhaps earn their trust.” Belgron added.

“And what if they refuse?” Grycon said angrily.

“Then we defend ourselves. If we go there, and tell them that we are responsible for the destruction of one of their cities, and they don’t buy the fact that we are there to help them, then they won’t let us leave the city alive, which it the reason I am ordering an army to come with us. If the dragons disagree with us, then we are going to have to fight out way out of their city.” Belgron said.

“So we are going to have to kill more dragons.” Grycon said.

“If they refuse, and you want to get out of the city alive, then yes, you are going to have to kill other dragons in order to get out. Hopefully it won’t come to that.” Belgron reasoned.

“For your sake, I hope it doesn’t come to that. For if that occurs, it will be the last battle we fight together, and the next time you and I meet after that, I will be fighting for the dragons.” Grycon said with hate and disgust and Belgron’s plan.

“Grycon, I know you don’t like it, but he’s trying to do everything to help.” Kirkana told him.

“No, he’s not trying to help! I can see right through him, this is one of those join us or die missions and I don’t like it one bit.” He replied as he took off from the cathedral area and made his way back to his lair on the northern most end or Worloch. Every one stopped and looked at him as he passed over head. He was mad enough right now that he could kill anything that crossed his path.

This is an outrage. Menkarane attacking us, Belgron continues to attack us. He though as he let out a long sigh. I guess that this bond was never meant to be after all. He continued as he passed through the city. On his way he found a young male trying to break into Worloch’s bank from the back, and landed next to him. “And just what do you think you’re doing here, human?” He said as he bared his teeth.

“Please,” Said the begging man, “I’m just trying to get money for my family. I can’t support them because of all the taxes your rider makes us pay.”

“Silence!” Grycon roared. At least he is willing to do everything to protect his family his kind. “Listen, committing acts of treachery like this isn’t going to make you feel any better is it? I mean this is other people’s money that they have worked just as hard as you for. Do you want them to end up in a situation like yours? Could you live bearing the fact that you cause the demise of another family?”

“No, I guess not, but if I don’t do something Lord Belgron will.”

Maybe if I show these humans kindness, show them that not all dragons are cruel, killing machines that Belgron and Zurcon have made us out to be, then they will join our cause. “If Belgron sees me doing this, he would kill you. Get on. I’ll take you to his money vault. They you can take as much as you can carry, but then I suggest that you and your family leave the city.” Grycon told him

“Where should we go?” the man asked Grycon.

“Hmmm. Go to the elven city of Scrilon. It’s a bit far from here, a good three to four day trip. But there are other dragons there that may be able to help you as long as you help them, they will need all the help they can get.” Grycon told him.

The stranger climbed onto Grycon’s back, and he flew low to avoid being spotted by Belgron they got to Belgron’s money vault and Grycon opened a hatch and allowed the man in. the man came out with four bags of gold. “You’re not taking more?”

“No, I’m not greedy like your Belgron is, I just want enough to support my family with.” He told Grycon.

“Right, anyway, you and your family must leave now. When you get to Scrilon look for a Gold dragon by the name of Melocnr He should be there unless he didn’t make it out of the fight. If that is the case then you need to seek out his son Zil’caron, you can’t miss him, from Melocnr told me, there isn’t another colored like him. He has glossy black scales with gold trim. When you find him tell him that Grycon sent you, and tell him, I may be coming to his side soon. He’ll understand.” Grycon said and returned the man to his home. “Get out of here while you still can!”

“I will. We’re leaving tomorrow morning.” The man said as he went inside of his house.

Grycon was weary to turn around, He had blocked his mind from Belgron, and flew low as to not to have been spotted, but was afraid that Belgron had found out of what he had done, and had followed him. He was relieved when he turned around and there was no one behind him. He flew just out of sight but remained in the area incase someone had followed him.

When it became apparent that the family was going to be ok Grycon started heading back to his lair which he had never made it to in the first place. It was dusk by the time Grycon made it back. His lair was made out of the tallest tower on the north end of the city. The tower stood about as tall as the Cathedral’s and was wide enough to hold up to five full grown dragons. On the outer wall of the building, was a large door that slid into to wall that allowed Grycon to enter the room.

As Grycon entered the room, he found that Belgron was already there. “So have you figured out what your decision is going to be yet?” Grycon asked.

“Yes, and it’s the same decision that I made in front of you, we’re going to Felocnr to end this silly dispute. One way, or the other.” Belgron told him.

Grycon growled as he started to pace over to were his crescent shaped dish were he slept. “This isn’t the best news Belgron. Like I said in front of Kirkana, and Narcron, This is a suicide mission. A join us or die scenario.”

“I’m not taking the army to fight the dragons Grycon. I’m taking the army to destroy the Menkaranian army once and for all. You heard Narcron. He said that their army was already in route. And I plan at the very least, attempt to earn their trust by fighting along side them.” Belgron said.

“However noble the intentions maybe, I still don’t think they would allow us into the city to begin with. Especially if they know about Marlegore, which by now, I’m sure they do, Felocnr is only a two day flight from Marlegore, and we can send mental messages all the way across the continent.” Grycon explained.

Belgron sighed as he said. “We have to try.”

“I’m not completely sure that you’re being totally honest with me, but I trust your judgment, for now.” Grycon told him.

“We will discuss the matter more in the morning.”

“Lord Belgron! Somebody broke into your money vault!” A guard told him.

He didn’t. I told him to leave. Grycon thought to himself where Belgron couldn’t her, but let out a growl not to look suspicious.

“When was this discovered?”

“About an hour ago sir, who ever had done it has already gotten away.” The guard told him

“Well what are you waiting for, find this person, and kill him on sight.” Belgron told him.

“Yes sir!”

Belgron turned to Grycon and asked him, “Did you know about this?”

“Do you think the person would have gotten away if I had?” Grycon replied.

“Right, sorry. Get some rest.” Belgron finished.

“I intend to.” Grycon said as he fell asleep. Hmm. Grycon’s isn’t acting like himself right now. It’s like he is hiding something. No, he wouldn’t. I can’t believe the thought crossed my mind. He thought as he to soon fell asleep.

Grycon was first to rise in the morning, and woke Belgron up when he started out of the room. “I’ll be back into the city in a few days. I’m going to go for a hunt, and I need more than just the puny deer we have around here.”

“Ok, fly safe, and come back alive.” Belgron told him.

“Now that is just ridiculous, wouldn’t be safe to assume that if I come back I’m alive?”

“Yes, I guess it would.” Belgron replied as he laughed.

Now I can see that family safely to Scrilon, and try to reason with Melocnr. I just hope he has enough kindness in his heart to even speak with me. He thought as he took to the sky. He veered west flying over the city in route to find the family he had helped last night. He found them about 10 miles from the city and landed next to him.

The man’s wife and children were horrified until the man turned to her and said, “Guys settle down, everything is going to be fine. This is the dragon that helped me yesterday.”

“Yes, and Belgron, doesn’t know this, but I will be escorting you and your family to Scrilon. I hope you brought plenty of provisions, because this trip will last us four days at a minimum, and we can’t stop in any city on the way. Belgron knows that there was a break in at the vault, but he doesn’t know that it was me who broke in.” Grycon told them, then turned to his family members, “By the way, my name is Grycon. And I will protect you all on this journey.”

“And my name is Nygral. We brought a lot of provisions, but nowhere near enough for a four day journey. What are we supposed to do for food and water?” Nygral asked.

“You leave the food to me. I can hunt for all of you when you need it. As for the water, the Mirkiane River is about a hundred yards to the north, and it runs just to the north of Scrilon, If we follow it, we should be fine. As long as we don’t encounter any of the extremely tall waterfalls that this river is famous for, and should we come across one, I can carry you all one at a time up or down the waterfall depending on what direction the waterfall is facing.” Grycon told them.

One of Nygral’s children, a young girl, started to approach Grycon. He lowered his head to view the girl with one of his emerald eyes. From what he could tell the girl was very young, even for human standards, no more the four years old. She raise her hand to try to touch the green dragon, and Grycon lowered his head a little more for her to do so telling her, “It’s okay, but be careful, my scales are very sharp.” When the young girl placed her hand on his snout, Grycon felt happier than he had felt in a long time.

Ever since Belgron assumed the throne five years ago, his life had been nothing but constant sadness. The only thing that Belgron though of was power, not him. He doesn’t really even care about me now. The only thing he is worried about is taking over the land, and that is not as it should be. I’ve only just met these people, and already they have shown me more gratitude than Belgron has the whole time I’ve been alive. I’m glad I decided to do this. It will give me time to think, and make my final decision.

He then turned to the family beside him, “Let’s get moving. If we are seen together, I don’t know what Belgron will do.” He told them as they began to move through the forest road. “One more thing,” Grycon added, “As long as I am with you, I am not Grycon, I am Elzicor. That way they can’t tie me to Belgron and the king, let them thing that one of you two are my rider.”

Nygral couldn’t believe what he had just heard, but he know what could happen to him and his family if word got out, and he coiled at the thought of what could happen to Grycon. “Ok, we’ll follow you.” He told Grycon as he led them to the river.

Chapter 6: An Encounter to Remember

Grycon, Nygral, and his family made it to the river in relatively short time and started move northwest along the river’s southern bank. The shore-line of the river was very soft, and made traveling on the ground very tedious and slow. Nygral walked over to his wife, Kurlina. “It will take us forever to get there if the river trail stays like this all the way to Scrilon.”

“Yes, but if it means a safe passage to Scrilon for all of us then I am fine with this. Besides, we don’t need him getting into trouble because of us. I don’t think that he would ever forgive us.” She told him.

Grycon heard the conversation and told them, “It dries up and gets clearer the father out we go. The reason it is so muddy here is because of the mist that encases the Worloch. It gets better just a few miles ahead. Then we can move at a normal pace, and I will stay on the ground with you all for your safety. If I am spotted in the sky, we could be followed.” He told them with obvious worry in his voice fearing that he could already be being followed.

“I’m not going to argue, Grycon,” Nygral told him, “But we really need you in the sky. We need you to scout both in front of us for hazards, and be hind us to see if we are being followed. If we are being followed and we don’t know it, we could be ambushed at night. We’d be killed, and I don’t even think about what would happen to you. Plus if you aren’t seen in the air for a while, Belgron will know your not hunting, and I don’t want anything to happen to you on account of me.” He added.

“I appreciate your concern Nygral.” Grycon told him. He knew that Nygral was right. Staying on the ground was not an option at this point. “Nygral, I know your name, but you never introduced your family to me. May I know the names of those whom I am traveling with?”

“My name is Kurlina. These are our daughters Kianara, Alera.” She told Grycon.

He recognized that the one that approached him was Kianara. Alera was just a hatchling even for human standards. He turned to her and her father and asked. “Would you like to ride on my back if it is okay with your father?”

Kianara looked at Grycon with a mixture of shock and joy. She didn’t understand everything, but she understood that what he was asking her didn’t happen often. “Can I daddy? Please?”

“I don’t know.” Nygral said as he noticed that Grycon had his saddle on him. He saw that it was relatively big but that it should be sturdy enough to hold her. He thought about it a little long before he finally said. “You may if you wish, just be careful, both of you.”

“You can trust me to keep her safe.” Grycon told Nygral as he lower his body to let Kianara get onto his back. “You should tighten her in before I take off for maximum safety. And don’t worry. I’ll fly slowly for her.” He told them.

“Thank you.” Nygral told the dragon as he tightened his daughter in the saddle. “Would you mind if we put some of our provisions in the saddle? It would be a lot easier and we could move a lot faster, but I don’t want to use you as a carrier as well. If you don’t want to carry anything you don’t have to.” He asked Grycon worried how he’d take it. The way he had asked the question sounded like he was just using Grycon as some sort of animal and it made him feel really bad for asking him.

“I would be honored to help you Nygral. The faster we get there the better. Because the sooner we will be away from Worloch and you will be safe. Though don’t load too much to where it will hinder my movement. I will need to be nimble and free enough to defend ourselves should we be attacked by anything.” Grycon replied as Nygral started to load food and some gold into the pouches of the saddle.

“That is all we have. We had not much food to begin with because your rider kept stripping us of everything we had. I mean not to offend you but it’s the truth.” Nygral told him.

The statement hit Grycon hard. Not because the statement was derogatory to his rider. He didn’t care about that at all, but instead what hurt him was how cruel and manipulative his rider had become. His rider was truly an emotionless bastard that cared about nobody but himself and that included Grycon himself. Grycon realized more and more that Belgron didn’t actually care for him anymore, but instead he had become a burden to Belgron. There was no longer any love in their bond at all.

“Grycon are you okay?” Kianara asked him as she saw a small tear started to roll down the side of his face only to fall onto the wet sand below. She knew something her father said had hurt him. “Why did you say that father? You made him cry!”

“No, no, young one.” Grycon told her, “It was not your father that upset me, but my own rider. He has changed so much since he got his power. He forgets I helped him get this power, though I will admit, I should have seen this coming. I can’t believe he was doing this to all of you. You all deserve better.” Grycon told them as dread filled him. He was beginning to regret even picking him as a rider to begin with.

“I’m sorry for hurting you.” Nygral told him as they continued on their way. The sand made the travel slow and tedious as they could feel each grain start pouring into the bottoms of the shoes through the holes that were worn in the bottom. It was nearly impossible to make any decent progress towards Scrilon. On top of the sand being soft and tedious, it was also blistering hot. Nygral and Kurlina were force to walk slightly in the river water to help reduce the pain on there feet from the sand. However, by them doing so, it slowed down their progress even more.

The journey continued like this for what felt like hours. The current of the river slowed them down along with the sand and in turn they felt like they were slowing down Grycon, But they were glad that Kianara was having a good time, though they were completely surprised when Grycon offered to let her ride him for a while. After a while, Kurlina began to wonder how they were doing. She knew that Grycon wouldn’t let anything happen to her, but she was her mother, and it was difficult for her not to worry about her.

Grycon was able to sense the worry of the youngling’s mother, and he told her. You have not to worry about her Kurlina. I plan on protecting her as if she were my rider. I will see to it that you safely make it to your destination, even if the end result includes me not making it to mine.

His words hit Kurlina hard. She knew that he came with them to help them, but she never thought that he would be willing to go as far as even giving his own life should he need to in order to protect them.

Grycon then started talking to Kianara, with his mind. Are you enjoying this flight? I’m not scaring you, am I?

Kianara but it was inaudible.

Grycon knew that she was trying to talk to him and told her, Verbal talking in flight is not going to work at all. Because with the wind passing over us as we are moving, it muffles almost all sound. So when we talk you have to talk with your mind. You do this by thinking what you want to say. Then I can hear it.

Like this? Kianara asked him.

Yes, just like that. I didn’t scare you when I took off did I? Grycon asked her again.

Kianara giggled a little bit as she told Grycon. No, you didn’t. You aren’t like how everyone told us you were. Everyone in Worloch told us that you were a ruthless, heartless, uncaring, evil dragon. That you would kill anyone who made even the smallest mistake. You’re not like that at all. You’re a very good and nice dragon.

He licked Kianara on the face again as he told her, I’m glad that somebody finally realizes that. He told her as his own emotion filled his body. For it was the first time in a long time that someone had given him such a complement, or better yet even talked to him like that. This entire family was the nicest anyone had been to him and he was determined to see that they were well received. Then an idea hit Grycon. He took back off into the sky with Kianara on his back. He then asked her, Kianara, I’m not going to make any guarantees, but if you would like, I can talk to Melocnr and see about the possibility of letting you become a rider. Would you like that?

Yes! She yelled in her mind. I would love the opportunity to be a rider. I would have my own bonded partner to love and hold. And I know that if it works the dragon would be as nice as you are.

Would you like to go for a brief swim Kia? Can I call you Kia, or would you rather me use your full name.

Kia is fine. My parents call me it all the time, but I think Kianara sounds better. She told him as they left the river as her wet clothes left a trail of water in flight around her, and the water off of Grycon’s scales made them glimmer like emeralds as he flew through the sky with her. It was once they got up into the sky that they saw that Nygral and Kurlina were approaching the first waterfall.

Kurlina, Nygral, slow down your pace, your approaching the first waterfall. It leads to the Selicarian Valley, and this particular cascade has over a hundred and fifty foot drop. I don’t suggest getting too close to the edge. Grycon told them as they managed to comeback into their view.

Not sure if they heard him or not, Grycon backed hard to the right, and started heading back to where they were. It only took him a few minutes, but they were right on the waterfall’s edge. He found a spot next to them that was big enough for him to land. “Kianara is going to need to change her clothes. We decided to go for a brief swim.” He told them, but he had a feeling that they already knew what had happened.

“Okay, let me get her out of the saddle, and she can change.” Kurlina told him, and then she asked, “What are we going to do about the waterfall,” as she got Kianara out of the saddle.

“Well you are going to have to ride on my back down to the Selicarian Valley below. We need to be careful though, the valley itself is very open, and there is no place to hide. But the ground is much sturdier there, and we can make more headway. Also there are creatures in the valley that are dangerous even to us. So we must be careful. If you would like to put your belongings into my saddle, go ahead I’ll go ahead and take them down into the valley.” Grycon told them.

Nygral started loading Grycon’s saddle with what little provisions they had on them. The only managed to get a few pairs of clothes for each of them, a loaf of bread, only a few pieces of meat, and the gold that Grycon had helped them steal. Nygral nodded and told him “That’s everything.”

Grycon was very surprised by the lack of food. He knew that it was probably all that they could afford, but the very thought of his rider causing that much pain and suffering in the land. As a result the overall weight on Grycon was less than he expected. He looked up and saw that Kianara was taking the last of her clothes. It was the first time in his life he had ever seen a human female without clothes on in his life, and he thought she looked beautiful. He started to wonder why humans covered up their beauty like so, but he didn’t press the issue. “Go ahead and start getting on” he said as he watched Kianara put his clothes on. He was a little confused on the ways the human body worked, but he figured that it wasn’t too much different from his own. “We better get moving. The longer we wait, the less time we have to get distance behind us. When we land, I have something I want to tell you all. It involves Kianara.”

“Okay.” They told him as they got on to his back. Grycon told them to hold on as he jumped of the edge of the waterfall. He was surprised that there wasn’t more weight than there was. There was a difference in strength but not enough to hinder him. I think I’m going to let them ride for a while. They need a break from walking, and it’s the least I can do for them. He thought to himself as they started to glide over the Valley.

Kurlina tried to ask him something but again it was inaudible so he told her and Nygral. Think your questions and concerns in your minds so I can hear them. Verbal talk is not applicable in flight.

What are you doing? Why aren’t we landing? Kurlina asked him.

I’m not landing because the sooner we get there the sooner we’re out of danger. And it saves you a lot of walking. He as he started to see a bright glowing object start coming towards him. Hold on! He told them as he banked, and rolled hard to his right as what he recognized what the flames of another dragon go Searing under his left wing scorching the membrane. Pain shot through his wing like scorching lava, almost feeling like the wing itself was being incinerated, but something that puzzled him. He had seen no other dragon.

After he had regained control, everything in the area went quiet. No movement and no noise were present with the exception of the concussions from the movement of Grycon’s wings. He turned to the family on his back and told them to remain alert as the he continued forward as quietly as possible. Staying in the air was both very dangerous, but at the same time the safest place for Grycon to be, as being under an opposing dragon could mean death if indeed that was another dragon in the area, but it remained to be seen.

Keep an eye out all around. If there are enemies in the area, they could come from anywhere, and I would rather know about them before we are being attacked by them. He told them as another blast of fire came from about a hundred feet in front of him. There were the blast had originated was a rouge dragon in the distance.

With a loud rumble in his stomach, Grycon fired but a single warning shot at the dragon as he told it with his mind, we wish not for a fight nor land, but to pass through in route to the Elven city of Scrilon, and this is the quickest way.

Oh no, dragon, I’m not fighting you for land, I’m trying to rid you of those pests that are on your back.

These individuals are family members of a rider, and a very powerful one at that. Grycon said knowing the dragon couldn’t see through his lie. So I say again, we are passing through. He told the dragon, but knew the dragon would not let them through, so under his own thought he said, Necra, as the other dragon fell from the sky. Grycon slowly descended down to the valley edge where there was now cover for them. He realized that the family would not be safe on his back due to possible attacks from rouges like that.

“At least we made it across the valley.” Grycon told the family as they started to dismount. Kianara however wanted to stay on his back, but Grycon motioned that it was unacceptable at this time.

“You’re mad at me aren’t you?” Kianara asked him in response.

“No, I am not mad at anyone in this family. However it is too dangerous to have anyone other than a trained rider on my back at the moment. There is no telling when we are going to be attacked again, and it’s safer to have all of you on the ground wher I can watch from a distance far enough to where they won’t tie me with you, but close enough should anything happen, I would be right there to prevent chaos from occurring. At the very least we are out of the valley, we should be safer now. Just keep an eye out for larger animals, and you all should be fine. You do have a bow right?” Grycon said directing his last statement at Nygral.

“I had one, but it was claimed by the king for taxes that I owed, as well as all of my tools to make another one.” Nygral responded.

The statement infuriated Grycon that Belgron would stop so low as to take a way a man’s only form of defense, and his only method for food. Grycon turned to one of the trees next to him, and used his extremely hot breath as made so by the fire inside of him to dry out the wood inside the tree, and using his talon he scraped the bark of the tree, and used the point of his talon to carve a perfectly shaped bow from the tree giving to Nygral. “You’ll have to string it with your own sinew, but this should last you a great while Grycon said as he turned to the clearing. The Forest is spare enough that when night falls, I will return unless there is trouble before hand, I will see you then.” He said leaping into the air gouging the earth beneath him.

Nygral and his family started making their way into the forest. Just like the forests around Worloch, these forests where enshrouded by mist. “Everyone stay close, we don’t know what is here, and to be quaint, I don’t what to know.” He said as the continued down the path that was set in front of them.

The smell of the rotting leaves was constantly present through out the forest. Owls were calling out in the distance, and they could se snakes moving through the trees, as will as many exotic birds that they had not seen before and the noticed that the forest was getting denser by the minute. It was obvious that there was nothing Grycon could do now if something happened.

Stay close to the river! You’re getting to far away from it. Go to your right and keep going forward at the same time. That will put you back on track. Grycon told them as he noticed that the forest was getting thicker and thicker. Hmm. Grycon thought to himself, I don’t remember this forest being this dense before. He said as he noticed a group of elves in the distance. They were hidden in the trees well enough that someone on the ground might not see them, but Grycon could spot them easily. He reached out to one of the elves and told them, Do not be alarmed, there are travelers from Worloch that are under my guidance to the city of Scrilon. I am Grycon, Bearer of the rider Belgron, though for how much longer is yet to be determined. I myself am in route to Dracondor to meat with Melocnr and the dragons there to try to see if they would be willing to give me a chance within their ranks.He told the elf.

Dracondor has been completely destroyed. The elf told Grycon almost causing him to fall out of the sky. It was attacked by Menkarane, and Melocnr as well has fallen. Only a handful of dragons, I think twelve or thirteen tops survived the attack, and those dragons are being lead by Melocnr’s son Zil’caron. I know this because they themselves are in Scrilon, and we are scouts sent out to see if there were any other survivors. Don’t worry about the family in the woods. We’ll escort them into the city. You can fly ahead if you want. The elf added as all three of them went into motion towards the family

Wait! Grycon stopped them. There is a prospective rider among them. A girl by the name of Kianara, make sure she stays alive, because Zil’caron will have to judge her on whether she is fit for the role or not.
We will. The elf replied, and for the Record, My name is Masthuvar, the other two with me are Acinera, and Kurthius. We will personally make sure that the prospective rider, and her family makes it to Scrilon un-scaved.

Thank you Masthuvar, but just as an extra precaution due to a recent attack by another dragon, I will be remaining with the group should another attack strike.

You need not give your reasoning to us wise one. Dragons never have to give reasons for their actions so as long as the actions given are not of violence. Masthuvar told him as he and the other three elves slowly made their way to the family.

As the past through the forest still enshrouded by a heavy mist, Nygral, Kianara and her mother pressed on though the rotting foliage. The smell getting even worse as the passed through as decay had set in all around them. Nygral had heard Grycon tell him that they were off course, and to go to the right but forward at the same time. They did just that, though there was so much mist in the area, that the river was hidden from there view as the water vapor covered everything from ground level to the canopy of the forest itself.

“I don’t like this place father. It smells of evil.” Kianara told her father. “It smells like evil.”

“And what makes you think that you know what evil smells like?” Kurlina asked her.

“Isn’t it obvious? I’ve lived in Worloch all of my live so far. We been surrounded by nothing but evil since I’ve been born. The only good thing that has happened to me, was being born, and flying with Grycon. Other than that we’ve been living in hell.”

“You watch your language.” Nygral told her. “Just because it’s true doesn’t mean you should speak like that. Besides, Things will get better I know. After all, they can’t be any worse than what they were back in Worloch. We might actually be able to afford food in Scrilon when we get there…”

“You won’t need to worry about being able to afford anything, it will all be provided for you upon your arrival” A voice said from behind the mists, as Masthuvar stepped into the view of the family. “My name is Masthuvar, and Kurthius, Acinera, and I are here to escort you to Scrilon as to provide extra protection on the ground.”

“How did you know where were coming?” Kianara asked suspiciously.

“Your dragon protector told us.” The Elf replied politely.

Masthuvar wasn’t what she had pictured elves were. He was much taller and much leaner then she had thought, even taller than her father. This elf had shoulder-length silvery hair, and deep green eyes. He wore a bright crimson tunic with crimson armor that looks like it couldn’t even stop an arrow from passing through with a sword bouncing at his waist with every step closer that he took. “So how far away are we exactly?

“Scrilon is about another twenty miles up river from here. With your dragon being unable to carry all of use, it will be at leats another day or two of walking, but we will take the safest, and the quickest route possible.” Acinera told them as she stepped into view.

She was just as amazing as Masthuvar. She had long silvery green hair, and she wore an aqua colored tunic and armor and her eyes the lightest shade of blue that was visible. She had no sword, but instead a large staff with a small orb in the top of it. A magician... Kianara thought as she saw her staff and took in as much information about them as possible.

“Let’s get moving. We can get to the introductions while we are putting distance behind us. The more distance we cover today is less distance we have to cover tomorrow.” Masthuvar said as he led them down the path in front of them that had been carved by the river.

The sun was starting to sink into the afternoon sky signaling that indeed most of the day had come to pass. They weren’t exactly sure how much distance they had covers on Grycon’s back, but they knew that it was at least another day at the minimum before the Elf City was in site. As the continued on, the family was becoming more and more observant that they were entering the surrounding lands of the elves, and that the sun had changed from it’s once vibrant yellow color shining over the tops of the crystal clear waters of the Mirkiane River making an iridescent light show across the canopies of the trees as the light reflected of the top of the waves. The banks of the river that had been once lined with rough gritty sand, was now lined with a thick bed of moss. Unlike most of the moss around Worloch, the moss here was not slimy. Instead the moss that grew from the sides of the river were as soft as velvet with just enough dampness on it to make it comfortable yet sturdy enough to walk on without damaging it’s form. Though what Kianara saw next inspired her. It was a delicate array of flowers ranging from violet lilies, bright red tulips, and a wide variety of roses. Though one flowers struck her as odd, “I’ve never seen a blue rose before.” She told her mother.

“Neither have I, but they are just as beautiful as there counterparts.”

“Not only that,” Acinera started, “but the blue roses are not only special, but rare. Roses can come in a range of seven colors. White, yellow, pink, and the typical red are the most common whereas, the other three violet, green and orange are exceedingly rare. The green roses that you see here are the only ones that we’ve seen on the continent, the Orange roses can be found in patches outside the Dragon City of Felocnr, and they can be found lining the streets of Tricona, another of our cities that is much farther north than the one we’re heading to now, where as the Violet rose is by far the rarest. Out of about every ten thousand rose plants in them selves, only one will gain the needed proportions of colors and qualities for a violet rose, and even then will only bear a few roots, one stem, and one flower.” She explained

“But what makes these roses so unique and rare over the others? Is it just the colors? Because you mentioned something about qualities of the roses being involved, that means that as a rose might have the right proportions of the colors needed to produce it, with out the qualities it would only retain one of those colors.” Kianara pointed out.

“You have a sharp mind young one. Indeed these roses are unique to the others because there roses have different magical properties that are produced naturally by the plant. The green roses that you see here are good for healing most poisons that you could come in contact with without any side effects at all.” The elf replied.

“So, in that regard, what makes the violet rose so rare? If logic shows me correctly, the violet rose must have some exceedingly powerful ability over the other two to make it have so low numbers.” Kianara implied.

I can see why Grycon was able to spot her out. Her level of intelligence is considerable high for her age. Acinera told Masthuvar with her mind

Indeed but we can’t be over sure of ourselves either, this could just merely be a topic that she understands and knows, it doesn’t mean she’s this way about everything else. But I agree we should keep an eye on her for a while. She may be the key on bringing peace to the land. Masthuvar told her.

“Indeed.” Acinera said as she nodded to Kianara’s statements. “The Violet rose, is probably the single most powerful plant in all of Worloch. Every singe part of the rose holds enormous power.”

“What do they do?” Kurlina asked.

“For the most part, it basically has a similar effect as the green rose, except it has the power to cure every singe disease, virus or parasite on this planet, including a disease that we long thought to be incurable for a long time.”

“What was that? And is it possible for us to get it?” Kianara questioned.

“There is only one way for a humanoid race to become infected with the Miragones Virus, and even then you aren’t truly infected. The Miragones Virus only infects one race, and it was born with in them. That one race is…”

Are the Dragons, Grycon told them. I mean no offense when I say I can give them more information on this that you. You are not a dragon so you would not know the true effects that the virus can have.

There is no offense to be had. I myself am unaccustomed to this disease except for merely reading about it in our scrolls in the Scrilonian Archives, but I have never encountered a dragon that has been infected, so I would too be interested in what you have to share with us. Acinera told him

Miragones is an extremely deadly parasite to put a bettor word to it, that has no cure with the exception of the Rose of Life, and even then we don’t really count it for the most part on the fact that it’s never around whenever someone has been infected. How one becomes infected with Miragones is still unknown even to us. We think it could be hereditary, or could be a virus born out of magic, or we could get it from the food we eat, though if that were the case we’d be extinct by now. The way that this virus works is that if feeds off of the magic in our blood, and decays our internal structures from within side our bodies while we are still alive. The Virus uses the magic to speed up the process of the decay, so naturally the more magic that a dragon has built up inside of them, the quicker and even more painful it would be for the dragon to pass.

I have never seen anyone survive longer than a week with this virus, and to see one of your own in that much pain would make one to anything to help them with the pain even if that meant ending it for them, but even that wasn’t an option for the healthier dragons that were around them. When a dragon becomes infected with the Miragones Virus, Any work that were to be attempted with magic could only be that of human or elf, because no dragons are allowed within the general area of the infected being without wards around them to help prevent it from spreading, and those are only allotted to the families of the infected dragon. The reasoning for that is because the Miragones Virus is extremely contagious among dragons, and with it being as deadly as it is, it is absolutely necessary to isolate the dragon that is infected, and if the family so chooses to be with them even with the wards, they too are isolated for five days until the mages in all races that were aiding at the time are certain that the virus had not spread to them.

And to answer your question Kianara, there is no recorded evidence of any human nor elf catching this virus, or if they had, it would most likely be an instant death, at least in the elves, for not all humans have the ability to manipulate or use magic, there for have none in a vast majority of them. The method of infection that Acinera was alluding to was that with dragon rider. If a dragon that bears a rider becomes infected by the virus, the rider although not infected with the pain, will feel the pain from the body of his dragon through the bond that they have, and under no circumstances are the rider and dragon to be separated, in an event where the death of one is certain, it is best for the other to be present as well so that the may rest in peace together, for where either of the bonded die, the other will fall as well. Grycon concluded as he started to head his way down to the ground. You all should make camp soon. Dusk rapidly approaches.

Thank you. “Masthuvar, Grycon has informed me that dust is approaching quickly and that we should make camp soon.”

“That’s probably a wise idea. There is a bend in the river just up a ways. It should be big enough for us.” Masthuvar replied.

“What’s wrong with right here?” Kurthius asked him.

“So you do know how to talk.” Acinera said jokingly. “We’ve been travelling for the better part of eight ours, and you have but naught said a word until we had talked about camp.”

“Just because I wasn’t talking to you doesn’t mean I wasn’t talking to the land. You know just as well as I that there are many dangers in these lands and animals that could easily consider us prey. I’ve been listening and talking with the animals and the land to be completely alert should there have been any dangers looking.” Kurthius told them in a polite yet firm tone.

“What about the other effects of the rose? You said that every part of the rose holds power.” Kianara asked as she helped where she could in setting up the camp for the night.

“Yes, and The extent of they powers are even greater when there is a magician involved but for starters the leaves for example are what hold the healing properties of the plant against parasites, the stem can cure any disease or virus, and the roots can heal any wound. Now on the other hand, the plant holds two powers that can only be wielded by and herbalist or a magician. The thorns of this rose can be extracted from the rose with careful precision. There is enough poison in them to kill a dragon of decent size within an hour. When used on a human or elf, it’s almost an instant death. On the flip of death, the velvety soft pedals of the Violet Rose hold the power to restore the life of one that has been lost within the last year so as long as their body is still capable of producing life.”

“But, after a year, wouldn’t the body lose the ability to support life?”

“Most of the time yes, The body can be completely healed with magic, but with no soul the body will still decay unless frozen, and even then it’s not guaranteed. Fortune would have to shine on someone with great intensity if they were to revive someone after about a month. So although the flower itself has the ability to reach to a year, the forces of nature among them self only allow it a month at the most in general.”

“But, then how do you know if will span a year for the soul if the body has never lasted long enough to test this?”

“It has happened once.” Masthuvar said. “It was about a hundred and forty-seven years ago according to our records. It happened with a dragon whose body we were able to completely preserve. My great grand mother was his rider, and his death ravaged her.”

“But Grycon just said that both partners die if one does…” Kianara interrupted.

“Indeed that is true, but only if they are both bonded at the time. A dragon rider bond is so special because of the fact that it’s a mutual agreement. Both the Rider and the dragon still want to be with each other for the bond to flourish. If either of them grew enough distaste in them for the other’s actions, or if one of them had done something to severely hurt the other emotionally, then the bond can be terminated. In the case of my great grandmother and Nuthious, I’m not sure what happened, but somewhere along the way, one had done something to the other to force them to sever, and I have a firm believe that it was of my great grandmother’s doing because when death took Nuthious only but a month later, she was devastated. She herself made sure that his body was completely healed and preserved it as best she could, while she searched for the Rose of life. It took her almost a year until she found it, and by the time she had returned a full year had gone by, maybe a bit more.

“As soon as she got back, they set up the ritual for her in the center of Nuvinera, the last of the three elven cities that stand today. Many were doubtful that the procedure was going to work since so much time had passed, but they supported her either way. When she started the enchantments and ritual needed, it soon became apparent that things were starting to fall into place, and that it could very well be a successful resurrection. The entire ritual took about two and a half hours of spell work, but when it was over Nuthious was living again, but he wasn’t exactly happy with what had occurred. He was happy about the fact that she was willing to go to such lengths for him even after the severing of the two, but he was frustrated by the fact that she had refused to let go. They did eventually re-enter their bond after that, but it took longer than they had expected. They both died about five years later as age took their toll on them.” He explained.

“So the bonds are more fragile than one would expect.” Kianara acknowledged. “That shouldn’t matter though. Two creatures shouldn’t enter a bond like that if their only desire from the result is to gain power. A bond like that should be a bond of love, trust, loyalty, and respect. A bond derived for power is only destined for failure.” She added as she noticed Grycon shift his weight in an oddly manner at her last statement.

“This is why it’s normally the dragons that choose the riders, not the other way around. The dragons can sense the mind of the humans or elves that carry its egg, and it they detect a hint of misguidance in them. They usually won’t hatch for them, but every once in a while, riders like Zurcon leak through.” Masthuvar told them. “Rest for tonight, we move at first light. If all goes well, we’ll be in Scrilon by then end of the day tomorrow” He said as he went inside of his tent to turn in for the night.

Kianara and Kurlina made their way back over to where Nygral and the infant were resting inside the tent. The story that the elves had told them about the roses had filled them with wonder. Kianara was amazed by the power of the Violet rose, and from what she had heard, it was more than deserving of being named the Rose of Life. The fact that it even had the ability to restore life was amazing to her, and yet it could turn around, and if used another way, could destroy it. It was more than obvious that if anyone found such a rose, they would have a great influence in what occurred in the lands, and if it fell into the wrong hands, could destroy it.

The wind started to blow the tents outside about an hour after they had turned in. Nygral was awakened suddenly when one of the spikes he had driven if for the tent had come out of the ground and was allowing the corner of the tent to blow in an on-controlled wave in the wind. The gust died down enough for him to get outside to try to re-fasten the tent. Rain had moved into the area which made the moss that they were laying on very slick almost like a green mud that sloshed around his feet with every step. The only form of light was the flickers of lightening that scattered across the ski illuminating the clouds and reflecting off the river to enshroud the river valley in an array of light for brief moments that repeated themselves every few seconds.

He finally managed to secure the tent after about ten minutes of wrestling with the rope as another gust came through causing the metal stake at the end of it to thrash violently at the end of the rope once again. “Dammit! I just had it fixed to!” He said as he once again struggled with the rope.

Grycon noticed that Nygral was struggling with the rope and the tie because of the wing so he came over behind him to block the wind with his body not risking extending a wing in the conditions as he was unsure with the strength of the winds if he could get them refolded properly. This allowed Nygral of completely secure the tent and made his way back inside the tent drenched from head to toe by the rains that were moving through the area. Water dripped from his saturated clothes from with inside the tent. Fortunately the air was warm enough for him not to feel to uncomfortable in temperature, but the wet shirt was more than enough to make him uncomfortable. Taking his shirt off and ringing it out, he draped it over his travel sack and tried to go back to sleep, which with the lightening flashing thought the sky every few seconds or so, was made extremely difficult.

Grycon decided to sleep the rest of the night there next to the tent in order to prevent the winds from blasting through it again and risk impaling one of the family members. Fortunately though, the rain began to slow from a heavy torrent of water to a still a steady moderately-heavy drizzle. The rest of the night continued this way with the rains slowly lightening, and clearing out as the storm system moved completely through.

When everyone woke up the next morning, the air temperature was considerable cooler than the day before, and there was overcast skies, which at least to Kianara, meant that she would not be able to ride with Grycon today incase winds should prove to be a problem above the clouds. “Is there anything here that we may eat?” She addressed to anyone that would be listening to her. “I haven’t had anything to eat since the break yesterday before you managed to find us.” She added towards the elves.

“We have some bread and some jerky as a fawn that we recently hunted this morning before you all awoke. We didn’t need anything very big as Scrilon is but a half a day’s walk from here. We should be there before the sun sets in the evening.” Acinera Replied

“Okay, when will it be ready?” Kianara asked.

“It will a bit yet for we have to get the fire started.” Acinera told her as she used her magic to pull the water out of the logs that they had gathered and ignited it with magic as well.

After they were finished preparing the fire, they diced the parts of the fawn that would be used and placed them in a small pot to simmer and cook, using the water extracted from the maple logs in order to add a bit of extra flavor.

While they waited Kianara went over to the river and watched its gentle flow, and how everything seemed to be in perfect balance. The moss on the side of the river prevented the river back from getting muddy. “I have a question, why didn’t you just take some fish from the river? It would have been easier, and would have taken less time to cook.” She asked the elves.

“We didn’t because all though the shore isn’t muddy, the storm last night would have stirred up the mud in the riverbed, and I’m quite sure you didn’t want something tasting like mud.” Masthuvar said sarcastically.

“I suppose that’s true.” Kianara replied.

It didn’t take too much longer for the stew to finish cooking. Acinera reached down into her pouch and pulled out the three wooden bowls that she had packed for them not expecting to have run into any others on the trails. “I’m afraid that when we initially left Scrilon he had not prepared for more than the three of us for we had no way of knowing that we would have been escorting you back. We don’t mind of course, but if you would happen to have anything that you could use to help serve it would be appreciated.” She told the three of them.

“Alright, I’ll be right back” Nygral said as he went into the other tent in search of his bag. Opening and reaching in, Nygral found the three bowls that they had packed for them and turned to come out of the tent, ducking underneath the opening holding the bowl in hand.

He handed the bowls to Acinera for her to put the stew in and waited as she did so handing the bowls down the line to the rest of the family. Once everything was handed out, the group ate quickly to avoid losing any more time. It wasn’t anything big by any means for it was a small fawn that had been killed, but it was still enough for them to get by without having to stop again at least for food.

It took them about fifteen minutes before everyone was finished with their meal and started preparing to leave out. Nygral began folding up leather sheet that the elves had let them use for a tent while Kianara, and Kurlina packed the blankets they had slept in back into the packs neither one taking more that a few minutes each. “Okay, we should begin moving now while the day is still young.” Masthuvar told them. With a nod, the rest of the group followed.

The skies were still overcast from the morning, and the temperatures were not getting any warmer either. The slow and tedious walk made even more uncomfortable because of it but not unendurable. The Moss on the side of the riverbank was glossy as far as they could see, and was a bit slippery as well, but it wasn’t slimy like the moss back in the city was. It was almost like walking on an old rug that had been over saturated with water.

“Grycon if you could please scout ahead of us to make sure that there isn’t any sort of resistance on the river bank? I doubt that there would be this deep within our forests, but it’s better to be safe now than sorry later.” Acinera asked as she looked to see Grycon give her a simple nod and pushed up into the sky ripping the moss up from underneath him with his talons as he pushed off.

“Do you think that this will really happen father?” Kianara asked as she walked along side him a few feet back from the elves.

“Will what happen?”

“Well, back when I was riding on Grycon before that other one attacked us…, he had said something about trying to get the other dragons in the city that we were going to, to allow me to become a rider.” She told him.

Nygral stopped in his tracks from the news as it was the first that he had ever heard of it. “Honey, I’m sure that you were just hearing things, I don’t think that Grycon would have said something like that to someone as young as you.” He told her.

“Actually,” Masthuvar interrupted, “He did mention something about that to us, which is why we are being extra careful in planning our routes and making sure that all paths are clear.”

Nygral looked at him dumbfounded as he pointed towards Kianara, “Are you sure that is was her that he was talking about?” He asked

“Yes we are positive, not please keep moving. We can walk and talk about this at the same time. The more time we waste here, the longer it will take us to get to where we need to be, and out of danger.”

Nygral nodded and started following as he considered his daughter’s question, “Well, in that case then, if I heard right from the elves before, and the dragons themselves choose the riders to begin with, it sounds like it a set deal.”

“Not exactly…” Acinera said “We did say that dragons choose their riders, and she was chosen by a dragon to be a prospective rider, but in the end, the dragon that made the decision, is already a bearer of a rider, and not a well respected one at that. It is a decision that will have to be made by the other dragons around in Scrilon. Her fate as a Dragon Rider will rest in their hands.”

“So then, what would you say that her chances are?”

“The chances of her actually being chosen at this point are actually fairly high. She’s a bit younger than most that would be chosen, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing, and the fact that she already has experience on dragon back even if just a flight, and was found fit for the title by another dragon, then it’s just merely a matter of when in my opinion.” She told them as they continued to move along the shore of the winding Mirkiane River.

It wasn’t too long there after, that Nygral and the others had reached the final major bend in the river that would take them to Scrilon. With each step taking them closer to the city, Nygral and his family slipped further into a state of uncertainty that lied before them. “We’ll rest here for a few minutes to freshen up for a bit, we only have about an hour of walking ahead of us until we reach the city, two at the most.” Masthuvar informed Nygral and the others.

It wasn’t but only moments after stopping that Grycon returned to the group from he reconnaissance of the area and surroundings ahead. “The area ahead is clear. We should be able to make pretty good time from here.” Grycon told everyone as the sun was now starting to peak through some of the holes that had formed in the silvery overcast skies allowing warmth down on the river shoreline.

“Thank you Grycon. You know, you could have just stayed there and waited for us to get there. It would have given you a chance to rest a bit.” Acinera told him as she rested a hand on one of his scaly legs looking into one of his deep emerald eyes.

Grycon brought his eye down to look at her and then told her, “Yes, I could have, but then that would say much for me when I promised to stay with them throughout their travel.”

“I suppose, but it also kind of makes it look like you don’t have trust in our abilities to get them to Scrilon safely.” Kurthius told him trying to make a point as he finished healing the blisters on Kurlina’s feet.

“I have no doubt in the abilities of the Elves. I know that this family couldn’t be in safer hands, but it’s an issue of integrity. I told them I would escort them to Scrilon, and that is what I plan on doing. Unlike my rider, I want to show every that I do remain true to my word.” Grycon told him in response. “Can’t we talk about this while we are moving?” He inquired as he peered about at everyone, somewhat dumbfounded as to why they had stopped to begin with.

“Yes, we’ll be ready to set out again in just a few minutes. We’re taking one final stop before moving into the city since we still have about an hour of walking ahead of us.” Masthuvar stated to inform him of his decision.

“The longer we wait, the more time it gives others to block up the path that we wish to take.” He remarked trying to get them to realize the dangers of holding out longer than they needed to.

“I understand your concern, but I must also consider the needs of the family that we are escorting as well. They are not used to this much travel as we are so we can’t push them too hard either. I think a five minute rest or so wouldn’t hurt too much, and in turn may actually help us make better time.” Kurthius told him.

“I fail to see the logic in what your saying, but taking a short break can’t really cause too much damage, though I should probably make another recon run through the area again before we leave just to make sure nothing’s changed.” Grycon suggested to them trying to make sure everything was as secure as possible for them to get through without having to face some kind of foe.

“The offer is appreciated, but isn’t needed right now. We are close enough to Scrilon that the city guards would be able to take care of anything suspicious from here in.”

Nygral and the others followed the elves through thee remainder of the path. His thoughts kept turning to the fact about his daughter possibly becoming a dragon rider herself, and what it would do to his family. He was over all happy for her because it’s not everyday something like this came around, but he knew that if she did become a rider, the amount of time that he had left to spend with his daughter was limited even further than it already was. Soon she would have a relationship with something far more worthy.
For all he knew, once she became a rider she would never speak to them again because she would probably be embarrassed to have someone as poor as they were as parents to begin with. He knew that he had raised her better than that, but he didn’t know how the dragon would react to them. Grycon had treated them with respect despite his status with being the king’s dragon and them being one of his peasants, but there also laid the fact that Grycon didn’t like his rider at the moment either which could be giving them a false conception that he actually cares about them.

He looked at the elves that were walking ahead of them and noticed that there was a bit more activity up ahead from where they were.

“We’re almost there, only a few more minutes.” Masthuvar informed them.

A city full of elves… Nygral thought to himself. This is going to be far different than what we are used to. I’m not really sure what to expect from them. He continued to himself as he looked over to Kianara who as off in her own little world.

Ever since Grycon had told her about the possibility of her becoming a rider by suggesting the offer, she had been thinking about what she would name her dragon or if she could even name her dragon. She started thinking about color she would like it to be, but she wasn’t too particular on that, as long as it accepted her, and gave her a chance to show it her love.

She looked up to see how much farther they actually were from the city. She was excited and nervous at the same time because she knew that there were other dragons in that city, dragons that would be looking over her and examining her to see if she is fit to be a rider. One thing that she knew though, was that this was one thing that she didn’t want to fail at. From Masthuvar’s story about his elder being a rider and how the bond worked. She didn’t want to be blessed with something only to lose it later.

As the continued towards the city gates, the Mirkiane River took a sharp bend to the right leaving them heading into a tree line that was taller than she had seen, at least four or five times the height of Grycon who was walking next to them.

“The Nygral family… The City of Scrilon, the capital city of the elves.” Acinera told them as they passed under the enormous gates that easily allowed Grycon through into a large courtyard. They had received many looks and attracted attention upon entry, but soon realized that most of the elves’ attention was on Grycon.

Chapter 7: A meeting of Faith

The feeling of being watched at every moment soon made Kianara and the others feeling a bit uneased about being in the city. They knew absolutely no one other than the three that led them there, and Nygral didn’t even know where to look in regards to a job. There was nothing here that he could do better than any elf. He didn’t have the right tools nor did he have their craftsmanship for any kind of smithing. His crops had never flourished with him not having much of a green thumb barely able to grow enough eatable food for his family.

It didn’t take long for them to be greeted by one of the elves. “Welcome travelers, it’s always a pleasure to have a rider amongst us.” The elf told them.

“As much as I wish I was bonded to one of these fair folk, I cannot say that I am, but I don’t think I need to mention who I am bonded to. My voice should give that away sure enough.” Grycon Said aloud waiting for one of the many elves to recognize him for the monster that they thought he truly was.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t say that your voice rings and bell in my memory, though I will say that you do look familiar, though I can’t place a name with the face… not sure if that would be a good thing or not.” The elf said politely joking.

“You may not remember him that well, but I do. That’s the dragon that bears that cursed ruler of Celtrien, which actually leads me to a very good question.” Another elf said coming over to them after hearing Grycon. “Why, Grycon, have you come to our city? I see you didn’t bring your rider and instead brought a completely different family. Are you trying to frame us by saying that we kidnapped a family from Worloch and that you are supposed to be the savior to try to clear the name of your rider amongst the rest of your nation?”

“No, I could do a thousand good deeds and it still wouldn’t atone for the pain and suffering he’s caused so many. No, the reason I am here is because I actually helped this family rob his money vault, and I personally escorted them here in case he sent soldiers after them so that I could guarantee a safe arrival here. My other reason for being here is the fact that I heard that Dracondor had been destroyed. Belgron had spies in Dracondor, and the information came to use through one that had escaped the city and told us that the survivors had come here. I’m here to talk to Zil’caron for as I am not a bearer of any of these people the daughter is a prospective rider. I know I don’t have a good sense for this… seeing as the last time I chose a rider it sent the continent into chaos, but the girl… she has the most potential I’ve seen in a long time.” Grycon informed the elf.

“You’re right. You’re not very good at picking riders.” The elf told him with a bitter tone. “Don’t expect too much respect while you are in this city. The only reason I’ve shown you as must as I have by not completely telling you how most of us feel about you is because you’re a dragon, and I respect dragons. I just don’t respect you.” He stated acquisitively towards Grycon.

Kianara couldn’t take it any longer. This dragon had helped them through the lands to get here putting his own life on the line fighting another dragon in the process to make sure they made it here safely. She moved over next to Grycon. “I don’t know who you think you are, but your blind as a bat if the only thing that you can see of this dragon is what his rider does.” She yelled towards the elf.

“Excuse me?” the elf replied in an annoyed fashion that this human was standing up to him.

“You heard what I said!”

“Kianara!”

“Stay out of this mother, I have something I need to say, and I’m going to say it!” She yelled turning back to the elf. “Now you listen to me, and you listen good. I’m not sure if you noticed, but he’s not here with Grycon right now, He’s here with us, a family that robbed his rider. Now if this dragon is truly as cold-blooded and heartless as you think he is, then I ask you this. Why would he put his own life on the line to escort us here when he could have just killed my father on site of him robbing the bank? Why is it that Grycon would want to talk to the other dragons alone? You want me to tell you why? Because Grycon is not his rider! He can’t control what his rider does any more than you can control my or anyone else here. You have no right to criticize him for the mistakes that his rider has made.”

“Oh but I can. You see he didn’t have to continue with him. He could have severed the bond long before.”

“It’s not that easy.” Grycon interrupted.

“Oh, and why not?”

“Have you ever been that close to anyone else before to the point where you’re bonded to them on a spiritual level? You know how hard it is to completely cut for your life the one that you’ve spent your entire life with? Have you ever had this person drastically change on you to where you couldn’t even tell that it was the same person fifty years ago? You forget, I remember back to how loving his was before his rise to power, and the only reason I helped him then was because I thought that if he was the ruler, then we’d have all the time in the world to spend with each other, but nothing went as I had hoped. Every day I’ve been waking up hoping for a change, and I only discovered a few days ago that the change I’m looking for will most likely never occur. Now, you tell me, if this was your brother or someone that you cared about like I care about him, could you just so easily up and walk away from that?” Grycon scowled

“No, I couldn’t. And I’m sorry. I never pictured you as being an emotional type.” The elf admitted.

Grycon and the others pressed forward through the city of Scrilon trying to find someone whom Grycon thought would know where the others were if they were still here. They could have very well moved on by this point after pending a day and a half in travel getting here. Fortunately he was blessed with a bit of good luck as he spotted another dragon up ahead.

Kianara spotted it to and began to get a bit antsy. It was apparent that she was excited about meeting another dragon. She started to run forward to get closer to the dragon. “Kianara Stop!” Grycon told her.

She turned and looked up at him confused, it was the first time he had said anything like that in that way since they left Worloch. She was frightened a bit by the sudden change in tone that he had, and wondered if the elf that they talked to had put him in a sour mood.

Grycon and the others walked up to where she had stopped and Grycon lowered his head. “That dragon is most likely from Dracondor, and just had it’s home completely destroyed by an army of humans, and I highly doubt that it would be any too friendly towards any of you right now. It would be best if I confronting it alone.” Grycon told him as he started moving down the wide path towards the other dragon. This dragon was just a bit smaller than he was, and was a deep violet in color. The scent it gave off and the shape of its scales told him that the dragon was female, and as he thought, she didn’t look too happy.

“What are you doing here?” The dragon inquired agitatedly. It was obvious that she knew who he was even though he couldn’t place a name with her. Her eyes were just as deep of a purple that she was, and her the scales of her underside where a lighter shade of violet. “Are you going to answer my question? It’s bad enough you destroyed one of our cities, do you have to come here and gloat about it?”

“I’m here to do no such thing, and I take no pleasure in harming my own kin, I assure you.” Grycon replied.

“Then why do you stay with that monster.”

“Because that monster is my rider, and I can still see the good in his heart, though I’ve also noticed that it has been fading every day.” He replied as the violet dragoness didn’t have a response.

“That family, those humans, you led them here?” She asked him.

“Yes, but how did you know about that?” Grycon inquired.

“News travels fast. I’d like to meet them. If you think that there is a prospective rider among them, then I think it’s only fair that we get to judge who it is so we don’t end up with another like Zurcon and Belgron.”

“I didn’t have any control over Zurcon.” Grycon sourly responded.

“I never said you did, but the fact still lies that you both did the same thing.” The dragoness countered to which Grycon couldn’t counter. “I’m Nira by the way. This way we can be a bit more polite, even though I still don’t really like you, I’m not one to be discourteous or rude.”

Grycon turned his head back to the others that were standing a good distance back and nodded for them to come forward. Kianara was a bit hesitant now. With Grycon telling her about what happened to the dragons’ home, she was a bit afraid of all of the dragons here now. She didn’t know which dragons lived here, or which dragons were from the destroyed city. She didn’t know hat it was like to lose everything she had, not that she had anything she could lose to begin with, but to know that these dragons lost their homes, most of them lost their friends, and family in the city, and she knew that it was other humans that caused all of their pain.

She could only begin to imagine what they thought of them. They probably thought of her and her family as menaces, something that should be squashed. She approached the violet dragoness slowly with all sorts of different outcomes flowing through her mind. She didn’t think that she would hurt them otherwise Grycon wouldn’t have called them over to meet her. “You don’t like us very much do you?” she asked the dragoness.

“Now… What would give you the idea that I didn’t like you when we haven’t even seen each other before?” She asked before turning her head to Grycon. “What have you been telling these people about us?” She asked Grycon infuriated that he would tell them something that wasn’t going to be true.

“He didn’t tell us anything. Well other than what happened to the city, and that it was other humans that destroyed it. He said that it was possible that the dragons here wouldn’t be too friendly to us if they were from the city with the experience fresh in their minds. It only made sense.” Kianara told the dragon.

“Did he now?” She said looking up at Grycon again, “Well I assure you that we are smarter than to think that all humans are the same. I can’t say that I wouldn’t be wary of one, but I wouldn’t disrespect them. That would only entice them to attack.”

The dragoness then turned back up to Grycon and Kianara just watched her. She was beyond beautiful in her eyes with the light glimmering off of her violet scales. She felt a bit blushed to the fact that she had assumes something, and she felt bad because she felt like she had did something wrong and disappointed Grycon and made another one of his own upset with him.

The two of them started talking again leaving her to think about what the other dragons were like that was here now. This one seemed pretty nice, but she didn’t know if the other dragons would react the same way because as she had told her herself, they knew that each human was different, and the same had to be true for them as well, and she was sure that there would be at least one that was still sour towards humans.

“I need to meet with Zil’caron as soon as possible” She then heard Grycon tell the dragoness. “It is a matter of the utmost urgency involving the City of Felocnr.”

“What about it? Is there something wrong?”

“I think Zil’caron should be the first to hear this.”

“Grycon, we are heading to that city. If something has happened we need to know.”

“Yes, which is why I must relay this information to him first, then he can address it to everyone else as it’s not my place to cause panic with the remnants of his city.”

“Panic!? What do you mean?” She asked him.

“I can’t go into any more detail on it right now. Not without Zil’caron being present.”

“What do you need him for?” Grycon heard from beside him. He looked over to where the voice came from as Kianara peeked around from the other side to find himself locking eyes with a dragoness that was a deep majestic blue in color. She was quite a bit smaller than he was barely standing up to mid-neck on him at her tallest point. “Forgive me for being rude, but what brings you here searching for my brother?” She asked him

“Two things, the first matter is that I have brought a family here from Worloch…”

“Worloch? You’re that dragon Grycon, the one who destroyed our other city!” She said accusingly.

“First off, my rider was the one responsible for that, and I didn’t have a choice in the matter, nor did I like what was occurring. Now, if you’ll let me finish.” He told her looking her in the eyes. He could see the distrust in her eyes.

“You had better have a very good reason for showing your face here.” She hissed as she waited to hear what he had to say.

“As I was getting ready to tell you, I have escorted this family here from Worloch and there is a prospective rider amongst them.”

“Would that happen to be the one that keeps peeking around your leg?” the dragoness asked him looking at the young girl that kept snooping around. “You can come out from behind there. I’m not going to hurt you.” She told her trying to help her loosen up. She still had a bitter taste in her mouth about humans in general, but if the elves here were accepting of them, then she figured that they couldn’t be too bad.

She watched the young girl walked around Grycon’s leg and came into view. She was wearing a small white blouse that had been stained quite a bit by the travel that they had just been through. “Rijion, can you find a place for this family to rest. I know they have to be tired for their travel. The distance from here to where they are from isn’t short by any stretch of the imagination.”

“Yes, lady Shunaria, I will see what I can find.” The elf told her.

“Please do.” She told him politely

The elf nodded to her and then told the family to follow him and he would lead them to a place where they could rest.

Kianara and the others started to follow the rest of her family when Shunaria stopped her. “I’m sorry, but you need to stay here. If you’d like, you can rest on my back. I’m not as big as Grycon is obviously, but I wouldn’t mind.” Shunaria told her.

Kianara sigh and watched as her family followed the elf into the distance before disappearing around a corner. She wanted to take the dragoness up on her offer, but she felt like doing so would be rude. She did offer, and it was polite of her, but neither of them knew each other. Of course Grycon didn’t know her when he let her ride on his back for the first time. She decided that there could be no harm in just resting for a minute or two on her back if she was okay with it, and she offered so she had to assume that she was.

She walked over to the dragoness’s side and tried to look for a way to get up to her back. When she reached her side, the dragoness, she extended her claw from her right side to help Kianara get on to her back. She was a bit hesitant as she was a bit closer to the talons than she liked. She knew how sharp they were from stories and if this dragoness wanted to, all she had to do was close her fist and it would be the end of her. She knew that the dragoness wouldn’t do that though as she had told her that she wouldn’t hurt her. “So what is your name young one?” The dragoness asked her.

“Kianara.” She answered as she tried to situate herself upon her back. “May I ask what your name is? I thought it was mentioned earlier, but I don’t think I caught it.” Kianara asked. She was growing more curious about the dragons here now. Most of them didn’t appear to take too well to Grycon, by they so far had been pretty nice to her.

The dragoness let out a gentle laugh as she looked at Kianara with one of her deep ocean-blue eyes. “My name is Shunaria.”

“That’s a beautiful name. I wish mine was as good.” Kianara said with a bit of remorse.

“Your name is just as good as mine. You just need to have more faith in yourself.” Shunaria told her as she turned her attention Grycon. I like her. You may have actually found someone who is actually worthy of this title. She told him taking this conversation to a mental level.

Yes, if only I could have found her fifty years ago. He said reluctantly. Can you take me to your brother? I have something of great importance to tell him about other than this.

I can’t right now, He and Silvera are both in a meeting about how to deal with the threat that your rider has put on us by destroying Marlegore, but You can tell me and I can tell him. She informed him.

No, he needs to hear this from me. He won’t believe it if it comes from anyone else.

Shunaria seemed to understand what Grycon meant by what he was saying and she nodded turning towards the other dragoness. “Nira, would you excuse us please?”

“Of course, just be careful Shunaria. I don’t trust him, and you should be wary of doing so as well.” Nira warned her.

“I would be less trusting of him if his rider was here, but since he came here of his own will, then I’m willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.” Shunaria countered as both her and Grycon started walking away from Nira down one of the wide streets of Scrilon with Kianara on Shunaria’s back. She wasn’t all that comfortable around him, but she was still comfortable enough to know that he meant no harm at least at the moment. She led him to where she was staying which was in a very large building made from Lurcrium. It was amazingly crafted from the amber orange stone and was quite large. She motioned for him to follow her inside.

The inside of the lair was just was open, but the stone changed from the orange color to a deep black. The only light that was inside of the lair was the light that came through the window that was near the center of the room on the outer wall, and from the window in the door. Which actually light the interior quite well for the light that was coming in.

Shunaria then made her way over to an inlet chamber where she started a fire with her breath to give even more light in the room and a bit of warmth to make Kianara more comfortable. “If you’d like, you can rest in that crescent shaped nesting area over here as it’s the one I’ve been using the last few nights. It’s quite comfortable, though I have to ask you to stay away from the other one. It holds the eggs that belong to my brother and his mate.” She informed her both lettering her know about her resting place and also warning her about her brothers eggs. That was the one thing that he was the most protective of other that Silvera at this point.

“Could you show me one of the eggs? I’ve never seen one before and would like to know what they look like.” Kianara asked.

“I would, but I can’t make that decision. They are not my eggs so I can’t answer that question, but if you ask my brother when he returns, he might let you look at them.

“I didn’t know that Zil’caron had already had a mate and was expecting.”

“He’s actually been expecting for a while now. Their eggs were one of the few that were saved before our hatcheries were destroyed.” She admitted

“I heard about that. Not about their eggs, but about the city. How many ended up surviving and how are they holding up?” He questioned trying to see how they were coping.

“It’s been hard. Out of the entire city there was only fifteen surviving dragons, and the three of us are included in that number.”

“Oh, I didn’t know it was that bad. Masthuvar said that only a handful had survived, but I was still expecting a bigger number than that.” He told her surprised by how much damage there actually was.

“So what do you need to tell my brother about? I’m going to find out anyways because either you’ll tell all three of us here when he gets here, or he’ll tell me afterwards. Either way, I’ll know about it.” She told him bluntly.

“It’s about Felocnr. I was told by Nira that the survivors of Dracondor were supposed to go there to recover, but…” he said hesitating a bit.

“But what?” Shunaria inquired.

“It won’t be safe…”

“What do you mean won’t be safe? It’s the only place… we… have…” She said trailing off as she started to grasp what he was saying.

“Yeah, and the problem is everyone else knows that too. Belgron knows that Dracondor has been destroyed, and as you already know he was responsible for the destruction of Marlegore. But he’s ordering an attack on Felocnr by the end of next week, and to make matters worse. Menkarane as well will be attacking the city from the opposite side. Felocnr is going to be broadsided by what will amount to be an army of well over ten thousand soldiers.”

“Ten thousand soldiers!? We just barely survived three thousand” Shunaria exclaimed

“I don’t know for sure if it will be that many, but Belgron will be sanding at least five thousand men. I don’t know what Menkarane is going to do, and as much as I hate it, I know that I’m going to wind up there fighting, most likely against you guys.”

“I see… so why the warning then?” She asked

“Because if Belgron tries to force me into this, I’m done with him.” He told her.

“What?” She said almost in a state of shock. “I know he’s not the best… actually he’s far from it, and where everything inside of me is cheering for joy right now and wishing for this, I have to know what caused everything to go this far. I may not know much about the bonds between humans and dragons, but I know they are something to be appreciated.”

“He forced me to fight in Marlegore, and it was his decision to make sure there were no survivors. He forced me to kill my kin Shunaria, and that’s something that I cannot live with any more. If he tries to force me to kill another dragon, I am going to Sever from him. So I’m here to ask you and the others to at the very least stay off of me when I’m there, because chances are, I may not be as loyal to him as everyone thinks I would be.”

Shunaria listed to him and was stunned by what she heard. She wasn’t sure how much of what he was saying was true or not, but she could tell at the very least by looking at him that there was serious tension between him and his rider. She concluded that it was most likely the reason that he was here alone. “Why did you escort the family here to begin with?” She asked him.

“I helped the father rob my rider’s money vault. I told him to take what he could carry and meet me outside the city. I escorted them here to make sure that they made it here without Belgron’s soldiers tracking them down.” He explained.

“Perhaps you have changed from what I’ve always heard from the elders.” Shunaria told him feeling a bit better about having him around.

“No, I haven’t changed at all. The problem is I’ve never had a chance anywhere I’ve went.” Everywhere I go I get reactions like I got earlier today by you, and a majority of the elves I’m sure. My rider causes all the pain… and I’m always the one that has to take the blame.” He told her softly as he started to hear voices outside of doors. He watched as the doors started to push inward as Zil’caron and his mate started to make their way into the room.

“Shu, I didn’t know that we were going to be having company tonight, we’ve been out of the meeting for the past hour or so, why didn’t you send for us.” Zil’caron asked her.

“I didn’t know that you would be done so early.”

“Wait a second… I know you! Well, not know you, but I know who you are!”

“Yes, as do I, but don’t judge him yet. I’ve had a chance to talk with him, and he’s not what we’ve heard from the elders. He led a family here from Worloch that he helped steal from his rider, and has brought us a possible rider. She’s over here sleeping at the moment.”

“I’m not too fond of this, especially with our eggs here and his reputation.”

“His reputation, Zil, was given to him by his rider. Let’s at least hear him out.” Silvera told him. “Besides I’m interested in hearing about this rider he’s looking into.” She told him as she moved her neck to where she could see her around Shunaria to take a look at her. “She seems a bit young.” Silvera pointed out.

“Yes, she’s only ten years old, but she has a sharp mind, even for her age. I noticed it during the travel here. She was able to understand things that I didn’t think humans her age could understand, at least, none that I had seen inside the city.”

“Can she be trusted?”

“She hate’s Belgron about as much as you all do right now, and your going to hate him even more after what I have to say next.” He said as he started to recount what he had told Shunaria just a few moments before about Belgron preparing for an assault on Felocnr as well as Menkarane moving in on them as well. He told them about how he had been difficulties with Belgron and that he was considering ending the bond between them. They themselves were as shocked to hear about it as Shunaria was.

“Siltari told me about how a rider’s bond could be broken off at any time. I never thought it would actually happen though. Very well, if you remain true to your word and not attack us in Felocnr, then I will relay the message not to attack. I will not however, tell them to not defend themselves. If you come after us, you will be attacked. We’ve lost too many already” Zil’caron proclaimed.

“Yes, so I’ve heard. Your numbers are much lower than I had thought they were. I will do what I can to assist you, but until I’m free from Belgron, I am limited to what I can do.” Grycon told them

“I understand.” Zil’caron acknowledged taking a look himself at the young girl. “Grycon, when’s the last time she’s had something to eat?”

“They had what could only be thought of as a small snack this morning. Masthuvar said that they would be provided generously for with a feast…”

“Say no more, we experienced them with their feast. The food was amazing, but it took forever for them to get it set up. I’m sure we could catch something around here.” Zil’caron told him.

“Yes, but humans can’t eat raw meat like we can.” Grycon countered.

“We know that, but all of us in this room are old enough to breathe fire, not to mention the fire that is in the impression. We could sear the meat or she could fix it to how she would like.” Silvera told him.

“Again, she’s ten years old. I highly doubt that she would be able to cook anything herself.” Grycon pointed out.

“While that may be you did say that she was quick to understand things, why should this be any different?” Zil asked.

“Have you ever cooked anything?” Grycon countered. All Zil’caron and Silvera could do was shake their heads at the question. “Then how could you know that it would be something that is easy to learn?”

“Right, I understand.” Zil’caron told him as he started to notice movement. “But we should still be able to come up with something before the elves do.”

“Zil, we aren’t here to beat the elves at anything. They are the ones providing us with shelter at the moment if you remember.” Silvera reminded him.

“Then what do you suggest we do? She’ll starve by the time.”

“Zil, they were preparing a massive meal for fifteen dragons. That requires a lot of food to be prepared to their specifications. I’m quite positive that it wouldn’t take hear as much time to create a decent meal for a family of humans who can’t eat nearly as much as we consider a snack.” She told him.

As if on cue they heard a knock at their door, and wondered who could be bothering them at this time. “Come in.” Silvera said as the door open just enough to let Masthuvar into the room.

“Please forgive me for interrupting, but the meal for the young one and her family is ready, I came here to escort her to her meal.” He respectfully told the dragons.

“We would love to let you do that, but the only problem is that she is still resting at the moment.” Shunaria relayed to him.

“Why don’t we escort her there? That way we can meet her family and here opinions of others on her before we make any kind of decisions on ridership.” Silvera spoke aloud to everyone in the room.

“If that is your wish, Lady Silvera, then I shall inform them of your coming.”

“Please do, we will be there shortly after she wakes up.” She told him as she watched Masthuvar leave closing the massive door behind him. She had expected that it wouldn’t take as long, but still, she had kind of wished that it had taken a bit longer. She wanted a chance to talk with the young female herself before she had the others around her that influence what her answers were and how she reacted.

Silvera decided that she had heard enough discussion about the war going on for right now, and made her way over to her cauldrace where her eggs lay. She carefully maneuvered herself around them careful not to damage any of them. She began thinking about the girl that Grycon had brought here, and what would become of her. She had heard from the elders before the battle that the best rider-dragon relationships were formed immediately after the dragon hatched.

“I know what you’re thinking.” Zil’caron alleged as he walked over to her to let Shunaria talk a bit more. She seemed to understand him a bit better that he did, or at least, give him more of a chance. He was still weary on this whole situation with his rider, and if it was actually true, or it was a scam to try to lure them even closer. One thing he knew for Certain though. They would have to get to Felocnr as soon as possible to warn them about the impending attack from both empires.

He then returned his attention to Silvera. “You’re thinking about her aren’t you?”

“You remember what the elders told us about rider bonds right?” Silvera asked him.

“Yes, and that’s what I figured you were thinking by your eyes, but don’t you think that we should get to know her tendencies a bit more before we even think of giving her one of our eggs?” Zil’caron countered,

“Zil, you of everyone would know how protective I am of our eggs, and that I would even think about it unless I knew that it would be a good decision, but Grycon pointed her out already, and Shu seems to like her too. So she has to have something in her that is catching their attention. I know we haven’t had a chance to talk to her yet, but I know your sister is a lot like you, and if she’s okay in her eyes, then it should be safe to say that the same would be true for you.” She stated

“As that may be, I still want to speak with her never the less before anything like that is discussed any farther” He told her. Zil’caron understood what she was saying, but he still wanted a chance to view her for himself. There was always a possibility that one of them could have over looked an important factor, and one of the problems that he kept turning back to was her age. With her only being ten years old, he felt that she was extremely young for a responsibility such as this. How would she care for the dragon if it got hurt? How could she protect the dragon to keep it from getting hurt? She lived in Worloch so she already would have possessed a bit of a feisty spirit.

“Zil, Sil, she’s waking up.” Shunaria informed them as she stepped back to allow them to see her. Her hair was frayed from her travels and her clothes too were worn down.

“Enjoy your rest young one?” She heard from Shunaria as she started to open her eyes, immediately jumping back at the sight of there now being four dragons in the room. The one was almost as pure of silver as she had ever seen with a blue shimmer in the lights, and the other, a deep black with gold outlined scales. She wondered if one of these other two dragons was the one that Grycon had been looking for since they had entered the city.

“Who…. Who are they?” She asked pointing at the two new dragons.

“That’s my brother Zil’caron, and his mate Silvera. They wish to speak with you.” She told Kianara.

“Why does everyone always want to speak to me? At least all of the dragons anyway, it makes me feel like I’ve done something wrong.” She complained.

“You’ve been suggested to be a Rider.” Zil’caron told her. “And it’s our responsibility to make sure that you are suitable to be so.” He added at the ended.

“Isn’t that decided by a dragon within the egg?”

“Most of the time yes, but not in this case.” Zil’caron countered. “You see you were suggested to us by another dragon, and one that I have to honestly say isn’t well trusted in our community, but he still appointed you. When a dragon appoints someone as a possible rider, the other dragons in the land over look the one who has been nominated and judge them based on personality, age, and the overall experience of their life. So far from what I’ve heard, of you things look promising, but Silvera and I both have a few questions for you first before any sort of decision is made.”

“Questions like what?” Kianara wondered.

“Well for starters, how do you view a dragon?” Zil’caron started off the interrogation.

“I’m not entirely sure what you mean by that. Like how they should be treated or what I think of them as?” She asked for clarification.

“Both, really.” Zil’caron answered

“Okay then, for starters Dragons are nothing more than we are. In fact, other than the obvious appearance there isn’t much difference between a dragon and a human. While one can breathe fire naturally, the other can emulate with magic. Both races can be ruthless and evil while at the same time both races show care and loyalty beyond imagine. Dragons tend to share this more so than humans but nevertheless it exists in both races. I will say that dragons outweigh humans in intelligence just because out of my experience between the limited dragons that I’ve met, and the countless fools I’ve seen in the streets of Worloch.

“As far as how they should be treated, bottom line is that dragons, humans, elves, anything composed of flesh and blood are still animals living out their form of life, and all life is to be respected. To go around and needlessly killing something out of lust or hatred is just wrong. That’s one of the reason why I hate living in Worloch and hearing how the soldiers had slain the ‘wretched’ dragons and the like. It’s almost an everyday occurrence there. I think the same punishments should be extended to those who harm dragons as they are for others who hurt other humans, but that day I know will probably never come. At least… not in my lifetime.” Kianara answered to the best of her ability.

“I see.” Was Zil’caron’s only reply for her. He thought over her answer carefully. Grycon was definitely right about her being intelligent for her age. She seemed to grasp the aspect of life pretty well. He didn’t like the fact that She had incorporated dragons to be animals, but realized that the comparison was in fact true, dragons lived and died same as any other living being on the planet, and they too were composed of flesh, blood, and bone.

“There is one major difference though between the Anatomy of a dragon and that of a human though other than appearance alone. While humans can use runes to perform magic, and some have the ability to wield pure magic. Dragons are born with magic in their blood.” He told her.

“So it’s true that dragons can wield magic then?” She asked in return.

“In the wild, it’s rare to find a dragon that can retain the power to control the magic that flows within them. I only know of one dragon that was born in the wild that has the ability to control their own magic, and she’s standing right next to me. However, any rider bearing dragon can use magic. Even though it’s limited to what they can do I believe.” Zil’caron answered.

“I must apologize for our rudeness.” Silvera told Kianara, “I just realized that we still haven’t learned your name yet.”

“My name is Kianara” She answered quickly. “But all of you can call me Kia if you would like.” She added.

“Well, Kia, I have a question for you. What in your mind would be the most important part within a dragon-rider bond?” Silvera asked her.

Kianara sat back in thought for a few minutes. She wanted to say each other, but knew that there was more to it than just that. Otherwise Grycon wouldn’t be in the position that he was at the moment. The more she thought on the matter the more confident she became. “There is no most important part of a bond between a dragon and a rider because everything is important as a whole. Having each other within the bond is a major factor, but as I’ve seen with Grycon, a dragon and rider having each other isn’t the only thing that makes the bond work. They have to respect each other, and work together. If there would be one thing that outweighs everything else, it would have to be love. You can’t be happy together, if you don’t love each other.” She told them.

“You have an interesting perspective on life Kia, I’ll give you that, but my biggest concern right now, is how you would be able to care for your dragon if you were granted one, and how you would be able to protect it. Do you have any knowledge of how to defend yourself?”

“I lived in Worloch. You had to learn how to defend yourself to make it there, and know how to do so without getting jailed, though I can’t really use any real weapons at the moment other than a dagger.” She told him.

“Learning how to protect yourself and protecting another is a bit different. Do you think that you could adequately protect both you and your dragon with a dagger until your dragon was old enough to where it could protect itself from most predators?”

“Not with a dagger no, I would have to learn how to use other weapons. I’ve always been fascinated with swords and the like, but my father would never let me pick one up. He said it wasn’t for someone of my statute, whatever that means.”

“Zil, you should know that she wouldn’t have any experience in that aspect.” Silvera said harshly.

“I did know, and that’s why I brought it up.”

“With all due respect sir,” Grycon started, “But almost ninety percent of the time when a rider bond is formed between a dragon and a humanoid be it human or elf, the human or the elf has never been train with any sort of weapon.” He stated trying to offer some leverage.

“I understand that, but it doesn’t mean that I like it any more though.” He said thinking to himself. Are you really willing to let one of our younglings go like this? He asked Silvera privately.

I think she would be a great rider. She told him.

You aren’t worried about the fact that she can’t protect herself or the dragon if anything happened here? Zil said accusingly.

I would be more worried if it wasn’t for the fact that we were in Scrilon and that these elves hold dragons in high regard. Even if she can’t protect one yet, there are plenty of elves here who can protect both of them until she’s strong enough to be able to protect them both. Also, With Siltari and Armea here, she would have an actual rider here as well that could help train her. She countered.

I have no counter for that… He admitted to here, though there is one more thing I wish to check first. He added before turning to Kianara. “Kia, do you know how long you are going to be residing here in Scrilon?” Zil’caron inquired.

“I don’t know, I know that we’ll be here for a long while. This is where Grycon lead us and he said that it should be easy to settle here.” She told him.

“So then at least a couple years then?” Zil’caron asked her.

“I would presume. I know, I’m not planning on going anywhere any time soon.” She replied with her hunger from the journey starting to catch up with here as her stomach made a low gurgling noise. She looked up at the two dragons that had been asking her all of the questions. She noticed that the silver dragoness was looking at him like she was expecting some kind of answer that was sent to her when Zil’caron looked at her and nodded his head.

“Kia, if you were to become a rider, would you prefer a male dragon, or a female dragon?”

“I think I could get along better with a female dragon personally, but I would still show my love for it and care for it either way.” She answered a bit puzzled as to what importance that question had.

“Would you follow me please?” She heard the Silver dragoness ask her. She did as she was instructed staying close to the dragoness but still a bit wary of her. “Over here please, I have something for you.

Zil… are you… Shunaria started to ask him mentally before a simple nod cut her off.

“Come closer, you should know that we aren’t going to hurt you by know.” Silvera told her as she started to realize what was happening. Carefully, she started to approach the dragoness. As she got closer she began to notice that she was holding something. The closer that she got, the more she realized what it was. “I laid these eggs little over a few months ago, they are due to hatch at any time, amongst the three, two of which are females.”

“How can you tell while they are still in the eggs?” She asked as she began to see how pure the eggs were as she stopped right in front of Silvera.

She placed the two eggs in front of her. “The color of the veins on the outside of the egg. Lighter vein colors on the egg shell indicate that the hatchling on the inside is going to be female while darker colored veins tell us that the hatchling will be male.” She said to Kianara answering her question. “Now, I have just one final question for you Kia, and that is which of my daughters would you like to be the rider of?”

Kianara had a gut feeling that this was coming, but she still couldn’t help but feel completely overwhelmed with shock and happiness. She knelt down in front of the two eggs that were in front of her. Both of the eggs were beautiful beyond imagine. The one on the left was a beautiful blue with white veins running across the shell while the one on her right was pure black with silver veins. She thought about it deeply within herself which was the one she truly wanted. She really liked both of them, but she kept coming back to the one with the silver veins. “I love both of them… and I know both of them are going to be beautiful dragons. However, the silver and black one keeps grabbing my attention over the other one. So I’m going to go with her.” Kianara said stumbling a bit from excitement.

“Well, aren’t you going to pick it up? She’s your egg too now.” Silvera told her.

“Please don’t say that again, at least like that.” Kianara told her.

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t own her. We are going to be very close, yes, and she will be the dragon that I will be riding, but I don’t want that opinion to be held.”

“I understand, but you realize that there are two different meanings that are implied by that right?” Silvera replied.

“How so?”

“Well, when someone says something like that, they aren’t implying the fact that you own each other more of the fact that you are each other. Think about it, from this point on, especially when she hatches the two of you will probably never be in separate places. If you are, it most likely isn’t a good thing because you’re either being forcefully separated, or it would be a situation like Grycon is in now. The only time the two of you would be alone and it would not be a concern is when she is hunting or the sort. So for others, it’s merely just a way to connect the two of you. So it isn’t something that you should take offense by, though I am a bit more at ease knowing about your mindset on it.” Silvera told her.

“I guess… I still don’t like it all that much, but I could deal with it. It’s not like we ourselves would think like that.” She said as she started to reach down for the egg that the dragoness had given her. “Though… If I’m to be bonded to your daughter, would that make you kind of like my second mother?” She asked Silvera.

Silvera was a bit shocked at the question, and hadn’t realized it before, but she couldn’t deny the truth that was to be said in her words. “Well, I hadn’t really thought about it until now because I never had thought of this before we had met you, but I would have to think that it would. If everything works, you both are going to be closer than any family could be so it would, in a way, make you my third daughter, well, our third daughter.” She said looking back up to Zil’caron.

Kianara gently set the egg on the ground and rushed over to the dragoness and put her arms around what she could of one of her legs. “Thank you… so much for what you’ve given me. I promise I won’t let anything happen to her. I couldn’t, I already love her too much to lose her.” Kianara said thanking her.

“If we had thought that harm would befoul her in doing this, we would not have done what we did. I know that you are going to be a great rider someday, and I could think of no other whom I would wish to have on my daughter’s back.” Silvera told her bringing one of her wings around Kianara.

Then, a small grinding like noise was made. It was short, and sounded like it was close. When they looked up, the egg that was meant to be Kianara’s had begun to shake and rock. “What’s happening?”

“Shhhh…” Silvera replied, “Just watch.”

Kianara did as instructed and watched as the egg continued to rock back and forth. It started off slow at first with only a couple rocks, but soon it started rocking more violently, and she heard the egg start to crack. Once the egg cracked, the rocking ceased, for a minute as the crack started to spread. It rocked just a few more times, and the crack spread through the egg even more. Then it happened, she saw the young hatchling starting to break out of the shell as pieces of it started to fall off as she pushed her way out. After only a couple more minutes, the young hatchling had pulled herself free of the eggshells and began licking the residue from the inside of the egg off of her wings. “She’s beautiful!” Kianara gasped as she started to approach her.

The hatchling was no larger than a medium sized cat, and she had silver eyes. Her scales were a deep glossy black like her father’s, and also like her father’s, were outlined in her mother’s silver. Her wings were a transparent black and the veins of her wings were also outlined in silver.

“We were going to name her Nicara, but if you would like something else, it’s okay.” Silvera stated to Kianara.

Kianara shook her head at the thought, “No, of all the dragons I’ve ever seen, I have not heard one who’s name I didn’t think was beautiful, and That name Is just as gorgeous as the others that I’ve met. Which, four out of the five dragons that I’ve met… well, five of the six now, are in this very room.”

“Oh, who else did you meet on the way here?” Silvera said curiously.

“It was a violet dragon named Nira.” She answered as she knelt down in front of the hatchling of which had her attention on her. They both seemed to be curious about each other, and Kianara slowly reached out her right hand to touch the hatchling on her head. The hatchling looked at her hand with a curious gaze before moving her head underneath and pressed it against the palm of her hand.

Upon touching the hatching Kianara’s entire right arm began to sting and burn causing pain that was almost unbearable. It only lasted for a few seconds, but by the time the pain had subsided, she could feel what felt like was another presence inside of her. She felt like her own mind had just doubled in size. “What just happened?”

“The bond between the two of you has been sealed. I should have warned you that it was going to hurt. I think everyone was just too tied up in the hatching to think about it.” Silvera admitted.

“My head… It feels like it’s going to explode…” She said as she lifted her hand up rubbing her eyes. Again she felt her consciousness spread and she could again feel that there was something else there. “Is she in my mind?” She asked openly to whoever could answer her.

“Actually,” Grycon started, “It’s more like you are in each others.”

“What do you mean?” She asked again.

“Well, you see… You are just as much in her consciousness and her mind as she is in yours. It’s how the rider’s bond is set. The bond itself is so deep, that you both are connected all the way down to your spirit itself, which is why you can feel her in your mind. She can feel you in hers too, and that link that you both have is the most important thing that you can share. Because as long as you two can feel each other, it means that the other is okay. It’s when that feeling begins to weaken between you when you need to worry because it means that she’s hurt be it inside or out. The feeling from my initial bond with Belgron is still there, but it’s so faint neither of us even notices it anymore. I don’t see the two of you having any kind of problems like we’ve had.”

“Neither do we.” Silvera added.

Kianara looked at Nicara who had lain right in front of where she was had knelt. With her knees starting to hurt a bit from resting on them, Kianara moved to a seated position. Gently she attempted to pick up Nicara, but more startled her a bit than anything. She jumped slightly when Kianara had put her hands around her, and Kia wasn’t sure if she had hurt her in a similar way as her arm burned when she first touched her. She seemed to find herself though and Kianara once again put arms around her and lifted Nicara into her lap.

Her body was very warm, and was surprisingly softer than she had expected with her scales. When she was on her lap she noticed the small spines that lined the seam of her back. She ran her hand down the side of Nicara’s neck still admiring how smooth and soft her scales were. She was most fascinated by her wings feeling them from the base of the flight arm to the tip of her wing. The more time she spent with Nicara, the more she fell in love with her.

She had found that what Silvera had told her about the bond was right. She already cared so much for Nicara that she didn’t want to be somewhere that she couldn’t come with her. She began rubbing and massaging Nicara under her wing and around her shoulders still trying to be gentle remembering that her bones were still hardening from hatching only about an hour ago. Nicara turned and looked at her when she paused for a bit, and Kianara took the opportunity to kiss her on the tip of her snout, then wrapped her arms around her neck as she felt her little tongue drag across the side of her cheek.

“Is there any place where we could get something to eat? I’m sure that she’s hungry, and I haven’t had anything to eat since really before we left Worloch. I don’t count what we had this morning even as a snack…”

“Oh, I almost forgot. Masthuvar came here and said that your meals were ready, at least for your family and you. We’ll probably have to ask them for an extra dish for Nicara, but there is one more thing that I have to do before we go, and I don’t have much longer to do it. I need Nicara for a minute.” Silvera told her as she loosened arms from around Nicara to let her go over to her mother. “You might want to move over by Zil, and you should also try to shade your eyes with something.” Silvera warned her.

Kianara did as instructed, and when she reached where Zil’caron was standing he draped one of his large wings in front of her. Just about when she was going to ask what was happening, she saw a large flash of light. Even through the membrane of Zil’caron’s wing, she still had to shield her eyes with her hand. The bright flash of light only lasted a few seconds, and then Zil’caron moved his wing.

“Kia!” Nicara shouted as she ran over to her and jumped on her shoulders knocking her to the ground.

“Owe!” She said reaching for her elbow that bounced off of the floor when Nicara landed on her.

“Sorry…” Nicara told her.

“You… you can talk.” Kianara observed.

“Yes.” Shunaria told her, “She has the understanding and knowledge of someone of your race that would be about five or six years old.”

“How could she have learned so much so fast? Did have to do with at bright flash I saw?” Kianara said a bit confused, but still happy at the same time.

Silvera nodded her head, “It’s called a memory transfer. I know Zil told you that it is rare for dragons in the wild to wield magic on their own, but in all accounts that is not true. The fact is that all female dragons can use this magic. This magic however, can only be used within the first couple hours after their young have hatched. After that, they lost their control over it. It allows the hatchling to gain the necessary skills to survive at a young age. Nicara can now fly, though not very high, and as you’ve seen, she can communicate with others on the level that Shunaria stated, of about a five or six year old human. There are other deeper things that this has also taught her, but you both will be exposed to them when the time comes to where it would be needed.” Silvera told her. “Now come on, let’s get you two to the dinner before you both starve.

“Kia, can I ride on your shoulder.” Nicara asked.

“I don’t know, can you support yourself on it without falling off? I’m not the biggest person in the world.” Kianara replied.

“I don’t know, I think I probably could.” Nicara answered as she tri to get to her shoulders but slid off almost immediately. She didn’t try to grab on though as she knew her talons would hurt Kianara if she tried to squeeze too hard.

“I’m sorry. I could hold you if that would make you feel any better.” She told her being a bit disappointed that her size had already kept her from doing something with Nicara that she wanted to do.

“It’s okay, I’m happy as long as I’m with you.” Nicara told her.

“Hmm… you know, I have a better idea. Kia, you’ve done enough walking for the past few days, why don’t you ride on my back to the dinner, and then Nicara, you can sit in her lap and she can hold you for a bit more.” Silvera recommended to them.

“I’d like that.” They both said as the same time looking at each other.

Grycon smiled at the two of them. “You’ll get used to that, both of you.” He said with a small laugh at the end.

Without anything more, Silvera helped Kianara onto her back similar to how Shunaria had done before where Nicara used her mother’s palm and her wing to get to where Kianara. She then laid down on her lap extending one of her wings around her as Kianara once again wrapped her arms around her neck and rested her head against hers.

Silvera looked at the both of them on her back and then turned to Zil’caron. I know we did the right thing Zil. Just look at them. They look like they were made for each other. She commented.

I agree. For once, I’m happy that was wrong. He told her as they made their way out of their lair that they were roosting at for their stay here. “Wow, we were in there for a while, it’s dusk. I hope we aren’t too late.” Zil’caron stated as the sun was in the western part of the sky.

Chapter 8: A Price for Reunion

“I was wondering when you all were going to finish in there, we’ve been putting the meal off for a couple hours now waiting for…” Masthuvar started to say before noticing Kianara and a dragon hatchling on Silvera’s back. “I see the decision regarding ridership has been made.”

“Masthuvar, this is my daughter, Nicara. She just hatched a couple hours ago and is why we were late coming out. Kianara is now her rider.” Silvera told him. “Though I will say, it disappoints me to know that you made the others wait to eat just for her. That was highly rude and unacceptable.” She scorned.

“It wasn’t my decision. They said they wouldn’t eat without her.” Masthuvar answered.

“Right, I supposed I should have asked before jumping to conclusions. I apologize.”

“No need, I would have thought the same thing if I were in your position. Now if you’d follow me, I’ll lead you guys to the dinner.” Masthuvar told them.

“If at all possible, could we get an extra plate of meat for Nicara? She hasn’t had a chance to eat anything yet since she’s hatched.” Silvera asked.

“Of course, as soon as we arrive I’ll send for another plate.” Masthuvar told them as he motioned for them to follow as he started leading them back to the area where they themselves had eaten when the elves had provided them with a dinner.

Silvera looked curiously at the human family knowing that these were the ones that had cared for Kianara all these years. There was another youngling with them, though it was much younger than Kianara was. Her mother was dressed I a pale green dress with a tie-around belt-like piece of fabric made out of a lighter green. She had the facial features of nobility even though, with them living in Worloch and hearing about how they had to resort to robbing the king to in order to even survive. Her hair was about to her shoulders in length, and was a silky brown. Kianara’s father was of medium build. He didn’t look weak, but didn’t look all that strong either. He was in a brown tunic and the same color trousers if not just a bit darker.

The two of you stay quiet for just a few more minutes. I want to surprise your parents Kia. Masthuvar, I want you to not say anything either until we’ve revealed them. She instructed.

“But of course Silvera. I know they would be very pleased with the news.” Masthuvar replied as Silvera raised her left wing and made it look as if she was just cleaning it when they approached the table.

What are your parents like Kia? Nicara asked her.

They can be a bit over-protective at times, but I don’t think that will be a bad thing. Other than that, they are full of love and compassion, much like I’ve seen from yours. Kianara answered truthfully as Silvera seated herself next to the table only to find that Siltari and Armea were both there as well.

Silvera pulled her head from behind her wing as she heard Siltari as, “Silvera, Zil’caron, to what do we owe this honor too?”

“I just we were just in the area so we decided to pay a little visit.” Silvera replied as she gave Siltari a look that implied for him to say no more until she was finished. She then turned her attention to the humans that were at the table.

“You’re beautiful.” She heard the female tell her.

“Thank you. You both are the parents of Kianara right?”

“Yes, why? Did something happen?” Kianara’s mother asked worriedly.

“You could say that.” Silvera answered.

“Oh my… Is she okay? Did she get hurt?” She asked wondering if she had fallen off of one of them on the way or something of the like.

Silvera just let out a small gentle laugh as she spoke, “No, your daughters are fine, both of them.”

“Both of them?” Kurlina asked a bit confused. “I only have one daughter…”

“Not anymore.” Silvera told her cutting her off as she folded her wing down to let her See Kianara on her back with Nicara. Both her mother and her father looked as surprised as ever with eyes as wide as their own from what it had appeared. Kianara’s mother brought her hand up to her mouth after a short gasp. Her eyes started to glaze over and Silvera could see the tears started to form in her eyes.

Silvera laid down on her stomach to try to make the distance between Kianara and the ground a bit less. It also made it easier for Nicara to glide down to the ground Kianara started to get off of Silvera’s back when just as she had helped her up Silvera grabbed her gently with her claw and brought her down to the ground next to the table with Nicara right beside her.

Her mother made her way around the table and as soon as Kianara had touched the ground she had her in her arms. “Baby, I’m so happy for you.” She said looking down at Nicara. “And who might this lovely lady be.” She asked as she knelt down to look at Nicara in her silver eyes placing one of her hands on the side of her head.

“My name is Nicara. Kia is my rider, and that’s my mother.” Nicara answered.

“She’s her daughter. She let me have her egg, and she hatched only a few minutes after I touched it which was only a couple hours ago.” Kianara told her.

“Only a few hours… how could she talk?” Her mother asked.

“It’s a bit complicated to explain without seeing it occur, but most dragon hatchlings can speak and understand on the level of a five or six year old human.” Silvera told her.

“There is still something that I don’t understand. What did you mean by the fact that I had two daughters now?” Kurlina asked.

“Well, it was Kianara that brought me to the realization. We had been discussing how deep the rider’s bond worked and how it would almost literally make them both one being with them bonded at the soul. Kianara started thinking on it, and she asked me that since she would end up being bonded to my daughter, and the bonds were so tightly woven if it made me her second mother. The more I thought about it, the more it made sense. So with that same mindset, Nicara is also just as much your daughter now as she is mine.” Silvera explained.

Kurlina looked down at Kianara and Nicara. “But… I don’t have the slightest idea about how to raise a dragon.” She told her.

“You don’t need to. You’ll have help here.” Silvera said calmly.

“I’m going to assume that she’s hungry, or has she had a chance to eat anything yet?” Armea asked.

“No, neither one of them has. We were in the middle of our interrogation to see if Kianara was suitable when Masthuvar told us about the dinner being ready, but we wanted to finish our questioning and finish our interpretations of Kianara without pausing, and without have external factors involved. I mean no offense to any of the family, and we’re not saying that you would have, but we wanted her to answer from her own heart, not repeat to us what someone else had told her to say.”

“We understand that.” Nygral replied agreeing with her, “We would have done the same thing.”

“Well when we had made our decision that not only would she be worthy of being a rider, but to also give her one of our own eggs, things kind of accelerated. Like Kianara mentioned within just a few minutes of her touching Nicara’s egg, Nicara started to break out of her shell. The both sealed the rider’s bond between them, and then I had performed a special technique on Nicara that I could only do within the first couple hours of her hatching. We came straight here afterward.” Silvera told everyone.

“I’ll have a plate of meat brought for her.” Armea told her.

Silvera nodded in thanks and the family sat down to their meal. Each of them had a thick slice of meat that appeared to be of only the finest of quality. It was served with a mixture of berries in a hot strawberry glaze, and some boiled mushrooms that had been boiled and served in a butter sauce.

“Kia, aren’t you going to eat?” Her mother asked her.

“I’ll start eating as soon as Nicara’s meal gets here. I don’t want to do anything without her.” She answered putting her arm over Nicara’s back. Not any more than a few minutes later, and elf came into the courtyard and presented Nicara with a pile of meat that was piled up to almost the top of her head from the table.

“Thank you.” Nicara told the elf as she started to grab at the meat.

Once Nicara had her food in front of her food and front of her and had started eating, Kianara began eating her meal. She especially liked the berry blend that was served with the meat. Silvera watched the family as they ate, when midway through she turned to Armea who was sitting next to Siltari.

Armea, can we speak with you and Siltari real quick please? Silvera asked politely.

Of course Silvera, what is it? Armea replied curiously.

Well, With Kianara being a rider now, and all the riders in Dracondor being destroyed, and the ones in Felocnr in danger…

In danger? Armea interrupted.

Yes, Grycon brought us news that Menkarane has mobilized already and are moving in one Felocnr, and that Belgron is also planning on mounting an attack. Silvera explained.

How long do we have? Armea inquired.

No more than a week.

Scarln! Armea swore knowing that there was almost no time to prepare anything. We have to get them out of there, and in any event we can’t let you go there now. She added.

What do you mean? Silvera asked.

Well with an Impending attack from two different armies at once, no one remaining in the city would have a chance for survival. Siltari explained.

What do you plan then… staying here and letting them die!?

On the contrary, we can warn them from here.

And play right into their hands. Zil’caron told them. I don’t know what has gotten into your mind, but we don’t abandon our kin. Felocnr sent residents of their own city to help us, and even if it takes my to my last breath I will return the favor. We may not have a chance at fighting, but at the very least help them evacuate. I will not remain here when my friends are about to be attacked, and you are fools if you expect me to do so…

Zil’caron, don’t you understand?

Siltari! Armea yelled in her mind interrupting him. Zil’caron is right on this. While it would be safer for them to stay here, they would lose all respect from every dragon in that city especially when they sent help Dracondor.

We’re going to be leaving first thing in the morning to try to make it there the day after tomorrow and warn them about the impending attack and help them prepare for the evacuations. What we originally wanted to as was if you would be willing to work with Kianara and train her in the ways of the rider. With Marlegore destroyed, our riders in destroyed, and the riders in Felocnr being in danger, you are the only one that is safe at the moment for her to stay with. Silvera said informatively.

She didn’t really wonder why Siltari and Armea wanted them to stay, but Zil’caron was right. They needed to help as much as they could. Granted with them being as young as they are might not be a whole lot and seeing that there were only fifteen dragons that were willing to go, they didn’t want to lose the dragon race if they got caught in the crossfire.

Silvera, just a quick question though… Where… do you plan on going once you leave there? We don’t have enough room here in Scrilon to house ever dragon from Felocnr. I don’t like having to say this but they won’t be able to stay here.

“Look out!!!” They head from behind them turning up only to see three flaming arrows flying straight towards Kianara and her family.

“NO!” Silvera yelled as Grycon landed opposite side of the family taking the hit from all three arrows. His roar of pain as the fire from the arrows burning on his wing and in his side was loud and raspy.

“Get out of here! All of you! It’s Belgron, he followed us!” Grycon told them as he told them too little too late as he started walking out into the center of the courtyard.

“Well, well. I never thought that I’d see the day where I would be betrayed by my own dragon. I did a little asking around, and I found a couple of people who saw you take someone to my money vault so that you could help them steal my money.”

“Which you would have never gotten if it wasn’t for me to begin with! I had just as much right to that gold as you did, and I chose to give it to this family.”

“Well that’s nice, and I admire your thought, but no I’m here to take it from this family who are now fugitives in Worloch in which I have every right to take them back to and execute them to set an example for anyone else that.” He said as Silvera and Zil’caron both started growling at Belgron.

“If you want to take them from this city, then you are going to have to fight me to do so, and believe me, I won’t hesitate to kill you.” Grycon told him“

Nice bluff Grycon, but you and I both know that won’t happen because you’d kill yourself in the process. Now, step aside so I can take these wretched…” He started to say as he noticed that the little girl was in the possession of a dragon hatchling, female by the looks of the scales. “Well what do we have here? It looks like this worthless family managed to get one of their own to be a rider. I’m sure she’ll make a lovely play toy for me when I’m bored with normal people.” He said mockingly.

“You sick son-of-a-*****.” Grycon told him. “If you so much as think that I’m going to let you violate a dragon like that you are sorely mistaken. You are also mistaken if you think that I won’t kill you right here and now because we are DONE Belgron!” He added slowly progressing to a yell as he became as angry as he had ever been.

“You can hurt me, and you can treat me like dung on the bottom of your shoe, or even ruin my life as you’ve already have. But one thing you will not do is violate my kin in that way. I hated you killing them and was ready to leave you before, but now my decision is final” He said as his body started to shimmer with a red glow and soon snapped over to Belgron as well before dissipating as quickly as it came. “It’s over! Now like I said before, if you want them, you’ll have to deal with me!”

Belgron looked at the dragons, the Silver one along with the Black and gold one starting to move forward towards him. “I’d suggest you leave… Now! And if I ever hear of you talking about my daughter like that again, I’ll rip you apart myself if I don’t get to you now.” Silvera scorned. Liricora! She said in her mind shooting a warning shot at Belgron landing right in front of him. “You have been warned.”

Belgron looked at all the dragons in the area and watched as the elves started moving in on him. “This isn’t over. I was going to attack Felocnr… Actually, I have enough men… Watch your backs. Felocnr won’t be the only place to fall as this place is not sworn enemy of Celtrien.”

“Believe me” Zil’caron started. “You were our enemy the day you stepped foot in Marlegore.” He told Belgron as he turned and started to leave. One of the other elves tried to assassinate Belgron. Another elf that was standing next to Belgron countered and redirected the attack back to the elf and it went straight through his shoulder.

“If anyone else tried to attack us, they will suffer the same fate. I will finally get to destroy this place. It will be the most enjoyable day of my life.” The elf spoke as Belgron and the others made their way out of the city.

“Grycon, you okay?” Silvera asked him.

“Other than these arrows in my wing and side… I’ve never felt better. Maybe now, others will see me for who I am rather than who he is.” Grycon told them.

“Grycon, I had never had much respect for you for. Not because of your rider, but because you continuously exposed yourself to this kind of pain and torture. I could care less about Belgron. What I couldn’t understand was why you didn’t do this sooner.” Armea told him as she approached him and gingerly used her talons to remove the arrows from his side and he wing as the way they had entered had pinned his wing to his side. She then licked him on the side of his neck.

Silvera and Zil’caron were both shocked when they saw that they started to turn to Siltari to ask him what was happening. He seemed to know what they were getting ready to ask him about it and he started, “Grycon and Armea were very close before when the rider’s legion was still together. They weren’t mates the ways that would have affected Belgron and I would not have been feasible. But they were still closer than siblings, or they were until Belgron and Zurcon stated the hatred fueled war to take over the thrown once Velgrus was killed almost six years ago. Ever since then she hasn’t been miserable, but she hasn’t been the same. She’s been wanting him to come back for a while and now that Belgron isn’t tied to him anymore, I wouldn’t be surprised to see them become mates fairly soon

“I don’t understand how you can ever forgive me… even when I was trying to help I’ve only succeeded put everyone here in danger.” Grycon told her.

“Grycon…” She told him resting her head on the side of his neck. “You did a wonderful thing. You gave this little girl and her family a gift that no other could give her. If you hadn’t brought them here, Kianara would still be living in that hell of a city, and you’d still be suffering by Belgron. You didn’t know that you were going to be followed.”

“I should have checked. I made sure that the path in front of us was clear, but I was careless in forgetting to watch our backs.”

“Shh…” she said softly putting one of her talons on the tip of his snout. “No one can be perfect. The most important thing is what we take away from the mistakes we’ve made. Mine was giving up on you I heard about Marlegore. I should have known that you were more sensitive than that. I’ve known you longer than that, but I lost faith, and that isn’t forgivable.” She spoke as she tilted her head down being ashamed to look into his eyes.

Grycon turned his neck so that he could position himself to where he could look into Armea’s soft light blue eyes. “I’m so sorry for all the hurt that I’ve caused you the last few years, and I understand why you lost faith. But it’s just not possible to not forgive something as beautiful as you are. We’re better than that and as you said, we’ve known each other long enough we should have seen that this was hurting each other. I had just assumed you had moved on without me, but now I can clearly see that isn’t the case. I’m willing to forgive you if you are willing to forgive me.” He told her

Her eyes moistened as she looked into his. She lazily flicked her tongue out and let it sit on Grycon’s snout for a few seconds before slowly brushing it alone the side. “I’m more than willing.” She told him as she felt one of his wings come over her back. Siltari, would you mind if I spent some time alone with him please? She asked.

Take all the time you two need. Siltari told her.

I love you.

I love you too Armea. He said as he turned to the others. “They wish to be alone for a bit. We should begin discussing plans of action. With Scrilon being a focal point for attack now, no one will be safe here now. I know that you and Zil were asking us to watch over and train Kianara and Nicara hear while you were in Felocnr, but that won’t be possible now. As much as I’d love to, I couldn’t bear it if something happened to her here.”

“We understand. She’ll have to come with us then though I had hoped for her to not have to endure more traveling at the moment.” She told Siltari as she walked over to the table. Kianara, Nicara, her parents, we’ll need you to come with us. You’ll be able to take shelter in our roost for the night.

“Nicara… you’re hurt!” Kianara said aloud noticing a small scrape on her right wing. She had noticed a stinging pain in her back, but knew that she hadn’t been hit by anything or the like.

“I’ll be fine. I just scraped my wing on the bottom of the table when those mean people showed up and tried to hurt us.” Nicara told her reassuringly.

“Can I at least wash it off so it doesn’t get worse?” Kianara asked.

“When we get back to our place you can, right now those two want to be alone for a while.” Silvera told them. “Would you like to ride again?” I would like that. That way I can wash off Nicara’s wing and make sure that it stops bleeding while she’s on my lap.” Kianara told her as she used one of the large pitchers of water on the table to fill up the pouch that she had carried on the travel to Scrilon.

“You worry too much.” Nicara told her jokingly as she opened her wings enough to let Kianara pick her up. “You do know I’m perfectly capable of moving on my own right?” She joked as she nuzzled Kianara on the side of her cheek.

Kianara walked over to where Silvera was waiting for her and carefully stepped on to her palm as she lifted her on to her back. She positioned herself over Silvera’s scaly back as she began to look at the membrane on Nicara’s right wing. She rubbed her hand over the cut instinctively both trying to examine it, and also although she didn’t like the fact that she was hurt, she liked the touch of her blood. To Kianara, her taking care of an injury even if it is a minor injury would bring them even closer, and feeling the touch of her warm blood frightened her a bit as she felt the actual cut on Nicara’s wing. She was surprised to feel that her finger had slipped clear through the membrane. Nicara winced as she felt her finger go through.

“Nicara… This is more than just a scrape…” Kianara stated to her.

“Can you take that out of my wing please? It really hurts…” She replied wincing.

Kianara did so not wanting to cause Nicara more pain than she had to be in. She ran some of the water over her wing exposing the small tear. She flinched a bit when the water touched her wing. “That’s cold.”

“I’m sorry, it’s all that I could find.” She told her as she continued pouring the cold water on her wing. The wound had seemed to stop bleeding, and after feeling the cold water running through the small tear in Nicara’s wing. It was good in a way because it was also washing Nicara’s blood out of her blouse. However, she soon found a warm liquid spreading through her blouse from underneath Nicara. She looked down to make sure she was okay and noticed that Nicara had a saddened look in her eye, and she could sense that something wasn’t right. She then looked at her blouse and found an off white tint to it.

I’m so sorry… The cold water on my wing sent shivers through my body… and I couldn’t stop myself…

Nicara… Kianara told her putting her arms on her neck. It’s okay… Believe me. I’d much rather it be something like that then you being hurt. I really don’t mind.

You… you don’t? Nicara asked as her mother turned around and looked at her from over her shoulder. She knew what had happened to which didn’t make Nicara any better.

Shh… it’s okay, it’s a common occurrence in someone as young as you are. It most likely won’t be the last time it happens. You’ll just have to become more aware, which will come with age. Silvera told them as she licked Nicara. Realizing that Kianara was her daughter to, she moved back to her just a bit and licked her on the cheek as well.

Kianara thought back to the dinner. Everything was all that she could have hoped. Both she and Nicara were having a good time with just sitting next to each other. She remembered how graceful she was as she had pulled the meat from her pile careful not to make the pile fall as she at. She could see from where she was sitting just how streamlined her small body was. She was so small, but yet she looked like she had strength of a large animal or at the very least her father. The was she felt to when Kianara would hold her to also told her Nicara’s strength as she never felt more than just enough give in her skin and scales to keep from locking in and cutting her when she moved.

She could help but smile at hear when she felt her in her mind watching her as she recounted the memory of what just happened at the start of the dinner. It appeared that she was enjoying watching her recount the little bit of time they’ve had together since she had hatched. She laid her head down in Kianara’s lap. You need to change when we get home. It’s getting smelly. Nicara told her in her mind not wishing to speak out since she was already there.

You made it that way! Kianara told her without thinking. She knew immediately that the comment had struck her hard as she felt Nicara pull from her mind, and move her head around to the other side of her body away from Kianara. I’m sorry… She told her. I didn’t mean it like that… I didn’t mean it at all…

That hurt Kia, I told you it was an accident and I just said that it was starting to smell.

I know, I know… I’m still used to home a bit. I really didn’t mean it Nicara. She told her. She waited for a few moments until she didn’t respond. Nicara, please?

Maybe this was a mistake. She said aloud only letting Kianara hear.

Her statement froze Kianara. Already she had done something horribly wrong and was about to lose her closest friend that she had ever made and ever would make. Her emotions started flowing over into Nicara though, and Nicara didn’t like it, but didn’t give in. She was trying to teach Kianara something, and waited until she felt the first tear hit her wing.

That hurt didn’t it? Nicara asked turning to look at Kianara who just nodded her head and started rubbing her eyes. That’s how I felt when you said that… You may not have meant it, but it still hurt. And I know that you weren’t a mistake Kianara, and I never meant what I said for a second. But it hurt you nevertheless.

I’m sorry…

Hush now… Nicara told her emulating what she had seen the big blue dragon do to the other green one in putting her talon gently on Kianara’s lips. It’s okay… Just… be careful with your words and don’t hurt me like that again… Okay? She asked looking at her as she nodded after what she said. Come here. She told her moving her forelimbs around Kianara’s neck licking her on the cheek as she then wrapped her neck and wings around her. And don’t worry. I’m never going to leave you. I love you way too much for that. She said as one of her tears mix with one of Kianara’s as their cheeks rested against each other

I love you too… Kianara replied softly even with her mind.

Nicara then felt a new flow of warmth under her. She looked down to see that liquid flowing through the bottom of Kianara’s blouse.

What did you just do? Nicara asked.

The same thing you just did.

“I hope everyone is finished up there.” Silvera said stopping to turn her head back to them. “I didn’t know that the bond shared accidents too.” She said sarcastically before adding. “Both of you are going to be getting baths tonight.”

“What about us?” Kurlina asked.

“There is plenty of water to heat. Everyone who wants a bath can have one. Kia, Nicara, and now I are the only three who are required to take one. Although, I think that I shall enjoy this seeing as we rarely get a chance to bath in heated water.” Silvera said as she gave both Nicara and Kianara a funny look before turning forward again and continued on.

Why did you do that? Nicara asked her.

Because I wanted to. Kianara replied.

Yes, but why, you could have gotten in trouble. Nicara told her.

While that may have been the case, it wouldn’t have mattered to me as much as you do, and I’m willing to do everything to make you feel better. Besides, I was already wet from your accident so I figured a second wetting wouldn’t hurt anything.

You’re sweet. Nicara told her. Though I guess that’s how we ended up paired together, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Besides, I’m looking forward to a bath. It would be our first one together, and my first one ever so I think it should be fun.

Let’s not get too crazy in there. Kianara told her kissing her snout.

“Alright, everyone off.” Silvera told them as they were at their lair.

“Kia, first thing you do once your inside is take off your wet clothes and then you and Nicara both go and take your baths.” She said hoping Silvera didn’t mind. Silvera had told her that Nicara was as much her daughter as she was Silvera’s but she still felt a bit awkward telling her what to do. It wasn’t her place to tell a dragon what to do, and she was almost repulsed by the fact that she had.

She made her way along with her husband and the other two dragons that were with them. She still wasn’t used to this type of building material that the elves had used in the city, but she found it to her liking. It’s color both inside and out provided the residence with a sense of warmth. It was certainly better than anything that she had seen in the gloomy city of Worloch where the sun had never shown. Now even though she had only seen the sun for a few hours in the two days that she had been out of the city, she had seen enough of it to know that most of if not all of there worries were over. She knew that they would most likely be traveling again, but they would be traveling with a group of dragons and that they couldn’t be in safer hands.

“I’m sorry.” She told Silvera as she walked in after she did in between her and the black and gold Zil’caron that she had learned was named Zil’caron. Her husband and Siltari fallowed as well.

“For what Mrs. Kurlina?” Silvera said wondering what was wrong.

“For telling your daughter what to do like that… I just don’t feel comfortable about it.” She answered.

Silvera let out a small smile, “Don’t worry about it. Like I had mentioned before, she’s just as much your daughter as mine. There’s nothing wrong with you instructing her in what to do. In fact, I would love the help as I’m going to have two more eggs that are probably going to hatching very soon.”

“Oh, congratulations. I’m sure that the other two will be just as beautiful as Nicara is.”

“Thank you.” She said with a light laugh. “Now, Siltari, what are you going to do now. You said yourself Scrilon is no longer safe.”

“I’m not sure, I’ll have to discuss it with Armea and do the smart thing. We’ll probably end up leaving with you to Felocnr.” He told them.

“Actually…” Zil’caron told him as he thought back to what his father was telling them about the Island of Selzar just a few days ago before he had been killed in the rubble of the marble palace. “Siltari, I need you to lead everyone to the northern coast.”

“What’s up there?” Siltari asked. “All that would do is get us trapped.”

“Yeah… Why should we head up there?” Shunaria asked. All that’s on the northern coast is the ocean and sand. Like Siltari said, it would box us in.”

“So either you or Sil remember what father was telling us right before the city was attacked, about our history and our past, about how we weren’t native to this land?”

“Yeah, what about it? How would what he said about that help us now?” Shunaria asked.

“Selzar…” Silvera said aloud as she realized what he was thinking.

“Exactly!” Zil’caron said turning his attention back to Siltari. “Siltari, after you and Armea finish making arrangements on how to get everyone out of here, I want you to lead everyone north coast. If you use Lurcrium to create rafts that can be used to follow the Mirkiane River to the ocean, you should see the island from there. Once we’ve finished in Felocnr, we’ll meet up there”

Siltari pondered the idea over in his head. The Mirkiane River was pretty stable this time of year, and he was fairly certain that if shaped the right way would be able to float along the surface of the river. His only concern was whether or not the river itself was deep enough to support a vessel of the kind of size that they were talking. He knew that more than one ship was going to be needed, but he didn’t want to fill the river with ships either. The more he thought about it the more he thought that it would most definitely be the safest thing to do.

“Overall after thinking about it, I’ve realized that it would probably be the smartest way to go, but what about the conditions of the oceans? Would they not be rough this time of year?” Siltari asked.

“Selzar, if what my father told me is correct, is only about fifty miles north of the coast. Once on the ocean it should only take you maybe four hours tops to reach the island depending on wind and the current. It’s would take use about two hours of flight to get across.”

“That’s still fifty miles of water we have to cover.”

“We’ll have to discuss this part later once we are there. We can’t make any decisions here without seeing what the conditions are like first.” Silvera told them interrupting a bit. “I’m going to go settle Kia and Nicara in for their baths.” She added as she started walking with them into the other room.

“It just occurred to me, what are we going to dry off with?” Kianara asked Silvera as her and Nicara followed behind her.

“Dry off with? We normally let the air dry us off after we’ve been in the water.” Silvera explained. “Though I do remember that the humans in our city used some kind of fabric to remove the water from their bodies, we don’t have one of those here though.” She told her.

“You don’t need one of those things anyway. You have me who could just lick you dry.” Nicara said to Kianara as she walked next to her.

“Here we go. This is one thing that elves and humans are more advanced than us in. If we wanted heated water in our buildings in our city, we had to heat them ourselves.” Silvera told them as she gently pushed down one of the levers on the side of what looked like a big sink that looked like it could easily fit a full grown dragon. The center of it closed once Silvera had the lever all the way down. She then pulled another lever that pulled water in from the Mirkiane River though an underground channel and ran through a heated core of magic to make it as hot as they needed.

As it was filling Kianara started to take off her soaked blouse and underpants. Nicara looked at her curiously. “Your body is so smooth.” She told Kianara looking over her from head to toe.

Kianara walked over to her and squatted down to her and kissed her on the snout. “And yours is just as smooth as mine, if not even more so.”

Nicara tried to hide the fact that she had blushed a bit but she couldn’t keep Kianara from feeling it though their minds.

“Okay you two, it’s ready.” Silvera told them as she started going back into the other room to continue talking with the grownups.

“Well, what are we waiting for?” Nicara said to Kianara as she jumped into the air and used her wings to glide into the heated water. Kianara followed her in gently lowering herself into the water. It was very hot, not scalding or burning, but it was still a bit hotter than to her liking. Nicara made her way over to where she was in pool and noticed that she was starting the feel a bit saddened. You okay? She asked through their link. You aren’t as happy as you were a few minutes ago. Nicara added feeling her spirits dropping from her own mind.

I’m scared. Kianara stated bluntly.

Scared? Of what? Nicara asked her.

I’m afraid… of you. Kianara told her as a pit started to form in her stomach.

Nicara heard what Kianara had just told her and was completely shocked and heartbroken at the same time. But… I thought you loved me? Nicara said started with a small whine. Do you not care? She said looking away from her.

No Nicara it’s not that at all. It’s completely the opposite, and that’s why I’m scared. She told her as Nicara turned back to her.

I… I don’t understand.

Nicara, I love you so much that the only other thing that could understand it is you. That’s why I’m afraid of you. I have been ever since… Kianara told in a weakened voice that trailed off at the end.

Ever since what? Nicara asked wondering what she had done to scare her.

Ever since you called me a mistake… Kianara told her looking at. Nicara widened her silvery eyes at first, but soon narrowed them as tears were starting to gather at the inner corners. I thought nothing of it at first, but then I remembered the dinner, and what happened between Belgron and Grycon. Grycon said that they were as close as this once, and yet, a few hours ago, Grycon ended his bond with him. I don’t know if they ever promised each other that they would stay together, but I can assume that they did. I don’t know what he had to put up with and what had happened that changed them up to that point, but it looked like it was so easy for him to do, and hearing what you told me only hours after our bond was formed tells me that we’ve already started off wrong. I love you so much Nicara and I don’t want to lose you! That’s why I’m so… She said as she stopped when she felt one of Nicara’s tears hit the water.

Kia… I’m so sorry. I… I only did that to try to show you what I felt like at that moment. I never had any intentions of actually leaving you, Kia I told you that!

I know you did but…

Kia… please… You’re right. I shouldn’t have done that and I’m sorry. I… I didn’t think it would affect you quite like this. Kia I love you too, and I would do anything including giving my life for you. And if there is one thing that I can personally guarantee you, is no matter what happens… I will never be anywhere else than by your side. I hatched for you two days sooner than I was supposed too. Both of my other siblings are ready to hatch as I was, but we weren’t ready to break out yet. I felt that there would be something special between us more than just the bond that my mother entrusted us with.

What do you mean? Kianara asked

Well, even when we are still inside our eggs we can hear what’s going on around us. The entire conversation that you had with mother and father… I heard it. Everything you said matched the way I wanted things to be.

I don’t understand, how could you know what you wanted before you had even hatched?

Like I said, My siblings and I were fully developed, and the time that was left for us in the egg is time that we used to develop our senses and what we want to have happen knowing the world around us. I know the world wasn’t the safest place at the moment, but hearing you speak… made me feel happy inside. You made me feel safe Kianara, and you still do. That is why… I’ll always be here for you. Nicara told her as positioned herself over Kianara’s shoulders draping her wings over in front of her wrapping both of them tightly around her body bringing her head down across her chest. Please don’t be afraid of me anymore. She said in a pleading tone.

Kianara thought about what Nicara had told her, and she could feel that Nicara was just as hurt by her saying that now as she was hearing it. I’m sorry too… She replied reaching her arm up out of the water and placed it on her neck. I’m sorry for doubting you.

Can we put this behind us please? Kianara heard her ask. She could feel that she was still hurting from the experience.

I already have. She told her started to feel herself pick up as she rested her head against hers. You know, we’ve been in here for a good half hour already it feels like and all we’ve done is talk about hurtful things… Let’s have some fun.

Nicara liked the idea, but she wondered what they could do that wouldn’t result in Kia beings hurt in some way. All it took was one accident with one of her talons or the spines on her back to send them both right back where they had just come out of. I’d love to but… Now I’m the one that’s afraid. I don’t want to accidentally hurt you.

How could you hurt me?

I may be small, but my talons are still very sharp as well as the spines on my back. If you were to get hurt by one of them while we were playing around I’d never forgive myself. Nicara told her.

You need to have more confidence in yourself. Besides, living in the world we are today, you and I both are probably going to get hurt more that once even though I don’t like the fact. Speaking of being hurt how’s your wing? This hot water has to be helping it some. She said remembering that her wing was hurt. I was so blinded in my own stupidity that I forgot that my closest of family was hurt. He thought to herself.

At that moment they heard Shunaria come into the room. “I heard the two of you talking earlier.”

“You did? How?” Kianara said surprised.

“It wasn’t like you were shielding it. We can hear mental communication just as well as verbal. In fact, that was how my sister sent for help in Felocnr when our city fell.”

“Your sister?” She said puzzled.

“Yes, Silvera is as much my sister now as Zil is my brother. They share a similar bond as the two of you do. The level of their bonds are immensely deeper if not only because of the fact that both members involved are dragons. In human terms one could think of it like a marriage, but in it’s actuality it is much more involved than that. I’ll explain that another time. For now, I want to get back to the reason that I came in here. I can’t really say anything on the matter that hasn’t already been said, but the one thing I noticed from this, is that you both don’t trust in yourselves, therefore, you can’t trust each other.”

“We know.”

“I know you both do now, I just want you to remember one thing, ones heart is can only be as open as its owner wishes it to be. If both of you keep your hearts open to each other, then neither one of you will ever have to experience what Grycon did, and let me assure you Kianara. That was not an easy thing for him to do. He had been with Belgron for longer than you could imagine.” She told them as she turned to go back into the other room, “Oh, and hurry up there are others who would like to take a hot bath for once.” She said jokingly as she walked out.

“You think mom heard us?” Kianara asked.

“Your’s or mine?” Nicara asked.

“Ours…” Kianara corrected her. “The mom that gave us a chance to be with each other. She’s just as my mother now as she is yours.” She added.

“I don’t know, if aunt Shunaria did, then mother probably did. I don’t think your mother did though. I know you don’t like it said like that, and that they are both our mothers, but we have to tell them apart somehow.” Nicara told her.

“So should we get out then?” Kianara said to Nicara.

“Why not… it’s not like we can’t play together in the other room.” Nicara told her in response.

“I thought you were too scared to play?” Kianara said mockingly.

“Well, as long as we don’t get too rough I shouldn’t be able to hurt you by accident.”

“Yeah the same with me, I don’t want to roll on one of your wings or something like that and break something. I know that to you dragons your wings make you who you are and are considered the most vital part of your body.” Kianara responded.

“Yes, for us, being flightless is worse that dying. Without the freedom of the skies, we don’t have anything.” Nicara told her truthfully.

“I’m looking forward to flying with you when you’re big enough.” She said looking into Nicara’s eyes which had returned to being bright as ever as she pulled herself from the water.

Nicara took the opportunity to completely examine her body. She had gotten to look at it earlier, but she was wet now, and she saw the shimmer coming off of her and it made her happy. To her, Kianara was perfect in every way, and she was still kicking herself mentally for telling her what she did. She didn’t mean it like that, but she herself had forgotten that Kia had spent most of her life alone as well with just her mother and father. Nicara pulled herself out of the water almost instantly got the idea to pounce on Kianara and the both went to the ground. Nicara made sure that she touched her with her palms of her claws so that her talons didn’t hurt her.

“Nicara what are you...” She started before she was interrupted with Nicara’s tongue brushing itself all over her face as Nicara laid on her bare-skinned tummy. “Nicara, give me a chance to breath” Kianara told her as was licking her so much it was starting to tickle. She finally put both of her hands on the side of Nicara’s head gently and she just looked at her softly as Nicara lazily flicked her tongue out one last time letting it sit in the tip of her nose for a few seconds. After being on the receiving end of her licking, Kianara figured that it wouldn’t be to bad to return the favor. A mere kiss she thought wouldn’t suffice her, and if Nicara could lick her then she could to the same for her. While she still had her hand on the side of Nicara’s face Kianara stuck out her own tongue and ran it up the tip of Nicara’s snout.

The look on Nicara’s face was priceless as her eyes widened to almost the size of one of the silver pieces that father had. She then rested her head next to Kianara’s on the ground. “I wonder what… what Belgron was planning to do with us. Whatever it was, it seemed to catch the attention of Grycon and the others pretty hard.”

“Do you really want to know?” Silvera told them coming into the other room. “Kia, your mother gave me these for you to put on after you got out. You should probably get them put on soon before you become ill.

“Do I have to do it now? I don’t want to move from this.”

Silvera let out a gentle laugh as she told them, “You two have become quite close in the short amount of time that you’ve been together, closer than I’ve seen a rider and dragon at this stage. I would suggest getting dress now though. You can always lay with each other like that after you have your clothes on.” She told them as they both let each other up. She knew that she had made the right choice for the two of them when she saw them on her back on the way to the dinner, and this only strengthened her will for them. She wanted to watch their relationship grow herself and see just how close they could actually become.

Once Kianara got dressed in her nighttime clothes and she sat back down. Once she was seated she let herself get comfortable and turned to her side only to let Nicara gat as close to her as possible with almost every part of Nicara’s body touching her own. She placed her arm over Nicara’s back. “So… were you going to tell us what Belgron meant? What did Grycon mean when he said it was wrong to violate Nicara like that?” Kianara asked her.

“Like I had said before, do you really want to know?” Silvera said knowing that they wouldn’t like the answer she would have to give them. They both nodded however and their decision had been made. “Ahh well, maybe if you know about it you can help prevent it, at least in situations like you would have been in. Basically to make it short and simple, What Belgron was planning on doing o you Kia was nothing more than keeping you locked up, but what he was planning with Nicara was both sick and wrong.”

“What do you mean?”

“Well, you know how eggs are made don’t you? Or at least the ones that hatch?” Silvera asked.

“I have a basic understanding of what my mother told me.”

“Okay, what Belgron was planning on doing to Nicara was forcing her into that position… with himself… Now, if she was his bonded dragon, it would be different. It’s not unheard of for a rider and dragon of the opposite genders to become close enough to where they have mated with each other, and on some rare cases, the female had conceived and produced young. The young would always take the form of the female that was responsible for it. So if the dragon was female and the rider was male, their young would all be dragons, where as if it were the reverse the young would be human. Dragons from a conjunction like this are just a little bit weaker but have almost always have a bit more intellect coming from not only the memory transfer that you’ve seen, but from its human instincts and realizations as well. These dragons also have the ability to retain and harness the magical abilities within them.”

“So then… Are you a product of this since you can wield magic?” Kianara asked.

“I’m afraid that I do not have the answer to that question. I do not know who my father is. He died before I hatched and my mother never mentioned him. It was almost like they were trying to protect me from something.” Silvera told them.

“But mother, what could ever be out there that you would need to be protected from?” Nicara asked her.

Silvera looked down into her eyes with a soft smile, “Even us dragons have enemies and predators that try to hurt us my dear.” She told her.

“So he was going to hurt Nicara?”

“In more ways than one.” Silvera told her.

“In that case… He’s already become my enemy, even more so now than he was when I lived there.”

“Come, you two need to get some rest. We can discuss this some other time.” Silvera told them.

“Mother…”

“Yes Nicara?”

“Do I have to sleep in the nest tonight? I want to Sleep with Kia so we can hold each other.”

“Where else are you going to sleep? There aren’t any other soft spots for Kia so she’ll be sleeping in the nest too so you both will still be able to hold each other.”

“Thank you mother.” Nicara said dipping her head a bit.

“We’ll never come between you two Nicara. Not in something like this at least. If you both wish to sleep with each other so you can hold each other, we aren’t going to stop you. In fact, I’m rather happy that the two of you think like that. It gives me hope for the future.” Silvera said to both of them as she brushed her tongue over both of their cheeks. “Come now, it’s late and we’ll be leaving in the morning. You’ll be coming with us to Felocnr, we all decided that it would be safer like that because you’d be surrounded by dragons all of whom would be willing to protect you at any cost.” Silvera told them as she led them to where the other to eggs were. Silvera carefully positioned herself around the eggs moving them within her forearms.

“You want to sleep next to mother or you want me to?” Kianara asked Nicara.

“As long as I get to hold you it doesn’t matter to me.” Nicara told her as Kianara laid against Silvera’s side, and Nicara against hers.

“Good night little ones.” Silvera told them

“Night mother.” Both Kianara and Nicara told her as Nicara wrapped one of her wings around Kianara while Kia put an arm around her.

Silvera smiled as she draped her wing over the two of them to shield them of most of the light in the room. She turned her attention to the others. “Whoever wished to take a bath, it’s still ready. You may need to warm up the water a bit though.” She said aloud as she laid her head down around her wing. Neither one of you have to worry. As long as I am alive, you both will be safe. Silvera thought to herself as she closed her eyes and soon fell asleep for the night.


(Again, Sorry for the Excessive amount of posting, but I think that everyone could see that this obviously wouldn't fit in just one post)