by Eric Vall
“Valerra, would you stop,” I sighed, “just take a look around, okay? I know you’re stressed, but this could help ease your mind a bit. “
“A bedroom?” she replied dryly. “A room inside a palace built for a human city is supposed to protect me?”
“A room inside a palace built by a dragon,” I corrected her. “I built the foundation for the palace with my magic. The humans did minimal work. I designed this room for you and to keep your sister’s egg safe.”
Valerra gave me a strange look before she walked further inside the room and looked around.
The crimson dragon never liked to wear clothes, so I opted to ignore any kind of clothes storage like a dresser or wardrobe and had designed the room to feel open and spacious. Large glass windows covered the walls, and the sunlight brightened the room.
There was a separate room for a bath and toilet, and a large bed took up the center of the room with crimson colored silk sheets. Valerra’s hands ran over the fabric with a grin before she turned to look at what was built next to the bed.
It was a large wooden sculpture carved into a circle, and a soft mattress covered in red silks sat inside. There was enough room inside to easily fit both eggs comfortably and to keep them close by while she slept.
“I fail to see how this would protect my egg, Evan,” Valerra said dryly.
“Follow me,” I replied and led her over to a wall.
Similar to Laika’s room, there was a trap door hidden in the wall. So, I pressed the top corner of the wall, and the door opened silently. Then I slipped inside, and Valerra followed curiously behind me, but instead of one staircase that led down to my room, Valerra had two.
“The stairs on the left led down to my bedroom so you have easy access in case something happens or if you just miss me,” I explained with a wink, and she rolled her eyes. “The stairs on the right lead you to your surprise.”
Valerra practically shoved me down the right stairs in her anticipation, and my laughter echoed through the enclosed space.
The stairs led down to the basement level of the palace, the same level where my hoard vault was under my room, and this room was built for a similar purpose, to store treasure. There was another door once we reached the end of the steps, and I could feel the familiar rush of Alyona’s magic as we passed through a barrier set up along the threshold.
“What was that?” Valerra asked, and I knew she’d felt the barrier as well.
“It’s a barrier,” I quickly explained, “Alyona found a spell to create permanent barriers around doorways. This one is built so only a dragon can slip through. Anyone else would have been teleported back to the gates of the city immediately.”
“Hmm,” Valerra hummed as her golden eyes looked back and studied the barrier. She was impressed, though I knew she’d never admit it.
“This is where you can store your hoard,” I told her, “and the eggs. We have a small shelter built down here for your sister’s egg, but we built it to have plenty of room. If we are ever under attack, we can place them here so no one can find or reach them.”
“I--” Valerra broke off as she tried to find the right words. “I suppose this is a bit better protection than my cave.”
“Does that mean you’ll live here?” I asked eagerly.
“I suppose it wouldn’t be the worst thing to live near you,” she said with a frown, “but I will still patrol my canyons. Just because I have agreed to live in the human city, does not mean I am okay with them. The canyons are mine, and they’ve been mine for thousands of years. I will not give them up so easily.”
“Of course,” I agreed, “the Crimson Canyons will always be yours. You will be more than welcome to return to them if you wish once I am finished with my campaign. I just want you in the city while I’m away. There’s safety in numbers, and not just for the people of Hatra. You and the eggs will be much safer here surrounded by my loyal subjects than you would be inside the cave.”
“I am aware,” Valerra grumbled, “or why else would I have agreed to this? I won’t be able to be near the eggs at all times, so it would be nice to know they are safe while I am away from them.” She sighed and gave me an annoyed look. “I suppose this isn’t the worst idea you’ve ever had.”
“Maybe I’m not so annoying after all?” I teased with a grin, and she groaned.
“Don’t let one good idea go to your head. You are still a nuisance.”
I laughed, and she shoved past me and began to climb the stairs back to her room.
When we reached the top, she looked around her room a bit more. Then she walked over to a pair of double doors and pulled them open to expose a giant balcony outside.
“The balcony was built to withstand your weight and size as a dragon,” I told her, “that way you can travel around without being in your human form too much.”
Valerra immediately shifted into her dragon body, and the stone below her easily held her weight.
“I’m impressed, Evan,” Valerra admitted as she turned her massive head toward me. “I figured it would collapse under me, but this is actually very well made.”
“Wow, two compliments in one day,” I replied with a smirk. “Are you feeling okay?”
“I can’t believe I will one day have a hatchling with you,” Valerra murmured and rolled her golden eyes. “If he or she has your flippant attitude…”
“You love me,” I reminded her as I crossed my arms and leaned against the wall. “I’d bet you’re thrilled to have a kid with me. We should make a bunch.”
“I think it’s time I returned home,” she grumbled. “If you want me to move into this room before you leave, my hoard will need to be moved immediately.”
“Yeah,” I told her through a laugh, “I’m sure that’s why you need to go home.”
I continued to tease her, but I pulled the eggs out from my storage space, and she gingerly grabbed them both in her clawed talons as I placed them on the ground.
Then she lifted her body off the balcony, and as she hovered in the air, the force of her wings nearly pushed me back through the double doors.
“I’ll let you know if Alyona finds anything,” I called up to her, “and I’ll come by soon to help move your hoard over.”
With a nod of acknowledgement, Valerra pushed away from the palace and returned to her cave in the canyons.
I watched her fly away until she vanished high into the sky, and then I walked back into her room and shut the balcony doors.
I shut the main doors to Valerra’s room before I returned to the passageway where I opened the door and walked down the stairs to my left, down to my bedroom. Then I descended the stone stairs quickly and slipped inside my room.
I collapsed onto my bed, and I let my mind wander to the egg. It was strange to think about how I would have a kid, a non-human kid, one day. Back on Earth, I never had the time to really consider kids, as much as I wanted them someday. I had more important things to do, like my EMT job, but I never would have imagined my first kid being a dragon. It was weird, but it was also really cool. I knew how important it was for Valerra and I to have kids, the future of our species depended on it, but it was still strange.
The longer I thought about the egg, the more excited I could feel myself become. It may not have been what I always thought of when I did imagine kids, but it was still insanely cool.
I was going to be a father to a dragon.
Then I had a sudden thought. Did all my women want kids with me? I was sure Alyona did, we would need an heir once we were married after all, and Ravi said she did, but I didn’t know about Laika. I’d assumed she would, but I didn’t know how high up on her list of priorities a kid would be at the moment.
I wondered how dominant my dragon genes would be. The egg would be a dragon, obviously, but I wondered how human mine and Alyona’s kid would be. Or if I had a child with Laika, what would it look like? Ravi would be a complete mystery since neither of us were human, we just had human forms. I didn’t even know
if it would be possible for us to have kids, so that would have to be something we explored in the future.
My mind continued to travel around the idea of kids when I heard Alyona’s frantic footsteps as she ran toward my room. Then I jumped from my bed, ran over to the door in my study, and threw it open.
Alyona stood in front of the door with her small hand raised to knock, and she jumped back in surprise.
I reached out a hand, caught her by her elbow, and pulled her in close.
“What’s wrong?” I asked quickly, and thoughts of future kids vanished from my mind as I took in her frazzled appearance.
Her untamed white hair framed her face and stuck to swear on her brow, and her amethyst eyes were wide with panic.
“I-I--” she gasped out, but then she had to pause and suck in a deep breath.
My magic brushed across her skin as it looked for any sign of injury. I didn’t sense anything, though, and I wrapped her up in a hug before I pulled away and pushed her hair out of her face.
“Evan,” she managed to warn between breaths before I heard more footsteps on the steps.
I pushed Alyona behind me, but then a figure appeared.
“I’m afraid Alyona is just a little surprised at my appearance, Lord Evan,” a voice spoke from the stairs, “I do apologize.”
I relaxed quickly as I recognized the voice, and Alyona stepped from behind me and stood at my side.
“I am so sorry,” she whispered, “I didn’t know he planned to visit, or else I would have said something.”
I bowed deeply as the figure appeared down the hall, and Alyona grabbed my hand.
“Your Majesty,” I replied as the King of Rahma stepped forward, and his magic essence poured off him in waves of power.
“Hello, Lord Evan,” Rodion greeted, and his authoritative voice echoed through the halls, “I am sorry about the unexpected visit, but there are some things of which we need to discuss.”
Chapter 5
King Rodion led us into the study of my room and stood near my desk. Alyona and I followed behind him and shut the door slowly.
“Father,” Alyona spoke up from my side, “I mean no disrespect, but why have you come to Hatra? From your previous letters, I figured it would be too dangerous for you to leave The Breach.”
King Rodion sighed tiredly and gave us a sharp look. “The Breach is currently unstable, more so than usual, but I needed to speak with the two of you. I have urgent news.”
“What’s going on?” I asked, and Alyona and I shared a worried look. “Did something happen?”
King Rodion took a deep breath before he began his explanation. “It’s the noble families of Rahma. I fear many of them have begun to think I am a failure as a king. Many cities are in need of help, but with all my attention at The Breach, I can’t do my duty as their king. Their faith in the crown has weakened to the point that now some of the families have pulled their men from The Breach and refused to send any aid. I fear we could be at the birth of a revolution if we don’t get things under control soon.”
“How is that possible?” Alyona asked, and her voice dripped with anger. “You are their king, they should never doubt you. You’ve been the only one who is actively working to keep us safe. The rest of the nobles do nothing but stay safe inside their cities and take advantage of your generosity.”
“It seems that rumors of your exploits have begun to spread around the country,” Rodion answered as he rubbed at his eyes. “My subjects seem to think my inability to control my daughter has made my incompetence as king clear.”
“Wait,” Alyona gasped quietly, and her amethyst eyes widened, “so this is all my fault?”
“No,” I argued as I looked at the princess, “you’re only responsible for your own actions. How other people react is up to them. They just needed an excuse, they were no longer loyal to the king, but couldn’t be vocal about it until they had a reason. Now that they know you ran away, they have an excuse for their treason.”
“Evan is right,” King Rodion agreed with a nod, “and unfortunately, these dissenters have fed the rumor mill. Unrest in the country grows every day. Soon, I fear the country will have no choice but to begin a civil war.”
“How can we help?” Alyona asked, and she furrowed her brow in determination. “There has to be something we can do, that’s why you’re here, right? You have a plan for Evan and me? We can’t let Rahma fall into war, that could be the end for us.”
“You truly are my daughter,” King Rodion chuckled and gave Alyona a soft smile, and she blushed at his praise. “And you are right, I do in fact have an idea of how to deal with the ongoing threat. You two will leave for your campaign as soon as you are able. Preferably before the end of the month.”
“The end of the month?” I clarified. “That’s a little over a week away.”
“I know that doesn’t give you much time to prepare,” King Rodion replied solemnly, “but it needs to be done. If we continue to let the country spiral out of control, we risk mayhem. The two of you can be a buffer of sorts. I will still need you to sway the noble families to Evan’s side, that is still the mission, but I will also need you to reestablish the trust and loyalty to those who have been lost. If you can prove to them that the crown still cares for Rahma, maybe we can spare our people from war.”
“Of course, Father,” Alyona nodded eagerly, “we will do what we can to help.”
“That is a comfort to hear, my child,” King Rodion said as he gently cupped Alyona’s face with his hand. “Let’s just hope you will be able to succeed where I have failed.”
“Don’t worry, Father,” Alyona offered him a small smile, “Evan and I won’t fail you. We understand how important this is for the future of Rahma.”
“I know you won’t,” King Rodion said and turned his attention to me. “Evan, I do have to ask that you keep my daughter safe. She could be a target for any cities that plan to turn against us. I’d send my own personal guards, but I need as much help at The Breach as possible.”
“I’ll keep her safe,” I promised and inclined my head, “I will never let anything happen to Alyona, I swear. As long as she’s with me, she’s safe.”
“I know she is,” King Rodion nodded to me in respect, “I wouldn’t trust her life in anyone else’s hands.”
Alyona slipped her hand into mine, and I shared a small smile with her before we turned back to her father.
“We’ll be ready by the end of the week, you have my word,” I decided. “We’ll send a message the day before we depart. Alyona and I can figure out where we will start and get a rough idea for our travels today.”
“You have my deepest gratitude, Lord Evan,” Rodion sighed and rubbed his brow, and for the first time since I’d known him, he actually seemed … tired and aged. “However, I must implore that you practice the utmost caution, not only for yourself, but for my daughter as well.”
“I understand your concern,” I agreed, “we can’t be too careful anymore. We don’t know who we can trust, but know Hatra will always stand behind you.”
“Thank you, Evan,” King Rodion responded as he opened my bedroom door.
Alyona and I followed behind him, with our hands still linked together, and the king led us out from the Lunar Palace, back out through the gate, and into the city.
“I cannot believe this is the same Hatra I visited just a few short months ago,” King Rodion mused, and his eyes twinkled with delight as he looked around. “I would have never believed it had I not seen it for myself.”
“We have all worked incredibly hard to rebuild the city,” I told him. “While I did a lot of the construction, Azra and Raisa did more work than most. The entire city is their design.”
“The architects from Leyte?” King Rodion nodded in approval. “I cannot say I am surprised. The people of Leyte have been known for their creativity for generations.”
As he spoke, we rounded a corner that led to the homes we’d built for the people to live in, and we n
early ran into Lord Nikolaus and Ruslan. The two men paused for a moment, and a brief look of confusion crossed their faces, but they quickly corrected their expressions. Then both of them dropped to one knee before the king with an arm over their chests, and the king laughed.
“Your Majesty,” Ruslan said from his place on the ground, “my apologies, I wasn’t aware you planned to visit us today. I would have been more prepared had I known.”
“It’s quite alright, Lord Ruslan,” the king smiled and gestured for the two men to stand, “it was a surprise visit. I just needed to speak to my daughter about some matters of the crown.”
“Of course,” Ruslan replied as he rose to his feet. “How have you found Hartra thus far? I’m sure it seems very different from the last time you were here.”
“Indeed it is,” Rodion agreed before he turned to Nike and gave him a smile. “And I hear it was designed by your architects? Be sure to give them my appreciation and tell them they are more than welcome to join me at the capital when we finally eradicate the demon infestation that plagues us. I will need an impeccable team of architects when we take back our land and begin to rebuild.”
“Thank you, Your Highness, I assure you, they will be honored by your words,” Nike replied with a wide grin. “Though it will be sad to part with them, Leyte is proud to offer any help we can to the crown.”
“I thank you for your loyalty,” King Rodion intoned with a relieved smile “It is a comfort to know there are those who are still honorable.”
Nike gave him a strange look but didn’t comment further.
“So,” I broke the silence as I looked to Ruslan and Nike, “what are the two of you doing?”
“We were with Natalya,” my father answered me, but his eyes continued to watch the king, and I could see the worry reflected in his green irises. “Lord Nikolaus was kind enough to escort an old man like myself to her smithy. She had some new ideas she wanted me to go over with her.”
“How is she doing?” I asked, since I was still worried about her after the whole Ilya incident.
