Dragon Guard

by Devonnie Asher

  I don't think that's true. Ignimitra was shining a spotlight on the crevices of myself that I preferred to keep hidden.

  Then you did it because you wanted to die? Her words razed my thoughts, leaving a trail of fire in their wake. Because you had no chance against that thing without me by your side.

  I couldn't argue with her. Maybe she was right. Looking away from her, I focused on the lazy clouds floating across the sky. Anything to distract me from this discomfort.

  Do you trust me?

  Of course, angel. I held up my hand, showing her my dragon mark. We're bonded. I trust you with my life.

  Then why would you refuse to listen to me and put yourself in danger? I was only trying to protect you.

  I heaved a sigh, covering my head with my hands. There was no escaping this. And you did. A heaviness settled over me. If it weren't for you, I would have died.

  Her eyes widened, and she came even closer. What do you mean?

  Betheka's warning sprung to life in my mind then, but Ignimitra and I were having a silent conversation. No one could possibly overhear us. It was safest to tell her.

  Betheka said that no human has been able to withstand dragonsnake poison on their own. I only survived because I was bonded to you.

  She seemed to mull over my words, but I could see the questions springing to life behind her eyes. My dragon's curiosity always got the better of her. We were alike in so many ways.

  I saved you...

  It seemed like a foreign thought to her, even though she had just spent the better part of our conversation arguing that she had been trying to do just that. A soft chuckle escaped me.

  Do you remember the ruins where I found you?

  She nodded.

  She told me the story of those ruins. Back then, the Dragon Guard defeated the Shadow Dragons with dragonsnake venom. But no cure was ever found for it. The people who managed to survive were bonded to a breed of dragon called the Ancient Blackclaw.

  I thought she said I was a Great Shadowtail.

  We still aren’t sure. You eat charcoal and breath fire. I think you’re a Fire Dragon.

  Ignimitra raised her head, looking up at the sky. For the first time, it crossed my mind that she probably felt like she didn’t fit in much either. All the other dragons knew their history, their parentage—even some mother-daughter duos were enrolled in the Guard with their tamers. She was an orphan, like I was.

  She told me not to tell anyone.

  Why keep it a secret?

  Before now, there hasn’t been a Fire Dragon immune to dragonsnake poison. If the wrong person knows, they’ll try to figure out what makes you immune. It won’t be fun.

  I could tell Ignimitra understood, but it didn't do much for the inner turmoil she felt. I had struck a nerve bringing up her breed.

  How about I promise you something?

  Her eyes flickered to my face expectantly.

  I'll do my best to find out the truth for you. As safely as I can.

  She bared her teeth in a smile. That would make me happy.

  And I'll be a better listener.

  Her smile widened, and she leaned forward to lick me appreciatively. Thanks.

  I wrapped my arms around her huge head, nuzzling her. My heart felt full, and her warmth seemed to thaw me from the inside.

  What is the other thing you wanted to tell me?

  Other thing?

  You were thinking of two things when you walked into the yard.

  For a moment, I was surprised. The distance I'd been from Ignimitra should have put me out of the range of our shared communication.

  What is it?

  Betheka is my grandmother.

  Grand...mother?

  I held up two fingers. Think of these two fingers as my mother and father. I held up two more fingers above one of the previous two. And these two are the mother and father of this finger, my father. I wiggled one of the lower fingers. I would call these two my grandmother and grandfather.

  She thought it over.

  So Betheka is the mother of one of your parents?

  I nodded. My father's mother.

  She is your family, but you did not know? Why not?

  Her perceptiveness made me smile.

  Ignimitra and I spent the rest of the afternoon talking. I told her the story Betheka told me—of how she was forced to abandon my father and the joyful reunion they had. She had interesting views on it all, and we both agreed that Betheka's decision was easy to understand, especially in our world where status gave you the power to do almost anything.

  Did it change your opinion of her?

  She was spread-eagled on the grass, playing with the green tufts. My arms were behind my head, and I lay along one of her massive feet.

  No, well not really. At first, I felt a bit defensive about it, a little angry too. But then I thought of it and I figured that I would've done the same thing if I had to make that choice.

  She is a good person and a good alchemist. So I feel the same. But your father must’ve been hurt.

  I nodded, thinking of the pain I felt losing him. He would’ve grown up with the same pain, not knowing what had happened to his mother. Fortunately, he got her back later on.

  Sometimes good people can do bad things. It's part of life.

  My words hung in the air between us for a bit.

  I'm just worried that I don't have much time left with her.

  Ignimitra growled softly. Worrying isn't very productive.

  You're right, it isn't.

  In that moment, I made the decision to spend as much time with Betheka as I could.

  Chapter 6

  Darkness had descended.

  A subtle growl rumbled from beside me, where I lay near Ignimitra's stomach. That was the other thing I was supposed to do. I got so caught up in our conversation—there was something inexplicably freeing about being able to speak candidly with her about how I felt—that I'd totally forgotten to bring her some charcoal.

  Perhaps if I hurried, I'd be able to snag some before the mess hall closed for the night. I still felt full from lunch with Betheka, and if I got too hungry there was always a late-night tavern to buy a meal from. Dragon food was harder to come by.

  Does Cuinn know you're awake?

  Standing with my arm's akimbo, I gave her a questioning glance.

  Why does that matter?

  The thought of him brought back an avalanche, and a tinge of jealousy clouded my thoughts. I didn't want Ignimitra forming an attachment to him.

  He usually brings me food at this time. Maybe he still will if he doesn't know you've woken up.

  What if I want to get you food?

  You're still walking with a limp.

  I was about to retort—a limp wasn't a death sentence, and I was already feeling better—when the sound of dragon wings disrupted my thoughts. Air traffic was common at the Academy, so I hadn't paid much attention to it before. It kept getting louder.

  A dark shadow hovered above us. I craned my neck to get a better view.

  The dragon was huge—bigger than Ignimitra by a tail length—and oddly familiar. My suspicions gave rise to a sinking feeling in my stomach. It must've been the soldier in question, for I wasn't expecting any visitors.

  Ignimitra perked up, her amethyst eyes glimmering in the dark night.

  The dragon landed in the unoccupied yard beside us. Even in the dim light, its rider's fiery shock of hair stood out like a beacon. Two bags of charcoal were strapped to the dragon's saddle. Just great.

  "Kaos!" Cuinn exclaimed, alighting from his dragon.

  With a bag of charcoal under each arm, he crossed the distance between us quickly, hopping the white picket fence in a single bound. Beyond him, his dragon regarded me with sober eyes. Its hide seemed to match Cuinn's hair, though I couldn't be sure in the darkness. But from its shape I knew it was a Rubyscale, like Zelkor.

  That thought made me a little more upset, somehow.

  "I didn't expect to see you h
ere." He smiled, dropping the bags of charcoal at my feet.

  "Well, this is my house," I gestured to the building beside us.

  He laughed, scratching the back of his head. "You look better than the last time I saw you," his eyes drifted to my leg. "I'm glad you're alive, I thought for sure that you would've—"

  I cut him off, "Are those for Ignimitra?"

  He seemed shocked that I'd interrupted him, but shrugged it off with another of those white smiles. They were too forthcoming from him.

  "Yes, they are actually," He continued. "I've been feeding—"

  "She's starving," I cut in on him again. He bristled, and it was nearly amusing.

  Without another look, I picked up one of the bags and walked over to the trough where Ignimitra stood expectantly.

  The bag I held was nearly half-empty when he joined and emptied the second one. Through the corner of my eye, I sized him up. His features had changed—his brow was set, a thin line running all the way up to his temple. His full lips were pulled taut and his nostrils were flared ever so slightly. I'd upset him, and I relished that. We could start over now that I had reestablished our boundaries.

  When Ignimitra's trough was filled, she tucked into it heartily.

  Cuinn started walking away. I jogged to catch up with him, and put a hand on his forearm.

  "Look, I'm not really good with the mushy stuff," I began, my lips feeling cold just from the thought of what I was about to do. "Thanks," I said quickly. "For taking me to the alchemist, and for feeding my dragon."

  It was all I dared say, but it seemed to be enough for him.

  He was back to wearing that cheesy smile on his face, and I almost wished I hadn't said anything.

  "You're welcome, Kaos," His grin grew. "The Guard sticks together, right?"

  Did he really believe those words? Did he not see how his cohort-mates looked at me? Did he not know how they treated us? It would’ve been exhausting to explain, so I just nodded.

  We were silent for a few heartbeats.

  "Why did you help me?" I asked, point blank.

  It had been bothering me for a while now. He had obviously sneered at me when we first met, so why help me? Wouldn't it be better if he had just let me die? He bristled under my gaze.

  "Well..." He rubbed the back of his neck, his eyes moving to a spot beyond me. "I helped you because you seem like a good soldier."

  His words fell flat. I didn't buy it.

  "Good soldier?" I repeated. "You and I know what your comrades really think of me," I pressed.

  He nodded. "Yes. Yet you outdid most of them in training, and you ran half the forest poisoned."

  The memory made me wince. Cuinn didn't seem to know the significance of my survival, and I wouldn't enlighten him. Instead, I tried to focus on his other words.

  "That almost sounds like a compliment."

  "It most definitely is, Kaos Kressin," He smiled again. "Have a good night,"

  In a few moments he was on the back of his dragon and they were soaring into the darkness. My talk with Cuinn left a weird feeling lingering over me—almost as if I had left something unfinished. I still didn't like him.

  Your heart is beating fast.

  I snapped around to glare at my dragon, who was getting too much of a kick out of all of this. Balling my fists in mock indignation, I stuck out my tongue at her.

  Don't choke on your charcoal, I teased, before disappearing into the house.

  Betheka had given me instructions on how to take care of my wound, and I felt about ready for a hot bath. Having come so close to death, it was the least I deserved.

  While I filled the bath, it dawned on me that there was one other person that I had to tell about all this.

  SLEEP CAME EASY THAT night, despite the fact that I'd been asleep for two days.

  Ever since Avek had returned, my nights had gotten better. Falling asleep wasn't nearly as hard as it used to be, though I couldn't speak to the quality of the sleep I got. I still had flashbacks of that fateful night, and sometimes I was awoken by the ghost of lightning rippling through my veins.

  Tonight was one of those nights.

  I laid on my back, watching the ceiling fan whirring wildly. The large louvered windows were open and the fan was on its fastest setting. Yet, a thin layer of sweat coated me, the thin sheet sticking to my skin. My eyeballs felt like somebody was roasting them on a spit.

  Squeezing my eyes shut, I focused on the shallow breaths I took. My heart was loud in my ears, thumping away at an inhuman pace. But when I put a hand on my chest, trying to feel for my pulse, I felt nothing. Forcing myself to calm down was the only way I'd get enough peace of mind to try falling asleep again.

  Minutes ticked by. Or was it hours? I couldn't tell whenever my terrors took hold like this, but eventually things started to lose their edge. The world became soft again, and the pillow by my head felt like a cloud. Sleep’s welcoming embrace was cool to the touch.

  BONG, BONG, BONG.

  The bell's toll rattled my teeth. I shot up with a start.

  BONG, BONG, BONG.

  I was limping towards where I had thrown my uniform the next second. The urgency of the bell bolstered me forward, even as the pain blossomed in my leg. This was different from the Summoning Horn.

  This was the Service Bell—I had learned about it on my first day here in the Administrative District—and until now, I had never heard it rung. It was only supposed to be used in emergency situations.

  This was bad.

  The bell had shaken Ignimitra out of her usually deep sleep.

  What's that awful sound?

  I hobbled over to her, hoisting myself on to her back. My leg screamed. If I had known that riding a dragon with an injured leg would have brought me this much pain, I would've left that wretched dragonsnake alone.

  The Service Bell.

  Anxiety stuttered to life in her thoughts too.

  Above us, dragons and their tamers were taking to the skies as well. I was almost certain I could hear the urgency in the way they flew, hurrying towards the rendezvous point.

  My mind was alive with speculation about what this could all mean. It was days after enrolling in the Academy that I learned of the War brewing in New Terra. It was a constant feature of life here—we were being trained to fight a war. I had experienced the savageness of our enemies first hand.

  Thinking of it burned a hole in my chest. Had things finally come to a head? Ignimitra was silent beneath me, her concentration sharpened into a hard point.

  Unlike the Academy District, the Administrative District didn't have an assembly hall big enough to accommodate us all. So, we met in the same place where Ignimitra and I had received medals just a few weeks ago. Our lives changed after that ceremony. If the change was for good or bad, I was unsure.

  We were among the throngs of dragon-tamer duos landing in the clearing. It was a bit chaotic, navigating between the huge dragons anxious to get their riders there as quick as possible. Ignimitra piloted us nimbly, taking us down a few yards from the main amphitheater.

  Hewn stone seating encircled a large wooden platform in the center of the clearing. Rods of light lined the platform and down the aisle of the seats, illuminating the grim faces of the soldiers who had already found their spaces. There were shadows seated on the platform.

  I'll be back soon, angel, I stopped briefly to stroke Ignimitra's snout. She nuzzled into me, her warm tongue tickling my palm.

  As fast as I could, I hobbled over to the seating. My gait only made my anxiety worsen. These soldiers already thought of me as the weakest link. Now, with just a glance, they would be able to support their suspicions. Despite this, I held my head high.

  There was an empty seat at the end of one of the middle rows. I took it gratefully.

  Thump, thump, thump.

  My heart was back to assaulting my ears as I watched the soldiers take their seats. I wanted to close my eyes and will the feelings away, but then one of the shadows on the platf
orm stepped into the light. My breath caught.

  The Headmaster.

  Headmaster Vulcan Archer was one of the most powerful men in Pyralis, outranked only by our supreme leader, the Fire Drakken. He carried himself like a man who knew how lethal he was. Today, he was dressed in his ceremonial regalia—a full matte black suit of armor with gold piping, and a thick golden cape that billowed gently in the night's air.

  Even at this distance, his hawk-like eyes peered fiercely into the crowd of us. Everyone on the mountain feared him in some capacity. To defy the Headmaster was like trying to defy the Fire Drakken himself. Punishment was swift and severe. More than being punished, I hated the sight of him. He radiated wickedness in a way I didn't think possible for humans. Not to mention the fact that I still didn’t know if he had killed my father.

  And it was just my luck that I ended up here, under his thumb. I wanted nothing more than to beat him at his own game. Or beat him to a pulp. Either one would do.

  I was pulled from my thoughts by his voice.

  "Soldiers!" He boomed, his voice ricocheting through the clearing.

  We stood and saluted with the words, "Yes, sir!"

  He surveyed us for a few seconds, and I was glad that I wasn't close enough for him to pick me out. It often felt like he was speaking directly to me when he addressed us in this setting, and it made my skin crawl. I could do without that now.

  "At ease."

  I sunk into my seat, thankful to take some of the pressure off my leg.

  With his arms folded behind his back, the Headmaster paced the length of the platform. For all the urgency of the bell, he was taking a while to start his address. Worry painted his features, an unusual look for him. He kept glancing to his right, where someone else sat, obscured by the shadows of the night.

  When he made it back to the podium, he gripped the edges of the wooden structure so tight his knuckles were white.

  "The world as we know it is changing," He began, a solemn intonation to his voice. "The world that your parents were raised in has morphed into something else, something more...despicable." He spat the word. "The Dragon Guard has been tasked with bringing back order."