by Talia Haze
“They are armed. Could be those assassins that man threatened,” responded the someone. “Perhaps we kill them.”
“Ah! Do not grieve me with such council! These are children after all!”
“Would you rather a risk? Consider the threat, and these close to when it was given? And so far from the road? Why wander so far away?”
“Come now, Gibtye, all travelers must protect themselves! Perhaps they feared robbers. Come, let us just take them! We overpower them, certainly! I just will not rest easy if I commit such an act without first knowing for sure.”
“Very well. Take them.”
At this, Angel leapt to her feet, armed and ready. I followed her lead, grabbing my club…although I didn’t know how exactly I’d help.
“Disarm!” she demanded in her sternest voice. Two people spun around, eyes glowing yellow from surprise. One opened his mouth wide, letting out a bellow that shattered the air. My hands went instantly to my ears, and my knees hit the ground. Press as I might, I couldn’t keep out the noise.
When he stopped and I looked up, I found myself staring into the large face of a massive black dragon. He huffed through his barrel-sized nostrils, blowing my hair back in a cloud that stunk of pitch and sulfur. Sean was bite-sized.
An arrow pierced the inside of his nostril, making him groan and spin towards Angel. I rolled out of the way of his gigantic body, watching his swinging tail as four enormous black dragons surrounded my sister.
“Where did they come from?” Ryan cried out.
Where did they? I counted only two.
Angel dropped her bow as the four circled, arming herself with her daggers. She watched all around, turning with the dragons with arms outstretched. I didn’t know how she planned on fighting them all at once, but she didn’t even seem fazed.
I didn’t feel as alarmed as I should have. I was simply astounded. I unconsciously grabbed the leg of one of the dragons as it passed me. It was wider than a tree trunk, cooler than a rock in the shade, with gleaming scales more solid than iron. So smooth!
The dragon felt my touch and looked over his wings at me with glowing yellow eyes. I stumbled back at the warning, but my sister was more of a threat than I, and the dragon turned. Angel spun her daggers in her hand and bent, but Sean dashed between the mass and held his hands out.
“Wait, stop!” he cried out. He beckoned and Saramine ran to his side. “Peace! Let us not fight; we are outmatched! These are under my command; we will all obey!”
Sean and Saramine bowed deeply and changed to dragons themselves. Decent, Sean! Perhaps they would listen to their own kind. Angel didn’t release her stance and the dragons still had their shoulders hunched aggressively. All was still for a tense moment. Finally, with some kind of silent cue, the four dragons sat at once.
“Very well,” one agreed. His voice was firm, but very warm. I calmed instantly. “I am Gibtye. These here are my friends…Yrabiz, Radrion and Wepod.” The dragons nodded their heads as their names were called. “If peace is meant, disarm, and order yours to do the same.”
Sean’s large head turned to us and we quickly obeyed. The dragon named Radrion wasn’t satisfied.
“All of them, Inzi,” he ordered. Angel huffed with a wide grin and began to remove her many daggers. Yrabiz and Wepod gave each other looks as the small pile at my sister’s feet grew, but Gibtye laughed aloud.
“Very good,” he said. One of the dragons stared at me intently, before whispering to Gibtye. Gibtye nodded, his large, dragon eyes falling on me.
“You will actually come with us,” he added, “and I trust that you will not have to be led away in rope.” Sean nodded in agreement. “Follow.”
With that, he scooped the weapons on the ground with his tail, placing them high upon his back. Radrion allowed him to pass before following and Yrabiz and Wepod walked behind us.
~
The journey was long. The dragons wouldn’t walk, and so we rode upon Radrion through the darkness. The wind blew hard against our faces, and though we huddled together and pulled the blankets around us, the breeze pressed through. The night air felt frigid, and because we flew through thick clouds, the air was damp. Though the moon tried its best to shine through the haze, it still seemed as though we flew through sheer darkness. We were too high to see the dark ground, but too low to see the stars.
I buried my head into Connie’s shoulder, trying to block the wind.
“Only a little longer, Moura,” she said, gently brushing my hair. Two of the dragons turned, but nothing was said. I felt I could continue no longer when we finally landed near the outskirts of the dragon’s city. I sat up as another dragon landed loudly before us.
“Guests or prisoners?” he demanded. Gibtye turned, a puff of white steam exiting his nostrils in the cool air.
“Guests,” he replied, “but the night will confirm.”
I hoped the morning would instead. I felt so exhausted, but at least we were out of the wind. The dragon named Wepod looked down upon us.
“You can rest soon,” he assured us.
The city of Thelathini sat against a huge canyon wall. The city stood high in tiers, and the highest levels rose several hundred feet up against the rock face. Near the top of the canyon walls, and nearly out of sight, stood several large perches. Some had a stately dragon staring out over the lands; others were vacant as the dragon circled around. All doorways and windows were massive, the smallest of them spanning twenty feet while reaching heights of fifty feet.
The light from the hundreds of flickering torches made it seem like the stars settled down upon the city. Our dragons walked through the wide streets, towards the high canyon wall. We didn’t enter any gates…I supposed they wouldn’t be necessary in a kingdom of dragons. The streets lay empty and still; no other dragons were around. Once we arrived at the first tier, I was surprised to see that there weren’t any stairs.
I had forgotten that there was no need. We took off again, flying to the highest tier of the city, and landed on a wide balcony without railing. We dismounted, and with a whish, our dragons changed to human as they walked inside, their cloaks flying back. They were four tall men dressed in black fencing pants and sleek, knee-high boots. They had dark-gray, brass-studded doublets with dark burgundy shoulder rolls. Each wore a three-corner hat with huge purple and black ostrich plumes.
“You will be treated warmly here,” Gibtye said, leading us down the halls. “I now know that you do not have ill intentions, but we have other questions for you now.”
He escorted us to two rooms, one for Sean and Ryan, and the other for the rest of us to squeeze into. Wepod opened the door.
There would be no need to squeeze. The room was huge. Carved from a deep, earth-red rock, it glistened with polish. The stone fireplace, the roomy wash basin in the floor, the frames for the two beds and the torch holders were all carved into the room itself.
We breathed in amazement as we made our way through the room. The windows stretched from floor to 50-foot ceiling and overlooked the majestic kingdom below. Before them, and atop the two stone bed frames lay large, thick round mattresses. The beds stood so high, that they came up to my chin. What a perfect place for a dragon to coil upon!
The tall door closed gently behind us. After a few more minutes of looking around in wonder, we collapsed onto the beds, no one bothering to blow out the lights.
~
I awoke with a start when I felt Angel move suddenly next to me. Someone had entered our room. I sat up, but it was just a young servant girl, talking quietly with Connie. I relaxed and lay back down, but Angel lay fully alert and listening for any signs of frustration.
I rolled over and stared out the massive windows. The day was gray and only a few beams of light broke through the mists. A gentle rain tapped the glass and large shadows often flew past.
I turned back as Connie squealed after dismissing the girl. Saramine sat up with a start as Connie pulled herself onto the bed next to her.
�
�We are to have breakfast this morning with the queen!” she said excitedly. “Get up, get dressed and prepare yourselves! They heard me address Gabriella last night! They know who we are! We are to have breakfast with the queen herself! We are to dine with a dragon queen!”
The queen was beautiful. Her flat face was small and pale, and her long, thin black hair was pulled up high into an elaborate flower headdress, save the few strands that wisped before her eyes. She had a wide smile and strong lines around her mouth, proving she laughed often. Her narrow eyes were the dragon standard, only hers blazed blue with a black slit. Her neck was longer than most, and was wrapped with an elaborate golden necklace.
“Welcome to Thelathini, princesses,” she greeted in a sweet, low voice, standing as we entered. Connie flashed me an excited smile and took my hand as we followed Gibtye further inside. “Please, sit.”
Gibtye and Radrion stood nearby, just a few paces behind the queen, and two maids sat on stools to her right. “I am told you were found whilst my men were on patrol. Tell me, what are two princesses doing in the wilderness with such a small entourage?”
“We are on our way to meet our parents,” Angel answered. The queen’s eyes traveled to my face.
“Renard,” she agreed. “Although I am curious to know how his daughter became elvish royalty…”
“You know our father?” I burst. The queen nodded her delicate head.
“I met him once,” she replied, gently patting her necklace. “He sold this necklace to me several years ago. I remember him being quite handsome,” she added with a smile to her maids, who blushed. The queen giggled and leaned back in her chair. “I am afraid not all feel as I do towards him,” she added in a more serious air. “I have heard only rumors, but even rumors hold power. I wish for you to stay in my court. I fear that should you meet with men less scrupulous than my own, something terrible would befall you.” I cast a quick look to Angel, who remained expressionless.
“Your kindness is beyond generous,” she answered. “But we must continue. We cannot return to our homeland without our father.”
The queen nodded. “Then, I have a command.” I shifted nervously and Angel’s lips pressed tightly. “Do not tell others who you are. If asked, you simply search for the Tashin Riders. Say nothing more. Again, I hold no complaints against Renard, but perhaps others do. Perhaps others shall not be as kind to you as I have been.”
Nothing more about it was said as we finished our breakfast. Connie was so curious about the kingdom and asked many questions about customs and the like. I ate my meal of shredded apples and pork silently.
Who was our father? Why did he have so many enemies? Enemies that were cruel enough to kill his friends and threaten his children? Perhaps he wasn’t at all like I imagined him; he did at one time keep company with Uncle Harrison. What if his eyes were so piercing because his temper was so much worse? What if Uncle Harrison held such a grudge because my father had been cruel to him as well?
Deep laughter echoed the halls as I neared the sitting room. It had rained heavily all day and there was no sense in traveling in such a storm. No matter; the dragon kingdom was comfortable, and I had found plenty of places to explore. All I had come across were especially kind, some even showing me the best places to wander.
I hadn’t even come close to exploring the entirety of the wing we were in. The palace was just too massive. I gave up my random quest and made my way back down the halls to the sitting room.
The four queen’s guards stood around the corner, making jokes or mocking each other while Sean stood nearby with a quiet smile. Sean stood the tallest of us, but even he seemed small whilst standing with the guard. As I approached, Gibtye put on his hat.
“I must make my rounds,” he said, with a polite bow. “So, I take my leave of you.”
“Might I accompany you?” Sean asked in a quiet, timid voice unknown to me. Gibtye gave a quick look to the others as he patted Sean’s shoulder with wide grin.
“I would be honored,” he said. Sean’s smile nearly consumed his face as they turned away from me down the halls. Sean had followed the Dragon Guard the entire day. It must have been a treat for him to be in the company of men of his own kind. He held them in a reverence that I just wouldn’t be able to understand.
The other three bowed as I came upon them, Wepod opening the heavy door to the sitting room. A loud crack of thunder shook the windows as I entered. Ryan looked up briefly as the lightening whitened the room.
“Enjoy your time of being nosy, then?” he asked as Wepod closed the door behind me. I grinned and sat across from him.
“More than you know,” I replied. “I’m beginning to think you were right; with all we have been through perhaps it would be nice to write my own tale.”
“I’m always right, lad,” he responded. I rolled my eyes. Ryan turned towards the window when Connie and Saramine burst into giggles, Angel doing her best to remain stern. “Is Sean still outside the door? I’m beginning to feel outmatched.”
“You are,” I replied, pulling out my pipe. “Sean left with Gibtye on patrol.”
Ryan nodded. “Good for him, then.”
The rain didn’t clear until that evening. The queen was gracious and let us stay another night. The next morning was bright and clear. The Dragon Guard would perform one more act of service by flying us to the main road.
I held my hands out to my sides in nervous excitement as we soared through the air. The fields below looked like little squares upon the ground in an array of color. This time, the wind did not feel so harsh. The chill awakened me, blew back my hair and filled my lungs. Flying! Never in my wildest dreams did I even imagine it! I tilted my head back towards the sky, keeping my arms outstretched as far as they could go. There was no longer any need for the tales of the fair maiden Gabriella. All I needed to do was breathe in every moment and retell it all in my memory.
I felt so alive when we landed near the road. I slid smoothly across Radion’s scaly back into Sean’s arms. After we had all dismounted, Gibtye patted Sean on the shoulder.
“Mind their safety, young Sean,” he said. “And remember our queen’s words. Pleasant journey, and may our paths cross again soon!”
Sean nodded as Gibtye leapt into the air, changing back and darting behind Radrion. Angel took a moment to gather herself before leading us down the road and into the shadow of the trees. Sean and Ryan walked far behind us and Sean excitedly told Ryan all that he had done while in the company of the Guard.
“Have you ever been to a dragon kingdom?” I asked, turning to Saramine. She shook her head. “What did you think of it?”
“I think it was wonderful!” she said. “Of course, I have had the pleasure of meeting other dragons many times before, but to see so many in one place? A kingdom just for us? I now remember the tales that my grandparents told of the kingdom that they used to live in before they journeyed to Nyora. I never thought I would ever actually see one! I am so grateful Aira allowed me to come!”
“Why did you even want to come?” I asked. I bit my lip, afraid I sounded rude, but Saramine smiled. “You certainly didn’t have to.”
“I am loyal to Aira,” she responded. She chuckled and looked at the ground. “Truly, I did not believe that I was ready for a quiet life outside of war. What would I do? And without your sister? I had been at her side for four years! I could not so easily depart from her.” Saramine trailed off.
“But what of your family?” I asked after a pause. She didn’t turn. “Or…I’m sorry.” I hung my head. “Angel did say many were orphaned by the ambassador.”
Saramine turned to me with a smile. “I am not one of them,” she replied. “My family is alive and well in Nyora. My mother is the queen’s maidservant and my father is a Faeni, a king’s guard.”
“But you’re Inzi!” I objected. And she was born Inzi, not brought in like my sister. “I thought you were in opposition with the monarch?”
“Not at all! The king himself commissioned
several Inzi to be among his guard, knowing our strength. The queen did so for our sealed lips. We were only ever in opposition with the Ambassador, who led the kingdom while the king was away on campaign. Vincent was a cruel man and enslaved thousands to work in his mines. That was when the Inzi rebelled. Many others then joined our fight. Like your sister.”
“Do you think your family is worried about you? You didn’t tell them you were leaving. Don’t you miss them?”
“They trust me on my own…we have often gone months without seeing each other because of the war. They know I have left. I gave one of the runners a message to for my mother…you met him briefly while you were in Nyora. Pai. He is very faithful, and I know…”
“Who are you?”
On the branch of a tree high above our heads, sat a boy about nine…although he was very short, even for his age. He wore clothes very similar to Angel’s…a fur vest, dark green pants that went a little past his knees, and he was barefoot. A spray of freckles went across his nose and his thin lips curved into a frown. He glared down at us with huge, green eyes.
“Travelers!” Ryan called. “And you?”
“Mind your tongue, lad,” the boy ordered. “You don’t know who you’re dealing with.” He was armed, and aimed his bow at Ryan, but Angel did the same, and faster than he did. “I said, ‘who are you?’” he repeated with more authority. Angel stood straight, setting her bow at her side.
“Wele Aira, nik’dalo aeni Inzi,” she replied with more authority than he could ever manage. The boy instantly disarmed, putting his fist to his chest and hanging his head down. Angel silently examined him for a few moments before relenting. “Rise.” The boy looked up at the order. “Why do you question us in such a manner?”
“Because I am being hunted,” the boy coolly replied. Ryan cocked his head and watched the boy carefully. “And I want to be certain that it is not by you. Nik’dalo or not, I will guard myself from any messengers of death.”
“Then, be easy. We do not search for you.” Angel said nothing more, remembering the queen’s words. The boy just smiled and simply leaned forward, examining my face. I shifted and gave a quick look to Angel.
