“Are you sure about this?” Jonah asked.
“Yes, I am,” I replied confidently.
All I could do was smile at him because he was someone who kept his promises. His brother had not been there for me since the moment I arrived here. We got on top of the horses and rode away with no problem due to the guards being asleep.
“Do you know where we are going?” I asked.
“We have to ride over to the lake, and the mountains are on the other side. We will be there in no time,” Jonah replied.
The moon was high in the sky, and I was able to see him ride ahead of me. Many thoughts were going through my mind because part of me knew what I was doing was wrong. If I were the lady I am supposed to be, I would respect the man I was meant to marry, but Oren was not respecting me, and his brother was being kind. Also, he appreciated what I wanted to know.
“If my brother or father knew that I was doing this, I would never hear the end of it,” Jonah randomly said.
“Then why are you?”
Jonah stopped his horse and turned around to look at me.
“Because it is you, and no one should ever say no to you,” Jonah replied.
We kept on riding in pure silence for a time, and then the horses started to act out! They sensed something was not right!
“The horses will not go farther. It means we need to go to the mountain on foot. The mountain is right up ahead of us. We can tie the horses against this tree.”
“We can go back if you want to,” I said.
“No, I am curious about what is there too. We need to protect this Kingdom and our allies. If there is a dragon egg there, then we can protect it. According to legend, there have been no fully-grown dragons around for god knows how long. You are the one who should find out,” he stated.
All I could do was stare at him because he was so determined to help me. Like he wanted to impress me. Also, what was interesting was how I was not caring at all.
“We have come this far, so we need to go on ahead,” Jonah said.
“If there is anything out of the ordinary, then we will go back,” I said.
After tying up the horses, we kept on walking. The moon was still high in the sky, which gave us plenty of light to see where we were going. The walk lasted for quite a while. It was long and rocky. Jonah would offer his hand and help me when I needed it.
The mountain was in our view, and it looked beautiful, transcending in the moonlight. We could see that there was a trail that leads right into the center of the mountain.
“It astounds me how no one comes here,” I said.
“Many people back home think this place was once the home to dragons. A legend that has stuck in people’s minds, and now, no one thinks of coming here,” Jonah stated.
I was at a loss for words just looking at the mountain because Merakor was now my home. I wanted to be more than just a lady of the court. I wanted to show that we could protect ourselves from the enemy. Although I see this mountain, I have a moment where I think I might be out of my element.
“According to legend, if dragons laid their eggs here, it could take hundreds of years, possibly a thousand years, before one hatches. But we need to know what is there,” Jonah said.
Hearing him say that, I knew he was right. We had come this far, and we had to keep going. We kept on walking until we came to an opening in the mountain.
“What do we do now? “I asked.
“According to legend, if there is a dragon cave, then it is up there,” Jonah replied, looking up and pointing to the top of a cliff which looked like a cave sitting at the top.
As I looked up, I knew it was going to be a long climb, “I have climbed walls like this before back home, and I have you with me,” I said.
Jonah was looking at me like I was crazy, but climbing was a hobby of mine. I knew I could do this, and it could lead me to my destiny of becoming the next dragon master.
Chapter Five
Climbing was a hobby of mine back home. I would do it alone or with my brother. It became natural to me, but now, it felt different because I was climbing a side of a mountain in the dead of night with my soon-to-be brother-in-law.
“So you do this a lot?” Jonah asked.
Hearing him ask this made me wonder if he was impressed a girl could do this or was it because it was me?
“When I had nothing to do back home, climbing was all I could do. My sister and mother frowned upon me for doing it. Climbing trees covered in snow was a favorite pastime of mine,” I replied.
After a few minutes of silence, we made it to the top. I looked down and held out my hand to Jonah. He grabbed it, and I pulled him up. He got up, and we turned around; we were standing in front of a small cave. All we could do was stand in front of the cave in awe, not knowing what we should do next.
“So, do you want to go in first?” Jonah asked.
“Well, of course, I do. I cannot believe we did it and made it here,” I replied.
Out of pure fright, I randomly held Jonah’s hand without thinking. I looked down and was shocked by what I had done. He knew what I was doing, and Jonah was not complaining about it or that it happened. It was inappropriate that I am engaged to be married to his brother. So I pulled my hand away quickly.
“I am sorry,” I said.
“No need to apologize to me. What we are doing here is scary.”
Both of us started to walk closer towards the edge of the cave. The moon was still exceedingly high in the sky. So I could see the cave and how it looked; it was not exceptionally large at all.
“There seems to be nothing here at all,” Jonah said.
“No, but I need to see it to believe it for sure,” I stated.
We kept on walking, looking around to see what was there and to see if there was anything worth seeing.
“My God, look over here,” Jonah said.
Walking over, he was staring at me, then I saw what he was talking about, and now I understood why Jonah said what he said. There were significant burn marks along the hollow walls.
“Those are burn marks! From the size of them, they had to have come from a dragon,” I said.
Making my way over to the wall, I took my hand and touched the wall. It felt like nothing I had felt before. Then a thought came to my mind making me want to look further. As I continued walking around, I looked at the palm of my hand, and it was covered in black soot.
“What is the matter?”
“Just a feeling. Like we are not alone in here,” I replied.
“You think so?” he asked.
“It is only a feeling, so let’s be careful,” I replied.
We started walking around the cave. It was so small so, if there was anything around us, it had to be small. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed something sparkle in the moonlight.
“What the hell is that?” Jonah shouted.
Walking over, it looked like a rock. I moved a few larger rocks out of the way to see it for ourselves. It had the appearance of a rock that was made of something like pure gold.
“That is a dragon’s egg, Bella. In all my life, I never thought I would ever have the chance to see one,” Jonah said.
All I could do was look around and see if there was anything else that was glowing. My feelings had been correct, and we were not alone. That egg proved it for sure.
“To be perfectly honest, I think this is the only one here. Part of me wonders how long it has been here?” I asked.
“As I said, it could have been here for hundreds of years. It will hatch in due time,” Jonah replied.
Holding the egg, it was such a beautiful sight. My mind was all over the place due to not knowing what to do next. Not wanting to drop it, I hesitantly walked over to show Jonah, then gave it to him to hold and to keep it safe.
“We, of course, will not leave it here! But the problem is, we cannot take it back to the castle either,” he said.
Both of us stood there in silence, not knowing what to do next. Then Jo
nah snapped his fingers. Giving me a look like he had an idea of what we could do next.
“Wait? What about the larger cave near the lake?” he asked me.
“What a fantastic idea! No one goes there,” I replied.
“To be perfectly honest with you, we are not going to find any more eggs. I think this is the only one here. It needs to be in a place where it can be safe; the cave near the lake is its only chance,” he said.
“If we can get it there, then we are going to have to make sure that it will be safe and that no harm will come to it. When it does hatch, if it does in a good time, it can help our Kingdom. I want people out there to see that we show no fear,” I said.
Jonah did nothing but walk closer to me and hug me, “That is something I admire about you,” he said.
“What is it that you admire?”
“That you never give up. Eros and Daramir are two Kingdoms that hate my father. They have both been threatening for some time that they will come and destroy Merakor. Saying that they will also set fire to any allies. So, if this precious creature does hatch, then it can help us for sure,” he replied.
Hearing him say that was true as my home has been the only truthful ally to Merakor, Winterdom is a desolate small Kingdom, and they would be in danger. So, this must work. Finding a form of protection is the only way.
“Watching over it will be my job. My parents or Oren will not think about what I am doing. All I am to them is just a prince and nothing more. If we want to get it to safety, then we need to get the hell out of this small cave now,” Jonah said.
Jonah then placed the egg in his bag and closed it tightly, knowing that he will be the one to carry it down to the ground.
“You are protective, and I can go first to help you while we climb down,” I said.
We started climbing down the mountain, breathing in and out slowly on the way, being careful so that neither of us slipped and dropped to the ground, putting the egg in danger. As I looked up, I could see Jonah was climbing down apprehensively above me, and I was staring at the bag that the egg was in.
“You okay down there?” Jonah asked.
“We are almost there!” I replied.
Being able to feel the ground under my feet was such a relief. Even being from a place that was so natural for me, I had to remember how I was now a member of the court, and it is something I should not be doing anymore. Jonah then got to the ground. He opened the bag, and the egg was safe. Phew!
“I hope we are not disturbing it at all,” I said.
“As I said before in legends, it may not hatch for hundreds of years. God forbid, we have no idea how long this egg has been there. It will know when it is the right time to hatch,” he said.
We found the path and made our way down off the mountain and back to our horses. They were still where we tied them up earlier.
“It is going to be light out in a few hours. Please ride back without me. I will make sure that the egg is safe and sound within the cave near the lake,” Jonah said.
“Will I be able to see it?” I asked.
“Yes, of course, you will. When it does hatch, it will need a mother figure. In all honesty, you will be the one to have that job,” he replied, smirking.
“Please let me know when I can come and see it.”
“No need to worry, please ride on your horse, and get back to the castle. The gate will be shut tight, but you will see a stable outside of the gate once you ride towards the castle. Walk the horse into a stall, and from then on, you will be able to get back in unseen,” he said.
Knowing that asking more questions would be a waste of time, I got on the horse after untying it, riding away from Jonah. The moon was somewhat still high in the sky and was the perfect guide for me.
Making my way, I was able to see what in my eyes was now home right in front of me, but I had to be quiet due to the night guards being on the wall and talking to one another.
I was able to see the small stable as Jonah had said that was there on the outside. Getting off the horse, I was able to get the horse into the stall without anyone seeing. The horse fell asleep quickly, but now I had to understand what he meant when he said that I would be able to get back on the other side of the wall without any problems.
“Dammit, what does he mean?” I said to myself as I looked around for some kind of clue.
I noticed a door covered by a few bales of hay out the corner of my eye. Walking over and moving it, I was able to see that it was, for sure, a door. I went through the door and realized that it went right into another stable, but it was on the other side of the wall.
“Well, that explains how Jonah was able to get in and out without being seen. It might be my only way of getting out when needed,” I said again to myself.
Making my way back to my room, I was happy to know that no one knew I was gone. Lying in my bed, I was finally able to get warm. Thoughts are going through my mind on what we had found. Jonah did so much for me, and I hope he was being safe and keeping the dragon’s egg safe. No one would ever believe what we found, but it could be the key to be safe if an enemy declares war.
The moon was starting to set, but I knew that I would have to try and get some sleep. For sure, it was not going to be a goodnight's sleep, but it would be something for sure. Once I opened my eyes again, it would be a new day with new possibilities that I would not know about.
Chapter Six
Waking up a couple of hours later, I felt so exhausted. I heard a knock at the door, and I wondered who it could be this early in the morning.
Part of me wondered if Jonah was at the door after I returned to the castle, but then I ran to the door to open it, and it was Oren! He had such a big smile on his face.
“Hello, I was not expecting you back until later,” I said.
“Being away from you for only one night was so hard. Being with my father, all that was going through my mind was you. I was able to come home and know that you were here waiting for me,” he said.
He was gone for only a day! Oren then stepped closer to me. The closest that he has ever been to me since I have been here. Then for the first time, he kissed me!
Oren had never done that before. We were engaged after all, and I was not going to stop him from kissing me. He pushed me into my room and shut the door. I knew he wanted to do more, but then I stopped him.
“ Oren, please stop,” I said.
He stopped with a look of confusion. He did not understand why I was telling him to stop.
“Milady, I am so sorry. You are so beautiful, and being away from you felt like an eternity,” he said.
“Thank you for saying such kind words to me, but if memory serves me correctly, you wanted nothing to do with me less than a week ago.”
Oren stood looking at the ground because he knew I was right about the whole thing.
“ I know, but last night, when I was asleep, all I could do was see your face.”
It was so hard to hear him say that, but a part of me was thrilled to listen to him because all I wanted to do was impress him. After all, I was going to become his wife no matter what.
“I will come and see you later today,” I told him.
I was confused by so many emotions. So, to get my head on straight, I had to get him out of my room first.
“Please do. I would most certainly like that. Until then, my lady,” he asked.
“That is what I am telling you. I will find you later today, and we can continue this conversation. That I can promise you,” I replied.
Oren did nothing but hug me and had such a smile on his face. Part of me was wondering what made him change his mind about me.
All Oren did was smile at me, and then he turned around, opened the door, and walked out of my room. He was leaving me in complete shock and not knowing what to do next.
After getting dressed, I left my room. Walking down the hall, all I wanted to do was to find Jonah. I wanted to know what happened to him after we had to leave one another. I w
anted to make sure that the egg was okay.
Walking around the corner, I ran right into him. Both of us falling and landing right on our butts!
“Oh my god! I am so sorry,” I said.
“It is alright. I figured that you would be looking for me,” Jonah said.
“Can we talk?”
“Later, my father wants the entire court to meet in the hall for a meeting,” he said.
Hearing him say that, I was starting to become concerned because I had never heard the word meeting since being here.
“Do I even have to be there?”
“Yes, all the members of the court. Remember, you are also a member of the court now, ” Jonah replied, laughing.
We both walked through the double doors, and it was a packed hall! Something I had never seen before. Whatever the King wanted to talk to all the court about, it had to be of significant importance.
Getting through the large crowd, I was able to see the King, Queen, and Oren, standing at the side in silence.
“Now that all of us are here. News has come to my attention that there have been Daramir spies near our border recently. Also, it has come to my attention that Daramir is now allying with Eros. If they become an alliance, it could become a danger to our Kingdom,” King Valkan stated.
Hearing all of this, people started to talk to one another. Fright was evident in their eyes, not knowing what to do. All I could do was look at Jonah. Hoping he would have an answer, but nothing. Then I turned to Oren, and he stepped forward. He had a look on his face like he had something of significant importance to tell all the members of the court.
“Lord Jared of Winterdom and Lady Heather of Darrow Hills will be coming in a week to ally with us, and in case war is threatened. Daramir and Eros have been known in the past for being violent and having their soldiers show no mercy,” Oren said.
Hearing that my father was coming excited me, but still, I knew he was coming at a dire time, and he would be here to talk with the King. Part of me wanted to say what we found, but it wasn’t the right time, so I kept my lips sealed for now.
The Dragon Master (The Journey Book 1) Page 3
