by Lola Ford
I am always ready to fly with you Nerie, Kiriga said, her voice full of love.
She moved to the center of the courtyard and launched herself skyward. Her legs in the last few weeks had become stronger and she did so without wobbling to one side or the other. Soren was waving from below, leaning against Ilex. Eras was already high in the sky doing slow twisting acrobatics.
Soros who had kept mostly to herself since Aldis’ departure was also coasting on the updrafts high in the sky. Kiriga lit up when she saw that her mother had also come to see them off.
Be careful my little loves, Soros said.
Always, Kiriga and Nerie both promised.
And so, they flew.
***
The wind was behind them, and Kiriga settled into a solid pace. As Eras had taught her, she let herself glide whenever possible to reserve her strength. They’d been commanded to land if Kiriga felt any strain or fatigue during the long flight.
Nerie occasionally felt chilled, as the air was below freezing this high up, but she could lay flat against Kiriga, who created enough heat that she could stay comfortable after only a few moments.
It was about two hours into their flight, and they had only recently reached the western side of the great lake that bordered Roria when an unfamiliar voice echoed in Nerie’s head.
Sister.
A large dragon was suddenly next to them. Nerie wasn’t sure where he’d come from. She’d been watching the ground that had appeared below them. The fields were no more than small squares far below, and the land was dotted with small rivers that all fed back into the lake.
His body was a soft lilac, with the scales around his large eyes darkening to nearly Soros’ deep purple. He was at least twice the length of Kiriga, and his scales were smooth and round, though his spine was covered in large spikes that ran to the tip of his tail.
Brother! Kiriga said happily, tilting herself to get a better look at her brother.
This must be Mazen, Nerie thought to herself.
She remembered the day that Soren and the elder dragons had taught her about the other dragons of the kingdom.
Mazen had been her grandfather’s dragon. Soren and Sylas’ father - Daviron. He’d died shortly after Ilex hatched, before even Astra had been born.
I left the capitol when he died, Mazen said, responding to Nerie’s thoughts. It was too painful to be there without him. Not that it’s any less painful elsewhere, but at least in Fostos I am not reminded of him wherever I look.
He hadn’t turned to look at Nerie like Ilex or Eras did when they spoke to her. Nor was it like when Kiriga spoke to her. It felt… indifferent. After a moment she realized why. She couldn’t feel him - no emotions or thought - nothing.
They flew in silence for several long minutes before Mazen spoke again.
Mother and Father have hatched another fine dragoness. Be well sister and look after your girl.
Before waiting for Kiriga to respond, Mazen roared into the air before diving straight at the ground. However, as he passed below Kiriga’s wing he did not reappear on the other side to Nerie’s amazement.
Oh, he’s there. He can camouflage himself. He’s a rather dour one. Not my first choice for a conversation, Kiriga said, noting that Nerie was still leaning looking for the lilac dragon.
Can you camouflage? Nerie asked with wonder.
I haven’t tried. I think I’m a bit young for that anyway, Kiriga told her.
He was breathtaking, Nerie confided in Kiriga. You each are so - different - yet similar.
I can be “breath-taking,” Kiriga said, her ego slightly bruised by Nerie’s amazement with her brother, and without warning, she too dove towards the ground.
“Not funny!” Nerie screamed, tucking herself close to the dragon, the words being ripped from her mouth.
***
Nerie did not speak to Kiriga again for nearly an hour. The rhythmic beat of Kiriga’s wings and the warmth of her scales made Nerie drowsy. She wasn’t sure if she fell asleep or not, but the next thing she remembered was a female voice greeting them.
Sister, it is nice to meet you in person! A cheerful voice said.
Nerie glanced over Kiriga’s left side, to see a good-sized city below them. Tocria, if she recalled correctly.
As she watched, a dragoness launched herself from a large courtyard. At first Nerie couldn’t decide if she was red with a purple tint, or purple with a red tint, but as the sun shimmered on her scales, Nerie was inclined to think she was rather a mix between the too.
She reminded Nerie of Eras more than any of the other dragons she had met. Like him, she had spines protruding from most of her scales, and was armored nearly to her teeth. Her eyes were a blood red and the veins in her translucent wings a dark violet.
You look like you’ve got yourself a good one there, sister, Riya told Kiriga, ignoring Nerie.
I do, Kiriga said. Nerie, this is my sister Riya, dragon to the King Justan. King Justan was Queen Briya’s father, who was King Daviron’s mother. So, your great-great-grandfather.
It’s good to meet you Riya, Nerie said formally.
And you, little princess.
Riya turned her large head to smile at Nerie. It was… unsettling. Her large fangs were exposed, and the corners of her mouth pulled up in a strange way.
Kiriga. You don’t ever need to learn how to smile, Nerie said.
Both Kiriga and Riya laughed in her mind in response.
Riya flew with them for nearly an hour. The sky darkened, and Nerie could have easily lost her in the reds and blues of the sunset. She talked with them, telling them about the kingdom and its people. She talked about her Justan, and his horde of children that had loved to climb all over her when she lived in the palace.
Apparently Briya, who’d been queen after Justan, was the third of five children. She’d gone on to have eight children of her own. Briya’s reign had been short, as she had died giving birth to her youngest child, Ilana - who was closer in age to her nephews Soren and Sylas than her own brother Daviron.
If you ever want to talk family, just let me know, Riya said as a way of parting with them.
The sky was fully dark by then, and Nerie’s stomach was rumbling. Riya had told them there was less than an hour and a half left until they would reach Cian - home of Wyla, Sylas and his family.
The silence after she left was deafening. Not that there had been actual noise other than her and Kiriga’s wing beats, but her presence had been lively.
Riya is a gossip, Kiriga told her.
Do you talk to her often? Nerie asked.
She loved Kiriga but did not pry into the dragon’s life unless she chose to share.
I do. She and Wyla are my only sisters. I speak with them most often.
It occurred to Nerie then how similar her situation was to Kiriga. Meeting siblings for the first time - even if Kiriga had always known hers.
It was nice to meet Mazen. We have only spoken a few times, Kiriga sounded - hurt maybe? - Nerie wasn’t sure. It was not the happy feelings and emotions she normally got from the dragoness.
What are your other brothers’ names? Nerie asked, trying to change the subject.
Galean, who was Queen Sirah’s dragon. And Tiryn, who was Queen Briya’s dragon. Galean lives by the sea in Alluvia, and Tiryn lives to the south in Maltakos. We’ll go to see both of them some day. I’m sure of it.
Of course, we will love.
Nerie snuggled against the dragon’s warm neck, before dozing off.
***
Nerie, Kiriga woke her gently.
Blinking the sleep from her eyes, Nerie looked wearily down at the city of Cian. Even in the dark, the outline of the city was apparent. Fires glowed from the heights of the walls and from individual homes and stores. It was like looking up at the starry sky, but instead she was looking down from a dragon’s back.
Few get to see the city like this, Nerie said in awe.
Only us, Kiriga replied.
As Nerie watched the c
ity below, Wyla rose like a ghost from the tales of old. She was nearly as large as Soros and her pearly scales flashed rainbows in the firelight. Her sleek frame darted into the sky with a youth that Nerie would not have expected. Even Soros and Eras seemed to lumber into the air with their immense size.
Littlest sister, welcome to my home.
Her voice was soft and calming, and even though Nerie had spoken to Wyla more than once, something about being this close to her made it feel intimate and personal.
Wyla guided them to the courtyard they were to land in, and they were immediately surrounded by a small army of people. Someone had brought a carcass of a cow for Kiriga to eat, while others were busy unstrapping Nerie’s luggage.
As Nerie lowered herself to the ground, she winced slightly at the saddle sores she had acquired from the long flight. Her legs felt numb and she stumbled, but Sylas was there to catch her.
“Welcome to Cian, your highness. Your flight was well?”
His blue eyes glittered, and Nerie smiled up at her uncle.
“Uncle Sylas! Thank you for the invitation. It was - both Riya and Mazen made sure of it.”
Nerie managed to pull herself upright and look around. The building style was similar to the palace in Roria, but more subdued in color and decorations. The courtyard was still busy with people, who were now unharnessing Kiriga as she ate.
“Come this way. We’ll get you a late dinner, and then you can settle in for the night. Unless you are too tired to eat?” Sylas asked even as he led her inside.
“I’m famished. The flight was longer than I expected,” Nerie told him, even as her stomach rumbled.
“Then food you shall have. You can meet everyone in the morning.”
He stopped in front of a set of double doors, which he opened to reveal a modest guest room. He bowed her inside.
“It’s the finest we have. I’ll leave you in the hands of these very capable ladies. Don’t hesitate to ask them for anything you need.”
A group of three older women were waiting inside, all bowing to Sylas, then lower to Nerie.
“My Lord, My Lady,” they said in unison.
“Good night Nerie,” He said with another bow to her, then saw himself out.
“Good night Uncle!” she called after him.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Nerie
Knock. Knock. Knock.
The three loud bangs were all the warning Nerie got before the door was thrown open, and a pale and pink blur was running around her room.
As she sat up, trying to get her bearing, the blur calmed long enough to sit a tray of food on a table, and then threw itself at her. It hit her hard enough that they both went tumbling back on the bed.
“Cousin!” a feminine voice screamed from her shoulder.
Still reeling, Nerie was pulled upright by a strong grip from someone standing outside the bed. Whoever it was must have entered after the blur.
Now sitting upright, Nerie was face to face with a girl and boy who could have been twins. They had white blond hair and fair skin. Both had sea green eyes and matching wicked grins.
“Cousin,” the young man said formally, bowing to her.
How was she supposed to respond to those greetings? Nerie wasn’t even sure she was awake yet.
They did wait for the sun to come up to greet you, Wyla’s soft voice said in her mind, That was not an easy task for them.
“I - uh - I’m Nerie,” she said finally after the beaming smiles from their faces soaked into her sleep fogged brain.
“We know! We are thrilled to meet you!” the girl said, moving slightly back so that she could get a better look at Nerie’s freckled face. “I’m your cousin Kora, and this is my brother Karsen.”
“We brought you breakfast. I thought you would be hungry, and that we could possibly talk over the meal,” Karsen said. He twisted his hands slightly behind his back, nervous.
Nerie was overwhelmed. Everyone in the palace from the moment Kiriga had hatched, had treated her with a sort of distant respect. Even Aldis, who was her half-brother was reserved when he first spoke to her. Only Astra had been forthright with her - and that was simply because she hated Nerie.
It had been such a long time since anyone had treated her in such an informal manner. Not since she had become a princess. Relaxing imperceptibly, Nerie realized just how much she had missed it.
The fog of sleep now fully lifted, and happy to be in her cousins’ presence, Nerie threw herself at Kora, hugging her back.
“I’m so glad to meet you, cousins. I would love to eat breakfast with you.”
Even as she and Kora rose from the bed, the three women from the night before appeared. They clucked like a brood of hens, tugging at Karsen and Kora, trying to get them to leave the room for Nerie to change.
“His Lordship left us in charge…”
“You should be more respectful of the princess!”
“If your father knew you were in here…”
The two siblings ignored the pulls and prods and instead helped Nerie to the table where Karsen had set the food. The women continued to cluck and frown, grumpy that the two young adults were ignoring their demands.
“So, tell us all about your flight!” Kora said, even as they sat at the table.
“Father wouldn’t let us greet you last night, we were quite annoyed,” Karsen said quietly.
“Mother will want to meet you too! So, hurry and eat!” Kora said as she loaded a plate up with food and set it before Nerie.
All Nerie could do was grin. The siblings didn’t let her get a word in edgewise - even as they continued to ask her questions. In fact, she could barely get a bite in. She learned that Kora was only a few months younger than herself, just coming up on her seventeenth birthday. Karsen was a few months younger than Astra having just turned twenty.
Kiriga was busy laughing and spending time with Wyla, only briefly sending Nerie images of them wheeling high above Cian, the feeling of the wind on her wings and the joy of being with her eldest sibling.
At some point the gaggle of women moved out of the room and returned with Sylas and a woman in tow. She was obviously where her children had gotten their fine golden locks and sea green eyes. She was all smiles as Nerie rose from her seat.
“You must be my aunt Valria. I am pleased to make your acquaintance,” Nerie said, curtsying to her.
“I am. It is an honor to meet you Princess,” Valria said, mirroring Nerie’s curtsy, dipping much lower in return, however.
“Please,” Nerie said with a grimace, “we are family. No need for the formality. At least, not in the privacy of my chambers?”
The small family smiled at her - Sylas winking. “I think we can manage that, Nerie,” he said.
***
That was the start of the first and best vacation that Nerie had ever had. Between Kora and Karsen trying to show her the whole city, spending time with Kiriga and Wyla, and learning about running a city from her uncle, Nerie felt like her head was spinning constantly.
There was always somewhere to go or something to see.
It was fantastic.
Everywhere Nerie went, people bowed to her, screaming her name. She hadn’t been allowed outside of the palace in Roria. Here in Cian, while constantly followed by an entourage of guards, cousins, and staff, the only thing limiting where she could go was her own two feet.
It was freeing really. More like the days before Kiriga - not that she would ever trade a single of those days for a day with Kiriga in her life. It was easier.
They were currently in the Grand Market of Cian. Kora was dragging her by the hand, trying to get to her favorite stall. Something about a glassblower. Karsen was walking behind them, shaking his head at his sister’s excitement. Not that Nerie was fooled - she had seen him stop at more than one stall that sold small candies that looked like gemstones.
“Look here Nerie!” Kora whispered, her excitement palpable.
A man stood in front of a small forge
; a long metal pipe stuck inside. When he pulled it out, a bright orange glob hung loosely from the end. He drew in a deep breath, then slowly exhaled into the pipe. A second man held wads of wet paper, slowly warping the shape as it came to life. As the orange color faded, a dark azure replaced it.
Nerie nor Kora could look away. Even Karsen was paying more attention to the two artisans than he had spared for the other stalls.
What shape the glass finally took was an intricate dragon. Wings spread like Kiriga or Wyla in their laziest glide, head reared and tail in a gentle wave behind it. It was still attached to the pipe by the belly, but even as they watched enthralled, a pair of giant clippers were used, snipping off the glass before it finished hardening.
The man who had blown into the pipe finally lowered it, smiling at Kora then Nerie. He bowed low to them.
“Your Highness, My Lady Kora. It’s always a treat to have your watchful eyes.”
The second man stood from his crouched position, gently setting the sculpture on to a workbench. “A gift for you, your Highness. We heard you were in the city and knew it wouldn’t be too long before Lady Kora brought you here.”
“Please, let me pay for it.” Nerie said, reaching for her less than modest coin purse.
The first man laughed waving her off, “It would do more for our patronage to have you display it in the palace or Lord Sylas’s home, than for you to pay for it.”
She smiled sheepishly at them, then looked at her cousins. They too smiled at her, Kora nodding gently. “We can have it shipped to the palace, so it doesn’t break when you ride Kiriga home,” she told Nerie fervently.
They stayed out for several more hours, but once the light started to fade from the sky and the first hints of stars appeared, Nerie was ready to head back to the estate. Her feet were sore, the arms of her entourage laden with packages of things that she had liked, or that Kora had insisted they purchase.
Nerie got the impression that while Kora and Karsen were allowed to wander the city at will, they had a moderate budget - one that they would rather save than squander. But that was not the case was when their cousin was involved.
Once they returned, they were greeted by the sight of Kiriga and Wyla laying along the rooftops, wings sagging, trying to soak up the last dregs of the day’s sun. Only the slow blink of eyes greeted them, and Kora couldn’t help but giggle as Wyla’s tail slipped slowly from its resting place, but just before it hit the ground, it was twitched back up, tucked under her wing.
