by Mary Duke
Ayana took the seat beside Itheus, across from Illiah and I. “When the time is right, Fabien will join us. As for now, there are more pressing concerns.”
“I don’t mean any disrespect,” Illiah said. “But what’s more pressing than finding my father?”
“How do you plan to get to where he is? How do you expect to get back to the Dark Mountain and release my brother?” Ayana answered her question. “If I am correct, though my mother once again gave you the ability to wield magic, you are not as powerful as you were once.”
Illiah nodded.
“What did you have in mind?” I asked trying my best to contain my excitement. I had seen Ayana before, but never in the flesh, never sitting in front of me here in my own realm.
Ayana leaned over, picking up a small chest from the floor and placing it beside her on the table. “I had hoped Zavery would be awake by now, however, there is no time to wait,” she said unhinging the latch. “When I was a child, though I had many brothers and sisters, I always felt alone. More than that, since I was the youngest, I never felt like anything was only mine. Keeping this story short, my father Aryn, father of all creatures, gave me a gift. He told me it was his greatest creation, and though it was one of his first creations, it was so dear to his heart that he had not yet released her into the universe” Reaching into the chest she revealed a large white egg cradled in her hands and held it out to me. “Go on, take it.”
I carefully took the egg into my own hands, excited. “This is a dragon's egg!”
“This is not simply a dragon's egg,” Ayana corrected me. “This is the very first dragon's egg, the same egg in fact that my father gave me.”
“How is that possible?” I questioned pulling the egg closer.
“A rarely known fact about dragons is that if a wild-born dragon wishes to become someone’s companion, they must be reborn,” Ayana explained.
“So when they say that dragons choose their being, it’s true?” I asked.
“Absolutely,” she agreed. “You are holding, Eris. My father gave her the name because she is the first immoral creature he created.”
“If your father gave her to you, why are you giving her to me?” I questioned.
“I’ve spent a thousand years with her, Sno. In a thousand years, she has always done what is best for me, as well as everything needed to keep me safe. Right now, I need to do the same for her. With the darkness brewing in the eleven realms, her children and her legacy are at risk.” A smile filled Ayana’s face. “The two of you will be an unstoppable force of light, I know it.”
“Thank you,” I replied, running my hand across the egg.
“Illiah,” Ayana said, reaching back into the chest and pulling out a large jagged black egg. “Being honest, I had not planned on giving you a dragon. As it so happens, Hayes found me while I was on my way here.”
Illiah held her hands out, taking the egg from Ayana.
“I gave this egg to my brother, Thanatos, not long after he took reign of the Underworld.”
“If this is your brother's dragon, why are you giving him to me?” Illiah questioned. Surely Ayana knew that they were going to be releasing him soon.
“I’m not giving Hayes to you as a gift,” Ayana corrected Illiah. “Hayes chose you; I am merely delivering him to you.”
Zavery nearly collapsed onto the chair beside me, before he leaned across the table. “Do you have one of those shiny rocks for me?”
“Zavery,” Ayana said surprised. “I’m glad you can join us.”
Zavery lifted his head off the table. “I’m sure you are.”
Ayana pulled a steal grey egg from her chest. “There were a few select dragons I spoke with when it came to you. Knowing what you have been through, what you would be going through, and what was to come, Alec seemed to be the best bet.”
Zavery reached out for the egg, however, Ayana kept it in her hands.
“With the help of my father, I created Alec as a companion for Eris. Though he and Eris had a love that is everlasting, not long after he was created it became apparent he was not happy in the Realm of the Gods. He longed to be free and to protect all creations. So Alec became the first dragon known to all in the realms outside of my own,” Ayana explained.
“So what makes him the best fit for me?” Zavery questioned, sliding his chair closer to the table.
A small smile curled Ayana’s lips, as she slowly sat the egg in his hands. “Only time will give you that answer, Zavery.”
“Thanks,” Zavery replied sarcastically.
“Now I must go,” Ayana said, closing the lid to the chest and rising from the table. “I’ve done what it is I came here to do, and I should leave before one of my siblings decides I’ve meddled too much.”
“So that’s it?” I asked confused. “When will our eggs hatch? How long will it take them to grow?”
“You’re no fool, Sno,” Ayana said looking back at me as she opened the door. “I suggest you each go your own way on the island tonight and do what brings you peace.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Outside of Itheus’ cabin, we each went our own way. I looked for the tallest tree, with the intent of perching myself as high up as it would allow.
Once I reached the base of the tree, I placed the egg in my bag, not wanting to drop it as I climbed.
“Aren’t you coming?” I asked, looking to Kegan.
“This is something you need to do on your own,” he answered quickly. “And there’s somewhere I need to go.”
“Where?” I questioned, not liking the distant tone of his voice.
“Don’t worry about it,” he responded.
“Seriously?” I shot back.
“You need to take care of that,” Kegan said pointing at my bag. “I have something I have to take care of.”
Before I could answer, Kegan was gone. “Goodbye to you too,” I shouted, even though I knew he was long gone.
Climbing above the canopy of the other trees, I chose a sturdy branch and pulled the egg from my bag, placing it between my intertwined legs, and leaned back against the tree before I began to clear my mind.
My hands fell to the egg, as it began to grow warmer. Excitement rushed through my body, and I took a deep breath in an attempt to calm my nerves. It can’t be that easy, I said to myself.”Oh, but it can,” a voice responded.”Eris?” I questioned, opening my eyes and peering down at the egg.
“Yes, my dear Sno.” she responded.”I thought the process for dragon eggs could take years?” I questioned.”It can.” Eris responded. ”It all depends on how long it takes the dragon to become acquainted with their rider.””Alright,” I said. “What do you want to know? How can I help?”
Eris chuckled, “My dear child, I was alongside Ayana when she chose you, and from that moment I have followed you, knowing that one day our paths would cross.””Huh?” I responded.”Hmmm?” Eris said questioning me.”Nothing,” I said. ”I just wish that half of those who watched me over the course of my life would have let their presence be known. Maybe then I wouldn’t have felt so lonely.””But you were not alone,” Eris corrected me. ”You have had Kegan since you were a child.”
My heart skipped a beat at the mention of his name. This transition was not going to be easy. Dragons and Guardians were vastly different creatures, with an opposing set of outlooks and values. ”Yes,” I agreed with her. “I know that, and I’m grateful for that. I just can’t help but wonder how different my life would be if my…” I stopped, unable to finish my sentence.”If your parents were still alive.” Eris said, finishing it for me.”Yeah,” I replied.”Everything in life happens for a reason,” Eris said, repeating a phrase I’ve heard more times in my life than I could ever count. ”If your parents were still alive, there is a really good chance that you would not be the savior the realms are in need of.”
I bit my tongue, keeping my thoughts to myself. There was so much I could say, so much I’ve confided in Kegan about. However, no matter how many times I
had a breakdown and said it aloud, I ended up feeling guilty, because I knew if it wasn’t me, it would have been someone else, and I wouldn’t wish my life upon my worst enemy.
Eris’ egg began to vibrate and crack. ”This is normal, right?””Indeed,” she replied shaking the broken pieces of her egg from her back as she stretched her wings.
I was speechless as my eyes took in the amazing creature that stood on my chest. ”I’ve never seen a dragon so small,” I thought to reach out to Eris.”You’ve joined an elite few, Sno. Only riders see their dragons hatch,” Eris responded.
“Bliss,” I thought. ”This is bliss. I have a dragon which is the size of a small cat, laying on my chest right now. The only thing that would make it better is if Kegan were here to see it.””He’ll come around,” Eris whispered before she yawned causing a puff of smoke to escape her mouth.”I’m sure he will. Kegan has a lot going on right now, he just lost his brother…and he’s a creature of habit, who retaliates against change.” I replied back as I waved the smoke away from us. “Whoa,” I said, instantly pulling my hand back from the cloud. “That’s cold.”
Eris chuckled. ”There is much about me that you need to learn. Let the first be that I do not breathe fire, I breathe ice.”
I shook my head in disbelief; I had never heard of a dragon who breathed ice. ”How am I going to learn everything before we set out to find Illian?””We will sleep,” Eris answered. ”And while we sleep our minds will become one. My thoughts will be your thoughts, my memories your memories, and my power your power.”
***
“Sno,” Kegan called from the base of the tree.
“Yeah,” I yelled back, forcing my eyes open.
“Everyone’s waiting on you,” he answered.
“Right,” I mumbled. “I’ll be down in a sec,” I said looking down at my chest, and panic set in. ‘Eris,’ I called out to her.
‘I am here,’ she replied calmly, as the wind began to whip around me before she became visible as she dropped from the clouds.
I stood, climbing the last few branches to the top of the tree. ‘You’ve grown,’ I exclaimed, stating the obvious as I was looking at the fully-grown dragon hovering the sky in front of me.”Hop on,” Eris said lowering herself between the trees so I could land on her back.”They are waiting for you!” Kegan called out.”I will take her to them,” Eris responded, before launching us straight into the clouds.”Where are we going?” I asked clinging onto her neck to keep from falling off.
“Taking you to the others,” Eris responded. ”I thought you’d like to see the sunrise this morning. It is beautiful,” she said leveling herself off above the clouds.
I gasped; beautiful was an insult. This sunrise was spectacular. The red, orange, and magenta hues set off from the ocean's darkness.”I knew you would like it,” Eris said before she started the descent back to the island.”You were right,” I replied, tightening my grip as we began to pick up speed.
Eris landed beside Alec and Hayes. “Where are Illiah and Zavery?”
“Inside where you should be,” Kegan said walking up to us, offering his hand to me as I slid off Eris’ back.
“She wanted to show me the sunrise,” I said taking his hand.
Kegan nodded, glaring at Eris as we walked past her.
“Did you do what you needed to last night?” I asked, trying to change the subject.
“You could say that,” Kegan replied.
“Are you going to tell me what it was?” I questioned.
“No,” he shot back quickly.
“Why?” I questioned, stopping before we reached Itheus’ door.
“Let’s not do this right now,” Kegan said pulling on my hand.
“Oh, we’re doing it,” I shot back. “I’m not moving till you tell me what’s going on with you. I know you lost your brother, but you’re acting like you’re hiding something…and we both know how that always ends up for us both.”
“Listen,” Kegan said trying to plead with me. “Right now, my problems cannot be your problems. You need to focus on finding Illian and freeing Thanatos.”
“You’re my best friend,” I said shaking my head and pulling him closer to me. “Your problems are our problems. I am here for you, let me be here for you.”
Before Kegan could answer me, Zavery leaned his head out of Itheus’ door. “Could you two get in here, before you give the old man a heart attack?”
I put my hand on Kegan’s chest. “This isn’t over.”
“It’s never over with you.” Kegan sighed, following me into the cabin.
“It’s about time,” Itheus said as I walked in the door.
“I tried to tell her,” Kegan said, glaring at me.
“Yes, yes,” Itheus said. “There’s no time. Sit, sit.”
“Thanks,” I said returning Kegan’s glare.
“Last night after you three left, something happened,” Itheus said as I took my seat between Illiah and Zavery. “Ayana and I were talking, as we have been doing a lot lately. She was telling me something was off with her family, how though they all want to put an end to the Queen, not all of them are willing to release Thanatos to do so. This is tearing them apart, but what’s scary about it is no one is coming forth with what side they are on, fearing retaliation from their mother, Thanatos, and Hel, their sister who is making her return to our eleven realms.”
“Hel?” I questioned, never having heard that name before.
“Yes, Hel is Thanatos’ twin sister; when the reign of the Underworld was given to Thanatos, she left,” Itheus explained.
“And now she’s coming back?” Illiah questioned. “I mean, why now? Why didn’t she come back when my father was King?”
Itheus shook his head. “It is not known…and not long after Ayana shared that with me, I was unable to reach her.”
“Why are you telling us this?” Zavery questioned, his voice again filled with frustration.
“Because I want you, all of you, to be aware. You cannot put your faith in anyone aside from the four of you,” he said pointing to Illiah, me, Zavery, and Kegan. “As well as your dragons. As of last night, they are all bound to your mission, they will follow you no matter what.”
“Great,” Zavery said. “So even the gods are against us on this; that evens the odds.”
“Why would they have given me my powers back, if they were against us?” Illiah questioned.
“I did not say they all were, simply that we don’t know which are,” Itheus answered.
“You sent for me, Itheus?” Fabien said from the doorway.
“I did,” he said standing up. “I believe it is time the five of you are on your way.”
“Five?” Fabien questioned. “I was not planning to leave.”
“However, I am afraid you must,” Itheus replied.
“Why?” he questioned, taking a step back.
“Because I’m going to use Illiah to track her father, and I’m going to use you to track yours.”
“My father?” Fabien questioned. “What does he have to do with this?”
“Your father,” Illiah said walking towards him. “Is the cause of all this.”
Fabien shook his head in disbelief.
“Your father betrayed my father, again. He stole the pendant that gave him the ability to reap souls and pass them into the underworld, and he gave it to the Queen.”
“He couldn’t do that,” Fabien shot back. “He wouldn’t do that.”
Itheus followed them outside. “He did.”
“If he did, he truly did, then what do I have to do?” Fabien asked.
“Give me your hand,” I said, holding out my own as I slid my free hand into my waistband for my dagger.
As he placed his hand in mine, I quickly sliced open the center of his palm before he could pull it away.
“What was that for?” he hissed.
“I needed your blood to find your father,” I said, pulling the map from my bag and letting Fabien's blood drip onto it.<
br />
“You could have asked,” he shot back.
“This was easier,” I answered before I looked to Illiah. “You’re next.”
She squatted down beside me, holding her hand out.
“I have a table,” Itheus suggested.
“That’s okay,” I said running the dagger across Illiah’s palm. “I prefer this. I feel as though sitting on the ground connects me to all the realms.”
“Are you sure this will work?” Illiah asked, watching her blood drip from the dagger onto my map.
“Yes,” Kegan said. “She’s good at locator spells.”
I closed my eyes and began to chant the words my father had taught me as a child. As I opened them, I watched the drops circle around the map before they both settled in the Northern Mountains.
Illiah gasped. “They’re both in the Northern Mountains?”
“Yes,” I said folding the map. “Your father is at Soliel Peak, and Quint seems to be in the Morte Caverns, or at least that would fit where Jethero was.””We must go,” Eris called out to me. “Now!”
“I’ll get saddles,” Fabien said, “And meet you guys at the beach.”
“I’ll come with you,” Zavery responded, not trusting him to go alone.
“Good idea,” Illiah said, walking back to Hayes.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
The journey to Soleil went by without incident, as we each spent the time getting to know our dragons. Eris’ mind was full of knowledge, as you’d expect one’s to be who was created before the realms. So many unanswered questions, answered, and so many more inspired.
The realms were much more complex than my father believed them to be; each one of them fitting, intertwining among themselves just enough to be kept together and classified as one.
After hours of picking through each other's minds, and countless discussions, Eris let me know that land was close.”What do you think of our plan?” I asked, realizing we had not talked much about it on our flight here.”The concept is well devised,” Eris responded.”What do you mean by that?” I questioned.”Nothing in particular,” she assured me. ”Plans are plans, it is what you intend to do. However, it’s always unlikely that the plans of those around you and the plans of the fates line up.””So you are telling me that our plan is going to fail?” I said, adjusting myself in the saddle, as Kegan landed on my shoulder.”No,” Eris corrected me. ”I said that it is unlikely that your plan will line up with the fates.””Do you know something?” I questioned, instantly regretting my tone and question.”Absolutely not.” Eris snorted shaking her head.”I know,” I apologized. ”I’m nervous. This seems too easy.”
