by Sarah Noffke
The forest around them was so quiet it made it easier to think. “The dragons are being born evil. Is this batch bad? Is it me?”
Bermuda pushed the book over so Sophia could read it. “I think you better read this passage.”
Sophia focused her eyes on the words on the page, reading:
“Dragons are predisposed to a certain affiliation. Unlike humans, they aren’t dictated by nature versus nurture. In creating the balance of the world through these magical creatures, great reason was put into the set number of dragons that would reign the Earth one day. As previously discussed, the Archangel Michael’s blood infiltrated the Earth, soaking into the dragon eggs, according to the legend.
“However, in order to ensure things remained balanced, other blood was spilled at the same time by the demon Nergal. Half the eggs on Earth absorbed the angel’s blood and the other half, the blood of the demon. Although it was always the intention that dragons and their riders would serve as the world adjudicators, promoting justice and peace, to ensure yin and yang laws were observed, it was necessary that half the population also promote the opposite. For every dragon in a batch that’s born good, there will always be one born evil.”
Sophia’s head jerked up after finishing the passage. “So they are supposed to be like this? They are evil?”
Bermuda nodded. “I’m as surprised as you to learn this, but it makes sense when you think about it. If a thousand dragon eggs had hatched originally and they were all good, then maintaining peace would never have been an issue. But we don’t evolve in the times of peace and goodness. It’s through adversary and overcoming the struggles of war that mankind has always made the most progress. Mother Nature and the angels set it out that there would be guardians of this world—you and the Dragon Elite—but you’d have a natural enemy, and it’s one of your own.”
Sophia shook her head, wondering why things could never be easy.
“You see, Sophia,” Bermuda continued, seeing the frustration building on her face. “We are as in danger of being overrun by goodness as by evil. Those who run this show know it’s in maintaining a balance between the two that the world continues to go round. I’ve learned as much in my travels and explorations of this great planet.”
“But it says dragons are born one way, either good or bad,” Sophia reasoned. “Then it said humans aren’t. An evil dragon magnetizes to a rider with the same affiliation…”
Sophia paused, thinking. She recalled Thad Reinhart and what she knew about twins. They were also born either good or evil. Neither was both. If Jamison, her twin, had survived, he would have supposedly been a dragonrider and evil, according to Hiker. That was why the leader of the Dragon Elite had asked Mama Jamba to stop allowing twins to be chosen as dragonriders.
“Maybe some of us are predisposed to being one way or another,” Sophia continued, trying to work things out in her head.
Bermuda shrugged her large shoulders. “Maybe. I think your situation is a bit more complicated than most.”
It was like the giantess knew what Sophia was thinking about with the twin factor. “What if…” Sophia began slowly. “What if a rider changes? What if they turn good or evil? Does that change their magnetism to a dragon?”
Bermuda held out her hand, sighing softly, obviously irritated by this question. She randomly flipped through the book and pointed to a passage. “There you go.”
Sophia leaned over, reading the words:
“Riders don’t magnetize to dragons until their personalities are set, which usually happens around middle age. It’s then that it’s unlikely they will shift even when faced with great circumstances.”
Overwhelmed by this, Sophia shook her head. “This is nuts.”
“It’s actually very extraordinary you magnetized to Lunis so early on in life,” Bermuda lectured. “You are an anomaly, and I don’t think we will see this situation repeated again. You were born good, and there was no changing that. And my son, for all his eccentricities, had the forethought to spot you as having dragonrider qualities.”
“But, like the dragons, I was predisposed,” Sophia said, her heart suddenly racing. “I was meant to be good, just as Hiker was. And Thad Reinhart was meant to be evil.”
“I’m afraid it’s not that simple,” Bermuda disagreed, giving her a sympathetic expression.
“What? How do you know what I’m even talking about?” Sophia questioned.
“Because I see where your intention has led you,” Bermuda stated, pointing at the book.
Without realizing it, Sophia had opened it randomly, and her finger was resting on a chapter related to the twin factor.
A chill ran down Sophia’s arms as she read over the first few sentences:
“Intentions choose the affiliation of a twin which is sealed when the first act of magic is performed. That act, whether good or evil, sets in stone what the person will become and is countered by their twin. They are much like the dragons they will magnetize to, sharing the act of balancing the world. The issues for those who have the twin factor is in balancing their powers, especially when they absorb the other’s strength.”
“May I suggest,” Bermuda interrupted, pulling Sophia’s gaze away from the book, “that since you have learned what you came here for, you return to this section later. I dare say it can wait now that you know how to use the book with your intention. What can’t wait’s you preparing for a time-sensitive mission.”
Sophia’s mouth dropped open with surprise. “How did you know I’m about to leave on a time-sensitive mission?”
The giantess had a twinkle in her eyes when she said, “I would point my finger at something intangible like intention, but alas, it was that.”
She pointed, and Sophia looked up to find her dragon standing in the distance. He was sitting on his hind legs, tapping on his wrist with a single claw to indicate time was of the essence.
Chapter Fifty-Four
Before they had geared up for this mission, Sophia had a brief moment to explain to Hiker what she’d learned in The Complete History of Dragonriders with Bermuda Lauren’s help. She’d handed him the book, explaining how he could look into the twin factor for himself and find the information she hadn’t had the time to research. However, once the book was in his hand, it disappeared and then reappeared in her room.
For whatever reason, Quiet didn’t want the Viking to have the book. He wanted Sophia to find the information, or he had some other strange reason for his actions. It was hard to understand why things were playing out the way they were.
Hiker didn’t seem as disappointed as Sophia would have expected. “I’m busy enough I don’t need the extra work, researching that which I’ve assigned to you to figure out.”
She nodded bitterly, not wanting to remind him he’d pretty much placed the bulk of the projects on her shoulders. When she drilled down into it, she thought if she did complain, he might think twice about entrusting such big projects to her. He might conclude she wasn’t strong enough. If she was really honest with herself, she might be overwhelmed, but she selfishly wanted all the major projects.
“Half the dragons being born evil though,” Hiker began, gripping his beard, “actually makes sense based on my experience.”
He paced in his office in thought for a long moment. “If my experience with the Dragon Elite has taught me anything, it’s that not every dragonrider who comes to us is suited for what we do. I’d say, exactly half the time, a rider and their dragon hasn’t worked out. You remember Gordon Burgess?”
Sophia nodded, having thought specifically of that man when this came to light.
“Well, he’s just one of many examples,” Hiker stated. “Of course, we went through a dark spell when mortals weren’t able to see magic, and few came to us. Even then or before then, it was always a roll of a dice whether the rider who showed up on the steps of the Castle would make a good addition to the Dragon Elite, and it was always clear from the beginning. Either they were like Wilder or Mahkah or...w
ell, I guess you.”
“You are so kind, sir,” she said dryly.
“Don’t mention it,” he replied dismissively. “Or the rider was the opposite, full of their own selfish desires and not willing to sacrifice or risk anything for the betterment of the world.”
“The dragons and their riders are divided,” Sophia commented. “They are either good or evil.”
“I don’t think I have to elaborate to you that this makes our mission more complicated,” Hiker lectured.
She nodded, having thought about that. “We don’t have a thousand eggs…”
He shook his head, frustration taking over his features. “No, we have half that. Now we have to figure out what to do with the other five hundred that hatch and how to minimize the threat they could cause.”
“Sir need I remind you the text says they create balance in the world,” Sophia urged, realizing the Viking thought an easy solution would be to just destroy the bad eggs. “We don’t even know which ones are which. Many babies are born with colic or something and appear bad-tempered, but simply have an upset stomach.”
Hiker actually laughed at this. “You’ll have me believe those three angry dragons that just hatched are just having an upset tummy?”
“You said ‘tummy,’” she joked, trying to make light and sensing Hiker was close to a new edge. She didn’t want him to do something rash, which was exactly where she thought he might be headed with this new information.
The power had made it harder for him to think rationally. Now he knew the three dragons that just hatched, and probably Blackey could be evil. She didn’t want him to do anything that might doom them to a worse fate than before. Yes, they had a thousand eggs and had just learned half of them were evil, but they still had more than they did previously. They simply had to figure out how to manage things.
First, they had to get back the thirteen eggs that had been stolen. Then they could turn their attention to fixing things.
Chapter Fifty-Five
It was decided Hiker would stay behind while they charged Medford Research. He thought retaliation might be inevitable when Trin Currante and the other cyborgs got ambushed. Although the Barrier was back in place, no one wanted to chance the steampunk pirates ransacking the Gullington again. Sophia still didn’t know how they managed to figure out how to trespass, and that was the main reason they needed to be so careful.
Hiker and Bell would stay behind to guard things. Wilder would stay behind because Hiker didn’t trust him around Sophia. He thought being in her presence would only make Cupid’s spell stronger, making him “illogical with feelings of love.”
“At some point, son” Mama Jamba began, putting a coat of nail polish on her toes as she sat on the front steps of the Castle, “we’re going to have to discuss your corrupt view on love and reconcile your memories with what your reality should be.”
Hiker gave her his usual irritated expression. “Does this happen before or after you start sharing pertinent information with me that would make my job as the Dragon Elite leader easier?”
“Way before, since that other thing is never happening,” Mama Jamba stated, her attention mostly on her nails.
“Insufferable woman,” Hiker complained, turning around to face his riders, all of them suited up and sitting high atop their dragons.
“What was that, son?” Mama Jamba asked in a sing-song voice.
“Nothing, Mama,” he said at once, a bit of fear creeping into his voice.
Hiker cleared his throat, facing the three riders, his chest held high. “It has come to this. We have dragon eggs that have been stolen from us, and I believe the best way to recapture them is to act fast and swiftly. Those steampunk pirates started this, and we’re going to end it. I want you all to go in there, use force and find out where our dragon eggs are. Steal them back, the way they did to us. Show no compassion. No mercy, just as they did to us when they ransacked our border, devastated our lands, and took what didn’t belong to them. Stay vigilant. Remember who you are. And return as quickly as you can, with that which we seek—that which belongs to us. All who agree!”
Mahkah and Evan yelled their agreement.
Sophia opened her mouth, but nothing came out, and no one noticed.
She, of course, didn’t agree. Using brute force had never been her way. She would have preferred to research these enemies more, find out their motivation, and use that to get back what they wanted. But Hiker was determined they act and swiftly, and she couldn’t argue that time wasn’t of importance. She only hoped that while at Medford Research, a strategy occurred to her, because currently, she was coming up blank.
Chapter Fifty-Six
Although Sophia hadn’t been able to decipher much from the records she’d copied from the computer in Medford Research, she’d been able to find security codes. That was going to make their jobs that much easier. She liked this part of the plan because it felt organized. What she didn’t like was the storming part and the hoping against hope part.
That was the opposite of the way she operated. Sophia was banking on faith at this point. She felt certain if she held onto that, in a moment of inspiration, she could see the strategy and everything would fall into place.
You might be deluding yourself with hope, Lunis cautioned as they landed on the hillside where she and Mahkah had first watched over Medford Research before their reconnaissance mission.
The door to the airplane hangar was open, and there was much more activity happening around the building than the last time they were there. The crew appeared to be unloading equipment, maybe from their last mission.
Sophia narrowed her eyes, telescoping to see better. She was able to spot many cyborgs working, hanging around, or chatting. There were at least a dozen, but they weren’t any match for three riders and dragons, she believed.
Starting to seriously dislike Hiker’s plan, Sophia considered abandoning the whole thing and going back to the Gullington. It wasn’t worth endangering themselves to search a facility they’d already been roughly through. Then she watched as none other than Trin Currante disembarked off the plane that had gone on the most recent mission. The cyborg appeared similar to the other two times Sophia had seen her, her wiry black hair moving around her head like snakes on Medusa’s head. She wore black goggles, and her billowy pants caught the wind as she stepped off the plane. Her appearance wasn’t what stole Sophia’s attention and spiked her motivation. It was what she was holding in her hands.
The bag she used to steal the dragon eggs, Lunis remarked in her head.
Sophia nodded, recognizing the magic sack that had allowed Trin Currante to carry many large objects at once. She and Evan had used something similar when they stole back a few of the first batch of dragon eggs from Thad Reinhart.
Sophia watched as Trin wadded up the burlap sack and threw it at one of the men, slouched against a wall. “Put this somewhere I can find it when I need to.”
He grabbed the bag as it connected with his midsection and nodded. “Yeah, boss.”
Sophia turned up her enhanced hearing, hoping to learn more from the exchange.
“Hey boss,” another of the many lackey of Trin Currante’s asked, stepping forward. He was dressed similarly to the others with belts strapped diagonally around his midsection and around his waist. Over his shoulders, he wore a long black coat, and on his head, he had a top hat that had seen better days. These steampunk pirates seemed confused like they weren’t sure if they were going to a fancy dinner party or straight into a war.
“What, Clive?” Trin asked, narrowing her eyes at the guy before her gaze darted to the side, seeming to spy something out of the airplane hangar.
“Now that we’ve hidden the—”
“Shut your face and don’t talk so plainly,” Trin Currante scolded.
He cleared his throat. “I was just going to say, can we get a break soon? We’ve been working nonstop since the escape.”
“And we will until we’re really free,” she
stated boldly, her mechanical eye scanning the grounds outside of the airplane hangar.
“Yeah, and I want that as much as the men,” Clive declared. “It’s just that we were hoping for a leave. Just a day or two now that we’ve got to wait for the…well, you know…to do what they do.”
Trin Currante brought both her eyes to center on Clive as she shook her head of wires. “No, this isn’t the time to relax. We will continue with our work for Medford Research. When the time comes, then hopefully what we’ve recovered will save us.”
Sophia looked beside her at Mahkah and Evan, knowing they’d heard what she had.
“Save us,” she mouthed confusion in her gaze.
They both mirrored her gaze.
“For now,” Trin Currante continued, pointing out to the hills where the three dragonriders were camouflaged, “you all need to go after the dragons stalking us from the perimeter.”
Chapter Fifty-Seven
“Dare I say, I think we’ve lost our element of surprise,” Evan called, sitting high atop Coral, his purple dragon.
Sophia let out a heavy breath. Apparently, Trin Currante could see through the glamour of their dragons with her strange cyborg vision. There were many surprises about this woman, but now she knew Trin Currante had done something with the dragon eggs, maybe on the mission they’d just return from since she was carrying the sack down from the plane. The cyborgs needed the dragon eggs for an important reason—to save them.
