Dragon Chosen: The Dragon Riders of Eryieth

by Kristin Secorsky

  “Where are you taking me?” she questioned.

  The dragon screeched again and swirled around in the air, pointing up. He changed direction and headed back to her farm.

  This is amazing! She wished Áedán were with her now to see how wonderful it was. As protective as he was, Áedán probably wouldn’t have let her get on the dragon had he been here.

  They reached her farm, and the dragon landed in the same spot that he started from. Evie was somewhat relieved to be back on the ground but sad the ride was over. She climbed down and walked back to his face. She looked the dragon in his red-and-gold eyes and smiled. “Thank you.”

  He let out a tiny noise in reply. Then the dragon tensed and moved forward, poking his head behind her. He let out a roaring growl. Evie turned around quickly to see what was behind her.

  “He likes you, Evalina,” said a male voice. Then the voice spoke in Elvish to the dragon, making the dragon calm down and step back.

  Evie recognized the voice and the elf. Islwyn stepped out of the shadows into the moonlight and walked toward her. He was just as beautiful and graceful as Evie remembered. His long black hair was down and straight in the back, with two small braids on either side of his head in front of his pointed ears, and his piercing, ice-blue eyes studied her with interest. He carried his bow at his side, and a quiver full of arrows rested on his back.

  “Islwyn!” she exclaimed, feeling relieved. She realized in that moment how foolish it was for her to venture out at night not long after a goblin had been spotted so close to her farm—a goblin her brother killed. “You startled me.”

  Islwyn smiled at her. “Out for a ride?” he asked. His voice sounded full of suspicion. “And please, call me Wyn.”

  “I, uh.” Evalina didn’t know what to say. His tone made her feel like she had done something wrong.

  “You know, dragons don’t let just anyone ride them,” Islwyn explained. “He let you. Why?”

  “I, I,” Evie stammered. “I don’t know. “

  Islwyn stopped beside the dragon, which seemed to know he was not a threat. Islwyn stroked the spikes on his back. “Do you know much about dragons?”

  Evie smiled and nodded excitedly. “Yes. I love dragons. I have dreamed of being a dragon rider ever since I was a little girl. I know they conform to their riders and can be used for good or evil. I know they have different colors and powers.”

  The dragon swooped up into the night air suddenly, leaving Evalina and Islwyn alone in the middle of the field.

  “Do you know the tale of how the first red-and-black dragons came to be?” Islwyn asked, holding his hand out as if to signal her to walk with him. Evalina followed as he walked toward the trees.

  “My father told me and Áedán many dragon stories when we were little kids,” Evie confirmed. “But it’s hard to remember all of them.”

  They sat down in front of the base of a large willow tree and leaned against it. Islwyn lay his bow down on the ground by his side and turned to look at Evie. “Do you know the tragic story of Llywelyn and Aeronwy?”

  “I haven’t heard it since I was a little girl,” Evalina confessed.

  Islwyn smiled. “Then I shall refresh your memory.”

  Evie lay back and closed her eyes as Islwyn spoke, picturing the story in her mind.

  “In the days of old, before the Council of Kings was formed, the kingdom was divided. Those who desired the power to rule plagued Eryieth with wars and uprisings, keeping it in constant turmoil. Good was victorious in the end. The evil beings were banished to the war-torn lands east and south of the Dragon’s Teeth Mountains, called the Forbidden Lands. The dwarves retreated to their mountains in the north, and the elves and nearly extinct faeries and other magical beings to the forests of Farryndell to the west of the Dragons’ Teeth Mountains, with no interest in ruling the realm.

  “It was decided that the kingdom would be ruled by nonmagical men with a council of representatives from all beings to speak for the populace, leading to the formation of the Council of Kings. The council was made up of royal representatives from the humans, elves, dwarves, wizards, and mages to form one great kingdom.

  “Two noblemen, Aeron and Meuric, had the strongest claims to the throne. War broke out all over again for the throne. Aeron had a daughter, Aeronwy, and Meuric had a son, Rhys, so they formed a peace treaty. They agreed that Aeronwy and Rhys would marry, and both of their fathers would serve on the Council of Kings to advise the young couple.

  “It so happened that Aeronwy was a dragon rider. She flew a fierce red, fire-breathing dragon. She had taken the dragon-rider oath. Until the day she became queen, Aeronwy had to continue to serve and protect the realm. She wasn’t in love with her betrothed, Rhys. Upset by her upcoming nuptials, she took solace in riding her dragon. One day, Aeronwy was dispatched with a few other dragon riders to squash an orc rebellion in the south. The rebellion was a trick by an evil wizard named Gwythr to get Aeronwy alone so he could capture her. Gwythr wanted the beautiful girl and the throne for himself.

  “Aeronwy was held captive for many weeks. Gwythr was on the Council of Kings and led search parties to find her, deceiving everyone so she would never be found. Human and elf dragon riders searched high and low for Aeronwy. Rhys and his army scoured the countryside to find his beautiful bride-to-be without luck, for Gwythr had hidden his fortress with magic. An elf dragon rider by the name of Llywelyn, who was also one of the princes of the elf kingdom, found her and rescued her.

  “One of his black dragon’s magical powers was to reverse magic with its smoke. The dragon breathed his smoke over the fortress, undoing the strong invisibility charm and revealing it to Llywelyn. Llywelyn tried to kill the wizard, but he was too powerful. Llywelyn only succeeded at banishing Gwythr into a magic spirit realm. He set Aeronwy and her dragon, which had also been held captive by a magic spell, free. Llywelyn was enchanted by Aeronwy. She asked him what he would like as a reward for rescuing her. Llywelyn simply desired a kiss. Aeronwy obliged the handsome elf prince.

  “Days after being returned safely to the palace, Aeronwy couldn’t get Llywelyn or their kiss out of her mind. She dreaded her upcoming marriage to Rhys even more. Aeronwy sent a message to Llywelyn, asking him to meet her in secret. There was only one place they could be alone, the wizard’s abandoned fortress on the cliffs of Dread Mountain. Aeronwy and Llywelyn proclaimed their love for one another and became secret lovers from that moment on. They met at the Dread Fortress often. Their dragons also loved each other.

  “Soon the wedding day arrived. Aeronwy was beside herself with grief, and Llywelyn was devastated another man would take her for his own. Aeronwy and Llywelyn both agreed that the peace of Eryieth and the needs of their people were more important than their own happiness. They vowed to continue meeting in secret every chance they could.

  “Months after the wedding, Rhys grew suspicious of Aeronwy. He told her that she had no need to ride her dragon now that she was queen. Aeronwy explained that it was the one thing she truly loved to do. So Rhys, out of love for his bride and desperation for her to love him back, agreed to let her continue to ride her dragon whenever she pleased. In return, Aeronwy agreed that she would only ride her dragon for pleasure and would no longer take part in battles and quests to calm his fears for her safety.

  “However, the king was no fool. He sent another dragon rider to spy on Aeronwy. The lovers were soon found out. Instead of stopping Aeronwy, Rhys devised a plan to get rid of Llywelyn. He had Llywelyn captured and hidden where he couldn’t escape. The false news of Llywelyn’s death in the Forbidden Lands reached Aeronwy. She flew to the Dread Fortress where she saw Llywelyn’s black dragon alone. She was so depressed over her lover’s death that she flung herself into the fires of Dread Mountain.

  “Llywelyn fought his captors and escaped. When he learned of Aeronwy’s suicide, he followed her suit and threw himself into the fire of Dread Mountain. Their dragons never left Dread Mountain, waiting for their riders to return to
them. They bred and created the first red-and-black dragons of Dread Mountain.”

  “Poor Aeronwy and Llywelyn,” Evalina said, sighing sadly.

  “Some say that Aeronwy was pregnant at the time of her suicide and that her growing belly was what tipped off the king to her affair.”

  “I’ve never heard that part before. That is so tragic,” Evie said. “Do you think there are more red-and-black dragons up at Dread Mountain, or could he be the last?”

  Islwyn shrugged his shoulders. “That I know not. No one has seen a red-and-black dragon in years. It’s possible that maybe he was only sleeping, and something woke him. That would explain the lack of sightings. There could be others, but it is more likely that they were killed off by orcs trying to train them. It would take a trek up Dread Mountain to see in order to know for sure. But no one goes there. They say it is cursed.”

  “Why aren’t faeries on the Council of Kings?” Evie asked curiously.

  “The fae races were almost annihilated, Evie,” Islwyn explained. “The few that remained retreated to our forest and want nothing to do with the world. They let the elves speak for them and the good of the forest.”

  “I would like to see a faery someday,” Evie said with childlike enthusiasm.

  “Will you attend the coming dragon-rider selection?” asked Islwyn.

  “Yes. We’ve gone every year as far back as I can remember. It’s one of the few times a year I get to go to the village. Will you be there?”

  “Perhaps,” Islwyn replied mysteriously.

  “Islwyn, tell me about Farryndell. What’s it like?” Evie inquired.

  “It is very beautiful. You would love it. The forest is dense on the edges, which gives it a natural protection. Our village is at the center of the forest. The palace was built into the mountains by the waterfalls overlooking Mystic Lake. We elves still have our own king because that is how it has always been. Our representative on the Council of Kings is the king’s brother, Prince Llywelyn I. Prince Llywelyn II from the story I just told you was named after his uncle who is on the Council of Kings.”

  “I don’t know much about the council, I’m afraid,” Evie admitted.

  “They keep you very sheltered here,” Islwyn remarked.

  Evie nodded her head in agreement and shivered. The night air had grown chilly.

  Islwyn looked at her with concern in his eyes. “Are you cold?” he asked.

  “Yes.”

  “Well, you aren’t wearing much at all are you?” Islwyn commented, eyeing her nightdress. “Here take this.” He removed his blue cloak, made out of a thick velvety material, and draped it around her shoulders.

  Evie leaned forward to adjust the material to cover her. It smelled of pine trees. “Thank you,” she said gratefully as her body began to warm. “Go on.”

  “Yes. Farryndell. There are rivers that run through the forest with several waterfalls. I used to hide from my parents in the caves behind the falls,” Islwyn said, chuckling at the memory.

  “How old are you?” Evie asked.

  “We elves live long lives, longer than those of humans. However, I am just thirty-five summers. A young elf to be sure.

  “You look more my age,” Evie remarked.

  “We age slowly,” Islwyn said. “Evalina, there is much to tell about elves and Farryndell. I would like to take you there. I can show you the faeries.”

  Evie grew excited at the idea. See Farryndell! “Would it be all right if I went?”

  “Of course. You will be a most welcome guest with me as your escort. I should clear up some misconception about elves. We do not hate humans. Humans aided us during the wars when our people were being slaughtered. We worked together. We merely seek peace and seclusion in our woods,” Islwyn explained.

  “I would like to go,” Evalina proclaimed with a smile.

  “Tonight?” asked Islwyn.

  “I can’t tonight,” Evie said, shaking her head. “Another day.”

  “Yes. I will try to return again before the dragon-rider selection,” said Islwyn, standing up. He reached his hand down, offering to help Evalina up.

  She took his hand and rose to her feet before him.

  “I will escort you back to your home.”

  “Thank you,” Evie said happily. Islwyn’s hand remained around hers as they walked back to her home. When they reached the door, he let go. Evie reached a hand up to remove his cloak, but Islwyn stopped her.

  “Please keep it. I have another,” he said, smiling handsomely. He reached his hand up and lightly stroked her jawline with his fingers. “I don’t think I have ever seen a human quite as beautiful as you, Evalina.”

  Evie felt herself blush. She didn’t know how to reply to that. Her thoughts jumbled at his touch and her words hid.

  “Farewell…for now anyway,” he said, chuckling.

  “Good-night,” Evie said in a low voice so that they wouldn’t be heard inside. Then she stepped inside her house quietly and closed the door behind her. She wanted to run and wake Áedán and tell him all about her dragon ride but decided it could wait until morning. She climbed the stairs to the loft they shared and removed Islwyn’s cloak. She lifted it to her nose and inhaled the mixture of his scent with pine and smiled. Evie climbed back into bed, taking the cloak with her, and drifted off to sleep quickly.

  CHAPTER 5

  When Evie awoke the next day, she found Áedán had already risen and left her to sleep in. She hadn’t asked him what he had been so angry about yesterday because she fell asleep waiting for him to get out of the bath. I’ll go ask him now during chores. She dressed for the day and went downstairs, following the smell of freshly baked bread. Her mother had left a covered plate of food for her on the table. How late did I sleep? She sat down at the wooden table and ate her food quickly.

  Her father came inside as she was eating her lunch, stomping his boots at the door before entering. “I see you have decided to join the rest of the world,” Áed scolded her mildly.

  “I’m sorry, Father,” she apologized. She knew everyone was already working hard on the day’s chores and felt guilty.

  “Are you ill?” he asked, sounding concerned.

  “No. I was just really tired I guess,” Evie said.

  “It’s no matter. I don’t want you working today anyway. We’re having very special company tonight. I want you to be clean, rested, and presentable for this evening. Put on the best dress that you have and fix your hair nice,” he ordered.

  “Yes, father,” Evalina said obediently. She was confused. Who is so important?

  “That’s a good girl,” her father said. “I do need you to help your mother with dinner though.”

  “Yes, Father,” she said.

  He went back outside, and Evalina finished her food. She decided to go tell Áedán about last night as well as ask about yesterday. She found him out in the barn, milking the cows.

  “You won’t believe what happened!” Evie exclaimed, sitting on a stool next to him.

  He stopped and turned his head to look at her. “Are you ill?”

  Evie shook her head no. “No. I overslept, but I feel fine. I woke up last night and saw the red-and-black dragon flying outside. I went outside and followed him to the clearing.”

  A look of worry crossed Áedán’s brow. His blue eyes showed no hint of excitement. She had been certain he would be excited about the dragon.

  “Do you know how dangerous that was to go out wandering in the middle of the night alone? Do you not remember the goblin I just killed?”

  Evalina felt stupid as he scolded her like a child. “I know. I know. You’re right. It was reckless. The dragon let me ride him!”

  Áedán’s eyes grew wide with disbelief. “You rode the dragon?”

  “Yes. It was amazing and terrifying at the same time,” Evie said.

  Áedán turned back to the cow and continued to milk her, smiling. “That must have been wonderful,” he admitted. “I wish I could ride a dragon. But it still wasn’
t a good idea to go off alone.”

  “Well, I wasn’t exactly alone. Islwyn showed up,” Evie informed him.

  Áedán stopped milking the cow and turned his face toward hers. “The elf? You were with the elf last night?” he asked incredulously.

  “Yes. His name is Islwyn, not the elf,” Evie said, feeling frustrated. What’s wrong with him? “We talked for but a moment, and then he walked me back to the house. He scolded me for being out at night alone too.” She was mad that Áedán wasn’t sharing in her excitement.

  “Don’t tell Mother or Father, Evie. I mean it,” warned Áedán.

  “I won’t,” Evalina said. “Father told me not to do chores today. He said we are having important company for dinner and that I must look my best. Do you know what that is about?”

  “No. But I have my suspicions,” Áedán said, turning around to finishing milking the cow.

  “Let me help you anyway,” she offered.

  Áedán turned one of the cow’s teats toward her and squirted milk at her. “No,” he said, laughing.

  “Oh, Áedán! You’re going to get it,” Evie shouted playfully. She shoved him lightly.

  “You want a fight, do you?” Áedán asked and grabbed her wrists gently.

  “Let me go,” she squealed. She fell back off her stool as she wrestled to get free.

  Áedán fell forward on top of her, tickling the sides of her abdomen.

  “Stop!” Evie screamed as she laughed. She hated being tickled, and he knew it. She was breathless from laughing and struggling to stand up. She moved her legs, trying to maneuver out from underneath him. His body rested between her thighs now. He felt good against her. The more she struggled and wriggled her hips, the more pleasurable it got having him on top of her.

  Áedán stopped tickling her and gazed intensely into her face. He slid one of his hands up the side of her abdomen slowly, brushing over her breast clumsily until it stopped on her chin. “Evie,” he whispered.