by L J Andrews
Chapter 14
Ced and the lindworms circled Thane. It was as though the common dragons hadn’t even noticed we were joined by the dark serpents. Ced shifted into human form and kept his voice low as Garwin returned to the awaiting dragons before we would follow.
“We shall stay outside. Laina is taking some warriors to the base of the rocks,” Ced gasped, the ebony robe across his shoulders from his shift gleaming in the rising moonlight.
“I’ve sensed nothing of Nag or malicious lindworms. Do you feel there is a threat?” Thane whispered.
Ced shrugged. “Not particularly, but I’ve been on edge for several days, if I’m being honest. We should not be out in the open more than two days. I may burst from paranoia if we are.”
Thane chuckled, knowing Ced was speaking lightly, but everyone knew it was likely true. “I don’t plan on leaving our people exposed that long, nor leaving Gaia and Eisha alone at the cave to defend our people. But I think you should come inside. You aren’t our enemy, it doesn’t seem right to keep you outside while we are embraced with open arms.”
Ced shook his head, glancing at Amber, who had slowly made her way to his side. “No, we will be fine. Perhaps we should only overwhelm them so much. Gather their support before you start convincing them to accept Nag’s son.”
Thane relented and waited until the lindworm warriors and the prince were concealed by the spreading shadows of the night before following after Garwin and his people.
Being that we’d found Garwin’s pride surrounded by rocky sandstone, I’d imagined we would once more be led into a cave of some sort. After the dragons led us through the slabs of rock, however, we were taken to a large, open community that lived beneath the stars. Cliffsides surrounded the open space. Dwellings had been erected and looked much like the Skog mages’ underground city. Huts, simple sleeping spaces, and roaring fires spanned the area. The dragons had built a space that reminded me of an old underground meat cellar—and when a burly woman stalked back to the surface carrying a haunch of pink, raw meat, I concluded that was exactly what it was.
“Welcome to our home,” Garwin declared. His arms opened wide and a sense of pride rumbled through his throat.
It wasn’t a home exactly, but in fact, the simple dwelling was a grand campsite. It surprised me how many of the pride remained in true form. Common dragons were smaller than royals. Some had wings that were only the length of Teagan. Most had short, narrow horns on their slender snouts, and their bodies rivaled a small car, unlike the mammoth size of the warrior dragons. I smiled, seeing the unique bodies of my people. I was so accustomed to solid colors along wyvern scales. True, even I maintained an iridescent gleam across my green body, but these dragons were multicolored in every way. I moved aside, letting a dragoness stalk by with a young one. She had scales which reminded me of a pebbled riverbed. Speckles of russet, ash, and pearl gleamed across each rounded scale. The child was similar, though he was darker, and his wings were solid pitch as he flapped and released a sweet burst of sparks in greeting to the new guests. The mother nudged her child away, her smooth brown eyes locking with mine. I sensed her reaching out to me, though with my weakened energy, it was difficult to process if she was pleased we’d come.
“How do you avoid being seen by humans?” Mitch asked Garwin. He pointed to gilded lights flickering in the distance. An expansive city was built along the mesa probably only twenty miles away. Mitch jogged along Garwin’s rapid pace for a few breaths before we were led to a large, open cavern dug into one of the sandstone walls. It seemed to be where they ate their meals by the way everyone was settling around with their families.
Garwin studied Mitch. I chuckled against Teagan’s shoulder as the leader of the pride seemed to unravel my friend from the inside out. “Humans do not believe past their own race,” Garwin muttered slowly. “Though we have protected our home, even if a human stumbled inside they wouldn’t believe what was in front of their own noses. They are an arrogant race, believing they are the masters of the earth, and rather closed off to the different energies that surround them.” Mitch scoffed and glanced about the camp with respect. Garwin had judged all the humans in one breath, but I wasn’t certain when he spoke again if he could deduce that Mitch was a human. “Now, you have a unique energy. There is mage power surrounding you, but…I don’t think it comes from your heart.”
“Yeah, I wish,” Mitch grumbled. “It’s probably from this armor. It was made by Gaia, she’s my mom now. Since I’m not a mage or a dragon, she worries I’ll get killed or something. Moms, right?”
“You’re…you’re a human?” Garwin breathed out, glancing at Thane for confirmation. “I could not even tell through the energy surrounding you. It must be many years since I have faced the human race.”
Mitch beamed as though the old dragon had paid him the greatest compliment of all time. “Not all humans are arrogant jerks, Gar,” Mitch insisted, actually daring to clap Garwin on the shoulder before he trudged toward Teagan and me.
Shaking his head of his disbelief, Garwin smiled widely and shouted across the space. “As promised, our warriors and royals have returned! Tonight we will dine as we once did at the castle of King Lux. Such lavish parties we could see from the courtyard—but tonight we will sit at the same table.”
Roars from the dragons, or shouts of delight from those in human form, burst from the crowd. Garwin ushered us toward the carved out dining hall. He took Ruby’s hand, bowing his head as she walked by. Amber beamed and followed. Garwin lowered to his knee when Sapphire stepped into the space. Sapphire glanced nervously over his shoulder. I shrugged, but clutched Teagan’s hand. Thane slowly took an extra weapon from Teagan’s grip and stood strong next to Sapphire’s side.
“The sapphire bloodline,” Garwin said from his knees. “It is an honor to have you among us. We have searched for you for some time.”
“Thank you for speaking with us,” Sapphire thundered, stepping around Garwin once the man rose back to his feet. Thane naturally stayed close to Sapphire. All of us seemed a little unsettled at the strange fascination Garwin had with the royal.
Garwin smiled at me and encouraged me toward the head of the table. I curled my hand tighter in Teagan’s grip, accepting the seat with my most gracious smile I could muster.
“Thank you, Garwin,” I chimed.
He bowed his head slightly again. “Would your mage be more comfortable with the other mages?” Garwin pointed toward a table one ledge down from the main table. The dragon studied Teagan, and I didn’t miss the way he glanced at the two jade swords on his back. He motioned to where Athika, Rochelle, and Donovan settled next to several of the elemental mages who’d come with us. Garwin seemed uneasy around the high priest blades, but never mentioned the history of the weapons—a first in our experience. Garwin actually grinned at Teagan and seemed genuinely thrilled to be in the presence of mages again. “I understand your protective nature, and I assure you no harm will befall the jade bloodline while I’m here. From my memories, the mage and wyvern typically remained in their family units as they dined.”
Teagan looked to Mitch, who stayed close to him, then to me. Finally, he simply sat between Thane and me. “This is my family, so if it’s all the same to you, I’ll sit here.”
Garwin eyed us in fascination, especially when Mitch sat on the opposite side of Sapphire. Heat burst along my neck from the close quarters and boiling dragon bodies tucked around us. Our table was the lead, while others who couldn’t fit with the royals surrounded smaller areas throughout the open space.
“We are honored to have the royals dine with us,” Garwin repeated when everyone had settled. “Eat to your fill, and then I hope we shall be graced by our queen speaking with us about their journey and what faces our people now.”
It was a strange sort of comfort watching so many wyvern families surrounding us. I had so few memories of my life before the divide, but this night was familiar to my heart. Mitch and Teagan seemed relieved their plat
es were filled with meat as opposed to the bitter salads we’d been served by the Skogs. Mitch reminded me of a warrior as he dug into the scorched rib—Raffi remained in full form and ate much the same. Perhaps Mitch was more wyvern as of late than human.
I chuckled in the back of my throat, sipping some of Gaia’s tea before trying to eat. My fingers trembled slightly, and I felt as though I could sleep until the next evening if I had a place to rest. Teagan was eyeing me cautiously. Offering him a wide smile to ease whatever concerns he had for me, I bit into the large chunk of meat on my plate, instantly settling the unease in the pit of my growing stomach.
“My queen,” Garwin muttered after some time spent enjoying the meal. “It is truly wonderful to see you once more. Though I did not wander the palace grounds often, on the night of your birth all our people crowded around to catch a glimpse of you. Both your mother and father often condescended to mingle with the more common wyvern. They were truly great and had our respect.”
“Thank you, Garwin. You can’t know how much it means to hear such kind words,” I choked through the knot in my throat.
He seemed pleased and nodded. “May I be so forward to ask you a personal question?”
I met his eye and nodded. “You’ll find I’d much rather be treated like a friend than a queen. Please.”
Garwin pointed toward my forearm where the mage seal shone like gilded stars in the firelight. “You and the warrior, Thane, hold such emblems on your arms. Are you related in some way? I do not understand the language on such seals.”
I chuckled, running a slow finger over the curves of the golden ribbons of the design. “This is a mage seal, Garwin. It’s for Teagan,” I offered, leaning back so the dragon could meet Teagan’s eye. “Teagan is the jade mage, but he’s also my mate. Thane is Teagan’s father, so the seals on his arms are for the High Priestess mage—his mate—Teagan, and now Mitch since he was adopted by Thane and Gaia.”
Garwin’s mouth parted, his cool eyes darting between me and Teagan. Thane was turned away speaking with Mitch and Sapphire, but Garwin’s eyes tarried for a time on the warrior. “You speak true? A mage and wyvern have mated?” Teagan nodded, his hand resting on my leg. Garwin leaned back in his wooden seat. “So, are you a wyvern or mage?”
“Both, I guess,” Teagan muttered. “I can’t change forms and seem to favor the mage side, but I have a few dragon qualities, I guess. Hot blood being one.”
I released a breath, wondering if Teagan would admit he could hear wyvern thoughts in true form. For some reason, I was still at odds with anyone else learning the truth just yet.
“Fascinating,” Garwin gasped, a sincere wonderment on his face. “So not only are you bonded through the jade bloodline, but also as mates. I never thought I’d live to see such a day. There was talk that it could be possible, and don’t think you’re the only wyvern, my queen, to be attracted to a mage. You seem to just be the first to take the step toward changing traditions.”
“Well, Thane and Gaia were the first,” I chuckled, catching the warrior’s attention now.
Garwin smiled cautiously and agreed. “You’ll have to pardon me, Teagan. When I first saw you, I wondered if perhaps you were fathered by…well, the former High Priest. It raised a bit of mistrust. But now, looking at Thane by your side, I can see an uncanny resemblance. Simply…amazing.”
“Most people think that,” Teagan mumbled, flushing the same as Thane under Garwin’s studious gaze. I thought of our child, something we had yet to mention. Would they tire of the constant awe and wonder about them being a dragon mage someday? “We want to destroy the dark High Priest. That’s why we’ve come.”
Garwin nodded. “Yes, the correspondence mentioned you had need of our help. We are most anxious to hear what you have to say.”
Garwin didn’t wait for me to oppose before he stood, sending a hush throughout the dining families. My stomach turned in knots, and I could feel the heat rushing through my neck as many eyes turned in my direction. “The queen of the elemental wyvern wishes to address us now.”
Garwin simply returned to his place, beaming with his childlike thrill. The desert stone turned into a valley of silence. I imagined the people could hear every trembling heartbeat raging through my chest as I slowly stood. Mitch offered me a thumbs-up, and Teagan inched closer, his knee bouncing anxiously. Thane and Sapphire kept their unwavering eyes on me. Somehow, through each one, I found the strength to speak.
“I may be the queen by blood,” I began. There was a tremble in the back of my throat, but after three deep breaths I found my stance and spoke with renewed power. “But tonight, it is I who am appealing to you for help. Though I have not been ascended to the throne long, our people are threatened. Once again, King Nag has harmed our people, as well as the dark High Priest, who has been our enemy since the divide. The onyx bloodline has been wounded. Onyx himself is being held prisoner by the dark mages and the lindworm king. We have every intention to free him, but we can’t do it alone.
“The wyvern race is powerful. The elementals have open energy with the entire earth. With the proper connection, we have endless abilities. But we are not alone. The mage race, with their ability to control, manipulate, and call upon the powers of the earth, only strengthens our own. The mages have joined with us once again. We have the High Priestess, who stands as firmly as she did the night of the divide against the dark High Priest. My hope—my every wish—is to free our people and the mage race of the darkness that comes from the influence of King Nag and the dark High Priest. Though I am certain you have suffered greatly since the divide, I would ask for your help to end the war that broke us, that took so many lives all those years ago. It is time for our people to rise against the darkness that threatens our very way of life. We have come to humbly ask for your loyalty during the fight which is surely set to come.”
Teagan slid his arm around my shoulders when I fell silent and soon took my place at the table once more. Unashamed, he kissed the side of my head and whispered next to my ear. “As I told you, you are a force to be reckoned with.”
I smiled and rested my head on his shoulder as Garwin stood once more. His thrilled smile was gone, and he faced the people with a sternness in his expression I hadn’t seen before. “Your Highness, you have given us much to ponder. You’re correct in your assertion that we have suffered much. The lindworms were not kind to the common people of the wyvern race during the attack. Perhaps King Nag felt royals and warriors were better suited for his plan. Many lives were lost.” My heart thudded against my chest so hard I bit the inside of my cheek to ignore the ache. I would be expected to persuade them should they refuse.
“Though we have suffered, one thing has not changed,” Garwin continued. “Our loyalty to our valiant people. We have worried, searched, wondered about the missing royals for decades. Now you say one is in danger. It grieves me and our people so greatly to hear such news.
“It is encouraging to know the mage race has rejoined with the wyvern. All energies complement the others. It is how our earth remains in balance. It is not good to keep the races apart for too long. Though I cannot speak for my people, for I am not the true leader of this pride, I can speak for myself. I will stand with you. I will honor my people by offering my services. I will fight to free us from these walls.”
I offered Garwin a watery smile, my thudding heart now threatening to burst from affection for the man’s bravery. Teagan’s shoulders visibly relaxed as well, but Thane seemed on edge.
“What do you mean you are not the true leader, Garwin?” he asked.
Garwin met the warrior’s eye and clasped his hands in front of his body. Garwin didn’t respond, but a shrill, chipped voice broke through the thick silence of the crowd.
“Why should we fight to free a royal when no one has searched for us for years?” My throat tightened, and I scanned the crowd for the owner of the voice. It was a woman’s, and by the sound of it, she was younger than Garwin.
Teagan stood,
his eyes trained toward the center table in the crowd of dragons. “Most of the people up here, your queen included, have been trapped away behind powerful enchantments. Or no one knew anyone else was left alive. The warriors didn’t know where the royals were. The mages didn’t know how to reach the wyverns. We have all been thrown into this without knowing where to start to find anyone else. You ask why we should save a royal? Well, in our opinion, saving one good life is worth the risk.”
I still couldn’t find the woman, though she chuckled darkly. Garwin seemed uncomfortable. He didn’t offer his sympathetic glances toward me, though. No, I was stunned to find his quick glances drifted down the table toward Sapphire.
“So after all this time of me fighting to keep these people safe—using my strength, my energy to lead them, to keep their spirits high, you expect me to toss them back into the war that nearly destroyed them?” Now I caught sight of a figure standing from a place at the table. She was covered in a thick robe coated in red dust from the desert. The gleam from the moonlight ignited a light behind her dark eyes. They were nearly black, but suited her olive complexion. “I was left behind. So, I was assumed dead—did no one care to look for me to make sure I was gone? For any of us? I searched, I risked my life for years looking for you, only to come up empty handed—without a mage, without a stone, without a family.”
“Who are you?” I asked.
Dancing flames flickered along her face. She was young, though not younger than me. Her face was strong with a defined jaw and beautiful, sharp features. She grinned, her face so familiar. I startled when Sapphire shot to his feet, his brows narrowed and his face contorted in a strange sort of fury. Thane stood at his side, his eyes watching defensively as the royal reacted in such a start. The woman chuckled, folding her arms over her chest. I sensed her frustration, but there was a pure joy buried beneath the folds of her bitterness. “Hello, Konrad. Yes, I am speaking directly to you.”