by Darren Lewis
A New Order
This architecture of my kind…why keep it? Surely they do not deserve such reminders of these great buildings of their lost past.
As with everything that remains intact it serves a purpose. A continuation of sorts, the illusion of control, that despite the fact they now serve new masters, yesterday was the same as today and tomorrow promises the same. With a faux government inclusive of humans we have that control.
Such a lot of effort to expend on them. Why bother?
Because we need them, that's a simple truth. We must simply disregard our personal feelings in the matter and think of our brothers and sisters and the future of our race. With the humans that makes our task simpler. They will tend to us, harvest and slaughter for us and eventually they will all fall on their knees to us.
To you. Not me.
No. Us. You will serve as the head of our order with me. We shall represent the best of both kinds while stripping every human we see fit of their soul in the process of our journey.
I shall require followers as you have kin. Brothers and sisters if not in blood then in purpose to join me.
An army? A religious order?
Perhaps. The selection must be severe. Infants would be most suitable and then only the best will be chosen for the honour I intend to bestow upon them.
You wish to create riders?
Yes. And also find a use for humans suitable for our purposes of change.
Very well.
* * *
The raids upon human settlements began in earnest six months after humanities final surrender of the short lived 'Dragonwar.' Human regional governors were put in place and electricity was slowly restored and facilities reopened though at an extremely reduced capacity. Society resembled the Soviet Union before the collapse of the Berlin Wall. Food lines dominated every city and town. Inhabitants of villages unable to support themselves flooded the nearest towns creating overwhelming pressure on the meagre supplies available. With transport limited to the newly formed police serving under the regional Governors many took to the roads not only as a means of travel but as a source of accommodation. Coaches, buses and lorries were used by thousands seeking shelter. Food, water and supplies were moved around countries, where possible, by train. The dragons reasoned they could track and monitor this mode of transport more effectively. In countries where train services were poor or non-existent the people suffered, thousands were to perish long after 'peace' was established. Supplies were eventually moved by cart and horse or physical strength. Telephone exchanges were destroyed eradicating the digital age at the start of the 21st century. Schools, colleges and universities became housing and within the cities the great buildings and skyscrapers that once held vast economic power were the new ages tenement buildings.
Despite the awful conditions humanity now found itself in, as a race it never questioned why at the time hospitals were the main focus of their new masters. That the dragons ordered humans fit and as healthy as possible was a cause for some to extol the virtues of the planet's new dominant species, in sending humanity back to a simpler time without the use of technology and science. What these people failed to appreciate was why the hospitals were valued so. Under the guise of treating people of any age and any disease the dragons were able to begin their harvest without much attention at first. But as time went on word was spreading from town to city and ever onwards. Shock and outrage from people was met with terminal intensity, the dragons would not suffer any hint of resistance and displayed this quality with no regard for the people who would speak out. In time it was accepted that the dragons would harvest or procure their lot once a year in return for hospital care for the sick, injured and dying that people experienced before the war. For many this new life became the norm but for one group. It would cause them to live in continual fear. Parents. Couples who lived in dread that their newborn child would be taken away from them by the dragons.
Blue
“Come on, Blue! If we're late they'll stick us on cleaning duties again!” The teenager referred to as Blue leaned his head back against the cold window pane and closed his eyes.
Twelve years. He thought raising his eyebrows at his time at the academy. And now, oh I can't think about it! The young man's stomach rolled and gurgled and he was forced to take a cleansing breath followed by a careful swallow. The nausea fled as swiftly as it had arrived and Blue leaned forward, grimacing at his delicate stomach.
“Hey? You okay?” The same voice chastising him for being late returned and Blue offered a wan smile to his roommate of the last six years, Copper. Blue reached out a hand which Copper grabbed and hauled his nervous friend from his chair next to the window. A cold, December wind whipped through the open window causing Copper to shiver. “Had enough fresh air?” He asked, a sly smile on his face. Blue huffed.
“You just wait three months and see how you like turning sixteen.” Copper grinned inanely and slapped Blue hard on the shoulder making him wince.
“Two months and twenty-two days thank you.” Copper was shorter than Blue's six foot by at least six inches, but what he lacked in height over his roommate he more than made up for in mass and build. He also wisely ignored other student's choice of wearing their hair long as his red hair had a tendency to frizz when Copper let it grow longer than five millimetres. Blue turned and studied his outfit for the day in the long mirror attached to the door. He brushed his long black hair from his eyes and studied the leather riding jacket he'd owned for the last three years. The seams were straining and the panels in the shoulders and back needed replacing as Blue was beginning to add bulk to his lean muscle. He fingered the frayed edges of the sleeve cuffs and sighed. Each student was responsible for the upkeep and upgrade of their riding jacket as they aged and grew but Blue detested this one duty even above cleaning out their mount's stables. The leather was soft and supple through years of Blue applying oil to the skin and the dark brown of the leather was almost black from the stain the oil left behind. His outfit was finished with a pair of dark blue trousers that resembled, much to many rider's dismay, jodhpurs, but with additional protection of padding on the inner thighs and calves. His feet were clad in black leather half boots bought a week ago for today's occasion and he still had a tendency to hobble where blisters were healing.
Copper laid a hand on Blue's shoulder and leaned into him, pushing him away from the mirror.
“Please.” Copper said with a roll of his eyes. “If you're going to crack the mirror with that bloody ugly face of yours then at least let me in first.” Blue cocked an eyebrow and ran a forefinger along his most defining feature, at least in his mind. From the edge of his left eye in a curved, almost calculated arc, ran a deep, white scar down Blue's face to his neck and then it became hidden in his jacket, but the scar continued to his collarbone. Copper tutted as he saw what his friend was doing.
“I told you, if you keep doing that something will fall off.”
“Oh, ha bloody ha, Copper. Don't be a dick.” Blue shoved Copper's shoulder as the shorter teenager laughed. Copper stumbled to the door and swung on the doorframe.
“Come on, Blue” Copper added more seriously. “Let's get you ascended.” Blue straightened his jacket and with one more look in the mirror marched out of the room.
* * *
The Academy did not need any addition to its title or qualification to its purpose. The buildings that housed the instructors and students were not known in the formal sense as a centre of education and learning. In its previous life before the war it was used by the privileged few as a grand home while people roamed the streets homeless and children went hungry. A fact the teachers at the Academy used as an example of the immorality of the human race. The choice of such a grand building offered space for its occupants inside and mounts in the outbuildings. Acres and acres of woodlands and fields combined to gift the most important aspect, privacy. It was also an area that managed to escape any destruction during the war and that became, whether by acciden
t or design, an integral part of a student's education.
As the two young men walked briskly down a wide, grand hallway, Blue wondered, for what seemed to him like the millionth time, who from mankind deserved a building such as this for a home. No original furnishings remained but Blue had always noted the finely constructed handrails on the many sets of stairs and though he was unaware of the proper names for the many carved or moulded items about the house he admired them for the craft involved in their production. When students were old enough, usually eight, or nine years old, a brief history of their home was given and consisted of tales of heroics by dragons and their riders in defending this house from the might of the human armies. It captivated them all of course. The story of a last stand resulting in victory against an overwhelming enemy made for satisfying listening and students afterwards became prouder of their heritage and their inclusion at such a privileged site. Blue as much as any was fascinated by the tale and badgered instructors constantly until they threatened him with the switch if he didn't quieten down and concentrate on the here and now. As Blue recalled the story he recited the short poem or saga written by an instructor a few years before Blue's time at the Academy. It was required reading and Blue sang out the words in his mind in time to his marching feet.
Death is a blade that's cold when it strikes
Our lives will mean nothing! Unless we all fight.
Our armies, our warriors, are gallant and true.
Leaders of men, are corrupt and are few.
But enough to cause chaos and war to descend,
They send us their soldiers and we must defend.
This castle, this rock. This bastion of hope.
If not, we'll feel the tug of the hangman's rope.
Blue's lips moved on the last two words and he swallowed against a tightness in his throat. He tried to imagine as he had so many times what it must've been like to have humanity's evil engines of war descending on this place he considered his home. The riders and their dragons would've been terrified naturally but as the song and history spoke of, they found so much strength within each other they were able to rise up and defeat the armies ranged against them. No documents existed detailing the events that led up to the war or what happened that fateful day but Blue had spent many a night as he drifted off to sleep placing himself in the battle that day. Imagining what he would have done and how he would've been victorious while leading his army of dragons.
“Come back, Blue.” Copper nudged his friend's elbow as they approached the main entrance. Blue swallowed and found his throat sore and dry with anticipation. His fingers nervously fumbled with his jacket and he managed to assure himself one last time that all was in order. Satisfied he ran his fingers once again through his black hair. Copper smiled, not at Blue's nervousness but with genuine pride at his friend's day of ascendancy. Blue inhaled sharply and exhaled with force through his nose with a nod of determination.
“Let's go.”
Blue and Copper reached the massive main doors to the Academy. Much to Copper's dismay they stood open allowing the cold chill to penetrate the grand reception area.
“Bollocks.” He cursed earning a smirk from Blue. “You can laugh, my friend but just you wait until…” Whatever point Copper tried to make was cut short as a golden dragon's head and long neck peered around the edge of the open door. “Um, uh, oh no.” Copper stammered, his shoulder's slumping.
“I suggest you take your place immediately, Copper, before I become concerned over your suitability to be here.” The dragon's chastisement caused Copper to pale and tremble slightly.
“My apologies, Andromeda.” Copper bobbed his head to the dragon. “I didn't realise the time. I was helping Blue with his formal attire. I wanted him to be at his best.” The female dragon Copper had named as Andromeda growled deep within its throat silencing the young man immediately and Blue wondered at his friend's inability to keep his mouth shut. The dragon flicked a talon towards the open door and Copper wasted no time in exiting the building.
The dragon turned its gaze to Blue and he gave a short bow of respect. Andromeda, bonded to Tarvos, and a legendary figure amongst students and mature riders alike, studied Blue to the point of discomfort. He held his position and hoped his anxiety had not manifested itself in his expression.
“Choose your friends and comrades wisely, young Blue.” The golden dragon commented. “Many a warrior or leader's downfall came at the machinations of those closest to them.” Blue nodded automatically and swallowed nervously as he felt a thin sheen of sweat on his face. “Although despite his nature, Copper should be counted amongst those you call 'friend.'” The dragon sighed and moved backwards slowly, her eyes never leaving Blue.
“Come, Blue. Attend your ascendency and may fate grant you the world you deserve.” Blue puffed his chest out slightly at the encouraging words and followed Andromeda out of the Academy and into the cold air of winter.
* * *
“Blue Cal-Tea.” A solemn voice called out. “You come before us today as it marks your sixteenth year and the twelfth of your education here. Step forward.” A faint murmur ran through the assembled children of ages ranging from four to twelve, each whispered their excitement at what they would witness this day. Amongst the older children near the rear of the gathering a single person rose from the grass to stand above his contemporaries.
Not friends. Never that. He thought. Brothers and sisters. Whatever their age, gender, personality he would gladly perish to save any of them. Blue once again straightened his leather riding jacket, making sure the toggles were correctly fastened. He weaved his way around the sitting children to the centre of the assembly where an aisle was left free allowing someone to walk to the front and his future. Blue's breath plumed into the cold, biting air. The ceremony of Ascendency was performed on the green fields to the front of the great house. Blue's exact birthdate was unknown so the day he had arrived at the Academy marked his rebirth as a student. As proud as Blue felt this day he secretly hoped for a large snowfall and having the ceremony take place in the Great Hall.
Calda never would have forgiven me. Blue thought and as he strode forward he attempted to locate the dragon discreetly, flicking his eyes beyond the seated students to where the dragons waited patiently, surrounding them all. Blue felt a twinge of disappointment that Calda wasn't closer which disappeared rapidly as he experienced the soft touch of the dragon in his mind, warming and comforting Blue considerably.
Blue ignored the whispers around him from some of the younger students and looked up at the stage erected before the assembled students, instructors and dragons. Three people occupied the stage, two sitting and one standing and each terrifying in their own way as instructors and Blue winced as memories of finding himself at the wrong end of a switch from each of them popped into his head. The two instructors sat were responsible for the student's education in the matter of fighting, from a one to one fight up to battle tactics involving hundreds if not thousands of soldiers. They had no names or formal title other than “Sir” or “Ma'am” and it was a quick, harsh punishment to any child who forgot to use either mode of address. The two on the stage Blue looked at now had not always been his teachers, a few had been assigned to the children's training over the years and these two were relatively new to all, which meant they were a lot harder, tougher and quicker to anger than instructors used to the children. The man standing who had called Blue's name was not a newcomer. Sir Tarvos was and had been the main instructor since Blue could remember. Sir Tarvos was named after successfully bonding with a dragon. It was considered bad form for the older riders who survived the war to keep anything of their past including their names after joining with a dragon. Names were chosen as closely as possible to resemble some characteristic, physical or otherwise about the new rider. Tarvos was a deity, a bull God, and it was plain to see why this particular name was chosen. Sir Tarvos was gigantic, not only in a muscular sense but he also towered over every student and instructor to have ev
er attended these halls. He kept his blond hair long and tied back in a tail but kept the sides shaved to within a millimetre of his scalp. His eyebrows, a shade darker than his hair formed a vicious 'V' above his nose imparting a look of furious attention to whatever he was doing. It was the eyes that captured and stilled many a heart, but not in acknowledgment of their beauty, but in the darkness held within. With a shade of brown bordering on black, to be caught in that gaze was many a student's worst nightmare. Only once in Blue's memory had those eyes inspired anything but cold fear. In his earlier years, when the possibility of getting caught breaking the rules was a worthy risk, Blue and a few of his fellow students would dare one another to sneak about the foreboding, empty corridors, late at night, dodging instructors performing their nightly rounds. It was attempting such a dare that Blue was forced to duck into a corridor leading to Sir Tarvos's study to avoid running into an instructor and the beating that would surely follow. Edging along the cold, stone wall Blue saw a dim light shining from the open door of the study. Daring himself now, for what a tale it would be for his classmates, he moved closer, as slowly as his wired senses and body would allow. A soft voice drifted to him through the open door, a voice that he did not recognise. His curiosity now piqued, Blue marked himself a few feet from the doorframe and with one ponderously slow and large step he came to rest next to the open door.
“I know what I am doing is for their benefit. But that is difficult when holding a leather strap in one hand and a crying child in another.”
The soft voice paused and Blue craned his head as far forward as he dared, straining his entire body in an effort to hear.