by Jensine Odom
Kerric and Zebulon both look relieved as Mary walks by. Her hood’s still up, sunglasses still on, and her hands are in her pockets again. She stops beside the river, somehow startling Petrie, and stares into the rushing water.
I shake my head and laugh as the young dragon ducks behind Alarr. He snorts in annoyance and moves away, but Petrie follows him.
“I think she likes you,” I joke, walking up beside my draquus and patting his shoulder.
I do not like her, he retorts.
“Alright.” I laugh. “Come on Petrie. I’ll protect you.” I step between Alarr and her, resting a hand on her side.
I feel her agree, and swear I hear a young girls voice say All right in my mind, but see no signs it could be the little dragon. I think my overactive imagination made it up.
Alarr moves away, his absence being immediately replaced by Caedryn, and with us in the lead, we head out once more, continuing to follow the river.
✽✽✽
As I thought, Mary could handle a quicker pace, although she’s still being moody. She even moved past us to take the lead when we slowed for a bit. We’ve also made it farther up the mountain than I thought we would. It’s mid-afternoon, and we’re just below the lake that’s our destination.
Mary’s still in the lead by a few paces, seemingly uncaring if we’re even still back here. She crosses the log bridge over the river first and keeps going without checking that the rest of us make it.
Kerric quickly traverses the bridge right after her, but stops on the other side, giving me a questioning look when Mary disappears into the trees beyond the river. I nod, and he walks on to keep an eye on her.
Still indifferent to Mary’s moodiness, and the fact that Kerric just followed her, Zebulon crosses next with Tristin, the two brothers trying hard to knock each other in the river by moving the already unstable logs. The logs suddenly move in an unexpected way to both of them, and they scramble for the safety of the bank, glaring back at the culprit.
Irontooth quickly moves his clawed hand off the logs and glances around like he didn’t do it, looking more like the human he used to be than the dragon he’s stuck being. I imagine he’d be around my brothers’ age, and it makes me kind of sad that he’s beastlocked; they’d probably be great friends.
Caedryn laughs, patting the young Beast’s shoulder, and crosses the river with no incident. Sitrian goes next, and Petrie crashes headlong into the river beside her, splashing playfully through the water, her bright blue scales glinting in the afternoon sun.
Alarr, I reach my mind out as I watch Turhion and Baldure take turns crossing the river. Do you think I’ll be able to release the beastlocked like I had the Knights when I become a full dragon?
There is a chance, but it is small. Alarr answers, jumping to the other bank in a single bound. The High Royal needed to have awakened them to return their humanity, but the beastlocked awoke on their own. Many will be bestial by now.
Oh. My heart sinks as I step carefully onto the sketchy log. I glance at Irontooth, making sure he won’t try to knock me off, and notice his scales are changing colors like Petrie’s; he’s now a golden pink.
That does not mean there is no hope. Alarr reassures me. I see the changes that have occurred in the younglings you imprinted with. We shall see what the future brings us.
Yeah, we’ll see what ha—” My thoughts are cut off as I suddenly have to focus on not falling, thanks to my brothers rocking the log beneath me.
Just when I think I have my balance, the logs shift roughly and I fall backwards, but Stormwing catches me just before impact with the cold, rushing water, pushing me back to my feet with her head.
“Thanks.” I smile gratefully and pet her cheek, noticing her scales have changed colors, too. Now she’s mostly a dusty lavender.
Stormwing nods her head in a very human-like manner, acknowledging my gratitude, then glares at my brothers as I continue across the logs.
Right as I near the end, the logs shift one last time, falling into the river. Before they can take me with them, I jump to the bank, slipping in the slick mud and landing on my ass.
Zebulon and Tristin laugh hysterically, but only until Stormwing swipes her powerful tail in the water, drenching them both from head to toe. The boys gasp for air and Stormwing gives a deep, rumbling chortle, surprising all of us.
Suddenly self-conscious with everyone’s eyes on her, she goes quiet, ducking her head with embarrassment. I’m pretty sure she’d be blushing if she weren’t covered in scales.
“It’s alright,” I assure her, trying not to laugh, and get to my feet. “We’re just surprised.”
All the tension drains from Stormwing’s body and she laughs again. Hopping out of the river, she gently presses her head against me, filling me with her gratitude.
“You’re welcome,” I say, patting her scaly cheek. “Us girls have to stick together.”
Stormwing chuffs, looking at my brothers pointedly, and I laugh. Zebulon and Tristin just roll their eyes, and Irontooth snorts derisively, hopping across the river to join my brothers.
“See!? This is what I mean!” I laugh again, this time a little more hysterical.
“Can you guys stop fucking around?” Mary yells, suddenly reappearing on the trail ahead of us. “I want to get to this lake already! Get moving!”
Something in her tone of voice sets me off. I snarl, the sound being amplified by Stormwing’s own low growl.
“We’re coming now,” Caedryn steps in for me, trying to ease the tension between us. “Xerxia simply fell in the mud.”
“I didn’t address you, Knight,” Mary snaps, not even looking at Caedryn. Or maybe she did. I can’t tell, since she’s still wearing those stupid sunglasses.
“And you’re not in charge, Mary,” I say, keeping my temper barely in check, even though something inside me wants me to knock her down for her insubordination. “We’ll get to the lake when we get to the lake.”
“Ugh,” Mary shrieks, annoyed, and turns to storm up the path.
This time Kerric hangs back, looking shocked as Mary puts distance between us, and takes a place behind Caedryn and me as we walk past.
The rocky path blurs as my thoughts take over. I don’t know what has gotten into Mary, or me for that matter. She’s no longer acting like she has a headache, and calling Caedryn ‘Knight’? Somethings up. It’s like she’s having super PMS. Maybe that’s it.
Me, on the other hand, I’m not so sure about. I’ve never wanted to knock someone down so bad like I just did with Mary. Not without them really deserving it, anyways. Mary simply got snippy, which she has done before, but I wanted to leap on her like an animal just to prove my dominance and her place in the group. I wanted to see her submit. I just don’t know why.
Because you are the High Royal, Alarr answers.
Listening in on my thoughts again, I see, I joke.
I can always hear your thoughts. I am your draquus, and must know what is in your head, and your heart.
Makes sense. I mentally shrug. So, am I going to want to dominate everyone who challenges me?
Perhaps. You are the High Royal, as well as the only Royal. Your instincts may drive you to meet anyone who challenges your rule.
Mary didn’t challenge my rule, though. She was just being bitchy.
Did she not challenge your leadership, demanding everyone do as she says? Alarr points out. You are human still; mayhap your instincts will trigger with humans until you are fully a dragon.
Could it be that my senses are heightened because I’m close to transforming? I ask, aware now that the pulsing in my chest isn’t just my heart beating abnormally hard.
It is most likely a combination of these things. Your instincts will drive you to be dominant. As the Honorless followed these same instincts to choose Chieftains, so must you. It simply means you truly are a Royal to all dragons.
Wait, how do you know the Honorless had these instincts? I ask now, getting distracted.
I felt it necessary to learn of these dragons who were shunned, and Baldure has been very accommodating.
That’s actually a good idea! What else have you learned?
That the Honorless were never so different from the Honorbound. Maybe more violent at times, but they had nearly the same system of rulers and laws as the Honorbound had, less the draquus.
Proving me right; the Honorless aren’t truly Honorless. I can’t help the triumphant tone in my voice.
Indeed, Alarr agrees. There are still those who are truly Honorless.
Naturally. Whether we like it or not, evil exists. Without it, we wouldn’t know what good is.
Those are wise words, Xerxia, Alarr praises.
Thanks! I have my moments. I laugh at myself.
Tell me, what would you have done with these Evil Ones?
Even though evil exists, it can’t be allowed to run rampant. I would have eliminated the Evil Ones, not exiled them, I answer without hesitation.
In that respect, you and Drustana see things the same.
What!? I ask, not really sure what he’s getting at.
Drustana eliminated the Evil Ones, but where you would have done so out of selfless reasons, she has done so out of selfishness to protect her rule.
Well, I’m not one to look a gift horse in the mouth. It doesn’t matter why she did it now, only that she made my job just that much easier.
There will be more, in the future. How will you decide who is truly evil, and who is not?
I can see others’ souls, in a way, I answer after a span of silence. Or more like I can see the darkness in their hearts. I didn’t know it at first, but it’s how I knew Baldure would turn. It’s also how I know there’s no hope for Drustana.
Interesting, Alarr remarks, slightly distracted. This does not sound like one of the abilities of an Esper, however. It sounds familiar, but does not come immediately to mind. I will think on it.
Now I’m curious! Let me know when you remember what this ability could be.
That is my intention, Alarr replies, a playfully sarcastic tone in his voice.
I shake my head as he walks off into the trees, my attention slowly coming back to our surroundings. While Alarr and I spoke, we made it up most of the last two or so miles of switchbacks that lead to the lake, and I’m not even breathing hard. I could really get used to this new well of stamina.
Light streams through the trees as we near the lake. Mary’s well ahead of the group and steps into the clearing first, disappearing from sight for a moment as the rest of us work our way up the last little hill. Zebulon and Tristin take that as a challenge and race each other the rest of the way.
“Uh. Xerxia? We got a little problem,” Zebulon calls back just before the rest of us reach the meadow.
“Define ‘little problem’,” I reply, climbing the last bit of rocky path, then freeze beside my brothers.
“There’s already somebody here,” Tristin offers, a bit obviously.
Change of Plans
THE man Tristin speaks of is beside the lake, and his dog is begging attention from Mary, who oddly doesn’t want to give it any. At the sound of our voices, the large Shepherd dog turns its attention on us, happily trotting our way, and the man looks over, giving a friendly wave.
“I hope y’all like dogs,” he calls just as his companion reaches us. “’Cause Shadow loves people.”
“Hi Shadow,” I greet the dog in that silly voice everyone uses with animals, and he wags his tail, sniffing anything his long nose can reach.
After his thorough inspection, Shadow tucks his snout into my hand with a plaintiff whine, forcing me to pet him. Laughing, I scratch from his ears to the base of his tail. With a giddy wiggle, he moves on to his next victim; Caedryn.
I smile, watching the dog go, then panic. Animals can sense the dragons, and usually react to the unseen threat. Horses and other prey animals freak out, but I’m not sure about dogs. From the look on Caedryn’s face, he’s not so sure, either.
Luckily, Shadow doesn’t seem to have a problem. He gives Caedryn the sniff-down, then approving of his inspection, begs to be pet. Releasing the breath he was holding, Caedryn gives Shadow a brisk shoulder scratch, and the dog moves on to my brothers.
Just when I think there’s nothing left to worry about, I realize the man is walking this way. Most of us don’t look like they’re even remotely close to this era, and there’s the tiny problem of three Beasts that should be showing up soon; their energy signatures are getting stronger.
“Hi,” the man greets us, only a few yards away now.
“Hey,” I return cheerily, hoping I don’t look too distracted as I send a quick thought to Alarr. Can you keep Petrie occupied for a little while? We have unforeseen company.
That should not be difficult, as she has found me already, Alarr replies, his voice spiked with annoyance.
Thank you! Then, hoping what I did with Petrie earlier wasn’t a fluke, I focus on Stormwing and Irontooth, trying with all I have to send them my thoughts. Stay in the trees for now. I don’t want to startle this man.
To my surprise, and relief, they get the message, both of their energies flaring with assent and stopping just inside the forest. I casually look back to where I sense them and find only a sparkle of scales occasionally when the slanting evening sun hits one of them.
“Y’all wouldn’t happen to have any food for trade, would you?” the man asks, pulling my attention back to him.
“You’re a Wanderer,” I observe, taking in his lean build, well-worn hiking boots and wooden walking stick.
“You got me,” he concedes with a smile and a dip of his head. “And you are, different,” he finishes unsure, looking over the entire group now filling the edge of the clearing, his eyes going wide when he sees Baldure. “Where’s your sister?” he asks suddenly.
“We were separated during a dragon encounter,” he answers easily, shrugging one massive shoulder.
“Was it that dragon you were hunting?” the man asks curiously.
“Yes. There were more of them than anticipated.” Baldure looks at me, amusement flickering in his eyes.
Oh, Gods! His eyes! When this man would have met Baldure, he only had one eye! This just keeps getting better and better!
“Are you alright, miss?” the man asks me now, somehow noticing the slight change in my breathing.
“I’m fine.” I wave him off. “I was just there that day, and it still gives me anxiety to think about it,” I lie lamely, hoping it covers the truth behind my distress.
“I wouldn’t blame you. It’s scary enough just hearing about dragons, but encountering them in the flesh? I can’t imagine—” the man cuts off suddenly, mouth agape and eyes wide. “You’re her, aren’t you?!” he exclaims, taking another step closer to me and unknowingly setting off a chain reaction.
Like a well-oiled machine, Caedryn and Baldure move between the man and me, hands instinctively going to weapons. The other Knights move in behind me, making a protective circle, and last but not least, both Stormwing and Irontooth emerge from the trees to tower over the threat, snarling.
“That escalated quickly,” Tristin comments, continuing to rub Shadow’s belly, the dog not even fazed by the sudden unnecessary show of force.
“Easy, guys,” I say, hoping to dissuade my protectors from any more drastic steps.
The man stands there, frozen by the shock of it all, his eyes the only thing alluding to his brain still functioning as they dart from the two dragons to the Knights then finally back to me.
“This is why they call you the Dragon Scavenger,” he finally speaks, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Not really, but I’m sure it will be once you get back to the Santa Fe settlement,” I remark, giving my two Beasts a very motherly stern look.
“You haven’t heard, then,” the man says, his demeanor changing, and I snap my attention to him.
“Heard what?”
“That also means it couldn’t have been
your dragons,” he comments, looking nervously at Stormwing and Irontooth.
“Gods damn it, man! Tell me what happened!”
“The Santa Fe settlement is gone, turned to ash by a group of dragons. There were no survivors,” the man relays, his sorrow hitting me hard, and my legs go numb, making me falter.
Baldure catches me, using the contact to send a thought. Drustana.
It has to be, I agree, then panic. Baldure, the Inn! My heart beats faster, dropping into the pit of my stomach.
No harm will come to your friends, Baldure assures me, bolstering me with his strength. The Inn is small compared to the settlement. Inconsequential in Drustana’s eyes. Alivia will also have reported that you would not return, as we drove you from it.
My heart rate returns to somewhat normal, and I send a wave of gratitude to Baldure. Knowing I can stand on my own again, he lets me go.
“I wasn’t there myself,” the man continues, unaware of our internal dialogue, “but the story I’ve heard whispered is it was you; that you somehow tamed dragons and turned them on those that spurned you. I thought it preposterous, but here you are, two tamed dragons.” He stops, slightly out of breath, and now openly looks over Stormwing and Irontooth with curiosity.
Xerxia, Alarr’s worried voice sounds in my mind. I could not keep her any longer. No sooner does Alarr’s warning come than Petrie bursts from the trees on the far side of the meadow, barreling towards us.
Hearing Petrie’s peculiar mewling, the man turns to investigate. He pales as he realizes it’s yet another dragon, and darts into the protection of my circle. With a laugh, I step out, letting Petrie see I’m fine.
This does nothing to slow her roll. If anything, it actually backfires, making her move just that much faster. Right before impact, Petrie squeals excitedly, then bowls me over, nearly laying all her weight against me.
“I was alright, until you crushed me,” I joke, struggling beneath her.
With a sheepish look, Petrie lifts off me and lays subserviently in the grass with a pitiful squeak.
“You didn’t hurt me,” I reassure her, sitting up and petting her head softly, relishing the roughness of her scales.