by Jensine Odom
I reach out, touching each weapon gently, but none feel the way Eltanin and Arrakis did. The last weapon I touch is Caliburn. Why is that name familiar?
“The Caliburn?!” I exclaim suddenly. “Like, King Arthur’s Caliburn?!”
“It was never Arthur’s,” Caedryn snarls. “The Knight who this sword belonged to, Morganna, had it taken from her. We recovered it after it was thrown in a lake.”
Alright, touchy subject. “Were these all once Knights’ weapons?” I ask, hoping that’s better.
“Yes,” Caedryn replies, not as heated. “Eagan was the Commander of an elite group of Knights. These were their weapons.”
“Drustana killed them all,” I whisper, knowing the dialogue by now.
“Yes,” Caedryn agrees. “I’m hoping to give the others to Tristin, Baldure, and Alivia.”
Tristin and Baldure make sense, but Alivia? What could she have done to deserve such an honor?
“She saved my life,” Caedryn answers my thoughts. “Your injury distracted Baldure and me. He was injured, and the dragon who had me pinned was intent on killing me. Alivia interfered.”
“Then it only makes sense for her to have one of these weapons. She can be my other Champion.”
“Alarr made both her and Baldure Knights,” Caedryn confesses.
“What?! That’s great,” I yell, happiness overflowing. “That’ll go a long way towards convincing the other Honorless to join us.”
“I thought so as well,” Caedryn agrees, my joy reflected in his face.
I hug him again and stand, letting the blood flow to my legs while he repacks the weapons.
The valley outside is cast in shadow, just the tips of the tallest trees lit by the golden light of the setting sun, and I itch to watch the sunset from the air.
“What are you waiting for?” Caedryn teases in my ear.
“You.” I give him a challenging look, then sprint out of the cave, not even skipping a beat as I leap off the cliff in a swan dive.
Shifting just before hitting the jagged rocks below, I spread my wings, shooting back up on the draft, spiraling through the air as I fly past Caedryn now in his dragon form on the outcrop. With an ecstatic roar, he joins me in the sky, and we fly ever higher, chasing the light as the sun continues to dip below the horizon.
Soon, the clouds are streaked with orange and pink, and stars blink slowly into existence as the deep purple of darkness begins to claim its dominance of the sky.
Having had our fun, Caedryn and I soar back to the meadow below. Landing in the grass beside the lake, I shift, removing my new weapons belt and tossing it with the weapon pack Caedryn just set down.
Laying beside him in the grass, he draws me into his arms, and I snuggle into him, falling asleep faster than I thought, dreaming of soaring amongst the stars above.
Homecoming
ALTHOUGH I’m anxious to get back, tomorrow comes much too fast. I lay awake in the wee hours of morning, listening to Caedryn’s breathing as it changes with the dream that holds his mind. I can’t see it, but I know it’s pleasant. Very pleasant, if his sudden spike in ecstasy and slight boner are any indication.
My body growing restless, I leave Caedryn to his dreaming and get up, the crisp scent of morning filling my lungs as I stretch my sleep-heavy limbs. Mist rises off the lake, dancing in the slight breeze, and the haunting call of a loon echoes somewhere across the water.
The tops of the clouds turn a soft shade of coral as the sun begins its ascent, and the freedom of flight calls to me. I glance at Caedryn, still deep in sleep. I’m safe in this moment, but after what happened, and what is yet to come, I won’t get the chance to be alone again for some time. This is going to be a solo flight.
Closing my eyes, I shift, but not to my full form. No, this time I’m going with my partial transformation, aiming for something close to a gargoyle.
My skin hardens as scales cover my body, except for my face. Wings stretch from my shoulders, and horns spiral back off my head. My hands and feet elongate, claws tipping each finger and toe. And my tail! Can’t forget the tail!
With my transformation complete, I move to the edge of the lake, using its semi-smooth surface to make sure I didn’t mess anything up. Like I thought, scales cover almost every inch of my body, with just my throat and face exposed. A crown of scales rests across my forehead, and some sweep across my cheeks.
My golden dragon’s eyes glow bright in the darkness before dawn, and chrome curls fall between my horns. Wait. My hair’s supposed to be golden brown. I quickly shift back to human, but my hair’s still bright silver, reflecting the colors of morning. What happened?!
Caedryn inhales slowly behind me, the breath of a waking mind, or one checking to see if it should wake. I quickly control my heartbeat and wait to see if he does wake up completely, but he just takes another deep breath, his mind turning back to sleep.
That was close! Time to go while I can! Walking on my toes like a cat, claws digging into the earth, I move silently past Caedryn, then run when I’m far enough away.
Excitement rushes through my veins, and I leap midstride, nearly clearing the trees. With a few beats of my powerful wings, I take off, quickly gaining height, and soar over the valley below while I get used to flying in this form.
A brave raven joins me, diving in and out of the draft coming off my wings and looping around me. It eventually leaves me, having had its fun, and I climb higher, flying straight through a fluffy cloud as I race to greet the day.
The sun breaks over the horizon, its light making my scales shimmer like one thousand crystals. Throwing my arms wide, I stall for a moment, then plummet back for the ground, letting the sunlight chase me.
Caedryn stirs below, waking completely this time, his mind searching for mine. I feel kind of guilty for not telling him I left, but he’s not upset or panicked about my absence. He can feel the exhilaration in my heart, and my rapid approach as I free fall back to earth.
I snap my wings open once I’m just over the meadow, slowing my descent, and shoot low across the grasses, flying fast for the spot beside the lake where Caedryn waits for me. Maybe a little too fast.
“Coming in hot,” I yell, and Caedryn moves back as I touch down, stumbling as I try desperately to stay on my feet. The lake comes up fast, but I just manage to stop at the water’s edge, the few ducks resting there quacking indignantly as they flee. I wait for a moment, teetering, but finally stand steady and throw my arms in the air triumphantly. “And she sticks the landing!” I hop in a semi-circle to face Caedryn. “Tada!”
He moves for me, a smile peeking out of his beard. “Well done,” he approves, taking in my partial form, and brushes a thumb across the scales on my cheek. Kissing me, he half shifts himself, taking a step back to retrieve my daggers and the pack of weapons. “Are you ready to leave?” he asks, handing my belt over.
I take a deep breath, looking at our valley. “Yes.” I nod, wrapping the leather belt around my hips. “Was my hair this color yesterday?” I ask suddenly, watching with wonder as the belt melts into me, becoming a part of my being.
Caedryn chuckles at me, then answers. “Yes. It became that way after the Thunderbirds helped Alarr heal you.”
“What?!” My attention snaps to Caedryn.
“You were mortally wounded,” he says quietly, the pain of the memory still fresh. “Alarr made you a Knight, hoping that would give you strength, but it wasn’t enough. You were slipping faster than he could heal you. That’s when the Thunderbirds aided. They spread their wings around you and Alarr. When they moved away, you were whole, alive, and your hair had become the color of their plumage.” He steps closer, running a hand over my curls and holding my face. “Had they not aided Alarr, I would have lost you again. This time forever, as the soulstone has been destroyed.”
“I told you I’ll always come back. That means no matter what. If I die, I will find you, again and again. No soulstone required.” I smile reassuringly, pressing a hand to the center
of his chest. I will always find you.
I will always find you, Caedryn vows in return, resting his hand over my heart. We seal the deal with a kiss, and something zaps through us, the bond between our souls getting stronger.
“Now, let’s get back,” I say, stepping away reluctantly as light floods the little valley.
Caedryn slings the weapons pack over his shoulder to rest between his wings, and I watch in awe as the leather becomes part of him. He smirks a challenge, taking off immediately. With a grin of my own, I join him in the sky, spiraling around him a few times, and we head south. Back to family, friends, and our destiny.
✽✽✽
We flew straight through the morning, passing over mountains and plains alike, the terrain eventually becoming more familiar as we entered New Mexico. To kill time, Caedryn ran me through some mock air battles, most of which I won because I’m unpredictable, but Caedryn told me I take too big of risks.
It’s midday now, and I can feel the pull of Baldure and the other Knights grow stronger. Soon, the mountains where our camp is located come into view, and it only takes us another half hour to reach the lake.
Hoping I don’t trip and fall on my face, I touchdown at a run, my family already rushing right for me. Baldure only beats everyone because his strides are huge. With a thud, we collide in the center of the meadow, and Baldure lifts me in his massive arms, squeezing me tight in a bear hug, my heart bursting with his happiness.
“I’m glad you live, Little One,” he says, barely setting me back on my feet before Zebulon and Tristin crash into me.
“Xerxia,” they cry ecstatically, crushing me in a bracing group hug.
Just as I break free of my three brothers, I’m wrapped up in two more sets of arms. Turhion and Kerric.
“Welcome back, Xerxia,” Turhion says through his tears, hugging me a little tighter.
The brothers step back, letting someone else get their turn to welcome me home. Zaara and Alivia stand there, unsure of how to address me, something I quickly fix, hugging each in turn.
“We’re sisters now,” I say with a smile, gesturing to the back of my neck where the sensation of every Knights here rests.
“In more ways than one,” Zaara jokes, flashing a broad smile at Caedryn.
“How is it you come to have a bond with Baldure?” Alivia asks straightforward, and Zaara looks shocked, as do the other dragons who have begun to gather.
This time I smile, both at Baldure and Alivia. He shared his life force with me, I answer, letting my thoughts be heard by everyone here.
This has the intended effect, as Alivia’s mind opens to me. You truly are an Esper!
Yes. Sitrian is one, too, and I know there are more amongst the Honorless. Or should I say Outcasts?
You truly are going to unite all dragons? Alivia asks, picking up on my hint.
Yes. I know the old ways are wrong, and they died with all the Royals. Things are going to change, but first we have to take care of Drustana, and her new pet Royal.
Alivia gives a short chuckle. “I like you,” she says aloud, her rasping voice at odds with her smooth mental voice.
“Let me heal your throat?” I ask. Alivia accepts, and I lay a gentle hand to the old scar that rings her neck. I cough, my own throat tickling as Alivia’s is healed. “How’s that?”
“You can heal old injuries?” she asks in return, her voice as soft as it had been in Baldure’s memory.
“You’re welcome.” I give Alivia a broad smile.
“Xerxia,” Zebulon pipes up, screeching like he has been trying to get my attention for a while. “We have something to tell you.”
I don’t like how that sounded. Looking around, I quickly realize something’s off. Out of everybody who rushed to greet me, three specific Beasts haven’t shown.
“Where’s Petrie? And Stormwing and Irontooth?!” I look around harder, not finding the young dragons, and nearly fall as one scenario hits me. “They’re not…” I trail off, not wanting to admit I might be right.
“They’re not dead,” Zebulon reassures me, his face cracking into a huge smile. “They’re just… different.”
With that, the crowd moves, revealing two teenagers, one boy and one girl, looking to be right around eighteen, and between them is a young girl, about ten. All three wear plain clothes, not the fancy garb like my Knights, or the rough leathers of the Outcasts, and all have the same dirty blonde hair.
Before my mind can wrap around this, the kid breaks free of her older siblings and bolts for me, slamming into my waist.
“Petrie?” I ask, still very shocked as I look into her familiar blue eyes.
“Yes,” the kid replies. “My real name is Madelaine.”
“And yours?” I ask the two teens walking towards me.
“Robert,” the boy replies, dropping his soft golden eyes and bowing proudly.
“Allicyn,” the older girl adds, also bowing, her eyes a light shade of lavender.
Without warning, I grab them both in a hug. “How? I thought you were Beasts.”
You are a Purificent, Alarr’s voice breaks into my mind.
I release the kids to look for my draquus, spotting his glittery scales as he walks through the crowd. I run for him, throwing my arms around his thick neck and burying my face in his impossibly soft mane. What does that even mean?
I mentioned some of your abilities were not that of an Esper. They are that of an old ability, one we have not seen for centuries, maybe even a millennia. You are a Purificent. You can break other’s magic, such as that of the beastlocked, if magic is why they are unable to transform. It is also how you release the Knights, paired with being an Esper, and how you release dragon’s souls.
Does that mean I can save the Beasts, then? I ask, getting excited.
Yes, so long as they are not lost to their dragon.
I hug Alarr tighter, happiness overwhelming me.
“Xerxia,” Zebulon calls me again.
“What do you want this time?!” I turn to face him.
“We’re not done with your surprises,” he grins, Tristin’s face matching, and walks closer, lifting up the sleeve of his shirt that I just noticed looks a lot like the Knights’ tunics, revealing a tattoo on his shoulder.
It’s a circular crest; a dragon with its wings spread, and it shimmers red and gold like a dragon’s scale. When I involuntarily touch it, it glows like a dragon mark.
“Watch this,” Zebulon gloats, and becomes engulfed in red mist. When it clears, he’s wearing plated armor in the same red-gold of his tattoo, scales etched into the breastplate to resemble a dragon’s. “Pretty cool, huh?!”
“How?! Are you a dragon?” I ask, a little dumbfounded.
“Nope, but your close,” he answers. “You’re never going to guess!”
“He is a Vanguard,” a woman’s voice carries from the back of the crowd. I know that voice, but it shouldn’t be here! She’s supposed to be dead!
Shock nearly freezes me, but it’s not mine. I turn to find Caedryn staring, unmoving, and coming through the crowd is the reason why. Sylaena, her light purple eyes colder in person than I remember, and beside her is Malakai, the man looking like an older version of Caedryn, only a little squarer in the face, his eyes a pale green.
Behind the pair is another shock; a draquus, this one white, with sapphire eyes. Its smaller than Alarr, and its horns are branched, looking more like a deer’s antlers.
As Sylaena makes her way through the people who surround me, not a one bows. The Knights bob their heads out of respect, but the Outcasts stand proud. They know who she is, but they don’t see her as their Royal. It’s really annoying her. I find it heartening.
“Mother?” Caedryn finally finds his voice, and his will to move, coming to stand beside me. “Father? How are you alive?”
“We will get to that shortly, my son,” Sylaena answers, sounding like a true Royal. “First, do introduce us to this woman.” Sylaena’s eyes rest on me with the same reproachful loo
k I remember from my dreams. She knows who I am, she’s just playing games, thinking I’m the same pushover Allowyn was.
“Xerxia,” I introduce myself, barely nodding my head, refusing to let Sylaena try to bully me.
“I like her,” Malakai chuckles, holding out his hand. “Malakai.”
Unlike Sylaena, Malakai is warm and accepting, and I take his hand in mine. There’s a tiny flash of gold on contact, and Malakai’s eyes go wide. Sylaena just looks that much more annoyed.
“You’re a Knight-Royal,” Malakai observes, awe tainting his voice.
“Yeah,” I admit, blushing for some reason.
“How did this come to be?” Sylaena demands, her tone making my instincts go on high alert.
“Well, let’s see. I died trying to protect what I though was family,” I reply, not even trying to hide my own annoyance, my eyes remaining locked with Sylaena’s.
“You are an Esper,” she returns, as if that’s some obvious reason I can’t be a Knight.
“Yeah, and?” I taunt.
With tensions rising, the Outcasts have begun to slowly gather around behind me, as well as my Knights, something Sylaena hasn’t let go unnoticed, especially when Baldure’s bulk steps to my left side.
“Why do you allow these Honorless to roam free?” she asks, her eyes now flicking to my small army beginning to amass. “Prisoners should be kept bound at all times.”
“They’re not my prisoners,” I snarl, knowing she’s about to make a big scene. “They’re my people, my friends, and you will address them with respect.”
“My dear, Honorless are never your friends,” Sylaena chides sickly. “Apprehend them. They will be executed at dusk,” she orders the Knights behind me, then turns her gaze on me. “Her as well. Espers cannot be allowed to live.”
That does it! Without thinking, my hands fly to my new weapons, drawing Eltanin and Arrakis in the blink of an eye. “That’s a negative, Sylaena,” I growl. “I’ve worked too hard for this. I died for this. You will not fuck it up with your self-righteousness.” I look around, realizing every dragon, save for Malakai, has drawn their weapons and stands ready to fight with me.