by Sarah Hite
Moon trembled next to Flame. He knew she was scared… and furious. Sayden! It’s all right, I’m here.
Mother? Mother, I can’t… can’t move. I can’t see you! He was terrified.
It’s all right, son, we’ll get you out of there.
Papa? Where are you?
Close. In truth, he was on the other side of the gate with his father and brother, trying to figure out how to free the boy.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the stone, Ania crept through the garden. There was an ivy-covered trellis that bordered the stone courtyard. Ania cautiously exited the garden and ducked behind the stone. Flame saw her and knew he had to keep Vidar distracted. He lowered his sword. “Okay, you win. I give up. Oh, by the way, did you know Dregno Gunner’s dead? I’m afraid you’re going to have to find a new lord.” He quickly checked Ania’s progress; she was almost there.
Vidar shrugged. “It doesn’t really matter.” He turned away from Flame just in time to see Ania unlock the main chain. “No!” he shouted and gave the signal. Shaelynn popped into sight and shoved Sayden out of the missiles’ path while Flame raised Hegrim.
“Shaelynn!” Moon screamed.
The Throne
A small group of people stood in the library of the castle. They paid no attention to the birds singing, or the people laughing and celebrating. They did not hear the servants singing and whistling while preparing for the celebration. They did not smell the pigs roasting over the fires. This small group had gathered together as friends. One of the younger members in the group looked out the window at the courtyard below. “Do you think she’ll be all right?” Flame asked, referring to the small, pale dragon curled up in a corner of the courtyard.
Lord Ryell looked down at the dragon. The sadness in her eyes was enough to break anyone’s heart. “Most likely. She has her family to help her through.” Even as he spoke Kwan landed in the courtyard and nuzzled her gently. He sat down next to her as Kyeon approached. The three dragons sat there talking. The group in the library could tell that the two dragons were trying to cheer her up but without success.
Ania watched the family in silence. She sighed. “Perhaps, Shaelynn was the one she knew the most, the one dragon she could truly relate to. She was Moon’s little girl.”
“Yes, she was her little one, but Moon and Kwan are still young. They will have more children.” Ania and Flame looked at Lord Kayton in disbelief.
“Not that they want to replace her,” Mychal said, saving face. “Her parents will recover, and they will go on. Moon is strong she’ll be fine, but you are right, no one could ever replace Shaelynn.”
Ania nodded. “They will honor her sacrifice,” she said quietly. “And so will the rest of the dragons. Even Dea-hyun seems to respect the Royal family now. She knows her actions toward them were wrong, and she now understands what kind of dragon Shaelynn—” She halted, holding back the tears that threatened to pour down her cheeks.
Flame took her in his arms, offering his support. “Who knows, Kyeon and Kym don’t have any children. Someday Sayden may take the throne,” he said, trying to think positively.
“Speaking of the throne, don’t we have a coronation to prepare for?” Ryell declared.
A few hours later Ania entered the throne room from a side door. She wore a stunning gown in bright blue, as well as the necklace Lord Ryell gave to her. She also wore the ring Marcus had given to her. From her place just beyond the podium she observed the room. It was crowded. There were people from every province, and everyone was wearing their best. She saw the lords standing to the left of the podium. Lukair, Stone, and their parents stood with Tyanna and her parents, as well as the rest of Pycan’s surviving members of the Dragon Guard. The other Guard captains stood with them. A cleric stood behind the throne. All available doors and windows had been opened so that the dragon council could watch.
The large doors at the back of the room opened and everyone quieted down. While the people were watching the back, the lords took their places to the left of the throne. Ania also came to stand by the throne’s right side. Together they watched as two figures appeared in the entranceway.
Flame slowly walked toward the front of the room. He wore black slacks and a silver silk shirt. Over this he wore a long dark blue sleeveless shirt. The long shirt was secured by a polished black belt with a silver buckle. A cape was wrapped about his neck. It was also silver and was trimmed with white fur. His medallion could be seen hanging below the cape’s buckle. Ania smiled sadly as she watched the little dragon who limped alongside him. The two stopped in front of the throne.
The cleric spoke quietly to him and he nodded. Then the cleric addressed the crowd. “A decision has been made by elders and Guardsman around the nation, as well as the Dragons’ Council. They have decided that a new Guard commander be chosen. They have decided, without hesitation, on who that commander should be.”
He turned to face Ania. “Ania Dragonheart. You have shown yourself to be courageous, passionate, and to always find a solution mutually beneficial to both men and dragons. You truly understand what it means to be a Guardsmen, and you, Ania Dragonheart, have been chosen to succeed Thorin Corbinson as the commander of the Dragon Guard.” He placed a ringlet of braided silver on her brow. Tiny dragons could be seen weaving in and out of the silver braid.
He raised his hands to silence the crowd before turning to Flame. He motioned for Flame to kneel. Then the cleric lifted a gleaming golden crown from a velvet pillow and held it in the air with both hands. “On this day we celebrate the presence of Cainen Evander, the son of Hirum Leander, the great-grandson of Prince Cainen, son of King Evander. Today…” He turned to face Flame and set the crown upon his head. “…I give you… our King!”