Dragon Rider (DragonMage Saga)

by Platt, S. P.

  They started to move into the cave when Angel turned around to speak with Gavrie. ‘Can we fight if we are needed, we can fire the lances and our fire ball spells are good?’

  ‘I want you to stay in here, you are more important in here than out there. If we don’t have the lances when we need them and the lances for the Dragon Riders are not available then we are in very serious trouble ok?’ Gavrie gave them a quick look and turned and left the cave.

  Angel looked at the others and they looked as he felt, crest fallen, they could fight but were unable to tell anyone. ‘We know we can fight but we just have to play along till we are allowed. They will have to let us soon.’ Even Aura could feel Angels pain in not being allowed to help.

  ‘Come on we must at lest make sure the job here is done, they need lances and we are just about the only ones who are left to do them. The other students are now allowed to fight and we and the old wizards are all that’s left, shell we?’ Shylyn gave them a determined look and headed off inside to start on the lances.

  They were able to see the start of the attack and Angel's mother was very good. She came at the creatures from the top and his brothers from the side. This forced the creatures to go lower and that’s when the wizards started using their magic to hit the creatures as they were forced to descend.

  In that first attack by Tish, Rho and Etha they had destroyed nearly half of them. Then the wizards came in with their attack and got more of them. Angel looked at the fighting and knew if the wizards joined together in their attacks, they would hit and destroy a lot more than they were.

  ‘If only we could tell them what it is like to fight and use your magic together. One day I hope they will do that and we can feel just like the rest of them. The other wizards don’t say anything about us and how we work together. But you can see it in their eyes, the incomprehension of what we do.’ Angel looked a little longer and turned back inside the cave.

  The battle raged for the morning and finely they were moping up the last few creatures that tried to get away. They were unable to get away with this attack happening at this time. They would be missed if they went in search of the Renegade.

  They were finely able to finish with the lances as there were only a few left and Gavrie had come over and told them it would do and to go get a meal and some rest.

  They all decide to go to their common room and do some reading; with Angel's mother and brothers still here they would be missed if she wanted to see him. Angel’s not too hopeful for the other book did not say a lot on the Crystal Chamber so he was not keeping his hopes up.

  The books probably not going to help a lot so I think we are going to have to go back to the library and have another look in the top shelves. We just have to keep looking till we find something that will help us. I need to see Aura again and work more with our magic we all do.

  They all go to the windows, this being their favourite place to sit. They find it easier to think there and talk their problems over. They have the large window area covered in cushions. The window is one that protrudes out and has a very large sill where they have made their very special place to sit and think.

  Shylyn was about to go and get the book on Legends when there was a knock on the door. Maive went over to see who was there as she was the closest. When she had opened it she found Rho and Etha standing there. ‘Come in we were not expecting you to come and see us here.’

  They went over to Angel and the rest by the window, surprise on their faces. Rho looked really impressed with their little area. ‘Really nice place you have made for yourselves here. It’s a lot better than what we have back at the men’s hall for Dragon Riders.’

  ‘Come on sit with us there’s plenty of room and we can talk, I’m sure you have a lot to talk about.’ Medwin moved around a bit so that they could sit down.

  ‘When do you have to go?’ Angel knowing they would not be here very much longer.

  ‘Well mum is talking with Gavrie about the lances, for we used a lot today and so they need charging. Mum wants to stay the night, but is not sure how the dragons will like it staying close to all the wizards. She is going to ask Gavrie if the dragons can go into the next Dragon Cave on the next deck.’ Now these decks were out of bounds to all wizards, as they say they are dangerous. ‘She knows they are dangerous, but feels that if the dragons use the cave and don’t land to heavy on the deck, they should be ok.’

  ‘If you do stay would you like to stay with us here in our rooms as we have plenty of beds? See if mum will stay as well, then you can all get to know my friends. It would be good to have you all here as I miss you.’ Angel tried not to show his eyes as they were a bit watery as he asked.

  ‘Good idea that’s why mum sent us up here to see if you would mind. I think I will go and tell her its fine. I would like to get to know your friends better so I won’t be long.’ Rho headed off out the door, leaving Etha to talk with them.

  ‘It’s going to be good having Dragon Riders to talk to and tell us what it’s like to ride one. We love dragons but know we will never be able to go near one, so listening to you telling us stories will be good.’ Maive could not quite restrain her enthusiasm as she spoke.

  It was not long when Rho came back and went over and sat down with them. ‘Mum will be up soon and Gavrie might come up later and to join us. She’s going to have meals sent up here so we can talk and be comfortable while we eat.’

  Shylyn moved over to let Rho sit even though there was plenty of room; she just wanted to make sure he would be comfortable. ‘Ok now tell us about riding dragons, is it easy or hard and how do you stay on if the dragons got to turn upside down?’

  ‘Well now riding a dragon is not that easy but it’s also not hard, it’s just working out where the best position is. Then you just fit your saddle and harness so you can be comfortable. Now staying on when your dragon does a flip is not so hard just so long as you have not forgotten to fit your harness.’ Rho was really rapped that someone was asking him questions, for not many do.

  ‘What’s a harness?’ Maive asked.

  Etha decided he would answer this one. As Etha stood up and lifted his shirt he spoke. ‘This is a harness.’ Pointing to the leather straps, that went over his shoulders and down his back and at the bottoms where two rings. ‘Now the rings at the bottom are clipped to the saddle harness on the dragon, and that’s how we stay on.

  Maive looked fascinated with what Etha told them, but she knew she stayed on by using magic. She was still very interested as she and Shylyn and Medwin wanted to know all they could. They still felt they had a lot to learn and the best way was to ask Angels brothers.

  Angel knew a lot of this but still he loved hearing it all again, also knew his friends needed to know more and realized he had not told them a lot. This made him feel bad as they were his friends and he had not told them much at all. I’ll have to tell them all I know; as soon as mum and the brothers go.

  Just then there was a knock at the door and in walked Tish and behind her came some kitchen helpers with trolleys of food. ‘Well what have you all been talking about?’

  ‘Hi mum, what do you think?’ Angel spoke with a big smile across his face.

  ‘Dragons of coarse I see your friends love dragons as well if that’s all you’re talking about.’ She walked over to their little area and looked.

  ‘Come mum sit with us, there’s plenty of room for you as well.’ Angel was very pleased his mother was going to stay the night.

  ‘I will but first come have a meal and we can eat as we talk. I really like what you’ve done to your common room. It’s really great. Now come on eat.’ She grabbed a plate and was helping herself to the food.

  Next minute they were all rushing to get up and get a plate of food. There was a bit of fun jostling with Angel and his brothers as they filled their plates. Angels brothers, even if they were only half brothers loved him very much. It hurt them a lot when they found out he could never be around or ever ride a dragon.

 
They were very protective off Angel, for they had known their father, but Angel never did. The main reason was Tish had never told anybody who his father was, but Angel had worked out who he thought was his father but never told anybody.

  He at times found himself wanting to know more of his father but there was no one he could ask. So lived with it each day and since his magic came on his idea of who his father was is now very strong. With his brothers they had a good many years to know their father before he died fighting Renegades. That’s one reason they care very much for him, for they know what he’s missing.

  Once they all had their food they sat and started to eat as the talking began. Angel sat there and listened as Tish, Rho and Etha told his friends, he knew but still it set his heart pounding at what they have done. If they knew what he and his friends are doing now, they would be the ones sitting with their ears wide open listening.

  Next minute Angel was back from his thinking with his brother Rho giving him a nudge. ‘What?’ the look of surprise and then a smile.

  ‘Come on pay attention and listen, I was telling them about you and your old friends going in and trying to beat the young dragons but they always had it on you three. I hope you don’t mind me telling them?’ Rho a worried look on his face.

  ‘No they were good times but I’m here now and with knew friends doing knew things that I would never have thought I would ever do.’ A big smile on his face as his look swept over Rho and went to his friends.

  Etha looked at Angel and seen the look he gave his friends, a funny feeling there was something between the four they were not telling anybody. ‘What have you lot been up to, I hope there is no mischief going on with that smile you just gave your friends?’

  Angels face dropped and looked at Etha before going to his mother. ‘We have been good apart from the time I got carried away with a spell and fainted or when we had not got enough sleep. That was the smile we didn’t think you had heard what had happened.’ Just as he finished Aura popped into his mind and judging by the look on the others faces, their dragons had done the same thing.

  ‘Angel you are enjoying this time with your mother and brothers by the way your mind is saying how happy you are?’ Aura was pleased for Angel and he could tell by her voice.

  ‘I am very happy and Medwin, Maive and Shylyn are very happy as well. I have not sat around with my family for a long time. After they found out I have magic and could not be around dragons any more they stopped doing this for fear it would upset me. But tonight with my friends here it’s good for me and for my family. They needed this just as much as we do. I would like one day to meet Medwin’s’, Maive’s’ and Shylyns’ family.’ Angel was trying to be aware of what was going on with talking around the group.

  ‘We’ll listen in the back ground so as not to distract you and your friends for being with you while you get enjoyment is very good for us, as we miss our Grandfather. We have not been to visit him for a long time.’ Auras voice sounded sad as she explained.

  ‘You must visit him and soon for he might start to worry about you and you will worry about him. When my family goes we will come and talk to you and try to find the best time for you to do this.’ Angel was now worried for their dragons with them not seeing their Grandfather for so long.

  Angel got back to the talk that was going around the group when Angel decided to ask a question that will be hard on his mother but he would like to know what happens. He was about to ask when he thought it better coming from one of the others so he asked Aura to get one of the other dragons to ask.

  Angel was waiting to see who was going to ask, he did not have to wait long as it was Shylyn who was chosen. ‘Tish I hope you don’t mind but will you tell us about the wizard you use to carry when it was necessary. We know he never came back and that is all we know. We know at times only the strongest Dragon Riders can carry a wizard.’

  Tish never even blinked when she was asked and looked at them not looking at Angel and that was the only giveaway. She looked normal as if it was no big deal but Angel could sense there was something there underneath. She was about to talk when there was a knock on the door and that gave her an out.

  Angel got up and went over to the door and opened it, there to find Gavrie. ‘Come in Headmaster we were just talking, will you join us?’

  ‘I would like that for it is a long time since I sat with a group and just talked; with your mother and brothers here it will be good.’ Walking over he sat down on the cushions next to Tish.

  Tish took the break and changed the subject by asking how things were. ‘Are you copping with the creature attacks, we know there are wizards off world at the moment. Will you be bringing them back to help?’

  ‘No they must stay were they are and keep our interests safe. So for now we will have to do.’ He looked at the kids and could see a look of annoyance on their faces and wandered what that was all about.

  ‘We will stop bringing our Riders home and will settle for what we have here now. These attacks are going to get stronger and faster. They started with just the odd attack over the years till just lately when they have been increasing in number.’ She didn’t look at the kids as she talked.

  Angel looked at his friends and gave a grimace and showed his annoyance. Gavrie had caught the look and wandered what was going on. Looking back at Tish he carried on. ‘We know by the times we have opened portals into the Dark Realms the creatures can sense them being opened and will converge on them. If the Renegades can keep them open long enough they will have a great many creatures coming through. Judging by the amount of creatures now coming with each attack, they are managing to open the portal longer each time.’

  ‘We need to find where they open their portals and try and stop them. They must be close for the creatures would scatter if it was to far away.’ Tish looked a bit worried as she finished talking.

  Angel and the others were settling down a bit for what they were talking about were things they needed to know so they just listened. Even Rho and Etha were hearing things they have not heard before, and they kept quite so they would keep going. Tish was hoping she could move the conversation away from the subject that hurts her most.

  ‘That’s probably easy enough with patrols of Dragon Riders spread out over the sea they should come across the Renegades as they open the portal. The problem then is they will have about six Renegade Wizards riding dragons which we don’t do. They force the dragons to carry them with magic. You can not fight Renegade Wizards for you can’t carry enough wizards. You don’t have enough Dragon Riders strong enough to carry wizards.’ He knew she would remember the last wizard she carried for after that she refused to carry any more.

  Tish looked pained but she quickly pulled herself together. ‘The Dragon Lances should disturb them enough and with them trying to control their dragons we could get some wizards there quick enough, and stay out of reach of their magic. But the wizards would have to be ready at a moments notice so they spend lest amount of time on the dragons.’

  All the others were all ears as Gavrie and Tish talked about things they would normally not speak of in front of the kids. Even Gavrie knew they were there but did not worry about it. He knew it was time everyone knew how the situation was. Letting the kids know was not a problem with him as he knew they were special and he was going to nurture that.

  It was good for them to know the true situation and what they were up against. ‘We can fly in our bubbles but we cannot fight in them for they easily burst with magic. We can be ready in an area as long as there are dragons ready to carry us.

  A thought come to Angel as he sat listening and he waited till he could voice it. Gavrie and Tish looked at the others around them and smiled. ‘Now you know what we have been keeping from others. The situation is starting to get tougher all the time and we are starting to find ourselves on the back foot. We need to find a solution and soon.’ Tish could see a little worry on their faces as she told them.

  Angel looked at Gavrie and dec
ided now was the time. ‘Gavrie why don’t you find what they are trying to cover?’

  ‘What are you saying Angel what do you mean find what they are trying to cover. This is how they always attack. They use the creatures all the time in their attacks this they have always done.’ Gavrie had a quizzical look on his face as he tried to see what Angel was on about.

  ‘The power to open portals the size needed to let that many creatures in would need a lot of wizards and they are fighting their dragons at the same time. It will take a lot out of the Renegade Wizards each time they open the portals. As you said the amount of creatures coming through with each attack is getting more and more. That means they are opening bigger portals each time. They are not going to be able to do that for to long, as the drain on their magic is going to be too much.’ Angel looked at them to see if they had worked out what he was on about.

  ‘I still don’t see what you mean, tell me?’ Gavrie looked at Angel in anticipation of what point Angel was trying to make.

  ‘The Renegades are going to weaken soon and they know it so they have got to be doing something else with the attacks covering what they are doing. You need to be trying to find out what it is they are up to and soon for they know how long they will be able to keep bringing the creatures through. So will have a time frame of when they want the job they are doing to be finished. Now do you see what I am trying to say?’ Angel finished talking and looked at them and waited for the comprehension on the faces.

  Gavrie and Tish looked at him and then finely Angel could see the glint in their eyes as they got it. Gavrie got up and Tish joined him, as he headed for the door. ‘Thank you Angel you have given us something we need to look at right away, good work and good night.’

  Tish looked at Angel with a big grin of pride on her face. ‘I will not be back tonight or if I do it will be late. We will need to call a council right now to talk this over; I’m really proud of you, good night.’

  Angel looked at Tish as she and Gavrie left their common room and closed the door behind them. Turning to the others spoke. ‘Well I guess I spoilt the rest of the night so let’s carry on without them, as best we can.’