Of course not, Hayden felt a wave of calm wash over him. The last thing he wanted was for them to accidently do something wrong and be forced to return to Celestial City. Although, Draek paused, the deer did have a saddle, he added as an afterthought.
DRAEK! Hayden shouted with his mind. Draek simply laughed and did a giant back flip while flying. Having his vision turn upside down made him disoriented and dizzy. Draek continued to fly to where Rilora had begun to circle lazily.
Rilora is going to lead us to Shaylin, then we can talk. Hayden could tell that Draek got excited when he thought about Shaylin. It was close to the same feeling that Hayden got when he thought about Cass.
They flew just over the tree tops as Draek followed Rilora, their massive wing beats causing the trees to dance and sway as they passed over them. Draek enjoyed letting out a fearsome roar and watching all the birds scramble into the air, fleeing before him.
The two dragons continued to fly over the forest until they came upon a river. Rilora dove down first and Draek was quick to follow. Rilora landed with an enormous splash that sent a spray of water up in every direction; soaking everything that was once dry around them and creating tiny rainbows all around her.
Draek mimicked her landing and soon both dragons were completely drenched. Hayden thought that he had become used to dragons but he was still in awe when he saw Rilora’s scales glistening in the shattered sunlight that broke through the trees.
The water was deep but not enough so that the two giant dragons could swim in it. The trees were getting thicker overhead and Rilora insisted that there was no closer place to land then where they were at.
Draek didn’t mind the slow trudge through the river but the occasional sink hole that caused him to stumble quickly began to irritate him. As they walked, Draek continued to listen and watch for the green shadows that would shoot in between the trees.
They are still watching us; they have no trust in us Draek said solemnly. Hayden could do nothing but agree with him. Hayden watched as the details that surrounded Draek began to blur, Hayden heard muffled voices that sounded far away. Before he could ask Draek what was going on Hayden was back looking through his own eyes at an elf that was holding out a wooden plate full of food.
“If you want to eat then here, I will not ask you again silver rider.” The elf stood beside his bed and she made it clear by the look on her face that she was more than irritated by having to bring them food.
“Thank you, I am starving I would very much like to eat.” Hayden tried to sound as sincere as he could to the elf. A slight look of confusion crossed her face as he thanked her but it disappeared just as fast as it had appeared.
“Don’t drop it because I won’t be bringing you anymore.” She threw the plate down on the bed, causing some of the food to fall off onto the blanket. She looked at Hayden for a moment but when he said nothing to her and instead put the food back onto the plate she stormed out of their room.
“They are not used to metallic riders being friendly towards them. They probably think that our kindness is some sort of trick.” Shane spoke with his mouth full. Hayden looked over to Shane’s bed and saw that he was eating from a plate very similar to his own.
Cass was sitting cross legged on her own bed and slowly picking through the food. This reminded Hayden to look down at his own plate before his stomach started talking for him.
His plate was covered in green leaves and other vegetation, most of which looked like it might have been picked off the ground right outside the Outpost. There was a small roasted bird centered on the plate that smelled like honey had been drizzled over it.
Hayden had hardly touched the golden brown bird with his outstretched finger when it broke apart and released a cloud of seasoned steam that pulled his nose closer to the meal. He gently pulled off a strip of meat and placed it on his tongue.
An explosion of sweet flavors erupted in his mouth as Hayden chewed the tender meat. Hayden closed his eyes and moaned softly although he had not meant to. Shane had been waiting for him to try the bird and when he heard Hayden’s response he laughed.
“I know, the best bird you have ever tasted.” Hayden looked over at his friend who had all but devoured his own meal and nodded his head as he began to slowly chew, bite after bite.
“Well if you two could concentrate for a moment while you eat I believe we were in the middle of something.” Cass was a little frustrated that a little bit of roasted bird had completely taken their attention away from the pressing issue at hand.
“Sorry.” Hayden and Shane both said with their mouths full. Hayden quickly threw in another piece of meat before he tried to contact Draek again.
Draek are you still walking? Hayden asked while he chewed.
Swimming now that the river got much deeper and wider; Rilora says that we are almost there. Thanks to the hard year of training and their long flight during their escape Draek and the other two metallic dragons were in great physical shape. Crossing the rough terrain was no issue for them.
Hayden closed his eyes while he ate, since he had to focus on his own body he couldn’t completely connect with Draek. Hayden started seeing flashes of Rilora in front of Draek moving through the water like giant serpents.
The trees had grown taller and thicker but some had branches that draped down into the water. Rilora and Draek pushed through the branches and found that they were soft and gave almost no resistance. The water began picking up speed as the river began angling downhill.
Hayden came back to his own body and ate some more food, he still avoided the green food but he was quickly running out of the delicious bird. He glanced at his friends and saw that both of them had their eyes closed and were in deep thought.
Hunger was no longer clawing at Hayden’s insides so he placed his almost finished plate down on the bed. Hayden leaned back against the wall and closed his eyes for the second time.
Draek was struggling to avoid colliding with the rocks that now jutted out of the raging river. Rilora was attempting the same thing but neither dragon was having much success.
There was not enough space above the flowing rapids for the dragons to fly but Rilora lunged out of the water and began jumping from one rock to another. It seemed to be a much safer route but Draek quickly passed her.
Draek tried to look back as he passed underneath Rilora while she was in mid-lunge but when he turned his head the water tried to push him under. Draek struggled for a short time but then righted himself so he could see where he was headed.
Are you ok? Hayden asked Draek. Hayden had been unable to think as he watched Draek struggle through the rapids.
I am fine. As Draek spoke they both noticed that although the rocks were gone the water continued to gain speed.
Draek lifted his head out of the water as high up as he could and both Hayden and Draek saw the same thing; the river rushing towards a waterfall.
Even though Hayden was nowhere near the danger he still became very nervous at the site of the constant mist that rose from the edge of the waterfall. He tried to talk Draek into jumping out of the river and waiting on Rilora to catch up. Instead Draek lowered his head and did his best to go faster as he neared the waterfall.
Draek shot over the edge of the waterfall with a loud WOOSH. He kept his silver wings in tight to his body so he could free fall for a split moment. Then his giant wings snapped open, sending a spray of water droplets everywhere as he slowly circled over the small lake the waterfall crashed into.
As he circled back Rilora jumped off the waterfall with her wings already outstretched. Both dragons landed in the shallow lake and it was there they finally met up with Shaylin.
Draek could not see her but she quickly made her presence known by stepping out of a hidden cave behind the waterfall. The curtain of water broke over her head as she slowly emerged.
A knock on the door brought the three riders back to their own bodies. All three of them had been so focused on their dragons that they seemed
to be asleep.
Hayden looked up to find the source of the knock and discovered that it was the same elf that had brought them their food just a short time before.
“The Guardians and Watchers of the Forest would like to see you now.” The elf turned to walk out of the room.
Cass asked the question that was on Hayden’s mind. “But they said they were going to wait until our dragons made it back, they are still out hunting.”
“The Guardians and Watchers of the Forest would like to see you now.” The elf repeated with no difference in her voice to show if she was irritated or worried.
The three riders slowly got off their beds and made their way through the hall, all the while looking at each other and trying desperately to come up with some sort of plan. Hayden could think of only one way out.
Draek I need you here now. Immediately an image of the three dragons bursting out of the trees, sending branches and leaves everywhere. Green dragons took to the sky just as the birds did. As Draek, Rilora and Shaylin raced back to the Outpost more and more green dragons jumped into the air and tried to intercept them.
Hayden had to stop the images or he was going to walk into a wall. “What do you think is going to happen?” Hayden tried to whisper.
“I have no idea.” Cass trembled as she spoke. Hayden locked eyes with Shane and they both knew that if it turned into a fight it was going to be bad.
They made their way back into the same room where they had first met the Guardians of the Forest. The four metallic riders were sitting on their thrones and awaiting Hayden and his friends.
“Please come in.” The male rider spoke.
The elf led them back up to the front of the room so that they were once again standing before the four thrones.
“We have spoken about your situation and we have arrived at a conclusion.” The male rider looked as his female counter parts and ushered for the one next to him to speak.
Cass wanted to speak out and complain about them not waiting until their dragons had come back. She wanted to say anything but she knew that it would make them seem much guiltier than they already were. Shane did not share her thoughts therefore he quickly spoke out.
“You said you were going to wait till our dragons got back before you were going to talk to us.” Shane blurted out before Hayden or Cass could stop him.
“While I can understand why Elizabeth the Gold sent you to us. Alas I am not sure if a few weeks with the elves will help you three riders much.” The female rider spoke.
Hayden had already been planning for the worst so he was about to shout out his rehearsed speech that he had been working on since they left their room. Luckily he was shocked into silence by what the copper rider said and was unable to blurt out his words.
“Now before we finish discussing the punishment that Elizabeth the Golden has decided upon will you please instruct your dragons to stop destroying the forest? We have enough to worry about without the elves complaining about a fallen tree.” The male rider started speaking again.
Draek we are fine, I think they are going to let us stay. Draek immediately slowed down and roared his frustration. Rilora and Shaylin slowed down and stayed right behind Draek. The green dragons continued to fly around them but none dared get near the metallic dragons.
The copper riders remained silent as Hayden and his friends told their dragons to calm down. The four guardians smiled when Draek roared. Hayden was afraid that they somehow knew what Hayden and Draek were talking about when images began forcing their way into Hayden’s head.
Images of four giant copper dragons descending from above the clouds, flying right for Draek, Rilora and Shaylin.
Chapter 3
“Don’t be alarmed, your dragons are in no danger so long as they calm down.” One of the female copper riders told them. Hayden was trying to shift his focus between what was going on with him and with Draek.
Draek struggled with his anger as the four copper dragons forced him to the land. Shaylin seemed not to be bothered by the presence of the four new metallic dragons while Rilora snapped at the copper closest to her as she landed.
Hayden guessed that the four copper riders must have been watching along with their own dragons because the moment that Draek touched the ground, Shaylin and Rilora having already been grounded, they spoke again.
“That’s much better. Now as we said before, we must discuss the boundaries that we are going to set for you involving Elizabeth the Gold’s punishment.” Hayden felt Draek’s anger continue to boil over as the copper rider spoke.
“You three will remain here at the Outpost. There is a patrol group of Metallic Riders up north, they are investigating some problems the elves have been having with the dwarves but they should return soon. Until they get back you are not allowed to fly with your dragons. Your dragons are allowed to fly anywhere in Eytherka of course, but you three must remain grounded.” The copper rider continued to tell them the rules but Hayden was no longer listening.
The same thought kept dancing through his mind; they had bought themselves a little more time to figure out what to do next. The following day as the four copper riders said their farewells and left the Outpost it became apparent that their next move had already been made for them.
As they watched the four copper dragons disappear into the sky, an elf who was supposed to be following them spoke up. “Come with me.” The elf commanded, leaving Hayden with no doubt that the elf was not to questioned.
The elf led them out the base of the Outpost tower and into the woods. Hayden might have questioned the elf and ask why they were being forced to the one place they had been told they were not allowed to leave but the forest held his attention.
Hayden had seen forests before, he had spent most of his last year training amongst the trees around Celestial City, but he felt like he had just stepped into a new world.
The trees grew unimaginably big, some big enough that Draek could have sat on the branches. The leaves and plants ranged from the lightest of greens to almost black. From tiny leaves that Hayden had to get close to see to ones so big Hayden thought they could be green roofs for a house. Snow still dotted the land but it was obvious that the seasons were changing and spring was upon them.
Hayden heard the gasps of amazement from Cass and Shane as they crossed over a small river using a root large enough to be a bridge. Hayden was so stunned by all the plants surrounding them that he almost didn’t notice the elves hidden amongst the trees.
At first Hayden only caught glimpses of the elusive elves as they darted between the trees and vegetation, trying to get a better look at the Metallic Riders without being seen.
Draek I am not sure what is going on right now, I have no idea where they are leading us. Hayden informed Draek. Draek had gone out hunting earlier in the day, before the four Metallic Riders had left, and Hayden knew that Draek had chosen a river bed to rest in.
Hayden quickly filled Draek in on everything that had transpired since the Metallic Riders had left. Hayden tried to make it sound as if he was not alarmed but it proved difficult to do because he was quickly becoming more worried as they trudged deeper into the elves territory.
I am on my way. Draek responded, all signs of wariness had left his voice as he realized that his rider might be in danger. The thought of having his silver dragon at his side always made Hayden feel better, especially at times such as this.
Before Hayden could relax Draek’s voice came back into his mind, this time almost a growl and full of rage. It might take me a second to make it there.
Draek sent an image of himself surrounded by green dragons that had been hiding in the trees. Hayden counted over a dozen of them and he knew that he probably missed a few. The green dragons were all but invisible in the tree tops but as Draek got ready to fly off they made their presence known.
Smoke began billowing out of Draek’s open maw as he crouched low to ground, preparing to pounce and set the whole forest aflame if need be. As Draek inhal
ed deeply and felt the fire ignite within him Hayden stopped in mid step.
Hayden had no choice but to stop because before him were ten elves each with arrows notched and drawn, pointed directly at his face. Hayden was unsure what to do next so he remained perfectly still until the elf that had been leading them spoke up.
“Tell your dragon if he attacks our dragons, we attack you.” The elf’s voice was stern and he made sure to take his time saying each word to ensure that his point came across clearly.
Draek you have to stop. Hayden knew that there was no need to tell Draek but he did it anyways. Draek had stopped the moment the elves pulled their bows back. Draek could not; however, stop his flame but he was able to release it pointed into the river.
Immediately they were immersed in steam, Draek’s flame continuing to boil the water in the river. When his stream of fire went out the river was completely dry with dead fish laying all around him. The steam lingered around Draek and the green dragons so all Draek could see of his opponents were their shadows that were distorted by the sun.
Hayden felt the anger boil in Draek but he knew that his silver dragon would contain it. He nodded his head to the elves and watched as the elves pointed their arrows at both Cass and Shane. Until they both nodded their heads just as Hayden had done.
The elves, being pleased with the Metallic Riders compliance lowered their weapons and continued walking. Hayden and his friends followed close behind, now more nervous and cautious than before.
“Why are you doing this?” Hayden asked, he wasn’t sure if he was allowed to ask questions but he couldn’t help it.
“You will find out soon enough.” Was the elf’s only reply. Cass was walking right behind Hayden but she quickly jumped in front of him so she could speak to the elf.
“You know that we are Metallic Riders, you can’t harm us because when the other riders come…”
“We know what you are and we also know that for whatever reason you don’t want the other riders here almost as much as we don’t.” The elf turned to face Cass but he never stopped walking. “Would you like to tell me why that is?”
The Clash of Land and Sea_The Dragon Riders of Arvain Page 3