Hayden, Shane and Cass did not have to bow down before Kirin but they did have to wait until she was finished with her business. Kirin signed the last page, waited for the elf warrior to bow and then she looked at three riders before her.
“What a pleasure to see you three, what do I owe this visit too?” Kirin asked. She had been in a good mood ever since the three riders had begun making amazing progress with their training.
“It’s time.” Hayden said. He heard Cass and Shane both sigh as he said his two short words. Kirin did not look surprised but nodded her head.
“I knew you three would be coming to tell me that soon. I know it was my plan and I still believe in it but, to be honest, I wish the three of you could stay here with us a while longer.” Kirin said.
“There has been a change in plans; the three of us won’t be going. It will just be me.” Hayden’s voice sounded sure and strong, the complete opposite of what he was feeling inside.
Kirin looked confused and deep in thought as she listened to Hayden. She thought he was joking until neither Cass nor Shane spoke. “Only you? That was not my plan and I am not sure that it is a good idea.” Kirin dismissed the idea.
“I know it was not your plan but it is necessary and it will work. Shane and Cass need to stay here and help prepare for the battle. They are needed but I am not. The original group of riders I trained are already training the other dragon riders just as well as I could have.”
“And you are sure you can complete the task just as well by yourself?” Kirin asked, still uncertain about Hayden going by himself.
“I am sure.” Hayden said.
“Fine, you may go by yourself. You will leave first thing in the morning after the ceremony tonight. We will announce our plan to everyone tonight.” Kirin said.
“What ceremony?” Hayden asked. He had almost missed Kirin mentioning the ceremony after she had given him the ok to leave on his own.
“Tonight, as soon as the sun sets, Feren’s youths will go and try for their dragons.” Kirin smiled after she spoke. Feren was her city and almost the entire elf nation had gathered in preparation for the upcoming battle so they would get to see her people get their dragons.
Hayden had not known about the ceremony but for a few moments he did not understand why they would still go through with the ceremony. Kirin saw the concerned look cross Hayden’s face and answered his question before he could ask.
“We need to keep some sense of normalcy amongst the people. They know a battle is coming, they know they might die or loose loved ones, they know we might not even win. But if we lose the little things that make us who we are then we ourselves are lost already.” Hayden was floored by Kirin’s words. He was still amazed at how wise she had become in the short weeks since she had become queen.
“Now leave me, I have to prepare for the ceremony and I think the three of you need to spend some time together before you leave Hayden.” Kirin dismissed them and went right back to work with a different elf, this one wearing black metallic armor, signing more papers.
Hayden turned around to leave the throne room. His friends smiled at him sadly and walked beside him. When they got out from under the tree and back into sun light Hayden felt like he had traded one weight on his shoulders for another.
“So I guess you are leaving tomorrow.” Shane said.
“Ya I guess I am.” Hayden couldn’t think of anything else to say.
Shane placed his hand on Hayden’s back and gently squeezed. “Are you sure you’re not going to want some company on this little adventure of yours?” Shane did his best to lighten up the mood.
“No I think the two of you would just slow me down. I will be in a hurry you know, there is a battle coming.” Hayden started to climb onto Draek’s back. He still wasn’t ready to say good bye and he didn’t want to face it yet.
“Let me guess, you’re going to make us wait to fight until you return, aren’t you?” Cass asked jokingly as she tightened her own straps.
“That was the plan; if they show up early just ask them to wait.” Hayden laughed as Draek jumped into the air.
That night the largest gathering of elves in their history awaited their queen to address them. The elves were scattered around the open field and at different heights in the trees surrounding the field.
Kirin stood in the middle of her people with her arms held out in front of her, waiting for silence.
“Fellow people of the woods, thank you for joining us on such a memorable occasion for the youth of our city. This night some lucky elves will have their lives changed forever as they link themselves to their dragons and join the ranks of the dragon riders.” As if on cue Nignra gracefully landed behind her rider with her wings out stretched, trumpeting her approval over the cheers of the elves.
“Before we begin we have another, equally important and life changing, news.” Kirin reached her hand out and pointed at Hayden, who had been standing near the temporary platform. Hayden was now wearing his silver armor, as if he was about to go into battle at any moment.
Kirin had wanted him to stand out and glow amongst the elves, his armor seemed alive with the flickering torches all around him. Kirin thought it would be important for the people to see a silver rider joined with the elves publicly to remind them of who had joined them.
Hayden walked up the wooden steps and stood beside Kirin, he was not wearing his eagle helmet but as he faced the crowd and he realized just how many people were looking at him, he wished he had put his helmet on.
“Hayden The Silver, defender of the elves and the one who brought justice for my father’s murder. You have given up so much in your fight against the Metallic Nation. My people have openly joined you and your cause and whether it be for life or death, we stand with you.” Kirin looked at Hayden as she spoke and those up close who could hear cheered. The elves in the back who could not hear cheered any ways.
“A time will soon come when we will openly appose, and fight the Metallic Army and all of its power. It will be a fight that I plan to win.” More elves cheered as they listened to the Kirin speech.
“But a time has come now where both you and the elf nation as a whole must sacrifice in order for us to win that battle, and in order for us to survive as a race.” This time as she paused there was no cheering. An eerie silence filled the air as everyone waited to hear what she would say next.
“I have asked Hayden to take on a daunting task. I have asked him to leave our beautiful forest, to fly as quickly as he can to Sea Serpents and ask them to join our cause.” Kirin spoke as loudly and quickly as she could because as soon as she finished her sentence an eruption of yells and shouts deafened Hayden and Kirin.
Kirin had to have her dragon roar just to quiet the now angry crowd enough for her to hear herself talk.
“Enough!! This is a sacrifice we have to make!” She yelled.
“You cannot expect us to fight alongside the pirate scum!” Shouted and elf that could never be identified.
“They only fight for themselves; they will turn on us the first chance they get!” Another yelled, elves all around shouting their agreement.
“You will either fight beside them or die alone!” Kirin’s statement silenced all noise in the crowd. Even Hayden was shocked by what she said.
“The truth is the Metallic Army is more than we can hope to handle on our own. If what Cassidy tells us is true they could possibly out number us four to one. That’s not even including their dragons.” If Kirin had not wanted to scare her people she had just failed horribly. Hayden saw the pure fear written across her people’s faces.
“We need help and they are the closest ones too us. The Metallic Army will send just enough forces to crush us, they have been ruling over us long enough that they know just how many dragons and warriors we have. They will expect us to fight them with all our strength and then they will crush us and break us back into submission. They will not be expecting us to get help, let alone from the Sea Serpents. If they join with us we could o
ut number them, we could surprise them and we could win.”
Kirin looked over her people and Hayden did not see the strong queen that she had been playing as since her father had died. Hayden saw a young girl who was scarred and afraid and doing the only thing she knew to save her people. “We will win.” She added.
Reluctantly the crowd began to cheer, a small trickle of people clapped and finally it began to catch on. Kirin leaned close to Hayden and whispered in his ear.
“It would help if you did not look like I was sentencing you to your death.” Kirin raised her hands triumphantly and Hayden got the hint. He began to wave and pump his fists, doing his best to encourage the crowd and convince the elves that this was a good idea.
Kirin let the cheering go on for a few more minutes but then she settled the crowd back down so they could hear her speak.
“Enough of this talk of war. Let us move on to the reason that I have called everyone out here.” Kirin smiled and Hayden saw the queen’s demeanor reappear. “We have come here to cheer on this year’s group of youngsters as they bravely attempt to get a dragon.”
For the first time since Kirin had announced her and Hayden’s plan, Hayden heard the crowd truly erupt in applause. Kirin added her own shouts to the wave of approval and she signaled to a group of armored elves that stood near the edge of tree line.
The elves began marching through the crowd, which reluctantly parted ways to allow them through, and behind them marched twenty young elves.
Hayden watched as the armored elves walked up to the make shift platform where Kirin stood. They stopped just short of the stairs and allowed the elves that would be competing to walk up and shake hands with Kirin and Hayden.
Hayden had seen a few of the young elves around Feren but only one of them stood out in his memory. Raena was the last of the elves to walk up and be congratulated by Kirin and Hayden. Hayden smiled as he watched his friend descend the stairs and find her place at the end of the line.
As Hayden looked down at the contestants that were about to embark on a life changing hunt for dragon eggs, he could not help but be reminded of his own trials. The nervousness, fear and excitement that he felt as he stood awaiting the go ahead to start the first event came rushing back, making Hayden feel like he was trying to get an egg all over again.
“Many years ago I stood where you stand now; eager and desperate for my own dragon. To become a dragon rider is something that should not be taken lightly. As you stand before me now I know that you are all ready to make that sacrifice. Go now, and good luck.”
As if on cue the young elves that were competing all turned and ran into the forest, quickly getting lost from view. Raena stopped just before the edge of the woods of went just slightly to the left of where the group went.
Hayden didn’t know if it mattered which way she went but when he looked back at Kirin she was smiling at where Raena had been.
“You didn’t tell her where to go did you?” Hayden asked, not really carrying either way.
“Me? No I did not tell any of them where to go. All though if I might have mentioned an easier way to get to the eggs and if it just so happened that someone over heard me, than I could not be blamed for that.” A mischievous grin crept across Kirin’s face as she looked at Hayden.
“So what do we do until they return?” Hayden asked as he looked around the crowd. He hated the idea of just standing around doing nothing while everyone stared at him.
“We have a certain tradition that we do every year.” Kirin laughed. Hayden had no idea what she was talking about but as she signaled to more armored elves Hayden was able to figure it out quickly enough.
At Kirin’s signal dozens of elves poured in from the woods while carrying platters piled high with steaming foods. Soon carts with giant barrels rolled into the clearing and Hayden guessed it was filled with the elves favorite drink, wine.
Musicians picked up instruments and music filled the air. Hayden watched as groups of elves began dancing and soon bonfires erupted throughout the clearing. The ceremony had turned into one giant celebration.
Hayden jumped off the stage and joined Cass and Shane as Shane pulled grilled deer meat off a plate that had passed in front of him.
“Well I think this went well.” Hayden laughed as he spoke.
“I lodent agrmnn moorre.” Shane mumbled with a mouth full of food.
“What Shane is trying to say is good job Hayden.” Cass said, leaning forward to give Hayden a quick hug. She gave him a quick kiss on the cheek and disappeared back into the crowd of elves.
Shane was still getting more food off of the platters that passed around him and gorging himself, causing him to miss the cheek kiss.
She kissed me on the cheek!?! Hayden thought, watching Cass walk away without turning back.
Please not this again. Draek’s voice boomed in Hayden’s head, causing Hayden to jump and knock a platter of food, one that Shane was trying to eat from, out of the elf’s hand. Hayden quickly apologized to the elf and helped her clean up the mess he had made.
Can I not have a moment of privacy in my own mind please? Hayden asked.
It’s not my fault I have to hear all your thoughts. Do you think I like going to sleep listening to you complain every night? Draek’s voice was not filled with anger but it was stern enough to remind Hayden that much was asked out of him and his dragon as well.
Where are you at anyways? Hayden quickly changed the subject while he and Shane continued walking through the crowd. Greeting and shaking hands with everyone they meet.
Draek did not question the sudden change of subject, instead he answered as if the awkward conversation had not just happened. I am flying over the summer woods.
Hayden was in mid-sentence with an elderly elf that was wishing him good luck on his endeavor when Draek told him where he was. Hayden noticed that the elf in front of him was looking at him strangely and Hayden realized that he had not responded in a notably long time.
What are you doing over there? Hayden asked as he made his apologies for the second time in just a few minutes.
I am watching Raena and the others. I want to see who hatches dragons. Draek sounded exited and energetic. Hayden couldn’t help but smile at his dragon’s happiness.
Hayden continued to mingle with everyone while Draek gave him updates. During the chaos Hayden bumped into Kirin.
“So how are you enjoying your evening?” Kirin asked.
“I feel strange, everyone is congratulating me for things that I have not even done yet.” Hayden laughed.
“Welcome to being a leader. You have to convince them to support you as if the war has already been fought.” Kirin looked around at her people as she spoke.
Hayden and Kirin stood side by side and just watched everyone as they danced and smiled around them. They both saw past the celebrations, they saw the battles that were still yet to come. Kirin turned to say something to Hayden but Hayden was smiling.
“What are you so happy about?” Kirin asked.
“Oh nothing really, except that Raena just hatched her dragon.”
Chapter 12
Hayden and Kirin waited on the make shift stage, the entire crowd was silent as they looked towards the opening in the forest that the new riders would come through. Draek had informed Hayden that all the young elves had gotten a dragon, something that had never happened before.
Draek had told them that once Raena had gotten her dragon, instead of leaving the Summer Woods, she stayed behind to help the others get their dragons. Kirin told Hayden that no one had ever done something like that before either.
Out of the darkness of the forest came a distinct sound that shattered the silence, the sound of a baby dragon’s roar. As the sound rolled over the crowd cheers broke out and the new riders walked into the light amongst the roar of the crowd.
Raena walked out of the forest first, shielding her eyes from the glare of the bonfires. As she stepped into the light a small, light green, dragon stumbled
behind her. At the sight of the dragon the crowd doubled their cheers. Hayden couldn’t help but adding his voice to the growing noise.
Raena smiled and kept her hand on her own dragon, love and excitement in her eyes. The dragon was smaller than Draek had been when he had first hatched, it didn’t have any of the distinctive branch like horns or moss on its body. The only clear differences between this dragon and Draek when he had hatched were their color and wings. The little dragon had floppy leaf like wings just like the larger green dragons.
The other elves and their dragons followed behind Raena as they made their way closer to Kirin and Hayden. The other newly hatched dragons had the same body shape and build but they had the same variety of color as leaves on a tree.
“Congratulations to all of you.” Kirin started once all the new riders were lined up with their dragons. “You are embarking on a new adventure, one that will take you to the ends of Arvain.”
An elf, a male with his dark hair flowing freely down his bare back, wearing only leather pants and carrying a large wooden box, walked up to the stage and handed the wooden box to Kirin. Kirin opened the box and took out a large cast iron rod that had a strange metal design on one end.
Silence fell over the crowd again as she handed the rod over to Hayden. Hayden walked over to her to get a better look at the metal before taking it from her. As Hayden reached out to grab it he finally realized what it was Kirin had, the branding iron that had been used for years to brand the new riders.
Hayden had never seen anything so barbaric in his life. The branding iron was crude and looked ancient compared to the ones that farmers had used back in Erskine. Hayden could not believe that they had brought out this horrible tool.
“What am I supposed to do with it?’ Hayden asked Kirin in a hushed voice.
“You are a Metallic Rider; it has become a tradition for new riders.” Kirin said as she tried to hand the brand to Hayden.
Hayden thought about what he was being asked to do. The young new riders looked up to Hayden bravely, heads help up high when they were not looking down at their new dragons. Hayden’s eyes found their way back to the brand yet again.
The Clash of Land and Sea_The Dragon Riders of Arvain Page 13