The Dragon Rider's Chronicles

"Hey my attitude has gotten me far in life... It got me here. I'm not going to so casually toss it aside." He then lost his smile, and he looked at Iris seriously. "Where do we start?"
 
Kenzo was horribly conflicted. What was Ardra to him? After nearly a minute of deliberating he arrived at a possible solution that would hopefully allow him to express his feelings in a way familiar to his normal behavior. He stood shakily and walked purposefully over to her, kneeling into a very respectful bow, head down. "Ardra. I stated before that I was your sword and shield, and was yours to do with as you see fit. I said that I was was loyal to you and you alone." He raised his head to meet her gaze, his eyes burning with a new light, one never present in them before...affection. "Though I have renounced you as my princess, just as I have renounced my country, I wish to say that all of that holds truer than before, not as swordsman to nobility..." he reddened slightly, "...but as man to woman." It wasn't very direct, but it was the best he could manage at the moment.
 
"You start as I did. You find your inner flame and master it. Once the High Priestess gets here, I will find out exactly how I shall go about it. My training won't work for you because...well...I am a woman and you are a man." Iris flushed slightly.


------


"Is that right?" Ardra knelt down in the same manner in order to look him directly into the eyes. "Then....what is this woman to this man I wonder." Her hand came to rest against the side of his face. "That is a question I'd really like to know."
 
Matthais laughed heartily. "There are so many places I could take that. But I am in the presence of a woman of the cloth and to make sex jokes would be both unprofessional and probably land me an earful." Matthais said to no one in particular.


Turning towards Iris he said, "How does one go about finding this inner flame? Is it a metaphorical flame or like some sort of magic source?"
 
Kenzo swallowed hard as her hands rested on his face. He was worried he would burn her, he was so red. "I..." he started, struggling to speak, "...to me...you are..." He blinked and it was like something clicked; he suddenly spoke clearly and eloquently. "My entire clan is gone. I have no name. Two of the most powerful nations are my sworn enemies now. I have nowhere to call home, no one to call friend, barely anything to call my own...and this is fine with me, as long as I have you. I am in love with you, Ardra, and that is all I need of this world."


He let the words hang for an agonizing second before he blinked, and stood hastily. He was redder than he had ever been in his life as his mind caught up to all that he'd just said to her. "...I...I'm sorry, I'm out of line. I'll leave you be," he said, turning in shame and striding to the door.
 
"...I found mine through pain." Iris sighed. "I was put against a tiger from Koda, one of those nasty beasts corrupted by magic. I was told to meditate in stillness, for if I moved that thing would rip me to shreds. It took me days without food, water, or rest to find it. It is both metaphorical and literal. It can be seen literally, as you can tell by my silver slitted eyes. It can be seen metaphorical, for it becomes your fire for living. I have no idea how you will find yours, however."


---------


Ardra caught up to him in a few running steps. Her arms wrapped around his chest from behind, rooting him in place. "....don't go." Her face was buried into his back and her words were slightly muffled. "Please...don't go away from me."
 
Kenzo froze, mouth slightly agape in his shock. He was surprised enough by his sudden brazenness; he definitely hadn't expected this reaction. "...I don't understand," he muttered, "...you...never answered my question...about what you thought of me, I mean." He stood tense, waiting with baited breath for her answer.
 
"Yeah I don't know about the tiger. Could I have a bunny to fight? Or maybe have an instruction manual?" He kicked at a pebble on the floor. "Fine I'll start trying to figure something out... maybe some meditation." He looked up at Iris. "I'll be all that I can be. Believe it."
 
"....I have loved you since the first time I laid eyes on you. Perhaps because I'm no more than a foolish girl who has never experienced affection for another. But nevertheless, as you love me, I love you." Ardra let go so that she could come in front of him to look him in the eye. "Don't leave me alone. Please?"


-------


"Instruction manuals do not exist for this. Perhaps I'll sit you in that pit of a canyon and have you meditate down there. You move down there, you're dead." Iris smiled slightly, a teasing tone in her voice.
 
Matthais thought about using sarcasm but decided against it. She might not be able to tell the difference from an honest suggestion. "I'll pass thanks. Should we be getting back? Will that council be arriving soon?"
 
Kenzo's eyes widened at this revelation. Oddly, his mind was fixed on the first thing she said, but not in the way some people might think. "...Really? From the first time you laid eyes on me? I thought someone of your status would have higher standards than...someone like me," he said, once again lacking a feeling of self-worth, somewhat unconsciously.
 
"The Council will not arrive till at least tomorrow night." Iris sighed. "And that's only if messages get to the Queen at fastest speed. We can however go back, if you so wish."


---------


"I do. Why do you think I chose you?" Ardra chuckled softly. "You're an honorable man who happens to be easy on the eyes. I'm pretty sure you're above my standards."
 
Kenzo couldn't stifle a happy grin at that. "I'm...well, I'm flattered. Very well. I will do as you wish and I will stay." He glanced over to the bed, then around the room, then back to Ardra. "Hmm...unfortunately, there is but one bed," he muttered, somewhat to himself. Without another word, he strolled to the foot of the bed and sat, resting his back against the bed, shifting slightly for comfort. "It is unthinkable for me to take the bed instead of you. I shall rest here. Please, get in the bed, it is quite comfortable," he said, closing his eyes as he relaxed.
 
"....get your butt in that bed." Ardra stood in front of him with crossed arms. "You're hurt and I thought I told you not to move. Now get in that bed, right now."
 
Kenzo tried and failed to find something to argue about. She had a point; he agreed to not move unless she said so. "...Fine," was all he muttered, as he resumed his previous location on the bed, being sure to leave an abundance of room for Ardra. If he moved much further he would probably fall off. Though, he had actually gotten under the blankets this time. He wasn't meeting Ardra's eyes...again.
 
"Good." Ardra slipped under the covers next to him. "This way, I can keep an eye on you and be close if you need anything." A soft smile covered her face as she tried to relax back with her eyes closed.
 
Kenzo rolled over to face her, staring at her face. He cracked a warm grin. "Why...would I need anything more?" he said softly, using his left hand to gently stroke her cheek, "I'm currently looking at everything I could possibly desire."
 
Sanz slowly opened his eyes, looking outside at the darkening sky. Looked like he'd just have to wait until the morning to talk to anyone about what had happened . . . He shook his head and strapped on his blade


Auntyrmarun, we're leaving


What?! What do you--


Temporary. I'll explain


Sanz walked to the hangar and quickly mounted Auntyrmarun, flying off before anyone had the chance to notice they were missing. Or, at the very least, stop them from doing so.


Forest. We'll need wood.


Auntyrmarun let out the dragon equivalent of a chuckle, having seen in Sanz's mind what his purpose for this outing was.
 
Ardra blushed slightly. ".....that's.....that's.....sweet....." Her smile widened. "....good grief I'm speechless for once in my life!" She covered her face with her hands, trying to hide from his gaze. This was all.....confusing and amazing at the same time.
 
Kenzo almost chuckled at her reaction, and slowly and silently moved closer to her. After some seconds, their faces were mere inches apart. However, the recent events were catching up to him, both physical and mental, and exhaustion crashed upon him. He stared at her sleepily and breathed, "Goodnight, Ardra, and once again...thank you."
 
"....no need to thank me" Ardra reached out to gently stroke his hair. "Sleep, Kenzo. I'll be here when you wake up." Her eyes closed slowly and sleep came quickly as she laid content for the first time in a very, very long time.
 
Kenzo obeyed her once again, allowing sleep to overtake him. Though he was still injured, in many ways, some of his wounds had healed that night.
 
Auntyrmarun landed in the forest ring, keeping a nervous eye on the remaining light.


"Keep your senses peeled. Don't want to get caught."


He pulled the massive blade off of his back, and proceeded to stick it through the trunk of a large tree. With a few more swings, he had a sizable log, about 4 feet in length


"This should do."


He took another look around before starting to whittle away at the slab of wood.
 
"Yes, It is getting late. And I'll need my rest if I am to deal with politicians in the near future... Oh god, Ardra's father is coming isn't he?" Matthais said as he began a thoughtful slow walk back to his quarters. "Never mind the rest, I'd settle for some plate armor."
 
"....I'd suggest just avoiding the politicians as much as possible. They tend to just be more trouble than they're worth." Iris followed then took the turn towards a seemingly blank wall. "....oh right. Draconas is hung up and can't open the damn hallway. Guess I'm taking the couch."


----


Kestus by now had said his good-byes to Dezeld and was perfectly ready for sleep. He happened to pass by Ardra's room, whose door was open a bit, and saw Ardra...and Kenzo...asleep in the same bed.


"Didn't claim him, my fairy ass." He shook his head. Kestus quickly shut the door before anyone else could see the two. After that, he went to his own room and bedded down.


----


Neera was already in her room with her mirror pulled out. The conversation with the woman was already underway. "Yes, it appeared to be an Aquanine dragon."


"....that Iris is a mystery. She is the High Priestess' daughter, though apparently no love is lost between them. If she is the Moon Dragonborn, then the Sun must be close."


"I know who the Sun Dragonborn is and Iris basically confirmed it." Neera replied. "He is one of the other Riders here."


"So, the prophecy is coming true it seems. It is now time to be on our guard, for the other three Dragonborn of the Bound Dragons will appear soon."


"I know. But the prophecy isn't exactly descriptive of what this "cataclysm" is." Neera mused.


"In time, we will find out. I will see you tomorrow, daughter."


"Okay. Good night, mother." Neera put down the mirror and put her face in her hands. The Sun, the Moon, and the Spirit had been united here. Somewhere else, The Death, The Chaos, and the War Dragonborns were also uniting. Time was short and Neera had a feeling that none of them would be prepared for what was to come next.
 
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