The Dragon Rider's Chronicles

"....my father taught me to kill my emotions so that I could become a killer." Ardra sighed. "I wasn't supposed to be the heir; I was supposed to be the soldier." Ardra looked away, a half-smile on her face. "Then I met you. Then I got my entire life turned upside down by one person. And...." She hugged his chest. "I would not have it any other way."
 
Kenzo hesitantly raised his right arm to return the hug. It was timid and awkward, but it was still heartfelt. "I...never said I would change anything," he said softly.
 
"You changed everything by coming into my life and existing. I'm not just a soldier for my father's uses; I'm....yours.....and that means I have a greater purpose in life." Ardra sighed. "I'm not just a killer for my father; someone wants me to exist for a purpose that is not negative. So I'm happy with these changes."
 
Matthais focused. He took everything away, not just his worries. He put away the canyon, his dragon nearby, the idea of dragons, of people, he removed everything and put it in a little box at the back of his mind. Then he tried once more to probe the depths of his magic and still the walls remained. He could not pierce the walls of this magic, that he could feel, that he knew was incredibly powerful.
 
"That is relieving for me to hear," he muttered. After a few seconds he pulled her away slightly, so he could look her in the eyes. "Hmm...I don't really know what I'm feeling," he said, confusion glinting in his eyes. "You seem to be more comfortable with these types of dealings. How would you describe me now? What is this....what is this feeling called?" He was genuinely asking for her opinion.
 
Ardra pondered for a moment. "This feeling is called-"


"Hiya guys!" Neera appeared next to them.


"Dammit Neera!" Ardra jumped out of her skin.


"What? I just came to tell you that the Council should be arriving really soon." Neera looked thoroughly confused.


---------


Draconas stood at the train station, waiting patiently. The boat was docking now and he could see people exiting. The first person to appear was Lord Dru Carrison of Lyathon, a tall pale man with unnaturally silver, spiked hair and green eyes. He was joking around with Lady Ezrael Minishta of Strykai, an elf with pale skin and wavy auburn hair. Not far behind them came another pair, talking of the days of old. The first of the two was Lord Brennen Warhammer of Fenrin, a dwarf with tanned skin, long braided black hair, and sightless gray eyes. The second was Lord Vran Bloodfirst of Laomoti, another dwarf with tan skin, brown hair in many braids, and brown eyes. Next came Lady Jemina Lirama of Asjen, an elderly elf with nearly translucent skin, silver and gray hair tied back in a braid, and exotic turquoise eyes. Talking with her was Lord Eldres Ardramus of Carmotta, a pale elf with long wavy golden blond hair and blue eyes. After that came Lord Verus Dulanos of Ventenadana, a dark elf with messy white hair and purple eyes, and his second cousin Lady Mistriel Darmani of Freyjon, a dark with short white hair cut into an angular bob and dark grey eyes. The last two to exit were an fairy and a human. The fairy was Lord Nunco Leolis of Koda, a dark element fairy pale skin, short black hair, and black eyes. The human was Queen Sapphira Sentoni of Dracsofar. Draconas took in his old partner in the dragon riders; they both had aged considerably but she still had her beautiful wavy golden blond locks and blue eyes that looked like sapphires themselves.


"Draconas." Sapphira noticed him immediately. "A pleasure as always."


"Of course, milady." Draconas bowed formally. "The train is-"


"Where it always is." Sapphira smiled politely. "Let's go then." The rest followed her and Draconas stared at the ground, silently fuming. Was Sapphira still upset? Come on, it had been twenty two years already....


-------


Iris had fallen asleep, leaning against Verspab's side. She felt more content than she had ever been before, being here with her dragon. It was one of the few times she felt peace.
 
Kenzo took a deep, calming breath. His mask of emotionlessness was re-established, while his eyes burned with determination. "I see. Thank you for the message, Neera," he said, and looked over to Ardra. "We should be going." He looked between the two women before him, and gestured respectfully ahead of them. "Please, lead on. 'Ladies first,' I believe is the saying."
 
Sanz looked up as he saw the three in front of him. Having longer legs he tended to walk faster


"So the politicians will be here then. Don't wait for me, I'll be out with Auntyrmarun."


He passed by without even slowing his pace as he made his way to the hangar
 
Matthais probed harder and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, and then he realized something...


"GAAAH!" he yelled, beating the ground. "This is impossible!"
 
The train arrived without incidence, though Nunco Leolis seemed much more irritable than usual after being cooped up with the Council members in a small compartment. Draconas led the way silently, not daring to speak around Sapphira. He hadn't really had the time to make the place super nice for the visiting politicians.


----


Neera was bounding ahead of Ardra and Kenzo, excited to see her mother. Ardra chose to walk slightly in front of Kenzo, not knowing if she would see her father when she turned the next corner. Her father would definitely not be please at this recent development. She was silent, slightly worried about what to expect.


----


Kestus buzzed around the kitchen, throwing together multiple dishes at once. There was a massive beef roast in the workings, along with a spicy shrimp dish and salads. Kestus had also found the secret stock of ale, wine, beer, and the like stored in a secret compartment in the wall. All of this should, in his opinion, be enough for the visiting dignitaries.


----


Sikstaxen sighed. Maybe you're taking too direct of an approach? Or maybe you're not relaxed enough? Meditation is about relaxation. Try relaxing your muscles completely and then try again.
 
Kenzo walked calmly, just behind Ardra, wondering to himself who the people of this 'Council' were and what their personalities were like. He was also wishing he had his sugegasa to hide his distinctive eyes...


He glanced at Ardra, noticing that she seemed a little different than just minutes ago. "...Anxious?" he said quietly to her.
 
Sanz mounted Auntyrmarun and tightened the straps around his legs


We're leaving


But what of the council?


I have no care for the debate of politics. We can be doing important things.


Auntryrmarun stood still for a minute before taking off.


And what do you have in mind, little one?


Sanz sent a mental image to Auntyrmarun, who stiffened only briefly before chuckling at the notion. It certainly would be a fun prospect, and important as well.
 
Sikstaxen, I've been having no luck with this and I'm mentally exhausted. He remembered the upcoming presence of a man who may very well want him dead. I think I might retire to my room and have a nap, grab something to eat, and then try again.


They fly down to the hanger and dismount. I do not mean to belittle your council at all Sikstaxen. As you are a wise and noble dragon I would do well to heed your council. He scratched her under her eyes. Any on how to not die when the dark elf king eventually finds me?
 
Ardra looked back at him and there was something very different in her eyes. It was fear, pure fear. "....just nervous about seeing my father, that's all." Her mind whirled; wherever her father went, bad things followed for her. It never failed.


---


Neera rounded the corner and saw her mother down the hallway. "MOTHER!!!!!" Her scream carried throughout the complex and outside into the canyon even. She ran, ignoring all collisions with the rest of the council, straight into her mother's waiting arms.


Sapphira looked down at her daughter lovingly. The adoration between the two was obvious.


Ardra walked tentatively around and saw her father. He was imposing, even for a dark elf. Calmly, she walked up to him and bowed ceremoniously. Verus looked down at her, then in a deep voice said. "Rise, daughter." The tenseness of the two was astounding.


---


Sikstaxen thought a moment. Don't let him find you.
 
Kenzo kept himself in Ardra's shadow, a somewhat-unconscious effort to be inconspicuous. According to his code, he didn't want to dishonor these high-ranking people with his presence, so unless he was directly addressed it would be as if he wasn't there. Even so, his eyes darted occasionally between Sapphira and Verus, burning like wildfires with vengeance.
 
Sanz took a deep breath as they flew along the coast. There were several orbs of floating dirt, courtesy of Auntyrmarun.


Okay . . . lets start simple


He pulled the massive blade out of its sheathe . . . and then loosened the straps around his legs. Auntyrmarun flew straight towards one of the targets, and Sanz leapt. He spun forward, and his blade clove through the earth. Okay, trajectory was fine. Now for the landing . . . He gave a sigh of relief when the violet-scaled hide appeared before him, and he was able to grab the harness as the continued to fly.


It's possible. Now to ingrain it in our very bones . . .


The two flew and dove through several targets in such a manner. With some practice, Auntyrmarun even started to have them move after Sanz had leapt from the harness.
 
Matthais laughed. Sage advise, radiant one. He waved to his dragon as he left and walked to the dorm chuckling all the while. He looked up and he noticed the large group of people, many of whom wore circlets and crowns.


"Well. That's the shortest lived plan I have ever had."
 
Sapphira loosened her daughter's grip a moment later. "We have business here, people. Draconas, where is the Aquanine dragon?"


"Closed off in part of the bay so that it can heal in peace." Draconas raised his eyebrows. "I don't consider her stable enough to handle much excitement. Merise and Ardra are with her now and will tell me when the lady dragon is up for visitors. In the mean time, I had some old extra hallways opened up and cleaned out in accordance to your arrival. Please..." The look in his eyes was extremely forceful. "Get some rest before dinner."


Sapphira sighed. "....I will be staying with my daughter. I have much to discuss with her."


Verus nodded in agreement. "I have things to tell Ardra as well. I'd suggest the rest of you go get some rest in your rooms."


The rest started off behind Draconas, though the dwarves and Ezrael made a point of asking how much alcohol Draconas had on base as they walked. They disappeared beyond sight quickly.


Verus' eyes went past his daughter the dark elf with red eyes. His eyes seemed to show some sort of memory. He was less observant of the human, who had no special markings to distinguish him from the rest. "....show me your dragon, Ardra." It was purely a command.


"....yes, father." Ardra began walking back down to the hangar bay, the fear still in her eyes.


Sapphira waited until Verus and Ardra were out of hearing before turning to Matthais. "A Roux standing boldly before the King of Ventenandana? You are either very brave or very stupid."
 
"He is both of those things," Kenzo said, stepping forward. "He is brave to the point of idiocy." His eyes were following Ardra until now, but finally he turned to face Sapphira. "He is also innocent."
 
"I never contested that, last of the Soromine." Sapphira's gem eyes flashed to him. "It was simple conversation, nothing more." She studied him and for a moment her eyes filled with something resembling regret.


"Mom, I want to show you my dragon too!" Neera was jubilantly looking up at her mother, oblivious to the gravity of the exchange.
 
It took all of his willpower for Kenzo to keep his mask of calm in place. His eyes were blazing with hatred but forced himself to be calm. However, he couldn't keep himself from speaking. "With upmost respect, your highness...I request you not address me as a Soromine. As I have told everyone I've met since arriving here...my name is Kenzo, known to some as 'Hermit'." He bowed deeply, but when he rose his eyes still blazed. "An honor to be in your presence."
 
"My Queen," said Matthais bowing. "What my shirtless friend says isn't too far from the truth. But my plan was to hide in my room until later and keep away from Ardra's father." He smiled. "But when I saw the lot of you I thought running away would only draw attention to myself."
 
Sanz grit his teeth as he sliced through the third target, Auntyrmarun catching him when he started to spin out of control


Seems I can make a couple controlled swings before completely losing control


That is remarkable in itself little one.


It isn't enough.


Sanz gripped tightly as they rose in elevation again


Once more. Until I can control myself with the extra weight of my blade, I am not ready.
 
"You can stop with the facade, Kenzo Soromine." Sapphira's eyes turned to stone. "There is nothing more insulting than being lied to one's face." She turned heel and headed down the corridor towards the living area. "Come, Neera."


Neera looked after her mother. "...c-coming!" She bounded after her, not quite sure why her mother seemed so upset.


-------


Iris had by this time awoken from her sleep. She gave her dragon a fond farewell hug before going down the corridor. She happened upon Kenzo and Matthais as she walked. "....so what have I missed?"
 
Kenzo grit his teeth, bit his tongue, and followed them. When they reached the living area he sat cross-legged in the center of the room, closed his eyes and began to meditate in an effort to calm himself. Gradually his breathing slowed, and he almost seemed to have dozed off because of his stillness.
 
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