DragonBound (Complete First Draft)

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

There was not much time to explore the city. After the court, to an inn for the night. Late night playing with his little sister much thanks to the new city and as daylight creeped into the yawning cave. Ieka was still in bed. Rioan did not wake her up.

Are you sure about this? the little dragon asked.

"Yes. It's a more stable life than being carted around her brother. It's also possible for different living conditions to heal her legs."

You're a good brother.

"I'm the only family she has. I have to look after her."

Doesn't change the fact that you're a good brother.

"Maybe."

Aren't you scared.

"I am. So I'll have to check up on her sometimes."

Rioan slurped away at leftover stew from yesterday's dinner with the rest of the crew he was to travel with, including Berda and the three dragon riders that watched over Serkana's body and two new, frightened specimens that seemed to be victim of wonder towards Berda. Meanwhile the little dragon tore her teeth in a fresh slab of meat at the grace of the innkeeper's daughter.

It was amusing watch the two new recruits, one a boy and the other not with the boy only acting slightly less fidgety than the girl in the presence of the more experienced riders. Both the little dragon and Rioan remained unfazed however.

Then in little time they loaded onto a carriage with their luggage and a weirdly clothed items from the elder dragon riders. Both the new recruits had relatively large dragons, each as big as the wagon the travelled in with wings thrice as long. One coated in green silk and the other in brown crusty scales. Each of the dragons took some time to peer at the little dragon before joining their elder cousins who were travelling with the troop.

When Rioan boarded the carriage he was given a heavy trench coat, while the other recruits and the more experienced riders prepared their own personal coats. It was made with thick leather and well-worn. Judging by Berda's smile it was hers. Rioan thanked her and allowed the little dragon to cuddle under its folds, contributing to the heat that was beginning to make Rioan swelter. They exited through a tunnel in the side of the cave, also guarded by an outpost and barracks of iron clad soldiers. Burrowed through to the faintest light peeking out in the distance. They spent time travelling through the almost pitch black. Well judging by how every one in the carriage was fiddling around in their own ways without a single clue as to how the rest were passing the darkness. Rioan watched as legs started tangling around with none being the wiser. On the other hand Rioan kept his body parts well away to keep the from tangling with the rest.

Then they reached were the tunnel crumbled to light and Rioan found his ears start to pain in the slightest.

"It's the altitude. Just swallow and it will start to relieve the air packed in your ears," Berda sounded out from next to him.

Rioan was surprised that she noticed. Then realised it was because both of the new recruits were clutching their ears. He internally scoffed. Berda gave him a knowing look.

Rioan's gaze shifted to the back of the caravan where the curtains had been rolled up. He noticed the tunnel they had just exited sticking out like a flab of rocky skin. He noticed the grass that crawled around the tracks and in plenty of cases dousing the dirt tracks. In fact there was more grass then worn track on the fields they were crossing. then he noticed the mist, a veil that crept across the landscape, shrouding the lively sputters of life in the form of brown little rodents.