Entwined Fates (Editing)

Chapter Seven

I threw my pack onto Driana's back, and climbed on myself. Reaching a hand down, I pulled Declan up beside me, much to Driana's displeasure.

"I feel like a mule."

"I take it she's not happy with me joining you?" Declan asked.

"Not very much, sorry."

"But she'll deal with it, won't she?" I warned Driana. I heard her humph in my mind.

"I truly am sorry to bother you," Declan apologized to her. I waved him off, explaining how she'd warm up eventually. I told him the tale of the first time I let Eli ride with me.

He tumbled to the ground.

"Driana! Stop!" I yelled. She tossed her head again. Eli pulled himself off the ground.

"Are you sure I can ride on her?"

"Well I'm not leaving you, so yes." We climbed on again, just to be tossed off. I sighed deeply. We sat on the ground, not sure how to continue, when Eli came up with an idea. He told me to wait, grabbed my bow, and trekked into the forest. He returned later with a large deer carcass.

"May I give this to you as a sacrifice and gift?" He laid the bloodied deer in front of Driana, bowed deeply, and retreated. We watched as she ripped off large chunks of meat to eat. When she was finished, she bowed to Eli, rather stubbornly, to let him on.

Declan laughed when I finished with my story. With a few choice words from her in my head, we took off into the skies. Eli was sitting alone as Alarn was a rather solitary Dragon, and would only let Eli ride him. I was allowed on when there was no other choice, but only if I was with Eli as well. Rhys was riding with Dimonte and Harringer on his large green dragon. We decided to start with small distances each day, stopping to train in the mornings and evenings. We were searching for more to sustain the legend, perhaps a rumor or tale. We flew for what seemed like endless hours. Declan was quiet for the most part, occasionally asking a question about me.

"So you are a Dragon Rider, and a Fire Being?"

"Yes. Part of some sort of prophecy..." I trailed off as Eli signalled for us to land. We settled in a clearing in the forest, beside a small stream. Small movements in the brush could be seen as woodland creatures hid themselves from view, yet stayed to get a closer look at us. As soon as Declan and I slid off Driana, she took off into the skies with Alarn, no doubt looking for something to eat.

"We have two tents. How would you like to split up?" Rhys asked me.

"It's not of much importance to me. Why do you ask?"

"You are our leader." I furrowed my brows. Was I? Sure, I was the one in this prophecy, but I had no experience in leading anyone.

"I... I am?"

"Unless you don't want to be?" Rhys questioned. I shook my head.

"You can lead. You have more experience than I." He nodded.

"It's quite warm, Eli and I can sleep with Driana like we normally to when we spend the night out," I informed Rhys. He nodded, and set up one tent for Declan, Dimonte, and Harringer, saying he too would sleep outside. Eli lit a fire as Declan set up the tent. Dimonte left to hunt. Although I thought it dangerous for him to go alone, Rhys assured me he would be fine.

"Arithia? If you are not busy, I was hoping we could start training," Declan called from beside the tent. I jogged over, eager to learn. He simply sat on the grass, and motioned for me to do the same.

"I'll assume that because the King wished for you to learn quickly, he did not give you much background on the Elementals?" I nodded.

"Well. Let's start with basics. Obviously, there are five types. Fire Beings, Water Beings, Earth Beings, Dragon Riders, and Bloodliners. Bloodliners have Elemental blood, but they have dormant powers. This does not mean that their offspring will also have dormant powers. Harringer is a Bloodliner. Dragon Riders have a dragon out there, sort of like a soul mate. I'm sure you know much about Dragon Riders already." I nodded.