The Sound of Storms ▻ House of the Dragon

CHAPTER THREE

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The Dragon Hall was alive and buzzing with activity. The grand hallway was carved into the second largest of the Gray Peaks and had been designated as a place of rest and rejuvenation for the dragons of the Dalgares family. The stone-cut archway of the hall was shrouded in clouds and fog. Unlike the days past the weather had lightened up and only a small drizzle fell from the sky. The wind whistled up the steep slopes of the mountain and whipped through the hair of the heir of the Gray Peaks. Isidore stepped away from the ledge of the Dragon hall, a section of the mountain that extended from the massive land formation, and looked over the landscape beyond. Fresh white snow powdered the tops of the trees that were scattered at the base of the mountain. From within the Dragon Hall, a bellowing growl echoed across the stone walls, the sound carried to Isidore at the ledge. The Princess turned swiftly to it.

The dragon Hall attendants milled through the halls dutifully carrying out their tasks. Some cleaned the riding tacks, and others lay fresh bedding down in the carved-out spaces each of their dragons created. Others carried the belongings of the royal family toward one of the many coves of the Dragon Hall. She followed them into the Hall and towards one of the far coves where the Princess was able to hear the familiar clicks and growls of the dragons. Rounding the corner into the alcove, she was greeted with the sight of three dragons.

The largest she knew to be her father's a sage green male dragon, Drakoth, with a dark green underbelly and large wings tucked into its scaly body. Beside Drakoth two smaller, younger dragons snapped playfully at each other as attendants scurried around them. Isidore recognized her dragon quickly, Stormyr, a deep gray dragon with a white underbelly and bone-white face, shrieked and shook her head at her companion, Calyx's light brown dragon Vaemir narrowed its orange eyes back at his sister who had taunted him. Isidore brought her thumb and forefinger to her lips and blew sharply. Two high-pitched whistles echoed around the chamber and Stormyr who was angling to nip at her brother's neck instantly snapped towards the sound, gray eyes wide. Isidore smiled and strode towards her beloved dragon. When she was close Stormyr bent down, large head reaching out to the familiar face. Isidore placed a hand on the dragon's large nose and she could feel the warm exhale the dragon let out, the way her body shifted and became more relaxed.

"Hello there," Isidore ran her hand over the cool scale and the dragon grumbled. One of the attendants who was adjusting the straps of the saddles on Stormyr's back approached Isidore. He was a young man in leather armor and a dark blue tunic, the color of their family's crest. He had a shock of red hair and a splattering of freckles across his nose and cheeks.

"Your grace. Everything has been prepared," He declared.

Isidore looked back at him with a smile. "Wonderful, has my brother or parents arrived yet?"

The attendant answered, "I saw your brother arrive a moment ago with your parents, they should be around momentarily,"

"Thank you,"

The attendant bowed and left, Isidore watched him approach one of the other workers who was tightening a strap on Vaemir saddle and strike up a conversation with them.

"Oh good! Isi you're here!"

The Princess and her dragon turned to Calyx who strode down the aisle between their two dragons. Like his sister, he wore a tunic with simple leather armor for protection, cotton pants, and leather boots. While Isidore had chosen a lightweight breastplate with patterns stamped into the leather, shoulder armor, and armguards. Her brother had opted for a leather chest protector that covered only the side over his heart, a matching set of shoulder armor, and arm guards. Unlike the previous night, his hair was neatly combed back but his grin was still the same. The Prince rested his left hand on the carved pommel of his sword that hung at his waist. Isidore had a similar sword at her left side too and above it a small intricate dagger.