The Dragon Bond: Heirs of Lyra

Chapter 71

After hours of staring at the border, waiting for a miracle, Ralf's eyes began to water. He blinked several times, rubbing them awake. Time was blurring together. He had watched countless families travelling in and out of Lyra. None of them were his brother.

"You're straining your eyes," Mirum chided her rider. "Allow me to keep watch." Her vision was excellent, capable of sighting a mouse half a kilometer away. 

"This is pointless. We've already looked everywhere in Lyra. If we can't travel into Niebla what's the point? It's not like he's going to cross the border on his own. What we need is to go there. Look in Niebla. That's where he is, it has to be."

"Crossing the border would declare war, Ralf. Have patience."

"Only if I travel with you," Ralf said, sitting up. "They won't know who I am. I could cross and search for Henry myself. If I get into any trouble I can use my magic."

"That sounds like a terrible idea." While technically Mirum was the same age as Ralf, she always felt much older, wiser. Maybe it was the dragon blood in her.

"It's better than sitting here all day, staring into space. Waiting for the impossible to happen."

"Impossible eh?" She mused to herself, magnifying her vision and focusing in on the border.

Ralf let out an exasperated breath, rising to his feet. His back cracked as he extended it, stretching his arms overhead. They had been in the same position for almost the entire day. 

"I have to find my brother. If that means crossing into enemy territory, so be it."

Just as he started forward, Mirum stopped him, one of her claws grabbing hold of his pants and pulling him back. "You don't need to do that."

"Yes," Ralf clarified firmly, "I do. He's my brother and I am not going to rest until I find him and bring him home."

Mirum's deep laughter rumbled the ground. Ralf swung around to glare at his dragon. What could she possibly find so humorous?

Before he could ask, she took hold of her rider and flung him onto her back, Ralf barely managing to cling onto her as she flew, her course straight as an arrow.

"You won't have to wait long."

Ralf struggled to maintain his grip on her, his legs drifting behind him as he clung for dear life. Was Mirum out of her mind? Then her mind suddenly took over his, and his vision morphed. He tried blinking but her hold on him remained firm. She wanted him to see something. 

The air was cold and sharp as they flew rapidly toward whatever Mirum was targeting. At last she was able to make him see her objective. Ralf blinked again as his vision magnified, zeroing in on a wagon crossing into Lyra. It was stopped at the border, dozens of patrol officers surrounding it. 

His vision shifted even closer until he saw the face of his sister. Elysia! 

Within seconds, they had reached her. Men were bowing around her. 

Mirum came to a startling halt on the ground, creating a gust of wind in their wake. Ralf hopped off his dragon, managing the task well for once. 

Elysia's eyes gleamed, her smile wide. "Ralfie!"

He moved past the men bowing around her and clung to her tightly. She squeezed him, and once more Ralf found himself in awe of his sister's strength. She was stronger than she looked.

His sister pulled back suddenly, a hand clamped around her mouth in surprise. "I can't believe it! We're all here, it's like a reunion!"

Ralf frowned, unsure of her meaning. Then his eyes fell on the man she was looking over at. He was standing behind Ralf, dressed in faded trousers and a loose white shirt. His hands were filthy, his hair was a mess, and a beard covered his cleft chin. Ralf took a step back, his eyes were fooling him once more.