Dragonblood

11

I was on the field training with Yuri, an ice dragon rider. We were both panting heavily. Sweat running down our faces. My arm was sore from wielding a sword. I wasn't as good with a sword than I was with a dagger or a bow and arrow. I think I prefer long distance fighting. Yuri moved to strike from above. Swinging my sword up with both hands on the hilt, I blocked the blow. I clenched my jaw. My arm was on fire from the heavy sword. "You know, I'm getting quite annoyed with training. I see no reason why I would need to defend myself.". Yuri swung his left foot underneath my feet, knocking me on my ass for the fourth time since we begun training hours ago. I felt the sharp tip of the sword on my neck. "Just because you are stubborn as a mule and refuse to remain within the safety of the castle. Does not mean that you won't get killed. There are things that lurk near by.". I felt like a child being scolded. I frowned. The ground shook as a dragon landed and a laugh was heard. "Come now, Yuri. We wouldn't want Kalinth to kick your ass from having a sword at his sister's throat." a male voice said. "As much as I would so love to see that happen.". A tall man came into view. Aeros. The fire dragon rider. "As per usual, you wear no shirt.", I pushed the sword away before standing up. Aeros flashed me a grin. He was medium built with muscles, a shade or two darker than my tan skin. His light brown hair damped and his trousers unbutton. My eyes ventured down to the curve of his hip and lower. My lower stomach aching. "Like what you see sweetheart?" Aeros was smiling and posing. I rolled my eyes. "Doubtful.". 

I pushed passed the two males and made my way to Aeros dragon. A beautiful crimson red, wings with horns at the very end. "Hello. You're not going to try to bite my hand off again are you?". I pet the dragon's snout and smoke exited its nostrils. For days now, my morning have been occupied with weapons training with Yuri, flying lessons with Aeros, modern history lessons with Kyra, and old history lesson with Alyziran. Come to find out that Alyziran is the oldest bloodline descendant, the first after the fall of the Dragonblood and the death of Amara. Hands were on my hips as I was lifted onto the dragon's back. Aeros sat right behind me. He placed his right arm around my waist. "Show me what you remember.", his breath hot against my ear. ". I patted the side of his dragon's neck. "Syelos", a demand for go. The dragon stretched out its wing, pushing off from the ground and we took off. The wind whipped my hair in different directions as we flew above the clouds. I love this feeling. Freedom. I leaned against Aeros' chest and relaxed. I closed my eyes. "You know you do have to watch out for where you fly.". I chuckled before opening my eyes. I leaned forward towards the dragon's neck. "Crehla". We started diving down at lightning speed. Aeros wrapped both arms tightly around my waist. "This is not fun anymore, Zalea.". The fear in his voice caused me to laugh. "But I thought I was in control?". 

We continued diving down until the ground was in view. "Rhyla" I demand. The dragon slowed down and flew at a steady pace. Aeros relaxed against my back. "Thank gods." he muttered. We flew just above the trees. Pine scent filled the air around us. It was silent for a while until Aeros spoke."Do you remember the day we brought you to the castle?". The question puzzled me. "Yes. What about it?". Unsure where this conversation will go. "Did Alyziran explain what you did when you saw your brothers about to be burned alive?" Aeros asked. It wasn't hard to recall that memory. I saw my brothers in chains, Aeros' dragon getting ready to burn them alive, my pleading that was not heard, the voice in my head, and the rush of energy that invaded my veins as I shouted for them to stop. The ground shaking and the sky going dark. A loud roar. "He said that it was most likely caused by the stress." I responded. Nothing more said when we returned to the castle. 

~~~

A tapping sound brought my attention back. "I'm sorry. You were saying?". Alyziran pinched the bridge of his nose. His muscular body and height towering over me from the desk. His dark brown eyes staring into my soul. Alyziran's right hand was playing his growing beard. "I said can you tell me the 4 ancient kingdoms?". I straighten my back and looked at him. Alyziran as been rather patient after our conversation when I had returned from that eventful night days and days ago. It was he who deemed it necessary for me to wield weapons. I cleared my throat. "Kingdom of Thaossa in the east, Kingdom of Lhyalian in the west, Kingdom of Kymas in the north and Kingdom of Kaldon in the south.". Two of those kingdom actually kept the names of two ancient kingdoms that fell, Thaossa and Kaldon. "Very good. Now, can you tell me the history of the fallen Kingdoms?" Alyziran asked. I looked at the map on the wall behind Alyziran. "The four kingdoms used to be six however when the King of-". I paused. The name of the King and the Kingdom as long been forgotten. "Well of whatever kingdom existed centuries ago. He married a Queen of the fifth kingdom and they combined their kingdoms into one. So instead of the original six, there were five. However now there are four. The Queen gave birth to a daughter and unfortunately, the Queen died during that birth. The King raised his daughter and as she grew up, she began looking like his deceased wife. He became cruel to his daughter even though his people loved the Princess more than the King.". Alyziran nodded for me to continue. "Dragons roamed the realm and were considered a dangerous powerful creature. Humans and dragons never interacted until the Princess found a dragon egg in the forest. Each day she visited the egg in the forest. Then one day instead of an egg, there was a baby dragon. They bonded their souls and lives through blood. Thus the creation of the Dragonblood riders, the protectors of the realm." 

Alyziran began pacing the room, speaking. "The Princess and dragon were viewed as a union that we could live in harmony. Dragons became the humans' allies and each kingdom had an army of dragons and riders. The Princess gained a popularity with her people. She became the protector of the realm for she possessed magical abilities. Her father became envious of the love his daughter was gaining from the people and the power flowing through her veins.". I watched as Alyziran looked out the window. Pain and sorrow filled his expression and voice. "And he had her killed. Without the protector of the realm and her dragon, the realm plunged into chaos. The King grew bloodthirsty for power and land. He conquered the remaining Kingdoms and enslaved everyone and every dragon. He became ruler of the realm. But he was overthrown and the realm is what we know today.". I remained quiet for several minutes. "What was her name?" I asked. 

"Amara".