Dragon Prince

Chapter 11: Imagine Dragons

CHAPTER 11

IMAGINE DRAGONS

Isaac had settled in his cabin and was lying face-up on his bunk. Arty was at the helm with Iggy assisting him while Erik was long asleep. Neil hadn't spoken a word to him since they left the captain's cabin and Isaac felt that the knight was still shaken up by the ordeal.

Neil was currently on his own bunk with his back to Isaac giving the impression of not wanting to pursue the matter. The prince merely sighed and addressed his dragon.

Can you start explaining? He asked wearily.

Okay, okay. Hold on to your supper, Osyren responded.

Isaac barely had time to react before he saw images flashing before his eyes as he was dragged into his subconcious.

He felt like he was dreaming as his surroundings blurred before solidifying into a vast horizon. He stood on a cliff's edge, overlooking the mountains beyond his kingdom where his breath caught at the sight of the creatures flying to and from a labyrinth of caves.

Dragons.

All different shapes, sizes and shades of blue or green.

One thing was certain. His mind was totally blown.

"I figured I oughtta start from the beginning," a gruff voice said from beside him.

Isaac would have fallen off the side of the cliff at the gigantic dragon crouching next to him. Its head alone was the size of his own body and its wingspan could easily offer more shelter than six houses could hope to achieve.

"O-Osyren?" he asked uncertainly.

The dragon grinned. Gleaming dagger-like teeth contrasted against the dark blue scales that appeared almost black. Two pairs of horns sprouted from his head and his spine and tail were lined with spikes.

It was hard to believe that this ferocious creature had been the annoying voice in the young prince's head.

"I know," Osyren replied with obvious pride. "I'm magnificent as a dragon,"

Isaac shook his head. Osyren was about as egitistic as Neil.

"So the purpose of this is...?" he asked, trailing off so the dragon could answer.

Osyren's grin faltered. "Oh, yeah. That," Clearing his throat, he gave Isaac a serious look that was uncharacteristic of him. "I'll start you off from the very beginning,"

Osyren pointed a talon at the caves where dragons loitered about. Some flew around aimlessly while others were busy play-fighting and roaring at each other.

"That is where my home used to be," Osyren said wistfully. "Our role as dragons was simply to protect you humans from all the dark creatures -"

"That really was true?" Isaac asked quickly. That was not what he had been told in his History lessons.

"Yeah." the dragon responded. "Thousands of years before humans received the gift of magic from the fairies, they made a deal with dragons - we provide protection and in return receive shelter and offerings. Overtime, people forgot that - I blame your short life span - and with the added fairy magic, they didn't need us anymore."

Isaac watched as the scene shifted and showed various armoured men trying to slay dragons - some for glory and others for sport. It sickened him to think that magic had come between such an alliance.

"Now," Osyren went on. "Your ancestor Ivan had been a curious one."

The surroundings changed to show a young boy out hunting by himself. He had long since strayed from the usual hunting grounds and had wandered into dragon teritory. But a different creature followed him just as the sun was setting.