The Dragonriders

Chapter 16

A Mother Lost, A Mother Gained

Shirley

The rest of the day I spend in my room. I don't wish to have any company, just room to think. The leader knew my mother, and probably the queen to. I'm feeling deceived. Then I hear a knocking on the door. I respond the way no one expects from me. 'Go away. I don't need company.'

I hear the knocking again. I almost feel like pushing the bed in front of the door so no one can enter. Sadly I'm to late for that. Sha'iva enters and puts an arm over my shoulder when she is next to me. 'I heard it, Shirley. I heard it all. You know the woman in your dreams. But you are not her...'

I turn my head towards her. 'You don't understand, do you, Sha'iva. My mother is a traitor. She got her squad killed and then joined the Demons. Even if that wasn't the case, she still killed many after that. My mother is a murderer, Sha'iva. And I've been lied to about it.'

Sha'iva closes her eyes. 'The leader knew your mother, and mom most likely knows her to. I send her a message about your discovery, asking to clarify some things. However, no one knew about your relationship. Mom never recognized you as the daughter of her sister.'

My mouth drops open. 'You mean... I'm her niece?'

Sha'iva shakes her head. 'Not really. When your mother went away from the Elven kingdom... according to moms stories she stepped down from the throne and got rid of all her family ties. She went to the Riders as just Tresh'ta. After she got her dragon she did visit the Realm at times but always she went back out again. Until one day she didn't come back. At first no one saw her for months. Then when she did show up, something had changed inside her. She was looking broken. Not long after that she fell.'

I close my eyes. 'I'm the reason she broke. Because I was born and she left me behind.'

Sha'iva holds out a small pendant, the sound it makes causing me to open my eyes again. I recognize it as something father always carried around his neck. I had buried it with his body. 'No, she broke because she gave her heart pendant to someone. Without this, we Elves break from the inside. Our heart pendants, when held by one that loves us, helps us protect and drive us. But if given to someone who doesn't love us or who loses his love for us, it will shatter and so will our heart. Many Elves have fallen this way. It is why this Demon incursion is taking place.'

I softly touch her pendant and then close her hand around it. 'You should not have told me. Sha'iva, even if what you said is true, it is no excuse. If my mother talks me over this is information that could be used against you. Against our people. I cannot let that happen.'

Sha'iva puts her other arm around me to. 'I will not let you fall. I don't like mom, but I called her in for this to help you, sister. On our watch you will stay here, as a good Elf...'

I lower my head. 'It is weird to hear that my... mother used to be so tight on the rules... and then be scolded by the council that used to work with her for not following a single rule of theirs. It feels weird.'

Sha'iva smiles softly. 'That is because you aren't her. You got your heart in the right place and follow that. You know who you are. Or at least you used to know.'

I close my eyes. 'I do not know anything certain any more, Sha'iva. The world has just collapsed around me. If only I never knew who she was.'

Sha'iva sighs. 'You are the Wing Leader of a wing of Dragon Guard. You owe us all our loyalty. You are an Elven princess and a hero of the Lamia.'

I look at my hand. 'I need time, Sha'iva. Time to find out who I am.'

Sha'iva gets up and starts walking out the room. 'You know where to find me if you need my help, sister. The entire squad is worried about you. The leader came to tell us all you were out of action for now and until further notice.'