Scales and Talons

Chapter 4

3 weeks later

Roan opened his eyes, which felt heavy in his exhausted state. He lay tied up in the corner of a dark cave, wet from all the water dripping from the roof and hungry from lack of food. He had not been in the cave long, but it felt like weeks to him. His muscles ached and he was pretty sure he had a few broken bones. There was no one to come to his aid, though. He was alone. He was in pain. And he was slowly giving up.

It had been almost a month since Roan had stood beside his father before the Dragon Council. The news of Naxton's death cry had been hard, but soon it became clear that no scout had found Naxton's body, giving hope to the dragons' minds and his own. 

Roan was quite familiar with the dragons and he had always liked Naxton. In his younger years he and had found himself sneaking out at night to philosophize over books with the ancient wisdom of the green dragon. Naxton had been his teacher and friend. The whole point of the quest had been to find his friend, to save him from suffering, only to lead Roan to his own.

Roan's mind wandered back to his father, imagining the displeased look he had always given him. How would his father look now, knowing that he had not returned and probably never would. At least he had completed the second part of the mission; finding the enemies and the wild dragon's lair. Only Roan knew that he had nowhere to go with this information. 

Roan lay in the cold, wet ground for hours before sounds of life could be heard around him again. He heard the echo of several footsteps approaching the cave where he was kept, tied up to the wall. Then two dark figures entered the cave. There was no light, so Roan had no way of recognizing the figures. Being stubborn he squeezed his eyes, trying to see in the deep darkness of the cave. Suddenly, fire erupted from the hands of one of the figures, filling the room with a warm glow. The fire was shot directly at some kind of pit in the middle of the cave, creating a bonfire that finally warmed his cold body. 

Roan tried not to be grateful and looked suspiciously at the flames. "Don't look so unhappy, my prince. It is no castle, but believe me, it could be worse." A mocking voice broke the silence in the room. Roan snapped his eyes up, recognizing the voice. Standing in the center of the room was a well-groomed version of Maxus, wearing a red cloak and a small golden crown.

"You." Roan spat at the man. Maxus just gave a sinister grin. Then the other figure came into view. It was an older man. He looked surprisingly bright and was dressed completely in purple. The most frightening sight was the older man's glowing purple eyes, which warned Roan that he was a mage. And that was when Roan realized exactly who he was dealing with. He was facing not just any mage, but the most feared mage in his world.

"So this is where your loyalty lies, Maxus? With this old geyser." Roan tried to sound brave, but his trembling voice betrayed him. The mage before him did not seem to care and turned to Maxus. "You seem to be right, not the brightest in the field, but it will do. Go prepare for the trial." The old man ordered Maxus, earning a quick bow. Maxus paused for a moment, glancing over his shoulder at Roan. "I can't wait to share mind and body with you, pretty face." He whispered just loud enough for Roan to hear as he walked out of the room. 

Roan's blood ran cold and he focused back on the mage who was busy drawing strange symbols on the floor.

What the hell were they trying to do to him? How the hell had he gotten himself into this situation? Sharing mind and body? Roan feared to his core what was about to happen. As the old mage finished with the symbol on the floor, his bright purple eyes found Roan's. 

"Let us begin, young prince."

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