The Last Dragon Rider

Chapter 2

I freeze but the warmth radiating off the dragon wraps around me. Its eyes stared into mine, my body refused to run. My breath trembled my legs wouldn't move. Is this how I die? How can I get away? I see all the time on tv the only way to harm a dragon is with a dragon arrow. Well, don't have one of those, I'm about to be barbequed.

A Dragon Rider? a female voice says in my head I haven't seen a Rider in 10 years. The dragons face seemed to relax. Although I can't see the rest of its body I knew it's most likely bigger than my house. My legs still were stuck in place but I calmed down enough to breathe normally.

"Did you just talk to me?" My voice quivers. I stare at the dragon and see she's quite beautiful. The dragon had vibrant eyes and scales that shone in the small areas of light the tree tops let in. The scales seemed to reflect the sunlight.

Yes, Dragons can talk to you Dragon Riders. The beast responds I haven't seen a Rider like you in awhile. What is your name?

" Scarlet Haven," My voice sounds nervous and timid compared to hers.

I am called Ember .Relax child I will not harm a dragon rider.

"I should be going... I need to get home..." I tell her and I slowly take steps back.

Please do not leave yet, I must know are your parents like you? She asks me. I shake my head and she seems to understand.

You must be careful hunters have been more active as of late. This area isn't too safe anymore. She warns me.

"I'll be fine," I answer. I've been hiding my secret well for many years, I can keep doing it. Why does this dragon care about me? Then another thought crosses my mind, why in the world would a dragon be having a conversation with me.

"Why are you talking to me? I thought dragons needed to stay hidden, what if I tell a hunter you were here?" I question. We are all legally required to come forward with any information about dragons and riders. Hiding this information doesn't end well.

You can go run and tell someone I am here but, you won't. You remind me of an old friend. You are not safe in the society. The dragon warns me again. I can take care of myself...

"I can handle it, I've been doing a good job so far no one knows," I argue. I was doing a good job, I mean no one knew, no one could possibly know. Right?

Sooner or later they will find out. We can protect you.

"We? Who's-," I begin to question but I can hear people coming. Lots of people.

"Hey, over here I think I got something!" a man shouted he was heading our way. A few more voices called out in response and the shuffling of feet followed.

Hunters, you must come with me if they see you, you will be killed. Ember's red and orange scaly tail shot out and gently wraps around my stomach. With just a second to spare Ember shot like a bullet back into the jungle before the hunters could see us or any trace of us.

.....

What the hell am I doing? I ask myself, I just had a conversation with a dragon, a freaking dragon and now I am being carried off to who knows where. What had I gotten myself into?

"Umm.... Ember?" I ask the dragon who still had her tail wrapped around my stomach. She had a gentle hold on me but was careful to not crush me which I'm certain she could. Ember cocks her head back and looks at me. We were streaming past trees and bushes, with incredible speed and while not making too much sound. Her speed was incredible. Is this what dragons are capable of?

"Where are we going?" I ask. Ember weaves between the large trees and glides over fallen logs.

Somewhere safe, I promise. It's a bit far we'll have to make camp somewhere but we will be safe I can assure you.

"What about my parents, school. What will they do when they find I am missing." I say as a thought struck me. My dad will for sure go to the society, my mom will go out of her mind with worry. I don't need people looking for me It will only make this secret harder to keep. I have school work to do and midterms are coming up, not that I really need to study.

You are lucky I found you when I did. Sooner or later they would have found out about you and then what would you have done?

"How would they find out I've been hiding this for years. I'm 18 I can take care of myself," I've never once been taken in for questioning. The society will take people in if they are even a little suspicious of them.

You'll graduate soon and that is the final test. They screen every student for the flame. You can't imagine what would happen if they found out. If any of your classmates fail that test they're deemed suitable for only labor work. Ever wonder why you don't see anyone who's failed the final test. The society is why. Silence was the only thing that would come out of my mouth. I knew the society had its secrets but this was too much for me to handle. Did my father know? What other things were happening?

I can't believe it, everyone knows that we take a test before we graduate. But I never knew it was like that. If you fail you're destined to live a life of misery. If I had stayed they would have found out and they would have most likely killed me. A mix emotion of fear, anger, and sadness washes over me. I was scared because they might find me, I was mad at them for being so heartless, and I felt sorrow for all of those who suffer just because they weren't good enough. I never realized just how corrupt my world was.

"Why did you save me? You could have left me to die but you didn't why?" I asked, truly curious dragons don't care about human beings, much fewer ones they had just met. Was it just because I'm a dragon rider?

You are different and we could use some different around here. We have tried many times to make contact with the humans but that always ended in death for both sides. Ember looked up, the sun was beginning to set. We need to stop for the night, hunters are most active at night. When we are sleeping we are at our most vulnerable. I know of a cave up ahead we can take shelter there.

Ember slowed to a stop and pushed away a cluster of vines revealing a rocky cave. It was completely dark now and the only light was coming from the moon. Ember went to the back of the cave curled up. She folded her wings in and laid down on the ground. Ember closed her eyes and let out a breath of air. I sighed and curled up against the rocks and followed Embers lead and closed my eyes.

.....

I think an hour had gone by and I was freezing. I was wearing skinny jeans, tennis shoes, a tank top, and a light loose shirt over it. I was shaking, my teeth were chattering, and if I had a mirror I am almost positive my lips would be blue. The temperature always dropped low at night but every house in the society had a heating system, I guess I took it for granted. I tucked my arms into my shirt and stretched the fabric over my knees. I sat huddled in my shirt for a long while. Between the cold and lack of sleep, I closed my eyes and prayed for light and warmth to come.

I think my wish came true because when I awoke I felt warm and cozy. My back was pressed against something warm. I realized it was Ember, her tail was surrounding me, protectively around me. As if she was guarding me against something, I felt Ember shift and get up.

"Thank you." I look up, her towering height made me feel so tiny. I would have frozen to death if Ember hadn't done something. I stretch my arms and run my eyes. Outside the cave, I can see the sunlight beginning to pour in. She nodded her head brought down her neck. Hard scales ran up and down her body. They were almost impossible to puncture, only a dragon arrow forged with the rarest metal could make even a dent. Embers scales were beautiful, they were a variety red, shiny and smooth. Ember lowered her body to the ground.

Get on, you are a dragon rider , riding a dragon should be second nature to you.

Gingerly I got on. It was like instinct I sat down and placed my hands on her scales. Slowly Ember got up I slid down a bit but maintained a good grip.

Ready?

"Ready."