The Dragon Bond

Chapter 24

The sky was clear and bright, but with a harsh wind that threw Sunray back and forth as he flew through the sky. Glimmer fought to keep her grip, but the wind was strong. Still, she was eager, as in the distance was the city of Syra's Bay. Glimmer had flown for over a week and had sacrificed her brother and his dragon to reach it, and thus she was beyond having patience to wait.

"Take us in! Find somewhere to land!" Glimmer shouted.

Sunray dove from the sky, leveling off only as he reached the cities edge. Quickly the dragon's presence drew the attention of thousands of citizens, the streets quickly filling with people, fighting to get a glimpse of the dragon. Glimmer saw this, and for first time in days, she felt happy, and just. It almost seemed as though the death of Sarvos was a fair exchange for the experience.

Syra's Bay had little space for Sunray to land however, and so the dragon continued circling the city until finally, Glimmer commanded him to land at the docks. Sailors and fishermen fled in panic as Sunray landed clumsily on one of the ships. As he landed, the ships main mast was torn down, and most of the top deck was cracked and twisted with the dragon's weight dropping down on it suddenly. Glimmer dismounted and confidently strolled onto the dock. Watching her, were thousands of citizens who had gathered.

"Hello people of Syra's Bay! I come with a command for your Lord from the rightful Queen! Bring forth your Lord at once!" Glimmer shouted.

But there was only silence, then shouting as Sunray started to screech. Glimmer spun around as he clamoured off the ship. Under his weight, the ship started to capsize. Irritated, Sunray jumped to a second ship, burning the first to near ash as it started to sink, before doing the same to the second. Finally, he joined Glimmer on the dock as the two ships burned and sank behind them.

"Well? Bring forth your Lord at once! That is a command!" she shouted, now irritated.

Eventually, a tall, buff man was brought forward, surrounded by guards. They cautiously approached, shaking with terror as Sunray stared them down. One of the guards tried to turn back, only for Sunray to roar. The man fell to the ground, cowering with his hands covering his face.

"Come forward my Lord," Glimmer said.

Slowly the Lord approached, extending his hand to shake Glimmer's.

"A pleasure to meet you sir, your name please?" Glimmer asked.

He hesitated.

"Gal. Lord Corman Gal. Welcome to Syra's Bay Ma'am." Lord Gal said nervously.

Glimmer snickered.

"Your welcome is appreciated. My apologies about your ships, you may call me Glimmer," Glimmer replied.

Gal looked up at Sunray, his eyes wide.

"Might I ask about the dragon? I don't believe I've had anything to drink today," Gal exclaimed.

Glimmer laughed aloud.

"That's a long story for another day, but the dragons are the key to our future," she replied.

Gal's eyebrows raised, the Lord now intrigued.

"Well, tell me more then miss Glimmer," Gal said.

"I come with a command from Queen Aurora. She commands you to supply the entirety of your ships and fighting men to the rebellion army at once. We have six large dragons and several other large cities within our ranks. When the war is won, you will have a powerful position within the new government," she said with confidence.

Gal shared looks with his guards, none of them saying a word. Finally, after a long pause, Gal spoke.

"We know nothing about you, young lady. Yes, you bring a dragon, but we know nothing of your supposed Queen's governing capabilities or leadership skills. We know nothing of your true intentions. The dictator is a fool yes, but we have seldom gone hungry, gone without care, without work, why would we sacrifice our lives to overthrow a system that is proven to work, when we may very well suffer ten-fold under your Queens rule?" Gal asked.

Glimmer huffed. She was now frustrated, but took care not to show it to Lord Gal.

"The King is a fool as you said. No fool should have power over his fellow man. Silo must be brought to his knees before dying for his crimes. We must have your ships and fighting men to overthrow him and his soldiers," she barked.

Gal was taken back by her sudden shift in tone. Now it was clear to both, that the other was growing frustrated with them. Glimmer slowly started forward, taking two steps, slowly, before stopping.

"I have brought you a command from your new Queen. You now have two choices, and you must decide now. Join our cause and provide us with your men and ships, or refuse, and die," Glimmer said in a low tone.

The silence was deafening. Gal glared at Glimmer, now not paying any attention to Sunray despite the dragon's obvious unrest.

Gal barked, "you come to my city uninvited. Your dragon destroyed two of my ships, and yet you demand I give you the rest, along with every man who can hold a weapon. I put forth a question in regards to the future well being of my people, and you threaten us all with death. You and your bitch Queen can fly back to wherever that creature came from, because you'll find no support here. Leave our city at once."

Glimmer's breathing fell heavy, her face turning red.

"I lost my little brother coming to this vile city. You will comply, or you will die. I will not have his death go unpunished," Glimmer commanded.

Gal snickered.

"It sounds like you let your baby brother get murdered for no reason then. Be gone woman. You are no longer welcome here," Gal replied slyly.

Glimmer ground her teeth together.

"It's treason, then."

She turned to Sunray, and calmly spoke to him.

"Fyre."

Sunray burst forward, hissing as he lunged at Gal and his men. A heartbeat later, every man standing there had been set aflame. The crowd watching panicked, scattering quickly. But Glimmer was filled with rage. Over a week she had flown, losing her brother, only to be turned away. Fury running through her relentlessly, she mounted Sunray and commanded him into the sky. Higher and higher he flew, until the entire city could be seen by looking straight down. Glimmer looked west, feeling as though she should fly home. But when she looked down, she felt only the urge to avenge her brother's death.