The Dragon Bond

Chapter 28

               The silence was deafening as Aurora and Glimmer faced each other. Syron and Sunray chirped and cawed at one another, paying no mind to Aurora and Glimmer. Glimmer looked up, watching Aeryx circle over head, unwilling to land.

"He's a coward," Glimmer said.

Aurora sighed.

"He's not. You had no need to react in such a way. You murdered innocent people Glimmer. I should have you executed, were you not my sister. And you dare to lay a hand on Symon simply for speaking the truth to you. All the while you risked the life of your dragon and behaved so recklessly that our brother and his dragon were killed," Aurora barked back.

Glimmer shook her head, grinding her teeth.

"Syra's Bay had to pay a price for their refusal," she replied.

Aurora huffed, throwing her hands up in frustration.

"You had this conversation once with Symon, and you were unwilling to be civil. I'll not entertain it a second time with myself on the line. You are a murderer. That is all I can say to you. You are my sister, but a murderer. And to risk Sunray's life in such an act of foolishness is vile," she said, disappointed.

Glimmer scoffed.

"Are you that jealous of Sarvos that you can't even show sadness for his loss?" Glimmer snapped.

"No," Aurora began, "his death is a tragedy, and one I hold you personally responsible for. Had you not acted as you did, he would still be alive. But this is much bigger than us. We now have people relying on us, and we cannot make good on our promises without the dragons. Your actions cost us one dragon, and nearly cost us a second. Sunray is our fastest and most aggressive dragon by far. To lose him would be a catastrophe. The loss of our brother matters to us, but means little to our people. To them, only our dragon's matter, and now we've lost one of them. I cannot allow another dragon to die. Without them, we are nothing."

Glimmer didn't respond right away, looking back at Sunray. He sensed her distress, nudging her with his snout. She cleared away tears as she hugged him, rubbing her cheek on his soft scales.

"I'm sorry Aurora. It was my fault, I agree, but I meant only to do well by you. I only wanted to bring you followers. To lead. To guide. To free. I failed to do as I pledged. But I cannot, and will not stand by and allow traitors to roam free while we fight to free them from chains they cherish." Glimmer said, her voice shaking.

Aurora hugged Glimmer tightly, rubbing her back. Syron and Sunray both purred and laid their heads in the grass as the sisters embraced each other, seemingly aware of what was happening.

Aurora began," Krakenscove is preparing it's fleet for a blockade along the Mokrish trade routes. We expect to see heavy resistance there from Silo's fleet. We could use you and Sunray, but you need to keep your emotions under control. War is not personal. We only kill those who we must. No man who surrenders or is unarmed will die without a fair trial. Is that clear?"

Glimmer nodded.

"Good then," Aurora continued, "all six of us will be in attendance, as there isn't much need for the dragons elsewhere at the moment, so I'll expect to see you protecting the others."

Glimmer nodded, "but wouldn't we be better served keeping at least one or two available over land?"

Aurora shook her head.

"It would serve little purpose, if any. With a tight enough blockade, we could end the war. If it holds for long enough, we could easily force the royal army into submission through starvation. They're used to receiving much of their food supply from the Mokrish. To suddenly have it cut off indefinitely would cause untold amounts of havoc on them all. And should Silo be foolish enough to send his own ships after us, we may well stand to destroy them as well, I did think of only sending Kara and Rigel, but they lack the wisdom to survive such a fight alone," she replied.

Glimmer shrugged, then looked up at Aeryx again.

"He's afraid to face me again," she said.

Aurora nodded.

"Symon doesn't like needless conflict. He's afraid to anger you again, but he didn't trust you not to harm me," Aurora replied.

Glimmer sighed.

"I'm sorry I've done him harm, my intention was only to grow our army. When he spoke poorly of my decision, I took it as disrespecting Sarvos's death, and you as our leader. I intended not to upset you," she said.

Aurora nodded.

"I understand. While you will pay for Syra's Bay, that must wait. Saddle Sunray, we must fly south. Before long, tens of thousands will be fighting at sea, and we'll need every dragon fighting. Don't falter again Glimmer," she said firmly as she mounted Syron.