A/N
Strap in for a ride
Chex's Pov
The hours stretching between the destruction of the wardstone and the upcoming battle were quiet, almost grieving, much like the sky before any storm.
The Riders had attended the last Battle Brief, where they got assigned a very specific airspace to defend which wasn't to be left for any reason; Sgaeyl told me Mira had switched up squads with Xaden, who'd already proclaimed Aifos and I had to fight beside him wherever he might've been assigned to, and that was Fourth Wing, Flame Section, Second Squad.
-Lightening-Wielder and Shadow-Wielder have complementary signets, and Tairn and I are the strongest bond in centuries,- said Sgaeyl, -It would've been a declaration of defeat had we been assigned in different skies.-
-Yes, it would've.-
But I almost jumped out of my scales when Andarna yelled right beside me, -I will stay right by our rider's side, Tairn!- Her scorpiontail swished dangerously, and the blue of Sgaeyl glittered across her black scales, -I will not leave her.-
Tairn tipped his snout down, -You're not allowed to be an active participant in the battle. I will not risk you.-
-Why not? My brother hatched for last, and yet he's going!-
-Your brother isn't crippled, and/-
-I'm not! Say that again and I'll bite you!-
My voice was somewhat harsh, -You are such, though.-
She whirled around, and the wind carried the snap of her teeth, but Sgaeyl took a step forward, -He's right, Andarna. We must not shrink away from the truth.-
-Besides,- went on Tairn, -The Alagaesyan can only fly on Chex. Ronny is currently studying the wardstone, and will remain there until the end of the battle, if the stars are merciful.-
She chuffed a breath in which lingered the heavy hint of sulfur, then spun around and strode away, her scales even blacker than Tairn's now.
Before I could lose sight of her, I ran by her side and ignored her soft growl, -They're right. You can't fight.-
-I can kill a venin as much as you all can!-
-That's not what I meant. You can't fight because I am already doing so.- I stepped closer until our wings bumped together, -We're the last of our Den, you and I. We're the only hope they have of survival.-
-If Violet doesn't figure it out on her own, she isn't worthy of knowing.-
I let out a sigh and looked at my black claws, -I strongly hope you know what you're doing, Darna. Time is running out.-
-I am the head of your Den, you must trust me.-
-I've been trusting you all my life. Just... just don't fail me.-
-I will not, you have my word. And dragons never break their promises.-
-No. No, they do not.-
-Come, let's catch a sheep.-
As we hunted down our lunch, I felt Aifos' mind skimming over mine, and my sister must've felt the same because she scrunched her snout and muttered, -Your human's wierd.-
-They are not!-
-What are they up to, anyway?-
-They're currently tracking down the lures with their mind. It should be the infantrymen's job, but they wanted to help.-
-Mh. Oh, look, there's a sheep! Who catches it last is a lizard!-
She swept down, but for some reason my stomach churned as I watched her talons sinking in the beast's fur, and I envisioned my own clawing at grey scales, instead.
So, wordlessly, I flew away, and instinctively sought out my guardians; Tairn was off to somewhere, perhaps to gather round the dragons of our squad, but Sgaeyl was where I'd left her.
I landed next to her, and bumped her chin with my head, and listened to her purrs.
-What ails you, my Little One?-
-This fight... It will be the biggest I have ever seen.-
-I know. And you should be wary of it: a dragon who runs head-first in battles is doomed to a swift death.-
I shook my head, still pressed up on her scales, -What if I... What if I can't protect Aifos tomorrow? Tairn hasn't been able to protect Violet for five days, and he's the strongest dragon I know.-
Her wings flicked forward, and wrapped themselves around my back, -He was caught by surprise. But you shouldn't compare those days to tomorrow... you shouldn't compare yourself with Tairn, or with me, or even with your sister: we all are different dragons, each with unique riders on our backs. This time, we're prepared for the danger lurking by, and we'll stay close, with our claws drawn sharp and chest hot with fire. Alright?-
I nodded, and she tightened her hold on me, -You're a long way from the scared hatchling you were at Resson. I'm proud of you.-
We remained together for the rest of the afternoon, and when the sun fell, Aifos tiredly nudged my mind with theirs, and I showed them my location and opened my wing so that they could slide under it.
-We couldn't find as many lures as we ought to,- they said with bitterness laced in their voice, -We should've been faster. More efficient.-
-You did what you could. Besides, we're going to war tomorrow, and you mustn't walk into battle already tired.-
-I know. I have already absorbed energy from nature around me, so you don't need to be worried about that.-
I curled myself protectively around them, -Let's go to sleep, now.-
But their muscles remained tense all night long, and their mind never quite sank in the peace of slumber.
YOU ARE READING
Redemption
Fiksi Penggemar"With that brush, I felt as if I was Nature and Nature was me; I was the ant that scrabbled to hunt down food; I was the plant stretching out to reach the sun; I was their teacher who was currently organizing a couple of scrolls; I was their dragon...
