Draegon Rider History (Draft 1)

Chapter 7

Sage's amusement grew the longer I refused to open my eyes and come out of my impromptu hiding place. The panic inside me continue to grow into massive waves, coursing through my body, freezing my veins. Sage, though still amused, hummed in her throat. Forcing myself to relax, I focus on the soothing vibrations of the draegon underneath me. Gathering enough courage, I let my head rise up from its hiding place, slowly opening my eyes to take in the view

And what a view it was. High in the air it was like a whole other world, one that was close to heaven. The expanse of the deep emerald trees, almost the shade of Sage's eyes, stretching out for miles upon miles. The mountains standing tall, no mere man able to reach the proud snow covered tops. The clouds swirling around, possessing an ethereal quality, taking a soft golden glow. Begging to be touched but dancing away from the slightest touch.

This was a view no mortal man had seen before, but one the might draegon's encountered countless times before. Sage willing or not shared it with me.

I lost track of time as I was memorized with the lay of the land, playing with the clouds, it must have been a few hours, as I didn't recognize anything that lay below us.

The playful atmosphere changed as the air around us became heavy with an unknown element, growing darker the closer we flew to an area that looked like a giant scar across the land. A place where a battle between draegons obviously broke out. Smoke hung heavily in the air as a smog, making it harder to breathe.

Leaning further over Sage's side, I eye all the different scorch marks blackening the ground, "What happened here? Why did you bring me here?"

The picture of the gathered draegons is nudged to the forefront of my mind once more. Before I could ask about the picture again, the warmth and fierce sensation I come to associate as Sage enveloped my entire mind, pulling my consciousness to her end of the connection.

Finding myself being immersed into her memories.

I found myself in the body of a small hatchling, playing around with my other clutch mates. Using playful growls that held no threat, pouncing on them and playfully snapping my teeth in a mock fight. Mother watching from her place above us as she sunned herself in the sunlight. The rumbles filled the air and clashed, catching my attention.

Curiosity tugging at my mind I leave my clutch mates in favor of adventure closer to the gathered group of older draegons. Sharp teeth lightly gnawed on the base joint of my wing. Squeaking in protest I shake off the clutch mate and scamper further away, losing the interest of my siblings. Setting down, I begin to listen to the conversation of the elders around me, my emerald gaze flitting around, not missing a single thing.

"The new human race is young and has yet to understand the ways of the world. That is why we need to help guide them." The grey elder spoke. Others nodding along or making noises of agreement.

Most of the council were for the idea of protecting and guiding the emerging race called humans. My own mother spoke out in her clear soft voice, letting it drift over the gathered council members, "It is in our best interest if we do. Who knows the potential they carry with them. If they are raised alongside our kind they may be strong allies in the far future."

A snarl resounded from one of the larger council members, baring his teeth at my mother who showed no emotion at the challenge. The silence deafening and stagnate, until he spoke. "That's just it, we don't know the potential of the humans. They could become our greatest enemies. That's why I propose we enslave them before they realize their potential and make them our masters instead." The golden male arching up to his full height, adding to his intimidation.

Unintentionally I drew into myself, making myself appear smaller, hoping to not draw the attention of the older male. A small whimper escaping my snout, until I silenced it.

His followers showing their teeth in barbaric smiles as they hummed their approval. The rest of the council was frozen in shock at what they heard. Breaking out of their shock simultaneously, and launching into loud roars of protest.

I shook like a leaf in a hurricane as from the sheer amount of noise caused by the adult draegons. My clutch mates squeaking in terror and running for mother, to hide underneath the protective covering of her wings.

"Silence!" The matriarch leader spoke, her black scales casting light from the shining sun. "Vesper, what you are suggesting goes against our code. As one of the five pillars of the council you should know this better than anyone else." The matriarch shook her giant head, her wings fluttering agitatedly on her back.

Vesper snorted, baring his teeth in a threatening display. A silent challenge to our leader. "That is why I fully intent to be voted as the patriarch of the clan. Step down, Atria. And let someone more worthy lead the clan into eternal glory by enslaving the humans." Saliva dripping down his open maw, and his black eyes holding a blood thirstiness I have never seen before.

Atria snarled at the challenge, close to charging at the offending male. "Vesper, you will back down. I am not going to hand over the leadership to someone who will bring chaos and destruction not only to our clan but the human race as well. You will give up these foolish dreams. I am warning you right now, Vesper, if you continue on this path you're rights as a Pillar will be revoked and another will take your place." Her silver gaze pinning the younger golden draegon where he stood.

Vesper may have been denied twice that day, but it was only the beginning of the destruction he would bring.

The carefully laid trust built between the two races was squashed immediately by the fear that Vesper and his followers created. Vesper not like being denied by the matriarch Atria, commanded his followers to destroy the villages the humans had made, taking hostages to later turn them into slaves. Those that resisted were killed on sight. Hardly any survivor were found among the wreckage.

Vesper was brought before the council in place where the scar marked the earth, before it had been a vibrant spot full of life. I was older in this memory, my body larger, my wings nestled along my back were wider and felt far stronger than when I was a hatchling. My claws and teeth far more deadly but I was still quite small compared to the other adults.

Atria came forward while the Pillars of the clan surrounded her, flaring out her wings to appear larger than her given size, while presenting a threat display to sway the golden male before her from doing something stupid. "Vesper, you are being charged with going against the order of the council, killing and enslaving humans, how do you plead?" Her teeth bared at the male.

Vesper puffed out his chest, his own large wings flaring out in expansion to show he wasn't intimidated by the matriarch. "I plead innocence. Those creatures are the scum of the earth. Their rightful place is underneath our rule as slaves. As my rightful place is leading the clan to a new glorious era where we rule everything!" Vesper snapped his teeth.

Atria snarled at the male, snapping her own teeth in return. Rearing up to her full height she gave off a resounding roar. All of our heads instinctively lowered in respect to the matriarch and her rule, all accept Vesper and his followers. "Vesper, as punishment for your crimes you are to be stripped of your right and title as Pillar of the clan. You and your followers are banished from these lands, never to return. Now leave, before your lives are forfeit as well." Smoke curling out of her nostrils.

The rest was a blur as Vesper lunged for Atria. His followers attacking the gathered members of the clan. Fire burning the land, claws tearing the dirt as the two sides fought each other. The battle was long and bloody. My wing was shredded pretty badly, deep claw marks embedded on within my sides. Luckily the puncture marks along my throat were not that serious. Even though I was coming into my earth healing abilities, it still took a long time for the wounds to heal over. In the end Vesper was vanquished and driven from the land.

Now Vesper is back and we must be prepared for the war that is coming. But in order to finally defeat Vesper once and for all the draegons will need the help of humans. Only together do the two races stand a chance of stopping Vesper.

Our minds separated as Sage let me withdraw back into my own mind. A nudge against my side brought be back to consciousness with a start, opening my bleary eyes to find myself slumped against Sage's neck, the two of us having landed in the yard of my home. She brought us back while I was reliving her memories.