The Rogue Rider (An Inheritance Fanfiction)

Chapter 23: Wild Magic

Akaysha flapped her wings, putting a little more strain into the flight so she was able to keep up with the enormous golden dragoness next to her. Mountains bigger than she had ever seen in her life rose up on either side of them, the tops touching the clouds above. Despite this, there was very little snow at the peaks, and instead it was just bare grey rock, a stark contrast to the lush green forests below.

She scanned those forests, taking in every part of the new sights with interest. The sounds of birds and insects even reach high enough for her to hear. Plump deer bounded across the mountainside. Wolves bigger than she had ever seen before prowled through the undergrowth after them. Curiously she sent out her mind toward them, only to find strong mental barriers surrounding their conscious, and one wolf even reacted rather negatively to her touch. Startled she retreated and shook her head with a rumble.

'They are known as Shrrg,' said Sashi, her mental voice rippling through Akaysha's head, 'Beasts of strong will and fortitude. A group of them moved in around two hundred years ago and have since spread.'

'Are they intelligent?' asked Akaysha, looking down at the wolves again, remembering a conversation Ragin had had with Freya.

'Yes,' the golden dragon replied.

This knowledge made Akaysha far more interested in the group below, though also more weary. They hadn't exactly liked her trying to touch their minds. She suspected that it would be quite hefty competition for food between both the dragons and the wolves. She wondered how they lived so healthily together. Shrugging the information off she continued to look around. There were other dragons around as well. They regarded the two females with interest, once again finding the new dragoness a rather interesting addition. Akaysha shivered softly and flew a little closer to Sashi, feeling a little safer under the larger dragon's shadow.

'Why so timid young one?' Sashi asked, amusement coming across her thoughts, 'Just yesterday you were threatening to tear everything apart.'

Akaysha rumbled softly, 'Why is everyone so interested in me?'

The golden dragoness laughed, 'I do not know another dragon who would find that unnerving. Most have heard rumours of your powers Akaysha, and the colour of your scales is relatively uncommon. Do not be put off by the attention. You are a dragon! Relish in it!'

The younger dragoness snorted, remembering Ragin saying a similar thing when they were in Hedarth. It didn't really make her any more welcoming of the attention though, dragon or not. From the moment she hatched she had strived to avoid being seen, to go against that was something she wasn't accustomed to.

The two dragons travelled further into the mountains, Sashi explaining some general things about the surrounding area, such as the best hunting spots and where the largest fields of fireweed were. She also explained how the wild dragons lived in the mountains, mostly occupying caves or large outcrops in the mountainside. The females usually built nests to shelter any eggs they had, that or they gave them to the dragon riders for safe keeping. The males didn't really bother with nests, though often collected some softer materials to lie down on, much like the bed that humans used.

The dragons lived primarily single lives to the others around them, but there were a number of communities within the species. There were three main groups. The first were situated near and around New Doru Araeba, as they didn't mind contact with two-legs and even helped the dragon riders in a number of tasks if they were needed. The second group was situated near the centre of the mountains and mostly kept to themselves, though were not against having others enter their territory. The final group lived around the outskirts of the mountain rangers, and often frightened away unwelcome visitors or travellers, suspicious of the outside world. Though they never attacked anyone unless they themselves were attacked.