Wild Rider (Dragon Castaway Book 1) [Complete] {2018 Wattys Longlist}

Chapter 14

Commandant Lenian would never have admitted it outside the privacy of his own head, but he hated coming to the palace. Everything about it was built to intimidate. From The dark stone to the high ceilings and archways, it was designed specifically to make all who entered feel smaller compared to lord Rindar.

"Not that he really needed the extra touches" Lenian thought sourly. The architecture wasn't subtle but it had achieved its purpose. The noble bootlickers came from every corner of Balistrea to kiss the lord's ass and beg for favors. On top of that they were completely insufferable to deal with. Even though they prostrated themselves for favor and appointments that they usually managed to bungle spectacularly, they still believed that their titles somehow made them better than everyone else.

Or at least, more important than a man who had risen through achievement, like himself. Only the major families, the wealthiest or the ones who fought on dragon back didn't bother with this tomfoolery. Though even the haughtiest among the families paid proper due to their acknowledged sovereign. It had been a long time since the dragon dynasty of Balistrea had put down a challenger from amongst the great families, but all remembered the totality of their decimation. He wasn't sure why the lord put up with it all. Though if he were to hazard a guess, if the nobles were begging for favor at Rindar's feet, then they didn't have the opportunity to sharpen their swords behind his back.

"Politics and intrigue" he muttered as he approached the entrance to the great hall. "Yet another reason to stay out of the fracas in this place."

A herald stepped forward as he entered. "Presenting the honorable Lenian of the Central Valley, commandant of the Dragon Academy of Balistrea!'

Lenian heard a round of snickers from the nobles clustered about the hall, but he ignored them as he stepped forward. He was too old to worry about the jealous games of men and women who clung to the lord like parasites.

"And besides" he thought as he approached the throne and bowed deeply "I have actual power, not merely an empty title."

"You may rise commandant" a voice said from above him, accompanied by a low growl. Rising slowly, Lenian looked to the Rindar to see that he was striking as ever. Well-built and clean shaven, his greying blonde hair was cropped short to his scalp in the style favored by many of the men in the army.

"Thank you, my lord" Lenian said looking past the throne to gaze on the piece de resistance of his power. The gold dragon had been the largest and most regal that the academy had been able to raise, so naturally the Dragon Lord had wanted it for himself. At twenty-one feet long and nine feet at the shoulder Rindar had aptly named the great beast Sun Crusher.

"Still impressed by your finest work I see" Rindar said grinning.

"Indeed" Lenian replied. "I was sad the day that you stole him from me."

Some of the courtiers looked scandalized but Rindar merely barked out a laugh. "You would be insolent if you weren't so entertaining"

"To the point then my lord, I am quite curious as to why I have received a summons with such little notice" Lenian said. The abruptness of the summons had bothered him. It had been quite out of character for Rindar to do so without notice and anything serious enough to knock a dragon lord out of his stride could be nothing but very bad news.

As if to confirm his suspicions Rindar's expression turned grim. "Indeed, but that is not a matter to discuss here, we shall retire to my personal chambers to discuss it."