The Eighth Rider

Chapter 1-Choosing Day

A loud bang on the door echoed through my small room. A louder, heavier knock sounded again. "Zarlonay!" A loud voice called, raising every so slightly.

I rolled over from facing the wall with a sultry groan. I turned to the door as it opened and clenched my blanket closer to my body, narrowing my murky green eyes. My father burst through the door, his bright smile faltering as he took in my figure. Dropping his thick, calloused hand from the door frame, he marched to my bed and crouched down beside it. Grabbing my hands in his own, he looked into my eyes. "Nay, look. I know you don't think you'll ever become more than a housewife, but I believe you will." My father soothed earnestly. My rainy mood lightened slightly and I let out a small smile.

Father recognized my smile of defiance and his dark brown eyes lit up. "That's my girl! Now, go on and get washed up. I filled up the tub, however, since you wanted to sleep in, it might be cold." He informed lightly, waving his hand in a flamboyant manner.

A frown doused my previously brightening face. I hate cold. Throwing the blanket from my thin body, I jumped from my comfortable bed. I sprinted down the short corridor to the washroom, where I threw my body against the threshold.

The door fell open under my weight, and me, not anticipating the door to open fell to the floor with a loud smack. I got up, my cheek feeling like the hot rocks in the summer that I walked on barefoot.  Maybe I would appreciate the cold water now.

Stripping my sleepwear off, I slipped into the water with a shiver. Wow. Dad was right; the water is cold. The burning sensation forgotten, I decided I was not okay with this temperature, I grabbed the swath of cloth and the bar of soap and cleaned my body. If I was going out there and going to embarrass myself, might as well look good doing it.

After I got out the bath, I snagged the gray towel that was made of wool and dried my body. I then strutted to the vanity. I took in my Image. Dark brown skin with a slight golden tinge to it covered my body. Curly locks framed my face, with darker brown freckles dusted on the bridge of my nose and on my cheeks. My eyes were round and almond-shaped with dark green irises with golden flecks hidden in their depths. Finally done deducing the face I've had for six-teen whole years, I decided to get dressed. I grabbed the towel and clenched it to my body, still having no idea how to wrap it around my body without my hands.

I ran to my room, where Father was exiting, throwing me an amused glance. I rushed into the room and slammed the door behind me with a loud sigh. My eyes subconsciously darted to the bed, where a tunic, leggings, and boots rested. I tentatively walked over to it and picked up the tunic. It was a light brown color with an emblem on the back, sown with golden embroidery thread. Golden. I read in my head. I smiled. So this is what Father has been working on tirelessly on day and night. I put in on proudly and buttoned it up over my chest.

Bursting open the door to my room, I scurried into the kitchen where Father sat, anxiously waiting for my arrival. "Ah, Nay, you actually wore it." Pride was laced in his voice and dissipating anxiety in his dark brown irises.

I beamed at him, clasping my hands together and placing them in my lap. "Are we ready to go?" I asked, averting my gaze. Father marched over to me and lifted my head up with one hand and took my wrists with the other.

"Hey, Zar," I gulped. He didn't say Zar unless he was serious. He hasn't said it since Dad died. "Don't act like that. You know you are more than a housewife. You are worthy of that tunic, and you are worthy of being a dragon rider. Wear it with pride. Got me?" Father told me firmly.

I nodded, unable to say much of anything else. He smiled again, burning the somber mood away like a fire eating away a log.
Father stood up and started out the house, fully expecting me to follow. I gulped again, springing from my seat and pulling the hood over my head. I momentarily forgot how long Father's legs were as he sped ahead of me with ease. I had to power walk to even begin to catch up with him. I pulled the hood over my head as we started to head into the village center. People began to emerge from their wooden homes, most of the boys wearing tunics with the family crest imprinted on the left breast and an enlarged one on the back, similar to mine. They had their chest puffed out in pride as the strutted proudly to the stage.

The stage. It was fantastic and ancient. Its mahogany wood shined in the morning sun, seemingly bright despite the mist. White, ivory pillars shot from the russet wood, murals of dragons and wars carved into them. Excitement pulsed through my veins. Part of it was from the atmosphere of the place; anxious and excited, and the other a dream-like hope.
Father lead me up the set of polished marble steps and onto the huge building platform.
The seats were filled with onlookers. Some were men that were never chosen in their time slot to be, but most were women. My age, younger and older. A fiery anger burned through me, my anxiety gone.
As the rest of the village filed in, the room got even louder, screaming out their support.
I sized up my competition, sneering at some. There was one in particular however. He had beautiful amber hair that seemed to always shine. Most everyone assume his eyes will be green or blue because of his hair color, but no. They were brown. A streak of red was painted into his irises, making them appear like the russet mahogany wood outside. He had pale skin with a slight tan to them from being out and hunting. His cheeks were dusted heavily with light brown freckles.
I shook myself out of the trance of staring at him and analyzing everyone of his admittedly handsome features.
Besides, he was waving at a girl with long strawberry blonde hair. She had blue eyes and soft, round cheeks and a soft green blouse covering her pale skin. I blinked hard and pushed myself out of daydreaming as the entire auditorium quieted and even pretty boy looked ahead. His face was stony and attentive. I bit my lip and looked forward swiftly as heat spread across my cheeks.
Darn. I like him.
My eyes widened as I saw the reason for the village to collectively silence themselves. There was four dragons. And they were absolutely beautiful.
The tallest one was white with a golden markings down its spine and its tail and muzzle. Its eyes were a bright blue. It looked like an angel. So that's what I dubbed it. The second was a black and yellow dragon with large wings and the veins glowing yellow like lightning bolts in a storm. Must be a tempest dragon. The third was small and slender. It was a common garden dragon with a earthy green coloration and its curled horns decorated with brambles and flowers. Its underbelly was a light blue that seemed to give off a glow, like water.
I had to tear my eyes from it to focus on the last one. It was a bulky dragon with dark purple scales. Its wings were short but thick, and its tail looked strong enough to knock you out cold. I found myself crossing my arms, feeling a little insignificant in the presence of the great creatures.
Their riders were things of beauty. A thing a forgot to mention. Dragon riders were amazingly beautiful, putting regular people to shame.
The one in front of the white and golden was a tall man with a full beard and golden hair. He had pretty blue eyes that matched his dragon's, with leather armor and black trousers. He wore a white tunic. The man next to him was a little taller—ironically considering their dragon's height— than him with long hair in a loose ponytail. He had a clean shaven jawline, which was sharp and set roughly. He wore a matching outfit to the other man, only his tunic was black instead of white. The line continued on, the next two men's tunics their respective dragon's main color. (Green and dark purple).
Father gave me a hug and pressed a kiss onto my forehead as the man with the black and yellow dragon stepped forward. He walked away, my eyes following him. I didn't want him to leave. It made me feel scared, like a young child after their mother leaves. My breath hitched in my throat as he spoke.
"GoldenCoal Village, it is an honor to have presented ourselves here, and an even bigger honor for us to be here to select another eight riders from your village." His speech caused an uproar of cheering and applause. "Let me no longer be of a delay. Let the choosing begin!" As he finished, a fantastic crystal dragon flew from the cover of the four other massive reptiles, soaring through the air in a series of acrobatics. It stopped and plummeted speedily to the ground in a spiral formation but sprang its wings open to land in a graceful descent. I gasped at the beauty of the dragon, who's eyes were jeweled and shining in different directions, like cracked light. "Get in a line our contestants to be chosen by our dragon of judgement. Let the choosing begin!" He repeated, but with much more enthusiasm.
Here we go.

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Ahh! That was so long! Over 1,680 words! My longest chapter so far. I really hope you guys like it. The updates will be pretty slow from how long these chapters will be ^^' thanks for reading!! <3