Flight For Peace - On Hold

Chapter 9

"That's a brave name to have during this time," Marlyn, the large gray dragon, states.

    I squint at him and ask, "Why? How can a name be brave?"

    "Don't you know? Eir means peace and mercy. Considering we are at a time of war, that is something that many dragons are ignorant to. May I ask why you chose that name?"

    I'm instantly suspicious of the dragon. Why would he need to know why I my name? But I involuntarily answer, "I chose it like every other dragon does. Because my soul decided it was worthy."

    "Not many dragons are connected to their souls nowadays." Came his steady reply.

    I'm stunned. "Wait... I thought every dragon is connected to their soul. That's what my mentor, Altair, told me. He even explained that I would just know when I had the right name." My voice turns aggressive as I prompt, "Are you implying that he lied to me?"

    "No no no!" Came the gentle reply. "I'm just saying that many dragons have become too focused on the war that they have destroyed the connection to their souls. Many dragons now choose their own name whether it sounds cool or not." He paused as he contemplated something, "Altair may be one of the dragons that have not severed the connection between his soul."

    "Was." I correct solemnly. My head droops slightly as I recall that Altair, the one dragon that I trusted completely, was most likely dead.

    "Was." He corrects himself, a hint of sadness in his voice. His eyes travel over my wounded body and he speaks, "You were exiled." I nod as he continues, "Now how in the world did that happen? You don't seem like the type to become a banished."

    But he was wrong. I was the type, I am the type. "I disagreed with their morals. And I may have... How do I put this? I may have accidentally killed the leader's daughter while I was being exiled."

    I expect Marlyn to snap at me. Call me a traitor as well and hurt me even more. But what he does surprises me: he laughs. He laughs! Then, just as I think it can't get any weirder, he snorts, "You'd get along perfectly with Ashen. She had the same story when she found our flight. An innocent looking dragon with the ability to kill even the strongest dragons."

    My soul jumps and the familiar song rings in my ears. "Flight?" I ask hopefully.

    His response almost makes me question if he really was real. Marlyn turns around and gestures for me to follow him. I'm back in a daze as I let the older dragon lead me to his flight. My wings hurt and my stomach aches, but I ignore the pain. For once, I do not think that I deserve the pain. Just that it will be over soon enough.

---

    The flight's camp is glorious. Unlike the last camp, there were happy laughs filling the silence. There are dens in trees, a towering tree that reminded me of the Elder Tree, and a cave. This camp had flowers flourishing in the undergrowth and an overall happy atmosphere. There is a pile of food near one of the dens on the ground.

    There are many dragons, much more than my previous flight. As their eyes turn toward Marlyn and me, anxiety bubbles up in my chest. Would they like war as much as the other flights? But considering Marlyn's nature, I'm sure they are different. However, will their leader accept me even after I have been exiled? Even after I have murdered my past leader's daughter?

    As soon as the questions pass through my head, a beautiful white dragon appears from the cave. Her scales glisten, not a speck of blood stained her scales. Her features are slim yet her shoulders are broad. Her gentle voice welcomes me, "I see you," she refers to Marlyn, "have found another youngling."

    Marlyn puffs up with pride as he smiles, "Yes I have, Charity. Found her on the brink of death. And you wouldn't guess what!"

    Charity's icy blue eyes twinkle as she humors him, "What?"

    "She's also a banished! Killed off her old leader's daughter because she disagreed with their morals! Don't you think that she and Ashen will get along perfectly?" His orange eyes shine with mirth as he bounces on his feet. I'm surprised at how different he acts in the camp. Outside he seemed to be focused and alert. But here, he seems to have a free spirit and nothing to worry about.

    She looks at me and I fear that I will be denied once more. That she will tell me I have to leave instantly or I will die. But she answers fondly, "Yes, I think she will. Maybe she could also be friends with Ferox. I think they would make a wonderful trio if they get along."

    The sound of excited chatter fills the camp and then I hear a high pitched cry, "Did someone say my name?"

    A young dragon that had similar coloration to Marlyn scrambles toward us. Her eyes were almost white and a small scar rested on her muzzle. As soon as Marlyn sees her, he rolls his eyes. "Speak of the devil and she comes."

    She turns to the older dragon and laughs, "If anyone is the devil, it would be you! You old man!"

    "I'm only fifty years older than you!"

    "I'm not even fifty years old yet, old man!" Her laugh rings like bells and I can't help but smile at the young dragon. She then turns to me and introduces herself, "Hello there, you look fun! My name's Ferox, what is yours?"

    And as she looks at me with wide eyes, I know that I'm a goner. "Eir, my name's Eir. Nice to meet you."

    Just as she is about to say something else, Marlyn calls out, "Ashen, come over here you brute! We have someone we want you to meet!"

    A deeper voice growls playfully, "I've told you a hundred times already Mar, I'm not a brute! I just have a short temper!" Marlyn snorts and I turn to see an orange and red dragon. Yellow highlights are scattered in a way across her scales that makes them look similar to embers. Her eyes are an emerald green and her wings are sharp and small.

    Her green eyes flick toward me and she asks, "Hello, who are you?"

    Just as I am about to reply, Ferox yells excitedly, "Her name's Eir! Isn't that such a nice name? How come I didn't come up with that for myself?"

    Ashen's eyes glow with warmth as she smiles at the young dragon, "That's because your soul knew that Ferox was the only name for you." The older dragon turns to me and grins, "It seems we both lost the chance to introduce ourselves."

    As I nod, Marlyn speaks up, "Ashen, you wouldn't guess what!" He didn't wait for her to guess as he shouts, "Eir is just like you! She was exiled from her old flight and she killed the leader's daughter! How cool is that?"

    I feel a wave of self-consciousness wash over me as she turns back to me. Her eyes sparkle as she laughs merrily, "I do believe that we will get along just fine." And something in the way she smiled makes me agree wholeheartedly.

    The dragons around me laugh and I hear Marlyn whisper, "I knew it." But I'm in a blissful state of mind. I've been accepted into a flight. Even after the murder I committed. Even though I was previously exiled. Even though I will only be a burden as I recover.

    And for the first time since I left my old flight, I do not feel guilty for what I have done nor do I feel as though I deserve to suffer anymore. It is as if those events were necessary to get me to where I am now. That they opened up a new door for me.

    I do not know what my role will be in this flight. I do not know if every dragon shares the same belief as Marlyn. I hope that they don't. Then I won't have to be caught in the war anymore. But that is wishful thinking, I admit. Because war is not something that we can turn a blind eye to. Somehow it will reach us. Somehow we will be drawn into the war. I can only hope that we will not be on the wrong side. Or else, I may be a lone dragon once more.