The Rise Of The King

Chapter One

"Get up." A growl sounded from above me.

I opened my eyes, looking up to see my father looming over me. His nostrils were flaring a bit.

"Claw, back off him a little. He could get up easier that way."

He snorted as I sat up, looking at my mother, who smiled with amusement. She was lying on her belly, with her front legs folded neatly under her chest.

"He's old enough to maneuver no matter the circumstances; he's an Azaar." My father snapped, twitching his tail tip irritably.

My mother rolled her eyes and glanced at me. She blinked slowly at me, so I stood and followed my father outside. It was early morning, to the point that no other dragon was in the clearing yet. My father shook out his shoulders and wings, his blue scales catching the brightening light of the sky. The deep scarring along his left jaw turned blood-red with the light. It made a shiver run down my spine. He stalked to our leader, Koda's, den. I cautiously followed, making sure to keep pace with my father. We went inside the mouth of the den, where Koda lied in a moss and fern bed. The light colored forest dragon's ears twitched as he dreamed. My father gave me a sideways glance before clearing his throat a bit.

"Koda." He said, slightly gravelly.

Koda's eyes stirred under his eyelids for a moment, then they opened warily. His eyes were a brilliant gold-yellow, with splotches of almost white near the pupils. He made eye contact with me before my father.

"Good morning Saber," he paused, turning his head to my father, "Claw."

I could sense my father's irritation with the older dragon. He shifted his powerful shoulders before speaking.

"I was hoping for Saber to join a hunting party."

Koda's tail-tip twitched. He glanced at me.

"He's only six years old, Claw. I've told you this hundreds of times. He must be at least eight."

"He's bigger than the other children in the camp. He can hunt." My father challenged.

Koda looked semi-frustrated. I was cowering a bit, my father being intense stresses mother and me constantly.

"Saber, do you think you can hunt?" Koda asked, avoiding my father's gaze.

It felt like I had claws at my throat.

"I erm...I think so."

My father quietly snorted to my answer. Before he or Koda could say anything, my father turned and left the den. I looked at Koda, the old dragon slowly shook his head and sighed.

"You'll get there eventually, young one." He said, smiling a little.

I gave him a respectful nod, he returned the same thing as I turned to leave.

I saw my father disappear into our den, I scampered that way.

"-He's foolish, Eliza. When I was Saber's age, I was fighting in wars."

My mother was still lying down, she was watching my father as he ranted and slightly paced, digging his claws into the floor.

"We're in a different place now, Claw. Calm down before someone hears you complaining."

He growled a little, "Someone should put that old lizard out of his misery."

My mother looked at him distastefully. I sat down, away from them. They continued talking until my father stormed out. My mother beckoned me, so I got up and nestled down next to her.

My jaw started burning and I saw tears trembling in my gaze. My mother noticed instantly, licked my cheek and rubbed her snout under my chin.

"What's wrong, my darling?" She was speaking quietly.

"Father hates me...Doesn't he?"

She laid her ears back.

"Of course he doesn't. Your father...He's an interesting story."

I looked at her, confused.

"What happened to him?" I asked.

She inhaled.

"He's....been through a lot. He's lost so much and dealt with horrible pain, all his kindness is gone, all that's left is bitterness. He couldn't save everyone he wanted to."

I saw the tears in my mother's eyes. I leaned against her, as her body trembled a bit. I know she was holding back, we both were.