The Rise Of The King

Chapter Two

My mother made me leave the den because she didn't want to feel weak with me. She used to push me out often when I was younger, avoiding me because of her emotions. I wanted to comfort her, but she always shoved me away like I was my father. Every time my mother is emotional, he gets angry with her and yells or takes her for a walk so no one can hear him outside of camp. She's come back with bruises under her wings. I try to ignore it, but I can't sometimes.

Once outside, more dragons were awake. Some glanced at me, bitterness in their gaze. I tried to ignore them. My father had left my mother and me a bad reputation in camp. A few children were gathering at a water pool near Koda's den. I noticed the earthy coloring of Drake and the dark green of Fern. The siblings were a little younger than me. Fern saw me and smiled, while Drake frowned as I walked towards them.

Once I reached them, Drake snorted.

"I heard your father growling nonsense to Koda today."

I stopped in my tracks, laying my ears back. Drake got close to me, his nostrils flaring a little.

"Stop your bristling, Drake. It's not Saber's fault."

Fern stepped between us, giving a challenging look to her older brother. Drake backed off a little and lapped at the water in the pool.

"I'm not my father," I commented.

Drake rolled his eyes and stepped away from Fern and me. She gave me a glance and sighed, "He's not meaning to be so aggressive, our mother is getting worse." I had forgotten about their mother. She'd been showing signs of cancer for a year now and is deteriorating very quickly. The healer in camp can't give treatments since it's so hard to get a hold of them.

Fern bumped my shoulder a bit with hers.

"You need to smile more, it looks better on you."

I smiled a little, as she licked my cheek. Fern was very lithe, her body was skinny but very strong. She was flawless at combat and gets me to the ground faster than her brother. My father had made comments about me and her being mates. He said that she'd be a wonderful bride. I wasn't even thinking that way about her. I definitely liked her. But it was more of a camp-mate type. She's very affectionate, it might just be the lack of affection she gets herself.

"Do you want to go for a walk?" She asked.

I shrugged. It was going to be a nice day, I could hear birds and the forest awakening. She rubbed her cheek against my shoulder.

"Come on, Saber. It gets us away."

I looked towards our den. I inhaled and nodded. She smiled a jumped a little bit. Then beckoned me towards the camp entrance. I bounded after her as she kicked up dust.

We walked deeper into the forest, the ferns, and trilliums on the sides of a scored trails thicker than last year. The winter had burned off quicker this year so the plants were flourishing super early. Fern hopped around, moving her wings awkwardly as she moved.

"Why are you so stone-cold and quiet?" She asked.

I raised a brow and let out a breath.

"I don't know, it could be my father's attitude or the fact that I feel like everyone hates me in camp."

She laid her ears back.

"Nobody hates you, I don't. Drake is...complicated. Everyone may seem irritated when you're around, but they see you as your father."

I sighed, "Great."

"Hey, your father isn't the absolute worst. He's super rough around the edges. He fought in wars, right?"

I nodded.

"Warriors are very odd once they can't release the fight anymore like the used to. He's probably losing his mind over it."

"He expects so much of me, but no matter what I do, I'm never enough for him."

We walked in silence for a few minutes, her face was twisted like she was thinking hard.

"You aren't anything like your father. You don't need to be, you're perfectly good on your own without his influence. Don't let anyone get to you, promise me that."

I stopped in my tracks and blinked at her.

"I never said I was like him."

She laid her ears back a little. I didn't mean to sound so hostile.

"I promise. I won't be like him."

Her smile returned and she licked my cheek again, before running down the trail. I looked after her for a second, then went after her.