The Rogue Rider (An Inheritance Fanfiction)

Chapter 34: To Choose a Rider

Akaysha beat her wings once as she flew aimlessly through the mountains. She didn't know where she was going. She didn't really care. All she knew was that she needed to get away. Get away from the city that had torn her apart. Away from the man that she cared so much for but couldn't understand. Away from the source of her torment.

She didn't understand the emotions running through her. It was like a turmoil of hurt that pierced her entire being. It was strange. There was no physical pain, but it felt physical, to the point her legs were shaking and her body ran cold. The fire she knew she could summon forth at will seemed small and pathetic. Even the part of her that was connected to the magic of the world seemed insignificant compared to the despair running through her.

For hours she flew, until the sun was beginning to peak over the horizon. She didn't even notice Ragin's mind disappearing and reappearing in the back of her mind. She didn't care. It was difficult enough to make sure she didn't accidently crash into a mountainside. Focusing on what her rider was doing would only cause her more pain.

As the sun began to rise a mind touched her own. She tried to brush it away, but it wouldn't go. With a growl she finally let the conscious in. Sashi's mind was a soothing one, calm and firm, unlike the storm that was Akaysha's own. The younger dragoness glanced to her side as her golden scaled mentor flew in alongside her.

'Akaysha,' Sashi said softly, 'You seem weary, how long have you been awake?'

Not really wanting to talk the dark dragoness sent her response through pictures and feelings.

'All night? Oh... Akaysha,' her mentor sighed, 'I have some more bad news for you.'

Akaysha glanced at her and tilted her head, 'What did he do now?'

'He's gone. Someone went to his room this morning to find he has disappeared. We can't find him.'

'Oh,' Akaysha flexed her claws, letting a small trickle of smoke to run from her snout.

'We were wondering if you had any idea...?'

The younger dragon snorted, 'His mind is gone from mine. I can't even feel it, let alone find it.'

Sashi watched her for a moment. She could feel the anger in those words, as well as the sense of betrayal that pierced deep into her. She had never seen it within a dragon before. Very rarely was betrayal a worry, because dragons tended to share everything with each other, and what rider would ever betray their dragon?

They flew in silence for a couple of minutes, their wing beats the only sound in the cool mountain air. Mist was beginning to rise from the valley below creating a blanket of fog that caused the trees below to nearly disappear. The early morning snow caressed the peak of each mountain, sending dazzling arrays of light across the valley. It was almost blinding should someone look at it directly.

'Akaysha, follow me,' said Sashi eventually, 'We need to talk.'

The other dragon looked at her and snorted, 'About what? The idiot human I call my rider? I already told you, I know nothing about where he's gone.'

'No, we need to talk about you.'

Akaysha blinked, tilting her head, before sending her reluctant agreement to the golden dragon. Sashi banked to the left, flying down another valley. Akaysha followed. They flew for another couple of minutes, before landing on a large ledge on the side of a mountain. The smaller dragon landed heavily, her tired wings drooping by her side.

Sashi gave her a concerned glance. The dark dragoness wasn't well. Her scales were gloomy, the usual starry nightlike shine of her scales gone. Akaysha sat on her haunch, looking to the ground, carving grooves into the ground below with her claws. The two were silent for a moment, Sashi regarding her with worry.