the dRaGoN one

The Elder Dragon

After my peculiar vision, I head to the palace courtyard, and wait until it's past dark. The courtyard is empty. I, in a dark cloak, so to be unrecognized, head to the exact center of the yard, replaying my mother's final words in my head.

"This is a knowledge only shared by those in direct royal bloodline. Those without the essence of dragons are unable to comprehend the secrets that this will hold....I trust you both to maintain this secrecy." I and Rykor had nodded, desperate to hear the words she had before her time was up.

She gave a wet cough, spitting blood on her already red sheets. "In the courtyard....at night. Past dark. Go to it's centre, and flash my light." These words I had been confused about, but after my hands glowed succeeding her death I had a better idea. She had continued, "it won't work if anyone else is in the area....that's how you'll know if you are alone. But take heed," she took each of my hands in hers and continued, paling by the second. "Too much at once will turn you....you will change. Do not ask for more than you are able to bare. But the time will come—and it will be soon— where you will have no choice." She coughed dryly, drawing her hands from mine to cover her mouth. After several sentimental words to each of us, she whitened in passing.

I draw a shaky breath, hating to relive the memory. But, after the strange vision I had just a few hours before, I figured that whatever her words meant, I needed answers. So, I silently place my hand on the center stone, which is formed as a dragon, trying to connect with whatever power had flowed from I earlier, that had caused my hands to emit a white hot light. I whisper for my mother, reaching out. I feel the familiar sensation of my eyes flashing gold, and I breathe out a glowing mist. I have no idea how I did it, but that's not what I am focusing on. I just need to follow her instructions. The mist circles into a snake-like beast, and lays down onto the stone, imprinting itself against the stone dragon.

The stone becomes white hot, but my hand is stuck on it, almost like it's glued on. I bite my lip to keep from crying out, reminding myself of my promise to my mom. This, whatever it was, must remain a secret. The pain subsides after about 15 seconds, and the glow in my hand dissolves into the stone dragon. Smoke puffs from it's nostrils, and I cover my ears as the horrible sound of stone grating against stone comes. I back away as the center of the courtyard falls into the ground, forming a staircase.

Taking a deep breath, I venture down the stairs, keeping my hands glowing so I can see. The passage takes me to a thick wooden door, which I easily push open to reveal an enormous dome, filled with books and desks and papers. The top of the dome was decorated with stone carvings I recognize as my ancestors, and in the centre of the dome I see the face of my mother. I gasp, subconsciously taking several steps forward and tripping over a fallen stool. I cry out and grab my foot, only to be interrupted by a sudden powerful gust of wind that pushes the wood door open, and pushes me closer to the centre of the dome. The wind stops as I see what's in the middle.

It's a sort of pond, emanating a white light that I can tell is the light source for the entirety of the dome. As I near it, thousands of voices overlap, each saying something along the line of "ask. Before it's too late."

I clear my throat before squeaking out a, "hello?"

A deep, deep voice rumbles from the pond, rippling the glowing white water. "Is this what you've come to ask me?"

I clear my throat again, and this time with more confidence ask, "who are you?"

The water swiftly bubbles into a lump, forming a large figure, which leans towards me. Fighting every instinct in my body, I hold still as it touches my forehead.

Suddenly I'm in a different dimension. I can see that I'm not standing on anything, i'm just entirely surrounded by white. Two or three meters in front of me is an enOrmous red dragon, one that seems very familiar.

"Rykor?" I breathe out, relieved at some familiarity. "Where are we?"

The voice that emits from the dragon is not my brothers, but the deep one from the pond. "I am the Elder dragon."

"But.... my brother is the Elder dragon."

"my brother is merely a vessel." He says, snaking his long body in circles around I. "I am in this bridge between worlds to act as a support the the Gloann rulers, which I assume is my calling, as you are here."

"No, my brother is still crown prince. I just.. well...I had a vision. My mother directed me here for further guidance."

"I am not required to answer to a princess," he says in a smooth but gravelly voice, resting his wings and settling on the nonexistent ground.

I feel my face heat up. "I am here on behalf of my people. If you are at all inclined to support the victims of the war YOU began centuries ago, you will answer me. I am no less deserving of my guidance than my brother is." I tilt my chin up at him, daring him to turn me down.

He tilts his head, flicking his tail dangerously close to my feet. "You have spirit, i'll admit. But you continue to hold back information. You are not here for your people, you are here for a boy--no, a man. A....a captain. Yes..." he laughs coarsely, daring me to deny it. I'm at a loss for words.

"How....how did you know?"

"I am sure your mother warned you--there are no secrets in this realm." He spreads his wings. "What I know, I am burdened to share with you. And I know all. I am the keeper and giver of secrets, and as you are currently the receiver, you are no secret to me."

"Are you always so cryptic??" I ask frustratedly, stomping my foot and flashing my eyes dangerously.

"I have already answered one question. You now know who I am. And I now have the privilege of knowing you....everything about you....." His words send shivers up my spine. He flaps his wings, suspending himself in the air. "Until we meet again, majesty." He flies off and roars, sending my subconscious spiraling through dimensions, back to the mysterious library. I step away from the white water, breathing heavily and trying to comprehend what I just witnessed. I realize my mothers warning about knowing too much. I feel sick, like energy has been sucked from my being. I run back towards the wooden door, and grab the handle, realizing that my hand is still burned from opening the entry.

I stifle a yelp and wrap my hand in a torn piece of fabric from my cloak, and start running up the stairs. I jog across the courtyard, hearing the entry to the library close behind I. A falcon glides through the night air.