Riders of Elysium

Chapter Two

----Eyre's PoV----

"A dragon?" I had asked.

"Yes," Amias said.

I frowned, "I'm blind. Prove it."

"That'll be difficult-" A voice in my head cut him off.

My name is Shadow. I am a moon dragon. And you are?

I wondered how this worked. If it could talk-

I am not an 'it', I am a 'he'. And 'he' has a name.

I still wondered how it worked.

You just think what you want to say.

My name is Eyre Sari.

Nice to meet you, Eyre.

Nice to meet you to, Shadow.

"You believe me now?" Amias asked.

I nodded, "Where are we going?" I had to shout so he could hear me over the wind.

"School," Amias yelled, "You'll see-"

"I won't," I interrupted. I'd have pointed to my misty grey eyes for further effect, but I was more concerned about not plummeting to my death.

I won't let you fall, don't worry.

It wasn't very comforting. No offense.

Amias apologized. We landed after a while.

"Here we are," Amias said, "Welcome to your new school!"

"Am I supposed to be amazed by what I'm seeing?" I joked.

That will be fixed when you bond with a dragon.

"Bond with a dragon?" I asked out loud.

Amias said, "Most people here have already bonded- that's how they got in. You still need to bond."

"How?"

"The cliffs," Amias answered.

I frowned again, "That sounds very dangerous for someone who can't see the edge."

"It's called the cliffs. It's not really a cliff. It's more of a wingery with a really tall roof," Amias said.

"If I can't see the- any dragon- how do I bond?" I pieced together.

Amias smiled, "You don't need to be able to see to know your dragon. You'll just feel it. You'll understand."

"Alright," I said, "When do we leave?"

"Now."

Against my better judgement, we ended up going to the cliffs. Walking. I slipped multiple times.

I was curious how bonding with a dragon could cure blindness, but that's the way with magic, I guess.

I felt the dragons before Amias said anything. I don't know how. The smell of sulfur in the air. The sudden warmth.

"Walk in a straight line from there," Amias said, "You'll know when to stop."

I did as I was told. I could feel the dragon's stares slowly burning me. I kept walking, not knowing what to do. I heard huffing and puffing from behind me.

Then, something new in my head, not Shadow's voice.

Hello.

Hi?

My name is Ash.

It had a silvery voice, almost like an angel.

Angels don't exist. Your name is...

Eyre.

Hello Eyre. Turn to your right and reach out.

I did as I was told. I need to start being less submissive in dragon's presence.

Being submissive will keep you alive.

My hand was getting warmer and warmer. Then, I felt rough scales. Warm. Warm enough to nearly burn my hand.

"Now open your eyes," Amias said. I hadn't realized they were closed. When I opened them, I saw myself, all the dragons in the cave. Colors so beautiful- so bright that it nearly burned my eyes, "Look at your arm."

A small silver flame with a dragon's silhouette in it appeared on the inside of my wrist, shining softly. Then, my vision went dark again.

"What happened?"

You bonded with me.

"But how did I see-" I began to ask.

You saw through my eyes. It takes a lot of effort to connect my vision with yours, so I can only hold it for a few minutes at a time.

"You need to meet the council," Amias said, "Don't worry, just think of them as the school principals.

"Why would I be worried?" I asked as he led me back around the cliffs to the school.

Amias laughed, "Oh, that's funny!" He saw the blank look on my face, "They're a bit harsh."

"Yay."

There's something you should see first, Ash said telepathically. Her vision linked with mine once again.

Spiraling towers surrounded us, old and worn stone. I saw that Shadow was a purple black dragon with glittering stars all over her. Ash herself seemed to have rivers of lava running between her black scales.

"Welcome to Elysium," Amias smiled at me.

My vision went dark again, "Thank you." I whispered to Ash.

Any time. You do amuse me, little one.

We seemed to be headed towards one of the main spires, but I'd become a little disoriented. Seeing through Ash's vision meant I could be looking one way and see behind me.

I cannot go any further. I must stay out here. Go on.

I knew the moment we were in the school. The air was colder, but less damp. The school smelled of old books, and the scent of dragons was gone.

We went through room after room until we reached a space at the back.

"Eyre Sari," An old voice said. I turned my head in that direction to be polite, though it wouldn't help me see them, "Amias, you may return to your classes."

I heard his footsteps leave the room, "I'm sorry to hear of the death of your father. James was a wonderful student, teacher, and a good person."

They have no right to talk about my father.

Their dragons can see straight through your mind as well. Do remember that.

"Welcome to Ember Hawkfang's School for the Magically Enhanced and Dragon Riding. Or, as the students, call it Elysium," A different voice said. This one was deeper, but more kind, "Due to the events of the last year, we believe it is safer for you to be here. And you are part of one of our oldest families."

I have no clue what that's supposed to mean.

I think the longer a family is here, the higher ranked they are.

Well that's just weird.

"Why me and not my siblings?" I dared to ask.

The more rough voice said, "Zoya is too young. Regina is uninterested. And your mother isn't technically related to your father."

Just Zoya and Regina?

Don't you dare ask. You will get in trouble and I will have to spend the night in the stable with the leaky roof.

Sorry, but I have to.

You are so lucky I can't flame you.

Meaning?

I'll explain later.

"What about my older sister?"

"Regina?" the old voice asked, "She's uninterested in dragons and myths."

I shook my head, "Suni."

"Who?"