Dragon World - Lavender's Quest

Ch. 4

The golden guard led Lavender out of his cell and down the prison hallway. No chains or bindings were holding him back but the guard watched him ever so skeptically. As he and the guard reached the stairs, Lavender looked back once more to look at Crystal and Hornsby. Both of them had at least one of their wings spread out, smiling.

He and the guard went up through so many hallways and passages that Lavender would never be able to memorize if he had even wanted to. Eventually the two of them got to a level where they had to fly up through a wide tunnel at least big enough to comfortably fit twenty dragons.

Only when Lavender reached the exit did he realize that the rim of it was plated in gold. The tunnel then opened up into what looked to be an observatory. From there Lavender could see dragons flying all around outside, getting on with their lives.

Snapping back into reality Lavender found himself and the guard landing on the golden ring around the exit and facing a long, narrow hallway. A pathway through the hallway was plated in gold straight down the middle.

A prickle of anxiety began to make Lavender's scales itch as he finally reached the end of the hallway and into the magnificent room before him.

The throne room.

The room was dazzling with gold plated walls and patterns on the floor. Standing by the entrance were two other guards except the difference between them and the one watching Lavender, was that these two were heavily armed.

Many large torches stood built into tiny chimney-like towers made of marble. The large flames burned brightly in their dishes on the spires, heating the entire room. In each dish, Lavender noticed, was a rare and unique stone that could stay lit almost an eternity when heated with the fire of a dragon.

Thinking back to history lessons when he was a hatchling Lavender recalled the stone to be named, "The Sun's Tears," or "The Sun Eyes," as well as even, "The Sun Scales." Whatever a dragon decided to call them they were certainly incredible.

Finally, sitting at the back end of the room, facing the hallway, was the throne. The throne itself was made of a smooth-looking stone and once again, it was covered in gold patterns as well as a few small rubies dappled here and there.

There, on the white and gold throne sat prince flahemy himself. He looked down at Lavender and the guard with piercing gold eyes.

He nodded slowly, "you two are excused," he said calmly and the two guards positioned at the entrance bowed and left.

Prince flamehey stretched his long neck as he shifted to get comfortable as well as tapping his claws impatiently on the armrest of the throne. Then he turned to Lavender.

"Would you care for a drink?" the prince asked, sounding as though he was genuinely offering. As he said this, he gestured to a plate of what seemed to be cups of tea. Lavender shifted uncomfortably, trying to keep his gaze fixed on the floor however hard it was.

Flahemey looked down at Lavender and cocked his head to the side curiously. "If it makes you feel any better I'll have Goldstrike leave." It took Lavender a moment to realize that he was talking about his guard.

"I-I- if that's allowed..." Lavender stammered feeling embarrassed.

"Certainly!" said prince flahemey looking taken aback, "why else would I suggest it? Goldstrike, you are excused." Lavender was surprised at how calm the prince was.

After Lavender's guard, Goldstrike, had left, Flahemey began tapping his claws impatiently again. "Oh what in the name of all the mighty Sun Dragons is taking Sehir so long?!"