Sir Tiran Greyson

  I clung to Ereneya as we approached the Mountains that she said marked the border of the Desert, trying to peer past her neck to view what was coming. We hadn't spoken much since we had left Heskari’s castle, but she had been amicable at the very least. She said nothing of Alvina offering Naravie, Irand and I instruction in magic. She said nothing when Irand and Alvina had set up their tent some distance away from the rest of ours.

  I had been keeping an eye on her the whole time and if anything she just seemed tired. Too tired to argue and too tired to throw a tantrum. Both she and Naravie were turning into their tents early since we had left the castle. But I didn't say anything, I wasn't about to pry on her thoughts if she didn't wish to speak about them. We didn't need another outburst.

  And so it was that three weeks later we had reached the mountains. I was hanging off her neck as we crested the mountains. The sight that greeted me was… awe inspiring. And unsettling.

  We had sand dunes near Calanai but this was something on a massive scale. Even from atop Ereneya’s back I could not see the end of it in any direction, it simply sprawled onward. It wasn't just sand, there were rock formations that reached out of the dunes like misshapen fingers grasping upward.

  But the unsettling part was the color. I had been expecting the light brown I was used to with sand. This was a range of colors, ranging from bright Crimson to deep maroon. It was all the shades of blood. Swirling patterns could be seen below us in it but they were chaotic swirls of different colors.

  ‘Is this…?’ Naravie’s voice echoed in my mind.

  ‘The Scarlet Sands. My home. Formerly Ecantel.” Ereneya’s voice was monotonous as she spoke.

  My hand went to my spear as I worried she was about to lash out again.

  ‘I’m fine Tiran.’ She growled.

  ‘You are not.’ I growled back.

  She didn't respond as she flew over the sands. I scanned the horizon and I could see something that looked like trees in the distance. The leaves were a dark blue but there was no mistaking the shape. I climbed up to Ereneya’s head and pointed.

  ‘I see it. Likely a good place to make camp. Where there are trees, there will be water.’ She said, her voice still hollow.

  She angled herself towards the trees and the others followed. It took longer than I thought to reach them, the open space of the Desert made it hard to gauge distance I supposed. The growth of trees circled a small pool of water. They were tall spindly things with wide, flat, deep blue leaves that looked easily as large as my whole body.

  Ereneya landed upon the sands next to them and I felt her shaking beneath me. I hopped off of her as she clenched her claws and gritted her teeth.

  “Mother?” Naravie asked as she landed gently next to her Mother.

  “I… I need a moment. Set up camp.” She said as she turned away from the Oasis and climbed to the top of a nearby dune.

  We did as we were told and when we were done the sun was starting to slip below the horizon. The five of us sat by our tents watching Ereneya’s now human figure kneeling atop the dune. I didn't need dragon hearing to know she was crying.

  “She said this was her home.” I said dryly.

  “Yes.” Naravie agreed.

  I looked around and tried to imagine if this had happened to Calanai. The thought nearly brought a tear to my eye and I watched Ereneya with a bit of pity.

  ?????, Somewhere

  I sat at the edge of the small ‘house’ I called home trying to force myself to sleep when the door slammed. I turned to see my partner with a look of excitement on her face I hadn't seen in centuries.

  “She's here.”

  Lady Naravie Greyson

  I awoke the next morning to growls outside my tent and something sniffling around the edge. I bolted upright, waking up Odessa and shot out of the tent to see what the noise was. I found myself face to snout with the smallest dragon I had seen.

  Well I say small but it was still the size of a horse. It was standing on its folded wings instead of claws on its front legs. It looked just as surprised to see me as I was it.

  “Who are you?” I growled, gathering fire in my chest.

  It didn't respond but that seemed to snap it out of its stupor. It lunged forward and I only barely managed to duck out of the way. I grew to my full majesty and brought one clawed hand down on the creature. Unfortunately I hadn't seen the half a dozen or so others who had also been around the camp. They all charged towards me and leapt onto my scales, biting and clawing at me. My tail whipped around and caught one in its side, running it through and flinging it aside. I managed to grab one that had lodged itself on my neck as I felt warm blood running out of a wound.

  Another two went flying as I saw Tiran deliver a bone crunching punch to one of the creatures that sent it flying.

  I still had a few on me but everything froze when a monstrous roar came from behind me. I turned my eye to see Mother standing over a larger one of the creatures, her claw pressing it into the soft sand below her.

  The ones atop my back launched themselves off of me and into the sky, alongside their injured brethren, as Mother let out a beastial roar at the one below her before she removed her claw and let it fly away. We watched them go before I returned to my human body and scratched at the wound on my neck. It wasn’t deep, but it itched something fierce. Alvina walked up and held my hand away from it.

  ‘Wyverns. Poison in the bite to keep the wound from closing. Don’t scratch it.’ She said as she let go of my hand.

  “But why does it itch?”

  ‘So that you scratch at it and make the wound bigger. I’ve never known wyverns to attack people though. They usually know better.’ She said, looking in the distance where the creatures had flown off.

  “Xaranta keeps the Desert free of people. Not intentionally but his very presence does it.” Mother said as she shrunk down.

  “How so?” Irand asked.

  “He is an Elder. Well over two millenia old. Magic swirls around him. If he stays in a location long enough, his magic warps the land around him.” Mother replied.

  ‘Elder’s emit magic. And as she says, they affect the world around them, even unwillingly. Mother has to maintain the storm around the Castle, as an Elder she would not. It would simply form if she stayed there for some time.’ Alvina elaborated.

  “So he’s the reason the Desert stays?” Odessa asked.

  “In part. The sands stay partly because of me.” Mother grimaced.

  We all stared at her waiting for an explanation.

  “When I destroyed Ecantel, this place was a volcanic wasteland. I had warped it as if I were an Elder shaping the land. Xaranta helped me calm my raging magic and cool the magma but… some of my magic remains here. The sands take on their red color because of my magic. And the blood that I shed gives it the color of rusted Iron.” She said, her voice growing quieter and quieter as she spoke.

  We all looked around at the red sands and the thought crept in that we were standing on a massive grave.

  “How many people did Ecantel have within it?” Irand asked.

  “Over one million citizens at the end of my Father’s rule.”

  No one said anything after that. We ate a quiet breakfast before we set out and Odessa spoke to me once we were in the air.

  ‘Are you alright?’

  ‘I just… it never sank in that she had killed that many.’

  ‘Do you remember the flood you unleashed?’

  ‘No. Just the rage and grief.’ I replied.

  ‘I think it must be the same for her.’

  ‘I know but…’ My gaze fell to the twisting red sands below and she scratched just behind my horns.

  We were quiet for the rest of the day and as we landed at another oasis at Sunset I could see an enormous shape in the distance, A Black Mountain of Rock that reached high enough that it broke the clouds with its peak curling like a massive claw.

  “That is Xaranta’s home.” Mother said as we landed.

  “Should we not continue on then?” I asked.

  “It's further away than you think.” She said, the barest hints of a smile pulling at the corners of her mouth.

  “Will we be there tomorrow?” I asked.

  “Probably just after noon hits. Which will be good for them.” She said gesturing to Irand, Tiran and Odessa who were all soaked with sweat.

  During our time here I hadn't thought about the heat from the sun. It was pleasant on my scales while we were flying but for humans… I wandered over to the still waters of the oasis and waved a hand to make a stream of water that followed my hand. I maneuvered it around Odessa and helped soak the sweet from her body and she gave me a look of relief as the cool water touched her skin.

  She had tanned a few shades during the day and as she rolled up the loose sleeves of her shirt that became apparent as the pale skin below was in stark contrast with her darker layers.

  Unfortunately for me, my own pale skin did not tan while in my Draconic form so I still looked rather much like a ghost out of the old stories. At the very least you could not see my bones through my skin anymore so that was something. We all ate a small meal of our rations and turned into our tents for the evening.

  Odessa crawled in and curled up next to me, we had learned our first night how cold the desert nights were and she was thankful for the warmth I provided. It had been a long few weeks and I was starting to grow used to our travel pace but it wasn’t the most enjoyable thing to go to bed so tired that I was asleep moments after I crawled into the tent.

  Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

  I thankfully awoke to no Wyverns outside the tent the next morning and we quickly packed up camp. Everyone was excited at the prospect of finally reaching our destination. We were in the skies before the sun had fully risen and I saw Irand and Tiran clinging tightly to their respective dragons for warmth just as Odessa was still wrapped in her blanket against my neck. The Morning chill was even more apparent in the skies and I simply trained my eyes on the Black Mountain ahead of us.

  The closer we got the more I felt a gnawing panic in the back of my mind. Mother had been right, it was bigger than I had thought. Our Mountain in Calanai wasn’t small obviously since it held the two of us easily and a fall from the cliffs there was still a threat to us if we didn’t take flight but this… The clouds I had seen the night before were so high up that if I tried to match them I would be short on breath. I did not like how small it made me feel.

  My mind also conjured images of what Xaranta must be like, if he dwelled in a place so large. Alvina and Mother had both mentioned that Dragons grew continuously and if he was as old as Mother said then he would have to be massive. Even grander than Heskari. The thought was more than a little unnerving.

  As the sun rose I felt Odessa stir and she scaled my neck and climbed onto the small frill between my horns. The past few weeks she had been much more adventurous while we were flying and now she was quite content to ride on my head in the day’s burning heat. I felt her brush against my horns and I reached out to her with my mind.

  ‘It’s very large.’ She said, a bit of awe in her voice.

  ‘It is. I worry how large its occupant must be.’

  ‘I believe he is one of the Dragons that a mutual friend of my Mother and Ereneya has spoken of. If he is then I don’t worry for our safety.’ She hummed.

  ‘A Mutual friend?’ I asked.

  ‘A Traveling merchant who deals in magical items. Like the stones that your Mother uses in her home. They are a shapeshifter like Oparia but… different. I asked them about it a few times but they simply said it was beyond my understanding. They come through about every five years or so.’ She explained.

  ‘Hmmm, Mother hasn’t spoken of them.’

  ‘They are… odd. I wouldn’t be surprised if she had been waiting to introduce you. Better for you to meet them first.’

  ‘Maybe so. But what have you heard of Xaranta?’

  ‘He is kind so long as his visitors do not cause harm and he is very protective of his sons.’

  ‘Sons in the plural? So Tiran might end up with a few more brothers?’

  ‘Maybe? Cyan doesn’t like to give specifics of their other customers. For the protection of said customers.’ Odessa said, lounging with her head and feet on one horn each.

  ‘Comfortable there?’ I asked, doing my best to keep my head level for her.

  ‘Mhmm. The sun feels nice this early in the morning.’

  I agreed, it was warming my scales in the most pleasant way and I wasn’t going to complain.

  We continued on until the mountain loomed over us. I could see now that the mountain itself was made of a dark grey stone and despite how it appeared from a distance it was sparsely covered in a form of ivy. Small waterfalls ran across it, soaking into the sands below where a small ring of greenery formed at the base of the mountain.

  Mother landed upon a cleanly cut cliffside and Alvina and I followed suite. It was glass smooth as I stood upon it and despite the dark stone it was only pleasantly warm not burning. Mother approached the cliffside which also had an unnatural smoothness to it and let out a roar. The sound made the rock below me rumble and I had a brief moment of panic before silence fell over us. We stood stock still for a moment before another roar replied to Mothers. It was so distant and yet it made the ground shake even more than Mothers. I suddenly felt very much in danger.

  The cliffside split in front of us and opened in a “Door” that at least ten of me standing on top of one another could fit in. Mother didn’t even bother to look back as she simply walked in. Alvina and I followed, both ready to fly out at a moment's notice. The door shut behind us and the interior of the mountain was lit by crystals like those in Mother’s Home. Alvina and I followed as Mother continued on in her Draconic form. Odessa was clinging to my frill and keeping an eye out and I saw Irand doing the same. The walls were decorated in various paints of red, green and gold in patterns I didn’t recognize.

  We continued on for a long time until we entered a cavernous room that was large enough I could fly inside it with mother and Alvina at my wingtips and we still wouldn’t have touched either side. We found a Dragon lounging on a carved out section of wall, Red and Brown scales shining in the light of the room. His eyes glowed like fire. He didn’t seem particularly surprised to see us and Mother tilted her head.

  “You are not who I was expecting.” She spoke aloud for all of us to hear.

  “You were looking for Father yes? He is on his way. Said he recognized you, Princess.” The Male Dragon said with a deep rolling voice, his lips all but curling into a wicked smile.

  “You are his Son?” Mother asked, ignoring his jab.

  “The youngest, Mallak of the Red Dunes. Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Cousin.”

  “Ereneya. Pleasure to meet you.” Mother said, tilting her head and nearly knocking Tiran to the ground.

  “Ereneya the Ruinscale.” Mallak said, eyes twinkling with delight.

  “I am not-”

  “That is what Father calls you. I am told I have you to thank for my wonderful home?” He asked, cutting her off.

  She let out a growl of annoyance and he rose to his feet. He was between Mother and Alvina in size but his muscles rippled even more than Mother’s. I could sense danger in the air and I took a few steps back. Alvina did the same and Mallak looked at us with curiosity and the wicked look in his eyes vanished.

  “I would say that you have a pair of beautiful daughters but… You are not hers.” Mallak thundered, looking to Alvina before he turned his gaze to me.

  ‘I am not. And I thank you for the compliment but I would ask you not look at me that way.’ Alvina growled and I swear the room got colder all of the sudden.

  “Understood, apologies Ma’am.” He said, nodding apologetically.

  Alvina backed away and he turned his gaze wholly to me.

  “The effects of Magic Blight reek about you. And… a cure to it as well. You are healthy girl?” He asked, a stern look in his eye.

  “Y-yes sir.” I said shrinking under his gaze.

  “Good. You have brought Humans here and I don’t imagine it is for the reason my Father hopes.” He said, turning his attention back to Mother.

  “I have brought one who seeks to become a Dragon to him.” Mother growled, her frustration plain in her voice.

  “Oh? Would it be this young man?” Mallak asked, turning his gaze to Tiran.

  “Yes.” Tiran answered before Mother could and she let out a hiss of annoyance.

  Mallak approached Tiran as he dropped down from Mother’s back and I watched the Dragon shrink down into a human shape. He was an attractive man, mid length black hair and a pair of black horns rising from the top of his head. His skin was deeply tan and he wore a robe that was presently tied around his waist, revealing his very muscled chest and arms.

  I had been very muscular as a man but this was… His arms were as wide around as my head. But the thing that truly stuck out were the scars below his breast. They were highlighted with tattoos but the marks were plain to see. They were the same as those that Tiran had. Tiran stared at them as well, having to look up to see Mallak’s face.

  “You were…”

  “My Father attracts many like myself. I see the recognition in your eyes. Can I assume you are familiar with these?” Mallak asked.

  Tiran nodded.

  “Speak up boy.” Mallak ordered.

  “Yes sir.”

  “Do not speak to him like that.” Mother growled, glaring at Mallak.

  “If he is seeking my father for that reason then I will speak to him as if he were one of my brothers until my father decides one way or the other.” Mallak said, giving another wicked smile up to mother.

  I was worried she was about to strike him when a roar sounded from above us. I snapped my gaze up to see a massive head looking down at us. As the rest of the Dragon emerged from an upper section of the mountain I felt my legs go weak. I had been right to be nervous. He was gargantuan. I could comfortably fit under his claws if he deigned to bring them down on me.

  Alvina and I backed up to the edge of the massive chamber as the Dragon descended and landed next to Mother who stared up at him with Defiance.

  “Uncle.” She called.

  “Niece.” He growled and the sound filled the chamber.

  Standing before her I could get a full view of him. He stood several orders of magnitude larger than mother or Heskari and his eyes glowed like someone had poured liquid fire into them. His scales were Blood Red with blackened tips, the opposite of Mother’s. His horns were massive as they jutted up and back, I could probably have rested on one of them and not bothered him. His tail swung back and forth and unlike the spear point Mother and I had or the curved sickle blade Alvina and her family had, Xaranta’s was a double headed axe. Though if it swung at me it was more liable to turn me to paste than cleave me in two. He stared down at my defiant mother and I saw amusement in his eyes as he let out a thunderous laugh.

  “Ah girl, in nearly a millennia, you have hardly changed. Though even with Mallak’s teasing you did not lose your temper. I was certain you would have tried to throw him across the room.”

  “I did not come seeking a fight uncle.” She growled.

  “Of course not. You brought a young man here to see me, did you not?” Xaranta asked, his gaze flicking down to Tiran.

  My brother’s skin was normally quite dark but now he looked pale. I watched him steady himself as much as he could with a pair of trembling legs.

  “Y-Yes sir.” Tiran stammered.

  “Wonderful. It has been over a century since Mallak joined my family. I would welcome you with open arms. Provided you can pass my challenges.” Xaranta mused, his voice booming but friendly in a way I hadn’t expected.

  Tiran straightened and some of the color returned to his face.

  “Yes. I would welcome a challenge.” Tiran said, his voice more confident than before.

  Xaranta let out a laugh and his gaze flicked to where Alvina and I stood. Being under his gaze was unsettling. It was like I was being studied. Alvina shifted much the same way as I was. He took one step and crossed much of the distance between us. I was relieved when his focus fell onto Alvina fully.

  “You are not Ereneya’s. You are one the Storm Dwellers from the north. What brings you here child?”

  ‘I am here to aid a friend. He and I seek to speak with you when you have a moment, Honored Elder.’ Alvina said with a bow.

  Ireland followed suit and Xaranta chuckled again. Despite how terrifying he appeared, the sound was calming.

  “Of course. You are not the first to come seeking my knowledge. Which leaves you child. You have your Mother’s eyes. My Sister’s eyes.” He said, a hint of sadness in his voice as he turned his gaze back to me.

  Mother let out another hiss but Xaranta ignored her.

  “I came to help my Brother and to see my Mother’s home.” I said, trying to sound calm.

  He nodded his head and his gaze flicked to Mother for a moment before returning to me.

  “And what do you think of your Mother’s home?”

  “I am sad to see it gone.”

  “Truly?”

  “It sounded like a wonderful place.”

  “And what has she told you of it?”

  “Little. But that which she has told me makes it sound like a better place than our home at present.”

  “And what has she told you of her Mother?” Xaranta asked, his eyes twinkling with delight.

  “Stop.” Mother growled.

  “But why should I?”

  “Do not dishonor the dead by gossiping of them.” She growled.

  “But you have clearly told her of your life. Does that not count.”

  “They were not family.” Mother growled more insistently, her voice shaking the floor.

  “But my sister is not dead.” Xaranta said and I watched Mother freeze.

  “What?” She asked, her voice quivering.

  “She yet lives, in a fashion. And she desires to speak with you.” Xaranta said, his voice losing its humorous tone.

  “You lie. If she lived she would find me. You would find me!” Mother screamed, her voice sounding unstable again as the stone beneath her claws glowed with heat. I backed away.

  “I do not lie. She wishes to speak with you. She worries for you after your outburst. We have waited for you to be ready to speak.” Xaranta said, his voice trying to soothe Mother’s rage.

  “No. No. No.” She muttered, her rage vanishing as fear took her. I watched the panic rise in her eyes.

  “Ereneya, calm yourself sh-” Xaranta was cut off as a spire of black rock jutted from the floor and impacted his stomach.

  Mother was flying past me before Xaranta could recover and I felt Odessa slide off my back as I took flight after her. We were racing down the hallway we had arrived in and she was pulling ahead of me. It took us only a few moments to reach the door and I watched as the stone fractured and exploded outward as she arrived at it. I raced after her in the noon day sun as I saw the sands below us begin glowing as heat pulsed through it.

  ‘Mother!’ I called reaching out to her mind.

  I met an iron wall of resistance as I saw the sand below us melt into flowing magma.

  I raced on after her.