Dragon Reincarnated

Making a Dream Come True

There wasn't much this Amanda lady could do after that. Though she kept her insincere smile in place I saw a cold anger enter her eyes. She was about to say something- I didn't know what- but we were interrupted by yet another person clearing their throat.

This time it was an older man dress in a full set of knight's armor, shimmering in the light.

His white hair, and wrinkled face were the only indications of age, however.

This man stood tall and strong, spine straight, eyes hard, and clearly didn't seem to being going through any hardships in bearing the weight of all that metal covering his- no doubt- toned body.

He may have looked to be in his late sixties, but I was willing to bet that he could still take on Loric without much issue.

"My deepest apologies for interrupting." He rumbled, almost like he were the dragon here. "But, His Majesty is waiting within..."

Oh, right... The king. Probably not a good idea to keep him waiting, huh?

"Come Allura." Said Leon, patting my scales and putting on a some what forced smile of his own. "Let Serenity and I introduce you to this Kingdom's great king!"

"Yes, I would like to meet him." I said, removing my eyes from the princess's mother rather reluctantly. It felt sort of like letting my prey go right before I was about to pounce on it. "Lets go."

In a sort of procession, the older knight led us up a short set of marble stairs and past a grand set of double doors, carved from some kind of white wood.

What ever tree it came from must have been massive, given that each door was one solid piece, and, given the way the grains matched on each door, I could also assume that they were two sides of the same slab.

If such trees still existed, I would like to see them.

Beyond the doors was just as grand. Maybe even more so!

As I walked, Leon on my left and Serenity on my right, I gawked at the black and white marble floors, marble pillars and arched, carves ceiling.

Every few meters stood a pair of knits, stiffly keeping guard, not moving an inch.

Though, i could see their eyes following our slow march.

As we walked I saw that there were many doors and paths leading off this long hall, artfully hidden by pale blue curtains, or the marble pillars. I also was caught by the many paintings lining the walls, depicting kings, knights in battle, and most of all: many dragons.

I was really getting excited now. It suddenly felt that I had enter a fantasy world for real! Which was silly. I was a freaking dragon after all. But now I was inside a palace!

Actually... Now that I thought about it, this was the first time I had entered an actual building since arriving on this world.

At the duke's I was in an outside, covered, pavilion of sorts, and in Straum I was sleeping out back.

I remember thinking that being inside would feel claustrophobic for me, yet I didn't feel that was at all right now.

Maybe it was because this palace was clearly built to accommodate dragons of even greater size than myself.

Reaching the end of the very long hall, I found myself standing before another grand door.

This one appeared to be poured out of pure silver some how, intricate designs of dragons in flight around depictions of Helios carved all over it.

I didn't get too much of a chance to have a good look at it, however.

Right then there was a loud bang, drawing my attention to two uniformed guards I had been to distracted to notice.

One of them had smacked his large spear against the door, causing a huge clanging noise that had made me jump.

At my side Leon chuckled softly. "Easy now.." He whispered, teasingly. I glared playfully down at him, my ribs to jostle him slightly. when he staggered a little, holding in a laugh, Sillia smiled at me kindly.

"Allura." I heard the older knight whisper to the guardsmen, which made me wonder why he was talking about me.

The guard's booming voice in the next instance revealed to me the true need to give the man my name. " Their graces, the Fourth and the Fifth! Accompanied by the young royals: Prince Leon and Princess Serenity! Also, the most esteemed and elegant, Dragon Allura!"

... Dang, but these Orelions sure laid on the flattery thick didn't they.

Was I even 'esteemed' or 'elegant' in the first place?

I hadn't done much of anything of note, outside of helping the Prince with a bandit attack.

And as far as elegant went... I was pretty sure I was more crass and impolite more than anything.

"Enter!" Boomed another voice just on the other side of the door.

The guard on our side stood back at attention and I watched as the doors seemed to part open of their own accord. Light flooded my eyes, making me squint against it for a moment, then I was treated to the view beyond.

I am not really sure what I had been expecting... A throne room for sure, like out of a fantasy novel: A dais or raised platform with a couple thrones on it, several armed guards, a big red carpet, and probably a slew of nobles just milling about.

Well, there was a carpet, though this one was the powder blue color I had started to associate with Orelious as a whole.

It went straight down a massive room, shorter but wider than the grand hall we had just walked through.

And rather than there being nobles milling about, what I saw were many men and woman dressed in various armors or (What I could only assume were ) magic robes.

Most had swords, bows, or staff with them.

And some... well some clearly had dragon partners!

Lined along the carpet were the men and women I assumed were various knights, mages.

.. and Dragoons! Because next to these few men and woman (Mainly men) were three different dragons!

Each was larger than myself, and one I recognized instantly as being Beryl, the goldenrod dragon I had seen soar over me back on the King's way.

The very fact that this dragon was the size of a house yet did not looked out of place in this vast chamber was a testament to just how massive a room it was. The dragons Burning red eyes seemed to scorch over my scales, clearly assessing me, this much smaller dragon that had just entered the room.

Beryl was the largest of the three dragons, but the other two were still nearly double my size.

One was a male of an aqua green hue, his belly scales nearly the same color of Beryl's.

He had deeper, blue eyes and also seemed to be eyeballing me.

The man standing next to this dragon smiled at me with a roguish grin, his dark brown hair poking out from under his hood, his own eyes the same color of his dragons.

Was it appropriate to wear a hood in a throne room?

Some how it felt disrespectful, like a ball cap in church or something.

My eyes darted to the other side of the long, pale blue runner carpet, where the final dragon sat, a tail wrapped around his large paws and in front of his own Dragoon.

He was roughly the same size as the aqua dragon, but his scales were a burning red and orange with almost bone white belly scales.

On his head grew two large, black horns and his eyes were a fierce, almost neon, orange.

Much like his coloring, he seemed almost haughty in the way his eyes roamed over me.

The others had seemed curious and appraising, while this dragon almost seemed like he was judging me.

I felt my lip curl in distaste at the dragon's gall, but managed to hold back my snarl.

As I glared down the red dragon, I saw the dragoon take notice, look back at her dragon, then swat him angerly on the chest scales.

It appeared to be the highest point she could reach.

She was an average sized woman, dressed in long robes that matched her fiery dragon, with long black hair tied back out of her face and deep, almost violet eyes. She cast a worried glance my way before offering a slight, apologetic bow. The dragon huffed and adverted his gaze.

Making our way through all these impressive people I gawked to my heart's content till we came to a stop. Luckily I was paying attention enough this time not to run into anyone. Before us was a raised platform with several thrones upon it, one throne front and center.

And, upon that throne, sat a man I had to assume was Leon's father. Though, this man seemed to young to have a kid Leon's age, much less the older brothers the prince claimed to have as well. If I had to place him, it would have been late twenties to early thirties. At most.

He sat with regal stance befitting his station, his hair as golden as Leon's just long enough to touch his shoulders.

His eyes were also blue like his son's though unlike Leon's happy, soulful gaze, the king's bespoke of his power and grace.

Really, if anyone in this room looked like a dragon (including the actual dragons) it was this man.

Maybe it was just his presence, but I think that, even if he were in the middle of a dirty street, dressed in rags, i would be able to point him out as the king in a heart beat.

Er, even if I didn't have a skill that literally labeled him as such.

The king got to his feet. He was taller than Leon, but seemed to have the same slender build. He spread his arms open wide and smiled down on us. Well, down on the humans and single elf... even on his raised platform we were at eye level, and I could stretch my neck to be taller if i wanted.

Still, his smile was warm and kind, filled with affection for his children. It made me have a favorable opinion of the king, unlike the Fifth Queen, Amanda, who looked down on her child with a cold and evaluating stare.

"Welcome home children!" He said in a deeper voice than I had been expecting.

"And welcome to you, Allura. I hear that I have you to thank for the safe return of my beloved youngest children.

" At this point the king bent at a ninety degree angle, offering me a bow of thanks.

Which then prompted everyone else, besides the dragons, to drop even lower, most falling to their knees.

Feeling a little panicked at all these lowered heads, I managed to stammer out: "Er, not- ah, that is, um... It was no trouble at all!"

I could almost feel Leon silent laughing next to me, and glared back at the prince.

Perhaps, deciding to come to my aid, he stepped forward.

"Allura was, indeed, brave Father. She guarded the carriage without prompting so that the knights and I could focus on routing out the scum.

To see her swoop down from the heaven when we were in such dire need.

.. it was as if a messenger from the gods had come down to answer our desperate prayers! "

"Ugh." I grunted, just managing to make it sound like a cough at the last moment. What the heck! It was nothing so fantastical!

The king burst into loud, amused, laughter, grinning at his son.

"I have no doubt." He said before turning to the surrounding gawkers and the three dragons.

"You are all dismissed. You got your peek, now let me have a private conversation with my children!

" He said with mock sternness, smiling as the men and woman bowed before excusing themselves from the chamber.

The dragons and their dragoons were the first to leave, the others parting and waiting respectfully for them to leave.

Both the aqua and red dragons did one finally glance my way, while the older Beryl did not bother.

After they were gone the others filed out, each turning just before exiting to levy one final bow to their king before departing amongst excited chatter.

Aside from Loric, Hannah, myself, and Leon's assorted family, all that remained were several older men.

I could only assume that they were the King's advisors, perhaps.

As the door shut, seemingly of their own volition, a silence filled the now vastly empty chamber.

The dragons may have fit in here nicely, but without them the room now looked cavernous in its emptiness.

Still, the powder blue draperies and the white columns and walls brightened it up nicely, not to mention the huge floor to ceiling windows on top of that.

"Now," Sighed the king, settling back into his throne as the two queens ascended the raised platform and took lesser thrones behind him.

"How about we get this debriefing done so that you all can rest. I have the chefs cooking up a feast and I will hear no end of it if these talks make it so their efforts turn to ice! "

Over the next hour and a half Loric and Leon Informed the king of their mission, including all the boring diplomatic stuff before I met them on the side of the road.

Not surprisingly, the king looked far more interested by the time we got to my entrance.

Though, by they Serenity was at her limit, and the king excused her and Hanna to got get cleaned up for the meal.

Serenity looked as if she wanted to give me a 'goodbye hug' but seemed to wilt under the gaze of her mother.

Irritated, I snaked my head around and nuzzled the side of her face, causing the child to giggle.

See, stupid queen, that is how you are supposed to treat children!

I've never even had any of my own, and I knew that much.

"So, we have a severe and brazen bandit problem." Mused the king, looking very displeased once we had filled him in on everything. I had given him the same bare minimum run down of my own events that I had given Leon and Loric when i had met them. "At best." He added, ominously.

Loric nodded. "Indeed. It attack a dragon on her nest is absurd enough, but to do it and actually kill her is unheard of. For simple bandits, at least."

"I agree. I can only assume that calling them bandits is a gross understatement."

"I only saw the aftermath myself." I mused, remembering the scattered corpses around my mother.

"It is even odd that they didn't take my own egg, especially since they appeared to have taken the time to take any sort of high level gear off the corpses of their fallen.

It can't have been easy with my mother there.

Even wounded as she was, her teeth were still as deadly as ever.

She wouldn't have just let them do as they pleased. .."

I had been thinking about it all, off and on, since hatching. Why would the go after Mother? And why not snatch my own egg too? True, Mother may have taken special care to block me once the bandits had gotten their hands on my siblings and smashed the others...

But that begs the question of why they would smash any eggs at all?

Didn't they want them for selling? More eggs meant more profit.

Not to mention my mother's corpse that they left behind.

If they had been in it for the money, the surly would have come back for her body parts, no matter how many men Mother had taken out.

They clearly wanted what ever gear their comrades had on them before they all took off. I searched their bodies and all they had was basic or broken armor, and no weapons aside from a few daggers and knives. No way these people went after a dragon with just that...

"Was your dam a particularly large and old dragon, Allura?" The king asked me, looking thoughtful.

I shook my head. "I honestly haven't had anyone to compare her to before now.

though, she was definitely larger than Beryl.

Almost twice the size, as a matter of fact.

Like a two story house! Her scales, in some places, were as large as small shields.

I would say that, if size equates to age, then Mother must have been quite old. "

I didn't tell them about her stored stat points. They would signify great power, but it felt wrong to just disclose them, even to Leon's family. I didn't want to divulge everything till I had more information myself. There were just too many questions around my mother at the moment.

"Hmm. Size is most frequently an indication of age, yes. Though there are some dragon lines that are naturally larger than most. And others that are smaller. Did your mother look very much like yourself, or do you think you might look more like your father's line?"

I looked over my body, trying to remember how mother looked. "Ah... It's hard to tell with the size difference...."

"Did she have horns like yours?" Leon asked, trying to jog my memory. "Was she of a similar shape? Slim and bendy dragons like yourself are not common."

Slim and bendy? I supposed that, compared to the more barrel chested dragons I had just seen, I was rathe slender. If the others were rottweilers, then I was a greyhound.

"I would say that she was of similar shape. She had two horns like me too, though our scales are greatly different in color. She was silver."

"Scale color is not inherent. It is actually unknown how a dragon gets their scale color.

Unknown to us, at least." Stated the king, eyeing me.

"Your color is one I have never seen before, as a matter of fact.

Greens, reds and blues are the most common.

Silver is also a color I haven't seen. Between the rare shape and color, we maybe able to pin point who she was, and by doing that, we may find out if there would be a reason to target her specifically. "

"You think that my mother was targeted?" I asked. I didn't even think that that might be the case.

"It is possible. I can not see why these 'bandits' would take such blatant risks unless they bore some grudge against your mother or her line..."

"I know my mothers name. Do you think that might help track down information about her?

" I asked, feeling anxious. It was starting to look much more complicated than simply tracking down a few bandits.

King Orelious hadn't even said that he would actually help with the hunt yet, though he had alluded to it a little.

"A name would be a great help!" He smiled.

"If she had been a dragon under the pact then it would have been a sure thing to track down information on her.

But females are not part of the pact, and so it will take much more digging.

But a name and basic description would go a long way, I assure you. "

"My mother was Verona." I said, my voice a little wispy with emotion. It felt like so long since I last said her name. Really, it was hard to believe that I had only been a part of this world for less than a year. Some how it felt much longer, and yet no time at all.

"Verona. A beautiful and powerful name, to be sure.

" The king sighed, leaning back into his throne.

"Allura, I promise you that I will spare no effort in helping you find the answers you seek, as well as tracking down your taken siblings.

This is an attack on dragon kind by humanity, and therefore a stain on the pact that was made between our two peoples.

As far as I am concerned, this is no less then declaring direct conflict with Orelious itself. "

I saw int he king's stern eyes the sincerity of his words. I suddenly felt a wave of relief that I did not expect to feel at all. Suddenly, i was not alone in this adventure.

"I will send word to the other nations who have entered into the pact, and make them aware of the issue, as well as ask if they have anything to say about the matter.

" He turned to one of the older men who stood off to the side, listening to our whole conversation.

The man nodded and hurried off, I assume to send word out to the other nations.

"In the mean time, Allura, I invite you to stay in Helios.

Not only are you a most honored dragon, but you are also my children's savior.

I would be ashamed not to at least provide you with all the comforts Helios might be able to offer.

" Smiled the king, swinging out a hand as if to indicate the entire city.

"Well, I had hoped to find a teacher of sorts when I got here.

" I admitted, feeling a little embarrassed to admit to my own ignorance.

"Mother was unable to pass on her inheritance fully, and I find myself woefully lacking as a dragon.

.. Leon says that the dragons who are trained here also start life with little to no inherited knowledge. "

"Yes, that is very true. The dragons have agreed to provide sporadic young ones to aid us, while in exchange we agree to not provoke the dragons unnecessarily, as well as to defend dragon kind when we can.

It is supposed to be a pact of mutual benefit, though, truth be told, many would say that we get the better end of the deal.

" He stopped speaking, leaning his chin on a hand while he thought.

"I am afraid that, compared to the things your mother could have provided you, what the dragons and dragoon here can teach is woefully lacking.

But, as far as I am concerned, it is all knowledge that is your right.

A right that humans in my own country have stollen from you.

If we can even provide a fraction of what was stollen, then I am more that behind that. "

"Thank you." I said, relieved. I felt Leon pat my shoulder affectionately.

"Many of the teachers will be quite busy dealing with the newest generation of dragons and dragoons..." Spoke up one of the king's advisors.

"I will hear of no complaints." Snapped the king, irritated at the man. "This is the least we can do for Allura. Female dragon's are a rare enough sight, and one stands before us in need. Do I need to remind you that she represents the very future of dragon kind?"

"No, my Lord..." mumbled the man.

"I do not want to inconvenience your teachers." I said with a frown.

"Nonsense." The king waved away my concerns, glaring at the man who had dare speak out. "I assure you that there will be no inconvenience."

"Well," I said, a sudden thought brightening up my mood. "How about I simply join the others in their lessons?" I asked.

"You could..." Said the king, sharing a glance with his advisors. "But... many of those are taken with a partner dragoon and will have very little baring on a wild dragon such as yourself, Allura"

"But, that is also easily solved." I said brightly. "Why don't I also simply get myself a dragoon as well?"

There was a stunned, almost comical, silence that followed my statement. Even the two Queens, who had stayed silent this whole time, looked amazed at my proposal.

'What a grand offer!" Exclaimed an advisor excitedly.

"Indeed! I am sure that we can assemble the hopefuls as early as tomorrow morning. There are many truly magnificent prospects here, and I am sure Allura would have no issue selecting one among them."

"Duke Fortense's son, for one, is highly recommended!" Another said, fairly bouncing up and down. "Or young master Curtis, who stands heads and tails above the other hopefuls!"

Back and forth the advisors shouted out recommendations and their own selfish desires.

Their words annoyed me on many fronts. For one, who the hell said that I had to pick from their choices?

Also, it was clear that every suggestion they made was for their own benefit.

A duke's son, a prominent merchants daughter.

.. I didn't see anyone shout out some poor farmers nephew or some such.

Greedy nobles appeared to be an actual thing, not just a trope in stories.

"I was just thinking that Leon would continue with me." I said, breaking through their chatter.

I was too embarrassed to look down at the prince himself, but I saw the surprise cross the king's face, and the joy enter Sillia's pretty face, her eyes filling with happy tears.

"Ah, well... the thing is-" Stammered one advisor.

"You see..." Another advisor started, looking at each of the others before turning back to me. "The prince is a fine, and upstanding young man but... well..."

"He has not gotten a dragon yet, for a very specific reason." Said the first advisor.

"Yes, I know." I said openly. My eyes drifted down to see Leon looking dejected and embarrassed at the advisors words. "He told me. But I don't see an issue."

"Wha- I am sorry Allura, but I don't think you understand-"

"I understand quite well." I interrupted, annoyed now.

I made my decision, what else was there to argue about?

"I just don't see the issue. This whole time, since we met, Leon has been taking care of me.

My health has never wavered, and he has gotten me through, perhaps, the second most traumatic incident of my life.

" I still shuddered at the memory of all my lovely scales falling out.

"He has never once hesitated to answer my questions, nor has he ever failed to notice if something is not quite right with me.

Leon has been a friend and a support for a good chunk of my short life. "

"I have no doubt." Stated an advisor, his eyes screaming that he thought I was a young and naive child in need of a good lesson. "But that being said, the prince has no skills. He is unlikely to be the best match up for a dr-"

An angry snarl escaped my throat, and I snapped my jaws at the man in question.

Loric backed away from me, but Leon didn't budge, his hand still on my shoulder.

As for the advisors, the all looked frightened, and backed away as well.

Both Queens looked uneasy, Amanda especially so, while the king merely looked on with interest.

"I assure you that I have plenty enough skills for the both of us.

" I snapped. "He can use a sword, and he has a good head on his shoulders!

Most importantly, he is my friend. Also, might I remind you-" I said glaring death at the advisors who had ignited my dragon rage.

"I am not some pet hatchling, offered to you as a working dragon.

I can not speak for those males, but as for myself, I am a wild dragon, and I intend to stay a wild dragon!

Who ever is set to work with me will have to keep that in mind.

Today I might work with you, but tomorrow I may feel like flying off to lands unknown.

Who knows. Do not try and slap some random person to me when I have already decided. It is Leon, or no one."

"Eh... W-well..."

"Enough." the king said, speaking up at last. "Allura has made up her mind.

And she is correct: she is not under out jurisdiction what so ever.

Any aid she decides to provide would be a favor, not a requirement.

It is forbidden for a female to be made into a servant to the throne.

However, if a female dragon decides to make a young man her friend, and in turn wishes to aid that friend and his family, who is to tell her other wise.

" I saw his lip twitch as his advisors grew silent once again.

"We need only hear from Leon on this matter, as it is his decision as well. "

All eyes landed on Leon now, all of us waiting for his answer. I hadn't really wanted to put pressure on him, and now I felt nervous for his answer.

He bit his lip, looking torn. "Allura, are you sure? The advisors are right... there are many people who would jump at the chance to be your dragoon..."

"Ugh." I sighed, both amused and irritated. "As I said, that doesn't matter to me. You think I am gonna let some specky fourteen year old brush out my scales? I think not."

Leon laughed. "So what you want is a glorified groomer, not a dragoon?"

"Tch! What I want is to spend time with my friend. Is that such an unfamiliar concept for humans?" I huffed, feeling embarrassed on top of it all now.

Leon shook his head before gazing up at me, his eyes filled with emotion and a bright smile on his face. "I would be beyond honored!"

"Good, it is settled then!" Boomed the king, getting to his feet.

The queens followed suit, Amanda still looking sour, and Sillia openly crying in silence.

"Leon, take Allura to where she can rest for the night.

I will arrange for you both to have quarters in the dragoon barracks tomorrow.

Would you care to join us for dinner Allura? "

I thought about it for a moment, then shook my head, Best to let the family enjoy their time together. Besides, I needed some quiet time to think about things too. "No, I ate recently, and think I would like to sleep after that last flight."

The king grinned. "I was told that you both were having a merry flight about the city. Very well, Leon will take you where you can get some rest, then tomorrow I will have you introduced to your teachers."

"Thank you, I look forward to it." I said, bowing my head ever so slightly and following Leon back out of the chambers.

Once the massive doors closed behind us, Leon came to a stop. I looked back at the young man and waited for him to speak.

"Allura... Are you really sure about this?"

"Ugh." I huffed. That was what he wanted to ask? "Yes, iI already said that. And no, it wasn't just because I wanted a groomer either!"

Leon chuckled. "I know, I was just teasing. I thought I should make doubly sure. There really are many others who would jump at the chance-"

"It is not their chance to jump at!" I snapped, now getting mad at Leon. "You are my dragoon, got it?" I said, lightly snapping my bared fangs at the prince.

"Alright, I got it." He said, waving his hands in front of my snout in mock distress. His hands fell to his sides and he gazed at me happily. "Thank you Allura. Really, thank you..."

Awkward! "Quit thanking me. It isn't like you can be called a real dragoon after all, you know.

.. You didn't get to watch me grow from a hatchling, we don't have what ever that 'bond' is between dragons and their dragoons.

.. and I am sure there are a bunch of other differences too! I was just being selfish."

Leon shook his head, smile still in place. "No, even with all that considered, I still want to thank you. Even an approximation of my dream is far more than I ever thought I could get. And, even if I had bonded with another dragon, I don't think I could hope to find a dragon as amazing as you."

I narrowed my eyes on the ever flattering prince. "True..."