An Alliance with Dragons
The following day was clear, and the sun shone brightly as we flew. Vasin knew the best place to meet with the dragons, but it would be deeper into the Dragon Lands than we’d ever been before.
“Cass, you trust me to always keep you safe. Why are you questioning my choice to take us into the Dragon Lands?”
“It’s not you I don’t trust but the other dragons. Last time, we were just on the border, and they attacked us. What will they do when we are farther into their kingdom?”
“Things have changed since yesterday. All the dragons know what you did. That new oath was felt across all the kingdoms and even some you don’t know about.
What you and I did affects all dragons living and yet to be born.
This is a cause for celebration, not anger.
Besides, it’s time I took up my mantle as you have taken yours. ”
“You mean as leader of the dragons?”
“Now that they don’t need to be in hiding, there is much we dragons will have to face as our world has opened up to us once again. Rules will need to be established so we don’t fall into a trap like in the past.”
“Do you think any dragon will want to interact with us humans after what we’ve done?”
“Now that free will is brought back to the situation, I think there will be more dragons bonding with people. This time, the difference will be they can be apart from each other, and if one dies, the other won’t suffer. There will be far more freedom and choice in the partnership than previously.”
“Has it changed how things are between us?”
“No, what is done is done, but it will end with our generation. I’m not worried, though. You and I will have a long life together and get to see the fruit of our work for a few generations.”
I smiled at that, running a hand along Vasin’s neck as we flew over the vast Dragon Lands that changed from barren deserts to lush green fields with rivers flowing through them.
Vasin had told me it’s been hundreds of years since humans ventured this deep into the lands and knew this thriving land existed, but it did my heart good to know the dragons hadn’t been suffering in their self-exile.
I could only dream of what our world would be like to have dragons once again flying freely where they chose and becoming a common sight in our skies.
As we reached a large oasis, Vasin began to circle, letting out a roar that seemed to carry through the air for miles.
Birds burst from the trees and brush around the water, filling the sky with activity as a few dragons snapped them up for a snack as they landed.
For this trip, I asked our clan dragon riders to come with us, trusting them more to go on this specific venture than those of Sheca.
We’d been through battle and come out the other side unscathed, and it gave me confidence to have them at my back.
I could also communicate with these dragons while I was still having a hard time doing so with those from Sheca.
Once we all landed and dismounted, they approached Vasin and me, freeing their partners to roam about as we prepared for Vasin’s call to be answered.
Along with his physical call, he’d also reached out mentally, summoning those in the area to him.
It didn’t take long before they arrived in droves, almost to the point of blocking out the sun with their massive wings.
Dragons of all sizes and colors came as called, making me wish I could capture this moment forever in my mind.
I had never seen something so magnificent in my life as this, and I was excited I got to share it with the important people in my life.
Paxton let out a shrill whistle and waved at them excitedly, while Cole almost fell as he stumbled back from a purple dragon who swooped low and flapped its wings, stuffing up the wind and letting out a bugle of joy.
“This is craziness,” Dayson called out as he laughed, turning in a circle to see it all.
Ezzu leaped off Zan’s shoulder and joined the throng of dragons, only to return with a group of other small dragons playing in the air currents.
Closing my eyes, I tossed back my head and opened my arms wide as I felt the joy flowing off these dragons.
It was almost too much to handle, but then Vasin rested his head against my back to keep me upright, helping me stand tall in the torrent of emotion.
One dragon let out a roar, and the others followed suit as they landed, belting out their triumph at the oath being broken and a new, more promising one put in its place.
“We did this, Cass. You and I changed the fate of all dragons. Breathe in this moment because you deserve every bit of it.”
Tears of joy rolled down my face as I heard his words, causing me to turn and wrap my arms around his snout, hugging his large head as tightly as I could.
“Never has a human been blessed with a better pair-bond as I have. Without you in my corner, this never would have happened. We deserve this moment because, as you said, without you, this never would have happened,” I whispered, feeling the words needed to be said out loud.
“They wish to speak with you by having me translate for them.”
Nodding, I stepped back, wiped away the remaining tears from my face, and took a steadying breath.
Ready to face a horde of dragons, I turned and gasped as the open grassy area surrounding the oasis was filled with dragons all turned to face me.
Then as if someone gave a signal, they all bowed their heads to Vasin and me, letting out a low croon that seemed to ripple through the masses.
Once the sound died down, they raised their heads to the sky, and those that could, shot fire into it, engulfing us in its warmth and light.
Just when I feared we might set the environment around us on fire, they ceased, settling down into an easy, relaxed stance.
“We welcome the Dragon Queen to our lands and show our respect and gratitude for freeing us. The dragons across the world owe you a debt that cannot be repaid in one human lifetime.” Their voices echoed through my mind as Vasin opened up communication between us.
“There is no debt to be repaid,” I assured them.
“I did what was needed to make amends for the prison we put you in when you trusted the first of us. A pact of friendship between humans and dragons should never come with chains that bind you together into acts you are unwilling to do. True friendship needs to be given on both sides. You blessed us with magic and your bravery, but we did nothing in return to deserve it. I hope this new oath will bring forth many bonds of true friendship and create a wonderful partnership for the rest of your lives if you choose to make that type of connection.”
“Your gentle and true heart speaks honestly, and even though you say there is no debt, know that we will gladly assist you in this battle with the Lost King. He threatens our world as much as he does yours. We see the evil in his spirit and wish to bring it to an end. He was once bonded to a dragon, but when his dragon wouldn’t do as he demanded, he killed his pair-bond.
We don’t know how he survived the ordeal, but we would like the chance to avenge our fallen comrade. ”
“I would be honored to have you fight by our side if that is what you wish to do. As I am bonded to Vasin, your leader, we will do all we can to get you the revenge you justly deserve in this matter,” I announced, placing a hand over my heart and bowing back to them.
“I pray this will be the beginning of a symbiotic relationship between our people. If a need ever arises for your kind, know we will be at your service in any way we can.”
“Would you allow some of our flight to join you and your men? There are those among us that wish to be a part of this alongside your guardians.”
I couldn’t keep the smile off my face at this request, knowing that all of my guardians who didn’t have dragons would absolutely welcome them. “They would gladly accept a friendship with those who would like to return with us.”
“Until we speak again, be well, Queen Cassarah, friend and champion of dragons.” With another deafening roar, they took flight, leaving behind seven dragons to come back with us.
Grinning, I stepped forward to greet the dragons. “Welcome, new friends. Please allow me a moment to explain to the others what is going on, and then I’ll leave you to pick your partner for your time with us.”
“What’s going on, Cassarah?” Izel asked as he came to stand beside me.
Spinning on my heel, I face my guardians with a beaming smile.
“These wonderful dragons would like to return with us to Sheca and work alongside us as we plan our attack against the Lost King. It would seem he once had a dragon he was bonded to that he killed and somehow managed to survive the event where no one has before him.”
“Wait, are you saying these dragons want to partner with us individually? As in bond with us like you and the others have with your dragons?” Cole questioned as he kept glancing over at the dragons behind me.
“It will be slightly different now with the new oath in place. They will pair off with you, yes, but it will be up to both of you if the bond is put into place. Even with the bond given, it will still give you and your dragon full autonomy from each other, meaning they can come and go as they please. If the venom is given, the magic will be given as well but without the fear of killing each other if something should happen to one of you,” I explained, double-checking with Vasin to make sure I was explaining this right.
“Okay, so what do we do now?” Abbott asked, looking a little worried.
Taking his hand in mine, I led him forward to the row of dragons.
“You will get to experience a slightly different version of a dragon hatching. The seven of you who don’t have dragons line up and allow them a chance to get a feel for you.
I knew the moment Vasin’s gaze landed on me we were meant for each other, and some knew even before they were hatched that they were a good match.
Trust what your heart tells you because they don’t pick based on your appearance or mental prowess, they look at your soul. ”
They did as I asked, lining up with some space between them, and as I retreated to Vasin and my other bonded guardians, we watched.
Cole was the first to be picked, but I should have guessed at how the purple dragon acted toward him earlier.
He stepped up to my best friend and shoved him with his large, scaled head, knocking him to the ground and snuffled him all over, making happy chirping noises.
I tried not to laugh as Cole attempted to get up, but his dragon wasn’t having any of it, gripped him by the back of the shirt, and dragged him out of the line.
“You have to be kidding me. This is the dragon that matches my soul!” Cole grumbled as he wriggled, trying to free himself.
A sleek blue dragon covered in scars approached Izel who reached out to him with a hand.
The dragon pressed his forehead into the touch, causing Izel to smile in carefree way I’d never seen before.
Clearly, the dragon had been through a lot, and I couldn’t think of a better person to help him with those mental wounds than Izel.
May was picked by a red dragon spouting fire out its nose, daring the woman to shy away from its advances, but May stared the dragon down without batting an eyelash.
It let out a puff of smoke that enveloped them, and when it cleared, May was already on the dragon’s back as it leaped into the sky.
Becka was possessively wrapped up in a green dragon’s tail as it hissed at the brown dragon standing behind Dayson.
The two dragons growled at each other, but Dayson set a hand on his dragon’s chest, pulling its attention back to him.
He murmured something to his new companion, and they ventured off toward the water together, leaving Becka laughing as her dragon licked her face.
This left another purple dragon and a golden female to pick between Abbott and Gavin.
The purple dragon moved forward, but the golden flung out her wings, blocking the other dragon with a warning hiss and lash of the tail.
She moved forward as if she was a court lady on her way to claim her betrothed, and I couldn’t say I was surprised when she curled up around Abbott, letting out a heavy sigh.
The purple dragon flapped his wings, propelled himself toward Gavin, and skidded to a stop before the prince.
They looked at each other for a good long while before Gavin took the final step and reached out to the dragon who bowed his head to accept the touch.
With that final move, all my guardians were blessed with their very own dragons which made things much simpler in the long run.
Ninnat, Tahir, and Ifra mingled among the new dragons, greeting each other and welcoming them into our family.
We stayed at the oasis for a while, letting the new riders get to know their dragon companions, but all too soon, we had to depart and return to reality.
Everyone was all smiles as we climbed on our dragons and took off, falling into formation with Vasin and I leading and the two golden females flanking us while the others followed in a staggered formation.