Imperial

Chapter 42

Warm air brushed against my scales, caressing me as I rested, curled up near the fire. Dragons surrounded me, trying to get as close to the fire as possible. Some watched Kronx warily, unable to relax in the presence of the giant dragon - even if he was the reason they were all free. Eventually, they'd become used to him, if Rutilus and I did indeed lead the wing.

"It's strange," Soriak's voice pierced the silence, her wings soaking up the fire's heat as she leaned further into it. "Its strange to be so relaxed in a place where we were hauling coal and being punished not even a day before."

Several murmurs of agreement rippled through the clearing. Most of them not caring about where they were - too busy enjoying the most rest that they'd had in a long time. Enjoying the breeze tickling their scales and the warmth of the fire caressing them. I couldn't help but notice that a few of them were still asleep.

"We'll have to move later. Away from the fields, but close enough so that you don't have too much trouble getting there," I sighed, staring across the fields. It was hard to believe that it had been months since I'd last been punished, had last hauled coal across the seemingly endless fields. That I had been so close to doing it again - had Kronx and Foruthe not joined the fight.

Across the fields, as far away from the fire and dragons as possible, I spotted the wyvern's silhouette, curled up on the grass. His head was raised, watching us from afar. How Kronx had managed to convince him, I did not know. Nonetheless, I was glad that he had.

The glimmer of dark grey scales caught my eye, and I instantly recognised the large drake with icy blue eyes. I'd seen him on the fields numerous times, hauling large wagons of coal. Of all the dragons, he'd been the most social - having started most conversations of the few conversations we had at night.

Careful not to step on any of the dragons, he slowly approached me. "Sorry for yesterday," he murmured, his voice soft. His talons burrowed into the ground, and he cast a dark glance towards the Dragon Stables. "Had it not been for the humans, I would not have attacked you."

"That does not matter anymore. You are free," I shuffled my wings, meeting his gaze firmly. From the corner of my eye, I could see Rutilus raise his head, peering at the dark grey drake carefully.

But the drake payed Rutilus no heed, instead dipping his head slowly, as though satisfied by my answer. He did not speak immediately, instead examining me. Noting the wounds I'd received from battle, as well as the black beads scattered across my wings.

Seemingly curious, Rutilus rose to his feet, approaching us carefully.

Still, the dark grey drake did not so much as glance at him. He hesitated almost uncertainly,  before he whispered, "I'm Thorak."

The moment the name slipped off his tongue, his icy blue gaze brightened, widening ever so slightly with excitement and joy. I completely understood his wave of elated emotions, having experienced it myself only a matter of months ago. For the first time in years, he was sharing his name with someone - not just a nameless beast the humans had full control of.

He shook himself, the scales on his spine shuddering as he repeated slightly louder, "Thorak."

"I'm Argentum."

"I know," Thorak shuffled his wings, before glancing towards the approaching the red and gold drake. "And he's Rutilus. One night, not long after she returned, Soriak told us everything that had happened when she had escaped." His eyes darkened, and his voice grew quieter. Colder. "She was punished the following day. As though the humans knew she had told us."

"But that's impossible. The human's can't understand us," I stared at the Dragon Stables, recalling instances when they had punished us when we had talked to each other of a night. Dimly, I recalled the way that Raffael seemed to have understood what I'd said when he freed me.

Was it possible that the humans did understand us? It would explain how they knew if we used each others' names or spoke of being free of vengeance.

But... Master had never understood any of the threats I'd snarled in his face. He'd always stared at me with a bleak expression, as though I'd been merely growling at him. Of course, he'd punished me for it, but if he knew what I had said, it would have been a lot worse.

"It makes no sense," Rutilus agreed, casting a quick glance at the dark grey drake.

Thorak shuffled his wings, pale eyes staring up at the sky. "We have other things to worry about. Worse things." Baring his fangs, he growled quietly, his talons digging into the earth.

I followed his gaze, staring into the night. At first glance, I could not spot anything in the dark sky aside from the blanket of stars. But looking closer, I could see the silhouettes of three dragons and humans flying towards us.

Alarm shot through me. Not even a day, and more dragons and humans were coming. Surely news had not spread so quickly of Fehïrk's downfall? Even if, it would have taken a day to reach the closest city - and a day for them to send out dragons and humans to investigate.

"Humans," I hissed, hastily rising to my feet. Dragons started to stir, screeching in a mix of alarm and fury as they spotted the dragons.

Kronx roared over the increasing noise, lashing his tail. Stormy silver eyes went from dragon to dragon, and I could not help but notice a few shrank away from his heavy stare. "Quiet. You'll attract unwanted attention to yourself."

"It makes no difference," a bronze dragon protested bleakly. "They're coming here anyway."

But the dark blue drake did not respond. Smoke coiled from his jaws as he stared up at the incoming dragons. The silhouettes rapidly became clearer and clearer, until I could clearly see the scar-less flanks of each of the dragons. Their scales shone as though cared for, nor were there any ribs visible.

Perhaps they had been recently captured - which would explain their good physical condition. Yet even that did not seem right; none of the humans seemed to be controlling the dragons. No chains. No tail fin rings.

These dragons were strange. Why were their humans on their backs, if they weren't being controlled?

"Dragon riders," Kronx grunted, settling back onto the ground, not at all concerned by the dragons and humans.

Rutilus whipped his head towards him. "What?"

"Dragon riders," the dark blue drake repeated, blinking slowly. With a casual flick of his tail, he continued, "humans who ride dragons that have befriended them. Dragons that would willingly live around a particular human, and vice versa."

"Dragons would choose to live with a human?" Rutilus's voice dripped with disbelief. Narrowing his eyes, he stared back up at the approaching dragons, baring his fangs in a sneer of disdain. "But why?"

Why would dragons choose to be around humans? They were cruel and harsh to either dragons or their own kind - if not both. Only once had I come across a human whom had not hated dragons.

But the dark blue drake did not respond, instead watching the three dragons glide across the sky with a curiously.

I couldn't help but wonder if he knew why a dragon might want to be around humans.

*~*

1266 words

Woah. Its been ages since I update - so sorry! The first few days, I had a student honours ensemble program, which I found to be a wonderful experience. After that, I did spend time writing this chapter, but progress was slow; not flowing like it does normally. So yesterday, I started rewriting it, and here we are now. :)

Anyways, back to our weekly updates as school has started once again, but it is a shorter term. Only eight weeks, including block exams, which gives me eight weeks of holidays - ample time to finish this book and start the next.

Please do drop a vote if you enjoyed, and all comments are appreciated. :D