Imperial

Chapter 52

"Look, what's that?" Caelum exclaimed, staring at something among the vast blue depths in the distance.

Biting back a sigh, I followed her gaze. Anything aside from the endless sky and sea was slightly interesting, but... The sky-blue dragoness had constantly pointed out everything that was abnormal, so much so that Thorak had stopped grumbling under his breath every time she did. Instead, he remained silent – staring ahead of him.

Sure enough, there was something strange in the water.

Still very distant – little more than a small dark patch of colour against the overcast sky. Perhaps we were near Kronx's temporary safe-haven. That was strange, given that the flight had been so short, but rest would be nice. A break from the constant travelling, giving us time to regain our strength.

"Is that it?" Rutilus asked eagerly, peering at the island. "It looks so... small."

"It's not ideal for this many dragons," Kronx admitted, slowly dipping his head. "We'll only be there for a week, if not less."

Confirming that the upcoming island that we would have lived in had we not rescued all the other dragons. The safe-haven that Kronx had had in mind, keeping us safe from the humans. Had we not rescued the other dragons, we'd already be there - and likely remain there for months.

Curious, I examined the rapidly approaching island. A mountain loomed above it, towering over the noticeably small hills that covered the majority of the island. Nonetheless, I couldn't help but notice that that mountains was small. Barely over half the size of Kronx's mountain.

Not that it mattered. After all, we'd only live there for a week.

"This way," Kronx grunted, leading us down towards the mountain. Expertly, he circled the lone mountain, and with a jolt, I realised that he'd lived here before. Suddenly curious, I glanced around the island with renewed interest. There was no way he would have become so familiar with it whilst in a wing - he wouldn't have had the time to. Had he come here after Argon had banished him from his wing? 

With one last glance at the green shrub and trees that covered the few rolling hills, I followed Kronx towards the small mountain. Caves seemed to cover the mountain, but the dark blue dragon was interested in none of them until we neared the top, where a large, gaping hole awaited.

Again, it was smaller than the the the entrance hole to Kronx's den. Nor was it as deep - if I squinted, I could see the far side of the cave; perhaps just big enough to fit all of us in it. It was no where near as elegant either - the walls were made of plain dirt and stone.

Kronx drew a sharp intake of breath. Surprised, I whipped my head around to face him, only to see him staring at the cave wall. For a split second, a whirlwind of emotions darkened his eyes. Sorrow. Shame. Anger. Sadness, so intense that I was sure I had imagined it all when he turned away from the wall not even a second later.

"What is it?" I questioned, following his gaze. I was vaguely aware of Rutilus turning towards us in confusion as I inspected the wall.

Sure enough, it did not take long to find what seemed to unsettle the dark blue drake.

Deep scratches were carved into the wall. Reaching from the top of the cave to almost the bottom, I couldn't help but wonder how I hadn't noticed it before. The scratches were big - too big to have been created by any other creature, but a dragon.

Which meant that they were the remnants of another dragon's rage. What would make a dragon so furious to have to rake their talons across a cave wall? Who had carved them in the first place? Was it Argon? Had the Dragon King come here at some point?

If he had... then perhaps we weren't as safe here as Kronx had hoped. Perhaps Kronx had just realised that - thus unsettling him.

I peered back at Kronx, waiting for him to answer. But he still stared at the scratches, his silver eyes dark with agony.

Exchanging a baffled glance with Rutilus, I repeated my question.

Kronx jolted out of his daze. Within a matter of moments, the whirlwind of emotions whirling in his eyes vanished as he transferred his gaze towards us. "I made them. I made those scratches there," he flicked his tail towards the cave wall.

It was hard to imagine Kronx to be so furious. He was always peaceful - always had a steady hold over his emotions. But those long, deep scratches on the wall said otherwise. Spoke of a time, when he'd been anything but.

"It wasn't long after my battle with Argon. One that not only left me battered and bruised, unable to fly for a while, but one that resulted in him driving me out of my wing," the dark blue dragon explained, as though sensing my confusion. Nonetheless, his voice remained carefully clipped. Neutral. Emotionless. Giving nothing away.

"What was your wing like?" Rutilus murmured beside me, his head tilted a fraction in curiousity.

A long sigh escaped the dark blue dragon, but I could have sworn that his silver eyes had softened a fraction.

"It was small – perhaps half the size of yours," he glanced across at each of us, before staring into the distance. A trace of smoke coiled from the dark blue dragon's jaws, and for a few moments, his silver eyes brightened as he recalled his own former wing. "But we liked it like that. None of us had any initial desire to try and find more dragons to join – there was simply no need... Among them, was my mate. Veira."

His mate; the one dragon that he'd loved. Sympathy stirred within me, for surely when Argon had forced him to leave his own wing, he'd been forced to leave her as well. "We can go rescue her-"

"No," Kronx growled harshly, instantly cutting me off.

Confused, I glanced at him. Did he not want to be reunited with his mate? Perhaps it would be dangerous for us - and we'd already agreed to save the dragons at Erakor, but we could try to save her. Perhaps the Dragon King would be there, and fight us, but... we'd find a way!

I opened my jaws, about to protest. Danger was no reason to not free his mate! It would be risky, arguably riskier than sacking a city, but... it was always worth a shot!

But a chilling glare from Kronx froze me in place.

"One can not free another from the confines of death."

*~*

1126 words

Huh. A bit of backstory... Kronx's backstory! Of course, don't expect him to reveal any more - it'd go against his personality. But it would make quite an interesting prequel. Hmm.

Do you guys remember the chapter when Kronx taught Argentum and Rutilus to 'find their style of flight'? I'm pretty sure it was Chapter 16. Anyways, what would you think if I changed it so that they learned about clouds and air currents instead? Would you find that to be more interesting?

Anyways, please do drop a vote if you enjoyed! And all comments are greatly appreciated. :)