Chapter 9
Oliver hesitated at first before starting his story " Now before I tell you this you must promise not to freak out or think me differently for what I've done I've done for my freedom and for Oversia.'' He said lovingly looking at Oversia who was sleeping soundly still. Vin looked to Elita who too was still sleeping her tail sliding against the ground slowly and in a gentle rhythm "I… promise.'' He said weakly but truly and Oliver began to speak.
"I am from the high mountains I am as you call the mountain people.'' He said and Vin nearly fell over but didn't he kept it together and said "Ok that doesn't matter to me a few of my uncles are of the Mongonia kingdom so I have nothing against that.'' He said truly a few of his family members indeed came from the Mongonia kingdom well on parts of his farther side at least. "I wouldn't suspect so but as I was saying.'' Oliver said "My mother met a passing Aerial rider and the two were instantly attracted to each other. And I use the word attract very heavily it wasn't love both only wanted pleasure and soon started a relationship not a very strong one but a relationship neither the less.'' he stopped as Oversia lifted his sleepy head slowly his eyes were still closed and it was too soon before his head was back down and nuzzled close to Elita who let out a small hum.
Oliver smiled and continued his story "Months passed and it wasn't too long before my mother realized she was pregnant and when my father found out he immediately denied it was his and immediately ended the relationship. Leaving my mother alone she tried her best to cope but being pregnant and working provide too much for her and she feel ill will pregnant. I was born prematurely my mother gave up all her strength to bring me into the world my sister and aunt delivered me. My mother died hours later after my birth the last thing she did before she went cold was hold me and give the name of my father." He stopped and rubbed his eyes before saying "And the Aerial Guard weren't happy with the situation at all and my father was forced to admit that I was his son. My aunts wanted to keep me but couldn't afford to so the Aerial Guard fostered me since my father couldn't raise me and since it was a rule that all riders must foster their children I was well attended to and well loved by my foster mother.'' He stopped and walked over to Oversia and gently started to pet his dragon's soft nose "My father didn't care much for me he did come to visit a few times but that was probably because he was ordered too. Not that I mind really he wasn't very friendly or nice but he was a good fighter in the air and that's what Mongonia kingdom depends on.'' He stopped as Oversia opened a lazy eye and purred at his riders touch.
Vin watched and felt sorry for Oliver here he was in a good life with family and friends who loved him. While Oliver lost both his parents even though his father lived he wasn't much of a father and he basically grew up alone. It made him want too cry. Elita just then opened one eye her beautiful light blue eyes focused on Vin who cradled her large head to his chest and stroked her chin slowly. "It must have been so sad knowing that your father didn't want you and all.'' He said turning away from Elita's light blue eyes too look at Oliver " It wasn't so bad and besides when your fostered most of the time you rarely get to see one's parents.'' He said Vin scratched his head the Aerial Guard was getting more complex then he thought he would have to ask Luna more questions about it later though.
Oliver continued to speak "As the years went by I grew up and learned the ways of a rider like all the other kids. I past all my classes and all the physical training required to become a dragon rider and it wasn't long before my progress was brought to the leader of the Aerial Guard. And I was given an egg.'' He smiled at Oversia who purred at the memory with Oliver which made Vin smile at the thought of Elita's hatching and the memory of when those light blue eyes stared into his and he rubbed his cheek against her soft nose. Oliver smiled at him "I can see I don't have to explain the joy that I felt when I got the news and how proud and honored I am to have him.'' Oversia purred in agreement "And after that our training started and that's when I found out the dark deeds that were going on behind my joyful world.''
He stopped petting Oversia who let out a sad groan that Elita returned with a sad groan of her own. Vin gave her eye ridge a good scratch to comfort her. Oliver didn't say a word for a few seconds then a gentle breeze came from overhead Vin looked up to see a light weight breed called a Grey-Wing come down and land into the courtyard its light gray body covered in what looked like soot from fire and his wings which should be a very light gray were almost pitch black. His captain slid down his dragons back and ran towards them his whole body was cover in soot. He took off his goggles which were pitch black. And said with a heavy breath "Were is leader Akins at the moment?'' He said while his dragon collapsed on the ground wings spread out Vin was hesitant at first he tried to remember where he last saw the leader but couldn't then the rider interrupted and said " It is very important that I speak with him for you see we've captured a whole wing of Mongonia dragons.'' He said and pointed up to the sky.
Vin and Oliver both looked up and gasped at what they saw coming towards them was a large flight of dragons fourteen of them were of their own kingdom they were flying in a ring formation all circled around seven dragons who by the looks of it were all of the Mongonia kingdom their heads were down and most of them had bloody wounds on their sides and wings. Oliver looking at the captain "I just spoke with him he's in his office I believe.'' He said and the rider gave a quick nod and ran off into the castle just as the formation landed with its captives once the dragons were on the ground Vin noticed that Mongonia dragons didn't have captains on their backs, it wasn't until the other riders jumped down did he notice that their captains were on the backs of the other wings the dragons roared and hissed as their riders were brought down in irons put in a small circle a few feet away in the courtyard two captains stood by them, they were kept in full view of the Mongonia dragons a dragon would never do anything that would cause their captains harm , the dragons whined and protested but their captains shouted comforting words to their dragons to keep them calm and tame the dragons eventually settled down just as the surgeons appeared with leader Akins right behind them they immediately went to work on the dragons including the Mongonia dragons. Leader Akins was talking to the Grey-wing's captain Vin and Oliver walked over to him; Leader Akins gave the captain a fast nod and headed towards them stopping them half way. "I see you two have meet and have become friends.'' He said very fast "I'm sorry that you should have too meet at such a bad time but some things just can't be helped I'm afraid. I think that you should first feed your dragons and then give are new recruit a tour of the castle.'' He said and walked away from them and back into the castle.
Elita and Oversia weren't mad about the idea of being fed, Elita waited patiently for her meal to be brought in she wasn't yet old enough to hunt on her own like Oversia who was able to fly over the pen where the feed animals were penned he already had two sheep in his talons already and was eating the first one greedily. Oliver was watching Elita for Vin while he went to get her meal.
Vin was in the butcher shop feeling up Elita's barrel with meat still on the bone since she was getting older she could take whole body parts. The barrel was filled with half a body of a cow and a few legs of a sheep. He was just wiping his bloody hands on his apron when he saw Ryan and Carson walking in he waved towards them, they quickly walked over to him as he rolled his barrel away. "Hey what's going on in the courtyard?'' Ryan asked opening the door for Vin who nodded a thanks "A wing of Mongonia riders was captured. I don't know the rest me and Oliver were sent away by Leader Akins.'' he said as they came into the feeding grounds Elita was having her nose scratched by Oliver while Oversia was just finishing his second sheep.
Elita immediately rushed towards the barrel sticking her face in pulling out the half a cow "Oversia's captain is a good chin scratcher but not as good as you.'' She purred and started to gorge. He laughed and patted her side. Ryan gave a weak smile to Oliver while Carson immediately started getting into a conversation with Oliver about his dragon which Oliver was happy to comply. Meanwhile Ryan stayed with Vin as he watched Elita finish her meal, his foot was tapping the ground nervously making Vin wonder what was the matter with him lately, for the past few days he was acting weird around Vin sometimes he would get mad at him or just plain weird around him and Vin never did ask why but now it seemed to get worse. Ryan began to speak rather nervously breaking his train of thought "So….you and Oliver seem to be getting along fine.'' He said not looking him in the face "Yeah but I only meet the guy today though.'' He said, Elita just finished licking the barrel clean and was begging Oversia for some of his third sheep that he just started eating.
Oversia didn't seem to mind sharing with her and he offered her half of his sheep which she greedily took from him "Odd thing she is one minute she acts all territorial around me and know she's actin like a filly with a new colt.'' Vin said smiling normally dragons were very possessive of their meal around other dragons so it was very odd for Oversia to share with another dragon. Ryan smiled a simple smile "Seems Elita has become fond of Oversia.'' He said his eye seemed to twitch a little but Vin really couldn't tell because the sun was going down "Yeah she really seems to like him.'' He said turning around so that he was facing Ryan in the face "Are you ok Ryan?'' he asked looking him in the eye. Ryan merely said "Yes…of course I am never better.'' He said and turned away from Vin and heading towards the castle. Vin shook his head and sighed he'd deal with him later right know all he wanted to do was bathe and eat and go to bed but not before he tended to Elita.
Once Elita was settled into her clearing now that she and the others were reaching their full growth they had to be moved outside in small pavilions it was temporary of course but it took a few days for the hatchlings to get used to the idea of sleeping away from their captains. Most of them were to afraid so some of the riders decided to let their hatchlings share a pavilion since most of the class was light weight breeds or runty weights for the exception of two ton weight Blooder and Elita.
She didn't mind sleeping alone and once or twice she allowed Izzy to curl alongside her but as she got bigger she also became more possessive and soon she didn't much like the idea of Izzy curling up with her but that was only sometimes. As she settled down to rest he patted her nose and wished her sweet dreams, Oliver and Oversia were waiting patiently for him. " Sorry it took so long I just wanted to make sure she was settled in.'' he said Oliver just smiled " Its fine I'm just been thinking of were Oversia can sleep since he can't go into the courtyard.'' He said looking around at all the already occupied pavilions. Vin also looked to the sky dark clouds were coming over head it was going to rain to. "Well it looks like it's going to rain and I hate to have Oversia out here. I'm sure he can squeeze in with Elita she's not very big and there's room enough for him.'' He said Oliver shook his head at the idea "I don't know I wouldn't want to put your Elita out.'' He said but Vin shook his head "I'm sure she wouldn't mind if I asked first.'' He said and waved Oliver to come in with Oversia coming in behind.
Elita lifted her head up slowly looking at them oddly her head tilted "Hello my dear I'm sorry to wake you.'' He said scratching her chin "You never disturb me my love. What is it you ask?'' she said sleepily.
"Oversia is in desperate need of a place to sleep. I'm sure you wouldn't mind if he slept here.'' He said looking into her beautiful light blue eyes. She lifted her head and looked over Oliver and then to Oversia and pondered the idea showing how intelligent dragons were. Finally after a few minutes she nodded her head and settled back down into her bed of hay. "Oh thank you my dear.'' Vin hugged her head which was getting a little too big for it he kissed her soft nose and she hummed. Oversia quickly settled down next to her wants he was confortable he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.
Vin and Oliver left the pair alone to go eat while on the way Vin gave him a tour of the castle he just was done showing him the baths when Oliver grabbed his hand making Vin blush a little Vin turned his head to say something but his mouth was covered by Oliver's hand he put one finger to his mouth and slowly lead him away into the steam of the baths. Only when they were in a far corner did he let go of Vin "I'm sorry but I must have you alone to finish my story.'' He said sitting on one of the wooden benches "And you couldn't have just said so.'' Vin said sitting down next to him "Well once again I'm all ears.'' He said Oliver sighed " Well I'm going to skip some parts and get right down to how I got here.'' He said wiping his forehead were sweat was falling down from the steam of the baths.
"One day me and Oversia had just finished todays training and were taking a quick break with the others when a wing of riders appeared they were yelling and laughing so loud that we could hear them from the sky. We didn't quite understand what was so exciting, until dinner that evening are leader stated that a few of the lords had disowned dragon men and refused to give tithe to them. And that some of the riders were sent out to remind the Lords of how powerful the Aerial Guard are. And that was all he said most of us just thought that they had threated the lords and were laughing at how the lords reacted but no we were wrong.''
And his voice went cold at the end he stopped and Vin placed his hand on his shoulder which Oliver gave a weak smile and continued "I was walking by one of the riders when I couldn't help but catch him talking about my village and … he said the riders had destroyed the village. Burned to the ground to be exact.'' He stopped and he fought back tears in his eyes Vin could only feel sorry for him " How terrible .'' he said " Yes it was even worse when I went to see it with my own eyes. I snuck away on Oversia and flew towards the village and what the rider said was true the whole village had been torched and sent on by dragons.'' He stopped to wipe away a small tear "And I was furious and planned my revenge I returned to the hold and plotted.'' He smiled and said "You can be surprised what one can do when angry and set on particular goal. I thought long and hard on what I should do and then it hit me and I immediately knew what to do. The very next day I asked that same rider about who was in charge of the village attack and what he told me killed me inside and fed the flame in my heart.'' He stopped and looked Vin in the eye "My own father lead the charge and even made certain the my aunt's house was burned first. And that's what broke me, I slipped away between my classes and stool some herbs that would kill a dragon I could only imagine what it would do to a human.'' He stopped and looked at Vin who had scooted down the bench far away from him his hand on his mouth "You didn't did you… I mean you didn't kill your father?'' he asked Oliver merely laughed at him "Oh no how I wanted to I couldn't bring myself to do it and I returned the herbs but switched them out for different one the kind that makes one sick.'' He laughed "I slipped into the kitchen while the cook was out we were having a special stew made for a feast to celebrate their glorious victory over the lords. I slipped the herbs in and went right back out and packed my things for I wasn't going to stay there.''
He stopped and both of them laughed as his stomach growled he'd been talking for so long that it was dinner time " Come on we can walk and talk.'' Vin said as he got up Oliver quickly grabbed his hand and Vin felt a small tingle and turned around and was face to face with Oliver. "I have to say this know.'' He sat Vin back on the bench "Ok.'' Vin replied sitting back down to listen.
"I was just about to leave when a guard or a friend I don't really know it was too dark to see but whoever it was he could tell I was up to something. His shouting alarmed everyone and before me and Oversia knew it we were being shot at by arrows. Oversia managed to pull us out of their before the dragons could get in the air but he had a few arrows in his wing and was starting to slow down.'' He stopped again before continuing "We stopped to rest in an old farmers barn the man was very kind to us and I helped him around the house in return. We got the arrows out and I managed to clean the wounds as best I could but without proper training I couldn't stich the wounds and we had no time just as soon as we had finished a wing of dragons appeared and we were on the run we flew hard and far the pursuits only increased as we headed closer to the boarder Oversia had many claw marks and gashes from trying to escape and I had broken my arm in the process but that wasn't going to kill our determination we fled all the way until we crossed the border and from there we sort of wondered around looking for a castle to call home but somewhere along the way I passed out and Oversia panicked and landed in that small wood you found me in.'' he smiled at Vin making him blush and look away " I'm once again very grateful to you and your friends for finding us.'' He placed his hand on Vin's his face went redder and he pulled away "It wasn't really us the dragons knew you were there.'' He said and stood up "I'm very sorry you've had a very harsh life that I can hardly believe but this is your home know and you have friends here.'' Vin said not believing how wise he sounded Oliver smiled "Thank you.''
Both of them arrived at dinner pretty late mostly everyone had gone only a few stayed behind one of the servants spotted them and waved for them to sit down while a platter of food was brought out for them. Oliver ate like he'd never seen food before and Vin had to stop him from chocking many times before Oliver finally belched and rubbed his stomach "That was delicious.'' He said drinking his cup of juice dry "Glad you enjoyed it.'' Vin said getting up and stretching " Well I'm exhausted and I'm sure this storm is going to upset Elita even with Oversia in with her I'm going to be sleeping with her.'' He turned to leave but Oliver quickly followed "Well I hope you don't mind me sleeping with Oversia too he's never liked rain very much and I'm sure he'd be glad to have me there with him too.''
Vin couldn't argue with that with a quick nod both of them headed to the pavilion clearing most of the junior riders were sleeping with their charges who were getting worked up over the coming storm, Elita was up her eyes glowing moon white her ability to see in the dark was quit useful to her and she purred for joy as he crawled between her and Oversia resting his head on her warm belly Oliver joined him lying on the opposite side with his head laying on Oversia's belly both dragons let out a happy rumble and slowly drifted off to sleep.
Vin didn't quit get to sleep yet Oliver was snoring already and it wasn't a very attractive noise, giving him a small nudge with his foot Oliver opened one eye and said sleepily " What's wrong?'' he said trying to go back to sleep " Your snoring louder than the dragons.'' Vin said trying to curl up in the hay "Sorry I didn't know I'll try to be more quite.'' He said and he was out like a light Vin dosed off a few minutes later after the clouds burst and rain started to fall heavily.
