Chapter 10-Uncovering Truth

Finca finally took time to speak to her daughter as preparations for Pytris' funeral were finally all but completed. She found Verdra waiting for her at a corner that looked as if it had been broken apart during Arxa's escape.

Where's Ryta? The white dragoness asked as her eyes scanned the smooth walls as Makiar's fury pounded in her ears from having heard it constantly during the day.

She left already to go find Arxa. I haven't heard from her . . .

The mighty whoosh of Ryta's wings rippled off the walls as the two dragons heard her land and begin to descend the many steps that lined the endless entry hall of the Corridor. Finca snorted in mute anger, realizing that she must have left without permission. There would be consequences to pay for her actions but not right now, not when she was so emotional distressed.

Don't say anything to her, Finca hissed, her voice barely above a whisper as Verdra nodded in agreement and understanding. I will speak.

You know nothing of what she's gone through, Verdra snarled, thinking there was a limit to her mother's mental observation skills.

I beg to differ. Ryta is hurt now, feels she has nothing left anymore. I was once that way as well.

You were? Verdra growled with skepticism. I don't believe it.

Finca sighed, her eyes glancing up the stairs that Ryta was walking down. I will tell you later.

The black hatchling snorted in disgust and turned to leave when Ryta appeared before them, her eyes soft with still fresh tears that had yet to be shed. Her gaze eventually fell on Finca and a brief light glimmered in her eyes but faded quickly as Verdra snarled with anger at her disappearance.

I see you've returned, Finca hummed in pleasure as Ryta refocused her attention on the white dragoness.

Verdra gave another growl of annoyance before she walked into the darkness that extended from one of the columns that was now scarred with a deep gash, interrupting the pattern of the walls.

With that gone, Finca commented as she resumed speaking, I want to know what happened.

Ryta swallowed, inhaling deeply from her nostrils as she struggled to speak. It was certainly more difficult to talk about what had occurred between Narssia and herself then she had thought it would have been.

S-she gave up . . . Arxa took back c-control.

Finca could tell Ryta was emotional over this and she knew it was hard for the young dragoness to explain what had happened. It seemed that not so long ago she had felt the same way. That had been . . . She couldn't bring herself to remember what caused her time of mourning.

I understand. You don't have to go any further Ryta.

I need to explain it, somehow. I can't just stand here and think about it, think about her, think about what happened. Ryta snarled as she closed her eyes and twisted her head away from Finca.

Finca gave a growl of sympathy. I understand your sadness and anger. I felt it before, twice to be exact.

Twice? Ryta didn't open her eyes as her voice suggested surprise.

My brother was killed when we were receiving training from the dragon Nor'ac. He went too far and aggravated the older dragon into a violent rage. This, of course, resulted in the death of my younger sibling.

Was he a white dragon as well? The brown dragoness inquired.

No, he was black with twilight grey eyes. Finca sighed, steeling herself for what she would speak of next. Then came the death of my mate, Tamli Nekita. He died of a disease which . . .

Stripped his emotional control? I heard of that from Arxa.

Heard of it from . . . ? How did she know of this?

Anger briefly rose into Finca's words but she controlled herself before speaking again. You can tell me if you want.

She wanted to explain the dishonesty of the dragon race through both you and Uria, Ryta growled, opening her eyes and bringing her gaze to meet Finca's, whose eyes were now closed.

Given her violent nature I'm not surprised. Narssia never was a calm and . . .

Finca stopped, breaking her sentence off as Ryta's eyes clouded with tears. Snapping her eyes shut once more, the brown female growled softly, the behavioral expression full of her emotion.

Forgive me, that was uncalled for. Your mother was a wonderful dragon . . .

Is a wonderful dragon! Ryta roared, baring her teeth as her eyes, having opened upon hearing Finca's words, lapped with anger. She is still alive in that body, one way or another.

No dragon's soul can exist for long without a host. That host is either its heart-of-hearts or its body. Narssia has neither because of her circumstances.

That isn't true. My mother is alive. Ryta seemed to be denying the very truth that Finca knew with complete certainty.

The white female swept her gaze around the floral walls, the tip of her tail twitching like a sensor of thoughts. Four long minutes went by and Ryta stirred uncomfortably, never sitting down until Finca, at last, sighed and motioned for her to follow.

The path was not through the stairwell which would have taken them to where Arxa had escaped, but instead through a long corridor that seemed to be unending. Step after step led the two only further into darkness, something that slightly pleased Finca as it drove away thoughts of her dead mate. Darkness had always done that to her, of why she was not certain but she felt that it was because of the fact that Tamli had represented light in her shadowed world and that without him there was no light to guide her path. True he had also sometimes been her darkness but that had been what had made them a great pair, the fact that they were opposites and well-balanced.

Do you know the story of the humans down here? She asked Ryta as the young dragoness kept pace with her rather well.

I can't say I do. Enlighten me then.

Finca snorted in amusement, smoke flaring from her nostrils for a brief second. You seem so eager. She sighed as they rounded a corner, approaching steps that gradually sloped downward. If only I had your attitude when I was younger. Perhaps my brother wouldn't have died then. Perhaps my mate would still be here, with me.

You can't blame yourself for what happened in the past. Ryta growled, slinking back as the walls thinned and she could no longer stay beside Finca.

Oh, but I can. I can and I do, every day. Finca sighed, dropping her eyes to the floor as she lowered her shoulders in preparation for the descent that would come.

Ryta hesitated before she spoke once more, fresh tears still lurking in the corners of her eyes. Tell me about him.

Finca was taken by surprise. About who?

About your mate, Tamli Nekita.