Chapter 11 – Dragon Guard

Callum slowly groaned as he came around, his eyes blinking as he adjusted to the light around him. He soon realised he wasn't outside, but in a small, round building that twisted and turned like a tree. The walls were decorative, and there were a few furnishings while something soft, light, yet warm covered him. Apparently, he was lying in a bed, looking up at the peaked roof above.

As his eyes recovered, he looked at the foot of his bed and spotted the silver-haired assassin. She sat, blade in hand, looking off towards the door of the room. He smiled softly. "Fighting off bad dreams?" he asked, causing her to turn around.

"Callum, you're awake!"

"Rayla… where are we?" As he sat up, the cover slipped down to reveal he was currently shirtless and his wings were spread wide across the covers.

"We're inside the Moon Nexus."

"The what?"

"I'll explain later. All you need to know is that we're safe. Lujanne's illusions are hiding this place…" She moved up the bed to his side and stroked his cheek gently, "How are you feeling?"

"Hungry… and my head hurts," he confessed, rubbing his brow.

"Well, you did just have the full power of a storm flow into you."

He chuckled. "As long as I don't go spitting out lightning."

"If you do, just make sure I'm not nearby," she teased back before frowning. She held his chin and turned his head to the side. "Callum… your scar…"

"My scar?"

"You had a scar on your right cheek but… it's gone."

"What?"

"Let me see your hands." Rayla grabbed them before he could offer them up. She quickly unwrapped one of his bandages and gasped when she saw flawless, scaled skin.

Amazed by the sight, Callum quickly undid the other wrist and found the same thing. He stretched out his wings and saw that they too were healed. There were no scars or tears anywhere.

A shocked laugh got stuck in his throat before he chuckled, leaning towards Rayla, and nuzzling her neck. "You should have broken that thing ages ago!" he teased.

"Oh get off you big lizard!" she laughed, pushing him back a little just as he tried to lean further in. As a result, they ended up nose to nose, looking right into each other's eyes.

Callum froze as he stared, admiring the pale purple and the specks of silver within them. For some reason, his head hurt even more when he looked into those beautiful orbs.

Rayla, meanwhile, just looked into his reptilian eyes, searching for signs of his internal thoughts. She could still tell he was scared and pained by his memories, but the pain from his body was gone. He looked whole, at least on the outside.

That made her smile, and she boldly leaned over and kissed his cheek. "Silly lizard," she whispered softly.

Callum blushed and thought about what to say, when there was a cough from the door. They both turned to see the moon mage at the entrance, a tray of food in her hands.

"Am I interrupting?"

The dragon almost said yes, but the food made him shake his head. "Is that for me?"

"I thought you might be hungry."

"Starving."

Rayla smiled as she stood and allowed Lujanne to take her place. "I'll let you eat and tell Ez you're alright. He's been worried."

Despite not wanting her to go, Callum nodded and turned instead to the food. He tried to eat civilly, but he was so hungry, it was hard to stay slow.

After reporting to Ezran that Callum was awake and alright, Rayla decided she needed some time alone, and went to find a quiet spot in the nexus.

She eventually found a small cliff that looked out over the surrounding forest, hiding everything within from the world below. Rayla sighed, thinking about what could have happened if they hadn't made it in time.

"Rayla?"

She turned at the call and smiled as Callum walked towards her, fully dressed now. "Hey, how you feeling?"

"Better. So much better," he said, twisting to the side and stretching out his wings, "That Primal Stone has made me feel really good."

"I'm glad to hear it."

"Lujanne thinks I might even be strong enough to shift."

"Really?"

"Maybe not to a full dragon," he confessed, "But I might be able to go full human. It might help if we go to another human town."

"That would be good," she agreed before turning her attention back to the view.

Looking out as well, the dragon stared at the sky, his tail subconsciously moving to her side, and gently touching her leg. For a bit, he stood in silence before releasing a deep breath. "Rayla… I'm sorry I didn't tell you about the bite sooner. I was… I was just so angry at you for hiding things from me," he sighed, "Is… is there anything else you haven't told me?"

She turned to him and stared into his eyes, watching the wind mess with his hair and clothes. "There… there is something, Callum." She prepared herself to tell him about the King of the Dragons, or Ezran's dad, but the words failed her. Instead, she chose to correct a lie. "Remember when I said… my parents were dead?"

"Yes?"

"They aren't." She looked out beyond the horizon. "But I wish they were. They're cowards."

"What do you mean?"

"My parents were part of an elite force, the Dragonguard, eight elven warriors chosen to protect the royal dragon family." She sighed, looking at him again, "You are the first prince born in hundreds of years. It's so rare for an archdragon to have a child…you're such a rare and precious thing. And the Dragonguard are the best of the best, sworn to protect you and your family. But when the humans came and…" she paused, tears in her eyes, "Callum… I'm sorry… but the humans… they… they killed the Dragon King. T-They killed… your father."

Oddly, he didn't react.

"I know."

"You know?"

"Master Viren… he… he took delight in telling me. He told me… how he did it."

"Oh Callum, I'm so sorry."

"But I don't understand… what does this have to do with your parents?"

She forced back tears, determined to tell him the truth. "That day… the day they came to the Storm Spire… the Dragonguard, my parents, failed in their duty. Even worse… they ran away. They… they ran from the tower… they abandoned their post, their king… they abandoned you, Callum. And for that… I'm so ashamed."

He stared at her in silence, keeping the distance between them, but there was something in his eyes as she spoke.

"So, you see, that's why I have to make things right. When I first came to the human kingdoms, I was on a quest for revenge. But the moment I saw you… when I realised who you were… everything changed. Now, this is a journey of redemption, to redeem the mistake my family made. And I won't ever fail you as they did!"

His gaze fell to the ground. "Rayla… what were your parents' names?"

"Why?"

"Please… what were they? Tell me."

She looked confused, but he just kept staring at his feet, brow furrowed.

"Tiadrin and Lain…But why do you want to know? They're traitors. They failed. They ran away."

His concentration grew. "No…" he whispered softly, "No… no they… they didn't."

"What did you say?"

"Tiadrin… was your mother. She… she used to bring Moonberries for me… and she… she-she had your eyes," he muttered, thinking harder, "And… Lain, your father… I remember he'd… he'd ruffle my hair and… tell me stories… and had markings like yours on his face… and you have horns like his… and… and your smile is the same."

Hands over her mouth, Rayla fought back tears. "You…remember?"

"Bits. Little things," he sighed, rubbing his forehead at the headache it was causing him.

"Do you remember what happened? To my parents?"

His gaze turned to her, and she could tell it was not a memory he wanted to recall. But Callum saw hope in her eyes, and that gave him the courage. He closed his eyes again and thought back, "I… I remember being in this large room… and they were there… there were others but… I remember them being there the most. They… kept me away from the entrance. They didn't want me to see something outside… and then… they told me to hide. To go to the back, and hide…" he frowned, trying to remember, "I heard shouting… something about… how it was hopeless? But then… it was quiet until there was fighting… shouts and… it was cold suddenly, and… I remember hearing Lain shout out… something about a mistake… and then Tiadrin… saying something was wrong with him… then… then…" He frowned even more, but then just shook his head, turning to his friend, "I'm sorry, that's all I remember."

"But they were there? They fought? T-they didn't run away?"

"No, they were there. They fought."

Tears rolling down her cheeks, the elf grabbed him and hugged him tight, crying into his shoulder. Callum remembered when the positions had been reversed, and what Rayla had done for him. He reached up and gently stroked her hair back. She chuckled after a moment, turning her head towards him. "You're copying me."

"Well, it makes me feel better… I thought it would help you too."

"Yeah, it does."

His other arm held her close, and his tail wrapped around her to offer some form of comfort. "I didn't mean to upset you Rayla. I'm sorry."

"I'm not upset. I'm… I'm glad. For ten years, I thought my parents were cowards… that they ran away… but they didn't. They fought."

"I'm sorry, I don't know what happened to them."

"You have given me hope. That's more than I ever dreamed of." She leaned back from him and wiped the tears from her eyes.

The prince smiled softly, reaching out and wiping her cheek for her, "Rayla…"

"If it's alright Callum, I'd like to be alone for a bit."

She was already preparing herself to argue with him about it, but surprisingly, he nodded and let go. "Come back when you're ready," he said, walking off towards the nexus.

Once he was gone, Rayla sat on the ground and looked at the horizon, processing what she'd been told. Years of anger and hurt towards her parents, dimmed at the news. It was still there, but it was so much lighter now.

It was only hunger that made her leave the spot and head back. She tried to find food and check up on the others. Coming across a bowl of apples, she helped herself, walking around as she ate. She searched around for everyone else, and eventually found the four of them huddled together, speaking in hushed voices.

She tried to approach them to see what they were talking about, but a familiar croak announced her presence, causing the group to break apart. The other Moonshadow elf was grinning ear to ear as she looked at Rayla, biting her lip for some reason. Ezran was trying and failing to look innocent, Ellis was pretending to be interested in a stone on the ground, and Callum just looked oddly smug.

The behaviour made her frown. "You lot are up to something."

" Up to something ? Oh no, no, no. We're not up to something, " Lujanne said, still beaming.

"Who, us?" Ellis shook her head, "Nope, nothing going on here."

"Yes. We are not doing anything," Ez added monotonously.

Suspicion growing, Rayla turned to the dragon who was also smiling. Luckily, he didn't look as crazy as Lujanne.

"What's going on Callum?"

"Nothing for you to worry about Rayla," he said cryptically, "Promise."

She frowned a bit, then nodded, "Alright… but I'm keeping my eye on you four." She pointed between her eyes and then back at them to prove her point. As she walked away, she heard them return to their whispers, but decided to let it slide for now.

For the next few hours, as she prepared for their imminent departure, she kept spotting odd behaviour from each of them. She spotted Ellis carrying a massive bunch of fungus, then later, she saw Ezran picking up stones, inspecting them, then throwing them away. Even Bait was acting odd. She spotted him carrying a long stick in his mouth and dragging it away.

Callum and Lujanne appeared to be actively avoiding her, turning and running the other direction as soon as they saw her. Both of them had big, goofy grins on their faces.

She let them be, but her curiosity was growing every time something weird happened.

As the sun began to set, she found that they all had disappeared. So, she spent the time tending to her blades, glad to have two hands to do it with now.

A croak got her attention, and she turned to the grumpy glow toad behind her. "Well, at least you're acting normal," she smirked at him.

Bait croaked again, then turned and hopped down the path. After a few jumps, he stopped and looked back at her with another croak.

"You want me to follow you?"

Glowing a playful pink, he hopped again and looked back. Guessing she was right, Rayla stood up and followed him. He led her down the path, and up to the Moonhenge where she couldn't help but freeze with a small gasp. Pale blue lanterns floated in the air above them, and glowing butterflies fluttered around in the twilight. A carpet of dark red leaves led from where she stood, all the way to the other side of the henge. There, Ezran, Ellis, Lujanne, and Callum waited.

Callum stood right at the front of the leaf carpet, and somehow, had changed clothes. He wore a long, silver and blue jacket with a white cloak down his back, and it was held in place by a golden clasp shaped like the sky rune. In his hands, was an ornate sword, and on his head, a simple crown that held a blue stone in the centre.

As amazement turned into confusion, Rayla walked down the path towards them. "What's going on?"

"Shhh!" Ez whispered, finger to his lips before he smiled and looked at Callum.

The prince cleared his throat, and spread his wings a little more as he stood proudly. "Rayla, for the last few weeks, you have shown that you are a formidable warrior, an amazing strategist, and a brilliant friend. You are brave, kind, smart, and determined. Your heart is full of strength, and holds both light and love for everything you do and everyone you meet."

Rayla couldn't help but blush at the words. "Callum-"

"You saved my life," he continued, "You gave me hope and freedom. You have protected me from danger, both from others and myself. You are the greatest ally I could ask for Rayla. And as such, I wish to reward you." His smile grew a little, "Kneel."

"What?"

"He said 'kneel' Rayla," Ez whispered again, "Come on, he's worked really hard on this."

Seeing the dragon's slight embarrassment, the assassin rolled her eyes and got on one knee.

Smiling briefly at her, Callum lifted his head up again. "Rayla, as thanks for your diligence, your loyalty, your kindness, and your… your… your…"

"Dedication," Lujanne reminded from behind her hand.

"Yeah, dedication! Diligence, loyalty, kindness, and dedication, it is my wish as the Dragon Prince of Xadia, to officially appoint you…" He lifted the sword in his hands and gently placed it on her shoulder before moving it to the other, "To the Dragonguard, charged with protecting Xadia, and all within its land. To help protect and honour the memory of those before."

Carefully, he passed the sword over to the illusionist while Ellis stepped forward with a small pillow. She held it out for Callum, who took a beautiful, iridescent, metal badge from it. It had the engraved symbol of a dragon with its wings in the front, almost like a shield.

Stepping forward, Callum knelt and carefully pinned it to her jacket, right over her heart. He smiled as she watched it shine, and he stood back up. "You are no longer an assassin Rayla. From now on, you are my Dragon Guard." Stepping back, he nodded and held out his hand, "Arise, Rayla of the Dragon Guard."

She stood, a mix of amazement and amusement on her face. "Thank you, Callum. I swear I will make you proud." Her hand touched the badge, "But… you know it doesn't work like that right?"

"Yeah, I had to enterprise."

"Improvise," Ez chuckled.

"Sorry, improvise," he corrected, "We all worked hard to make it the best we could for you."

"But… why?"

"I wanted to do something for you. To show you how grateful I am to have you Rayla." He reached out and took hold of her hand, "You're worth it. You're amazing, and I wanted you to know it."

With a slight blush on her cheeks, the new guard nodded. "Thank you… I appreciate it."

"Well, as I said, you're worth it," he smiled, leaning over and nuzzling the side of her face, "I wouldn't want anyone else protecting me. You are the most important person in the world to me Rayla."

Laughing, she pushed him back playfully. "Get off you silly lizard!"

SL: Okay, yes, the truth about Rayla's parents comes out in season three and this is season two, but you know what else this is? Our AU, so we can bend the rules. Plus… Dragon Guard Rayla RULES! I mean, technically Callum rules, but… you know what I mean.

RK: Now it's her literal job to protect Callum. ^-^