Ronde

It's been two days since we've left Berk and it's getting closer to dark. But we make it towards the same island we rested on before the day of peace meeting. Only this time we've brought everyone including my mother and mentor. And after this, we have to go on a different path towards my home, but with each mile, I become more anxious. How much has changed? What are the dragons doing? How much have the dragons integrated into our homes? What has my family been doing without me?

These thoughts just continue to bother me as I was laying down on the soft grass.

The others were around the campsite that they made telling stories and eating fruit that they found. They already had their tents set up. They looked like they were having fun but I just had too much going through my mind right now I just needed some space away from them.

After a while they all went towards their tents with their dragons he fell asleep but my mentor and my mother were coming towards me.

My mother called out to me, "Hey Ronde what wrong? You didn't even try to talk to any of us during the campfire. Those folks have some very interesting stories."

I looked away from her, "Yeah I've heard a few myself."

My mentor then said, "Yeah something wrong with you. What's the matter? Are you mad at us or something? Did we do something to bother you?"

I looked towards them, "No, it's nothing like that it just...I have so many things going through my head right now. I'm still scared to return home and I don't know why. You guys are here but..."

My mother looks sad, "But what son?"

I didn't know what to say to her.

My mentor then spoke up, "Ronde I believe it just guilts me from being away for so long. But trust me once we get there you'll be happy."

Perhaps, but still my sister's and father I'm worried about seeing. And my grandmother I bet she thinks I hate her for doing this to me. If anything I should be thanking her for trying to save my life.

My mentor and mother sat down next to me much to my surprise. My mother was the closest and began rubbing my cheek, "My son everything is going to be ok. I understand that you're nervous I would be too but remember we're going as a family you won't be alone."

I somewhat turned my head away from her. I am not sure if it was nervousness it is more of an uneasy feeling I was having. I am excited to return, yes, am I happy that my mother has accepted me like this, yes. But something is wrong, it's like something is missing almost.

Maybe I am just nervous and just overthinking this. I should be happy that I'm here with them.

I looked over towards them, "I'm fine I just need time to think about stuff before we return home. I appreciate you two checking on me but I just need time. But what were you and the others talking about?"

They both looked at each other and smiled, "Well there were telling us about their adventures when they were teenagers and how they integrated dragons into their homes although it seems they had more difficulty then what we have to go through which is funny to me because their village is smaller."

"Well I guess that something we agree on, their village is only close to a tenth of our village not including the other 3," I said to them.

My mentor then spoke up, "Hey so Ronde is there anyone in this village that you have any interest in?"

I only stared at him, "Mother already asked me that and the answer is no not right now. I don't have any interest in anyone in this group also but you would probably be interested in one of them, she is a strong warrior that's self-taught, you can show her how to properly fight but I don't have any interest in her, she is just a friend with a boyfriend might I add. But I already have someone in mind but they're not from this village."

He looked surprised, "Oh, uh is the girl a..."

"She is not a dragon, she's human," I quickly answered.

I noticed he sighed with relief and slightly laughed, "Oh good, I think if I would be a little awkward to have your future descendants be a dragon ruling our kingdom."

I wasn't amused, "Yeah even if I stay I'm not becoming the next king after my father. I'm sure that that mother and father choose one of my sisters to do it. I'm not picking up pieces or the mess that my ancestors and my father made, I want to choose my own path."

"Sorry Ronde it just-"

I quickly said, "It's fine but I don't want to talk about this anymore tonight. I'm tired and I want to sleep."

They stood up, my mother then said, "Ok Ronde we may talk in the morning but why don't you change back to you can sleep in a tent like us and your friends."

"Mother I think I'll like to sleep outside, I've been like this for nearly half my life and the soft grass is not that bad compared to sleeping on a rocky surface. I'm comfortable like this."

She looked somewhat sad, "Ronde just promised me you won't sleep outside when we get home."

I close my eyes while saying, "No promises, it all depends on my dear father if he wants us in his castle."

She sighed, "I guess in a way you're right just get some rest. We'll talk in the morning."

I tried to get in a comfortable position, "Yeah will do, good night."

I opened my eyes and saw both of them walking away from me as I just sat here wondering to myself. 'Should I tell them about me? How I'm probably going to be like this forever when I get older? Should I just rip off the patch now to save them a great deal of pain later?'

I shook my head, 'No, not yet. I'm not sure if I am even staying at my home. Other than seeing my family again I have no other motivation to stay there. But if something were to happen then I'll say my final goodbyes.

Neurie

Skild and I went behind my tent, "He's starting to worry me a bit, Skild."

He smiled and said, "Don't worry about it too much he's just probably preparing himself to return home. 7 long years he's been away, I would be nervous too, to see my sister's grandmother and...father."

I sighed, "Woede wasn't the best father to Ronde. I can admit that but he really does care about him. I just hope that Ronde sees that as well."

Skild looked at the ground, "I know that to be true but it will be a very long time before Ronde sees it as that. Unless Woede opens up to him, but you know my friend he doesn't like to show any emotion because he's seen it as a weakness. Both you and I only ever saw him cry once that was when his father and mother died and he was crowned as king when he was 25 around the time you two got married huh?"

I nodded, "Yes that when I discovered that I was pregnant with Ronde. Even though we had children before, my daughter Moyo and Akili we weren't officially married yet. But there was another time I believe I saw Woede crying or at least shed a tear."

He looked somewhat surprised, "Really? When was that?"

"It was after Ronde's funeral or memorial he wouldn't talk or respond to me for several hours. And when we were about to lay down in bed, I'm not sure if I had imagined it but I saw a tear on his left cheek on his face. I would have mentioned it to Ronde but I was afraid he was going to believe me."

Skild looked surprised, "Are you sure? I don't know why I'm surprised because this is his son's supposed death but still he cried?"

I shrugged, "I have no clue, I was sad and tired myself so I'm not sure if I imagined it or not. But I know that Woede loved his son but the way he went about doing it...I only wish I would have stopped him."

Skild put his hand on my shoulder, "We all have known each other since we were kids, and for what I could tell that both you and your husband are very stubborn. Ronde act's just like his father when he was his age. I can see it you know? I mean me and your father have been friends since we were kids. He was so adventurous, we would go into town and make trouble for ourselves. And that when we met you."

I somewhat laughed remembering those days, "You were trying your best to impress me every day until we were teenagers. You brought me flowers and all sorts of gifts. You and Woede were trying so hard to get my attention."

I noticed that his smile somewhat faded, "But you found something in Woede that you like more than what you saw in me."

"Skild it wasn't that I didn't like you or anything. But I saw how the competition between you two to get my attention was destroying your friendship. You two were the best of friends fighting over me. It was hard to choose but Woede just was just more exciting to be with and I saw you as a very close friend. And you know that I didn't know he was a prince until I was pregnant when he told me."

"Neurie it's ok you chose right. I'm glad that we're still friends and I'm glad that me and Woede are still friends with each other. If it wasn't for that I would have never met my wife and I would have never had my son. And you would have never had Ronde. Sometimes I do feel like I am his parent in some ways."

I nodded, "He does see you as a father figure. You have treated him as if he was your son and I did appreciate that. You have taught him well."

He smiled, "Well I do see a little bit of myself in him but mainly I see Woede in him when he was a kid. Being near him makes me feel young again."

I turned around to see Ronde fast asleep, "Yeah those two do act alike."

Skild then said, "Neurie it is getting late and we need to get up early to be on schedule to make it home. Good night I'll see you in the morning."

I nodded and said, "Yes, you to my friend."

He started to walk towards his tent and I did as well. I was beginning to get tried and these portable beds are not the best to my comfort but I can sleep on it. I just feel sorry for my son, why does he want to sleep outside? Is it because he's used to it or he feels as though he was a burden? I don't know and why is he still a dragon? I want to talk to him about it but I'm afraid that I'll push him away. Maybe as the days go on I'll talk to him about it.

I slowly laid down and tried to calm my nerves to fall asleep.

Many miles away from where the dragon Riders were on a small island.

Unknown

My night shift is almost over, working with these people are very taxing but at least they pay well. I should get my pay today. I just need to satisfy these customers.

I need to tenderize the meat then finish cooking it.

"Hey hurry up! I don't get all day women!" One of the bastards yelled at me.

I was starting to get irritated while I was trying to flip a piece on the other side inside the oven, "Hold on! It's almost ready, what? Do you want your food undercooked?"

He didn't respond; he only gave me a look of disappointment. But then my boss named Mimita came in and scowled at me, "What are you doing yelling at my customers?"

She went towards the man with a nervous smile, "I apologize for her as you know it's getting late and we're about to close. But your food is almost ready sir."

I noticed he had his arms crossed when I flipped over the meat and he said to my boss, "You're lucky I'm very hungry otherwise I would have taken my business somewhere else."

Her smile got smaller as she was trying to remain calm, "Yes sir and we appreciate that your food is almost ready. My Apprentice is very good at cooking and she likes to take her time to bring out the flavor."

He slammed his hand on the counter, "I don't care! I want my food so I can go home. I've been working hard at work all day!"

I almost laughed. He thinks that fishing is that hard of a job when you have multiple fishermen and nets and on populated water? He doesn't have to work to the bone to get a job done. All he needs is patience but obviously, he doesn't have that.

My boss quickly nodded, "Yes I understand," then she turned around facing me, "Little flame hurry up!"

I was beginning to get irritated, "His food is almost ready and don't call me little flame. My name is-"

She cut me off mid-sentence, "It doesn't matter what your name is, just finish his order."

'You know what, forget it! If he wants his food now he can have it! If it's undercooked that on him! I hope you choke on it!' I quickly got the meat out of the oven and placed it on the counter. I quickly got my knife and chopped it down to pieces. After that I got a container and slid the meat inside and gave it to this rude man, "Your food is done, please pay upfront so I can hand it to you."

He got angry and slammed the money on the counter and snatched the container out of my hand then he started to walk away.

I was very upset that he snatched it from me but I needed to count the money to make sure he pays in full. As I was counting I realized that he did pay the full price but something was missing. I yell across the room, "Hey! Where's my tip!"

He stops walking and turns around to give me a very angry look, "I only tip women that are respectful to men. You are not one of those women so I gave you nothing."

The moment he turned towards the door I quickly grabbed the knife I used to cut the meat and was aiming to throw it at him but before I tried to throw it my boss grabbed my wrist and we looked at each and she gave me a very disappointed look. The man walked out of the restaurant and a few minutes later so did everyone else. It was getting late and we were about to close the shop. I was putting up all the tools and utensils that we used for today but my boss tried to get my attention, "You know I can't have you constantly arguing with my customers even if they're in the wrong."

I was putting up the last utensils and grabbed the broom to sweep the floor, "Most of your customers are idiots with no patience. If they want an undercooked meal then that on them but calling me disrespectful only made me see red. Respect is a two-way deal, you show respect to others, they respect you back."

"I do agree but that doesn't give you a right to try to kill one of them. And even if you weren't trying to kill him it would have made me look bad if one of my employers threw a knife at a customer."

I stop sweeping the floor, "So what now are you going to let me go?"

She nodded her head, "No, you are one of the reasons why my business is booming right now. You can really cook and tenderize meat to bring out its flavor so I still need you. But I can't have you arguing with customers again so consider this a warning."

"Yeah, yeah whatever after I'm done sweeping the floor can I get my pay for today?"

She sighed, "Only worried about the money? Yeah, I guess that is more like you huh? Yeah, I give you your pay just finished cleaning up alright."

I swept whatever pile I made from the crumbs and trash of the people who were here today and dumped it in a trash bin, "Yes I know have I ever disappointed?"

She slightly laughs and when towards the back inside of her room. Sometimes I do forget that she lives here but I believe it's because she can't afford this place and a house at the same time so she just decided to live in this place where she can make the most money.

I looked around at the mess that these idiot's left. Why is it so hard for people to pick up after themselves I will never understand other than the fact that they're just lazy.

I walked around and grabbed the trash bin to clean up after the customers that were here all day. After a while, I finally got the last piece and placed the trash near the entrance so I could take it out towards the back whenever I leave. I went to the front counter to wait for my boss to get back.

After some time she came back with a small bag with coins inside, "This is your pay for today. I don't understand why you can't wait until the end of the week you'll get more."

I took the bag and placed it on my belt, "You know exactly why. I can't afford to miss a payment on my house and I'll never know when the landlord is going to pop up and say 'give me rent' I personally prefer to be safe than sorry."

"I think I understand, you just want to prolong your stay at your parent's house so you don't have to move in with that boy right?"

I didn't say anything but she noticed my facial expression and looked down towards my hands and then asked, "How long do you have? I am not trying to upset you but I want to prepare myself if I need to find a replacement for you since you may not be working here anymore."

I looked at the Abomination with my finger that that bastard gave me, "Around 2 weeks, he wants everyone in the village to know. Right now it's been tough for me so yeah I'm trying to prolong this, no one else is going to help me."

She was confused, "What do you mean?"

I took a deep breath trying to compose myself before saying, "No one is going to help me when it comes to this situation. I mean it was either this or banishment and as much as I would choose banishment then the alternative option I have nowhere to go. Both my parents died in that coup a few years ago and my grandfather just recently died. I have nothing, just my parent's house, this job and you, my boss that is willing to listen."

She looked towards the floor, "Oh, right that coup that was just all over the place but I'm glad that our old leader is dead. Using all of our wealth just for himself but our replacement isn't all too good either just better at our funds and trading. I understand that you are not ready for a commitment like that with a guy like Valea."

"Please don't mention his name in front of me. I hate being constantly reminded of him."

She then got closer to me and said, "look I completely understand what you're going through, I myself was going through something similar when I was around your age. You feel like this way of life is unfair which if we're both being honest it is for women. Our forefather's culture integrated into our laws, at first the man believed that the women with this would be a burden on the battlefield with them so they banned us from helping when it came to the great war. And that battle ended around the time my great-grandfather was around my age but we lost and it cost us the majority of our population and we had to move to another side of the world. That's how we ended up on this island right here."

'Great a history lesson just what I needed.'

She continues, "The laws that wanted us to not be involved in the war have changed because of our population issue so they changed it to where us women are required to marry someone around the age of 20 and have children with them before we turn 25. But just like the old laws we weren't allowed to do anything I could jeopardize population we can have hard-working jobs that pays decently, we can't get off the island no matter the situation unless all of us are moving to a different Island and we have to follow the law to the letter otherwise we are...outed."

"Why are you telling me this?" I asked.

"Because I want you to follow my example when I got married I didn't like my husband at first but then I grew to like him and we had a daughter together. But just like your parents, my husband died in that coup as well. I had nothing but my daughter and my home. But after a few months, I decided that I wanted to create this place so that people could eat, drink and relax after a hard day of labor. It wasn't easy, I had to do some stuff that I wasn't proud of doing to get to the position that I am right now. Something tells me if I were a man this place will be booming even more than what it is. But I make enough to get by enough to give some to my daughter as well if she needs it. So what I'm trying to say is your situation may look bad now but it can get better."

I was starting to get frustrated because she had no idea what she was talking about, she had no idea how different my situation is compared to hers so I told her, "Now I want you to think about our situation, the scenarios are the same but the situation is different. You didn't know the man you had to marry and it turns out that he was very nice and kind but the person I have to be with is Valea, a person I knew since we were kids that always had a fixation out on me for some odd reason that I don't understand to this day. Valea the son of the person who ordered the coup in the first place that got my parents killed and is now the chief of this place who is ordering me to marry his son because he asked like I'm some sort of object for him to have!"

"Hold on I didn't mean it like that Kin-"

I cut her off, "And another thing, this place was your dream to own a restaurant for these fools to eat in. Your dream was reachable although it was probably very hard for you to get in the position that you are right now but as for me my dream it's blasphemous to our so-called culture. I wanted to be a warrior to protect the innocent and our way of life, but now that I'm grown and see this island for the way it is I hope one day that this way of life is destroyed and we can start over again from scratch. Talking like this will just get me executed so what is the point anymore? All I asked if you not to compare your life to mine. Your path is different from mine and I have to accept what is instead of what can be which is my freedom which I don't have but you have more freedom than what I have right now."

She didn't say anything she just looked towards the ground then all around the restaurant reminding herself what she had to do to get to where she is now.

I looked away from her and started to walk towards the exit, "It's getting late and I have to workout and train in the woods. I'll see you in the morning Mimita."

As I was walking out I heard her call my name, "Kindle, I'm sorry."

I only waved back but I didn't look at her as I quickly grabbed the trash and threw it on the side and walked home before Valea could look for me. My house would be the second place he'll look and the forest would be the 3rd.

I quickly made it home and I quickly undressed myself and put on my uniform I put on for trading with the shirt that my mother stitch for me and the shoulder pads that were on my father's the night he was murdered with my ax he gave me for my birthday and the shield he used to block incoming attacks. He and my mother were the only people who believed in me to change our nation and to be the first woman warrior of our tribe.

But I failed them. I just hope that they forgive me for not meeting their expectations.

I quickly ran outside towards the forest and tried to find my training spot, it was down the hill closer to the field of flowers on the cliffside.

After a few minutes of running, I found it. No one should be in the forest this deep unless they're looking for someone. I grab my ax and prepare to swing towards the tree. I hit the tree and my ax was closed halfway through. So it would take me close to 3 swings to cut the tree completely off horizontally, unfortunately, I can't do that otherwise I'll be attracting unwanted attention if the tree comes trampling down.

As I was chopping the tree vertically I was thinking back during the time I was doing this with that dragon. To this day I can never understand how or why that dragon was so smart. It could understand my words, it tried to protect me and it showed me how to properly swing an ax which I don't understand how he knew how to do that. I just always assumed that it saw people doing it and he compared to the way I was doing and corrected me and taught me how to do it either that or he's been in a few battles and noticed how people swing their axes towards him. Either way that Dragon took the time to teach me and what he taught me was the correct way to do it."

At that moment I stopped mid-swing to remember the last day we'd met. 'I remember after we were nearly caught he flew towards me towards the field of flowers and tried to explain himself by drawing on the ground and doing charades took me a while to understand what he was trying to say but I got the message eventually. It was too dangerous to be together, he would be killed and I'll be banished. It was hard because I didn't want him to leave but it was for both of our safety. But before he left he was hesitating to fly off, he just kept opening his wings and looking back at me for several moments until he walked up next to me and...'

...Snap...

I turned around to hear a twig snapped in the background, someone was here in the forest coming this way.

The moment I thought who it was I immediately placed my ax on my back and climbed the tree I was practicing on. Once I made it close to the top I saw who it was and it didn't surprise me. I'm just glad I hear him just in time. Well not only him but his followers to get on his good side.

The man I was supposed to marry Valea was under the tree where I was at, looking around to see any signs to see if I was here.

He looked at the slash markings on the tree and turned around towards his supposed friends with more followers and said, "She was here recently split up and tried to find her. She owns me an explanation for why she's been avoiding me for the past couple of days."

"Yes, Valea we'll try to find her."

They are all scattered like the roaches they are but Valea stays and walks away from the tree while talking to himself, "Why is she avoiding me? I promise when we get married I swear she won't have time to be running around like this. My family is the richest on this island. I can give her whatever she wants yet she still tries to avoid me, that female..."

He quickly ran off into the distance deep within the forest.

I however just stayed at the top of the tree for several minutes thinking to myself, 'He wonders why I try to avoid him. This boy is 20 years old yet ever since we were little he always tries to get my attention but he was just too different. Something was just off about him. And now it's like he has a fixation on me. He always talks down to me yet he wants to be with me. I don't know what it is but I try my best to avoid him until the day my life completely changes which is close to two and a half weeks. Until then I'm going to try my best to avoid him, these are my last days of freedom and he's already abusive the last time I've seen him he hit me.'

After a while, I climbed down from the tree, once I did I looked down at the palms of my hand and said the many calluses on my fingers. It is because of these I don't feel much pain when I climb or swing my ax but they do get in the way sometimes, I can barely make a fist. But because of Valea and what he said to me they make me feel ugly or not worthy of love. A woman's touch should be light and gentle not hard as stone is what he told me among other things.

I tried to forget about my calluses and worried about getting home without getting caught. I looked back towards the forest and quickly ran back home.

After running back up the hill I made it towards my house. I went around towards the back door and unlocked it once I'd looked around to see if anyone was around. I didn't see anything so I quickly ran inside and locked the door behind me. Inside my house was cool so I grabbed my two spark rocks and went next to the fireplace. After a few attempts, I made a spark and watched to see if the flame got bigger I went back towards the other room to grab some firewood and place it within the small fire. A few minutes go by and the fire is big enough I sit down next to it to warm myself up and place that boy's wedding ring on the table.

Above the fireplace was my father's sword he used to protect whoever hired him or used it to stop criminals within our village. I wanted to be a warrior just like him. He was respected among our community. I remember when he told me why he gave me my name. He told me that he knew that I was the one to make a change, something small that would be the start of something much bigger. Kindle that is why he named me like this.

I then laid down on my bed in the other room once the fire began to die down. I covered myself in my mother's cover that she made and looked towards the window and saw the many stars in the sky. "I miss that dragon, he would take me high above the sky to the point where I could touch the clouds. I somewhat do envy him through, he has the ability to go anywhere he wants in the world. Sometimes I wish I could do the same. But that dragon...it's been so long I doubt he even remembers me.

But then I remember, that dragon kissed me on my cheek before it left the island. Perhaps it was trying to copy me when I kissed it on its snout but there was something different about him. He had licked me before out of playfulness but that kiss on my cheek felt... genuine almost. I wonder what was going through his head?

I guess I'll never find out. I need to sleep before it gets too late.

I am very sorry for the long delay. My life has been crazy and so has the lives of my Beta readers. I've just been trying to get organized again but as you probably already know school is back around the corner but I got some good news-bad news and good news again but I might as well start with the bad news first. When school comes around I have to prioritize above everything this is my education and my life. I cannot afford to slack off so I will put my education first before this story so again updates might be a bit slow. Also, some of my Beta readers have been affected, some of them I've slowed down but are still trying to help me others are too busy you cannot help anymore which I'm saddened by but it is what it is.

Good news is all of my classes are online so I will have more time to finish my work at home then I do at school. I believe I work faster at home than I do at school because of my type of education going into (media and Design) some of the classes don't need us to actually be there so I'm good until January. And because I'm working from home I believe I can get these chapters done a lot faster after I'm done with the work compared to last year.

Even more good news, at this point in the story where I'm at I believe I have four more chapters to write before this story has concluded and then after that, I am going to be working on the prequel of this story. Keep in mind I said the point where I am at is chapter 26 and I believe the story is going to end on chapter 30. I still need to think of a way to end the story but I have a few general ideas to make it satisfying but the same time making a reader want more from the story, so please bear with me just for a bit longer. Again I do apologize for the long delay but please understand that life can get a little crazy and certain priorities need to be on top of another for me to function.

Oh and also chapter 26 is going to be my longest chapter I think I'm going to write in the story thus far. I did this because at the beginning of chapter 27 the idea of the theme didn't fit well within the chapter so I moved the beginning portion of chapter 27 towards the end of chapter 26. But it's not done but it's over 19,000 words long already so possibly when I'm done with the chapter it's going to be around close to 22 to 25,000 words.

As I stated before or after the prequel is done I might move off this site and try out my next story as a comic but I need to test the waters first before I even dream about building that boat. (is that a phrase? Probably not but you get the gesture of what I'm trying to say.)

Anyway I'm sorry for the delay. I have no dreams of canceling any of my stories because once I start something I just have to finish it if I don't it would just bother me every day, plus I put too much thought into the story and the prequel. Be safe out there folks and I'll see you during the next chapter which should be coming soon with a special bonus with it a link possibly on fanfiction and an image on Wattpad.