Chapter five

In the few years to come before the new Dragon, Tiamat was secret guardian of the castle, a hidden confident with Sayna, Bowen making sure they weren't touched or harmed. Though their life was under utmost secrecy, the few signs that a Dragon existed couldn't be helped. Farmers arrived, reporting that cows and sheep had gone missing for no reason. Bowen didn't answer them completely, leaving them with a few ideas for causes of the disappearences.

It was also during these years she saw her brother - though she never met him. He arrived, a knight's son, and Bowen, knowing his cause and what he had done for his sister, gave him a knighthood, and he was told to recite the Old Code. From her place with Tiamat, she watched her brother gain it, tears running down her face. He too lived at the castle - but he never met her.

It was on one of those evenings that the Dragon went hunting that Tiamat and Sayna were seated together in the waterfall cave by Draco's Falls. Busy with a cow, and Sayna busy with her more appetizing dinner of roasted fish, Tiamat didn't notice the signs in the stars until the end. Her head jerked up, and her light, feather-like ears perked up. She quickly hurried out of the waterfall cave, Sayna following anxiously. Over the years, she had grown to be a more mature, beautiful girl, and into a young and elegant young woman.
The Dragon's eyes widened.
"It's happening," she whispered, her eyes on the constellation Draco. "It's happening! Come, Sayna - we must hasten to the castle!" Sayna vaulted onto the Dragon's back, her hair whipping in the breeze.
"The newborn is here?" She yelled over the sound of the wind as they soared over the lands.
"Yes," Replied Tiamat, beating her wings faster. "Look to the stars, young Rider! Look!" Sayna stared, and gasped in surprise. There was a new star, a new star born! And it shone brighter than anything!
"We must tell Bowen...we must tell him to get ready!" The sixteen-year-old on her back looked worried.
"But what if we don't get there in time?" She asked, anxious.
"We *will*. I just hope Bowen will be awake..."

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At that moment, Bowen was turning over in his sleep. In these years, he had aged, and he felt that death was near. He opened his eyes wearily, to see a light from outside his window. He got up, and ambled towards the courtyard.
"Who...who's there?" There was a rumble, and he narrowed his eyes at the light. "Who...who is it?"
{Bowen, hurry! The new one is born! To my cave! Hasten!} Bowen blinked.
"Draco? But...how, why?" But he knew when Draco personally called to him, he had to go. He walked as fast as he could to the stables, pulled himself onto a horse, and started towards the cave. The journey seemed short in the darkness, but it was probably because he had his mind on the new dragon. His heart thudded in his chest, and when he got there, he was met by Sayna and Tiamat.
"You came, King. I am pleased. Let us find the egg." They stepped into the cave together, the hot grounds and the steamy air almost choking them, though Tiamat seemed accustomed to it. The light was dim, and when they reached the end of the cave, Bowen looked around.
"There's nothing here," He wailed. Sayna took him by the shoulders and steered him to a wall.
"Tap the wall, Bowen. What do you notice?" He cocked an ear.
"It's hollow," he muttered. Tiamat nodded.
"Now, remove that slab. Nobody shall touch it but you." He slid the slab away, and cried out in alarm. A huge, whitish-gold egg sat there in a bed of leaves. He took it gently in both hands, and turned back to the others.
"The son of Draco...now, we go to the monastory!" Tiamat and Sayna exchanged anxious looks.
"No, Bowen. Our path...is different." He looked from one to the other, searching for answers.
"Why? What're you going to do?" Tiamat breathed in.
"There is another dragon, is there not?" Bowen nodded.
"But what...why?" Tiamat and Sayna stood closer together.
"Bowen, we are going to do something you wouldn't dare imagine. We are going to combine souls into one being; when the time comes, Tiamat will be released again." Bowen was silent in shock.
"You're not going to train or teach the dragon?" Tiamat shook her head.
"The monks must, as should you. Go now, Bowen! You will never see us again. Do as the spirits commanded!" Bowen bowed to them, tears on his face.
"I'll never forget you, neither of you..." He hurried with the egg to the monastary. Tiamat and Sayna were alone.
"The time is right, Sayna." She glanced through a small hole. Sayna nodded.
"Then let us do it, Tiamat."
Together, they placed hand against claw, and chanted,

"Now the time has finally come,
You and I must combine as one.
The new dragon will be born, aye,
But until he learns how to try,
If he learns from evil and right,
We shall return, together in might!
Let it be now,
Let us combine,
Let it be now,
That you become mine."

There was a flash of light, a breeze whipped up. A young girl sat in the middle, confused and terrified. Her bedraggled reddish-brown hair hung about her shoulders, her bright amber eyes frightened.
"I...I am born..." she whispered. "I am Tiana!"