Chapter 6: Explanations and Preparations

I woke up to the sound of my own terrified shrieks, yet again. I sat on my bed, eyes wild and gasping for air. Ailith was beside me in a second.

"The dream again," she whispered. It wasn't a question. I nodded wearily.

"It's always the same two. They sometimes differ in content, but the subject is always the same," I said in distress. Ailith put her arm around me and stoked my sweat soaked hair in comfort. A tendril of concern touched my mind, and I saw a metallic flash of silver on my left. The dragon's smooth scales pressed against my side in the next moment.

The three of us huddled together. I imagined that if we were on the street right now, the sight of us would have been enough to stop onlookers in their tracks. Despite how odd we looked together, I was happy to just sit in the dark and enjoy our silent companionship.

"You have been plagued with this dream for weeks, Kiara. I think that you should go to Selena about them."

"I can't," I breathed.

"You know full well that she is stricken with the same ones; we have heard her screams echoing yours. You could help each other understand them." Her hand pushed the stray hairs from my forehead while she spoke.

"I can't go to her," I repeated. "I don't want to understand them, I just want them to go away."

"At least make them known to her. You're talking with her less and less each day, Kiara. It will do you both good to confide in each other again. No one can be expected to do everything on their own, especially something like this."

I flinched internally at her words, mainly because I knew that they were true. Selena and I were drifting apart, even though we weren't actually mad at each other. No, I knew that the reason was that I wanted to prove that I could handle the things that were happening on my own. I felt a twinge of guilt. Guilt for Selena, guilt for Dune, and guilt for Ailith.

"When did you get to be so damn wise," I grumbled softly.

I thought back to the girl who had stolen us breakfast only a few weeks ago. Somehow, that girl had disappeared right from under my preoccupied nose.

"It's a miracle what a little time with Selena and her books can do to you," Ailith chuckled quietly. "I haven't been cured quite yet though," she smiled, holding up a diamond encircled wrist. To my relief, I noticed that her eyes hadn't lost that mischievous twinkle.

"Good," I said, then sighed. "I guess that you're right about Selena. I'll ask her in the morning."

"You'll ask her now," she corrected. "Surely she's been woken by her nightmares already."

"Okay, then, fine."

When I had found my way through the dark staircase, and navigated the long hall that lead to Selena's room, I stopped at the doorway. Hesitantly, I peeked into the room. I was surprised to see Selena already upright in her bed. She squinted in my direction, as if trying to make sure that I was actually there, then gestured for me to come in.

I shuffled in and sat awkwardly on the edge of the mattress. It wasn't until after she had lit a candle that I noticed how terrible she looked. Haggard. Her gray streaked hair had matted into a messy heap on top of her head. Her brow was wet with sweat, and she had dark purple circles under her bloodshot eyes.

"Selena," I gasped, taken aback by her appearance. "Why didn't you tell us that it was this bad!"

"You worry too much as it is, child."

"Well," I said gruffly, not quite able to look into her eyes. "No more secrets from now on, okay?" When I looked back up, her expression told me that she had caught the hypocrisy in that statement. Taking in a gulp of air, I followed my own advice and came clean about the nightmares. "I'm sorry that I didn't tell you sooner... I guess my pride got in the way."

"You are more than forgiven Kiara," she said. There was a scuffling sound at the door, and I knew that the dragon had somehow managed to make its way upstairs. I used its well-timed entrance as an excuse to avoid Selena's penetrating gaze.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled again, just for a lack of anything better to say. I didn't know how else to start up this conversation, but apologizing seemed like the best way to go.

"Oh, I won't hear anymore of that from you," she chastised me, feinting disapproval. "Remorse losses it's charm when it wallows in it's own self pity - then it just becomes annoying. Besides, it's my turn for apologies." She patted the spot on the bed beside her, and I crawled into the blankets, feeling more like Dune's age than my own. "I was wrong not to share with you the secrets that I kept. In my mind, there was no time to explain, only time for action. I assumed that you would handle things as you used to by telling jokes or going with the flow, as you call it however, I underestimated how headstrong you have become, especially with all of this stress that you have to deal with. You used to be so patient, so... obedient," she laughed fondly at some memory.

"Yeah, what an inconvenience it is when a child learns to think for them self," I muttered sarcastically, but I was suppressing a smile. Selena gave my hand an apologetic squeeze, then opened her mouth to continue.

"Ever since that day at the Memorial, I have had this feeling about you. A premonition of sorts. When I explained my behaviour, I wanted you to be prepared, but I didn't know how much information you could handle. So I hinted at first. Unfortunately that made you angry; you must have had a feeling that I was hiding something though, or you wouldn't have responded the way you did."

"I thought you were conducting a sort of joke at my expense. Either that, or you were completely loony - well, to be perfectly honest with you, I'm still not sure that you aren't. But I guess, that, deep down, I knew something amazing was happening." I just didn't want to believe it, because amazing things usually lead to adventure. And adventure is pretty much synonymous with mortal peril. "I was just in denial." Or just being a coward.

"No matter," she said, waving away my self- accusations. "Since I have confessed to keeping secrets, I suppose your curiosity has been intrigued."

"Yes," I said, tentatively. "I want to know everything."

"Well that's going to require a lot of explaining on my part," she smiled. "I think it would be easier for you to tell me what you already know, so that I can fill in the blanks."

"Oh, okay," I hesitated, trying to remember what I remembered about Selena's past. "First off, you came from a country that no one knows about, but it's really close by... You worked for a king, but he was a tyrant and you hated your job...You fled to the Mesa hoping to outrun a war... You almost died in the process... and you left your family behind...?"

"My brother, his wife, his son, and my sons," she whispered, eyes downcast. After hesitating, she added, "And my... son's father." Moved, I dropped my gaze to the floor. I didn't know what to say. Selena wasn't one for meaningless reassurances, and she definitely wasn't one who wanted someone else's pity.I had to say something though, so I settled for the standard but heartfelt: "I am sorry for your losses."

Suddenly her eyes flicked up at me, a look of surprise on her face. "Why? They are not dead," she stated, her cheer somewhat forced this time. "Maybe not in the best condition...broken and feuding, yes, but things are looking up since the dragon has hatched. Besides, I haven't lost anything yet except for some of your respect for me, and even that I can feel returning already."

I had to laugh at her optimism. It felt so out of place, especially now. Especially while we were talking about the fate of her family. 釘ut, how can you possibly know that,I asked, confused.

"Know what? My family's well-being, or your dwindling respect for me?"

"About your family," I specified. I thought about saying 'both', just for a good laugh, but I had a feeling that now wasn't a good time for humour.

"I think you already know the answer to that question," she whispered mysteriously.

"Okay, we've officially reached the part in the conversation when I have no idea what you're talking about." There was an uncomfortable pause, and I felt Selena shift guiltily. I looked up at her, surprised at her response. The contours of her face glowed with the flickering light of the candle, and despite the shadows, I could still see her expression from where I was sitting.

I wondered if she knew how little she told me, how many sleepless nights that had passed where I gazed up at the ceiling, trying to decipher the day's riddles. I had always assumed that she was purposefully trying to confuse me, but now I wasn't so sure.

"Selena," I asked quietly, watching as she was pulled from her train of thought. "You said that you didn't want to overwhelm me... I just want you to know that I appreciate the effort, but your half- explanations usually raise more questions than they answer. If it's okay, I would rather if you tell me everything. No edits, no hinting, no sparing my feelings, or my innocence. It would make me feel better to have everything out in the open."

She glanced at me from the corner of her eye and nodded, still looking somewhat distant. She cleared her throat.

"Your nightmares," she said, after a while. "They are about two boys, are they not? Always fighting, but never wanting to." When I didn't respond, she nodded to herself, as if I had just confirmed something. "I have the same ones, which is why I know that my family may be broken, but at least they are alive. No, I have not lost anything... yet. I believe that could change soon if nothing is done about it, though." She glanced down again. "I regret leaving them behind. It didn't occur to me that by fleeing, I have exposed them more thoroughly to the circumstances that I myself was running from."

"You mean the war," I said.

"No," she shook her head, regretfully. "I thought that I was running from the threat of war, but really, I was running from my own troubles. By doing that, I have ensured that those very troubles have been thrust upon my sons... Oh, my sons," she sighed, trying hard to stifle a sob. "Their troubles are my doing..."

"You can't believe that Selena," I consoled her softly, awkwardly patting her on the shoulder. "It's not your fault." Her words sounded creepily familiar, and with a jolt, I realized that I had heard something similar in one of my dreams. "Save my sons," I recalled, feeling sick. "That was you wasn't it?"

"I had to warn you of what you will be expected to do," she whispered brokenly. Her eyes were filled with a pain that I had never seen before.

"Is that what this is about? Is this why you have been so eager? You expect me to fight your war," I concluded, shrinking back into the pillow.

"Absolutely not," she scoffed, looking offended. "I have hurt enough people as it is, I don't expect to hurt you in order to help them! Everything that I have told you has gone against my better judgement and if it was my decision, I would have you and your dragon locked up here so that you will never have to face the threat that is currently hanging over your head!" After rambling on for a while longer, Selena, flushed and panting, started to calm down. Her next sentence rung with hollow defeat. "Unfortunately, the decision has already been made."

"The decision to do what?"

She waved away my question. "I am getting to that part, just be patient." Clearing her throat, she continued on in her trademarked ominous voice. "While my sons' fate was sealed the moment that I left, your fate has been decided by your dragon... the moment that he hatched for you. Whether you like it or not, Alagasia's well-being rests in your hands. You may want to know what my sons have to do with this. They have been chosen as well, but have been manipulated to fight for different causes, and alas, have been conditioned to hate each other. That is where you come in.

"As you know, you are a Dragon Rider. It so happens that you are the last one that is lucky enough to be considered neutral in the war, since your presence is still not known to either side. Dragons and their riders are bound to Alagasia. Therefore, as much as I hate saying this, you have a responsibility to keep it safe. That means getting yourself involved in a war that, until recently, was not yours to fight. There is no choice in the matter," Selena concluded matter of factly. She sat back, evidently satisfied with her speech.

I, on the other hand, was the exact opposite of satisfied. In fact, I felt the need to have Selena repeat it multiple times so that my brain could register what was going on. I didn't want to get her started again though, so I just ended up gaping stupidly at her. She waited patiently for me to absorb the new information.

"So... you're telling me that you got all of that just by having a few dreams," I managed to choke out.

"Yes," she said smugly. "You would have been able to piece that together too, if you had listened to what I have been saying all this time."

"It's not my fault that you didn't make any sense," I muttered darkly.

"But, you understand my point?"

"Yeah, I guess," I grumbled, grudgingly. "But where do I start? I... I don't know what to do! You tell me that I have no choice in the matter, that this role was already chosen for me, but there should always be a choice, right? Why should I be forced to save the other Riders from slavery if that would make me a slave to myself? A... slave to freedom...Isn't that some sort of conflict of interest? A paradox?"

I was ready to say more, but Selena was chuckling at something. "Always the little eloquent, aren't we? I have a feeling that your sharp tongue will achieve much for your cause, if you can remember to hold it when necessary. As for where to start, I suggest getting some sleep. Nothing more can be accomplished tonight."

I agreed, suddenly feeling like I could pass out right then and there. "Selena, do you mind," I mumbled, sounding young.

"Of course not, Kiara," she told me kindly, pulling the covers up by my shoulders. She patted the top of my head. "Just like old times," she whispered. The mattress wilted as the dragon invited itself up, then sprang back with a small squeak. The dragon was growing bigger each day, and would soon be too large for being in the habit of curling up on a bed, but it still seemed to be able to find enough space for its comfort. It then promptly fell asleep within seconds.

I followed its example and, for the first time in days, felt secure enough to give myself over to the mercy of dreams.

Sleep...safe, a voice echoed in my conscious.

You aswell, I replied drowsily, too far gone to realize that the owner of the voice wasn't Selena.

The days that followed passed in a blur of hasty preparations and just spending time together. Everyone had their own jobs and schedules during the day - Selena mapped out various routes, Ailith was in charge of provisions, Dune helped the dragon with its vocabulary (which was actually just a way to keep him entertained while we worked, since the dragon didn't need much help) while my only instruction was to read "The History of..." multiple times over until I had it memorized - and at night, we made sure not to miss out on each others company.

Dune was the one that I was most worried about. Today he seemed fine, as he was currently attempting to teach a very irritated dragon how to finger paint, but I couldn't help but fret about what would happen when I had to go to Alagasia. I didn't have the guts to tell him yet, for obvious reasons; although I knew that time was quickly ticking away. He just seemed so happy to have everyone back to normal, it would be cruel to tell him otherwise. As far as he was concerned, all of our problems had been fixed. In his eyes, we were content. Selena was fully present again, Ailith had stopped reading self-help books, and I wasn't "grumpy" anymore. I had even caught myself singing a few times.

Ahh...true happiness, I thought sarcastically.

Could be... worse, advised the dragon from across the room as he dipped a gleaming claw into the cup of red paint. His mental voice had matured to a rolling baritone, giving me enough confidence to refer to him as a male, instead of just 'it'. He had also grown drastically over the course of the week, leaving him the approximate size of a large dog.

You're right. As usual, I replied gravely. He snorted, shooting out a small puff of smoke from his nostrils. You know Selena doesn't like you doing that in the house.

Selena is not here, he replied lazily, producing a larger quantity of smoke than before. This caused Dune to look up from his painting. His blue eyes widened in alarm as the room began to cloud over with the billowing haze.

"Oh," he exclaimed. "Oh, no, you...you can't do that! Bad dragon!"

Bad dragon, the dragon mimicked in endearment, a smile in his voice.

You're so spoiled, I jokingly chastised him. You should apologize. Even from where I was sitting, I could see him rolling his frosty grey eyes. Taking self assured steps up to Dune, he stopped in front of him and rested his head on the boy's lap, trying his hardest to look cute. Dune giggled and patted the scales on the dragon's snout, leaving traces of paint down the creature's face.

Not funny, he growled in response to my mocking thoughts. You try being treated like a house pet for months and see what happens.

It is too funny. Suddenly, the dragon's head swivelled around in my direction, and his top lip curled menacingly. I just laughed. It was amazing to me how much he had taken towards the little boy. He really had a soft spot for him. I was giddy with relief knowing that Dune was safe, that the dragon cared for him like a kid brother, even if he would never admit it.

You just wait until he starts playing dress up with you!

Read your book, the dragon dismissed, taking some time away from Dune to halfheartedly blow some smoke in my direction. I waved the fumes from my face and threw a disappointed look at my so-called dragon. I love you, he added cheekily, departing with a care-free flick of his tail.

I shoved my face into the Alagasia book, muttering incoherently about ungrateful, lazy, pampered pets.

Chapter 3: Dragons

"The dragons of Alagasia are reptilian in appearance, having lustrous scales, longs claws, fearsome teeth, sharp spikes protruding from their spine and, of course, huge, bat-like wings. Dragons range in many different colors, all individual and unique. It is unclear how their colors are determined, but the dragon will undoubtedly adopt the same color of the egg that they were hatched from. A dragon hatchling is roughly the size of a house cat, growing rapidly in the first few weeks, but not being able to produce a flame until it's twelfth month. Throughout their life, dragons never really stop growing, and are immortal unless wounded in battle, or succumb to sickness.

Intelligent and proud, Dragons are sentient beings and should never be assumed to be "Just an animal". They are quick witted, and also quick to anger. These magnificent creatures are lords of the skies, patrolling Alagasia. Hard-working and diligent -"

"Ha," I burst out. I had been chuckling all through the last paragraph and couldn't read any more about how "hard-working" dragons were. Coming back to reality, I looked up and saw that Ailith and Selena had come home, and were now looking at me with peculiar expressions. In fact, the whole room was silent, everyone watching me. "Uh, sorry, the- uh, author is a real joker... really hilarious." I scratched the silver mark on my palm nervously. "As you were."

"Actually, we were just about to interrupt your reading anyways," said Ailith sheepishly. "We've got an important decision to make that involves you."

"Okay, what would that be?"

The dragon came towards me, his intense eyes only inches away and completely level with mine. We stared at each other for a long while, not angrily, but in a way that made me extremely aware of the connection that we shared. The air around us was charged with a electrical quality, almost like it had been when I had first touched the egg.

We've decided it is time that I had a name.

Whew! Long chapter! I apologize if there are more spelling mistakes than usual; something odd happened when I uplaoded this today.

I just wanted to thank everyone who has reviewed so far, it really makes the whole writing experience that much more gratifying!

Also, if you haven't reviewed yet, what are you waiting for? I would love to hear your opinion!

Have a great weekend! (Or Thanksgiving weekend) depending on were you live :P