Fate of the Forsworn
Chapter 5
Vroengard
It was mid-morning by the time Vroengard came into view. As Kyvoster, Niev and Caryn drew ever closer, another dragon rose up from the island and flew off to the south. Caryn watched the other dragon depart in a mixture of awe and trepidation after being scared so badly by Kialandi's dragon. Soon they were right over Vroengard itself, and Kyvoster began to fly lower, towards the city of Doru Areaba. Roars welcomed the red dragon as he landed, and a few humans and elves went to greet Niev as he climbed down off Kyvoster's back. Caryn looked around uncertainly. Everyone on the island seemed so much older than she was, and the number of dragons was astonishing. She hurried to Niev's side and clutched his hand, looking around her fearfully, as if afraid the dragons would attempt to eat her. She dimly heard Niev recount his adventure since meeting her, and winced as several dragons roared in what she could only assume was jubilation over his defeat of the Lethrblaka. Niev looked down at her and crouched down so he was at eye level with her.
"Caryn, listen to me. We're going to see the Council of Elders now. They're a mix of elves and humans, and as such, you have to be very polite. Don't lose your temper and don't be rude, and you'll do just fine. One of the elves has already told them you have magical power, so they may set you tests before they show you the eggs. Just do your best, alright?"
Caryn nodded and looked over her shoulder, to where Kyvoster was laid down on a stretch of sun-warmed black rock, apparently dozing.
"If I do get chosen to be a Rider, does that mean…"
A lump formed in her throat, and tears ran from her yellow eyes. She sniffed and wiped at her eyes before continuing.
"Does that mean I'll never see you again?"
Niev smiled as he pulled Caryn into a hug.
"Of course you will. I'll make extra trips back so you see more of me if you want. I know none of this can be easy for you to adjust to. Come on now, we'll go to the Council. Kyvoster sends his best wishes."
Caryn looked over her shoulder at the red dragon, who was looking right at her. After a few seconds, he winked and then lay down again on the rock. Niev began walking towards a castle that lay between three low hills, Caryn running after him. All around them, the city of Doru Areaba went about its' daily business. Ships nosed into the natural harbour on its' southern side, bringing livestock, spices, foodstuffs and riches from all over the world. Here and there were odd creatures that Caryn had never seen before, including a golden and white owl with a heart shaped face, a gigantic Shrrg from the Beor Mountains, and a bird the size of an eagle with golden and red plumage that faded down its' tail from yellow to green, then blue and finally purple. Every now and then, a dragon would fly overhead, bearing some Rider out on a new mission or bringing one home. Eventually, they reached the castle where the Council of Elders resided, as well as the dragon eggs currently being stored before being carried out to every major city in Alagaesia. Niev unsheathed his sword and passed it to an elven guard, who nodded silently and then murmured a spell to see if either had any more weapons on them. When he was satisfied, he let them walk inside. The hallway was enormous, large enough that Kyvoster could have walked inside with room to spare, and judging by the gouges in the marbled floor, dragons had indeed walked here. After what felt like hours of walking, they came to a massive door. Niev spoke the word for 'open' in the ancient language, and walked in with Caryn holding his hand still. Inside sat ten Riders, mostly elves, on large chairs. Behind each chair was an ancient dragon. A cooling breeze whistled through the narrow apertures high above. Niev spoke the traditional greeting for the ancient Riders, and then knelt before them, nudging Caryn so she would do likewise. A female elf, sat nearest to them, gave a small laugh.
"Rise, Niev, and your ward. Speak your mind and tell us what you have discovered and done."
Sat further back, a male elf with dark hair nodded.
"Also tell us why you have left Gil'ead. We were given to understand you did not wish to leave your home city."
Niev stood up, as did Caryn. He cleared his throat and spoke.
"I have come before you, Elders, because of two matters that are outside my control. The first is this: Just last night, as I was bedding down not far away from Narda, my ward Caryn, my partner Kyvoster, and myself, were attacked by a Lethrblaka."
There was an instant stirring around the cavernous chamber. Many of the Elders talked with one another before finally peace returned to the room. The female elf with silver hair spoke first.
"You and Kyvoster both slew this Lethrblaka, Niev-finiarel?"
Niev nodded silently. Several of the Elders nodded in approval. The male elf with dark hair spoke up first.
"Most impressive. A Lethrblaka has not been seen in four years, and the last one killed before yesterday was by Kialandi, over sixteen years ago. You have our congratulations for slaying such a monster. But what was the second matter you wished to discuss with us?"
Niev nudged Caryn forward. All the Elders and their dragons looked at the small girl, who looked little short of petrified at their questioning stares. Niev spoke up.
"When Kyvoster and I raided the pirate nest on Sharktooth, this youngster here was an oar-slave on their ship. The pirates had three magicians with them, and during a scan of the area before our battle, we had sensed four. When the pirates were all killed, we discovered this girl in their prison, and we've already seen her talent with magic."
Niev placed a hand on Caryn's shoulder and squeezed it gently. Caryn shrank back, still appearing scared. Niev leaned to whisper into her ear, although he knew full well that the Elders would hear him just as clearly as if he yelled.
"Put that coin on the floor and use the spell I taught you, Caryn."
Gulping, Caryn did so, and earned a few exclamations of surprise and radiant smiles for her efforts. Soon the coin was over ten feet high and still levitating. Caryn showed no sign of effort as she lifted the coin ever higher. When it reached fifty feet, one of the Elders nodded.
"I'm impressed, few can wield magic like that with almost no practice and from such a young age. But what is it you want for this youngster? To be taken before the eggs?"
"Yes. I believe she could become a good Dragon Rider."
One of the dragons sat behind the chairs got up and walked towards Caryn, her enormous footfalls making the room quake. She sniffed Caryn all over, and broadcast her voice.
Niev speaks with his heart, not logic. However, he is correct. This youngster does have potential, and she may prove helpful to us even if a dragon does not choose her. Niev, take your ward to the egg chamber and see if any egg chooses her.
The ancient dragon returned to her Rider, leaving Caryn looking astonished. The silver-haired elf woman spoke up.
"Niev, in the event no dragon responds to her, have her trained as a magician. Someone of her sheer talent should not be wasted."
Niev nodded and left, Caryn at his side. As the enormous doors shut behind them, Caryn looked up at Niev.
"So where are the eggs kept then?"
Niev led her to a small room about halfway down the hallway leading up to the Council chamber and pushed open the door. Inside, resting on cushioned marble pedestals, were dragon eggs of every conceivable hue. Caryn gasped in astonishment at the eggs, and made her way to the nearest one, a silvery blue egg. She reached out and touched the shell, but nothing happened. Still entranced by the sheer beauty of the eggs, she slowly walked to the next one with equal reverence and touched that one as well. Again, nothing happened, but Caryn's expression of wonder and awe remained undimmed. Niev turned to leave.
"Sorry Caryn, Kyvoster wants my help with something. I'll have him tell you where we are when you're done, alright?"
Caryn nodded silently and moved on to her third egg. Niev walked out of the castle and was greeted by a loud roar from Kyvoster. He smiled and climbed onto his dragon's back.
"So what do you need my help with, Kyvoster?"
It's more an opportunity for you, Niev. I'm going hunting over the sea, and I was thinking you could drain the life from a shark to slow it down, and store the energy in Ajunthar's diamond. I haven't eaten properly since the last full moon.
Niev blew out an irate sigh.
"What about me cooking some thirty odd game birds by Lake Isenstar? Does that not count as a good feed?"
Perhaps, if I was as small as you. Please, Niev?
"Fine then, but we'll have to be quick. Caryn's testing the eggs to see if any will react to her. She really hopes to be a Rider."
Kyvoster flew into the air and was soon hovering over the ocean. Niev gripped Ajunthar tightly and looked around. Soon, the sight of dark shapes swimming in the water became obvious, and the red dragon flew lower to get ready. Niev murmured the spell to drain the energy from one such predator, and soon, a steady stream of strength poured into the clear diamond. To his mind's eye, however, the diamond was barely holding together with so much energy stored within it. He ceased the spell just as Kyvoster dived, his serrated talons and huge fangs ready to battle with the shark. With a colossal splash, the red dragon hit the ocean and slashed wildly at his intended victim. The shark responded by thrashing wildly, and biting every inch of Kyvoster it could reach. None of the wounds were serious, but Niev felt each as if it had been inflicted on him. As the water turned bloody, he glimpsed the enormous fish beneath them, and suddenly an idea sprang to mind.
"Kyvoster, slash it in the gills, that ought to kill it!"
Kyvoster roared and obliged. Sure enough, the shark bled out its life as the dragon hurled the carcass onto the rocks. Licking his lips, Kyvoster landed on the rocky beach and began tearing into the dead shark with a total lack of decorum. Niev dismounted as his dragon shook his catch like a wolf shaking a rabbit. Gobbets of flesh were flung loose, one of fair size slapping Niev right in the face. Kyvoster ceased his antics and looked at his Rider with a look of shame on his features. Niev wiped the blood and fluid off his face and sighed.
"You carry on…eating, if this is what you call eating. I'm going to get clean again."
Are you mad at me, Niev?
"Mad? Why would I be mad? Just because you're acting like yourself as usual. No, I'm not mad. I only wish you'd contain yourself a little when you kill something big. I know you get excited that you've made a large kill, just, try and hold your excitement in, alright? Or at least let me get far enough away that no chunks of flesh will hit me in the face."
Kyvoster nodded, but as his Rider turned to go, silently winked at him. Niev broke his irritable look and smiled back, and turned to walk back into Doru Areaba. The wind blew strongly over the island, and overhead, gulls were already descending by the dozen around Kyvoster's massive kill. Even for a dragon, a shark would be more than enough for one meal. Whether he could keep it to himself or not with so many other dragons around was an entirely different matter. As he strolled back to Doru Areaba, his mind wandered over everything from Caryn's abductors to his feelings for Kialandi. As he walked into the city, someone yelled his name, and he turned to see someone running towards him.
Sorry it took me a while to update. Does anyone have any idea what colour Caryn's dragon should be, if indeed she DOES have one? Please review