Chapter 4-Behold the White Dragoness
That's enough! Back to your corridors!
The hatchlings all nearly jumped as a nearby roar sent them into a panic. Only Reath, Ryta, Pytris, Uria, and Verdra remained as the others scampered back into the corridors. One lone dragon slowly descended from the steps and Uria growled softly in remembrance of who it was.
I told you to get back into your corridors, the blue dragon snarled, his right shoulder just inches from Verdra snout as she stood up.
Geer, it has been long time my friend, Uria hummed as he reached out with his tail and ran it lightly across the top of the dragon's snout.
I know that touch only belongs to one dragon here. Welcome Uria, how was the trip? Geer growled softly as Verdra backed away, concerned as the dragon's eyes stared at nothing and just seemed to be there for no purpose.
It was fine. I found Finca's lost hatchling on my way back. Sadly, I brought no food.
Geer snorted in amusement. Food is running plentiful right now, well as long as those hatchlings don't get into it. He sighed. So you found her, after all this time. Finca will be overjoyed at this news.
Yes I know, Uria growled soothingly. I am going to go see her right now. Could you watch Verdra while I'm gone?
It would be my honor, Geer growled as he straightened himself and Uria walked past, glancing briefly at Verdra before walking up the steps the way they had come.
Geer sighed and walked into one of the nearby corridors, snapping orders once more for there to be no noise and for males and females to sleep in separate rooms.
Is he always like that? Verdra asked Ryta as the brown dragoness was the closest to her with Pytris and Reath nearly right on Ryta's back.
Who? Geer? Of course, it bugs us but we understand his strictness now as that monster is a floor below us, the dragoness growled back in a friendly tone.
I can't blame him for how he acts, Pytris sighed. He's blind and has basically nothing left in terms of family. His father is dead and his mother - your mother, Verdra - was close to death's door a couple years ago.
Wait, we're related? The shock of learning that she had siblings surprised and gladdened Verdra. No longer was she by herself in terms of family.
You are, be glad of that, Reath snorted. I'm the half-brother of this love-struck male beside me.
What? I am not love-struck! Pytris snarled.
Prove it, Reath commanded as he crouched down and snarled menacingly at the older male.
Uh, guys. Now might not be good to mock fight, Ryta commented as Geer roared and the sound of muscular mass against wood rippled around them.
Pytris growled and was tackled to the floor by Reath who was then thrown over the body of the one he had gone after. Sent smacking onto the floor, the golden-eyed dragon snarled bitterly and snapped at Pytris as he walked over in pride.
The next moment the ground fell away from under the fledgling dragon as he was sent sliding into one of the walls by a very powerful gust of electrically charged wind.
What did I tell you about fighting? Geer snarled as he entered the rounded chamber, a thin line of blood on his left shoulder.
The three dragons standing backed up as Reath staggered to his feet and shook his head. He knew that Geer wielded electricity but he hadn't known that the older dragon could manipulate it as well.
Sorry, the two red dragons replied as they lowered their heads in respect towards the blind male that watched over them.
Fine but make sure it doesn't happen . . .
Geer was suddenly cut off by a roar radiating with pure happiness and much too deep to come from a hatchling. The blue dragon flinched as scraping against wood could be heard and the gentle growl of another dragon.
Another dragon emerged from the staircase as Uria plodded behind. This one was white and the thinner front legs and snout gave proof that it was a female. The oldest red dragon in the room sighed as Geer backed up against the wall behind him to allow his mother some room as Finca turned her eyes to the only black dragon in the chamber.
My child, my daughter of the new moon. Now I meet and behold your glorious presence for the first time since I laid your egg, Finca growled softly as Verdra advanced, cautious at first but slowly gaining the confidence to walk at her normal speed to greet her mother.
Nuzzling the white dragoness, Verdra felt at peace and felt truly happy. Her mother was alive, that's all that mattered to her as Finca ran her tongue soothingly over her daughter's dusty body.
There is much to talk about, the dragoness hummed as Verdra growled softly, a slight musical tone to her growl that no other dragon had.
Indeed, Verdra agreed. Much have we to speak of concerning the last sis years. For starters, why didn't you come and find me after I hatched? I know you felt the energy release as all dragons do when one joins them.
Finca sighed and looked at the wall behind her child. She was silent for a long time before she responded, although her answer was not what Verdra had hoped for.
I was attacked when I was returning to my cave with your egg after I gave the other one of that clutch to my son and his mate. In the fight, which I never did see my attacker, I lost your egg and was injured to the point of death. Uria found me and, by his help and that of others, saved my life and restored me to health.
I never knew, I'm sorry I asked, Verdra muttered as the realization of why her egg had been abandoned struck her and made her reconsider much of how she had brought herself up.
It is fine, Finca growled soothingly. I don't mind telling you of what occurred. She paused for a moment. Verdra, huh? Nice name for one that raised herself upon the wild and grew to respect its laws.
Mother, I hate to interrupt but these hatchlings are fighting once again, Geer growled as he motioned towards Reath and Pytris.
Dragons of fire, step forward. Finca's tone darkened, becoming the tone that Uria knew as well as any other. She meant business now.
Pytris and Reath slowly advanced as they trembled slightly in fear. Finca was a highly skilled dragoness and she had been the mate of one of the most famous dragons around until his death. In fact, Rados has been the only offspring of the first clutch Finca and Tamli had created to survive and see the others come into the world.
Pytris and Reath, might I ask why you two were fighting? She growled in questioning as both stopped before her and brought their eyes to meet her gaze.
They were fighting because of Pytris being love-struck over me. Reath challenged him by saying he was and Pytris was only trying to prove the younger dragon wrong, Ryta sighed as both red hatchlings snarled softly at her.
I see, Finca hummed. Both of you will accompany my daughter and I as we visit my closest female friend.
Pytris growled in puzzlement. Whom was she referring to? More so, why did both Reath and he have to go with Finca and Verdra?
If I may be so bold as to ask, why does he have to come along with us as well? Pytris and Reath growled, indicating the other and expressing their confusion at the dragoness' words.
Because of your punishment, Grien commented with a sharp snarl as his tail whistled through the air. That is unless you'd prefer my way of punishment.
We're fine with Finca, both fledgling ruby dragons replied, nodding with vigor.
Finca chuckled as Uria sighed in boredom. There was little that could please the dragon with now since the death of his rider but Finca was certain they could find a way to please Uria and bring more cheer to the underground world that they lived in now.
Geer, Finca snapped as the blue dragon flinched in shock at having to be called by his mother.See to it that Ryta is taken care of fully by Uria and myself. We accept full responsibly for her, if that is okay Verdra.
I mind it not, the black dragoness hummed in response as she nudged Pytris with her snout. I've gotten to know more dragons today then I've ever seen in my life so far. One more won't hurt.
Uria growled and slapped his tail on the floor. Every eye went to him as he motioned for them to remember what was below them. Remember what this chamber rests above. She has dealt much damage to all of us, Ryta in particular if what I hear is correct.
My parents were killed . . . Ryta began but stopped and closed her eyes, twisting her head away.
Pytris walked over and nuzzled her, his eyes turning to Uria as a low growl rippled from his jaws. You see what you've done. She shouldn't have to dwell upon painful memories like you ask her to. For one such as you, you should know better than to have her revisit the darkest places of her mind only for information.
Uria sighed. His son had a point even if it pained him to admit it to himself. He had no right to force information from Ryta so soon after the death of her parents but he had to know more of what Arxa could do, and how much danger they were in by having her chained just under the very floor he stood on.
Come, hatchlings, Finca growled as she turned and led the three up the steps, Ryta pausing at the entrance and looking up at the white dragoness with eagerness.You can follow us Ryta.
Squeaking in happiness, her age at five years, the brown dragoness ran up the stairs behind the others and soon fell into step alongside Pytris. She nudged the red dragon and he growled softly in response at having her with him now. Things were now looking good for the fire dragon and he would ensure that Ryta would be his future mate.