Paths among Dreams

So We Were Told

There was so much Rina didn’t know or understand what the Dragon Blood truly are, the gifts and curses they lived with and the sacrifice that they endured. Kira gave up the remaining years of her freedom and ultimately her life when she made the journey to see the king. For the rest of her life she could not travel beyond the sacred ground the palace rested on. She would never see her home again, she already survived her mate and her children already grown with children of their own. The house of the Sapphire Dragon would fall and the western forests and its people would no longer have the care of a Dragon Blood. If the King does not mate and produce multiple children, each and every Dragon house would fall and the Dragon Blood will become the myth most of Illora already believed they were. When Rina returned to the Village of the Sapphire Dragon, it would be to tell her people of this tragedy and prepare for the fall.

All of these thoughts and more were swimming in Rina’s mind, but she only voiced one question. “Why are there so many Dragons?”

“Because Arrou won't stop breeding.” The king mumbled to himself. “What I mean to say is most Dragons live for a very long time, thus they are able to breed many more offspring, Rina.” He continued after Kira smashed his foot under the table.

“No I get that but wouldn’t they then bond with their counterpart?”

“I’m afraid not, only the heir is allowed to bond with their dragons.” Kira said sadly. It was only last night that she had seen her dragon Layla, for the first time, after 30 years.

“Well that is just stupid, if there are as many Dragon Blood born as there are dragons, then keeping those houses should be easy.” Rina stated, outraged that it should be this way. “Whose dumb idea was that?” She scoffed.

“As a matter of fact, Lady it was my grandfather, the First King of the Dragon Blood and the first Descendant of the Great Dragon. The very man that built this kingdom and scribed our laws. The man who secured the peace and prosperity you take for granted.” King Mikel spoke slowly and with an inhuman quality to his voice.

“ My apologies, I mean no disrespect. It is a king's job to protect his people.” Rina said, nodding her head. “Did your father scribe laws to protect the people of Illora?”

“ Our father changed many things in his reign.” Kira said. “Because of him those of us who weren’t destined to rule were able to live out our lives how we saw fit as long as we maintained the House of the Dragon and the land that belonged to it.” She went on, remembering the day she was gifted Sapphire House. Kira had reached the age of majority and was set to marry the love of her life. He was not wealthy or royalty, he was a farmer and he was kind. On her twenty second birthday, her mate carried her over the threshold of the Sapphire House and together they made a beautiful life. They had thirteen children, four girls and nine boys, each gifted with plants and animals. Healers and teachers, husbands and wives, all loved in the Village of the Sapphire Dragon.

“Why can’t Theo or Trinity take over your house? Carry on in your place?” Rina suggested.

“Lady Rina, as far as succession goes, only the direct heir to the reigning King can rule a House of the Dragon and because of the laws of succession, I will never produce an heir. What Kira says is true. The visions she has had have shown her the fall of our kingdom.” King Mikel spoke as if he couldn’t accept the truth in those words, as though they tasted foul coming from his lips.

“ Well I don’t accept that. You’ll have to do better.”Rina challenged him.

“ I would do anything to change that, my lady, but I can’t mate with someone who does not exist. I’ve spent the last nine hundred and eighty seven years trying to figure out how to change it and yet here I am alone in this living tomb.” He angrily responded.

“ It seems pretty simple to me. Scribe a new law. Allow yourself the ability to make outside the Blood.” She stated as if it were that easy.

“Rina, no one that is not pure Dragon Blood born has been bonded to a Dragon. Without at least a partial connection, they cannot lead a House of the Dragon.” Kira went on to say, “ None of my children or grand children or those of my brothers and sisters have ever seen their dragons let alone developed a bond with them.”

“ How can I hope that my children will bond and rule if their mother isn’t Dragon Blood born?” The king resigned to this notion of inability.

There was a tension around them that seemed almost suffocating, it robbed them of their ability to talk and no one was hungry enough to even touch their breakfast. Lost in all the new information, Rina sat back in her chair and gazed out into the garden, hoping and praying to the Great Dragon that they could find the answer. Otherwise without knowing when or how, she was destined to watch her loved ones perish, her home brought to ruin and the kingdom around her fall.Rina was pulled from her thoughts by a high pitched whistle preceded by a rolling thunder. Soon, small Dragons began pouring into the kitchen through every door. There were iridescent pixies like dragons and dragons that looked like blown glass. There were very round gray and brown dragons that looked a lot like rocks from the mountain. There were small lizards like dragons of all colors that had wings, long bodies and webbed feet. Each dragon was circling the breakfast table excitedly dancing and shuffling for a treat. She was surprised when her eyes fell on King Mikel and his sister because they were both smiling and cooing to the little creatures. Giving them scratches and caresses while feeding them the remnants of their breakfast from their hands. After watching their movements, Rina tried to do the same, but she was stopped by the large dog-like head of Moss. Moss had dropped his heavy head on her hand and began to chuff and growl at the smaller dragons.

“ What is the matter Moss?” She asked the green lump in her lap.

“ I think he’s claimed you, Lady Rina.” The King smiled at her.

“ I thought you said they couldn’t bond with a non-dragon blood.”

“ I never said they couldn’t lay claim to you. Dragons love beautiful things, they like to keep them. They may bond to dragon blood but they are still creatures of habit.” And who wouldn’t want to claim this beautiful woman, he thought.Soon the dragons had finished every last bite and were content to lounge around while King Mikel set to cleaning up the meal. Kira and Rina had excused themselves to take the tour Kira had mentioned earlier and the king was left to his thoughts. It wasn’t even mid-day and already so much had transpired. He thought about everything Rina had said, but it was something Kira had said that forced him to search his memory. “No one has ever seen a dragon bond with someone that was not born of Dragon Blood.” But did that necessarily mean it couldn’t happen? After all, the Great Dragon didn’t give birth to the First King of the Dragon Blood.