Rise Of Orthros

Chapter Six

Aesthra was laying in her bedroom, the evening glow hitting her face as she laid on the pillows, looking over, she could see Ethiopia in the stable, sleeping soundly. If only she could do the same. Tiredness engulfed her and her mind, as all she could think about most nights was her past. No one at the dragon guild knew what happened, and she didn't plan on telling everyone, only Ruvean when she was ready, but she was far from ready to replay the horrific details of her childhood.

Aesthra moved within the sheets, trying to find the perfect position to fall asleep, hoping that soon, the sleep tea she had drunk would kick in. Her emerald green eyes gently fluttered shut, but memories formed in her mind as she tossed and turned again. Her breathing fast.

-Start Dream-

A 5 year old Aesthra walked along the paths of her hometown Cafled, clutching oversized books of spells and stories of foregin lands that she had taken from the library again, spells that mages weren't meant to know but it intrigued her at only 5, how different they were. I'm hoping to change how people see mages. Aesthra heard in school how everyone else was out to get them, but these stories stay a different story.

As she wandered into forest only to be caught by a pained roar piercing through the trees. Her heart surged with instinct as she turned toward the sound, darting away from the path and venturing towards the fringes of her town, where the trees thickened and the guards’ watchful eyes thinned

Emerging into a small grove, she gasped at the sight before her: a shimmering amber-scaled dragon lay crumpled in pain, its magnificent wings damaged and chest heaving Beside it, a rider slumped against the dragon, blood soaking through his armour, his face twisted in agony.

"Please, stay with me," Aesthra whispered, the weight of urgency compelling her forward.

She approached, her small figure silhouetted against the lush greenery. Kneeling beside them, she rummaged through her spellbook, fingers trembling. The air around her shimmered with a faint glow as she began to chant, drawing upon the flickering pool of magic within her.

With every incantation, she directed healing energy towards the injured duo. The dragon’s fiery eyes looked deeply into hers, a silent connection sparking in the intensity of their shared fight. Relief washed over her, but it was fleeting.

Out of nowhere, the harsh shouts of Cafeld's guards broke through the serene moment, their metallic armour clanking ominously as they stormed into the glade. Aesthra’s heart sank as her father, Kendrick Goldendawn, led the charge, rage radiating off him like heat from a forge.

"What have you done?" Kendrick’s voice boomed, slicing through the air like a knife.

He grabbed her roughly by the arm, dragging her back as the guards closed in on the injured creatures. Aesthra twisted in her father’s grip, tears pooling in her eyes.

"They need help! Please!" Aesthra cried, desperately looking back at the dragon. In that instant, the rider slumped further, his energy waning.

Kendrick glared at the dragon, contempt etched into every line of his face. "You dare associate us with monsters? You—”

“Father, stop! They won’t hurt anyone, I swear!” She pulled against him, but his grip only tightened, his icy blue eyes boring into her with shame.

Ignoring her pleas, Kendrick rounded on the guards, barking orders to take the dragon away, to secure the area. "We can not have this filth roaming our lands."

As they moved to shackle the broken creature, Aesthra’s heart splintered, her voice breaking. "Don’t! You’ll kill them!"

“Enough!” Kendrick roared, dragging her closer to him as the dragon emitted a low, mournful cry—one that resonated deep within her soul. The sound filled her with dread as it struggled to rise, something flickering defiantly in its fiery eyes.

Aesthra thrashed in her father’s grip, trying to reach for the dragon. The spellbook still clutched tightly to her chest as she kicked and screamed against the cruel fate they were destined to face. “You can’t! You can’t do this!”

Onlookers gathered, their expressions a canvas of pity mingled with disdain, eyes glued to the spectacle as Aesthra scrambled against her father’s relentless tug With a powerful throw, Kendrick flung her to the ground, the impact knocking the air from her lungs.

“Your foolishness will bring disgrace upon the Cafeld's name!” he declared, the cruel words striking her as deeply as an arrow.

The dragon, still bound and trembling, let out a defiant roar, flames licking at the air, a last furious stand against the guards. Aesthra’s heart soared with a mix of admiration and heartbreak. She looked into the dragon's eyes, feeling the pulsating energy of their shared resolve—a promise to always protect those who could not protect themselves.

“Please,” she whispered, voice choked with emotion, “I’ll help you.”

As the guards prepared to lead the dragon away, Aesthra envisioned the possibility of a different future, one where dragons weren't harbingers of destruction but creatures deserving of love and care. But her father’s scornful face obstructed that dream.

-end dream-

A large gasp left Aesthras mouth as she awoke from her memory, her heart racing and sweat forming on her forehead, swinging the sheets off her, as if they were constricting her movements, she could feel the sweat clinging to her skin.

“Breathe, Aesthra,” she whispered to herself, fight or flight settling in her bones.

It was early hours of the morning, she could tell by the moons position and the colour of the sky, pushing herself off the bed, she dressed comfortably in pants and a long shirt before leaving her room.

Looking out the window once more, she saw her dragon, Ethiopia as she soared through the courtyard below, with a few of the other dragons, a small smile appeared on her face as she watched them.

🗡⚔️🐲

The dim corridors of the dragon guild felt oddly oppressive to Aesthra as she wondered through them, the cold stone beneath her bare feet, offered her comfort, making her way to the training room, she knew she had to find someone to distract her and her thoughts.

Pausing at the entrance of the training room, entering the room, she could already feel the adrenaline run through her veins as she grasped the hilt of the practice sword. The weapon felt familiar, a small refuge amid the chaos of her mind, and she quickly moved to the centre of the room. The sound of the sword piercing the air and the quiet sounds of her movements.

With sharp, precise movements, she began to enact a series of memorized drills, each strike slicing through the air with a clear, determined whoosh. Sweat soon glistened on her brow, the tension in her body escalating as she fought an unseen enemy, pouring all the pent-up frustration and pain into each swing.

The sword sang as it cut through the silence of the room, her breath becoming sharper and quicker with each thrust and parry. Yet, no matter how hard she tried to drown out the memories threatening to break her concentration, they clawed back with relentless cruelty.

"Aesthra? What are you doing?"

The sound of a voice pulled her from her fury. Startled, she spun on her heel, sword raised defensively as she faced the doorway. Ruvean stood there, leaning casually against the frame, his frown only slightly masking his concern.

"What are you doing? Training? At this hour?" He asked as he pushed himself off the door frame, making his way to Aesthra.

Aesthra hesitated, her mind racing as she sought an explanation that didn’t sound pathetic. “I... couldn’t sleep. That’s all.” Biting the inner corner of her cheek.

"Couldn't sleep? Huh?" He asked in a hushed tone as he studied her eyes, "Are you okay?"

Ruvean knew Aesthra all too well. He knew whenever she was playing with her arm, she was upset, and if she lied, she would bite the inner of her cheek. It was small but he noticed it every time. He could tell by the rub of her arm that she was extremely upset and anxious.

Aesthra tried her best to look away from Ruvean as she answered him, but her eyes met his again, "Just memories," she whispered. Not wanting to go further into it for now.

Ruvean stepped closer, his heart twinging seeing her like this, seeing her almost helpless. He has rarely seen this sight of her before. He raised his hand and gently placed it against her cold cheek, rubbing away an imaginary speck of dust. His eyes locked with hers, her eyes looking deeply into his, made him weak to his knees His touch was nothing but warm and reassuring, and for a brief, intoxicating moment, the memories faded into the background.

She felt anchored, and the chaos around her transformed into a fragile calm. Her breath steadied, “You don’t always have to be strong,” he murmured, his voice barely above a whisper yet resonating with sincerity.

"It's hard not to be when you've always had to." Her words dripped with exhaustion, fatigue shadowing the fire that normally burned bright within her.

A soft smile broke through Ruvean's concern, an understanding passing between them that wasn’t often verbalized. “Then let’s find something that doesn’t involve sword fighting at three in the morning. Tea, perhaps?”

“Tea?” Aesthra echoed, surprised by the simplicity of the offer. The corners of her mouth twitched, threatening a smile but still trapped within curiosity and vulnerability.

“Just trust me.” His tone was teasing, a playful challenge that stirred something warm inside her as he gestured toward the door.

Leading her out of the training room, the two of them walked through the silent halls of the dragon guild, side by side, the flicker of torches painting soft patterns on the stone walls. Once inside the modest kitchen, Ruvean moved with confidence, recalling the familiar routines of preparing tea.

Ruvean filled an old kettle with water and placed it over the fire, watching as it began to boil with gentle bubbles. Aesthra leaned against the countertop, her thoughts swirling like the steam that began to billow from the kettle.As the kettle whistled, Ruvean poured steaming water over fragrant leaves, inhaling the aroma as it filled the air like a gentle embrace. He handed her a mug, the warmth radiating through the ceramic into her palms.

Sipping the hot tea, she felt the warmth envelop her as they sat down at a wooden table in the kitchen. Silence settled between them, familiar yet intimate, the atmosphere filled with unspoken understanding. Aesthra leaned back, savouring the warmth of the tea as it coursed through her body, coaxing away the remnants of her earlier turmoil.