Secret Dragon

Chapter 9

Airo, Cadmus’ father

So tired of her whining! Just when I thought my troubles were done for now I hear the front door slam open.

“Uuh their highness’ Ragnis and Vesta Sunswirl, Princess Kindra’s parents.” The young steward looked so worried since I certainly wasn’t expecting them.

“To what do I owe the honor of having you unannounced in my home,” I ask them sarcastically.

“Where is my daughter!?” The queen asks me bluntly and rudely.

“I locked her up on charges of treason! She almost killed my daughter-in-law!” They both gasp at me like they care.

“We were unaware that the young prince had a princess,” Ragnis asked me confused

“He didn’t when you originally sent your daughter, but since then my son has found his fated mate and we have stopped with the arranged marriages.” Vesta looks appalled.

“There’s no way some tramp could be better than my daughter!” I growled at her, Wyvern may not be my daughter by blood but I was tired of people making fun of her and her status.

“Choose your words wisely otherwise the Volaha island will have to choose a new royal family!” I growled. Now I understand where Kindra got it from.

“We just want to take our daughter home, that’s all.” Ragnis tries to calm the situation down, but I’m beyond angry with all these ladies.

“IF she goes home, fine, but that’s for the trial to decide!” I growl at them again, she deserves one.

“Trial!?” Vesta squeals. “There’s no need for that!”

“She put a sleeping potion on my daughter-in-law! Yeah, she does! Our new princess was asleep for two days!”

“I’m so sorry for the trouble my daughter has caused and she will be punished. There’s no need for a trial.” Ragnis is trying to defuse the situation, but he’s not helping.

“NO NEED FOR A TRIAL?! WERE YOU NOT LISTENING!? THIS IS TREASON!” I try to take a deep breath before I shift inside the castle. “The punishment is… death, dungeon time, and a hefty fine, or in your case stripped of your dragon and live life as a peasant.” She let out the most pitiful cry I’ve ever heard!

“Ugh, those are all bad!” Vesta wails between her ugly crying. Her once beautiful makeup was now smeared. I can see why Adelinda and Vesta are friends…

“That is up for the members of the trial to decide. Which will happen at week's end!” It was the start of a new week and I’m already getting a migraine… I take another deep breath and turn away from my ‘guests’ “If you would like to stay, the guest quarters are on the first floor and a maid can show you, otherwise go home!” I walk upstairs to find Cadmus and Wyvern to see if she’s alright. I hear Vesta sobbing again and I just ignore her wails for attention. I made it to Cadmus’ room and was glad to see Wyvern out of bed.

“Father, what’s going on downstairs?” Cadmus asks me out of concern.

“Nothing but a little squabble. Come, I want to take the two of you on a little trip.” I smile at them both and Wyvern looks so excited.

“Where are we going, your majesty?!” I know she’s just being proper, but I couldn’t help but smile.

“Somewhere cold so when we shift we’ll need your frost to cover our wings so they don’t freeze.”

“Sure no problem.” She grabs a cloak with a smile and Cadmus just looks like a love-sick dragon. Ah, to be young and in love… I remember that feeling with Adelinda, but now I just feel like she’s using me. We shift halfway to have our wings out, and we fly through the kingdom and halfway through the forest just warm enough for Cadmus and me.

“Here, this is where we should have our wings covered.” Wyvern breaths her frost breath and it surprisingly doesn’t bother my wings. Cadmus looks like I had just given him his favorite blanket. “Now let’s fully shift.” I figured Aeros should stretch out completely. Compared to Cadmus’ young dragon mine towers over them. 32ft tall, 40ft wide, and a 48ft wingspan. Wyvern’s dragon looks like sparkling snow and I couldn’t help but admire her.

“Come on, let’s go while there’s still light,” I tell Cadmus through mindlink and we take to the sky again. Soon the forest got snowy and I could see the remnants of a village. I fly down and shift back to myself fully clothed. Perks of being a royal, we don’t rip our clothes.

“Why are we here?” Wyvern asks me. I turn toward her and give her a sad smile. She has on a dark snowy blue dress and matching fur cloak.

“Because my dear this is what’s left of the village, Darksnow. This was the village that the royal family of Flurris ruled over…” From what I was told by my father, Caelus Pendragon, it was a nice little village that loved its king and queen. Wyvern’s grandparents, soon to be her parents. They took over soon before I did.

“What happened to it, father?” Cadmus asks me worriedly.

“There was this prophecy that your grandfather, my father, was worried about. Father thought it was in the Flurris castle and went to war with them. He was so worried about the power that he wanted to stop the prophecy from happening… which is why I’m being so hard on your mother… I’ve seen this before.” I feel Wyvern’s arms wrapped around me like a child would comfort a parent and it made me smile a little.

“What happened to the family?” Wyvern asks tearfully.

“At first things were fine, and we were peaceful. Years went on and the old king and queen retired and let the new young ones rule. Soon they had a princess, and the kingdom rejoiced about it. My father in his old age was still worried about the prophecy and went to war with the young king and queen. The town tried to stop them, but most of them were wiped out along with the royal armies. If they’re still here, I’d be surprised. The king, queen, and princess disappeared into the night… never to be seen or heard from again.”

“All because of power?” Wyvern looks around the village with glossy eyes. We walked through the remnants of the village and saw the ruins of the castle. To be honest, it had been a long time since I’ve seen Flurris castle. What was once a beautiful castle is now sad, lonely, and colder. The crumbling stones held secrets that only it knew, but will reveal in time to the right ones. We explored the castle, and we made it into what was the throne room. Huge braziers were attached to each of the six marmoreal columns that were destroyed by headbutts and now crumble, once lightened up the lower levels of the throne hall and bathed the hall in a dancing glow of orange, now just cold and snowy. The illustrations of a kingdom in the snowy mountain on the curved ceiling dance in the flickering light while statuettes look down upon the mosaic floor of this royal hall. All the mosaics were destroyed and in pieces.

An azure rug now tattered runs from the throne down through the center and splits into two paths leading out while guidon banners with emblazoned crowns dangle gently from the walls. Between each banner hangs a lantern, all but a few have been lit and in turn illuminate the sculptures of conquerors and victors below them. Modest, tinted glass windows are burned and shattered by fire and tailwhips. The curtains once have been adorned with fancy tassels and intricate embroidery, now look singed as if they wanted to prove a point. “This is no royal family, anymore.” was definitely the message.

A once radiant throne of carved rock sat beneath an impressively decorated canopy now in rubble and can barely be noticed as a throne anymore and is adjoined by three large, but far less ornate seats for those closest to the royal highness. What was once ornate and beautiful now ruined by war and time.

“All this destruction, because of power?!” Wyvern wails out in sadness. Cadmus hugs her trying to comfort her. I’ll admit I even got teary-eyed. We continued walking, and we found what was once a nursery. A singed crib, toys ripped apart, blankets ruined, a wardrobe full of baby clothes singed, a jewelry box was taken by someone. A life that would’ve been beautiful is now ruined because of my father and greed…

“This poor baby…” Wyvern wailed out again. She continues crying for minutes before speaking again. “This should’ve been my life!” Both Cadmus and I are stunned by her outburst.

“What did you say!?” I asked her, stunned. Cadmus looked just as shocked as I did. Guess he didn’t know either.

“I was the baby!” She screamed at us. “According to my parents, the people revolted against us for some reason and didn’t want us as their ruling family. My mother was stripped of her dragon, Frost. They used to call us the Blizzard King and Queen. I was going to be the Blizzard Princess when I turned 16 and got my dragon, Hayle. That never happened… for some reason there was this group of revolters who rallied the kingdom against us even though we did nothing for them to revolt against us. Our beautiful castle of snow and ice was gone… and we were thrown out. Their reign has been forgotten to time. That is what my father told me when we visited them before coming back to the castle.”

“They’d never revolt against you unless…” I pause to think, I remember my father brewing a huge batch of a potion. “They were under a jealousy potion!” She cries again into Cadmus’ shoulder. “The group of revolters could’ve been a distraction while my father caused more damage and made your family leave.”

“My poor people… how would a potion spread to that many people?” She asks me through her glossy eyes as she tries to wipe them away.

“Maybe someone made a big batch and made the people drink it? I’m not sure…” Her head droops and she just drops to what was left of the floor. “Well, at least my wife can’t say you’re not a princess. You technically are.”

“Yeah, maybe, but I’ve lived the life of a peasant all my life. Which is why I said I am a peasant. I barely remember living here. According to my mother, I was maybe two or three when this happened.”

“A mere child! My father was afraid of a child??” I run my fingers through my hair and try to calm down. “My father has since passed away, but I remember him telling me ‘Son, I have made a grave mistake… wrong my right and don’t do what I did.’ I didn’t understand what he meant at the time, but maybe this is what he was talking about.”

“A grave mistake?! Is that what he calls this?!” She points to the rubble and ruins… “Ruining my family castle, ruining my family’s reputation, not letting me have the life I deserved! That’s what he calls a grave mistake!?” I’m not surprised she’s angry. I am too even though it’s not my fault. “How did he die?” She asks me randomly.

“I believe he died of old war wounds. I was just a young teen when he passed and I was spared the details. I became king at 16 when I got my dragon, and I married my queen when I turned 18 and had Cadmus when we were 19.”

“So young…” She wipes away her angry tears and calms down. She walks away from what would’ve been her room, but she stops at the singed dresser and sees a dragon necklace that had a small blue topaz stone on it that looked like a snowflake.

“The crest of the royal family. I guess you were given it when you were little. Robbers must’ve missed this. Take it… it’s yours.” She gives me a small smile, wipes off the soot and Cadmus helps her put it on.

“I’ll wear it proudly.” We continue our way through the rubble and we find what’s left of the king and queen’s room. “Mom and dad’s room I guess…” The beautiful king bed singed, family portraits were destroyed, wardrobes burned, and it was barely recognizable as a bedroom. Wyvern looks to what’s left of her mother’s side table and sees a picture of the three of them when she was a little covered in soot.

“I look to be around two in this picture… we look happy here.” She smiles at the picture and puts it in her bag.

“Maybe a year until the war and destruction my father caused… I am so sorry for all this.”

“I know it can’t be undone, but thanks I forgive you.” It gives me great relief that she does. I’m not sure I would’ve if it were me. She continues to look around looking as if she wants to find something.

“I want to give my parents something from their former home. The picture can be for my mother.” She goes around to her father’s side table and looks around the drawers and there’s a royal dagger and ring by his bed.

“Not surprised he would’ve wanted to protect you and your mother. I’d hold on to that.” She puts them in her bag with the picture.

“If father had one, maybe mother did too.” She goes back to the other side table and checks it. Another blue topaz shined through the soot, a ring that once was beautiful now all dirty from war… “Oh, mother… I wish I could give you Frost back, but maybe this is the next best thing…”

“I’m sure they’ll love it.” I give her a small smile trying to comfort her. “I think that’s enough reminiscing on what could’ve been… let’s go…” She wipes away her tears again as we try to make our way back to the front. As we’re about to leave a singed book near the rubble of the thrones is flapping in the wind.

“What’s this?” Wyvern asks confusedly.

“Is this the prophecy book, father?” Cadmus asks me hopefully.

“It could be, my father always described it as a grand book, but now it just looks black and ruined. I’ll see if I can try to make it out.

When the day comes that darkness rises once more, a miscommunication shall bring an age of magic. When the true one reveals herself, a foolish choice shall mark the overthrowing of royalty. When the time comes that snow and thunder collide the stranger shall bring a country’s new rise. When the day comes that the brother becomes a father, a duel shall cause an era of love and a world of light.”

“What does that mean, father?” Cadmus asks me.

“Well, if I had to guess… the miscommunication part is my father or someone spreading false rumors about Wyvern’s parents. The culprit revealed could be my father’s death and the end of his reign. Snow and thunder are you and Wyvern. Cadmus, you will duel with whoever the culprit is if they’re still alive, and you win, of course, you rule with Wyvern happily.”

Eventually, we just shift and fly out through one of the giant holes in the ceiling. Once back on the ground we’re greeted by some angry dragons.

“Wait! Don’t be angry! I wanted to come here! I am the lost Blizzard princess!” The crowd of dragons stop growling and are stunned. They all shift and the scary snow and ice dragons are just six stunned people.

“That’s something I hadn’t heard in a long time.” One gentleman said to us, “How do you know that name?”

“My father told me.” She told them confidently.

“What’s your name?” One woman asked us cautiously.

“Wyvern Tiamat, daughter of Hollis and Evangeline Tiamat.” She holds her head high as she shows them the necklace she had just found.

“Princess!” They all bow to her and she looks at us in shock.

“Uuhh do you ever get used to this?” She turns to us confused and shocked.

“Eventually in time,” Cadmus smirks at her and I let them handle it.

“Rise everyone. Now first of all thank you for not attacking us, now tell me your names.”

“Holly Chillis” One woman curtsied again. She had hair that reminded me of a holly berry and forest green eyes.

“Juniper Fross” Another woman curtsied. She had icy blue eyes and brunette hair that reminded me of a tree.

“Wren Avalan.” The gentleman asking questions bowed again. She had powder blue eyes and hair that reminded me of a brown wren bird.

“Cypress Neige.” Another gentleman bows. He had arctic blue eyes and also had brunette hair that reminded me of a tree.

“Viola Frostine.” Another woman curtsied. She looked older than the others. Snowy white hair and frosty blue eyes. “I was going to be your nanny…” She hugs Wyvern with tears in her eyes.

“Zane Hale.” The last gentleman bows and we just look at them stunned. He had pitch-black hair but his eyes were so blue I thought they were white.

“What happened here?” Wyvern asks the group.

“A huge war broke out. We tried to reason with the angry mob, but it was like they were in a trance. We couldn’t stop the mob, and they just kept fighting for this angry air and fire dragon.”

“Fire dragon??” We all asked confused.

“Yes, a fire dragon,” Holly confirmed.

“It wasn’t my mother was it?” I asked them worriedly. My mother was a kind ruler, she didn’t like to get involved in politics. She was also a fire dragon which made me concerned.

“The former queen of Galavan?? Oh no she was so kind to us! She’d never get involved in a war. I think it was the former queen of Volaha island.” We were all stunned! NO wonder they kept shoving the current princess on us!

“What?!” We were all stunned again.

“That was what we had heard. Your parents were a kind and gracious king and queen. They didn’t deserve what they got… what you got.” Juniper wipes away her tears and I hug her.

“Are you all that’s left of the kingdom?” She asks them hopefully.

“There are our families and maybe a few more hiding in the outskirts of the village hiding in caves, but we were the only ones who survived and weren’t under the trance. All of us were kids.” Wyvern wipes her tears again.

“I’m sure we would’ve been good friends…” She smiles at them gently and hugs them again. “I’ll be back to visit again. I don’t want to let you down again. Oh, where are my manners, this is Cadmus and Airos Pendragon. The current rulers of Galvan, and my fated mate.” She introduces us proudly, but they seem wary of us.

“The air dragon you talk about was my father who has since died from the injuries he sustained during the war. I don’t rule like my father… I’ve seen what greed and power have done and I don’t want that. Now I’m afraid it’s taken over my queen… I don’t want history to repeat itself.” The group relaxes a little, but still seems guarded.

“Keep your crazy queen from us!” Zane growls at us, but Wyvern gives him a glare of warning.

“She doesn’t know any of this.” They all relax at this news.

“As far as she knows I’m just a peasant. Which is partially true since I didn’t know about any of this until recently.” Wyvern is a natural at this. I smile proudly at her.

“Visit soon?” Holly asks meekly.

“Of course! I don’t want to desert my kingdom again. Now that I know there are still some of you left. I’ll let my parents know.” Wyvern smiles at them and they all hug her.

“We’ll see you soon… blizzard princess,” Juniper says goodbye with tears in her eyes.

“See you all soon.” We all shift into our dragons and leave the sleepy kingdom. She leads us to a small cabin in the woods just outside of Flurris but cold enough for my discomfort.

“What is this?” I ask Wyvern curiously.

“This is where I lived until recently.” She tells me with a smile and knocks on the door. I look at the small cabin and this is hardly a place for a royal to live! Yet she seems so happy about it. When the door opens a man I hadn’t seen in years greets Wyvern.

“Hello, Airo… it’s good to see you again.”