The Dragon’s Song

Chapter Twelve

“Now look who we have here.” A voice came from the doorway. I looked up—it was Cousin Tyler, who must have gotten leave to visit home.

“Ty!!” my youngest cousin, Blakely, only eight years old, hollered with excitement.

“I thought I recognized the lilac-colored dragon in the courtyard,” Tyler said, stepping inside. “Have you been chosen, Missy?”

“Yes, Tyler. Lilasia chose me just a few days ago.” I smiled, glancing out the window where Lilasia and his partner Analese were already sharing apples like old friends. “Since we have a two-week reprieve before training, we decided to visit—and share other astounding news.”

“That’s wonderful.” Tyler took a seat while Aunt Giselle hurried to pour him tea. “And I heard that Aunt Julie was promoted to General of the Seventh Quadrant. Please give her my congratulations.”

“Big Brother, can you take me for a ride later?” Blakely asked, eyes pleading. I was a little surprised—he hadn’t asked me the same when I first arrived, though in fairness, he and I weren’t particularly close.

“Perhaps before dinner,” Tyler said with a smile. “I need to check in with the local dragon warriors first. Or—you could ask Cousin Missy, and see if Lilasia will allow it.”

Dragons had minds of their own when it came to riders, and could be choosy. Since Blakely had already ridden with Analese before, Lilasia might agree. I’d grown up riding her and her parents, so I knew well how excitable children could be in the air.

“Once we finish chatting, we’ll go ask her. Sound good?” I said.

“Okay!” Blakely replied, grinning.

We turned the talk to Susanna, and the changes since Grandmother had moved in with Uncle Lance. She chuckled over the news of John Pillard’s outrage at the new captain’s appointment.

“I had to train with Jonathan Pillard when we were both newly chosen,” Tyler said. “His father may have thought highly of him, but he was not fit to lead. More than once he showed up to drills hungover and useless.”

“Which is likely why the King never considered him,” I replied. “Even Mother would never have chosen him. And his younger son, Seth, tried to sabotage the choosing ceremony—claiming Lilasia had chosen wrongly. He thought the most beautiful dragon in the land should only pick the most handsome warrior.”

“That is horrendous,” Grandmother said sharply. “Arturo and Excaliver shaped the very ceremony we honor today.”

“Mother thought the same,” I said with a nod. “She banished him from the village.”

“Well, if he comes here, we’ll make sure he knows he isn’t welcome,” Uncle Lance declared, the weight of his authority as village headman behind his words. “He’d be a fool to try.”

Hello, dear family. Analese’s crystalline voice drifted from the window. She and Lilasia were peering inside, their snack finished. Congratulations, Missy, on being chosen as a dragon warrior.

"Thank you, Analese. How have you been?" I asked.

Fair enough, she replied. Tyler, we should check in with the other dragon warriors soon. Giselle, we’ll be back in time for dinner.

Tyler drained his cup, rose, and with a wave went back outside to join Analese. Moments later, they were airborne. I turned to Blakely.

“Well? Shall we see if Lilasia will grant you a ride?”

“YES!!” he shouted, bouncing up and down.

We stepped into the courtyard. Lilasia had just finished the last apple and turned her attention to us. Blakely bowed neatly and introduced himself with all the proper formality.

My, how you’ve grown, Blakely, Lilasia said warmly. The last time I saw you, you were still in diapers—your poor mother despairing at how stubborn you were about potty training.

Blakely blushed but held his ground. “May I ask if you’d take me for a ride? I’ve ridden with Analese before, and I promise I’ll listen to everything you say.”

Lilasia studied him with her crystalline gaze. Do you think you’re big enough to ride alone—or would you prefer Missy to come with you?

Then, to me: Analese says he manages well on her back. He should be fine alone if we use the bridle in the shed, so he has something to hold on to. Could you fetch it?

Blakely squealed with joy as I hurried to the equipment shed and retrieved the long bridle. Lilasia shifted position, crouching low as Blakely scrambled awkwardly onto her back. I slipped the bridle into place, securing the straps at the base of her neck, then buckled Blakely in snugly.

“Hang on tight and listen to her instructions,” I told him. “I’ll wait here.”

“I promise, Missy! Let’s go, Lilasia!”

With a bound and a sweep of her wings, Lilasia carried him aloft. Blakely’s delighted squeals echoed as they circled the house and workshop, then soared over the village in graceful loops.

“I believe he’ll be a dragon warrior before we know it,” Grandmother said as she came out onto the porch, watching them soar. “Julie and Lance were always pestering Excaliver for rides when they were his age.”

I smiled. “He’s definitely a natural. What’s on the agenda for the next couple of days?”

“Well, next week the neighboring village holds their choosing ceremony,” she replied. “Lance and his older boys have been preparing wares for the festival, but otherwise things have been quiet. Will you stay the night?”

“I’ll confer with Lilasia,” I said. “But with the day nearly gone, I think it would be wise.”