The Dragon’s Song

Chapter Eight

The resounding roar of the incoming dragons shook the very hilltop as they descended upon the training field. Dragons of nearly every color known to man circled overhead—some twirling in acrobatics, others, with riders, displaying dazzling aerial drills and formations to prove their skill and the trust between dragon and rider.

One dragon, however, caught my breath in my throat. Lilasia.

I hadn’t seen her since she came of age five years ago, but now she had grown to her full size and beauty. Her lilac scales gleamed in the fading light, and her deep blue eyes seemed to pierce everything they touched. My heart nearly stopped when I saw she was riderless. Could it be? Had she come today seeking a partner? Oh, please—please let it be me!

One by one, the unpartnered dragons circled the training field before landing in a wide ring around us hopefuls. They settled in as though prepared for a long ceremony. Above, the partnered dragons continued their breathtaking display of flips, dives, and sharp turns, riders clinging with practiced ease. It was a spectacular show of trust and skill.

But at last, all great shows must end. The partnered dragons glided down and formed an outer circle around their riderless kin. As if rehearsed countless times, their riders dismounted, straightened, and saluted my mother. The dragons bowed their heads in solemn grace. My mother returned the salute, then invited the riders to join the honor guard or partake in the merchants’ offerings. Not one moved from their posts.

“So, let us begin,” my mother said, taking an envelope from a nearby rider. Inside was the list of unpartnered dragons’ names. “We will start with…”

And so the choosing began.

One by one, dragons stepped forward to sing their Song. Each time, hopefuls stepped out—some chosen, others left behind. I myself stepped forward for three different dragons whose Songs stirred something within me, but each passed me by. Some dragons chose no one at all, saving their decision for ceremonies in other towns.

The Song of a dragon is difficult to explain. It isn’t heard with the ears but felt within the heart. It carries their hopes, dreams, and the essence of their being. My mother had told me time and again: dragons choose those whose hearts truly resonate with theirs.

Tears of joy flowed freely as a few hopefuls found their dream fulfilled, chosen by the dragon they had longed for since childhood.

“Lilasia!” my mother called, her voice tinged with pride.

At once, I felt her Song thrumming deep inside me, stronger than anything I’d ever known. My feet moved forward before I even thought. To my dismay, Seth Pillard stepped forward too.

He had come of age last year, stood for several dragons, and been passed over each time. Recently, he’d taken to boasting that Lilasia would choose him—because, in his words, “the most beautiful dragon deserves the most handsome warrior.” But Lilasia had seen his cruelty as we grew, the way he bullied smaller children. Surely she would never choose him.

Hello, big sis, Lilasia’s voice sounded in my mind, using the nickname she’d called me since hatching. So, you do hear my Song. I always knew it would be so.

My mother asked formally, “Lilasia, who do you choose?”

Lilasia studied us both, her gaze piercing. She circled, sniffed, then lifted her head high.

“It is with great joy that I choose Melissa Berkshire as my partner and warrior, for as long as the gods allow. From this day, we will face every trial together in defense of our homeland.”

The crowd erupted in cheers.

“This is outrageous!” Seth shouted, his face red with fury. “The only reason she chose Melissa is because they’re siblings! I demand she rethink her choice!”

Gasps rippled through the spectators. His words were near blasphemy. To challenge a dragon’s choice was to insult the gods themselves—and grounds for banishment.

“Seth Pillard,” my mother said coldly, “you know the choice of a dragon is final. Nothing you say or do can change it. You have interrupted a sacred ceremony, and insulted not only a dragon but this village. For that, you are banished.”

At her signal, two warriors seized him by the arms.

“You can’t do this! That’s my son you’re banishing!” John Pillard stormed from the stands, his face livid.

“I can, and I will,” my mother replied without flinching. “Unless you want to join him, I suggest you return to your seat.”

As Seth was dragged away, kicking and screaming, Lilasia leaned close to me, her smoky chuckle filling my mind. “I always knew it would be you, Missy. I felt our bond from the day I hatched.”

Bellisama nuzzled her daughter fondly. “We are so proud of you both. I only regret the Pillards marred this beautiful day.”

“Good riddance,” I muttered.

My mother raised her voice again. “With the sun setting, we will adjourn for today. The ceremonies will continue tomorrow. Those chosen today, you have two weeks to settle your affairs and prepare for your new lives. Tonight, we feast! Minstrels await to provide music for dancing and celebration in honor of our visiting dragons and riders.”

The crowd roared its approval, and the tension of the moment melted into joy. Families bustled off to prepare cots for visiting riders, as was custom. Our village lacked an inn, but during great gatherings, the schoolhouse was converted into a hostel. Between that and the generosity of families with extra space, there would be no shortage of hospitality. And, with dragons standing guard, none would dare cause trouble.

Still, as the sun dipped lower, my mother pulled my father close. “I fear John Pillard will not let this rest. But his threats are meaningless—the king alone can overturn a banishment.”

“Missy, Lilasia,” my father called, “come by my workshop tomorrow. I have something for you that may need adjusting.”

“Sure thing, Pa,” I answered, smiling. As the last rays of sun bathed the field, I thought to myself:

What a wonderful day.