Dawn Of Prophecy

Chapter 2-1

CHAPTER TWO

Claskan waited as the group arrived. He received word that the Hunters were approaching the outskirts of the slave town and waited in the courtyard ever since. A stern look rested upon his face most days, but today it seemed to be etched deeper and his face was tired and worn.

Those that knew him best could see the exhaustion just by looking in his eyes. Normally they were a bright and vivid green akin to still ripening fruit. Today, and every day for the past few summers, they had dulled and blended into a dark green grey. The normal color of his eyes would have accentuated the dark circles that rested below, which now seemed to be a natural part of his gaunt face.

He had grown his beard out to a full froth of facial hair. The dragon normally kept his face clean and smooth. Now it was as though he had given up on the people around him and did not care. The beard was a darker brown than the unkempt hair that rested on Claskan’s head.

The red dragon landed first, glowing a brighter red as he instantly changed back into his human form. The rest, glowing as they landed, also changed, but remained in formation. Dego approached Claskan. “Forty-five miles.” He announced. A slight look of disgust plastered across his face.

“Further than last time, but no matter how far he goes you’ll be there.” Claskan said, unconcerned with the sarcastic under tones that harmoniously left his lips.

“His scent will never escape me.” Dego said, blissfully ignorant to Claskan’s tone, staring back at the bundle Bora gently set down. “May we be dismissed?” He asked Claskan.

“You and your men are excused, except Bora. I wish to speak with him.” Padyn, the blue dragon, Hans and Galdaro walked off without a second glance, only Dego remained, concern and anger filling his face.

“Sir.” Dego said.

Claskan looked to the dragon. “What is it Dego?” He asked, irritation peppering his voice.

“We all need to train.” Dego said to Claskan.

They just returned from a five-day training session and he wants to train them more. Claskan thought, in his mind shaking his head, though physically he remained still. “You’re training will no longer be necessary for Bora, but we will get into that later.” He stated firmly ending the conversation.

Dego however refused to let it go. “He’s part of my team and you don’t get to decide what happens regardless of your status.”

Claskan looked at Dego, studying his face. “I am the Military Commander and the person you speak to before speaking to the king.” Claskan’s face flashed red for a moment as he spoke to Dego. “You have no authority and will do as I say.”

Dego opened his mouth to speak but was shut down by Claskan. “If I order something your only words to me are ‘YES SIR’.” Claskan yelled at the dragon. “Anything less will be considered an act of insubordination and I will have you placed in chains for that.”

Dego stared dumbfounded at Claskan. He refused to move for a moment, opened his thin mouth slightly and chose not to speak. With no words left to say he turned around, an i***t’s stare resting on his face. Every step he took from the courtyard caused his skin to turn a deeper shade of red. As he exited, heading up the stairs and out of the courtyard, Bora approached setting the boy down like a suitcase.

Bora stared at Claskan, a slight smirk sitting on his full tan lips. “A little much don’t you think?” He asked.

Claskan, whose head had been turned toward Dego whipped on Bora. “I don’t appreciate idiots.” He said, still hyped by his conversation with Dego.

“You don’t have to tell me twice.” Bora laughed. “I’ve known you most of my life and since we were kids, I’ve never seen you act like that.”

Claskan’s head dropped. He had never acted like that, but the course of the last few springs had drastically changed the way he thought of his people, his job, and his King. He had followed the rules most of his life, except when the current King, Ocelot, asked for his help freeing their people from Jorcalador, Ocelot’s father and the despotic ruler of Stelladahn.

His people saw a peace and freedom unlike any other in their long history on Stelladahn. Ocelot followed through with all his promises and was benevolent to a fault. When war broke out and they had to flee Stelladahn in search of another planet to call home, Ocelot still was kind. When their son was brought into the new world and his mother passed a switch flipped within the King.