The Mehndi Prince

Knowledge and power

“Would you care to tour the gardens, Neve? We could go now or after I have changed into more appropriate clothes?” We have wandered a short distance off, but are still in full view of the public.

“Will your friends be joining us?”

“It will be as you wish.” She glances over her delicate shoulder at my two friends. “I suppose they would be adequate chaperones.” Be still my heart. I look at them furiously whispering at each other. “You guys coming?”

“Sure!”

“In a second” they yell and return to their discussion. I offer Neve my arm and begin to lead her towards the royal gardens.

*******

“Would you stop?!” Lyra hissed

“No! You stop!” Lyra rolled her eyes hard at the juvenile retort.

“Are they out of hearing range yet?”

“ I don’t think they can hear us with all the background noise.” I sigh

“Good” I shake my head trying to get my scruffy hair out of my eyes. “What were his parents even thinking? Arranging this marriage?The two of them have absolutely nothing in common. He’s going to go insane with her as a wife.” I huff.

Lyra sighed “I don’t want to know. No doubt there is a reason, but I can’t see it. We better get going if we’re to follow them.”

“What’s the deal with white dragons anyway?”

“Well, this is just hearsay, but they are supposed to be the keepers of air, knowledge and magic.” I feel my eyebrows raise significantly.

“You look impressed,” snarked Lyra

“Sounds pretty badass.”

“Yep! And as the princess of the white dragon clan, she’s also the head badass”

“So in theory, it’s a good match. Well, except for the stick up her butt.”

“Yes, that is a major concern. The best match would be another gold dragon.”

“Why’s that?” Out of nowhere Lyra smacks me upside my head. “Hey! That hurt!”

“I can’t believe you two are best friends. You know practically nothing about him.” Lyra shakes her head in disbelief, her amber eyes practically glowing, her voice containing a hint of a growl.

“Do you even know why the golden dragons are the rulers of all the Mehndi?”

“Uhm….”

“The gold dragons are able to control space and time, they are the largest of all the dragons and can pretty much bend other Mehndi to their will.”

“Huh.. that makes sense.”

“Idiot.” Lyra chuffs under her breath. “Come on! We better catch up to them.”

************

I look over my shoulder yet again and finally catch a glimpse of Lyra’s tawny hair. I relax a small amount.

“Are you and the lioness lovers?” Neve enquired. I practically trip over my feet.

“What?! No! She’s one of my best friends and frankly she would be more interested in being your lover than mine.”

“Ahh.. I asked only because you kept trying to see her.”

“As they are our chaperones, they should be within eyesight of us.” Plus knowing Lyra and Fennick as I do, it’s possible for a world war to erupt if they are left alone together for too long.

“Has my arrival put an end to a dalliance of yours?” This question was unexpected, tearing me away from my thoughts. Given her demeanour, I would never of thought she would take this line of questioning. It’s bolder than I gave her credit for. Trying to be as equally frank, I inform her that I am currently between paramours.

I watch Neve look around at the exotic flora surrounding us. She reached out with a pale hand to touch one of the blossoms.

“Never, have I seen anything like these flowers.”

“Nor will you, these flowers are not from this world. My ancestors used to travel to different worlds and bring back certain mementos of their travels. This garden is full of alien life.”

“You seem sad, about that?” Stated Neve. I ruefully shake my head. “I am sad that I will never have that opportunity.”

“Why do you think that?”

I smile self deprecatingly. “ Once we are wed, there will be little time for such things. We will both be learning how to manage this world and the Mehndi. And not to be crass, but my parents seem to have an unhealthy interest in breeding. Specifically, me…breeding.” A very light pink blush grows across Neve’s cheeks, the barest hint of colour.

“Oh,…I see,”

“Yes, it’s quite confronting when we barely know each other.”

“Did someone say bear?” Bellows Fennick running towards us, Lyra close behind him but at a more sedate pace. “Where? I’ll take ‘em!”

“Way to wreck the mood, dumbass” exclaimed Lyra.

“Don’t worry Fennick. The mood was already destroyed before you turned up.” I pat him reassuringly on his shoulder.

We all walk in silence, admiring the flora. We pass other Mehndi as we wander along the paths, who nod and smile at us.

“Are all these people of the dragon clans?” Asks Neve.

“Some are. Some are from the other clans,” I explain. “Just like Lyra and Fennick.”

“How many clans are represented here at the palace?”

“There is a representative from each of the dragon clans. Obviously, my family represents the gold dragons, my mother and a few other black dragons within the royal guards. You are representing the white. As you know, white dragons rarely leave Achromatica, so there aren’t many here.” Neve nods in agreement. “Then there are a few blue dragons,”

“What do they do?” Interjects Fennick.

“They control all aspects of water, emotions and seem to have eternal youth” instructs Neve in imperious tones.

“They are expert mediators and negotiators.” I add having seen them in action at court. “I have been instructed by Terrilyn for many years.” Neve gasped and turned to look at me sharply. “She is a legend! She brokered the accord between the dragon clans and all the other clans! But that was millennia ago!” I feel a smirk growing. This is probably the greatest response I have received from Neve yet. “And don’t bother trying to lie in her presence, it’ll never work”

“Yeah!” Snorts Fennick, “Remember that time, when we were about fifteen, we were trying to sneak out to the bacchanalia,” Fennick starts to chortle “…and she caught us…” still more laughing “… she just let us hang ourselves with our own stupid story.” I shook my head and ruefully chuckled. “Gods, it was the dumbest excuse.”

“Let me guess, was it, … but dad said I can go,” Lyra says looking at me pointedly. At this point Fennick roars with laughter, hunched over, struggling to breathe.

“No way! You idiots truely didn’t think that would work?!” Exclaimed Lyra incredulously. Fennick nods his head whist still laughing and hunched over. Neve raised an eyebrow clearly unamused.

“What about green dragons?” She asks trying to change the subject.

“Yes, there are some green dragons, the court healer is one.”

“Is it true they are experts in fertility?”

“I personally can’t say, but they seem to have an affinity with healing and growing. They prefer wooded areas such as forests and open fields. But like the white dragons they tend to keep to themselves.”

“The red dragons make up the bulk of the army” Lyra offered. I nod in agreement. “And how do you know that?” Inquired Neve of Lyra. “Most of the Mehndi in the training area were red dragons.”

“I’m surprised there weren’t more injured people around. They really can’t control themselves.” Neve stated with disdain. “And what about browns? Or are they too busy counting coins and storing gems?” Wow! Someone’s more than a little prejudiced. I struggle to control my expressions and tongue.

While there are a great many more red and brown dragons, they are very much the backbone of the dragon clans. As Lyra said the reds made up the bulk of the army. They are passionate, quick to anger and love a good fight but very loyal and creative. Obviously, they can manipulate fire, but some of our best artists are red dragons. The brown dragons can control earth and have an affinity with mining. Yes, some do focus on money and gems but only because they are things of the earth.

I take a deep breath before responding.

“They are an integral part of our society, just as are all the other clans, Neve.” I state, looking her directly in the eyes. I hold eye contact until she drops her eyes and lowers her head in a slight bow. Lyra has a slight smirk on her lips at the small show of submission.

“I thank you for the tour of the royal garden, Nero,” and with that Neve leaves.

The three of us watch her, as she passes through the gate of the garden.

“What a b***h!” Explodes from Fennick’s mouth like he’d been trying to keep it in. Frankly I’m surprised he didn’t say it earlier and in her hearing.

“If that’s what she thinks of other dragon clans, what must she think of us?” muses Lyra looking at Fennick.