The Clash of Land and Sea_The Dragon Riders of Arvain Page 14

  What do I do? Hayden asked Draek.

  Destroy that monstrous thing. Draek sent Hayden an image of him melting the brand with his fire. Hayden did not have fire to melt the brand but he did have his silver blade.

  Just as fast as if Hayden was being attacked he ripped his blade out of his scabbard and easily sliced the brand in half. Kirin did not jump back or even flinch.

  “There will never be another elf branded in this forest.” Hayden proclaimed as he quickly put his sword back in its sheath.

  Kirin and everyone in the crowd stared at Hayden in stunned silence. He began to wonder if he had just offended every single person. Hayden was about to ask Draek for help when Hayden saw Kirin smile and drop the now broken branding iron.

  The sound of the metal hitting the stage resonated so that every elf heard it. As if on cue the crowd went wild. The music started back up and the new riders began dancing and shouting with their new dragons.

  Kirin hugged Hayden and whispered in his ear. “Thank you.” Kirin broke her embrace with Hayden and jumped into the crowd to dance with the new riders.

  Hayden smiled as he watched the new riders. To see them so happy and excited about what their lives had in store for them made Hayden feel as if his life was just about to begin.

  It’s time we head back Hayden. We need to prepare for tomorrow. Draek’s voice thundered in Hayden’s head. Hayden looked over to his friends and couldn’t help but have a slight twinge of regret knowing that he was about to leave them.

  Hayden moved through the crowd until he made it to the edge of the woods, and there he disappeared into the darkness.

  Hayden’s breath hardly steamed in the morning air. The last of the snow had melted some weeks ago but now the bitter chill was gone as well. Winter was finally over.

  Hayden took that to be a good omen as tightened the last few straps on Draek’s saddle. Hayden had snuck back into Out Post without anyone seeing him and had packed in silence the night before.

  Hayden and Draek watched as the sky began to change colors and the dark red colors began bleeding over the horizon.

  “Are you ready for this?” Hayden asked out loud.

  Are you? Draek replied. Hayden knew that Draek was always ready for anything. It was as if Draek was truly the best parts of Hayden doubled over.

  “I am…..I hope.” Hayden added as he patted the hard silver scales on Draek’s side.

  “You are.” Kirin replied from behind Hayden, causing Hayden to jump and his heart to start racing.

  “You didn’t think that I would let you leave without saying good bye did you?” Kirin stated as she stepped next to Draek and rested her hand on him.

  Hayden had wanted to try to sneak out without any emotional good byes but it seemed that his scam had been found out.

  “And what about us?” Cass added as she and Shane climbed up the hidden stair case on the landing pad of Out Post.

  Hayden lowered his head and sighed. “I guess not.”

  “Before you go I have one very important question for you.” Cass asked. She walked up to Hayden and was so close to him Hayden got confused if he was hearing his heart beat or hers. “Do you know where you are going?”

  Hayden’s hope for another kiss was quickly extinguished but was replaced with fear and embarrassment. “Uhh not really.” Draek let out a puff of smoke as if to say “Wow really?”

  Cass laughed, at Hayden but in a kind way. “Then I guess it is a good thing that we came to say good bye.” Cass handed Hayden a rolled up scroll. Hayden was about to unravel it when Cass stopped him.

  “It’s a map of Eytherka and The Burden Sea and where all the islands are located.” Cass said.

  “Thank you so much.” Hayden said and before Hayden could say another word Cass gave him a quick, but firm, hug.

  “Be safe.” She whispered in his ear, sending shivers up his spine.

  “You will want to head north of The Lighthouse, the Metallic Riders sea side tower. You will find a small unnamed island on your map and that’s where you will need to be.” Kirin said as soon as Cass let go of Hayden. “There, our one friend amongst the Sea Serpents will meet you and together the two of you will come up with a plan to convince the Sea Serpents to join our cause.”

  Kirin walked up and handed Hayden another rolled up scroll. “These are documents that prove that you speak on behalf of the elfish empire, with the voice of their queen.” Hayden did not miss the subtle hint. Don’t mess this up. “And one last thing.” Kirin pulled a flat, green, plate like object out from within her robes.

  “This is a scale from Nignra; let this be a symbol to all who see this that as long as my dragon and I live, we are with you.” Kirin gave Hayden a hug and moved to stand behind Cass.

  Hayden turned the scale over in his hand. It was dark green and shiny on one side and a light, dull green on the other. It was a smaller scale, small enough to fit in the palm of his hand, and Hayden had the perfect idea of what to do with it. Hayden gently placed the scale and both scrolls into one of the saddle bags, the scale would have to wait till he got where he was going.

  Hayden looked at Shane and smiled, Shane was carrying a small bundle wrapped in cloth.

  “I brought you dried deer meat, for the flight.” Shane said as he threw the package into Hayden’s arms. Hayden caught the food and couldn’t help but laugh. He walked over to Shane and gave him a quick one armed hug, the other arm holding tightly to the meat.

  “Good luck Hayden, we will be waiting for you.” Cass said. Hayden climbed into the saddle and slowly tightened his own straps, reluctant to leave his friends.

  “Remember don’t start the fight without me.” Hayden said jokingly when he couldn’t prolong any further. His friends smiled at him and stepped back as Draek stretched out his wings.

  They waved franticly at each other as Hayden and Draek took to the early morning sky and began their flight to the Sea Serpents. Hayden did his best not to look behind him but he could not help but watch his friends as they grew smaller and smaller in the distance.

  We are doing this. Hayden thought as Draek flew higher and higher.

  Draek leaned his silver head back and looked at Hayden with a silver eye. We are and we will make it back in time. Hayden did not have to ask how Draek knew that Hayden was worried about making it back in time.

  I know we will, and we will not be alone. Hayden knew that they had to bring the full force of the Sea Serpents.

  Hayden and Draek had landed for their first rest of the day, right around midday. Hayden removed some of the heavier saddle bags so Draek could hunt a little easier. He used the bags to make a temporary seat.

  As Draek flew off in search of food Hayden leaned back with his map and deer meat and for the first time in quite a while, relaxed.

  Hayden studied the map and did his best to figure out how long it was going to take them to make it to the nameless island. It was always a little bit trickier to gauge travel time while on dragon back. A storm that would slow down normal travelers could ground a dragon. And a grounded dragon was not a fast moving dragon.

  I wonder how far back the sea goes. Hayden thought as he looked at the edge of the map, the blue color going all the way to the trim.

  I don’t know, that would be fun to find out. Draek replied. Hayden had never seen the sea before but he had heard stories from the travelers that passed through Erskine. He had been told that it was larger than any lake, going seemingly endless towards the horizon.

  I think you are right about that. Hayden thought as he began rolling back up the map.

  Draek flew lazily over the tree line and landed in front of Hayden. Well that was fast. Hayden stated as he began loading back up the saddle bags.

  There aren’t a lot of dragons that hunt this far in the forest so most of the animals don’t know to fear us. Draek tried to stretch and get as comfortable as he could while Hayden strapped all their gear back on.

  I hope you did not eat too much because we have a lon
g way to go. Hayden laughed as Draek flexed his muscles to show his strength. Ok, save that for our flight. Hayden climbed onto Draek’s back and strapped himself in and together they took to the sky.

  Cass and Shane circled Out Post for the second time, doing their best to make sure preparations were still going on as scheduled. Kirin had been scared that with Hayden not only leaving the elves but seeking help from their mortal enemies, that there would be problems all around Out Post.

  Kirin had told Cass and Shane to look for anything out of the ordinary. With war hanging over every one’s head the forest was alive with elves training, building or creating tools and weapons. The first thing that Cass and Shane had looked for were large groups of elves that were standing together not doing anything.

  Shortly after Hayden had left and they had begun their patrol Cass had spotted a group of close to fifty elves standing near a river. Cass and Shane had landed to break up what they sure was an angry mob.

  When they made it to the group they had been shocked to see the elves had just gathered to watch the newly hatched dragons swimming and trying to fish in the river. The young riders stood almost waist deep in the water and attempted to help their dragons but instead they just managed to get soaked.

  As Shane and Cass approached, the elves tried to get them to join in the betting they had going to see which dragon caught a fish first.

  “I am sorry; I don’t feel comfortable with this.” Cass had replied. None of the elves really listened to her because Shane was already taking off his leather gloves and throwing them on top of the pile of random gear.

  “I bet the dark green one swimming on the bottom will catch a fish first.” Shane shouted, pointing at the dragon he had picked.

  Cass smacked Shane on the back of the arm. “What are you doing?” She asked.

  “I am trying to win a new boot knife.” Shane responded. Just as he said it one of the other green dragons leapt out of the water with a large, thrashing fish caught in its mouth. Shane and most of the elves all groaned as one elf did a quick dance and grabbed up the pile of stuff he had won.

  Cass had to struggle to contain her laughter as Shane turned away from the group with a sour look on his face. “Come on lets go there is nothing going on here.” Shane said as he walked pass Cass and made his way back to Rilora.

  Cass followed and gracefully climbed into her own saddle. And the rest of their patrolling had gone without anything of interest happening.

  Until their second pass over Out Post.

  Chapter 13

  Hayden and Draek flew through the sky with speed and purpose. They were on a mission, and taking their time by flying leisurely and comfortably was not an option. The miles quickly melted away beneath them as Draek continuously pumped his massive wings, forcing his large silver body to cut through the air. Hayden did his best to keep his body close to Draek’s.

  Draek could fly faster if he needed to, much faster, but Hayden knew that at this rate Draek would still tire out before nightfall so he wanted to make the burden of Draek having to carry him as light as he could.

  It had been a few hours since they had stopped for their last break; Draek would not need to eat until much later. How are you doing? Hayden asked for the fourth time. Draek did not respond with words but instead he let smoke billow out of his mouth, as if he was some insane contraption ran by fire.

  If we need to take a break we can. You don’t need to push yourself so hard. Hayden was happy with the progress that they were making, and he wanted to keep up the pace but he was worried about Draek pushing too far and possibly pulling a muscle, even flying to the point of exhaustion.

  I am fine. Draek replied. To prove his point he pushed himself harder, flying even faster than before. Hayden decided to leave Draek alone; he knew that there was no arguing with a dragon, let alone Draek.

  Hayden watched as the landscape raced underneath them, trees become streaks of green. The map had given Hayden a rough estimate about when they might reach the coast line that divided Sea Serpent territory from elf territory but with how fast Draek was flying Hayden guessed that they would reach it before the sun would set.

  After a few more minutes of silence Hayden was bored and began day dreaming. Wondering what would happen after the battle and what his friends were doing back in Erskine.

  Do you miss them? Draek asked as Hayden shuffled through memories of what seemed like another person’s life. Hayden remembered last winter when it snowed and all the local kids ran out into the field to have a giant snow ball fight. Hayden had truly felt like he belonged, like he was part of the town even if just for a second.

  Sometimes. Hayden replied. He had not thought about his old home and his old life much since he had become a dragon rider. It was all he had ever hoped for and he had never thought about what he would have done if he hadn’t hatched Draek.

  During his training he was usually so tired and worn out that it had been too hard to think. When Hayden thought about the people back in his home town, deep down inside he did miss them but not as much as he had thought he should have.

  I never really felt like I was meant to be there. Every child there was being trained to grow up and do whatever their father or mother did. Farmers stayed farmers and blacksmiths trained their children to be blacksmiths. Hayden only had to think about the summer after he had turned 14 for Draek to understand. Hayden knew that all the other children his age were working with their parents.

  Preparing for adult hood and contributing to their families. Hayden had wanted to work as well but as he went from shop to shop, blacksmith to bakery and farm house to lumber yard he received the same answer. No. They had all been too busy training their own children that they didn’t have time to take on anyone else. Plus they got free labor from their children but Hayden they would have to compensate.

  That must have been difficult, not to fit in anywhere. Draek said.

  It was at the time but because of times like that I began searching for my place, looking for what was my calling in life. Hayden couldn’t help but smile as he remembered the day he had finally made up his mind that he was going to be dragon rider. Once the thought had been planted in his head there was nothing he could think about but dragons.

  He asked everyone he knew about dragons, travelers and locals alike. He had become obsessed and it hadn’t gone away yet.

  But all that is behind me. Hayden thought happily as he patted Draek on his scaled shoulders. I have you now; I have my place in the world. Draek turned his head and did what Hayden could only guess was his attempt at a smile.

  Hayden laughed as Draek turned back around. “You never cease to amaze me.” Hayden yelled out load.

  Dragons will do that from time to time. Draek replied smugly.

  The sun was setting, casting deep blue and purple streaks across the sky. Hayden and Draek stood side by side watching the sun go lower and lower on the horizon, which was now an endless expanse of water.

  Hayden stood in the sand just marveling at the ocean. The sounds of the waves crashing on the shore and the salty smells that masked everything overwhelmed his senses, forcing Hayden to stand still and take it all in.

  “This is amazing.” Hayden said out load, more to himself then to Draek.

  It is, how deep do you think this goes? Draek replied. Hayden continued to look out over the ocean for a second longer before Draek’s question registered with him.

  “How deep does what go?” Hayden asked as he turned around to see what his dragon had found.

  Draek had not found anything; instead he had just started digging in the sand. The hole he had created was large enough for Draek to fit his body in and close to ten feet deep. The giant mound of sand stood taller than Hayden and was threatening to spill back into the hole Draek was digging.

  Draek poked his head up out of the sand and looked around as if he had gotten caught doing something he wasn’t supposed to be doing.

  What? Draek asked as Hayden just stared, open mo
uthed, at the giant hole.

  What are you digging for? Hayden asked.

  Draek looked around the hole as if the reason was clear. To see how deep the sand goes. Draek replied and went back to digging, sending a constant rain of sand over the pile.

  A large wave crashed behind Hayden, soaking his legs and pouring into the hole.

  Draek jumped back as the water came over the edge and trumpeted his frustration. Draek pumped his wings to get out of the water but the force of the wind knocked Hayden down into the hole.

  Hayden struggled to stand up in the water and slipping sand. When he was finally able to stand up he was soaked and covered in sand. Hayden looked up out of the hole and all of Draek that he could see was his silver head peering over the edge of the hole.

  What are you doing down there? Draek asked, his sarcasm ill hid in his voice.

  Hayden spit out the last taste of salt water before he replied. I am trying to see how deep this goes. He replied with a sigh, having nothing wittier to say.

  Draek blew out a puff of smoke as his head disappeared over the edge of the hole. Hayden was about to ask for help when Draek lowered his tail into the hole to let Hayden to climb up.

  You know we really don’t have time to be playing around in holes. We need to be getting ready for tomorrow. Draek said once Hayden was back on dry ground.

  Really, you’re going to keep this joke going? Hayden laughed when Draek made a face that looked as if he had no idea what Hayden was talking about. Draek pulled back his lips, showing off his dagger like teeth in his strange dragon smile, which made Hayden laugh even harder.

  Ok, let’s get a camp together and a fire going so I can dry off. Hayden started to shiver as a breeze rolled over the beach.

  That’s a good idea, do you have flint and steel to start a fire? Draek asked. Hayden had no idea what had caused Draek to be in such a joking mood but if Draek could make jokes then he could take them as well.