The Call of Dragons

6

Raiya

As the days passed, the four girls were kept busy. Denali and Priyana had relocated the next day after the conversation with Sibilla to the Queen’s Wing, an area of the fortress where only the Queens and their flyers resided. Both were happy about this upgrade, enjoying the bigger and more luxurious space. Priyana was forced outside by Sibilla and Shegil, learning to hunt for her food on her own. She was the focus of all in the fortress as she continued to grow. Everyone, including the dragons, would watch her fly through the skies, watch how she interacted with the other dragons, and how else she conducted herself.

Certain male dragons in particular kept an eye on her, aiding her if she allowed them to, but generally keeping back and watching from a distance. All this interest was because once she finished growing, she would rise to mate, and they would rise with her. One would be lucky enough to fly her, hopefully siring a clutch of eggs.

Raiya wondered if the boy and his dragon would participate. As she stood on Denali’s balcony watching the young Queen pursue her prey playfully, she thought back to when she had first met him nearly four months ago now. When he and his dragon had nearly scared her into an early grave by asking if she could help him dismount. She had felt a variety of emotions throughout the interaction. Even now, when she thought of him, he made her feel silly, foolish, weird, and other emotions she couldn’t quite describe. She didn’t even know his name! That thought irked her quite a bit since he had come to know a lot about her.

“Raiya!”

The girl jumped at the sound of said name, her thoughts scattering. She tore her gaze away from Priyana who had just swooped down to capture the squealing calf in her claws, finally growing tired of the game. It was Marigold who had called out to her.

“Yes?” she called back.

“Chieftess Sibilla is summoning you. She said to meet her in the library!” She was panting from how fast she had to run to deliver the message and took some time to breathe, brushing away the curly brown hair that clung to her flushed, sweaty face.

Her heart quickened in excitement, giving her friend a quick hug before quickly dashing off, not waiting for Marigold to say anything else. She rushed to the library, nearly bumping into a few people in her haste but she didn’t care. She already knew what awaited her. Sibilla had made good on her promise to talk to the others and now she would hear their decision.

Sure enough, as soon as she walked into the library, she saw Ralph, Sibilla, and the man who had asked for water at the feast, Julian. He was still dressed in his usual black robes, ten white lines visible at the ends, his large hands cupping a steaming drink as he talked quietly with Sibilla. Raiya stood nervously by the entrance, not wanting to interrupt the conversation. Sibilla was the first to notice her presence.

“Come here, child. Take a seat,” she instructed, beckoning her over quickly. “You should have announced your arrival.”

Raiya hastily obeyed, mumbling her apologies at the admonishment, and bowing quickly before sitting across from the three. Her heart felt as if it was about to burst out of her chest.

“Sibilla tells me you can talk to all dragons, is this true?” Ralph asked sharply, his irritation written plainly across his face.

“Yes,” she softly replied, wincing at his tone and expression.

“Speak up girl!” He slammed a hand on the table, causing her to jump and Sibilla to side-eye him distastefully.

“Yes!” she shouted this time, earning a few irate glances from the scholars, students, and Sibilla alike.

“Sibilla also tells me your parents sold you to the fortress because of this, is this also true?”

Raiya had no idea where he was going with this line of questioning. “Yes?” she responded hesitantly, uncertain of what to say. She glanced at Sibilla for help, but she only gave her an encouraging smile.

“And now I have also just found out that only Sibilla, Godrick, and I believe…what’s the name of the over-looker of the servants again? Ashanti?”

“Ashari,” Sibilla corrected him, repressing the urge to snap at his profound rudeness.

“That's right, her. I have recently just found out that only Sibilla, Godrick, and Ashari—” he sneered “—know about your gift. Imagine my surprise when something of this magnitude is kept a secret between the current Chieftess, the former Chief, and a simple servant. Almost like a conspiracy!” He cocked his head, giving the girl a calculating look. “Tell me, child, do you think I should have been told immediately?”

“Yes,” she said, quickly nodding her head. “The Chief should be kept aware of all matters in Dragonspire so that he may continue to help lead and protect the people.” Raiya didn’t know why he was directing all his anger at her, but she could guess that flattering him might help.

“Exactly!” he cried out, slapping the table again. He ignored the disapproving looks everyone within range shot him. His eyes were wide with excitement as he pointed at her. “Even a simple serving child knows this. So, tell me Sibilla, how you did not?”

Raiya didn’t like where this was going and she could see that Julian was also unhappy with the topic, trying to mask his discomfort by fiddling with the drink.

“She’s a child that was sold to us. Even you would have dismissed the possibility,” Sibilla answered calmly. “You would have denied her the right to train as one even if it was proven true.”

He chuckled, a chilling sound. “You’re not wrong my dear Chieftess. In fact, before we continue this little meeting, I’d like to test the girl’s so-called gift myself. You don’t mind, do you?” he asked her, a wolfish grin spread across his face.

Raiya was given the impression that it didn’t matter if she minded or not, so she simply shook her head.

“Talk to Mazanth then,” he said, leaning back in his seat. Despite his calm, relaxed posture, his eyes were alive with both excitement and interest. He reminded Raiya of a predator on the hunt, and she had a suspicious feeling that she was the prey.

She cleared her throat, glancing at Sibilla again for help. But she could do nothing for her, and Raiya understood that she must face this alone. “I, uh, I don’t know where he is. It’d be easier if he reached out to me first so that I can catch the channel.” It was true. She had no idea where Mazanth, his dragon, was. She had never really purposefully reached out to another dragon without knowing their whereabouts, it was extremely hard.

Ralph, however, seemed like he could care less about her reasoning. He glanced at Sibilla lazily, an eyebrow cocked.

“So,” he began, “you can’t communicate to them first then? Doesn’t that already go against what a Speaker should be able to do?” He directed this last question to Julian who smiled patiently, not wanting to join in the conversation.

“I just don’t know where he is. It’s harder for me to find a distinct voice if I don’t know where to look,” Raiya protested, glancing between the two. “It’s like asking to locate one specific colored thread woven in with a hundred other colors.”

If she searched without a direction, she’d be slammed with so many voices that she feared she might go mad. It had nearly happened before during the times when she had first learned about her ability. She soon found out that knowing exactly where the dragon was helped build a barrier against the voices of others. The dragon first reaching out was also better, putting most of the work on the dragon than the tuning process on her fragile mind.

“He is currently on the fields watching Priyana. Can you find him now?” he asked, his eyes narrowing dangerously.

Raiya understood that he wouldn’t make it easier for her and if she were to continue to protest or fail, there would be an immediate end to the discussion and possible repercussions.

“I can try,” she quickly said.

She closed her eyes and left her mind, searching for Mazanth. Ralph watched her slump over, his narrowed eyes closely examining everything while Julian and Sibilla looked on in concern. As she searched, she could hear a dull endless roar in her ears, a few stray thoughts flickering in and out of focus and the beginnings of a bad headache forming as she beat back the rising noise. She reached the fields, calling for Mazanth by expanding her mental voice. He came rather quickly, thankfully.

‘I am here’ he said. His mental voice was a rich baritone, strong. There was raw power and command in it, and she could understand why he was the current Emperor of Dragonspire Fortress.

‘You are Mazanth, current Emperor of Dragonspire Fortress. Your flyer is Ralph, current Chief of Dragonspire Fortress. You sired the new Queen with Shegil, the now Empress Dowager Queen of Dragonspire Fortress. Is this correct?’ she confirmed. They both understood it wasn’t her necessarily confirming the information but rather understanding who he was exactly. It was a respectful greeting.

‘Correct,’ he responded, pleased that even this little child knew who he was.

‘Can you please inform your Bonded, Chief Ralph, of our conversation?’

When he acknowledged her request, she ended the connection. Upon returning to her body, she felt a great weight settle over her. Her head ached fiercely, and her vision swam when she opened her eyes.

“Well, well, well. Consider me impressed. Sibilla was right, I guess. You do have the gift. Do you know what that means now, girl?” Ralph asked, a note of glee creeping into his voice.

She glanced up in time to see him returning to focus from his own conversation with Mazanth.

“That I could become a Speaker?” she asked groggily and winced as talking made her head throb more.

Ralph frowned, glancing at Julian. “Is this normal? You normally have no problems.”

“She hasn’t properly been trained yet. She doesn’t know how to properly control her psychic ability, nor does she have the mental fortitude to withstand seeking. When you have to seek out a dragon without support, it’s harder on the mind. Especially for a child,” the man spoke for the first time since her arrival. The steaming cup he had been playing with was pushed in front of her, and she looked up, meeting his gaze. “Drink this,” he said. “I hope you do not mind that I have sipped from it. I only wanted to make sure it was of the right strength for your size. It will help with the pain.”

Raiya grabbed the steaming cup, lifting it shakily to her mouth. She took a sip and promptly spat it back out into the cup. It was extremely bitter and disgusting.

Sibilla frowned at her poor display of manners and Ralph shared a similar look of disgust. She couldn’t blame them; she was disgusted too.

“What is this?” she asked Julian, feeling somehow betrayed that such a kind-looking bespectacled man would offer her poison.

“Medicine. It’ll help with the pain brought on by the overstimulation of your psyche,” he explained, the gentle smile ever in place.

Under his urgence, she took another sip and this time forced herself to swallow. When Sibilla had forced her to take medicine whenever she got sick, she’d have to wait for it to work. Whatever medicinal concoction Julian had given her; it was not like that. Instantly, the pain in her head dissipated and she felt more alert and aware of her surroundings.

“It works so fast,” she said, peering into the cup with wide eyes. The liquid was greenish-brown and smelled almost like a sickly-sweet version of junara. That sweet smell was such a lie, masking the intense bitterness.

“Indeed. Part of your training will be how to brew this on your own, to help yourself should you need it.” He took note of her face softening and relaxing before speaking again. “Now, I don’t believe we have formerly met though I recognize you as the young girl serving at the feast.” Raiya nodded her head and he smiled gently. “Allow me to formally introduce myself then. I’m Julian Levock, the Speaker for Dragonspire Fortress. I was originally born and raised in Kaerndale Keep.” He stared at her expectantly, but she didn’t say anything, instead waiting for him to continue. “And you are?” he finally prompted.

“Oh!” she exclaimed, feeling a bit embarrassed as Sibilla gave her another reproving look. “My name is Raiya Marlo. I was born in the village Siramar.”

“A pleasure to meet you, young Raiya. Now tell me, do you know what a Speaker is? What purpose they serve?”

“I know a little bit. They can talk to all dragons. They serve on the Councils. They are sent as diplomatic envoys to other fortresses as needed…” she trailed off, glancing at Sibilla for encouragement and confirmation. She remembered what Sibilla had said a few days ago, but she still had a lot of questions and blank spaces. Sibilla smiled back encouragingly but didn’t do anything else.

“Yes, this is true,” he said, nodding his head. “Speakers are gifted people who can talk to all dragons. In fact, there is a ton of historical speculation on the origin of these enhanced individuals with one of the more prominent theories being that they are descendants of the people who first communicated with the native dragons of Geria so many centuries ago when they had come to colonize this planet. Basic history, right?”

Ralph and Sibilla exchanged uneasy glances, but Raiya was instantly curious. Her mouth hung open slightly and she hadn’t realized she had begun to lean forward until her chest bumped the table.

“So, how did others learn to talk to the dragons that are their Bonded?” she asked. “Is it because of the dragons themselves?”

“When we obtained the first few eggs, with permission of course, from the dragons, we did a lot of genetic modification on them. I am not particular about the details as the written journals have long since been lost to us and the tools we have today are limited in comparison to back then. However, I do know that one of the modifications was enhancing the telepathic capabilities of the dragons. Do you know what that means?” Raiya shook her head no. “It means yes, it is the dragons who forge the mental communication link. Many believe now that when a pair Bonds, the Bond is what establishes that mental link between the two, but I believe that isn’t the case based off my research and observations. I believe it is the dragons, upon the initial Bonding, who forges the mental link, and they are the ones residing in the mind of their riders at all times. They are the ones reading the thoughts of their flyers and sending their own thoughts directly into the mind. It is never the flyer sending it to the dragon or being in the dragon’s mind. Does that make sense?”

Though it sounded extremely complicated, Raiya nodded her understanding. She glanced at Sibilla and saw that her face showed a hint of surprise and then confliction at what had just been said. Though what Julian said mostly aligned with what Sibilla had said before, there were some discrepancies.

But that look quickly disappeared as she turned toward him, saying, “She’s only ten, Julian. She won’t quite understand some of the larger concepts you’re explaining. I’ve already given her a brief rundown on it all.”

His mouth formed a perfect circle, and he looked at the girl seated across from them with wide eyes. “Oh! I had thought she was older since she is so well-spoken. I apologize for my little tangent then. I’m deeply passionate about dragons you see, and the connection we share between them if you couldn’t tell!” He laughed slightly to alleviate the awkwardness and both Raiya and Sibilla laughed alongside him, humoring his attempt. Raiya could tell she would get along extremely well with this man.

“I like dragons too, but they are kind of scary when up close. I always think they’re gonna eat me,” she said, feeling shy at her admission but feeling the need to be honest with this man.

Julian nodded his head, a solemn expression on his face. Now he could see her as a young child and so his behavior changed greatly. “Yes, they can be quite scary when they want to be. But these dragons have been modified to not view humans as food. They’ll only kill other humans if commanded by their flyer, but we haven’t had any of that happen since the Age of Calamity. With the Accord in place now, we won’t have to worry about that again.”

Raiya smiled in appreciation as the man took her view seriously, not making fun of her when others surely would have.

“So, she is going to be trained by you?” Ralph interjected, impatient to finish up the gathering. He had plans to meet with Denali right after this to go over further training and was increasingly vexed at being detained. After all, the more time he spent with her, the more time he could ensure his succession.

“Oh, yes! From what I can tell she exhibits a lot of the traits we look for in Speakers. In fact, if I may be allowed to say, I believe she’d have also made an excellent flyer herself if circumstances had been more favorable for her background-wise. She is a little younger than I’d like, but we can work around it. I’ll notify the Speakers Guild at once.”

“Well, no one asked,” Ralph irritably said. “She should be thankful that an urchin such as herself is allowed to even have this opportunity. I have more than half a mind to outright reject this with the Council’s backing.”

“When can you start teaching her then?” Sibilla interjected, scowling at Ralph.

Julian coughed, glancing at the two and the palpable tension rolling off them as they both continued to glare at each other. “I’d like to start tomorrow if possible. Does that sound alright with you Raiya?” He turned to the girl, his gentle smile back in place. He didn’t want her to witness this chaotic interaction between the other two adults.

Raiya hesitated before nodding her head. “Yes, if Dragonlady Denali doesn’t mind letting me go on such short notice.”

“Dragonlady Denali is no longer a concern of yours,” Ralph sneered at the girl, ripping his gaze away from Sibilla. “As she has likely already told you.”

“Ralph is right,” Sibilla said, also turning her gaze to the girl. “You’re no longer a servant Raiya. We can’t say you’re an acolyte yet, but I’ll let Speaker Julian go over the specifics with you regarding that. You just need to focus on your studies with him now.”

Julian clapped his hands together with a pleased expression. “Perfect! I’d like to do your training in the afternoons. We’ll meet here in the library. Is that alright?”

“Yes. Should I bring anything?” Raiya asked in return.

“Just yourself. I’ll have everything you’ll need.” He hesitated, glancing at Sibilla before asking, "Have you learned to properly read and write?”

“I assure you Julian, I had the professors teach her when they could. She is capable of reading, writing, and much more. You’ll find yourself quite surprised at how knowledgeable she can be, she does enjoy reading in her spare time after all. Now you may leave Raiya, the three of us have some important things to finish discussing.” Sibilla dismissed her readily, nodding at the girl.

She nodded her head in affirmation before rising and leaving the table. As she walked away, she could feel their stares following her all the way out through to the hall. When she turned back to look at them one last time, they had already put their heads close together, talking quietly amongst each other. She was about to turn back around when Ralph glanced up then and locked eyes with her. An unexplainable chill ran down her spine as she saw the dark interest in his eyes and she immediately broke their gaze, turning and fleeing back to the safety of her chambers. As a young girl, she didn’t yet know the full dangers of the world, but what she did know at that exact moment was that she had to avoid that man at all costs.