The Call of Dragons

21

Hyun

Hyun quickly strode through the halls of Dragonspire. He was, if he could readily admit to himself, shocked by his own actions. Why did he let the opportunity he had been waiting for slip away? Sure, he had told Nymerik it wasn’t the right time, but what did that mean? Why did he feel that way?

Because of her! Because of her?

Caught up in his thoughts, he didn’t notice Lucian’s presence until the man’s heavy hand stopped him in his tracks. He turned slightly to face the person he had considered a second mentor.

“Any explanation for what just happened out there?” Lucian asked, his thumb jerking in the direction they had just come from.

“I just, I don’t know,” he responded honestly. “I felt like…it wasn’t the right moment for us.” He omitted the “because of her” part. He felt like Lucian wouldn’t understand, especially when he himself didn’t.

Lucian raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean? Godrick and I have been training you for this. If not now, when? You think this fortress needs Ralph again? Dragonspire is doomed to suffer at the man’s hands again for who knows how long. And you can't give me a good reason as for why?”

Hyun felt irritation rise within him. “Why didn’t Lykanthos fly Priyana then if you were so against Ralph becoming Chief once more? Why is the sole focus on me? There were four other competing candidates aside from me and Ralph. Any one of them could have flown her. Why are you lecturing me?”

“I’m lecturing you because it was on you. Nymerik was the last one competing against Mazanth and he came this close,” Lucian emphasized with his fingers, “and you just let it all slip away. Lykanthos told me everything. It was your indecisiveness that led Nymerik away. So, I’m coming to you right now because I feel like Godrick and I wasted our time preparing you for this moment that you just blew. Now all I want to know is, why? You threw it all away, for what?”

“There are other opportunities–”

“When are these other opportunities? Whenever Priyana decides to fly again? When a new Queen egg is lain, hatched, raised, possibly Enthroned, and rising to fly? We don’t know when and now we don’t know how long we must continue to deal with Ralph—”

“I’m sorry, but I’m really not in the mood to listen to this lecture right now,” Hyun interrupted, dislodging the hand on his shoulder and walking away.

'Let the boy go. He is confused and unsure. Your words will not reach him in this moment.'

At Lykanthos's urgence, Lucian said nothing more, simply watching the retreating form of the teenager, clenching his fists tightly by his side.

Hyun headed to his old chambers, his frustrations mounting with each step as he replayed the conversation with Lucian in his head. He knew the only reason all these responsibilities were foisted on him was because of who he was Bonded with. But would Godrick and Lucian so heavily push him to take over if they truly knew who he was? What had he been sent here to do? They just saw him as a simple boy from an unknown village, lucky to have had the opportunity to Bond with the rarest dragon in the world. He wasn’t even from Dragonspire, a stranger from a land detested by others. What he wanted, his hopes and dreams, those had long since been stripped from him many years ago before he had even come here.

Before, when he had been sent with the egg to Dragonspire, he hadn't thought it possible that he would be chosen. Yet Chieftess Rana was so certain and even more so, Lord Khan. It was as if their ordainment willed it to be so. But what they didn't understand was how much the Bonding changed Hyun. Bonding with Nymerik had brought light to his dark life, providing him with a more powerful reason to live. To want to do more than be an instrument passed about and used as needed. He wanted to explore the world, discover its mysteries with Nymerik. He wanted to learn more about their past, their ancestors who had originally settled in this world. He was still a teenager, inexperienced compared to his fellow dragon-flyers. If one were to really insist on someone overthrowing Ralph then Levi, Daemones, and Lucian especially would have been the best choices. To be lectured by the person who had learned and followed under Godrick for so many years when that same person could have easily assumed the mantle. It made his blood boil thinking of the hypocrisy and grand expectations placed upon him. If they only knew the truth of his being here!

Reaching his room, he slammed the door shut behind him before tossing himself onto his bed, kicking off his boots in the process. Nymerik was already on the balcony, perched elegantly. His golden fixated on the boy’s prone figure. His silence made Hyun feel even shittier. Throughout the entire conversation with Lucian, Nymerik had silently observed it and now the continued silence was a firm testament to his extreme displeasure with the boy currently.

“Don’t look at me like that,” Hyun finally said, his voice muffled by the sheets. “Say what you need to say or fix your eyes elsewhere. Though you already said enough to Lykanthos.”

‘You are a pitiful sight currently.’

The simpleness of the response irked the boy more. Hyun flopped over, looking very much like a fish in the process to Nymerik, and gave the dragon his most cross look.

“You know, you could have just did it… I may have hesitated, but you didn’t have to follow me. It’s not like I was really pulling you back.”

‘You believed us to be unready. Your will and emotions pulled on me like a leash. It’s as if I was torn, at war with myself. It was a most unsavory experience that I do not wish to repeat.’

“You ever think about how sometimes you listen to me and sometimes you don’t though? What’s the difference?”

‘Mating and the ties that form as a result are a serious matter to you humans. While we dragons mate without any regard and rarely form long-lasting attachments, we know that our humans tend to be far more emotional and sensitive. The process is unnecessarily complicated by you humans and today was proof of that. If you believed us to be unready, then despite my thoughts and those of others, we should not move forward with it. I would not subject you to torment willingly, even at the cost of other desires.’

“I was just thinking of what would happen afterwards… Like between Denali and I.” A flush stole across his cheeks as images formed in his head of their two naked bodies entwined together on his sheets, much like their dragons in the sky.

‘An act that requires skills which you lack to be sure of,’ Nymerik readily agreed.

“Hey!” he protested, sitting upright quickly. “We both lack those skills!”

‘While the biological urge to mate is inside me, I have no need to fulfill it presently. While others may enjoy the quick carnal connection, I have better things to put my energy towards.’

“I have an asexual dragon, wonderful,” he muttered.

‘When dragons mate, they fulfill simple urges. I, however, would prefer to find a mate for life. Be drawn to another and hope in turn my human is drawn to the other as well. As for my fellow brethren, well, let them enjoy their fleeting dances in the sky.’

“I suppose we don’t fully understand the full connections and the Bond forged between us and dragons. Do we truly get to choose who we want or is it imposed upon us in a moment of passion? Are we free to break those ties and find others or are we forced to remain in what might be a loveless arrangement because of our dragons?”

‘The previous Chieftess answered all these questions. Did she not share her bed with one that wasn’t the Chief? Despite his dragon flying hers?’

“Yes, well, she had also forged that connection with the previous Commander. The only reason Ralph became Chief was because Godrick wasn’t there. A Queen ready to mate cannot suppress that urge for too long. I’m sure Shegil tried to wait but could not hold out long enough. And we both already know Rajin was responsible for Godrick’s absence.”

‘Do you perhaps wonder if a part of you hesitated because you knew this was a bond you did not want to forge? Are you afraid of creating a loveless bond? Is the idea of finding one singular partner more appealing to you than multiple? Perhaps we are more similar than you’d like to think.’

Hyun didn’t respond. What could he say? Yes, a part of him was worried about what would happen if he flew Priyana. Could he deny that strong urge to lie with Denali if he or she opposed? Then there was the thought of why he even felt that way considering he had a crush on her. They had known each other for a long time. Everything in him should want to forge that final connection with her, be happy that now there was an opportunity.

They would be each other’s first. Or so he thought. He wasn’t too sure.

He hadn’t been oblivious to Denali’s demeanor when it came to physical touches. There were times when he would touch her shoulder, seek her hand, or even simply stand close to her and she would pull away, flinch at his nearness, or subtly shift his hand away from her. He knew it wasn’t a rejection of his feelings per say, she seemed very eager to reciprocate from what he could tell, but she only seemed open to an emotional connection. She hadn’t outright confided in him with the full truth of what had happened to her in her childhood. But what she had revealed during their private conversations made him realize that there was an ever-throbbing wound yet to close embedded into her very soul. If a wound such as what he had considered her to have endured could ever fully close. It filled him with rage to know someone had hurt her, destroyed her trust and need for intimacy with others, and ultimately exposed her to something no one young should ever experience. The trauma of such an experience would be devastating, long-lasting, and ultimately a shadow over her and whomever she chose to be with.

The sound of a bell tolling distantly announced the start of dinner. Hyun, despite not wanting to leave his room, could not deny his hunger. While he could summon food to him, he wanted to see if he could catch up with the woman who had made a mess of his plans and thoughts. They had exchanged letters, not as frequently as he would have liked, since his departure and it would be good to talk in person again. Meeting her might put an end to his internal conflict and strengthen his resolve for future situations. Plus, a part of him wondered if she had willingly shared her bed with Ralph or not. Her aversion to physical touch had him believe that she might have turned him away. Would Ralph have allowed that though was another question entirely. His fists clenched beside him, angry at the thought of Ralph forcing himself on her. He had to meet with her and see for himself.

But the biggest and most simple truth of it all was that he missed her presence. He had found comfort in a familiar figure, someone with the same customs as him. In a strange, foreign land filled with uncertainty and the heavy burden placed upon them by their people, sharing themselves with each other was a boon of wonder.

As his mind filled with visions of Denali, another figure emerged. He sat up quickly, wondering how he could have forgotten about Raiya. He hadn’t seen her at all since his arrival, not even during the flight when Julian had stepped out to witness the event. The girl was always trailing after the tall man and yet she was nowhere to be seen. He hadn’t seen her at all either when walking about the fortress. They had promised each other that the next time they met they would share their knowledge of the strange object they had found together, but truthfully, he hadn’t had any time to do so. Did she find anything? He’d have to locate her and ask.

‘Go eat, I’ll be leaving to eat too,’ he informed Nymerik as he got up and headed for the door.

Nymerik did not respond, but Hyun could hear the thunderous flap of his wings as he departed, heading towards the fields.

Hyun headed straight for the dining hall, hoping to find both there. As he entered the spacious hall, his eyes immediately went to the dais where Denali would be. Her seat, to his disappointment, was empty. His eyes trailed around trying to find Raiya next, but he couldn’t see her either.

Ralph and Julian, however, were both there.

He wondered why the two men associated with the girls he was looking for were sitting without them and intended to find out. As he approached the dais, Ralph’s loud laughter and dramatic gestures became more pronounced. The gestures were quite obscene, and Hyun narrowed his eyes, displeased at the behavior being displayed by the Chief of a prominent fortress. Those listening seemed to share his sentiments, their looks bordering on annoyance, disapproval, and disgust.

Ralph’s movements slowed, his speech fading and his laughs quieting as he noticed the youth approaching. His dark eyes stalked his every movement, like a predator searching for weakness in his targeted prey.

Hyun didn’t want to speak to Ralph necessarily. He wanted to do everything in his power to avoid the man. The sole reason he was even approaching the dais was because he wanted to speak to Julian and ask after Raiya. Should the bespectacled man have information on Denali then that would be a bonus.

Ralph, however, did not feel keen to let this boy move about freely, as if he was in charge. His plans had nearly been for nothing when Nymerik was about to win. It was a miracle that he had pulled away at the last second, allowing Mazanth to crash into Priyana with the last burst of energy Ralph had willed his dragon to use.

And the fortress had witnessed it all.

Now gossip flew about freely. He heard the whispers as he walked the corridors of how he had been allowed to keep his position because the boy let him. How the boy had taken pity on him, allowing him to win. How he had gotten the position through unsatisfactory means yet again by denying the well-earned victory to the rightful dragon. How the last one made any sense he didn’t know. Everyone had seen Nymerik close to victory, Mazanth couldn’t have snatched it from the younger dragon even if Ralph willed it with all his might. But the first two hit him deeply and filled him with a spiteful rage. How dare this boy upstart him. He would be put in his place. The anger he felt from the gossip sought an outlet that now perfectly presented itself as the boy approached. As bitter resentment coursed through him, he knew he would be unable to contain his sharp tongue anymore than he had been able to hold himself back from sampling the exotic delicacy of the haughty temptress that had thrashed about in her sheets.

“So, the infamous flyer of Nymerik returns empty-handed, twice now,” he said, spreading his hands wide and smiling slyly.

Hyun halted at the sudden address, stunned at the public call-out. He wasn’t the only one. Many in the dining hall turned their attention to the confrontation occurring, eager to witness what would unfold. A part of him wanted to snap back at Ralph and fight fire with fire, but the rational being inside of him, that being Nymerik, urged calmness. It would not be wise to rise to provocation but instead maintain calmness in the face of calamity. For those who masterfully control their emotions can control others.

He remained silent, choosing to stare at the man. In truth, he had no idea what Ralph was saying. Returning empty-handed twice? He didn’t understand. Surely the man could explain himself better if he expected a response of some sorts.

Julian cleared his throat, wanting to dispel the sudden thickness filling the air but Ralph shot him a warning look that clearly told him not to interfere. Regardless of whether he wanted to or not, it was his duty, as Speaker, to ensure peace within the fortress. Just as he must maintain positive diplomatic relations externally, he must also do the same internally and diffusing the spark before it even lights was the best way to do it.

“Sentinel Hyun, welcome back to Dragonspire Fortress! You honor us with yours and Nymerik’s presence once more. Have you come to the dining hall to pass your congratulations and swear fealty to the new Chief as per custom?” Julian asked, carefully netting the two with the intricacies of the Codex. He would remind them of their duties since they seemed to have forgotten, especially in the presence of others.

Hyun frowned, disliking the custom Julian had brought up. When a new Chief arose, those who led within the fortress were to approach and offer their congratulations as a means of goodwill. This extended to the Guild Masters, General Commanders, and most importantly, Sentinels. The reason Sentinels were expected to the most out of everyone else was because the Chief generally rose from their ranks, and no one wanted bad blood to occur between the two sides. The Chief and the Sentinels must be close, like family, to unify the fortress and represent power to the common folk. The Sentinels are an extension of the Chief’s will and if there was bad blood, those Sentinels could damage the Chief’s reputation or even worse, form an uprising against him.

Julian bringing this custom forward meant he wanted to avoid exactly that. If they did not follow through, they would dishonor themselves and the Codex, which was an unforgettable offense to dragon-flyers. The added public watching further pressured the two to maintain a neutral attitude towards one another, even if it was a facade.

Hyun glanced at Julian, revealing his contempt for this custom with that single look. Julian returned the look with a pleading one of his own. Even if Hyun was loathe to congratulate the wretched man, following through with the customary tradition would allow everyone to return to what they were doing peacefully.

“I offer you my congratulations, my loyalties, and that of my squad, Chief Ralph, flyer of Mazanth. May the fortress, hopefully, prosper under your leadership,” Hyun said loudly and clearly so all could hear, and none could doubt his intentions. Even though he had changed a few words and omitted others, most wouldn’t notice except those who read the Codex and memorized the true oath.

Ralph however knew the truth oath, and recognized the slight. He inwardly seethed, wanting to strike the boy down. Instead, he contented himself with an inward promise of returning the favor in full in the future. Away from the prying eyes of the fortress.

He took a moment to take a deep breath, steadying his voice to speak coolly despite the rage boiling within him. He threw out his best, most charming smile, intent on wooing the crowd over with it.

“I thank you, Hyun, flyer of Nymerik. Your renewed oath will linger in my heart and stoke the flames of trust. May we continue to fly together against all threats we may face in the future together,” Ralph repeated the memorized response.

With the finality of those words, the crowd quickly went back to their food and conversations, now losing interest between the two.

Hyun did not wait for the crowd to settle so that Ralph could continue to prod at him. Though he wanted to question the man on his earlier comment, he figured it best to move on with his night. He had more pressing matters to concern himself with after all. He walked over to Julian who looked entirely haggard after having witnessed the tense interaction between the two.

“Ah, Hyun,” Julian acknowledged, putting his goblet down. “Apologies for my appearance. I’ve found myself quite busy late into the nights recently.”

“Indeed, you look a mess,” Hyun agreed, leaning forward on the table. “I’m often surprised when you drag yourself away from your library, especially for events. Did you enjoy the show?”

Julian snorted, shaking his head before saying, “It is my duty to be aware of all things that occur in this fortress. If I am not present, how will I know the truth of what occurred and reliably offer my counsel on it? Speaking of said event, I wouldn’t say I enjoyed it, but I must say I am rather surprised at the outcome today.” He carefully studied the boy’s expression as he spoke, taking in the slight twitches and annoyance forming in his eyes.

“Not you too,” Hyun exhaled, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Lucian beat you to it.”

Julian raised his hands in a gesture of peace. “Though we need not speak of it any further. I’m sure that’s all you’ve heard about today. Can you be surprised though when such an exciting event has happened? Perhaps even more so than the Enthronement which was far more predictable.”

“I thought we weren’t speaking of it any further.”

Julian chuckled, finding that in the present moment, the boy very much reminded him of his beloved apprentice. “Now then,” he said, clapping his hands together as he glanced down at his full plate. “I can choose to be flattered that you approached me to simply catch up, but I know otherwise. You’ve come to me with some sort of question, have you not? Ask it quickly so that I may return to my rather delicious-looking meal.”

“Do you normally speak cryptically?” Hyun asked, arching a brow.

That earned him another chuckle. “If you consider those riddles young man, I worry for you more than I do for Raiya.”

“Ah, yes,” Hyun began, seizing the opportunity to speak about the person he had come to ask about. “The servant-girl-turned-acolyte we traveled with. Where is she by the way? Should she not be here with you?”

Julian sighed, sitting back in his chair. He had suspected this to be the question the boy wanted to ask since the moment he approached. “Raiya is independent and does not need to follow me constantly. But that is not the reason she is not here.”

A look of such sadness and remorse lay upon his features that Hyun felt feelings of worry and concern creep into his body, tightening his throat like a vice. He refused to further entertain the morbid thoughts filling his mind, pushing them aside as he asked, “Then why isn’t she here?”

“Raiya has been sent away to another fortress to finish her apprenticeship there. It is that fortress in which she will also assume her role as Speaker. Whenever she finishes her studies or whenever the Speaker passes away. Which, knowing them, will be unbearably soon.”

Hyun stood there, staring at Julian in shock. He understood why they had sent him away, but why did they send Raiya away too? He had been under the impression that she was being trained to replace Julian, even if he was a bit young to retire, but to hear she had been sent away to another fortress? One that might even be extremely far from Dragonspire? It surprised him. He glanced at Ralph who had returned to his previous conversations with those seated near him. He knew the man to be the culprit behind her departure. Why had he sent her away?

And did Denali agree with this? Did she allow this to happen?

“Was it…necessary?” he asked Julian carefully, seeking answers to his unspoken questions.

Julian read the questions perfectly on his face and responded carefully himself, “Yes and no. While she could have finished her apprenticeship with me, she chose to leave early. I believe her decision to do so was influenced by a few factors. The departure of her adopted parents, the rise of people she did not like to power, and the eventuality that she would have to leave because they did not want to replace me. There were many other factors that I’m sure she took into consideration and what ultimately influenced her choice as well.”

“Well, I wish her luck then,” Hyun said, feeling numb. “I wonder if we might ever cross paths again.” Nymerik, ever at the back of his mind, expressed a sense of loss as well.

Julian felt a sense of unease as he examined the boy’s face. He was good at reading people and their emotions, able to tell much from a person’s body language and facial expressions. Much like he had examined Raiya when they were returning from Bellasea and her reactions whenever Hyun was mentioned, he did the same now to the boy who displayed nearly similar emotions to the ones she had.

“You will see her again. She’s to be a Speaker after all and you are expected to be a Chief. Sooner or later, your paths will cross again. The question is, where will you both be standing when that does happen? Will your paths merge or continue to fork off in different directions, representing your different views and choices? I don’t know when you will see her again, truthfully, but know that the person you will meet then will be completely different to the person you have now in your memories.”

“What you’re really asking is if we’ll be allies or enemies then?” Hyun murmured, thinking carefully over the man’s words. Well, that depends on where she was sent. “If you don’t mind me asking, where did she go?” He waited with bated breath for the response, hoping for and against the fortress he had in his thoughts.

Julian smiled humorlessly, answering, “Rajin Fortress. You’re familiar with it of course.”

The held-in breath whooshed out of him. She had gone to Ioyari, his homeland. She was at the fortress he had been indoctrinated into and tasked with a special job. She was exactly where he had hoped she wouldn’t be and in far more danger than he ever cared for her to be in.

Before he could continue fishing for more information, the din of the crowd faded as everyone turned to look at the new entrant into the hall.

Clad in an intricately threaded, vibrant red dress stood Denali, her thick hair braided and wrapped about her head in a beautiful, exotic design. Her eyes passed over the quiet crowd before locking with Ralph who gave her a knowing, coy smile. Her gaze sharpened immediately, her eyes filled with rage and disgust. She felt herself shake from not just the animosity and revulsion she felt gazing at the man who had raped her, but also out of an instinct to flee from his presence and avoid him at all costs. It was only the sight of another whom she had coming looking for initially that kept her in the room. She gathered herself, not wanting to display herself in a weak and undignified way to those watching her. They all watched her with an expectation that she didn’t quite understand nor care to in the slightest.

She approached the dais, pointedly avoiding Ralph and approaching Hyun instead.

This snub caused murmurs to break out amongst the crowd. She had disrespected the Chief, the man who they figured had shared her bed during the flight, in favor of another.

“You honor us with your arrival, Sentinel Hyun,” she greeted warmly, taking his hand in hers.

Hyun was surprised, happily so, by her sudden appearance and touch. He gripped her hand back, squeezing lightly to show his affection as he replied, “You honor me with your presence, Chieftess Denali.” She smiled as he brought her hand to his mouth, though it was tight as his lips brushed the back of her hand. She quickly slid it from his grasp, finding the physical touch unbearable even if she had initiated it. Hyun did not chase after her, respecting her boundaries. Instead, he continued speaking, saying, “Congratulations on Priyana’s first flight. May her clutches be large and filled with Queens and Princes.”

“Traditional words spoken haltingly,” she teased him, her smile growing more radiant in his eyes. Despite the casualness of it all, he didn’t miss her arms coming around to wrap protectively around her body at the mention of eggs. For a moment, he caught genuine fear in her eyes, as if she would be made to lay eggs as well. Worry coursed through him as he made out the implications of her body language, his eyes glancing towards Ralph who had been watching the pair’s interaction with a self-satisfied smile plastered on his face.

Though Denali had disrespected him, Ralph had the satisfaction of knowing he had been in her. Planted his seed within her body and knowing that even now, it might have taken root and begin to grow.

It didn’t take much for Hyun himself to understand the situation and the same for Julian. Julian covered his mouth, fighting to hide his shock and disgust. He felt like throwing up the food he had been eating so joyfully beforehand.

“He forced himself on you, didn’t he,” Hyun whispered to her, his heart aching at the knowledge that it was more a statement than question. There was no doubt about it. Her behavior since she had entered the room, the fear in her eyes and the way she held herself, the way she pulled from his touch quickly, and the quick rage-filled glances she would shoot at Ralph while talking to Hyun.

“Yes, well,” she managed out, her voice thickening slightly with emotion. She didn’t want to admit out loud what had happened to her, especially in a room filled with prying eyes, open ears, and loose lips. “Who can speak but a dragon-flyer when it comes to sacrifices. It is not for us to control who comes to our bed when our dragons fly.”

“Come now you two, share this long conversation you are having with us all,” Ralph called out. “We all are eager to hear it. I should also mention, Sentinel Hyun, that your squad has been assigned a new flight leader. It slipped my mind earlier during your swearing loyalty to me, but now I’ve remembered. This shouldn’t surprise you naturally since you’ve been relocated to Bellasea for an unforeseeable amount of time. Perhaps take the time to see to your final arrangements during your temporary stay here.”

Hyun found a sudden resolve steel within him, an eerie calmness overtaking his body as he listened to the despicable man speak. He felt now a true, deep pang of regret for being conflicted about his feelings and allowing this monster to continue to terrorize the fortress and its inhabitants.

He would never make such a mistake again.

“I don’t plan to leave the fortress. In fact, earlier today the General Commander offered to train me as his second-in-command. I have accepted the offer,” he said, coldly. “As for the new Sentinel, I’m sure you must be referring to my second-in-command, Asato, who would be more than happy to relinquish the position back to me.”

Ralph leapt from his seat, his face darkening with anger. “Decisions cannot be made without my approval! I reject this and demand you return to Bellasea by tomorrow!”

Hyun fixed his gaze on the small man, silencing him with a look. “I am Bonded to the sole Prince in the entire world. Decisions can and will be made without needing your approval. In all traditions written within the Codex all dragon-flyers must adhere to, flyers of Princes are granted special privileges and stations that exceed even those of Chiefs and Chieftesses. It is out of respect for them that most do not invoke that right, but I stand here invoking it now. I give you no respect and offer you nothing but the most basic of what I can give because I have sworn my fealty to you for now. But know that I will no longer let you order me about because you...you are beneath me.”

The hall was dead silent at the softly spoken insult and underlying threat. Denali’s eyes stared at Hyun with newly lit wonder and fascination. Julian, still fighting back the nausea he felt at the revelations he had learned, also gazed at Hyun, stunned by the sudden shift in the boy’s personality. He had never seen a dragon-flyer, aside from Godrick, retain the teachings of the Codex so well and easily put them to practice. He wondered what kind of man Hyun would grow to be. Would he continue to strengthen his willpower and sharpen his mind? Will he become more aware of the amount of power he wielded as a flyer of a Prince and continue to use it to his advantage? He’d be a fool not to Julian decided, glancing at Ralph’s red-and-purple face with a small amount of satisfaction.

“You,” Ralph hissed the word out, his face twisting into an ugly snarl, “are not entirely above me! Those rules may only apply to decisions regarding yourself and your Prince!” He spat the last word out bitterly.

“Precisely why I do not need your approval to remain or leave Dragonspire now. I let you send me away the first time, as a show of respect and good faith. But not this second time. I regret not allowing Nymerik to fly Priyana, of holding him back. But make no mistake now, Ralph. Your tenure as Chief will come to an end by my own hands. I vow this in front of everyone here.”

The crowd broke out into whispers as the rumors that had swirled around the fortress were confirmed from Hyun’s own lips. He had indeed allowed Ralph to win and his inability to control the continued disrespect being sent his way further weakened his image. But Hyun did not listen to the crowd, instead continuing to stare at Ralph, unaware that his eyes were filled with a blazing righteous fury as his words echoed around the hall. There was no doubt now. No illusion. The facade was broken as quickly as it had been put up. There could never be peace between the two nor was this a simple rivalry. This was a matter of survival between two competing apex predators in the same space. One’s success could only come about at the demise of the other.

“Thank you, Speaker Julian, for speaking with me. I apologize for interrupting your dinner and, with your understanding, take my leave,” Hyun said, bowing formally towards him.

Julian was at a loss for words, stressed once more at the situation that had presented itself. He could only nod his head slightly in acceptance and dismissal, wondering what he was to do now.

With the dismissal given, Hyun turned and walked past Denali, glancing at her with an unspoken invitation to follow.

One she gladly accepted.

She followed him quickly down the hall and then through the fortress. Before she knew it, they were outside, a cool breeze calming their heightened emotions. She took the silence as an opportunity to properly compose herself after what she had just witnessed. She had never thought that the quiet, young boy she had met in Rajin Fortress could possibly display such courage and strength in the face of towering authority. And win the confrontation on top of it. Was this the power of a flyer of a Prince? She had become impassioned listening to him speak and that passion had faded into a sudden longing for him, one that was all too noticeable as she walked closely next to him. She saw him now as more than just a boy of similar age, but as a savior, someone who could rid her of the filth that clung to her soul. He would chase away the demons that sneaked into her bed and haunted her dreams. She was sure of it.

Hyun glanced at her walking quietly beside him, her face lost in thought. He spoke gently, interrupting the silence, “I’m sure you don’t wish to speak of what occurred. And I won’t press you on it either. But should you ever need to find release, I offer myself.”

Denali was quiet for a moment before responding haltingly, “I thought…I thought I could be strong. Strong enough to resist the call mentally. I… Well, Sibilla inspired me you know. She showed me that one does not have to succumb to the pressure of the masses. We…we can choose our own bonds to forge. We may not understand the Bonds we have with our dragons, not like our ancestors did, but we understand our own hearts.”

“It’s not about resisting the call, Denali,” he said, stopping and turning to face her with a compassionate look. “You resisted as best you could. He took advantage of your weakness. Dragonlady Sibilla, she had an advantage that you did not. She had a strong bond forged with Godrick already. When Shegil flew with Mazanth, I am sure she fell back on that bond with Godrick, using it to ground herself and her rationale. I do believe we can choose our own partners, that we don’t need to be slaves to our instincts, but it is extremely difficult. Our Bonds with our dragons give access to our deepest most wildest urges. The Bond heightens those animalistic instincts and makes it harder for us to ignore it. But we can. I know we can.”

Denali sighed, her hands moving up to undo her hair. “The Bonds we share with our dragons, the ability to share our minds and emotions are indeed one of our greatest strengths and joys. But it also makes us weak. You’re right, even if I did resist, it wouldn’t have mattered. I was lost in Priyana, Hyun, I felt her. I felt Mazanth. And I felt Ralph in my mind. I could not separate myself from any of them, we were all truly one in that moment, and I gave in to the feeling of being lost within them.”

Her hair swung down, the many rows of braids swinging back and forth in the wind. He wanted to reach out and touch them but resisted. Instead, he took a deep breath, wondering what to say.

“I understand your points, but what he did was a crime. Should be considered a crime. This custom that whichever dragons our dragons mate with automatically forces us with their flyer should be outlawed and more modern customs put into place. How is it right to force two people to share a bed simply because their dragons submit to their primal urges occasionally? Why are we expected to change partners as easily as our dragons do? Should a child lay with an adult because their dragons fly? Why is there supposed to be an understanding for something that destroys people?”

She smiled weakly at him. “You sound so passionate again. Tell me Hyun, will you devote your life to creating this change?” she asked him, her eyes searching his for hope. "Will you stand against those in power?"

Hyun looked up, staring at the sky glittering with stars. But his eyes were always drawn to the planet orbiting around theirs, an uninhabitable twin only visible at night. “I will devote my life to creating changes, yes, and to something more.” His golden eyes returned to Denali, glowing with an emotion that filled her with hope and sadness because she suddenly understood what he was saying, the implications, the unspoken invitation, and the refusal she must give.

Hyun saw her saddening expression, mistaking it for being brought on by something else and hastily spoke, “Denali, I vow to you now underneath this night sky that when I am Chief, I will upend the constraints of the old and bring about a new age. Gone will be the days of traditions no longer fit for our society. We should not live our lives like they did when we do not face the trials they face any longer. You and I will change the world, and history will remember us for it. Chief Hyun and Chieftess Denali, united in vision and love.”

“Us? Together?’ she laughed, fighting the urge to cry. The thought was more than appealing, but not in the cards for her. She had a duty to uphold, and he might have found the strength and courage to break free from that in the moment, but she could not. She would not dare cross her father. “I would very much like that.” But she could not find it in herself to reject him, not yet.

The pair stood together once again in silence. It was Denali who spoke this time as she resumed walking. “How did you find Bellasea by the way? Hearing what you said in the hall, I’m shocked you’d agree to go when you could have chosen to stay.”

“I wanted to go to Bellasea, for a bit of time. It reminded me of home. Chief Warren is also a great person to learn from. He shares similarities with Godrick which is probably why I felt close with him.”

Denali nodded her head in sudden understanding. “That’s right, you grew up in a coastal town, Laoalay I believe. You were a southerner and I a northerner. We only met because of luck.”

“Was it luck that brought me to Rajin?” Hyun mused. “Fate, luck, or the whims of another, it doesn’t matter in the end I suppose. Though Rajin gave me opportunities, I am glad to have left that viper’s nest. It’s not just Rajin, but all keeps and fortresses, however. They live off the blood and sweat of simple folk like the ones from Laoalay but treat them horribly. I can never forget it.”

“I know the feeling,” she murmured softly. “It seems no matter which background we come from, we cannot escape those in power, not fully. We, specifically, will forever feel the scars left on us, a reminder of where we come from and what we must do.”

There.

She had said it. A simple reminder and her true answer to his offering.

Hyun stopped dead in his tracks, looking at her with shock. “What do you mean?” he asked, anxiously.

She stopped a bit ahead, not turning around to face him. “No need to play stupid with me. You should know I’ve been tasked with the same mission as you, naturally. Come to Dragonspire, rise into a position of power, and relay all information to the Rajin Council. We were sent as spies after all. When they had us meet, you understood that right? My father told me that if I Bonded with Priyana, I must spend as much time as possible with you. So that we could grow close and rise to the positions of Chief and Chieftess together. Have you conveniently forgotten? If we did not swear to such, they’d never have allowed us to leave.”

“I only agreed to break free from them. I could not have foreseen Bonding with Nymerik anymore than you could have with Priyana. Besides, I thought, perhaps as we got to know each other, that you felt the same. I thought you spent time with me because you…like me…” he trailed off, a forlorn feeling overcoming him.

Denali refused to turn around. He would not see her cry. She was breaking her heart while breaking his. But it was now extremely clear that he was no longer on board with the plan set in place by Rajin. If she allowed him any further into her heart, there would be dire consequences for the both of them. She wished the boy had simply had Nymerik fly Priyana. So many of their problems would have been solved. But now... She took a second to steady her breathing, finding the strength within her to speak. She only had to think of her towering father, his glare sharp as a sword and his hand just as quick.

“I do like you, Hyun. And that might have even grown into something more. But whatever feelings I have for you presently are of the least importance to me. My only priority is the task laid upon me by my father. A task that I thought you had also prioritized. It seemed we had both read each other wrong.”

He watched her walk away, varying emotions swirling within him. Sorrow, anger, fear, concern. He wondered if she would write to Rajin immediately and inform them of what had just happened. Based on everything else, he wouldn’t be surprised. She was right, he had read the situation wrong. When she had spoken heatedly about the abuse she had suffered at the hands of her father and others, he took that to mean she was against them. The memories he thought would give her strength to break free were what forever chained her to them instead. But regardless, his heart would not forget the sting of her words. He had thought she had willingly chosen to walk alongside him, both pawns trying to survive by crossing the board and obtaining freedom through elevation. Instead, she had only done it because her father had commanded it from her. Her feelings had simply been a byproduct, not the source of it all. In that instant, Hyun felt his heart harden and the beginning stirrings of what he could only have called love for Denali disappear. It was now that he realized she had seen him as a means to an end for Lord Khan’s cause first and foremost and she believed herself to be the same. In truth, while they might have both been told to infiltrate Dragonspire and assume positions of power, Hyun had been tasked with more. Denali was not aware of the extra plans her father had laid out, she was simply a lower puppet dancing on the smaller stage.

But still...

“We are more than the products of our parents, Denali. I hope one day you might see that. Regardless if it does happen, it is too late for us. You have soured my thoughts on love, thrown away my idealistic innocence, and revealed the fickleness of human emotion. But I will keep my vow to you still. I will change this wretched world,” he said aloud. “I will become a man with a powerful sense of justice, a flyer filled with courage and strength, and a human being possessing a vast knowledge and an unbreakable will. They will watch me grow from the side without a care, not realizing they are watching the rise of their demise.”