Chapter 229 - Dragon Keepers

From dragonback? Tessa’s words resounded in Hump’s head. He remembered experiencing the memories of Nisha’s mother in Bledsbury. The thrill of flying over a forest amongst the wolf pack and plummeting toward the ground. The rush of the wind in his face. He wanted that again.

His eyes went to the dragons. Just being in their presence was enough to make his heart race. They chests heaved, scales glimmering like ripples in the afternoon light. One alone had been the guardian of a dungeon; now three stood before him. They were magnificent, the largest almost as tall as the giants. Its purple eyes were on Nishari, filled with a gentle curiosity. When Nisha tilted her head, it mirrored her movement and let out a soft huff. Nisha’s tail twitched, excitement building in their bond. Hump couldn’t help but smile.

“Celaine, come, you must ride with me,” Finnian said, interrupting Hump’s thoughts. “Aurora has missed you.”

“We have our horses with us,” Celaine said. “I think we’ll need to meet you back in Drakalyn unless you intend to travel with us.”

The realisation washed over Hump like a bucket of icy water. There would be no dragon riding today. He was embarrassingly disappointed, especially after getting excited like an idiot. He forced himself to relax. They were still in the Fallen Lands, right in the middle of a gnoll encampment. He had a responsibility to Prancer.

Finnian’s face deflated. “I see.”

“That is unfortunate,” Tessa said. “It’s a good two days from Drakalyn from here.”

“It’s fine,” Celaine said. “We made it this far on our own. Two more days is nothing we can’t handle, and the gnolls have agreed to escort us.”

“The gnolls?” Finnian asked, looking over the encampment. “How did you come to ally yourself with them?”

“The short version,” Celaine said. “We found one wounded and healed her. She helped us find the way here. The point is, we’ll be fine.”

Tessa nodded. “Very well. In which case that will be fine. I’m afraid we cannot stay long. We must report our findings regarding the undead.”

Nisha suddenly let out a chirping huff of breath drawing everyone’s eye.

Tessa smiled. “Shall I introduce everyone to you, Nisha?” Tessa asked, dragging the little dragon’s eye.

Silently, she ushered her wolf dragon closer. His chin drooped over her shoulder, his head almost as large as her entire body, yet he was so gentle.

“This is Igni.” Tessa stroked him happily and nodded to the dragon on her left. “That is Gawain’s girl, Onyxia.” Then she gestured to Finnian’s—the smallest of the three. “And Aurora is the pup of our group. She’s just seven years old.”

Hump recognised each of the dragons and keepers by name. Celaine had spoken fondly of Aurora in particular while teaching him about Drakalyn and its culture. She’d also insured he knew the proper mannerisms with which to greet them.

As Igni’s eyes met his, Hump held his gaze. There was an intensity to it that reminded him of Celaine’s Predator’s Intent—this was what it meant to be an apex predator. Hump didn’t flinch. This was a test. Dragons respected strength. To be viewed as an equal, one must present themselves as such.

He sensed the eyes of the others on him now too. Not just the dragons and keepers, but the gnolls too—a nervous whisper spread amongst them. Perhaps a year ago he would have faltered before Igni’s eyes, but now… Hump had witnessed the strength of warlocks beyond the seventh rank. He’d stared into the eyes of Baelkor, first servant of the god Uvdar, as his magic burned around him. What was the gaze of a wolf dragon?

“It is an honour to meet you,” Hump said calmly.

A few more moments passed, and then Igni averted his gaze. The pressure relinquished.

“He has accepted you,” Tessa said. “An important step for any would-be-keeper. You are strong for a wizard, Humphrey. Vamir was concerned you wouldn’t be up for the task.”

“With good reason,” Hump said. “But much has changed since we parted with Vamir. A year ago, I would have doubted myself too. Now, I feel ready.”

“Confidence is good,” Tessa said. “You will need it. The trials are always a challenge, no matter the person.”

“Is it confidence, or arrogance?” Finnian asked. “You know nothing of our people, Outsider. Nothing of what it means to be a Dragon Keeper. It is not just a title, it is a way of life, lived in service of Owalyn. Are you prepared to give yourself to her?”

Hump paused at that. Passing the trials was one thing, but giving himself to her in service was something else entirely. “As you said, I do not yet know what it means to be a Dragon Keeper. Until I understand, I don’t think I can answer that.”

Finnian let out a breath and shook his head. “You waste your time in bringing him here, Celaine.”

“Time will tell,” Celaine said. “The fact is, Nishari is alive because of him. Vindari’s lineage lives on in her, and to me, that makes him worthy of my time already.”

“He doesn’t even want what you offer!” Finnian insisted.

Tessa held out a hand, silencing him. Her eyes did not leave Hump. In them, he sensed the same predator as in the dragons. At the sixth circle, she was as powerful as Countess Daston and Sir Roderick. With a dragon at her back, Hump supposed she was likely as powerful as the two of them combined. She was studying him, though Hump didn’t let him discomfort show.

“He has a point,” Tessa asked. “What do you seek in Drakalyn? Why come to us?”

Hump paused. It wasn’t something he’d truly considered. For the last year, it didn’t seem like he’d had a choice. With the support of Countess Daston, that had likely changed.

After thinking for a few moments, an answer came to him. “I’m here to ensure that I can take care of Nishari and give her the training she needs. I also want to help Vamir and Celaine, who have both gone out on a limb to help me.”

“You are not here for yourself then?” Tessa asked.

“I didn’t exactly have a choice. Vamir promised he would be me some time to train, and I agreed to come here. Either I came willingly, or you and the rest of the Dragon Keepers would find me and bring me here. I know it is not ideal that Nisha bonded with me, but she has. That’s the fact of the matter. There is no changing that, so now I just want to be the best I can for her. If that means facing your trials, I will give them my all.”

“The trials are not so easily overcome,” Tessa said. “They may kill you.”

“I’m an adventurer. Risk of death is in the job description.”

“This is not some mere quest,” Finnian said angrily. “You come here wanting to embark on our most holy pilgrimage. To stand before Owalyn herself and ask for her blessing. We train our entire lives for this moment, yet you expect to half arse it.”

The man seemed hot-headed. Hump had expected a poor reception from Celaine’s people, so Finnian’s attitude was no surprise. It was something he’d resolved himself to—he wouldn’t let it get to him. Backing down wasn’t an option, just as it wasn’t for the dragons. And the truth was, he could understand the man’s point of view. Isolated in the Fallen Lands for centuries, it would be hard not to feel apprehensive toward strangers.

“I’m not here to half arse it,” Hump said. “I’m also not here to argue my motivations with you. As far as I understand it, my resolve will be put to the test in the Dragon Keeper Trials. If I fail… well, you’ve got what you wanted.”

Finnian frowned, looking him over. “Your failure means nothing to me. It is simply wrong. Like oil and water, some things do not mix.”

“Would you rather I return to Alveron and take Nishari with me?” Hump asked before she could answer. “Because that’s the alternative. As far as I’m concerned, I’ve saved you a trip by coming here willingly.”

“You were right in coming here,” Tessa said. “Nishari is a daughter of Owalyn. She must return home.”

“There are other options,” Finnian said. “A wolf dragon does not perish if their bonded does. She is young. She can recover.”

Hump couldn’t help his rising anger. Celaine spoke before he could retort.

“You would not dare,” Celaine sneered. “He comes here with my assurance.”

A sinister smile spread across Finnian’s face. “You have been away for a long time, Celaine. Your assurance may not hold the weight it once did.”

“Enough, Finn,” Tessa said. “Let us not embarrass ourselves before the gnolls with anything we might regret.”

“I will not accept him,” Finnian growled. “And that is a sentiment shared by many, Tessa. Celaine, you of all people should understand.”

Hump glanced at her, curious at what the man meant.

Her face gave nothing away. “I do understand. My time beyond Drakalyn has changed my opinion though. Where someone is from is of little importance. It is their actions that count, and Hump has proven himself to me time and time again. If you give him the chance, I believe you will come to understand that too.”

Finnian looked at her and frowned. “Why are you so sure of him? Is there something going on between the two of you? You’ve not fallen for this outsider, have you?”

Ah. Suddenly the source of Finnian’s distaste became clear. Hump being an outsider was just an excuse. Finnian had a thing for Celaine.

Celaine pressed her brow together and gave Finnian a strange look. “I don’t think I’ll dignify that with a response. If you doubt my judgement, then it seems I do not know you as well as I thought.”

“Believe me, the sentiment is shared,” Finnian said. “You are dragon-blooded. A worthy candidate to be the next Dragon Keeper. How could you—”

Behind him, his dragon stirred. Aurora shoved Finnian with her head, making the man stumble. Finnian gave her an angry look but the dragon was already rushing past, straight at Celaine.

Celaine caught her head in a laugh, stroking Aurora with both hands as she rubbed against her. Celaine pressed her forehead against the scales of Aurora’s head.

“I’ve missed you too,” Celaine said, a broad smile on her face.

Hump smiled as he watched her. The only other time he’d seen Celaine so happy was when Nishari had hatched. It was good to see her finally reunited with her people, even if one of them seemed like an arse. Though seeing her with a wolf dragon was almost surreal.

“Come over here and say hello,” Celaine said to Aurora, walking the dragon to Hump’s side. “This is Nisha.”

Aurora rushed closed to Hump, her tail flailing excitedly behind her. She stared at Nisha and the little pulled back nervously. Hump looked at the great dragon with wide eyes. Suddenly, it’s face was before him, sniffing both Nisha and him.

“It’s hard to imagine Nisha growing so large in a mere seven years,” Hump said.

Tessa laughed. “It always is. She’ll grow fast though, especially as she comes into her breath. The essence sparks their growth faster than you’d believe. How old is she now?”

“She’s got a couple more months till then,” Celaine said. “Nisha’s five weeks old.”

“This is a good time for you to have brought her here then. Training a dragon is about time and patience. It is important to understand that while you are companions, they must follow your lead. Right now, it seems easy, but come their teenage years things will become far more challenging.”

Hump looked at Nisha and she turned her head to stare back, tilting her head inquisitively. Hump snorted.

“This seems like a good place for us to leave things,” Gawain said. “Wouldn’t you say, Finn? Best to end on a positive note and discuss Wizard Humphrey’s situation once he has reached Drakalyn.”

Finnian hesitated a moment and then nodded. “Very well. I have said my piece, and clearly Aurora has tired of it already. Celaine, we will speak more when you return. See to your sister first though. She missed you.”

“I will,” Celaine said.

Aurora pulled away, returning to his side.

Tessa looked to the gnolls. “My apologies for disrupting your feast, Chief Rakar. You have my thanks for escorting my people to Drakalyn. I will ensure you are rewarded well.”

“We make sure they arrive, great hunter,” Rakar said. His face broke into a daring grin, not letting a shred of discomfort show before his pack. “But first, feast!” He repeated the line in gnollish and a cheer went up around him.

Hump watched the dragons depart, a little relieved that he had a few more days before he’d need to interact with them again. It was funny, he preferred the company of gnolls.

“How do you think that went?” Hump asked.

“You conducted yourself well,” Celaine said. “Tessa was the one you needed to impress.”

“That Finnian guy didn’t seem to agree.”

She frowned. “No. I didn’t expect him to be like that. We were close when I was younger—my sister became a Dragon Keeper shortly before him, so I would often watch them both train. He wasn’t happy when I left with Vamir.”

“I can’t imagine why.”

Celaine gave him a look. “Why do you say it like that?”

Hump rolled his eyes and shook his head. “And you call me slow.”

Her eyes widened. “No! Not Finn. He’s like a big brother to me.”

Hump shrugged. “I guess I’m reading too much into it then. None of my business anyway.”

Celaine narrowed her eyes. “Right…”

Hump grinned at the look of annoyance on her face. “Come on, lets get some food. I’m a little surprised at just how good it smells.”