Hawksrising Part 1: Dragon Knights 5

     Aylin repeated the word a few times to herself, associating it as the dragon's name. "I like it. I think is suits you." she finally said.
     "Thank you." he replied.
     Silence reigned once again. This time, it was Thunder who broke it.
     "Where will you go? The induction is a month away."
     Aylin gave him a sheepish look, "I didn't think that far ahead. I just took off. I didn't even think about what would happen if I wasn't chosen."
     The dragon gave a huff, blowing  smoke out of his nostrils. Apparently her recklessness did not surprise him.
     They sat in silence again, watching the setting sun.
     "What about Hawksrising?"
     Aylin gave the dragon a puzzled look. "What about it?"
     "Did you not say that is where you are from? Why not stay there?"
     Aylin looked down at her feet. She quietly replied, "I've never been there. I don't even know were it is."
     She felt Thunder's eyes on her, but refused to look at him. She heard him move, a quiet rustle of scales and the click of claws.
     "Then I shall show you where it is."
     At this, she glanced up at him, a look of hope lighting her face. "Really?" she asked. "You know where it is?"
     "Every dragon knows where the home of the Dragonfriend is."
     "How will we get there?"
     Thunder looked at her, and Aylin could have sworn in was a look of frustration. "I will fly you there."
     She looked at him for a moment. "You can do that? I thought you had to be older for someone to ride you. How will I stay on?"
     "I am old enough to carry a small rider and we can rest if I need to. Do you know how to ride a horse bare-back? 
      "I've done it once or twice."
      "Then that will have to suffice. Do not worry, if you fall, I will catch you."
     Aylin stared at him in silence for another moment and then got to her feet. Thunder lowered himself so she could climb onto his back. She found the hollow where his neck met his chest and situated herself. While not exactly comfrotable, the spot did offer some stability, and she gripped his neck with her knees. She leaned into his neck and found that she could grip the edges his scales by slightly pulling them up. Unlike a snakes, they had ridges and offered a fairly good grip.
    "Are you ready?" the dragon asked after she had stopped fidgeting.
    "Here goes nothing."
     She felt Thunder tense for a moment and then he sprung from the balcony. Aylin almost lost her grip. She felt the scales bite into her hands and hoped they had not cut them. A moment later, there was a jolt and a feeling of weightlessness as Thunder spread his wings leveled out.  He circled the citadel once, and then headed south-east.

**If you are interested in reading the ongoing continuation of this story, please follow this link: https://www.wattpad.com/story/66057351-dragon-knights
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Thunder: Dragon Knights 4

     Aylin sighed in contentment. She was finally coming down from the euphoria of the morning. After she and the black dragon, her dragon, had taken their places with the other chosen children, the gong that had started the ceremony rang three times, signaling the end of the Choosing.
     The children who had not been chosen were ushered out of the hall. Those who had been chosen remained with their dragons. The children's height and weight were measured and recorded, as well as their measurements for clothing. Although there were fifteen children, it all happened quickly, the process made efficient from years of execution.
     Lunch was served afterward and many of the children left and headed for home. The official ceremony presenting the newest generation of Dragon Knights would not take place for another month. This gave the rulers of the various nations that comprised the Six Lands time to prepare and travel to Storm Hold, the home of the Dragon Knights.
      Aylin had been too excited to eat. Instead, after arranging for the Baron's son David to take the horse she had ridden here back to Sandorne, she had wandered around the citadel. Eventually, she found herself sitting, legs pulled to her chest, on an large balcony overlooking the city.
     The balcony had no railing and offered an amazing view of the city and the countryside surrounding it. It was evening now, and the sun was setting over the mountains that formed the borders between Estrana and Draurhiel. She sat, mesmerized by the colors painted by the sunset.
     "Why are you still here?" a deep, male voice asked. "The others from your home left hours ago."
     Aylin gave a small start and glanced to look at the speaker. Her dragon was standing behind her, staring. She noticed that although his scales and horns were a deep black, his eyes were a bright, reptilian green. Turning back to the sunset, she replied, "Castle Sandorne is not my home."
     "Is that not where you were raised?" the dragon asked, confusion in his voice.
     Aylin gave a small laugh of derision, "Yes, but that doesn't make it home. Now that I've escaped, I'm never going back. Besides, I don't think the baroness would let me anyway."
     "I see." the dragon replied, although his tone gave the impression he was still confused. He stretched himself out across the balcony, curling himself around her and positioning himself so that his head sat just past where Aylin sat.
     They sat in silence for a while as the sun sank lower. Eventually, Aylin broke the silence with a question, "What's your name?"
     They dragon's green eye looked back at her, but he did not otherwise move. Neither did he answer.
     "What? You already know mine. What harm would it be for me to know yours?"
    The dragon looked back out over the city. After a moment's silence, his voice sounded in her head, speaking a single word, "Thunder."

The Choosing Part 3: Dragon Knights 3

     Aylin lay underneath the dragon listening to the voices above her. She couldn't understand what they were saying, they were speaking in dragon, but she knew they were talking about her. The conversation seemed to go on for hours. Finally, the scales above her shifted and she curled into a ball, trying to make her self as small as possible in hopes of not being crushed.
      "Stand up child." a voice behind her commanded.
     Aylin looked up to see that the dragon had moved from above her to beside her. She stood up and faced the direction the voice had come from. She was now facing the brown dragon who had found her earlier, two citadel priests-an older and a younger, and two citadel guards. They were all staring at her.
     The older priest, who had spoken earlier, spoke again. "What is your name, child?"
     Aylin glanced at the dragon standing beside her without answering. The dragons participating in the Choosing were not told the names of the children so it would not influence them in their decisions. Being the child of a Dragon Knight did not guarantee that you became one.
     "The dragon has already chosen as his Knight." the priest stated, "It is all right to tell us your name."
     She turned back to the priest and said, "Aylin-"
     The younger priest interrupted her, "Aylin of Sandorne, Baron Ambrose's daughter. I've seen you before."
     "No. Aylin of Hawksrising." she replied. "The Baron and his wife are not my parents."
     The priests gave her a strange look, but did not speak. Instead, the brown dragon did. His voice was deep and strong, "Then who your parents?"
     Aylin looked at the dragon, "My mother's name was Salyne. My father was Sir Edward Dragonfriend. I was given to Baron Ambrose after my mother died in labor."
     "You are Sir Edward's daughter?" the older priest asked, mild surprise in his voice. "Why was your name not on the list from Sandorne?"
     Aylin was silent for a moment. Finally she replied in a matter of fact tone, "Because the baroness refused to put my name on the list. She despises my father and would rather marry me off than see me follow in his footsteps."
     All were silent for a moment. "We will need to verify your story with Baron Ambrose," the older priest stated, "but for now, please take your place with the rest of the chosen."

      Ayline and  the black dragon took their places beside the others. Her heart was pounding. Her dream had come true. She was to become a Dragon Knight, just like her father.

**To be continued as time and inspiration allow.**

The Choosing Part 2: Dragon Knights 2

     The pillar Aylin was hiding behind was above the floor where the Choosing was taking place. A long staircase that ran the length of that side of the room lead down to the main floor. From where she hid, she could see all the participants, both dragon and human.
    There about thirty kids of various backgrounds. All of the nation's that comprised the Six Lands were allowed to send their children. The Dragon Knights held the peace between the Six Lands and defended it against its enemies. A Knight was only beholden to his birth country if it did not conflict with the laws and directives of the Dragon Knights.
     Aylin watched as the first dragon walked the line of children. While some of the children stood at military attention while the dragon passed,  a few stood with their arms crossed and in a self-important stance. One girl, Aylin noticed,  stood out from the rest. She was of average height, but thin. She was shaking. 

     As the dragon passed in front of her, it stopped and turned to face her. The dragon, small by dragon standard, had two horns on it's head and pure white scales. It stared at the girl for a moment and the gently tapped her head with its snout. The dragon had chosen it's Knight.
     The girl almost fainted at the dragon's touch, but managed to stay upright. She and the dragon walked to the left side of the hall and stood together. After they had taken their place, the next dragon, a green one with golden horns began to walk the line.
     The Choosing continued in this manner until all but one of the fifteen dragons had chosen a child. The remaining dragon was midnight black. It's scales reflected the light with a midnight blue. Two horns rose from its head and a line of spikes ran halfway down its neck, almost like a mane. Lean and muscular, it was larger than the other dragons who had been part of The Choosing, but was still smaller than the older dragons who had escorted them here. It gave off an air of confidence and power.

     Aylin had heard of this dragon. According to the Baron's son Cedric, who was only a little older than her, this dragon had been at several Choosings and had yet to select a child. While not entirely unheard of, it was rare. This would explain why it was bigger than all the other dragons participating.
     She was so absorbed in staring at the dragon below that she did not hear the one approaching from behind her. She heard a low growl and turned around to face a large brown dragon. It had a scar running over its right eye and the horn above it had been partially cut off. She tried to dash away, but the dragon move faster than her and blocked her way.
     Gently nudging with its snout, it ushered her between the pillars and down the stairs. She was aware that everyone was staring at her. As she descended, she was so busy trying not to imagine what punishment she would endure for spying on The Choosing that she tripped on the last few steps and unceremoniously rolled onto the hall floor.
     She rolled to a stop, dazed. She was aware of feet rushing towards her, temple guards she assumed, and tried to get up. Before she could however, a dark shadow fell over her and a loud boom echoed through the hall. She looked up and was met with a roof of night black scales. The black dragon she had been watching had jumped across the hall and as now standing over her.

The Choosing- Part 1: Dragon Knights 1

     Aylin ducked back behind the pillar and prayed that she hadn't been spotted. Even though she technically had every right to be here, she had been expressly forbidden from coming. She was supposed to be back at Castle Sandorne, locked in her chambers. She was not supposed to be at the citadel in Braewood, watching The Choosing.
     She held her breath as a priest walked by. If she was caught, she would be severely punished. Every three years, the Choosing was held. All eligible children of noble birth we're allowed to attend the choosing, the time when the dragons who had come of age would choose a child and they would become Dragon Knights. Only a few were chosen every year.
     Aylin was an orphan. While not a disqualifying fact in and of itself, it did complicate matters. Aylin's father,  Sir Edward of Hawksrising,  had been a noble He had also been one of the greatest Dragon Knights that had be seen in centuries, earning the coveted title- Dragonfriend. During the last war, he and his dragon had been killed. Wen his pregnant wife Salyne heard the news, she had immediately gone until labor. She died the next night from heartbreak and the rigours of the labor. The baby girl, Alyin, was given to a fellow Dragon Knight to be raised as his own.
     Baron Ambrose was a decent man, when he was sober; and only slightly less when he was drunk. The baroness on the other hand, had nothing but harsh words for Aylin. She had hated Sir Edward for not choosing her as his wife and had despised Lady Salyne. Her hate was so that she refused to tell Aylin anything about her parents and forbidden her from asking about them.
     It was during one of the Baron's rare visits home that she learned the truth. She had been bringing his dinner to him when he had remarked that she had her father's eyes. Even though he was obviously drunk, she still asked if he jab known him. He preceded to tell her that he had served with her father during the war and of how she came to Castle Sandorne.
     Aylin had kept the conversation to herself, never telling anyone. She had quietly researched her father and had grown to respect him and desire to follow in his footsteps. That was why, against her better judgment,  she had attempted to steal the letter containing the names of those from Castle Sandorne who would be attending The Choosing and add her name. She had been caught and beaten. Her back still hurt where the whip had struck it.
     After the beating, the Baroness had ordered her to be locked in her chambers until the Choosing was over. What made this worse was that after this Choosing, Aylin would be too old to participate. So, with the help of a friend in the stables, she had sneaked out and ridden to Braewood. Posing as a servant girl and miraculously making her way to the grand hall.
     A loud gong rung three times, snapping Aylin out of her memories. The Choosing was starting.

To Save a Town 2

Soroya flew the short distance to the town square where the town's people, old and young, were being loaded into trucks. Those who were old and strong enough to offer resistance had been handcuffed or tied. Many of the children were crying. There as a news crew and its vans interspersed with the military vehicles. They were recording the scene and broadcasting it live. It was how she and her brother had become aware of the situation.

She came to a stop, floating in place just south of the square. Using some of her power, she projected her voice and spoke. "General Thrisen! Let these people go!"

All heads, cameras, and guns turned to face her. A collective gasp went through the crowd as they noticed her, floating above the streets. Very few of her people used their power for flight, it took too much power, and even fewer had used it where it could be seen. None had ever been captured on camera.

A man, tall and muscular, pushed his way through the soldiers and civilians to stand in the center of the square. He had a megaphone in his hand. "Ah, Soroya Kingschild. We meet at last." he spoke into the megaphone. "Where-"

"I'm here to trade myself for the town." She cut him of before he could ask where her brother was. "They've done nothing." As she spoke, she noticed soldiers moving through the news crews, making them lower their cameras and voice recorders.

"They gave shelter to enemies of the United States." was the general's reply.

"They had no idea I was here. I rarely came to town, and when I did, I made sure I could not be recognized. They did not know they were helping me. Let them go and I'll come peacefully."

The general thought about her words for a moment. "You'll come willingly? No fighting or resistance?"

"Yes. Provided you release them now. I won't come down until then." she replied.

The general spoke into his sleeve. "How about this, in addition to you surrendering peacefully, you also prove that there are no others like you among this crowd and I'll let the town go. No charges will be filed, no one arrested. If there are others like you, they will be taken and placed in the nearest camp, instead of being taken as a terrorist. Sound like a deal? As you think on this, you should know that I have men in place to shoot you out of the sky if you refuse this offer. "

She didn't immediately respond. He was asking her to betray her own people. It would have been one thing if no others had been here; but there was one man. He was a few years older than she and Corin, and taller. He stood with defiant posture among other young men who were waiting to be loaded onto a truck. Even from her height, she could see the markings that marked him as one of her people. The markings of her people were only visible on a certain wavelength of light. A wavelength that humans could not see or produce. Not with out help. What would be the most significant about this betrayal, even of one man, was the fact that she was supposed to be a leader of her people, a queen of sorts to her brother's role as a king. Even still, she knew what she was going to do.

"I'm sorry."she mentally said as she sent a telepathic burst of apology and deep regret. While her people could not exchange words telepathically, but they could send "bursts" of emotion with such precision that they might as well have. Her burst was returned with one understanding and acceptance. From the way he expressed it, she got the impression that he had known what she would do even before she had and that he was perfectly okay with it, possibly even proud. "Strange." she thought.

She closed her eyes concentrated. She felt the power flowing through her and molded it to her will. A moment later, she was filled with warmth. She opened her eyes and raised her right hand. A yellowish light emanated from it. She shone it over the crowd. She lit the rest of crowd, moving slowly so that the general and his soldiers could clearly see that there were none of her people among them, before coming to stop on the man she had noticed.

"Bring that man here." the general said through his megaphone. Soldiers moved to obey. They grasped the man by the arms and brought him to stand by the general. Once he was standing beside the general, arms still held by the soldiers, the general addressed her again. "Alright, Ms. Kingschild, it's time for you to hold up your end of the deal."

"What about the townspeople? They are free to go?" she asked.

"Yes. The town is free to go." the general responded. He spoke into his sleeve again and solders began to move through the crowd, releasing those who had been restrained.

She watched for a moment and then slowly began to descend, releasing the power that held her in the air . She did it slowly so that no one would assume she was flying off or attacking.

She had only descended a couple feet when she heard a muffled thwump and whooshing sound behind and above her. She whirled in the direction of the sound. She tried to dodge, but was not fast enough, so a second later, her chest and left arm exploded in pain and she lost all control of her power and descent.

She was vaguely aware that she was headed in the direction of where General Thrisen was standing. She hit the ground with a thud, cracking the asphalt.Her unconscious body rolled a few times and stopped. There was blood coming from a gash on her head and from her nose.

"Restrain her." the general said, and his men obeyed. They roughly rolled her over and cuffed her hands behind her back with cuffs made special for restraining her kind. Two of them lifted her by her arms and dragged her to a truck.

"Lieutenant," he said, addressing a man beside him who saluted, "make sure she stays unconscious until I say so. Also, take that man she identified with you. If he give you any trouble, shoot him." The lieutenant gave him a "yes, sir!" and scurried off to follow his orders. Then, the general turned to address the rest of his men and yelled, "Somebody confiscate those cameras!"

A Heavy Choice

I stared at the list of names. All of these people, every single one, was a stranger. Most importantly, every single one was dead; and they were dead because of me. I was my fault, and yet.... it wasn't. I'd had decision to make. No matter what I did, people were going to die. The question had been, "How many?" I tried not to make the decision, be all "smart-alek" and going with "no one;" but people had died anyway. The one forcing the decision on me had reminded me that the question was "How many? Would it be a  small handful of unknown, but no less important, people? Or, a larger group, who's size was the equivalent of a small nation? How many people would die?" Finally, I chose. Heaven help me, I chose. "The needs of the many..." and all that. What else was I supposed to do? Let a millions of people die, or only a couple hundred? I am not proud of my choice, but I wouldn't change it. The decision was made, and I have to live with it. You judge me, but if the choice had been yours, what would you have done?