He walked with her through the castle to a heavy stone door which two horses pulled open.
"welcome to the heart of Frostmoore, the dragon catacombs." inside the doors were two dragon statues standing sentinel. They strode inside and into a great room. The sealing was vaulted almost as high as the mountain Frostmoore was embedded in.
"down the center hall is where we are going but the higher you go you will see the dragons, the older they are the higher they are. Below are the eggs and the training grounds for our dragon knights and hatchlings."
" the heart of Frostmoore I remember vaguely the king telling my parents about this. A place other than my kingdom a new world and the best part is you can fly on the dragons. I was hoping to see on the day of the flower festival but we had a minor interruption then." she said a quietly with a hint of interest in seeing a dragon.
"I was flying there, father wanted to show the kingdoms our dragons and the knights so he asked me….she was shot down by the mad kings host that were there that day. She died protecting me….did you know dragons are just as intelligent as us? Saroen was her name. She was my best friend" He swallowed the pain. "have you ever been so close with someone and then have them ripped away from you? It was my father's arrogance to think that just because it was a dragon that she would be safe and I was fool enough to believe him. She is dead because of me along with winter my warg. The war took alot from us." they strode down the center hall and then down a long staircase.
"my mother and younger brother included. The mad king thought it would stop me he only pushed me to corner him. he was ripe for the killing. And I spared him. He is a broken little man with nothing so he fills the emptiness with power. He can't fathom emotion or morality. He does what he wants. I thought he could change, I was wrong and now I may be looking at another war…" he finished his speech as they entered the hatchery. He cleared his throat. "excuse my ramblings. Please peruse at your pleasure look for the one that hatches when you walk by it is said they who hatch when their rider is choosing have the greatest bond."
"The day of the flower festival it was a great day for my people. The intruders caught us off guard. I was supposed to run to the your father for shelter while my parents fought. but I was told that your father was warned and sent back. But before I left I ran back. Yes we are powerful but our gifts are also a curse. I knew if I didn't go back my family might die and my people. I went back and took charge and we beat them. My father was gone and my mother dying. I had already way exceeded my limit I tried to save her but passed out before I could. That was the first of many I was now ruling on my own so I couldn't let him hurt my people as he has done to me many times before he took the crown or had power. When word got out that there was no king every king tried and I fought as many times I could and for a while it was enough. Then he came with a proposal for peace if I married him. I knew he was no different than the others he just wanted a stronger offspring and more land. I refused so he tried torture to make bend at his will but I refused. To save his face he threw me in a dungeon far from my kingdom in the dark to die slowly. He knows my weaknesses and I put up with them. I used all I had to break out and run I have never been this far from home. I failed to protect my family, my people, and now I might die. Through the mad king is to blame I consider it my fault. I know what it like to lose everything." She glanced at him with understanding "regardless of what happens to me I will do what I can to save my kingdom even if there is a small chance. He will pay for what he has done. I knew a long time ago he would never change, he can beat and torture me as many times but I can guarantee in the end I will win. If my people fall so will I. My apologies for the mad king taking those you held dear." She took a deep breath " now enough of that" she choked back tears and smiled softly to lighten the mood hoping to change the subject.
She walked around looking at all the little hatchlings amazed at how the eggs all had their own designs.
He wanted to kiss her to reassure her he was there to help, but he didn't. He merely reached out and took her hand. They silently walked through the sea of eggs that laid there. It was a comfortable silence. They moved in almost unison from cluster to cluster of the eggs never straying to far from each other.
"I bet it feels great to ride on one of these. Unlike some of my people I don't have wings however aside from the tree folk I am the tallest" she smiled proudly.
He smiled. "your the tallest?" he ask unfamiliar with the kingdom of Tir Na Nog's creatures and people.
"That's if we don't consider the tree folk. I thought you would be as tall as them but they are much taller. However you're taller than me so I guess you aren't to small. We are all different some could fit in the palm of your hands" she said glancing up at him.
"fascinating, tree people?" he asked looking over the eggs.
" it is a main technique we all learn" she glanced at the eggs "however each group can do different things" she observed an egg with a small crack.
His attention was caught by the sound of pecking. It was an egg only a yard away from Zalaria.
"look, here's your gift your very own dragon." he said wrapping an arm around her waist holding her in place as she looked upon the egg.
" the king of frostmoor is giving me my own dragon?" She watched amazed "but i don't know the first thing on how to ride a dragon let alone be this far from my palace" she responded.
"I'll teach you, help you and so will the dragon when it gets stronger you'll hear a voice in your head it's your dragon that's how the bond starts" he explained looking at her beautiful smile. When another crack rang out from behind him and his heart skipped a beat. "could it be…"
"there is two eggs cracking?" She paused " does that mean i get two dragons? Wait no i dont think that is how it works" she looked up at him a bit confused.
"no typically only one dragon will ever hatch for a person and some not at all….and yet there are two eggs hatching….could it be, another is hatching for me…" he said more to himself in utter disbelief.
"Let's find out" she smiled taking his hand and guided him towards the second egg.
He picked up the cracking egg. "grab yours quickly" he urged. His mind racing. She rushed to her egg as intructed and brought it closer to him for guidance.
"Uhhhhh…" he tried to gather his thoughts. "do you want your dragon to be like you? Or hatch naturally?" he didn't have time to explain. So he asked her that question and rushed back to the main vault. With her in toe.
"there are fourteen braziers around the vault...each are traits for dragons to help with their birth Uh…I Uh...ooo the eggs are white right? Well each brazier will die the egg if the dragon accepts it, quickly we don't have much time before they hatch I'm sorry but you'll have to figure it out time is of the essence…" he quickly rushed around hoping she would get the concept as he ran to a pure white brazier with a moon carved above it.
Zalaria ran to a black brazier having no clue what either of them meant. She noticed a brazier with a layer of dust over it. She approached the brazier when her egg jumped causing it to fall in the brazier. Zalaria waved dust from her face coughing as dust filled the air.
Once his egg had soaked in some of the flame he moved across the room to a deep midnight blue brazier and let his egg drink in the flames before dashing over to a pale blue brazier and letting it sit there allowing the egg to fully hatch when the little one was ready. He then turned to zalaria.
"pick what feels right pick what your dragon is pulling you towards" he told her with a smile "you got this".
Zalaria finally got her egg out and hesitated while egg jumped and rolled around as she tried to catch it.
" oh it is on you little egg" she chased the egg around ran into a pink brazier falling on her back " gotcha" she said putting the egg in the brazier then took a moment to rest catching her breath.
He chuckled watching her. "your dragon is gonna be a spunky as you are gorgeous" he laughed hard. And turned on his heel hearing a soft squawk. His dragon had pecked through and it's head was poking out.
"there you are." the dragon tiled it's head. It had a crest of fur over it's head and neck like a smooth mane it was a cool grey with black markings and horns his underbelly the dark blue of the night sky.
"look at you, aren't you a pretty thing?" he scratched it under its chin and it crawled up his arm and nestled behind his neck like a more creative scarf.
Zalaria laid on the ground as her fatigue began to creep on her. She stumbled up taking the egg back slowly leaning off to the side. The dragon broke through and bit at her cloak in effort to keep her from falling. The pure black dragon had gold markings and a stomach that faded into a beautiful pink. The dragon had two small gold horns and a pink stripe down its tail. When the light shined just right the hints of gold sparkled.
He strode over to her and sat next to her.
"now you gotta pick a name" he said his dragon fast asleep on his shoulders. "although you may wanna know what gender it is before you name it" he chuckled.
"Artyem I choose artyem" She said letting herself slowly leaning against him to rest.
He didn't move away as his dragon slithered down to his hands and nuzzled on his lap. Her dragon rested beside her under her cloak.
"rest now you two. Your safe." he cooed softly.
"If you try anything we may end up having another spar where I don't go easy you hear" she said sternly looking into his eyes inches away from his face.
"anything like what?" he met her challenge and moved dangerously close to her face meeting her gaze with a wicked smirk.
" anything...anything" she struggled to answer "anything you'll regret cause I'll.. ill " she couldn't understand why she was struggling to make a threat like she normally does.
He kissed her nose. "like that? Or something a little bit more…."he licked his lips teasing her further. "dangerous…" he grinned mischievously.
" the...the only danger here is...is...the only danger is when I beat you in another..." she was flustered with herself as she tried finishing her sentence.
"so I wouldn't be in any danger if I…" he kissed her softly against his better judgement, but much to his own delight.
" did you just...did you just kiss me…no one can use me...I'm not...I'm not a " her cheeks turned rosy as she reached to slap him to flustered to finish her sentence. He gently caught her hand and laid it in her lap. As he spoke softly.
"who said I was using you? Can't I just have wanted to kiss you?" he smiled softly looking at her.
" I...I don't know" she said in a more tender tone know she cannot read what his real intentions are. A small plant sprouted from the top of her head with two small leaves.
He pulled her closer. Kissed her softly and let her rest close to him.
"It was cause I wanted to thats all…" he cooed softly resting his head on hers. She moved looking at him as her hand made its way up on his cheek. He smiled and held her hand as he leaned in and kissed her again this time staying connected to her lips.Her body loosened and she let her hand slide down resting her hand on his chest. He slowly deepened their kiss cupping her face. He soon pulled her closer as his dragon worked his way to the top of his head. He pulled her into his lap sideways and kissed her more. She rested both hands on his shoulders kissing him tenderly. Small flowers bloomed in the cracks of the catacombs.
He was surprised she was kissing him back but couldn't help but melt into their kiss. He kissed her more their lips moving in unison. She heard a man calling for Soryn causing her gently push him back her cheeks red similar to a rose.
Ronnok entered. "soryn…" he stopped.
Soryn grumbled almost growling. "what is it Ronnok? This better be good."
He averted his eyes. "a letter my king, from king Artorias…"
He rolled his eyes. "and? what does he want?"
"in short nice terms?"
"preferably…"
"he wants his queen back…"
"gritty?"
"if not, war and something else I'd rather not say infront of her highness"
She hugged herself and trembled softly at the sound of his name. Zalaria got up looking away from them.
"Don't worry I'll go back. Better that one kingdom suffers and not two" she spoke in a distant tone not want to bring Soryn's kingdom any trouble.
A low rumble filled the room, emanating from soryn. With a hollow angry voice he spoke. "no…" he growled. "you aren't going anywhere and if he thinks he can just demand your return with no repercussions let alone the threat of war." his nails were digging into his palms. "I promised you were safe here and by Draknis I swear I'll burn his kingdom to the fucking ground down to the last chirping chipmunk if he even sends a single scout across my border." he bellowed with a rage he hadn't felt in years. Zalaria slowly made her way to soryn growing a vine around his arm pulling him to face her. She gripped cloak pulling him down close to her and she placed her lips on his.
He kissed her shaking with rage. Her smooth touch and soft lips slowly calmed him down to where he wrapped his arms around her not caring Ronnok was still there. He didn't dare lable his feelings but he was certain that he felt something for her something powerful. Zalaria pulled back yet kept their lips close.
" Soryn we should head back to the palace with Ronnok to figure out what to do" she whispered softly looking into his eyes worried for Soryn.
"aye we should, I'm sorry for my out burst. I'm ok now." he looked back at her with affection in his eyes.
"that will be all Ronnok I shall retire for the night. Care to join me for a bit zalaria?" he asked not wanting to leave her side just yet.
"Yes please, I don't think I have much strength to make it back on my own" she responded staying close behind him.
He took her hand and walked past Ronnok with her and their dragons. They left the catacombs and entered the courtyard. He walked with her on his arm. It looked and felt right as they walked through the castle to the main part of his palace. they climbed up through halls and passageways to the top of the main tower, and soryn's own quarters.
"Soryn this is the wrong room" she responded looking up at him.
Zalaria sat on the edge of the bed looking down worried about all the trouble she is causing.
"come rest with me, I find your presence soothing." he said stripping to his undergarments. And laying down on the furs. He was tired from the day.
Zalaria shyly made her way to the bed and say on it still in her dress. She laid down next to him stiff as a log.
He looked over at her. "It's been a hell of a day hasn't it." he spoke softly resting against the headboard trying to relax. He was making sense of the days events. Earlier that day he was in a trial of blades with the very women he laid next to now. The women he kissed. The women that kissed him back.
" at least this day won't end with me having to sleep in a prison or the mad king nearby. I even got to see a new kingdom and taste different food." she responded contently.
"I'm sorry for the atrocities you've suffered. If you would like to stay here tonight you may." he said closing his eyes but still engaged in there conversation. He then wondered if his gesture was too much.
"What are these they are so soft there is none like these back in Tir Na Nog" she ran her hand across the furs.
"these are korabain kirin furs. They are kinda like foxes just larger with extended fangs and three tails. And as you can see their fur is incredibly soft and beautiful. This may also sooth your mind. They shed their fur like snakes shed, so none of the creatures needed to be killed to make this." he said looking at her with a small smile.
She turned on her side and looked up at him. "Why are you all so tall?" She asked curiously.
He chuckled. "we are products of our environment. Many of our scholars believe we evolved from a species of cat found here in korabain. Korabain is a harsh tundra most things that grow and survive here need to be big, tough, and deadly. So as we grew and evolved. We grew to survive." he raised his hand and flexed it. Claws came from his fingertips. "we still share traits which is where our scholars draw their conclusion. For example, retractable claws, sharp teeth, and impeccable night vision." he smiled at her and she noticed his features were very cat like but also very human. Zalaria felt the claws on his hand fascinated.
"For my people is quite different depending on which descendants we are. A majority of my people can not leave home for very long. We have strong abilities and many blessings but they come at high prices. However a sapling like me is responsible for keeping the balance." She responded observing his claws.
"a sapling like you?" he asked and slowly fiddled with her hand as she observed his claws.
" well im not a sapling anymore. It is a term for the young before they mature and are capable to properly use their abilities. There is a ceremony for when the saplings move on from being a sapling. The royal family is of a mix of decendants so the process for someone like me is a bit different." She said letting go of his hand.
He looked at her almost disappointed and moved his hand close to hers again. "how very interesting. We have right of passages as well but ours are a little bit….well violent. For a boy to be considered a man he must be given his father's shield. Our soldiers relay on each other, and the shield wall is only as strong as its weakest point. It is up to the fathers to decide when their son's are ready to take their place. Our daughters are taught to be archers. From birth we are taught to ride and fight. It is a right of passage for every person to choose a warg they raise it and train it. Those of us who show promise or great prowis on the battlefield are taken to the catacombs where they may be chosen to be a dragon rider." as he spoke his dragon chirped looking at him from the dresser it picked as its perch.
"our people only fight if we must fight. We have not had many fights unless someone invades the hometown. However the home town is our territory so battles are easy to win. Especially with the mages and the inventors. The only one who has ever really targeted is the mad king. He thinks if he owns my people he will be stronger but he knows little of how we actually work. I am the strongest of my kind and the only kind" she said with a saddened look.
He couldn't restrain himself. He kissed her softly and said. "I will protect you zalaria you have my word. And I will do what I can for your people." he looked at her sweetly. And wanted nothing more to pull her in his arms and reassure her that she was safe. But he didn't. He was afraid it was too much.
" i can show you one of our weapons however im not as skilled as the flower buds" she looked at him as she lightly reached up to feel his hair.
He didn't move away. "I'd like that, how bout tomorrow?" he asked. "also I still need to name my dragon and we need start their training." he smiled excited to have a second chance to be a dragon knight. Zalaria moved a few inches from his face " you asking for another duel" she grinned as she teased.
"possibly…" he moved even closer touching his nose to hers. He smiled looking into her eyes.
She rested her hand on Soryn's cheek " prepare to lose then" she whispered smiling.
"really?" he closed the gap between them. He kissed her softly letting his lips stay on hers. .
Zalaria closed her eyes melting into his kiss. She wanted to stay near him for as long as fate would allow.
He kissed her slowly, cupping her face with one hand. He wrapped an arm around her waist gently, signaling it was ok if she wanted to come closer. Zalaria moved in close resting her hands on his chest while the two kissed. He pulled her tight to him as they kissed. He felt relaxed with her. His feelings were growing, and it had only been a day. Only a few moments later Zalaria was sleeping like a log on Soryn's chest.
He smiled as their lips lazily parted and she drifted off to sleep. He kissed her head and let her rest. His nobles and servants may snicker and talk but he didn't care. The only thing he was concerned with from that moment on, was Zalaria's safety.