With in an hour, Hess and I were back at the spot were we had met the group. We decided to land and see if we could get a scent trail. Hestia landed softly, hoping not to trigger anymore traps. Thankfully nothing happened after, but we couldn't pick up a scent, not EVEN of ONE dragon or rider. We were both frustrated, hoping there would be something, anything that could help us contact them. After an hour Hess suggested we head to the beach, since it was the first place we heard their heartbeats. I agreed and climbed back on the saddle, already hoping this would work.
It was another hour to the beach were we had first heard them, but it was worth it as a familiar Navy blue color came into view. We touched down a mile away, quietly making our way to the group. Connor and Monti were looking out into the water, William and Draco had stayed beside them. Hannah and Helanti again were sunbathing while Kyle and Darnadle played in the sand. They looked relaxed, not a care in the world, even after what happened yesterday. Here they are living their best life and Hestia and I were about to blow it up and burn it down. Just another day in paradise.
{_So we go up and tell them about the military, but not about the dream. It's to soon to trust them._} Hestia commented.
I nodded, knowing she was right. So with that, we slowly make our way to the group. Monti noticed us first, but instead of being defensive, he just pranced his way over. Of course everyone notices, and thankfully they don't decide to roast us, although Hannah and Helanti give us a glare. Connor was the first to reach us, and just like Monti, he was excited to see us.
"You came back!" He said, "Will you help us?"
"I don't have much of a choice." I said.
Hannah sneered, "Why, are we some charity case to you."
I shook my head, trying not to lose it on this girl. She really hates me to the core, even though she barely knows me. "All of us are in danger. A week and a half ago, Hestia had been ambushed by the military, yesterday you all had encountered a military set trap. Hess overheard some of the soldiers talking about Lucuas wanting dragons and riders, alive."
Their faces turned pale, all of them knowing exactly who he is. "What, why?" Kyle asked.
I shrugged. "We're not sure, but they said he thinks they could be the key to humanity's survival. Look we don't think of you as charity, we want to help because no one else will."
"So will you stay with us too?" Connor inquired.
Hannah sneered in his direction, but William gave her a cold glare, effectively killing her confidence.
"It would be better, since you already had a dangerous encounter with the military. We could give you two shelter exchange for your help, so it's not charity on your part." William suggested.
Even Hannah seemed to relent, but now Hestia was on edge. She clearly felt uncomfortable with the thought of staying around other dragons. I was a bit unwilling too, but we did need new shelter and being around other riders would be safer than being on our own.
"Alright, you take us were you are and we'll follow, then we'll decide if we want to stay." I say, hoping to give Hestia some time to think. She shouldn't be forced into this.
They nodded, and with that we all decided to head out to their home. I grabbed the reigns and using the foot holes, I pushed myself on the saddle. As I attached the harness around myself, I surveyed the others. While they all had saddles, none were made to actually fit the dragons. They were all just sewn together blankets and straps. This would have to be fixed. They also have makeshift weapons, which is a great idea, but poorly executed as it's just metal or bone taped to wood. Once they were all ready, we took off into the air. Hestia and I checked out their flight styles, and were disappointed in how little skill was shown. We could see they hadn't been flying together long, since all the riders could do was cling to the neck of their dragons.
{_They definitely need us, if any were attacked in the air they all would be killed._} Hestia said in our private link. She was severely disturbed by the lack of skills the dragons alone were showing. I couldn't blame her for it, since the military is hunting them too.
{_Don't worry, we will help them._} I assured her, {_Although we might have to move to their location for it to be of any use._}
She sighed, knowing our time at the shack was officially up. It had been our home for so long, that leaving it was near impossible. Just to many memories to let go, our first meeting, first meal, first flight, first fight, and our bonding ritual were all at that tiny little shack. Still, with the news from Averia, we have no choice but to put the benefit of others before ourselves. It's only right if we're going to rule someday, that we consider the plight of other dragon riders, at least to start off with. Someday it will be everyone who needs us.
We touched down at a harbor. One with an old battleship dock that had been converted into a museum. There were large tents set up like that of a county fair, but it seemed each tent belonged to a dragon rider instead of a vendor. The tents were on a pier, while the ship seemed left untouched. Probably to old to be used for actual shelter.
I could also see more dragons of various sizes and colors. One was at least a hundred and fifty feet tall, and brown with black undertones. It had a long neck and large bat like wings. Another was yellow and orange with spikes on its head. It was around the same height as the brown. Its wings seemed to be feathered and its face was almost bird like too. Then there was a dark purple with blue undertones. It was Hestia's size and height. The wings were almost like a butterfly, and the face and tail were smooth and feminine in nature. Yet that was nothing compared to the largest one. It was as big a Salia is now, with black and white scales that had silver undertones. The eyes were gold, like Hess, and it had three large spikes on top of its head, like a crown. Its neck was short with a fan of sorts reaching down to its shoulders. The body was much like a horse except it was ten times larger and ended with scaled claws. The wings were twice as large as the body and seemed surated. Its tail was long and thick with fan like protruding from the sides. It really was an impressive dragon.
Hestia and I touched down behind the group. A large man walked over to William and Connor, pulling them both into a bear hug. He had the same green eyes, but his hair was a mixture of blonde and brown and his skin was tan. He was built like the hug he was giving. The Black and silver dragon was right behind him, probably the one he was bonded with. There were more riders behind them, but I couldn't see behind the dragons. After he squeezed the life out of the boys, the man walk over to me and Hestia.
"Welcome, my brothers told me about you two already." He said, "I'm Leonard, and this..." He gestured behind him, " is Daenerys, my dragon."
I nodded, " I'm Anna and this is Hestia. We're here to help you all."
"I'm glad to hear that." Leonard said, "Well then let me introduce you to the others."
He made a gesture with his hand and more people came forward. The brown dragon was Elias, and his rider was Payne. The Yellows name was Phoenix and his rider Ethan. The Purple was Kailyn and her rider was Markus, which was a first for me. All in all they were not the most organized. Leonard explained that after Markus had come into the group, they started to call themselves Knights of the Dragoon. Despite that, they had potential and Hestia was more than will to help, but still on the fence about staying permanently.
{_Its okay, we know this must be a lot for you._} Daenerys said.
"So, why not tell us about yourselves over dinner, we're having fish sticks." Markus said.
And that's how we ended up sitting down and telling our story. We would leave some parts out of it, but only because we still weren't able to fully trust them yet. I started with the day we met. Everyone was shocked to know I had survived living near Hestia's mother for so long.
"So when do you bond?" Connor asked.
"Two months after Hess's mother left." I said, " After that everything seemed to just fall into place."
They nodded, knowing that Hestia and I were only able to gain this level of power was because we had been together so long. After so more questions, they eventually asked us to stay the night, but Hestia and I would rather go back to the shack.
"Are you sure, we can have a tent ready in an hour." Leonard said.
"Nah, we'll be fine, but we will come back tomorrow to start your training." I said, but then Hannah had to open her damn mouth.
"How do we know you won't bring the military here." She scoffed, which pissed Hestia off.
{_Can't you keep your damn mouth shut for once. Gods, you are so stupid I wouldn't be surprised if your brain was up your ass. We won't do that because we would just get captured, and they wouldn't listen to a damn world Ann says. So just shut the fuck up and stop being a bitch to those who want to help you._} She snapped.
Everyone of them went silent, while I just sniggered at Hestia's harsh words. God she was growing up so fast, and clearly took after my indecent language. Hannah and Helanti had there mouths wide open, like they couldn't comprehend the scolding Hannah just received. Connor, Monti, Kyle and Darnadle looked uncomfortable. Leonard and Ethan stood still, while William and Payne just smirked.
"Alright, that's enough chitchat for tonight, Hestia and I should leave now." I said, breaking the tension.
Leonard agreed, and with that I saddled up and Hestia and I flew home for some much needed rest. After all this meeting had gone on long enough and Hestia had more chances to put unruly riders in their places tomorrow. So now we just go back home and sleep on it.