The following day Kaiden is startled by the sound of someone barging in through the door to the room. He sits up, exhaustion still evident in his eyes. Turning to look at whoever just interrupted his sleep, Kaiden sees the king. Stunned and confused about why the king would visit him after sentencing his family to death and locking him in a room all night, Kaiden stares and waits for him to say something. After a couple of minutes of silence, the king sighs and sits on the bed next to Kaiden.
"It's been a long time Kaiden. I haven't seen you since your birth. Your parents asked me to perform the flame baptism for your dragon egg."
Kaiden sits in silence, listening to the king speak. A multitude of thoughts and emotions floods his mind.
"Firstly, I want to say that I am truly sorry for the situation you now find yourself in. Your family and I have been very close since I was a boy. I need you to know that none of this brings me any pleasure. It was one of the hardest decisions I've ever made, " the king said sorrowfully.
"I don't understand! What did my father do?! What has my family done to deserve this?! Why am I the only one that gets to live?!"
Kaiden screams at the king and bombards him with questions, not even pausing to breathe.
"Those are answers that I cannot give you. You are too young to understand and-"
"No! My father is a good man! You said that you were close, but you sentenced him to death! I want to see him!" Kaiden yells, interrupting the king.
"I'm afraid I can't grant your request. He and your mother were both executed this morning."
Deafening silence fills the room. Kaiden sits stunned beside the king, a ringing noise filling his ears as he processes what he just heard. Tears begin to fall down his face. Anger and sadness fill his heart as he realizes he didn't get a chance to say goodbye to his parents.
"Zahira. What about Zahira?! Where is she?!"
"That is the name of your dragon, correct? Worry not. She is safe. I know I sentenced all your family's dragons to death, but as I said, I did not want any of this to befall your family. I spared her; she will remain in hiding until you are officially exiled. At that point, she will be returned to you in secret. This is my parting gift." assured the king.
More tears fell from Kaiden's eyes as he felt relief wash over him on top of the anger and sadness he was already feeling. Though grieving heavily for his parents, he feels relieved that his companion is safe.
"I know this does not make up for the death of your parents, but I do hope this eases your grief a bit."
"It is appreciated, your majesty. However, I cannot forgive you for what you've done," replied Kaiden.
Kaiden stands and takes a couple of steps away from the bed, turning his back to the king. He feels grateful that the king decided to spare Zahira, but hatred has already filled his heart for the one who killed his parents.
"I understand. You should know that you are scheduled to leave for the orphanage in a few hours. You may relax here for now," the king said sorrowfully.
"May I see her? Zahira? Just one last time. Please?"
"I suppose that could be possible. Just make it quick. She's to be sent to Dragonhedge tonight for protection until she can be returned to you. Follow me."
The king walks out the door, with Kaiden following closely behind. After walking for about five minutes, they come upon a stairwell that leads downward. It doesn't take long before they reach the bottom, where a short hallway lies ahead of them. At the end of it is a large double door.
"Through this door is where you will find your dragon. Be quick."
Kaiden approaches the door slowly. Pushing it open, he sees a large, open room with grass covering the ground to the other side. In the middle of the room lays a figure with its body wrapped around itself. Excitement and relief begin to well inside him as he briskly begins to walk toward it. As he gets closer, the figure raises its head and lets out a screech that seems to be filled with excitement.
"Zahira! I'm so glad you're safe! I was so worried!" Kaiden says as he hugs the dragon tightly.
Zahira growls softly and rubs her snout on his cheek. Kaiden takes a step back and looks at Zahira lovingly. At a glance, the dragon stands about 4ft tall on all fours and 6ft in length from head to tail. Even without her wings spread, one could easily predict that the dragon's wingspan would be around 5ft. Two small horns protrude from the top of her head. Rough scales cover her body with a blueish hue, and four small spikes can be seen on either side of the tip of her tail. Zahira lifts her head and looks behind Kaiden as if expecting something before turning to him with a disappointed look.
"Mother and father aren't coming," Kaiden says softly, with sadness in his voice.
Zahira picks up on his tone and growls softly, not yet understanding what Kaiden is trying to say.
"They've been reunited with the Great Dragon. They won't be coming back."
Kaiden hangs his head low and lets his tears hit the ground. Emotion begins to overcome him once again as he thinks about the sentence passed on to his family by the king. Zahira looks all around her expectantly once again before turning back to him.
"Yes. Eltara and Goren have gone back to the Great Dragon, too," Kaiden said with sorrow filling his voice once again.
Kaiden begins to think about Zahira's parents, the dragons his parents once rode. Eltara was his mother's dragon. She frequently took him on rides after lessons when Zahira was still too young to fly. Goren belonged to his father. He still remembers the dragon's intimidating presence while his father taught him swordsmanship in the courtyard.
"I am so sorry Zahira. It seems that we are on our own now,"
Zahira shakes her head before raising her head to the sky and letting out a massive roar filled with unbearable pain. Kaiden rushes to her side and wraps his arms around her neck. Not knowing what else to do, Kaiden holds Zahira in his embrace as she unleashes pain-filled roars toward the ceiling. After a few minutes, she relaxes and lays her head on his shoulder. The two of them sit with each other in silence until footsteps can be heard approaching from behind.
"It's time to go, Kaiden."
Turning to look at the king, Kaiden nods and releases his grip on Zahira. Standing up, he turns to the dragon with even more sadness.
"I have to go now. It will be some time before I will see you again. I promise I'll come back for you," Kaiden says before turning around and following the king out the doors.