Isabel fell through the air, the wind whipping past her as she braced for the inevitable impact. Just as she was about to hit the ground, she felt herself land on something surprisingly soft and warm, yet firm.
Her eyes flew open, and she found herself on the back of a massive red dragon. The creature's scales gleamed like fire in the sunlight, and its enormous wings beat powerfully, lifting them higher into the sky.
Her grip tightened instinctively on the dragon's back as they soared upwards, circling the entire mountain in a matter of seconds.
The sheer speed and grace of the dragon took her breath away. Tears filled Isabel's eyes, not from fear, but from the overwhelming realization that she had found her dragon.
With her heart pounding and a wide smile spreading across her face, Isabel spread her arms wide, shouting into the wind, "I did it!"
The dragon grumbled in response, a deep, resonant sound that seemed to vibrate through her very bones. She knew, in that moment, that the dragon understood her. They were connected, bound by a bond that transcended words.
The dragon leveled out, gliding smoothly as it carried Isabel towards the peak of mountain. She could feel its powerful muscles moving beneath her, each beat of its wings steady and sure.
Isabel's tears of joy continued to flow as she realized the enormity of what she had accomplished. Not only had she survived the perilous journey, but she had also found the dragon she had been seeking.
~~~~~~~~
Grandmaster Lysander gazed out of the window, his mind drifting back over the years. Eighteen long years had passed, but the memories of her were as clear as ever. He could still picture her face, her grace, her strength. No one in the world could compare to her. Even now, the vivid recollections of that fateful day haunted him: the forest,..
"Uncle Lysander," a powerful voice interrupted his trance. He turned swiftly, bowing deeply as he faced the speaker.
"My king..." Lysander intoned with reverence.
"Uncle Lysander..." The man before him was magnificent in regal attire. Gold patterns adorned his clothes, and an elegant cloak draped over his shoulders, fastened by a golden dragon brooch. The brooch's eyes were set with purple gemstones, a shade that matched the royal bloodline's distinct eye color—magnetic purple eyes.
But now, those proud, regal eyes were filled with vulnerability and a flicker of hope. "Is it true? Have you seen her?" the king asked, his voice tinged with desperation.
Lysander nodded solemnly. "My king, it is true. I have seen her. The same long silver hair, the same posture, and the same calmness. But she had different eyes—a shade of purple even darker than yours..."
The king's eyes widened, his throat constricting with emotion. "My child... my baby with her," he whispered, his voice choked. Tears filled his eyes as he clenched his fists, his muscular arms tensing and veins bulging.
"Where is she now?" the king demanded, his voice trembling with a mix of hope and fear.
Lysander hesitated for a moment, then spoke with quiet conviction. "She is at the dragon's keep, my king.
King Scorvius closed his eyes, knowing he couldn't meet his daughter immediately because she was in the Dragon's Keep, and no one, not even him as the king, could enter until the end of the Dragon Choosing Ceremony.
Memories of the past haunted him deeply. For fifteen years, he had searched tirelessly across the kingdom, desperate to find her. It began a year after he found the letter about her—a letter Queen Marie had hidden from him until he discovered it.
Thinking of Queen Marie, he clenched his fists. If not for her, he would have searched for their daughter right away, knowing she was somewhere in their own kingdom.
A year later, he couldn't be sure if his daughter was even alive, as she was still a newborn. But there was still hope in his eyes that maybe she was somewhere safe, that God could not be so cruel to him.
As both of them were lost in their thoughts, the sound of a horn pierced the air. Grandmaster Lysander spoke urgently, "My king, the first candidate has arrived from the Dragon's Keep. We must be present outside."
The king nodded silently, knowing he had no choice. His absence would only fuel speculation among the gathered crowd outside, who had undoubtedly witnessed his arrival earlier.
They emerged from Lysander's chamber and made their way purposefully towards the platform. The crowd awaited them, filled with expectant faces and the palpable buzz of anticipation.
The courtyard was filled with many faces—nobles, high-ranked generals, and knights, all gathered for the Dragon Choosing Ceremony.
When the candidates entered the dragon's keep, no one was allowed there other than the council responsible for the Dragon Choosing Ceremony and the royal family.
But now, family members were granted access for the welcoming and bonding ceremonies. This lively atmosphere transformed the surroundings, with the buildings around the platform filled with nobles and their kin who had come to witness the event.
As the king mounted the steps to the high platform, the gathered male nobles kneeled reverently, while the noble ladies, adorned in their finest attire, bowed deeply in a show of respect, their voices echoing across the courtyard, "Long live the king!"
Raising his hand, the king silenced the crowd, and amidst the expectant hush, the rhythmic beating of powerful wings resonated through the air. All eyes were fixed on the sky, each person filled with anticipation, wondering which dragon and rider had arrived first.
Amidst the hushed atmosphere, a collective gasp rose from the crowd as the first dragon appeared in the sky. It was a magnificent sight—a colossal blue dragon, its scales glistening with a crystalline luster that refracted the sunlight into dazzling hues. Each movement of the dragon was deliberate and graceful, its wingspan casting a shadow over the platform below.
Suddenly, a voice exclaimed in awe, "It's a frost dragon! It's the first time I've seen a frost dragon. There are only four riders bonded with frost dragons."