A day had passed since the wedding. Christian, Freya and Layla were now on their way to Roland along with their entourage.
As Freya stared out the window Christian couldn't help but stare at her. "You seem upset," Christian said suddenly. Freya turned to Christian "I apologize I'm lost in thought" Freya replied. "Would you like to talk about it dear?" Layla asked.
Freya let out a deep breath. "I do not wish to offend as it has to do with my first husband" Freya said. "Please tell us" Christian said. "When I was still crown princess, when my father was alive, even before Sebastian was my knight..." Freya said. "He was on an expedition as a knight in training with his family and their knights" she told them. "But suddenly they came upon a dragon as black as night and as large as a ship" she told them. "Almost immediately without being provoked the dragon killed more than half of the knights as well as Sebastian's second brother" she continued. "Sebastian waited for the dragon to burn him next as it stepped closer to him but it instead claimed him" she added.
"Sebastian became a dragon rider and grew a strong connection with the dragon but not long before Sebastian and I.... left... the dragon vanished" she told them. "Vanished?" Christian questioned. "Yes, almost as if it was never there in the first place" she replied. "I thought I had seen the dragon the day before, but perhaps not," she said. "It just reminded me of Sebastian is all" she added.
Layla put her hand on Freya's hand which was resting on her lap. "Losing a loved one is never easy" Layla said, her face full of pity. "I do not wish to replace Sebastian" Christian said. "I know I can not love you as he did just as I know you can not love me as you did him" he added. "But I can promise that myself as well as Roland will be loyal to you as long as your loyal to us" he told her. "Thank you" Freya said.
"What of your mother?" Layla asked. "We know not of the queen dowager. What has happened to her?" She asked. "I have not a single doubt in my mind that my mother is the orchestrater of all that has happened" Freya answered.
"DRAGON" a knight from outside the carriage yelled. "DRAGON" yelled another as the carriage came to a halt. They could hear the flapping of the wings as the dragon got closer. "Where are you going?" Christian asked as Freya stood up and he grabbed her wrist. "It's far too dangerous," he told her. "We can not leave your guards to fight a dragon Christian, they will lose" she said before ripping her arm out of his hand and exiting the carriage.
As Freya's feet hit the ground, the large black dragon landed and let out a blood curdling roar forcing the knights, attendants and Freya as well as Christian and Layla to cover their ears. As the dragon's roar stopped it began to walk closer to Freya.
Layla and Christian stepped out of the carriage and the knights pulled out their swords. "Sheath your swords!" Freya commanded as the black dragon as dark as night now stood in front of her. Freya didn't move, she only stared into the eyes of the dragon that stared back at her.
"Kini inrubuuez Vernon" (I'm sorry Vernon) Freya said. "Kiho inferuotmuj felagera huraaqwa nira qwaruho fekini" (It should have been me not him) she added. "Kiho inferuotmuj felagera huraaqwa nira" (it should have been me) Freya repeated.
Vernon let out a groan as she lowered her head to Freya. "Qwaru Vernon" (no Vernon) "Ezruyu labure tuburaa qwaruna ezruyu niyuinho buranilakiqwa inru" (you are free now you must remain so) Freya told her.
Freya held out her hand but fear stopped her from petting her. Suddenly Vernon moved her head forward placing her nose under Freya's hand. The knights suddenly dropped their swords and knelt to the ground as Christian and Layla watched in amazement. "We shall avenge him together then" Freya said in a whisper.
Freya turned to Christian and Layla. "We have one more dragon now," Freya told them. "I apologize but... do we have more that I don't know about?" Christian asked. Freya looked at Layla. "You didn't tell him?" She questioned. "It must have slipped my mind," Layla said simply. "Freya looked back to Christian.
"We have two more though they are still young and small compared to vernon" she told him.
"Luana you must control them" Thomas said as he watched Thalor and Valkyra fight. "I... I don't know how they've never fought like this before" she said concerned. "They are stressed due to the absence of Freya," Thomas said. "You may be the only one they will listen to since you were there with her," Thomas said.
"What was it she always said to get them to calm?" Luana said to herself. "Um Tukibure?..." she said questionably and suddenly Thalor and Valkyra began to breathe fire at each other. "I do not believe that to be the right command" Thomas told Luana.
"Then you attempt it" she told him."Kiho kiin hurahoorabu horu sehlaotni ezruyubu inraotgerain huraturubura nara tukiqwamuj ezruyubu niruhoferabu (it is better to calm yourselves before we find your mother) Thomas suddenly said in Seriagna.
Suddenly Thalor and Valkyra stopped their fighting and landed on the ground in front of them. "You speak Seriagna?" Luana questioned. "I speak many languages" Thomas said simply before walking away. "Sehrunira" luana said before running after Thomas. "How much longer until we reach Roland?" He asked her. "2 days" luana told him.
"Are you positive Freya will meet us there?" He asked, turning to her. Luana hesitated for a moment. "She said she would be I believe she will" Luana told him though deep down she was not so sure herself. "Good," said Thomas. "Because I don't believe we will be able to control these beasts much longer" he said looking back at Thalor and Valkyra.
TO BE CONTINUED