The Belirocian Chronicles P2 Ch 4

Rijon stuck his head into the room thirty minutes later, and saw Barasila and Alasar sleeping side by side. He smiled at the sight, and quietly left the room, closing the door behind him.

At breakfast the next morning, Rijon made an announcement.

“Alasar, I will be heading to the Free States today, to make sure there are no problems between our two states. I know you just got here, but I’d like it if you’d come with me,” He declared.

“Rijon! He just arrived yesterday! I think that if he goes, then we should all go, as a family,” Barasila protested.

“I would like to go. I want to see the country,” Alasar said, excited.

“Great! We’ll leave as soon as my guard is finished with their meal!”

“I’m coming too Rijon. I have a bone to pick with Anara,” Barasila proclaimed.

“What? Anara? You mean Kasil’s wife?” Alasar asked.

“You know him?” Both Rijon and Barasila gasped out.

“He is the one who travelled to Ar-Eglano with me! Of course I know him! Is Lesina here too?”

“Lesina?” Rijon asked, confused.

“Of course she is dear. She can’t really go off on her own in her condition, can she?” Barasila said, remembering the mute child from six years ago. The first and only time she had ever seen Anara’s child.

“Oh, I’m sure she would manage quite well. She would eat like a Queen at any rate.”

“And how would she manage that?”

“She could just embarrass a rabbit to death with it’s deepest, darkest secrets, and then she’d just have to cook it!” Alasar laughed.

Barasila burst into laughter.

“So, what did she drag from you?” She gasped.

“The fact that my mind was immature at the first moment I saw her.”

“Yeah, apparently she has that effect on many boys her age,” Barasila grinned.

They laughed about that as if they were old friends remembering the drama of school days long past. Rijon just stared at them, thinking that Barasila had finally been driven crazy by yet another attempt on her life.

Alasar went to his room to pack for the three week journey across Ledarnia to Kasil’s home city of Anarae Ceta. Alasar thought it was absolutely romantic. Both Rijon and Kasil had named their capitals after the ones they loved. The City of Barasila. Anara’s City. Alasar would do that some day. Just not until he found the right person for him.

The dragon egg was sitting on Alasar’s bed when he entered the room.

“Ok. I’m ready Ledar,” He murmured.

Alasar placed his hand on the top of the egg, and he almost screamed out in shock. His body felt like it had been plunged into a huge pit of burning ice.

‘Don’t make any sound Alasar! Oh, and to answer the question, Humonas from Earth will come to call it dry ice. The last pit was what the Humonas call lava, or molten rocks.’ Ledar said.

Alasar writhed in pain, but it stopped as suddenly as it started. He gasped in relief, and tried to stand up.

“Alasar, what in Ledar’s name were you doing?” Rijon exclaimed.

‘Ledar... Great Mother’ Alasar thought instantly.

“I- uh-” Alasar stammered.

‘Tell him Alasar. He needs to know. But don’t tell anyone else until I tell you to,’ Ledar said.

“Ok. Dad, I need to tell you something, but no one else can know about it right now.”

“What?” Rijon asked, confused.

“Do you remember when you escaped from Te Ceta pei Zaliana?” Alasar reminded his father.

‘Barasila was weak from breaking open the cell bars. She cried out to me, and I answered.’

“-Mom cried out to Ledar. It was right before that necromancer tried to murder her. Ledar saved...”

‘I saved them both. Snatched them right from the jaws of death. I made a promise to Rijon...’

“...Ledar swore to you that you would be the ancestor of those who would stop the Wars on Belirocea. Do you remember that Dad?” Alasar questioned.

“How do you know all of this Alasar?” Rijon gasped in amazement. “I never even told Barasila about that! The only way for you-”

Alasar watched Rijon’s face light up.

“How is she going to do- How- What are you going to do about this Alasar?” He asked.

‘You are a Dragon Rider Alasar. Tell him that. You will train an army of dragons and elves, and in time, they will-’

“-will battle the emperor of Belirocea. Our children will become the liberators of Belirocea,” Alasar finished.

“Dragon Rider?”

“The details are to be known by Riders only, Dad,” Alasar blocked Rijon’s inquiry.

“Well, I guess you should get going, Dragon Rider,” Rijon laughed.

The sound of the laugh raised the hairs on the back of Alasar’s neck.

“Dad, I mean it. This information can not- MUST not become known to the wider population. We can’t even tell Mom until Ledar tells me to,” Alasar stressed the point.

“Alright already! I won’t tell anyone then.” Rijon backed up, raising his arms in mock surrender.

“You better not,” Alasar hissed under his breath, as he passed by his father.

They went out to the front steps of the palace, and Alasar saw six strange four-legged beasts.

“What are these?” He asked, holding a rope hanging from one’s long neck.

‘Humonas call them horses. They are to ride. Riding will get you to your destination in only two weeks, instead of three,’ Ledar explained, as Rijon also answered. But Alasar listened to Ledar, not Rijon.

“There are six of them, and four guards. Who’s the fourth guard for?” He inquired.

“I’m not going with you Alasar. Someone needs to make sure the people don’t slaughter each other,” Rijon added after looking at the other two faces.

“Fine then!” Barasila recovered first. “We can do just as well on our own, can’t we Alasar?”

“Of course we can! I’ll keep you safe! And I’ll hunt for the six of us myself!” Alasar declared.

“Good! Now off you go!” Rijon called out.

Five elves leaped lightly onto a horse’s back. Alasar held back, unsure of what to do with the animal.

“Here. Let me help you Alasar,” Rijon said. He picked up his son, and boosted him onto the horse’s back. “There we go. Now go on.”

Rijon slapped the animal’s flanks, and the six horses took off, galloping into the mid-morning sunlight.

They rode until supper, and Alasar was exhausted by the time he slid off of his horse. The guards took off into the tall grass nearby in an attempt to flush dinner out from the weeds. After an hour, all they had to show for their efforts was a single rabbit, which had died of a heart-attack and not from any weapons on the elves’ part.

Barasila had more luck with the variety of fruits she’d picked up throughout the day. The elves built a small fire, and spitted the rabbit’s carcass over the flames. Within minutes, the smell of cooked hare began wafting through the campsite.

Alasar stared at his empty plate, stomach roaring in frustration. The rabbit had just begun to fill him when he had finished it. But, there was nothing else to be eaten. Sighing, he set the plate to the side, and began exercising his mind, as Ledar had instructed him to do earlier.

‘That was a pathetic catch. Should have stayed out longer...’

‘When will we get a decent meal?’

‘We’re doing Rijon’s work! Why couldn’t he send us a proper meal instead of forcing us to scavenge?’

Alasar laughed to himself. The guards were thinking on empty stomachs. Alasar could stand this hunger, unlike the other elves. He had been starving all his life!

‘When will he go to sleep? I can’t just take him from behind! Or better yet, why doesn’t he go looking for more-’

Alasar deliberately shut out the guard’s thoughts. So, Tanelo had come with them. He hadn’t spoken at all, but his thoughts betrayed him.

“I’m going for a walk, Mom,” Alasar called, standing up.

Barasila nodded at Tanelo, as Alasar left the camp. Tanelo stood up, and began following the elf.

‘A Rider’s mind must always be prepared for an attack Alasar.’

Silently, Alasar drew his sword. He continued walking away from the camp, until he was certain that the sounds of battle wouldn’t possibly be heard from the camp. Then, he ducked behind a tree, and waited. Tanelo would come, of that Alasar was certain.

Tanelo ducked around a large oak tree, and glanced out towards another tree. Satisfied that it was unoccupied, he sprinted to it. Suddenly, his head began roaring in pain.

Alasar dropped down from a low branch behind the tree. He held his sword up to Tanelo’s neck, and pulled his mind away from Tanelo’s.

“I know that you were the one who tried to poison us the other day, Tanelo Kuraska. I told my mother about the poison. If I don’t return tonight, she’ll know who killed me,” He snarled.

“You! Where in Ledar’s name did you come from?!” Tanelo screamed.

“I’m warning you. You do not want to mess with me you akaseral!” Alasar hissed.

‘Alasar, that’s enough. He has been warned. Now go back to the camp,’ Ledar commanded.

Alasar threw the murderous elf to the ground, and stormed away. His message was delivered.

 



Chapter Ten

For the rest of the journey, Tanelo avoided Alasar. Ledar trained Alasar mentally, while they waited for the last stage of Initiation. The Hatching. Alasar Learned to pinpoint a mental attack against others, and he gained basic training on how to defend his own mind from attacks. In this way, the two week journey passed by in a blur.

Before Alasar knew it, he was sleeping outside Anarae Ceta. In the morning, the elves packed up the camp, and entered the city in a flow of travellers.

They found their way to Kasil’s home without much trouble. Two of the guards had accompanied Rijon several times to Kasil’s city.

“Thesaol! You made it here after all! We thought you had been killed when the pirates attacked- Well, never mind that. How are you?” Kasil exclaimed, shaking Alasar’s hand vigorously.

“Kasil! Why didn’t you tell me you lived here?” Alasar cried.

“Tacael hadn’t released me from his service yet. We were good friends during the Rebellion, and when Sarin pulled a favor, Tacael pulled a favor out of me, calling to have me sail to Ar-Eglano.”

“Oh, and you were right. It was your work, Kasil.”

“What-Oh! The sword! I told you! I told you both! I never forget my work! That ‘A’ reminded me of it! So, is it Thesaol, or Alasar?” Kasil asked.

“One day I might have to go out once more as Thesaol, but here, it’s Alasar.”

“And Barasila! It’s been far too long my dear! Nine years ago, wasn’t it?”

“It’s good to see you again Kasil. Rijon couldn’t come. He claimed that someone needed to stay home and keep the people safe,” Barasila said, breaking free of Kasil’s embrace.

“Well, come on in! Anara will be delighted to see you again! And so will Lesina, Alasar,” Kasil added, guiding Barasila inside the building.

Lesina appeared out of nowhere. Alasar jumped in shock at the sight of the mute girl, and she grinned.

‘He hasn’t changed at all. I bet he’s thinking about me again,’

‘As a matter of fact, I was,’ Alasar sent mentally.

Lesina’s jaw dropped lower than the floor at the words.

‘Thesaol!’

‘Actually, it’s Alasar. And you cannot tell anyone about this. I just wanted to warn you to keep your mind where it belongs. If you don’t, I will be forced to hurt you badly. So, play nice girl,’ Alasar laughed.

Lesina glared at the elf, but a smile slowly stole upon her face. She punched him in the shoulder, and Alasar shoved her back.

“Hey you two! Don’t kill each other!” Kasil yelled at them.

Anara stepped into the house, rubbing dirt off her hands.

“Barasila!” She cried, rushing to Alasar’s mother.

“Anara, why didn’t you tell me about Alasar?” Barasila asked.

“Oh...”

“Go on, you two. Adult conversation!” Kasil called to Alasar and Lesina.

“Come on Kasil! I’m going to be sixteen in a month!” Alasar protested.

“Nope! You must be at least nineteen before you-”

“Oh, so I am not an adult? I have seen countless elves die at the sword! I have hunted and been hunted! I think I should count as an adult!” Alasar declared hotly.

“You’re right Alasar. You can stay. But Lesina has to go out now,” Kasil relented.

“Never mind! I’ll go!” Alasar said brightly, skipping out of the room.

The three “adults” stared after the teens.

“What was that all about?” Anara asked.

“Who knows what goes on through the minds of teens?” Barasila questioned in return.

At the moment, the only thing in Alasar’s mind was ‘Success!’ He had outwitted them into calling him an “adult”, and in doing so, he made it so that they would have to include him in their conversations whenever he wanted!

Lesina stuck out her foot as Alasar barrelled down the grassy slope. Alasar tripped, and flew down the hill, skidding to a stop five feet away.

“What was that for?” He shot out.

‘You said to keep my mind to myself, but you said nothing about my feet!’ Lesina laughed.

‘Alasar, it’s time! Get into those trees, and make sure Lesina doesn’t follow you!’’ Ledar ordered.

“I need to go Lesina. Don’t bother me,” Alasar said, and then he went running into the clump of trees.

Lesina stared after Alasar in wonder. Shaking her head, she wandered to a tree that had a swing hanging from it.

Alasar tore into the trees, and skidded to a halt inches from a trunk. He turned, and knelt next to the egg that held a waiting dragon.

‘Alasar, when you place your hand onto the egg, you must immediately look away from the egg. No one is allowed to witness the actual hatching of a dragon.’

Alasar set his palm onto the egg, and he closed his eyes at once. He turned his head, and held his position for a minute, before Alasar felt a tiny claw dig into his wrist. Alasar looked at the tiny dragon, and stared in amazement.

‘I am certainly blessed to be looking at such a young dragon!’ He thought.

‘Alasar Young-rider, you must now undergo the real training of a Rider. I shall help you when you are in need, but Tanelo’s time is also drawing near,’ Ledar whispered.

“Your name should be Elagaen,” Alasar decided, picking the small dragon up.

The dragon stared at Alasar.

‘What’s your name?’

Alasar gasped in shock. The dragon could talk!

‘Of course I can talk! You learned to understand Dragon, and I learned how to speak your language!’ Elagaen cried.

‘Alasar,’ Alasar answered, recovering himself.

‘Alasar! Where did that dragon come from?!’ Lesina exclaimed.

“I found him under a tree! I’m going to raise him!” Alasar called, injecting his voice with elation.

Alasar cradled the dragon in his arms, and started to head for the house. He stopped suddenly, as a thought entered his mind. People would need to know in order to keep the secret...

‘Lesina, I need to tell you something, but you must not tell anyone about it, on pain of eternal damnation,’ he sent to the mute girl.

‘I swear that I will tell no one about you secret Alasar Moonshine,’ Lesina swore.

‘I am a Dragon Rider, and this dragon just hatched for me,’ Alasar said quickly. ‘The adults must not know about the dragon’s hatching, or about me being a Rider. For now, we’ll stick to the finding him under a tree, got it?’

‘Of course I get it!’ Lesina stated, as if that was the most obvious thing anyone would do.

They ran to the house, and Alasar almost broke down the back door in his rush to get inside.

“Alasar! What’s going on? Is that a-” Barasila cried.

“I found him under a tree! Can I keep him Mom? Can I? Please?”

‘Keep me? How funny!’ Elagaen laughed.

‘Elagaen!’ Alasar hissed warningly.

‘They can’t hear me Alasar. They’re completely deaf to my voice!’ Elagaen revealed gleefully.

“Alasar, what’s going on?” Barasila asked.

“Nothing! I found him! Do you seriously think that I would steal a baby dragon from a nest somewhere?!” Alasar exclaimed.

“No! But...but you have to admit that you have been acting strange since we arrived,” Barasila added.

“Strange? Mom, you’ve known me for all of maybe a month. You don’t know what strange is with me!” Alasar rebuked.

“Well, it’s fine by me, as long as Kasil and Anara both agree.”

“I think it would be awesome if the elves in Belirocea learned that dragons can live peacefully under their roofs!” Kasil declared.

“I say yes to the attempt as well,” Anara agreed. “Lesina, Take them to the second guest room. They can stay there until it’s time to leave.”

Alasar carried Elagaen into the room. Lesina left the room at a nod from him, and Alasar closed the door behind her.

‘Ledar, I need a hand! I have no idea of what I need to do!’ Alasar called.

‘Get to really know your partner Alasar. In three days time, you will need to choose the branch of magic that suits you both,’ Ledar answered.

So, for three days, Alasar and Elagaen refused to leave each other’s side. Kasil started joking that Alasar had two shadows now, while Barasila began to regret letting Alasar “keep” the dragon. The boy had even named the baby!

Elagaen developed an obsession with digging through the rocks around the house. No one really paid much attention to the moving rocks, except for Alasar. He watched the dragon unearth several long tan worms from the moist clay-like dirt under the rocks. Finally, he had to say something about it.

‘Elagaen, you keep rooting around in the earth! Surely a dragon would be flying, not digging!?’

‘I like the feel of the mud flying under my feet! It’s my preferences, Alasar!’ Elagaen snorted. ‘Plus- and this is just between the two of us- plus, I prefer the taste of these delicious worms over the slop you people usually give to me.’

Alasar burst into laughter at the confession. Lesina, who was wandering around nearby, looked at him, startled.

‘And what’s wrong with that?’ Elagaen said indignantly. ‘I’m sure plenty of dragons like to eat them!’

‘I think we have a candidate for our magic Elagaen!’ Alasar gasped, trying to stop laughing.

That night, Alasar added the last possibility to his list of magic. Then, he crawled into bed with his earth-loving friend, and went to sleep.

Early the next morning, Alasar was awakened by Elagaen.

‘Come on! It’s Choosing Day!’ The dragon cried.

Reluctantly, Alasar stepped out of his warm bed, and placed his feet on the hard, freezing cold ground. He yawned, and shivered in a slight breeze. As was becoming his habit, he stepped barefoot outside, and his feet sank into white powder, falling through at least a foot of the stuff.

‘Snow!’ Alasar suddenly realized. ‘It’s snowing!’

Suddenly, a ball of ice shattered into his back, knocking Alasar onto his face. He stood up, and saw Lesina laughing at him from about twenty feet away.

Alasar stooped down, and packed a pile of snow into a tight ball. He stood up just as a whole bucketful of fallen snow dropped from the roof right above him. The weight of the cold bomb sent his face back into a snowdrift.

‘This is cold,’ Elagaen said, floating to the ground next to Alasar.

“We need to find Lesina,” Alasar hissed to Elagaen. He scooped up another snowball, and compacted it again.

‘There! I see her! She’s over by the trees!’ Elagaen called down, swooping just above Alasar’s head.

Alasar sprinted towards the trees, and was met by a bunch of snowballs. He threw himself to the ground as the missiles flew overhead.

Lesina appeared at the edge of the trees. Alasar saw her, and called to Elagaen.

“Take this snowball, and drop it onto her head,” He whispered.

‘Done,’ Elagaen replied, shaking off a snowball that had hit him in mid-flight. The dragon grabbed the ball, and he leaped into the air, speeding towards the girl standing still against the blue sky. The snowball launched towards her face, but she didn’t even try to move away. Something was wrong...

‘No dragons allowed Rider!’ Lesina laughed, throwing a shovelful of snow onto Alasar’s back.

“You-”

‘Me,’ Lesina said, jumping onto Alasar’s shivering chest.

“Hey! That is so not fair!” Alasar cried.

‘All’s fair in war,’ Lesina laughed again.

Suddenly, Elagaen slammed into Lesina. The two rolled down a slope, and landed with Elagaen on top of Lesina. The dragon growled menacingly into her face.

“Wait! Elagaen! Stop that!” Alasar yelped. He ran to the dragon, and pulled him off of Lesina.

‘Murderer! Dragon hater! You should rot in an eternal Void!’ Elagaen screamed, struggling to attack the girl.

‘Elagaen! Calm down! She wasn’t trying to kill me! You crazy-’

“Lesina! Lesina, where are you?”

The voice came from the house. It was soon joined by the voice of Alasar’s mother.

“Alasar! You better answer me immediately!”

“I’m at the trees Mom!” Alasar called.

He dropped the subdued Elagaen on the ground, and went to check of Lesina.

‘Lesina? Are you okay?’ He asked. Alasar rolled Lesina onto her back, and she shoved him into a snowdrift, laughing.

‘You’re crazy Alasar!’ Lesina cried.

Oh Ledar, I love him so much!

Alasar stared at Lesina in amazement. She was in love with him? Why hadn’t she shown it? Alasar was in love with her too, but he didn’t dare say anything, for fear that he would be scorned by all. Yet now he knew that she felt the same way about him! Maybe he could tell her-

‘Alasar! Don’t you dare say a word to her!’ Elagaen snarled. ‘Get inside. we have work to do! No! Stop Alasar!’

Alasar leaned in towards Lesina. Their lips met for the briefest of seconds, before Elagaen broke in between the two.

‘Alasar! You get into that house right this instant!’ Elagaen howled in rage.

Alasar and Lesina stared at each other.

‘Alasar, I think it’s time that I told you something. I’ve been in love with you since the moment I laid eyes on you. I was so scared that you would just laugh at me, or think that I was crazy.’

“I love you too Lesina,” Alasar admitted.

‘Alasar!’ Elagaen screamed.

‘Looks like I’m a day late, and a pais short! Elagaen already made his claim on you!’ Lesina laughed.

“I need to go and tend to his wounded pride, I think,” Alasar grinned.

He followed the dragon into the house, and Lesina went to her parents.

‘How dare you endanger us like that Alasar! If we are sent anywhere, Lesina will insist on coming with us! All because you had to go spouting your feelings for her!’ Elagaen reprimanded.

‘Look, Elagaen, let’s just get this over with. I already know what I just did. I just sliced both of our hearts in two. Less than two weeks from now, I’ll be heading back to the Ledarnian Empire, and my love will be left here, along with my heart.’

They went into their bedroom, and Alasar pulled out the list of branches.

‘Necromancy?’ Elagaen immediately asked.

‘No! The Riders will be peaceful, not murderers! How about Biomancy?’

‘Nah. Too green and growing. Nothing living.’

‘Okay then. How about ice?’ Alasar suggested.

‘Too cold,’ Elagaen rejected.

‘Pyromancy?’

‘Pyro-what?’

‘Fire,’ Alasar explained.

‘No. We’ve got all the fire we need.’

‘Protection would be a good one,’ Alasar said.

‘No, I know. Earth. I like to dig, you said so yourself!’

‘Yes! That’s perfect!’ Alasar exclaimed.

I can ask Anara if she’ll teach me here, and I’ll still be able to see Lesina! Alasar added privately.

‘Agreed then. Our branch will be in the soil.’

“Geomancy...” Alasar said out loud, flashing back to the first day on Ledarnia.

“The geomancers created a maze of tunnels under the city, to remove our waste Alasar. They’re the ones responsible for all of this.”

‘Yes, geomancy will do,’ he said.

Later that day, Alasar approached Anara, and asked for her confidentiality.

“What do you need, Alasar?” Anara asked.

“I know that you are a geomancer, and that you helped forge my sword. I want to ask for your help again. I would like to become a Geomancer,” Alasar said.

“Not even a Necromancer?” Anara asked, mildly surprised.

“Ledar’s paradises no! I will not kill unless it is an accident!” Alasar protested.

“And why would you be wanting to become a geomancer?”

It was the question Alasar knew would come, and he also knew that nothing but the truth would be accepted. But he wouldn’t tell her about Lesina. Not yet.

“This is where I require secrecy, Anara Kuraska.” The last name tasted funny in Alasar’s mouth.

“You use my last name? This is serious then. I don’t know if I want to hear what you’re going to say,” Anara said.

“Ledar has chosen me to become a Dragon Rider. I am the first one. Elagaen is actually really my dragon, as much as I am his Rider. We are mentally bonded with each other. I need to become a geomancer so that I can do Ledar’s will.”

“What?!” Anara gasped in shock.

“I can put in the effort; do whatever is required of me,” Alasar said quickly.

“Have you told Barasila about this yet?”

“No! Anara, my mother must not be told! The time isn’t right for her to know yet!” Alasar cried.

“Well, as long as Barasila agrees to let you become a geomancer, I guess... I mean, it is Ledar’s will... I’ll do it.”

“Thank you so much!” Alasar yelled excitedly.

“If she agrees, then we will begin at dawn the day after tomorrow, in the arena,” Anara said.

“Alasar, what makes you want to be a geomancer? To be limited to a single type of magic, I mean? I know dragon magic, I could teach you to use all kinds of magic!” Barasila pushed.

“Mom, I’m sure that you could teach me a single word to move rocks away. But could you use that single word to dig a tunnel into a cliff? Could that one word lift you into the air? Would you be able to summon an army of rocks to protect yourself?” Alasar asked.

“You’re right. Ki Tesa Ledar, Rijon won’t be happy when he hears that you aren’t coming home for who knows how long?”

“Ledar knows when I will see you again Mom. Trust in the Great Mother to bring me home. She will do as she needs, and as she wishes.”



 



Chapter Eleven

In this way, Alasar found his love, and he also manipulated events so that he could stay with Lesina. But Anara would prove to be a strict teacher. Many days would be so chaotic that the two lovers wouldn’t even see each other.

The day after Barasila gave her consent to Alasar, the Rider woke up with a huge weight pressing down on his chest.

“I said at dawn! Not at mid-morning! Either you do as you’re told, or our contract is void!” Anara screamed into Alasar’s ear.

Alasar struggled to sit up, but Anara added a second slab of granite on top of him.

“Now, are you going to get up half an hour before dawn, and will you be down in that arena every morning at the exact moment of the sunrise? Or should I just let these rocks crush you and your precious pet?”

Alasar tried once again to sit up, and a third rock slammed into him. But the space he had risen was just enough.

Elagaen tore out of the rocky tomb, and flew at Anara’s neck. The Geomancer flicked a finger, and a circular rock flew right into the dragon’s nose, almost breaking Elagaen’s snout.

“OW!!!” Alasar screamed, as the pain travelled through the mental link between Rider and dragon.

“I wouldn’t do that again if I were you dragon. If I fell, then-”

Anara let her finger drop ever so slightly, and Alasar gasped in pain as the rocks settled onto his body.

“Well? Will you?” Anara asked again.

“You’re absolutely crazy!” Alasar hissed through clenched teeth.

“What was that?” Anara lowered her hand more. The rock slabs obediently pressed even deeper into Alasar.

“Ow!!! Yes!!!! I will be there!” Alasar cried out.

“Good,” Anara said. She raised her hands, and clapped them together. The stone slabs thudded together, and exploded into dust, which rained down onto the bed. But Alasar was already kneeling next to Elagaen’s stunned body.

Alasar wiped a small stream of blood off of Elagaen’s mouth.

‘I guess that’s one way to lose your baby teeth,’ Elagaen joked feebly.

“No time for breakfast! Get dressed, and get into the arena now!” Anara barked.

Alasar yanked a pair of pants out of the closet, and pulled them on. Then, he threw on a long-sleeved shirt.

“Now!” Anara roared from outside the door.

Alasar picked up Elagaen, and they raced out to the arena.