This Lover of Mine
This Lover of Mine
The skies were turbulent as they flew closer to the Dragon’s sanctuary. Seraphina breathed deeply as they coasted over the mountains, and as she did, she scented more and more Dragons arriving. She moved lower and lower to enter the main crevasse that led to the Dragon’s sanctuary, Llyr right behind her. The Dragon sanctuary was a thing a marvel of beauty. The cave itself seemed to be carved out of pearl stone that reflected in sparks in the sun. As they flew into the tight crevasse that was unnoticeable from a distance, then entered a gate way of thunder and ice, the cave opening to a cavern of immense beauty and power. A large river flowed towards the gate its waters an icy glacier blue that shimmered with an inner light. There was already a remarkable amount of Dragons gathered. Most likely because they had felt what she had felt when the Dragon Pearl had fallen into her palm. A pull to home, sinking deep into her chest into the heart as a guide and map, to the final resting place of the Dragons of old.
She flew down circling the Dragon’s to land before the Lord of the Dragons.
The King.
Her King.
“My King,” She bowed low, transforming to her human form and holding out the pearl. The Dragon King transformed, his human form tall and wizened with age. His short white beard making his age known.
“You achieved it, as I always knew you would.” He murmured, taking the pearl from her, and smiling down at the carved gold dragon, whose eyes flashed once, the cavern shaking as it did. Seraphina’s eyes flicked to the ice wall, that started to open. The cavern revealed a world of crystal waterfalls, deep forests, and meadows as far as the eyes could see. Above the scenic land, was beautiful clouds in all shapes and sizes, lightning flashing further in the clouds.
The Dragons all shuddered, a wave of peace and serenity awash in the room. “Come.” The King murmured to the other Dragons, who rose as one and flew into this new wondrous land.
The Dragon King turned to Seraphina a slight crease forming in his forehead. “I would ask you to join us, but I know that your place is no longer here.” He murmured.
Seraphina frowned, “What do you mean?” she asked.
The Dragon King gestured behind her before he swept his robes and walked through the ice gate. Seraphina turned to where he had gestured to find a familiar looking serpent wading through the icy waters. He transformed, walking towards her a grim look on his face. “What’s wrong?” She asked alarmed. “Is Astraea not cured?”
“This isn’t about my love.” He murmured pulling an envelope from his jacket.
Seraphina looked down at the familiar writing and knew immediately that it was from Shazir. “Why do you have this?” she asked. Looking down at the gilded paper. She looked back up at him fear flooding her eyes. “This parchment is from the desk of the Queen of Beshumaar.”
“Read his words, and know, that whatever comes next, I am with you.”
Tariq watched as his former mentee became enraged her normally white hair steamed as flames erupted around her mortal form. His eyebrows raised. “Do I want to know what was in that letter.”
“Shazir is mine.” She murmured her eyes ablaze. “I am going to end a warlord in the monster realm. Are you still with me?”
“Till the bitter end.” Tariq promised, backing away slightly muttering under his breath, “As long as it isn’t mine.”
Seraphina glared at him clearly hearing what he’d muttered before she took a step back transforming into her dragon form, and bending slightly, Tariq lightly climbed up on her back, holding tight to her neck as she thrust her body into the air flying back out of the cave, and up, up into the dark night a spiral of fire opening and closing behind them.
Tariq looked out at the darkness and rot of the monster realm. It was like any other dark realm he’d ever been to, full of decay and the odd monster screeching in the distance. He watched as they flew over dark forests full of dead trees, above slimy rivers that bubbled, and long black tar pathways. Seraphina flew until a castle appeared as if from nowhere, as they flew over the castle that was currently being torn apart, a courtyard full of men and women, fighting off against one man.
This man was furiously fighting them back with a single sword and dagger, lines of bloody scars marred his face. Seraphina landed on one of the long hallways that opened to the stairs leading down to the courtyard, transforming as she did. Tariq landed on steady feet, whipping his own sword, prepared to fight. The hallway unlike the courtyard was empty, a slight fog lifting from the air hiding the stones that lined the ground.
“Shazir!” Seraphina shouted, walking steadily to some unseen force. Tariq followed her twisting his sword slightly still prepared should something appear. The hallway looked mostly empty minus the odd fog that lifted up from the ground.
Tariq glanced over to the courtyard where the fight seemed to be never-ending. “Looks like it’s one against an army.”
“He deserves it.” Seraphina muttered.
“Do you know him?”
“I know of him.” She murmured. “He’s been in the monster realm for years. I never dealt with him myself, as a dragon his powers doesn’t affect me.”
“And yet he immediately went after your love as soon as you were gone.” Tariq pointed out.
“So, it would seem.” Seraphina glowered turning abruptly as a dip appeared an arrow flying over their heads.
“THERE HE IS.” Seraphina growled, as she turned the corner and opened a door. Shazir stood by a window looking down at the fight, three unknown people with him. He whirled around as the door banged on the wall.
His eyes widened as he saw Seraphina and immediately approached her his hands out. Tariq wondered for the second time what had been in that letter. “I know your mad.”
“Mad? At least I got a letter this time around.” Seraphina cut sharply.