“We're already packing,” my mother said. “We'll go with you.”
My father put his arm around her shoulders. “And we will be there to watch over you, Son. If this relic tries to play with your mind, we will stop it.”
“Thank you, Father.”
My parents came to me and drew me into a hug.
“You have never been alone, Son,” my mother said. “Even when we weren't physically with you, we have stood beside you.”
“We will stand with you until our dying breath,” my father added.
I prayed to the Dragon Gods that my father hadn't tempted them, or fate, or any other gods with that declaration.
Chapter Seventeen
I stood on the top step before the front doors of my parents' manor, staring across a sea of Dragons—some on horseback, some seated on wagons, and others on foot, with packs on the backs. All of them were there for me. To fight for me. Because I was their king, but also because I was one of them.
My throat constricted with emotion. I'd been so foolish. All this time, I had thought I was fighting alone. Ruling alone. I forgot that there were so many like me, more than there were nobles. These people formed the majority of our dread. And they were with me. Maybe I wouldn't need the Eye after all.
They will help, that's certain,the Eye said.But ten untrained Dragons against one knight is still no match. Training tips the scales.
Are you saying that I'm taking these people to die?
They are going to fight for what they believe in. They deserve that chance, Lyrandir. It will give them pride and remind them that they are more than servants and farmers. They are Dragons.
Dragons who will fall under the blades of trained warriors.
Their choice. And you need them.
No. I will not lead them to a certain death.
Nothing is certain. Not even my visions. The future is ever-shifting. If it wasn't, there would be no point in my warnings. No point to life and the decisions it offers. You face one of those decisions now. Accept the support of your dread, the support rightfully yours as King, or tell these people that they aren't good enough to fight for you.
There it was. The line I couldn't cross. How could I tell them that they would fail when the very same had been said to me by nobles? I remembered the shock that was quickly followed by insults when I signed my name on the tourney list. Every noble there, every contestant, had sneered at me. They told me I'd fail. That I'd die that day. And those words had only made me more determined to fight. But I couldn't do that to these incredible people. If they wanted to fight, I would accept their help and I would train them myself if I had to. I'd prepare them as best I could to face the warriors of our dread. And maybe those warriors would be replaced.
“Vacrond Enclave!” I shouted.
Before I could go on, a man from the back called out, “We are from Heltven, Your Majesty.”
Another said, “And Terrigoth!”
“And Jucares!”
“Word spread,” Ellas said with a smirk. “They've flown through the night to reach you. The other enclaves have sent their strongest Dragons to support our king.”
“Soldiers?” I lifted my brows.
“No.” Ellas lost his smirk. “Not nobles. But the strongest of us, Lyran. And they have something the nobles don't—conviction.”
I looked back at my army. It was made of merchants, tradesmen, farmers, and servants. And I was more proud of it than I had ever been of gaining the crown. This was a true triumph. A testament to what Dragons could be.
“Gavemor Dread!” I shouted.
They cheered, lifting fists into the air.
“I don't have the words to tell you how much your loyalty means to me,” I said. “Thank you for coming to my aid. Those of you who have journeyed here from other enclaves, I thank you especially. I am overcome by your honor and your determination to bring equality to our dread. I'm told that other Dragon kingdoms are not like ours. They have their nobles, but they don't scorn those born without status. Dragons are Dragons to them. And a king may come from any class. I've heard that they train anyone who wishes to become a warrior. They have academies, not just for warriors but also for artists, scholars, and more.”
That sunk in, unsure glances exchanged.
