“I don't know where our dread went wrong,” I said. “But I will correct this mistake. With your help, I will make our dread into a community that supports all of its members. I will open academies and destroy elitism. The title of noble will only be given to those who truly embody the word and wealth will be something anyone can achieve. Together, we can take our dread back!”
They cheered again, faces filling with hope.
“The nobles think they run our kingdom,” I went on. “They believe we are nothing more than servants, even I, the rightful King. And that is their weakness. We know the truth—that we are the backbone of this dread! We put food on their tables, shoes on their feet, sheets on their beds, and swords in their armory. Without us, they are nothing. You, my people, are the real Gavemor Dread!”
That won me more than cheers. The Dragons stamped their feet and shouted my name. If I had asked them to fight that very second, they would have torn through any army that came against us. And that was what convinced me. Despite what the Eye said, I knew we had a chance, even without her. Because training did matter, but Ellas was right—conviction could outweigh skill. With tenacity and belief in yourself, any goal could be accomplished.
“Today marks the birth of a new dread,” I said when the ruckus died down. “Today, we rewrite our future. Come with me, Gavemor, and I will train you. I will prepare you myself to face our adversaries. And I will stand beside you when they come for us. Together, we will triumph!”
As the Dragons cheered one final time, I looked at my mate. Aras stared at me with his pale, Hulfrin eyes, full of pride and awe. And that was even more satisfying than the sight of all those brave people who had come to fight for me.
Chapter Eighteen
With so many bringing wagons full of belongings with them, we had to march back to Renris. But my parents and Ellas bid me to return by flight so the crown city wouldn't remain without its king for long. I insisted on seeing them past the borders of Vacrond first. I wanted to be there in case the nobles attacked.
They are busy plotting against you,the Eye said.They have only just started to notice that there is no food prepared or staff about to take their coats.The Eye chuckled.You have emptied the enclave of its workers, crippling the nobles, and they don't know it yet. Their hatred blinds them to so much. You're right, Lyrandir. It is their weakness. An army is marching out of their enclave and they don't have a clue!
I'm not surprised.But once they notice, they may come after these people.
I cannot split my attention, but if you wish, I can stay with your people during this journey and alert you to any attack.
That surprised me enough for her to feel it.
I told you that I am not all-seeing. I am from the Goddess, but I am not her,the Eye reminded me.I am not omniscient. And even the Goddess cannot focus everywhere at once. Gods are not what you believe them to be.
Interesting.
How do you think the Dragon God was trapped? They are not all-powerful beings. However, they are your creators and are much more powerful than you are.
I had to stop myself from laughing aloud.Undoubtedly.
So, shall I stay here?
No,I said.Instead, will you watch the nobles for me? You will know their intentions earlier that way and can warn me before they set out.
Very wise. All right. I will go to them now and return to you in two days. By that time, your army should reach Renris.
All right.I paused.Thank you.
You're welcome, Your Majesty.And then she was gone.
I held up a hand to stop the march. I was driving the lead carriage with my parents seated inside. They came out as I stood up on the driver's seat and turned around to face the line of Dragons.
“My people!” I shouted. “I wanted to see you safely from Vacrond and now that we have left the borders, I need to return to Renris with all haste. I leave my parents to guide you while I fly ahead and prepare to receive you. You will all have rooms within the royal castle and will be provided for. All Dragons are equal in my home!”
The parade cheered as I jumped off the platform with my mate. My parents took my place, offering their carriage seats to some of their staff who had been walking. Meanwhile, I went to a clearing beside the road and stripped, handing my clothes toAras. He stepped back when I was finished, and I transformed into my beast. Another cheer came as I launched into the sky with my mate clasped securely within a talon. I roared back at them, giving them one last bit of encouragement before heading home.
With a start, I realized that Renris was home to me now. I would reclaim my kingdom, but even after I triumphed, I didn't think Vacrond would feel like home to me. I was the King, and Renris was the home of the Dragon King of Gavemor.
With a shiny new determination fortifying me, I flew on, and when the walls of Renris appeared, I roared to let the city know that its king had returned.
The Horns on the city walls cheered and waved at me as I passed overhead—more reminders that I had been prey to my upbringing for too long. I thought I had overcome it. I had become King, for fuck's sake. But I still had the mentality of a “commoner.” I had felt less-than deep inside. I felt the separation of the classes. Worse yet, I had, on some level, believed it. I believed that I was different from the wealthy and noble. And that belief had weighed upon me even as I ascended the throne. It had alienated me, segregating me from all of my people so that I felt alone. I failed to recognize that my people were more than nobles, more than Dragons. I ruled a kingdom full of many races, and all the other races acknowledged me as their King without reservations. The noble Dragons of my dread were in the minority.
The Eye wasn't there to remind me that the minority was powerful. But I didn't need her to. The truth lurked within the lies I'd been fed. No, they weren't better than anyone else as people, but they were better warriors. Even the laziest noble knew how to fight—how to kill in both their forms. Our dreadmay have veered from the Dragon creed that the strongest made the best king, but they still held to the idea that stronger was better. Maybe that was what fueled their elitism and why they were so horrified when a farmer won the crown tourney. They couldn't accept that one of us was stronger than one of them.
But I was done trying to give reason to their hatred. That time was over. I had returned to Renris a new man. A new king. I had been bitter and filled with fury before, but now I was full of pride in my people and a determination to win this war with and for them. I had the fire of change in my blood. Driving me. Compelling me. I wasn't just a king anymore. I had become a revolutionary.
Sweet Dragon Gods, that felt good.
