It was terrifying as it was beautiful. Dark blue scales shimmered in the fading sunlight as the dragon flexed the thick muscles of its back. Amber eyes blinked slowly, and it cocked its head as it took in the line of noble heirs. The Sisters continued their song, and then, a low, rasping voice resonated so deeply, Soren could not tell if it was aloud or in her mind.
Cowards, liars, and cheats—I see all in this line. But a few may live to see the moon rise tonight.
Next to Soren, a young slave girl trembled so violently, her breath made an audible noise. Quietly and slowly, she reached over and took the girl’s hand, squeezing once. Soren swore she saw the dragon’s eyes land on the movement and narrow, but the moment passed, and the dragon continued.
Step forward, Son of Lord Wixin.
The young man at the end of the line moved, taking a confident step forward as the dragon requested. Soren could see the triumphant smirk on his lips as he was picked first. Muscles rippled on his body when he moved with the grace of a warrior; just like Princess Cion, he had probably been training to be a rider all his life.
The dragon lumbered towards him, her breath blowing strands of dark hair out of the boy’s face. His haughty smirk fell as she tilted her head, examining him. A pit formed in Soren’s gut, and the girl next to her gripped her hand so tightly, it hurt.
You are arrogant. Self-involved. I would not risk myself or my kin for you. For when the moment comes, a rider must be ready to die with their dragon. You would flee.
The Sisters continued their haunting melody even as the dragon opened her mouth. Without another thought, Soren pulled the princess back, away from the sudden path of dragonfire. The princess did not protest, not as white-hot flame spewed from the dragon’s mouth and incinerated the boy completely. He hardly had the chance to plead or even scream before he was nothing but ashes. Soren stared at the space where he had stood mere moments before, wide-eyed, pulse pounding erratically.
The dragon slowly faced the group again, something almost like a smirk pulling at the corners of her long mouth.
Ah… There are a few brave ones amongst you after all. Let us continue.
Soren realized she and the last remaining man were standing in front of the rest of the group, arms outstretched. He narrowed his eyes at her, noting the shackle on her ankle marking her as a slave before stepping back into place. Soren shrank back behind Princess Cion, who did not even look at her.
Two more dragons clawed their way out from inside the dark of the cavern, both smaller than the first. The smaller of the two was bulky, with umber scales and spikes up its neck, the other larger but slimmer, boasting scales the color of moss.
Boy.
The umber dragon flipped its tail up in the air as it spoke before dropping it down again, sending dust into the air, several of the servants jumping at the impact. The last man stepped forward and bowed deeply, the knot of dark hair atop his head falling loose. He was taller than the other man but more limber, and he wore a dark purple mourning cloth on his left arm.
My name is Olariu. We will see if you can make it through training.
The man lifted his head, murmuring something Soren could not make out, and the dragon made a rough sound, almost like a chortling laugh, before slinking back to the other side of the arena. The man rose to his feet and followed the dragon as Soren took even breaths. Princess Cion had still not been chosen, and it was becoming clear it was no guarantee.
The green dragon’s ice-blue eyes tracked over the group, narrowing on the small, trembling noble girl next to Princess Cion. The dragon opened her mouth, blue flames curling in the back of her throat. But this time, as the dragon roared and a stream of white-hot fire descended, Soren did not dare pull the princess back and shield her again. Instead, she grabbed roughly onto the slave girl’s wrist next to her before she could leap ahead and try to save her master.
“Ebba!” the girl shrieked.
Soren lunged, pulling the girl to the side, out of the path of the fire as it poured from the dragon’s mouth.
They were all ash-stained and shaking as the fire died down. Then, the dragon narrowed her eyes on Princess Cion. Soren was breathing heavily in the thick air, her eyes rounded as the dragon spoke to the princess.
Yooooouuuu. You hold great fear, Heir of Aren.
Princess Cion’s entire body froze, her eyes wide. The Sisters’ song began to grow louder as Soren silently begged the princess to show bravery to the beast.
“I…” Princess Cion began, but the dragon roared, cutting her off.
Heat curled once more in the air, and without a second thought, Soren took a step forward, feeling as if she were in a dream. The dragon went completely still, the heat building in her throat diminishing, her eyes flicking sharply from the princess to Soren.
Interesting,the dragon mused before looking back at Princess Cion.We shall see if you can survive training, heir.
Soren let loose a slow breath, watching as the princess followed the dragon to the edge of the arena. She wasn’t sure if she should follow or not. The other slaves and servants remained, so she decided to wait with the last girl.
The arena trembled, signaling another dragon approached. At first, only one beast slunk out, about the same size as the others and burnt maroon in color. But moments later, a large shadow appeared behind it.
An enormous creature, moon-white in color, crawled out into the arena after the maroon dragon. Its eyes were an odd silver, and Soren wondered if the dragon was blind. A long scar cut over its eye, almost down to its mouth, like a permanent cruel smirk.
“Vemon,” the slave girl next to Soren breathed, her eyes on the pale dragon. “They’re incredibly rare.”
The maroon dragon came forward first, merely rasping,Come,to the remaining girl. Wide-eyed, she hurried after him to the other side of the arena, keeping a wide berth of the Vemon dragon. Only servants and slaves remained now in front of the pale beast.
