Chapter 23 - Wartorn

It took a couple days, but eventually Rews popped up once again, his voice almost a shout. "Heya, Ash!"

Rasp raised his head from the wagon's tailgate, casting a brief, disgruntled glance at the newcomers before settling back down. "Hello, Rews. How have you been doing?" Ash greeted the eager boy with a friendly smile.

Rews' excitement dampened a bit. "My dad said no. And that I shouldn't bother you. Am I bothering you? Did I bother you? I'm sorry if I did."

He definitely looks disappointed. Ash shook his head while taking an extra large step over a divot in the road, "You didn't bother me." Just Captain Thorne. He changed the topic, "So what brings you over today?"

Rews whined, "I'm so bored."

The dragonboy was startled. Bored? This is boring? How? Ash had been thoroughly enjoying the trip so far. It hasn't even been a week yet. It was way better than his most recent Skyfort routine. And his guts weren't twisting from randomly getting called by any of his unfortunate nicknames. "Bored? Why? Does your dad not have anything for you to do?"

Rews kicked a rock off the road with a grimace. "Sometimes he lets me hold the wagon reins or follow him around when he meets with others." He looked at Ash, his eyes reflecting longing. "I bet it's not as fun as hanging out with Rasp."

Ash kind of agreed. Rasp was awesome. He even said so, "Probably not." But he was willing to point out the downsides of his partner. "But its not as fun as you think. Being bonded to a dragon is a lot of work, and I always got to keep an eye on him too." But he's being good so far though.

Rews looked skeptical, "But you'll get to fly though." The youngest Dessur then eagerly announced, "I've always wanted to fly. I want to be a dragonrider." He then settled into a pout after sharing his dream, "I told my father, but he just says no when I ask how to be a dragonrider. And he won't tell me why."

Ash stiffened and looked away from. He doesn't know, he's just a kid, he reminded himself. He tried to keep his tone light, "Are you happy with you family Rews?"

Confusion crossed Rews' face as he answered, "Huh? Yeah, I am. Why?"

Ash stared straight ahead as he walked and answered, "Then being a dragonrider is not for you...trust me."

"Huh? Why?!" The kid's voice rose as he begged, "Tell me, please. What do I need to do to get a dragon."

Rasp now had his claws up on the tailgate watching the kid, and Ash stepped in front of Rews to block the black dragon's view. He got loud way too quick. He waved the little boy back while addressing Rasp, "No need to worry Rasp. Just go back to your rock. Its all good. I'll get you a snack in a bit okay."

Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator.

Once Rasp settled down, Ash returned to the conversation. "You shouldn't raise your voice too loud around me. Rasp is pretty protective."

Rews nodded rapidly. But he asked again, quieter this time, "What do I need to do to be a dragonrider?"

He's a really stubborn kid, Ash internally groaned. Fine. He'd tell him a little. It wasn't like it was a big secret. He was short with Rews, "Kid, do you know anything about dragonrider trainees?"

Rews thought about it for a second, "No not really. Why?"

Ash got slightly exasperated. This kid...just keeps asking why! But he kept his voice gentle, "All trainees are Wartorn boys. Do you know how to become Wartorn?"

Rews' eyes brightened with curiosity. "No, please tell me!"

Ash felt conflicted. He really has no idea. I don't want to...his dad should tell him, Ash thought grimly. "Your father can tell you what a Wartorn boy is. Let him know you asked me," he finished.

Rews seemed startled by this answer, but he nodded and waved goodbye before running off to find his father.

As Ash resumed his walk, he shared a glance with Rasp, let out a deep breath, and tried to let go of his exasperation.

Rews soon located his father near the head of the caravan train and rushed over to him, bursting with excitement. "Father, father, tell me how to become Wartorn, please! Ash told me that's how I can be a dragonrider!"

Nichol Dessur whipped his head around to his youngest so fast he felt his neck crick. He rubbed it, then politely bowed out of the conversation he'd been having with a few other men. "Excuse me gentlemen, I need to have a serious talk with my son," he explained.

Rews paled at the ominously calm tone his father adopted. His dad was unhappy with him.

His dad then put on hand on Rews' shoulder, "Lets go back to the wagon first," and steered the boy back a few wagons. Leddi was at the reins of their wagon, but Nichol jumped up next to him and took over. "Leddi, take a break, you deserve it; you've been here all morning. I need to talk with Rews for awhile."

"Yes, father." Leddi hopped off the wagon and cast Rews a curious look, the kind that older siblings give when they know their younger brother is in trouble.

"Get up here Rews." It wasn't a question.

Rews complied, climbing into the seat next to his father, feeling increasingly anxious about the conversation. He didn't understand what he had done wrong.

Nichol didn't even look at him. "So son. You went and bothered the dragonboy even though I told you not to. That's what it sounds like to me. Am I wrong?"

"I wasn't bothering him. He said I didn't," Rews defended his actions.

The man sighed, "You were bothering him. The fact you asked him about dragonriding and he sent you back to me to ask about being Wartorn... Did he say anything else?"

Rews sat confused. "Uh, he asked if I was happy with my family."

Nichol finally looked at his son, "Well?"

"I told him yes. Then he told me I don't really want to be a dragonrider. What does that mean?"

The caravan master sighed. Maybe his son wasn't quite suited for the family business. "Son, a Wartorn boy is an orphan. An orphan of war. Ones hungry for revenge against Talon's enemies. They're the only ones allowed to bond with dragons. So asking to be a dragonrider is like asking for your mother and I to die." He looked away from Rews and continued, "That dragonboy has lost his family. You were reminding him of that. Now do you understand?"

Rews mumbled, "Oh..."

Nichol reached over and ruffled his youngest's hair, "Now go find Leddi and tell him to come back. You can go apologize afterwards."

As the boy slipped off the wagon to search for his big brother, Nichol Dessur sighed again. Maybe it would be better if I just hire an adventurer to train him...