The voice thundered over Leo, crushing his hopes and slamming him to the ground. Death? He felt a surge of panic in his chest. He had braced himself for imprisonment, for endless years of isolation, as long as he could pursue the mysterious bond magic that had awakened in him. Even behind bars, he could have explored his connection to the ancient dragon and wielded the power of the legendary dragon riders. He might have even found a way to escape someday.
But not if they killed him.
“Speak up, boy! What is your defense?” The voice roared again, rattling Leo’s bones and demanding an answer. He looked up at the great men and women above him, hardly able to make out their details due to his weak vision. They loomed over him like giants, their faces stern and unforgiving.
“I swear I didn’t kn-know anything! I just went to get my grandfather’s watch, I had no idea that dragon was down there! Please this was an honest mistake, I’m s-sorry,” Leo stammered and pleaded with the lords above to spare him. The terror of his fate jolted his nerves like a bolt of lightning, causing his words to spill from his mouth like a waterfall. He could feel their eyes piercing through him, judging him, condemning him. Adrenaline coursed through Leo, clearing his vision as he looked to the people above him.
“WHY WERE YOU IN THE GROUNDS AT ALL!?” A tremendous gust of hot air swept over the entire room, causing the temperature to rise a great level and Leo to cry out in pain. He felt his skin blistering and his clothes sticking to his body. He could smell the smoke and ash in the air, and see the flames dancing in the eyes of the furious man who shouted at him.
“Enough, Lyle!” An older woman’s calming voice cut through the heat and the room seemed to shift, as if all of the shadows in the room were moving at once. Leo felt a cool breeze caressing his face, soothing his burns. He looked around and saw the woman standing in front of her chair, her hand raised in a gesture of command. She wore a dark cloak that blended with the night sky, and her silver hair shone like moonlight. “I would find it hard to believe a young child, hardly sixteen, knew of our plans on the ancient. Especially one from such low standing, this may have been an honest blunder, if what the boy says is correct.”
“LINNETIA YOU DA-” the booming voice started again before the voice cut across once more.
“Lyle Solas, you’d be wise to lower your tone when speaking with me. I can still put you over my knee like when you were my apprentice back in the day!” The woman’s matronly voice sounded as if she were reprimanding a child. She glared at the man with a stern look that made him shrink back in his seat. “Now, can we focus on why we are here instead of bickering like children? We still need to discuss last nights attack on the granary, and prepare for the upcoming Bonding Ceremony. There are still three available hatchlings left.”
“Aye,” came a commanding voice that pierced through the silence like a sword. The voice belonged to a tall, older man with a stern face and a scarred eye. He wore a light armor and a cloak of blue with white fringes, the colors of the Cerulis family. “Boy! Answer Lord Solas, what were you doing in the Grounds after dusk past your sixteenth? You know the law as does every other fifteen year old in this city.”
Leo felt as if the air around him amplified each of his words, making his chest reverberate as the man spoke. He knew that he had to answer, but it didn’t sound like they would believe his truth. He looked around the room and saw the eyes staring at him with suspicion and contempt and knew this was going to be difficult, if not impossible.
“I…I was looking for my watch, truthfully,” he said once more, fearful for the rebuke. His voice sounded small and weak compared to Lord Cerulis’. “I knew it was against the law, but my family just gave me that watch today and it was my last day at the Grounds. I wouldn’t have been able to go back and collect it and I couldn't bear to tell my father I lost his father’s watch…”
“A likely story,” Lord Solas scoffed. He leaned forward on his seat and glared at Leo with burning eyes. "Who told you of the location of the dragon? What were your intentions? Do you know anything about these attacks against the city?”
“No one told me, I have no idea about the attacks sir!” Leo protested. “Please, you must believe me!” He was met with frustrated stares and silence. This was a complete nightmare, Leo was watching as the last bit of time he had to defend himself slipped through his fingers. He felt a cold sweat on his forehead and a tightness in his throat. He could hear his heart pounding in his ears, like a drum of doom. “I beg of you, please I had no idea. I’m sorry I broke the law it was childish of me to do this over a watch! Please believe me,” Leo could feel the emotions starting to break through, the tears welling up in his eyes and the lump in his chest. He thought of his parents and grandmother, who he loved more than anything. He thought of his friends and his dreams, all of which he would never see again if they killed him.
Leo took a deep breath and tried to calm himself down. He knew that he had to think clearly if he was going to have any chance of getting out of this mess.
“I swear, I don’t know anything about the attacks or the dragon,” he said again. “I was just looking for my watch. I know it was wrong to break the law, but I couldn’t bear to lose it. It was my grandfather’s watch, and it means a lot to me.”
He looked up at the leaders of the nation, sitting in their chairs far above him, hoping that they would believe him. He saw their faces, some stern and angry, some curious and intrigued, some bored and indifferent. He knew that it was a long shot, but it was all he had. Another voice rang out from above, tender and soothing like the waves against the beach. It belonged to a woman with long blonde hair and blue eyes, wearing a white robe and a golden crown. Elise Aquira leaned forward and spoke, “This is more than just breaking the law, young Leo. You bonded with an ancient dragon, a creature far outside of your reach. This is a breach of our societal rules, something we can’t allow to happen. If you have nothing else to say, we must convene this hearing.”
He couldn't believe it. Here he was, being sentenced to death over a watch. Leo looked to his wrist and felt the tears start to form on his face. If only he could rewind time, or speak to Fate herself. Why did he have to take his watch off at all that night?
"If I can speak on behalf of the boy, I'd like to put in an official request from the guild," a man spoke from the shadows behind Leo, making him flinch and bringing him out of his stupor. A small kindling of hope ignited within Leo as he looked for the source of the voice.
The man slowly walked forward wearing a worn but well taken care of suit of armour that had a hooded cloak wrapped around it. The cloak, black as pitch with slight silver runes etched throughout the hems, was pulled tight around the armour but couldn't hide the matte black sheen of the plate. As he strode closer to the crouching boy, the man lowered his hood and stood fearless and tall in front of Leo, staring up at the five presiding scions of the city. Leo saw the man had flowing black hair and a short-cropped black beard that was streaked with grey and white hair.
His entire bearing seemed noble and strong. This was a man who could look death in the face and stand unflinching before it.
"Grandmaster Mora, what a pleasant surprise." Linnetia's voice sounded once more. Leo looked to the people in their chairs above, trying to see the Lords above talking, but failing to see anything around Grandmaster Mora. The man's broad back was blocking his view of the events unfolding like a stalwart guardian standing before it's charge. Hanging his head in exhaustion, Leo opted to rest and listen. Linnetia continued, "I think we'd all be interested in hearing what you have to say."
There was some disgruntled, muffled arguments coming from above, but the voices quickly quieted down as a fifth voice spoke for the first time since Leo entered the room. "I agree with Linnetia, let's hear Phineas out on this." The voice sounded as if the earth itself was spitting them out, and Leo could feel the distinctive rumble of the chamber below his fingers as the voice spoke over the others arguing above. While he couldn't make out his features, Leo knew in his gut this must be Lord Thera. Lord Thera was known for his quiet observations and calm demeanor. If he was speaking up on behalf of Phineas it could only be a good thing for Leo.
“I propose to allow the boy and the ancient into the guild for special observation training.” Phineas spoke up again, looking to each of the lords and ladies above him. His voice was calm and confident, as if he had already anticipated their reactions. "We still haven’t found out who is behind the attacks, and now half of the granary stores have been destroyed in their last attack. Whoever is behind the attacks are growing bolder, and yet manage to keep us at a distance.
“So, let’s say Lord Solas is correct and young Leo here is a spy sent to infiltrate the Grounds the night of the attack. If the plan succeeded, the terrorists now have a bonded ancient dragon rider in their ranks, but without any access to either asset. That obviously means they will try again, but this time to set them free. If we keep them both alive and under the watchful eye of the guild, we can be ready for anything that happens next.”
Leo could sense the discord in room above as each person seemed to have their own ideas of what was right and needed. Lord Thera and Lady Mora both appeared to be siding with Phineas, while the beautiful Lady Aquira and Lord Solas appeared to be against allowing the bond to exist, and were pushing for execution.
"We have no idea what the boy may be capable of, Grandmaster Mora," Elise's sultry voice drifted out over the room like a velvet blanket. "Appearances can be deceiving, he could have been fully prepared to take on a bond with such a partner."
"And so we are to believe a newly turned, freshly bonded sixteen year old is to be capable of breaking out a wild, ancient dragon on his own?" Linnetia asked back, clearly bemused at the idea.
"Come now, Linnetia, we can't act like the improbable isn't possible. We can't be sure he didn't have an entire team waiting somewhere in the caves running below the Grounds. He's been at the tower for years so it's entirely possible he was sent in as a scout for preliminary checks, ran into the dragon, and bonded." Lyle's voice sounded out, frustration building with each word. "The entire nation's well-being is at stake and we are at a tactical disadvantage. We can't afford to take any risky chances!"
The bickering went on for awhile longer, filling the air with angry words and heated accusations. Phineas listened patiently, his eyes scanning the faces of his leaders for any sign of reason. He could see the frustration and fear in their eyes, the stubbornness and pride in their mouths. He knew that they were all trying to do what was best for the nation, but they were also blinded by their own biases and prejudices. Finally, he had enough. He raised his voice and spoke again, his words cutting through the clamor like a fire being smothered by a blanket. His voice was loud and clear, commanding respect and attention. Everyone fell silent and turned to him, waiting for what he had to say. They could see the determination and courage in his face, the wisdom and experience in his words. He was not only the grandmaster of the guild of dragon riders, but also the grandson of Linnetia Mora herself. He knew what he was talking about, and he had a plan.
"We are on the cusp of something big happening here, I can feel it, you can feel it, it's what's setting us all on edge. But we need to take every opportunity that we can here. This is an ancient dragon that is on the line, I really don't think I need to explain how powerful of an advantage this could be to each of you. If we execute Leo and the ancient dies, and then it turns out this was all a giant fumble...think of the waste. If we train him, carefully, under the watchful eye of the guild, we can be fully prepared for any event. If he's a traitor to our nation, we execute him. If he's a bystander in the wrong place at the right time, then we have gained an incredible advantage that we can't squander.
"I will train him myself, and if need be, will be the one to put them both down if the time comes. But we all know what's done is done. The bond can't be reversed, and we are not in a position were we can let a small societal issue stop us from training one of the best assets we have." He finished his speech and fell silent once more, waiting for the verdict. Leo couldn't believe what he was hearing. He looked up at the back of the man who was standing here defending him so vigorously, even if it was only for the power of the ancient dragon Leo had bonded too, and felt his chest fill with warmth. Not only was he defending Leo's life, he was demanding to train him himself! Leo tried not to allow a smile to spread on his face until he heard the final verdict from above.
Eventually, Chester Cerulis's commanding voice spoke up, "I will break this tie and vote to keep the dragon, and boy, alive for now. Phineas, your request is granted. Train the boy, sharpen him into the finest weapon, or beat him into the best shield, but do it quietly. We can't allow word of this..bond to get out. At least not without having a proper explanation. To think, an ancient dragon was found, and then bonded to someone of such low standing...the absolute uproar we would have to deal with. And Phineas, mark my word, you'd best know what you're doing. Do NOT make me regret this foolishness."
----------------------------------------
Leo was hauled to his feet and removed from the room by the guards with Phineas staying behind to discuss further with the Lords. The guards escorted Leo back down the hallway he had come from, only this time they walked past the staircase to the dungeon and down another corridor which led to a small bathroom and washroom. Tossing him to the ground, the guards exited the room with a final, "Wash up quickly, Grandmaster Mora will be down to collect you shortly. Don't try to leave."
And with that, they closed the door behind them and Leo was left alone, exhausted, famished, and dirty. But at least he was alive! He couldn't help but laugh a little hysterically as he dragged himself to the washbasin, shucked off his dirty clothes, and threw himself into the tub of water. The water must have been magically heated because it was absolutely perfect temperature for Leo, not a luxury he had a privilege of back home. Each neighborhood had a communal water collection bucket that was enchanted to heat the water as it was stored. The homes would be distributed this water until it was all depleted, so if you didn't wake up early enough, you didn't get hot water.
Relaxing for a few minutes, Leo took in his drastic change in circumstances. Just hours ago, he had been locked up and worried about lifelong imprisonment. Now, he was being told he would be trained to be a rider, and by the best of them himself! To think, Leo Cassemir, dragon rider.
And with that, a bolt of pure realization, quickly followed by dread, struck him down from his euphoric ride. There were two parts to this bond, and Leo hadn't even considered the other half of the equation.
He had bonded a dragon. Which meant, at some point he would need to interact with that dragon. He couldn't help but feel a bit of fear creep up in his gut at the thought. This wasn't an ordinary bonding - Leo had bonded with a young, adult dragon from the wild. It wouldn't have any of the societal manners Charlie was always talking to him about, and on top of that he had remembered a distinct feeling of never wanting to bond coming from his coma memories. Would this dragon even allow him into it's life? The thought made him feel uneasy.
Deciding the hot bath was becoming a bit uncomfortable, he scrubbed clean and quickly climbed out of the tub, slipping and falling to the floor as he did so. Exhaustion and hunger had been slowly creeping back up on Leo since he had been pulled out of his cell. He had forgotten about it during his trial, but now it had returned in full force. Slowly getting up, he made his way over to the towels and dried off. Noticing some new clothes next to the towel, a simple tunic and pants, albeit of much finer quality than Leo had ever owned before, he put them on. Just in time too as there was a knock at the door right as Leo had leaned back to relax and wait. Half dragging, half walking, he made his way over to the door and opened it to find Grandmaster Mora.
"Grandmaster! Thanks so much for you're help earlier-" Leo began but was cut off by Phineas's raised left hand.
"Stop, no need to get into it now. We can discuss it all in the morning. It's late, and you need to eat and sleep. Tomorrow we start work on your training and will discuss everything that transpired here tonight, then. Come, follow me to your new home," and with that he turned and started walking. Leo rushed after him, trying not to stare and failing. This was one of his heroes, a man he had heard stories of, a man who had been taught about in their school curriculum because of his acts during the Centennial War.
This was an almost mythical person, and here he was taking Leo to his new home so he could be trained as a rider. As Leo thought about training under the legend, he was again disturbed by the thoughts about his bond mate. Unable to help himself, he bought it up to his new master.
"Grandmaster, can you tell me anything about my partner?" He asked timidly, not wanting to be rebuked after being told to wait to ask his questions. Phineas smiled slightly and looked down to Leo as he responded.
"You may call me Master Mora, and your partner has been extremely...difficult to say the least. You will meet him tomorrow morning." And with that, they kept walking down the hallway for some time in silence, Leo wondering where in the world they were going. They had to be underground as no building other than the Grounds had corridors this long. A bit more time passed before Leo spoke again, unable to help himself.
"Master Mora, can you tell me how he's doing since the bond?" He wasn't sure how dragons handled emotions, but if he was anything like Leo then he had to be confused at the very least.
"I suspect you can tell me more about that than I would be able to tell you," Phineas said, glancing down to the boy as he walked. "Consider this your first lesson, Leo. Relax your mind and try to follow your bond back to your partner. Do you sense any emotions? Thoughts or impressions?"
Leo did his best to relax, trying to allow his mind to feel for the bond. Not feeling anything at first, he kept calm and continued to feel with his senses, trying to find any hint of the magical bond stretching from him to his partner. At times, he felt like he was getting a hint of something, maybe anxiousness, fear, or anger, but nothing concrete enough for him to say for sure that it was coming from his dragon.
And with everything he had gone through tonight, it was entirely possible he was the source of those emotions. "Sorry Master, but I am not feeling much of anything. Maybe some fear or anger here and there, but that could be entirely me."
"Does the anger feel like it's foreign, or does it feel like it's your own?" Mulling the question over, Leo decided it felt like a foreign emotion, as right now he could only feel happy to be upright and breathing, even if he was anxious about meeting his dragon in the morning.
"I guess I would say foreign, but it's not consistent enough for me to get a good feel for it."
"I would say that's coming from across your bond then. At this early stage of your bond, your range of communication will be limited. Emotions can make their way across at greater distances, but true communication is all dependant on how strong your connection, your bond, is with your partner. Sharing the same outlook on life or situations, going through life or death circumstances together, and facing other trials of life as you live and grow together, will help strengthen the bond between the two of you. Overtime, you will be able to communicate over vast distances, and will have a much better gauge at reading your partner.
"Some of the greatest and oldest bonded partners were said to have been able to act in unison, without the need to speak at all. We are almost there, let's keep going." And with that, he went silent again. Deciding against saying anything else, Leo mulled over the feelings he was getting as they walked. The closer the two got to their destination, the stronger the foreign emotions seemed to become. Fear, stress, and anger seemed to be the biggest contenders creeping into Leo's mind and he had to breath deeply as the emotions came over him. Noticing Leo's actions, Phineas nodded approvingly and encouraged him.
"That's perfect Leo, you have to weather these emotions until you are acclimated to the bond. Eventually you will be able to differentiate between what are your partner's feeling and what are your own and you won't need to work so hard to stay under control of yourself. Meditation and training will also play critical roles in your training to help overcome these affects. Here is where you will be staying for the next few months. Until we have approval from the Five, you won't be able to see your family or have any visitors beyond approved people. I'm not sure if you quite understand the position you've been put in Leo, but it's not an easy one to be in. If word of this bond gets out on the streets, it could cause some real devastation to the Sinu culture."
Leo couldn't help but notice some derision from Phineas as he said the word culture, but was too tired to ask more questions. Shuffling into the small bedroom Phineas had brought him to, he surveyed the room. It was simple enough with a small bed, a desk, a bookshelf with nothing on it, and a dresser that had a few sets of clothing similar to what Leo was wearing laying on top of it. Leo didn't take much time to look at the cozy room as his eyes had fallen on the tray of food sitting on top of the desk. He could see eggs, bacon, toast, and jam as well as a big pitcher of water.
His almost pounced on the food he was so hungry.
"Eat, sleep, and be ready by late morning. This is your one time to sleep in and it's only to get some much needed rest. You have a lot in store for you, so I hope you're up to the challenge." Phineas looked to Leo once more, gave him a slight smile and closed the door. Leo hardly heard him walking away as he practically inhaled the food and water.
Leo lay in bed after his meal and slowly drifted off to sleep, his last thoughts about his angry, fearsome dragon and what he would need to do to prove himself worthy.