16

Raiya

Raiya found that it was a lot easier to say than accomplish. Godrick had fulfilled his threat, talking to both Julian and Sibilla about what he had caught her doing. This in turn led to separate, harsh lectures and expressions of disappointment from both. She understood that what she had been about to do was wrong. The customs of Dragonspire were ancient and everyone was expected to abide by them. She knew that Godrick and Sibilla were very staunch defenders, supporters, and followers of it as they were of the Codex. And she had just been about to spit in their faces, in all they believed in after they had kindly taken her in.

She had also gotten Julian into trouble with the pair. He had always supported her freedom in activity and encouraged her to learn on her own just as much as she did with him. He never hesitated to answer her questions and he never shielded the truth from her. But she could see the regret in his eyes when he lectured her, that perhaps her behavior had required some sort of control. That he had ultimately led her into becoming a careless person, disrespectful of law and tradition. An acolyte's behavior and achievements reflected upon their master's.

No matter what she did in the following weeks, she could not seem to please the three. She had apologized and maintained the best possible behavior she could muster, but they continued to keep a close and continuously disappointed eye on her. Even Ashari expressed her own disappointment when the girl had come seeking advice after hearing what transpired from Sibilla.

Raiya had never been one to genuinely care for what others thought, but when it came to the people she loved, her worst fear was their disappointment. If she could fix that, if she could change that, all would be better. She was sure of it.

The same couldn't be said for Laura, Herbert, and the rest of the group who had been caught. Naturally as they were older and greenwings to boot, they were harshly punished. Raiya had gone out several times with baskets laden with food, apologizing profusely every time she saw them. They were often covered in filth, sweat matting their hair, and an impermeable stench following them around. Her first view of them, when they hadn't noticed her, was filled with tired, exhaustive figures. She could hear their harsh breathing and the occasional curse. Every time they saw her, she expected some sort of attack, verbal or physical. She’d be okay with it, she deserved it after all. But they never did. Laura would smile, thank her for the food, and that would be that. She offered to help but they shooed her away, telling her the barracks were no room for a distinguished acolyte. If anything, that made her feel even more miserable.

But she never came when she knew Godrick was there watching the group. She had done her best to avoid the man ever since the field and even Sibilla had been curious as to what happened for her to avoid him so avidly. She didn’t want her presence to be known by Godrick nor inconvenience the group any more than she already had. Ultimately, she slowly stopped approaching them as his ever watchful gaze grew increasingly, as if he knew something was up. Perhaps one day, there might be a better time for her to properly atone for what had happened on the fields. But today, like yesterday and the day before, was not that day.

Eventually, the weeks passed into months. As the end of the harvest season drew near, she noticed the hubbub of the fortress increase at the arrival of guests. These people ranged from important nobility to esteemed flyers to even the common folk. With their excitement and presence, so did hers grow as the Enthronement drew near. Even Julian, who tended to have his nose buried in a book, spent most of his time socializing with guests and introducing Raiya around. Her lessons had been shortened to allow for this, enabling her to put what she learned to the test much to his satisfaction.

The two were currently standing in the hall, she watching him greet and shake the hand of a familiar-looking man.

“…and Hyun is being trained under you specifically Ezio?” Julian was asking, drawing her attention to the conversation.

“Warren’s orders on witnessing a once in a lifetime event. They extend their apologies that they couldn’t attend and hope that Kiana and I will be good enough to represent Bellasea.”

“More than enough,” Julian replied warmly. “You’ve met Raiya, albeit briefly of course. Raiya, you remember the General Commander of Bellasea, right?”

She did remember the burly man from the seaside fortress. He was the one that had called Hyun away from her on the cliffs, his voice deep and commanding despite his short stature. Her eyes had been drawn to the ink on his arms, wrapping around them in unique-looking symbols and pictures. Even now they drifted to the intricate patterns, wondering what they meant and how he had got them.

“Greetings General Commander Ezio, it’s an honor to have you here at Dragonspire. Is Hyun outside then?” she asked, itching to run out and greet the boy. She wanted to tell him that she was taking safe care of the strange object they had found together.

“Raiya,” Julian warned, shaking his head imperceptibly. She was meant to stay by his side, not wander off and he wouldn’t let her forget that.

Ezio laughed at the pair’s exchange before saying, “I should go speak to Godrick, see if he needs my help. If your Master of Craft needs more able-bodied men to help with the platforms, let me know. Hyun could do with the intense labor.”

“And here I thought you were recommending your good self. Those muscles are hopefully not all for show.”

The men laughed before Ezio strode off whistling the beginnings of a jaunty tune that sounded like the Ballad of Veramyr and Mira.

“Almost like he doesn’t have a care in the world,” Julian remarked afterwards with a wistful smile.

“Platforms?” Raiya asked, tilting her head up him. “For what? Seating?”

“There are tall stands being built for the seating of the majority. A few platforms for the esteemed guests and most importantly, the giant boulders that will need transporting for the very first event. As for us, we will be sitting on one of the main middle platforms where the most esteemed will sit. We will have an incredible view of the proceedings.”

“Speaker Julian, in all your teachings you’ve yet to really explain what the Enthronement is. What do the Queens do and how do you pick the winner?”

Julian was surprised, wondering how he had made the mistake. He adjusted his glasses quickly before coughing into his hand. “Walk with me child as I explain briefly then,” he finally said, his mind scrambling to form a coherent explanation. The pair began to walk down the hall, pausing every now and then to greet esteemed guests. In between these moments, he spoke carefully.

“When the first Queen was born, there were no issues. She was the highest dragon in the fortress with no other similar female contender. When this Queen laid a Queen egg, it was given to another fortress. The cycle repeated until all the fortresses had a Queen. And then, another was born. During this time, the frequency of Queens, as you learned, were far more common. So, now that there were two mature Queens in the fortress, which should rule? At first, the fortress decided the older one would remain Queen. The reason being that the older had more experience and was therefore stronger and more capable. This lasted for a hundred years until one day, two Queens fought suddenly, tearing viciously into each other. The younger killed the older much to the surprise of the fortress. It was this Queen’s flyer who automatically assumed the now-vacant Chieftess position that introduced the idea of the Enthronement. The Queens would fight, sometimes to the death, for the position. So they fell in line, the highest being the Empress, the second becoming the Dowager, and the last holding no additional titles. It was gruesome, bloody, and a savage ceremony not far from being considered a ritualistic sacrifice. It didn't take long for other fortresses to denounce this sort of way of determination, especially seeing the unrest and unease growing within their young Queen flyers. It would be better to control the selection. So eventually another Chieftess from another fortress issued forth a proposition to make the Enthronement less...brutal. The fortresses all agreed with her proposition, wanting to prevent as much dragon fighting as possible. The Queens were the only way for them to continue expanding their ranks and maintaining their power, it would not serve them well in the long-term future for this to continue. Peace, especially after the harsh times of war, were on the minds of all. So the Enthronement instead became a series of challenges, different for each fortress, that determined would lead. Despite the different challenges, all nearly tested the Queens on these four main skills: physical strength, fire power, speed, and intelligence."

Julian paused, glancing down to see if she was still listening after his lengthy explanation. Catching his gaze, she took the opportunity to speak before he continued.

“So, it’s just like what I read in A History of Dragons, The Beginnings of a Fortress, A Queen’s Biology, Determination & Succession: The History of Enthroning a Queen…” She trailed off as another thought came to her. “Speaker Julian, those two Queens that fought, were they…where were they from again?”

“Rajin Fortress.”

There came little surprise over this revelation. She had guessed it herself before asking. In most things brutal and bloody, the east was often associated and it was almost always the notorious Rajin Fortress.

"And who recommended the change, what fortress was she from?"

"I believe she was from one of the northern fortresses, perhaps Kaerndale."

“Do you think what she recommended was a good change?” she asked, ducking behind him as they exited the hall into a cramped corridor. “The new Enthronement over the old?”

“Anything that doesn’t promote violence is good in my books, child. There is no need to have dragons fight each other, they were not born to do so.”

They couldn’t finish their conversation, the cramped corridor drowning out their voices as others mingled loudly, slowly trudging around to their destinations. Julian grabbed her hand and gently pulled her along, cutting through the crowd with swift greetings. She marveled at his calm demeanor and his ability to acknowledge everyone without any fault or hesitation.

“Rai!” She thought she could dimly hear her name be called, but it quickly faded away as her eyes remained focused on his back, her gaze filled with adoration. She could easily say she idolized her master, without a shred of doubt. “Rai!” the voice called again. This time, Julian heard, and he turned his head to the side, seeing the familiar figure of Marigold trying to push her way through the crowd to them. Knowing that she could not hear, he lifted their entwined hands to point in Marigold’s direction, directing the girl's gaze to the woman that had finally reached them.

“Goldie!” she exclaimed, immediately letting go of his hand to hug her.

She laughed, returning the hug before pulling back and peering at her. “Is your head getting bigger from all the information you’re shoving into it yet?” she teased.

Raiya stuck out her tongue, ignoring Julian’s look of disapproval. The man beside her honestly didn’t know what he was going to do with this child. Truly, he must think of some punishments that would dissuade her from behaving so poorly in public. He did not want to be on the receiving end of Godrick’s fury again.

“Where are you going with that?” she asked, pointing to the basket hanging from Marigold’s arm. “Are you having a picnic with somebody?”

“No, no. Nothing like that, you know me! Dragonlady Denali sent for refreshments for both her and Dragonlord Hyun before heading out to the field to meet him.”

It was as if she had been struck out of nowhere. She wasn’t sure what this sudden, painful sensation was a result of. Julian sensed her discomfort immediately, as he often did. He wasn’t stupid. He could put two and two together quite easily, especially after the trip. The girl had developed a crush on the boy. As to what extent and how deep he couldn’t guess, but it was obvious to anyone who witnessed their interactions or whenever Hyun was mentioned around her. His brows furrowed slightly as he considered the crux of the problem. Hyun and Denali were besotted with each other, having no eyes for anyone else. Now, he considered the pairing a great one, equal in terms of age and experience. They had a common ground to stand on as flyers, a shared background as Ioyarians. It would be pushed for by others, but with the weariness surrounding the easterners, especially the pair that had been elevated to high positions, it could also be a doomed one. Should he involve himself then? Prevent her crush from developing any further than it already had? Or should he meddle with the other and potentially push them apart, and perhaps Raiya forward? Or perhaps he should let things be and let it be a good lesson for all three. Relationships were not easy, heartbreak will be experienced at one point or the other, and there were no shortages of challenges to test the relationship. He could only think of his own experiences, especially regarding Iva. He decided he would simply sit back and observe, report his casual observations to Sibilla and Godrick, and allow them as her parents to speak to her regarding these tender matters of the heart.

“Very good, we won’t keep you then Miss Rivera. Last I heard, Hyun was being summoned to work on some of the platforms so you best hurry lest you face Denali’s wrath.”

Both Raiya and Marigold blanched at the sinister smile on Julian’s face.

“Yes, yes!” Marigold said quickly, the fear evident in her voice. She gave Raiya an apologetic look before pushing her way again through the crowd opposite the way she had come.

“Did I say something particularly bad for your expressions to have been so?” Julian wondered, watching her move with far more haste than she had when she was trying to approach them. The basket was her shield, pushing through and deflecting anyone who got in her way.

“You did say she would face Dragonlady Denali’s wrath if she didn’t deliver the food before he left,” Raiya answered. She couldn’t quite keep the same chipper tone she usually had. She felt a seething mass of negativity fester inside her stomach, squeezing her insides and coating her tongue with a foul taste. Her chest clenched so tight she felt she couldn't breathe at times and her head was beginning to pound. She felt like she was going to cry at any moment.

Julian patted her shoulder gently before pulling her alongside him once more. He was quiet for a moment, wondering if he should say anything to her. It was only when he heard her quiet sniffles that he finally said, "Raiya, dear one, life is complicated in many ways. Soon you’ll come to understand that the most complex things we humans have ever faced, and will probably ever face, are the relationships that bond and tie us to one another.”

She didn’t bother responding to that. She didn’t quite understand what he meant, but she figured it had something to do with adults and their romantic connections with each other. Like Sibilla and Godrick. Denali and Hyun… She swiped furiously at her tears, keeping her head lowered so that the people they passed by wouldn't notice.

Seeing that he hadn’t accomplished his goal of cheering her up, Julian remained quiet himself. He hoped that the coming days would provide ample opportunity for the girl to focus on putting her lessons to the test, and be a necessary distraction from unnecessary fixations.

*~*

The last two days before the Enthronement flew by quickly, much to Raiya’s dejection. She hadn’t managed to meet and spend any time with Hyun since his arrival, instead glimpsing him with Denali in her spare time. She was eager to tell and show him that what he had entrusted to her was okay and that she was even trying to figure out what the carved metal ball would be used for. But each time she was free to go searching for him, she would find him with Denali, the pair walking closely together, their heads bent intimately in confidence. The rising bitterness would be hard to swallow and a part of her wanted to keep both the ball and whatever she found out about it to herself, their shared secret be damned. Why shouldn't she spite him when he so clearly seemed to enjoy doing the same to her? He who said to look upon him as a brother yet not once had he come searching for her since his arrival. She'd walk away from them, her hands clenched and her feelings tumultuous.

She broke away from her thoughts, rising from her bed with a tired sigh. She was not surprised to find that she had woken up alone once more. The other three girls often woke and left far earlier than she did, especially on today of all days. No doubt they had already spent hours prepping Denali for the big day. She meandered over to the bathing room, cleaning and dressing herself methodically. Her mind was elsewhere, thinking of what the day held. Her mind went back and forth between Sibilla and Denali, which of the two women would prevail today. She thought of Priyana, the huge golden Queen that exuded smugness and confidence, the very air of pampered royalty surrounding her. She thought of the old Queen Shegil, weary yet laden with experience.

And she thought of Ralph.

The man who stood most to gain in all of this.

She threw open her door in a huff, wanting to rid her mind of that weasel-like man. Thankfully, a distraction lay waiting in the form of a tray laden with food, left at the front of the door. Stopping, she gingerly picked up the letter, recognizing Julian’s loopy cursive handwriting. The letter instructed her to meet him at the library as soon as she finished eating.

“Thank you for your foresight,” she said aloud gratefully before stuffing her mouth full of bread with honey, plump star fruits, and washing it down with a glass of water. Lifting the tray, she scurried down the hallway, found the nearest servant she could foist it onto, and then made her way swiftly down to the library, greeting the important dignitaries in a show of good mannerisms.

While she wove through the throngs of people, she couldn’t help but hear their conversations. Many were discussing who would win, even casually placing bets amongst each other. The favorite of the gathered crowds was of course none other than Denali.

Annoyed, she burst into the library, ignoring the glares she received from the people inside. Julian raised his head in alarm at the sudden, loud noise. “Raiya! Mind yourself,” he scolded sharply. “No need to make such a ruckus, especially in the morning. Come, now that you are here, we must make haste.” He snapped the tome he was reading shut, standing up and quickly striding out past her before she could even breathe a word out in response.

She noticed that as soon as he was by her side, it was no longer her needing to recognize and greet the dignitaries but the other way around. Many stopped the duo on their way to the fields, exchanging greetings foremost but mainly trying to see what his thoughts and hopes were for the Enthronement. Did he have a person in mind to win? A favorite of the Speaker of Dragonspire would not only sway several votes but also give insight to the political machinations within the fortress.

Julian skillfully avoided the traps however, navigating the conversations with practiced ease. She understood now what he had meant when he explained the phrase “political savvy” to her.

As they stepped outside, she asked, “Do they often try to trap you like that? How do you avoid it so easily without offending anyone?”

“It comes with practice my dear. Practice and a good helping of common sense. Your loyalty is to your fortress, and you must do everything to present it, the people in it, and yourself in the best light possible. Your job is to obtain information, but not reveal anything you know. A skillful navigator with a sly tongue, a certain charm, an air of innocence and naivete. That is exactly what makes children the best spies you know. The best information gatherers.”

Raiya was appalled at his last statement. “Do you...use children as spies then?” she asked tentatively.

He glanced down at her, a smile that she didn’t recognize settling across his face. “I use whatever means and methods that are at my disposal for my fortress. For Dragonspire.”

The chilling finality in his tone shut her up. She didn’t press further, and he didn’t speak after. The pair followed the crowd towards the field, but instead of heading down the path the majority treaded, Julian nudged her off to the side, nodding his head towards where Ralph and Godrick were standing.

“Afternoon Chief Ralph, General Commander Godrick,” he greeted the pair warmly.

“Speaker Julian,” Ralph returned, barely hiding the sneer that came after saying his name. “And your little lamb too. Always trailing after you.”

“Afternoon Chief Ralph, Commander Godrick,” Raiya echoed. She ignored Ralph’s stare, not wanting to look at the man and instead turned her gaze to her father. She hadn’t interacted with him after the incident in the field and her face was full of hesitation.

“Julian, Raiya,” Godrick returned the greeting, his hand extending to pat her head. She couldn’t help the small flinch that came over her and she was aware that everyone had noticed it. Godrick hesitated, but still gently settled his hand over her head, patting it softly. His eyes conveyed unspoken apologies and the need to speak with her in private later. “I suppose you guys are heading to the main platform in the middle to find a good pair of seats.”

“If assigned seating were implemented, there would be no need to rush down here quickly,” Julian responded, his tone jovial despite the pointed criticism.

Ralph scoffed, saying, "And why would we need assigned seating? Find a free spot and settle in it. The earlier you take the initiative, the better your rewards. You have no one to blame but yourself for wanting to be lazy."

“The work that the Carpenters Guild has done is astounding. Truly, we must give thanks to Guild Master Enayat for having a few master carpenters sent over from Khurleigh Keep,” Godrick said quickly, gazing at the ornate structures and decorative wooden platforms and stands.

“Foreign craftsmen instead of our own measly apprentices and few journeymen,” Ralph muttered, his distaste plainly evident on his face.

“Are you speaking ill of my men Ralph?” a tall, bald and burly man asked as he approached the group with a grin. “I’m glad Godrick here appreciates us.”

“Greetings Master Ulrich but if you’ll excuse us, we must find seats before they all fill. We wouldn't want our laziness and lack of initiative to result in us standing throughout the ceremony,” Julian spoke quickly, tugging Raiya along behind him. As they walked away, she could hear the three men begin to go back-and-forth. “I don’t think either of us wanted to sit there and listen to them hash it out.”

Raiya shook her head in agreement, the smile on her face huge as she remembered the expression Ralph had made just before they had walked away. The platform he was leading her to already had people seated and engaged in conversations. He motioned for her to go down the third aisle of seats first and tapped her shoulder when she reached the middle to stop her. As they took their seats, she could see the stands beginning to fill with people, the noise non-existent in comparison to that of the dragons circling about. The flyers had their own separate stands and their dragons settled about near them, whether on large juts of rocks or on the grounds close to the stands. A few of the smaller ones clung to the taller stands. But none of them could remain in the air once the Enthronement started. The skies must be clear of all other dragons for the Queens’ safety.

Julian was turned in his seat, engaged in conversation with a man in similar robes to his own whom Raiya recognized instantly as Speaker Joseph. Catching her curious gaze, he gave a small nod of acknowledgement before resuming his conversation with Julian in hushed tones. She noted that his acolyte, Shea, was not with him. Turning forward again, she waited for the Enthronement to begin. She saw Ralph approach from the side, alone, taking his seat in the front row. Though the man lounged in his seat, the picture of nonchalance to those afar, she could see how tense he was. Despite his careful planning, there was still a chance that Priyana could lose and his plans be for naught.

The crowds heading into the fields thinned and trickled to a stop. The skies were clear of dragons, all settled and waiting for the start of the event. They seemed to sway to an unknown rhythm, their heads thrown up, wings slightly spread as they synchronized their movement. The air seemed to thrum with an energy that pushed and pulled at all their senses. Then, simultaneously, all the dragons roared. The deafening noise had Raiya clutching her ears and gritting her teeth alongside many others. As the roars died down, three answering ones were heard in the distance. A signal of the arriving Queens.

Raiya lowered her hands slightly, her eyes sweeping back and forth across the field in search of their approaching forms, but she could see nothing. The thunderous sound of wings beating the air grew closer and the crowd began to cry out. Those around her pointed upwards, talking animatedly amongst each other as their excitement grew. She looked up but didn’t see anything in the sky except for the thick layer of clouds and mist. She kept looking, holding her breath as her eyes eagerly searched for even a slight shadow, but still nothing. Fed up, she was about to turn her gaze away when Shegil burst through the clouds with such speed that she jumped in fright.

The Dowager Queen landed easily despite her fast approach and, from her back slid Sibilla. The crowd cheered for their Chieftess who, in turn, waved before making her way to one of the three tallest pillars located on the side of the fields near the stands, beginning her climb up the ladder. Pavoth broke through the cloud barrier next, her grace and elegance were a captivating sight to behold. Iva dismounted easily, making her way to the second pillar while waving to those who called for her attention. Raiya noticed that Julian had sat up more straight upon the other’s arrival, and she glanced at him out of the corner of her eye. The man’s gaze was fixated earnestly on the pale-haired beauty, his expression love-sick.

“Why are you staring at Dragonlady Iva so earnestly?” she whispered to him, feeling the sudden need to tease her often upright master.

“Why do you stare after Hyun so intently?” he returned with ease, never taking his gaze away from Iva.

“I do not stare at him intently! He’s a friend and I simply look at him to see that he is doing alright.!”

Julian smiled, bringing a finger to his lips as he winked at her. “Then Iva is also my friend. A remarkably close, very intimate friend.”

She wrinkled her nose in response, sensing but not quite understanding the hidden meaning behind his words. Her gaze returned upwards to where the youngest of the three had now just arrived. As Priyana broke through the cloud barrier and landed in between the other two Queens, it was very easily apparent at just how much larger she was in comparison. Standing far taller than Shegil and Pavoth, she spread her wingspan over the other two Queens while rising on her back legs. From her long, narrow head emerged two enormous horns. Several smaller horns ran down the sides of her face leading to her muscular neck and massive body. The scales on top gleamed a rich gold in the sunlight while the thicker ones below shimmered a pale gold. In this pose, her four massive limbs did not detract from her elegance but added to her imposing stature as her head swiveled around, her gleaming red eyes alighting upon all as she examined her surroundings. The thin membrane, tinged a light red, underneath her wings glowed under the light before she dropped down, folding her wings quickly to avoid clipping her fellow Queens. Raiya realized then that there was a small figure gripping the horns, Denali. The woman unstrapped herself and carefully climbed down her dragon’s back. Once her feet touched the grass, the crowd burst into cheers, loudly calling both her name and Priyana’s. Bowing to the cries of the crowd, Denali made her way to the final pillar, a grin etched upon her face.

“She’s far larger than you told me Julian!” Joseph said excitedly. He had leaned forward to be heard over the loud masses. “She’s close to the size of the dragons of old! Truly, your fortress is blessed my friend!”

“If only more fortresses could have Queen eggs, and the ones that are lain could hatch to be of imposing sizes,” Julian agreed. “Trust that Dragonspire does not look lightly upon this fortuitous moment. Rather, we see it as the beginning of a new age. The dragon-flyers will return to their illustrious days of old and Priyana will be the one to usher in the new era!”

“By Geria, Julian, how big is she? Do not keep me in suspense!” Joseph begged the other man.

Raiya turned her head slightly. Joseph’s eyes were wide, a glint in his eyes that bordered on maniacal.

“The latest measurements have reported her to be…one-hundred-and-sixty-six-feet.”

“Geria’s blessings,” Joseph murmured, slumping back in his seat.

Raiya could hear other conversations near her also talking about Priyana. She tuned in, listening carefully to what others were saying.

“How did Dragonspire come to be so lucky?”

“Do you think they did something to the egg?”

“But how can that be? Surely, they don’t have the tools to do that?”

“Dragonspire is always finding success while the other fortresses struggle. You tell me how that might be.”

“Do the comments spoken not concern you?” she finally asked Julian, wondering how he could sit there so calmly while others openly spoke such things.

“The rabble of the unfortunate will always drown out the quiet existence of the fortunate.”

She turned her gaze forward but despite his nonchalance, she could feel herself growing increasingly agitated as the comments continued.

The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

“Everyone!” Ralph shouted, rising, but the crowd could not hear him over their excitement. Only when Mazanth approached the stands, his imposing presence and gleaming teeth bared, did the crowd quiet quickly. None wanted to face an irate dragon, especially Ralph’s.

“If I may have your ear,” he began again, “welcome to another Enthronement!”

The crowd cheered politely in reaction, a few even calling out the names of their favorite Queens while others called for their flyers.

“Since the dawn of dragons and the existence of our Queens, we have struggled to find a way for all to coexist and share power. During the savage days of old, we would have our most important dragons fight to the death to secure their place as the sole Queen in the fortress. But no more! Chieftess Varuna Khan saw away with this after she herself witnessed and experienced the bloody battles that went on between our most prized dragons. Thanks to her, we now welcome multiple Queens to a fortress and set up a series of challenges that decided which would be the best. The chosen Queen would be our Empress! She would lay the clutches that would keep our fortresses strong! She would be the symbol of power for the fortress!”

The crowd roared in approval, stomping their feet on the wooden floor. Julian, however, frowned shaking his head. "That's not true. Chieftess Varuna Khan was the one who actually started the bloody Enthronement for it was her dragon who had killed the older Queen. What is he saying?" Raiya tilted her head in acknowledgement of his words, wondering too why Ralph was speaking incorrectly.

“For centuries now, the Enthronement has been our guiding way of determining the future of our fortresses. Every fortress has created their own, unique challenges for testing their Queens. But we here at Dragonspire pride ourselves in having one of the most diverse, humane Enthronements out of all the fortresses!”

While the crowd continued to cheer in excitement, Raiya noticed that the Speakers, flyers, and other prominent figures from the other fortresses bore less-than-pleased expressions. It was clear that not everyone here today found Ralph’s speech rousing.

“Our trials,” he continued, “will test the fire power, speed, and agility of our Queens. We will start off with one of our most renowned challenges, Pyroblast, followed by Vertitour, and then Airbatics if necessary. May the best Queen secure her victory and establish her dominion over Dragonspire Fortress!”

As if on cue, three Specialists pulled in three gigantic metallic-stone boulders in front of the Queens. While Pavoth and Priyana clearly exhibited eagerness as they examined the boulders, Shegil remained calm. For her, this was no different than the other Enthronements she had faced in the past. She turned her head to the side, staring at Sibilla. The two had already agreed on the outcome.

“This is really between Pavoth and Priyana,” Julian murmured to Raiya, watching the exchange between the two.

“Is it because Shegil is older?” she asked surprised.

“No, not because of that. I believe Shegil and Sibilla are done with leading, they want to pass on the mantle. Look, see how they are facing each other? Their body language says thus.”

“But why? Doesn’t she know she can do more for this fortress than letting Denali take over?”

“Well, my dear, who is to say Priyana will win? Pavoth may yet win, and I think Shegil will do her best to help her.”

“Is that even allowed? Isn’t that…cheating?”

Julian shrugged, his lips twitching slightly. He didn’t say more, instead directing her attention back towards the front. The Queens moved one at time to their flyers who each held a bucket filled with piezoelectric crystals. After they were fed, they returned to their spots, ready to begin.

“Enthronements must be planned carefully you know. This would not have happened if Shegil had had a mating flight and was expecting. It would damage the eggs irreversibly if she were to digest the crystals to breathe fire.”

Raiya listened to his small tidbits of information, the little explanations he wove in here and there as they both continued to watch were greatly appreciated to the girl who was witnessing her first Enthronement.

“Now,” Ralph spoke, extending his arms. “We will test the fire power of the Queens first. The Pyroblast Trial consists of three rounds with three boulders of varying materials. The Queens are meant to destroy the boulders in any way they can, fire is mostly expected but physical strength will be accepted as well. It does not matter. What does matter is which one succeeds first.” His arms remained extended, and he glanced around briefly to ensure that everyone’s attention was focused before dropping them with a shot. Two of the three boulders were instantly engulfed in flames with the sound of cracking stone filling the air. But Shegil did not breathe fire, rather, she wrapped her thick, muscular tail around the boulder, lifting it up and slamming it down multiple times. Shrapnel of rock and metal exploded outward and Raiya worried that the shrapnel would reach the crowd watching. But despite her pulverizing the boulder rather quickly, it was Priyana who won the first round. Her plume of fire was far fiercer than Pavoth’s and its power was greater than Shegil’s physicality. Her boulder was the first to be destroyed, melting quickly into an unrecognizable sludge of rock and metal. Shegil was next, her last slam finally causing the boulder to crumble. Pavoth was last, her jet of flame petering out pitifully. Her boulder, though half-melted, remained standing. The remains of the boulders were either removed or pushed aside by the Specialists to make way for the next one.

“These second boulders are made of balite and kennelite. Extremely fire-resistant. The Queens cannot rely on their fire as they did beforehand.”

“Like iron?” she asked.

Julian nodded his head. “Yes, close to iron but not quite. It’s a metal native to Geria, or so they say. It could be alien-made.”

Raiya froze, thinking back to the strange sphere in her room that looked like it was made from the same metal in these boulders.

“Priyana takes the first round! If she wins this next one, the trial is hers!” Ralph called to the cheering crowd. He raised his arms once more, signaling for everyone to get ready for the start of the second round.

At his second signal, Priyana was the only one who chose to breathe flame once again. The two older Queens did not, knowing it to be futile. Instead, Shegil stood up, using her wings to help her balance before she crashed down upon the boulder. It crumpled under her weight but did not break. Shegil did not seem to wince at all from landing hard on the thick stone. She continued her attempts without hesitation. Pavoth followed after Shegil, her tail being too slender to attempt to slam it against the ground repeatedly as the Empress had done beforehand. The boulders continued to dent underneath their weight and Pavoth’s boulder seemed ready to flatten at any moment.

But no one was paying attention to either of those two.

Everyone’s eyes were riveted on Priyana who, to everyone’s astonishment, was melting the boulder.

“Impossible,” Julian murmured, shock and awe written all over his face. “Unless…?”

“Unless what?” Raiya asked.

But Julian didn’t respond. He thought of Priyana’s size and now the sheer, raw power she possessed. If only she could breathe fire without needing the crystals, he’d believe her to be one of the dragon gods of old.

Pavoth’s and Shegil’s movements had slowed for they too realized what was occurring right beside them. They had never seen anything like it before.

“Amazing!” Ralph gleefully shouted out. “Priyana’s fire can reach such extreme temperatures that she is able to melt what is considered fire-resistant!”

The crowd roared hearing his words, their excitement loud and clear. Shouts for Denali and Priyana filled the air as she finished melting the boulder. Priyana’s head extended up and she roared, sending tremors throughout the crowd.

“She won,” Raiya murmured, her own disbelief written plainly across her face. While disappointed, she too was rather impressed at Priyana’s strength. She felt proud of the dragon whom she had helped raise since she was but a hatchling.

“Lucky indeed is Dragonspire,” Joseph said from behind them, echoing his early words. She didn’t need to glance behind her to see the envy in his eyes, she could hear it laced clearly in his words.

“Priyana is a fine example of what a Queen should be and a sign that we are returning to the glorious days of old,” Julian agreed once more. “Dragonspire is honored to be the first to help usher in the new era.”

“She did it without eating more of those piezoelectric crystals. How is that possible?” she asked Julian.

“I wish I had an answer, little one. If Dragonlady Denali and Priyana permit me, I’d be honored to examine her alongside Robert.”

“We have a winner!” Ralph cried out, interrupting their conversation. “Priyana has revealed herself to be the strongest of our three competing Queens! Indeed, the youngest is turning out to be the worthiest choice! So concludes our test for fire power. Now, we will begin the trial that tests their speed and agility. Their endurance and fortitude! So begins our next trial…the Vertitour!”

“Who came up with these names?” Raiya muttered aloud, finding them amusing.

“The Vertitour is a rather fitting name,” Julian replied, a sly smile sliding across his face. “Listen and you’ll understand why.”

“The Queens will compete in a circuit throughout the various biomes surrounding Dragonspire. A tour of sorts in the sky! The first to arrive back here will be the winner of this trial!”

Ralph paused, gauging the excitement of the crowd. He was doing his best to push for Priyana, but he realized that it wouldn’t be necessary anymore. The people watching were all waiting for her, calling her name. He allowed himself a small, private smile. All his plans, the time he had put in, and most importantly the “currency” he had sent and received were all for the security of his rule. Priyana was expensive, but worth all of it. She and her flyer would bring unto him eternal power.

“Such biased behavior,” Julian muttered. While he could appreciate the magnificent specimen that was Priyana, he did not like Ralph’s attitude in general. He knew exactly why the man was gleeful and relished in the thought of him losing out even if it meant potentially losing Priyana as well.

Raiya nodded her head in agreement before asking, “If Priyana wins this trial, will they still do the third one?”

“No. If Priyana wins this, she will have won the majority. It would be moot to do the third trial since it wouldn’t change anything. A waste of time so to speak.”

“She’s at a disadvantage though, right? She doesn’t know the circuit as well as Pavoth and Shegil,” she observed, watching the Queens line up near the outer edges of the fields. “She’s only a year old and this is her first Enthronement. Pavoth and Shegil must know the skies better and perhaps even shortcuts throughout the biomes.”

“Ralph would surely have taught her the circuit over the months he has been training her. Denali will also be guiding her in case she needs help.”

“At the sound of the horn, you may begin!” Ralph shouted, nodding to the three women standing on top of their columns. He raised his arm, ready to signal the horn-blower and, with only a slight hesitation, lowered it quickly.

The sound of the horn immediately followed, and the three Queens quickly hurled themselves upwards. Despite the power Shegil and Priyana displayed, it was clear their huge sizes were a disadvantage when it came to dexterous movement. Pavoth benefited from being the smallest and having a lighter build, therefore possessing more agility and speed when taking off than the other two. She quickly left them behind her as she soared forward, disappearing over the forests.

“We won’t be able to see them now though,” Raiya complained in realization. What was the point of this particular trial if they couldn’t even watch!

“Sometimes the thrill of an event is not watching things unfold with an expectation but being surprised at the unexpected ending.”

She pouted, slouching in her seat. “How boring.”

“Must I continue to remind you that you are no longer a child, Raiya? You are a budding young woman. You must behave as such. More than that, you’re an acolyte. Your inner thoughts and emotions should never be so easily displayed.”

“Yes Speaker Julian,” she dutifully replied. Then, she had a thought. “Wait, can’t we just watch from the eyes of the dragon?”

“No!” he quickly replied, swinging to face her alarmed. “We must not, under any circumstances, link up with the Queens. We must not interfere with the Bond. During the Enthronement and when the dragons fly to mate, we must never join in.”

“What do you mean? Will it…ruin the Bond?”

“The dragons are always entwined with their flyers. They are always linked. But during intense situations such as these, their Bond is strengthened. It’s forged into something more. You must not intrude on the connection even if it is to just watch quietly from the sides.”

Intrigued, she filed the information away for later research. She had always been interested in the Bond and how Speakers especially might interfere with it with their abilities. There were now some instances where she must never use her gift. It was more than enough to strike her curiosity.

A breeze drifted over the crowd, a nice reprieve from the rising heat of the day and the aftermath of the fire-breathing. The smoke of the last event drifted past those seated, many having come equipped with veils or masks in preparation. Servants approached carrying trays laden with fruit, pastries, pickled vegetables, and chilled beverages. Many eagerly accepted the drinks for though the breeze was nice it was a temporary reprieve against the scorching heat. The platform and seated stands had awnings that provided shade and Raiya, amongst many others, were thankful for that foresight despite the earlier cloud layer and mists.

As her gaze shifted around, it landed on the couple before her. They seemed unperturbed in the heat, as if they were used to it. Then, with startling realization, she realized why. With their darker complexion, exotic robes, and matching dragon circlets, it was clear they came from one of the eastern desert fortress.

Julian saw her staring at them and leaned over to whisper in her ear. “That’s the Chief and Chieftess of Rajin Fortress. Amir and Rana Qureshi. No surprise they came here. They are the ones who sent Denali to us.”

Before she could respond, the stirring of the crowd regained her attention. Many were pointing and crying out and she too looked to see what had caught their attention. At first, she saw nothing near the fortress where everyone’s gaze was fixed on, but soon she began to hear the loud, thunderous sound that signaled the arrival of a dragon. The clouds that had been so thick in the morning had all but disappeared in the afternoon. But the few that still clung to the mountain peaks and the towers of the fortress helped Pavoth blend in easily. It was only until her silver body rounded the spiral of one of the towers in a tight, controlled turn near side-ways with her wings fully spread out that Raiya was able to distinguish the dragon from the wispy clouds.

Pavoth flapped once, maintaining her elevation while giving her a singular burst of speed as she continued to glide elegantly towards the point from which she started. So leisurely was she at the last leg of the race that Raiya’s heart thumped in fear that Priyana would swoop in unexpectedly to take the win thereby winning the Enthronement in its entirety. But there was no sign of either of the two larger golden Queens and Pavoth did a spectacular flip in the air to please the crowd before landing lightly, roaring her victory alongside the cheers of the crowd.

It was quite a bit of time before the other two emerged. Shegil appeared first, having the slightest edge since she was smaller than her daughter and therefore a bit faster, but Priyana was doubling down furiously with her rapidly beating wings. The flap of Shegil’s wings were lazy, almost as if she didn’t have a care in the world. It was more and more apparent that she was not trying, allowing Pavoth to take the win without a struggle. Priyana, however, continued to push hard with the last bit of her youthful strength and endurance to overtake the Empress. Regardless of who came in second though, it didn’t matter. But still, seeing this level of competition was thrilling for the crowd who cheered for their favorites.

“Power, endurance, and strength…” Julian trailed off thoughtfully as his eyes remained fixated on Priyana’s form.

“She would have made a good WarFury,” Raiya murmured to him, and he nodded his head in agreement.

“Indeed, she would have been a great fighter with her physique. Perhaps if she loses this Enthronement, she can lead a wing with Dragonlady Denali.”

Raiya started, looking at him in surprise. “But I thought Queens were not allowed to fight? They weren’t designed to. Plus, it seems obvious to me that Dragonlady Denali seeks not the power of a fighter, but that of a ruler.”

Shegil had now been left behind as Priyana soared past, landing less elegantly than Pavoth, but looking none the worse for wear. Shegil landed easily and though being the oldest of the three, still radiated power and strength. If she had tried at all, there was little doubt in Raiya’s mind that she would have won. Sibilla stood on the platform and, though one could not see her expression, everyone knew her to be proud of her dragon. There was a renewed sense of respect for the oldest pair competing.

“The winner of this trial is Pavoth the Graceful!” Ralph announced, noticeably less enthused over the results. “Pavoth has shown that, despite being less powerful than Priyana, she is far faster. Indeed, smaller dragons tend to be quicker than their larger, more powerful counterparts and Pavoth has always been known to be our most agile and graceful dragon. Beautiful to look at only.” The hidden insult did not go unnoticed by the crowd as they laughed in their seats nor by Pavoth who had whipped her head around to eye the man, her glowing emerald-green eyes shifting to darker hues as they narrowed in disdain.

While a few were unhappy, many cheered loudly for they were happy that there would be a third trial.

“You see, no one likes an Enthronement that ends early. It’s especially a disappointment for those who have come from afar to witness the event. When Shegil competed against Pavoth, Shegil won very easily much to the crowd’s chagrin,” Julian explained to her. “I’m sure many are pleased that this time isn’t a repeat of it.”

“Yes,” Ralph called out as if answering Julian. “Rejoice at the beginning of the third trial, Airbatics! We’ve seen the power of our Queens, we’ve seen their speed, and now, let us see their agility!”

Raiya frowned. “I feel like this third trial is such a waste if it truly tests only agility. Isn’t the whole point of the second to do just the same? Speed and agility are one in the same, right? Therefore, it seems wasteful to have a trial dedicated to agility when something else could be tested, like intelligence.”

Julian smiled. “Raiya, it never ceases to amaze me when you display your own intelligence despite your few years. Indeed, it is a waste, but it wasn’t always the actual trial. A former Chief changed it so that it would mainly focus on showmanship. To put it simply, it’s less skill-based and more appearance focused. A pointless thing to worry about if you ask me.” He sniffed, upturning his nose slightly as he turned to face forward in his seat once more.

“Wait, can a Chief just do that without consulting anyone?” she asked, thinking back to the scratched-out entries she had seen in the books she had read.

“Naturally he got permission from the Council to change it, but I wouldn’t be surprised if there have been edits made without anyone’s knowledge.”

“And Ralph? Did he change anything during his time as Chief?”

Julian sighed, shaking his head. “That man has done nothing for the fortress and everything for himself. I wouldn’t put it past him to change texts to suit his needs, but I very much doubt he has. Ralph has essentially found loopholes to profit from. I do not envy the next Chief to follow him for they will have a rather hard time fixing his wrongs. If they even want to in the first place.”

“–our new Empress!” Ralph finished his speech and the crowd cheered wildly again. Raiya hadn’t paid attention to what he had been saying, having focused on her conversation with Julian, but the last bit caught her attention. Ralph gestured for the crowd to quiet down and this time they listened instantly, afraid of inciting Mazanth again. He lifted his arms, ready to signal the beginning of the third trial, but Shegil’s roar stopped the beginning downward swing of his arms.

Confused murmurs rippled through the crowd at the sudden interference. Shegil began to move towards Sibilla’s pillar.

“What is the meaning of this Sibilla!” Ralph shouted angrily.

If Sibilla responded, none could hear from the distance as she slowly climbed onto Shegil’s back. Both moved towards the platform carefully and as Sibilla drew nearer, Raiya could easily see the hardened expression on Sibilla’s face. Her hand immediately went to Julian’s arm, squeezing it tightly in her sudden fearfulness. She knew what was about to happen.

“Ralph,” Sibilla called down as she finally stopped near the man who had his fists clenched. “Shegil and I have decided that we are in no fit state to continue to participate. We must respectfully drop out of the Enthronement.” Her tone booked no room for argument though it was obvious Ralph would not let her go easily.

“The Chieftess of Dragonspire Fortress forfeiting an event such as this!” he cried out loudly, ensuring everyone could hear. He knew he could not dissuade her, but he would at the very least embarrass her. “It seems that time has not been kind to either of you. Fortunately, we will have a younger and more capable pair to lead us now.” He sneered at her, but she simply gazed at him coolly, not giving him the satisfaction of a reply.

Shegil, however, growled at the man, her gem-like eyes glittering with malice. The dragon was not offended that her flyer made her out to be weak, but she did not like the little man who sneered up at her. How easy it would be for her to snag him in her jaws and crush the life out of his fragile form.

“We will respectfully withdraw from the event and the fields. Shegil and I need to rest.” They turned, leaving the field and as they did so, Godrick also rose from near the front of the seats. He hurried down the side of the platform and briskly followed the pair, Nythointan emerging from the side to walk alongside him. No doubt they were going to check on the two and this blatant display of such affection was another direct insult to Ralph in front of the others. He knew this for his fists had clenched by his sides again and the veins on his neck and arms seemed to bulge and pulse with anger. His face darkened as he turned back to address everyone.

“Unfortunately, our former Chieftess,” he snarled the words out, “has decided that she is incapable of competing. Her lack of respect for our traditions, our values, and for the Codex is a display most foul. It is a blessing indeed that we will soon have a more capable Queen and Chieftess to take up the mantle and respect our ideals!”

He had expected cheers to follow as they had after all his other speeches. But instead, he was greeted with silence. Even though many wanted Priyana to win, no one wanted to disrespect Sibilla and Shegil. The pair were greatly loved and respected by the people of Dragonspire. Even those who had come from afar had heard about her skills as a healer and the many lives she had saved. She had fought for a better life for those deemed beneath her and this had endeared her to the lower-class greatly as well. For him to slander her so openly and rebuke her publicly when announcing her withdrawal had instead earned him the ire of the crowd. While they looked upon Sibilla fondly, the same could not be said for him. Many blamed him for the fortress’s shortcomings. Many viewed him as a power-hungry individual that had sold his fortress to others. The united front that was meant to be presented to the public had crumbled instantly, though it had never really been there to begin with in the first place with those two. The crowd knew this and kept silent.

“His treatment of his Chieftess is appalling,” said the dark-skinned woman seated below them.

This was the first time Raiya had heard the Chieftess of Rajin Fortress speak since the start of the Enthronement.

“Indeed, my love,” agreed her husband. “There is clearly no love between them. Unsurprising with the vast age difference.”

“Oh, but we all know it isn’t the age difference, but that Godrick is her true mate,” she said smoothly. “Did you not see him run after her like a love-sick puppy? He was robbed of his position they say. Leaving the fortress with a young, somewhat incompetent leader.”

Those around the pair were clearly listening in to the conversation for a few had nodded their heads in agreement while others chuckled. Julian, however, remained stone-faced and Raiya understood that he was embarrassed. The reputation of Dragonspire and its people would suffer after what had just occurred.

Ralph could hear the remarks, but he ignored them. He took a deep breath in, exhaling it to calm himself. He had to get the crowd back on his side.

“We will begin the third trial immediately!” he called out, plastering a smile on his face.

He signaled the start of the round immediately, catching both Pavoth and Priyana unaware of the sudden commencement. Priyana, however, was the quickest to recover and she seized this opportunity to display her beauty to the crowd. She extended her wings, standing on her hind legs as she twirled about. Then she launched herself into the air, doing small tricks.

Pavoth now had to wait for her turn.

Priyana was a beautiful dragon, this no one would deny as sunlight struck her scales, making them glitter like golden treasure. If they judged for appearance alone, it was obvious she would be the winner. But because she was so large, her feats of agility were rather unimpressive. The best thing she did was dive straight down from the huge height she had reached, pulling back at the last second to avoid crashing into the ground and letting the sun highlight her figure.

But it seemed truly she had nothing to fear for as she landed the crowd went wild for her.

Pavoth’s own silver scales twinkled beautifully under the light, shining near as bright as the stars in the night sky. Her small, serpentine figure easily weaved through the air, twisting, and turning with impressive loops and fascinating contortions. It was a hypnotizing display, especially when she made use of the platforms and stands innovatively, weaving between them, turning sharply to show her agility. When she finished, the crowd also cheered loudly for her though it was noted that the level did not quite reach the same amount as for Priyana.

The two Queens went to their flyers to await deliberation and final judgement.

“So, who determines the winner?” Raiya asked, curious as to how a voting was to be conducted.

“Usually, the Council in its entirety would deliberate and decide after the third trial.” Julian frowned as he said this, and she realized why. They were missing Godrick for one and it seemed like the Councils’ votes would be swayed easily to Ralph’s wants.

“But Godrick…” she voiced out loud her thought, her concern growing as Julian grimly shook his head.

“Yes, he isn’t here, and I doubt Ralph will send for him. This means he won’t be here to vote which unfortunately means the votes will be skewed in the majority towards Priyana. Most of the Councilors support Ralph and will follow his vote. No doubt that is why he specifically selected this as one of the trials. He truly covered all his bases, the sly bastard.”

She gasped, her eyes widening in sudden understanding. “Then that means…!”

“Yes.”

“But that isn’t fair? He must send for Godrick. You just said the Council in its entirety! Why did everyone agree to these suggestions?”

“Yes, but if one willingly does not show or departs, they are technically resigning from voting. That can happen and has happened before. It’s unfortunate but I doubt even if he was here there would be a change in the outcome. I do not know what Ralph has done to convince the majority of the Council to fall in line with him, but I will soon find out.”

Julian rose alongside Ralph, his expression still grim. She saw five others also rise and follow Ralph behind the platform.

She didn’t know what to do now. A part of her wanted to eavesdrop on the deliberation, but she would get caught by everyone here. Another part of her wanted to check on Sibilla, but she knew Julian would be angry if she left during the middle of the Enthronement, especially during something as important as the announcement of the new chieftess. She wanted to see if maybe she could find Hyun and talk to him about what happened, but the boy wasn’t seated at her platform. She had no idea where he might be.

All that was left was simply waiting. So, she sat, fidgeting in her seat anxiously, mindlessly chewing on her lip as she glanced at the two Queens every now and then. Priyana seemed to be engaged with Denali, her giant head dwarfing the woman’s body as it hovered close to her. Pavoth was calm, sitting with her tail curled around her, her wings folded carefully, and Iva too had sat cross-legged on her platform, still as a statue.

“I do believe our dearest Denali has won this.”

Raiya’s ears perked as the woman, Chieftess Rana, spoke to her husband in quiet tones. She was thankful that the pair was seated in front of her. She could listen in without causing any suspicion. Hopefully she’d learn more about Denali and her connection to these people and Rajin Fortress.

“Lord Khan will be pleased to hear of his daughter’s achievement,” Amir agreed, reclining back in his seat casually.

She frowned, wondering if there was an underlying message being relayed here. She had heard of Lord Khan, the current lord over Khurleigh Keep. He was a man with a fearsome reputation, one that even Julian and Sibilla did not enjoy speaking of at all. But that was no surprise since he came from the much revered and reviled Khan bloodline. They were the oldest and most notorious, filled with many infamous historical figures, both good and bad. Their wealth and influence were enormous, and they had often used it to start many wars and uprisings, often pitting the entirety of the east against the other continents. The most recent and notable case being the war that had started the Age of Calamity.

And Denali was one of them. The daughter of the current head of the clan, Lord Saif Ali Khan. When she had first arrived, Raiya had had an inkling of why she behaved the way she did. She had grown up in a prestigious family with access to things most others could only dream of. Her name in and of itself was both a weapon and shield and she used it easily, without even at times needing to do anything more than just mention who she was. As the two spoke below her, Raiya began to have a bigger understanding of just how powerful the Khan family truly was, especially the patriarch that oversaw not just Khurleigh Keep but what seemed the entirety of the east.

She wanted to ask them some questions, her curiosity rearing its head, but she forced it back down. She didn’t want to get in any trouble with Julian and she didn’t want to enter a political conversation when she was so inexperienced. She would most likely either be ignored or taken advantage of easily. It was better to just quietly listen and observe and speak with Julian about what she heard after.

“Oh, here they come,” Rana remarked as Ralph and the others slowly emerged from behind the platform.

Her heart sank because the deliberations had been short, too short.

Julian resumed his seat beside her once more, his face carefully blank. She tried to capture his attention, to ask the unspoken question, but he gave a slight shake of his head, denying her. But though he hid his emotions carefully, Raiya had spent enough time near the man to understand his body language. His body might appear relaxed, content even to others, but she could see that his body was taunt with anger. His carefully hidden hands clenched, his generally relaxed eyes unnaturally sharp, his smile a bit too wide, and the shaking of a leg that couldn’t be stilled from anxiety.

Her unasked question was quietly answered.

Ralph signaled for the horn-blower to sound, drawing the quieting crowd’s attention. “I am pleased to announce that, despite the opposition of only a small few, we have come to an agreement! Pavoth’s elegance and speed is indeed unparalleled in comparison with her fellow Queens. I can easily admit this and would that be enough things might have been different. But we do not just need elegance and speed, no, we need power and strength as well. We need a Queen who can provide us with larger clutches, filled with quality eggs. We need a Queen that represents those of old, a symbol and reminder of the strength of the fortresses and their dragon-flyers! That Queen…is Priyana!”

The crowd cheered, shouting Priyana’s name reverently. Many had witnessed her hatching and now they were witnessing her enthronement. Denali climbed delicately onto Priyana before the pair moved towards the stands and platforms. She waved to the crowd who also shouted her name, throwing flowers from the baskets they had brought with them to shower upon the victor.

Raiya could already envision the triumphant smile on her face, a look of extreme satisfaction. She felt a sudden feeling of unease, her hands twisting in her robes as she heard Denali begin to speak.

“People of Dragonspire Fortress,” she called out as Priyana continued to move slowly, deciding to circle around instead of stopping by the dais. “It is our honor to lead Dragonspire to a greater future! Rest assured that under my lead, there will be many reforms and changes for the benefit of us all. No longer will I permit our fortress to decline as the nobility fatten themselves in their manors. No longer shall I let our faith, our beliefs, and our standing disappear. We will be the shield that guards the sanctity of truth and honor. We will be the sword of justice that attacks with retribution. We will remind all that without us, they would be hiding within their walls, fearing an unknown assailant. That without us, they would wage wars upon themselves recklessly.”

Raiya rose quickly and began to make her way off the platform, not wanting to listen to the rest of Denali's speech.

“Raiya!” Julian called out after her, jumping up to try to stop her but she ignored him, dancing away from his attempt to grab her. “Raiya, stop!” he called out again, the anger evident now.

But she didn’t care. She was angry and she felt nauseous. She wanted to find her parents and seek comfort in their arms. She wanted to be a child.

As soon as she stepped off the platform, she ran and did not stop until she was inside the fortress. She leaned against the wall, gasping for air as her vision blurred. She could no longer blame the wind for her tears. She slid down the wall, her hands covering her hot face. A few servants stopped, concerned for her but she waved them away angrily. She couldn’t speak, overwhelmed by her emotions.

She hadn’t given much thought to this because she wanted to believe that it wouldn’t happen. But it did. With Denali becoming the new chieftess, Sibilla was no longer allowed to remain at Dragonspire. She would be forced to retire, sent to the Elysium Isles with Shegil for no other fortress would accept an old Queen flyer. But there was another matter. If Sibilla went, Godrick would without a doubt follow her. She’d never see either of them again. She would experience the pain of losing her parents once more.

And if she truly looked deep within her heart, she’d realize that what she really was crying over was the thought of being abandoned.

A large, calloused hand gently touched her shoulder, and she looked up, her tear-stricken, snot-nosed face a mess. She could barely make out the face of Godrick.

“Oh, Godrick!” she cried, lunging into his arms. Her fear of his anger and his touch had disappeared amidst her sadness and want of him to stay. In truth, she had already forgiven her father in her heart. “Please, don’t leave! Take me with you if you go! I don’t want to be a Speaker if it means having to stay behind. I don’t want to be abandoned by anyone again!”

Godrick didn’t say anything. From the moment a servant had delivered the news of the outcome, he and Sibilla had known what Raiya’s reaction would be. He had gone in search of the child, knowing she would need comfort and he had been right.

He picked her up, cradling her gently in his arms as if she was still the five-year-old girl that had come to the fortress for the first time and carried her away.