Rise of the Last Dragon Rider - 003 Parting Gifts (Patreon)

Elies stood there, looking different yet still barely a shadow of his former self.  Kaen could not believe how much the man had changed in just a few hours.

“I know I should tell you thank you, but I am still at a loss on what I should say,” Elies said after having stood quiet for so long.  “It had happened so many years ago.  I allowed my friendship with him to weaken me, and once he had bound me, both Tharnok and myself were collared like dogs.”

A growl sprung up from Tharnok that echoed through the landing room in his tower.  The dragon looked ready to spring and catch Elies if he faltered or fell; it was apparent he was very protective of him now.

“He was hamstrung just as much as I was.  If he retaliated and Havannath kept us separated or chose to command me to some far-away place, Tharnok would suffer as well.”

Shaking his head slightly, a sigh escaped his tired lips.

“I still cannot believe you resisted a binding by the king.  I know you have not shared all your secrets but to manage that is…”

Why are you two so strong? Tharnok interrupted.  I have told both of you that your rapid growth is unheard of.  In all my life, I have never heard of such a thing.  No dragon or dragon rider has matured as fast as either of you.

Pammon’s thrum reverberated around the room, and Kaen saw Elies smile even though Tharnok snorted.  He still considered Pammon young, and he had never shied away from telling both of them their need for maturity.

“Do you two want to come with us?  I know King Aldric would most likely welcome you both.”

Glancing around the room, Elies spotted and moved toward the chair he was looking for.

“I would not put him in that position,” he stated as he slowly made his way to his chair.  “It would create conflict these two kingdoms do not need in the coming times.  You still need to find a way to unite each king.  A task worthy of one of your stations.”

Plopping into the chair, he gasped from the pain, and Tharnok began to move toward him until Elies shook his head.

“I still need to decide how this will play out,” he groaned as he shifted on his seat.  “We have discussed the possibility of attacking Stoiks one last time and dying there in the process.”

“Let me know when, and I will join you!” exclaimed Kaen as he glanced between the two of them. “Together, we could defeat him!”

We have gone over this many times.  He is not alone.  His three females would assist, and four dragons against two, even with your skill with a bow, the odds are not good.  You are not ready for that conflict.

“If that is the case, then why has he not attacked with them yet?”

As I have told you before, those females are wild dragons. They have their own goals and desires.  They will defend if you attack the one they have chosen to follow.  Stioks will have a hard time convincing any of them to assist in an attack.  They gain nothing from petty human battles.

“Go to the chest by my armor and fetch the blue bag inside it,” ordered Elies.  “We need to discuss a few things before you go.  Havannath is not happy, and while I doubt he will attack the two of you, leaving today is the best decision.”

Glancing along the wall, Kaen saw the man’s armor on the stand.  It was an amazing set of chain mail and one that, if it could be altered, would be a blessing for anyone wearing it.  Sadly, the man was smaller than he was, and it did not appear the elves would be willing to fix it for Kaen after his outburst at the king.

The chest he was talking about was just a normal wooden one.  A few straps and a latch that were easily unhooked.  Digging inside, he found the blue pack near the bottom and held it up for Elies to see.  When he nodded, it was the one he wanted; Kaen shut the lid and brought it over to him.

Taking the pouch from Kaen, Elies unhooked the leather buckle and reached inside.  There in it was a rolled-up parchment.

“Lay this on the ground and use something to keep it from rolling up. Tharnok has one last thing to share.”

Pulling small knives from each of his boots, Kaen put them on the edges of the small map.  It was a good two feet tall by four feet wide, and as soon as he saw it he felt a shiver run through him.

What is it? Pammon asked as Kaen heard his dragon moving behind him to look at it.

“A map of the sea and what lies beyond,” he murmured as he tried to follow the lines and squares on the map.

“Correct,” answered Elies as he laid his head back against his chair and closed his eyes.  “Tharnok will tell you what you need to know.  Listen carefully, as it will be important.”

Clearing his throat, the elder dragon moved his head till it lay on the ground next to his rider and gazed at Kaen and Pammon.  It looked like someone had moved a massive shack next to Elies, as that snout could easily have fit either one of their heads in a single nostril.

That map is worth more than most people could ever imagine.  It shows exactly where my homeland is and with it a chance you might undertake when no other options are available.

Tapping a land mass on the west section of the map across a large amount of water, Kaen glanced up at Tharnok.

“Here?”

Yes.  Over a hundred years ago, since last we had gone, that land was ruled by dragons.  Boats, humans, elves, and dwarves keep clear of it, for intruding without a dragon will often end in death.  If you and Pammon attempt to go, you will be allowed access to the land and an audience with the council.

Pammon and Kaen both felt a wave of wonder from each other.

A council?  How many dragons make up this council?

A brief thrum emanated from Tharnok before he quickly cut it off, not wanting to show his amusement at that question.

Long ago, seven elder dragons sat on it.  Now I have no idea.  It has been generations, and I cannot begin to tell you what it looks like today.  If you travel there, remember they are weary of dragon riders.  The bond is powerful and gives both the dragon and rider many gifts.  A dragon loses some of the rage that can consume them.  Petty things like wealth, land, and mates can cause dragons to kill each other and rampage.  Power is everything.  A dragon rider curbs that as their passion is for their rider.

Turning his head, Tharnok gently tapped Elies's chair with a talon.

The dragon I would be if it were not for this man would be a monster.  I am temperamental and easily angered.  He has calmed me a lot.  The other dragons I knew before the council cut off the alliance between those who had riders.  All spoke about when riders kept dragons and men in check.  I doubt you can convince them to consider those days again, but you might be able to request a short alliance to help with Stioks.  If he gets a dragon egg and bonds, terrible things for all of us will take place.

A shudder escaped from Kaen as he thought about if that happened.  Stioks was already one of the strongest adventurers the guild had once had.  There were no others like him now.  Two hundred plus more years with him, only getting stronger would destroy the world.

Take the map and some of Elies's gear in the cabinets behind you.  Visit your people and stay with them.  Prepare the defense and seek out those who you can defeat.  We both know that the orcs and goblins have not given up, and the reports state they are three times larger than they were two years ago.  War is coming, and you must be prepared.

“I just…” Kaen started and stopped.  “How much can I really do against these creatures?  While Pammon and I have gotten stronger, we are not able to take them on by ourselves.”

Who said by yourselves? Aldric informed you of the army he was building.  You told me that the adventurer guild in Ebonmount had grown.  Do not try to win this war by yourself.  You are a hundred years from being ready for that moment.

Groaning, Kaen felt Pammon’s laughter after that comment, and soon, his front side was feeling it when Tharnok joined in.

Opening his eyes, Elies smiled and gave a slight chuckle.

“Kaen, we both know you are still growing.  I told Tharnok the moment I saw you that you were our last chance to win against what was coming.  You and Pammon will be the rise of everyone's hope for a future.  Be smart and use the brain you have inside your head.”

Putting his daggers up, Kaen began to roll up the map as he thought about what Tharnok and Elies had just told the two of them.

“You remind me so much of him,” stated Elies as he gazed at Kaen.  “From your hair, eyes, and how you hold yourself.  The one time I met your father, I knew right away he was a different breed of a man.  You are just like him.”

His face twinged as those words cut just a little.  He was like Hoste, but he was also different.  Hess had taught and raised him to be the man he is today.

As if sensing what Kaen was thinking, a grin appeared on Elies’s face.

“Yes, you are just like Hess was too.  He was a stubborn man when pressed but also one who would risk anything for his friend or others.  You have been fortunate to have two men give you so much.”

Chuckling, Kaen nodded and reached for the pack that Elies was holding out to him.

“Now go.  Hurry up and take the stuff I have that you can use.  All my weapons are better than most you will find.  Take them and use them, or give them away to someone who will, but you must leave.  Havannath will be foolish, and his daughter will make him act in a way he shouldn’t.  Leave now before you have to fight your way out.”

Nodding, Kaen stood up, held out his hand, and gently shook Elies’s when he grasped it.  That strong grip was gone, but there was still some strength left in this old man.

“Thank you for not taking it easy on me,” Kaen stated as he tossed the pouch over his shoulder.  “I seem to learn better when I am getting my tail kicked.”

Laughing and then coughing, Elies choked before he spat out some phlegm and nodded.

“As with most dragon riders, we are all hard-headed.  Just ask Tharnok anytime you need his opinion on that matter.”

Kaen smiled and moved to where Tharnok was, watching him intently.

“Thank you for all your help as well, Tharnok.  We could not be the dragon and rider we are today without you.”

Nodding his head slowly, he put his snout where Kaen could touch it, letting Kaen scratch the underside of his jaw.

You give me hope for tomorrow and the coming years, Kaen Marshell.  May you and Pammon show this world what they are missing by not having more like you.