Rise of the Last Dragon Rider - Chapter 060 - A dangerous past (Patreon)

Kaen spent the next two days watching his friend consume the dragon they had learned so much from.

While Pammon often ate in silence, driven by a task he knew he had to complete, Kaen also worked next to him, carefully cutting off and preparing sections of scales.

There had been a few moments where Kaen had to step back, letting a few tears escape as he took the scales from Tharnok’s corpse.

Had it been a random dragon, neither would have thought anything about what they were doing.  They had harvested many materials over the last two years, but this was different.

As flesh was stripped away and the scales were removed, bones began to show, a skeleton of the friend and mentor.

Amaranth had come and checked on both of them the day after they had struck down Tharnok but left quickly after having arrived, seeing the pain the two of them were in.

The four baskets Kaen had were sitting on the ground, bones already put inside that had been cut off and cleaned by fire.

“Call her and tell her to come.  She needs to grow also, and you are at your limit.”

Pammon snorted but knew Kaen was right.  His body was bulging from the sheer amount of flesh he had consumed.  His ability to eat had slowed down significantly, and even as he felt his body beginning to grow, there was no way he could finish off what was before him.

Pammon roared, his throat vibrating as he did, the sound warbling some, and soon, Amaranth came toward them, landing a little bit away to see what they wanted.

You need to come and eat.

Kaen watched as she looked at Pammon and then at the dragon's remains a little bit away.

Are you sure? It is yours.

If you are going to come with us, you must get stronger and grow.

Amaranth stared at Pammon before turning her gaze to Kaen, who was looking at her.

He is right.  You need this.  What is coming will be challenging, and you will need every bit of strength this will give.

Amaranth moved toward the carcass without hesitation and began to tear off pieces, swallowing quickly, afraid they might change their mind.

It had taken five days for Pammon and Amaranth to consume every last bite of Tharnok.  Both bellies were extended, stuffed from the ordeal, yet Kaen could already begin to see a change in their bodies.  It wouldn’t be noticeable for most, but having spent almost every waking hour with Pammon for the last few years, he could see the subtle changes.  His horns were getting longer on his head, the length of his wings had grown, and even his tail had gotten thicker.

His scales even took on a luster that made Pammon glisten in the light.  His bronze scales almost became more metallic in color.

“You are already changing, can you tell?”

Pammon nodded his head slowly as Kaen lay against him.  The stars were bright in the night sky, with only a sliver of the moon showing.

I can feel it, the power flowing through me.  It will take a bit for me to absorb it all, but I realize now why dragons fear one feasts on their own.  The power is absurd.

Kaen felt Pammon’s gaze turning to Amaranth, lying on the ground near them.  She had moved closer every night, almost touching Pammon as she lay beside him.

You can feel that coming from her, can’t you?

Resisting the urge to thrum, Pammon instead let out a quick burst of air toward Kaen.

I do notice it.  I am not ready to acknowledge it yet, but in time, I will.  That will change things.

That should be expected.  I’m not sure how this works for dragons, but I would assume you need to talk with her at some point.  Or that is at least I would expect Ava to tell me.

Unable to hold back, Pammon began to thrum, noticing Amaranth shift some as he laughed.

Suddenly, the tip of her tail brushed his back, and all his laughter stopped, replaced by an eerie silence.

That was until Kaen began to laugh out loud, sensing the feelings flooding their bond.

Go to sleep and stop that before I do something to you.

Ignoring Pammon’s threat, Kaen laughed until tears flowed down his face.  Then he felt Pammon’s snout push him over onto his side.  Still, Kaen continued to laugh, ignoring the frustration he felt coming from Pammon.

That night, they all slept well, the somber moment of the last five days having passed and knowing tomorrow would have enough problems of its own.

We are grateful and sorry for what was required of you to stop Tharnok.

Aethus had bowed lower than the others as all the council paid tribute to the fallen dragon.

He was a testament to the true strength a dragon gains from their rider.  Just as you, Pammon, are already proving yourself to be on the path to a level none of us can hope to catch.

Tell me, Aethus, why do you fear us?

A snort came from the golden dragon as he lifted his head and gazed at Kaen.

Fear? Do you think I fear you?

It is evident that you all do.  We can sense it coming off you like water after being in the rain.  Tharnok shared how you had treated him and the others before.  Why?

Each of the council members turned their heads to look at Aethus, staring hard for a moment before turning their gaze back to the two of them.

Do you know what you are? Rivenna asked as she bent her neck and brought it closer to them.  Do you really understand the threat you present yourself as?

Pammon began to thrum as Kaen looked at his dragon, who was laughing, obviously enjoying how the council was acting.

We are no threat to anyone who means us or those we protect harm.  Why do you not believe us?

Because your very existence means we are not free! Ravenna said with a growl, ignoring the grunts coming from Aethus.  We are not free to do as we will because you can–

Enough! Aethus cut her off, his aura and will dominating the other enough to stop her from talking. Ravenna is right.  You two can force us to give up our freedom.  Something that has yet to be done in more than a thousand years.  Who and what we are can cease to exist as we know it.  While our way may seem wrong, it has been this way since the first dragons.  The strong rule. It is that we work together to maintain balance and cull the threat that seeks to bring disorder to our way.

Unexpectedly, Aethus moved to the edge of his pillar and jumped off to the side, gliding down to the floor where Pammon and Kaen were, slowly moving closer to them.

The difference in size between Pammon and Aethus was on full display.  The older dragon was easily twice the size of Pammon. His wings looked able to stretch and touch the sides of the cave entrance they had flown in.  His mouth was so large it seemed if he wanted to, a single bite would sever Pammon’s head from his neck in one bite.

Do you think I have ever been afraid of one so small?  Neither of you is anything when compared to the five of us.  We should be able to snuff out your lives with little effort, yet we cannot.  What you are, Dragon Rider Kaen has not existed for a long time, and we have worked tirelessly to prevent it from ever happening again.  With a simple command from you, I would have to obey no matter how I felt.  You saw that when you caused Elynudra to stop her attack.  Imagine if you ordered the four of us to burn her down.  Do you think we could disobey you?

Kaen saw the others shift in place. Each council member had a sneer because they all felt how Aethus did.

Yet you treat the two of us like enemies even though we have done nothing to earn your disfavor.

Pammon’s tone felt like a snarl, anger coming across their connection, causing Aethus to slowly nod his head before he let out a snort.

Forgive us if we are leery.  The last one, like your rider, almost wiped us out.  His selfish actions that he believed were right cost us the lives of our council and hundreds of other dragons.  We gave everything we had to help stop him.  We only managed to do that by allowing our children to be bonded to men.  Selfish creatures who desire power above all.

Kaen coughed, wanting to speak but knowing there was a bit of truth in what Aethus had said.

And you would tell us that you and other dragons are not selfish nor desire power above all?

Of course, we desire power so that we can keep order!

Pammon glanced up at Elynudra, who had interrupted the conversation; the fury she felt burned from her eyes.

That sounds like something those who desire to rule over others would say to keep that power.

Who do–

Aethus’s growl cut her off as he didn’t spare a second to look back at her.

You are right.  We desire power, but if we were genuinely self-seeking, we would consume each other and every other dragon.  We would hunt down the strongest, using them as stepping stones to gain the power we each want.  Yet we do not.  We hold each other accountable and have agreed not to hold back if one of us steps out of line, seeking power that would lead to such corruption.

Motioning with his head, Aethus turned and looked at the other four sitting on the pillars above him.

Every one of us knows the cost of what we do.  We do not breed.  We do not grow stronger.  Our lives are confined to preventing a war from breaking out amongst our kind.  Yes, we know about the men in the sea who hunt our kind.  No, we will not stop them.  Their actions serve as a way to cull those who cannot see the wisdom in the life we have carved out here.  A life without the influence of dwarves, elves, or men.

Shifting his weight and taking a few steps that brought him closer to Kaen, ignoring Pammon, who moved to block his way, Aethus lay down on the stone floor, doing what appeared to be prostrating himself before Kaen.

We do not want to fight, but we cannot offer much in the war you are about to wage.  One other dragon has offered to go with you and Amaranth.  You have met her, and I doubt that she will offer much in the way of pure combat power, but she is one of the best when it comes to flying and fighting in the air.  She can teach you as well as support you.  She was impressed with the two of you during your brief encounter.

Glynnis?

Snorts came from the top of the pillars as the council dragons thrummed a few seconds later.

Yes.  The yellow dragon has answered the call.  We can offer you two who are willing.  As of right now, no other dragon desires to go.  They fear what you are and what you can do.  They all know how easily you defeated Tharnok.

Pammon grumbled. His frustration built up as Kaen moved forward and put his hand on his side.

I will not force anyone to join us.  While you took the opportunity to spread the truth about us as you see it, we will not act in such an unbecoming way.  We will gladly accept Glynnis with us and prepare to leave this place.  Just know this.

Kaen moved from the side of Pammon and stood by his front, yards away from the dragon that could have flicked out his tongue and snapped him in half.  Kaen crossed his arms over his chest and looked Aethus in the eyes.

There will be a day that we return. When we do, do not think we will forget what happened.  I cannot stand bullying of any kind.

After speaking, Kaen moved to Pammon’s side and climbed into his saddle as they felt the five dragons never take their glances off them.

Farewell.  As my rider has said, do not expect me to be so kind when we return.  The older I get, the more I may find myself acting as Tharnok did.

Aethus thrummed, lifting himself from the ground, his chest reverberating from his laughter.  When he stopped, he faced the younger dragon and smiled.

Pammon, I look forward to the day you return.  I have no doubt things will be different.

Turning, Pammon said nothing and simply sprung off the floor, beating his wings as he aimed for the tunnel.