Rise of the Last Dragon Rider - Chapter 056 - The council

The mountain range Amaranth had mentioned looked nothing like she had described.  Neither Pammon nor Kaen could fault her in that the size of it was even greater than the mountains surrounding Ebonmount.

Prominent black peaks rose so high into the sky that neither Pammon nor Kaen felt a dragon could fly that high.  Ice covered the top of the mountain, and even with the sun hitting it directly, it provided a glare and reflection that could be seen the moment the mountains came into view.

Does that snow ever melt?

No.  It has been like that for as long as anyone can remember.  Ages ago, dragons used to compete to see who could fly the highest, but the councils of old made them stop as it was told that none had ever reached the top, and so many had died from the attempt.

Kaen could feel Pammon gazing up at it, almost mesmerized by the possible feat, waiting for some dragon to accomplish what was deemed impossible.

Don’t even think it.

Too late, Pammon stated, thrumming a little as his eyes fought to break free from the challenge. There is a part of me that just seems called to try it, almost like when I see a new animal to eat, wondering if it will be better than any other I have had before.

Amaranth’s thrum broke the moment as Kaen realized they had not yet broken the connection with her as they talked.

Dragons still attempt it, ignoring the council's decree, and all those who do not die in their attempt suffer at the talons of the faction leader when they return.  Pammon is right, though.  There is a longing in all dragons to fly beyond what seems impossible to reach.  Sometimes, that desire takes over, and a dragon that managed to return has said they never intended to try and yet found themselves soaring up the mountain.

Kaen felt Pammon agreeing with what Amaranth had just stated.  He could feel the pull toward it.

Wanting to find something else to focus on, Kaen asked the question he needed an answer to.

How much further?

You have asked that question way too many times.  I feel like a parent telling a youngling we will get there when we get there.

The thrum of Pammon cleared the enchantment that had held him for the last few minutes.

Kaen does sound like an eggling on occasion.  I deal with that same question more times than I care to admit.

Letting the wind sweep his laughter away, Kaen thumped Pammon on the neck.

Some of us like to know those things.  Now, how far are we?

Two more hours or less.  The real problem is what you noticed an hour ago.

Kaen glanced behind them and saw that the entourage of dragons was still there.  Four of them were flying a reasonable distance away, but someone, or perhaps a dragon named Glynnis, had flown ahead and told others they were coming.

I hope you two are ready for this.  By the looks of it there will be a host of dragons waiting to see you make your entrance.

Again, the description Amaranth had used by saying a host fell very short.

The black mountain was covered with dragons in the air and clutching to rocks and crags, all waiting to see who the new dragon rider was.  Every color of dragon imaginable was there.  A group of green dragons sat near each other on one side while two pink dragons circled high in the sky.  A gold and silver dragon appeared to be fighting over a spot on the mountain to claim as their own, and yet at least fifty or more dragons were all waiting near the giant mouth of the cave that would lead them inside the mountain.

I could not dream of so many of my kind.  Pammon’s usual tone in his head seemed in shock.  Had you told me this was real, I would have accused you of drinking again.

Snorting, Kaen couldn’t help but laugh.  He couldn’t believe it was real either.  His whole life, he had known there were a couple dragons in the land he grew up in.  Learning there were six once he had Pammon had rocked his mind.

Now, it felt numb as the truth of what flew around him became real.

We will ignore them.  They will not stop us.  Just follow me and try to not hit the walls of the cave.  You wouldn’t want to make a bad entrance.

The cave entrance was well over two hundred feet tall and even wider.  How one might consider hitting the walls of it seemed impossible until Kaen considered the size some dragons must reach.  The entrance was pitch black, with no light but what came from outside showing.

He activated his lifestone, letting the fire of it burn slightly, and joined himself with Pammon, allowing himself to see the world through his eyes.

The cave entrance came to life.  No longer dark, he saw where the rock had been hewn from something, scratches, and marks in the stone walls.  Even a mile from the opening, Pammon’s sharp eyesight let him see farther into the tunnel, watching it go on for a while.

How deep is this cave?

Amaranth must have laughed, but it was hard to tell for sure as so much was going on around him.

We will be flying for a few minutes.  There is a grand opening inside.  Do not worry; there will be light in there for you, but I’ll let that surprise have its own moment.

A few seconds later, Pammon entered the opening, the rushing of wind and sound coming over them as they followed Amaranth, who glided effortlessly along the stone walls.  She had plenty of room, and Kaen realized so did Pammon as they occasionally beat their wings, allowing the wind that rushed toward them to help them fly without as much effort.

A few minor twists and turns came, but for the most part, the tunnel was a straight shot with no natural rise or decrease of elevation.

Pammon was anxious, and Kaen could feel it through their bond.  He knew he felt the same and wondered if the two were causing each other to be worked up even more.

Taking a few deep breaths, he calmed himself, letting that flow through their connection and into Pammon.

Thank you.  I needed that.

Scratching a scale, Kaen nodded, enthralled by the sight around him.

Suddenly, a glow appeared ahead, and blue lines ran along the edges of the cave.  Kaen could see through Pammon’s eyes what looked like some kind of metal deposit that ran like a stream all over the rock sides and bottom.  It flowed toward the area they were flying at, getting brighter as more and more cracks and fissures filled with the substance increased.

A turn came, and as they made it, flying to the right, both Pammon and Kaen felt their breath catch in their lungs as they saw the massive entrance opening up into a cave that had to be a mile wide and tall.

Sounds of dragons grunting and roaring had echoed through the tunnel, but now there was silence as they flew toward it.

Bursting through the opening, they saw up ahead, raised high on platforms, five massive dragons that seemed to dwarf them in size.

Watching the three of them enter were the council.

A gold dragon sat in the middle, the one Amaranth had called Aethux, spilling over the stone pillar he sat on.  To his right was an almost plum-like purple dragon, Valthor. She was nearly as large as Aethux, and her gaze felt like someone boring into his mind.  Next to her was a massive green dragon with scales like emeralds, only slightly smaller than Valthor.  They appeared to not even be concerned with him or Pammon but fixed their eyes entirely on Amaranth.

To the left of Aethux was a dragon that to call white would have been an insult.  Perhaps silver or pearl.  Its scales gave off a glow from the blue and white light that the ore in the room was giving off, filling the entire cave with enough light to see under Kaen’s own vision.

The last dragon was a massive brown dragon, bigger than Aethux, and his scales looked jagged and sharp compared to many of the others who had smooth scales.

“Hairy dwarf balls,” Kaen muttered as he stared at them.

Amaranth led them on a path that brought them to a massive platform that sat a few hundred yards beneath the five enormous stone pillars and landed, making room for Kaen and Pammon to join her.

Be strong. I will protect you no matter what.

Kaen felt the same tone as the other day when Pammon made that statement.  The fear and nervousness that had been there a moment ago was gone.  It was replaced by a dragon whose sole life was sitting on its back.

As they landed and Kaen began to unhook himself, he felt pressure coming at them from above.

[ Charm Resisted ]

[ Fear Resisted ]

[ Intimidation Resisted ]

[ Glammor Resisted ]

[ Charm Resist Skill Increased x 8 ]

[ Charm Resist Skill Upgraded - Aura of Resistance gained ]

Pammon started to thrum, and Kaen couldn’t hold back either.

Their laughter filled the massive cavern as they gazed up at the five dragons who sat there, shocked looks filling their eyes.

You felt that, didn’t you?

Pammon gave a slight nod before turning to face the dragons looking down on them.

Greetings Council.  My dragon rider and I appreciate the warm welcome.

The tone Pammon spoke in almost shocked Kaen as he slid off his dragon and moved to stand slightly behind his chest and to the side.

Kaen glanced over at Amaranth, who he realized was flattened against the stone floor, her head pressed so tightly against the ground that she couldn’t move.

Looking up at the council, he saw them taking everything in.

Shaking his head, Kaen glanced at Pammon, who sensed what he was thinking and nodded.

The fire in his chest had not gone out, and now it roared to life.  He was angry.

Striding to where Amaranth was, he noticed the green dragon was trembling slightly.  Her eyes closed. She couldn’t see him as he came toward her.

Relax.  I am here, and I have told you I would protect you.

He got to her side and put his hand on her head, scratching the scales along the ridge of her tightly clenched closed eye.

Watching her, he willed his might upon her.  He wanted her to know he was there and would do as he promised.  Slowly, her eye loosened, and her eyelid finally opened up.  He saw her silver eye watching him, trembling for a moment.

“Resist it.  Do not let that fear overwhelm you.  Remember what Tharnok said and believe.”

Her breathing, which had been small, short gasps of air, returned to normal.

Kaen felt Pammon behind him smiling and a sense of pride rushing through their bond.

He continued to scratch her head and then gave it a few gentle pats.

“Stand and be the proud dragon that I know you are.”

He took a few steps back and watched as the green dragon kept her eyes on him.  Her head turned, fighting an invisible hand that seemed to want to keep her pressed down.

A wave struck Kaen again, but he felt it wash off him like water on a duck's back.

“Ignore it. Stand.”

With a grunt, Amaranth turned her head completely toward Kaen and began to press with her legs.  Slowly, at first, she began to rise, and suddenly, whatever had been holding her down seemed to be cut off, and she almost jumped off the ground.

Her eyes sparkled in a way Kaen had not seen them ever do.

Shaking her neck and head, she sat on her back legs, puffing out her chest.

I submit my life to you and Pammon.  You have done the impossible.  You have freed me.

Behind them, a roar louder than any Kaen had ever heard echoed through the cave.