Chapter 293: A Lot of Reading (Ch.293)
"All you have heard is a na...how are you certain I am he whom your books have spoken of?" Lord Skiren asked.
"The genealogy of the heralds of the Asvarian Stronghold. Chapter Two titled ’The Jade Scaled’, Entry Four: The Lord of Jade scales as his title tell possessed scales of a cold dark shade of jade."
"His orbs were a bright yellow, a beacon that could be seen from a great distance. His tail was a long and powerful whip, his scales were shaped like a half moon...he was of the East sea clan, and so he possessed a natural affinity for water."
"Living and breathing in the depths as easily as one would on land. His flas were fad for their icy cold aura and his preferred habitat was that of a freezing temperate...the entry was quite descriptive, and all circumstances are a perfect match." Neveah replied, glancing around the cave pointedly.
"The second Chapter of the genealogy of the heralds does tell of the Jade Scaled, but the Jade Scaled it tells of was known by the na of Lord Tanlor, and I am called Skiren."
’You must know by now that many dragons are born with scales of similar shade."
"Your Lord Dragon, narx who bears the title of the Ruby Scaled is not the only dragon with red scales. There are many others, one could be easily mistaken." Lord Skiren said after a mont of quiet.
"Noble Clans of the Asvarian Stronghold, Chapter 107 titled ’Nobility Crests’ Entry 17: The Lord of Jade Scales was bestowed the na Tanlor by The High King Agardan along with his crest of nobility, his original na ceased to be known afterwards."
"History and Territories of the Asvarian Stronghold, Second Edition. Precisely cited in Chapter 207 titled ’The first flight south’, Entry five: Amongst the lord dragons to accompany Agardan the vanquisher on his flight, there was a young jade dragon whose wings were yet to harden."
"His na was Skiren..." Neveah countered.
The cavern fell into pin drop silence, the only sound that could be heard was that of the water droplets dripping down the jade dragon and back into the pool of water. There was also the sound of trickling water hitting the rocky ground sowhere in the cavern.
The intense stare of the jade dragon was unnerving and Neveah bit down on her lip, this was already the hundredth ti in the past day that she had let her thoughts run free and spoken them out loud without sparing a thought to the consequences.
Neveah could not begin to determine the thoughts that ran through the mind of the jade dragon, the only discerning sign that he was again displeased was the grip of his tail around Neveah’s wrist.
The grip of the jade dragon’s tail was now painfully tight, it was sure to leave behind a bruise and it grew tighter yet still but Neveah did not let out a single sound.
In a brief mont of curious awe, Neveah knew she had said more than enough, now she could only wait for the jade dragon to break the silence first.
"You have studied
quite intensely, I see." Lord Skiren’s voice sounded in Neveah’s mind, finally giving in.
Neveah had expected the Jade dragon’s next words would be a booming growl, but it was quite the contrary. The voice in Neveah’s head was calm and the tone was rather amused.
"As much as the history books tell, I have read much of them." Neveah replied honestly.
"You are a curious one then?" Lord Skiren asked.
"Not usually...selectively." Neveah replied.
"You know a lot, young rider. More than your age or origin should allow. I have lived many centuries and many riders have co to my doors, not many know of ." Lord Skiren said.
This was the last thought he spoke in Neveah’s mind, Lord Skiren retrieved his tail and then right before Neveah’s eyes, the mighty Jade dragon shifted into a man, stepping out of the waters to the shore.
Lord Skiren was a man that appeared to be in his late thirties by human age, in his human form, his eyes were the exact shade of jade of his dragon scale, just as it was with Xenon and his endless pools of pitch black mystery.
Lord Skiren stood at about 6ft in height and was dressed in a loose tunic and leather breeches, both of which had surely seen many better years.
His clothing was completely dry even if he had just been in the water, but Neveah understood the circumstances of his dragon form did not necessarily have to leave visible effects on his human form.
Lord Skiren’s hair was trimd short to his head, surprisingly neat when compared to his surrounding.
There was a scar running along from the top of his left eyebrow down to his upper lip.
His appearance was fierce, an old battle worn dragon through and through.
Though Neveah was not certain why anyone would chose to live all alone in a dark and freezing cold cave, she guessed she would understand if she had faced half as much battles as a dragon like Lord Skiren had.
"I was to be an attendant to Lord Xenon of Onyx scales, it required much study and for the first few weeks since arriving dragon keep, I did not much else but read." Neveah explained, realizing Lord Skiren stared at her expectantly.
"Your knowledge of our history is largely flawed, you must not have had anyone to guide your study." Lord Skiren pointed out, crossing his arms over his chest.
Neveah frowned slightly, she was certain she rembered it all exactly as it was written, she could not tell which part of what she had said was flawed.
"I was never on the King’s guard." Lord Skiren continued.
"But the books definitely say..." Neveah began to argue but was cut off by Lord Skiren’s gruff voice.
"I know what the books say girl! But do you suppose the books would know better about my own tale than I do?"Lord Skiren quizzed.
"When it is put like that...I guess you are right." Neveah replied, stepping away from the wall of the cavern she had backed into.
In human form, the Jade dragon did not seem quite as terrifying as he had just a mont ago.
"If you were never on the King’s guard, why does it say you were?" Neveah asked curiously.
"I do not feel inclined to tell you. Just because you recognized
does not an I find you likeable enough to reminisce about my past." Lord Skiren replied blankly.
"Fair enough." Neveah said with a nod of understanding, swallowing down her curiosity.
"Of all the riders, only the King’s guard is sent my way for their first trial. Why do you think this is?" Lord Skiren asked Neveah as he gestured with his head for her to follow and then headed on down a dark path.
"The riders on the King’s guard have great responsibilities and are to be bonded into a sworn duty...their trials are considered an event of great consequence." Neveah replied.
"The King’s guard are the most noble and the most revered Lord Dragons but this honor cos with a great price."
"They must face life and death at every turn, they must be willing to make the ultimate sacrifice whenever it is required of them."
"If you have read your history well enough, you would know that though the lifespan of dragons stretches across centuries,"
"Since the founding of the stronghold up until this mont, only a handful of the previous King’s guard still live." Lord Skiren revealed in a matter of fact tone.
"In short, I shall not have a very long life." Neveah surmised.
"High King Agardan’s seven King’s guard are left with but two... one of whom is your Lord’s brother." Lord Skiren continued.
"I am aware." Neveah replied, keeping close to Lord Skiren since she could hardly see more than a few steps ahead by herself.
"The succeeding High King and our liege’s predecessor boasted of a King’s guard of ten great dragons... none of whom live as we speak." Lord Skiren added.
"I did not know of that..." Neveah replied, thinking back to the sight of King Jian in the deceased King Asrig’s unmarked morial hall.
"Our Liege is prudent, he has chosen but five most trusted...less people who are duty bound to die for him. It cannot be said when their duty shall require their life but what is certain is that such a day shall surely co." Lord Skiren said again.
"For what cause do you tell
this?" Neveah asked suspiciously.
"You are not like others, Kaileen and Misha were both the true bonded of their Lord Dragons. You are a chosen bond, you still have the chance to reconsider your path." Lord Skiren replied.
Misha... this was the second ti her na was brought up and though Neveah had pointedly ignored the first ntion, it was hard to swallow down the question caught in her throat.
Reviews
All reviews (0)