The Only Dragonrider – Chapter 3

Welcome, Fantasy Nerds! This is Chapter 3 of a collaborative fantasy story that we will be taking turns writing. If you haven’t read the first chapter, you can find it here. We hope you enjoy our story!

Chapter Three – Clever

We were fairly certain that my former master would be on the lookout for us. Besides, dragons are large, loud creatures, so stealth wasn’t really our best option. We decided to go in fast and hard. 

We would take the initial part of the journey slowly, until we were close to where they kept the dragons imprisoned. By this point, I was comfortable riding on Arathyn’s back. In between training with my magic, we had practiced flight maneuvers. Now I lounged in the saddle, as the wind ruffled my hair. 

“Why has it been so long since a dragon chose a rider? From what I read, both the dragon and rider are stronger together. Wouldn’t every dragon want a rider then?” I asked Arathyn.

Of course we all want to have a rider, but only if it’s the right one. Choosing the wrong rider would be a fate worse than death for a dragon; as you know, the rider can command the dragon. 

Arathyn adjusted his flight path before continuing. 

At first, humans approached the dragons with the intent to form a bond. It was a pure and trusting relationship. Over time, some humans discovered that they could order their powerful dragons to do their bidding. Most stayed true to their dragon, because of the bond that was formed between them, but the power corrupted a few. Some humans even started seeking a dragon simply for the control they had over the dragon, rather than the unbreakable bond that it was intended to be. 

The dragons had to be more careful in choosing their riders. This only made things worse. Some of the humans felt entitled to a dragon. It made them angry when they were not chosen to be a Dragonrider. As fewer and fewer riders were chosen, the humans began to panic. They started putting chains on the dragons, thinking it would force them into choosing a rider in order to be set free. Dragons were no longer companions and equals; we became slaves. After that fateful decision, another Dragonrider was never chosen. 

I nodded my head. I understood all too well how it felt to be thought of as less than. To simply be a means to an end. 

This is why you are the only Dragonrider, Arathyn’s voice responded to my thoughts. 

As a clearing approached, Arathyn banked low to the ground. He skimmed the top of a small lake, and we landed for a rest. I felt the weight of what we were about to attempt, and I wanted to convey to my dragon the bond that had grown between us. 

“I will never command you,” I promised my dragon.

You mustn’t say that, little one. There may come a time when you need to order me to do something that’s in our best interest. Dragons are notoriously hot-headed, you know. Arathyn let out a rumble and nudged me with his enormous snout.

I chuckled and pondered his words. “I promise never to be cruel to you,” I said.

That’s an oath I can accept. 

…

We were close now. I could make out the fortress where the dragons were held, and I knew they would spot Arathyn soon. The wind clawed at me as Arathyn flapped his wings harder to build up speed. I flattened myself against his hard scales, as Arathyn tucked his wings and spiraled into a dive. Moments later, I heard shouting and the sound of swords being drawn. 

My dragon’s wings popped open, and I seemed to float for an instant. I jolted as he hit the ground hard, but I held on. Arathyn blasted through the back prison wall with his silver flames. When they made the walls of the prison, the humans had forgotten the strength of a dragon that had been bonded to its rider. It was simply built to hold against the weaker dragons’ fire. 

Troops came streaming around the front of the building, toward us. Arathyn spit a stream of cover fire, as I rolled off his back and sprinted for the opening he had created. 

I’ll fend them off, while you free the others, Arathyn’s voice echoed in my head, before his roar shook the fortress walls. 

My eyes took a moment to adjust to the darkness, but then I stood, stunned, taking in what must be a hundred dragons. They were all chained and curled against the walls of the massive cavern, some in caves pocketing the height of the fortress. It was then that I knew I wouldn’t have the time to free them all, but that wouldn’t stop me from trying.

I raced to the closest dragon and set my magic to work on his chains. At first, the dragon just blinked his emerald eyes at me. Once the chain snapped, he let out a sound that was almost like a cry. The other dragons stirred at the noise, and the cavern flared to life with roars and bursts of flame. 

I pointed the dragon to the hole I had come from, but realized it probably wouldn’t fit. At my thought, the wall crumbled with another burst of Arathyn’s flame. A painful roar followed, and my heart dropped. It seemed the distraction gave the soldiers an opening. 

“Go help him!” I screamed at the dragon, but it just cowered near the opening. I heard the crunch of crumpling metal, and tried not to picture what Arathyn was doing to defend himself. 

The next dragon I reached had shimmering opalescent scales, but hid uselessly behind the emerald dragon once its chains fell. I cursed, and rushed to free a hopefully braver dragon. I knew Arathyn couldn’t hold off the men for much longer.

I started toward a smaller dragon with ruby-red scales, when a glimmer of gold caught my eye behind it. It was the dragon that had refused my master. 

“I’ll come back for you,” I told the small dragon, though I didn’t think she could understand me.

I saw the recognition in the golden dragon’s eyes as I approached, and he dipped his head. I reached out my hand to send forth my magic, when I heard pounding feet behind me. Two soldiers charged straight for me, swords raised. 

I summoned my smoking armor in the nick of time, and raised my arm to block the first blow. I rolled to dodge the other soldier’s sword, before throwing a blast of inky darkness that slammed him against the wall. The dragon finished off the first soldier with a blaze of molten gold. I freed the golden dragon before the soldier could rise again. 

“Help Arathyn!” I yelled and pointed outside. He didn’t even pause before rushing out the gap in the crumbling fortress. 

I turned to the soldier on the ground, but I didn’t want to kill him unless I had to. I sent a dense fog of midnight to surround him. The fog thickened around him and trapped him against the wall.

I turned to the red dragon and freed it quickly, before moving on to the others along the ground floor. Only one other, of about a dozen dragons I released, joined the fight with Arathyn and the golden dragon. The blasts of fire were coming less frequently, and the roars of pain increasing. I needed to get them out of here soon. 

I finished clearing the ground floor, and made my decision. I didn’t have time to climb to the caves above. 

I heard a growl come from outside. Keep going. We can hold them off longer.

“We have to go. We’ll come back for them,” I said as I sprinted to the entrance.

We may not get another chance.

“We may not be able to get these dragons to safety, if you get too weak.”

I’m not leaving anyone behind.

“You don’t have a choice.” I took a deep breath, and wondered if I would regret this. “Get us out of here, now.”

Arathyn roared and sent out a wide blast of flames. He surged forward and shot more fire to clear the path. The golden dragon glanced back towards the cave. 

“We will come back for them,” I said as I looked him in the eye. 

He turned to the ruby dragon and paused. Then, he nudged her along with his snout. The others that I’d freed began to follow. I climbed onto Arathyn, the other fighting dragon covering me as I did so. The other dragons began to take flight while I sent my magic to engulf the closest troops. Once they were all clear, Arathyn took to the skies.

…

I hope you’ve liked our story, so far. You can continue reading Chapter 4 here!

If you enjoyed this short story, we would love for you to leave a comment, or even buy us a cup of coffee! We promise to share!

Thanks so much for reading!
-Clever