Zenora, The Dragon's Fury

So, as agreed, Ayinthur came by twice a year, for four days in a row. But to keep up appearances, to other people, I had let Iris grow up by our standards and not his. And I made myself clear to him, that Iris is also a Princess, so when she gets older, she has to attend to her duties as well.

But, to not go too fast in time…

The Grand Banquet had turned out to be a perfect attraction for all the people that visited. Of course it was the perfect time for celebrating their new King and Queen, but also for presenting our daughter to the rest of the world.

The decorations were breath-taking. Just as Rebecca had thought in her mind, purple flowers were delicately put on the tables, and flourished along the edges of the white cotton ceilings. The long table filled with food, looked amazing, and the dancefloor that was created with dark, red oak wood, looked marvellous too.

Most of the people that we had invited, didn’t know about the egg, and as they also didn’t know of my Dragon’s powers, they just assumed that we had adopted our daughter. So, to indulge my guests, I had transformed into my Dragon part, and they all awed in surprise.

Sure, there were a few that thought that I was an abomination, as I could hear all their thoughts. But most of them were stunned, and amazed by my powers. We got congratulations from pretty much everyone and they were enthused by the idea of a banquet.

It wasn’t done often, actually only by common citizens, and not by royals. But I don’t care about etiquette or what should be right to do, as a royalty. I just do, whatever I like to. And all the people around here, did enjoy themselves, no complaints whatsoever.

Rebecca and Mila even got offers from some rich people, to organize parties for them as well. They first asked me if they could do that, and I said, that as long as their job here at the castle, wouldn’t get interfered by other contracts, it was fine by me.

They jumped up in surprise and got excited to accept one or two new assignments.

When the night fell, I handed Iris over to Cirilya, who gladly took her from me. Brock took my hands and guided me down the new stairs, towards the beach. We walked along the path, where the ocean meets the wet sand, and we talked for wat seemed like hours, until the full moon stood high in the sky.

“Are you happy?” Brock asked me, when our talk got silent for a moment.

I turned to him, and put my arms around his neck.

“I’m not sure, why you are wondering that, but yes, I’m the most happy person in all of Zenora. There couldn’t be a place or time, other than this, that could make me any happier.” I said to him.

After a few weeks, Archeops had returned. He had found the children, that were abandoned in a mansion in a distant city. Some of them had passed away, but the ones that were left, were guided by a few of the older children, and survived by stealing food and money.

Immediately we had send transports to get the children to safety. Unfortunately, there were no clues as to where Hayden was.

It was strange though. How could he hide himself, with all those Pteragons and men he had gathered? There has to be some village, where he had to pass through, or where he should have been seen by anyone. But no one knew anything, not even after sending out a reward for the one who got the leading tip.

The years that followed, were filled by duties, training with all my powers, birthday parties, attending other banquets, building a new school, sending out more searching teams, helping and advising other cities and so on. There was never a dull moment, and if there was a moment where I had nothing to do, I searched for Brock, for him to take some stress away.

“Mom! Seriously? I’m leaving in a few minutes, and all you can think about is sex with Dad?” Kaden said to me, and Brock squeezed my butt, when Kaden had said that.

“Dad!” Kaden yelled, and Brock and I both laughed.

Kaden is fifteen now, and smarter than his age should allow him to. He is about to fly away, off to the Mage Tower, to get more mage training. He is, what we call, a Scholar now, which is some sort of apprentice to one of the higher mages in the tower. He looked magnificent, with light blue clothes, and a dark blue cloak, that hangs around his broad shoulders. Brock trained him hard, and it showed off. He is going to break some hearts soon, no doubt about that.

I chuckled, as I could see Kaden looking irritated my way.

“Yes, irritated indeed Mother!”

I hugged him and kissed him goodbye.

“Once you learned how to teleport back and forth large distances, you come to see us here, alright?” I said to him, while he stepped on his gryphon, which he acquired last year.

He had gotten interest from a strong, white, female Gryphon, from one of the couples that lived in the aviary, and called the creature Aurora.

Tyler gave his brother a last hug, and Kaden told him to knock their father out of the training ring, as soon as he could. They laughed silently and Tyler promised him that he would do so.

Kaden nodded and beckoned for Aurora to lift off.

Nicolai was with him, to guide him to the tower, and he mind-linked me, that he would make sure that Kaden would get there safely.

I could have gone with them, as I’m part mage as well, but I got other duties to fulfil here. And Nicolai had been training me every moment my agenda would allow me to, so I didn’t feel like going to the tower to learn more things.

Non-mages weren’t able to get inside the tower, so Brock couldn’t come either. This was a trip for mages only, and Kaden and Nicolai could use the time to bond together even more.

Iris was growing beautifully, she is happy and strong, and eleven years of age already. Of course, she has met with difficult children every now and then, judging her Dragon-part, and calling her weird. But her moral standards have always been spot on, as she never attacked those children. All she did, was scaring them if they took it too far, and then she showed them her strength and fire capabilities.

She had one or two friends as well though, who thought she was amazing. And I was proud at her, for having someone to talk too, other than us. Although I noticed one of the boys to start ‘liking’ her in a different way, and knew that this was going to be a problem. Not with me, but a large black creature might be not so amused by it.

I had spoken to Iris, about boys and other things, and tried to make sure that she had to be careful, about her own body.

We kept finding places where Hayden had been a few days prior. Each and every time we were two steps behind Hayden! It was frustrating to not be able to capture him as with each passing year, he could gather more people and more creatures to do his bidding.

It was disturbing too, that he hadn’t attacked us, or anyone else though. What is he waiting for, all these years?

“Archeops, let me know when the next lead reveals itself, I’m coming with Bastet. Maybe she can read some heat signatures with my help. Or we can find other things that will lead up to them.” I said.

Archeops nodded and left the war room we were in.

“I want to go with you then too Mother.” Tyler said.

My boys were sixteen now, and with Kaden at the Mage Tower, Tyler stayed here, to learn from his father and join in with military meetings such as the one we are having now. I feared the moment, where he would be asking us, to join in on a mission. I know he is strong, hell, he might be just as strong as Brock, but still, he is my little boy.

I looked towards Brock, and he nodded.

“Well it seems that your father is agreeing with you, so I guess I have to call myself defeated. You can come with me, once Archeops has a new lead.” I said.

“Thanks Mother, I’ll keep you safe.” He said after he winked.

“I know you do.” I said, filled with pride.

But once again, the lead that Archeops had, ended up with us not being there in time. This was getting annoying, it almost felt like there is someone from within the castle, that is living a double life. Someone that is giving information of us, to Hayden.

A spy.