Dragons of Aster Cliffs (Chapter 3)

[sidhe_faerie]

 

CHAPTER 3

The trip to the Draconis estate was short. When they were within the high walls of the estate, stable hands came out to help unload the cart with the dragon hatchlings on it. The dragons were unloaded into the courtyard and the iron cages were lined up along the inside wall of the stable

“Lord Aster, you may let them roam the estate. It is completely walled they will not be able to wander far. It would do them good to stretch a bit.” Lord Drake suggested.

“Thank you.” Lord Aster started to unlock the iron cages that the little dragons had been living in for weeks.

Some were very timid and refused to come out at first but all eventually came out and rolled in the thick grass of the stable yard and started to play.

“They seem right at home already.” Lord Drake said as one of the little air dragons chased a butterfly across his feet.

The little dragon known as Myrdren sat next to his cage door and looked around. He had been one of the last to leave his restraints. The other earth dragon by the name of Myra came to sit next to him. They took comfort in being close after being separated by the iron bars for so long.

Lord Aster saw the two earth dragons sitting together and he smiled. They were the two most timid of the group. It would take those two longer to become comfortable with all the changes. 

Cannae and Brater, the air dragons, were so engrossed in chasing butterflies and flying bugs that they ran into each other head on and fell back on their bottoms. They quickly jumped back up and went back to chasing anything that flew past.

Argone and her fiery companion Eros had found the paving stones of courtyard a great place to bask in the sunshine. The stones were warm in the mid day sun and both decided to lay belly up for a bit. 

Pilar and Dontus, the water dragons, had found the water in the large fountain of the courtyard a great place for a swim. The water dragon statue fascinated them. It was large and coiled up. Both of the little dragons tried to sit the same way and fell into the water splashing each other in the process. 

Brida and Nort, the chaos dragons, went from sitting still to running full speed, getting into anything they could find in between. They ran into horses’ stalls and in and out of boxes and crates in the stable. They also ran in circles around the courtyard and stable yard bumping into everything.

Lord Drake smiled at the joy of it all. He was happy to see them play. It was like a bunch of little children getting into mischief.

Lord Aster was a bit overwhelmed at it all. The dragons had embraced the freedom of the moment but he wondered how he would get them back into the cages to take them to their final home. He didn’t have to wonder long as some went back into the iron cages to nap. Myrdren and Myra waited until Lord Aster shooed them back in.  

With all the dragons back in their cages and the cages relocked, Lord Aster sighed with relief. He was glad that they had gotten out but it worried him that they would get out of hand.

Lord Drake looked at the sleeping dragons and smiled. “Lord Aster, I have let King Unbane and King Zestrain know that you wish to speak to them about the hatchlings. They will come here to meet with you.”

Lord Aster nodded and the two men entered the large house. Lord Drake showed him into a large sitting room where he offered Lord Aster a seat.

”I hope you get set up soon.” Lord Drake said

“It will be good to get them settled and a sanctuary set up. Tell me which one of the Kings seems more receptive to the idea.” Lord Aster inquired.

“I have to say that King Zestrain is the most receptive. He believes that the dragons are sacred and must be protected. King Unbane looks at them as curiosities more than magical beings. He doesn’t have the connection to magick that King Zestrain has. King Zestrain was trained as a Druid after he attended the Atlantis Academy.”  

“Really? I would think that improper for a King to have such training.” Lord Aster found that surprising.

“Nor at all! Lord Aster you will find many Druids and priestesses here on Ogham-Duir. Magick is just as revered here as it is in Atlantis.  My own sister is a priestess of Atlantis.”

“Does she stay secluded in Atlantis?” Lord Aster asked.

“No. The priestesses are free to go where they choose. You will know them by their blue veils.” Lord Drake told him.

“There was a woman on the council that had blue veils. I couldn’t see her face.”  

“That was the High Priestess, Lady Vena. She is my sister’s mentor. Benna speaks highly of the woman. “ Lord Drake smiled as he thought of his sister.

“She was very concerned for the safety of others around the dragons.” Lord Aster told him.

“That sounds like her. She can be quite cautious. Benna is not allowed to transform while she is with the other priestesses. Lady Vena believes that it is dangerous for the others. That is why Benna comes to visit me often. We have a need to transform. It is difficult to stay in human form for a long period of time.”  Lord Drake told him.

“I see. I had never met a draconian before. This is quite interesting to me.” Lord aster admitted. “Must you stay in your dragon form for a certain time?”

“We try to stay human as much as possible but the urge can become quite strong to transform. We must change then into a dragon for a while. Sometimes a few hours are enough but I find that I need a few days at least. My sister will spend a whole month in her dragon form. She comes here during that time. It’s almost time for her to visit.”

“I suppose you are elemental like the others.”

“Yes, my family carries the fire trait. There are families that carry the other elements. One family in the land to the north carries the air trait.. Lord and Lady Wyvern and their four children visit Atlantis about once a year. My father says there is a family with the water trait that lives in Lemuria. We tend to stay near lands where magick is accepted.”

“Are there no families with the earth trait?” lord aster asked.

“I don’t know. I’m sure my father would have that information. I suppose you want to study us now.” Lord Drake smiled in amusement.

“No. It’s more curiosity than anything. I wonder how the dragons would react to a draconian in the dragon state. I’m thinking of caretakers for them. Asking a draconian to care for them would not be an insult, would it?” lord aster asked.

“No I believe it would be an honor for any draconian to be able to protect our kin. I should let you rest after such a long journey.” Lord Drake pulls a bell cord and a young woman comes to the door. Take Lord Aster to his chambers and bring him some refreshments as well.

The young woman bowed.

“Thank you, Lord Draconis.” Lord Aster stood and followed the woman upstairs.

When Lord Aster laid down to rest he was amazed that he was very tired. He fell into a deep sleep quickly. He didn’t wake until morning.  

Chapter 4