|| Book One of the Dragonkind Duology ||
𝙄𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨𝙣'𝙩 𝙖 𝙢𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙛 𝙞𝙛 𝙗𝙡𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙬𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙 𝙗𝙚 𝙨𝙥𝙞𝙡𝙩; 𝙞𝙩 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣.
For years, dragonkind and humankind had been at war, alternating between short-lived truces and all out...
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Ordephus could feel his every move being watched, not that he was bothered by it. The reaction was expected and understandable. While he didn't hold his spellbook—Ein'roth had outright refused to return it but promised it would remain unharmed—he did attempt to use Argent's. He only wanted to turn his hair back to brown so the people of Kurshan wouldn't jump out of their skin every time they caught a glimpse of him. Immediately he was met with spear points and Ein'roth's sharp question, "Who are you hiding from?" Seeing it wasn't worth it, he didn't attempt it again.
"You will sit to my right," Ein'roth explained to Ordephus. "That is the place for the oldest."
He knew the dragonkind's dining etiquette, but he still couldn't help but smile as he said, "Rather convenient, don't you think?"
Ein'roth hummed. "It is. I will be the first to know if you try anything questionable."
It didn't take long for all of them to settle—himself, Argent, Ein'roth, and her household—and it was apparent they had been informed of what was happening. They made sure to be respectful, but it was all done rather coldly. Also expected. If anything, Ordephus wouldn't have been surprised if one made an attempt on his life.
The upside to having a meal with the matriarch, however, was being able to introduce Argent to the culture he should've been raised with. It was especially entertaining to watch him learn how to use chopsticks.
"Now, pinch the top one between your fingers like this," Ein'roth's younger sister, Pae'ani, explained patiently, making sure to give a clear example with her own. "And I wouldn't try taking too much at a time."
Argent nodded, his brow furrowed in concentration as he brought up the thin, white strands of noodles to his mouth. A few pieces had slipped off, but otherwise, it was a successful start.
Ordephus watched, amused, as he quietly ate. The broth was a bit too spicy for his taste, but he enjoyed the slight creaminess to it. He refused to drink the water placed in front of him too often, though. He still had some stubborn pride left to his name. At least the dragonkind's disdain had only been targeted on him, as Argent was adored by them.
All were helpful and understanding that he didn't know what was polite and what wasn't, and they were eager to answer any question he had in regards to their culture. Extra food was offered to him, they asked how he fared with his affinity, and they complimented him for being more advanced in magic than most his age. Ordephus was quick to wave away Argent's words when he said it was thanks to him. It was Argent's own diligence and ambition that got him there. He was simply the mentor.
As the meal came to an end and things had calmed, he couldn't help but wish he could give this life to Argent. He truly hoped some of the boy's family still remained. A life on the road, aimlessly wandering with nowhere to call home . . . it wasn't something he'd want to have a child endure. Argent deserved stability and a family.
"Pae'ani," he heard Ein'roth say as other family members began to leave the dining area, "can you show Argent to his room? I want to talk to our forefather alone if he will allow it."
He would never admit to the undignified sound that came from his mouth at the show of respect. "Ah, well—" He coughed and looked at Argent. "Is that alright with you?"
Argent nodded, a bit unsure, but followed Pae'ani out of the open room and down a hall.
"Let's go somewhere more private," Ein'roth said and stood. Ordephus followed wordlessly, bewildered and a bit wary as to what she wanted to say. At this point, anything could happen, from more belittling to wanting to take Argent away from him. The last thought shouldn't have been a bitter one to him, but—his thoughts were interrupted as she stopped in the courtyard in the center of the home. While others still milled around, none tried to linger for too long.
"You may call me what you'd like," Ordephus said first. "Even Argent calls me Guardian rather than Ordephus or the name I used before."
"Guardian?"
"It's what I am to him, he said." Ordephus couldn't help but smile mildly at the memory. "And I'm willing to extend the same offer to everyone else who isn't comfortable calling me by name."
"You're quite willing to give up your name," she noted, and he could hear the disdain in her voice. The tone confused him.
"I've given it up long ago," he admitted, bowing his head, "along with the right to be considered a forefather of the dragonkind along with the original ten. Not after what I've done. It's not much now, but I must apologize for—"
He jumped when his head was forced up, and he stared in shock at Ein'roth as she kept her hand firmly under his chin.
"You can't even look me in the eyes," she stated, giving him a hard look. "Face your mistakes. Do not hang your head like a coward any longer." She tutted, removing her hand from his chin to flick his forehead. "You must be centuries older than me, yet here you are needing to be scolded like a child. Where's your pride?"
Ordephus didn't know how to respond, torn between apologizing again or giving a snarky retort. She huffed out a laugh when he failed to say anything.
"We will work on that later. For now," her lips quirked into a smirk, "I will join your cause and will be proud to be the first."
"What?" he managed to stammer out. When she had asked what Argent had meant when he told the Great Dragoness that he was trying to free them, naturally, he told her of the plan. In less detail, of course, but enough to understand what it entailed. Back then, she didn't seem too keen on offering any support, but he must have mistaken her silence.
"I will send a message to my sisters, matriarchs of other villages," she continued. "Ones that won't be likely to refuse. War was already upon the horizon, and we are ready to strike."
"We are ready, as well," Ordephus replied automatically, finally regaining his composure. He bowed once more, but this time out of mutual respect rather than humility. Ein'roth gave a hum of approval at that. "Thank you."
"It wouldn't be fit to not fight in a war for our sake," she chuckled. "But that is something we can discuss further tomorrow. Go and rest, Child."
Once again, Ordephus was visibly thrown off by her words, and she smirked.
"You said I could call you what I deemed fit," she said. "You remind me of a child, so that is what you are to me."
He burst out laughing as it dawned on him. "I did say that, didn't I." He shook his head in disbelief, but he couldn't help the grin donned on his face. "Child it is, then."
