Young Writers Society

Here is Chapter 3...part 1

Chapter 3 – Lucian

Why is he suddenly so cautious? Juliana wondered. What could he be suspicious of? I only asked why he was traveling to Melliark.

Lucian continued to carefully inspect the surrounding area until he finally sat down next to her again. He held both hands behind his head and hesitated to take off the bandana, sighing and closing his eyes as he shook nervously.

“It’s alright Lucian,” she said. “I’m the only one here.” She reached out and gently placed her hand on his knee.

“I…I know,” he replied. Lucian slowly lowered his head and removed his headband. He flung the red cloth over his right shoulder and looked up at her, revealing a strange circular marking on his forehead.

What? What is that? Juliana grimaced and quickly pulled her hand away as she gazed at the odd design. That symbol, it’s been branded on his skin! A thin, raised layer of brown and red flesh outlined a circle directly below his hairline. Additional dark lines of scar tissue formed a triangular pattern around the brand and streaked down to the base of his brow.

“Do you know what this is Juliana?” He pointed to the burns with his left index finger.

“Uh, n-no.”

“This is the mark of a dragoon. My father branded it on me when I was very young. It is the symbol of someone who is born to live alongside the dragons. That is who I am to become.”

Juliana sat in awe of what he told her, wondering if it could really be true. She even felt afraid of Lucian for a brief moment as she recalled the violent scenes in her grandfather’s storybook. Dragoons and dragons were myths to her, things as real as a passing dream. But now she was face to face with someone who claimed to be the truth in her fiction. His terse explanation was not enough to satisfy her curiosity.

“Become? So you do not own a dragon yet?”

Lucian responded to her sternly. “A dragon is never owned by anyone. They are their own race, much older and wiser than we are. The dragoon pact must be accepted by both man and Great Serpent alike, but I have not reached the age required.”

“I, I see. Please forgive my ignorance.”

“There is nothing to forgive Juliana. Most humans have never even seen a dragon. It is expected for you to know little or nothing of them.”

Juliana looked ahead and stared at the moon as the leaves fell near her feet. “I never imagined that dragoons and dragons could really exist. So…why are you headed for Melliark? Is the capital an important place for your people?”

“Far from it,” he answered quickly. “The nations of this world have secretly persecuted the dragoons for thousands of years. Their fear of dragons has made us the enemy by association; they hate what they do not understand. Your king wouldn’t hesitate to have me hung if he discovered my heritage.”

Why is he telling me this? I’m from Marceris. Does he not consider me his enemy as well?

“Why would you go there then?” she asked. “Why place yourself in such danger?”

“Well, I’m looking for someone.”

“Who? They must be very important if what you say is true.”

Lucian lowered his head and folded his hands over his nose and mouth. He began to take deep breaths and wipe his eyes as he answered softly. “I, I’m looking…for my brother.”

This must be it, Juliana thought. He was so forthcoming just a moment ago, but now he’s become uncomfortable again. He’s trying to conceal his emotions from me. Something to do with his brother saddens him.

Juliana leaned closer to him and smiled. “Oh, your brother? How old is he?”

“Well, he’s seven years older than me, he’ll be twenty five in a few months,” he said as his voice trailed off.

Juliana was initially surprised when she learned of Lucian’s age. His gentle appearance and coy behavior led her to believe that he was younger, but his strong physique reminded her of Radi.

“So you have an older brother as well!” She laughed softly to comfort him. “We have something in common after all!”

Lucian chuckled along with her. “Yes, it seems we do.”

“Where will you meet him?” she asked.

“W-Where?”

Juliana nodded and smiled.

He frowned and cast his gaze on the ground between his legs. “Well, I’m n-...I don’t know exactly where he is.”

“Oh, how will you find him then? Melliark is the largest city in the entire kingdom.”

Lucian let out another deep sigh. “I’m sorry Juliana, it’s difficult to explain.”

Juliana sensed him becoming more and more distant with each additional question she asked him. He wants to tell me something, but he’s afraid of what might happen if he does. All I can do is reassure him that I’m worthy of his trust. She gently placed her hand on the headband resting on his shoulder. She startled him with her touch, and he looked up at her apprehensively.

“It’s alright Lucian,” she whispered. “I won’t tell anyone, you can trust me.”

“You really mean that? Not a word to anyone?”

“Of course, your secret is safe. I swear it.”

“A-Alright then, how can I say this?”

Juliana moved away to set him at ease. “Take as long as you need. Do whatever is simplest for you.”

“I’m not sure where to begin,” he said.

“Hmm, well...where are you from?” she asked. “What is your family like? It may be easier to start from the beginning.”

Lucian did his best to control his stuttering as he began to explain his story to her. “The dragoons have always chosen to live isolated from other humans, but his led many to hate us because of our association with the dragons. Many years ago, before I was born, the last remaining dragoon settlement was attacked. The village of Miien was burned to the ground by the soldiers of your country. My father and mother were the only two who escaped the massacre of that night.”

Oh goddess, is this true? Juliana wondered. Do the Elentien secretly wish to destroy the dragoons? But they’re people just like us. Why is there no mention of dragoons in the Aeda?

Lucian paused and gathered himself before he continued. “My parents told me of the horror they witnessed as children, which I would rather not repeat. They then wandered across Marceris for ten years before they settled in the Orika valley.”

“Orika?” she asked. “I’ve never heard of any land by that name.”

“Few have Juliana, and that is why my parents chose to live there. It’s a hidden valley that lies deep within the Volek mountain range to the south.”

“Oh, I know of the Voleks. They’re the natural border for Marceris and Riensmer.”

“Yes, that’s right. We lived there in peace because it was considered a neutral land. My parents refused to have our loyalty tied to any kingdom.” Lucian smiled and folded his headband as he described Orkia to her. “It is a beautiful valley with green rolling hills and shallow streams running down from the mountains. I…I grew up there as the youngest of three brothers.”

“Are they, um, branded as well?” she asked.

“Yes. My eldest brother Darius chose to be branded on his chest. And Baldren was marked on his left palm.” Lucian pointed to the symbol engraved on his forehead. “I chose to be branded here, like my father.”

Juliana listened carefully as Lucian rambled on and on describing the dragoon lifestyle to her. She understood most of it easily, such as the hunting of wild animals and daily chores and tasks. But some of their customs were so abstract to her, so far from her worldview, that she found them difficult to relate with. He spoke with great enthusiasm, and it was clear to Juliana that he greatly enjoyed recalling his past.

She learned that Lucian’s parents both made the dragoon pact before they had any children. They hiked three days east from Orika to Ragamsol peak, the highest mountain in all of the Voleks. The dragons living there had been associated with their clan for many generations, and two of the great serpents returned with them to their home in the valley.

Lucian’s father, Arngrim, followed his own father’s example and became a blacksmith to support the family. He traded his weapons to the soldiers patrolling the mountains for useful materials and equipment such as clothing, arrows, satchels, and other goods. Arngrim’s reputation as a master craftsman soon spread across the entire continent; and the family was careful to hide any evidence of their dragoon heritage from the warriors who came to visit them.

“What about the dragons?” Juliana asked. “Wouldn’t the soldiers see them living with you?”

“Dragons can sense a human’s mind from a great distance away, so we were never taken by surprise. They would simply fly away and wait for the strangers to leave before returning to the house.”

“I see,” she said. “I’m sorry to ask so many questions. I’ve only read about dragons in children’s books.”

“It’s strange,” he said. “I…I’ve never spoken so freely about my past to anyone like this.”

He’s still very reluctant. I’ll need to ask more if I’m to help him.

“Lucian, did your father create the spear you gave to my grandfather?”

“No. His work is far superior to that imitation. I wish I could show you the spear he forged for himself. He spent over a week refining it shortly after I was born. Eight feet of iron, steel, and bronze alloy melted together…a weapon worthy of a king. My brothers would often sneak into my parents’ bedroom just to admire it.”

“It sounds incredible.”

Lucian continued to speak fondly of his days in Orika with a wide smile displayed on his face.

Juliana tried her best to understand his story despite her limited knowledge of what he described. He was particularly excited and detailed when telling her about the first time he accompanied his parents on a hunting trip deep into the valley.

He stayed a safe distance away and watched intently as his mother and father worked in tandem with the dragons to encircle and trap the prey. The serpents flew high above the wild animals and communicated the creatures’ movements directly to their comrades’ minds. At night, Lucian lied awake near the campfire and listened to his mother’s tales of the legendary dragoons of the past. He loved each story she told him, but his favorite was the account of the first dragoon.

“So that’s when you memorized the story?” Juliana asked.

“Yes. I believe I was seven years old or so…” He let out a joyful laugh. “Rey-su let me climb on him back then. It was so fun,” he said enthusiastically.

“Rey-su? Is that the dragon bonded to your mother?”

“No. My father made a link with Rey-su and my mother with Vaha-ni. They were both earth dragons.”

Juliana sighed and gave him a confused look as she scratched her head.

“You see Juliana, earth dragons have no elemental attribute, but they grow very large and strong from an early age.”

Juliana had difficulty following his explanations of dragons and the nature of the pact his parents shared with them, but after questioning him further she learned that all dragoon children were branded when they turned five years old. They were then sent alone to scale Ragamsol peak on their twentieth birthday. Both the human and dragon gained enhanced physical abilities from their connection, and the magical bond could only be broken when one of them was deceased.

Lucian told her that the strength his father gained from the bond with Resh-nu allowed him to leap twice the height of the tree they sat under. His claim amazed Juliana and fueled her curiosity even further.

She interjected when he stopped to take a breath, “Um Lucian? I’m sorry to interrupt, but are you traveling to Melliark to meet Baldren or Darius?”

Lucian’s smile disappeared. “Baldren,” he said quietly.

His mood changes so drastically whenever I mention Melliark. I can’t let him dwell on that, I should let him come to it on his own.

“Oh, did your brothers ever climb the mountain and find a dragon?” she asked.

“Yes…my older brother Darius…I, I was only ten…”

Juliana felt uneasy as Lucian told her about the day his brother departed for Ragamsol. There was no longer any joy or nostalgia in his words, his body was cheerless and his eyes gazed at the ground once again.

“He had difficulty sleeping for several nights before his birthday; and I wondered why we did not give him any gifts in the morning…”

---------------------------------------------------

“He’s leaving now Lucian,” Arngrim said. “Come; let us see him off together.”

Lucian dashed past his father and out of the bedroom, dropping his wooden toy figurines on the floor. He nearly tripped over his own feet as he ran down the hallway and out the front door. His mother and two older brothers stood outside the house, along with the two earth dragons.

“Lucian!” his mother shouted. “Where is your coat?”

“I don’t need it!” he said as he ran towards Darius, his bare feet sliding on the wet grass. He sprinted into his brother’s arms as Darius lowered himself to one knee. The two embraced each other as their mother continued to scold Lucian.

“It’s too cold to be outside with nothing covering your back,” she said. “Go back and find--”

“Nanami!” Arngrim shouted from the house. “Let it be for now, I will talk to him afterwards.” He closed the door behind him and joined them in the field.

Nanami shook her head as she handed Darius his pack.

Darius held the bag over his shoulder and embraced each member of his family.

“Goodbye Darius,” Lucian said. “Come back soon!”

“I will Lucian,” Darius said with a smile. “The first ride is yours when I return.” He removed his iron spear from the ground behind him and waved goodbye with his empty hand as he headed east towards Ragamsol.

Lucian turned to his father’s dragon. “Rey-su!” he shouted as he extended his arms towards the creature. His father lifted him onto the dragon as it lowered its head to the ground.

The group watched as Darius slowly ascended a distant hill and disappeared into the morning fog. Lucian shouted encouragement to his eldest brother from atop Rey-su, and his voice echoed throughout the valley. Both his family and the dragons were silent as they waved goodbye.

They returned to the house one by one until only Lucian and Baldren remained. His brother had not spoken or moved since Darius departed.

“How long will he be gone?” Lucian asked.

But Baldren ignored him and continued to silently stare to the east.

Lucian reached out to hold his brother’s hand. “What’s wrong?” he asked.

“Get back!” Baldren snapped. He swatted Lucian’s hand away and distanced himself. “Please, leave me alone for a while Lucian.”

Shocked by his brother’s sudden outburst, Lucian turned away and headed back to the house; it was only then that he felt cold from the chill of the air against his bare arms and chest. He took only five small steps towards his home when he heard his mother scream from inside.

“No Arngrim!” she shouted. “Please! You can’t!”

Lucian dashed inside the front door to see his mother on her knees, crying hysterically on the dining room floor. She clung to the legs of Darius’ chair, which Arngrim appeared to be removing from the room.

His father released his grip on the seat and kneeled down beside her. He gently lifted her chin and guided her eyes to his own. “Nanami, look at me. We both knew this day was inevitable. We must continue with every tradition if our clan is to survive…even those that pain us.”

Lucian rushed to his mother’s side. “What’s wrong Mother? Are you hurt? Did you fall? Why is Father taking Darius’ chair away?”

His mother continued to cry and turned away from him as Arngrim helped her stand. They slowly walked to the table and sat down together.

Lucian followed behind them and tugged on his father’s tunic. “What happened Father? Why is she crying?”

“Sit with us Lucian,” he said. “I’ll tell you what troubles her.”

“No Arngrim,” Nanami pleaded. “He’s too young!”

“We must tell him,” he said. “He’s old enough to know, and it’s best that he learns today rather than in the future.”

Lucian sat down at the end of the table next to his parents. “Old enough to know what Father?”

Arngrim reached out and held his son’s hand. “Lucian; you know that the people of this world despise us. They hate the peace and tolerance we represent.”

“Yes. Mother told me that there were many dragoons long ago.”

“That’s right son; there were many dragon clans as well, but...those days have come and gone.”

“I know father,” Lucian said. “We’re all that’s left. It’s all Darius and Baldren ever talk about.”

Nanami suddenly let out a loud cry as Lucian mentioned Darius’ name.

Arngrim stood from his seat and leaned over her, embracing Nanami from behind and whispering into her ear. He then turned his attention back to Lucian once she was calm.

“Lucian, the dragons of Ragamsol are the last of their kind also. They were driven from Orika hundreds of years ago, and our enemies still seek to destroy them today…Because of this, they cannot allow anyone to leave the sacred mountain without one of their own.”

“I don’t understand Father, why would a dragoon leave without a dragon?”

Arngrim sighed and walked over to Lucian. “Because not all of us are accepted by them.”

“W-What?”

“The elder dragon of Ragamsol has the power to see into a human’s heart. She judges us and determines whether we are worthy of the pact.”

“Worthy?” Lucian asked. “How do we become worthy?”

“None are certain son, but some believed the dragon can see the essence of our spirit. Either way, those who are unworthy can never bond with them. In ancient times, those less fortunate were allowed to return to their clans and families, but all of that changed when one of our own betrayed the dragons.”

“Jeren the traitor,” Lucian said.

“Hmm, it seems your mother has already told you of him.”

“No, Baldren only told me his name yesterday.”

“I see…Well, that man was declared unworthy by the elder dragon and sent back to his home. But his clan was very superstitious of the dragon’s judgments, and his own family requested he be banished from the settlement. Jeren’s heart was filled with rage and jealousy; and he later returned to his village and killed his own brothers and sisters. He then marched with the armies of our persecutors into the valley and nearly succeeded in eradicating the dragon clans. The Great Serpents vowed to never make the same mistake again.”

“Mistake? I don’t understand Father.”

“Listen closely Lucian; I will not repeat this to you.” Arngrim sat down once again and stared at Lucian; his voice reflected both sadness and concern. “Those who are unworthy of the pact are not allowed to leave the mountain. They…They are killed and devoured by the elder dragon.”

Lucian sprang from his chair. “N-no! It can’t be!” he shouted.

“I am sorry son, but it is the truth.”

“No! Then, Darius! Darius he--”

“Lucian,” Arngrim said sternly. “This will not be easy for any of us, but you are to never mention him or speak his name again unless he returns to us.”

Nanami wept softly as Arngrim informed Lucian of what his mother already knew.

“N-no I…he must return Father! He promised me he would!”

“He had no right to say such a thing. I told him of the risk years ago.”

“And still he chose to…What about Baldren? Does he know?”

Arngrim nodded. “He does.”

Lucian quickly turned and opened the window behind him. He saw Baldren standing alone in the same position, still gazing into the gray horizon.