Page 58 of Realms of Swords and Storms
"Where are we going?" Tarshi whispered as we paused at a juncture, waiting for a patrol to pass.
"The dragon stables," I answered, pressing forward once the way was clear.
I felt him stiffen beside me. "Why?"
"You'll see."
The journey took longer than it should have, with Tarshi's injury slowing us and the need to avoid patrols. By the time we reached the vast stone building that housed the dragons, sweat was running down Tarshi's face, his breathing laboured from the effort of walking.
"Just a little further," I encouraged, helping him across the final courtyard.
The stables were dimly lit and mostly quiet at this hour, just a few grooms on night duty to tend to the dragons' needs. Most of the beasts were asleep, massive forms rising and falling with each breath behind the bars of their enclosures.
I guided Tarshi past these toward the rear of the building, where the largest and most dangerous dragons were kept. Where Sirrax had been assigned after I'd chosen him as my mount.
Sirrax,I called mentally as we approached his enclosure.Are you awake?
The response was immediate, a warm presence filling my mind.Little warrior. Late hour.
I need your help,I replied, sending him an image of Tarshi's transformation, the fear in his eyes, the self-loathing in his voice when he'd spoken of "demon blood."
Understanding and something like sadness flowed back to me.Bring.
I unlatched the heavy door to Sirrax's enclosure, ignoring Tarshi's startled protest. "It's alright," I assured him. "He won't hurt us."
Inside, Sirrax waited in his dragon form, massive and beautiful, scales gleaming like polished onyx in the dim light.His golden eyes, intelligent and ancient, fixed on Tarshi with an intensity that made my companion shift uneasily.
"Sirrax," I said aloud, "this is Tarshi."
Remember arena,Sirrax replied in my mind.And thoughts. You care.
I nodded, then helped Tarshi to a bale of hay where he could sit, his injured leg stretched before him. "Tarshi is Talfen," I said, both for Sirrax's benefit and to begin the conversation. "But he doesn't know what that truly means."
Tarshi looked between us, confusion evident on his face. "What are you doing, Livia? Why bring me here?"
I knelt before him, taking his hands in mine. "Because you need to understand what's happening to you. And I can't explain it properly myself. But Sirrax can."
"The dragon?" Tarshi's voice rose in disbelief. "How could a dragon possibly explain what's happening to me?"
I exchanged a glance with Sirrax, who gave a small nod of permission. "Because," I said carefully, "Sirrax isn't just a dragon. He's Talfen, like you."
Tarshi stared at me as if I'd lost my mind. "That's impossible. Talfen are human—mostly human—with demon blood. Dragons are... dragons. Beasts. Weapons of the Empire."
"That's what the Empire wants everyone to believe," I said gently. "But it's not the truth."
Before Tarshi could argue further, Sirrax moved, stepping forward into the centre of the enclosure. His massive form seemed to shimmer in the dim light, the outlines of his body becoming less distinct. Then, in a transformation far more fluid and controlled than Tarshi's had been, the dragon's form began to change.
Scales receded into skin, wings folded and disappeared, the massive body contracted and reshaped itself. Where moments before a huge black dragon had stood, now there was a man—tall and powerfully built, with skin the same deep ebony as the dragon's scales had been. His eyes remained the same striking gold, his hair falling in long matted white ropes to his shoulders.
Tarshi's jaw dropped, his eyes widening in shock. "What... how...?"
Sirrax approached us, utterly unself-conscious in his nudity. I was used to it by now—clothing was a human concept that Sirrax found amusing but largely unnecessary. He crouched before Tarshi, bringing their faces level, those golden eyes studying the younger man with ancient wisdom.
"Not cursed," Sirrax said, his voice deep and melodic. "Not demon, Talfen. First People, Sky Walkers."
Tarshi shook his head in denial, though his eyes remained fixed on Sirrax's face. "That's not possible. Dragons are beasts, trained and controlled by the Empire. They're not... they can't be..."
"People?" Sirrax finished for him, a sad smile curving his lips. "Empire believe. People believe. Slave beasts. No pity."
