Page 10 of Dragon Valley
Aron bowed his head. “Then we will advocate for you to be left alone. Unfortunately we can’t predict what’ll happen or who will be the one to decide these things. I can lead an army but I’m not a ruling type of person. The best I can hope for is to become the new Captain of the King’s Guard, but even that will be left up to the new His Majesty.”
“Why shouldn’t we trade with the outsiders?” Nadiyah piped up. Like me, she’d been quiet for most of the meeting. “We’re citizens of Tannia, too. Why shouldn’t we be represented by the new government?”
“I don’t recall asking your opinion.” Chief Rhazel turned a sharp gaze to her.
“What good are dragons for if we never fly them outside the valley?” she asked, not backing down. “Their territories are already getting overcrowded—”
“Enough!” The chief raised a hand. “Everyone out. I will talk to Captain Aron privately with no interjections. I am still Chief here, even if some of you may have forgotten.”
Azel began to protest. “But fath—”
“I said, enough!” The Chief bellowed. “All of you out.”
I shot a quick glance at Aron, who nodded and leaned over quickly to speak in my ear.
“Stay close and talk to them out there. Get to know them and report back to me.”
I nodded sharply and stood swiftly to leave, secretly pleased at the chance to learn more about the green-eyed Rider with the fiery spirit.
4
NADIYAH
I stormed fumingout of the chief’s hut, grabbing Azaria’s jug of mead. Azel followed hot on my heels and I could feel his temper vibrating through his footsteps.
“What was that?” he demanded, grabbing my arm to face him. “Are you trying to undermine our chief in front of these people?”
“No,” I shot back, yanking my arm out of his grip. “I was trying to point out that we shouldn’t go back to sticking our heads in the sand after we get involved. I became a Rider to see the world, not fly circles around my own home for the rest of my life.”
“I see your point Nadi, but that wasnotthe time to bring it up.” His jaw clenched and he lowered his voice. “You know as well as I do that his health is declining but we still have appearances to keep up, especially to outsiders.”
“So you’re going to keep making excuses for him when he laughs at them? You’re going to ignore the fact that he’s treating two of his Riders like servants? He doesn’t know what year it is or who he’s talking to!”
My head felt ready to explode and everything in me itched for a night ride to cool off. Chief Rhazel began having moments of confusion about a year ago. He mistook Azaria for one of his wives, which led to a few awkward situations. No one felt ready to speak up about him stepping down. And now he was in there with the outsider captain without anyone else to witness the discussion.
“It’ll be okay, Nadi,” Azel said gently. “The dragons trust these people. They won’t take advantage of an old man.”
“Um, hello.”
We turned to see Caden standing awkwardly near the central fire pit. He gave a small wave and a hesitant smile. Even through the fog of my temper, I could see it was a cute smile.
“Seems I got kicked out of the meeting, too. Mind if I join you all in waiting around while the important people talk?”
“Sure.” Azel sauntered over to sit on one of the logs by the fire. “It’s better to keep you supervised, or the dragons will think you look tasty.”
Caden’s smile dropped and his face paled, so I hit Azel in the stomach for his remark.
“Stop that. There’s no need to scare him.” Then to Caden, “The dragons won’t eat you. They’ve been around humans for so long, they know we’re not food.”
“That’s a relief.” Caden’s easygoing smile returned. “They’re incredible beasts. I still can’t believe they’re real.”
“Did you overhear our conversation?” Azel asked abruptly, not one to small talk. “Answer honestly.”
“I caught most of it,” Caden admitted. “Not that I was trying. You two were talking rather loudly.”
“And are you going to tell your captain what you overheard?”
“I don’t hide anything from Captain Aron,” he answered, a small fire of challenge sparking in his blue eyes. “Every detail is crucial in battle strategy. Those men out there are the last chance we have at winning our country back. If your Chief is… losing his faculties, that knowledge may be key in preserving the lives we have. Appearances and pride be damned.”
