Page 71 of Song of the Dragon Rider
Uncle Bai was exactly where I expected to find him—in the main chamber, nestled among piles of ancient texts and scrolls, his reading glasses perched on the bridge of his nose. The soft glow of the magma chamber cast flickering shadows across the walls, painting his features in a dance of light and shadow.
“Back so soon?” he remarked without looking up, his voice echoing slightly in the enormous chamber as I shifted back into my human form.
I paused and took a moment to compose my thoughts before responding. “We have a problem.” The grave tone of my voice immediately caught his attention. Uncle Bai set his book aside and looked up at me, his expression shifting to one of concern. “The emperor is stirring the waters,” I continued, walking closer to where he sat. “There’s a song—'Song of the Dragon Rider.' It’s—”
“I know about the song,”he interrupted. “I was there at the Nightwing Banquet. I heard it myself.” His expression was somber, the burden of the implications clearly not lost on him.
I felt a chill despite the heat from the magma. “The song is about Lady Arya and me. About the twin flame mark we share.”
Uncle Bai slowly nodded. “The emperor did not take kindly to it,” he added. “He sent a very clear message when he killed the singer right there in front of everyone.”
Silence fell as we each considered the dire implications. “He suspects the truth,” I concluded, the words acid on my tongue.
“Yes, he's on edge, and rightly so,” Uncle Bai responded. He rose from his seat with a seriousness that matched the gravity of our conversation. “This could escalate quickly if he believes the legends are more than just myths.”
“He visited Lady Arya’s family and mentioned that he smelled me at the Ryder residence,” I added, frustration lacing my words. I remained on the grounds after leaving Cat’s chambers and couldn’t miss the frantic servants and their terrified whispers that Emperor Valenor had come. I climbed the high walls and listened to learn why the emperor decided to pay them a visit. It was risky, but I couldn’t just run and cower away.“How he managed that, I don’t know, but it means he’s already suspicious.”
Uncle Bai's gaze was piercing. “Valenor’s reach is long, and his methods are not always obvious. We must assume he has his ways and means,” he cautioned. “We need to prepare for his next move.”
I clenched my fists, feeling the weight of a crown I never wanted. “I won’t let him destroy what little peace I’ve found here,” I stated firmly, resolve hardening within me.
“You mean the peace you’ve found with Lady Arya? Because you’ve never been at peace here in Obsidian Reach.” Uncle Bai raised a brow knowingly. “It seems things are going well between the two of you.”
I lowered my head and nodded. I wanted to tell my uncle everything. About who she really was, about the night we spent together, about everything, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I felt as if doing so would put her at risk. Something was bothering me that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. Especially after she’d spoken with the seer, Malachar.
And since I still didn’t have my Heart Scale, I was vulnerable. I touched my chest where my Heart Scale was meant to be and frowned. “I think the emperor will be paying us a visit soon.”
Uncle Bai nodded. “That may very well be true. If he’s already in the Northern District, that means he plans to roam Elaria to learn what people are talking about and to see you.”
“There’s another song we need to worry about,” I whispered as I peered over at my uncle.
“The Song of the Shadow Prince,” he said with a sigh, and I nodded. “These are popular folk songs that the people sing. I’m sure he’s already aware.”
“I haven’t seen my father in fifty-odd years. If he comes here… with the seer… he will learn I have my dragon bones.There’s no hiding it,” I said flatly. “Which means every word of the songs will be proven true.”
“Damien…” Uncle Bai set his reading glasses aside and came toward me. “You’re no longer the once powerless, twenty-year-old lad. You’re seventy-five years old,” he said confidently. “You might still be young in dragon years, but you are strong. Do not cower before your father. Remember that only the strong survive, and I will be here to support you every step of the way.”
Uncle Bai's words, while reassuring, couldn't fully dispel the unease that coiled like a serpent in my gut. The prospect of facing my father after so many decades, under such threatening circumstances, was a daunting one. The politics of dragonkind were intricate and often cruel, and I’d never been a part of it.
“I appreciate your faith in me,” I responded, attempting to match his conviction. “But it's not just about facing him. It’s about protecting those who are inadvertently drawn into this... chaos. Arya, for one.”
Uncle Bai nodded, understanding the depth of my concern. “Then we must prepare,” he said solemnly. “Not just for a confrontation, but forallpossible outcomes. Our strategies must be as fluid and adaptable as the lava that flows beneath us.”
I paced a short path before the glowing magma, the natural light casting bizarre shadows on the walls. “And what about the legends? If they prove true, if I am to take the throne...” The words felt foreign on my tongue, a destiny I had never desired.
Uncle Bai’s presence was always a steadying force, his wisdom gleaned from centuries of living through the upheavals of dragon politics. As the elder brother, he was supposed to be emperor, but to avoid bloodshed and a fight for the throne with his younger brother, he gave it to my father.
He placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, his touch grounding. “Remember what I've always told you, Damien. Ifyou choose not to take the throne, I'll support that decision. We can find another way to resolve this.”
I looked towards the magma’s flickering shadows and felt the heat wrap around us like a protective cloak, the mantle of responsibility pressing down upon me uncomfortably. “I know, and I’m grateful for it. But it’s not just about whatIwant anymore. There's too much at stake, especially with Arya involved.”
Uncle Bai nodded, his eyes serious. “Indeed, protecting her must be a priority. As your twin flame, she’s become entwined in this far deeper than either of us anticipated. We must ensure her safety, first and foremost.”
“And about the emperor...” I hesitated, the thought of confronting my father after decades was a daunting prospect. “He's likely to increase his scrutiny, especially with these songs circulating.”
Uncle Bai walked over to a large, worn map spread across a table and began to trace routes with his finger. “We’ll prepare for his inevitable visit. I’ll reach out to some old allies and gather support. He’s made many enemies over the years. We’ll be ready for any moves he might make.”
“I don’t want to lead, Uncle,” I confessed, watching the molten rock pulse beneath us. “But if it comes to it, if it’s the only way to protect Arya and keep the peace...”
