Chosen: Book 1 in the Dragon Queen series
24 – The Dragon Queen’s Companion

I half-walked, half-jogged until I reached the woods, then continued at a steady pace until moonlight was replaced by the glow of dawn. When I heard the faint rumble of cartwheels on the path I stumbled off it, taking shelter behind a tree until my fellow traveller had passed. The tree’s bark was rough against my fingertips. I leaned my forehead against it and yawned. Fatigue held me in so tight a grip it was an effort to keep my eyes open. I leaned against the tree, watching as the cart juddered onwards. Part of me wanted to run to it and beg a lift, but caution held me back. It had clearly come from Besserton, which meant it couldn’t be trusted. I’d remain alone until I reached Markham at least.

I peered through the trees, trying to decide whether to stop and rest for an hour or push on. And then the swooping, disorientating sense of a vision fell through me again. I wasn’t going to get a choice about stopping. I slid down to the forest floor with the tree trunk at my back, reaching the ground a moment before sense was ripped away.

I was watching the road I’d travelled down from above, skimming over the treetops as though I were flying. Two horses cantered along the path beneath me. I didn’t need to be told the riders were hunters. The sky was brighter than it had been when I’d darted off the path, but pink still streaked the sky. If I was seeing the future, it wasn’t far ahead. The horsemen urged their mounts on towards Markham. The path curved through the forest, the horses eating up the distance. Treetops changed to roofs and the horsemen arrived in Markham’s town square, jumping off their horses. Another group of men came forward to meet them as they dismounted their horses. Dark robes flowed around the newcomers. Mages. In the vision I could see them, but not hear the words they spoke. My heart beat hard. It seemed impossible that all this could be for me. I wasn’t that important.

But the dragon queen clearly was.

My view of Markham faded but the vision still held me in its grip. I continued to soar over the treetops, moving away from my hometown.

The green and brown of the forest was split by the silver-blue of a river. We followed its winding course through the forest and then across the Westwood Plain. It was as though the map on Magpie’s wall was coming alive.

As the vista widened, the river did likewise, becoming a vast lake I remembered seeing on the map. Before I reached the ground, the vision faded.

I came back to myself, the bark of the tree rough against my back. I was less disorientated than I’d been before. I was getting used to my visions. I couldn’t continue to Markham, that was clear. And now I had a new destination: Westwood Lake.

I got up, stretching out my stiffness and pulling my stolen cloak around me. I needed to get away from the road before those riders passed by. Shouldering my pack, I began to walk once more, forging a way through the forest towards the rising sun.

Pa would tell me I was mad, trusting visions and voices in my head. But since Pa had turned out to be the one who’d betrayed me I no longer cared for his advice. My visions had protected me three times now, and I trusted Dragon far more than I did the man who’d raised and betrayed me.

I broke through the trees into heathland surrounding the lake as the morning sun crested the treetops.

The lake spread out beneath me, its surface rippled gold where the sun hit it. I had little reason to hope, but the sight lifted my heart, sending calm through me. I couldn’t turn back, and despite the journey I knew lay ahead, I didn’t want to.

My heart ached at my memories of Pa. I couldn’t switch off loving him, but I could turn my back on his selfishness and exploitation. I was ready for a new adventure.

I started down the hill towards the lake. I wanted to run, and throw myself into the golden water, but I managed to hold back that foolish impulse. My visions had brought me here for a reason, and I knew it wasn’t to admire the beauty of the place, nor to take a swim. I could rest and refill my waterskin here, then continue my journey. I squinted into the sun. I couldn’t see the mountains from here, but I knew they were there. And if it took me a week, or two, I had nothing but time now. I couldn’t trust people, but I’d trust my visions.

As I neared the lake, a dark shape appeared in the clear sky. I shaded my eyes and squinted up at the large bird circling overhead. I glanced back to check no one was following me. I trusted my visions, but I’d take care of myself, too.

The treeline was undisturbed, and the heath around me was empty.

I tipped my head to the sky once more.

My lips lifted in the first smile since I’d left home. It wasn’t a bird. I watched, transfixed, as a dragon came in to land on the other side of the lake. A smile split my face as I recognized the markings on the sandy beast, although her size was hugely increased from the last time I’d seen her, she was comparable to a horse instead of a dog. This wasn’t a dragon, it was…

“Dragon!” I began to run, skirting the shining water to reach the creature that now stood taller than me even when she was sitting on her haunches.

I slowed, suddenly shy. I didn’t know how to behave around a dragon. The queen of dragons. I stopped, tucking one leg back and bending my waist in a bow, all the words I might have said stuck on my suddenly-thick tongue.

There’s no need to bow and scrape, Alliss. Dragon ducked to my level as I straightened, her breath warming my throat.

“Hello.” I spoke aloud, although Dragon’s words echoed in my head. “I – it’s good to see you.”

It’s good to speak to you, she returned. I wish I’d understood your language earlier. Our separation was tedious.

“I – I thought you didn’t want me. That you’d chosen a fae companion.”

She snorted expressively. They tried to persuade me to do so, but I know my own mind.

Hope filled my chest with sunshine. “Have you come back for me?”

We belong together.

I drank in the sight of her. I’d hoped, but this was more than I could have hoped for. I was the dragon queen’s companion, like in the most amazing stories Ma Henderby had ever told.

We must return to the mountains. I’ll carry you.

I stared. She was big enough to carry me on her back. I swallowed. “I – is that allowed?”

Dragon turned a quizzical look on me. She didn’t need to speak.

“I mean – you’re a queen. The queen.”

She nudged my shoulder, half-knocking me back. And you are the Dragon Queen’s companion. I don’t think you quite understand what that means.

“No – I … I definitely don’t.”

Dragon nodded. I will be by your side as you learn. Now, shall we go? I fear my friends will be following shortly. I didn’t tell anyone I was venturing into Muirland; they would have tried to prevent me.

“Stop you?” I raised a brow, smiling. “Aren’t you the queen?”

Dragon opened her mouth, huffing a sound that might have been laughter. I see I made the right choice in you. Get on my back. Sit between my wings.

I stepped forward.

There is one thing, though.

I froze, meeting her eyes.

My name isn’t Dragon, it’s Drael. You may use it.

I sensed I was receiving an honour in being permitted to address the queen by name. I bowed my head. “Thank you, Drael.”

I reached for her wing, pausing to wipe clammy palms on my skirts as memories of my last dragon flight swarmed over me. “I’m sorry. I’m a little nervous.”

She swung, her neck twisting so her head was on a level with mine. I am the Dragon Queen and you are my companion. Many things may scare us, but we will defeat them all, eh?

I nodded, a smile stealing over my face at her calm certainty. “That’s right. Together, we’ll defeat them all.” I gripped hold of the edge of her wing and pulled myself onto her back. Life as the Dragon Queen’s companion might be a scary adventure, but I planned to enjoy every moment of it.