Zenora, The Dragon's Fury
64. Piloting

Over the last few days, my family had to take over my tasks as life just continued on their own. Kaden had to take over the trials, and Brock was attending to meetings that I always attend to, and Tyler had taken over training of the army, which was normally Brock’s task.

Noliyah had stayed here in her whisp-form, to guide me and Iris for a while.

“So how are you feeling nowadays?” Noliyah asked me, when I was at the backside of the castle.

She was referring to those feelings I had, when I thought that I was going to die. That moment, when they managed to resuscitate me with some of the mages energy, I had felt so weak, that it didn’t occur to me I would live through. So, in my mind I had made peace with my destiny.

“More ashamed actually, as I had the nerve to give up on all of you.” I said while laying my head on the ground.

“You shouldn’t be ashamed, it was perfectly logical that you thought those things. It is normal for any being, to let go easily, and to make peace with how they are feeling. And if you would’ve died there, your family would indeed get over it eventually.

But that doesn’t mean that we would have let you go that easily! Your family, and actually all your citizens love you. They love you Emily! Every single voice and grunt that you have heard, when you were at the brink of death, were from all of the people from the castle and the city. Hundreds of people came to the beach, to help you carry inside the cave. And the best of it is, that they weren’t commanded by Brock or any other high ranked person. Once, the people at the harbour, saw you carry your burning daughter to the beach, they notified everyone to help.

Strong men, instantly started to gather logs, to roll you inside. Women took care of dressing your wounds, after being healed by Cirilya and Amelia. And children gathered fruit and meat, for you to eat when you were awake. Of course, your mages, warriors and hunters all helped as well. And your family and friends stayed by your side at all times.

Did you actually think, that you are that easily to replace? That the Kingdom would be this loving towards a man like Hayden, if he would have become King? Because if you do, then I might as well leave now.”

Wow.

Just wow.

I know that I haven’t been neglecting my people, always trying to help them and make progress in creating schools and such. But hearing Noliyah say it like this, telling me, reminding me, that my citizens love me as a Queen, was something that I hadn’t really understood until now. Until they all came here on their own, to help me.

The last few years I have been working so hard, to get everything in order for my people, that I hardly had time to see them anymore. I never took a walk through the city with Ursai, or hardly went over to the Aviary, ever since Iris had grown enough to walk and do things on her own.

So, I have been isolating myself for over a decade, not realizing that my people needed me in another way, other than only working for them. And even though I haven’t seen them, not really seen them, they still chose to help me, and love me in their own way.

But their love towards me is reciprocated, and I will show them that, by moving on!

I don’t know how Iris does this. She has been living with that tail from her birth, I know that, but still… That stupid thing sways constantly to the sides, and almost hits everything that we walk around!

“Mother! Your tail is attached to your lower back and hips. Stop moving your butt! Your not human now, so you don’t have to impress dad, with that big ass of yours!” Iris said.

“Watch your mouth missy! Don’t say that I have a big ass! For a dragon, I think I’m still good looking!” I sniped at her.

She giggled, I know that she wasn’t being mean, but I just get easily frustrated, being a Dragon and all. This was never meant to happen, Iris had to transform, not me!

Iris was guiding me how to fly, but it isn’t working at all now.

“Just flap them mother! No not with stretched wings! Crook them, when going up, and spread them when going down, otherwise the air flow won’t be pushed down enough for you to stay in the air!” Iris said.

“I never should have send you to school! You smartass!” I said to her.

“Mom! Just do it will you? You know I’m right.” Iris said with her arms across her chest.

I know she is right, but I’m the Queen, I’m not going to admit that to her so easily! She will get even more cocky than she is now already.

Alright, I started walking again, using the wind to flow underneath my wings. Then I lifted them, crooked, and pushed them down, stretched. I did this a few times, to create some momentum and by the fifth or sixth time, I actually managed to lift myself from the ground!

…And crashed down.

“Mom! You alright?” Iris asked me, from the top of my back.

“Just tell me what I did wrong now, don’t belittle me.” I hissed.

“Well you flapped your wings correctly, got lifted from the ground perfectly, but then you… well…”

“Well what?” I said irritated.

“You closed your eyes, and didn’t see the rock upon where you are laying now.” She said in almost a whisper.

I looked beneath my claws and indeed, I was clinging onto a huge boulder, to keep me from falling down the ledge. My fear had taken over and managed to grab it, while I closed my eyes! I’m not afraid of heights but being a Dragon scares the hell out of me! What If I can’t land on the ground, or what if I’m shot in the middle of the air? I was meant to take Iris with me, as she hasn’t transformed yet, so she has to be on my back when we go and search for Ayinthur. I just hate to get her in trouble, or being hurt!

I haven’t told her that Ayinthur is her promised one yet, nor have I said what that meant at all. All she knows is that a Dragon could help us, and the only one we know of, is him. So, here we are, trying to make me fly…

“Mother, I know that you are afraid, but please, if you get shot, or hurt in any way, while flying with me, just glide through the air with wings spread. Then when we are down to the ground enough, I’ll jump off, so you can crash in a tree or whatever. Alright? I’ll be safe, don’t worry.” Iris said.

I have never been this close to her, all her life. Maybe me becoming a Dragon is a good thing after all.

“Alright little one. Let’s do this.” I said to her after taking a deep breath.

After crawling off from the boulder, I walked back a mile or two, to get ourselves a nice runway again. I lowered the front of my body, and wiggled my butt. Iris laughed at me, but I didn’t care, if I am going to do this, then I have to distract myself and make fun of this stupid flying thing.

I roared fiercely and began to run. With only a few flaps I pushed myself into the air and kept flapping hard!

“Open your eyes!” Iris yelled.

Reluctantly I did, and I was amazed at what I saw. A mere mile below us, was the shimmering ocean, reflecting the sunlight from the afternoon sun. The sky was spotless so everything was clear to see. My Dragon eyes granted me this stunning view, where I could see for miles and miles. I think I even saw some foreign lands, at which I have never been to!

I tilted my wings, to steer downwards and let the wind soar alongside the curves of my body. I loved the feeling of it, the cold air slightly tingling my scales and pushing the air out of my lungs.

“Mom! Take it easy! I’m barely holding on!” Iris screamed, which instantly snapped me out of my happy moment.

“Sorry girl!” I shouted, after straightening my wings again.

“Let’s fly home, and get supplies, shall we? We will leave in the morning.” I said to her, and turned us around.

A/n: Do you like my story? Then please cuddle the cute little heart, at the bottom of your mobile phone. Or click on the heart on the top left of your PC screen. 💛💚💙