35. Thirty-Two

Thirty-Two

Execution

L iam stood beside his father, his hands behind his back as he surveyed the crowd that had gathered. Executions were always a disgusting spectacle. But the execution of Takai was absolutely necessary.

He glanced at a sobbing woman clinging to a man and could only assume they were Takai's parents. A man with a nicely trimmed beard stood at their side. His jaw was clenched tight, but his eyes were red from tears. He must have been Takai's partner.

Liam's lip curled in disgust.

At that moment, the guards led Takai out from around the corner of the castle. His wrists were chained behind him and he squinted against the bright light of the sun he hadn't seen in days.

Liam's father stepped forward, but Liam reached out and stopped him. Instead, he stepped forward and faced the crowd. "Today we gather for an unfortunate execution."

The crowd cheered and raised fists in the air.

Liam held up one hand, calming them. "Takai was a respected soldier. I dared even call him a friend. That is, until he betrayed my trust. Takai committed treason by releasing the prince and king of Vasha from our prison."

Boos filled the air.

Liam gestured to the wooden bench before him. "Today I must execute Takai for treason. He was warned and still acted against me. I can no longer call him friend. And we can no longer trust him to protect our land."

The soldiers stood on either side of Takai as they brought him to the block. One struck the back of his knees, dropping him to the ground.

"This is the punishment for treason." He stepped forward, taking the axe resting on the ground, and stepped up to Takai's side.

"Your Highness. Please," Takai whispered. "We were friends."

"And now we are not. I warned you and you betrayed me. I cannot turn a blind eye to your treason. Put your head down."

Takai turned his face and made eye contact with the man beside his parents. And then he slowly lowered his head and placed his cheek on the wooden slab before him.

Liam looked down at the neck of the man he had once called friend.

There was time to back out.

But he didn't want to.

He couldn't.

He raised the axe and brought it down.

The crowd screamed. Some turned away. Others clapped. The crowd went wild.

Liam dropped the axe and turned away. It was done.

A roar thundered from the sky, followed by the beating of wings. Dust and debris were kicked into the air, forcing Liam to shield his eyes. He turned his body and looked up, searching for the source. When he faced the castle, an enormous dragon landed on one of the towers. Its claws crumbled the stone, sending them cascading to the ground below. His red scales glistened in the sunlight and his golden eyes bore into Liam's.

Liam straightened, frozen in place.

The people who had once been an audience for the execution now scattered, screaming.

The dragon's jaw opened and he roared again.

Liam lowered his gaze and bent at the waist, bowing respectfully.

The dragon beat his wings and the ground beneath his feet trembled as the dragon landed before him. It blasted a hot breath down onto the back of Liam's neck. Your lust for revenge matches my own, young human.

Liam swallowed and noticed his hands trembling in nervous excitement.

What do you know of dragon riders?

"Nothing," he answered. "Our kingdom has not been blessed by a dragon's presence in at least fifteen years. Since the blood plague. I know nothing of a history of riders in our land."

Rencheston was but an insignificant dot on the hill for many years. But I sensed your potential and sought you out.

Liam slowly lifted his gaze.

The dragon's head was lowered and Liam peered into its eye, which was as large as his head.

This was the opportunity of a lifetime. A rider? A dragon interested in him? "What do you propose, mighty dragon?"

Be my rider. I will take you to your glory and you shall join me in mine.

Liam smiled.

From the corner of his eye, he saw his father with his back pressed to the wall of the castle, his guards standing as shields in front of him.

"How could I refuse such an offer?" Liam asked.

It would be very foolish of you indeed. Especially with your lack of physical prowess . The mighty dragon lifted his head.

Liam tightened his jaw. "The lack of a leg has not impacted my ability to be a strong warrior. Nor will it impact my ability to be your rider."

Let's see about that. Climb on my back and we'll go for a ride. Let us see how strong you truly are.

Liam dropped his cane and gripped the dragon's leg. He knew hesitation would be taken as weakness in the dragon's eyes, and he had no desire to be seen in such a way. He struggled to get up with the prosthetic attached on the end of his stump, as it didn't bend like a normal knee did. So, he reached down and removed it before he placed his stump on the top of the dragon's knee and hoisted his body upward. Using his other leg, he pulled himself onto the dragon's back, in front of his massive wings.

The dragon barely waited for him to get situated before he lifted into the air.

Liam quickly leaned forward, his one leg firmly planted at the top of the dragon's wing to balance himself. He gripped the bony ridges that adorned the back of the dragon's neck. "I am Prince Liam. What is your name?" he called over the rush of wind.

Vrithumi.

The dragon swung to the side, but Liam was able to easily put his weight onto his leg to hold on. When Vrithumi turned the opposite direction, however, Liam's lack of leg meant he had to hold on for dear life with only his hands. Even squeezing with his knees didn't seem to be helping. He gritted his teeth and let out a growl as he desperately held on. But when the dragon rolled completely, his grip slipped and he tumbled through the air, plummeting toward the earth.

"I will not die this way!" he shouted, flinging arms and legs out wide in a desperate attempt to slow himself.

Good. You won't die this way . Vrithumi drifted beneath him, using his wings to soar through the air and rise to meet Liam.

Liam struck the back of his neck and gripped with arms and legs.

You will need lots of practice flying. If you cannot ride me into battle, you are worthless to me .

"How did you know to seek me out?" He leaned forward so Vrithumi's head blocked the wind and his eyes wouldn't water as much.

I have been dwelling on the west ridge, slumbering in my cave.

"How does a bond even work? Are you and I linked forever now?"

You do not know anything?

Liam shook his head, but realized Vrithumi couldn't see him. "No. We haven't seen dragons near our kingdom since the blood plague. My father tells me Mother had a bond with a dragon named Astrella."

Astrella. She was beautiful and brave. When dragons choose their riders, it is because we feel a connection in our blood. The how is something even we dragons do not understand. What did you feel when you first saw me?

Liam thought back to the moment Vrithumi appeared. "I was afraid, at first. But then I was excited. You are fierce. I would be honored to be your rider."

The dragon turned and soared into the clouds. Dragons choose our riders carefully. I sensed the power in you and see your potential, especially as the next king.

Liam grinned as Vrithumi tilted to the right and spiraled through the clouds. Mist brushed against his cheeks and he closed his eyes. "Will more dragons return now?"

Perhaps, but I cannot speak for them. But there is one thing I need. When you go to Vasha, there is something I need to find.

"What could that be?"

An egg. For now, you and I shall strengthen our bond and you will need to practice riding. Vrithumi landed surprisingly lightly on the ground and tucked his wings against his back.

Liam slid off, nearly losing his balance when he landed on the ground with one leg. He smiled up at Vrithumi with a wide grin. "Will we need a riding saddle to be made?"

The dragon snorted and smoke steamed through his nostrils. Do not insult me. You'll need to ride without one.

He nodded. "As long as you have patience teaching me, I will do anything you want."

Then let's start after supper.