4. Zoldryn

4

ZOLDRYN

F lying patrol with Vorak is a welcome distraction from the politics of the island. The wind whistles past my scales as we soar above the crashing waves, the salty scent of the sea filling my nostrils. Vorak and I exchange a grin, the thrill of the hunt coursing through our veins.

Suddenly, my keen eyes spot something unusual on the shore. A shipwreck, its mast snapped in two, lies half-submerged in the water. My heart races with excitement. Treasures from the human world are rare and valuable on Fouuer Island.

"Vorak, look!" I call out, gesturing towards the wreckage with my wing.

He follows my gaze and lets out a low growl. "A hoard!"

We dive towards the shore, shifting into our dark elf forms as we land on the sand. The ship groans and creaks, its timbers splintered and broken. We approach cautiously, our bare feet sinking into the wet sand.

Vorak's eyes light up as he spots a glint of gold among the debris. "I knew it!" he shouts, already digging through the wreckage with his claws.

My fingers brush against something solid, something that doesn't belong in the wreckage of a ship. I dig around it, uncovering a small chest. The lock is broken, and as I lift the lid, my eyes widen in surprise.

A small human female lies curled up inside, her chest rising and falling with each breath. She's unlike any human I've ever heard of, with light blonde hair that shimmers in the moonlight and eyes that glow like emeralds. A strange magical hum radiates from her, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

Aren't humans supposed to be hideous creatures? Dreadfully plain and ugly, I've been told. Never served on a bed of gold and jewels like this one.

Vorak comes over, his eyes widening in greed as he sees the girl. "What have you found, Zoldryn?" he asks, his voice dripping with envy.

"She's mine," I say firmly, my hand protectively covering the chest. "I found her first."

Vorak scowls, his claws digging into the sand. "You can't just claim her for yourself. She's a valuable prize, and she should be shared among the dragons."

I glare at him, my eyes flashing with anger. "I found her, and I'm not giving her up. You can have your share of the treasure, but she's mine."

Vorak grumbles, but he knows better than to challenge me. He stalks off, muttering under his breath. I watch him go, my heart pounding in my chest. I don't know what it is about this girl, but there is something important... something powerful.

Vorak calls out from further down the beach, his voice tinged with excitement. "I've found another survivor!"

I rumble a warning, my voice echoing across the water. "Don't harm them, Vorak. They may be useful."

Vorak's eyes gleam with excitement as he suggests telling the Elder about our discovery. "Think of the rewards, Zoldryn! We could be heroes!"

I clench my jaw, my protective instincts flaring up at the thought of handing the girl over to the Elder. "No," I say firmly. "They'll simply kill them like all the others who have washed up on shore."

Vorak looks taken aback. "We must tell the Elder, Zoldryn."

I stare down at the frail human, my mind racing with conflicting thoughts. On one hand, I've been dreaming of overthrowing the Elder for years, of taking my rightful place as the leader of the dragons. On the other hand, there's something about this girl that draws me in.

I make my decision. Finding her gives me the right to use her magic as I see fit, no matter what the Elder rules. I will have to report the crash, but I won't be giving up my treasure.

I lift her gently from the chest, cradling her in my arms. I can sense her power growing, fueling my own. It's intoxicating, like nothing I've ever felt before.

I know that Vorak is right. It would be impossible to keep these outsiders a secret from the Elder or the rest of the clan.

"If you wish to keep any of this treasure for yourself, you'd be wise to stash it away before the Elder claims it," I tell him.

Vorak's eyes flare with that telltale golden gleam, and I know he understands what I'm asking. I've seen that look a thousand times before, the one that says he's nearly as unhappy with our leader as I am. The Elder always gets his grubby claws on the prizes that wash up from the sea. Vorak nods, the truth in my voice not lost on him.

I waste no time, quickly filling the chest with treasure of my own. Gold coins, precious gems, shiny cloths - I take what I can, making sure to leave enough room for the human girl. She's small, but I can't risk her being crushed under the weight of all this wealth.

As I work, I can feel Vorak's eyes on me. He's curious, I can tell, but he doesn't ask any questions. He knows better than to question my decisions, especially when it comes to the treasure hoard.

I'm the one who's been wanting this coup for years, after all. This is my moment, and I won't let anyone - not even The Elder - stand in my way.

As I transform into my dragon form, the weight of the chest and the girl feels almost insignificant compared to the power surging through my veins. I spread my wings wide, feeling the wind rush past me as I take off towards Bloodstorm Peak.