Greetings all
Consider this a warning. Today is not a happy update but it does set the tone for the rest of the book. It's a good piece, necessary, but difficult to write all the same.
VB was a very excitable kid. It was clear that he had never had to sit still for longer than a few minutes, making it difficult to keep him quiet during the small ceremony he and Bolx now sat in. Originally, the school had just let those who graduated the second year just go home, it had changed in the years that Saasha had been queen. With a warrior on the throne, those who were in charge of the school wanted to showcase the youngsters who were climbing the ranks.
Saasha had been at all these ceremonies, beaming at how her race had shown they were willing to adapt and not remain stuck in traditions. She had spent a few minutes talking with Bolx before the ceremony, and he couldn’t help but notice that Brucel had come with her. While many people on the planet had come to understand who he was, it was rare to see the pair together. However, when the race had noticed the matching jewellery the two wore and the smile that had disappeared from the old General of the Royal Guards, suddenly returned, they knew what had happened.
Bolx was happy for the two of them. He knew how difficult it was to hold a flame for those he had been forced to bury. In his heart, he knew that they would have been pleased to see that he could find love again, and he was sure the pair’s partners felt the same way. However, there was never anything official, and Brucel acted as nothing more than an advisor. What they did behind closed doors was no one’s business.
“The human did well.” Said Brucel. “Seeing as he isn’t built like our children.”
“Top half of the class is nothing to be ashamed of.” Said Saasha. “He worked hard to earn that position. It also proves that the school can open its doors to species that are not our own.”
Brucel frowned.
“You can’t be a traditionalist.” Laughed Saasha.
“My family designed that school. I can’t say my ancestors would be too pleased.” He admitted. “But the boy is strong. He’ll make a fine warrior.”
Saasha’s vision was drawn to the fidgeting boy next to Bolx. She had already picked up the features that looked similar to Aidan's. This must have been Aidan’s half-brother.
“I’m surprised Astec allowed the boy to come here.” Said Brucel, “Seeing how much he hated the idea of his eldest coming to this school.”
“I get to see my brother!” exclaimed the youngster.
The pair smiled down at the human child who showed no fear at their size. The Queen and her advisor then shared a look before they looked away from each other.
“We should go get seated.” Said Bolx, sensing they had something they wanted to discuss privately.
“Ah! The reason I stopped you.” Said Saasha quickly. “Siar is with Mother, she said she’ll need about an hour before you lot meet for lunch. She says she left the house unlocked and you guys can have some snacks.”
“Thank you.”
Saasha looked down and noticed the bracelet on his arm. She grinned and asked, “You got round to asking her?”
“She asked me this morning.” He grinned with a blush.
Saasha chuckled and squeezed her brother’s shoulder. “Go on, go find your seat. Make sure the girl invites me to the wedding when you two get round to it. I expect to be the godmother.”
Bolx smiled and turned away from the pair, taking up the hand of the little boy by his side.
“Isn’t Saita incapable of offspring?” asked Brucel once he was sure Bolx was out of hearing range.
“Technically so am I, but there are ways around it.” She grinned at him. “Now, shall we continue our earlier discussion before the ceremony gets underway?”
Bolx was proud of Aidan and happily accepted the powerful hug the boy gave him after he joined them after the ceremony.
“It’s so good to see you.” Whispered Bolx as he squeezed the boy tightly.
“And you!” Aidan released Bolx long enough to pull his little brother into a hug. “You’ve gotten so big!”
“Aidan!” VB yelled and clung to his brother.
“Could Dad not make it?” he asked the little boy as he let go of him.
“He has to work.” VB pouted.
“It’s what grownups do.” Aidan looked up at Bolx. “And where is Mother?”
“She and Saseric are overseeing a colony planet where mammals and reptiles have been living together for the last few years.”
“I remember Pura mentioning that.” At the mention of Pura, the boy smiled sadly. “He sent me a message a few days before he was found dead. He said he was at peace and that I should make sure that Mom never blames herself.”
“She’s moving past it, but it was difficult for a while.”
He directed the boys to a vehicle that would be taking them to his sister’s place. The boys happily chatted as they travelled. Bolx was looking over Aidan’s results for the last two years. Overall, he was just above average, an outstanding achievement considering he wasn’t Saith. Bolx found a few areas where he could help the boy improve but he wanted to discuss it with Saita before he did anything.
“Bolx?”
“Hmm?” he looked up.
“Is Mom well?” asked Aidan.
“Busy and a little stressed, but yes. She’s looking forward to future events and making plans according to those events.”
“Events such as something that has to do with the shiny metal on your wrist?”
“Did your mother say anything about this to you?”
“No. I assumed that we’d discuss it when I see her later. I am happy for you. It’s about time.”
Bolx couldn’t help but reach over and ruffle the child’s hair. The boy took it in good grace and continued to smile at the Saith. They soon arrived at Saita’s old home and Aidan seemed eager to show his brother his old room.
“Remember that Siar lives here now with Seana, so don’t go digging around in rooms that appear occupied.” Shouted Bolx as he got out of the vehicle.
“I won’t!”
Bolx thanked the driver and sent him on his way then turned to the house. He remembered all the good memories he had built here with Saita. It was here where they had transitioned from friends to more. He wondered if she’d be open to moving back to Saith after she was done with the ruling. The thought distracted him as he walked into the house with a smile on his lips.
He was thinking of the future he was going to have. He would ask Astec and Saita if it would be alright for him to adopt Aidan. If Saita was open to it perhaps, they could consider taking in a child. Saita had expressed wanting children but had never openly been against the thought of adopting them. Perhaps it would even be possible to make children the way he and his siblings had been made. The thought left him excited and distracted.
As soon as he was fully in the house, he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. The reaction was sudden, and he didn’t know what had caused it at first, then a familiar smell of a portal came to him. It had been years since he had encountered this smell. His muscles bunched as his eyes searched around the kitchen and living room.
“Boys!” he said sharply.
He heard slow footsteps down the stairs, and he braced himself. He saw VB walk backward, and as soon as the boy saw him, he bolted to him. As the boy started running a massive creature launched itself from the staircase to land against the wall opposite. As soon as its feet slammed against the wall, it launched itself at the child. Bolx stepped forward to pull the child behind him while lifting his right arm to keep the teeth from reaching anything important.
A set of powerful teeth clamped around his arm, dragging him to the floor with the creature. He had to roll as a set of claws tried to take his head. The second hit its intended target and Bolx felt muscle separate from the bone in his upper right arm. The teeth crunched through the flesh of his arm and blood sprayed everywhere. Bolx kicked the creature from him and got to his feet as quickly as he could. He kept himself between the creature with the blinking eye and the hysterical child behind him.
Aidan barrelled down the stairs. He was also covered in blood, but Bolx couldn’t see where he was injured. He needed to get the boys out. He couldn’t fight the creature and protect them.
Ignoring the pain in his arm, he lay a hand on VB and pictured the castle on the human’s main planet. He had barely pulled enough energy to teleport the child when the creature attacked again. Aidan stepped in and redirected the creature’s bulk just as Bolx sent the younger boy on his way. He just needed to reach Aidan now.
Red-Eye, impressed by the moxie of the young child was almost prepared to let the larger man save him, but he had orders. Spinning in place as Aidan almost overbalanced, Red-Eye opened his mouth and chomped down on the boy’s shoulder. The Wolven instantly regretted it as the boy brought flames to cover his upper body. He released the boy and backhanded him to land next to the Saith.
They both needed to go. His mistress had demanded it. He didn’t enjoy killing children, but he couldn’t go against what his mistress had asked of him. The large Saith tried to reach for the boy with his ruined arm, keeping the working one up in defence. Red-Eye launched himself at Bolx, completely severing the already ruined arm and pushing him into the carpet. With his other set of claws, he wrapped them around the barely conscious boy’s throat.
“And now it starts.”
As Red-Eye says; now it begins. While the piece may have some of you rage-quitting, I would suggest you stick around to see how this plays out toward the end. You may just be surprised.
For those of you who have never heard of Fell Dragon you can find Book 1 here, Book 2 here, Book 3 here, and Book 4 here, Book 5 here, Book 6 here, and Book 7 here
If you have any questions, feel free to ask me. I love discussing my books!
As the series continues, it will combine with another book series I wrote. To avoid confusion about what is happening, introductory chapters will be introduced separately so that you don't have to be lost. However, these chapters will contain spoilers. You can find these chapters here:
Races Explained
Banishment
Royal Guard
Saasha’s Direct Family
Saith Characters Recap
Human Characters Recap
Alternate Timeline Brucel
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Part 23>>You are Here>>Part 25
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