Unyeilding Warriors Chapter 3: Isvurthalre
#4 of Unyeilding Warriors
Come on, Aaron! Talon said with a hint of urgency, Get up!
Aaron didn't want to move. It had been a month since he began training to be a rider and his muscles were screaming with pain. Begging him not move. Only when Talon loosed an earth-shattering roar did he finally roll out of the safety and comfort of his bed.
Talon, he asked. Why do I need to get up? It feels as though I just fell asleep. My body hurts beyond belief.
This day is very important. Talon chided, It would be most unwise of you to miss this. Now, get dressed and come out here. We must not be late.
•••
Aaron winced as he climbed up onto Talon. His aching arms flared up in pain in protest of his exertion.
Okay Talon, Aaron said as he positioned himself comfortably atop the drake. What is so important about today? My body is stiff and sore, I doubt that I can spar against Michael again in my condition.
Although he didn't look like it, Michael could actually hold his own in a five on one fight. He'd given Aaron a fair number of bruises from sparring. They used swords during their matches but never cut themselves thanks to a special strip of metal they placed on each of the blades. However, Injuries like bruises and broken bones from the impacts were an ever present danger.
You will not be fighting today. Talon said reassuringly. Instead, you and Michael will be given a little lesson on dragons. I know that you know a lot about us from your study of dragonology, but being a dragon myself, I can still teach you a few things.
When they reached the training field, Aaron and Talon found Rakk waiting for them. On his back, Michael was passed out, laying between two of the ice dragon's dorsal spikes.
It's about time you two got here! Rakk said with a snort.
I believe you were a tad bit early, Rakk. Talon retorted as he landed. He lowered his body to allow Aaron to dismount, who yawned before sliding to the ground.
Aaron, now fully awake, noticed Michael's reposing form and motioned at the sleeping human with his head.
"May I?" He asked Rakk.
As if he could sense his intentions, Rakk nodded and gave a look that could have been taken for some sort of grin.
Aaron picked up a rock just smaller than his fist and hurled it at Michael. The stone sailed through the air and hit him, knocking him off of his perch. He fell and hit the ground with a muffled thump.
"What was that for?" Michael asked as he picked himself up off of the ground.
Aaron was mentally giving himself a high five himself. "Sorry about that, Mike. I couldn't resist." He said.
"Yeah, well please try to control yourself better." Michael said rubbing his head. "One of these days, I'm gonna get brain damage from you." Michael slid off of Rakk and stretched.
Shall we begin today's lesson? Talon asked.Aaron and Michael nodded to him and sat down on a log.
Rakk and Talon taught them everything. From behavioral patterns to reproductive systems of dragons. Aaron was surprised to learn that despite the lack of protection to the wing membranes, the chest was the best bet on quickly bringing down a dragon. Even though a dragon's chest was covered in large, armored plate-like scales, it was one of the softest places on their bodies. Even while exploiting this weak point, it would prove to be very difficult to defeat one of Talon's kin. Dragons were the perfect killing machines. They were masters of the sky and could utilize one of many elements- from earth and rock to Fire. They could go without sleep for a month and a half if they needed to. They possessed extremely high levels of endurance, allowing them to run or fly for days on end. A dragon could also take an anthropomorphic form. In such a state, They would walk upright on two legs and stand about 7 feet tall. Even in such a small form, a dragon would possess super human abilities. Anyone facing a dragon alone had better have a death wish in any case.
The following day, Aaron and Michael were ready to try their hand at fighting a dragon. They were to be going against Rakk in his feral form. The two humans were allowed to use nonlethal means against the dragon if they wanted to avoid maiming him or killing him. Aaron was to use Talon's Fang while Michael would use The Ice's Edge, a sword that had appeared along with Rakk.
At Talon's word, Rakk launched himself into the air. He circled the field a few times before attacking. Rakk dived and towards the two boys. An ice blue light emanated from within the drakes throat. Seconds later, a shotgun blast of foot long icicles flew from Rakk's open jaws. Just before they reached their targets, time seemed to slow down to a crawl. Aaron and Michael began to move out of the way. The spaces where they were occupying just micro seconds before, were now impaled by the icy daggers.
The dragon's second attack was easier to evade. Rakk was only 50 feet above the ground. The same glow came from his mouth but this time, it wasn't another blast of icicles. Instead, it was a beam of energy. Everything the beam touched was frozen almost instantly. Aaron and Michael easily rolled out of the way.
This went on for hours. Aaron could feel himself growing weaker with each passing moment. "Michael," he said. "At this rate, we will never win."
"I have an idea." Michael replied, "Ready your throwing knives." Michael brandished his shuriken throwing stars.
As they did this Rakk opened a mental link to Talon. Talon, these two will never win in an actual fi-
Rakk howled out in surprise and slight pain as six sharp throwing weapons punctured his left wing. He plummeted to the ground and landed hard on the the ground. Aaron and Michael rushed the stunned drake's prone body, climbed onto him, and put their swords to his throat. Rakk growled in protest but relented. Gah! I yield!
"Are we done here?" Michael asked his dragon.
Yes isthasy, we're done. Now can can you please remove your blades from my neck? It's making me uncomfortable.
Michael nodded to Aaron, a sign that Rakk had given up and that the fight was over. Aaron sheathed his sword and frowned. How did Michael know exactly how to defeat Rakk? The fact that Michael was linked to this dragon may have contributed somewhat to their victory. Either way, had it not been for his swift thinking had assured them victory. Aaron walked up to the still prone dragon and removed the throwing knives and shurikens from the wing membrane. The small weapons had torn holes in the delicate membrane.
Don't worry about it Aaron. Rakk said. I'll heal.
Aaron looked over at Michael. "That was a dangerous thing to do to your dragon brother, Mike."
"I know." Michael replied. "But if we didn't do that, we would have never won. Besides, risks are made to be taken right?"
I hate to interrupt, but we should be getting home. Talon said. Aaron nodded and said his good-byes. Shortly after, he and Talon were flying back to their home. Something began to trouble the youth.
Hey Talon? Aaron called to his dragon.
Yes? Is something the matter? Talon could feel the uneasy emotions flow across his mental link with the human.
I'm worried about fighting you.
How so?
Well, for starters, you could easily kill me. I wanted to know if there is any advice that you could give me.
My opinion is not to fight using your brain and muscles first. Use your heart. You seem to over think things a little too much. It's good that you have the mind that you do, but you use it too much. It should always be in this order: heart, body, then brain.
•••
Early the next morning, all four were at the field. Once they were ready, Talon began his lesson.
Today, you will learn how to fight an anthropomorphic dragon. The blood red dragon shifted from his feral form into his humanoid form and shrank until he was about 7 feet tall. Aaron, you will go first today.
The human stepped forward and readied his sword. Within moments, he and his brother were locked in combat with one another. Talon swung his onyx claws through the air with tremendous speed while Aaron parried every one of his blows. Aaron began to lose ground and was soon on his back. The dragon thrust his claws forward only to stop an inch away from Aaron's throat.
Not bad for your first try. Talon said. You lasted much longer than I thought you would. Okay Michael, you're next.
Aaron's friend stepped forward holding the Ice's Edge. The fight was very short. Talon had the young man pinned in under a minute.
Focus brother! Rakk instructed.
On his next try, Michael almost lasted as long as Aaron but exhaustion proved to be the tool of his defeat. It wasn't even noon yet and the boys were already worn out. They all decided to head into town for some lunch. Their choice was a small dive right down the street from the main four corners. Aaron had a cheeseburger with pepper jack cheese on it. Michael opted for the same but also requested a bottle of hot sauce along with it. Rarely did he ever eat without Tabasco or some other hot sauce. The only exception being breakfast. Their dragons assumed humanoid forms and sat at the table with them but declined every offer of food that was made to them.
Once they were all back at the field, they resumed their sparring. This time, Rakk took his hybrid form and soon it was humans verses dragons. For seven hours, they fought and every time, Rakk and Talon would win. Battered, beaten, and badly bruised; the two humans admitted defeat. This ended up producing an interesting conversation between Aaron and his brother on the flight home.
Your kind is very persistent. Talon said.
But not as much so as you are. Aaron replied.
True. Talon gave a slight chuckle at the thought.
On the rest of the way home, Aaron began to take in the weather conditions. It was nice and warm out. Not overly hot or humid. Aaron began to create a plan. When Talon was smaller, he would always curl up with Aaron on his bed and sleep with him. To be completely honest with himself, Aaron kind of missed those days. He wanted to return the favor to his dragon brother.
When Talon landed in the driveway, Aaron began to enact his plan.
Don't go anywhere, Talon. He said. I'll be right back.
once he was in the house, Aaron sought out his mother; who he found in the den.
"Hey mom." Aaron said as he gave her a hug.
"Hiya sweetie." She said as she tussled his hair. "How was your day?"
"Painful." He replied He then saw his opportunity to ask her his question. It was either now or never. "Hey, can I sleep out in the clearing with Talon?"
Ruth seemed baffled for a moment. "Why?"
"Well, I just haven't been able to spend a night with him in a while."
"I suppose, but try to be back here for breakfast."
"I will." Aaron bolted out of the door and onto Talon's back. I get sleep with you out in the clearing! He said jubilantly.
Oh? Talon was a bit taken back by this announcement. And What brought this on if I may ask?
Well, before you grew too big to do so, you would always sleep on my bed with me. I simply want to return the favor. It has been a while since we were able to spend some time together without it being for training purposes.
Talon knew that they had a connection like no two people could ever hope to achieve, but he didn't think that the small human was that lonely at nights. That is very kind of you Aaron. I would most certainly enjoy your company on this fine night. The two took off for the clearing in which Talon slept. Talon circled the clearing for a few minutes to make sure it was safe before dumping some of the air from his right wing, sending them into a gentle downward spiral toward the ground below. Once they landed, Aaron hopped off of the crimson creature's neck base and watched him trot over to a spot where the vegetation had been worn away by his scales. He kneaded the ground slightly and then laid down. He motioned for Aaron to come closer and lay on his tail, which he had curled up next to his belly. Aaron complied and was surprised to find that despite the corded muscles that ran the length of the dragon's body, it was as soft as a down mattress. Talon covered him with a wing to keep him warm. Aaron was quick fall asleep in Talon's grasp.
Aaron woke up first thing in the morning and watched his dragon sleep. He started to Talon's wing membranes. upon closer inspection, Aaron say that the membranes were actually small, fine scales. Yet they felt just like leather to the touch.
When Talon was finally awake, he and Aaron headed to the house for breakfast and to mingle a little bit before they went off to training.
And so began their new schedule. At nights, Aaron and Talon would spend the nights in each other's presence and would spar and train against one another by day. With each and every session, Aaron and Michael were advancing in their fighting skills. They were beginning to win a few matches occasionally. The dragon's tremendous growth rates had slowed to a crawl. Rakk was 32 feet long from chest to tail tip and 15 feet tall at the shoulders while Talon was a third bigger. After a particularly strenuous humans verses dragons match, Talon said that they had completed their training. At that end, the dragons touched the arms of their respective humans. As soon Talon made contact with Aaron's forearm, A searing pain went through his body. Branching from the site of contact. It was gone as quickly as it came. Aaron looked at his arm and found that a marking in the shape of a dragon had snaked its way up to his shoulder from his wrist in a spiraling pattern.
While laying in the clearing that evening, Talon began to inform his new rider of his status. You are now a dragon rider Aaron. And as such, you are no longer just my brother.The great crimson dragon let out a huff of contentment. You are Sisvurthalre*. My brother rider.
And you are Sisvudarastrix**. My brother dragon. And you always will be.
As they surrendered to the void of sleep, Talon put a wing over his companion. Mel'thukear*** Aaron.
Good night. came the reply.
*Sisvurthalre: My brother rider- An affectionate term a dragon gives to their rider if the rider is a male.
**Sisvudarastrix: My brother dragon- An affectionate term a rider will give to their dragon mount if the dragon is a male.
***Mel'thukear: draconic for "good night."