The Riders
#1 of Riders
The Riders
The Boy
On a cold winter's eve in the realm of Vangrashire, in a town located just a few miles from a castle of Baron Gere, lone feminine figure stalks around the poorly lit street. In her heart is regret and sorrow for what she is going to do. She searches for one house in particular. She hears a door open and throws herself against the wall of the nearest house in the shadows. She hides until she hears the door close and the light go out.
She clutched a small child next to her bosom. The child barely three months old: the woman was doing what she felt was right even if it would kill her on the inside. Her family had recently become involved in some weird conspiracy. It could mean her and her husband's life she didn't want her beloved son to suffer a similar fate.
She continued north to a poorer section and searched for her best friend's house that would be free of accusation once things got hairy. They were able to support themselves fairly well each year, considering they were bakers. She looked into the window and saw the bedroom light was lit. The robed figure picked up a small basket and placed it on the top of the steps and set her son inside with a note attached to his blanket. Saying to treat him as their own and don't tell him they adopted him. Jarule was To be raised as a farmer and to be kept from the militias and military. She looked upon her child one last time and gave her son her solid gold necklace. She kissed him on the fore head and knocked upon the door before fleeing into the night, never to be seen again.
Eight years and nine months later...
The sun peeks through the crack in the shutters. I cover my eyes in order to get back to sleep. Then I hear mother calling my name from the kitchen. Undoubtedly dad was at the store already. I climbed out of bed and went into the kitchen. Pulling on my tunic, I walked into the kitchen the smell of freshly baked porridge.
"Hey Jarule, hungry," mother asked.
"Yes, mom," I said.
"Do you know what day it is," she asked.
"The twenty fifth of the twelfth month," I said.
"More important than just that," she said.
"No I can't think of anything," I said.
"Oh, silly it's your birthday," she said.
"Yeah I must've overlooked it," I said, I really didn't I hate my birthday something bad always happens.
"Well go eat your breakfast and go see for dad. He wants to tell you a few things now," she said.
Almost as soon as she finished her sentence dad walked in the door. He looked like he was really distraught. He started looking around the room as soon as he saw me he whispered to mom something and her eyes flew open. They both stood in front of me and told me about a rebellion that had happened nearly nine years ago. Then a knocking came at the door.
"Who is it," my mother asked.
"Open up this is official royal guard business," a voice on the other side.
Quickly mom unlatched the lock and opened the door. A lynx in regal clothing stepped in. He stood tall and proud, he had a confident stride, and a very nasty gash on his face. His lumbering stature was enough to freak me out but that booming voice made me scared.
"I understand you have a child yes," he asked.
"Yes sir," they both replied huddled next to each other in fear.
"Well the king has asked me to come and pick him up and take him to the duke's castle. I must tell you I can't take no for an answer my life depends on bringing this child to the castle," he said in an authoritative voice.
"Promise one thing for us," my mother spoke up, "promise that he'll be safe."
"Madam, you have my sincerest assurance that not one hair on his head will be touched," he said.
She accepted that and packed my luggage. They grabbed the leather cases and lead me on out of the house. They marched to a carriage that would take us to the dukes castle. The royal crest was on the outside of it, I recognized it because every gold piece had that symbol etched into it. They opened the door and signaled for me to enter it.
The ride up to the castle was a few hours by the time we arrived the sun was high in the sky. I was told about the history of the last ruler who was forced from his throne. He sounded like an awful person whose only concern was himself. He didn't care about the people and often had public executions within the castle. There were too many extravagant purchases that often destroyed the economy and needed repairs often went unattended. In short he was a hated king; even his close friends hated him.
The courtyard was massive, beautifully decorated and a great fountain in the middle of it. I followed the man that had come to take me away from my parents. We entered a set of giant wooden doors. The inside was well lit, and beautifully decorated just like the outside. We went into the throne room the duke was sitting in his chair talking to a brilliantly dressed wolf.
"Yes m'lord I shall discuss this with our 'friends' out on the coast," Duke Von Braun said.
"Good, makes sure that you keep the meeting friendly," he said.
"M'lord, I didn't think you'd be here for a few days," the lynx next to me said.
Turning he at him and said, "Yes, your quite right, General MacArthur but I decided to meet you all the way here instead of halfway. My appointments can wait, my people come first. So is this the boy?"
"Yes, m'lord I found him living with the bakers in the village. I don't think he knows about his family's history," he said.
"Ah ok, well let me talk to him," turning to me he said, "You want to see the nursery?"
I didn't say anything mostly because I never heard of a nursery. He told me to follow him that I'd really like it. So I did as I was told and followed him. It was a giant wooden housing area and it was as warm as a warm summer day. There were these big round stones with different colorations. One of the stones was placed on top of a hay covered table. It wiggled left and right as if something was controlling it. Then it burst open.
There standing in front of us was a baby diamond mouth. One of the most dangerous dragons on the continent, their reputation was well deserved; they have been known to kill thousands even if mortally wounded. The name comes from their ability to chew through anything, from the hardest stones to metal. The tales told about them were always terrifying. They always seemed to persist, and almost always the same. To capture one was considered the greatest feat known to us.
"Ah the Diamond Mouth the hardest to train, they need the most experienced trainers. She's a beauty isn't she," the king asked.
"Yes she is," I said then I turned to talk to the dragon, "It's pleasantly warm in here isn't it?"
Then it nodded its head. The kings eyes opened widely, he didn't say anything about it but somehow he was acting different. When we got back to the main part of the castle he spoke to the general in a hushed voice. They looked at me with odd faces I had no idea what was going on they continued all throughout dinner and the king took me to a big room and bid me goodnight.
King Simon
Is it possible? That is the question that has been following me for so many hours now. Ever since I was with the Siberian husky pup and he talked to the baby dragon. It shouldn't have responded at all! I have been speaking to my right hand man all day and even he is at a loss. Blast me! I need to get in touch with Master Roland as I can.
"M'lord are you certain of this incident? Maybe you were half asleep," Jack asked.
"For the last time Jack, when we are in private call me Simon," I said irritably.
"Sorry Simon. Just I get used to calling you m'lord it is kinda hard to make a transition. So are you absolutely sure it was your eyes playing a trick on you," he asked.
"Jack, I said I saw what I saw. Its head bobbed even the boy noticed," I said exasperatedly.
"Simon, his name is Jarule, please start calling him that. After all he is your adopted son," he said.
"Yes your right. So should I contact Master Roland or not," I asked.
"Simon he would love the opportunity to see the newest rider. After all they only come about once a century," he said.
"Yes, but always in pairs, one evil one good. How can we tell if he is evil," I asked exasperated.
"We can't but Roland can. From what I can tell the boy has no evil in him, and I'm usually a good judge of character," I said.
"Yes you usually are. I shall write to Master Roland, please leave me alone so I can write in peace," I said.
"Very Well Simon I'll leave you to it," he said and left.
I promptly walked over to the writing desk and pulled out a piece of parchment and an ink well. I grabbed the quill and started writing. The only noise was the quill scratching against the paper rapidly. By the time I was done the candle was nearly out and I had about six pieces of parchment used. I read it over to make sure I crossed all of my t's and dotted all of my I's. Satisfied I strolled down to the runner's office and told the man on duty to get it to the destination as soon as possible.