I tremble from head to foot before the awe-inspiring majesty of Kalteratem. Weakened from my walk here to this landing at the top of the Wards’ palace, I stagger on my feet, in shock. Ward Veremund takes my arm—and Kalteratem’s massive head comes forward and supports me on my right side. His scales, which are as large as cows in some places of his body, are cool to the touch.
“Easy, Estelle,” Kalteratem says. He gives me a gentle nudge toward Ward Veremund, who guides me to where a stone chair has been set beside a large stone table.
I sit, unable to look away from Kalteratem. Hearing a chuckle, I finally pry my eyes away to see Ward Mortimer headed my way, Ward Thorn following.
“Quite a sight, isn’t he?” Ward Mortimer bends down and gives me a hug. “Glad to see you again! But Veremund, you dragged her all the way up here?!”
Ward Veremund gives a sheepish smile as he sets a goblet of water in front of me. “I admit that I was a bit excited for her to see Kalteratem. I do apologize, Estelle.”
“It’s fine,” I wheeze. I guzzle the water.
“You shouldn’t have come. You still need rest,” Ward Thorn says.
“Thorn,” Ward Mortimer says quietly.
I notice that Ward Thorn’s arm is wrapped and in a sling, pressed against his dark olive green shirt. “How is your arm?” I ask.
Ward Thorn’s brow softens a little. He glances at Ward Veremund as he massages his left arm. “Better. Thank you, Estelle.”
“You were amazing!” Vitegadium leans over the two humans and nuzzles my head. “You saved us all! I’m so glad to see you again.”
Smiling, I rub the side of Vitegadium’s face and then start looking him over. I’m not as familiar with dragon anatomy, but I can tell that he stands well, and his wings are tucked evenly at his sides. “And you, Vitegadium? How are you feeling?”
“Much better! Thorn’s in more pain now,” Vitegadium says.
“I’m fine,” Ward Thorn says a bit testily. Chuckling, Ward Mortimer pats Ward Thorn on the back.
“You risked much for us all.” Undabouclier lowers his head and, like Vitegadium, nuzzles my shoulder. “I’m so thankful for you.”
“It’s not like I did this by myself,” I say, feeling embarrassed. “I certainly wasn’t useful after…after I passed out.”
“Don’t diminish your contribution!” Ward Mortimer says.
“Truly, you did a great deed for my dearest friends.” Ward Veremund gestures to the other Wards standing on either side of Kalteratem. “We’d like to introduce you to the other members of the Wards. To your far right is Neil Dufort.”
I thought Ward Mortimer was tall—Ward Neil is even taller! The man looks like he’s easily two meters tall, maybe two and a half. Though not as wide as Ward Mortimer, his sheer height is intimidating. His fair-skinned head has been shaved, except for a long blonde beard that’s tied twice with bronze rings. His dark brown eyes observe me but then he gives me a surprisingly warm grin.
“Excellent work, burning off Velenosever’s tail,” Ward Neil says, his voice a bit louder than I expected. “Very sound strategy.”
I didn’t really intend to burn the dragon’s tail off, but there’s no point in arguing it. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“This here’s Giftigbun,” Ward Neil says. He gestures to the gleaming yellow-scaled dragon behind him that’s just a bit larger than Undabouclier but much longer. The tips of his scales are green and protrude a little bit from Giftigbun’s body, like spikes. He has very dark green eyes that observe me intently, but like his bonded human he gives me a big toothy smile.
“You have beautiful eyes, Estelle,” Giftigbun says.
“Thank you,” I say.
“Neil and Giftigbun are Veremund and Kalteratem’s right hand pair,” Ward Mortimer says. “They’re second-in-command around here, and they provide a lot of the training for Wards-to-be and new Wards.”
“It’s because I’m loud and bossy,” Ward Neil says. I smile, realizing he’s jesting, and then giggle when he grins proudly.
Ward Veremund smiles but then holds out his hand. “To Neil’s right is Amon Serpico.”
Ward Amon, a hooded cloak pushed off his shoulders and wearing a dark bronze shirt and black cloth pants tucked into dark leather boots, gives me a handsome smile, flicking a lock of his warm brown hair out of his fair-skinned face. “Welcome, Estelle,” he says smoothly, his voice much quieter than Ward Neil’s. “We’ve heard a lot about you. You’ve already caught the attention of the Vladykars! You are quite the talented and lovely lady. Welcome!” He gestures behind him. “May I present my bonded, Andeuten.”
Andeuten is a thin and long dragon, not unlike how Velenosever was shaped but on a much smaller scale. I think he’s just a little larger than Astralux. His scales are a dark brown that become a reddish bronze at the tips. While he has short spikes down his spine, he doesn’t have horns, and this gives him a sleeker appearance. His dark eyes observe me intently and then he gives me a small smile. “It is nice to meet the newly bonded of Astralux,” he says. “Welcome.”
Ward Veremund gestures to a bright orange-red haired young man who has a black mark on the left side of his face in the shape of a flame. “This is the last Ward you haven’t met, Volkan Berg.”
“Hey there.” The fair-skinned man gives me a nod, his arms crossed, his golden hazel eyes watching me. “This here’s Tikokaftos.”
I start a little when the burnt-orange scaled dragon behind Ward Volkan gives a snort that causes smoke to trickle from his nose. He’s close in girth to Andeuten but nowhere near as long and lithe. The tips of his scales, the spikes that run in three rows down his back, and the jagged horns that protrude from his head are yellow, giving him a fiery look. His eyes are a brilliant yellow, and he observes me intensely.
“Doesn’t look like much to me,” Tikokaftos says. But just as my heart sinks in surprise, the dragon grins. “But burning off a Vladykar dragon’s tail with fire magic? I’m all for that!”
“Tikokaftos is Giftigbun’s son,” Ward Veremund says.
Now I stare between the two dragons, suddenly seeing some resemblance in the shape of their faces and in the way their horns curve, but nowhere near enough to have noticed it without it being pointed out. “Your colors are so different,” I say.
“A dragon’s colors—which are generally influenced by their breath—are almost entirely independent of their parents,” Giftigbun says. “But in this case Tikokaftos does look a little like his mother.”
More dragons? I dimly recall being told that there are non-bonded dragons in Adytol, but for some reason I had forgotten this fact. Maybe because every dragon I meet is so astounding I have a difficult time fathoming yet another one.
“You should also know,” Kalteratem says, “that Astralux is my daughter.”
Now I stare up at Kalteratem, realizing that like Giftigbun and Tikokaftos, Kalteratem and Astralux do share a little similarity in their face and build. Their coloring is also a bit closer, including in their eyes.
“I apologize for my daughter’s actions, that she persuaded you to go through with the bonding in such a rushed manner,” Kalteratem says. “While I believe her when she says that you were both in great danger, she has also admitted to me that she did, in fact, hope to siphon your magic, in time.”
My throat clenches as the hurt rises in me again. I ignore the other Wards nearby, who glance amongst themselves—apparently this hadn’t been known or discussed yet.
“Because of this, Veremund and I are extending an offer to you that we wouldn’t normally to a bonded,” Kalteratem says, “and that is the option to not officially become a Ward.”
A number of the other Wards gasp in surprise. “You, you aren’t serious, are you?” Tikokaftos says.
Kalteratem doesn’t look away from me. “You have the choice, Estelle, to remain in Adytol as a civilian, and Astralux would do the same.”
“Kalteratem,” Ward Thorn says, his tone concerned. “That takes us down another dragon, let alone another bonded pair! We can’t handle any more losses.”
“Yet a Ward never takes the easiest path, but the right path,” Ward Veremund says. “Estelle, while willingly bonded with Astralux, was unaware and thus misled on what exactly she was accepting. The stress and pressure of the moment forced her hand, and Kalteratem and I don’t want to see a Ward amongst our ranks who doesn’t wish to be here.”
“But what about Astralux?” Ward Volkan says. “She wants to be a Ward! After everything she and Tristin went through, and she just has to give it up?! This isn’t fair!”
“Astralux has agreed to this proposition,” Kalteratem says. “She understands the predicament she’s put Estelle in, and is willing to face the consequences.”
I flinch as Ward Thorn glares at me. “And what of you, Estelle? You haven’t said anything about this.”
“I would like time to think,” I say.
“Time to think?! This is an easy decision!” Tikokaftos flaps his wings, growling, and I sink in my seat. “How could you—”
“—Enough,” Kalteratem says. “Estelle has asked for time to consider this proposition. How long did you all have the opportunity to consider becoming a Ward, and what it would entail, the sacrifices along with the blessings? Let her alone.” He turns his head back to me. “Whenever you have made your decision, please let Veremund and I know.”
“I will,” I say, my voice feeble. I can feel the frustration of many of the Wards, and almost cave in to agreeing to be a Ward. But I also know that if I agreed right now, I would hate myself for making the decision in fear, and might even grow to be bitter against the Wards. I’m still mad at myself for agreeing to the bond with Astralux as quickly as I did.
“Very well. In the meantime, know that we will provide for your needs while you are bonded to Astralux, even while not a Ward.” A smile works its way on Kalteratem’s face. “Normally I would not so freely offer such unbounded kindness to a non-Ward, for fear that you may take advantage of this offer and become lazy; however, Veremund has shown me that you were already assisting Head Nurse Jaye with Boyce. I have full faith that you will assist Adytol in some way.”
I stare at Kalteratem until I remember Ward Veremund telling me about the ability to share thoughts as time passed, and that they were one of the longest known bonded pairs. “No, I would like to assist. I’m just not certain about being a Ward yet.”
“Of course.” Ward Veremund holds a hand out to the other Wards. “I would like some of you to give Estelle a tour of Adytol.”
“I will,” Ward Amon says.
“Thank you, Amon,” Ward Veremund says. “And someone else?”
“I’d be happy to,” Ward Mortimer says, “but I did promise the missus a few errands this afternoon.”
“Same, sorry about that,” Ward Neil says to me.
Ward Thorn and Ward Volkan both look at each other, and my heart sinks. “We’ll go,” Ward Volkan says wearily. I flinch again.
“Very well.” Ward Veremund looks at me. “Are you strong enough to walk again?”
I stand and find that my legs no longer shake. “Yes.”
“A tour!” Vitegadium’s tail taps on the stone floor, and I smile, mostly in relief but also amused by his eagerness. “We get to go on a tour!”
“‘We?’ Vite, how are you going to walk the streets with us?” Ward Thorn asks.
“Oh. Um. I think I’ll still fit.”
“You might ‘fit’ in-between the buildings, but you would drive the people off the streets,” Ward Thorn says.
Vitegadium’s wings drop to his sides. Then his head perks up again. “I know! I can climb along the building rooftops!”
I can’t help giggling a little when Ward Thorn puts a hand over his face, while Tikokaftos rolls his eyes. “Vite. The buildings can’t support us, remember? We aren’t little anymore.”
“I dunno,” Giftigbun says. “Pretty little to us.” He and Undabouclier share a grin. Andeuten smiles behind them.
“Hey!” Tikokaftos draws himself up, his scales ruffling a little, perhaps to make himself look even bigger. “We are plenty big!”
Ward Amon, chuckling lightly, offers his arm to me, much to my surprise. “They will be arguing about this till the sun goes down. How about we start the tour so that we have time to sit and eat dinner?” Smiling, I accept Ward Amon’s arm, while Ward Thorn and Ward Volkan “sneak” our way, their dragons arguing playfully as we make our escape.
Tamara Rivers 
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