Spring 2819

The sand was warm and soft under Liam’s feet. He had been surprised at first, but now he was able to somewhat waddle along, barely keeping up with his parents as they walked. He was only little compared to them, and he certainly felt the difference in size as he tried to keep up while the sand shifted under each little step he took.

All around them, dragons went about their day. Liam stared, wide eyed, at each new face he saw. Some of them cast glances at him and his family, while most just ignored them entirely. There was a squeal from near the roaring waves of the ocean. Liam turned and saw a group of young fledglings running around and playing chase. He wondered if any of them would play with him.

“Liam!” his mother called.

He had fallen behind again. Liam hurried to catch up, despite the shifting sand. He tried to continue at more of a trot once he reached Evangeline’s side. She smiled down at him, then turned to check on the small hatchling on her back. Alita’s eyes were just as wide as Liam’s. He wasn’t sure how much of this his little sister would remember. She was still too young to walk on her own. But this new place would be their home from now on. His parents had tried to explain it to him, but Liam hadn’t grasped just how big a deal that was. They had never had a home before.

A shadow came over Liam and he felt the sand become cold. He looked up to see a mountainous rock formation in front of them. His parents had stopped. Liam looked at them. They were now talking to the dragon they had been following. Unlike the grey-brown colours of his family, this dragon was pale blue and seemed to tower over everyone.

“This is the entrance to the caves,” the dragon was saying. “Your young will be safe in here, as will both of you.”

“Thank you, Chieftain Clyde.” Liam’s father, Robert, dipped his head as he spoke.

“We appreciate your hospitality,” Evangeline added.

Clyde smiled. “It’s important to me that dragons feel safe during their lives, especially when young are involved. Just remember to help out however you can and you will always be welcome.”

Robert and Evangeline said their thanks again before Clyde led them into the caves. Liam followed them, feeling the cool sand gradually shift to cold, hard rock under his little feet. The caves were much darker than the sunny beach outside. For the first few minutes, Liam could barely make out the shapes of his parents as they followed Clyde. But by the time they came to a stop, Liam’s eyes had adjusted and he could see as far as the cave ceiling far above him.

Evangeline twisted her neck around and carefully picked Alita up by the tail. Alita squealed at the sudden movement, but grew quiet once she was on the ground. Liam sat next to her and poked her with his wing. She stared at him for a moment, then smiled.

“Oh, they’re so cute. How old are they?”

Liam looked up at the sound of a new voice. A pair of blue dragons were resting in this part of the cave. They both grinned down at him and Alita, then one looked up at Robert and Evangeline.

“Liam just turned three years old,” Evangeline explained. “Alita’s only about two months old.”

“Really? She’s the same age as my daughter and nephew,” the dragon said. She nudged the dragon beside her with a smile. “I’m Kelda and this is my sister, Tiffany. Would it be alright for them to meet our young?”

“Uh, yeah. That should be alright,” Evangeline said.

Kelda shuffled where she lay and ducked her head between herself and Tiffany. A moment later, she rose to her feet with two hatchlings hanging from her mouth. Kelda approached Liam and Alita and carefully set them down.

Liam stared at them for a moment. The male hatchling was a pale, icy blue and the female hatchling was more of a pale purplish blue. They stared back at him and Alita with wide eyes.

“Their names are Evelyn and Kyle,” Kelda said. “They’re the first of Chieftain Clyde’s eggs.”

Liam crouched down and stared at them. Kyle sat where he was, simply staring back at him. Evelyn got to her feet, wobbled a little, then plopped down to her belly. Alita giggled and rolled onto her side. Evelyn grinned and rolled into her. Liam couldn’t help but smile. His sister would have friends her age. Perhaps he would too, once he met some of the other dragons here.

A week later, Griffin was preparing to leave for his visit to Tribe-Ali. He was excited to meet his new Prinze, an emotion helped by the news of Misti’s improving condition. Modesty and Luana were at the castle entrance with him as he went over a few final notes.

“Remember to think about each request in the courts before responding to it,” Griffin told them. “I’ve asked Alvar to take extensive notes on how it goes so that I know what you discussed.”

Of course,” Luana said politely.

“A-and if anything is too difficult, just ask Alvar to leave it on my desk and I’ll see to it when I return,” Griffin added.

“Yeah, yeah. Hurry up and go already so I can start proving myself,” Modesty said.

“This isn’t a test, Modesty,” Griffin reminded her. “I just need you and Laird Luana to oversee my duties while I’m gone.”

Modesty rolled her eyes. “I know.”

“Thank you for trusting us with this, High Caln,” Luana said. “We’ll be sure to keep everything in order for when you return.”

Griffin smiled. At least Luana was treating this with respect and understanding. He turned to leave, then remembered one last thing.

“Oh, and keep in mind our head of guard is retiring today,” he said. “Treat Mason with respect. He has done a lot for the castle. He’ll be showing his replacement around too. I think her name is Heather. Be nice to her too.”

“We get it, just go already!” Modesty urged.

With a final quick goodbye, Griffin left the castle and walked until he was outside the guarded gates and fences of the Noble Districts. From there, he began his flight to the beaches of Tribe-Ali. He had a lot of time to think on his journey. He spent the hours lost in thought. Misti was finally on the mend, for good it seemed. She was going to survive the sickness that had kept her bedridden all this time. Griffin smiled to himself. He was glad she would be alright. He’d missed having her around to discuss how his day went or what silly gossip was circling through the castle staff.

After a while, Griffin’s cloak and crown began to weigh on him. Perhaps he should have left them behind. But it was important to him that his Prinze saw the world she was entering into.

When he finally arrived, Griffin landed heavily on the sand with a sigh. The smell of saltwater and fish filled his nose. It had been some time since he’d last visited Tribe-Ali, but he could never forget the home he grew up in.

An Ice Dragon slightly smaller than him came trotting over. Griffin smiled and dipped his head politely to his brother.

“Chieftain Clyde,” he said.

“High Caln Griffin.” Clyde cracked a grin. “Who would have thought we’d both become leaders?”

Griffin smiled. “You’re certainly better suited to it than me.”

“Just because I’ve been a leader for longer, doesn’t mean I’m better at it,” Clyde told him. He waved a wing towards the water. “Come, Evelyn is this way.”

Griffin fell in step beside him as they crossed the beach. It felt nice to be back in Tribe-Ali after so long. A part of him wanted to stay, to enjoy the simple life he’d once lived here, but he knew it was impossible. Much like Clyde, he had a responsibility to his citizens. He couldn’t abandon them now. No matter how much he wanted to.

As they neared the water’s edge, Griffin saw two fledglings playing on the sand. They looked to be the same age as Luana, making them about two years older than his own son and daughter. One was an Ice Dragon. She had similarities to Clyde with her straight horns, pointed ears, and triangular patch of lighter fur on her throat. That was Evelyn. It wasn’t surprising that they looked so similar, given that Clyde was her father.

The other fledgling was a brown Rock Dragon. She looked nothing like Clyde. Griffin wondered if she had arisen from dragons breaking Tribe Law or if Clyde had welcomed her family from outside the Tribe.

He didn’t ponder for long, however, as Clyde trotted up to them with a big smile. Both fledglings were watching them now.

“Evelyn, High Caln Griffin has come with good news,” Clyde said.

“What news?” Evelyn asked.

Clyde tipped his head to Griffin. It was his turn to speak.

“I have chosen you to be my heir,” he said.

Evelyn and her friend exchanged a wide eyed look. It seemed neither of them had been expecting this.

“What do I have to do?” Evelyn asked. There was a tiny wobble in her voice.

Griffin pretended not to notice it and said, “You will come to Hiza Calndom and live in the castle with me and my family. You will become Prinze and I will train you to become High Caln.”

“Can Alita come too?” Evelyn asked.

Griffin glanced at Evelyn’s friend. Why hadn’t Clyde told them he was coming?

“I’m afraid not,” he said, looking back at Evelyn. “Alita will be staying in Tribe-Ali. This is her home.”

There was a hint of fear in Evelyn’s eyes as she listened to his words. Then she frowned. “But she’s my friend. And this is my home too. Why can’t I stay here?”

Griffin took a steady breath and began to explain, “Prinzes and High Calns must live in the castle. Hiza Calndom will be your home from now on. The castle is the safest place on Laili Island. You will enjoy leading your subjects. Come.”

Griffin spread out a wing. Evelyn didn’t move at first. But then her indignant expression gave way to defeat.

“W-wait!” Alita stammered. “You can’t just take her away.”

Griffin steeled himself for the confrontation. Why couldn’t these two just accept this was happening?

“This is the way it has to be,” he told Alita.

“Then take me too,” she said, frowning up at him.

“Alita.” Clyde stepped forward and placed a wing on her back. “Evelyn will make a good High Caln one day. I’m sure she’ll be back to visit sometime.”

“But she’s my friend,” Alita protested.

“I know.” Clyde’s tone was hushed and gentle. “But now she has a duty to Hiza Calndom. Don’t be sad. Be proud for her. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

Alita squeezed her eyes shut. She pulled away from Clyde and wrapped her wings around Evelyn in a hug.

“Promise you’ll visit me.” Alita’s whisper was so quiet Griffin almost didn’t hear it.

“I will,” Evelyn said. “You won’t be able to stop me.”

Alita sniffed and stepped back. Evelyn smiled at her and Alita gave a small smile back. Griffin wrapped his wing around Evelyn, glad for the conversation to be over, and turned away. Griffin couldn’t help but wonder why this was so hard on them when becoming Prinze had been the easiest moment of his own life. Regardless, Griffin would prepare Evelyn for the role so that she wouldn’t struggle with it when he eventually died.