Dragon Knights

Dragon Knights is a part of The Heirs of Zyainor Volume Two, also part of Tales of Arkain.

## Synopsis

Ca'ler Hotar Bloodclaw, another child of Gardon Bloodclaw and Vail is accepted to a Zyaise order of knights. The story focused on Laura Greendale and her relationship with Hotar.

## Story

I pause in cleaning my weapon and look towards the entrance, hearing that another person has just entered. I smile at the unexpected guest. Then again, he is not entirely unexpected, this is HIS tent after all, not mine. I am merely a... "guest". Hotar embraces me and kisses me as soon as he reaches me. I embrace him as well. We allow ourselves to take some time before we are done kissing. "You're looking good, Laura." he says with a grin. I give him a playful slap on the backside of his head. "I figured that I could wear a formal armor rather than a dirty one for this occasion. This is your great day, after all. But I won't lie to you, I can't wait to get out of it when this is over." I explain. Hotar laughs.
"I'll gladly help you with that later." he says with a wink. "Oh, I know you do. Depending on your behaviour this evening, I may allow you to." I reply, sticking out my tongue in his direction playfully. His laugh grows louder and I grin. His hand slides over my shoulder as he goes towards his clothes, he has to change. I continue cleaning my weapon. "Is your family going to attend the ceremony?" I ask him while doing so. He shakes his head while putting on his armor. "Garan has his hands full with some maneuver of his, he can't come, Zurae is visiting mother in her tower and father is busy with ruling the nation. But he has sent Thanok to visit. It's fine. This is only the opening ceremony. They promised they'd attend the graduation one, when I have become a full member of the order." he says. I pause and look in his direction. "You haven't told them about... us yet, have you? About our relationship?" I ask. He stops, looking directly into my eyes. "Thanok knows about us, there is no doubt about that, but I don't know if he has told father anything yet. His loyalty towards my father knows no bounds, but perhaps Thanok wants me to be the one who tells him. At least father has not mentioned anything yet. I've told Garan and Zurae, of course, and mother too. Only father... I will tell him when the time is right, I promise." he explains. I smile at him and raise eyebrows. "You mean when you stop being afraid that your father may disagree?" I ask him. He sighs. I stand up, go towards him and put my arms around his waist. "I understand, don't worry. Perhaps it would be too soon. I know you don't mean anything with it, but you have to face him sooner or later. You can't keep it a secret forever, you know." I explain, hugging him. He returns the gesture. "I know. I just don't think it is a good time, he is very busy with--" I silence him with a "Shh" and move my finger on his lips. "It's okay, Hotar. I know. There is no need to justify yourself." I saw, giving him a bright smile. He smiles back and after another kiss, we both return to what we had done before.

When he finishes putting on his ceremonial armor, he waves me goodbye. Lord Daskor the Dragonheart, a high-ranking Ca'rach, awaits him to discuss the formalities of the ceremony. My beloved Hotar is joining the Ca'rach this evening. However, he will not be a full dragon knight yet, that honor will be bestowed upon him when his training in the order is complete. From what I have been told, the rulers of the old Zyainor also always had one of their children join the order and Hotar had wanted to join them very early on anyway, so it was only a logical step. I am happy for him, even if it means that we will hardly be able to spend any time together. Another hour later, I rejoin Hotar at the great banquet table they have set up in the center of the camp. There are countless other tables around with soldiers sitting, talking and laughing together there. The banquet table is the one where the highest ranking in the camp and the Ca'rach sit together. Hotar is granted a place on the edge of the table, I am allowed to sit next to him after he insists that I stay close to him. We're served water and wine before everything falls silent. The ceremony is beginning. Lord Daskor the Dragonheart has stood up.

"Fellow soldiers of Zyainor, we are gathered here this fine evening to welcome a new member in the ranks of the Ca'rach. The traditions of the old nation of Zyainor demand that at least one son or daughter of the Ca'laer and Ca'lea joins our order to strengthen the bond between the Black Dragons and the Humans. It is an honor for our order to finally be able to welcome Ca'ler Hotar, son of Ca'laer Gardon and Ca'lea Vail Bloodclaw, in our ranks." he announces. Hotar stands up and slightly bows his head in Daskor's direction before moving his attention to the many soldiers in the camp. "Ever since I was a child, the Ca'rach have fascinated me. I wanted to join them for a long time and it fills me with joy that my wish can finally come true. I vow to honor the traditions of the order and the nation of Zyainor as well as the bond between Black Dragons and Zyaise. During my training, I had the honor to train besides many of you who are willing to give their lives in the name of my father and our great nation. I want all of you to celebrate this with me which is why we are all sitting here - together - instead of holding the ceremony within the walls of Ker'Dramos." he says, loud and clear. He grabs his glass and raises it. "Raise your glasses with me, soldiers of Zyainor! Today we celebrate not only me joining the order of dragon knights, we celebrate our great nation and its ruler. Hail Ca'laer Gardon and Ca'lea Vail Bloodclaw! May their rule lead us into a glorious future! And may our friendship with the Black Dragons endure the sands of time!" he shouts and everyone, including myself, joins his hails and drinks. I think I can see Lord Daskor nod with satisfaction in his eyes and sit down again. Suddenly, Thanok stands behind Hotar and lays a hand on his shoulder. Hotar immediatly stands up. "A proper speech, young Ca'ler." Thanok says, crossing his arms behind his back. "The order can teach you many things. Prove your worth to them as you have proven it to me. That's an order." Thanok says in his demanding tone. Hotar salutes. "I will not disappoint you and never forget your lessons, sir." he says, looking Thanok directly in the eyes. Only few can withstand the cold they emit. He can. Thanok nods. "Good. I will inform your father about this." he says. I may be wrong but I believe Thanok is actually... proud?! Then he gazes upon me. "Soldier Laura Greendale. Follow me." he orders and I immediatly do as he says, following him to his tent. I throw a look behind my back and can see Hotar watching us go away with worry in his eyes. I nod in his direction, trying to look reassuring, but I am not sure if it looks convincing. Thanok enters his tent, I follow him, ignoring the two guards standing silently at the entrance, not paying attention to us or the events in the center of the camp. Thanok turns around, studying me. "It is about time we talked about your relationship with the Ca'ler, Greendale." he says. I slowly nod. "I had expected this to be the reason why you asked me to come with you, my lord. I assure you, my feelings for the Ca'ler are true and of no ill will." I tell him without fear but with proper respect. Thanok crosses his arms behind his back, his eyes get even colder and his gaze seems to pierce through my eyes and directly into my mind. I think it is causing me a headache, I can feel some pain but I resist the urge to hold my head. I don't want to seem weak, even if I will admit that High Lord Thanok is one of the few people who actually scares me. There is a reason why his soldiers would rather die than disappoint him.

After a few seconds, the pain slowly reduces until it is gone. I am not sure if Thanok had said anything during the pain, the pain must have numbed me. "I trust you to understand that he is the son of our Ca'laer and Ca'lea. You are a soldier, even if your family has been elevated in the status of nobles by our beloved Ca'laer. The Ca'ler has grown to like you, if he hadn't, you wouldn't be here anymore, instead you may already have joined the order before him." Thanok explains. I raise my eyebrows, I fail to understand what he means. He turns to the left, looking out of the tent into the direction of the ceremony. "You are a skilled soldier and I happen to know your mother from the war. She has served Zyainor well and is a faithful dragon worshiper. I trust you are going to be that as well." he says, looking again directly at me. "I offer you the chance to join the Ca'rach as well. I am aware that your affection to the Ca'ler affects you both. You both fight more efficiently when you are together and even though I am sure the Ca'ler could find a new girl to satisfy his needs, I expect that he may have reservations to do such a thing and he seems to really like your presence." he continues. I am shocked, I had not expected an offer to join the Ca'rach! I had dreamed of such a chance myself, I cannot believe that I could now be there - and also be with Hotar, making it an even sweeter deal! "That... that is a great honor, my lord. I am not sure what else to say besides thank-" I stutter. He silences me by raising his hand. "I want you to know that this chance is unique, Greendale, and that it has its obligations. How you and the Ca'ler behave in private is currently your concern, not mine, but how you behave in public is important. I trust you to understand what it means to be with a Ca'ler in public.

You have not stepped too far as of yet and you will know when to restrain yourself." he finishes his explanation. Yes, he is right. I can see it. I have to be more careful. I cannot make jokes with others about dragons or the higher-ups when I am officially with the Ca'ler, it could cause a scandal! I nod and kneel before him. "I swear that I will remember your words, my lord. With your blessing, I will join the Ca'rach so that I can continue to be with my beloved Ca'ler." I explain. I can see his shadow on the ground nod. "Then it shall be. Stand up and return to him. Tell him the good news, I am sure he will be just as happy as you are about it. Celebrate tonight, tomorrow you are leaving to Ker'Dramos." he says and I do as he says. I return to Hotar with a smile, whispering to him that Thanok just decided that I would join the Ca'rach as well. He gives me a bright smile and kisses me. Then he looks at me, I can see the joy in his eyes. How could I not accompany the man I love? I, Laura Greendale, will accompany our beloved Ca'ler Hotar to Ker'Dramos and become a Ca'rach just like he will. Serving liege and nation, I will do what I can to protect the realm of Zyainor, my family and those who I love. That is my way serving our great nation, my Ca'laer and Ca'lea.