They had finally reached Oxgarde. Later than Shahzad had wanted, but it wouldn't matter if he lost the Yvon family. Bokon would've been furious. Nordror had been quiet since he had the vision. He was afraid Shahzad would abandon him, according to his thoughts. He was quiet, but cooperative, unlike the steeds the soldiers rode. With his mask on, he turned to the family.

"We will be riding straight up to the castle," he announced. They didn't speak a word, but instead stared their unblinking eyes at him, the daughter more than the others. Turning around, Shahzad lifted his head to the guards posted on the Oxgarde wall. They released their gaze from the land ahead of them to catch the sight of him and the family entering the city. As Nordror walked forward, he could hear the crowd of people. The sound grew louder the more they walked.

"Shall we stray away the citizens, sir?" a soldier asked as he rode up to Shahzad, his horse nickering as he yanked on the reins.

"Might as well," he spoke with a sigh, but his mask muted it. "Just keep them at a distance where they aren't able to reach out and grab anything." Nodding, the soldier kicked into his steed's sides and proceeded to the front, where he warned the citizens to back away or else they'd be served a punishment by Lord Bokon himself. Nordror's hoofsteps became more noisy as he stepped onto the paved stone street. The horses heaved the wagon over the sudden bump with ease. The citizens cleared the path for easy travel to the castle. Shahzad paid no attention to them.

Once they arrived at the stronghold's gates, the door opened. It creaked as the doors gate slowly opened. Shahzad urged Nordror forwards, as did the Yvon family and the soldiers.

"Post your wagon and stallions near the stables over there. Then you shall follow us." Without a peep, the family followed Shahzad's demands. "Jurgen," he turned to the young soldier with red hair and freckles. "See to it that Lord Bokon is ready for their arrival. Mansoor," he then turned to the other soldier, the one who stood over him when he fell unconscious and received his vision. "Put away the horses. I'll watch the family and wait for Jurgen." The man said nothing as he dismounted his steed, grabbed Jurgen's and waited for Shahzad to get off of Nordror.

Behave, he informed. The white stallion flicked his ear at the comment before allowing Mansoor to take his reins and guide him to the stables. After a few minutes of waiting, Jurgen returned with news that Bokon was awaiting them in the throne room. With a slight wave of acknowledgement to Euphemios, he led the family up the stairs and through the castle. Four soldiers were posted outside the throne room doors. Nodding to Shahzad, they opened the door. Melinda, his mother, rested in her throne wearing her same golden robe and crown. His father sat in his throne, which was directly in the middle, and tapped his fingers before standing up and outstretching his arms.

"Welcome, Yvon family. I am pleased to hear that your travels went well with my most trusted soldier."

"We were protected well," Ronish spoke. Shahzad glanced at his father and wondered if he'd say something, but he just smiled.

"Good. I had no doubts you wouldn't be. Now, may we have some introductions?" Ronish nodded.

"I am Ronish Yvon. This is my wife, Deanna, our son, Taylen, and our daughter Renada." The man pointed to each of his family members. Shahzad walked up to his father and stood beside him.

"Nice to meet you. I, as you know, am Lord Bokon. This is my wife, Lady Melinda. And our son, and leader of the Royal Guard," Shahzad took off his mask and fixed his hair, "Prince Shahzad." The family gasped at the sight of Shahzad, which he believed it's because they didn't expect a teenager to have so much power over an entire army. "If you won't be so kind, give me a minute to discuss some things with my son and I'll get right back to you." Placing his arm on Shahzad's shoulder, the two walked around the family and out the door, where the soldiers opened them. "Leave us," he ordered them.

"Did I do something wrong?" Shahzad spoke quietly as he glanced up at his father.

"Quite the opposite," Bokon responded with a smile. "Jurgen reported to me you fell unconscious while retrieving the Yvon family. Is this true?" Shahzad looked at his feet and nodded. "I'm not mad." He looked up.

"That's what happens when you receive the Rider vision. A cruel way, as you never know when you get it, but it usually doesn't last long. So, I expect you know your dragon?" Smiling, Shahzad nodded. "Good. Meet me outside my room tonight, when the moon is at its highest. But now, return to your room and rest. I don't want you leaving the castle at all until you are trained."

"What of my duties? And what about capturing Doryu?" Shahzad questioned.

"It won't take long to learn the basics. Only about a few days, then you may continue your tasks. But you will be seen less by the soldiers as you train, as that is more important for a young Rider." Nodding again, Bokon left his son and returned into the throne room, but not before calling the soldiers back to their posts. His mask in his hand, Shahzad walked through the corridors, past all the rooms he hadn't entered, and came upon his room, the door wide open. Both his desk and bedside table were stuffed with papers of his studies. They arranged in dragon anatomy, magic and medical remedies. The table was also towered with books for his own personal pleasure. Climbing on his bed, he leaned his back against the bedframe and curled his arms around his legs. What will become of me when I begin my training? A small yelp was heard. Shahzad looked at the side of his bed to see a black wolf pup trying to hop onto the bed. Picking him up, he was greeted with kisses.

"Todone!" Shahzad exclaimed. The pup stopped and wagged his tail. Shahzad set him down on the mattress. "You know father would kill me for allowing you up here." The pup sneezed, his collar jingling. He then circled and coiled into a ball. Shahzad sighed, scratched Todone's back then laid on his back and fell asleep.

~

When he awoke, so did Todone, but the wolf pup went back to sleep as Shahzad grabbed his cloak and left. It was quiet. He'd never been up this late, as he had been told he'd be punished when he was younger. The only things that made noise were his hushed footsteps, the sound of soldiers talking, and the crackling of the torches. He then came across his parent's bedroom entrance; two large wooden doors. As he was about to knock, Bokon revealed himself beside the shadows.

"You do listen well, son, but not well enough." Bokon shook his head. "I said to meet me outside my room, not to wake up your mother by knocking. She's already against this."

"I'm sorry," Shahzad apologized. Bokon smiled then pat Shahzad's shoulder. He followed his father as he walked down the dark corridors. Bokon ran his hand on the stone wall before abruptly stopping and quietly uttering a word. The wall then began to crumble and pull apart, leaving a large gap. Shahzad stared in awe. Are there more doors like this in the castle? Bokon entered, Shahzad followed. Once they went in, the opening went back together and looked like a normal wall again. He then came upon a ledge and a large hole in the wall leading to the lush forest behind Oxgarde. Below the ledge lays thousands of eggs. Dragon eggs.

"How did they end up here?" Shahzad exclaimed.

"I have my ways." Bokon started to decline a flight of stairs. "After the battle with my brother, I couldn't risk having any more Riders be born unless they were with me. So, I took all the eggs that are meant for Riders and destroyed the ones that were wild." Shahzad blinked. That's awful, but he did the right thing. We can't have anyone like İzzet. Doryu was an accident, and he's becoming more dangerous by the minute.

"How will I know which one is mine?" he asked.

"You'll know," Bokon said with a grin. "But for a hint, look for one that brightens whenever you come close to it." Without further instruction, Shahzad set off to find his dragon, being cautious with every step to not break an egg. He set off towards the middle. Nothing. He moved towards the North corner. Nothing. To the West. Nothing. When he reached the East corner, he came upon a dark orange-brown egg. It illuminated the room as he dawned closer. As he set his hand on the egg, it began to crack.

Dark onyx eyes sit far within the creature's narrow, narrow skull, which gives the creature a menacing looking appearance. Horns layed around his face and above his eyes as several rows of horns run down the sides of each of it. Its nose is thick and has two short, warped nostrils and there are small spikes on its chin. Several huge teeth poke out from the side of its mouth and show a glimpse of the terror hiding inside. A wide neck runs down from its head and into a slender body. The top is covered in narrow scales and a row of spikes runs down its spine. Its bottom is covered in smooth scales and is colored differently than the rest of its body. Two huge limbs carry its body and allow the creature to stand sturdy and intimidating. Humongous wings grow starting from its shoulder and end at the middle of its back.

The wings are bat-like, a specialized layer of skin is all that's visible inside and curved talons grow from each ending like giant scythes. Its massive tail ends in a sharp tip and its covered in the same narrow scales as its body

Shahzad stared at the tiny dragon as it flapped its wings and jumped out of the egg shell. It then turned its gaze up to him, releasing a tiny squeak. Shahzad moved his hand slowly to the dragon, where it hesitated before pushing its head into his palm and making a purring sound. Shahzad chuckled as he wondered what to name his new fire-breathing companion.

"Ah, a Wyvern. You know, they symbolize strength and power, as you have experienced those traits."

"Valdhoadior," Shahzad whispered.

"What?"

"Valdhoadior. That's his name. Or Vald for short." He turned to face the tiny dragon and prayed his father would approve of the name.

"Very well," Bokon said. "He is your dragon, so you may name him whatever you want. I was just worried you'd name him something idiotic like Spike or whatnot." Shahzad smiled and shook his head.

"I'd never." Bokon didn't respond as he walked away and disappeared from where they entered. Shahzad returned to Valdhoadior, who had been exploring his surroundings. His front wings moved awkwardly as he got used to walking. He laughed when the dragon tried to fly. Catching him, Valdhoadior curled in his arms and squeaked.

"Shahzad, come! Someone has information on where Doryu is hiding."

~~~