Page 7 of Galadon
There were days like today when I wished no one noticed me at all.
I finally reached the large open area where shifters could practice their battle skills in human or dragon form. A couple of pairs brawled off to the left, sinking sharp teeth and claws into each other. Lorcan fought in the middle. The shifter male stood tall in his black camrium garb that fit closely to his body. His shoulder-length brown hair was damp with sweat, and amusement lit his orange eyes as he easily parried a sword blow. While he wasn’t as large and muscular as some, he was still among the best warriors in the toriq, using his swiftness and agility to his benefit.
In less than two minutes, Lorcan had his bulkier opponent on the ground with his blade tip at his throat. “Excellent job. You held out longer than last week.”
The former pendragon’s son pulled the sword away.
As the defeated male shifter walked off the field, I replaced him, drawing my weapon from shiggara.
“Care for a better challenge?” I asked.
“Of course,” Lorcan said, hands shaking a little. He drew a few calming breaths and managed to stop the tremors. Since his mother was the previous pendragon, she’d often sent him to deal with me, so he’d had to learn control around me. In less than a minute, he stood strong and proud once more.
“We will start with an easy warm-up,” I suggested.
We’d practiced together many times before the war and developed a routine for moving through different strikes and parries that were unique to our style. At this point, we could have done it with our eyes closed, but it helped him ground himself in my presence, and it also calmed some of the inner rage I always felt. Otherwise, I would attack too strongly, ending the fight before it truly began. While I preferred to fight in my dragonform, I also worked hard to excel with a weapon. It was essential to be versatile.
Lorcan met and held my gaze. “The naming ceremony for the bitkal is in nine days. The competition is two weeks after that. I will warn you that despite your…endearing personality…some think you’re the best choice to lead us. Even the pure dragons fear your wrath, which could keep our borders safer.”
“I have no interest in leading,” I said, striking his blade so hard it flew out of his hands. I grunted an apology since that was not my intention for our warmup, and I usually had more control. Perhaps our conversation was getting under my skin more than I realized.
Lorcan regained his weapon and returned. “I know, but I want you to consider it, at the very least. You are the only person in our toriq who is guaranteed to win if they compete.”
We resumed our swordplay.
“I believe you would be the best for such a duty—not me,” I replied, meaning it.
His mother had groomed him well for the position, and he was already a father with a second child coming soon. Becoming a parent had helped settle and mature him so that he considered the future of their people and all shifters more carefully.
Though his children would spend their early years with their mothers who lived with the Taugud up north, they would eventually take turns visiting their father’s land, and perhaps they’d subsequently choose to live with him. The Faegud desperately needed more members like Lorcan to contribute to their population growth, even if I had no hope of such things formyself. We’d lost too many during the war and needed to replace them.
“There is one particular candidate I do not think I can defeat.” Lorcan sidestepped my lunge as we transitioned to more serious attacks. “Telarion is strong and known for cheating if he thinks he might lose. Unfortunately, he is also good at hiding his deceit, so it’s difficult to prove.”
Galadon had heard of the male in question, though he’d only seen him in passing twice.
“I will be there to prevent such a thing from occurring,” I said, sweeping my leg out to kick the side of his knee. He fell to his rear, sending up a puff of dirt.
I smiled widely, unable to help myself.
Lorcan shot me a disgruntled look, always hating that trick of mine. “How does such a large man move that fast?”
I shrugged. “I’d have died long ago if I didn’t improve my speed. When I was only fifteen, three Ghastanan attacked while I was hunting for food. I defeated them by being fast and agile—and perhaps them underestimating a dragon my age and size.”
“I can only imagine,” he said, shaking his head. “I’m sorry you had to endure such a life.”
Holding out a hand, I helped him to his feet. “According to my mother, it was all for a higher purpose to make me stronger. Also, other reasons she won’t explain.”
Lorcan was one of the few with whom I’d grown comfortable enough to reveal a little about myself. Like his mother, he seemed to care about my well-being. I didn’t know why or how to handle it, but it made me feel a little less alone.
“Well, your superior skills certainly helped us immensely during the war. Just keep the bitkal in mind, and please don’t miss it. Even if you don’t compete, I’d appreciate you having my back when the competition begins. Aidan will be here to keep things equitable, but I still prefer an ally from my toriq as well.”
I gave him a feral grin. “Nothing would please me more than to assist you in a fair fight. If anyone attempts to cheat, they will answer to me.”
“That should keep most of them in line,” he said, shaking his head.
We resumed trading blows, and for a little while, I didn’t notice the stares at my back filled with loathing or fear. Lorcan was one of the few shifters who put me at ease, and I appreciated him more than ever for that. Perhaps I could even consider him a friend.
Chapter 5
