Gorroson

Sorriere's black sands drifted into the crystal blue waters of the Khymian Sea. The contrast between land and water was breathtaking, making it a distraction to the continent's barren land. No plant-life grew here, except for a few sparse oasis' that attracted the few animals that could survive the heat and the fury of the dragons who nested here. While the soil was highly enriched by the dragons' fire, it also grew to a deathly level of heat which is why the dragons bred and laid their eggs here.

Isoline had been obsessed by the inhabitants ever since she learned of their existence in her classes below. Although it was forbidden, she began sneaking her way up to the surface to watch them. She sat perched on a ridge, crouched from sight, as she watched the dragons blast their fire in circles in the sand to lay their eggs. They varied in color, shape, and size she'd learned. The larger beasts took up the wide beach bank, right on the ocean. Others of smaller size, no bigger than her, stayed in the warm caves just below her.

They were fascinating to watch. At first, Isoline had never been able to tell which mother took care of which nest. They all seemed to guard each other's young. The only sign that a dragon was a male was that it would be herded away from the area because of their hostility. She'd once witnessed a too stubborn male completely ripped to shreds by the females. It was a gruesome sight.

But she hadn't come up here to watch the females in their normal routine. She was looking for the dragon she wanted to be her own. He did not look like any of the others. His scales matched that of the sand and was easily the biggest dragon she'd ever seen. On one of her journeys here she knew he had seen her.

Camoflauged by her black tunic and pants, Isoline was scaling one of the beach's ridge to get a better look at a smaller abandoned nest within a cave. A few minutes after she entered she felt the cave shake and quiver. She thought it was another tremor and made to go back to the keep underground, until she realized what was scaling up the cliffside right towards her. It was him. She scurried back but froze in place as his huge head came up to the cave's opening. He peered in, staring at her for what seemed like an eternity. Then he simply huffed and continued his ascent up the cliff, where he disappeared over the edge.

She'd seen him multiple times since then: resting alone on the beach, flying over the waters. She was in complete awe, but today, of course today, he could not be seen. Isoline knew that meant one thing. He had been captured and was below ground with other dragons, awaiting The Choosing.

Isoline slowly retreated from the cliff's edge, where she had perched so as to not gain attention from the beasts below, and made her way back to the keep. The hike was about a mile inland to where the nearest entrance could be made, but when she got there she was met by a familiar face. Her stable boy.

"Did you find what you were looking for? That was the quickest trip thus far." He looked wide-eyed as Isoline dropped in from the hole he'd made in the surface for her.

"I did not. Which means he's already here." Isoline looked over the boy as he shuffled his feet nervously.

"Who's already here? You know the keep never has visitors." More shuffling.

"You dim-wit, I'm not looking for a who; I'm looking for a what." Isoline snapped.

The boy quickly realized what she referred to and led her to the cave where he was being kept. “Are you sure he’s the one you want Isoline? He killed two of our trainers this morning. He’s far from tame. Most likely never will be.” The stable boy warned Isoline out of genuine fear. This dragon was not like the others in more ways than one. She tossed her long braided black hair over a shoulder as she admired the beast.

Two thunderous steps had the beast turning towards Isoline and the boy; looking directly into her eyes as fluorescent purple fumed from his throat. His size was the most impressive thing about him, seeing as he was twice the size of most full grown dragons. He nearly took up the entire mouth of the cave entrance. And his eyes, a bright-blue matched her own. He was beautiful. Black scales nearly camouflaged him against the cave walls and the horns atop his head curled in spirals half-way down his neck. His wings, while they were tucked away now, had a sheen to them that glimmered the day she’d seen him flying. She’d never admit that she’d seen that, though. Going above ground was forbidden before completing the ceremony, but Isoline couldn’t help herself. She’d always been drawn to the nesting grounds since she was a little girl. Watching all the dragons gather on Sorriere Island called to her as if being around them was a key part of her existence.

“He’s the one,” was all she said as she kicked a bucket of fish over the edge of the overlook. She’d been feeding him for months hoping that he’d remember her when the ceremony came. Hoping he wouldn’t kill her. He was truly vicious. That was a quality all the witches admired when picking their beast, so naturally he was the one they all wanted. “Let him breed before the ceremony. It should take his edge off.”

“We’ve been instructed to keep all the dragons in the tunnels until it is time for The Choosing and-” Isoline cut him off.

“I said. Let. Him. Breed.” Isoline towered over the stable boy as she gave her command. He would not disobey her. Without another word she turned on her heels and headed for her chambers.

Not a moment later, footsteps echoed her own through the tunnel and Isoline was immediately annoyed.

“Your eyes are on my prize as always, Iso.” The perky claim chided out of Pandora’s mouth as she bustled to stride along next to Isoline. Her old runt of a friend was reckless, ruthless, and the witches’ heir. Her tiny frame seemed outweighed by the abundance of golden locks that flowed freely over her shoulders around her. The pale skin made her seem ghostly from years spent in the tunnels away from the sun’s touch. She’d almost be normal, though, if it weren’t for her red-rimmed eyes: a true descendant of the witches. Not stolen or bred but true. And just as dangerous.

“I was only looking at this year’s stock,.” Isoline lied. “Anyone would be mad to choose HIM. A definite death wish.” As if he knew he was being spoken about, the giant dragon behind them roared so loud rocks and dust shook free from the ceiling above them, causing even Pandora to stiffen. “Besides, I have no desire to challenge you.” Another lie. “Your blood runs true to the witches while I was made here. You will always be the first pick.” That was the truth and both Isoline and Pandora knew it. Unless Isoline could best Pandora in the final challenge, which she fully intended on doing.

The dampness of the tunnel clung to Pandora’s throat as she dug something out of her pocket. “I brought this for you.” Isoline halted unsure of what to expect. Although they’d once been friends many years ago, the rivalry between them caused her wariness. Pandora held out a giant Sabrax tooth in front of her. A memory flashed in Isoline’s mind of them sneaking up to the surface to see the dragons for themselves, running and playing in the sun for hours before they were caught and drug back underground. During that time they’d stumbled across an abandoned nest and found the tooth. They’d taken turns that year passing it back and forth: sharing the prize. Then their training had started, and with it their rivalry. Pandora had been the last one to hold the it. Isoline had forgotten it completely until now, taking it in her hand.

“Thank you.” An awkward silence eddied between them before Isoline hurried off to her chambers once again. She chanced a look back and saw Pandora still standing there looking after her. Heart breaking, she pushed the memory to its safe in the back of her mind before rounding the corner to her room.

“It’s about time you showed up. Taunting that monster with fish every now and then isn’t going to make him pick you in tonight’s ceremony.” Rhea kicked her legs off the edge of her bed eager to see her roommate and role model. The little girl had come to the tunnel lands years after Isoline but had latched on to her almost immediately. Wherever Isoline was, Rhea was sure to be close by.

Isoline flicked her freckled nose as she strode by and plopped the tooth on her desk.

“Ooooo, what is that?” Rhea asked as she skipped towards it, her red hair bobbing in excitement.

“It’s nothing.”

“Looks like a tooth to me. Have you been going to the surface again? You know we’re not supposed to.” She chided.

Isoline rolled her eyes at the impertinent girl and answered teasingly, “It’s the only place you won’t follow me. I needed some alone time.” She regretted it the moment the words came out of her mouth. Rhea hung her head and dramatically sulked back to her bed.

Way to go, Iso, with your big mouth again, Isoline thought to herself before walking over to scoop up Rhea in a bear hug. “Oh, I didn’t mean it. Please forgive me.”

The little one perked up immediately, “I know. It’s fun to make you worry, though.” That landed her in fits of tickles that left her breathless before Isoline retreated to her side of the room. Exasperated, Rhea asked, “W-what am I gonna do when you’re gone, Iso? I mean after the ceremony. You’ll have to leave our room.”

It was customary that once a witchling had graduated from her training she’d receive her own quarters. That was, if she survived the final challenge. Considering that Isoline planned on becoming leader of her class, she’d be so busy she probably wouldn’t see Rhea anymore. Nonetheless, she pulled her friend in for a tight hug and said to her, “we’ll always be in the same place, Rhea, even if we don’t live together. I’m sure I’ll still see you at training.” Unconvinced, Rhea kept her head bowed as she silently wept. “I know none of us are related, but you’re the closest thing I have to a sister,” Isoline said as she wiped a tear from her cheek, “and you’ll always be my little sister.”

A sense of ease washed over Rhea and she turned to look up. “The high witch would have you punished for saying such things.” It was true. They were trained to defend one another and to fight alongside each other, but any sort of relationship was frowned upon. It was considered a weakness that they were specifically bred to not have.

“Then it’s a good thing she’s not here.” Isoline pulled back the red hair from Rhea’s face and began to braid it into a plait. “Why don’t you wear the tooth tonight? You can wear it to honor me at the ceremony.”

“Only if you quit braiding my hair; you’re terrible at it.” A giggle rose from both of them before she turned to re-braid Isoline’s hair and then her own. Normally, Isoline would let her hair run wild but tonight was important and she’d need it out of her way when it came time to pick her dragon. She knew it was a long shot, but she hoped all the fish she’d given to that beast would at least keep her alive.

. . .

“Did you give her the necklace?” The scratchy, old voice asked.

“Y-yes,” came a weak reply.

Cresentia paced towards the back of the room plucking an ancient book from the shelves. “Good. As long as she wears it, she will not be able to defeat you. It’s a shame it had to come to this, but I will not let a made-witch assume the role you were born to take. If you trained harder we wouldn’t have to resort to such measures.”

Pandora’s face stung with shame at the truth her High Witch flung at her. Isoline was the better warrior, the better leader. She deserved to lead the clan into battle and become the next High Witch. Shame grew in Pandora’s heart and her thoughts distracted her from Cresentia's next words, earning her a hard slap to the face. Nails sliced through her skin and warm blood immediately began to build.

“Where is your head?” Cresentia screeched at her. “We are hours away from choosing the heir. You’ve trained for this your whole life, yet I see nothing in your eyes!”

Pandora remained silent, knowing she was not welcome to speak. She had failed.

“This is your last chance, Pandora. You may be my niece, but if you do not come out on top tonight, I will end your life myself.”

Pandora bowed her head once more before the High Witch dismissed her. She quickly left the room, legs shaking, hands trembling, and not-at-all prepared for the ceremony.