Valeria

The trip was long, very long. I hadn't taken a saddle to not give people the idea that they could ride dragons, but now I was regretting it. Without the saddle, it was too dangerous for me to fall asleep which meant I was very much bored. 

My current occupation was watching the humans' reactions to our arrival. Some ran out of their houses to look at us and others ran into their houses to hide. At this point, it's clear that High King Dromio is informed about our arrival. I wonder if they spotted me. From my memories when I was eight, I knew that men were considered the superior being. Of course, that is a bullshit statement. Will they assume I am a man? That would be hilarious.

Sonya interrupted my thoughts, "Where do you think we should stay at night?"

Darat answered for me, "There is a cave in a cliff, only accessible by air. We will remain there at night while always having one of us near Valeria in case she gets in trouble. Val will be staying with the humans. If they do not offer hospitality, we can act offended for a better treaty."

I nod, "True. By the way, there is a chance that these nobles will take the fact that I am female badly."

Sonya snorts, "The first man who attempts to hurt you will be lunch."

I playfully scold her, "Sonya, you don't eat humans."

"Why not?" she retorts.

Darat gives her a look, "Because they are not healthy and are full of diseases."

Sonya makes a disgusted face while I laugh, "Yuck!"

Zorgym adds, "Seriously Val, if any human tries anything call us or kill him. I know you are always carrying your knives and sword."

I smile, "Will do."

Darat annonces, "We are arriving at the castle!"

Everyone goes quiet and stares at the sight before us. It was really pretty but obviously man made. Being raised around a more natural environnement makes me more sensitive to these things. To the dragons, well, they just don't fit.

As we round the corner, I spot a huge ass balcony where there are a lot of men waiting for our arrival. I recognize High King Dromio on an elevated platform and throne. There is sadly not enough room for all of us to land.

Darat orders, "Sonya and I will land. The rest of you circle above and apply pressure to the negotiations. Appear menacing, but not too much."

We all obey as Darat is in charge of this part by my side. Sonya nails the landing smoothly like usual. I just feel the rush of air whip my black hair back. Whenever I was on a dragon, I kept my hair in a braid or else it was annoying. It is also really long. When it is braided, it reaches my hip and it is longer when I leave it down.

As soon as Sonya and Darat are settled, I slide off Sonya with skill that only comes form years of practice. I had to admit I must look badass. At first when I was learning, I looked ridiculous, but now it is different. I looked up at the shocked faces of the humans present. I had to restrain my laughter.

Surprisingly, High King Dromio was the first one to recover. I have a feeling that we will have an interesting relationship. It appears that he is waiting for me to bow, but I refuse. I am not one of his subjects. 

With a flick of the wrist, Dromio motions for someone, I think his steward, to speak, "Welcome to our Kingdom! Who are you and why do you travel in the company of dragons?"

I approach them and they tense up, "I am Valeria DragonRider."

Someone scoffs, "You are but a woman. No woman could ever ride with dragons."

I turn in the direction of the voice and say in a sickly sweet voice, "Men have tried to ride the dragon. But I am the only dragon rider. I am female and I succeeded. What does that say about the supposed power of men?"

Darat scolds me through the mind-link, "You shouldn't antagonize them. Some will take it like a hit to their pride. They might come after us to attempt to ride us."

I retort, "I can't help it. They are such ignorant sexist pigs!"

The chuckles of Darat in my head and Dromio in the world blend together. Apparently, the High King finds my attitude amusing. I hope he will continue to find it so because it isn't something I can stop.

Another high ranking individual speaks up, "We were simply expecting a man when we received news of a human dragon rider."

I chuckle lightly, "I as you can see am clearly not a man."

A scandalized voice is heard, "You are a woman and you are wearing pants."

I smirk, "How could I ride a dragon in a dress?"

I walk up to High King Dromio. I didn't need to deal with everyone's bullshit. He is the one to talk to. According to reports, High King Dromio is basically insane. He likes to be entertained. To be entertained, he does plots, forces his bastard children to fight against each other . . . 

Dromio looks up at me and asks, "What is your purpose here, Valeria DragonRider?"

I reply, "We have heard of your recent issues with the Shadows. The dragons are willing to make a new treaty for them to help you in the war."

Most of the less important nobles have been pushed out as this is the beginning of a negotiation that would change the outcome of the war they had been fighting for a while. In Dromio's eyes, I see his intelligence shining through, but also cruelty.

Dromio appears to be thinking, "Why would you help?"

Dara informs me, "Tell him about the oracle and his death if we do not help."

I repeat the lines, "We have an oracle among the dragons. She has recently informed us that without our help, the humans will be overrun and killed, starting with you."

Dromio frowns, "Is that a threat?"

"No, it's a promise," I retort. "A promise of your death without our help."

He shoots back, "Why would the high and mighty dragons be bothered by the destruction of our people?"

"Your people," I correct him, "Humans are not my people, dragons are."

Dromio dismisses my correction with a wave of the hand, "Same idea. But you are avoiding the question."

Ilby offers a solution, "Tell him the truth about the potential destruction of the dragons."

Darat contradicts him, "Tell him whatever you want, but do not make it appear that we need this treaty more than them."

I decide to say, "The dragons do not want the Shadows for neighbors."

Dromio laughs, "We never did either. We are willing to negotiate a treaty. We will have my own son escort you to your chambers. Your dragons can stay the night on the balcony."

Dromio even used the royal "we". I also would never let Sonya and the others sleep on the balcony. It would be too easy to attack them and attempt to ride them. I could see the wheels turning in Dromio's head. As long as I don't have proof of his mistakes or plots, I just have to watch my back.

I say, "My companions have already found a safer place to rest for the night. With no disrespect, I can safely say that your humans would be too attracted to the possibility of being close to a dragon."

Dromio chuckles again, "Fair point. It might be a tempting possibility for some. Bernardo, come over here and accompany Valeria DragonRider to her chambers. DragonRider, this is my heir."

He offers me his hand, but I manage to knock it away without appearing rude. I know what Dromio is trying to do. He wishes for me to marry Bernardo most likely to get the dragons. He believes that the dragons would accept my children and husband as Dragon Riders without question. Fat chance unless they grew up with the dragons.

I silently follow Bernardo through the twisting hallways, sending mental pictures to the dragons. They might notice something that I will miss. It could be a tiny detail. Soon enough, we arrive at a door.

Bernardo opens it and gestures me in, "My Lady."

I snort very unladylike, "If I am a lady, then things have changed since the last time I was among humans."

Bernardo informs me very cocky, "You are a female, so you are a lady."

"A Lady who carries knives and swords," I retort.

Still very pompous, he gives me a smile that must be a hit with the ladies of the court, "Once you are married, you will leave your sword behind."

I roll my eyes, "I will never exchange my sword for a ring."

"For the right man you will," says Bernardo

"The right man wouldn't ask me too," I tell him.

Without further ado, I shut the door to his very shocked face. The entire conversation, he had been creeping closer and trying to 'seduce' me with his words. Apparently, he is very popular among the ladies. That was the vibe I got from him.

I lock the door before contacting Darat, "What do you have for me?"

"Nothing much," he replies, "Just that the negotiations will be very interesting from now on."

"Oh, that's it. Then good night!" I answer back.

I double check the doors and windows before crawling under the bed. It is a weird habit. I cannot sleep on beds that are too fluffy. It will help me now because if someone tries something, they won't find me immediately.

On my guard, I fall into an uneasy sleep.