18 Chapter 18

Rykirus's eyes widened, recognition seeping into them. He shook his head violently in the air, trying to get the chains off before staring at the possessed human. Crivus glanced around before discretely lowering his hand in the universal symbol for 'calm down.' Rykirus quieted, flopping onto the ground with dejected huff.

Murmurs spread around the crowd, "Is it dead?"

"Maybe it's defective."

"Think we wasted our time, let's go."

"Shoulda known those damn mercenaries wouldn't be able to nab a baby dragon."

Disappointment radiated from the audience and many began leaving, mumbling and glaring at the time-wasters.

"Wait, wait!" the man on the podium called desperately, "He's actually a dragon, if you train him right, you'll have a powerful weapon."

But many ignored his words and the hundreds of people dwindled into dozens, most not even looking like they could feed themselves. The man turned toward the richest looking person in the crowd, Crivus. "Do you want him sir? It won't cost much."

Crivus hummed, giving the image of gazing critically at the lazing drake, before turning his eyes back at the mercenary, "Why should I take him? I mean, there's not really a point."

His eyes widened, "You could, you could ride to battle on a dragon!" he sputtered, "There's even a dragon rider school where other nobles learn for other captured dragons!"

Crivus stiffened and glanced at the now wide awake drake that stared at him, surprise and shock in his eyes before they narrowed in anger. He gave a swift nod, "And where is this... place," he asked, cocking his head slightly.

"Oh I'll give you directions if you purchase this one," he said, waving a hand in Rykirus's direction, "I'll bet you see lots of nobles there, though you should be careful, many of them still bite and would like nothing less than to rip everyone to shreds. Don't worry though, they're contained properly."

"Alright," Crivus said, handing gold coins into the greedy human's open palm.

"Sweet, here's the map and this," he grinned victoriously, handing the noble a piece of paper and the chain hooked to Rykirus's collar, "Have fun!" he called, strolling over to his comrades cheerfully.

Crivus leaned down next to the drake's ears, "We'll talk back at my house, stay quiet for now," he whispered. Said drake inclined his head slightly to show his understanding. He followed the noble, head lowered and overall compliant, giving off a meek, nervous front to anyone looking.

Crivus strode confidently toward the carriage, the butler opening the door with a bow, and stepped in, tugging the chain gently to urge the small reptile in. Rykirus scrabbled up, chains clinking loudly and claws tearing up some of the carpet, before a stern glare from Crivus had one of the soldiers helping the chained drake up.

Rykirus hissed under his breath and clawed at the band around his snout, glaring at the amused human in front of him. Crivus chuckled and knelt down next to him, "let me," he said, smiling as he produced a key seemingly from nowhere and started taking off the wretched chains.

Once all the chains clanked off, Rykirus drew up the fire within him, and let out a controlled blast of heat, incinerating the devices that held him captive. "Serves you right!" he snarled hatefully, glaring at the smoldering pile of metal.

Crivus smirked, "you do know that you're talking to an inanimate object right?" he asked snickering.

"Whatever," Rykirus scowled, "we have more important things to discuss anyway, don't we?"

"You're right," Crivus said solemnly, "I never knew there were captured drakes in the capital. I've heard that many disappeared, but the higher-ups assumed they were dead."

Rykirus growled, "They might as well be if they're submitting to the whims of humans, their will is broken, their spirit destroyed."

Crivus heaved a heavy sigh, "But there are still those that have the will to fight, those that still have the desire to be free, the ones who possess the soul of a wild dragon, never completely restrained. For even those with only a spark of resistance hiding within them, can still be saved."

Rykirus's eyes glowed unnaturally in the dim surroundings, wild like an untamed beast, along with the fierce desire to protect his pack, his family, "And we will be the ones to save them."