Chapter 6: Making Connections

Aeris stared at the very large Patel family’s mansion with awe; the structure was even larger than Master Aaron’s. Surrounded by green trees, its ivory walls glowed in the sun, like a beacon signaling her salvation. Her mind swarmed with questions. How many rooms did it have? How long did it take to build? How long was this house in the family? Did this place have secret passages as well?

“I can’t believe I let you talk me into this,” Maggie said. “Lord Strauss will be furious if he finds out.” She sighed and used the large brass knocker to bang on the door. “I was a fool to underestimate the stubbornness of dragons.”

“I’m sorry, but there was no way I could find this place on my own.”

“Well, next time you need something, please do not corner me in the shower to ask for it. You nearly gave me a heart attack.”

“Yes, Maggie,” Aeris said, dejectedly.

“It’s fine. To be honest, I’m very proud of you. After what’s happened to you the last few day, it takes a lot of courage to still go in front of another dragon. And don’t worry about Lord Strauss. If we get caught, it’s my hide on the line, not yours.”

“But I don’t want you to get in trouble for helping me. If Master Aaron finds out, you can tell him it was my idea.”

“This is your idea, but he would still never believe it.”

“What if we told him I threatened you?”

Maggie chuckled. “You silly dragon. Lord Strauss is never going to believe you threatened me. Besides, even if you did, we both know you would never hurt me.”

Aeris dropped her head and said nothing.

As if sensing her unease, Maggie stroked the back of Aeris’s neck. “It doesn’t matter, Aeris. I know this is important to you, so I would never let you take all the blame. I know I complained before, but I would do anything to help.”

The faint clicking sound of locks on the other side of the door ended the conversation.

The doors slowly opened and a pale blonde woman greeted them. The woman was noticeably younger than Maggie, yet her brown eyes carried the tired look of someone living well past their prime.

“Hello,” the woman said in a sweet voice. She smiled, making the deep scar on her left cheek stand out even more. “You must be Aeris. Please come in.”

Maggie shot out her arm, blocking Aeris’ path. “How do you know Aeris?”

“Lady Aubrey told me about her,” the woman answered, her smile and voice unchanged. “I’ve never seen a dragon with those color scales, so I assumed you were the dragon she spoke of.”

The woman beckoned them inside again. “Please follow me. You may wait in the living room while I inform Lady Aubrey of your arrival. She’ll be so happy to know you’re here.” The woman smiled again before leading them inside. Aeris noticed the woman walked with a slight limp and her left leg was scarred.

The living room of the mansion was so large Aeris could fit her entire room inside and still not take up half the space. The room itself was strangely decorated. In the middle of the room were three pairs of large coffee tables with a sofa on one side and several large cushions on the other. Everything was also further apart than usual. Instead of tables holding the decorative items, everything sat on shelves high on the walls. Between the shelves were paintings and a grand piano sat in the farthest corner of the room.

“You have a very lovely home,” Aeris said.

“Thank you,” the woman replied.

“I’ve never seen a house decorated like this before,” Maggie said. “Is there a reason for the extra space?”

The woman motioned to the sofa and explained when Maggie sat down. “We have a lot of dragon visitors. The extra space allows them to move about freely. They sit on the cushions since it is difficult for them to sit comfortably in chairs.” She chuckled slightly and motioned to Aeris. “You live with a dragon yourself, so you understand the need to keep breakable objects high up on the shelves.”

“Yes, I know what you mean,” Maggie said with a smile. “I’ve lived with Aeris since she was a hatchling, and I still need to be wary of her tail at times. You have a very lovely home, Miss…”

“Oh, I’m so sorry. Where are my manners? I’m Helen Patel.”

“Hello, Helen. I’m Margret and this is Aeris who you already know.”

Helen smiled and bowed again. “Pleased to meet both of you. Please wait here while I go get Aubrey.”

Aeris was too restless to stand still, so she walked around the room, examining everything she saw. She had been inside several mansions over the years attending parties, but she had never seen one tailored to accommodate dragons.

The paintings caught her eye first. They appeared to be other members of the Patel family. Next to the humans stood a Highwind Ravager. The dragon was the same in each painting fascinating Aeris even more.

Her path took her to the piano. She always loved music and was quite jealous of humans since she couldn't play an instrument. She had read about pianos, and sometimes when her master took her to parties, she sat near them to listen to the keys. She gingerly reached for the keys using the thumbclaw on her wing. A deep sound resonated throughout the room.

“Please don’t touch that, my dear; it’s very precious to me.”

Aeris jumped at the sound of the voice. The Highwind Ravager who saved her that day stood with Helen in the doorway. Now that things were calmer, Aeris had time to take in the Ravager’s features. The dragon’s blood-red scales still carried the same shimmer as before, and Aeris loved the way the horns curved inward, almost resembling an elegant headdress.

Aeris quickly snapped out of her trance and remembered where she was. “I’m sorry,” she said to the woman, “It’s just that I’ve always liked pianos.”

“It’s quite all right,” the Ravager replied as she entered the room. The stark confidence of her movements was mesmerizing. She sat on one of the cushions. “I understand how one’s curiosity can get the better of them.”

“This is your piano?” Aeris asked.

“It passed to me after my beloved died.”

“I’m so sorry.”

“Thank you,” the Ravager responded in an indifferent tone. “Please, sit.”

Aeris sat down on a cushion next to the Ravager. Sitting next to her, Aeris noticed how much smaller she was compared to the dragon. It made her feel like a child. Helen joined Maggie on the sofa.

“Will your master, Aubrey, be joining us?” Aeris asked.

The Ravager frowned at Aeris. “Excuse me?”

Helen laughed and said, “Aeris, this is Aubrey.”

Aeris fought the urge to hide under her wings. “I’m sorry. I thought that—”

“No, no. It’s my fault for not introducing myself when we first met,” Aubrey interjected, “That was quite rude of me. But, Aeris, I am glad you decided to take me up on my offer. Too many domesticates don’t seem to care about their origins. I will do my best to answer any questions you may have.”

Aeris’s tail wouldn’t stop wagging at the thought of receiving the answers she sought. “Thank you so much for your help before. I have so many questions.”

“Ask away.”

“Okay, what is a domesticate, and why are they hated so much?”

“Didn’t she explain it to you?” Aubrey asked, throwing an accusatory look at Maggie.

“We felt that there were certain things Aeris didn’t need to know about for her own protection,” Maggie replied, nettled.

Aubrey leered at the woman as she spoke to Aeris. “As I explained before, domesticates are what we call dragons that were born and raised amongst humans. They are no longer true dragons hence why they are so strongly disliked.”

“And what exactly is a ‘true dragon?’ ” Maggie asked, her tone firm.

Aubrey continued, unperturbed by Maggie’s question. “Domesticates know next to nothing of their culture. And their obsequiousness and timorousness are downright insulting.” She frowned as if she had an awful taste in her mouth. “We dragons are not objects to be purchased and sold, nor are we tools meant to serve human whims, yet domesticates find no problems with their way of life.”

Aeris felt a twang of guilt and anger at Aubrey’s words.

“That’s a pretty grim way of looking at things,” said Maggie, “I can assure you not all humans see dragons as objects. I care a great deal for Aeris. She’s like a daughter to me.”

“And yet you allowed her to go out into public without warning her of the danger of speaking to clan-borns,” Aubrey shot back.

Hoping to avoid an argument, Aeris quickly spoke up when Maggie frowned at the Ravager. “Um, but you live with humans. Surely you don’t hate your master, or you wouldn’t be here.”

“What?” Aubrey growled, giving Aeris a nasty look. Aeris shrank away, fearing another reaction like when the Genial attacked her.

“Let me explain,” Helen said quickly, “I am not Aubrey’s master, and she has never had one. She has lived with my family for many years but we have never treated nor considered her as a…” Helen let the rest of her sentence hang in the air, her expression making it clear she worried about upsetting Aubrey with the term she wanted to use.

“A pet,” Aubrey finished. The anger vanished from her expression and tone as she turned back to Aeris. “I apologize for getting angry with you, my dear; I know you didn’t mean to be insulting. Clan-borns like myself find having a human master insulting. And we dragons are very prideful creatures. Most humans know better than to insult a dragon.” She shot another accusatory glare Maggie’s way. “Something else you should’ve been warned of.”

The outburst in front of the Everfields came to mind as Aeris nodded slowly. “But what about the fact you live with humans?” she asked cautiously, hoping to avoid another angry reaction, “Wouldn’t that make you a domesticate?”

Much to Aeris’s surprise, Aubrey laughed at the question, “My dear, I was born and raised within a clan. Regardless of where I live now, they will never consider me a domesticate. Also, I live with humans by choice. I imagine your caretaker wouldn’t like it much if you decided to live on your own.”

“Aeris is free to leave any time she chooses,” Maggie said, curtly.

“I’m sure she is.”

“Is anyone hungry? I think I’ll make some lunch,” Helen said quickly. To Maggie, she asked, “Would you mind helping me? I’m afraid we’re the only ones here, and I can’t carry enough food for two dragons and two humans by myself.”

Maggie shot a suspicious glance at Aubrey, but she nodded to Helen and followed the woman out of the room.

After the two humans left, Aubrey said, “I don’t think your caretaker likes me very much.”

“Caretaker?” Aeris asked.

“The title of the human we live with instead of ‘master.’ It doesn’t sound as demeaning nor suggests dominion over us.”

“Oh. Maggie has always been protective of me, but she’s not my master—oh, caretaker.”

“I’m surprised you sent with a servant instead of coming in person.”

“He doesn’t know I’m here. He didn’t want me to come.”

“Oh? It seems you aren’t as much of his puppet as you appear, my dear. Then what is that woman to you?”

“Well, Maggie is… she’s…I guess she’s more like a mother to me. She’s in charge of feeding me, washing me, preparing me for parties,—”

“Preparing you for parties?” Aubrey asked, wearing a confused look. “What could you possibly need to do to prepare?”

Aeris straightened up, her mood brightening. “Maggie washes me up and sprays a little”—she shuddered a little—“perfume so the humans will think I smell nice. Sometimes she uses this oil to polish my scales. It doesn’t smell as bad, but it tastes awful. I like that it makes me shine and people tell me how beautiful my scales are. Then she picks out an outfit for me. It’s usually a vest. I don’t mind, but sometimes I wish a dress existed that was made for dragons. I tried wearing one once, but it kept getting caught under my feet. Master Aaron once had a tailor make one for me—”

“Stop,” Aubrey said, frowning. There was a low growl in her voice. “I’ve heard enough.”

For the next several minutes, she sat in silence while Aubrey mumbled things to herself. Aeris couldn’t hear Aubrey, but she could vaguely make out the words “toy” and “submissive”.

Eventually, Aubrey rose and motioned for Aeris to follow. Aeris quickly stood and followed the Ravager outside. A pleasant breeze greeted them. Aeris looked longingly up at the sky.

Aubrey didn’t spread her wings and take flight. Instead, she started walking around the side of the house. Aeris stayed close by, silently wondering if she should say something to break the silence.

The yard was not what Aeris expected. Instead of a massive garden, it was just a flat area with a large patio decorated with a trio of tables. When they reached the backyard, Aubrey spoke again, her voice and posture calmer than before. “I apologize for my reaction, Aeris. It’s just we dragons are not known for our patience, and listening to you brag about being a human plaything is very unsettling.” She sat on the grass at one of the tables. “But I will be more patient with you. It’s not your fault you don’t know any better. There is much you don’t know about yourself, and it is up to me to teach you.”

“That’s why I came to see you.” Aeris sat at the table next to her. “I wanted to know if you could tell me what kind of dragon I am.”

Aubrey tilted her head. “You don’t know? I find it hard to believe your caretaker would not have proof of your lineage. Humans pride themselves on the so-called purity of their blood. As if being mixed somehow makes something less than what it is,” she added the final part with an angry huff.

“Well, no. You see, I was rescued from poachers as an egg, so no one knows my parents.”

Aubrey stopped and dug her claws into the dirt. For a moment, Aeris worried Aubrey would get upset. The air around them felt heavier, suffocating; Aeris feared being crushed under the pressure. The feeling passed when Aubrey exhaled.

“Forgive me,” Aubrey said. “I know your pain all too well. Over the years, I have come across more than my fair share of foolish humans who believe they can sell dragon eggs for profit.” The low growl entered her voice again as her tail tapped the grass. “They do not fully understand the consequences if word should get back to the clans across the border. But back to the question you asked me.” The anger was gone, replaced by a look of sadness. “Sadly, I cannot tell you what species you are. Even I have never seen a dragon with scales such as yours.”

“Oh,” Aeris said dejectedly.

Aubrey lifted Aeris’s chin. “Do not despair, my dear. Dragons do not care about such things. It is the humans who put so much emphasis on blood ties and lineage, searching for justifications to raise themselves to a higher standing than they deserve. Dragons only care about your abilities and your power.”

Aeris nodded, but only to be polite. Aubrey didn’t understand. It wasn’t just to make the humans stop insulting her. She was a rarity even amongst her kind, and she wanted to know why.

“Remember this well,” Aubrey said, “Even if you are a half-bred dragon plucked from the slums, you may still become a powerful Matriarch.”

Aeris tilted her head. “The dragon who…who attacked me called you a Matriarch. What is that?”

Aubrey was silent for a moment. “First to answer your question, you’ll need to know a little bit about how our kind live outside the cities. Dragons live in groups called clans, and clans are run by females. The female in charge is called a Matriarch. Now the Matriarch is often considered the most powerful dragon in the clan, for she is both feared and respected. No dragon in the clan is allowed to disobey their Matriarch even if they do not like her.

“The title of Matriarch commands a lot of respect amongst dragons and humans, but it does not only apply solely to leaders of a clan. We females can possess an ability known as the ‘dragon’s call.’ This ability allows us to command other dragons to do our bidding. The title Matriarch is given to any female dragon that possesses this ability.”

Aeris’s eyes widened. During her research, one of the books mentioned something similar, but it was very vague on the subject. “Can you teach me to use the dragon’s call?”

Aubrey smiled. “I’m afraid that’s impossible, my dear. While only females can use the Call, it is not something you can simply learn. The ability is yours from birth, but it requires the qualities of a strong leader to draw it out. It is a mark of power and a will to lead. Someone so quick to give up their freedom to please others has no way of wielding such power.”

Aeris’s heart sank. “Oh. Then how do I know if I have it?”

“I’m also afraid there is no way of knowing that until it manifests.”

“Then how do I make it appear?” Aeris asked eagerly. “I need to know how to use the Call so I can get the other dragons to respect me.”

Aubrey frowned. “A Matriarch does not rule with her Call alone. But don’t worry, my dear. I will teach you how to win at least some respect from your brethren.”

Before Aeris could get excited, she was cut off. “And even if you possessed the Call, you shouldn’t be so quick to rely on it. Using it can quite draining, and some dragons can resist your voice, especially other matriarchs who are immune.”

Aeris fell silent, her sadness and excitement fighting for control. She sat in silence, letting the conversation sink in.

Maggie and Helen eventually came outside, each carrying a tray of food and drink. Aeris’ mouth watered when the breeze carried the scent of meaty sandwiches to her nose.

“I wondered where you ran off to,” Maggie said.

“For someone who supposedly has freedom, you fret over her whereabouts quite a bit,” Aubrey said. “Are you afraid I was going to run off with her?”

Maggie sat the tray on the table, the struggle to hold her temper clear in her face. “Aeris is like a daughter to me, Lady Aubrey. So, yes, I can’t help but worry about her. I know many clan-born dragons don’t care for domesticates.”

“I never would have invited her to my home if I despised her,” Aubrey said coolly. “Most dragons are far more straightforward with their feelings.”

Helen started handing out food and drink, but Maggie and Aubrey were too busy staring daggers at each other and Aeris watched the two females tensely.

“It’s already clear you’re not like most dragons,” Maggie said. “I just want to be sure Aeris is cared for.”

“You say that, and yet she knows nothing of her kind. I imagined if she were a human child, you would not leave her so ignorant.”

Maggie slammed her hands on the table. Aeris and Helen flinched. Aubrey didn’t so much as blink.

“I don’t care if this is your home. I will not stand here and have you question my feelings for Aeris. I have done more for her than you could possibly know.”

“Perhaps. But I do know that Genial would’ve killed her if I hadn’t intervened.” She stood, easily towering over Maggie, but the woman showed no signs of backing down. “Tell me, are you even aware that she has sex with her caretaker? Or did you purposely let her be around clan-borns knowing she stank of human musk?”

Maggie snapped her mouth shut, her face turning red with anger. Aeris wanted to duck under the table from fear and embarrassment.

Helen quickly spoke up. “Lady Aubrey, I thought we agreed not to get so worked up over Aeris’…lifestyle. And from Margret told me, she has no real control over Aeris’ life and daily activities.”

“Perhaps you’re right,” Aubrey said. “But this same human arrogance and selfishness is what caused the Great Rebellion in the first place.”

“The Great Rebellion?” Aeris asked.

“A terrible war that took place nearly a millennia ago,” Aubrey replied with a sad shake of her head. “There was once a time when humans worshipped dragons as gods.”

“Thank goodness those days are over,” Maggie mumbled.

Aubrey tensed but didn’t respond. “Then one day, the humans learned they possessed the means to harm us. To kill us. This started a terrible war in which there were no sides. Just aimless bloodshed in a pitiful grab for power.”

Aeris’s eyes widened. “So how did the war end?”

“No one knows,” Helen said. “You see a lot of human and dragon culture was destroyed during this time, and obviously no one was keeping records—”

“And the ones who were keeping records clearly only wanted to leave their mark on history,” Aubrey added.

Helen nodded in agreement. “In the end, the fighting stopped. It took centuries, but the humans and dragons all but went their separate ways. Far to the west of Geolga, the dragon clans are still in control. They have an uneasy peace with us.”

“That is something else you must remember,” Aubrey said, her voice grave. “No matter what, Aeris, you are never to approach another dragon in the wild. If they learn you’re a domesticate, they’ll kill you. They may ignore you if you’re in the company of a human, but I wouldn’t rely on it.”

That was one lesson Aeris didn’t want to learn again. But as fearful as she felt, she also felt a strange curiosity. Clan dragons sounded so exotic. “Aubrey, can you tell me more about clan dragons?”

“I’m afraid we have to leave now, Aeris,” Maggie said. “Master Aaron will be home soon and he’ll be quite upset if you’re not back.”

“Would it truly bother him to know she has a mind of her own?” Aubrey asked.

Maggie’s lips pressed into a thin line, but she bowed and said. “Thank you so much for your hospitality.”

“Yes, thank you for inviting me to your home,” Aeris said, bowing as well.

“It was my pleasure, dear. Just remember if you ever get tired of the way humans treat you or if you wish to know more about your kind, my door is always open. I’ll gladly show you how a real dragon lives.”

“Yes, I’m sure you will,” Maggie replied curtly. “Aeris, let’s go.”

Aubrey only smiled as they turned to leave, the look in her eyes declaring that Aeris would return. As the two left the mansion and began the long walk home, Aeris couldn’t help but smile.

Maggie climbed onto Aeris’ back. It was a little awkward since she was almost too large to ride, but she carefully explained they needed to get back as quickly as possible so walking wasn’t an option.

Aeris ran home all the while her mind racing with thoughts of how what she would learn when she saw Aubrey again. She was so excited, she forgot to slow down when she returned to the estate grounds and allow Maggie to climb off her back. It wasn’t until Aeris heard Maggie cry out that she remembered it would look suspicious that she was streaking across the estate grounds carrying a middle-aged woman on her back.

Just before walking away, Maggie spun and asked, “Oh, I almost forgot. Did Aubrey know anything about your origins?”

Aeris shook her head. “But she did tell me that dragons don’t care about that sort of thing. So maybe I’ll just accept that I may never know the answer.”

“Are you sure? You were so determined to know the truth before. And we’re so close. I’m sure if we researched dragons from the northern regions—”

“But, Maggie, there’s no one else to ask. Even a dragon couldn’t tell me the truth. And Aubrey said a real dragon—”

“Aeris, stop right there,” Maggie interjected forcibly. “I don’t care what fantasies she fills your head with, I don’t want to hear you talking that ‘real dragon’ nonsense again. You are a real dragon, and no one can take that away from you or tell you how to behave.”

Aeris stared at the ground. “But, Maggie—”

“No, ‘buts’. I’m okay with ending the search, but only after we’ve tried all we can.” She lifted Aeris’s chin forcing her to look up. Maggie’s eyes were full of pity and sadness. It was the same look everyone else gave her.

Aeris dug her claws in the dirt, fighting the urge to pull away.

“I know how important this is to you,” Maggie said. “I just don’t want to see you give up. Now there’s one last thing we haven’t tried yet. But I’m going to need time. Do you think you could wait? Just one last attempt to find your origins then if you truly want to give up, I’ll support it, okay?”

Aeris nodded. Maggie smiled and walked back to the estate. Aeris went to her room, her feelings now a jumbled mess. She flopped onto her back on the mattress and stared at the ceiling. What was she supposed to do? Part of her wanted to know more than anything why she was so different, but Aubrey convinced her to let it go. What point was there in finding her origins if it didn’t change anything?

Aeris rolled over on her side. Maggie wasn’t willing to give up, so neither should she. At least for Maggie’s sake, she would keep going.