Etain watched as her father left. She understood why he needed to be alone, but that didn’t make it any better. Ruling the Drakku was her destiny, she was in no hurry to take his place. While he was gone, she’d make as little noise as possible, hoping everything would be fine until his return.

Deep inside the cavern, the mountain opened up into a lush realm of purple trees and fields of orange and yellow grains. The cavern seemed to go on forever and Etain now appreciated that as she sought to hide while her father was gone.

She left guards stationed near the cavern entrance and flew inside the mountain

Most of the dragons not out in the wilds of Rowyth would be found here. It was her safe place when not beside her father learning the ins and outs of becoming the Dragon Lord.

Far across the cavern was a small lake with waterfalls and beaches. Many of her friends spent their time near the lake testing their abilities and deepening their friendships. She tried often to be there but her father required much of her attention. At least now with him gone, she’d be able to catch up.

Etain ascended into the cavern, flying over settlements of Drakku, most deciding to live among their own kind. Jade lived near a green valley filled with exotic plants. The Garnet dragons lived near a lava flow that somehow never increased the temperature of the cavern. The Opal dragons lived on the far side of the valley from the Jade, often mingling with the Onyx dragons that lived in the rocky mountainous region above the valley. Close to the lake lived the Lapis dragons, diving in and out of the water. To Etain, it was the most serene vision she could imagine. It made her swell with pride as she flew over the settlements and those on the ground saluted her with a roar.

The sky of the cavern was filled with dragons. Many were in training, learning the necessary maneuvers to hunt prey and evade danger. Not that humans posed much of a threat, but it was best to be prepared.

Etain headed for a popular beach where she recognized many of the dragons. She landed and approached them, careful not to look too anxious. “Well look at that, it’s the Dragon Lord,” a tall slender male Lapis dragon named Duwyth said. Others turned to look. Etain was relieved when she noticed her best friend Jerdyn, a sleek female Opal dragon.

“Leave her alone Duwyth, she’s not the Dragon Lord.”

“Not yet, but she will be. We should all get used to following her directions now.” Duwyth bowed, mockingly, several others followed his lead. Jerdyn refused.

“Don’t pay attention to him. He’s just jealous that I refuse to be with him.”

“You’re missing out too,” he replied.

“Why do you act like that?” Etain asked. She’d done nothing wrong to any of them and felt she didn’t deserve this kind of treatment.

“Why not? It’s true. We’ll all have to follow you someday.”

“Not unless the Onyx have something to say about it.” It was a Grymryg. He always appeared when Etain least needed him to. Though he was a handsome dragon, strong and intelligent, she couldn’t see herself with him.

Etain rolled her eyes. She’d been through this with him many times before.

“The Onyx will have no such claim to be Dragon Lord. You know this and your clan knows this.”

Grymryg growled. Several dragons backed away from the pair.

“This is not over. You are not guaranteed to become Dragon Lord. If another more worthy candidate comes along, the Drakku will choose wisely.”

“And when they do,” Etain grumbled, stepping closer to him, “I’ll be sure to show you the way out of the Dragon Lands.”

Grymryg grinned, his long sharp teeth exposed. “I look forward to you trying.” He leapt into the air and flew away, growling and roaring as he did. Many in the cavern turned in his direction.

Etain watched him fly away, then shook her head. “He’s always trying to get under my skin! Why does he do that?”

Jerdyn smiled. “You don’t see it do you? He likes you!”

The two of them left the larger group and walked along the lakeshore and the light brown sandy beaches.

“He doesn’t like me,” Etain finally said. She’d been thinking it over since Jerdyn spoke it, but there was no way Grymryg had any feelings for her. He’d always just grumbled about the Onyx having a chance to become the Dragon Lord. Never had he indicated he had feelings for her. Not like they’d do him any good.

“He does like you. You’d have to be blind not to see it. I guess it doesn’t matter, but I think the reason he acts like he does is to cover up those feelings. At least think about why he acts that way and maybe you can use it to your advantage.”

“Jerdyn! I will not manipulate him for personal gain!”

Jerdyn laughed, covering her mouth with her hand. “Not for personal gain! I meant for the Drakku. When you do become Dragon Lord, you’ll need to use everything in your arsenal to keep the Drakku together.”

Etain didn’t reply, preferring to let the subject drop.

“So when is your father coming back?”

Etain let out a heavy sigh. “I don’t know. Hopefully soon. I’m not ready to lead the Drakku. I don’t want to lead the Drakku, not now anyway. I’ve seen the headaches my father deals with and I’d prefer to not have those yet.”

“So, maybe Grymryg is right? Maybe it’s time one of the other clans produces the Dragon Lord?”

Etain stopped and stared at her friend. Did she just say what I thought she said?

“No. No way will I allow Grymryg to become the Dragon Lord. It is my burden and my responsibility. I will not shirk from my duties, no matter how difficult they become.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t meant to upset you. I was merely trying to make you aware there are other ways. You don’t have to be the Dragon Lord if your heart is not in it.”

“It’s my duty. I will fulfill my calling.”

Their attention was stolen by a pair of Lapis dragons diving into the lake. The two long, sinewy blue dragons flew into the water, then moments later burst from it and twisted among themselves in the air in a delicate dance before they dove back into the water. They continued to do this for several minutes, occasionally breathing their frost breath creating ice pellets that splashed to the lake.

“Always showing off,” Jerdyn said and giggled. “I don’t mind though. It does give me something to watch.”

The tension between the two seemed to dissipate and they continued their casual stroll around the lake. Etain was grateful for the distraction. Dwelling on her father’s absence only made her more nervous about what she should be doing instead.

It warmed her heart to watch the Drakku living such a peaceful life. The younger ones played by the lake while groups of older dragons congregated together, sharing stories and enjoying the company of one another. If their lives could always be this tranquil, she’d have it made as Dragon Lord. However, she knew better.

Just the recent meeting with the griffons told her differently. Their southern cousins, halflings themselves, tried to persuade her father they were no longer part of the Drakku under his rule, but a free and sovereign race. In a sense, they were. They governed themselves and took care of their own problems, but they were and would continue to be, a vital part of the vast Drakku family. There wasn’t much interaction between the griffons and dragons, but it was clear—the Dragon Lord ruled them all. It wasn’t like her father was harsh. He barely ordered them to do anything, respecting their right to rule themselves but with the knowledge that he was the ultimate arbiter in all situations.

Etain forced the thoughts away. The griffons weren’t really a problem, just one of many petty squabbles the Dragon Lord had to contend with, and she would need to be ready for when it was her turn.

The pair walked in silence, taking in the scenery and both seeming to avoid breaking the serenity.

“Thank you Jerdyn. I needed this.”

“I’m sure you did. I’d be full of nerves if I were you. Being in charge of all this is scary. I’d not want the responsibility. I do think when your time comes, you’ll do a fantastic job of keeping the Drakku together.”

Etain hoped she was right. There was so much to learn and so much to be ready for, many things not even known to her yet. It would be difficult, but her father had done his best to prepare her. Was it enough? Would she be ready when the time came? She’d have to be, or others like Grymryg would be ready to take it away from her, and she feared they didn’t have the level head she possessed to rule the Drakku properly.

The friends said their goodbyes and Etain flew back across the cavern toward her quarters near the entrance. The dragons in the cavern below her, living and playing and enjoying life, comforted her. They were her dragons, and she intended on ruling them better than any Dragon Lord, even her father. She had a lot to learn and she wasn’t ready yet to take on the role, but she grew more confident she’d be ready when the time came.