Dragon Riders

Chapter 22: Amaroks and Apologies

Cade POV:

As I watched Shade disappear, I rummaged around in my bag. Finally, I pulled what I was looking for from the sack. I unraveled the scroll carefully, then gently blew the layer of dust away. I laid my map of Octinia out upon a large, flat rock. Judging by the fact it took fifteen minutes to get here, assuming a typical flying speed of a hundred miles per hour, I traced my finger twenty five miles from the meadow we were in and found myself at the edge of Fov, Amarok territory. I rolled up my map and placed it back in my bag. I sat in silence for a moment, listening to the sounds of the enchanted forest. I stood slowly and examined my surroundings. The trees formed tunnels, where light scintillated through cracks between the trunks. The bright grass was dazzling. All was quiet besides the chirping birds. I pictured the map in my mind and headed north. After a couple minutes, a twig snapped. I froze.

On my heels, I slowly turned to my right, where the sound came from, to find myself face to face with an Amarok. I wasn't really face to face, more like face to leg. I tilted my head up to see it glaring down at me with it's beady, bloodshot eyes. His fur was pitch black. It was thickly congregated on his face. His large forearms were also coated heavily, along with the back limbs. His torso was also covered, but with a thinner layer. His jaw was massive and he snarled to reveal a set of enormous and very sharp teeth. He was basically an enormous wolf, about three times the size of a regular one, with more fur.

"Nice wolf," I urged. "Nice big, scary, dangerous wolf!" He continued to glare down at me, motionless like a statue, only his tongue moved. It slowly circled his mouth as he licked his lips. What was it I read about Amaroks? My mind racked all the information I had gathered about Fov and it's amazing beasts. Suddenly, I remembered. Eureka! My mind shouted. They will obey you if you rub their belly or scratch behind their ears long enough to fasten a bridle. I didn't have a bridle, but had a couple pieces of rope.

Very slowly, I unbuckled my bag and pulled out my fragments of rope. Carefully, I raised my hand and stood on my tip toes. I stretched up to his ears and began to scratch behind his ear. He collapsed to the ground and shook his left, hind leg. As I scratched with my left hand, I carefully formed a bridle with the strands of rope with my right. I slipped it on and stopped scratching as I kept a hold of the reins. He sat up and gave me an expectant look.

"Well," he growled. "What shall I be called, new master?" I was taken aback for a moment; the scroll said nothing about them being able to talk.

"I shall call you Shadow!" I told him. He nodded and stood then bent his knees enough to where his back was eye level with me. My eyes grew wide.

"Come on then!" Shadow urged. I leapt onto his back and steadied myself as he stood up completely. I kicked his side gently and held on tight as he surged forward. We raced through the forest. After a couple of minutes, I heard voices.

"Cade!" A female voice hollered. I recognized that voice. Iris?

"Cade!" Aspen screamed.

"Aspen!" I responded. I yanked back on the reins and Shadow halted.

Cade? Orion asked mentally.

Orion! I sighed in relief. Land over by the large Oak. I watched him descend into the open space I had pointed out. Aspen leapt off Orion and jumped onto Shadow with me. She wrapped her arms around me and hugged me so tight. After she released, she finally realized we were on an Amarok.

"How did you train him? Is he yours now?" She wondered

"Scratched him behind the ear and yes!" I answered bluntly. "His name is Shadow! Orion, take Iris back and Aspen and I will ride Shadow!" Orion nodded and took off. Aspen put her arms back around me and held on as we raced down the overgrown path. Normally, those who court go on horseback rides, but Aspen and I were anything but normal. We were courting by taking Dragon and Amarok rides. Not strange at all. Anyway, when we emerged in the meadow, Serafina was smiling at me next to Shade. I gulped. Orion hadn't arrived yet, Amaroks could run at the speed of light, so we probably had a few minutes. Serafina gave Shade a quick pat on the shoulder. I felt my contempt growing as I tied Shadow to a tree, instructing him to stay untilI returned.

"You two all buddy buddy now?" I sneered. Serafina's smile disappeared.

"Cade," she consoled. "Please just give Shade a chance to explain and apologize!"

"A chance to explain?" I growled in rage. Then I began to yell. "He could have gotten me killed! What excuse is there for that?" I saw Shade's gaze shift from me to the ground and his wings droop. He looked guilty. He should be. Serafina shot me a glare, but I merely raised my eyebrows and crossed my arms across my chest. Aspen appeared beside me, clasping my hand. She leaned in close and whispered,

"Cade, I can hear what Serafina's thinking. Let him speak." Then she pulled away from my ear and went to her Teff.

"Fine," I gave in, throwing my hands in the air. Then turning to Shade, I spat, "You have thirty seconds to convince me not to attack you."

"Cade," Shade began convincingly, putting his paws up. "I know you are probably angry, but imagine a scenario for me and you will see how I feel. Pretend Aspen didn't like you, she liked some other boy. This boy had a dog. Wouldn't you do something to hurt him? So you go for his dog... Are you seeing what I'm saying? The other boy is Orion and Aspen is Serafina. You're the dog and I'm you." He looked at me expectantly and I nodded. "You would've done exactly what I had done, just in a different way! Look, I was mad, upset, and heartbroken and I am sorry for letting my pride and anger get to me. Could you possibly find it in your heart to forgive me?" I considered it for a moment; I probably would have done the same exact same thing. I sucked in a deep breath and let it out.

"Yes," I answered. Aspen, who was leaning against Serafina, nodded in forgiveness as well. Just then, Orion descended from the sky. Shade asked us to leave the meadow and give the two of them some privacy. Iris slid off Orion and followed Serafina, Aspen, and I out. After about five minutes, the two former enemies walked out together, not arguing, but with one of their arms around the other's shoulders. I smiled to finally know that feud was behind us and we could focus on the upcoming battle.