WHITE DRAGON
Part Five
By Arthur
Fore Telling of the Rise of Goron.
Fear not the Bronze of Belhadria, nor the fire of youthful soul for they carry upon their mighty winged torso, the life of mans need.
Cry not for the Gold of soil but seek the soul of the Ancient One, that he may carry your burden and clear your soul until the rising of Goron.
Seek out the Preador of the dark locks, that he will lead all mortal man, first to darker days and a cleansing of the earth, to but rise again in green splendor that all may pay homage to Goron's Soul.
Matise became awestruck at his first sight of Belhadria and as the flight of Dragons settled onto the forecourt of the citadel he subconsciously moved closer to the naked body in front of him. While Matise had been raised in his fathers grand castle, it now seemed like a hovel of cut stone compared with the grand splendor of this crystal like citadel.
Matise leaned closer to Bragill's ear and in a voice of awe spoke softly least he be overheard by others.
"Where are the guards? such a fine castle should be well guarded?"
Bragill smiled to himself as he answered his new friend.
"Look high above us."
Matise raised his eyes to the heavens and saw far above them, small dots whirling on the thermal winds in a steady pattern of glide and lift.
"How can they see much from such a height?"
"How does the bird of prey find its meal at such a height?"
"Yes I see now."
Galland had landed and lowered his mighty wing so the two boys could dismount.
"Come Matise, let me show you your new home if you wish it so."
"My thanks Lord Bragill."
"No Matise, I'm not a Lord, as I said before, I'm just Bragill."
"I thank you Bragill, I feel it such an honour to be by your side."
"It is nothing Matise, now come, lets go to our rooms."
Matise followed behind Bragill as the Dragon rider, along with the gossomer White Dragon, made their way up the wide steps of the citadel towards their quarters. Matise found it harder and harder to take his eyes off the smooth skin of the small tight butt cheeks on the dark haired boy.
A noise behind him made Matise turn his head and an instant reaction in his loins took over as he spied for the first time the real beauty of the redhaired riders of the Bronze Dragons. The vitality and health of the small riders took Matise by surprise as they bounced and laughed with each other, and, Matise noticed, many side long looks towards him by the young boys as they walked beside their Dragon Souls.
When they neared the doors to Bragill and Gallands rooms, Matise saw that the Bronze Dragons and their small riders settled into places along the corridor where they could be close to the quarters. On entry into the rooms Matise was taken aback by the great size and space.
Gallands soft voice spoke to Matise.
"If you would be more comfortable, I can arrange for some rooms of your own just down the passage."
"Thank you Galland, but I think these rooms are to big to be alone in, if it does not inconvience you both I would enjoy staying here with you"
"You will be most welcome Matise."
Galland sent out a thought to the Bronze Dragons outside and within seconds the six riders appeared in the room.
"Perhaps you would like to bathe before we dine. Theses riders will attend to your needs while others find suitable clothing for you."
"Yes I would like that Galland."
Glowing smiles lit up the faces of the six riders when they heard Matise's reply. Matise had no illussions as to his desire for their company as they lead him towards the bathing room, his vest had disappeared before he had got to the doorway as the many hands softly ran over his body. To be bathed this way each day was going to be a pleasure beyond belief for Matise.
"Well my dearest Brae, do you think he will survive his immersions?"
Bragill laughed at Gallands thoughts.
"I think we will not see him for quite a while my Galland."
"It may help him to adjust to this day of tradgety and his obvious desire for the redheads is easy to see."
"Yes, I'm sure they will please him."
"Just as I plan to please you, my Soul."
No sooner had the thoughts left Gallands mind than he shimmered and was standing before Bragill in his human form, naked and erect as he reached out for the dark haired boy before him.
"Let us make love in honour of the passing of the Golden One my Brae."
Bragills immediate reaction settled any hesitation on his part and as Galland took him in his arms, he surrendered to the warm feeling of boyish arms about him and the hardness pushing against his own. A slickness began to cover them both as each one leaked his juices on the other and their hot lips began a dance of love and need.
Time stood still as Bragill lay on his back with Galland deep inside him. Gallands hands roved over the young riders body as he sent his love deep into the boy he had waited to find in the darkness of the cave. The joining of the two souls seemed deeper and more fulfilling as their love was in honour of the Golden One and his passing.
In Bragill's forearm a warming resonance sent shivers of delight through his body as Galland gave him his love and finally, with a deep seated shudder and sigh of satisfaction Bragill collapsed into the soft arms of Galland, and, as his eyes closed he felt the lips offering more than physical relief.
A sound made Bragill open his eyes, the feeling of warm scales against his back told him that Galland had reverted to his natural form and the large claw holding him protectively confirmed that Galland was close behind him and keeping him safe.
The sound was made by Matise as he entered the room looking much the worse for his bathing at the hands of the six riders of the Bronzes. Amidst the look of total exhaustion was a spark of satiation on Matise's face and it was also obvious that he had not done all of the entering by the way he walked toward the divan set out against the far wall of the quarters.
"So, my friend, how was your bathing?"
"More than could be expected Bragill, so much more."
Bragill had stayed under the claw of Galland as he talked and the soft caress of the tip of the claw on his chest sent shivers of delight along the length of his naked form. Matise looked wistfully at the couple laying together and then lowered himself onto the pallet set out for him. The softness of the mattress and the warmth of the room soon had his eyes closed and a gentle almost unheard snoring came from his red lips. Bragill once again closed his eyes as the claw relaxed him into dream land.
As the sun lowered to the horizon Bragill stirred in his sleep and the thoughts of Galland came into his mind.
"Wake up my Soul, there is a banquet set for Matise and then we have much to discuss with the assembled."
"I thought we had no need of sustainence?"
"We don't, but that is not to say that we can not take part, sometimes it is good to eat from a table and to drink honey nectar from the high alps."
"Will all the Dragons be there?"
"All that are still in the citadel, mayhap two hundred or so, but they will all take human form for Matise's banquet."
"Then I had better wake him, he must be very hungery by now, what with the excitment of the day and the pleasure of the bathing."
Bragill moved to the pallet where Matise lay in exhausted slumber. For the first time Bragill took note of the corn haired boy laying as naked as the day, before him.
It was with a small warming in his groin that he noticed Matise was nearly the full size of a grown man, even though his manhood was relaxed as it lay on his patch of corn silk pubic hair, the skin covering the glans was short enough to show just the mearest hint of a purple coloured head inside.
As Bragill touched the naked shoulder of Matise, there came a soft mumble and a smile took over the lips as the hips involuntarily thrust upward and the manhood began to instantly harden, the purple head beginning to escape its slick sheath as some dream activated by the boys thoughts, took over his desire.
Bragill smiled at the reaction and with a look at Galland lowered his hand until his forefinger barely touched the underside of the hardening weapon as it grew to its full length and lay over the tuft of hair to settle just below the tight little navel. Bragill ran his finger lightly over the throbbing vein as the manhood jumped under his ministrations until with a cry Matise sent a stream of his thick cream out over his chest and belly.
A shudder went through the body of the blonde boy as his eyes opened and looked up at the dark boy above him.
"It's you, oh god I thought I was in nirvana, that was so dreamlike, thank you Bragill, I shall forever remember this day."
"Come Matise, there is a banquet to honour you and to introduce you to some of our followers."
"Ahm, Bragill?"
"Yes Matise?"
"Should I be clothed?"
"It is not needed Matise, but if you would feel more comfortable then there are clothes arranged for you over there on the side board."
"Thank you Bragill for your thoughtfulness, but I do somehow feel better as I am."
"Then it is sufficient. No one here would make jest of you, it is how we like to be."
Bragill watched as Matise rose up from the pallet to stand in lithe splendor before him. Galland looked at the two boys and with a smile shimmered into his human form.
"Come, let us go to the main hall."
The three boys walked arm in arm along the passage, Matise in the center of the trio. The bronzes had also changed into human form and along with their riders, followed close behind. The group wound its way through passages and across grand halls until they came to the entrance of the collonaded hall where Bragill had first met the Golden One.
Down the center of the great hall were four rows of long trestle tables, along the center of each table was displayed large dishes of foods that Bragill had never seen. Across the top of the hall sat a single table laid as the others but faced towards the where the guests would be sitting.
Galland led Bragill and Matise to the table at the top of the hall and, after seating himself on the large throne like chair at the left, indicated to Matise to take the right hand seat while Bragill was directed to the larger central chair.
"But Galland, why am I seated here, you are the Goron, this should be your seat?"
"Yes Brae, I am the Goron but you are the Praedor, Keeper of the Claw. The throne of Belhadria belongs to you, I am but your Soul, to keep and protect you."
"But....but.."
"No more My Brae, it is 'The Way'."
While they had been talking, the rest of the guest Dragons had entered the large hall and taken seats along the lengths of the four trestles. The hubub of noise began to subside as Galland rose to his feet, all faces turned towards the trio sitting at the head table.
Bragill looked down the hall from his somewhat lofty position on the throne of Belhadria. The assembled Dragons, now in their human form, looked almost identical except for some showing small signs of aging.
Their hair was like copper bronze, as would be expected, high cheek bones below eyes that were of a slight slant and had a yellow tinge to them. Their skin was also of a copper hue as though they had spent much time laying in the rays of the bright sun of the mountains.
Their riders, in many cases, were being held close on the laps of the Dragons and with the riders flaming red hair and paler skin, they made for a startling contrast that was easy to the eye.
Galland began to welcome the Followers.
"Followers of 'The Way', we welcome you all to this first banquet of the Praedor and wish to introduce to you our Mortal companion to the Praedor so that all will know him and defend him as the Praedor himself."
Galland made a gesture to Matise to stand before he continued.
"Followers, I introduce to you, Matise, Knight of Cretain, Protector and Companion of the Praedor, Keeper of the Claw."
The uproar of the welcome by the assembled Dragons brought a bright flush to Matise's cheeks as he bowed low before the Dragons. Galland continued as Matise again took his seat.
"There will come a time when we must gather all humans to form an army to fight the Dragons and armies of Gestan, to this end Matise will begin his lessons in warfare of mighty armies so that he may lead them on the ground as we take to the air in the defence of all."
The gaping mouth of Matise showed his surprise at being named as a furture leader of men on the field of battle. For a boy of sixteen years it was an unheard of honour. Matise rose to his feet as Galland sat down beside Bragill to hold the hand of his rider.
"Followers, this is an honour beyond dreams that I am not sure I can fulfill, but I will do my duty as best I'm able, to protect my friend the Praedor and the honour of Belhadria."
Matise took his seat as a Man/Dragon stood at the head of the nearest table. Bragill noted that around the eyes of the human form were small lines of wrinkles and leant close to Galland to ask.
"He has an air of age about him my Soul, how many years does he have?"
"Soon to be seven hundred, my Brae. He is the oldest here and is given high respect by all for his maturity."
The Dragon/Man began to speak.
"Great Praedor, Keeper of the Claw, Mighty Goron, Prince of all Dragons, Lord Matise, Companion of the Praedor, we, the Followers of 'The Way' greet you and welcome you to Belhadria and the throne of the Ancients. By our honour, we swear fealty and our Souls to the cause of 'The Way' and to the Praedor of Belhadria."
Galland stood again.
"Great Mitor, Oldest and Wisest of all Dragons, we accept your greetings and your fealty. Now Dragons and Riders of Belhadria let us feast in honour of our new companion, Lord Matise."
Within seconds the hall was an uproar of laughter and wild joking as the assembled fell to the banquet laid out before them. Matise found he was ravenous as the banquet swung into a tumult of noise and sounds of merriment. It was not long before Bragill saw that the slim bronze Dragons in human form had not lost any of their strength in their change to the smaller form.
A high excited scream was heard in the hall, and, as Bragill, along with Maties, looked up they saw a small red haired figure flying high above the long tables, arms and legs thrashing in his unguided flight. The ensuing shreaks and giggles told Bragill and Matise that this was some sort of game played by their Dragon Souls. The boy flew high and then with a delighted scream dropped into the arms of another Dragon/Man at the far end of the same table.
This seemed to be a signal for the rest of the Dragons as it was not to long before there were red haired boys being tossed high in the air above the tables in aerobatic displays, much to the delight of the boys and the trio at the top table.
Bragill saw that the only one to toss the boys high was his own Dragon, and once he was caught by another he was lowered to the floor and ran gleefully back to his own Dragon to be tossed again. There was a certain feeling in the hall of total trust in the abilities of their Soul Dragons as the boys flew through the air.
"Galland, do we join in the games?"
"If you wish, my Brae, but you have no need of my arm to fly like the boys, at your command the Claw will elevate you for short distances and land you on your feet."
"Really, that is good to know, but I would much prefer that your hand propelled me, just as they are sent up by their Souls."
Immediately Bragill felt those two soft hands wrap around his waist and, within a thought he was flying through the air high above the tables. A warming begain in his forearm as the Claw took over his safety, bringing him to a soft landing far down the hall where he was joined by two of the red heads as they ran back toward their Souls for another toss.
The rush of total joy in his flight had Bragill laughing with the other boys as he rushed down the length of the hall towards Galland for another flight. Bragills blood rushed through his body as the thought of the unfettered flight in the hugeness of the hall. The exhilleration of the moment moved towards his groin as it had with all the Riders, there rigid boyhoods springing ahead of them in joyful anticipation of the game.
Galland looked over at Matise as he sat watching the play with a wistful look in his eyes.
"Would you like to fly like a Dragon, Matise?"
"It would be a desire of mine Galland, but I am not a Rider and would not interfere with the fun of other Souls."
"Tush, it's nothing, wait,... Great Mitor, the Companion would fly like a Dragon Rider, would you consent to be his Soul for the games?"
"An honour indeed Great Goron, let me take him up so that he can fly alongside my Soul."
With no apparent effort, Mitor lifted his red haired Rider under one arm and walked up to the top table where he leaned down with a smile on his face and hefted Matise under the other arm with ease. Mitor looked to be not much bigger than either of the two boys he now held but the unmistakable strength he had could be felt against Matise's body as he was lifted from his seat.
In the blink of an eye, Matise felt himself flying high and free alongside the redheaded Soul of Mitor. The freedom of the short flight was all new to Matise and he let out the same shreak of joy as the other boys, as he went hurtling down the length of the great hall among the whirling bodies of the other Riders.
The games continued for a long time, neither Dragon nor boys seeming to tire of the game until Matise was totally exhausted and had to take his seat once again at the top table, his breath coming in short gasps as he settled down and watched the rest of the Riders begin to settle once more onto the laps of their Dragons.
As Bragill joined them for the last time there came over the great hall, a feeling of contentment and trust as Rider and Human Dragon pressed closer to each other in common trust.
Matise sipped the last of his goblet of honey nectar as the others around him settled into a soporific peace. It was then that Matise noticed the first light of day edging its way into the great hall. They had played and feasted all the night away but no one appeared to be tired from the long night. It was as though only short hours had passed but the glimmer of light belied the passing of the hours.
Suddenly Galland sat erect in his chair, his head turned towards the doors of the hall as though listening, then with a movement so sudden that Matise almost jumped from his seat, Galland stood and then shimmered into his Dragon form.
As Matise watched Galland look over the hall, he saw the rest of the Dragons changing into their usual form and the small Riders leaping for their seats on the necks of their Souls. Bragill was already mounted on the neck of Galland as the Dragon moved with a speed Matise did not know he possessed, when on the ground.
"What is it Galland?"
"Sorry Matise, I forgot you can not recieve our thoughts. The Wizard Knight of Gestan has appeared on the plains below us with some of his hoard of Black Dragons, he asks for a meeting with us. If you wish you can mount your seat behind Bragill and come with us. It would be a good idea for you to see him in person so that you are not taken by surprise in some future time."
"Yes I agree Galland, my father often spoke of 'knowing your enemy to better defeat him'."
"A good tactic matise, here mount my wing and settle with Bragill."
Galland lowered his gossomer wing for Matise to climb up on his neck and as the boy settled Galland was on the move at the head of the Dragons of Belhadria, the Six Dragons of the personal escort close behind them.
Once outside the Dragons lifted with effortless ease into the clear morning sky as the sun sent scarlet rays over the land. The slight dampness of the thin clouds as they dove through them, brought out the bumps of chill on Matise's skin but the warmth of the scales of Galland against his bare thighs soon warmed him.
As the army of Dragons and Riders broke through the clouds, Matise could see far below them on the wasted plains, a large gathering of Black dots standing in long lines, one behind the other, making up a huge army. At the forefront of the army stood a dimuntive figure in shining armour that reflected the early morning rays of the sun.
In the air above the army flew only ten Black Dragons and Matise was to learn that this was a sign that no hostilities were intended but that this was an invitation to talk or settle a dispute without bloodshed.
Galland was the first to settle on the ground before the assembled army and was quickly followed by most of the other Bronzes and their Riders. Only Ten Bronze Dragons stayed aloft, the same as the army before them.
As he stepped down beside Bragill, Matise looked over the diminutive figure before them. The person looked to be no more than a boy of ten or twelve years, his face showed a look of innocence and immaturity but the eyes told of age beyond understanding.
"Great Goron, I welcome you to the plains of Brythe and congratulate you and the Praedor on your emergence."
"Thank you Wizard and Knight of Gestan, now what do you call us for?"
"Ahh...in such a hurry, Great Goron. I come to offer a pact, we are evenly matched in the sky, although I have the superior forces on land I can see no advantage in us being at war with each other. To this end I offer a truce, that we stop any hostilities between us and that you allow me to continue my own desires on the land."
"Wizard, you stand before me in the armour of a Knight, ready to fight, and offer us a truce?"
"Great Goron, my appologies, it was not my intent to do so, wait I will divest myself of this armour."
Matise watched as the small boy like figure made a gesture with his left hand and saw the armour shimmer and disappear into the air. The young looking boy frame before Matise stood naked and as much as he tried, Matise found himself admiring the slim little figure before him.
The boys small manhood projected outward from his groin, hung below by two very small testicles held tight in there silken sac. The wizard of Gestan looked more like a prepubesant child than before.
A whisper in his ear made Matise turn towards Bragill.
"Galland says to not be fooled by his appearance, he is trying to give an illusion of youth to make us set at ease."
Matise nodded his head at the informtaion and took another look at the young boy figure.
"Ahh, that's better, now Great Goron, do we call a truce between us?"
"Your words have a merit to them Wizard, but what guarantee do we have that your word would be abided by?"
"I would offer a gift to the Praedor of Belhadria."
"And that gift would be what, Wizard?"
"Why the most precious thing to my heart."
"And that is?"
"My captured soul."
With those words, the Wizard produced from the air about him, a glowing orb that held within it a shimmering emerald green stone.
"You would hand your captured soul to the keeping of the Praedor?"
"Is it not foretold, that the Praedor of Belhadria can be trusted in truth beyond all Mortal Men?"
"It is told, but what do you hope to gain, Wizard?"
"Nothing much Great Goron, just the freedom to settle the plains of this and other lands and to form from them a right of ownership."
"And would this include the subjugation of the people to your own ends?"
"Well they would have to follow my desires but they would have,...ahh...certain freedoms, that they do not have this day."
"This decision is of great import, Wizard, we would need time for discusion."
"Then take all the time you require, Great Goron, shall we say, this same place in three days time?"
"That is agreeable, Wizard, we will have a decision for you at that time."
An innocent smile took over the features of the small boy like figure, then, with a gesture of his hand he was sitting on the back of a huge Black Dragon that had fire in its eyes and showed the ravages of many battles and years on its scales.
Near the ground where he had stood was the orb with its glowing green stone, suspended by magic just at waist height.
"Then I bid you farewell Great Goron, and Mighty Praedor, ohh, I see you have a companion, Mighty Praedor, mayhap he will one day share some time with me in play, he has the look of a noble about him and the weapon of a full grown man..... hmmmm.....let me see now."
The Wizard of Gestan, closed his eyes briefly and then with a smile opened them and stared at Matise.
"Lord Matise, second son of Count Lemaire of Cretain, it would please me greatly, should you wish for a short time alone?"
Matise bowed slightly, but never took his eyes from the small boy up on the Black Dragon, something deep inside him said to not trust this smooth talking young boy.
"Mayhap in time, Wizard of Gestan."
"Yes Lord Matise, mayhap in time."
With those final words the Wizard lifted his hand and the army of Gestan took flight from the plain and turned towards some far off realm of the Wizard.
Bragill spoke in thought to Galland.
"There is evil in his eys my Soul, this one can not be trusted."
"Yes it is well known about his deceit, but there is the matter of his captured soul to think of."
"Yes Galland, that is something that would not be given lightly to another, but mayhap it is not truly his soul?"
"A good thought my Brae, we will have to test the theory back in Belhadria. Would you take up the offering and carry it with you to Belhadria?"
"I see no other way my Galland."
So saying, Bragill stepped forward and took the orb in his hand, the claw warmed under his skin as he made contact with the offering.
"There is something not true in this orb, Galland."
"The claw will protect you my Brae, when we return to Belhadria we can investigate the gift more thoroughly."
The assembly of Dragons took flight back to Belhadria as son as Bragill and Matise had taken their seats on the neck of Galland. The orb continued to glow in the hand of Bragill as they made their flight home. A disquieting feeling inside the depths of Bragill stomach worried him during the flight back, the orb held something more than just a supposed Soul of the Wizard, of this he was sure.
TO BE CONTINUED: