Adventures of the last Wild Dragon

Chapter 236 236: A History Lesson

Violet's mind raced as she tried to understand Virthrax's words, what did he mean when he said that he had failed her mother, did he actually know her? How? She had so many questions yet was unable to articulate even a single one.

She then felt a familiar and cooling sensation wash over her as Luna, now standing besides her allowed her ice to smooth Violet's wounds as she soothed Violet's racing thoughts with feelings of support and care.

Violet gathered herself and took a deep breath as she once more looked over at the old dragon before her, still laying prostrate on the ground in a show of submission.

"What did you mean when you said you failed my mother? You knew her?" She asked.

"I did know Lady Moraznia yes, I knew her for most of her life. Her farther had assigned me and 2 others to be her guardians when he was forced to leave the nest to deal with issues in the world. You could say that I helped to raise her." As he spoke a sardonic smile appeared on his face as he remembered the long lost past.

"I said that I had failed her because I did. It was my duty to protect her from anything that may deign to harm her. I failed in that task and my current state is the punishment I bare for that failing."

"How? Please explain, I-i never knew my mother, she had long passed by the time I was born so I know so little about her." Violet asked, he mental voice rife with raw emotion.

The older dragon looked down on Violet with a sympathetic gaze, he seemed to be pondering something for a while until he came to a conclusion. "Very well little Violet, let me tell you a tale, a tale of my life and of the princess that I swore to protect."

**

Vithrax flew towards the mountain peak that housed his king. It was rare for the dragon king to summon others, least of all a relatively young dragon such as him. At only 50 years of age Vithrax was considered quite young for a dragon, he had just passed the level 100 mark a few months ago and was still high off that achievement.

So it came as a surprise when he heard that the king had not just someone's himself, but also 3 other young but powerful dragons to his abode.

He circled the mountain peak as he unleashed his presence, it was customary to not just land on another dragons home without making yourself known, this was usually done with the use of your presence. Only when he felt the returning presence of the king did he dare to land on the plateau that led to the kings lair.

The presence he felt from that brief touch was staggering to Vithrax, he knew of the kings strength, all dragons did, for one only became the king of dragons by being the strongest.

Yet hearing of someone's strength and then actually experiencing even a small fragment of it were two entirely different things.

Vithrax knew that to advance in levels once one becomes a sovereign was not about simple experience, it was more than that. To advance past that stage one needed to develop their domain, to enable one's existence to effect reality around them. He was sure that it was more complicated that that, yet it was never explained in detail until one became a sovereign, so Vithrax would just have to get to that point himself to learn more.

Soon he had landed in the plateau and was walking towards the massive cave opening. Even standing a good 8 meters tall and 15 meters long, he felt like a ant walking through the colossal opening.

Inside he found a long passage which he followed until he reached a grand cavern. The walls adorned with exquisite artwork of all varieties, from paintings to sculptures, the floor detailed with the finest of marble tiles, each carved with delicate runes to ensure their durability and make sure that even with the kings gargantuan power not a scratch would be left.

Vithrax spotted several tunnels leading away to different chambers, yet his focus was drawn to a singular figure that dominated the chamber with his imposing might.

The dragon king sat at the far end of the room, his towering figure a testament to his power, even when withdrawn the world seemed to want to bend to his very will a domain of frigid cold ensconcing the surroundings in a fine layer of frost. Yet the cold was not oppressive, likely due to the tiny figure that played around below the dragon king.

Vithrax had heard that the king had recently had a child, it was a joyous time tinged with saddness related to the queens passing. But no one had ever actually seen the child before now, the king protecting her fiercely.

Also present were three other dragons, all lords like Vithrax and all no older than 50 years of age.

Seeing that he was the last to arrive Vithrax rushed over to take his place before his king, bowing his head low and waiting in silence for his king to recognise his presence.

As he was waiting he couldn't help but watch as the adorable baby dragon played around, a small ice sculpture was moving around playing chase with the baby, no doubt being controlled by the king.

Eventually the king looked away from his child and assessed the 4 dragons standing before him. A brief burst of the king presence flared out, expertly controlled so that not even a whisp of his power touched the child. Yet that brief burst was enough to cause all 4 dragons to sink to their belly's in utter submission in front of their powerful king.

"Good you have all arrived. I summoned you here for both a request and a mission. This is something that you will have to dedicate your entire lives to if you accept, something that I will expect you to give your lives in completing if the need arises." The kings voice was cold like ice, even when communicating through telepathy Vithrax felt like he was being submerged in ice water just from listening to the king speak.

"I require guardians and protectors for my child, whilst I loath the idea that I will be forced to leave her alone, duty dictates that I must leave my home from time to time, sometimes to fight dangers that I will be unable to bring a baby to. It is for this reason that I require the aid of guardians to protect my child during my absence, to teach, defend and befriend her in my absence."

The weight of these words burdened Vithrax, he, a lowly lord was being asked to personally protect the princess of all dragons!? He was being asked to protect the most precious daughter of the most powerful being in all the lands.

The responsibility was enormous, that wasn't even taking into account the fact that this would be a lifelong posting. Dragons lived a very long life, he was only 50 and had centuries ahead of him. Did he want to spent the rest of his life looking after a child?

Vithrax looked down at the small red and golden dragon playing with a small moving ice sculpture, she moved with clumsy dedication, her enthusiasm showing through as she leapt after the retreating creation. A smile formed on his lips as he imagined the powerhouse that this small child would undoubtedly grow into, and determination began to blossom in his heart.

Vithrax rose to his feet yet kept his head bowed as he spoke up for the first time since arriving in the kings chamber. "I will accept this duty if you will have me my king! I swear on my honour that no harm shall befall the princess so long as I still breath."

Soon the other three dragons also proclaimed their acceptance of the task and swore their loyalty to both the king and the young princess.

Only then did a slight crack in the frigid expression of the king show through, the smallest of twitches on his lips as he spoke once more, this time not through telepathy. "Very well, I now crown you 4 to be my royal guards, from henceforth your duty shall be the protection of my dearest child, Moraznia."