The Onyx Dragon by Marc Secchia

didn’t even know it was missing until this evening. What is this magic? Help us, Pip. Please.”
    Finding her feet awkwardly, Pip explained, “This is the ancient magic of Dragon and Rider, the intertwining of a Dragon’s fire-soul and a Human’s soul. I believe your hearts have already spoken this oath.”
    Out of the corner of her eye, she observed Balthion’s furious expression. Trouble. No need for the senses of the jungle-born to understand that. Yet this magic was immutable. It could no less be denied than the Island-World might be denied passage around the twin suns. Pip knew she must play her part, and let the future speak for itself.
    Drawing close to the smitten pair, she began, “Repeat after me. Let us burn the heavens …”
    Together, Arosia and Chymasion echoed, “Let us burn the heavens together, as Dragon and Rider.”
    For sheer joy, the Islands shivered.

Chapter 4: Animals Inside and Out
     
    A n HOUR LATER , Pip found herself back in Master Kassik’s office on her favourite patch of carpet, this time, the object of a father’s wrath.
    “You!” Balthion roared. His face had turned an improbable shade of puce. “It’s your fault! My daughter is not riding off to war! Arosia has barely turned fifteen summers of age and you, you wretched Shapeshifter Dragoness, have the nerve, the presumption, to force her into a Dragon Rider oath? Much as I love and respect you, Pip, I will not have you interfering in her life in this manner!”
    Master Kassik said, “Calm down, old friend. Nobody’s riding off to war as yet.”
    “No, I get to sweat for a few hours beforehand!”
    “No mere hatchling is flying with us to the Crescent Islands,” Kassik clarified. “Silver, what’s your assessment?”
    “Chymasion is a most unusual hatchling,” said the Silver Dragon, head and shoulders inside Kassik’s office. “He stated that he accelerated his own growth for the reason that we will require him in the battles to come–specifically, that the Onyx Dragoness will require the services of his magic.”
    “Impossible,” snorted Master Balthion.
    “One would almost think you were the Dragon, Balthion, not I,” said Kassik.
    Some communication passed between the men which Pip did not understand, for Balthion’s shoulders slumped and he buried his face in his hands. Between his fingers, he groaned, “Please don’t say it. Kassik, I know you’re a good man. An upstanding leader. I know you would not place any of these young ones in danger, save for reason of great need. If you fear for Casitha, then know my plight is similar.”
    Again, Kassik did not speak. He only knelt before Balthion and placed his palm on the man’s right knee.
    “Don’t ask this of me, Kassik.”
    “I’m not asking. I wish to impress upon you that a Dragon just pledged the strength of his paw and the fires of his eternal soul to your daughter. And the truth is, Balthion, she would be no safer here at the Academy, or anywhere else in the Island-World. You heard what they did down south. Five thousand Dragons razed the Islands, leaving no single creature alive. Ay, she might live but a few weeks longer here. I am sorry, old friend.”
    Pip stiffened. She had heard whispers of genocide, she had hoped against hope that her dreams might be disproven as meaningless nightmares; to have it confirmed as truth, made her feel nauseous. The Southern Academy had been utterly destroyed by the Dragons Assassins. What would they do to the Crescent?
    She said, “Masters, why don’t you evaluate them?”
    Kassik narrowed his eyes. “What’re you suggesting, Pip?”
    “Why don’t you allow Chymasion and Arosia to fly with us as far as Sylakia Island? If Master Balthion still wishes to shield them, they can help with inquiries there or return safely to Jeradia via the Spine Islands.”
    “Hmm.” The beard came in for a brisk scratching that reminded Pip of Hunagu rooting for fleas. “Good thinking, Pipsqueak. Perhaps I will interview