Ashes And Spirit (Book 3) by A.D. Trosper Page B

as she rocked her chair back on two legs and sipped from her cup. “Mmm, Mckale, this really is good.”
    He nodded and took a shallow drink from his own cup as Maleena answered. “She is from Trilene actually. The Dellar District. Her name is Liora. Mage Councilor Amariel had to smuggle her out at great risk to both of them. Since the Shadow Riders have gained full control of Trilene, anyone found with magic is automatically shipped to the Kormai to either hatch an egg or become a mage.”
    Jocelynn raised her eyebrows. “They give them no choice? I thought they had to abide the same as we do.”
    “Sure, they have a choice.” Taela snorted as she stirred cream and sugar into her tea. “The same choice I was given. Do as they say, or die. They can’t afford to allow magic users to make their way to Galdrilene. Those the Shadow Riders or Benduiren find either go to the Kormai and become what the Shadow Riders wish, or they die. There is no middle ground.”
    Belynn shuddered, her hazel eyes fixed on the table. “I’m glad I was able to answer Farynn’s call.” She raised her eyes and tucked her short blonde hair behind her ears. “I can’t imagine being called to Galdrilene, and then held against your will in the Kormai and forced to choose death for you and your draclet, or hatching one of those foul things instead.”
    Maleena shook her head. “Attempting to hatch a shadow when already called would result in your death. A black hatching can be difficult to survive anyway. Trying to do so while called would shred your spirit. The only choice possible if one wished to live would be to become a dark mage.”
    “A horrible choice to make either way,” Kellinar said, taking a long sip. “Mckale this is delicious. You and Sumara did a great job.”
    Sumara smiled and brushed her long black hair over her shoulder. “The mages at the Tower of Earth worked on it too, as did the Agricultural Guild.”
    “Very true, Sumara.” Mckale nodded at her then drained his cup. “Like most things, it takes more than one person to accomplish something.”
    Maleena yawned and stood, glancing at Mckale. “It’s time to prepare for the Hatching. If we don’t get started soon, I may fall asleep during it.”
    “Yes, the time has come to welcome a new member into our family.” Mckale stood as did everyone else. “Serena, would you do the honor of taking her to the Hatching Chamber?”
    She nodded, brushing a few stray crumbs from her skirt. “Certainly.”
    Maleena walked in silence next to Mckale, a deep sadness shadowing the joy of a new Hatching in her heart. In a few moments, they would stand where Emallya and Bardeck had always stood, reciting the lines they had always said. Tears stung her eyes and she blinked them back, feeling the loss of the older couple.
    They turned the corner and the large, heavy doors at the end of the hall beckoned to them. Maleena easily heard the humming song of the egg in the room beyond the closed doors. This first Hatching since the loss of Emallya and Bardeck would mark a new beginning in Galdrilene. One where Bardeck and Mernoth wouldn’t be there to teach new dragons and riders. Where Emallya wouldn’t be there to impart hundreds of years of wisdom. Where it would now be up to Maleena, Mckale, and the others to do their best to take their places and carry Galdrilene into the future.
    She laid a hand on her large, rounded belly as she positioned herself next to Mckale in front of the doors and felt a twinge of fear for the future. What kind of life would her child face? Would he or she be a Dragon Rider? Those questions were something she had carefully avoided while searching the lake for answers. She already knew her child would likely face the future without her.
    The appearance of Serena and Liora at the end of the hall interrupted her thoughts, and she set aside her heartache and fears for the future. It was time to welcome a new rider. Liora’s long, white-blonde hair hung loose