Rayna's Sacrifice (The Katori Chronicles Book 3) by A. Lombardo (intellectual books to read .TXT) 📗

“A small part of your gift is accessible once you open your mind to Alenga. The moment you glean, or bond with a companion, you are open to her. Touch a tree or a blade of grass, the energy is there. Now with your crystal and her blessing, you feel it more.”

His grandfather’s explanation sounded reasonable. “So, the two black dragons you fly with, are they real dragons or Katori people?” Kai asked, focused on one particular dragon that had meandered behind them. Its spiny head bumped into Kai’s back. “What the…”

“Ignore him. He’s trying to pick a fight.” Benmar kept his eyes front. “And yes. They are Katori friends.”

“What? Pick a fight?” Kai took a deep breath and was struck again, but this time he fell to the ground with a thud.

Benmar kept walking. “Good luck. See you at home.”

Kai sat in the tall grass as Benmar walked away. He had his back to the beast that provoked him, and the creature laid its head a foot behind Kai. The dragon warbled. Kai glanced over his shoulder. Amber eyes blinked at him. The beast's head was the size of a large boulder. His scaly body was a dark metallic gray. Giant horns forked out of the back of its skull. Slowly Kai swiveled around to face the dragon. He slid back a few feet to give the beast space.

The pair stared at each other. Hands on his knees, Kai tried to look approachable, friendly even. He pushed his nature to the dragon, just like he did with Smoke and Ember. Within moments, the dragon began to emanate heat. Smoke rolled out his nose. A snarl revealed sharp teeth. A lump formed in Kai’s throat.

With little to lose, Kai pushed his thoughts. Would you like me to leave? Or can we talk?

The dragon reared its body back. Head cocked to one side, the beast belched fire into the sky. Heat rained down on Kai.

Mistrustful creature you are. Kai heard the dragon speak inside his mind.

Kai stood to put distance between them. He studied the dragon’s eyes and thought about his words. Real words came into his mind from the dragon. The concept was astounding. We are not for you, little creature. Go back down our mountain, pick another beast. You are not worthy of us. The dragon continued to murmur words in Kai’s mind.

Without provocation, it lunged at Kai. Its nose popped him in the jaw, and Kai fell to the ground. Blood spilled from his lip. “I will not fight you,” Kai said aloud, “but I cannot let you continue to hurt me either. I want you to trust me.” Kai stood and bowed respectfully.

They stared at each other.

You seek power. Do you not? I see you and your pathetic courage. Go, if you think you can, weak one.

Certain the dragon was done talking and might get more aggressive, Kai wiped his mouth and turned to leave. Four other dragons closed around him. They all bumped him with their mighty heads, tossing him about in their little circle. Kai dusted the dirt from his hands. “If you mean to test my courage or my wrath, I will offer you neither. You have me afraid—I would be foolish not to fear you, but I will not draw my weapon on you. I want to know your ways. I want to become a dragon, but only to search for my mother.”

Kai thought about what he’d just said. That was not entirely truthful. “Actually, besides having always wanted to be able to fly, I may need to fight a man who is pursuing me, but that is not what I mean to do with the gift of your connection. I hope to save my mother.”

The dragon snorted smoke. We are not weapons or playthings. The voice again echoed in his head.

The idea that he was using them for one thing or another struck Kai, and he stepped back. He was drawn to their majestic nature, but it was not right to use them. “You are right. I came here for power, not for the joy of being a dragon. Let me leave, and I will not return.”

Two dragons moved to open a path. Kai crossed the meadow, and he climbed the rocks and did not look back. Sliding down the backside, his heart pounded in his chest. Inside the tree line, he sensed his grandfather.

“That did not go well,” Kai admitted.

Benmar stepped beside his grandson. “Couldn’t have gone any better, if you ask me,” he beamed.

“That was the most terrifying moment of my life. Their general distrust of people keeps them from giving me a chance. And they believe I am only after power. But you know, if I am being honest, I was not looking to bond as friends. I need them, and that makes this wrong.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure they are done with you.” Benmar gestured behind Kai.

Kai turned to see three dragon heads peer over the rocks. Two others came from either side. “Fight or flight. Those were your two choices. You did not fight him, nor did you cower in fear. By speaking, you stayed neutral. You gave him the power to choose. The others tried to provoke you, and still you remained calm. Most importantly, you were honest about what is in your heart. Kai, what do you think makes a good Beastmaster?”

“Up until now, I would have said fearlessness. Control? Bonding?” Kai had no idea how to answer.

“Becoming an animal, any animal, takes equal measures of courage and fear. Balance. Too much arrogance and the beast will recoil; too little, and the beast will dominate you. Respect them. You don't bond with a beast, you become the beast. Bonds are for companions, but true emulating requires you to embrace their nature. Feel what they feel. They want the same as you, to live free.” Benmar circled back to the dragon’s meadow.

“When the