The Dragon Brothers

Viola - POV

So, I wake up at 5 AM ready to go. I think I even surprised Lucian. I ran 5 miles with him and it was much harder than I expected. We were dredging through snow, parts were uphill, and Lucian is much faster than I am. My body was so tired afterwards. I think Lucian could tell I needed a bit of a break so instead of training with swords we trained on throwing knives. I picked it up really quick and he gave me two to carry at all times. Then we trained for one hour fighting. Lucian definitely wasn't taking it easy on me. He swept my feet out from underneath me, punched me in the stomach, and flipped me on my back multiple times. By the end of the day I came close to throwing up and every muscle, joint, and body part was hurting. Some I didn't even know existed!

"So, do you want to do this again tomorrow?" Lucian asked while he walked me back to our tent.

"Yes. I want to keep training until I'm as good as any one of your warriors!" I said emphatically. I wanted him to know I was serious about this training. This wasn't just fun and games to me. This was serious business. I wanted to be a warrior. "Alright. Well, then I want you to go to the purchasing tent and have them order you two sets of leather pants. Then go to the swordsmiths and learn the process of making swords and knives. While you won't be a swordsmith apprentice I think it's important that all of my warriors have a certain amount of respect for what they do. Sgt Arkadian will accompany you." Lucian said as we reached the meeting tent where he would leave me. Sgt Arkadian was there waiting for me. As we walked to purchasing I told the Sgt all about my training and how well I picked up on knife throwing. I even showed him the knives that Lucian gave me. The Sgt seemed impressed with my knife throwing capabilities. I was so excited that I would be allowed to wear pants as this was one of my longtime dreams. Once we were finished with purchasing we headed for the forge. At the swordsmiths tent I met an older man blind in his right eye. There was a scar from the top of his head over the right eye and ended on his right jaw. He smiled a toothy grin with a few teeth missing but he seemed nice enough.

"Princess Viola meet Swordsmith Byron Ashen. Swordsmith Ashen meet Princess Viola. Princess Viola, Swordsmith Ashen is going to show us the process for making swords and knives." Sgt Arkadian introduced me to the swordsmith that will be responsible for me forging education.

"Princess Viola, do you have any knowledge of blacksmithing or forging?" Ashen asked respectfully.

"Very little and that was a long time ago. So, I would appreciate it if you would show me everything step by step." I answered truthfully.

"A good sword has to be hard enough to hold an edge along a length. At the same time, it must be strong enough and flexible enough that it can absorb massive shocks at just about any point along its length and not crack or break. Finally, it should be balanced along its length so that it can be wielded effectively. Does that make sense?" Explained Ashen.

"Yes I understand. I imagine that swordsmithing is difficult when all of those criteria must be met." I answered.

"A smelter takes iron sand and heats it together with coal to make steel. This allows the sword to have the strength and the ability to hold a sharp edge, as well as to cause the sword to bend rather than flex under stress. The steel is then cooled and the smelter selects the best pieces to send to the swordsmith. Meet our smelters." Ashen spreads his arms towards a small group of men.

"The swordsmith takes the steel pieces and forges them into a block. In the process of forming, the block is heated again. It is then taken out of the fire and hammered into a thinner block, the block is scored in the center with an axe and folded over, making it thick again. The block is then placed back in the fire. The steel can be folded crosswise or longways. Often both folding directions are used and are repeated up to 16 times. Once the sword takes the shape the swordsmith wants, he will clay the spine of the sword and heat it once more. Once the sword is red hot the swordsmith will take the newly formed sword and quench it in water hardening the blade. Then he would pass it on to a polisher and finisher." Ashen explained as he walked us through the forging tent and showed us knives, swords, axes, and other weapons in different stages of creation.

"Once the blade had been heat-treated, a sword would be ground with progressively finer abrasives, typically different types of rock. They polish and sharpen the sword until the desired finish is achieved. This process is long and tedious, but a good polisher is of great value to the swordsmith. After the sword is polished, the fine tip can be sharpened. The sharpness of a sword, and ability to keep that edge, is based on the angle of the edge and the width of the body of the sword. How long it can hold the edge is also dependent on the material used. This small group of highly trained polishers are our prized workers." Ashen explains as he waves his arm across a small group of men working delicately on different swords.

"This sword is meant to go to the General!" One of the polishers stands up and shows a large sword that is wavy on both sides and he is slowly engraving beautiful artwork on the middle of the sword.

"What are you engraving? I've never seen that language." I question the man.

"This is the language of the ancients. It is said that this language was created by King Cradia of Drakor. The first dragon king that could shift to man. It says 'Only the dead have seen the end of war'. I hope the General likes it." The man stated proudly.

"I'm sure he will be proud to take it into battle." I assure the man as we take our leave.

Sgt Arkadian takes me to the mess hall where I meet Lucian.

"Sgt Arkadian! Did she give you any trouble today?” Lucian asks, smiling.

"No Sir. She enjoyed the tour of the forge and we both learned a lot of how to make weapons. I have a newfound respect for the workers in the forge." Sgt Arkadian stated proudly.

Our food was brought to our table and we began eating. Nobody in the mess hall could start eating until the General took his first bite. It was very much like living with royalty as nobody could eat until after the King took his first bite. "So, I'm glad you liked your tour of the forge. Did you remember to make it by purchasing." Lucian asks as he leans back in his chair.

"Yes and I'm so excited about wearing pants. This has been one of my longtime dreams. I've always wanted to wear pants but I wasn't allowed because I was a princess. I HATE society's rules! It's just not fair." I say as I ball my hands into fists. "Really? Why haven't you ever told me? In all the time that we spent in my study you never once mentioned this to me. I would have bought you pants long ago. What other society rules do you want to break?" Lucian smiled as he was honestly amused.

If you're loving the book, nel5s.com is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you! "Cursing. I want to curse like a sailor if I so choose." I answer my eyes dancing at the prospect.

"Well, go ahead. You're in a room full of men that are warriors. I doubt you're going to come up with anything that could turn any heads." Lucian says still amused.

"FUUUUUUUUCK! FUCKITY FUCK FUCK FUCK!" I screamed as loud as I could. The entire mess hall went silent. You could have heard a pin drop. All eyes were on me with mouths completely open.

"Well I didn't know you were going to scream it at the top of your lungs." Lucian almost falls out of his chair laughing. "Come on, let's get out of here. I want to know more about these hidden desires of yours." He grabs my hand and we hurry out of the mess hall.

"Well, I've always wanted to travel. I've really wanted to go see the beach. I've read about the ocean in so many books and it sounds beautiful!" I say dreamily.

"Well, let's make that happen." Lucian stops walking while he's holding my hand.

"Seriously? I mean like how. Because we're kind of surrounded by the northern tundra" I can't believe my ears. Maybe I misunderstood.

Lucian starts laughing at me again. I place one hand on my hip. "Well, I'm glad someone is enjoying this."

"I'm sorry. I can turn into my dragon form and you can ride on me." Lucian says smiling.

"But, I thought only a true mate could ride on your dragon? What if I'm not your true mate?" I ask worriedly.

"I wouldn't have suggested it if I knew you weren't. Why do you think I'm so possessive over you and take your discipline to heart? I do it because I love you little mate." Lucian answers with complete truth in his eyes.

I am completely taken aback. I'm at a complete loss for words. This was the last thing I expected to come out of Lucian's mouth. This would be the perfect moment for a long passionate kiss. As if he could read my mind Lucian steps closer to me, running one hand through my hair and the other cupping my face, then he starts to kiss me slowly at first, and then passionately as he moves his tongue into my mouth. We finally break when we both need air to a chorus of hollars, cheers, and whistles. My cheeks turn strawberry red. Lucian grabs my hand again pulling me to the side of his large tent.

If you're loving the book, nel5s.com is where the adventure continues. Join us for the complete experience all for free. The next chapter is eagerly waiting for you!

He disrobes and then turns into his dragon. I've never ridden a dragon before so I'm not quite sure what to do first. Lucian makes a strange noise through his throat. So I throw one leg over his back and jump on. As we take flight I become so afraid that I'll fall off so I hug tightly to his throat but he doesn't seem to mind. The journey is cold at first and I wish I had brought a fur cloak but then the temperature quickly gets warmer and more tropical. Finally, Lucian is descending on a small island. Once on the ground I dismount and then he turns back into his human form.

"How do you know there aren't natives on this island?" I worry that I'll become someone's dinner.

"I've been here before and there aren't any natives but I can take you to an island where there are if that's on your bucket list." He laughs at me. "Now get undressed. I'll see you in the ocean." He's already nude so he runs off into the water. "Lucian, wait! I can't swim!" I call for him but I can see where the water comes up to just below his chest so I should be okay. I quickly undress and run out to meet him. I've never done anything so freeing in all of my life. We splash each other and play in the water. I love how the water feels as the waves roll in. If you time it just right you can jump as the waves pass by and you feel like you're surfing on the waves. I have so much fun because even though I can't swim I know Lucian is there to keep me safe. After we feel tired out from playing in the water Lucian guides me back to the shore. I think we're probably going to head home now but Lucian starts grabbing driftwood to make a fire and it feels so warm. I notice that behind us is a large cave. Lucian walks in and comes back with a weather worn blanket. It looks like it has seen better days but it's better than sitting on sand. I could only imagine all the nooks and crannies the sand could end up in! I join Lucian on the blanket and he pulls me into his chest. He starts to kiss me passionately and sticks his tongue directly in my mouth. We make love on the beach until we are both exhausted. *Kingdom of Bryneich *

Ambrose POV

I take dragon form to get to the Kingdom of Bryneich and I make my way to the local tavern to find out where Madam Carey's place is. I hear men laughing at me and the girls whispering as I leave the tavern and make my way to Madam Carey's place. I open the door and a group of young ladies are sitting in the parlour knitting baby items like booties and blankets. One of the girls approaches me.

"Hi, can I help you?" A young girl with large breasts and curly reddish brown hair.

"I'm looking for Royse Annora from the Xsar Empire." I hope so. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

"Um, no, sorry we don't have a Royse here and nobody from the Xsar Empire." As she shakes her head her curls bounce all over the place.

"Maybe she came in under another name. Have you gotten any new girls in the past week?" This is my last hope.

"Nope. The newest girl came in over a month ago. Maybe try Madam Alwyn's house in the Kingdom of Dumnonia. It's the kingdom to our East." She gives me a look of pity and I leave the house.

Once I'm not around any prying eyes I take off my clothes, tie them to my ankle, and take dragon form to fly to the Kingdom of Dumnonia. Dumnonia also sits on the border of the Xsar Empire and would not have been a long trip for them to take Royse to.

When I get there I go to the local Tavern to find out directions to Madam Alwyn's house. I walk inside and I am immediately hit with her scent. She's here. A young girl from the parlour comes to me to ask if I need help.

"Hi! I'm looking for Royse Annora from the Xsar Empire. She would have come in during the past few days." I'm getting goosebumps from excitement.

"Hmmm. Well we got someone in yesterday but not by that name and she's not from the Xsar Empire. Let me go ask if she wants to see you." The girl is about to run off but I stop her.

"Tell her Ambrose is here." The girl nods and disappears upstairs.

A/N Please drop me a comment and let me know if you like the story or the chapter. I love all feedback both critical and complimentary. Check out my other book Prince Justus and the Rogue. You can also go to my facebook page for chapter updates and updates on new projects. https://www.facebook.com/Sammi-From-Anystories-1020524119915