The revulsion rose higher in Sophia’s throat. She knew her brother was right. Worse, the dragonriders were headed back in that direction, having been divided by interests. The Dragon Elite wanted peace and justice, and the Rogue Riders wanted to capitalize off crime and gain by taking that which didn’t belong to them. It seemed like such a distant possibility that the two organizations could come together, but would they end each other if they didn’t?
Maybe sensing that Sophia was struggling with this new information, Clark paused. After a moment he continued, his tone careful, “With the dragonriders divided, the Dragon Elite hiding away, and the Rogue Riders pretty much ineffective without a leader, the remaining demon dragonriders were scattered. Talon Sinclair lured them to an empty field and had the Warriors for the House take them out. I don’t think the dragonriders saw it coming, and with their magic disabled, they were at several disadvantages.”
Sophia gasped, thinking of how disoriented those dragonriders would have been. “As dragonriders, we think we’re the strongest out there. But it’s that assumption that can put us in real danger. No one should ever convince themselves they’re invincible because that’s when someone can strike a lethal blow.”
Clark nodded. “That’s very true. I’m glad you recognize it. Usually, the strongest are taken down by a sideways blow they never saw coming. Remember that you’re only as strong as your perception is clear. If it gets muddied, then you’ll be vulnerable to all sorts of attacks.”
“So Talon Sinclair murdered the remaining demon dragonriders,” Sophia stated, her eyes looking without seeing.
“Most of them,” Clark answered. “Not all came when he called, but yes, I think we can credit him with taking out a vast majority of them.”
“Why?” Sophia asked. “Besides the obvious that he was after power and control, and the dragonriders outrank everyone else.”
“There’s that. It will continue to be an uphill battle for you, as you already know from dealing with the Council. However, the problems long ago are still part of the current ones. Chiefly, I think Talon Sinclair firmly believed that erasing mortals from seeing magic and taking out dragonriders created a better world. Like many presently, he didn’t think anything good could come from demon dragonriders. That’s the hardest perception you’ll have to change. The Rogue Riders aren’t doing the Dragon Elite any favors.”
Sophia nodded. “I agree they’re out of control. Under their current leadership, there are many problems. I can’t believe that all demon dragonriders are bad. Thad Reinhart did a lot of amazing things. They’re talented. I think they have to be controlled.”
“Who is going to do that?” Clark asked, an edge to his voice. He was in Councilor mode all of a sudden. Still, he only echoed the tone she’d soon face from the Council for the House of Fourteen and Sophia was grateful for the chance to practice.
“The Dragon Elite,” Sophia stated with confidence. “We’re going to control the new dragonriders, and we’re going to keep history from repeating itself.”
“I hope you’re right, Soph, because there are a lot of magicians who don’t want you all ruling this planet.” Clark shook his head, regret on his face. “The dragonriders have more enemies than ever before. I dare say, there are many who don’t want the dragonriders on this planet at all.”
Chapter Nine
Sophia knew that Clark was only trying to help, preparing her for what she’d meet when she faced the Council. However, after learning that it was the House of Fourteen, then the House of Seven, that had taken out many of the old generation of dragonriders, it was difficult not to be overly sensitive about all the matters.
She knew she couldn’t blame anyone on the current Council for what happened to the demon dragonriders, but that didn’t make the news any easier to digest. It felt like such a personal betrayal, her magicians’ race taking out her society—the dragonriders.
Acutely, Sophia felt the raw emotion and vengeance Liv had expressed when she learned that the House of Seven was responsible for mortals not seeing magic and going to great lengths to bury the secrets. One of those was murdering Guinevere and Theodore Beaufont and their children, Ian and Reese.
That had been personal, no doubt, but the Sinclairs who were responsible for that were gone, and with it, mortals could see magic once more. However, Sophia wasn’t convinced that the same Council that had murdered dragonriders all those centuries ago was much different than the current one. Something told her that if the majority had their way, they’d dispose of dragonriders again.
There were too many variables with the dragonriders that people didn’t understand and therefore feared. She had to change all that. The Dragon Elite was already working on it. Still, it wasn’t only about perception, and she instinctively knew that. Something had to change with dragonriders in general, or history would repeat itself. Sophia didn’t know what though.
The vibe in the Chamber of the Tree did little to relieve her tension when she stepped through the Door of Reflection. Anger flared in her chest at the sight of the Council, although again she knew these weren’t the people responsible for slaughtering the demon dragonriders.
It’s the institution you despise, Lunis offered in her head, having learned everything that she had.
Did you know about what happened to the demon dragonriders? Sophia asked, realizing that the events could have been locked away in the dragons’ shared consciousness.
If I did, I would have told you, he stated with remorse. Those were my ancestors, and the information hasn’t come easily. Talon Sinclair must have done something to block it.
Sophia strode through the domed room and took her place in front of the Council, intending to make her presence known rather than waiting to be called from the back. There were only a few Warriors present, Liv being one of them. Beside her were Trudy DeVries and Stefan Ludwig, Liv’s husband.
Talon Sinclair was a very powerful magician, Sophia related to Lunis, the chatter between the council and Stefan mostly on mute in her head. If anyone could have blocked the memory from the dragons, it would have been him.
You’re right that the dragonriders have to change, Lunis observed, having followed her thoughts. I don’t know what has to happen there either, but the current structure isn’t working, and we’re heading for more doom and extinction at this point.
You think the institution of the House of Fourteen is a problem too? Sophia asked curiously. They’ve adapted the structure. Now mortals sit on the Council and vote on issues, as well as other magical races.
It’s more balanced than it used to be, but I think there’s still corruption at its core, Lunis stated.
Can that ever be fixed entirely? Sophia wondered.
I want to believe that it can, Lunis answered. It’s about who’s in power. There are those who lead because they want to make the world better. Because they want to protect justice.
Like Hiker with the Dragon Elite, Sophia offered.
Yes, Lunis affirmed. Then there are those who lead because they want to gain personally and they’re motivated by fear and their selfish desires.
Sounds like a lot of people I know. Sophia glared up at the Council, her eyes on Lorenzo Rosario, who she knew had betrayed the Dragon Elite already when Nevin Gooseman was in power politically. He was motivated by fear and the idea that power could be lost if not hoarded, and threatening entities like the dragonriders cut it down a notch or two.