She drew in a breath. “And you’re the only one who can.”
He nodded, a proud smile coming to his face. “I’m the only one brave enough to oppose them, and now I know exactly how.”
Without another word, the politician turned and exited the seer’s shop, unable to stomach the sights and smells any longer.
When he had gone, the woman known as Charmain glanced down at the rattlesnake. It flicked its tongue, staring back at her.
“I know that’s not all true,” she said to the snake, “but I told him what he needed to hear to secure the future for the Dragon Elite. Regardless, they have many challenges ahead. And no matter what, Nevin Gooseman will be a part of those.”
The rattlesnake slithered up Charmain’s leg, sliding into her lap before taking a place on the table.
She nodded, agreeing with him. “If things go as planned, Nevin will learn that evil can’t be erased. It only creates bigger problems. Evil must be balanced with good.” Charmain blinked, as though clearing her vision. “Of course, I don’t have to see all of that future to know how it turns out—only that it relies on one dragonrider in particular.”
Chapter Two
Sophia Beaufont looked at the crowd. Her eyes were constantly moving as she studied the many strange individuals attending the press conference on the lawn of the White House. Even with all of the security around, her attention was on high alert.
She hadn’t liked the idea of the Dragon Elite doing another press conference. At the last one, Trin Currante had learned about the approximate location of the Gullington, which had created all sorts of problems. Ironically, things had turned out positive from that, but it still didn’t feel worth the risk.
Hiker Wallace had disagreed, stating that maintaining the reputation of the Dragon Elite was more important than ever. Mortal governments and powerful countries needed to see the dragonriders as the supreme authority on the globe.
Getting attention wasn’t difficult. Getting the political foothold Hiker wanted wasn’t complete, but the dragons had gotten a following they hadn’t expected.
At Hiker’s back stood a line of four dragons and their riders in full gear. Constant clicks from in and around the crowd kept Sophia’s eyes scanning as reporters took pictures. Lunis was enjoying the attention more than the others, posing either with his chin held high or a discerning expression on this face.
To further increase his already large ego, new fans were gathered around on the lawn outside of the security barrier. Hiker had allowed it, stating that it would be good for their image. Sophia didn’t know how allowing the throngs of dirty-ass hippies to worship at a distance strengthened the perception of the Dragon Elite.
This was the newest development since the dragonriders had become more publicly prominent. Some governments had refused their intervention in disputes. Some had been reluctant but were coming around. Then, a growing group of elfin hippies had started a campaign called “Dragon Worshipping.”
The worshippers, with dirty hair and baggy clothes, were gathered behind the police barriers with signs that read, “They Will Save Us,” “Dragons=Peace,” or “Riders Unite Us.”
That would have been all good and well for Sophia, but this new fad was creating a lot of superstitions. For instance, the hippies said things like looking a dragon in the eyes would add ten years to your lifespan or petting one enhanced beauty. The best one was that getting roasted by a dragon gave eternal life. Sophia didn’t know which of the worshippers was willing to experiment with that one.
Lunis batted his eyes at the crowd, making eye contact with several of them.
You’re not adding years onto their lifespan, she said with a sigh.
They don’t know that, he replied. I’m making them happy, and that’s what counts.
“He looked at me!” exclaimed a barefoot woman with too many bangles on her wrist. She looked like she might faint. “The blue dragon looked at me!”
Sophia shook her head, suppressing her laughter. All the other dragons were staring straight ahead stoically, and not giving the crowd any attention.
Hiker paused as the worshippers all congregated around the woman, as though thinking hers was a lucky spot, and they’d get a look from the dragon as well.
“As I was saying,” Hiker began, clearing his throat and getting the attention of the crowd of reporters again. “We’ve had the fortune of welcoming many new dragons to our numbers recently. Of the thousand dragon eggs, we’ve had over a hundred hatch, which bode well for the future of the Dragon Elite.”
A reporter held up their hand, earning Hiker’s attention. “These dragons must then match with a magician, correct?”
The leader of the Dragon Elite nodded. “Yes, but it is never guaranteed that a dragon will magnetize to a rider. That’s a choice every dragon makes on their own. But the hatching of so many is a hopeful sign for us, as we never know when an egg will hatch.”
“Magnetize to me!” one of the hippies yelled from the crowd, getting laughs from many.
Hiker shook his head. He was always serious, but especially right then. “Dragons choose riders, not the other way around.”
Another reporter stood. “But if the dragons are held inside…” he referenced his notes, “the Gullington, how will they come in contact with potential riders?”
Hiker said, “They aren’t confined to the Gullington. That’s their home for now, but at any point, they can choose of their own volition to leave our borders. They are of course protected there, and we offer training. I assume that over time many will venture from Scotland and hopefully return if they magnetize to a magician.”
“So,” a reporter began on the other side of the audience, “all Dragon Elite are riders, but not all riders are Dragon Elite, is that correct?”
“Yes,” Hiker affirmed. “There are some that are…” he paused to choose his words carefully. Sophia knew this was a tricky subject and less was more. “Some riders and their dragons aren’t a good fit for what we do as the Dragon Elite. It takes a full commitment to mortal affairs, a devotion to risking our lives for the betterment of this planet, and rigorous training.”
What the Viking wasn’t saying was that some dragons were born evil and magnetized to a rider of a similar moral constitution. Those riders didn’t want to be a part of the Dragon Elite for obvious reasons.
“I for one,” a reporter said, her chin held high, “would like to thank the Dragon Elite for the sacrifices they make for us. Peace is of most importance in this volatile global environment, and I think we all rest easier knowing that you all are back and protecting us through your adjudication missions.”
Hiker bobbed his head proudly, his blue eyes sparkling. Sophia rethought her reluctance for them to do the press conference. Maybe Hiker was right, and this was the kind of attention they needed to increase their reputation. She couldn’t shake the feeling that for all the dragon worshippers and grateful mortals surrounding them, there was another group who didn’t trust the Dragon Elite, and more importantly, didn’t want them intervening in their affairs.
Chapter Three