The grandeur of the palace is beyond belief with it containing three sections snuggly connected at each of their three levels. Thus, Augusta has no idea of its size but all hallway walls possess mirrored glass tiles with intricate designs that create a picture storey board segmented by Draconian text.
“ So beautiful, ” slips in awe from Augusta’s lips.
“ But it can be difficult to navigate. That is why the mirrored Poseidon Glass holds script directions to the two stairwells and the bridge to each section on the upper floors. ” Convey the queen to continue talking. “ Each story that is etched in the glass tells of gallant female Draconian. I demand to be surrounded by heroines and greatness. I feel that they protect me when I am here in this fortress of a palace. ”
Augusta does not comment but she wonders where the entry stairwell is located for it seemed much closure before the sleeping. Then to her surprise, they stroll over a marble bridge that connects two sections of this massive structure. They then walk the short hallway to be confronted with a large gilded mirror that is a door.
“ Ready? ” queries the queen. “ The stairwell is just beyond this gate. I tried to keep the banquet and coming event intimate but countless entities wanted to dine with us. And that is to be expected. After all, you are special in so many ways, and we need to celebrate you becoming a Dragon Rider too. Plus, birthday parties are to be abundant in guests. ”
Augusta had figured it would be a large banquet filled with the requirement of being extremely social. “ I understand, it is expected for it your birthday party. I am honoured to celebrate it with you. It is a bonus to be knighted and the Dragon Rider, well, yes that too.” She nervously responds with adjusting her robes to be more proper while her mind preps for the coming event.
“ Good but before we descend to the throne room and banquet I want you to meet the Marquis of Drachen Prime. He is important and you require the family’s permission to be Breaze`s Dragon Rider. However, the Drachen royal family currently awaits a new Duchess. That should be either Eri or Yui Celestica-Nova. Until then another family member will suffice. But no closely related high ranking female family member is wholly respected enough to do so. So, a male must bless you with being Breaze`s Dragon Rider. ”
And before Augusta manages to ask about what a dragon rider is the mirrored door whooshes open. That instantly reveals the top of a large majestic black marble balcony and stairwell. Then without delay, the moment feels rushed as several trumpets boom in a sounding hailing their arrival. This comes as the two females step on to the large balcony that surrounds the throne room. A throne room turned into a banquet hall that holds silence even though it is filled with a few hundred party guests.
Everyone waits for the two females as a loud voice declares the arrival of the Air Prime and the Dragon Queen. Then immediately following that everyone but Titanian`s Primes kneels where they stand. As that subsides a small unit of royal guards on the left-hand side moves to reveal a Draconian royal knight kneeling. This allows him to rise to his feet before walking forward to stand in front of both females. Then he supplies a bow from the waist as Gracio announces to Augusta, “ Your Holiness, please, meet Sir DeTroy Draco Nova MD., the Marquis of Drachen Prime, 777th Knight of Draconia, 4th Knight of Drachen, the 11th Imperial Draconian physician, Draconia`s most renowned adventurer, and Sir Breaze`s twin but the Marquis claims that he is merely Doctor De Troy. ”
The statement immediately makes the Marquis place his right hand over his heart as his baritone voice shares, “ Your Holiness, the pleasure of meeting you is intense. My family welcomes you into it and we are honoured that my only sibling, Sir Breaze Vinci Celestica-Nova, dedicates his life to you. You becoming his Dragon Rider is an immense privilege for our family. Thank you for allowing our family to be your devoted servants. ”
Augusta once more wonders what is happening. She cannot fathom what a Dragon Rider is and wants to be told what it is. Additionally, she never asked to be such a thing, no matter what it is. Nonetheless, her thoughts float to assuming that a Dragon Rider deals with riding dragons. Thus, maybe it is similar to horseback riding on Earth. Or possibly it is more sexual innuendo or something she won’t enjoy. Either way, Augusta’s eyes widen in disbelief of enduring more formalities.
Then at that moment, the Marquis smirks for he can tell no one has mentioned what dragon-riding is. It shows in her energy aura for it shakes with being confused. Therefore he assumes that no one has told her about the lifetime bond between Draconian and a worthy entity. That is obvious even though it’s a public fact that it is a command from Cian Immortalis. Thus that has the Marquis chuckling through requesting, “ May I be your escort down into the banquet? We do sit beside each other. Plus, I do think you might have a few questions, your Holiness. I do have the answers for you if you permit me to share them. ”
He then offers his arm in a gesture of chivalry while making motions that she is to lead down the stairwell to have the banquet begin. She accepts it with then leading the way after embracing his arm. However, through it all, Augusta remains bewildered while feeling like she could use some drink for her throat is tight and dry.
The drink arrives after the seating rituals that are in involved with such a dinner. In that, the Queen Gracio soon rises her crystalline goblet with stating, “ Torian Ale is the royal feast drink of Draconia since time immemorial. Tonight we will see if our young Neo Goddess and newest Dragon Rider can hold her liquor like her predecessor. We do hope that she can. She needs to lack a hangover for the first dragon-riding lesson tomorrow morning. ” With that spoken Gracio snickers with tapping her goblet to Augusta’s as she finalizes, “ To our Creator. All blessings to the giver of air, to Draconia and the Draconian Knights. ”
With Augusta taking the first mouthful of the dark caramel-coloured ale a strong alcohol scent pierces the nasal senses. Then there arrives the smooth, fruity, and coffee-like taste to overwhelm. And it does just that until the bitter aftertaste comes with the swallowing. That brings a flush thrilling feeling but an icky feeling with creating shivering to flood her body. The reaction becomes very noticeable with the Marquis saying, “ 10.5 percent of pure high adrenaline alcohol, my liege. Very few Draconians can drink more than five goblets without being tipsy. Our queen can do eleven and Cian did twelve to spite her. Most Mortals tend to not be capable of more than two goblets. But, I am sure that you will live up to Cian`s legacy. ” And with that, he chuckles while swallowing half of his goblet’s contents in one gulp.
From that point on the dinner is enjoyed by everyone. The evening becomes brisk with chatter and busy with meeting almost all of the banquet’s attendees. This provides every moment filled with being active. That includes the various moments of the Marquis DeTroy and Sir Breaze discussing dragon-riding with her. Thus, the two of them supply the wanted information. They confirm that dragon-riding is an experience similar to horse riding. But, both make it certain that she understands that the bond is a sacred lifetime union. That impresses Augusta. It is even more interesting that only male Draconians, in Animalia form, can be ridden. Female Draconians are Dominants with rarely ever deeming any entity worthy of controlling them when they are an Animalia Dragon. Nonetheless, a few rare unions of female Draconians taking Dragon Rider unions are recorded. Samples are both Cian Immortalis and Tierra Soli.
The chat seems continual between the three with no awareness about time passing while maintaining that Augusta drinks only two glasses of Torian Ale. Then as dawn approaches, Sir Breaze escorts the young Neo Goddess to her quarter where once more he undertakes guarding the Air Prime during the Biogen sleep.
WindWhisperer 