As we cascaded down into the mountain I noticed dragons becoming more and more abundant. Large holes dug into the walls that resembled honeycombs housed dragons and their young. Curious fledglings poked their heads out from behind their parents wings gawking at the rare sight of a human riding a dragon. Gemstones decorated the walls a byproduct of all the smoke and flames produced by the dragons. Any king would kill to have access to all of this. At the bottom sat a large golden dragon its scales graying on the edges proving its age. Its size was at least double that of any dragon here, smaller dragons tended to its needs, a sheer look of importance projected from its aura. That has to be the current dragon lord, I glance at Felix. He too would sit on that throne and exude importance as this dragon does. Such a mighty role for a creature that is practically my child. Landing softly before the golden dragon our ride bowed both to show respect and to let us off.

'Your majesty. We have guests.'

'Thank you Winifred.' The golden dragon excused her and turned to us.

'I see you've finally arrived. ' It purred at me allowing our foreheads to touch, a universal sign of respect in our kingdom.

"Your highness, " I bowed

"We bring Felix, the next golden dragon." I sidestepped to reveal the timid dragon hiding behind me.

'It has been many moons since you were taken as an egg, now that your here your training can begin. '

Felix started to back away slowly before bolting behind me.

'Curious....' The golden dragon tapped his snout with his talons.

"I'm terribly sorry your highness..."

'Ladon. Please refer to me as Ladon.' He cut me off.

"Err, yes ok. Ladon I'm very sorry but Felix hatched before we could give him to a dragon so he imprinted on me."

'Where was Lorene? She was instructed to deliver him. ' He frowned at the news.

"The red dragon? "

'Yes. '

"Unfortunately she was murdered." I reported sadly.

'MURDERED?!' He thundered at us causing an uproar from all the dragons,

'WHO DARES TO HARM A NURSERY DRAGON???'

"Ladon...it was the king and his daughter from the kingdom of Landerton...when we arrived to deliver the egg we found Lorene bleeding on the ground with arrows protruding from her body. The king then tried to kill us and take the egg back." I explained.

"We killed them. For their treason to the dragons." Micah said bluntly, speaking abruptly.

'Unfortunately this does cause a problem.' Landon sighed.

"How so?"

'Well my dear we will need to break the imprinting. Our lair is not suitable for humans you simply cannot survive down here.'

"Well how do we break the imprinting?"

'It's not easy, it can be quite painful for you. '

I pondered what he was saying for a bit, but looking into his beautiful eyes I knew there was but one choice.

"He is needed here...let's do it."