Samantha Edwhan

End of the Winter Star

Chapter 15

Gerold was in the library. It was a hot day outside, but between the cooler indoor temperatures and his Fire Dragon ability to tolerate heat, Gerold was quite comfortable. Adelaide was busy preparing for their nest while he continued his role as High Caln. News had spread all around the Calndom. Dragons were celebrating and excited for the new arrival.

But today Gerold was taking a short break. He had been needing a few minutes to slow down more and more often. He was starting to consider adding a half hour rest during the day so that he could recharge a little. But he hadn't needed it a few years ago. Perhaps his age was catching up to him.

Jakob and Clement were in the library too. Jakob was sitting by a window with a large history book in front of him. He leafed through the dusty pages at an impressive speed for his young age.

Meanwhile, Clement was at one of the rows of bookshelves. He was stretching up for a book just out of his reach. There wasn't enough room in the library to fly around for books. Gerold decided to help him, pacing over and pulling the book off the shelf.

“Here you go,” he said, offering the book to Clement.

Clement's eyes widened. Then he grinned. “Thank you!”

Gerold couldn't help but smile as Clement took the book and joined Jakob by the window.

“What book did you choose?” Jakob asked.

Clement nudged the book to him. “It's a collection of folk tales. Dad said I was too old to read it, but I don't care about that.”

“You're only young, Clement,” Gerold said, sitting down beside them. “You have plenty of time to read whatever books you like. There's nothing wrong with enjoying fiction. It happens to be one of my favourite genres too.”

Clement beamed up at him. Beside him, Jakob asked, “What about nonfiction? Or history?”

“I do enjoy my fair share of nonfiction. Though history is by far the most compelling, I have to spend a lot of time reading and reviewing law books,” Gerold said.

“Is that because you're High Caln?” Clement asked.

Gerold nodded. “It's a tough job. Not everyone is up for it.”

“Modesty says she wants to be High Caln when she grows up,” Clement said. “I don't want it though.”

“Modesty will eventually realise that she won't be High Caln,” Gerold told him. “For her to have a chance, there would need to be no Prinze when Griffin's time as High Caln ends. But we have laws to mitigate the chances of that happening.”

“If we were living in the old times, Markos would be the next High Caln,” Jakob said.

“Perhaps. But when the island founders came here, they vowed to change the way leadership was passed,” Gerold explained. “That's why we now choose our Prinzes, rather than letting fate and bloodlines decide the heir.”

“Why did they decide to change it?” Clement asked.

“From what I've learned about the old days, corruption was a common theme among nobles and royals,” Gerold explained.

“Oh. I guess it's good that we changed it then,” Clement said.

He turned back to his book and opened it to the first story. Gerold took a peek at the page as Clement read silently. It was a short tale about a farmer and his livestock. Gerold smiled as he remembered the first time he came across this book. He had been just a Prinze then and the concept of talking animals gave him joy. But he had since come to terms with the fact that no other creatures could speak the way dragons did.

Gerold glanced over at Jakob’s book. It was a stark contrast to Clement’s. It was filled with big words and detailed paragraphs about the old continent. Gerold wondered what life might be like if dragons still lived there today. Would he have become High Caln? Would he have ever met Griffin or Adelaide? Would they have even existed at all?

His vision filled with stars and he had to blink several times to clear his head. He felt a fatigue coming on. Even just thinking was wearing him out. He glanced down at his hind leg. The lump Markos had pointed out years ago had grown in size. Gerold had pushed aside any worry he had about it. The lump didn’t hurt so there was no need for concern. He had more important things to worry about as High Caln, including preparing Griffin for his future role. Gerold wouldn’t be around forever. One day, Griffin would have to take up the role of being High Caln.