Chapter 6

Crystal watched as Forest and the older dragon rider got into an argument. "Women are not meant to fight in a war, that's a man's world, "the older dragon rider said.

"It's because of that belief that we are in this war, if the dragon queen was prepared to deal with the dark dragons when they first appeared we would not be fighting this war, "Forest spoke.

Crystal went for a walk deeper into the mountains with Nylla following at her heels. "Those riders don't know anything about me. Why do I have to go to my father when he doesn't even know me? "Crystal asked.

"We can't disobey the queen Crystal?"Nylla said. "Yes, and how is fighting this war my problem it seems to me ill be fighting my father for my very own freedom." Crystal replied.

"Your just nervous knowing you have a father," Nylla replied. "Yes, a father who didn't come and get me when my mom left me behind, a father that didn't know I was locked up in the worst conditions possible." Crystal complained.

"Crystal please if you keep walking this way Forest is going to get angry with us" Nylla complained. "So what, it feels like I am a tool in this and nothing more, "Crystal said.

"You're not a tool Crystal," Nylla said trying to calm Crystal down. Crystal found her way to a waterfall flowing down the mountain and into a valley there in the distance she saw a castle that seemed like it was built out of ice," Crystal looked at the surroundings in surprise.

She replied, "it sure is beautiful here," Nylla looked around and said, "that is the Crystal Palace, where the Crystal elder lives. "Crystal sat down on the ground and watched land below.

It seemed to Crystal that an artist sat down and painted one of the most beautiful landscapes around, with trees and lakes and all kinds of life you could ever imagine. "Do you think the lost kingdom of Golsend is this beautiful? "Crystal asked.

Nylla answered, "If what they say about the kingdom of Golsend is true it could be?" Nylla replied. Crystal remained silent for a while before replying. ''I'll give it a try Nylla but if they lock me up I am out of there and not you or the elders can stop me if I decide to go, seven years in a jail cell is long enough,"Crystal replied.

Nylla jumped up and down, "You won't be disappointed," Nylla said happily. ''I hope so, "Crystal replied. Suddenly a Crystal dragon landed close by, Crystal studied the dragon before replying, "Nylla, we have to go, Forest might look for us "Crystal replied "not so fast Crystal," the dragon spoke.

Crystal looked at the dragon who seemed to be almost as big as Forest himself but this one was a male Crystal dragon with horns and light blue almost white scales with gemstone decorations.

" What are you doing here Crystal?" the male dragon asked. "Trying not to get involved in a fight between an elder and an older dragon rider," Crystal replied. "Well you need to go back, you're not welcome here," the dragon replied.

"I know I know I'm leaving," Crystal replied and turned around heading back. "Told you we will get into trouble, "Nylla spoke.

"You know, you don't have to rub it in Nylla."Crystal said. Crystal arrived back at the cave where she was staying the night before.

She looked around and saw that the group had calmed down a little. "Forest are you ready to leave yet?" Crystal asked "Yes and you will be riding with, " Forest was about to reply when the older rider said.

"You will be riding with me and don't get attached to that dragon, woman are not dragon riders ever, we will have to take her from you," the older dragon rider said.

"That is how you feel leave me here then?"Crystal replied. "Can't do that your father is waiting for you and I should warn you he is already looking for a suitable husband for you, a woman your age is already married."

Crystal looked at the old rider in disgust and wondered if all male riders were like him. Crystal looked at the old dragon riders dragon and realised he must be a flame dragon, he had battle scars everywhere.

Crystal got on to the rider's dragon and realized there was no room for Nylla but noticed she was flying with Forest. The group left the Crystal entrance and soon landed in order to make camp but to Crystal's shock, she found herself being tied to a tree by the old rider and despite what the other riders said.

The old rider did what he wanted to do anyway. Crystal decided that it would be better to run away from the resistance but she needed a plan. If her father wanted to marry her off in order to get rid of her then she would run away and live on her terms.

"Nylla were leaving as soon as you can carry a rider if my dad doesn't want me then I won't stay. I am not anyone's property and I won't be a queen that bow down to men who don't have self-respect, I hope you can understand that." Crystal replied to her dragon threw there bond.

"Crystal I understand but at least give your dad a chance" Nylla tried to reason with Crystal but Crystal didn't listen. All she could think about at that moment was just how much her father hated her. That he would marry her off the first man that wanted her.

Her father wanted to get rid of her just like everyone ells and that made Crystal mad. Crystal didn't sleep at all that night. She couldn't lay down or move and wasn't allowed to go to the bathroom without an escort.

The group landed at a small village on there way to the resistance and Crystal was allowed to have a warm bath for the first time in a long time but there was a catch. The innkeeper's daughter had to wash her for she was to chain up to clean herself.

"This can't be happening?" Crystal complained. Crystal slept that night in a warm soft bed but she didn't enjoy it. She wanted to watch the stars but she wasn't allowed to. Crystal found herself angry and frustrated.

The next morning the innkeeper's daughter tried to feed Crystal bacon and eggs with toast but Crystal didn't know this food for all she ever ate was fruits and nuts, meat was a rare thing and the group that was taking her to her father tied up.

This caused Crystal not to trust them at all. "what is that stuff? "Crystal asked. The innkeeper's daughter laughed and asked, "You do not know what bacon eggs and toast is, white that attitude you can stay hungry I won't feed you," the innkeeper's daughter replied and left.

The old dragon rider came in and gave Crystal a beating and said, "you're the most ungrateful brat I have ever heard of" and forced Crystal to eat the strange food. Crystal spends the rest of the day tied up to a pole and she found herself hating her father more and more every minute that went by.

Nylla tried to get to Crystal but the old riders dragon prevented her and for some reason, Forest was powerless to do anything for elders are suppose to be in hiding. That night the riders got drunk and fell asleep on the floor.

Crystal decided to see if she could get loose but it was no use and she was forced to endure more hours of being tied up to a pole. The next morning a new dragon rider entered to room and to Crystal's surprise he untied her and took her out of the room.

"Sorry about the way they treated you Crystal" the rider replied. Crystal looked at the man in disgust but refused to say anything. The new group of dragons included three female riders and three male riders.

Forest and Nylla were found waiting close by, "this is what you call training riders, I was beaten and tied up like an animal I might as well go back to the jail cell and lock myself in there. I don't want to be a dragon rider leave me alone and forget about me I don't want to be a rider. Go back to the Crystal palace and tell the elders they made a mistake, I can't be the Queen of dragons," Crystal said.

Forest looked at Crystal and said, "the elders do not make mistakes, Crystal and your father isn't a bad man," Forest tried to reason with Crystal but Crystal wasn't listening. All she cared about was how far and how fast she could get away from the dragons and their riders. The rider that freed Crystal shook his head. If we wanted more enemy we look like we have them now."