Empire's Son: An Epic Science Fiction Novel Series

"And that's all we need from you. Master Iylon will escort you to the source." Chief Commander Dexter said as he took the data pad Gayle had just used to sign her consent to what she was about to do and a pledge not to tell anyone who wasn't already in the know of the events about to take place. At least Markus had the decency to get permission from Command this time, though she suspected that was more of the Heir's doing than Markus.

After Markus's confession that he'd poached her charge––and yes, regardless of what the bastard said, she considered it a yavit poach––he and the Heir had explained what they needed from her. They told her about Hinamor's failed bonding and explained that if she were to go to Command volunteering to do the tracer bond they would be more likely to agree to the plan.

The Heir assured her there would be no significant side effects to getting this tracer bond. She'd never heard of such a thing, but he seemed to know what he was talking about, claiming the dragon had told him all about it. She didn't quite understand how that was possible if he was on a ship heading to Vega Prime, but Gayle decided she didn't need to know all the specifics. She might not have known the Heir long, but he had at least her respect and tentative trust. There was something genuine about him that made her believe he wasn't playing games with her life.

"This way, Pledge Tau-mine," Master Iylon, the Master of the Bonding Ceremonies, said as he exited the Commander's office.

Gayle followed, glad it hadn't taken long to get things settled with Commander Dexter. She didn't even have a wait as she was quickly ushered into Dexter's office, so she suspected Markus or the Heir had talked to him ahead of her arrival. The Commander went over what she was agreeing to, told her Master Iyon would escort her down to the caverns and overseeing the bonding, and then asked her to sign the forms.

She stepped out into the corridor. The administration building had seen none of the battle. Most of it had been kept to the lower part of the College and around the auditorium. But the hallways were bursting with people hurrying in every direction with varying tasks.

Master Iylon deftly moved through the crowds of people as they crossed the complex. Despite the transporter being on the opposite side of the building, they got there faster than Gayle thought possible. He gestured her into the transporter, and she stepped in. A moment later, the green light enveloped her.

Once the green light cleared, she quickly stepped out of the single transporter so Master Iylon could follow. Gayle looked around as she heard the hum of the transporter working behind her. There wasn't much to see. It was just a narrow rock corridor with yellow strip lightning near the low ceiling. The musky scent of earth and moisture filled her nostrils, reminding her they were deep underground now. The air was cooler here, with a slight dampness that clung to her skin.

Master Iylon emerged from the transporter and gestured down the corridor. "This way, Pledge. We're close to the lair."

Gayle nodded, falling into step behind him. His movements were deliberate and unhurried, as if he'd traveled this path countless times. She supposed he had given his position.

"Master Iylon," she ventured, "have you performed many of these... tracer bonds before?"

He glanced back at her, his expression carefully neutral. "No. This will be a first. I wasn't even aware they were possible until today."

That made Gayle stop in her tracks. "Oh? Then how do you even know what to do?"

Master Iylon stopped and turned back. "From what I understand, I don't have to do anything. The source will do the bonding."

"I see," she said with uncertainty.

"I have talked with the Heir myself about this. He assures me that this will be quick and painless. He says this will not be like normal blood bonding and it will be a simple matter of the source mentally placing the tracer in your mind. I am here to escort you to the lair and to supervise the bonding."

She could hear the excitement in the Master's voice. He obviously was coming to see how it was done and probably wondering if this was something new the College could implement for future use. For a moment, she wondered why the College would even do this tracer bond if they didn't know it had been possible. Would they really do such a thing based on what the Heir said? Which again, she didn't understand how he knew something that Command hadn't even been aware of. She was missing part of the puzzle.

Gayle shook her head slightly, dismissing her doubts. If Command had approved this, that was good enough for her. For now.

"We're nearly there," Master Iylon said, gesturing toward a widening in the corridor ahead. "The lair is just beyond."

The narrow passage opened into a vast cavern that took Gayle's breath away. The ceiling soared at least thirty meters above them, embedded with bioluminescent crystals that cast an ethereal blue glow across the space. The air here felt different—warmer, charged with something she couldn't name.

And there, at the center of the cavern, was the source of the bond––the dragon.

When the Heir had been talking about the great beast, he'd called her Razivi like he knew her personally. In all the presentations she'd had about the source, not one of them had revealed the dragon having a name. She had seen holo images of her though, but even those did not seem to convey the massiveness of the great beast that towered in the cavern.

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Razivi's scales shimmered with an iridescent golden-bronze, catching the blue light from the crystals above and transforming it into a spectacle of color that rippled across her serpentine form. Her massive head, adorned with a magnificent mane that shifted between crimson and amber hues, turned toward them as they entered. Those ancient eyes—deep pools of amber that seemed to glow from within—fixed on Gayle with unsettling intelligence.

You are the volunteer. A voice echoed inside Gayle's mind, feminine yet ancient, like the whisper of mountains or the memory of stars.

Gayle glanced at Master Iylon, who nodded encouragingly. "She's speaking to you telepathically. That's normal," he explained, remaining near the entrance. "I'll stay here. You should go forward alone."

Taking a deep breath, Gayle stepped toward the massive creature, her boots echoing softly against the stone floor. The air grew warmer with each step, as if she were approaching an ancient furnace that had burned for millennia.

"Yes," she answered, her voice steady despite the flutter of anxiety in her chest. "I'm Pledge Gayle Tau-mine."

The dragon's massive head lowered until it was mere meters from her. Gayle could feel the creature's breath—surprisingly sweet, like warm honey and spice—washing over her.

Come closer, young one. Do you know what you have volunteered for?

Gayle moved forward until she stood directly before the dragon. Up close, Razivi's scales weren't simply gold, but a complex tapestry of amber, bronze, and copper, each one reflecting light differently. Her mane shifted colors with each subtle movement, like a living flame.

"I am to take on a tracer bond that will help me find King Rainus Nador." Gayle said.

And you are aware this is not the same as a blood bond? That your ability to hold the tracer is temporary?

"Yes. I am aware."

Then close your eyes and open your mind to me.

Gayle did as she was instructed. She wasn't sure what might come next, and it bothered her that someone or something thing else would have access to her mind. But this wasn't about her comfort, this was about finding the King of Avi-da, so she pushed aside any lingering doubts, allowing herself to open to the dragon.

A sudden warmth enveloped Gayle's consciousness, gentle yet overwhelming—like stepping into sunlight after a lifetime in shadow. It wasn't invasive as she'd feared; rather; it felt like a careful hand sifting through sand, disturbing only what needed to be moved.

Do not resist, Razivi's voice echoed, softer now that they were connected. I seek only to place the beacon.

Gayle felt a subtle pressure building behind her eyes, not painful, but insistent. Then came a flash of imagery—a man's face, weathered and proud, with eyes that reminded her of Markus. King Rainus. The image burned itself into her mind with startling clarity, as if she'd known him her entire life.

There, the dragon's voice whispered. It is done.

When Gayle opened her eyes, the cavern seemed brighter somehow, colors more vivid. She blinked, trying to adjust to the new sensitivity.

"How do I…" she began, then stopped as understanding filled her. The knowledge was simply there, as if she'd always possessed it. "I can feel him. Distant, but... present."

Razivi's massive head inclined slightly. The tracer bond is unlike the blood bond. It creates no permanent connection between you, only a temporary awareness of his existence, his location. It will fade within one lunar cycle.

Master Iylon had moved closer, his expression alight with curiosity. "Fascinating," he murmured. "How does she access the tracking ability?"

She need only focus her thoughts on the King's image I have placed in her mind, Razivi explained, her telepathic voice reaching them both. The connection will strengthen as she draws physically closer to him. The closer she becomes, the louder his presence will be in her mind.

Gayle nodded, letting her mind focus on the image of King Rainus. Immediately, a subtle tugging sensation manifested in her consciousness—like a compass needle swinging toward magnetic north. It wasn't a direction exactly, more a sense of... relativity. If she concentrated, she could almost perceive the vast distance stretching between them, punctuated by the cold vacuum of space.

"I can sense him," she confirmed, her voice barely above a whisper. "It's faint, but... definite."

Razivi's massive eyes studied her with ancient patience. This bond has similarities to what your Protectors carry. You will sense his emotions and life force and it will get stronger the closer you get to him.

"Will he know I'm searching for him?" Gayle asked, suddenly concerned about alerting the king prematurely.

No. The tracer bond is one-way. He will sense nothing of your presence or your search.

"Good," Gayle said, relieved. The last thing she needed was to alert his captors that someone was coming for him. "Is there anything else I need to know?"

Only that I wish you speedy travel as you seek him, Razivi answered, her telepathic voice tinged with something Gayle couldn't quite place—concern, perhaps. The one you track faces grave danger. Time grows short.

Master Iylon stepped forward. "Is there a range limitation to this bond? Will it function across star systems?"

The dragon's massive head swung toward him. It will function across any distance, though clarity increases with proximity. The ancient being's mane rippled with shifting colors—now deep crimson, now burnished gold. However, certain barriers may interfere. Places shielded against mental energies will dampen the signal.

Gayle filed this information away carefully. "And if he's… if he's no longer alive?" The question felt like ash in her mouth, but she needed to know.

Then the bond will dissolve, leaving only emptiness where his presence once registered. Razivi's eyes seemed to dim.

Gayle nodded, absorbing this final piece of information. The emptiness Razivi described—she hoped she'd wouldn't experience it. The King had to be alive. For Markus's sake. For Avi-da's sake, and even the Empire. She knew King Rainus was a powerful force and ruler. His death would be a major blow to the Empire.

"Thank you," she said, bowing her head slightly at the ancient creature. "I will find him."

Razivi's massive form shifted, scales catching the blue light from above as she settled back into a more comfortable position. Her presence in Gayle's mind began to recede, like a tide pulling back from shore.

You carry a fragment of my awareness now, young one. Use it wisely. The dragon's mental voice grew fainter with each word. The tracer is strong, but not eternal. Find him quickly.

With that, the connection between them snapped completely, leaving Gayle feeling oddly bereft. She blinked several times, adjusting to the sudden absence of Razivi's consciousness from her own.

"Are you well, Pledge Tau-mine?" Master Iylon asked, studying her with professional concern.

"Yes," Gayle replied, straightening her shoulders. "Just... adjusting." She touched her temple lightly, feeling no physical change despite the profound alteration within. The knowledge of King Rainus—his essence, his location—pulsed quietly in the background of her thoughts, like a distant heartbeat.

"I guess it's time to go. Arch-Major Roth is waiting to take me to meet up with the Quortous," she said, turning to face Master Iylon fully.

He gave her a bow of the head and then turned on his heals to lead her through the caverns and back to the surface.