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Arthur felt Umbaris creep closer over his body, growl earth-deep and fierce. Arthur could only breathe as he felt his brother’s magic swirl around him, a wall of hardened steel but blowing over his skin with a worried tenderness. It was protecting and strong and potent, warm and comforting much like the heavy mass of scales that crept ever closer to him as the pale gold dragon and Uther stared each other down.
Surely Uther felt it, right? The pungency of his and Umbaris’ magic, intertwining and complimentary? Surely his father could feel the warmth and love the bright golden energy carried as easily as it did air? Surely, Uther would not kill Arthur’s brother just because of what he is?
Slowly and uncoordinated did Arthur press a shaking palm into the smooth, sharp scales of Umbaris’ underbelly. He felt the dragon’s magic curl around his hand and arm, clutching to it like a lifeline— scared Arthur realized. Umbaris was scared, of Uther and the thought of losing Arthur to the cold arms of death.
The prince pulled what magic he could and poured it into his brother’s; comfort, reassurance, determination and pride. Oh, how proud of Umbaris he was. The shy little hatchling he had helped hatch from a gold egg all those winters ago, frightened and cautious of the world around him but endlessly curious and wide-eyed, now standing up to the killer of his kind and father of his spirit brother. Umbaris was scared for them both but Arthur couldn’t help but be so proud at the dragon he was becoming.
Carefully, with a dizzying mind and blurred vision, he raised himself to his elbows, blue eyes no doubt glittering in the color of melted metal,”I am Arthur Pendragon, dragonlord of my bloodline and prince of my time. Umbaris is my brother, and if you slay him you are to slay your own son, Uther. You kill me then you are to kill him. And by the gods will I not let you murder him too.”