Night of the Dragons

by Miranda Martin

  Throwing off the furs, I groan as I use the wall—the rock—to pull myself painfully to my feet. I take a minute to just stand there, leaning against the cool stone, resting my hot forehead against it. When my body finally stops trembling, I carefully push off and walk towards the cave's entrance. It's still as hot as ever, which doesn't make me feel any better. Being hot and sick is definitely worse than being cold and sick.

  Outside of the cave, I also have the added benefit of the sun beating down on me. Great. Squinting, I turn towards where I remember the food cave being. I'm hoping they store water there too. I feel like I could drink five gallons in one go, though I know I'm going to have to take it a lot slower than that to give myself time to adjust to it. My body's too sensitive to do anything too fast or try anything excessive. No matter how much I may want to.

  Shuffling forward, I reach the larger cave eventually, though it takes me longer to walk that short distance than it should. What else is new? But I make it and that's all that counts. Once there, it takes my eyes a moment to adjust to the dim light when I finally do duck into the right cave.

  It takes me a moment to realize I'm not alone inside. Emerald and Fire are there as well. I tense up immediately, not really feeling up to dealing with anyone right now. I don't think I'm up to being human in this condition.

  I don't know what they were doing when I came in, but they both turn to look at me as soon as I step inside. Fire says something in that slightly lispy, somewhat hissing language of theirs. Emerald shoots something back at him, his eyes narrowed. Oh, man. Please don't start sniping at each other again. But they don't, at least not immediately. They both burst into motion, one of them going for a basket in one corner, and the other going to a shelf. What are they doing?

  I walk farther into the room, a little hesitant. Before I know it, they've each taken one arm and are guiding me over to sit on one of the stools situated around the fire pit, growling at each other under their breaths as they glare at one another. I roll my eyes. This is exhausting to watch.

  Emerald then hands me a water skin and Fire immediately hands me his offering of some more of that spicy jerky that made my eyes water last time I ate it. Well, they've given me what I need. That's actually really nice. I feel my mood softening a little. I look up at each of them in turn, trying out a smile.

  "Thank you," I say sincerely.

  They both smile back, but then see the other smiling, and they turn to glare at each other some more instead. That sounds about right. Ignoring whatever weird dominance contest they've gotten involved in, I raise the water skin to my mouth and take a few careful sips. All right, they're more like gulps, but I do stop after a few so I don't overload my achy stomach. The cool, soothing liquid feels so good. Emerald looks satisfied as he watches me drink the water, raising a brow at Fire and straightening to his full height, his chest puffing out proudly. I smile to myself. I'm glad he gets a kick out of something so simple. Then I take a bite of that jerky, the flavor exploding in my mouth again. I'm glad it isn't bland, at least. While I chew it carefully, I see Fire crossing his arms and smirking at a now not-so-happy-looking Emerald.

  I feel like I'm watching two peacocks posturing, each trying to show off more than the other. Like providing me with food or water is a point of pride or something, a way to show dominance maybe? Or stake a claim? I'm not sure, but I feel like I'm on the right track judging from the clues they've given me so far. What I do know is that it's kind of disconcerting to be the focus of that kind of intense attention. And I don't like that they seem to be fighting because of me, either. Doesn't seem right.

  Maybe I could talk to break the tension a bit. I definitely feel a little better after having some of that jerky, or I wouldn't even have the energy to think that. Maybe I just needed some food in my belly? The water is nice too. I feel up to talking a little now, anyway, so maybe I should.

  "Thank you, again," I try as I continue to eat and sip at the water. They give me the same blank looks they'd given me when I'd thanked them earlier, but they still listen, watching me. "I really appreciate that you're trying to take care of me. And that you've let me stay in your spare cave." More blank looks. They frown as they stare at me, their eyes directed at how my mouth moves.

  I sigh. I need to start with something simpler, obviously. Probably not full sentences. Some more charades is in order. I raise the meat and point at it.

  "What kind of meat is this?" I try, speaking slowly and clearly, and probably a bit too loudly, which is embarrassing. They both lean in, obviously trying to understand as they watch me. "Uh." I think rapidly how to convey what I want to know. "Okay, um..."

  I close up the water skin and set it down on my lap along with the jerky I still have left. Then I bring one hand up and show it "walking" by moving my forefinger and middle finger to take steps in the air. Then I bring my other hand up and "spear" the walking hand with my other forefinger, showing the walking hand keeling over on its side. Then I grab the meat and mime pulling it away from the keeled over hand.

  Okay, I feel like an idiot, but that's the clearest way I can think of to try to tell them what I'm trying to say. Maybe they'll understand I'm trying to show them hunting for the meat, or maybe they won't. And if the meat isn't meat at all but from a crazy type of plant on this planet, it really won't make any sense. I look back up at their absorbed expressions and point at the jerky again.

  "Meat?" I try.

  They look at each other and say something rapidly, obviously excited. They got something out of my reenactment. Maybe they understand? I feel my own excitement rising at theirs. This could be the breakthrough we need.

  "Guster?" Emerald says to Fire.

  "Guster," Fire agrees, nodding.

  "Ga-star?" I try, the word and accent feeling strange on my tongue as I shape the word.

  Emerald nods, smiling encouragingly as he points at the meat. "Guh-sster," he says more slowly.

  "Guh-ster," I try again, trying to pronounce it with that slight hissing sound.

  Fire makes an agreeing sound. "Guster," he repeats.

  "Guster!" I say, the word sounding much more like what they're saying now. "Guster!"

  They both grin at me, nodding. "Guster!" they say in unison, just as happily as I did.

  Pleased with myself, I settle back into the stool. But now that we have some kind of actual communication going on, I don't want to stop with just one word. Names would be nice, actually. I like my nicknames, but they're not going to respond to them. I'm going to have to do myself first, though. So they'll know what I want. Sitting up straight again, I meet their eyes as I point at myself.

  "Pie-per," I say slowly, tapping my chest as I look from one to the other. "Pie-per."

  Fire tries it first, frowning in concentration. "Pies-poors," he says, slightly hissing.

  Emerald shakes his head. "Pees-par," he counters in an adamant tone.

  I stifle my smile. I don't want them to think I'm laughing at them. I'm sure my accent is atrocious too. It's actually kind of cute.

  "Pie-per," I repeat again.

  They say it a couple more times, looking at each other and repeating it, correcting themselves.

  "Pie-per," I say again, slowly and clearly.

  "Pie-per," Emerald repeats, exaggerating the sounds like I am.

  "Yes!" I exclaim, and he smiles, shooting Fire a grin as well as he says something almost goading.

  Fire scowls back at Emerald, taking the bait.

  "Pie-per," he says carefully, shooting Emerald a look before focusing on me. "Pie-per."

  "Yes!" I agree again, bouncing a little on the stool in my excitement. "Piper!"

  "Piper," they say together, their accents lending it a little more of a lilting quality that's actually pleasing to the ear.

  I nod, feeling like we have actually had a real breakthrough. We're communicating!

  Then Fire steps a little closer and taps his own muscled chest. Yeah, I get a little distracted looking at it. It's a nice che
st. So sue me! I'm just a person!

  "Kay-dun," he says carefully, his eyes on my face. "Kay-dun."

  That must be his name!

  I nod and repeat it slowly. "Kay-dohn."

  "Kay-dun," he says again. "Kay-dun."

  "Kay-dun."

  He nods, a smile flashing across his face. "Kaidan!"

  "Kaidan," I say more quickly, liking the sound of his name. "You're Kaidan."

  He throws his shoulders back and raises his chin, smacking his chest with an open palm. "Kaidan," he purrs, clearly happy with himself.

  I grin, looking over at Emerald, who's looking a little impatient with the situation now. He mutters something that sounds like it must be sarcastic, but Kaidan doesn't let it faze him. He's too content with how things are going.

  I point at Emerald, not wanting him to feel left out and wanting to know his name too. His impatience dims a little as he taps his chest, perking up at being included. I kind of want to pinch his cheeks, that's so cute.

  "Ej-dur," he says clearly. "Ej-dur."

  I repeat it. It's different, a little harsher than Kaidan.

  "Ed-jur," I try.

  He shakes his head. "Ej-dur," he says again, patient with my fumbling.

  But I finally get it right after maybe the third try. "Ej-dur."

  He nods, smiling. "Ejder," he agrees.

  "Ejder."

  Then we all sit and stand around looking pretty pleased with ourselves. And I'm totally fine with that. Yes, we just exchanged a couple names. But little victories need to be counted too. I will gladly grab onto any one I can find to keep my spirits up. Though I do think I'm still going to keep thinking of them as Fire and Emerald. It's just easier. And I like their nicknames. Though I'm happy I can call them by names they'll recognize now. That's pretty useful.

  I giggle a little, happy as they both practice saying my name some more. Hearing even that small bit of something familiar is really nice. Everything is just so different here. I didn't realize how much I missed the familiar until hearing someone else utter my name.

  That's when Danger enters the cave, his intimidating presence filling the place up as much as his size does. Maybe more. He does not look happy as he takes in the scene, looking at my laughing face, and then at Fire and Emerald with his jaw clenched in anger. Jealous anger?

  I look back at Fire and Emerald to see their faces turning more serious as well as they regard their . . . friend? I don't know what to call their relationships. They're all definitely close, but the way they act towards each other feels more intimate than a friendship. It has the complicated taste of something deeper. Something more like family. And boy, is that a much more difficult relationship type to deal with.

  I watch as Danger takes another step into the room, his mood dark and stormy, his eyes locked on Fire and Emerald.

  I stand up, feeling too vulnerable sitting down.

  Oh man.

  What's he going to do?

  10

  I back up a little as Danger stalks closer to Fire and Emerald, his eyes narrowed and his nostrils flaring as he glares at them. Neither of them back down, widening their stances a little as they move to face him, squaring up. They don't look angry like Danger does, but they also look like they're willing to give him the fight that he wants. Danger growls something in their language, the tone tight and controlled. Emerald shoots something back, something that sounds flippant. And Fire's response sounds equally inflammatory, his tone arrogant, the smirk on his face goading at the very least.

  I mentally smack my forehead as I watch. Do none of these guys know how to de-escalate a situation? I feel like they're always deciding to just add fuel to whatever fire they see starting! It's maddening! And I have no idea how to help here. I can't throw myself in physically—that might end with me being seriously hurt. One accidental hit and I know I'm a goner. I just have too much of a size disadvantage. Maybe if I throw something at them . . .

  I'm starting to glance around to find something promising—something that won't hurt—when Royal steps into the room, his sharp, calm eyes taking in the situation. My heartbeat immediately slows as I watch him walk in, his body relaxed, tone deliberately measured. I don't know what he's saying, but I can see that he's trying to defuse the situation, not exacerbate it like everyone else. And the others actually listen.

  Fire and Emerald both say something in a low tone, their stances softening as well as they respond to Royal's energy and authority. Danger takes a bit longer to respond, but Royal keeps talking in that reasonable, steady tone as he steps closer. But I see that he also makes sure not to invade the big man's personal space and set him off even more. I watch as Danger's fists slowly unclench, as his shoulders drop a little at that conciliatory voice.

  The tension in the room falls a few more notches, away from that looming edge of disaster that has popped up several times now. I look over at Royal as he walks over to me, saying something else to the other three. They nod, one at a time, though I can see they're reluctant about whatever he's suggested. They're listening though, and I'll take that as a good sign.

  When he reaches me, Royal turns his eyes to meet mine, holding his hand out. That's unexpected. I glance back at the others, wondering if this is the right move. They seem so touchy about me and how the others interact with me, and I don't want to undo the work Royal just did.

  They're all watching, but none of them look like they're ready to rip Royal's head off for the move towards me. I put my hand into his much larger one, feeling the roughness of his calluses and the zing of interest.

  Ohh. I had no idea calluses could be so sexy. He nods at me, his face unreadable as he closes his hand over mine and turns to the cave entrance. He says something else to the other three and they murmur their agreement. They don't sound happy about it, but they don't sound angry either, so I gladly follow Royal's lead out of that cave.

  Yes, the tension had decreased, but it's still good to get out of that space, with all three of them clearly trying to hold onto their calm with clenched teeth. I think the best place for me is just somewhere else, somewhere where they can't see me. Is this what it feels like to be wanted so much men are willing to fight over you? Because I could really do without it, thanks. It's way too anxiety triggering and I have enough on my plate.

  I follow Royal as he leads me outside to the path in front of the caves and straight down it to the small cave I decided to claim. I guess I can start calling it my cave now. For however long I end up staying. I push that thought aside. I need to just focus on now. Anything else isn't productive.

  Once we're inside, he lets go of my hand while he looks around at the few things I brought in before I went to sleep. I feel a little sad to not have his hand in mine anymore, but that's neither here nor there. He nods and looks over at me after his survey, saying something, which, of course, I don't understand. But I do understand the stay here gesture he uses at the end, both of his hands pushing down towards the ground, his eyes expectant. I nod.

  "Okay," I murmur, going over to the small stool I put down near the pallet and sitting down on it. "I'll stay put."

  He smiles at me, his eyes warming. And then he turns around and leaves. I don't know where he's going. But it isn't like I have anywhere to go or anything to do, so waiting there isn't really a hardship. How depressing.

  Luckily, before I can sink back into the morass of negative thoughts always waiting to pull me back in, Royal returns with an armful of furs, a water skin, a piece of cloth, and what looks like a rack. Maybe to dry clothes on? That would be helpful.

  He says something to me, gesturing to the pallet before going over to it and remaking it with the new additions, his movements quick and sure. He's obviously an expert at the art of pallet making. I stare at my bed. It immediately looks a lot thicker and more welcoming. I stand up as he finishes and takes one last fur that's larger than the rest, opening it up and spreading it over the floor. Oh, a rug! It immediately makes the cave feel more welcoming. Then he take
s the cloth over to the cave opening and hangs it up with some sharp tack-like things. A curtain! I really appreciate that attempt at privacy, even though it isn't the equivalent of, say, a sturdy door that locks.

  "Thank you," I say, smiling at Royal. "That's really sweet of you."

  He smiles back, nodding at the pallet expectantly. At least he understands the tone of what I'm saying, I think. I walk over to the pallet and lower myself down onto it gingerly.

  My butt sinks into the now-much-softer pallet, my eyes widening at how much more comfortable it is now. Maybe I could actually sleep better on it now. Here's to hoping anyway.

  "Oh, this is so much nicer!" I exclaim, rubbing my hands on the soft pelt underneath me, looking up to meet Royal's eyes. He's crouching on his haunches next to the pallet, watching with a small smile on his face, like he's enjoying my enjoyment. And it totally melts my heart. "Thank you, Royal," I say, smiling back.

  His smile widens, but I can tell he wishes he could understand me, just as I wish I could understand him. But maybe we could do names too, like I did with the others.

  I tap myself on the chest. "Pie-per," I say. "Pie-per."

  He frowns, looking down at my finger and then at my face. Realization dawns.

  "Pie-pru," he says cautiously.

  "Pie-per," I say again, giving him an encouraging look.

  "Pie...per," he repeats, frowning with concentration.

  I nod, smiling. "Piper."

  "Piper," he repeats, pointing at me. "Piper."

  "Yes, I'm Piper." I lean forward and tap him on the chest. "And you? What's your name?"

  He looks down at my finger in bemusement.

  I tap my chest. "Piper." I tap him again and look at him questioningly.

  He nods, his face clearing. He taps his chest.

  "Mik-hos," he says slowly. "Mik-hos."

  "Mi-koos," I try, wincing as I hear how wrong it sounds.

  "Mik-hos," he says again, not even a little impatience entering his tone.

  "Mik-hos," I try again.

  His smiles. "Mikhos!"

  "Mikhos," I say more quickly, grinning. "Mikhos. That's a nice name, Mikhos. It fits you well." And it does. It's strong and steady sounding. Simple and strong. I know he doesn't understand the rest of what I say, but I say it anyway. It's comforting to hear Common, even if it is just me talking. I quickly shy away from that line of thought, not wanting to let my mood plummet again. I've been abandoning a lot of mental paths lately, but I have to in self-defense. Instead, I look around at the improvements he's made to my little cave and gesture around.