by Katrina Cope
“That’s one of the things he’s upset over. And because you’ve agreed to be with me, I’m on the firing line.” I stoop down to pick up a piece of eggshell. Its gold glitters in the sun, tainted slightly by the black, creating a beautiful contrast. I run my hand over the rough surface. A memory sparks. “Does the creature still come to steal eggs?”
There have been reports that eggs are still going missing. It’s increasing the dragons’ intolerance to the alliance with the winged Valkyries. Between that and the missing eggs, our population isn’t growing quickly enough.
“Why can’t any of you keep watch and look out for the creature?”
It’s a sneaky creature. The dragons eat a lot and have to go hunting regularly. And it always seems to know when to come.
“Then why don’t you designate one dragon to watch over the eggs while the other dragons go out hunting?”
Elan chuckles.
“What’s so funny?”
That would mean that we'd have to get along. And that just doesn't happen among the dragons at the moment.
“Is it really that bad?”
She nods.
“Then can’t your mother demand it, for the sake of the safety of the dragons?”
I know it's hard to believe, but Mother doesn't like being bossy and ordering dragons around all the time. She wants peace among the tribes.
I fiddle with the eggshell in my hands. “But this particular demand would aid peace.”
I still can't see it happening.
I shake my head. “It's a shame.”
The ground rumbles behind me, and I drop the eggshell and spin around to come face-to-face with an angry dragon.
- CHAPTER THREE -
Hot dragon breath coats my face as I stare into a huge mouthful of teeth—the pointy white canines are only inches away from my face. I back off, trying not to stumble over the stony surface. The dragon snorts, and tendrils of smoke escape between the gaps in its teeth. I hold up my hands in a stopping motion, hoping that they won’t become the first things that get chomped off.
“Hi. I am here in peace.” I continue backing away while glancing over my shoulder, checking for the cliff’s edge. The arrows in my quiver rattle, but I know they won’t do me any good. The dragon’s golden-brown eyes glare down at me, and the farther I step away, the narrower the eyes become.
I study the dragon from head to toe and note the two large horns protruding from the top of its wide head. Its mouth is filled with spiky teeth, and drool drips from them as it stares at me as though I might make a tasty snack. The golden glint in its scales sparkles in the sun exactly like Elan’s—it’s another emperor dragon. I continue to back away, hoping to hide behind her. I glance sideways, looking for her, and my face clouds with worry when she seems farther behind that I expect.
The dragon’s eyes seem to dance with humor. Oh, Elan, you brought me lunch. That’s nice of you. Elan hurriedly steps in front of me, and I breathe a sigh of relief. My heart is pounding so hard in my chest that I feel as though it is going to jump out to give the dragon an appetizer before it starts on the rest of me. Their voices rattle through my head as they speak to each other.
No, Sobek. This is not your lunch. Kara is my friend, and you should treat her with respect.
Sobek grumbles as he moves closer. She smells of Valkyrie blood, and she's in the wastelands. She’s fair game.
Elan stands firm. No. Kara isn’t lunch. You will not touch her. She’s important to us.
Blah, blah. Whatever. Move out of the way. He attempts to shove past her.
A low rumble shakes Elan’s body, and a puff of smoke escapes her teeth. This is the Valkyrie who saved me as an egg. You are not going to touch her. Mother and I have agreed to protect her, and the only way to do this at the moment is to bring her back here despite what she said about her returning. For the second time today, Elan’s voice is surprisingly firm.
Sobek slams his tail against the dirt, and the ground vibrates. That's not fair! She shouldn't be out here if that's the case. Any Valkyrie out here is fair game.
Elan moves aside and exposes me to Sobek again, who surveys me with hunger as distrust taints his eyes. My feet shake in my boots. Thankfully, he’s not moving toward me, and Elan remains on full alert. After a few moments, Elan backs up with one of us on either side. Sobek, this is Kara. Kara, this is Sobek. He’s my little brother.
I swallow the lump in my throat. “Ah, nice to meet you,” I say with a voice full of uncertainty. I look from Sobek to Elan then back to Sobek again, almost chuckling at her calling him “little.” “I assume you mean your younger brother… because he’s huge.”
Elan chuckles. Yes, younger. He was in the same clutch of eggs.
“So one of the other two eggs in your clutch to hatch after you?” I ask. “What about the other one?”
They both hatched. My mother is very fertile. That's why she's working the hardest to increase our population. It’s kind of a bummer because we all seem to be related, which makes it harder to find someone to couple with who we’re not related to. She nudges Sobek on the shoulder. And because I was born before this dragon, I’m in charge of him. He’s supposed to listen to me. It’s not always the case, though.
Well, you've done some pretty stupid things, Sobek says.
I'm still learning. Everyone makes mistakes when they’re learning.
Like the mistake you’re making right now by bringing her to the dragon wastelands? She's definitely going to be someone's lunch before the day is over.
Hopefully, no one will find her straight away. Hopefully, it will be a slow process of introducing her, and they will listen to me and Mother, their leader.
He sits on his haunches. You know that’s not the way things work at the moment. This alliance is getting their noses out of joint. You and I are lucky that we are a rare breed.
Yeah, about that. Odin is now searching for our kind. He captured me, except Kara found out and rescued me from his dungeons. I’m indebted to her twice now. It’s getting a bit ridiculous. She tilts her head at me and gives me a strange glance. I owe her at least two lives.
“You don’t owe me anything.” I walk up to her and place a hand on her front leg. “I’m happy to have you as my friend. To me, this is enough repayment.”
The looks she gives me says she’s unconvinced. The day will come, I'm sure.
I glance at Sobek again. “What happened to the other egg from your clutch?”
I have another sister too, Elan says.
“Where is she?”
Elan saunters toward the edge of the cliff and peers over. She’s down there with the rest of the dragons.
I walk up to the side and peer over the edge with her. If I thought I was scared facing her brother, then I had no idea. The valley is full of different-colored dragons stomping around close to one another, some of them fighting openly and drawing blood. It looks wild and untamed, and suddenly, I’m nervous again. Elan is but one dragon. “Elan, there is no way you can protect me against them.”
Don’t worry. Sobek will help us, won’t you, Brother? She nudges him with her butt, and he sways on his feet.
A low grumble rises in his throat.
See, I told you, she chirps at me.
I look at Elan in disbelief. “That didn’t sound like an agreement.”
Oh, don’t worry. He sounds like that all the time.
Rocks clatter behind me, and I turn to see Elan’s mother approaching. With her is a dragon who, if not for the dark streaks on her cheeks, would look exactly like her.
Her mother chastises her. Elan. What are you thinking, bringing her here?
She saved me again, Mother. Odin sedated me and locked me in his dungeon because Kara wouldn’t hand me over. Eventually, Kara found out where I was, and she rescued me.
The mother’s eyes land on me. Even her friendly face is intimidating. Is this so?
I nod. “I did it because Elan is my friend, not because I want to hold debts over
her head. I like your daughter, and I’m happy to work with her. She helped me slay a frost giant and save the winged Valkyries and the academy, not to mention a large part of Asgard. I thought they would thank us and welcome me into the fields so I can help reap soldiers from the dying warriors for Valhalla. Instead, it turned out completely the opposite. Odin demands that he have Elan or another of your breed of dragons. He claims that you owe him because the emperor dragons are having more than one dragonette per year.”
Well, he can’t have one. It is not agreed upon in the alliance. Her voice rumbles with anger.
“I know, and I told him that, but then he stole Elan anyway. Now I’ve rescued her, and he’s after me—that’s why Elan brought me here. And to be honest, I’m scared. I don’t want to be here, as much as I love dragons. Peering over the edge and seeing the turmoil that is down there makes me scared.”
You should be scared. I cannot guarantee your safety. We will have to hide you here on this pedestal and hope that the dragons will not see you until things settle down. But it is best to try and go back home as soon as possible. Is anyone arguing on your behalf?
“My two friends were kind of dragged into this by accident. They have flown back—”
Flown back. Are they winged Valkyries? Her eyes fix on me, interrogating me.
“No. They have gone back on a dragon, one of the captured ones who has not been there for long.”
The mother looks at Elan, and there’s disapproval in her eyes. What are you doing, Elan? This is not part of the deal.
Right, Mother, it’s not part of the deal that I made with you when we decided for me to go. If only you could see the joy that I have brought and feel the complete connection I have with Kara. Her friends have seen this and are keen to join in and help the alliance and stop the dragons being persecuted. They had a quick ride on me, and they are addicted. She giggles. They’re so keen to work with us that they are like little children.
It sounds as though they are treating dragons like pets, the mother says disapprovingly.
I shake my head. “Oh, no. The dragons are making it clear who’s in charge, although Naga’s a bit more of a pushover because he’s keen to cooperate and he’s so cute.”
The mother dragon grumbles deep down in her throat, and a small puff of smoke exits her mouth. I’ll have to remember not to call them cute next time. Clearly, the mother doesn’t like it.
- CHAPTER FOUR -
We’re going to have to keep out of sight and away from all the other dragons, the mother says.
Of course. We’ll do whatever we can. Sobek stands at attention as though faced by a corporal.
I don't want any harm to come to her. Elan glances at me with worry in her eyes.
I’ll have to go and sort this out so that we can get her out of here quickly. The leader of the dragons paces in front of us, her forehead crumpling into a frown between her horns. Clearly, Odin needs reminding of our contract. It’s going to be difficult. I have heard that his head is so thick that it’s hard to speak to him.
“That seems true,” I say. “He seemed shocked when I let it drop that I can speak to you. He thought that was impossible, so I had to ad-lib.”
It is impossible with him because he’s so closed-minded. I’ll have to go and hope that Loki is there. Then he can shapeshift into dragon form so that he can translate. She paces some more. Most of these gods are thickheaded and too hard to speak to. Thor is one of the worst.
I find it difficult to hold back a chuckle. We are always taught to respect the gods, and it’s strange hearing them talked about in this way.
Eingana.
This voice is strange to me, so I duck behind Elan.
What is it, Ness? the highest-ranking dragon asks.
Finally, I know the mother dragon’s name. I have been too intimidated to ask.
Too many dragons are down there fighting, and it is getting out of hand. No one can get through to them. We need you to step in.
Hiding behind Elan’s legs, I sneak a peek. A bright-red female dragon stands in front of the leader. Her eyes are framed in black, giving her a seductive, feminine appearance. I know there are red dragons in the stalls, but their look is vastly different from the other dragons, almost as though they are making a statement. Two horns on top of her head point to the sky, except unlike the emperor dragons’ horns, which are straight and solid, these horns fork off like branches on a tree in Midgard. White fur lines her eyebrows, chin, and chest, with a fluffy patch on the end of her extremely long tail. Even her back is not straight like the other dragons—instead, it is humped like a camel. Coupled with the brilliant red scales, her breed of dragon looks as though it should be on display.
Ness tilts her head and nose into the air and takes in a couple of deep breaths. It smells like Valkyrie up here. Her eyes narrow.
I lose all feeling in my face and pull back, standing upright and hiding behind Elan’s legs. My heart thumps rapidly against my ribcage, begging to escape. This will not do. If I don’t quiet my heartbeat, Ness might be able to hear it. I take slow, deep breaths, making sure the air doesn’t whistle in my nostrils.
Eingana discretely moves between Elan and Ness. Oh, that’s just Elan, she says. I’ve been sending her to watch over the Valkyries and try and smooth out this alliance with them so we can stop all this bickering. The leader of the dragons flicks her tail dismissively. She reeks of them when she comes back.
Ness sneers, and a long deep grumble escapes her throat. You can say that again. The smell is overbearing. Is it working?
Some of the wingless Valkyries are on our side, but we have a long way to go. Elan’s voice is level and calm. I don’t know how she is doing it.
The red dragon spits. Valkyries are disgusting. They treat us appallingly. One of my children is held there, locked up like some kind of degenerate and used as weapons practice. I want her back.
We’re working on it, Ness, Eingana says. It is a lengthy process. And Elan is working as fast as she can. Come, let’s go and sort out this fight. She maneuvers toward Ness and coaxes her away from our spot. Thankfully, Ness moves without too much encouragement, and they fly to the dragons below.
“That was close.” I move out of the shelter of Elan’s belly once I see them drop below the cliff face.
This can happen a lot if you’re around here. We have to find a safe place for you.
Sobek spreads a wing, indicating a spot in the cliff face. There is a small cave on the side of that mountain just there. It might be the best spot for you to seek shelter away from the sight of the other dragons when they fly over us.
Good thinking, Brother! Let’s go check it out. Elan stomps toward the cave and holds out her wings slightly so I can walk underneath them, hidden in case any dragons fly over. She peers at me under her wing, her face amused. You’re so tiny. I don’t know why they would want to eat you for lunch. There’s no fat on you.
“Somehow, that doesn’t make me feel any better.” I grimace at her. A loud groan escapes my stomach.
What was that? She tilts her head to the side, giving me a strange look.
“That’s my stomach. I’m starving. It’s just reminding me that I haven’t eaten anything since breakfast.”
She ushers me into the cave, her large form barely fitting underneath. I take in the rocky formation. It’s certainly not comfortable, but it is cozy. The pattering of water catches my attention, and I spot water running down the side of the rocks, welling in two different holes. Thankful to have it, I run forward, scoop up a handful of water, and drink it greedily.
Elan watches me with interest. It’s in times like this that I remember that we haven’t spent much time together. Each of us has peculiarities that the other is not familiar with. I finish drinking then remember my manners. “Would you like some?”
She shakes her head. No, thank you. You stay here. I’ll go out and see if I can find some food.
Before I can answer, she takes off and leaves me alone in the ca
ve. Despite its secrecy, I still feel insecure. I am in a strange place with no real protection against any of the dragons. A sword and a quiver of arrows are not the ideal defenses against dragons, not that I want to cause any of them harm. I still have to survive.
Time ticks by slowly, and I watch Sobek standing guard outside the cave until the monotonousness of it sends me to sleep. I am woken with a thud and tiny pebbles hitting my face. I pry my eyes open and am faced with a lifeless animal that Elan has thrown in front of my face. It’s probably about half my size and much too big for me to eat alone.
I pull my sword out of its sheath and set to work, removing the skin from its flesh with the tip of the blade.
What are you doing? Elan stands over me, watching my every move. You’re cutting off one of the best parts.
“The skin?” I pause what I’m doing and look at her in disbelief.
Yeah, the skin is delicious. Or at least the fat underneath it.
“Well, it’s way too tough for us to eat, so we use it to make essential things.”
Like what?
“Saddles, clothes, and weapons bags.” I pause and look at her. “Do you know where to get a lot of salt?”
Sure. There is a field not too far from here that is low and hot, where salt covers the ground. We call it the death field because not a single creature lives there.
“Are you able to bring me back a fair bit?”
What for?
“So I can preserve this skin. I’m going to need it.”
She huffs. All right, but you better not be turning me into an errand dragon.
I chuckle. “No, I won’t use you as a slave. I promise. But I can’t go out and get it myself.”
Okay. Elan exits the cave and pushes off into the sky.
While she is gone, I finish skinning the animal then throw the skin over a boulder at the back of the cave. I wash myself off in the second puddle and take another drink from the one with the fresh water running directly into it.
A clatter of rocks sounds near the entrance of the cave, and I turn just in time to see Elan with a disgusted look on her face as she charges inside. Where do you want it? Her eyes look panicked, and I wonder why until I look at her mouth and see it is crusted in salt. She is holding the salt in her mouth. Yuck—no wonder she looks uncomfortable. I hadn’t thought of how she would carry it.
