by Karine Green
"Evangelism is a sign of a religion, but if they are Atheists, what do they believe in?" Mack asked. "Because I think that the dragons' avoidance of Secular villages was a serious tactical mistake. It put us out of communication with nearly half the world's population, especially after the Blood King terrorized them. If I were in charge I would change that. We cannot allow this division to continue. All villages have a right to safety and prosperity."
"That is what my father said about their evangelism." Misty nodded. "The nice ones, as I shall call them, believe in nothing, but they don't stop, or kill you because you believe in something. The others almost seem to worship themselves, or the Mad Dragon King. They will tear your heart out if they think for one second you don’t follow their beliefs. I have seen them do it." Tears welled in her eyes, but she seemed able to get a hold of her emotions before any tears flowed.
"In other words, they aren't true Atheists. They are just calling themselves that. They just don't believe the same thing that the Spirituals do."
She nodded, and shrugged like she mostly agreed. "They fought hard and bitterly with Spirituals, even before the Great Losing. That was the reason there were two blocks in the first place. A long time ago, the Spirituals asked the Seculars to go from their own villages to avoid being constantly argued with, and sometimes individually attacked. It had to do with the way they were hunted and oppressed by the Blood King and his forces. The local dragons would only protect the Spiritual villages. The weak Secular villages were left open to natural disasters, invasions, plundering by other more powerful Secular villages, and worse, gangs of criminal dragons. Lahay, as I understand it, grew-up in one of the weaker villages...Red Fork, east of North Dragons Ridge. Even though the Blood King has been dead for over a century, he still gets blamed for all the evil in the world."
“Because of that book,” he frowned, trying to absorb the information, "So the Blood King and his rider accidentally forced the Seculars to cooperate with each other, have a belief system so profound that they would commit genocide to preserve it, and, for at least some of them place Divine Order in themselves. How is that not a religion? They even have a book to rail against." Everything he knew about religion fit the bill. “They are Holy Warriors going after their cause, not rogue Atheists. Let us keep our own propaganda in check. Lahay is quite clearly using it for his own purposes."
The Water Minister
Less than an hour later they had finally flown short distances at a time, with so-called ‘Arlen-time’ breaks with each one of the girls.
"We’re near the outskirts of a large village called South Dragons Ridge," Rini said, motioning to hide in some bushes she found.
Rini leaned on his right side while Sarnia leaned on his left. He stifled a sigh,
I’m an idiot. What were you thinking? Dude, you are in trouble, big trouble. When the ass-kicking females realize you just two-timed them and then allowed yourself to be betrothed, or whatever, to both of them, you’ll be running, or flying for the hills.
He should have told Sarnia about Rini, and that he wanted to be with her. He liked Sarnia, but it was nothing compared to the intense attraction he felt toward Rini, but the lure of such willing sex partners was far too enticing to him. He couldn't have turned Sarnia down if Rini was standing there looking at him.
Nancy is right, I have a problem. I need to somehow get control of my life, take charge of my future. And I want Rini.
His behavior was inappropriate, and it was the first time in his life he had thought that on his own. He felt the heat of shame rush into his cheeks and was glad it was dark outside so they couldn’t see him blush.
"I heard this village lives in peace with its dragons," Rini said. "I have never heard of such."
"Village? This place is huge. It's a city," Arlen said, trying to focus his ears forward so he could listen down the road.
"Come on, let's..." he was about to suggest they walk the perimeter of the village to check them out.
A voice came from behind them."Rahnese! An Elemental Dragon."
They turned to face two human women on the backs of two Stone Dragons. They were obviously a guard patrol.
"Come with us, y’all look terrified," One of the women said, motioning for them to follow her. "We need to get you inside before someone sees you. We'll hide you in the Water Dragon barn. The upstairs is still locked away. Preserved from the time of the Great Losing."
Arlen noticed the Stone Dragons didn't speak to greet them. "Hello," he said, nodding to both the humans and the dragons. "We just escaped from the Mad King's palace."
The Stone Dragons perked up, but still said nothing, and as soon as the light came into their eyes, it went out.
"Come," The woman said. "I'll bet you're hungry."
They all nodded and followed them to the village along some back alleys. The two snuck them into a dragon barn before anyone saw them. A few minutes after that, the dragon trainer came in with the two Stone Dragon riders, but their dragons did not come with them.
"Welcome, Welcome. We are so happy to see an Elemental Dragon. We thought you had all been killed during the Great Losing. I am Luca, the village dragon trainer." A tall thin, balding man said, bowing low.
Both Rini and Sarnia sat dutifully on either side of Arlen. Again, he felt the heat of shame rush into his cheeks, and he was growing increasingly nervous about what betrothed meant to each of these girls, because at this point in the evening, it was clear his sexcapades were over and it was time to face what he had done.
"We are pleased to meet you too," Arlen said, jumping, as he felt one of the girls wrap her tail around his, and the other curl her tail directly under his rear end.
Nancy said this would happen; you'll find someone you want, and screw it up by being unfaithful.
Luca fanned his arms out to display the barn. "You should be comfortable here, it was designed for the Village Water Dragon Minister. I can take the Stoneys to the main barn." He pointed to Rini and Sarnia.
"Stoneys?" Arlen didn't like the way Luca said that word. It sounded racially demeaning. "My friends aren't leaving me; not without a fight."
"Oh no, that won't be necessary. Any friends of yours are welcome here. I can have the staff clean up the downstairs for them."
"I mean, they aren't leaving my side. We just escaped a traumatic experience from the Mad King. We just need to decompress, together." He wondered about the wisdom of wanting to stay with them. Perhaps it would be best if they all split up. Then Rini would never know what a two-timing ass he was. Not only that, but he still needed to absorb the fact that he had bitten off a human head; he had been willfully ignoring that fact by repeating the mantra of, get away, get away, get away, over and over in his head, but things were rapidly catching up with him now.
"Yes, we are sorry to burden you. We are just so relieved to see an Elemental Dragon. Let me show you upstairs, then I'll come back in the morning; after you have rested." Luca made a presenting motion toward the wide staircase at the back of the main room.
Once they were settled into the Water Dragon home. Arlen went over to a granite bathtub that Luca had pointed out as the resting pond. It had been filled with fresh water. It felt so good, he sunk his head under the water and simply floated for a few minutes before he realized he was using gills to breathe. The girls waited on the mezzanine while he bathed- hopefully- not talking to each other.
He got out of the bath, thankful he hadn’t heard any drama outside his room. He walked over to the mirror and looked at himself. He had the same dark sapphire eyes that every girl he had dated said were dreamy. His scales were a very dark navy blue with slightly lighter striping, and some black stripes. If he were in the ocean, he would be invisible. He looked closer at his snout; there were marks on it from being belted. He thought for a moment, then finally said out loud: "I am a dragon." He stared at his fangs as he made a slow biting motion in the mirror.
Luca had brought fresh leaves and bedding for the girls and put it on
the granite slab in his room, then started a fire so they could sleep on the hot coals if they liked. They were both sitting at the door to his room like there was an invisible line.
"What are you two doing?" he asked, worried. He knew nothing about schmoozing dragon girls.
Be careful Wayne, you are making a mess of things. This time, it will be you with the broken heart, not the other way around. They need to stay in the room directly next to mine – but that isn’t what I said – oh boy.
"Waiting to be invited in. Betrothed or not, it is inappropriate and dangerous to enter the den of a male dragon without being asked," Rini said. Her cheeks blushed a very dark crimson red.
She is so beautiful and demure, but strong all at the same time.
Sarnia stiffened, "Betrothed! But he's..." she looked stunned, and hurt. To her, he wasn't betrothed, he was mated.
"Both of you, come in right now," Arlen interrupted before a fight broke out.
They growled at each other.
"Ladies, please. Let's just rest. We have been through so much. We can sort it out in the morning, and you can both be angry with me then, just not at each other, please? I am sorry, I have not handled things well. Just calm down." He motioned toward a large granite slab with leaves.
They continued to growl at each other and scratched at the floor.
He climbed onto the bed, "Sarnia, Rini! Sleep, now! We have been through too much, and for you two it was much longer. Please, let us just sort it out in the morning when we can think clearer." he said authoritatively, hoping that would work.
They stopped growling and low crawled, still angry, to the slab, and lay one on either side of him. He sighed as fatigue overtook him.
Why do you always screw things up with women? Nancy is right about another thing; the fact that you treat them all like a princess was just a slick cover-up for who and what you really are; a liar who uses people to get what you want. He should have told Sarnia that he was interested in Rini. The worst part was risking Rini. I don't want to lose her before we get to know each other. Her voice had been my rock in that cell. He wanted her in a way he had never considered wanting a woman. He wanted all of her, not just certain parts.
On the other hand, Sarnia and Rini had been his friends, and now they were growling at each other, over him. The carefree American teenager days were gone. He wasn’t worthy of their friendship.
I need to grow up, right now. Make it up to them, stop being an idiot.
"Let's just get a peaceful rest, we will all talk -- later," he sighed deeply, and fell asleep, as the girls snuggled close to him. Despite the impending drama, he felt something he never had before; loved. He was jolted awake as each one of them nipped his left and right front paw.
He wasn't sure what to do. Why do they bite me? Then he remembered that one of his other foster fathers was a police officer with a K-9 unit. He said sometimes the dog nipped at him before running after a suspect. He wasn't sure why but thought it might be asking permission for something, wanting approval or assurance.
"I like you too," he said, being careful not to say their names out of fear he would have to say one name first, and that would give the wrong impression to the one whose name was spoken second. He sighed, if human girls were complicated, that was nothing compared to dragon girls. Hopefully, there wouldn't be some horrible duel to the death.
Thankfully, they calmed down and went to sleep when he covered each one with one of his wings. Now he was wide awake, despite the fact that every ounce of his energy was spent.
An Earth Education Isn’t That Useless
Misty smiled and nodded, as she held up the scroll. "A few of the elderly Magical council members passed away. At first, this did not seem out of the ordinary. They were older, and had lived long, happy lives. Lahay endeared himself to the remaining council members by offering to help find successors for the deceased members. When the Blue Witch died, the White Witch suspected that someone had killed her because the Blue Witch was only forty-seven. The Water and Air Dragon Ministers came to her aid, but to no avail."
"Let me guess; the newly appointed members were loyalists to Lahay, and the Earth and Fire Dragon Ministers disagreed with the Air and Water Dragons. Was it the Green Witch and Red Witch?" Mack asked, guessing at the colors.
"Red Wizard and Brown Witch. There is a political rumor that the Green Witch took a dragon hoard of all breeds, who knows where – somewhere far west?” She shrugged, and pointed her thumb over her shoulder. “It was almost as if she knew what was going on. The Red Witch was one of the original elders who passed away. We now believe she was assassinated. The Red Witch was a voice of reason. She also took positive actions to keep things in order. She was hands on. Her death marked the tipping point toward the Great Losing because of the loss of her calm manner of teaching Fire Magic. They only had the Red Wizard's rhetoric and anger-filled lessons.
She continued reading. “The White Witch found out too late how deep Lahay's spies were not only in the council but also in the main non-magical human government. She barely escaped with the noble heirs. Remember, because of Lahay's upbringing, he was a communications bridge between the two blocks. Unfortunately, he was the only source of news and information to the Secular villages. The White Witch blamed herself for not seeing the evil in the Mad King’s plans, but there was no proof she could have prevented anything.” She pursed her lips, looking up from the scroll. “I am sure we can safely speculate that was the reason she hid you in the other realm - to avoid extinction of the dragons."
"Four aren't enough to save a species, especially if they are different breeds. You can have all the magical fairytales you want about the First Four, but we need a population of at least fifty thousand if we have any hope at all."
"Don't forget the Green Witch also had a dragon hoard. There would be many of the Common Dragons, and many of the lower ranking Elemental Dragons."
"How many council members are there?"
"There are supposed to be twelve, with a thirteenth as the Chief Councilor, more commonly referred to as the Chancellor of Shestafa.”
“Shestafa?”
Misty nodded. “It’s our nation, named after the Great Ice Queen Shestafa. She was a healing Water Dragon with extremely powerful magic. It is rumored that her crown will heal the magic in a dragon’s body and allow them to use other forms of magic. The Great Lilac Queen, used it. She was the Blood King's daughter. She masterminded a coup once she realized what her father was doing. But even her benevolent policies segregated us more. Now there is the first human king ever, and he’s full-blown nuts, along with his two Red and Brown minions," Misty explained. "How could someone so nuts gain such power?"
Mack frowned. "He started by making the people afraid, then taking control of the money, while putting the blame on someone else. That way you start the economy running again. That means you get to be the hero. He controlled the money with his programs. This also demonstrates his intention to deliberately devalue the currency with his so-called helpful programs. He made a critical need for more programs, or at least presented the justification for an onerous tax to maintain them.”
“Taxes did go through the roof.” Misty scowled. “Stupid things- like forcing people into prison for existing, then making their family pay for it. Or, by making a person dying pay- up front- for Water Dragon healing.”
Mack sighed, blowing the little whirly gig to the other side of the cave. “The thought of losing the programs causes the public fear needed to get people to rally against their own interests. The fear was tripled after high profile figures were being killed, or made to disappear. This would have been a fear so widespread it would need to be controlled. What did he do to relieve the fears of the new Secular majority...who obviously didn't want to be assassinated, or have their children disappear in the night – just like the dragons and magical council?"
Misty shifted her weight as she shrugged, "He announced a special tax to fund a special investigator program. The Secular
s were very afraid about the Spiritual nobility being assassinated, after all, they wanted their newfound power to be protected.”
Mack shook his head with one ear back, and one ear straight up. “A national law enforcement program that further centralizes power around him. Surprise, Surprise, Surprise.”
Misty smiled at Mack’s silliness. “The new program involved additional Secular, not Spiritual, Knights patrolling and engaging in town meetings. It allowed the people to have someone to talk to about their fears. There were conspiracy theories that involved the idea that someone was secretly using the Blood King's Book of Spells, and they wanted Lahay to find and punish these rogue magical people. They even accused the Green Witch of taking the dragon pups so she could take over the world." Misty rolled her eyes and pointed toward far-far away. "Mack, I was little, but I remember how afraid my parents were after the Great Losing. Everyone was all the time. People hoarded weapons and food in their homes, pulled their children from school, and boarded up shops to keep looters out. Our society collapsed."
Mack frowned. “He created mass hysteria and a systematic brainwashing of the population. He turned neighbor against neighbor, then raised an army of loyal local spies to keep his propaganda machine running.”
“What does propaganda have to do with it? They killed us, the streets ran red with the blood of our people.”
“It would have made the so-called programs seem more necessary than they are.”
“They hunted us like prey. I was supposed to be a baby-soldier factory. Anyone that questioned them was viewed as being divisive -- harboring thoughts of insurrection, or at best, unpatriotic.”
