Dragon Champion

by E. E. Knight

  “I’m sorry I didn’t report him to you sir,” the Dragonguard said, visibly worried. “Now that I’m thinking of it, he did bathe a lot. Had books, too.”

  “They’re master deceivers, and honest men like you look for only truth in their fellowship. But don’t worry, the true hearts will get their reward, here and in the afterlife. We’ll claim our birthright, and the tricksters will get what’s coming to them. Books! Bathing, in lavender-scented water no doubt. Effeminacy and corruption among our ranks. No wonder the battle was so hard. The dwarves no doubt had warnings, or more.”

  Flecks of spittle appeared at the Wyrmmaster’s mouth as he continued. “What diseased seeds have been planted in honest Maganar, I wonder? I can guess. I’ve seen it before, time and time again. Defeatism. Dwarf-love. Empty cradles, too, for the elves will take a babe and raise it for their wicked purposes at times. Their crimes are well documented. It’s our job to see that the truth is told.”

  “Send me back with some riders, Your Supremacy,” AuRon said. “Give me a day to recover, and send me back with some of your true men. We’ll take this spy before he knows his web has been discovered. They’ll get a good look at his ears, and with that evidence open him up and see what the shape of his heart is. But take my advice and never trust the men of Maganar in battle again. Leave them in peace, until generations have passed and unspoiled minds are ready for the truth.”

  “No, good dragon, you won’t go back just yet. You’ll take rest, and a deserved reward for a job well done. Not only have you brought me good news in record time, you’ve unmasked a traitor, tripped up by his own evil plots. Eat and sleep, fair and faithful servant.”

  AuRon bowed, and backed out of the hall. He met the eye of Eliam. The lone orb held the hatred of two.

  Chapter 26

  AuRon slept with one eye open. It was a trick he had never managed when he was younger, but lying in an unprotected cave off a tunnel that anyone might come down forced him to learn how to do it. Being afraid for your life sharpened the powers of concentration.

  The Dragonguard was watching him. Eliam Dragonblade must have passed the word quietly among his men, for AuRon felt their eyes upon him even when they had their visors down. There were the sounds of footsteps following him when he went outdoors. Footsteps echoing in tunnels that stopped when he did. Even at feeding times, there were extra men milling about.

  “Watch yourself, NooShoahk,” Varl muttered as he cleaned up the bony remains of a meal—the food was of such quality and quantity AuRon now only ate the bones richest in marrow. “Nothing’s been said to me direct, but I hear His Excellency Eliam is hoping on a fight. Word is the Dragonguard’s to stick you at any excuse.”

  “That’s odd. It could be the accusations against me from Maganar.”

  “Maybe it’s Starlight’s doing. He doesn’t care for rivals, as I said.”

  “We’re to carry these when we’re around you,” Varl said, showing AuRon one of the special poisoned daggers carried by the Dragonguard, from its concealed sheath under his jerkin.

  “I’m in your debt,” AuRon said.

  “I’ve been around enough beasts to know the good from the bad,” Varl said. “You’re one of the good ones, NooShoahk.”

  “I might say the same about you.”

  The warning floated at the top of AuRon’s consciousness from then on. AuRon wished for another assignment, just for the chance to fly free of searching eyes and stealthy steps. He’d been through many dangerous times in his life, but except for his capture by the elves he’d always been free. It never occurred to him that he could lose his freedom without someone putting a collar about his neck and a muzzle on his snout, but that was how he felt in the caverns of the Wyrmmaster. He pitied the dragons where in, who’d never touched the sky except at the behest of a rider.

  There was more on his mind than just the Dragonguard. He found himself thinking of Natasatch, her shimmering green skin and elegant frame. The thought of other dragons scrabbling at her flanks—ignoring the ancient dragon mating rituals in eager lust—made his fire bladder boil. By the egg that protected him, the next time he faced another member of the breeding stock in battle, he’d give it a fight to remember! He wanted to see her, smell her, talk to her, with such longing that sleeping with even one eye closed became an impossibility. Gentle questioning of Varl revealed that there were no subsidiary entrances to the dragonelle’s cavern, at least nothing large enough to admit any but a new hatchling.

  Relief of a sort came one night as AuRon thrashed in circles, unable to settle into a comfortable position. He thought over her words, the soothing cadence of her voice, in an attempt to lull himself.

  “AuRon, AuRon, if only you could be beside me. It’s all I want, more than air and sun, more than a bellyful of eggs. Just you, AuRon.”

  Pleasant fantasy!

  “I’d be there if I could,” AuRon imagined himself saying in return, comforting her in the damp of her cave. “I’d take you to the sky, and you’d hear my song, your scales glittering like elf-diamonds in the sun.”

  “AuRon, is that you?”

  Odd thing for a fantasy to say. Didn’t she see him right next to her? Didn’t she feel his tail entwining with hers? Then it occurred to him that he felt other thoughts and emotions behind the words.

  “You’re still in the dragonelle cavern?” he asked.

  “Yes, of course.”

  “Then we’re communicating, through many dragon-lengths of solid stone. I didn’t know it was possible. I don’t hear anyone else.”

  “Our minds must have found each other,” she said.

  “Are you all right?”

  “As well as ever. There’s a new dragonelle here. Shadowcatch is giving all his attention to her. Poor thing, she’s barely fledged.”

  “I don’t have another turn until after Starlight,” AuRon said. “I long to see you.”

  “I long to see you,” she echoed.

  AuRon heard footsteps. “There’s someone coming. What’s Shadowcatch like?”

  “Bloated. Loud. He’s a black, a bit on the dull side.”

  “His scales or his manner?” AuRon asked, a thought tickling at him.

  “Both.”

  There was someone at AuRon’s bay, but he pretended to be asleep.

  “There’s going to be trouble tomorrow or the next day. I can feel it. Epinonia, Alhala, and Ouistrela are all ready to lay. Starlight’s doing, I expect. Ouistrela’s fought the rest off, but she’s scared of Starlight’s bite. She submitted.”

  “I must go—,” AuRon said, breaking contact and rolling his watchful eye.

  Eliam Dragonblade stood in the shadows of the tunnel, picking at a fingernail with a dagger. It had sawtoothed edges and narrowed near the hilt. The dagger looked to AuRon like the one Varl showed him. Two more of the Dragonguard stood behind.

  “I’m sorry to wake you, but I have news.” Something that would have been a smile on another crawled across his face like an insect.

  “We all do what we can. Those who can’t make news deliver it. Another victory across the sea while you stayed here, cutting the throats of bound dragonelles?”

  “Two pieces of news,” he said, ignoring the taunt. “Three riders have been sent to Maganar, to get to the bottom of the deception taking place. They’ll be back within the week, NooShoahk.” He placed the tiniest emphasis on the name.

  “Wise of His Supremacy to act quickly,” AuRon said.

  “Treason is dealt with swiftly among our kind. We’ll soon find out who the deceiver is.”

  “I’m happy to hear it. The second piece of news?”

  “Three drakes have begun to fly. There will be more trials soon. Even Starlight will be involved this time, as well as you.”

  “Why not Shadowstalk?”

  “His turn in the dragonelle cave.”

  “So it is. I look forward to flying against Starlight.”

  “He looks forward to meeting you in battle.” Eliam tossed the dagger in
the air. It spun as a blur, but he snatched it by the hilt as if by magic.

  “How can he be so sure of facing me? Isn’t the idea to face the younger dragons and give them a chance to prove themselves?”

  “You two are the swiftest. You’ll be sure to face each other at the end of the trials.”

  “So be it.” AuRon said. “You’re quick with that dagger. Have you ever faced a real dragon in single combat, as your father did?”

  “Many times. I have the ears to prove it. Four times my father’s tally, and I’m only half the age he was when he was killed.”

  “I wonder.”

  Eliam spun his dagger again, but missed the hilt when it came down. It bounced toward AuRon, but the Dragonblade stepped out and caught it with the blade pointed at AuRon. The motion turned into a lunge at AuRon’s flank.

  AuRon, keyed up though he was, resisted the urge to lash back. He stood there, quivering, as the blade halted a claw’s width from his rib cage.

  “You don’t react,” Eliam said. “Is it wisdom or fear, I wonder. Men, you’ll say—”

  “NooShoahk, NooShoahk!” AuRon heard Varl’s voice calling. The keeper appeared around the bend of the cavern, his wild hair streaming. He halted. “What passes here?”

  “Nothing of consequence,” Eliam said, sheathing his dagger. “What’s your business?”

  “A fishing boat just got in. Her hull is full of tuna the size of dolphins, they say. I was wondering if NooShoahk would care for fresh fish for a change, before it gets chopped into hatchling-meal.”

  Eliam shrugged, the black scales at his shoulders shifting and glittering in the candlelight. “My business here is done. Enjoy your fish, NooShoahk.” He burst out laughing. “Gar, you deserve a good meal before the trials.”

  The Dragonblade and his armored shadows left.

  “I was wondering what he was up to here,” Varl said.

  “Bearding a dragon in his den, I’d call it,” AuRon said. “I’m glad you arrived when you did. They say fish is good for the mind and I need to use mine, like I’ve never used it before. Let’s feast.”

  Varl feasted, but AuRon just nibbled, Mother’s words about gluttonous dragons running through his mind. The tuna were enormous; Varl had not been making that up.

  “Have you heard about the new trials?” AuRon asked, as they watched the fish being grilled and eaten by the people of Icelanding. AuRon caught a whiff of pepper and cooking oil.

  “That I have. Remember what I told you about Starlight.”

  “Seems an unfair way to test the new dragons, matching them against older ones.”

  “The Wyrmmaster only wants the best to have a chance to breed. Though it seems when it’s Starlight’s turn, he goes up against the worst lots.”

  “Is the Wyrmmaster trying to breed venomers?”

  “No, they’re taken away. Too hard to handle among other dragons. Dangerous.”

  “Taken away where?”

  “To be killed.”

  “Have you seen the bodies?”

  “Ummm, no, I suppose not.”

  AuRon asked something that had been tapping beneath his thoughts, like dwarven miners. “What do you think of the wars down south? The destiny of man?”

  “I don’t. I fought for all that years ago, but I’ve had enough.”

  “Did your king lead you to war?”

  “He was called the tarn, though our people didn’t pay him much mind. My village hardly had a name it was Bder’s Clearing, is how it would be said in Parl. One day a pair of men flew in on a dragon. One spoke our tongue; the other just worked the dragon. It was a sight, that dragon, all sleek muscle and shiny bronze scale. The one who spoke to us told us a tale of how wronged we were, driven away from the coast by the sea elves—it was the first I’d heard about us being wronged, but when I asked my father, he said it was the truth—and that men were gathering to reclaim their heritage. Men and dragons. They had shining swords and capes and the standard with the man in the golden circle. I just wanted to sit on that dragon.

  “I joined up and marched away with some of the others. The dragonrider left, but the other stayed. We learned to call him swordthane, or just thane. We ended up in this little town on the coast. It was a sea elf town that had been burnt out. The site of the first victory for the Wyrmmaster’s idea. We all had to stand on the spot where the first blood was spilled and take an oath. I saw men making themselves comfortable in homes built by the craft of others, too, and I wondered what had become of those who had built the homes.

  “They have trials for men, too, and they judged me fit only for holding a shield and throwing axes. I saw three battles: killed a dwarf, four elves, and two men. I was wounded. They knew I liked being among the dragons, and so for my service they made me a keeper.

  “My spirit still soars every time I see a dragon aloft, so I’m happy enough. I look forward to talking with you. You’re different from the others. The Wrymmaster’s methods produce willing dragons, but I wonder if it doesn’t take something out of the breed at the same time.”

  “That thought wandered through my mind, as well,” AuRon said. “My father admired humans in his way, but saw them as enemies. I don’t feel that way, though if I speak from my heart, I must tell you that I thought the way humans and dragons cooperated on this isle would be different.”

  Varl smiled in understanding.

  “This fish has made me hungry for more. Gather your camp-gear and saddle me. We’ll go out to one of those islands where you and Icelake would fish upon a time.”

  “Even full as I am, I can taste the dragon-crisped cod,” Varl said.

  They agreed to meet in the morning. AuRon could not sleep; he continually caught hints of Natasatch’s discordant dreams. It interfered with his concentration.

  They flew out to one of the islands before dawn the next morning, near enough to the Isle of Ice so it could be seen on a clear day. From the air it looked like pig with its nose in the air, the rocky feet and snout pointed out to sea. The flatter part was dotted with running brambles and thick grasses.

  “The lobstermen sometimes come in small boats, but it is a bad place for reefs,” Varl shouted over the autumn wind.

  They landed and made camp at a circle of stones and washed-up logs used by the lobster-trappers. Fishing is a hunt of patience, which AuRon was sorely short of. After the sun lifted clear of the horizon in its climb, AuRon gave up and hunted as the pelicans did, diving with a terrific splash into the water and scooping up stunned fish with his mouth. As he waded ashore and raised his water-lids, twitching fish in his mouth, Varl ran up to him with branches he had cut for spits. AuRon dropped the catch onto the rocks.

  “How many more times must you do that for a full belly?” Varl laughed.

  “I haven’t time to do it again, my friend.”

  “We have all the—”

  “I’m going back to the island. I’ll come back if I can. If I don’t, it means I’m dead. Do what you think is best.”

  “NooShoahk, what is this?”

  “I’m sorry, my friend. This was all an excuse to get you off the island. I didn’t want you to be a part of what is coming. I’ve been false with you. About unimportant things. In other matters I’ve been true, and always will be. Thank you for what you’ve done for me.”

  AuRon raised his wings, and in a single jump and a mighty beat was aloft.

  “Are you mad?” Varl shouted.

  AuRon made a final loop over the confused barbarian, feeling for the dwarsaw tucked tightly within his ear. “Yes. The question is, am I mad enough?”

  Chapter 27

  AuRon flew faster than even he had at the trials. He wished to return to the island before Shadowcatch arose from his slumbers.

  He landed in the cave, and did not stop to speak to any of the keepers as he hurried to the caves of the breeding stock. When he stood at the gap that led to the breeding stock’s chambers, he concentrated on repeating the trick he had been practicing the night before. He wa
tched his scales change over from gray to the dull black that matched the stripes descending his back.

  From deep within his own cave, he heard voices.

  “Well, did he say anything about when he would return?” Eliam rasped.

  “Fishing with Varl was all I heard,” someone answered, probably the Dragonguard Rand, who was on duty when AuRon rose.

  “He’s playing us false,” a dragon’s voice said in the clipped tones of a trap snapping shut. Starlight’s.

  There was silence for a moment. Then Eliam Dragonblade spoke. “We’ll wait till he returns then. If we go after him outside, unless fortune hands him over, he’ll just outfly us. He’s that fast.”

  AuRon ignored it, and puffed himself up as best he could, filling his long lungs with air to make himself appear larger, and slunk down Shadowcatch’s tunnel.

  The dragon slumbered in his alcove. He was younger than AuRon, but had grown a little larger on the rich meals of the Wyrmmaster. AuRon padded by at his most silent, not even breathing. The smell of another male so close put fire in his veins and chest, just what he needed for the day’s work. He made his way to the gate at the dragonelle’s cavern. Shadowcatch’s nostrils twitched, and his lips peeled back in his sleep to expose sharp yellowed teeth.

  A sleepy Dragonguard stood up when AuRon came to the gate. AuRon stumbled and knocked the tallow-light from the wall with a folded wing. Only a single light from farther up the cave illuminated the open gate. AuRon snarled.

  “No matter, sir, I’ll relight it.”

  AuRon hurried past in the dark. He wondered how long he had before the ruse was unmasked.