by D K Drake
Lack of sleep had to be the problem. He didn’t make mistakes like Fury’s Pass, losing fights with dragons, and cutting himself off from his team when he had adequate rest. He blamed Omri.
His father should have let him hunt a Dawn Stalker first. At the very least, he should have let him sleep before heading to midnight territory. Then he would have been able to return triumphantly to the castle with a new dragon, not find himself hiding in the woods fighting sleep early in the morning. All by himself.
He didn’t want to be by himself. He wanted to be walking amongst the millions of other people inside the city.
He had the travel papers he needed to enter the gated city; his pass got him into any city any time. Usually his face was enough to get him in, anyway. He couldn’t remember the last time a gatekeeper had asked to see his travel papers.
Too bad he couldn’t use either asset. Everyone thought he was still in midnight territory hunting a Midnight Stalker. Dahlia knew the truth since she transported them here, but she was a dragon and couldn’t talk. He was certain his secret remained safe with her.
Now his face was a hindrance. If someone spotted his very recognizable face or his very recognizable dragon and word got back to Omri, Micah was as good as dead. His father didn’t mind deceiving others, but he didn’t tolerate being deceived.
The lie wouldn’t matter if he returned home with a dragon. But how was he supposed to get the information he needed if he couldn’t barge into the city with a bunch of soldiers by his side to scare people into submission?
He had to find a way. His brother lived inside the city. They hadn’t seen each other in decades, but Karl was the only person Micah could talk to who might know where Javan had gone to collect his next dragon.
“Think, Micah. Think.” He rubbed his eyes and shook his head to wake himself up. “What’s your next move?”
Micah had plenty of connections throughout Zandador, but they were all tied to Omri. They all followed the law of the land and played by the rules. Like Micah, they punished people who played outside of the rules. Now he was about to become one of those people. If he wanted to survive, he had to operate outside of the system.
What if the people he had punished—such as the boy who was hunting after curfew—operated outside the system so they could survive? What if the system didn’t work for them the way it wasn’t working for Micah at this moment?
“Nonsense.” Micah sat a little straighter and shook his head. “Everyone I punished deserved it. They were being rebellious. My motives are pure. I’m trying to win a dragon for the King.”
How he went about achieving that goal didn’t matter as long as he met his objective and pleased his father. If that meant breaking a few of the king’s own rules along the way, so be it.
“One thing is for sure, Mertzer,” Micah said. “I have got to get some sleep if I want to start thinking clearly again. We’ll find a way into the city after dark. You keep watch while I sleep. When you get hungry, hunt your dinner, then come right back here. Don’t bother waking me up.”
Micah grabbed his gear and dismounted Mertzer. This wasn’t an ideal camping spot, but he was far enough away from the city and the road to not be spotted by any people passing by or soldiers patrolling the area.
He didn’t much care if anyone did find him. Mertzer wouldn’t let them live to tell about it. All he cared about was closing his eyes and finally getting the sleep he needed.
◊◊◊
This is it, Varjiek said. He landed in the lush green grass of a meadow just south of where they had been camping for the past three days. The grass faded in front of them and gave way to wimpy patches of grass and scraggly scrubs that dotted the auburn-tinged sand. We’re standing at the edge of the desert.
With the sun setting to his left, Javan adjusted his position on Varjiek’s back and stared at the flat landscape that stretched out before him. It looked different than what he expected. He expected to see only sand, not any kind of plant life. Besides the grass and shrubs, he spotted a few towering trees in the distance. “It looks a bit bleak, not dangerous.”
Just because we can’t see the dangers doesn’t mean they don’t exist, Varjiek said. The weather is the biggest problem. Storms strike without warning, and the heat makes it too difficult to travel by day. We’ll have to keep moving at night to avoid freezing, but that’s when the animals of the desert also like to lurk about.
“Then it’s a good thing we can just fly right over them. If I remember my geography correctly, the desert spans about 350 miles from north to south. As fast as you fly, we should be across long before the sun even rises.”
The air here is thick. It slows my speed. We’ll probably be able to move faster if I walk.
“Walk? Why would you want to walk when you can fly?”
Varjiek hummed to block Javan from reading his thoughts. His right ear began twitching. The tip of his tail tapped nervously on the ground. He shifted his weight back and forth. The dragon was hiding something.
“What are you not telling me?”
Varjiek took a deep breath and lowered his head as he exhaled. According to Zandador legend, the wings of those who attempt to fly across the desert become crippled, and they are never able to fly again.
“A legend? Is that why you had me pack three days’ worth of supplies on your back? Because you planned to walk this whole time?”
Perhaps.
Javan wanted to scream. He had spent the entire day climbing uxe trees and cutting down leaves for them to eat on their trek through the desert. Each leaf looked like a dog’s paw and was the size of a placemat. The top was smooth, and the underside had ripples like potato chips. Each ripple contained a streak of water, so they doubled as a water source.
Piles of them were tied to Varjiek’s back with vines. They tasted like broccoli but were as filling as steak. Varjiek loved them. Javan didn’t but was willing to endure them until they found something tastier to eat once they reached Keckrick.
Javan didn’t think he would actually be stuck eating them for three days and only packed as much as he did as a precaution. If they ran into trouble, he wanted to make sure they had food to eat and water to drink.
“Any reason you why you didn’t want to share this plan with me until now?”
You didn’t need to know until now.
“Listen, buddy,” Javan said, “we’re a team. We need to be on the same page.”
I do not understand. What is a page? Why would we need to be on the same one in order to cross the desert?
Javan rolled his eyes. He missed being around humans who knew how to interpret common sayings. “I mean we need to work on our communication skills. You’ve got to tell me what you’re thinking. It’s not like I can read your mind.”
Umm…you can read my mind. That is how we are communicating right now.
“Oh. Right.” Javan crossed his arms. “Then why didn’t I know about your plan?”
Maybe I only let you hear the thoughts I want you to hear.
“You can block thoughts from me?”
Apparently.
“Okay. Fine. I guess I wouldn’t like it if someone could read my every thought either. But you have to share your important thoughts, like the ones that involve where we are going and how we plan to get there.”
You are right. I will work on my ‘communication skills.’
“Good. Now forget this walking nonsense. Wings up. Let’s fly.”
But the legend!
“How reliable is this legend? Have you ever met any dragon or okty who tried to fly across the desert but ended up crippled?”
No. I have not.
“It’s probably just some story a parent made up to keep their kid from hopping on an okty and running away from home across the desert.”
What if it is true?
“What if it’s not?”
It is a great risk.
“Face your fears, Varjiek. I trusted you once when you had me jump from a tree in hopes
of landing on an invisible dragon that I couldn’t see. It’s your turn to trust me. Let’s fly.”
The dragon nodded. As you wish, young Collector. Varjiek spread his wings and lifted them into the air.
Chapter 9
Grounded
Acool breeze floated into Micah’s tent, tickled his hair, and rattled the cloth walls. The second time he felt it waft across him, he opened his eyes to see the last rays of the setting sun bouncing around the inside of his makeshift room.
The breeze bothered him yet again. This time he sat up. And saw nothing but Mertzer’s giant nostrils pointed directly into the open doors of his tent.
The dragon was sleeping on his back and breathing right into Micah’s face from his upside-down nose. “Ugh. Mertzer, move.” Micah freed his feet from his blanket and kicked the top of the dragon’s nose with both his feet.
Before Micah could blink, Mertzer was on his feet and glaring into Micah’s eyes.
“Whoa. How did you move that fast?”
The dragon snorted and narrowed his black eyes, eyes that seemed to be filled with hatred. Hatred toward Micah. Did this dragon have…feelings?
“You won’t hurt me.” Micah’s voice cracked as he spoke. He cleared his throat before speaking again to try to sound tougher. “You can’t. I’m your master. Now back off.”
Mertzer held his ground. Micah held his breath. All the dragon had to do was spit one little drop of poison on him, and Micah would be dead. Perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to treat the dragon with a little more respect. “Sorry I kicked you. I won’t do it again.”
That seemed to appease Mertzer. He bowed his head as if to say he accepted the apology and backed away.
“Did I just apologize to a dragon?” Micah plopped back down and covered his face with his arms. He clearly needed more sleep if he was allowing a dragon to dictate his manners. Micah wasn’t the apologizing type.
Oddly enough, though, Micah found himself admiring Mertzer. He kind of liked that the dragon had a mind of his own and demanded respect. Which was unlike his father’s dragons who took his abuse without question.
Demeaning the dragons the way his father did made Micah feel powerful. He knew, however, that it was a false sense of power. Had Omri not cut off their tails, they wouldn’t hesitate to turn Micah into a meal. They were mean and cruel and had no regard for Micah.
Now he wondered how mean and cruel they really were. Had they always been that way? Or had centuries of being enslaved by Omri made them reflect the nature of their master?
Since Micah strived to be like Omri, would Mertzer end up reflecting his ruthless nature? Is that what he wanted for the dragon?
Is that what he wanted for himself?
Yes. Of course. He wanted to be ruthless. He wanted Mertzer to be ruthless. He wanted both dragons and people to fear them. That was true power. His father taught him that.
But if he was feared, would he be respected?
Which was more satisfying: to rule mindless cowards or to lead intelligent, confident beings who shared a mutual respect for one another?
Micah shook his head and sat up again. “Stop thinking. You know who you are. You know how to control dragons and people. Respect isn’t important. Fear is power. Be ruthless. Make people fear you.”
Micah looked to his right and saw Mertzer’s silhouette through the thin cloth of the tent. The dragon was bound to obey him, but his spirit had yet to be broken. Micah needed to fix that. “Make Mertzer fear you.”
He picked up his sword and whip and crawled out of the tent.
◊◊◊
A dim slither of the moon barely lit the cloudy night sky as Javan and Varjiek flew south. Slowly. So slowly Javan’s black hair didn’t rustle from a breeze. “Any chance you can pick up the pace and fly a little faster?”
I would if I could, Varjiek said, but I feel like I’m flying through mud.
“Can you run faster than this?”
I can walk faster than this.
“I guess flying wasn’t such a good idea. Go ahead and land. Looks like we’ll be crossing the desert on foot.”
Thank you. Varjiek pointed his nose down, then promptly leveled out again. Wait. What is that?
Up ahead, Javan saw tiny specks of light sparkling against the dark night sky. “Think we should fly through it?”
Maybe they are stars. I’ve always wanted to fly through stars.
Javan felt Varjiek’s muscles churn as the dragon worked to churn through the thick air to reach the low-hanging stars. The closer they inched toward the dazzling white lights, the more entranced both became. Nothing mattered except getting to the light.
After what seemed like an hour of struggle, they finally reached their destination. Varjiek eased his way into the midst of the lights that turned out to be thousands of round fuzzy dots the size of marbles floating all around them.
The dots moved to accommodate the large dragon and his rider. “Stunning,” Javan said. “What do you think they are?”
Who cares? They are beautiful. We should take some with us. It will be easier to travel by night if we have them to light the way.
“Good idea.” Javan tried to catch one, but it scurried just beyond his reach. He tried another. And another. All darted away. “They’re scared of me.”
Try talking to them. Varjiek swayed back and forth, his wings moving just enough to keep them airborne. Tell them it’s okay to land on my wings.
Javan adjusted his seat at the base of Varjiek’s neck and looked up to address his audience. “So…ummm…light thingies in the sky? We’d like you to come with us and be our light in the night. You can travel on Varjiek’s wings. We promise not to hurt you.”
None of the dots responded.
That wasn’t very convincing. You need to work on your powers of persuasion.
“I convinced you to let me ride you.”
That’s because you promised me Skylark. The only thing you promised these lights is not to hurt them.
“They’re dots of light. I don’t know what they want; they aren’t sharing their thoughts with me like you are. What else could I promise them?”
Better think of something because I’m not going anywhere without these things.
Javan sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. “Maybe they like to fly on their own and will follow us. Try landing and see what happens.”
Varjiek looked down but didn’t move. I can’t. The lights below me are too pretty to fly into.
Javan leaned to his left and looked down. The dots had formed a solid floor of light a few feet beneath Varjiek’s claws. “Then fly forward.”
And scare the lights in front of me? I think I’ll stay where I am. Varjiek’s words started to sound sing-songy, as though he were in a trance. I like looking at the lights.
“The lights are pretty.” Javan knew he should be concerned, but he too was entranced by the lights and the smooth swaying motion of the dragon to let the alarm bells ringing in the back of his mind worry him. “Come, lights. Come land on the dragon.”
One by one, the lights began to listen to Javan’s beckoning call. Within minutes, they covered both of Varjiek’s wings on the top and bottom.
This tickles, Varjiek chuckled, but I like it.
“Me, too,” Javan said. “Your wings are so bright! And check it out. The lights are starting to blink.”
Varjiek craned his head to admire the blinking lights on his wings. Impressive!
“I bet it will look even cooler when you flap your wings. Let’s fly!”
I…I can’t.
“What do you mean?”
I mean I can’t move my wings. I can’t feel my wings. Get the lights off me!
The blinking accelerated as Javan crawled over to the left wing and began swiping the lights away with both of his arms. But no matter how many he shoved off, more landed in their place. “It’s not working!”
I can’t keep us in the air. Hold on, young Collector. We’re going down.
J
avan had just enough time to latch onto the edge of Varjiek’s wing before they plummeted to the ground.
Chapter 10
Micah Seeks Help
Micah packed away the last of his gear into his dragon bag, threw it over Mertzer’s back and mounted the dragon. The strip that held the two weighted bags together sat flat on the dragon’s back. He found the hole in the middle of the strap and latched it to the tip of a scale before settling in at the base of Mertzer’s neck.
The sun had yet to rise, but Micah wanted to make his way into the city before first light. “All right, Mertzer. I need to enter the city on the east side. As soon as I jump the fence, you return to this spot. Remain here until I return for you. That should be tonight, but it all depends on how fast I find Karl and how much he knows.”
Micah tapped his whip against the dragon’s tender scales to remind him about the beating he endured last night. “Understand your orders?”
Mertzer flinched and nodded.
“Good. As long as you continue to obey me, I won’t have to use the whip again. You lost the right to do what you wanted when you lost your tail.” Micah grabbed the reigns and leaned against Mertzer’s neck. “Let me feel your speed. Get me to the eastern fence!”
Mertzer snorted, lowered his head, stomped the ground, and dashed toward the city.
The dragon sailed over the land. Micah didn’t even feel the bumps of the trip even though he knew several hills over several miles separated them from the fence.
Before Micah realized they had gone anywhere, the fence that seemed so far away now towered above Micah’s head. “Whoa!” No dragon he had ever ridden had been able to go from zero to super speed that fast. His dragon could fly. He simply used his feet rather than wings.
“Impressive, Mertzer,” Micah whispered. “Now hold still. I’m going to use you as a ladder to get over the fence. The instant I jump, run back to the woods.”
Mertzer took a deep breath and made himself rigid. Micah smiled. He loved having a creature like this under his control.
