Dragon Runner

Amory

The dragons stared hotly at each other, tails lashing on the heated sand.  Ambling about, the pair tried to forewarn each other off.  A bronze dragon, wiser in years, waited for the other animal’s inexperienced attack.  His uncaring glance traveled over to the twenty or so females basking in the desert sand; this fight was for them, the creatures who purposely ignored them and their oncoming battle.  Spreading his wings, the sire exposed his muscular shoulders and black under-wings.

Emerald in color, the other dragon lunged jerkingly at his opponent.  Easily side stepping the weak attack, the bronze dragon snarled a final threat before de4livering a glancing blow to the sleek, long, green neck.  The pain, though slight, sent the younger dragon into a hurricane of a tantrum

The dragon’s bodies seemed to lock together as they tumbled about, creating a billowy cloud of dust.  Finally, after much howling, the two broke apart, bloodied and panting.  Old battle scars had been torn open…new marks, which were sure to scar up, marked the green’s once flawless hide.

Hidden behind a sand dune, a dark-eyed boy watched the dragons excitedly.  It was a new year.  A new year to watch the dragons that came to nest near his home in Desert Keep.  Watching the sires fight over the females was more exciting then the New Years festivals his town held every year.  Seeing the hatchlings take their first flight into the new world was better, then celebrating his birthday a hundred times a year.  Dragons, in general, were just plain fascinating to young Lucas…and he wanted to spend his whole life watching the magnificent creatures.

Lucas was drug out of his day dreaming by the cry of retreat from the jade dragon.  He looked across the desert just as he took to the skies, yellow under-wings flashing in the sun.  The dragon circled once above, crying out a promise to return and claim the she-dragons as his own.  The triumphant bronze stood up on his hind legs, preening.  Showing his ebony under-wings, the sire began to trumpet his power and glory.  Without even a glance in his direction, the she-dragons took to the sky and headed to the small oasis on the other side of the caves.  Snorting his slight vexation at being ignored, the bronze dragon followed his troop dutifully.

Smiling happily, Lucas slid down the dune and headed for home.  It was suppertime, and Mama would be furious if he was late.  A lone cry came from above and Lucas looked up to see a large yellow-green sire soar over his head.  It was headed in the direction of the oasis.  Lucas decided to be late for his dinner and watch the creatures he oh-so-loved.  Running across the sand, the boy imagined he was flying; flying high above atop one of his beloved dragons.

CHAPTER I

With bleary eyes, the red-gold dragon glared at his assailant.  It was a man…a wicked, cruel man who had him trapped in some odd metal net.  Raising his head, the three-year-old spit a ball of Fire at his laughing enemy.  With a curse, the man threw off his blue cloak and put out the flame.  The human scowled at the dragon for a time, then a sinful smile crossed his handsome face.  He went to his pile of supplies and retrieved a metallic item.  Raising a metal sledgehammer above the immobile dragon, he prepared to break the creature’s wings.  Without either of his wings, the dragon would not be able to survive.

All of a sudden, a burly shadow ran full force into the man.  The sledgehammer fell to the ground.  Swearing loudly, the blonde man stood up and glared at the blur of black,

“Who are you, and how dare you interrupt me!”

A slight smile appeared on Lucas’s mouth, “Excuse my rudeness, friend.  I am Lucas Dragoon, of Desert Keep.”

The blonde’s eyes widened.  “Y-your that fool who talks to dragons!” he exclaimed, staring at Lucas.

Without a reply, Lucas turned to the now-struggling dragon.  In his eyes were fear…Fear of the fact that now there were two of them.  Closing his eyes, Lucas began to psychically communicate with the dragon to soothe his worries.

It’s okay, friend.  I’ll get you out of this.  No one is going to hurt you.  We are one and the same.  When the dragon’s eyes stared trustingly back at Lucas, he spoke aloud, “That’s a good boy.  Now just let me figure out how to open this thing…”

His eyes traveled over the contraption.  It was made of a strong aluminum and nickel mixture.  But it could be broken easily with the right hardware.  Unsheathing his platinum and iron sword, Lucas readied himself to cut through heavy metal.  With a single calculated swipe of his arms, the net fell around the dragon’s glossy body.

With a roar of restored freedom, the dragon leapt into the sky and hovered above the pair of men.  An enraged shriek, followed by Fire, caused the stranger to run for his horse.  He began to struggle frantically with the tied reins, and when Fire got too close and singed the horse’s hide; the animal took off at a full gallop, leaving his master to follow on foot.

Lucas laughed aloud as the three-year old rumbled a last warning, and landed delicately on his hind legs.  Stepping forward, he placed a hand gently on the dragon and proceeded to caress his glistening neck.  A jealous wail sounded from above, and a silvery-blue female came into view.  She hissed furiously and snapped at the three- year olds neck as she landed beside Lucas.  Chuckling, Lucas spoke to his possessive dragon-love,

It’s all right, Koleo.  He’s just a friend…nothing for you to be jealous of.  You know I’m only yours.

Koleo put her head down and purred lovingly as Lucas scratched between her eye ridges, white eyes closing in sheer bliss.  With a low whoop, the three-year old began to bob his head up and down, not much liking him being ignored.  Lucas grinned at him,

And do you have a name, my new friend?  The dragon cocked his head to one side.  Very well then, I will call you Remagev, the old language for freedom.

The now named Remagev announced the liking of his name with a happy rumble from deep in his throat.  He got on all fours and brought his head down towards Lucas to rub gently at his shirt.  The she-dragon nipped at the gleaming red-gold hide, a sign the she didn’t much like Lucas lavishing any attention on any but her.  The younger dragon turned frustratedly toward Koleo and hummed.

Okay, girl, that’s enough of that, insisted Lucas, patting her on the shoulder.  There isn’t to be anymore of the behavior when it concerns me, understand?

Casually stretching her wings, the silvery-blue creature exposed smoky under-wings and snuffled his face in answer.  Lucas nodded affirmatively and stroked Remagev’s bold face.

I must go now.  There are things I must do before the moon rises.  Take care, my friend.  I will always be at your aid.

With that, Lucas grabbed hold of the she-dragon’s dark ridges and pulled himself up behind her neck.  Only a slight sound was made as they became airborne, heading in the direction of WaterLord Keep.  Remagev bellowed his farewell, as he too took to the skies.

“My Lord, if you would only reconsider…”

“No!  I will not sign any treaty with the dragon-brained youngster!  He’s barely twenty-three winters old, and I won’t let those beasts run my land!  Hunt my animals!  Terrorize my people!  It’s insane!  Why, if I was only thirty-sum winters younger-”

Shouts coming from outside the castle cause the WaterLord to stop his useless tirade.  A young squire rushed into the room, stuttering in fear,

“My Lord!  My Lord!  There’s a man, he demands that he speak with you!  If you don’t bow to his wishes, h-he threatens to let his d-dragon do the talking for him!”

The WaterLord became pale with fright, the Dragon Runner knew how to communicate with the fierce creatures, and the Koleo named one was known for her love of him, she would do anything he ever asked her.  Down to flaming her way to Hell’s gates!  Throwing a detailed blue and white cloak over his right shoulder, the WaterLord took a deep breath and nodded at the squire,

“Well then, we won’t keep him waiting, will we?”

Seventy-two winters old, the WaterLord had been dodging Lucas’s dragon treaty for years.  He didn’t want to make it illegal in his Keep to hunt them, and no fool dragon-loving youngster was going to force him!  The beasts hunted his stock and frightened his villagers, why should he protect them?

As he caught sight of Koleo’s elegant head, the WaterLord felt his fear rise up again.  That was why he should protect them.  He knew very well that if his signature weren’t on that treaty, dragons would ruin his home.

The she-dragon turned her opal eyes toward him, and the WaterLord dropped his gaze to the ground.  When he looked up again, smug, almost black eyes smirked at him.  Fueled by the other man’s gloating, the Lord spoke,

“Dragon Runner!  What do me and my people owe such a great honor as to you in our presence?”  The Lord’s voice was laced with sarcasm.

Lucas laughed loudly, “I think you know why I’m here, my Lord.”

“Your treaty?” he asked, putting his hand to his sword hilt.

Koleo  bared her teeth in warning.  “Uh-uh-uh!  Don’t ever try something so foolish.  If Koleo doesn’t put you to flames, I will slit your hide to ribbons!”

The hand dropped.  “On your honor, those beasts are not to harm anything among my holding.  As WaterLord, I refuse the offers of you.  I will not put under my protection a beast that my people fear, and if you so much as ask that she-dragon to lift a talon against me, I will have my armies at your border!”

“I don’t own on control the dragons,” began Lucas.  “If anything, I am their possession.  Unless given a reason, your ports are safe from dragon Fire, and your people have nothing to fear.  Please do not threaten me with your men and woman of war.”

The Lord glared at the young man, “I’ve warned you, Dragon Runner.  Those monsters are fair game to any huntsman on my land.”

With a bizarre battle cry, the Dragon Runner leapt onto Koleo’s back.  As soon as he was seated neatly between her back ridges, the dragon bounded into the Air.  Again, the battle cry pitched across WaterLord Keep as the silvery-blue creature and her human took off toward the desert.

I can’t believe this!  I’m trying to save an at risk animal, and I get people like his Lordship telling me that he’s going to have his armies against me!  Koleo, what are we going to do?  Don’t they understand that you’re as important to this world as the Air, as the Water!  Maybe I should go straight to the Prince about this.  He should understand how I feel.  Maybe he could-

Lucas stopped his senseless outburst mid-sentence as he noticed a change in scenery.  They were back in the desert, and the full moon shone its light upon the sand, causing it to glimmer like tiny gems scattered about.  It was magnificent, and time after time, he could not get over the hidden beauty of the presumed barren wasteland.

A bellow from below told Lucas that Brigadier, a battle frayed sire, was somewhere near and had caught sight of Koleo.  Very few, if any of the desert’s sires got close to her for breeding.  Lucas had only seen the she-dragon protecting a clutch of eggs but once, and she had lost that nest, due to poachers no less.  He truly hoped that she’d breed this year so more hatchlings could be brought into the world.

Grimly thinking of the decreased number of dragons that year, Lucas caught sight of Desert Keep.  It was a small Keep nestled in among the largest dunes of the desert.  Not big enough to house an illustrious Lord’s Keep, it was perfect for the small number who braved the fierce desert.  The dunes to either side protected them from most of the summer heat and winter storms.

Koleo called out a greeting before landing peacefully in the keep square, carefully folding her wings so as not to knock anything over.  A little girl came running from the rear of the castle,

“Uncle Lucas!  Uncle Lucas!  You’re back!” shrieked seven-year old Taylor, hurdling herself into her fathers brothers arms.  “Did you see any new dragons?  Huh, Uncle Lucas?  Did ya?”

Lucas laughed at his niece’s antics, Taylor had her mother’s beauty, with her father’s joyful character.  There hadn’t been much joy in Grant’s life since his wife, Ally, had died saving their daughter from crazed hounds.  At one time, Grant couldn’t even look at his little girl because she brought so many memories back from the dead.

“Yes, Taylor, I have a new dragon friend.  His name’s Remagev, and I’ll tell you all about him tomorrow.  Aren’t you supposed to be in bed, it’s late.”

Taylor scrunched up her nose.  “Daddy said I could stay up ‘till you got home, and I did!”  Her little brown body wiggled out of his embrace.  Clutching his hand, Taylor began dragging Lucas toward the castle gates, all the while chattering about the day’s events.

Lucas found his older brother in the west wing study, reclining behind the desk.  A bottle of wine rested across from him.  Noticing his brother leaning against the doorframe, Grant stood up with a grin,

“I see you’ve come back from your frolic with you dragon mistress.  Did Taylor attack you as soon as you landed?”  At Lucas’s affirmative grin, he continued, “Any news?”

With a sigh, Lucas told him about freeing Remagev and his confrontation with the WaterLord.  The older man’s face set into a grisly line.

“And,” Lucas continued, “I think the WaterLord is sending out the poachers.  The man I caught with the three-year old was wearing a nobleman’s WaterLord blue!”

“Interesting,” Grant insisted, sipping a bit of wine.  “You’ll just have to leave it be.  The prince surely won’t do anything, there’s no material proof.”

“I won’t have my dragons be prey to any stuff-shirt nobleman!” snarled Lucas, slamming his cup onto the desk.  “Furthermore, what more evidence do you need then the declined number of dragons coupled with the ones I rescue?”

“But they aren’t yours to protect, Lucas.  They are creatures of the wild.  There hides bring a pretty penny on the market; especially with exports.  If the Goddess hadn’t have blessed them with such soft, hardy scales, you wouldn’t have as big of a problem.  But she did.”

“I know that,” was the hissed return.

“Then don’t be concerned with matters you can not prevent.  They are wild game…”

“They are intelligent creatures!  Not much different then we wits wise!  And I will do everything in my power to prevent this carnage!”

Grant stared at him for a moment, then sighed, “Do as you wish, brother.  I will be here as support…

CHAPTER II

Dark eyes peered out from a fairly well hidden thicket.  No more then a year old, the hatchling was running for his life.  The strange two-legged creatures that wielded sharp arrows and foreign metal nets were after him.  He hadn’t done anything wrong, he had been playing with his hatchling brother in a small lake not far from where he was now.  Thinking back sorrowfully, the hatchling remembered the startled dieing eyes of the other dragon.

A rustle of leaves brought the dragon back to the present.  With a wild yell, a red-haired man jumped out from the shrubbery, waving a sword wildly.  The hatchling hissed angrily.  There wasn’t much he could do; Fire hadn’t come to him yet, he was too young.  He couldn’t fly, no room to stretch his wings.  With another hiss of vexation, the young dragon leapt at the man, talons glinting in the sparse sunlight that managed to peek it’s way through the trees.  With a startled curse, he lifted his sword and slashed at the creature that was no bigger then himself.

Blood ran down the dragon’s neck, surprising him greatly.  In anger, the hatchling lashed out with his claws, teeth following.  It wasn’t long before the man’s hunts-mates heard the noise and came running to his aid.  Too late for their friend, the men attacked the dragon with a vengeance; when one tired, another continued the cruel game.

A battle cry from above caused the men to stop, and the beating of dragon wings finally became evident above the moaning of the tortured hatchling.  Just as a ball of flame burst through the trees, Lucas leapt down from above.  His unsheathed sword glistened in the Firelight.  The poachers stared, dumbfounded, at the man’s course face set in a grim line of hatred.

“It is the Dragon Runner,” whispered one of them, wide-eyed with fear.

Lucas grinned wickedly.  With another one of his strange battle cries, he shoved his sword through the closest man, watching with pleasure as the blood flowed.  He heaved the sword out to watch the man gulp for air like a goldfish, before falling backwards in death.  Staring blankly at the body, Lucas listened to the sounds of the woods.  The other killers had fled as soon as the cry had come from his throat, but it wouldn’t be hard to track them.

Turning his attention to the hatchling, he began checking the creature’s injury’s, all the while talking to him.

It’s okay, little one.  I’m a friend.  Those fools won’t get away with this.  Lucas whispered a curse as he glanced at some of the worse wounds.  Koleo, can you get over here?  A soft whoop from above, followed by the rustling of leaves answered him.  We’ve got to get him home…I won’t be able to do this myself, and he certainly can’t fly.  He doesn’t weigh much more then me.  Could you carry him?

Iridescent eyes gazed calmly at Lucas.  With flourish, the silver-blue dragon bobbed her head in answer.  Lucas smiled and again returned to the hatchling.

Now, if you want help, you’ve got to trust me with this, okay?  The hatchling’s somber eyes indicated complete faith.

The she-dragon scrunched down on to all fours until her belly pressed stablely against the ground.  Wrapping his arms around the younglings’ shoulders, Lucas heaved the upper body over Koleo, behind her wings.

Wrap your tail around her, he said slowly.

The hatchling did as he was told, his copper body creating a startling contrast to the she-dragons.  Koleo started off, out of the woods; it’d be easier for her to get into the sky in a more open area.  When they reached a small field, Lucas leapt onto the dragon and settled himself in front of her wings.

“I may not know all that much about dragon anatomy, but this fellow’s going to be okay.  It’s lucky that you found him when you did, he’d be scavenger chow by now,” the physician declared, wiping her hands on a clean towel.

The women grinned warmly at him.  Her bright green eyes flashed happily in the sun; a light tan from the desert sun kissed her skin; and her lips were red and full.   A perfect desert-bred woman. 

Not only would Koleo not be pleased if he had a wife, but he hadn’t the time to lavish the kind of care and love one would need.  His main focus in life was dragons, not women.  But Lucas couldn’t help looking his full of Kethry.  He’d known her since he was young, and everyone thought they’d marry at one time.  But as Lucas was married to his dragons, Kethry was married to her healing.  The lady had a way with remedy, and she was a great attribute to their Keep.

“I know how much trouble they can be as patients, but thank you,” replied Lucas, glancing away from her.  “I hope to repay all your help one day,” Lucas gulped, then went on.  “Uh, I guess I better finish business.”

“Mmm-mm,” was his only answer before Kethry turned quickly away and hurried into the hall.

Lucas turned toward the hatchling; I guess I need to give you a name as well.  The dragon snorted.  All right then, how about Alloy?  Your hide is an almost perfect copper…it’s an excellent name!  Newly named, the dragon hummed his gladness.

Her white eyes gleaming, Koleo stuck her head through the two-story window, calling softly for Lucas.  Hello, dragon love.  Ready to go after those huntsmen?  The she-dragon consented, eager to return to the skies.

Scanning the surrounding ground, Lucas searched for the poachers.  It was fairly easy…they hadn’t bothered to cover their tracks, he guessed they figured he wouldn’t’ come after them.  But of course, he did; such carnage wouldn’t go unpunished, and the men had killed many dragons before their failed attempt that day.

Koleo gave a low hiss that only his ears could hear, to get his attention turned to the men walking about below them.  She hovered high enough over their encampment that they couldn’t here her, but Lucas still could tell it was them.

Okay, girl, let’s get them!

The she-dragon howled an angry shriek before dive-bombing the men’s camp.  Fire was spewed about, charring horse and human hide alike.  Once she was low enough, Lucas leapt of Koleo and, sword in hand, began to pick of challenging humans.  He left the fleeing ones to the dragon, who was all too happy to go on chase.

After pulling his sword from the third kill, Lucas noticed at tall, brawny man brandishing two swords.  He was coming right toward him.  Lucas grinned and pulled a dagger from his belt.  The pair lunged at each other, swords clashing loudly.  Every so often, Lucas heard the screams of men, and he knew that the she-dragon was rounding them up.

His opponent out weighed him in the battle, and Lucas knew if he didn’t figure out something fast, he’d be in trouble.  Sighting a risky move, Lucas took it, lunging swiftly to the other man’s left and leaving himself open to an easy death.  Realizing the move, the felon dodged swiftly to the side and slashed out.

Lucas fell to the ground.  Blood ran from a deep wound on the side of his skull.  Before the man could throw the killing blow, an insane shriek pierced the ears of all who could still hear.  Koleo’s talons dug straight through the man’s chest, causing crimson blood to run in long rivers down his body and over her claws that stuck out through the other side.  Wide eyes blinked.  Pulling her claws from the dead man, Koleo called a cry of known vengeance that echoed across the meadow.

CHAPTER III

Whispered voiced drug Lucas out of the peaceful, painless darkness of his subconscious.  A groan escaped through his dry and cracked lips as he put a hand to his throbbing head.  With an exclamation, Kethry pushed him back down onto the bed.

“Whoa, there.  I don’t think it’d be too wise for you to sit up yet.  The blow you got is sure to make your head spin for a couple days yet.  Here, drink some of this and lay still.”

Cool water slid onto his tongue, and he gulped the fluid eagerly.  After taking the glass from his mouth, Kethry spoke,

“If it wasn’t for Koleo, you would’ve died out there.”  She laughed softly, “It took us a while to get that she-dragon to let go of you, and she didn’t want to leave your side.  So now we have a troubled two ton animal crowding our courtyard.”

With that remark, Koleo’s head popped through the window.  She began almost frantically checking Lucas for signs of pain or death.  Lucas reached a hand out to the dragon.

It’s okay love.  I’m all right.  But the doc says I’ll have to stay in bed for a while.  Koleo crooned in reply.  Okay now, get your big head out of hear and let me get some rest.

The head disappeared through the window, but the she-dragon didn’t leave the courtyard.  She curled up like a giant dog underneath his windowsill.  Lucas could just see her blackish back ridges.  He smiled in contentment and fell asleep.

“Lucas!”  Kethry snarled.  “Didn’t I say it’d be a couple days before you’re to get up and walk about.  I hope you break your neck!”

He laughed inwardly at Kethry’s protective ranting.  She’d been on his tail ever since she’d caught him trying to sneak out before.  But this time Lucas wasn’t going back to his bed.  There was an irritable she-dragon lying in the courtyard that hadn’t been out to hunt in weeks.

Koleo’s silvery-blue tail came into sight as he stepped onto the last step.  At the moment she was terrorizing an old baker who had happened to walk by.  The man did his best from dropping the pile of bread balanced on a board.  Usually the creature wasn’t so nasty toward the people of the Keep, but with Lucas in recover and her not eating for so long, she’d become fairly ornery.

Lucas laughed as the man tried to sliver past her shoulder as she became interested in a little boy who had just com out of his house with a fat desert hog in tow.  Koleo, with a practiced swipe of her claw, trapped the little man by the castle wall.

Laughing aloud, Lucas spoke to the dragon,

Now aren’t we being a naughty little creature!  Come now, don’t you think I might be a tad jealous seeing you with another man?

Koleo promptly left the baker and surged toward Lucas, all the while purring her happiness and reassurance.  With the dragon’s neck wrapped around his body, he began to lovingly stroke her back, enjoying the oddly soft feeling of dragon scales.  Noticing how the baker had high-tailed it to safety, Lucas spoke to Koleo,

Go now hunt.  You might just get kicked out of this Keep for harassing the people like you do!  Besides, I haven’t seen you with any of your dragon friends in ages!  The dragon snorted in detest, then spread her wings and took to the skies.  That’s a girl!  I’ll be all right until you get back, don’t worry!

“She’s been quite a handful since you came back her all bruised up like that,” replied a voice.

“Mmmm.  I’m not really surprised, Grant, not at all.  She’s been by my side since she hatched.  Though, I will say…I was a bit more then bruised,” Lucas paused.  “What of the man?”

Grant jeered, “That she-dragon stuck her talons right through him!  The rest she burned alive!  I just hope that taste of man-killing hasn’t gone to her head…”

“Yeah, I know what you mean.”

Lucas started for the steps and Grant caught him from falling, “Thanks, brother.”

Cries of hatching dragons echoed through the caves.  Koleo’s head came up alertly.  Here was where she needed to be.  But Lucas was calling her.  Confused, the she-dragon began pacing, unsure as of what to do.  When another cry came, maternal instincts took over, and she lunged into the caves.

It was dark and cool inside, and as Koleo passed one cavern after another, the cries of her own became louder.  Sighting a pair of glowing blue eyes, the she-dragon spit a ball of Fire in front of her for a better look.  A tiny dragon peered back at her through the den; it was no bigger then an adult cat.  Koleo purred a welcome at the creature, and with a shriek of his own, the hatchling lunged forward.

After their brother’s daring feat, the other hatchlings came out of hiding one by one.  First a black with blue under-wings, eyes, and back ridges; then a green with bronze under-wings, back ridges and green eyes; a silver-blue like her mother was last, but instead of white eyes, she had black.  The first hatchling to approach its mother was black with silver molting all over its hide.   He spread his wings proudly and showed his silver under-wings to match his back ridges.

            Koleo hummed her satisfaction before lying down among her hatchlings.  Seeing the relaxed state of their mother, the babies began romping about, tumbling over the she-dragon as she dozed.

            After promising to return with food, Koleo headed back into the desert sun.  There were mouths to feed, and she’d have to hunt for tem the next couple of weeks until they got a bit stronger.  Hearing a faint rusting behind her, the dragon turned to see the bold molted silver hatchling following her.  Koleo hissed angrily before chasing him back to the safety of their den.

            “I don’t know what’s happened to her.  This has never happened before!  It’s been almost two full moons since she’s disappeared.  But it’s not even that, it’s the fact that she’s always come when I called before!”  Lucas cried as he paced around the west-wing study, again conversing with his older brother.

            “Calm down, man.  She is an adult dragon.  Maybe she’s found somewhere new to stay…”

            “No!” Lucas shouted.  “She wouldn’t have just LEFT!  Maybe she’s hurt…I’ll go after her…”

Grant placed a restraining hand on his younger brother.  “No, Lucas.  You’re still not totally mended from your last event involving dragons.  Kethry will have my hide as well as yours if you run off!”

            Glaring coldly, Lucas spoke, “Since when does a WOMEN have rule over me?  Koleo might be DIEING!”

            Before Grant could put in another word, Lucas an for his room.  He quickly shoved necessities into a saddle bad, checking and rechecking his weapons.  Also slipping a packet o Kethry’s painkiller tea into the bag, Lucas began to plan his way of route.  He decided to head in the direction of the hatching caves.  Many dragons would be there, and hopefully they might know where his she-dragon was.

            At the stables, Lucas found his raven war steed calmly grazing in a paddock that linked to his stall.  Whistling the two-tone signal, Lucas approached the animal as only he could.  The war steed was trained to only come to their masters; that way, in a battle, no enemy could mount their horses.

            Standing patiently while Lucas buckled the combat harness into place, the war steed, Citadel, arched his neck and nickered softly.  Lucas strapped his spare weapons securely onto the combat harness and then mounted up.  He started out of the courtyard, only to be stopped by another war steed blocking his path.

            “I won’t let you go by yourself.”

            “Fine,” was the only reply supplied.

            “Okay then, were we going?”

            “To the hatching caves.”

            Grant followed Lucas out of the Keep, the urged Hydra to keep pace with Citadel.  The pair rode in silence.  Finally, Grant broke the hush,

            “Are you mad at me coming?”

            “No.”

            “Then why are you acting like you are?” he questioned.

            “I’m not!”  claimed Lucas.

            “Yes, your are.”

            Lucas sighed, “Sorry brother.  It just that I’m worried about Koleo.  What if one of those poachers got a hold of her and they’re selling her hide as we speak.”

            “I doubt that, Lucas.”

            Bending his neck to the side, the molted silver hatchling looked questionably at his dam.  Again, Koleo demonstrated for the four how to spread their wings and fly.  All four mimicked her, but didn’t take flight.  She purred encouragement.

            Koleo!  Where are you?  A faint remark drifted through her mind.  Koleo?  I hope you’re all right.

            The she-dragon cried out in delight.  Chasing the hatchlings back into the den, Koleo clicked and whistled cheerfully.  She gently rubbed each of the younglings to reassure them, and then took to the skies to find the voice that was plaguing her mind.

            The war steeds became restless first, pulling at the bit and snorting every so often.  Then the faint beating of dragon’s wings came into hearing.  Hauling back on Citadel’s reins, Lucas listened intently.  He squinted his eyes in the direction of the sound and glimpsed a silvery-blue shape.

            With a wild yell, Lucas kicked his war steed toward Koleo.  Seeing him, the she-dragon did much of the same, gliding down to land in front of the fear-struck war steed.  Lucas leapt off the horse and handed over the reins to Grant, who immediately tried to calm the frightened horse.

            Oh, Koleo!  I though you dead for sure!  I’ve been calling for you for ages, but no answer!  Where have you been, old girl, where have you been?  Koleo wailed her exuberance with a loud call and snuffled Lucas happily.

            Curving her head around Lucas, she invited him up onto her back.  He grinned joyfully and leapt up in front of her wings.  Seeing this, Grant called out,

            “What am I to do?”

            Laughing, Lucas replied, “Follow us.”

            Leaping into the sky, the she-dragon led the war steeds toward the hatching caves, all the while purring her love to Lucas.  Slowly, as if not to startle anything, Koleo landed outside the cave mouth.  Lucas slid off her and searched for his brother.  Spying him on foot, he asked,

            “Where are the horses?”

            “Had to leave them,” insisted Grant.  “Tied ‘em to a few desert woods; they’ll be okay.”

            Grinning, Lucas spoke, “Those animals may be perfect for war, but they scare at the first scent of dragon.”  Koleo nudged Lucas toward the dark cave.  “I guess she wants us to go in.”

            Trusting the she-dragon’s sense, Lucas gripped his brother’s shoulder and placed his other hand on Koleo’s neck.  They followed blindly until the beast stopped in front of one of the numerous den openings.

            Koleo spit a ball of Fire.  Four pairs of eyes stared back at the men through the darkness of the den.  The she-dragon purred lovingly at the eyes.  Singing, four hatchlings of different colors bounded toward their dam.  Lucas stared in wonder as Koleo rubbed each of them in return, then ushered them back inside the safety of her den.

            “By the Goddess!  She’s been hiding four younglings!” exclaimed Grant, watching in wonder as one of them sniffed at his boot cautiously.  With a sneeze, he high tailed it back to his mother to hide behind her slender tail.

            They’re beautiful.  Lucas said to the glowing dragon.  They’re perfect.

            Lucas stepped closer to the she-dragon and reached out a loving hand.  With an angry cry, the molted silver hatchling launched him self at the out stretched hand.  He yelped and quickly snatched back his hand.

            Letting out a mighty roar, Koleo cuffed the brazen hatchling angrily.  She continued to scold him as Lucas got onto his knees.  He reached out a hand to the molted silver, who stuck his nose up in the air haughtily.  Lucas laughed loudly, and stood up,

            “He’s a defiant little bugger, isn’t he?”

            “Uh-huh,” Grant answered, stroking the silvery-blue hatchling.  “This one’s much like her mother.  Same coloring.  She’s beautiful.”

            As if she knew what the man was saying, the dragon preened happily for him, arching her neck and flapping her tiny wings.  Lucas looked over the hatchlings.  All were different in color, but with the sleek long neck and the curving strong claws of their dam.  All but the molted silver had their mother’s delicately built face; he had a distinctive crest that went from eye ridge to the tip of his tail that made him look more unruly.

            “Who do you think Sired them?”  Questioned Grant, carefully picking up the only female of the batch.  Her silvery-blue hide shimmered in the she-dragon’s Fire light, and with a quick flick of her tongue, the tiny creature licked his face.  Laughing a loud, Grant spoke again, “I rather like this one!  She’s darling!”           

            Lucas smiled and touched his brother’s arm.  “I think she likes you as much!  You can name her if you want.”

            Holding the little dragon up in the Air, Grant named her pleasingly,  “Ally.  Her name’s to be Ally.”  Lucas’s eyes widened in surprise,  “My wife would have liked it.”

CHAPTER IV

            Peeking out from behind Grant’s leg, the six-month-old Ally squeaked at her older brothers.  They were playing a rough game of tag; a little too rough for the smaller hatchling.  Laughing happily, Grant kneeled down to the dragon’s level.  She’d grown quit a bit since she first bounded with him, when standing her head reached his ribcage.  But, all the hatchlings had grown in the past five months.

            “My poor little Ally,” he said, laughing as the youngling’s black eyes blinked at him inquiringly.  “Come on you three, that’s enough.”  Ignoring the man’s shooing motion, the silver-molted dragon reached out to grab his sister’s tail.

            Tagonis, enough!  The two sharp words stopped him from yanking Ally away from Grant.  The hatchling swung his head around to stare at the dark figure standing beside his dam.  Letting out an irritated shriek, he turned away from the other dragon and walked toward Lucas.  If she doesn’t want to play, leave her be, Lucas finished.  Tagonis snorted in disgust.

            Flapping his wings, he infuriated hatchling took to the skies but Koleo bellowed a cutting call, and halted the dragon’s tantrum.  Instead, the eldest hatchling went to his brothers, Trinket and Coal, who were watching the proceeding from a perch on a large tree in the middle of the courtyard.

            The three hatchlings began chattering wildly from their tree.  Ally walked close to Grant’s side as he went to his brother.  Regal and cunning, Koleo stooped low to allow Lucas an easier mount.

            “Where are you going now?”

            “Just a usual check of the terrain,” Lucas answered.

            “You be careful, brother,” Grant said, slapping his back.  “Don’t forget Taylor’s birthday!”

            “I’ll be careful and be back in time for dinner,” he grinned.

            Lucas scanned the ground below him atop Koleo.