Huroth’s chest constricted with fear, as they sped over the moonlit Nysa River. The distance was too far. Even pushing themselves to the limit, it would take the dragons a full day and a half to reach their home.
Dragonvale was designed to be easily defended. A few could hold it against many, but trolkin were fearsome foes. How long would Abeah, Tirza, Harith, and Thalos be able to manage against them? What if Huroth and the others returned to find their clan members slaughtered?
The five dragons flew through the night and into the next day, with barely a break for water or food. They drove themselves to the edge of endurance. Rest was a luxury they couldn’t afford. Not when clan lives depended upon them.
When Huroth and his warriors finally arrived at Dragonvale, they found four dead trolkin by the lower entrance. Their hulking stone-like bodies were covered in scorch marks and scratches. Each had been killed by dragon jaws crushing their throat, one of the few means of finishing off trolkin. They were a terribly strong and fire resistant race…difficult enemies for dragons.
Abeah, Tirza, Harith, and Thalos, were all found to be alive, though none had escaped injury. Baby Valla was unscathed, having been safely hidden away during the fighting. In addition to this good news, there was an even greater surprise.
During the attack, an unfamiliar she-dragon had appeared to help fend off the trolkin. Her name was Okii, and she was welcomed with much enthusiasm. She was stocky and dark red, with so many spikes covering her scaly body they resembled the plumage of a bird.
Huroth had many questions for her, though she couldn’t answer all of them. Like the clan dragons, she couldn’t remember much of what happened before her enchantment. Like them, she had woken from a long slumber to find herself imprisoned in ice. In her case, there was no human mage with a magic staff to liberate her.
Okii had spent what seemed an eternity waiting for the ice to melt. When at last she was able to break free, she went searching for her kin. The dragon city was nothing but ruins, so she continued hunting elsewhere. Farther south, in the Drake’s Teeth Range, she’d spotted a group of four trolkin. She followed them, from a safe distance, as they traveled north. And so she had been present to help defend Dragonvale.
Her joy at having found other dragons was palpable, especially when Huroth and his warriors arrived. Okii didn’t hide her pleasure at being the center of attention, with so many virile males around. She flirted shamelessly, sizing them each up, knowing she had the luxury of choice.
From what she told him, Huroth guessed the trolkin had been frozen by the same sorcery as the dragons. That would explain why none had been seen previously. Like Okii, they were trapped, waiting for the ice to melt.
He wondered what kind of entity could work magic of that magnitude, and what had they hoped to gain from it? The centuries of freedom from trolkin and dragons had certainly benefited humans. But were there any human sorcerers capable of such a spell? Huroth had more questions than answers, and that made him uneasy.
****
“It turns out, I was right,” Abeah said, smirking. “I knew there had to be other dragons in the world. Okii is only the first. We will find more.”
“I hope so,” Huroth responded, tolerating her gloating with good humor. It was undeniably lucky that another she-dragon had joined them. The more the better.
Everyone had gathered in the hall for a communal meal. The chamber was spacious enough for several times their number, the long stone table carved into a three sided U, open at one end, nearest the large fireplace. Currently no extra heat or lighting was needed, as afternoon sun poured in the windows on the hall’s south side.
It was their first meal, all together, in many days. Even Thalos had been willing to take eldrin form, in order to join them. Normally he stayed in drake form, keeping to the higher caves, but this was a special occasion.
Though no one in the clan was unaffected by Greylor’s death, dragons were not prone to dwelling on grief. Once the funeral rites were done, they moved on, ready to embrace a new day. They believed in living in the moment and making the most of what they had, rather than pining for what was lost. There was certainly much to be grateful for.
Huroth watched Okii with interest, noticing that she favored Tallok, Tirza’s grandson. That would be a fine match, as Tallok was an excellent dragon in every way. As a frosty blue drake, he was a lethal fighter, having done much to win them the battle with Keska. More than that, he was an intelligent and sensible individual, who contemplated all sides of an issue before forming an opinion.
Huroth was considering offering him the position of second in command, now that Greylor was gone. It pleased him think that Tallok might pass down his traits to offspring. That would benefit the clan.
“Father,” Harith said, coming to sit next to Huroth. “Did Thalos tell you how I killed a trolkin?” There was a glow of pride in the lad’s dark eyes.
“I’ve not heard details of the fight,” Huroth said, inwardly astounded to learn his son had slain a trolkin.
“He did as he says,” Thalos confirmed, his voice gruff but approving. “I saw it with my own eyes. Launched himself at a full-grown trolkin, he did, and got the better of it. He’s going to be a hell of a warrior when he hits his prime.”
Harith beamed at the praise then looked to his father for a reaction.
“An impressive feat for one so young,” Huroth said carefully, not wanting to swell his son’s head. “However, it was reckless. You could have easily been killed, and you must remember, you’re the future of the clan.”
“If trolkin took Dragonvale, our clan wouldn’t have a future,” Harith retorted. “I did what I had to. Can’t you just be pleased?”
“The lad’s right,” Thord interjected, his voice bitter. “We left our she-dragons and young undefended. The results could have been disastrous.”
“But they weren’t,” Tirza said, tilting her grizzled head. “Things worked out well enough.” She reached over and gave Thord a pat on the shoulder, but he shrugged her off.
“Losing my elder brother hardly counts as things working out,” he replied caustically. “Greylor died for nothing, and you all act as if the world is rosy. It makes me sick!” He shoved his plate of food away, glowering.
“Greylor didn’t give his life in vain,” Huroth stated firmly. “He knew the importance of maintaining good relations with Rhelaun, even if it comes at a cost.”
“We don’t need the humans,” Abeah said, for what seemed like the hundredth time.
“Yes we do,” Huroth growled. “If we learned nothing else from the battle with Keska, it’s that humans can be dangerous to us. We are few in number. We need allies, and we need mates.”
“And you think that puff-pastry of a princess is worthy of your son?” Abeah countered.
“Magic runs in her family.”
“Does she carry any of it?”
“That remains to be seen,” Huroth answered. “Her cousin, Orwenna, is remarkably gifted. She healed my arrow wound, in a matter of minutes.”
“Then why doesn’t Harith take her, instead?” Abeah demanded.
“Because...I’m going to.” Huroth hadn’t intended to make the announcement this way, but the words slipped out. He could see surprise in the other dragons’ eyes.
“Now I understand,” Thord snarled. The braids in his blonde hair and beard swayed, as he pushed himself up from the table. He leaned forward, pointing an accusing finger at Huroth. “You put us through all this, cost my brother his life, just so you could get in the skirts of some human wench.”
“Watch yourself,” Huroth warned, standing up. The two dragons faced each other across the table. They were matched in height and muscle, but not in confidence or bearing. Thord took a step back, not ready to fully challenge his chieftain.
“I’m not the only one unhappy with your choices,” Thord muttered, glancing down the length of the table.
“I’m well aware of how Thalos and Abeah feel,” Huroth said, his eyes as sharp and cold as ice shards.
“Nelek too,” Thord ventured to say, taking another step back.
Huroth turned his chill gaze on Nelek, who shifted uncomfortably in his place.
“Do you have a complaint?” Huroth asked bluntly. It disturbed him to think his support was eroding. He’d always done his best to be a fair and effective leader. Surely his interest in Wen wouldn’t spark a mutiny.
“Not exactly a complaint,” Nelek answered, shooting Thord an irritated look. Nelek was smaller than either incensed dragon, and he clearly didn’t want to be dragged into their disagreement.
“I just don’t think humans are the answer for us,” he said, unable to meet Huroth’s gaze. “I don’t want anyone else going through what I did...losing Brienna and our baby. I’d have been better off without any mate, rather than taking a human girl.”
“It was an unfortunate tragedy,” Huroth said, the aggravation easing from his voice. “But things like that happen, to dragons as well as humans. I don’t think we should jump to conclusions, because of one incident. There have been dragon-human unions in the past, where the mother and offspring thrived. Aurek himself was said to have sired a half-dragon daughter.”
“Those are just tales,” Abeah objected.
“Tales we live by,” Tirza snapped, frowning at the young she-dragon. “Are you questioning Aurek’s example…he who was the greatest of our kind? Are you that arrogant?”
Abeah clamped her mouth shut and stared at the table.
“I believe humans hold the key to our survival,” Huroth said. “Whether or not you agree with me, you can’t deny that we must deal with them. They populate the land around our mountains in the thousands. With Okki, there are still only eleven of us.”
“We would be twelve, if Greylor was alive,” Thord said, harshly. “How many more of us have to die, before you admit you’re wrong?”
“I mourn Greylor with you,” Huroth said solemnly. “He was an exceptional dragon and a good friend. I wish things happened differently, but in Oatha’s sight, all is as it is. We can’t change the past.
“Greylor joined me willingly in battle, as you each did. I thank you for your courage and loyalty. There may come a time when I lay down my life for the sake of clan. I’ll do so gladly, as each of you would. It’s part of who we are. It was as much a part of Greylor as his bones and scales. He wouldn’t want his death to divide us.”
“I’m with Huroth,” Rhourik said, rising from his seat at the end of the table. “We all miss Greylor, but he was a warrior. By Aurek’s blood, he knew the dangers, and he chose his path. We should honor him for that.”
Abeah rolled her eyes and turned her back on her husband.
“I agree,” Tallok said, also standing. “Huroth has my full support.”
Harith rose and stood beside his father, followed by Tirza, and finally Nelek.
“Thord, you’re outnumbered,” Tirza said. “Have the good sense to back down.”
“Agh! A plague on you all,” Thord cursed, and stomped from the hall.
Chapter Twelve
Huroth didn’t wait long before flying to Rhelaun. This time he took Harith with him, as he wanted Princess Ayelet to meet his son. They were still too young to wed, but it might relieve the girl’s fears if she got to know her future husband and saw he wasn’t a monster. Harith was a handsome lad, with a winning, open-hearted manner. It would be easy for her to love him.
When they arrived at Whiterock, King Elric welcomed them warmly, offering to host a banquet in celebration of their visit. Harith liked the idea, so Huroth left him to enjoy the court’s attention. For his own part, he was eager to see Wen.
The king seemed hesitant to discuss her. He explained that she’d gone home to rest, and showed Huroth a map, so he could find the estate. Beyond that he would say nothing.
****
It was mid-morning when Huroth arrived at Mirra Muir. The weather was fine, pleasantly warm with a light breeze blowing off the sea. Spring sunshine sparkled on Crescent Bay, and the fields were lush with new growth.
As Huroth circled lower, he saw two farm hands freeze and stare up at him, their eyes wide. Sheep ran bleating toward a patch of woods. An elderly shepherd hurried after them, whistling commands to his black and white dog. The animal streaked around the flock, trying to round them up.
The manor house was old but comfortable looking, as if it had settled into the land around it. A profusion of ivy cloaked the north side in deep green. To the east, a line of maples shaded the yard, their trunks and limbs gnarled, shaggy with moss and delicate ferns.
Huroth landed on the wide flagstone circle in front of the main entrance. He shifted to eldrin form and went to ring the bell. A small wizened woman, with black currant eyes, opened the door.
“You’ll be the dragon, then,” she said, craning her head back to take in his height.
“I am.” He gave her a quizzical look, surprised by her lack of awe. “Huroth, son of Huren, Chieftain of…”
“Yes. I know all about you. You’ve put my girl into quite a state, you have.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “I hope you’re planning on treating her well. She’s a treasure.”
“I assure you, I hold Orwenna in the highest esteem.”
“It’s good to hear you say that, though actions do speak louder than words.”
“May I know to whom I’m speaking?” he asked, quelling his irritation.
“My name is Tyna, and I’ve been watching out for Orwenna since she was a wee babe. I’m not about to stop now, dragon or no dragon.”
“She’s lucky to have you.” Huroth smiled at the old woman, hoping to win her over. “Would you please tell her I’m here?”
“She’s in the library.” Tyna stepped to the side so he could enter the house. “I’ll show you.”
“Thank you.”
As they walked down the hallway, Huroth saw a young girl, in a maid’s cap and brown curls, peeking around the corner. She squeaked, retreating when he looked at her.
“That’ll be Biri,” Tyna said. “Don’t mind her.”
They stopped in front of an ornately carved oak door. Tyna knocked then pulled the door open a fraction of the way.
“Are you ready to see him?” she called.
“Yes. Send him in.” It was Wen’s voice, but she sounded oddly reluctant. Huroth stepped around the door, ducking to avoid hitting his head on the frame.