eyes did not deceive her. What detail they must be able to see, for draconic vision was vastly superior … but they already approached the northern lake shore, where Hualiama saw a Dragonship landing platform built into the slope above the lake. And Humans? She stared eagerly at these fabled denizens of the draconic realm, but found them no different in appearance to ordinary Fra’aniorians. Tall, bearded, blue of eye, these men could have been Islanders from anywhere in the Cluster.
She concentrated on making a smooth landing, despite the distraction of seeing Dragons everywhere, stretching and sunbathing, chuckling and smoking at the jaw, and growling with low sounds of indulgence as they lazed in pools of lava near at hand, or taking off from the dark cave-mouths dotting the cliffs above the lake with massive, air-cleaving strokes of their wings.
Had she once lived in this volcano, surrounded by the splendour of Dragon society?
Upon landing, an egg-heavy Grey Dragoness waddled over with a pompous air to question the Oranges about the Human’s arrival. The mention of Hualiama’s name set the Dragoness’ smoky, burnt-amber eyes ablaze. Dragonfriend? You clutch of empty-headed, chattering parakeets. This is the Dragon-slayer of Fra’anior, friend of the Tourmaline traitor!
Her? Emburion, Zaxxion and Hazzalion gasped in concert.
But there’s nothing to her, Zaxxion complained, ruffling his wings to express his annoyance. She’s a mite, not even a full-grown Human!
Foolish hatchling! the Grey Dragoness thundered, snapping at Zaxxion’s shoulder. With my own fire-eyes, I saw her cut out Jinthalior the Green’s fire-soul with those magical blades upon her back.
All three of the Orange Dragons took a reflexive step or wingbeat back from her. So, Dragons knew fear? At least one of Master Ga’athar’s strategies was accurate. She must turn this to her advantage, insofar as a Human could dream of manipulating Dragons–perhaps the most dangerous pursuit beneath the twin suns.
The Dragon Elders will speak with this creature? Flames licking out of his nostrils articulated Hazzalion’s exasperation.
Aye, said the Grey Dragoness. She stands upon Dragon soil, now.
And with that, Hualiama’s momentary bravado evaporated like a bucket of water tossed into one of their overheated lava pools. Meek was not how she needed to feel now. Mentally, Lia kicked any hint of timidity off the edge of the Island. She needed the fury of a Fra’aniorian thunderstorm. She willed Amaryllion’s fire to rage in her heart.
Raising her chin, Hualiama cast an imperious glare over the Dragons. “Where may I find the Dragon Elders, noble ones? I await instruction.”
Sapphurion shall instruct this quisling at the point of his fangs, snarled Zaxxion, tilting his muzzle so that his flame licked above Lia’s head. May we return to our duties, honoured Dragoness?
Go. The Grey sucked back her Dragon fire as she turned to the Human girl. “Follow me, Princess.”
Despite her egg-laden wobble, the Dragoness set a pace that forced Hualiama to trot in order to keep up. Lia scowled at her massive hindquarters. Subtle, these Dragons! She jogged up a trail leading to a wide cave entrance, guarded by four rugged Reds. Generally regarded as the largest of the Dragons, these Reds stood over twenty feet at the shoulder, and were evidently masters of the brawny ‘look-at-my-muscles’ posture Grandion had excelled at.
Pushing these flitting thoughts aside, Lia focussed on her mission. Ahead, she saw a Dragon-sized door leading to what she assumed was the Dragon Elders’ meeting-cave. To stand before metal doors over two hundred feet tall, she estimated, and twice as wide as that, was an experience she had never imagined. But the thundering and snarling which erupted within as she approached, was a further shock. At first Lia thought there was an all-claws-in Dragon battle inside. But then she heard Sapphurion’s roar thundering above the
She concentrated on making a smooth landing, despite the distraction of seeing Dragons everywhere, stretching and sunbathing, chuckling and smoking at the jaw, and growling with low sounds of indulgence as they lazed in pools of lava near at hand, or taking off from the dark cave-mouths dotting the cliffs above the lake with massive, air-cleaving strokes of their wings.
Had she once lived in this volcano, surrounded by the splendour of Dragon society?
Upon landing, an egg-heavy Grey Dragoness waddled over with a pompous air to question the Oranges about the Human’s arrival. The mention of Hualiama’s name set the Dragoness’ smoky, burnt-amber eyes ablaze. Dragonfriend? You clutch of empty-headed, chattering parakeets. This is the Dragon-slayer of Fra’anior, friend of the Tourmaline traitor!
Her? Emburion, Zaxxion and Hazzalion gasped in concert.
But there’s nothing to her, Zaxxion complained, ruffling his wings to express his annoyance. She’s a mite, not even a full-grown Human!
Foolish hatchling! the Grey Dragoness thundered, snapping at Zaxxion’s shoulder. With my own fire-eyes, I saw her cut out Jinthalior the Green’s fire-soul with those magical blades upon her back.
All three of the Orange Dragons took a reflexive step or wingbeat back from her. So, Dragons knew fear? At least one of Master Ga’athar’s strategies was accurate. She must turn this to her advantage, insofar as a Human could dream of manipulating Dragons–perhaps the most dangerous pursuit beneath the twin suns.
The Dragon Elders will speak with this creature? Flames licking out of his nostrils articulated Hazzalion’s exasperation.
Aye, said the Grey Dragoness. She stands upon Dragon soil, now.
And with that, Hualiama’s momentary bravado evaporated like a bucket of water tossed into one of their overheated lava pools. Meek was not how she needed to feel now. Mentally, Lia kicked any hint of timidity off the edge of the Island. She needed the fury of a Fra’aniorian thunderstorm. She willed Amaryllion’s fire to rage in her heart.
Raising her chin, Hualiama cast an imperious glare over the Dragons. “Where may I find the Dragon Elders, noble ones? I await instruction.”
Sapphurion shall instruct this quisling at the point of his fangs, snarled Zaxxion, tilting his muzzle so that his flame licked above Lia’s head. May we return to our duties, honoured Dragoness?
Go. The Grey sucked back her Dragon fire as she turned to the Human girl. “Follow me, Princess.”
Despite her egg-laden wobble, the Dragoness set a pace that forced Hualiama to trot in order to keep up. Lia scowled at her massive hindquarters. Subtle, these Dragons! She jogged up a trail leading to a wide cave entrance, guarded by four rugged Reds. Generally regarded as the largest of the Dragons, these Reds stood over twenty feet at the shoulder, and were evidently masters of the brawny ‘look-at-my-muscles’ posture Grandion had excelled at.
Pushing these flitting thoughts aside, Lia focussed on her mission. Ahead, she saw a Dragon-sized door leading to what she assumed was the Dragon Elders’ meeting-cave. To stand before metal doors over two hundred feet tall, she estimated, and twice as wide as that, was an experience she had never imagined. But the thundering and snarling which erupted within as she approached, was a further shock. At first Lia thought there was an all-claws-in Dragon battle inside. But then she heard Sapphurion’s roar thundering above the
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