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“No. A friend of hers.”
“They made you a captive.”
“Yes. Less than I deserved. I’ve carried this with me, told myself I was young and frightened. Deep down, I know I chose myself over my parents.”
They regarded each other in silence.
“AuRon, I don’t think dragons can survive by isolation and hiding. It just gives our enemies more time to increase and organize.”
“We will organize too.”
“We can’t even keep our flocks intact,” Natasatch said.
“That’s not important. If we were threatened—We’d make this place a name of dread and terror. Boats burn easily. I’ve seen it.”
“Yes, we may last long on this cold, foggy island. But eventually we’ll be a crowded, sick isle full of thin-scaled dragons eating seal-blubber and fish.”
“Difficulties that can be overcome. Why could we not fashion tools and mine as the dwarves do? Are our limbs weaker, our brains smaller?”
“Our bodies are bigger. We would have to engineer tunnels tall and wide.”
“If we fight for one set of humans, we’ll just make enemies of the other set.”
“Better than both allying against us.”
“You’re too clever,” he said.
“You’re too cautious. Even a few dragons may make a difference. You told me an old friend was in trouble. Can we not help him?”
“A few dragons wouldn’t help him. I’ve seen the fliers who hunt him. They’re a match for a dragon.”
“All the more reason to fight now. Will not these fliers be just as much a match for us tomorrow?
“I think,” Natasatch said, “this has gone beyond reason. You’re worried that your brother may be on to something. Is it his success that troubles you?”
AuRon felt his firebladder pulse. He’d never felt like biting his mate in his whole life until now. The impulse shamed him. “Whatever he has planned, it’s not for our benefit, or that of dragons. There is no interest but his own in these doings.”
They watched the dragonelles stomp and roar as they talked to the courier.
The young dragonelle took off. Three others joined her, one of the isle’s altered males.
“Coming, AuRon?” Ouistrela called. “We’re off to inaugurate this ‘age of fire.’ A new age of dragons! Battle screams and horseflesh as far as the eye can see!”
“Will you go?” Natasatch said.
“I haven’t decided.”
“Every moment could be important.”
“If you don’t go, I will.”
“What about the hatchlings?”
“You and your sister were fending for yourselves by this point. Not all of our kind are leaving. There are dragons on this island hoping some men would land for a change of diet. I expect they’ll survive. Just as well. The sheep will be lambing soon and they could use a break.”
AuRon read the resolution in her eyes. “Well, if we’re going to get involved in this war, we might as well do so with some force. I will join you.”
“Let us go, too, Father!” the hatchlings clamored in various iterations.
