AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I will do as you demand.”
“You and your friends will find us generous hosts. There is nothing to fear from the Lavadome, relations between our two societies are of long-standing.”
“I hope that proves true,” Wistala said.
“The rule of Scabia is not to be trifled with.”
* * *
There was nothing to do but get it over with. If it had to be done, it might as well be done quickly. Her Copper brother was making himself miserable, and AuRon lay in his loft and slept like a jungle snake with a deer in it.
But they roused themselves to attend her “mating.”
Scabia even managed to climb a little spit of land that looked out on the unusually misty lake. Blue clouds high above looked like a stormy sea.
“Wistala,” NaStirath said. “Don’t look so down-at-hearts. Think of it as a silly game, to please your relatives. You may not admit it, but you’re a sprig of the great tree Scabia tends, in her way.”
She took one long, last look at DharSii. If ever a dragon looked miserable enough to drop scale, it was he.
“I don’t suppose I get a song,” Wistala said.
Scabia snorted. “Don’t be ridiculous. You’re not his mate, my offspring is.”
“Well, off with it, you two,” Scabia said. “I’ve waited long enough for some eggs in this cavern.”
DharSii, evidently unable to watch the rest of the ceremony, moved off in the direction of the lake.
“Don’t stand there twitching like a thunderstruck rabbit,” Scabia said. “Into the air. I’ll be watching, remember.”
“Oh please, must you?”
The Copper spoke at last. “Scabia, if my sister has agreed to… to create some eggs with NaStirath, she’ll do it. Save her the embarrassment of knowing she’s being watched from the ground.”
“Oh-h-h, once upon a time all the hominids of the world read their augurs whenever dragons mated.”
“Let them have their privacy,” the Copper said. “I’ve been on the receiving end of such curious stares. I didn’t care for it.”
“I’ll see that you get your eggs,” Wistala said. “I don’t want us watched.”
“Oh, very well,” Scabia said, darting suspicious glances at the siblings. “I suppose I can trust you to see this through, NaStirath?”
“The sooner it’s over, the better,” NaStirath said. “Not that anyone asked my opinion, but I don’t care to be watched either.”
“When you start having sensible opinions, I’ll start asking for them,” Scabia said. “Well, get on with the matter. I must go to my offspring.”
DharSii was lost in the mists coming off the lake. AuRon and RuGaard both dropped their heads in bows that were meant to be both grateful and encouraging, she imagined. Odd that their gestures were so alike, with decades of different experiences behind them.
“Flying is not my favorite pastime,” NaStirath said. “I hope you don’t expect me to perform up where the air’s too thin.”
“Be assured, I’ll fly gently,” Wistala said.
“I’m no more looking forward to this than you are,” NaStirath said. “I live here on Scabia’s charity as well, you know. Though mine comes in dearer coin, being mated to her insipid daughter.”
Wistala let loose a deep breath. It won’t be so bad. A battle is worse, and you’ve survived many of those. A brief embrace, a fall—
That’s an idea. Don’t open your wings again.
No, my brothers need a refuge.
