dragons breath 01 - stalked by flames (20 page)

“Maybe we can convince him to let a cat in later to balance out the animal population,” I suggested. “We can argue they keep the mice away.”

She sighed. “I already tried that, but he says until he sees a mouse problem he’s not going for it.”

“Figures.”

Justin addressed the crowd, most of whom were still eyeing the dog. “If there’s nothing else, you’re all free to leave. Let Danae know if you’re willing to help with the trench project. Those who do will get extra rations.”

People started filtering out of the room.

“So what do you think about leaving here?” Trish asked. “Should we stay or move?”

I shrugged. “This is still a good location, but if we find someplace better, I’d be fine with that, too.”

“I want to stay.” She sighed.

“Then you better go help with that trench.” I bumped her in the shoulder.

“Me, digging? I don’t think so.”

Chapter 20

Aidan

Aidan made his way through the great hall. It was a massive room filled with chairs and tables carved from stone on one side and a large open space at the other. At night, they lit torches, placing them at regular intervals along the walls. For the moment, it was late afternoon and the high windows provided all the light they needed.

Most of the time dozens of clan members gathered there to socialize or hold meetings. On Judgments Day, it filled to capacity. The pendragon held it once a month to rule on criminal and civil matters. More often than not, it ended with a body or two taken away and spilled blood on the floor. It was a miracle the stone wasn’t stained red.

Aidan stepped outside to a crowded courtyard filled with dragons in human form. It took a moment to adjust his eyes to the brightness of the sunlight. A few children ran by almost knocking him down in their race to find treasures that had been hidden around the fortress that morning. Humans carried jugs filled with alefire—a favored drink among his clan. They replenished the mugs of anyone who thrust theirs out.

The largest open space in the keep was directly in front of the castle where he stood. To prevent any attacking dragons from landing there, stone obelisks with spikes protruding from them were spaced out from one end of the castle to the other. It made it easy enough to move around them on foot while discouraging flight. Between the obelisks, humans tended fire pits where they roasted cows, pigs, deer, and other animals the clan’s hunters had captured over the last few days.

The meat would have to feed nearly seven hundred clan members who’d come and go well into the night. There wasn’t enough room for them to visit all at once. Between dragon folk and humans, there must have already been two hundred people crowded in the courtyard. Aidan would have to fight his way to the fire pits.

“I was beginning to think you’d skipped the celebration,” Phoebe said, walking up to him. “You’re late.”

He glanced at his sister. She'd let her long, wavy black hair fall freely down her back and put on a low-cut, red camrium tunic that hugged her figure like a glove. He half-expected to find a pack of eager dragons trailing at her heels, but she appeared to have come alone.

“And this surprises you?” he asked.

Amusement glinted in her yellow eyes. “Not really, but Zoran has been complaining about your absence to father.”

“I’m certain he has.”

She moved to stand at his side and gazed at all the revelers. “I’ve never seen the clan this happy.”

“They’re celebrating our return to Earth. Of course, they’re pleased.”

“Hmmm.” She passed her mug over to him. “Then drink and join them.”

He took a swig, enjoying the burn as it went down his throat. Alefire was thick and potent with a spicy aftertaste. He could feel it settling in his stomach, warming him inside. No one who wished to think clearly or stand without assistance consumed more than two mugs. The last time he’d overindulged he’d awakened on the fortress wall with one leg dangling over the side. He handed the drink back to her.

“I’ll see you later, sister,” he said, clasping her arm before he left.

The scent of roasted meat called to Aidan. In all his life, he’d never seen this much available for consumption at one time. He pulled his dagger from his belt and walked up to a fire pit with a cow suspended over it. Much of the belly was already gone, but he was able to carve away pieces from the haunches and ribs. He chewed, savoring the flavor.

“You’ve come after all,” Zoran said, walking up behind him.

Aidan refrained from growling, but his inner beast did enough for both of them inside his head. It was just like his eldest brother to interrupt him during a perfectly fine meal. He carved off another bite and finished chewing before turning around.

“I’ve been here for a while now,” he lied.

Zoran snorted, letting out a billow of steam. “I’m sure you have. Father has been looking for you.”

“Why?”

“The contests are about to begin. He wants his sons to fight first.” Zoran’s eyes gleamed. “Especially since you proved yourself so well during the attack a few days ago.”

Aidan tensed. He’d hoped his brother wouldn’t find out about that, but had suspected some of the guards might spread the story. Perhaps Zoran would think it a fluke.

“I should go out on patrol. Some of us need to keep an eye on things while others enjoy the celebration.” That excuse had worked more than once for Aidan when these contests occurred. Though, usually he ended up in his room with a female shape-shifter.

“Not this time, brother.” Zoran put an arm over Aidan’s shoulders and guided him along. “We can’t have our great savior missing a chance to show his battle prowess.”

This was Zoran’s doing. He must have impressed it on their father that Aidan should participate.

“Who is fighting whom?” Aidan asked.

They passed through the front gates and onto the open fields surrounding the fortress walls. The grass was beginning to wither out there due to the lack of rain, contrasting with their gray stone walls.

“I’ll be fighting Ruari first. You’ll go after that.”

Aidan clenched his teeth. “With who?”

“You’ll see.” Zoran gave him a self-satisfied look.

They reached the edge of the onlookers and his brother left him, heading for the field. Ruari was already out there waiting. Zoran took his position about one hundred paces away. The pendragon came to stand in the space between them.

“In celebration of our return to Earth I’ve called for a contest,” he called, loud enough for everyone to hear. “My two eldest sons, Zoran and Ruari, will go first.”

Cheers went up through the crowd. This was the first time the pendragon had ever allowed his sons to fight each other in a contest. Usually, they took on opponents from outside their immediate family. No one from the clan would want to miss this match. Even Aidan was curious how it would go. Zoran was large and strong, but Ruari had cunning on his side. It would be an interesting fight.

“Zoran, as the eldest, you choose which form to take for battle.” the pendragon said. It was a contest rule that the older of the two opponents always got to decide, regardless of rank or station.

He dipped his chin. “Dragon.”

Excitement rose in the crowd.

“Very well. Prepare yourselves.”

Ruari’s face was a granite mask. He couldn’t have been happy with his brother’s selection even if it was the most common. It was much easier to use cunning and trickery in a human body. He wasn’t as well practiced in his dragon form.

The brothers released their fire, allowing it to engulf their bodies. In less than a minute, they reappeared as red dragons. Ruari had silver tips on his scales and Zoran had black. The elder brother was larger and more heavily muscled with thicker horns on his head. He snorted and huffed, scraping at the ground with his claws. Ruari stood on all four legs, perfectly still. He was no doubt concocting some sort of a battle plan.

The pendragon glanced between them and raised his arms. When he dropped them, a roar of fire came from his mouth. It was louder than thunder and echoed off the mountains behind him. His flames extended so far they nearly reached the spectators—not an easy thing to do in human form. It was the traditional sign to charge into battle.

As soon as the pendragon left the field, the brothers charged forward, shaking the ground with their heavy steps. Dirt and grass flew up behind them. They collided, teeth and claws cutting through the air as they fought for the best position.

Aidan wasn’t certain who he wished to win. They were both thorns in his side. Rather than cheering them, he watched how each of his brothers moved. Though he’d watched them fight before, it never hurt to keep up with their latest strategies. Someday, he’d likely have to fight at least one of them.

Zoran swiped his claws across Ruari’s face, catching him on the soft tissue at the tip of his nose. It was hardly a mortal wound, but it would hurt enough to be a distraction. Ruari shook his head and pulled back a step. So far neither had come off the ground, exposing their bellies. A smart dragon wouldn’t unless forced into it.

A gleam came over Ruari’s eyes. In the next moment, he opened his jaw wide and let out a bellow of fire. While Zoran was blinded by it, Ruari spun around and swung his tail into his brother’s head. The spikes at the end caught in one of Zoran’s eyes. He bellowed in pain and backed up a few feet. Blood filled his right eye socket and dripped down his snout.

Smart. Ruari had limited his brother’s vision. He charged Zoran next, angling his jaw to chomp at his throat. A heartbeat from being struck the older brother ducked his head low to the ground. As Ruari stepped over him, Zoran dug his horns into his belly and lifted the younger dragon, sending him catapulting through the air.

Ruari landed on his back, flailing his legs wildly. Cheers rose up from the crowd. Zoran circled around and leaped onto his younger brother before he could get himself turned over. He scraped his claws along Ruari’s belly in a move no one could mistake for anything but a kill strike—if he dug deeper. As it was, the soft scales had deep gashes with blood oozing from them. Dragon claws were sharp as razors, but they could only penetrate easily at the center of the stomach.

“Finished!” the pendragon called out.

That had ended even faster than Aidan expected. He’d thought Zoran would win, but he had hoped Ruari would come up with something more creative to draw the battle out. In fact, he’d been certain of it. Had his brother lost the match so quickly on purpose?

Zoran marched off the field with his head held high and his tail swishing. It annoyed Aidan to see him that smug and arrogant. He was half tempted to go over and knock him down a peg or two. Give him a real battle. His inner dragon agreed.

“The next match will be between Falcon and Aidan,” the pendragon announced. “Take your positions.”

Aidan froze. Falcon was one of the strongest warriors in the clan—possibly the strongest. He’d had over five centuries to hone his battle skills. Even in contests among clan members, most of his opponents had to be carried away.

Falcon stepped onto the field, his light olive skin shining in the sun as if he’d already fought a battle or two and had the sweat to prove it. His brown hair was loose and curtained his face. He wore the same type of black pants and vest that Aidan did, but he filled his with larger muscles—ones that took centuries to develop. The shape-shifter was in his prime and a warrior that few had ever bested.

Winning against a lesser opponent wouldn’t have been a problem. Aidan could do that without drawing too much attention, but fighting someone with Falcon’s reputation? Whether he won or lost, this would be a bloody battle.

Chapter 21

Aidan

His mind raced as he considered the best course to take. He could feel the spectator’s eyes on him, boring into his back. Murmurs of doubt about his prowess mingled with skepticism that such a match should even take place. But above all else everyone wanted to know how long he would last against Falcon. Coin exchanged hands as they placed their bets.

Aidan had avoided most of these contests since he’d come of age at twenty-five. It had been important that no one know how well he could truly fight. During real battles, he’d always held back if he suspected others were watching. One more layer of protection while he plotted ways to ensure his long-term survival.

He stepped onto the field, taking measured steps toward the position where his father indicated. Aidan didn’t look at anyone and kept his face an emotionless mask. Whether he liked it or not, this battle would happen. And damn his dragon’s pride—he’d give them a good show.

“Falcon, do you choose dragon or human form for this battle?” Throm asked.

Aidan refrained from tightening his fists.

“Human.”

He almost growled. What was Falcon up to? Most contests were fought in dragon form—the same as real battles. Whispers spread across the crowd as they pondered the choice. Falcon had taken everyone by surprise.

It didn’t matter. Aidan and Donar practiced regularly away from the clan where no one could watch. Their skills were far greater than anyone knew. They’d also been out killing the occasional pure dragon with swords to assess strategies for Bailey’s training.

The pendragon nodded. “Very well. Prepare yourselves.”

Aidan pulled his sword from
shiggara,
feeling it take shape in his right hand. Falcon tied his hair back before producing his own blade. It had a jagged edge that could cut through dragon scales if angled just right.

They lifted their swords and positioned their feet, ready to advance once the pendragon gave the signal. Aidan caught Falcon’s gaze. There was no arrogance or mockery in the warrior’s eyes. He fought in these contests for the challenge and to keep his skills up. Falcon didn’t care about glory—only protecting his clan. Aidan respected him for that. His inner dragon, on the other hand, saw this as an opportunity to prove his prowess against a great fighter.