by Marc Secchia
“Is that right?” Azerim mused.
“Plus, the Lumis Ocean is surpassingly beautiful seen from above,” he said airily. “The islands lie scattered like bright jewels upon a glittering turquoise tapestry. The tropical foliage is so lush, especially when it’s been dampened by a recent storm.”
“Sounds … amazing.”
“It truly is.”
“I wish I could see it.”
“Has your leg improved, do you feel, sire?”
“Doesn’t ache nearly as much as before,” he said. Ker-ting! The eyes narrowed. “It’s really quiet around here this afternoon, isn’t it, Dragon?”
“Almost too quiet,” he agreed.
Half a minute later, the royal bedsheets lay flat as two mischiefs absconded into the bright sky.
For the sake of his wounds, Dragon carried the King lying flat in his forepaws, cradled, in fact, like a young Dragon hatchling. His laughter was not like any hatchling, however. His genuinely overwhelmed reaction captured all that Dragon was starting to warm to in Azerim’s personality. He soaked in the experience so deeply and completely, it was impossible not to laugh with him, this man who had so easily stolen his Princess’ heart.
He took him on a long, stately circuit of the city.
After a long time, Azerim’s laughter stilled and he said, “I wanted to thank you for everything you’ve done for the Archipelago, Dragon, and on a more personal note, for Azania.”
“No need to thank me,” he said gruffly.
“No need to be so modest! I had no idea of all you’ve accomplished until I managed to winkle the full story out of Azania. Truly, we owe you our kingdom and very lives, and she tells me you’re still planning to do more. Speaking as a King, this is service beyond all expectation. Speaking as a man … well, let me put it this way. I realised while she was speaking that you share something together, something special and unique and profound, which despite my closeness to Aria Seaspray, we never even imagined. Yet, you were willing to risk all of that by bringing her here, to me.”
He was close to Aria? Intriguing, and also encouraging.
“Dragon, can I make a confession?”
“Confess away. Anything you say can and will be used against you – flagrantly.”
With an awkward chuckle, he said, “I’m sensing that despite our differences, we might feel somewhat the same. I am incredibly jealous of what you share with Azania. As in, seaweed green around the gills; nothing manly or noble about what’s churning about in my gut; chewing on my own tongue sort of jealous. It’s clear she thinks the world of you.”
“For my part, I’ve been trying very hard not to see you as a threat.”
“And how’s that going for you?”
“Badly.”
The admission surprised him. Dragon felt a sorry fool, but perhaps because Azerim had been the first to voice his jealousy, putting a label to his own feelings became that much easier. By his sire’s egg, they were not even the same species! Yet to trust another male with her protection, most especially of her heart? No easy matter. Especially considering how well he had been taught from early on to guard his own heart against an unrelenting siege from without.
All he wanted to do was to fly away over the horizon. However, he had chosen this route for his Princess’ sake. Now he must complete the course.
Quietly, he said, “My King, I am sorry to admit that I’m finding it very difficult to unclench my paw.”
“I … understand. That is why I want you to know, Dragon, that I care very deeply for Azania, and I plan to treat her … well, like a queen. Goes with saying, I believe.” Drawing a deep breath, he added, “And whatever choices we make regarding the future will include you, Dragon – that’s my promise to you, man to … uh, male to male. Otherwise, I face breaking her heart, and that I would never do. It might get pretty complicated, I guess, once we throw Aria into the mix?”
“I hope so.”
They shared a chuckle as the double meaning floated, all too obvious, between them.
“More on the Aria front than the complicated business,” Dragon explained, unnecessarily.
“I know. It’ll take trust, and I’m sorry, but trust is just one of those things in this world we can decide upon, but no matter what we’ve decided, it just takes time to grow deep, strong roots that will weather any storm.”
Wise. Dragon turned his words over in his mind.
“I can work with that.”
Azerim nodded. “Thank you. There isn’t really a great overarching plan yet, but I’m hoping that I might somehow be able to fly with you when you fly to Solixambria with the Dragonesses. Get to know you both better. Figure out if we can make this work, somehow. I mean, it isn’t even a relationship triangle. Those are easy compared to a relationship quadrangle. Four very different personalities and creatures in the mix.”
“Quite. A lot depends on how things go with Ariamyrielle,” Dragon replied. “I don’t know the dynamics here very well. Tell me about your relationship. How did that develop?”
“We used to pay the Dragonesses for protection for our shipping. As you know, the Sea Serpent problem started about twenty years back, and went from bad to intolerable. We worked together for each other’s benefit – bringing food, trade goods and essential items from the mainland that benefitted everyone. However, when it became very bad, we Humans started to lose ships and crews, and the Dragons started to lose warriors and valuable artworks. I can’t tell you how much salvage there would be on the sea floor between here and Solixambria, were it not for the Serpent menace.”
“Anyhow, as you can imagine, the crisis gave rise to suspicion and opposition on both sides. We came pretty close to outright war. It came about that Aria was one of the guards assigned to my vessel to and from Solixambria, when I first met Azania and was shipwrecked on the return journey. She and I were the only survivors – but we would not have survived, were it not for help. We never found out who our benefactor was. Perhaps one of the Sea Dragons. We’ve always wondered.”
“What happened?” Dragon asked.
“She saw me unconscious in the water and tried to pull me out. A Sea Serpent intent upon the spoils tried to take her out. That’s all she remembers. I came to a long ways from the Archipelago upon a piece of driftwood. Aria washed up upon a remote reef – very, very fortunately, one might suggest.”
“Hmm, indeed?”
Azerim shrugged. “The shared tragedy brought us close. She lost her sire that day, and I lost a great many close friends and shipmates. We resolved that together we would try to avert bloodshed between Humankind and Dragonkind, and divine a solution to the Sea Serpent issue that was driving both of our peoples into the ground – I mean, you don’t see the impact so much right now, because we’ve had two years of outstanding harvests. Not every year is like these, however.”
“On the Human-Dragon question, we fairly much got nowhere and earned ourselves a great deal of trouble in the doing. Two years ago – well, nearer three now – my mother and father were poisoned by inside agents most likely linked to the northern Lords, but that was never proven. That led to my coronation. Aria’s incredibly brave and loyal, and as you likely know, when she puts her mind to something it takes more than a small storm or an uncrossable, deadly ocean to stop her. She nearly killed herself trying to get over to the mainland to find help – and that’s where she met you. My parents are alive and have a kingdom, thanks to you two. Twice over. I wish I could do something for you in return.”
“You might save me from the trouble winging toward us. I think our little excursion may have been noticed.”
“Head back to the infirmary?”
Dragon said, “I’ll think about what you’ve said, King Azerim. For now, let me assure you that we’re allies and not enemies. After all, we’ll need to work together with cunning if we are both to gain what we want.”
“That we are. It’s a deal, Dragon.”
Chapter 36: Calling Afar
WHEN DR
AGON LANDED, AZANIA was waiting inside the infirmary. Coldly furious. He read that in the tilt of her chin and the colours of her emotions. There was relief from the guards, hissing from the Dragonesses, and tears from the Queen.
“Don’t you ever do that to me again!”
“Mother –”
“When you disappeared, Azerim,” she sobbed, “it all came rushing back. You’ve barely begun to recover. Whatever were you thinking?”
“I wanted to see the kingdom from above –”
“You foolish boy! You went – up there, on a pleasure jaunt, while I was dying down here? Who put such a stupid idea in your head; that Dragon?”
“Aye, I’m afraid so,” he said.
“No, it was my idea,” Azerim insisted. “It might sound stupid, mother, but I was just bored, and I wanted to get to know Azania’s Dragon better. I got this idea in my head, and you know what I can be like. I’m sorry that –”
“Azerim, do you have any idea what I’ve been through this past hour?”
Fuming! Dragon swallowed back his pride. Perhaps not the smartest move, yet it was past time he and Azerim spoke at a deeper level to one another. The time had been precious.
Bowing his muzzle, he said, “My Queen, I apologise for taking your son without informing anyone. It was insensitive and unwise. It shall not happen again.”
Azerim said, “Likewise. I’m sorry we caused you so much distress, mother.”
Reaching his paw through the window, Dragon popped the King back into his bed as carefully as he could. The scent of his emotions betrayed that the excursion had perhaps been too much. He glanced about for his paintings and drawings. Oh. Someone must have moved them.
The nurses pushed the King’s windows shut.
“Dragon, don’t settle there, please,” the Sankir said brusquely. “We’re putting a guard detail outside his window tonight.”
“Oh, but Aria said –”
“You can take a break. Pick up again in the morning. We’ll work out a schedule and let you know when you’re needed.”
His tone begged for understanding.
That was the moment that he put a few talons together and made a pawful. I’m being punished? Azania, surely you didn’t –
I suggested it.
I’m sorry, did I hear right?
You heard just fine. This immature stunt you pulled this afternoon ruined all of our delicate negotiations. When are you going to realise that this isn’t just about you and your whims, Dragon? There are others involved here, other lives and needs and –
I needed to speak with Azerim. It was important.
Important, was it? We’re trying to build trust here, not wreck it! she stormed, not caring now that she spoke aloud. The only saving grace was that it was in Draconian, but her tone communicated much. Far from discharging your duty, you took the severely injured King of the realm off on some little joyride.
It was pretty flaming obvious we didn’t go far.
But the Queen –
I APOLOGISED!! “Is that not enough?”
“Don’t you roar at me! Go cool off somewhere. Go on. Shoo!”
“I’m not a hatchling! You can’t talk to me like that.”
“Then don’t act like one.”
You always have to have the last word, don’t you?
She turned her back, clenching her fists at her sides. I’m so mad at you, Dragon, I don’t know what to say anymore! Please just … leave. Take your stupid swagger and your fake bluster and go!
He staggered. Blind with despair. Here it came. At last, his best friend in all the world had turned against him, as he knew she must. It had been inevitable from the start. A despised Dragon could not change his scales. Even after all he had done for them, these idiotic Human insects could not see his heart, nor could they bring themselves to trust a Dragon. Not even his Princess. She hated him. Wanted him gone. How could the very best work of his paws break even this bond he had thought inviolable?
Azania, please … his voice broke.
Go away!
Her tiny finger pointed at the sky in negation.
Terrified he would do or say something he would forever regret, he took two steps past his once-companion and friend and launched into the sky with such a violent surge, the rush of air slammed and broke several Palace windows.
Blitz the Fritz. Wrecker of everything.
What had just happened?
He fled blindly into the evening, neither knowing nor caring where he went. All he knew was that he wanted to be as far from Zunityne and all Humans as a Dragon could be in this sanity-forsaken Vaylarn Archipelago. Why had he ever flown up here? She had lost no time in ditching a misfit, misfiring Dragon for the King she had dreamed of for so long.
It came as a shock when he flew above water once more. The ocean glistened like mercury in the moonlight; he kept low, for a white Dragon did not want to be seen or tracked easily. Up in the night sky, he’d shine like a comet.
On and on he raced, so close to the lapping waves that the spray and moisture wet his scales, and the scent of salt filled his nostrils. Maybe he would take a swim. No, only when he reached the end of all land. When he could go no farther, then it would – he spied an oddly shaped white shell in the water. An upturned fishing vessel! Braking hard, he swung around, searching for survivors. No-one would just leave a fishing vessel like this, surely?
There! A dark head bobbed in the water. A man clutching an oar. He looked ready to slip under.
Landing carefully nearby in the water, Dragon stretched his wings and swam toward the boat. Had it been attacked by Sea Serpents? The fang marks and long scrapes on the hull suggested as much – if so, where were they? Why had they given up?
Reaching the man with a few smooth strokes, he raised him up from the water and patted his back. “Come on, there. You’ve got this.”
“Uh … wife … children …”
“Where are they?”
“Underneath. Hiding. There were Serpents,” he coughed. “Serpents in the water, but they fled … music, do you see?”
Poor fellow. Delirious. Taking the man in paw, Dragon startled as he realised he must have a broken leg. It should never fold like that near the ankle. He swam to the small fishing vessel and looked it over. Nothing here. Only – he tapped upon the hull with his knuckle.
A muffled voice called, “Mikian? Help, I’m so tired, I can’t hold on anymore …”
“Don’t worry, I’m here.”
“Mikian? Who’s there?”
“Emrici, it’s a … it’s a Sea Dragon!”
“I’m here to help,” he reassured them. “Come on. Let’s get you out of there. How many are you under there?”
“Five.”
Dragon shook his head. This mother had kept four children – very small children, as it turned out – alive and afloat beneath the overturned vessel in the face of a Sea Dragon attack? The power of motherhood never failed to amaze.
One at a time, he drew them into his paw. The oldest was barely the age of the youngest Prince; then came twins no older than two years of age, and a babe in arms. The mother slumped gratefully upon his back, lifting her children up top, thanking him with every other breath. The husband dragged himself up too, shivering with shock. Tears of thankfulness wet his face as he embraced his wife; he took the twins onto his lap as best he could.
“Mikian and Emrici, do you need the boat? Where were you travelling at this time of the night?”
“Dragon, we were returning from a family get-together over on Izni Isle in the early evening.” Dragon winced. Must have been adrift for hours. “We live near Lord Jenarzam’s lands on the western shore. Are you the white Dragon we heard about?”
“Perhaps I am, but please, tell no-one I was here. Agreed?”
“Oh aye, we won’t tell a soul.”
“Mummy, why are we swimming on a Dragon’s back?”
The mother patted his shoulder as he righted the damaged boat, and tipped it up to pour out the seaw
ater. “Because he’s a nice Dragon, that’s why.”
Nice. Worst word in the world.
In his experience, the nice Dragon never got anything at all. No hoard, no female and no honour. Was that not the way things were?
Pulling the small fishing vessel along, he swam them up the coastline and eventually, with directions, right to the front door of a simple hut located on the coastline. He drew the boat well up onto the beach and carried the husband up to his bed. After foraging for wood for a warming fire, he hunted a Ruby Snapper for the family in the shallow reef waters.
“Mikian, there’s a good surgeon up at the castle. You’ll need that ankle seen to in the morning.”
“We’re thankful, but we can’t afford something like that,” he said.
“Put it on my bill.”
The couple acted openly shocked.
“Since I helped to save the kingdom this week, I figure they owe me a bit. Please try. If they give you any trouble you can tell them that the white Dragon will be paying a visit. Here. Take one of my scales as proof.”
“As you command, Dragon,” said the woman. “Thank you once more.”
“I’ll leave you now to rest.”
* * * *
Dragon left the sleeping family in the early hours, covering the broad width of Dragon Isle during the remaining hours of darkness. His hearts knew nothing but that he needed to keep going. Going, until there was nowhere left to go.
Growing weary, he kept going until he found a clifftop perch from which to watch a gorgeous white dawn blazing over the eastern oceans. This side of the island was so rugged! Steepling black cliffs, lonely seabirds nesting in the most infeasible cracks above frothing waters, a light mist drifting over myriad tiny islands. He gazed out over the most northerly of the four ‘talons’ of the Archipelago, wondering again at the extraordinary likeness to a draconic paw print.
It almost implied design. When did one move from a scientific perception of complexity to a theory of design? Did that even make sense? He had read a couple of scholarly articles on the debate without coming to any personal conclusion. Fascinating topic.