‘The one I travelled with was far smaller than that one.’
‘I know. Nevertheless, we are certain it is the same one.’
‘Why do you want to know? What is it you want? You’ve given me no reason to trust you,’ Jim told him bluntly.
‘They have a man trapped down there,’ Jared explained. ‘I don’t believe he’s dead but that blue one is clearly waiting for something. Can you talk to it?’
‘You want me to go down there and attempt to retrieve your man for you? You do know they’re probably furious at being trapped in here and are likely to attack anyone coming too close?’
‘We know that’s a risk, but thought since you know one of them they were less likely to attack you. Can you do it?’ Jared asked.
‘Less likely, mm thanks. I can try, but to give up your man they must have their freedom. You cannot keep a dragon prisoner. They are far too powerful and clever.’
‘It wasn’t really the adult we were after. There was a small one alone. We thought it might be more amenable,’ Jared admitted.
‘So that’s why they’re so furious. They were defending their young. Every minute you keep them from going to their babies just adds to the anger. Dragons are getting very rare you know. Each one is precious.’ Jim shook his head at their folly. ‘You will release the dragons if I manage to get your man?’ Jim pressed and Jared nodded sending a wave of sincerity to Jim. Jim frowned distrusting that obvious projection, but immediately walked down towards the dragons.
Amelie’s head went up immediately but so too did Stripe’s. He growled and climbed to his feet a little unsteadily to stare at the bold human approaching them, although rather more tentatively now.
‘He is your mate isn’t he?’ Stripe growled at her.
‘Yes and he is here to help us,’ Amelie reminded him firmly. ‘Hiss if it pleases you. The humans do not need to know that you won’t eat him.’
‘How do you know I will not eat him? He is my competition. If I eat him you will be free to return to my side as my queen,’ Stripe challenged. A small trickle of fire came from her nose along with an angry growl. ‘He looks younger and more succulent than this stringy old human before us certainly,’ Stripe added hastily.
‘Can I approach?’ Jim asked, glancing from one to the other of the massive dragons in front of him. Amelie nodded and he had to hope she could stop Stripe from killing him. He went to the unconscious man first and checked his pulse. ‘What did you do to him?’
‘He was leading the meld binding Stripe. I took control away from him,’ Amelie told him simply. ‘What now?’
‘In return for this one,’ he said indicating the prone man, ‘they have agreed to release you both.’ He put his hand on the man’s head and felt the spell she had used to make him sleep. It was a simple but effective spell especially when used with strength. He removed the blockers and the stranger began to come round. ‘Can he fly? He looks rather woozy still,’ Jim asked her referring to Stripe.
Stripe’s massive wings unfurled in answer but there wasn’t space to fully extend or flap. He held them steady however until Amelie growled at him and the wing hovering annoyingly just above her head furled.
‘Go, if the way is clear,’ Amelie ordered Stripe abruptly. ‘It’s you the little ones need most. I will defend your back.’
He touched his nose to hers and left as swiftly as the cramped space would allow. She nudged the two humans to walk in front of her as she followed Stripe’s lead.
‘They saw us come through the portal,’ Jim told her whilst virtually carrying the still groggy old man. ‘I think they have many questions, but mainly about you.’
They arrived at the gate to see Stripe had gone but that the gate had closed barring their exit.
‘Pass him over,’ Jared ordered.
‘You promised to release the dragons,’ Jim objected.
‘I did. However, that one is not a wild dragon,’ Jared declared with a triumphant smile. Behind him was a row of wizards, their hands linked together indicating they were already merged.
‘Obviously you don’t need this old man then,’ Jim suggested with a cold smile, his eyes yellowing. He was still supporting the man and thus was in a prime position of contact. ‘You don’t care about your father’s wellbeing Jared? He’s not very impressed with that,’ Jim chided. ‘He has many curious secrets,’ Jim added, wandering through the old man’s mind. He noted Jared’s lips thin in concern. Jared would know just how easy it was for a wizard to drive someone senile, torture him or even kill him simply by being rough in his mind. ‘Shall I dig deeper, or are you going to dissolve your meld?’
‘Dissolve it,’ Jared ordered his men unhappily.
Amelie stared at the locks on the gate and they popped open in a rush and the gate swung ajar. She nudged the gate and it started to swing wide only to suddenly slam shut again. She glanced around: Jared.
She lunged at him, fangs snapping and with a squeal of terror, his spell broke. She swiped the gate open again with her tail and felt a merge begin beside her.
‘Do not try my patience further,’ she growled loudly and directly into Jared’s mind, still trying to maintain the illusion of being a true dragon. ‘I like your melds, so much useful power,’ she added having again insinuated herself, overpowering the leader and bringing the whole meld to its knees in but a moment. ‘Outside,’ she ordered Jim privately and felt him gratefully do just that. She turned and followed him quickly. Shrieks announced several spells and missiles thrown at her had bounced back on the caster from her shield. She was very glad she had figured out how to shield herself whilst in animal form and still had the strength to do so.
Outside, she allowed Jim inside her shield urging him on her back. She quickly moved clear of the building and another melded team attacked them. Her shield quickly began to buckle under the assault. Jim lent his strength, despite his debilitating headache, but they were both running on empty; her shield was not going to last long. Suddenly fire blossomed beside them; Stripe was attacking those attacking her. Men fell back screaming before the flames, some burnt but also some dead. She sprang into the air and flew quickly away, Stripe following.
‘Where are we going?’ Jim asked mentally, knowing the wind would whip any verbal words from his mouth. He was acutely aware of the huge dragon flying alongside them and glancing at them often, but without his aid, they would not have escaped.
‘To check on the children,’ Amelie told him. ‘We need to talk to them and we both need somewhere safe and hidden to rest. Without horses, it’s a long walk home. Our lions will travel better, but we won’t get far enough to be safely out of reach tonight.’
‘Will he be ok with that? He didn’t seem happy to see me. You two looked very cosy,’ Jim added, unable to hide his anxious jealousy.
‘Probably not. He asked if he could eat you since you were his competition.’
‘He wanted to eat me?’ Jim asked nervously. He was very glad she had not told him that at the time. The dragon’s intent gaze and hissing had been unnerving enough.
‘I told him off but we’ll need to tread lightly. We won’t stay long,’ she assured him then glanced across at Stripe by her side. ‘I will have to speak with him; I don’t want him to misconstrue my going to his cave.’
‘Damn, is anything ever simple?’ Jim asked rhetorically.
‘No,’ Amelie responded. ‘We’ve arrived. Keep your head down,’ she warned and landed in the cave. ‘Quickly move to the back so your father can land,’ she said to the dragonets, ushering them before her.
Jim stayed on her back until the ten milling dragons had calmed down and stopped charging about in the dark cave. Each of the eight dragonets was as big as a horse. He had no desire to be trodden on, or be crushed by mistake, and their feet had sharp toe talons. Amelie took him to the back of the cave and let him slide off behind her.
Once Stripe had seen that each of his offspring was present and unharmed, he moved over to his queen. The little ones saw
his intention and rushed over to her too. However, seeing the human she had brought to the den, they stopped to stare curiously.
‘Thank you for aiding us, my queen,’ Stripe said formally and plainly so the little ones would hear.
‘I will come whenever you need me to,’ Amelie told him. ‘Those wizards sought to capture one of you,’ she told the dragonets. ‘They know Jim and I came to this continent through a magic doorway which they call a portal. Because they saw me as a dragon and know that I aided Jim, they believe it is possible to tame a dragon. Your father and I have gone a long way today to dissuade them of that notion,’ she told them, snorting in amusement. ‘But I would suggest you leave this area. They may continue to seek you. Next time your father or I might not be able to rescue you. Your father came close to dying tonight. I only just got to him in time. Remember that the next time you think humans are helpless. Most are no threat alone, but some have magic and can merge their power with others to become even more powerful than a dragon. The problem is that you will not know at a glance, which is which. Avoiding them all is safest. I’d also recommend that when you have to pass over human controlled land you stay out of sight. Flying high or at night when their eyesight is poor is simplest. Sleep now, we are safe. I won’t leave until the morning.’
‘Your words are wise, my queen,’ Stripe acknowledged and heard one of the youngsters gasp at his designation. He hadn’t called her that casually or repeated it by accident; he meant it.
‘Why do you have to leave so soon?’ Tania asked. ‘We have so many questions.’
‘I have a new baby,’ she admitted glancing at Jim. ‘She is only a month old and is alone. I must return quickly,’ she added, deliberately meeting Stripe’s eyes. He was looking very unhappy again.
‘This human is your mate? Why? You are father’s queen,’ Tania said.
‘You haven’t gone and done the equivalent of marrying him have you?’ Jim asked her privately.
‘How would I know?’ she retorted then returned her attention to Tania. Tania had always been the bold one and ringleader, even as a hatchling.
‘Tania, I have never been your father’s queen. I might look like a dragon but I am not one. After your mother’s death, I helped your father for your first few weeks. I knew you would have died without proper care. That is why I called on Stripe’s mother to take over; she would know what you needed to learn better than me. Did she stay with you long?’
‘No. She stayed only until they could fly.’ Stripe told her. ‘She assumed you only left me because you were little more than a baby yourself and would return in time. Father watched you go,’ he added unhappily. His father had also had plenty to say on the subject of allowing a young queen to leave the den and disappear.
‘I thought your mother would help you raise them.’
‘She would not have dared interfere with my queen,’ Stripe declared. ‘She constantly asks about you,’ he added. His mother still hoped he would persuade her to become his mate and that she would bear him a new clutch.
‘Stripe, I was not your queen and I told your mother that.’
‘You stayed to care for my children and proved yourself a worthy queen. You also praised my worth as a mate in providing for my family.’
‘So, she thought I would eventually accept you? Mothers usually wish to know their children have settled happily. Nevertheless, you know I am not a dragon, so there is no possibility of my becoming a dragon queen for real. I would have thought you’d have sought a new mate by now.’
He glanced at the man and decided he seemed different. ‘Have his eyes changed colour?’
‘That will be his lion wanting out. Change if you want to Jim,’ she added gently; obviously all this talk was making him uncomfortable.
‘His lion? Whatever do you mean?’ Tania asked and gasped as the man dropped to all fours, shimmered and a large powerful lion took his place.
‘Jim is not like those other wizards today. He’s more like me,’ Amelie said into the sudden silence. She licked the lion’s face trying to ease his defensive nervousness.
Compared to a dragon’s physical size and strength, Jim was completely insignificant, and he knew it. Stripe probably had just as much magic as them, although because it took a different form to theirs, they could not easily gauge it. Jim moved to the space at her belly where she lay semi-reclined. He was bone tired and nervous still. He curled against her there where he would be both safe from attack and also be in a prime position to help her should the need arise. His fur was far warmer than his clothes had been alone, and sleeping on bare stone was not going to be comfortable. He felt better nested together with his love, albeit she around him for a change.
She was rather disconcerted that Stripe moved to sit pressed to her back. She was now sandwiched between the two males. Her adorable little dragonets were not little anymore and she felt considerable satisfaction and pride that they were clearly thriving and that she had had a hand in their nurturing. The youngsters gathered around them, curling up with some part touching either each other or their father before they slept.
‘Sleep little lion,’ Stripe said, projecting for the first time directly at his rival over his queen’s sleeping body. He had been watching the lion curiously and the lion had been looking back warily but boldly. ‘I’m hungry but will not eat you today. You would fit whole in my mouth and be but a snack.’
‘That’s most reassuring to know,’ Jim responded drily and heard the dragon’s amusement. He felt however that the brief conversation indicated some progress had been achieved. Up to now, the dragon had ignored him entirely; he had certainly never spoken to him. Reassured he was not under immediate threat, Jim finally slept.
Next morning Amelie flew out of the cave to the cliff above to be alone. They all seemed to be watching her and she found it disconcerting. The dragonets were plying Jim with questions about humans and those with magic. He had remained as a lion, obviously feeling less vulnerable in that form. The early morning sun was warm on her back despite the bitter wind. The fresh scents of the pine trees cleared her mind. The season was changing; spring was on its way. She had come close last night to losing the man dearest to her. It was terrifying how easily her happiness and very life could change at someone else’s whim. Amelie irritably scratched gouges in the rock.
Tania flew out and approached her. She sighed but allowed her to land and join her. After yesterday’s frights, the youngster simply needed a little reassurance. She could also use more of an understanding of what might have happened to her in the hands of wizards. Her curiosity needed balancing with knowledge of the real threat of slavery and so they talked for a while.
‘Your father’s coming.’ Amelie told her, just as Stripe appeared. His massive form blotted out the sun for a moment as he swooped down to land by her side. Tania hastily left to make room for him.
‘You are troubled by something?’ Stripe asked her anxiously and settled beside her. He saw the gouges in the rock and nuzzled her face gently.
‘I am troubled by many things,’ she admitted. ‘My arrival on this continent seems to have complicated many things: your life particularly. You could have died last night,’ she said sadly gazing into his gleaming green eyes. ‘It would have been my fault.’
‘How could my capture have been your fault?’
‘They saw me in dragon form appear out of the portal, catch Jim and carry him to the ground.’
‘So did I,’ Stripe admitted. ‘You were far away and your sudden appearance was unsettling, in an area I knew to have no dragons. I thought you must be someone’s lost child, but could not sense any adults, or you, after that first day. You were remarkably elusive. I know those wizards sought to trap Tania with the intention of turning her to their will. Yes your being seen with your Jim might have given them the idea, but you are not to blame for their actions,’ he told her firmly. ‘I will not have you burdened with misplaced guilt. If anything, it was my fault for allowing them too close to an area wi
th humans. She wandered off unnoticed and came to grief; that is unlucky but is not your fault.’
‘Stripe I must go,’ she told him. ‘I missed the little ones and am delighted to know they are doing well, but they have no need of me whilst my own baby does. I must return now.’
‘I understand. Your cub is alone and your lion is not there protecting her in your stead.’
‘I knew you would understand,’ Amelie said.
‘I would accept your cub,’ he said suddenly. ‘You do know that?’ he asked and realised she was staring at him in surprise. ‘We could be a complete family again,’ he added wistfully.
‘You must seek a mate of your own kind,’ she told him gently.
He knew she was right, but she had proven a good mother and companion, and dragon females were scarce. However, he could tell she had matured and grown almost as much as the little ones. It was a graphic indication that she had indeed been little more than a child when he first met her. The little ones listened to and respected her; she had won them over for a second time. Now she was beginning to feel like a true dragon queen. To watch her fly away with another male, that he had no grounds to challenge his rival, was frustrating, but watch her leave he did.
Amelie carried Jim’s lion in her talons since it was daylight and anyone seeing them would merely think the lion prey. She took care not to fly within sight of Jared’s headquarters however, or any other settlements. Flying was by far the fastest way to cover large distances but heavily burdened with Jim, she could not fly for long. Once her strength began to wane, she landed and took lion form too.
‘Are you ok?’ Jim asked noticing she was very quiet and seemed preoccupied.
‘Yes, I was just thinking over something that Stripe said,’ Amelie admitted.
‘Oh?’
‘He saw us come through the Portal and thought me a lost child.’
‘Well, that’s true enough, if not exactly how he meant it,’ Jim observed.
‘We’re talking about a dragon, the strongest predator out there, but he was, yet again, helpless. Needing aid, he called me, even knowing I am the same race as those that attacked him. He trusted me with the little ones too. I don’t understand why he would do that. I know dragon females seem to rule the males, but he knows I’m not a real dragon. Later, I was angry with him for threatening you and he immediately backed down,’ she added. ‘He meekly followed every suggestion or command I gave him last night,’ she added, recalling that with surprise. ‘But he also bolstered my courage, even when he was under attack and I was panicking. He told me to remember I was a dragon. What does it mean?’
Clan Green Bear: Wizards of White Haven Page 30