The silence of the cave was eerie, especially as his mind ran through the story of what had taken place there. He had no doubt that the spirits of those who had made their dwelling there were looking down upon him as the sound of his footsteps disturbed their eternal slumber. He had known that he would be in reverent awe of the cave before he’d entered, even before he’d left Red Ditch after Erasmus’ tale had been quit, what he didn’t expect was to find was a dark shape stretched out in a large chamber at the end of the corridor. He also didn’t expect to hear its ragged breathing.
Catching his breath, John raised the torch above his head and moved slowly toward the figure. When it turned its head toward him and he recognized the triangular form of a dragon’s head and saw his light reflecting off its eyes, he took several steps backward.
“Do not be afraid,” the dragon said. “I’ve been expecting you.”
“You speak?” he replied in a hushed tone.
“I still have breath enough for a few words,” the dragon replied.
“Tristina?” he asked, though he had no real idea who it was.
“No,” the dragon replied. “Draere. Come closer so I can see you better.”
It took a moment for John to drum up enough courage to step nearer to her. Even as she lay before him in her weak state, she was still a fearsome looking creature.
“You are the sister of Draig ab Owain and Gavyn,” he said.
“Yes.”
“I am John of Dumnonia,” he said, thinking it proper to introduce himself, even to a dragon.
“I am taking my last few breaths,” she said. “So please listen closely.”
“I am listening,” John replied.
“In the chamber to your right there is a whelp. It is my last whelp,” she said. “You must promise to care for my whelp when I’m gone. Can you do as I ask John?”
“I will swear it,” he said, looking toward the chamber she had indicated and trying to wet the dryness in his throat.
“Come close and touch my head,” she said.
Remembering the greeting that had been a part of Draig’s ritual with his mother and siblings and had become a part of his own family’s greetings, he moved close to her and extended his hand looking into her dim eyes as he touched her scaly head.
“You have the look of the third son in your eyes,” she whispered, before closing her eyes in eternal sleep.
“The third son?” he asked.
There was no response. The story had only had two sons in it, Owain and Draig. What had she meant by, third son? There was little use wondering over it any longer. Unsure of what he would find in the chamber to his right, he moved cautiously in that direction, lifting his torch above his head to cast its light further. Its light came to rest on a tiny form slipping soundly on a bed of straw. Careful not to wake it, he stifled a chuckle as he saw how cute the small sleeping dragon was.
Having made his promise, John was determined to carry out his oath. Removing his cloak, he gently wrapped it around the sleeping whelp. Took up the torch and started out of the chamber and back down the corridor. He was nearly to the cave’s mouth when the old man he had seen the night before appeared in front of him.
“You can’t take the whelp from the cave, John,” the old man said.
“But I promised its mother that I would care for it,” he replied.
“Then you’ll have to do it here,” the old man responded. “Will you keep your promise, John?”
Since Richard had died, John had felt very alone and had felt adrift. He hadn’t known what to do with the lands and title that he’d suddenly inherited, but it hadn’t fit him well. As he looked down at the dragon whelp wrapped in his cloak, he suddenly felt a new purpose growing in him. Considering Erasmus story, a smile grew across his face and he formed his reply.
“I will keep my promise.”
“Good,” the old man replied with a broad grin spreading across his face. “Don’t worry. I’ll help you. I’ve helped to raise several. Three human sons too.”
“Erius!” John exclaimed with sudden recognition. Right behind that recognition came the question. “Three sons?”
“Your grandfather, of course.”
The End
To be concluded in:
The Wizard
Sons of Camelot #4
by Kim Dragoner
Available now!
Amazon Kindle * Paperback
About the Author:
Kim Dragoner is a history buff and Arthurian enthusiast. Please find her at:
www.kimdragoner.com
Facebook
The Dragon (Sons of Camelot Book 3) Page 10