*Has something happened to the eggs?*
*They will hatch soon. The first snow falls. Winter has come. The dragonets will break their shells. I hear them fighting to be free. You must hurry.* Excitement bubbled in the green’s voice. *You must be here when the red cracks her shell.*
*I’m coming.* Arana closed the shutters and grabbed her clothes. The need to rush caused her to pull her tunic on backwards. She drew a calming breath and sat on the edge of the bed to pull on her boots. Surely there was time. She reversed the tunic. Why hadn’t Verde called her sooner?
Her thoughts drifted to the past and she recalled Verde’s hatching. For three days she had seen fine lines appear on the surface of the shell. She had been afraid she would miss the event. On the night he hatched, she had hidden in his pen. She’d taken a barrow of meat plus thorns and berries and prepared to spend the night. How fortunate they’d been. None of Lagon’s servants had seen her preparations or heard the sound the green dragon had made.
The first few weeks after Verde’s arrival had been hectic. A lack of sleep and the need to pilfer food for him had made her clumsy. She’s had her usual chores in the stillroom and the kitchen plus caring for a hungry dragonet. Since she had helped feed the dragons at High Peaks she had fed Verde the way the yellow dragon had been feed except the feedings had been more frequent. Sometimes she’d had no meat, only scraps from the kitchen. This hatching would be less hectic because Sofona and Radlan could help.
Arana braided her hair and pulled on her boots. She dashed to the necessary, took care of her needs and dashed down the stairs. Several times she grabbed the railing to keep from plummeting to the stone floor of the entry hall. At the foot she paused to catch her breath. Did Drakon know about the hatching? Surely the Old One had alerted him.
She heard voices in the kitchen. Drakon, Radlan and Sofona sat at one of the tables. Resentment tinged Arana’s thoughts. Why hadn’t Drakon knocked on her door to wake her? Ever since the night in the great hall when he’d spoken about his treatment by the priestesses in the temple of Fyre he’d avoided being alone with her. Preparing for a fight she stepped into the kitchen.
Sofona rose. “A good morning to you.”
Arana clenched her hands. “Why didn’t you wake me?”
Drakon filled a mug with spiced tea. “The Old One told Verde to wait until he gave permission. He requested an early feeding for them.”
Arana’s anger ebbed. “Verde said the hatching will be soon.”
Sofona dished porridge into a bowl. “You’ll eat first and make a hearty meal. You won’t have time later.”
Arana walked to the door. “We really have to go to the cavern.”
Drakon rose and clasped her hand. “The Old One said there is no need to rush. Sit and eat while we have time for a leisurely meal. You’ll need the energy later.”
She returned to the table where she drizzled honey over a bowl of porridge studded with pieces of dried fruit and nuts. She looked up. “I nearly missed Verde’s hatching.”
Sofona poured a mixture of eggs, cheese and sausage onto a griddle. “You won’t miss this one. I remember the last hatching here. Hours passed after the first crack appeared and they chased all but those who would bond away.”
“But Verde said to hurry.”
Drakon scraped his bowl. “The green has never been present when eggs have hatched. The Old One woke me first because he feared Verde’s excitement would panic you. You know how enthusiastic he is about something new.”
Arana leaned forward. Though what he said made sense, she didn’t like the teasing tone of his voice. Verde was a young dragon. He had a right to be eager. “What do you know about a hatching? How can you be sure the Old One’s memories are correct? I’ve attended one. You haven’t.”
He nodded. “You’re right about me but not about the Old One. When Verde broke his shell how long did that take?”
“Maybe three days. I didn’t see when the first cracks appeared. When they did I was scared because I couldn’t sit with the egg except at night or when I had time away from my chores.”
“Then eat. The Old One will watch.”
Arana poured cream over the porridge. “We must have sides of beef, mutton, goat and pork cut into the proper size. The dragonets can’t eat chunks as large as the dragons.” She laughed. “Verde tried but I had to chop the pieces I stole from the dragons’ feedings. They were about the size of my fist. We should take sacks of thorns and berries and two mortars and pestles to the cavern. Then we won’t have to run to the tower for every feeding.” She drew a deep breath. “We should sleep in the cavern.”
Sofona nodded. “There are frames in the storeroom for that purpose.” She placed the bowl of eggs on the table. “Once you finish breaking your fast we will gather the things you need. Drakon and Radlan can begin chopping the meat.”
Arana swallowed a spoonful of porridge. For weeks she would be in Drakon’s company. Would they be able to breach the distance between them? “If I remember from Verde’s hatching the first few weeks we’ll have little time for more than brief naps.”
Drakon passed the dish of eggs to her. “The Old One says we’ll be in the cavern for three weeks. After that the dragonets will need just two feedings a day unless they’re flying.”
Sofona placed a steaming platter of oatcakes on the table. “Radlan and I will bring your meals.” She turned to Arana. “I can’t imagine how you managed when Verde hatched.”
“With luck since I had my regular chores. I also had to hide so I wasn’t locked in the slave quarters at night.” She covered two oatcakes with butter and jam. “I ran. I seldom slept. Sometimes Verde cried because he was hungry. I feared the servants who cared for the dragons would hear him and tell Lagon. As soon as the speaker’s path opened I could tell him how soon I could visit him.”
Radlan rose. “I’ll butcher and begin chopping meat for the dragonets.”
Drakon walked with him. “I’ll fetch the other meat from the cold room. I think we should chop and store enough for a number of feedings.”
Radlan nodded. “There are empty barrels in the storeroom. I believe there are six.”
After the men left Arana finished the oatcakes and the tea. She scraped the plates into a pail and put the dishes in a pan of heated water. Then she joined Sofona in the largest of the storage rooms. “Where are the cot frames and the sleeping pads?”
Sofona pulled the folded frames from beneath the shelves. “The pads are on one of the shelves. We’ll need toweling, a crock of soap and one of oil. Bits of leather for the dragonets to chew and use as toys.”
Arana sighed. “The only thing Verde had to play with was a large bone I carried to his pen.”
*I did not mind,* Verde said. *I had you. Remember how we played catch me?*
Arana laughed. *Until you grew too big.*
*I had to get bigger. When are you coming to watch the eggs?*
*Soon.* Arana carried a stack of toweling to one of the tables and returned for a second. *Drakon and I must remain in the cavern for many days. We’ll need supplies.*
*Bread?*
*Yes.* She remembered when bread and bits of dried fruit and other scraps had been all she could steal to feed him.
Drakon entered the kitchen. He stomped his feet to remove snow from his boots. “The snow has stopped.” He looked at the stacks on the table. “I’ll carry this to the cavern.” He dropped a sheep’s carcass on the cutting table.
“Maybe I should go with you,” Arana said.
“No need to rush. I checked the eggs and saw no more than a few hairline cracks.” He lifted the cot frames. “We’ll need changes of clothes. Our oldest ones. We should have some things to eat that we don’t have to cook.”
“Dried fruit, nuts, flatbread and cheese. We’ll have to hide the nibbles from Verde.”
“Why? Dragons are meat-eaters.”
“Verde eats almost anything. Sometimes scraps were his meal.”
*You took good care o
f me,* Verde said. *That’s why I’m strong and very smart.*
*Yes, you are.* She paused. *Do you always listen to everything I’m saying to others?*
*Not always, but a lot. The Old One listens, too.*
Arana met Drakon’s gaze. “They can listen to everything we say.”
*Not Sofona and Radlan,* Verde said.
Arana passed that tidbit to Drakon. He laughed. “So that’s why the Old One seems to answer questions I haven’t asked him.”
Arana packed some of the things in a large basket. *Verde, how long do we have before the dragonets arrive?*
The green dragon squeaked. *The Old One says many hours. Not until long after your midday meal. Sorry I woke you so soon. I go to check the eggs.*
*I’m glad you woke me. There is much to prepare before their arrival.* She ran upstairs and filled two haversacks, one with Drakon’s clothes and the other with her things. She added these to the piles on the table.
Radlan stood at the cutting table and butchered a steer. He held up one of the chunks he’d cut. Arana nodded. Drakon loaded pieces into a barrel on one of the wheeled carts. Arana sighed. Their dragonets would be better fed than Verde had been.
After the midday mean Arana and Sofona carried baskets and the haversacks to the cavern. They erected the wooden cots on the edge of the sand near the rock path around the pool. Once the mats and covers were placed, they scoured two of the feeding trough. They filled a drinking basin with water.
Arana waved to Drakon. “Why don’t we prepare the first feeding for each of the dragonets?”
“Not yet. We must wait for the Old One’s directions. The feedings for dragonets are different than the ones for adults.” He left the cavern to help Radlan.
Arana sank to the ground. When Verde had hatched she hadn’t been sure of what to do so she mixed thorns and berries with the meat for all his feedings. She looked up and watched Verde. He paced in a circle around the eggs. *Relax, my friend. You will exhaust yourself.*
*This is taking a long time. The shells are thin. Maybe you and Drakon should break them.*
*That wouldn’t be good for the dragonets. They need to be strong.* She rose and walked to the cavern mouth. *Why don’t you go and fly a bit. The Old One isn’t worried about the eggs.*
*He has seen many hatchings. This is my first.* Verde paced to her side. *The Old One says you are right. I will fly.*
*If the shells begin to crack, I’ll call you.*
*Maybe I can catch a deer. They will be easy to see in the snow. They are brown.*
Arana watched his progress to the cavern mouth. *Hunt with success.*
*I will.*
Drakon pushed a barrow across the forecourt. “Where is he going?”
“Hunting. The Old One ordered him to use some of his energy by flying and in the chase.”
Drakon lifted a sack of thorns from the barrow. He carried it to one of the mortars. “The Old One said we should crush the thorns and berries and mix them with the first feedings for both dragonets.”
She frowned. “I thought thorns were for the males and berries for the females. That’s how they were fed at Sea Cliff.”
“I thought so, too. Listen to the Old One. He will explain why we must alternate the additives for the feedings during the first week.”
She would do what Drakon suggested but when Verde returned she would ask him if what Drakon said was what the Old One meant. She pulled on a pair of gloves. “We’re going to be messy. I hope the dragonets don’t try to eat us and our clothes.”
Drakon laughed. “Why should they. Once we’re finished we can bathe in the pool.”
“Until we run out of clean clothes.”
“We’ll wash them.”
* * * *
Lagon entered the stone building housing the dragon pens to check the Sea Cliff red. He hoped the mating flight would produce a pair of eggs. The dragon had lived for seventeen years and approached the end of her fertile years. Soon she would be worth only what the wizards would pay for her pelt.
He heard voices and recognized one. What was his daughter doing here? How had she managed to escape her nurse? He crept toward the sounds. A boy answered. Lagon halted and focused on what the pair discussed.
“When you inherit the tower you will speak to the red but not the blue. I will be his speaker. Since I am far kin and you are just a girl and only half Sea Cliff descent you will have to marry me.”
Lorana laughed. “Only if I choose you. My chances of remaining the heir are slim.”
How did she know, Lagon wondered. The next time the slavers returned she would leave with them.
“Why won’t you inherit?” the boy asked.
“My father’s bedmate breeds. If she has a son my father will wed the woman and the child will be the heir.”
The boy laughed. “Mina may be with child but the babe isn’t your father’s. She was breeding before he took her.”
“How do you know that?”
“The slaves talk and the servants listen.”
Lagon clenched his fists. He stormed from the pens. The boy was right. Mina’s belly was too large for the child to be the awaited heir. The wizards had promised his heir would be born of a woman from High Peaks. The one he’d chosen first had died. Arana should have been the one but she had escaped.
He entered the tower and strode up the stairs to his chamber. “Out,” he commanded. “Return to the slave quarters.”
“But my lord, the child I carry.”
“Is not mine. Be thankful I do not have you whipped for your deception. Seek the father of your child and inform him his days are numbered.”
She laughed. “I would gladly do that if I knew which of the men it was.”
“Then so be it. Perhaps the child’s appearance will name the father. Be gone.”
* * * *
Verde felt relieved when he saw the tower. *I have hunted. I have caught a deer. He has big sticks on his head.* Verde hovered over the forecourt. A stag hung from his front claws. *The deer is very heavy.* Though he had hunted before the creature was bigger than the boar. *My wings are tired.*
*Come lower and drop your catch.*
*Who speaks?*
*Drakon.*
Arana appeared on the forecourt. *You have done well.*
*Part is for me and part is for the Old One. You can have the skin for a jacket and boots. I was careful so I did not tear the skin.*
*Thank you.* Arana’s and Drakon’s voices sounded in Verde’s head. He swooped low, hovered and dropped the deer before landing. He followed Arana to the cavern. Drakon and the man knelt beside the deer
*His name is Radlan,* Arana said.
*But he does not hear or speak. Neither does the woman.*
*Her name is Sofona. They know your name and don’t call you green dragon. They know much about the care of dragons. I’m learning from them. You should know their names.*
*I will remember.* Verde entered the cavern. He raised his head and sniffed. *The food for the ones in the egg smells good. My flight was long. I worked hard to catch the deer.*
*You will not eat the dragonet’s meat,* the Old One said. *Our meat will arrive soon. Eating before a hatching is good. Let Arana check your hide. I will tell you more about dragons and what a controller does.*
Verde crept past the trough. *Not even a little taste.*
*Not one bite.*
Verde settled on the ground. *Then I am ready to learn.*
The Old One crouched beside him. *I am old and have lived longer than any dragon born green. One hundred years and twelve more. I have seen joy followed by sorrow. I have seen dragons destroyed to satisfy a man’s greed. I pray I live long enough to witness justice.*
*You will. Arana and Drakon are strong. They will see the evil one is gone to trouble us no more. Dragons will be safe.*
*The lord of Sea Cliff Tower is not a weak man. You must never forget that.*
Verde nodded. How could he forget the man who had beaten Arana or set th
e blues to fight four against the one from High Peaks? *Will I be the one to bite him?*
*I do not know. You must help the dragonets mature faster than in the usual manner. Once their speaking paths are open you must help them exercise so they grow strong and fly early. Their wing strokes must be powerful enough to carry their speakers.*
*I will.* Verde drew a deep breath. *Our food comes.*
Radlan and Sofona wheeled barrows of meat cut from the deer and filled their troughs. Arana added measures of thorns and berries to Verde’s to make up for what he’d used in the flight.
Verde ate with gusto. *Wild meat tastes better than meat from tame animals.*
The Old One chuckled. *When a dragon is hungry all meat tastes delicious. The chase and the kill stirred your hunger and some distant memories.*
*What memories? This is only the second time I have tasted wild meat.*
*Not memories of events in your life but ones rising from our ancestors. Once dragons lived apart from men and hunted for their food.*
*Were those times better than now?*
The Old One finished his share of the meat. He moved to his wallow and rested his head on his forelegs. *No better or worse, only different. Some of the times were good. Others bad. Dragons died for lack of food. In those times dragonets were hunted by their kind. Stands of fyrethorns were torn apart for their thorns and berries. Yet dragons were free and lineages banded together against other lineages. The wizards grew strong and sought dragons for their skins.*
*Then I like this time and place better.* Verde stripped the last shred of meat from a thigh bone and cracked it for the marrow. *I like having Arana for my speaker. She and Drakon will stop the evil one.*
The Old One rose. *They are speakers in the way of days long past.* He sighed. *Enough talk about what has been. Here is your lesson for today. I have told Drakon how the dragonets must be fed to hasten their growth. We have told Arana but she resists. If you speak to her she will accept. What she hears from us makes her think she took poor care of you.*
*She took good care. I will tell her.*
*Indeed she did. She had no knowledge of dragonets only what she heard from the evil one and the captive speakers about the care of dragons. She fed you properly, though at times your meals were odd. She also learned how to attend to injured dragons.*
The Dragons of Fyre Page 8