G. Aiken - A Tale Of Two Dragons

Oy! Addolgar! they yelled into his human face. Oyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy! You awake?

Idiots. Every one of his brothers and sisters were utter idiots. Even these twoGhleanna, his older sister; and Bercelak, his younger brotherwho he believed to be the smartest of his kin, were still . . . idiots.

Maybe hes dead then, Bercelak suggested.

Nah. I think hes breathing. He just sleeps like the dead, is all.

An elbow, probably Ghleannas, rammed across his jaw. Addolgar! she screamed. You awake?

His jaw throbbing, Addolgar knew he couldnt keep ignoring his siblings or he risked losing part of his face.

He slowly opened his eyes. What?

See? Ghleanna said to Bercelak. Hes not dead.

Such a relief. Mum would have had a fit if hed turned up dead.

Your concern overwhelms me, brother. Addolgar cracked his neck. So what do you want?

His brother and sister, also in their human forms, stood tall, hands on hips, staring down at him. The two of them looked the most alike of their siblings. Black hair, black eyes, rude natures. Bercelak had the nastiest attitude, but really he was only the most focused. He had big plans. He didnt just want to be a warrior; he wanted to lead the Queens Army. It was a lofty goal, especially for one of the low-born Cadwaladr Clan, but if any of them could do it, it would be Bercelak.

Ghleanna was more like Addolgar. They battled because they liked it and were good at it. They loved the armor, the weapons, the blood, the death. When the Queen had no wars, Addolgar and Ghleanna found human wars to fight. They were always fun and good training.

But still, could Addolgar not get a few minutes to himself? Hed just wanted to have a meal and get a little nap before heading back to the human troops hed been fighting with. As always, though, with his kin . . . that apparently wasnt possible.

Why are you two bothering me?

Her Majesty, Ghleanna sneered, wants to see us.

Addolgar smirked. His sister didnt even bother trying to hide her dislike of the current monarch, Dragon Queen Addiena. Shed taken over for her mother, the much-loved Queen Ganieda, nearly a century ago, and Ghleanna still barely accepted Addiena as their ruler. True, shed protect her as the monarch of their people, but that was as far as Ghleanna the Black was willing to go.

Curious as to what was going on, Addolgar asked, She wants to see us for what?

You dont question, Bercelak snapped. You come when called.

When did we become pets? Addolgar asked his brother. Ghleanna snorted.

Dont anger me, brother. We serve the Queenwithout question, without delay. Now get off your fat ass and lets get going.

Knowing quite well that his ass was perfect, Addolgar was getting ready to argue, for no other reason than to annoy his brother, when Ghleanna cleared her throat and motioned behind her. A group of humans were running toward them, all of them poorly armed with pitchforks and rusty swords and pikes.

Ill handle Bercelak began, but Ghleanna quickly stepped in front of him.

No, she told him. Youll keep your mouth shut.

The humans quickly crossed the open field until they reached them, the one out front stopping in front of Ghleanna. Did ya see him, soldier? he demanded. Did ya see the dragon?

Ghleanna nodded. We have troops searching for the bastard now. Well find him. And well kill him.

He destroyed my cattle! one of the men yelled. Look at this!

They did. All those bones, sucked clean of meat, fat, and marrow. It wasnt the entire herd that Addolgar had eaten but at least half. Hed been hungry, though. Very hungry.

That bastard, Ghleanna snarled. Well wipe the land of him, I promise you that.

The humans looked at Addolgar. Whats wrong with him then? the leader asked.

He . . . was attacked by that dragon. Ghleanna nodded at Addolgar.

With a sigh and a barely suppressed eye roll, Addolgar raised his arm and weakly stated, Dont mind me. Im just slowly bleeding to death from the attack. All that cows blood smeared over his human flesh helped with that lie. Of course, hed been dragon when the blood had splattered, the human herder running off, screaming hysterically and pissing himself. And after Addolgar had finished eating, hed shifted to human so he could relax with his back against a sturdy tree and his long human legs stretched out in front of him.

One of the humans studied Addolgar and asked, Whys he naked?

The three of them blinked and then Bercelak lied, Because itll be easier to carry his dead body back to the troops with no armor.

Wont he need his armor for the funeral? asked another curious human.

Addolgar and Ghleanna looked at Bercelak, waiting to see what their younger brother would come up with next.

Uh . . . yes. Youre right, of course. Um . . . but we all hated him. So were stripping him of any honor at his death.

But hes still alive, said a horrified woman.

Thats when Addolgar bit the inside of his mouth to prevent the laughter threatening to come out; Ghleanna, always short on patience, had had enough.

Here, Ghleanna said to the humans. Take this. She held out her hand to Bercelak. He glanced at her open hand and back at her face.

What?

Ghleanna tilted her head the tiniest bit, and Addolgar read that move for exactly what it was. A threat.

Growling a bit, Bercelak ripped the coin pouch he had tied to his sword belt off and handed it to Ghleanna. She, in turn, handed it over to the humans. For your cattle.

Youll take care of the dragon, though, yeah?

Our troops are moving on him as we speak. Have no fear. Hell not be back.

Lizards, the human spit out. Hate them all.

With that, the humans turned around and headed back to their homes.

I should have eaten them, Bercelak sneered.

What is wrong with you? Ghleanna demanded.

They made me angry. He paused a moment, then admitted, And they smell really good. Im so hungry.

Addolgar pointed to a nearby meadow. Theres more cows over there. And I could eat again.

Ghleanna shook her head and rubbed her fingers against her temples. You two are such idiots.

Addolgar laughed. I was just thinking the same thing about you lot!

Braith of the Darkness, Daughter of the House of Penarddun, so named by the western city shed destroyed when theyd sent an army to her cave to hunt her as if she were some common bear in the woods, landed on the side of Devenallt Mountain.

The seat of power for the Dragon Queen of the Southlands, Devenallt Mountain was the one place Braith loathed going. As a royal, there were certain times of the year she was expected to come and spend time among other royals, but she hated it. She had nothing in common with . . . well . . . anyone. She had nothing to say. At least nothing that would interest anyone. So she mostly just stood around, holding a chalice of wine she never drank, and waited until she could sneak out without being noticed.

Unfortunately, she wasnt here for a specific royal event but because shed been sent for by her father. Something that frightened her more than shed ever admit out loud. She wasnt close to her father. Never had been. Her father had always made it clear that, to him, she was nothing more than your mothers daughter, which was fine with Braith. She didnt need her father and didnt want to be around him, and he had always seemed to feel the same. So why he was summoning her to Devenallt Mountain, she had no idea.

Determined to get this over with, she tossed back her blue hair and headed into the mountain stronghold.

Moving out of one cavern and into another, Braith stopped when she saw one of the Queens offspring, Princess Rhiannon. Of all the Queens offspring, Rhiannon was the only one whom Braith managed to tolerate, which was probably as close to a friendship as either of them had ever had.