dragon archives 05 - forever a dragon (25 page)

Lleland turned forward again. A waterfall roared up ahead, and he followed Zach as he dived through the falling torrent, spraying water in all directions. He opened his jaws as he plunged through the water, but it did little to ease the burning dryness in his throat. He passed an eagle and met its gaze before it suddenly veered onto a different course. The sense of freedom was exhilarating, and for a moment, Lleland could imagine soaring like this forever. Dragons were the most powerful creatures on earth, and he could feel that power pulsing through him, making him want to claim his place of dominance. He pushed the feeling away. He was not a monster.

He passed the peak where Lydia had rescued him, and saw the river twisting through the trees like a silver ribbon. A waterfall cascaded over a rock and behind the curtain of water lay a small pool of tranquility. The distance between himself and Zach was increasing, and Lleland beat his wings heavily as he tried to catch up. His muscles were unused to the new activity and he was growing weary. Zach glanced over his shoulder, then circled back to Lleland.

“I’m forgetting your wings aren’t as strong as mine,” he said, “and you haven’t fed.”

“Fed?”

“You need fresh blood to increase your strength.” Flames flooded Lleland’s mouth as a pang of craving wound through his belly.

“What kind of fresh blood?”

Zach glanced at him. “We hunt in the woods, Lleland. Elk, deer, wild boar.”

Lleland felt himself relax. “What’s wrong with human food?”

“Nothing. It just doesn’t provide all we need.” They soared languorously through the air, and after a while, Storbrook appeared in the distance. “We’ll land in one of the upper chambers,” Zach said. He cocked his head slightly. “Aaron knows we’re coming. He’ll meet us there.”

“He does? How?”

“I’m bound to him,” he said.

“What do you mean? I thought only humans could be bound.”

“My father is the Dragon Master,” Zach said. “All dragons in our clan are bound to him.”

Lleland blinked. “The Dragon Master? Then …” The implications of what Zach was saying stole the words from his mouth.

“He’s the most powerful dragon in the clan,” Zach said.

“How many dragons are in your clan?”

“Hundreds. All the dragons in the kingdom, and beyond.”

“And Aaron is the Master of them all?”

“Yes.”

“So Jack –”

“Jack was a rogue. He was kicked out of the clan, but was still Aaron’s responsibility.”

Lleland was silent for a moment. “If Aaron is Master, then all other dragons are beholden to him.”

“They’ve pledged their loyalty and obedience. That’s why dragons aren’t a threat to humans. Aaron has ordered them to leave humans alone.”

“But dragons eat people!”

“Occasionally. We need human flesh to survive. But we keep a supply for that purpose. We don’t attack and pillage the countryside.”

“The prisoners in the tower.”

“Yes.”

Lleland was silent. They neared Storbrook, and Zach led Lleland to a large window. He changed as soon as he landed in the room, and Lleland followed suit, stumbling a little as he gained his feet. He looked up to see Aaron watching him.

“Enjoy your flight?” he asked.

“It was educational,” Lleland replied.

“You’ll probably feel worn out after using your wings for the first time,” Aaron said. “And your body is craving some natural food. You need to feed.”

“No.” Lleland swallowed hard. “These effects won’t last long. All I want is human food and something to quench my thirst.”

“You need blood,” Zach said.

Lleland glanced away. “No.”

“Very well,” Aaron said. “We’ll see what happens in the next few days. But if you do not revert to your human nature, you will need to feed. In the meantime, join us in the hall for dinner. I think Cook is serving venison.”

A moment later, Lleland was alone in the chamber. It was twice the size of the one he had been in before, with soaring ceilings that could easily accommodate the natural owners of the castle. Windows lined the outside wall – huge openings that a dragon could easily pass through. A large bed was against one wall, and a table on another, but most of the floor was bare. A chest stood at the foot of the bed, and opening it, Lleland saw his possessions neatly stowed within. He pulled out a clean tunic and breeches, and pulling on his boots, headed out the door.

Chapter 28

Lleland stood at the window the next morning and watched as the sun brightened the sky. In the distance he could see three dragons circling above the peaks. With his enhanced eyesight, he could easily make out Lydia. She was the smallest of the three, and the lightest in color, with creamy gold scales that glittered in the early morning sun. Her wings were even paler than her scales, and the light reflecting off them cast a rainbow of colors into the air. She glided gracefully as she flew, her tail streaming out behind her. Lleland watched as she soared and dipped, and felt the flames burning in the pit of his stomach.

He turned away and rubbed the small of his back. It ached after his flight the previous day. Down the length of his spine he could feel the ridge of bone and muscle that supported his enormous wings. He had hoped that a night’s sleep would rid him of the dragon effects he was suffering, but he knew as soon as he had awoken that they lingered. The heat still curled within his belly, even though the dagger wound he had received was completely healed, and when he sighed, sparks crackled in the air.

Walking over to the table, Lleland scooped his hands through the basin of water and splashed it over his face. He lifted the jug and poured the remaining contents into his mouth, but it did nothing to relieve his parched throat. A small looking glass lay beside the basin, and he used it examine his features, searching for an indication of the changes within. His eyes stared back, the same green-gray color they had always been, and his skin showed no signs of scales. He sighed, and watched in dismay as flames curled from his lips. He opened his mouth to examine his teeth, but they were flat and human, and his tongue was not forked like a snake’s.

He lay down on the bed and stared up at the high ceiling as his mind grappled with all that had happened in the last few days. Not only had Lydia turned out to be a dragon, but now he was one himself! What was it about dragon blood that had done this to him? Surely the effects would not be permanent. A little part of his mind whispered that he had enjoyed soaring over the trees the previous day, but he pushed it violently from his mind. He would not be a monster. He rose from the bed and examined himself in the looking glass again. Nothing had changed. His human face still stared back at him. He looked down at his hand and examined his nails. Were they any harder than before? Did they seem more curved? But no, they were just the same. He held his hand to his open mouth, and after a moment’s pause, blew a stream of flame over his skin. He stiffened, anticipating the burning pain he knew would follow, but instead, the flame felt like a soothing caress. He pushed up the sleeve of his tunic and blew over his arm. The flames wrapped around him and stroked his skin like a lover, and he froze at the pleasure of it.

With a growl, he pulled down the sleeve and strode over to the window and stared out. The dragons were gone, but he could make out details he hadn’t noticed before. The plumage of the birds flitting between the trees was no longer muted and brown but distinct shades of gray, blue and purple. He could see the twitching whiskers of the squirrels, and a spider spinning her web a hundred feet away. He sat down on the window ledge and dropped his legs over the side. The stone he sat upon immediately grew warm at his touch. He could feel the heat that spread through him, like wisps of flame curling though his body. They were pushing outward, demanding release, but he resisted them, and forced them back into his belly. He stayed there for a long time, staring out at the mountains – staring but not seeing. His mind retreated into silence, wearied and confused.

Exhaustion washed over Lleland when he lay down on the bed that evening, and his mind finally found rest from its ceaseless wondering as he fell into a deep sleep.

He awoke the following morning with a start as a loud thud echoed through the room. He jerked up in bed, then fell back when he saw Aaron. It was still dark outside.

Aaron slapped his tail against the floor. “Come,” he said. “You must feed. You’re weakening. If you don’t feed soon, you’ll place people in danger.”

Lleland sat up and swung his legs over the side of the bed. “I’ll never attack other humans,” he said angrily.

“Not by choice. But your need for sustenance will overrule your natural aversion.”

“Never.”

“Lleland, I’ve watched many young dragons take on their natural form. This is not something you can fight.”

Lleland turned to look out the window. He could feel the heat burning in him, and his throat ached. He nodded. “Very well.” He rose from the bed as Aaron leaped through the huge window.

Gathering the burning heat into his belly, Lleland held it for a moment, then pushed it outward in an explosion of light that ripped through him, splitting him apart. It pulled back into his dragon form, and he followed Aaron through the window. Aaron was hovering outside, waiting for him, but instead of heading away from the castle, he circled around and landed on the parapet. “What are we doing here?” Lleland asked.

Aaron stared down at the courtyard below, and following his gaze, Lleland turned to see what was happening. Thomas was speaking to the guard who stood watch outside the small tower. He was leading two men into the courtyard, their hands bound with ropes. The priest followed a few steps behind, and Lleland watched as he blessed each of the men in turn. “What’s going on?” Lleland asked.

Aaron watched for another moment, then turned to look at Lleland. “Pick one and feed,” he said.

Lleland leaned back in horror. “I will not.”

“These men know they are about to die, and they know what will happen when they do. Provisions have been made for their families.”

“You expect me to eat human flesh?” Lleland glanced back at the men. He could smell their fear. “Impossible.”

“A dragon needs human flesh to survive,” Aaron said.

“You said that humans are safe from you,” Lleland snarled. “You were lying.”

“These men are going to die, whether by gallows or dragon. They’ve been found guilty of a crime and sentenced to hang. They have chosen death by dragon.”

“Who chooses to be killed by a dragon?”

“Someone who wishes to ensure his family’s future. We make sure they’re cared for. And we never shed innocent blood.”

“Except my father’s,” Lleland said.

“Enough, Lleland! You know as well as I do that Jack’s actions did not speak for the whole clan, and he paid for them with his life.”

Lleland looked away. “I’m not eating human flesh,” he repeated.

“Then watch me. Perhaps the smell of warm blood will change your mind.” Aaron crouched on the parapet, then sprang forward, landing on top of one of the men. Lleland heard a snap, and the stuttering of the man’s heart as it stopped. The second man looked nervously at Lleland, but he ignored him. Instead, he watched as Aaron ripped the body apart. The smell of blood rose in the air, and he breathed in deeply. The flames roared within him, and he felt his belly cramp with craving. He turned away, repulsed at the hunger he felt. He was not a monster.

He opened his wings and dropped from the parapet over the outside wall and soared away. He would not eat human flesh, but he was still a hunter, and the blood of the human had intensified his craving. He glided over the forests, staying close to the ground, and sniffed. A trace scent of deer reached his nose and he turned to follow it. He flew silently, his wings open wide, and scanned the forest floor. He was nearing the river, and on the banks he spotted a small herd. He banked and placed himself upwind of the animals. He could smell them strongly now, and once more he felt his stomach clenching. He stretched out his talons and silently dropped lower. A doe, standing in the water, looked up, signaling an alarm, and the creatures started bounding away, but one stumbled on a loose stone. Lleland dropped down and ripped his talons into the creature, feeling it fall beneath his weight. It hit the ground, and instinct took over as Lleland clamped his jaws around the creature’s neck. Blood gushed into his mouth, hot and thick, and he swallowed. The dryness in his throat eased, and he drew more blood into his throat. The creature was completely drained when he dropped the body from his jaws and ripped open its stomach with his talons, burying his snout in the steaming flesh. His breath seared the meat as he tore it apart, and he growled with pleasure. His forked tongue sought out every last morsel, and when he was done he licked away the last few drops of blood from his snout, then cleaned his talons. He collapsed contentedly onto the ground, his hunger sated. He curled his tail around his body and slept.

When Lleland awoke some time later, the morning sun was shining brightly, making his scales shine. He rolled onto his back and rubbed it against the sand, groaning in pleasure as his tail swished over the ground. All the weariness he felt earlier had vanished, and power coursed through him. He rose to his feet and lifted his long neck to sniff the air. A myriad of smells reached his nostrils – the remains of his kill, a wild boar rooting, the river winding through the forest;
Lydia
. Lleland turned towards Storbrook. He felt stronger than he ever had before, and flames wove through him, fueling his power. He lifted his head and roared, spilling flames over his huge, scaly body. They rolled over him, caressing his thick hide, and dissipated in the air.

In the distance Storbrook rose from the huge wall of rock it was built upon, its yellow stone shining dully in the sun. Lleland flew unerringly towards his chamber, and landed on the stone floor. He lifted his head and pushed the away the heat. Light exploded from his body, then gathered back into his center. He was standing in the middle of the room, arms outstretched and head thrown back, naked as the day he was born. A scent tickled his nose – berries and sunshine – and he breathed it in, before turning slowly to look at Lydia. She was sitting in a chair in the corner of the room, but rose as he looked at her. She stared at him, her golden eyes meeting his, and a wave of desire washed over him. He stalked towards her, and when he reached her, he twisted his hand into her hair and pulled her hard against his naked frame. He could feel her warmth through her clothes, and he slid his hand around her back, exploring her shapely frame. His mouth dropped to hers, and she opened her lips to him as her hands wrapped around his neck. He pushed her against the wall and invaded her mouth with his tongue, kissing her deeply as he pressed his hard frame against hers. He slid his mouth along her jaw and down her neck. Her scent was sharp, increasing his desire, and he moved his lips back to hers, tasting her. It wasn’t enough, though – he wanted to feel her bare flesh against his own – and he tugged at her gown, impatient to feel her skin against his. He pulled away to gaze into the burning depths of her eyes, then spun around when he heard a low laugh.