Dragon Defense (Heirs to the Throne Book 3) (14 page)

“The head’s too round, the eyes too large, and it’s fat.  Otherwise they look like cousins,” Jordan said.

Felesia hit him playfully.  The otter squeaked and dove under the water. “You frightened him!”  Felesia chided.

“Me?  You did the hitting, not me.” Jordan laughed and ducked another playful swat.

“Brandon, what are those?”  Krystal pointed to sleek silver bodies jumping through the waves. 

“Dolphins.  They love to play and follow the boat,” Brandon answered.  “If you’re lucky, we’ll see whales, their giant cousins.  They often fish nearby.”  Brandon enjoyed the job of tour guide.  “See the holes in the cliffs ahead?  That’s where the dragons roost.”

Everyone stared at the dark rugged cliffs that jutted above a white sand beach.  The clusters of rust colored vertical spikes looked like projectiles shot out of the ocean and frozen in place.  Krystal said, “I saw similar rock formations on other planets, caused by lava rising straight up through groups of cracks in the planet surface.  After the magma hardens, erosion removes the softer soil and dense rock formations are revealed.  Those rocks are a perfect roosting place for dragons, and I’d bet they lay their eggs in warm volcanic caverns.”

Winged creatures rose from fissures atop the spires or dropped out of dark openings in worn patches across the cliff face.  From a distance they looked like giant birds until sunlight reflected a dizzy array of colors across their wings.

Felesia shaded her eyes.  “I see dragons!” she squealed with glee.  “That one swooped down to the water and grabbed something with its talons.”

“Yeah, they’re fishing.  Dragons hover over the water until they spot a fish, then they drop like a rock, grab the fish, and fly away without getting wet.” Brandon said, “If you see them dive in unison, they’re trying to catch a large eel.”

“Eel?” She cringed, remembering the eel that nearly killed her.  Staring into the dark waves she imagined seeing the humps of a snakelike creature and took an involuntary step away from the side.

“Yes, giant sea eels are thick around here, and we lose fishermen to them regularly.  Eels are vile creatures with nasty tempers.  The dragons are natural enemies and a ship’s crew cheers whenever they see the dragons catch one.”

Felesia asked, “So dragons keep the eel population under control?”

Brandon nodded. “If the dragons weren’t so dangerous to our ships, we’d appreciate their help.”

Felesia locked her gaze on the scene as dragons filled the sky, their filmy wings rippling with color.  “Jordan, I see colors in their minds just like Flash.  The colors they display in their wings match those inside their minds.”

Jordan grinned and wrapped his arm around her shoulder.  “You’re right.  Mental images match the patterns from their wings.  Maybe they communicate with color.”

Brandon scowled.  “You’re imagining things.  They’re pretty animals but dangerous.”

Jordan shook his head.  “You claim that dragons cooperate while hunting eels, so they must communicate.”

Brandon watched the dragons thoughtfully.  “Could we anticipate what they’re planning to do from those colors?”

Felesia nodded.  “When Flash talks to me, the colors in her wings change.”  She turned to watch the dragons again.  “You see?  Two dragons synchronized their colors and now they’re both diving!”  Felesia clapped her hands.  “They caught a large eel and see how the colors changed before they flew toward the shore?”

Brandon caught his breath and nodded.  “I never noticed that before!”  He stared at the horizon and frowned.  “A storm is brewing, so we must return to port.”

Felesia pointed at the dragons.  “Look!  That large dragon displayed dark colors, making the others head back to their nests.”  She turned to Brandon.  “Can we come back out tomorrow?”

“Sure, you and Jordan can take my boat while Krystal and I meet the seamen,” Brandon offered.

“Since we know where to go, I’m sure we can manage on our own,” Jordan said and grinned.

Brandon spent the return voyage teaching Jordan about the sails, while Krystal and Felesia coaxed otters close.  Krystal watched an otter take a morsel from Felesia’s fingertips. 

“Can you hear their minds?”  Krystal asked.

Felesia nodded.  “I see pictures of ocean creatures, mostly their favorite foods, but other pictures are enemies.  Tomorrow I’ll bring Killer and see how he reacts.”

“What about Flash?” 

“We should wait until I understand dragon signals.  I’ll teach Flash the patterns and bring her out.”  Felesia tossed a piece of fish to an otter and watched the creature eat while floating on its back.

Jordan felt clumsy maneuvering the sails and frowned at Brandon’s smug expression.  He controlled his anger, determined to learn.  The evening breeze turned icy by the time the skiff entered the harbor. Jordan shivered and Brandon pulled a red wool cloak from his pack. 

“Put this on before you catch a chill.” 

Jordan’s eyes widened.  “I can’t take your cloak.”

Brandon shrugged.  “It’s an extra and I won’t need it tomorrow.  The damp air chills your bones if you’re not careful.”

Jordan fingered the heavy fabric and slipped the cloak over his shoulders.  The thick folds felt warm.  “Here, you need a proper cap for the sea.”  Brandon tossed a red stocking cap to Jordan.  “Return them before you head back to Havenshire.” 

Brandon’s casual manner surprised Jordan, and he wondered if he misjudged the man.  “Thanks.  I’ll get it back to you,” he mumbled and pulled the stocking cap over cold ears.

Jordan, intent on guiding the skiff into its mooring, didn’t notice another seaman, who watched his clumsy actions.  Brandon nodded at the man, leaning idly against the mast of his ship.  The seaman moved his boat out of sight before Jordan docked.

The next morning felt chilly and Jordan appreciated the warmth of the red cloak.  Felesia jumped into the boat carrying a picnic basket.  “Isn’t this wonderful?”  Gold highlights gleamed in her tawny hair as it floated in the breeze.  Dressed in a white blouse and dark pants, her bare arms looked golden in the morning sun. 

“Won’t you feel cold?”  Jordan asked.

“I brought a sweater and spent many cold days in the forest.”  She grinned and her hazel eyes twinkled. “I wore less than this.”

Jordan nodded.  “I remember how beautiful you looked.  Don’t you need to say good-bye to the animals?”

“I spent time with them this morning.  They’re all in the forest, except for Killer.”  She motioned to her pack and the mongoose poked a pointed nose out.  “I want him to see the otters.”

“We’ve always got a chaperon.”  Jordan flashed sparkling white teeth against olive skin and black hair.

“Get the sails up or Killer will show you some teeth.”  Felesia threatened with a smile.

Jordan muttered as he repeated the steps Brandon taught him and soon the skiff skimmed the calm water.  Felesia dangled her fingers in the water, mentally calling the otters.  Before long, round heads bobbed alongside the boat.  Sleek dolphins leaped from the water and raced the boat.

It felt difficult steering around dolphins and otters.  “Couldn’t you wait to visit until we drop anchor?  I’m new at this,” he grumbled.

Felesia giggled and sent a mental message to clear a trail, and the animals drifted out of the way. The couple enjoyed lazy hours basking in the warm sun and cool breeze.  Killer, intrigued by the otters, scampered along ropes that dangled over the water and chattered.

Tension drained away and Jordan relaxed.  The skiff seemed easy to handle in the gentle waves, and they made good progress toward the cliffs.  Felesia spotted a beach and Jordan maneuvered near the shore.

“Let’s climb up that cliff and eat our picnic while we watch the dragons.”  Felesia scrambled out of the boat and waded to the beach.  “Hurry, Jordan.”

“Sure, I love climbing cliffs while carrying food,” he grumbled.  “Don’t run too far ahead!”  He pushed the anchor over the side and felt satisfied the skiff would stay put.  Lugging the picnic basket, he followed Felesia up a natural trail to a gentle hill overlooking the beach.

The climb wasn’t hard, and Felesia sat on a blanket as he arrived with the basket.  “The cook prepared a feast for us,” he said and plopped the heavy basket down. 

The rust colored cliffs looked rugged from their vantage point.  They noticed pockets of sink holes among the jagged spires, and dragons emerging from the natural openings. 

Felesia pointed and said, “Can you see the dragons?  Don’t they look beautiful?”

Jordan grinned.  “They’re incredible.  I love watching Flash, but a flock of dragons flying in formation looks extraordinary.”

Felesia slipped her hand into his.  “I knew we’d enjoy a day alone.  Touch their minds and help me learn the meaning of their colors.” 

She and Jordan contacted dragon minds while the creatures hovered over the ocean.  Stretching long necks two dragons flashed green and gold through their wings.  Other dragons echoed the message and swooped toward the water in a group.  An eel raised its ugly white head out of the water, its body rippling across the waves. 

Immersed in the wild draconic mind, Jordan became one of the dragons.  He stretched his wings and shrieked as he hit the eel.  The satisfying crunch of talons piercing bone vibrated up his legs.  He felt a burst of red and gold spread through his wings.  His flock dropped from the sky and grabbed the body of the thrashing giant eel.  Wings pumped in unison as they lifted the heavy creature out of the water.

Working together, the dragons hauled the writhing body over the water, and Jordan smelled the stink of the eel’s breath.  The creature struck at his underbelly but he ignored the sting.  They flew higher and angled toward jagged rocks along the beach.  Hovering over the spot he chose, they opened their talons and wings flamed with yellow and orange as the hissing eel dropped onto the rocks. 

Jordan heard a loud thud.  He watched the thrashing eel die and landed on the beach near the head.  The other dragons granted him first feeding rights, and tasting the pungent flavor, he gouged out chunks of soft tissue.

He gagged and choked as his mind returned to his human body.  Felesia clutched his hand.  “Jordan, I lost you inside the dragon’s mind and couldn’t reach you.”

He gulped from the wineskin to force the foul taste from his memory.  “It seemed real.  I hated that eel and enjoyed making the kill.”

“Be careful!  Don’t let your mind get lost in a wild animal.”

Jordan laughed.  “Listen to you!  Your mind hid inside Marra and nearly stayed.  Now you understand how hard I fought to make contact with you.”

Felesia nodded.  “I learned to trust you and left Marra’s mind.  Marra and I linked minds often when we hunted, but you never linked with a wild mind before.  Please be careful.”

“I promise to be more cautious. Where’s lunch?  I’m starved and need to erase the memory of raw eel.” 

Felesia opened the picnic basket.  Jordan felt ravenous and wondered if linking minds drained energy.  Perhaps the dragon’s hunger fueled his appetite, but food never tasted so good. While they ate Felesia marveled at colors flashing across the filmy dragon wings.  The sky darkened and Felesia shivered. 

Jordan reached for his cloak.

“Here, slip this over your shoulders.  You’re freezing!”  He stroked her cold cheeks.  “Where’s your sweater?”

She laughed.  “In my haste I left the sweater in the boat with Killer.  He’s probably snuggling inside that sweater right now and it takes effort to get rid of his hair.”

Jordan frowned and shoved the red stocking cap over Felesia’s cold ears.  “You never listen to me!  Let’s head back.” She grinned and tucked her mane of windblown hair into the cap.

They packed the basket, and Felesia skipped down the trail as Jordan carried the basket at a sedate pace.  After she disappeared around a corner, Jordan heard her muffled scream.  He dropped the basket and vaulted down the trail, straight into a pair of husky men grappling with Felesia.  A hairy fist knocked him flat.  A heavy boot hit his head and the sky spun into a black void. 

He floated on a lumpy bed, irritated when he tried shifting positions.   Sharp rocks jabbed into sore ribs and Jordan woke with a start.  Nausea made him gag, and he saw the skiff bobbing in the surf.

He felt alone and wretched with a throbbing head and aching ribs.

“Felesia!” he shouted but the call echoed through the cliffs.  Killer chattered from the boat racing back and forth.  Jordan waded through the surf and leaned over the rail to stroke the quivering animal.  He pulled himself into the skiff and doubled over in pain. 

Killer chattered into his face, close enough that whiskers tickled his nose.  “I know, those men kidnapped her…but which direction did they go?”

He searched the dark sky.  Empty waves crashed over the narrow beach, disappearing quickly with the rising tide.  An arc of foamy seawater hit the skiff and the belly of the boat scraped across rocks.  Jordan realized the skiff dragged the anchor closer to the jagged rocks at the base of the cliff and worried it would get thrown onto the rocks soon.  He’d be stranded while Felesia’s captors got away. 

Wet and sore, he heaved the anchor into the boat and climbed back into the surf.  He pushed the bobbing skiff toward deeper water and scrambled over the rail with a wrenching pain.  He lay still until the throbbing eased and saw dragons overhead.  Gazing into the eyes of a large dragon, Jordan watched color ripple across the creature’s wings in a curiosity pattern he recognized from Flash.  Fear gripped him.  He remembered how the strong talons grabbed the eel and sharp beaks gouged pieces from the dead carcass.