Nejireru's story, page 2

In the days and weeks that followed, Nejireru observed much. His attitude toward them did change, but not in the way many would like. He found that just watching them make fools of themselves was very amusing, and if one could keep a straight face, one could openly encourage it. For example, many humans enjoyed gathering together into groups in the evenings, drinking themselves silly. Often, while in the process, bets and dares were made. Humans were willing to do just about anything to save face, without realizing how foolish they were behaving. A time or two, Nejireru had been the instigator in sanity-defying stunts in which he had taken no part. The men hailed him for his creativity.

So, while his first assessment, that they were silly little creatures, had been reinforced, yes, he could have fun with them without maiming anybody in the process. Something to consider in the future when given the choice.

He also learned that there was no place nearby called "Alabaster."

"Oh yeah," one well-traveled man at the local pub said, "Alabaster Cove's over on Paniya Island. You'd need a boat to get there."

"Boat," meaning a merchant ship. If he wanted to get to Paniya, he needed to either work aboard a ship (A cabin boy? Me?!), or pay his way there, which also meant he had to get a job. He could also sneak aboard, in which he risked being caught, and as a stowaway thrown overboard. Wonderful, just wonderful.

Finally, he stumbled upon an opportunity that he simply couldn't resist.

He had heard stories of the local "Caer," as they called them, unlikely tales that nevertheless piqued his curiosity. The tales reminded him of something Yagami had mentioned ... something about sighting Nessie off the coast of Paniya. Well, if a creature like that existed in the waters of this world, maybe stories of flying dragons were also true.

So he set out to explore the Caer. It was vast in comparison to surrounding establishments, unless one considered the size requirements of the dragons that regularly flew in and out of caves situated in the stone face of the surrounding cliffs. Nejireru was quite frankly awed, as even Alskyrians can be, by the sight of such majestic beasts, many of whom dwarfed their own riders.

"Welcome to Serpent's Reach," said a smiling someone, who obviously lived here. Following his gaze, the man nodded. "Quite a sight, isn't it?"

"You could say that."

~ ~ ~

Nejireru found himself in a maze of hallways with only one problem on his mind: where to first? Going through some sort of ceremony called a "search," in which a dragon comes down and sniffs you or somesuch to determine if you are worthy to bond a dragon (whatever that was supposed to mean), gave him free-reign of the Caer. He was pointed in the direction of the food, empty caerlets (the word had been slurred to sound like "terrlet," so he assumed he must have meant "toilet,"), and even something called the Dunes. He shrugged. I'll investigate it all, eventually.

But where to start? Something incredibly tasty was cooking in the kitchens; he was across the way, but even from here it smelled absolutely fabulous: rich, spicy and above all, warm. Unfortunately, he wasn't at all hungry, and wasn't in the habit of eating unless he needed to. His "bond searcher," the guy whose dragon had "searched" him, had mentioned needing an escort to see the Dunes, but hell if he was going to listen to that. It had sounded as if that was a precaution for children, bonders too young to go anywhere on their own. What do they think will happen, he had thought to himself wryly at the time, that I'll fall down a dune and break an ankle? Have they no sand insurance?

With nothing better to do, he smirked, wondering if they had something to slide down the sides with. I think that's where I'll go first. If nothing else, I can see if any dragons want to build a sandcastle.

~ ~ ~

Finding the Dunes was not very difficult. In fact, the Caer seemed to revolve around that place, and news about some event going on inside was bouncing around from mouth to mouth like a beach ball. It was strange to Nejireru. Words like "hatching," and "clutch," were common, putting thoughts of dune buggies and camels from the half-demon's mind. "Bonding" a dragon seemed to be linked to this clutch on the Dunes, which was confusing because people often spoke of "wild dragons." Somehow he doubted that any dragon would allow itself to become anyone's "pet," either.

Good thing he was headed to the Dunes anyway. An investigation would certainly answer a lot, if not all of his questions, without forcing Nejireru to stoop down to their level and actually initiate conversation. He hated having to talk down to anyone, but sometimes it was necessary.

He entered the arena like any spectator to a hatching might. He found a huge place with a similar setup to a stadium: there were seats all around the central area below, the Dunes, and above it all were larger, dragon-sized ledges. He walked around the circumference the place, hoping to get a better view. Across from him, on the sand, was a very large gold-colored dragon, which he knew to be the Queen, or a queen, at any rate. She had surrounded herself around a mound of sand-covered eggs.

He had hastily moved toward the shadows lest he startle her, which would land him on the wrong end of her wrath, when he heard a voice in his head. He recognized the telekinesis instantly.

Why do you sneak around the Dunes like a burglar, Stranger?

At first, he eyed the golden Queen, expecting to have been addressed by her, but she was not looking at him. Then he saw her, sitting in another part of the Dunes nearer to him, a large, black --

Queen, of course.

Of…of course. And as was expected when addressing royalty, he bowed, then approached her out of courtesy rather than brashness. I mean no harm to you or your eggs. Nor hers, he added, indicating the Gold with a nod of his head.

Ivasheth was intrigued by this human. He had not been scared witless by her addressing him. In fact, he seemed quite accustomed to speaking telekinetically, and only a little surprised by her presence, but not by her appearance. But he was like no human she had ever seen; he was confident, as if the possibility of angering a dragon was not a concern. He was either very fast or very stupid. And then there was his heat signature. He was shaped like a human, but he flared intensely in her vision, walking around with a temperature at which most humans would burn. Very intriguing indeed.

No, she said finally, I don't believe you do. Tell me why you are here. Do desire one of the eggs?

He eyed the mass of eggs before her, sitting upright with some sort of gluey substance. It looked like the egg sac of a giant insect. He was not quite repulsed, for the black Queen was very interesting indeed. He had noticed by then that she had no eyes, and unlike other dragons he had seen thus far, she was covered in chitin-like armor. No offense, but why would I desire one of your eggs? If I wanted to ride a dragon, couldn't I just hitch a ride with somebody else?

Of course you could, but why would you want to? With your own dragon, you could go anywhere or do anything.

Nejireru considered this. He didn't particularly want to have to return a dragon once he was finished with it. What a hassle, a burden even. However, did he really want to care for such a beast? A small pet, such as a dog or a cat, was enough of a problem, a horse out of the question … but a dragon?

No, I believe you misunderstand. Obviously, a dragon is no beast of burden. When you bond with one, it is a connection you share for life. A dragon is a partner, not a subordinate. He is your equal.

Nejireru considered. Finally, he nodded, having come to his decision. I understand. How do I bond with a dragon? Is there some arcane ritual I should know about?

Yes, in a way... Tell me, have you learned nothing from the fledgeling trainer?

Nejireru grinned. I'm a little new here. I know next to nothing about dragons it would seem.

Ahh, you are as a child, then.

The half-demon blinked, feeling chagrined. Did she know…?

You should learn all you need to know from your fledgeling trainer's teachings. Even so, your questions will be answered during the hatching. One thing you must realize though, something many bonder-candidates forget. You do not bond with the dragon. The dragon bonds with you.

~ ~ ~

page 1 ~ 2 ~ 3
Main ~ Serpent's Reach