The need to explain rose in an instance, but I swallowed it down and smiled.
“They aren’t what’s important,” I told her. “Things used to be different in Nevermere. Queen dragons were a formidable force and I imagine everyone else gave them a wide berth, lest they destroy them.” I blinked, seeing Drathnor’s terrible rage as something else now. “We’re off to find out why that changed. I’ll be gone for a few days, but when I come back?” With a smile, I looked over at Sparrow. “I promise to tell you all about it.”
“Pinky promise?” she asked, holding up a hand.
“Pinky promise,” I replied, linking fingers.
Chapter 37
Auren
Daughter.The next morning I was sitting on the keep roof, watching the sun rise, barely able to suppress my irritation. We should have left yesterday. Waiting felt like slow moving death and yet that’s what I was doing as my father landed beside me.I hear you are going travelling.
Of course, he already knew. Sometimes it felt like dragons were more gossipy than humans were and that was saying something. He leaned forward, and I pressed my forehead to his in greeting.
Yes, Father. I intend to find Drathnor’s tomb, I replied as I pulled away.Ancient queens were terrible, fierce creatures. I’m willing to bet that no creature, human or dragon, hounded them. Somehow my kind has changed and I wish to know why.
My eyes met my father’s, and I stared into them, waiting for him to provide me with what knowledge he possessed.
So I hear.He looked out towards the horizon.You will fly unmolested now. The general and I have had a conversation.No corp dragons other than those authorised to travel will come near you, but does your interest in Drathnor have anything to do with these three?
The sounds of wings beating announced the males’ presence. As I turned around, I saw that all of the silver dragons had joined us, along with Viridian.
The morning sun suits you, my queen, Slate said, stalking across the roof as the others landed.It has your scales gleaming as brightly as newly minted gold.
It is not flattery I need, I replied,but directions to the Tomb of Terror.Perhaps you could show me the way and I?—
We’ll show you the way.Brightfang joined his brother.It will take some time to get to Blackreach. There will be long days in the air, though we could stop more often if you need to rest. Whatever you need, my queen.
Viridian’s head jerked up.
Auren is strong enough to keep pace with any of us. She is so fast you’ll have to fight to stay abreast of her.
We’ll keep up. Argent was the last to come forward and those silver eyes held mine.And you will find all the answers you need.
His confidence was both infuriating and reassuring in turns, but my focus shifted back to Father.
The silver dragons are not my concern, I told Father.Just a means to find out what happened to Drathnor.
So you say. His dry tone had me shifting restlessly, but Father moved closer. His neck wrapped around mine for just a moment before he withdrew again.You were always the fiercest of my daughters. I have little doubt that you will achieve everything you set out to do and more.
I had retorts prepared, ready to argue with him, but that acceptance, the warmth in his tone, disarmed me completely. A gentle huff made clear that this might’ve been a deliberate ploy by Father. I didn’t care. His warm regard was something I’d always craved, yet did not dare ask for when I was older. Sometimes it felt like I could have my freedom or his approval but not both.
“Ready?”
We all turned to see Fern had arrived. She was struggling under the weight of her bag, but before she could stagger forward, Viridian’s rider was there, plucking it from her grip.
“I’ll take that for you,” the male said, then approached myside. “Fern, Auren, I assume you are new to saddlebags?” I turned around to see him undoing the catches of two large leather flaps on either side of the saddle. “Auren didn’t have a saddle before now, so let me show you how these work. Both bags are capacious, made to carry a corp rider’s entire kit.” Viridian’s head swooped in, looking curiously at what his rider was doing. “I’ll pack yours in a moment, lad. Just let me show the ladies something.”
He liked being the one to teach Fern things, this Lance. He stood taller, his tone softening when she gazed up at him. Apparently, human males enjoyed being seen as bigger, stronger, just like dragons did.
“You need to distribute the items equally on both sides. It’s not about size, but weight. An unequally balance saddle puts extra pressure on the belly band?—”
“I can do it.”
Fern was normally appreciative of things males did for her, but not now. She took her pack from Lance’s grip and then went to work, packing things on this side of my saddle before moving to the other. He wanted to protest. I could feel the frustration pouring off him. The protective instinct that ruled males was making his life a misery right now as he forced himself to step back. If he hoped to wallow in that sensation, he wouldn’t get a chance, as a sharp voice cut through the air.
“And where do you think you’re going?”
