Are you thinking about what you’ll do if I’m killed or exiled?
I am wondering if Wreylith will realize that I have many fine merits and wish me to be involved in the raising of our offspring.
Oh. I guess it was self-centered of me to think it wasourfuture that you were pondering.
I have considered what I might do if you are no longer a stormer serving in the Sixteen Talons, as I do enjoy our many battles and adventures, but now that I’ve learned that Wreylith is with eggs, I find that occupying my thoughts.
Understandable.Vorik grimaced as the verdant coastline came into view ahead.If I were to become a father, it would be on my mind a lot too.
It is not a dragon tradition for males to be involved in the raising of offspring, but a female who feels a bond toward a male will sometimes accept assistance. For example, she might allow him to bring meat to her in the days before the laying of the eggs and also during the hatching and raising. Sometimes, though it is somewhat rare, the male may even be trusted to sit with the eggs or hatchlings while the female hunts. More typically, a female relative may take that role, but… I do not know how many relatives Wreylith has, do you? She has outlived many of her kin. The orange dragon, Igliana, is a niece of sorts, is she not?
I think so.
Vorik cared about Agrevlari’s musings regarding the future, but he caught himself wiping his palms on his trousers, nervous about how his people would react to his return. What would he say? Would he be allowedinto the camp? What had Lesva and Jhiton said about him? Vorik dreaded facing them, but he assumed they would both be there. From what Agrevlari had reported, a few dragons lingered near Harvest Island, but most had departed with their riders—those riders who’d survived—after the mine disaster.
Igliana is young and likely inexperienced in the ways of motherhood,Agrevlari said.Wreylith might prefer my assistance.
Oh? Areyouexperienced in the ways of motherhood?
Fatherhood, certainly. Many cycles ago, I sired offspring, but I did not have a long-lasting bond with the female I mated with, so I was not involved in the raising of the hatchlings.
You have children, Agrevlari? You never told me.
We’ve not encountered those that have survived over the years. My mating and their raising was in the Southern Hemisphere, and their mother has passed, but I believe they remain wild dragons with little interaction with humans.
Fascinating.As they sailed closer to the coast, Vorik eyed the bare rocky ledge where he and Jhiton had fought over Syla. He spotted a rider on watch out there, someone gazing toward him without obvious surprise.
Since dragons could sense each other from a distance, Vorik assumed his approach had been reported. He looked warily up and down the coast for Ozlemar or any other dragons that might appear and impede their landing, but Agrevlari was the only winged being in the sky. Since the cave camp in the dense trees wasn’t accessible to dragons, that wasn’t too surprising, but Vorik also wouldn’t have been surprised if he’d been met with a barricade of fire and fangs.
If Wreylith is wise, she’ll accept your help and realize that you have many fine attributes.Though hatchlings weren’t his primary concern, in case Vorik didn’t survive the day, he wanted to say something positive to Agrevlari. His loyal dragon companion had often teased him about his relationship with Syla, but he’d never suggested it was stupid—or thatVorikwas stupid.You’re a good friend, Agrevlari.
Yes. Do you believe the hatchlings will have Wreylith’s magnificent red coloring or mine? Or perhaps neither? Colors can be a wondrous surprise when it comes to dragons, but her brilliant, fiery scales would be most appealing in offspring.
I hope I live long enough to find out. Will you put me down where we landed last time? That little beach between the cliffs.
Certainly. I should warn you that Ozlemar and three other dragons are hunting inland over the meadows beyond the coastal forest. They are aware that we’ve arrived.
I understand. I hope they won’t take their vexation out on you. I was solely responsible for… my choices in the mine.
Oh, I’ve told them that repeatedly.
Vorik snorted.Your honesty is always appreciated.
They’ve suggested that your betrayal is a human matter, and they’ll let your people handle you.
The wordsyour betrayalmade Vorik wince, but he couldn’t deny their accuracy.
Apparently, Ozlemarhasconsidered chomping you in half though.
That’s not surprising.
Agrevlari spread his wings and glided over the waves, seagulls and shark-beaked fulmars flying away from their perches in the cliffs as he approached. Nobody waited on the beach or the trail overlooking it.
After the dragon landed, Vorik braced himself and slid off, taking his weapons and the large sack of food that Syla had given him. With numerous jars inside, as well as the many other items she’d packed, it had a lot of heft. Maybe it was good that he hadn’t managed to retain any changes of clothing or other personal items during his chaotic night on Bogberry Island.
Wish me luck, Agrevlari.
If you don’t return, I’ll pine for many hours.
