Targon

 

 

 

Humans are a strange lot, but there’s no time to dwell on that. We are finally on our way to the Valley of Drakon, where I will meet with the elders and request their help in rescuing my clan. It took a little time to convince Tina that she was safe flying with me (not to mention the time it took to coax her out of the jungle after she saw me shift), but Rin can be persuasive when she wants to be. I know that first hand. So here we are, both girls riding on my back as we journey toward the land of the old dragons. Speaking of which—

Rin grabs ahold of my ear and presses her face to me. “Tina wants to know if you can fly a little lower. She says she’s getting airsick up this high.”

Of course, I say, and dip my wings to descent.

A minute later. “Tina says you’re going too fast. She can’t breathe very well with the wind whipping her in the face.”

I sigh and slow down. Of course.

And then. “Tina wants to know—“

We will take a break in a little bit, I say, anticipating Rin’s thoughts. Trust me, I will get the two of you safely to Drakon—keyword being safely, my treasured one. Tell your friend she has nothing to worry about. My brothers and sisters are waiting for me in captivity, as are your friends, and I am anxious to speak with the elders so that I may come back and rescue them.

Rin scratches me behind the ear with her fingernails. “I’m sorry for pestering you, my sweet dragon. Tina’s just not used to all this.” She strokes her hand down the back of my neck. “I know how important it is to get to the elders. Just humor her please. For me.”

Yes, my Rin. You know I’d do anything to make you happy.

She moves her lips closer now, whispering just loud enough to hear over the wind. “All day I’ve been thinking about that night we lay together,” she says. I can feel her shifting her thighs against my back.  “I hope we’ll have a chance to be together again before you leave.”

It takes all my will not to land right away and ravish her.

It feels nice to be touched by her, and my heart glows as I imagine what my clan will look like once this mission is over. It will be all of us together: my kindred and all of Rin’s friends, hunting and building a new community. A community stronger than any of the dragons have ever known. I can see it in my mind like it’s already here—my brother circling overhead, Rin at my side, the others smiling and building their new homes. And the thought of Rin carrying my offspring—there are no words in the languages of humans or dragons to express the joy that will bring me. My sons and daughters will be the masters of the next generation, leading my clan into a new golden age.

But none of these things can happen until I free my clan from the Other-Worlders.

It’s been a long time since my last visit to the Valley of Drakon. The last time it was just my brother and I, gone off to learn about the old ways and to show our loyalty to the realm. The dragons who live there are of the old school, reclusive and leery of outsiders. Their culture is steeped in rituals and customs from centuries before I was born. My clan, founded by my father, distanced ourselves from the elders because of this, but we still remain loyal to them.

I am one of their lords, and I have sworn allegiance to the council. We need each other, as our numbers have never been so low. The elders possess the old knowledge of the Other-Worlders, and have the keys to unlocking the collars that control dragon minds.

I land in a clearing with a nearby stream. It is surrounded by steep rock faces, and should be safe from predators for the girls. They go off and do whatever it is Earth girls do while I perch on top of a boulder and survey our surroundings. It is quiet here. We are far from the dangers of the Wildlands. Night is approaching and we still have a ways to go. There will be no more stops, as the rest of the journey is over water. Soon the girls return, refreshed and a feeling better. They climb onto my back and we are once again on our way.

The moons are out and full tonight as we cross over the Lucent Shore. This little break in monotony is welcome after flying over the same landscape all day long. The sands of the Lucent Shore are made up of broken shells and the bones of giant sea-dwelling creatures. They stretch in a great line from one horizon to the other, glimmering with a pearlescent sheen, and it is the last strip of land we will see before coming to the distant shores of Drakon.

I look back over my shoulder, glad to see that Tina is sleeping. Rin has taken off her shirt and tied it around the two of them to keep her secure while she rests. Rin has some furs draped over her shoulder, and a look of excitement in her eyes. I smile. The changes are still taking place inside of her, but ever since I claimed her as my mate she has grown bolder, stronger, and more capable of facing the challenges of this world. It fills my heart with pride to see how far she’s come in such a short time.

My Treasured One. My Mate.

She sees me looking at her from the corner of my eye and taps me on the shoulder.

“This is so beautiful,” she says, pointing toward the ocean below. The wind whips her hair back, and her cheeks are rosy from the evening chill. “What is this ocean called?”

It is the Azhai Abyss. We are still over shallow water—that is why there is a purple hue. But soon we will fly over the depths—where no light can penetrate—and you will see how black the water becomes.

“The Azhai Abyss,” she repeats. “What does that word mean, Azhai?”

It is named after a water dragon who lived many eons ago. There are stories like you told me your kind have—myths—about him. They say he fought the Other-Worlders when they first arrived. He lived deep in the Abyss, but no one has seen him in many generations. They say he sacrificed himself to prevent the Other-Worlders from destroying all of dragon kind.

Rin smiles. “That’s a lovely story. I hope it’s true, except the end part. I’m going to pretend he saved the world and then went back to live happily ever after with his own kind at the bottom of the sea.” Rin laughs. “Maybe he’s hanging out with Sponge Bob.”

Who is this Sponge Bob?

She doesn’t respond, but moves her face away, laughing as she puts her arms out like wings against the starlit sky. I leave her be, allowing her to enjoy the experience just the way she is. It must be a great joy for her to fly through the sky like this. I can’t imagine not being able to fly. We dragons often take it for granted, but to her it must be similar to my days as a youngling, stretching my wings for the first time, teetering up into the air precariously as excitement and adrenaline filled my chest. It’s such a unique pleasure for me that I can bring this experience into her life.

I fly all through the night, until the red sun of Theros peeks up through the pastel haze in the distance. I am exhausted from lack of sleep, and my wings are cramping with fatigue, but this journey is far too important for me to worry about aches and pains.

Soon the gray rocky shores of Drakon break through the mist. Then I see the river delta that leads inward to the valley. At the head of the river is a gigantic rock that juts from the water, forming its own island, and on top of this rock is a huge statue of Drako the Unbroken, the founder of the city. I’ve seen the statue many times since I was a boy, and it never fails to impress. It also marks our arrival in the valley. I shake off the sleep in my eyes and push myself toward the old world.