Dragon Lord (15 page)

The next Halfday, the first person Fen ran into after he’d settled River at the competition grounds was Adalric. He stood inside the owners’ area and bragged to one of his friends about the speed of his dragon, Twilight. He stopped in mid sentence when he saw Fen.

“You have a nerve showing up here,” Adalric said.

At that same moment, Hanun and Edana joined Fen and Adalric’s eyes narrowed as he glared at them.

“All of you have a nerve,” Adalric growled.

“I don’t see why we shouldn’t show up,” Fen said.

“You steal my daughter, you destroy my line and then you show up here where you knew I’d be,” Adalric argued.

Fen smiled mildly. “You destroyed your own line. And I showed up here because River plans to take another gold.”

“Gold. Not a chance. He’s racing against my Twilight. She’s never been beaten. And not only that, one of the out of town dragons, Black Star, is in the same race.”

“What do you think, River?”
Fen sent his thoughts towards where he knew River was stabled.

“I have seen them both. They do not care where they come in the race. There is no reason for them to win. They race because it is expected of them. I will take gold for you, Fen,”
River assured him.

“River will take gold,” Fen said firmly.

“A wager. We must have a wager,” one of Adalric’s friends said.

“Something worth wagering over,” another said.

Bastian came to stand with them. “A wager. How interesting.”

Adalric gave a curt nod in greeting. “Bastian.”

“Adalric.” Bastian gave the same curt nod back.

“Are we to have a wager? How about the one who is first is paid by the ones who come after him,” one of the bystanders suggested.

“No. Money takes the fun out of it.” Bastian shook his head. “I won’t be in any wager that’s so uninteresting.”

“Afraid you’ll lose?” Adalric asked.

“Certainly not. Firefly was moved into Twilight’s race. My usual dragon for the race is mating,” Bastian said.

“Ah, Firefly, she’s only lost once, hasn’t she?” Hanun glanced towards Adalric.

“To one of my dragons I believe,” Adalric said smugly.

“Not to Twilight though,” Bastian quickly replied.

“Only because she’s never raced against her,” Adalric said.

“It doesn’t matter, gentlemen,” Hanun interrupted. “Our River will take the gold so you’re wasting your time. Lay a wager with us if you will, but be prepared to pay at the end.”

“Pay! It’ll be you doing the paying,” Adalric hissed.

“What sort of wager?” Bastian asked.

Hanun hummed as he tapped his lip thoughtfully. “What about the two who lose out of us three must give the winner a recently hatched female dragon?”

“Unheard of,” exclaimed one of the bystanders.

“Completely mad,” another cried out.

“Unless you’re both worried you’ll lose.” Hanun looked first at Adalric and then at Bastian.

Edana elbowed Fen, glaring at him when he turned to look at her. “Do something,” she hissed.

“I guess you’re right, Hanun. They have no faith in their dragons at all,” Fen said.

“That wasn’t what I meant.” Edana kicked Fen’s shin to make him stop.

“Agreed,” Adalric held out his hand to Fen. He shook it and then turned to Bastian.

“Yes. Agreed.” Bastian shook first Adalric’s hand and then Fen’s.

“Someone fetch a bookmaker. We need to make this official. I don’t want anyone trying to get out of paying me my two young female dragons,” Adalric said.

“No. I certainly don’t want you trying to weasel out when it’s my Firefly who wins,” Bastian said.

A bookmaker soon arrived and he wrote down the wager in his book with relish. Within minutes he was taking bets with people over who’d be collecting the wager.

“If you’ll excuse me,” Fen said. “I’m going to find a good spot to view the race from.” He started to move away.

“Make sure you don’t go too far. I wouldn’t want to have to go looking for you to arrange delivery of my new dragon,” Adalric said.

Fen paused and turned to face Adalric across the crowd. “I’m partial to grey myself. I’ve done well with mine. So make it a female that hasn’t come into her colour yet.” He turned and strode back through the crowd before Adalric had a chance to reply.

“Are you mad?” Edana demanded in an angry whisper when Fen had found a place to view the arena from.

Fen grinned. “Probably.”

“And you’re just as bad,” Edana turned on Hanun.

“Nothing ventured, nothing gained,” Hanun said.

“You only have four baby dragons and you’re wagering one of them away,” Edana said.

“Three,” Hanun said. “Did you forget we gave one to you?”

“Two after today. And how many will be left by the end of the week? Or the end of the month? You can’t go throwing them away like that.” Edana glared at them both, hands on her hips.

“I’ve risked everything before and come out on top,” Fen reminded Edana.

“That was different,” Edana said.

Fen stared silently at Edana and willed her to understand. “Sometimes life’s a gamble. We can’t pass up this chance, Eddie. With two more female dragons we can increase our breeding stock dramatically. As it is we can’t keep any of our dragons for breeding because they’re all related. Do you think any of this lot are likely to sell us a dragon? Adalric will make certain they don’t.”

Edana sighed. “I hope River knows what’s at stake.”

“I do. I will win. No more fretting,”
River told them both.

“I hope so,” Edana muttered.

“Enough quarrelling,” Hanun said. “The race is starting.”

Fen and Edana moved forward to stand with Hanun, their eyes glued to the door where the dragons would enter the arena. As the dragons entered, the announcer called out each of their names and stable.

Fen took that time to remind River of the course. Then the race began and River was fourth in the pack. The competition was tougher than usual. The dragons he competed against were accustomed to the longer and more difficult course. Fen sent picture after picture to show River where the other dragons were in comparison to him and he was able to weave amongst them as they glided through the spires. He gained third place and was close to second when they reached the last spire before the open straight to the first checkpoint. The dragons in the lead spread out. A dragon barrelled in from behind and shouldered River into the last spire. He hit with a thud and the officials ordered the dragon from the arena.

“
Pull up,”
Fen thought frantically to River as the ground came closer.
“Pull up and away.”
Fen felt Edana’s hand reach out and clasp his. They both watched as River struggled to regain height.

“Foul!” Hanun bellowed beside them. “I bet it’s Adalric behind it. He couldn’t win a fair race even if he tried.”

“He’s gaining height,” Edana whispered. “Come on, River. You can do it.”

Fen held Edana’s hand tightly as he watched the other dragons come back from the checkpoint and pass the still floundering River.

“Get him far away from the spires,” Edana whispered. “There’ll be at least one other willing to try. It’s a classic Adalric/Bastian technique.”

“Scum,” Hanun called out.

“Come on, River,”
Fen pleaded.

River worked his wings hard and pulled upwards. One wing didn’t appear to work as hard as the other and he seemed to almost fly on an angle.

“
Don’t let them beat us, River. You promised me gold. Take it from them,”
Fen urged.

Fen held his breath as River surged ahead to the checkpoint and turned back to the spires. With no other dragons in his way he was able to take the spires close. He pulled his wings tight against his body so he nearly brushed against them. As he gained on the second checkpoint he came closer to the rest of the dragons. Past the checkpoint he overtook several.

“That’s it,”
Fen urged as he sent picture after picture to show where all the other dragons were located compared to River.

“He’s doing it.” Edana bounced on the spot, still clasping Fen’s hand tightly.

River reached fourth place as they came close to the last spire before the third checkpoint. Fen saw the dragons spread out again and one of the dragons come in from behind.

“Not again,” Edana shrieked.

“Get away from him, River,” Hanun bellowed as he leaned forward and clenched his fists.

“Drop down, to the right,”
Fen ordered River. The dragon tried to swerve and take him again. They were past the spires and headed for the checkpoint. “
Watch him on the way back,”
Fen warned River.

River tailed Twilight, staying as close to her as possible.

“What are you doing?”
Fen demanded of River.

River ignored him and flew on as they headed for the spires again. Fen sent him images of where the other dragons were. He was Twilight’s shadow. She tried to move away as they reached the first spire. The other dragon came in fast. River dropped below Twilight at the last second. The dragon barrelled into Twilight instead and she hit the spire and plummeted to the ground.

The rest of the dragons flew on and the official ordered the other dragon out of the arena.

“Yes!” Hanun’s fist punched the sky.

River was now in third place. Twilight limped off the field, her trainer by her side. Black Star was in the lead with Firefly close behind him. River was close on their tails, but he quickly gained on them. Firefly took the lead by a head. River was level with Black Star. They came close to the last spire before the last checkpoint.

“Keep watch,”
Fen warned River.

The dragons stayed in close formation. Then they were on the last straight. Edana’s fingernails dug into Fen’s hand. He sent picture after picture. All three dragons were neck and neck, coming in for the last checkpoint. The crowd fell completely silent as if they all held their breath. Hanun clung to the rail between the owner’s area and the arena and leaned forward as if he could help River go faster.

“Go River,” Edana whispered.

River put on a last burst of speed and his large wings pushed him through the air. He tucked them close to his body as he shot through the small gap between the two lead dragons. The crowd roared in excitement as the three dragons flew past the final checkpoint, River barely in the lead.

“He did it,” Edana squealed as she jumped up and down. She threw her arms around Fen and hugged him tight. She then turned to Hanun and threw her arms around him.

Fen smiled. He was too exhausted to do anything else. “
You did it,”
he thought to River.

“I told you I would,”
River answered.

“
So you did,”
Fen told him.
“Are you well? No problems from that hit?”

“Some tenderness. I will be fine.”

“We have to see River. He deserves pampering for a year.” Edana still grinned.

“For life,” Hanun said. “I can’t wait to see Adalric’s face.” Hanun’s hands rubbed together.

But Adalric was gone. No one knew where he was.

“Coward,” Hanun exclaimed when they reached home to find Adalric had sent over a two-month-old grey female dragon with a servant. “Should have known he couldn’t bring himself to deliver it. A true gentleman always pays his wagers in person.”

Not long after they arrived a servant informed them Bastian waited to see them. Hanun had him shown in. With him was a servant carrying a grey dragon.

After greetings were out of the way, Bastian said, “I hope you were serious when you said you were partial to grey.”

Fen laughed. “Definitely.”

“Rather unconventional whelp, isn’t he?” Hanun said fondly.

“Hey, grey’s been good to me,” Fen protested.

“I’ll warn you this one is nearly three-months-old.” Bastian smiled. “It was too good an opportunity to pass up.”

Fen laughed. “Pay a debt and rid yourself of a nuisance all at once.”

Bastian chuckled. “You’ve obviously worked out how to protect your dragon from being stolen. Most of us have a hard time keeping our losses to less than three a year. A permanent grey is too much of a draw card.”

Fen shrugged. “We keep what’s ours.”

“You’ll have to give me pointers some time. And if you’re interested, I have a few female dragons ready to mate at the moment. You might like to pair them with your River,” Bastian suggested.

Once again Fen shrugged. “Mating would have to occur here. The eggs would be raised here and I’d expect first choice. It would all be done by written agreement.”

“That’s unusual. Normally the eggs are raised in the stable of the female dragon,” Bastian said.

“That’s our terms. Take them or leave them. You’ve already pointed out your security isn’t as good as ours.”

Bastian stared at Fen thoughtfully. “I suppose I did.” He nodded. “I’ll send my lawyers around with the paperwork Firstday.”

“I look forward to doing business with you,” Fen said.

They continued with small talk until Bastian left.

As soon as he’d gone, Edana turned to Fen. “We’ve made it. We’ve actually made it.” She clutched his hands.

Hanun laughed. “You were the best thing to ever happen in this household, boy. You and that dragon of yours.”

Fen smiled. He squeezed Edana’s hands in acknowledgement of her comment. “River was the best thing that happened to all of us.”

Fen looked at the metal cage on the back of the wagon. He felt a wave of reassurance wash over him and glanced towards River who waited at the rear of the wagon. Edana slipped her hand in his and he looked down at her.

“I know you don’t want to let her go-” Edana began.

“She’s still too young. What if she gets hurt? Who’ll look after her?” Fen’s eyes were drawn to Carmine where she crouched in the cage. She hissed.

“It’s for the best. She doesn’t like people, she hates horses and barely tolerates her parents. She’s more ferocious than a wild dragon. Even River said it’s best to let her go.”

“I know, but she’s still so little.” Fen frowned as he watched Carmine swipe at the side of the cage.

“She’s six-months-old. Not that little. And I don’t think she’s going to let anything come close enough to hurt her.” Edana squeezed Fen’s hand in reassurance.

Fen glanced around. They were at the edge of a heavily treed area. Ahead of them were jagged mountains, where very few ventured. It was the perfect place to release a dragon that didn’t want company of any description. He sighed heavily and ran his free hand through his hair. Fen released Edana’s hand and moved towards the horse. As soon as she was unhitched, he led her towards the trees. Edana walked beside him. Once they were under the shelter of the trees, River opened the cage and stepped back.

Carmine hissed at her father as she moved past him. He didn’t react to her anger. Instead his eyes followed her as she took to the sky and flew towards the mountains.

“She’ll be happier now,” Edana said softly.

Fen nodded. “I know. I just wish we could’ve figured out why she’s like that.”

“People don’t usually breed from tame greys. Maybe this has something to do with it.”

“The others are perfect. And look to have their father’s speed.” Fen grinned. “Be nice to take a few more first places.”

“That’ll really impress my father.”

“And his new wife.” Fen laughed as Edana rolled her eyes.

“I can’t believe he married Bastian’s daughter. She’s not much older than me. And he’s so old.”

“It makes sense. The two most important families. The child they have will nearly own this town.”

“Only if they have a boy,” Edana reminded him.

“I’ve got a feeling your father won’t stick with having one child this time.”

“Probably not. But I can’t believe how young his wife is.”

Fen led the horse back to the wagon. “At least you won’t be expected to call her Ma.”

Edana shook her head. “I wouldn’t have even if he still saw me as his daughter.”

“They’re not worth worrying about.” Fen held out his hand to help Edana onto the seat of the wagon.

“I know. It’s just strange being treated like I’m invisible when we’re at the same function as my father.”

“You’re better off without him.”

“He isn’t a bad person. It’s the way he was raised.”

“Just ’cause you’re raised some way, doesn’t mean you have to live that way the rest of your life.”

“No.” Edana smiled. “I’m glad you came into my father’s stable that night.”

Fen looked into her eyes, before he slowly nodded. “Me too.” He turned to the horse and shook the reins. “We better get back before Mouse eats all that feast Hanun’s organising to celebrate River’s fiftieth win.”

Edana burst into laughter. “I’m sure Hanun has enough to feed an army. He’s so proud of River.” Edana glanced upwards to where River flew above them. “Not that I blame him.”

“I wonder what Hanun will do to celebrate a hundred wins.”

“Don’t pressure River,” Edana said.

“Pressure him! He loves to win. Don’t you?” Fen glanced upwards.

“Of course I do. Hanun can look forward to his party to celebrate one hundred wins. I will keep flying in several races each Halfday
,
”
River thought to them.

“See, he loves to win,” Fen said.

Edana shook her head. “I don’t want him to wear himself out.”

“He won’t. No point entering a race if he’s too exhausted to win. That’d defeat the purpose.”

“Defeat the-” Edana stopped abruptly. “My father’s prize dragons. That’s the races you enter.”

“You’re a bit slow on it, Ed. We thought you’d have figured it out before now.” Fen grinned at her.

“Why?”

“A few reasons. But the main one is he hurt you and locked you up. Taking you from him didn’t bother him enough. He’s planning on replacing you. So we found something that would hurt. He hates to lose. And he’s lost a lot in the past six months.”

Edana touched Fen lightly on the forearm. She blinked rapidly and cleared her throat. “You didn’t need to do that for me.”

“It wasn’t just for you. It was for River and me too. He tried to kill River because he never changed colour. And then when everyone thought River was a wild dragon, he tried to steal him from me. We owed him for that too.”

“He’s going to hate you for life.”

Fen grinned. “Good. That’d mean we really bothered him.”

They fell into contented silence as the town came into view. River flew above, watching over them and the wagon bounced along the rarely used track as they drove home.