Joey climbed out of his tent and looked around. Brinelock was gone, but Aydahar was quietly waiting for him. “What now?” asked Joey, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. “What am I even doing? What does it mean to be a Dragon Keeper?”
Your purpose has not yet been revealed to me. Perhaps the Dragon Keeper’s guild will have wisdom.
“Okay, but where are they? How do I find them?”
They are in the Golden City. But we cannot be hasty. You first need a sword.
“And how do I get that?” Joey leaned against a tree. Why did it have to be so complicated?
You are a Dragon Keeper. You are young, yes, but still immensely powerful. Many merchants and mercenary bands would be willing to hire you. They get protection at a cheaper price because you aren’t very experienced, and you get money and much needed experience.
“No need to be rude about it.”
Joey stretched and walked to the fireplace. A small bag was sitting on a stump nearby. He picked it up and heard the jingle of coins. Joey pulled it open, and sure enough, it was filled with small silver discs, with a width a bit bigger than his thumb.
“Is this enough for a sword?”
Only if you want one that will shatter as soon as it hits a reasonably hard substance.
“Ah, what do you know? You’re just a baby dragon. How do you know about finances?”
Technically, I mature as soon as consuming the golem’s power.
“Technically, I have more experience than you. Who left this here?”
I don’t feel like telling you.
“Please? I’m sorry. You’re a great dragon.”
Umm, Maybe after a little food. I’m so hungry.
“What do you want?”
How about some turkey. Why don’t you buy me a turkey with that money.
“Can’t you just hunt?”
My legs are so tired… I’m still recovering from that wound.
“How much is a dragon saddle? I think both of us will need that.”
Fine. A dragon saddle is about half of that. There’s still enough for five turkeys.
Brinelock left that money in case you care.
“I don’t trust her.”
Why not?
“I can’t trust anybody after what Joe did.”
Do you trust Mitkrlyc-Shon?
“Yes. She saved me.”
So did Brinelock.
At that moment, Ray bounded in from a hunt. He pulled behind him two large rabbits. “There. Here’s your breakfast.”
Aydahar ate one rabbit, and Joey cooked the other slowly over the fire. He had seen his mother do it many times. When the outside was brown, he cut and served the meat, but it was tough and cold.
You need to turn it slowly to cook the insides as well.
“Why do you even know that? You ate yours raw!”
Successfully nourished, the small group left for Riverfall.
Dragon Hunters
Chapter 22: Trust
At Riverfall, many heads turned at the sight of Aydahar. Joey saw some whispering, wondering, is this the same small kangaroo that started the fight? They were right to wonder. Joey hadn’t changed, but the daggers at his sides, the dreadstone arm guards, and the way he carried himself said that this wasn’t the same Joey that had entered the town with Joe.
Joey bought a dragon saddle, and fit it to Aydahar. At her urging, he relented and got her a turkey. Both shop owners, seeing Aydahar, initially tried to raise their prices on the young Joey, but he understood their ways now. He shrugged, and walked out of the stores saying “Well, I guess my Dragon will have to go hungry again. She hates that.”
Both shop owners hastily gave him a huge discount, so when they left the town, they still had about half a bag full of coins.
“Where are we heading?” Joey asked Aydahar.
Outpost Doom. Do you know who the rizaji are?
“Yes. I fought one. They truly are powerful.”
Their power serves them well. They are a conquering race, and many countries have succumbed to their might. But they do not know how to farm the land, or keep it. Their land is the wastes, bleak gray, dry plains, filled with deadly crawling things and beasts of all kinds. One of the most dangerous places on Rehmoth.
“So, why do we want to go there?”
Outpost Doom is on the outskirts of the wastes, a last stop before entering the wastes. The Rizajian capital has all of its materials shipped in, so many merchants are willing to take the risk for the high price they can charge. Of course, they still need guards. That’s what you are. We can use the money to get a good blade.
“Sounds good. How do we get there?”
Another, strange voice entered the conversation. A white-haried woman stepped out. “You must travel through Kiriki, the land of the Careth riders.”
“Brinelock!” Joey said. “Why are you here? Why did you give me that money?”
“A gift. I mean no harm. I have been waiting for you.”
“Why? What do you want from me?” As he said it, Joey no longer saw color, but could see the thoughts, feelings, and names of all around him.
“I need nothing but adventure. You need training. Wisdom. A dragon only knows so much.”
You were right, we can’t trust her.
No, replied Joey. It’s the truth. She wants to help. “You can come. But I’m afraid you’ll have to stay with Ray on the ground. There’s not much room on this saddle.”
Brinelock thought for a moment. “Very well. But remember Kiriki can be dangerous. There are large populations of Careth, do you know what those are?”
“No.”
“Massive, flightless birds. Their beaks are deadly. They are dangerous mounts, and the Kiriki warriors train constantly. You may be good at fighting, but how about your diplomatic experience?”
“I… suppose we could use the help.”
“Then let’s go.”
They continued down the road. Things were tense and awkward. Finally, Joey decided to take off and test the new saddle. Aydahar flew high above Ray and Brinelock.
A thought struck Joey. “How did she know where we were going? All she could’ve heard was me saying ‘Sounds good. How do we get there?’ How did she know where we were going?”
Something is strange here. I do not trust Brinelock. I believe you were right. Why don’t we confront her at the next rest? She could have made up the whole Kiriki thing. I mean, having wings, but not being able to fly? Imagine it!
❃❃❃
Some time later, the group paused to rest. Joey dismounted and Ray ran up to him, annoyed at the big Dragon that kept hogging Joey.
Ask her.
“Hey, Brinelock?”
“Yes?”
“How did you know we were going to Outpost Doom?”
“I simply used the Soul Plane. I apologize for not telling you sooner.”
“The what?”
“I see we have a lot to talk about.”