Page 67 of Claimed by the Alien Warrior Triad

“We are of the Scorp-Blood tribe. We seek safe passage through your lands,” announces Stryker.

The leader of the northern tribesmen wields a long, thin Orb-Blade. “For what reason? You southerners are soft. There is nothing up north for you except fire and death.”

They think of us as soft, just as we think of the valley tribesmen south of us as soft.

“We come to slay the beast that terrorizes you,” Brigg declares, drawing himself up to his full, towering height.

Their leader laughs, but there’s no humor in it. “Many have tried, and many have died. Your Scorp-Blood tribe has chosen to hide and cower thus far. Why have you three taken up the challenge?”

Aubrey pipes up. “The Orb-God spoke to me and told me that we must.”

Her voice is calm despite the tightness of the skin around her eyes – betraying her fear to my blood-brothers and I, but not to the other Aurelians.

The leader of the northern Aurelians gives her a long, slow look, then puts away his weapon in unison with his men.

“I tell you for your own sake: Turn back. We’ve already lost twenty-four men, twelve women, and two children to the dragon. We’re not friends of yours, but we’ll take no pleasure in seeing your numbers added to the count. Especially nother.”

He points to Aubrey.

“Women are a sacred force, and you three should be ashamed for bringing your mate into such danger.”

Aubrey shakes her head. “I can bear no children – not until we bring the head of the dragon to the Orb-God.”

The leader nods. “Ah! And for this, you risk everything?” He draws in a deep breath, considering. Understanding fills his eyes, for he too would risk everything for an heir. “That is honorable, at least. We have nothing to spare you, but we will grant you safe passage. If you return with the head of the dragon, I will personally write a ballad in your honor. We wish you only luck.”

We walk past the tribesman, and they watch us leave with a quiet respect. The northern triad stand like wiry statues as we stride out of sight.

“That went better than expected,” Brigg admits, trying to look on the bright side.

Yet it’s hard to think optimistically when the volcano – where the dragon lives – starts looming up ahead of us. Now that we are close enough to see it, I realize it’s not shrouded by clouds, but choking smoke.

I can only imagine the sound of the dragon roaring down upon us, and the scream I’d hear before those talons gripped my shoulders and pulled me up to a plummeting death.

Aubrey said that the dragon did not even eat the Aurelian she saw it snatch, but dropped him from a great height. I can barely imagine the horror of those last seconds, as the warrior flailed before hitting the ground like a sack of wet flesh.

I turn. The northern tribe are still there, watching us carefully, ensuring we go on our way. They wish us well – but also are not discounting the chance that our story could be a subterfuge.

If only.

“What does the dragon eat in the northern lands?” I call back to them, my voice echoing.

“The dragon prefers to hunt south. Here, there is little meat. But if he catches a firecat, he will gulp it down in one, greedy bite.”

“Thank you,” I nod, and we continue.

“What is a firecat?” Asks Aubrey.

“A red lynx, not much bigger than you,” replies Stryker. “It’s so named for its affinity for heat and the red color of its fur.”

“So, we must find one of these creatures, and a Scorp,” says Aubrey.

“Scorps will find us,” I promise ominously, knowing that this far north the area will be teeming with them. Even with Scorp Warriors moving south, everyone knows the northlands are filled with them.

It will need to be. I won’t risk the venom of a single Scorp placed in the corpse of the fire lynx. I want to take this dragondown– and so I intend to pump the creature full of as many Scorp stingers and venom sacs as possible.

We walk for another hour before my promise comes true.

Ifeelthem before I see them

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