Page 14 of Consort's Dragon
Putting it here since the cataclysm and corroborating the letter left by his father.“How did you come to be here?”
I hatched in the magma below.
Further confirmation.“So you’re the reason the volcano exploded and killed thousands,” he accused.
Don’t blame me.Humans are the ones who built where they shouldn’t have.Just like a human tossed my egg into the lava.If you must accuse someone, accuse Basil.Although, now that he’s dead, you’ll have to yell at his bones.
Basil was dead?Good, although he would have enjoyed being the one to end his miserable life.“I can’t believe he’s the reason why Verlora fell.”So many died because of his actions.
A foolish and ignorant male who should not have ignored the warnings in the old teachings which explained how the hatching of an egg would cause an eruption.The dragon spoke matter-of-factly and made a good point.Basil had played with things he shouldn’t have.
“You knew Basil?”
Yes.Wretched man.Took me forever to kill him.
The hissed words sent a shiver down Griff’s spine.“Did you happen to meet my father?”
If you mean Lance, then yes.Once I rid myself of my intense hunger and annoyance we had many conversations.It was he who explained what happened while I was dormant in my egg.I was perturbed by his death.
“He was killed.”Griff still struggled with that fact.Basil had been nonchalant about announcing the fact he’d shoved his best friend into the lava.
Yes, that was most unfortunate.I did try to avenge Lance by killing the one responsible, however, Basil proved to be wily.But patience won out, and in the end, I did get him.
“You ate Basil?”
As if I’d ruin my palate.I roasted him alive.Most satisfying, although I would have liked him to scream for longer.
Not the kind of thing Griff needed to hear.“What are you planning to do with me?”
Keep you.
“For what?”
I’m tired of talking to myself.Despite the thinness of your blood, you will make a suitable companion.
“But I can’t stay.My friends need me.”
I need you more.The dragon hissed aloud as the words hit his mind.There are no other blooded on this isle, and those that have landed ashore since your sire’s passing have been of the vermin variety.Thieves who would pilfer my hoard.I require a companion, and you will do.
“I’m not a pet.”
Did I call you one?
“You’re planning to keep me here against my will.”
Because you’d obviously flee if I didn’t.
“Well, you won’t be keeping me for long seeing as how I’ll die of starvation on this ledge,” Griff snapped.
You were placed there to avoid my having to confront your friends.Most likely you would have whined if I’d had to kill them.Now that the others are gone, I shall move you.
Before Griff could ask how and where, the dragon’s claws reached for him.Griff tried to dodge, but the ledge didn’t have room to maneuver.The scaly paw, almost handlike in how each talon bent, wrapped around him more gently than expected, but at the same time firmly.A good thing, since the dragon threw itself backwards from the wall and Griff felt his stomach hit his throat as they plummeted towards the lava.
At what seemed like the last possible moment, the dragon unfurled its wings, snapping them to catch the heated updraft.Riding those air currents, it climbed up and up, until it emerged from the volcano into the late afternoon sky.
Griff might have cheered the escape from the ledge if he didn’t have a sudden fear of falling to his death.He’d never seen the ground from such a height.He didn’t like it one bit.
The dragon soared for a bit before landing in the courtyard of Griff’s childhood home.The claws opened setting him down on wobbly legs.
