Page 25 of Consort's Dragon
Griff almost replied that humans did it to protect the world.Thing was, he kind of understood Argent being peeved.How would he like it if he’d been kept dormant for the safety of another species?
“Aren’t you worried about Zhos escaping and ruining the world?”
Sounds like a human problem to me.
“Until this thing comes after you.”
Apparently, it was the wrong thing to point out as Argent suddenly lifted into the air and flapped off.It would seem the dragon didn’t like the truth, but at least it had relayed some interesting information… which did him no good, since he was stuck.
Annoyed for too many reasons to count, Griff hiked to the top of the citadel.The vantage point was high, just not high enough to see beyond the mist steaming from the ocean.Would the lava never cease its flow?
Griff had hoped to be able to see his ship.Alas, he’d have to climb much higher and even then he might not see anything.If only he had a way to send a message and let his crew know that he still lived.
A sigh escaped him as he planted his hands on his hips and leaned back to bellow at the sky.“Argh!”
It did little to ease his frustration, but the sun on his face did feel nice until a cloud passed over.He opened his eyes and watched a thick puff of white drifting overhead.The idea hit him suddenly.
It took some time to drag the furniture pilfered from the closest rooms to the topmost point of the citadel.Once he’d lugged numerous chairs and tables, he took a rusted axe to them.He needed as much kindling as he could muster to build a bonfire.
As the pile of wood grew, Griff then encountered a new dilemma.How to light it?It took more time than he liked to hunt down a working flint.Meanwhile, midafternoon arrived, leaving little time for him to get a signal going.A smoke signal Kreed would hopefully notice and understand.Assuming he could get it to rise above the fog.
The tiny flame Griff sparked ignited the dried cloth he’d brought.It sizzled and crackled, smoking heavily before spreading to the pile of rubbish he’d created.
As the fire expanded, greedily consuming the dry fuel, he stood back and watched as first a tiny wisp of black smoke rose, a tendril that fattened as the inferno grew.
The dancing flames sparked and crackled, but best of all produced a lot of smoke that rose higher and higher.Higher than the mist.A dark blot in the sky that had him grinning.
Surely those on his ship would see it.See it and know someone lived.
A shadow overhead had him looking in time to see Argent swooping low, aiming right for him.
Wait, not him.His fire.
With a grace that belied its size, the dragon landed on top of the inferno and smothered it.The large head dipped low, and it sounded smugly amused as it said,How kind of you to signal for a snack.
Chapter6
The rush toget Avera to safety proved chaotic and heart-pounding.It brought back the memory of the last time she’d had to evade assassins, only this time, instead of Gustav urging her, the emperor hurried her along.
Titus kept a firm grip on her with one hand and held his sword out in the other.A squad of guards kept pace, forming a human shield.Unnecessary, as it turned out, since no one attacked them as they fled.
Upon arriving at the palace, Titus glowered as he barked orders to the soldiers who came running.“The queen was attacked in the marketplace.I want security doubled around the palace and tripled around her tower.Inform the kitchen we’ll be using a tester for her meals.”
Avera almost protested but knew better than to interrupt as he commanded his soldiers.
The emperor finished his spiel with, “Once the assassin is caught, I am to be informed immediately.I’ll be in my study.”
With that, Titus, still gripping her hand, tugged her to follow.Might as well.At least he seemed intent on protecting her.
They didn’t have far to go, and soon went through a door that he slammed shut and bolted.Only then did he release her to pace with agitation.
She glanced around to see an office much like her mother used to have.Walls lined with bookshelves, the spines of them thick.A desk large enough her arms stretched wouldn’t have spanned its length.A single chair behind it and several in front.Of interest, no window.The room nestled in the heart of the palace relied on the hanging chandelier to light the space.
“I cannot believe that just happened,” Titus huffed, stalking for a rack of bottles arrayed alongside a tray of glasses.
Seeing his agitation, she tried to soothe him.“At least no harm was done to either of us.”
He slewed a glance in her direction.“Only by chance.”
