Page 21 of Dragon Valley
My eyelids just began to droop with fatigue when the unmistakable beat of wings kicked up a gust of wind and jolted me awake.
Some soldiers yelled and ran as Dusa made her descent, but others simply watched before returning to their business. Good. The more accustomed they were to having dragons around, the smoother this transition would be.
“Hey, you two,” I greeted, the surprise evident in my voice.
Dusa rose on her hind legs with a loud dragon grunt before barreling over toward me.
“Hey, hey! Yeah, it’s been a few hours. I missed you too,” I laughed. Being playfully attacked and nuzzled by a dragon was like cuddling a spiky, bumpy boulder but I didn’t mind. Dusa was like a large dog in a way.
Her Rider, however, hung back a bit shyly, chuckling at the assault of affection from the giant animal on me.
“We roasted some deer for dinner,” Nadiyah said, removing a large bag from her back. “I didn’t know if you had eaten while moving all day, or had a chance to hunt…”
She trailed off, biting her lip as if feeling unsure of herself. It was the first time I saw her like that and it was utterly adorable. My stomach growled and I looked up at her with appreciation.
“No, actually. This is my first chance to sit down today. Thank you. Will you stay and eat?”
A smile played at her lips. “If we’re not intruding. I just happen to have some mead too.”
I grinned. Sure she did. “All the better.”
She returned my smile and my stomach did a small flip. I poured drinks for us while she expertly sliced the charred deer carcass into edible portions.
“How are things with your clan now that we’re here?” I asked, settling with my food and drink.
“Fine,” she said, but visibly bristled at the question.
I watched her curiously, her green eyes zoned in on the fire and refused to meet mine.
“You’re sure?” I prodded gently.
She humored me with a soft smile. “Yes, it’s nothing to do with your people being here. Just… clan politics and tradition. I don’t always agree with how we do things.”
“Like the multiple wives thing you were talking about last night?”
“Yes, that,” she sighed. “And who it’s appropriate for me to talk to and not, now that—” she cut herself off abruptly, jerking her head away. “Forget I said anything.”
Concerned, I sat up, put my food down, and scooted closer to her. “Now that what, Nadiyah?”
“Nothing.” She chewed her lip, staring into the flames. “It’s honestly a bit embarrassing. I’d rather not talk about it.”
“Okay,” I relented. “If you ever do, I think you’ll find that I’m a good listener.” I looked at Dusa who had settled on her other side and placed her large head in Nadiyah’s lap. “I’m glad you are talking to me. I think this transition would’ve been a lot harder without a friendly face.”And a beautiful one at that.
She chuckled, scratching Dusa’s head while the dragon purred like a cat. “Are you still willing to draw me those maps of the villages in need of aid?”
“Of course, if you’re stilling willing to go,” I answered. “I can start on them tomorrow.”
“Good, because I want to ride out as soon as possible.”
“What?” I said, taken aback. “You’ll need time to plan and gather your supplies. We’ll need intel on where the enemy is in case you get ambushed. Ideally, someone should go with you.”
“I will have someone with me,” she rebutted with that familiar fire, pointing at the big scaly head in her lap. “And there isn’t a soldier in the world who can ambush a dragon.”
“Nadiyah, they’re already testing their dragon weapons. It’s too risky,” I argued, then narrowed my eyes. “Has the chief approved of you doing this?”
“He doesn’t need to,” she shot back. “It’s like I told you last night. I belong to no one but the sky.”
“Even so,” I said, “there are people on the ground who care about you too.”
