Page 42 of Dragon Valley
“I see, I see.” The dismissive look on his wrinkled face told me he did not see at all. “Are you willing to sell it, given that it will obey your command to protect our town against invaders? Name your price. We’re more than willing to negotiate.”
My hand wielding the hammer twitched at my side as I resisted the urge to bring it down on his bald, dragon’s egg head.
“Dragons cannot be bought or sold,” I said through clenched teeth. “Are you a supporter of slavery, sir?”
“Absolutely not!” he balked. “You can buy and sell animals, yes. But you can’t sell people.”
“Dragons are just as intelligent as people, if not more,” I hissed. “I do not own her. We are bonded. She trusts me like a child trusts a mother, but she is not my property.” Unable to hold back, I leaned down close to his face. “If our people are going to work together, I suggest you figure out the difference.”
The old man grew so flustered, spit flew from his mouth as he whirled around to face Caden.
“Lieutenant Caden, do you allow this savage woman to speak to you this way?! I have never heard such blatant disrespect to city officials, much less from a woman’s mouth.”
“Nadiyah is not my property either, sir.” Caden crossed his arms with an amused twinkle in his eye. “I don’t control how she speaks or conducts herself, though I disagree that she was being rude. A bit blunt perhaps, but that is her style.”
“Oh, you young people with your progressive ideals,” the man whined, rubbing his temples. “I’m not implying women are property but they should behave like ladies—”
“Nadiyah was raised with different customs, sir. She has proven herself a capable Dragon Rider, which requires exceptional strength and tenacity. If it weren’t for those skills, your town would be smoking rubble right now,” Caden pointed out. “And even still, she sent her dragon away so as to not frighten your townspeople. I’d say she’s done her part to compromise in this foreign land. It’s only fair that you put aside your customs and actually listen to her.”
The Dragon God’s flame seemed to light me up from within right then. I never wanted to jump on Caden so badly. I bit my lip hard when his eyes met mine over the old man’s head. His cheeks turned an adorable shade of pink.
The official turned back to me slowly, shoulders slumped in defeat and face as red as embers.
“So, er… the dragon’s not for sale?”
“No.” I resumed hammering my board over the window. “And you’ll never find a dragon thatisfor sale, not by my people. They only belong to the sky.”
* * *
After a long day of hammering, sweeping, and hauling, putting my feet up and being served a pint of ale never felt so good. After the town official learned his place, everyone started to treat me the same as Caden, which was both flattering and a little unnerving.
“May I bring a bowl of water to wash your hands and feet, miss?” asked a child no older than ten. The poor thing was dressed in rags and looked like he could use his own bath.
“No, thank you,” I offered him a smile and moved my feet off the dining table into Caden’s lap. “He’s got me covered.”
“Oh, really? This is my role now?” Caden said amusedly but was already pulling my boots off to work his magic on my sore arches.
“From what I can tell, you have two major talents,” I teased him. “Fighting and making my toes curl.”
“In more ways than one, I hope,” he smiled wickedly, then leaned in closer to whisper in my ear. “Ready to serve one hell of a feast?”
I nodded and closed my eyes to focus on my connection with Dusa. She was already hunting which made things easier for us.
Dus,I thought to her.I miss you, girl. We need some meat fit for humans.
Her mind hit mine with a double dose of excitement and annoyance. She missed me too but was frustrated at having to stay out of sight of humans.
You don’t have to hide anymore girl,I told her.Show them what you’ve got.
“The main course will be here soon,” I said to Caden. “There will be enough for the whole town. Tell the cooks not to charge anything.”
He relayed the message to the inn staff while never missing a beat on massaging my feet. As the night went on, the dining room filled up with people still misplaced from their homes which had been damaged from the raid. Their cups filled with ale and they munched on appetizers, all paid for by Caden. Word quickly spread that the main course, a special treat, would arrive soon, although no one knew exactly how.
A half-hour later, I felt the air shift from Dusa’s wings before anyone else did. People didn’t start screaming until minutes later.
“Demon! Oh Gods, the demon is back!”
Caden wiped his mouth calmly as men shut the doors of the inn, barring them with chairs and barrels before running to huddle in the back with the women.
