Page 130 of Veiled Flames
“Who’s sending them? Greater demons?”
That, I do not know.
For the first time, I sense uncertainty from the self-assured Zogar.
You are correct. I’m not certain who has sent these minions.He soars high toward the sky, and then swoops down, and my stomach rises and falls inside me.
I require additional information. But first, I require food. I have not eaten for many years.
“What?” He can’t be serious about this. “I was told the dragon masters drop livestock to feed the—to feed you.” I narrowly avoided the word he hates, and yet his anger grumbles beneath me.
Dragon masters?
More anger tremors through me. Not my anger. His.
I am no one’s slave!
“Of course not.” I let go of one of the handles and lay my palm against the scales on his neck, pleased when it seems to calm him. I’m still amazed at how I can sense this dragon’s moods and emotions, and how I can hear his voice and see what he sees.
Thank you for freeing me,he says softly.
“Thank you for letting me mount you.” I stroke his scales again. “Proving I can ride a dragon means a great deal to me.”
He banks again, heading back toward the training field. I tense. He said he was hungry. Does he intend to eat the people there? My heart races. “There is livestock. Cows, sheep, swine. Whatever your taste. Please don’t eat any humans.”
He chuckles again.Non-human meat would be my preference, my queen. Even if your kind did enslave me.
His anger builds again. He keeps implying that humans enslaved the dragons, and while I can’t deny that we’ve been using their fire to keep the veil intact, I can’t conceive of how mankind could have everentrappedthe dragons.
You have much to learn.
“So you keep telling me.” I concentrate on the fields that house the fully grown livestock, those not being used for milk, or mating. I hope I can direct him there, and away from the candidates and riders in the field.
Zogar swerves, and our speed accelerates as we fly toward the livestock housed to the northeast.
Fifty
Rosomon
As we soar through the air, I sense Zogar’s hunger as strongly as if it were my own. My belly requires no food. I ate some of last night’s sup, before leaving my room this morn.
The fields of livestock come into detailed focus. Zogar’s vision—our combined vision—is astounding. Atop him, I have no need for a looking tube. Cattle are scattered over a vast area of grassland, grazing in groups of twenty or more, and a few strays stand out on their own.
Zogar dives toward a stray—turning so sharply and descending so quickly I’m convinced we’ll smash into the ground.
Have faith, little one.
His talons grab the cow, tearing into her skin, and then we soar back up, carrying the poor animal. Even though all this happened below him, and technically out of my sight, our visionis so connected, it’s as if I aimed for the beast and grabbed it myself.
Zogar chuckles.I’d like to see you try.
As we fly toward the barrier mountains, he tosses the cow high into the air and ahead of us. Then he catches the animal between his large jaws, chewing it so quickly he nearly swallows it whole. Blood and bits of hide fly past me, and I try to keep from gagging.This is how dragons eat,I remind myself.
Kindly curb your disgust, little one. I require another.
He swoops down, chooses a bull this time, and spits out the horns once he’s done.
What does he do with the bones?
