Dragons of Aster Cliffs (Chapter 1)

[sidhe_faerie]

 

CHAPTER 1

Lord Ulster Aster stood on the deck of a most impressive ship. There was no other of its kind. It was able to carry thirty men and enough supplies to get to Atlantis. That was the destination they were seeking. The journey would take three months at least with good weather.

Lord Aster was not thinking about the ship he was on but of the land that was quickly disappearing. That was his home and he would most likely never see it again. He was making the journey for a reason that few would understand. He wanted to save the dragons.

Deep within the belly of the ship were five mating pairs of elemental dragons. Lord Aster had searched all over the land to find them. He brought them here to save them from the Knights that wished to gain glory by killing a dragon. It was barbaric but it was a reality in the land from whence he came.

The dragons were nearly wiped out in the land he was leaving. It took some searching to find the ones that were on the ship. They were all very young and orphaned after some Knights had slain their parents. Some were barely out of the egg before he discovered them. They were cold and hungry and some had been ill and near death.

The last speck of land disappeared from view and Lord Aster went to check on his cargo. He descended into the area where the dragons were in their iron cages. Most were the size of a small dog. He was relieved to find them all sleeping peacefully. Some were spread out, others were curled tightly and most were softly snoring. He sat on a crate and watched them for a while before retiring to his bunk at the other end of the ship.

As the journey progressed Lord Aster discovered something very curious about the dragons he had chosen. None of them ate flesh. They would push it back out of their cages and only eat the vegetables that they were given to them. It seemed strange to him that the one beast that had been feared the most had no taste for flesh.

Lord Aster made the notation in his journal about the eating habits of the dragons. He had been keeping the journal since he had started to gather the creatures. He regularly recorded observations. This journal would be used later to care for the dragons properly in their new home. He was hoping for a lush land. Atlantis was really only a stop until he could find them a more permanent home.

At the end of ten weeks the scout called out that he saw land. They had arrived a few weeks early but that was for the good. Food stores were low and there wasn’t much in the way of fruit or vegetables left. Lord Aster started to make the dragons ready for unloading. He had blindfolded them to get them on the boat so he would need to do the same to get them off again.    

After finishing the preparations to unload the dragons, Lord Aster came up on deck. He saw a rather official looking man standing on the dock waiting for the boat to be moored. Lord Aster wasn’t sure if this was a good sign or a bad omen. The man was expressionless as he patiently waited for the ship’s docking.

The gangplank was finally lowered and Lord Aster walked down to the docks. The official looking gentleman stepped up to him.

“Lord Ulster Aster?” The man asked.

“Yes, that is my name.” Lord aster said. “May I ask yours?”

“I am Odon Borda. I am a domestic’s clerk with the Atlantians government. My office oversees the transfer of livestock. I see you have submitted a permit to transport livestock to Atlantis. What kind of livestock do you have?”

“I have ten dragons in the cargo hold of this ship.” Lord Aster told the man. “I intend on breeding them.”

“Dragons? That is not livestock! They are a danger to the public. I’m afraid they must be destroyed.” Mr. Borda told him. “I’m sorry.”

“No! Please, this is their only chance to escape extinction. Please tell me who I must talk to, to resolve this issue.” Lord Aster begged.

“I’m sorry. It is the law. The High Council is the only authority that can override the law. I will arrange a meeting for you. You must put your dragons in the quarantine area until a decision is made. I promise they will not be harmed until after the decision is made.”

“I understand.” Lord aster nodded. “My dragons need fresh produce. They have had little over the last two weeks. The ships stores were running low and there was little to be spared for them.”

“Produce? You do not feed them flesh?” The clerk questioned him.

“They will not eat it. Apples are there favorite as well as thick porridge with honey.” Lord Aster told him.

“Sounds like my youngest child.” Mr. Borda finally smiled. “Do you believe they will continue this behavior?”

“I have tried to give them flesh. They refuse it. Even the fat of animals is repugnant to them.”

“Let us hope that it stays that way for all our sakes. Is that them?” Mr. Borda pointed to a cargo flat being lowered onto the dock.

The cages with the dragons were being unloaded carefully by the crew of the ship. Even so, one of the littlest was wailing in distress. Lord Aster came over to where they were and reached his hand in to the cage to stroke the small beast. “Hush now Myrdren. You’re in no danger.” The little one quieted down.

“He’s barely out of the egg. Are they all like him?” Mr. Borda was amazed at how small the dragons were.

“Most of them are barely out of the egg. They are quite small.” Lord Aster told the clerk. “Where is the quarantine area?”

Mr. Borda pointed to a nearby warehouse. “That is where we put the animals. I have two men coming to pick them up already but they were prepared for sheep or cows not dragons.”

“I hope it will be warm enough for them.” Lord Aster said as he continued to stroke the small dragon. “Some nights at sea were quite chilly. I was afraid I would lose one to sickness but I was diligent at keeping them warm enough.”

“The warehouse is quite snug. Livestock is precious here so all precautions are made for their comfort. It is usually quite warm inside.”

“That’s good to know.” Lord Aster gave the little dragon one last pat as it curled up. 

Just then two men with a large wagon came to the docks. “Mr. Borda, where is the stock for quarantine?” The older of the two men asked.

“Here it is.” Mr. Borda pointed to the iron cages full of dragons. “Please care gently for Lord Aster’s cargo.” Mr. Borda told the men.

“What the heck? Those are baby dragons.” The younger man said. “I can’t believe what I’m seeing. How many are here?”

“Ten. Please be careful. I do not want them frightened or mistreated. I will be by to check on them as soon as I have met with the High Council.”

“Yes, My Lord. We will take good care of them.” The older man said.

“Could you give them some apples?” Lord Aster said. “They will be hungry soon.”

“Yes, My Lord. They don’t bite do they?” The older man asked.

“No but they do like to lick your hand.” Lord Aster smiled.

Both men nodded and started to load the dragons on the wagon.

“They are in good hands. Come with me and I will get you in to see the High Council. If this isn’t a special circumstance I don’t know what would be.” Mr. Borda said as he led Lord Aster along the street towards a large official looking building made of marble.  

Lord Aster stood in the corridor of the great marble building in front of the high doors to the High Council chambers. He was beginning to worry that he would not have a chance to speak to the High Council before they left for the day. Mr. Borda had gone in ahead of him to explain the situation.

The doors opened and a guard came out and motioned him inside. Lord Aster took a deep breath and walked inside. He was nervous for his little charges.

The High Council sat on a dais in large stone chairs with rich cushions. The three men and two women had severe faces as Lord Aster stepped up beside Mr. Borda.

“Lord Ulster Aster, is it true that you have brought ten dragons to Atlantis with the intent of breeding them?” A man in a red and gold robe asked.

“Yes that is my intent. The dragons are in danger of extinction. I am merely trying to preserve a noble and magickal beast.” Lord Aster acknowledged.  

A veiled woman in a blue robe asked. “Dragons are dangerous why do you care what happens to them?”

“A dragon is a creature of magick. Every time we lose one, we lose so much more. We lose a part of magick itself. I have brought babies, hatchlings. I will keep them contained and away from humans if possible.” He answered her.

“I sympathize with you, Lord Aster, but there is not the space for such a noble endeavor here on Atlantis.” The man said. “May I recommend that you take your dragons to Ogham-Duir where there is space and the human population is sparse?”

“I have never heard of this place. Where does it lie?” Lord Aster asked.

“It is just a few leagues off the northeast coast of Atlantis. I have a home there myself. I am Lord Retalon Draconis. My son, Drake, sits on the Council there. I am sure he will assist you in any way he can.”  

“Thank you. I feared that my little dragons would be slaughtered.” Lord Aster admitted. “Mr. Borda said it was the law.”

“I would never let that happen.” Lord Draconis said. “I am a draconian. They are my kin.”

“A ‘draconian’?” Lord Aster had never heard of this.

“I am a human and a dragon. I can shift from one to the other at will. There are few of my kind left. Our numbers can be counted far too easily. I fear, like the dragons you brought here, my kind is also in danger of extinction.” Lord Draconis said sadly.

Lord Aster nodded. “I will arrange transportation for the dragons as soon as possible. This Ogham-Duir, is it lush with plant life?”

“Very much so. Mr. Borda said that the little dragons were not fond of flesh. Is that true?” the woman in the veil asked.

“They refuse it. There is one that throws it out of his cage at the wall. He is a bit of a handful. It’s an earth elemental of all things.” Lord Aster smiled thinking of little Myrdren.

Lord Draconis chuckled. “All dragons, as well as the draconian, can be temperamental, Lord Aster. You would do well to remember that in the future.”

“I will heed that advice well.” Lord Aster smiled. “If I may be excused?”

Lord Draconis nodded. “Good fates to you.”

Lord Aster smiled. “And to you, Lord Draconis. Thank you all.” He bowed and took his leave from the High Council.

Lord Aster rushed off to make arrangements for the dragons to be transported to this new land called Ogham-Duir.

Chapter 2