Dragons of Aster Cliffs (Chapter 2)

[sidhe_faerie]

 

CHAPTER 2

Making arrangements to transport the ten little dragons proved to be more difficult than Lord Aster thought it would be. As soon as the boat captains heard the cargo was to be dragons they withdrew their services. Lord Aster was nearly at his wits end when a captain approached him.

The small man bowed his head to the Lord and smiled.    “My Lord, I’m Captain Bailey of the ‘Blackstone Raider’, I hear you have some cargo to be taken to Ogham-Duir. Dragons, was it?”

“That is correct I have 10 small dragons that I want to take to Ogham-Duir. Will you assist me?” Lord Aster asked.

“Yes My Lord.” Captain Bailey smiled. “Lord Draconis sent me to assist you. He heard that you were having difficulty arranging transportation for them.”

“Lord Draconis is correct. Most captains withdraw as soon as they find out what I want to transport. Do you know Lord Draconis well?” Lord Aster asked.

“I know Lord Drake Draconis quite well but it was Lord Retalon Draconis that sent me. I do jobs for Lord Drake. He and I went to Academy together.” The captain told him.

“I am surprised. You would think a family as important as the Draconis family would have tutors for their children.” Lord Aster mused.

“Everyone goes to Academy here on Atlantis. Education is mandatory for all citizens. No one is exempt not even the slaves and servants.” Captain Bailey told him.

“That’s an admirable accomplishment for a society.” Lord Aster nodded. “Education is not as available where I come from. Only the higher classes have it.”

Captain Bailey nodded. “It’s that way in a lot of the world. You wouldn’t believe it but there are whole civilizations that have no education at all. Such a shame.” Captain Bailey shook his head.

“Yes it is.” Lord aster agreed.

“What part of Ogham-Duir do you want to take the dragons to?” Captain Bailey asked.   

“I don’t know the land at all. The dragons need a warm environment to survive.”  

“Ah then you are going to the right place. It’s never very cold there. There are several places that you may want to consider. There is the Kingdom of Zestra and also the Kingdom of Una. Una is a large valley in the center of the land and Zestra is in the southwest. Come to my boat with me and I will show you maps of both.” The Captain offered.    

Lord Aster followed the captain to a small ship on the far side of the harbor. It was a sturdy vessel and much larger than the cargo vessels he had been trying to engage. It looked more like a sea faring vessel than a transport.

“Your ship is beautiful, Captain.” Lord Aster said as they walked up the gang plank. “This is quite a bit larger than a transport. What kind of work do you do?”

“Thank you. I take Lord Drake and others to the other lands around Atlantis. Some are quite far so a larger vessel is needed.”

“I see. I suppose those lands are well populated and no place for small dragons.” Lord Aster said.

“That is true. I’m afraid that Ogham-Duir is the only place those dragons of yours will be welcome. Most of the lands around here are larger than a day’s travel across. There is one place the young Lord has requested that I take him that has no dry land just marshes and bogs. He has a friend there. Well I think she may be a little more than a friend.” Captain Bailey laughed.

The two men entered a large room in the forward part of the ship. The walls were covered in maps. Captain Bailey walked over to one and looked at it.

“Here it is. Ogham-Duir isn’t very large but I think it will serve your purpose. This is Una and this is Zestra.” The Captain pointed out the areas on the map. “There are some cliffs here that you may want to consider for a sanctuary but you know your dragons better than I.”

“I should like to talk to the rulers of those two kingdoms about any final decisions of a formal sanctuary. For now I just need to get them over there. Where will we be sailing into? I see no harbor marked on this map.” Lord Aster asked as he studied the map.

“We will sail into this cove and then ferry over to the shore. Will your dragons be able to handle that?” Captain Bailey pointed to a curved area of the coast line.

“I think we should take a few at a time. That would be all a skiff could handle.” Lord Aster said.

“We have more than one skiff. We could put three or four in each and then we can get them in one trip.”

“That sounds like an excellent plan. When shall we depart?”

“The morning is fine. As long as the weather holds, it will take less than a day to get there but we may need to spend the night in the cove and take the dragons over in the day light. It will be easier on your dragons and my crew.” Captain Bailey told him.

“Agreed. I will see you at first light. Now I must make arrangements for transportation to your vessel.” 

“No need. My crew will meet you at the quarantine area just before dawn.”

“Thank you. Captain. Until the morning then?” Lord Aster smiled and left the Captain at his charts for the journey.

The day dawned with blue skies and fair winds. The crew of the ‘Blackstone’ was waiting for Lord Aster when he arrived at the quarantine area. The crew took the dragons to the ship in a cart. They were loaded aboard the ship quickly and without much fuss.

All were quite calm with the exception of Myrdren who was howling up a storm. Lord Aster had to shush him several times and stroke him to get him calmed down.  

“That one seems to be a handful.” Captain Bailey said as he eyed the small earth dragon.

“Myrdren is the youngest of them all. He hadn’t even come out of his shell when I found him. His mother had just been slaughtered by a knight. The fool was about to smash the egg when I got there. I took the egg and Myrdren hatched in the back of my carriage on the way back to my family home. I heard later that same knight went to battle another dragon and was killed.” Lord Aster told him as he rubbed Myrdren’s head lovingly.

“It seems the fates took care of him. Such a waste they are very beautiful creatures.” Captain Bailey said.

“They are very gentle creatures for the most part. They do have tempers.” Lord Aster smiled at one of the fire dragons. “Argone likes to scorch bottoms when she is mad.”

Captain Bailey laughed. “I’ll try not to get her upset with me then. You have had them all since they were young?”

“Yes. I suppose that is why humans do not upset them. In the wild they would shy away from us unless confronted. These little ones have always known the presence of humans. I hope I have not done grave harm to them.”

“They seem fine and they will do well on Ogham-Duir.” Captain Bailey called out to his crew. “Let’s get going! We are wasting daylight!”

The crew of the ‘Blackstone Raider’ started to hustle around pulling the ropes and preparing the sails for the short trip to Ogham-Duir.

The seas were calm and the trip took little time. It was nearing dusk when they arrived in the cove of Ogham-Duir.

“We will put down anchor here and in the morning we will take the dragons to shore by skiff.” Captain Bailey told Lord Aster,

Lord Aster looked at the shore and smiled. “It looks like a place where they will be able to thrive.”

“I have no doubt that they will. Lord Drake will meet us in the morning on shore. He will be able to guide you from there as to where you should settle. He should know best being a draconian.”

“Yes he would. Thank you, Captain and now I must feed my dragons before they settle for the night.” Lord Aster turned and walked toward the cargo hold.

“Of course My Lord.” Captain Bailey said.

The sun was shining as the skiffs carrying the dragons scrapped the shore of the cove. The dragons could tell they were somewhere new and a sense of curiosity grew among them.

As expected, Lord Drake Draconis was there to greet them. A much younger version of the man Lord Aster had met on Atlantis greeted them with a smile. “Hello Lord Aster. My father told me to expect you and your hatchlings.”

“I am honored by your greeting, Lord Draconis.” Lord Aster said with a smile.

“Bailey, thank you for your assistance. I know it must have been a shock to your crew to see so many dragons.” Lord Drake said smiling.

“I have a feeling they are quite immune to dragons by now, My Lord. You have traveled with us many times and they have seen you in your dragon state often.” Captain Bailey said.

“That is quite true.” Lord Drake smiled. “I do have a habit of transforming in front of your crew.”

Captain Bailey laughed. “It only happens every time you go out with us.”

“That often?” Lord Drake laughed. He turned to the other man. “Lord Aster, I have been talking to King Unbane and King Zestrain about the hatchlings. Both Kings are agreeable to allowing them in their Kingdoms. You only have to choose where you wish to settle.”

“I would like some guidance on that, Lord Draconis. Where do you feel we will be most welcome?” Lord aster asked.

“The terrain is better in Zestra. There are more places for them to nest and establish themselves but I would hope that you would allow them to find their own homes. I fear captivity would damage their progress.” Lord Drake said.

“That is a valid concern. I have thought that when they are able to care for themselves I would seek permission to let them explore and find their own place in this land. I do worry about an over eager hunter, however.” Lord Aster worried.

“We will get the leaders of the Kingdoms together and see to some type of law prohibiting the unsanctioned hunting of dragons.” Lord Drake said. 

“This should be done as soon as possible.” Lord Aster agreed.

“Yes I agree but until then I have brought a cart to transport you to my family home.” Lord Drake waved two men with a cart over to where the dragons were waiting.

“Thank you Lord Draconis.” Lord Aster said gratefully

“You will find that my father and I will be more in your debt than you could ever be in ours for the preservation of our kin.” Lord Drake said seriously.

“I will do whatever I can to preserve their species. I may not be their kin but I will be their advocate.” Lord Aster vowed.

“We shall get along fine, Lord Aster.” Lord Drake turned to the Captain. “Until I see you again, my friend, stay safe and good fates to you.”

“Good fates to you both.” Captain Bailey turned and ordered his men to return to the ship.      

Chapter 3