Dragons of Aster Cliffs (Chapter 4)

[sidhe_faerie]

 

CHAPTER 4

There was a commotion in the courtyard early the next morning. Lord Aster awoke and immediately thought of the dragons in the barn just off the courtyard. He dressed quickly and rushed down stairs and into the courtyard to find a red fire dragon standing there looking at the small dragons with curiosity most of the little ones were in quiet awe but there was one that was howling loudly.

Myrdren had decided that he wasn’t happy in the cage. He wanted out and he decided to howl until someone let him out. Lord Aster walked slowly past the large fire dragon to the cages where the little dragons were. He had to quiet Myrdren down before he woke the entire countryside.

Lord Aster wondered if it was Lord Drake for just a moment but when the dragon looked surprised to see him he knew it wasn’t. The dragon followed him with its eyes as he walked over to the cages and to Myrdren. He shushed Myrdren who looked at the lock and then bit it. Myrdren growled with the lock in his mouth. Lord Aster shushed him again.

Could this be Lady Benna? Lord Aster had no idea who it could be. Lord Retalon wouldn’t be surprised to see him at the family home. He turned to look at the dragon as it watched him.

Just then Lord Drake came out of the house and walked over to the dragon. He put his hands out palms down and a wall of fire rose around him. When the fire cleared he was a dragon of a similar shade of red.

The other dragon nuzzled him affectionately. The second dragon was obviously someone close to him. They separated and the new dragon started to come over to the small dragons in the cages but hesitated when Myrdren let out another set of howls.     

Lord Drake bent his head down and the wall of fire came back around him. When it cleared he was human again.

“Lord Aster, this is my sister Lady Benna. It’s alright if you want to release them to play in the courtyard. She will not harm them.” Lord Drake said.

Lord Aster nodded and took the keys from his pocket to unlock the cages. He started with Myrdren. As soon as Myrdren saw the key he let go of the lock. Lord Aster made a face as he handled the slobbery lock. The door opened and Myrdren shot at straight through Lord Aster’s legs for Lady Benna.

“Myrdren! Come back here!” Lord Aster shouted. He was afraid for the little one.

It was too late. Myrdren was already at Lady Benna’s feet looking up at her. Lady Benna nuzzled him. Lord Aster and Lord Drake stood there in shock. Myrdren was the most timid of all the dragons and he had no fear of the adult female fire dragon. The other dragons started to howl when they saw Myrdren getting attention. They wanted out now.    

Lord Aster released the others quickly and they all went to the large dragon to get some attention. Myrdren got pushed to the back in the process and he wasn’t happy he sat on his bottom and howled in protest. The large dragon gave him a lick on the top of his head to sooth him. She lay down and let the little dragons climb on top of her and play. Myrdren snuggled next to her head. Myra shyly came and sat next to Myrdren. The large dragon snorted and the Myra came to snuggle on the other side of her head.

“I think that answers your question about caretakers being draconian.” Lord Drake laughed.

“I shouldn’t let them disturb your sister while she is here. She is obviously here to rest.” Lord Aster said

“She is having as much fun as they are.” Lord Drake smiled. “I am very surprised at the little Myrdren. He always seems so timid.”

“You’re not the only one. He has never seen an adult dragon. I thought he would be petrified. I am pleased that he was the first to want to go to her. I expected the fire dragons to be the first ones. She is their element after all. He seems quite taken with her.” Lord Aster said.

“I wouldn’t worry about the fire dragons. Benna seems quite taken with Myrdren. She works in a nursery with small children. I suppose baby dragons are not much different than baby humans.” Lord Drake told him. “I remember you saying that Myrdren hatched in your carriage that makes it even more surprising.”

“Indeed. I should see about some breakfast for them.” Lord Aster said, as he watched them playing.

“No need. I asked one of the stable boys to go get some fruit and vegetables for them.” Lord Drake said. “I wasn’t sure if they had a preference so I told the boy to bring a little of everything,”

“Thank you that was very kind of you, Lord Draconis.”

“Please we will be working closely together for a long time so I think we should start to be less formal with each other. I am Drake my father is Lord Draconis.”

“Then please call me Ulster.” Lord Aster offered a hand in friendship and Lord Drake shook it with a smile. “I suppose I should round them up to be fed.” Lord Aster looked at the dragons as they were playing on and around Benna. 

The stable boy came into the courtyard with a wheelbarrow full of produce. The little dragons started to run for it. Benna snorted and they stopped in their tracks she went to the wheelbarrow and started to pluck things out to give to each of them. She made an orderly process out of what could have been a free for all. 

“Let us leave them in her care. We have an appointment with the Kings in less than an hour in the city.” Lord Drake said.

“There is a city here?” Lord Aster asked. He had only seen the small village when they were coming here.

“Yes. It is at the foot of that mountain there.” Lord Drake pointed to a misty covered mountain peak in the distance. “That is where the majority of non-magickal humans live on Ogham-Duir.”

“I see. Well, I must change then. I will meet you in the hall in fifteen minutes.” Lord Aster said.

“That sounds good. I need to change as well.” Lord Drake looked at his rough breeches and linen shirt. “In fifteen minutes then?”   

Fifteen minutes later the two men were on their way to the City Of Man, the Capital of the Kingdom of Una. They were to meet the two kings that had the most magickal populations.

At the large marble building in the middle of the city the King of Una, King Unbane, and King Harrod of Zestra waited to meet with Lord Aster and Lord Drake. The two men walked up the stairs and entered a Great Hall. They greeted the Kings with deep bows.

“I understand that you have already brought dragons to Ogham-Duir.” King Unbane started the meeting.

“Yes I brought 10 small dragons. They are still hatchlings really. I have been their guardian since they were found next to their dead mothers. I want to preserve the species and I was hoping that I could acquire some land here to set up a sanctuary for them.” Lord Aster explained.

“That is an admirable thing, Lord Aster, however I fear for the safety of my people.” King Unbane said.  

“King Unbane, the dragons refuse to eat flesh and are quite docile.” Lord Aster told him.

“They are still babies. How do you know what they will be like when they are full grown? If they begin to crave flesh later then no one will be safe from them. I fear the future of your charges may be cursed already.” King Unbane said.

“Unbane, he is asking for a chance.” King Harrod said. “I think they are worthy of at least a chance.”

“Then let him take them to your lands. I am sorry, Lord Aster. I will not allow a sanctuary in my kingdom.” King Unbane said.

“Well, I do not have the same fears. Lord Aster, there are some cliffs on the southern shore of Zestra that would be ideal for your dragons. It is isolated for the most part and there is only one way up or down. That is by foot. Are any of them flying yet?” King Harrod offered.

“No. Their wings are still underdeveloped for flying. I do not believe all of them will fly, however. I have water and earth dragons they are wingless.” Lord Aster told him.

“Water dragons? There is a lake near the cliffs that has a channel to the sea. You may want to look at it before making a final decision.” King Harrod said.

“Thank you. I would like to do that tomorrow if possible. I would like to get started on construction as soon as arrangements can be made.” Lord Aster said.

“Then it is settled.” King Unbane said. “The dragons will go to Zestra. Lord Draconis, I heard there was a sighting of a full grown dragon over the Village Of Brimstone. Have you been exercising your wings again?”

“No Sire. It was my sister that was spotted, not I.” Lord Drake told the King.

“Is it that time of the year already? I know she only comes to Ogham-Duir when she is in her dragon form. There were several frightened citizens this morning.” King Unbane said.

“I will tell her to curtail her flying over populated areas. I would not want the people of your kingdom frightened for no reason.” Lord Drake said.

“See that you do. I have other matters to attend to. It has been an honor to meet you, Lord Aster. I only wish I could have been more help.” King Unbane said.

“It has been my honor, Sire.” Lord Aster bowed to King Unbane.

King Unbane nodded and left the room.

“Don’t let Unbane get to you, Lord Aster. He has a fear of magick.” King Harrod said. “I have no such fear. I shall expect you at the Crystal Fortress tomorrow afternoon. From there we can go look at the cliffs and assess their suitability. I take that you know how to ride?”

“Yes Sire I do. I will see you then.” Lord Aster said.

“If I may, Sire, I would like to accompany Lord Aster.” Lord Drake requested.

“Yes. I think that would be agreeable.” King Harrod said. “I also have duties. I must get back to Zestra or the Queen will send out a search party shortly.” He laughed. “My wife worries too much. Are you married Lord Aster?”

“No My Lord. I haven’t found the right woman. I need to find one that shares my interests and doesn’t think I’m disagreeable.” Lord Aster said.

King Harrod laughed out loud. “I wish you good luck in your search there. My queen still thinks I’m disagreeable on occasion. Gentleman, until tomorrow.”

Lord Aster and Lord Drake bowed to the King as he left. They walked out of the hall and went to the carriage. They got in to return to the Draconis estate.

“It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be.” Lord Drake said.

“That comment about your sister…is he always that rude?” Lord Aster asked.

“When it comes to my family, yes he is. We were given our land by Atlantis not by King Unbane. It still irks him. He would prefer there were no magickal beings in his land. Fortunately, his Queen is sympathetic to magick beings and our needs. The Queen dabbles in magick herself.” Lord Drake informed him.

“That must be very difficult for him.” Lord aster said.

“I wouldn’t give it much thought. He is a king because Atlantis says he is. He must stay in their good humor to keep his throne.” Lord Drake said. “He knows better than to anger my father or Lady Vena.”

The carriage pulled into the drive and the courtyard was empty. Lord Aster looked over toward the stable and saw all the dragons in their cages asleep with the doors open. Lady Benna was nowhere to be seen. 

Chapter 5