Torroth whispered that he would be careful before taking a deep breath. He wanted to fix her scent in his memory. The subtle fragrances of the soap she had used in last night’s bath. The still present musk from days on the road. It would require another bath or two before that could be washed away. A strange pressure built behind his eyes. She was already crying and he knew that he had to leave before he joined her. Seeking escape, he turned abruptly and left the house behind. Encer followed close on his heels with hardly a glance at Mytera.
“It took you far longer than it normally takes a human to walk this distance.” Iradaemi greeted them impatiently.
“We were held up.” Torroth explained the nature of the women’s last words.
“Dragons are fortunate to live as nihaksim. Such threats have no meaning to us. I see that Encer has joined us. One does not forget that he slew the one that hunted the hatchling’s shadow.”
“He was a shadow hunter.” Torroth was not in a pleasant mood at the moment and didn’t care to go through the semantics of the human language.
“Same meaning with different order of words.”
“I presume that Setur is here?” Encer chose to change the topic to something more relevant to their mission.
“He draws near, unless he chose to sate his hunger.”
“So why did you call for us?” Torroth wasn’t over being grumpy.
“To ensure that you got here in time. Setur should be here at any time.”
“What are we supposed to do while we wait?” Encer was the one that was irritated now.
“It seems I made an error. You may return to your mates now.” Iradaemi looked down with something akin to amusement.
“Actually, as nice as that sounds, I don’t think that would be a good idea. They would probably kill us rather than let us try leaving a second time.”
“That would be unfortunate. I can’t spare the time to find another two warriors.”
“Your concern is genuinely touching. I am going to wait over by those trees.” Torroth stormed off and dropped his pack at the base of a massive cedar.
“His lack of cooperation is concerning.” Iradaemi eyed Torroth suspiciously.
“Give him some slack. He did just leave his new wife to help you.”
“Your words would suggest that he is tethered to me in some fashion. To slack a leash is a human saying is it not? I see no tether.”
“In a sense he is leashed to you. He feels responsible for Inadar being in the situation that she is in.”
“How does that that tether him to me?”
“You are the only hope he has of helping her.”
“Ah, I see. He has the good sense to rely on a dragon.”
“Hmm. That is one way of putting it.”
“Is there another way of saying it?”
“There is, but it isn’t relevant at the moment.” Encer’s response got cut off as Iradaemi reared up and looked up at the ridge. It was nearly a minute before he heard the soft whooshing of air under a dragon’s wings.
“It isn’t Setur. The wing beat is too slow. A larger dragon.” Iradaemi’s prediction was confirmed when a large golden dragon appeared over the ridge.
“Onwier.” The loathing was evident in the one word Iradaemi uttered.
“Yarin. Iradaemi plans a journey among the humans. Is one Encer also journeying?”
“One Encer and one Torroth.” Iradaemi seemed annoyed at Onwier’s presence.
“You are waiting. Do you wait for Setur?”
“Yes.” Iradaemi hissed.
“This elcarion might prove interesting. I will also join you.” Onwier’s announcement caused Iradaemi’s eyes to narrow ominously.
“Very well. Stay out of the way.”
“Hsss. If you wishhh it thissss way.” Onwier took Iradaemi’s advice and moved out of the way towards the trees where Torroth was waiting.
“What is his problem?” Encer inquired as he tried to puzzle out Iradaemi’s behavior.
“His problem is that of any male dragon not raised by his mate.”
“I don’t understand. What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means Torroth kept his oath. It should mean nothing to you.”
“Silence. Another dov nears.” Onwier tilted his head towards the northern end of the valley.
“Setur is expected.” Iradaemi glared over at Onwier. It was clear from her expression that she considered his order for silence to be aggravating. It also indicated that she would rather that he had reached the stand of trees before hearing Setur. It was another minute before the blue dragon settled into the clearing.
“You sent the yearling for me? He was unable to fly with me on the return. Perhaps next time you should select one with more than