in a cosmic game. Why should the ever-living one care about those destined to return to dust?”
“Nonsense! What kind of talk is that from the king of the dragons?”
“Sensible talk. Down-to-earth talk. But it matters little. I am content to be his lowly peg.” He bowed his head, letting his snout dip so close to the ground, his hot breath scattered the sandy soil.
Thigocia’s tail moved to his brow and stroked it gently. “Are you really content, my love?”
Makaidos lifted his head and, unable to resist Thigocia’s probing stare, gazed into her deep red eyes. Her powerful mind seemed to penetrate his own, as though she could read his every thought. “Perhaps not. My joy has burned like dry brush.”
Thigocia sighed and looped her tail around his. “When our new one is born, you will feel joy again.”
“How can I feel joy?” Makaidos pulled his tail away. “Goliath had no reason to turn against Noah. His actions defy all logic. By refusing to serve even the faithful humans, he has turned against us as well.”
“You and I know that, but Goliath acts on instinct, on what he feels inside. The people of Shinar have given him reason to despise mankind, have they not? The true followers of Noah are so few now, look where they are forced to live. Rats in caves. That’s what they have become.”
Makaidos couldn’t answer. He just lifted his chin and gazed at the sky. A smaller dragon glided down, sunlight filtering through her honey-colored wings. She landed gracefully in front of Makaidos and Thigocia and bowed her head to each of them. “Father. Mother. Greetings.”
Thigocia touched the young dragon’s face with the tip of her wing. “Welcome home, Roxil.”
Makaidos curled his neck around his daughter’s and winked at Thigocia. “Perhaps joy comes in many packages.”
Roxil backed away. “Packages? What are you talking about?”
“A private joke between your mother and me,” Makaidos said, smiling. “How was your patrol last night?”
“All was quiet. No incidents.” Roxil tilted her head. “Why?”
“I was curious. I felt a twinge of danger around midnight. Something in the direction of Noah’s dwellings. Do you remember seeing anything unusual at that time?”
Roxil’s tail twitched and tapped the ground nervously. “Actually, I was talking to Goliath for a little while.”
“While in flight?”
Roxil half closed her eyes. “No.”
Makaidos thrashed the ground with his tail. “You left your patrol without relief?”
Roxil lowered her head and glared at him. “Just for a few minutes. The human village can survive for a half hour without us guarding it like winged mama bears!”
“You know they count on us for protection. Noah’s people are in constant danger from Nimrod’s raiders.”
“You think I care nothing for the humans?” Plumes of smoke rose from Roxil’s snout. “I will have you know that I uncovered trouble brewing in the city. Nimrod has marshaled a police force to capture more laborers for the tower construction. A dragon is his chief enforcer, one I have never seen.”
Thigocia rose to her haunches. “Never seen? How can that be? You know every dragon in existence.”
Roxil pawed the ground, sketching a crude dragon’s body in the sand. “He is Father’s size, redder, with longer spines at the end of his tail.”
Makaidos locked gazes with Thigocia. “No one in our brood bears such features,” he said.
Roxil scratched away her sketch. “I know what I saw.”
Makaidos stretched out his wings. “I think I should visit Nimrod’s Tower to see who this dragon is and what is afoot. The stories of corruption are too heart-wrenching to believe.”
“I wish I could come with you,” Thigocia said.
“And I, as well.” Makaidos eyed the smoke rising around the tower. “If Nimrod’s soldiers give me trouble, I could use a warrior at my side.”
Roxil thumped her tail. “I will go with you, Father. I am not tired, and I am ready for battle.”
“Nimrod’s men are too dangerous.” Thigocia extended a wing toward Roxil. “She is not skilled enough to fight them.”
Roxil turned to her father. Her eyes flamed, but she stayed silent.
“I think a certain daughter needs an extra mission to atone for her mistake last night.” Makaidos raised a wing over his daughter’s neck. “A reconnaissance mission is an important part of her training, and I will be able to judge if the danger is too great.”
“She has never been in battle,” Thigocia countered. “The first sign of danger could be a hurled spear, and she might never see it coming.”
Makaidos lifted his other wing and rested it on his mate’s back. “If you