“Maarken!” Sioned screamed from behind Rohan. “Get down!” In the next instant a thin, broad sheet of Sunrunner’s Fire flared up from the rocks to hover between the dragon and the boy, touching neither.
The hatchling reared back, a squeal of alarm leaving his throat along with a blast of fire directed up at the sky. Rohan found purchase on the ledge and hauled himself upright. Ignoring the uncertain footing, he sidestepped Sioned’s Fire, drew his sword, and slapped the dragon on the backside with the flat of the blade. The hatchling howled with the bruising pain, flapped his wings, and jumped to one side. Too frightened to defend himself against the sword-wielding prince, the dragon scrambled around the flames, beat his small wings with desperate strength, and flew.
The Fire vanished, and Rohan glanced over his shoulder to find Sioned clambering up onto the ledge, shaking with relief. Maarken was trembling, too, as Rohan scooped him up into a fierce hug.
“Are you all right? Not burned anywhere? Maarken, talk to me!” The child shook until Rohan thought his slight bones would shatter. His arms went around Rohan’s neck and he stammered out, “I’m all r-right—”
From the corner of his eye he saw Sioned rocking the terrified Jahni in her arms. Holding Maarken tighter, he said, “You scared me half to death! Do you know you could have been killed?”
“We only wanted to s-see the dragons! I’m sorry!” Maarken sniffled. “Mother’s going to be mad at us.”
“And then some.”
“Did you kill the dragon?”
“No. He flew off.”
“Good. I’m glad.” The boy drew away and knuckled his eyes. “He was just a baby. He didn’t know we didn’t want to hurt him.”
Rohan nodded. “Are your legs working now?” He set Maarken down. “We’d better get out of here before your dragon’s brothers and sisters come to find out what all the fuss is about.” He glanced over at Sioned and Jahni. “Everything all right?”
“Fine,” she replied, setting the boy on his feet. He clung to her wrist with both hands, but his tears had dried. “A bump or two, I think. But it could have been much worse, couldn’t it? I hope this teaches you both not to disobey your prince.” She arched a brow at each child in turn, and Rohan hid a smile as they looked away, shamefaced.
“Lesson learned, I think,” Rohan said. “Come on, let’s go back down.”
They slid down the loose rocks much faster than they’d climbed up, and by the time they reached bottom Chaynal was there to meet them. He grabbed one son in each arm, hugged the breath out of them, told them they were ungovernable little terrors who ought to be horsewhipped—then clasped them to his chest again, eyes closed, lips moving in a soundless prayer of thanks.
Rohan watched for a moment, then glanced around for Sioned. She had started back up the path and he ran to catch up with her. “What are you doing?”
“You dropped your sword. I was going back up to get it for you.”
He put a hand to his empty scabbard. “I’ll be damned. I didn’t even notice. But I’ll go, Sioned. You’re not numbered among my servants,” he added, a tiny smile touching his mouth.
Her eyes regained their sparkle. “You promised me some time alone with you—but I didn’t know it would take so much effort!”
Rohan chuckled. “All right, but let me go first. There may be a hatchling or two left up there.”
He led the way, muscles protesting this second slippery climb, and when they reached the ledge he poked his head cautiously over, watching for telltale signs of dragons. There were none. He pulled himself up and turned to help Sioned. But she was already beside him, brushing dirt from her hands as she looked around.
“It’s a miracle none of us fell off,” she commented, shaking her head. “Do you want some light?”
Without waiting for his answer, she conjured a small flame just inside the mouth of the cave. Rohan smiled, knowing she had guessed his real motive in wanting to come back up here. Maybe she even shared the desire to investigate. He peered into the dimness, but other than shell shards, there was no further evidence of dragons.
“Was there only the one?” she asked. “What about all these other eggs?”
“Come inside and I’ll show you.” The little flame lit their way inside, and soon they were standing in the center of the cave. Walls rose in ragged curves to meet high overhead.