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Authors: Bianca D'Arc
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Lair. A huge flatbed wagon was pulled into the tavern yard, drawn by a team of eight sturdy draft horses. Rey walked out to meet it, suffering the indignity of being hauled up to the castle in stoic silence. Wellwishers lined the streets as he was wheeled by, speaking prayers for him and offering their quiet support.
For the second time, Lucia entered the Castle Lair, worry foremost in her mind. Rey had been silent as they moved him. It took some time to negotiate the late afternoon streets and by the time they pulled up to the castle, night had fallen. The cart brought him as close as possible to the large door, where he was able to lower himself to the ground and walk painfully through the Lair to the suite that had been prepared. The other dragons watched his slow progress, silent and solemn. Rey didn’t raise his head. He was the very picture of defeat.
Lucia’s heart went out to the dragon who’d become one of her closest friends. It hurt to see him this way. He walked gingerly, pain evident in every step as he made his way to an area of the Lair she hadn’t seen before.
The Lair section of the castle was constructed in a series of circular ledges with the center being open to the sky above. Stairs for the human inhabitants wound through the inner walls, but it was clear the dragons negotiated the different levels through flight. Rey couldn’t strain his wing, so a ground floor suite was set aside for them. Rey didn’t speak or even make as sound as he struggled for each step, Kaden, Marcus and Linea following close behind.
Kaden had prepared the way, taking a few hours the day before to move his and Rey’s belongings from their old residence, higher up on one of the upper floors. He’d told Lucia all about the new suite. It was larger than their old one, and more luxurious. He thought Rey would like the larger sand pit, and Lucy looked forward to seeing the place he took such obvious delight in.
As the small party slowed, Kaden moved in front of his dragon partner to open a huge door, big enough for the dragon. Lucia noted the mechanism on her way through. Rey could’ve opened it easily with a stretch of his neck, but perhaps it was too much for his healing hide. Better that Kaden do the stretching for the time being. A surprise awaited them as the group came to a halt inside the large suite. 48
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Wings of Change
“Welcome home, Sir Reynor.” Alania, the queen of Draconia and her twin, Princess Arikia, also known as queen of the nomadic Jinn people, sat on the lip of the sandy oval that was clearly Rey’s domain. The two women stood, Draconia’s queen in leathers, as Lucia had seen her before. Her twin sister wore an ornate green dress that matched her emerald eyes.
Lucia lowered herself in a respectful curtsy, though her eyes never left the two powerful women. She straightened only when the men greeted the two queens. They checked Rey’s wounds and the tang of ozone and magic scented the air as they used their healing powers in tandem on his tough hide. After some time, the women moved back and Rey was encouraged to settle into his warm sand wallow.
“The heat will be good for him.” Queen Alania faced the knights. “Just leave him be for a while. We’ve done all we can, but I fear it may not be enough.” She looked back at the dragon and Lucia wasn’t surprised to see him already asleep. All the activity had no doubt tired him out.
Queen Arikia of the Jinn produced a pot of herbal salve from a low table near the door. “You can use this on the scab. It might help loosen the joint a bit.”
Surprisingly, she handed it to Lucia.
“See that he rests. No running around the Lair.” Her smile gentled the stern words.
“I’ve heard good things about you from the Jinn, Lucia. Be welcome here and if you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
Flabbergasted, Lucia nodded and dropped a small curtsy as she clutched the pot of salve. She remained in that
For the second time, Lucia entered the Castle Lair, worry foremost in her mind. Rey had been silent as they moved him. It took some time to negotiate the late afternoon streets and by the time they pulled up to the castle, night had fallen. The cart brought him as close as possible to the large door, where he was able to lower himself to the ground and walk painfully through the Lair to the suite that had been prepared. The other dragons watched his slow progress, silent and solemn. Rey didn’t raise his head. He was the very picture of defeat.
Lucia’s heart went out to the dragon who’d become one of her closest friends. It hurt to see him this way. He walked gingerly, pain evident in every step as he made his way to an area of the Lair she hadn’t seen before.
The Lair section of the castle was constructed in a series of circular ledges with the center being open to the sky above. Stairs for the human inhabitants wound through the inner walls, but it was clear the dragons negotiated the different levels through flight. Rey couldn’t strain his wing, so a ground floor suite was set aside for them. Rey didn’t speak or even make as sound as he struggled for each step, Kaden, Marcus and Linea following close behind.
Kaden had prepared the way, taking a few hours the day before to move his and Rey’s belongings from their old residence, higher up on one of the upper floors. He’d told Lucia all about the new suite. It was larger than their old one, and more luxurious. He thought Rey would like the larger sand pit, and Lucy looked forward to seeing the place he took such obvious delight in.
As the small party slowed, Kaden moved in front of his dragon partner to open a huge door, big enough for the dragon. Lucia noted the mechanism on her way through. Rey could’ve opened it easily with a stretch of his neck, but perhaps it was too much for his healing hide. Better that Kaden do the stretching for the time being. A surprise awaited them as the group came to a halt inside the large suite. 48
www.samhainpublishing.com
Wings of Change
“Welcome home, Sir Reynor.” Alania, the queen of Draconia and her twin, Princess Arikia, also known as queen of the nomadic Jinn people, sat on the lip of the sandy oval that was clearly Rey’s domain. The two women stood, Draconia’s queen in leathers, as Lucia had seen her before. Her twin sister wore an ornate green dress that matched her emerald eyes.
Lucia lowered herself in a respectful curtsy, though her eyes never left the two powerful women. She straightened only when the men greeted the two queens. They checked Rey’s wounds and the tang of ozone and magic scented the air as they used their healing powers in tandem on his tough hide. After some time, the women moved back and Rey was encouraged to settle into his warm sand wallow.
“The heat will be good for him.” Queen Alania faced the knights. “Just leave him be for a while. We’ve done all we can, but I fear it may not be enough.” She looked back at the dragon and Lucia wasn’t surprised to see him already asleep. All the activity had no doubt tired him out.
Queen Arikia of the Jinn produced a pot of herbal salve from a low table near the door. “You can use this on the scab. It might help loosen the joint a bit.”
Surprisingly, she handed it to Lucia.
“See that he rests. No running around the Lair.” Her smile gentled the stern words.
“I’ve heard good things about you from the Jinn, Lucia. Be welcome here and if you need anything, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
Flabbergasted, Lucia nodded and dropped a small curtsy as she clutched the pot of salve. She remained in that
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