A Tale Of Two Dragons (Dragon Kin 0.2)(28)

He released her snout. “Now what do you have to say?”

“I . . . um . . .” She swallowed tears of gratitude, unwilling to be even more of a mess in front of Addolgar. “I’m thirsty.”

He grinned. “So am I. Let’s get some water from the lake and figure out what our next steps should be. Sound like a plan to you?”

Braith nodded. “A very good plan.”

“Excellent!” He gripped her claw in his and pulled her toward the lake. “And I stole some oxen jerky out of Bercelak’s bag. He makes the best oxen jerky.”

“Bercelak the Vengeful cooks?”

“Aye. And he’s surprisingly good at it, too!”

They traveled late into the night until they could go no farther. Exhausted, they finally stopped near a town. Addolgar would prefer to stay in the woods for the night, but they were in a more densely populated area, filled with humans. So whether they stayed in the woods or not, they’d have to do it as human or risk some farmer or late-traveling merchant stumbling across two sleeping dragons. It was not a good way to start the day, in his estimation. Burning a bunch of humans crispy for nothing more than being in the wrong place at the wrong time. True, Bercelak would do it, but he had little to no tolerance when it came to humans. He thought they should all burn. Or, at the very least, be nothing more than cattle for dragon meals.

They shifted to their human forms and dug into their travel bags for their clothes.

With a comical little expression on her face, Braith pulled out the clothes Ghleanna had put together for her. She held them up for Addolgar to see.

“Your sister seems to have a love of chain mail.”

Addolgar chuckled. “She’s Cadwaladr. All my sisters love chain mail except Maelona, who has no desire to pick up a blade or an ax. Never has.” He studied her as she slipped the clothes on. They fit her, but barely. Especially around the shoulders. She moved her arms, trying to stretch the material out a bit.

“Have you thought about getting in some military training?” he asked as he pulled on his own clothes.

She shrugged. “Actually . . . I have. But my father was against it. He said royals shouldn’t lower themselves to being a military force.”

“Some of the best kings and queens the Southland dragons have had fought in battle. Addiena’s mother was a battle mage for many years before she took the throne.”

“I don’t disagree with you, but—”

“Your father no longer matters in your future, Braith. Once we’re done with this, it’ll be all down to you.”

She sighed. “I still don’t know how I’m going to do this, Addolgar. Turn in my own father?”

“I’ll be right by your side.” He tugged on his boots, then added, “In fact, let’s think of this a different way.”

“And what way is that?”

“Instead of you bringing in your father . . . you’re retrieving Lady Katarina, while I’m bringing in your father.”

“And what does that word play actually do, Addolgar?”

“Take the pressure off. You think too much of words,” he explained while he stood. “They have all this meaning for you.” Addolgar reached down and grasped her hands, lifting her to her feet. “So use all that meaning to your benefit. I’ll bring in your father while you’ll bring in Katarina. Now, what about your brothers?”

“What about them?”

“We should probably bring them in, too, or Addiena will just send us out again.”

“Don’t worry. Where my father goes, my brothers will go. They’ve never been able to think on their own.”

“That’s sad.”

“My mum tried to help them, but since hatching they’ve been loyal to my father. Plus they’re rather stupid.”

“And you’ve been loyal to your mum.”

“From the beginning to the end of time, I’ll be loyal to my mum.”

“I don’t blame you. She did a good job teaching you to fight.”

“She did?”

“Braith, you may not be ready to ride into battle”—yet—“but you’ve got basic hand-to-hand combat techniques down pretty well from what I’ve seen. You took out Bercelak.” He leaned down until their noses nearly touched. “Bercelak. Only Ghleanna and a few of our older sisters can take him in a fight.”

“He doesn’t like fighting females?”

“Bercelak will fight anyone. But my sisters are like you. Strong, fierce . . . a little heartless.”

“He started it.” She glanced down. “You going to let my hands go, Addolgar?”

“If you insist.”

She looked off, thought a moment. “Well, you should keep holding at least one. I wouldn’t want to get lost on the way into town.” She briefly chewed her lip, still wouldn’t look him in the eye. “I’ve never been here before.”

Doing his best not to smile too widely at that, Addolgar released her left hand but kept hold of her right. And, without much else said, they headed into town, hand in hand.

They walked into the pub. A dark, dastardly-looking place that Braith normally wouldn’t do more than tear apart with her claws.

Even worse, as soon as they stepped inside, the entire place fell silent, all eyes turning toward them, watching them with suspicion.