Dragon Riders of Etrea 2—Chapter 26

Henrik frowned at the massive orc army. That many soldiers was a problem, a serious problem. 

“Can you tell Cazeth to fly a bit closer?” Henrik said.

Isobel nodded and placed her hand on Cazeth’s neck. The dragon adjusted her flight path and continued toward the swarm of orcs.

They stopped their march and pointed at the giant beast flying overhead. Henrik looked over the side of Cazeth’s neck and tried to study the army in the brief moment they were so close. Several orcs tried their bows again, but Cazeth was simply too high up.

“There,” Henrik said, pointing at a man in gilded armor riding a horse. Armored men circled him, marking him as a person of importance. They all watched the dragon with angry faces. “I think that’s the new orc chief,” Henrik said.

Isobel frowned. “This is not good. I need to tell the others, and we need to get you back to Anslie and your dragon.”

“Do you think Cazeth could simply take out their army?” he asked.

Isobel shrugged. “Probably, but some of those arrows would eventually hit us. Or worse, one might catch her in the eye and blind her. It’s not worth the risk. Now, Calduin is a different story.”

“He’s a baby, though,” Henrik said.

“Never underestimate a snow dragon,” Isobel said. “They have no weapons that can hurt him. Their shamans can’t even hurt him with magic. Even as small as he is, he could tear through their army.”

Henrik tried to send calm feelings to Calduin. The young dragon excitedly replied as he always did to Henrik, letting him know he missed him. Calduin was also getting the first of his fire breath. Henrik told Isobel about that.

“Be careful about that,” she said in tones of caution. “I spoke with Cazeth about it before you showed up. You need to ensure you keep him calm at all times, especially over the next few months. He’s growing very quickly, as snow dragons do, and this time is absolutely important to his development.”

“Noted,” Henrik said. He knew their future was uncertain, but Calduin was doing well so far. But even something small could tip him into chaos, and the whole world would suffer.

“Take us home, mother,” Isobel said. She gripped the pommel and the dragon suddenly turned to the right. Henrik had to hold onto Isobel tightly to avoid being thrown to the side. He briefly wondered what riding Calduin would be like, and if it would be as violent as riding Cazeth. A better-fitting saddle would help.

Henrik suddenly felt something from Isobel. He couldn’t describe it, but he could tell she was communicating with someone. The dragons and the other riders, most likely. He waited until she was done, then closed his eyes and tried sending a message to Isobel.

I barely know you, but I already love you, he sent. He tried to make it as clear as possible.

Isobel looked over her shoulder and smiled at him, then leaned back, pressing herself against Henrik.

Cazeth beat her massive wings and they raced through the air, fast enough that Henrik’s eyes watered. He didn’t like holding onto Isobel so tightly—he felt like he was squeezing the breath out of her—but when he tried loosening his grip two things happened. First, he felt like he was going to fall backwards, and second, Isobel reached up and placed a hand on his arms, showing that she wanted him to hold her more firmly.

It didn’t take Cazeth long to make it back to the bowl of life. She glided down close to the ground, then flapped her massive wings several times, hovering in place and lowering her legs. Her touchdown was surprisingly gentle, and not tooth-jarring like Henrik had expected.

“What now?” Henrik asked as the dragon lumbered a few steps closer to the cave.

“We have to get ready,” she replied.

Cazeth laid down, putting her chest on the ground and stretching out an arm. Isobel quickly unhooked the leather straps holding them in, then raised herself off of Henrik’s lap. Of course she pressed her ass directly in Henrik’s face.

“Is that better?” she asked, shaking her hips a bit.

“Mmmphh,” Henrik replied. He just hoped it sounded as happy as he felt.

Isobel laughed and swung a leg over the saddle. She leaned forward and pecked Henrik on the lips. He shambled out of the saddle, holding onto Isobel’s hand for balance, then slid down Cazeth’s massive front leg. 

He stood there for a moment, watching Isobel remove the saddle. Cazeth’s huge head swung around, checking Henrik. She sent a question to him, asking about his well being due to how chaotic their ride was.

“I’m good, thank you,” Henrik said. He took a few steps forward and reached out, rubbing Cazeth’s enormous snout. “Your strength and speed amazes me, Cazeth.”

That answer seemed to satisfy her. She nudged his hand with her nose, then turned her head back. Once Isobel had removed the saddle, she crawled into the cave and curled up, her head lying on top of her long tail, her green eyes watching the two of them.

“Sometimes I can’t tell if she likes me or not,” Henrik said to Isobel as they walked toward her small cave-house.

“Oh, she definitely likes you,” Isobel said, giving him a sweet smile. “She likes you and approves of you. She can also sense how I feel about you, which helps. Cazeth is ancient and can be a bit grumpy at times, but don’t worry, she is glad you’re here. She wants to meet Calduin as well, since he’s her grandson.”

Henrik thought for a moment. “What about Emyss?”

Isobel’s smile faltered. “Yes. Emyss is her son. Due to that, he will not attack her, but they do not talk to each other or have a good relationship. Emyss is not evil, mind you, but he is not particularly pleasant. From what I understand, he was the most powerful snow dragon ever born, until the birth of Calduin.” She frowned and looked up at Henrik. “You’re going to have to face him at some point.”

“I know,” Henrik said as they approached her small house. “I’ll figure something out. I have no choice.”

Isobel gave him a tense smile, then entered her house. She set the leather straps in her storage area, then went into the kitchen and leaned her hands on the counter. She stood there for a moment, just taking calm, deep breaths.

“Are you alright?” Henrik asked.

“I’m okay,” Isobel said, her eyes closed. “Just a little stressed about this orc army. If they’re going for Calduin, we have to confront them. Even with our dragons, that is a lot of soldiers. Anything could happen.”

Henrik pursed his lips and thought. “I’ll think of something. There’s always a way to solve these sorts of things with minimal bloodshed.”

Isobel looked over her shoulder. “Do you think the new orc chief is the kind that will entertain parlay and compromise?”

Henrik laughed. “Men like him respect only strength. With four dragons at my back, I’m hoping that’ll be enough to make him back down. When he sees that he absolutely cannot win, hopefully he’ll take his army somewhere else.”

“What about your friend’s partner?” Isobel asked. “Didn’t you mention something peculiar with her?”

Henrik’s laugh faded back into a frown. “Yes. She betrayed her people to help save Calduin. Both she and my friend Rasud changed their faces with magic, so they look human now. Or, as I understand it, they are human. Torgan wouldn’t recognize her, but one of his shamans might be able to tell, at least according to Shel.”

“He’s going to demand you turn her over,” Isobel said. “And a man like him isn’t going to take no for an answer.”

“Good thing I’ll have four dragons at my back,” Henrik said. “He won’t have a choice. A show of power should make him back down.”

“Will he back down in front of his people though?” Isobel asked.

“Good point,” Henrik said. “I’ll think of something. I know there’s a way to deal with him without everyone dying.”

“Well, get to thinking,” Isobel said. “We need to hurry back to your dragon so we can be there when the army arrives.”

“I need to take The Duke with me,” Henrik said. “He has all my things.”

Isobel turned and blinked. “Who?”

Henrik laughed. “Oh, sorry. My horse. I named him The Duke, since I essentially stole him from Duke Ardun.” His laugh once again faded into a frown. “He’s now King Ardun, and is raising an army to come for Calduin as well. He has a powerful wizard with him, which could prove problematic.”

“Your dragon is already quite popular for only being so young,” Isobel said. “Shame he’s so popular with bad people.”

Henrik grinned. “That’s my boy. I’d say he’s taking after his father, but he doesn’t have one, does he?”

Isobel shook her head. “No. Dragons don’t come into being that way. From what Cazeth has told me, their souls are born years before their bodies are formed, somewhere in the magic of the cosmos. Their mother tends to their soul, nurtures it, and gives it strength. After a time, the egg is finally laid.” She smiled at Henrik. “No men needed.”

“Are we leaving right away?” Henrik asked.

Isobel shrugged. “We need to hurry up and get over to your dragon, but that orc army will take at least a week to arrive. As long as we beat them, we’re okay.”

“The Duke must be getting tired of all this walking,” Henrik said with a chuckle. “He’s been a good horse.”

“I can help him a bit. Not as much as Tossyth, or especially Annasta, but I can give him a bit of energy and vitality. Enough to make a difference on a trip that far.”

“I’ll take it,” Henrik said. He thought for a moment, then decided to bring up a topic that could possibly be trouble. “How will things work with both you and Anslie there? With me, that is.”

Isobel looked at him for a moment, then smiled as she began unlacing her shirt. “Things will be fine. We’ll have to work out a schedule or learn to share you. Meriel will be there, too.” She pulled her shirt off over her head. “I think we should take advantage of our last night here.” She kicked her boots off, then pushed her pants down over her curvy hips. 

Henrik needed no extra motivation. He tore at his clothes, nearly tripping on his way to the bed. Isobel climbed on it and remained on all fours, her ass facing him. She watched him over her shoulder and shook her hips at him.

Henrik rushed over to the bed and grabbed onto Isobel, pulling her into his arms. They kissed for a moment, then she pulled away.

“You’re not done until I can’t walk,” she said with a sultry smile.