Warden's Daughter Pt.10

First chapter

Previous Chapter

A Dragon’s Lonesome Tune

Walking to the cliff from the forest edge, I smile. Thinking of the songs from Anniera and the sound of the dragon’s whispers.

Janner looks around, searching for the seldom-used trail.

“Maddie, I can’t do this,” Tink says, stepping back into the forest.

“You have to,” Janner insists, “The Fangs that might find us on the road are more dangerous than this trail right now.”

“Come on, Tink,” I laugh, “At least try.”

I sign the word as I say it, wrapping my first finger over my thumb on each hand and twisting them.

Leeli passes by, using the rocks as support, “Come on,’’ she tells him.

“I’m not really worried about me, you know,” he tries to cover, “I just meant that, uh, I don’t think Leeli should be out here.”

“Thank you for your concern,” I tell him, signing thank you like blowing a kiss, “But I think she’ll manage just fine.”

I wrap my hand loosely around his until he removes himself from the wall, squeezing my hand.

We creep behind Janner and Leeli until we reach an open spot and Kal runs ahead, pacing where he can.

“Tink,” Janner insists, “Help me with Leeli.”

They lower her to the rest of the crowd and I climb down last, getting attacked by a few rocks.

A long note stretches over our group and I hear the dragon’s words mingled with it.

“Quick!” Kal insists, pushing to the ledge, “It’s starting!”

I follow him and we sit on the outcrop of rocks.

I glance at Janner, and he seems good enough about our spot.

Tink leans out on the edge, almost a bump away from falling over until he throws his hand back, tapping Leeli for attention.

We look to where he’s pointing at when the first dragon appears, golden red, shooting up from the water. 

As it crashes down, more notes rise from the water, forming the dragon’s song.

After a few minutes, I glance over and see Leeli standing at the edge. Her eyes are closed and she’s singing something that sounds slightly Annieran or Hollish.

I try to focus down to the sounds of the dragons, but they’re silent. Listening.

Once she finishes the song, I listen again for the dragons. While everyone can hear their music, when I listen for it, I can hear them repeating Leeli’s words.

As the dragons finish their version of the song, they disappear beneath the waves. The golden red dragon is the last to vanish.

“Come on,” I say, remembering why we came down, “We need to find Mama or Grandpa quickly.”

“What was that Leeli?” Janner asks, ignoring me, “Who’s Yurgen?”

She shrugs, smiling, “I don’t know. I think it’s a song Mama used to sing to me when I was little, or something like it. It’s odd.”

“What’s odd?” I ask, trying to hurry.

“I can’t remember it now.”

“Well, it was . . . really pretty?” Janner asks. Says?

I’m about to repeat for us to find Nia and Podo when I pause, turning around to face the scaly, bruised, bleeding face of Slarb.

“Try to run if you like,” He hisses, “It’s a long way down to the sea. I’m sure those ghastly dragons would love a few plump vittles after their silly little show, don’t you think?”

Three more appear to grab Janner, Tink, and Leeli. One more stays behind Slarb, weapon ready. Five Fangs. Fighting three was tricky with the advantage of surprise.

The one with weapons hisses, “What d’you want we should do wif’em, Slarb? Toss ‘em over or put ‘em in the pen?”

I back up a step to the cliffs so I can see everyone easier, and Slarb steps forward, flicking his tongue at me.

“Commander Gnorm told me to bring ‘em in, but this cliff is so close and these humans are so very smelly, eh, Brak?”

I shift my eyes around, never letting them rest in place for long, where’s Nugget? I realize.

My eyes lock back on Slarb as I notice a motion. Then pain breaks across the side of my face and I stumble before falling, my ears ringing.

“Let that be a lesson, girl. Touch me again and I'll eat you alive.”

I reach up to the side of my head, jerking away when I graze where he hit, filling quickly again with pain.

I guess he grabs Leeli next while I blink tears from my eyes, “And the same goes for you, stenchy little girl.”

I don’t hear any words, but I feel Janner land against me after a moment.

I shoot my gaze over to Kal as he breaks away, aiming for Slarb.

The Fang blocks easily, kneeing him and tripping back on the ground with the rest of us.

“And you, you scrawny little thing, remember Slarb with this.”

I reach my hand up as I stand, knocking the dagger sideways before it makes contact with Tink’s head.

I stand between Slarb and Kalmar, staring the Fang down.

“Remember me best, little girl,” He whispers, leaning close enough for me to feel his breath, “The Fang who proved you Skreeans can’t win.”

He pulls his arm back again, and the world goes dark.

-Might post the next chapter later today, finished this one early yesterday afternoon and kept writing. (Finished the next chapter and started a third)