The sudden overpowering scent of wild venison yanked Jaax’s awareness back to the present. He quickly glanced below, his eyes focusing on the russet figures about fifty feet below. It would be an easy catch this time of day, for the deer were well fed and weren’t expecting an attack from above. All I need is one, Jaax thought, grateful that that would be enough. He set his sight on one of the adults and suddenly dropped from the sky.
After finishing his meal, Jaax took a few more minutes to analyze his surroundings before taking flight once again. It was dark enough now that he could leave this secluded valley in the mountains and take to the open sky. It was still a little early to meet the others, but Jaax wouldn’t mind some time alone before the night’s work began. He stretched his wings and lifted from the clearing, his full stomach protesting just a little. He soared above the tops of the Elornn Mountains, their white-capped peaks glowing eerily against the indigo sky.
Jaax passed by his campsite from the day before and kept going, looking for the final mountain on the eastern edge of the range. When he found it, he immediately located the high ledge where he would meet the others. Jaax made a rather quiet landing, his feet crunching delicately in the freezing snow. He pulled his wings tightly against his back and sat to wait, not noticing the biting ice that surrounded him. A half hour later he heard the familiar pulse of a dragon’s wings.
Jaax turned his triangular head and acknowledged the other huge reptile that was now approaching, giving her a curt nod. She was a deep red color, dulled down by the evening dark. She was smaller than Jaax, but she resembled him in build and stature. Her head, angular like his, was narrower and she had fewer spikes adorning her features. Her gait was smooth and confident, and as she joined Jaax’s side, her mouth curved in a smile.
“Couldn’t sleep again?” she asked in a liquid voice.
Her light brown eyes glittered with amusement, but Jaax wasn’t paying attention.
“No Shiroxx. I slept, but not well.”
Even Jaax thought his voice sounded tired.
“The nightmare again?”
This time the dragon named Shiroxx sounded slightly concerned.
Jaax simply nodded. Shiroxx dropped her head and thought for a moment.
“You’re not worried, are you? Do you think you should return to Oescienne, to make sure all is well?”
Before Jaax could answer, the sound of more wings intruded the quiet, stirring the frosty air of the snowy ledge. A pair of Korli dragons landed several feet away and started walking towards the two Tanaan before folding their wings. One looked to be dark gray in the pale light of the newly risen half moon. The other was a little lighter than Hroombra’s cobalt blue.
Before they could say anything, Jaax spoke, “Sapheramin, Tollorias.”
The two new giant reptiles nodded at the other dragon’s greeting, then eyed Shiroxx jadedly.
“Where’s Tybys?” Tollorias, the darker, more wrinkled one asked.
Jaax cringed. He’d forgotten about Tybys.
“He had to return to his post, it was a last minute decision. It seems a few of the Tyrant’s men have decided to brave the temptation of the Dunes of Ehrann and have traveled down the Rhiimian Gorge. From the report we received earlier, they plan on following the Fuhrlas River south and then cross into Torinn. We needed him back at Telln Bahra in order to keep watch if this information proves true.”
“And you were going to inform us of this when?” Shiroxx’s voice was sharp, making plain her feelings of being left out of this decision.
“Tonight,” Jaax said, casting her a warning glance before looking back at Tollorias and Sapheramin. “Tybys received word only five hours ago, leaving as soon as he knew the details. He offered his apologies and promises to return as soon as the south is secure.”
Sapheramin and Tollorias nodded in acceptance, but Shiroxx huffed her frustration.
“It was hard enough with five dragons, now we just have four.”
“We are plenty in number, Shiroxx. Remember, we are simply trying to spook the soldiers, not take on the entire army,” Jaax responded with his usual authority.
Shiroxx glared at him, but he simply took a deep breath and closed his eyes. It was almost like arguing with Jahrra, almost. Jaax allowed himself a minute grin at the memory. Even though arguing with Jahrra was much more exhausting than arguing with Shiroxx, it was somehow much more satisfying. He very nearly chuckled aloud when he pictured the stubborn girl refusing to let him intimidate her during their last encounter.
“And what is so amusing?” Shiroxx snapped.
“Nothing,” Jaax said, opening his eyes. “Just recalling a more pleasant situation.”
“Well, I’m sure we’d all love to sit and reminisce on more pleasant times Raejaax, but we ought to get moving,” Tollorias interrupted. “It’ll take us three hours to fly to the camp and another hour to terrify those Ghorium parasites further into Rhiimian territory.”
“Alright then, Tollorias, lead the way.”
Jaax nodded to the larger, darker of the two Korli dragons. He then turned and gave Sapheramin a bright smile.
“And how are you doing? Tollorias treating you well, I hope?”
The smaller Korli dragon returned Jaax’s greeting with a brilliant grin of her own. Unlike Shiroxx, Sapheramin exuded an aura of joy. Her crystal blue eyes flashed, adding their own light to the dark night, and she easily walked next to Jaax as they made their way to the edge of the mountain shelf.
“Oh, Tollorias! He’s taking this duty much more harshly than I. He feels guilty that I’ve been removed from Nimbronia, but I’ve tried to tell him I don’t mind.”
Jaax nodded grimly and set his focus on the ground ahead of him. Sapheramin and Tollorias were important delegates in the courts of Nimbronia, two of the many consulates living in that city and serving the king. Sapheramin’s position was considered more important than Tollorias’, and although she was regarded as very valuable to the king, she’d insisted on helping out in the cause to keep the human child protected.
“And how is our young Jahrra? Did she look well since you last saw her? Is my uncle taking good care of her?”
A mischievous grin flashed across Sapheramin’s young, yet wrinkled face.
Jaax answered that with a light chuckle, “Oh, well, you know Hroombramantu. He’s spoiled her rotten, I assure you.”
“That sounds about right.” She sighed contentedly and Jaax felt his spirits lift.
“But how does she look? You must describe her for I have never seen her,” Sapheramin laughed.
Jaax furrowed his brow and narrowed his mouth, trying to get a clear picture of Jahrra in his mind.
“She’s tall compared to her friends, but not thin and gangly or petite like the Resai. Her eyes are blue, but not as bright as yours, and her hair is a deep blond color. And she’s strong for a girl, something that surprised me. The last time I saw her she dislodged one of my scales.”
Shiroxx cleared her throat behind them and Jaax turned to look at her. Her eyebrows were raised and she nodded her head towards Tollorias. He’d made it to the edge of the peak and was waiting for Jaax’s command to take flight. Jaax sighed and smiled at Sapheramin. He hoped that his description of Jahrra satisfied her curiosity.
Their job tonight was simple and was the same as it had been the last hundred nights: to fly to the large camp of the Tyrant’s soldiers in the East Crein Mountains and terrorize them until they retreated further into Rhiim. So far it had been somewhat successful, but it was only a matter of time before the men realized it was only a small group of dragons and not a huge colony that was trying to drive them away. That is why they always attacked at night, so the only thing the enemy could see were the streams of multi-colored fire raining down on them.