The Dragon King

On a starless night, in a forest of leafless trees the only stirring the occasional howl of wind through the naked bows. The men moved with the grace and confidence of a pack of lioness on the hunt. Holding tight to their charge, they moved without speaking to one another. The bare trees gave way to evergreens as they made their way to higher and colder heights. The air becoming more crisp as they ascended into the dreaded Draconem Mountains. Two men pulled their rouge colored cloaks tighter around their dark forms.

"Here" one of the hooded figures stated. His breath visible in the brisk night air. He had stopped and was pointing to the hardened, frost crusted ground in front of him. Without a response or question, the second hooded man placed an ornately woven basket between two moss covered rocks and stepped back. The moon glistened off of the dagger as the first man lifted it above his head, preparing to strike down what was inside the basket.

A loud roar, like thunder before a coming tornado split through the night. A burst of dense, hot air blew their cloaks opens to revealing the insignia embroidered on their chests. Another roar, this one much stronger and closer erupted. Their ears popped from the sudden change to air pressure as the two men did their best to avoid the jagged debris falling all around them. Glowing with the heat eliminating in the surrounding air, the sky turned as orange as butterfly weed. At that moment the men knew they would not be returning from the mountains.

The morning sun rose over the Draconem Mountain range the same as any other day. Mathair spread her hazel colored wings wide, allowing the fresh morning breeze to carry her through the rays of warm sunlight, heating her chilled scales. A thin layer of frost blanketed the ground below her, making it twinkle in the early light. A strange pattern caused her to narrow her keen eyes. She had flown above this landscape for over a hundred years but had never seen such a pattern before. Curiosity getting the best of her, she gracefully descended to investigate. Once on the ground, she tentatively made her way around. Loose dirt and debris were rooted to the ground from frost in a damage path like that after a tornado. Bending down to get a closer look at strange bits of crimson, she reached out a claw. She furrowed her brow when she realized it was red cloth. The more she looked around, the more intriguing the scene became to her. She saw limbs had been divided from trees as she stalked around. All of a sudden, Mathair came to an abrupt stop. Before her on the ground, was an ornately designed, oversized cradle board. Why was a human object so high in the mountains and was the red cloth human made also, Mathair thought to herself. Before she could exam the basket further, she felt something stroking the end of her tail. She whipped around, worried that she had fallen victim to a human trap.

Mathair's eyes widened at the sight of a small boy, no more than three years old before her. He seemed unaware that his petite body was shivering as he stood barefoot on the rocks. The toddler's eyes sparkled with unadulterated wonder at seeing a fully grown dragon. Feeling no fear, he took a step closer to Mathair, stretching his tiny hand out at her. Mathair retreated back a half step in response. An inquisitive look crossed the toddler's face before stepping closer to the weary dragon once more. This time Mathair did not retreat, allowing him to touch her face. The scales on her cheek abruptly felt warm despite the tentative touch of the boy's frozen fingers and the icy wind that would on occasion whip past.

"Smooth" the boy said running his palm over Mathair's cheek. He stopped a moment, turning his delicate palm to him. He frowned, "no wet?" Mathair stood totally still.

Conflicting thoughts swirled in her mind. Eildear had taught them that all humans, no matter the size, where a danger to the clan. Frantically, she looked around, her keen sight scanning the surrounding area for signs of other humans. She saw none, no carriage, no horses, no supplies and most importantly no weapons.

She pondered how a toddler could have made it this far up the mountains without help. The boy squealed with delight as he watched Mathair's tail swishing with her curiosity. How could this fragile human toddler before her pose a threat to any living thing she thought as she looked at him grinning from one near frostbitten ear to the other. She could not bring herself to leave the child out in the elements. She knew Eildear would not approve, but she could not forgive herself if she left the boy on the mountain to die.

The petite toddler had fallen asleep by the time Mathair reached the dragon clan's home. His gentle snoring sounding like the world's smallest chain saw. Mathair set the basket containing the sleeping boy down before changing into her human form. Her shining scales smoothed out into silky skin. With much more ease she picked up the basket again. Turning to the ornate granite door, she said out loud, "dhachaidh". The deep vibration of the immense door opening made small rocks look as if they were dancing on the ground. With a great sigh she walked beyond the door and into the dragon's den.

Dim candles made the passageway beyond the door anything but inviting. Their flames dancing from a breeze that was creeping in through cracks in the walls. In the distance, dripping of distant water could be heard, daring visitors to venture further. To Mathair, the low light was soothing to her hyper photosensitive eyes, the sounds of water like a soft song welcoming her home.

Without warning a large dragon the color of butterfly weed fell from the ceiling to land in front of Mathair. "Latha math Pollux" she greeted him without missing a beat. "Good day to you too Castor." Mathair said a moment later to what appeared to be no one. She was certain he was around as the two dragons never went anywhere without the other.

"It's Mathair." Pollux boomed at Castor. Smallest of all the dragons in his clan, Castor flew down from high above the pair, showing off his maneuvering skills as he did. His scales the color of a Japanese maple sparkling like jewels in the low light.

"We were hoping you were a human." Castor announced when he reached the other two. "It's been nearly a century since a human found their way here." Before Mathair had a chance to answer him, the toddler stirred awake, catching the attention of the two mischievous dragons known as the twins. The babe poked his head over the rim of the cradle board. Both Castor and Pollux took a step back in shock. "Well, it's uh, it's..." Stammered Pollux not daring to get any closer.

"It's freaky looking! That's what it is." Castor announced. Delighted by this turn of events, he stepped closer to get a look at the human toddler.

"It's a baby." Mathair said. She paused a moment before continuing, "a baby human." Castor had flopped down on his belly in front of Mathair who was still in her human form. With the gentleness of a spring breeze, he stretched out one finger to rustle the boy's sandy blond hair. The boy giggled uncontrollably, before wrapping both arms around his finger.

"Looks to be about three human years. Where there other humans with it?" Pollux inquired, still keeping a safe distance despite his own curiosity.

"No, he was entirely alone." Mathair responded firmly.

"Where is his mother?" Castor asked.

Mathair looked down at the ground, avoiding eye contact before saying timidly "I'm his mother now."

Castor had pulled the boy out of the basket and placed him belly to belly with himself. "Does he have a name?" he asked.

"Righ Bhig" She responded.

Pollux eyed the toddler, evaluating whether the name fit before stating, "good name."

"He's not so bad once you get used to him." Castor said through a laugh as Righ Bhig rubbed one small rosy cheek against his scales.

"What's not so bad?" Boomed a voice from behind Pollux. Castor stood up at once, handing Righ Bhig back to Mathair. Pollux turned around so fast he caused his own head to spin. He swayed a little before reaching out to the wall to steady himself. "Latha math Eildear" he mumbled.

Eildear leisurely walked toward the group of dragons, having not yet seen the human child. As he passed each of the scant candles that adorn the walls, their flames burst into light before receding. Each time reflecting light off of his Asiatic lily colored scales, making them burst to life like a firework before receding back to the dark.

Castor pointed to Mathair, saying "Mathair's going to care for him." Both Pollux and Castor moved behind Mathair, forgetting that she was still in her human form. Eildear stopped short once he saw the child.

"He was abandoned on Devil's Ridge to die." Mathair said to Eildear pleadingly.

"I know you are hurting Mathair." Eildear said lightly. "But it can't replace the pup you lost."

"I know, but I can't help feeling he needs me." She responded.

"Look at it Mathiar." He said with more force. " It's not our kind. Are you going to persist in your human form for the rest of your days to care for it?" He turned his back on her before forcefully saying. "No, you must return him to Devil's Ridge!"

"Bring him back?" Mathair said with sadness in her voice "He will die if I take him back.

"If the mountains want him, then..." Eildear started before Mathair cut him off saying with force, "I want him!"

"Mathair, I will not let you put this clan in danger!" He said. The candle light reflected in his sienna colored eyes as they turned a polished gold hue. His anger began to reach a boiling point.

"Does Righ Bhig look dangerous to you?" She asked him, holding the toddler out in his direction. Eildear turned around with a swiftness of a raptor diving on its prey. His roar shook the stone walls with the force of an earthquake. Large chunks of rock fell around the group. Castor and Pullux dodging this way and that to avoid the falling debris. Shaking his head to clear the rage, Eildear took a step closer to Mathair and the human toddler.

He sighed heavily as he said, "Where there other humans with him?"

"No" was all Mathair said in response, realizing she may have pushed Eildear too far.

He looked at her with sadness in his eyes, already knowing what Mathair would choose before saying to her, " You may keep him. But he can not stay here, you will have to take him down the mountains. I will not let you put our sanctuary and this clan at risk. There are too few of us left now."

Mathair nodded. Moving with the speed of a sloth waking up, she turned to face the way she had come in. "I understand" she said, her back to Eitheir. Castor and Pullux stood wide-eyed looking from Eildear to Mathair. They remained silent as they watched Mathair's form grow ever smaller as she left her home and family.

The sun was hiding behind a layer of pewter colored clouds as Mathair exited her clan's home. A light snow had begun to fall, blanketing the landscape. Righ Bhig reached one tiny hand out to her as she set the basket onto the ground. Looking at the toddler she changed back into her dragon self. Righ Bhig clapped with delight at the sight of her transformation. Mathair smiled a sad, sweet smile of loss mingled with joy. She picked the basket up once more and with the grace of a swan launching from a glassy lake, Mathair took off from the ground. Puffs of freshly fallen snow glittering into the air before being carried away in a gust of wind. Tears stung her eyes as she flew slowly out of the mountain range.

The weather gradually went from a gentle snowfall to a blinding whiteout. Nearly tearing the handles from the body of the basket, the wind growing increasingly aggressive. The snow that had been whispering past her cheeks was now cutting into them. The storm was intensifying fast and Mathair knew she would need to find shelter for herself and Righ Bhig. Looking down at the sleeping babe, she knew the boy would perish in the coming snowstorm if he remained out in the open.

Cautiously, she descended from the sky to land on the banks of a lake that hadn't frozen over yet. The elder berry colored water churning from the force of the winds. To protect the child from the increasingly unfavorable weather, Mathair found a bog myrtle shrub and placed the cradle board with the sleeping Righ Bhig under it. She would need to find a better shelter and fast.

A splash drew her attention, Mathair squinted to see what could possibly be brave or foolish enough to risk the icy waters. The sound of a large branch cracking behind her followed by a loud clamor came from the forest's edge. She whirled around, her attention instantly drawn away from the water. Her defenses were up now, something was unquestionably watching her or worse, following her.

Mathair's bravado turned to laughter when she saw Castor limping out from the tree line. With dirt and leaves matting one side of his body, he looked more like a pig who had been rooting around for truffles than a fearsome dragon. He looked up at her sheepishly before saying, "we came to protect you."

"Yeah, well, some protection we are." Pollux said between shivers, his tangerine colored scales dripping from his unexpected swim as he evacuated the arctic waters. Mathair smiled, she had watched these two grow and play together as she protected them. Her heart was full from their efforts to now look after her.

"tapadh leat balaich." she said, "thank you boys. That's very sweet of you but I don't think Eildear would be too pleased you have come."

"Eildear knows." Castor announced "We told him we couldn't let you go alone and dared him to try to stop us." He puffed out his chest

"No, YOU begged him to let YOU go with Mathair, if I remember right." Pollux declared. "Then you dragged me along. Now I'm going to die from hypothermia. Thank you very much." Pollux crossed his arms over his chest. Sitting back on his haunches, he lifted his muzzle into the air and pretended to pout.

Castor was not listening to his larger brother. Having spotted the cradle board under the bog myrtle shrub, he was scampered over to the sleeping toddler. His childlike grin sank as he saw the toddler's lips had turned a bluebell color. "Mathair", he said with worry in his voice as he scooped the little human into his massive arms. "We need to find a warm place for Righ." Mathair scurried over to Castor and Righ Bhig, concern wrinkled her brows. She at once changed into her human form and with one hand touched the boy's forehead. It was icy cold.

Gesturing his arms in a wide, sweeping motion Pollux said, "look around Castor, this storm is coming on fast. How are we going to find shelter in time for any of us." All around them the trees and ground had become glazed with ice and snow.

"Ever the optimist" Castor mumbled but Mathair knew Pollux was right. They would all become ice sculptures if they didn't find protection from the storm, and fast. A gust of wind blew past the group carrying with it the delicate scent of Scottish primrose. The smell was difficult for human's to detect but pungent to dragons. Mathair immediately looked around her, the source of the smell could be one thing.

"Latha math Mathair" came a small voice. Drifting snow took the shape of a dragon as it drifted down to the group from a tree branch. Seconds later a petite dragon appeared before them.

"Primrose?" Pollux said, his cheeks feeling heated as they turned a crimson color.

"Latha math Pollux" she said shyly before turning "and hello Castor."

Mathair looked at the deep purple colored dragon her scales nearly black as a starless night from the cold. Guilt flooded her thoughts. Having always looked after the younger dragons, it would be her decisions that would now lead to them freezing to death. As if she could read Mathair's thoughts Primrose said, "None of us are going to freeze to death. I found a cave nearby. We can all warm ourselves and wait out the storm there."

Confused Mathair said, "all of us?" At that moment a cluster of dragons emerged from the forest to stand behind Primrose.

"We heard Castor talking about what happened in the passageway." One of the other dragons in the group said.

"Loudmouth." Pollux accused Castor.

"We want to come too." Primrose announced. Puffing out her chest she added, " Humans must be a lot of work. You're going to need our help." Mathair was touched, tears swelling in her eyes.

"Is Eildear with you?" Mathair asked sheepishly

"No." Primrose responded. She turned back to the forest edge adding, "Now come on! I'm freezing my tail off out here."

Moments later the group of a dozen dragons and one human toddler where nestled in a sizable cave around a crackling fire. The warmth a welcome reprieve from the blizzard barring down outside. The wind howled outside making the trees grown as their branches bent with the weight of snow and ice. Castor had placed Righ Bhig on his soft under belly, balancing on his tail, he rocked the snoozing toddler. Pollux stood nearby making sure his brother didn't drop the precious child. Mathair, sat slightly away from the rest of the group. A sweet smile of a proud mother on her face. The day had begun with a curiosity followed by sadness at the thought of leaving her home and clan behind to care for the small human orphan. Now as she looked at the gaggle of dragons, merrily chatting with one another, her heart felt full. She did not know if the future would bring them good fortune or bad, but she knew she would be able to face it all with her clan mates beside her.

Primrose noticed Mathair sitting alone and padded over to her. The fire's warmth and glow becoming muted as she made her way closer to the damp cave wall.

"Are you ready?" She asked Mathair

"For what Rosy?" Mathair inquired with a gentle tone.

"Adventure" the young dragon exclaimed with an infectious grin.