A Bond of Flame by Richard Fierce

Author:Richard Fierce
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dragonfire Press

8

I stared at Altin, not sure what he expected me to say, but I certainly wasn’t going to join my enemy.

“You’re not from Midia, that much is obvious,” Altin said. “So I must assume you are from Osnen. You don’t need to be skittish, boy. I’m not going to hurt you.”

After a moment of hesitation, and the confirmation from Sion that she wouldn’t let him move an inch before she scorched him, I removed my hand from the hilt of my sword.

“Have you eaten anything since you arrived yesterday? As I’m sure you’ve noticed, there are no animals here.”

Did he bring enough for me? Sion asked with interest.

“What do you really want?” I asked.

“I already told you. I want your help.”

I rolled my eyes. “I’m one man with an injured dragon. What exactly could I do to help you fight an army of riders? And why would I, anyway?”

Altin removed a sack from his shoulder and opened it. He dug around inside, then pulled a loaf of bread and a chunk of cheese out. My mouth watered at the sight of the food. I glanced at Sion, then walked over to Altin to accept his gifts.

“What about my dragon?” I asked. “A loaf of bread isn’t going to do much to satisfy her hunger.”

“Her food is on the way,” he said with a smile.

I retreated to Sion’s side and ate, all while keeping my eyes on him. A few moments later, the girl Maisie appeared at the ledge, leading a sheep with a rope. At the sight of the dragon, the sheep squealed and tried to escape. Altin grabbed the rope from Maisie and pulled the sheep forcefully nearer to Sion. Before I could warn Maisie not to watch, Sion snapped the sheep into her mouth.

I heard the poor animal’s bones crunch as Sion chewed a few times, then all was silent. Maisie stared wide-eyed at Sion, and Altin shook his head in admiration, holding what remained of the rope.

“It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a dragon up close,” Altin said softly.

That made me curious. “What do you mean?”

“Hm? Oh, I haven’t seen a dragon up close in years. Not since the war against Osnen. Thankfully, I only see them from a distance these days, but they’re beautiful creatures.”

I felt Sion’s pleasure at his compliment.

“I see the salve helped with the burn,” Altin added.

I turned to look for myself and was surprised to find he was right. The large black spot had gotten smaller, and the crack in it had scabbed over.

The pain is almost gone, Sion said.

“Good,” I replied. I was speaking to Sion, but Altin nodded as if I were talking to him.

“Yes, very good. What do you know of the dragon riders in Osnen?” Altin asked.

“I know that they don’t poison the land or kill innocent people,” I said. “They fight against darkness and defend the helpless.”

Altin laughed. “That’s what I thought you’d say. You see, my boy, all of that is just what they want you to believe.

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