Dragonblood (3 page)

* * *

Tallon and his parents decided that like with most problems, hard work would help sort things out. Cruss went out to the field to work, and Maryll began preparing the evening meal. Tallon got busy doing the chores which had gone undone with all the excitement of the day. As he was cleaning the plow horse’s stall he felt a tickling sensation at the back of his skull. He flicked at it with his hand, thinking it was a gnat or fly. However, the tickle persisted and even became stronger. He suddenly realized the feeling was
inside
his head! He dropped the shovel he’d been using and clasped both hands over his ears, as if that could stop the vibrations within his head. “I am Tallon.” He said, without really knowing why.

Tallon. Good name,
thought the young dragon. Although it would be infinitely easier if he took complete control of the human, it would be unspeakably rude. So, he went about beginning the process of introducing the human called Tallon to the ways of the Draconic Blood Rite. He sent simple mental images so as not to overwhelm the human and his tiny brain. History, both human and dragon he sent. Social skills and the logic of the old earth he sent also. Finally, he introduced himself as best he could, not yet having been officially named. He sent images of what had occurred the previous night, and suggested a time and place for a proper “meeting”.

Tallon blinked, and then started with a jerk. He looked around and saw the shovel lying in dung. Unbelievably, the sun was beginning to set. He’d not gotten much work done. As he stretched to loosen the kinks in his cramping legs, Tallon began to recall the images which had been sent to him. “Cuss words and spit!” He exclaimed.

Slowly the enormity of his situation dawned on him. He was bonded to a dragon. A DRAGON!! Tallon’s head actually hurt from all the information he’d taken in. History, social studies, logic, and the blood rite. Excitement battled with fear, but curiosity would win the day.

A suggestion had been implanted, and Tallon felt compelled to go to the bluffs outside of town.

Later, when the sun was truly down, and the moon on the rise, Tallon would meet his bond mate.

“Tallon!” Cruss boomed as he stomped into the barn. “Yer ma’s been callin’ ya fer sup...” Cruss’ words trailed off as he took in the filthy stall and Tallon’s strange expression.

“Sorry Pa, I was woolgatherin’ I guess.” Tallon apologized. “Tell Ma I’ll be right in, soon’s I get this cleaned up.”

“You okay, boy?”

“Yessir. Just thinking about all the stuff went on today. Cimian’ll never look at me the same way again, I’d wager!”

“You got that right, boy! Ha!” Cruss agreed, and clapped his son on the back with a mighty whack. He left the barn, laughing and shaking his head.

Tallon smiled at his father’s departing back, and then bent to the task of cleaning up the stall. Suddenly, a big meal seemed like just the thing. He had a feeling he’d need all the energy he could get for what was to come.

The young dragon paced in his cave. What he was about to do, no dragon had ever done before. Already he’d set a precedent. Though accidental, he’d bonded to a human while still in what dragons considered childhood. Now he’d have to belatedly court the human called Tallon and convince him that being bond mates with a dragon could be advantageous for both parties. He would have to be careful, however. The few images he’d sent almost left the human catatonic. Tonight he would meet his bond mate, and things would fall for good or ill. Dragons have a saying: “The hardest task has already been accomplished; breaking free from the shell. All else is just life.”

Tallon raced through the woods toward the bluffs. He’d climbed out of his bedroom window after allowing his huge meal to digest a bit. Just as before, the sensation of running made him feel alive and full of joy.
Like flying,
he thought as he ran. He wanted to test his newfound stamina, and so pushed his body to the limit. He leaped over fallen limbs and dodged bushes while never slowing a step. His eyes fastened onto the moon and he raced against that celestial body. And that was his mistake. His new body had taken him more quickly to the bluffs than even he could have imagined. Too late, he sensed something amiss and looked down just as he stepped into nothingness.

* * *

Tallon’s run to the cliffs had left him nearly breathless, and though he gasped as he began to fall, he did not, could not scream. Silently he dropped, gaining speed as he plummeted to certain death. Though his lungs could not voice his fear and frustration, his mind emitted an internal roar of helplessness. He desperately wanted to close his eyes, but they were wide with fear, staring at the dark ground below, which was rushing up to meet him.
Goodbye Ma, goodbye Pa,
he thought. With about ten feet to impact Tallon finally forced his eyes shut and tensed his body against the inevitable.

Tallon felt impact... from above! Something hit him, grabbed him, and yanked him upward with unbelievable force. His head snapped forward as his direction changed so quickly and completely. Tallon watched the rocky ground fall away and his lungs finally found their voice. He did not recognize the scream as his own until his lungs were once again spent. He began to inhale deeply for another go when...

“SILENCE!” The word echoed in his head.

Slowly, Tallon turned his head to see who, or what had rescued him. The first thing he saw was the huge claws which held him. These were attached to muscular legs which connected to a massive torso covered in scales and rough leathery skin. Two gigantic wings of thinner leather-like skin extended from the torso and beat rhythmically as they rose into the night. Shakily, Tallon turned to look to the head of the creature. The long neck arched and a large bulky head swung toward him. One big orange eye came into view and Tallon screamed again.

“BE SILENT, HUMAN! DID YOU NOT COME HERE TO MEET ME? HAVE I NOT JUST SAVED YOUR LIFE?”

“You, you... you are the dragon in my head!” Tallon stammered.

“
Not just in your head, Tallon-human. No, not just in your head.”

They had reached the top of the cliff and the dragon hovered just over the surface. Slowly, he released Tallon and the young man dropped to the ground. Tallon stood trembling, staring at the great beast who landed some yards away with a great swirling of dust and small rocks. His fear of the beast was diminishing, but he still shook with the knowledge of how close he’d come to death.

“
I too, know this feeling, Tallon-human. I was close to the final sleep just recently, yes.
”

“How is it that I hear your words in my head? Human words!” Tallon stood his ground as the dragon slowly moved toward him.

“
A good question young human, and as good a way as any to begin your education.
” The young dragon sat, and the ground shook.

Tallon sat also, though his movement did not affect the earth so much. He nodded to the dragon, and a small smile began to play at the corners of his mouth.

“That stuff that hit me last night; that came from you, right? And the way I took on Cimian and his boys? What happened? How is this possible? Why--?” Tallon stopped as the dragon smacked the ground with his tail.

“
All your questions will be answered, Tallon-human. However, in order for you to understand the answers which I shall give you, you must be educated. Agreed?
”

Tallon nodded. He was itching to ask how the dragon knew his name. He wanted to know the dragon’s name. That seemed only fair, but the thought of that tail whacking down again curtailed any more questions.

Tallon’s education began. Through the night the dragon taught the human about communication by thought and voice. Dragons knew the old earth language and the human speech. Tallon would learn some of the old speech, needed to complete the ceremony of the blood rite. Tallon learned of the incident which preceded his accidental ingestion of draconic blood. Anger flared, unbidden at the thought of someone shooting so noble a creature. The bond grew stronger. By daybreak Tallon had a reasonable idea of what he was in for. Bond mates. Already he had benefited physically, and of course, there was the victory over Cimian’s gang.

With the rising of the sun the two bond mates went their separate ways. They made plans to meet again and learn more about each other. Both felt confident that they could beat the odds and turn an accident into a positive achievement.

It wasn’t until Tallon was almost home that he realized he still did not know his bond mate’s name.

* * *

Cruss was already working in the fields by the time Tallon returned home. The young man watched his father tending the crops. Cruss was born to work the land. He raised farming to an art. Tallon however, did not inherit his father’s love of farming. Oh, he did his chores like the good son he was, but the work did not bring him joy. Tallon longed for adventure, travel, romance. His father had told him this was the dream of all young men, and that reality would soon settle in.

Until recent events, Tallon had assumed that to be true. Now, he was living an adventure! A secret adventure, to be sure, but an adventure nonetheless. He almost laughed aloud as he imagined what his parents’ reaction would be when they learned of his “situation”. Then he had a sobering thought. Would they disown him? People in this backward region did not accept “different” very easily. And different described him quite well right now.

Shrugging off his unease, Tallon went to greet his father and lend a hand in tending the tall stalks of grain. Cruss welcomed him with a smile and a wink. He’d noticed his son’s absence that morning and figured his boy had a girlfriend he’d sneaked off to visit. They bent to their tasks, Cruss with relish and Tallon with effort. Father and son worked well together, the result of years of practice. After a few hours working they heard Maryll calling them for the midday meal.

The young dragon circled above the clear mountain lake, eyeing the group of dragons already sunning themselves along the shore. He glided to an open area and back-winged to land lightly on the rocky beach. Almost immediately a rather smug looking dragon approached him. Unlike most dragons, this creature had little in the way of manners and delighted in playing practical jokes on his peers.

“Good day to you, Smort.” The young one said in greeting.

“Good day to you, nameless!”

The youngster lowered his eyes, determined not to rise to the bait. Though Smort was only a few decades older, he’d had his naming day and so “outranked” any dragon not yet named. Most dragons would never be so rude as to make a point of mentioning another’s status, but Smort was not like most dragons.

“I heard you took a wound from a
human,
youngling,” Smort teased, “Careless of you.”

For a moment the young one’s heart froze.
What else might Smort know?
Slowly, he forced himself to relax. Of course the wounding would be news. Fracco would have warned the others of the danger as a matter of course. But he would not have spoken of the bond, and the healer’s discretion was beyond doubt.

“Yes, foolish of me to fly so low.” He said.

Smort puffed up. “Such carelessness could reflect badly on your naming day! Why I—”

“Leave him be, Smort.” Another dragon interrupted.

Both dragons turned toward that lovely voice.

“Cloudia.” They said in unison. (Smort growled it; the young one’s voice was a sigh.)

The young dragon thought Cloudia was the most beautiful dragoness ever created. Her golden scales were the essence of the sun, and the green were emeralds. Her eyes were frozen fire... and... and she was talking to him!

“Wh-What?” He stammered.

“Are you okay, Snooter? Don’t let Smort worry you so. I’m sure your naming day will be glorious!” Cloudia said soothingly. (She still called him by the nickname she’d given him when they were hatchlings together.)

Suddenly, inspiration struck the young dragon. “Cloudia,” he said, “Would you care to fly with me for a time? I have something I’d like to discuss with you.”

And so the two flew off together, leaving a sputtering Smort to fume by himself.

Cruss, Maryll, and Tallon had just finished their midday meal when Doc Arrek arrived along with a stranger.

“Ho, the house!” Doc called in greeting.

“Ya just missed a fine meal, Doc.” Cruss said. “We can spare enough for you and your friend, though. More than welcome.”

“Thanks, but no, Cruss. This ain’t exactly a social call. This here’s Garroq.” Doc said, gesturing toward the stranger. Cruss nodded to him and the man grunted something too low to hear.

The doctor continued, “Now, I know you ain’t much fer folklore, but Garroq here says the stuff on Tallon’s clothes is dragon blood.”

“Dragon blood, huh.” Cruss said slowly. He looked at Maryll and rolled his eyes.

Tallon’s heart was hammering. Slowly he stood and faced the stranger. He was a powerfully built man, with huge shoulders, biceps, and forearms. Tallon looked the man up and down.

“You’re a hunter.” Tallon stated, not really a question. His eyes had gone hard.

With a voice like rocks rolling over dried leaves Garroq said, “I’m a dragon killer.”

* * *

Tallon stood rock still. His hands clenched into fists at his sides, knuckles turning white with stress. His eyes bored into Garroq’s. The self-proclaimed dragon killer took an unconscious step back from those cold staring eyes. His hand strayed to the knife at his belt. Violence hung in the air.

“A dragon killer, you say?” Tallon whispered the question.

Suddenly, Cruss, Maryll, and the doctor were between the two, with Doc Arrek almost pushing Garroq out the door and Maryll with her hands on her son’s cheeks. Cruss stood in the middle, forestalling any foolishness.

“What’s the matter, son?” Maryll asked, “You look like could slay that man! We don’t treat guests that way. Son?”

Tallon’s eyes never registered his mother. They followed Garroq’s movements until he was completely out the door. Even then he did not look directly at her. His voice was cold and distant when he finally spoke.