Wild Sorcery - Chapter 14

Chapter 14

City of the Ancient Dragon

I shivered in the cold air, but naked and bound, I could do nothing. I had managed to work the gag loose, but that did me little good, with no one about to hear me except for the dragon and the ninjas who had left me bound for him to eat.

Before and around me were the tumbled remnants of an ancient city. Grey stone worn by wind and rain hid all sight beyond a few score yards. I listen intently for the dragon.

When he came, it was without sound or warning. One moment there was nothing, then the next, a dragon was there beside the ruins of what had been a tower.

This dragon had a thick body with a thick neck and a tail sporting sharp bladelike extensions. His scales were blue, shading to lighter on its belly. He had graceful wings running from his shoulders to his lower back. This dragon had narrow black eyes and large frilled ears, round nostrils and a wide, smiling mouth.

I screamed helplessly and tugged at my bonds, but they were too tight. I could only watch helplessly as the dragon crept closer, seemingly grinning at my screams, drinking in my terror.

He slipped down between two tumbled columns and paused, staring at me.

It was only then that I noticed a small round black hat incongruously perched upon his head. The dragon reached up delicately and took the brim in his long talons and raised his hat. “I beg your pardon, young lady,” he said. “Are you in need of assistance?”

I stared at him blankly for a moment. “Uh, yes,” I said. “But- what exactly do you eat?”

“Not maidens, I assure you,” he said, taking the question good-naturedly. “You are far too bony and gristly for my teeth. I mean no offense, of course.” He drew back his lips to reveal his old teeth, rounded and blunt from age. “Why, not even in my younger days did I really enjoy human flesh. I only ate it when I was hungry and nothing else could be had. And even then I only ate those whom I had cause to think the world would not miss for over-long.”

“Glad to hear that,” I said hurriedly to stall the threatening monologue. “So, I am in no danger of you eating me?”

“My goodness, no!” he insisted, and I believed him. If he were going to do that, he wouldn’t have bothered to stop to chat. “Guxx is my name; a gentleman among dragons,” he bowed politely.

“Adrienne,” I replied. “A hero -er- heroine among me- ier, women.” I stumbled to a halt. “Well,” I added. “I suppose I should warn you that I was tied here by two ninjas who want to kill you."

“Oh, dear,” he said, blinking his eyes owlishly. “Whatever for?”

“I really don’t know,” I assured him. “But I think they may have something to do with a woman named Fewo in Teotum.

That caught his attention. He stared at me intently, his black eyes narrowed. “Fewo?” he asked. “How do you know her?”

“She offered me- something I need. If I would bring you a message. But then she betrayed me, and her ninjas bound me here as bait for you,” I replied.

He stared at me thoughtfully for a moment more, then nodded. “That sounds like Fewo,” he said. “Well, I’m afraid I can’t just free you, my dear lady. But if you will be patient, I shall return.” He turned away and slithered back into the ruins.

And so I waited, and waited, and waited. I heard nothing and I saw nothing. I just stood there, bound helplessly to the stake, awaiting whatever it was the dragon had set out to do. I soon lost track of time, but for the slow, almost imperceptible movement of the shadows across grassy floor of the courtyard.

Then I heard a scream. Then, after a long silence, another.

I waited anxiously, wondering if someone would come to claim me.

Finally, the dragon appeared. He waddled over to the stake and easily sliced through the ropes binding me. “What an unpleasant pair,” he said.

I massaged my wrists, trying to get blood back into my hands. “What did you do to them?” I asked.

He shrugged. “I told them to go away and tell their mistress to send no more of her minions here to trouble me.”

“And they went?” I said in surprise.

“Yes,” he said with a nod. “I suppose once their trap had failed-”

A ripple of motion behind him alarmed me. “Look out!” I shouted, jumping past him.

I intercepted the female ninja as she leapt at the dragon, long blade in her hand. I caught her with my shoulder and we both sprawled in the grass. Behind me I heard the dragon shout in surprise, but had no time or attention to spare, for I fought with the ninja, who twisted and turned beneath me like a snake. I caught a hold of her black tunic, then slammed by head into hers. Still conscious, she fought weakly until I butted her head again, knocking her out. I scrambled to my feet and turned around to see the dragon standing over the burned corpse of the male ninja.

“Betrayal!” The dragon roared. “I would have let them go in peace, but no! Where is the other one!” he raged, whirled to me. “Is she dead?”

“No,” I said, wrapping me hand in the cloth of her tunic. “She isn’t.”

“Then she must be punished for her treachery!” he roared.

“No, wait!” I said, putting myself between him and her. “Firstly, I defeated her, so she is mine to punish, and believe me,” I added with a grin. “I will. But more importantly, what of she who sent them? Are you going to let her get away with this?”

“No!” he roared, blowing a blast of fire high into the air. “Fewo! I am coming for you!” He raged, then leaped up into the air.

He stopped, vigorously flapping his wings to stay aloft, then glanced down at me. “I’m sorry,” he said solicitously. “Can I help you away from here? It is far to walk, and I would not want to leave you here. Not after you saved my life.”

“Well, if you can give me a ride westward, I would be grateful,” I said.

Continued in Chapter 15