G. Aiken: Dragon On Top

She stopped in front of his room. “This is your room, yes?” “It is.”

“I could tell when I walked past. All the books.” “I read a lot.”

“Don’t have to defend yourself to me. My cave is filled with weapons. Same thing.” She released his hand and gestured him inside. “Need help getting undressed?” Bram faced her. “Yes. Yes, I do.” “I was joking.”

“I’m not.” He lifted his hands. “They’re weak from writing.” “Bed. Sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.” “You shouldn’t offer if you’re not going to deliver, Captain.” “Yeah, yeah. Like I’ve never heard that before.” She walked away but returned. “Thanks, by the way.” “For what?”

“Letting my brothers stay. I know you’d rather have yourself impaled, but. . I appreciate it.” “No problem. Although I don’t know if I’d let them in when you’re not here.” “That’s probably a good idea.” She winked and walked off.

And unable to help himself, Bram followed her out into the hallway, watching that perfect plump ass move down the corridor until she reached her bedroom and stepped inside, closing the door behind her.

Bram blew out a breath and wondered about going down there and knocking.

“You haven’t gotten to bed yet?” Bram gritted his teeth— all of them sneak! — and said, “I was about to, Captain Addolgar.” “Just call me Addolgar.” The big oaf stood beside Bram now, staring off down the hall. “My sister. . you think she’s pretty, yeah?” Unsure where this was going, and a little terrified, Bram answered, “Uh. . yes. Your sister is very attractive. A handsome woman and a”— enticing? No. Don’t say that —“a beautiful dragoness.” Addolgar faced Bram, the two staring at each other. Addolgar was nearly the same height as he, perhaps an inch or two taller, but he was much, much wider. Among most, human or dragon, Bram never considered himself small. But when he was around the Cadwaladrs. . Honestly, did the adults perform spells to make their offspring so unnaturally large?

The dragon gazed down at Bram for several long seconds— Am I shrinking? Why does it feel like I’m shrinking? — then grunted at him and walked off.

“Get some sleep,” Addolgar called back. “We got a long trip tomorrow and we need to make a stop.” “A stop? I don’t have time for a—” The dragon halted at his door and stared back at Bram until Bram said, “Good. A stop. Can’t wait.” Another grunt and then he was gone, closing the door behind him.

And that’s when Bram knew he’d be lucky if he made it back from this trip alive.

For six dragons to leave for a time, there was an awful lot going on. She’d seen military campaigns start with less activity.

“Charles!” she heard Bram call from his study. “Have you seen the—” “Have it, m’Lord.”

“Good. Good.”

“Are we leaving?” Addolgar demanded. “The suns are nearly up.” “Give him another minute.”

“I’m running out of patience.” “I can see that, brother. Everyone within a league can see that.” Bram stalked through the hall, followed by poor Charles, who was desperately trying to keep up with his long strides.

“You remember everything, Charles?” “Yes, sir. It’ll be taken care of by the time you get back.” “Good. Good.” Bram stopped in front of them. “Why are we just standing around? We need to be off.” Ghleanna slapped her hand against Addolgar’s chest before her brother could rip poor Bram’s arms off.

“We’re ready whenever you are, Lord Bram.” “All right then. Let’s go, let’s go.” He motioned them out and followed behind. They walked past the gates and Bram stopped.

“What are your cousins doing here?” Bram asked her.

“The troops are moving out from Bolver Fields and they have a tendency to pillage everything in their wake. My cousins will ensure that no one touches your castle or, more importantly, poor Charles. And I really think you should give him more money. He earns it.” Bram turned toward her, gazing into her face. “Thank you, Ghleanna. That was very thoughtful.” Ghleanna had rarely had anyone thank her before, so she didn’t know what to say and ended up staring after Bram long after he’d walked off.

“What if we get hungry?” one of her cousins asked.

“Cows. In the field.” She pointed a finger at them. “But you leave the human inside alone . He’s not to be eaten. Do you understand?” “But what if we’re really hungry?” And by the time she’d pulled her axe, her cousins had already charged back inside the gates, laughing the entire time.

They didn’t make their first stop until late morning, proving Ghleanna right about Addolgar. He was a tyrant about travel. But Bram was unclear why they’d come here . Gods, he hoped it wasn’t to round up more blasted Cadwaladrs.

“What are we doing here, Addolgar?” Ghleanna demanded once her talons touched the ground.

“You know why. Did you think you could leave the Southlands without coming here first?” “As a matter of fact, I did,” she snapped back.

“Well, you can’t. An hour here. A bit of food. And then we’ll be on our way.” “But—”

“No arguments, annoying female!” Ghleanna stamped her back claw. “Worthless bastard!” “Whiny harpie!” “This is your parents’ home.” The siblings faced Bram and Addolgar asked, “How’d ya know that?” Bram gazed at them all. “I used to visit. Quite often. Even stayed here for a while.” “You did?”

With a sigh, he walked off until he could comfortably shift and put on clothes. Once he’d done that, he headed toward Ailean the Wicked’s castle. Eventually, Ghleanna caught up to him. She’d shifted and changed into clothes as well.

“ I remember you visiting.” “Remarkable. Since you were rarely here back then.” “But when I was here, I remember you. You were always chatting with my father.” “I came to him for advice quite often. He was a great help to me when I was first starting out.” Ghleanna slowed to a stop. “My father?” “Your father,” he said while he kept walking.

She caught up with him again. “ My father helped you with that. . that thing you do?” “Yes. Your father helped me with that peacemaking thing I do that keeps you happily killing for a living.” She caught his arm and brought him up short. “He helped you do what?” “Many things.”

“What things?”

“Different things.”

“Like what?”

“Things.”

“Now you’re pissing me off.”

“Then my goal’s been obtained!” Frustrated but, it seemed, unwilling to beat the answer out of him, Ghleanna stomped her foot as she’d stomped her back claw earlier and said, “Tell me!” “No. I will tell you nothing. It’s between me and your father.” “What’s between you?”

Bram shrugged. “Things.”

Laughing, she tugged at his arm as Addolgar walked up behind them.

“Would you two pack it in. I want to—” Addolgar’s body lifted and flew into a nearby tree. Sent there by very strong arms and a total disregard for acceptable father-son boundaries.

“Still not paying attention, boy!” Ailean the Wicked bellowed good naturedly. For an older dragon, he still had a healthy set of lungs.

“You mad bastard!” “And watch your mouth, boy,” Ailean ordered.

The three youngest siblings stood beside their embarrassed older brother, laughing. Until another dragon crept up behind them, unseen, and slammed his shield into them, sending Cai and Adain flying and Hew screaming like a little girl in surprise.

“Weak!” Ailean bellowed. “The whole lot of you.” He suddenly pointed at Ghleanna. “Except her. Except my beautiful daughter who saw me all the way over there.” “You saw him?” Addolgar snarled, dragging himself to his feet. “And you didn’t warn me?” “I was talking to—”