The Dragons Queen Saga

Part 21: I'm Going to Die

Baylin was saying something, but Dresden wasn't paying attention. Instead he kept glancing around cautiously. Baylin had taken up residence in a well defensible location. There were high peaks, a bottle neck canyon leading farther into the mountains, and a vast clearing where eight Dragons could fit comfortably around the fiery blaze of whole trees. The view beyond that was nothing less than majestic. Baylin had set up his camp at the edge of a cliff, Dresden figured this would be a very easy position for he and other Dragons to fly in and out of freely.

Dresden expected an ambush to come up behind him, to prevent him from changing, but nothing interrupted the transformation. Just he and Baylin stood face to face, naked for a moment on a mountain top. Baylin bent down on all fours. Dresden did the same. They faced one another as scales formed, tails sprouted, horns and other protrusions emerged from their bodies and they grew to enormous size. Kizjin Kol could be comparable to a toothpick when Dresden was a Dragon. He hadn't designed the blade to be wielded by a dragon, even though he was a Dragon when he'd crafted it, so long ago. Baylin's voice boomed through the mountains.
"If you want me, come and get me then!" He stretched his wings and flew into the air, heading up to the next highest peak that could be seen just behind where Baylin had been standing, the sun shone directly overhead of them behind clouds, a gentle snow tickled Dresden's scales. He hadn't become a Dragon in so many years, he wondered how it would feel to fight in this form, a thought that he hadn't considered properly before engaging in battle with Baylin. He tested his wings, felt his legs underneath him, stretched and flung his tail from side to side. He adjusted to his body, but knew that he wouldn't have time to gain his bearings before the battle. He watched Baylin cling to the edge of the cliff like a vulture, talons digging into the stone, waiting for Dresden to meet him there. Dresden stretched his wings again, preparing to take off, when a force hit him hard in the back of the head, toppling him towards the fire. A larger Dragon clung to his back, grinding his face into the ground.
Laughing loudly, Galvinor, reveled in the surprise attack. "I bet you haven't used these in so long you forgot how to fly old man!"

"Dresden turned quickly on his side, rolling Galvinor over like two cats clinging to one another. "I'll show you what this old man can do!" He bellowed, grabbing Galvinor by his broad shoulders and headbutting him with his wide forehead. Galvinor reared back, shaking his head, trying to steady himself. This gave Dresden time to get up, but not enough time to see another Dragon coming at him from behind. The green Dragon he'd seen overhead in the storm, the spiny golden tail meeting the side of Dresden's face, hurtling him to the ground once more.

"What's the matter old man? Feeling rusty?" The deep, throaty growl came so clearly to Dresden, he turned instantly to look at his attacker.

"Well, Tyndor, you look as ugly as ever." Dresden remembered him well, one of the few Dragons in his group of exiles he would have gladly killed right from the beginning. Bad temper, poor listening skills and a strong penchant for violence. He was not happy to see Tyndor alive. He'd hoped the Dragon had met some horrible fate many years ago. With Baylin, Galvinor and Tydor, all much younger Dragon's than he, and with all of their Dragon faculties intact, he wasn't sure how he was going to make it out of this situation alive.

Baylin flew down from his perch to land in front of Dresden, the others gathered around, encircling him with the fire behind Baylin, casting shadows on the Dragon even in the middle of the day.

"You see, I knew you were coming." Baylin cooed with a cocky head shake. "You're not the only one out here with a cause old man."

"Let me guess." Dresden called out. "Sariahfina exiled you on purpose. I had plenty of time to think about it while I climbed the mountain. You are working with her aren't you?"
All the Dragon's laughed openly at the fact that Dresden had climbed and not flown up the mountain. He would have arrived immediately had he flown, but he needed time to work out the details he had recently learned.
"You see." Dresden continued, "I had to wonder what about being an exile made you so damn happy Baylin. I went over my memories and recall you looking not too sad to leave the island."