Book One: Onnu and Pannu

Another Dragon!

Their dragon saw the shadow first. She uncoiled her great body and lunged up to the Rim. The few kin who were nearby mostly managed to scramble out of the way, though there were the first set of injuries to those closest to her tail. They wouldn't forget to steer clear of it at all times, after this!
   She flung herself up into the air, propelled by those ever handy spires. Rapid wingbeats drove her straight toward the shadow, which quickly resolved into a draconic shape.
   Here, she paused, hovering in midair. She'd never encountered another dragon. What did she do? There was sure to be etiquette!
   She bugled a challenge, neither aggressive nor friendly. It roughly translated to "friend or foe?"
   The other dragon continued to circle the Bowl, but the wings were beginning to falter. It occurred to her, then, that this could be another transfigured human.
   One who hadn't quite mastered flying, perhaps.
   "Are you in distress?" she called. She wasn't sure she'd get a response, but she had to try.
   "Tired," he grunted.
   "Can you land?"
   "Dunno."
   "Help?" She kept her queries brief, for he was beginning to shake more visibly now. She hovered under him now, though her circles were tighter, as she was the larger dragon.
   "If you c--"
   His wings buckled then, and her extensive reading came in handy. She knew, at least hypothetically, how to handle an overtired dragon. It was the very reason she'd positioned herself beneath him.
   She swooped up as he dropped down, the scales along her spine ruffled for grip on his belly scales. He draped neatly along her back, wings limp weights atop hers. His legs sprawled to either side, as though he were riding her apurpose.
   She had to decide quickly, now. Did she bring him into the Bowl, or set him just outside? Did she risk the wrath and/or fear of the kin, or did she leave him potentially vulnerable?
   In the seconds it took to debate, she noticed a crowd below, at the base of the spires of their dragonhold. It was roughly the same size as her own crowd of kin, and just as varied.
   "Are those your kin?" she panted.
   "Not related. Just helping."
   So they wouldn't be a threat to him. That decided things. She let them descend to a spire and landed, walked down to meet them. This way, if they became aggressive, she could employ her tried and true tactic of running up and dropping down, with her charge on board.
   "Who speaks for the kin?" she asked. As with her little group, she did not assume that the dragon spoke for all.
   This confused them. They might have done as her group did, and let him take the lead.
   Her head rose to a regal angle, while his dangled over her right shoulder. "Did you journey here with this dragon?" Her chin indicated her passenger.
   Many heads nodded. Some whispered to one another, which reminded her that not everyone understood Draconic.
   "Do you seek asylum within?"
   More nodding, and no small amount of glances at the dragon on her back.
   "If you possess wings, follow me. If you can protect those who wait for transport, remain with them."
   Without waiting for a reply, she turned and walked back up the rocky spire. She heard wings behind her, so at least some had chosen to follow.
   It didn't occur to her to notice that she'd taken charge. There was a need, so she stepped in. Simple as that.
   She didn't wait for the winged ones to catch up, either. Her charge was weary, perhaps hungry and/or thirsty. They might be, too, but if we can get him up and moving, he can help feed them.
   "Look out below!" she called, but it was unnecessary. The kin had fled to the shadows, as she'd taught them. Down they went, with more speed than gentleness. There wasn't as much room to maneuver, so she just tried to slow their fall as much as she could.
   No one came out to meet them; not even her friend.
   "Okay, so there's a bunch of people outside that came with this dragon. He is exhausted, and no threat to you. You may feel that's my opinion, but he also led kin to this place, so I'm thinking it's the same kind of deal as we have. It is time to discuss options."
   She looked around, but hardly anyone had ventured out of hiding.
   "Guys, if you really don't want them here, I can take them to a nearby dragonhold. I just need to know what we want to do."
   "Him first!"
   Of course, it was the contentious human, but he wasn't the only voice in that cry.
   The dragoness rose to her full height and stood over the panting dragon. It was not subtle, but she was tired, and her work was not yet finished.
   "You forget the purpose of this place," she growled. "I was drawn here, as I imagine he was. We are dragons. That is why I call these dragonholds. There are many abandoned holds nearby that I am more than happy to take you to; else you may leave and make for the forests.
   "But make no mistake: these were created by, or for, dragons. My willingness to share what we have extends only to those who wish it."
   Her friend finally poked his head out. "You think dragons made these?" His curiosity was piqued. That balanced his fear enough to approach. Besides, he trusted his friend.
   The rest weren't quite so confident.
   The other ogre materialized on her other side. "Do you think you could make us some houses, then? I dunno what this stuff is, but none of our tools so much as scratch it!"
   She shrugged. "If we did not, someone did. Remember the well, and all of the niches you have inhabited. As you say, tools do nothing to it. And it bears my full weight and efforts.
   "I shall inquire on the morrow. For now, we must decide the fate of the kin he brought with him." She didn't say who she'd ask, because she wasn't quite sure, herself. She just thought she'd ask aloud, and hope God decided to answer her. It wasn't ideal, but they didn't have to know how tenuous her plan was.
   "It's almost nightfall," one of the centaurs said, dancing sideways. He looked up to make sure he was under a spire.
   "There's no shelter out there! They'll get sucked up!" the wingless furgoyle said.
   The dragon under their dragon struggled to stand. She pinned him where he crouched.
   "Lemme up. Can cover them... Been doing it all week."
   His fatigue made so much sense to all of them, then. In order for him to shelter as many people as there were here, he'd have to sink his claws into the ground and hold on for all of their lives!
   "Go," her friend said. "We can debate tomorrow."
   Her head swung around the faces of the kin who had come out. None met her eyes, save those who nodded and pointed up.
   "As you wish."