League of Improbable Riders

7

Kanah slowly blinked awake and groaned at the pressure on his chest. A dark form loomed above him and he groaned again. Then he gasped as his vision cleared, and froze, heart racing wildly: the Cinder Blaster sat leering down at him, its heavy feet and sharp claws planted firmly on his ribs.

Kanah panted uncontrollably as the dragon opened his toothy mouth to fire and closed his eyes.

"Just do it," he gasped, although he felt stupid for talking to an animal. "Kill me quickly. Please." Sweat broke out on his face, he felt sick and demented.

But instead he heard deep laughter and a voice spoke as something hard tapped his forehead. "You're weird."

Kanah hesitantly cracked his eyes open as the dragon cocked his head at him, studying him intently. "You can—talk!" he gasped in shock. "But, how? You're an animal!"

The pressure on his chest increased slightly as the creature growled. "I'm as much an animal as you are, human," he rumbled angrily.

"Sorry, sorry, no offense meant."

The dragon gave him a slightly puzzled look, "Aren't you a—Commoner?" he asked uncertainly.

Kanah nodded, "But who cares about that? How are you talking?"

The dragon gave him a strange look. "Well, this is awkward."

"What is?"

"Uh, we seem to have bonded."

Kanah stared blankly for a few moments before bursting into hysterical, terrified laughter. "That's insane! You don't know what you're saying, I'm a Commoner we can't do that!"

"I know," the dragon complained, finally removing himself from the boy's chest. "This is outrageous! You guys are dragon killers!"

"Well," Kanah struggled wearily to his feet, too worn out to make anymore fuss, "I've never actually killed a dragon before; only eaten them." His face paled as he realized what he'd just said and the dragon snarled threateningly.

"I mean—that is—"

The dragon shifted dismissively, "Meh. Sorry I growled at you, 'cause on second thoughts I've eaten plenty of humans. It's all the same, I guess: you've eaten my kind; I've eaten your kind."

Kanah breathed a sigh of relief, but he felt odd at the same time. "I still don't believe you're my dragon, though. It's impossible!"

The Cinder Blaster didn't respond, only started and pricked his ears; fear plain in his eyes. "Here's a test to see if you are my rider," he began hurriedly, "the hunters of your village are coming. If you're not my rider, you'll be able to leave. Now go!"

Kanah chuckled and took to his heals, sprinting for the safety of hiding. But as he peered gleefully over his shoulder, his gaze landed once more on the dragon. And, to his surprise, he looked scared—terrified, in fact—and something made him stop.

Kanah stood, warring with himself; unsure of what to do; then, with a curse he spun around and dashed back to the dragon, who saw him coming and his eyes filled with hope.

Kanah ran straight past the creature and knelt next to the trap, pulling out the Blackwire pegs that held it all together to release the wounded wing.

The dragon pulled the limb out with a relieved jerk and pulled it in front of his snout, inspecting it with narrowed eyes.

The membrane was torn in several places, and blood oozed out of the gashes.

"I can still fly," he said, as even Kanah began to hear the marching boots of dragon killers. "Quick! Climb onto my back!" He stretched out his good wing and Kanah clumsily scrambled up it; wincing as he came into contact with the gash that he had made in the creature's back; and seated himself where two spikes were absent at the base of the dragon's neck, holding tightly with both hands.

The dragon quickly drove his wings down and soared into the air before swooping and snatching Kanah's spear off of the ground and taking proper flight, soaring above the trees.

He flew for only about two kilometres while Kanah sat, staring into space and not daring to look down, trying not to lose his lunch; then landed heavily in a nearby clearing.

Kanah tumbled off and vomited; the jolt had unnerved him, and he was already terrified of heights.

"Are you okay?" the dragon asked uncertainly. "I haven't had much experience with humans. Is doing... that, normal?" he said as he flicked his forest green tail awkwardly.

Kanah laughed breathlessly, "No, throwing-up's not normal. But yeah, I'm sorta fine."

A thought struck him suddenly as he staggered back and slumped against a tree. "What's your name?" He already liked the dragon, feeling a certain connection with him.

"I don't have a human one," the dragon replied. "That's up for us to decide. What's yours?"

"Kanah.

"How do we name you?" he asked curiously.

The dragon shrugged his wings.

"What about Coal, then?"

The dragon tilted his head, considering, "I'm not black, though... I know! What about Ember?" he suggested.

Kanah made a face. "It's a bit girly, isn't it?"

"So? If I'm obviously not a girl then what does it matter?"

Kanah tried, but he couldn't come up with a reply so he nodded. "I like it."

He tensed suddenly as the sound of snapping branches met his ears. "Something's coming!" he cried. "Why didn't you warn me?"

"Because it's someone who smells and looks like you," Ember replied. "See?" He raised his front foot off the ground and pointed with one claw.

Kanah turned with wide, scared eyes, then relaxed as Keera came bounding out of the bushes.

Her expression, as she noticed them, was first terror, then surprise and relief.

"Kanah!" she said. "You're a dragon rider?"

He nodded, ashamed for some reason. "But, please, Keera," he said frantically, "don't tell anyone. It's not my fault," Ember growled slightly and stirred, "and we'll probably both be killed."

Keera grinned reassuringly, "I won't, see?" She put her fingers to her lips and gave an ear-piercing whistle, and, a few minutes later, a silver Fire-thrower flew down out of the clouds.

Kanah stared, mouth open and eyes wide. "You're a rider too," he breathed.

"I know," Keera frowned as the second dragon landed next to them with a thud. "How'd we manage that?"

Kanah barely noticed her question, he was distracted gazing from one dragon to another, wonder plain on his face. "We're Commoners," he murmured, "and we're somehow dragon riders. And our dragons are unique. How does that even happen?"

Keera hadn't heard his words, and was speaking again, as he hadn't answered her question. "What's yours' name?"

"Ember."

"Ember? But isn't that a girl's—" Both of the dragons growled at her.

Kanah laughed. "Apparently not. What's her name?"

Keera grinned, "Launch."