Dragon

Epilogue

Maay huddled in Jaimin's arms, clutching the sleeping form of their child to her breast. Five days they'd been in the air, winding through the mountains. The time measureable only by the nights when they'd halt to rest.

Though winter had begun to leave the forests surrounding Mountain Hall, she couldn't believe the terrain below them had known anything but. Beyond the shelter of steely-grey fur, the wind still tore through the sky, dragging flurries of snow and ice along for the ride.

Occasionally, a tendril would attempt to flick its burden into her face, but this particular gust came from behind and lacked the power to beat its way through the individual whirls kicked up by Jaimin's wings.

It didn't stop the endless cold from gnawing its way through her clothes. Shivering at the memory, Maay turned to her most recent lesson and focused on thickening the pants and coat she wore. The heavy boots and gloves seemed to need less thought, though she knew not why. Undoing the top button, she deftly tugged the coat higher around Ryken's tiny head, snuggling him further into the warmth.

She'd been amazed at how easily he'd taken on his human guise. Having given little more than a glance in her direction, he'd gone from hatchling to babe without any apparent consideration towards the act. Jaimin had tried to explain that the ease came from being so young, but Maay thought that perhaps her own proficiency at changing forms might have been passed on to their son.

She was certain he'd acquired other traits. At least, she fancied he had every time she saw his little face. He bore a faint mark around his left eye, only noticeable when he took human form. Not the same swirling pattern as the clan stamp that marked his father, but she could've sworn it had been trying to become something similar.

The snow before them spun in delicate spirals, fuelled by Jaimin's wings as he slowed their advance. His hind legs dipped beneath them as he made to land on a ground that Maay, after much peering before her, could barely distinguish from the equally pale terrain further below.

Heat blasted above, melting a hole in the ice she could now make out standing ahead. Beyond lay only blackness, thick and unchangeable. They flew on into that dripping maw, gliding closer to the wet floor of the tunnel. One hind foot hit ground, jolting them, then the other touched stone, bouncing them even harder.

Ryken wriggled against her chest, uttering a faint mumble of unease. Stroking the wisp of downy hair, she hummed a little tune that used to settle her adopted siblings when they were worried, praying he wouldn't begin crying.

Warmth brushed across her chill face as they hopped ungainly down the passageway. It came from somewhere ahead, smelling musty and old, like a disused stove suddenly relit. Maay breathed deep despite the stench, welcoming the thawing feeling in her chest. It seemed as if an age had passed since the air had borne anything resembling heat.

There was a brief sinking sensation in her stomach, the only warning she was descending before the toe of her boots gently tapped against the wet stone. Trying not to jolt Ryken any further, she eased herself out of Jaimin's grip and onto the floor, feeling colder without the warmth of his hands wrapped about her.

Wan light invaded the pressing gloom. Creeping in from behind, its true strength caught against Jaimin's bulk and threw a long shadow up the passageway ahead. She took a few steps forward as her vision adjusted to the darkness, the thought of becoming lost stopping her from going further. A wide tunnel lay open before them, perhaps wider than those back at Mountain Hall, either halting or vanishing into the darkness a short way up.

The ruddy light of dragonfire burst forth from above, flames and smoke curling out to bring life back to a row of lanterns. Their cool and pallid glow, weak at first as they bobbed on their chains yet fast growing stronger, illuminated a wall immediately ahead. Twin openings framed the barrier, speaking of more tunnels hidden in the darkness.

Maay stepped up to the wall, placing her hand on the glistening stone, the glove vanishing so she could feel its smooth surface. Water, warm enough to be barely noticeable against her skin, trickled over her fingertips.

A symbol had been carved into the wall above, its once fine lines now eroded by decades of water, leaving it streaked in the same mouldy greens and rusty browns as the rest of the stone. She stared at it for a while before the faint curves and deeper patches – a few of which cast confusing shadows on the image – slowly made sense and formed into the same mark as that adorning Jaimin's face.

She didn't need the affirmation to know they'd arrived at the old H'lon clan caverns, little beyond death would've swayed Jaimin from that destination, but it was nice to have finally arrived.

A warm gust hit her back, carrying with it the scent of barely cooled soot. Maay reached back to touch Jaimin's chin, glancing over her shoulder at the flurries swirling by the entrance. This land, though it be mostly made of rock and snow, was theirs to rule. And the only Laws are the ones we make.

She smiled at the thought, her gaze falling to the small bundle still cradled in her coat. Their son was safe here. The first of a new clanline. This land would once more be packed with the sounds of dragons. Even if she had to see to it personally.

The H'lon line would thrive again.

THE END