Empire of Dragons: Dragons & Cicadas (Watty Awards 2012)

Enemy At Your Door

The cave had a musty smell to it. O'Shelly had to cover his nose numerous times whenever he passed by one of those plants. "Are we there yet?" he asked again. He covered his nose with his arm, hoping the smell would not penetrate the cloth of his expensive suit. The Wyvern at the head of the group replied in his annoyed tone, "No, mister president. We are not there."

O'Shelly started to become nauseous, "I hope we get out of this godawful cave. I don't think I can take anymore of this funk."

Rannona, the redhead scientist beside him, gleefully said, "It's the plants, O'Shelly. They're of the Mosswing variant."

"Mosswing?" O'Shelly started to panic, "Oh my god, it's those plants that killed all those people in Carver Dan. Am I going to die?"

"SHUT IT!"

The Wyvern was heavily growling and his silver eyes had turned a darker shade of red. The whole group was in a sudden pause at the sound of his loud shout.

Rannona uneasily chuckled, "Looks like we arrived at our destination."

Stone blast-doors had blocked them off from the God's chambers. The Wyvern stepped up to the door, speaking in ancient Hynodii, "vos to u tries kaara suen vix seft'er intra benin."

O'Shelly, Rannona, and the soldiers in the little convoy watched in amazement as the glyphs on the door glowed vibrantly and slid back to unveil the God's temporary resting place. The Wyvern told them, "Stay close and do not speak to any of the Dragons."

Rannona was amazed at the vast numbers of Dragons in the chamber, all of them guarding their Father, "How many sub species do you think there are?" she asked O'Shelly.

He whispered his reply, "I don't know, but this is overkill."

The Wyvern bowed before the dragon god and said, "your visitors are here."

O'Shelly stepped forward, "Ah, Ashuton Karrucci, how good it is to see you,"

Ashuton, the dragon god, spoke in a strange voice that sounded too deep to be human, "You tread into my domain unannounced, and for what reason?"

O'Shelly balked, "you do not remember our agreement? You give me one Clutchenen of ten thousand eggs and I give you the full support of my country and it's military."

Ashuton slowly nodded, "now I see, you are O'Shelly...I remember...old friend."

O'Shelly uneasily chuckled, "it's more easier to, uh, talk to you in your human form. Your dragon form is a bit intimidating."

Ashuton nodded again, "this is one of four forms. Now, how do I know I can fully trust you?"

Rannona piped out, "you've toured the sanctuary we've made, and from that you know your babies will be in good condition."

He laid one more egg and spoke, "the eggs are in the next chamber."

O'Shelly placed his hands on the freshly laid egg, feeling the small, fragile life inside the shell.

"Can I have this?" he asked, "I know you're famous for giving eggs to people whom need it."

Ashuton nodded before closing eyes to rest. A guard of dragons followed O'Shelly into the next chamber, the Royal Womb. The Dragon god was blind to the cunning man's deception.