The Loyal

11- A Stranger's Words

Dain awoke slowly, he was warm and comfortable. No point in getting up, is there? He rolled over and realised he was lying on scales. Dain bolted his eyes open and saw a glass castle ahead, standing over thousands of ting little cottages. The castle was a nightmare to look at, with every wall deflecting the sun.

Sirath uncurled her tail and yawned, showing all two hundred and thirty seven teeth set into her jaw. She pulled herself to her feet and shook out her wings.

Dain found some berries in his bag and offered them to her, the dragon refused and Dain swallowed them all before climbing to his feet and stretching. "I don't remember falling asleep," he said, shoving the thick, leather-bound book back into his pack.

"Neither do I," Sirath replied from a nearby lake, standing in the middle.

Dain wandered over to see what she was doing and couldn't help but laugh when she dived her head under the water, coming back up with a squirming fish in her mouth. "Want some?" she questioned, though it sounded more like; "mwant hum?"

  Dain shook his head as he refilled his water-skins, "are you ready to go to the castle today?"

"Yes, then after I make sure they treat you kindly, I'll leave and reach the mountains by night,"

Dread filled Dain's heart, that was right, Sirath would be leaving him. She didn't want to stay in the Haven lands, she didn't belong. Never the less, Dain felt sad and disappointed. Sirath seemed to realise that and as she came from the water, she nudged his face gently.

"Come on, climb on my back. When we go riding in, you want to look proud and important,"

Dain brushed down his vivid red tunic and pulled himself onto the dragon's back by the ropes, much more elegant than last try. He sat with only his feet secured and held onto Sirath's shoulder scales.  

"Let's get going your majesty," she clicked and began walking steadily towards the village, with her wings partly folded, as if ready to fly away at any minute.

The landscape changed from the green and wheat fields to cobbled stone and wooden houses. The paths were just wide enough for Sirath and she managed not to knock down too many barrels and animal cages. Hundred of people gathered at windows and doorway, whispering and crying out in fear.

One brave child darted out and touched Sirath's long, spineless tail. Thankfully she didn't attack or frighten the child and Dain turned around and smiled at the boy, who waved in return, before a timid mother dragged him back inside. 

Guards, in their silver and white armour and sharp halberds watched with their mouths open and eyes wide. None of them made any violent approach to the dragon and boy.

A shaking man in twilight blue stood out from the ever-growing crowds. "His . . . his majesty requests a meeting with you and your . . . your dragon," he stammered.

Dain paused, unsure how to reply before Sirath poked him with her wing claw, "I . . . I would be honoured to meet King Scias. Could you show the way?"

The man strode forward, giving about thirty metres between him and Sirath's fire-breathing head. "Good work," Sirath whispered and wandered after the shaking man. Looking back, Dain saw all the guards marching behind them with the townsfolk pushing and shoving to keep up with the rider.

The streets twisted around in a maze like layout, Dain closed his eyes briefly and suddenly Sirath paused. She turned away from the man and wandered over to the fountain, sniffing at something. Dain leaned over a notice with shock that there was a baby wrapped in a small bread basket.