Heart of Flame

X. Queen

Sorne winced as she pulled herself up onto the final ledge. Someday, she hoped that she wouldn't feel quite so beaten up. Banaak wanted her to be able to work through pain—and she was getting quite good at that—but she knew she would need a break eventually. She just wasn't certain that Banaak knew it. The orc in question did help her up from the ground, however. He had been quiet for the hike, still displeased with Graaol. Kalg stood next to him on the edge of the cliff-face, cautiously eyeing the slight rise towards the dragons' nest.

A low, purring noise was just barely audible, the sound of a mother singing to her soon-to-hatch eggs.

"It's the queen in the nest," Kalg said. His whole body was tense, a clear sign that he knew about the fire-breathing capabilities of female dragons.

"Are you ready?" Banaak said, looking down at the girl. His yellow eyes measured her expression carefully, gauging her conviction.

Sorne nodded, not trusting herself to say anything without her voice cracking in fear. She was shaking like a leaf in a gale. If the queen was the one in the nest, that meant fire was in her future. She was sure her face was sheet white, with how lightheaded she felt.

The orc gave her a nod before moving out of her way. The path to the nest was clear, Banaak and Kalg waiting on her to take the advance. They would follow until they had line of sight, to observe how she handled it. Retrieving her body if she failed would be impossible, but at least someone would know her fate. It placed them at risk, but not nearly of the magnitude that she was undertaking.

Sorne crept forward, trying to make herself look small as she followed a crag of rock up to the overlook of the nest. She bit her lower lip hard to stop herself from gasping when she saw the creature.

The black dragon was the size of a farmhouse, curled around the nest with seven eggs lovingly surrounded by the remnants of animal carcasses and stolen fabric. It had two powerful rear legs complete with talons like scythe blades and two massive, leathery, bat-like wings. Horns swept back from sharp eyebrow ridges that defined the edges of a hunter's eyes, which were mercifully closed as the dragon continued to hum. Its slender tail twitched lazily, ending in a sharp bone barb. The body was obviously muscular, but more like a cat's than a lizard. It was clearly a creature that could pounce as well as fly. She had no doubt that it could move incredibly fast if the fancy took it, whether on the ground or in the sky.

Gleaming pieces of treasure were scattered around the area, like shiny pieces in a jackdaw's nest. She saw shields emblazoned with red griffins, arms and armor of dwarven make that were untarnished by even age and elements, coinage and precious stones, and so much more. There was a fortune in metals and gems ahead, the kind of thing treasure hunters would kill for. Sorne knew it would see her or hear her, but she followed the crag down into the hollow in the stone that was the nest. She heard the dragon stir and resettle its leathery wings with a huff. The smell of smoke and charred hide was overwhelming here, enough to make her gag for a moment.

She almost tripped over a skull, but managed to save herself. It was damaged, but recognizable as an orc's when she looked down at it. The tusks were a dead giveaway. Bones littered the ground as much as treasure, remnants of prey and the last few who had dared make an approach. The girl crept on for what felt like centuries, crouched low and forcing herself to breathe despite the visions of her own blackened hands flashing in her eyes every time she glanced down at herself. Granted, that was rare. She was staring at the dragon as if hypnotized, cold sweat breaking out across her body. Her nerve faltered every time the great beast moved, but each time it stilled again, she took a deep breath and put one foot in front of the other. Banaak and Kalg were watching her and she had no intention of failing her teacher or proving Kalg right about her lack of ability.