Draconic Amnesty

Chapter 21 - The Queen Speaks

Tesselth’s scales exuded warmth like black asphalt on a cloudy day, just enough to be comfortable. Also, lying prostrate, Elias avoided most of the Antarctic wind.

I’m heating my body, Tess sent. Is it too much?

No. It feels good. Thank you.

We’re almost there. Please stay with me after we arrive.

Did she think he was going to crawl away? Will I be able to speak with the elders?

Yes. It’s an open forum where you can express any grievance or praise.

Even if I’m not a dragon? he asked.

Why would that matter? I’m able to understand most of what you say.

True.

Tess only saw the practical side: simply communicating with the elders. Did they really have no fear of humans? The reverse, a dragon appearing in a human assembly and expressing ‘grievances’, would never happen. Even if his species could understand dragon speak, there would be only chaos and confusion.

His body lightened as they descended, the wind howling on either side. An enormous circle of boulders filled an area perhaps three football fields in diameter. More than half of the large rocks were occupied by dragons of various colors: green, red, blue, and a few black. Strangely, there were no silver dragons like Wren.

Tess landed on a vacant boulder. With her help, he slid off and sat, leaning back against the crook of her arm. A multitude voices flicked through his mind like banter in a crowded room. Though overwhelming, he focused on a single conversation, drowning out the others in a manner similar to drasp sensory filtering. He imagined the personalities attached to the different colors and pitches associated with each thought.

How many do you expect to hatch? an authoritarian voice asked.

Less than half of the remaining eighteen. The response came from a feminine thought pattern. However, our hatchlings and fledglings are maturing quite well.

Still no silvers?

Not this year, but Wren and Franae are entering their mating cycle in the next few days.

Good. Have genetically compatible suitors been selected?

Yes. Ostyth will mate with both.

That’s unusual.

His genotype is the most promising, the female voice sent. We estimate a fifty-two percent chance of success.

So be it. On to the next —

Excuse me, Elias sent.

Elias! Tess’s left eye focused on him. You can’t just interrupt them like that. You have to wait until called upon.

Apparently the authoritarian didn’t hear Tess’s comment. Speak your name young one.

My name is Elias. Who am I speaking with?

You may call me Elder Tiolth. Since you are human, I will forgive the interruption. Speak your mind and be quick about it.

Trying to sound as officious as possible, he sent, I reject the pairing of Wren and Ostyth.

Elias, this is Elder Teawoth, the feminine voice sent. The incantation has been cast. Your dissent is too late.

I’m sorry for the interruption, Tess sent. I didn’t know what he wanted to speak about. Elias, you could have asked me —

Bullshit. You’re telling me you cast a spell on Wren to force her to mate with that asshole?

Elias! Tess nudged him hard with her arm. We’re leaving. Again, please accept my apologies.

Wait, Tiolth sent. Elias, you know very little about our ways. The silver dragons face extinction in the coming centuries if we do not intervene. Though our actions may seem barbaric to you, they’re essential for the survival of dragonkind.

You’re right, I don’t know shit about your ‘ways’. I don’t understand why you condone what’s essentially rape. Nor do I understand why you allow children to fly over American cities unattended.

Tiolth, he’s the human whose sister died during the an EMP training exercise, Teawoth sent.

I see. Elias, I’m sorry for your loss. I can assure you we no longer train in areas populated by humans. Your sister’s death weighs heavily upon us, and we take full responsibility.

Listen, Wren’s the best thing to come into my life since my Taylor died. If you want to make it up to me, cancel the fucking spell.

Tiolth began his thought. Unfortunately —

Elias, I’ve heard your plea.

Queen Ilyth! A chorus of voices resounded in his mind. Apparently every dragon in the area had tuned into the conversation.

Wren is my granddaughter, and I’m aware of her infatuation with you. I would help you if I could, but the spell derives from an artifact of the Draconic Coliseum. It cannot be broken except by Ostyth’s defeat at the hands of another male. However, it doesn’t stipulate the species of the challenger.

Discordant thoughts erupted from the crowd of elders.

Queen Ilyth please! Tess sent. He’s a human. He couldn’t possibly fight Ostyth. Let me fight in his place. If it has to be a male, I’m sure Briam —

Silence! Ilyth broadcast. I will hear Elias now.

Thanks for speaking with me Ilyth. At least she treated him like more of an equal than most dragons. Can I see you? It’s easier for me to talk face to face.

You’re on top of me, child. I lie underneath these rocks. I haven’t risen in centuries and will not rise for you. Now tell me, do you wish to challenge Ostyth?

As much as he annoys me, I don’t want to kill him. This resulted in the dragon equivalent of smiles and laughter from the crowd. He’s as much a victim of the spell as Wren.

Kill him? Child, that would be impossible. The Coliseum is a civilized establishment where dismemberment defines defeat. The first to sever an arm, a leg, or a tail of his opponent claims victory.

Civilized? That sounds a bit harsh. You’re telling me I have to cripple the guy?

Your concern for him amuses me. He would regenerate and experience far more humiliation than pain. You, on the other hand, might not be so lucky. I suggest you think carefully before —

I’ll do it.

Very well then. Tessleth, deliver Elias to the Coliseum. Teawoth, fetch Ostyth. Everyone else, consider relocating; I’ve changed my mind and decided to surface after all.