Dragons of Skylark: The Four Heirs

The Dragon With No Smell

Everyday there seemed to be something new to run into. This dragon has started building a cavern with logs. Another dragon had moved in, and required more room because of her nine hatchlings. Stoneworkers built up and moved in, growing off the side of the mountain like moss. The Great Hall was dug into, tunnels branched out and connected everywhere you could imagine. I mean, even I almost got lost once.

Kuu was teaching us today, one of my pather's counselors, and head mapmaker. She also happened to be excellent at fire breathing technique and helping others, not to mention good with chicks. Geography with her was always a treat. Oh and Hailpip was in our class this time, along with Tallin and Kiri!

I was really hoping this would be something I loved.

"Alright chicks, settle down, we don't want you trailing off, I've got to bring you back in one piece," she cooed.

Kuu's whiskers trailed behind her with us, as seven fledglings walked the precarious path to the sulfur deposit a short flight (but a long walk) from the Great Hall's opening. 

"What does sulfur look like?" Kiri asked.

"Yellow, like dried grass. You'll be able to smell it soon enough."

"I've never been this far from home." Tallin had switched to walked on his hind legs, drawing his wings close to his body.

"It'll be okay. There's nothing out here but scale mites and strinkroot," Seth assured.

I snorted.

Hailpip walked beside me, every once in a while, my appropriately named tail would sweep into hers. I almost didn't notice; her footsteps were quiet. She was so quiet.

Kuu stopped, scented the air, and crouched down, "Smell that?"

I opened my mount and breathed in, oxygen flooded into my lungs, paired with a thick, savory smell that had me drooling within seconds. It was dryer than the smell of meat but just as intense, carried to us faster by the breeze.

May lead the way as we scrambled across the ground, laughing the whole way. The deposit was inside a cave, I shivered as a blast of cold air hit my face along with the tantalizing scent of rock and dust. A stream cut through the opening, and when we stopped to search, I could feel the crystals under my pads crunch gently. Phosphorite crumbled under my touch, so naturally, I licked it.

"Come tell me when you've had a taste of rock, dears." Kuu instructed, scraping at the wall nearest to her.  

"What do we do now, fea Kuu?" Hailpip asked.

Bits of rock fell off her chin and onto my snout when she stood up, I held back a laugh.

"Give it a few minutes, first we'll move away from the large amounts of semi-flammable rock."

A few minutes and satisfied fledglings later, Kuu brought us back to the mount of the Great Hall, which was considerably gravellier. We sat down in a semi-circle, and listened eagerly for our next instructions. I could here the chatter of our parents in the shade. They were just as excited as we were.

"You're all aware of your second stomachs now, I'm certain," Kuu began. "I want you to check your mouths, if you want, with help from your peers. In the back, above your tongue, there are two slits, called vulgat. The gas flows from there, and when it hits the air, turns to fire."

Easy enough, before I could even begin to guess what was next, a sharp hiss came from Kiri's direction, followed by a pop, and she burst into a fit of giggles.