The Dragon of Charred Scales

Strange Things Afoot

Jheecu

"So, you and Lamau had a wonderful time?" Hernat asked in a fatigue laden voice. His body language screamed fatigue. Sweat overpowered the scent of blood in his breath and something else. It almost smells like he used a weak scent smell to make himself a little more presentable for me. I wonder what all happened since he left me with Lamau.

I nodded. What a joy it is to see such a sign of hope.

"Good. Sorry for just leaving on you. These missions are supposed to be coordinated by me. That Karomba got here without my knowledge bothers me."

I sighed. "You need some rest."

"I do, but I cannot sleep. I could not find out who brought Karomba. And I found the room she had been in."

Had? "Where is she now?"

"I don't know."

I began to growl a little. "Tell me you are not trying to hide something. You have a lot of influence and freedom in this clan."

He shook his head. "I do have influence, yet there are still ways to hide information from me. I have looked everywhere, and asked everyone I can, but no signs. I even checked the Curse research area. Karomba seems to have disappeared from Oita. The day after tomorrow I'll check with the other Laku nearby, see if Karomba is in their caves. Something smells about all of this, though. Next time Harogbas returns here, I'll let him know. He can get information that I can't."

"So," I said after a bit. Something smells indeed. "She is missing, and even an Elder cannot find her. Who's next? What good is a human raised dragon like her anyway?"

"Other than her being one of yours, I don't know. No other dragons have disappeared. Just her, and she got here just as mysteriously."

Another growl. "Something suspicious is happening. You need to figure this out, in case other dragons go missing, or are brought here behind our backs. I doubt this is just because she is from my nest, or Lamau would be missing too."

He nodded. "That is why I cannot sleep. Tomorrow I must be in Shagawzon, and I haven't had time to prepare for that. I'll have another dragon, not an Elder or Master but still one I can trust, search for Karomba. A spirit dragon named Inou, who is in line to become an Elder or Master soon. She'll probably ask for you to help, if you so wish."

"Why me?"

"Because the only known missing dragon thus far is of your nest. You are keen enough to know your own young are around. And few would stand against you if you unveiled their trickery, if such is the case."

I hold my head a little higher, letting thin trails of smoke rise from my nostrils. "Of course, they would tremble before me. Even if Karomba is a disgrace to me, I will not allow her to come to any harm."

Hernat's legs had been shaking slightly since I arrived in his chamber. Head dropping, he finally gave in to his body's demands and laid down. "Sorry, Jheecu, can we continue in the morning? Today has been a long one."

"If you need, yes. Make sure Inou knows I'm willing to help."

"I will. Go get some sleep yourself."

"I don't need it as much as you right now."

"But you still need it."

With a snort, I left him. He is in no position right now to tell me to go to sleep.

"Hernat said he had checked that Curse caves, but I think we need to check again," said Inou.