The Hunt for the Archipelago

Chapter 7- Cammi

As usual, I was stuck with the boring chore of locking up the dragons. I don't have any respect for my partner, well more like my master. I never get to choose or make any of the decisions, especially the choice to come here. Of all places in the seas, we are on this island. 

Sand is always in my boots, the dragons are rowdier here and the weather is completely unpredictable. The person who makes all the stupid decisions - Duncan. We met many years ago, in one of the dragon caverns.

Back then he wanted to keep all of them safe. Little did I know that he meant he would capture them and keep them for himself. Sometimes I agree with him and the majority of the time I don't. I was a dragon hunter back then, but that was before I met him. Duncan lured me in, showered honey-sweet lies on me, and he was the one who showed me the truth about dragons. Stupidly, I was drawn into his trap- to build a dragon sanctuary together. Deceptions.

The gates to the dragon dungeon, as I call it, are made of iron which has rusted due to the salty sea spray constantly coming in from the ocean. This is the only way in and out, Duncan and I both have the key- as I said we are technically partners. 

The metal creaks as I shove the gate closed. The prisoners roaring are all naive enough to believe that I will help them. All I do is dump rotten smelling fish for them to eat. I also check to see none have escaped, but if one is missing I do wonder if it does matter so much that I should tell my partner about it. There are too many creatures to count. As I empty the last barrel of food which gets devoured in seconds, I slowly drag myself back to my house.

I always wonder if anyone else is here with us on this landmass floating in the water, I've flown around but haven't seen any other forms of life. Duncan and I are the ones in charge of this small village - only about 130 inhabitants at most, and they are the workers. 

My house is hidden behind half of the steep hill on the edge of the village. No one comes here often, making it the best place to stay. Peace. No intruders and no chores. Since there is barely anyone here there is often nothing to do. The only way to cure my boredom is to go on a ride - with my dragon.

Duncan and I both have our dragons, our favourite ones. Of course, he was the one that trained them for us. Xyla was found in a remote lush forest, her name meaning wood dweller. Being a Deathsong, other dragons need to be kept away from her, so she won't lure them in with a siren-like call. 

She is mainly yellow and orange with blue patterns on her wings. Her body and tail are long and slim, she is also quite flexible due to this. Duncan likes to use Xyla's amber to create tools, mixing it with iron to make weapons that are light but hard, unlikely for them to crack and break easily.

His dragon is light and fast, it harnesses lightning and directs it towards its enemy to stun and sometimes kill them. Duncan likes this dragon because it makes him feel powerful, superior, and better than everyone else. As he is a hunter of dragons now, he doesn't name the species he captures, just uses them. 

"Oi you blue and pink dragon with spikes over there, get here now or I'll starve you for a week!!" he called, striding up towards it. All the dragons fear him, no wonder. Duncan doesn't listen to anyone in the world, except me.

Unfortunately, he thinks we are together, but he really isn't my type. When I contradict him about that touchy subject, he gets all defensive and sad, so I keep it up for the show, we get more money and encouragement as a 'couple that is running a business together.' So when I give him advice on what he should do next in terms of hunting (also what torture methods he should use next on the dragons), he listens.

Enough about Duncan, he ordered Xyla and me to find more dragons, so we randomly explore the island - seeing if there are any around. This particular evening was slightly calmer than usual, nicer than having the cold, salty wind blowing into my eyes.