Page 29 of The Dragon Shifters' Enemy
And he was Iolaire or rather, he and Iolaire were in their Dragon form.He flapped happily and spun in a half circle to look back at Valerius, who still stood, naked and unafraid, on the railing, clapping for them.
Come on! We need to fly!
“And eat sheep!”Valerius called with a laugh.“Don’t forget that!”
Oh, damn… I hope you had!
Iolaire backed away from the tower so that Valerius and Raziel would have plenty of room.Valerius then gracefully dove from the tower.Caden’s heart was in his throat, even though he knew that Valerius would befine.It wasn’t suicide.It was flying. Valerius shifted in a moment and the massive Black Dragon flew up from below them.
Wow! I can’t get over how big you are, Raziel!Caden enthused.
Iolaire thought that Raziel’s size was quite the turn on.Caden flushed at his Spirit’s admiration of Raziel’s wingspan. Raziel lifted its massive head back and let out a jet of flames that lit up the sky.Iolaire did the same except it let out a gout of ice and snow.The helix that represented their joining was still there.And somehow the snow and fire together made it glow more. Caden was sure that there were people watching them from down below in Reach.The White and Black Dragons were flying together.The mates were as one.
Come, my subservient one,Raziel rumbled with great amusement.We must get sheep!
I am not subservient!We are not subservient!Caden cried.Let’s show them, Iolaire!Let’s get the first sheep!
Iolaire took off like a shot towards a farm.Caden only knew it was there because he could smell the faint scent of manure, which grew quite a bit more pungent as they approached.He heard the whoosh of Raziel’s wings behind them as the much bigger Dragon followed close on their heels.Caden was pretty sure that just simply due to the size of those wings that Raziel could outfly them, but then again, it had a lot more bulk to move than Iolaire’s sleek form.
Iolaire was already scanning the ground for one of the sweet sheep to come into view.And, indeed, there were what looked like little white puffs of cloud against the dark green grass. Caden felt a momentary qualm about eating one of the little creatures.He liked to pretend his meat came wrapped in plastic. Iolaire though was intent.They were going to get the first sheep.And the sheep wouldn’t know it had it coming.
Iolaire was then dive bombing the white clouds.Caden closed his eyes.He didn’t want to see it. He felt Iolaire’s jaws open and then there was crunching, blood and… oh,meat.Iolaire swallowed a whole sheep in one bite! There were frantic bah-bah-bahs as the other sheep scattered, having seen their brethren taken by the sky monster.
Oh, Iolaire, no more,Caden begged.
But Iolaire had seen a scrumptious big one right in the center of the flock.So had Raziel.The two Dragons faced off.Who would get the plump sheep and who would have to settle for leftovers?
Iolaire’s eyes narrowed to slits.So did Raziel’s.Both Dragons prepared to dive.But then Raziel did something that Cadenknewwasn’t usual.Valerius would confirm it afterwards.Raziel tipped its head.
Yours, Raziel said to Iolaire about the plump sheep.
Iolaire’s big blue eyes widened.Mine?
Not subservient… I serve you,Raziel said softly.
Iolaire blinked and Caden might have, too.I serve you.
We serve each other,Raziel agreed.Plump sheep yours.
The rest are yours!Iolaire cried in joy.
Caden once again closed his eyes as the plump sheep was swallowed whole.Raziel and Iolaire then had a joyous time chasing the sheep around the pasture until the poor animals were too exhausted to move.Sad that their “toys” were tired out, the two Dragons decided it was time to fly instead.
Nearly touching wingtips, the two Dragons flew through the peerless blue sky.The ground below changed from fertile farmland to forest covered hills and then finally, the Gray Mountains, which Valerius was said to have raised with a mighty call of his voice were ahead of them.
We’re going there,Valerius informed him and Caden’s attention was drawn to a valley between two of the peaks.
Raziel led Iolaire into the valley that dipped downwards.In this valley were grass, trees, and flowers.The whole thing reminded Caden of Rivendell in theLord of the Ringsbooks.And that was when he saw the house there, built right into the rock, and the comparison to that fantasy book was complete.
Whoa!Valerius, what is this?Caden asked.
This is my home away from home,Valerius told him as Caden took in the arched windows and covered bridges that connected the structures that were carved from the mountain itself.And now… it’s yours as well.
Valinor
It’s Rivendell! You’ve created Rivendell from the Lord of the Rings!Caden crowed as the two of them circled outside of his private residence.
R-Rivendell?I have no idea what you mean,Valerius sputtered.
