Page 42 of Cast By Flames (Dragon's Breath)
Ozara continued south over Highway 1, knowing that would lead her in the right direction. Though it was damaged inseveral places with cracks, and a whole bridge section had been obliterated, it still made a reliable guide, along with the nearby ocean.
She passed over several towns dotted one after the other before reaching a more heavily wooded area. Since she wasn’t part of the Craegud toriq, their fortress would not be as easy to locate from a distance. Natural magic would shroud it from her view until she got very close. She shouldn’t have worried about that, though, since two red dragons—a male and a female—spotted her within minutes of leaving the last town and approached her quickly.
Who are you, and what are you doing here?the male growled in her head, using the common dragon language.
She pulled up sharply, maintaining her current position in the air.I am Ozara. My pendragon, Aidan of Taugud, sent me on a critical mission to speak with your toriq.
You have traveled far.The female narrowed her eyes.The lands between our toriqan are treacherous, especially at present.
I am well aware,Ozara said, lifting her head.But war is coming, and we must seek as many allies as possible if we wish to survive. It was a risk worth taking.
Show us your stomach,the male demanded.
Of course, they had adopted the same practice. They’d been living near the Kandoran for even longer. She did as he requested, angling herself enough to give him a full view of her scales.
The female gave her a good look before her yellow eyes softened.Years ago, one of our sorcerers predicted a Taugud messenger would come to us around this time, but we had no description and could not be sure you weren’t tainted. Please forgive our caution.
Ozara beat her wings to move a little closer.I would expect nothing less, but may I see your stomachs, too? We’ve had no news from your region in many years. I must take care as well, especially with the chance I took to come to you.
Of course,the female Craegud said.
Both angled to give full views of their crimson stomachs before righting themselves.
Ozara swished her tail.Thank you.
We must take you to a secure location before we alert our pendragon. Please follow us. I will ensure food and drink are brought so you may refresh yourself.
Some of the tension eased from her. Ozara hadn’t been sure how her reception would go, but she’d hoped the Craegud would be amenable. While they might not be in direct danger now, they would be eventually. The only way to stop it altogether was to unite.
Thank you. I would appreciate that,she said.
***
Ozara had just finished a light meal of roasted beef, bread, and fresh vegetables. Though the portal made it easy for her to reach the coast, it wouldn’t be long before she had to undertake the difficult journey home. There wouldn’t be many opportunities to hunt for food, and she could only hold so many supplies in shiggara. Every chance she had to eat, she would.
Currently, she sat inside a circular stone structure that was completely open on the inside other than a central support pillar with tables and benches surrounding it. The guards had informed her that the Craegud had built it a few years before when they worried the Kandoran would continue to invade to the west. They’d needed a secure place to meet where seers’ magic could not penetrate the inside, and they could use it for discussions and planning.
While the enemy had spread farther into Arizona and parts of Utah, they had not reached California before they stopped and looked to the east for expansion instead. It was only a matter of time, though.
According to the guards, they suspected the Kandoran intended to expand their army on the other side before trying to take anything more to the west. Of course, no one could be entirely certain what they might do or why, but the maps on the walls showed the “known” progress of their mutual adversary since arriving on Earth. Ozara had helped them fill in details they didn’t have for the central part of the continent.
A large male stepped into the open doorway, filling the frame. Ozara immediately stood and respectfully bowed to him. No one had to tell her who had arrived because his power and authoritythickened the air.
“Thank you for seeing me, milord.”
“You may call me Wren. You traveled all this way alone?” the Craegud pendragon asked, coming closer so she could see him better.
He had long, brown hair, brawny shoulders, and thick muscles. His red and black camrium tunic and pants fit him like a glove with intricate designs threaded into his front chest piece. According to what she’d been told, he’d been in power for several decades, had a mate and three offspring, and his people respected him. He was described as stern yet fair. Of course, his guards had told her all this, so she would have to judge him for herself.
“Time was of the essence, and we couldn’t take any chances,” she said, clasping her hands in front of her. “Our sorcerers spent weeks putting together a portal spell so that I could reach you more quickly.”
Wren lifted a brow. “I had no idea such magic existed.”
“Neither did I.” She smiled. “But they found it in an old book of magic while searching for other spells we might use against the Kandoran. We will be facing them in war within the next few weeks.”
He gestured for her to sit and did the same across from her on another bench. “We suspected as much. From what we’ve heard from the nearby toriqan—especially the Gorkan and Zagoran who border them—the Kandoran have reduced their numbers significantly by killing or assimilating them. They’vealso left behind a dark taint of magic that makes dragon and human trespassers ill. As a result, we’ve avoided going near their borders.”
“We have encountered something similar near us,” she said, scrunching her nose.
