Page 88 of Upon Buried Embers
I don’t know how to talk with a rabbit, never mind a dragon, and everyone in this clan hates me being here. So what’s the point of it all?
I look down at my broth.
I think Effy will be okay without me for the most part, and Emerish would have taken on another slave no doubt. Effy can continue to cook for him, and he’ll leave her alone because I’m not there causing any trouble. She won’t get hurt from trying to help me, so why am I bothering—
A tug on my braid has my eyes sliding to Rohan’s, who’s watching me with furrowed brows.
He says nothing for a time, just watching me. When he does speak, it’s the last thing I expect to hear.
“The mind can be a dangerous place, Little Whisperer. Don’t let it fool you.”
How does he even know that? “Just one thing, remember?”
I swallow roughly, pushing my bowl away, suddenly not hungry.
“I’ll go to the cave now.” I get up, grabbing the cloak. I expect him to stop me, but all he does is watch as I walk out the back door.
Cold instantly hits me, and I rush down the steps, heading for the cave, knowing it will be warmer. I’m glad Rohan’s home is the closest to it, but even still, it takes me a while to reach it,my feet sinking lightly into the fresh, powdered snow with every step.
I remove my hood as soon as I enter the cave, brushing snow off of me and sighing in relief at the warmth.
“H-hello?” I call, wanting to let whoever is here to know that I’m coming in as I walk through the entrance and round the corner.
My steps slow, apprehension swirling through me as the dragons come into view.
Drogonah is the easiest to spot in his rock bed closest to the entrance. A blue one is next to him, also asleep. Doren, I think.
Further down, Agnar rests with Hedoric besides him, and then all the way at the back—on his own, is Escor, the younger dragon.
I bite my lip. He didn’t like me here last time.
“Hello,” I repeat, slowly making my way to Drogonah, grabbing a bucket on the way.
Escor turns his head, huffs out some smoke and then curls up on his side, tucking his black tail under his head.
I breathe a sigh of relief.
Reaching Drogonah, I eye the stones next to him and then grab one before placing it before him.
I clear my throat. “Good morning, Drogonah. Rohan said you were out hunting, so I’m sorry for waking you. Can you please heat the stone?”
His ears twitch.
“Please?”
Grumble.
“Drogonah, I don’t want to be here any more than you want me here.”
He blinks his eyes open and yawns, stretching his front legs out, claws scraping along the stone before his tail rests between them.
He really is huge.
He looks at me when he’s done, and I note the scar that runs through his blind eye, wondering how it got there.
“Does it hurt?” He peels his gums back, and I lean away. “I’ve been set a task to try and… talk to you. Or I guess, any dragon,” I mumble, reaching up and touching my ear. “You know this.”
He stares blankly at me as Doren rumbles before rolling over on his back.
