Page 261 of Dragon Strike (Age of Fire 4)

“Yes. Well, there’s a lot of talk about the glories of Silverhigh in the Lavadome. I don’t think brother RuGaard, as he styles himself, has new poems composed and read at his dinners to offer lessons about its folly.”

The Copper and various representatives of the Hypatian races added tinder to the eternal flame. The dwarves threw in some sort of chemical that sparkled bright blue, the elves added wood, and men bits of oily charcoal. As for the dragons, Wistala and the Copper spat.

They’d asked him to add his own fire, representing the Isle of Ice, but he’d declined and his siblings hadn’t pressed him. Besides, there was hardly space at the top of the Ziggurat for two dragons, let alone three.

I wonder if the lessons of Silverhigh must be relearned, or can they be learned from? Natasatch thought to him.

The lives of many a hominid and dragon alike will be shaped by the answer.

You can’t think your sister is part of it. She thinks all her elves and humans and so on are quite her equals. AuRon. So cautious. Except once—on the day you won me.

And almost lost you just as quickly. It rather reinforced the lesson.

So what shall we do? Go back to the island and scrape out a living? After the hatchlings have seen all this, can they be content with play-hunting sheep? I’d have them know more of the world.

AuRon sniffed the air. Scents from across half a world rose from the crowd. Not just smoked meats and fresh-baked breads, but the decorative scents, floral or woodsy, metals, sweats, dried herbs being smoked or stewed, the dust of the poured stone the Hypatians used in so much of their construction, dogs, cats, horses, and other beasts, and above all, dragon. The Isle of Ice smelled like sheep, peat, and melting glacier.

I’m being a blockhead. Let’s enjoy this day, bask in the sunshine, and see my sister’s dream come to life. For one day, at least. Maybe one day will be example enough.

The future’s an unlit path, yet to be made, Natasatch thought.

“Where’d you get that?” AuRon said.

“My thoughts, as I watch the hatchlings crane their necks to see better. It seemed appropriate.”

“My beloved has become a philosopher.”

“It comes from being mated to an enigma,” she returned.

“An enigma who loves you, and lives only to see our hatchlings thrive,” AuRon said aloud, looking at her.

She took a deep breath and spread her wings a little.

“Hatchlings,” Natasatch said. “Mind each other and enjoy the ceremonies. Your father and I are going to fly for a bit, so that we might see events better.”

Together, they soared.

>I’m being a blockhead. Let’s enjoy this day, bask in the sunshine, and see my sister’s dream come to life. For one day, at least. Maybe one day will be example enough.

The future’s an unlit path, yet to be made, Natasatch thought.

“Where’d you get that?” AuRon said.

“My thoughts, as I watch the hatchlings crane their necks to see better. It seemed appropriate.”

“My beloved has become a philosopher.”

“It comes from being mated to an enigma,” she returned.

“An enigma who loves you, and lives only to see our hatchlings thrive,” AuRon said aloud, looking at her.

She took a deep breath and spread her wings a little.

“Hatchlings,” Natasatch said. “Mind each other and enjoy the ceremonies. Your father and I are going to fly for a bit, so that we might see events better.”

Together, they soared.

---