Dragon Bait

Hi ALL!!!

Sorry this chapter has taken so long. Been working and getting ready to move. Will be moving back to Canada in November. It won't affect my stories just might not get another chapter till December as i will be job hunting again and then there is NANOWRIMO coming up. will be starting a new story for that. Don' worry i will finish DB but i need a little break cause i have all these other stories running through my head that want out too. =D

Thanks to WOWLORD for editing this for us. enjoy and please review.

Rating PG13

Chapter Nineteen.

After flying for a few candle marks the elf inquired, ‘Kieran, if you don’t mind a bit of conversation while you’re flying, I would like to speak about your mysterious carrier’

Despite his desire to leave at first light, Kieran was forced to wait for the entire ogre clan to assemble and see them off. Apparently, Bloodmetal needed to make their agreement into a victory procession; Ogres’ egos nearly rivaled those of Dragons at times. Kieran really just wanted to grab the damn elf and race back, but the Elf’s words kept him grounded. ‘You need them to help with Skif, and they won’t be eager to help if they feel you don’t respect their culture and their leader. Skif will be fine for a few extra marks.’

When he finally got airborne, the sun was almost at its zenith, ogres seemed to love giving speeches as much as elder dragon warriors loved talking about the wonders of their past glories. Kieran was so completely focused on making up lost time that he just about missed the elf’s question. Mentally correcting himself from thinking of Kandir as the elf, Kieran made the effort to be polite. ‘Sorry Kandir. No. I do not mind you asking questions about Skif though I do not know how much I will be able to answer as my mate to be is just as much a mystery to me as to you.

Kieran could almost feel the elf smirk in his mental voice, ‘So how did you come across him? I have never heard of a carrier being found in the lands of man before. My knowledge on dragons and their mates may be fleeting, but I do know that carriers are considered the most precious treasure to a dragon. I confess I find it hard to believe that this little Skif was wandering around unattended. ’

His jaw locked in anger as Kieran remembered his and Skif's first meeting. The poor boy was scared out of his mind, covered in injures, nearly dead from overheating in that horrible burgundy women’s dress and shackled to a stake under the hot summer sun. The only reason he was screaming his head off was the fact that he was so exhausted, not only from being trapped but also from his miserable life. The mental image stirred his inner fire, burning hotter than lava with anger.

It took a few minutes for Kieran to calm down enough be able to explain how he found Skif. ‘As you likely know, Dragons go through their growth phase when we finally reach our majority. We tend to take this time to explore the world, first as an outlet for youthful release and second due to the amount of food our growth phase requires. I had been… exploring the region and some of its… delicacy when the local village summoned some knights to slay me. I simply could not turn down such easy meals - not when they hand delivered themselves to me every morning like clockwork. Eventually, Skif’s masters came; the bastards thought that they could out-smart me by using the poor boy dressed up like a girl as bait.’ Kieran's growl was drowned out by the wind as he sent Kandir the mental image of his poor abused little heart. ‘At first I planned to just eat him along with the Knights, ‘til I caught the scent of a carrier that is unmistakable able to any Dragon. Skif's scent called to me as only my mate could have; it sets my blood on fire.’

‘How did you ever get him to trust you? Humans are so close minded and filled with fear.’ Kandir asked; clearly trying to lead the conversation to more friendly topics.

Managing to find a strong thermal, Kieran was able to relax his tried wings a bit as he replied, ‘I’m not entirely sure myself. I messed up horribly so many times; I thought I would have to keep him locked in my cave just to get him to stay with me. He really only tried to escape once, the first morning after I saved him. He tried to climb down the cliff wall and almost fell to his death. His own fear of heights and the fact that I destroyed the trail prevented any second attempts. But my little heart doesn’t think like typical humans as you will see when you meet him.’

‘So you keep him prisoner in the cave?’ The elf sounded a little horrified.

‘No no. I wanted to with every fiber of my being. The need to protect my mate, even if he is unclaimed consumes my thoughts more and more each day. But his happiness means more to me than air. For the last few days he has been spending his time in a secluded gulley, with the horses that used to belong to his former masters. If it wasn’t for the basic mind link I have created between our minds, I fear I would have gone crazy at the thought of letting him out of my sight. So far, when he ventures out into the surrounding forest to gather supplies and food for himself and the Knights - he has not encountered anyone else. The villagers and I have come to an unspoken agreement; they don’t enter my valley and I stick to eating only livestock. Seems fair right?’

Again, Kandir redirected the conversation. ‘Is this dietary change a request from Skif, or a new sympathy from spending so much time with a human?’
Kieran could feel his anger rising slightly at the cheeky elf’s suggestion. It was clear to him that his boy had him wrapped around his finger, even if he was unaware of it. But that fact that it was clear to others felt like a weakness. And DRAGONS DO NOT HAVE ANY WEAKNESSES, EVER.

With mind speech, lying was impossible. So Kieran stuck with half truths instead. ‘Not really, more so for his own protection. If the villagers don’t feel threatened then they won’t keep calling on Knights and they will avoid my valley. Besides, humans may be tasty, but they are not very filling; I have to eat about five or six of them to be full so it’s not really worth my time and all that fuss.’

If the elf saw through his attempted deception he wisely didn’t mention it aloud. ‘The nutritional value of humans’ aside, you were still stuck with your current sticky problem; of what to do with the boy’s former masters. Why didn’t you just eat them when you first captured them? That would have saved you no end of trouble.’

‘I have had that very thought running through my mind every time I have to deal with them. But that first day my only thought was to get Skif somewhere safe. I knew that I could not let them go either. They would bring others and I had to make them pay for what they have done to him. I locked them away in a corner of my cave which I used to keep the leftovers from when too many knights came at once. I was planning to finish them for breakfast before Skif woke up but he rose before me and managed to stumble across them. When I tried to rectify my mistake, Skif freaked out. He nearly stopped breathing, and I couldn’t do anything. I wish I could go back in time and just eat them all when I had the chance. Some good came of keeping them, they keep pushing Skif away and the more they do that, the more he turns to me.’

‘Okay, now I see at least partly why you decided to search for an ogre clan, but how are you going explain your plans to the boy. From what I have heard, your Skif still has some sense of loyalty to his former masters. No matter how horrible they are to him; he is too kind hearted to betray them and let you hand them to a life of slavery. You saw the humans that the ogres’ keep; they are the few survivors from the prisoners of war from the last human-ogre siege. Only the hardiest survived this long. They are raped almost daily. Ogresses come into heat in the fall; they will not tolerate their men’s interests out of season without much persuading. Ogre men have a high sex drive and are extremely dominative, so they use their slaves for sexual release and to relieve their aggressive tendencies. And they are not very discrete about it either, Skif will see everything. The Ogres will not take kindly to your little carrier trying to put a stop to their pleasure.’

Banking towards the next thermal, Kieran adjusts his course as he ponders his response. Kandir was saying the exact same things he had been thinking since he thought up this plan. At first he thought he might be able to get by without taking Skif to the Ogres’ village, but the benefits clearly out weighted any of Skif's displeasure of seeing the Knights gets what they so rightly deserve. Kieran would rather they die. Hell, he would like to be the one to rip them limb from limb or slowly skin them alive, but knowing that they would spend the rest of their lives living every day experiencing the exact same pain and suffering that they inflicted upon their innocent and completely defenseless charge was an adequate replacement punishment.

Kieran was so focused on accomplishing his goal that he still had not taken the time to figure out how to handle Skif's reaction. All he knew for certain was no matter how much Skif begged or pleaded, he would not be dissuaded!
Such determination made him feel better about the situation but it didn’t make finding a way to handling Skif any easier to discover. ‘I don’t really know.’

‘Perhaps a clean break would be the best solution.’ Kandir offered, ‘It will take you several trips to take bring all stuff that you promised the Ogres for their help. The first trip could include the Knights.’

‘Yeah that would be perfect. Let the bastards get used to their new situation, before Skif even arrives.’ Kieran was filled with a sadistic sense of glee as he imaged the broken looks on the Knights when Skif finally saw them again. “I just have to figure out how to transport them, maybe some kind of makeshift net. They will certainly not be carried in my arms or be allowed to ride on my back like this.’

Kandir was prepared when Kieran came to get him, less the ogres. The crafty elf had managed to make a primitive flying saddle out of a horse saddle and strong ropes. It easily sat just in front of his wings, cushioned over his back spiked with several thick blankets. It wasn’t as intricate, secure or as well-made as the standard carrier saddles that dragon back home used to transport their mates and unfledged offspring. Still, it was far more comfortable than carrying Kandir in his arms the entire way back. He would have to make quite a few changes to the rig before it would be safe enough for Skif to ride in on the way back home.

Over the next several marks, Kieran and Kandir talked, their topics ranging from ways to transport materials, to whether Skif should stay inside the village or at the cave and what Kieran would need for his eventual journey home. The conversation never really got too in-depth in any topic as Kieran got more agitated as the light slowly faded. Flying under the moon light, Kieran did not want to spend another night away from his carrier; he pushed on although at a slower, more tiring rate without the aid of any thermals. At some point it was decided that Kandir would not be joining Kieran when he went to fetch Skif and bring him back home to the cave, yet rather the elf would set up camp below the cave mouth. Although Kieran tried to persuade the elf to join them, he was relieved that he would not have to share his cave (and Skif) quite yet.

By the time Kieran was with insight of his valley, his wings were screaming in agony, his muscles where not used to flying so long without the assistance of thermals. Landing only briefly to allow Kandir to unload his bag and remove the harness, Kieran quickly labored back into the cold night sky. He had no question that the elf would be perfectly able to care for himself and would meet him and Skif in the morning. He willed his tired body towards the gulley, allowing the peace from Skif’s sleeping mind to easy all his worries way.

*_*_*_*_*_*_*_

The agitated snorts of horses ripped Skif from his sleep, instinctually he reached for his knife. It took time for his eyes to adjust to the moon light; his little campfire had burned itself out long ago. Skif slowly got to his feet as silently as possible; whatever had spooked the horses was not directly visible. It could have been a snake or wolf, even a mountain cat all of which could have been easily scared off. But it could be something else a mountain troll, a hydra or some other horrible beast that hunted at night.

The horses moved nervously about the gulley, their heads high as if watching the sky for the danger they knew was there but Skif had not witnessed.

Scanning the sky himself, he caught a glimpse of a dark blur which seemed to land towards the gulley’s entrance. The horse raced to other side of the gulley near the pond, snorting and stomping - making no end of noise. Despite his own fear, Skif silently ventured toward the unknown with his knife griped tightly in his hand. He regretted not having a light to aid him but at the same time he was grateful that there was no light to give him away if whatever it was turned out to be a threat and a stealthy retreat to the gulley was required.

The sight that greeted him filled his heart with delight; in center of the small meadow of the gulley was Llyr, his sapphire blue scales twinkling in the moonlight like stars.

Startled by Llyr’s beauty, Skif stood there awestruck ‘til Llyr let out a little purr and lifted up one arm as a silent invitation for him to come closer. In a heartbeat Skif dropped his protective knife, all fear forgotten as his launched himself against the Dragon’s chest. Spreading his arms wide, he tried to hug as much of Llyr as possible, rubbed his face against the smooth scales drinking in the warm musky smell of Llyr. With a sigh, Skif could feel unknown tension flow off him like water. A small voice in his mind chided him, ‘He has only been gone two days and you’re acting like an abandoned puppy whose master has returned to him.’ But Skif could not force himself to care, Llyr was back and that was all that mattered.

Llyr easily picked him up, holding him tight to his chest, tucking his head down against Skif’s back. Skif's entire body vibrated in time with Llyr’s purr. It was clear that Llyr missed him as much as he missed him. “I’m glad you’re back. Did you manage to find what you were searching for?”

A slight deepening in the purr and a nod was all the response he received. “That's good. Want to head back to the cave? You must be tired and you are scaring the horses.”

Another nod. “Okay just let me go get my bag, than we can go. We can come back for the supplies I collected in the morning.”

After a minute or two, Llyr eventually set him back on his feet. As quick as he could guide by only moonlight, Skif slipped back to his temporary camp. He kept his bag ever ready in case his hideaway was ever discovered; there was no telling how the villagers or other knights would react if a supposed loyal (and dead) squire was wandering around without his master. He carried it everywhere and often used it to rest his head upon at night. After grabbing a smaller bag filled with enough food for breakfast, Skif made his way back.
Llyr scooped him up as soon as he was within reach, tucking him close to his chest protected from both dropping and the chilly night air as the sailed across the starry dark sky.

When they arrived at the cave, Llyr carried him directly to their chamber before setting Skif down softly upon the nest. The Dragon kindly heated one of the Posrothaina stones as Skif made his way over to bed roll. Skif took just enough time to shake out any creepy crawlies that had decided to take up residency while he was away before crawling in himself. Not long after, Llyr carefully picked his way across the nest, curling his body around Skif like a mother dog to her tired puppy. With a sigh of pure contentment, Skif snuggled into the pale blue scales of the Dragon's warm belly, enjoying being warm and secure as he fell asleep. He didn’t even mind the hot breath flowing over him as Llyr rested his head with his nose directly in front of the back of Skif's neck.

It didn’t take long before the both of them were fast asleep; exhausted from two long days and one practically sleepless night spent worrying about the other.

*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_

Skif awoke to the earth shaking beneath him and a loud rolling roar. His first thoughts were that it was an earthquake. The mountains around Laf Shukia where known to rumble before letting loose their hot stony blood of fire; destroying everything in their path. As his panic started to form, he sat up only to find his head hit a leathery blanket expanding in all directions. Skif managed to extract himself from what turned out to be merely the leather webbing of Llyr’s wing. Under the faint light of the Posrothaina stone, He could just make out the sight of the dragon splayed out on his back with his wings stretching out in all direction, with his snore reverberating off the rock wall.

Stifling a snicker, Skif made his way over to the cave wall near the passage leading to the other chamber. ‘There was no way I am going to get back to sleep with all that racket so I might as well get started on my chores.’ Skif thought as he left the sleeping dragon with a smile.

It took him a while to feel his way back to the main chamber, having no light to guide him and not wanting to take a tumble and rouse the obviously tired Llyr. The morning light was far brighter than he had supposed it to be, leading him to believe that he had slept well into the afternoon. Aided by additional light, Skif made his way to the entrance without hindrance. After seeing to his morning needs and a quick wash up in the stream, he made his way back inside.

It felt as if his soul nearly fled his body, trying to take his heart with it, when a voice greeted him from behind. Sprinting to the weapon pile, Skif grabbed the first thing his hand rested upon, a short sword whose blade was covered in rust and had many bites taken out of the edge. Holding it with a death grip, he turned to face the owner of the light, whimsical voice. Skif nearly dropped the dilapidated sword at the sight before him.

An Elf, a real live elf.

Every bard worth his voice knew of elves, and took great pride in telling any audience stories of their astounding beautify and unworldly elegances. Skif must have heard hundreds as a child around the fire during winter when his family offered the poor souls shelter for a night. But having one standing right in front of him, it was clear that they had never actually been in the presence of an elf before, for memories of their description paled before the original.

Alighted by the afternoon sun’s glow, the elf stood tall, at least seven feet. His white hair was tightly braided in a warrior’s braid, and danced in the wind behind his back, twinkling like the sun on fresh snow in winter when the light caught it just right. His face was sharp; his noise a little overly defined, his cheekbones pronounced. On a human, the features might be seen repulsive but when combined with the violet eyes and long pointy slender ears that ended an inch above the top of his head, the elf was the most beautiful being he had ever seen.

The elf was clothed in white leather, covered subtly in embroidery and beading which would have made his sisters drool. Skif’s eyes didn’t miss the long bow or quiver on his back, nor the very sharp and deadly looking stilettos strapped to either side of his hips.

Awestruck and frightened at the same time, it took Skif a few minutes to collect himself enough to speak and even then he could not manage to keep his voice from shaking. “Who… Who are you? Where… How did you get up here?”
Stepping further into the cave, the elf bowed with refinement and grace that would have rivaled any courtly ladies or princess that Skif had ever seen, while still appearing to be very masculine. “I’m terribly sorry that I frightened you. I assure you that were hardly my intent. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Velekandir Shaésil of the house of Runthanmae, emissary of the White Queen Gelireldë. Please feel free to call me Kandir. As for how I got in here, I simply followed the trail leading from the valley up to its ended then climbed up the rock face until I got to the ledge.”

The elf's smile was warm and seemed to offer friendship but Skif was wary. “Well sir, I do not know what you expected to find up here but I advise you to make a hasty retreat if you value your life. This cave belongs to a very powerful dragon and as you can see, those who have ventured here before you did not leave to tell of it.” Skif spoke as he jerked his head back over his shoulder to the sorted piles, not taking his eyes off the elf nor lowering his weapon.

He wasn’t entirely sure who he was protecting. The elf may have been sent by the villagers like his masters were to kill Llyr, and Skif had heard that Elves were formidable foes in battle; he may just be capable of bringing down the seemingly unstoppable dragon. On the other hand, Skif did not want to see such a beautiful creature eaten either. A small part of himself was also slightly afraid for his own safety; He knew others would see him as a coward for not trying harder to escape or free his masters and to some, cowardice was a crime punishable by death.

Kandir did not seem dissuaded by Skif's warning, as he continued to walk towards him with open hands as if to show he meant no harm. “Thank you. I’m well aware of who this cave belongs to. I’m confident that I am not on your dragon's menu for the day. Currently he values me more for my ability to speak than any worth as food. Cunning, dangerous and stubborn food, mind you.” The smirk on Kandir face as he said this was beautiful and both angelic and demonic at the same time, leaving Skif in no doubt that he would be no easy meal for any creature. “He has traded much to get me to come here; apparently he had been searching for one such as eye for some time.”

Skif lowered his sword, letting it slip through his finger. Depression and loneliness washed over him.

‘Replaced. I am being replaced as Llyr’s pet.’ That thought filled Skif's mind with its truthiness. I knew that this bizarre relationship between me and Llyr wouldn't last very long. But my heart didn’t listen. Someday, Llyr was bound to find a person better-looking, more intelligent, more vibrant, more… more everything then a small human who was nothing more than a disgusting whore with ridicules fantasies of one day being a knight. Kandir would be a perfect pet, in every way that I lack.’

Skif could not fault Llyr for not telling him what he had been searching for on those long days away from him; the dragon was likely trying to spare his feelings. No matter how his heart ached, Skif would be happy for Llyr. He only hoped that he would not be simply tossed aside. Being eaten even seemed better than being abandoned because at least then some part would forever be a part of the blue dragon he cared so much for.

Trying to shove his pains deep inside, Skif still found himself asking what he already knew to be true. “Llyr brought you here to be his new pet?”

Kandir’s hearty laughter cut more deeply than a straight yes would have. Tears began to build up in his eyes despite his fruitless attempts to dispel them. Skif used his sleeve to whip his eyes before they could betray him.

“Oh goddess you were serious.” Kandir marked with astonishment. Covering the distance between them, the Elf easily picked him up and held him tight to his chest letting Skif cry into his shoulders as he tried to sooth his distress.
“It’s okay I promise. I have not come to steal your place Skif. Keiran loves you very much. That why he brought me here.”

Pushing himself back a bit from the elf’s grasp, Skif gazed at him confused.
“What are you talking about? Who is this Kieran you speak of?”

Before Kandir could answer, a low growl came from the passages to the nesting room. They both turned to see a very annoyed looking Dragon making his way towards them. Kandir quickly put Skif down and backed away, arms raised in surrender. As soon as Skif was within reach, Llyr grabbed him up and held him tight to his chest. Llyr’s secure hold and the way he did not stop growling at Kandir did much to chase away any remaining doubts Skif held.

“Kieran, I did not mean any harm I was merely trying to undo the misunderstanding that distressed the boy so. I now see why you need my help. His mind changes faster than a hummingbird flies and his heart follows suit too. He went from terror to bravery to near suicidal depression in the span of a little conversation. I find myself quite intrigued by your Skif.”
Llyr’s growl deepened as his arms tightened around a very confused Skif.

“I know that he clearly believes that he belongs to you as well. My interest in him is merely to undercover the mystery that is Skif, nothing more, my word of honor.” The promise made Llyr set Skif down but did not release his hold.

“What’s going on?” Skif asked as he glanced between the two mystical creatures. “Llyr?”

Clearing his throat to get Skif's attention, Kandir began to explain. “Llyr’s real name is Kieran,” the elf paused when Llyr made a huffing noise; he looked at Llyr and then continued. “But he says you call him whatever you wish. Well, he has brought me here to aid in explaining a few things to you that he has not be able to convey through… your current means of communication that are essential for you know.”

Now even more confused and a little hesitant, Skif asked. “And what would that be?”

“Well Kieran wants me explain the relationship between you and him as well as what you really are…”

“What am I?” Skif knew it was rude to cut the elf off like that, but he was so tired of being in the dark about seemingly everything that he wanted so much to know where he stood with Llyr.

“Ah, I think it best if we take this conversation slow.” Kandir offered nervously making Skif suspicious.

“No, tell me now. You said I have to know so just spit it out.” With a sign of frustration he recalled his manners enough to add, “Please.”

“I really believe covering a few details will make this whole situation easier to swallow and less frightening. You will have to trust me, Skif.” The elf again tried to dissuade him.

“No, just tell me. “ Skif near yelled.

“I...” Kandir was again cut off but this time by a deep growl from Llyr who was not happy with Skif's agitated state. Shaking his head in defeat, Kandir gave in. “Fine but on your head is it. He will not be anymore happy hearing it this way, and probably will make the whole situation far more complicated. I assure you that you will regret this.”

Kandir’s icy blue eyes locked with Skif's dark green, silently imploring him to reconsider. “Skif you are no ordinary human. You are in fact a rare being called a dragon carrier.”

‘That doesn’t sound so bad,’ Skif thought, although he had no idea what that meant. “It can’t be any worse than being a whore or slave. Can it?”

“What is a ‘Dragon carrier’? Is it like a dragon rider or more like a groom to a horse?” Skif asked. The Elf turned his face to look up at Llyr. The blue Dragon nuzzled his stomach lightly and affectionately before nodding to the elf to proceed.

Clearly uncomfortable about what he was about to say, Kandir cleared his throat again. “A carrier is… well for lack of a better way to say this. A carrier is a dragon brood mother.”


Turning back to Kandir, Skif furrowed his brow in confusion. “I don’t understand. You mean Llyr wants me to watch his children?”

“No,” corrected the white haired elf. “He wants you to give birth to them as well.”

It took a moment for the words to sink in, but as soon as they did, Skif turned back to Llyr. The fact that Llyr was gazing down at him with the biggest smile showing off his sharp pearly-white teeth trying to show what he must have thought was love, only proved to horrify Skif even more.

Skif’s voice echoed of the wall of the cave endlessly, as he yelled. “No way in hell.”