Part 9: Strange Rocks

Krisr sat close beside Raina Lynn. His back hurt immensely, and he regarded the other dragon with hurt and fear. Tr'ynka Valae, for his part, chose to ignore Krisr now that he could not kill and eat him. Flying up to the boulders, he returned carrying a large leather satchel. He opened it, and Raina and Krisr could see that inside sat five strange rocks... no, they were eggs!

Female Egg

Raina peered at them curiously and wondered whether Tr'ynka Valae would let her near. Seeing her gaze, Tr'ynka Valae motioned for her to come over. When Krisr leaned forward, however, he snarled and bared his teeth.

*He won't harm them,* Raina said. The dark dragon just snarled in return.

*The human shall not touch them,* he said, *on threat of death.* Krisr swallowed and weakly sat back away from the dragon. Raina sighed and came forward to examine the eggs herself.

*Are these yours?* She asked.

*No,* Tr'ynka Valae said. *These are the eggs of my people. These are the strongest of our young... those that could survive the long, cold journey.*

Raina wondered what would possess him to bring their young this far, but the dragon shook his head.

*I will explain all to your Kailan,* he said. *Ahh... one is nearly ready to hatch.* He motioned to one of the eggs, which was rocking slightly. Raina could hear scraping and chirping from inside. She watched and waited for the wyrm to emerge.

*It will take her quite some time to get through the shell,* Tr'ynka Valae told her. *Staring will not make her come any quicker.* Raina nodded and walked back over to Krisr.

There are more of them? He thought, rubbing his arms to rid himself of the chilled feeling he was getting.

*Yes,* Raina told him. *Four females and one male, from what I could gather. Tr'ynka Valae says one will hatch soon.*

I wonder if they are all like h-- Krisr began, but was interrupted when the roar of a dragon sounded overhead. Krisr looked up to see Indyana riding Sunkist and Jarod flying next to her. They landed, and Indyana dismounted and came forward with Jarod. As she drew close, Tr'ynka Valae snarled and leap forward between her and the eggs.

*Away, human!* He hissed. Taking in a breath, he suddenly let a burst of flame fly directly at Indyana. Krisr and Raina Lynn gasped, but Indyana held up her hands and muttered something, and the fire was deflected away.

"Stand down, Dark One," she said with a slight edge to her voice. Tr'ynka Valae hissed at her in fury, but Jarod flew between the two before they could battle further.

*I am Jarod, assistant to the Kailan of the Machesri Clan. This is Indyana, creator and protector of the Refuge and Bishen Realm, and life friend of the Machesri Clan.* Jarod said all this in a firm tone, with his head held high. Krisr wondered if he was always this formal. Tr'ynka Valae bowed his head.

*I am Tr'ynka Valae, assistant to the Kailan of the Hirgyae Clan,* the dark Bishen returned. *I have come to ask the Kailan of the Machesri Clan for assistance.*

*We will lead you then,* Jarod returned. *I ask that you allow us to aid you with your burden.*

At this Tr'ynka Valae tensed, staring at Indyana appraisingly. Finally, he seemed to relent. *Very well,* he said, *but if but one egg should be harmed, the price will be on the woman's head.*

Sunkist growled softly, giving her opinion on the subject, but Indyana nodded in acquiescence. Carefully, she moved forward and picked up the satchel of eggs. Tr'ynka Valae bristled, but did not attempt to attack her. She hoisted them onto Sunkist's back and then leapt up as well. She then turned to Krisr and Raina Lynn.

"Come on, then," she said. Krisr started and gingerly got up. Indyana saw his hesitation and frowned. "You're hurt," she observed. Krisr nodded but didn't elaborate. He and Raina Lynn climbed onto Sunkist's back; she didn't seem to mind the extra weight. On some unspoken signal, she lifted into the air, Jarod by her side and Tr'ynka Valae trailing slightly behind. They lifted over the mountains and began their slow decent into the Refuge.