She was able to correct herself and slide off the dragon’s back, which as soon as it saw that she was standing upright, breathed a hot sigh of relief and transformed back into a man. Rayzier stood for a moment and stretched his arms.
“This is nothing of what I expected. Why is it so warm here when there is snow along the other mountaintops?” Arabella asked curiously, looking out into the distant darkness.
“There is an active volcano below us. We of the dragonkin could not survive very long here without the warmth to rejuvenate us” Rayzier answered, a sense of pride in his voice.
The cobbled streets that led away from the landing ledge looked like any stone walk way she had seen before, although she could feel a slight heat radiated from them as it mingled with the chill of the cold night air. Footsteps echoed out against the buildings in front of them, a lone barefooted figure shrouded in a black cloak came forward towards them.
“Mobian!” Rayzier shouted and then turned to meet the figure.
“Ah, Rayzier. I was wondering who’d be coming back so early from hunting. We have missed you these last few days. Your Uncle Vyandun told us a strange tale.”
The smile faded from Rayzier’s face. Mobian hadn’t bothered to look over at Arabella. She noticed that the barefooted man was old, but the rough voice that he used sounded as if he were ancient. Along his cheek a puckered scar ran across his face and one eye was white and without sight.
“What has he told you?”
“That you were dead.” Mobian answered quickly.
Rayzier looked over to Arabella and reached for her hand, pulling her closer.
“His tale was false. Instead I have bred. This is Arabella.”
Mobian’s eyes still didn’t meet her eyes; instead they cast down and stopped at her swollen belly.
“Come, let me prepare the birthing room and sound the horn. The others should know of this occasion. Vyandun hasn’t led them far.”
Arabella looked to Rayzier for answers as Mobian stepped away from them and back down the cobblestoned walk way. He shook his head and pulled her hand while following the robed figure.
The silence in the city was unsettling. It looked as if were any other large populated area, which normally would mean noise, even during the night. Animals and drunkards coupled with the calls of whores searching for lonely men, but here there were none. All that fell on Arabella’s ears was the soft padding of their footsteps and a slight breeze that only heightened the silence.
None of the small cottages or store fronts were made of wood. Everything was stone. And as the trio passed the buildings, Arabella began to notice what really set the city apart, many of the homes were much larger and instead of front doors were just large open archways.
She realized that some of the inhabitants must prefer keeping their dragon form over their human one. Making a mental note to ask later, Mobian directed them up a set of stairs around the side of a large fortress that rested in the heart of Istian.
“Rayzier, please show your female through there. If she isn’t comfortable with the amenities we have I can have something else arranged.”
Rayzier nodded his head and opened a heavy metal door that squeaked as he pushed it open. Mobian stood behind them and suddenly, without anyone moving forward, all of the lanterns in the room were lit with a deep blue flame.
An enormous bed was in the center of the room. The bedding looked thick and luxurious and draped over the top of it was a black bear skin. She hadn’t realized how tired she was until the fantastical bed was before her, it was like a craving that could finally be satiated.
“Arabella, will this do?”
She blinked a slow tired blink. “Yes, this is fine.”
Beside her, Mobian had strode forward. “Good, I will go sound the horn. Please make yourself comfortable.”
Her belly twitched. Momentarily forgotten, it seemed to have wanted to remind her why they were there. Arabella placed her hand on the crest of the bump only to be met with the top of Rayzier’s who was looking down at her in wonderment.
Chapter Two
Vyandun was a menacing looking dragon. His scales were a sleek looking black; four great dark horns protruded from his head, and on his tail was a heavy club. He was larger than the other dragons that had landed around him, all coming to answer the long horn blast that had called them to return.
Instantly six of the eleven beasts transformed into human men and women, Vyandun among them. He was just as fearsome in human form. His black hair was swept back and grazed his shoulders, a short black goatee grew from his chin and his eyebrows seemed to be perpetually pointed down.
Without instruction, the others followed him forward, the dragons bumbling behind.