fandomania | The Adventure continues...

From behind the wild dragons, our hatchlings scampered back to us. We hugged and kissed them and gave them good scratchings as a thank you for bringing help. I am constantly amazed at their resourcefulness.

I then turned my attention to the wild dragons. "Thank you for coming to our rescue. I don't know what I would have done without you." I bowed to each and said their names and told them all of my gratitude and appreciation.

Blaise replied, "YOUR THANKS ARE NOT NEEDED. WE ARE ALWAYS READY AND WILLING TO HELP HER IN ANY WAY WE CAN. YOU HAVE A GOOD BROOD OF HATCHLINGS. THEY ARE VERY LOYAL, DEVOTED AND PROTECTIVE OF YOU. AND I CAN SEE THAT YOU ARE THE SAME WAY WITH THEM."

Our Hatchlings:

¤

Our Eggs:

"ABOUT A HALF MILE NORTH OF HERE IS THE LAGLANDER'S CAMP. SCORCH AND INFERNO HAVE GONE AHEAD AND SECURED IT, SO THAT YOU CAN GET WHATEVER SUPPLIES THEY LEFT BEHIND. I BELIEVE THEY LEFT A FEW BEASTS OF BURDEN BEHIND. IF THEY ARE WILLING TO SERVE YOU, GOOD. IF NOT, THEN LEAVE THEM TO US FOR LUNCH.

"I CAUTION YOU FROM ATTEMPTING TO GO TO HAVEN BY YOURSELF. THE HUMANS WHO LIVE THERE ARE MORE OF THE SAME AS YOU HAVE JUST ENCOUNTERED."

"Thank you, Blaise. I will keep that in mind."

With that, I gathered up the children and hatchlings. With Blaise's help, we got the eggs out from under the bramble bush. Blaise's thick, tough hide prevented him from being hurt by the thorns.

We, then, hiked the half a mile to the camp. I went through their supplies, but the blankets and warm clothing that I found were all infested with vermin and covered in filth. I threw them all into the fire. The few staples that they had turned my stomach at the thought of eating them, so they too went into the fire. Their utensils and pots followed quickly thereafter. I found a few copper and silver coins, which I added to my purse.

The pack animals allowed me near them, but went crazy whenever a dragon or a hatchling came close. Poor things. They would have been useful, but they wouldn't be trustworthy to carry eggs or anything vital for us. With regret, I removed their pack saddles and harnesses. I then shouted at them and got them to stampede away from the camp.

Inferno looked at me and said, "THIS WAY WILL BE MUCH MORE FUN!" He and Scorch took off after them.