Fool's Gold

The satchel was fastened tightly to the harness, tucked securely under a side flap. I could only guess how the coins sparkled, how the jewels glistened. Their twinkling rattle delighted me as they shuffled together within the large pouch. I couldn't wait to lay my eyes upon them.

"Radiance, lower!" I commanded.

My beautiful dragon bowed in agreement, the harness pressing against my legs as she obediently folded her wings and swooped into a dive. Her deep breaths escaped her nostrils in hefty puffs of smoke, her talons curled into balled fists. Radiance was a fiery dagger as she cut through the clouds like butter. A magnificent beast, loyal to the core. And I was her rider.

I feel inclined to inform you, Mistress, Radiance whispered into my thoughts, there is surely another squadron somewhere below. There's isn't a chance in all the hells they will fail to sniff me out.

"That is a risk we must take," I sighed, grasping the reins of the colossal saddle. "They've been tracking us for an hour, we have to be creative now. Before you run out of steam."

Do not concern yourself with my tiredness, Radiance purred. I appreciate the sentiment, but I'm afraid if I rest now, it'll be our heads.

"Yours perhaps," I joked. "I envision enslavement being the fate that awaits my capture."

Correct I suppose. Besides, your head wouldn't look nearly as glorious as mine mounted on a king's wall.

"You know, you're quite dramatic when you're tired," I chuckled, glancing over my shoulder as we descended through another layer of misty clouds. "I've lost sight of them, anything in front?"

Radiance inhaled steadily, scanning the horizon for the familiar silhouette of mounted beasts in pursuit. Her massive nostrils practically tasted the air for the sulfury stench of brimstone—an angry dragon's calling card.

Nothing obvious, Mistress. They're being creative too.

"You're right, it's just too easy," I whispered, absent-mindedly patting Radiance's neck reassuringly. "Stay alert, girl. I have a terrible feeling."

You always have a terrible feeling. You'd do well to abandon these exploits for your own health. Your hair has begun to fall out from the stress.

"Not another word of that," I spat, worried at the stillness of the afternoon skies. "It's not up for debate, our people will suffer no longer. nevermind my hair."

And that is why you're a dragon rider, Radiance beamed, purring once more. Enough of our worrying. I just picked up their odor.

Radiance crinkled her nose in disgust, taking the air deep into her core.

There's a small group hidden about a mile to the right. They're keeping our speed. It'll be an ambush most likely, my guess is they're unsure what artillery we're carrying. Gods, they wreak!

"Take shallower breaths before you pass out. In the meantime, let's keep 'em guessing," I sneered, reaching behind me into my travel pack.

Gripping Radiance's saddle with my knees, I dug around in my bag until my hand finally landed on a group of cherry bombs I had prepared for just such an occasion. Simple weapons, but deceivingly powerful, especially if you had a dragon to properly launch them. "Enough of this cat and mouse game."

Don't blow my tail off, I beg of you.

Giggling, I clenched the cluster of bombs in my palm and reached around Radiance's neck.

"Care to do the honors?"

Radiance bellowed with delight, a deep and guttural sound that always reassured me. A small flame ignited behind her gums, billowing out of her mouth like a furnace. I carefully dropped the bombs in one by one, counting them for good measure.

"Remember to keep them at the front for now," I whispered. "Five shots. Should be enough if we can aim."

You mean if you can aim.

"I hardly think I have any real control over the explosives considering they're currently resting comfortably between your canines," I jested, glancing around for our targets. "I'll give the order, it's your remarkable vision that will save our skins."

I am remarkable, aren't I? Radiance bellowed evermore, stoking the fires within her chest in preparation for our attack.

"There," I pointed, about a half mile to the right. "That's them."

I could see the flapping of wings, a gaggle of black shadows riding the wind like a pod of dolphins plowing a raging sea. One could almost mistake them for a murder of crows if not for their icy shrieks in the distance. I shivered at the sound.

"They haven't changed course," I stated. "I think they've gotten closer."

Show them who's boss then, Radiance laughed. Like you said, enough of this cat and mouse game.

And with that, Radiance's wings unfurled like the masts of a ship, opening to their full capacity. Her tail arched behind her, turning her massive body to the right. Her fierce head fixed her gaze on our pursuers, and she stared longingly at their fast-approaching forms. Her teeth gleamed in the glow of setting sun as her lips pulled away from her canines.

Fire and death. The two lingered in her thoughts as her pupils dilated. She hungered for her victims.

"Easy, girl," I warned, eyeing the swarm ahead of us. "Steady, we've only maybe twenty seconds more before your fires are ready."

I could see the serpentine necks of the gliders, echoey roars ricocheting off the clouds. Their eyes glowed with thirst for our blood.

"Steady, ten seconds. Drop the bombs in your throat."

I could hear the clang of chainmail bouncing against the armor of the beasts, riders as ready for battle as their war-hungry winged steeds.

"Steady."

I could feel the heat of fire brewing in scaled stomachs, the sizzle of bombs in waiting stinging the delicate insides of dragons mad with rage.

"Fire."

The sunset skies erupted with dawning radiance.