The Winter Dragons

There weren’t always dragons in the valley. In order to keep a steady supply of the creatures flowing through, Draken and dragon hunters like her had to be able to move through the mountain passes.

During the winter months this was treacherous, and even the most experienced of them would be reluctant to venture out. But for Draken, there was no option. Her family needed the money.

Draken told her wife of her decision and Sonya said, “You can’t go, you will never come back.”

Draken was preparing as best she could. The old ways had served her well to this point in her life. She refused to believe the new tricks other hunters were using were more effective. It had only been bad luck that she had found three dragons this last summer. But it meant the rent was not paid for the entire winter and what Sonya made as a barkeep would not serve to pay the rent, keep them in food, wood for the stove, and. give them a contingency.

Draken searched the closet in their bedroom. “Have you seen my mage scarf? I could have sworn I packed it last spring with the gloves and boots.” There was a pair of boots with spiked cleats lying on the floor near Draken’s pack. A pair of bright red gloves were slung around her neck.

“Draken! You must listen, The children need you here. You can’t go off into the snow country. It’s too dangerous.”

Just then Monyus shot into the bedroom. He was at that dangerous age that often confused stupidity for bravery and thought he had a lock on adulthood.

Monyus told Draken, “I’m going. You will need help, a companion, to find the winter dragons and bring one back.”

Draken took a breath and stopped her searching for a moment. “Listen to me the both of you. I am going to be fine. I’ve grown up in the snow remember. I was trudging through the drifts when I was Doniken’s age.”

Sonya said, “Doniken has barely learned to walk, don’t be foolhardy Draken. It’s too risky, we’ll find the money somehow. Maybe Mr. Larkin will give us an extension. He knows you always are one of the first to bring a spring dragon into the valley. I’m sure he’ll see reason.”

“Sonya, don’t you think I’ve tried that? Larkin’s chomping at the bit to kick us out of here. The influx of new folk to the valley has put a squeeze on living space. He can get twice the rent he’s agreed to with us from these new folk.”

Sonya paced, something she did when she wanted to think. Walking back and forth like she was searching for some idea lost in the corner of a room. Her long dark hair fell into her eyes. She absently shoved it out and over her ears.

Draken loved her. She would do anything not to hurt her wife, but she had done everything she could to earn a little money. She’d even offered to clean the market stalls now that the supply of summer dragons was exhausted, and the market was quiet. Nothing was beneath her to earn a few coins to ensure the security of their family.

Draken looked at her son. He was big for his age. Fifteen years and thinking he was grown enough to battle the cold and the winter beasts that prowled the passes. The freezing temperatures brought them from their summer beds deep down where the sun couldn’t reach and melt them.

Doniken toddled in, arms outstretched for Draken, always wanting to be held. Draken picked up the squirming bundle of toddler and nuzzled her hair. Doniken squealed and laughed, slapping chubby little hands against Draken’s head and cheeks. Draken growled at her and pretended to devour her. “I’m going to eat you all up!”

She hugged the child close. She loved the children more than her own life, but this stage was always her favorite. The wonder and magic of the world were seen through their eyes as they discovered something new almost every day. Their need for the closeness of their parents. It was a special age.

Draken set Doniken down and began rummaging for her scarf again.

“Maybe Mayrlen could use some help for the winter? He might need a trainer or two for the new dragon hunters.”

Draken was trying hard not to let her impatience get the best of her. She had done everything she could think of to find work for the winter. There simply was none to be had. The new hunters were what Mayrlen wanted and Draken had been stubborn about learning the new techniques.

Draken was getting frustrated, “I have to have my scarf. What the hell did I do with it?”

Sonya sighed and deflated, “Second top shelf, behind the boxes.”

Draken frowned at her but moved some of the empty boxes used to store winter clothes and saw the red, blue, and green of her magic scarf. She pulled it out, wrapped it around her neck, and glared at her mate.

Sonya said, “Don’t look at me like that.” She blinked tears out of her eyes. “I don’t want you to go. You can’t go Draken, you’ll never come back.”

Draken took Sonya in her arms, holding her. “Don’t fret, I’ll find a dragon and bring it back quick. You know I can break them easier than anyone else in the village. It’s just a matter of making it through the passes and that will be easy enough for a northerner like me. A winter dragon could bring us enough gold to last the entire year. You could quit the tavern if you like.”

There was a knock at their door. Doniken toddled off to see who was there but stopped short of the door and stared at it. She couldn’t quite reach the knob yet, and gods help them when she could. Draken knew it was only a matter of time before their youngest was escaping out of their cottage and into the streets.

Draken opened the door and a large man with stubble on his chin, unkempt black hair, dark eyes, and huge grin looked down at her.

“Draken! Just who I need to see. Can I come in?”

Draken pulled back her yellow hair and stepped aside. “Come in Lankus, you are welcome in our home.”

The large man strolled in, took the leather cap lined with wool off his head and looked around. “I haven’t been here in a while. I like what you’ve done with the place.”

Sonya called, “Hello Lankus, good to see you. Would you like some tea?”

“No thank you. I just heard that Draken here is going after dragons.” He grinned and looked at Draken. “I’m going with you.”

“Why should I allow that?”

Lankus frowned in surprise, like he had not considered Draken might not want him to go.

“Because I know how to find the lizards, and I know how to capture them using the new ways. Because you have a better chance of surviving the passes with someone to watch your back.”

Draken knew Lankus was good. He’d captured six dragons in the spring and summer hunts. But he used the new techniques.

“Why would you want to go? You can’t need the money.”

Lankus looked embarrassed then. “Well, I sort of, well…” he trailed off. Both Sonya and Draken looked at the man quizzically.

Sonya said, “Go on.”

Lankus sighed, “I met this girl.”

Sonya and Draken groaned. Sonya said, “She took all your money?”

Lankus said, “Well, not exactly. I had enough left to buy supplies for a hunt.”

Sonya said, “What happened Lankus?”

Lankus picked up Doniken who was beating his leg with one chubby hand, looking up at the big man with her soulful blue eyes. He grinned and then tousled the toddler’s hair.

Lankus said, “Her name is Susan and she’s from Partle. She got word her mother was sick and needed transportation back home to be with her.”

Sonya shook her head, “She fleeced you for all your money and now you’ll never see her again.”

“She’ll be back. She promised to come back in the spring. She thought once the weather warmed, her mother would get better, and then she would come back to me.”

Sonya shook her head, “Lankus, Partle is in the south sea. It’s an island with year-round warm sun.”

Lankus got defensive, “No, it gets cold there in the winter, Susan said. She just needed to go home for a month or two and once her mother gets on her feet she is coming back.”

Draken had her hands on her hips, blue eyes contemplating the large man. He needed money, he was good at finding and capturing she had to admit, though she still thought the new techniques were not as good as the ones she had trained in. She had just been unlucky this year that’s all.

Lankus was young, healthy, and strong. She could use the help, and it wasn’t like the winter dragons were scarce. With so few willing to brave the passes, the winter crop was always plentiful. They would have no trouble scouting out their lairs and finding one for each of them.

Draken said, “All right, you can come then.”

Monyus came out of his room, dragging a large sack. He was dressed in winter clothes and had a sword strapped to his side.

He looked at them and said, “I’m ready to go.”

Both Draken and Sonya said, “No!”

Sonya said, “You are not going anywhere young man. You are staying here to help me mind your sister.”

Monyus looked stubborn. “I’m old enough. I know how to scout and how to lure. Momma Draken taught me.”

“Scouting and luring won’t help you in the passes, son. You can come with me for the spring hunt once the ice creatures have crawled back into their caves. It’s too dangerous right now.”

“But you need help. Lankus, tell them I’m ready. You’ve seen how I can break the dragons in the pens. You taught me.”

Lankus held up his hands, “I don’t argue with my own mother Monyus, I’m not going to argue with yours. You should stay here. I’ll keep your mother safe, have no fear.”

Draken had finished her packing while the three of them were discussing Monyus. She shouldered her pack. “You have your provisions ready to go Lankus?”

Lankus nodded.

“Well then, we should be about it.”

Sonya hugged her wife tight and whispered, “you be safe and come back to me or I’m gonna kill you.”

They kissed; Draken hugged her two children, then they were off. Sonya watched them from the door, her arms crossed. She bit her lip and tried not to think that what she was feeling was the sight trying to warn her. They would be alright. The two of them were experienced dragon hunters, they knew what they were doing. They would be fine.

When they disappeared from view, she turned back into the house and called, “Monyus, bring your sister. We’ll go to the tavern for dinner.”

Doniken toddled over to her, and she picked up the baby. “Monyus? You hungry lad?” Sonya knew that was a stupid question. He was fifteen and always ready to fill that bottomless pit of a stomach.

She felt a cold queasiness when Monyus didn’t answer. She went to his room. “Monyus? What are you up to?” she entered his room, but it was empty. The window was open and Monyus's pack was gone.

“Oh no,” Sonya said and rushed out the door, carrying Doniken close. She hoped she was in time to catch up with the dragon hunters and bring her son home.