Dragonkeepers

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of either the author or the publisher. Dragonkeepers Copyright © 2006 by Mike Shade All rights reserved. No part of this eBook may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews. For information address Torquere Press, PO Box 2545, Round Rock, TX 78680. Printed in the United States of America. Torquere Press electronic edition / October 2007 Torquere Press eBooks are published by Torquere Press, PO Box 2545, Round Rock, TX 78680. http://www.torquerepress.com

The Dragonkeepers By Mike Shade The hills of the Riokonnan are considered inhospitable by the city dwellers of Tazeen and the nomads that wander the Selvin Plains. Sord, speaker to Dragons and keeper of Rafon, high dragon of the ridge, did not know if it was because the Riokonnan hills were home to the dragons or because the trees grew sparser as the hills grew steeper and the mountain peaks were capped in snow. To him they were home. A grown man now with dark hair down to his knees declaring his status, he had been but a child when he had run away from his home, left his nomadic parents and their tribe behind to climb the foothills and later the rocky cliff faces. He knew from before he could remember that his place was with the dragons. His parents had given chase and several times he'd nearly been caught, but the scent of fire and ash, of something strong and earthy gave speed to his little limbs and in the end he reached the plateau that Rafon called his own. The dark green scaled dragon had sheltered him as he'd stood defiantly, refusing his parents' pleas to come back down the mountainside. Sord could still remember the wonder of sleeping curled up next to Rafon's great bulk, Rafon’s belly rising and falling with each breath beneath Sord's head as he slept. In fact it was how he slept still and if he were honest, with himself if with no one else, it was still a wonder. Sord braided his hair and wound it into a bun, holding it in place at the back of his head with the wide clawnail shed by Rafon. Today he stood on that self-same plateau, looking out over the Selvin Plains and the city of Tazeen beyond them with purpose. Gerri, dragon son of Rafon could not be found. The youngling could not yet fly and his fire was only weak, not strong enough to even defend himself yet. Such young ones were supposed to stay high upon the mountains, safe within the heart of the Riokonnan. That Gerri was nowhere to be found would have been a great worry for Sord, that Gerri was also Rafon's own son made it personal. Though people rarely came into the hills, the nomads and the city wizards both used dragon's blood and dragon's scales in healing and magics. The rich nobles of the city considered dragon meat a delicacy. There were plenty of reasons to fear for the life of Gerri. The city buildings stabbed into the sky, all stone and wood, held together by great magics. There were more people on one single road than Sord saw in a moon, dressed as

peacocks, dripping with finery. Still, he knew that as he moved closer, there was sorrow and poverty hidden beneath. He had only been to the city once, when he'd first grown into manhood, chasing a hunter who'd stolen treasures from the dragon holds near the lake. It had been intimidating, the feeling of magic strange against his nerves, the buildings seeming to press in all around him, smothering him. But the dragons could not go to the city themselves and someone had to find Gerri. The city was the most logical place to start. Rafon came to stand behind him, breath loud and warm, one large, clawed hand curling around his shoulder, Rafon careful not to let his nails break the leather of Sord's jacket. He leaned back against Rafon's strength, trusting in the great green dragon to keep him upright. The dragon language was low, deep, almost a subsonic vibration. For as long as Sord could remember he had heard that sound vibrating against him, inside him. It was an intimate thing, speaking with dragons. "You will find my Gerri," Rafon told him, the vibrating sound accompanied by the acrid smell of smoke. "I will, my friend. Stolen or wandered away, I will find him and bring him home to you." A half dozen ralie birds flew up into the sky, calling raucously to each other, their midnight plumage shining in the sun. It was a good omen. *** Sord walked for most of the day -- the city was so huge that it always seemed closer than it was -- and each step away from his home made him wary, weary. Still, he could not, would not leave little Gerri to the wizards. He would walk right into the Wizards' Guild itself, if he had to. It was nightfall before he passed under the wide, high gates. They were gold and silver and bronze, the metals all twisted together into wards and sigils, symbols of prosperity and warnings to enemies. The gates gleamed as the sun set, fading in the Western Plains beyond the horizon. The city seemed even more daunting at night, the tall spires reaching for the sky turning into lumbering shadows ready to pounce upon the unwary traveler. But the darkness also afforded him shelter, shadowed doorways to hide in and observe from, listen. Surprisingly, the city streets seemed no less busy after nightfall as they were during the day, and he picked his way carefully, trusting his instincts to guide his footsteps. He moved slowly away from the streets that held the peacocks, the silked and satined lords and ladies trailed by guards and footmen. He knew they would not be able to help

him. Indeed perhaps they would not even speak to him, but only move on as if he were not even there. Instead he moved toward the east, the buildings becoming markedly older, the stone dark, rough hewn, repairs obviously necessary. Here the people's clothes were less bright, their skin and hair unkempt, unclean. He slipped into the shadows of an alley where a group of men gambled, spilling the bones and passing coins back and forth. They gossiped as they played, sharing the day's news, speculation. Children ran about, filthy and skinny, staying in the shadows, darting here and there. It felt strange, not only being among so many humans, but hearing them speaking as well. Their accent was different from that of the nomads, different than his own rarely used human speech. Yet he understood them and he took in every conversation, hoping to hear even just a hint of what might have become of Gerri. At first he was surprised to hear no conversation at all that mentioned dragons, not even a hint of one. Dragons were his whole life. He lived with them, hunted with them, their politics were important to him, affected his life. And here... it was as if they did not even exist. He could not imagine living a life with such a void in it. He would not trade his dragons and his quiet and his hills for any of this. Not for the finery and the towering buildings that pressed down on you from the sky. Not even for the companionship that seemed to draw these people together as they played the bones and talked and laughed and fought. He received many long, silent looks, then, eventually, a lean, hollow cheeked woman came up to him, hair tangled. "You are a keeper?" He drew himself up proudly. "Yes." Would she know of Gerri? The dragonling had to be scared, wanting his father. Sord would not even contemplate that he might be dead. "My mam told us about your kind. That the dragons don't eat you." Dragons didn't eat him? Dragons didn't eat humans. They detested the taste. Still, he imagined that would be best kept to himself. "No, they don't." Sord wondered if she had information about Gerri or if she was just curious. He forced himself to remain still, to act as if he was just here to... to play with the bones or drink at the bar. "Will they eat a boy? Say, if a boy found one?" His nostrils flared and his heart began to beat fast, but Sord remained otherwise silent, still. "Well it would depend. How hungry is the dragon in question?"

"H...hungry? Hungry? I... I wouldn't know. How do you know? If they're hungry?" "Why are you asking?" It was perhaps time to press home the advantage. This woman wasn't just inquiring for the sake of curiosity. She was worried. "Oh. I just. I haven't met a Keeper before." She started sidling away, eyes darting. He reached out, grabbing her arm in a tight grip, glad of his gloves -- he was not sure if touching a woman who was not your mate was a crime here as it was amongst several of the nomadic tribes who lived in the Plains. "Lady, if you know a boy who has found a dragon, you must tell me. For his sake." "I never said I did. Know a boy." Her eyes were wide, focused across the clearing. He followed her gaze and thought, maybe, there was a figure in the shadows at the end of the alley. He let her hand go, not looking away, not blinking. The figure, slight and short, stood still for a long moment, then bolted like a startled rabbit. He gave chase, tripping over an urchin partway down the alley. He managed to keep his feet though and moved faster. Rafon's pain at his son's loss was Sord's own. He would not let this city or any of its citizens keep him from finding the little dragon. Quick, the figure was so quick, moving through the streets, feet almost a blur. The boy, for Sord assumed it was the boy the woman had spoken of, had the advantage over him, too, knowing the city where Sord didn't. Twice he almost lost the trail, managing to catch the barest glimpse of bare feet flashing as the boy rounded a corner and again seeing a hint of matted hair as the boy veered behind a group of men coming out of a pub. Suddenly, the boy simply seemed to disappear. Then he heard it -- clear and sharp and strong -- dragonsong. The boy was calling for Gerri. Dragonsong here, in this city full of towering buildings and stone pathways. This city with its huge population and its wizards. And dragonsong coming from a human! He followed the call, praying that none other who knew what it meant were around to hear it. The song led him deep into the city, down into filth and darkness -- oh, poor Gerri, how frightened he must be!

He sent out a sound of his own, not a song, but a soothing vibration. He could not make it as low as Rafon could, but it would be familiar to Gerri, comforting he was sure. The song stopped, sudden and short as if surprised. He continued the low almost growl, pushing his feelings into it, his worry, his love for Rafon's offspring, truly a brother of his heart. "I haven't hurt him. Go away." He couldn't tell where the voice came from, the echoes confused him. "I won't hurt you," he called back. "What do you want? Why did you chase me?" "I heard you might have found a dragon. This," he looked around at the enclosed tunnels they'd run into, it was dank and dark and close, dirty. "This is no place for a dragon." "It's safe down here. They... they hunt dragons up there. Kill them. They cry." "It is even safer for dragons in the mountains. Please. I'm here to help." He pitched his voice low, hoping to entice the boy to him, perhaps even the dragon. "Let me see you?" "I... I... You have to promise to stay where you are. I know the catacombs. I can get away." The boy knew the city as well and Sord had managed to stay with him, but he didn't think now was the time to mention that. "I told you I won't hurt you. My word is good." He was a keeper of dragons, a brother to Rafon, his word was as good as any dragon's. A little pale face peered out of the shadows, big brown eyes blinking from under a mass of filthy hair. Lean and small, wearing mismatched rags, Sord actually felt sorry for the boy. This was not only no place for a dragon, it seemed it was no place for a boy either, certainly not one who could speak the dragon tongue. "Was it you I heard singing to the dragon?" "I..." The boy went grey, swayed. "No. No, that's a crime. They put you in the Tower. I can't do that." He took a step forward, reaching for the boy, his instincts telling him this one was important. "No. No, stay there." There was a little bag at the boy's waist and the boy opened it, a good-sized helis-fruit offered. "I got these for Ger... for latemeal. You can have one if you leave me alone."

Gerri was alive. And safe, for now. The relief that went through Sord was a physical wave and nearly knocked him from his feet. He leaned against the rough wall of the catacombs and took a deep breath. "No, save it for yourself and for Gerri," he suggested, letting the boy know that he knew Gerri. Perhaps it would make the boy trust him. "He's safe. I won't let anyone hurt him. Not anyone." The truth, the love rang through that voice and Sord's eyes went wide. Surely Gerri would not bind himself to this child... "Gerri!" he called out in the tongue of the dragons. "It is Sord. Your father is worried about you. Come to me, little dragon." "Sord!" The little dragon's voice rang out, excited and happy and full of joy. "Sord! I found my Keeper! He's been so good to me!" The sound of the dragonlet's voice was sweet, such a relief that he didn't notice the boy disappeared into the shadows. He laughed, the joy in Gerri's voice contagious. "Let me see you, Gerri. We've been so worried." The little dragonlet barreled out, dirty but bouncing, yellow-green scales shining. "Sord!" Still just little, Gerri was nonetheless as tall as he was and at least twice as strong. Sord wrapped his arms around Gerri's middle and hugged him, feeling the clawed fingers on his back. He rubbed Gerri's chin. "You are a sight for sore eyes, Gerri. What in the name of the great Dragon's seven scales are you doing here?" "Oh, Sord. I had a dream and I flew and flew and when I woke? I was here and Kell found me and rescued me from mean wizardy mans and they cut my tail! See? Then Kell brought me here and put medicine on me and fed me and sang to me and..." Oh, those eyes were alight. It was very hard to be upset with Gerri when he was so obviously happy and thrilled. Still, if he stayed here he would be killed, it was as simple as that. "And do the wizards still know that you are here, Gerri? Are they looking for you?" "Kell told them I escaped, that I flew away." Gerri leaned close, amber eyes glowing. "They beat him and he still didn't tell. He's my Keeper. He... Where is he? Kell! Kell!" They looked around, but Kell seemed to be gone, thought he could have been hidden in the shadows that pressed in from all corners. "Keep calling him, Gerri. If he is truly your Keeper, he will not be able to deny that call."

"Kell! Kell, please! I need you!" The dragonlet's call became frantic, louder and Sord heard the answering call, the footprints hurrying closer. He hadn't needed the proof, not really under the circumstances, but if he'd had any doubts, any at all, they were removed. He waited to see how brave Kell would be for his dragon. Kell came right into the clearing, one fruit brandished in a thin hand. "You leave him alone! Don't you hurt him!" So sweet, the way the wee thing was ready to protect Gerri, though the dragon was far better suited to doing the protecting. He stepped away from Gerri and held open his arms. "I will not hurt him, nor you." Kell hurried closer. "Are you okay? I heard you. Did he hurt you?" The dragonlet barreled into Kell, almost knocking the boy down. "No! No! This is Sord! He's my father's Keeper. He came to find me. He would never ever hurt me." Sord came over to them and held out his hand. "I am Sord. Well met, dragonkeeper." Kell blinked up at him, fingers stroking Gerri's scales, petting. "I... Hello. Hello, Sord. I'm Kell. Are... are you going to take Gerri home?" "He can't stay here, Kell. Eventually someone will find him despite your best efforts and then they will kill him." Huge brown eyes filled with tears and they looked into Gerri's amber ones. "He won't hurt you?" Gerri shook his head. "No. No, Sord is family. My family." "Oh. Well. I." Kell hugged the dragonlet tight. "I'm glad you got to come. I'm glad to meet you." "You misunderstand, Kell. You cannot stay here either." He would never separate a keeper from his dragon, no matter how ill a choice he believed was made. It would be far crueler than he had it in him to be. "I. I have to stay. I live here." Kell was wrapped around Gerri, looked tiny in the dragonlet's arms. "You like it here?" Sord asked, surprised that Kell would want to remain. It was dirty and oppressive.

He could not imagine not following the dragon's call either. After all, he had run away from his family just to be with the dragons. To be with Rafon. "Like it?" The boy looked confused, questioning. "Do you like living here or would you rather come with us and live in the hills of the Riokonnan with the dragons?" Where Kell belonged. "I..." Gerri crowed, nuzzled Kell happily. "Oh, come home with me. It would be so lovely. There's trees and food and ponds and my family will be your family, Kell, and no one will hit you or hurt you..." Sord found himself growling. "You should not stay somewhere where people hit you or hurt you, Kell. You are a dragonkeeper! Special." Why Kell was practically family already and he protected his own. It was one of the first lessons he'd learned from Rafon. Kell shook his head, but stayed close to Gerri. "I don't think I can get you out of the city safely. The mages watch. They watch everything during the full moon." Sord nodded. "We can wait a few days if we must. And you will not have to do it alone, Kell. I am here now, too." He frowned as he looked around the catacombs. They were truly awful. He could not understand how someone could live here and not try to escape. "Is there anyone who might help us?" "No. I haven't told anyone. Hanne, my friend, she guessed, but I told her no." Kell hid his face. "I don't want them to get her." Gerri gave him a sad look, claws just barely highlighting the dried blood and filth on the back of the boy's shirt. He stroked Gerri's warm belly reassuringly. "Kell, is there someplace we can go to get you cleaned up?" Surely there was a place where the people here bathed, even if he didn't believe there could possibly be any natural ponds in this unnatural place. "I... we drink from the pond. I'd get it dirty." Kell dug out one of the fruits, handed it to Gerri. "You need to eat." "Yes, he's right, Gerri. A growing dragon needs to eat a lot." It was good to see the young dragonkeeper being so conscious of his charge. Especially as Kell had no background or formal training to draw on. Kell nuzzled Gerri's neck. "See? Especially until your tail is all better."

"Yes. I need to look at your tail, Gerri." Whether or not Kell wanted to let him. "I'm taking care of him." Kell frowned over, so protective, so brave. "Yes, and you are doing a good job, Kell, but you are new to it. There might be something that can be done for Gerri's tail that you don't know about." "Oh. Oh, I brought salve and water and tona petals." Gerri nodded, beginning to bounce again, eyes shining. "He took good care of me." Sord chuckled. "Just let me look at your tail, Gerri." "You won't touch it, though, right?" Oh, to be so young again. "I will do my best not to, Kell. Perhaps you will look with me, so that you may move it as needed." He would not hurt this young one. Not if he could help it. Kell nodded, filthy hands so gentle on Gerri's skin. The wound was clean and well cared for, the scales chipped and sore, but not missing. "Is there any pain, Gerri? Anything that feels wrong?" "It itched, but Kell helped. He's been taking care of it every night." Sord gave Kell a smile. "Well done, Dragonkeeper." "I'm not. I'm just Kell. I just... I heard him. They were hurting him and I couldn't..." Gerri growled low, nuzzling Kell. Sord nodded. "Gerri is right. You did better than anyone else could have. You understand his tongue and can speak it. You listened and came to his aid. And now you are chosen." "I had to. I had to help. He... I heard him everywhere." "Yes, a true calling to be a keeper is undeniable." He reached out and put his hand on Kell's shoulder, squeezed it gently. Kell shivered, flinching slightly. "Oh. Oh, I... You won't tell anyone, will you?" "I have no one to tell. And you are far more important than anyone in this city, barring Gerri." He would not let the boy believe his loyalties were not with the dragons.

"Important? Me? No. No, I'm just Kell. Honest." Gerri snorted, fluttering, shifting. "My Keeper." Sord chuckled. "You'll upset him if you're not careful. A dragon's keeper is everything to his dragon." It was not a bond to enter lightly and Sord was still a little shocked that Gerri had taken this untried boy on. He was pretty sure Rafon would have a few choice words for the dragonlet. If they ever got him out of here. "I wouldn't upset him." Those filthy hands moved over Gerri again, petting and stroking, the dragonlet almost purring. A few choice words perhaps, but in the end there would be no denying this bond. It was strong and true. They almost shone together. Kell settled beside Gerri, eyes closing a little. "Is it safe to nap, Gerri?" The dragonlet nodded, nuzzled the boy before turning to Sord, the amber eyes shining. "Am I in much trouble?" He shrugged. "Rafon is unhappy." And it hurt Sord inside, when the great dragon was brought low by anything. "He's worried. We didn't know if you were dead or alive. He still doesn't know." "I had to come. I had to. Kell called me." Sord sighed. "You should have spoken to Rafon first, Gerri." And Rafon would have told Gerri he was mistaken and forbidden him to come. Sord supposed in truth it was the same result either way. "I couldn't. You know, Sord. You did the same." Gerri looked down at Kell. "He would die for me." "Let's hope he doesn't have to. Let’s hope none of us do." He frowned, looking at the boy and then back at Gerri. "You can't stay here, Gerri." "I won't leave him." The dragon shifted the boy's shirt, the poor body red and hot, cuts dirty and smelling. "He's hurt." "I'll go out and find supplies to clean him up, Gerri. So he's well enough to travel with us." He pet Gerri's belly, scratching lightly. Gerri purred, rubbing against him. "So good to see you."

He nodded, leaning his head against the strong chest, just listening to Gerri's heartbeat for a moment. The great beast’s heartbeat soothed his own heart, made him less lonely for his own dragon. Gerri sang for him, low and sweet. He had seen Gerri born, gold egg cracked open. They were practically brothers and if Gerri was lost in this city, it made Sord feel better that they were lost together.

Chapter Two Velen checked himself in the glass at Aubernathy's couturier as he passed the shop window. He looked very debonair in his long coat and hat pulled low. He looked like a man on a mission, a spy for the Prince perhaps, or one of the Princess' many men on his way to an assignation. The truth was far more mundane, although still fraught with dangers and some excitement. He was off to explore the catacombs, to make them give up their secrets to him. Who knew what dangers lurked there, what beasts made them their home. Not to mention the danger of being caught by the guard. If he was dragged home once again in dishonor... well, Mother's patience was growing thin and she was all that stood between he and Father. Velen pushed his golden curls more firmly under his hat and continued into the less savory part of the city. He'd been told there was an entrance to the catacombs near the Rubber Bottom Ale House. He'd never been to this part of town, the smells were quite... rank and foul and many of the inhabitants that he passed seemed to be a source of the odor. He tried not to wrinkle his nose and he definitely refrained from taking out a hankie and holding it in front of his nose and mouth. He was indeed brave, if only Father could see that this was as brave as anything Eustace and Jalparche had done. Velen almost squealed when he found the entrance to the catacombs at the back of a dirty little alley next to the ale house and he slipped in, just delighted and so pleased with himself. He wasn't squealing several hours later as he tramped along, hopelessly lost, filthy, his torch all but burned out. In fact, he was practically near tears. It smelled down here and was dirty and dark and there wasn't anything interesting about it at all. He rounded yet another bend, only to discover it led to nothing but more tunnels. He looked down each one, trying to decide where to go, how to go, when he saw a dull light shining from one, yellow in the distance. Oh, he was so very relieved and he trotted down toward the light. He couldn't believe he'd been down here long enough that it was already daylight outside again, but he supposed the darkness and being lost played with his sense of time. His boots rang dully on the stone floor of the catacombs as he made his way down the tunnel. He stepped into a clearing, a little fire burning and shining on golden scales. He got only a glimpse of a bruised and bloody boy, a dragon feasting on it, before the world went black.

When he came to, he had a terrible headache and he was tied up. Tied up! Trussed up like a pig or some such other unfortunate beast. He didn't even realize dragons could tie people up, let alone needed to. And why wasn't he dragon food yet? Blinking, he took in his surroundings. The dragon was... snoring. Snoring. Snoring all wrapped around a slender boy, cradling him. Incredible! He had to be dreaming. Dragon's were fierce and they ate people and. Oh. There was a handsome fellow. Growling and little and frowning, but very handsome. "Who are you?" "Who are you?" he countered. The man rolled his eyes and didn't say anything. The dragon's eyes opened, a strange chirruping sound filling the air, the man responding in kind. "Who are you?" Velen demanded to know this time. "And where am I?" The sleeping boy opened his eyes, blinking over. "Oh. Oh, you. He. He's a lordling. He is." The words trailed off into the odd noises, the boy swaying as he stood, beginning to tug the dragon. The man said something to the boy in the strange language and then turned back to him. "Is it true? Are you one of them?" He glared petulantly at the handsome one. "I am Velen of the line of Valchon. If you don't let me go there will be great trouble." "Yeah, that's what I thought. Which means we'll have to keep you here until we go." "Valchon? You... you're not the heir." The boy leaned against the dragon, like it was some large pet.

Well what if he wasn't the heir? He was still worth more than these beggars. And that dragon... he'd be able to buy his way into the wizards with a dragon. "What does that mean?" the leather-clad man asked the boy. "That they don't know where he is. That he's not a wizard, either, or he'd be free now." "Good. Good." The man crouched down in front of him. "I'm sorry, but we'll have to keep you as a prisoner until we can go." "A prisoner?" He sputtered and struggled against his bonds. A large, surprisingly gentle hand touched his arm. "You'll just make them tighter. We won't harm you. As soon as we go, we'll free you." He wrinkled his nose and shrank away from the touch. "You smell. You all smell." The boy rolled his eyes. "Not everyone has flowered water sprayed over them." "No, and obviously you've never bathed in your life." Surprisingly, the man in leather laughed. "I was thinking the same thing about you." "About me?" He was sputtering again, utterly insulted. And then he caught sight of his boots and his coat and he was rather covered in mud. The boy wrinkled his nose, curling in with the gold beast. Filthy. "I don't suppose you can tell us the best way to leave the city?" asked his captor. He just stared back. Why on earth would he do that? Just because the man was sexy in a backwoods, peasant-y sort of way... "He's never probably even walked on the roads without someone carrying him." The man laughed and Velen sniffed. Peasants. Low-life. If only he believed his own assertion that someone would come and rescue him. As far as he knew, his absence would generate a rolled eye or two and they would all assume he was somewhere about the mansion, sulking. The boy glared at him, eyes fierce. "You can't hurt me as you are, so you should be careful." "Wait until they find me and free me. I'll run you through then!"

His captor stood between him and the boy. "You won't touch him. Not unless you wish to be ripped apart." It wasn't the boy, though, that caught his eye. No. It was the dragon. The rustling dragon that was staring at him. Staring at him as if it understood what he had said. As if he was dinner. Valen swallowed his whimper. They had said they were going to let him go, perhaps he should stop taunting them. The odd, whistling noises started again, the little street rat talking to the beast. He wondered if he could sell the information to the wizards, gain entry that way... Something about that though felt wrong. The dragon settled, claws slowly petting the street rat’s lean body. It looked... natural. The leather-clad man was watching them, smiling fondly. He looked a little lonely, too, and Velen wondered if he could take advantage of that. He was, after all, quite experienced. He cleared his throat and when the man turned to look at him he gave his best smile. "I'm thirsty." The man looked over at the boy, who shrugged. "There's water in the skin. Leave enough for Gerri." The skin was a small container and the man took it, brought it over and crouched next to him, making his leather pants creak. The spout was held to his lips and a small mouthful poured in. "That's it? That's not enough! Please." "You'll have more when we have more." "I can go get more, Sord. I know where the spring is." The boy didn't look like his legs would walk across the room, much less to fetch water. "No. You need to sleep and to eat and to have your wounds cleaned." The man the boy called Sord frowned. "I can go out and buy stuff. I have some coins." The boy looked... stunned. Shocked. "You... so good to me..." Sord crouched in front of the lad and touched his cheek very gently. "You are a dragon keeper, Kell."

The boy leaned toward the touch, eyes closing, the pose moving, attractive. Velen felt his prick rise, his worry fading as he licked his lips and enjoyed the show. Were they lovers? Was that why Sord was here? It was obvious from the way the man was dressed he didn't belong in the city, let alone down here among the catacombs. The stroking stopped and Sord stood and came over to him and Velen panicked, worried his arousal would be seen, his weakness known, but Sord merely made sure the ropes around his wrists and ankles were tight. "Don't give him any trouble, for your own sake." A significant look was aimed toward the dragon. Velen just glared in response. "I won't let him hurt Gerri, Sord. I promise." Sord's lips twitched, but when the man turned to look at the boy, his face was completely serious. "Thank you, Kell. I know you will." And then Sord was gone, bootsteps echoing and growing fainter. The boy looked at him, silent, still, eyes surprisingly bright. Well. The boy -- Kell -- was dirtier than Sord, but not unpleasant to look at. He could try out his wiles on this one instead. He smiled again, let his gaze drag along the boy's body. Kell didn't smile back, just watched him. "Why are you down here?" "I'm an explorer." The boy could almost be pretty if he weren't such a mess. "An explorer?" One thin cheek rested against the dragon's thigh. "Yes." He smiled again. "A very thirsty explorer. Surely you could spare another drop of water?" "I need it for Gerri. Sord will bring more." "Just a drop. Please? Or perhaps a small bite of food? Surely you can spare that?" And if he could get the boy near... "I... I can give you a bite of fruit. It'll wet your tongue." He nodded. "Please. I haven't eaten in so long." It had been at least hours. "All right. All right." The boy dug around, pulled a ripe fruit from a bag and cut it in half before bringing it over.

"I can't eat it with both hands tied..." "You open your mouth and I'll feed it to you." "Oh..." He hummed, giving Kell a heated look. Kell blushed, cutting off a piece of fruit, offering it over to him. He leaned a tiny bit and parted his lips, mouth watering. The fruit was sweet and tart and cool. Delicious. He made sure to lick the boy's fingers, ignoring the taste of dirt -- a seduction wouldn't work if you were obvious about your target's imperfections. Kell gasped, pulled his fingers away. "Don't bite me." Was the boy really such an innocent? His type could always work for food. "I wasn't using my teeth." "I... Open up. Here's another bite." He held Kell's eyes, tongue sliding against the boy's skin as he took the bite. The thin cheeks were bright red, eyes wide. "You have two bites left." "Excellent," he said softly, licking his lips. He got another bite, Kell swaying a little, vibrating. Oh, he nearly had the little street rat. "You're being so kind," he murmured. "I just know that being hungry hurts." Well, that was a kick in the teeth, wasn't it. He took the last bite without fanfare. The street rat stood, turned back toward the dragon and he got a look at the boy's back. Oh, sweet Terral and her heavenly gaze, that was horrific. "What happened to your back?" he asked. "Mages. They wanted Gerri." "The wizards did that? Are you sure it wasn't the guard after they caught you stealing?" Surely the wizards hadn't done that. "I didn't steal anything. I saw who whipped me." "I'm sorry," he said, feeling badly. He wasn't a wizard, but he so wanted to be.

"I'm not. It means Gerri is safe." "That's that... that... beast, isn't it?" "He's not a beast. He's beautiful." He sniffed. "Right." Those bright eyes sparked, "He's beautiful and strong and dear." By Venia's left tit, the boy sounded like his mother. Talking about Eustace. He pouted, sulking. Kell curled into the beast's arms, clicking and purring. Bah. He turned his back on them, inching around so he couldn't see them. Stupid street rat. Stupid dragon. Stupid good looking leather man. *** Kell didn't sleep well until Sord came back, with food and water and blankets and cream. Oh. Cream for his back that felt... Oh. He cuddled into Gerri, the song of the dragon singing through him. Sord sat near him, watching, smiling. The lordling tied in the corner kept trying to entice Sord over, but Sord was ignoring him. "Thank you. I... Thank you." He smiled at Sord, dozy and dizzy, heart pounding. His cheek was stroked and Sord pulled out a loaf of bread, tearing a chunk off for him and handing it over. "Eat, Kell." He looked at the fresh bread, stomach growling. He offered Gerri a bite first, the motion instinctive. Sord made a soft sound and nodded. "You are a good keeper." "I... He... He's special."

Gerri preened, long face caressing his own. "He is. He is a dragon." Kell nodded, singing to Gerri, the song one he didn't remember learning. Sord's voice joined in, deep and purring. Oh. Oh, he didn't know that anyone else knew the song... Sord's smile was warming, almost as nice as Gerri's. "Hey! Hey, what are you doing? I'm cold. I'm hungry. I'm thirsty. You can't just forget about me!" His nose wrinkled. Nobles were mean, rough, cruel people that brought nothing but trouble. Sord chuckled. "You don't like him." "I don't. He would hurt Gerri, without thinking." Sord nodded. "Most humans would." Sord looked back at the man and then at him and Gerri. "Dragons are better." He nodded immediately, reaching to stroke Gerri's ears, making the dragonlet moan. Sord chuckled and leaned in, murmured quietly in his ear. "The spot right above his tail and the one just under his chin are also special." "Oh..." He moved to stroke those spots, drowning in the pleasure in Gerri's eyes. Sord smiled and then sighed. "Now if we can just get out of this wretched city..." "Will... will there be a place for me, where Gerri lives?" He didn't want to leave the city, it was all he knew, but he didn't want to leave Gerri more. Sord nodded. "The hills of the Riokonnan are home to the dragons. Rafon and Gerri and I have a lovely cave near the southern peak." "A cave? You live in a cave?" Their prisoner sneered. "Animals." Kell turned, growling. "As if you are not, sitting in your fine home and feasting while children starve." "I don't feast on starving children!" "You might as well. You would step on them as you passed." "I have never stepped on a child." The man wrinkled his nose. "They'd ruin my boots."

Sord growled softly. "And you call Gerri an animal." Kell glared at the man. "You don't know anything." "Oh, I know more than a street rat like you does." "I don't like him," Sord said softly. "Are all the people here like him?" "Many of them. So many." He leaned against Gerri, eyes filling with tears. Gerri started stroking his spine, petting him. Sord growled and went over to the prisoner. "Be quiet or I will make you quiet." "Oh, aren't you the big strong man then. Why don't you try your threats when I'm not tied up and at your mercy?" "And was that how it was for Kell? When he was whipped and beaten? Did he have a fighting chance?" Sord looked pretty formidable when he was angry. Gerri's touch soothed him, eased him, the smooth scales warm against his cheek. Sord found a length of rope in his bag and ran it through their prisoner’s mouth, tying it at the back of his head. "I warned you." Kell blinked, then looked up into Sord's warm eyes. He could learn to get used to that care. Sord gave him a smile as he crouched nearby again and began chewing on the bread. "I don't want to stay here any longer than we have to, Kell. It is not a good place. And the longer we keep him down here, the more likely we are to be discovered by a search party." Kell nodded. "Tomorrow night? The night after would be even safer." The moon would be fading, the priests would be tired. Sord didn't look very happy with his answer. "What happens with the full moon that makes it so dangerous?" "They hunt. They... There are men who sing, who try to draw the dragons down. Have you not heard them?" They didn't seem to call Gerri. Maybe they sang a wrong song. Sord laughed. "No, I have not. And neither has any dragon that I know of. None have ever been drawn to the city before Gerri and I do not believe that was because of any song but your own."

"Mine? Did you hear me Gerri?" The dragon purred and cuddled, nodded. "I dreamed of my Keeper, my brother-in-spirit." He just beamed. "There is no other bond as beautiful, as meaningful. Rafon and I are... almost inseparable." Sord looked away, face sad. "You miss him." He pressed closer to Gerri. "I'm sorry." Sord nodded, looking off into the distance down one of the tunnels. "I can still feel him in my heart, but I miss him terribly. He is my soul’s own mate." Gerri purred, moved close to Sord. "Father." Sord leaned his head against the dragon's neck, hand stroking Gerri's soft underbelly. Gerri purred, singing, comforting. Sord began to sing back, the song changing into one that told the tales of a great dragon and Kell eventually figured out they were singing about Rafon, Gerri's father. It was beautiful, made him gasp, fascinated him. The song was a long one and when it was over, Sord patted Gerri and ruffled Kell's hair. "I'm going to go scout for the best route to take when we leave. You will be safe here with Gerri." Kell nodded. "I won't let anyone hurt him." It was a vow. "I know." The way Sord said it made him sit just a little straighter. He nodded, fingers on Gerri' tail, stroking, petting. Sord went over and checked to make sure their captive was tied tight and then gave him another smile before heading back out of the catacombs. He met the noble's eyes, watching for a long minute before relaxing down against Gerri. He could feel the man watching him, but with Gerri's deep purr sounding beneath his ear, he wasn't scared.

Chapter Three Sord spent hours exploring the streets of the huge city, moving through them like a ghost, quiet and unseen. He found the quickest way from the catacombs to the gates. He found the most roundabout way. He found several places where they could slip from the city without having to pass through the main gates. The sun was just beginning to come up as he slipped back into the catacombs, moving quietly through the tunnels. He frowned as he realized there was... not a path, but the way to where they had made camp was clear, the ground and muck and dust had been disturbed. They would have to move if they were to stay another night. He glanced over at the prisoner. Sleeping, looking awkward and uncomfortable, Sord was torn between despising the man and feeling badly for him. Kell, on the other hand, looked completely at peace, draped over Gerri, snoring. He chuckled, ignoring the tug at his heart. He missed Rafon. It was easy not to think of his bond with the dragon while he was busy, occupied, but here, with nothing to do and Gerri to remind him, he felt the sorrow of that missing presence. Gerri looked up, eyes bright, the soft trill familiar and welcoming. He sat close and wrapped his arms around Gerri's neck, face buried against the leathery skin. He indulged his need for long moments, breathing deeply because he would not dishonor his Rafon by crying. Gerri groomed him, petted him. "Can we go home, Sord? Can we take Kell home?" He nodded. "We won't leave him here, Gerri. Not when you went to so much trouble to find him." Gerri beamed, purred. "Father will love him." "Yes. I wonder if that will mitigate your punishment any?" "Kell will protect me." Sord laughed out loud. "That little thing?" He grew serious suddenly. "He will Gerri. Don't forget that. No matter the odds, no matter how much you are stronger and bigger and more capable of fighting? He will always try to protect you. Don't let him get hurt doing it." Gerri's look was serious, one hand stroking Kell. "He is tiny, Sord. Why... why do you think he called me?"

He shrugged. "I was six when I answered your father's call. He took care of me until I could take care of myself. I don't think Kell even knows he called you. Not how or why. He just did." "It was so loud, Sord. Inside me. Huge. When... when they hurt him, I cried." "Oh, Gerri." He stroked the young dragon's face. "I'm sorry." "He told me I couldn't help him. I had to stay quiet. I felt... dirty inside." Those gold eyes pierced him. "Will that go away?" He couldn't lie to Gerri. Not to a dragon. "I don't know." "He was... brave. For me. I will be with him forever. The Great Wyrm has sworn it." Sord nodded. "Then we will have to get you both out of here. Bring you home. He wants to wait until tomorrow night. I hope that is the right decision." "I do, too. I want to go now. I hear Father calling." Sord nodded. Rafon's need and sorrow was palpable. "Perhaps we should question the nobleman. See if Kell's reasons are sound." Gerri licked his lips, eyes shining. "Can I help?" He grinned. "I was hoping you would. Have you sharpened your claws lately?" Those claws tapped, sharp and clicking. "Excellent. Let's go wake him, shall we?" He got up and went over to the bound man, kicking his legs. Gerri looked overjoyed when the man jerked awake, eyes wide and panicked, almost scared. He had to bite his lip to keep from chuckling. He took out his knife and crouched, letting it slide along the man's cheek. "I have a few questions. If you answer them I won't let the dragon hurt you." Gerri played along beautifully, teeth gleaming in the low light. Of course he wasn't sure that Gerri was exactly playing. He looked into the blue eyes and cut the rope acting as a gag. "Don't let it hurt me." Gerri growled low, snapping a little. "Make him speak, Sord." "It won't be easy," he told the man. "He doesn't like you." He sat back and let Gerri loom. "What's your name?"

"I told you. I am Velen of the Valchon." "That's really your name?" It was a silly name. Gerri snorted. "Ask him when we can leave." "I'm getting to it," he told Gerri in the dragon tongue. "When's the best time for us to leave?" "I vote now." He growled softly. Those blue eyes were laughing at him. He looked at Gerri. Gerri growled, snort sliding up the man's leg, heading directly for the sensitive groin. Velen squeaked and shook his head. "No! No! Don't let him unman me!" "Stop, Gerri. For now." Gerri snorted, snapped, but backed away. He gave Velen a sharp look. "If you don't have any answers for us, I won't be able to hold him back." Velen swallowed. "The boy is right. Tomorrow night would be better. The priests will be tired, they will be resting. No one will be looking for a dragon in the city." The words both disturbed and pleased him -- disturbed him because he did not wish to spend another night here, pleased him because it proved Kell was aware, looking out for Gerri. "What's the best path to take to get us to the main gate without being discovered?" "There is a spot, near the river, where the stones have washed away. There is a guard there, but the trees along the water will hide you as you run." He was satisfied Velen was telling the truth, if the man had been deliberately trying not to help, he would have told them to go to the main gate after all. He'd seen that spot himself as he'd explored, wondered if it was as good an escape route as it looked. "Will there be wizards posted anywhere, augmenting the guard?" "Tomorrow? No. Tonight is a holy night, they will be recovering from drinking the dragon's blood."

"Dragon's blood?" He swooped in suddenly, knee in Velen's groin, knife at his throat. "Where do they get this dragon's blood of theirs?" His words were snarled, angry. "How would I know? I am no mage, no wizard. They take only second sons." He turned to Gerri. "The wizards drink dragon's blood this night." Gerri' eyes went wide, a roar filling the cave, echoing endlessly, full of pain and fury. Kell sprang up, hurtling towards Gerri without fear. "Don't you hurt him! Leave him alone!" He turned to see what effect it had on Velen, the man cringing back from the dragon. "I never said I did it!" Kell wrapped himself around Gerri, comforting and petting and singing. Velen was watching them, something like wonder on his face. "They really care for each other." "Yes," said Sord. "It is the way of things." Velen shook his head. "That isn't what we're taught here. Dragons are to be feared, they are nothing but animals." Sord snorted. Gerri had his eyes closed, the dragonlet young enough, frightened enough to let Kell have control, comfort him. The pair would not be separated, not now, not ever. How could anyone call them animals? "Does he look like an animal to you? He's different than humans, yes. Dragons are better. They are stronger, more true, more capable. Faithful." Oh, he missed his Rafon, missed that strong, true presence that never faltered. Velen shook his head. "It is what we're taught." "Sord. Sord, please. Take me home." The cry was so young, frightened, bordering on desperation. Now he felt guilty. He could have saved that little piece of information, not told Gerri. He'd wanted to scare Velen, and he'd been angry over the dragon's blood, had shared that anger. He glared at Velen and turned to Gerri, wrapping his arms around the solid beast. "It's okay, Gerri. It is. We'll not let anything happen to you, Kell and I. Will we, Kell?" "No. No, beautiful one. I will protect you always. I swear it. Anything you need." Kell's words rang with truth, the walls near vibrating with it. Nothing was so fierce as a new bond, a new Keeper.

The beauty of it moved him so and he turned to Velen, prepared to mock him for not being able to see it, to show up these city people, but the most amazing thing happened. Velen was looking at Kell and Gerri as if he saw it, saw them properly. There was need and jealousy, raw on Velen's face. Sord cleared his throat and like that a mask of boredom and disdain dropped over the pretty face, but Sord had seen it. Velen could not change that. Kell eased Gerri, rocking and humming and purring, the dragonlet responding, holding on. Neither Keeper nor Dragon knew anything but one another. Sord sighed and settled between the pair and Velen. It was private what they did, not meant for outsider's eyes. "Can you give us any other help?" he asked the man. The blue eyes flicked over his shoulder and back to meet his eyes. "Why should I help you?" "Because I have not killed you yet and I will not. We will make our escape and let you go in the plains." Velen shook his head, golden hair dull and matted against his skull. "I wish to go with you." "No." "I will not bring you harm, but there is nothing for me here. I can have jewels, coin, food..." "Those are nothing but pretty baubles for people with nothing better in their lives." His distain made his words growl, but Velen was only nodding. "I know they have no value, Sord." He shook his head and refused to admit he heard and understood Velen's pleas. "I will not endanger the dragons. They are my life." "I will not endanger anyone. I simply want to come with you. I will help, if you let me come." He bit his lip. Despite the way Velen looked upon Gerri and Kell with joy and longing, he did not know if he could trust the man. If Velen came with them, would he sound the alarm? Or would he come with them only to run away and lead the wizards right to the dragons' innermost lairs? "What can you give me as proof that you speak honestly?" "What... what do you need?"

He did not know. How could he accept the word of this human? Sord knew his own kind were treacherous and dangerous, prone to lying to turning on one another, let alone outsiders. "Kell? Is there any way of guaranteeing Velen's word?" "His ring. Without it, he cannot return to the city, to his home." "Will you give your ring as proof?" If Valen's word was true, Sord would hand him over to the council of dragons. They would know what to do with him. Velen swallowed and nodded. "Yes. You may have my ring." He reached behind Velen, the man's eyes holding his. So blue from this close and he fumbled before finding the finger with the ring and yanking it off. He stumbled back. It was too small for his fingers so he handed it back to Kell. Kell refused to wear it, instead pulling a strip of leather from his bag and tying it around his neck. He nodded. "Good. We will leave tomorrow night then. And take this one with us. He will help or we will kill him." He gave Velen a very direct look. "I will let the dragon have you if you lead us wrong." They would leave the city first and make good their escape. After that they could worry about what to do with Velen. *** Velen felt naked without his ring, but also lighter, like a burden he hadn't wanted had been lifted. Sord and the others ignored him until it was time to go and then he was given a hank of cheese and some bread, a few mouthfuls of water. At Kell's suggestion, they waited until after the twelfth toll of the bells, the moon lighting streets that were emptying. Sord had liberated a cart from a vendor and they put Gerri on it, covering him with a blanket. The three of them worked together to pull the heavy cart through the streets, heading quickly toward the river. They would abandon the cart there and that would be the most dangerous time, while they were still in the city and Gerri not hidden. He hoped they weren't stopped because the street rat would be accused of theft if he was discovered with that ring, he and the boy would be taken into the prison tower and never be seen again. He hoped they made it. He wanted to see where the dragons lived, wanted to learn more about them. He was more than ready to leave the city with its dubious future.

He heard the river long before they reached it, it was flowing high at the moment -- it would not be easy to cross. Kell shivered, looking from the shadows at the broken gate, the guard. "I... I will distract the guard, Sord. You get Gerri across the water." Gerri rustled, protesting from beneath the blanket. The dragon wasn't the only one protesting. Sord shook his head. "No." Velen sighed. "I'll distract the guard." Sord snorted at that. "No. I will do it. You will help Kell and Gerri. Anything funny and Gerri will tear you open with his claws." "No. He will think you a threat, Sord. Ask Velen. I'm nothing but a lost piece of rubble, a rat. He'll follow me to throw rocks at and you can go through stones." Sord didn't look any happier than Velen guessed the dragon was, the way the blanket was shifting. "And what if you are caught and cannot come across, Kell? We cannot go without you." "Better me than him." Sord shook his head and Velen wondered if either Sord or Gerri would continue without Kell. If one was caught, were they all? "This is madness," ground out Sord. "Yes. All of this is." Kell smiled at Sord, the look sad. "Where will I meet you?" "Velen?" Sord asked, the word like a growl. He thought a moment and then nodded. "There are trees about a quarter mile down on the other side of the river. We can wait there." Sord sighed. "All right. But Kell. If you don't meet us there we will be coming back for you. All three of us, so no heroics." "No. No, I am no hero. Go now." Kell started singing, laughing, bumbling up toward the guard, stumbling like a drunkard. Sord looked very unhappy, but he uncovered the dragon. "Come on, we must go while Kell has the guard's attention."

Velen was happy to get moving, but he did wonder if the dragon would allow it. Granted, he didn't have any experience with them, but Gerri looked what he would call very unhappy. Gerri rumbled, the sound vibrating and low, big head swinging. Kell's drunken song grew louder, more strident. Velen hissed at Sord. "We need to move now or he's doing this for nothing." Sord nodded and put a hand on the dragon, making those odd noises that Velen realized now were words. He wondered idly how one learned to speak dragon, if there were schools for it or something in the dragon land. He made his way into the water, half walking, half swimming as he worked his way to the other side. He didn't look back to see if they were following, he could hear the splashing. Gerri overtook him, heading straight for the trees, moving at an astonishing speed. Sord came up alongside him, moving quickly though not as fast as the dragon. "Do you need help?" He pulled away. "No." He did not. He could pull his own weight. The dragon was calling, pacing, tail swishing violently, teeth flashing. They could no longer hear Kell's song. Once they were out of the water and in the trees, Sord turned, crouching, watching out for the boy. Velen leaned against a trunk, watched Sord and the dragon. All this worry for a street rat. As if the dragon could hear his thoughts -- and what if they could, heavens and bright lights preserve him -- Gerri turned and growled, snapping at the air. He pressed himself back against the tree. "Sord... control the dragon." Sord looked back, looked amused by him. "Men do not control dragons, Velen." The dragon paced, the growls growing louder and louder until a distant splashing sounded. Sord broke away from the cover of the trees and strode into the water, going out to meet Kell. At least Velen hoped it was Kell -- he very much did not want to be left alone with the dragon. Kell was stumbling a little, one eye already beginning to swell, but the look on the street rat's face was victorious. Sord's arm was around him, hurrying him along and Velen sneered. Fools, the pair of them. Still, fools who'd managed to escape the city walls with a dragon in tow. Gerri stared at him, scales clattering, rustling. Threatening.

The dragon could hear his thoughts! He called out to the pair of them. "Hurry, before this beast eats me!" "Gerri, don't. He'll give you a bellyache!" The street rat sounded overjoyed. Sord laughed and said something in the dragon language. He turned his back on them all. He didn't need to be laughed at. "Should we keep going, Sord? Keep walking?" The boy laughed as the dragon pounced him, nuzzling and purring, loving on the boy. "Yes, now that we're away from the city we must get as far as possible. Can you run, Kell? Gerri will be able to keep up with us." Velen noticed that he was not consulted. "I can. I want him away from here." Kell started running, the little rat moving quickly. Darting. "Does he even know where he's going?" Velen asked. "He's moving in the right direction and Gerri knows how to get home. So do I. Come on, lets move." Sord headed out after the dragon and the street rat. "Hey. How about some food? I've hardly eaten in the last few days -- you can't expect me to keep up!" "We can leave you behind at any time," Sord pointed out. Gerri and Kell moved together, the sounds floating back unbelievably happy, ecstatic. The sound seemed to make Sord happy, the man smiling and the handsome face turned simply beautiful with it. Velen felt a tug in his belly. Nothing made him look like that, made him feel like Gerri and Kell did. He followed Sord toward the plains, hoping to find something out here the city could not give him.

Chapter Four They ran until he couldn't run any farther, and then they ran more. Kell couldn't see, couldn't breathe, couldn't do anything but run and rejoice in the fact they were free. Gerri was right there, pushing him, driving them so hard, so fast. Sord seemed tireless, occasionally taking the lead, but mostly bringing up the rear, keeping the stupid noble moving. It was Sord who called for a stop as the sun began to come up, the sky lightening. Sord pointed to the mountains ahead of them. "That is where we are going." Gerri nodded, rustling. "Home. Ho-o-o-o-ome." Kell shivered, nodded. "Yes, Gerri. Home." Sord clapped him on the shoulder. "It is beautiful, Kell. Clean and fresh, the open sky above you. You will be cherished there." "Cherished?" He blinked, unbelieving. He was just... Kell. "You are a dragon keeper now, Kell. Keepers are the only humans who live on the mountains." Velen cleared his throat. "What of me then?" "I don't know," Sord told the noble. "I'm going to hand you over to the dragon council. It will be up to them." Gerri purred and nodded, nuzzling him. "Don't worry about the stranger, Kell. My father will handle him. We will play together, swim, fly, laugh. Together." It sounded like magic. Sord nodded, face full of anticipation. "Rafon will take care of everything." Velen sighed, looking back toward the city. It loomed behind them, rising up from the plains like a giant or a monster. Kell leaned against Gerri, heart just pounding. "The sky... it's so big out here." "Yes." Sord looked up, smiling. "I can finally breathe again." Gerri chattered and sang, overjoyed and excited, the song filling the air. "Everyone have a drink and we will continue,” Sord ordered.

"By all that is holy, can we please have something to eat as well?" Velen did look rather pale. Kell dug out a fruit from his bag, cutting it in half. He gave half to Gerri, but threw the other to the noble. He would let no one starve. Velen wasn't fast enough and the fruit dropped to the ground, but the man picked it up without a word, wiped it off and ate it as if starving. "There should be game for Gerri to catch in a day or two," Sord noted. "And we should be safe making a fire then, as well." "How many days, Sord, until we arrive?" Sord looked back the way they’d come and then toward the mountains they were heading to. "We're traveling a little slower than I would alone. I'd say three." "So many? It looks closer than that." The mountain looked huge, vast. "We are not moving as quickly as Gerri or I could on our own." Sord shrugged. "And once we are at the foothills we begin to climb." Velen moaned dramatically. "We could still send you back," Sord suggested. "No, no. I'm fine. If the trip doesn't kill me." Sord rolled his eyes. Kell chuckled, then started laughing as Gerri tickled him, claws maddening. Laughing with them, Sord pounced on Gerri and fought with him, keeping him from tickling Kell. He leaned back onto soft grass, relaxing, chuckling, so happy. Free. They were free. *** By the time they reached the foothills of the Rokonnen, Sord was more than ready to be home. Between Velen's complaining and moaning and Kell and Gerri's unbounded happiness, he was grumpy to say the least. He needed his own Rafon in the worst way. It had been days and days without the great dragon's presence in his life and he could feel the anger over it inside him, building.

He had never been away from Rafon for more than a day before and had not known how it would affect him. He had not expected this anger inside him. He was almost happier to spend time with Velen than with Gerri and Kell, for Velen at least was as miserable as he. He tried not to let Gerri and Kell know of his feelings, for he was ashamed of them. Kell came over, hands full of berries, eyes awake, alive under the matted mass of hair. "I found berries!" He found a smile for the boy. "Then we can stop for awhile. Rest." "Oh, thank the gods." Velen sank to the ground dramatically. "I will be crippled for life after this." Sord actually chuckled. Velen's theatrics were hard to believe, the man seemed to grow heartier the further they got from the city, as if his soul recognized how good it was here among the mountains. "Give the noble first choice, lest he fade away." He winked at Kell. Kell nodded, wandering over to Velen, berries staining the thin fingers. Velen held his own hands out eagerly. "Thank you, Kell." Sord wondered when Velen had started using Kell's name. Kell smiled, nodded. "They're sweet and tart." Those dark eyes flashed back at him, dancing. "I can hear them, you know? All of them, singing. Gerri says his father is calling your name." "What?" He stood and strained to hear. But all he could hear was the angry thumping of his heart. He closed his eyes and cleared his mind, searched for Rafon's presence. It hit him suddenly, like a punch from Rafon's powerful arms and he fell from the strength of it. Kell held him, calling for Gerri, for help. Even Velen came to help him up and he sat there, shook his head, trying to clear it. Gerri bowled him over again and he decided lying down was okay. He blinked up at them, feeling Rafon's song within him. "I can feel him." Gerri' head tossed, eyes worried. "He comes. He is... concerned." "It's my fault. I closed myself off because it hurt so much, not having his presence with me." If he hadn't been so weak, he would likely have felt Rafon's presence days ago. Gerri nodded. "Soon. Before night falls. The trees are ringing with it."

He smiled up at the young dragon, smiling. "Yes. Is there a good place nearby to camp? He can reach us much faster than we can get to him." "Oh, I'm all for stopping," piped up Velen, hands and mouth stained purple from the berries. He chuckled. "Can you hear my soul's own mate?" he asked the noble, curious. Now that he'd opened himself back up to the dragon's call, it was like his own heartbeat, moving through him. Velen shook his head. "I don't hear anything." "That's too bad," Sord said quietly. He could not imagine going through life without the dragon's song. He could hear them all now, just as Kell could, a song of welcome to friends and warning to foes, a song of joy for the high sky above them. And stronger than any of them, stronger even than Gerri's song was his Rafon. "Can you hear my Rafon, Kell?" Kell nodded, eyes dancing. "Everywhere, not as strong and sweet as Gerri, but there." He chuckled. "No, not sweet. Not my Rafon. He is strong. Magnificent. There is no song like his." He struggled to stand. "Let me up, I'm fine." He would not let Rafon find him lying on the ground like a helpless child. Kell helped him up, then went to Gerri, who was pacing, worrying, fretting like a... A... A youngling. A child. Which, in so many ways, Gerri still was. "Gerri." He waited until he had the dragon's attention and then he smiled. "He'll be happy to see you, Gerri." "I want to see him, too. I have been... missing him. He is my father." Those copper eyes landed on Kell. "And I have my Keeper to introduce." He nodded. Rafon would save the punishments and lectures for another day. Today there was much to celebrate. He could feel Rafon approaching and he strode up the hill, no longer able to wait. The beautiful, strong body came running, calling for him, for Gerri, Rafon’s power ringing through the air. He ran to meet Rafon, trusting those strong arms to catch him as their bodies met.

One minute he was running, the next he was held tight against Rafon's heat, the song singing through him. His own song joined in. He was home. Rafon's tail swirled around him, held him. "My own. My Sord. You brought my son back to me." "Your son and more, my Rafon." He grinned, not really wanting to be put down, but knowing that Gerri and Rafon needed their reunion as well. "And if you put me down, you'll find out what I mean." "More? Is he well? Is he sane? Did he explain himself?" Ah, his beloved dragon could look fierce. He hugged Rafon hard. "Come see for yourself, Rafon. All is well." Gerri burst from the trees, dragging poor Kell along, the little one stumbling, eyes wide. "Father! I found him! This is Kell, my Keeper!" He laughed, Gerri so eager. He couldn't blame the dragonlet. It was a big thing, when Keeper and Dragon came together. "Put me down, Rafon. I'm not going anywhere." Rafon snorted, but set him down gently, tail staying around him. No, he would not be going anywhere. "I'm sorry I left, Father, but I dreamt of Kell and when I woke, I was gone and Kell was there and isn't he perfect?" Sord didn't laugh. Even if the temptation to do so when Rafon looked at the tiny, filthy, unkempt human with berry-stained lips was huge. Rafon bent his head and sniffed Kell, peering at him carefully. "You claim you are my son's keeper?" "No. No, I claim nothing. I just love him." "Oh? And I see his tail has been cut. Are you responsible for that?" Rafon's tone was stern. "I couldn't stop them. I tried." Kell was shaking, but didn't back away, didn't run. "He is not." Gerri growled, wrapping around Kell, teeth snapping in a direct challenge. "He saved me and they hurt him and you won't blame him." Rafon snapped back at Gerri. "You will be quiet while I examine this little slip of a thing you claim is your keeper. I will deal with you later."

"Sh. Sh, Gerri. Don't get in trouble for me. I'm fine. I am." Kell stroked Gerri' jaw, humming, soothing Gerri easily. Sord could see Rafon trying not to smile, could feel it. "He is already in trouble. The question is, are you as well?" "Am I what?" Kell looked utterly confused, a little green around the gills. "Are you in trouble with me? Did you lure my son away to the city?" Rafon growled, the sound making the ground shake. "I... I don't know." One single tear escaped Kell's control, trailing through the dust on the boy's face. "He says I called him. He says he heard me, but I didn't know." Sord curled his fingers into fists. He couldn't interfere, but his heart went out to Kell. The boy hadn't asked for this, but he'd protected Gerri with his life. Still the dragons were not humans and Kell would have to become used to their ways. It was Velen who stepped in. "You're worse than a virgin princess' father. Look at the boy's back if you need proof of his loyalty." Rafon's growl grew louder, truly fierce. "Sord? What is this?" "His name is Velen. He wanted to come. We needed his help." "You risked my anger for this man?" "I brought him to you, to the council." He found Rafon far less intimidating than Kell did -- he knew that Rafon would not hurt him. Rafon glared and turned his attention back to Kell. "Show me this back of yours." Kell turned, raised the torn tunic, exposing the bruises, the wounds that would become scars, permanent marks. "How did this happen?" demanded Rafon. Gerri stepped forward, eyes on the ground. "Kell helped me and the wizards captured him, tried to make him tell where I was, tried to make him betray me." "And you did not, did you, little one? This one may be small, but he has the heart of a dragon!" Rafon's growls had turned to purrs and one clawed hand reached out and tilted Kell's chin up. "You are part of a dragon family now." The tears did start then, Kell sagging and shaking, Gerri holding him close, cradling him.

"Why is he crying?" demanded Rafon. "This is a good thing." Sord chuckled. "They're good tears, Rafon." "Good tears? There is such a thing?" Velen sniffed. "Yes. Something we humans do on occasion. Though mostly the girls." Rafon growled again. "Sord, not only did you bring me a human, but you taught him our language?" Sord blinked, startled, realizing that Velen was indeed speaking in the dragon tongue. "I did not." "Not on purpose anyway," drawled Velen, his accent raw, strange. "I am good with languages." Gerri sang softly to Kell, rocking and holding him, staring at Velen. "My Keeper is not weak, human. He is tired, hungry. Hurt." "And crying. Because the big bad dragon scared him." Rafon roared and Velen whimpered, cowering. Sord grinned and rubbed his head along the warm chest, feeling the power of that roar. His dragon. His big, strong, wonderful dragon. Kell blushed dark, slapping at his cheeks, chin lifting. "I am not scared, you coward. You know nothing." "Enough," snarled Rafon. "Sord, I am not happy you brought this interloper with you, but we will hand him over to the council and let them decide. In the meantime..." Rafon bent to look right into Velen's eyes. "Do not speak again." Gerri made a soft, distracting noise, drawing Kell away from Velen, making Kell laugh. "He helped us get away, Rafon. And he has not harmed anyone." Sord felt sorry for Velen. "I have seen the way he speaks to Gerri' keeper. Why do you defend him?" "Because he does it because he's jealous of Kell." Velen's mouth opened, protest clear on his face but a low growl and a look from Rafon had Velen closing his mouth again. Sord definitely felt sorry for the man.

Gerri looked over, brows lowered. "Kell's been kind to him! Offered him berries and food. He calls my Keeper a rat..." "The ways of the city are not our own. I do not believe he is malicious." Sord didn't know why he was defending Velen. Now that they were in dragon territory, the man was not his problem, but he couldn't help but hope Velen would find what he was searching for. Kell looked up. "He is bad-tempered and spoiled and lost, but he cannot hurt me. Not now." Velen was bristling, glaring at them all, but remaining quiet. Sord sighed. "Let’s go home." Gerri nodded, then barreled into his father, the youthful enthusiasm and love overflowing. Sord laughed, unable to remain sad in the face of this reunion. "You're still in trouble," warned Rafon before hugging the dragonlet and purring heartily. Gerri nodded, purring, holding on and just singing. Sord moved over to Kell, supporting the boy as Gerri and Rafon sang, their voices rising to the big sky, filling it with love and happiness and the fierceness of the dragons. He didn't get far though, Rafon's tail refusing to let him get out of reach. It felt good. It felt like home. *** Velen was scared. Not just a little frightened or apprehensive, but downright scared. He'd gotten the wrong idea of what a dragon was based on Gerri. Compared to Rafon, Gerri was small, not dangerous at all. If Rafon was representative of most dragons... well, he couldn't believe that any wizard had actually seen a real dragon before, not any that lived certainly. And that he wasn't welcome here... well Sord hadn't wanted to bring him but one look from the dragon, one roar and Velen had been convinced that Sord hadn't been emphatic enough. Still. He'd listened to Kell and Sord speaking with Gerri, had taught himself the language in the days they'd traveled together and that was something, it proved he was... well a fast study at languages, but he hoped it would carry some weight with the dragons because he found, scared as he was, that he wanted to stay here in the big mountains under the enormous sky. He most definitely did not want to be sent back and he was equally certain he did not wish to become a dragon's next meal or in any other way dead.

He also didn't really want to be separated from Sord. He'd even take Kell as companion if it was that or being left alone with the dragons. For now he stayed quiet, tried to stay out of the way as the dragons and their keepers talked and sang and hugged. Actually he liked the hugging. It made the dragons a tiny bit less scary. He heard Rafon's quiet suggestion to Sord that someone take Kell and help him clean, groom him, and almost laughed. The little rat was disgusting, the clothes worse. But Kell wasn't the only one who needed to bathe. No, not at all. Sord must have agreed and it seemed Velen himself was to be included in this cleaning and grooming, as Sord led Kell over to him. "Come on, Velen. There's a stream coming down off the mountain. We'll wash the stink of the city off ourselves." Kell didn't meet his eyes, held onto Sord's hand. With all the dirt gone, Kell might simply disappear. It was a pleasant thought. He followed the two of them, breathing a bit lighter as the dragons disappeared from view. Sord dug through his pockets and came up with a small pot. "Salve for your back, Kell. For when we're done." Kell nodded, smiled. "Is there soapwort here, Sord? You told me about it and I want to see a plant that makes bubbles." Sord grinned and picked a half dozen small round leaves from a low-growing plant. Velen snorted. "As if a plant could make soap. Sord just smiled. "Don't worry about being naked. The dragons will not let anyone disturb us." The leather outfit was removed, revealing a lean body with hard muscles, a hunter, a fighter. Velen purred. Perhaps this was a part of the draw of living out here. Kell stripped, the thin body marred and bruised, scarred and marked. It was an obscenity. Ugly. Velen couldn't quite believe the wizards would do that. The guard maybe, but not the wizards. It made him shudder, made him ashamed that he wanted to be a part of that. He turned away. "You need to wash, too," Sord told him. "Unless you think you're too good for us." It took everything he had not to stick his tongue out at the man.

Kell slid into the water, peeping at the cold, dark eyes wide. "Oh. Oh, chilly!" Sord nodded. "Rafon is offended by the smell of the city, though, and we need to get your back cleaned so it can heal." Velen stripped off his own clothes and strode into the water. He wasn't skinny like Kell, but he would be left wanting if he was compared to Sord's whipcord muscles. To his surprise, Sord's plants did suds up and clean them, Kell's laughter and excitement contagious. Kell was surprisingly pale, unmarked skin fine. The curls crowning the man's -- and Kell was a man, not a boy as the slight frame suggested -- groin a surprising copper. Surprise after surprise with these two and Velen felt his body tightening. Who would have thought that he'd be the ugly duckling when he kept the company of a wild dragon man and a street rat? He sank into the cold water to his neck, letting the cold keep his balls tight up against his body and his cock soft. Sord and Kell got into an argument when it came time to clean Kell's hair, Sord insisting Kell needed to dunk his head. Kell shook his head, eyes a little panicked. "No. No, I'll drown. Please. It will freeze me." "I'll hold onto you, Kell and you'll only be down for a moment, but if you don't wet it through I can't clean it and... well. It needs to be cleaned." "I'll vouch for that," Velen added. The long ends were already wet, loosening up, the dark mass teasing Velen with promise that it could be lovely. He went over to them and touched Kell's cheek. "I think it might make you quite beautiful, to have it clean and neat." Sord gave him a surprised look, but that was nothing compared to the look Kell spared him. "I..." Kell looked stunned, as if never complimented, never offered a kindness before. "Come on, let Sord dip your head, I'd like to see what color this really is." "You won't drop me? Promise?" At Sord's nod, Kell leaned back, almost landing in Velen’s arms. He wound up helping Sord dunk Kell, and they had to do it twice before the worst of the mud was gone and the long, matted hair completely wet. Then Sord worked up more bubbles with the plant leaves and started washing Kell's hair. "Go get a couple more leaves, Velen and give me a hand."

Kell's eyes were squeezed closed, the slender body shivering, oddly fine held between them. He nodded and went to pick a few more of the leaves, making sure he picked them from the same plant Sord had. He didn't really want to screw up and poison the boy -- Kell. Not a boy. He returned and helped suds up the plants and work it into the tangled matt that was Kell's hair. Ick. Still, as the dirt left, the dark became copper, the dull strands catching the sun and matching the colors in Gerri' eyes and scales. "Beautiful," murmured Velen. "Do you have a brush, Sord?" Sord nodded. "At home. We'll use our fingers for now." They carefully worked the snarls from Kell's hair, the thin body resting between them, nearly asleep. They worked well together, surprisingly enough and by the time they were done, Velen thought that once it was dry, Kell's hair would be magnificent, all tumbling auburn curls. Interesting what all that dirt hid. Sort of how the finery hid his own ordinariness. Kell was asleep now, though, and Sord smiled, shook his head. The boy was exhausted. He helped Sord get Kell into his arms without drowning him and then followed them out. "His clothes will ruin the washing if you put them back on him." "So we'll wash them, too." Sord put Kell down carefully in the grass and tossed the filthy leggings at him. Oh, disgusting. Filthy. Awful! How could anyone wear those? Sord gave him a look. "Take some of the soapleaf and wash them, Velen. Don't make me get Rafon." He did stick his tongue out this time and Sord only laughed at him, the sound... quite nice. Sord took the shirt, began to wash, but it simply dissolved, nothing left of it at all. And when Velen attempted to clean the leggings the same thing happened. "Now what?" "Give him your shirt, it will be large enough to cover him until we get home and we can alter some of mine."

"I will not -- give him yours!" "It would be a positive gesture," Sord said quietly. "You are going to the dragon council, do you really want them to believe you have no redeeming qualities?" Well. If Sord insisted on putting it that way... He took his own linen shirt, washing it and setting it to dry in the sun before starting on his leggings. Sord washed his shirt, but the leather jacket and pants were only hung over a branch, left to air out in the sunshine. The long, lean body drew his gaze, as did Kell's slender form and again he felt his cock take notice and he had to turn his back to them. Kell moaned, stretching under the sunshine before sitting up, hair tumbling everywhere. And that wasn't going to help his prick go down at all, not that fresh, clean, just tumbled out of bed look. "I'm going back," he muttered, pulling on his wet leggings and marching back the way they'd come. At least the dragons wouldn't make him hard.

Chapter Five Kell held his own until about halfway up the mountain. Then the air got thin, his heart pounding violently and he swayed, managing a bare gasp of warning before he fell to his knees. Gerri growled, nudging him, knocking him over, making the world spin. Sord came and put an arm around his shoulder, helping him sit and putting the water skin to his mouth. The spring water in the skin was still cold and so good, refreshing. "It's the air, Kell. It takes getting used to." "I...I... Dizzy..." He held onto Sord, swaying. Sord nodded. "Just take it easy and breathe shallowly. You're trying too hard to get extra air into your lungs to make up for it being thinner." Kell panted, Gerri holding him, rocking him, clicking and purring. "Well if we're stopping, I'm sitting, too." Velen sat heavily. "Who's idea was it to live so far up?" Gerri chuckled. "The Great Wyrm's." Sord grinned. "Can't argue with a god." Velen snorted. "Well, you could, but it won't get you anywhere." "Except cursed," suggested Sord. "No... no curses. I don't want curses." Kell grinned, just a little giddy. Sord pet him. "No, we are doing as the Great Wyrm wished, joining with our Dragons, keeping them. You will get used to the air, Kell. It is just hard at first." "Okay. I... I'll try." He smiled up at Sord. It was still so amazing, that they were free. "Gerri can help," Sord told him. "As can I, if my son will allow it," suggested Rafon. Gerri blinked over at Rafon, the look wondering. "I will carry him, Gerri. Sord can help the interloper." "Name's Velen," Velen put in.

"Yes, Father." Gerri helped him up, helped him stand. His blood rushed and he swayed. Rafon's strong arm came around him and he was half supported, half carried and propelled forward. Oh. Oh. It was like magic. No, not like magic. It was magic. Sord chuckled. "Lucky Kell. Come on, Velen, you'll have to make do with me." "Well I'm not sure the dragon would let me live, so I think you'll do quite nicely, Sord." Kell looked back, smiled. "Sord is quite nice. Strong, too." Rafon growled softly and it took a moment or two for Kell to realize it was purring. "He is the best." Kell nodded. "Almost as wonderful as Gerri." Rafon laughed, the sound deep, going right through him. "I could not pick between my son and my keeper." "Why would you have to?" He looked up, smiled. "There's enough heart for more than one." Rafon's growling purr made him feel good. "You are very bright for your age." "I have twenty summers, Rafon. That is almost old." Rafon laughed again. "Not in dragon years." "Dragons live much longer than we do," Sord said. "Rafon is--" "Old enough, thank you, Sord," cut in the dragon. "But..." Kell looked up at Rafon. "Will I live long enough to be with Gerri forever?" "It is likely. Keepers are different than regular humans." Rafon leaned in and said quietly. "Better." "I heard that," snapped Velen. Kell giggled, eyes meeting Gerri's. "I am your Keeper." Gerri nodded, beamed. "Yes. You are." Sord's laughter came from behind them, happy. "I'm feeling distinctly second class here," complained Velen.

"Now you know what it is like," murmured Sord. Kell met Sord's eyes, partially ashamed, partially in agreement. Rafon sighed. "There are no classes. There are only dragons and not dragons." It was almost an apology. "And those the dragon's love," Kell dared to suggest. "Yes." Rafon's approval warmed him. "A dragon's love is like nothing else," murmured Sord. "I am sorry, Velen, that you have never felt it." "I'll manage," muttered Velen, sounding breathless. "Maybe someone's calling him, Sord. Maybe some dragon that only he can hear." Kell liked that idea, liked the thought that Velen was with them for a reason. "Maybe." Rafon growled softly. "It is a thought. He can after all, speak our tongue." "It's a nice thought, but I don't hear anything," Velen told them. "I don't hear Rafon or Gerri or any of these 'songs' you claim to hear." "I didn't either, until Gerri showed me. I thought it was just... life." Just normal noise. "Thank you, Kell," said Velen quietly, sounding more and more winded. "I appreciate the thought." He smiled over. It was hard to dislike anyone with the dragons so close, so happy. Velen smiled back, blue eyes honest and sincere, pretty. He felt his blush rising, and he duckedg behind his hair, pleased. The breeze had picked up, the air fresh and clear and Rafon and Gerri both were growling softly, happily. "Almost home," murmured Sord. "Home... Honest? For me, too?" he asked, still not quite able to believe it. Sord smiled at him, the dark eyes so warm. “Yes, Kell. Your home now is with Gerri. Wherever he is, so shall you be found. It is the way of things.” “It is a good way,” said Rafon, deep voice rumbling through Kell.

Poor Velen looked sad, but he didn’t say anything, only panted more and more harshly. "Oh, I have never had a home before. Never." He was excited, thrilled. "Never?" asked Rafon, voice becoming growlier. "No..." He looked up, blinked. "Is that a problem?" "It is wrong, that you should never have had a home." Rafon turned, Kell still tucked in his arm, and glared at Velen. "Is this how the city treats its young?" Velen paused and nodded. "If they don't have money, yes." Gerri looked over at him, then Sord. "Money? What is money, Sord?" "Something some humans use to keep others beneath them." Velen made a noise and Sord looked at the man. "Am I incorrect?" "It is a barter system. If I have something you want, you give me coins and then I use the coins to get something I want but do not have from someone else." "Why do they not give you what you need?" Rafon asked. Kell blinked, shook his head. "Because they don't have to." "It isn't our way," noted Rafon. "Those who can, do, those who can't are helped." "And who would argue with a dragon?" asked Velen, drily. Kell looked over at Velen. "You did not have to leave the city. You know it is bad, too." Velen met his eyes and nodded. "There is no middle ground. Those who have are fat and bored and they do not share with those who struggle for each morsel. The problem is that they are so wrapped up in their intrigues and politics, they cannot see beyond them. I would not be surprised if my disappearance has still not been discovered," Velen admitted. "But you told us there would be a search party coming for you!" Sord had stopped and was shooting glares at Velen. "You had me captive at the time, Sord." Rafon laughed, the deep growling noise against Kell.

"I'm glad you escaped the city." He met Velen's eyes, found a smile. He believed Velen would be lost there. Velen smiled back. "You know what, Kell? So am I. You and your dragon and I were well met." Sord snorted and Velen grinned. "You, too, Sord." Kell leaned into Rafon's chest, nodding. Peaceful. Happy. He could feel Sord's eyes on him, and Velen's as well, both jealous of his place if he read them right. He closed his eyes, embarrassed. Ashamed. Rafon growled softly and jiggled him. "You are in a dragon's arms, little one. Why are you saddened?" He blinked up, cheeks heating. "Because Sord misses you and Velen wants a dragon to love him and I'm just... Me." Rafon growled and frowned, breathing heavily a moment. "You are not in a dragon's arms by your choice, little one. It is an honor and you will accept it as one who is worthy of it. ‘Just you’ is who I chose to carry." "It is. It is an honor." He reached up, hugging Rafon's neck. "Thank you." Rafon made a chuffing noise, sounding pleased. "You have too soft a heart, keeper of my son." "His heart is just right. Just right for me." Gerri beamed at him, eyes glowing. Rafon laughed, the deep sounds again shaking Kell. "Oh, the new bond is sweet, special." He smiled, caught in Gerri's eyes. "You have the most amazing song." Gerri preened, nodded. Another laugh from Rafon and then they were cresting a peak, and he was set down in a small clearing backed on one side by a cave carved right into the side of the mountain. "Our home," murmured Rafon, one clawed hand gently touching the top of his head. "Welcome." "Oh..." His eyes went wide. Beautiful. It was beautiful. So beautiful it almost hurt.

There were trees on either side of the clearing and when he turned, he could see that the crest they had walked over meant they were higher than their surroundings and he could see down the mountain, past the foothills and the long plains they'd crossed. And if he squinted he could even see the city, tiny and far away on the horizon. "Can I stay forever? Please?" It was the prettiest place he'd ever seen. Rafon laughed. "I think you will find you cannot leave. This is my and Gerri's home. You and Sord belong here with us. It is the way of things." Sord and Velen appeared suddenly, coming over the crest and falling together. Rafon immediately went to his keeper, unhappy grunts sounding, the large claws gentle as they touched Sord. "I'm okay, Rafon. Just hard work the last little bit with Velen." Gerri wrapped around Kell, low voice singing and telling him stories of the valley, of the life they would have, completely distracting him. And then Rafon was moving them all to the sit around a small hearth dug into the ground. There was water and food offered, shared, even with Velen as if he were one of them, belonged. He clung to Gerri, hands on the smooth scales. Overwhelmed. He was utterly overwhelmed. Rafon seemed to know and chuckled at him. "Just wait, little one, until you meet the others." He smiled. He would forever be ‘little one’ here. He would forever be home. *** Rafon was very pleased. Very. He had his son back. He had his keeper back. Oh, his Sord -- how terrible to be parted from this man who was the better part of him. And Gerri had a keeper of his own now. It was very hard to be stern, to be the punishing parent in the light of Gerri' obvious joy. And he would have done the same for his own keeper. Certainly he had turned his nose up at convention and when Sord had appeared in front of him, such a little boy still, he had taken Sord in, become mother and father to the boy. Keeper to his own keeper.

He chuckled and Sord looked up from his place by the fire, dark eyes so happy. Oh, yes, Rafon was not the only one who had suffered in the days that Sord had been gone. For a good cause, certainly, but gone. Gone. It would not do to happen again. He reached out and stroked Sord's cheek with his claw. His keeper's eyes closed, head leaning into the caress. Rafon growled softly. Yes. Yes, my Sord. The interloper, Velen, watched them closely, not saying anything, just watching. Rafon could see that Velen understood this bond was special. That made up for some not so good things about him in Rafon's eyes. "We have guests," he said suddenly. "Well. A guest and a newcomer -- one cannot be a guest in one's home." Kell blushed, plastered against Gerri' side. His son looked as pleased as a dragonlet could, so proud. "There should be food. I knew you were coming home, Sord, I caught your favorite." "Rabbit?" "Yes, yes. A half dozen and three deer, for Gerri and myself." Gerri purred, beaming at him. "Oh, father. I haven't had meat in days." What did those city humans live on? Sord chuckled. "Don't worry, Rafon, Kell has taken good care of Gerri, has made sure he had the most and the best of what was on offer." "It doesn't sound like there was much on offer." He was not impressed. "He had fruit and fresh water. Every day." Gerri' Keeper had a very, very stubborn chin. "Indeed." He had a feeling it would not do to laugh at the little one. He knew his own keeper had suffered much teasing from the other dragons. "A dragon cannot live on fruit and water forever though." Kell looked up at Gerri, took the long face in his little hands. "You must tell me everything you need, Gerri. I will keep you well and safe. I swear it." Rafon was moved. It was beautiful, the way Gerri's keeper cared for him. Oh, all keepers cared so deeply, but this was his Gerri's keeper. His dear son's other half. Gerri nodded, tail wrapping around the newest member of their family, holding Kell close.

Rafon purred and wrapped his own tail around his own keeper. "Velen, do you prefer fruit as well?" "I like meat well enough, but not as a steady diet." Rafon harrumphed and tried not to judge the man for his food habits. Sord was warm, leaning into him, eyes fond as they watched Gerri and Kell. Kell was enraptured, Gerri's energies so much stronger here in their lair. "The change in him is amazing," murmured Velen. "Change?" Rafon asked. "Well, being clean has made a huge difference, but he is... he glows here. So does Sord." The interloper sounded melancholy. Rafon couldn't blame the man, being a keeper was special. Sord smiled. "I am doing what I am meant to do. So is Kell. It is very fulfilling." Rafon nodded. "It is a magical thing, to know your place in the world." "Oh, yes. It is. I have spent most of my life searching for that place." Velen sounded as if he did know. Kell looked over at the outsider, smiled. "You'll find it." Velen looked at Kell, startled. "What makes you think so?" "I can feel it. Everywhere. This place... It doesn't let people in that it doesn't want..." Rafon smiled. Out of the mouth of innocence... "The little one is right. Sord brought you for a reason. I let you in for a reason." "I would like to think you are right. I surely can't return. Not after having been here." Gerri did something that made Kell laugh, the sound beautiful and rich as it echoed. Rafon purred. "You seem to know all about us, little one. Even if you've never been here before." "I just... I just listen." "It is a good way to be smart." Rafon would have loved Gerri's keeper anyway just because he was Gerri's keeper, but the boy was smart, sweet, beautiful. He belonged.

Of course so did the outsider. He didn't understand it, how this Velen fit in, but he didn't just belong with the dragons, he belonged here, Rafon could feel it. Kell smiled over, hand stroking Gerri' scales. "Thank you, Rafon." "You are welcome, little one. And if there is anything I can do to make you feel more at home, you must say so. It was awhile before I realized that my Sord preferred to sleep with furs in the winter!" Kell laughed again, as did Sord, hands warm and sure against his scales. "It is a thing as old as the hills," he told Kell and Velen, Sord had heard the tales of the Dragons many times -- they had been a favorite thing before bedtime. "No one knows who the first keeper was or exactly why there are keepers for each dragon." "Every dragon has his own? Oh, how wonderful." Kell crowed, hugging Gerri. "Everyone should have this." "Most are not found so early in a dragon's life. I believe Gerri might have pushed things by searching for you, but our family has never done things 'normally' so I suppose he is just following tradition in his own way." "And there are far more humans in the world than dragons, Kell, so not everyone can experience it." Sord was looking at Velen as he said it. The human sighed, looked away, but Kell just nodded to Sord. "I just want to love him forever." Sord agreed. "You will get your chance, Kell. It feels like forever, anyway. And yet it is not time enough." "You will get your chance, Velen," murmured Rafon. "I feel it." "You don't have to humor me, dragon." Rafon laughed. "Dragons do not 'humor' humans, not even their keepers." Kell smiled. "Your father's laugh is much like yours, Gerri." Rafon laughed again and Sord grinned. "You can't help but smile or laugh along when a dragon laughs." Gerri nodded. "I want to show Kell everything, Father. The ponds, the peaks, introduce him to everyone -- Grandmother, the elders. Everyone."

"Yes, everyone would like to meet him as well, I am sure. We must deal with the Interlo- I mean Velen and then we will have a celebration with all the dragons to welcome Kell properly. There has not been a keeper celebration yet in your lifetime, Gerri. You will enjoy it." "A celebration? For...for me?" Kell paled, leaned towards Gerri. "But that's so big." "It is not often that a keeper comes along, Kell. And aside from family, dragons keep to themselves. We might only all come together once every five years or so. This is a reason to celebrate! We must share our joy." "It is truly something to be a part of, Kell," Sord told the boy gently. "Will you be there, Sord?" "Of course! Everyone will." "Everyone who matters, anyway," muttered Velen. "Oh, you will be there, too," Rafon told him. "Everyone will be there to meet my son's keeper. There is nothing that would keep dragon or keeper from this." "But I am neither." "True. And yet you are here and here you are staying and therefore you will attend." Kell smiled, eyes dark and happy surrounded by the mass of copper curls. "Perhaps you will find your reason there." "I would like that, though I have no desire to find my reason anywhere but here." Velen blushed, but held his head high. Gerri chuckled. "Well, I will mate soon. Perhaps she calls you." "Perhaps. If I'm not being rude, where is your mother?" Velen asked. Rafon growled softly and bent his head. "She passed in the last great storm. She saved seven others before it took her. Arisk was a great dragon, strong and true." Sord leaned against him, petting him gently. Kell made a soft, sad noise. "And her Keeper?" Rafon shook his head. Keepers did not outlive their dragons for very long. "Utame was a beautiful woman."

Sord nodded. "Older than anyone I knew, her skin was like leather, her hair down to the ground. She and Arisk looked like each other -- it is said that happens when a dragon and keeper have been with each other many years." Kell smiled, hands on Gerri' cheeks. "Good. I would not want to be without you." Sord shuddered and Rafon put an arm around him, tugging him close. It was a subject that was not spoken of often. Gerri shook his head, pouncing the boy to the ground and knocking the wind from him, unable to resist the playful enthusiasm. Rafon laughed, Sord and Velen's chuckles joining in. "They are a good match. It will be a long and good joining." Sord nodded, smiling over at the boy, who was like beam of light, quick and bright and simply singing with the dragon-tongue. Rafon began his own song, singing to his keeper. Sord soon joined in, their voices making a perfect harmony.

Chapter Six Velen had eaten his fill and spent the night curled under a fur by the blanket. He hadn't slept much. He'd spent most of his time watching the two dragons and their keepers sleep, both men lying on the great dragon bellies, moving slightly as the dragons snored. He'd thought Gerri’s snores were bad – the dragon kid was nothing compared to his father. Velen ate sparingly at breakfast, nerves beginning to set in. He was going to be brought to the dragon council today. He had no idea what to expect. His hand itched for some dried tara leaf to smoke to calm his thoughts. Kell wandered over to him, offered him a smile. "It will be okay, Velen. You belong here." "I wish I was as sure as you. I know they seem marvelous to you, and they are -- but the dragons still scare me." Kell truly was a sweet boy, offering him comfort despite who he was. "They scare me, too, a little bit. Not Gerri, but the others?" Those dark eyes shone. "They're big." "Even Gerri is pretty big, Kell." He wanted to reach out and touch Kell's cheek, his lips. "He's not too big." Kell looked... it was amazing what sunlight and food and bathing and care had done. "No, I imagine you think he's perfect," Velen noted dryly. "No. He snores and sometimes he jumps on me, but I love him, so that's okay." He smiled. "Happiness looks good on you, Kell." "Does it?" The coppery curls were shoved back and he got a warm, happy grin. He swallowed and curled his fingers into his hands to keep from reaching out and touching. "It does." "Thank you." Kell leaned forward, kissed his cheek, then pulled back. "It'll be okay." His eyes widened and he could still feel the softness of Kell's lips on his skin. "I hope so." "Me, too." Up close, Kell's cheeks were dusted with the faintest freckles. He wanted to count them. With his tongue. Kell pinked, smiled at him. "Better now?" He couldn't help but smile back. "Yes. Thank you."

"Good." Kell leaned back, stretching under the sun. Velen licked his lips, watching Kell's tunic rise up, revealing a line of slender belly. He wanted Kell. Really wanted him. And not just because the boy cleaned up well. Velen looked away, eyes landing on Sord. Another man he wanted. He cleared his throat and searched for the dragons. They would be a safer subject to let his eyes wander to. Sord wandered over and Kell waved, the look in those dark eyes warm and happy. "Sord! Good morning." Sord sat with them, smiling, hand clapping Kell gently on the shoulder. "Good morning, Kell. I trust your first night home was a good one?" "It was... " Kell laughed, arms stretched out wide. "Huge." Sord laughed softly and reached over to rub Kell's belly. "You'll get used to it... little one." "I'm not that little!" Kell laughed again, eyes lit up. "Well not to me," Sord pointed out, just grinning. Velen felt another surge of jealousy go through him. They had the dragons and now this easy camaraderie. He felt... left out. Just like always. Sord reached for Kell again and Kell leaned back, head landing in his lap. "Oh. Hi." Chuckling, Sord smiled down at Kell, hand sliding his hair back from his face. It made Velen catch his breath -- it was like watching a flower open for the first time. These two would be lovers, he could feel it. Then Kell's eyes met his, the look honestly happy, fond, warm for him. It made him feel included, as if he would always have a place here, even if the dragons found no use for him. The moment was broken by Rafon, the big dragon coming over and stroking Sord's head. "It is time for us to go to the Council and present the Out-- Velen to them." Sord nodded. "I will come with you." "Should I come, too?" Kell reached out, holding his hand. He squeezed it. "I would like that, Kell. If it's allowed." Rafon rumbled. "It is."

"Good." Kell stayed close, the small hand holding his tight. "I trust you're feeling more used to the air, Velen?" Rafon asked him. He nodded. "Yes. It seems easier to breathe now." "Good. Then we will go." Sord stood went to the dragon's side They walked down across the clearing, the caves huge and dark, the dragons wandering, watching. They came to a large open area with an enormous rock at its center. Several dragons were already gathered around it, most bigger even than Rafon and Velen found himself slowing, swallowing. And he'd thought the wizard's circle and the prince's court had been intimidating. Kell squeezed his fingers. "You belong here. Remember." He gave Kell a warm smile. "I'll try." Sord shook his hand. "Good luck, Velen. And remember that they don't eat people." Sord winked, eyes dancing. Rafon chuckled, the sound rumbling, drawing the attention of the other dragons and Velen swallowed and took a breath and stepped forward. A huge dragon, scales as white as snow rose up, bright blue eyes fastening onto him. "Who have you brought to us, Keeper Sord?" "This is Velen. Um, of the line of Valchon. He comes to us from the city." "The first name you speak is true," said another dragon, this one quite as large as the first. "The second name is not. Nor is he from the city." "No, he is right," Velen corrected. "I am Velen of the line of Valchon, fourth son of Victor the Second. My father can trace his line back countless generations and all have lived in the city." The dragons shuffled, heads coming together with fierce whispers. "What are they doing?" Velen asked Sord. Sord only shrugged. "I don't know, we've never had a stranger here before." "They are the wisest of us," Rafon said, booming voice softer. "If anyone knows why you are here, they will."

"It's all so fascinating," murmured Velen. "I wish I had my charcoal and paper so I could record everything." "Do you draw?" Kell's eyes were huge, watching the dragons. "I do. And write a little. Songs. Poetry. Child's play." They were his father's words. "Songs? Really? I love songs." He nodded. "I think the dragons would make excellent song subjects. Although it seems they have their own songs." Kell nodded. "They do, but you could sing new songs..." "I would sing about how fearsome they are. And how magical." He gave Kell a soft smile. "I'm scared," he whispered. "That they'll send me away." "No. No, I don't think they will. I don't think they can. You belong here." "You’re so sure. You were sure about belonging with Gerri, too, about what to do for him." Kell nodded. "Yes. I know." "I envy that." "It's just who I am. Just like you are who you are." Any answer he might have made was forestalled by the dragons' attention returning to him, their discussions obliviously ended. "You are a puzzle, Velen not of the city. You will stay with us until we have solved you." "W...with you?" Kell squeezed his fingers as the largest dragon nodded. "Here. With us. The answer will come." "You will be safe," Sord told him. "The dragons will keep you safe and warm and guide you through your journey." "Can I stay with Rafon and Gerri?" he asked the large dragons, feeling so small and quiet beside them. "No. With us! With the council. It is a great honor."

"Of course." He knew that, despite the fact he was scared of what would become of him, he knew that. The great dragon reached for him, her hand cool and strong, drawing him close. He felt calmer as he put his tiny hand into her enormous claw and he gasped softly. This was the right course of action. He didn't know how he knew, but now that he was drawn close into the heart of the council, he simply knew. *** Sord didn't want to leave Velen on his own with the Dragon Council; after all, Velen was his responsibility and he felt he should stay with him. Of course when he suggested it, Rafon put his head to the side and said it was his choice and turned to go and Sord was not going to leave Rafon again any time soon, so he dutifully trotted after him. "Come on, Kell. The dragons will care for him." "But..." Kell looked torn, worried, maybe a little scared. "Can you hear Gerri calling for you?" Sord asked. Rafon had insisted Gerri stay behind and list everything they would need for the celebration. Those dark eyes seemed to clear, the worry fading at the mention of Gerri' name. Oh, the strength of a new bond. Chuckling, he took Kell's hand and together they trotted after Rafon. Kell's happy laughter just rang through the air, the sound calling for Gerri. Sord fully expected to find the young dragon running to meet them, but Gerri was obviously on his best behavior for his father, waiting patiently at the cave where they made their home. Kell hurried into Gerri' arms, the dragonlet crowing, curling around Kell's body. Sord watched, smiling and then laughing as his own dragon wrapped around him, the great tail drawing him against the solid chest. Rafon's cheek slid again his own, the action a mixture of grooming and loving him. "Is your brush nearby, Rafon?" He had not brushed Rafon's scales in too long. "Oh. Brushing. Brushing. Kell? You haven't brushed me." "Brushed you?" Kell looked completely confused. Rafon chuckled. "You will learn what brushing means. It is a sacred thing between keeper and dragon. The brushes are in the cave, Sord." Rafon was already sprawled out on the ground, ready to accept his due of bliss. Laughing, Sord took Kell's hand. "Come with me. We'll get the brushes."

"Sord? They don't have hair..." Kell followed, warm against him. "No, but there are these large spiny brushes that we use on their scales. You haven't seen anything until you've seen a dragon drooling in bliss." Kell's giggle made him grin. "Drooling dragons?" He laughed himself, nodding and grinning and putting an arm around Kell. "It's a very special magic. Gerri has never had it done for him -- only a keeper brushes his dragon." "What if Gerri doesn't like it?" Sord laughed so hard he had to sit down. When he finally caught his breath again, he hauled himself up and petted Kell on the shoulder. "He'll like it." Kell poked his belly, grinning. "You're laughing at me. You... you big... gavi bird!" "I can't be a bird -- I can't fly." He fetched the brushes, giving a couple different sizes to Kell. "I've just never seen a dragon who didn't love it." Kell looked the brushes over. "So you just brush like its hair?" "That and sort of... scrubbing, like it was a pot? And then the softer ones you can use to clean at the seams, where they join? Save that for last." "O...okay. You'll help me, right? Tell me if I do it wrong? I don't want to hurt him." He gave Kell a quick hug. "I'm not sure you can hurt him with just brushes, unless you hit him across the snout with it, and you may watch me with Rafon if you wish, but it's an instinctual thing. I think you'll do well as soon as you try." "Oh. Okay." He got a hug back and then Kell was following him out into the sunshine. Still grinning, he led the way to where Rafon waited for him. *** Brushing. Brushing. Oh. Oh, he'd waited forever.

For EVER. He'd watched every other dragon in the whole clearing get brushed but him. Of course, he had been brave. Strong. Sure. And gone to get Kell from the ugly city. Now it was his turn. He vibrated, waiting for Kell and Sord to come ON. Out of the cave. Come on come on come on. Finally they came out of the cave. Finally. And they were walking so slowly, Sord talking to Kell and gesturing with the brushes in his hands. He called for Kell with all his heart. Come on. Come on. Hurry. Hurry. Want to feel! Both Keepers hurried, steps speeding. Sord stopped by him long enough to point out to Kell to start with the brush with the wide teeth, for getting rid of any muck. As if he was full of muck. Kell giggled. "Do you have muck, Gerri?" Gerri snorted. If anyone knew muck, his Keeper did. "Well he was in those catacombs with you, Kell. He's sure to have a little." Sord winked and moved on, going to his father, singing softly as he started to brush the big dragon. Kell smiled at him, coming close. "Tell me if I do it wrong, okay?" He nodded. As if he would know. "You won't do it wrong, Kell," Sord called out. "Will he Rafon?" The big dragon simply purred.

Kell began brushing him, the bristles sliding and stroking over his skin, his scales. "That's right, Kell. Lean into it, enjoy it with him,” Sord said. "So beautiful." Kell smiled at him, leaned against him and brushed in circles, the vibrations seeming to move through him. He could feel Rafon's happiness in the great purrs that vibrated the large body. Sord's hum's matched the purrs, made them into beautiful music. Then Kell's songs started and all others stopped, only his Keeper, his heart, his dearest friend audible. The brushing continued, seemed to get more intense, his scales becoming sensitized. Kell picked up a smaller brush, moving it in tiny circles, stroking him, petting him. Oh, it was good. It was wonderful, soft and warm and his Kell. Better than petting and singing altogether. Kell cuddled into him, fingers and brush moving together, making him shine and glow. He felt closer to Kell than ever, almost as if the brushing bonded them on an even deeper level. "So beautiful, Gerri." Kell beamed up at him, brushing a sensitive bit of belly. He trilled, claws reaching to touch Kell's shoulders. Kell hummed, scooting closer, eager and happy and unafraid. It was a circle of happy pleasure, unlike anything else. He didn't think he could have resisted the purrs bubbling up inside him even if he'd wanted to. Kell cuddled in, cheek on his shoulder. "My own Gerri." "My very own, Kell!" So happy. Having a keeper was the best ever and it didn't matter what punishment his father came up with for his going away, he would do it again. Kell's laugh just rang out and he rolled them both. Oh, but he would never have to search for Kell again. Sord's laughter sounded as well. "He's getting messy again so you have to keep brushing. It's an old trick that he knows already." "I will brush him as much as he needs." Kell smiled at him, eyes so warm. Oh, yes, he had the very best keeper there ever was. Kell's hair was soft and tickled his claws, his keeper close and warm. "It is a good sign," said Rafon. "How well we all fit." Gerri nodded. Kell had called and called. Kell belonged here.

"Are you enjoying the ritual of brushing, Kell?" Sord asked. "I am. He's so beautiful." Gerri preened. Beautiful. Him. "He is," Sord said softly. "He takes after his father." Rafon chuckled, his father's happiness almost as big as Gerri' own. Oh, his family. His home. Gerri purred. His Kell.

Chapter Seven Kell was cold. Freezing. The mountains were... huge. Vast. Bigger than anything and they scared him badly. He missed the familiarity of the city streets, the way the buildings held him, held the sky away. Kell shivered, wandering quietly, searching for Gerri, for someone to talk to. Kell saw the little dragon up ahead, the long curve of his father's scaled arm around his shoulders. The dragons' long snouts were close together as they spoke. "Rafon has much to teach his son," murmured Sord and Kell looked to his right, finding the dragon keeper leaning against a tree, the dark eyes on the dragon. They were warm when they turned to him. "Oh. I guess they don't want me bothering them, then." He sighed, but offered Sord a smile, admiring the man. Sord smiled in return, eyes becoming even warmer. "They won't mind, little one, but we could let them keep at it. I have something to show you anyway." Kell blushed, pushed his hair from his face as he nodded. Sord always showed him the most fascinating things. Sord held out his hand and when Kell slipped his own into it, Sord's skin was so hot, warming him all the way up his arm. "Oh..." He smiled, held on. "What will you show me?" Sord began to walk toward the north side of the caves, a direction they hadn't taken before. "A most wondrous place, Kell." The trees grew thicker as they continued on, the day becoming dark despite the sunshine. He began to relax, the close quarters familiar, comforting. He bumped against Sord as they walked. Sord smiled at him and walked a little faster, tugging him along now. Suddenly the trees opened into a clearing, steam rising from a pool with turquoise water. He blinked, lips parting. Oh. Oh, look. It was... it was beautiful. He could feel Sord's eyes on him, the lean body suddenly close as Sord bent to murmur in his ear. "The water is pure and warm, fed from underground. We can wash, swim, play."

"I don't know how to swim. Will you show me how?" He turned his head, their lips almost touching. He could feel Sord's breath against his face, the dark green eyes looking into his own. "I will." "Oh. Thank you. You... you're good to me." It was like looking into magic, into Rafon. Sord's tanned cheeks colored and he cleared his throat, looking out over the steaming pond. "You were good to Gerri. Didn't hurt him or turn him into the wizards." "No. No, I wouldn't. Gerri's... He's special. My best friend." Kell would do anything for Gerri. Anything. Sord looked at him again, smile knowing. "Yes. You are a friend of the dragons. Gerri's keeper. Your spirits are the same." "He's the most wonderful dragon ever." "Not quite," murmured Sord. "Not as long as Rafon lives." Kell chuckled. "I think we will have to disagree." His Gerri's laugh was pure joy. Sord smiled. "We may disagree, but you will still be mistaken. Come into the water with me -- you will find it most wonderful." Kell nodded. "Yes. I would. Will. I'd like that." Sord gave him another smile, warm and reassuring as the large, capable hands began to pull his clothes off for him. He blushed -- he wasn't dirty anymore, but he was skinny, bony, not beautiful like Sord. One of those warm hands tilted his chin up, Sord looking at him, and he felt as if those green eyes saw everything -- everything. "Something troubles you Kell?" "I'm... You're so beautiful. So fine." The most amazing thing happened when he said the words, Sord blushed deeply and his eyes fell. "Oh, I. Did I. I mean, I'm sorry. Don't be angry. You're just the most beautiful man and I couldn't help noticing..." Oh, he was such an idiot. Sord stroked his cheek. "I am not angry. I... have spent many years in the company of only dragons." "You are lucky, but I'm glad you're here, with me." He found a smile, offered it to Sord.

"Me, too." Sord continued to look at him, to stroke his cheek, and when Sord blinked Kell could feel the slightest breeze from it, their faces were so close. "Honestly?" He stepped closer, their lips just touching. Sord's eyes widened and he gave a quick, short nod and brought their lips together more. He gasped, the kiss sweet, the flavor of Sord surprising and right. A sound started, deep inside Sord. Kell almost couldn't hear it, but he... felt it. Sord's tongue slipped across his lower lip, the touch quick and feather light. Oh. Oh, so hot. His eyes went wide, his own tongue flicking out, touching the same spot. Sord pulled back, green eyes so dark now as they looked at him. Another touch to his cheek, and then Sord's fingers slid over his lip. "Little one." Sord's lips returned to his, pressing more firmly now. He moaned, lips clinging to Sord's, a heat filling him. Sord's hands slid to his back and down along his body, pulling him close to the leather clad body. He snuggled in, hands reaching up to hold on for a moment before his body began to respond, to harden. Sord's fingers explored him, gentle and tentative, discovering his spine, his buttocks, his ribs along his sides. "Warm." So warm. His eyes closed, heart pounding. "Yes. Kell. I have never..." Sord's voice was soft, a thread of surprise running through it. "Never?" He pressed closer, drawn by the heat, by the strength. Sord shook his head. "Only by my own hand," he whispered. "Is it... Do you want... I could..." He reached out, palm pressed against Sord's need. Sord's eyes went wide. "Kell! Oh." Then Sord was groaning, the thick bulge beneath Sord's leathers twitching against his palm. Oh, so beautiful... Kell kept touching and stroking, watching Sord's face. Sord's eyes stayed on his, the

hands that had been touching him, clutching now, holding on as if he were all that was keeping the much bigger Sord standing. "Sord..." He reached down, trying to open the man's leather, to touch. A shiver moved through Sord and the long fingers tangled with his own as Sord helped. He moaned, lips parting as his fingers found Sord's shaft. So soft and hard, smooth, hot. Sord whimpered and the big hands dropped back onto Kell's hips, holding on. "It's so big, Kell." He nodded. It was. It was big. Hard. Hot. "Oh, your touch. Oh." Sord's eyes closed and he leaned their foreheads together, mouth sliding along Kell's. Kell moaned, tongue slipping out to touch Sord's lips. Sord moaned and his tongue met Kell's. One of Sord's hands slipped from Kell's hip to wrap around his shaft, the touch sweet and slow, imitating the way he touched Sord's prick. He shivered, stepping closer, body tingling, aching. Sord. Oh. Their cocks brushed and Sord's eyes flew open again, their lips parting with a huge gasp. Sord pushed them together again and then encouraged him to wrap his hand around both, their fingers twining together on the hot, hard flesh. They rubbed and shifted, Kell's heart beating so hard he could hear it in his ears. Sord's eyes were so warm and full of wonder and they held his own as their mouths moved together again, tongues sliding out to touch. Heat flooded him, his sacs drawing up, so tight, his limbs starting to shake. "Oh! Kell, I..." Sord shuddered and heat poured out over their fingers and against their bellies. The heat made his body go tight, the sensations within him too big to hold back. Sord continued to move his hand slowly, spreading their pleasure over their shafts, smiling at him. "Oh. Oh, Sord. I..." He blinked up, offering Sord a kiss. Sord took it, lips and tongue eager against his. Their lips parted slowly, hands still wrapped together around their pricks. "I never knew it could be like that." "I... I am glad it was you."

Sord smiled and cupped his cheek again. "Me, too. Come into the water with me now?" Sord's voice was husky, the warm look seeming to be warmer now, like a touch. "Yes. Yes, please." He helped Sord strip, both of them nude as they walked into the water. The water was so warm, so nice compared to the cool air, silky and lovely against his skin. And Sord held his hand as they went in, keeping him close, fingers stroking over his skin. The sand at the base of the pool tickled his toes, made him chuckle and scoot closer. Sord made a soft purring noise, reminiscent of the happy noise Gerri often made and one hand landed on his bottom, pulling him even closer. "I like touching you, Kell." "You do? You're strong." He toes left the ground, body close against Sord's. "I've had to be. To keep up with the dragons." Sord rubbed them together. "Will I be able to? Keep up?" Sord's belly was... oh... "You are small, but as Gerri grows, you will learn to. Or you are not meant to be. And I do not believe that." Sord dropped a kiss on his forehead and then rubbed their noses together, moaning softly, almost as if he were pained, but Kell knew he was not. "I don't think I will grow..." He pushed closer, tongue licking, touching Sord's lips. "But you can become stronger." Sord's lips opened for him, letting him in. He groaned, tongue pushing in farther, tasting. Sord's mouth closed over his tongue, sucking lightly. His eyes flew open, legs lifting to wrap around Sord's waist. Sord grunted, hands sliding to cup his bottom. He could feel Sord's shaft filling between them, becoming hard. He pressed against Sord, rocking, eyes rolling. Sord hummed around his tongue, legs moving, settling them more steadily. The warm water slid against them, the steam rising around them. He could stay here for days, held close and warm. Sord's lips let go of his tongue, Sord pressing kisses along his cheeks, his jaw. "You taste good. You make me want things." "Oh. I would... I would offer you things..." Sord smiled. "Yes? What things?" "My..." He swallowed around the words. Who would want his heart, his love?

"Your what, Kell?" Sord was still moving them together, rocking their bodies so their shafts slid together. "My..." He hid his face, whispered. "My heart, Sord. I would." "Oh. Look at me, Kell." And when he did, Sord smiled at him. "I would be honored to have such a gift." "H...honored? For me?" He reached out, stroked Sord's cheek. Sord nodded and nuzzled into his cheek. "Yes, Kell. For you." "Oh." Kell moaned. "Yours. Sord." "Yes, I think perhaps you are." He met those green eyes, heart pounding as he nodded. Sord smiled and brought their mouths together again, tongue pushing into his mouth. Opening eagerly, he reveled in the feeling of Sord against him, within him. "I like the way you taste under my tongue," murmured Sord. "Oh. Oh, thank you." He was flushed and hot, burning, aching. One of Sord's fingers slid between his buttocks, dragging along the skin there. He shivered, gasped, so sensitive. Sord watched him and repeated the caress. "Sord..." He rippled, cock jerking, leaping. "That feels good, Kell?" Sord did it once again. "Yes. Yes, Sord. So... Oh..." He pushed up, rubbing against Sord's belly. Sord did it yet again. "Oh, it makes you flush so." "It sends lightning through me." "Oh." Sord grinned and began to slide all his fingers between Kell's cheeks over and over again. He jerked and shivered, eyes wide, the water making them both slick. "Beautiful," murmured Sord, eyes on him. "It lights up your face, Kell. You are shining for me." "For you. Sord. You make me feel... Oh." He reached up, belly aching. "I need."

"What do you need, Kell? I will give it to you." "You. You, Sord. Please. I burn from wanting." "I don't..." Sord frowned and the fingers that slid behind him searched, one finding and pressing against the entrance to his body. "I have seen the dragons, but I do not know if we are the same..." He slipped down, the finger pressing within him. "Oh..." Sord gasped, the cock against his belly throbbing. "So tight and hot!" "I feel... oh, I feel you." He leaned back, hips rocking. "Yes, me, too." Sord watched him move, finger working inside him. He kept moving, up and down, sliding, shivering. Wanting. "By the scales of Mitah, I have never. Does it feel as good for you, little one?" Sord's words were whispered and quick, his breathing becoming labored. "Yes. Yes, please. Don't stop. Please." "I will not, Kell." No, instead Sord moved his finger faster and their bellies rubbed together harder, cocks pushing against each other. His head fell back, a low cry coming from him, throat working. So good. So big. Sord's mouth closed over his throat, lips sucking and tongue sliding. "Sord!" He convulsed, seed pouring from him, the pleasure too much to bear. Sord whimpered and for a moment sucked harder, finger wriggling, making the pleasure go on. He simply flew, the pleasure bigger than anything he could imagine. Sord's finger slipped away, the mouth on his throat slowly moving up to take his mouth. The kiss was gentle and sweet, the green eyes that gazed into his own still blazing with heat. "I. Oh. Oh." He pressed close, offering himself. Sord's hands were back on his buttocks, moving him, rubbing the long cock against his belly. "So hard." He moved eagerly, easily, wanting to get back the pleasure he'd received. "You make me need, Kell, like nothing I have ever known." Sord's voice was so husky, rich with need.

"I would be yours, give you anything." "Mine," murmured Sord, his nostril's flaring. "Mine," he repeated, louder. "Yes. Yes, Sord." He pushed closer, lips covering Sord's. Sord's tongue pushed into his mouth, thrusting like Sord's finger had thrust inside his body and then a cry was pushed into him as well, Sord's need spilling between them. Kell shuddered, just melting in Sord's arms. Sord sank into the water, floating, holding him in the strong arms. He relaxed, held, happy. Home.

Chapter Eight Sord had liked Kell from the start, the dirty, jumpy boy who took such good care of Gerri. Kell had more than proven his ability as a dragon keeper, he'd answered the call without even knowing what it was or how he was supposed to do it. Sord could relate to that. He'd answered his call at six, finding his way to Rafon despite many obstacles. Bringing Kell back to the Rokonnen Hills had been natural. What had happened after... well Sord supposed that was natural too, though he hadn't asked for it. He hadn't even known to ask for it. He liked it though. Touching Kell in the pond had been magical and since they'd come back, Sord would find his gaze on Kell more and more, wondering if it had only been magical because of the pool or if that magic was in and of itself. Finally, two evenings later, he decided it was time to stop wondering and time to start finding out. Leaving Rafon's side, he went over to where Kell sat polishing Gerri's scales with fanan leaves. He crouched down next to the pair, waiting to be acknowledged. Gerri chirped happily, greeting him with a headbutt and Kell nodded, smiled, thin cheeks flushed rose. "Good evening, Sord." He smiled back, Kell's sweet eyes making his stomach feel funny. "How are you this evening?" "Well. Gerri and I went to find berries and didn't get lost." Gerri chirruped again, laughing. "Much." "Gerri!" Sord laughed and scratched Gerri under his chin. "It's not nice to tell tales on your keeper. Funny, but not nice." Not that nice was something dragons considered important. In fact Sord himself usually was not concerned with it, but something about Kell... well he wanted Gerri to be nice to Kell. He would very much like to be nice to Kell himself. Gerri stretched and wrapped around Kell, nuzzling. "He knows I'm playing. You know, don't you, Kell?" The red-brown curls bobbed as Kell nodded, eyes focused on him. "I do. Your whiskers tickle, Gerri." He watched, wanting to be the one wrapped around Kell and it surprised him to feel jealous of the bond between them. It was a sacred bond, he knew this. "Would you like to

go for a walk, Kell?" he asked. "I could show you a few ways to remember how to come back here even when you are lost." "Oh, I would like that. Very much." Gerri grinned, slid away from Kell in a single smooth motion. "I'm going to play, then. Don't lose your mate, Sord." He gasped softly at Gerri's words, eyes widening. "We're not. I don't. Oh." "You're not? But Kell said he lov..." Gerri's scales rattled, a sure sign of embarrassment. "Oh. Great Scaled One bite me. I didn't mean to..." Kell got to his feet, bright red. "I forgot to... I have to... I mean... There's something I..." Sord sprang to his feet and grabbed Kell's arm before he could leave. "Don't. Please. I'm sorry. I. This is very strange for me." "It's all fine. I shouldn't have. It's all good." Kell petted his hand, eyes fastened on the ground. "You wanted to walk?" "I did. I wanted... to be alone with you." He felt terrible. He was a good dragon keeper. He wasn't so good with people. "Oh." Those eyes flashed up at him, hopeful, shy. "I would like that. Very much." He smiled, feeling better with that look on Kell rather than the upset one. "Me, too." He took Kell's hand. "Is this okay?" Kell nodded, staying close, warm where they brushed together. The forest hid them from the others, almost dark. "I have wanted to be alone with you since the other evening by the pool," he admitted. "Oh? I have wanted that, too. I... I have dreamed about you." "You have? About me?" He smiled at Kell and stopped, leaning against a tree. "What have you dreamed?" he asked, tugging gently on Kell's hand, hoping Kell would lean against him. Oh. Oh, Kell was snuggly as a dragonlet, pushing up close. "I dreamed you and I were together, curled in the furs..." His prick throbbed in his leathers and he wasn't sure if it was from Kell's closeness or the images Kell's words conjured up. "I would like that." They slept fairly close already, each

curled with their dragon, kept warm by the great beasts, but to sleep together, oh yes, that would be quite fine. Kell nodded, cheek on his shoulder, trusting him. "I like how you smell, Sord." "I smell like Rafon and Gerri smells like Rafon, so that makes sense." He stroked Kell's back. Kell chuckled. "You smell like Sord." "I..." He let it go. "All right." Leaning in, he sniffed. "You smell like... Kell?" he said slowly, hoping it was the right thing to say. He liked it when Kell was happy. Especially if it was because of him. "Only if I smell good to you. If I smell bad, then no." He got a quick, playful grin, a wink. He laughed and squeezed Kell tight. "You don't smell bad, Kell." He bent and pressed their lips together. He was better at this than at words it seemed. Kell hummed, tongue sliding out to touch his lips, just barely. He moaned and opened his mouth, letting his own tongue touch Kell's before retreating back into his mouth. Kell's tongue followed his, tasting him, curious and sweet. He started to suck on it, the heat and taste of it feeling good in his mouth. His hands wandered, not entirely happy with the new protective leathers Kell wore – they kept Kell’s skin from him. He could feel Kell's shaft, hot and hard, pushing against him. These leathers definitely needed to go, he wanted to touch that heat directly, to feel Kell's body against his own. "Can I?" He tugged at Kell's clothing, tongue-tied. "Oh. Yes. You. You can." Kell nodded, fingers pulling at the cloth, helping. Kell was soon naked and Sord's hands traced the slender body, the hint of muscle that Kell was developing now that he lived and worked with dragons. Touching Kell excited him, made him want. Soft little sounds filled the air, Kell shifting and sliding against him, under his touch. Making Kell make those noises felt so good, aroused him even more and he found Kell's mouth with his own, pressing his tongue into Kell's mouth this time. Kell opened, moaning low, eyes fastened to his, so bright, so heated. "You're hot," he whispered before kissing harder and deeper, pulling Kell up against him. One of Kell's thighs lifted, propped up against him.

He grabbed it with on hand and tugged it higher, so it sat on his hip. That let him play over Kell's bottom with his other hand, fingers finding the hot crease and sliding along it. Kell had enjoyed it so much last time. Kell shuddered against him, shaft near burning his thigh. "Take off my leathers?" he begged, hands too full of Kell, too busy to do it himself. Kell nodded, exposing him, freeing him, hands soft and warm on his skin. He whimpered and drew their shafts together, pulling Kell up onto the toes of the one foot he had on the ground. "It feels so good," he whispered. "Yes. Good." Kell's lips brushed across his collarbone, the hollow of his throat. He brought them together again and again, their fronts rubbing, their cocks bumping most wonderfully. Kell panted against him, lips parted, tongue flicking out against him. The pleasure was coming on strong, so good like this, with Kell, so much better than by himself and somehow... necessary and so wonderful. "Don't stop, Sord. Please." Oh, so luscious, those words in that needy tone. He shook his head. "I won't. I won't." Kell looked up at him, eyes wide, hungry, so lovely. He slid one hand between them, taking Kell's hot, hard cock into his hand. So big for such a little one. Slight as he was, Kell was no child, just ill-fed and uncared for too long. Never again. Kell was among dragons now and Sord would feed and care for him. And... other stuff. Like this. Kell's hips rocked, pushing into his touch, so hot, so eager. He stroked Kell's prick, watching the pleasure in the brown eyes. "Sord. It's. So good." Kell reached for him, hand matching his rhythm. His own eyes widened and he cried out, hips bucking, picking up that same rhythm, the two of them moving together. Kell shuddered, gasping, muscles rippling. He tightened his hand and moved it faster, so near to spending and not wanting to do so without Kell. "Oh. Oh. I. Soon." Kell's eyes met his, wide and wild and needy. He nodded. "Please, yes. Now." Kell cried out, heat spraying between them. His own pleasure could not be held a moment longer and his heat was added to Kell's.

Kell cuddled right in, purring softly. "Oh. Oh, so good." He nodded. "Is this love?" he asked in a whisper. "I think so, yes. Isn't it?" "It is different love than between Rafon and I, but then he is a dragon and you are not." He bent and kissed Kell. "Gerri said you loved me." "I do. I... is that all right?" He smiled and nodded. "Yes. We are family. Love is good. Is it okay if I love you?" "Very much okay." Kell smiled, bouncing a little. "No one's ever loved me before." "Not true! Gerri loves you!" Kell's eyes went soft, warm. "Yes. Yes, he does. He... he is not a man like me, though." "No, he cannot do this." He leaned down and kissed Kell again, smiling at how it felt. Kell's kiss answered his, lips hot and sweet. "Will you sleep with me tonight?" "Oh, yes. Please. Please, Sord." Sord smiled, feeling his pleasure rising again. He stroked the back of Kell's cheek, looking down into those brown eyes. Kell snuggled in, hips rocking, just a little, cock filling against him. "I like this," he whispered. "Yes." Kell's smile warmed him through. He picked Kell up, walking him back to camp, to the fire and their dragons. Kell relaxed fully against him, cheek on his shoulder. It felt good and right and he didn't know why he blushed when he returned to the fire and Rafon chuckled knowingly. Gerri bounced over, scales rattling, blinking when Rafon stopped him with a single touch. "Let them rest together, son. Let them be." His cheeks grew redder but he met Rafon's eyes and nodded before lying Kell down in

the furs. Kell scooted close to him, eyes closed, the look on the thin face perfect happiness. He thought maybe he would like to make sure that look stayed there. For a very long time.

Chapter Nine Velen watched as Sord and Kell disappeared along with Rafon, and swallowed hard. They were the only ones he knew here in this strange and beautiful place, his only connection to home, really. He was truly alone now. “Your home is here,” the large white dragon told him. She had a booming voice and he found himself shrinking from her. She made a sound that he hoped was a chuckle, though it was growly and loud. “And you don’t have to be scared. You are clearly meant to be here. Velen of the Dragon Mountains.” “Ah, yes,” purred one of the other dragons. “That is right, Old Mother. He is of our mountains. His blood sings with it.” Velen wasn’t sure that his blood was singing anything, but at least they agreed with Rafon and Sord that he belonged here and they wouldn’t be kicking him out and sending him back to the city where, if he was completely honest with himself, he’d been miserable. The truth was that he didn’t belong there. He was the fourth son of a lower noble and no one had any use for him. He wasn’t sure they’d have a use for him here, but no one, not even Rafon who kept calling him an interloper had made him feel as small as his Mother and brothers always managed to. He had been truly lonely there, surrounded by so many. “This city of yours does not sound very good.” The one they’d called Old Mother growled. “Were you not one of them?” He wasn’t sure he liked the way the huge dragon seemed to be able to read his mind. What if he thought something offensive and it got him banished or killed or something? “You will have to learn to keep your thoughts to yourself instead of projecting them, Velen. I will not reach into your mind, none of us will. It is not our way, but you think so loudly, some of us cannot help but overhear.” The others rumbled, in what he guessed was agreement, and she continued. “Now you must tell us about your city. About your life there and why you came to us.” The other dragons said “yes”, and “you must”, and “we wish to know”, and as the Old Mother dragon pushed him to a seat next to the fire pit, four humans joined him. He realized suddenly that they were the keepers of the council dragons. They all seemed very old, though still spry and quite capable. One had completely white hair, even her eyelashes and eyebrows were white and Velen thought she must be the Keeper of the Old Mother dragon, their coloring was so similar. That wasn’t where the similarities ended either, the woman’s eyes were the same amazing crystal blue as the white dragon’s, and her face seemed to echo the Old Mother’s.

“My name is Akna,” the white dragon told him as he settled, sitting cross-legged, back straight. “And this is Belina, she is indeed my keeper. The others here are Sus, Kart and Wainel. Their keepers are Jilo, Dnor, Weot.” Each of the dragons and keepers inclined their heads as they were introduced, and Velen nodded to each in turn. It sort of felt as if he were being introduced to the Court, but he didn’t feel as if he were beneath their notice. It made a nice change. The dragons and their keepers seemed to be well-matched. Their coloring and eyes, the shape of their faces all echoed those of their dragons. He thought back to Sord and Rafon, to Kell and Gerri and thought maybe he could see the same type of similarities between them, though not as pronounced as with these eight. He guessed that the longer dragon and keeper were together, the more they took on each other’s features and characteristics. “How did you come to learn our language?” Sus, a large dragon -- bigger even than Rafon -- asked him. “I just listened to Kell and Sord, to Gerri. I have always been able to learn languages quickly.” A fact that had enraged Eustace to no end, his elder brother having to struggle so with all his lessons, but especially languages. “The dragon language isn’t just any language.” Sus rubbed his dark blue scales with one big claw, rumbling as he pondered the matter. “I do not believe that any human who does not have a connection to us could learn it. Especially in just a few days.” Kart was the next to ask a question, each seeming to be waiting their turn. Kart was much smaller than the others, scales shining aquamarine and emerald green in the sun. “What talents do you bring to us?” “Talents? I...” He had none to offer. He could hear his father’s voice in his head, moaning about what he was to do with this last son, this useless boy who could not possibly have come from his loins. Velen was too clumsy for fighting – more dangerous to himself than anyone else with his sword. He found running the house, the stables, and the farms boring beyond belief. The only thing he was good at were dancing and other trivial pursuits. “Perhaps you didn’t come from his loins. Legend says that once every age the dragon gods drop their seed among the humans and those who come in contact with it become heavy with child. Most of these children are destined to become keepers, but not all.” Akna nodded at Wainel’s words. “We know already that you have a facility for our languages – you must tell us what your other talents are.” Velen wasn’t sure what they would consider talents, but he offered what he could. “I draw. I write. I sing.” All silly pastimes according to his father. “Not silly.” Akna shook her head. “These things are not silly at all. We have not had a recorder in many, many years.”

The dragons were all rumbling, shifting, his words had caused some excitement among them. “We must discuss this. You will stay here at the fire with our Keepers.” Akna patted him on the head, her touch surprisingly gentle for such a large creature. He watched them go, all of them talking animatedly. It seemed that his talents were not such silly pastimes after all and he wondered if it were time he relegated his father’s scorn to the back of his mind. He watched the dragons until they disappeared around a rock formation, and then turned back to find himself being watched by all four keepers. Four sets of curious eyes that were somehow so like the dragon’s they were associated with stared at him, judged him perhaps. He couldn’t read them, couldn’t tell what they were thinking. “So... this recorder thing – it’s a good thing, I hope? I’m not going to be thrown in the dragon version of a dungeon for being able to write?” Belina, the white haired keeper laughed softly, and the rest of the keepers relaxed, their faces suddenly welcoming instead of cold. “Indeed, it is a good thing. A recorder keeps the tales of the dragons alive. From the very first to now. They learn all the songs and teach them to the young. They make new songs. There has not been a recorder here since I was a very young woman, first come to find my Akna.” “Does that mean all the old songs and stories have been lost?” The thought saddened him. He could imagine that there were amazing tales to be told by these dragons and their ancestors. He felt a small thrill of excitement go through him at the idea of being a part of preserving the dragons’ history and songs. Belina shook her head. “The old ones know them, have passed them down. My Akna knows many, as do the other council members. But no one knows all of them, and the last recorder didn’t know how to make a permanent record, only a verbal one. As our dragons grow older we have all feared that many of our tales would be lost, and with it, our history.” Velen could feel that small thrill of excitement build inside. There could be a place for him here, after all. And he thought perhaps that truly it was possible his father was wrong, that what were silly pastimes to the man truly could in fact be useful talents. “Are any of you from the city?” he asked. They all laughed and shook their heads. “Oh, no.” Belina again was the one to speak. “We come from the people of the forest and the nomads of the plains. There are many tribes in these areas. The city is... it is the enemy of us all. Sometimes people from the city come into the tribes of the nomads and the forest and steal us to be slaves and prisoners. One or two have made it back and tell us terrible tales of people with no hearts, of wizards who use blood in their magics.” All the keepers crossed their arms in front of themselves in an ‘x’ at the words as if to ward off such things.

He didn’t laugh at them, or try to disabuse them of their beliefs that the city was an evil place. It was certainly a harsh place to live if you were not of the nobility or a wizard or a politician. And he’d seen first hand what the wizards could do to a poor street rat if they thought he had information that they wanted; the marks he’d seen on Kell’s back had been the least of what could be done. And certainly it was a lonely place for a man with no place and no one to call his own. “I am happy to be here instead of in the city,” he told them, realizing it was the truth and not something he said simply to fit in. It felt right here, good. And he had hopes that he had a place here. He had been so jealous of little Kell, so jealous that the sweet young man had a place, was welcomed with open arms. He had hope now that maybe, just maybe, he too belonged in this home to such magical creatures as dragons, though he dared not hope too much; it would be a terrible disappointment to believe he belonged only to find out that he didn’t. As if his thoughts had been heard once again, Akna and the other dragons of the council returned. Velen felt his heart sink at the solemn, serious countenance they all wore. He took a breath and told himself it would be all right if he wasn’t meant to be here. It wouldn’t be the first time he was told to leave someplace that he wanted to be. Perhaps that was his lot in life, to wander and search for a home, a place to call his own. The dragons stopped near the fire and Velen stood, back straight, facing them. He would not meet his fate with fear. In the past he probably would have cringed and cowered, sulked and begged, but the short time he’d been with Sord and Kell, the even shorter time he’d lived among these dragons had changed him. He wanted to be more like them and less like the failure and waste of skin his father saw him as. He no longer had to stand beneath his father’s regard. He was his own man and would begin to act as he wished to see himself. He faced them and waited to hear their decision. “Velen, you stand before us, a stranger to the mountain, and yet your blood sings of our skies. It sings of the air we breathe and the waters that play within our streams and rivers. The sun and the rain, the moon and the snow all know you.” Akna smiled and raised a claw, rested it on his shoulder. “You come to us with the knowledge of our language, with the ability to record our shapes and our words. You come to us with the love of singing.” It certainly didn’t sound like he was about to be sent away. Velen took a breath, the nerves in his belly relaxing a little, easing. “You are not a keeper. There is no dragon here who waits for you to join them, you do not hear the song of one who calls to you. And yet you are home, we can all see that, we can feel it. Though you do not know it, we hear your song, we hear our songs in your blood. This mountain is your home. And we have a task for you. We know your place among us. Do you know it? Will you stay and be our Resote?”

Somehow he knew what the word meant, though it was spoken in a language older than the one the dragons currently spoke. “Yanah.” Where the word came from, again he didn’t know, but he knew it meant ‘yes’, and ‘I would be honored’. He bent his head and each of the dragons of the council touched his shoulders, his head. When all four were touching him, they spoke together. “Welcome home, Velen of the Dragon Mountains, Keeper of our History.” *** Velen sat on the edge of a cliff, overlooking a low valley. There were more mountains on the other side of it, huge, snow-capped, and beautiful. He wondered if there were more dragons there as well. He made a small note on the thick vellum the dragons used as paper to remind himself to ask Akna. She and her keeper had become his guides to the dragon world. His guides and his friends. In the days since his first meeting with the dragon council, he had been taken around to each dragon family, learned their names and the names of their fathers and mothers. He would of course be taking the history deeper, but Akna wanted him to meet everyone first, and have an idea of how the families were connected before he truly began. He would be living with each dragon family in turn, recording their songs and their histories, taking down the tales they shared and drawing them. He would learn their songs. And when he was done, he would move on to the next family and do the same with them. From what he could tell, he was likely to be at it for a very long time. Given that the dragons fascinated him now that he was no longer scared of them, the prospect was daunting, but also brought him joy. He finally belonged. He had a place and important role to fulfill. No one would call him useless here. The sun finished rising into the sky, the clouds settling into a fluffy white, pushed across the sky by the same winds that saw him tugging his new leather cloak closed at the neck. It wouldn’t really be warm until midday. The thought made him smile – this was his home, it felt more so every day as he began to know things about the place. He knew the weather patterns, though he had been warned winter would change everything for several months, and he knew where the best fruits grew, which stream yielded the sweetest waters, where the warmest place to bathe was. “You should always smile,” Belina said appearing beside him, Akna standing right behind her. “It makes you very handsome.” “Was that a compliment?” he teased. He’d quickly learned that, in the long run, Belina only had eyes for her Akna. All her energy and abilities were focussed on the great dragon and always had been. She was quite happy to help him, but only because it was

what Akna wanted. It was a strong focus that he was learning most keepers had when it came to their dragons. They had little to do with each other outside of their dragon family units. He thought maybe he also had the ability to have that same single minded focus, the songs and tales and histories of these dragons sinking into his very flesh. “It was a statement of fact.” Belina leaned into her dragon, the pale skin, light clothing and white hair making her almost blend into Akna’s scales. It would be very easy to miss her if you didn’t know to look for her beside her dragon. He began to draw the two of them using quick, broad strokes, trying to capture the way they blended together. “It makes you more approachable. Which you need because the charcoal and vellum make you intimidating. Even to the dragons.” “Really?” His voice rose with his surprise. He couldn’t see how he could possibly be intimidating to the huge dragons and their stoic keepers. “You can write our words, you can make our likenesses appear on the vellum. No one has done that here in an age, maybe two. It sets you apart as much as you not having a dragon to keep does.” “Will that hinder my ability to document the tales and songs?” It was Akna who answered. “No. As you spend time with each dragon family, they will become used to you. And once you can sing their songs and share their own histories with them, they will see you as their own. You will be the man who is no keeper, but has many dragons to call his own.” She smiled her wide dragony smile at him. “What do you think of that?” “I find it incredible.” It was a little hard to believe, and yet everything Akna and Belina had told him already had been true. He’d longed to find his place in life and every day he was more sure that he finally had. Much of his dissatisfaction with life, his petulant ways had disappeared as he met each new dragon family, as he began to record names and histories. As his focus sharpened. “You do not believe me, Velen of the Dragons Mountains?” “I do believe you, Akna. And that is what’s incredible.” She laughed, the sound part purr, part roar, and part rumbling chuckles. “You will come to accept it.” He nodded, she was right. Already he knew he was home. He felt grateful for the dragons’ acceptance of him, for their opening up their mountains to him and letting him be a part of it. He knew somewhere inside him that it was meant to be, that he had a very important role to play in recording the dragon history. And he knew Akna would keep bugging him until it was more than that small part of himself that believed it.

“Can you hear my songs, Velen?” He closed his eyes and nodded, his blood singing with the songs of all the dragons, Akna’s the loudest. They were beautiful and thrilling, better than anything he’d ever felt. Better even than pleasure’s peaks. “Then we shall begin.” Velen took out a fresh piece of vellum, sharpened his charcoal and let Akna’s songs flow through him.

Chapter Ten "Gerri!" Kell laughed as the flower petals fell all around him, tickling and teasing his skin. The celebration was huge, dragons and humans laughing and playing together, wine and ale flowing freely. He'd never been so happy, so very at home. His friends were all about him, his mate came to offer him kisses, his beloved Gerri sang within him - it was everything he could ever had wished for. There were no formal speeches or anything, just everyone diving in to enjoy themselves. And the sound of the other dragons and their keepers singing was magnificent -- not as magnificent as him and Gerri, but still very good. Sord introduced him to everyone he didn't already know, telling anyone who would listen that he was Gerri's keeper and Sord's own mate. Gerri lifted him, swung him around and around, the young dragon dazzling and happy. Even Rafon seemed less intimidating, chuffing with that low, deep voice. "It's a fine celebration. A good welcoming for my son's keeper." "And my mate," added Sord, sounding proud, so happy. "Yes. This is perfect. Thank you." He dared to push into Rafon's arms, give the huge dragon a hug. Rafon's laugh shook him and he was all but swallowed up as the dragon's arms circled him. Then he was let go, one claw tapping his heart. "You are far bigger inside than out, Kell, keeper of Gerri." "I hope I'm big enough to be what Gerri needs." His eyes were caught again by Gerri's, the song within him swelling. "I have no doubt that you are exactly what Gerri needs. Such a lucky dragon, my son, to find his keeper so early." Rafon grinned. "Now I must go see if there is anymore dragonale. I have a powerful thirst." Sord watched Rafon go and then turned back to him. "Would you come and dance with me, Kell?" "I will." He pushed into Sord's arms eagerly, the easy swat from Gerri's tail propelling him. Sord smiled at him and held him close as they began to dance together. Sord was a little stiff. "I haven't had much chance to dance."

"You feel wonderful." Sord's heart was pounding against his cheek, the hands on his hips were strong and sure. "So do you." Sord's hands tightened and as they danced his movements became easier, flowing with the music created by humans and dragons together. Velen was around - Kell saw him constantly moving, being touched and spoken with, brought from one group to another. It made his heart glad, to see that Velen had found himself a place here. The music changed and Sord slowed, feet stopping as they swayed together. His head was tilted, Sord smiling down at him. "You've brought so much joy with you, Kell." "Gerri found me. This is all because of him." He stretched up, offering his mate a long, slow kiss. Sord took it, mouth sliding against his, tongue coming out to touch his lips, to slip inside his mouth, bringing with it the flavor of his mate. It was enough to make his head swim, make his heart pound in his chest. His mate. His family. His home. A cheer went up as they kissed and he and Sord were suddenly surrounded, garlands of flowers placed around their necks. Sord chuckled. "We're mates in the eyes of the dragons now. Mated for life." "For life." Kell grinned, laughed. Gerri'd promised he would live a long, happy life here, surrounded by his family. Velen came up and clapped them both on the back. "Mates, eh? I knew it." "Mates." He nodded, leaning into Sord. "You? Do you think you'll find your home here?" He worried about Velen, about Velen's heart. "I think I have found my home here, Kell. And maybe one day..." Velen shrugged and smiled. "It's a good place to live and I am charged with an important task." "She will come for you, Velen. I know it." He didn't know how he knew, he just knew. "Thank you, Kell. You just might be right. This place gives one hope, doesn't it?" "It does." He laughed as Sord swung him about, the lights swirling. "Enjoy your celebration, Kell." "I am! I will! Have a good evening, my friend!" He couldn't stop laughing.

Sord danced him away as the music changed. His cheek landed on Sord's shoulder, both of them dancing toward the darkness. "Do you mind if we leave the party?" Sord whispered. "I have something for you." "Gerri will be okay?" He couldn't let Gerri be in danger. Sord chuckled. "Rafon won't let anything happen to him. Neither will anyone else. We all take care of each other here." "We do." He nodded, nuzzled along Sord's jaw, humming low. "We do." They danced until they'd left the music and the lights behind. Sord took his hand and led him back toward home, the moon and stars lighting their way. He followed easily, humming under his breath. It didn't seem real, that things were so different now, so much better. They got back home, their fire looking little after the big bonfire at the celebration. "Come on," Sord said, tugging him up toward the big cave that Rafon sometimes disappeared into. "Where are we going?" He followed, hands reaching for Sord's buttocks. Sord jumped and then laughed as he grabbed. "Kell!" Kell nodded, laughed. "Yes, Sord. Kell." Sord turned and took him into strong arms, kissing him hard. The world seemed to tilt and he opened, offering all he was to his lover, his Sord, his mate. His tongue was sucked into Sord's mouth, one of his mate's hands sliding down along his belly to press against his need through his breeches. So hard he ached, he bucked, rubbed against Sord's hands, moaning low into those lips. "Kell..." his name was breathed against his lips, Sord's fingers scrambling to open his breeches, and then Sord's own. "Yes. Yes, mate." He pressed in, their shafts together. "Yours forever." Sord's hands were hard on his buttocks, fingers digging in as they rubbed. "For always." "Always." One of his legs lifted, slid up along the outside of Sord's thigh. Moaning, Sord grabbed his other leg, encouraged him to lift it as well. "Oh." Oh, please. Everything that Sord showed him felt better and better.

His mate's strength held them both up, and Sord backed up to lean back against the cave wall, each step rubbing them together. One hand slid into the back of his open breeches, Sord’s fingers siding along his crack. He murmured into Sord's lips, trusting that touch, the strength that held him. One thick finger pushed against him, pushed into him. "I want to be inside you, Kell. I want to join us into one." "Will you fit, mate?" He would give Sord anything. "I will. I... I spoke to Rafon and he sent me to one of the other keepers, who knew, who explained. I hope you don't mind that I asked, but I didn't want to hurt you." "Why would I mind? You are my mate; these people are my family." Sord kissed him enthusiastically and then pulled away, hand wrapping around both their cocks. "Oh!" Sord gasped and started stroking quickly. "I want... this first. Then show. Then..." "Yes. Yes, please." He leaned into Sord, his balls drawing up tight. Sord worked them faster and faster, hand hot around them both, squeezing him tight, squeezing him against Sord's cock. "Oh! Kell!" Hips bucking, Sord came and heat spilled out over both their pricks. His own seed answered Sord's, pleasure making him breathless and gasping. Their foreheads pressed together, Sord panting as well, and humming happily. "It doesn't seem possible, but that feels better every time." "Can you imagine how it will feel when we're old?" "Mmm... maybe. I'm happy remembering how good it was this time." Sord let him down, and then fixed his clothes, sliding his prick back into his breeches. "It was." He kissed Sord's cheek, happy and sated. Sord's arm wrapped around his waist, keeping him close as they continued deeper into the cave. "Careful, the floor isn't even, and there's no real light until we get further in." He could see a glow ahead of them. "Don't let me fall, mate." He frowned, squinted, trying to see. "I have you." The way Sord said it, it was a promise. The glow got brighter as they went deeper, and suddenly the cave opened up into a huge

cavern that was lit by several torches, and gold and silver and copper in great piles reflected the light around the cavern. "Oh. Oh, look. Sord, how lovely! What is this place?" It was so bright... "It's Rafon's pride and joy, aside from Gerri, of course. Dragon's love bright and shiny things. He's been collecting for a very long time." Sord drew him into the room, walking on jewels and metal as if it were the ground. Bending, Sord picked up a necklace with red and green stones. "It's beautiful, isn't it?" "It is. Look at the stones, they glow." He laughed softly, thinking of the way the men of the city would rage for this bounty and he was lucky enough to live where it meant nothing but beautiful things for their friends to look on. "They do. The blues are my favorite. Look, like these." Sord found a basket full of blue stones of all shapes and sizes. Some were jewels, some were glass, and others were stone. He could see himself, smiling in the facets of the jewels. He looked like someone else, healthy, happy. Sord slid a hand through his hair and cupped his cheek. "You're more beautiful than any of this, Kell." "This is all just things, Sord. We - you, me, the dragons - we're so much more." "Exactly." Sord laughed happily and brought him close for a kiss. "Rafon gave me something for you, though. I think he made it himself." Sord reached into the bottom of the bucket filled with blue things and pulled out an open circle. It looked as if it were made of bars of different colored metals, four different colors altogether, that had all been twisted together and then bent to make the open ended circle. "Oh, look. Look at that, Sord. It's beautiful!" His fingers were shaking as he reached for it. Sord pressed it into his hands. "It goes around your neck and if you like it, Rafon will close it for you. There's a color for each of us." "Oh. Oh, yes. Please." It was his family. His life. His world.

Sord helped him put the metal around his neck, fingers warm and lingering. Then his hand was taken and Sord led him back toward the entrance of the cave. "I want to love you in the open -- under the stars." "I would have you love me anywhere, Sord." Anywhere. The necklace felt strong, heavy. A weight to remind him of his place here. Sord pulled him close and took a quick kiss. "I left the oil near the fire so it would be warm." "Will it hurt?" He stripped easily, laying the warm, fine leathers alongside Sord's. "No. I made sure of that." Sord sat and drew him down into his mate's lap. "I would not do it if it would hurt you." "No. No, you wouldn't." He lifted his face for a kiss, rubbing along Sord's belly. Sord's breath caught, a soft groan sounding. Then their lips met, the kiss gentle, but intense. It was easy, to let himself trust. To give himself over to Sord's love, Sord's hunger. As one kiss turned into two and three and more than he could keep track of, Sord shifted, moving them and spreading him out on the furs next to the fire. Sord lay over him, fingers exploring and touching him all over. Some places tickled, some ached, some made him moan with pure joy. Eventually Sord spread his legs and bent them back, eyes watching him as one slippery finger slid behind his balls and back to his hole. Kell's knees fell open and he tried not to tense. "It feels so odd, being touched there." "Bad?" Sord asked, fingers stilling. "No. No, just new. Slick." Sord's finger began to stroke again, just going back and forth over his hole, and then slipping in. They had done this before, but not with the oil, and not leading to more fingers. Not so deliberately. It took time, but he melted, moving toward the touch, the oddness turning into pleasure. When that happened, Sord put another finger into him, moving slowly, carefully, stretching him. "You're so hot and tight inside, Kell. And soft." "I can feel you, touching me. My mate." He could just laugh with pleasure.

Laughing with him, Sord bent and kissed his belly, tongue sliding into his navel. "Tickles." He twisted, Sord's fingers pushing deeper, brushing against something deep inside him that sent lightning through him. "Oh! Sord! Again!" Sord obediently kissed his belly again. "No. No, touch. Touch me inside. Please." "Like this?" Sord's fingers pushed deep, sliding across that same something again. "Yes. Yes. Sord." His eyes were wide, the sky huge. There were hundreds and thousands of stars, but it was the ones that he saw whenever Sord touched that spot that made him gasp. "Another finger," whispered Sord. This time the stretch was enormous, huge. "Full. Full of you. Sord." His mind was singing, full of his mate, that touch. "I love you, Kell." Sord's finger pressed against that place inside him again, and then again. "Love." He couldn't breathe, couldn't think. "More." "I think you're ready," Sord said, his fingers slowly sliding out. "I need." His belly was tight, his heart pounding. "Please." Sord moved him so he was lying on his side and slipped in behind him, pushing his top leg forward. He could feel the heat and hardness of Sord's prick pushing against his hole. "So big. Love. So big." His body burned, spreading and stretching to take Sord in. Sord's face buried in his neck, breath warm, gasping against his skin. "Tight. Oh, Kell, you're holding me so tight." "Yes. Yes, holding you inside me." He was going to burst. Sord moved slowly, pushing in and pulling out again, sliding and bumping that place and just making him feel so good. He arched, crying out, his hands reaching for Sord's arms, holding on so he didn't shake apart. "Love," whispered Sord, pushing into him. "Yes. Yes." He nodded, hands opening and closing again and again. Love.

Sord began to move faster, rolling him slightly forward and pushing in deeper. Sord's eyes held him, watched him. Pleasure slid down his spine, coiling at the base of his cock. "Kell..." Sord whispered his hand, hand sliding to wrap around his cock, tugging as he was filled over and over again. He almost screamed, the pleasure sharp and overwhelming, his entire body jerking as he spent. Then Sord cried out as well, heat filling him in long pulses. In his mind, the world was filled with song - his song, his mate's song, the dragonsong. Sord wrapped around him, keeping him warm. Keeping him. End.