The Dragon Keeper Read online

“As I said, I doubt the wisdom of returning a traitor, even if it were possible. Should the secret be discovered…” Lito trailed off. He sounded a touch wistful.

  “You are uncommonly fond of dragons.”

  “So it seems.”

  The artist fell silent while eating. Now that he was no longer an attractive nuisance, Aldric admitted to himself that the man was simply attractive. His striking dark eyes were set into a generally handsome face, and the short sleeves of his tunic displayed his toned arms to great advantage.

  Of course, it wouldn’t do to leer at his houseguest, so he busied himself with eating his meal. They ate without conversing for several minutes.

  Lito broke the silence while buttering a slice of bread. “You said it takes a great deal of patience to gain the dragons’ trust.”

  “Yes.”

  “How precisely is this accomplished?”

  “First you must spend many days sitting just outside their fence, within sight. Then, after some weeks of this, you might try sitting just inside the fence. If the dragons permit, you may slowly move closer to their house. It takes more than a year before you can walk freely as I do, and on occasion there is a person the dragons simply won’t take to.”

  “Since I will be here for the foreseeable future, I would like to attempt this. With your permission, of course. It would help my art immensely, and I confess I have a personal interest in seeing the dragons from a smaller distance.”

  Lito had earned the right. “You may. When the dragons see that I am agreeable to your presence it will help the process.”

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.”

  “Do they have names?”

  “The dragons? Not like a dog that will answer to its name, but my assistant and I refer to them by name.” It made conversations much easier that way.

  “May I ask what one names a dragon?”

  “Some names are descriptive, as Doubleclaw. She has two talons on each toe instead of the usual one. Others come from old tales, such as the leader. We call him Segomo.”

  “A warrior god. Appropriate.”

  Aldric was pleased that Lito approved, since some people objected to a dragon named after a pagan god. This brought the realization that he was more than a little interested in the man, as Aldric was not one who generally cared about the opinions of others.

  Through no fault of his own, Lito was going to be a very trying houseguest.

  Chapter Four

  Lito woke to the smell of breakfast, which provided an excellent incentive to rise for the day. After dressing he followed the aroma to the kitchen.

  “Good morning,” Aldric said, without looking up from the stove.

  “Good morning.”

  “Breakfast is almost ready. I hope you like corned beef.”

  “It smells delicious, and I’m not a choosy eater. Shall I assist you?”

  “No need.”

  This provided an opportunity to admire the dragon keeper while he was otherwise occupied, and Lito was not the kind of man to waste such an opportunity. He liked his men muscular, which Aldric most certainly was, and he appreciated a man who could cook.

  He thought perhaps Aldric might be agreeable to mutually satisfying sexual encounter, but the dragon keeper was hard to read. Such men, in Lito’s experience, were generally worth the effort required to gain their attention, and he had plenty of time now that he dared not return home.

  In the meantime, he planned to begin the necessary steps to make himself the best painter of dragons the world had seen in generations, if not ever. Artists did not historically invest time in portraying dragons with any great accuracy, and doing so would be Lito’s legacy.

  It was a simple but pleasing breakfast, and Lito ate eagerly.

  “Do you plan to sketch again today?” asked Aldric.

  “I plan to sketch, observe, and hopefully accustom the dragons to my presence, for the immediate future.”

  “I’ll bring you lunch.”

  “Thank you.”

  Aldric nodded and began eating. He was not the most verbose of men. All the same he was a gracious host, and he served a delicious breakfast. He was also quite pleasant to look at.

  Lito had many questions, as he was fascinated by dragons and also quite intrigued by the dragon keeper. Alas, it was not an appropriate time to ask. Aldric certainly had many preparations to make, and Lito did not wish to distract him from the task of saving dragons. Nor was it appropriate to stare at his host, even in appreciation for a handsome face, so he focused on his food and idly considered what colors he’d mix to paint dragons that weren’t shining in the sun.

  After breakfast Aldric produced a chair unlike any other. The seat and back consisted only of thick leather, while the entire piece folded for easy carrying. He demonstrated twice.

  Lito was well impressed. The chair was light and, as much as a piece of furniture could be, portable. “Ingenious,” he said, sitting and finding it quite comfortable.

  “My sister’s husband makes them. There’s not much demand for such chairs, but I thought it might be of use to you while you draw.”

  “Yes. Thank you.” It would surely be more comfortable than sitting on the ground. How very thoughtful of Aldric.

  When they opened the door, their senses were assaulted with a foul smell. Aldric scowled when he noticed the five rotting fish heads laid out in front of his cottage. “What in the realm?” he asked.

  “I’m afraid that’s for me. The fish heads are a traditional Marnachin insult, and five is a cursed number.” Together they were as strong a condemnation as could be given without meeting face-to-face.

  “Nothing wrong with five,” said Aldric, as though that was the most important aspect of their conversation. “I’ll get my shovel.”

  “I can take care of these.”

  “No. This is uncalled for. Cowards.”

  Lito appreciated the dragon keeper’s anger on his behalf. He also appreciated the chance to watch Aldric’s bare arms while he dug a hole for the fish. An exile had to take his pleasure where he could find it, and an attractive man who wanted to look out for him certainly qualified. There was something magnificent about watching a strong man’s muscles flex while he worked. In truth, Lito would have taken five groups of five fish if it gave him a longer time to enjoy the view of Aldric’s body.

  All too soon the fish were buried, and they left. A dragon flew overhead as they walked away from the cottage. Lito watched, fascinated, as it swooped down and plucked a rabbit from the ground before landing on the other side of the fence and consuming the rabbit. “I didn’t realize dragons ate such small prey.”

  “The younger ones do. I suspect it’s more for sport than hunger.”

  “What animals do they usually hunt?”

  “Deer, boar, bears, moose, larger wolves on occasion, seals in season when the seals are on the rocks just offshore. The males will fly further out to sea and catch whatever large fish they spot. They also take cattle, pigs, and sheep if they don’t anticipate a trap.”

  “They are not particular about their food, then.”

  “Not in the least.”

  There was much Lito wanted to learn about dragons. At the moment, however, he was more intrigued by the dragon keeper. For all that Lito appreciated a handsome and well-built man, there were numerous individuals meeting that description. Something else about Aldric drew him, some intangible quality Lito couldn’t define that made him dislike parting from the other man.

  Aldric had work to do, however, so Lito found a place with good lighting and set down his supplies. “I will observe from here until after noon.” When the dragons emerged late in the afternoon he wanted to sit in the same location he first saw them.

  “Very well. I must purchase sheep.”

  Aldric went on his way, leaving Lito to look at a dragon that was sprawled out to resemble a cat sunning itself. He also admired Aldric’s form as the dragon keeper walked away before settling in to sketch. As a
n artist, he appreciated beauty in many forms, but he was partial to the male body. Nevertheless, he had work to do.

  ****

  Throughout the afternoon farmers appeared to deliver sheep. The ovines looked nervous even by the standard of their skittish species, causing Lito to wonder if they could smell the dragons. Then again, he could not claim to be very knowledgeable about sheep, so perhaps they were always so unnerved to be taken someplace new. In any event, the farmers were quite satisfied with the coins they received from Aldric in return for their livestock.

  By the time the dragons awoke, their enclosure contained three dozen anxious sheep huddled in one corner. The juveniles were once again first out the door. They launched themselves into the air with rather savage growls and made straight for the sheep. Lito made note of the fact that they preferred to hunt from the air.

  All the sheep set to bleating and doomed attempts to flee. The young dragons each snatched up a victim and carried it off for a feast. The noise attracted the other clan members, and thus followed a frenzied minute of hunting. The adult dragons were more elegant hunters and able to hold two sheep at once.

  Witnessing the scene further expanded Lito’s understanding of dragons, so he was pleased on that account. Nevertheless, the slaughter, not to speak of the stench of so much sheep blood, turned his stomach and he doubted he would wish to eat in the near future. Much as he liked dragons, it was hard not to feel sorry for the terrified sheep being taken inside the dragon house, presumably for the mother and hatchlings. Life as a prey species was ugly.

  Two of the dragons retired to their house after eating, while the rest flew off. Lito fretted for several minutes over the significance of this and what it meant for their chances of saving the dragons. At last Aldric made his way to Lito’s spot.

  “Did it work?”

  “I believe it did. Did you notice most of them flew off opposite the woods? They’re not going hunting. They’re simply out to fly around their territory.”

  The knot in Lito’s stomach eased. “I’m glad to hear it.”

  “Except Aina and Doubleclaw, the gluttons.” Aldric’s words might be severe, but his tone was fond. “They weren’t going to stop eating while there were sheep to be had and now they’re too overfull to fly.”

  A second man ambled over to join them and Aldric introduced him. “Lito, this is my assistant, Esan. Esan, Lito.”

  Esan greeted him with a smile. “I’m pleased to meet the man who ensured we could take measures to save the dragons.”

  If his reputation was to precede him, Lito hoped it might help connect him with art lovers, as he needed to cultivate patronage in Corancia. Perhaps the king’s gratitude might extend that far. Unlike some artists, Lito did not desire a life of great excess, instead contenting himself with modest comforts and sufficient art supplies. He did not require tremendous wealth, merely a few patrons or a single very generous one.

  “Pleasure to make your acquaintance,” he told Esan. “I’m grateful I was able to assist.”

  “I don’t like to think what would have happened without you, and I don’t say that just because I’d be out of employment. A man can’t spend as much time around dragons as I do without growing fond of them.”

  Lito said, “I shouldn’t think so.”

  “Now, with your permission, Aldric, I will move for home. I’ve firewood to cut before we need to worry about that cursed troll.”

  “Yes,” said Aldric. “I will see you in the morning.”

  “Perhaps we’ll be fortunate and the troll will have been caught.”

  As Esan walked away, Lito inquired, “Do your patrols often struggle to catch trolls?”

  “The patrols were reassigned to search for anyone conspiring to poison dragons. I’m going for a quick swim.”

  “Do you mind company?” It was a warm day, and Lito would welcome a chance to rinse away the sweat. He’d also welcome a chance to see Aldric less clothed and more relaxed.

  “No. The pond is this way.”

  Lito preferred rivers or even deeper brooks, as he was partial to running water. If he stayed in this specific area, which he supposed he would since it was close to the dragons, he would look for the closest river or brook.

  “Do you happen to know if I might find accommodation nearby?” he asked.

  “There’s a small farmstead, recently inherited, that the owner is looking to sell.”

  Lito didn’t have enough funds to purchase a farmstead even if he wanted one, which he most certainly did not. So far as crops and livestock were concerned he had neither skills nor interest in learning them. “I’m no farmer.”

  “I believe our late cooper’s widow is interested in taking on a boarder. Her house is closer to the city, but not an inconvenient walk if you want to observe the dragons.”

  “That would suit me.” The less cooking Lito was obliged to undertake, the better.

  The pond was not far, and they arrived quickly. “Do the dragons visit this pond?” he asked, thinking that a dragon and its reflection might make for a tasteful painting.

  “Rarely. They drink from a stream which flows behind their houses, and there is a deeper pond in the royal woods which they favor for bathing.”

  Perhaps a dragon flying over the pond, with its reflection balancing the entire composition. The morning light would be best, however, as the woods blocked the descending sun’s rays.

  Consideration of art ceased when Aldric stripped off his clothing. All of his clothing, a thing not done in Marnachi except by very young children. Were all Corancians so bold, or was this trait unique to Aldric? Lito forced his eyes back to the trees until the dragon keeper was safely in the water, and willed himself not to recall the image lest he excite his nether regions.

  He removed his own clothing save the innermost layer, noting that Aldric’s pile of clothing consisted of fewer layers but thicker cloth. In the cooler northern climate he supposed one didn’t want air to circulate between the layers of one’s clothing.

  Mostly disrobed, he strode into the pond. “You wear clothes to swim?” asked Aldric.

  “It’s customary in Marnachi.”

  “Then you will be forced to wear wet clothing.”

  “Generally, we bring a spare to change into afterwards.” In any event, wearing sodden underclothes for the few minutes required to walk to Aldric’s cottage was much preferable to swimming naked. He did have his dignity, notwithstanding his status as a traitor. “Only the youngest children swim without clothes. It’s considered undignified for adults.”

  “I maintain that walking around in uncomfortably sodden clothes is less dignified.”

  “We shall have to content ourselves with disagreement, then.”

  “Very well,” said Aldric. “Suit yourself, and I will do the same.”

  The water was pleasant and refreshing, though the mud at the pond’s bottom was less than ideal. Aldric swam vigorously, while Lito was content to enjoy the water in a lazier fashion. He also indulged in a bit of appreciation for the dragon keeper’s body, and he took care not to be open about it though any man who swam naked ought to expect such appreciation. At least any man as well-muscled as Aldric should.

  “I suppose swimming is the closest a man can experience to flying,” he said.

  Aldric paused to say, “I can’t say I’ve thought about it.”

  “We aren’t supporting our own weight, nor is there an animal carrying us. Like a strong wind, a current can carry us where it will.”

  For a moment, he worried that he was too philosophical. Then Aldric nodded. “It may be. Unfortunately, we cannot fly for a proper comparison.”

  “That is regrettable.”

  After this exchange, they lapsed into pleasant silence. Too soon it was time to remove for Aldric’s cottage. Lito studiously attended to his own clothing while the other man walked out of the pond, as he did not wish to embarrass himself. Aldric was not quite so surreptitious and had some obvious interest in Lito’s body when the wet
underclothes clung to it. Flattering. Lito would not claim to have as splendid a body as Aldric, but he did not think himself terribly formed either. Moreover, Aldric’s interest was a very hopeful sign.

  If the troll’s presence was going to force him to spend evenings inside with Aldric, Lito decided he had no real cause to complain.

  ****

  “I have something you may wish to see,” said Aldric after lighting a lamp. He opened a cabinet door and removed a hefty book. Lito read the spine: Dragons of the Known World.

  “You have a book about dragons?”

  “Three, though they are not my personal possessions. They belong to the office.”

  In Marnachi, books that mentioned dragons were likely to do so in a disparaging manner or to boast of how the south was no longer home to dragons. “You are correct. I very much wish to see this book.”

  Aldric flipped through to a specific page. “This is what the southern dragons looked like.”

  The illustration was only of middling quality, but it was enough to give him an idea how his native dragons had appeared. They were ebony, with a more elongated neck and curved wings than northern dragons.

  “Where sunlight makes our dragons look metallic, southern dragons were reputed to shine like the best glass,” said Aldric. “They were more or less the same size as our dragons, but enjoyed warmer climates and had a tendency to fly higher in the sky.”

  “They must have been marvelous.” How he wished he could breathe life into the drawing, as if he were a god in the ancient tales.

  “I imagine so.”

  “And we killed them all, for what? Fear? The odd sheep here and there?”

  Aldric tilted his head slightly in concern. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

  “No, it’s not you. I’m glad to see this.” He looked down at the page again. “It’s the injustices of the world, and the foolishness of men long dead, that upset me.”

  In a clear attempt to cheer him, Aldric suggested, “You might also enjoy the illustrations of dragons from across the sea.”

  Lito couldn’t help but smile at the dragon keeper’s concern for his mood. “Indeed, I would. I’ve always suspected the claim that dragons from the far west are impervious to flames.”