Inheritance

Part 2. Chapter 66

"But what of the child? Is it not important to find him?" Casamir protested. "The ritual can be completed any time."

"Are you afraid, Teankeer? Surely you wish to be mated as much as I do." Anyananta replied, goading the fairy. "The child can wait."

Casamir gazed at the dragon flirtatiously, tickling the creature's chin. "We have already been mated in secret, remember...?"

Casamir's mouth opened wide, his lips came close to the dragon's cheek.

Every two-legged creature but for the fairy felt sick to their stomach at the scene. Francis nearly blanched.

The kiss was interrupted when the dragon slammed its foot down on the fairy's torso. "Do not tempt me. We must be mated if we are to maintain the honor of being Evanskoll Dragons."

Casamir turned ashen. There was silence for a time. Eventually, the fairy cleared his throat and replied, "Very well, Fahehearn. Let me up."

Slowly, the dragon lifted its claw, releasing the fairy. His heart was pounding; he lay where the dragon had pinned him for a moment. He regained his composure quickly, standing up and looping his arms around Ayananta's neck again.

"Let's see... For the ritual, we have a human, an elf, and a waif here. Shall we fly to the dwarven kingdom to fetch a dwarf?"

Anyananta huffed smoke out its nostrils. "No. We will head back to Evanskoll to start the ritual. A dwarf can be found later."

The fairy looked somewhat perturbed, but he kept his composure. "Very well."

He turned to Francis and the others. "You all are going to be apart of a ritual to help me become a man and a dragon. Isn't that exciting? You could run, but if you want to live, I suggest you hop on Anya's back."

Francis was freezing, and he couldn't tell whether it was because of the weather, because he was sick, or because he was deathly afraid.

No one moved despite Casamir's threat.

Casamir tapped his foot impatiently. "Did you not hear me? If you don't get on Anyananta's back, then she will kill you all. Isn't that right, Fahehearn?"

"Of course." The dragon grumbled.

Kori, being the bold creature that she was, stepped forward and spoke on everyone's behalf. "At least tell us what this ritual is. Tell us what you plan to do with us."

Casamir did not look impressed. "I just said what the ritual was: It's a ritual to make me into a man. You will not be harmed. Besides... You're in no position to be making demands. I don't have to tell you more if I don't want to."

"I think we have a damned right to know what this ritual entails! More than that, I think we have a right to go free! We have done nothing to you!" Kori's fists were clenched. She was fed up.

Casamir leaned his elbow on Anyananta's shoulder. "For one so tiny and powerless, you certainly are rude and outspoken. I'll give you until the count of three, and if you all are not on Anya's back by then, then you'll be in her belly instead."

Hew wordlessly climbed up on the dragon's back, Terrance following after. Tears came unbidden to Francis' eyes as he approached the dragon. He wiped them away with a sneeze and then climbed up behind Terrance.

Kori was the only one who had not moved from where she stood.

Her head was lowered; her face was in shadow. She shook with anger and sadness. She looked up, unable to remove her compassionate gaze from Francis' teary face. She was responsible for dragging Francis into such a deadly situation, and he could tell that she deeply regretted it.