Rise of the Last Dragon Rider - Chapter 049 - Towns by the sea (Patreon)

Both women had promised to keep watch over Kaen and Pammon even though he had attempted to convince them it wasn’t needed.

The matter of honor had to be proven, and when Kaen left in the morning, both gave him a small gift.  Tioanoe gave Kaen a small blueish rock with sparks inside it.  She had mentioned that it was often traded for and thus was valuable.  Krudae gave him the small vial of poison she had shot him with.  It only had a few doses left, but it was her most prized possession, and she felt he was worthy of it.

Pammon had allowed each woman to touch his snout and scratch him, making them smile as he trilled before they ran into the woods.

You cannot help but run into trouble and always need me to help save you.  Perhaps we should stop camping at night.

I would like to think I was perfectly fine on my own.  After all, I did manage to hold them off till you arrived.

Snorting, Pammon shook his body, thrumming at the feeling he picked up from Kaen.  He could tell that Kaen was a bit embarrassed that he had almost been robbed and stripped naked by a pack of women in the forest.

Perhaps we should not tell your new wife about all this?

Slapping the abused scale on Pammon’s neck, Kaen laughed, imagining Ava’s reaction to that encounter.

Moving on, I still think that worked out well.  A potential new ally and some possible new reagents for crafting. At some point, Aldric will tell me to stop making decisions without his prior approval.

I believe he gave that to you the day he entrusted you with the defense of his kingdom.  I may have been dozing, but he had promised to back anything you did.

Scratching the hair on his face, Kaen gazed out over the two landscapes beneath him.

After a distance, the northern side grew into a lush forest, moving into the part the elves claimed as their own.  Underneath him, trees became sparse, and it was easy to see how little vegetation actually grew from up here.  Like a wavy line, the landscape shifted from a sea of green to splotched colors of brown.  Off to the south, the harsh desert came into view, with no greenery in sight.

It is incredible that they can survive so long in such a rugged land.

Kaen lost himself in the thought of what had been discussed last night.

Are you worried the kobolds are part of Stioks' plan?  I can almost read your mind with how much you think about it.

Nodding even though Pammon couldn’t see, Kaen couldn’t shake that feeling.

Could Stioks have managed to reach this far and help the kobolds grow?  The few things I read were that they often did not get along with orcs or goblins, but there had been one time they had allied together before splitting again.  How much evil can one man and a dragon really sow?

Pammon growled, and Kaen realized he was thinking about Stioks.  The more time Pammon spent with that man on his mind, the more the same rage always rose up.

If we have learned anything over the last few years, it is that he will do anything he desires, including capturing a dragon and killing those who stand against him.  The rest of what we have seen is nothing compared to those actions.

His lifestone flickered for a moment, burning with conviction as Kaen knew there would come another day that they would face off.  He would do his best to ensure that time he and Pammon didn’t run away but ended it once and for all if they could.

Two more days of flying from sun up to sun down left them in a sour mood.

Pammon had angled a little north, moving into the forest again, allowing them to find food to help limit the amount of dried meat Kaen had to eat.  The trip across the ocean would be taxing enough.

Camped for the night, Kaen studied the map he had, moving his finger along the map he had copied of the five-hundred-year-old piece Herb had let him see.  His map-making skills were getting better, but it was evident that the landscape had changed.

“We are two more days from the coast.  That will put us in the kingdom of Golden Edge –”

Pammon snorted, interrupting Kaen as his gust of air almost blew the map from his hand.

Who comes up with these names?  Are we expecting the entire landscape to be covered in gold along the edges of it?

Chucking, Kaen fixed his map, carefully dabbing a tiny bit of mucus that had landed on it.

“No, you overgrown eggling; it's because of the sea.  Supposedly, they say the water turns golden as the sun sets on it.” Flicking the mucus he had picked off the page at Pammon, he pointed a finger at him.  “Stop spraying all my stuff with your snot.  I’m having a hard enough time staying clean without having to constantly remove your bodily fluids from me.”

Please, I didn’t complain when urinated on me.

Groaning, Kaen turned back to his map.  “That was one time… I’m sorry I had to go after flying for six hours straight.  It’s not my fault either.  At least I tried aiming away from you.”

Opening his mouth, Pammon began to smack his lips together, glaring at Kaen, who ignored his dragon’s moodiness.

“Forget it.  We’re both grumpy.  You and I know what will happen once we reach the shore.  Are you sure you don’t want me to try and get you something to eat from the people there?”

No… the taste of dried food sickens me.  It has no blood or flavor, even with the spices you offer.  I will try to catch something in the sea if I must.

With a sigh, Kaen nodded and made a few marks on the map before rolling it up and tucking it into his pack.

He stood up and moved to where Pammon was, running his hands along the base of his massive horns jutting from his head.  A slight trill emerged as his fingers massaged the scales bunched around it.

“I’m sorry.  I shouldn’t have snapped at you.  Just a lot on my mind, and I know the next part of this journey will not be easy.”

Nuzzling Kaen with his snout, Pammon gave him a playful push.

It won’t, and I forgive you for snapping at me and urinating on me.

Kaen turned and tackled Pammon’s neck, moving it a little bit as he bore down with most of his strength until his dragon lifted his head into the air, taking Kaen with it.

“You win!”

Dropping to the ground, Kaen patted the scales along Pammon’s side, moved to his usual spot, and sat down. Leaning against his friend, he closed his eyes.

“Get some sleep.”

Pammon snorted, not spraying anything on Kaen as he grinned.  Bringing his head close, he nudged Kaen until he opened his eyes.

We will manage because we do this together.  Stop worrying.  We are strong enough.

Raising a hand, Kaen scratched the top of Pammon’s snout and smiled.

“I know you don’t like this word, but I want you to know I love you.”

Pammon held his gaze, staring at Kaen as he watched his rider and partner for a moment.

I love you as well.  Now go to sleep.  Some of us have a lot of flying to do.

Kaen laughed and closed his eyes again, quickly falling asleep to the rhythm of Pammon’s beating heart.

That doesn’t look like a good place to land.  They have weapons that look like giant harpoons ready to fire into the air.

Well, how far do you think they can fire?

Pammon and Kaen circled the harbor town on the edge of the sea. There was still a solid four hours of sunlight before night, and a bell was peeling from inside a building at the center of town.

Kaen could barely make out the details of people running and what must be a militia of some kind going to the massive siege-like weapons on each side of the town.  Eight total were circled around the town, and it looked like one in the middle on top of the bell tower.

I’m guessing they fear dragons.

That sounded like the dumbest statement you have made in a while.  It seems overkill against a man on a horse.

Ignoring the jab, Kaen took in the landscape as they made one more sweep around the town.

To the east is a road with a good bit of room between the town and where you could set down.  It wouldn’t be that far of a walk for me if you dropped me off there.

Do you actually want me to set you down?  Are you not afraid of what they might do to you?

We don’t have a choice. I must fill up all my waterskins and collect as much dried fish and meat as possible.  I’m not walking in naked.

Pammon huffed and banked to the right, aiming for the spot Kaen had picked.

You better take everything.  No stupid risks because I don’t want to have to come and try to save you.

Don’t worry.  I am going in fully geared.

Walking down the dirt road toward the town, Kaen adjusted his shield again.  Every piece of jewelry was on him, and with his sword on his hip, shield on his arm, and bow at his back, he doubted the town would be dumb enough to try anything.

Stop thinking that thought.  People are stupid.  You are stupid occasionally.

Smiling, Kaen nodded and ignored Pammon.  It was true.  People took risks if they thought they had a chance to come out ahead.

The group of ten men riding horses had been slowly approaching him since he started walking away.  They had landed over a mile away, giving plenty of time for him to get ready and for the townspeople to decide what they wanted to do.

Dodging the ruts from the steady stream of wheels and the puddles from the rain, they must get from the sea, Kaen could smell the saltwater in the air.  And the smell of fish.  Lots of fish.

“Hello!” Kaen shouted as the squad of men and a few dwarves got within fifty yards of him.  He had stopped and let them cross the last bit of distance a minute earlier.  Their horses were not battle horses, which looked like ones used to haul carts, wagons, or plows.  Each of the men seemed apprehensive from the way they glanced at him and over his shoulder at Pammon, who was sitting and watching their approach.

“I am looking to trade!  No need to worry!”

He saw a dwarf spit off to the side when Kaen said that but ignored the man’s action.

When they got within ten yards, all the horses stopped, forming a line across the road.

“A dragon rider?” an older dwarf with brown and grey hair and a very untamed beard snarled.  “What brings you to our town?  Dragons be bad business!”

The other men shifted in their saddles, some wincing from the tone in the dwarf's voice.

“I am Kaen.  That dragon behind me is Pammon, my dragon, and yes, I am a dragon rider.  Seeking to trade for some food and water.  I’m not looking for a fight or to cause any problems.  Just to fill my bags and head off.”

The dwarf eyed him, picking his teeth with his tongue before reaching up with his pinky and digging out whatever bothered him.

“It doesn’t matter who you are! We won’t be bullied by you or your dragon! If you think –”

An elbow from a dwarf sitting next to him caught him in the rib, causing the dwarf to double over and start coughing.

“Whats… the –”

“Shut yer trap, or I’ll hit you harder next time, you blaberin fool.”

Kaen did his best not to smile but realized the dwarf who had hit him was a brown-haired female. The curves were there, but most importantly, her beard was in much better shape, and the scowl she was giving the dwarf she had just hit could have peeled paint off wood.

“Fergive that oaf.  He wanted to be tough and strong, but he be nuffin but a wool-headed, fish eatin fool.  My names Nisrin, and I’m the owner of the main tavern in town.  If you be needing food, I’ll be the one ya talk to.”

A few chuckles came from the others as the dwarf she had hit glared at her.  She ignored his red face and eyes that could shoot daggers, smiling as she watched Kaen.

“We can stand out here chatting, or you can come inside the town, but I’m afraid we can’t invite yer dragon inside.”

Nodding, Kaen motioned with his thumb over his shoulder at Pammon. “He will be okay staying back, and if you don’t mind, I’ll stay out here as well.  I wouldn’t want him getting worried and causing problems.”

She cackled, nodded, and motioned to the town behind her with her thumb.  “Blue Belly Warf don’t need no problems, trust me.  Now tell me what ya need.”