The Dragon Master

In a land not so far away…

The horse drawn carriage came into a small village just before midday. The sun was shining through scattered clouds, and a cool breeze blew over the land. The horses were tired despite having an overnight rest, because they had been pulling the carriage for five days. The driver tugged on the reigns to bring them to a stop in front of a stable. A young man came out, running up to the carriage.

“Yes, my lord, how may we help you?”

“The horses need water, food, and some rest. Can you provide this accommodation?”

“Yes, my lord.”

“My fare will need food. Is there somewhere they can get something to eat?”

“The house over there will provide food for a small cost,” said the young man, pointing to a dwelling across the lane from the stables.

Looking out the door, a boy of ten was listening to the conversation. He leaned back in and told his parents they could eat in the dwelling he was pointing out.

“Let’s get out and let them get the horses fed and watered,” said the boy’s father.

They climbed out and crossed the lane. The father knocked then called out to the residents. The door swung open revealing an older woman, ladle in hand, and she smiled then welcomed them into her home.

 

 

The boy slipped out of the woman’s dwelling and strolled through the small village, counting the structures that housed the people. “…six, seven, eight, and nine.” He looked back to see if his parents were looking for him. A couple of men crossed the lane with mattocks slung over a shoulder. He looked to the south seeing a small lake then back to the north. A mountain rose up covered in trees and rock outcroppings walling off the northern horizon. The lake was tempting, but the mountain was a bigger draw, because he was from the coastal region of the country, and a mountain would be a new adventure.

He headed for it, cutting between two fields until at the edge of the woods, and he didn’t bother to look for a trail, instead just strolled straight into them and started up the gradually rising grade until he was navigating around rock and slopes too steep to easily walk.

He climbed until sweat trickled into his face, knowing he had gone too far. His parents would be upset. He would get into trouble and be punished. He pushed forward, for if he was going to be punished, he wanted to at least reach some high point he could look back on the land.

He zigzagged up a steep slope until standing at the base of a rock outcropping, boulders larger than the dwellings below rose high above his head. He moved around the right side until staring at a wall of solid rock. He went back the other way, making his way around a tree growing out of split rock and over rock just small enough he could pull himself on top then jump from one to the next, getting higher and higher. He came to another vertical cliff but on this side of the boulders there was a narrow fissure, one just wide enough for him to slip through.

He moved through the fissure carefully and nearly turned back when he came to a narrowed section, one that he had to squeeze through to continue. But he suppressed a fear of getting trapped and pushed onward.

He came out of the fissure to find himself standing in a bowl-shaped depression between boulders and mountain side and in the middle of it a large nest made of tree limbs. It was massive, big enough for two or three horses to get in, and he moved to its edge and looked down into it, gasping at what he saw. An egg, broken open and empty. It was blue and red and large enough to contain a boy of his size. He tried to picture what could have hatched from it, thinking of all sorts of creatures, some real and some imaginary. He climbed into the nest and stood next to it. Even with the top broken off, it was taller than him. Reaching out, he felt the pebbled surface, surprised it was not smooth as he imagined. A gust of wind and he was in shadow, one that covered the whole nest. The shadow moved until what made it was behind him. He could hear it breathing and feel the air blow over him from its movement. Terrified, he turned slowly, moving to put the eggshell between him and it. A multi-colored dragon, a Pukje, stood towering over him, with wings stretched out touching the rocks that framed the depression. Her yellow chest seemed to focus his attention and how it was framed in red and black. She stared at him with eyes that shined gold and black, then pulled her red head back on her long neck preparing to strike.

“No,” the boy uttered, closing his eyes for he couldn’t bare to watch her strike out at him.

He was knocked on the ground, and a high-pitched cry pierced the air, and he opened his eyes to see a young dragon between him and its mother. Its undeveloped wings flapping wildly as it bounced on its feet unsteadily. The mother dragon pulled back, then bent to nudge the young one with her nose. The young dragon rubbed its body against the long snout. He saw it had the same coloring but with a slightly different patterning, and the yellow chest had a heart shaped red patch as if denoting where the real heart would be.

The boy knew if he was going to escape, he had to run, run now, and he rushed over the side of the nest and into the fissure. He thought he had trapped himself where it narrowed but once he quit struggling, he found himself slipping free. He moved the rest of the way as fast as he could as he heard the dragons moving above him.

He rushed down the rocks, jumping from one to the next, until back on the soft ground. He moved as fast as he could down the mountain, gasping for breath.

When he ran out of the woods, he finally stopped just to look at the village before him. He had made it back. With a pain in his side and struggling to get his breath, he walked back into the village to find people were searching for him. He was going to be severely punished, but he smiled at escaping the dragon.

 

Fourteen Years Later…

Lukas rode his black mare, a courser of great stamina, into the clearing where a new village had been established over the last year. He had ridden for days to get there for his youngest sister; Isa lived here with her husband and two children. She had delivered the last child a year ago and he had come to see the child and his sister.

He rode across the cleared area, fields to his right along the southern side of the clearing and coming up on the left side, the small dwellings, crude to those back in the city, but common among settlers of new areas. As he passed the first dwellings, he saw a blonde-haired woman come out of the dwelling ahead of him. She was a short woman, lean in build, and even from the distance, he knew it was his sister.

“Isa!” Lukas called out.

She stopped and looked his way. “Lukas!” she cried out, dropping the basket she was carrying and ran to him.

Lukas jumped down from his horse and grabbed Isa into a hug, lifting her off the ground. “Isa, I have missed you.”

 

 

Lukas woke early and lay on the bed made on the floor in the living area. He listened to the quiet within the dwelling, how there was no sound, not even outside of it. He looked at the window, the shutters closed, but through the gaps, he saw the darkness was being pushed away by the light of a new day.

He had been at his sister’s home for two days, helping around the house and in the fields, working alongside Lian. He had always believed the life of a soldier was a tough one, but after a couple of days he began to think the life of people in new settlements was harder. He looked around the room thinking this was no life for him.

He came to his feet and went outside, stretching and twisting his back, then walked to the well for a much-needed cup of water.

A high-pitched screech echoed over the village, then a shadow flew over him frighteningly fast. He looked up in time to see it, a Pukje, the fiercest of the dragons. Its multi-colored body looked vibrant in the early morning light as it soared into the sky, then looped around. Red, black, and yellow, the colors mottled together in areas and vivid where solid; the red head and yellow chest.

It screeched again as it turned into a dive, flying toward the village, wings folded back, rapidly gaining speed.

“No, no,” Lukas uttered, then he ran toward his sister’s dwelling while yelling for everyone to run toward the woods.

Isa came to the door, then Lian behind her.

“Isa! Lian! Get the children and run to the woods,” Lukas yelled as he ran toward them.

The dragon extended its wings, pulling itself out of its dive and it soared over the village, spewing an oily mucus over two of the dwellings. The second one ignited into flames from an open flame inside catching it on fire. The dwelling was quickly engulfed. A hot ember floated to the other dwelling, igniting it.

Lukas looked back, taking note of the two families running from them. He knew the legends said dragon breathed fire, but the truth was simpler, supposedly less frightening. They could spew a mucus from their throats that was oily, thus combustible. In a village with open flames for cooking, heat, and light, there was always something to ignite it. The Pukje just needed a small glowing ember to ignite its mucus. The other dragon breeds had an oily mucus that was not as combustible, the Kaukas needing an open flame to catch.

He turned and ran toward Isa and her family, scooping Nelli, the oldest, into his arms and ran with them to the woods as the dragon flew over again, setting two more dwellings afire.

 

 

Lukas walked along with Nelli in his arms and the rest of the village lined up behind him, all headed back to the nearest town. Behind them, the village was still smoldering from being burned to the ground the day before. It was daybreak and the dragon was nowhere in sight, so they headed out while constantly looking up.

“Isa, you’re not going to try to rebuild, are you?” said Lukas.

“No, Lian and I are going to move down near the cost close to his family.”

“Good.”

“We’re just lucky no one was killed.”

“Or seriously hurt.”

“Why did it attack us? What do you think?”

“Some say they are just vicious creatures. Others say they are demons sent to torment us. All I know is I intend to come back with some men and hunt it down.”

“Lukas, don’t; let it go.”

“But it’ll hurt others. It is my job as a soldier for the king to protect our land.”

 

An Expedition for knowledge…

Alawar rode into the small town of Haus des dunklen Waldes, one near his destination. He put his horse into a stable for the night and went in search of lodging and food. He wore his black coat with the hood over his head. He avoided eye contact instead looked where he stepped in the wet street with its piles of horse and ox dung, not wanting it on his boots. He made his way to a tavern and slipped into its dark interior. It was lit by two small windows facing the street and candles burning on the tables and the bar. An older woman was behind the bar, and a young boy was moving around the tables, setting mugs of ale at some and taking empty mugs from others. Alawar moved through the small dining area past the stone fireplace to a table positioned in the corner. He sat with his back to the wall and looked around the room before pulling the hood back revealing his head. He had to make sure there was no one in the tavern who knew him.

Alawar was only twenty-four and had been on his own since he was fourteen. He traveled the land doing research in his devised method. He observed closely, for months, then recorded what he surveyed of his subjects. Their habits, what they ate, when they slept, and more importantly what provoked them. He gathered as much information as he could then made educated summaries for each subject. He filled journals with his observations, sketches, and conclusions.

The people called him a sorcerer or warlock, derogatory terms by people who feared him almost as much as they feared his subjects: the dragons. He knew no magic or spells to cast on people, nor did he control the dragons as some speculated. He merely understood them after ten years of study. There was the dragon with a lean long serpent-like body and red flesh known as the Krukis in most of the land. It was a gentle giant, a dragon hard to provoke, and its mucus was the least oily of the three dragon breeds, and therefore hard to ignite, requiring an open flame. The most common dragon of the region was the Kaukas, or the Black dragon, one with a thick muscular body shorter than the Krukis but a tail twice as long and a wingspan of five Klafter (30 feet). The Krukas were not aggressive unless provoked and the thing that provoked them more than anything else was encroaching on their territory when nesting. Their mucus was oily, easy to ignite, for a bed of hot coals were enough. Those two dragons he knew well, having studied them for ten years. He knew when their mating season started and how the female took care of her young for six months, until it learned to fly at which time it took flight to find its own territory, then the female would abandon the nest for a period of two years, hunting until she had her full strength, then she would mate and return to the nest.

It was that two-year period away that got people in trouble. People were always looking for new places to settle and if they got too close to a nesting site, the female would attack when she returned, spewing the oily mucus from her throat burning down all the dwellings and structures erected while she was gone. It earned them the reputation of being aggressive, a devil from the old religions, and the target of soldiers who hunted them for their kings.

It was the third dragon he came in search, for it was rare and he knew nothing of it other than physical descriptions. It was the largest of the three with a long body, ten Klafter long (60 feet), a wingspan described in such a manner that Alawar had to see it to believe. It had a multi-colored body of red, black, and yellow. The colors blended and merged in various patterns but all of them had red heads and bright yellow chests. It was the Pukje, and its mucus was the most volatile of the three, the tiniest spark would ignite it, and it was also known to fight in a physical manner, using it long claws and long tail to subdue their prey, then biting into it with its long fangs and teeth crushing the life out of it.

He had only seen one in his life.

“What can I get you?” said the young boy now standing by his table.

Alawar sized him up as only a boy, fourteen at most, the age he had been when his parents had been murdered because of his father’s political maneuvering between kingdoms. He had found himself on his own and went out into the territory with his own mission in life. The study of the creatures that haunted his dreams and consumed his waking thoughts, the dragons.

“What do you have to eat?”

“We have a pottage and roasted pork served with carrots and potatoes.”

“I’ll take the pork and vegetables and a mug of ale.”

“Very good, sir. I will get that for you.”

As the boy went to the kitchen, Alawar saw two men looking his way, whispering amongst themselves. He looked down to hide his grimace for he knew they recognized him. How he didn’t know, but sooner or later they would approach him. They always did so.

 

 

“Your food,” said the young boy setting a plate in front of Alawar. “Do you need another ale?”

“Yes, thank you,” Alawar replied.

The boy headed to the bar as Alawar began to eat. He kept looking across the room expecting the men glancing his way to come to his table. He wondered if he should finish and go into the woods to bed down for the night, but the lure of an actual bed was too tempting, since he hadn’t had a good night’s sleep for five days.

The boy set another ale in front of him, picked up the coins for payment and headed back to the bar. Alawar finished his food and sat back, just relaxing for a second. The men across the room stood and came his way. He grimaced then slipped his right hand into his pocket, taking his knife by the handle.

“You’re him,” said the first man to arrive at his table, one with a lean short build. Behind him the other two came up revealing stocky, barrel chested bodies, one the same height of the first man, the other taller with an inability to maintain eye contact.

“Who do you think I am?” said Alawar.

“The dragon warlock.”

“I’m not a warlock. I just study the habits of dragons to understand them.”

“That is not what we were told. You can control them with your magic.”

“I can’t do magic and I definitely can control any dragon.”

The taller man pushed past his friend and placed his hands on the table, leaning toward Alawar until halfway over the table. “I think you’re lying.”

“I’m just going to go on my way—”

“I don’t think so. I think it is time you answer for your wickedness.”

“I think you need to step back and leave me alone.”

The other stocky man moved up to the table and slipped a knife from his pocket.

“Is this how it’s going to be?” said Alawar.

“I think the three of us are going to do people a service in dealing with you,” said the man leaning over the table.

Alawar shook his head, frustrated that it was happening again. He was tired of defending himself from such fools. He looked up capturing the big man’s eye forcing him to focus on his stare. Then he jerked the knife out and slammed it down through the man’s right hand, pinning it to the table. He grabbed up an empty mug and came to his feet swinging it toward the man with the knife. Before the man could step back, the mug connected with his head.

The short man was walking backwards as one man lay on the floor unconscious and the other was screaming while trying to get his hand free. Alawar spun, kicking out with his right foot, hitting the man in the face. Knocked off his feet, the man went down hard on the floor. Alawar looked back to make sure the man at the table was still pinned to it then to the man unconscious on the floor. He exhaled with fatigue from it all.

Alawar looked at the woman behind the bar. Next to her the young boy was grinning, and she stared back expressionlessly.

“I’m sorry about this,” said Alawar.

“Get out of here; go on before their friends show up,” said the woman.  

 

 

Alawar pulled the hood over his head and rushed out of the door. He looked left, the direction he had come from thinking maybe he should just return to his home. Five soldiers of the king were riding toward him.

“Shit,” Alawar uttered then turned and headed the other way, the way he had intended all along. Maybe the soldiers would stay in the town overnight giving him enough time to get away. He moved though the other people out doing business or just taking a stroll on a pleasant afternoon. None were aware of what lay to the north, up on a mountain the locals called Rauchberg. There had to be a nest. There were too many signs that it was there. An attack on a new village, destroying all the structures. A hunting party from the town gone missing that went up the mountain in search of the dragon. Animal remains in the woods surrounding the mountain.

Alawar had half a day of travel time, enough to get him halfway there, then he would bed down for the night. Early the next morning, he would get to the mountain and make his way up it, in search of the Pukje that resided there. The fiercest dragon of all, and one he knew very little.

 

Preparing for the hunt…

Lukas led this small group of soldiers into the town. It was just after midday, and the streets were busy with people moving about on foot or horseback or a few in horse or ox driven carts.

“Let’s get something to eat then find lodgings for the night. There is only enough daylight to get us to the mountain, and I don’t want to camp at its base,” said Lukas, looking over his right shoulder.

“Agreed,” said Eliya, the leader of the four soldiers Lukas had hired.

Lukas led them to the tavern and dismounted his horse. He watched Eliya, Remy, Cirillo, and Nolhan ride up next to his horse and dismount as he tied her reigns to the rail. He looked at the four men wondering if they really had it in them. Eliya was thirty-one and from the high country to the south, and thus the most capable, but the others were young. Remy and Nolhan were only sixteen, just boys with their lean bodies not yet filled out. There was Cirillo from the far south, a place on the Great Sea, who claimed he was eighteen, but looked younger than Remy and Nolhan.

Did they really know what they were up against. Had they ever engaged with a dragon before, especially a Pukje, a dragon so fierce, few have lived to talk about engaging one. He pictured the village that had been his sister and her family’s home, burnt to ash after an attack. It scared him but also made him more determined. He would hunt that beast down and kill it, even if it meant sacrificing his own life to do so.

“Lukas, you say it’s a half day’s ride from here?” said Cirillo.

“That’s right.”

“Why don’t we ride on, engage it tonight? Maybe catch it asleep on the mountain.”

“A dragon is never as aggressive as one disturbed during the night. Even a Krukis will rip the land apart to get at one who disturbs its sleep. A Pukje…it’s unthinkable what it would do.”

“Cirillo, we engage it when we can see into its black eyes then we put a spear through its heart,” said Eliya, making the others laugh, then Cirillo. Only Lukas did not laugh; he grimaced at their bravado, hoping it didn’t get them killed.

“Okay fellas, let’s get something to eat and rooms for the night,” said Lukas as he turned and headed to the tavern’s door.

 

 

Lukas stretched, then climbed out of bed. He stretched again, his back sore from the unsupportive straw mattress. As he twisted his torso he looked down at it wishing for his own bed back in Stadt der Flusse. He looked out the small window down to the street below seeing it was already a flurry of activity, another day in full swing. Once dressed, he went to the other’s rooms, knocking on each, telling them it was time to go. The men came out half dressed and wiping sleep from their eyes. A woman ran out of Nolhan’s room pulling her dress into place.

“Get dressed and meet me downstairs. We’ll eat and head out,” said Lukas. He turned and headed down, the treads squeaking with his weight.

 

 

Lukas led the men out of the town and into the woods, their large branches creating a canopy over the road shielding them from the sun. They rode all morning until they came to the clearing, the one Lukas’ sister’s family had tried to make a new life. Black ash marked the locations where dwellings had been and the fields were beginning to become overwhelmed with grass and weeds, choking out the wheat and other crops that had survived.

He looked at the place picturing the dragon flying low over it spraying its mucus on the dwellings igniting them. He remembered rushing out with the others, getting away from the destruction. It fueled his anger and revived his determination to find and kill the Pukje.

“We’ll set up camp in the edge of the woods using them to conceal us, then head up the mountain to start our search,” said Lukas as he rode to a place he knew had little understory growth for the smaller trees had been cut for firewood.

 They set up tents, each man having his own, led the horses to the spring near the base of the mountain then tied them up to prevent them from grazing out in the open. They pulled on armor and got their weapons. Each man carried a longsword, but Lukas also had a two-hander sword. Eliya had a crossbow and Eliya and Cirillo had long bows.

“Okay, let’s go,” said Lukas as he heading toward the mountain.

They moved through the woods, going from level ground to slopes that varied from gradual, easily navigated, to steep causing the men to struggle under the weight of their armor and weapons. When they came upon large boulders they worked around them, finding a way to continue up the mountain.

Moving through a thick growth under the tree canopy until facing a rock outcropping, Lukas froze, holding up a hand for the men to stop and be quiet.

“What is it?” whispered Eliya who was right behind him.

“I’m not sure. I thought I heard something.”

“The dragon?”

“No, it wasn’t loud enough for a dragon moving around.”

“Let’s split up and see what we’re dealing with.”

“I’ll go to the left of the outcropping. You take Remy and work over it. Cirillo and Nolhan, go to the right of it.”

Eliya turned to the others. “Okay, let’s see what is here.”

 

 

Lukas made his way around the outcropping until coming to the upper side. He ducked behind a tree when he saw something moving ahead of him. He peered around to see it was a lone man with a hood concealing his face. Easing forward, he followed the man until close enough to engage him if a danger.

“Who are you?” Lukas called out.

The man froze, hands going up showing he had no weapon.

“Turn around and show yourself,” Lukas commanded.

The man slowly turned and pulled the hood back. Tousled black hair and a face of a man who looked about his own age. Grey eyes looked at him with an expression he recognized; a commoner who was afraid because they brought attention to themselves to a soldier of the king.

Lukas looked at the attractive face trying not to think of it. Instead, he focused on the issue. “Why are you here?” Before the man replied he realized he had seen him before. Two years prior in a small village near Eichenhugel, he had been in the crowd as elders were accusing the man of being a magician. A magician who controls the dragons. “You’re Alawar, the Dragon Master.”

Alawar grimaced, shaking his head. “I’m not a magician.”

“But you control the dragons.”

“No, I do not control any dragons. I merely study them to understand them.”

“And you’re here to study the Pukje?” said Lukas sarcastically.

Alawar looked at him, expression changing to one serious. “You’re hunting it.”

“Of course I’m hunting it. It destroyed a village and displaced the people who were lucky no one got seriously hurt or killed.”

“But the dragon was merely protecting its territory.”

“Protecting its territory? Dragons are not that intelligent.”

“Really? Have you studied them at all?”

“I don’t need to study them; I need to wipe them out.”

“Of course that is all a soldier would know to do; kill, kill, kill.”

“It attacked a village!”

“It defended its territory!”

“You’re a fucking idiot.”

“And you’re a barbarian.”

Lukas felt like driving his longsword through the Dragon Master. He held tight to the handle fighting the urge. “You need to get off this mountain or you’re going to get hurt.”

“By the dragon…or you?”

“Does it matter?”

Eliya and Remy came into view on the boulder to their right. “Lukas, everything alright?”

Alawar looked up to see the two soldiers, one armed with a crossbow aimed at him.

“I suggest you leave,” said Lukas. He pushed past Alawar, looking up quickly. “Come on guys, let’s go find this dragon.”

 

 

Alawar stomped down the mountain, furious at being threatened. He thought the dragon could eat them; they deserved it. He made his way down without paying attention to his direction. When he got to the level ground, standing next to a spring, wondered where he was in relation to the clearing of the burned-out village. He looked up through the tree canopy seeing the sun to his right about halfway down from noon. He had plenty of time to figure out how to get back to the clearing where he had made his campsite on the south side of it, away from the mountain.

Eventually his anger diminished and he began to consider the soldier who had confronted him. A tall build, apparently muscular from the way the biceps bulged, the torso hidden within armor. One of the other soldiers called him Lukas. Sweaty blonde hair framed a smooth face of a young man with vivid blue eyes. Despite how he hated how Lukas treated him; he had to admit he found him attractive. Maybe in another situation, in some foreign place, maybe…just maybe…

 

 

Alawar came to a small creek and waded across, the water only knee deep. He moved up the rocky bank on the other side and continued in a line parallel with the base of the mountain knowing the clearing had to be in front of him.

His anger and exertions tiring him, he slowed his pace. It was taking too long to get through the woodland, but he didn’t care, continuing along lost to his thoughts. He thought of the soldiers, especially the one named Lukas, but mostly he thought of the dragon, considering it an innocent in man’s desire to kill anything they feared. He began to trip over roots or rocks, slipped down a slope, sliding on his ass, cursing himself for his clumsiness. At one point he sat on a fallen tree to rest, wondering what the soldiers were doing. Had they found the Pukje, and if so, were they killing it. It was unjust. He understood the disheartening aspect of having homes destroyed and being displaced, but people needed to survey an area first, to make sure they were not intruding into a dragon’s territory. He doubted the Pukje was as aggressive as portrayed. He wondered if the species, one that numbered far fewer than the other breeds, required a larger territory and was more aggressive in protecting it.

Alawar wiped his brow, climbed to his feet, continued his hike through the woods looking for the clearing. He walked for a short time when he finally came to the clearing. He stood in the shadow of a tree looking around it. On the far side movement caught his eye and he focused on it, quickly realizing it was the soldier’s horses, and there were more than three, telling him there were more than three soldiers.

He came out into the clearing, cutting toward the south side. He got to the first abandoned field when he heard the screech of the dragon, a piercing sound that echoed in the valley. He turned to look toward the mountain. Five soldiers came running out of the woods, some having shed their heavy armor. Two were still holding their long swords, Lukas and one of the others, and they ran toward the east side. They were yelling something, but the dragon’s screech and the distance was too great for him to hear clearly. Then he made out their cries. Run. Run.

Alawar saw the dragon, a huge creature with a red head, yellow chest, and the rest black and red mottled together. It soared over the clearing then dived toward the soldiers, snatching one up in its claws. It climbed into the sky. Alawar stood stunned, unable to move, as the dragon climbed until nearly at the clouds and dropped the soldier. It swung around and dived, this time with wings back, gaining enormous speed.

The four remaining soldiers split up, two heading east, one due south, and one toward him. Alawar realized it was Lukas. The dragon swooped down, pulled up with wings stretched out, then landed hard on the two soldiers heading toward the east, crushing them. He felt the ground vibrate under his feet and the air with the dragon’s screech. The dragon didn’t hesitate, lifted back into the air and flew low toward the soldier heading south, snatching him up in its jaws, biting him in half, letting each fall to the ground. It swung toward the east, rising in the air then swung around and flew toward Lukas, and thus him.

“Run, run!” screamed Lukas.

Lukas raced past him and he saw the two of them were too far from the protection of the woods. He turned back to the dragon watching its fast approach as he stood paralyzed with his fear. It lifted its head and spread its wings, landing hard so close he could hear her exhale then suck in a lung full of air. He looked up at her expecting her to strike him first then Lukas. She reared her head up and back, preparing to strike. Then Alawar saw it, the heart shaped red spot in the yellow chest.

“It’s you,” he uttered, looking up shocked it was the same dragon, the one he had seen as a young hatchling fourteen years ago.

The dragon froze, then leaned down to him, bringing her nose right up to him. She inhaled, then nudged him, pushing him back a couple of steps. He reached out, his curiosity overpowering his fear, and touched the snout, then rubbed it. The eyes closed, then opened slowly, staring at him.

She rose before him, wings outstretched, showing her massive size, larger than her mother had been. Then she lifted off the ground and flew back toward the summit of the mountain.

“You are the dragon master,” uttered Lukas.

Alawar turned to see Lukas staring at him pale as a ghost, trying to catch his breath. “No, no, I’m not some master. It’s just…I know that dragon.”

“You know that Pukje?”

“I came across it when I was a young boy and it was just a hatchling.”

“And the mother didn’t kill you?”

“She was going to, but the young dragon got between us and stopped her.”

“What power do you possess?”

“I’m not a mage.”

“You just interacted with a Pukje, the most aggressive dragon in the skies.”

“No, you don’t understand.”

“It slaughtered my men but spared you, let you touch it.”

“Lukas, we need to get out of the clearing. My campsite is over there,” said Alawar pointing to the south, the same direction where the two halves of one soldier lay. “We should get to my camp then bury your men before it gets dark.”

“Yes,” Lukas replied in tone that showed he was still in shock.

 

 

The fire was burning with little smoke, flames rising in the still air. Alawar looked through the flames and rising hot air at the visually distorted Lukas leaned back against a log. Lukas was quiet as he stared at the flames. They had eaten cured meat and hard bread and were just sitting by the fire, both exhausted by the day’s events.

“You knew that Pukje,” uttered Lukas, sitting up and looking over the flames.

“When I was ten, my family were traveling in a region to the north heading to the North Sea.”

“The North Sea?”

“Father was an accountant for a baron and…I don’t know what happened.”

“What do you mean?”

“They were murdered while visiting someone who worked for one of the kings. I have no idea what was going on or if the person who did it was ever apprehended. I think their murder was politically motivated.”

“And it left you an orphan. Was there no family that would have taken you in?”

“Maybe…yes, I think they would have done so, but I was fourteen and felt like I was a man. I packed up what I could carry, got some coin from the bank, and set off without telling anyone where I was going.”

“You went in search of dragons.”

“Yes. I knew the stories about the Pukje and felt there must be some truth to them despite my own interaction with a mother and her young. So, I searched for the other breeds, studying them for months…years even, until I felt like I understood them at some level. They are so misunderstood.”

“But back to how you know that beast.”

“We stopped at this village. I don’t remember the name of it, nor could I find it on a map if shown one of the regions. The horses needed water and feed, so we had stopped. After having something to eat and while my parents were engaged in conversation with the woman who had hosted us, I slipped off and went up the mountain that sat behind the village.”

“Like the mountain here.”

“Yes. I don’t know how far up that mountain I climbed but I eventually came to a rock outcropping. It was almost impenetrable, but on one side there was a fissure, one just wide enough for ten-year-old me to slip through.

“I came to this natural depression between the rock and mountain side and there was the largest nest I had ever seen. It was like a bird’s nest, only made of tree limbs, not twigs and it was massive. In the middle of it was a broken egg and the hatchling wasn’t in sight. I climbed into the nest—”

“That was bold.”

“Dangerous more like it. Suddenly a dark shadow fell over me then…then air moved with her descent.”

“The mother?”

“Yes. She looked so huge with her wingspan, and as she reared back to strike me, the hatchling was suddenly between us, protecting me.”

“Why did it protect you?”

“I have no idea. Maybe it knew instinctually I was just a young boy and no threat, or maybe its curiosity got the best of it. All I know the mother calmed down and when she engaged with her young, I climbed out of the nest and ran.”

“And that beast that attacked us is that hatchling from fourteen years ago?”

“I’m sure of it. Every description of a Pukje has the yellow chest to be pure in color with mottling of red and black occurring along the sides and back, and…of course the head is always red. But this one had a heart shaped red patch on its chest right over where the heart would be.”

“A target.”

“You have to stop thinking of them as some beast that needs killing.”

“It destroyed my sister’s village and—”

“The village is too close to its nest. It was protecting its nest.”

“I don’t care about—”

“Really, you don’t care why something happened, just as long as you get to kill.”

“I don’t enjoy killing.”

“Really?”

Lukas looked across the fire and Alawar didn’t know if the rose color of his face was from the fire or from a blush of embarrassment for being called out.

“Let’s get some sleep, then you can return to the town in the morning,” said Alawar.

“You’re not leaving?”

“I came here to study the dragon and that is what I’m going to do.”

“And if you get too close or anger it, and it kills you…”

“I die. There are more foolish ways for someone to die.”

 

 

Alawar lifted the waterskin and took a drink of water. He sealed it and picked up a stick, raking it through the ash to make sure it was burned down completely.

Lukas stirred, stretched, then sat up. When he looked over seeing Alawar his expression changed.

“You thought it all a dream,” said Alawar.

“More like a nightmare.”

“Eat something then you can be on your way.”

“And you’re going up that mountain.”

“Yes.”

“If you get killed all you learned will be lost.”

“Only what I learn on this trip. I created journals for Krukis and Kaukas breeds, drawings and notes from my study of them. I’ve been sending them to one of the universities as I finish them. My research will not be lost, unless no one takes it seriously and lets it languish in some library or storeroom.”

“The more likely fate,” uttered Lukas.

“Maybe, but at least I tried.”

 

 

Alawar stood at the edge of the woods within the shadow of the trees watching Lukas ride away, leading four riderless horses. It was a sad sight, a soldier returning defeated. Once Lukas was out of sight, he looked up at the mountain, adjusted his pack, then set off, circling the clearing to stay out of sight as he made his way in his search for the Pukje.

 

Three months later…

Lukas wiped his brow then looked across the small clearing at the work completed in the last month. The removal of the trees, a pier extending out into the large pond that created a boundary for the west side of the clearing, and arranged in a circular pattern, six dwellings constructed and four more underway. He looked around at the surrounding country. To the south, just the tree line for the land fell away between their site and the river not far away. The east and north were rolling hills but no mountains that could have a dragon.

Lukas and Lian, his brother-in-law, had found the location and over the last three months, got those of the former village moved to it and worked to get it established. He considered how it was a beautiful site, with the pond and a lush forest surrounding it. It meant hunting and foraging would be good. Looking to his south at the three men digging up stumps for field plots, he knew by next year the village would be growing the grains and crops they needed to sustain themselves.

Starting over had been an ordeal, one some initially were hesitant to undertake, but with the site safe from the dragons, everyone joined together once again.

Lukas looked north, the direction toward the old site and the mountain that sat next to it. He pictured the old village then the aftermath, with all the wood structures just ash. He pictured the dragon and the four soldiers that lost their lives. He pictured Alawar stopping the dragon from killing him. He pictured Alawar. The lean build, the coal black hair and grey eyes that seemed mysterious, adding to the rumors Alawar was the dragon master, a man of magical power. Lukas scoffed aloud, thinking about Alawar’s protest being no such thing.

Alawar.

Lukas pictured the young man who was a few years older, and he wondered if he was still alive or had that Pukje killed him. It seemed impossible Alawar would be still alive if he had gone up that mountain in search of the dragon, not to kill it, but to study it. But what if Alawar was still alive.

He wanted to know.

He looked at the hills to the north picturing the mountains that were three days’ ride on horseback. He could leave the next day and in three days he would know Alawar’s fate.

And he would see him again, for he thought of him often. In the quiet hours of night, or when riding his horse lost to his own imaginings, or when away from the others doing some task that allowed his mind to wander, to think of his life, the events that led him to this place, then the person that intrigued him more than any other person he had ever met. 

 

 

Lukas hugged his sister, nodded at Lian, and headed out of the dwelling. His horse had the pack slung over it ready for their trip, and he climbed on. A gentle smile at Isa and Lian in an attempt to lessen their worry, he rode away with the sun breaking the eastern horizon.

Three days, and he would be back at the mountain.

 

 

Lukas rode to the point where the lane was about to enter the clearing. Even though months had passed, at times with heavy rains, he could still see the dark ash areas where the dwellings had been. It brought back that day when the dragon attacked them, making everyone run for the cover of the woods. Then he replayed the day his men got killed and Alawar stopped the dragon from killing him. He looked around for signs of Alawar, but the place was quiet except for the gentle breeze through the trees and bird song. He considered the solitude a deception.

He dismounted and led his horse into the woods and let it go, hoping the dragon didn’t attack it when it would invariably roam out into the open. He watched it move into the woods then stop, as if it knew to stay there. He slung his pack over the right shoulder and headed for the mountain, keeping to the woods.

At the base of the mountain, he didn’t slow, instead began to climb the slope. The grade varied, at times a gently slope, easily transversed, other times it was so steep, he had to zigzag up the slope or move horizontally to a more suitable place to continue up.

A screech, unmistakably the dragon, and Lukas stopped to work out where the sound came from. He listened in the subsequent silence, patiently, listening for any sound that could be the dragon. He started forward again, easing through the trees. A limb snapped underfoot and he froze. A loud screech came from above, then a thrashing sound in the trees. The dragon was moving and from the sound of it, Lukas knew toward him.

“Run, you fool,” he uttered to himself. He turned and ran as fast as he could down the mountain, stumbling and falling, wondering if today was his day to die.

It seemed to take forever but he reached the base of the mountain and ran through the woods around the clearing toward his horse. The dragon flew overhead and sprayed the thick oily mucus into the woods just in front of him. He knew anything could ignite it. His sword against the right rock could spark and burn him to death in seconds. He turned to run deeper into the woods, and the dragon flew over spraying the woods in front of him. She was flushing him out, and he saw no other option but to face her in the clearing. Maybe she would engage him in a manner he had a fighting chance.

He ran into the clearing and stopped with the forest to his back, forcing the dragon to come at him from the front. He saw her soar over the land to the south, turning to come back at him. She straightened on a course toward him and dived. She gained speed and Lukas wondered if she could snatch him in flight, and he backed closer to the woods hoping to prevent her from being able to do so.

When she was close, her head went up with wings stretched out, then she extended her legs. She landed hard, and Lukas felt the vibration through his feet. She flapped her wings and the air swirled around him. She was a great force, massive and powerful. She bent her head slightly looking at him, then reared back to strike.

“NO!”

The yell came from behind him, and Lukas saw Alawar run out between them holding up his hands.

“No, please don’t,” Alawar said in a nervous tone, but one he tried to portray as calm.

The dragon bent to him, sniffed him, then nudged him hard enough he had to step back a couple of steps.

Lukas watched Alawar reach out and stroke the snout, talking quietly to the dragon. The dragon pulled back, raised its head until looking straight up, and took flight.

Lukas breathed a sigh of relief and was about to thank Alawar when Alawar rounded on him, face red with anger.

“What were you thinking? Why are you here? Do you want to die?”

“Whoa, just wait a minute. I came here to…to…”

“To what? See if the dragon had killed me?”

“Yes,” Lukas replied in a whisper.

He heard Alawar sigh, then step closer.

“As you can see, I’m not dead.”

“I see that.”

“Where is your horse? You should get back on it and leave. You can’t stay here. It’s in the dragon’s territory.”

“Territory? You go on about a dragon’s territory. Why? Does it have a nest nearby?”

“Yes,” said Alawar. “And it’s a most unusual sight.”

“Unusual? How?”

“Why do you care? All you want to do is kill it.”

“I didn’t come to kill it. I came alone. If I meant to kill it, I would have brought men to help me.”

“Okay, you just came to see if I was still alive. I’m alive. Now you can leave.”

Alawar started toward the woods leaving Lukas standing with his confusion and desire to know him.

“What is so unusual about the nest?” Lukas called out to Alawar.

Alawar turned to him and nodded. “If you truly wish to know, follow me.”

 

Lukas didn’t know where they were on the mountain until they came to Alawar’s campsite tucked into the woods behind a large flat-top boulder protruding out. He started to stand on the boulder.

“Don’t! Only go out on it lying down so she can’t see you,” said Alawar.

“We’re at a different peak?” said Lukas as he shimmed out on the rock and looked over to a peak lower than the one behind him.

“The mountain rises as one long ridgeline and there are actually three peaks, the shortest behind us blocked from view.”

“Three peaks,” Lukas uttered as he looked toward the one before him. “The dragon is at that one?”

“Yes. From the peak looked to the left and down.”

“It blends in well with its surroundings, but I see it now and…” Lukas turns to Alawar who smiles back. “It has two eggs in it.”

“Yes. I’ve never seen a dragon lay two eggs before. An anomaly or maybe they are adapting to their kind being killed off.”

“By laying more eggs.”

“They only lay an egg every three to five years depending on the breed of dragon. I think it has to do with the way they overhunt their territory once an egg hatches. When the young dragon finally takes flight and goes off on its own, the mother has hunted the area until very little is left to feed on.”

“So, they leave and let the area replenish with wildlife.”

“If only we were as intelligent,” uttered Alawar. “When have you last had food?”

“Early this morning.”

“I have dried meat and some berries and mushrooms.” Alawar eased over to a leather bag and pulled out the berries and mushrooms, then he eased into the woods a bit further and pulled down a couple strips of dried meat. “There’s a spring down the backside about halfway down and in the valley a stream deep enough to bathe.”

“You’ve been living in this campsite for three months?”

“Yes.”

Lukas took the offered food and as Alawar stepped back and sat, he looked at him. The unruly beard growing along the jaw and chin, the grey eyes that stared back with an intensity that caused him to look away.

 

 

Alawar lay on the rock watching the dragon as she sat on the nest. Lukas was sitting on the back edge out of sight and looked along the lean body sprawled before him.

“How long before the eggs hatch?” said Lukas.

“I’m not sure. A Krukis is four to four and a half lunar cycles. The Kaukas are one lunar cycle longer. As to the Pukje, this will be the first time I’m able to observe one but based on her size and how the larger the animal the longer the gestation period, it will no doubt be six lunar cycles, if not more.”

“You’ll be waiting for some time,” said Lukas staring at the exposed skin above a boot where the pant leg had ridden up. The skin was almost bare, very little hair covered it, unlike his own. Alawar seemed so much younger in many ways, and in other ways he considered Alawar feminine in some manner, as if sexually mixed with both masculine and feminine qualities. He wondered if there was a term for it, for if there were he would use it now, as he reached out and touched the bare skin. Alawar moved his leg as if something innocent touched it. Lukas realized what he had done and pulled his hand back and looked away. He felt his face flush hot and something stir inside him. Some desire or want he wouldn’t name.

 

Two days later…

Lukas sat under the cover of the trees looking at Alawar who was lying on the rock watching the dragon. It was mid-morning and he wondered why he was still on the mountain with him. He had made no move to leave. The mere thought of leaving Alawar alone on the mountain made him feel breathless as if being choked.

“There she goes,” said Alawar.

Lukas looked up in time to see the dragon rise in the sky. He now understood she stayed with the eggs all night, and once the sun was high enough to shine on the nest, she would take flight to go in search of food. Alawar said she had hunted the area around the base of the mountain to the point she had to fly further away to find the game she sought. Deer, bear, goat; any of the large animals that roamed the region. She would be gone half the day, returning when the sun was halfway to the western horizon.

“Okay, we have time,” said Alawar, coming to his feet.

“Time for what?”

“To go down and bathe. I’ve not bathed in three days, and from the smell of you, it’s been even longer. Let’s go while she is gone.”

Lukas hesitated, then climbed to his feet. He feared being naked around Alawar because he felt a stirring, he didn’t know if he could conceal. But he wanted to see Alawar naked. He wanted to see what was within the clothes.

They descended the back side of the mountain along a route that was becoming a path from Alawar’s frequent trips, the ground being packed down, leveled out to some degree. About halfway down they began to cross springs and move around rock that had tumbled down from above. When the grade began to level out and the trees became more dense, lush and green, Lukas followed Alawar to a moss-covered area split by a creek.

Lukas walked past Alawar forcing himself to not look as clothes were being tugged off. He stepped to the bank of the creek to see a deep pool in front of him, one deep enough he could barely see the bottom in the crystal-clear waters. The waters moved slowly, only small swirls breaking its nearly flat surface.

“This is nice,” uttered Lukas.

“Lukas, get undressed. After we bathe, we need to hunt for food too.”

Lukas turned to see Alawar was naked, and he stared at the exposed body. A lean build, smooth and fair skinned. It could be the body of a boy if not for the cock that hung heavy over its sack. He was drawn to it, unable to take his eyes from it.

“Lukas?”

“Oh, yes,” Lukas exclaimed and he turned his back to Alawar and began to remove his clothes. He hoped Alawar would remain behind him until he got undressed and into the creek, but as he undid his trousers the naked body strolled past him and eased into the pool of water. He nearly fell over getting his legs free, and feeling those stirrings, rushed into the creek.

Alawar stood in water up to his thighs scrubbing his body with the harsh lye soap while Lukas stood in water waist deep concealing his hardening cock scrubbing his chest, stomach, and arms. Lukas stood where he could cut his eyes over to Alawar and see the suds covered body, then he watched him slip below the surface leaving soap suds floating on the surface. Lukas worked soapy hands through his hair, over his face and neck, then he slipped below the surface.

Lukas rose to find Alawar moving toward him. The cock looked longer, thicker, and he looked from it to the grey eyes.

“Lukas, if you’ll wash my back, I’ll do yours.”

“Huh…I mean…okay.”

Alawar turned and Lukas looked at the lean body. The smooth skin with a few moles scattered over the back, and he wanted to reach out and touch them, drag his finger from one to the next over the back. He turned the lye soap in his hands then ran soap and sudsy hands over the shoulders and down the back.

“That feels so good,” whispered Alawar.

Lukas caught himself from saying yes, for it did feel good, the smooth skin firm over the lean body. He wanted to pull the body against his own, slip his hands around the waist, rubbing the chest and stomach…and cock. He let the thought come to him, vivid and filled with his desire. But he was so afraid to do it, so afraid of rebuke or rejection. It wasn’t right for two men to do it, although he knew it happened all the time. Some of the soldiers he had served with did it with some sense of pride he struggled to come to terms with.

He ran his hands down the back to the top of the ass, and he daringly let his fingers follow the contour of it, over the top of one cheek, into the crevice, and over the top of the other cheek.

Alawar stepped away from him and slipped below the water’s surface. Lukas could clearly see him in the clear waters, holding still for a few seconds then turning toward him before coming up. His cock stirred again and he knew Alawar could see it and he froze, unable to turn away. He wanted to conceal himself, hide what was happening with him but he also wanted Alawar to see. To see his cock stretching out, thick and long with his thoughts.

Alawar stood up and with head tilted back, he ran both hands over it pushing out much of the water. “Damn, I feel better.”

Lukas could see Alawar’s cock, see how it stuck straight out from the groin, half hard and the head starting to slip free of its foreskin. He wanted to touch it, to take it in his hand, stroke it until it released its seed. Then he pictured taking it in his mouth and his own cock flexed with his arousal.

“Lukas, turn around,” said Alawar. The voice was low, barely above a whisper.

Lukas turned and stared into the trees not comprehending anything for he could only picture Alawar’s cock. Hands touched his shoulders, then moved over each and down his back in circular movements that felt too intimate. Felt like Alawar was touching him in ways beyond a mere bathing. The hands moved lower, and as he had done, moved over the top of his ass, only one hand moved lower, fingers working deeper between his cheeks. His heart raced and he began to breathe harder. The other hand slipped around his waist, rubbing over his stomach with a circular motion, then moved lower.

“I had hoped you could show me what you wanted,” whispered Alawar. “I know it can be so hard to show yourself to be different from the person you show to others. A soldier of the king, strong and reliable…but can you let that go for now?”

Lukas closed his eyes as the hand on his abdomen, fingers raking through pubic hair, then moved lower, and took his cock. The other hand moved from his ass to his stomach and pulled their bodies together. He felt Alawar’s cock; the thick shaft nestled against his ass as his own cock was being slowly stroked.

“You’re not going to make me stop, are you?” whispered Alawar.

“No,” Lukas replied as he relaxed to the manipulation, knowing he couldn’t stop Alawar even if the king himself walked up.

Alawar stroked his cock, moving the hand slowly along its length. When the hand moved over the sensitive head, Lukas shivered and moaned. When he felt Alawar push against his ass, he pushed back increasing the pressure of ass against cock.

“Let’s get out of the water,” whispered Alawar.

Lukas let Alawar guide him out of the creek and to the moss-covered area. Alawar got on the ground and lay back, upper body propped on elbows. Lukas looked at the body fully revealed to him. He looked without shame, but with desire. Alawar’s cock flexed. His own cock flexed. It was okay, for Alawar wanted this as much as he did, and he went down on his knees, then crawled on hands and knees between the legs until he was over the cock. He looked at Alawar, then down at the cock. It flexed and he could hold back no longer, bending his head down until he could touch the head with his lips. He kissed it, then dragged his lips along the long shaft. He licked the loose sack working the nuts around with his tongue, then dragged it along the cock until at the head, taking it into his mouth.

“Lukas!” exclaimed Alawar.

Lukas moved his lips up and down the cock. He tongued the head and bore it into slit. He did those things he had imagined. He did them openly for Alawar. He sucked Alawar’s cock increasing his desire until he had to stroke his own cock.

“Lukas! I’m about to—”

Lukas worked his mouth on the cock with a fast rhythm, moving lips up and down most of the shaft. It flexed against his tongue, swelled thicker, and he held the head on his tongue as it erupted, spurting wad after wad into his mouth until he had to swallow.

 

 

With the taste of Alawar still in his mouth, Lukas looked at him. “What else would you have me do?”

Alawar came to his knees and rubbed a hand down Lukas’ back while pressing cock into his face. The hand moved on his back, eventually going to his ass, slipping fingers between the cheeks.

“Will you let me?” said Alawar.

Lukas couldn’t say it. Couldn’t speak of his willingness. But he could show Alawar. He could show him his willingness, and he rotated on hands and knees until presenting his ass to him. He held his head down as hands touched him, caressed his body, and rubbed his ass. The hands squeezed each cheek, then one hand slipped fingers between them until touching him. He shivered when the fingers raked over his opening. He moaned when one of them penetrated him.

“I didn’t think this was possible,” uttered Alawar.

 

 

Alawar rubbed the back as he worked a second finger into Lukas. He marveled at the muscular body, broad shouldered, and scarred from battle. He felt small next to it, but his desire for it overpowered him. He slipped a third finger into the ass and manipulated it until it loosened around his fingers and Lukas was pushing back on them.

“I’m not going to be able to contain myself,” said Alawar as he put his leaking cock to the loosened opening.

“Don’t,” uttered Lukas.

Alawar pushed feeling the tight squeeze on the head of his cock then around its shaft as he eased halfway into him. He leaned over and hugged the body and pushed deeper. He kissed the back, nipped at the skin, and worked his hips slowly. He slow fucked building up his arousal. Gradually he pushed inward until grinding hips against the ass. The body shivered beneath him and Lukas moaned.

Alawar couldn’t move with enough freedom, and he rose to his knees and held the waist. He pushed inward all the way, pressing against the ass as his cock flexed inside it. “OH, the gods, I want this…want you,” he stammered. He tugged outward until nearly slipped free and with a tight hold of the waist, began to fuck. He pumped his cock inside Lukas faster and faster until smacking against the ass.

“Fuck…fuck me,” exclaimed Lukas.

Alawar slammed his cock into Lukas’ depths, the sound of hips banging against the ass echoed in the valley. He fucked with all his stamina, watching his cock come into view then disappear in a man’s ass. Lukas’ ass. As he tried to push deeper, grinding his hips against it, he realized how much he desired the big soldier. He had considered the physical aspects of the possibility. The idea of fucking with him, but to feel his cock buried in Lukas’ ass and able to gaze upon the body, was overpowering. For the briefest moment, he wondered how they looked, the big soldier taking his fuck. He knew how he looked to others, far younger than his age, but pumping cock into Lukas made it all dissipate into a realm of desire and lust and physical exertion pushing to the point of release.

Alawar wanted Lukas to fuck him. He imagined it over the last couple of days, and before they left the creek, he would get what he wanted. But with a tight grip on the waist, he gave Lukas what he wanted. He fucked Lukas’ ass until sweat ran into his face and down his torso. He fucked until muscles burned from his exertion. He felt the surge of release, how it shuddered him, and he shoved his erupting cock into the ass all the way.

 

 

Lukas rolled to his back, hard cock flopping against a thigh and Alawar moved over him, laying on the larger body feeling its heat. He knew it may be going too far for the soldier, but he leaned down and kissed him.

Lukas kissed him back.

Alawar raised his head looking down into the blue eyes. “Let me,” he said then moved to his knees straddling the waist. Lukas watched him with a look he could only describe as awe as he held the soldier’s thick cock and eased down on it. He moaned and shuddered as he stretched to take it. The head slipped into him, then inch after inch of the shaft. He had never felt such fullness of penetration by a man. His own cock began to grow erect, and he took it in hand, slow stroking it as he moved his ass on Lukas’ cock.

Alawar built his pace, moving his ass steadily on Lukas’ cock. He saw the blue eyes go from watching his ass taking the cock to looking him in the eye. There was lust and desire and at times something else he dared not consider.

Leaning back resting on one hand, Alawar could look down his lean body, past his hand stroking his cock to Lukas staring at him. He stared back while work his ass up and down. He was able to fuck himself on the cock with a furious urgency, slamming ass down harder and harder. He kept it up, fucking himself on Lukas’ cock while stroking his own. His hand was a blur, pushing him closer and closer to the point of release.

“Alawar!” Lukas exclaimed as he shoved upward.

Alawar knew he had pushed him over the edge and moved on the spurting cock to take its load. As Lucas settled down from his release, Alawar slowed, moving gently until Lukas sat up and pushed his thighs down to make him stop. As the cock filled his ass, his own erupted, roping cum up Lukas’ chest.

 

 

Alawar smiled at the transformation of Lukas. No longer timid, shy to express himself. Lukas held both of his legs up and spread apart while fucking him again. Cock moved easily in his cum lubed ass, and Lukas slammed it into his depths, driven by lust and desire. Animalistic in his need to fuck to cum. The hands slid down his calves until behind the knees and Lukas was folding him in half. His thighs were pressed against his chest and he felt Lukas’ weight, as Lukas pushed down on his thighs hovering over him. Then Lukas resumed fucking, driving long thick cock into his depths. Eventually hips smacked against his upturned ass and he slapped and clutched at the ground.

“Pump it in me,” Alawar uttered as the sound of Lukas’ hips smacking against his ass echoed in the valley.

Lukas fucked until sweating and flush, and Alawar felt him shove into his depths and kept jamming hips against his ass as if able to push deeper, then shuddered and jerked with release.

 

 

Lukas followed Alawar back up the mountain, the two of them moving slowly, both fatigued. But Alawar would look back from time to time smiling at him, and he smiled back.

 

A New Routine…

Alawar slid out on the rock to watch the dragon perform her morning ritual. The moving of the egg in the nest making sure the sun was hitting it, then moving around it. He thought she was looking for small predators or maybe she was just checking the nest. Whatever her intentions, she did it every morning. When the sun was high enough to hit the egg, she took flight to hunt.

“How long are you going to stay?” said Alawar.

There had been no discussion about it, Alawar afraid to ask and Lukas acting like he didn’t want to talk about it. But after three days of them going to bathe in the creek, each time beginning with them fucking to the point of exhaustion, he was struggling with how to think of it.

“Do you want me to leave?” said Lukas.

Alawar heard the tone. Lukas sounded as he expected to be asked to leave. He turned and sat up on the rock. “No, I want you to stay.”

“Really?”

“Yes.”

Alawar saw there was something else, something Lukas wanted to say or ask. “What is it?”

“We’ll be here until the young go off on their own?”

“That’s right.”

“And it’ll probably be a year or longer before that happens.”

“The Kaukas young take six to seven lunar cycles to mature before they can permanently leave the nest. I expect the Pukje to take as long, if not longer.”

“Then I need to go for a couple of days and get some things.”

Alawar started to ask what he needed, but saw it seemed important to him. “Okay. When are you going to take off.”

“Now. I thought I could take off now and get back as soon as possible…unless you need me for something?”

Alawar smiled, then chuckled. “I’ve been doing this for fourteen years on my own. I think I’ll survive a couple of days alone. But if you’re going to one of the nearby towns, bring back something sweet. A pie maybe?”

“Craving something sweet?”

“I don’t get it very often.”

 

 

Alawar watched the dragon take flight then turned to see Lukas open the wood toolbox, taking out a felling ax and broad ax. He knew the toolbox held adzes, chisels, augers, and bow saws, for he had seen Lukas use them at one time or another. When the dragon went to hunt, Lukas got busy working on a dwelling for them. He looked up into the large tree nearby shaking his head at what Lukas had constructed so far. A two-room structure sitting in the tree, one with a flat roof for observation from the tree top. They currently used a crude ladder to access it, but Lukas was building a proper stair that would circle the tree trunk up to a small platform under the dwelling. For a place to camp out for a couple of years, it was extravagant, but Lukas wanted to build them a place they could call home while on the mountain.

“I’ll work until I get to a stopping point then we can go down and bathe,” said Lukas, looking over with a grin.

“You mean to fuck, then bathe,” Alawar replied.

“Yeah, I guess I do.”

 

 

Hands moved over bare skin. Lips pressed together or moved over the skin. Cocks were playfully slapped together, then stroked and sucked. They aroused each other, increased their desire until breathless.

Alawar waded out of the creek, pulling Lukas with him. He got on his back and opened himself to Lukas. They moved against each other, caressing and stroking and kissing. Lukas penetrated Alawar, eased into his depths then moved with a slow gentle fuck. He clung to the muscular body as it moved on top of him.

They would exhaust themselves before returning to their place on the mountain.

 

 

Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, and Alawar watched the dragon and her nest. The day finally came, the sun at its highest point, and one hatchling emerged from its egg, then the other one right after. Alawar watched as the dragon fed the young and nurtured them and once again time passed until temperatures were beginning to drop with the approach of fall.

The young dragons began to move around the nest then into the trees surrounding it. They flapped developing wings and cried out for their mother. She fed them each morning, midday, then again before day’s end, and Alawar saw during a full moon, she fed them during the night. Then one morning she didn’t feed them, just let them cry for food. After some time, she flew from the nest and set down on the peak of the mountain looking down upon them, making short screeching sounds.

One dragon took flight and flew for the first time. It was just a short distance from the nest down to a large tree below. The other dragon followed suit, taking flight down to a rock outcropping. With confidence they could fly, they returned to the nest, and the mother came down. She fed them as a reward for flying.

Over the following days, Alawar and Lukas lay on the rock watching the dragons fly around the mountain and over the clearing below. Eventually they began to hunt for the first time. They watched as the two dragons fly down to the clearing when two wolves dared to cross it during the day.

 

 

One morning, Alawar and Lukas woke to it raining and they lay in bed talking, then touching and kissing. Their intimacy increased until they were fucking. Unhurried, isolated from the world they had come from. A world of judgement and superstition. And they fucked, fucked until spent and the rains stopped, leaving the mountains and valleys below looking lush, their greens intense in the sunlight piercing dispersing clouds.

Lukas climbed down first and headed toward the rock to see what the dragons were doing now that it had stopped raining. He drew near the rock when one of the young dragons flew up from below and landed on it. He froze, fearing the young dragon. Suddenly the other one flew up from below and landed behind the first one.

“Don’t move,” uttered Alawar in a low voice.

Lukas saw from the corner of his eye, Alawar come to stand next to him.

“Do you think they’ll attack us?” whispered Lucas.

“They have no knowledge of us, so…yes, they could attack us.”

“After all this time and we could…”

A shadow flew over them, then they saw the mother flying out over the mountain ridgeline. She stretched her wings out and turned, coming back toward them.

“What is she going to do?” whispered Lucas.

“No idea.”

She came to the outcropping and pulled up, landing between them and her young. She kept her wings outstretched and looked down at them. A clicking sound, then she made a short screech. She folded her wings to her body and the young came next to her and chirped.

Alawar moved toward them.

“What are you doing?!” said Lukas.

“Trust me,” said Alawar as he moved toward the dragons. He held his hands up, and the mother leaned down and touched the right hand with her snout. The young dragons moved to him and nudged him with their short snorts, sniffed him, and bounced around him, then they went over to Lucas and did the same to him.

After the young dragons had checked them out, one stood next to Lucas and the other went back to Alawar letting them stroke their heads. The mother watched for some time then tilted her head up and screeched. She took flight, and the young dragons ran over the rock and jumped, taking flight to follow her back to their nest.

“That was unexpected,” said Alawar.

“I never would have believed it,” said Lucas as he moved to stand next to him.

For a month, the young dragons grew, gained strength and stamina, and they played and nearly every day they came to Alawar and Lukas. Then one morning, the sun just above the eastern horizon, Alawar watched one of the young dragons fly toward the north, knowing this was the moment the dragon truly left the nest. The other dragon soon took flight too, only flying to the west. The mother sat on the mountain peak and watched each one leave, then she took flight, soared over the clearing, then flew over Alawar and Lukas who stood on the rock watching. She screeched once, then headed to the east.

“It’s done,” whispered Alawar.

Lukas looked over and saw him smiling with tears trickling down his cheeks. Alawar wiped his eyes, then looked at him and laughed.

“This has been amazing.”

“Yes, it has,” Lukas replied, reflecting on how they came together then watched the start of a new generation of Pukje. He looked down at the clearing; his anger had been gone for a long time now, once he understood what was at play. His sister and her group had a new village, one that was on a better site, and the dragon had her territory. “Alawar, when are we leaving?”

Alawar stood silent staring at the empty nest, then he turned to go back to their little dwelling, slapping a hand down on Lukas shoulder. “I think we might as well head back in the morning.”

 

Three days later, Alawar and Lukas walked along the lane, each with a pack. Lukas carried provisions and Alawar his journals on the dragon. They moved at a casual pace with no sense of urgency.

“Where will we go next?” said Lukas.

Alawar smiled. “So, you’re not tired of me?”

“Of course not.”

“I thought we would go to the east. There is a region with Kaukas dragons. I’ve not studied one in a few years.”

“We should get a wagon and a couple of horses.”

“And you need to retrieve your horse from your friend.”

“When we get to the town, I’ll get him.”

“We need to go north after we rest up in town for a few days so I can sell the journals to the university.”

“And I should get my few coins from the bank in the town and take it with us.”

They strolled out into daylight, the lane crossing a meadow within a wide valley. About halfway across, some men came into view riding toward them. Three on horseback and two in a horse drawn wagon.

“I sense trouble,” Lukas uttered.

“What are we going to do?”

“If I need, I fight.”

They kept walking as the men drew near. Suddenly the front two men pulled up bow and arrow, aiming at them. The other horseback rider circled them and came up to Alawar and Lukas.

“Drop those packs and step back.”

“But sir, there is nothing in them but provisions and some personal journals,” said Alawar.

“We’ll see; drop them and step back.”

Lukas dropped his pack. “Alawar, drop the pack. They have the drop on us.”

A loud ear-piercing screech and everyone turned to look to the north seeing a dragon in a dive heading toward them.

“Dragon! Run!” yelled the front man.

The dragon pulled up at the last minute and landed hard on the two men on the wagon, crushing them and the wagon. It turned to the two men with bow and arrow aimed at it, and it spewed its oily mucus over them causing them fall to the ground, clutching at their throats as they choked on the mucus covering their heads.

The dragon turned to the last man and it spewed mucus over him. He fell from his horse, and his sword struck a rock, sparking. He ignited instantly and rolled across the ground screaming. He rolled too close to other two, igniting them.

“Oh, the gods,” uttered Lukas.

Alawar looked up at the dragon, and he smiled when he saw the red spot on the chest. “You came to our rescue.”

The dragon leaned to them, nudged them gently, then rose up straight and kicked off the ground taking flight.

 

 

Lukas and Alawar rode into town with the horses they took from the dead men. They found a tavern with rooms for rent and once settled into one, went back down to the tavern. After much needed food and drink, they retired to their room that faced the back alley, one very private.

“A real bed,” joked Alawar.

“I guess neither of us have had the luxury very often,” said Lukas coming up to him.

Alawar suddenly felt as if their relationship had become serious. They were not horsing around in a creek or on the side of a mountain. In a legitimate room, four walls, floor and ceiling, even a small fireplace. They kissed and touched while slipping out of their clothes.

They were familiar with each other, comfortable in their own skin, and unashamed with their nakedness. Lukas pulled Alawar to the bed, going to his back and opening himself to him.

Alawar moaned with the feel of his cock penetrating Lukas. He pushed into him slowly, relishing the feel of it, the tightness squeezing the head then along the shaft. He slow fucked until both wanted their fuck to become more physical, and Alawar fucked harder. The bed rocked and squeaked, and Alawar sweated from his exertions.

When he could hold back no longer, Alawar pushed into Lukas’ depths and shuddered with release.

After catching their breath and manipulating each other, Alawar lay on his stomach with Lukas moving over him. Cock raked across ass, then pushed between the cheeks penetrating him. Lukas fucked slowly, sinking most of his cock into Alawar. He lay on top grinding hips against ass while kissing the shoulders and neck. He pushed up, hovering over Alawar, and fucked harder, faster, hips smacking against the ass until sweat rained down on the Alawar. Then he sank all the way into the ass and cried out as he filled it with his load.

 

 

Alawar climbed on his horse and looked over at Lukas who had been waiting for him.

“Did they buy all the journals?” said Lukas.

Alawar had come to the university to sell the journals on the Pukje dragon. It was his way to earn money to support himself in his field studies.

“Yes, and they asked when I would have more. They want a study of the KauKas during its egg laying and nurturing until the young leaves the nest.”

“Another two years in some remote place.”

“Yes. Is that asking too much of you?”

Lukas smiled, shaking his head. “I’m looking forward to it. Where do we need to go to see this?”

“I know a place in the east that is promising. I found two nests there a few years ago, but I never saw the dragons on them.”

“Sounds like we have a destination.”

Alawar looked down and wondered how long Lukas would follow him. He hoped until they were old and living somewhere pleasant, maybe down on the Great Sea or on some mountain with spectacular views. He turned his horse to the east and looked over at Lukas. “Are you ready?”

 

Kingdom of Hungary

The old fort was in a state of deterioration, battle scarred and collapsing. Its position on the mountain exposed it to harsh weather and the region was isolated, the terrain too rugged for people to attempt settlements. Vines grew over sections of the remaining walls and what was left of roof structures were charred from fires. Most of them had collapsed. But in one corner, the one right on the cliff’s edge, there was one tower still intact. On the upper floor at the window opening, Alawar stood watching the nest that was across the valley on the side of the adjacent mountain. The black dragon, a medium sized Kaukas, was settled on her nest waiting for darkness to spread over the mountain.

“Has she settled down?” said Lukas coming up behind Alawar.

“Yes. I think so.”

“I have some food laid out; come eat something.”

Alawar moved to the blanket spread out on the floor seeing the cured meat, cheese, and bread set out. He sat down opposite Lukas and broke the bread in two and handed half to Lukas. They ate while grinning at each other, for life was good. Three days before, the Kaukas laid her egg and now they were going to watch her nesting habits and how long it took for the egg to hatch.

“I’ll go down to the village for supplies tomorrow morning,” said Lukas referring to the village half day’s ride away.

“Get a couple more blankets and something to boil water in.”

Alawar ate while thinking of what to put in his journal next. He wanted to sketch how the dragon had adjusted the egg in the nest the day before to make sure it was in the sun, or that is what he thought. He needed to record the event that morning when a bear got too close to the nest and the dragon killed then ate it, letting her avoid a hunt.

“Alawar?”

“Yes Lukas.”

“Do ever think of having a family?”

Alawar looked up, seeing the expression. One he saw from time to time and now knew what lay behind it. Lukas wondered if their relationship would come to an end so he could marry and have children.

“No,” Alawar replied, searching for the words to describe how he felt. It was hard for him to express them; use the most appropriate words for they revealed so much of himself.

“Where do you see yourself in ten or twenty years?”

Alawar smiled, took a drink, making Lukas wait for his reply. He set the water skin down and looked across the blanket to him. “I see me studying dragons and hopefully you by my side.”

Lukas smiled then looked away. “Really, but do you worry about what people will say…about us?”

“I’ve been called a mage, a warlock, and worse, a pawn of some devil, so I think I can handle a little rumor about having a relationship with another man. Can you?”

Lucas laughed. “Any man who would insult or assault us better be ready to defend himself.”

“Always the soldier.”

“It is nice, isn’t it?”

“What? Our relationship.”

“That, but it being just the two of us, living in the wilds studying dragons.”

Alawar nodded. “It’s a rewarding life.”

 

 

It was dark, only the silvery moonlight shining through the window illuminating a narrow band of the room. Lukas sat in it against the wall with Alawar moving over his lap, up and down in that familiar way. Alawar’s pale skin seemed to glow in the moonlight, appearing as an apparition, a ghost, and he held lightly to the narrow waist as he felt Alawar’s movement. He felt it through his cock as the ass moved up and down on it. He tilted is head back against the wall and looked up at the dark silhouette knowing it was staring back.

“Lukas,” Alawar uttered, then leaned to him, bringing their lips together.

Lukas rolled Alawar to his back, and he moved between raised knees and entered him again and began to fuck. He moved gently, slowly, using the stretched of his body to control himself, to move inside Alawar in a manner that fueled their growing desires. He pumped his cock inside the ass while holding Alawar’s hands down.

“Lukas…please…” uttered Alawar.

Lukas pushed up hovering over the lean body and fucked with greater intensity. He pushed into the depths of the ass as far as he could, then tugged outward until nearly slipping free, and he kept it up, fucking with all his strength.

Alawar cried out then twisted and arched the torso, and Lukas knew he had stroked his own cock to the point of release. He could smell it, Alawar’s load, and it pushed him over the edge, and he hammered his cock inside him until shuddering with his own release.

 

 

Laying in the darkness, the moonlight shining across the other side of the room, Lukas held Alawar as the two of them slept. Their days exhausted them but in a manner that made them happy. And in their dreams, they imagined a world not so different from the one they lived.

 

 

Sixteen years later…

Alawar waited for Lukas to bring the horses to a stop, then he bumped shoulders with him, smiling despite being anxious.

“Alawar, relax,” said Lukas, for he could see it in the expression.

“I feel like a fraud.”

“Why?”

“Me an instructor at this university, when I don’t even have a degree.”

“But you were hired for your knowledge.”

“But they could just let someone read my journals, using them to instruct the students.”

“Alawar, you’ll do fine. You know the topic like no other and you do love to tell others about the dragons.” Lukas grinned at Alawar.

“You ole ass, I talk about other things too.”

They laughed, then Alawar took Lukas’ hand and squeezed it. “Thanks. Now I guess I should go see if I can hold the attention of fourteen students for an hour or so.”

 

 

Alawar walked along the path heading to the old wood structure that housed the study of animals. He entered a side door as if able to slip in unnoticed and moved down the short hall to the door at its end on the left. The windows of the classroom faced a lawn area that separated the buildings from the woodland surrounding the university. Light poured into the dark wood interior illuminating it in a warm glow. It pulled gold hues from the stained wood and illuminated the dust floating in the still air.

He entered the classroom to see the students were already there awaiting his arrival. The headmaster said the students were excited about his class, in fact, there was a waiting list for it. Alawar wondered if that would be the case after the first students endured it, still doubting he was the right person to be lecturing college students. He was insane for doing it. The headmaster was crazier for even suggesting it.

He moved to the front, standing midway along the front wall. He looked at the expectant faces gathering his thoughts. Some were smiling, some were looking at him as if he were the subject of study. He knew the rumors persisted even after everything. He was the dragon master, a foolish title to give any man; dragons had no masters.

“I’m Alawar, your instructor for this class, although I guess you knew that.” Students chuckled, nodding heads. “I know you expect this class to focus on the dragons, and we will cover them in detail, but we will also cover the other creatures, we humans have an irrational fear. Snakes, spiders, bats, and a host of others that old tales and myths have made out to be monsters or able to manifest evil in some manner.

“But I guess dragons are the one creature we have our greatest fear, and thus the most irrational notions, so we will be discussing them the most. I assume that is why so many of you want to be in this class.”

Alawar looked out the windows at the clear blue sky. It was early fall and a perfect day. “I’d like for us to go outside for today’s introductory lesson; it is such a nice day, we shouldn’t let it go to waste.” He saw the students smile and nod. “Let’s do down to that little amphitheater at the edge of woods shall we and you can sit on the steps, and I’ll stand on its stage area and try to keep your attention for a few minutes,” he joked, then headed to the door hearing the students climb to their feet to follow.

 

 

The students were seated, clustered together in the center of the amphitheater close to the pavers that acted as a stage area. Alawar stood in its center, the open lawn at his back, getting everyone’s attention.

“Let’s begin with the basics. Who can name the three breeds of the dragons?”

A male student threw his hand up immediately.

“Yes, your name?”

“Manfred, sir.”

“Manfred, give us the names of the breeds.”

“Krukis, the red dragon; Kaukas, the black dragon; and Pukje, a dragon that is red, yellow, and black.”

“Very good. We’ll be discussing each one and the differences between them. Lifespans, when they mature enough to breed, and their nesting habits, to list just a few of their aspects we’ll be covering this term.”

Alawar stood silent for a second, wondering if he should continue as planned or if he should move on from the dragons and briefly outline the other creatures they would be discussing. He looked at the expectant faces, each one looking for something that said this class was special, and he, a nobody in academic circles, had a right to be there. He pulled a small reed from his pocket that looked like a crude flute and blew through it. It made no sound that the students could hear. He slipped it back into his pocket seeing the questioning stares.

“I think we should confront the misconceptions of the dragons, for until I dispel those nasty rumors, I’m afraid it’ll be hard for you to look at them as something that is a part of our world and not something that is evil based on man’s manifesting good and evil into mythical beings. They are not serpents of some devil, something that is innately evil.”

A shadow passed over the students so quickly they barely registered it, then they saw what caused it, a Pukje soaring over the university. Its wings were outstretched revealing their massive span. It turned and came back toward them, descending as it glided. The students stirred and began to get worried, but Alawar just stood facing them, calm, unworried. “Everyone should relax; there is nothing to worry about.”

As the dragon drew near, it pulled up and extended its legs while flapping its large wings to slow its descent. It landed gently right behind Alawar. The dragon tilted its head up and screeched, then made a clicking sound from its throat. It looked at them as it folded back its wings. The red head, the yellow chest with the heart shaped red spot and a body of black and red mottled together.

“This is the dragon I first met as a ten-year-old boy then fourteen years later. The first Pukje I would study and the one that showed the gentle side of the breed, far more gentle than anyone could have guessed.”

The dragon leaned its head down until next to Alawar, showing it was the size of his body. It looked at the students, then nudged Alawar making him laugh, and he stroked the snout. “Such gentle creatures when you come to know them,” said Alawar. “Of course we’ll be discussing the Pukje in detail, but I wonder if any of you noticed anything unusual about this one.”

A young woman near the back timidly raised her hand.

“Yes, your name?”

“Lena.”

“Lena. Can you tell us what is unusual about this Pukje?”

“Its…” She stammered, shy and unsure of herself.

Alawar knew she needed to find some confidence, to know she should be able to participate in class without fear. “Lena, why don’t you come up here and show us?”

“Come up there?” Lena exclaimed.

“Don’t be afraid. Come on up.”

Lena slowly climbed to her feet as the others looked on in awe and nervousness. She made her way down to the front then climbed the steps up to the stage. She stood with Alawar between her and the dragon.

“Lena, don’t be nervous,” Alawar whispered.

She looked at him and something changed in her expression and she nodded. She stepped closer to the dragon’s head. It turned to her, sniffed her, Alawar knew as a means of identifying her, then it moved closer and she touched its snout. She smiled and looked at Alawar. “The skin is soft.”

“Yes. I’m afraid those that think they were forged in the fires of some hell will be sorely disappointed,” said Alawar.

Lena laughed as she stroked the snout.

“Okay, let’s answer the question shall we,” said Alawar, nudging the dragon to stand up straight. It towered over them. It held its head up and wings spread wide. “Lena?”

She looked up in awe at the creature she had been petting, then pointed toward the chest. “Most Pukje have solid yellow chests, but this one has a heart shaped spot that is red.”

“Very good Lena. This dragon has what I’ve come to call a birthmark, a mark that distinguishes it from the others, but as you can see, in no way diminishes it. It is truly a magnificent creature. Now, who else would like to come up and see it up close.”

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