Vassal by Sterling D'Este (ebook reader computer TXT) 📕

for half of the winnings I had made off the game. It was too good an opportunity to pass up for so little, but the old man seemed both surprised I had taken the offer and reluctant to make good on it.

“In the end, he did give me the treasure map along with the story of how he had come close to the treasure himself only to be turned back by the ferocity of the two sisters that guarded it, taking turns sleeping so that their hoard was always under careful watch.

“Having never been dissuaded by the tenacity of a beautiful woman, I made preparations to leave immediately. It took moons of hard, cold travel far worse than that we’ve faced, for there are no roads or valleys that cut directly across the Brig’ian Mountains. The treasure, you see, lay in a cave on the western side of these very peaks.”

Tristan paused a moment to take a swig from his waterskin, pleased to find the eyes of his companions focused upon him.

“In time, I found the cave, for the man’s map was a good one, though I quickly found that he had not given me the entire truth. As I approached the cave, it soon became clear that it would be no beautiful woman standing between me and the treasure but a scaled monster of tremendous size. The two ‘sisters’ guarding the cave were none other than the dragons Ral’draig, Bringer of the Dawn, and Llu’draig, Keeper of Dusk.

“Still, I had come too far to be so easily turned away. Surely I could do better than the old man. So for three days and three nights, I hid and watched the cave.

“As it turned out, the old man had not been entirely untruthful. Only one dragon could be awake at a time; like clockwork, they were, with one pair of great, shining eyes clicking shut at the exact moment the other’s opened. Ral’draig spent her days sunning herself at the cave entrance, content to jealously guard the hoard, and for the first day, I became increasingly uncertain of my chances.

“That night, however, Llu’draig lifted immediately from the ground, her great, black wings pointed straight to the sky. It seemed as though she could not bear to be earth-bound any longer than she had to.

“By the fourth day, I was certain of the dragon’s habits, so I waited, hidden near the mouth of the cave, for dusk. When Llu’draig left with the crack of great leather sails, I slipped in to fill my pack with gold.

“Gods, you would not believe the treasure I had to choose from! The cave floor was littered with gem-encrusted crowns and bangles, weapons of the finest make, and coins of every mint ever stamped. I had to take great care of how I stepped so as not to disturb thebeast sleeping in the center.

“For hours it seemed I worked near the entrance, carefully choosing pieces to take with me: a diadem, a dagger, a pair of golden dice… The moon was high in the night sky, when, at last, my trembling fingers slipped, and I sent a goblet of rubies cascading across the floor.”

Silence hung in the air around Tristan, and he grinned rakishly at the others’ interest, their eyes wide to a one. Alphonse had scooted closer to the mongrel, her mouth still open in a silent gasp. Even Etienne could not tear his gaze away.

“In the center of the cave, Ral’draig growled in her sleep. Her great head turned in my direction, gold coins clinking off the steel of her pale scales, her talons screeching against the rock of the cave. She could not wake completely, could not open her eyes because her sister still flew high and away from the cave, but even in this state, she was still fearsome.

“I am not ashamed to say that I turned and ran, my arms filled with the heavy weight of my gold-brimmed bag. Ral’draig could not bear to let me away unscathed, however. She opened her great maw and roared a tongue of flame that singed the entire length of my back.

“Still, I did not slow until I was miles away from the cave. My journey back was harder and more painful than the journey across the mountains, but my heart was far lighter. I had met the twin keepers of the sky and left not only alive but also richer.”

Tristan finished with a flourish and a half-bow from where he sat, his cocky grin already in place. He was thoroughly proud of himself.

“Amazing!” Alphonse croaked, clapping her hands together enthusiastically until she realized that Etienne and Delyth weren’t. She blushed and folded her hands in her lap, sheepishly.

“I think you missed your calling, Tristan. You are an adept word weaver. I felt as if I were there with you.” Alphonse smiled and looked up at Delyth for confirmation.

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Delyth looked down into Alphonse’s beaming face and something within her melted. It was easy to nod in agreement, especially as the warrior had enjoyed the story. It wasn’t so different from the ones she’d heard at the temple as a child.

Ral’draig and Llu’draig had always been her favorites. They were strong and wild and female and unapologetically exactly as they were. As a little girl, Delyth had imagined that she had dragon wings, that she was not so different from the great creatures herself.

It was pleasant to hear their stories again.

“Yes, it was a fine tale,” she said. Still, she doubted it was a true one. The dragon twins were creatures of fable, just stories to keep children from wandering off. Etienne seemed to agree with her.

“Let’s see your scars, then,” he said, his tone argumentative. “If you were really burned by dragonfire, there’d have to be some mark.”

Tristan stood, shrugging off his furs and then his shirt until he was bare-chested in front of them. He turned with a flourish, exposing a back that was indeed marred by shiny burn scars. Delyth raised an eyebrow,