The Fiery Crown Cycle: A Dragon's Rebirth

Chapter 119

Whoosh.

Aiden landed solidly on his feet, his wings still spread wide from the flight.

He lowered his draconic form, carefully placing his cupped fore-talons on the ground. As he uncurled his claws, fifteen chili pepper plants tumbled out onto the earth.

His crimson eyes widened slightly. Good. None were damaged.

He tilted his head back, looking up at the high cliff face. With a single, powerful beat of his red wings, he launched himself from the ground, soaring back toward the aerie above.

Thump.

Garruk heard the landing behind him but didn't dare turn around. He was learning how to survive in this nest: make himself as invisible as possible, and obey the commands of his master—and his master's sibling.

A massive, red-scaled talon closed around the gnoll. Garruk was lifted instantly, his hands torn away from the roasting spit he had been turning.

His body went rigid. Garruk didn't dare even twitch; the dragon's razor-sharp claws were pressed firmly against his chest. He had seen those same talons tear through magical beast hides. He had no illusions about their sharpness.

A peculiar, sweet fragrance wafted from somewhere behind him—from the dragon. His head began to feel light, and a wave of dizziness washed over him. Realizing what was happening, Garruk immediately held his breath.

The gnoll in his right talon was still, not struggling. Good, Aiden thought. It has some sense, at least.

He gave a single flap, launching them off the ledge and into a steep dive toward the base of the mountain.

FWOOSH.

Aiden flared his massive wings, braking his descent just above the ground. He touched down gently, his talons landing with barely a sound.

His red wings folded neatly against his back as his claws relaxed. Garruk tumbled to the ground, landing hard. It hurt.

Scrambling to his feet, Garruk immediately dropped to both knees. He couldn't understand why the dragon had brought him down from the aerie. "Great Red Lord," he stammered, "what task does Garruk have to complete for you?"

Aiden's gaze fixed on the creature, his eyes narrowing as they settled on Garruk's lame right leg. A smart cur, he mused, it's just a shame he's crippled.

"Gnoll. Do you see those plants?" A scarlet talon extended, pointing to the pile of chili pepper plants nearby.

At the dragon's words, Garruk lifted his head just enough to follow the direction of the talon. He saw a small pile of bushes, each covered in tiny, bright red fruits.

"Great Red Lord, Garruk sees them."

Aiden stared down at the gnoll. "You will plant these. If a single one dies..." His snout peeled back, revealing rows of serrated white teeth. "...my sister is very interested to know what you taste like."

Garruk's frame trembled as flashes of memory replayed in his mind. "Yes, Great Red Lord!"

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His gaze flickered sideways to the string of colorful mushrooms hanging around the dragon's neck. The sweet, dizzying scent was coming from them.

There. The task was set. Aiden thought. The gnoll seems intelligent enough. He should manage.

He lifted his head, glancing back up at the aerie. Time to get back to the roast. With all these new ingredients, I'm certain I can achieve perfection.

"Great Red Lord... those mushrooms you gathered... I believe they are poison."

The gnoll's voice piped up from below, just as Aiden was about to spread his wings.

Aiden's head snapped back down, his crimson eyes locking onto the gnoll. The creature's head was still bowed. A flicker of contempt passed through Aiden's mind.

"Poison?" he rumbled. "Perhaps for low-tier species like you. But for us, they are a rare delicacy."

A massive, forked tongue flicked out, tasting the air. "You low-tier species simply cannot appreciate their... subtlety."

Garruk prostrated himself, pressing his forehead to the dirt. He didn't even protest being demoted from a mid-tier species to a low-tier species. He knew that from the perspective of a dragon, there was probably no difference at all.

Aiden's gaze lifted. He raised his head, dismissing the gnoll from his sight.

He spread his wings, and with a powerful thrust, launched himself back up the cliff face toward the aerie. Whoosh.

The downdraft buffeted Garruk, ruffling his mangy fur.

He was gone.

Garruk's snout opened, and he began to pant, dragging in huge gulps of air. He lay there, hyperventilating, for a long moment. When his breathing finally steadied, Garruk pushed himself up and looked at the pile of plants.

The dragon's order had been clear. Plant them. And none could die.

He limped over and crouched, rubbing some of the soil from their roots between his fingers. It was still damp. The plants themselves looked healthy, full of life. Yes, they will probably survive being replanted.

After carefully gathering the stalks into a neat pile, Garruk stood and surveyed the area, his eyes scanning for a suitable spot. The ground here was uneven, sloped. His gaze eventually settled on a patch of earth right at the base of the cliff. It looked flat, and the soil appeared dark and rich.

He studied it for a few seconds before nodding to himself. That is the spot. Now, I need a tool to break the ground.

Garruk set off, limping, to find what he needed.

Thump.

Aiden landed back in the aerie. He looked toward the deeper recesses of the cave.

In the back, his blue-scaled sister was sprawled out, her head and tail lying limp on the stone floor.

Aiden's eyes darted around. He glanced at the remaining third of the griffon carcass, then scanned the surrounding floor. The magic crystals were gone. Looks like she ate them all. Already in a digestive torpor?

He felt an unexpected pang of... emptiness.

His gaze swept back to his sister, who looked like a deflated lizard. It was strange... Having it this quiet. I'm not used to it.

Well, whatever. Time for something that is fun. Roasting!

His gaze shifted to the remains of the griffon.

Rearing up, Aiden strode forward, hooked a talon into the carcass, and dragged it back toward the spit. Today, I have the rare mushrooms, the fruit jam, and the chili pepper. What new flavors will these three create together? He felt a genuine thrill of anticipation.

***

Down at the base of the cliff, Garruk had found strong vines, a sturdy, straight sapling, and a flat, heavy piece of black stone with a decent edge.

He sat on the ground and began to fashion his tool. As his fingers expertly lashed the stone to the wood, Garruk found himself lost in a memory. This was his job, back in the tribe. He hadn't much liked the work, but now... he couldn't help but feel a pang of nostalgia for it.

Lost in thought, he finished the makeshift hoe. He gave it a few test swings. Hhfft. Hhfft. It wasn't perfect, but it felt balanced. It will do.

Satisfied, he limped over to the dark patch of earth by the cliff. He spat on his palms, took a firm grip, and began to swing, breaking the hard-packed soil. Loosening the earth would help the roots take hold.

***

Back in the aerie, Aiden worked. Mushrooms were stuffed into slits in the meat. Flamepepper berries were ground into a paste and rubbed on the skin. The chili pepper was crushed and packed inside, and finally, the thick, purple jam was slathered over the entire joint.

With his preparations complete, he ignited the wood pile beneath the spit.

Within moments, an absolutely incredible aroma began to fill the aerie.

Yes. That's the complexity I was looking for. His crimson eyes fixed on the meat as it sizzled, fat dripping and hissing in the flames.

This roast, he knew, will be my masterpiece. Behind him, his long, crimson tail began to sway slowly, entirely of its own accord.