The Fiery Crown Cycle: A Dragon's Rebirth

Chapter 131

Splash.

Her claw dipped into the river, sinking halfway down.

Why haven't I hit the bottom yet?

Just as the water threatened to swallow her foreleg entirely, her white wings beat frantically against the air.

Whoosh!

Bianca yanked her body free of the surface. Hovering just above the water, she tilted her head, staring down at the flowing current with confusion.

It doesn't look that deep? Why couldn't I reach the floor?

Hmph. This spot won't do. She lifted her head, wings snapping as she propelled herself toward the riverbank.

Thump.

She landed solidly on the dirt, rearing up on her hind legs. Her white eyes looked down at the rushing water with disdain.

I really am the cleverest white dragon.

As long as I stand on dry land, I won't make that mistake again.

She hugged the heavy cauldron with her claws, scooped up water from the edge, and began the serious business of laundering her gold.

***

Deep in the forest undergrowth near the riverbank, five figures lurked.

They were short, green-skinned creatures with distended bellies and gangly limbs. Their fingers ended in jagged, filthy nails, and long, pointed ears twitched above mouths filled with needle-like yellow teeth. Their noses were either hooked beaks or bulbous, pockmarked monstrosities.

Their yellow eyes gleamed with undisguised malice.

Five goblins, hidden in the brush, watched the figure by the river.

"Snaggle... that looks like a dragon," one whispered.

The goblin named Snaggle narrowed his eyes, fixating on the squatting form.

His companion was right. It was a dragon. Specifically, a white dragon—notorious for their low intelligence. And judging by its size, it was merely a wyrmling.

Snaggle pressed his bulbous nose against the prickly leaves, ignoring the itch. His gaze remained locked on that pale back.

A white wyrmling alone in the forest... that means the mother is almost certainly gone.

A wicked light kindled in his pupils.

If I can tame this beast... I will become a legend! A Goblin Hero! A Dragon Rider!

"You two," Snaggle hissed, pointing a gnarled finger at two of his underlings. "Go to Mine Number Four. Rig the traps."

"Huh?"

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Snaggle, what are you doing?"

The four goblins looked at their Chieftain in confusion.

"Just do as I say!" Snaggle snapped, shooting a glance at the dragon by the river, who seemed busy digging a hole. He didn't have time to explain his genius to these morons. If the wyrmling flew away, his ladder to greatness would vanish with it.

"Yes, Snaggle!"

The goblins nodded. The two he had selected turned and scampered into the shadows.

Awooo Awooo...

Humming a happy, off-key tune, the white dragon lay on her stomach in front of a fresh hole.

She scooped up a handful of gold coins and sprinkled them into the pit. Keeping one claw extended, she used the others to tap the coins, counting out loud.

"One, two, three... nine."

"One, two, three... eight."

Her glittering white eyes blinked. Missing one.

She reached into the cauldron, pinched a single coin, and dropped it into the hole.

"Nine."

Perfect. She stared lovingly at the buried little darlings.

Two sets of nines.

Hehe. That stupid Aiden will never find my secret stash.

Her white tail swished happily behind her. She shoveled dirt back into the hole with her forelegs, filling it up. Then, she stood and stomped on the loose earth to pack it down.

Satisfied, she bent down and hugged the cauldron to her chest.

...

Three figures emerged from the bushes. Hearing the noise, Bianca turned her head to the left.

Goblins? Three of them?

Her glittering eyes locked onto the creatures, none standing taller than six feet. Drool began to drip from her jaws.

A bit small... but a snack is a snack.

Seeing the salivating dragon, the two goblins behind Snaggle froze in terror. But Snaggle didn't stop.

His yellow pupils contracted. Yes. Definitely a white wyrmling. Look at that dull, vacant expression.

Stupid is good.

Snaggle strode forward, then dramatically dropped into a slide, ending in a groveling kneel before her.

Bianca paused. She didn't sense a threat. Clearly, this mystic beast was just awestruck by her magnificence. It knew its place.

She opened her jaws, leaning down toward the prostrate goblin.

"Oh, Great Dragon! Your form is majestic! Snaggle wishes only to crawl beneath the shadow of your mighty wings!" Snaggle cried out. "Snaggle wishes to offer you tribute! A treasure!"

He spoke fast. The dragon's open maw hovered inches above his head.

Treasure! This goblin wants to give the Great Bianca treasure?

Her white eyes sparkled. Her jaws snapped shut, and she pulled her head back.

"Goblin! Hand over your treasure!"

Her voice was sweet and childish, like a little girl's, but laced with an icy, predatory indifference.

Face down in the dirt, Snaggle grinned, revealing his yellowed fangs.

"Oh, Great Dragon~ Snaggle has many treasures, but they are all stored in my lair. Please, if you would just wait here..."

What? Wait? Absolutely not!

She glared at the goblin."Take the Great Bianca to your lair! If your treasure satisfies the Great White Dragon Bianca, I might just accept you as my servant!"

Snaggle's grin widened. Hook, line, and sinker.

"Yes. Great White Dragon Bianca." he crooned. "I will lead you to my lair immediately. I exist only to offer my gold to you."

Gold.

At the mention of the word, Bianca's eyes practically glowed.

Gold—rawr.

An image of a mountain of coins floated in her mind. Her maw curled into a smile.

The Great Bianca is about to become even richer than that hateful Aiden!

"Hurry up and lead the way!"

"As you command, Great White Dragon Bianca."

Snaggle scrambled to his feet. "This way, Your Greatness. Please, follow me."

"Faster!"

Hearing the dragon's impatient urging, Snaggle turned his back to her. A look of utter contempt flashed through his yellow eyes.

Stupid lizard.

He began to run.

Whoosh.

Hearing the wind of wings behind him, Snaggle knew the fish was on the hook.

They ran for half an hour.

Finally, Snaggle skidded to a halt in front of a mine entrance, the mouth of the cave yawning about thirty feet wide.

This was Mine Number Four. Rusted iron rails extended from the pitch-black darkness, flanked by piles of discarded ore.

Thump.

Bianca landed, folding her wings against her back.

"Goblin, where is the treasure you promised?"

"Oh, Great White Dragon Bianca, the tribute I have for you lies deep inside." Snaggle bowed low. "I shall go in and carry it out for you..."

Bianca eyed the goblin's puny frame. This guy can't carry anything.

"Forget it. I'll go in myself!"

"Yes... Great White Dragon Bianca."

Snaggle lowered his head further to hide the smirk threatening to split his face.