The Fiery Crown Cycle: A Dragon's Rebirth

Chapter 156

The goblin elder hesitated. To be honest, he wasn't certain his clan could fulfill the Red Dragon’s demand. The tribe’s smiths were forged for war; they hammered crude iron into spearheads and cleavers, not cookware. Fashioning a pot large enough for a dragon was an entirely new, and terrifying, frontier.

Aiden watched the creature fall silent. His gaze sharpened, the ambient temperature around him rising slightly with his irritation. Was this wretched thing trying to deceive him?

"Well?" Aiden’s voice was a low rumble, like boulders grinding together. "Can you do it or not?"

"Yes! Yes, we can!" The elder squeaked, answering instantly to preserve his life.

Aiden withdrew his massive head, his jaws clicking shut with a sound like a steel trap. He lifted his gaze toward the center of the stone fortress. There, rising from a foundation of paved flagstones, stood a grand hall.

It was distinct from the other crude structures. The raised dais was meticulously leveled, towering above the rest of the settlement. There was no need to guess; that was his palace.

"When it is finished, have it delivered to the palace," Aiden commanded, his tone leaving no room for negotiation. "And prepare firewood. A lot of it."

"We obey your will, Great Master."

Ignoring the groveling creature, Aiden unfurled his crimson wings. With a single, powerful downstroke that kicked up a cloud of dust, he launched himself airborne, riding the wind toward the high seat of his new dominion.

Inside the grand hall, the air hummed with arcane static.

Azure, a Blue Wyrmling, lay quietly on the cold stone. Before her snout, three translucent rings of magic hovered in the air, emitting a soft, pale luminescence. From these glyphs extended countless spectral white threads, weaving through the air with the precision of a master surgeon.

Their target was a goblin—or what used to be several goblins.

Spare limbs and severed torsos lay scattered around Azure like discarded scraps in a tailor’s shop. The white threads moved rhythmically, piercing flesh and knitting muscle. Azure watched the process with a detached, clinical fascination.

Almost there. Just a few more sutures.

The final threads zipped through the flesh at the goblin's waist. The synthesis was complete. The spectral threads severed themselves neatly, and the three magical rings dissolved into motes of fading light.

The creature floated gently to the ground. Azure lowered her head, inspecting her handiwork.

It possessed four arms and two heads. The stitching was flawless; the flesh had fused so perfectly it looked as though the creature had been born this way.

A jagged grin split Azure’s muzzle. It was a masterpiece of biological art.

She raised a claw and beckoned. Two trembling goblins stepped forward, struggling under the weight of a heavy water bucket.

Splash.

Ice-cold water drenched the two heads of the subject. The sleeping faces sputtered and gasped, eyes snapping open.

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The "elite" goblin attempted to stand. The left leg stepped left; the right leg stepped right. The creature’s center of gravity failed, and it collapsed into a painful split.

Gah!

The two heads turned, suddenly noticing each other.

Gah!

Panic took hold. The two heads screamed in unison, their four arms flailing wildly as they began to claw at one another, each trying to tear the "parasite" from its body. Dark green blood sprayed across the floor as they gouged out eyes and tore at throats. Moments later, the muscular abomination lay still, a ruined heap of flesh.

Azure watched the carnage without blinking.

Disappointing.

It seemed the goblin physiology was too primitive to support dual consciousness. Even with the physical vessel prepared, the minds simply rejected the union.

Her stomach gave a low, rumbling growl. The feedback of hunger broke her concentration.

Forget it. That’s enough science for today.

She turned, her claws clicking against the stone as she made for the palace entrance. As soon as she moved, a dozen goblins scuttled out from the shadows, rushing to scrub the blood and drag away the corpses.

Stepping out of the palace, the fresh mountain air washed over her. Azure looked up toward the caves nestled in the cliff face nearby. The other two were likely still asleep. Lazy.

She stretched her wings. It was time to hunt. Perhaps she would keep an eye out for something suitable for Garruk. For the past two weeks, she had watched the Gnoll coordinate the goblin horde to build this fortress. He had an eye for logistics and management that was rare for his kind.

He was a competent servant. If he weren’t so old, she might have considered converting him into a Dragonblood. But for now, he was useful as he was.

Hm?

Azure paused mid-stretch, her wings folding back against her flanks.

High above, a crimson shape dove from the clouds.

Thud.

Aiden landed heavily on the stone terrace, the impact vibrating through the flagstones. He turned his gaze toward his sister. Out of the corner of his eye, he noted the activity inside the hall—goblins feasting on the remains of Azure's failed experiment.

He looked back at the blue wyrmling. She had clearly made herself at home.

"Where are you going?" Aiden asked.

"Hunting," she replied. Her voice was deceptively melodic, a sweet contrast to the reptilian predator she was.

Aiden’s eyes narrowed slightly. He considered raising a claw to bat at her, but stopped. The wretched girl was fast; she’d just dodge it.

"To eat?"

"Correct."

"I’m planning to cook," Aiden said, smoke curling lazily from his nostrils. "Why don’t you hunt the ingredients, and I’ll prepare the meal?"

Azure froze. Her brother’s roasted meat was... exceptional. It stimulated the palate in a way raw flesh or the goblins' charred offerings never could.

"Acceptable," she nodded. "Any specific requirements?"

Aiden smirked internally. No dragon could resist his cooking.

"Magical beast meat only. And if you see mushrooms, gather them. But ignore the dull ones—I want the bright, colorful ones."

"Understood. Is that all?"

"That is all."

With a powerful thrust of her legs, Azure launched herself into the sky, quickly becoming a sapphire speck against the clouds.

Watching her disappear, Aiden turned and strode through the massive archway of his palace.

The entrance was grand, nearly a hundred feet high. He walked across the smooth, polished floor, ignoring the goblins scurrying to clean up the blood. The structure had potential. It was majestic, though it would be better if it actually had a roof. Currently, it was just walls and a floor—a glorious, open-air ruin in the making.

But Rome wasn't built in a day. It would be finished in time.

Tap. Tap.

Soft footsteps approached from behind. Aiden turned his massive frame.

A grey, hunched figure reflected in his burning eyes.

It was the Gnoll.

Garruk walked up to the Red Dragon and immediately dropped to his stomach, prostrating himself on the cold stone.

"Garruk offers his highest respects, Great Lord."

"Rise, Gnoll."

Garruk stood fluidly but kept his head bowed, his eyes fixed respectfully on the floor.

Aiden studied him. "I am pleased with your results. You have done well."

"Your praise is my glory, Great Lord."

Aiden’s lips curled into a toothy grin. The creature certainly knew how to speak to power.

"Speak. Why have you sought me out?"

"Great Red Lord," Garruk said, his voice trembling slightly with reverence. "Garruk wishes to present a tribute."

With slow, deliberate movements, the Gnoll unhooked a cloth sack from his belt. He opened it, placed it in his right palm, and raised it high above his head, offering it to the dragon.