Dragon Exiles: Part Seven

Written by: Caesara

The next morning the both of them awoke to a loud thumping sound that shook the whole cave, themselves included. Karla purposefully kept her eyes closed, pretending she was still asleep. She didn't really want to know what it was and maybe it'd leave them alone if they thought she was asleep.

Shawnie, however, opened his eyes and stared. It was a large, scarly beast with green scales. It had swirling eyes with many facets of colors and peered down at him suspiciously. The beast had large paws that were very much like talons and a long, swinging tail. Ridges went down from its neck to the end of its tail. Overall, it had a very menacing look to it. It reminded Shawnie of ... a dragon?

"What in the name of Conlad are you doing in my cave?"

Its speech wasn't really speech as its mouth never moved. It was more like it was in his head. The voice was feminine but had a rough tone to it. Shawnie stared at her, dumbfounded. Had they actually found a dragon?

"Don't just sit there staring, you shrimp of a human. I'm not going to eat you, at least not yet. I'm not hungry and I doubt Gronith is either."

"Gr ... Gro ... Gronith?" Shawnie's voice was very shaky and he was obviously nervous.

"Yes, Gronith, you stuttering fool. My name is Tarnilith." Karla opened one eye, and upon seeing a dragon, quickly shut it. Tarnilith turned her large head to face Karla, rolling her eyes.

"I know you're not asleep, you. I'll only say it once more. What are you doing in my cave?"

Karla sat up, rubbing the last of sleep out of her eyes. "We were looking for a place to sleep, Your Highness." She toned her voice to almost drip with sarcasm, giving the dragon a snide look.

"Humph. Highness is a good title for me. I'm much taller than you two anyway." Tarnilith went into a fit of giggles -- if you could call them that -- at her own foolery.

"Actually, I think Your Bigheadedness is a better title," Karla snickered.

"I prefer Highness, thank you very much." Tarnilith rolled her eyes again. She was beginning to like the sharp-eyed female, even if she was shrimpy. The male could use some work. Maybe she'd keep the female and give the male to Gronith, just to see what he did.

Karla stood up, grabbing Shawnie's arm and pulling him up with her in the process. "If you don't mind, we need to be on our way." Shawnie protested in stutters. They had come to look for dragons, hadn't they? And now she was trying to leave!

"I mind." Tarnilith positioned herself in front of the doorway. The only way they could get out was by climbing over her, which the two of them weren't very likely to do. Shawnie stared in fright, then slumped back down. Karla stared the dragon in the eye.

"If you would, explain?"

"Gladly. I find you of some interest, so therefore you shall stay. When Gronith gets back he can have the male one. I don't want him. Gronith might get some fun out of him before eating him."

"Shawnie doesn't taste good."

"Oh, you know from experience, then?" Tarnilith scoffed.

"You know what I mean. Humans only taste good to you if they're very young."

Tarnilith scowled, as much as a dragon could. "That's true, but that doesn't stop us from eating older ones. So have a seat."

Karla, not having much of a choice, slumped down next to Shawnie, glowering. Shawnie brought his knees to his chin, apprehensive. Were they really planning on eating him? He couldn't taste good, could he? Karla had said he wouldn't and she had read a lot about them. All Shawnie could do was hope she was right.

Tarnilith stayed where she was for most of the day, eventually falling asleep. Shawnie and Karla amused themselves by playing a game with some stones from the floor. Eventually another loud thumping sound was heard and another dragon poked his head in over Tarnilith, who had awoken but hadn't moved.

"I see we have visitors." The dragon, who appeared to be Gronith, commented.

"Yes. I'm keeping the female but you can have the male if you want."

"I have no use for humans."

Tarnilith stood up and moved so Gronith could pass by. He was a smaller dragon of a blue hue. He settled down next to the opposite wall of Karla and Shawnie while Tarnilith retained her position as entry blocker. Gronith watched the two of them for a while, not speaking. His eyes were cold, though they swirled in the same way that Tarnilith's did. The end of his tail twitched ever so slightly occasionally, back and forth.

Karla finally became hungry by the time it was becoming dark again. She rummaged through her pack and took out a piece of bread, then started chewing on it slowly. Both Gronith and Tarnilith watched her every move but it was Tarnilith who spoke first.

"Where did you get that and what is it?"

"It's bread and it came from my pack." Karla took another bite, ignoring their scathing looks. "You don't want any."

"And why not? I can eat whatever I want!" Tarnilith snorted and dust went flying, causing Shawnie to have a coughing fit.

"You don't eat starches. You're carnivores. You'd puke up all the contents of your stomach if you ate them, as dragons have a tendency to be allergic to them."

Tarnilith just glared at Karla, not wanting to know how she knew that. She knew too much about dragons. She was much too young to be one who looked through archives. Karla smirked and continued eating her bread. Gronith gave up watching her and gradually began falling asleep.

Tarnilith kept herself wide awake though. Falling asleep wouldn't be a good thing. They'd probably find a way to escape. Despite her hardest attempts, though, the green dragon had trouble staying awake in such boring conditions.

Shawnie had curled up and was napping, while Karla lazily stared at the ceiling, plotting to herself. Hopefully, if Tarnilith fell asleep, they'd be able to climb over her and get out. But the dragon had to go to sleep first and Gronith couldn't wake up. It likely wouldn't work but it was the only idea she had.