CHAPTER EIGHT

Out came a snow hare, fluffy tail bobbing in the air. Its white coat blending seamlessly with the snow-covered ground.

"what the actual fuck?!" Yara couldn't help but shout. The dragon tilted its head to the side, remaining surprisingly composed, its gaze fixed on the seemingly harmless creature.

Yara eyed the beast, a frown creasing her forehead. "Why didn't you smell that?" she asked the dragon, her voice low.

Its response was a rumble, a low hum deep within its chest.

She took a cautious step forward, her eyes scanning the surroundings. The dragon followed suit, its massive form frightening the hare.

It darted away, disappearing back into the woods. There was truly nothing in the woods nearby. Yara couldn't shake off the unease that had settled. "Something feels off. Let's head back to the cavern," she said as she walked back into the manor, scrambling for her belongings.

Having decided to remain concealed in the cavern for the time being, she had to ensure she carried everything essential.

"I don't like having those smugglers so close."

With a languid sweep of its tail and a slow blink of its golden eyes, the dragon bent to make her climb easier. Once she was secured, they took off, soaring into the cold Frostweave skies.

The trip to the caverns was faster than usual; the dragon seemed tenser than it had revealed.

As Yara and the dragon entered, the atmosphere inside the cavern seemed to shift. The air inside was warmer, a stark contrast to the biting cold outside. Yara took a deep breath, the familiar scent of the cavern soothing her nerves and bringing colour to her cold cheeks.

They reached the chamber where the six dragon eggs lay, nestled on a bed of soft moss. Yara dismounted and walked over to them. She reached out, her hand hovering over the smooth surface of one of the eggs. It pulsed, responding to her touch.

It never ceased to amaze her that she was interacting with live dragon eggs. They were usually already dormant or hatched. The dragon chuffed, bumping her aside as it rubbed on the eggs gently.

'Rude.'

She glared but let it go; they were all high-strung. Plus, seeing the high and mighty beast pur and croon over the eggs was a little cute. She looked around the treasure crammed chamber and sighed, 'this will be tough.'

She was human and couldn't sleep on top of hard pieces of precious metals. There was hardly any place not already clustered. She looked at the stream flowing gently through the mounds. At least there was water that was somehow still running through the cave. 'Probably the dragon's power.'

"Hey, big guy!" She called out and got ignored. "Hey, I know you can hear me! Where can I sleep here?" She asked, walking around to face it.

The dragon huffed and raised its head, looking around the room. It finally stood up, lumbered over to a corner of the cavern, and decimated a tower of gold with a swipe of its tail. Yara jumped, not expecting the noise it made.

The dragon gave one of its signature eye rolls and gestured with its head towards the now clear spot. "Why, thank you for your hospitality," She teased, dodging his tail. "I must say, it's top-notch." She laughed, walking to the spot. She set down her satchel and began to pull out her sleeping bag and other things.

The dragon stood over her, staring intently at her as she tried to change her clothes. "You know, I'm starting to think you dragons are perverts and like to watch people or be watched." She mused, thinking about the naked man in the woods.

The response she got was a face full of smoke. She coughed, waving it away. "Hey! Don't be a big baby! I was just thinking out loud." She tried not to laugh again as she watched it stalk back to the eggs and lay beside them. She tried calling for a while, then went back to setting up.

The two of them would need to form a plan, and they might even have to leave. With the amount of smugglers that had been seen in the span of the two months she had been here, they would not stop. Yara sighed as she combed through her hair with her fingers, 'if their men don't return, they will send out more to check on the mission, more stronger men.'

She looked round the room as she braided her hair, they had at least one more month till the worst of Frostweave blew past. Travling in these weather conditions would be a fools errand. That would give the two of them enough time to think of an escape route. 

Yara stopped as she felt a chill. She looked round the room and realized there was no fire, she had been fine because the dragon had been close and had radiated warmth.

"Big guy?" She called. The dragon growled but didn't turn.

"Big guy?" She tried again, no response. "Come on, I'm sorry. Ok? I need a fire or I'm going to freeze overnight, do you think it's safe to go out and gather wood?" She asked, standing up.

The dragon finally raised its head and looked out the cavern opening. The snow had started to fall while they were in, and it looked like it was picking up.

It finally turned to face her, and only her years of instincts saved her from being burnt to a crisp. "What the hell?!" She yelled as she rolled back to her feet, heart pounding from the incident.

The dragon blinked at her slowly, realizing what it had just done. "Are you trying to kill me?!" She yelled, trembling slightly. She knew firsthand what drakeflame, even from a slumbering dragon could do to a human, had seen it happen too many times to not be terrified.

The dragon seemed to realize she was truly scared and chuffed lowly, tilting its head in the direction she had jumped from. She turned and her rage fizzled out slightly, it had stared a fire for her by burning the gems close to her spot.

Since the fire was controlled, it didn't spread past the burning stones and most likely wouldn't die out.

"Thanks, I guess, but a little warning would do next time." She glared, folding her arms. The dragon simply regarded her for a second and turned back to the eggs, dismissing her with a flick of its tail.

"Fucking rude little lizard brain-" she mumbled under her breath as she went back to her spot.

As they settled in the cavern, Yara couldn't help but glance back at the entrance, her senses still on high alert. The storm had turned into an all out blizzard now and she couldn't see past the wall of white. It made her even more anxious. 'What if the smugglers found this cavern and were using magic to protect themselves from the storm? They could be right there, and we wouldn't notice till they were on us.' She grabbed her daggers as she lay facing the entrance. Sensing her unease, the dragon curled around the eggs protectively, its gaze fixed on the cavern entrance.

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A large city sprawled out over a few acres, candle lights and magic lanterns twinkling as night set in. The streets were crowded at this time, unlike the villages out in the countryside. In a seemingly normal building for travellers, a meeting was being held in one of its secret basement rooms.

The walls, adorned with tattered tapestries, seemed to absorb any stray light, casting a murky haze that clung to the air. The tang of smoke, a blend of incense and something more illicit, wafted through the room.

Around the large, worn table sat a motley crew of individuals. Dim light emanated from flickering candles scattered across the large wooden table, illuminating the faces of the assembled people. A map lay spread across the table—marked with the Northern Territory where the elusive beast resided.

At the head of the table sat a man with a sharply defined jaw, his eyes shadowed by the brim of a wide-brimmed hat. The low light accentuated the deep, twisted scar running down his cheek. He leaned back in his chair, exhaling a plume of smoke from the cigar that dangled between his fingers.

The scent of the burning tobacco mingled with the sweet fragrance of incense. At his feet sat a woman. She had dull grey skin, stringy rough hair and a scattering of even duller scales that seemed flaky and falling off. Her yellow eyes were blank, speaking of the horrors she had faced at the hands of this fiend. The chain around her raw neck and ankles let people know of her status, a captured siren.

To their right was a woman with piercing eyes and a cascade of dark curls. Her fingers drummed rhythmically on the table, a telltale sign of impatience.

A man clad in a long coat shifted restlessly on the opposite side. His fingers fidgeted with a dagger, betraying a nervous energy beneath his suave exterior.

"I cannot believe we have lost more men." The scarred leader frowned, taking another puff from his cigar.

The woman nodded, her gaze fixed on the man. "We have to take drastic measures, Hagar. The creature poses a threat to our operations."

The second man, leaning back in his chair, added, "I heard there was a clash between our group and members of Ember. They're after the dragon, too. It's turning into a blood feud."

Hagar leaned forward, his expression pensive. "It's clear, Rines. They are on the dragon's trail because there is something of importance there. We must act before they do."

A murmur of agreement rippled through the room. The woman spoke next, her voice cold and calculating. "We need a plan. A way to get the upper hand, to control the situation."

Suddenly, the heavy wooden door creaked open, and a gust of cold wind swept in, carrying the scent of the frosty night outside. A hulking figure filled the entrance. His eyes, cold and calculating, scanned the room with an air of dominance as he strode in with slow, deliberate steps. He was clad in fur and leather, and the scars on his arms let one know he was a man of danger. Low and cautious, Hagar's voice cut through the tension. "What do you want, Kellan? This is a private meeting."

The man, identified as Kellan, fixed Hagar with his chilling gaze. His gravelly voice grated to the ears as he spoke. "I heard you're dealing with a dragon problem."

"And? What does that have to do with you?" The woman asked, hand toying with the blade by her side openly, a clear threat.

"Peace Ayun. Let us hear him speak," Hagar said, holding up a hand to quiet her. "What do you want, Kellan?" He asked again.

Kellan's lips curled into a sinister smile. Like shards of obsidian, his eyes gleamed with a hunger for the hunt. "I want in."

The occupants shifted in their seats, aware of the man's reputation. His exploits were legendary, and tales of his brutality had spread like wildfire. After a tense silence, Hagar spoke. "You want the dragon?"

"No, no, I do not want the dragon. I desire the thrill of the hunt. I live for it. The money is an added incentive." Kellan's grin widened, revealing yellowed teeth.

"Is that so? Even with the threat of death? This is no ordinary beast afflicted by the disease," Rines said, frowning at him.

The flickering candlelight cast eerie shadows on Kellen's grizzly features. "I've faced worse. If the coin is right, I'll bring you its head."

The group exchanged glances, considering the risk and the reward. After a moment of contemplation, Ayun spoke again, "Agreed. Go after the dragon. Ensure that no one stands in our way." she laid emphasis on the word no one.

A wicked glint danced in Kellen's eyes. He understood completely. His eyes roved over to Hagar, who leaned back, gently petting the siren's head. He also had a sinister smile on his lips. "If things go well, I might even throw in a siren or elf as complimentary."

Kellan laughed, "I understand. Make sure the bitch is fresh. I like to tame them myself," he said, eyeing the limp creature by Hagar's feet.

"Get your job done first, then make demands." Ayun snarled, throwing a file at him.

Kellen grabbed it and looked though quickly, his beady eyed brightening as he realized what it was. The file contained parchments of information collected on the beast so far.

His grating laugh echoed as he left the room, the door closed behind him with a heavy thud. He licked his lips.

This would be a good hunt indeed.