Chapter 360: What Becomes of the Dragonhearted?

Chapter 360: What Becomes of the Dragonhearted?

Biadets colour returned to normal but she remained unconscious. She was breathing, but I wasnt sure if that was indicative of anything. For all I knew, it was all clockwork under the hood.

You are wasting your efforts, said Laney, standing over me. It would be better to put her out of her misery. A few carefully aimed incisions are all it would take.

Some of us enjoy our misery. Its all weve got. I stood up and looked up at the sky, raising a hand to shade my eyes.

It was an impressive sight, all those dragons soaring through the air. It was probably more impressive at this distance dragons had a majestic quality that was inversely proportional to how close to you they were.

How had they got here so quickly? Laney had only put out the call a few minutes ago, and here they were gliding effortlessly towards us like they werent huge combine harvesters made flesh.

Could they have been waiting nearby, waiting for me to give the signal? That would suggest someone had predicted I would run into problems and need help, which would require foresight, a reckless willingness to offer assistance without the promise of reward, and an expectation of my general ineptitude. I think I would have noticed if that kind of person existed.

Actually, I did know of one person like that me. Perhaps I had rediscovered time travel and had come back from the future to lend myself a hand.

The other possibility was that there was a way for dragons to cover massive distances in a short time. A magical portal, perhaps, or supersonic farting. My money would be on the latter.

There were a couple dozen of them, at least. They were flying in a V-formation, wings spread and their flight path steady a giant arrow headed for the island. They were out over the water, a few minutes away. Who were they bringing with them?

I would assume Flossie, but maybe also the others. I wasnt sure I was ready for a reunion. Well, I was absolutely sure I wasnt ready, but you cant always choose your moment.

The formations split in two, with half the dragons veering off to the side. It wasnt clear where they were going, there was only water in every direction water and a couple of ships.

Were they going to engage the Council in a maritime battle? If it meant I wouldnt have to deal with my old party, I was all for it. Although, the council werent really on their ship, and I assumed their lack of action so far meant they were off dealing with Peter.

The rest of the dragons came sweeping down, riderless. They landed around us, crashing into trees and generally causing a mess. No time was wasted in greetings or even acknowledgement of my existence; acid vomiting and eating were the priority.

They had the look of someone who has only ever arrived at a buffet table an hour after it opened, and has to make do with whatevers left, but today they got here ten minutes before anyone else, and everything had just been put out. Time to load up your plate.

Princess Laney and the Dragon Army, said Laney. It will make a good story.

She was standing next to me in her underwear, hands on hips and crimson hair streaming in the wind. Damicar had picked up her jacket and was holding it for her to put back on, but she was ignoring him in favour of posing in her panties. Not to judge, but I was starting to think she was a bit of an exhibitionist.

Like what you see. It wasnt a question.

Can you put your clothes back on? I requested. The dragons might mistake you for a carrot and eat you. Her skin was still quite red from contact with Richina.

Laney turned to face me. I felt you coursing through me, deep, deep inside. Your power mixed with my own it was exhilarating. Her lips parted as her tongue slid across them. I know you felt it, too.

Its a one-way process, I didnt feel anything. I grabbed the jacket from Damicar and threw it at Laneys face. It was probably puberty kicking in, youre about due.

I was no longer in need of dragon rescue (not from the islanders, anyway) but I still planned to use them to destroy the island. If this was one big plant like Damicar had suggested, it would need to be eradicated all the way to the roots.

Richina was lying on the ground at my feet. She was still a problem, and one I had no real way of dealing with apart from keeping her unconscious. At least the way into the shrine was no longer blocked and I could find out what had happened to Wesley. Had she abandoned me or had she been betrayed herself?

Part of me didnt want to know the answer. I think theres a natural reluctance in most people certainly in me to not want to hear bad news. If you dont hear it, then it doesnt really exist. Its like that thing about if a tree falls in a forest and no one hears it, did it really fall? Only, the more relevant way to pose that question would be: If a tree falls in a forest and no one else hears it, can I pretend I didnt hear it, too?

But refusing to get yourself tested doesnt stop a disease from spreading. We all know its better to get the biopsy and start the treatment. Its common sense. You gain nothing from wilful ignorance, other than the joy of not knowing the horrible fucking truth.

Can you tie her up, I said, pointing at Richina. I didnt know how effective that would be, but it had to be better than letting her move freely.

Oh, yes, said Laney, partly dressed. I am beyond excellent at binding people with ropes. No one ever gets away from me.

What about the island people? asked Damicar. The islanders had fallen like wilted stalks and had formed a crop circle around us. Biadet had taken them out in some manner I couldnt identify. There was no blood or bruising as far as I could tell.

Well let the dragons have them. Not really the way the victorious hero treats the vanquished feeding prisoners to dragons is traditionally more of an evil overlord kind of move but what was I supposed to do with them? You could argue it wasnt really their fault, they had been forced to do a job without being asked, but you could say the same about me, so fuck em. Every tradition had to start somewhere.

One of the islanders stepped forward. He was the one who had been president before me. The current president wasnt available, so I supposed he was filling in.

If we return the body, will you call off your beasts? It was a reasonable trade. One I had no doubt they would try to get out of as soon as they got what they wanted. You can consider this a formal proposal.

Oh, a formal proposal? In that case, my formal response is fuck you. This isnt a negotiation. You lost. You lied and cheated and did everything you could think of to give yourself an unfair advantage, and you still lost. To me! Must be fucking humiliating, I mean, must hit you right in the solar plexus, the embarrassment of getting stomped so thoroughly by a rank amateur. I dont know how youll live with yourselves. Luckily for you

They didnt seem too happy with my approach to winning. They had the look of someone who cant believe you wont give them a chance to win their money back. The one thing I can guarantee you is that the person who demands you play one more hand out of fairness would never give you the same chance if the positions were reversed. They think no one can tell what a piece of shit they are, so they can claim they would, but they never seem to realise that demanding someone give you something not on offer is the douchebags calling card.

Its the same people who think they can say thank you to avoid showing gratitude and say sorry instead of making actual amends. Its hard to know how to explain it to them when they dont get that saying goodbye and not leaving isnt a clever ruse, its fucking mental.

We will make you president for life, he said, like this was the most amazing offer ever made. Buy now, and get this tropical island absolutely free.

This is outrageous, said Laney. I defeated your president in unarmed combat. Honour and chivalry dictate that you make me your queen.

As a monarchist, Laney didnt seem to understand how democracies worked. You couldnt just beat up the old leader to become the new leader, although it would certainly make election night more interesting. Fewer graphs and pie charts showing voter turnout, more slow-motion action replays of roundhouse kicks to the head.

President for life, he repeated. No term limits, no challenge to your authority.

The thing about being president for life is that you only have to shorten the life in question to end the arrangement. President for life and afterlife, then maybe we have something to talk about.

I cant believe you people. Do you really think youre in a position to make deals? This idea that you can find a way to string me along until somebody worthy of being your superior comes along, its insulting. To me and to the guy youre waiting for. Why would he want to rule over you when there are so many more deserving mindless drudges out there looking for their perfect totalitarian dictator? You should all be on your knees, begging to do whatever I want for nothing in return. Because thats what you fuckers are worth.

One by one they got down on their knees. Even the dragons stopped eating to watch.

What do you want from us? said the kneeling-acting-president.

Ive already told you, give me Maurices body.

And you will call off the dragons?

You guys really dont understand how status works in a non-democratic setting. Give me Maurice, and then hope it puts me in a good mood. Or dont, and watch your island disappear one bite at a time.

I could feel the reluctance. Giving in to my demands would feel like defeat, which was annoying mainly because theyd already fucking lost.

We were told to take the body to the heart of the island.

The island has a heart?

The heart of godsbane, where the Golden Wing resides.

And how do I get to the heart of the island?

He turned and looked a the shrine. Was that where Arthur was, another level deeper inside the shrine? Or was this a trick to get me to go inside so they could brick it up and get me out of the way.

Okay, I said, lead the way.

And the dragons?

Give me what I want.

Theyll have eaten everything by the time we get back.

There was a time when being magnanimous in victory and showing compassion for your enemy wasnt seen as a sign of weakness. I think it was a Tuesday.

Then, I said, you better give me what I want quickly.