Book 5: Chapter 109
Gloria and Ramon lay on their bellies, their necks extending forward to munch on the food placed between them. Ramon slurped on bear meat while Gloria stuffed her face into a pile of grapes. Although the buried humans had bigger problems to worry about than being hungry, they couldnt stop their stomachs from growling upon seeing the sight. Glorias eye shifted to the side, and she blinked at the drooling humans. She swallowed the crushed grapes in her mouth and asked Kozabokget, Do we have to feed the humans?
Kozabokget glanced at the field of heads. They were staring at her with pleading expressions. No, the pink-eyed goat said and let out a small smile as despair flooded their faces. Theyre small and squishy compared to a dragon, and they definitely cant compare to you when it comes to not eating or drinking, but they can go three days without water and over a month without food.
Oh, Gloria said. Thats longer than I thought. She raised an eyebrow. How come Tafel seemed like she needed to eat so often? Didnt she eat twice a day?
Although humans can survive a month without eating, theyll get weaker as the days pass, Kozabokget said. Tafel eats every day to maintain her strength. Since we dont care about how strong these people are, and in fact, probably want them to be weaker, its better for us to withhold food from them. Remember, being kind to your enemies is being cruel to yourself.
Gloria tilted her head before mumbling to herself. Then, her brow furrowed. She picked up a piece of meat and tore it into tiny pieces with her claws. When she had a shredded pile held in her paw, she walked over to the field of heads using her hindlegs and offered the first head she in the field a piece of meat. Are you hungry? she asked. Eat some.
T-thank you, the man said and bit the piece of meat offered by Glorias claw. It was a strange experience, one that he could brag about in the future. Who else could claim they were handfed, err, clawfed by a dragon? Other than everyone else in the field, of course. Gloria shuffled through the field of heads, offering a piece of meat to each one. She almost crushed one person with her tail, but luckily, she noticed in time.
What are you doing? Kozabokget asked. Didnt you hear what I just said?
I did, Gloria said, eyeing the human head in front of her to make sure her claw didnt jab its face on accident during the feeding process.
Kozabokget frowned. Then, why are you still feeding them?
Not exactly, Keith said. Danielle and I tied them up before burying them. The goat said wed be eaten if one of them escaped, so obviously, we did our best to secure them.
Is the goat important to them? Joseph asked. If we capture it, how do you think those baby dragons will respond?
If you had a talking pet dog, how would you feel if I stole it from you? Keith asked. Isnt that quite obvious?
Is it a pet? Joseph asked. Ive never heard of a dragon keeping a pet around. Are you sure it isnt some sort of emergency food supply? Perhaps its a snack.
Why do you always doubt me? Keith asked and frowned. You ask me questions; I give you answers; you ask me questions doubting the answers I give you. If you think Im wrong, then just do what you want, but let me turn myself in first. Id rather be buried there without a curse than be found here with you planning on stealing their pet goat for some hare-brained scheme.
Youve really been challenging my authority lately, havent you? Joseph asked and glared at his companion.
Well, following your authority almost got us killed multiple times in the span of less than a month.
Youve slain three dragons by following me.
And thats why were almost getting killed now!