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"'It's not as though your job were on the line," Darima mocked, swaying with the odd pace of Amber's stride. She was mounted bareback on Amber's back, and, although he had a fine, broad, well-muscled back, Amber was too fluid an animal to be an easy creature to ride.
Shimmer trotted alongside, turning up her nose at sharing Darima's ride. Do let it rest, she suggested.
"It had better work," Darima said again.
I told you, it will work.
"Well, it better. Did I tell you I stayed up all night pounding out this potion?"
Repeatedly.
"Well, I'm just telling you it had better work."
How sure are you about your potion?
"Sure enough. I checked it four times."
You were tired.
"You don't have to tell me that! I saw you sleeping in the corner, contemplating motherhood, no doubt. I'm telling you the potion is fine. So, it had better work. Understand?"
Amber rumbled. It will work, Darima. Calm yourself.
"How do you know?"
I'll make a snack of Shimmer if she fails. Now, you both are at risk. Satisfied?
"Hmm. Perhaps. There it is!" As she spoke, a dragon glowing in red and violet, soared over their heads, neck craning to see these newcomers. A flicker of flame twitched between its teeth and it spun on a wingtip, sinking to land on an outcrop in front of them. The tales had not exaggerated. The dragon was more than seventy feet from nose to tail tip with a wingspan more than twice that. It stretched its serpentine neck and its head, fully ten feet above the ground, studied her from only feet away, with no sign of aggression.
"Shit," Darima muttered, her nerveless fingers fumbling for the potion in a belt pouch. Potion in hand, she slid from Amber's back and reluctantly approached the glistening opalescent eye.
What will you do if that makes a snack of me?
"Just concentrate! All right, here goes!" Darima crouched, ready to spring away and then tossed the contents of her pouch directly into the dragon's eye. She leapt away and rolled on the ground, trying to get out of reach of the dragon's blindly flailing talons.
"Now, Shimmer, now!"
Yes, yes, I'm trying. Do stop yelling.
"Shimmer, this isn't funny!" One talon protecting its mistreated eye, the dragon turned its head and fixed Darima with its good eye. The other talon reached for her.
Amber leapt to her defense, throwing its body between the monstrous creature and Darima. The huge cat was childishly tiny facing up to the dragon. The dragon backed for a moment in shock at the tiger's bravado before it answered Amber's battle cry with a low chuckle from its deep throat. Fire winked its humor in that sulphurous gullet. With a careless flick of the dragon's claw, Amber was sent sprawling.
The dragon turned back to its prey, Darima, only to find itself facing yet another obstacle, this in a minute snip of cat, its tail bristled up to twice its size and its eyes glowing blue and green.
How dare you bat away that proud mighty creature as if it was no great moment! It is the king of cats you defile with your touch and your disdain! Know what it is to face a cat's wrath!
The dragon reared onto its haunches and laughed a great roaring laugh with a geyser of fire and smoke. When it had finished, it eyed the mite of feline anger with an almost affectionate eye and reached for Shimmer.
You asked for it! Shimmer's eyes took on a frightening luminosity and the air crackled round her as before a storm. The dragon inhaled to explode again in laughter, and then disappeared.
Darima blinked dully at the spot so recently filled to overflowing with dragon. "You did it!"
Shimmer sat down casually and began to bathe herself. Of course.
Amber picked himself up gingerly and shook his great head. What did you do, little terror?
See for yourself. From the dust, a golden head lifted itself and observed its surroundings dazedly.
Darima's eyes opened and she scrambled to her feet and she approached warily. The red tabby hissed back, coughing a weak stream of flame, but resisted only half-heartedly. Such a transformation was undoubtedly wearying.
Darima cooed and soothed, then scooped him up in her arms. "Well, that's one problem solved thank goodness. I wonder if he wouldn't be able to help with magic until your kittens are born."
I don't know. He seems smart enough to learn a few rudimentary things. He really is a fine male specimen.
Darima glared at her in disgust. "Shimmer, do try to control yourself. A dragon cat will be enough trouble; we certainly don't need a herd of fire-breathing kittens."
I wonder . . .