Tempering A Dragon

By SJ Wilke

Tempura is a legend. A mighty warrior who has conquered the enemy on the battlefield while riding her mighty dragon. Except, it's all lies. Tempura is just a teenager. She has never been on a battlefield and never killed anyone. Yet, she is a critical player in a war between man and dragon, and she must choose the side of the dragons. She must pretend to be a war hero. She believes she is a Dragon Master, but she soon learns she is a master of nothing until another Dragon Master, almost dead, arrives on her doorstep high in the mountains. With him, she comes to realize that they are not in control. The best she can do is learn from him and the dragons, to find herself and discover what she really is.

• Language: English
• Publisher: SJ Wilke
• Release date: Sep 14, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393307990

Book preview

Chapter 1

Every dragon in the huge cavern raised their head, staring in the direction of the Great Door.

Who is insane enough to be traveling in this weather? Tempura said, dropping the harness she was mending.

No one answered her. All of the dragon chatter around her had ended abruptly. She knew the dragons had excellent hearing and had heard something. All of them had heard it.

The wind is close to one hundred miles an hour, and the temperature is hovering at minus forty, she said, repeating the weather report she had heard earlier.

Rider one, said a couple of dragons in dragonspeak at the same time.

Tempura knew this meant a single dragon and its rider had landed in the courtyard.

Insane, she said.

She rose and instantly broken into a jog. A dragon out in this cold needed to get in fast. She jogged up the ramp toward the Great Door.

Damn rider. How dare you take your dragon out in this weather? I’m hurrying for the sake of the dragon, not you.

She reached the double inner door first. Before she opened the door, she grabbed a thick fur coat from the racks.

It’s insane just to open the Great Door without a coat.

She pulled on the coat, then pulled out a fur hat from a pocket and pulled it down over her head. Wisps of her brown hair had escaped her pony tail. She drew a finger across her forehead to move the hairs out of her eyes.

As fast as she could, she pushed open the inner door and slipped through. The quicker she was, the less heat was lost and the fewer cold drafts allowed in.

Damn, its cold.

She hastily buttoned the coat while she hurried up the ramp. It curved around, almost doubling back on itself. Her fingers were already going numb with cold when she put on her gloves.

I bet it’s as cold between the two doors as it is outside.

She could feel the cold pass through her light tan pants. They would hardly protect her from the cold unless she kept moving. She was glad she always wore her fur-lined boots.

Tempura reached the lever that controlled the door mechanism. She reached up and pulled down hard. The wheels turned, pulling open the two halves of the Great Door. In an instant, she saw a huff of dragon breath swirled in through the opening. A dragon nose already pushed in at the doors, helping the pulleys from working so hard. The doors were heavy, consisting of double wood slabs that were two feet thick. The doors were constructed not to keep a dragon in, but to keep out the bitter cold of winter.

Get in here quick, Tempura said, although she needn’t have.

The rider was pulled through the door by his dragon who was in an obvious hurry to get inside.

Tail, she said, barely able to breath with the cold.

Her voice seemed lost in the wind.

The dragon’s tail rapidly cleared the threshold, and she pushed up the lever to close the doors. The rush of wind subsided, however, the air was still frigid. No one moved until the doors were firmly closed.

This way, Tempura said, leading the way toward the inner doors.

She walked fast, just as eager to reach the warmth as she knew the dragon would be.

Warmer down below.

She swung open both inner doors to allow the dragon to pass. However, the dragon and his rider had only came so far down the ramp. She thought the dragon looked a little too timid.

Warmer down below, she said again, wondering why the rider just stood there, holding the rope attached to his dragon.

I need my dragon tended to, the man said, still encased in his heavy flying coat.

His hat and scarf covered his face. He took a few steps toward her.

Yes, I know. Send him on down, Tempura said with an impatient wave of her hand.

I want to make sure he gets chained, the man said.

Tempura glared, feeling anger well up in her.

We don’t chain dragons here. You think a dragon’s going to want to escape out there?

She pointed toward the Great Door.

The rider’s eyes followed her gesture, but he didn’t move any further down the ramp.

Was the man crazy?

Tempura stomped over to him and grabbed his rope away. She thought the rope was a joke. Did the man really think he could control his dragon with a rope? This dragon could haul him around with ease.

Go on down, she said to the dragon, tossing the loose end of the rope.

It snagged on the dragon’s harness. The dragon flinched at the touch of the rope. Tempura could see the conflict in his eyes. He was eyeing his rider and then her, looking very unsure what to do. She knew she would win the battle. The dragon looked to her for encouragement. She waved her hand, urging him to go. That was all he needed, and he moved down into the cavern.

Tempura turned her gaze to the man and impatiently waved for him to go. She almost stuck him when she did so. Finally, the man moved, passing through the doors, allowing her to close them, although the doors just missed him since he wasn’t moving as fast as she calculated. She almost wished she had. Besides, the other dragons weren’t going to be pleased with so much cold air sweeping down from the doors or the loss of heat. However, she heard no complaints. The other dragons were unusually silent. She felt some concern. Silence meant something was wrong.

If you want a warming bath, keep on going toward your left. Jak is there, and he’ll take off your harness, Tempura said, removing her coat.

She turned her back on the man while she hung up the coat on the rack by the doors. The gloves were stuffed into one pocket while the hat was stuffed in another, so all she had to do next time was grab the coat. That was the easiest and most efficient way of doing it which guaranteed you had everything one needed to stay warm. She frowned. It was annoying that she was the only one who did this. She always found herself double checking. The cold weather was too severe to be without them.

A bath? the rider said.

Tempura couldn’t see his features since he had yet to remove his face covering, but his voice had a tone of puzzlement.

I was talking to the dragon. You can keep going straight. You’ll find the door to the Great Room. Just go up the steps and ask for who you are here for, Tempura said, dismissing him and following the dragon.

The dragon had taken her guidance and was heading toward the bath. His feathers, which had been frosted white, were now showing the blues and greens of a juvenile. She figured he was probably five to seven years old. He was old enough for a rider, but inexperienced about traveling in this type of weather. The dragon should have refused his rider.

The dragon paused and rumbled his name.

Ferrari

At least the dragon knew his manners and knew to announce himself to the most senior dragon. The senior dragon was Nona. She acknowledged him by saying his name back to him.

Ferrari

Both dragons were using a normal voice. Because no other dragon was talking, Tempura felt the vibration of their voices echo in the cavern. She glanced back at the man, but saw no response. She knew the man couldn’t hear his dragon, but she should have guessed this by how he thought he could control his dragon by holding onto a rope.

Ferrari bowed his head toward Nona, then continued on.

Ferrari, Tempura said in response to Nona’s rumble.

Yes, his name is Ferrari, the man said.

Tempura felt annoyed. The man wasn’t going to the Great Room like he should, but instead was following her.

How did you know? he said.

She spun around, stopping to face him.

He announced himself to Nona. All dragons are required to announce themselves to the matriarch.

Tempura knew he wouldn’t believe her. That was the biggest problem with most people. They couldn’t hear the dragons.

The man finally removed his face covering. He was a massive man with a thick black beard. While he shoved his face covering into his coat pocket, another dragon rumbled to Nona. Tempura smirked to herself, expecting a reaction from the man and she got it. He did exactly what she thought he would do.

But...hey that dragon’s loose.

He stepped back with his arms raised as if he was under attack when a striking black and gold feathered dragon stepped over his pen wall. The man looked frantically around as if looking for a place to hide. The dragon passed him with hardly a glance. Tempura almost laughed.

He’s going to the bathroom. Their pens are for resting. They go out there to poop. They eat over there. I don’t need poop-scoopers like you do, she said, waving her hands toward the appropriate areas.

H-how do you know he’s going to the bathroom? he said, eyeing her like she was some crazy person telling him that the place was haunted by fairies.

He asked Nona for permission, Tempura said, with a roll of her eyes.

Where’s my dragon? the man said, looking around in a startled manner.

Tempura could tell he was getting too worked up, especially now that his dragon was no longer in sight.

He went to the bath. This way if you need to see, Tempura said with a sigh.

Showing him was the only way she knew he would settled down. She hated ignorant dragon riders who treated their dragons as if they weren’t alive or needed care. This man wasn’t concerned about the care of his dragon, only concerned that his dragon was contained.

Why couldn’t the man just go to the Great Room and let her tend to his dragon? As if the dragon needed help, anyway.

Hey, Jak. Tempura said, entering the bath area.

There was a huge pool in this cavern, fed with geothermal heated water. The pool was a warm hundred and one degrees and deep enough for two dragons to submerge themselves and even swim. Tempura enjoyed swimming laps here for exercise.

Jak, as average looking as she, was unhooking Ferrari’s harness. Ferrari stood absolutely still until he was free of his harness, then he slipped into the water with a huge rumbling sigh of pleasure. All the snow and frost were now melted off his feathers. Tempura thought Ferrari was somewhat larger than the typical adult male dragon and showing signs of maturity with his mannerisms. For never having been here before, he was being very observant and a quick learner on what he needed to do. She liked him. Too bad his rider was an idiot.

Clean? Jak said, holding up the harness and watching only her.

He was unable to focus on more than one person at a time and ignored the man as if he didn’t exist. More often than not, he ignored everyone except Tempura and the dragons.

Yes, and put Ferrari in the pen beside Nona so no one picks on him.

She spun around to face the man.

Do you want him fed?

Fed?  Doesn’t stabling include feeding? the man said, looking as if he was in a shake down or a con to strip him of all his valuables.

The man confirmed her suspicions. He hadn’t a clue on how to take care of a dragon.

We’ll feed him, Tempura said, feeling a little sad for Ferrari.

Water splashed behind them.

He’s enjoying himself. You can go now. He’s fine, Tempura said, pushing the man out of the area.

They don’t fight? the man said, resisting her.

He was twice the size of her. She had only managed to get him to move back a couple of steps back into the main cavern.

Nona doesn’t let anyone fight, Tempura said.

The man moved a few more steps as if he was finally going to the Great Room, but then stopped abruptly. She ran into him, almost losing her breath.

I’m not leaving my dragon to roam free.

Tempura glared with exasperation while she stepped back away from him.

Do you see any dragons fighting in the stable?

She spread her arms to indicate the huge cavern. Only a couple of dragons were even visible since most of them had gone back to sleep once Ferrari had announced himself.

I want to speak to the Dragon Master.

His voice boom with authority, causing a couple of other dragons to wake and raise their heads.

Speaking, Tempura said in an off-handed manner.

You. Ha ha. You’re hardly a snack to one of these dragons, the man said, shoving his face inches from hers.

I would watch your words and actions, she said in a quiet voice, not even flinching.

What can you do? he said, sounding threatening.

It’s not what I can do. It’s what Nona can do, Tempura said with confidence.

Dragon-breath rippled through the man’s hair. He turned to find Nona’s nose inches from his face. Tempura smiled because of how soundlessly Nona had moved from her pen to position herself right behind him. His feet stumbled, unsure which direction he should go.

Nona had fluffed out her feathers and looked to take up the entire aisle that was wide enough for two dragons to pass. Her pink crest that flowed down her entire back to the tip of her tail seemed to glow with the intensity of her mood.

I inherited Nona, Tempura said. She will die for me. She will kill for me. In fact, any dragon here will do the same. Once your Ferrari has tasted the care he will get here, he’ll be as loyal to me as the others.

Nona huffed at him, adding some authority to Tempura’s words.

Of course, what she said wasn’t true, about a dragon killing for her. She figured if the man didn’t know how to care for a dragon, then he didn’t know their temperament either. Dragons were pretty mild mannered, especially the males. It was usually the females you had to worry about, if you had to worry at all. It was mostly perception. The females were bigger than the males. Nona was almost twice the size of the biggest male here and therefore looked a little intimidating.

No one else lets their dragons roam free, he said with a squeak to his voice, keeping an eye on Nona.

She almost had him backed up against a wall and kept huffing at him. Dragon breath tended to have a rotten meaty smell to it. He seemed to be holding his breath after every huff.

Tempura actually found the smell pleasant.

Because they forgot. They have a large staff of people, too, don’t they? Have to scoop poop. Bring in food. Don’t they?

Yeah, the man said, but his full attention was on Nona.

Ferrari stepped to the door, fluttering his feathers dry. A hint of black showed underneath his blue and green feathers. She recalculated his age to seven which was when a dragon usually molted into adult plumage.

He’s close to molting. This isn’t a good time of year to be traveling up here with him. If he molts, you’re not going anywhere, Tempura said.

Ferrari bowed his head to Nona who stepped aside to give him room. He squeezed past her. Tempura followed.

Molt? the man said.

She glanced back to see the man also following, but he kept looking back at Nona.

Do you know anything about dragons? Tempura said, stopping and turning toward him.

He stopped.

She wondered if he was getting dizzy trying to watch where he was going and trying to watch Nona. His head kept swiveling back and forth. Tempura took a step towards him, causing him to involuntarily take a step back. He almost backed up into Nona who was very close behind him.

No, of course you don’t. Maybe you should learn.

She turned away and caught up with Ferrari who had swerved toward the pig pens. Tempura knew he could smell them.

Just one. Medium sized, Tempura said to him, following to make sure he complied.

She knew a young dragon in a pig pen could get messy, especially if he decided to sample every pig in sight.

Pig one, Nona said, using an audible voice that Tempura knew would be heard by the man.

In fact, he looked terrified that a noise came from her and he bolted for the door.

Thanks, Nona, Tempura said, relieved that he was gone.

She kept her thoughts to herself about how she felt. He was an ignorant idiot.

Idiot, Nona said as if reading Tempura’s mind.

She ruffled her feathers while she stepped back into her pen, then she smoothed them down to settle with a sigh onto her bedding.

Tempura watched her, thinking Nona was the most beautiful dragon she had ever seen. Nona’s feathers seemed to be a kaleidoscope of reds, pinks, peach, and gold.

Sounds like you’re being good in there, she said to Ferrari.

None of the pigs were squealing which was a sure sign that he wasn’t sampling any of them. She stepped over to pick up the harness she had dropped earlier. It needed new stitching. She completed the last few stitches by the time Ferrari appeared. He was licking his lips and purring. Tempura was glad to see he hadn’t made a mess of himself, which would mean another bath. She tapped the pen where she wanted him.

He easily stepped over the five-foot divider, curling up in the thick bed of sand. After one yawn, his head lowered onto his front feet. He was asleep in moments. The few dragons that were awake, settled back down since there would be no chatting or socializing until Ferrari had his nap.

It’s a tough journey to fly up here in this weather, she said, looking at him over the divider.

She frowned.

That idiot better have come up here for something important, she said in a quiet voice.

Jak passed her. He kept his eyes to the ground. His lips were moving as if he was talking to himself. Tempura watched him hang Ferrari’s harness on the hook outside his pen. She knew he lived in his own little world in which only a few people were allowed in. Most people thought he was slow and stupid. They didn’t know how to handle being with him and didn’t care to learn.

He was her brother, and she watched over him with care.

She had been too young to fully understand when he was born, but she had been told their mother had a difficult delivery with him. The story she heard was that the mid-wife managed to literally blow life into Jak, but he had been breathless for too long, and the damage was done.

What Tempura did remember was that her mother had died. She pushed the sad thought from her mind by thinking of Jak. Sometimes he was surprising in simple ways.

Tempura knew how to interact with him. The dragons did too. Jak was good with the dragons, and they made sure no one messed with him. She remembered that his only chore used to be to throw food at the pigs. However, with a lot of practice, he learned how to mend and clean harnesses.

It takes you a little longer to learn, she muttered to herself. But once you learn it, you never forget.

Jak went through a routine he followed, making sure the harness hung just right.

Perfect,she said to him.

He nodded as if he knew, then left to go back to the pool area.

She knew he needed more routine then most. Just this year he was learning how to do the odd jobs of tidying up after a dragon bath or cleaning a harness when someone came at off hours, like today, with little to no supervision.

That’s going to make my life a little easier.

Not that she minded.

She straightened out the harness she was working on, then hung it outside the pen of the dragon it belonged to.

Ferrari sneezed. Blue and green feathers fluttered out of his pen.

Chapter 2

Feathers, she said, speaking the word as if it was profanity.

She hoped Ferrari wasn’t going to get sick since she had no place to quarantine him. I really hope your rider needs to leave tonight, so I can tell him he’s not going anywhere.

More feathers fluttered out.

You’re molting, she said. Jak, feathers.

She didn’t have to raise her voice, even though she knew he was in the other cavern. His hearing was as good as hers. She often wondered if she could hear as well as a dragon.

Jak shuffled in to pick up the feathers.

Tempura smiled, watching how carefully he picked up each one on the quill end, then stacked the feathers together in a neat fashion.

Jak looked up. Tempura turned toward the Great Door. Every dragon, except for Ferrari, also looked to the Great Door.

Another idiot out in this weather?

Package. Bad. Sad, came the worried rumble from the dragon in the courtyard.

Package?

Nona’s response had an unusual note of concern.

Tempura broke into a run. She paused only long enough to grab the coat and slip it on before she opened the inner door. She flew up the ramp, only doing a few buttons before pulling on the hat and slipping on the gloves. Her lungs were aching when she reached the door. She pulled down as hard and fast as she could on the lever.

The double doors swung open with the same gush of cold, bitter wind. The rider ran in, followed closely by his dragon. The dragon was almost totally frosted white, but it was obvious this was another blue and green juvenile. The rest of the dragon’s features frosted white as soon as his feathers hit the temperature difference, albeit so slight. She pushed up the lever as soon as the dragon’s tail cleared the threshold.

The man was already untying a bundle from his harness.

I hope it’s not frozen, the man said, yelling over the wind before the door blocked it out.

He has thick feathers, Tempura said. This way. It’s warmer down below.

I meant the baby, he said.

Tempura stopped in her tracks. A wave of horror hit her. That’s what this dragon warned Nona about.

Say again? Tempura said, feeling weak in her knees.

The man presented a large, heavy bag that he could barely lift. The cloth was thin, wrapped tightly around the object within.

Tempura rumbled deep in her throat with such authority that the man’s dragon jumped.

Down below, she said in dragonspeak.

The dragon grabbed the bundle away from the man with his mouth and ran.

Here now, Nona said, directing the dragon down to her.

Down below, Tempura said with a commanding shout at the man before she broke into a run.

Hey, the man said, chasing after his dragon.

Tempura raced hard to the inner doors to open them, barely beating the dragon who brushed through before they were fully open. The doors bounced wide open and then close with a bang, almost hitting both Tempura and the man. They both raced after the dragon who was moving as fast as he could. Tempura threw off her coat.

The dragon paused by Nona’s pen only long enough to lower the bundle inside.

Bud, he said, rumbling his name.

Then, he kept on going, looking afraid to hang around. A rumble from another dragon directed him toward the bath.

Bud.

Nona barely acknowledged him while she was focused on the bag.

Tempura vaulted over the pen wall. She dreaded opening the bag, but she steadied herself, knowing she had to. Nona’s warm nose hovered over her shoulder while Tempura peeled it open. Blue and green feathers met her eyes on what looked like a newly hatched dragonette.

You...you brought her here in this? Tempura said, afraid to touch the dragonette for fear that she would find her frozen solid.

I couldn’t leave her at home unattended, the man said.

He sounded like he really didn’t care, as if the dragonette was a bother to him.

Feathers moved. Nona nosed into the bag.

Where’s her mother? Tempura said, peeling back the rest of the bag, revealing a skinny dragonette with rough dry feathers and none of the baby fat that they had when they hatched.

Tempura didn’t know if the man answered her or not while she looked up at Nona for reassurance.

Nona? Tempura said, feeling tears swell in her eyes.

The baby looked near death. This was the sickest looking animal that she had ever seen.

Nona curled her front feet around the dragonette, pulling her out from the bag and to her belly.

Tempura leaped to her feet.

Jak. Baby mash. Jak, she said, yelling over the pen wall.

Baby mash, Nona rumbled.

Her voice roused everyone since her voice vacillated off the walls.

You got milk for her? the man said.

Milk? Tempura said with total astonishment, frozen where she stood. Milk?

The man peered over the pen wall.

Hey, she’s gonna squash it, the man said, almost climbing into the pen with Nona.

She’s warming her, you idiot, she said, pushing the man back.

Nona’s whole body surrounded the dragonette, hiding her completely.

Jak. Did you hear me? Baby mash, Tempura said again, almost screaming.

She was afraid to leave Nona and the baby, especially since the man still stood there.

It needs milk. Milk. You have milk? the man said, speaking to her as if she was an idiot, as if she had never heard of milk.

Milk? Tempura said with a roar, causing the man to step back. Dragons don’t drink milk. What do you think this is? A kitten?

We fed it milk, the man said in a meeker voice.

When did she hatch? Tempura said with a demanding glare, irritated that the man continued to call the dragonette an ‘it’.

A week ago, the man said.

A...a week ago? Tempura said, leaning against the pen wall as if she was going to reach out and strangle him. He moved back another two steps.

Nona? Tempura said, again looking for reassurance but Nona was concentrating on warming the baby.

We fed it milk. It’s a baby, the man said as if he was stating the obvious.

"It’s a her, Tempura said, showing her temper. Dragons don’t nurse their young, you idiot. They eat meat, bones, fat, skin. Whole animals. You feed small animals like mice, rats or baby pigs. You were starving her. She should be twice this size. Three times this size. Where’s her mother?"

The man remained silent, almost trembling. Tempura couldn’t tell if it was from her voice or the fire in her brown eyes. He looked as if he wanted to run. Jak arrived, distracting her from the man. He held a bowl full of mash: a warm bloody blend of chopped meat and entrails.

Tempura took the bowl and held it out toward Nona. Nona licked up the food in the bowl then tucked her nose into the midst of her curled body.

Thanks, Jak.

She could feel her voice was hoarse from yelling.

She handed him the bowl, and he left.

What good did that do? the man said, coming forward a few steps.

Nona took the food into her mouth to feed the baby.

She swallowed to moisten her dry throat.

That’s how it’s done. Since you’ve fed her milk, she needs dragon saliva to get the right enzymes set in her gut to digest the meat.

She felt like she was giving a lecture on dragonette care.

The man looked bewildered, not understanding.

Where’s her mother? Tempura said again, her voice rising in volume.

Her mother’s wild, he said.

There’s no such thing as a wild dragon. You stole her from a clutch? Tempura said with horror.

No, I... the man said, fumbling on his words.

Why are you here? Why are you traveling in this weather with two young dragons? Tempura said, vaulting back over the pen wall.

Council meeting, he said, backing off.

"You mean more of you are coming in this weather?" she said.

Her voice squeaked.

Yes, it’s the safest, he said, continuing to back away.

Safest? Tempura said with fire in her voice.

Tempura.

Her name was spoken in a calm and quiet voice, curbing the tirade sitting on the tip of her tongue.

Traine, Tempura said, spinning on her heels to the man who had joined them, but Traine cut her off.

Rhoade is already here, Marn. Go on up to the Great Room, Traine said, waving a hand toward the Great Room door.

Marn nodded, looking