Chapter 20: The siren's song

Erik:

We make camp for the night. Givontair is preparing an ice pack, for Gorax. He said that it would be for the best, if we didn't do something drastic. The pack is soon in a cloth, and pressed on the dragon's spine. I look at him, as he reads a book in the fading light of the twilight. 

"Can you tell me some stories from your time as a boatman?" I ask him. I don't want to learn about him burning towns, or taking a part in the war. "Did you have any fun customers?" 

"Fun? Well, I suppose there were those three siren sisters," Gorax looks wistful at that. I wonder if he got to become the sister's friend. "Real devils, those three. They wanted to go back to the ocean, after finding out that they can't rob as much from a boat, as they could from a ship. Not that they told me that. I just figured it out."

"What did you do?" I am at the edge of my seat. Did Gorax help the sirens to harm people? 

He chuckles then, and ruffles my hair. 

"I turned into a dragon at night, and piled the three of them in the boat. They woke up just as we were flying over the savanna. I have to tell you; they were not thrilled about spending even a single day in the Kingdom of Gopjin'ha. Yet, I didn't leave them any choice. I dumped them, together with the boat, next to a small watering hole. Let them sing and murder there if they can. 

"Do you go and visit them, from time to time?" I ask. Surely, Gorax would feel guilt. 

"Visit them? Why? So, they can bust my eardrums with their wailing? No, I don't visit them, boy. Nor will I," I blink at that. 

"What if they are dead?" I ask the dragon. He sighs.

"What of the people who died because of their song?" Gorax asks, instead of answering. "What of their families?" 

"But you were their judge," I counter. Can't he see that such a position should be held only by those elected by the Pope?

"I was Ajax's second in command, boy. I had all the authority to place the sirens where they couldn't kill. If they had killed a dragon, with their singing, I would have burned them alive. Now, before you try to defend them, know that some people are villains, and nothing can change that," Gorax says. He pats the towel-wrapped ice pack, and speaks. "Go ask Givontair if I can remove this thing. When he said he will heal me, I thought it will be with mana." 

Gorax's words hold no bite to them, just a disgruntlement that comes with old age. Yet, I don't want to stop asking questions. 

"Is this what you do these days? You ferry people from Portius to Corum?" I ask. The dragon was fairly close to Portius. 

"And isn't that enough to grow my horde? It starts off with a golden coin, which breeds a second, when the same people I brought to the capital decide they want to travel with me, and return safely," I blink. Yes, for a human, that would have been a good living. I doubt that it is the same for dragons. "Now, I know what you are thinking. He is a dragon shifter. He must want more gold than a single golden coin. Yet, ask yourself: How many people will think that a dragon will do what I do? For the price that I demand?" 

"I suppose you are right," I say. Then, I get up. "Wait here, I will bring Giv." 

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"Don't take too long," Gorax says, and I nod. I look around, and see Givontair sitting in Nathaniel's lab, as two rabbits roast over a split. I grin, and go to the two men. 

"Gorax asks if he can remove the ice pack," I ask the albino dragon shifter. 

Givontair looks at a sand clock, and hums. 

"Five more minutes," he says. Nathaniel makes a sign with his hand, for me to come closer. 

"Try the meat. I didn't know if it is seasoned to your taste," I blink at that. Did they think I will turn my back to food?

"I'll eat just about anything," my stomach grumbles, proving my point. 

"Just try it," Givontair gives me a knife and a fork. I cut a small piece from the ribs. After that, I blow air over it, to cool it. When I take a bite from the meat, I close my eyes. The meat is tender, juicy, and just hot enough, for me to eye the rest of the rabbit. "If you are hungry, I can give you an apple to tie you over?" 

"When is the dinner going to be ready?" I ask. The two men grin at me. 

"In about an hour. I take it, you liked the meat?" Nathaniel asks, then, his smile widens. "I was the one who got the rabbits. Giv skinned them, and put the seasonings." 

"You two are great," I say honestly. As someone who has grown up mostly on bread and eggs, the food I have been getting lately is a nice change. Still, I will give up on all the delicacies that the two mates cook, as long as I can see mom again. 

Givontair hands me two apples, and shoos me away. I sent the rabbits one last look of longing, and then run back to Gorax. 

"You will have to wait five more minutes. Dinner is ready in an hour," I say, as I hand him one of the yellow apples. He cleans it on his shirt, and then takes a bite out of it. 

"So, do you want another story? A happier one?" Gorax asks. I can see that he is itching to tell this story. I just know it is something good. 

"So, one day, I was flying over Nayo, and then I saw a wonderful she-dragon. Her scales were gold with blue flecks. A true queen, I tell you," as Gorax begins to tell me his love story, I can't help but smile. I wonder if one day, I will find someone like Gorax's Dispina. Or, much like Givontair's Nathaniel. 

When we are called to eat our portions of the rabbits, Gorax has a soft look on his face. The river makes the boat sway as if to a strange rhythm. One that only Gorax knows about. If there is anyone who can see us safely in Corum, then it is him.