Chapter 11 — The Ancient Dragon and a Threat to Slow Life

Section: Part 1 — Exile, Then Saving the Nation

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Even Mimi went pale when the dragon swooped down. At least she stayed alert instead of panicking.

“Brother, that dragon…” Ellie began just as a flock of bats burst from a nearby tree. Maybe it was dusk, maybe the giant intruder spooked them—either way, they whipped past the dragon’s face and startled it so badly it flailed its forelegs and crash-landed, flattening trees and sending Meg shrieking. After a few clumsy flaps, it folded its wings.

“What the…” I muttered. What now?

“Blasted bats,” the dragon snarled. “If this weren’t such a narrow clearing, I’d roast the lot.” Then it glared down at us. “Long time, no see… my liege.”

“Good to see you too, Chloe,” I said.

Collective gasps.

“Master, you command a dragon?!” Bill squawked.

Mimi sparkled. “You’re a dragon rider? Dan, you’re too perfect.”

Chloe ignored them. “I followed your mana trail. Heard you left the army… living out here now?”

“For now. Though certain circumstances just changed dramatically.”

“Putting that aside, where’s your home? I see no building. Concealed with magic?”

“Putting it aside? No. Look under your feet.”

“What?”

“You just crushed it.”

“What did I—”

“Our house.”

Silence. “That’s… unfortunate.”

“Yeah.”

“…Sorry.”

At least no one was inside.

◆◆◆

The diminutive girl perched on a stump, frilly dress fluttering, yellow-black from head to toe. That was Chloe’s human form—barely Meg’s height.

“I truly am sorry!” she said, bowing. “It was dark near the ground…”

Bill pointed. “That’s the dragon? Really?”

“As I said,” Chloe huffed. “Mind your tongue. I am Chloe of the Southern Sky, one of the Four Heavenly Dragons.”

Meg gasped. “You’re real…”

Chloe preened.

“She’s also the menace who stomped our house flat,” I said, flicking her forehead.

“Ow! I didn’t mean to!”

“Apologies can wait. We need shelter. Grab whatever camping gear survived.”

We salvaged tents and bedrolls from the rubble and set up an impromptu campsite on the property. The twins treated it like an adventure. Mimi claimed she’d sleep in a tree, then immediately changed her tune. “Actually, it’s scary out here. I’ll sleep with Dan.”

Ellie grabbed her by the collar. “Nope. You’re bunking with me.”

“Why?”

Ellie gave me a look. “You weren’t thinking I’m acting like everyone’s mom, were you, Brother?”

Nope. Not at all.

The barbecue was ruined; we settled for soup. Chloe would pay us back for this.

◆◆◆

Later, only Ellie and Chloe stayed by the campfire. The others were asleep.

“Dan,” Chloe said quietly. “Why did you abandon the army?”

“Got cheated on. She’s pregnant. They tossed me out.”

Chloe’s eyes narrowed. “Shall I burn the capital? Or abduct the girl and flay her?”

Why are all my acquaintances like this? 

----- End of chapter -----