Free Hatch (The Dragons Of Laton) by James Stevens Page A

dragons do you?”
Ammon shook his head.
“Well, you’ve got a lot to learn, that I can see.”
Boris reached over and refilled Ammon’s cup with more of the foul tea, then poured himself a cup of water from the water skin. He gestured towards Ammon’s foot.
“We’re not going anywhere anytime soon, so I’ll give you a few quick lessons. Dragons form a link moments after they hatch. Mind you, they won’t link to just anyone either. They seem to like men with certain qualities.” Tapping his temple with a thick finger he looked at Ammon. “How’s your headache?”
Ammon’s jaw dropped. “How did you…?”
Boris smiled again. “It’s part of the process and no medicine in the world will help alleviate it. I remember mine like it was yesterday. Thought my head was going to explode. It goes away after awhile.” Rubbing his chin Boris frowned. “What puzzles me is that the egg hatched at all. I’ve never heard of an egg hatching any later than maybe an hour or so after midnight. I’ve read all the dragon books of Gaul and such a thing has never been mentioned.” He was silent for a moment.
“The dragon is healthy I assume?”
Staring into the fire, Ammon nodded. “Yes. He’s smaller than the other hatchlings I saw but seems perfectly healthy. His gold scales shine so bright in the sun I’m surprised you didn’t see him from the air.” The sound of a tin cup hitting the ground made Ammon look up.
Boris was staring at him hard. “Listen boy, I was just beginning to believe you were telling me the truth! I don’t like liars, and if you want to get out of this situation I’d suggest you start being honest with me!” The force Boris put in his words nearly knocked Ammon over.
“But…I am telling the truth! Why would I lie?”
Standing up, Boris towered over Ammon. “So be it.” He growled. “But remember this, I don’t play games. I hoped you might be better than that, but maybe I was wrong.”
Leaning over Ammon, he put his face close. “I have been around dragons for longer than you’ve been alive boy. If you think you can lie to me and get away with it, you’d better think again. Now let’s try this one more time and this time I want the…”
A golden flash streaked into the cave striking Boris in the ribs and sending him sprawling face down in the dirt. Growling, Fulgid pounced onto his back and wrapped his jaws around Boris’ neck.
“ NO Fulgid! NO !” Ammon screamed.
The snarling dragon hesitated and looked at Ammon. “Let him go, Fulgid…Please, let him go.”
Reluctantly Fulgid released his grip and, keeping a wary eye on Boris, hopped onto Ammon’s lap and lay down.
Boris pushed himself up onto his knees with a grunt. “So you do have a dragon after all, eh?”
Clapping the dust off his hands he looked up and his eyes widened in shock. The light of the fire reflected off Fulgid’s glittering scales, casting a thousand tiny gold dots that sparkled and shimmered along the walls and ceiling of the cave in a dazzling display. Boris knelt there with his mouth open for several long minutes before he visibly shook himself from his daze. Finally, he jerkily moved back to where he’d been sitting before and eased himself down to the floor, staring at Fulgid.
Faintly he whispered “Gold? Is this truly possible?” He looked at Ammon questioningly. Shaking his head he absently poured himself a cup of the tea he’d given to Ammon. He took a large gulp before realizing what he’d done and started gagging and coughing before he tossed the rest on the ground near the fire.
“My apologies young man. It appears I’m woefully in the wrong, you did indeed tell the truth!”
Several minutes of silence passed before Ammon decided to ask a question.
“Why did you think I lied? About what? I don’t understand…”
Boris looked down and rubbed his palms against his pant legs.
“No, no I don’t suppose you would…it’s just that…well…”
He looked up at Fulgid again, then at Ammon and