Dragon Slayer Number Nine Read online

  Contents

  Copyright

  Table of Contents

  Author Note

  Dragon Slayer #9

  About The Author

  Dragon Slayer Number Nine

  Copyright 2016 Intisar Khanani

  All rights reserved.

  www.booksbyintisar.com

  Cover Design by Jenny Zemanek

  www.seedlingsonline.com

  Published by Purple Monkey Press

  Author’s Note

  Dragon Slayer Number Nine

  About the Author

  I wrote Dragon Slayer Number Nine after reading a Very Short excerpt from David Eggers’ “Your Fathers, Where Are They? And The Prophets, Do They Live Forever?” (Which is kind of an amazing book, if you haven't read it.) The thing to know about Eggers’ book in relation to Dragon Slayer Number Nine is it’s all dialogue. No attributions, nothing. Further, it takes place between a person in power, and others in his power. That’s about all I gathered from my first glance, but it fired up my imagination. I mean, wouldn't it be fun to write a piece like that, except with dragons, and maybe a bit lighter in mood? Thus was born Dragon Slayer Number Nine.

  I did eventually go back to read Eggers’ book, but not until after I’d had my fun with this little story. I hope you enjoy it!

  —I’m glad to see you’re waking up.

  “Mmf… uhh… Where the—Oh God! Oh God!”

  —Oh, come. It is not so bad as all that.

  “Ahh! Ahh! Ahhh!”

  —I believe the usual recommendation is to breathe at this time. I will not, however, walk you through that exercise. Also, please stop beating on the walls. They are stone. They are not going to crumble under your puny assault.

  “You’re—you’re talking! You can’t talk! You can’t—”

  —Clearly I can.

  “Ahhh!”

  —The only way out is behind me. If you do not stop running around hitting the walls, I will have to pin you down with my claws. I cannot believe it would be very comfortable for you.

  —This is becoming tiresome. Listen carefully, my little tin man. If you do not start breathing and stop squeaking, I will roast you in your foil wrapper and eat you for dinner. If, however, you gather your wits enough to converse with me, we may come to an understanding.

  “…”

  —Very good. That’s a good way to stop squeaking. However, I do recommend you allow yourself a breath now and then.

  “A breath. A breath.”

  —Yes. Though you don’t have to say that each time. Very good. This may actually progress better today than it has the last eight times.

  “Eight times?”

  —You are the ninth, you know. Or did they actually convince you that you were the first? I did put the third’s tin suit up outside my cave for a reason.

  “They said I was the second…”

  —I suppose I shall have to gather up all those mushed up metal helmets and put them outside now, shan’t I? It’s quite annoying. I do not like the look at all.

  “You’re going to kill me.”

  —All of this talking to convince you that I’m quite reasonable, and you’ve already started on the murder track. I told all the others I wasn’t going to kill them, and not one of them believed me.

  “And they’re dead now, aren’t they?”

  —Are they?

  “They aren’t?”

  —Have you ever heard of a self-fulfilling prophecy?

  “I think you just said yes.”

  —My, you’re pretty smart for a dragon slayer.

  “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  —I take that back. It’s exceptionally stupid to ask aggressive questions of a dragon, especially one holding you—What did you say?

  “Apologies.”

  —We might get along after all. What’s your name, boy?

  “Uh, Thomas.”

  —And what was your agreement with the villagers, in return for slaying me, Thomas?

  “A reward of one hundred gold pieces, and half your hoard.”

  —Mmm. And did they pay you the gold up front? Yes? Where is it, then?

  “My squire has it back at the inn.”

  —Correction: he had it. By now he has been informed of your death and relieved of everything but the clothes on his back and the horse under his rump. He should be halfway through the pass already.

  “He would never leave without coming to look for me!”

  —He would if a mob were chasing him. These villagers are very good at making mobs.

  “I don’t understand you.”

  —I am merely pointing out that when you left all your worldly possessions behind—beyond that tin suit you are wearing, of course, and your very tasty horse—you made yourself a prime target for theft.

  “You ate my horse.”

  —That is beside the point. Would you please attempt to focus? You have been taken advantage of.

  “I’m being held hostage by a talking dragon.”

  —We’ve already been over this. Thomas, you were tricked into coming here.

  “I was not tricked. You’re a dragon, you’ve been preying on the village, and I came here to kill you and collect a reward.”

  —Which included the paltry sum of a hundred gold coins, which is not all that big for dragon slaying, is it?

  “No, but your hoard—”

  —Ah, my hoard. I don’t see it here anywhere, do you?

  “I—no… There must be a—a separate room.”

  —How many rooms do you think a dragon has? That’s correct, not many at all. However, I shall tell you a secret: this cave, ahem, room, has two entrances. You may walk ahead of me. The tunnel on the right. The right, Thomas. I do believe you know your right from your left. Very good. Go on over to the edge and look down. Tell me what you see.

  “Cows. I see a herd of about five cows and…two horses?”

  —Rather curious, don’t you think?

  “Who would put their cows to pasture by a dragon’s den?”

  —I believe you can work through this one on your own.

  “You mean they’re here for you?”

  —But of course.

  “I don’t understand.”

  —Thomas, Thomas, your brain is meant to be used. Struggle with a question, and the answer will write itself that much more deeply. And you’ll learn how to think.

  “It makes no sense.”

  —Your belongings that you left behind with your squire, were they worth more or less than the hundred gold coins you were given?

  “More, of course. We’d just come from vanquishing a sea serpent along the coast.”

  —And who has all that money now?

  “You mean that the villagers gave you these cows in return for luring me here? So they could rob me?”

  —You begin to see.

  “But it doesn’t make sense.”

  —You lack imagination.

  “I am a man of strategy and steel. You think dragon slaying is easy? I’ve already killed five of your kind—ouch!”

  —My apologies. I think your horse’s saddle may still be irritating my throat. Now then, precisely what do you fail to comprehend?

  “…Why would a dragon agree to such a plan?”

  —I am a female dragon.

  “What does that have to do with anything?”

  —Think on it, my man of strategy and steel.

  “You—they stole your young?”

  —My egg. Three months ago. They assure me they are keeping it warm, though I have my doubts. However, dragon eggs have the natural ability to keep themselves warm enough to survive. The time draws near for it to hatch. If I attack, I risk their breaking the egg an
d killing my hatchling out of spite.

  “So you wait here, luring up dragon slayers for them to rob, and eating their cows.”

  —I do not care for their cows. I care for my hatchling. And if any of the previous eight dragon slayers had shown the base level intelligence you have, I would not still be here.

  “I…see.”

  —You have a decision to make: Will you return to the village and repay them for their transgressions, or shall I eat you and wait for the next dragon slayer to arrive?

  “By repay them, you mean rescue your egg.”

  —Whatever else you choose to do, to avenge the deaths of the previous eight, I shall not stop you.

  “No, I don’t expect you would. Though normally avenging a death by a dragon means killing the dragon.”

  —Imagination, Thomas. This particular situation requires imagination. Also, one cannot blame a dragon for defending herself. One can blame a village of humans for betraying their own.

  —Would you like to remain here a while and consider your path? There is no way off this cliff. I do not mind leaving you here to think.

  “That won’t be necessary. They’ve betrayed nine of us to our deaths. I’ll do it. However, I’ll need my sword back. And since you’ve eaten my horse, I want my choice of the two down below.”

  —You may have them both. Their saddles, I’m afraid, got slightly mangled when I pulled them off. You may have to repair them a bit.”

  “And my sword?”

  —Still out front where you dropped it.

  “You’re really letting me go? How do you know I’ll save your egg?”

  —You have a sense of justice, do you not? You attacked me not only for the reward, but because you thought I was terrorizing the village. So. A village that preys upon dragon slayers and holds a dragon hostage? Even if you cannot save my egg, you will destroy them.

  “You could destroy them too.”

  —Certainly, but that puts my egg at risk. You are the only one who can protect it. If you carry it out to me, I will help you do whatever you wish to the village. However, if I find you chose to destroy my egg, what do you think I would do then?

  “You would hunt me.”

  —It would not be a pretty battle. And you have already lost to me once. Better to humor me.

  “Do you give me your word that you will take your egg and leave this place? And that you won’t terrorize another village or town or…what-have-you?”

  —There is a mountain range north of here, shrouded in clouds and blanketed in snow. There are few people and many deer. And goats. That is where I will raise my child. You have my word.

  “No terrorizing?”

  —So long as you save my child, none.

  “And if I try to save your child and fail?”

  —Then this village will fall. But as for other places, other peoples, those I will leave alone for the span of your natural life. Will that suffice?

  “I suppose this village needs to fall one way or the other.”

  —So it does.

  “We’ll go down at dusk. I’ll find the egg for you, then we’ll lure out the village elders. They should come easily if they think I’ve killed you. If I require your help, I’ll call for it.”

  —A simple strategy, but sound. And Thomas?

  “Yes?”

  —Thank you.

  Thank you for reading! I hope you enjoyed Dragon Slayer Number Nine. I would love to hear what you thought of it—please do give me a shout out on Facebook or Twitter. You will make my day, guaranteed!

  Scroll down to find out more about my other books as well! From fairy tales to cunning street thieves, you can count on my stories to deliver mighty girls (or dragons!) and diverse worlds.

  Sunbolt

  Book 1: The Sunbolt Chronicles

  The winding streets and narrow alleys of Karolene hide many secrets, and Hitomi is one of them. Orphaned at a young age, Hitomi has learned to hide her magical aptitude and who her parents really were. Most of all, she must conceal her role in the Shadow League, an underground movement working to undermine the powerful and corrupt Arch Mage Wilhelm Blackflame.

  When the League gets word that Blackflame intends to detain—and execute—a leading political family, Hitomi volunteers to help the family escape. But there are more secrets at play than Hitomi’s, and much worse fates than execution. When Hitomi finds herself captured along with her charges, it will take everything she can summon to escape with her life.

  Available at Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo and most other major e-retailers.

  Memories of Ash

  Book 2: The Sunbolt Chronicles

  In the year since she cast her sunbolt, Hitomi has recovered only a handful of memories. But the truths of the past have a tendency to come calling, and an isolated mountain fastness can offer only so much shelter. When the High Council of Mages summons Brigit Stormwind to stand trial for treason, Hitomi knows her mentor won’t return—not with Arch Mage Blackflame behind the charges.

  Armed only with her magic and her wits, Hitomi vows to free her mentor from unjust imprisonment. She must traverse spell-cursed lands and barren deserts, facing powerful ancient enchantments and navigating bitter enmities, as she races to reach the High Council. There, she reunites with old friends, planning a rescue equal parts magic and trickery.

  If she succeeds, Hitomi will be hunted the rest of her life. If she fails, she’ll face the ultimate punishment: enslavement to the High Council, her magic slowly drained until she dies.

  Available at Amazon | B&N | iTunes | Kobo and most other major e-retailers.

  Title To Be Announced

  Book 3: The Sunbolt Chronicles

  TBA

  Thorn

  A retelling of The Goose Girl, originally published 2012

  Forthcoming from HarperTeen Winter, 2020

  Intisar Khanani grew up a nomad and world traveler. Born in Wisconsin, she has lived in five different states as well as in Jeddah on the coast of the Red Sea. She first remembers seeing snow on a wintry street in Zurich, Switzerland, and vaguely recollects having breakfast with the orangutans at the Singapore Zoo when she was five.

  Intisar currently resides in Cincinnati, Ohio, with her husband and two young daughters. Until recently, she wrote grants and developed projects to address community health and infant mortality with the Cincinnati Health Department—which was as close as she could get to saving the world. Now she focuses her time on her two passions: raising her family and writing fantasy.

  To find out what Intisar is working on next, and to connect with her online, visit www.booksbyintisar.com.

 

 

  Intisar Khanani, Dragon Slayer Number Nine

  Thanks for reading the books on GrayCity.Net