The Dragon Heir

Nurlan knew he was out of time when he heard the first of the towers collapse. He could hear the rumbling that only the sound of collapsing stone could make. But he could not give up. Nurlan was determined to find the dragons' egg. After he had gathered a few other soldiers to help, they had looked systematically through the halls starting with the west wing, but the rooms were far too numerous.

Although the general hoped that the egg would be obvious, it could just as easily be hidden beneath any blanket or basket. This made things far more difficult. It was worse than looking for a needle in a haystack. He was looking for an egg in a palace.

Nurlan entered the hundredth room--give or take--and pulled open every cabinet and uncovered every bed. The Dragon Heir was not there. When the wall next to him crumbled away inside of an angry dragon's claws, Nurlan realized he needed a better tactic. "Where would that fiendish gnome plan to hide a treasure like an egg?" he mused.

Of course! The only place an egg would never be found is mixed among the royal treasury. No one was allowed in there without the permission of the royal family. It was the perfect hiding spot. Nurlan took off in pursuit, pushing himself beyond what he thought himself capable.

It was a long journey, but fortunately the halls were mostly empty after the order to evacuate rang out. Even his fellow soldiers seemed to have given up their search. "Lazy quitters," he grumbled.

Finally, he reached the treasury, but it was locked. He pulled off his boot and removed a key hidden in its sole. The general was glad for once that the Empress had entrusted him with the small trinket. Somehow she must have known he would need it.

Nurlan pushed with all his might against the metal doors and fell into the treasury. He immediately spotted an empty podium with a box on the floor.

Running over, the bulky man also discovered pieces of opalescent eggshell scattered on the floor.

"Does that mean…" Nurlan was unable to finish his thought as he was tackled from behind. He sprawled out on a pile of coins as four paw-like claws pressed down on his back. "What the…?"

Nurlan quickly rolled onto his back, knocking the creature to one side with a spray of treasure. The little guy let out a startled squeal, not unlike a baby pig.

The general beheld the baby dragon with equal parts fear and adoration. His red skin had streaks of dark green outlining each of his scales, giving him a majestic suit of armor. The large, intelligent crimson eyes made Nurlan want to speak to it, and its soft, feather-like spines down its neck gave the man the desire to pet the cute baby.

But as the general gave into his urge and reached toward the Dragon Heir, the babe opened his mouth and revealed his stunning sharp teeth.

"Blazing Bees! I could lose my hand in there!" Nurlan exclaimed, retracting his palm before he came back with one less digit.

The baby cooed and rolled on its back. Using his tail, the dragon pushed up against Nurlan and snuggled into his chest.

"I am not your momma," the man tried to convince the baby as he inched away from the child. The little one did not seem to care. As Nurlan sat up, the Dragon Heir jumped up and curled in his lap like a puppy. The general patted the baby on its cute but dangerous head.

With the utmost caution, Nurlan stood and held the baby dragon in his arms. "Come on, Smokey," he cooed with a tad bit of affection. "We have to get you out of here before your parents tear the entire place apart."

Smokey purred in the man's arms and allowed himself to be carried from the room. As if in response to his new name, small tendrils wafted from his tiny nose. A small, warm tongue licked at the man's calloused fingers. "Cheeky little thing," Nurlan mumbled.

The pair made their way out of the treasury and to the closest window. Nurlan stood in shock at how much damage he could see further down the palace. He stepped through the window and lightly landed in one of the palace courtyards. With one hand, he waved wildly to get any of the flying beast's attention.

"I have got your precious child," the soldier yelled into the sky. "He seems to have hatched. Please come and get him!"

Smokey snorted in derision.

"It is not that I do not like you," Nulan promised. "I just want the attack to stop."

Smokey seemed satisfied with his answer and gave a shrill cry to join the man's calls. It was not long before an albino dragon took notice of them and raced off to tell the king.

With a great whoosh of air, two magnificent beasts landed in front of Nurlan with a resounding boom. The male dragon was a glorious shade of green and his female counterpart looked like a red-hot coal.

Nurlan, who only bowed before his own rulers, dropped to one knee as he held up the baby. Something about their commanding presence caused him to avert his gaze from them.

"Your Majesties," he uttered reverently, for he did not doubt that this is who these two dragons were.

"I have found your son. The gnomes hid him in our treasure room. He is a treasure indeed, but I believe he belongs with you."

Nurlan was unsure if they understood his words, but as he gently lay the baby in the grass, the rage in the Queen's eyes subsided. She bent down and the small dragon toddled toward her. Their noses met and Deragona's belly lit bright red, this time with pleasure instead of anger. Her long-lost child was back by her side.

Edjer, the Dragon King, inclined his head with a grunt. His lineage would continue.

"I call him Smokey," Nurlan informed them with a soft chuckle. Edjer shot him a warning glare as the fire kindled in his belly. "It was just a suggestion," the soldier held up his hands in surrender. "The young prince has my utmost respect."

Edjer quenched his flame and smoke sprayed out his nose. The general released a breath he was unaware he had been holding. Part of him truly believed he would be crispy ashes by now.

"If you would not mind, Your Majesty. I am sure all of you would like to head back to your kingdom," Nurlan suggested gently. The other dragons had stopped their assault and were circling overhead, awaiting orders.

The Dragon King nudged his son onto the air. The baby fell back to the ground, and after two more attempts, Smokey flew to the sky. The proud parents and the rest of the thunder gathered around the Dragon Heir and headed northward.

The onslaught was finally over.

"Bye, Smokey," Nurlan whispered as he collapsed on the ground. He was so exhausted from running and his close encounter with the dragons that he felt like he could sleep for a week.

But he forced himself to stand. The part of the palace where he was seemed in decent shape, but he could see further on that there was severe damage. People were walking around in a daze, unsure of what to do.

'I must find the Empress!' Having no idea of the events that had occurred, the general took off to find his leader.

He had barely begun to search when he rounded a corner and was met with a dozen short swords and a dozen ugly faces.

"Gnomes!" Nurlan spat as he was disarmed of his sword.

"That's right," Grisley cackled. "And you are coming with us. The new Emperor can decide what to do with you."

Grisley's confident words and relaxed demeanor could only mean one thing. Nurlan was too late. The battle was lost.