1

The Eyrie Life

A young woman made her way across wooden scaffolding, running along a seaside cliff wall. The cool ocean breeze carried a roar from overhead. She scanned the sky, spying a squadron of dragon riders flying in a V-formation. Their scales were a glorious array of metallic jewel-toned colors gleaming in the sunlight. It was an impressive sight, despite having witnessed it hundreds of times before. She’d dreamed of riding on dragon back many times, soaring through the sky, but it was not her lot in life.

“Get your head out of the clouds, Seanah!” yelled her friend Cham from the clifftop. “We’ve got work to do.”

She waved him off at a cave entrance before wrapping a mint oil-infused scarf around her face and grabbing a shovel. Inside, she dug the wide metal blade into the foul-smelling pile of dragon guano and tipped it into a bucket over and over until it was full. Stabbing the shovel into the dung pile, she strained to lift the yoke attached to the giant buckets, settling the weight on her shoulders. Seanah plodded through the long cave tunnel to the edge of the Eyrie cliffside, reaching above her head to attach the hook to the yoke. She ducked from beneath the heavy load before signaling Cham to pull it up.

Rubbing her neck and twisting her head around, she was relieved to be finally free of the yoke’s weight. It was grueling but honest work, and Seanah was content to serve the Eyrie in any capacity she could. Cham lowered the empty buckets to her, and she repeated this process until she filled her twentieth and hopefully last bucket full for the day. At the cave entrance, she wiped her sweaty forehead and pulled the mint oil-infused scarf from her face, breathing in the fresh sea air. Her light brown hair swirled around her head in the salty breeze.

Usually, she didn't notice the smell of dragon guano, having grown too accustomed to the lingering scent. But here in the latrine pit, the stench was overwhelming. It was dirty work she was assigned far too often, but necessary due to dragon guano being the best fertilizer in all of Eleanthra. Cham gave her a thumbs up, letting her know they’d collected enough for today. He'd be heading to the crop fields with the cartful of guano for the farmers further inland.

Seanah swung herself around the cliff face to grasp the ladder leading to the rookery. Her duty was to attend to Ronvin's eggs, which needed to be rotated each day to ensure the dragonettes hatched properly. The area lay atop a large hot spring cavern deep beneath the Eyrie. The eggs had to be kept warm at all times, or the baby dragons would perish. She paused at the entrance, stripping off her sweater and overcoat. It was far too hot inside for heavy clothing.

A thick layer of condensation covered the rock walls from the steamy water. Droplets from the ceiling dripped down on the wooden catwalks, tapping out a random rhythm. On a large sand bar at the hot spring's center, Ronvin wrapped her huge body protectively around her clutch of eggs. Seanah picked up a small drum and softly beat a steady rhythm while calling out Ronvin's name to give the mother time to be aware of her presence.

Dragons were fiercely protective of their eggs and viciously lashed out at anyone who got too close. She slowly and cautiously made her way towards Rovin; the wooden catwalks creaked with each step. Azure water bubbled all around her. Seanah stopped when the tip of Ronvin’s tail flicked back and forth.

“Ronvin, I am here to attend to your eggs,” she called out tentatively.

The imposing creature raised her head, expelling a low, menacing hiss. Seanah’s whole body shuddered in response. Ronvin swung her head around, looking at her with her one good eye— the other a cloudy grey orb, damaged in battle. She bowed deeply to the great beast. Satisfied Seanah wasn’t there to steal her eggs, Ronvin raised her tail to allow entry to the hatching ground.

She set the drum aside, making her way to the mottled eggs and carefully turning each one. The warm sand crunched beneath her weight as she moved around the rookery. Seanah turned the last egg, which was her personal favorite. It was grey with black spots splattered all over the surface. She laid in the sand, touching her cheek against the shell to see if she could feel the dragonette moving around. She heard more than felt the tiny scratches from within.

The time for hatching was coming quickly. Soon they’d emerge, and the dragonettes would choose their riders. Seanah savored the moment. This was as close as she was ever going to get to a hatchling dragon. Being just a lowly vassal, she’d never be considered for the training needed to become a dragon rider. Only those who went through the rigorous process for the past year were allowed to attend a hatching to see if a dragon chose them as their caretaker and future rider.

Ronvin’s rumble signaled it was time for her to leave. Seanah sat back, examining the old dragon. Scarred patches covered her body where scales were missing, and there were few small holes in the membrane of her wings. The scales around her head were dulled to a light grey color. This was probably her last clutch. She’d developed a uric imbalance, causing swelling and stiffness in her wing joints. Ronvin could only glide short distances now. There was no way she’d ever be able to rise for another mating flight.

Seanah stood, bowing again to the dragon before leaving the rookery. At the end of the tunnel, she looked back to see Ronvin wrapped around her eggs again. She turned towards the ocean— the sun was slowly slipping towards the horizon. Her day wasn't over yet, though, she needed to have something to contribute to the evening meal, or she wouldn't be allowed into the dining hall.

The roar of the ocean grew louder as she scrambled down the cliffside ladders and scaffolds until she reached the shoreline. Seanah pulled her backpack and bow & quiver from a hidden crevice in the cliff wall and went to check the net she set out early that morning. Waves crashed against the rocky coast as she made her way over slippery boulders to where the net was anchored. She grasped the ends, pulling the heavy, waterlogged net to the shore, fighting against the current that wanted to pull everything back out to sea. It contained three large Snappers and a couple of Bluefish.

She unsheathed a small dagger, driving it through the skull of each fish, giving them a quick, merciful death before transferring them to a canvas sack and attaching it to her backpack. Seanah carefully folded the net, checking for any breaks, and pulled out a few seaweed pieces caught in the netting before pushing it inside the hidden crevice. She had no coin to buy new equipment, so she needed to care for her things to ensure they lasted as long as possible.

The sun sank lower on the horizon. Bow in hand, she made her way over the rugged shoreline to the grassy dunes where plump hares hid among the thorny bushes. She threw a few rocks into the brush to flush them into the open. A small brown figure darted off to the left. Drawing the bowstring back, she let her arrow fly. It struck true. Soon she had six fat hares to add to the fish she caught. This haul should gain her at least two dinner chits.

In the early twilight, Seanah dropped the hares and fish off at the kitchen entrance. They gave her two meal chits as she anticipated they would. Cham passed her on his way to the kitchen with his cart full of bushels of potatoes, carrots, and apples. He grabbed one of the apples, tossing it to her with a wink and a nod. She smiled and shook her head. He always had a ton of side hustles going on. Seanah hurried to the clifftops to watch the dragon riders returning from their training maneuvers over the ocean.

The last of the sun’s rays glinted off the dragon’s iridescent scales as they glided towards the cliffside, folding in their wings as they dove towards the Eyrie entrance. They were so fast. Despite witnessing this sight every day since she was a small child, she always feared they might crash into the cliffside. As the last dragon rider entered the Eyrie, Seanah reluctantly left the clifftop and went to the bunkhouse to stow her things and cleanse herself for dinner. She removed her long boots and set them near the entrance. They'd be easier to clean once the dragon guano dried.

Seanah reached into a basket of soap chips to scrub her face and hands, attempting to rid herself of as much guano stench as possible. She peeled off her sweaty work clothes and threw them into the soiled clothes bin. Washing off the apple, she voraciously devoured it. She’d been so busy, she hadn’t spared the time to eat since morning and was starving.

The bell clanged in the south tower, signaling the start of the evening meal. She dressed quickly in a clean grey tunic and breeches. Seanah pulled on a pair of leather slippers from beneath her bunk, hurrying to the dining hall before the line got too long.

There were about twenty people ahead of her as she stood in line to enter. Seanah handed the kitchen master her meal chit and grabbed a wooden plate to sit at the lower tables with the other vassals. The dragon riders sat at the head table on a raised area of the dining hall. They were the elite of the Eyrie. They enjoyed private rooms and were never required to do dirty work or contribute food for the evening meals. Seanah didn’t begrudge them . . . much. It was a nice life if you were born into the proper station and possessed the will to work towards it. Seanah would do it in a heartbeat if vassals were allowed into the training program.

The riders worked hard with their dragons to protect the Eyrie and the shores of Eleanthra from raiders across the sea. Each man and woman deserved their spoils for putting their lives on the line so many times.

Seanah scooped mutton and carrots onto her plate and grabbed a thick piece of brown bread to soak up the meat juices. Her friend, Cham, with his dark hair and green eyes, sat across from her, watching as she hungrily stuffed food in her mouth.

“I was able to secure a private room for tonight, and I've got a jug of red berry wine. Would you like to join me?” he said.

It was a tempting offer. Vassals only got access to wine on special occasions. A few of them had built copper stills to make Moonbrew, but she found the taste too harsh and avoided the stuff. Seanah didn't know how Cham acquired the wine jug, but he must have done some major hustling for it.

“I appreciate the offer, but I have my eye on another,” Seanah said as politely as possible. Despite having slept together several times in the past, she wasn’t interested in anything serious. He was her closest friend, first and foremost. They were both free spirits, not ready to settle down with one person yet.

“Alright, your loss. I hope he's worth it. We’ve had a lot of fun together, haven't we?” he said, feigning a sullen look.

Seanah knew his feelings weren't really hurt. The charming Cham never had trouble finding a woman to warm his bed.

“Yes, of course. I'm hoping to spend the night with one of the riders, that’s all.”

Vassals, at their discretion, could offer themselves to the riders. Seanah was infatuated with a young rider named Crohl and finally worked up the courage to offer herself to him tonight. He was tall and well-muscled with wavy brown hair. When he perspired, his long curls hung in his face. She thought it was the most wonderful thing ever.

As the evening wore on, the vassals left to return to the bunkhouses or paired off, leaving the dining hall arm in arm. She saw Cham exiting with a blonde laundry girl named Evana. Other vassals, like herself, made their way to the head tables to offer themselves to the riders for evening pleasure. Seanah stepped forward and took a seat before Crohl.

He stared at her in disbelief, insulted she was brazen enough to think herself worthy of him.

“You're pretty enough, but you smell like shit. I have all these beautiful girls to choose from. So why should I settle for you?”

Seanah winced at his harsh words. As hard as she tried, it seemed she could never completely rid herself of the dragon guano smell.

“I thought we—”

“You thought wrong. Leave me,” Crohl sneered derisively, brushing her off with a wave of his hand.

Several riders lounging in the hall rolled their eyes at Crohl’s repugnant display. The other vassals looked on in pity, which was the last thing she wanted.

Seanah stood, humiliated and red-faced. She stomped her way back to the bunkhouse to settle herself in for the evening. She was upset and didn't know how well she’d sleep between the snoring of the other vassals and the sounds of lovemaking coming from the private rooms. She pulled a pillow over her head, willing sleep to take her.

© Copyright 2020 L.A. Stinnett. All rights reserved.

Cover image © Copyright 2020 David Stinnett