Deep Freeze
Gorn, the large brown dragon, was tired of flying. The cold had permeated his shields, it felt like ice was forming along his wing ridges. Hypothermia was going to be a problem if he didn’t find a place to warm up. The thought no sooner passed through his thoughts than he saw what he hoped was a cave. He dove down, his claws skating and scrambled on the ice on the rocky ledge. One talon ripped and he lost his grip with one foot, but the other held. It was a struggle but he got all of him into the cave. There was wood, a fire ring, and he blasted it with power.
It hurt as he started to warm up, it ached, it burned, it stung, but he was alive, and nothing on his flesh was darker, nothing aside from his talon had taken permanent damage. He held his foot, groaning when the pain of the cold let him feel the pain in his foot. He was able to secure the mouth of the cave with a shield to block out the worst of the wind and cold. The wood supply would last a day at least. He was going to survive.
Mia paused the story holding up her hand, looking at the youngsters and youth of Grabon and Heron’s clan, a fine mixture of humans and dragons. “What did Gorn do to help himself? What could he have done better? What other options did he have?” Helping Hipita, Jommy, and Heather with the youngsters and youth was always interesting.
”He should have stopped sooner,” Samiseth suggested.
*He should have used stronger shields to keep him warm, * Redseth added.
The critique continued covering food, his flying and landing ability, his lack of preparedness, and why did he travel alone? Didn’t he know that traveling with a companion was safer and more pleasurable?
Mia smiled and allowed them to discuss all the options they could see before she finished the story. Later, when Mia was in her own nest with her mate and 3 youngsters, Grabon contacted her.
”Finaseth is convinced that Gorn could be hiding in the caves of the second or third territories, wounded, frostbitten, and suffering. We will be exploring caves tomorrow.”
”She has a tender heart.”
”She does. She also enjoys caves, so we will make sure she knows them all. Your stories are very effective and your contribution to the clan is appreciated.”
Mia took a moment to reflect, to appreciate the territory her mate had helped establish. The Combined Territories were the home she had always wanted.