dragon thief

I pause for a moment in the silence. Mother must have stopped by Grendel's, or she'd be here by now. Despite the absurdity of it, I glance around the room to make sure I'm alone before I pull the package from under my lumpy straw mattress. I carefully peel back the rough sackcloth to reveal a bright orange tube. The brilliant color takes my breath away, and I relish the thought that I'm holding an actual Firebird in my hands. I push the paper over to reveal a much duller, much smaller yellow tube. Two course strings dangle from the ends of each and the smell fo soon-to-be-smoke stings my nostrils.

I nudge the cheap knock-off with a chuckle. I don't know who'll be subject to the prank, but I can't wait to use it on someone. Anyone. Just to see how bad the popping and whizzing sparks terrify them.

But the sunset-orange Bird will be for a very special occasion. I just don't know when the perfect time is yet.

Someone screams downstairs.

My face goes red, almost like I've been caught in the act of a crime. But there's no one here to see me. Someone downstairs has screamed. I quickly rewrap the Firebirds and stuff them under my mattress. The floor creaks loudly as I hurry down to Daren's dwelling.

Someone is crying inside and I knock briefly on the door. Daren opens it a second later, his face red with anger. I immediately recognize the crying as his mother's and rush past my best friend without a word. Lydiette Hen is in her room, her oak jewelry box in her hands. And it's empty.

Branden Dragon's last gift to his wife is gone.

Lydiette whimpers and shakily sets down the plain box that used to hold her most prized possession. Her eyes wander for a moment, and then they settle on me.

"Dragon." She whispers and opens her arms to me. I step forward and hug her tightly. She's like another mother to me, and since her husband--my pair--died, I'm like another son to her. "Someone took it." Lydiette releases me and picks up the empty box. There's a slight impression in the old linen lining from where the amber pendant used to sit. The outline of a flying dragon is marked by clean white cloth where the jewelry shielded it from dust for years.

For as long as she has owned the pendant, Lydiette has never removed the amber dragon form its box, and now someone has stolen it.

Daren is next to me, his face still red, fists clencheed. One glance at him and I know he knows who did it. Silvi Crawler, Daren's youngest sister, stands quietly off to the side. Named for her petite form, and expected future transformation into unnatural beauty, she would never be caught dead stealing from her mother. No. Silvi is too innocent, too kind to ever take something from someone else. And Mirtle Otter, the other sister, is the same, despite her fondness of tricks. Both of them too sweet to take even a single coin from anyone.

So who does Daren think stole the amber dragon?

Silvi rushes forward and wraps her arms around her mother's waist. Daren and I take the chance to slip out into the stairwell while Lydiette smoothes her daughter's hair and sheds silent tears.

"So?" I ask quietly, not wanting to be overheard. Daren isn't really known for using his brains before jumping to conclusions and actions. That's why he was named for a wolf, and not a lion, or a dragon like me. "Who do you think took it?"

"Think?" Daren growls. "I know who did it. It was Fox. Had to have been."

"What makes you so sure?" That's me. Always the skeptic about assumptions before I see the proof myself. Mother calls it cunning. Daren likes to call it squeamishness.

"Jerimiah Fox was talking yesterday. At the Selling. Remember when I was on lookout for you at the old shack?" I nod. Daren was making sure no one barged in on my deal for the Firebirds. He didn't really know what I was doing--still doesn't--but what are friends for if they don't have your back no matter what?

"Well," Daren continues. "Fox came around and he was talking to some guys. Serpent and Bandit were meeting him in the next alley over so I listened in."

I open my mouth to protest but he puts a hand on my shoulder. "Just making sure they weren't causing any trouble for you. Don't worry." I nod and let him continue. "Jerimiah was asking about trinkets. Jewels, bone beads, that sort of thing. He said he had a buyer from Derna interested in amber. Honestly, Terry, I had no idea he might steal mum's pendant! I should have stopped them!"

"Hey," I shove his arm. "You know what happened last time you took on Serpent and Bandit." An image of Daren's bloody face and broken arm flash into my mind. Daren was never good at fighting alone. Like a wolf that needs its pack, he needs someone with him. To have his back no matter what. That person has always been me, though I could definitely handle myself alone if I have to.

"And we don't even know for sure that it was Jerimiah who took it." I continue.

"Yeah, we do!" Daren forgets that we're trying to remain unheard. He spins around and yells at the wall. "That maggot-infested mongrel stole it! You know it Terry!" He whirls back to me. "Don't stand there and tell me it doesn't look suspicious. That Fox asks about amber and the next day my mum's dragon is gone!"

"Alright, alright." I sigh, knowing he won't let this go, and knowing the evidence is pretty condemning. "And Jerimiah did rush out after the Calling, like he had somewhere to be. We can go to the council if you want."

"Yes." Daren calms a little. "They'll get him. Maybe even hold an execution."

"I thought you hated going to those things. They're horrible. I examine the fierceness in his bearing. His jaw is set, his shoulders confidently back, his hands slightly curled to fists--the image of a predator that has his prey in sight.

"I'm a wolf remember?" Daren/s expression is grim as he says, "I don't like anyone messing with my pack."