Samantha narrowed her eyes, feeling her position being challenged. Until now, Garoth had only her by his side. As for the faerie dragon Vira, Samantha considered her more of a 'pet' than a true dragon. But now there was also the iron dragon Sorog.
Though connected by similar bloodlines and an invisible bond, Samantha still felt threatened. She didn't want her status in Garoth's heart to diminish.
"Sorog, you're the last dragon to arrive here," Samantha said, lifting her chin. "Rember your place—you rank fourth among us."
Sorog narrowed his eyes, instinctively wanting to retaliate against the red dragon's provocation. But considering his current condition wasn't suitable for conflict, and that arguing with a rude, stupid red dragon wasn't worth it, he took a deep breath to suppress his anger.
"Why fourth?" he asked curiously. "Is Gordon here too?"
Samantha shook her head. "Gordon isn't here." She pointed at the faerie dragon Vira. "Vira is third. You're fourth."
In her heart, she considered Vira a pet, but now was the ti to ally with Vira against Sorog, who as a young dragon had the age advantage over her.
The faerie dragon Vira nodded eagerly like a pecking chicken, raising her head proudly. "That's right! That's right!"
Sorog glanced at Garoth, who remained calm, and chose not to pursue the topic further. His gaze swept over Samantha and Garoth before he grinned. "It's rare for us who share the Ignas na to gather after leaving the nest. If Gordon were here too, all four Ignas siblings would be complete."
Most evil dragons preferred solitude, but there were precedents of evil dragons living together—mostly blue dragons. A famous example was the 'Hermod Brothers,' currently three ancient blue dragons inhabiting the Boiling Sea west of the Ser Wilderness.
Originally seven blue dragons of shared bloodline, they had fought together, shared spoils, and carved out vast territories in the Boiling Sea. Four had perished in their rise, but the remaining three had beco powerful legendary dragons. Those who killed their brothers had tasted draconic vengeance, being utterly annihilated with their bloodlines erased.
ntioning Gordon—the youngest and least reliable iron dragon—Garoth shook his head. "Given Gordon's condition, surviving alone in the wilderness would be difficult for him."
As an iron dragon, Gordon also harbored grand ambitions of building a draconic empire. But unlike the naturally intelligent Sorog, he was even duller and lazier than Samantha—just an ordinary, diocre iron dragon. Back in the Iron Fir Hills, Gordon never ca to join them. Garoth suspected this younger iron dragon brother wasn't faring well. Even if still alive, his life must be exceptionally harsh—certainly the worst off among them.
"Survival of the fittest is the wilderness's the," Garoth said. "Let's not talk about him."
Though physically weak, the iron dragon was ntally excited. "We three Ignas brothers will make our nas across sky, sea, and land!"
The faerie dragon Vira shouted, "And ! Four brothers!"
"Don't butt in without bloodline bonds," Sorog said.
Vira replied, "Easy—I'll just change my surna."
Sorog shook his head. "That won't do. The surna is superficial—blood is what matters."
The faerie dragon drooped her wings dejectedly.
"Unless," Sorog added, "you join the Ignas brothers as a mate." He eyed Vira's miniature size and continued, "Personally, I prefer demi-humans. If Garoth fancies you, you might have a chance."
Demi-humans referred to catfolk, wolfkin, fox-people and other human-beast hybrids.
Vira looked at the majestic red iron dragon, suddenly recalling the terrifying scene of him exercising his little dragon, and shuddered. Flapping her wings, she quickly flew away to hide behind a tree.
Sorog turned to Garoth curiously. "Dear brother, you'll soon be a young adult dragon. You must have developed preferences by now—which race's females do you favor?"
Dragons had universal aesthetic standards, but individual preferences varied. Most tallic dragons favored hairless, scaleless creatures with delicate skin like humans or elves, while chromatic dragons preferred fierce, muscular monsters. Sorog's preference for demi-humans was relatively niche.
Both Samantha and the tree-hidden Vira pricked up their ears, watching Garoth.
Under their gazes, Garoth remained expressionless and shook his head. "I have no particular preference."
Sorog's draconic face broke into an understanding smile. "I see—you indiscriminately like beautiful females of all races. Excellent—strong desires prove great ambitions."
This was definitely overinterpretation. I just want a peaceful life—what ambitions?
Not bothering to argue, Garoth said, "To celebrate our reunion, we'll feast in Needleleaf Valley tonight."
Soon, night fell. Bonfires burned in Needleleaf Valley as Rampage Bears carried fresh at to roast over the flas. Spices sprinkled on the sizzling at blended with the grease to create an enticing aroma.
The dragons enjoyed their al. Samantha tore off a chunk of cooked at, saying, "I've heard older, more powerful dragons dine like human nobles or elves—with jams, sweets, fine wines, and countless servants performing songs and dances besides at."
Sorog nodded. "Once we establish our grand empire, we'll enjoy such luxuries too—not just food, but magnificent palaces and golden residences."
In their simple valley feast, the young dragons dread of the future. Garoth quietly chewed his food, tasting the grease and spices without joining Samantha and Sorog's chatter. The firelight danced in his dark eyes, reflecting his unsettled thoughts.
He harbored no grand ambitions. But simple food and crude dwellings couldn't satisfy him either.
"Living more comfortably while maintaining peace and safety would be ideal," the red iron dragon thought as he swallowed at and bones together.
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