Although the circle wherein the young abounded in trees and bushes, beyond was only plain red stone upon which their marvelous houses were built.Although the circle wherein the young abounded in trees and bushes, beyond was only plain red stone upon which their marvelous houses were built. "This is his," Desa announced, pointing to a dome immediately to our right. As large as others nearby, it was the brown of a duck's egg, and it glistened with the sunlight. Desa led me around. "The door is at an angle to the regular direction of the wind. In that way, a Dragon may leave his home open and not have wind blow about inside, but may step out and take wing instantly." We came to a seam in the side of the dome, a seam that ran up many feet out of sight. He knocked. I know not the construction of the Megassi doors, but I would like to know. Like the wings of a beetle, the doors spread open, making barely a sound as they did so. "Inside," Desa said. The smell inside had a slightly stale taste to it. Desa looked at me curiously. "Describe it." "Sir?" "The smell. It's foremost in your expression, young human. Describe it to me." I did, including the stale taste and an odd, burning smell, like old rope set ablaze. He nodded. "Ryu has not been keeping his house in order." He cupped his mouth with his hands as if to amplify his voice, and shouted "Ryuchitoran!" "Master!" As my eyes adjusted from the blazing sun outside to the darker interior, I began to see details. The center of the house rose many feet above my head. |