I Only Tame Dragons

Chapter 48 Encounter with the Harpies

After a few hours, Lydia found herself lounging at the edge of the cliff, watching Horizon and Von with a mix of frustration and disbelief.

Sprawled out safely on her belly, she had a perfect view of the chaos below as the two worked tirelessly to build their makeshift hut.

The sun had dipped lower in the sky, casting long shadows across the clearing, but neither of them seemed to notice the time slipping away.

"Looks like we did it," Horizon said, dead serious, as he surveyed their creation with a look of pride.

Von nodded, a wide grin spreading across his face. "Yeah. Just in time too — it's going to get dark soon."

The two of them stood shoulder-to-shoulder, admiring their handiwork.

The "hut" they'd crafted was small, triangular in shape, and barely half their height. The structure was held together with haphazardly gathered sticks serving as the frame, while layers of mismatched blankets, old clothes, and wide leaves made up the walls.

It looked like something a child might build in a forest, a far cry from the shelter they had envisioned. Still, the two stood tall, faces alight with accomplishment.

Then, without warning, a sudden gust of wind swept through the clearing. They watched in slow motion as the fragile structure wobbled, creaked, and then, with an almost comical motion, collapsed to the ground in a heap of sticks and fabric.

For a moment, there was stunned silence.

Horizon stared at the pile of rubble, his expression blank, while Von's grin slowly faded, replaced by a look of pure bewilderment.

Cappy was rolling its eyes while Nyx was too lazy to care and rested at a nearby grass, rolling around.

"The sticks won't cut it," Horizon suddenly said, breaking the silence.

Von scratched his head, glancing at the sad remains of their hut. "Ah . . . maybe we should use rocks?"

"Good idea," Horizon agreed with a serious nod.

"IDIOTS!" Lydia couldn't take it anymore. She leaped over the cliff, landing gracefully and pointing accusingly at the two. "Of course it wouldn't hold! Sticks?! And what's with all these logs over here if you're not going to use them?!"

"What are you doing in our territory?" one of the Harpies hissed, her voice laced with a singsong tone, though her eyes gleamed with malice.

"Oh crap, they're here!" Lydia muttered, taking a cautious step back.

Von was unfazed. His eyes lit up with hearts as he stepped forward. "Ladies, relax! There's plenty of me to go around!"

A volley of razor-sharp talons shot toward him, slicing through the air and grazing his cheek. He quickly ducked, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "On second thought . . ."

"Keep it up, and you'll be killed by women again," Cappy chirped from the side, shaking his tiny head.

Horizon took a step forward, calm but firm. "We came in peace. We only want to build our territory here."

The Harpies' eyes widened in disbelief. Peace? They were claiming their land! It's war!

"Intruders! This is our land! Leave now or face death. This is your last warning!" a Harpy screeched, her feathers bristling with anger.

Nyx let out a dark chuckle, his wings fluttering. "Tell me, when you build a house, do you ask permission from the beasts and trees that live there first? If not, then don't be surprised when a dragon stakes its claim in your territory. It's the natural order."

"What did you just say?!" came a furious shriek from above, as the skies darkened with the wings of more Harpies.

"Dragons?" the other Harpies looked at each other and shifted their attention to Nyx's tiny skeletal form before their mocking laughter filled the air.

Nyx glared at them. "You wouldn't be laughing when I decent here in my true form."

"Enough talk! Everyone, charge!"

The air was filled with the sound of flapping wings as the Harpies swooped in, claws outstretched.

Lydia, who had no interest in joining the chaos, quickly leapt to the side, hiding behind a nearby rock. Stealth was more her game — direct combat wasn't her style.

Horizon braced himself, his grip tightening around his weapon, while Von raised both hands in a mock gesture of peace. "Now, now, there's no need to be jealous, ladies," he called out with a cocky grin. "There's enough of me for everyone!"

The Harpies shrieked in fury, they charge with anger.