Page 100 of Connor and the Dragons

“I do not mind coming second. I came first yesterday, and that was the whole problem.”

“Oallian. This is important. You are important. Don’t turn your needs into jokes.”

“Sorry.”

“You’ve been asking me for something since Liminia, and I haven’t forgotten. And we finally have a quiet moment, so this morning is yours, all of it, and I’m going to give you what you need.” He set the cage down. “Starting with a stern lecture.”

I did a small, cheerful hop. It was not the correct response and I did not care. I liked Connor’s stern lectures.

“Tell me why you’re getting punished.”

I had been expecting a list. I was very good at being read a list. Without the list, I wasn’t quite sure what to say.

“Because I am a cheeky boy?” I asked.

“Cheeky how?”

“Cheeky generally. Broadly. As a way of life.”

“Try again.”

“Cheeky in a manner which some people might reasonably consider—”

“Oallian.”

I stopped. I knew the answer. I just did not want to be the one to say it.

“I did some wrong things. I transformed when that was not the plan. I called Kessrin silly for being angry with me about it,” I said.

“While he was doing what?”

“Crying.”

“That one was not my best,” I said. “I knew I shouldn’t have done it, but I was frustrated that he wasn’t seeing things right.”

“He is anxious, he will not always see things right.”

I nodded. “I will apologize when he gets back. I didn’t mean to hurt him.”

“Good. What else?”

“I might have said a thing about puny humans.”

“Might have.”

“I did say a thing about puny humans. And I went for my hoard without talking to you.”

Connor nodded. “That’s the worst one, because if Vyranthos had taken you, we would not have even known where you were to start looking.”

“Oh,” I said. “You have a point. Should I also apologize for the railing? I maintain that the railing was faulty. It was always going to happen to somebody.”

“Oallian.”

“Yes. All right.” And I meant it, which surprised me. “I will always tell you where I am, so that you will know how to find me. I would like you to know where I am. I don’t want to be lost.”

“Good. Anything else?”

“I came before I was told to.”