Walking around the forest has always been a relaxing time for me. A time to think, and to plan. I love finding a quiet grove with trees as old as I am to lay and bask in the sun while I plan the rest of my day. As of late, that’s harder to come by. The two little beings next to me are the cause of that.
“But why do the leaves change color?”
The boy is always so inquisitive about the world around him. The girl, on the other hand, is still so silent. The humans have only been with me for a few weeks now, and old habits die hard. For instance, no matter how many times I tell the boy that my abilities allow me to hear their thoughts, as well as project my own thoughts into their minds, he insists on speaking out loud. Hence my longing for those quieter walks I had grown so fond of.
The forest I currently reside in is one of the more secluded I have come across in my life. Despite that, there still lies a village at the far eastern edge of it. My arrival from the west came unnoticed, but after one of their hunting parties caught wind of me while I walked the perimeter, I knew my peace and quiet was at risk. Even so, centuries can go by in the blink of an eye for a dragon, and this forest might just be my favorite. The old trees surrounding me feel like old friends. Some of them may have even seen as many seasons as I have. I feel a comfort here I have not felt in a long time.
Once again, my meditation is interrupted by the boy’s next question.
“Why do we go on so many walks? Are we looking for something? Like a new hideout maybe?! I love finding new hiding places!”
The children were brought to me by the villagers. There’s a glade a few miles into the forest from the village where the children were tied down. It was a sad sight, but not a new one to someone as old as me. Time and time again, villagers across the land find it necessary to follow the demands of the worst of us: two of their youngest to be left alone in peace.
Stretching to expose as many of my scales as possible, I feel the sun hit those hard to reach places. Opening my wings, I look upon the two humans as they sit in the sunlight near me leaning up against a large boulder. The sudden force of wind knocks the two over, and for a moment I feel a hint of regret, but the boy rolls back over giggling while the girl continues to scowl. The sun feels so good.
This is not the first home I’ve found for myself. Every time I arrive in a new place, I like to walk. It helps me feel safe.
He blinks at me a few times as he thinks about what I have said to him. I choose not to open my mind to his – I know the same question would be filling his mind at this very moment.
He would ask, “but why?”
The girl’s eyes never left my face during this interaction. Being the older of the two humans, I knew she was wary of me from the beginning. Who could blame her? Her people had brought her to me as an “offering” they had said. As I gaze on the boy and his laughing fit, he raises his eyes to meet mine. There. The subtle glow blue that few would recognize.
Initially, I was planning on eating them. I’ve lived far too long, survived too many battles, to care about the lives of two young humans. However, the boy is different, and I saw it immediately. The power behind his eyes is something the world has not seen for centuries. The potential hidden within him is limitless.
The girl on the other hand offers me nothing. But while I gazed on the power of the boy, the girl assumed my intentions, and threw herself between myself and the boy. The fire in her eyes was a power in itself. Her dedication to protect her younger sibling was something else I haven’t seen in humans for many years. My mind started racing at the difficulties of raising the boy by myself. It quickly became apparent to me that she might prove useful if I could win her trust.
Leaving the glade that day with the children in tow, my mind wandered to the idiocy of the sacrifice by the humans. I never understood why they were pretentious enough to believe they could have something to “offer” to us. Despite the fact that dragons are far fewer in the world, we are still more powerful than anything the humans could conjure up. For most of us, simply leave us be.
Now, as I sit bathed in the golden rays of the sun, I know how humans have always feared what they don’t understand, and furthermore, what they cannot control. These thoughts dance among others through my mind as I notice the girl is still staring at me. I decide to address her.
I presume you understand the importance of protecting that which you hold most dear to you, little one. This new home of mine will suffice for quite some time if I can maintain its secrecy.
Interestingly enough, the girl responds and I can tell from her furrowed brow she is trying to “push” her thoughts to me. Still unsure if I can actually read her thoughts, but willing enough to try and test my abilities. I try my best to contain a smile.
What could possibly hurt you that you would want to make sure your new home is safe? She thought.
Hmm. I debate between answering honestly and answering to protect their innocence. I choose to humor her. The humans have only been with me for a few days now, but I enjoy their company. It had been many years since I had any sort of companion, and that was an old beast I met in the forests of Angta whose conversational skills were comparable to the large boulder the humans now lean against.
Well little one, there are many things to worry about as a dragon. Most importantly, I prefer to be left alone from the other beings of the world. Dragons are often misunderstood, and that leads to conflict. Conflict rarely ends with both sides having their way.
She nods in understanding. I know she may not catch on to the undertones of what I said, but she gathered the basics. The boy, on the other hand, is preoccupied with a nearby butterfly.
“Why are you scared? You’re a big dragon! With big dragon teeth, and claws!” the boy exclaims. I have to hold in another smile.
There are things in this world that you do not understand, but maybe one day you will. Let’s leave that for another day. For now, how would you two like some dinner? It’s getting late and I’m sure you’re hungry.
This time the girl responds.
Yes, I think we both could eat. And you seem nice enough. How many of you are left anyway? We must be pretty lucky to have found such a nice dragon.
I nod at them both and look as they continue to relax in the glowing sun. The look in her eyes tells me she still doesn’t fully trust me, not yet, but I have waited much longer, for much less. I know I need their trust in the end. I know I need their power.
As the sun continues to shine, I look to the sky and think of Archon and the others. I curse them. No longer will I hide in the shadows. No longer will I travel from distant forest to distant forest, always on the run. Looking down on the little humans, I know I now have the necessary tools to regain my throne as Queen of the Dragons.
Writing by Adam 