I see the captain leaning over a small wooden table. I quietly walk toward her side, despite my full guard armor, trying not to disturb her focus. I examine whatever's on the table as I walk. Looks like an inscription slab?

She's probably examining a map of Achiton. It's standard protocol for the guard captain to take stock of nearby streets and points of interest before conducting any in-city operation.

Granted— she's the one who made that protocol. I have no idea why she bothered; she's the captain.

I think I'm within an acceptable distance. Eh, here goes. I barely know where to start.

"Captain, I've got the full report regarding that dragon invader in the west slum. This report was sourced from the western guard captain, so it should be reliable. He located our interloper while investigating the break-in mentioned in the report."

I stop walking and stand across the table from her.

I hold out the report, but instead she responds without looking at me. She's still looking into the slab.

"Are you suggesting a dragon snuck into our city merely to break into a random slum house?"

"No, we believe the so-called 'break-in' was a false report intended to get the western guard to look into the situation. We're not sure why the dragon's in there, but I'm forced to assume this somehow involves transference magic."

She stands up straight and looks at me.

"Okay, and why is that?"

I tilt my head a bit. I lower the written report to my side since she's apparently not going to take it.

"Captain, by his measure it's the biggest godsdamned dragon we've ever seen. I don't think it can even fit through the house's doors. If it had tried to land through the roof, that whole house would've been demolished."

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She pauses, clearly stunned.

...

"A fair point. Not good for us, though. Even a small one is too strong for us to fight without at least a few dozen mercenaries. If it's a big one, we definitely can't kill it. We'll have to drive it off."

I nod, then add to her analysis.

"Thankfully, it still hasn't exited the house; we've only kept it surrounded. We suspect it may be magically chained or something similar. Our mages are currently working on assessing the situation. As for mercenaries— we might want to hold off fighting it the usual way."

She examines me for a moment.

"Okay, that's great information. Thank you. And your rationale for the latter assessment?"

"The west guard captain said it talked to him."

Her face goes pale.

"Oh, GODS no! It's intelligent?"

I shake my head.

"We haven't confirmed that. Everyone's too terrified to go back inside. That said, the fact it hasn't left the house is itself a problem. It already isn't following the patterns we usually use to fight territorial monsters. So, if it isn't magically chained, then we've got a big problem."

"What if it's not leaving the house because it knows we have it surrounded?"

Gods, I hope not.

I pause to collect my thoughts.

"Captain, being smart enough to mimic words is one thing, but if it has THAT level of intellect? It might raze the entirety of Achiton before tomorrow."

She looks off to her left, toward the western slum.

image [https://timjames.net/data/acd/images/006.png]

"No, no... The problem with dragons is they're moody and incorrigible. If this one has intellect we might be able to peacefully negotiate."

I resist a powerful urge to roll my eyes.

Heavens, this woman. Always with her 'negotiations!' The damn thing will probably eat whoever she sends.

"That's up to you, Captain."

She looks directly at me.

Oh, gods. Not me. Don't send me.

"You're not wrong about the threat this dragon presents— but that's precisely why we need to consider all options. Escort me there. I'll do it."

Oh.

She turns to walk away.

...

Well, whatever! Be suicidal; I won't stop you.

"Yes, ma'am."

She turns back again to face my much more armored self.

"I'm going to say this now— hah. I'm promoting you to fill the empty vice-captain position. If I don't make it out, you're next in command. Understood?"

My body trembles.

This is the WORST possible time to get promoted. Please, please gods. DON'T allow me another promotion today.

"Yes... Yes ma'am."