Ella grew as the years passed. Bermoth did his best to teach her the language and ways of humans, but there was much he knew she was missing. Perhaps that was a good thing, he often thought. Humans had waged war on dragons first and the destruction had only spread. Many died on both sides.

When he spoke to passing dragons, he heard tale of a new weapon, a powerful magic stone that killed dragons. They called it a “bluestone” and it drove dragons mad, the stories said. He often wondered if that was what he had encountered on the way to Garragath so long ago.

Are you really going to eat that?

Ella stared at him with disgust and he prepared to devour a mountain goat whole. Some human traits came naturally to her.

Yes, he replied. It is delicious.

She turned away in disgust and took a bite from the rabbit he had roasted for her.

I have been thinking, Ella said after they finished their meals. I would like to see a human city.

Her words caught Bermoth off guard. Why? was all he could ask.

It has been many years, she said. Perhaps things have changed.

He shook his massive head adamantly. I realized long ago that you would only be safe with me here. It is too dangerous among the humans.

Ella frowned and turned away. She would be something near sixteen years now, and it proved to be a difficult time in caring for her. Despite the hardships, their bond had grown, and he felt it easier to communicate with her than most dragons he had known. He felt a twinge of sadness whenever he thought of his own clutch and their lives would have been like.

It is important to me, Ella said.

Bermoth sighed heavily. As much as he wanted to keep her safe, it was not his place to keep her from her own kind, if that was truly what she wanted. She smiled as he relented, and that was almost worth it.

She packed her things—several outfits fashioned from animal fur and a sharp knife carved from stone—and they set off together. He would follow her until she got close to Garragath, her chosen city to visit. There were many dangers and he would protect her from what he could.

The journey took several days. After seeing the war, Bermoth had retreated far into the mountains, and it was strange to see the lowlands again. It was warmer and it seemed to suit her, he had to admit.

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When they finally reached Garragath it was evident the city had grown much. He camped some distance from the edge of the city and let her go on alone.

I will be fine, she assured him as she approached the gates.

Their connection faded some as the distance grew, but he could still hear her and feel most of what she was feeling. Her excitement was undeniable.

Bermoth listened with apprehension as she encountered her first humans. She was slow to answer the questions they had for her, and she stumbled over her words. Speaking out loud was not a skill she had practised much.

Ella continued into the city and he felt her marvel though he could not see what she was looking at. With every passing stranger, her speech became more confident

The tingling feeling Bermoth had experienced many years before pulled him away from the conversation he was listening to. It was faint but he knew how dangerous it could be.

Ella, he said urgently.

She didn’t answer him. She could hear him, he knew, but she chose not to answer.

Ella, it is important. Get out of the city.

Still no reply.

He let out a low growl in frustration. The tingling feeling grew stronger, and it seemed to come from two directions.

Bermoth gritted his teeth and launched himself skyward, winging his way through the night to the city. Pain ripped through his right wing but he ignored it as best he could. It caught Ella’s attention.

What is wrong? she asked.

He landed a few paces from her in the middle of a cobble street. People screamed and cursed, some throwing things at him and others running to hide. Get on, he demanded, using a tone he had never spoken to her with before.

She climbed on his back and nestled herself between his wings. He retook to the air, maneuvering to avoid a flurry of arrows, and flew north away from the strange sensation.

From their vantage point in the sky, he saw a human army encroaching on Garragath. They are at war with each other now.

Though the pain was strong, he continued the flight. The army drew closer to the city, and in a single moment, the air exploded in a bright flash of white. The rush sent Bermoth tumbling into a tree with Ella barely holding on.

They were some distance from the explosion and a quick assessment reassured him that neither of them were harmed. It felt better to rest his wings.

What was that? she asked, cowering close to him.

He struggled to provide an answer. The bluestones were to blame, he was sure. They were weapons of great power.

Something must be done. Ella shook her head in bewilderment. There will be nothing let if Erithor do not unite.

Bermoth agreed with the sentiment. There is nothing to be done about it, he said.

She frowned. Look at us.

It was true the shared an impossible bond. But just because one human and one dragon were able to did not mean it was possible for others.

Neither humans nor dragons will listen to us, he said.

We will make them listen.

He stared back at the direction they had come, now a burning land of ash and smoke spanning leagues. How many humans and dragons alike had died?

You are right, he admitted. This must end.

They would find some way to show harmony was possible. The kingdom would swallow itself whole if they did not.