I gently picked up Hickory, and set him up on my head between my horns. Once he was secure I started walking toward the mountain again. My stomach kept reminding me that I had yet to eat anything meaningful, or substantial all day. The mana I was running through me, kept me sustained, but I had used more energy than that could make up for. I heard Hickory’s stomach growl, he sure was busy today with that human which had appeared.

That human was an interesting one. She had talked about kingdoms and queendoms, and armies. I remembered in time a while ago in passing Sally, and Hickory both had mentioned something about them. To my knowledge they are important to humans. Like large gatherings of humans who live in these cities. Kind of like the one near my home. Though I suppose most intelligent creatures end up living in colonies of some shape or kind.

Coming out of my thoughts, I discovered something interesting. I had approached Hickory’s camp to discover that that human was sitting at his camp and was cooking. It was a surprise, and I felt Hickory's surprise as he scrambled to get off my head. Rolling my eyes I picked him up and set him on the ground.

“Well, it's a surprise to see you here.” I said out loud.

“Well, I don't have anywhere to go.” She retorted without looking back.

I was kindly amused at this human's courage to talk back at me with a degree of attitude. It made me smile. This human has no idea I could just end her life right here, and now. It would be so simple. I shook my head, I better not. I could hurt Hickory’s camp.

“Are you okay with this Hickory?” I asked him.

“I don't know yet.” He responded as he walked over to the human.

“What are you planning on sending me out all on my own?” She replied sarcastically.

“Maybe. Its rather rude to just invite yourself into someone else’s home.” He responded.

I could almost hear the woman try to not laugh at that. She got up and turned to face Hickory. She pulled her cowl back and looked him right in the eyes.

“Then why can you two, just invite yourself into the kingdom’s backyard? Why is it that the king can just rip people from their homes, because he doesn't like them!?” She responded with anger in her eyes.

“Well I don't know that. I do know that your king tried to kill my entire village, and did kill my mom!” He growled back at her.

Her expression softened for a moment, before she responded, “Then you should want revenge even more than me!”

“I don't seek revenge, my mom raised me better than to seek such petty things as that.” He retorted, bored of her.

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I watched Hickory go over to his smoking hut, and got himself some food, and brought me some as well. I was happy to have food. I laid down and snacked on my food, as I watched the two humans sit on either side of the fire, but doing their best to ignore each other. It was almost comical how these two are like oil and water. Before I could stop it I chuckled at both of them.

The woman stood up and turned in my direction, “Do you think that human lives are a joke?! I am trying to do my best to help everyone, and you two are refusing!”

“Well admittedly I don't care about your human lifes. The only one I care about or will listen to is him.” I responded and pointed at Hickory.

I saw Hickory blush and lower his head to avoid his gaze. It made me chuckle inside. I know I am not a mom, or a good parent but it's funny when he gets embarrassed when I do things like that. I find it mildly amusing to tease him.

“How can you say such things?! You must not have anything you ever cared about!” She yelled at me.

I got up, and stomped the ground right next to her. I watched as her legs shook and she fell onto the ground looking up at me, pale in the face. She was terrified. Maybe it isn't anger which drives her, but maybe a level of desperation. I leaned my head down in front of her.

“You see, I don't care about humans, because I am not one. I am a dragon. I am above you. You humans are weak, and fragile. I care about Hickory. Because he is the son of my dead friend. So I took care of him, and I value him. I care about him. I don't care about you. The same goes for any other human. I just leveled an entire kingdom, disturbing my sleep. You want my help so desperately that you stand in front of me and challenge me when I can kill you faster, then you could even react.” I growled at her.

Her body was trembling, she looked down right terrified. Yet, she still did not run. She did her best to struggle back up to her feet. Once on her feet she looked me right in the eyes. With tears running down her face, and her voice shaking she confronted me.

“If you're so strong then, why don't you just go take care of this?! You can get it done before the evening sun sets! For us to fight this battle could take years! You have such great strength and for what?! What do you fight for?!” She yelled at me.

It gave me pause. She was right. I didn't have much in the way of any goals. I only sought to explore and adventure. My mom raised me to be strong and fight my own battles, but what I would fight for had me puzzled. I couldn't think of anything. It made me remember the battle of the dragons and shades. If there was something strong enough to come and just end the war for us, would we dragons get past our pride and beg for help, if it meant saving more dragon lifes?

I stood there, looking down at this human, which stood fear in the face, with a vast strength difference, but she did not back away. I felt something in my chest. Something I had only felt for one person, my mom. I was inspired. I would look upon my mom’s strength in awe, but this human had a different strength. One not physical. I smiled, I liked this human a lot.