After spending a lot of time watching those armies, forced to be together for so long, I have noticed many differences between armies. Also that they don't like each other. Some generals seem to notice this and their soldiers tend to keep to themselves, but then there are those who try to cause problems. I will often see squabbles between members of other armies. It's a surprise they have yet to start outright fighting each other. It might be possible to swipe some uniforms, and sneak in. There are so many soldiers, there is no way they can keep track of everyone.

I have observed them for a long time. I could easily snatch some clothes from the ones who do laundry and hang them up. That much would be simple, but sneaking in would be the actual test. I felt myself rubbing my face, I could still remember the time I got hit, when I failed last time. If I am going to do this, I will need to not fail this time. It could very well lead to my death.

****

I yawned and lifted my head up off the ground. I was laying on the ground behind the king’s house. I am not sure this is a kingdom. It looks like a small village somewhere far removed. We have spent two days here so far, though today we are planning on going back. If we stay gone too long they might get curious. We don't want them setting up traps for us.

I would like to get this fight over quickly, but Aiko has promised that her plan is going to work. She also has said how we wont be alone in this fight, and I do hope that's true. Getting up from where I was laying down, and stretching I managed to spot Aiko’s dad watching me from the pavilion. Seemed he was there for a while.

“Hello, can I help you?” I asked.

He looked at me, with a gaze full of thought, “Protect my daughter please.”

I was rather stunned, I could understand his wish, but it still took me by surprise how forward he was. I am sure the princess would be alright, but he is still asking for my help. I couldn't say no.

“Of course. Though you humans are always finding ways to surprise me even after living with one for some time.” I replied.

“What do you mean?” He asked back curiously.

“Well, how much your opinion varies. If I were to go to a different village, instead of accepting me in, they would try to hunt me down, or even run away.” I replied.

He sat there, and nodded his head. It seemed like this was something he had seen before. He took a sip of his steaming beverage before replying back.

“Humans act that way, but it is also the nature of things to have a divided opinion about something that is much stronger than you. Is it okay to be around it? Will we be safe? It puts humans in a very uncomfortable state, when something much stronger than them appears. Humans are used to controlling their environment, not the other way around. As a species, we fail to see ourselves less than those, even if they are stronger, because we are smarter. Now, what would make something even more dangerous? If it's smarter, and stronger than you.” The king replies.

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Thinking about it, I think I have seen the same things happen between dragons and gods. Is it a curse of those who are sentient to always have such pride? A vanity, so deep that it can't be removed, unless outright dominated by a new force. Dragons pride is deep, and is in every dragon. Even if we lose, we can't lose. At least not in our minds.

“I have seen other dragons act the same way. Though none are here, besides me. So I can’t show you. If other dragons did come I am not sure they may be as friendly as me. Some dragons don't like mortals.” I stated.

“The same goes for us humans. There are those among us who probably won't like you dragons.” He replied.

I nodded, I already kind of understood that there are a lot who don't like me right now. It would be interesting to see how other dragons deal with mortals. I wondered about that for a bit, before someone came running out of the house and toward me. It was the princess.

“Lost! We need to go back now!” She yelled running at me.

It immediately got my attention. She was in a hurry, and panicked. Something must be happening near my home. I immediately scooped her up, then looked at her father.

“I will, human.” I told him, before taking to the sky and flying, in which direction she guided me in.

I did have a twinge of embarrassment, that I needed a human to guide me home, but we did not have time for me to wander home. I also slowly came to a realization that I had yet to ask why we needed to leave so quickly. I guessed the armies were up to something. If they are causing trouble, the travel time to warn us must mean that something is already happening, maybe even already ended.

A single thought started to fill my mind. I must fly faster. I must fly even faster. I have to be even faster! I kept pushing my limits at how fast I was flying. I could feel the cold radiating off me, as I pushed further.

“Don't freeze me to death!” Aiko yelled from in my claws, shivering.

I didn't say anything, a bit embarrassed, I slowed down and warmed back up. Something gnawed at me though. Something stirring within me, warning me about something I didn't even know myself. I would have to wait to see when I get home.

“Please be safe, Hickory.” I mumbled a prayer to the dragon king.