Enzo crept as far into the cave as the light of the moons penetrated. The cave was clearly much larger on the inside than it looked, but now wasn’t the time for exploration. He settled down near the entrance, tucked in to avoid the wind and set down his tunic of berries.

Hopefully nothing smells me or these berries tonight. I’ll keep them hidden and just try to ride out the night, he thought.

Enzo felt around the cave walls and found a recessed ledge near his spot at the front of the cave. He carefully removed the berries from his tunic and left them there, before putting his tunic back on. He curled into a ball on the ground and used his arm as a pillow and fell into a light sleep.

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Enzo was awakened abruptly by the sound of rushing air. It was late into the night and the cave was still dark, but an orange light flickered at the back of the cave. The light of a fire.

Enzo’s eyes went wide with panic. His heart pounded in his chest. Someone or something else was in the cave with him. It hadn’t noticed him, but the thing was big. The rhythm of the air felt too consistent to be the wind. Whatever had made the fire was breathing, and it was loud enough to wake him.

It’s moving enough air with its breath, I can feel it. I’ve got to move, he thought. I’ll take my chances in the woods.

The air moved through the cave like a bellows, and the flames steadily grew in intensity. The cave was no longer cold, the warmth of the fire dispelled any of the night’s previous chill. The steady rhythm of the air continued to feed the flames. Slowly, Enzo turned his face from the back of the cave.

Looking at the fire had ruined his night vision, so he shut his eyes and tried to calm his heart. He tried to keep his breathing calm, and in tune with the beast to avoid its notice. Enzo slowly moved his body closer to the entrance of the cave, inching painstakingly along the floor.

Just a little more, just a little closer…

The air flow stopped. The cave was deathly still, the crackling of the flames the only sound. Enzo froze. Have I been caught? he thought. He didn’t dare open his eyes. He held his breath as long as he could, but eventually he knew he had to move. He had to breathe. Enzo gritted his teeth and opened his eyes.

Nothing was there. The fire had grown enough to illuminate most of the cave, but there was no figure to be seen. Enzo slowly took a breath. He tried to calm his nerves. I can get out of here, I can do it. Nothing to see here, maybe there is another entrance around the corner and they’ve left for a bit, he thought. He began to relax again, and turned back to the cave entrance. At the mouth of the cave, mere feet from him, was the head of a dragon.

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The dragon’s wingspan was enormous. Its wings more than covered the mouth of the cave, offering no option for escape. Its body was lithe, deep red scales reflecting in the firelight, covering taut muscles. All this was impressive and terrifying, but the dragon’s eyes held Enzo rooted to the spot. Deep orange eyes, laden with vicious intent, glared down at Enzo.

The dragon moved closer to Enzo and inhaled. It paused for a moment, as though it were unsure if to roast him first or just eat him outright. It inhaled again and this seemed to offer no further information. The dragon’s eyes never left Enzo, but confusion was added to the murderous intent.

Extremely deliberately, Enzo reached his hand to the berries on the ledge. Smoke trailed from the dragon’s nostrils, ready to incinerate Enzo at a moment’s notice. He grasped a handful and slowly held them out toward the dragon. He felt exceptional heat from the dragon’s breath as he neared its nostril. He closed his eyes and turned away, arm still extended to the dragon. His finger slightly brushed against its scales.

Instantly, his mind exploded with light and pain. The feeling was so intense, and such a surprise, he jerked his hand back and clutched his head. His temple was on fire. He’d never felt this pain before, he just wanted to die. He curled into a ball on the floor and howled.

Gradually, over the course of what felt like hours, the pain receded. As he recovered, Enzo felt his body. I’m not being burned? I’m not dead? He thought. He hesitantly opened his eyes. The first rays of sunlight had begun to trickle over the trees. The berries were strewn across the floor of the cave, but the dragon wasn’t interested in them. It continued to stare directly at Enzo.

Enzo looked the dragon in the eyes. He slowly reached out, and touched the tip of its snout. The moment he made contact, Enzo felt the same flash of light. This time, instead of pain, he felt the sensation of something clicking into place. Instinctively, he felt that the first connection was painful because it was incomplete. The renewed connection completed the circuit and he felt an understanding form in the back of his mind.

Through all of this, the dragon hadn't moved much. It lowered its wings into a more relaxed position on its back, but the overall size of its body still filled the mouth of the cave. It seemed curious as to what would happen next. Enzo removed his hand from the dragon.

“I don’t mean you any harm,” he said, holding both hands now at his sides with his palms raised. “I didn’t know this was your cave, I was just looking for somewhere to sleep. I am deeply sorry, I will leave immediately.” Enzo kept his eyes on the dragon. Its eyes shone in a way that made him feel like it knew what he was saying. This isn’t a mindless beast. It knows what I’m saying, I just have to hope it forgives me, he thought.

The dragon stared him down for another moment, before relaxing.

“Thank you for your kindness, I will never intrude on you again,” said Enzo. He was still tense, but for the time being he was alive.

“I didn’t say you could leave, human. You smell strange.”