Looking at my soon to be face, I snorted. He stood six feet two inches with black hair and brown eyes. His face was relatively handsome among humans, however, after a long life, I have seen handsomer. On him were fire retardant chainmail and armor that gleamed with magic infused light. His sword was of ancient elven origin and hand an extremely cold finish to it that could cut through stone. Around him were 57 companions. Twelve wore similar armor and were armed with pike and shield, his knight retainers. Five were mages of varying elements and each wearing robes of their corresponding element; two blue for water, brown for earth, and green for wind. 15 wore like leather armor and had bows, probably hunters who guided him to my home. Aside from them there were various peasants carrying iron spears and an exhausted look about them. All were panting after climbing the steep mountain to my home. Although his manner of speaking is annoying, he will due. Speaking of which, he is still talking…
“Your days of pillaging the countryside are at an end dragon. Justice will be done and you shall taste our cold metal blades! Then I will have you stuffed and mounted in my home!” Humph, he’s probably trying to buy time for his companions to regain composure after the climb while boosting morale for the peasantry. Despite this, I still find his whole ‘ravishing the countryside sermon’ to be both hypocritical coming from a human noble and insulting considering that the so called ‘countryside’ were forests and lakes within my territory. These humans expand, slashing and burning countless acres of forest, destroying homes for numerous magical creatures, and outright slaughtering any demi-humans they find and finally have the audacity to say I am the evil villain. I am going to enjoy toying with him.
“Let me ask human, do not find this cavern to be odd? There are no boulders or crevices to hide behind. The whole thing is made of stone, no dirt for earth mages to manipulate. No water except that which you carry on your own. Finally, the whole cavern is like a funnel with only one small exit right behind you.” His companions are all shocked to see me, a proud dark violet dragon that towers 25 feet, talk. The already depressed sight of the two earth mages grows worse. The water mages simply look exhausted carrying those heavy jugs behind them.
Joseph Searmire then shouted. “So what dragon, today will still be your last!” I calmly look at him and laughed. His retinue, hearing my laugh his retinue formed a shield wall. The two water mages pulled water from their jugs and formed a shield inform of them. The earth mages managed to conjure a 1 foot wall as well. The earth mage created a light breeze blowing towards me at only 65 mph. I decided to indulge their preparations and took in a large breath. Out of my mouth came a piercing hot blue flame. The fire shot out and overwhelmed the wind, evaporated the water, and melted stone. Their shield wall stood through it because of the fire retardant enchantments. When I stopped spouting fire a look of elation came over the knights’ sweaty faces. “See foul dragon, your fire has no power here!” bellowed Joseph.
To which I mockingly responded, “look behind you.” No trace or remnant of their former companions could be seen. There were no burn marks only emptiness were the peasantry and hunters were standing. From a total of 58, my fire or at least the intense gale force winds created by it and the funnel like tunnel blew that number down to 19. Their shocked expressions soon gave way to fear. Even they know a dragon’s physical strength can handle 20 expert opponents. They begin to hesitate and panting heavily.
With a smirk I asked Joseph “have you ever heard of Cave Fairies?” Joseph gave me a befuddled look and demanded “What are you on about now demon!” So I’m a demon now? I wonder if self-righteousness is a kind of spice, perhaps he will have added flavor later. “Old adventurers used to tell stories of how people who sleep in caves should never light fires because the fire attracts fairies to suck out their souls.” His gaze is tired. Clearly he wants to buy more time for his companions to recover, thinking that the exhaustion is from the climb. “I do not care for whatever demon spawn you muster.” The wind mage, however, has a sudden flash of insight and screams, “my lord, the air is poisoned!” He then begins to cast a spell to clear out the air. Joseph commands for his retinue to protect the mage. They begin to line up once again in front of him and the mage the earth and water mages ready their spells. As the wind mage nears completion of his incantation I channel my mana through my cave. Suddenly a large stone slab falls crushing the wind mage along with the earth mage besides him and three retinues in front.
Panic strikes their hearts, before Joseph even has the chance to call out retreat the once loyal and proud knights run with all their might towards the exit. As they approach it, their eyes are full of a desperate hope for survival and with a smile I rose a stone wall 15 feet tall blocking the exit. They look back in terror. However, all I can think about is whether or not self-righteousness will taste good with fear.
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Jumping up and down I find the feel of a human body to be rather limiting. With all my strength I can only jump so high and run so fast. My usual speed and flight which gives me the enthralling pleasure of freedom is respectively restricted and non-existent. I would even have trouble keeping up with a cheetah. Sighing, I then lazily walk over to what used to be Joseph, who was not as tasty as I would have hoped. I take the clothes and armor off of his remains, incinerated the rest, and after placing them on myself walked to the end of my cave. There stood a mountain of treasures reaching up to the 100 foot roof from both ancient and modern decent; Gold, diamonds, and jewels spread everywhere; Swords, spears, and axes enchanted with earth shattering spells; armors, clothes, and ornaments of the finest strength and make; Books and tombs filled with apocalyptic knowledge and spells.
With an even longer sigh, I pick up one of the better swords with a holy attribute and close the treasury with a thick stone wall. I then walk over to a small hill of gold and curse Joseph for only bringing three wagons. One wagon is obviously needed for food so I can only take a paltry two wagon loads of gold with me. Of course two wagon loads is still enough gold to buy a kingdom or at least enough mercenaries to conquer one. However, for my future plans it is barely enough.
Walking to a boulder next to a seemingly innocuous wall, I pushed the boulder aside
revealing a handle, which I pull to a large room. Then an angry shout came from inside “Dragon!” A blonde woman stood 6 feet tall wearing pony tail and an enchanted green sun dress that is always warm. The room was full of paintings of lakes and mountains. In the background I heard the soothing music of an enchanted harp being played next to a vista of the Crestfall mountain range. Although it was only a short year I will miss having the princess as a pet.
At first she was very resistant and angry at being kidnapped, which is of course understandable. However, like all creatures the best way into her hearts, or heart since she is human, is her stomach. I hunted for her the finest of glerubs in my territory. This was especially useful since glerubs were overpopulating and would soon have experienced a die-off from over harvesting their resources. Suffice it to say after a month of fine eating she finally grew calm and bored. Then it occurred to me as I was flying around my mountain range one day that she always looks at me with envious eyes from her room. So I took some silksteel rope, tied it around her, and attached her to my back. At first she resisted but as we took flight she held on very tightly and eventually grew used to it finding its enamoring freedom.
I, however, was busy making preparations for my humble human domination plan so couldn’t always attend to her enjoyment. Thusly, spotting a few merchant bands in my territory, or the so called ‘countryside,’ I ‘tithed’ them of artistic and musical instruments. She took quite a fancy to them and even began to paint in our flights. She also made a portrait of little old me, which I keep in the treasury. I think what finally won her over though are the clothes I got for her. In the midst of winter a few months back I noticed she shivered quite a bit and got her some enchanted clothing and blankets. Since then she has been more content as my pet and has even taken to playing music for me while I sleep on my gold. Of course, time moves forward and with it the beginning of my plan. This morning began by trapping her in the safety of her room. There’s really no telling what these humans would do, to them pillaging goes hand and hand with raping after all. Thusly, her anger at her dear master dragon is predictable.
She then looks at me and shock fills her gaze and for the briefest moment I even saw a tinge of sadness and pain. She soon recollected herself and gave a stalwart and noble look. Whereupon I answered, “Dear princess Isskona, I am Joseph Searmire son of Duke Searmire and have come at the behest of your father king of Kroan to return you to his side. Thusly I slayed the evil firebreathing demon and come to your rescue.” Having said this my mouth tastes like the rectum of a poisonous Brightwood Beetle. I took 30 years preparing for this moment. Most of the preparation came in the form of learning to lie and deceive, a skill inherit within human beings. I spent a full 20 years learning to fake facial expressions, tone of voice, and words to the same level as a moderately capable human child. From princess Isskona’s gaze I can tell I am not the only one disgusted by my words. Seeming to swallow it down Isskona responded, “thank you dear knight, might I ask what befell the dragon?”
Withholding the longest sigh yet at the caring words of my ever so cute pet. “There is no need to feel worried, my lady. I found this holy sword in his treasury and stabbed him through the heart quickly extinguishing his life. You are safe now.” She grew calmer though not for her safety. She was always safe after all. “After you change your clothes let us depart quickly, my lady. The outside world will do you good from the vile memories of this prison.”
Hesitant, she replied “agreed my knight, let’s depart from these… memories.” Humans, such grand liars who can’t even accept that they care for other species or be branded by their society and reviled.
I extended my hand towards her in knightly fashion and a flash of anger came and was quickly suppressed on her face as she said “no, sir knight, I’d prefer to walk on my own power for now.” In a slightly pleased mood I responded “as you wish.” Walking in silence towards the cave exit I grab the silksteel rope from the walls and tie around myself. Then looking towards the princess say “the climb down is perilous, so I’m afraid to ensure your safety you will need to ride my back.” A mixture of emotions fill her face and eventually she manages to mutter out “fine.” Tying her to myself, I quickly began to descend the stony mountain to the valley below. On the way I sew a few crimson flowers of what used to be hunters and peasants.
The princess then asked in a slightly horrified tone, “did the dragon do this?” So very pure hearted. It makes teasing her ever so delightful. I remember this one time I flew her to a nearby frozen lake. There, I left her on the shore and began to step on the lake. Unbeknownst to her, I am also an Archmage tier expert at ice magic. So believing the ice solid she stepped upon it and fell into the water. I began to laugh at her plight and when she got out she began to cast fire magic at me, a dragon. It was rather cute, like a pixie trying to punch a brown bear.
Old memories, even longer sigh withheld. It will be more than a century before I can retake my dragon form. I answered her “many brave knights died to put down the fowl beast.” She grew solemn. Nearing the bottom I saw my levy. A thousand spear wielding peasants and the last five knights of my retinue. Those peasants lucked out. I choose my home because it would take a human in good physical shape to barely enter the cave. Unbeknownst to the half-starved, four foot nine inch tall, disease ridden common folk their plight is their salvation. Of course the peasants can’t be left without any condescending ‘leadership’ so five knights remain.
Seeing Joseph’s return along with the princess the whole levy and retinue began to cheer and chant “Dragon Slayer.” Removing the silksteel rope I stood atop a boulder and looking across their faces I made an impassioned speech. “For countless years our land has been besieged by the dragon. Burning our fields, destroying our caravans, and eating our livestock. Even worse, the blight called dragon had the arrogance to steal the princess of our very own Kroan Kingdom! The king was so bereft of the loss of his daughter that he even promised her hand for her safety.” At these words the princess flinched. “However, we knights and warriors feared not this malevolent being. We marched from our home in Freyard, crossed rivers, hiked across magic infested forests, and arrived at these desolate mountains. Here we faced the great evil and here we proved victorious!” The peasants began to cheer even louder.
“As we all know with victory comes spoils. Inside that cave lies enough treasure to buy food for all our families for the entirety of our lives!” Greed began to enter their eyes. “Thusly, we will stay here for the next few days and we will extract the treasure. Upon our return each man will receive a fistful of gold!” Upon these words thee peasantry howled as if possessed by sheer excitement, a fistful of gold is enough for three generations of their families to eat well. “However, now more than ever is the time for secrecy. If word goes out bandits and marauders will come to take from us our treasure and to make our wives widows. Thusly, any and all deserters will be punished swiftly and decisively. Those suspected of stealing or attempting to steal our treasure will likewise be punished. Lastly, any man that reports the crime of those with black hearts will be rewarded with their share. But for today we celebrate, breakout the fine wine!”
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Although still cheering from the earlier excitement, I seeded the fear of their fellow man into their souls. Thus serving two purposes. Those men, having heard the speech now know that there is a significant reward to cooperation. However, they likewise know that attempting to steal may very well result in their execution. They are not even able to trust their comrades as they may be turned in for their share. Thusly, ensuring minimal information leakage, minimal loss of treasure, and the cooperation of the peasantry. Stepping down from the boulder I approach my retinue.
“My lord, what of the others?” A reasonable tall red headed well-muscled knight named Lemric Strockhoss asked. His brother was amongst the vict… casualties in the cave. Looking towards him, while doing my best to restrain myself from smirking, I answered, “Sorry Lemric, your brother died an honorable death fighting that creature. So have all the others. I only survived because of the dragon’s arrogance and this sword on my belt. I promise, tonight I will share with all of you everything of the battle. Tomorrow we will bury the dead but today,” looking towards the Quarter Master, “Breakout the fine wine and food, we only need one wagon full to return.” Lemric and the others looked mournful but as knights of our Kroan kingdom they understand to die with honor is to die a good death.
Before they leave I also give another command, “Xavier, summon the squires, I would like to alert them of their master’s death and promote a few into my service. Also, Jurggen Vulturin (Quarter Master), you have my permission to recruit 20 or more trusted spearmen to serve as additional guards for our wagons.” Xavier Pescal, A bronze-skin, black haired, lanky chap nods and departs for the tents. Jurggen, a rat faced stout man that dresses in the most gaudy of noble wear responds, “yes, master. Also concerning the recruitment can I give them some an additional reward for their service?” No doubt he will embezzle some of their reward into his pockets.
“You are authorized to offer them an additional fistful of gold.” “About that my lord, are you sure you want to offer the peasantry so much? Even a few gold coins can buy their loyalty.” One of the shorter retainers named Tredurin Mertic, standing 5” 4’ with brown hair, olive skin, and hazel blue eyes asks. “To quote the old hymn of Freduchin and the Seven Giants, ‘gold is a plague of the heart. For it men would kill even their fathers to lift the disease of greed.’ Yes, I am sure. Once we begin moving all the gold from the cavern it will become imperative to ‘lift their disease’ with enough measure. Also Janice, please show the princess to one of our tents, she has had a long day.” Janice Oakstaff, the last female knight left, stood 5” 8’ with black and wide hair intermixed, which is an odd combination with her youthfulness and emerald eyes.
Acknowledging the command she departs with the princess while saying “come with me princess, I’ll show you to your quarters.” Helix Lionspaw, an almost sickly pail black haired youth and the last of my original retinue asks “Should I dress your wound my lord?” I then look towards my right shoulder and saw Joseph’s blood stains across the torn armor and chain mail. Hmm, completely forgot that was there. “No, I dressed it before I exited the cavern.” Xavier then returns with a dozen squires behind him. These sons of lower nobility were given to knights to be educated in their ways and thusly become knights themselves. However, most of their masters have died and we are consequently left with a massive shortage of upper management for the peasantry. Thusly, I decided to promote 7 of the more outstanding youths to my service while the others are distributed to the previous five knights.
Asking the seven to kneel I couldn’t help but look at their youthful human faces, sons of nobility. These children will grow up to own fiefs where they will leach off of their serfs driving them close to starvation. Then they will have children of their own who will have peasants cut down more of my forest to grow more food perpetuating the cycle until there is no more land and the humans begin to starve. Of course this will only affect the peasantry and starvation is already such a common occurrence. It truly is no wonder that most peasants don’t even reach five feet and it further enables nobles to lord over them. The world is cold and cares little for their plight but dragons are searing and I will rule them.
“Do you swear to serve me to the best of your ability, to uphold the honor of your house and to at all times behave in a way proper to knights and nobility? Do you swear to answer your countries call to battle and before all the gods fight honorably to your last breath? Do you swear to fight with me through perils of untold horror even if it should take your life? Do you give me, Joseph Searmire, this oath of knighthood?” “We do so swear and grant our lives for honor, glory, and our rightful lord!” answered the newly minted knights. I then took my sword into my left hand and placed it on each of their shoulders. “Rise as knights.” Rising they had a look of elation and happiness at this achievement. The other five where despondent but such can’t be helped. If they only knew that I truly meant it when I said ‘untold horror.’ I then placed 100 levies under the command of each of my retinue except Janice who is now the princess’ personal guard and Xavier who is mine.
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Soon night fell and the sound of celebration could be heard across the camp. I was seated in front of a large bonfire surrounded by my retinue and curious peasants. Under the moonlight, I knew they would write songs, children would dream, and men envy of what was to occur. The greatest power humanity has; the power to lie, that’s right, its story time.
“As we were entered the cave we had to be careful not to be blown into the mountain by the odd winds coming from inside. The odd wins, however, came rhythmically and properly timed, it could be traversed safely. To our astonishment, they were not winds but breath! As we approached the purple dragon heard our footsteps and arose 150 feet tall! Then with hatred and hunger in his eyes he spoke, ‘how nice for my meal to deliver itself. I’ll be sure to reward you by devouring you slowly.’ The men were shocked by his size and even more by his despicable nature.
However, the dragon gave no time to even blink as he breathed in with a force that could blow down a hundred tenement homes. I knew what the fowl beast was about to do. Giving the command, my brave knights formed a shield wall in front of it, the quick mages cast tens of protective barrier spells, and the spearmen and hunters hid behind our walls. Like a tsunami it came. The blue fire burned through the mage barriers like paper. Before us stood a wall of fire 50 feet high but the bravery of our knights stood firm! The shield wall took the blast, our feet forced backwards, and the heat could only be described as an inferno.
The dragon, after what seemed like hours, finally lost his breath. He looked at us with arrogant anger for our survival of his most fiendish attack. Then he bellowed out a roar to that shook mountains and charged. The knights did not panic, we stood our ground and readied the pikes, the hunters and mages took distance and loosed arrows and bolts of magic, and even the spearmen tightened their grips and readied themselves. Life or death would be determined in the following moments. Raising up his claw higher than a castle it came down like a sledgehammer upon our shields. We held, despite the force, we held, despite his vicious anger, we held! Then we began our offense, we stabbed with our magic, pikes, and spears.
The dragon took great enmity from our resistance and even suffered wounds at our hands. Enraged he fled back into the cavern smacked the walls with his tail. The whole cave shook and the ceiling collapsed. A large stone slab fell and I was fated to be crushed. Raywind Strockhoss pushed me out of the way. I will always owe him and his family a life debt for this most honorable deed. Our wind mage and three brave knights died this way and our shield wall broke. The dragon, however, to spite their bravery laughed. He unfurled his wings and as if a century storm came the winds blew with force enough to tear castle walls. Our knights and mages defended themselves with shield and magic. The hunters and spearmen were left without protection, however, and were tossed out of the cave.
With hideous reptile eyes the dragon look at us and laughed causing the whole cavern to quake. Our moral was low, panic began to creep into our hearts, but we still stood strong. We reformed the shield wall the mages cast ice spike and stone shard spells pelting the dragon. We advanced quickly towards the dragon and then he opened his mouth. From it, the dragon spewed black mist slimy to the touch. Like sludge it clung to our clothes and armor and soon we were paralyzed and fell unconscious.
I woke to the scream of the last of my knights being devoured. No doubt he saved me for last but in this hopeless moment a light shined through. I heard it’s calling from the end of the cavern. Telling me to get up, encouraging me to live and find justice. I got up and began to run to the end of the cavern. The dragoon saw this and smirked, no doubt he preferred fresh pray. Slowly walking behind me like an ominous shadow. I ran as fast as I could till a saw a mountain of treasure. Two whole wagon full of gold. No doubt this was the greedy dragons stash.
Besides a wall I saw it, an iron sword as purely normal as can be. Throwing away despair at its natural appearance, I rushed for it. The dragon, upon seeing the objective of my mad dash, grew furious. He finally took me with seriousness, catching up in the blink of an eye. I was but 10 feet from the sword when the dragons claw came crashing down. I did my utmost to dodge, years of training and martial cultivation put to work but the dragon was too fast. His claw tore through my armor nearly severing my right arm.
Despite his best effort I still reached the sword and the dragon felt something new. His blood ran cold, his eyes disbelieving, and his smile gone. Fear. The dragon tried to rise his anger once more to no avail, his fear overtook him. I approached the dragon wielding the sword and he backed away. The dragon began to cower and tried to bride me to spare his life. He offered mountains of gold, to burn the castles of my enemies, and even to be my lifelong pet. Truly a coward. Not hearing any of it, I dashed towards him with the sword raised. Finally growing angry the dragon swiped with his tail. I swung the sword down and cut straight through the tail with a holy brilliance. While the dragon screamed in agony I sprinted to him and before he could swipe me with his claws, I stabbed his heart were then he burst into holy flame leaving nothing behind.”
Their eyes lusted for more. The story finished and the thirst came. I’ve done my job. Even Lemric had a mixture of pride, veneration, and sadness upon his face. Cheering came, boasts were made, and all drank wine. All but my lovely pet who seamlessly exited the light of the fire and faded into the night. I swear if I knew how much humiliation I would suffer, I would have devoured Joseph even slower. Janice began to get up but I asked her to sit.
I exited the clamorous fire and walked towards the woods. There upon a hill sat my pet looking towards the stars. “Princess Isskona, might I asked why you left the festivities.” The answer obvious, only served to enrage her. Her emerald eyes looked at me with clear anger and sadness in them. “You have your price, you now obtained gold, glory, and honor for your house. At the cost of all your ‘precious’ companions.” Her attempts to incite fury are pointless and in truth they make me want to laugh.
Approaching her I placed my arm around her shoulders. She resisted and was about to shout when I said, “look there!” I pointed towards the starry sky. “The teachings of Vledrin show that most of those stars have worlds and most of those worlds life. ‘There is where our ancestors and loved ones go to reincarnate.’ In that sky somewhere my companions and perhaps even your dragon look up. Just as the blue sky unites all on Petros, the night sky unites all souls together.” I then turn towards her and I see a single tear fall. She looked into my eyes and then quickly downwards with a slight bashfulness. Joseph you damn smooth talker, I should have flayed you alive. Angrily she broke my grip and stormed back to camp. Her hands clutched tightly with a hint of crimson. You never fail to please me, my dear pet.
Proudly I returned to my tent. The sounds of celebration still audible even to this late hour. No doubt the peasantry enjoying the best wine of their lives. Calmly I rested in a meditative posture. Throughout today I felt as though I walked on a knife’s edge and upon relaxing I felt clearly how much my power screamed to get out. Suppressing a sigh I knew would last for days, I began to seal even more of my power. I cannot allow this human vessel to rupture. I poured Qi out of my meridians into the night sky. I have, yet again, become weaker. I can’t even use magic as my spiritual force is fully occupied maintaining the spell. I do not know how much weaker I will become before equilibrium is reached and this vessel is capable of holding my energy. Falling asleep, my first day as a human was at an end and only a century left to go.
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Authors' Note: Thank you for reading! If you enjoyed this piece of fiction or wish to give a critique please do not hesitate to comment, Its all welcomed.