Dragon Female pov:

I like to fly. I'm an inquisitive sort and so I like checking things out wherever I go. I'm not aggressive,  I don't enjoy hunting, harm or killing. So most folks leave me in peace, as I do them. I have different receptions and reputations in various places I visit.

I'm currently heading for a favourite rest stop of mine. The sun is great for basking there. Plus the shelter is just right and very cosy. It's one of many lairs I've found and regularly visit scattered about.

Oddly enough, a little while back I woke up from a nap there, having quite overslept.  Instead of a few months to a year nap that I was expecting, I'd slept for several years, nearly a decade. I said this lair was cosy. Cosy yes, safe for a proper sleep? Not so much.

Instead of waking up to my usual peaceful surroundings,  I was surprised to discover that humans had moved into the area! In one of my many basking meadows, a tribal village had sprung up during my slumber. I didn't notice them at first, being a bit groggy, so as I flew to this meadow for some basking and letting the sun relax my stiff muscles, the sudden outcry of human fear surprised me so much I fumbled my landing.

Well and truly grounded now, with a few new bumps and aches added to my collection,  I was so not getting back into the air until I'd stretched out a bit. Thus I settled on a nearby basking rock, arranged my limbs for best effect and stretching a few kinks out in the process, then watched the entertainment the humans were sure to cook up.

Humans were a funny lot.

Their first reaction to something new or unexpected was a combination of fear and curiosity. Fear was quick to transition into lashing out, often at the curious amongst them, sometimes at me too.

To this day there were culture's who raised snacks-knights to hunt or deter the dragons who visit. My mother said they were tasty and she often visits such places for a snack or two. The metal they wear is great at cooking them under a medium heat and gives a nice crunch perfect for cleaning ones teeth periodically. I've never tried it. I find too much meat in my diet gives me halitosis and I do not want bad breath.

So long story short, this tribe uses me to remove undesirables from the village. Each time I make an appearance they start preparing some entertainment and gifts for me.

The entertainment is nice, very thoughtful of them, I quite enjoy it.  The gifts are odd though. They give me people.  Why would I want people?

Turns out that an inquisitive teen had climbed on me during a basking session once and I hadn't noticed when I took off. His shrill noise making quickly drew my attention so I landed and shook him off before getting back to my day. Now climbing on me is forbidden and they gift me people instead. Weird tribe this.

Still, I'm a polite dragon and I collect the gifts I'm offered before I leave, no need to distress the humans too much.

I have no idea how to raise humans.

I mark them, then deposit them in another settlement elsewhere. Humans do know how to raise other humans, they're just a bit inconsistent.

I check in occasionally. The settlements that treat my re-gifts properly get more of them. I don't want these people to be ostracised or tossed away again, so if my humans get a home, a mate, children and appear well fed and cared for I'm happy.

Tourist pov:

I'd heard tales of a dragon around these parts, conflicting stories for the most part but one common thread, this dragon was peaceful and inquisitive.

Though that wasn't why I was climbing this mountain range. I'd decided to visit and find remote villages and see if any were profitable to visit or create a trade route to include.

The area is beautiful.  Worth visiting in and of itself.

I'd already visited known hamlets up to this point and had been given directions to a fairly new tribe to the area. So that's where I'm aiming for next. It should be over the next rise... yep, there it is.

My reception was mixed. The leadership was welcoming but the average person was nervous,  like they were waiting for the next shoe to drop.

I was entertained,  fed well and given several women to share my bed with each night. The leadership asked what I was there for and a trade agreement was formed for the following season.  I was quite content with this.

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Then the dragon was spotted and I was able to witness the splendid show they put on for the magnificent creature. It put my reception into perspective,  I was valued far less than this dragon.

Then at the end they gave the dragon their people, carefully selected and presented as gifts.

The dragon took a young woman, marked her and left.

I was stunned and departed soon after.

My tour of the mountains took on a different tone after that. Every mention of the dragon I paid close attention to.

I discovered the dragon delivered people every once in a while to places. Not often, not all in one place, but all were marked.

I had no idea what to make of all this, but it was a great story to tell upon my return to the city.

Chosen Sacrifice pov:

My tribe fled famine and war several generations ago and resettled here in the high mountains. The elders still speak of the day the dragon first appeared mere weeks after their arrival. It was the presence of a dragon that convinced the tribe to settle here of all places.

Dragons are a good omen.

Our tribe knows dragons as beings who seek out sacred places. Their sheer presence is empowering to their preferred environment. That there was one nearby was enough to convince the leadership to settle here, it was time to stop running.

Over time we tried learning about this dragon,  a young female of her kind, still small and inquisitive. She likes basking in the sun, doesn't mind being climbed by children but will take off without paying them heed either so adults try to keep little ones away where possible.

She loves our shows. We put a lot of effort into them and her delight is clear. We tell her tales of our people, lessons we teach our children and tales we have heard in our travels. She isn't picky, but she loves the dances in bright costumes most of all.

At the end we present to her our gifts. Ourselves. It's clear she is reluctant but too polite to refuse and always takes at least one of us.

There was some fear at first that she would consume us as dragons do consider humans edible.  But she never did.

We tracked her the first few times, to learn, and found other hamlets, villages and towns where she deposited us.

Our people consider this an honour. We greatly value those of us who are marked by the dragon.

Recent talk in the village is of a traveller who speaks of trade. The leadership has been keeping him distracted and busy either eating,  trading or rolling in the furs with a female.

Being so isolated we long ago realised that we needed outsiders to keep the tribe healthy. So whenever we travel or have visitors we do what we can to get fresh blood born to our tribe. Each woman the traveller slept with is fertile when he tumbles with them and each woman is rotated out when her peak fertility wanes or at her request. So far we have three confirmed pregnancies much to the elders joy.

Personally I won't spread my legs for a stranger so I'm hoping the dragon chooses me this visit. At least outside I will get to choose my partner from a wider selection.

The beautiful young dragon comes and we perform. Her delight at my dancing is the highlight of my year so far. We have a grand time together while the traveller is watching on.  All too soon the end of the night approaches and time for our gifting giving has arrived. I'm one of the participants again this year.

The traveller tries to interfere and gets swatted by the dragon incidentally when he got too close. This shifted her focus a bit and she chose me!

How wonderful.

I wonder where I'll get to explore? Adventure awaits!

Or a dragon flight anyway, which is even better.

Such was the beginning of Vatalina the Dragon Marked Dancer who started a travelling dance troupe and journeyed the lands collecting stories,  dances and orphans wherever she went. She returned home every 5th year, where possible, to deposit children for the tribe to raise as well as all the dances and stories she collected to honor the dragon who gave her her freedom.