"DragonFire Part 1" by Renee LeCompte

As the fiery crimson sun sank below the horizon, and the pale moon dared show her face, a shadow soared toward a tiny village. Burning red eyes showed nothing but hatred as fire spewed from its orifice onto the thatched roofs of the villagers. As quickly as the dark shadow had appeared, it was gone, flinging itself back into the night. But it would not be forgotten by the villagers, who tried desperately to put out the fires, and restore their broken and burned memories.

Dragon landed on the ledge of her huge cave, satisfied with the night's expedition. She may die soon, but she will be remembered for many generations. "Yes," she rumbled. "Let man fear all Dragons." She curled up on the stone floor, and reminisced the few years with her mother. Dragon growled, knowing her duty was an impossible one. Killing all men was not something she savored, but they must learn their lesson. Mother had taught her well. Fly, fight, flee, dearest. And Dragon had. Unfortunately, her brothers hadn't. They were all killed in the battle, along with Mother, who was too old, too slow. She was the last.

Dragon stretched her gleaming gold talons, and prepared for sleep. Sleep never came easily for her, and nightmares usually frequented with her. Watch for man, even in your sleep. Dragon covered her head, clutched her heart, and closed her eyes.

Minstrel Yidraik was a wanderer. He had always been a wanderer, and his family had been wanderers. Now, he was alone, having left his family. It was all right though. He didn't love them. A harsh father and a whimpering mother were not his idea of a proper family. Neither was being pounded every day by his thirty or so siblings. So he'd left them, and he hadn't regretted it.

The first thing on Yidraik's mind was to find shelter. It was now early in the evening, the time wild things came out. The last village he'd passed was in no condition to offer hospitality. In fact, it was burned to a crisp. No matter. Yidraik spotted a cave opening, high in the cliffs. If only he had wings to fly up there. No matter. He'd climb.

Yidraik made it up the cliff minutes later. Not only a minstrel, he was a thief, and climbing was an obligatory skill in his life. He found a large rock to curl up by, and went to sleep.

Dragon awoke wearily as the sun peeked over the earth again. She was visited by bad dreams last night, and omens of the past and future. She stretched, and found a lump had accumulated by her side. Almost flicking it away, she noticed that the lump had very human-like features. In fact, it was a human. She narrowed her eyes, and picked it up with one swoop up her talon.

It squirmed, now awake. He, she noted. He opened his eyes, and widened them accordingly. He was afraid. "Why do you trespass on my land, man?" she asked in a throaty growl.

"I had no intention of trespassing, Sir Dragon. I merely wanted to obtain shelter for the night."

"That's Lady Dragon to you, snippet." Indeed, this man was scrawny, hardly a bite.

"Pardon me, please. Thank you for showing me kindness by sharing your cave."

"Kindness? I know no kindness. No, man, I have no shown you any kindness, in any way or form."

"You do not know kindness? Haven't not men come and sacrificed their sheep and daughters for your happiness and pleasure? That must surely be kindness."

"No, snippet. It is fear rather than love that makes man obey me." She rumbled, laughing at the thought. "No man will ever show me kindness. I've only been shown hatred and fear from them. They killed off my race. I am the last."

"Have you ever flown from this island?" the man asked, curious.

"No, this is my home. I will not stray."

"Then there are others, like you. I will show you the way to them, only if you spare my life."

Dragon blinked. No man should be like this, all men are evil, and none show her kindness. "Are you sure you are man, for you seem very like a Dragon to me." She set him carefully down.

"What is your name?"

"I have no name, as no Dragon needs a name."

"Well, my name is Yidraik, and you must have a name, for it is only proper to acknowledge one so great as yourself with something better than 'Dragon'. Now, what shall I call you?"

"Should I care?" Dragon asked indifferently. "It matters not what a mere man will call me."

"Ahh, I know what I'll say your name is. It is Valida."

"And what is that word supposed to mean, snippet?" Valida asked as she studied her talons.

"It is Latin for powerful."

"Why don't you just call me 'powerful?' I don't understand."

"Well, it is just what men like to do."

"I'll never understand men and their insistent needing to name everything they see," Valida grumbled. "Well, when shall we set off?" she asked, changing the subject.

"It will take a long time to journey back to the place of dragons. As soon as we can."

"The trip will be long, even dragon-back?"

"Oh no!" Yidraik laughed. "I hadn't thought of that. Of course it will be much shorter if you're willing to fly me."

"All right, then let us journey." Yidraik climbed clumsily onto Valida's broad back. "No, not right there, you'll be in the way of my flying. Scoot up, onto my neck." Yidraik did so. "There, now we are ready for flight." Taking one last look at the home that would no longer be hers, she jumped off the high ledge, with Yidraik screaming all the way. "Oh shut up, you ninny." She twisted her neck around to look the man in the eye. "If you prefer, we can stop by a village, and pick up a riding harness for you."

"I would like that," Yidraik gasped.