The Lady and the Dragon

Chapter 1

Big thanks to Jakanddaxter for the cover art.

There she was, Lord Cole's daughter. One of the fairest of the town, Sir Dyle thought. And if he won this tourney she was his.

She looked at him critically. Searching for every flaw he had and every mistake he made. Dona didn't care for him. She was unhappy with the arranged marriage.

Oh, but she will learn to love me, Dyle thought.

Dona silently wished for a distraction. Anything to cancel the tourney but there was nothing. Sir Dyle won the first match and the second and third and fourth until finally the last match was here. Dyle's lance shattered against his opponent's shield but both remained on their horse.

The opponent's lance broke in 2 on Dyle's chest plate and he was unhorsed. Dyle seemed confused. All of his other matches had been easy. This was his first time being thrown today. He heard his pulse in his ears and stared up at the sky. He would get one more go but if he was unhorsed again then it was over. No Dona, no glory, nothing but being second best.

His pulse became louder and louder still until he was sure it wasn't his pulse. A dark form soared across his field of view at a blinding speed.

"Dragon!" Someone cried. Then all was chaos. Dyle scrambled to his feet. He mounted his destrier and raced after the dragon.

Surely if he brought back the dragon's head the tourney wouldn't matter. But the dragon had already escaped with 2 sheep and had set a field on fire.

"Hello," a boy behind Dona said.

"Hello," Dona replied facing him.

She couldn't help but be struck by his appearance. His hair was spiked atop his head and blacker than pitch. He had a devilish grin and something wasn't quite right about his eyes.

"So, word is that you're to marry Sir Dyle. Pardon my asking but you don't seem to keen on the idea?"

"Word travels fast. No I don't care for Sir Dyle. I'd much rather make my own choices. What is your name?"

"Forgive me, I am Nveryll the Cloud. I am not from this town as you probably know by now. But I've heard good of you."

"The Cloud? I've not heard that title before."

"Well you've probably never met a dragon before." He smiled widely and Dona could see his pointed teeth. And she figured out what was off about his eyes, they were a shifting gray with cat-like slits.

She stepped backwards. Her eyes were ablaze with fear. Nveryll was genuinely hurt. "I don't mean to harm you, or scare you. I'm sorry."

"I-I don't understand. A dragon?"

"I was looking for a specific human to take on an adventure. I -" Another dragon passed overhead and let loose a shrill screech. "I have to go. I'll return for an answer."

"Wait!" She cried.

Nveryll had already vanished like mist. She understood how he'd gotten his name as he disappeared into the clouds.

The tourney was postponed until tomorrow. The people were too frightened to be outside with dragons about.

What had just happened? she thought. What did he just say? She thought about it for the remainder of the day. Thankfully Dyle was on the search for the other dragon and so not bothering Dona.

The mysterious man, Nveryll, had an odd interest in her. He wanted a companion to share in an adventure. And he asked her. At this point it hardly mattered that he's a dragon.

But could I really leave father like this? She asked herself. Do I want adventure or stability? A knight or a dragon?

"I'm sorry our conversation was cut short," Nveryll apologized.

He'd startled her. Her heart skipped a beat.

"I'm sorry," he said quickly. "I didn't mean to frighten you!"

"Shh, my father will hear you," she whispered.

"I'm sorry," he said again in a hushed tone.

"It's okay. What is it you want?"

"I came to -" he paused to think of the best way to say what he needed. "I'm here to clarify what I offer. I realized I wasn't quite clear on what I'd said after I flew off."

"Go on."

He paused again. "We dragons have an instinct to find a certain smaller companion to assist with their journey. In most cases it's a creature of the forest but sometimes it's a human, like yourself."

"So what exactly is it that happens on said journey?"

"Well," he clears his throat. "Think of it as a right of passage, we cannot truly settle until we complete it. We must travel the world and learn its secrets and view its wonders. All while searching for something without knowing what it is. Once we find it we can settle."

"What do you need me for? Wouldn't I just slow you down?"

"No, no, not at all. I cannot go on my journey without you. I understand if you decline, most human companions don't even give us the opportunity to speak. You have more time to decide of course, I just wanted to get it out there."

Dana looked at the house she grew up in, the one her mother died in, the one her father wept in. Her father would have given her to Dyle.

But for years he'd cared and provided for her. There was still a chance to convince him against the marriage. Besides how much did she really know about Nveryll? A dragon becoming a person? How absurd! But still, he seems genuine, she thought.

"I cannot decide now. I need time," she replied after a moment.

"Of course, you have plenty."

"Thank you."

He smiled. She could see his pointed teeth again only this time she wasn't afraid. "I must go. My brother waits for me."

"Goodbye, Nveryll!" She waved as he disappeared into the sky again.