The Offspring of Dragons

Prologue

Dancan heard a rumble and a loud thud coming from not far from his house. The table with his breakfast on it had shaken slightly due to the ground vibrations caused by the impact with something large.

To his surprise, he nearly spilled all his freshly brewed coffee all over himself.

By a miracle and thanks to his quick reflexes, he had managed to avoid burning and wetting himself. The few drops of the liquid that were essential to get his brain going again had fallen to the floor, missing him by a narrow margin. He put his cup down on the table, wiped his coffee-damp fingers, grabbed his cloak and lamp on the fly, rushing outside.

Autumn, his favourite season, had arrived a little early. This year, it was colder than usual. The sky, at that early hour of the morning, already allowed something to be seen, brightened by a faint diffuse glow. The blackness of the night had become a blurred, lightened grey.

He did not need to go far. Silhouetted against the lightening sky was the figure of a gigantic dragon. Stunned, Dancan raised his lantern to get a better view.

The dragon was the largest and most powerful one he, in his career as a hunter, had ever seen. Its scales were black, shiny with the tips tinged lightly with gold.

That peculiar colouring, as the sunlight reflected off it, made it look like a giant phoenix. The eyes were a deep, bright green, also brushed with gold. He was a Highest, a Superior dragon! The Highest were the oldest, largest and most powerful dragons of their kind. They were leaders.

<<Hail to you, Dancan dragon hunter>> greeted him using telepathic communication.

<<My name is Tyson>>.

Tyson? That's not possible. Dancan knew that name was associated with the strongest dragon in existence. To be precise, he was their absolute leader, a king of sorts.

What could such an imposing and important creature want from him?

<<I want your help>> the creature who had read his thoughts told him.

<<Human, I know you are an honourable man. I have heard a lot about you. You seem to be intelligent, brave and just. I have observed you and you are different from most of your kind. That is why I chose you>>.

<<What was I chosen for? >> he ventured to ask.

<<I cannot stay in these places any longer. I must leave. In this world there is no more honour, tolerance, justice. I cannot live with lying, selfish beings who change their principles as the direction in which the wind blows changes>>.

<<But you are the leader of your species. You cannot abandon them>> the hunter interrupted him.

<<Men are not all like that. There is still hope for humanity>> Dancan insisted.

The creature vigorously shook its head, opening and closing its wings.

<<Too few. I am not here to discuss my decision>> roared the dragon in Dancan's head.

The beast brought its right forepaw forward and gently opening its claws, it placed something on the ground.

On the meadow covered with leaves of various colours and shapes, a child was lying. Dancan instinctively rushed over, oblivious of the danger he was putting himself in, getting so close to the mammoth creature in front of him, to check if the little one was injured. Noting that the infant was not injured in any way, he wrapped him in his cloak and took him in his arms, moving back a few steps.

<<What does that mean?>> he asked confused.

<<He is my son. His name is Aidan. I cannot take him with me. I am no longer able to take care of him. You will do it for me>> Tyson declared decisively.

The hunter was astonished. It had never occurred to him that a 'Druma' existed. They were legends. It was said that the Highest could take the form of men and choose a human as a mate. Until then this had always been a fairy tale to Dancan.

<<What happened>> Dancan wanted to know. He knew the habits of dragons. They never abandoned their offspring. What could have happened to such a powerful being to renounce his own kind and even his own child?

<<The men killed my companion. They tortured, raped and burned her alive>>. Dancan whitened his face.

<<You humans are the meanest, cruellest creatures that ever existed. You are capable of frightening brutal acts. Your ignorance, your fears, and your sense of superiority will only lead you to despicable acts. You are capable of raging even against your own kind. Your character is corrupt>>.

<<I am sorry for what happened...>> he said sincerely grieving.

<<But men are also capable of love, compassion, generosity...>>.

<<Humanity only knows how to destroy. Sooner or later, you will also be the cause of your own destruction>>.

<<You cannot abandon your son>>.

<<I have no love to give him. My heart, my soul are torn by unbearable pain>>.

<<I leave him to your care. Raise him with good values, strong and brave. Perhaps one day he will find the way and the strength to lead the dragons. That is, if they are not already extinct>>

<<Goodbye>> Tyson finally said.

With a mighty leap and a vigorous flap of his wings, the dragon soared through the air, and after flying in a circle as a sign of greeting, he flew away northwards, in the direction of the mountain range called The Dragon's back. Dancan remained motionless with the child in his arms, looking at the horizon.

The sun was rising in the distance just behind the mountains towards which Tyson was now flying. He lowered his gaze to the bundle in his arms. The sun illuminated that serious face adorned with two beautiful eyes, the same colour as his father's.

The little one had not cried once. What am I going to do with you now? The hunter asked himself. It seems I have been promoted to the position of father, but I know nothing about raising a child, let alone a dragon.

He looked one last time towards the horizon. The dragon had now disappeared from sight. Dancan turned and walked towards the entrance of his home and towards an entirely unexpected future.