Dragons breath

Chapter one

The bustling underground market was alive with the hum of voices, the shuffle of feet, and the occasional clink of chains. Strange and rare creatures were displayed like exotic trophies, their eyes filled with defeat or anger as traders and buyers haggled for their lives.

Among the cages and stalls, 18-year-old Kael wandered with wide eyes. He had never been to a black market before. His family, though not rich, had always been honest and upright, teaching him the value of kindness and fairness. But today was different. He had overheard whispers of a secret auction where magical creatures were sold. Curiosity, mixed with a sense of adventure, had drawn him here.

Kael's heart pounded in his chest as he moved past stalls filled with strange beasts—griffins, phoenixes, and even a half-giant. The air was thick with the smell of sweat and fear. But one creature caught his eye more than the rest.

Caged in the center of the market was a dragon.

He was magnificent, even in chains. His dark green scales shimmered under the dim light of the market, and his golden eyes were fierce yet filled with a kind of sadness. His wings, though bound, were massive, and even restrained, his presence demanded attention. People gawked and murmured, astonished by the sheer rarity of a dragon in captivity. Dragons were creatures of legend, powerful, proud, and free. To see one imprisoned like this stirred something deep within Kael.

The boy paused in front of the cage, feeling an inexplicable pull toward the dragon. The creature's eyes flickered toward him, and for a moment, they locked gazes. Kael's breath caught in his throat. There was something...human in those eyes. A plea, perhaps? Or maybe it was his imagination.

"You interested, boy?" a gruff voice asked.

Kael snapped out of his trance and turned to see a rough-looking merchant standing beside him. "I...how much?" he stammered, surprised by his own question.

The merchant snorted. "More than you could afford, I'd wager. But if you're serious, this one's going for a thousand gold pieces. Rare find, this dragon. Some say he's part human, cursed by an ancient spell. He'll fetch a high price."

Kael's heart sank. A thousand gold pieces? He barely had a fraction of that. But the thought of leaving the dragon behind, sold to some cruel master or worse, was unbearable. His mind raced, trying to think of a solution.

"Please... let me buy him," Kael said, surprising even himself with the urgency in his voice. "I don't have a thousand gold, but I can offer my family's heirloom. It's an enchanted amulet."

The merchant raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Show me."

With trembling hands, Kael pulled a small, intricately designed amulet from his pouch. It shimmered faintly with a soft, magical glow. His mother had told him it was priceless, passed down through generations, but right now, Kael couldn't think of anything more important than freeing the dragon.

The merchant examined the amulet closely, his eyes gleaming with greed. "Fine," he finally said. "The dragon's yours. But don't come crying to me if you can't handle him."

Kael swallowed hard, unsure if he was making the right choice. But as the merchant handed him the key to the cage, a strange sense of calm washed over him. He walked toward the dragon, who watched him intently, and unlocked the door.

The dragon didn't move at first, just staring at Kael as if assessing him. Then, slowly, he stretched his wings, shaking off the chains that had bound him. For a brief moment, Kael thought the creature would attack, but instead, the dragon lowered his head, almost in a gesture of gratitude.

"You're free," Kael whispered.

The dragon blinked and, in a voice that was deep and resonant, yet undeniably human, he spoke. "Why?"

Kael froze. The dragon could speak?

"Why did you free me?" the dragon asked again, his voice filled with disbelief.

Kael hesitated before answering. "I couldn't just leave you there. You didn't deserve that...no one does."

The dragon stared at him for a long moment before he sighed, a sound that rumbled like distant thunder. "You are a fool," he muttered, though there was no malice in his voice. "But a kind one."

Kael's heart pounded in his chest. He had never imagined dragons could speak, let alone so...human-like. "What's your name?" Kael asked.

The dragon hesitated before replying, "My name is Draven."

"Draven," Kael repeated softly. "I'm Kael."

Draven inclined his head slightly. "It seems I owe you a debt, Kael."

"You don't owe me anything," Kael said quickly. "I just—"

"Don't be foolish," Draven interrupted. "You freed me. And in dragon culture, such acts demand repayment."

Kael wasn't sure what to say. The dragon—no, Draven—was proud and commanding, but there was a softness in his words that surprised him. "You don't have to repay me," Kael insisted. "I...I just didn't want you to suffer."

Draven regarded him with those piercing golden eyes, his gaze intense. "Still, I am bound by my word. You will have my protection and my loyalty, Kael, until my debt is repaid."

Kael nodded slowly, unsure of what this meant. "Okay..."

As they left the market together, Kael couldn't help but feel that his life had just changed in ways he could never have imagined.