The Guardian Dragon

Humans

He leads me outside, as we exit the cave, my sensitive eyes adjust to the bright light of a midday sun. Oh how I love the feel of the sun on my scales. In dragon form, my light blue scales reflect the light and in a way that makes me appear almost invisible. This is especially useful when I’m flying because it allows me to disappear in the sky. I cannot revel in the light now though; instead my attention is brought to the male human’s companions. They are male as well, although they are not nearly as tall as him and both have very short hair. The first is white like the male, with dark brown hair and hazel eyes. The second’s skin is slightly yellowish, his eyes slightly slanted and not as open as the other males’. His hair is black, as are his eyes. I try to remember what race of human he is; I haven’t encountered many of them in the human settlements near my territory. I do not have time to dwell on it though, because all the two companions are staring at me with complete surprise.

“Where did you pick up this one Brian?” the first male asks. “I mean seriously, we are an hour away from the closest town.”

“Well I think we all know Brian has a talent for picking up women wherever he is,” the second jokes. The first lets out a snort of laughter, before he returns to being serious.

“What is she doing here?” he asks.

“I don’t know. I just found her wandering around the caves. She claims she’s lost,” the male who they refer to as Brian says. “I don’t know what else we can do but take her into town. Oh yeah, and her name is Emmalie.”

The yellow skinned male approaches as offers his hand out for me to shake it. “It is very nice to meet you Emmalie, although I still think that Brian dragged you out here in order to play hero.” He snickers in Brian’s direction before introducing himself to me, “My name’s Greg.”

The other doesn’t come in shake my hand, but he does say, “Nice running into you here,” pausing to look around dramatically, “My name’s Josh and as I’m sure you’ve guessed, this knucklehead is Brian.”

Afterwards they lead me through the forests that cover my territory, leading me along paths forged by deer and at some points no paths at all. They never falter in their orientation though, and eventually we find ourselves at one of the human black paths. Parked off the side of it there is a fairly large metal vehicle, which I believe humans call cars. They take me to it. As we approach Josh takes out a ring of keys, presses a button, and I see lights all over it light up. I haven’t ever been in one of these human vehicles, although I have seen them become more and more advanced over the past hundred years. To be fair, although they disgust me, they also are quite interesting. Once humans would have spent months crossing distances that they now cross in a few days with minimal effort.

They guide me into a seat in the back of it. I sit down on the soft fabric and take a long look around. There are long pieces of fabric hanging from the walls, but I don’t know what their purpose is. I quickly learn though as Brian sits down next to me, grabs the one closest to him, and puts the little metal thing on it into a slot coming out of the seat. Greg sits next to Josh in the front. Josh’s seat is different than all the rest though. His has a patterned circle in front of it, a type of wheel, and several plastic sticks coming out of it. As well as that, there are lots of little lights, words, and little needles that point to different numbers behind the wheel. This must be how he controls it! I realize. I knew humans had become advanced, but this only went to prove the significance. He puts the key into a little slot and turns it. When he does, I hear and feel a deep rumbling start in the car as it comes to life. I am startled at first, but regain my composure when Brian gives me a questioning look.

“Have you not been in a car before?” he asks. His question catches me off guard, am I supposed to tell the truth or lie? I quickly make my decision.