Dragons are a Girls Best Friend

Chapter 4

I neared the pen that held the Hobblegrunt I seemed to be attracted to. It regarded me briefly, then ignored me for the next few minutes. "So what are you in for?" I asked jokingly. The Hobblegrunt flicked its tail up, spraying me with hay and sand. That seemed to amuse it. It laughed at the look on my face. Seemed to find it quite amusing actually. "So, I'm just curious to know. Umm. How should I put this delicately. Uh, are you a boy?" That earned me another slap of its tail. I could see that the dragon was highly offended. Whoops. Guess that means she's a girl then. Knowing that Hobblegrunts are sensitive creatures, I humbly bow my head to her. "I humbly apologise for my rude comment on your gender. I am really really really sorry and I promise you I will not get back up until I know you have accepted my apology". The dragon cocked her head curiously at my actions. Her colouring turning from a red colour to more purplish. She vibrated the fin on top of her head as if to check she wasn't being tricked, then slowly, she raised one foot after another until she was standing mere inches from me. She bent her head forward and gently touched her nose on my head. She forgave me! I slowly raised my head and smiled. Suddenly wanting to touch her, I reached out my hand but quickly pulled back when she charged, making me fall down on the ground hard. Hey! That rhymed! 'Down' and 'ground'. Well, almost. Great. Now I better not start rhyming with all my words. The dragon stared down at me, not sure whether to laugh or stay angry with me. Making up her mind, she simply decided to ignore me. Oh well. At least I slightly bonded with her. The key word being slightly. Glancing back at the other dragons, I spot the Deadly Nadder from last night and walk over. "Hey big boy" I said soothingly. He backed away with a petrified look in his eyes and started sqwarking. Rather loudly too. "Hey! What do you think you're doing?!" A customer I suppose, walked right up to me and painfully grabbed my arm. "Ow! Hey! I'm the new Stable girl". I tried to reason with him but he was in no mood to listen. I could see that plain as day. "No you're not! You're lying. Tori works here not some skinny little brat! You're coming with me until I get this sorted". And with that, he dragged me over to the pen next to the Hobblegrunt and pushed me roughly inside, locking the door behind me. As he left, the Hobblegrunt stuck her head over and looked at me mockingly. I could tell what she was saying, 'So, what are you in for?'

"Oh quiet you. Don't you start". I frowned at her and she only giggled a dragon laugh back.

After sharing the company of a very stubborn dragon next door, I found that over the past few hours, we understood each other a bit better. The Hobblegrunt had even allowed me to pet her neck. But even though that happened. I still hadn't earned her trust. Not yet anyway. When I had almost gotten to sleep, I heard a little chirrup and found Gosta sitting on my lap. "Gosta! It's so great to see you!" I hug him affectionately which the Hobblegrunt sees. "What's this?" Gosta held out his leg to show a piece of parchment. "Terror mail". I realised. I opened it up and read:

To Eydis

The time is nigh. Have the dragons ready for pick up. I've brought some backup.

Asta.

Oh great! Figures she'd rush into things. Oh well. Hopefully this plan'll go better than her last one. I thanked Gosta and he flew off. Now, how to get out of this pen. I looked around for a way out then, seeing the Hobblegrunt, I get an idea. "Hey girl", I address her, "can you help me get out of this pen?" She snorted knowing there was some sort of a catch. "What? There's no catch. I just came here to free the dragons. So it's a you help me I help you situation. You help me get out of this pen, then I'll help you escape this horridly stinky place. Sound good?" She shook her head disbelievingly. "Come on. For this to work I need you to trust me. Please!" Her fin vibrates and here colour changes quickly. Not staying as one colour showing she doesn't know what to decide. But then she focused on me and she knew right then. She could trust me. She bent down over me and picked me up gently before setting me down outside the pen. I smiled at her and let her out. She gave me a toothy smile and stretched out her wings. Glad to be free of the cramped space. "Now. It's prison break time" I smiled.