Revenge.
The wounds healed over. Soft baby flesh turned rough scar tissue.
But the memory never healed.
Fire transformed many times since his first. And every time he did it with one thought in his mind. How could he cause men as much pain as they caused him.
And how could he get what he wanted.
The flame in his throat was his power - a reflection of his emotions. It spread along the edges of the lake - burning grass and little patches of woods. Locking the villagers in their town square.
Fire flew down and landed on the burning rooftop of a stone house. Flames licking at his feet - harmless to him. He screached at the villagers.
Soon they were on their knees begging their new fiery god. They wanted mercy.
'A sacrifice! To appease the dragon! We need a sacrifice!'
But Fire did not know the words of men. He flew off - satisfied with his first revenge. And returned the next morning. The sound of his heavy wings against the wind announcing his presence.
The villagers were hiding. But there before him was a wooden pole. Rope tied one of them to it. One with long garments. Fire knew now. A female. Somehow the villagers had known what he wanted.
Green eyes glinting Fire grasped the pole in two claws and flew away. Roaring one last triumphant blast of fire into the air he flew away to his cave. The female screamed.
Entrance sealed Fire watched the creature start to stir. It had fallen asleep in the air. And now it was waking up.
It stirred and fluttered its eyes open. Alert. Fire growled. Still a dragon he started to circle it. Placed in the center of the cave on a raised bed of rock. Still tied to the pole there was no chance of the female creature running off.
A sort of surprised acceptance filled its face. Like a deer before you finish it. It spoke no words. Simply stared at Fire.
He growled, showing his teeth. A small flash of bright yellow light and Fire was changing. Turning in on himself he shrunk and shrunk until he was his true self again. The shape of a man.
The female gasped.
YOU ARE READING
The Dragon's Maiden (COMPLETE)
FantasyIn a world where dragons once ruled a young woman is sacrificed to a monstrous beast. Expecting to be eaten, young Lia is surprised to learn of the creature's true form and that a sacrifice is much more than food... Hi! I'm Bean and this short story...
