Just Good Friends With The Dragon

Damsel In Distress

I have a beautiful dance partner. Dressed in scintillating greenish stars.

She holds me low on my back and we spin (my feet off the floor).

When my feet land, she circles and I pivot.

Her hand relaxes and fingers draw in supple affection. Slipping our hands ever slowly apart.

Her smile is confident, but everything moves away quickly. Gone.

I awake with a start. She is still here. The Dragon Goddess is still here.

Yet, I know she will leave. It is the plan.

For the third morning, there are sounds off in the wooded areas.

The Goddess sends her thoughts to me 'Go find and greet this one.'

In the trees nearby, I move in a steady manner and discover a young woman with eyes closed.

Looking very much like a renaissance fair maiden (except that these clothes are clearly worn regularly). There is even a small tear that was sewn (mended) and then covered with a little embroidery. Very ladylike and genteel clothes, with signs just a little dirtiness at the bottom.

She stands very still and composed, but the voice shows some trembling. Her eyes are hidden by hair with her head leaned forward.

"P-Please hear my case. Please consider my cause. My father will starve. Hear the plight of he and I. We are petitioners in this kingdom. We have not had successful supplication, and thus we are destitute. Please take on a quest on our behalf. My father trained me, but you are my first actual petition. Please."

I walk to her and her trembles increase. I lift her chin with fingers to see for myself the eyes.

She shudders with a gasp. She is open and easy to read. This is the truth. I am sure.

Her breathing is shaky, so say "It is all right. Let's go see the dragon."

I clasp her hand and she trembles as I steadfastly lead her to the Goddess.

The girl's eyes look at me, at the dragon. She starts to shiver.

I hug her and say "There, there. Let just check first."

I ask the dragon in my thoughts "I want to help her. Is that all right?"

With the 'Yes', I hug the girl more and tell her "I will side on your cause."

I made the petition. My father will get food once released from the debt. But the dragon moves and is standing. It makes no sound in any way (not even breathing). It towers.

The dragon head moves supple and slow to look 'face on' directly into my eyes. The warrior woman is not seeing this.

The dragon face comes very close and stops.

Sorted. I am being sorted.

The dragon slowly retracts the silent movements and returns to its earlier position of laying.

Sorted. I have been sorted. They say you know the answer yourself. Which side you have been sorted to.

I had to do this. For my father. This is our career. I had to.

And not only that. This warrior woman. Did she just 'claim' me? Taking my gaze! Leading me by hand!

The girl shudders and breathes in a way a little like whimpering.

"There, there. It will be all right. I understand. Stress. It has such a funny way to leave you shaky. Even when the news is good."